2. Each line in the poem tells you something about the people singing it. Read the sentences in column A and write the appropriate lines in column B.
| What the line tells us | The line |
| The people have to suffer many hardships today. | We are not afraid today. (This shows they are facing things that would normally cause fear, meaning they are suffering). |
| They do not have equal status and friendly relations with other people in society today. | We’ll walk hand in hand today. (This line is a hope for the future, implying that they are not walking hand in hand with others in the present). |
| Other powerful people are trying to frighten the people singing the poem. | We are not afraid today. (This line is a direct response to attempts to frighten them). |
| The people singing the song are not free today. | We shall be free someday. (This hope for freedom in the future means they are not free now). |
| The people singing the song have no peace today. | We shall live in peace someday. (The desire to live in peace in the future indicates they do not have peace today). |
3. Find out more about the Civil Rights movement in the USA. Use the internet to gather the information.
Answer: The Civil Rights Movement was a long struggle (mainly in the 1950s and 1960s) by African Americans in the USA to end racial segregation and discrimination and to gain equal rights under the law. Before this movement, Black people were treated unfairly; they had to use separate schools, restaurants, and even drinking fountains from white people. Great leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. led peaceful protests, marches, and boycotts. The movement used non-violent methods and powerful speeches, like Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream.” Important achievements included new laws: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which ended segregation in public places) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which protected the right to vote for Black people). The song “We Shall Overcome” became the movement’s anthem.
4. Find other inspiring songs associated with people’s movements. You may list famous inspiring songs from your mother tongue or Hindi.
Answer: English: “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Hindi: “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo” (patriotic song remembering soldiers), “Rang De Basanti Chola” (associated with freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh), “Hum Honge Kamyaab” (the Hindi version of “We Shall Overcome”).
5. Note that many times ‘do’ is used to show emphasis. Example : I do believe. Write 3 more sentences using ‘do’ for emphasis.
Answer:
I do want to go to the picnic, but I am unwell.
She does finish her work on time, even if it is difficult.
We do need to help our friends when they are in trouble.
6. The words ‘We shall…’ show firm resolve to do something. Read the ‘Pledge’ given in your textbook. Using your own ideas, write a few sentences beginning with ‘I shall’ or ‘We shall’.
Answer: I shall work hard to achieve my goals.
I shall always respect my parents and teachers.
We shall keep our school and neighbourhood clean.
We shall stand up for what is right.