NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Suggested Reading Chapter 1
NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter What Men Live By by Leo Tolstoy – complete answers & explanations
NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter What Men Live By by Leo Tolstoy help students understand the deeper values of love, kindness, compassion, and humanity presented in this meaningful moral story. The chapter explores the life of Simon, a poor cobbler, and Michael, a mysterious stranger who later reveals an important spiritual truth about human life. Through simple storytelling and powerful messages, students learn the importance of helping others, showing mercy, and understanding the true meaning of life. These clear and reliable NCERT solutions support students in improving comprehension, vocabulary, and answer-writing skills for exams and classroom learning. Parents and teachers can also use these solutions to guide students in understanding the moral lessons and emotional depth of the story. Download the worksheet and practice alongside solutions for better clarity. Regular practice with chapter-wise answers helps students gain confidence and improve their English writing skills. Book a free trial now to get expert guidance. With detailed explanations and NCERT-aligned answers, students can prepare effectively and strengthen their understanding of literature and moral values.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The chapter explains the moral
and spiritual journey of Simon and Michael.
2. Students learn important values such as kindness, compassion, humanity, and forgiveness.
3. The story highlights the importance of helping others even during difficult situations.
4. Learners understand the role of love and selflessness in human life.
5. The chapter introduces meaningful vocabulary related to emotions, spirituality, and human behavior.
6. Students improve reading comprehension through story-based short and long answer questions.
7. Character sketches help students understand the personalities and qualities of Simon, Matryona, and Michael.
8. The story develops critical thinking through moral and reflective questions.
9. Students learn how literature can teach important life lessons through simple storytelling.
10. The chapter strengthens answer-writing and language skills for examinations.
11. Think-and-write activities encourage students to express thoughtful and meaningful ideas.
12. The story helps students understand the importance of faith, kindness, and emotional connection in life.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. Read the chapter carefully before attempting the worksheet questions.
2. Try answering the questions independently to improve understanding and confidence.
3. Use these NCERT solutions to compare answers and correct mistakes.
4. Follow the exact worksheet order for smooth and organized revision.
5. Revise vocabulary words regularly to improve language and comprehension skills.
6. Focus on the moral lessons and important themes while preparing answers.
7. Parents and teachers can discuss the chapter’s values to improve deeper understanding.
8. Practice short and long answer questions regularly for better exam preparation.
9. Read the character sketches carefully to remember important traits and qualities.
10. Revisit difficult sections and revise them multiple times for stronger retention.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Understand the moral message of the story clearly before writing answers.
2. Learn important vocabulary words and their meanings from the chapter.
3. Write answers in simple and meaningful sentences during exams.
4. Focus on the qualities and actions of each character while revising.
5. Avoid missing important story details related to Simon, Matryona, and Michael.
6. Practice answer-writing regularly to improve presentation and clarity.
7. Remember the three truths Michael learns in the story.
8. For thinking-based questions, write thoughtful and value-based responses.
9. Revise the summary carefully to understand the complete sequence of events.
10. Read the chapter more than once to improve comprehension and confidence.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
1. Simple Vocabulary
Word
Cobbler
A person who repairs shoes
Compassion
Kindness and sympathy
Mercy
Forgiveness and kindness
Stranger
An unknown person
Poverty
Condition of being very poor
Shelter
A safe place to stay
Faith
Strong belief or trust
Angel
A heavenly being
Suffer
To experience pain or hardship
Generous
Willing to give and help
Wisdom
Deep understanding and good judgment
Humanity
Kindness towards others
Miserable
Very unhappy
Gratitude
Feeling thankful
Destiny
Events that are believed to happen in life
Forgive
To stop being angry with someone
Humble
Simple and modest
Charity
Helping people in need
Truth
Reality or honesty
Soul
The spiritual part of a person
Vocabulary Practice
Fill in the Blanks
1.Simon was a poor __________ who repaired shoes.
2.Michael was actually an __________ sent from heaven.
3.Matryona showed great __________ by helping the stranger.
4.The story teaches the importance of love and __________.
5.People cannot live without __________ and kindness.
Answers
1. cobbler 2. angel 3. compassion 4. humanity 5. love
2. Summary of the Chapter
What Men Live By – Summary
What Men Live By is a moral story written by Leo Tolstoy. It explores the themes of love, kindness, humanity, and the true purpose of human life.
The story begins with Simon, a poor cobbler, who struggles to earn enough money for his family. One cold evening, while returning home, he sees a nearly naked man sitting near a church. Although Simon himself is poor, he feels pity for the stranger and takes him home. His wife, Matryona, is first angry because of their poverty, but later she too feels compassion and helps the stranger by giving him food and clothes.
The stranger’s name is Michael. Simon gives him work, and Michael becomes an excellent shoemaker. Over time, strange incidents make Simon curious about Michael. Finally, Michael reveals that he is an angel sent to earth to learn three truths: what lives in man, what is not given to man, and what men live by.
Michael learns that love lives in human beings, people cannot know their future needs, and humans truly live not by care for themselves alone but by love and kindness towards others. After learning these truths, Michael’s divine form is restored, and he returns to heaven.
The story teaches that love, compassion, and humanity are the real foundations of life.
3. Question & Answers
Short Answer Questions
1. Who was Simon?
Answer:
Simon was a poor cobbler who repaired shoes to earn a living.
2. Where did Simon find Michael?
Answer:
Simon found Michael sitting nearly naked near a church.
3. Why was Matryona angry at first?
Answer:
Matryona was angry because the family was already poor and Simon brought home another person to feed.
4. Who was Michael in reality?
Answer:
Michael was actually an angel sent from heaven.
5. What is the central message of the story?
Answer:
The central message of the story is that people live through love, kindness, and compassion.
Long Answer Questions
1. Describe the character of Simon.
Answer:
Simon is a kind-hearted, humble, and compassionate cobbler. Although he is poor and struggles to support his family, he never loses his humanity. When he sees Michael suffering in the cold, he feels sympathy and decides to help him despite his own difficulties. Simon’s generosity and goodness show that true wealth lies in kindness and love rather than money. His actions reflect the moral values of compassion and selflessness.
2. Explain the message of the story.
Answer:
The story gives a deep spiritual and moral message about human life. Through Michael’s experiences, the author explains that love is the true force that keeps people alive. Human beings often worry about their future, but they cannot know what lies ahead. The story also teaches that people survive not because of selfishness or material possessions, but because of the love and care they receive from others.
Tolstoy emphasizes the importance of compassion, humanity, faith, and kindness in making life meaningful.
Character Sketches
1. Simon
Simon is a poor but kind and honest cobbler. He is hardworking and compassionate. Even in poverty, he helps Michael without expecting anything in return. His generosity and humanity make him a noble character.
Traits:
Caring
Practical
Compassionate
Emotional
Supportive
2. Matryona
Matryona is Simon’s wife. At first, she appears practical and worried about poverty, but later her compassionate side emerges. She feeds and clothes Michael despite their hardships. Her transformation highlights the goodness hidden within human beings.
Traits:
Kind-hearted
Honest
Compassionate
Humble
Hardworking
3. Michael
Michael is an angel sent to earth to learn important truths about human life. Quiet and mysterious at first, he gradually understands the power of love and humanity. His character symbolizes spiritual wisdom and divine truth.
Traits:
Wise
Gentle
Silent
Spiritual
Observant
Think and Write
1. Why do you think kindness is important in human life?
Sample Answer:
Kindness is important because it brings people together, helps those in need, and makes the world more peaceful and caring.
2. What lesson did you learn from Michael’s experiences?
Sample Answer:
I learned that love and compassion are the true strengths of human life, and people should help each other without selfishness.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students improve concept clarity, develop answer-writing skills, and prepare confidently for exams. They provide students with the correct approach to understanding themes, vocabulary, and important moral lessons from the chapter. Regular practice with NCERT-aligned answers also builds confidence and supports effective revision for school assessments and classroom discussions.
Help your child build strong English comprehension and moral understanding with expert-guided learning support.