THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY
MLL QNS:
(Q.1) Everybody including the sparrows mourned grandmother’s death. Elaborate.
(Ans) The day the grandmother died, thousands of sparrows came and sat silently around
the corpse of the grandmother as if they too, had come to mourn the death of the old
woman. They did not even eat the breadcrumbs scattered by the author’s mother.
(Q.2) Give a description of Khushwant Singh’s grandmother according to his
earliest memory of her?
The author felt that his grandmother had always looked the same for the twenty years that
he had known her. He felt she was always old, short, fat and bent. Her face was covered
with wrinkles. She wore only white and walked with a stoop.
(Q.3) What did Khushwant Singh’s grandmother think of education in the city
school?
She disapproved of city schools as they taught only English and Science. There was no
religious teaching and the worst was when she learnt that they taught music in the city
school. Music was meant for harlots and beggars according to her. This distressed her.
((Q.4) The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
(Ans) The three stanzas depict the first phase, i.e. the mother’s childhood, the second
phase is the mother’s adulthood and the third phase is the poet’s own adulthood where he
is nostalgically remembering his mother who is no longer alive)
(Q.5) What details in the story create the impression that the grandmother was
religious minded?
(Ans) The grandmother’s lips constantly mumbled some silent prayers. Her fingers
would also keep moving the beads of a rosary. She would recite prayers while getting the
author ready for school. While the author would be studying in school, she would be in
the temple reading religious scriptures.
(Q.6) The grandmother was a kind-hearted woman. Give examples in support of
your answer.
(Ans) The grandmother was very kind hearted and compassionate. She would feed stale
chapattis to the village dogs everyday while leaving her grandson to school. In the city,
she continues this practice but would feed sparrows with breadcrumbs, in the courtyard of
the house.
(Q.7) Draw a comparison between village school education and city school
education.
(Ans) In the village school the author learnt his native language and the morning prayer.
In the city school there was only English alphabet, no religious teachings. There was
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more emphasis on Science, English, Maths and also music. Grandmother did not approve
of his learning music at school.
(Q.8) Which activity did the grandmother find most relaxing when she lived in the
city?
(Ans) The grandmother would feed the sparrows daily in the verandah of the house. She used
to let them perch on her shoulders and would talk to them. She had made it a daily ritual and she
found it very relaxing.
THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY
1. Man should adapt himself to the circumstances. Write your impressions with
reference to the lesson The Portrait of a Lady.
[Hints: In village house- grandmother and Kushwantsingh had a set routine of going
to the temple- feeding dogs- reading scriptures- adapted herself to the city life
quickly- understood the practical difficulties-accepted separation with resignation-fed
sparrows. The child also relates his experiences when he/she faced similar situation]
2. Draw a comparison between village school education and city school education.
(Hints:In the village school the author learnt his native language and the morning
prayer-In the city school there was only English alphabet, no religious teachingsmore emphasis on Science, English, Maths and also music - Grandmother did not
approve of his learning music at school.)
WRITING TASK:
3. In the present society old people are a neglected lot and old age homes have
mushroomed in every city. Write an article expressing your concerns about old age
and old age homes?
[The child expresses his own ideas in correct language ..Format, content and
expression]
WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO DIE…………………..
1] We are not afraid to die, Who speaks these words and when?
2] Who were the two crew members taken by the narrator?
3] What did the narrator know of the Southern Indian Ocean?
4] What information did Mary give about their problem?
5] When did the narrator’s adventurous family start their expedition?
1] Optimism helps us to tide over difficulties. Justify the statement with reference to the
lesson .’ We are Not Afraid to Die.
2] The decision of taking children with them on their voyage was irrational. Give your views
on the statement.
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DISCOVERING TUT: the saga continues
(Q.) Why was King Tut’s body subjected to repeated scrutiny?
(Ans)
King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny for the riches it was buried with. There
has also been a lot of speculation about the manner of his death and the time of his death.
(Q.) Why was Howard Carter’s investigation resented?
(Ans)
Howard Carter’s investigation was resented because he used unscientific methods to cut the body
away from the wooden base. He also focused more on the discovery of gold than on
thefascinating details of Tut's life and the mysteries of his death.
(Q.) Why did Carter have to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains?
(Ans)
Carter found that the ritual resin that was used as a polish has hardened. The result was that the
mummy was cemented to the bottom of the solid gold coffin. Neither the strongest force could
move the mummy nor the burning sun could loosen the remains of the king.
(Q.) Why was Tut’s body buried along with gilded treasures?
(Ans)
The people of Ancient Egypt believed that the soul of the dead person will return to the same
body. Their kings were extremely rich and they were buried along with their treasure. The
eternal brilliance of the gold was meant to guarantee resurrection. Tut was also buried with
everyday objects that he would want in hisafter life. Some of the things that were found were
board games, a bronze razor, linen undergarments and cases of food and wine.
(Q.) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun. What was the
reason?
(Ans)
Tutankhamun means ‘Living image of Amun’. He was a major god in ancient Egypt. King
Amenhotep smashed the images of Amun and closed his temples. Tut oversaw a restoration of
the old ways. He also changed his name to express his belief on Amun.
Q.) Why is January 5, 2005 significant in Tutankhamun’s Saga?
(Ans)
January 5, 2005 is a significant date in Tutankhamun’s saga because on this day, the world’s
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most famous mummy glided head first went into a C.T scanner in order to probe the lingering
medical mysteries around the young ruler who had died 3300 years ago.
Q.) How was the atmosphere when Tut’s body was taken for C.T scan?
(Ans)
As King Tut’s body was taken from his resting place in the ancient Egyptian cemetery known as
the Valley of the Kings, an angry wind stirred up ghostly dust devils. Dark-bellied clouds had
moved across the desert sky all day and covered the stars in grey colour.
.) How did the visitors to Tut’s grave pay their respects to him?
(Ans)
The visitors to Tut’s grave gazed at the murals on the walls of the burial chamber and peered at
Tut’s gilded face. Some visitors read from guidebooks in a whisper.
(Q.) What according to A.R Williams were the thoughts of the visitors who stood silently
near Tut’s Grave?
(Ans)
The visitor stood silently perhaps pondering over Tut’s untimely death. Perhaps they wondered if
the pharaoh’s curse – death or misfortune falling on those who disturbed him – was really true.
(Q.) The mummy is in a very bad condition because of what Carter did in the 1920s.’ Who
is Carter? What did he do to the mummy?
(Ans)
Howard Carter was the British archaeologist who in 1922, discovered Tut’s tomb after years of
futile searching. He and his team, had searched the tomb trying to look for objects of royalty
from the rich collection of the pharaoh’s legend. They ended up spoiling and destroying the
carefully kept mummy.
(Q.) What problem did Carter face when he reached the mummy? How did he find a way
out?
(Ans)
Carter, on investigating, opened the three nested coffins. When he finally reached the mummy,
he saw that the ritual resins had hardened, cementing Tut to the bottom of his solid gold coffin. It
was difficult to remove it. He had to chisel away the consolidated material from beneath the
limbs and trunk.
Q.) How did Carter defend his action of cutting the mummy free?
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(Ans)
Carter in his defense wrote later that if he hadn’t cut the mummy free, thieves would have
avoided the guards and ripped it apart to remove all the gold. The mummy had been kept with a
lot of wealth, in the form of gold ornaments, etc.
(Q.) List some of the ornaments and golden objects on Tut’s body.
(Ans)
Tut’s body had been adorned with precious collars, inlaid necklaces and bracelets, rings,
amulets, a ceremonial apron, sandals, sheaths for his fingers and toes. The inner coffin and mask
were all made of pure gold.
(Q.) Why do you think the royals carried so much gold to the grave?
Ans)
The royals carried a lot of wealth to the grave because the stunning artifacts in gold and their
eternal brilliance meant to guarantee resurrection for the dead royal person.
Q.) What is so special about the contents of Tut’s tomb?
(Ans)
Tut’s tomb not only contained a number of adornments of pure gold on his body but also he had
been buried with everyday things he would want in the after life: board games, a bronze razor,
linen undergarments, cases of food and wine.
Q.) Which evidence proves the burial of Tut in March or April?
(Ans)
The first coffin, on being opened, revealed a shroud adorned with garlands of willow and olive
leaves, wild celery, lotus petals and cornflowers, the faded evidence of a burial in March or
April.
1. Imagine you are Howard Carter. You were fortunate to find King Tut’ tomb intact.
Describe what you saw in the burial chamber. Describe King Tut’s coffin and the
contents found.
HINT: (personal tone, three gold coffins, splendid golden jewels, artifacts, tut’s mummy
hardened with resins.)
2. Discuss how the advancements made in the field of science and technology have
helped us understand the past.
HINTS: (examples of technological helps rendered in archaeological , medical fields etc.)
THE AILING PLANET: GREEN MOVEMENT’S ROLE
SAQs for Minimum Level of Learning
1. How has the human view about the earth changed?
Ans. Human beings who had earlier considered earth to be a non-living thing is now of the
opinion that earth is a living organism with metabolic needs and processes like other living
organisms.
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2. What duty does man have towards the earth?
Ans. It is man’s duty to be a good steward of the earth and responsible trustee of the natural
resources of the earth and preserve them for the future generations.
3. What is sustainable development?
Ans. Sustainable development is defined as the use of resources for the development
without depriving the future generations of their rightful share of the natural resources.
4. What question does Brandt Report raise?
Ans. The first Brandt Report raises the question- Are we to leave our successors a scorched
planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment.
5. What are the Principle Biological Systems? What is their significance?
Ans. Forests, Fisheries, Grasslands and Croplands are the Principle Biological Systems and
they are significant because they form the foundation of global economic system.
6. What does Article 48 A of Indian Constitution say?
Ans. Article 48 A of Indian Constitution says that the State shall endeavor to protect and
improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife.
7. How is development the best contraceptive?
Ans. As incomes rise, the quality of education improves and health conditions become
better and fertility rates drop. So development is the best contraceptive.
8. What has the UN study of the environment revealed?
Ans. The United Nations study of the environment has revealed that environment has
deteriorated so badly that it is critical in many of the 88 countries investigated.
9. What is Margaret Thatcher’s view of man’s relationship with the earth?
Ans. Margaret Thatcher, the British prime Minister feels that No generation has the
ownership of the earth. They have life tenancy with full repair responsibility.
Short Writing Skills.
1. Design a Poster/Notice to announce the Environment Awareness Campaign that
your school is organizing. (50 words.)
Hints
Details of the campaign
Awareness about the problems of environment
Possible steps the students can take to protect environment.
THE AILING PLANET: THE GREEN MOVEMENT’S ROLE
HOTS Questions
Q1. Discuss in details the revolutionary shift in human perceptions regarding the
view of the Earth in 150 words.
Hints
 Earth as a living being; has metabolic needs
 Man is the most dangerous animal
 Entire human race as one single family (Children of mother earth)
 Awareness of the destruction caused
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 Change in concern of human survival to concern for the protection of the planet
Q.2. The Earth Summit 2012is a living proof of the change in human Perceptions.
Substantiate in 150 words.
Hints:
Objectives of Earth Summit 2012
 People of the earth getting together
 Crossing national boundaries and political rivalries
 Attain progress on internationally agreed goals on sustainable development of
resources
 Collectively face new and emerging challenges
 The above points clearly indicate the shift in concern of human survival to concern
for the protection of mother earth.
A PHOTOGRAPH
1.
Why does the poet attach the term ‘wry’ with the poetess and her mother?
[Hints: Poetess’ mother –lost her childhood-also lost the innocent joys of that stagedaughter lost her mother]
2.
What is the meaning of the line ‘Both wry with the laboured ease of loss’?
Hints: The poet and her mother seemed to have lost a significant thing or person. In the
mother’s case it might be a near and dear one and in the poet’s case it is her mother and
her laughter, happiness and joy.
MLL QNS:
(Q.1) Who were the three girls in the photograph?
a)The three girls in the photograph were the poetess’ mother, her cousins Betty and Dolly
Who together had gone out for a sea holiday.
(Q.2) Why did the three girls stand still?
a)The three girls stood still because they were being photographed by their uncle in the
Sea.
(Q.3) What did the poetess say about her mother?
a)The poetess said that her mother had a sweet face and she was very beautiful before the
poetess was born.
(Q.4) Whose feet were transient and who was intransient according to the poem?
a)The Poetess’ mother, her cousins being human beings were transient and the is referred
to as intransient.
(Q.5) Why did the poetess and her cousins go to the sea beach?
a)They went to the sea beach for celebrating the holiday by paddling in the sea.
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(Q.6) The cardboard shows me how it was,
When the two girl cousins went paddling,
Each one holding one of my mother’s hands.
And she the big girl – some twelve years or so.
a) Name the poem and the poet.
b) What does the ‘cardboard show’? What occasion does it portray?
c) Who was the ‘big girl’? What do you learn about her?
(Ans)
a) The poem is ‘A Photograph’ and the poet is Shirley Toulson.
b) The ‘cardboard’ shows the picture of three girls, the poet’s mother and her two
cousins, Betty and Dolly. The occasion was when they had gone for a beach
holiday.
c) The ‘big girl’ was the poet’s mother. We learn that she was a joyful, bubbly girl of
twelve who had been excited about her beach holiday.
(Q.7) All three stood still to smile through their hair
At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face,
My mother’s, that was before I was born.
And the sea, which appears to have changed less,
Washed their terrible transient feet.
a) Who were the ‘three’?
b) Why did they stand still and smile?
c) Why has the poet referred to the sea?
d) What do you understand by ‘terribly transient feet’?
(Ans):
a) The three were, the poet’s mother and her two cousins, Betty and Dolly.
b) They stood still and smiled because they were posing together for a photograph clicked
by the uncle from his camera.
c) The seareferred to by the poetsuggests thatthe sea has not changed, but change comes
in the lives of people.
d) 'Terribly transient feet' refers to the ever changing imprints of feet on the seashore. The
sea does not change but the human life is transient.
(Q.8) Some twenty – thirty –years later;
She’d laugh at the snapshot, “See Betty
And Dolly”, she’d say, “and look how they
Dressed us for the beach”. The sea holiday
Was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry
With her laboured ease of loss.
a) Who is ‘she’? When would she laugh and why?
b) Which event does she refer to?
c) What does the poet compare ‘her laughter’ to and why?
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d) Explain “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss’.
(Ans):
a) ‘She’ is the poet’s mother. She would laugh when she would look at the snapshot years
later.
b) She would refer to the incident of the beach holiday when she had gone with her
cousins, Betty and Dolly.Her uncle had taken a photograph.
c) The poet compares ‘her laughter’ to her own past when she remembers her mother’s
laughter. Mother’s sea holiday was her past and the poet’s past is the mother’s holiday.
d) Both, the mother and daughter remember some pleasant incidents of the past. For the
mother it is the holiday, while for the poet it is her mother’s laughter. It is with a sense of
loss that she remembers her mother and the expression on the face is that of grief and
helplessness.
(Q.9) Now she’s been dead nearly as many years
As that girl lived. And of this circumstance
There is nothing to say at all.
Its silence silences.
a) How long do you think has she been dead?
b) What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to? What does the poet say about it?
c) Explain ‘its silence silences’.
(Ans):
a) The poet’s mother seems to have been dead for twelve years.
b) The circumstance is the death of the mother and the poet’s loss.
c) The death of the poet’s mother brings a sense of grief within her and she has no words
to express her grief. The death’s silence silences. It is final. One is helpless before it.
VOICE OF THE RAIN
By - WALT WHITMAN
LINES- “And who --- the rain”
Q.1. Name of the poem and poet.
Ans: Poem – ‘Voice of the rain’
Poet – Walt Whitman
Q.2. Who is ‘I’ ?
Ans: The Poet.
Q.3. Who is the other ‘I’?
Ans: The soft falling shower or the rain.
Q.4. What is rain?
A.4. The poem of the earth.
Q.5. Those two voices belong to which two character?
Ans; One voice is of the Poet and the other voice is of the Rain.
Q.6. Who is asking the question?
Ans: The poet.
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Q.7. Who is answering the poet’s question?
Ans: The soft falling shower or the rain.
LINES“Eternal --- unborn.”
Q.1. How does it rise?
A.1. It rises impalpable or untouchable.
Q.2. Where is it going?
A.2. Upward to heaven.
Q.3. How is it?
Ans: Vaguely formed, altogether changed, but still the same .
Q.4. Why does it come down?
Ans: To lave the droughts, atomies and the dust layers of the globe.
Q.5. How was everything before it came down?
Ans: Latent and unborn.
LINES- “And --- beautify it”
(For---returns)
Q.1. Who is working day and night?
Ans: Water of the water bodies of the earth is working day and night .
Q.2. How is the movement of the rain?
Ans: Cyclic.
Q.3. What does the rain do to the earth?
Ans: The rain beautifies and purifies the earth.
Q.4. Who gives life to its own origin?
Ans: The rain alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Answer in 30 to 35 words only
Q.1. What is the question asked by the poet? What answer does he get?
Ans: The poet wants to know who or what these softly falling drops of water called rain is . As
if the rain had been waiting for this moment. It immediately answers in a voice only the poet
could understand that it is the “Poem of the earth”.
Q.2. What does the phrase “strange to tell” mean?
Ans: The poet had not expected an answer of the question that he had asked of the rain. It sounds
like a note or exclamation of surprise .
Q.3. Why does the rain call herself the poem of the earth?
Ans: The birthplace of the rain is the water body of the earth. It considers itself a lovely and
musical child of the earth.
Q.4. What impression do you form of the one answering the question?
Ans: That the poem is talkative and readily answers to the poet’s question. It is also proud and
intelligent and descriptive.
Q.5. Narrate the story of its birth and its functions.
Ans: It rises from the waterbodies of the earth in the form of vapour and takes the form of dark
dense clouds. These clouds come back to the earth in the form of rain and give back life and
greenery to the earth.
Q.6. What is the significance of the word ‘song’ here?
Ans: ‘Song’ is the repetition of the word ‘Poem’ used in the Ist Stanza of the poem . Water is
enjoying its joyride and pleasure trip from the land to the sky and back again .
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HOTS
Q.1. Compare rain and music.
Ans: 1. Rain calls herself the poem of the earth
2. Rain and music in their ultimate form cannot be touched
3. Both are eternal
4. Both are musical
5. Both bring joy
6. Both spread beauty
Q.2.Why does the poet call this poem a ‘translation’?
Ans: The voice of the rain is mysterious and different from our language. But the poet alone is
able to understand this and reaches it to the common people in the form of this ‘translation’.
CHILDHOOD
1. What does the first stanza talk about?
The first stanza talks about rationalism.
2.Which are the two occasions which come to his mind when the child poet realises he has
lost his childhood in the first stanza?
The first occasion is when he stopped to be eleven years old and the second occasion is when he
realised that hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography
3.What does the second stanza describe?
The second stanza describes the hypocrisy of the adults.
4. What is the contradiction that the child poet sees in the behaviour of the adults?
The adults talk of love, but they do not behave in a loving manner. This is the contradiction that
the child poet sees in the behaviour of the adults.
5. What does the third stanza speak about?
The third stanza speaks about individuality.
6. “That’s all I know” Explain
The child poet realises that loss of childhood is compensated by many gains and that childhood is
followed by adolescence.
CHILDHOOD
1. Why did the child (poet) notice contradiction in the adult’s behaviour?
He noticed hypocrisy in the adult’s behaviour. Their preaching and real behaviour was in
contrast to each other
2. Why does the child poet say that his childhood is hidden in an infant’s face?
The child poet realises that he has lost his simplicity and naivety. He sees his lost charm in an
infant’s face.
2.’Punishing school children leads to strain in Teacher –Student relationship.’ Prepare a debate ῾
For’ or ‘ Against’ in about 150 words. [The Browning Version]
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6.FATHER TO SON –Elizabeth Jennings.
1. What does the poet mean by ‘I do not understand’?
With the expression, father expresses his helplessness in understanding the cause of gap
in his relationship with his son and why his son behaves against his expectation.
2. Why does the father want his son to be ‘prodigal’?
He wants so that he would realize his mistake and correct himself to start a new
relationship that the father expects from his son.
3. How does the poet show that the father and the son do not understand each other?
The poet does it saying that they shared the same house and lived together, but never
spoke to each other. They never tried to understand each other and thus an increasing
silence destroyed their relationship.
4. What effort did the father and the son take to rebuild the relationship? Why didn’t
they succeed?
Both father and son tried to forgive each other . But their efforts did not come out
fruitfully because they have lost warmth and feelings and could not shed their ego.
5. What is the theme of the poem ‘Father to Son’?
I is all about the estrangement between a father and a son due to their uncompromising
egos and generation gap.
5.FATHER TO SON
1. Based on your understanding of the poem ‘Father to Son’ describe your
relationship with. Your father / mother. (Purely Subjective) generation gap that is
prevailing in the families.
2. As a son or the daughter in your family what sort of understanding do you have
about your parents? ((Purely Subjective)
THE TALE OF MELON CITY: VIKRAM SETH
1. What did the king announce one day and why?
The king announced one day that an arch should be constructed across the public road to
edify the onlookers.
2. Why did a frown appear on the calm face of the king?
A frown appeared on the calm face of the king as the arch was built too low and he lost
his crown while riding under it.
3. Who were the people blamed for the arch being built too low?
Builders, workmen, mason and architect were the people blamed for the arch being built
too low.
4. ‘This is a tricky thing’. What made the king say so?
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When the king ordered the architect to be hanged, the latter defended himself by saying
that it was the king who made some changes in the plan and he should be spared from
hanging.
5. Why was the wisest man in the country carried to the royal court?
The King believed the wisest man was the oldest one in his kingdom. So the oldest man
in the country was carried to the royal court to advise the king to find solutions to the
tricky problem.
6. What was the confusion that followed the wisest man’s advice?
The wisest man advised that the arch that hit the king’s crown off had to be hanged. Then
a councilor pointed out that it was a shame to hang the arch that touched the king’s head.
7. How did the foolish king meet his end?
The king failed miserably to find the guilty person. So finally a noose was set high and
each man was measured. Unfortunately no one fitted the noose, except the king.
8. Whom did the people of the Melon city choose for their king and why?
The people of Melon city chose a Melon to be their king as the first man who passed by
the city gate said so. The identity of the king was not important as they wanted a noninterfering authority.
9. What is the element of irony in the poem?
The king was neither just nor placid (calm). The king who has to punish the culprit
becomes the victim of his own exaggerated sense of justice.
10. What was the strange way in which king was selected in the Melon city?
The custom was that the first one passing the city gate had the right to select the king.
4.THE TALE OF MELON CITY
1. Do you think that the king of Melon city is a representative of the present leaders?
Hints: Present leaders: shallow sense of justice, fickle minded and narrow tunneled
vision-carried away by political and social influence- undue importance given by
sycophants-expect the common man/subordinate to be the puppets in their hands- extort
work from others with vested interest.
2. How are the elements of humour, irony and satire effectively employed in the poem?
Hints: Humour-the arch being carried to the scaffold, the wisest man in the country
being carried to the royal court
Irony- the just and placid king losing his temper when his thrown was off near the
edifice, the king becoming a victim of his own sense of justice
Satire- mocking at the eccentricities of the whimsical king; the people of melon city did
not care for the identity of the king as for as they have and non-interfering authority.
THE SUMMER OF A BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE
MLL QNS:
(Q.1) Why did Aram and Mourad return the horse?
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a) Aram and Mourad realized that the master of the horse had come to know that his
horse was with them. Moreover as their tribe was popular for trust and honesty they did
not want to bring bad name to their tribe. So they finally returned the horse to its original
owner.
(Q.2) What conflicting thoughts passed through the narrator’s mind on seeing
Mourad on a beautiful white horse early one morning?
(Ans) The narrator was surprised. He knew that his cousin Mourad couldn’t have bought
the horse. He obviously must have stolen it. However, family pride came in the way. He
refused to believe that Mourad was a thief.
(Q.3) What traits of the Garoghlanian family are highlighted in the story?
(Ans) The Garoghlanian family though now poor was famous for their honesty even
when they were wealthy. They were proud first, honest next and after that they believed
in right and wrong. None of them would take advantage of anybody in the world. They
would not steal. No member of this family could be a thief.
(Q.4) What two character traits of Mourad are mentioned by the narrator in the
initial part of the story?
(Ans) Mourad was considered crazy by everybody who knew him except the narrator.
He was impulsive, daring and reckless. He followed his heart more than his mind. He was
quite crazy about horses and had a way with animals. Secondly, he enjoyed being alive
more than anybody else.
(Q.5) Why had Mourad and Aram taken the horse? Why did they return it?
(Ans) They had taken the horse with the intention of riding it and also they were too
poor to buy it. They loved riding but since they were not thieves, they had no desire to
sell it. They returned the horse because they became conscious of their reputation of
honesty and realised their mistake.
(Q.6) Do you think John Byro recognized his horse? Why did he not accuse the
boys of stealing the horse?
(Ans) Yes, John Byro did recognize his horse. He examined his teeth and knew for sure
that the horse was his own. He did not accuse the boys and indirectly told them that it
was wrong to steal. He talked about the family’s reputation for honesty and said that he
would never suspect them of stealing.
1. Uncle Khosrove had a crazy streak in his character. Imagine one such character
from your family and compare him with uncle Khosrove?
( crazy, often repeated “pay no attention”, casual approach, irritable in nature,
outspoken…. compared to his family members)
2. If you were Mourad would you take a decision to return the horse to its original
owner? Justify your answer.
[Hints: Yes-aware of the family’s reputation-the owner identified the horseconscience stricken-fear of being caught-cherished the thought that he only borrowed
and not stolen]
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WRITING TASK:
3. With reference to the lesson write any adventure that you have undertaken in
your childhood for which they felt guilty?
[Hints: content, Expression, style]
ADDRESS
(MLL Questions) SAQ (30-40 words)
1. How did the narrator realize that she had come to the right address?
Ans:-When Mrs. Dorling opened her door, the narrator saw that she was wearing her
mother's old cardigan. This made her realize that she had come to the right address.
2. Why did Mrs. Dorling visit Mrs. S’s house frequently?
Ans: Mrs. Dorling visited Mrs. S’s house and suggested to her that she might have to
leave her house in a hurry since the World War II was going on and to suggest her that
she should leave her antiques and precious belongings in her care.
3. Why did Mrs. S ask her daughter to remember the address of Mrs. Dorling?
Ans: Mrs. S asked her daughter to remember the address of Mrs. Dorling for the reason
that all her precious possessions and antiques had been shifted to Mrs. Dorling’s house
and Mrs. S was not sure whether she would be able to survive the World War.
4. Why did the narrator not wait for Mrs. Dorling on her second visit?
Ans: When the narrator saw her family’s precious belongings arranged in a tasteless
fashion in an unfamiliar environment, she no longer wanted to have them back and hence
decided not to wait for Mrs. Dorling on her second visit.
5. Why did the narrator want to forget the address?
Ans: When the narrator went to collect her mother’s precious belongings from Mrs.
Dorling’s House, she could see them arranged in the house in such a deplorable manner
that she did not desire to have them back.
HOTS QNS
1. How does a person come to lose his/her identity in the context of conflicts and wars.
The story is divided into pre-war and post-war times .What hardships do you think
the girl underwent during these times?
Value points: Pre-war hardships: family lived under tension of losing their lives and
belongings-had to flee from hometown. Post-war times: the narrator came back alone,
without her family-earlier wealth and cozy lifestyle had vanished-lived in a small roommemories and associations of earlier times seemed painful to recall-poor quality of bread
implied shortage of food items in the markets.
2. Why did the narrator say that forgetting Mr. Dorling’s address would be easy?
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Value points: The narrator visited Mrs. Dorling’s house-found her mother’s belongings
arranged in a tasteless fashion in a strange atmosphere- no longer evokes any emotions
in her-resolved to forget the address.
RANGA’S MARRIAGE
1. Why were the people of the village curious to see Ranga?
Ranga was the village accountant’s son who left their village six months back. The study at
Bangalore and English education were rare happenings at their place. They wanted to see
whether he changed or not.
2. “ There is greater truth in sastra than we imagine”. Explain.
The village astrologer, Sastri, believes in his science. The narrator thought the astrologer told a
lie to Ranga as per his instructions. Then the astroger informs that he didn’t say lie but there is
greater truth in sastra than we imagine.
3. What kind of a bride was Ranga looking for? Why?
Ranga wanted to marry a girl he admires. He needed a matured girl who will be able to
undersand his jokes and serious comment. In other case, he was ready to remain unmarried.
4. Explain. “ The fellow said he would leave but did not make a move”.
Ranga entered narrator’s house while Ratna was singing inside. He was fascinated by both the
song and the singer. He said that he would leave as the song stopped after his arrival. The
narrator says that in kaliyuga words will never match the deeds as ranga didn’t make a move.
5. Give a short description of the village Hosahalli.
There is no mention of Hosahalli in any geography book. No one knows about its existence. This
is a very important place in Mysore. Everything about the place is excellent and exciting. The
people, the mango the plants all seems to be different from others.
Short Composition – Writing Skill
Write the factual description of a marriage that you attended during your summer holidays at
your village.
Format 1 Content 2 Expression 2
HOTS Qns:
1. Comment on the role of an astrologer in Indian marriages after your reading of ‘Ranga’s
Marriage’.
Hints- astrology and horoscope important in Indian Hindu marriages-a lot of people suffer due to
this-for believers this is valuable suggestion-due to the plan of narrator and astrologer, Ranga
married Ratna
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2. In India, English language was a priceless commodity. Explain the role of English lof the
anguage in India before and after independence.
English language was introduced and popularised by British for their selfish reasons- the free
India needed this language for advancement- In the story English education is made fun of etc.
LESSON: ALBERT EINSTEIN AT SCHOOL – Patrick Pringle
MLL QNS.
1. Why was Albert’s history teacher resent [angry] with him?
ANS; Mr. Braun, the history teacher feels that Albert was not obeying his instructions.
He firmly believes that a learner should learn the facts by rote from the text & repeat the
same like a parrot. He dislikes the querying [questioning] nature of Albert.
2. Why did Albert want to quit the school & consider it as a hateful place?
ANS: Albert strongly believes that learning should happen based on the ideas or
concepts, but not merely on the facts. Moreover in that school subjects like Maths &
Science were not given importance. So he wanted to quit the school.
3. Why Albert could not quit the school even though he did not want to continue?
ANS: Albert’s father wanted him to continue in that school till he takes his diploma.
Moreover, his father could not afford him good schooling & comfortable lodgings. So he
could not quit the school though he hated it.
4. Which was the more hateful thing at Albert’s lodgings than bad food & discomfort?
ANS: Albert did not bother the bad food, lack of comfort, dirt & squalor at his lodgings.
But he hated the atmosphere of slum violence and the irritating cranky nature of the land
lady.
5. What reasons did the Head teacher give to expel Albert from the school?
ANS: The head teacher accuses that Albert’s presence in the class makes it impossible
for the teacher to teach as he constantly interrupts the teacher with his arguments.
HOTS QNS:
1. Write a Dialogue[role play] between:
a. Albert – Mr . Braun, History teacher.
b. Albert – Elsa, his cousin
c. Albert – Mr. Koch, Maths teacher.
d. Albert – Head teacher.
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2. Write a humorous skit based on the important episodes from the story ‘Albert Einstein
at school.’
[HINTS: classroom scene – conversation between Mr. Braun and Albert – between Elsa and
Albert on the tyranny of ‘rote learning method’ in the education system – between Albert and his
Head teacher]
3. Draft an interview with Albert Einstein imagining as a reporter referring to his school
days and present day education system.
4. Make a diary entry imagining yourself as Albert after expulsion from school and about
your life at new school.
5. You have read an article in the newspaper that in the recent study by Wipro – EI they
found ‘rote learning’ is prevalent even in top schools too. Write a letter to the editor
expressing your views comparing with the present day education system and suggest
the remedies to the issues & challenges pertinent to the teaching-learning process.
HINTS : even top schools exhibit rote learning – students perform better on procedural
questions, but not conceptual ones – students insensitivity to social issues – substantiate with
examples from the lesson.]
6. Make a pen portrait of Albert Einstein based on the theme of the text.
[HIINTS : bold – confident – outspoken – candid – straight forward – assertive – creative –
scientific temper – inquisitive – his opinions on prevalent education system.]
LESSON –“MOTHER’S DAY”
SAQS :- (2 marks each)
1. Who was Mrs. Fitzerald? Why did she offer to help Mrs. Pearson?
Ans: Mrs. Fitzerald was Mrs. Pearson’s elderly neighbour. She offered to help Mrs.
Pearson because Mrs. Pearson was being treated like a slave by her family members. She
was meekly bearing all the ill-treatment without any complaints.
2. What had Mrs. Fitzerald learnt from her husband? How did she want to make use
of it?
Ans: Mrs. Fitzerald had learnt to perform magic from her husband. She wants to make
use of it to exchange her personality with Mrs. Pearson so that she could teach the
Pearson family a lesson.
3. How did Mrs. Pearson tease her daughter Doris Pearson?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson teased her daughter by making fun of her boyfriend , Charlie Spence,
by calling him buck-teeth and half- witted and also her yellow dress.
4. How did Mrs. Pearson make Cyril Pearson realise his mistakes?
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Ans: Mrs. Pearson told Cyril Pearson that his tea was not ready, his dress is not ironed
and also that he should stop spending money on greyhound races and dirt tracks and ice
shows.
5. How did Mrs.Pearson make her husband feel miserable?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson taunted her husband by telling him what the the people at the club
think of him and also telling him that they call him ‘pompy ompy Pearson
6. What was unusual about Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour as noticed by her children?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson’s children noticed that she spoke in a very bold tone , did not prepare
tea, did not iron the dress for Doris, did not mend Cyril’s dress and she also wanted to
and started drinking stout during the day.
7. What lessons did Mrs. Pearson teach her family members in her changed
personality?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson taught her family members that it is not right to take one’s mother for
granted, a mother also needs her own time, entertainment and respect in the family, a
guest should be treated properly and every member of the family should have some basic
manners.
8. When does Mr. George Pearson come to know that something is wrong in the
house? Is he able to find out the reason for it?
Ans: During their talk , when Mrs. Fitzerald calls Mr. George Pearson by his first name,
‘George’, he comes to know that there is something wrong in the house. No, he is not
able to find out the reason for it.
9. How did Mrs. Pearson test if the magic of Mrs. Fitzerald had worked?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson tested if the magic of Mrs. Fitzerald had worked by making her family
members do what she wanted them to do. She asked them to play a game of cards with
her, before she could have a talk with her husband while the children would prepare the
dinner.
LESSON –“MOTHER’S DAY”
HOTS questions :- (7 marks each)
1. How should a mother be treated by her family members and why ?
Hints: The mother -most important person – takes care of all other members – main coordinator of everything – inculcates good habits and values – runs the family – knows
the good and bad for the family.
The family disintegrates – loses its purpose – lacks values – becomes a total mess –
loses respect & peace – leads to hatred and unhappiness.
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2. A change in the attitude of people is inevitable to uplift the status of women in the
society. Substantiate.
Hints :A mother is a mother and not a servant – every member has a role to play – a
mother’s role is pivotal to the growth of a family – both man and woman are equal in
today’ s world- a family’s happiness depends on caring, sharing and respecting each other
– we must change with time.
BIRTH --A J Cronin
M L L Questions
7. Answer the following questions in up to 30 words each.
1. Why was Joe Morgan waiting for Andrew before his closed surgery?
ANS: Joe Morgan’s wife was expecting a baby and so he wanted Andrew to help in the
delivery.
2. Why did the old lady want to prepare a cup of tea for Andrew?
ANS: When Andrew reached Joe Morgan’s house to attend to his wife, there was some
time in the delivery. The old lady thought that Andrew might go back saying that he
would come later. So, she very cleverlyoffered to make a cup of tea for him.
3. What problem did the newborn have?
The baby was born lifeless with no cry and breath. The body was white and pale.
(Suffering from asphyxia, a situation when there is no breath and it could result in death)
4. Just after the birth, both the mother and the baby needed Andrew’s immediate attention.
What choice did he make?
ANS: He attended to the mother first. Once, he found that she was out of danger,
he turned to the baby.
5. What method of treatment did Andrew use/follow to save the baby?
ANS: He followed a special method of respiration. He alternately dipped the baby into
cold and hot water. He also rubbed the baby with a rough towel.
6. How did Andrew feel after both the mother and the baby were out of danger?
ANS:He had a great sense of satisfaction and felt that he had done something real at last
by handling such a difficult case.
HOTS:
1.
Do you think the story Birth supports that contentment and satisfaction derived
from a job done well is the greatest reward?
-work is worship
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-no joy as big as that derived from a work done perfectly
-Andrew deals with the odd case and successfully accomplishes the task.
-Overwhelmed with happiness and a sense of satisfaction
2. “Gaining knowledge is one thing while putting the gained knowledge to use another.’’
Discuss with reference to the story Birth.
-knowledge gained remains useless unless applied
-effective and successful application of the gained knowledge gives a sense of achievement
-Andrew recalls a case which he has seen and gains from that experience when applied.
3. How do you look at the longing of the family for a child given that this would be their
first in the 20 years since marriage?
-first child after having been married for almost 20 years
-deadly needed
-all hopes on Andrew
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