Nobel Lecture Questions Answers – The “Nobel Lecture”, an essential part of the Class 11 WBCHSE Curriculum 2025, was delivered by Mother Teresa in 1979 upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. It emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and serving society’s most vulnerable.
This post will guide Class 11 students through the Nobel Lecture Questions Answers. Through these answers, students will gain a deeper understanding of key themes and detailed explanations, which will help them excel in their exams.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers SAQ Type [2 Marks]
Explore concise 2-mark short answer questions and answers from Mother Teresa’s ‘Nobel Lecture,’ appropriate for Class 11 WBCHSE students to aid in effective exam preparation.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 1:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. Who was the Prince of Peace?[W.B.T.A. Set-VII)
Ans: The Prince of Peace is Jesus Christ. He symbolizes love, forgiveness, and harmony. Jesus inspires people to live peacefully and help others, teaching that true peace comes from selfless love and compassion for humanity.
2. Whom should we love to love God as advised by St. John? [Annual Exam 2019]
Ans: St. John advises that to love God, we must love one another. By caring for and serving others, we demonstrate our love for God. This reflects the idea that true love for God is shown through kindness and compassion towards people.
3. Why do people eagerly look towards the door in ‘Nobel Lecture’? [W.B.T.A. Set-XI)
Ans. In the old age home, people eagerly look toward the door hoping for visits from their children. Their longing symbolizes the emotional hunger for love and care, highlighting the importance of family bonds and human connection in bringing comfort and happiness.
4. Among whom can we find Jesus? [W.B.T.A. Set-V]
Ans: Mother Teresa teaches that Jesus can be found among the suffering. He is present in the hungry, naked, homeless, sick, lonely, and unwanted. By serving and loving them, we serve and love Jesus, as they represent His “distressing disguise.”
5. Why was Mother Teresa surprised in the West?
Ans: Mother Teresa was surprised in the West to see many young people addicted to drugs. Despite their material wealth, they lacked emotional and spiritual fulfillment, showing a deep hunger for love, guidance, and meaning in their lives.
People also ask
| The Graden Party Questions Answers |
| Alias Jimmy Valentine Questions Answers |
| Of Studies Questions Answers |
| Nobel Lecture Questions Answers |
| My Last Duchess Questions Answers |
| Still I Rise Questions Answers |
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 2:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. What, according to Mother Teresa, is the greatest destroyer of peace? (Annual Exam 2014)
Ans: The greatest destroyer of peace, according to Mother Teresa, is abortion. She believes it leads to the denial of love and respect for life. By rejecting the unborn, society undermines the value of human life, causing divisions and suffering.
2. . What is Mother Teresa’s point of view about drug addiction among young people? (Annual Exam 2016]
Ans: Mother Teresa views drug addiction among young people as a sign of deep emotional and spiritual emptiness. She believes it reflects their hunger for love, care, and purpose, which material wealth cannot fulfill.
3. Why, according to Mother Teresa, are the young boys and girls in the West giving in to drugs?
Ans: Mother Teresa believes young boys and girls in the West turn to drugs due to loneliness and lack of love. They feel unloved and unwanted, leading them to seek comfort in harmful substances.
4 . What does God say very clearly in the Scripture? Or, What is the opinion of Scripture?
Ans: The Scripture clearly says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” This commandment emphasizes selfless love, urging people to show compassion, kindness, and care for others as an expression of their faith in God.
5. According to Mother Teresa who are very great people? [Annual Exam 2017]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, the very great people are those who show love and care for others, especially the poor and suffering. She considers acts of selfless service as the true measure of greatness.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 3:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. According to Mother Teresa who can teach us so many ‘beautiful things’? (Annual Exam 2015] [W.B.T.A. Set-XII)
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, poor people can teach us many beautiful things. They teach us about love, humility, gratitude, and how to find joy even in difficult circumstances. Their simplicity and resilience are lessons in true generosity and compassion.
2. “I was hungry – I was naked – I was homeless – I was unwanted” — Who said these words?[Annual Exam 2014]
Ans: These words were said by Jesus Christ. He expressed how the poor and suffering represent Him. By helping those in need, we show love and care for Jesus, who identifies with the marginalized and the abandoned.
3. What was the age of the boy who wanted to give his sugar to Mother Teresa? [Annual Exam 2015]
Ans: The boy who wanted to give his sugar to Mother Teresa was only four years old. Despite his young age and limited resources, he offered his sugar as an act of love and generosity.
4. What according to Mother Teresa, is the beginning of love? [Annual Exam 2016]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, the beginning of love is a smile. A smile can break barriers, spread kindness, and create connections, making it the first step in showing love and care to others.
5. What, according to Mother Teresa, is the importance of a smile? [Annual Exam 2019, Sample Questions, WBCHSE]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, a smile is very important because it reflects love and compassion. It is a simple way to show kindness, lift others’ spirits, and create a sense of belonging. A smile can bring hope and comfort to those in need.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 4:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. How much money did Mother Teresa receive from the man who was lying on his back for the last twenty years? [W.B.T.A. Set-III]
Ans: Mother Teresa received 15 rupees from the man who had been lying on his back for the last twenty years. Despite his own suffering, he gave all he had, showing deep generosity and love.
2. Why did Mother Teresa sometimes find it very difficult to smile at Jesus?
Ans: Mother Teresa sometimes found it difficult to smile at Jesus when witnessing the intense suffering of others. The pain and suffering of the poor and needy made it hard for her, but she understood that smiling at them was showing love to Jesus in disguise.
3. Whom did Mother Teresa thank for being awarded the Nobel Prize? What prayer did Mother Teresa refer to?* (WECHSE (XI)-2023]
Ans: Mother Teresa thanked God and the poor for the Nobel Prize. She referred to the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which calls for peace, humility, and service to others, embodying the core of her mission and work.
4. Whom should we love to love God as advised by St John? Why?” [WBCHSE (XI)-2019]
Ans: St. John advises that we should love one another to love God. Loving others reflects our love for God, as God is love, and through loving our neighbors, we fulfill His commandments and live out His teachings.
5. What is Mother Teresa’s point of view about drug addiction among young people?* [HS Model Question 24] (WBCHSE (XI)-2016]
Ans:Mother Teresa believes drug addiction among young people is a result of emotional and spiritual emptiness. She views it as a cry for love, care, and attention, highlighting the deep need for compassion and support in their lives.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 5:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. What according to Mother Teresa, is the greatest destroyer of peace today? What is the worst form of poverty?* [WBCHSE (XI)-2014]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace today. She believes it is the worst form of poverty because it denies the right to life to the unborn, undermining the value of human existence.
2. How did Mother Teresa want to fight abortion?* (Textbook Exercise
Ans: Mother Teresa wanted to fight abortion by promoting adoption. She believed in providing homes for unwanted children, giving them life, and allowing childless families to adopt them, thereby preserving the sanctity of life.
3. What noble thing did the Mother and her Co-Workers do with the unwanted children?
Ans: Mother Teresa and her co-workers took in unwanted children, gave them shelter, and cared for them. They ensured these children were placed in loving families for adoption, providing them with hope and a future.
4. “…that is the blessing of God for us.”- What is the ‘blessing’ referred to here?” (WBCHSE (XI) – 20201
Ans: The “blessing” referred to here is the opportunity to serve the poor, sick, and suffering. Mother Teresa viewed this service as a gift from God, enabling her and her co-workers to share God’s love and compassion.
5. According to Mother Teresa, who are very great people and why?* (WBCHSE (XI)-2017, 2015]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, very great people are those who show love and care for others selflessly. Their actions, especially towards the poor and suffering, reflect true greatness, as they embody God’s love and compassion.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 6:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. What did Mother Teresa want to suggest when she comments that poor people are very great people?* [Textbook Exercise]
Ans: Mother Teresa suggested that poor people are great because they teach us lessons in love, humility, and generosity. Despite their hardships, they demonstrate deep compassion and gratitude, inspiring others to live selflessly and with kindness.
2. “I was hungry-I was naked-I was homeless-1 was unwanted.”- Who said these words and to whom?* [WBCHSE (XI)-2014]
Ans: These words were spoken by Jesus Christ. He said them to show that those who are hungry, naked, homeless, or unwanted are His representation. By helping such people, we show love and care for Jesus in return.
3. What was the age of the boy who wanted to give his sugar to Mother Teresa? Who brought him to her home? [WBCHSE (XI)-2015]
Ans: The boy who wanted to give his sugar to Mother Teresa was four years old. He was brought to her home by his mother, who wanted him to learn the value of giving and selflessness.
4. What did Mother Teresa intend to do with the Nobel Peace Prize? What was the objective behind her intention?What was Mother’s plans for prize money? [WBCHSE (XI) – 2023, 2018] [HS Model Question 24]
Ans: Mother Teresa intended to use the Nobel Peace Prize money for her charitable work. Her objective was to help the poor and needy. She planned to use the prize money to fund her Missionaries of Charity’s efforts to care for the sick, homeless, and orphaned children.
5. What according to Mother Teresa, is the beginning of love and What do we find difficult in today’s home? What according to Mother Teresa, is the importance of a smile?* [WBCHSE (XI) – 2019]
Ans: According to Mother Teresa, the beginning of love is a smile. A simple smile can break barriers, create connections, and express care and kindness, making it the first step in showing love. In today’s homes, we often find it difficult to express love and kindness openly. People may be too busy or distracted to connect on an emotional level. Mother Teresa emphasizes the importance of a smile as a powerful tool in spreading love. A smile can bring comfort, make others feel valued, and foster a sense of warmth and belonging. It reflects the love and compassion we hold for others and is the simplest way to show kindness and care.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers Set 7:
Answer the following Questions in 40 words. [2 marks]
1. For whom did Mother Teresa request the audience to pray? What did Mother ask the audience to pray?
Ans: Mother Teresa requested the audience to pray for the poor, the sick, and the dying. She asked them to pray for peace in the world and for all those who suffer, so they may feel God’s love and compassion through our actions.ccc
2. How did Teresa want to fight abortion? [WBCHSE Textbook]
Ans: Mother Teresa wanted to fight abortion through adoption. She provided shelter to unwanted children, took care of them, and arranged for them to be adopted by childless families, giving them a chance to live a full life.
Ans:
3. What did mother Teresa want to suggest when she comments that poor people are very great people? [WBCHSE Text Book)
Ans: Mother Teresa suggested that poor people are great because they teach us the values of love, humility, and generosity. Despite their suffering, they give with gratitude, showing resilience and inspiring others to live with compassion and care.
Nobel Lecture Questions Answers LAQ Type [6 Marks]
Comprehensive 6-mark long answer questions and answers from Mother Teresa’s ‘Nobel Lecture,’ designed for Class 11 WBCHSE students to enhance exam preparation and understanding.
Nobel Lecture Long Questions Answers Set 1:
Answer the following Questions in 120 words. [6 marks]
1. “The poor people are very great people? – Give at least two examples from Mother’s ‘Nobel Lecture’ to justify the comment. [WBCHSE Exam XI]
Ans: Mother Teresa is charmed by the greatness of poor people. In her ‘Nobel Lecture, she gives some concrete examples to make it clear. Once in Kolkata, they had great difficulty in getting sugar. One day a little boy came to meet her.
He had brought with him some sugar. He had saved that from his quota for three days running. Secondly, one day Mother picked up four people from the street. One of them was in a most terrible condition. Mother nursed her with loving care. She put her in bed. The dying woman smiled. Before she met death, she could pronounce only one word, ‘Thank you’ Mother found none but Christ in her. And it was to her exemplary greatness.
Ans: Mother Teresa used various emotional appeals to inspire her audience. She shared her own personal experiences with the poor in Calcutta and motivated her audience to follow in their footsteps. Again and again, she called her audience to action and urged them to make the world a better place.
She shared many stories of her encounters with the poor in Calcutta. She told us the story of the dying woman whom she picked up from the street and told
how she died with a smile on her face and thanked her for her care. She shared the story of the bedridden man who donated her 15 dollars. She narrated the story of a starving Hindu family of eight children.
3. “I had the most extraordinary experience with the Hindu family that had eight children.” -Which experience is Mother Teresa speaking of? [WBCHSE Exam XI 2015]
Ans: Once Mother Teresa enjoyed the joy of sharing. There was a poor Hindu family in Kolkata. There were eight children in the family. They were starving. Mother was informed. She met the family. Mother handed some rice over to
the mother. She first divided some of it among her own children. So far everything was natural. But then the poor mother left the house with the remaining rice. On her comeback, Mother learnt that she had gone to offer the rice to the children of another starving family. It was a Muslim family. But the poor woman did not mind it. Mother enjoyed the scene. It was an extraordinary sight of getting pleasure by giving pleasure.
4. Why does Mother Teresa believe that it is not enough for us to say “I love God, but I do not love my neighbor?[W.B.T.A. Set-VI]
Ans: Mother finds Jesus among the poor, the lonely, and the miserable. They are her gods. The Bible teaches man to love his fellow men. Jesus proves it by his sacrifice. To love God without loving man is not possible. Hence, one who claims to be a lover of God without being a lover of his neighbours is a liar. Man is made in the image of God. He manifests Himself in the shape of the unfed, the homeless, the unclothed. They deserve our selfless service. To mitigate their miseries is the sole aim of man. Service to man goes straight to the service of God. That is why Mother believes that it is not enough for us to say that we love God but we do not love our neighbours.
5. What did Mother Teresa experience when she visited an Old Age Home?
Or,
Narrate in your own words the experience of Mother Teresa in an old age home. [Annual Exam 2014; W.B.T.A. Set-VII][W.B.T.A. Set-V]
Ans: Once Mother Teresa visited an old age home in the West. She was shocked and surprised to see a strange scene. The old people peace of mind. They had all beautiful things. Life was materially comfortable to them. But they were not happy. Mother found no smile on their faces. They were all looking towards the door. They were all expecting their sons and daughters to come and meet them. Their wistful look, their cheerless face suggested that they were deeply mortified. Mother learnt that material happiness cannot give man mental peace and satisfaction. Man longs for loving company. Only a company makes man peaceful.
Long Questions Answers Set 2:
Answer the following Questions in 120 words. [6 marks]
1. Narrate the experience Mother Teresa had when there was great difficulty in getting sugar. [ Annual Exam 2017]
Ans: When there was great difficulty in getting sugar, a little one who was only a four-year old Hindu boy went home and told his parents that he would not eat sugar for three days. He had heard Mother Teresa and decided to give this
to Mother Teresa for her children. Three days later the child’s parents brought him to Mother Teresa’s home. She had never met them before and the little child could barely pronounce Mother Teresa’s name but he was aware of his duty and wanted to share his love.
2. Do you think Mother Teresa’s call for action is effective? If yes, why? If not, why? State two reasons for either argument with examples from the text to support your argument.” [WBCHSE (XI) Sample Question]
Ans: Yes, Mother Teresa’s call for action is effective.
First, she uses real-life examples to inspire action. She shares how she helped a man dying on the streets by giving him love and dignity. This shows how small acts of kindness can change lives.
Second, her message is simple and universal. She says, “Love begins at home,” encouraging people to start helping others in their own families and communities. This makes her call easy to follow for anyone, regardless of their resources or faith.
Her speech motivates people by focusing on love and service, showing that anyone can make a difference. Her practical examples and focus on humanity make her message powerful and relatable.
3. What lesson does Mother Teresa impart on love? What has made her feel quite at home? Give at least two examples from the text and explain love.
Ans: In her Nobel Lecture, Mother Teresa imparts a profound lesson on love: it must be selfless, active, and rooted in service to others. She emphasizes that love begins at home, encouraging us to care for those closest to us. Her statement, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread,” highlights the essential human need for love beyond material needs.
Mother Teresa feels “quite at home” when serving others. For instance, she recounts rescuing a man from the streets of Calcutta and giving him a dignified death, showing how love brings comfort to the suffering. Similarly, her work with lepers exemplifies compassion, treating them with care and respect.
Love, as she teaches, is an action of giving, healing, and seeing Christ in others.
4. Comment on the use of Biblical and Christian references throughout Mother Teresa’s speech. In doing so, do you think does she fail to acknowledge those of other religions and beliefs?
Ans: Mother Teresa’s Nobel Lecture is deeply rooted in Biblical and Christian references, reflecting her faith and mission. For example, she frequently mentions Jesus’ teachings, such as “love one another as I have loved you,” emphasizing selfless service and compassion. Her belief in seeing Christ in the “distressing disguise of the poor” underscores her theological framework for charity.
While her speech is unapologetically Christian, it does not dismiss other religions. Instead, she highlights universal values like love and kindness, which transcend faiths. For instance, she acknowledges the shared humanity and spirituality of all people. However, critics might argue that her focus on Christian principles could overshadow inclusivity, as she rarely directly references other religions. Yet, her actions demonstrate respect for all, prioritizing service over dogma.
5. Do you think her positive outlook overcomes this? Give examples from the text to support your argument. [WBCHSE (XI) Sample Question]
Ans: Mother Teresa’s positive outlook indeed overcomes any potential lack of inclusivity in her speech. She focuses on universal love and service, which resonate with people of all faiths. For instance, she emphasizes, “We are all children of God,” suggesting unity among all humans. Her work with the poor, regardless of their religion, reinforces this universal approach. When she shares stories, such as comforting a man dying with dignity, it shows her belief in the intrinsic value of every person, transcending religious divides. This optimistic message of love, service, and shared humanity enables her to connect with a global audience.
Long Questions Answers Set 3:
Answer the following Questions in 120 words. [6 marks]
1. What is Mother Teresa’s conception of God? Why does Mother Teresa say that her life and the lives of the Sisters have to be woven with prayer?
Ans: Mother Teresa views God as love, present in every human being, especially the poor and suffering. She teaches that serving others is a way to serve God, as seen in her statement, “Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me.” For her, God is not distant but intimately connected with humanity.
She insists that her life and the Sisters’ lives must be “woven with prayer” because prayer strengthens their faith and commitment. It allows them to find the spiritual energy to serve tirelessly and see Christ in those they help. Prayer is both their source of comfort and their guide in living a life of selfless love and compassion.
2. What according to Mother Teresa, is the difference between physical and mental hunger?
Ans: Mother Teresa explains that physical hunger is the lack of food, which causes suffering to the body. In contrast, mental hunger is the deep need for love, care, and belonging. She believes that mental hunger is harder to satisfy because it affects the soul and spirit.
She says, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” This means that while food can end physical hunger, only love and compassion can heal mental hunger. Her work focuses on addressing both types of hunger by providing food and showing unconditional love to those in need.
3. Why did Mother Teresa remind all, the need of Jesus’ love?
Ans: Mother Teresa reminded everyone of the need for Jesus’ love because it inspires selfless service and compassion. She believed Jesus’ love teaches people to care for others, especially the poor and suffering.
She emphasized that love should be unconditional, like Jesus’ love for humanity. By following His example, people can bring peace and joy to others. She often said, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me,” encouraging everyone to serve others with the same love Jesus showed.
4. “And she died with a smile on her face.”- How did she die with a smile on her face?’ [WBCHSE (XI)-2019]
Ans: The phrase “And she died with a smile on her face” refers to a story shared by Mother Teresa about helping a dying woman. The woman was picked up from the street, covered in sores, and suffering greatly.
Mother Teresa and her Sisters cared for her, cleaning her wounds and showing her love and dignity in her final moments. Despite her pain, the woman felt loved and valued for the first time in her life.
She expressed gratitude by saying, “I am going home to God,” and passed away with a smile. This shows how love and compassion can bring peace and comfort even in the most difficult circumstances. The woman’s smile symbolizes the power of kindness to restore dignity and hope.
5. What did Mother Teresa propose to do with the prize money?
Ans: With the prize money, Mother Teresa wants to build a home for homeless people. She believes that the building of homes for the poor would mean that love will spread gradually in society.
Mother Teresa wants to provide the children with that kind of love, care, and tenderness that they get from their parents. The children whom she wants to help are not merely from India or Africa, but from the entire world. Mother Teresa, along with her Sisters, wants to give them homes to live in, food to eat and love to cleanse their hearts. For
this she seeks financial help from only those who would lovingly donate (b) till the donation hurts them.
Long Questions Answers Set 4:
Answer the following Questions in 120 words. [6 marks]
1. “I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion.”- Describe Mother Teresa’s observation on abortion.
Ans: In her ‘Nobel Lecture, Mother Teresa sharply criticises the practice of abortion. She regards it as the greatest destroyer of peace. She does not
hesitate to call it a direct war, a direct killing-a direct murder by the mother herself. In this connection, Mother quotes from the holy scriptures, “Even if a mother, could forget her child,-I will not forget you-I have carved you
in the palm of my hand.” This shows that human beings are created by God. Obviously, abortion is against the will of God. It is the violation of
God’s order. But mother has offered a remedy. She thinks that adoption is the best answer to abortion. And she fights against abortion with the weapon of adoption.
2. What is Mother’s message to mankind?
Ans: Mother’s life is Mother’s message to mankind. Her heart is full of human kindness. She wants all people to go above their mental narrowness.
Mother reminds us of the great sacrifice of Jesus. To her, every human being counts much. She advises us to feel the real understanding of love to all the sufferers of the world. Mother inspires us to smile and pray. She motivates us
to build a happy home. Mother is emblem of peace. She expects that men will zealously and selflessly love each other and feel the presence of God or Jesus among the poor, the needy and the helpless.
3. What is the importance of smile in our daily life? Why did one of the poor people say that Mother and the Sisters are the best people to teach them family planning?
Ans: Smile is of great importance in our daily life. Smile is the beginning of love, and only love can inspire us to do something for one another. That is why everyone should smile at each other when they meet. Besides, we also greet God when we smile at each other.
The poor man thought that Mother and the Sisters are the best people to teach them family planning because they have promised to be chaste (b) in life. Their love comes out of self-control, and such love knows no boundaries. So they have the right to preach self-control as a product of mutual love.
FAQs on Nobel Lecture Questions Answers
1. What is the main idea of the Nobel Lecture?
Ans: The main idea of Mother Teresa’s Nobel Lecture is the importance of love and compassion in achieving peace. She emphasizes serving the poor and vulnerable as a way to bring harmony to the world. She highlights that the greatest destroyer of peace is abortion, as it denies the right to life.
2. Who is St. John in the Nobel Lecture?
Ans: St. John is a disciple of Jesus Christ mentioned in Mother Teresa’s Nobel Lecture. He taught that to love God, we must first love others. His message encourages people to show care and compassion to everyone as an act of divine love.
3. Who was the first Indian Nobel laureate?
Ans: Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian Nobel laureate. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, “Gitanjali.” Tagore’s work inspired many and showcased Indian literature to the world.
4. Who was the first messenger of peace in the Nobel Lecture?
Ans: In the Nobel Lecture, Jesus Christ is referred to as the first messenger of peace. Mother Teresa highlights His teachings of love, forgiveness, and serving others as the foundation for creating a peaceful world.
