BRILLIANT PUBLIC SCHOOL, SITAMARHI
(Affiliated up to +2 level to C.B.S.E., New Delhi)
Class IX S.A.-I & II English
Olympiad Study Package
Session: 2014-15
Office: Rajopatti, Dumra Road, Sitamarhi (Bihar), Pin-843301
Ph.06226-252314 , Mobile:9431636758, 9931610902 Website: www.brilliantpublicschool.com; E-mail: [email protected]
ENGLISH CLASS – IX (CBSE)
CONTENTS
S.No. Topics Page No.
1. Tense 1-10
2. Active Passive Voice 11-15
3. Telegram 16-17
4. Letter Writing 18-22
5. Message 23-25
6. Palanquin Bearers 26-28
7. Postcard 29-30
8. Notice Writing 31-32
9. The Brook 33-35
10. Reported Speech 36-40
11. Solitary Reaper 41-43
12. Determiners 44-47
13. Lord Ullin’s daughter 48-51
14. The Seven Ages 52-54
15. The Road not Taken 55-57
16. Subject Verb Concord 58-62
17. The Missing Mail 63-66
18. Preposition 67-76
19. Article Report & Speech 77-94
20. Pronoun 85-88
21. Modals 89-94
22. The Necklace 95-98
23. Pendulum 99-102
24. Mirabai 103-108
25. The Bishopis Candle 109-117
26. Connectors 118-121
27. I can not remember my mother 122-123
28. The woman on platform no-8 124-127
29. Reading Comprehension 128-129
TENSE
Eng.L. – 1
1.1TENSE: It is any form of the verb which may be used to show (i) the time of an action and (ii) the state of action or an event. The Tense of a verb shows the time when an action takes place.
1.1 (a) There are Three Main Tense in English: The present Tense (i) Mr. Sharma teachers us English. The past Tense (ii) Mr. Sharma taught us English. The Future Tense (iii) Mr. Sharma will teach us English. The three main tenses are subdivided into four heads. They are (a) Indefinite Or simple (b) Continuous (c) Perfect (d)
Perfect Continuous. 1.1(b) tense at a Glance:
Tense at a glance Tense Indefinite/simp
le
continuous Perfect Perfect continuous
Present
Writes Am writing Is writing Are writing
Has written Have written
Has been writing
Past Wrote Was writing Were writing
Had written Had been writing
Future
Shall write Will write
Shall be writing Will be writing
Shall have written Will have written
Shall have been writing Will have been writing
1.1 (c) Examine the following Sentences:
(i) I write a letter (ii) I am writing a letter (iii) I have written a letter (iv) I have been writing a letter. The verbs in all these four sentences refer to the present time and are therefore Said to be in the present Tense .
• In sentence (i): the verb ‘write’ simply expresses the action done in the present time,without indicating the state of action. It does not tell us anything about the completeness or incompleteness of the action. Hence the verb is said to be in the Simple Present Tense or Present Indefinite Tense.
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• In sentence (ii): the verb ‘am writing’ is still going on or continuing. Hence the verb issaid to be in the Present Continuous Tense.
• In sentence (iii): the verb ‘have written’ shows that the action is completed, finished or
perfect. Hence the verb is said to be in the Present Perfect Tense.
• In sentence (IV): the verb ‘have been writing’ shows that the action is going oncontinuously up to the present time. Hence the verb is said to be in the Present Perfect Tense.
1.1 (d) similarly the past Tense and the Future Tense have four forms: � Simple past Tense or past indefinite Tense (i) I wrote a letter.� Past continuous Tense (ii) I was writing a letter. � Past perfect Tense (iii) I had written a letter. � Past perfect continuous Tense (iv) I had been writing a letter.
And � Simple Future or Future indefinite Tense (i) I shall write a letter.� Future continuous Tense (ii) I shall be write a letter. � Future perfect Tense (iii)I shall have writing a letter. � Future perfect continuous Tense (iv) I shall have been writing a letter.
1.2 PRESENT TENSE:
We use the present simple tense to describe (i) Things that are always true i.e. universal fact. E.g. The sun rises in the east. (ii) Situation that exist now and will go on indefinitely. E.g. Teachers teach the students. (iii) Habits or things that happen regularly. E.g. We go to school everyday.
1.2 (a) present Simple (Indefinite) Tense:
(i) In the simple present (Indefinite) Tense, the first form of the verb is used. E.g. respects my elders. You drive the car very carelessly. Children love their parents.
(ii) ‘s’ ‘es’ is added to the first from of the verb when the subject is in the third Person and of singular number. E.g. my brother goes to school. An eagle flies high up in the sky. A child loves to play with others’ toy.
Note: l. Add ‘es’ to the first form of the verb, if it ends in ‘ch’, ‘sh’, ‘o’, ‘ss’ or ‘x’ E.g. marches, pushes, dose, passes, fixes.
ll. If a verb ends in ‘y’ and is preceded with a consonant, change ‘y’ into ‘i’ and ‘es’ E.g. worry – worries, Fly – flies, Try – tries. If there is a vowel before ‘y’ add only‘s’ to the first form of the verb.
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E.g. obey – obeys, Enjoy – enjoys, pray – prays. III. To all other verbs just add‘s’ E.g. Talk – talks, Sleep – sleeps, Fight – fights.
Assertive Form: � I / we/ you/ they/plurals + 1st form of the verb. � He/ she/ it/ singular +1st form of the verb + s/es E.g. The student go to school My brother goes to office.
Interrogative Form: � Do / Dose + subject + 1st form of the verb + ?
OR � Question word + Do / Does + subject + 1st form of verb + ?
E.g. Do you know English? Does she cook tasty food? When do you go to school?
Note: only first form of the verb is used with ‘do’ or ‘does’
Negative Form: � Subject + do not / does not + 1st form of the verb + ?
E.g. My student do not want to fail. He does not get time to play.
Interrogative Negative: � Do not / Does not + subject + 1st form of the verb + ? E.g. Don’t you want to succeed in life?
Doesn’t she disturb you always? 1.2 (b) Present Continuous Tense: The present continuous tense describes (i) An action that is happening (now) at the time of speaking. E.g. we are learning English grammar. (ii) To describe an action going on over a period of time, including the present, but
May not be going on at the time of speaking. E.g. (nowadays) my friend is working in American Institute.
Assertive Form: � Subject + is / am / are + 1st form of the verb (infinitive) + ing. E.g. The teacher is teaching his students.
I am teaching my students. The student are listening to the teacher.
Interrogative Form: � Subject + is / am / are + subject + 1st form of the verb + ? E.g. is the teacher teaching his students?
Am I teaching my student ? Are the student listening to the teacher?
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Negative Form: � Subject + is /am / are + not + 1st form of the verb + ing E.g. he is not giving the answers to my questions
I am not teaching today. Student are not asking their difficulties.
1.2 (c) Present perfect Tense:
The present perfect tense refers to an action or a process that has been completed in the present. Assertive Form:
� Subject + has /have + 3rd form of the verb ( past participle) + E.g. He has done his homework. You have solved all the examples. She has finished her work.
Interrogative Form: � Has /have + subject + 3rd from of the verb + ----------------------- E.g. Has he done his homework? Have you solved all the examples? Has she finished her work?
Negative Form: � Subject + has /have + not + 3rd form of the verb +---------------------------- E.g. He has not done his homework. You have not solved all the examples. She has not finished her work.
1.2 (d) Present perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to describe an action that began in the past, is the still continuing and may extend into the future. ‘Since’ and ‘for’ are used with the present perfect Continuous tense .
‘Since’ is used with a point of time. It denotes some definite point of time in the past till now. E. g. Since evening, since Sunday, since 2007.ect. ‘For’ is used with a period of time. It denotes a ‘length of time’ till now. E.g. For several weeks, for seven days, for many years etc. Assertive Form: � Subject + has /have + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + + Since / for
E.g. I have been living in kota since 2005. The child has been crying for one hour.
Interrogative Form: � Has /have + subject + been + 1st from of the verb + ing +-------------------------- + since / for? E.g. Have I been living in Kota since 2005? Has the child been crying for one hour?
Negative Form: � Subject + has /have + not been + 1st form of the verb + ing + ------------------ + since / for? E.g. I have not been living in Kota since 2005. The child has not been crying for one hour.
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1.3 PAST TENSE: The past tense refers to actions and event that happened in the past or in an earlier time.
1.3 (a) Simple Past (indefinite) Tense: Assertive Form:
� Subject + Second form of the verb + …………………. E.g. the boy threw his bat in anger. Bangladesh won the cricket match against India. Charles met with an accident while coming back from work.
Interrogative from: � Did + subject + 1st from of the verb +…………………. ? E.g. Did the boy throw his bat in anger ? Did Bangladesh win the cricket match against India ? Did Charles meet with an accident while coming back from work ?
Negative Form : � Subject + did + not + 1st form of the verb + ………………… E.g. The boy did not throw his bat in anger. Bangladesh did not win the crick match against India. Charles did not meet with an accident while coming back from work.
1.3 (b) Past Continuous Tense : Assertive Form : � Subject + was / were + 1st form of the verb + ing +………………… E.g. My brother was going to the temple. The students were preparing for their exams.
Interrogative from : � was / were + Subject + 1st form of the verb + ing +…………………? E.g. was. my brother going to the temple? Were the students preparing for their exams ?
Negative Form :
� Subject + was / were + not +1st form of the verb + ing +………………… E.g. My brother was not going to the temple. The students were not preparing for their exams.
1.3 (c) Past Perfect Tense : Assertive Form :
� Subject + had + 3rd form of the verb + ……………. E.g. I had completed the course before December. The train had left before she reached the station.
Interrogative from: � Had + Subject + 3rd form of the verb + …………….? E.g. Had I completed the course before December? Had the train left before she reached the station?
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Negative Form : � Subject + had + not + 3rd form of the verb + ……………. E.g. I had not completed the course before December. The train had not left before she reached the station.
1.3 (d) Past Perfect Tense :
Assertive Form :
� Subject + had + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + ………………. + Since / for.
E.g. They had been waiting for us for one hour. The airplane had been flying around the airport due to bad weather since morning.
Interrogative Form :
� Had + subject + been + 1st from of the verb + ing + ………………… + Since / for? E.g. Have they been waiting for us for one hour ?
Has the airplane been flying around the airport due to bad weather since morning.?
Negative Form : � Subject + had + not + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + ………………… + Since / for E.g. They had not been waiting for us for one hour. The airplane had not been flying around the airport due to bad weather since morning.
1.4 Future Tense : 1.4 (a) Simple Future (indefinite) Tense Assertive From :
� Subject + shall /will + 1st form of verb + ………… . E.g. We shall succeed in life. You will go to college regularly. The boys will win the football match. ‘Shall’ used with first Person and ‘will’ used with the second and the Third Person show simple future.
Interrogative form: � Shall /will + subject + 1st form of the verb +…………….. ? E.g. shall we succeed in life? Will you go to college regularly?
Will the boys win the football match? Negative form:
� Subject + shall / will + not + 1st form of the verb + …………….. . E.g. We shall not succeed in life. You will not go to college regularly. The boys will not win the football match
1.4 (b) Future continuous Tense Assertive Form: � Subject + shall / will + be + 1st form of the verb + ing + ……………. E.g. They will be playing in the evening.
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I shall be going to Mumbai during Diwali vacation.
Interrogative Form: � Shall / will + subject + be + 1st form of the verb + ing ……………. ? E.g. Will they be playing in the evening? Shall I be going to Mumbai during Diwali vacation?
Negative Form: � Subject + shall / will + not + be + 1st from of the verb + ing + ……………. E.g. They will not be playing in the evening. I shall not be going to Mumbai during Diwali vacation
1.4 (c) Future Perfect Tense Assertive Form: � Subject + shall / will + have + 3rd form of the verb. E.g. I shall have gone to Mumbai by November The Teacher will have showed the slides to the students. Interrogative Form:
� Shall / will + subject + have + 3rd form of the verb. E.g. Shall I have gone to Mumbai by November? Will the teacher have showed the slides to the students?
Negative Form: � Subject + shall / will + not + have + 3rd form of the verb. E.g. I shall not have gone to Mumbai by November. The teacher will not have showed the slides to the student.
1.4 (d) Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Assertive Form: � Subject + shall / will + have + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + ………..since /for. E.g. The mountaineers will have been climbing the mountain since early morning. We shall have been playing for 3 hours.
Interrogative Form: � Subject + shall / will + have + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + ……….. + Since /for + ? E.g. Will the mountaineers have been climbing the mountain since early morning? Shall we have been playing for 3 hours?
Negative Form: � Subject + shall / will + not + have + been + 1st form of the verb + ing + + since /for. E.g. The mountaineers will not have been climbing the mountain since early morning. We shall not have been playing for 3 hours.
1.5 SOLVED EXAMPLE: i. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing Word along. With the word that comes before and the word that comes before and the word that comes after it. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined.
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(a) Pollution not a new Problem, in the
(b) middle ages most towns dirty, water
(c) supplies foul and diseases spread
quickly. Much has been done to improve
sanitation and public health. But since
(d) Industrial Revolution disposal of waste become
more complicated. As factories produce new
(e) goods old ones thrown out with the
(g) sight to watch. Getting rid of plastics particularly
Difficult. Plastics never decay,
(h) the more we throw, the more litter produces.
So scientists are trying to make plastics which can be easily broken.
Ans. Pollution not a new problem. in the (a) Pollution is not
middle ages most towns dirty, water (b) towns were dirty
supplies foul and diseases spread (c) supplies was foul
quickly. Much has been done to improve
sanitation and public health. But since
Industrial Revolution disposal of waste become (d)
waste has become
more complicated. As factories produce new
goods old ones thrown out with the (e) ones are thrown
rubbish. These rubbish heaps an unpleasant (f)
heaps are an
sight to watch. Getting rid of plastics particularly (g)
plastics is particularly
difficult. Plastics never decay,
the more we throw, the more litter produced. (h)
litter is produced
So scientists are trying to make
plastics which can be easily broken.
PRACTICE EXERCISE A. Direction : ( 1 to 15 ) Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in the
bracket.
1. Have you ever ………………such a beautiful scene? (See)
2. The moon has not yet …………. . (Appear)
3. I ……………….English for ten years. (Teach)
4. What ………….your father feel about Resonance? (Do)
5. All work and no play …………..jack a dull boy. (Make)
6. He scratched his head and …………… for a moment. (Think)
7. When I reached the temple, a group of people .......devotional songs. (Recite)
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8. What ………..you ……….here from the time I went to college? (Do)
9. By this time tomorrow, I ………….home. (Reach)
10. The student ………..answers to all my question. (Give)
11. ………….the student …………….yesterday? (Study)
12. After school, we …and ...our parents about our English teacher. (Go,
Tell)
13. The new railway bridge……two weeks ago.
(Complete)
14. They …….the work when the teacher entered the class. (Finish)
15. I was teaching English when she ……the classroom. (Enter)
B . Choose the correct verb from those given in brackets.
1. you (bought, had bought)a new scooter last week,
2. She (has been, is) ill (since, for)a week.
3. We (finished, have finished) our lunch half an hour ago.
4. He jumped off the train while it (ran, was running, had been running) .
5. The train (has left, will have left) before we reach the station.
C. Correct the following sentences.
1. He retired to bed before we reached there.
2. I am having a car.
3. He left for America next week.
4. She is reading since morning.
5. I am going to office every day by bus.
D. The following passage has not been edit ed. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the
incorrect word and the correction against the correct blank number. Remember to
When Ashok enter the cinema hall, the
(a)Film start. It was very dark inside
(b)There is nobody to show him the way.
(c)He count the rows and moved into the
(d)Fifth row since his ticket has C-12
(e)Write on it. As it was dark inside
(f)He moved through the row and sit
On a chair. But to his horror there
(g)Was somebody already sat on that chair.
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ANSWERS
A. 1. Seen 2. appeared 3. have been teaching 4. does
5. makes 6. thought 7. were reciting teaching 8. did :
do
9. I shall have reached 10. gave 11. did : study 12.went
:told
13. was completed 14. had finished 15. entered
B. 1. bought 2. has been, for 3. finished 4. was
running
5. will have left
C. 1. He had retired 2. I have a car. 3. He will leave for American
next week.
4. She has been reading since morning. 5. I go to office every day by bus.
D. Incorrect Correction
When Vijay enter the cinema hall, the (a) enter entered
Film start. It was very dark inside. (b) Start started
These is nobody to show him the way. (c) Is was
He count the rows and moved into the (d) count counted
Fifth row since his ticket has. C-12 (e) has had
Write on it. As it was dark inside (f) write written
He moved through the row and sit. (g) Sit sat
On a chair. But to his horror there
Was somebody already sat on (h) sat sitting
That chair.
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ACTIVE – PASSIVE VOICE
Eng. L. – 2
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING TWO SENTENCES:
(i) The hunter killed the deer. (ii) The deer was killed by the hunter.
In Sentence (i), the subject ‘hunter’ is the receiver of the action i.e. the subject is active. The verb ‘killed’ is therefore said to be in the Active Voice.
In Sentence (ii), the subject ‘hunter’ is the receiver of the action i.e. the subject is not active, but passive. The verb ‘was killed’ is therefore said to be in the passive Voice.
Active Voice: A verb is in the Active Voice when the person or thing denoted by the Subject is the ‘doer’ of the action.(i.e. when the subject is Passive or is acted upon)
Passive Voice: A verb is in the Passive Voice when the person or thing denoted by the Subject is the ‘receiver’ of the action.(i.e. when the Subject is Passive or is acted upon)
2.1 RULES TO CHANGE ACTIVE INTO PASSIVE:
� Make Object the Subject. � Bring the Helping verb. � Put 3rd from of the verb. � Add ‘by’ if necessary. � Make the Subject into the Objective. E.g. : The child threw the ball out of the house. (Active Voice) The ball was thrown out of the house by the child. (Passive Voice) (A) Object …….. ‘Bar’; (B) ‘Threw’ is part tense, so H.V is ‘was’; (C) ‘Thrown’ ……..3rd form of ‘throw’: (D) Add ‘by’; E) Subject….’The child’
2.1 (a) Simple Present: (i) The grocer sells rice (Active) Rice is sold by the grocer. (Passive)
(ii) Does the grocer sell rice? (Active) Is rice sold by the grocer? (Passive)
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2.1 (b) Present Continuous: (i) The teacher is punishing the student. (Active) The student is being punished by the teacher. (Passive)
(ii) Is the teacher punishing the student ? (Active) Is the student being punishing by the student ? (Passive)
2.1 (c) Present Perfects: (i) My brother has written this letter. (Active) This letter has been written by my brother. (Passive)
(ii) Has my brother written this letter ? (Active) Has this letter been written by my brother ? (Passive)
2.1 (d) Simple Past: (i) My brother ate his mango. (Active) His mango was eaten by my brother. (Passive)
(ii) Did my brother eat his mango? (Active) Was his mango eaten by my brother? (Passive)
2.1 (e) Past Continuous: (i) His friend was distributed Sweets. (Active) Sweets were being distributed by his friend. (Passive)
(ii) Was his friend distributed the Sweets? (Active) Were the sweets being distributed by his friend? (Passive)
2.1 (f) Past Perfect: (i) The potter had made the pots before summer started. (Active) The potter had been made by the potter before summer started. (Passive) (ii) Had the florist sold all the flowers before sunset ? (Active) Had the flowers been sold by the florist before sunset ? (Passive)
2.1 (g) Simple Future: (i) I shall finish the lecture by 5 O’clock. (Active) The lecture will be finished by me by 5 O’clock. (Passive)
(ii) Shall I finish the lecture by 5 O’clock? (Active) Will the lecture be finished by me by 5 O’clock ? (Passive)
2.1 (h) Future Perfect: (i) I shall have completed the course before December. (Active) The course will have been completed by me before December. (Passive)
(ii) Shall I have completed the course before December? (Active) Will the course have been completed by me before December? (Passive)
2.1 (i) When verb take 2 Objects : In changing to passive voice, one of the Objective becomes the subject and the other is retained as Object.
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(i) I taught them English. (Active) English was taught to them by me. (Passive)
(ii) Who taught you English? (Active) English was taught to you by whom? (Passive)
2.1 (j) Imperative Sentences: For Orders and Command: Let + Object + be V-3
(i) Close the window (Active) Let the window be closed. (Passive)
(ii) Do not close the windows? (Active) Let not the window be closed. (Passive)
For Advice or Request: You are requested ‘for’ please’ or ’kindly’
(i) Please come on time. (Active) You are requested to come on time. (Passive)
(ii) Kindly help the poor. (Active) You are requested to help the poor. (Passive)
2.1 (k) If Sentence Starts with ‘Let’: (i) Let him bring some chocolates. (Active) Let some chocolates be brought by him. (Passive)
(ii) Let her do the assignment. (Active) Let the assignment be done by her. (Passive)
2.2 CHANGES IN PRONOUNS :
Active Voice Passive Voice
I Me
We Us
You You
They Them
He Him
She Her
It It
2.3ACTIVE – PASSIVE VOICE AT A GLANCE :
Passive Voice – Verb “write” Tense Simple Continuous Perfect Perfect Continuous
PRESENT TENSE
IS/am/are+being+V-3
Is written Are written
Is/are/am+being+v-3
Is being written Are being written
Has/have + been v-3 Has been written Have been written
…………….
PAST TENSE
Was/were+v-3 Was written Were written
Was/were +being+v-3
Was being written Were being written
Had+been+v-3 Had been written ……………..
FUTURE TENSE
Will/shall+be+v-3 Will be written Shall be written
………………….. Will/shall+have+been
+v-3 Will have been written Shall have been written
……………
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2.4 SOLVED EXAMPLE:
A. Complete the following sentences using the correct from of the verb in the bracket. (i) The historical monument …………… (build) thousands of years ago. (ii) Mohan received a letter ………….. (write) by his friend after 10 days. (iii) The money ………….. (steal) by the servant of Mr. Gupta. (iv) Seema’s marriage outfit ………….. (design) by the famous designer Ritu Beri. (v) The largest way flyover …………… (construct) last month in Delhi.
Ans. (i) was built (ii) written (iii) was stone (iv) was designed (v) was constructed
B. Below is given a set of instruction on preparation of instant coffee. Using the instructions fill in the blanks in the paragraph given below. (i) Boil water. (ii) Take one teaspoon each of instant coffee and sugar. (iii) Add boiling water and sir the mixture vigorously. (iv) Warm milk separately. (v) Add warm milk to the mixture and sir. (vi) Hot instant coffee is ready to drink.
First water (a) ………. Then a teaspoon of instant coffee and teaspoon of sugar (b) ………… Then boiling water (c) …………. And the mixture is stirred vigorously. Milk (d) ……………………. Separately. Warm milk (e) ………… to the mixture and it is stirred. Hot instant coffer is ready to drink k.
Ans. (a) is boiled (b) is taken (c) is added (d) is warmed (e) is added
PRACTICE EXERCISE
A. Direction (1 to 5) change the following sentences into passive voice. 1. Does he speak English?2. I shall tell you everything about him.3. Is Jordan playing Basketball?4. Many housewives do not cook food.5. The teacher had punished the boys.6. His behaviour pleased me.7. The students were making noise in the classroom.8. This book contains many interesting articles.9. The parents look after their children.10. Nobody can solve this problem.11. India defeated Australia in the 20-20 world cup cricket finals.12. Do you studies regularly.13. They are reading interesting and educational stories.14. Our English sir was delivering a lecture.15. We should not break the rules.
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B. Given below are some headings, Read them and complete the news the news item. (i) INDIA PERFORM CREDITABLY DOWN UNDER
Indian cricket team’s sterling (a) ……………… by achieving creditable victories in text and one dayers have pleased every cricket lover.
(ii) OPPORTUNITY LANDS ON MARS – US SCIENTISTS CELEBRATE The (b) ………….. of Opportunity on Mars on Saturday night inspired widespread (c) .. …………. Among U.S scientist handing the U.S Mars probe.
(iii) PEACE NEEDED TO DEVELOP AND GROW
President AP j Abdul Kalam underlined the (b) ………….. of peace for social (e)….. ……………. And faster economic (f) …………………… in the country.
(iv) TERRORISTS ARRESTED – EXPLOSIVES RECOVERED
The (g) …………….. of three dreaded terrorist by the city police yesterday has led to the (h) …………………….. of a substantial quantity of explosives.
ANSWERS
A. 1. Is English spoken by him ?
2. Everything about him shall be told to you by me. OR
You will be told everything about him by me.
3. Is basketball being played by Jordan ?
4. Food is not cooked by many housewives.
5. The boys had been punished by the teacher.
6. I was pleased by his behaviour.
7. Noise was being made in the classroom by the students.
8. Many interesting articles are contained in this book.
9. The children are looked after by their parents.
10. This problem cannot be solved.
11. Australia was defeated by India in the 20-20 world cup cricket finals.
12. Studies should be done regularly.
13. Interesting and educational stories are being read by them.
14. A lecture was being delivered by our English sir.
15. The rules should not be broken.
B. (a) Performance (b) landing (c) celebration (d) need
(e) development (f) growth (g) arrest (h) recovery
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TELEGRAM
Eng. L.-3
3.1 FORMAT OF TELEGRAM:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
INDIAN POST AND TELEGRAPH Receiver’s Name Receiver’s Address
Name ………………………………. Address ………………………………. Telegraph office …………………………………
Sender’s Name NOT TO BE TELEGRAPHED Sender’s Address: …………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.2 PARTS OF A TELEGRAM: (i) Receiver’s Name & Address: It should be written in “Capital Letters”. (ii) Message: Use the word ‘STOP’ for ‘full stop’. No other punctuation mark should be used.
(iii) Sender’s Name: it should be written in “Capital Letters”. (iv) Not to be Telegraphed: Sender’s full name and address in usual manner i.e., capitals and Small letters.
3.3 SOLVED EXAMPLES: (i) You are Williams living at 45, Juhu Scheme, Mumbai; you are not in a position to attend
The marriage of your friend Malcolm receding at 57. Osho Chowk, Pune. Draft a Telegram to be sent to your friend in not more then 25 words.
INDIAN POST AND TELEGRAPH Address of the addressee Name : Malcolm
Address : 57 Osho Chowk Telegraph office : PUNE
CONGRATS ON YOUR WEDDING
(.) UNABLE TO ATTEND
(.) BROTHER HOSPITALISED (.)
BEST WISHES (.)
Sender’s Name WILLIAMS
NOT TO BE TELEGRAPHED 45, Juhu Scheme Sender’s address Mumbai
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(ii) John wrote the following letter to his friend. Then he decided to send a telegram instead of the letter. Making use of the details from the letter, write this telegram 2-A Koregaon Park Belapur, New Mumbai June 24, 2007
Dear Ricky
You will be glad to know that Alpha Ltd. (kota) has called me for an interview for an post of Asst. General Manager. So I shall be arriving kota by Rajdhani Express on July 13 in the morning. Please book one room in a good hotel. I’ll be grateful if you could possibly meet me at the railway station. Yours sincerely
John
INDIAN POST AND TELEGRAPH
Address of the addressee Name : Ricky
Address : J-5 JAWAHAR NAGAR Telegraph office : KOTA
REACHING KOTA THIRTEENTH STOP RAJDHANI
EXPRESS STOP INTERVIEW ALPHA LTD
STOP BOOK HOTEL ROOM STOP
Ans. MEET RAILWAY STATION STOP
Sender’s Name JOHN
NOT TO BE TELEGRAPHED 2-A Koregaon Park Sender’s address New Mumbai
PRACTICE EXERCISE 1. You are Samir / Samita, a resident of Shiv Complex Jodhpur and staying in a hostel atPune. Write a telegram to your father informing him that you could not take the examination due to illness.
2. Write a telegram to your brother living at Mira Nagar – New Mumbai informing himabout the settlement of marriage of your elder sister. You are a resident of kota. Sing in as Akshay / Akshita
3. Your brother has gone to Delhi. In his absence the school team invites him to join thefootball them soon to play the finals at Nagpur on 24th June. Write a telegram to him informing about it.
4. you are George of class x studying in Glorious Public school, Raipur, staying in theschool hostel. You wish to join a crash course in computers. Draft a telegram to your father in kota seeking his permission and requesting him to send you the registration fees of 500 immediately.
5. you are Rinky, aspiring actor from Jodhpur. On the information given below, draft atelegram to be sent to your brother Mathew at 23 , Oakland Park, Chennai informating him that you will be reaching there next Saturday i.e. on 12 th August. (August Kranti Express – 5.00 a.m. – appointment -director of movie– short visit.)
17
LETTER WRITING
Eng. L. -4
� This question contains writing a letter based on the verbal inputs. It includes Business
letters. Official Letter, Letters to the Editor or Application for job. 4.1 LAYOUT OF FORMAT LETTERS:
LAYOUT OF A FORMAT LETTER
92, Basant Vihar 1. Heading Kota (a) Address of the sender 24 July 20XX (b) Date
The Director 2. Receiver’s Designation Reliance industries & Address 94 – B Pink Plaza Mumbai – 400056
Sir 3. Salutation
Sub.: Request for company profile 4. (Subject line to focus attention)
5. Body of the Letter. (a) Introductory
Body of the letter (b) Main concluding part (c) Concluding part
Yours faithfully 6. Subscription Ajay Sharma 7. Signature
(Name of the writer)
4.2 POINTS TO REMEMBER : � Use proper layout according to the type of the letter.� Write the address, date, salutation and subscription near the left hand side margin.� Indenting and punctuation mark may be avoided.� Leave space after a Para or important part of layout.� Divide the contents/body of the letter into three paragraphs : (a) Introduction beginning (b) Content main point (c) End conclusion /suggestions etc.
� Do not use any comma (,) after the Salutation & Subscription. There is no apostrophe’s
18
in yours. � Be accurate, specific and concise.� Practice creativity in presentation of ideas. Use only relevant ideas.� Have fluency in presentation of ideas. Express them in a coherent and organized manner.� Organize your ideas before writing the letter.� Don’t use obsolete expressions. Be simple, direct and to the point.
4.3 SHOLVED EXAMPLES: (i) Vineet / Vain Prasad of 29, Rajpur Road, Ambala, come across the following poster in the newspaper. He /she is concerned about the spread of diseases during summers and decides to write a letter to the editor of a national daily highlighting the impending possibility of water borne diseases and the dire Need for creating awareness about the prevention of such diseases through such informative Posters. Using your own ideas and the ideas from the unit on ‘Health’, write vineet’s/vani’s letter.
Sol. 29, Rajpur Road Ambala 28 October, 200X The Editor The Tribune Chandigarh
Dear Sir Subject: Summer Diseases
The poster about summer diseases in a local newspaper highlights the problems caused by the rising of summer heat on one hand and the lack of knowledge about the deadly Water-bome summer diseases such as cholera and gastroenteritis on the other hand. It is important to create awareness through posters and announcements on the radio and television. Media can play an important part in saving lives. Since prevention is always than cure, people must remember to :
(a) Drink only safe water. (b) Eat freshly cooked food and keep all food items covered. (c) Maintain proper hygiene and always wash hands before preparing or eating food. If any person develops symptoms of the disease he should use Oral Rehydration Solution available Free at health centres, but if symptoms persist he should consult the nearest doctor immediately. Remember, symptoms such as restlessness, fever and blood in the stool can life threatening. Yours faithfully Vineet /vain Prasad
Here comes the summer ………And also the possibility of Diseases Like Cholera and
Gastroenteritis. Prevention is Better Then Cure
• Drink only safe water
• Keep food items cove
• Eat only freshly cooked food
• Wash hands before preparing or eating food…………..
•
If patient is restless /unconscious, has fever/ blood in stool, is eating / drinking poorly. CONSULT THE DOCOTOR IMMEDIATELY
USE Oral Rehydration Solution – Available At All Health Center free of Cost
19
(ii) You are a social worker. You are a social worker. You feel upset as some of the good schools are admitting as many as 60-70 student in a class just to mint money. This is adversely affecting academic standards. Write a letter to the Edit or the Indian Express highlighting this corrupt practice. Sigh the letter as Rafeek / Salma.
Sol.7. Reiki Street Mumbai 16 March 200X
The Editor The Indian Express Veer Savarkar Marg Mumbai
Sir
Sub : commercialization of education
I wish to draw the attention of the public in general and authorities in particular to the crass commercialization prevalent in the good school renowned for providing quality education . My son goes to a prestigious public school which admits student after conducting so many tests and charging a hefty amount as various funds. To a casual onlooker the system appears restrictive and selective, but the over crowded classrooms with 60 to 70 student in the primary section tell a different story. Almost every section of every class is in a similar situation. Even though the school work in two shifts there doesn’t seem to be any respite from the ever increasing size of the class. The overcrowding of classrooms adversely affects the academic standards. It is very difficult for any teacher, howsoever resourceful, to build any rapport or conduct interactive sessions in such large class classes. The curriculum is ‘covered’ in a poor manner. The academic values are brushed aside with nonchalance and the sole factor that govems the school authorities is the money that these large numbers rake in. Will the authorities look into this sad state of affairs and bring an end to this commercialization of education resulting in falling academic standards ? Your truly Rafeek
(iii) You are jimmy / Jane of 79, Ganganager, Indore. You have noticed many stray animals on the buy roads. These animals have caused traffic jam as accidents. Write a letter to the editor to “Times journal” telling him about the nuisance.
Sol. 79, Ganganagar Indore 22 nd November 200X The Editor Time Journal Bhopal
sir sub : Nuisance created by stray animals. Through the column of your esteemed newspaper I wish to draw the kind attention of the concerned authorities of the Municipal Corporation regarding the plight of the residents of Indore due to stray animals. The stray animals wandering on the main road causes traffic blocks And fatal accidents. These animals are creating health hazards too by littering everywhere. As a result, the dirty places have become the breeding place of mosquitoes and insects.
20
We have already written to the authorities but they have not yielded any action. It is
hoped that the authoritles will take an early action.
Your truly
Jimmy
(iv) You are a librarian of ST. Thomas school, Kerala. Write a letter to M/S A.X. & Sons, Booksellers,
Kochi, placing order for books. (Mention at least 5titles of the books) to be supplied immediately.
Sol. The librarian
Kerala
15 April 20XX
M/S A.X. & Sons – Booksellers
Kochi
Sir
Sub : Order of Books for the school
Kindly arrange to supply at your earliest convenience the following books for our school
Library at the discounted rates applicable for the year 20XX-20XX.
A) Fundamentals of physics – Resnick Halliday 10 copies
b) Elementary Algebra – David Collins 15 copies
c) Advance Learner’s English Dictionary – Oxford 4 copies
d) All about Organic Chemistry – A.G. Rao 10 copies
e) Fun with Mathematics – P. Rodriguse 15 copies
Before dispatching the books please ensure that only the latest editions are being supplied
and the books are in good condition. Also check that each book has full pages and there is
no insufficiency. payment will be released after approval by the library authorities.
Yours faithfully
K. Raghvan
(Librarian)
(v) Look at this visual from a report on teenage problems. Using the information in the
picture and your own ideas and opinions on the subject, write out a letter in not more then
150 words to the Editor on the problems and stresses faced by teenagers today. Sign
yourself as ‘a worried teenager’.
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Ans . A – 44 Anand Lok New Delhi
The editor New Delhi
4th March, 200X
Sub: Stressful Teenagers
Dear Sir I am a teenager and day and night, I go through the tension of whether I will get the course of my choice. Will I be able to satisfy my parents’ expectation? so on and so forth, these are not only my worries but of all the teenagers around. In today’s competitive word, a’ teenager goes through a lot of worries. The worry of getting a good job, finishing education successfully, many even worry as to whether they will be able to get a university degree. All this is the result of a sense of insecurity. Though the teenagers put in their best, they do not know whether they will get courses or jobs of their choice. For improving their academic performance, students join coaching classes. From school to Coaching classess,then there is no surety. Another reason for this tension is the lack of proper counseling facilities in our schools. Teenagers need career counseling which would help them select the right course for Themselves. Also talking to counselors would help teenagers ease their tension. I hope my views reach to all the teenagers and help them over come their worries. Your sincerely ‘A worried teenager
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India ‘ on the increasing chain snatchingincidents in your locality.
2. below you can see a letter of complaint to the inspector of street lighting of your locality. Complete the letter by filling the blanks with suitable words. Dear sir Allow me (a) ………. Bring to your notice(b) the failure of the street (c)…….. of Jawahar Nagar. Not only is this lane in a bad (d) ………. State of repair but it also badly (e) ………..(f) lighting which is essential if one is to walk along it at (g) ……….. The absence of lights often (h) ………… antisocial elements. The woman folk around here feel (i) ……… on this road in the dark.. Will you kindly take (j) ………. For providing lighting on this lane? Thanking you Yours faithfully Residents of jawahar Nagar
3. you have Kelvin/ Keith of 345, R.B. Enclave, Rajkot. You are interested in doing a short term diplomacourse in public Speaking for enhancing your personality during the Summer vacation/ write a letter to the Director of Resonance Enhancement, Surat inquiring about the duration of such a course and criteria for admission. (word Limit 200 words)
4. You have placed an other for a few books to a bookseller at Kochi, you have not received the books so far.Write a letter to the book shop complaining about the non-compliance of your Order.
5. You read in the newspaper about 3 school going children crushed to death by the speeding blue-line bus.Write a letter to the Editor of ‘The Times Journal expressing your concem. You are Janet / joy of 98, R.K. Endave New Delhi.
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MESSAGE
Eng. L – 5
5. 1 FORMAT OF MESSAGE :
Date
5.2 POINTS TO REMEMBER WHILE WRITING A MESSAGE :
� Message must be placed in box.
� No address is to be written.
� Time and date, when the message is written, should be mentioned.
� Always use indirect Speech to write the message.
� Write the name of the person for whom the message is meant at the top. Give only a
brief salutation e.g. Ravi / sir [Do not use ‘Dear’]
� Include to the word limit (50 words)
� Put your name / signature at the end of the message.
MESSAGE
Salu t at ion
The v it al info rm atio n co nv ey ed
N am e o f the p e rso n wr it in g t he messa ge
Time
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5.3 SOLVED EXAMPLES :
A. Read the following telephonic conversation between Mr. P.S. Shekhawat and Rankesh Rawal. Write the
massage for Mr. Nishant Ramawat. In not more than 5 words.
Mr. Shekhawat : Hello I is it 2422545 ? Can I speak to Mr. Nishant Ramawat?
Rankesh : Mr. Ramawat i.e. My Daddy is away to the gym. He will retum in an
hour, say by 8.15 p.m. is anything urgent ?
Mr. Shekhawat : Well I’m pradeep Singh Shekhawat from his office. Kindly tell him to
reach Hotel Marudhar, Room No. 502 at 9 a.m. tomorrow. 1st July. He
must carry the files with him. The Chinese delegation is meeting the
M.D. at 9.15 a.m.
Rankesh : I’ll certainly give him the message, uncle. Anything else you would
like me to convey to him ?
Mr. Shekhawat : Oh, yes I Tell him to contact Mr. Mewara and convey the message
regarding the meeting.
MESSAGE 30 th June 200x 7:15p.m. Papa Mr. Shekhawat called up to say that you must reach Hotel Marudhar, Room No. 502 at 9.00 a.m. tomorrow along with files. The Chinese delegation is meeting the MD at 9:15 a.m. Also convey this message to Mr. Mewara. Rankesh
B. You receive a telephone call from your father’s office in his absence and have the following conversation
with the speaker. Write the massage to give to your father when he returns home.
Mr. Sharma : Hello, is this 2422200
Samuel : Yes please, whom do you want to speak to ?
Mr. Sharma : Could I please speak to Mr. jain ?
Samuel : I’m sorry Daddy is not at home. Do you have any message for him ?
Mr. Sharma : Yes, please tell him that the meeting fixed for tomorrow i.e. 29th June
has been cancelled.
Samuel : It has been cancelled ?
Mr. Sharma : That’s right. Please also tell him that we shall let him know as and
when the next date is fixed up; have you got it ?
Samuel : Yes uncle. I’ve noted it down and shall tell Daddy when he comes
back
Sol.
Sol.
MESSAGE June 28,200X 5:45p.m. Daddy Mr. Sharma called up from your office on telephone stating that the meeting scheduled for tomorrow i.e. 29th June has been cancelled. He also informed that they would let you know as and when the next date was fixed for the meeting. Samuel
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PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Read the following notes from the note-pad of Mrs. Joseph, the principal of St. Mary Pink plaza, jaipur, she
asks her assistant to draft a message on her behalf for Mr. Mathew, the vice principal of the school, Using the
information from the note-pad, draft a Message.
• Request Urgent Meeting
• Meeting in my office – 9.00 a.m. today.
• Agenda- planning for tour to Himachal Pradesh.
• Duration – 10 days – Summer Vacation
• Inform class teachers of VIII,IX,X – should attend meeting.
2. Read the following telephonic conversation that took place between Maria and Mrs. Dravid.As Maria’s
mother is not at home and she herself has to leave for her coaching classes, she writes a message for her
mother. Write the message from Maria to her shopping.
Mrs. Dravid : Hello is it 2341234?
Maria : Yes ma’am. May I know who’s on the other line ?
Mrs. Dravid : I am Sophia Dravid, Mrs. Merchant’s friend. Could I speak to her ?
Maria : I am her daughter Maria this side. I’m afraid mom is not at moment. She Has gone
to the market for shopping.
Mrs. Dravid : In that case, Maria, could you please tell her that I will pick her up from your place
at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow. We’ll be going to the American Library for the renewal of
our membrarship. She should carry her cheque book and membership card.
Maria : I will certainly convey your message to mom.
Mrs. Dravid : Thanks Maria. And please don’t forget to tell her that she will have to
return home on her own from there as I have an appointment with my
dentist.
Maria : I’ll do that Maria and bye.
3. James has a telephonic conversation with Jacob. As Jacob has to leave he writes a message for Thomas.
Write the message in not more than 50 words.
James : Good afternoon I’m James, Thomas’ friend. May I speak to Thomas,
please?
Jacob : Good afternoon James. I’m sorry Thomas is not at home at the
moment.
James : May I request you to convey my message to Thomas when the
returns Home?
Jacob : Sure, pleases tell me.
James : My cousin has brought the English literature book he wanted for his
examination. He may collect it soon.
Jacob : Surely I’ll convey it to Thomas.
25
PALANQUIN BEARERS
Eng. L. – 6
6.1 SUMMARY :
This poem, by Sarojini Naidu, is about an age-old custom when brides and women of high birth were carried in a palanquin. In the poem, the palanquin bearers are carry-Ing a beautiful lady. The poetess has
exquisitely depicted the movement of the palanquin And the glowing beauty of the lady.She begins with a
description of a gently swaying palanquin moving in rhythm to theSong of the bearers, who are very
careful, as they want to protect the lady from anyjerky Movements. She compares the movement first to the
swaying of a flower movingin the wind as the palanquin moves in tune with the song that the bearers
arehumming.She feels that they are moving like birds that hardly touch the surface of the stream, asthey
hardly appear to touch the road. The lady can hardly feel that she is being carriedin mid-air by the
palanquin bearers. The overall picture looks as if an extremelyprecious jewel is being carried with soft
hands. For the bearers, the palanquin is like apearl and the handles are like the string on which she is
hanging. The link between thebearers and the passenger (lady/maiden) is as essential as the string is
essential forthe pearl. The bearers are also proud of having the lady and all this makes themhappy
(gaily)The poetess then describes the elegant beauty of the lady/palanquin by comparingher/it First to the
starlight that shines though a dewdrop at down and than to thedancing beam of light reflected on the
moving waves of a river. The palanquin by thebearers as the tear the slowly rolls down the bride’s cheek.
The rhyme scheme used in this poem is ‘aabbcc’
6.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extract given below and answer the following questions :
1. Gaily, O gaily we glide and we sing ,
We bear her along like a pearl on a string.
Softly, O softly we bear her along ,
She hangs like a star in the dew of our song:
(i) What is the emotion expressed by the poet in the line “We bear her along like peartof string”?
(ii) Explain the image expressed in the line “We bear her along like a peart of string”.
(iii) Do the palanquin bearers consider the maiden to be burden ? Why /Why not ?
(iv) Name the poetic device used in the above lines. What effect does it have on you as a reader ?
(v) Why has ‘she been compared to a star ?.
And.(i) The palanquin bearers are conscious of the privilege they have been accorded of
carrying the maiden sitting in the palanquin .
26
(ii) The palanquin is as precious and beautiful as a peart for the palanquin bearers and the handles of the
palanquin are like the string on which she is handing .
(iii) The palanquin bearers do not consider the maiden to be a burden. They feel. privileged to carry her
and do so joyously, singing merrily. They do not plod along wearily like carrying a burden but glide
over the road lightly
(iv) The poetic device used is ‘refrain’ (repetition). The refrain adds rhythm and music .to the poem and
reinforces the gentle rhythmic movement of the palanquin. It also emphasizes the ides that the
palanquin bearers are conscious of the fact that they are carrying a person passenger.
(v) She is compared her to a star because she is as radiant and beautiful as a star.
2. Lightly, O lightly we beer her along;
She sways like a flower in the wind of our song;
She sways like a bird on the foam of a stream,
She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream.
(i) Who are ‘we’? What are they doing ?
(ii) Who does ‘she’ refer to ? List any two object to which the speaker compares her?
(iii) Explain :’She sways like a flower in the wind of our song’.
(iv) Explain : She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream’.
Ans. (i) ‘We’ refers to the palanquin bearers. They are carrying a maiden in a palanquin And they sing as they
carry the maiden in the palanquin.
(ii) ‘She’ refers to the palanquin. She is compared to a flower swaying in the gentle breeze, a bird
skimming across a river without touching the water.
(iii) The palanquin bearers move in rhythm to the beat of the song sung by them
and the palanquin moves gently to the tune of that song.
(iv) The movement of the palanquin is as smooth and gently as a child smiling in
a dream. Any jerk of discomfort that the maiden may feel is as ephemeral as
a dream experience that one cannot recall even minutes after working.
3. She springs like a beam on the brow of the tide,
She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride.
Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing,
We bear her along like a peart on a string.
(i) Why does the poet feel that she’ springs like a beam on the brow of the tide ?
(ii) Why are the palanquin bearers carrying the palanquin ‘lightly’ ?
(iii) Explain :’She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride’.
Ans. (i) The poetess describes the luminous beauty of the palanquin (maiden in the Palanquin) by comparing
her to the shimmering and dancing beam of light reflected on the moving waves of a river.
(ii) The palanquin bearers do not wish to cause discounfort to the maiden they are carrying. So they move
smoothly and effortlessly carry the palanquin
(iii) The movement of the palanquin is as soft and gentle as the tear that slowly rolls down the cheek or a
bride.
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6.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS :
(i) What is the central idea of the poem ?
Ans. This poem, by Sarojini Naidu, is about an age-old custom when brides and women of high birth were
carried in a palanquin. In the poem, the palanquin bearers are carrying a beautiful lady. The poetess has
exquisitely depicted the movement of the palanquin and the glowing beauty of the lady. She begins with a
description of a gently swaying palanquin moving in rhythm to the song of the bearers, who are very
careful, as they want to protect the lady from any jerky movements
(ii) What is ‘refrain’ ? pick out the refrain in the poem.
Ans. A refrain is the repetition of lines or whole phrases in a poem, usually at the end of a stanza.
The refrain in this poem is :
Lightly, O lightly I softly, O softly we bear her along
Gaily, O gaily I Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing.
We bear her along like a peart on a string.
(iii) How are the palanquin bearers carrying their burden – under compulsion joyfully ?
Ans. The palanquin bearers carry the maiden joyfully. They do not consider the maiden to be a burden. They feel
privileged to carry her and do so joyously, singing merrily. They do not plod along wearily like carrying a
burden but glide over the road lightly. They compare the maiden to a precious peart.
(iv) How does the poetess convey the contradictory feelings of ‘laughter’ and ‘crying’ in the poem ‘ The
Palanquin Bearers?’
Ans. The poetess uses two images deliberately to convey the contradictory feelings of “joy” and ‘weeping’. In the
first stanza the poetess says that “she floats like a laugh”. This conveys the joy of anticipation as she is
going to her husband’s house. Her heart is full of excitement and mind is full of rosy dreams as the
palanquin moves towards the residence of her soul mate, in the second stanza. The poetess writes, “she
falls like a tear” . it is because the bride is sad as she has just separated from her family andfriends and
separation is always painful. Thus the contraction between ‘laughter’ and ‘crying’ aptly sums up the
oscillation of the bride between the two mods of joy and sadness.
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POSTCARD
Eng. L. – 7
� Postcards are convenient for sending brief messages, acknowledging receipt of letters and goods or for
confirming some engagement already fixed. For a longer/private message, either an inland letter or an
envelope is used.
� postcards are written in the same manner as letters.Hance the heading, the subscription and the name
of the sender are essential in addition to the ‘message’ and the name and address of the Addressee.
� Postcards are written in the same manner as an informal letter is written.
7.1 IMPORTANT POINTS WHILE WRITING A POSTCARD :
� The place and date are written in the same line.
� The sender’s complete address is not written.
� The salutation, subscription, and sender’s name must be written.
� Write address of addressee in the appropriate space.
7.2 SAMPLE POSTCARD :
Place
Salutation
Body of postcard Reason for writing
Body of postcard
Complimentary close
Subscription (Sender)
Mumbai July 28,200X
Dear Uncle
I ‘M PLANNING TO VISIT Delhi for a week with six friends, from the 20th August to 26th August, to visit famous monuments and museums. Will stay at hotel to avold disturbing Didi. Will be grateful if reasonable accommodation could be arranged
And transport provided for Sightseeing kindly book our Return tickets for Mumbai.
Yours affectionately
Nishant
stamp
Mr. Ramakant Sharma …………… 1-H-15 stadium Road,……………… New Delhi …………………………..
1 1 0 0 3 2 Pin : Ad dresse e ’s ad dress
29
7.3 SOLVED EXAMPLE :
(i) You are jenny / James. You have gone to Shimal with your friends. You decide to send a postcard to your parents in kota. Write the postcard in not more than 50 words,
Shimal 15th January, 200X
Dear mom and dad
We have reached Shimal safely. Weather here is very nice and pleasant.
Today we had see snow capped mountains and enjoyed the beauty of
Shimal. Day after tomorrow we’ll go to Manali.
We will be back in four days.
Give regards to all and
Especially to granny.
Your loving daughter / son
Jenny / James
Mr. Sunil Sharma ……………. House. No. 92, basant vihar,……. Kota (Rajasthan)…………………… Pin :
stamp
1 1 0 0 3 2
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. You are Manish living in Mumbai. Write a postcard to your friend Ronak living at 46, janki kutir, Matura
281001 telling him about what you intend to adopt as a career and why so.
2. As a Director Techno Teachings – jaipur (an educational institute engaged in distance Leaming for
Engineering / Medical Admission Tests) write a postcard to Bobby of 34 / H Azad Nagar, Patna as a reply
to her query regarding fresh batches for I.I.T – J.E.E..,fees structure, timing etc. sign yourself as Sam..
3. You are Anjali Bhasin of 678, New Industrial Township Faribadad. You have just retuned from Bangalore
after spending a part of your summer vacation with a friend of yours. After returning home you want to
write a postcard thanking them for their hospitality and making your stay enjoyable. You also wish to
invite your friend Uma Mani to spend the winter break you. Write the postcard using mot more than 50
words.
30
NOTICE WRITING
Eng. L. – 8
8.1 IMPORTANT POINTS WHILE WRITING A NOTICE :
� Think of an eye – catching caption-preferably a phrase and not a sentence.
� The rest of the details should be in order of importance and in crisp short sentences.
� The language of the notice should be impersonal. Use passive voice as possible.
� Mention the name of the body / organization organizing the event.
� State clearly if the event is for any cause.
� The notice must be dated.
� Do not use the first person e.g. ‘I’ or second person, e.g.’ you’.
� Put the notice in a box.
8.2 FORMAT OF NOTICE :
ST. PETER’S SCHOOL 20th July 200X NOTICE
EXTRA CLASSES FOR WEAK STUDENTS Compulsory extra classes for those student of class VII to X
(purpose) Who have secured less then 60% marks in the First Terminal Examination will be organized from August 10,200X after school hours in their
(Date)
Respective classrooms from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Lunch will be provided (Timings) (other details)
On request. For further details contact the undersigned.
Jitendra Joshi
Headboy
Dat e
H ead ing
Issu i n g au t ho rit y
B od y o f not ic e wit h d e tail s: 1 . Purp ose2 . Ev e nt3 . Oc assion4 . Dat e / t im e / v e nu e
N ame and d esi gn at ion of p e rson issu i n g the no t ice
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8.3 SOLVED EXAMPLE:
(i) You are Jim, student editor of St. James School ,Lucknow. Draft a notice, for the School notice board, inviting names of those who would like to give articles, stories , etc for the School magazine.
Ans.
(ii) you are Aishwarya a student of class X at G.M.Amrisar. During the lunch break you lost a library book on the playground of the school . Draft a notice to be put up on the school notice board.
Ans .
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Abhishek is opening a shop of unusual gift item as cosmetics. He has invited a famous T.V. personality for
its inauguration. Write a notice for him in about 50 words to be distributed among his friends and the
public inviting them for the function.
2. you are Thomas, the President of the Blood Bank Society, Chennai. You are organizing a Blood Donation
Camp. Draft a notice urging the people to donate blood.(Word limit: 50 Words)
3. the Intemational Book Fair is being held at Cross Maiden between 15 December and 30 December 2008. As
a school librarian, of st. Angelo school, write a notice informing the students about this book fair in not
more then 50 words. Sign in as joyna
4. You are Sachin, the secretetary of the Red Cross Committee of your school. A donation camp is being
organized in your school by mother Teresa Blood Bank of India. Draft a notice for display on the school
notice board, requesting the members of staff as the students to come forward and donate blood
generously.
ST. JAMES SCHOOL-LUCKNOW
21 st September 200x NOTICE
BE A PART OF SCHOOL MAGAZINE
The School magazine ‘sahayog’ is being prepared. The undersigned invite the name of those
who would like to give their articles, stories, Cartoons etc. for the magazine. The names must
reach the undersigned by 30 th September 200X
Jim
Student Editor
School Magazine
G.M. ARMY SCHOOL, AMRITSAR June 30, 200X NOTICE
LOST LOST LOST
The undersigned lost her library book named ‘Together with English for class X’ Somewhere in the playground during the Lunch break to the undersigned . Finder will avail a
treat.
Aishwarya Roll No. 86 Class X Section C
32
THE BROOK
Eng. L. -9
9.1 SUMMARY :
This poem traces the life of a brook or a small stream as it emerges from the mountaintop and flows down
the hills and across valleys to empty into the river. The brook itself is the narrator and it describes its
journey of life in its own narration. On a deeper level the poet uses the brook to draw parallel with the life
of man. Like the brook, man is energetic, lively and moves swiftly when he is young but slows down later
on in life just like the brook when it empties into the river. The energetic movement of the brook in the
initial stage is described by the poet with the use of words like ‘chatter’ , babble , ‘sharps’ and ‘trebles’ .This
changes to words like ‘steal’ ,’gloom’, glide’ ’murmur’ and ‘loiter’ to express the slower movement towards
the end of its journey. As it slows down it also deposits the ‘shingle’, sand and silt that it has brought down
from the mountains and hills during its journey. it passes through various landforms, forests and fields that
are either fertile or fallow (uncultivated). It gets angry when it makes many curves on its banks and fallow
fields. It also passes by grassy lawns and flower – filled gardens where hazel and ‘forget-me-not’ trees
grow. It does not follow a single path but meanderers on around rocks and boulders without letting
anything stop its path. Similarly a man also is faced with many challenges in life and has to go on
regardless, finding new paths.
Through this poem the poet points to the eternal nature of the brook that outlives man. Men are born and
they die but the brook never ceases to exist. It continues to flow its source to the river eternally.
9.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each:
1. I come from haunts of coot and herm ;
I make a sudden sally
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down the valley.
(i) Who is ‘I’ here in the first line ?
(ii) How does ‘I’ come and from where?
(iii) What makes the poet use ‘bicker’ for the flow of water?
And, (i) ‘I’ here in the first line is the brook.
(ii) The brook makes a sudden rush from the place of its birth.
(iii) The poet wants to lend a quarrelsome aspect to the brook when it flows noisily down a valley.
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2. I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I bubble on the pebbles.
(i) How does the brook flow over stony ways?
(ii) What happens to the brook when it joins eddying bays?
(iii) What makes the brook babble on the pebbles?
Ans: (i) The brook flows over stony ways with a ‘noise’. This ‘noise’ is denoted by The word‘ chatter’.
(ii) It bubbles while it joins eddying bays. Its water moves in a spirl manner.
(iii) The pebbles. Cause a certain disturbance into the path of the brook Due to that it babbles over such a
path.
3. I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
I slide by hazel covers;
I move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers.
(i) What does the poet wish to convey by using the words ‘steal’ and ‘slide’?
(ii) What place doest the brook pass by?
(iii) What metaphorical meaning does the poet lend to the brook’s moving the sweet forget-me-nots?
Ans: (i) The poet uses the terms ‘steal’ and ‘slide’ to express the quieter manifestation of the
brook; it also describes the smooth movement of the brook when it passes by the side of the lawns
and grassy plots.
(ii) It passes by lawns, grassy plots, and woods where hazel trees grow and bushes bearing forget-me-nots.
(iii) The metaphorical meaning is that the lovers meet her on its bank where forget-me-nots. Blossom in
plenty. The lovers pluck them sitting on its bank. They throw the petals into it.
4. I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wilderness;
I linger by my shingly bars;
I loiter round my cresses.
(i) Why does the poet say that the brook ‘murmurs’?
(ii) Why does the brook ‘linger’ now?
(iii) What makes the brook ‘loiter’?
Ans : (i) The poet say so because the brook flows through wilderness, which has thorny bushes.
(ii) The brook now ‘lingers’ now because there are shingles on its bed. These create little obstruction in its
flow.
(iii) The cresses i.e. the pungent leaved cabbage-like wild growth, make the flow of the brook slow.
5. I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.
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(i) Who does ‘I’ refer to ? How does ‘I’ chatter?
(ii) Why has the poet used the word ‘brimming?
(iii) Explain the last two lines of the stanza.
Ans:(i) ‘I’ refers to the personified brook. It chatters when its water flows over the stony bed.
(ii) The poet has used the word ‘brimming’ to denote the idea of the water full to the brim. It means the
water of the river flows touching its banks.
(iii) The last two lines mean that the brook is that the brook is permanent. It is immortal. It has flown in
the past, flows in the present and shall flow in the future, men are mortal but the brook is perennial.
9.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS :
(i) How does the poet use the brook to draw a parallel with the life of a man ?
Ans. This poem traces the life of a brook or a small stream as it emerges from the Mountaintop and flows
down the hills and across valleys to empty into the river. On a Deeper level the post uses the brook to
draw a parallel with the life of a man. Like the Brook, man is energetic, lively and moves swiftly when
he is young. Human being are Helpers , supporters as well as life givers. So is the brook. In old age at
the end of their Life, men are wish, silent and deep in thought and they slow down. So does the brook
Before it empties into the river.
(ii) Describe the journey of the brook as given in the poem.
Ans. The brook springs from a place, which is visited by coot and hern. It emerges suddenly and flows
down the valley. It creates many noises when if flows on stony paths. The brook moves in a zigzag
manner. Many blossoms sell on its surface of water. The water is so transparent that its bottom is clearly
seen. The brook takes the sweet forget-me-not flowersfor happy lovers. The sunbeam dances over
its surface against the sandy Shallows. When the brook passes in thorny wilderness at night, it
murmurs. in such strange places, it flows very slowly. It then flows to Join the brimming river.
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REPORTED SPEECH
Eng. L. -10
We can express thing spoken or told by others in 2 ways.
• To speak what the speaker said as it is - Direct Speech
• To express what the speaker said in our own words -Indirect Speech
If you ask your friend – “Where is your book”, the reply could be –“Your book is with Sam”.
Now, if I ask you, what did your friend tell you, then you can narrate that in 2 ways.
• He said to me, “your book is with Sam”. -Direct Narration.
• My friend told me that your book was with Sam. -Indirect Narration.
10.1 RULES TO CHANGE FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH:
� Remove the inverted commas. (“………..”)
� Remove the full stop or comma after the reporting verb.
� If there is any object after the reporting verb then change’ said to’ to ‘told’ &’say ‘to ‘tell’.
� If there is no object after the reporting verb then no change in ‘said’ and ‘say’.
� Add necessary conjunction like ‘that, if, whether’ after the reporting verb.
11.1 (a) Changes in the Tense of Reported Speech (R.S.) :
1. if the reporting verb (R.V.) is in present or Future Tense, there is no changed in the tense of R.S.
(i) She says, “He is not here”. (Direct)
She says that he is not here (Indirect)
(ii) She will say, ”Tom drives a car”. (Direct)
She will say that Tom drives a car. (Indirect)
2. If R.V is in Past tense, then of R.S is changed as follows:
(i) Simple present is changed into Simple Past.
John said to Jim, “Sam studies regularly”. (Direct)
John told Jim that Sam studied regularly. (Indirect)
(ii) Present Continuous is changed to Past Continuous.
Chappell said to Sachin, “Dravid is playing football”. (Direct)
Chappell told Sachin, the “Dravid was playing football”. (Indirect)
36
39
(iii) Present perfect is changed to past perfect.
Dhoni said, ”Pathan has gone to West Indies”. (Direct)
Dhoni said that Pathan had gone to West Indies”. (Indirect)
(iv) Present perfect Continuous is changed to past perfect Continuous.
My neighbour said, “The dogs have been braking for 2 hours”. (Direct)
My neighbour said that dogs had been braking for 2 hours”. (Indirect)
(v) Simple past is changed to past perfect.
John said,” Jim went to U.S.A.” (Direct)
John said that Jim had gone to U.S.A. (Indirect)
(vi) Past continuous is changed to past perfect continuous.
She said, “Her sister was sleeping”. (Direct)
She said that her sister had been sleeping. (Indirect)
(vii) No changes in past perfect and past perfect continuous.
Papa said,” Johnny had eaten sugar”. (Direct)
Papa said that Johnny had eaten sugar. (Indirect)
(viii) Change in modals:
Can changes to could; May changes to should; will to would;
The principal said,” Student can go home”. (Direct)
The principal said that Student could go home. (Indirect)
(ix) Would, Should, Could, Might, Ought – do not change.
(x) Must can be changed to ‘had to’ or used as it is.
We said, “The criminals must be punished”. (Direct)
We said that the criminals had to /must be punished”. (Indirect)
11.2 (b) Exceptions:
(i) Historical Facts : Sir said,”Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India”. (Direct)
Sir said that Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India. (Indirect)
(ii) Universal Truth : The teacher said,” Sun rises in the East”. (Direct)
The teacher said that the Sun rises in the East”. (Indirect)
(iii) Habitual Facts : The Doctor said.” Smoking is injurious to health”. (Direct)
The Doctor said that Smoking is injurious to health”. (In
direct)
11.2 (c) Changes in persons of pronoun:
(i) First person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, we, us. our, ours ,ourselves)in the R.V. when changed into
indirect speech, change as per the person, Number andGender of the Subject of R.V.
� They said, “We shall help our friends”. (Direct)
They said that the would help their friends.
(Indirect)
(ii) Second person pronoun(you, you, yours, yourself, yourselves) in the R.V. when changed into indirect
speech, change as per the person, Number andGender of the Subject of the Object.
� She said to us, “You are intelligent”. (Direct)
She said to us that we are intelligent. (Indirect)
37
� The teacher said to the student, “You” have passed with good marks”. (Direct)
The teacher told the student that they had passed with good marks. (Indirect)
(i) No change in the Third Person Pronoun (He, She, It, They, Her, Its, Their, Theirs,Him, Himself,
Herself, Themselves, Her, Hers)when changed from Direct into Indirect Speech.
� Greg said, “She is a good student”. (Direct)
� Greg said that She was a good student. (Indirect)
11.2 (d) Change of Situations :
‘this becomes ‘that’
‘these’ becomes ‘those’
‘least week’ becomes ‘the previous week’
‘here’ becomes ‘there’
‘now’ becomes ‘then’
‘today’ becomes ‘that day’
‘yesterday’ becomes ‘the day before/the previous day’
tomorrow’ becomes ‘the next day/ the coming day’
‘lest week’ becomes ‘the week before/the previous week’
‘next month’ becomes ‘the week before/the previous week’
‘ago’ becomes ‘before’
E .g.
� Jacob said, “I read this book last month.” (Direct)
Jacob said that he had read that book the previous month (Indirect)
� Mary said, “I will meet Tom this evening” (Direct)
Mary said that she would meet Tom this evening (Indirect)
� Marshall said to Ricky.” I cannot go with you till next Monday” (Direct)
Marshall said to Ricky.” I cannot go with you till next Monday” (Indirect)
11.2 (e) Imperative Situations :
Write “Ordered, begged, pleaded, implored, advised, demanded, Forbade ”etc. as per the sentences.
E .g.
� The teacher said to me, “sit in your class and learn your lesson” (Direct)
The teacher ordered me to sit in my class and learn my lesson. (Indirect)
� She said to him, ”Don’t touch my books” (Direct)
She forbade him to touch her books. (Indirect)
11.2 (f) Interrogative Sentences :
(i) For ‘wh’ question – use the wh word
� Tim asked, “Where is the book ?” (Direct)
Tim asked Where the book was. ( Indirect)
(ii) For yes /No question – use if / whether
� Surabhi asked, “Have you read this book?” (Direct)
Surabhi asked if whether I had read that book.
38
41
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Read the conversation given below and complete the report : Do not add any new information.
Patient : But could be dead by then !
Receptionist : No problem. If your wife informs me I can cancel the
appointment.
A patient went to his doctor’s clinic and asked the receptionist (a) ……………………..
_________________The receptionist (b)_______________saying that (c) _______________
For at least two weeks. The disappointed patient (d)________by then. The receptionist
calmly replied that (e) ___________and reassured him that (f)_______cancel the appoint.
2. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph :
Attendant : A person wants to see you , Sir.
Principal : Did you ask him his name ?
Attendant : Sorry, I didn’t I shall go and ask him.
Principal : Yes , and let me know soon who he is.
The attendant respectfully told the principal (a) ________________.The principal
wanted to know (b) _____________. The attendant (c) _________and (d) ________.
The principal (e) _____________.
3. Alok’s teacher gave instructions on how students should attempt the summer holiday assignment. Here are
some notes on the same. Using this information complete the conversation given below.
Read the questions carefully- Attempt each subject on separate sheets- Before writing
the answers mention name, class and section on left side corner – wherever required
with colored pencils in neat legible handwriting – hand it over on the first day of the
reopening of school.
The teacher told Alok (a) …………………………She asked, (b)…………………………..…...
……………………………………………. Sheets. She . added (c)……………………………….
on left side corner. She also said that (d)……………………………………………………..…..
with colour pencils. The teacher wanted (e)…………………………………………………..…
handwriting. The summer assignment had to be hander over (f)……………………………..
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ANSWERS
1.
(a) If he could have an appointment with the doctor.(b) Said she was Sorry(c) She could not fit him in(d) Said that he would be dead(e) It was not a problem(f) if his wife informed her she could
2.
(a) that a person wanted to see him(b) if he had asked his name. (c) felt Sorry(d) said that he hadn’t he said that he would go and ask him then.(e) asked him to let him know soon who he was.
3.
(a) to read the question carefully.(b) Him to attempt each subject on separate(c) That before writing the answers he should mention name, class and section.(d) Wherever required he should make orawings (e) Him to write in neat legible(f) On the first day of the reopening of school.
40
THESOLITA RYREAPER
Eng. L -11 .
11.1 SUMMARY :
This is a beautiful short lyric of 32 lines. In this poem, the poet recalls a memorable experience. Once when
he was in Scotland and walking past the highland, he came across a highland girl. She was reaping the
harvest and binding the grain all by herself. She was singing a song as she worked. The poet was so
impressed by her singing that he stopped and listened. Her voice was so enchanting that the whole valley
was overflowing with the music of her song. To the poet it seemed more melodious then the song of either
the nightingale singing to the weary bands of travelers in the Arabin deserts or the cuckoo-bird breaking
the silence of the seas in the farthest island of Hebrides. The poet could not understand the meaning of her
song as the girl was singing in a hilly (native) dialect. But the plaintive numbers seemed to relate the tale of
some far off happening or natural sorrow or loss of parting from the near ones. Whatever was the theme of
the girl’s song, it affected the poet greatly. He stood spellbound and listened quietly. He wished that the
song would never come to an end. Even when he walked away, he carried the music with him. He
remembered it till long after he had heard it no more. Thus the song of the reaper provided him a rich
emotional experience.
11.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extracts given below and answer the question that follow each :
1. No Nightingale did ever chant
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of Travellers in some shady haunt.
Among Arabian Sands;
(i) Where does the nightingale sing ?
(ii) Why are the Travellers weary?
(iii) Why has the poet compared the nightingale’s song to that of the solitary reaper?
Ans . (i) The nightingale sings in an oasis in the deserts of Arabia.
(ii) The travelers are weary in the course of their journey through the desert.
(iii) The song of the nightingale is a very welcome sound to the tired travelers as it signifies that they are
approaching an oasis. The song of the reaper arouses the same feelings of pleasure and joy in the
poet. It also lends a feeling of romance in the poem.
2. Will no one tell me what she sings?
Perhaps, the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
41
(i) Why does the poet use the word ‘perhaps’?
(ii) What is the meaning of the phrase ‘plaintive numbers’?
(iii) Mention the possibilities the poet has raised about the theme of the song.
Ans . (i) The poet uses the word ‘perhaps’ as he cannot understand the words of the
Solitary reaper’s song since he is not familiar with the dialect, or he is too far Away to catch the words
of the song.
(ii) ‘Plaintive numbers’ means that the reaper is singing a very sad and melancholy song.
(iii) (a) He feels it could be about some unhappy memories.
(b) It could be about some current topics.
(c) It could be about sad events in history e.g. battles fought in the past.
3. Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of t o -day?
Some natural sorrow, loss or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
(i) What is the poet talking about in these lines?
(ii) What does the poet mean by ‘humble lay’? What is the theme of the maiden’
(iii) What is the significance of the last lines ?
Ans. (i) the poet is talking about the theme of the solitary reaper’s song.
(ii) ‘Humble lay’ means a song with a more modest theme or a song dealing with a mundane matter.
The poet feels the song could be about some unhappy memories or a personal tragedy that the girl
may have experienced.
(iii) The last lines show that the poet feels the girl may have an unhappy life and so her song is
melancholy.
4. I listen’ d , motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
(i) Why did the poet listen to the song ‘motionless and still’?
(ii) What effect does this music have on the poet?
(iii) Why must the passer –by listen to the song?
Ans.(i) The poet does not wish to disturb the girl who was singing. So he listen to the song ‘motionless and
still’.
(ii) The song mesmerizes the poet and he stop to listen to it. He carries the memory of the song in his heart
long after he moves on his way.
(iii) The girl’s song is so sweet and melodious that it compels a passer-by To stop and listen to the song.
11.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS:
(i) Why has poet chosen the song of the nightingale and the cuckoo-Bird for comparison with the song of
the solitary reaper ?
42
Ans : wordsworth has chosen the song of the nightingale and the cuckoobecause these are the sweetest, most
pleasant and most refreshing of all the song of the birds. Broth of them bring cheer and freshness to those
who hear their songs in the desert of Arabia and the Hebrides islands respectively. By comparing these, the
poet wants to say that the song of the solitary reaper far exceeded the magic, melody and sweetness of the
songs of either the nightingale and the cuckoo-bird. The poet himself heard it resounding even after the
reaper had stopped singing.
(ii) How does the poet try to analyse the song of the solitary reaper?
Ans : The poet couldn’t know the subject of the solitary reaper’s song.So he tried to analyse its subject. He
thought that the reaper was, Perhaps, singing about old, unhappy, far-off things or battles. She might be
singing about some ordinary things or familiar matters of life. She might be singing about some natural
sorrow, loss or pain, which occur in life again and again. However, he couldn’t know the subject to her
song as it was in her native dialect. The poet heard it resounding even after the reaper had stopped singing.
43
DETERMINERS
Eng .L.-12
� Determiners are words that come before nouns. They show whether a noun refers to a general or specific
person, place or object and which or how many things.
� Determiners and nouns together make noun phrases;
e.g. a pen, the pen, every pen, my pen, many pens.
� Determiners limit the noun by giving some additional information about the noun,
e.g. ‘The pen’ refers to a pen, which has been mentioned earlier.
� A noun phrase may include both a determininer and an adjective. The determiner mayprecede numerals
or adjectives :
e.g. a young girl, a tall boy, all senior players, some responsible citizens.
12.1 MOST COMMONLY USED DETERMINERS:
���� Articles: a, an, the
� Possessive: my, our, your, his, her, its, their
� Demonstrative :this that, these, those
� Adjectives and Pronouns of indefinite number or quantity: some, each,
Ever,any,no,all,little,less,many,much,neither,either,enough,few,first,third,last,what,which, whose. E.g.
� Mumbai is a costly city.
� Some members abstained from voting.
� Our neighbour is very friendly.
� This language is very useful.
� All the students were punished for negligence.
12.1 (a) Use of Articles :
1. A or An
(i) ‘A’ and ‘An’ are used before a singular countable noun to show that it is not specific.
(ii) The use of ‘A’ and ‘An’ is governed by the initial sound of the noun before which it is used
(iii) ‘A’ is used before consonant sounds. E.g. girl, a man, a university, a unit etc.
(iv) ‘An’ is used before a vowel sounds. E..g. an egg. An honest man, an elephant etc.
2. The
(i) The is used to show that the noun is specific. E.g. The first railway line in India was laid in Maharashtra.
44
(ii) ‘The’ is used when the noun is preceded by a superlative adjective. E.g. the tallest, the largest etc.
U.S.A. is the richest country in the world.
(iii) ‘The’ is used for nouns that are common to all people. E.g. the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth etc.
The earth is round.
(iv) ‘The” is used with uncountable nouns if indicating specifics. E.g. The milk has turned sour. The water is not clean.
If unspecific meaning is indicated then ‘the’ is not used.
E.g. Water is an important component of our food.
(v) ‘The’ is used when we refer to whole group of people. E.g. the Americans, the evil, the good etc.
The Americans are hard working and industrious.
(vi) ‘The’ is used before names of government departments, museums, newspapers etc. E.g. The Ministry of Health, The Prince of Wales Museum, The Indian Express
(vii) ‘The’ is used before names of oceans, river, mountain ranges, deserts, holy books, canals etc. The pacific Ocean, The Alps, The Sahara desert, The Ramayana, The Suez Canal.
(viii) ‘The’ is not used before names of persons, continents, cities, holidays of the week, subjects of studies etc.
12.1 (b) Determiners of Quantity: (i) Much, many
� Much is used with uncountable nouns indicating a large quantity.
E.g. There was much noise (i.e. a lot of noise)
� Many is used only with plural nouns and to show a large number.
E.g. There are many students in the class.
(ii) Some, Any
Some and any show not a large quantity.
� Some is used in affirmative sentences.
E.g. There is some water in the glass.
� Any is used in interrogative or negative sentences.
E.g. is there any sugar in the house?
There isn’t any sugar in the house.
(iii) Each, Every
Each and Every both indicate single units in a group.
� Each refers to individual member of a small group.
E.g. Each of her four sons has a new car.
� Every refers to members of a large group.
E.g. Every person above 18 years of age is eligible to vote.
� Sometimes both ‘each’ and ‘every’ can be used.
E.g. Each / Every victim was given financial support.
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(iv) All
� All is used to indicate the whole group rather than its components.
E.g. All the students are preparing for their examinations.
(v) Few, a few, the few denote numbers.
� Few means very small number, not enough and below expectation.
E.g. Few students are interest in learning languages.
� A few indicates some number.
E.g. Few students are good at English.
� The few indicates very small specific numbers
E.g. The few students who are good at English always speak in English.
(vi) Little, a little, the little denote quantity.
� Little means very small quantity, not enough and below expectation.
E.g. He knows little about the matter.
� A little indicates some quantity.
E.g. A little water is left in the jug.
� The little indicates very small specific quantity.
E.g. He drank the little water that was left in the jug.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing wordalong with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined.
(a) Abdul Kalam was one of children – a shortBoy with rather undistinguished looks born
(b) To all and handsome parents. They lived in ancestral(c) House, which was built in meddle of the 19th
(d) Century. It was fairly pucca house, made(e) Of limestone and brick, on Mosque Street in(f) Rameswaram. Austere father used to avoid
All inessential comforts and luxuries. There
(g) Were not luxuries but they led a comfortable life. (h) In fact was secure childhood.
2. complete each sentence with ‘a ’, ’an’, or ‘the’.When Thomas heard his alarm clock go off he got up opened (a) window. He looked outside at (b)…………street of (c)……………Few moments. He could see (d)………… boy on a bicycle delivering newspapers, and two dogs playing in the park opposite. Thomas went into (e)…………. Bathroom and brushed his teeth. Then he had (f)………….. shower. When he was in (g)……….. shower he heard the phone ring. Thomas turned off the water and ran quickly downstairs. When he picked up (h) …………. phone he heard (i) …………. voice that he didn’t recognize. It was (j) ……… union leader from (k) …………. Large hospital nearby. (l) ………… Union leader told him that his uncle james had had (m) ………. Accident (n) ………… previous evening. He had fallen down and now was in hospital. When he heard (o) ……… news. Thomas was very worried. He got dressed and drove to (p) ……… hospital. His uncle was very happy to see him. Fortunately, he wasn’t badly
46
hurt. Thomas thanked (q) …………… doctor who had looked after his uncle.
3. Choose the correct words from those given in the brackets.
(a) How (much / many)(information / in formations) does this brochure give ?
(b) We have only (a little / a few )(oil / oils) left for the car.
(c) You won’t need (much / many)(advice / advices) before you go to the new hostel.
(d) The owner of the house is selling (a little / a few )(piece / pieces) of household things.
(e) (A little / A few )(Knowledge / knowledges) is a dangerous thing.
ANSWERS
1. ABDUL Kalam was one of / children – a short (a) of
many children
Boy with rather undistinguished look born
To all and handsome parents. They lived in / ancestral (b) in
their ancestral
House, which was built in / middle of the 19th (c) in the
middle
Century. It was / fairly large pucca house, made (d) was a
fairly
Of limestone and brick, on / Mosque Street in (e) on the Mosque
Rameswaram.. / Austere father used to avoid (f) Rameswaram His Austere
All inessential comforts and luxuries. There
Were not / luxuries but they led a comfortable life. (g) not
many luxuries
In fact / was a secure childhood. (h) in fact it was
2. (a) the (b) the (c) a (d) a
(e) the (f) a (g) the (h) the
(i) a (j) a (k) a (l) the
(m) an (n) the (o) the (p) the
(q) the
3. (a) much information (b) a little oil (c) much advice (d) a few pieces
(e) A little knowledge
47
LORDULLIN’S DAUGHTER
Eng. L. – 13
13.1 SUMMARY :
‘LORD Ullin’s Daughter’ is one of the most popular poems of Thomas Campbell. It is written in the popular
ballad stanza of four lines with alternate lines rhyming with each other. The poem tells the tragic tale of
Lord ullin’s daughter and her lover who was a Scottish Chieftain. The poem begins with the girl and the
Chieftain arriving at the banks of Lochgyle with the intention of going across it to safety. Lord Ullin and his
men are closely following them and so the two lovers are desperate to go across the Lake before Lord Ullin
and his men arrive at the shore. The lover requests the boatman to ferry them across and promises to pay
him a silver pound. The boatman was unwilling as the weather was dark and stormy. But when the girl
pleads with him and says that she would rather face the stormy weather than an angry father who will
surely kill her lover, the boatman is touched and agrees to take them across without any money. The boat
leaves the shore just as Lord Ullin and his men reach the place. All his anger evaporates the moment he sees
his daughter in the boat battling against the fury of the raging tempest and the violent, all-engulfing waves.
The sight of his daughter crying out for help from the storm-ravaged boat melts his heart and he cries out
to her to retum with the assurance that he would forgive her. But it is too late and before his very eyes the
little boat capsizes and the two lovers and the boatman are drowned in the turbulent waters. The stormy
sea had claimed his daughter and her lover. Lord Ullin remained standing lamenting over the tragedy. The
poem is very poignant and emotional in appeal.
13.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each :
1. “Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,
This dark and stormy weather ?”
“O, I’m the chief of Ulva’s isle,
And this, Lord Ullin ‘s daughter.
(i) Who is the speaker of the first two lines ?
(ii) Who is the second person hear ? Who is in his company ?
(iii) Who does the speaker interrogate and why ?
Ans. (i) The speaker of the first two lines is the boatman.
(ii) The second person here is the Chieftain, chief of Ulva’s isle. He is the lover of
Lord Ullin’s daughter. She is in his company.
(iii) The speaker interrogates the chief of Ulva because the latter is asking him to
hurry to ferry them in the dark and stormy night.
48
2. “His horsemen hard behind us ride;
Should they our steps discover,
Then who will cheer my bonny bride
When they have slain her lover ?”
(i) Who is ‘his’ in the first line ? Who does ‘us’ refer to ?
(ii) Explain ‘cheer my bonny bride’.
(iii) Why would the lover be slain ?
Ans. (i) Lord Ullin is ‘his’ here. ‘Us’ are the Scottish Chieftain and Lord Ullin’s daughter, his beloved.
(ii) Since Lord Ullin’s men were chasing them, he feared that they would stayhim if they caught him
That would make his beloved plunge into grief. Nobody would be able to cheer her up again.
(iii) The lover would be slain because Lord Ullin was against her marriage.
3. the boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her, -
When, O! too strong for human hand,
The tempest gather’ do’ er her.
(i) How terrible had the weather become ?
(ii) Why does the poet use ‘stormy land’ and ‘a stormy wave’ ?
(iii) Explain : ‘too strong for human hand’.
Ans. (i) The weather had become so terrible that everything seemed to swallow eachother. The sky looked very
wild and the day seemed night.
(ii) The poet uses ‘stormy land’ to indicate ‘storm’ in the household of Lord Ullin. He used’ stormy sea’ to
indicate the roughness of the sea.
(iii) The tempest (storm) had become so menacing that it was too difficult to be tackled easily. It had
become very rough and wild.
4. for, sore dismay ’d through storm and shade,
his child he did discover.
One lovely hand she stretch for aid,
And one was round her lover.
(i) Who is ‘he’ in the second line ?
(ii) Who is ‘she’ / What did she do to seek help for herself ?
(iii) What could have been the situation like at this point in the story ?
Ans. (i) ‘He’ here is lord Ullin.
(ii) ‘She’ is Lord Ullin’s daughter. She extended her hand for help towards her father.
(iii) The situation was the most dramatic as the storm had overwhelmed her. She had extended her hand
towards her father for help. Her other hand wasaround her lover.
5. “ Twas vain: the loud waves lash ’d the shore,
Return or aid preventing:
The water wild went o’er his child,
And he was left lamenting.
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(i) What was vain ?
(ii) What did the loud waves do ?
(iii) Why was he ‘left lamenting ?
Ans. (i) Lord Ullin’s change in heart to forgive his daughter and her lover did not have any effect. It was ‘vain’
because the storm had claimed their lives.
(ii) The loud waves lashed the shore and prevented any aid or the return of the Chieftain and his beloved.
(iii) He was left lamenting because he saw his daughter drawing with her lover.
13.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS :
(i) Describe the stormy lake that the boatman ferries with the lovers.
Ans. It is really a very dark and stormy weather. The waves are living and white foam is created. The rising water
has assumed the forms of ghosts. It shrieking like ghosts. The sky looks horrible. It is frowning black with
horrible looks. The wind is blowing horribly. Tempests gather round the lovers. The sea is really stormy.
Anything bad can happen to anyone crossing in this fearful weather. The stormy wind become very
horrible at the end. After some tine, the loud waves started beating the seashore. The water become wild.
Within moment, they overtook the lovers and drowned them.
(ii) Lord Ullin is shown in two different aspects. What are these ?
Ans. Lord Ullin is the chieftain of his tribe. His daughter has fallen in love with the chief of Ulva island. Both
she and her lover have eloped. It is a great humiliation for Lord Ullin and his tribe. So he orders his men to
find out the lovers. The lovers try to cross the stormy lake. Lord Ullin also arrives at the shore when they
are crossing the take. He sees that his daughter is going to be drowned. There is a sudden change in him.
He cries in grief and calls the lovers back. He forgives them and wants them alive. But within moments the
stormy sea-waves drown them and he is left lamenting at the tragedy.
(iii) Imagine you one of the chief’s of the cavalry riding behind Lord Ullin. You and your men ride of three days
at the end if which you reach the shore. Narrate your experiences as you witnessed a father lamenting the
loss of his child, in a diary entry.
Ans Dear diary
11:30 p.m.
At last after three days we could reach the shore of the Lochgyle. We had faced many difficulties during
our hard and constant journey of horseback for three days and three nights. But what lay ahead was nerve-
wrecking. A violent storm had rise. The tempest was lashing the shores horribly. The waves rising to the
skies. The water seemed to touch the zenith. A boat was caught amidst these stormy waters. Lord Ullin was
wailing bitterly and shouting to his daughter to come back. He raised hands upwards and cried most
piteously but the heavens took no note of his change of heart. The storm raged unabated. It claimed the
lives of his daugh6ter and her lower, the chieftain of Ulva isle. The scene was heart-reading and bone-
chilling. The scene was so shocking that even hard-hearted soldiers like men had to avert our gaze from
Load Ullin’s piteous face. What an unlucky father!
(iv) Imagine that you are Lord Ullin. You bemoan and lament the tragic loss of your lovely daughter and curse
yourself for having opposed her alliance with the chieftain. Express your feelings of pain and anguish in a
letter to your friend.
50
Ans. Ullin Estate
Scotland
5 May,200X
My dear Lord Harding
I am really terribly upset at the loss of my lovely daughter at the cruel hands of destiny. The more I
recollect the scene of her death, the more I curse myself. I feelthat my haughtiness and shallow pride has
claimed the life of my delicate and beautiful daughter. I thwarted all hear efforts to see the chieftain of Ulva
isle. The more obstacles I put in her path, the more adamant the became. A stage came when she defined
me and eloped with her lower. I failed to understand the intensity of her love. False ego led me to set my
armed men to chase them across The glen and kill them instantly. Thus I, myself had issued the death
warrant Against her he understood my harsh nature well and instead of facing me she Embraced death in
the arms of her lover in the wild and stormy sea waves. All my frantic appeals to her to come back and
promises to pardon them failed to Calm the angry waves which lashed the shores violently.
I shall live for ever with the stigma of being the murderer of my daughter.
Please pay us a visit at your convenience.
Yours sincerely
Lord Ullin
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THE SEVENAGES
Eng. L. - 14
14.1 SUMMARY
In the poem “The Seven Ages” the poet compares the life to drama ,in which a person play many parts as
he or she progresses though. He was beautiful captured the cycle of human life – birth, development, decay
and death Shakespeare considers the world a stage and men and women actors on the stage of life. From
infancy to senility (extreme old age) , a person undergoes many varied experiences. His act may be
divided into seven ages. From ‘mewling (crying) and puking (vomiting) in his nurse’s arms’, he grows into
a whining boy unwilling to go to school and them a fine young man full of passion. From this stage he
matures into a man of the world and shoulders the responsibilities accordingly. His physical appearance
also gets transformed. He develops a paunch and sports a beard or a moustache. From middle age, he
finally withers into old age with shriveled skin, weak eyes and feeble memory. The last stage i.e. senility
marks the beginning of second childhood – without taste, interest or activity i.e. he loses his teeth, his vision
and his hearing.
14.2 LITER ARY DEVICES:
Metaphor : ‘all the world’s a stage’, ’all the man and women merely players’, ‘the bubble reputation’,
‘childish treble’.
Simile : ‘creeping like snail’, ‘sighing like furnace’, ‘bearded like the pard’.
Imagery : the infant ‘mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms’.
the whining schoolboy ‘creeping like snail / Unwilling to school’
the solider, ‘full of strange oaths’, jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel’.
the lover sighing like furnace, ‘with a woeful ballad; Made to his mistress’ eyebrow.
the justice – ‘fair round belly with good capon lined with eyes severe and beard of formal cut’
old man – ‘lean and slippered pantaloon with spectacles on nose and pouch on side’.
14.3 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extracts given below and answer the question that follow each :
1. And all mean and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances:
And one man in his time play many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
(i) Why does the poet say ‘all the men and women merely players’?
(ii) In what way is the world like a stage ?
(iii) What does the poet mean by ‘exits’ and entrances’?
52
Ans .(i) The man and women are actors on the stage of life because no one live forever butplays his or her part
and departs.
(ii) life in this world is temporary like the actor’s roles on the stage. Though theworld carries on, human
beings are born; they live their lives and die just as the actors appear on the stage, play their parts and
leave the stage.
(iii) The poet means death and birth respectively by ‘exits’ and ‘entrances’.
2. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwilling to school.
(i) Why does the schoolboy have a ‘shining morning face’?
(ii) Write down words that indicate the boy is not willing to go to school.
(iii) Do you think the poet is right in making generalization about schoolboys?
How? How not?
Ans . (i) The child has had a bath and is clean early in the morning in preparation for
Going to school.
(ii) The words are ‘whining’ ,’creeping’ ‘unwillingly’.
(iii) the poet is right in making his generalization because schoolboys usually fear
Going to school.
3. Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the canon’s mouth.
(i) Who is the person described in the above lines? Which of the seven stages does he come at?
(ii) What traits characterize this stage?
(iii) Why is reputation like a bubble?
(iv) Which poetic device is employed by the poet in these line?
Ans .(i) Soldier is described in the above lines. He comes at the fourth stage.
(ii) The Soldier is sensitive about his honour and is always ready to defend it. He Is short-tempered and
ambitious. He is willing to even risk his life for his reputation.
(iii) It is because reputation is as short-lived as a bubble.
(iv) The poetic device used is metaphor – The reputation is likened to a bubble.
4. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes sever and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modem instances;
And so he plays his part.
(i) How does the justice look ? why ?
(ii) What is his attitude towards people around him ?
(iii) How is his beard different from that of the soldier ?
Ans .(i) The justice is fat. He is fattened by the good food that he eats.
(i) He is authoritative and stern. He offers advice and quotes proverbs and anecdotes to prove his
words.
53
(iii) The soldier’s beard was Shaggy like a leopard’s but the justice has a well-
Trimmed beard.
5. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
(i) Where is this scene being enacted ?
(ii) Why does The poet call life ‘strange eventful history’?
(iii) Describe the stage that precedes this last stage.
(iv) Describe how the man looks like in the last scene of life.
Ans .(i) This scene is being enacted on the stage of life.
(ii) Life has seven stages, each different from the other. By the time man reaches this last stage, he has
played all the other roles and has hence led a very eventful life.
(iii) The stage preceding this is of an extremely old man. In it, man has shrunk legs and childlike voice. He
whistles and pipes when he speaks and looks funny.
(iv) In the last scene of life, he is like a child. He is forgetful. He has no teeth, no eyesight and no taste.
14.4 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS :
(i) What according to the poet are the seven stages of life? What characteristice would you associate with each
stage ?
Ans . According to Shakespeare, there are seven stages in a man’s life .These are:
Childhood – innocence, dependence on others, simplicity, playfulness, humility,
moodiness
Studentship – unwilling to go to school, well-dressed, complaining, curious,
inquisitive
Lover– self-conscious, moody, fashion-conscious ,sentimental, imaginative sighing
deeply, fearless
Soldier – fearless, steel-hearted, duty-bound, dedicated, guards one’s honour, quick
in quarrel, swearing, impulsive, quick-tempered.
Judge / Family man – wish, compromising, responsible, far-sighted, practical,
controlled, mature ,protective, rational
Old age- spectacled, lean and thin, weak, worried
Extreme old age-toothless, weak eyesight, poor taste, forgetful.
Finally he departs from this stage of life.
(ii) In old age man becomes funny. How does the poet describe man in this stage of life ?
Ans. Man looks funny like a joker in his sixth and seventh stages of life. He is now old.
He wears the clothes of his youthful days. He is very weak in health. These clothes
are loose on his body because these belong to his youth when he was well-built.
Then he wears spectacles on his nose. His loose skin hangs on his sides. His legs are
like thin sticks. He is without teeth. He babbles like a baby when he speaks. He
pipes and whistles in his sound when he speaks. Clearly, with such an appearance
he look like a joker in these last two stages of life.
54
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Eng. L. - 15
15.1 SUMMARY :
The poem is an autography written in 1912 when the post had to take the momentous decision of leaving
his country, US, to settle in London
This poem by Robert frost is about choices one makes in life and their consequences. One day while
walking in a wooded area full of trees with yellow leaves, the poet comes to a fork in the road and he has to
decide which road should he take. He starts debating over the choice as he realizes that he cannot travel
both the paths and he has to choose the direction he wishes to taken in life. The second road appears to be
less traveled on and he is tempted to walk on it even though the first path also appears to have been left
undisturbed for some time. However he decides to take the second path with the intention of walking on
the first one sometime in future. As he thinks about his decisions, he looks down one path as for as he can
see trying to foresee what life will ‘be like if he walks on that path. He concludes that the trail that has been
less traveled on would be more rewarding when he reaches the end of it. At the same time he knows that
the chances of his returning to take the first road, which is more frequented, are slim, especially as he is
aware of the manner in which one path leads to another taking the traveler far away from the main path
and he is not able to comeback. He imagines himself telling his future generations with regret, what life
what life would have been if he had walked the more traveled path though the path he actually chose made
all the difference. He implies that the choices we make have far-reaching, unalterable consequences. He
feels his life will be very different from the common people because he has always been tempted to take the
path not generallyfollowed by others. It shows that the poet is an adventurous man ready to take risks in
life and does not like to follow the conventional (unadventurous) path.
15.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each:
1. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
(i) Where does the poet find himself standing ?
(ii) What does the poet mean by ’a yellow wood’ ?
(iii) What decision is he supposed to make ?
(iv) What does the word ’road’ symbolize in the above lines ?
Ans. (i) The poet found himself standing in front of two roads leading to different directions. He had to choose
one path.
55
(ii) ‘a yellow wood’ means a wood where the leaves on trees are yellowing and are falling to the ground
as it is autumn.
(iii) The poet reached a fork in the road where it divided into two. He had to choose between the two
roads.
(iv) The word ‘road’ symbolizes the poet’s journey of life. He is standing at the crossroads as he has to take
a momentous decision for himself i.e. whether to continue staying in the U.S or move away to London
and make efforts to establish his reputation as a writer.
2. Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear:
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
(i) Why did the poet take the other road?
(ii) What was so common about both the roads?
(iii) What does ‘other’ refer to in the above lines?
(iv) What literary device has been used in the above lines?
Ans .(i) The poet took the other road because it was ‘fair’ and had a better claim. It was grassy and deserved to
be used.
(ii) both the roads had been passed over almost equally.
(iii) ‘Other’ refers to the road that was grassy and less traveled upon.
(iv) The literary device used is metaphor. The poet compares life to a road. The
Fork in the road is compared to the choices one has to make in life.
3. And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh ,I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
(i) What were the physical conditions of both the roads?
(ii) Explain: ’I kept the first for another day’.
(iii) What made the poet ‘doubt’ whether he should never come back?
Ans .(i) The roads were covered with leaves that morning .No one had walked over them, thus crushing the
leaves.
(ii) The poet wishes to say that he reserved that ‘profession’ or ‘choice’ for another occasion because no one
walk on two roads at the same time.
(iii) He knew that one path would lead to another and he would never return to the path he had not taken
and left for another day.
4. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
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(i) Why should the poet ‘sigh’? What will the tell with a sigh’?
(ii) What does ‘and I-‘reveal about the poet’s state of mind?
(iii) Explain: ‘And that had made all the difference’.
And.(i) The poet should ‘sigh’ because he wants to walk on the two roads simultaneously. But he can’t do so. He
will tell with a ‘sigh’ about the fork that
he had come across the woods and how he had taken the road less frequented
by people.
(ii) ‘and I-‘ reveals the poet’s regret and hesitation in life. He wants to exercise his choice. But he can’t do so
when he sees both the avenues equally charming.
(iii) The poet chose the road less traveled and he feels that he has changed the direction of his life.
15.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS :
(i) Bring out the symbolism in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.
Ans . The title of the poem concerns a choice made between two roads by a person while walking out in the
woods. He would like to explore both roads. He tells knows that he will probably not be able to do so. By
the last stanza we realize that the poem is taking about something more then the choice of the parths in a
wood, for that choice might be relatively unimportant. We interpret his choice of a road as a symbol for any
choice in life between alternatives that appear almost equally attractive. Through the years, however, we
come tofind that the choices we make, and the path we choose, will make a difference in our lives.
(ii) Describe the two roads the poet sees. Which road did he choose?
Ans . The poet stood at a road crossing in a forest during autumn. Two roads diverged in different in directions.
One road was straight but it bent in the undergrowth after a long distance. The other road looked fair and
grassy. Not many men had walked on it. Both the roads thus looked covered in leaves. The poet kept the
first road for another day. He hoped that some other day he would walk on it. That day he took the second
road. But he never returned to take the first road though he had thought to return to it some day in his life.
And this made all the difference in his life.
57
SUBJECT VERB CONCORD
Eng .L. -16
16.1 DEFINITION :
����’concord’ means ‘agreement’. So ‘subject-verb concord’ suggests that the verb agrees with the number
and person of the subject.
In other words, a Singular object takes a singular verb and a Plural subject takes a plural verb.
E.g. i) She is a good speaker. (Singular subject_______ Singular verb)
ii)They are good speaker. (plural subject_______ plural verb)
In the sentence i) the subject ‘she’ is in the Singular number : the verb ‘is ‘ is also in the Singular.
In the sentence ii) the subject ‘they’ is in the plural number : the verb ‘are ‘ is also in the plural.
E .g.
� Student are taking a test.
� Rohan does not get up before sunrise.
� His brother does not speak a lie.
� He hates milk but his sister does not.
� Jenny is playing basketball.
� The boys have stopped playing.
In the above sentence, the verb have changed according to the person of the subject. Thus we know that the
verb agrees with the subject in Number and person. This is know as subject – verb concord.
16.2 POINTS TO REMEMBER :
16.2 (a) you are Advised to be Careful in the following Cases:
• When the subject is a noun phrase.
• When to more nouns from the subject.
• Sentences beginning with ‘there’.
• Relative pronouns introducing a clause.
• Plural noun / proper nouns.
• Special cases of collective nouns.
(A) Noun phrase as subject. Verb must agree with the head-word.
58
� When the subject is ‘one of’ followed by a plural noun, it takes a Singular verb.
Here the verb agrees with ‘one’.
E.g. (i) One of my uncles lives in U.S.A.
(ii) One of the thieves has been caught.
(B) Two or more singular subjects.
� If they are joined by ‘and’ and refer to two separate persone or thing, use a Plural verb.
E .g.(i) Mr. and Mrs. Mathew are having lunch. (Two persons)
(ii) Mumbai and Delhi are big cities. (Two
cities)
� Two nouns qualified by ‘each’ and ‘every’ require a singular verb even though Connected by ‘and’.
E.g. Every boy and every girl was given a rose.
� If who singular nouns joined by ‘and’ refer to same person or thing ,the verb must be in the singular .
E.g. (i) The singer and poet is dead.
(ii) The horse and cart is at the door.:
(iii) All work in no play makes jack a dull boy.
� When two subjects together express one idea, the verb may be in the singular .
E.g. (i) Two and two makes four .
(ii) Bread and butter is my brother’s favorite.
� When two or more singular subjects are connected by ‘with’ , ‘together with ’,’and not’, ‘besides’, ‘no less
then’, the verb is in singular.
E.g. (i) She and not you is at fault.
(ii) The thief with his accomplice was arrested.
(iii) My neighbour together with his children has left.
� When two subjects are joined by ‘as well as’ the verb agrees with the first subject.
E.g.(i) She as well as her classmates is hardworking.
(ii) Her classmates as well as she are hardworking.
(iii) Tendulker’ s children as well as Tendulker are coming.
� two or more singular subjects Connected by ’or’, ‘nor’, ‘either ___ or ’,
’neither ___ nor’, ’each’, ‘every’, ‘everyone’, are followed by a singular verb.
E.g. (i) Rohan or Sohan has broken this toy.
(ii) Each of these flower is very beautiful.
(iii) Either of these two will serve my purpose.
(iv) Either John or Ron is studying in that room.
(v) Neither or them reaches the standard required.
(vi) Neither he nor his friends has arrived.
� In sentence beginning with ‘there’ the verb agrees with the number of the noun that follows it.
E.g. There are fifty rooms in my school. There is a hung rush in the Shopping Mall.
There is no air conditions in this room.
� If Relative Pronoun begins a clause, the verb follows its antecedent in Number, Gender,
and Persons.
E.g. I met Mary who is now recovering from Typhoid. What she needs is a cup of hot coffee.
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C. Plural noun / proper nouns
� Nouns that indicate the name of a country, province or title of a book take singular subjects .
E.g. (i) ’The Arabian Nights’ is a collection of stories.
(ii) West India is a group of Island.
� Plural number referring to distances, weights, amounts of money represent a single figure or quantity .
It is treated as a singular subject and takes a singular verb.
E.g. (i) Fifty kilometers is not a long distance now.
(ii) Five Thousand Rupees is not a petty amount.
� Some noun which are plural in form but singular in meaning , take a singular . Verb.
E.g. (i) English is spoken all over the world.
(ii) Mathematics is an interesting subject.
� ‘A number of’ takes a plural verb, while ‘The number of’ takes a singular verb.
E.g. (i) A number of accidents were reported in the newspaper.
(ii) The number of dropouts was quite less.
� ‘Few’, ‘a few’, ‘both’, ‘many’, ‘several’ are plural and take verbs in the plural form.
E.g. (i) Both the applicants are well qualified.
(ii) Many applications have been received.
D. Collective Nouns :
� A collective Noun generally takes a singular verb when the subject stand for collection as a whole.
E.g. The Jury was unanimous in its verdict.
� A collective Noun takes a plural verb when the subject stands for the individuals of which it is
composed.
E.g. The jury were divided in their opinions.
� If two subject are joined by ‘not only _________but also’, the verb agrees with the second subject.
E.g. Not only she but her friends also were present at the party. E. Subject of Different Numbers :
� If two subjects (of different number) are joined by ‘not only ________but also’, ‘neither _______ nor’,
either _________or’ then verb agrees with the subject nearest Rest to it.
E.g. (i) Not only she but her friends also were present at the party.
(ii) Not only she her friends but also she was present at the party.
(iii) Neither the principal nor the teachers are interested in their duties.
(iv) Either the teachers or the principal has helped the students.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. In each the following sentences supply a verb in agreement with its subject :
(i) The cost of all these articles _________risen.
(ii) That night every one of the boat’s crew _________ down with fever.
(iii) One or the other of those fellows ____________ stolen the watch.
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(iv) No news _____________good news.
(v) The accountant and the cashier r __________ absconded.
(vi) A good man and useful citizen ______passed away.
(vii) Each of the suspected men ________ arrested.
(viii) The add and flow of the tides________ explained by Newton.
(ix) Neither his father nor his mother _________alive.
(x) Two –thirds of the city __________in ruins.
(xi) Man’s happiness or misery________ in a great measure in his own hands.
(xii) The cow as well as the horse __________ _grass.
(xiii) The three Musketeers __________written by Dumas.
(xiv) Ninety rupees___________ too much for this bag.
(xv) To take pay and then not to do work_______ dishonesty.
2. There is an error in each of the lines of the passage given below. Write the incorrect word and the
corrections against the correct blank number. number. Remember to underline the word that you have
supplied.
The sage of the educational institutions are turning bitter. (a)___________________
IITians has reacted with shock after the union HRD minister (b)__________________
have raised questions about the quality of the IITs comparing the (c) ___________________
II Ts to the University of Roorkee were like comparing.1000c.c (d) ___________________
bikes to 100 c.c bikes “says students of I.I.T. Kanpur .”No other (e) ________________
institution can drem of doing what IITs has done,” claims (f)__________
a senior professor. Other faculty members point out the ( g)_____________
contribution of the institutes to the country’s defence and
space programmes
in the end it boil down to a question of quality versus quantity. (h)________
3. Fill in the blanks with the corrector of the verb given in the brackets.
Vivek has gone to the bank. He (a) ………… (want) to take out some money. First he (b) ………(have) to fill
in a form for a new cheque book, as all the cheque in the old book (c) ………… (has) already been used. He
(d) ………… (make) out a cheque for the amount he (e) ………… (inform) him about the ATM and E-
Banking which (g) ………….. (be) introduced shortly. The manager as well as counter clerks (h) ……………
(try) to persuade him to go infor an ATM card.
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the incorrect word
and the correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have
supplied’.
(a) The floods in Orissa are a lifetime.
(b) Experience for the peoples of the state. It will
(c) Take them year to come out of it. Some
(d) People have been rendered homeless. They has
(e) Lost everything they had. There are no hope
For the future. The government’s procedure regarding
(f) Rehabilitations are very slow and also
(g) Complicated. This have led to lot of frustration
(h) Among the masses. Inspite of fund pouring in,
It is sad to note that timely succour is not being provided to the people.
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ANSWERS
1. I. has ii. Was iii. Has iv. Is v. have vi. Has
vii. is/was viii. Was ix. Is x. is xi. Is xii. Eats
2. (a) are is (b). has have (c) have has (d) were was (e) says say (f) has have
(g) points point (h) boil boils
3. a. wants b. has c. have d. makes e. thinks
f. inform g. is being h. tries.
incorrect Correction
The floods in Orissa are lifetime (a) are is
experience for the peoples of the State. It will (b) peoples people
take them year to come out of it. Some (c) year years
people have been rendered homeless. They has (d)has have
lost everything they had. There are no hope (e) are is
for the future. The government’s procedure regarding
rehabilitation are very slow and also (f) are is
complicated. This have led to lot of frustration (g) have has
among the masses. Inspite of fund pouring in , (h) fund funds
it is sad to note that timely succour is not. Being provided to the people.
62
MISSING MAIL
Eng.L. L. - 17
17.1 ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Narayan was a prolific Indian write whose exquisitely crafted stories and novels
provided witty and perceptive observations about life in India. He received the sahitya academy award in
1958 for ‘the guide’. “the missing mail” is taken from the collection ‘Malgudi Days’ which has stories
involving incidents and experiences in the life of the people of the fictional city named Malgudi that
remains central to all of poet’s works.
17.2 SUMMARY :
This story revolves round Thanappa, a village postman. He took four hours to cover the Four roads of
Malgudi because he was friendly with the people for whom he brought the mail and often sat down to chat
with them. He shared their joys and sorrows, offered them advice about their problems or worried about
their welfare. He talked about their jobs, their parents or their children. He had, thus, become a part of the
life of the villagers.
He was most friendly with Ramanujam whom he knew from the time he had given the news about the
birth of his daughter, Kamakshi, Ramanujam started worried about Kamakshi’s marriage when she grew
up. His father-in-law had kept a sum of Five Thousand Rupees for Kamakshi’s marriage and he too wrote
and reminded Ramanujam of his duties. He felt Ramanujam was not making sufficient efforts for his
daughter’s marriage and reminded him to start looking for a groom for Kamakshi. Ramanujam was also
worried as the wedding season was almost over and very few auspicious dates were remaining. At such a
time, Thanappa not only consoled him but also told him of a boy in Delhi. Thanappa told him that the boy
belonged to the same caste and his wedding negotiations with another part had nearly broken down.
Thanappa presented the boy’s horoscope to Ramanujam which also matched with Kamakshi’s horoscope.
Thanappa convinced Ramanujam to go to madras with Kamakshi to negotiate the matter. Finally the
marriage was settled for the 20th of may. Thanappa put his heart and soul into the prevarications for the
marriage and the wedding was solemnized.
Fifteen days later, Thanappa handed Ramanujam a letter and a telegram. The letter contained news of his
uncle’s illness and the telegram contained the news of his demise in his native town, Salem. When
Ramanujam was in grief, Thanappa pointed out that the letter and telegram were dated 19th and 20th may.
Th day of Kamakshi’s marriage. Ramanujam become angry and scolded Thanappa for delaying the
delivery of the mails. Thanappa gently said that he had delayed the delivery of the mail because he didn’t
want the marriage to be disrupted. He even told Ramanujam that he could complain if he liked, as he did
not mind losing his job for helping in Kamakshi’s wedding. As he was about to leave, Ramanujam said that
he had no intentions ton complain. Thanappa understood his felling and went away.
This shows that sometimes one comes across people who are so selfless and crying that they help others
even at a risk to themselves.
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17.3 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
(i) Comment on the title ‘The Missing Mail’.
Ans: The title ‘The Missing Mail’ sounds mysterious and arouses the reader’s curiosity as he feels that some
mail is lost or delayed and he/she wonders about the consequences of this loss. But actually, the story is
about the delayed delivery of a letter and a telegram, by the postman, conveying bad news. The postman
feared that the delivery of the would create a disruption in the wedding. So he delayed the delivery of the
mail by fifteen days even at the risk of his job.
(ii) Is Thanappa’s action justified?
Ans. Thanappa was a well-wisher of Ramanujam. He realized the trouble Ramanujam had to face in fixing up
Kamakshi’s marriage. Though unhappy to see the telegram, he withheld the information as he left that
what had happened, had happened and that the delay in marriage would not help in any way. As he did
want the marriage to be disrupted, he delayed the delivery of the mail. As his motive was selfless and
honorable, his action is justified.
(iii) Ramanujam was worried about his daughter’s marriage. Mention some of the thingsthat troubled him.
Ans. Firstly, Ramanujam was worried that Kamakshi would be of seventeen years in a few days, which was
considered too old age for marriage. Secondly, Ramanujam’s father-in-low thought that he was not active
in finding a groom for his daughter Kamakshi and his letters were getting fiercer everyday. Thirdly, there
were only few auspicious dates left and Ramanujam had still not found a groom.
(iii) Explain the role of Thanappa in Kamakshi’s marriage:
Ans. When Ramanujam was unable to find a suitable match for Kamakshi, Thanappa told him about a boy in
Delhi, who belonged to the same caste. He also brought the address and horoscope for Ramanujam. Later
on when the negotiations fell through over the question of Kamakshi going to Madres with Ramanujam ,
Thanappa convinced him to go to Madras. When the marriage was settled for the 20th May, he put his heart
and soul into the preparations for the wedding. Finally he delayed the mail giving news of the sickness
and the subsequent death of Ramanujam ‘s uncle so that the marriage would not get disrupted.
17.4 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION :
(i) Suppose one of Ramanujam ‘s relative has complained to the postal department against Thanappa for
dereliction of duty. The postal department has asked Thanappa to explain the circumstances and present
his defence, if any. Thinking yourself as Thanappa state why you adopted a course of action which
tantamounted to an offence. Write your statement.
Ans. At the outset, let me make it clear that whatever I did was from a humanitarian angle. I had no selfish
motive or bias against anyone. The only offence I am supposed to have committed is my failure to deliver a
letter and a telegram to Mr. Ramanujam as soon as they were handed over to me by post office.
Well, here is my explanation. There is a superpower above all of us which guides all our thoughts, actions
and desires. You may call it god or Conscience, whatever you desire. My consciences advised me not to
deliver the postcard containing the news of the serious illness of Ramanujam’s uncle at Salem. Had I done
so, Ramanujam would have rushed off to Salem to attend to his ailing uncle. In that case, all the preparation
for Kamakshi’s marriage would have been seriously hampered.
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I got the telegram dated 19th announcing the death I was on the horns of a dilemma. Not delivering the
letter and telegram meantiderellction of duty. I am well aware of the punishment - it may be as harsh as
dismissal. On the other hand was the future happiness of an innocent girl, Kamakshi . I felt as if my own
daughter was appealing to me for help. Guided by parental feeling, I decided to suppress the news for a
for night and risk punishment for an action which didn’t harm anyone.
If my conduct is judged by mere professional standards. Well I have erred, but for the first time in my
career of thirty years as a postman. However , if you judge my action on humanitarian angle, You will find
that my good act, which brought happiness to all concerned, deserves commendation.
I sincerely pray that the views of the party concerned i.e. Ramanujam ,his father-in-law and his daughter,
Kamakshi, may kindly be sought before disposal of my case on purely technical grounds.
I believe in your stice and mercy. Submitted for your kind perusal.
(ii) Kamakshi is finally married in the ‘The Missing’. Kamakshi receives letter from her mother after a month
of her marriage highlighting the role played by Thanappa in Kamakshi’s marriage. Imagining yourself as
Kamakshi mother write the above letter.
Ans . 10,Vinayak Mudali Street
Bangalore
25 July, 200X
Dear Kamakshi
I have just received your loving letter. You have asked about the death and welfare of Thanappa . I fell
pleased as well, you will be pleased and astonished to learn Thanappa’srole in your marriage. I fell pleased
as well as surprised at his angelic role in your life. It was Thanappa who gave the address of the groom’s
father and brought the groom’s father and brought the groom’s horoscope. He helped the family during the
negotiations. Perhaps you know all this.
However there is one thing which has sprung just last week which has suddenly raised him to the pedestal
of a god in my esteem. Do you know he risked everything to see your wedding performed on the
auspicious day fixed already?
The secret was revealed by Thanappa himself . he came yesterday and confessed the dereliction of duty on
his part. He deliberately withheld with held the news of illness of your father’s uncle and his subsequent
death. He came to know from the postcard that your father’s uncle was seriously ill at Salem. Then he came
to know of his death from the telegram. These were received on the day of your marriage. Had he
delivered them in routine, your marriage would not have passed off peacefully. Your father would not
have approved of wedding bells when an old man in the family was lying on dealth -bed or breathing his
last.
Perhaps Thanappa knew the sentiment of your father. That is why he wifully held the letter and telegram
back. Like a philosophers he thought that whatever has happened, has happened. It cannot be undone now.
Nobody can revive the old man. Then why postpone the wedding of Kamakshi. In fact, he behaved as a
caring father. He delayed the mail deliberately for over a fortnight of your marriage. Then he confessed
everything to your father and expressed his readiness to face any punishment. This shows his greatness.
His spirit of sacrifice has ennobled him in my estimation. You owe your happy married life to him.
65
Your father behaved in a equally noble manner. He just raised his voice and said, “postman, I am only
sorry you did this….” Your father knew that withholding the mail is a serious offence and the postman
could lose his job if he complained. But he also realized the motive which had prompted Thanappa to do
so. He understood the paternal felling of the old man and forgave him for the lapse. He assured Thanappa
that he would not complain against him to the authorities.
Your affectionately
Subhanshlnl
(iii) Give the character sketch of Thanappa .
Ans. Thanappa is the main character of the story. He is a part of the life the people of Malgudi and he shares
their joys and sorrows. He offers advice to their problems or worries about their welfare. He is considerate
and understanding and consoles Ramanujam when the latter’s father-in-law feels that he is incapable of
finding a groom for Kamakshi. He is a god-fearing person and he feels that things happen only with God’s
will. He is optimist and he reassures Ramanujam when he feels that Kamakshi will never get married.
Thanappa is practical and he convinces Ramanujam to go to Madras along with Kamakshi for further
negotiations regarding the marriage with the Delhi boy. He is not bound by orthodox views. He is
genuinely concerned about Kamakshi’s welfare and puts her joys above his own job. This is evident from
the fact that he is willing to sacrifice his job by delaying the delivery of the latter and the telegram giving
news about the sickness and death of Ramanujam’s uncle respectively rather than let Kamakshi’s marriage
get disrupted.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Kamakshi’s father tells Kamakshi about Thanappa ‘s role in the marriage, which took place without any
disruption. Kamakshi is both thankful and distressed. As Kamakshi, write a letter to Thanappa expressing
your views.
2. Kamakshi receives a letter from her father telling her about Thanappa’s role in ensuring that her marriage
took place without any disruption. As Kamakshi, write a diary extract.
3. imagine you are Ramanujam. Thanappa has just confessed his offence. Make a diary extract expressing
your actual feeling on the subject matter.
66
PREPOSITION
Eng. L. - 18
A preposition is a word placed before a Noun or Pronoun to show the relation between the Noun or
Pronoun to some other word in a sentence.
A preposition may join a—
(a) Noun to another Noun. E.g. There is a pen in my beg.
(b) Noun to an Adjective. E.g. They are found of ice cream.
(c) Noun to a Verb. E.g. She shouted for help.
The same preposition can be used to show a relationship with Time, Space, Rate, State, and Direction.
E .g.
• I’ll come at 6 O’clock. (Time)
• She is sitting at the window. (Space)
• Mangoes sell at Rs.50per Kg. (Rate)
• The cricketers are at a loss. (State)
• The girls rushed at the film star. (Direction)
18.1 PREPOSITION OF TIME :
A. Time has two dimension :
(a) Point of time (b) Period of time.
(i) At :
���� At is used for point of time.
E .g. The train will leave at 5.30 p.m.
He will come back at sunset.
The thief entered the house at midnight.
We had lunch at noon.
I shell go to office at ten.
He has achieved success just at the age of twenty-five.
(ii) On :
� On is used for days and dates
E .g. My brother will come to Kota on Tuesday
We celebrate the independence Day on Fifteenth August.
Michael goes to church on Sundays.
I‘ll come back on the morning of 21st September.
� He was awarded the gallantry award on Republic Day.
He fire crackers on Diwali.
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(iii) In :
� in is used with the names of months, seasons, century and years.
E .g. My Friends Jacob was born in July in 1975
Himachal Pradesh is very beautiful in winters.
We are living in the twenty first century
� Before morning / afternoon / evening.
E .g. Meet me in the evening.
He goes to school in the evening.
� Before a period of time.
E .g. you have to finish this work in a week.
I shall be back in an hour.
(iv) After :
� To indicate ‘following in time’ or ‘later then’
E .g. Don’t go out after dark.
The doctor came after the death of the patient.
Meet me at my office after lunch.
I ‘m leaving for Mumbai the day after tomorrow.
(v) Before :
� To indicate ‘earlier then’.
E .g. Come back before dark.
The patient had died before the doctor came.
Meet me before dinner.
I went there the day before yesterday.
(vi) By :
� To indicate the meaning of ‘not later then’ or ‘as soon as’
E .g. I shall finish the syllabus by January.
It will be dark by the time you reach home.
By 15th January I shall have finished your course.
They decided to end up the party by midnight.
(vii) During :
� To indicate the meaning of ‘throughout the continuance of’
E .g. The sun dives us light during the day.
During my college days I watched many movies.
What did he do during my absence?
James slept during his lesson.
(viii) For :
� To indicate extent of time.
E .g. We are leaving for Delhi for a week.
My uncle is going abroad for a month.
� To indicate period of time in the Perfect Tenses.
E .g. They have been playing for four hours.
It has been raining for 2 days.
68
(ix) Since :
� To indicate a point of time.
E .g. I have been teaching in this institute since 2005.
She has been staying with her husband in Channel since their marriage.
They have been practicing very hard since last two days.
(x) Through :
� To indicate ‘from beginning to end of time’
E .g. You can’t work though the day in summers. It is very hot.
Student cannot sit quietly though a boring lesson.
(xi) Till / Until :
� To indicate ‘up to the time when’ or ‘not earlier then’
E .g. Until his marriage he spent the time with his friends.
A labor works hard from morning till night.
(xii) Within :
� To indicate ‘in less then time’
E .g. You should complete your examination papers within the stipulated time.
I‘ll come back from Mumbai within a week.
(xiii) With :
� To indicate ‘at same time as’
E .g. With the approach of the clouds it becomes dark.
We must rise with the sun.
(xiv) From :
� To indicate the starting of a period of time.
E .g. Our examinations will start from 10th March.
I ‘ll join office from Monday.
(xv) Between :
� Used when two times are mentioned.
E .g. The Director will be arriving any time between 3and 4o’clock.
18.2 PREPOSITION OF PLACE / SPACE :
(i) At :
� To indicate the place in which somebody or something is / was/ will be.
E .g. I shall meet you at the station .
In the evening Sahil was at his brother’s house.
The soldiers rushed at the enemy.
The airport is at a distance from the city.
(ii) In :
� To indicate position or something in a surrounded place.
E .g. Kangaroo is found in Australia.
The culprits are standing in the corner of the courtroom.
Mary has gone in th direction.
The soldier was wounded in the leg.
69
(iii) On :
� To indicate the position of a thing covering or forming part of a surface that is at rest.
E .g. Leaves are floating on the water.
The wedding ring is worn on the ring finger.
The farmers work on farms.
The children are playing on the grass.
(iv) To :
� To show destination.
E .g. I walk to my office.
Go to the railway station and get my ticket to Delhi.
(v) Into :
� Used with verbs of motion.
E .g. A man jumped into the well to fetch water.
Pour the milk into the jug.
(vi) Across :
� To indicate ‘from side to side of’.
E .g. There are many bridges across the Ganga.
Can you ferry me across the river ?
Draw a lion across the sheet of paper.
(vii) Before :
� To indicate the meaning of ‘in front of’.
E .g. The accused was brought before the judge.
Jackson is standing before Phillips in the queue for the movie ticket.
(viii) In front of :
� To indicate the meaning of ‘directly before’.
E .g. There are some mango trees in front of my uncle’s house.
There is a fountain in front of C.A.D. circle.
(ix) Above :
� To indicate ‘higher then ‘ or ‘at a higher point’.
E .g. The sun rose above the horizon.
The floodwater came above our knees.
The kite is flying above the clouds.
(x) Over :
� To indicate a thing covering the surface partly or completely.
E .g. The waiter spread a tablecloth over the table.
Sam spread his bed-sheet over his face and went5 to sleep.
(xi) Upon :
� To indicate thing in motion.
E .g. The cat jumped upon the table.
Many mountaineers have climbed upon Mt. Everest
70
(xii) Under :
� To indicate ‘a position lower then ‘for both persons and things.
E .g. The cat is under the table.
I sat under the tree.
(xiii) Underneath :
� It is used for thing only.
E .g. The shoes are kept underneath the table.
(xiv) Between :
� Used with two person or thing only.
E .g. The mother stood between her son and her husband.
An old man divided his property between his two sons.
� With 2or more limits when boundaries are concerned.
E .g. India lies between Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
(xv) Among :
� Used with more then two person or things.
E .g. He divided his property among his four song.
The village is situated among the hills.
The teacher distributed the sweets among his students.
(xvi) Beside :
� It means ‘by the side of’.
E .g. The child is playing beside his mother.
His house is beside a hospital.
(xvii) Besides :
� It means ‘in addition to’
E .g. Besides his job, he also takes private tuitions.
He also has a bungalow in Delhi besides a sea facing flat in Mumbai.
18.3 PREPOSITION OF TRAVEL AND MOVEMENT :
(i) By: Travel by train / car/ bus/ air / sea.
(ii) On: V on foot/ scooter/ motorcycle /bicycle / horseback.
(iii) From and to: Travel from (starting point) to (destination).
(iv) In: Arrive in a country/ village / town.
(v) At: Arrive at/get to a specific place (hotel, address, railway
station, bus stand, river bank etc.)
(vi) In and into : To get in/ into a vehicle. (i. e. to Board)
(vii) Get out of : To get out of a vehicle. (i. e. to Alight)
(viii) Get on / onto : To get on / onto a horse, a bicycle.(i.e. to Mount)
(ix) Get off : To get off a horse, bicycle. (i.e. to Dismount)
71
18.4 SOME IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS :
� Beside and Besides
Beside by the side of, next to, at the side of.
Besides in actions, more, plus, including.
E.g. We built a house beside the factory.
I speak English besides Hindi.
���� Since and For
Since � used for point of time.
For � used for period of time.
E .g. We have been here since 4 O’clock.
We have stayed here for two weeks.
���� Among and between
Among � used for more then two.
Between � used for two persons or things.
E .g. They have friendship among themselves.
There was an argument between the two girls.
���� By and with
By � used for agent.
With Manchester used for instrument.
E .g. Padmaja was murdered by her husband.
America was discovered by Columbus.
I usually write with a ball point pen.
���� In and at
At �used for small town and villages.
In� used for large places, countries and towns.
E .g. He was born at Araku in Visakhapatnam.
I lived in Manchester in England. (not at Manchester)
She died in Paris in France.(not at Paris)
���� On an in
On � days of week /month.
In � period.
E .g. She will come on Sunday.
She was married on April20.
We go to Kashmir in summer.
She passed her degree in 1990.
���� At and By
At � shows exact time.
By � shows point of time.
E .g. I went there at 8 P.M.
She will return by noon.
� In and Into
In � refers to thing or persons in rest position.
Into refers to thing or persons in motion.
72
E .g. Madhavi was in the room.
I walked into the theater.
He is in the hospital.
���� On and Upon
On � things or person at rest.
Upon � things or person in motion.
E .g. Padma was on the dias.
He jumped upon the wall.
� In and within
In �after the end of at the end of.
Within � before the end of.
E .g. I shall type the letters in two hours.
I shall complete the work within three hours.
I shall pay you the money in a week.
She will return the book within a week.
���� Before and For
Before � point of time
For � period of time.
E .g. I shall be back before 7 O’clock.
I shall stay here for three weeks.
���� After and In
After � denotes the end of a period in the past.
In �denotes the end of a period in future.
E .g. She returned from Jaipur after a week.
We will finish the book in a week.
���� From and Since
Both are used for point of time. But since is used only in perfect tense and from is used
in any tense.
E .g. We have stayed here since 1990.
We shall begin the work from tomorrow.
���� Till and to
Till � used for time
To � used for destination
E .g. I waited for Madhavi till 4 O’clock
They went to the market.
I waited till Sunday.
I went to the State Bank.
���� To and at
To � used for things or persons in motion.
At � used for things or persons at position or rest.
E .g. She came to me.
He is waiting at the bus stop.
� Under and Underneath.
Underneath �used for things only to ‘indicate a lower position’.
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Under = can be used for both persons and thing to ‘indicate a position’.
E .g. The bucket is underneath the table.
He has many persons under him.
���� At and On.
At � towards the direction of
On � on the top of
E .g. He set at the dining table.(It means that he sat with his chair drawn up to the dining
table.)
. He set on the dining table.(It means that he sat on the dining table.)
���� On and Over
On � denotes actual contact with some object.
Over �does not denote actual contact with some object.
E .g. Put the book on the table.
The bridge was over the river.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Complete the following letter with one suitable in each blank.
Dear Johnny
I am sorry (i) ________ my inability to keep an appointment (ii) _________you yesterday. I promised to see
you (iii) ______Om-Cineplex (iv)______8.15 p.m. you must have waited
(v) _______ me there. I sincerely apologies (vi) __________ you for my absence. Well, let me. Explain what
happened. My elder brother met (vii) ________an accident while returning (viii) ________ college. He was
(ix) __________ great pain .i had to rush him (x) _________the hospital. Now he is better. I hope you’ll not
keep a grudge (xi) ________me for this. Hoping (xii) _________ see you soon.
Yours sincerely
Jimmy
2. Fill in the blank with suitable prepositions:
(i) The horse was painted _________john.
(ii) The train runs ______________Mumbai and New Delhi.
(iii) She works __________ a coffee plantation.
(iv) He promised to return __________an hour, but he didn’t.
(v) ________ last month I haven’t seen her.
(vi) There was a discussion going on _________the students.
(vii) Keep the parcel ___________the box.
(viii) Children like to sit ___________their friends.
(ix) The drunkard fell ___________an innocent child.
(x) ____________ being canned by the teacher, he was also fined.
(xi) You must stop writing ____________ten minutes.
(xii) We sit ______________the dining table for dinner.
(xiii) The student was punished ___________a stick.
(xiv) There is unity _____________the leaders.
(xv) The snake crawled ___________the hole.
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3. Fill in the blank with suitable prepositions from those given in brackets:
(i) The girl jumped ___________the roof. (to/ from/ of)
(ii) He put the oranges _________a basket. (upon/ to/ into)
(iii) The sun went _________the clouds. (behind/ on to)
(iv) Can you tell me the way ______the airport? (to/ in/at)
(v) The Republic Day is celebrated ____26th January every year. (from/ in/ on)
(vi) They shared the same room __________February to September. (for/ from/ since)
(vii) They walked _________the green field and reached the bank of the river. (at/ across/for)
(viii) The naughty boy hid himself ________a tree. (in/ on/ behind)
(ix) My friend invited me __________his house for dinner. (at/ to/ in)
(x) Look, the police is running ___________the culprit. (behind/ after/ with) after
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the incorrect word
and the correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have
sullied.
(a) Nasir Ahmed Soomro is the tallest man on the
(b) World. He is at Taiwan to spend four months living in the
Guiness World Record Museum. He is the first record holder
(c) Employed as a crowd puller of he museum which has a number
(d) From life-size models of Guiness book
(e) Personalities. 29 years old Soomro is to become
Quite literally a museum exhibit and a sporting ambassador trying to
(f) Promote exercise in school children.
5. in the passage given below. One word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with
the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank
number. Ensure that the word that from your answer is underlined.
(a) Spiders are the most fascinating nature’s
(b) Smaller creature. Several hundred species
(c) Spiders are found India. They are often shy
(d) and most are short-sighted. They are quick get
away when we come too close. Often they don’t
(e) sting. A large number spiders inhabit our
(f) Environment the females only two kinds
(g) Are know be dangerous. Many of the deadly looking spiders do not harm us.
(h) So there is no justification at all the
Superstitious beliefs regarding the spiders.
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ANSWERS
1. (I) for (ii) with (iii) at (iv) at
(v) for (vi) with (vii) with (viii) from
(ix) in (x) to (xi) from (xii) to
2. (i) by (ii) between (iii) on (iv) in
(v) since (vi) among (vii) underneath (viii) beside
(ix) upon (x) Besides (xi) within (xii) at
(xiii) with (xiv) among (xv) into
3. (i) from. (ii) into (iii) behind (iv) to
(v) on (vi) from (vii) across (viii) behind
(ix) to (x) after
Incorrect correct
4. Nasir Ahmad Soomro is the tallest man on the (a) on in
World. He is at Taiwan to spend four months living in the (b) at in
Guiness World Record Museum. He is the first record holder
Employed as a crowd puller of he museum which has a number (c) of for
From life-size models of Guiness book (d) from of
Personalities. 29 years old Soomro is of to become (e) of out
Quite literally a museum exhibit and a sporting ambassador trying to
Promote exercise in school children. (f) in among
5. Spiders are the most fascinating / nature’s (a) fascinating of
Smaller creatures. Several hundred species/ (b) species of Spiders
Spiders are found/ India. They are often sky (c) found in India
And most are short-sighted. They are quick/ get (d) quick to get
Away when we come too close. Often they don’t
Sting. A large number/ spiders inhabit our (e) number of Spiders
Environment. /the females only two kinds (f) environment. Among the
Are known / be dangerous. Many of (g) know to be
The deadly looking spiders do not harm us.
So there is no justification at all the (h) all for the
Superstitious beliefs regarding the spiders.
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ARTICLE REPORT AND SPEECH
Eng. L. - 19
19.1 REPORT AND ARTICLE :
This question expects a student to write a report or a factual description based on verbal input provided.
(i) Given a suitable heading ;
(ii) Write the name of the reporter ;
(iii) Write the body of the report (content)
(iv) Content should contain: ‘when, where, why, what. Who, how’.
A. Vaibhav / vibha Asher is quite concerned about the increasing incident of deaths and accidents
caused due to the endemic disorder called road rage. He / she decides to write an article on the need
for people to control their anger and inculcate the habit of disciplined driving. Study the following
information and write Vaibhav’s article in not more than 200 words.
CAUSES OF ROAD RAGE
Avoid road rage-be a disciplined motorist
• Know traffic rules
• Be courteous to fellow drivers
• Start before time if you have an appointment
• Maintain your cool-don’t carry stress while driving
• Check your words and actions – count ten when angry
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Sol. VOLENCE ON THE ROADS
By : valbhav / vibha Asher
The recent film ‘Changing Lanes’ brought into sharp focus the endemic disorder called ‘road rage’ with
the number of vehicles increasing everyday, it is on the increase all over the world. We can see clearly from
the graph that the factors that compound road rage are : intolerance and lack of self discipline, having a
sense of superiority and control while driving, family and work stress, environmental stress, traffic jams
and delays along with absence of severe penalty for defaulters.
We need to remember that’ License to Drive is not a License to Kill’. To avoid road-rage a sense of
discipline and responsibility has to be inculcated among all motorists.
We must pledge to know and abide by the traffic rules. Respect and courtesy to fellow drivers must be the
norm. when leaving the house for an appointment, start early, in order to maintain your cool if there is a
delay. Do not be on a short fuse while driving. Always measure your words and actions. Counting up to
ten is a good rule of the thumb to avoid stress and unpleasant situations.
Every calm and disciplined driver helps to save precious lives. Always remember to : Be polite and share
the Road rage will away.
Thank you and have a nice day.
B You are Abhishek / Aishwarya. You happened to see the following lines in a newspaper.
You decide to write an article in the school magazine titled “Save the Planet, Earth”. Using ideas from the
unit on ‘Environment’ and your own ideas, write the article in about 200 words.
Ans. SAVE THE PLANET EARTH
-Abhishek-
Recently, there has been much noise about ecology. This newspapers and magazines are replete with
articles that much the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology. Yet, the fact remains
that instead of doing something to save it, almost each of us seems to destroy it a little more. The
consumerism of the west has spread in the east also. This consumerism, more than anything else is
responsible for destroying the ecology.
Water, air and earth are the three things which together make this plants earth. Each of them is being
destroyed. We consume more water per head than the people in history ever did. But what is more
important is the fact that we pollute and poison the very source of water that is our rivers and even seas.
The inorganic industrial waste which goes in the rivers has made the water unfit for drinking. In the same
way the gases emitted by our industries are polluting the air. The earth has been dug for minerals, oil and
water to such an extent that it seems to have lost its natural strength. It is being deprived of the forests
which make our earth worth living and a beautiful planet.
To save our planet earth, we have to rivers this trend. A simple style of life consuming less of the earth’s
resources and causing-no pollution is the need of the hour.
C. Geetika read the following news report about the tendency in children to stay from any sort of physical
activity. She decided to make use of the information to write an article for her school magazine. Write the
article for her in about 150-200 words using ideas from the unit on ‘Health and Medicine’ and your own
ideas.
“we all mourn and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our Ecology, and yet each one of us, in our comfortable little ways contributes daily to that Destruction. It is time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our Beloved mother deserves. “Says Ed Asner, an Environmental supporter.
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The teachers and parents have expressed their disappointment about the children of Today being nothing but couch potatoes. Very seldom do you find children outside their Houses, playing their one time favorite outdoor games like Hide and Seek, Cricket etc.
Ans. COUCHPOTATOES By Geetika
Every genuine person is today worried about the tendency in the young to stay away from any sort of physical activity. Gone are the days when the children loved to be out of the house in the streets and parks playing and running. Even when they were not playing they used to do other physical labour like walking to school or cycling to a friend’s house. It has all changed. Today you can find them sitting in the couch watching television or reading books. Instead of walking they use the bus or some mode of travel to take them to school. Seldom do they think of going to a friend’s house to meet him because there is a telephone line on which they talk as long as they please. However, it is the parents and not the children who are responsible for this very sad state of affairs. They are happy to see their children leading a life of luxury. They do not love physical labor themselves, so how can they make the children love it ? The school and the parents together can change the situation. Parents should see that the children do some physical exercise or work at home while the schools should make it compulsory for every student to take part in games.
D. You are Ramesh / Reema, a staff reporter of “The Times of India”. Delhi. You witnessed a road accident involving a truck and a Maruti Van in Karol Bagh. Write a report, in not more than 125 words.
Sol.
E. You witnessed a gruesome murder of a young school boy by his two school mates. Write an article for the
newspaper.
Sol.
F. Sheshadri is a boy who has survived more than 25 major accidents; it makes you wonder about the cause of accidents in the Indian cities. You decide to write an article for the school magazine titled ‘Driving India Crazy. Taking ideas from the data below and your own ideas write the article. You are john / Bipasha.
Head on Collision By : Ramesh
New Delhi:25th December. An overloaded truck collided head-on with a Maruti van carrying a family including three children. The accident occurred yesterday at the junction of Karol Bagh at abut 6.30 p.m. Both the vehicles were at high speed. This accident occurred when the truck lost its control and crashed into the van coming From the opposite direction. The impact was so great that the van overturned. All the 5 passengers of the car including 3 children were killed on the spot. The cleaner of the truck was injured The drive is absconding. The injured were taken to M.N Hospital. A police case for negligent driving has been registered against the driver of the truck.
PARENTS OF BOY WHO SHOT MATE ARE ON THE RUN By : Suresh jain
gurgaon,12 December 200X The parents of one of the two children who allegedly shot and killed their classmate were absconding on Tuesday. Police said. A case has been registered against the father whose gun was used in the murder. Deputy commissioner of police Satish Balan said action would be taken against the man under the Arms Act for alleged negligence. His son had brought his licensed revolver to school and allegedly fired four shots at Abhishek Tyagi, 14 Near the staircase and then handed the gun to his friend who fired another bullet. The two accused boys, student of class VIII in Euro international school, have been sent to 14- day judicial custody at Earibad juvenile home.
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Number of persons killed in cities
Ahmedabad 223
Bangalore 659
Chennai 692
Delhi 1,989
Kochi 148
Mumbai 449
Ans. DRIVING INDIA CRAZY By Bipasha
The news that a boy named Sheshadri has survived more than 25 major accidents, is thought crooking. It clearly shows that our roads have become very dangerous and a mishap might occur even with, one most careful walker. Metropolitan cities are worst hit so far as the deaths by vehicular traffic on the road is concerned. The capitals of the country, unfortunately seem to have become most dangerous. Delhi account for almost as many deaths on the road as the other four metropolitans together. True, one may not be as unlucky as Sheshadri who become the victim of accidents which can make the life of the person a hell. I have no doubt that the motorists are generally responsible for these accidents. some of them are in a constant hurry. They are tense and their tension results in accidents. In most of the cases of serious accidents the drivers have been found to be drunk. Disobeying the traffic rules has become common. Of course, one can speak of many other reaso0ne too this is the most important one. I therefore suggest that the traffic rules be observed religiously if we care for our lives.
G. Given below is a graph. Prepare an article for the school magazine interpreting the date giving your reactions for the benefit of the students. Emphasize the need to promote reading , suggesting suitable measures.
Graph showing time spent on watching TV and on reading . in Indian family
WATCHING TV AND READING BOOKS Ans .
Our people seem to have been so addicted to the TV screen that they have almost given up reading books. Since most of us think it is the same thing whether we watch a story on the screen or read it in a book. I think it is the time to think of the difference. Reading enhances enhances our mental ability. While reading we make mental pictures and related then to real life. Moreover, we can look back and again when feel the necessity. It helps in giving us time to understand the subject properly. In the year 1980, an India family spent only 2 to 3 hours on TV screen whereas almost nine hours were spent on reading. In the year 2000, the same family spent 12 hours before the TV screen and only an hour or two on books. I am afraid this reading must be light such as newspapers etc .serious
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reading has suffered a great blow because of the television. Children imitate their parents and other elders.
When they do not find them reading, they also lose interest in reading books.
Reading books gives food to the mind. So many great men give credit for their achievements to the books
but we have yet to hear of a person whom television has inspired to do something great. Hence I think it is
outmost importance that we give more attention to reading.
H. More and more people are now used to carrying mobile phone to their work place. However, the use of
mobile phones can be dangerous at times. Write an article on ‘Mobile Culture -0 the Ethics’ in about 200
words. T5ake hints from the information given below :
NOW, SWITCH OFF YOUR CELL PHONE AT PETROL STATIONS T.O.I. Correspondent Mumbai, April 22 THE GOVERNMENT on Tuesday banned the use of cellular phones at petrol Pumps as they could ignite the flammable vapours present in the air and could Be disastrous. Don’t use cell phones..
• In class room.• In conference hall
• While driving
• When in a hospital … I.C.U.• If you are near a heart patient or someone who has pacemaker
Ans. Mobile Culture – The Ethics
Modern life is fast moving. It is important to remain connected while on the move. Cell phone is a
wonderful gift of science as it has mado communication very fast and easy. Now one can easily carry out
business transactions, attend to other tasks, SMS for board results and stock prices and umpteen other jobs
when land-line is not easily available or busy. Cell phones are sleek and handy and easily fit in one’s pocket
or handbag too.
But like all other gifts of science, cell phone is being misused, too. It has become a toy in the hands of the
people – a means to display their status. Be it a friend’s funeral, a place of worship, a busy intersection
hospital, a classroom or a conference room, people can’t help flaunting their mobile hone and disturb
others.
One needs to understand that cell phone is essentially an object of utility or a necessity and not a plaything.
The students ought not to carry the cell phone as it is a source of great distraction in the class room. While
driving one needs to keep it switched off as it can make the driver lose his or her concentration and prove
fatal. At public, it should be kept on the vibration and one must be brief and soft while talking. It’s overuse
can be hazardous to health. So these ethics had to be observed so as to avoid the misuse of technology.
19.2 SPEECH:
(i) Sam Douglas, a student of Gloria Public School, Hamirpur (H.P.) has to take part in a speech competition
on the topic “Stop Crowding Hamirpur”. During the last decade it has grown from a lovely green hill
station into a heavily populated industrial town. Using the ideas from the table and the hints given below,
ideas from the unit the unit on “Environment” and your own ideas, write Sam’s speech in not more than
150-200 words.
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HAMIRPUR (1994-2004)
Population (in lakhs) 1994 2004
Population (in lakhs) No. of houses (in lakhs) No. of factories Consumption of water(in gallons Consumption of electricity (in watts)
15 55 15 60,000 13,0000
22 90 47 1,35,000 39,000
Sol . STOP CROWDING HAMIRPUR
Good Morning to all I Today, I Sam Douglas of Gloria. Public School will speak on the topic, ‘ Stop
Crowding Hamirpur’. In the last decade, this beautiful green hill station has grown into a heavily
populated industrial town. The picturesque surroundings have been replaced by tall chimneys that spew
smoke. Our once beautiful and lovely home has been transformed into an ugly habital!
No doubt, industrialization has led to employment and economic development.
But it has led to an increase in population and a breakdown of the essential civic amenities. From a small
town of 15 lakhs having 2 lakh houses with only 55 thousand cars in 1994, today it now has a population of
22 lakh having 04 lakh houses with 90 thousand cars. Number of factories has risen from a meager fifteen to
a whopping forty seven. Consumption of water and electricity has risen astronomically.
The pollution level is increasing there is over crowing in streets, buses and markets. Therefore, some urgent
and stringent steps to control the situation are need of the hour. The people’s health is in real danger.
All factories must be moved at least twenty kilometers outside the town limits. The chimneys should be
made very high. Also a green belt of trees must be planted around the industrial area. All of us must unite
to make our hill station green and preserve its fresh beauty for the future generations.
Let us take a pledge to : SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT SAVE HAMIRPUR
Thank you and have a nice day.
(ii) You are Michael, one of the participants for the debate and have to speak for/ against the motion. Write the
speech you propose to make.
Notes 25.3.2006 A debate will be organized in the school auditorium on 1st April 2006 at 10 a.m. Teachers And students are requested to attend. TOPIC : INDIA’S POOR PERFORMANCE IN SYDNEY OLYMPICS Ashok Mukherjee Secretary Debate Society
Ans. Mr. President Sir
I, Michael, would like to share my views on India’s performance in Olympic Games.
India’s performance in Sydney Olympics is now a forgotten story because we had other Olympics after
that. Out performance in the last Olympics has also not given us any sense of pride. It, therefore, does not
make me feel very sorrowful for Sydney Olympics except, of course, the common feeling that every past
sorrowful incident brings.
At that time, it was considered very shameful that a big country like India had not been able to win any
gold or silver medal in those games. Now that we were able to win just one silver medal in the last
Olympics, we do not think much of that incident.
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In fact what worries me is the fact that the corruption seems to have penetrated in our sports too. Most of us doubt if the selection of the players is fair.then the selected players are not given proper coaching also. It is these thing that demand our attention. There is no shortage of talents and one day we will certainly shine in sports. Thank you.
(iii) Shefali has to speak in the morning assembly on the growing number of books prescribed in school these days as the failing rate of literacy. With reference to the cartoon and the unit on Education, write the speech for her.
Ans. Respected Principal, Teachers and dear friends ! I want to draw your attention to the increasing number of school textbooks prescribed for students. The weight of the school bag is increasing day by day. If all the textbooks of a student are piled up, the height of this stack would exceed the student’s own height. Similarly, the pile of books would far exceed the student’s own weight. On the other hand, the rate of literacy is falling. How alarming and pathetic! the fortunate few who can receive good education should not be overburdened with the load of books. Agreed, that there is explosion of knowledge, but our aim should be ‘education for all’. We must have a value-based education system. This will impart knowledge, sharpen faculties and mould character. Let us consider schools as nurseries for developing the most valuable human resources-the children, who are the hope of the future. Thanks
(iv) You are a member of your school’s Social Service League. You have decided to visit a nearby village from your school on a holiday to speak to the villagers how smoking is a silent killer of life, besides being a drain on the limited income of an average income earner. Prepare your speech to address them. Among other point you can also mention, how the vital organs are getting affected due to smoking, how it is harmful even to those who do not smoke but happen to be seen with smokers and how by various methods we should educate people on the dangerous effects of smoking.
Ans. Dear Sisters and Brother it is an honour to have an opportunity of talking to you and sharing my thoughts about smoking with you. It has been a part of my education and I have tried to learn as much as I could about the effects of smoking on human body.
The truth is that smoking is the biggest single factor that causes lung cancer besides many other diseases of heart and chest. It’s not only a drain on our limited income but also a silent killer. Yet the most unpleasant part of smoking is the passive smoking. It means that it affects not only the person who smokes but all those who happen to be near him at the time of smoking. It is because of these things that more and more people are giving up smoking in the western world. Unfortunately in our country. The number of smokers is constantly increasing. I therefore, request you with all humility and with all the emphasis at my command to give up smoking if you are a smoker. Yet that is not enough. You must persuade all those in your village to stop smoking who have not yet done so.
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PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. you were a member of the team which represented your school in the Vista Contest and won the teamtrophy. You have been asked to read out a report about the event in the school assembly. Write the report in about 100-125 words.
2. you have been a witness to an incident of chain-snatching in your locality. Give a short description of thesame in 100-125 words.
3. Jacob saw youg children engaged in the following activities. He is moved to see the exploitation of childrenand decides to write an article on the plight of children. Write Thomas’ article in not more than 200 words.
4. you are prerna / pranay. You saw the following advertisement in a newspaper. You decide to write anarticle in your school magazine on how advertisements of such gadgets are harmful to youth. Using ideas from the unit on ‘Science’ and your own ideas, write the article in about 200 words.
CAMEO has announced the launch of the trendy Cameo 6789 camera phone. With Visual flashing lights the handset is targeted at youth. It also offers features like built in V.G.A. Camera and mobile themes. M. I. d. I. ringing tones with synchronized lights is an Added
feature.
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PRONOUN
Eng. L. – 20
20.1 PRONOUN:
Pronoun is a word used instead of a Noun.
E .g. Look at Jack. He is studying. John and Mary have come to see him. They are glad to see him studying.
He Is also glad to see them.
The different kinds of Pronouns are as follows
20.1 (a) Personal Pronouns :
They stand for three Persons :
(i) First person :
�The pronouns which refer to the person or persons speaking :
E .g. I, we, me, us, mine, ours.
(ii) Second Persons :
� The pronouns which refer to the person or persons spoken to.
E .g. you, your, thou, thee
(iii) Third person :
� The pronouns which refer to the person or thing spoken of.
E .g. he, she, him, her, hers, they, them, theirs, it.
20.1 (b) Reflexive or Emphatic Pronouns :
E .g. are: myself, ourselves, yourself, yourselves, himself, herself, itself, and themselves.
(i) Reflexive pronoun act as object to the verb but they refer to the same persons as the Subject of the Verbs:
E .g. I blame myself for my failure. We often talk to ourselves.
He hanged himself. They always talk about themselves.
She put herself to trouble for nothing.
(ii) Emphatic Pronouns are used with a Noun or a Pronoun for the sake of emphasis :
E .g. I myself was present at the accident site. You must do the assignment yourself.
She herself cooked food for the guests. Boys, you yourselves should
should prepare your timetable.
He himself told me the story.
20.1 (c) Demonstrative Pronouns : They are used to point out the object for which they are used.
� This & These refer to thing near at hand.
� That & Those refer to thing lying near at distance.
E .g. This is my book. That is my house. These are your friends. Those are
Her friends.
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20.1 (d) Distributive Pronoun :
It refer to a number of person or things, one at a time. These pronoun are always singular and are always
followed by a verb in the singular.
� Each, Either, Neither are such pronouns.
E .g. Each student secured a reward. Neither of your answer is correct.
At either end of the road was a Park.
20.1 (e) Interrogative Pronoun are used for asking questions.
� Who, whom and whose are used for asking questions about things.
E .g. Who is calling you? Whom do you want to meet? Whose book is this?
� What is used for asking questions about thing?
E .g. What shall you do after graduation?
� Which is used for asking questions about the particular person or thing?
E .g. Which is the most intelligent student in this class?(person)
Which is the best book? (Thing)
20.1 (f) Reciprocal Pronoun:
They are pronouns that denote reciprocal or mutual action. They are :
� Each other : generally used when two persons or things are referred to.
E .g. Jack and Jill loved each other.
� One another: generally used when more the two persons or things are referred.
E .g. The people of India love one another.
20.1 (g) Relative Pronoun :
The pronoun ‘Who, Whose, Whom, Which, That’, which join two sentences and relate
or refer to Nouns which have gone before are called Relative Pronouns.
� The Noun to which a Relative Pronoun refers or relates is called its Antecedent.
E .g. This is the boy who was punished. In this example ‘boy’ is the Antecedent of
‘who’.
20.2 USE OF RELATIVE PRONOUNS :
(i) Who :
� Used for persons only.
E .g. The man who is honest succeeds in his life.
The student who were lazy were punished.
They who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
The children who work hard always succeed.
(ii) Whose :
� It is the possessive case of ‘Who’. It refer to persons but may also refer to things.
E .g. This is the question whose solution baffles me.
The school building whose roof was damaged, has now been repaired.
(iii) Which :
� Used for animals and for things without life.
E .g. These are the books which we purchased yesterday.
The horse which won the race is John’s.
The thing which we lost have been found.
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(iv) Whom :
� Is used in formal written English. It is common to used ‘Who’ in place of ‘Whom’ in Ordinary conversation.
E .g. The man who (m) the police caught was a dreaded terrorist.
The student who (m) we praised were good in their studies.
Note : ‘Whom’ is often replaced by ‘That’ except after a preposition. The preposition may
be placed at the end and ‘that’ used for ‘whom’.
E .g. That is the man about whom we were speaking.
That is the man that we were speaking about.
(v) That: Used for persons, animals and things.
� It may refer to singular or plural.
E .g. These are the boy that can be trusted.
This is the book that I want to buy.
This is the ring that I lost yesterday.
These are the only horses that neigh.
Note: ’That’ is preferred to ‘who’ or ‘which’ though ‘who’ or ‘which’ can be equally Used.
E .g.
a) After the superlative degree of adjectives:
Ashoka was the best king that (=who) ruled in India.
This is the best book that (=which) I have read.
b) After the words ‘all, noun, nothing, any, same’ etc.
All that (=which) glitters is not gold.
It is only you that (=who) can speak in such a way.
Nothing that (=which) we can do now will save him.
20.3 PRONOUNS AT A GLANCE :
PERSON Nominative or subjective
Objective Reflexive Possessive & Vocative
FIRST I We
Me Us
Myself Ourselves
My, Mine Our, Ours
SECOND You You Yourself/ Yourselves
Your, yours
THIRD He She It They
Him her it them
Himself Herself Itself Themselves
His, His Her, Hers Its Their, Theirs
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PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. One evening, a rich lady sent (a)_________ housemaid to the market to buy some vegetables for (b)
____________ . The rich lady sat by (c) __________ or some time. Then she saw her maid returning very
quickly. “Madam” she said, “I have forgotten (d) ____________
You had asked me to bring. “The angry lady said, (e)_________ can bear with such a fool?
(f) _______was such a simple task and you’ve come back empty-handed.”
2. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the
correction against the correct blank number. Underline the word that you have supplied.
We are in very serious times, because they are free. In (a)
The old days ours task was only to fight, to wrest freedom (b)
Enthuse each other and carry on the freedom struggle, (c)
Those was easy, as we know but now that we have freedom (d)
The entire burden of the future structure of my country is (e)
On our own shoulders. You must be as true in our conduct (f)
3. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the
correction against the correct blank number. Underline the word that you have supplied.
Incorrect Correction
Jack and Michael were fast friends. They loved one another. (a)
Every tried to make the greatest sacrifice for (b)
The other . Their parents were equally friendly. (c)
But what knows the quirks or fate? It was just a (d)
Trifle that led to a misunderstanding between their. (e)
The two boys himself remained friendly as ever (f)
They tried there best to persuade their fathers. (g)
An ingenuous trick exposed the man which had created the (h)
Bad blood. Jack’s father was the one to greet his friend. (i)
The fore stood together and embraced each other . (j)
ANSWERS
1. a. her b. them c .herself d. what
e. who f. this
2. a. they we b. ours our c. each other one another d. those that
e. my our f. you we
3. a. one another each other b. Every each c. Others other
d. what who e. their them f. himself themselves g. there their
h. which who i. one first j. each other one another
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MODALS
Eng. L. -21
Modals are those auxiliary verbs (helping verbs),which express the ‘mode ‘ or ‘manner’ of the actions
indicated by the main verb. They express modes such as ability, possibility, permission, obligation etc.
E .g. We can speak in English. (Ability)
It might rain in the evening. (possibility)
May I go to watch a movie ? (permission)
You must do your duty. (obligation)
21.1 USAGE OF MODALS :
���� A modal does not change according to the number person of the subject.
E .g. We can play. They can play. You can play.
She can play. I can play. Unlike: I go to college.
� A modal is always used with a verb in its basic from. The modal takes the
Tense while the main verb remain in its dictionary form.
E .g. I can speak. I could speak. I may speak. I might speak.
� Modals can be used alone in response to a question.
E .g. Can you speak? I can. Will you speak? I will
Will you dance? I will or I may.
� Modals, when joined with ‘not’ to form a negative, can be contracted.
E .g. I can not sing. I can’t sing . I do not sing. I don’t sing.
I will not sing. I won’t sing
21.2 THE FOLLOWING ARE MODAL AUXILIARIES :
‘Shall’, ‘Should’, ‘Will’, ‘Would’, ‘Can’, ‘could’, May’, ‘might’, Ought to’, ‘Need’, ‘Dare’
A. Shall
� Used in 1st person to give information about future action.
E .g. I shall finish this topic by tomorrow
� Used in 2nd and 3rd person to express command, threat determination and promise.
E .g. (i) you shall leave the class at once. (command)
(ii) she shall study regularly and succeed. (Determination)
(iii) If you make a noise, you shall be punished. (Threat)
(iv) He shall get a prize if he succeeds. (Promise)
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� In interrogative sentences, ‘shall’ is used with 1st person to indicate offer or suggestion and with 3rd person
to know the desire of the person spoken to.
E.g. (i) Shall I make a cup of coffee for you? (Offer)
(ii) Which book shall I buy? (Asking to suggest)
(iii) Shall the florist send flowers to your friend? (i.e. do you want it so)
B. Should:
� Past tense of ‘shall’ in indirect speech. E.g. I said that I should succeed.
� To express duty or obligation. E.g. We should obey our parents.
� To express conditions. E.g. Should this happen, I will resign.
� To express request. E.g. I should like to inform you about my inability to come.
� For advice. E .g. you should not tell a lie.
C. Will: used in 2nd person and 3rd person to express certainty.
E .g. You will begin the work tomorrow.
Note: In modern English there is a tendency to use ‘will’ in all persons
to indicate future tense, request, promise, determination, habit
and characteristics.
� To show Future tense E.g. My friend will come tomorrow.
� To express Request E.g. Will you have coffee?
� To express Promise E.g. I will take care of your brother.
� To show determination E.g. They will fight to the finish.
� To show Habit E.g. She will be talking all the time with no work.
� To show Characteristics E.g. This machine will work very well and will not
Give any trouble.
Imp. Note the force of ‘shall’ and ‘will’.
(i) The college will remain closed. (=it is possible that college will remain closed). .
(ii) The college shall remain closed. (=it is promised/ordered that the college will remain closed). .
(iii) I shall not help you. (=I am not going to help you). .
(iv) I will help you. (=I am determined not to help you). .
D. Would:
� Used to indicate Past tense of ‘will’. E.g. He said that he would be back soon.
� To express wish or desire. E.g. I would like to ask you something.
� To express future in past. E .g. she asked me if I would held her.
� For requests. E.g. would you please shut the door.
� To show past habits. E.g. in the past he would go for long walk.
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� To express preference or determination with ‘rather’ E. Rather die then beg.
I would carry out your orders at all cost.
E. Can:
� To seek or grant permission. E.g. Can I go out? : You can go now.
� For possibility. E.g. accidents can happen anytime.
� To show ability. E.g. he can speak English. They can solve this problem.
Note: ‘May’ can also be used instead of ‘can’. But ‘can’ is generally used, as it is less formal then ‘May’. ‘can’
indicates a theoretical possibility and ‘May’ a factual possibility.
F. Could:
� Used to indicate Past tense of ‘can’. E.g. He said that he could solve the problem.
� To show possibility. E.g. This problem could be solved.
� For permission. E.g. could I use your cell-phone? :You could come to my
my office anytime.
� To express polite requests. E.g. Could you wait for a minute?
� For conditional possibility. E.g. if I had the money, I could buy a new house.
G. May :
� For permission. E.g. May I come in?
� To show possibility. E.g. the road may be blocked today due to the
procession.
Note : it can rain any day. (Theoretical possibility)It may rain today evening as clouds are gathering.(Factual
possibility)
� To show purpose. E.g. we eat so that we may live.
They work hard that they may succeed.
� To express formal wish. E.g. May God bless you ! May his soul rest in peace.
H. Might :
� Used to indicate Past tense of ‘may’. E.g. he said that he might come.
� To show possibility. E.g. it might rain. (Less possibility then it may rain).
� To show purpose. E.g. He worked hard so that he might win.
I. Must:
� To express obligation or compulsion. E.g. You most be back by 9 p.m.
You must not do it.
� To show determination. E.g. you must win the first prize.
I must finish this topic by today.
� To express strong possibility. E.g. there must be some mistake somewhere.
J. Ought (to) :
� To express moral obligation, duty or desirability.
E .g. you ought to respect your elders.
� The negative form of ‘ought to’ is ‘ought not to’ .
E .g. You ought not to speak to your parents in this manner.
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K. Used (to)
(i) Used (to) means ‘accustomed to’. It expresses a routine or pattern or habit.
E.g. She is quite used to hard work.
You will soon get used to it.
(ii) It expresses a discontinued habit or a past situation , which contrasts with the present. E.g. She used to drink milk, now she drink tea.
I was used to use this writing desk in the past, but I don’t use it now. It is now being used by my younger
brother.
Note: ‘Used to’ should not be confused with the finite verb ‘use’.
(iii) ‘Used to’ is always used in the past form. It does not have a present tense. The Present tense of ‘I used to teach (in kota)’.
L. Need:
� ‘Need’ as a modal auxiliary means ‘be obliged’ or ‘be necessary ‘. It Is are followed by infinitives
without ‘to’. ‘Need’ can be Used with do/did when it is followed by an infinitive with ‘to’
E .g. Need I tell him to study?(is it necessary for me to tell him to go?)
He need not go. (it is not necessary for him to go)
I need hardly to tell you. (You must already know)
Does she need to go so soon?(is it necessary for her to go so soon?)
� To express necessary.
E .g. the students need to study regularly.
All of you need to be punctual.
The house needs (requires) repairs.
M. Dare
� ‘Dare’ as a modal auxiliary means ‘be bold enough to’. It is commonly used in interrogative
and Negative sentences. It can also be used with do / did.
E .g. How dare you fight with me ?
He does not dare (to) fight with me.
Does he dare (to) fight with me ?
� To express courage.
E .g. Don’t dare to touch my book.
N. Do /Does :
� To emphasize a statement.
E .g. I do need your help.
She does sing well
� To express request in persuasive way.
E .g. Please do come to my party. I’ll wait for you.
O. Have :
� When ‘Have’ (as a main verb) means ‘possess’ it is used without the auxiliary ‘Do’ to
From question or negatives in British usage. In American usage ‘Do’ is commonly used.
Have you a pen? (British usage)
Do you have a pen? (American usage)
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� When ‘Have’ (as a main verb) is used in the sense of take, receive, obtain,
Experience etc. ‘Do’ is used to form questions or negatives (both in British
and American usage)
E.g. Do you have (take) tea or milk for breakfast?
Did you have (experience) much difficulty in reaching here?
20.3 MODALS AT A GLANCE : Modal Usage
� Can : Ability, Permission, Request, Possibility
� Could : Ability, Request, Possibility,
� Shall : Futurity, Willingness,’ Suggestion, Insistence.
� Should : Obligation, Advisability, Necessity
� Will : Willingness, Prediction, Insistence, Requests In Questions.
� Would : Willingness, Habitual Action In Past, Probability
� May : Wish Purpose, Permission, Possibility
� Might : Possibility, Permission, Concession
� Must : Compulsion, Obligation, Prohibition
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Fill in the blank with ‘Should’ or ‘Would’, ‘May’ or ‘Might’, ’Can’ or ‘Could’ or ‘Ought’.
(i) Children _________ obey their teachers.
(ii) He said that he ______________ not come for the party.
(iii) We __________ to honour our parents.
(iv) James __________ swim across the river when he was young.
(v) They________ come any moment.
(vi) I _________ very much like to see my old school again
(vii) “you ___________try once again”.
(viii) “I ___________ do it,” said the student.
(ix) The student said that he ___________ do it.
(x) He ____________ lift that heavy box.
2. Fill in the blank with ‘Shall’ or ‘Will’.
(i) ___________ I make a cup of coffee for you ?
(ii) _________ you please open the door ?
(iii) They _________ be talking all the time without doing anything.
(iv) You________ not harass your friends.
(v) You___________ get a prize if you do not make a mistake.
3. Fill in the blank with appropriate modals.
Shopkeeper: (i) ______________________ I help you?
Customer: Yes, (ii) ___________ you show me Tee shirts, XX-L please ?
Shopkeeper: All right, Sir, I (iii) ________ show you several designs and with different shades.
Customer: That (IV) ________ be the one Thomas told me about. (v) _______ you please tell me its price?
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Shopkeeper; It costs only Rs. 599/-
Customer; OK. I (VI) ________ take two of them. The blue one and the white one.
Shopkeeper; OK I Sir.
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the incorrect word
and the correction in your answer sheet as given below against the correct blank number. Remember to
underline the word that you have supplied.
(a) You could regularly study if you wish to
(b) Do well in the exams. It may not be possible
To score marks if you do not have a
(c) Systematic approach. One might study
For at least 3-4 hours everyday especially
(d) If you’re in a senior class. You will
Not spend so many hours if you’re in a
Junior class, but students of class IX upward
(e) Has to work more.
(f) This will be done by planning one’s daily routine.
ANSWERS
1. (I) may (ii) will (iii) can (iv) might
(v) Could (VI) will
2. (i) Shall (ii) will (iii) will (iv) shall
(v) Shall
3. (i) should (ii) might (iii) ought to (iv) could
(v) May (VI) would (viii) may (ix) can
Incorrect correct
(a) You could regularly study if you wish to (a) could should
(b) Do well in the exams. It may not be possible (b) may will
To score marks if you do not have a
(c) Systematic approach. One might study (c) might should
For at least 3-4 hours everyday especially
(d) If you’re in a senior class. You will (d) will need
Not spend so many house if you’re in a
Junior class, but students of class IX upward
(e) Has to work more. (e) has have
(f) This will be done by planning one’s daily routine. (f) will can
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THE NECKLACE
Eng. L. – 22
22.1 SUMMARY
The story ‘ The Necklace’ is about a common human weakness the desire to win fame. The ambition to rise
higher and look more glamorous can lead to one’s downfall. Madame Loisel was pretty and charming but
was unhappy as she was married to a clerk and couldn’t afford the luxuries of life. One day her husband
got an invitation to a ball from the office of the Minister of Public instruction. Instead of feeling happy, she
looked distressed as had no proper grown for t he occasion. Mr. Loisel reluctantly cut short on his personal
expenses and bought her a nice gown. But she was still not happy as she had no matching jewellery. At her
husband’s suggestion, she borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forestier. She was a
great success at the ball. However, her joy and excitement was short-lived as on returning home she
discovered that the necklace was lost. Then began the nightmarish phases of their lives. In order to pay off
the debts they had incurred for buying a replica of the necklace, they had to live life like paupers. Madame
Loisel’s beauty was lost. She had to pay a very heavy price for her folly. The irony of it all was that years
after her hard struggle. She accidentally met her friend and discovered that the diamond necklace for which
they had to pay thirty-six thousand francs was fake and cost only cost about some five hundred franc. The
story has an element of pathos and sadness. One experiences a sense of loss and feels touched by the
helplessness and pathetic condition of the Loisels.
22.2 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) HOW WAS Mathilde Loisel ‘a slip of fate’?
Ans. Mathilde Loisel was very pretty and charming. She appeared to be a lady of high
family. But she was born in a poor family. She had no dowry and hence she had to
marry a petty clerk. She wanted to enjoy the luxuries of life, but now she had to lead an ordinary life. Thus
she was a mistake of destiny – a slip of fate.
(ii) What all did the Loisels had to cut down on to buy the new necklace?
Ans. The Loisels moved into a garret under the roof and dismissed their servants. Madame Loisel was forced to
do heavy housework and odious chores of the kitchen. She wore cheap clothes and bargained with the
grocer, butcher and full-sellers. Her husband worked at making up tradesman’s accounts each evening and
working late at night, copied manuscripts at five sous a page.
(iii) What suggestions did Mr. Loisel make when Mathilde Loisel asked for jewellery? Ans. At first, he said that she could wear flowers. Natural flowers were quite fashionable at that time o the year.
They could get two or three magnificent roses for ten francs. Mathilde was not convinced. She did not want
to look poverty-stricken among rich ladies. Then he said that she could go to her friend Madam Forestier
and borrow some jewels. She would certainly lend her some jewellery. She shouted with joy at this
suggestion.
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(iv) Describe how ‘the Necklace’ has a twist in the end? Ans. The Loisels bought a diamond necklace for thirty-six thousand francs and gave it to Madame Forestier. They
did manual jobs for ten years to repay their heavy burden. Mme Loisel felt proud that they had repaid
everything. She was shocked to learn that Madame Forestier’s necklace was false and cheap. Mathilde
could repent only. But her repentance could neither bring back the ten years lost in hard labor nor recover
her loss of thirty six thousand francs.
(v) ‘All was ended for her’ ---
(i) Who does ‘her’ refer to ?
(ii) What were the things that ended for her ?
(iii) What were the changes that took place in her life ?
Ans. (i) ‘Her refers to Madame Loisel.
(ii) Both the enjoyment of the ball and the way of life changed for her. She had to now live a life of extreme
poverty.
(iii) The Loisels had to change houses – shifting to a cheaper house. Mathilde had to do all the housework
herself; the hard work aged her before her time. Her husband Monsieur Loisel had to work overtime to
repay their debts.
(vi) ‘My necklace was paste I’ – Bring out the irony of Madame Forestier’s remark. Ans. The irony of Madame Forestier’s remark was that her necklace was a fake but the Loisels replaced it with a
real diamond necklace of which their lives were completely ruined, the tragedy was that they hadn’t shared
the truth with Madame Forestier. They bore the sufferings with dignity and lived like paupers in order to
pay off the huge debt they had incurred in buying the real necklace. The tragedy was that if they had
shared the truth with Madame Forestier, all their misery could have been saved.
22.3 Long Answer Type Questions :
(i) Imagine you are Madame Loisel. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings on realizing that the ten years
of hard work and pain had been completely unnecessary and could have been avoided.
Ans. 19th December. 10.00 p.m. Wednesday.
I had curbed my vanity and hunger for admiration from men folk. But who does not want to be praised ? it
is a universal weakness of the fair sex. Secondly, I stood on a false point of honor or you may call it, an
inflated ego that checked me from revealing the true facts to my friend, Madame Forestier. I think if I had
made a clean breast of everything, admitted the loss, pleaded guilty of losing her necklace and asked time
for replacing it, she might have disclosed the truth then. The four words ‘my necklace was paste’ now
sounded as the blow of hammer on my temples. These very words would have sounded as the sweet music
of a violin then. One moment of wrong decision, the foolishness to hide the facts, Madame Forestier’s not
looking at the replacement – all conspired in one direction – hard work and pain. How rich, ecstatic and
enjoyable life would have been if I had not committed that one error. Now I can think and repent, but that
is not going to bring back my youth, beauty, joy. Let bygones be bygones. Perhaps destiny willed it so.
Thank God it’s all over.
(ii) Madame Forestier is shocked to learn about Madame Loisels sacrifice. She decided to return the necklace.
She writes about her friend’s sacrifice. Write the diary entry.
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Ans. 20 th December. 9.00 p.m. Thursday
Dear diary
I can just not get over the meeting with Mathilde ! was shocked to see her pathetic. And all because of me I
Oh, why didn’t she tell me about the necklace when she came to return it to me? Imagine living such a
hellish life for ten years ! My respect for Mathilde has gone up. I wonder whether I would have done the
same thing had I been in her place. I think not I am too used to my comforts. I must say Mathide’s husband
is a gem of a person to have supported her in such a way. Imagine slogging away after hours to prepay the
debts. He must really have Mathilde a lot to have given her all the savings he had to pay for the wretched
necklace. And to think I did not even know its true worth. All this, while I have thought it was just paste in
fact the other day I even let my little child to play with it !
No, I don’t think it belongs to me. I am going return it to Mathilde. It now belongs to her, I hope she accepts
it. I will not find any peace until I return it !
(iii) Suppose you are Madame Loisel. Make a diary entry writing down your own sorrow and grief after you
discovered that the diamond necklace was fake. Write your answer in not more than 150-175 words.
Ans. Tuesday, 29th September,200X
9.00 p.m.
What a waste of ten years I my beauty, my youth all gone I all this could have been avoided if only! Had
not fallen into temptation. My discontent and lure for glamour has ruined my life. I made Loisel also suffer.
He had to pay a heavy price for his love for me. I was always dissatisfied with our meager income. But for
the folly I committed, I had to waste all my life doing menial jobs to pay off the debts. We spent all our lives
slogging like slaves, trying to save every sou to pay for the diamond necklace – only to discover that it was
fake. How curel could destiny be with us ? I think my punishment is well deserved – when you aspire for
more than you land up where the clock cannot be turned back. All I can do is to be a good wife to Loisel
now onwards any try to live with contentment and peace. But, is it possible?
(iv) “Don’t aspire for more than you have, it will ruin you”. Does this seem to be the message of the story.
Explain
Ans. Mathilde, aspired for success wealth & glory by rising above the mundaneness of her ordinary married life
and finally brought herself to grief and destruction. It is her discontent and desire to show off which made
her borrow the diamond necklace from Madame Forestier. She was glamour struck. That’s why she
couldn’t sense the hollowness and artificiality beneath the material glitter. She was an instant success at the
ball. Her beauty, grace and dignity captured every one’s eye. She was intoxicated with joy. But soon as the
returned home to utter dismay and shock, she discovered that the diamond necklace was lost on the way.
Desperately, she and her husband made futile attempts to search for the necklace. Thinking the necklace to
be real the Loisels had to borrow eight eon thousand Francs to replace it. This brought them to complete
ruin. Mathilde worked like a domestic maid all her life to pay off the loan. Her over. He over ambition and
false aspirations caused distress and suffering to her all life.
(v) “How strange and changeful is life ! How small a thing is needed to make or ruin us!” Says Mathilde to
herself as she reflects on the change in her life after the loss of the Necklace. She confides to her friend,
Suzie, what would have happened if she had not lost that necklace. Suppose you are Mathilde Loisel Write
the letter.
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Ans. 169-E Cedar Avenue
Paris
28th September 200X
Dear Sue
You may think it unfair of me to burden you with my tale of sorrows and misfortunes, but under the
circumstances I have no happy tidings to share with you. Sometimes I wish that I had not lost the necklace.
Than life would have been entirely different. Mr. Loisel had eighteen thousand francs which his father had
left him. I could have taken up a minor but respectable assignment in some respectable firm to augment the
family resources. We might have acquired the flat whose first instalment we had already paid. I could then
go to fashionable parties and gatherings of notable persons and enjoy their company and compliments
instead of being forced to live in improveished conditions in a garret. I still look prematurely old, with a
hard face, red hands and rough hair. Gone are the sweet manners and polite words. Now I haggle with the
petty shopkeepers to save a sue. Sometimes their impertinence crosses limits and I have no option but to
curse myself. How I wish fate had not conspired against me and hit me hard at the supreme moment of
triumph and bliss !
But for this unexpected turn of events life would have been still enjoyable inspite of being bereft of
affluence. Now I am living as a poor domestic woman forced to undertake the unpleasant chores of routine
life, like cleaning the greasy post and pans, washing dirty dishes, clothes and floor etc. I think how careful I
was of my figure and personal appearance and would have been as pretty as you, if not prettier.
You can will judge my predicament. I have to write to you and dare not visit you for I am ashamed of my
shabby clothes and unbecoming appearance. I would have been an active member of the club if – if the
unfortunate occurrence had not occurred.
Yours sincerely
Mathilde
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. You are MADAME Forestier. Write a letter to you friend, Jane Andrews expressing your shock and surprise
at the way the Loisels suffered on account of your necklace.
2. Imagine that Mathilde is unhappy with her marriage. She writes a letter to her dearest friend, Rossie, how
unwillingly she married Mr. Loisel. Write this letter on her behalf.
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THE PENDULUM
Eng. L. – 23
23. 1 SUMMARY:
“The Pendulum” is the story of a couple who lived in Frogmore flats. John Perkins, who commuted to work
by train, got out at the eighty-first street station in Manhattan and walked slowly towards his flat. As he
walked home he was bored for he knew exactly how he was going to pass his evening. He had been
married to Katy for two years. Their life had settled into a definite routine and moved in a definite rut. It
never changed. His wife would greet him with a kiss at the door, she would smell of cream and butter-
scotch. Then he would take off his coat and settle down to read the newspaper. For dinner he would get pot
roast, a salad with sauce, stewed rhubarb, and strawberry marmalade.
At half-past seven, a man in the flat overhead would start vigorous physical exercises. They would spread
newspaper over the furniture to catch pieces of falling plaster. Exactly at eight, Hickey-Money of the
vaudivelle in the flat across the hall would very excitedly begin to overturn the chairs. Then a gentleman
across the airshaft would begin to play his flute. At quarter past eight, john would take courage and reach
for his hat, read to leave for a game or two of pool at McCloskey’s. his wife would ask complaininolv where
he was going. He would return at ten or eleven and find Kat asleep or waiting or waiting to have a fight
with him. This had been going on for the past two years and he did not expect any change in that routine.
one night when john Perkins reached his flat, there was a great change. The situation was totally different.
Katy was not there at the door to greet him with her affectionate kiss; the three rooms were in disorder with
things lying scattered here and there. Shoes lay in the middle of the floor. Tongs, hair-brows, comb, powder
box, red apron etc. also lay jumbled together on the dresser and the chair. The things revealed that there
had occurred some unusual hurry as Katy always put things where they belonged. John Perkins found a
note which read that she had received a telegram that her mother was very sick, so she had taken the 4.30
train and gone to see her.
It was the first time that Perkins and Katy had been separated since their marriage and Perkins felt
orphaned. Katy’s things lay scattered here and there. Everything in the room spoke of a loss, of an essence
gone, of the soul and life departed. He stood there with a strange of desolation. He had never thought what
life would be without Katy. Then he took the cold mutton out of the ice box and had a lonely meal. He felt
tempted to go out. The night was his. He would enjoy his bachelorhood as best as he could. Now there was
no fear of Katy.
While perking like this, he realized that Katy was essential to his happiness. Now he felt guilty for having
treated Katy the way he had. He was sorry that he was playing pool with his friends while kitty suffered
from loneliness at home and nothing to amuse her. He realized how hard she had been working for his
happiness. He was filled with remorse and resolved to make up for his neglect. He would take Katy out
and let her see some amusement when she came back. He wouldn’t go to McCloskey’s from that evening.
Just then the door opened and Katy walked in. john Perkins stared at her stupidity. Katy told him that her
mother was not seriously ill. She had taken ill for a short spill and got well soon. So she took the next train
back and now she was glad at home.
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Katy got busy to set everything in place and soon everything was in proper order. John perking looked at
the clock. It was 8.15. he reached for his hat and walked to the door. Katy was angry as usual and asked
him where he was going. Perkins replied that he would drop into McCloskey’s to play pool with his
fellows.
23.2 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) Comment on the opening of the story. What does the comparison reveal?
Ans. The story begins in a very interesting manner. The train conductor in his blue uniform is called a
shepherd in blue. The commuters are called’ a flock of citizen sheep’. The passengers who got down are
called ‘the released flock’. They scramble out and scrambled abroad.
(ii) ‘To-night john Perkins encountered a tremendous upheaval of the common place when he reached his
door’. What upheaval was Perkins faced with ? What was responsible for this extraordinary occurrence?
Ans. When perking returned home, he didn’t fined Katy, his wife. Also the room was in a mess. Katy had gone
to visit her mother who was sick. She had left her a note behind for Perkins with some instructions. Katy’s
things were lying all over the room in disorder. For Perkins it was unusual and unexpected.
(iii) John Perkins looked at the clock. It was 8.15: why is the time significant? Ans. The time 8.15 is very significant. John Perkins is quite punctual in his life and
work. He is leading a monotonous, dull life. His effort to add a little pleasure to it
has also become mechanical. He used to go to McCloskey every evening at the same time. He thinks about
his routine after looking at the watch. Thus it shows that he was a person with an unstable mind who
couldn’t stick to his resolutions even for a day.
(iv) What resolutions does Perkins make while tidying up his room ? Does he stick to these resolutions? Ans. As he tidied the room, he felt guilty for having treated Katy the way he had. He was sorry that he was
playing pool with his friends while Katy suffered from loneliness at home with nothing to amuse her. He
was filled with remorse and resolved to make up for his neglect. He decided to change himself and be
punctual in retuming home in future when his wife eventually returned. He would make up for all his
neglect. He would take Katy out and let her see some amusement when she came back. He wouldn’t go to
McCloskey’s from that evening. But as soon as Katy arrived in, Perkins relapsed to his former behavior. He
picks up his hat and walks to the door; ready for McCloskey’s to play a game of pool with his fellows.
(v) What is the greatest instance of irony in this lesson ?
Ans. The greatest irony is that john could have enjoyed himself in his wife’s absence without having to face her
anger yet he chose to stay back and mourn her going away. And when she returned he picked up his hat
and left, forgetting all his good resolution and intentions.
(vi) The relationship between the man and his wife has been described as being “like the air he breathed necessary, but scarcely noticed’. What is the literary device used here ? How does the device drive home
the meaning forcefully?
Ans. The author has used’ Simile’ to drive home the meaning forcefully. John Perkins realized Katy’s role in
his life only when she was away. She had become an intrinsic part of his life – fused and woven into the
pattern or incorporated intrinsically. Now she had vanished as if she had never existed.
He realized the keynote of his discomfort as he sat in parlour without Katy. His feeling for her had been
lulled into unconsciousness by the dull round of domesticity. It was the loss of her presence
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that sharply stirred the feeling that she was necasary to his happiness. The comparison makes the meaning
cleverer.
23.3 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) Describe the character sketch of Katy on the basis of your reading of the story, “The Pendulum”
Ans. Katy was a simple lady who was completely devoted to her husband and home. Though loving and caring,
she did not fully appreciate her husband john Perkins interests and likings. Like traditional housewives
who in the satiety of their married life grow complacent and indifferent to looks and lifestyle, Katy, too,
never made any special efforts to true Perkins through winsome manners or any other charming womanly
ways. Perkins resented the ‘butter-scotch flavored’ kiss that she showered upon him every evening on his
retum home. He hardly ever found the dinner tempting or inviting. Bored with the monotony of his
routine, he would leave for a game of pool at McCloskey’s at 8.15 every evening. She would question him
about in a querulous tone as she felt neglected and lonely but wouldn’t be able to express her needs and
feelings softly to him. However, she was a loyal wife and was fully sensitive to the fact that with the
constraints and hardness of his daily routine, Perkins wouldn’t be able to manage the household chores
without her. Therefore, she returned home the same day as soon as she got the news that her mother’s
condition was stable. Only a little more concern for each other’s tastes and needs would have filled their
with charm and sweetness.
(ii) Justify the title, “The Pendulum”
OR
Why has the lesson been called The Pendulum’? What are the features common to a pendulum and the
main character of the story—Mr. John Perkins Given character sketch of Mr. John Perkins.
Ans. It has been so called because the main character of the story, john Perkins, is a person who is fickle-minded
and one changes his stand very easily. Just like a pendulum that never stays in one place this man changes
his mind depending on the situation. For instance in the story we see that when his wife goes away to visit
her sick mother he is so shaken that he realizes that he had been neglecting her by going out every evening.
In the process annoying her. He decides to make amends and pay more attention to her. Yet the moment
she returns, he forgets all his good intention and leaves the house to spend the evening playing pool with
his friends as usual.
(iii) Write a diary entry on behalf of Katy after she returned from her mother’s house. Ans. 12th July 200X
Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.
What a day! It started off with mother’s urgent telegram. It frightened the daylights out of me. It also left
me thoroughly confused because I did not even have the opportunity of consulting john who was at work,
it was the first time that I was going out of the housed without his knowledge or without him. I was
hoping it wasn’t her quinsy again because that would have meant a lot of care and hence a longer absence
from home. But thank God she recovered sooner than I expected. So I took the next train back home.
I had expected a cup of coffee on returning home. Of course that was wishful thinking because the moment
I returned john picked up his hat and went out to meet his friends as usual. Really, the man has lost all the
feelings ha once had for me. He did not even miss me. His face was as emotionless as usual. He hardly
spends time with me these with me these days. He doesn’t even take me anywhere. I really wonder why I
love him so much and take care of all his needs. He really upsets me so much at times.
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(iv) Katy and john visit the Marriage Counselor who gives them some advice. Write out the advice given by the
consider
Ans. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, I have been listening to your problems. I would like to point out that you are
not the first couple to face problems so please don’t lose heart. Even the best of marriages have to face ups
and downs. It is all a matter of adjusting to one another’s needs. However I have some suggestions for both
of you which I’m sure will not require much effort.
Firstly, Mr. Perkins you will have to stop going out ever night. You must realize that as a married man you
have some responsibilities towards your wife. You must make it a point to take your wife out more often
and buy her small gifts to make her feel loved and appreciated. You should spend more time with her at
home also and help her with the household chores. A cup of coffee prepared for her once in a while will
work wonders for your marriage. You have to be more caring and loving towards Katy.
As for you Mrs. Perkins, you cannot look untidy all the time. You should also keep the house spic and span.
Also please change the cream you use since it irritates your husband so much.
I am quite sure that if you follow my suggestions you will once again discover the love that you once felt
for one another.
(v) Imagine you are john Perkins. Make a diary entry recording how much you felt when Katy left home. Also
mention the resolution you made it make her happy.
Ans. Wednesday
12th July 200X 7.30 p.m.
Today I realized what place Katy holds in my life. I have always taken her for granted.. after coming home,
I find everything so desolate. Without her the room seems to have lost its soul. How efficiently she runs the
house. Everything is in apple-pie order when she is present. Every evening she waits eagerly for my arrival.
But how ungrateful creature I am I I don’t relish even the dinner she prepares so painstakingly for me. I
care for my amusement only. I never take her out. Rather much to her annoyance, I leave her alone and go
out to play at McCloskey’s. I have realized my brutish behavior. I have neglected her. Now I’ll be more
caring and loving towards her. I’ll take her out and make her happy as I can. I’ll stop going to McCloskey’s
and spend the evening with her. I’ll help her in her household chores. I have realized that she is the essence
of my life. I really miss her a lot. It is never too late to mend and make amends. I’ll many a new beginning.
When she returns back, she ‘ll find me a different person—loving , sharing and caring.
PRACTICE EXARCISE
1. Imagine you are Katy. Your elder sister has asked you how you have been passing your married life with
john Perkins. Write a letter to your sister relating your feelings, aspirations and failures.
2. A friend of Perkins comes to know that Perkins does not have very good relations with his wife Katy and
he spends most of his time away from home. He has written a letter to Perkins. Write a reply to that letter.
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MIRABAI
ENG. L. – 24
24.1 SUMMARY:
This drama is about Mirabai’s love for Krishna & is legendary in Indian history. An ardent devotee of Lord
Krishna, she sacrificed her worldly life for her love for him. In fact, she regarded him as her spiritual
husband since childhood, though she was married to Bhojraj, the son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. The play
deals with Mirabai’s relationship with her husband and her mother-in-law. As the wife of Bhojraj, she was
supposed to live according to the standards of the royal family.
Bhojraj and Rani, Rana Saga’s wife, have come to complain to the Rana about Mirabai’s behaviour. Bhojraj
is unhappy with his newly-wed as she gives more time to worship and prayer and shirks her duties
towards him. The Rana is angry at this situation and Rani, who is jealous of Mirabai’s beauty and her
importance in her son’s life, adds fuel to the fire. Jaimall, Mirabai’s cousin, pleads for Mirabai but the Rani
resents it and turns him out of the family discussion. Another fact that aggravates the Rain’s wrath is
Mirabai’s devotion for Lord Krishna. She says that even on her wedding day Mirabai had brought shame to
the royal house of Mewar as she had walked three times round the image of Lord Krishna.
She insists that Mirabai worship Durga, the family deity. Mirabai is called for and Rana expresses his
unhappiness over the unfortunate situation in the palace and insists that she worship Durga instead of
Krishna. Mirabai tells the Rana that it would mean death to her if she did not worship Lord Krishna.
But the Rana turns a deaf ear to all her pleadings. He advises her to mix with the women of the palace, play
with children, and even offers to buy her some jewellery if she stops worshipping Krishna and dismisses
her from his presence. Before she leaves the room, Mirabai informs the Rana that she would give up her life
rather than give up her worship of her beloved Lord Krishna.
Mirabai’s nurse, and her companion Sanjogta, feel that the atmosphere in the palace is ‘heavy’ and
ominous. They feel that the Rani was upto some mischief as she hates Mirabai. Mirabai has no friends in the
palace and so Sanjogta prepares food for her, herself. The nurse, feeling that Mirabai’s faith is responsible
for her misfortune, advises Mirabai to pretend that she has forsaken Krishna Mirabai refuses to do so. Then,
a maid from the Rani enters, pretending to have a message to deliver. She has, in fact, come to spy on
Mirabai. It is the Rani’s trick to test Mirabai. Later Chamamrit is sent to her by the Rana and she is asked to
drink it. In spite of the nurse’s warning and Sanjogta cry. Mirabai insists that she would meet her death
with courage. Chanting a song with mystic fevour in honour of Lord Krishna, Mirabai holds the cup in her
hand and drinks the Chamamrit
24.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION :
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow :
1. ‘If I’ d defied my husband’s mother, I should have felt her hand heavy upon me, though my blood was
seven times royal. But I was docile and sought to please, often I wept myself to sleep.’
(i) Who is ‘I’ here ? What makes her say the above lines ?
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(ii) Who is ‘her’ in the second line ? what would she have done to the speaker in case she defled her ?
(iii) What quality of Mirabai is the speaker trying to emphasize ? Ans. (i) ‘I; here is the Rani. She is complaining to the Rana about Mirabai’s behaviour. She says that she had
always been docile and obedient to her mother-in-law’s wishes whereas Mirabai flouts her authority
openly.
(ii) ‘her’ in the second line is the Rani’s mother-in-law. Rana Sanga’s mother. In case the Rani defied her
she would hit the Rani.
(iii) She is trying to imply that Mirabai may appear to be gentle and simple but she is obstinate.
2. ‘Have you forgotten how on her very wedding day she walked three times around it, as if she were
devoted to the service of the temple ? it was shocking; my very ears burned hot with sham.’
(i) Who is speaker ?
(ii) What was shocking for the speaker ?
(iii) Why was it shocking for her ?
(iv) Why did Mirabai walk around the idol ?
Ans. (i) The Rani is the speaker.
(ii) Mirabai walking thrice around the deity of Lord Krishna on her wedding day.
(iii) She thought that Mirabai’s action had brought disgrace to the family honour because it almost seemed
as if she was marrying the idol.
(iv) Mirabai was devoted to Lord Krishna. Even as a child she loved the idol, instead
Of toys like other children.
3. ‘Rana Sanga (taken aback) : What, by your own hand?’
(i) Why was the Rana taken aback ?
(ii) What was Mirabai’s reply to the above lines?
(iii) What trait of Mirabai’s character is seen in this lines?
Ans . (i) When Rana Sanga tells Mirabai to put away the idol of lord Krishna and to pray to
Durga. The family deity of Mewar. Mirabai replies that she would die if she gave up
worshipping lord Krishna. This reply shock Rana Sanga and he exclaims in shock and
horror whether she intends committing suicide.
(ii) Mirabai replied that she would not commit suicide but if she was made to give
up her worship of Krishna, she would die of grief.
(iii) Mirabai’s reply shows her strong faith and devotion to Krishna and her firm
determination to carry on worshipping him in spite of all odds.
4. ‘Only royalty may support the burden of royalty.’
(i) Who speaks this line and to whom?
(ii) What is the occasion or context?
(iii) What two qualities of Mirabai are reflected in this line?
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Ans. (i) Mirabai speaks to Sanjogta.
(ii) The Rana had sent a cup of Chamamrit for Mirabai’s companion and her nurse
suspected that it contained poison, so Sanjogta insists that she would drink it instead.
(iii) Mirabai’s fearlessness and her willingness to carry out her duty even if it meant
embracing death Her firmness of purpose. She is willing to die rather then give
up her faith.
5. ‘Her sweet blood is so pure that Death, who lurked inside the cup, has shun away ashamed.’
(i) Who speaks these lines and about whom?
(ii) What has happened to death?
(iii) What quality of Mirabai is revealed by her drinking the Charnamrit?
Ans. (i) The nurse speaks these about Mirabai.
(ii) Death here refer to the poison present in the Charnamrit. Which Mirabai was to drink.
According to her maid. the poison had failed to effect Mirabai because of her pure heart.
(iii) Her faith and devotion to Lord Krishna even in the face of death and her fearlessness.
6. hush ! your mother slipped, that’s all, when saying, ‘See thy bridegroom’.
(i) Who speaks these lines and to whom?
(ii) What light dose this speech throw on the character of the person who is addressed?
(iii) What are the consequences of the ‘slip’ in speech?
Ans. (i) The nurse speaks these lines to Mirabai.
(ii) Mirabai is a devotee of Lord Krishna. When she was a child of six her mother dedicated
her to Lord Krishna She referred to him as her “bridegroom” then.
(iii) In her father-in-law’s house, Mira has to pay for worshipping Lord Krishna. The Rana
Sends her a cup of poison. Mirabai willingly drinks this poisoned charnamrit but does
not die.
7. Her parents are to blame, giving her images when most children would have been at play.
(i) Who is speaking the above lines ? About whom is he speaking ?
(ii) What was the alleged fault of the parents blamed by the speaker? Was is really a fault.
Give reason.
(iii) Why does the speaker consider it a fault to be condemned? How would you justify
him?
Ans. (i) Rana Sanga is speaking the above lines about Mirabai and her parents.
(ii) The alleged fault of the parents to earn blame was to give her the images of Lord Krishna
At very early age. This made her devoted to the Lord but detached her from worldly
matters. Really it was not a fault. Devotion was God given gift to her.
(iii) The speaker is worried about his son’s wedded life. Being devoted to Lord Krishna,
Mirabai does not take any interest in her husband and other worldly affairs. This is a
Matter of concern for the Rana. So he justifiably considers it to be a fault.
8. His birth excuses pride. He is the bravest of the brave race of Mar war; his place is on my right hand. Also,
the boy is loyal, the first of the swords of Maru.
(i) Who speaks these lines and to whom?
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(ii) Who is the boy? What has happened to him ?
(iii) What two qualities of his character are mentioned her ?
Ans. Rana Sanga speaks these lines to the Rani.
(i) Who speaks these lines to the Rani.
(ii) ‘The boy’ is Jaimall. He has been turned out disgracefully from the family conversation of Rana Sanga.
(iii) He is brave and loyal.
9. You are beside yourself. Leaves me, but let me here no more of this defiance. My mind is heavy with the
affairs of state. I need no other source of sorrow.
(i) Who speaks these lines and to whom?
(ii) What do you learn about the speaker’s mood from these lines?
(iii) What two pieces of advice are offered by the speaker?
Ans. (i) Rana Sanga speaks these lines to Mirabai.
(ii) Rana Sanga, the speaker is upset because of Mirabai. He is already burdened with the worries of the
state. He does not want to here of any disobedience by Mirabai.
(iii) The two main pieces of advice offered by Rana Sanga to Mirabai are :
(i) Being a Rajputni, she should put away the sickly habit and (ii) She should bear sons who might defend
Chittor against its enemies.
10. Our destinies have been written long ago. Our going forth or turning back is of such small account in that
great sum set by the gods of which the answer is hidden from us.
(i) Who speaks these line and to whom? What makes the speaker say so?
(ii) What do these lines imply indirectly about the speaker’s nature and outlook?
(iii) Does the listener understand the import of such a statement? What does she
say about it ?
Ans. (i) Mirabai speaks these lines to the nurse in response to the remarks made by the
nurse earlier when she cursed the day the two had set out for Mewar.
(ii) These lines imply that the speaker is religious by nature and has full faith in the
dispensation of God.
(iii) The listener i. e. the nurse, does not understand the import of such a statement.
She simply says that understanding such ideas is beyond her age.
11. I paid in full, weighed to the utmost grain, My love, my life, my self soul , my all.’
(i) Who speaks these line and on what occasion?
(ii) What is paid in full?
(iii) Who is my love, my life, my soul , my all’? Why?
Ans. (i) Mirabai chants these lines as she holds in her hands the cup of poison sent to
her in the form of Chamamrit.
(ii) Mirabai pays in full the greatest price of her extreme love for Lord Krishna.
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(iii) Mirabai is dedicated and devout worshipper of Lord Krishna. She loves him more than anything else in
the world. For her, Krishna is everything. He is ‘her love’, ‘life, ’self’ ,’soul’ and ‘all’
24.3 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) ‘…………I ll tales have reached my ears of your behaviour since you became a
daughter of our house, ’says Rana . what has he heard about her?
Ans. Rana Sanga had heard about the ugly situation created in the place due to the
following reasons:
• Mirabai worships Lord Krishna and not the family deity goddess Durga.
• She fails to discharge her duties as a wife. Instead, she spends her time writing
Verses and is often found in prayer with the priests.
• Above all, she has disobeyed the Rani. She is obstinate and hard as granite and
disrespectful towards the Rani.
(ii) When Sanjogta says, The clouds are heavy. There is thunder in the air’, the nurse replies,’
Inside the palace and out’. Explain.
Ans. Sanjogta meant the clouds and the thunder outside, the natural phenomenon, but the
nurse meant to say that the atmosphere inside the palace was also equally stormy. The
air was tense. There was trouble brewing with the Rana and Rani on one side and
Mirabai on the other. She realized that the Rani and the others were conspiring to harm
Mirabai.
(iii) “One’s faith is one ‘s own” In the light of this statement, comment upon Mirabai’s
Devotion to Lord Krishna.
Ans. This remark is made by Mirabai to Rana Sanga when the latter tried to dissuade her from worshipping lord
Krishna. He reminded her to worship goddess Durga who was the family deity. Mirabai had been devoted to the
worship of Lord Krishna since her childhood. So strong was her faith that he drank the poisoned Charnamrit
without any fear. All her time was spent in praying, writing and singing devotional songs only.
24.3 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
(i) Write a character sketch of Mirabai giving incidents from the text that reveal her character.
Ans. Mirabai was a very religious person. She spent her time in prayer and in writing devotional verses in praise
of Lord Krishna. She is also a private person and feels that ‘one’s own’. She was courageous and did se
courage while facing the Rana. She was prepared to be killed rather then yield to the Rana’s order to stop
worshipping Krishna. Mirabai also across as a determined person. Despite opposition, and a threat to her
life, she was not willing to give up her worship of Lord Krishna. She has faith in the rightness of her
devotion. This drink gives her the strength of mind to drink the Chamamrit even though she realizes it may
be poisoned. She is an innocent, guileless person. According to her nurse, her bosom is pure like a white
lotus. She bears no ill-will against anyone. Open and straightforward Mirabai dismisses her nurse’s plea
that she hide her faith and act as if she had repented. Mirabai had a strong belief in destiny. She had full
faith In the justice to be dispensed by the Almighty and gladly drank the poisoned Chamamrit. Despite
living in a hostile world, Mirabai is cheerful and gentle Even when the Rani sends her maid to spy on her.
Mirabai does not lose her temper.
(ii) What is Rana Sanga’s attitude towards Mirabai ?
Ans. In the beginning ‘Rana Sanga is not unsympathetic towards Mirabai. He does not see any fault in her
devotion to Lord Krishna as long as she does not neglect her duties as a wife. He finds her quite gentle. It is
only when the ‘Rani poisons his ears that he changes his altitude towards her. He summons her to his
presence and tries to reason with her and advise her. He even tries to bribe her
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Into changing her ways by offering her jewellery Only when she is adamant in her refusal to give up her
faith that he loses his temper and accuses her of defying his orders.
(iii) Attempt three chief qualities of the Rani as a mother-in-law.
Ans. The Rani is a shrewd woman. She has jealousy towards Mirabai. She incites Rana Sanga, her husband,
against Mirabai. She complains that Mirabai worships Krishna . she does not worship Durga, who is the
goddess of the house. She even tell a lie to poison the ears of the Rana. She says that Mirabai disobeys her.
The Rani is not a courageous or brave woman. She cannot face Mirabai, so she retires before Mirabai comes
to see the Rana. She sets spies on Mirabai and wants to harm her. She has evil designs against Mirabai.
Ultimately she succeeds in sending a cup of poison to Mirabai in the name of Charnamrti.
(iv) What sort of life, according to the nurse, is Mirabai Leading in the palace?
Or
Mirabai says to the servant of the Rani that she is “………in a strange land” and is “little
better then a captive” Explain her statement.
Ans . Mirabai is leading a lonely life in the palace. The nurse says that the Rani hates Mirabai and is envious of her
beauty. Out of jealousy, the Rani dislikes Mirabai and poisons the ears of the Rana against her. She sets spies on
Mirabai. The atmosphere is so vicious that even the servant of the palace will be glad if some harm comes to
Mirabai. She is a prisoner in her rooms. Sanjogta and of a captive.
(v) Why does Rana angry with Mirabai? How did he advise her to get out of her devotion of Krishna ?
Ans. Rani being a crafty and spiteful woman kept inciting Rana against Mirabai. She accused Mirabai of defying
her orders and neglecting her wedded duties. Provoked and incited, Rana sent for Mirabai and asked her to
worship Durga instead of Krishna. He advised her to mix with the ladies of the house and take pleasure in
trinkets and other worldly possessions. According to him, she had made herself sick with too much
brooding. He offered to get her a necklace of rare stones and advised her to spend her time in bringing up
her sons well as they were the future of Chittor.
(vi) Imagine that you are a drama critic. Write a review of the dramatization.
Ans. The play ‘Mirabai’ deals with the life of a young princess Mira when she comes in the palace of the Rana of
Mewar as a wife of Bhojraj, the king’s son. It is fine dramatization of the treatment meted out to Mira in her
new home. Almost all the characters have lived up to their role. The whole scene proves an excellent
picturisation of the palace vis-à-vis Mirabai’s sincere devotion to Lord Krishna. The roles, language and
dialogues are apt, concise and illustrative. All these help build up the atmosphere of the play.
The dramatization is beautifully organized on the stage to produce the desired effects. The characters by
their entrances, exists, props etc. make it a coherent whole with exact expressions on their faces suiting the
ups and downs of their surcharged emotions.
The music has been blended suitably with various stages of the play that it seems to be their integral part.
The costumes are in full agreement with the period with which the play deals.
The rendering of the play is flawless, and almost near perfection. It depicts the nuarices of a play. The
heightened glory is revealed in Mirabai’s taking the ‘Charnamrti’ and drinking it in her humble service to
her master, Lord Krishna. The suspense builds up and the climax reached. The audience are enthralled and
transported to a bygone era. Mira pays in full the price of being devoted it Krishna. The lord saves his
devotee. The poison has no adverse effect on Mira. The ending thrills and excites the spectators.
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THE BISHOP’S CANDLESTICKS
Eng. L – 25
25.1 SUMMARY
This play is about how a Bishop brings transformation in a convict. The play is set in the house of the Bishop on a cold winter night. On the mantelpiece are two handsome candlesticks quite out of place with the plain furnishings of the room. Marie, the maidservant, is busy stirring the soup on the fire and Persome, the Bishop’s sister is laying the table and keeping an eye on the soup being cooked by Marie. Persome is worried as it is already past 11’o clock and her brother has not yet returned. She wonders where her brother, the Bishop, was at that late hour. She asks Marie if there is any message. Marie tells her that the Bishop has gone to see her ailing mother. This angers Persome who feels that most people take advantage of her simple brother who is always eager to help the poor and the needy. While the table is being laid for dinner, Persome asks Marie if she has placed the salt cellars on the table. Marie tells her that the Bishop had sold the salt cellars to pay the house rent of Mere Gringoire who was being troubled by the bailiff. Persome curses the old lady for taking advantage of her brother, lamenting that in this way the Bishop, who has already sold many of his belongings to help others, would sell everything. The bishop enters the cottage and informs Marie that her mother was better. He gives her his comforter and asks her to go home since it was very cold. Persome, who has been crying, gets very angry with the Bishop. When Marie leaves, she tells him that people lie to him get help from him. The Bishop regrets that there is so much suffering in the world and so little he can do. To show her anger and resentment over his selling her salt cellars, Persome taunts the Bishop that one day he would sell the candlesticks also. The Bishop assures her that he would never sell the candlesticks, as they were given to him by his dying mother and are a token other memory. However, in the next breath he feels bad to set such store by them. As it is midnight, Persome goes off to bed and the Bishop sits down to read. Suddenly. a runaway convict with a long knife in his hand enters the room. He threatens to kill the Bishop if he tries to call out, and demands food. The Bishop greets him lovingly and assures him that he shall have food. He called Persome to open the cupboard. Persome is scared to see the convict with the knife in his hand but the Bishop consoles her and takes the keys of the cupboard from her. He then serves the convict cold pie, wine, and bread. After having his fill, the convict feels relaxed. He tells the Bishop he has lived in Hell for ten years. He narrates the circumstances under which he was imprisoned. Once he, too, had a lovely wife and a home. His wife, Jeanette, was ill and dying and there was no food. He could not get work. So he stole money to buy food for her. He was caught and sentenced to ten years in prison. The jailor told him that his wife had died the night he was sentenced. He recounts his sufferings in the prison and says that one day when the jailers forgot to chain him, he escaped. They took away his name and only gave him a number. After his escape from prison, he had been wandering from pillar to post without food and shelter, pursued by the gendarmes. The Bishop is moved on hearing his story. He consoles the convict and tells him that although he has
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Suffered a great deal yet there was hope for him. Then he asks the convict to sleep in his room and assures
him that no harm would come to him. Saying this, the Bishop goes inside to bring him a coverlet. The
convict happens to see the candlesticks on the mantelpiece. He takes them down and finds that they’re
quite heavy and made of pure silver. On his return the Bishop finds the candlesticks in the convict’s hands.
He tells the convict that they’re a parting gift from his mother. He bids the convict goodnight and goes to
sleep.
‘The convict decides to steal the candlesticks and use them to start a new life. He does think of the Bishop’s
kindness but hardens his heart, stuffs the candlesticks in his pocket, and escapes.
Persome wakes up on hearing the noise and rushes downstairs. She finds the candlesticks missing and
raises a hue and cry. She wakes up the Bishop and informs him of the theft. The Bishop regrets the loss of
the candlesticks but refuses to call in the police, as he doesn’t want the convict to be sent back to the prison
once again to suffer.
Just then a sergeant enters the cottage with the convict led by three constables. He tells the Bishop of the
circumstances under which he caught the thief. He had been moving along the roads suspiciously. On
searching him they found the candlesticks on his person. The sergeant remembered that they belonged to
the Bishop so he arrested the thief and bought him there.
The Bishop tells the sergeant that the gentleman he had brought was his good friend and he, himself, had
given the candlesticks to him the previous night. The sergeant finds it difficult to accept this explanation.
However, he releases the prisoner and goes out;
The convict is now a changed man. He is overwt, elmed with remorse. He begs forgiveness from the
Bishop. The Bishop has made him feel that he was a man again and not a beast. He asks his permission to
go to Paris. The Bishop gives him the candlesticks saying that they might help him and tells him of a safe
route to Paris. As a parting advice, he tells the convict to remember that the body was the Temple of the
Living God.
The convict assures him he would remember that all his life.
25.2 CHARACTERS:
25.2 (i) The Bishop:
The Bishop is a loving and self-sacrificing person. The people in the parish send for him whenever they are
in trouble and he rushes to their aid in all kinds of weather unmindful of his personal cornfort. So much so
that he has sold all his possessions except for a pair of silver candlesticks given to him by his dying mother
to help the poor. His sister Persome says. ‘His estate is sold his savings have gone. His furniture
everything. Were it not for my little dot we should starvel’
The Bishop is a caring person and he wraps his comforter around Marie when she is about to go out into
the cold night air.
The Bishop’s innocence and naiveté often earns for him the anger of his sister: Persome. But he gently
remarks. ‘if people like to me they are poorer not I :
Being a compassionate man the Bishop is heard lamenting. There is so much suffering in the would, and I
can do so very little.
He is kind generous towards the convict. The convict enters his house stealthily threatens him with a knife
and after receiving food and hospitality from the Bishop. Steals his candlesticks. But when the gendarmes
bring him back to the Bishop’s house the Bishop claims he has given the candlesticks to the convict. It is his
compassion that changes the convict.
The Bishop is also a deeply religious and pious man. He advises the convict to lead a good life as ‘this poor
body is the Temple of the Living God’.
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25.2 (ii) PERSOME:
PERSOME THE Bishop’s sister. Is a short-tempered person. She rebukes Marle and calls her a nincompoop.
She seems to be hard and unfeeling and is angry when the Bishop puts his cornforter around Marie before
she goes out into the cold night.
A haughty woman. Persome is angry with old Mere Gringoire and calls her an old witch. Mere Gringoire,
too, is afraid of her temper.
She loves her brother to a fault and is very protective of him. She feels people take advantage of his
goodness of heart and abuse his generosity.
She worries about him when he is out late. Most of her faults are born out of her love and concern for her
brother.
Being a timid person, Persome is afraid of the convict, but at her brothers bidding she gives him food.
Persome is a materialistic person. She is upset with brother for selling the silver salt cellars and as soon as
she discovers the candlesticks are missi9ng, she wishes to inform the police.
25.3 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION:
Read the extracts given below and answer the following questions:
1. Persome:’Monseigneur the bishop is a ………….. aheml’
(i) Why does Persome not complete the sentence?
(ii) Why is she angry with the Bishop?
(iii) What is persome’s attitude towards her brother? Why?
Ans. (i) Persome is angry with the Bishop and is about to say something rude and derogatory about him in
anger. She then thinks better of it as she does not wish to insult him in his absence in front of Marie. So she
checks herself.
(ii) Persome is angry with the Bishop as he, has sold her silver saltcellars without informing her to help
poor Mere Gringoire pay her rent. Persome feels that the old woman is taking advantage of the Bishop’s
kindness and his trusting nature.
(iii) Persome is protective towards her brother as she feels people take advantage of his generosity and
kindness.
2. ‘Oh. Mon Dieul it is hopeless. We shall have nothing left. His’ estate is sold, his savings have gone. His
furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot we should starvel And now my beautiful-beautiful (sod)
salt cellars. Ah, it is too much, too much.’
(i) Who speaks these lines ? Who is she speaking about ?
(ii) Why does the speaker say they will have nothing left ?
(iii) Why has he sold everything ?
(iv) What does ‘dot’ mean ?
Ans. (i) Persome says this about her brother, the Bishop.
(ii) they will have nothing left as the Bishop sells his belongings to give money to anyone who comes to him
for help. He has given away his saving and has sold his estate and even his furniture.
(iii) he has sold all he had to help the poor and needy people.
(iv) ‘Dot’ means the dowry that was given to her when she got married.
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3. Bishop : people lie of me they are poorer, not I ;
Persome : ‘But it is ridiculous; you will soon have nothing felt. You give away everything, everything,
everything’
Bishop : My dear, there is also much suffering in the world, and I can do little, so very little’.
(i) Why does Persome feel people lie to her brother ?
(ii) What two questions of the bishop are highlighted here ?
(iii) How does Persome differ from her brother ?
Ans. (i) she feels he is very simple and people take advantage of his goodness. They lie to him that they are in
need and take money from him.
(ii) The bishop is kind and generous to the poor and the needy. So much so that they take advantage of the
fact. He is easily deceived by the unscrupulous people who even lie to him for getting money from him. He
is also forgiving and bears no anger towards those who lie to him.
(iii) Persome is practical and down-to-earth. She can see though the people who would fool her brother
with their hard-luck stories.
4. ‘None of that my friend I’m too old a bird to be caught with chaff. You would ask your sister for the keys
would you? A likely story! You would rouse the house too. Eh ? He ! A good joke truly. Come where is the
food? Want no keys. I have a wolf inside me tearing at my entrails, tearing me,’
(i) Who is the speaker? Whom he is addressing ?
(ii) What makes him say ‘None of that my friend’?
(iii) Explain ‘I’ m too old a bird to be caught with chaff.
(iv) What does he mean when he says, ’I have a wolf inside me tearing at my entrails’?
5. ‘That was when I was a man a , now I am not a man, I am a number 15729, and I have lived in hell fourteen
years.
(i) When was he a man?
(ii) Give two reasons why the speaker feels he is no longer a man.
Ans.(i) He was a man ten years ago when he lived in a cottage with his wife. Jeanette.
(ii) The speaker was treated like an animal by the gaolers. He was chained up like a wild a wild animal. He
was whipped and was not given proper food to eat. He was covered with vermin, like lice, fleas etc. he was
made to sleep on hard boards and was not called by his name but by a number.
6. ‘Ah! I am a fool, a child to cry, but somehow you have made me feel that … that is just as if something had
come into me … as if were a man again and not a wild beast.’
(i) Why is the speaker crying?
(ii) What does he mean by ‘as if something had come into me’?
(iii) Who brought about the change in him? How?
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Ans. (i) The Bishop had been kind to the convict. He had him and given him a place to stay. But the speaker had
stolen from him. Yet when he was ‘caught and taken to the Bishop the letter said he had given the
candlesticks to the convict. This makes the convict realize his mistake and he cries.
(ii) The speaker is feeling a change in him because of the Bishop’s kindness. The goodness that had so long
lain dormant in him has once again been revived.
(iii) The Bishop, through his goodness and forgiveness brought about the change in him.
7. …but-but ! I don’t want to sell them. You see, dear, my mother gave them to me on-on her death-bed just
after you were born, and–and she asked me to keep them in remembrance of her, so I would like to keep
them; but perhaps it is a sin to set such store by them?
(i) Who speaks these words and to whom?
(ii) Identify ‘them’. Why is the speaker led to talk about ‘them’?
(iii) What is the Bishop’s attitude towards the candlesticks?
Ans. (i) The Bishop speaks these words to his sister, Persome.
(ii) ‘Them’ refers to the silver candlesticks of the Bishop. They are now the only valuable item left in the
house. Persome remarks that some day the Bishop would sell them to pay somebody’s rent. The Bishop
appreciates persome’s concem for the poor and begins to talk about the candlesticks.
(iii) (a) The Bishop loves them as a token of memory of his mother and would preserve them. He doesn’t
want to sell them.
(b) He considers it a sin to be4 so much attached to them.
8. Ah, you are admiring my candlesticks. I am proud of them. They were a gift from my mother. A little too
handsome for this poor cottage perhaps, but all I have to remind me of her. Your bed is ready. Will you lie
down now?
(i) Who speaks these words and to whom?
(ii) Why is the speaker led to utter these words?
(iii) What does the Bishop tell the convict about the candlesticks?
(iv) What does the Bishop do for the convict? What trait of the Bishop’s character does it reveal?
Ans. (i) The Bishop speaker these words to the convict.
(ii) The convict, left alone, sees the candlesticks, finds them made of silver and is tempted. He weighs them
in his hand.
(iii) He tells the convict that he is very proud of the candlesticks which were a gift from his mother, They
are a token of her memory although they are quite handsome for his poor cottage.
(iv) He makes bed for the convict, supplies him coverings and asks him to lie down. This shows that his
heart is full of the milk of kindness.
9. ‘I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.’
(i) Who speaks these words? Who is he speaking to?
(ii) Who is the person being spoken about?
(iii) Why did he wish to take her in?
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(iv) Why did she think her being ‘taken in’ might distress the person being spoken to?
Ans. (i) The Bishop speaks these words. He is speaking to his sister, Persome.
(ii) Mere Gringoire
(iii) He wished to take her in because she was bad-ridden
10. And have him sent back to prison, (very softly), sent back to Hell. No Persome. It is just punishment for me;
I set too great store by them. It was a sin. ‘My punishment is just, but oh ! God, it is hard, it is very hard.
(i) Who does (him’ refer to? What does the speaker not fevour ?
(ii) What ‘punishment’ is the speaker talking about?
(iii) How does the speaker react to this punishment?
Ans. (i) ‘Him’ refers to the convict. The speaker i.e. the Bishop is against reporting the theft of candlesticks to the
police. He does not fevour sending him back to ‘Hell’ i. e. the prison (ii) He is talking about the spiritual
punishment he has received on being separated from the candlesticks, which were a symbol of his mother’s
memory.
(iii) The Bishop think that he has been punished justly by God since he thought too much of the silver
candlesticks, which he being a man of God must not do. However, he finds it very hard to bear the
punishment.
11. yes, my friend. He did me the honour to sup with me to-night, and I-I have given him the candlesticks.
(i) Who speaks these line and to whom?
(ii) Who ‘is he’ here and how him?
(iii) How does the person spoken to react to this speech?
Ans.(i) The Bishop is speaking to the Sergeant who has brought the convict with him along with the
candlesticks.
(ii) ‘He’ here is the convict. The Bishop looks at him as a friend who took supper with him.
(iii) The Sergeant finds it difficult to believe in what the Bishop says.
25.4 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) Do you think the Bishop was right in salt-cellars? Why /Why/ Why ?
Ans. Yes, I think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars. He did so for a noble cause. He helped a poor old
woman pay her rent. If the Bishop had not done so, she would have been ejected out of the cottage and left
with no shelter.
(ii) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?
Ans. Persome feel that people pretend to be sick to get sympathy from the Bishop and force him to visit them,
pray for them, comfort and console them and sit with them even on dark chilly nights.
(iii) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause for her death?
Ans. Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She was ill. They had no food. Being out of work, the man could not
buy food or medicines for Jeanette. He tried to steal to get money to buy her food, but he was
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caught and sentenced to prison. Jeanette died the same night of starvation, illness,
Lack of attention and medicine.
(iv) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/Why not? Why is the convict
eager to reach Paris?
Ans. No, I don’t thing the punishment given to the convict was at all justified. His crime was a minor one. On the
other hand the punishment was to harsh and not all proportionate to the ‘enormity’ of the offence
The convict is eager to reach Paris because he will be lost there in the crowd of the big city. He will not be
identified or caught by the police again. He can begin a new life with the money obtained by selling the
candlesticks.
(v) Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?
Ans. The Bishop’s kindness and sympathetic treatment brought this transformation in the convict. The Bishop
this transformation in the convict. The Bishop told the sergeant that the man was his friend. He even told a
lie to save the convict from being sent to jail again. He said that he had himself given the candlestick to the
man. The convict was touched at this kindness of the Bishop. He told the man a short route to Paris and
gave him the candlesticks to start his life. The transformation from beast to man is now complete. The
convict sobs and seeks the Bishop’s blessings before leaving for Paris.
(vi) Why does the convict steal the Bishop’s candlesticks?
Ans. The Bishop serves the convict nicely. He offers him food and a bed to sleep on. Initially, the convict
hesitates when he thinks of the kind treatment given by Bishop. But his nature comes to the fore. He is
tempted to steal the candlesticks as he feels that would help him to start life in a new manner.
(vii) Why does the Bishop not inform the police of the theft of his candlestick?
Ans. The Bishop had heard how the convict had suffered in the hell i.e. the prison. He has seen how the harsh
treatment has transformed him into a hardened criminal-a beast. He does not want the criminal to be sent
back to Hell again. So he does not inform iii police of the theft of the candlesticks.
(viii) How did the Bishop bring a change in the heart of the convict?
OR
The Bishop makes the convict a man again. How ?
Ans. The Bishop treats the convict with love, sympathy and kindness. He offers him food. He listens to his story
of suffering. He feels pity for him. He saves him from being sent prison again. In the end. He gives him the
candlesticks to start a new life. The convicts heart is touched. The Bishop’s goodness makes him a man
again.
(ix) The convict says, ‘They have made me what I am, they have made me a thief.’ Explain the circumstances
that made the convict a thief.
Ans. Ten years ago, the convict lived in a small cottage with his wife. Jeanette. His wife seriously ill. At that time
the convict was without a job. Jeanette needed food and medicine. So he stole money to buy her food. He
was caught and sent to the prison ships. Here he was treated very badly. He was chained and lashed with
whips. He was treated, not as a human being but as an animal. His name and soul were taken away from
him. This inhuman treatment changed the man into a beast.
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25.5 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
(i) DESCRIBE THE FIRST ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE Bishop and the convict.
OR
Why does the convict enter the Bishop’s house ? How is he treated by the Bishop ?
Ans. It is about mid-night. The Bishop, who is along in his room, sits down to read. Just then a convict enters
stealthily. He has a long knife in his hand. He seizes the Bishop from behind and behind and threatens to
kill him if he calls out. The Bishop remains calm and asks the man if he can help him. The convict demands
food for he hasn’t eaten anything for three days. The kind Bishop takes pity on him and says that he will
ask his sister for the keys of the cupboard. Then he will give him food. He gets up to call Persome. The
convict stands behind the Bishop with his knife ready. Persome gives him the keys of the cupboard. The
Bishop serves the convict bread, cold pie and a bottle of wine.
(ii) Write a brief character-sketch of Persome?
Ans. Persome, the Bishop’s sister, is short-tempered, . she rebukes the maid. She is haughty, selfish and abusive.
She calls Marie a nincompoop, and Mere Gringoire an ‘old witch’. She seems an unfeeling lady. she does
not like it when the Bishop gives his comforter to Marie. She loves her brother deeply and looks after him.
She knows that her brother is innocent like a child. She is worried when he stays out at night. She is
attached to property and is pained at the loss of costly articles, furniture and estate. She is timid and feels
afraid of the convict. Being materialistic she want to inform the police when the candlesticks are stolen.
However she obeys the Bishop and remains silent. She serves food to the convict at the Bishop’s order.
(iii) What do you think are the situations that can be termed as the turning point in the convict’s life? Write the
changes you see in the convict’s attitude.
Ans. The convict is the product of the society he lived in both in terms of the suffering that led to him stealing a
loaf of bread and the excessive sentence he received as punishment for his ‘crime’. He went into prison for
stealing money to buy food for his sick wife and left it filled with despair, hopelessness:
Bitterness, and anger at the injustice of his treatment. He has also become accustomed to doing whatever is
necessary to survive and has little thought for dignity and principles…
(iv) The Convict goes to Paris, sells the silver candlesticks and starts a business. The business prospers and he
starts a reformatory for ex-convicts. He writes a letter to the Bishop telling him of this reformatory and
seeks his blessings. As the convict, Mike D’ Souza, write the letter to the Bishop.
Ans. Mike D’ Souza Reformatory
Paris
28 February 200X
Respected Father
You must be amazed to receive this letter from an ex-convict. I still remember the cold winter night
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when I entered your study with a long knife in my hand and demanded food like a hungry beast. Your
nobility, divine forgiveness ands sympathy awakened my lost soul and when I left you, I was a completely
transformed person. The meeting with you has proved tuming point in my life. I earned from business to
run this reformatory.
I know from my expectance that an ex-convict has to face many problems in getting food, shelter and
employment. He can’t even dream of getting social acceptability. I have started many trades in the
reformatory so that ex-convict could start with dignity by doing some useful work and earning money by
honest means. I’ll always remember your practical example and practice the various human virtues like
mercy, pity sympathy, fellow feeling, cooperation and tolerance. We have also arranged sermons by
religious / great men on weekends.
Recitals from scriptures are held regularly.
We would be grateful to you if you could honour us with your visit on the reformatory’s annual function
on 25 April 200X and bless the inmates. I always seek your blessings.
With abiding gratitude
Yours sincerely
Mike D’souza
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CONNECTORS
Eng. L. – 26
• Connectors are the words that are used to join or connect single words, phrases, clauses or sentences.
Words like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’ ,’ so’, ‘yet’, ‘still’ are connectors. E.g.
� Slow and steady wins the race.
� He is rich but unhappy.
Words like ‘though’, ‘although’, ‘while’, ‘whereas’, ‘neither’, ‘therefore’, ‘both’,
‘Only’ also come in this category.
• Connectors are used for various purposes. They are used for :
� Adding information
e.g. furthermore, in addition, moreover, and
� Expressing similarity
e.g. in the same way, similarly
� Expressing difference
e.g. while, whereas, but, instead, or
� Expressing purpose
e.g. so that, otherwise, in order to, in case, for
� Showing time
e.g. when, after, as soon as
E. g.
� Paul can’t walk very fast though he is very tall. (Concession expressed)
� Sandhya likes singing whereas / while her sister likes swimming. (contrast shown)
� The theatre was half empty as / because it was raining heavily. (Reason given)
� An accident happened where the public meeting was going on. (place mentioned)
� The firemen had not arrived when the fire was put out. (Time indicated)
� Sandra can sing as melodiously as any of her classmates. (Comparison made)
� You will feel comfortable if you open all the windows. (Condition to be fulfilled)
� It rained so hard that we could not go out in the evening. (Result given)
� My brother likes to study physics while I enjoy reading English. (contrast shown)
� She decided to take only two meals a day so that / in order that she could reduce her weight.
(Purpose expressed)
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PRACTICE EXERCISE
A. Join the sentence groups using suitable connectors.
1. he failed the exam. He had not studied.
2. I do not like milk. I do not like cheese
3. She is rich. She is humble.
4. He cannot swim. He can play tennis
5. I was bruised. I completed the race.
6. Sushil and Sushma are twins. They have different tastes.
7. Sam fractured his thing bone. He is in hospital.
8. We feel hungry. We go to the school cafeteria.
9. Niharika must submit her homework by tomorrow. The teacher will punish her otherwise.
10. The girls were studying. The boys were having a chalk fight.
B. The following passage needs to be edited. There in one error in each line against which you find a blank.
Write the incorrect word and the correction against the correct blank number.
Curves may have made a comeback worldwide, and it’s cocaine chic (a) ……………..
That’s yet got girls addicted in India. Young people like to go (b) ……………..
Out also they want to eat what their peers are eating at the (c) .........................
Junk food joints. Thus to compensate for the pizza and coke (d) ……………….
at dinner, they starve themselves thought the day. They know that
they are hurting themselves while short-term social acceptance (e)………………..
is preferable to long-term health gains. Chips or colas are fine, (f)…………………
Which they should be offered as a treat to children. (g)………………..
Healthy eating is the way to lose weight because staying fit, (h)………………..
But most adolescents take some convincing.
C. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and
the correction against the correct blank number.
Anamika’s favorite subject in school was Maths. She
Enjoyed solving problems, but was enthusiastic (a) ……………..
For new problems. And many of her friends (b) ……………..
Found Maths extremely difficult and until they thought it (c)......................
Was a difficult subject as they as they saw no point in working at it... (d) ……………….
Maths as a subject was least popular and many students (e)………………
Did not like it. Then Anamilka decided to help three of her friends (f)…………………
So she was a patient girl, she explained the concepts (g)………………..
One by one to them but they all thanked her for her assistance. (h)………………..
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D. In the following passage, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing with the missing word
along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it against the correct blank number.
Car tyres act as cushions for the wheels give the car (a) ……………..
A good grip on the
Road that it can be prevented from (b) ……………..
Skidding turning corner, or when the brakes (c) ........................
Are applied. A smooth tyres grips the road better even (d) ……………….
Racing cars are fitted with smooth tyres. Non-racing (e)………………..
Cars cannot move on smooth tyres the roads they (f)…………………
Move on are not always dry.
E. Fill in the blanks in the given passage with one word only.
Doctors praise adhesive bandages (a) ………..they keep wound clean,(b) …………….
Create a good environment for healing. They hold the skin together (c) ........................keep it moist (d)
………………they provided padding for the wound (e)………………..the only problem
is removing them, (f)…………………sometimes one has to even use one’s teeth to remove it.
F. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the
correction against the correct blank number.
The basis for borrowing or lending money is absolute honesty. (a) ……………..
Some people do not repay merely so they forget that they owe (b) ……………..
Money to others. We can’t refuse to help them however they are (c) .........................
Our friends. Since Punit comes to me very often he does not bring (d) ……………….
The book I have lent him. I suspect that neither he has forgotten (e)………………..
All about it and else he has given it to some friends of his (f)…………………
have not reminded him so far if I need the book badly (g)……………….
And will have to ask for it in a day or two. (h) ……………..
G. In the following passage, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along the word
that comes before and the word that comes after it against the correct blank number.
I went to buy a magnifying glass I wanted to study palmistry. (a) ……………..
I went to the counter asked the salesman to show me one (b) ……………..
Good piece. The shop had plain glasses not magnifying (c) .........................
Glasses. I was compelled to go to another shop. The shopkeeper (d) ……………….
Attended to me himself he was very busy. (e)………………..
He showed me one glass after another I didn’t approve (f)…………………
Any one. He felt irritated that he asked one of his assistants (g)……………….
To help me. The smart young man asked me plaint
Whether I wanted to buy one not (h) ……………..
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ANSWERS
A. 1.As 2. either-nor 3. Thought – yet 4. But5. even then 6.but 7. so 8. when9. else 10. whereas
B. (a)and but (b)yet still (c)also and (d)Thus so (e) while but (f) or and (g)which but (h)because while
C. (a) but and (b) And But (c) until as (d)as so (e) and so (f) Then But (g)so As (h) but and
D. (a) wheels and give (b) road so that (c) skidding while turning (d)better so then (e)tyres. But non-racing (f) tyres as the (g)which but (h) but and
E. (a)as/ because (b) and (c)and (d)so (e)but c (f) because/as
F. (a) or and (b) so because (c)however as (d)Since Although (e) neither either (f) and or (g) but and (h) if but
G. (a) glass as I (b) counter and asked (c) glasses but not (d)glasses. So I (e)himself although he (f) another but I (g)felt so irrited (h) one or not
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CAN NOT REMEMBER MY MOTHER
Eng. L. - 27
27.1 SUMMARY In this poem, Tagore has beautifully captured the emotions of a child who lost his mother in infancy and has
only a faith recollection of her now. He cannot remember what his mother looked like or any other specific details about her but there are certain things, which he associates with her, which remind him of her. The first thing he remembers about her is the tune of a song she used to hum while rocking his cradle. He is reminded of it when he sees his playthings. Similarly, the scent of the shiuli flowers bring his mother to his mind. Probably his mother may have worn them in her hair or plucked them to offer in the temple. The smell of the incense sticks that comes from the temple also reminds him of his mother who probably burnt them while praying. He, however, feels closest it his mother when he looks up at the sky and feels as if his mother was gazing down from the heavens, keeping a loving watch on him. All this makes the poem very moving and emotional.
27.2 TEXTUAL COMPREHENSION: Read the extracts given below and answer the question that follow each:
(i) I cannot remember my mother Only sometimes in the midst of my play A tune seems of hover over my playthings, The tune of some song that she used to Hum while rocking my cradle. (a) Why do you think that the poet does not remember his mother? (b) Where does the poet sense the tune? (c) What is ‘tune’ all about? (d) Explain: ‘seems to hover my plaything’.
Ans. (a) The poet probably lost his mother when he was rather young. So he cannot recollect her face. (b) The poet sense the tune hovering over his toys or plaything when he plays with them. (c) This ‘tune’ is actually about his mother. It is of the song she used to hum while rocking the cradle. (d) The poet doesn’t remember his mother, as probably he was just an infant when she died. How-ever, a tune haunts him when he plays with his toys, etc. which was probably a song sung by his mother while rocking his cradle.
(ii) But when in the early autumn morning The smell of shiuli flowers floats in the air The scent of the morning service in the temple Comes to me as the scent of my mother.
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(a) When does the poet remember his mother? How is he reminded? (b) What do you think the poet’s mother did with the shiuli flowers? (c) Explain:’ the scent of the morning services in the temple’.
Ans.(a)The poet remembers his mothering the early autumn. Shiuli flowers grow in autumn. Their fragrance reminds the poet of his mother. (b) She offered them in prayer in the morning service in the temple or wore them in her hair. (c) The fragrance of the shiuli flowers and of the incense burnt in the temple.
(iii) I cannot remember my mother
Only when from my bedroom window I send My eyes into the blue of the distant sky, I feel that the stillness of my mother’s gaze on my face Has spread all over the sky.
(a) Where does the poet look from the window / (b) Why does the poet compare the mother’s gaze to the clear sky ? (c) How does the poet recollect his mother while looking into the distant sky ? Ans.(a) The poet looks into the distant blue sky from his bedroom window. (b) On a clear day when the sky is peaceful and serene, the poet feels the presence of his mother and
imagines that she is gazing down lovingly at him. He sees the same quality of stillness and peace in the clear sky. (c) The poet recollects his mother through her silent gaze over his face and then spreading over the distant blue sky.
27.3 TEXTUAL QUESTIONS:
(i) Where, when and how does the poet feel the presence of his mother? Ans. The poet feels the presence of his mother almost in whatever he does. When he plays with his toys he feels a
tune hover over them. This tune is of a song that his mother used to sing while she cradled him. When it is the early autumn morning, the smell of shiuli flowers in the air. The scent of the morning service in the temple comes to him. This ‘scent’ is of his mother. When he looks outside through his bedroom window, he feels the silent gaze of his mother on his face. He feels this has spread all over the sky.
(ii) What impression of the poet’s mother do you from? How? Ans. The poet can’t remember exactly what his mother was like. However, he feels her in almost everything that
he does. From this we can infer that the poet’s mother used to love the poet greatly. She used to cradle him to sleep when he was an infant. Secondly, she was a religious lady. She used to offer her prayers in the temple with shiuli flowers. His mother used to be a loving, understanding and kind-hearted woman. The poet feels that she is not dead. But she live in almost everything that belongs to the poet. She is always with him. She hovers over his plaything and toys everytime.
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THE WOMAN PLATROM – 8
28.1 SUMMARY: In the story’ The Woman of Platform-8’. Arun is a school boy, who is waiting for a train on platform no-8 , at Ambala station. The story narrates how even strangers may prove more helpful and caring than those know to us. Arun is befriended and taken care of by a stranger woman while his own friend’s mother neglects and behaves rudely to him. It is late in the evening. Arun is waiting at platform no-8. a woman dressed in white saree approaches him. Though suspicious of her intention at first, Arun feels compelled to go with her because of her aura of calm dignity and simplicity. She takes Arun to the canteen and gets him some refreshments.” in the meantime, his friend, Satish, arrives with his mother who views the stranger woman with suspicion. Arun doesn’t appreciate her overbearing and supercilious behaviour. When his train comes, he takes leave of the stranger woman addressing her as ‘mother,. He doesn’t want her to feel disgraced before satish’s mother. This shows deeply touched and grateful Arun was for her kind and generous behaviour.
28.2 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
(i) What made Arun call the strange woman ‘mother’ at the end?
Ans. Arun called the stranger woman ‘mother’ at the end, because she had treated him tenderly and offered him tea and sweets. She listened to him and showed trust in him. He liked her kindness and graceful behaviour. She introduced herself as his mother. She supported Arun against satish’s mother, Arun wanted to repay her kindness by acknowledging her as mother.
(ii) Satish’s mothers said “And never talk to strangers.” How did Arun & Satish react to her advice? Ans. When satish’s mother said-“And never talk to strangers” both Arun and Satish reacted with
disagreement. Arun looked at the stronger woman who was so kind to him and replied obstinately that he liked strangers, satish’s mother was shocked by his reply and she repeated her advice, Arun moved closer to the stranger woman. He developed a sense of resentment for satish’s mother on the other side, Satish grinned at Arun and was delighted in the clash between Arun and his mother.
(iii) Why does the stranger clutch Arun’s arm and dig her fingers when she sees the other boy standing at the edge of the platform? What trait of her personality is highlighted thus?
Ans. The stranger clutches Arun’s arm and digs her fingers into his flesh after she sees the other boy standing at the edge of the platform, probably because she felt that the child crossing the railway track was exposing himself to the danger of being run over by a passing train. She might have been a witness to a similar accident earlier. Her behavior shows that she is a sensitive person who reacts in sympathy to the suffering of others and tries to keep calm and controlled in a difficult situation.
(iv) Contrast the appearance and the attitude of satish’s mother with that of the stranger woman. Ans. While satish’s mother was fat and imposing, the stranger woman had an aura of calm dignity that
commanded respect. She was affectionate and sensitive to the need of Arun’s she realized that he
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might be hungry and there fore took him to the dining room to get him something to eat. On the other hand, Satish mother was patronizing and selfish. She was extremely suspicious of strangers. Arun had developed an instinctive dislike for her.
(v) What impression do you form about Arun? Ans. Arun, a young boy of twelve, studies in a boarding school. He is self-confident and bold. He clearly
distinguishes between the stranger and Satish’s mother and rightly understands their contrasting qualities. He is very sensitive to affection and responds warmly. He has great regard for dignified elderly people.
(vi) The woman in a white sari was totally a stranger to Arun, but Arun developed an instant liking for her the moment she spoke to him. Mention four things that Arun liked of this woman.
Or State any four reasons to explain why a bond had developed between Arun and the woman on platform 8. Ans. The woman in white sari was soft and kind to Arun. She had a dignity about her which commanded respect. There was a calmness on her face. She saw that Arun was alone and feeling bored. She took him to the station dining-room and offered him some refreshment. She took pleasure in watching Arun eat. She made him talk, but she did not ask him many questions. When satish’s mother enquired about her she acted like Arun’s mother. She stayed there till the train departed.
28.3 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
(i) Imagine you are Arun. Prepare a speech (in about 200 words) to be delivered in the morning assembly on the topic ‘Motherhood-the ideal State’. Recalling you strange encounter with the woman on platform-8.
Ans. Respected teachers and dear friends ! Today I am going to speak on the topic ‘Motherhood – the ideal state’. Motherhood, is indeed a blissful state which transforms a woman into a very beautiful being as she looks after the needs of her child. Motherhood is associated with the qualities of motherly love, affection and concem for a child’s well being. But, is it necessary to be a mother to be a endowed with motherly qualities? No, really not... here I would like to relate my personal experience of an encounter with a stranger woman whom I met at platform 8 at Ambala station sometime ago.
I was alone and had to wait for a long-time for my train which was due at midnight. Seeing me alone, a woman dressed in white approached me. She had an aura of dignity and grace about her. She spoke to me affectionately. She asked me to come with her to eat something. At first I was both shy and suspicious, but her calm and graceful smile compelled me to go with her. She ordered tea, samosas and jalebies for me. She made me feel comfortable. She drew me out very well without being personal and inquisitive; soon we were talking like old friends. Then we returned to the platform. Suddenly, my class-fellow, Satish, came there with his mother. She was an imposing and arrogant lady. The stranger woman introduced herself as my mother. I don’t know what made her do so, but I didn’t object to it either as I didn’t approve of the patronizing tone of my friend’s mother. Moreover she had suspicious nature. She also kept complaining of one thing or the other. When the train arrived, satish’s mother gave some small gifts to him and he bade her good-by. I looked at the stranger woman. Somehow, I could not betray her before my friend’s mother. I kissed her and bade her good- bye addressing her as ‘mother’. It was one of the most memorable days of my life. I can say that she is a true mother and I shall never be able to forget her all my life. Thank you.
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(ii) After reaching School, Arun, in ‘The woman on platform 8’ decides to share his joy in meeting the woman on platform 8 with his mother. Imagine that you are Arun and write that letter.
Ans. Springdales Academy Pathankot
15 November, 200X Dear mother
I reached school safely and well in time. While waiting for the train I had a happy encounter which I would like to share with you. I was feeling lonely and bored. I tried to while away the time browsing at the bookstall, feeding stay dogs with broken biscuits and gazing at the railway track watching the coming and going of trains. It was the arrival of an angelic woman of about thirty, dressed in a plain white sari. The kind lady had a pale face and seemed poor. She had dark eyes but there was a dignity about her that commanded respect.
She had perhaps noted my loneliness and boredom. She asked me softly if I was alone. Initially felt somewhat suspicious of the stranger. But the simplicity of her dress, her deep soft voice and the calmness of her face reassured me. I told her my name. She asked to come with her and have something to eat. She took me by the hand. She told a coolie to look after my suitcase. Then she led me to the station dining room.
She ordered tea and snacks for me and enjoyed watching me eat. The encounter had little effect on my appetite. I ate as a hungry boy would. The food strengthened the bona between us and cemented our friendship. The affectionate motherly behaviors relieved my loneliness and depression. On returning to platform 8, I found my class-fellow Satish with his mother. She appeared to be a total contrast to the woman in white sari. She was an imposing woman who more spectacles. I had taken an instinctive dislike to satish’s mother. She was haughty and insensitive. With her overbearing attitude, she complained of everything. She was suspicious of strangers and advised us to be careful of them. I did not like her advice. As soon as the train started, Satish bade good-bye to his mother. I kissed the stranger and calling her ‘mother’ and bade her good-bye. Tours affectionately Arun
(iii) After reaching school, Arun decides to recored his experiences and reaction of the encounter with a stranger woman on platform 8 of Ambala. Thinking yourself as Arun, write a diary page of his meeting the two woman at Ambala station Platform 8. Ans. Monday, November 16,200X
Yesterday while I was waiting at Ambala Railway Station for my train I had strange encounters on platform 8. As usual the train was late. I was waiting all alone and getting bored. I tried to while away the timebrowsing at the bookstall, feeding stray dogs with broken biscuits and gazing at the railway tracks watching the arrival and departure of trains. Just then a kindly woman of about 30 came near me. She asked me if I was alone. She was plainly dressed, but had a dignity about her. She was very gentle, soft and kind in her enquiry about me. I felt impressed by her. She told a coolie to look after my suitcase. Then she took me to the station refreshment room. She ordered tea, snacks and sweets. She enjoyed seeing me enjoying the refreshment. Now I began to talk freely to her. She was extremely frightened when she saw a boy leap over the track beside which an engine was shunting. What a sympathetic and gentle heart she had!
Then my classmate, Satish, came with his mother. She had come to see Satish off. In her spectacles she looked imposing and haughty. She was harsh in tone and stem to look at. Her haughty and overbearing nature reflected her dominating attitude. Soon she began complaining about everything right from trains to strangers. She did not want to be contradicted by us. In a way she wanted to be
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Obeyed . She advised Satish and me to be careful while traveling and avoid strangers. I developed an instinctive dislike for her. How critical and insensitive she was! Satish was his usual self. He was friendly and cordial. He introduced me very proudly to his mother calling me one of his friends and the best bowler in the class.
(iv) Imagine that you are Arun and you have reached school after your encounter with a stranger on platform 8 of Ambala station. Write a letter to your cousin, Sandra, telling her what happened at the platform and giving your reactions to the whole incident.
Ans. . Springdales Academy Pathankot 18 November, 200X Dear Sandra You have always been warning me to beware of strangers. You used to preach that strangers are cheats who dupe innocent travelers by offering some intoxicants and then stealing away their luggage. Well, I had an interesting encounter with a stranger which disproved all your theories. I was waiting for the train at Platform 8 of Ambala Railway station. It was night and I was feeling lonely and bored. The train was late as usual. I was passing time watching the activities on the platform. Just then a kindly woman of about 30 came to me. She had a pale face and seemed poor. She had dark eyes. She was dressed in a simple, white sari, she asked me softly if I was alone. I felt impressed by her. She had a dignity about her that commanded respect. She took me to the Railway Refreshment room. She ordered tea and snacks and watched me with joy while I was eating. Her affectionate, motherly behavior relieved my lonliness and depression.
How delicate and soft-hearted she was! She was extremely frightened to see a boy leap over the rails across which an engine was shunting. Then my classmate Satish came with his mother. She was harsh in tone and stern to look at. I did not like her haughtiness, insensitiveness and an overbearing attitude. She complained of everything. She was suspicious of strangers and advised us to be careful of them. She took the lady in white sari to be my mother. That woman did act like my mother and said that I could travel alone. She didn’t go until the train had come. When I had boarded the train, she took my hands into hers and smiled gently. I leaned out of the window and kissed her on the cheek. I bade her good-buy addressing her as ‘mother’. I shall always cherish my encounter with her. I do hope to see her again someday. Yours affectionately Arun
PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Imagine you are Satish. You were suite impressed by the warm and dignified behaviour of Arun’s mother .make a diany entry comparing her with year own mother.
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READING COPREHENSION
29.1 STEPS FOR COMPLETE COMPREHENSION:
� Skim once as rapidly as possible to determine the main idea before you look at the questions. Don’t worry about words you don’t know at this stage.
� Underline the words that you do not understand to facilitate a complete understanding of the passage. This will enable you to solve the vocabulary questions quicker.
� Look through questions carefully. You are advised to keep to the order in which the questions appear in the test paper. Read intensively the portion relevant to the answers.
� Concentrate on the vocabulary items and puzzle out the meaning of any words you don’t know from the context. Most passages require at least two readings.
• Before writing the answer, check the questions again to be sure you’ve really understood them.• You must write complete sentences as answers.
• Answers must be relevant and to the point. If the question is for one mark given one point. If it is for twomarks give at least two points unless specified differently in the paper.
29.2 STEPS TO FOLLOW IN SKIMMING FOR THE MAIN IDEAS:
� Read the title of the passage / poem carefully. Determine what clues it gives you as to what the passage / poem is about.
� Watch for key words like ’causes, ’’results, ’’effects, ’etc. Do not overlook signal words such as those suggesting controversy (e.g., ’versus, ’’pros and cons’), which indicate that the author is planning to present but sides of an argument.
� Concentrate on the main ideas and ignore the details.
29.3 HOW TO APPROACH COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
1. The ‘why’ questionIn the ‘why’ question you are required to give reasons, provide explanations and give evidence for an answer. It is essential therefore, to look out for word that show cause, effect and purpose in order to arrive at the answer. These words are:
(i) Cause word; Cause words signal the cause or reason for an event or an action. These include:
Because due to as since owing to on account of In that resulting from for that reason on the grounds that
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(ii) Effect words; effect words signal the result of an event or an action. These include:
Consequently so as a result resulting in therefore With the effect of
(iii) Purpose words ; purpose words indicate the reason for an event or an action. These include :
For so that so as to in order that for the purpose of In order to
2. The inference questionIn the inference question you are required to make a deduction or draw a conclusion based on the information given in the passage. Since these are not straightforward questions, it is essential therefore, to read between the lines for clues or hidden meanings. This can be done by understanding certain key words and phrases. At times, you can draw an inference only after reading the entire poem / passage.
3. The rephrasing question :At times you are required to explain a word/phrase in your own words or substitute a word/phrase in the passage without altering its meaning. To do so it is essential to understand the word/phrase in its context. So it is essential to read carefully what comes before and after it/
4. Vocabulary :When you react passage or a poem, you will come across words that are unfamiliar. However, you don’t need to look up the meaning of every new word or expression that you come across. When you have finished reading the passage, try to understand the overall meaning of the passage. Try to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words/ expressions from the context. For this you need to look for clues in the text itself.
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