NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words Chapter 6

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 6 Mother Tongue – complete answers & explanations 

This NCERT solutions blog for Class 11 English Chapter 6 Mother Tongue is designed to help students understand the poem in a clear, structured, and exam-oriented way. Written by Padma Sachdev, the poem reflects deep love and devotion towards one’s mother tongue and highlights the emotional and cultural importance of language. These solutions are strictly based on the latest NCERT textbook (Woven Words) and follow the exact order of the questions without adding, omitting, or modifying any exercise.

What this NCERT chapter covers? 

1. The symbolic meaning of the quill in the poem 
2. The poet’s urgency and emotional tone 
3. The poet’s attachment to her mother tongue (Dogri) 
4. The use of personification in poetry 
5. Reflection on multilingualism in society 
6. Awareness about Indian languages and scripts

How to use these NCERT solutions?

1. Read the poem carefully at least twice before checking the answers 
2. Understand the symbolic meaning of key words like “quill”, “Shah”, and “Shahni” 
3. Try answering the questions in your own words first 
4. Use these solutions to check structure, clarity, and key points 
5. Revise important literary devices such as personification for exams 

Important tips & tricks for students 

1. Always support answers with references from the poem 
2. Focus on symbolic meanings rather than literal meaning 
3. Keep answers concise, clear, and exam-oriented 
4. Revise literary devices regularly 
5. Practice writing 3–4 point structured answers for 3–4 mark questions

 NCERT Solutions – Complete Answer Key 

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM 

1. The quill is the central element in the poem—what does it symbolise? 

The quill symbolises the poet’s creative expression and the script or medium through which she writes in her mother tongue. It represents the preservation of language and the power of writing. 

2. You notice a sense of urgency in the poet’s request—what is the reason for this? 

The urgency reflects the poet’s deep sense of responsibility and devotion to her mother tongue. She feels called by it and wants to serve it immediately without delay. 

3. How has the poet brought out her emotional attachment to her mother tongue? 

The poet calls her mother tongue a “Shahni” (a wealthy and noble lady) and describes herself as her servant. This metaphor shows pride, respect, devotion, and emotional closeness. Her eagerness to obtain the quill further shows her dedication. 

4. Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human qualities to inanimate things and abstract ideas. How has it been used in this poem? 

Personification is used when the reed speaks, becomes irritated, questions the poet, and cuts off its hand to give her a quill. The mother tongue is also personified as a “Shahni” with servants. These human qualities make the poem lively and expressive. 

TRY THIS OUT 

1. Talk to five people from different spheres of society around you and ask them the number of languages they know and use for various purposes. Try to gather information about their attitude to the different languages they know and use. 

Activity Guidance: 
Speak to people such as a teacher, shopkeeper, parent, friend, and neighbour. Note: 
- Languages they know 
- Languages used at home, workplace, and socially 
- Their feelings about their mother tongue and other languages 
Prepare a short summary in your notebook. 

2. Dogri is a language spoken in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab… Find out about other Indian languages that are spoken but do not have a script of their own. 

Activity Guidance: 
Research examples such as: 
- Gondi 
- Tulu 
- Kodava 
- Bhoti (in certain regions) 
Write brief notes on where they are spoken and which script is used to write them. 

SUGGESTED READING

 1. ‘Hindi’ by Raghuvir Sahay. 

Why NCERT solutions help students? 

NCERT solutions help students understand literary themes, symbolism, and poetic devices clearly. They support structured answer writing and ensure alignment with CBSE examination patterns. By practising these solutions, students can confidently attempt textual and analytical questions in exams. 

Master literature with clarity and confidence through structured NCERT-based learning.