CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry: Telephone Conversation NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This is a summary of NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry, Chapter 4, 'Telephone Conversation.' The poem powerfully addresses racism and color discrimination, exposing the irrationality of judging people by their skin tone instead of their true selves. The solutions meticulously analyze the poem's core conflict, the strategic use of pauses and silences within the dialogue, the symbolic meanings attached to various colors, and the impact of particular phrases. They also shed light on the ingenious wordplay found in 'hide-and-speak.' These explanations are designed to deepen students' understanding of the poem's central themes and literary techniques, providing clear insights to assist with exam preparation and fostering a greater appreciation for the poet's strong anti-prejudice message.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English Woven Words Poetry
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 4

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'Telephone Conversation,' of the CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry textbook is explored through these NCERT Solutions. The solutions focus on understanding the poem's central theme of racial discrimination and the landlady's prejudiced attitude. They analyze the strategic silences in the conversation, the symbolic representation of colors, and the powerful impact of the poet's responses. The exercises also touch upon wordplay, offering a comprehensive understanding of the poem's message against color bias.

Learning outcomes

Understand the central theme of racism and color discrimination in 'Telephone Conversation'.
Analyze the significance of silences and pauses in the dialogue.
Identify and interpret the symbolic use of colors in the poem.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the poet's responses to prejudiced questions.
Appreciate the wordplay and literary devices used by the poet.
Recognize the social commentary on judging individuals by appearance.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Racism and Color Discrimination
Social Prejudice
Symbolism of Colors
Dialogue Analysis
Literary Devices
Wordplay ('hide-and-speak')
Character Interaction
Poetic Interpretation
African Identity
Social Commentary

Important topics

Central theme of racism
Symbolic use of colors
Analysis of silences
Poet's response to prejudice
Social critique of appearance-based judgment

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Questions and Solutions

1. State the central issue in the poem.

1. State the central issue in the poem.

Solution: The central issue explored in the poem "Telephone Conversation" is the pervasive nature of racism and color discrimination. The poem highlights the irony that instead of discussing practical matters like rent or contract terms, the conversation is dominated by the landlady's prejudiced inquiries about the prospective tenant's skin color simply because he is African. The poet uses this interaction to expose how deeply ingrained color bias is, creating significant disadvantages for individuals based solely on their race and narrowing people's perspectives.

2. There are intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective tenant. What are the reasons for this?

2. There are intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective tenant. What are the reasons for this?

Solution: The intervals of silence in the poem are crucial moments that reveal the underlying prejudice. When the tenant states, "I warned... I hate a wasted journey and I am an African," a significant pause occurs. This silence is not due to a technical issue but stems from the landlady's shock and discomfort upon learning the tenant's race. Her immediate shift to questioning his skin color, rather than continuing with standard rental inquiries, demonstrates her racist mindset. The pause signifies her internal processing of this information and her subsequent discriminatory focus.

3. How is Colour highlighted in the poem and why? List all the words in the poem that suggest Colour.

3. How is Colour highlighted in the poem and why? List all the words in the poem that suggest Colour.

Solution: Color is highlighted prominently in the poem to underscore the theme of racial discrimination. The landlady's focus on the tenant's skin color, contrasted with societal preferences for lighter complexions, is central to the poem's critique. Colors are used to represent different racial identities and the associated prejudices. The poem mentions various colors and shades, often implicitly or explicitly, to discuss skin tone. Words and phrases suggesting color include:

Red (associated with public amenities like telephone booths, buses, pillar boxes, possibly implying a contrast or a shared space)
Black (directly referring to the skin color)
Milk chocolate (a shade implying a lighter brown)
Gold-rolled (suggesting a fair, perhaps high-class complexion)
Brunette (a dark brown hair/skin color)
Blonde (a fair hair color, often associated with lighter skin)
Sepia (a brownish color, used in "West African Sepia")

These references emphasize how superficial physical attributes like skin color are unfairly used to judge individuals.

4. Which are the lines in the poem that impressed you the most and why?

4. Which are the lines in the poem that impressed you the most and why?

Solution: The phrase "West African Sepia" is particularly impressive. It serves as the tenant's sophisticated and dignified response to the landlady's persistent and prejudiced questioning about his skin color. Instead of being demeaned, the poet uses this phrase to confront the landlady's narrow mindset. It highlights that perceptions about Black people are often based on stereotypes and ignorance. The poet, Wole Soyinka, effectively uses these words to challenge color discrimination, advocating that individuals should be judged by their intellect and character, not their appearance.

5. You know what 'hide-and-seek' is. What would 'hide-and-speak' mean?

5. You know what 'hide-and-seek' is. What would 'hide-and-speak' mean?

Solution: "Hide-and-seek" is a well-known children's game where players conceal themselves and are then sought out. The term "hide-and-speak," as implied in the poem's context, suggests a more complex and perhaps disingenuous form of communication. It refers to speaking in a way that conceals one's true intentions, prejudices, or feelings, often while maintaining a facade of politeness or normalcy. In the poem, the landlady's conversation, particularly her evasive and color-focused questions after a pause, can be seen as a form of "hide-and-speak," where her underlying racism is masked by the act of conversation.

Common mistakes

Overlooking the subtle nuances of the silences between the characters.
Failing to connect the symbolic use of colors to the theme of racism.
Misinterpreting the poet's sarcastic or defiant tone.
Not fully grasping the social critique embedded in the poem.

Revision tips

Reread the poem, paying close attention to the dialogue and the implied emotions.
Summarize the central issue of racism in your own words.
List the colors mentioned and explain their significance in the context of the poem.
Consider the impact of the landlady's questions and the tenant's replies.
Think about how the title 'Telephone Conversation' contributes to the poem's meaning.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the central issue addressed in the poem 'Telephone Conversation'?

Q2. Why does a silence occur during the telephone conversation?

Q3. Which phrase impressed the reader the most as a response to the landlady?

Q4. The poem uses colors symbolically. What might the mention of 'gold-rolled' suggest?

Q5. What does the term 'hide-and-speak' imply in the context of the poem?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main message of the poem 'Telephone Conversation'?

The main message is a strong condemnation of racism and color discrimination, highlighting the absurdity and injustice of judging individuals based on their skin color.

How does the poem use silence?

Silence in the poem is used strategically to emphasize the landlady's prejudiced reaction upon learning the tenant is African, creating a pause that speaks volumes about her bias.

What is the significance of the colors mentioned in the poem?

Colors like 'red', 'black', 'milk chocolate', 'gold', 'brunette', and 'blonde' are used to represent different skin tones and are linked to social perceptions of status and race, exposing discriminatory attitudes.

What does 'West African Sepia' represent in the poem?

'West African Sepia' is the poet's clever and defiant response to the landlady's intrusive questions about his color, asserting his identity with dignity.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 11 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the poem's complex themes, literary devices, and specific questions, helping students understand the text thoroughly for their exams.

What is 'hide-and-speak' as mentioned in the poem?

'Hide-and-speak' is a play on the game 'hide-and-seek', suggesting a situation where one speaks evasively or conceals their true prejudiced thoughts, unlike the directness of the game.

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