READING SKILLS
Q1. Read the following passage carefully:
Our house is filled with photos. They cover the walls of my kitchen, dining room and den. I see
our family’s entire history, starting with my wedding, continuing through the births of both sons,
buying a home, family gatherings and vacations. When my sons were little, they loved to pose.
They waved, danced, climbed trees, batted balls, hung upside down from the jungle gym and
did anything for a picture. But when they reached adolescence, picture-taking changed into
something they barely tolerated. Their bodies were growing at haphazard speeds. Reluctantly
they stood with us or with their grandparents at birthday celebrations and smiled weakly
at the camera for as short a time as possible.
I am the chronicler of our photographs. I select those to be framed and arrange the others in
albums. The process is addictive, and as the shelves that hold our albums become fuller and
fuller, I wonder what will become of them. Will anyone look at these photographs in future
years? If my sons look at them, what will they think of us and of themselves? One bright
afternoon,
I took some photographs of my father with my husband as they fished in a lake near our
vacation house. As my sons and I sat on the shore and watched them row away, I picked the
camera up and photographed the beautiful lake surrounded by green trees. The two men I
loved gradually grew smaller until all I could see were my father’s red shirt, and the tan and
blue caps on their heads.
My father died a week later, and suddenly those photos became priceless to me. I wept when
I pasted them in our album. I wept again afterwards when I saw my younger son looking at
them. It was a few days before he went away to college. He had taken all our albums down
from the bookshelves in the den and spread them out on the carpet. It had been a very long
time since I had seen him doing this. Once he stopped posing for pictures, he seemed to lose
interest in looking at them. But now he was on the verge of leaving home. This was his special
time to look ahead and look back. I stood for a moment in the hall by the den, and then tiptoed
away. I didn’t take a photo of my son that afternoon, but I will remember how he looked for as
long as I live. Some pictures, I learned, don’t have to be taken with a camera.
1. Fill in the summary using one word only. (1×4= 4 marks)
The author was (a) _____________________________ about taking photographs and
framing them. But she always (b) _____________________________ whether her sons would
ever look at them. She was full of (c) _____________________________ when she pasted
the pictures of her father’s last days in the album. She learnt that some pictures always (d)
_____________________________ in one’s mind without a camera.
2. Two examples that show that the author’s sons were averse to taking photographs are:
(lx2=2 marks)
(a) _______________________
(b) _______________________
3. Give words that mean the same as (1×4= 4 marks)
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1. not organized or planned (para 1)
2. one who records events in order (para 2)
3. very valuable (para 3) priceless
4. continued engagement with an activity (para 2)
2. Read the following poem carefully answer the questions that follow
The Lapwing
In the dark that falls before the dawn,
When the dew has settled on the thorn,
When the stars have been obscured by clouds,
A silence covers all things in shrouds.
No wind sighs in the mulberry tree,
No firefly glimmers wild and free,
A shadow has wrapped the night in gloom,
It's silent as a deserted tomb.
All of a sudden a lapwing's cry
Cuts the black silence as it flies by,
Again and again it slashes the dark
That haunts the empty, desolate park.
Anguish, sorrow pours from its throat,
It wings in the night, note after note;
I open my window so the light
Will flood the dark of this wretched night.
Why does it cry so miserably?
Why is it so solitary?
All I know is that loss and ache
Are left behind in the lapwing's wake.
-Meera Uberoi
Write the option that you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheets:
(a) When darkness falls there is ___________________________.
(i) complete silence everywhere (ii) a shroud covering all things
(iii) the crying of the lapwing to be heard (iv) gloom and desolation
(b) When does the lapwing come out?
(i) at dawn (ii) at night
(iii) just before dawn (iv) in the morning
(c) Why does the poet open the window?
(i) he can get some light (ii) he can hear the lapwing
(iii) he can see the lapwing (iv) he can get some air.
(d) What are the causes of the Lapwing's misery?
(i) loneliness and gloom (ii) loss and pain
(iii) darkness and loss (iv) darkness and pain
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(e) The lapwing's cry fills the poet with _____________________ .
(i) longing (ii) anger
(iii) unhappiness (iv) joy
3. Read the following poem carefully answer the questions that follow
Human Nature
Is it human nature
To desire the forbidden fruit,
To hunger for a blossom
So obsessed with passion
That we forget the pain
That inevitably arises
Once we tease ourselves
With the thought of it
Or taste a tiny part of it,
And it becomes the predator
Eating us like a carnivore
That saves the head for last
Savouring the brain to feed its own
And we, still craving illicit nectar
Enjoying the fact that it is devouring us.
C.J.Grant
1. Another word in the poem that suggests “forbidden” is
a) illicit
b) obsessed
c) crave
d) savour
2. “ It becomes the predator” means
a) being strong and positive against any threat
b) strong emotions influence one negatively
c) pursuit of happiness
d) being cautious against outside influence
3. An example of personification in the poem is
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a) like a carnivore
b) saves the head
c) tease ourselves
d) illicit nectar
4 . “ Eating us like a carnivore” refers to
a) exerting a strong influence
b) being attacked by a wild beast
c) being attacked by a human enemy
d) being attacked by an unknown entity
5. A synonym for the word ‘savouring’ is
a) avoiding
b) sharing
c) smelling
d) experiencing
Q. 4.Read the following passage carefully:
A recent report in News Week says that in American colleges, students of Asian origin
outperform not only the minority group students but the majority whites as well. Many of these
students must be of Indian origin, and their achievement is something we can be proud of. It is
unlikely that these talented youngsters will come back to India, and that is the familiar brain
drain problem. However recent statements by the nation's policy-makers indicate that the
perception of this issue is changing. 'Brain bank' and not 'brain drain' is the more appropriate
idea, they suggest since the expertise of Indians abroad is only deposited in other places and not
lost.
This may be so, but this brain bank, like most other banks, is one that primarily serves
customers in its neighbourhood. The skills of the Asians now excelling in America's colleges
will mainly help the U.S.A.. No matter how significant, what non-resident Indians do for India
and what their counterparts do for other Asian lands is only a by-product.
But it is also necessary to ask, or be reminded, why Indians study fruitfully when abroad. The
Asians whose accomplishments News Week records would have probably had a very different
tale if they had studied in India. In America they found elbow room, books and facilities not
available and not likely to be available here. The need to prove themselves in their new country
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and the competition of an international standard they faced there must have cured mental and
physical laziness. But other things helping them in America can be obtained here if we achieve a
change in social attitudes, specially towards youth.
We need to learn to value individuals and their unique qualities more than conformity and
respectability. We need to learn the language of encouragement to add to our skill in flattery. We
might also learn to be less liberal with blame and less tightfisted with appreciation especially.
1.
Among the many groups of students in American colleges, Asian students :
(a) are often written about in magazines like News Week.
(b) are most successful academically.
(c) have proved that they are as good as the whites.
(d) have only a minority status like the blacks.
2.
The student of Asian origin in America include :
(a) a fair number from India.
(b) a small group from India.
(c) persons from India who are very proud.
(d) Indians who are the most hard working of all.
3.
In general, the talented young Indians studying in America :
(a) have a reputation for being hard working.
(b) have the opportunity to contribute to India's development.
(c) can solve the brain drain problem because of recent changes in policy.
(d) will not return to pursue their careers in India.
4.
There is talk now of the 'brain bank'. This idea :
(a) is a solution to the brain drain problem.
(b) is a new problem caused partly by the brain drain.
(c) is a new way of looking at the role of qualified Indians living abroad.
(d) is based on a plan to utilize foreign exchange remittances to stimulate research and
development.
5.
The brain bank has limitations like all banks in the sense that:
(a) a bank's services go mainly to those near it.
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(b) small neighbourhood banks are not visible in this age of multinationals.
(c) only what is deposited can be withdrawn and utilized.
(d) no one can be forced to put his assets in a bank.
6.
The author feels that what non-resident Indians do for India :
(a) will have many useful side effects.
(b) will not be their main interest and concern.
(c) can benefit other Asian countries, as a by-product.
(d) can American colleges be of service to the world community.
7.
The performance of Indians when they go to study in the West:
(a) shows the fruits of hardwork done by school teachers in India.
(b) should remind us that knowledge and wisdom are not limited by the bounda-ries of race
and nation.
(c) is better than people in the West expect of non-whites.
(d) is better than what it would have been if they had studied in India
8. The high level of competition faced by Asian students in America :
(a) helps them overcome their lazy habits.
(b) makes them lazy since the facilities there are good.
(c) makes them worried about failing.
(d) helps them prove that they are as good as white
9. The author feels that some of the conditions other than the level of facilities that make the
West attractive :
(a) are available in India but young people do not appreciate them.
(b) can never be found here because we believe in conformity.
(c) can be created if our attitudes and values change.
(d) can also give respectability to our traditions and customs.
10. One of the ways of making the situation in India better would be :
(a) to eliminate flattery from public life.
(b) to distinguish between conformity and respectability.
(c) to give appreciation and not be tightfisted.
(d) to encourage people and not merely flatter them.
Q 5. Read the poem given below carefully :
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LAW OF THE JUNGLE
I have heard
There is a law of the jungle
I have heard when the lion has eaten his fill
He never attacks
He goes to lie under dense shady trees
And when the rough gusts Shake branches of trees
The mynah leaving her own young
Covers the frail crow’s eggs With her protective wings.
I have heard When any bird-young falls out of the nest
The entire jungle wakes to rescue.
I have heard
When the weaver bird’s nest
Reflects on the lake
The silvery fishes adopt it as neighbour.
And if a rough storm breaks the foot-bridge.
Then on a wooden plank
Squirrel, snake, goat and cheetah walk in a file.
I have heard
There is a law of the jungle
O God. All Powerful. All Seeing. All Wise.
In this my city Proclaim a law,
Even the law of the jungle
Translated from the Urdu by Syeda Hameed
1. Read the questions given below and write the option you consider the most appropriate in your
answer sheet
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1) The lines ‘……………when the lion has eaten his fill He never attacks’ mean that the lion
a) becomes lazy on full stomach
b) kills only to survive
c) does not attack an easy prey
d) likes to sleep under the shady tree
2) In case of a natural calamity, all the animals
a) run helter-skelter
b) create confusion
c) protect/ safeguard each other
d) take cover in other’s home
3) “I have heard when the lion has eaten his fill, he never attacks” The emotion conveyed
through the above line is
a) contentment
b) selflessness
c) community feeling
d) co-operation
4) ‘Proclaim a law’ means
a) make an announcement
b) break a law
c) change the law
d) amend the city law
5) The poet prays to God for
a) turning the city into a jungle
b) making people more empathetic/ understanding
c) killing all animals
d)letting animals rule man
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Q 6. Read the poem given below carefully :
Letter from a Parent
Dear Sir,
I feel I ought to write
about Tom’s essay-work last night.
Of all the subjects you have set
this seemed the most unwise yet.
“Describe your family” …. Tom wrote it,
so well, I just had to stop it
being handed in – so did my wife.
The details of our family life
are not such a kind, alias,
that I should want them read in class:
we did not wish the high school staff
to read them for a lunch hour laugh.
We tore it out. I realize
you may think what we did unwise
but give it your consideration.
And please accept my explanation.
I trust you will not blame my son,
for, after all, the work was done.
Yours truly
Harold Honey bun
Answer the questions by choosing the best alternatives:
(A) Who is writing this letter ?
(i) a son (ii) a daughter (iii) a teacher (iv) a father
(B) What essay Tom was supposed to write ?
(i) to describe his vacation
(ii) to describe his homework
(iii) to describe his family
(iv) none of the above.
(C) The father forbids his son to submit the essay to his teacher because:
(i) he did not like the description of the family written by Tom
(ii) he did not want the essay to be a laughing stock for the teachers at the lunch hour
(iii) his wife did not take it
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(iv) the essay was very long.
(D) What did the father want the teacher to do ?
(i) Tom should be pardoned
(ii) to give him some other topic for essay
(iii) not to accept any explanation
(iv) none of the above.
(E) Pick out a phase from the poem that tells us that the parent pleads with the teacher to excuse his
son:
(i) being handed in
(ii) read them for a – lunch – hour – laugh
(iii) give it your consideration
(iv) accept my explanation.
7. Read the following poem carefully:
Four seasons fill the measure of the year;
There are four seasons in the mind of man:
He has his lusty Spring when fancy clear
Takes in all beauty with an easy span;
He has his Summer, when luxuriously
Spring’s honey cud of youthful thought he loves
To ruminate, and by such dreaming high
Is nearest unto heaven: quite coves
His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
He furleth close; contended so to look
On mist in idleness- to let fair things
Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.
He has his winter too of pale misfeature,
Or else he would forgo his mortal nature. -John Keats
Question: Choose the right option:
1)
In this poem man’s mind is compared to:
(a) seasons
(b) nature
(c) spring
(d) winter
2) How many seasons are there in the mind of man?
(a) four
(b) three
(c) five
(d) two
3) ‘ruminate’ means:
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(a) to think seriously
(c) to depend on
(b) to chew slowly as cow do
(d) to be melancholy
4) Winter, in this poem symbolizes:
(a) misfortune
(b) weakness/debility (c) death (d) darkness
5) Line three in the poem describes:
(a) lust
(b) youthfulness/zest/energy
(c) spring of one’s life
(d) flowering
8. Read the passage carefully:
How my Life changed its Course
1. Ever since I can remember, I always felt I was stupid, really stupid. I lost my father when I
was three. Since I was a sick child, a polio victim, I lived with my grandmother in Mumbai
so I could avail of the metro’s advanced medical facilities. I remember being on the streets
all day, playing or lazing around.
2. When I turned ten, my mother and my sister came to live in Mumbai too. My sister was a
bright student, always securing high grades. She and my mother encouraged me to study, but
I just could not bring myself to concentrate on any subject. I would get bored and feel sleepy
when forced to open my books. After innumerable lectures on the importance of studying
had failed, mother tried threats as well, but nothing worked, I truly believed I was stupid; no
matter how much I worked, it wouldn’t help.
3. One afternoon, as always, I was sitting under a tree in the school premises eating potato
wafers when I saw a former classmate approaching me. Aditi and I had been in the same
class the year before. I had failed sixth grade and had to repeat the year; Aditi had topped the
class and was the brightest student of the seventh grade too. I flinched a little Aditi as I saw
her walk towards me. ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘Hi,’ I replied, but not with much enthusiasm; I wanted
her to leave. I continued to eat my chips. Ignoring my coldness, she sat down next to me. For
five minutes neither of us spoke and then she asked, ‘Is Devika your real sister?’ ‘Yes, she
is, ‘I answered.
4. ‘So how come she doesn’t teach you so that you too can do well? she asked. I peered at her,
wondering if she was making fun of me, but all I could see on her face was earnestness. No,
she is not trying to tease me, I decided. This time I answered a little more warmly, ‘She tries
to, but I don’t like studying.’ ‘Why not? I’m sure you can get good grades too,’ she said
emphatically. ‘No, I can’t. I have no brains. God forgot to give me brains, health or beauty.
He gave me nothing.’
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5. “That’s not true. And anyway, health and beauty can’t be helped, but God has given brains to
everyone, we only have to learn to use it.’ I shook my head, ‘No, I have difficulty in
concentrating, and books bore me; there is no hope for me. Please leave me alone. I am
stupid, and always will be.’ With the gentlest tone that she could muster she said, ‘I can
prove it to you that you are not stupid. Give me one chance, I will teach you to study.’
6. Though I was softening from inside, I still held on to my low self-esteem. ‘You’ll be wasting
your time.I cannot study, I am not as bright as you are nor lucky as my sister,’ I said ‘Let me
try and help you, please. I will show you the right way to study. You just have to cooperate
with me. Will you try?’ Her belief in me proved more powerful than my doubts about myself.
She won and I relented.
1. Give reasons for the followinga)
b)
c)
d)
The writer believed that she was stupid.
The writer flinched as she saw her friend walking towards her.
The writer lacked interest in her studies.
The writer was not a very confident or assertive girl.
2. Complete the following
a) When she had to study she felt ------- and -----------.
b) The writer said that God had forgotten to give her brains ----------- and -----c) Her mother tried to convince her to study by ________ and ----------------.
d) -------- was the writer’s sister and --------- was a classmate in the previous year.
3. From the passage find one word which means the same as -
2 marks
a) Make a sudden movement as a result of pain, fear, surprise etc. (para 3)
b) Find as much support, courage etc as you can (para5)
c) Finally agree to something after refusing (para 6)
d) To look carefully at something, to see it clearly (para 4)
9.Read the passage given below and complete the statements that follow by choosing the
answers from the given options.
On Sprouts
(1) Sprouts relatively contain the largest amount of nutrients per unit of any food known to
man. Sprouts produce a fountain of power for chemical changes. Enzymes are produced, starch
gets converted into glucose. Protein is transformed into amino acids and vitamin value
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increases. In fact a new explosion of life force takes place. According to Dr. Bailey of the
University of Minnerata, U.S.A the vitamin C value of wheat increases 600 percent in the early
sprouting period. Dr. C.R. Show of the University of Taxas Cancer Centre found that cancer
was inhibited upto 90% when healthy bacteria were exposed to a cancer causing substance in
the presence of a juice made from wheat sprouts.
(2) Enzymes which initiate and control almost every chemical reaction in our bodies, are
greatly activated in the sprouting process. Enzymes spark the entire digestive system to
synthesize the nutrients in our food into blood. They are the key to longevity.
(3) Sprouts are enjoyed more when they are fresh. Mix sprouts with other foods and dressing,
according to your taste and enjoy eating them. But eat them you must, everyday! you will soon
realise that making sprouts a part of your diet has a dramatic effect on your health. With this
live food, all the cells of your body will become active and agile
(4) The nourishment which develops as the sprouts grow is very stable and can be frozen or
dried for future. Sprouted potato or tomato seeds are likely to be poisonous. Alfalfa and
moongbean Sprouts are excellent soft food. They are almost predigested and can be easily
assimilated even by the children and the elderly. They contain every known vitamin in perfect
balance, necessary for the human body.
(1) Sprouts are useful because they __________.
(a) contain largest amount of nutrients
(b) produce a fountain of power for chemical changes
(c) produce enzymes, convert starch into glucose
(d) all of the above.
(2) The vitamin C value of __________ increases 600 percent in the early sprouting
process.
(a) nutrients (b) wheat(c) glucose(d) enzymes
(3) __________ seeds are likely to be poisonous when sprouted.
(a) Alfalfa
(b) Moongbean
(c) Potato and tomato
(d) none of the above
(4) `They are the key to longevity. Here `They refers to __________.
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(a) nutrients
(b) vitamins
(c) sprouts
(d) enzymes
(5) A word from the passage which means, to combine a large range of something is
__________.
(a) contain
(b) inhibited
(c) synthesize
(d) assimilate
10.Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by writing the
options that you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheet :
The bees and the wasps make a special kind of shelter. It is called the hive where a colony of
bees or wasps live comfortably. A hive made by bees is called a beehive and beehive that
stores honey is called honeycomb.
In a beehive, bees that live, are of three kinds - queens, drones and workers Queen bees lay
thousands of eggs and place one egg in each chamber of the hive. Only one queen bee is
allowed in a beehive at a time. Drones are the male and they are used for mating. Worker bees
are responsible for the welfare and maintenance of the comb They protect the eggs also, till
they hatch into larvae and larvae are fed till they grow into pupae. Pupae transform into adults.
The adults so developed may be queens, drones or workers.
Honeybees visit flowers regularly. It is very much pleasant seeing them sitting on the flowers.
They collect pollens and nectar from the flowers. Nectar collected by honeybees is honey.
Honey has medicinal quality and possesses antibiotic substances
(a) Honeycomb is a __________.
(i) hive made by wasps (ii) beehive that stores honey
(iii) hive made by bees (iv) hive made by bees and wasps
(b) In a beehive __________ queen(s) can live at a time
(i) four (ii) three (iii) two (iv) one
(c) The work of egg - laying is performed by __________.
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(i) queen (ii) drones (iii) workers (iv) drones and workers
(d) A larva changes into a/an __________.
(i) adult (ii) egg (iii) pupa (iv) a wingless bee
(e) Nectar collected by bees is called __________.
(i) wax (ii) pollen (iii) honey (iv) fat
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -1
1.
Harish had the conversation given below with a client who wanted to speak to his boss
Mr. Sharma. Since he was going out immediately afterwards, he left a message for him.
Read the conversation and write out the message is not more than 50 words.
Put the message in a box.
2.
Mr Asif
: Hello, could I please speak to Mr Sharma?
Harish :
I’m afraid he is not in at the moment. He won’t be back till after lunch.
Could I be of help to you?
Mr Asif :
Yes, please. This is Asif from Garment Designers Fabricators here. I
would like to meet him to discuss the new project our firm plans to take up
with your firm. When can I do so?
Harish :
He will be in office all day tomorrow. You could come at 10 in the
morning. Would that be all right?
Mr Asif :
Yes, that will be fine, thank you.
Vishal Mehra of Class IX is a theatre enthusiast and is interested in entering an interschool play competition being held to celebrate the Independence Day of India. His
teacher has told him the school could enter the competition if he finds enough volunteers
before 10 July to take care of all the work – acting, directing, costumes, props, lights, etc.
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He decides to write a notice for the notice-board asking for participants and volunteers.
Write out the notice in not more than 50 words. Give the notice an appealing heading.
Put your notice in a box.
3.
John writes a page of his diary recording his first experience of a public examination.
Below are listed his experiences. Using these notes, write out a page of his diary is not
more than 200 words.
Notes
Nervous feeling - praying to God. lots of noises around - students rushing towards
examination hall - finding the correct seats - condition of the examination hall receiving the question paper - instructions from the examiner - reading of the paper beginning to write - revising - rewriting - finishing in time.
4.
The fact that many of the young children of today live and grow up in unhygienic
surroundings, ill nourished and illiterate, upsets you. Write a letter to the newspaper editor on the
problems faced by them and suggest ways of rehabilitating them so that they, too, can have a
better future. Write the letter in not more than 150 words.
5. Two friends were passing through a dense forest . Suddenly they heard some animal
screaming………Complete the story in 120 words.
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -2
1. Given below is a profile of Mr. Raj, the school gardener. Write a short bio sketch of Mr. Raj.
You may take the help of the clues given below:
• age-around 50 years
• height/weight-six feet, solid built
• family-large-six children, four boys, two girls
• education-high school
• his likes/dislikes-plant, nursery, manure, organic
• why he is popular/unpopular-believes children are like young saplings....
2. You have just seen a girl walking in the rain. Last week you were also caught in a sudden
shower of rain like her. Write an e-mail to your friend describing the experience (minimum
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120 words). You may take help from the following points:
• unexpected rain
• no umbrella/raincoat
• completely drenched
• how you felt
• reactions of other passers-by
• condition of traffic/roads
3. Mrs. Ghosh your teacher has recently retired after forty years of service to the school. You
have been asked to interview her for the school magazine (minimum 150 words). Write an
article based on the interview on the points given below:
• pleasant memories of the school
• reaction to the changes that have come into the schools/students in the last forty years
• plans on how to spend your retirement
• message for the students
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -3
.1. Marie Curie is one of the most proficient physicists and chemical analysts the world has ever
seen. Given below are notes on her life. Write a biographical sketch of her.
BORN
–
7 November 1867 in Warsaw, Poland
NATURE
–
quiet, dignified, unassuming
EDUCATION
–
general education in local schools
–
scientific training from her father
ACHIEVEMENTS –
DIED
founded theory of radioactivity
–
honoured with two Noble Prizes in Physics and Chemistry
–
discovered two new elements : Polonium, radium
–
4 July, 1934
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2. There is much hype about cricket while other games like hockey seem to be neglected. Write a
letter to the editor of a national daily highlighting
the cause of this neglect and suggest what could be
done to elevate the status of the other games and
sports. You are Rajat/Ragini. The following
suggestions may help you.

Provide better facilities

Give better publicity

Encourage more games in schools and colleges

Give more incentives

Get more sponsors
3. Write an article ‘Save and Protect the Girl Child’. You are Arun/Anamilka. The following
points may help you.

Spread awareness

Harsh punishment for offenders

Remove orthodox views

Highlight achievements of girls
.
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -4
1.You have come to know that you have been selected for a dance/drama competition at state
level. Write a diary entry expressing your views about the same.
2.You were involved with ‘Green Champs’ activities. Write a letter to ‘The Times of India’,
relating your experiences and suggesting what more could be done to conserve nature and stop
pollution. Write the letter in not more than 150 words.
3.Write an essay in not more than 150 words on ‘The harmful effects of advertisements’.
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[ annoying hindrance – makes product costly – purpose to sell – soul of the media – pop up every
8-10 minutes on television – great impact on minds of children – imitate – youngsters resort to
unhealthy diet and ways – emphasize perfect body and complexion thus undermines youth
confidence – inferior quality ]
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -5
1. Read the following notes from the notepad of Mr S. P Sharma , School Inspector,Rainbow
School, Mumbai. He asks his assistant to draft a message for the Principal , Mr R. S Khare. Use
the information given below and draft the message in not more than 50 words. Put the message
in a box.
Meeting at 9 am in Audio-Visual room
Teachers teaching Class IX and above must attend
Feedback and follow-up of previous meeting and aims for future as agenda points
2. Imagine that you are Kevin and you went on a tour during the holidays. A friend of yours,
Mohit wanted to know all about your tour. Write a dialogue between you and your friend.The
beginning of the conversation has been given to you.
Mohit: Where were you since so long?
Kevin: I had a very nice time.
Mohit: Is it? How?
Kevin:[a]-------------------------------------------------------------Mohit:[b] ------------------------------------------------------------Kevin:[c]-------------------------------------------------------------Mohit:[d]-------------------------------------------------------------Kevin:[e]-------------------------------------------------------------3. You are going to appear in the final examination . Write an e-mail to your father from your
hostel about how you wish to score well in the exam. The format of the e-mail has been provided
to you.
From:
To:
19
Date:
Sub:
Dear father
Yours lovingly
4.You are an active member of the Youth Wing of your society. Your organisation has planned
to organise Anti Smoking Campaign in the nearby slum areas. Draft a speech which you have to
deliver on the occasion.
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -6
1.You are Sharon/ Paul, the President of the Environment Club of St Xaviers Public School.
Write a notice informing the students about the organisation of “Safe Environment Week” by
your school in which various activities will be held. Give neccessary details. Do not exceed the
word limit of 50 words.
2. A very old aquaintance of your father came to visit her after many years but unfortunately
your father was not at home. The stranger didn’t reveal his name but promised to return within a
week. He simply introduced hereslf as College mate of your father. In about 100 words, prepare
a description of the stranger, taking help from the Unit-People of Main Course Book.
3. For the first time, you took up a train journey alone to visit your grandparents during school
vacations. Write an e-mail to your father, describing your experience . The format of the e-mail
has been provided to you.
From:
To:
Date:
Sub:
Dear father
20
Yours lovingly
4.You are Nikhil/ Namita ,of 33- Suvidha Park, Mumbai. Write a letter to the Editor , regarding
increasing number of chain snatching incidents in your society. Through your letter make an
appeal to the readers as well to be more cautious and alert.
.
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -7
1. Write a bio-sketch , taking help from the hints given below. (Word limit 80)
WALT DISNEY
BIRTH
: 1901, Chicago
EDUCATION
: Studied at Kansas City Art Institute
CAREER
: Commercial artist and animator for an advertising company.
ACHIEVEMENTS
: # Created famous cartoon characters – Mickey Mouse, Donald
Duck
# Films – Snowwhite and Seven Dwarfs
# Pinnochio, Bambi, The Jungle Book
# Opened Disney land in 1954 in California
DEATH
in 1966
2. Write an e-mail to your friend describing the farewell party given to your favourite teacher
who retired from the school recently. You may take help of the clues given below. The format of
the e-mail is given. (Word limit 120)
21
Ms Annie – English teacher – served for 30 years – highly qualified – taught using innovative
methods – understanding and caring – treated everyone equally – the occasion both sad and
nostalgic – touching farewell speech by the principal sir – everybody got emotional – Ms Annie
could barely speak – will be remembered forever.
Date :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sir / XYZ
CONTENT
Regards / Love
Name
3.Complete the following dialogue in about 100 words:
Sonia: What would you like to drink?
Deli: I would like to have some coffee , please.
Sonia: Sorry, I do not have coffee.
Deli: __________________________________
Sonia: ______________________________________
Deli: ________________________________
Sonia: __________________________________
22
Deli: ___________________________________
4. Describe a visit to a museum in about 100 words.
5. In your school , truancy and bunking classes, especially in the senior sections, are on the
increase. As the Headboy of the school, you have been asked by the Principal to submit a report
with your findings and recommendations for the improvement of the same. Construct your report
in not more than 120 words. Sign yourself as Ramandeep Singh.
___________
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -8
1. Given below are the details of Santosh Hegde , Lokayukta . Using the details write a short
description of him in about 80 words for your class magazine.
Born on 16 June, 1940- Nitte Village of Karkala Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District- Law
Degree-Government Law College, Bangalore- Presently University Law College, Bangalorecompleted his graduation in law-joined the Bar in January 1966- appointed- the Advocate
General of Karnataka in February 1984 - continued till 1988.
Appointed- Additional Solicitor General of India in November 1989 - In November 1998appointed as Solicitor General of India- the only person to be – appointed-Karnataka so far.
23
After retirement from the Supreme Court in June 2005, , Justice Hegde-appointed- Chairperson,
Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi on 6.7.2005 and functioned in that
position . August 2006- was appointed as Lokayukta of Karnataka State from August 2006 for 5
years.
Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Mangalore in February 2005; by the
Karnataka State Open University Mysore in March, 2009.
2. International schools are mushrooming all over the place. They seem to be offering hi-fi
facilities to students. They try and lure parents and children promising them international
education . Write an article expressing your opinion about the topic
3. You are Aniruddh . You have won the Presidency Challenge Cup , War of Words trophy for
the current year. You write a diary entry describing your feelings, your preparations , the support
and guidance you received etc.
4.Complete the following dialogue in about 100 words.
Priya: You look very slim and fit. Have you joined a gym?
Jyoti: No, not really. But I have recently started going for a morning walk.
Priya: You must be getting up very early. Don’t you feel tired?
Jyoti: Initially I found it difficult to manage the time,but gradually I formed a routine.
Priya: _______________________________________________
Jyoti: _______________________________________________.
Priya: _________________________________________________
Jyoti: _______________________________________________________
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -9
1. Your school is planning to organize a grand function on the National Girl Child
Day. Draft a notice in about 50 words informing the students about the function. Invent all
other necessary details. You are Ram/Rosita, Cultural Secretary.
2. Given below is a profile of Ms Poonam Seth. Write a short sketch of her, in about
100 words with the help of clues given below :
Birth
: Delhi, rich family
24
Age, etc
Family
: 35, beautiful, smart, agile
: married, handsome husband, Director in a company, one school going
daughter, joint family
Likes and Dislikes
: keen reader of The Ramayan, discharges duties sincerely, good
daughterin-law and daughter, loves movie and watch a new movie every Friday.
Hobbies
: dancing and gardening
3. You visited the Water Park in your city as a part of school excursion. You noticed that
the water was not clean and also had a stale smell which could result in many water borne
diseases. Write a letter in about 120 words to the editor of a local newspaper on your
experience on visiting the place and how the polluted water would affect the visitors.
Include the precautions that should be taken in the Water Park. You are Neeta / Nitin .
4. You are an avid reader and would like to address the students in the library class on
“The Joy Of Reading”. Prepare your speech taking help form the following points along
with your own ideas in not more than 150 words.
Joy of reading - wide variety of books – informative, interesting, colourful – library has
silence all around – can pick up any book that we desire – can get to know the writers
through their books – pleasure of having our own books is incomparable
INTEGRATED WRITING PRACTICE -10
1. You are Sonal,who has arrived at the New Delhi Railway Station to board the Shatabdi
Express to Amritsar. You hear the following announcement. Write a message from Sonal to be
sent to your father through your driver in not more than 50 words.
This is for the attention of all the passengers to board the Shatabdi Express bound for Amritsar
scheduled to arrive at 6.55 a.m. The Shatabdi Express has derailed 20 kilometres from ABCcity.
Please note that the Howrah Express that leaves the New Delhi Railway Station at 8.30 a.m.will
carry all the passengers to their destination. You are requested not to buy a new ticket. Your
ticket for the Shadabdi Express holds valid and at par for the Howrah Express. Special coaches
are being attached to the Howrah Express to accommodate passengers of Shadabdi Express.
25
2. You have to address your class about the precautions and measures to be taken against
malaria, which is spreading in your town. Here are a few ideas to help you. Write the speech in
not more than 150 words.
Prevention is better than cure—cleanliness – in and outside the house – no water logging –
mosquito nets – DDT spray – flitting – full sleeves – full pants – covers.
You are Manasi. You visited ‘The Green gardens Resort’ during the holidays. Write an
article in not more than 200 words for your school magazine about why the place
attracted you. Include the following:
3.





Accessibility
Reasonable charges
Hygienic surroundings
Scenic beauty
Facilities available.
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -1
1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets :
The market is (a) ………………(flood) with substandard helmets for bike riders. This
poor quality has (b) ………..(lead) to a fourth of all road deaths. Major manufacturers
(c)………………..(speak) about this matter at the Road Safety Conference. They
mentioned that there (d) ………..(is) no data available on the number of ISI marked
helmets(e) ………..(manufacture).Poor quality helmets (f)……………(is) known as
plastic helmets.
26
2.Complete the following paragraph by filling the most appropriate word in each
blank from those given below.
Dr.Bhosma Sahani, (a) ………… freedom fighter, novelist, writer and actor, was born in
1915 (b) ………………..Rawalpindi. The bloodshed (c) ………… partition left a deep
impression on his mind.
(a) (i) a (b) (ii) the
(c) (iii) an
(b) (i) at (b) (ii) in
(c) (iii) by
(c) (i) at (b) (ii) during (c) (iii) in
(d) (iv) no article
(d) (iv) on
(d) (iv) by
3.Complete the following conversation given below.
When are you leaving for Kolkata?
I will leave right after the examination
Would you like me to drop you at the station?
Dennis and Joey went to the park to play. There they met Mr. Floyd. The boys and Mr.
Floyd greeted each other.
Mr. Floyd then asked the boys (a) ……….. .Dennis replied (b) ……………….. after the
examination. Mr. Floyd then asked him (c) ……….. to drop him at the station.
4. In the passage given below one word has been omitted in each line. Write the most
appropriate missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes
after against the correct blank number. Underline the word that forms your answer.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
The Somnath temple is believed to have
…………
Founded in gold by Lord Somnath, moon
…………
God, to show his gratitude Lord Shiva
…………
Cured him of the effects of poison. It
…………
Extended in silver by Ravi, renovated
…………
Wood by Lord Krishna and in stone by Bhimdeva …………
……………
…………..
……………
…………..
……………
………….
……………
………….
……………
………….
……………
……..
5.Complete the following paragraph by filling the most appropriate word in each blank
from those given below.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Folk tales offer a ………… of advice.
…………of them deliver the message
quite …….. .There is a story about
Birbal not being allowed to ………..
The king’s free lunch. The ……was
27
f) ……….he was not dressed properly.
(a) ((i) a lots (b) (ii) lot
(c) (iii) lots
(d) (iv) let
(b) i) Much
(b) (ii) Many (c) (iii) Some
(d) (iv) Any
(c) ((i) clear (b) (ii) clearly (c) (iii) cleared
(d) (iv) clearing
(d) ((i) attends (b) (ii) attended(c) (iii)attend
(d) (iv) attending
(e) ((i)reasons (b) (ii) reason (c) (iii) reasoned (d) (iv) reasoning
(f) ((i) that
(b) (ii) those (c) (iii) who
(d) (iv) this
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -2
1.Choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below to complete the
following passage.
Since the beginning of human existence, people (a) ______________________ over the world
have expressed their emotions and ideas (b) ________________ the medium of dance. The
word ‘folk’ means people.
Folk dances express the moods and feelings of (c)
___________________ common people. Different regions (d) _____________ India have their
own dances. (e) ______________ dance is accompanied by music and songs of the region to (f)
______________ it belongs. (g)______________ recent times folk dances have gained (h)
___________________ popularity, partly because of films and television shows.
(a) (i) all
(b) (i) in
(ii) whole
(ii) into
(iii) much
(iii) through
(iv) more
(iv) of
(c) (i) the
(d) (i) at
(ii) a
(ii) of
(iii) an
(iii) for
(iv) some
(iv) from
(e) (i) Each
(f) (i) what
(ii) All
(ii) which
28
(iii) Whole
(iii) who
(iv) Many
(iv)whose
(g) (i) Of
(h) (i) great
(ii) For
(ii) for
(iii) In
(iii) much
(iv) Until
(iv) many
2.Given below are some tips on how to improve your memory. Read the given hints and
complete the passage by filling in the gaps choosing the answers from the given options.
•
•
•
•
•
•
How to Improve Your Memory
Exercise your brain.
Reduce stress.
Create vivid, memorable images.
Repeat things you need to learn.
Group things you need to remember.
Try meditation.
There are some simple steps that can help you to improve your memory. The first step (a)
.................................... with things like crossword puzzles, chess etc. The second step is (b)
..................................... lives because stress can cause us to forget things. The next step
(c).......................................... which will help us to remember things. Another method
involves repeating things that we want to learn and (d)……………………. so that we do not
forget them easily. Finally, the most important method is to try meditation.
(a) (i) being to exercise your brain
(ii) is to exercise one’s brain
(iii) is to exercise your brain
(iv) being exercising the brain
(ii) reducing stress in one’s
(b) (i) to reduce stress in your
(iii) reduction of stress in one’s
(iv) to reduce stress in our
(c) (i) is creating vivid and memorable images
(ii) is to creating vivid and memorable
images
(iv) creation of vivid and memorable
images
(ii) group things together
(iii) creating vivid and memorable images
(d) (i) to group things together
(iii) to be grouping things together
(iv) grouped things together
29
3. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the
incorrect word . Remember to underline the word you have supplied.
Often these days we hear and speak of the conquered
(a) _______ _________
in nature, ‘the taming of a river’, ‘the war against insects’
(b)_______ _________
and so on. Often these phrases being used without consciously
(c) _______ _________
attaching any value to them, but those have an
(d)_______ _________
underlying attitude of hostile towards Nature and Nature’s
(e)_______ _________
creatures, a viewpoint which seeming to assume
(f)________ _________
Nature as an enemy that needs to being vanquished.
(g) _______ _________
Alternatively, Nature is seen merely as the ‘resource’ to be
(h) _______ _________
‘exploited’
4. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. .
one / fell / day / a / farmer's / will / donkey / into / down / a
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.
(a) the / farmer / know / to / didn't / do / cried / animal/the / and / what
(b) invited / he / neighbors / all / help / his / to / him
(c) what / donkey / the / didn't / at first / realize / was / happening
(d) he / everybody's / to / then / amazement / down/ quietened
1. 5. Read the following conversation and complete the passage given below.
Customer:
Can I have a small bottle of tomato sauce?
Shopkeeper:
Sorry, I have only big bottles.
Customer:
When will it be available?
Shopkeeper:
I can give it to you tomorrow.
30
Customer:
Thank you, then I will get it tomorrow.
The customer asked the shopkeeper (a) …………………….. . The shopkeeper said that he only
had big bottles of tomato sauce. The customer wanted to know (b) …………………….. . The
shopkeeper said that (c) …………………….. .. The customer thanked him and said that (d)
…………………….. .
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTCE -3
1. A reporter made the following notes for news item in the newspaper. Complete the
news using the given notes by choosing the most appropriate option from those
given below.
NOTES
Train accident-Level Crossing-2 p.m.-1.3.99-12 km-Nagpur-collides with trucks-at high speed-4
dead-several hurt
At a level crossing near Nagpur (a) ……..away, a rail accident took place (b) ……. . The
train wsa running at (c) …… .It was passing (d) ……….. on € ……. .The train driver saw
the truck and (f) ……………….
(a) ((i) 2 km (b) (ii) 12 m
(c) (iii) 12 litre
(d) (iv) 12 km
(b) ((i) at 1.30 p.m. (b) (ii) at 9.12 p.m.
(c) (iii) at 2 p.m.
(d) (iv)
3 p.m.
(c) (i) low speed (b) (ii) moderate speed
(c) (iii) high speed
(d) (iv)very
high speed
(d) (i) a railway crossing (b) (ii) a bridge
(c) (iii) a level crossing
(d)
(iv) a highway
(e) (i) 31st March 1999 (b) (ii) 1st March 1999
(c) (iii) 1st March 1899
(d) (iv) 13th March 1999
(f) (i) a whistle (b) (ii) whistling
(c) (iii) whistled
(d) (iv) the whistles
2. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful
sentences.
a) is/the/receiver/lifted
b) is heard/is dialed/when/the dial tone/required number/the
c) at the other end/picked/when/into the slit/the receiver/a one rupee
coin/is/is/dropped/provided
d) go/the/can/on/conversation/three minutes/for
e) disconnected/gets/after/soon/the line
31
3. Read the following conversation and complete the passage given below.
Renu: How was the school fete?
Rinku: I didn’t like it much.It had no stalls for spicy food items.
Renu: Raghu told me that a lot of games were organized to attract the students.
Rinku: Yes, he is right. But there were very few prizes for the winners.
Renu asked Rinku (a)……………….Rinku told her that (b) …………as it had had no stalls
for spicy food items. Renu said that she had been informed by Raghu (c)
………………….to attract the students . Rinku replied that Raghu was right in saying so
and added (d) …………………………………
4. The underlined words in the following passage have not been used appropriately.
Replace them by choosing the most appropriate option from the ones given below
the passage.
Going up and down from one floor to another in a big mall can be (a) tired.
To make things easier, most of the big malls have special stairs-stairs that move.
These moving stairs are called (b) escalate.
When you step on to a moving stair, the steps (c) magic
appear from under the ground. They take you up to the top, then (d) disappeared
again. Where do they go? The stairs are (e) actual
part of a huge belt that winds around two wheels.
The steps are upright when you (f) riding
on them. But they flatten out when they go round the wheels.
(a) (i) tire (ii) tiring (iii) tires (iv) untired
(b) (i) escalation (ii) escalated (iii)escalating (iv) escalators
(c) (i) magical (ii) magician (iii) magically (iv) magics
(d) (i) disappearance (ii) disappear (iii) disappears (iv) disappearing
(e)
(i) actually (ii) actual (iii) action (iv) actively
(f) (i) ridden (ii) rides (iii) rode (iv) ride
32
5. Complete the following passage by choosing the correct passive forms of the verbs
given in brackets from the alternatives given below the passage.
It (a) ______________ (decide) to construct a number of flyovers at main intersections in
the capital to ease the traffic flow. It (b) __________ (hope) that the problem of traffic jams
at these intersections (c) ______________ (solve) to a great extent.
(a) (i) is decided (ii) will be decided (iii) has been decided (iv) is being decided
(b) (i) has been hoped (ii) was hoped (iii) will be hoped (iv) is hoped
(c) (i) has been solved (ii) will be solved (iii) was solved (iv) had been solved
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -4
1. Complete the dialogue by choosing the correct alternative from those given below.
Neha: Your watch is exclusive. Please tell me (a) __________
Nidhi: I bought it from a showroom (b) _______________
Neha: Will you tell me (c) ____________________
Nidhi: Only five hundred rupees.
(a) (i) when you bought it? (ii) why you bought it? (iii) where did you buy it from? (iv)
where you bought it from?
(b) (i) who is situated in kamla nagar (ii) which is situated in kamla nagar? (iii) whom is
situated in kamla nagar? (iv) where is situated in kamla nagar?
(c) (i) which it cost you? (ii) how much did it cost you? (iii) how many it cost you? (iv) how
much it cost you?
2. Read the following dialogue and then complete the report by choosing the correct
option from the ones given below:
Doctor : How are you feeling now?
Raghu : Much better, sir.
Doctor : Are you taking the medicines regularly?
Raghu : yes, sir.
33
The doctor asked Raghu (a)________________. Raghu replied that (b)__________ much
better. The doctor further asked Raghu (c)____________ the medicines regularly. Raghu
replied in the affirmative. (a) (i) that how he was feeling (ii) how he was feeling . (iii) how
you are feeling . (iv) how was he feeling. (b) (i) I am feeling (ii) I was feeling (iii) he is
feeling (iv) he was feeling (c) (i) if you are taking (ii) if he is taking (iii) that he was taking
(iv) if he was taking
3.Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences
as shown:
streets /during/ can see/ slogans/ elections,/ supporters/ political parties/ the/ shouting /of/ in /
we.
During elections, we can see supporters of political parties shouting slogans in the streets.
a. on foot/ the/ greeting/ candidates/ walk/ the/ even / people.
b. opportunity/ they/ the/ of / catch/ shaking hands/ anyone/ meet/ they/ with.
c. their problems/ people/ their/ assure/ that / they / will / supporters.
d. to exercise/ votes / they/ candidates/ urge/them/ their/ in favour of their.
4. 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:
Incorrect
The passenger were waiting at
the station when five policemen rushing (a)
into difference compartments of a (b)
train. After sometimes one of them (c)
comes out with two young men (d)
and soon another policeman joined her. (e)
The men which had been arrested (f)
was been caught for a theft. (g)
They had stealed two cars (h)
e.g. passenger
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
Correct
passengers
____________
____________
____________
____________
__________
____________
____________
____________
5. In the passage given below, some words are missing. Choose the correct word from
the given options to complete the passage meaningfully:
The first test tube baby turtle (a) ___________ born last month in California. The story
began
(b) _________ a broken turtle egg (c) _________ on the seashore. Scientists (d)
__________
to work carefully bringing up (e) ___________ baby turtle which has now (f) ___________.
this
34
winter the turtle (g). ___________ be returned (h) ___________ the sea.
(a) (i) was born (ii) were born (iii) is born (iv) are born
(b) (i) where
(ii) which
(iii) when
(iv) who
(c) (i) is find
(ii) was found (iii) are finding (iv) found
(d) (i) get
(ii) are getting (iii) gets
(iv) have got
(e) (i) a
(ii) an
(iii) are
(iv) the
(f) (i) have grown(ii) is grown
(iii) grown
(iv) are grown
(g) (i) might
(ii) could
(iii) must
(iv) would
(h) (i) to
(ii) at
(iii) in
(iv) into
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -5
1. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets:
Many situations -----------[avoid] sometimes because they are against our --------------[expect].
But if these situations -----------------[accept] as challenges to overcome and not means of -----------[escape], we can-------------[manage]easily. The pre-requisite condition -------------[remain]
matured and positive outlook. Such viewpoint--------------[develop] in our childhood as we ------------[teach]by our experiences.
2 . Given below are some tips for preparing strawberry milkshake. Read the given hints
and complete the passage by filling in the gaps choosing the answers from the given
options.

Wash and clean six strawberries

Cut them into small pieces

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the strawberries

Churn ½ cup vanilla ice cream, 1 cup milk and 4 ice cubes with the strawberries in a
blender

Serve in a tall glass
35
The strawberries should be washed and cleaned. Then they should be cut and sugar (a)
__________ over them. The ice cream and strawberries (b) _______________ a blender.
Cold milk and ice cubes should also be added and churned (c) ______________ thick,
smooth and frothy. It (d) ____________ in a tall glass.
a) (i) are be sprinkled
(ii) should be sprinkling
(iii) should be sprinkled
(iv) can be sprinkled
b) (i) should be churned together in
(ii) should be churning together in
(iii) should be churned together into
(iv) should be churned together on
c) (i) till the milkshake are
(ii) up to the milk is
(iii) unless the milk is
(iv) till the milkshake is
d) (i) should be serving
(iii) were to be served
(ii) should be served
(iv) is served
3.In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line marked with a blank. Write
the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it .
From humble beginnings a rural French Canadian
(a)Hometown, Celine Dion risen to international
superstardom. Born in Charlemagne
(b)Celine the youngest of 14 children
(c)of highly musical family.
(d)Her parents, musicians, operated a small club,
(e)and weekends, the entire family performed and
entertained the local population. From the tender age of 5,
(f)Celine sang her siblings. At the age of twelve, together
with her mother and alongwith her brothers Celine composed
a French song which altered the course of her life.
Eg. beginnings in a
________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
4. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences.
only 26/of relativity, which/Albert Einstein is/for his/when he was/best known/he
first advanced/theory
Ans: Albert Einstein is best known for his theory of relativity, which he first advanced
when he was only 26.
36
s:ly
ry
n.
theory of relativity / influence / of a / according to / bends / light / Einstein’s / under
the / massive body
b) during / prediction / the total / his / put / was / to test / of 1919 / eclipse / solar
c) one / because / a total / this / was least / to observe / was / solar eclipse / sunspots /
likely
d) light was / also predicted / the deflection / of surface / by Einstein
5. Read the following conversation and complete the passage given below.
a)
Teacher : Have you completed your homework?
Rachna : Ma’am, I could not complete the homework as my mother has gone to Kolkata.
Teacher : How is this related with your not doing the work?
Rachna : My copies are in the cupboard and she has taken the keys alongwith.
Teacher asked Rachna (a)______________________________________________. Rachna
replied
that
she
(b)_____________________________________________________________. The teacher
then asked her (c)_____________________________________________________. Rachna
informed the teacher that (d)___________________________
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -6
1. Complete the passage given below choosing the correct alternatives.
Parents must spend quality time with their children. Interaction (a) ______________ (with,
among, between, from) parents and children is extremely essential. This helps to (b)
_______________ (reducing, reduce, reduction, reduced) the generation gap that poses as (c)
_____________ (a, an, the, its) hurdle to a better understanding between the two. Time spent
together could be seen in the form (d) _____________ (to, on, for, of) conversation, outdoor
activities (e) ____________ (but, hence, yet, and) having meals. It is universally accepted fact
that the family that prays together (f) _______________ (stay, stays, staying, stayed) together.
The biggest strength of a child (g) _____________ (have, has, is, are) his family and the support
that he draws (h) _______________ (from, with, among, between) it.
2. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets :
The ----------[assure] given by the manager brought --------------[satisfy]among the members.
They were able to understand the -------------[serious]of the situation. The -----------------[realise]
came when the manager asked for ---------------[introspect]. The ----------------[discuss]was
37
largely based on ---------------[decide]taken earlier. The manager then requested for -------------------[disperse].
3.The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the
incorrect word and the correction . Remember to underline the word you have supplied.
The first one has been done for you.
Incorrect
e.g.,
is
UNICEF is created by the General assembly
Correct
was
during his first session in 1946 to purposefully
(a) __________
__________
help the emergency needs for children in post-
(b) __________
__________
war Europe or China. In 1950, its programme
(c) __________
__________
was extended in provide long range benefits to
(d) __________
__________
children of all developing country. It has its
(e) __________
__________
headquarters in New York. It have a board of
(f) __________
__________
30 members, who manages its activities. It
(g) __________
__________
depends at voluntary contributions make by many agencies (h) __________
__________
4. Fill in the blanks selecting correct prepositions from the alternatives given:
[i] Kindly send me my book as soon as you are-------with it.
Off/through/out/up/over
[ii] Two great tears ran slowly -------the corners of her eyes.
Down/below/from/by/over
[iii] I do not know how to manage -----------four hundred francs.
With/without/by/for/over
5. Read the following notes about Sonali and complete the report about her by filling the
blanks correctly


NOTES
Delighted and thrilled
Studies 7 hours everyday.
38

Good at debates, sports etc.
Participates in other activities.
 Wants to join ITI
This year Sonali topped the science stream of CBSE. On being asked how she left, she said that
she (a)___________________________________________________________

Throughout the year, she (b) _____________________________________________
Seven hours every day, she (c) ___________________________________________
Active part in (d) _________________________________________. Now she plans to
(e) ___________________________________________ in order to fulfill her ambition of being
an engineer.
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -7
1. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets :
Courtesy --------------[play]an important role in our daily lives. We ---------------[influence]by
good manners and etiquettes. But our attitude sometimes -----------------[hamper]our actions.
What we want --------------[fulfil]only when we ----------------[give]the same. If attitude -------------[govern]our actions,we must -------------[improve]upon it. It ----------------[require]that others -------------[benefit]by our manners as we want us ----------------[affect]by theirs.
2.
Fill in the blanks choosing the most appropriate prepositions.
1)
I couldn’t get in ___________ the door so I had to climb __________ a window.
a)
through / in
b)
between / into
c)
2)
out of / into
d)
up / along.
I’ll do it _________ the weekend.
a)
for
b)
on
c)
d)
over
from
39
3)
Open the book _________ page 30.
a)
from
b)
at
c)
by
to
d)
3.Given below is a conversation in direct speech. Write the correct answers in indirect
speech choosing from the appropriate options given below:
Arunima: How will I finish up this task today?
Meghna: Why don’t you take my help?
Arunima: Help me if you have time now.
[a] Arunima asked her friend Meghna
(i) how will she finish her task today
(ii) how would she finish her task that day
(iii) how she would finish that task that day
(iv) how can she finish her task that day
[b] Meghna suggested her
(i) why she didn’t take her help.
(ii) why she didn’t took her help
(iii) why she hadn’t take her help
(iv)Why she won’t take her help
[c] Arunima requested her
(i) to help her if you have time now
(ii) to help her if she wanted
(iii) to help her if she had time
(iv) to help her if she had time then
4. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences
40
e.g. Youngsters / get / to see / you.
You get to see youngsters.
1.just out / searching / school , / desperately / for / right / of / the / college.
2.There is / the / then / problem of / the / choosing / best / of / combination / courses.
3.dilemma / are / a / in / students.
5. Given below is a conversation. Fill in the blanks with appropriate dialogues:
Smith : [a] ----------------------------------------------------------?
Nancy: I couldn’t attend the meeting because few guests came to my home.
[b] -----------------------------------------------------------?
Smith: Not much important but the details of the next project were discussed.
Nancy: [c] ----------------------------------------------------------------?
Smith: I am not very sure but I think the new project is about recovering sales.
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -8
1. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets :
Positive attitude ---------------[help]us a lot in -------------[overcome]our anxiety. No one is free
from --------[tense]. But it ------------[depend]on our outlook how problems ----------[look]upon
by us. If everyone--------------[realise]that ---------------[solve] lies in hope and faith,these
qualities --------------[develop]. The only thing-----------------[require]is ----------------[believe]on
oneself.
2.
Edit the following passage :-
Drawing is making for pictures
Incorrect
Correct
a)
__________
___________
b)
_________
______ _____
It was related to write in
c)
__________
Some ancient language
d)
Used a pointed or sharpened tool.
__________
like Chinese
41
___________
___________
The words were original simple
e)
__________
___________
drawings of things the words
representatives
f) __________ ___________
Humans have make drawings
g)
__________
___________
Prehistoric times. The drawings
h)
__________
___________
was made in scratching marks
i)
__________
___________
On earth, rocks or trees barks j)
__________
from
___________
3. Fill in the blanks choosing the most appropriate option from those given in
the brackets:
1) The highway was blocked by a tree which _________ across the highway.
(had fallen, has been fallen, have fallen, had been fallen )
2)__________ apples cost _________ rupee each.
(those, an), (the, an) , (these , a), (one, a)
3) They do all __________ work __________.
(our, ourselves), (their, themselves), (my, herself), (that, himself)
4) ___________ guest was given ________ warm welcome. (2 guests)
(Each, a), (Every, a), (All, a), (Any, a)
42
5) ___________ is marked by enthusiasm and ___________
(Childhood, wisdom ), (Youthhood, heroism), (Youth, heroism),
(Excitement, patience)
4. Given below is a conversation. Fill in the blanks with appropriate dialogues:
Rahul : [a] ----------------------------------------------------------?
Divya: I was unwell and could not come to the school.
[b] -----------------------------------------------------------?
Rahul: No,the test was postponed and it would be conducted next week.
Divya: [c] ----------------------------------------------------------------?
Rahul: I am not very sure but I think the chapters which are completed would be taken up.
5.Read the following conversation between a mother and daughter while watching a cricket
match. Complete the passage given below.
Mother:
Who do you think will win the match?
Daughter:
Who is wearing blue?
Mother:
India
Daughter:
Who are the men in yellow?
Mother:
They are the Australians
Daughter:
They will surely win the match.
Mother:
Oh! Why do you feel so?
Daughter:
There are 11 of them against just two Indians.
The mother asked her daughter who a)…………………………… The daughter enquired
who the ones in blue were. The mother replied that they were Indians. The girl then wanted
43
b) …………………… When the mother said that they were Australians, the daughter
emphatically replied that they would surely win the match. The mother surprisingly asked
her c) ……………………. The daughter replied that there were 11 of them against just two
Indians.
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -9
1.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the
incorrect word and the correction as given in the example. Underline the word that
forms your answer.
In Britain, the whether is varied.
e.g. whether
weather
People never know which it will be like
(a) ____________
____________
the next day. The summer is warm than
(b) ____________
____________
the winter, but even at summer the average
(c) ____________
____________
temperature was only 16oC. Sometimes
(d) ____________
____________
the sun keeps shine, but at other times the
(e) ____________
____________
sky is covered with clouds, and it starts rain.
(f) ____________
____________
In winter, it is sometimes terribly cool,
(g) ____________
____________
especially in the north to the country.
(h) ____________
____________
The temperature fells below 0oC and
(i) ____________
____________
then their is often snow and ice.
(j) ____________
____________
2 .Complete the following dialogue by filling in the blanks with appropriate form of verbs
given in brackets. The first one has been done for you.
Ashok :
Hello, Hari. I hope I have not kept (keep) you waiting for long.
Hari :
In fact, I (a) ______________ (arrive just). I (b) ______________ (die)
to tell you a piece of great news. Meena and Shyam (c) ____________
(fix) their wedding for the 10th of this month.
44
Ashok :
Oh! I (d) _____________ (not believe) it.
Tell me exactly how the two came so close to each other.
Hari :
It (e) ______________ (be) a long time back, at some chance meeting.
Meena
(f) ___________ (have) to attend a meeting but due to
a traffic jam she was late. And while she (g) ___________ (hurry) up the
stairs, she (h) _____________ (collide) with Shyam. And that was the
beginning.
3. Read the dialogues given below. Based on your reading, complete the following
reporting. Do not add any new information.
Customer :
Waiter, this soup is not so tasty as it was yesterday.
Waiter :
But sir, it is impossible.
Customer :
What do you mean?
Waiter :
This is the same soup as you took yesterday.
A customer in a restaurant complained that (a) ____________ as it (b) ____________.
The waiter told (c) __________. When the customer asked (d) ____________, the waiter
replied that (e) ________.
4.Look at the newspaper items below. Then use the information in the headlines to
complete the paragraphs. The first one has been done for you.
WOMAN, CHILD KILLED IN ROAD MISHAP - SIX INJURED:
A woman and a child were killed on the spot and six persons were injured, two
of them seriously, when a tempo in which they were travelling fell into a Khud
near Lalpani.
CHILD CRUSHED, BROTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED:
An eight year old child was crushed to death under a train while his five-year
old brother
(a) ________ when they were crossing the railway line near
the local station on Thursday evening.
45
BANKMEN GIVE FREE HAWAI CHAPPALS FOR LEPERS:
Lepers, living in the Neel Kamal Society of the city, (b) ___________ on
Thursday by the employees of State Bank of India. The Bankmen were
celebrating the 42nd anniversary of their branch.
SHOPKEEPER ARRESTED, FINED:
Ganpatram, a shopkeeper of Saraspur, (c) __________ by the police on
Tuesday for selling adulterated wheat flour. Later he was produced before the
Chief Judicial Magistrate by whom he was fined Rs 5000/-
FIRE DESTROYS GOODS WORTH Rs 25 LAKH:
Goods (d) ______________________ when two houses in Tilak Nagar caught
fire yesterday. The cause of fire which rendered four families homeless, could
not be known.
5.Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences to
complete the dialogue which follows. The first one has been done as an example.
tennis / let’s / of / a game / have
(a)
drawing / examination / near / my / is
(b)
do not / mine / worry / I / about
(c)
get a degree / don’t pass / you / if / can’t / you
(d)
to you / do / good / what / will / B.A.
Rajesh :
O man, shut your old books. Let’s have a game of tennis.
Alay :
I am sorry, I can’t. You know (a) ____________ and I want to study.
Rajesh :
any way?
Oh! hang all examinations! (b) _____________. What is the use of them
Alay :
Well, (c) ______________. And I have set my heart on becoming a B.A.
46
Rajesh :
no jobs.
And pray (d) _______________? There are lakhs of B.A.’s but they have
Alay :
But my aim is to gain knowledge and develop my mind.
INTEGRATED GRAMMAR PRACTICE -10
1. Choose the best word from the options given below to complete the following passage.
Most UFO sightings occur (a) ______ (at, in, on, during) the night, either late in the evening
or in the early hours of the morning, (b)_____ (As, White, When, Often) they take place on a
dark moonless night when the person (c) ____ (are, is, were, was) alone on a country road.
This eerie atmosphere is perfect (d) _____ (of, for, off, on) playing tricks on a person's
imagination. Police and newspaper officers are often swamped (e) _____ (in, for, with,
among) calls when something strange is seen in the skies. (f)____ (How, Then, Once,
Before) an explanation is given, most people are happy to accept it. But (g)_____ (all, since,
those, some) people are hard
to convince. However, with (h)_____ (few, many, each, some) sightings, the interest is
increasing.
2. Fill in the blanks using appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets:
Adventure -----------[consist] in enjoying pleasure ---------------[combine] with risk. But man -------[born]to be adventurous and he -------------[satisfy]this inner desire by indulging in
pleasurable risks. He --------------[resolve]to accept challenges and gain---------[free] from fear.
It’s this eternal desire which never --------[let] man sit idle. To cut -----------[bore],he keeps on
being adventurous.
3. Complete the headlines by choosing the correct answer from the options below:
1. Ban on Smoking
Smoking__________in all public places.
(a) is banned
(b) has been banned
(c) was banned
(d) will be banned
47
2. 12 injured as buses collide
About ____________ at the K.N.P. junction here today.
(a) 12 persons were injured as two buses collided
(b) 12 persons have been injured when two buses collided
(c) 12 persons had been injured as two buses collided
(d) 12 persons can be injured as two buses collided
3. Drive against Liquor Mafia launched
The police____________ engaged in smuggling of liquor to the state.
(a) has launched a drive against the mafia who are
(b) have launched a drive against the mafia that is
(c) had launched a drive against mafia that will be
(d) had launched a drive against mafia who were
4. China develops medical robot
A polytechnic university in China_________ that can conduct surgeries.
(a) have developed a medical robot
(b) has developed a medical robot
(c) is developing a medical robot
(d) will be developing a medial robot
4. Complete the dialogue choosing the correct option:
Manu : I am really thrilled about our trip to South India. I have heard it has some
wonderful beaches. I don't know (a) ______ when I will find myself standing
before the vast sea.
48
Arun
: Yes, it is a wonderful experience to see the vast waves rising and striking the
beach.
Manu : Tell me, (b) ___________Goa ?
Arun
: We shall reach within two days as we are going there first. Do you know (c)
______ since it's your first trip outside ?
Manu : Oh my God! I forgot that completely. Actually I had (d) _________, but the
excitement was so much that it escaped my mind completely.
(a) (i) what to do
(ii) how I shall feel
(iii) what I will do
(iv) what will I do.
(b) (i)when we shall reach
(ii) when we will reach
(iii)when shall we reach
(iv) when will we reach
(c) (i)where you will go
(ii) what you will do
(iii)what to carry
(iv) what you will carry
(d) (i)
come to you to know that
(ii) come to tell you that
(iii)
come to ask you that
(iv) come to ask that from you
5. Read the conversation between a patient and a receptionist at a doctor's clinic. Then
complete the following in reported speech by choosing from the options given below:
Patient
: Can I have an appointment with the doctor this evening? I am very
sick.
Receptionist : I'm sorry. There's a long waiting list. You will have to wait for at
least two
weeks.
49
Patient
: But by then I could be dead.
Receptionist : No problem. If your wife informs me, I can cancel the
appointment.
1. A patient went to his doctor's clinic and asked the receptionist __________
(a) can I have an appointment with the doctor that evening ?
(b) whether I can have an appointment with the doctor that evening.
(c) whether he can have an appointment with the doctor that evening.
(d) whether he could have an appointment with the doctor that evening.
2. The receptionist__________________
(a) said sorry, there's a long waiting list.
(b) apologized saying that there was a long waiting list.
(c) said sorry that there was a long waiting list.
(d) apologized me that there was a long waiting list.
3. She further added that______________
(a) you would have to wait for at least two weeks.
(b) he would be waiting for at least two weeks.
(c) he would have to wait for at least two weeks.
(d) he would be having to wait for at least two weeks.
4. When the patient said that he could be dead by then, the receptionist calmly replied
that_____________
(a) there is no problem, if my wife informs me, I can cancel the appointment.
(b) there was no problem, if my wife informs me, she can cancel the appointment.
(c) there was no problem, if his wife informed her, she could cancel the appointment.
(d) there was no problem, if his wife informed him, she could cancel the appointment.
50
LITERATURE (SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 1)
How I taught My Grandmother to Read
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most
appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. ..., so we used to get the morning paper only
in the afternoon.
(a) Who are ‘we’ in the above line ?
(i) the author and her grandmother
(ii) Sudha Murthy and her grandparents
(iii) the narrator's grandparents only
(iv) her grandmother only
(b) They used to get the morning paper in the afternoon. It shows that
(i) the paper shop was far from the author's house.
(ii) the transport system was not very good.
(iii) the circulation of the paper was not adequate.
(iv) it took time to print the paper.
(c) Which of the following words appearing in the extract is similar in meaning to daybreak and
dawn ?
(i) morning
(ii) afternoon
(iii) none
(iv) (i) or (ii)
2. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate
punya. This old lady also believed in this, and her struggle to go there was described in the
novel.
(a) What is being talked about in the extract ?
(i) Kashi Yatre, a novel by Triveni
(ii) mythology
(iii) pilgrimage
(iv) all of the above
(b) Who is this old lady ?
(i) the protagonist of Kashi Yatre
(ii) the author's grandmother
51
(iii) the heroine of Karmaveera
(iv) a friend of the narrator's grandmother
(c) struggle to go there implies that
(i) going to Kashi was not a simple act.
(ii) one needed a lot of money for the journey.
(iii) it was a crowded place.
(iv) all of the above
3. My grandmother too never went to Kashi, and she identified herself with the novel's
protagonist.
(a) The grandmother identifies herself with the novel's protagonist because
(i) the grandmother had never been to Kashi.
(ii) neither the grandmother nor the novel's heroine had ever been to Kashi.
(iii) both were quite reluctant to undertake a pilgrimage to Kashi.
(iv) the novel's protagonist had never been to Kashi.
(b) The grandmother was fond of the novel Kashi Yatre because
(i) of her great passion for literature.
(ii) of her desire to see himself as a literary character.
(iii) she identified herself with the main character of the novel.
(iv) she was fond of reading.
(c) Kashi is associated with……………… mythology.
(i) Hindu
(ii) Kannada
(iii) Sikh
(iv) Muslim
4.‘ For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder
than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.'
(a) Who speaks to whom ?
(i) the grandmother to the narrator
(ii) the narrator to the grandmother
(iii) the grandmother to herself
(iv) the narrator to herself
(b) Explain : For learning there is no age bar.
(i) The grandmother clarified that her age of sixty-two years could not deter her from her path .
(ii) One keeps on learning till the last moment of one's life.
(iii) Learning broadens the outlook and imparts self-confidence.
(iv) all of the above
52
(c) Which one of the following is a synonym of determined used in the extract ?
(i) firm (ii) strong
(iii) dedicated (iv) disciplined
5. Avva, at this age of sixty two you want to learn the alphabet ? All your hair is grey, your
hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and ...
(a) The characteristics of the old age, as described in the extract, are
(i) grey hair.
(ii) wrinkled hands.
(iii) spectacled eyes.
(iv) all of the above.
(b) The narrator told so because
(i) the age of the grandmother was not apt for learning.
(ii) the speaker was unwilling to teach her.
(iii) it is painful to teach adults.
(iv) teaching an elderly person is equivalent to teaching a toddler.
(c) What was the author's reaction when the grandmother expressed her desire to learn ?
(i) She was angry.
(ii) She was stunned.
(iii) She was sarcastic.
(iv) She was elated.
6. Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Her affectionate hands touched my forehead,I realized she wanted to speak.I asked her .’What is
the matter?’
a) Who is She in the extract?
b) Complete the sentence.
Her affectionate hands touched …………….. forehead.
(c) What was the matter?
7. I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours.
a) Who are ‘I’ and ‘my student’ in the above line?
b) What test had the student passed?
c) What quality of the student’s character is revealed here?
8. At times I used to regret not going to school,so I made sure that that my children and
grandchildren studied well53
a) Who is ‘I’ in the above lines?
b) Why did she regret ‘not going to school’ at times?
c) How did she try to make up for the opportunity denied to her?
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
Why were Triveni’s novels very popular in north Karnataka?
Describe grandmother as a student.
How did the narrator tease her grandmother when she expressed her desire to read?
What did grandmother do to express her gratitude?
What do you know abou the narrator’s childhood?
Why did the narrator stay in the village for a week, though she had gone there for two
days only?
7. How did Krishtakka feel when she was unable to read ‘Karmaveera’ in her grand child’s
absence?
8. Krishtakka was illiterate,but she was very intelligent. Comment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Describe the journey of the grandmother from illiteracy to literacy.
2. Suppose you are the grandmother. Write a letter to your son (Sudha’s father) telling
him about Sudha’s contribution in making you ‘independent’.
3. Sudha Murthy’s grandmother was a woman with a very enlightened attitude.
Comment.
4. Suppose you are the grandmother. How did you feel when your granddaughter gave
you the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ to read. Write your feelings in your diary.
5. Krishtakka believed, ‘For learning there is no age bar’. How did she prove it
practically?
A Dog Named Duke
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
54
1. Finally they decided to bring Duke home. Chuck said he wanted to be standing when Duke
came in, so they stood him up.
(a) Who are they ?
(i) Marcy and Chuck Hooper
(ii) the doctors
(iii) Marcy and the doctors
(iv) some men from Hooper's office
(b) Where was Duke ?
(i) in a forest
(ii) in a kennel
(iii) in hospital
(iv) in the shop he was bought from
(c) ...they stood him up. Why could him not stand himself ?
(i) He was recently discharged from the hospital.
(ii) He was on a wheelchair.
(iii) He was unable to stand himself.
(iv) (ii) and (iii)
2. When two fellows stare at each other day in, day out, and one cannot move and the other can't
talk, boredom sets in. Duke finally couldn't take it. From a motionless coil on
the floor he'd spring to his feet, quivering with impatience.
(a) Who are the two fellows in the extract ?
(i) Marcy and Chuck
(ii) Chuck and Duke
(iii) Duke and Marcy
(iv) Chuck and Marcy
(b) Why can't one move ?
(i) due to paralysis
(ii) as he is on a wheelchair
(iii) injured
(iv) not yet recovered
(c) Duke finally couldn’t take it. What was that ?
(i) he could not bear the boredom set in between Chuck and himself.
(ii) his inability to talk and Chuck's to move, was unbearable.
(iii both were staring at each other day in, day out, silently.
(iv) all of the above
3. They wondered :how long will he keep it up? How far will he go today? Can he go it alone?
55
(a) Who are they?
i.
people who knew the distance Chuck and Duke had come together
ii. his staff members
iii. people who carried the big dog
iv.
Marcy and the vet
(b) The big man was walking alone day after day as
i.
Duke was in the hospital
ii. Duke was not required
iii. Duke was no more
iv.
Charles was now physically fit
(c) Which is not a noun in the following words?
i.
wonderful
ii. wonder
iii. wonderland
iv.
wonderment
4. Gordon this isn’t just a visit. Bring me up to date…..
(a) Who is Gordon?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Hooper’s manager at work
Hooper’s friend
Duke’s doctor
none of the above
(b) Who is the speaker?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Marcy
Hooper
Duke
none of the above
(c) What does he mean when he says ‘this isn’t just a visit’
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
he means he will not stay long
he means he has come to work
he was there to see him
all the above
5. . Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:
A few weeks ago, worded as if in special Tribute to Duke, an order came through from the
chemical company's headquarters. " therefore, to advance our objectives step by step,
Charles Hooper is appointed Assistant National
Sales Manager."
a) Why is the order called a special tribute to Duke?
b) What does ‘ to advance our objectives step by step’ mean?
56
c) Describe the irony here
6. He ‘d lie down with a reproachful eye on Hooper. An hour later he would come over to
the bed again and yap and poke .He wouldn’t leave but just sit there.
a) Who is ‘he’?
b) Explain ‘reproachful eye’.
c) Which word/phrase in the extract denotes the dog?
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. One incident changed Hooper’s life. What was the incident?
2. Describe Duke’s joy on seeing his master after a long time.
3. Do you agree, that the moment Duke jumped on Hooper and imbalanced him, he realized his
master’s problem. Support your answer.
4. What daily struggle did the neighbours see in front of Marcy’s house ? How did they react to
it?
5. Hooper’s comeback was more of an asset than a liability for the company. Comment.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1.Charles Hooper is the protagonist of the story A Dog Named Duke but the real hero is Duke,
the dog. Support your answer with appropriate reasons.
2. One is often unable to taste the fruit of one’s hard work. Explain with reference to the story A
Dog Named Duke.
3. Suppose you are Marcy. Write a diary entry describing your pain and anguish over Chuck’s
pathetic condition.
4. Imagine you are Hooper’s immediate neighbour. Write a letter to your friend describing the
joint effort of Hooper and Duke to return life to normalcy.
5.What did you feel when you read that Duke has died. Write a diary entry describing your
feelings.
The Brook
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
57
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
wind about, and in and out, With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout, And here and there a grayling,
1.I
(a) Describe the movement of the brook as depicted in line 1.
(i) Line 1 shows the spiral movement of water.
(ii) The brook flows around the obstruction on its way.
(iii) And then flows along its path.
(iv) all of the above
(b) Match the following
1. lusty trout A. fresh water fish
2. grayling B. another type of fish
3. a big fresh water fish
(i) 1-A. 2-A
(ii) 1-B, 2-B
(iii) 1-C, 2-B
(iv) 1-C, 2-C
(c) What all does the brook carry as it moves along ?
(i) flowers blossom
(ii) the lusty trout and grayling
(iii) foamy flakes
(iv) all of the above
2. (a) The message of the poem is that the life of a book is .
(i) temporary
(ii) short-lived
(iii) eternal
(iv) momentary
(b) The poet draws a parallelism between the journey of the book and .
(i) the life of a man
(ii) the death of man
(iii) the difficulties in a man's life
(iv) the endless talking of human being
(c) The poem is narrated in the first person by the brook. This figure of speech is .
(i) personification
(ii) metaphor
(iii) simile
(iv) transferred epithet
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(d) in the poem, the below mentioned lines:
And here and there a lusty trout, And here and there a grayling suggest that .
(i) the brook is a source of life
(ii) people enjoy the brook
(iii) fish survive because of water
(iv) the brook witnesses all kinds of scenes
3. I make a sudden sally And sparkle out among the fern
to bicker down a valley,
(a) I sparkles
(i) as the sun rays fall on it.
(ii) due to radiant hot sun.
(iii) due to silvery moon.
(iv) due to radiant stars.
(b) I moves in
(i) the grassy areas.
(ii) the rocky and mountainous regions
(iii) the plains area.
(iv) the vast sea.
(c) Explain bicker down.
(i) flow down with a great noise
(ii) loud movement
(iii) As the brook flows down the valley forcefully, it produces loud sounds. its loud noisy
movement has been referred to as bicker down.
(iv) making a noise
4. By thirty hills I hurry down, Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorpes, a little town, And half a hundred bridges.
a) By thirty hills I hurry down suggests that ………………………………….
b) The brook passes by ……………………………………………………….
c) The rhyme scheme of these lines is ……………………………………….
5. I chatter, chatter ,as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come ,and men may go ,
But I go on forever.
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a) What is the destination of the brook?
b) What does the brimming river suggest?
c) What is the metaphorical meanings of the last two lines?
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The brook appears to be a symbol of life. Compare it with life.
What is the message given by the brook?
Describe the journey of the brook in the mountainous terrain.
Describe the journey of the brook in its last stage before it joins the river.
The depiction of the brook appears to be quite close to that of a young child. Do you
agree? Give reasons .
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Imagine you are Philip, the farmer mentioned in the poem The Brook .The brook flows by
your farm to join the river .Describe the brook as it is seen from your farm.
2. You are on a picnic with your classmates by the side of the brook .You decide to take a walk
along the banks of the brook, after it has come down into the meadows by Philip’s farm.
Describe the things that you see in the water and the plants grown on the sides of the brook.
The Road Not Taken
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller,
long I stood And looked down one as for as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
(a) The poet was standing
(i) on a hill.
(ii) on a hill-station.
(iii) in a jungle.
(iv) on a mountain.
(b) The two roads are symbolic of
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(i) one's decisions.
(ii) the decisions we have to make in life when we are in a state of dilemma.
(iii) our choices.
(iv) desires.
(c) The poet feels sorry
(i) as he could not travel on both the roads.
(ii) as he was confused as to where to go.
(iii) for his imbalanced mind.
(iv) for his sorrow, hesitation and thoughtfulness
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,
(a) The poet decided to take the other road because
(i) he felt the other road to be good and less travelled.
(ii) it was grassy and deserved to be used.
(iii) he felt uncertain about the first road.
(iv) (i)&(ii)
(b) The poet chooses to travel by the lesser worn road. This reflects about the poet's personality.
(i) He is a person reluctant to follow the herd.
(ii) He is willing to experiment and set up new trends.
(iii) He is a different person.
(iv) (i)&(ii)
(c) According to the poet the other road seemed to have a better claim because
(i) it was green and grassy and wanted wear.
(ii) it symbolised the risky and the offbeat decisions we take to experiment.
(iii) it was a perfect road.
(iv) (i)&(ii)
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,
(a) The word both refers to
(i) the two roads directing in different directions.
(ii) two decisions , right and wrong.
(iii) morning and evening.
(iv) two choices leading to different decisions.
(b) Explain : way leads on to way, ...
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(i) it means that life moved on.
(ii) We never come back to the junction of life we have already moved from.
(iii) Situations change leading us to completely new way of life.
(iv) all of the above
(c) What doubt did the poet have in his mind ?
(i) if he would ever be able to come back.
(ii) if he would ever be able to tread the one road.
(iii) if the road he chose would be fruitful.
(iv) if his decision would prove right.
4. 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.
(a) The roads being talked about in the stanza symbolise
(i) choice of one's career.
(ii) a way to the forest.
(iii) life.
(iv) nothing.
(b) wanted wear is an example of
(i) simile.
(ii) personification.
(iii) alliteration.
(iv) pun.
(c) The poet takes an important decision. He
(i) moved to London.
(ii) decided to stay in his country only.
(iii) would move after some days.
(iv) would try his career at home country only.
5. 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,
(a)
Took the other, - The other refers to
(i) the road that the poet chose to travel.
(ii) the people who had already taken the two roads.
(iii) the road that the poet left for some other time.
(iv) (i) & (iii)
(b) the better claim, - the other road had a better claim because
62
(i) it was grassy and less worn out.
(ii) it was a short one.
(iii) it was travelled by most of the travellers.
(iv) (i) & (iii)
(c) Mark True/False.
(i) The rhyming scheme of these lines is ab aab.
(ii) The rhyming scheme of these lines is ab ab.
(iii) The rhyming scheme of these lines is aa bb.
(iv) No rhyming scheme is present.
(i) All are False.
(ii) (ii) is True.
(iii) All are True.
(iv) Only (ii) is False.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. Describe the two roads that the author comes across.
2. Why does Robert Frost choose one road over the other?
3. The poet was in a state of dilemma. But he ultimately took a decision. Was he happy or
unhappy with his decision?
4. What is the theme of the poem The Road Not Taken?
5. What does the two roads symbolize in the poem The Road Not Taken?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Give a critical appreciation of the poem The Road Not Taken.
2. Do you think the poet would have ultimately found his destination, even by taking the first one?
Would he have cherished the time spent while travelling the first one as well? Discuss.
63
The Solitary Reaper
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. No nightingale did ever chant /More welcome notes to weary bands/ Of travellers in some
shady haunt./ Among Arabian Sands
(a)
Mark the most appropriate statement.
(i) The nightingale sings for the weary group of travellers in the deserts of Arabia.
(ii) She wants to welcome them.
(iii) (i) is True but (ii) is False.
(iv) (i) and (ii) both are True.
(b) What is the effect of nightingale's song on its listeners ?
(i) They feel welcomed.
(ii) They feel refreshed.
(iii) They feel relaxed.
(iv) all of the above
(c) What does shady haunt refer to ?
(i) a desert
(ii) a tree
(iii) an oasis in the desert
(iv) a mountain
2. A voice so thrilling ne 'er was heard in spring-time from the cuckoo-bird.
(a) in which season does the cuckoobird sing ?
(i) in the spring season
(ii) in the winter season
(iii) in the summer season
(iv) in the monsoon
(b) What is the effect of the cuckoo-bird's singing on its listeners ?
(i) it has not affected them at all.
(ii) it has a thrilling effect.
(iii) it scares them.
(iv) it impresses them.
(c) Whose voice is being compared with that of the cuckoo-bird ?
64
(i) the voice of the nightingale
(ii) the voice of the poet
(iii) the voice of the solitary reaper
(iv) the voice of the passers-by
3. Whate'er the theme, the maiden sang As if her song could have no ending;
(a) Whose song is being referred to here ?
(i) the song of the solitary reaper
(ii) the song of the nightingale
(iii) the song of the cuckoo
(iv) the song of the poet
(b) Why can't the listener poet understand the theme of the song being sung ?
(i) Because he is not aware of this langauge.
(ii) Because he does not like this language.
(iii) Because he is fond of those songs sung in his language.
(iv) Because he has never learnt this language.
(c) Explain line 2 in the extract given above,
(i) This song had a lasting effect on the poet.
(ii) Her song was so long not to be ended easily.
(iii) Her song had no ending.
(iv) Her song was really sweet.
4. I listen'd, motionless and still And, as I mounted up the hill, The Music in my heart i bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
(a)
What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza ?
(i) aa bb
(ii) ab ab
(iii) abca
(iv) aaba
(b) I listen'd, motionless and still shows
(i) the captivating effect of the song on the poet.
(ii) the melancholic mood of the poet.
(iii) the sad mood of the reaper.
(iv) the effect of the song on the passersby.
(c) The sound of the music lingers on because
(i) it had a deep impact on the heart of the poet.
(ii) the music lived on as a touching memory within the heart.
65
(iii) none of these
(iv) both of above
5. 'Will no one tell me what she sings Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow For old, unhappy, faroff things. And battles long ago.'
(a)
what she rings conveys
(i) that the poet is unable to understand what the reaper is singing.
(ii) that the reaper's song is not melodious.
(iii) that the poet does not want to listen to the song.
(iv) that the poet wants the passers-by to explain what she sings.
(b) Which word or expression in the stanza shows that the poet makesonly a guess about the
theme of the song ?
(i) plaintive
(ii) perhaps
(iii) what she sings
(iv) flow
(c) According to the poet the plaintive numbers are about
(i) some unhappy things of the past.
(ii) some folk story.
(iii) some mythological event.
(iv) some lost battle.
6. "What e'er the theme, the maiden sang As if her song could have no ending ; i saw her singing
at her work, and o'er the sickle bending;
(a) Which one of the following statements is True ?
(i) The poet tried to understand the song but gave up.
(ii) The poet could not understand the theme of the song but enjoyed the melody.
(iii) The poet did not enjoy the song and went away.
(iv) The poet understood the theme of the song and enjoyed it.
(b) The maiden here refers to
(i) the solitary reaper.
(ii) the song.
(iii) the poet.
(iv) the passers-by.
(c) According to the stanza, the poet felt
(i) captivated by the sweet melody.
(ii) embarrassed as he could not understand the song.
66
(iii) sad.
(iv) the pain of the reaper
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. What are the probable themes of the song being sung by the solitary reaper?
2. The Solitary Reaper describes a memorable experience of William Wordsworth.
Describe.
3. Inspiration seems to know no boundaries. How did the poet feel it as described in the
poem?
4. What drew attention of the narrator towards the reaper?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. As the poet, write a diary entry about the day you heard the solitary reaper in the field.
2. The poem is rich in imagery. Pick out two images which appeal to you the most. Give
reasons for your choice.
3. Imagine you are a painter of landscapes. You see the solitary reaper harvesting the crop
in the fields. On the basis of the scene described in the poem ,describe the landscape you
will sketch for your painting.
Lord Ullin's Daughter
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore, His wrath was changed to wailing.
(a) The adjective fatal has been used to describe the shore because
(i) the shore has a lot of alligators.
(ii) it was from that shore that Lord Ullin saw the waves engulfing his daughter.
(iii) it was an accident-prone shore.
(iv) it was a regular phenomenon of the waves to drag into its fold whoever came to the shore.
(b) His wrath was changed to wailing meant
(i) that Lord Ullin was wailing and screaming.
(ii) that he was lamenting.
67
(iii) that he was crying over the possibility of his daughter meeting a watery grave.
(iv) all the above
(c) The reason why Lord Ullin came to the shore was to
(i) retrieve his daughter and tell her that he would pardon her highland chief.
(ii) kill his daughter and the chieftain.
(iii) inform his daughter that she made a mistake.
(iv) to meet both of them.
2. But still as wilder blew the wind, And as the night grew drearer, Adown the glen rode
armed men
(a)
Describe the weather conditions in the given extract.
(i) Strong winds were blowing.
(ii) The sky seemed to be dark due to black clouds.
(iii) it was a fierce, stormy night.
(iv) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) Why do the armed men come to the glen?
(i) Because they are trying to catch the Chieftain of Ulva.
(ii) Because they are trying to catch the lovers.
(iii) Because they want to kill the lovers.
(iv) Because they have to take them to Lord Ullin.
(c) Pick out the figure of speech used in line 1.
(i) simile
(ii) metaphor
(iii) personification
(iv) alliteration
3.Three days we've fled together, For should he find us in the glen, My blood would stain the
heather
(a) Who speaks these lines and who is being addressed here ?
(i) Ulva's Chieftain to the boatman
(ii) the boatman to Ulva's Chieftain
(iii) Lord Ullin to his daughter
(iv) the boatman to Lord Ullin
(b) What would happen if he finds the speaker ?
68
(i) He would separate the lovers.
(ii) He would also kill Ulva's Chieftain.
(iii) He would also kill his daugther.
(iv) (i) and (ii)
(c) What does the word glen refer to ?
(i) it refers to the shore.
(ii) it refers to a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
(iii) it refers to the sea.
(iv) it refers to the palace.
4. "And by my word ! The bonny bird in danger shall not tarry;"
(a) Who does bonny bird refer to ?
(i) refers to Lord Ullin's daughter
(ii) refers to Ulva's Chieftain
(iii) refers to the boatman
(iv) refers to Lord Ullin's armed men
(b) What is the danger being faced by the bonny bird ?
(i) The lovers will be separated by Lord Ullin.
(ii) They will be killed by him.
(iii) The Chieftain of Ulva only will be killed.
(iv) (i) and (ii)
(c) What is the promise being made by the speaker ?
(i) He is not sure whether or not he will be able to cross the sea.
(ii) He promises to row them over the Lochgyle though it was stormy and dangerous.
(iii) He will not disclose to Lord Ullin's armed men the lover's identity.
(iv) He will safely cross the river.
5. "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, This dark and stormy weather ?"
(a) Who speaks these lines and to whom ?
(i) the boatman to the Chieftain and his beloved
(ii) the Chieftain to the boatman
(iii) the Chieftain to Lord Ullin's daughter
(iv) Lord Ullin's daughter to the Chieftain
(b) What kind of weather is prevalent ?
(i) The weather is very harsh.
(ii) it is very stormy.
69
(iii) Strong winds are blowing.
(iv) all of the above
(c) Why do the two people want to cross Lochgyle ?
(i) They want to escape Lord Ullin.
(ii) They don't want to be caught by Lord Ullin.
(iii) They don't like Lord Ullin as he is against their alliance.
(iv) They want to be happy in a far away place.
6. "O haste thee, haste !" the lady cries. Though tempests round us gather; i'll meet the raging of
the skies, But not an angry father.
(a) the lady in the first line is
(i) the boatman's wife.
(ii) Lord Ullin's wife.
(iii) Lord Ullin's daughter.
(iv) (i) or (iii)
(b) The word tempest in the second line means
(i) thunder.
(ii) rain.
(iii) storm.
(iv) earthquake.
(c) The word raging in the third line means
(i) thundering.
(ii) lightning.
(iii) getting angry.
(iv) immediate.
7. For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade, His child he did discover : One lovely hand she
stretch'd for aid, And one was round her lover.
(a) The pronoun he in the second line of the stanza refers to
(i) Lord Ullin.
(ii) the boatman.
(iii) the Chieftain.
(iv) a soldier.
(b) Lord Ullin's daughter needed help because
(i) she was in deep trouble.
(ii) she was caught in a storm.
(iii) she wanted to cross Lochgyle.
(iv) she wanted to be safe.
70
(c) The word sore in the first line means
(i) bitter.
(ii) sweet.
(iii) in pain.
(iv) tragic.
8. Out spoke the hardy Highland wight, I'll go, my chief- i'm ready : it is not for your silver
bright, But for your winsome lady :
(a) The hardy Highland wight in the first line refers to
(i) Lord Ullin.
(ii) the Chieftain.
(iii) the boatman.
(iv) Lord Ullin's daughter.
(b) The hardy Highland wight, promised to help the Chieftain because
(i) he was greedy.
(ii) he respected his Chief.
(iii) he was impressed by the pleasant beloved of the Chief.
(iv) he was very co-operative.
(c) The speaker of the above stanza is
(i) the boatman.
(ii) the Chieftain.
(iii) Lord Ullin.
(iv) Lord Ullin's daughter
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.How can you say that Lord Ullin’s daughter loved the Chieftain passionately?
2.Why was Lord Ullin against the alliance of his daughter with the Chieftain?
3.How did the couple meet their end?
4.Analyse the role played by the boatman in this poem. Highlight his characteristics.
5.The pathos is an integral part of Lord Ullin’s Daughter. What makes it so emotional and
moving?
6.Describe the imagery in the poem Lord Ullin’s Daughter.
71
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Lord Ullin reached the fatal shore-/ His wrath was changed to wailing.
Describe Lord Ullin’s grief and anguish when he reached the shore.Why is the shore called
fatal? What figure of speech is contained in the expression the fatal shore?
2.Anger
is a vice that mars one’s sanity. In the context of the poem , Lord Ullin’s Daughter,
justify the statement
Villa For Sale
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1 . You are an exception. Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they
get a move on. Listen ! Do you or don't you want to sell this house ?
(a) Who is You here ?
(i) Gaston
(ii) Mrs A1 Smith
(iii) maid
(iv) Juliette
(b) According to the speaker, the Frenchmen
(i) are not capable of taking independent decisions and take a
lot of time.
(ii) Frenchmen take quick decisions.
(iii) Frenchmen always take wrong decisions.
(iv) Frenchmen always take correct and wise decision.
(c) The listener is an exception because he/she
(i) has taken a quick decision.
(ii) has an extraordinary look.
(iii) is taller than a normal Frenchman.
(iv) is ready to buy the villa at a very high price.
2. . But the sign has been hanging on the gate for over a month now and I am beginning
to be afraid that the day I bought it was when I was the real fool.
(a)
Why is Juliette disappointed ?
72
(i) She is unable to get a role of cook in the films.
(ii) Her maid is leaving as she has got a role in the films.
(iii) She is unable to find a suitable buyer for her villa.
(iv) Gaston is offering a very low price for the villa.
(b) Why does she call herself a fool ?
(i) She has decided to sell her villa.
(ii) There are no buyers for the villa.
(iii) She had bought the villa for more than it was worth.
(iv) The villa was too close to the film studios.
3. I was going to say that for exceptional people like you, I don't mind giving it up. One
arranges a house in accordance with one's own tastes - if you understand what I mean
- to suit oneself, as it were - so one would not like to think that ordinary people had come
to live in it. But to you, I can see with perfect assurance, I agree. Yes, I will sell it to you.
(a) Who is speaking to whom ?
(i) Juliette to Jeanne
(ii) Juliette to Gaston
(iii) Juliette to Mrs. Al Smith
(iv) Jeanne to Gaston
(b) Who are the exceptional people here ?
(i) Gaston and Jeanne
(ii) Gaston and Mrs A1 Smith
(iii) Juliette and Jeanne
(iv) Mrs A1 Smith and her family
(c) The speaker is ready to sell the villa to the listener because
(i) she is getting the expected price.
(ii) she does not find any other buyer.
(iii) she thinks the buyers are the right people for the villa.
(iv) she is desperate to sell the villa at the earliest
4. To start off with, why isn't the price marked on the signboard ? You French people have
a cute way of doing business ! You go and tell your boss that if he doesn't come right
away, I'm going. I haven't any time to waste. Any hold up makes me sick when I want
something.
(a)
Who is the speaker ?
(i) Mrs A1 Smith
(ii) Gaston
(iii) Jeanne
(iv) Juliette
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(b) What is the purpose of the speaker ?
(i) to buy the villa
(ii) to sell the villa
(iii) to meet the boss
(iv) to complain against the visitors
(c) Which one of the following statements is not correct ?
(i) The speaker is impressed by the way of business being done.
(ii) The speaker expected a price tag on the signboard.
(iii) The speaker is in hurry.
(iv) The speaker is not very polite and sarcastic
5. It's not for us ... it's for your parents. You are simply trying to make me buy a villa so
that you can put your father and your mother in it. You see, I know you. if you got what
you want, do you realize what would happen ? We would spend the month of
August in the villa, but your parents would take possession of it every year from the
beginning of April until the end, of September.
(a) Which one of the following is true ?
(i) The speaker agrees with the decision of the listener.
(ii) The speaker wants to buy the villa for his parents.
(iii) The speaker is not fond of the listener's family.
(iv) The speaker is an intelligent investor.
(b) According to the extract, the listener
(i) is a dominating person.
(ii) is not wise and makes decision out of emotions.
(iii) is a mere snobbish and wants to show off.
(iv) is really interested in helping her old parents.
(c) The speaker is not willing to buy the villa because
(i) he knows it is very expensive and they can't afford it.
(ii) he knows that it was not a wise investment.
(iii) he knows the intention of his wife who is buying it for her parents.
(iv) he is not fond of the people who are likely to live there
6. They might take you on for eight days, Madame. That would mean eight hundred
francs. it's really money for nothing. You would only have to peel potatoes one minute
and make an omelette the next, quite easy. I could show you how to do it, Madame.
(a) Do you think that the speaker is serious in the offer ?
(i) Yes, because she knows the financial condition of the listener.
(ii) No, she is not serious.
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(iii) No, she is just making fun of the listener.
(iv) Yes, because she has been approached by the company to find
someone for the job.
(b) it's really money for nothing shows that
(i) the person will have to work hard for money.
(ii) the person will not have to work hard for the money.
(iii) it's a charity.
(iv) the work is not important at all.
(c) Do you think the listener is really interested in the offer ?
(i) No, the listener is a well off lady and does not need any help.
(ii) Yes, the listener is in a state of abject poverty and she needs work badly.
(iii) No, the lady, undoubtedly was facing financial problems but she
was not quite so hard up as that yet.
(iv) Yes, she is really interested as she is fond of acting.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. Gaston was indeed a clever businessman. Explain.
2. How did Juliette’s neighbourhood respond to the for sale sign? Is the response what
Juliette expected?
3. What sort of relationship did Juliette and her maid share? Justify your answer.
4. According to Juliette what advantages does the villa have to please a cutomer?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. After selling the villa to Gaston you realized your mistake. Write a diary entry
expressing your feelings. You are Julliette.
2. Write a brief character sketch of Gaston.
3. You are Jeanne. You are very keen to buy the villa but Gaston is determined not to
give you money to buy it. But surprisingly only after a short duration of time, Gaston
changes his mind and agrees to buy the villa immediately. As Jeanne, write a diary
entry on your husband’s sudden change in decision.
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LONG READING TEXT
Three Men in a Boat (chapters 1-10)
1. Jerome’s habit of reading about different diseases made him suffering. Do you
agree? Comment.
2. Why did Jerome say, “What an acquisition I should be to the class!”?
3. Write a brief character sketch of Uncle Podger.
4. Rewrite the experience of Jerome with nature in camping out in your own words.
5. How did Uncle Podger get everybody involved in his work?
6. “Throw the lumber over , man! Let your boat of life be light, packed with only
what you need a homely home and simple pleasure….” Explain.
7. How was the butter lost and found by George and Harris?
8. How did cheese become a trouble for Jerome? How did Jerome get rid of the
“cheese”?
9. How did Montmorency “contribute” to the packing?
10. Why had a small crowd collected? What did they think about Jerome and his
friends?
11. What was the confusion at Waterloo? How was it resolved?
12. What was sad about the case of the house owner who had his oak covered?
13. Who was Slivving? What was his problem?
14. How does Moulsey come to life on Sunday?
15. What was Jerome’s attitude towards tombstones? How was it different from
Harris?
16. How did the two young men play a joke on Jerome in a party?
17. Narrate any funny incident that one commonly see up the river in connection with
towing.
18. What did George suggest at Picnic Point? What did they expect? How was it an
underestimate?
19. How does Jerome describe the beauty of the night?
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20. Write a brief character sketch of George/Jerome/Harris.
LITERATURE (SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 2)
The Man Who Knew Too Much
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1.Through the open door, we could see the three cooks standing against the wall as if at bay ;
and from within came the monotonous beat of a familiar voice.
(a) Where were we standing ?
(i) in the ground
(ii) outside the canteen
(iii) in a hotel
(iv) in the hostel
(b) Whose was the familiar voice ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) Corporal Turnbull
(iv) Trower
(c) Why is it called monotonous ?
(i) Same sound of the Professor created monotony.
(ii) Repeated interaction with the Professor had created boredom.
(iii) Constant interruptions, sermonising and corrections in
public had created monotony.
(iv) The Professor's bad habit of instructions had a permanent way and this permanence created
monotony.
2. I must protest against this abominably unscientific and unhygienic method of peeling potatoes.
I need to only draw your attention to the sheer waste of vitamin values "
(a) What is unscientific and unhygienic ?
(i) removing the skin of vegetables
(ii) wasting vitamin values
(iii) way of peeling potatoes
(iv) peeling fruits
(b) How can vitamins be saved ?
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(i) by not peeling potatoes
(ii) by cooking with the skin itself
(iii) by removing this layer only
(iv) by cutting off in pieces without peeling
(c) What does this extract indicate about the Professor ?
(i) He is still in the habit of sermonising.
(ii) Old habits die hard.
(iii) Habits are really dangerous when they start ruling over and this habit made him a cook.
(iv) all of the above
3. We fled.
(a) Who fled ?
(i) the author and his friends from outside the canteen
(ii) Private Quelch from the canteen
(iii) the Corporal from the lawn
(iv) the Sergeant from the camp
(b) They fled because
(i) they wanted to avoid Private Quelch.
(ii) they did not want to be sermonised.
(iii) they did not wish to be lectured on potatoes.
(iv) they were afraid of facing the Professor.
(c) What feeling do you get from the extract ?
(i) laughter
(ii) pity
(iii) anger
(iv) fine
4. He was our hero, and we used to tell each other that he was so tough that you could hammer
nails into him without his\ noticing it.
(a) Who is he ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) Corporal Turnbull
(iv) the narrator
(b) To hammer nails into him without his noticing it implies that Corporal Turnbull
(i) was a tough person.
(ii) was brave, rough and tough.
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(iii) was too busy to notice it.
(iv) could bear it without much ado.
(c) Write a synonym of hero and then match it with its antonym,
(i) protagonist - antagonist
(ii) heroic - villain
(iii) heroism - villainy
(iv) heroic – antagonist
5. 'Forty four segments.'
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) Corporal Turnbull
(iv) the narrator
(b) Forty four segments is related to the
(i) rifle.
(ii) aircraft.
(iii) grenade,
(iv) missile.
(c) Who is being interrupted ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) Corporal Turnbull
(iv) the author
6. Of course, it was a joke for days afterwards, a joke and joy to all of us.
(a) What does it stand for ?
(i) it stands for the order by which Private Quelch was to be selected for permanent cookhouse
duties.
(ii) the thanks for the professor for giving a lesson on the grenade.
(iii) One of the trainees who was to be assigned some special duties.
(iv) the lecture given by Corporal Turnbull.
(b) Why was it a joy to all of us ?
(i) no chance for the Professor to sermonise others
(ii) no opportunity for Private Quelch to interrupt others
(iii) The author and his friends would not have to bear the Professor in vain.
(iv) all of the above
(c) Why was it a joke ?
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(i) it caused amusement.
(ii) it evoked laughter.
(iii) it was a story with a funny punchline.
(iv) all of the above
7. "the muzzle velocity, or speed at which the bullet leaves the rifle", he told us, 'is well over two
thousand feet per second.'
(a) Who is he ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) the author
(iv) Corporal Turnbull
(b) What is being talked about in the extract ?
(i) the bullet
(ii) the rifle
(iii) war equipment
(iv) the speed of the bullet while leaving the rifle
(c) Pick out one word from the extract related to rifle.
(i) bullet
(ii) velocity
(iii) muzzle
(iv) speed
8. "You had any training before ?"
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) the author
(iv) Corporal Turnbull
(b) Who is being spoken to ?
(i) Private Quelch
(ii) the Sergeant
(iii) the author
(iv) Corporal Turnbull
(c) What must the Professor have replied ?
(i) The Professor must have replied that his knowledge was a matter of intelligent reading and
not only training.
(ii) The Professor must have replied that the training does not always impart extraordinary
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knowledge.
(iii) The Professor must have replied that the training and personal efforts go hand in hand in
making one knowledgeable.
(iv) The Professor must have replied that the training did provide knowledge but a wise study
contributes a lot too.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. How did Private Quelch physically appear? Why was he known as the Professor?
2. Where did the narrator first meet Private Quelch? How did he remember the first lesson
which he had in musketry with him?
3. What did the Professor meant to say when he said, No,Sergeant. It’s all a matter of
intelligent reading”?
4. Why was Private Quelch undeterred by the taunt and practical jokes of his fellow
privates?
5. Give two instances to show that Private Quelch worked hard in pursuit of his ambition.
6. What do you think annoyed the soldiers and they began disapproving the ways of the
Professor?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. The Professor received the kind of treatment he deserved . What is your opinion?
2. “ One cannot win other’s heart only by dint of his knowledge and talent. One needs to be
humble in the first place”. Justify this statement with reference to the story The Man Who
Knew Too Much.
3. Imagine you are Private Quelch and have been assigned the cookhouse duty.You are
horrified at the unhygienic conditions of the kitchen and so you decide to give a talk to
the cooks and helpers. Draft the talk.
Keeping It From Harold
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. "My dear sir, do nothing hasty. Think before you speak. Don't go and be so silly as to act like
a mutton-head. I'd be ashamed to be so spiteful. Respect a father's feelings."
(a) Who is speaking to whom ?
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(i) Bill Bramble to Jerry Fisher
(ii) Bill Bramble to Major Percy
(iii) Jane Bramble to Jerry Fisher
(iv) Harold to Bill Bramble
(b) Explain : ...to act like a muttonhead.
(i) behaving like a fool
(ii) acting like a head of the mutton
(iii) speaking like a head
(iv) having a sharp brain
(c) The statement Bill would be ashamed to be so spiteful implies that
(i) Harold's painful knowledge will cause equal pain to Bill.
(ii) Bill would be ashamed by causing an intentional injury to his son.
(iii) Jerry should not converse with Harold.
(iv) Bill and Jane had been passing through a trauma to hide the mystery from Harold.
2. I was to have fought an American named Murphy at the National next Monday, but I ain 't
going to now, not if they come to me on their bended knees. Not if the King of
England come to me on his bended knees."
(a) Who is speaking to whom ?
(i) Bill Bramble to Harold
(ii) Jane Bramble to Harold
(iii) Percy to Harold
(iv) Jerry to Harold
(b) Bill had to have a boxing match with
(i) Murphy.
(ii) Percy.
(iii) Jerry.
(iv) the King of England.
(c) He was adamant not to fight and it is indicated when he says that
(i) he has given it up.
(ii) he would not fight even if he is approached on bended knees.
(iii) he would not submit even to the King of England.
(iv) (ii) and (iii)
3. Yet Harold, defying the laws of heredity, had run to intellect as his father had run to
muscle. He had learned to read and write with amazing quickness. He sang in the choir.
(a) Explain : ...,defying the laws of heredity, ...
(i) Harold became intellectual, unlike his boxer father.
(ii) Harold could not follow the heredity of becoming a well-known boxer.
(iii) Harold was a disobedient son as he kicked the heredity.
(iv) Heredity laws were violated by Master Bramble.
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(b) Harold's intellect is known by
(i) his reading and writing with amazing quickness.
(ii) his singing in the choir.
(iii) his running to intellect.
(iv) defying the laws of heredity.
(c) The difference between Harold and his father was that
(i) Harold was an academician while his father was a technician.
(ii) former had chosen intellect but the latter muscle.
(iii) Harold loved studies while his father boxing.
(iv) Harold was unaware of his father's interest but his father was aware of Harold's.
4. A week from tonight would see the end of all her anxieties. On that day Bill would fight his last
fight, the twenty-round contest with that American Murphy at the National Sporting Club for
which he was now training at the White Hart down the road. He had promised that it should be
the last. He was getting on.
(a) Bill would fight his last fight because
(i) he wanted to change his profession.
(ii) he disliked his profession.
(iii) Harold despised his occupation.
(iv) he had to change it lest one day Harold should know about it.
(b) Jane would see the end of all his anxieties when
(i) Bill's last fight would be over.
(ii) he would fight the last day and chuck the game before the game chucked him over.
(iii) Mr Bramble would defeat the American Murphy.
(iv) they would have nothing to conceal from their little scholar.
(c) Pick out the word from the extract which has been used both as a noun and as a verb.
(i) fight
(ii) anxieties
(iii) end
(iv) contest
5."Percy, if you don't keep quiet, I'll forget Fm your sister and let you have one. What do you
mean, Bill, you‘ve come home ? Isn't there going to be the fight next week, after all ?"
(a) Why is Jane angry with Percy ?
(i) Because he is interfering in the conversation going on between Jane and Bill.
(ii) Because Percy has brought back Bill from the White Hart.
(iii) Because Percy asked Mr Bramble to sacrifice his dream of defeating the American Murphy.
(iv) all of the above
(b) Mark as True/False She wanted to know the reason of
Bill's coming back because
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1. Bill was not expected that time.
2. Bill was supposed to be in the White Hart.
3. she doubted if the fight was postponed.
4. she apprehended something ill was going to happen as Bill was accompanied by Percy.
(i) TTTT
(ii) TTTF
(iii)TTFF
(iv) FTTF
(c) She did not like Bill's profession yet she was willing to let him have his last fight because
1. Bill was supposed tb get a handsome sum whether he lost or won.
2. He wanted to chuck the game.
3. that was the last match of her husband's favourite profession.
4. He wanted to defeat the American Murphy.
(i) All are True.
(ii) All are False.
(iii) First two are True.
(iv) Last two are True.
6. And you know Harold reads his Mail regularly. And then, don 't you see, the fat would be in
the fire.
(a) What is expected if Harold reads his Mail regularly ?
(i) Harold may be mad with joy.
(ii) it may be wonderful to know thathis father is a professional boxer.
(iii) Harold must be undoubtedly shocked to know the truth.
(iv) Harold may complain as to why he was kept in dark.
(b) Explain: the fat would be in the fire.
(i) There would be a lot of trouble.
(ii) As the fat would be in the fire no trouble would be there.
(iii) Harold would automatically know about Bill's boxing.
(iv) The meat would be in the heat at the right time.
(c) ...Harold reads his Mail regularly. The sentence is in the
(i) Present indefinite Tense.
(ii) Past Simple Tense.
(iii) Future indefinite Tense.
(iv) Present Continuous Tense.
7. The spectacled child considered the point for a moment gravely. Then, nodding, he arranged
his books in readiness for his return and went out. The front door closed with a decorous
softness.
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(a) Which point was considered by the spectacled child ?
(i) not mentioned in the extract
(ii) his mother's advice to give up studies for some time and go for a walk
(iii) his mother's treating him as a kid
(iv) his mother's replying in the third person
(b) He had to return from and went out to
(i) the river.
(ii) the library.
(iii) the market,
(iv) the city.
(c) Which word is similar in meaning to decorous appearing in the extract ?
(i) polite
(ii) sensible
(iii) calm
(iv) all of the above
8. It jarred upon him, this habit of his mother's of referring to herself in the third person, as if
she were addressing a baby, instead of a young man often who had taken the spelling
and dictation prize last term on his head.
(a) it and this refer to
(i) his mother's referring to herself in the third person.
(ii) her treating him as a baby.
(iii) her not recognising his talent.
(iv) her addressing him as an infant.
(b) How old is the guy mentioned in the extract ?
(i) a baby
(ii) ten years old
(iii) a young man
(iv) a teenager
(c) Explain : ..jarred upon...
(i) hurt a lot
(ii) had an unpleasant or disturbing effect
(iii) surprised much
(iv) shocked him
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. Who was Harold and why did his mother called him precious?
85
2. Why did Mrs. And Mr. Bramble hide from their son the facts that his father was a
professional boxer?
3. What type of a man was Mr. Bramble? Give two qualities of his nature.
4. How did the coming of Harold make Bill Bramble a furtive practitioner of boxing?
5. How did the very naming of Harold cause a sacrifice on Mr. Bramble’s part?
6. How did Harold defy the laws of heredity?
7. Who was Jerry Fisher? Why was he angry with Bill and Percy?
8. How did Jerry Fisher take his revenge on Mr. Bramble?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Describe the ironical ending of the story “Keeping It From Harold”.
2. The disclosure of the secret put the Brambles into great fear. But their fear proved in
vain. How did it become possible?
3. How did Harold take his father’s true profession?
4. How would you assess Mrs.Bramble?
Best Seller
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1.But I got my nerve back pretty quick. He asked me to sit down, and i told him everything.
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) John A. Pescud
(ii) the author
(iii) Colonel Allyn
(iv) Miss Allyn
(b) I got my nerve back... implies that the speaker
(i) initially got nervous but regained confidence.
(ii) was too nervous to express himself.
(iii) was not confident.
(iv) could not express himself confidently.
(c) What is everything ?
(i) the purpose of John A. Pescud's visit
(ii) his salary and prospects
86
(iii) his following Miss Allyn from Cincinnati
(iv) his code of living
1. all of the above
2. (i), (ii) and (iii)
3. (ii), (iii) and (iv)
4. (i), (iii) and (iv)
2. "Say not so, dearest and sweetest of earth's fairest flowers. Would I aspire ? You are a star set
high above me in a royal heaven; I am only-myself."
(a) What is being talked about ?
(i) Jessie, the daughter of Colonel Allyn
(ii) Novel, The Rose Lady and Trevelyan
(iii) Plate-glass
(iv) (i) and (ii)
(b) Who is speaking to whom ?
(i) Trevelyan to the Princess Alwyna
(ii) Princess Alwyna to Trevelyan
(iii) the author to John A. Pescud
(iv) John A. Pescud to the author
(c) While reading the extract from the novel, the speaker's mood is
(i) sarcastic.
(ii) enthusiastic.
(iii) admiring.
(iv) criticising.
3. I glanced out of the window. Coketown was nothing more than a ragged hillside dotted with a
score of black dismal huts propped up against dreary mounts of slag and clinkers.
(a) Why did Coketown invite the attention of the author ?
(i) Because it was a beautiful mountainous city.
(ii) Because John A. Pescud lived there.
(iii) Because John A. Pescud had to deboard the train there.
(iv) Because it was an old city.
(b) How was Coketown appearing while the author was travelling to Pittsburgh by chair car ?
(i) having a rough-edged hillside
(ii) marked with black gloomy huts
(iii) heaps of stony waste and pieces of burnt coal
(iv) all of the above
(c) The description of Coketown shows that it was
87
(i) an important and famous hill station.
(ii) a simple ordinary small place.
(iii) a big city with a prospect of good business.
(iv) also an historical place.
4. At first, I thought he was going to throw me out of the window, but I kept on talking.
(a) Who is speaking about whom ?
(i) John A. Pescud about Colonel Allyn
(ii) the author about John A. Pescud
(iii) John A. Pescud about the author
(iv) Colonel Allyn about John A. Pescud
(b) The speaker expected to be thrown out of the window because
(i) he had followed Colonel Allyn's daughter.
(ii) he did not deserve to be Colonel Allyn's guest.
(iii) his code of living was very low as compared to that of Colonel Allyn.
(iv) all of the above
(c) The statement but I kept on talking implies that the speaker
(i) was very courageous.
(ii) did not mind to be thrown out of the window.
(iii) was arrogant.
(iv) was truthful and hence bold.
5. I picked it up and set it carefully farther along on the floor of the car, where the raindrops
would not fall upon it. And then suddenly, I smiled, and seemed to see that life has no
geographical bounds.
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) the author
(ii) John A. Pescud
(iii) Colonel Allyn
(iv) Trevelyan
(b) it stands for
(i) plate-glass.
(ii) his bag, one of the best-sellers.
(iii) The Rose Lady and Trevelyan.
(iv) (ii) and (iii)
(c) Explain: ...life has no geographical hounds.
(i) There are no boundaries in life.
(ii) The man is same everywhere.
88
(iii) All human beings, being same, have same emotions and feelings.
(iv) (i) and (iii)
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who was in chair no. 9? What was his profession?
What did the man in chair no. 9 tell the narrator about his business?
What I s meant by ‘best seller’? How does John.A.Pescud view it?
Is John.A.Pescud a hypocrite? Give reasons for your answer.
What did Jessie tell John about her family and mansion?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. “When people in real life marry, t hey generally hunt up somebody in their own station. A
fellow usually picks up a girl who went to the same high school and belonged to the same
singing society that he did.”
What observations do you make out of this dialogue? Does it fit into the context in which it is
made?
2. Imagine yourself as Jessie. Now make a diary entry on the day John.A.Pescud met you.
3. Give a character sketch of John.A.Pescud.
4. Describe John.A.Pescud meeting with the colonel and its outcome for John.
The Seven Ages
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1. All the world's stage And all the men and women merely players :
They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
(a) All the world's stage. The poetic device used in this line is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
89
(b) They have their exits and their entrances means
(i) man's death and birth respectively.
(ii) man's birth and death respectively.
(iii) exit and entrance points of a stage.
(iv) departing and meeting respectively.
(c) According to the poet, a man in his life
(i) dies seven times.
(ii) performs seven different roles.
(iii) appears seven times on the stage.
(iv) lives and dies seven times
2.Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.
(a) creeping like snail - the poetic device used in this line is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
(b) creeping like a snail shows
(i) the child is reluctant to go to his school.
(ii) the child is willing to go to school.
(iii) slow body movements.
(iv) none of these
(c) shining morning face - the poetic device used here is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
3. All the world's stage And all the men and women merely players :
They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
(a) All the world's stage. The poetic device used in this line is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
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(b) They have their exits and their entrances means
(i) man's death and birth respectively.
(ii) man's birth and death respectively.
(iii) exit and entrance points of a stage.
(iv) departing and meeting respectively.
(c) According to the poet, a man in his life
(i) dies seven times.
(ii) performs seven different roles.
(iii) appears seven times on the stage.
(iv) lives and dies seven times
4. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.
(a) creeping like snail - the poetic device used in this line is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
(b) creeping like a snail shows
(i) the child is reluctant to go to his school.
(ii) the child is willing to go to school.
(iii) slow body movements.
(iv) none of these
(c) shining morning face - the poetic device used here is
(i) metaphor,
(ii) simile.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration.
5. Then a soldier. Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the
pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.
(a) According to the poet, a soldier
(i) is conscious of his honour.
(ii) short-tempered and quick in picking up quarrels.
(iii) knows how to safeguard his country.
(iv) both (i) and (ii)
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(b) bubble reputation means
(i) short-lived reputation.
(ii) permanently famous.
(iii) temporary fame.
(iv) none of the above
(c) like the pard - in this line the poet has used the device
(i) simile.
(ii) metaphor.
(iii) pun.
(iv) alliteration
6. His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank ; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound.
(a) Which is the stage of man's life that the poet describes here ?
(i) 5th
(ii) 6th
(iii) 7th
(iv) 4th
(b) The man appears in this stage.
(i) weak and thin
(ii) strong and enthusiastic
(iii) full of life
(iv) meek and submissive
(c) shrunk shank implies
(i) weakness and helplessness.
(ii) fitness and activeness.
(iii) alertness.
(iv) weakness in legs
7. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history,
is second childishness and mere oblivion. Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans
everything.
(a) Which is the stage of man's life that the poet describes here ?
(i) 5th
(ii) 6th
(iii) 7th
(iv) 4th
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(b) This stage has been called a second childishness because
(i) the man acts as a child as it is the first stage of life.
(ii) the man's activities are just like a child as it is the last stage.
(iii) childlike activities are not permanent.
(iv) none of the above
(c) That ends this strange eventful history.... . The strange eventful
history stands for
(i) life span of a man.
(ii) a play.
(iii) events of life.
(iv) disputes of life.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why does the poet compare the world to a stage?
What do men and women do on the stage of life?
Describe briefly the first stage of life.
Write two characteristics of the soldier described in the poem The Seven Ages.
What do you think is the attitude of the poet while talking about human life? Do you
agree with what he says?
6.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. How do the last two stages of man’s life portray decay, degeneration and death?
2. All the world's stage And all the men and women merely players
What do the writer really want to convey through this poem?
3.Make a list of all the metaphors and similies used in the poem The Seven Ages. How does
the poet use these features in the context of a real human life?
Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
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1. How I laughed at my mother's false teeth, As they foamed in the waters beneath.
But now comes the reckonin1 it's me they are beckonin'
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.
(a) What does they in the 4th line stand for?
(i) the poet and her mother
(ii) teeth of her mother
(iii) waters
(iv) doctors
(b) The last lines shows
(i) the fear of the poet.
(ii) regret.
(iii) joy.
(iv) sorrow.
(c) The rhyming scheme of the stanza is
(i) ab ab a.
(ii) aa bb a.
(iii) aba aba.
(iv) aba aba

2. Oh I showed them the toothpaste all right, I flashed it about late at night,
But up-and-down brushin' And pokin 'and fussin'
Didn't seem worth the time – I could bite !
(a) I showed them the toothpaste all right implies
(i) that the poet never brushed as a child.
(ii) that the poet used to brush but not properly.
(iii) that the poet was serious about dental health.
(iv) that the poet knew how to use toothpaste properly.
(b) Didn’t seem worth the time . I could bite implies
(i) that the poet gave more importance to eating sweets than to taking care
of her teeth.
(ii) that the poet gave more importance to teeth than that of eating sweets.
(iii) giving time to dental hygiene was useless.
(iv) the poet was very serious about her
(c) The tone of the narrator is one of
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(i) joy.
(ii) nostalgia.
(iii) regret.
(iv) sorrow.
3. if I’d known, i was paving the way To cavities, caps and decay,
The murder of fillin 's injections and drillin's,
I'd have thrown all me sherbet away.
(a) The poet was paving the way to cavities by
(i) brushing her teeth regularly.
(ii) ignoring her dental health.
(iii) eating medicine and taking injections.
(iv) not eating sweets and toffees.
(b) The rhyming scheme of the stanza is
(i) aa bb a.
(ii) ab ab a.
(iii) aaa bbb.
(iv) aba aba.
(c) According to the stanza, what would have the poet done to avoid her
present condition ?
(i) She would not have eaten sweets and toffees.
(ii) She would have visited the doctors.
(iii) She would have taken some injections and medicines.
(iv) She would not have wasted her time in going to the dentist.
4. Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth, And spotted the perils beneath.
All the toffees I chewed, And the sweet sticky food,
Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth.
(a) What does the poet wish ?
(i) The poet wishes that she had looked after her teeth.
(ii) The poet wishes that she had beautiful teeth.
(iii) The poet wishes that she had a dentist at that time.
(iv) The poet was very careful about her teeth.
(b) it is clear from the stanza that
(i) the poet used to eat a lot of toffees and sweets in her childhood days.
(ii) the poet never ate toffees and sweets but now she wished for it.
(iii) the poet could never afford toffees.
(iv) the poet was very careful about her teeth.
(c) Oh ! I wish I’d looked after me teeth\ expresses
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(i) regret.
(ii) humour.
(iii) longing.
(iv) pleasure.
5. When I think of the lollies I licked, And the liquorice all sorts I picked,
Sherbet dabs, big and little, All that hard peanut brittle,
My conscience gets horribly pricked.
(a) The conscience of the speaker pricks her as she has been .
(i) careless
(ii) ignorant
(iii) fun loving
(iv) rude
(b) According to the stanza, the condition of her teeth is bad because
(i) she never brushed her teeth.
(ii) she used to eat sweets and toffees in her childhood.
(iii) she did not have any dentist in her school or house.
(iv) she had been ignorant about dental hygiene.
(c) The poet conveys that
(i) eating toffees and sweets is not good for dental hygiene.
(ii) one should have a good sense of dental hygiene.
(iii) one should not worry about one's teeth.
(iv) some of the sweets are injurious to dental health.
6. So with love - Sighs from the deep sea of affection ;
Laughter from the colourful field of the spirit; Tears from
the endless heaven of memories.
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) the rain
(ii) the poet
(iii) the heaven
(iv) the fields
(b) The above lines convey
(i) the introduction of the poet.
(ii) the introduction of the rain.
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(iii) the introduction of ishtar.
(iv) emotions of the poet.
(c) identify the figure of speech used in the stanza
(i) metaphor
(ii) simile
(iii) personification
(iv) personfication and metaphor
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1. What does the line ‘My conscience gets horribly pricked’ convey to you?
2. How did the poet take brushing of teeth before she developed dental problems?
3. Why did the poetgo to the dentist? Describe her mood when she was lying in the
dentist’s chair.
4. What did the poet face for neglecting her teeth.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. What is the significance of the proverb ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ in context of the
poem’ Oh, I Wish I'd looked After Me Teeth’.Give a reasoned answer.How would you co
relate it with the realities of human life?
2. ‘So I lay in the old dentist’s chair……’What happened to the narrator in the poem? What
do you learn from the poem?
Song of the Rain
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1.So with love - Sighs from the deep sea of affection ;
Laughter from the colourful field of the spirit; Tears from
the endless heaven of memories.
(a) Who is the speaker ?
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(i) the rain
(ii) the poet
(iii) the heaven
(iv) the fields
(b) The above lines convey
(i) the introduction of the poet.
(ii) the introduction of the rain.
(iii) the introduction of ishtar.
(iv) emotions of the poet.
(c) identify the figure of speech used in the stanza
(i) metaphor
(ii) simile
(iii) personification
(iv) personfication and metaphor
2. I touch gently at the windows with my Soft fingers, and my announcement is a
Welcome song. All can hear, but only The sensitive can understand.
(a) I in the stanza stands for
(i) greenery.
(ii) the poet.
(iii) rain.
(iv) nature.
(b) but only The sensitive can understand implies that
(i) rain is personification of human emotions which can be understood
by sensitive people only.
(ii) feelings and emotions can be appreciated by all irrespective of
their age.
(iii) the message of the rain song reaches all.
(iv) the message of the rain is not clear.
(c) identify the figure of speech used in the poem.
(i) personification
(ii) simile
(iii) metaphor
(iv) pun
3. I am the sigh of the sea ; The laughter of the field ; The tears of heaven.
(a) The tone and mood of the rain in the stanza reflects its
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(i) love for the field and pang of separation from the sea and the heaven.
(ii) love for the sea and pang of separation from the heaven.
(iii) merriment.
(iv) love for the sea.
(b) the laughter of the field , the field laughs on its arrival because
(i) it decorates them.
(ii) it gives them fertility and life to flowers.
(iii) the fields make fun of the rain.
(iv) it brings a message from the clouds for them.
(c) identify the figure of speech used in the stanza.
(i) metaphor
(ii) simile
(iii) pun
(iv) personification
4. The voice of thunder declares my arrival; The rainbow announces my departure.
I am like earthly life which begins at The feet of the mad elements and ends
Under the upraised wings of death.
(a) Who is I here ?
(I) poet
(ii) nature
(iii) rain
(iv) gardens
(b) Who announces its arrival and departure ?
(i) thunder and rainbow respectively
(ii) rainbow and thunder respectively
(iii) nature
(iv) weather
(c) i am like earthly life implies that
(i) its birth and death are similar to all the lives on the earth.
(ii) it has a big role in earthly life.
(iii) it has no role to play in the lives of people on the earth.
(iv) its arrival is not liked at all
5. I emerge from the heart of the sea and Soar with the breeze. When I see a field in
Need, I descend and embrace the flowers and The trees in a million little ways.
(a) The tone and mood of the rain in the stanza reflects its
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(i) love for the earth.
(ii) desire to take revenge.
(iii) merriment as it destroys.
(iv) desire to look beautiful.
(b) The stanza shows a process. it is called
(i) hydrocycle.
(ii) evaporation.
(iii) condensation,
(iv) rainfall.
(c) I descend and embrace the flowers implies
(i) that rain loves the fields, it revitalises the greenery.
(ii) that rain gives life to flowers.
(iii) that rain brings life to the earth.
(iv) all the above.
6. I am beautiful pearls, plucked from the Crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn
To embellish the gardens.
(a) What has been compared to the beautiful pearls ?
(i) the rain drops
(ii) the poet
(iii) the flowers in the garden
(iv) the pearls in the crown of ishtar
(b) embellish the gardens implies that
(i) the rain is rejoiced by the earth as it brings prosperity and fertility.
(ii) that rain brings some natural calamity.
(iii) that rain destroys the gardens as it uproots the trees.
(iv) the rain decorates the gardens as it looks like beautiful pearls plucked
from the crown.
(c) Identify the figure of speech used in the stanza.
(i) personification and metaphor
(ii) personification and simile
(iii) personification only
(iv) simile only
7. When I cry the hills laugh ; When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When Ibow, all things are elated.
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(a) What do the words cry, humble, bow indicate ?
(i) the intensity with which the rain falls
(ii) different moods of the poet
(iii) feelings of the reader
(iv) different seasons
(b) The arrival of rain is
(i) not welcomed and enjoyed by hills.
(ii) welcomed by flowers but not by the hills.
(iii) welcomed by all, the hills and the gardens.
(iv) uncertain.
(c) I cry the hills laugh ;. . . . identify the figure of speech used in the line.
(i) simile
(ii) metaphor
(iii) personification
(iv) pun
8. The field and the cloud are lovers And between them I am a messenger of
mercy. I quench the thirst of the one ; I cure the ailment of the other.
(a) The field and the cloud are lovers ... is an example of
(i) metaphor.
(ii) simile.
(iii) personification,
(iv) pun.
(b) The field and the cloud are lovers ... How does the rain help the two ?
(i) it brings them closer by acting as a silver thread that binds the two.
(ii) it separates both of them by coming in between the two.
(iii) it satisfies the thirst of the fields and purifies the clouds of their
ailment.
(iv) it plays no role for them.
(c) Who is the messenger of mercy ?
(i) the clouds
(ii) the poet
(iii) the rain
(iv) ishtar, the Goddess of fertility
9. I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven
By the Gods. Nature then takes me, to adorn Her fields and valleys.
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(a) Who is I here ?
(i) the rain
(ii) the poet
(iii) Gods
(iv) Nature
(b) I calls itself the dotted silver threads as
(i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other.
(ii) it ties heaven and earth.
(iii) it dots the earth with shimmering water.
(iv) it decorates the fields.
(c) identify the figure of speech used in the extract
(i) simile.
(ii) metaphor.
(iii) personification,
(iv) pun.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How has the rain been personified in the poem?
What is the effect of rain on different objects on earth?
Where does the rain emerge from? What announces its arrival?
Describe different functions of rain on the basis of the poem.
The poet says that the rain embraces the trees and flowers in a million little ways. Describe a
few of them.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. How does the poet describe various images, sounds movements of the rain?
2. How does the earth appear before and after the rain? Describe in detail.
The Bishop’s Candlesticks
EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
most appropriate alternative from those given below :
1.Ah, I'm a fool, a child to cry, but somehow you have made me feel that - that it is just
as if something had come into me - as if I were a man again and not a wild beast.
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(a) The speaker of these lines is
(i) Bishop.
(ii) the convict.
(iii) Persome.
(iv) Mere Gringoire.
(b) Mark the True statement. The speaker
1. is ashamed of himself that he had completely changed.
2. is grateful to the listener for this change in his life.
3. had always been a wild beast.
4. had never been a wild beast, these were the circumstances which made
him so.
(i) only 1
(ii) only 2 and 4
(iii) 3 only
(iv) 1 and 3 only
(c) The listener brought a change in the speaker
(i) through compassion and empathy.
(ii) through the fear of God.
(iii) through the fear of law of the land.
(iv) through a materialistic incentiv
2. I-I- didn't believe there was any good in the world ; one doesn't when one has been in
Hell, but somehow I-I - know you're good, and - and it's a queer thing to ask, but could you, would you bless me before i go ? I-1 think it would help me. I (a) The convict's tone in the above lines
(i) is filled with hesitation.
(ii) is full of command but respectful.
(iii) is full of bitterness for the world and the Bishop.
(iv) is full of distrust.
(b) The experience of the convict at Bishop's house
(i) made it difficult for him to trust the Bishop.
(ii) made him a bitter and cruel man.
(iii) transformed him from a beast to a human.
(iv) did not bring any change in him.
(c) The convict asked the Bishop to bless him because
(i) he knew that it would save him from the curse of God.
(ii) he realised that good people still existed and the Bishop was one of
them.
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(iii) he was just trying to be smart with him.
(iv) it was a custom to be blessed by a Bishop before leaving the place.
3. They chained me up like a wild animal, they lashed, me like a hound. i fed on filth. i was
covered with vermin.
(a) Who stand for they and me here ?
(i) the convict and the prison authorities respectively
(ii) the prison authorities and the convict respectively
(iii) the family members of the convict and the convict respectively
(iv) Persome and Mere Gringoire
(b) The above dialogues show the
(i) bitterness of the speaker.
(ii) agonising time of the speaker.
(iii) brutality of the authorities on the speaker.
(iv) all of the above
(c) Mark the True statements.
1. The speaker deserved this treatment.
2. The authorities were right in their approach.
3. The speaker was not cruel or brute enough to meet this treatment.
4. After this treatment in the prison the speaker was reformed.
(i) 1 and 2 only
(ii) only 3
(iii) only 3 and 4
(iv) all of the above
4. You have your soul to lose, my son ; it is of more value than my heart.
(a) The speaker of these lines is
(i) under the threat of someone.
(ii) in the church and giving a sermon.
(iii) in the prison.
(iv) in his house and giving an advice to his servants.
(b) The above lines show that he is
(i) sympathetic and concerned.
(ii) bitter and rude.
(iii) clever and cunning.
(iv) sentimental.
(c) Mark the statement which is True.
1. The speaker has been able to transform the listener.
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2. The speaker is cunning and trying to trap the listener.
3. The speaker is kind and concerned.
(i) both 1 and 2
(ii) only 1
(iii) only 2 and 3
(iv) 1 and 3
5. Monseigneur, I am glad I didn't get away with them ; curse me, I am. I am glad.
(a) These lines have been spoken by to
(i) convict; Bishop.
(ii) Bishop ; convict.
(iii) Persome ; Bishop.
(iv) Persome ; the convict.
(b) The above statement shows
(i) the change in heart of the convict and his repentance.
(ii) satisfaction of the Bishop.
(iii) a sense of achievement on the part of the Bishop.
(iv) happiness of the convict that he was not caught again by the jail
authorities.
(c) Mark the True statements.
1. The speaker shows human feelings.
2. The speaker undergoes a real
transformation from a beast to a human.
3. There is repentance.
4. The speaker is not honest in his admission of guilt, he is just befooling
the listener.
(i) only 1
(ii) 1, 2 and 3
(iii) 2 and 3 only
(iv) 4 only
6. free to starve. They feed you in Hell but\ when you escape from it you starve.'
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(i) the Bishop
(ii) the convict
(iii) Persome
(iv) Mere Gringoire
(b) What is the mental state of the convict in the stanza ?
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(i) He is disturbed mentally due to long suffering.
(ii) He is also hungry due to starving for days.
(iii) He has been convicted for a minor crime.
(iv) (i) and (ii)
(c) What is the Hell ?
(i) a prison
(ii) the prison where the convict had been treated like a wild beast
(iii) a place full of chaos and disorder
(iv) (ii) and (iii)
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 3-4 sentences each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How does Persome treat Marie?
What memories are associated with the candlesticks?
Under what circumstances was the convict turned into a wild beast?
How far is the convict right when he says ‘They have made me a thief’?
Would you justify the punishment given to the convict in the jail? If not, why?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(to be answered in about 100-150 words each)
1. Highlight all the qualities of the bishop.
2. What role did the Bishop play in transforming a wild beast into a good man?
3. What role do the candlesticks play in the lives of bishop and convict?
LONG READING TEXT
Three Men in a Boat (chapters 11-20)
1. What attracts people to Streatley even though they were not planning on it?
2. Write a note on the humour used in the novel Three Men in a Boat.
3. “ I take great pride in my work; I take it down now and then and dust it. No man keeps
his work in a better state of preservation than I do.”Who says this? Focus on the
character of the narrator ,Jerome K Jerome.
4. “ Some people are under the impression that all that is required to make a good
fisherman is the ability to tell lies easily and without blustering but this is a mistake.” In
what context is this statement made? What is it significance?
5. How are women portrayed in Three Men in a Boat.
6. What natural wonder has a major impact on Jerome near picnic point?
7. What happened to the three friends’ idea of having a bathe in the river? What was the
writer’s experience?
8. How did Harris attempt preparing scrambled eggs for breakfast and with what result?
9. Describe Montmorency’s encounter with the black cat Tom. How did it affect the dog?
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10. Describe Montmorency’s fight with the tea-kettle. What happened in the end?
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