Beyond the Object: Understanding Symbolism – Concrete vs Abstract Meaning for Class 7 

This Grade 7 literature worksheet introduces students to the powerful concept of symbolism—how a concrete, physical object (like a dove, rose, or flag) can stand for a bigger, abstract idea (like peace, love, or patriotism). Students learn to distinguish between concrete meaning (the literal object itself) and abstract meaning (the deeper idea it represents). Through engaging activities including multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, true/false statements, underlining exercises, and a paragraph writing activity, learners discover how authors use symbols to add depth, show ideas without stating them directly, and create richer stories. Students also learn that the same symbol can have different meanings across cultures, and that context clues help readers infer what a symbol truly means. This skill transforms literal readers into interpretive thinkers ready for advanced literary analysis. 

Why Symbolism Matters in Literature? 

Symbolism is the secret language of storytelling. For Grade 7 learners, understanding symbolism is important because: 
1. A symbol is a concrete object that represents an abstract idea (e.g., a heart = love). 
2. Symbols allow authors to show complex ideas without directly explaining them. 
3. The same symbol can mean different things in different cultures or contexts. 
4. Recognizing symbols helps readers uncover hidden layers of meaning in stories, poems, and films. 
5. Interpreting symbols builds critical thinking and inferential reading skills. 

What’s Inside This Worksheet? 

This worksheet includes five literature-rich activities that build mastery of symbolism: 

🧠 Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice Questions 
Students choose the correct term to complete each sentence about concrete vs abstract meaning and symbolism. Example: “A symbol is something ___ that stands for an idea.” (a) heavy (b) physical (c) abstract 

✏️ Exercise 2 – Fill in the Blanks 
Students complete sentences about symbolism, including definitions of concrete/abstract meaning, cultural differences, and how readers infer meaning. 

✅ Exercise 3 – True and False 
Students read ten statements about symbolism and decide if each is true or false, correcting misconceptions like “A symbol means the same thing in every story ever written.” 

📝 Exercise 4 – Underline the Words 
Students read ten sentences and underline the concrete object (the symbol) and what it represents (the abstract idea). Example: “The sunrise symbolised hope for the villagers.” 

📖 Exercise 5 – Paragraph Writing with Word Bank 
Students complete a fill-in paragraph explaining symbolism, concrete vs abstract meaning, cultural differences, and how readers use context to interpret symbols. 

✅ Answer Key 

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice
 
1. b) physical 
2. c) peace 
3. a) love 
4. b) concrete 
5. a) abstract 
6. a) country 
7. b) freedom 
8. a) meaning 
9. b) different 
10. c) infer 

Exercise 2 – Fill in the Blanks 

1. stands 
2. concrete 
3. abstract 
4. stands / symbolises 
5. abstract 
6. context / culture 
7. deeper 
8. context / clues 
9. concrete 
10. symbol 

Exercise 3 – True and False 
1. True 
2. True 
3. False (The abstract meaning is the deeper idea; the concrete meaning is the physical object itself) 
4. True 
5. False (A symbol can have different meanings in different stories and cultures) 
6. True 
7. True 
8. False (Symbols are found in novels, films, poetry, and all forms of storytelling) 
9. True 
10. False (A reader needs to think about symbols to understand a story's full depth and meaning) 

Exercise 4 – Underline the Words 
The sunrise symbolised hope for the villagers after the long war.
Underlined: sunrise — Circled: hope
The crumbling wall represented the end of their friendship forever.
Underlined: crumbling wall — Circled: the end of their friendship
A flowing river symbolised the unstoppable passage of time itself.
Underlined: flowing river — Circled: the unstoppable passage of time
The broken mirror represented how their trust could never be repaired.
Underlined: broken mirror — Circled: how their trust could never be repaired
A single candle in the window symbolised welcome for the lost traveller.
Underlined: single candle in the window — Circled: welcome
Riya's white dress symbolised her pure and honest heart.
Underlined: Riya's white dress — Circled: her pure and honest heart
Ravi's lotus symbolised purity and new beginnings.
Underlined: Ravi's lotus — Circled: purity and new beginnings
The locked door represented all the secrets the family kept hidden.
Underlined: locked door — Circled: all the secrets the family kept hidden
The barren tree stood for the loneliness the old man felt inside.
Underlined: barren tree — Circled: the loneliness the old man felt inside
The rising sun stood for a fresh start after years of struggle.
Underlined: rising sun — Circled: a fresh start after years of struggle 

Exercise 5 – Paragraph Writing

A symbol is a concrete object that represents an abstract idea. The concrete object is the physical thing you can see or touch. The abstract idea is the deeper meaning. For example, a rose is a concrete object. It can symbolise romantic love. A dove is a concrete bird. It often symbolises peace. A flag is a piece of cloth. It symbolises a country or unity. Symbols add deeper meaning to stories. An author can show you an idea without stating it directly. The same symbol can have different meanings in different cultures. White symbolises purity in some places. White symbolises mourning in other places. The reader must use context to understand a symbol. Look at how the symbol is used in the story. A symbol that appears many times is probably important. Understanding symbols helps you read more thoughtfully. 

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