Question.1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms . ..” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
Ans. The poet is probably speaking about the uniforms that generally the soldiers wear at the time of war. The word “uniform” here could also mean the traditional dresses of a country.

(ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
Ans. The poet suggests that all people on land are the same as all are born and buried in a similar way. Everybody, who is on this earth, breathes, walks, sleeps, loves.

The importance of the sun, air and water is equal for everyone. Everyone needs peace and suffers from starvation during wars.

Question.2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.
Ans. Five ways which suggest that we all are alike are :
(a) Each of us has a similar body
(b) All of us breathe
(c) All of us walk
(d) All of us lie
(e) We live and die on the same earth

Question.3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Ans. There are five common features in stanza 2. These features are the sun, the air, the water, peaceful harvest, hands of the labour.

Question.4. “…whenever we are told to hate our brothers…” When do you think this happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say?

I am a citizen, not of Athens as Greece, but of the World. — Socrates

Ans. Whenever there is war, leaders will instigate people to hate the other country and betray their own brothers. They tell us to do so because of their personal gains. But we should not become puppets in the act and do as they say. We should understand that the war is futile and analyse the situation before jumping to conclusions. The poet says that if we fight against them, we kill and condemn ourselves and defile our mother earth.