Me N Mine English Solutions X Second Term 2011

So1mt1oo to
+71+)618-
PULLOUT WORKSHEETS
FOR CLASS X
Second Terms
By
Dr. M.M. Sharma
M.A., Ph.D.
5- /:
SARASWATI HOUSE PVT. LTD.
(An ISO 9001:2008 Company)
EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS
9, Daryaganj, Near Telephone Office, New Delhi-110002
Ph: 43556600 (100 lines), 23281022 Fax: 43556688
E-mail: delhi@saraswatihouse.com
Website: www.saraswatihouse.com
Branches
Bengaluru: (080) 26619880 Chandigarh: (0172) 2624882 Chennai: (044) 24343740
Jaipur: 9672987282 Kochi: (0484) 3925288 Lucknow: (0522) 4062517
Mumbai: (022) 28343022 Patna: (0612) 2570403
Modals
V Worksheet 79 ........................................ F-34
Passive Voice
V Worksheet 80 ........................................ F-35
Narration
V Worksheet 81 ........................................ F-35
SECTION D LITERATURE
Fiction
Two Gentlemen of Verona
V Worksheets 82 to 84 .................... F-36F-38
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT:
Two Gentlemen of Verona
V Worksheet 85 ............................... F-38F-39
Mrs Packletides Tiger
DISCUSSION: Mrs Packletides Tiger
V Worksheet 89 & 90...................... F-42F-43
The Letter
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT: The Letter
V Worksheet 94 ............................... F-46F-47
Poetry
The Frog and the Nightingale
GROUP DISCUSSION:
The Frog and the Nightingale
V Worksheet 99 ............................... F-49F-50
Mirror
V Worksheets 100 to 102................ F-50F-52
APPRECIATION OF THEME: Mirror
V Worksheet 103 ............................. F-52F-53
Not Marble Nor the Gilded Monuments
V Worksheets 104 & 105 ................ F-53F-54
DISCUSSION:
Not Marble Nor the Gilded Monuments
V Worksheet 106 ............................. F-54F-55
Drama
The Dear Departed
V Worksheets 107 to 111 ................ F-55F-59
ROLE-PLAY: The Dear Departed
V Worksheet 112 ............................. F-59F-60
PRACTICE PAPERS................... F-61F-80
- 3 -
SECTION A READING
Unseen Passages
V Worksheets 1 to 10 .......................... S-1S-3
Testing Reading Skills
V Worksheet 11 ........................................... S-3
Comprehension
V Worksheet 12 ........................................... S-4
Exploring Ideas
V Worksheet 13 ................................... S-4S-5
SECTION B WRITING
Biographical Sketch
V Worksheets 14 & 15 ................................ S-6
Data Interpretation
V Worksheets 16 & 17 ................................ S-7
Dialogue Writing
V Worksheets 18 & 19 ................................ S-8
Description (People/Places/Events)
V Worksheets 20 to 22 ........................ S-8S-9
Formal/Informal Letter
V Worksheets 23 & 24 ...................... S-9S-11
E-mail
V Worksheets 25 & 26 .................... S-11S-12
Diary Entry
V Worksheet 27 ........................................ S-13
Story Writing
V Worksheet 28 ............................... S-13S-14
Article Writing
V Worksheet 29 ........................................ S-14
Speech Writing
V Worksheet 30 ........................................ S-15
Debate
V Worksheet 31 ............................... S-15S-16
Writing Letter/Article/E-mail
V Worksheet 32 ............................... S-16S-17
Organising Debate
V Worksheet 33 ........................................ S-17
Short Paragraph/Article/E-mail/Story
V Worksheet 34 ............................... S-17S-18
Just A Minute
V Worksheet 35 ........................................ S-18
- 4 -
Interview/Description
V Worksheet 36 ........................................ S-19
Conversation
V Worksheet 37 ............................... S-20S-21
Writing Paragraph/Story
V Worksheet 38 ........................................ S-21
Completing Story, Writing Speech/
Paragraph
V Worksheet 39 ............................... S-21S-22
SECTION C GRAMMAR
Filling Blanks with Suitable Words
V Worksheets 40 to 43 .................... S-23S-24
Using Notes to Complete Paragraphs
V Worksheets 44 to 47 ............................. S-24
Dialogue Completion
Sentence Reordering
EditingDetecting & Correcting Errors
Omission: Supplying Missing Word
Completing Passages
(using Reported Speech)
Completing News Reports
(using Headlines)
V Worksheets 66 to 69 ............................. S-31
Sentence Transformation
V Worksheet 70 ........................................ S-32
Tenses Or Using Correct Forms of Verbs
V Worksheet 71 ........................................ S-32
Sentence Structure
V Worksheet 72 ............................... S-32S-33
Connectors
V Worksheet 73 ........................................ S-33
Determiners
V Worksheet 74 ........................................ S-33
Pronouns
V Worksheet 75 ........................................ S-33
Prepositions
V Worksheet 76 ........................................ S-34
Clauses
V Worksheet 77 ........................................ S-34
Modals
V Worksheet 78 ........................................ S-34
Passive Voice
V Worksheet 79 ........................................ S-35
Narration
V Worksheet 80 ........................................ S-35
SECTION D LITERATURE
Fiction
A Shady Plot
A Shady Plot
V Worksheet 84 ............................... S-38S-39
Patol Babu, Film Star
Patol Babu, Film Star
V Worksheet 88 ............................... S-42S-43
Virtually True
Virtually True
V Worksheet 92 ........................................ S-45
Poetry
Ozymandias
GROUP DISCUSSION: Ozymandias
V Worksheet 96 ........................................ S-48
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
V Worksheets 97 to 102 .................. S-49S-52
APPRECIATION OF THEME:
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
V Worksheet 103 ............................. S-52S-53
Snake
V Worksheets 104 to 106................ S-54S-56
APPRECIATION OF THEME: Snake
V Worksheet 107 ...................................... S-56
Drama
Julius Caesar
V Worksheets 108 to 113 ................ S-56S-61
ROLE-PLAY: Julius Caesar
V Worksheet 114 .............................. S-61-S-62
PRACTICE PAPERS.................... S-63S-80
S-1 O I T U L O S S N
READING
A
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
UNSEEN PASSAGES
WORKSHEET1
Passage1 Passage2
(a) cheered (b) suspend 1. adolescents
(c) hungry (d) satisfy 2. a separate entity
(e) spark (f) stooped/descended 3. as young adults
(g) intention/motive (h) admired 4. doctors rarely test the blood pressure of an
(i) doing/causing (j) blessed
adolescent
5. obsession
WORKSHEET2
Passage1 Passage2
1. Venus crossing the face of the Sun 1. (c) looks at all creatures with the eyes of
2. the weather a friend
3. like a small black dot 2. (a) protect citizens, punish wrongdoers,
4. patience preserve forests and animal life
5. the Venus Transit 3. (b) pleasure in the peace that comes through
righteousness
4. (b) natural resources
5. (d) beautiful old trees
WORKSHEET3
Passage1 Passage2
1. (a) heart and lungs 1. cataract
2. (c) highlight the benefits of quitting smoking 2. loses its transparency,
3. (c) improves the individuals health 3. old age
4. (c) better coronary circulation and reduction 4. loss of vision
in the chances of a heart attack
5. opaque
5. (d) recede
S-2
M O M U E N G L S C I N I X H A C T I V E
WORKSHEET4
Passage1 Passage2
1. those in need of flower or tree 1. (a) the mangrove forests
2. make do with film documentaries on TV 2. (c) the development of shrimp farms
3. they make him sneeze 3. (b) the emergence of megacities along the sea
4. stroll and take their leisure 4. (a) absorb the energy of waves and tidal surges
5. material 5. (c) shrimp farms
WORKSHEET5
Passage1 Passage2
1. (a) inspect the way his men were carrying 1. the Giant jumped out
out his orders 2. that in every tree there was a child
2. (d) he did not want to be recognised 3. flying about and twittering with delight
3. (b) not humorous by nature 4. a little boy crying bitterly
4. (a) issuing order after order 5. to put the little boy on the tree and knock
5. (b) nettled the wall down
WORKSHEET6
Passage1 Passage2
1. Lincolns son 1. (c) he wanted to help the little boy
2. for every scoundrel there was a hero 2. (b) the bell was too high for him
3. ponder about the eternal mystery of birds, 3. (d) it was his childish prank
bees and flowers 4. (c) he knew that the owner would be angry
4. it was far more honourable to fail than to 5. (d) mischievous
cheat
5. ponder
WORKSHEET7
Passage1 Passage2
1. male deer 1. (a) a suitable habitat
2. rocky and hard 2. (b) from India to Indonesia
3. save themselves 3. (c) as god and protector of the forest
4. he had satisfied his hunger 4. (d) the Western civilization which shoots
5. obstructed the path angrily tigers for sport
5. (b) successive
WORKSHEET8
Passage1 Passage2
1. its medicinal properties 1. (b) good health
2. to ward off sickness 2. (c) these keep the body fit and strong
3. leprosy and skin diseases 3. (d) it is our priceless possession
4. the yellow fruit of Neem 4. (a) these harm our body and mind
5. to decorate 5. (b) thoughtful
WORKSHEET9
Passage1 Passage2
1. (b) at the edge of the Gobi desert 1. that they are the best and the cleverest
2. (c) to reach the cosmos 2. well of himself and his country
3. (d) it launched astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit 3. every country is partly good and partly bad
4. (a) a futuristic-looking cityscape 4. what is good in them
5. (c) location 5. definitely
WORKSHEET10
Passage1 Passage2
1. (b) potassium 1. it is a great danger to our health
2. (c) their healing properties 2. his very existence is in danger
3. (a) they are the most powerful natural 3. smoke emitting out of vehicles plying on
styptics roads
4. (d) it strengthens circulatory system 4. they emit poisonous smoke
5. (c) substance checking the flow of blood 5. maintain
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
TESTING READING SKILLS
WORKSHEET11
1. 1. (a) The flames of fire finger the air. (b) It fastens on the remnants of the tree.
(c) It consumes the remnants. (d) It leaps back to the sun.
2. (a) first (b) right
(c) learn (d) loose
2. Acronyms Abbreviations Contractions
RadarRadio Detection And CSIRCouncil of Scientific St.Street
Ranging and Industrial
Research
AIDSAcquired Immune UNUnited Nations Dr.Doctor
Deficiency Syndrome
UNESCOUnited Nations VIPVery Important Person
Educational Scientific
and Cultural
Organisation
NASANational Aeronautics BBCBritish Broadcasting
and Space Administration Corporation
S-4
COMPREHENSION
WORKSHEET12
1. Try yourself.
2. INDIAS CONTRIBUTION IN CONTROLLING GLOBAL WARMING
The problem of global warming has become an international issue today. Nuclear explosions,
deforestation and excessive consumption of coal, oil and gas have aggravated the problem.
India is playing a vital role in controlling global warming. We are trying best to correct the
ecological imbalances and curtail environmental pollution. We have realised the importance
of forests, and we have started many afforestation drives to increase our forest area from 20%
in 2000 A.D. to 30% by 2060 A.D. In order to inculcate awareness among the people various
steps have been taken. Teams of environmental experts have been constituted. They impart
training in environmental education and management to forest officers, supervisors and
guards. Then these trained personnel fan out to the villages and spread consciousness among
the villagers. Their approach is direct and straightforward. They say, We are here to guide
you for a better and healthy living. We are happy to report that a number of Social Forestry
Projects are being implemented in several states with assistance from UNEP, USAID and
World Bank.
EXPLORING IDEAS
WORKSHEET13
1. Try yourself.
2. 587/9
R.K. Puram
New Delhi
10 May, 20XX
Dear Arun
You will be glad to know that our school is organising an Educational Tour of South-East Asia
during the ensuing summer vacation. Our Senior History teacher Mr Ashok Sarin will be the
tour-incharge. We would like to visit Indonesia and Thailand, our neighbours on the Asian
Continent. It is hoped that this trip will be highly educative and interesting as it will provide
a first hand knowledge of the important places and people, their habits and customs, dress,
manners, language, occupation and tradein short, their way of life. A group of about 30
students have joined this trip. Under the guidance of our principal and teachers we have
planned a tour itinerary.
I am giving bare outlines for your information.
18th May
Fly from New Delhi to Bangkok (Thailand)
19th May
(morning) : Guided tour of the city
(afternoon) : Visit to Wood Emporium
(evening) : Wat Arun Temple
20th May
(morning) : Visit to Krunch Bari and the Bridge on the river Kwai-Rafting in the river
(afternoon) : Guided tour of countryside, especially of rice fields
(evening) : Light and Sound Programme on World War IIbattle between the
Japanese and the Allies fought on the River Kwai
21st May
(morning) : Visit the floating market
(afternoon) : Thai Boxing
(evening) : Embassy of India
22nd May
Fly to Jakarta (Indonesia)
23rd May
(morning) : Guided tour of the city
(afternoon) : Sightseeing: National Monument, Central Museum, Recreation Park
(evening) : Indonesia Miniature Park
24th May
(morning) : Guided tour to Bogar city and Botanical garden
(afternoon) : Taman Safari Indonesia
(evening) : Bandung: Local sightseeing
25th May
(morning) : Visit to Condet Village
(afternoon) : Shopping at Jakarta
(evening) : Embassy of India
26th May
Fly back to New Delhi
Kindly write to me about your plans during the summer vacation.
Yours affectionately
Pramod
S-6
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
WORKSHEET14
1. MR SHAM LAL
Mr Sham Lal is our school peon. He is around 45. He is not very tall. He is a fat fellow, yet he
is active and good looking. He wears a khaki uniform and sits on a bench outside Principals
office. He is educated upto middle standard. He is hardworking and dutiful. He comes to
school very early. He dusts the benches. Then he cleanses the Principals table and chairs. He
has many other duties to perform. He rings the bell and goes to post office to bring mail. He
goes to bank to deposit money. He also carries important orders to classes. He is polite and
soft spoken. We like him for his punctuality, regularity and cleanliness. Out of love children
call him chacha.
2. MR NARESH KUMAR
Mr Naresh Kumar is the postman of our area. He is around forty. He is six feet tall but slim
and agile. He has a family of four. Besides his wife, he has to support his two children. He is
a matriculate. He wears a khaki uniform. He rides on his cycle. He carries letters in a bag. He
puts the parcels on the carrier of his cycle. He has very difficult duties. First he goes to the
post office. There he collects mail of our area. He sorts it streetwise and then arranges it
housewise before starting to distribute the letters and parcels. I like him because he is punctual,
polite and regular. He is sweet to talk to. He rings the bell before delivering letters.
WORKSHEET15
1. DR RAMESH MOHAN
Dr Ramesh Mohan is the part-time doctor of our school. He visits our school on Tuesdays and
Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as he is busy at Apollo Clinic in the mornings from 8 a.m. to
11 a.m. and in the evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. He is M.D. (Medicine) and has a Diploma in
Child Health. He is around 35. He has medium height. He is slim, smart and good-looking.
He organises health check-up of students, examines ailments and writes prescription for the
sick. He also delivers lectures on taking care of health. He is soft-spoken, polite and good
tempered. He is a patient listener and loves children. These qualities make him popular.
2. MR RAJTHE SCHOOL GARDENER
Mr Raj, the school gardener is around 50 years in age. He is six feet tall and solidly built. He is
quite active and agile. He has passed matriculation examination. He is not well paid but he has
to support a large family of ten. The family comprises his parents, his wife, himself and his six
children. He has four boys and two girls. Mr Raj is a good gardener. He can be seen in the nursery.
He sows seeds, grows saplings and plants them. He favours organic manure for the plants.
He maintains the school lawns and playgrounds. He is popular among students and teachers
alike. He believes children are like young saplings. Both need tender nursing and care.
WRITING
B
DATA INTERPRETATION
WORKSHEET16
1. PROBLEMS AND STRESSES FACED BY TEENAGERS
The problems of the teenagers can be classified into three broad groups:
(a) Educational
(b) Employment related (c) Personal health and relationships.
Educational problems related to finishing of education in a well deserved manner and passing
the exams creditably to get a university degree rank as primary worries. More than half52
to 54 per cent teenagers are victims of these two types of worries.
Then the youth are faced with another Herculean taskprospecting for employment. In fact,
70 per cent graduates are worried about gainful employment. The number of unemployed
youth is on the increase.
Personal health is the concern of about 54 per cent teenagers whereas 63 per cent are worried
about their aging parents. Fifty-seven per cent teenagers are emotionally attached with their
relatives or peers.
2. AROGYADHAM RAILWAY STATION
From the map, the station building seems to be quite small. You will reach there by the 203
up Rajdhani Express. It will be received at platform no. one. Alight from the train. Pick up
your handbag and briefcase. Then go up the overbridge. Hand over your ticket to the ticket
collector. Then go to the waiting hall. Deposit your luggage in the cloakroom. Refresh yourself
in the gents toilet. Then move over to the railway canteen. Take a cup of tea or coffee. Wait
for your friend for some time. If he does not come, make a call at his residence. If the call does
not mature, go to the Taxi/Auto stand. Hire a vehicle and reach his place.
WORKSHEET17
1. IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
The population of the village has increased from about 650 to 1850 over the last twenty
years. A study of the graph reveals that the percentage of the illiterates is far higher than
that of matriculates or graduates. The number of illiterates has increased over the years.
The figures for the last ten years show a healthy increase in the number of male matriculates
and graduates as well as adult female literates. Perhaps the introduction of open schools and
adult literacy classes have made this possible. Poverty and lack of opportunity have hindered
majority of persons from attaining formal education. Concerted efforts are essential to take
the lamp of knowledge to every nook and corner.
2. TEENAGERS AND LEISURE HOURS
A comparison of the emerging trends reveal the difference in likings of the boys and girls.
While girls read more as compared to boys, they dont seem to be much interested in games.
For the boys, sports constitute an important diversion during leisure hours. They spend more
than half their leisure hours playing games or watching them. TV serials and films songs
attract more girls than boys. A shocking trend is also discernible. The percentage of boys and
girls engaged in hobby-related activities is quite negligible. Isnt it a cause of concern?
S-8
DIALOGUE WRITING
WORKSHEET18
1. (i) (a) which course I should take
(ii) (d) I am here to ask your advice.
(iii) (b) will be furious if I dont take science.
(iv) (c) I expect I would fail miserably.
2. (i) (c) Smoking is injurious to health.
(ii) (d) That is written on every packet of cigarette.
(iii) (b) it will injure your lungs.
(iv) (a) I am addicted to smoking.
WORKSHEET19
1. (a) In what capacity are you working there (b) do you want to leave that company
(c) will you be able to join (d) will be informed
2. (a) of a visit to/visiting (b) will have to seek
(c) Should I come (d) have you ever visited Dal Lake
DESCRIPTION (People/Places/Events)
WORKSHEET20
1. MY FAVOURITE TEACHER
Miss Anju Vohra is my favourite teacher. She is an M.A. B.Ed. She is about 30. She has a
pleasing personality and cheerful disposition. She has a unique way of teaching. She arouses
our interest in learning activities and skills. She pays attention to our individual difficulties
also. We admire and respect her for her amiable nature. She is a good speaker and fine
singer. She is a lover of books. She helps the poor and needy students. In short, she is a true
friend, philosopher and guide. May she live long!
2. MY SCHOOL
I read in Apex Model School. It has a beautiful H shaped building. It has vast playgrounds
and beautiful lawns. The playgrounds have many tall shady trees along the boundary walls.
The lawns are lush green and full of blooming flowers of the season. Our school has 40 rooms
and two big halls. There are three science laboratoriesone each for Physics, Chemistry and
Biology. There is a computer room also. The library is very big. There are 50 teachers and
1500 students.
WORKSHEET21
1. STATE SCIENCE FAIR
Delhi State Science Fair was organised in Gandhi Maidan in December. Preparations for the
science fair started months ago. Almost all the schools of Delhi participated in the Science
Fair. The whole area was divided into five sectors. The pavilions were numbered and the
exhibits were arranged thematically. I was much impressed by the section dealing with
Energy. It displayed working models of conventional sources of energy including fossil fuels
and of the non-conventional ones such as solar energy, wind energy and energy from rubbish
and wastes. The charts and models of atomic generators and power stations attracted a lot of
visitors. People also appreciated the section dealing with environment.
2. INDIAA COUNTRY OF FESTIVALS
India is a vast country with diverse social and cultural ways. A number of festivals are celebrated
in different parts of India. These festivals are celebrated in a variety of ways which reflect the
local colour and traditions. For example, in Northern India, Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated
as the festival of lights signifying the victory of the good over the evil. Same is the case with
Dussehra when the effigies of the demon king Ravana, an incarnation of evil, are set ablaze
along with those of his son Meghanada (Indrajeet) and Kumbhakarna. The Navaratras that
come before the Dussehra attract devotees of Kali or Durga to perform Puja in Assam and
Bengal and to participate in Dandia in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Makar Sankranti is
celebrated in North while Onam and Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Baisakhi shows the
joy of Punjabis on the harvesting of wheat. Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated all over
India.
WORKSHEET22
1. OUR PRINCIPAL
Our Principal is really a gem. He is only forty-five years old but he carries an old head on his
young shoulders. He is physically fit, mentally alert and emotionally balanced. He is
hardworking, disciplined and dutiful. He is quite cool and never loses temper with anyone.
Angry parents come out smiling after meeting him. His request to teachers and other members
of society is a command. He shares their weal and woe. Everyone listens to his sagacious
advice and acts on it.
2. LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE
The Lakshmi Narayan temple is the most famous temple in our city. It is spread over ten acres.
There is a huge entrance gate. There are lawns on either side of the road. Pilgrims sit and
relax there. Then there is tank. People take a dip in it before visiting the temple. There are at
least fifty steps to the platform on which the building is built. There are three big halls. The idols
of Lakshmi and Narayan are placed in the central hall. The other two have idols of Lord Shiva,
Ganesh, Durga and Hanuman. Devotees offer gifts, bow before the gods and pray for fulfilment
of their desires. The atmosphere echoes with the ringing of bells and joyful shouts of the devotees.
FORMAL/INFORMAL LETTER
WORKSHEET23
1. The Chairman
Water Authority
Ahmedabad
29 March 20XX
Sir
Sub: Complaint regarding inadequate water supply
We, the residents of M.G. Colony, are facing immense water scarcity. Water is supplied to the
residents for just about two hours on a given day. Even the pressure is very low. As a result after
a two hours supply one manages to simply receive just about 450-500 litres of water. It has been
brought to our notice that in some VIP colonies water is supplied throughout the day. Why this
S-10
disparity? Also, another matter which surprises me is the availability of water to the water-
tankers. Somewhere, it appears that there is a nexus between the Water Authority officials and
water tanker operators.
With summer approaching, the situation is going to worsen. As residents and regular water tax
payers we have right to this basic need. If not in surplus, at least an adequate amount should be
provided.
We hope and expect that as Chairman of Water Authority you would definitely treat this as
urgent and provide relief to the residents of M.G. Colony.
Yours faithfully
XYZ
2. 235 Sector 5
Noida
25 August 20XX
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Synthetic MilkA Health Hazard
The adulteration of milk is going on at a large scale in our district. The sale of synthetic milk
continues unabated. The authorities have made many efforts to curb this evil practice, but
failed. The synthetic milk being sold is a mixture of urea, liquid detergents, chalk powder,
white paint, shredded blotting paper, vegetable oils and arrowroot. It may also contain chemicals
like formalin, titanium, sodium sulphate and zinc oxide. These cause skin ailment, ulcers,
disabilities and even death.
Intake of this synthetic milk is a health hazard. The side-effects of this milk composed of urea
are diarrhoea, subsequent malabsorption and nutritional deficiency. Hence, all out efforts should
be made to educate the general public against the harmful effects of synthetic milk. Home
testing kits can help the consumers to determine the quality of milk supplied by the vendors.
Those found guilty of adulteration should be dealt with severely. The ordinary citizens must
shake off their apathy and actively join the struggle for a better quality of life. Let us join in
this struggle against death-dealers.
Yours faithfully
Promila Chopra
WORKSHEET24
1. 1234, 7th Cross Road
Bengaluru (Karnataka)
25th Sept. 20XX
Dear Tanvi
I am glad that you have secured the top rank in your class in the terminal tests. One thing,
however, is the cause for concern. It is learnt that you have become a bookworm and remain
confined to your room poring over the books all time.
I would like to remind you the importance of fresh air and sunshine in our lives. Health and
hygiene is supreme. You must remain fit and healthy even for studying. A healthy mind lives
in a healthy body. You must refresh your mind by giving it a break after continuous studies of
an hour or so. Even a brief diversion can recharge it. Participation in outdoor games and co-
curricular activities can make you physically fit and emotionally stable.
You must keep yourself free from tension and anxiety. Only a healthy person can enjoy life to
the full. Do write back and look after yourself properly.
Yours affectionately
Tushar
2. 1239 Vayu Vihar
New Delhi
23 October 20XX
The Editor
The Viewpoint
Chennai-600018
Dear Sir
Recently you published an advertisement about MEDHA - 07. It was claimed in the advertisement
that it is a wonder-drug and could help children to achieve all-round perfection. The user will
become a super human with sharpened intellect, active memory, extraordinary brain power,
strong bones and powerful muscles. Its user can enjoy full vitality of nerves, brain and heart.
All this sounds quite attractive, but if one goes deeper and re-reads the advertisement, one
notices many loopholes. For example, the advertisement is silent about the system of medicine
on which the wonder drug is based. Secondly, there is no mention of the ingredients it
comprises. There is no mention of certification or testing.
It seems that some crafty persons are out to make a fast buck by playing on the psychology of
harassed parents, who are anxious to see their children perform better. In my humble opinion
giving such untested and uncertified drug to young children will be just inviting trouble. It
may cause more complications than it may cure. I am surprised how such an advertisement
could find space in your esteemed magazine.
I appeal to you to get the drug tested in some renowned lab and if found ineffective/harmful,
the results may be published for the enlightenment of parents and children.
Yours faithfully
S. Janaki
E-MAIL
WORKSHEET25
1. sureshkumar@yahoo.com 15 March 20XX
mohitmathur@hotmail.com
subject: selection in nationals
Message
You will be pleased to learn that I have been selected as one of the players in the state team to
participate in the national championship for the under-nineteen category. It was an unexpected
news for me, my friends and parents as there was a tough competition for the spot. Ten bowlers
turned up for the five to be selected. Luckily, I gave a superb performance at the trials and was
one of the five bowlers selected for the state team. I felt elated as our principal informed me of
S-12
my selection. The joy of my friends knew no bounds. However, there was envy in the eyes of
others, who failed to make the grade. Congratulating me on my selection, the coach and manager
reposed confidence in my ability and told me clearly what they expected of me. I hope I will
come up to their expectations.
2. prakashkaur@yahoo.com 10 April 20XX
ruchikasingh@hotmail.com
subject: bus hits tree and catches fire
Message
The sight of a bus striking a tree refreshed my harrowing experience of a similar predicament.
Last week, I had a narrow shave, when the bus I was travelling in swerved to avoid collision
with a truck which suddenly appeared from the right side. The driver lost control over the
vehicle as the brakes failed. Consequently, the bus hit a huge tree on the roadside. The impact
was so severe that the bus caught fire. I felt that my end was near. The conductor opened the
emergency door. I rushed towards it and jumped outside. Other passengers followed suit. Women
and children were shouting and crying. We helped them to alight. By this time the police and
fire brigade arrived. Relief and rescue work began. It was a pathetic scene with two passengers
lying burnt and five injured. I shudder with fear whenever I recall this incident.
WORKSHEET26
1. arunsrivastava@hotmail.com 9 November 20XX
sunilkhanna@rediffmail.com
subject: grading system and CCE
Message
I heaved a sigh of relief on reading the heartening news that students of X class will be free
from the monster of Annual Examination. Grades will replace marks and CCE will be used for
appraisal of performance. Both scholastic and co-scholastic areas will figure in the assessment,
which will have formative and summative assessments. The grading system will de-stress the
students as there will be no tension of board examinations. There will be no parental or peer
pressure as percentage will not matter.
The system is not altogether foolproof. It has a blend of good and bad effects. There will be less
gap between intelligent students. Variety of percentage will not matter. Consequently, the level
of education will fall down.
2. sandeepdeo@hotmail.com 20 March 20XX
pravinkumar@yahoo.com
subject: experience in rain
Message
I have just seen a girl walking in the rain. It reminded me of my own experience of being
caught in the rain. Last week I was also caught in a sudden shower of rain like her. The rain
came unexpectedly. Since I had no umbrella or raincoat, I was completely drenched before I
could run to a shelter nearby. I felt refreshed in the spring rain at first. Then the winds made
me shiver. Other passers-by were also drenched from head to toe. They too ran for shelter. The
roads were like streams. The traffic was slow. On the whole, it was a pleasant experience.
Sandeep
DIARY ENTRY
WORKSHEET27
1. Tuesday 22 December 20XX
I cant forget the quarrel outside our school yesterday. It was the recess period when most of
the students were taking lunch. Those who had emptied their tiffin were playing in the field.
Suddenly, I heard a noise from the eastern side. I saw some students running outside. They
were carrying hockey sticks in their hands. They were shouting loudly. The boys of the other
group rushed forward. They engaged them in verbal duel. Soon, from abuses they turned to
fisticuffs and blows. Seeing sticks in the hands of their opponents, some of the students of the
other group ran to different directions. However, some of them were not lucky enough to escape.
A few were caught and beaten mercilessly. Meanwhile, someone reported the matter to the
Principal. He with other teachers reached the place of quarrel. Soon the quarrel came to an
end. The injured students were given first aid. The cause of quarrel was bad comments on girl
students by some students.
2. PLIGHT OF FLOOD-HIT PEOPLE
Thursday 14 August 20XX
The city of Delhi was plagued last month by unprecedented torrential rains. Low-lying areas
like our colony were inundated by the overflowing waters of the Yamuna which had assumed
threatening proportions and looked like a vast ocean. This was a novel experience for me because
Delhi very often does not get the due share of its Monsoon rains. It rained cats and dogs for
fifteen days intermittently. Citys drainage system was out of gears. Roads were broken and
houses collapsed in large number. The rainwater overflowed the drain passing through our locality.
River Yamuna broke her embankments and entered the city. Thousands of people were rendered
homeless. Millions of cattle died. The roofs of hundreds of stone and brick built houses caved in.
Thousands of huts, cottages and cabins collapsed. There was water on everyside, but we had no
pure water to drink. Taps, handpumps, wellsall had been submerged. The stores of grains and
pulses had been washed away. Small babies and children cried with hunger and thirst. The old
complained of pain. The young and able-bodied persons had to stay at home. There was no
transport. The fury of rain subsided after a fortnight, but it took us a week more to regain the
previous routine. Thank God, it is normal now!
STORY WRITING
WORKSHEET28
1. THE BLIND LADY AND THE GREEDY DOCTOR
Once a rich lady, who lived in a spacious mansion, became blind. She called in an eye specialist,
who promised to cure her within a fortnight. She agreed to pay a large fee for his services.
The doctor operated upon her eyes and bandaged them.
The doctor came everyday. He gave her some medicine, stayed there for some time and removed
some furniture or valuable article. This went on for fourteen days. On the fifteenth day, the
doctor removed her bandages and said, Now, you can see. Please pay my fees.
The lady was cured. Her eyesight had been restored, but she was shocked to see that all the pieces
of costly furniture were missing. She refused to pay the fees on the plea that she could not see
her furniture in her room, which meant that her sight had not been restored. The doctor filed
a suit against her for not paying his fees. The court heard both the parties. On knowing the
reality, the judge dismissed the doctors case. He was charged with theft and sentenced to
prison for swindling and stealing.
S-14
2. THE FAIRIES
Once the fairies of the trees set out to choose their dwelling places. Some were wise in making
their choices and some were foolish.
The wise fairies shunned the trees that stood alone in the open fields, and settled in a thick
forest. But the foolish ones said, Why should we crowd together in a forest? Let us go and live in
the lovely trees near villages, where humans will bring us gifts. So they settled there. One night
a great tempest swept over the country. The lonely trees were blown down, and the foolish
fairies became homeless. But the great dense forest resisted the fury of the storm. The wise
fairies said to the foolish ones, People should stand together like a dense forest. It is only the
solitary tree, growing unprotected in the open field that is overthrown by a silly thing like a
storm. The foolish fairies felt ashamed.
ARTICLE WRITING
WORKSHEET29
1. IMPROVING THE CHAOTIC TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF DELHI
Delhi has one of the most complex traffic situations in the world. Bullock carts, tongas, cycle
rickshaws and push carts vie with fast running cars and sometimes block the traffic for hours.
Then there are three-wheelers which juxtapose anywhere and spring like mushrooms
everywhere. The buses and trucks moving at an average speed of 40 km per hour cause
enough accidents as well as traffic blocks. The pedestrians are another source of chaotic traffic
conditions in the capital. Delhi needs a metro rail system to reduce the traffic on city roads.
This system should provide point-to-point service to its commuters. It will help in reducing
pollution and accidents in Delhi. The number of vehicles must be reduced for the betterment
of the traffic systems in Delhi. Car pooling is a good option which people should follow. Many
countries have a rule that personal vehicles (cars) having even registration numbers are
allowed to ply on particular days in a week while vehicles having odd numbers are allowed to
come out on other days. This system may prove very helpful in Delhi too. Autorickshaws and
cycle rickshaws are a big cause for traffic snarl-ups in certain parts of Delhi. The government
should make separate tracks for these vehicles.
VIP movement in the capital causes the biggest snarl-ups in our traffic system. The government
should self-regulate itself. A one-way traffic system also reduces road accidents.
2. WATERBORNE DISEASESA THREAT
The report published above is shocking. It brings to the fore the callous attitude of the administration.
It is a total failure of the Water Board to provide a basic necessityclean, safe waterto the
people. The report categorically says that this water is unfit for human consumption.
What are we going to do about this? Are we going to get together and fight or let waterborne
diseases like cholera, hepatitis and typhoid spread? Contaminated water can cause these deadly
diseases which can cause large-scale deaths, if not treated immediately. These water samples
must be shown to the Municipal Commissioner and an explanation demanded. On the one
hand, we celebrate World Health Day, while on the other hand, the basic commodity, water, is
impure. Im sure the concerned authorities will look into the matter and ensure clean and safe
drinking water for the public.
SPEECH WRITING
WORKSHEET30
1. SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN: LAZY AND DISEASE-PRONE
Good Morning, Respected teachers and dear friends!
Im here today to discuss the trend prevalent among school-going children today regarding
their various preferences.
To begin with, if one looks at their commuting habits, one finds that only 20% prefer to cycle
down to their school, just about 15% prefer walking and the rest 65% prefer to go by car or bus.
The food preferences of todays children are quite different from what it was a decade or two
ago. Sixty per cent children prefer junk food, only 15% opt for cereals, rice and chapatis and as
many as 25% like ice creams and cold drinks. Looking at their leisure time activities we find
that outdoor games have taken a backseat. Only 5% children play outdoor games. Sixty per cent
go for video games and 35% prefer net surfing.
This has led to children becoming obese and even at young age many of them develop heart-
related problems. Inactivity gives rise to lethargy and dullness. This directly affects their
performance. The reason for my taking up this topic for speech today was to highlight the need
for good and regular eating and playing habits among children. I hope all of you will remember
the ill-effects of wrong eating habits.
Thank you
2. Respected teachers and friends,
I am happy to note that our school is celebrating Save Electricity Week. Electricity, as you
know, plays a very important role in our life. It runs the machines in our factories, irrigates
our fields by drawing water from the tube-wells and runs various domestic appliances in
addition to lighting our homes and streets. But electricity is an expendable item. Of late there
is a tendency to consume more electricity than we are allotted. We have increased our dependence
on electricity to such an extent that a breakdown in electric supply seems very troublesome.
Who is to blame for these cuts and breakdowns? Evidently, the consumers themselves. People
have a tendency to consume more electricity than their sanctioned load, be it industrial,
agricultural or domestic consumption. This tendency has to be curbed as it results in frequent
load-shedding and breakdowns.
The production of electricity in our town depends on a thermal power station as well as a hydro-
electric plant. The fluctuations in the production of electricity are caused by the shortage of supply
of raw material such as coal or rain respectively. The authorities say that there is loss of electricity
in transmission. Hence, we are not able to get proper amount. This leaves only two alternatives.
Either increase production or save electricity. I think the latter is easier. Each one of us should
consider saving electricity as his duty. Let us not consume it when we can do without it. Power-
thefts should be detected and severely dealt with. Genuine consumers should not be harassed.
Thank you
DEBATE
WORKSHEET31
1. THE ROLE OF STUDENTS IN REMOVING ILLITERACY
Respected teachers and friends!
Illiteracy is a blot on the fair name of India. Most of the people living in the villages and slums
are illiterate. Poverty, ignorance and lack of opportunities have deprived them the fruits of
literacy and knowledge.
S-16
All know that education makes a man enlightened and perfect. Education helps us to
prosper physically, economically and spiritually. It broadens our outlook. Illiteracy is a real
handicap.
Students can play an effective role in removing the curse of illiteracy. They can organise
classes in groups. Following the motto: Each One, Teach One, they can pay individual
attention to illiterates. They can easily spare an hour a day. They can devote it to remove
illiteracy. By doing so, they can take the lamp of knowledge and literacy to the darkest nook
and corner of the country. Their efforts must be supported by government and non-governmental
agencies. Follow-up programmes are essential. We must initiate a continuous campaign
against illiteracy.
Thank you
2. POVERTY IS NOT THE SOLE CAUSE OF ALL SOCIAL EVILS
Respected Principal, teachers and dear friends!
I wholeheartedly oppose the motion: Poverty is not the sole cause of all social evils. I assert
that poverty is the root cause of all social evils.
Poverty is the state of being poor. We find around us hordes of people who are unable to afford
the minimum necessities of life. They face the problem of getting a square meal for one time.
Clad in rags, they can be seen engaged in petty jobs to earn their food. They lead a miserable life
which is worse than that of brutes.
Hunger and poverty force them to become shameless and they adopt evil practices to combat
with their circumstances. It is poverty that leads to criminal activities like robbery, theft, murder,
kidnapping and arson. The young street urchins teasing the vendors or the young boys selling
tickets in black market are the products of poverty. Deprived of proper amenities such as food,
clothes and education, these children grow into rowdy youngmen. Since they fail to get good jobs,
they are forced to adopt dishonest means to earn their livelihood. Most of them turn criminals
not because of love of adventure but because of hunger and poverty. Most of the criminals are
found living in slums and poor colonies. In fact, poverty compels them to indulge in social evils
and nefarious practices. If we want to eradicate social evils, we must alleviate their sufferings
and poverty.
Thank you
WRITING LETTER/ARTICLE/E-MAIL
WORKSHEET32
1. Value Points
means of communicationeasy accessinstant connectivity
Tool for storing informationinstant recall
Substitute for a calculator
SMS to friends/relatives on important occasions
information to parents when staying back in school/delay in games/tuitions etc
keep switched off while in school
2. MOBILE CULTURETHE ETHICS
More and more people are carrying their mobile phones with them. These phones help instant
connectivity and make communication easier. However, the use of mobile phones can be dangerous
at times. Young persons keep on talking on mobile phones or listening while driving. It certainly
distracts attention and may cause accidents. So mobile phone should not be used while driving.
The use of cellular phones has been banned by the government at petrol pumps as they could
ignite the flammable vapours present in the air. Mobile phones should be switched off inside an
aircraft specially while taking off or landing as the electromagnetic rays emitted/received by it
may cause incalculable harm to the plane, as the latter might catch fire. Ethics of mobile culture
impose another restriction on us. Mobiles should be switched off when in an ICU or if one is near
a heart patient or someone who has pacemaker. It will be in the interest of the patient.
3. For self-attempt.
ORGANISING DEBATE
WORKSHEET33
1. In favour of the motion: Try yourself.
Against the motion:
Respected chairperson and dear friends!
The Internet has ushered in a change in communication. There is no doubt about it, but it is
just a new form of communication. We cant say that it has changed everything in our lives.
People still like to visit banks and commercial establishments, have a face-to-face interaction
to haggle and bargain. Some of them enjoy window-shopping while going shopping. They
prefer real interaction to virtual ones. In a poor country like India, many people dont have the
resources, patience and knowledge to use computers and the Internet. Reading on a computer
screen is uncomfortable. People prefer to listen music and be entertained in traditional ways.
Being glued to computer screen has led to passivity, poor eyesight and indigestion. Sedentary
habits have led to obesity and lack of physical agility.
Thank you
SHORT PARAGRAPH/ARTICLE/E-MAIL/STORY
WORKSHEET34
1. MISUSE OF INTERNET
Like other inventions of science, Internet may be misused. The data available on the Internet
is objective and can be surfed easily. Young children get addicted to surfing and waste a lot of
time doing so. Sometimes they come across undesirable sites which pour out a lot of garbage.
Malicious sites pour out data with adult content. They may receive e-mails containing viruses.
Hackers and spammers try to steal the password of genuine but innocent net users. Then they
can log in onto their account details. Even the debit cards and credit cards of reputed banks are
copied and misused. The data of these cards inserted in slot machines at various outlets may be
misused by malicious persons by creating spurious cards. So one should protect ones password
carefully.
2. IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON OUR LIFE
The Internet has indeed revolutionised our life. It has changed the world into a global village.
We stay in touch with our friends/relatives in distant countries/place through the Internet.
S-18
Information Technology has worked wonders for us. Communication has speeded up and become
instant. No doubt people have discarded the old-fashioned snail mail and adopted the e-mail
for communication. New business opportunities have been created by the Internet in the world
of commerce. Banks have adopted e-banking. Many public and private sector institutions are
providing new and economically viable facilities through the Internet. Besides being a storehouse
of knowledge and information, the Internet provides us entertainment. We can watch a video
or listen to MP3s on the Internet. People can stay at home and work via the Internet.
3. Message
Hi! Im overjoyed to learn of your success. It must be very nice bagging the first prize and the
trophy.
Heartiest congratulations to you and your team.
Keep it up!
Bye till we meet again.
4. A HARROWING EXPERIENCE
It was around Christmas when I went shopping in the fashionable shopping centre in the heart
of the city. As usual there was a lot of rush. I had selected the articles and was about to take
them to the cashiers counter, when suddenly I heard a sound. It seemed as if a big and powerful
cracker had burst. Cries of people and clouds of smoke filled the air. Panic spread everywhere.
The guards advised the customers to duck near the counters. As people rushed downstairs,
there was a stampede. People were crushed under the feet. Electricity had failed and phones
had stopped functioning. The twenty minutes we spent huddled like animals seemed like two
hours. The arrival of anti-bomb squad and fire-brigade eased the situation. The police rescued
the people stranded inside. I felt happy that I was one of those who had been rescued first.
It was a great relief to be alive and be with my family once again.
JUST A MINUTE
WORKSHEET35
1. For self-attempt.
2. CHILDREN-TARGETED COMMERCIALS
Good Morning Everybody!
Most of the TV commercials are targeted on the children of 5 to 15 years age group. These vary
from toothpaste, soap, liquid shop, pen, pencils, chocolates, chewing gums, food supplements or
eatables themselves. The advertisers target children knowing fully well that children are their
most prospective buyers. Once something catches their fancy, they insist on buying it. They spread
its popularity by word of mouth and all the children of a group vie with each other to possess
the latest advertised object. Sometimes parents have to yield to some unreasonable demands of
the children, who would not compromise on alternatives and must have the brand of their choice.
The commercials do not commit themselves on the genuineness of the claims made in the
advertisements. Some of these prove to be mere sales gimmicks.
Thank you
3. For the motion: Develop these value points
Mobile phones source of distraction in class
misuse by children: gamesMMSSMS
divert attention from studies/games/driving etc.
exposure to electromagnetic waves: not good for brain
Against the motion: For self-attempt.
INTERVIEW/DESCRIPTION
WORKSHEET36
1. Shweta : Hi, Roshni! Welcome to Blue Bells School. Will you please spare a few
(Interviewer) minutes for us?
Roshni : Oh, yes! With pleasure!
Shweta : How did you get the idea of Diwali without polluting?
Roshni : I observed the strange behaviour of my pets and the restlessness of my grandmother
on Diwali night. And I felt disturbed.
Shweta : Was this sufficient motivation for you?
Roshni : It started the ball rolling. I got a direction to move forward. Then I interacted
with my neighbours and children in the street.
Shweta : What was the outcome of your discussion?
Roshni : We decided to have a Diwali without crackers.
Shweta : Which was the first step that you took?
Roshni : I gave a slogan: Say No To Crackers.
Shweta : How was the response?
Roshni : The response was encouraging. Many more joined us.
Shweta : How did you spread the message of Cracker-free Diwali?
Roshni : We started with banners and posters. Then we held group discussions, seminars
and declamation contests. We told people about the disadvantages of crackers
such as pollution and wastage of money.
Shweta : To what extent did you succeed in your mission?
Roshni : To a great extent, I suppose. In some of the schools, students felt so inspired
that they threw all crackers in water and joined our movement.
Shweta : Congratulations, Roshni! It is a remarkable motivation.
Roshni : Thanks for your compliment.
Shweta : Youre welcome.
2. LEG LOST IN CRACKER BURST
I shudder as I recall the horrific incident of that fateful Diwali night. The people of our street
had assembled in the square to watch illumination of homes and to celebrate Diwali with the
explosion of crackers. Young boys were quite enthusiastic. One of them ignited the wick of
20 cm long 3 cm wide cracker. Unfortunately, the direction went wrong. Instead of rising upwards,
it hit the leg of the boy. The cracker burst inside his leg. Both the bones of the leg were broken.
The ankle and foot hung limp. The boy cried and fell down unconscious. A cloth was wrapped to
stop bleeding, but in vain. He was immediately rushed to hospital. The doctors performed an
emergency operation. Inspite of their best efforts they could not put the foot and leg together.
The poison of gunpowder had infected the wound up to knee. The doctors had to save a life or a
limb. In order to save life, they amputated the youngmans leg just below the knee. Thus a
young man lost his leg in cracker burst.
3. Develop these value points
children love sweets, new clothes, toys and bursting crackers
disadvantages of crackerspollution: wastage of money, fear of injury
loss to property and lives due to firecrackers or pollution
if crackers not explodedpollution-free environment
if money to be spent on crackers is saved, it can be used to help the poor
if needy persons are helpedtheir condition will improve
individual/social welfare
S-20
CONVERSATION
WORKSHEET37
(a) (iv) others
(b) (iii) by producing fruit for them
(c) (ii) a good man
(d) (i) the men of noble heart
(e) (iii) benefiting mankind
ACTIVITY
First option
RWA Sector15 Gurgaon
NOTICE
25 March 20XX IMPROVEMENT IN COMMUNITY PARK
All the elected members of RWA are requested to attend a meeting this Sunday.
Date : 28 March
Time : 11.00 am
Venue : Community Centre
Agenda : Suggestions for Improvements in Community Park
Senior residents are also requested to attend the meeting.
Please come forward with your suggestions and solutions.
Udit Vohra
Secretary RWA
Second option
Secretary, RWA : Gentleman! I draw your kind attention towards the bad shape of the
Community Park. Grass has withered at many places and bald patches are
visible. The plants and trees have stunted growth.
A Senior Citizen : May I know who was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the
park?
Cashier, RWA : Sir, a whole time gardener was engaged during autumn. It was not human
negligence, but the vagaries of nature which are responsible for this sorry
state of affairs.
A member, RWA : What leads you to say so?
Cashier, RWA : Sir, we had a very hot summer but not sufficient rains. The earth lay parched
and baked. Lack of rains led to withering of grass. Plants with short roots
could not get enough nourishment for growth.
Chairman, RWA : Well, gentlemen. Let us discuss what steps should be taken to spruce up
things.
A Senior Citizen : Let us involve local youth, students and residents to supervise the relaying of
grass, plantation of saplings, pruning of trees, hedges, weeding out, manuring
and watering etc.
Chairman, RWA : Any other suggestion?
A member, RWA : I support the above suggestion, but I would like to add something. Let us be
practical and not simple idealistic. Duties must be fixed. If responsibilities
are properly assigned, we may get better performance.
Secretary, RWA : If the house approves it we may appoint a subcommittee to elicit cooperation
from all the users as well as the horticulture department and municipal
corporation. Thus we shall get plants, water and expert advice as well.
Chairman, RWA : Any dissensions? Those in favour may say Aye, dissenters may say No.
All : Aye.
WRITING PARAGRAPH/STORY
WORKSHEET38
1. ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN THE LIFE OF STUDENTS
Computers have come as a divine boon to the students. Computers store, analyse and transmit
data. They are a source of information and knowledge. They disseminate knowledge on various
topics in different spheres and that too with a click of the mouse. In short, computers have
made the lives of students quite easy and fast. The main disadvantage of computers is that
children have stopped using their minds. They bank on computers and go on browsing the net
for readymade solutions instead of sharpening their own skills or making any efforts. So the
computers hamper the thinking process. Students fail to sharpen their minds.
2. AN UNBELIEVABLE INCIDENT
I was on my way to Dehradun on a cold dark night. I was travelling alone and the car was
running at full speed. I was in a hurry to see my friend who was critically ill. Suddenly fog
descended and reduced visibility to 10 yards. I stopped the car as I sensed a human figure
directly in front of the car. I was near an abandoned house with no light or activity of any sort.
The lady had a dog on a lead. She obviously seemed annoyed at my apparent carelessness and
rash driving. She gave me a cold look that shivered me to the spine. Braving the cold, I got out
and apologised to her as politely as I could. The lady crossed the road. I too got in my car and
turned the ignition key. But the car refused to buzz. I was scared. Drops of perspiration made
my forehead wet even in such a cold night. All sorts of frightening ideas filled my mind and I
could not help shouting. The lady came near me. Perhaps she understood my plight. She pushed
my car from the back. The unbelievable had happened. The car started but my benefactor had
disappeared before I could thank her. Would that I could see that mysterious lady again.
3. Try yourself.
COMPLETING STORY, WRITING SPEECH/PARAGRAPH
WORKSHEET39
1. Attempt yourself.
2. A POLLUTION-FREE DIWALI
Respected Chairperson, members of faculty and dear friends!
Diwali, the festival of lights, means a row of lamps. Let us illuminate our homes and
surroundings with lamps of light and knowledge and dispel darkness and evil. The noise of
cracker explosion is quite deafening. Pets and small children are quite scared. Their wailing
S-22
is sometimes heart-rending. It is a well-known fact that crackers emit many toxic gases and
pollutants when these are burst or ignited. Gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
sulphur dioxide are very poisonous. Hard metals like potassium are also released in air.
Children and patients of asthma have a disturbed night. Some get headache or begin to
vomit. Let us save ourselves and our people by resolving to celebrate this Diwali without
crackers. The money saved by not buying crackers can be used to buy sweets, candles and
lamps. These can be distributed among the poorer section of society. Thus we can inspire
others to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali.
Thank you
3. In our colony, people understand the true spirit of Holithe Festival of Colours. We understand
the true spirit of the festival. This festival heralds the onset of spring. After the chilly winter,
spring promises joy, warmth, pleasant flowers and sweet fruit. People welcome spring with
songs and dances. Holi, the festival of colours, makes the culmination of the month-long
celebrations.
Early in the morning we assemble in the square with our musical instruments. We carry
packets of dry colours. We sing devotional songs. We visit every household to spread the
cheerful message of Holithe equaliser. People apply gulal, embrace each other, and then
offer sweets. The merry-making goes on till noon. At 2.00 pm all assemble for a community
lunch. This is followed by a musical evening. Thus we have a neat, clean, colourful and
musical Holi.
FILLING BLANKS WITH SUITABLE WORDS
WORKSHEET40
1. (a) 2. of (b) 3. by (c) 4. to (d) 2. as
(e) 1. and (f) 3. a (g) 2. which (h) 2. are
2. (a) 2. has (b) 3. which (c) 4. have (d) 1. or
(e) 2. under (f) 3. for (g) 2. that (h) 1. only
3. (a) 2. in (b) 3. the (c) 1. who (d) 4. when
(e) 2. and (f) 3. may (g) 3. beside (h) 2. which
4. (a) 4. covered (b) 3. had (c) 2. and (d) 2. out
(e) 1. breathe (f) 4. were (g) 4. their (h) 2. you
WORKSHEET41
1. (a) 3. along (b) 3. his (c) 1. bend (d) 3. them
(e) 2. but (f) 1. a (g) 1. see (h) 4. that
2. (a) 2. of (b) 1. to (c) 2. is (d) 3. a
(e) 4. more (f) 2. and (g) 3. feeling (h) 3. on
3. (a) 3. in (b) 1. at (c) 4. hidden (d) 3. and
(e) 1. of (f) 3. being (g) 2. finished (h) 4. whose
4. (a) 3. biggest (b) 3. with (c) 2. was (d) 4. which
(e) 2. made (f) 3. shaking (g) 4. off (h) 2. towards
WORKSHEET42
1. (a) 4. largest (b) 3. that (c) 1. feel (d) 3. of
(e) 2. and (f) 3. the (g) 2. in (h) 2. like
2. (a) 1. who (b) 2. that (c) 2. is (d) 3. as
(e) 2. for (f) 1. to (g) 2. possesses (h) 4. are
3. (a) 2. is (b) 4. many (c) 2. was (d) 2. and
(e) 3. after (f) 2. worried (g) 1. that (h) 2. does
4. (a) 4. during (b) 4. Often (c) 2. is (d) 2. for
(e) 3. with (f) 3. Once (g) 1. all (h) 3. each
WORKSHEET43
1. (a) 3. their (b) 2. of (c) 1. and (d) 4. learn
(e) 3. before (f) 4. on (g) 1. the (h) 4. for
2. (a) 3. of (b) 2. in (c) 3. to (d) 4. could
(e) 1. a (f) 2. when (g) 4. hearing (h) 2. can
GRAMMAR
C
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3. (a) 3. had (b) 4. among (c) 1. when (d) 2. came
(e) 2. and (f) 3. crawling (g) 4. to (h) 1. though
4. (a) 2. has (b) 3. of (c) 4. that (d) 1. the
(e) 2. that (f) 3. the (g) 4. between (h) 3. be
USING NOTES TO COMPLETE PARAGRAPHS
WORKSHEET44
1. (a) 4. had been practised (b) 3. were adopted
(c) 2. were caused (d) 1. have been discarded
2. (a) 3. is expanding (b) 4. have spotted
(c) 2. have made the discovery (d) 1. would have remained
WORKSHEET45
1. (a) 4. the rarest large (b) 3. is found in the
(c) 1. is covered by thick white fur (d) 2. feed on bamboo shoots
2. (a) 2. have shown up (b) 1. was set up
(c) 4. was established (d) 3. has been replaced
WORKSHEET46
1. (a) 2. shopping complex was destroyed (b) 3. 80 people were burnt alive
(c) 4. two young men were seen speeding off (d) 1. the culprits would be arrested immediately
2. (a) 3. held employees at pistol point (b) 2. was shot at
(c) 4. A customer alerted the police (d) 1. culprits had left with the loot
3. (a) 4. which is located (b) 3. have a few bright stars
(c) 1. can be visible to (d) 2. have become invisible to
WORKSHEET47
1. (a) 2. was robbed in broad daylight
(b) 4. was enjoying an afternoon siesta
(c) 3. a group of masked men entered through the roof
(d) 1. demanded the keys
2. (a) 4. is a symbol of safety and security (b) 3. is constructed
(c) 1. should be bought (d) 2. a strong foundation should be laid
3. (a) 3. should just write down ones worries (b) 4. One must try simple yoga
(c) 2. Avoiding bright light (d) 1. should be made
DIALOGUE COMPLETION
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1. (a) 4. Have you got admission (b) 3. When does the course begin?
(c) 1. How will you spend this week? (d) 2. Where is your medical college located?
2. (a) 4. Where are you coming from (b) 3. Why did you go there
(c) 1. When did your studies (d) 2. What has happened
3. (a) 3. I went there to book (b) 4. When is he going
(c) 2. you are also planning to go there (d) 1. I have an offer there
4. (a) 2. In what capacity are you working there (b) 4. do you want to leave that company
(c) 3. Will you be able to join (d) 1. will be informed
WORKSHEET49
1. (a) 3. did you have to go there (b) 4. I slipped by stepping on
(c) 2. Did you hurt yourself badly (d) 1. which I have got bandaged
2. (a) 4. Since when have you been (b) 3. What have you been doing
(c) 1. How old is she (d) 2. What about you?
3. (a) 4. I have come here on promotion (b) 3. Why dont you come over
(c) 2. That will be fine (d) 1. I live at 78, Green Park
4. (a) 3. What are you doing this weekend (b) 4. How do you like the idea
(c) 3. Should I come (d) 1. have you ever visited
WORKSHEET50
1. (a) 4. Why dont you clean it up (b) 3. how can you study in this
(c) 1. Cant you clean up your table (d) 2. how are you going to write
2. (a) 2. for you to drive a bike (b) 4. have bikes and they drive, why cant I
(c) 3. I wont buy a bike (d) 1. I spend so much time travelling
3. (a) 4. Wont you tell me what is
(b) 3. I couldnt sleep as I kept watching TV till late
(c) 1. Why did you keep watching
(d) 2. went to our neighbours to watch a good film as we dont have
4. (a) 3. How about spending the weekend (b) 4. Will they be at home
(c) 1. have you ever been there before (d) 2. How long does it take to
SENTENCE REORDERING
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1. (a) He had a noble wife and they were happy.
(b) The people of the kingdom were also happy.
(c) The royal couple paid attention to all the needs of their subjects.
(d) They tried their best to remove their woes.
2. (a) External or internal pressure can be the first one.
Or
The first one can be external or internal pressure.
(b) Unreal goals and expectations cause internal stress.
(c) External stress takes place due to outside factors.
(d) Anxiety is another source of stress.
Or
Another source of stress is anxiety.
S-26
3. (a) It reduced the runway visibility to 1000 metres.
(b) About a dozen flights were delayed due to it.
Or
Due to it, about a dozen flights were delayed.
(c) Many incoming flights were diverted to other cities.
(d) Shallow fog has been predicted for the next two days.
4. (a) These scrolls were made of papyrus.
(b) Papyrus was a reedy plant that grew by the river Nile.
(c) Paper was invented by the Chinese in AD 100.
(d) Now computerised books have eliminated paper.
WORKSHEET52
1. (a) The doctor first makes a diagnosis of an illness.
(b) He or she then decides what kind of treatment is needed.
(c) Many illnesses can be treated with a course of drugs.
(d) The doctor may operate if the case is serious.
2. (a) Unlike human travellers animals do not have maps.
(b) Instead, they navigate by using many different clues.
(c) Birds use mountains and the rivers.
(d) They also use the sun and stars as a compass.
3. (a) Earlier it was very difficult to travel long distances.
(b) Travellers carried their belongings on their backs.
(c) There were few places to take rest on the way.
(d) Therefore only very adventurous people dared to travel.
4. (a) Our country is full of talented swimmers.
(b) Their potential is not fully utilized.
(c) Academic subjects take precedence over other activities in school.
(d) The Government has done very little to boost the sport.
WORKSHEET53
1. (a) Air taxi services will boost tourism in the state.
(b) For this we need more flight landing facilities and helicopters.
(c) Such services will surely promote our tourism sector.
(d) They help in increasing connectivity between cities.
2. (a) Today the leisure hours of a child are spent in front of the TV
(b) Nowadays the attitude of most parents is different.
(c) They see work and play as two different things.
(d) They feel that playing is a waste of time.
3. (a) He incurred a heavy loss in business last year.
(b) The pace of life is very fast these days.
(c) Earthquakes often cause great damage to life and property.
(d) Floods destroy standing crops, ruin huts, houses and belongings.
4. (a) We have seen a lot of advances in medicine.
(b) He decided not to contest the election this time.
(c) Wind and water wash away the top layers of barren land.
(d) Many areas have been declared as drought stricken due to failure of monsoon.
WORKSHEET54
1. (a) This may explain why women are troubled with chronic coughs more often.
(b) Whether a person smoked or had asthma didnt appear to affect sensitivity.
(c) Some experts had assumed that women are more troubled with coughing because their
airways were smaller.
(d) There is a fundamental difference between men and women but boys and girls are thought
to have similar cough reflexes.
2. (a) But even medical professionals seem hesitant to give up the motion that these and other
symptoms are at par for the teething course.
(b) A survey found that young children suffer from a wide range of symptoms.
(c) But the false notions and misconceptions about teething course lead to unnecessary
medication.
(d) This may be dangerous for the life of the children.
3. (a) Children below the age of eighteen years must not drive.
(b) We must wear helmets for our own protection.
(c) Mobile phones must not be used while driving.
(d) Traffic police is making efforts to increase safety on the roads.
4. (a) It is an antidote to stress and pain.
(b) It is a good exercise for toning up facial muscles.
(c) Body functions are stabilised and blood circulation is improved.
(d) The only negative laughter is laughing at others.
EDITINGDETECTING & CORRECTING ERRORS
WORKSHEET55
1. (a) for to (b) but and (c) in at (d) from by
(e) an a (f) find finds (g) For In (h) peoples people
2. (a) on in (b) it its (c) by at (d) a the
(e) a the (f) confident confidently (g) the a (h) will would/must
3. (a) for to (b) are is (c) an a (d) on from
(e) discover discovers (f) but and (g) feel feeling (h) in on
4. (a) being beings (b) date dates (c) by as (d) but and
(e) value valuable (f) who which (g) provides provide (h) is are
WORKSHEET56
1. (a) in at (b) hiding hidden (c) tree trees (d) from of
(e) were was (f) be being (g) they we (h) which whose
2. (a) their its (b) a the (c) on in (d) evolve evolution
(e) by to (f) complexity complex (g) takes take (h) preventing prevent
3. (a) avoiding avoid (b) mud muddy (c) but and (d) were was
(e) will would (f) from into (g) ate eaten (h) tiring tired
4. (a) hiring hired (b) (secretary) of (secretary) to (c) an and
(d) The This (e) women woman (f) much many (g) went gone
(h) learnt learn
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WORKSHEET57
1. (a) lose lost (b) was is (c) waits wait (d) opportunities opportunity
(e) doesnt dont (f) has have (g) on in (h) using use
2. (a) It They (b) a every (c) a an (d) to as
(e) and but (f) in with (g) has have (h) what which/that
3. (a) A (aim) The (aim) (b) the for (c) on in (d) an a
(e) are is (f) for to (g) between through (h) Those These
4. (a) stays stay (b) are is (c) at to (d) see seen
(e) eucalyptus eucalyptuses (f) fly flies (g) in at
(h) for to
OMISSION: SUPPLYING MISSING WORD
WORKSHEET58
1. (a) refill of his (b) month. It means
(c) uses the same (d) easily be misplaced
(e) assume that a (f) pen every three
(g) comes to four (h) that a /each /every student
2. (a) heard about the (b) is a vast
(c) It is like (d) that the whole
(e) But since /as anyone (f) to be careful
(g) judgment while browsing (h) meet on the
3. (a) is a natural (b) covering that protects
(c) enough to feel (d) extremes of heat
(e) bacteria and harmful (f) entering the body
(g) body in excreting (h) water through sweat
4. (a) Nehru was sworn (b) temper and modern
(c) advancement which brought (d) transformation of India
(e) dams to produce (f) one of his
(g) not only helped (h) stepped up irrigation
WORKSHEET59
1. (a) doing more harm (b) antiseptics was more
(c) and in some (d) multiplication of germs
(e) aim should /must be (f) not so much
(g) do their /the natural (h) revolution in the
2. (a) just as important (b) up at the
(c) timing is amazingly (d) cuckoos for example
(e) arrive in Britain (f) second or third
(g) this, they use (h) clock that /which keeps
3. (a) in the world (b) people are overweight
(c) tend to be (d) lack of physical
(e) prevalent in lower (f) recognized as a
(g) as an excess (h) weight that includes
4. (a) emerges out of (b) stretches of forests
(c) villages on the (d) area is an
(e) so the animals (f) not as numerous
(g) have been disappearing (h) lose their food
WORKSHEET60
1. (a) Most of the (b) There were traders
(c) rich they were (d) happy and contented
(e) peace was broken (f) people were frightened
(g) Mayor of the (h) meeting to discuss
2. (a) India but most (b) land in Delhi
(c) of them head (d) bazaar which is
(e) It is situated (f) close to the
(g) packed with foreigners (h) all over the
3. (a) properties that is (b) Belonging to the
(c) known as Papaw (d) originated in southern
(e) but is now (f) tropical and subtropical
(g) digestion as well (h) you can munch
4. (a) beach for a (b) sailing in boats
(c) activities that young (d) walking on the
(e) others are content (f) sunrise and the
(g) Those who have (h) that it is
WORKSHEET61
1. (a) era of electronic (b) made us very
(c) gadgets which were (d) meant for our
(e) important of these (f) which is not
(g) device but also (h) match our fast
2. (a) programmes at several (b) is an honour
(c) people who invite (d) you and expect
(e) leadership from you (f) up to you
(g) focused on you (h) you as a
3. (a) of a number (b) associated with the
(c) Kyudo and Kemari (d) bouts were performed
(e) shrines as a (f) dance to entertain
(g) in the hope (h) was a ritual
4. (a) not for the (b) willing to risk
(c) discomfort, this enigmatic (d) unrivalled by more
(e) destinations in Asia (f) culmination of an
(g) fascination with Bhutan (h) on their fourth
COMPLETING PASSAGES (using Reported Speech)
WORKSHEET62
1. (a) if he was going to attend (b) he was not sure if his mother would permit
(c) to tell his mother that all of them (d) she also wanted him to do well in the next days
S-30
2. (a) life was rather tough and that he desperately needed a job
(b) that they had a vacancy in their office
(c) replied that he was willing to serve in any capacity
(d) if/whether he would like to work as an Accounts officer
3. (a) David had been hit by a two-wheeler the previous day
(b) when it had happened
(c) whether/if he was badly injured
(d) but it was doubtful whether he would be able
4. (a) that she had brought her skipping rope
(b) if she wanted to take a break and play
(c) said that she had got too much to study
(d) that she had no time for ropes
WORKSHEET63
1. (a) where his radio was (b) that he had thrown it out
(c) the radio was a liar (d) it kept on saying that it was All India Radio
2. (a) she called that a full meal (b) served him twice as much the previous day
(c) where he had seated the day before (d) they did that for advertising purposes
3. (a) to give him his phone number (b) him that it was in his fathers name
(c) Pal what his fathers name was (d) that it was also in the directory
4. (a) where she was going (b) she was going to collect her
(c) how much she had scored (d) she had got good marks in all subjects except
in Maths
WORKSHEET64
1. (a) he had missed the school bus (b) he should have reached the bus stop on time
(c) had been hospitalized the previous day (d) might get well soon
2. (a) whether/if he was going to Singapore (b) whether/if he was also going
(c) whether his parents would allow him (d) to tell them it was a rare chance
3. (a) had been the previous evening (b) there was an exhibition of rare paintings at the
Art Gallery
(c) how well he was prepared (d) had been preparing for the whole week
4. (a) she was going to attend (b) she had an interview the next day
(c) the function was at 12 oclock (d) might be able to come after the interview
WORKSHEET65
1. (a) if he knew (b) if he was badly hurt
(c) which hospital was Ranjit in (d) there was nothing to worry
2. (a) he had lost his lucky bat with which he had made all his runs
(b) they were playing a Delhi school the next day and he would be out for a duck
(c) he could still make all the runs he wanted
(d) it was the batsman and not the bat that mattered
3. (a) if he could have a small bottle (b) when it would be available
(c) he could give it to her the next day (d) she would get it the next day
4. (a) if he was ready (b) the wedding was at 10.30 p.m.
(c) asked him what he meant (d) he did not have any friends there
COMPLETING NEWS REPORTS (using Headlines)
WORKSHEET66
1. (a) Amarnath shrine were killed (b) is missing hundreds of
(c) the Satluj Beas canal was flooded with (d) was successfully operated
2. (a) is going to impose a ban (b) shot dead
(c) will probe...had a role (d) rose to a new high
3. (a) illicit liquor have been recovered
(b) two dozen people...have been killed by diseases
(c) have been discovered...largest discovery of Dinosaur eggs
(d) reform religious schools...is doomed
4. (a) lashed Chennai (b) that M.B.A. Classes would begin on
(c) was bagged by theatre activist (d) 12 persons were injured as two buses collided
WORKSHEET67
1. (a) had to wade through chest deep water (b) have gone up considerably
(c) crime rate has risen up (d) will be introduced from 2013
2. (a) was at standstill (b) has caused drought in
(c) has died (d) flowers of numerous varieties were displayed/
on display
3. (a) has been appointed/has taken over (b) invited Sarah Palin
(c) that robbery was the motive (d) Yuvraj would lead Board Presidents XI
4. (a) will leave for Moscow (b) has proposed a law
(c) likely raise in the petrol, diesel prices (d) granted bail
WORKSHEET68
1. (a) a bomb exploded (b) visited India
(c) conducted an inquiry (d) have been announced
2. (a) was called off (b) leader was arrested
(c) killed 13 soldiers (d) declined the award
3. (a) killed 20 persons (b) has been postponed
(c) underwent a surgery (d) has got the 17th position in Web Ranking
4. (a) organized a free eye camp (b) will celebrate Navaratri
(c) killing four teenagers (d) set a new national record
WORKSHEET69
1. (a) plane tyre burst while (b) will be auctioned
(c) has offered (d) were killed
2. (a) much harassment due to doctors strike (b) there was a ban on crackers
(c) will be made available (d) thousands of idols has caused
3. (a) (has) created a new record (b) has been affected as Dengue hits again
(c) were caused due to the (d) of shares has risen sharply due to
4. (a) was discovered by Botanists (b) will visit Russia in
(c) was stabbed and robbed of (d) many cases of Dengue have been detected
S-32
SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
WORKSHEET70
1. 1. (c) He said that I neednt wait.
2. (b) The peon asked the officer respectfully if he might go out.
3. (c) He swore (by God) that he had not seen it (that).
4. (d) He called upon God to witness that he had not abused him.
2. 1. (a) Priya is not so tall as Madhu. 2. (c) No one has come to see you.
3. (b) No one wants to be a traitor. 4. (d) I am responsible for what I do.
TENSES OR USING CORRECT FORMS OF VERBS
WORKSHEET71
1. (a) (iv) invited (b) (iii) reached (c) (ii) had (d) (i) come
(e) (ii) introduced (f) (iii) brought (g) (iii) served (h) (ii) came
2. (a) (iii) had (b) (ii) came (c) (iv) woke (d) (ii) started
(e) (i) bark (f) (iv) awoke (g) (i) hear (h) (iv) barking
3. (a) is (b) does not know (c) have seen (d) use
(e) do not know (f) has grown (g) are (h) become
4. (a) paints (b) is (c) lived (d) worked
(e) was murdered (f) had united
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
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1. (a) 2. is the shop? (b) 1. you going there in the evening?
(c) 4. will you go there? (d) 3. lovely an outing itd be!
2. (a) The elders give young ones gifts on festivals.
(b) The boys lost their way in the jungle.
(c) Monkeys attack when they are frightened.
Or
When monkeys are frightened, they attack.
(d) Fifty-one deer died in the National Park last year.
3. (a) Most bats are harmless to people.
(b) Bats are one of the worlds most misunderstood creatures.
(c) There are about 1000 kinds of bats.
(d) Bats account for nearly one quarter of the worlds mammal population.
4. (a) Selflessness is a God-gifted virtue.
(b) A selfless man puts aside his self. (or puts his self aside)
(c) He thinks for others and works for others.
(d) He seeks his happiness in the happiness of others.
CONNECTORS
WORKSHEET73
1. (a) (ii) still (b) (iii) and (c) (ii) So (d) (iii) that
(e) (ii) but (f) (iii) and (g) (ii) while (h) (iii) but
2. (a) Though (b) as (c) because (d) and
(e) while (f) and
3. (a) and (b) because (c) or (d) when
(e) Neither (f) because
DETERMINERS
WORKSHEET74
1. (a) (iii) Some (b) (iv) these (c) (ii) the (d) (i) a
(e) (iii) these (f) (iii) many (g) (iv) their (h) (iii) many
2. (a) our (b) an (c) some (d) the
(e) A (f) a (g) the (h) those
3. (a) a (b) X (c) X (d) the
(e) A (f) a (g) a (h) the
4. (a) the (b) an (c) most (d) An
(e) a (f) the (g) The (h) a
PRONOUNS
WORKSHEET75
1. (a) (i) I (b) (ii) my (c) (iii) someone (d) (iii) no one
(e) (iv) all (f) (iii) I (g) (ii) I (h) (iv) their
2. (a) your (b) our (c) She (d) her
(e) them (f) they
3. (a) It (b) All (c) They (d) themselves
(e) what (f) they (g) Everyone (h) some
4. (a) They (b) each other (c) this (d) one
(e) everybody (f) him (g) what (h) he
S-34
PREPOSITIONS
WORKSHEET76
1. (a) (ii) by (b) (ii) of (c) (ii) in (d) (iv) of
(e) (i) With (f) (ii) into (g) (ii) Before (h) (ii) on
2. (a) (iii) of (b) (ii) of (c) (iii) of (d) (ii) in
(e) (ii) over (f) (iii) of (g) (iii) in (h) (iii) in
3. (a) for (b) without (c) in (d) of
(e) of (f) from (g) from (h) to
4. (a) of (b) of (c) in (d) in
(e) from (f) of (g) with (h) of
5. (a) in (b) on (c) of (d) From
(e) of (f) with
CLAUSES
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1. (a) 2. how you managed (b) 3. which has helped me
(c) 4. what your future plan is
2. (a) 4. where you bought it from (b) 2. which is situated in Kamla Nagar
(c) 4. how much it cost you
3. (a) when (b) where (c) so that (d) as if
(e) if (f) because
4. (a) which (b) who (c) that (d) which
(e) which (f) which
MODALS
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1. (a) May (b) can (c) shall (d) will
(e) would (f) neednt
2. (a) may (b) should (c) can (d) may
(e) Can (f) will
3. (a) should (b) must (c) will (d) will
(e) should (f) will
4. (a) will (b) can (c) can (d) could
(e) must (f) will
PASSIVE VOICE
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1. (a) 2. was committed (b) 3. is believed (c) 4. had been forced
2. (a) 4. is killed (b) 3. can be made (c) 3. are given
3. 1. (b) were killed 2. (c) were caned 3. (d) has been developed
4. (b) has been launched
NARRATION
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1. (a) 4. where he was going (b) 1. he was going to the market
(c) 3. what he would bring home (d) 3. he would bring nothing
2. (a) 4. that there was a fly in his soup (b) 3. why they didnt take care
(c) 3. why they served flies in soup (d) 2. that they couldnt serve elephants
3. (a) 3. if he could tell him the way (b) 4. that he could
(c) 3. if he wanted one in which he could (d) 4. he did not want to stay there
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LITERATURE
D
A SHADY PLOT (Fiction)
WORKSHEET81
1. 1. (d) Helen, the ghost
2. (c) providing him plots of stories
3. (b) the members of The Writers Inspiration Bureau
2. (a) Jenkins wants the narrator to write ghost stories or stories on the supernatural. These
stories are full of horrors and the reading public wants them. Moreover John Hallocks
ghosts are live propositions.
(b) John wants the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene. Being seen with
Helen might create a wrong impression. The narrators wife would be shocked. The narrators
words show that his wife is of possessive as well as suspicious nature.
(c) The ghost spelled out the word traitor. When the Ouija board was asked to explain what
she meant, the Ouija directed Miss Hinkle to ask Mr John Hallock. The speaker gave her
name as Helen. The ladies assembled in the narrators house were shocked and surprised to
learn that someone called Helen was trying to communicate with John. They thought he
had betrayed his wife.
(d) Lavinia refers to Johns flirtations with some lady over the Ouija Board. It has been the
news reported over all the five Ouija boards in the room. She talks of the affair in the literal
sense. John uses above-board in the sense of honest. Then pun in Johns statement aims at
clarifying his position.
3. Sunday, 23 July 20XX 9.30 p.m.
What a terrible Saturday evening I had! First of all Helen, the ghost, materialised in parts
just to announce that. I should expect no help from them in writing stories about the
supernatural. She asked me to exert my influence over all my friends and acquaintances and
get them to stop using the Ouija board.
Fate, however, willed otherwise. My wife Lavinia bought an Ouija board and in spite of my
persuasion, she refused to return it. To complicate the matter she not only organised an Ouija
Board party, but also compelled me to be the partner of one of her guestsMiss Laura Hinkle.
This was a complete breach of the assurance given to Helen. I was not the least surprised
when Helen charged me of being a traitor. Helen played a prank. Every Ouija board shouted
my name. Miss Hinkle read the name Helen on her Ouija and told Lavinia that some lady
named Helen had been calling her husband. This was enough to arouse the streak of jealousy
in my wife.
In the meantime, Helen materialised. I didnt want my wife to see the apparition lest she
should faint due to shock. She, however, felt I was hiding something from her. She accused
me of flirting with someone else. Helens presence, her brief conversation with Lavinia and
her dematerising set Lavinias doubts to rest. She forgave me. Domestic bliss returned. Helen
bade us good bye and disappeared. My creativity was inspired and I sat down to write.
The actions of Helen and reactions of Lavinia and my efforts to avoid a meeting between
them, all now seemed funny. I felt relieved that the worst was over.
WORKSHEET82
1. 1. (c) the ghost who claims to inspire the narrator to write
2. (d) pain
3. (a) the shock his wife would get on learning of Helens contact with him
2. (a) Helen did not like the work of being a reader on a magazine. She decided to do something
creative. She found other co-ghosts who had also suffered badly like her. They organised the
Bureau to inspire writers without ideas and with minds soft enough to accept impressions
to do creative writing.
(b) The narrator did not use the Ouija board himself. Secondly, Helen the ghost had promised
him a conditional support in the business of writing. He was to get all his friends and
acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board. So he hesitated be a partner to Laura Hinkle
during the Ouija Board Party.
(c) After breakfast on Sunday morning, the narrator sat at his desk in the library. He heard a
tap at the door. A white slip of paper slid under it. Lavinia announced that she was leaving him.
Her lawyer will communicate with him later. John was shocked. He wished he were dead.
(d) John feared that his wife would be shocked to see the ghost. She might even faint and fall
down unconscious. He made every effort to avoid her encounter with the ghost. His
apprehensions are proved unfounded as she is a strong person. She does not flinch when she
meets the ghost but talks to her casually.
3. It was twilight. I was sitting at my desk in the library. I had forgotten to switch on the lamp. I
remarked sarcastically writing business is delightful. A voice from the shadows confirmed it.
The sight of the ghost materialising in my room filled me with excitement rather than fear. She
came over and stood in front of me and glared. I sat still feeling quite helpless. She shouted:
What are you gaping at? I asked her politely why she had come there and if she always came
in sections. I humorously remarked that her parts might get mixed up sometimes. It seemed
that she was annoyed. She crisply shot back if I hadnt sent for her. I stammered and tried to
explain. She then retorted if I hadnt been calling on heaven and earth all afternoon to help me
write a story. I nodded to express my agreement. She then explained that she was not going to
bother me as she and her co-ghosts were going on a strike. Hence I wouldnt get another plot
from her. I was dumb founded. I stared at her. My lips were dry. She then explained how she
and her co-ghosts worked and why they had decided to go on strike. Her anger was due to the
Ouija boards which had become a rage in social circles. I assured her that I had nothing to do
with Ouija boards. She gave me a pitying look. She offered to help me to write but on the
condition that I used my influence to persuade my friends and acquaintances to stop using the
Ouija board. The voice of my wife made me wave my arms at the ghost. She had the good sense
to demobilize and evaporate before my wife stepped into the library.
WORKSHEET83
1. 1. The speaker is a ghost named Helen. We refers to her co-ghosts.
2. The ghosts used to haunt this world purely for amusement. At that time they had nothing
much to keep them busy.
3. The speaker dislikes sitting on the Ouija board and answering questions. This assignment
keeps them busy. Sometimes they are called out of their beds a little too often. She is sick of it.
2. (a) A ghost story had been the first fiction the narrator had written. He doesnt seem to like
writing them but he has no option. He says, I didnt specialize in ghost stories, but more or
less they seemed to specialize in me.
S-38
(b) Helen, the ghost, helped the narrator to write ghost stories by supplying him plots for stories.
She was going on strike as she did not like working on Ouija boards. She asked the narrator
to persuade his friends and acquaintances to stop using Ouija boards. Then she would go on
helping him.
(c) The ghost of Helen told him that she had helped him on many occasions to write ghost
stories by leaning on his shoulder when he thought he was thinking hard. Thus she undermind
the narrators faith in his ability to write ghost stories.
(d) The Ouija board of Miss Hinkle accused John of being a traitor. Some lady named Helen
was trying to contact John through Mrs Hunts and Mrs Sprinkles Ouija. It was strange.
The conversation hinted that Mr John was false to his wife. Johns wife felt angry at his
unfaithfulness. She decided to go back to her grandmother and end her married life by
seeking divorce.
3. The Ouija board occupies an important position in the story. It is the latest fad prevalent in the
fashionable society. Ladies delve into the other world with the help of Ouija boards. Ghosts like
Helen have a hard time answering the questions put on Ouija board. That is why she asks the
narrator to exert his influence and stop his friends and acquaintances from using the Ouija board.
Lavinia, the wife of Mr John, who is crazy for taking up new fads brings an Ouija board home
and uses superlatives like the loveliest, duckiest and darlingest Ouija board. She rejects her
husbands request to return it. She organises an Ouija board party at her home and persuades
her husband to participate in it as partner of Miss Laura Hinkle. The Ouija board plays a
mischief by accusing John of being a traitor. Helen is the lady who is calling for him. Lavinia is
naturally angry. She feels that her husband is faithless. Her relationship is on the verge of
breaking. The revelation that Helen is a ghost saves her life. Even the cook threatens to leave as
she does not like the hoodoos of the board. Ultimately Lavinia decides to burn the Ouija board to
retain her cook as well as love. Thus the Ouija board dominates the story from beginning to end.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT: A Shady Plot (Fiction)
WORKSHEET84
1. Person Extract from story What it tells us
about the character
John 1. ...in the end things had always come my way..... 1. overconfident
Hallock somehow Id always been able to dig one (plot)
up for him, so Id begun to get a bit cocky as
to my ability (to write stories).
2. But my ghosts arent a bit like you..... 2. sceptical
3. We scout around until we find a writer without 3. gullible
ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept
impression.
4. I felt a sudden strong desire to write. The sheets 4. creative
of paper on my desk spread invitingly before me.
5. I threw a protecting husbandly arm about her to 5. protective
catch her when she should faint.
Lavinia 1. ...how on earth I was going to cure her of her 1. loves novelty and
Hallock alarming tendency to take every new fad that thrills
came along and work it to death.
2. ...being bookkeeper for a lumber company does 2. spendthrift
help with the grocery bills and pay for Lavinias
fancy shopping.
3. John, theres not a bit of use trying to deceive me. 3. suspicious
What is it you are trying to conceal from me?
4. Its bad enough to have you flirt over the Ouija 4. jealous
board with that hussy...
5. Buys the Ouija board but says it is for Johns 5. manipulative
research
6. Does not flinch when she meets the ghost but 6. strong
talks to her casually.
2. (a) Yes, I agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women manipulators. He refers to
their manipulative skills, i.e. ability to handle the Ouija boards skilfully.
(b) Helen, the ghost, is neither scary nor gruesome. She is quite helpful to the narrator and
inspires his creativity. Her materialization in parts/sections is quite humorous.
3. For discussion at group/class level.
Hints. Humour in this story arises out of (a) the narrators ability to laugh at himself (b) clever
use of language as well as (c) comic situations.
(a) The narrators ability to laugh at himself
(i) Id begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability.
(ii) I had reached the stage of imbecility when I was talking to myself.
(iii) When I am nervous or excited there is a muscle in my face that starts to twitch, and
this pulls up one corner of my mouth and gives the appearance of an idiotic grin.
(iv) I felt my ears grow crimson, purple, maroon. My wife was looking at me as though I
were some peculiar insect.
(b) Clever use of language
(i) I didnt specialize in ghost stories, but more or less they seemed to specialize in me.
(ii) ...a possible explanation occurred to me and my spine got cold.
(iii) ...but I had been hunting three lost receipts at the time.
(iv) My wife is never so pretty as when shes doing something she knows I disapprove of.
(v) Miss Laura Hinkle...grinning in my face like a flirtatious crocodile.
(vi) ...with her brow corrugated, and the light of the huntress in her pale blue eyes.
(c) Comic situations
(i) appearance of ghostin sectionslike film cartoons being put together.
(ii) the Ouija Board PartyBehaviour of LadiesNarrators reaction.
(iii) Lavinias decision to break off her relationship.
(iv) Gladolia threat to quit.
(v) Narrators effort to avoid a confroatation between Helen and Lavinia.
S-40
PATOL BABU, FILM STAR (Fiction)
WORKSHEET85
1. 1. (c) Patol Babus wife
2. (d) offer of a role in a film
3. (b) become successful
2. (a) Nishikanto Ghosh told Patol Babu that his brother-in-law, Naresh Dutt, was looking in for
an actor for a scene in a film they were shooting then. They needed a man around fifty, short
and bald headed. Naresh would come to see Patol Babu around ten-thirty.
(b) Patol Babu was excited. It was a pleasant surprise for an unassuming or modest sort of
person. He had never imagined that he would get an offer to act in a film at the age of 52.
While buying provisions in the market, he mixed up his wifes orders.
(c) In his youth Patol Babu had a real passion for the stage. He was an amateur actor. He took
active part in the plays staged by the club in Kanchrapara. Patol Babu was always in demand.
Indeed there was a time when people bought tickets especially to see him.
(d) Patol Babu was offered higher pay in a clerical post with Hudson and Kimberley in Calcutta.
He was also lucky to find a flat in Nepal Bhattacharji Lane. He gave up his factory job in
Kanchrapara. He shifted to Calcutta with his wife. Before he could start a club in his
neighbourhood, he lost his job due to retrenchment in office. So his acting career ended.
3. 37 Nepal Bhattacharji Lane
Kolkata
15 June 20XX
Dear Mr Ghosh
At the outset I would like to thank you for being instrumental in my getting a role in a film.
Your youngest brother-in-law was a great help. He was waiting outside Faraday House on Sunday
morning. He had told me to reach there at eight-thirty sharp. As Naresh Dutt was about to
leave, I asked him about my part. Naresh explained that it was the part of a pedestrianan
absent-minded, short-tempered pedestrian. He enquired if I had a jacket which buttoned up to
the neck. I had a woollen one of nut-brown colour.
I was excited to know that it was a speaking part. He promised that I would be given my lines on
the spot. There was a big crowd outside the building. Cameras were mounted on trolleys and
shooting was going on. Naresh asked me to wait. So I stood in the shade of a paan shop. I had
never watched a shooting before. I felt impressed to see how hard these people worked. I came to
know that Chanchal Kumar was the hero and the director was Baren Mullick. I was shocked
and embarred to learn that I had to say only one word: Oh. I remembered the words of my
mentor, Gogon Pakrashi and practised saying oh in several different ways. Though Mr Mullick
turned down my request for a rehearsal, I worked out how I would react physically and how my
body would express pain and surprise. I timed my steps perfectly and the collision proved to be
a perfect shot. I felt so satisfied with my performance that I walked away before I could be paid
for the role.
Thanking you once again for your help.
Yours sincerely
Patol Babu
WORKSHEET86
1. 1. Mr Gogon Pakrashi, Patol Babus mentor, spoke these words.
2. An actor should not consider it below his dignity to accept even a small role. He should
make the most of the chance he got.
3. An actor should try to extract the last drop of meaning out of the lines he has to speak.
2. (a) Patol Babu worked with Hudson and Kimberley in Calcutta from 1934 to 1943. He was in
the good books of his employers. Still he lost his nine-year old job. The reason was war.
There was a sudden retrenchment due to war.
(b) After losing his job in Calcutta, Patol Babu had to struggle to make a living. He opened a
variety store. He had to wind it up after five years. Then he had a job in a Bengali firm for
some time. He was an insurance salesman for ten years. Now he was looking for a job in a
firm dealing in scrap iron.
(c) Patol Babu has been an amateur actor. He feels excited at the offer of a role in the film at
the age of fifty plus. Secondly, he is unemployed. Mr Ghosh had told him that he would be
paid for his role.
(d) Patol Babu was shocked to learn that his dialogue was just one word: Oh. A sigh came out
of his heart. Then he remembered the words of Mr Pakrashi. He tried to extract different
shades of meaning of the word by speaking it in different ways.
3. Patol Babu is offered a walk-on part in a movie. The part is that of an absent-minded, short-
tempered pedestrian. He collides with the hero, is hurt in the head and says Oh! The hero pays
no attention to him due to his preoccupation and goes into the office.
At first Patol Babu feels hurt that he has to speak just one word: Oh, which is not even a word,
but a sound. Then the amateur actor in him comes to his rescue. He remembers the invaluable
advice of his mentor Gogon Pakrashi. He tries to extract the last drop of meaning out of it. He
speaks the exclamation oh with a different inflection. He discovers that the same exclamation
when spoken in different ways, carried different shades of meaning. This single word contained
a gold-mine of meaning. He felt that he could write a whole thesis on that monosyllabic
exclamation.
As the heros head banged against Patol Babus forehead, an excruciating pain robbed him of his
senses for a few seconds. But the next moment made a supreme effort of will power. He pulled
himself together. Mixing fifty parts of anguish with twenty-five of surprise and twenty-five of
irritation, he cried oh! Then after a brief pause, he resumed his walk.
Patol Babu felt elated to learn from Baren Mullick that the shot was jolly good. The words of
praise youre quite an actor gave him satisfaction. He had done his job really well and performed
the challenging part to the best of his ability.
WORKSHEET87
1. 1. (c) Naresh Dutt
2. (b) surprise
3. (d) left the place before he had been paid
2. (a) Mr Gogon Pakrashi was Patol Babus mentor. His words of advice inspired Patol Babu to try
his best and to squeeze the last drop of meaning out of the words. All this helped Patol Babu
in enacting his role.
(b) Patol Babu paid careful attention to every detail. Before the shot he worked out how he
would react physically when the collision took placehow his features would be twisted in
pain, how he would fling out his arms and how his body would crouch to express pain a
surprise.
S-42
(c) For Baren Mullick it was a simple shot. Moreover, shooting the scene in sunlight was
necessary. A large patch of cloud was approaching the sun. So he turned down Patol Babus
request for a rehearsal.
(d) Patol Babu had a newspaper open in his hand. He was given a butterfly moustache. He had
to walk five steps, while the hero took four. The word oh! was to be said with sixty parts of
irritation and forty parts of surprise. Ultimately, he uttered it with fifty parts of anguish
with twenty-five of surprise and twenty-five of irritation.
3. Patol Babu walked away before he could be paid for his role. He was not ignorant of the value of
money and in fact he needed money very badly. But how much was he likely to getten, fifteen
or twenty rupees? When measured against the intense satisfaction of a small job done with
perfection and dedication, the sum of twenty rupees seemed insignificant. Patol Babu was a
meticulous actor. He paid attention to minor details to make his walk-on part in the movie
realistic and effective. He rehearsed speaking the word Oh several times in different ways. He
also worked out how he would react physically at the time of collision. He gave a perfect shot.
His face, arms and body conveyed his anguish, surprise and irritation as the heros head banged
against his forehead. He had done his job really well. He was praised by the director, Baren
Mullick and the hero, Chanchal Kumar. The episode shows Patol Babus love for artistic
excellence. For him ripeness is all. Self-satisfaction is more important than money. His acting
talent is sharp. He puts in a lot of labour and imagination into a single shot. The pleasure he
gets out of his splendid performance is far more valuable than any amount of money.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT: Patol Babu, Film Star (Fiction)
WORKSHEET88
1. (a) unassuming, modest (b) talented (c) arrogant/short-tempered (d) self respecting (e) diligent;
meticulous (f) passionate actor
2. (a) (ii); (b)(i); (c)(v); (d)(iii); (e)(vi); (f)(iv)
3. Patol Babu : Oh, yes, I had the time of my life. The film is directed by Baren Mullick. Hes
had three smash hits in a row. He is a stout man of medium height. He has
three assistants.
Patol Babus wife : Well, you seem to be quite impressed by him.
Patol Babu : Of course. The man has an ability to understand persons and things quickly
and accurately.
Patol Babus wife : How can you say so?
Patol Babu : He asked the make-up man to give me moustache for the shot. It suited me
very well. He rejected my suggestion for a rehearsal but agreed to my request
for having a newspaper in my hand while I had to collide with the hero.
Patol Babus wife : Well, who is the hero of the film?
Patol Babu : The hero is Chanchal Kumar. Hes playing the lead role in four films at the
moment.
Patol Babus wife : How did they like your acting?
Patol Babu : Well they praised me for my performance. Baren Mullick said, Jolly good!
Why, youre quite an actor. Chanchal Kumar praised me for timing the
collision to perfection.
Patol Babus wife : How much did they pay you? Please give the money to me.
Patol Babu : Oh, I walked away before I was paid.
Patol Babus wife : Why did you behave so foolishly?
Patol Babu : The performance gave me self-satisfaction. No amount could repay my labour
and imagination for that shot.
PROJECT: Activity for self-attempt under the guidance of the teacher.
VIRTUALLY TRUE (Fiction)
WORKSHEET89
1. 1. (d) Black-Eyed Jed
2. (c) to move out of the town for solo combat
3. (a) cool but challenging
2. (a) According to the newspaper Sebastian Shultz had been badly injured in a motorway accident
six weeks ago. Since then the boy lay unconscious at the General Hospital. Yesterday, he
awoke from his prolonged state of deep unconsciousness.
(b) Sebastian Shultzs recovery from coma was a miracle. Michael had got to know the boy so
well recently. He saw the photograph that went with the story and gasped. He felt nervous
and shivery. He could not understand how Shultz had recovered from coma. So the news
shocked Michael.
(c) Michaels dad had got a Pentium 150 Mhz processor, with 256 of RAM, a 1.2 Gb hard disk
drive and 16 speed CD ROM, complete with speakers, printer, modem and scanner. It could
do anything.
(d) Michael as Sheriff Dawson, was playing the game Wildwest on his computer. He was
challenged by Black-Eyed Jed to have a gunfight. Just when Jed left, the second sheriff
appeared through the back door. It was Sebastian Shultz. He asked Michael not to go out to
fight Jed.
3. A CLOSE BRUSH WITH DEATH
I had a harrowing experience in the virtual world. Black-Eyed Jed pursued me and his horsemen
fired at me and I was hit. I had no option but to hide myself in a wardrobe. Michael retrieved me
with dragonquest. Now the dragon wanted to kill me. I leapt for the window. Michael leapt
behind me. We ran down a spiral staircase. Then we went through a secret passage to the
dungeons. But the dragon got me and put me in jail. I again asked Michael for help.
With the help of a skeleton swipecard, we were soon out of the cell. We raced down corridors. We
dodged the guards, fled the dogs, made to the staircase and pounded upwards. We wanted to
take the helicopter, but it was late. I slipped and tumbling back through the air fell down to the
concrete below.
I couldnt contact Michael for long time. Yesterday I asked him to try Warzone. Our aim was to
reach the helicopter. Machine guns and tank fire pushed us to wall. I shouted to Michael to take
the jeep. A tank followed us. I slammed on the brakes. Michael leapt and jumped into helicopter.
Then the tank crashed into the jeep and I was thrown into the air. Michael pulled me up and the
helicopter soared in the sky. Thus I was rescued from the jaws of death.
S-44
WORKSHEET90
1. 1. Sebastian was on the roof of the cell when spoke these words.
2. His idea was to escape from the jail with the help of a helicopter. He was referring to a
helicopter in the distance.
3. Yes, the idea was a good one. They were surrounded by twelve guards with vicious dogs.
Aerial route was the only way of escape. The idea succeeded eventually. Michael pulled
Sebastian on to the helicopter as the latter was thrown in the air when the tank crashed
into their jeep.
2. (a) Michael and his dad were fascinated by the latest computers and new gadgets that came in
the market. For example, they bought a virtual reality visor and glove and a handful of
latest interactive psycho-drive games. They thought that the more futuristic the computers
got, the better one could understand the past.
(b) Michael was virtually transported first of all to a saloon in the centre of the town. This town
has dusty tracks. Michael had the badge of a sheriff pinned to his shirt then.
(c) Sebastian Shultz asked Michaels help to retrieve him as he was stuck. He suggested that
Michael should try DRAGONQUEST. He conveyed the message on the printer. The sheet
had his picture on the top and the message at the bottom.
(d) The second game seemed very real as it had the old world setting. Michael walked through
the massive studded doors of the dragons castle lair. He had to rescue Princess Aurora who
had been imprisoned at the top of a tall tower. He had also to collect the wicked creatures
treasure along the way.
3. VIRTUAL GAMES ARE A REALITY
The opinions cited above regarding computer games are biased. These take into account only
the negative aspects of computer games. Technology is advancing everyday. Virtual reality visor
and glove change what we see. Interactive psycho-drive games are driven by mental power. The
player can become a participant in the game and also control the action by what one is thinking.
Thus the virtual games are true and real. The images are all around one. Big screen and loud
volume creates the atmosphere one desires and makes one feel as if one were inside the games.
One is no longer an idle spectator watching from the sofa, but an active participant in the game.
One enjoys all the thrill and excitement, triumph and joy as well as risks and hurts. Thus the
virtual games are a reality.
WORKSHEET91
1. 1. (b) Sebastian Shultz
2. (d) Princess Aurora
3. (c) imprisoned in the dragons castle
2. (a) Sebastian Shultz leapt for the window in the dragons castle. He came down the hair rope.
Michael followed him. The dragon followed them. The two boys ran across moonlit battlements,
down a spiral staircase and through a secret passage. They wanted to hide in the dungeons.
The dragon appeared at the end of the corridor and caught Shultz. Michaels sword couldnt
save Shultz.
(b) Sebastian Shultz and Michael dodged the guards, fled the dogs and reached the roof. But
the helicopter had not arrived there. Its being late deprived them of the chance to escape.
Secondly, the pursuers surprised Sebastian by appearing suddenly through a door behind
us. Sebastian took a step backwards, slipped and fell down. So the rescue attempt ended in
a disaster.
(c) Sebastian Shultz had a terrible accident as he slipped from the roof. He saw the rescue
helicopter in the distance and hoped it would go a bit faster. Just then twelve guards with
vicious dogs hurtled towards them. Sebastian took a step backwards. It proved disastrous.
He slipped and tumbled back through the air, down to the concrete below. He was badly
injured in the accident.
(d) Sebastian Shultz had entered the games with the help of the advanced technology in the
field of computers. Latest gizmos, virtual reality visor and glove and psycho-drive must
have helped him to enter the games. It was just like Michaels entry in the virtual world of
the games.
3. At the end of the story Michael gets a real message from the real Sebastian Shultz. There is
every likelihood that Michael and Sebastian Shultz will meet in real life. Since they are two
advanced intelligences on earth it is possible that they will like each other and be friends. They
may try to re-enter the virtual world together. By reliving the whole incident, something wonderful
may happen. In the real world Sebastian Shultz was injured in a motorway accident. At the
time of accident, Sebastian was using his laptop to play one of the psycho-drive games that
Michael got later. The computer had saved Sebastians memory in its own and transferred it to
the disk. Michael began to play the game Wildwest and met Sebastian who was the second
sheriff. Sebastian warned Michael to ignore Jeds challenge but to run away with him. During
the next gamesDragonquest Sebastian is ensnared by the dragon and imprisoned in the cell.
He appeals to Michael for help. They try jailbreak. The attempt to rescue fails. It is only after a
lot of adventure, gunshots and accident with tanks that Sebastian is rescued. In the real world
too Sebastian Shultz recovers from coma.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT: Virtually True (Fiction)
WORKSHEET92
1. The correct sequential order is:
(a), (d), (j), (e), (g), (h), (i), (f), (b), (c), (k)
2. (a) These games can be put under the headings
(i) Virtual Games or (ii) Computer games or (iii) Psycho-drive games
(b) Michael thought that Sebastians memory had been saved in the computer. It was transferred
to the disk he was playing at the time of accident. When Michael played the game, he entered
into Sebastians memory. Thus Sebastian also entered the games.
3. Various responses are possible. One such response is given below:
I dont think it is a true story that has happened to real people in the real world on earth. As
such there is no likelihood of its occurring to me any day. At the end of the story the author
strikes an ambivalent attitude by saying that Michael and Sebastian Shultz are two real persons.
Then he adds: Now that there are two advanced intelligences on earth, who can say what is and
what isnt possible.
He concludes by saying: What I know is this. Everything that Ive described is trueVirtually!
We agree that the story is true only on virtual plane not on the real one.
PROJECT: For self-attempt under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
S-46
OZYMANDIAS (Poem)
WORKSHEET93
1. 1. (d) a desert
2. (c) Egypt
3. (b) broken face
2. (a) The hands are of the sculptor. He has stamped the feelings on lifeless stone. The heart is of
the king that fed these feelings of anger, contempt, sneer and hatred.
(b) By referring to himself as king of kings, ozymandias wants to assert his supermacy over
other kings. He is a great emperor. This statement reveals that the king is vain and haughty.
(c) Shelley brings out the vanity of Ozymandias through his broken statue. The frown on his
face and his wrinkled lip expressed his cruelty, pride and vanity. The words on the pedestal
also show his ego and vanity.
(d) Being a revolutionary, Shelley hated tyranny, because it was bad for the subjects or the
persons ruled over by the despot kings. Tyranny did no good to the king himself. It could
neither save him from death nor bring him glory or honour posthumously (i.e. after his
death).
3. Monday, 8 March 20XX 8.30 p.m.
I used to think that I was the mightiest of all but the neglected condition of my ruined statue
has made me realise the futility of human endeavour to immortalise oneself or garner glory and
honour after death. My vast empire had disappeared after my death. My glory vanished with
the passage of time. The words on the pedestal now seem a hollow boast. There is nothing near
the pedestal or the broken statue. The broken statue stands alone in a vast desert. Only lone
and level desert sand spreads around. The broken face lying half buried in the sand makes fun
of my vanity. Time has proved to be more powerful than me. It has punctured the balloon of my
vanity. If I were given another chance, I would serve my people with kindness and love. Their
progress would enrich the nation. I wont seek any glory for myself. Real joy lies in giving, not in
extracting.
WORKSHEET94
1. 1. There is a frown on its brow. It has wrinkled lips. The raised upper lip conveys scorn or
hostility. The person is cruel and given to issue orders to others. He holds others in contempt.
2. The sculptors art bears testimony to his skill. Even the broken face has touches of deftness.
He understood the kings feelings very well and copied them intelligently on lifeless stone.
3. This line conveys the idea that art is immortal whereas man is mortal. Lifeless statues may
outlast the mightiest ruler and conqueror.
2. (a) The sculptor was a skilled artist. He was a good judge of human character. He understood
the passions of the kings heart very well. He stamped them on the face of the statue very
correctly.
(b) Ozymandias was a mighty ruler. He was cruel and vain. He was boastful and proud. He
looked down on others.
(c) This poem conveys the message that human pride and glory is hollow. Time is a great
destroyer. It levels every thing. Even great kings are destroyed by time. Their flourishing
kingdoms turn to ruins. Future generations forget the kings and their exploits.
(d) The poem brings out the futility of human endeavour to gain everlasting glory through huge
statues and carvings on them. The vast statue erected to convey the kings might, fame and
glory outlived him but now it lies broken and neglected among vast stretches of sand. The
man and the memorial both are hit by the ravages of time.
3. Shakespeare has depicted Time as sluttish. It is of unclean habits and behaviour. It besmeares
everything it comes in contact with. It tarnishes the beauty and glory of marble statues as well
as gold plated monuments. Time is a devastating agent. The ravages of time leave their mark
on every world object and living beings. Time ruins human efforts to keep their memory alive by
erecting memorials or statues.
Shelley has not said anything directly about Time. We can infer that he depicts time as a great
destroyer, conqueror and equaliser. It humbles the mightiest. Time is a great leveller. It is
greater tyrant than the most tyrant king. The flourishing kingdom of Ozymandias has been
wiped off and turned into a desert. His huge statue lies broken and neglected. The ravages of
time have destroyed even an object of art.
WORKSHEET95
1. 1. (d) contempt
2. (c) boastful
3. (a) mocking
2. (a) Ozymandias was a mighty ruler of ancient Egypt. He was very proud of his achievements.
He thought that no one could equal his achievements. He perhaps thought that this huge
statue and the words engraved on the pedestal would bring him everlasting name, fame
and glory.
(b) The narrator wants to highlight the utter desolation surrounding the neglected and broken
statue. There are miles and miles of sand around the huge ruin. Time has proved a great
destroyer.
(c) As a king, Ozymandias was a cruel ruler. He was short-tempered. Anger was writ large on
his forehead. He was a feelingless person whose orders must be obeyed. He held others in
contempt and was proud of his own achievements. He was boastful and eager to get fame
and glory.
(d) The statue of Ozymandias now lies in ruin. The vast legs are without a trunk. A broken face
lies half buried in sand. It shows that art survives longer than human beings. However, the
ravages of time destroy even the objects of art. The present state of the statue brings out the
vanity of Ozymandias and futility of his attempts to get everlasting name, fame and glory.
3. Room No. 32
Hotel Persipolis
Kairo
9 March 20XX
Dear Anju
Ruins sometimes hide history in their debris and need an imaginative mind and sympathetic
heart to unravel their past glory and mystery. During my travels across the sandy deserts away
from the Nile I was bewildered to see two huge trunkless legs standing on a high pedestal. The
broken face of the statue lay half buried in sand. The words on the pedestal confirmed that it
was the statue of Ozymandias, the mighty emperor of Egypt who was renowned for his exploits
and brave deeds. I felt shocked to see the utter neglect of the ruined memorial and the end of the
flourishing kingdom. Time, the great destroyer, has left its imprint on everything. The sight
was a shock as well as surprise for me. It also gave me a valuable lesson. It is futile to erect
S-48
memorials to seek everlasting name, fame and glory. Good deeds alone shine even after one
leaves the world.
More when we meet.
Yours sincerely
Asmit/Asmita
GROUP DISCUSSION: Ozymandias (Poem)
WORKSHEET96
1. 1. (c) sonnet
2. (b) feared by the people
3. (a) without the upper body
4. (c) feelings
2. The Narrator: I met a traveller from an antique land who said.
The Traveller: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal these words appear:
Nothing beside remains, Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Ozymandias: My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!
3. Rhyme scheme Theme
Octave ababcded sculptors engraving of the kings feeling on stone: survival of
object of art longer than that of king
Sestet fefgfg Timethe greatest tyrant and destroyer of name, fame, glory
4. Poetic Device Lines from the poem
Alliteration ...and sneer of cold command
...king of kings
...boundless and bare
...lone and level sands
Synecdoche (substitution of a the hand that mockd them
part to stand for the whole, the heart that fed
or the whole to stand for a part)
THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER (Poem)
WORKSHEET97
1. 1. (c) he wanted him to listen to his story
2. (a) he was a close relation of the bridegroom
3. (b) the wedding guest was forced to hear the story of the mariner
2. (a) The ancient mariner had brightly shining eyes. His eyes seemed to have a mesmerising
effect. He stopped the wedding-guest with the power of his eyes.
(b) No, the wedding guest was not happy to be stopped. He is very closely related to the
bridegroom. The marriage party in eagerly waiting for the wedding guests. He is very
impatient and annoyed at the delay caused by the old mariner.
(c) The ancient mariner was an old, thin and tall person. He had skinny hand, a long grey
beard and glittering eyes. His eyes had some supernatural power. The old man had good
communicative skills and was good at relating tales.
(d) The wedding guest was getting rather restless as he was impatient to join the wedding
feast. But he felt helpless as he could not move away from his play. So he began to beat his
breast with a feeling of anger and despair.
3. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a ballad. It tells the story of an ancient mariner. The old
sailor is a relic of the pastan age gone by. The poet uses old fashioned, archaic words to create
the old world charm. The poem begins abruptly and dramatically. An old sailor stops one of
three persons passing by him. The stranger is surprised and asks, Old man, with your long
grey beard and glittering eye, why are you stopping me? The man then informs him that he is
a wedding guesta relative of the bridegroom. All the guests have arrived and the wedding
feast is ready. This naturally arouses our curiosity and makes us interested in learning the
outcome of the meeting.
WORKSHEET98
1. 1. (a) the ancient Mariner
2. (c) intently as a three years old listens to a fairy tale
3. (d) stops the Wedding-Guest
2. (a) The Wedding-Guest was a close relative of the bridegroom. He should have been by the
bridegroom by then, whereas he was still standing with the ancient Mariner. The arrival of
the bride meant that the marriage ceremony would start soon. Naturally, the wedding guest
was restless to join the wedding-party.
(b) The ship was given a warm send-off when it left the harbour. They were full of joy and sailed
on merrily. As the ship moved on, they left behind the church, the hill and the lighthouse.
The ship sailed southwards under a brightly shining sun.
(c) At the beginning of their journey, the sailor enjoyed a pleasant warm weather. The sun was
shining brightly. The ship was sailing southward. The sun seemed to come out of the sea on
their left and went down into the sea on their right.
(d) A severe storm blast pushed the ship towards the South Pole. The sailors reached a region
full of mist and snow. There were huge icebergs. These were as green as emerald and kept
floating in the sea.
S-50
3. The description of the beginning of the sea-journey is quite realistic. It revives many familiar
scenes of leave-taking. The rising of the sun on the left indicates that the ship was bound
southwards. It shone brightly and sank in the West, which was on their right. As they continued
their journey, the sun went higher and higher every day as they were nearing the Equator. The
wedding guest now became restless and impatient to go as he had heard the sound of the loud
bassoon. But he is helpless. He has no choice except to listen to the Mariners tale. Then the old
sailor introduces a supernatural elementa storm blast which overtook their ship and pushed
the ship towards southpole. The description of the ships movement under the impact of the
violent and powerful storm is highly suggestive and pictorial. We have to ignore the doubt
whether such a storm is possible. If we do so, we can admit the supernatural element.
WORKSHEET99
1. 1. (a) ancient Mariner and other sailors
2. (b) on a happy note
3. (a) repetition
2. (a) The ship looked like someone trying to run away from an enemy who is chasing him. The
sailors were gripped by fear and pain with death staring them in their panicked faces. In a
state of uncertainty they helplessly got drifted by the storm.
(b) The icebergs were so huge that they reached upto the top of masts. There were neither men
nor beasts around them. The ship was completely surrounded by icebergs. The ice cracked
and growled, roared and howled like noises heard in a fainting fit.
(c) The albatross was not afraid of the humans. The sailors offered it food and it flew round and
round. It seemed to enjoy the company of the sailors and responded to their call. The sailors
hailed it in Gods name because the weather improved after its arrival.
(d) The terrible deed done by the Mariner was of killing the Albatross with his crossbow. It had
become friendly with the sailors and visited the ship for nine evenings. Perhaps the white
fog-smoke and mist around the moon led the Mariner to shoot it.
3. The Ancient Mariner is one of the best known supernatural poems written in English : Coleridge
has tried to make the supernatural look natural. That is why the poem begins in the familiar
atmosphere of the work a day world. We see three wedding guests going to attend a wedding
feast. The gray bearded old sailor with glittering eyes and skinny hands seems to be an
anachronism in the milieu. The unnatural hold that he exercises on the wedding guest also
baffles us. Many questions crop up : e.g. Who is this old man ?, Why does he insist on telling
a story ? etc. etc. We cant enjoy the poem if we keep pondering on them. So we should suspend
our disbelief and critical faculties for a while. We should go through the narrative and accept it
as such. Only then we shall be able to enjoy the poem.
WORKSHEET100
1. 1. In line 2, it stands for the Albatross.
2. It means that the albatross sat on the sail or mast for nine days at the time of evening
church service.
3. The ancient Mariner killed the Albatross with his crossbow. He was cruel, unjust and
ungrateful to the bird that had brought good wind.
2. (a) The ship was sailing towards the North after the Albatross was killed. The following lines
of the poem make it clear:
The sun now rose upon the right
..., and on the left
went down into the sea. (lines 83, 85-86)
And the good south wind still blew behind. (line 87)
(b) The Albatross did not follow the ship because the ancient Mariner had killed the bird with
his crossbow. The sailors missed its company. Now even the ancient Mariner missed it.
(c) At first the other mariners accused the Ancient Mariner of having committed a crime. They
cursed him for killing the bird which had brought the good breeze. Then the fog cleared and
the sun began to shine brightly. Now the sailors changed their mind. They approved of the
Ancient Mariners action. The sailors changed their mind yet again when they felt dry in
mouth. It shows that the sailors were fickle minded.
(d) The fog cleared and the sun shone brightly. The ship sailed with soft breeze and they reached
the silent sea. Now the wind stopped blowing and the ship came to a halt. It was extremely
hot. The mariners blamed the ancient Mariner for this change as they were dying of heat
and thirst.
3. The newcomer was an Albatrossa large sized sea bird. It came out of the fog. The sailors
welcomed the Albatross for it was the only creature they had seen after coming to the land of
mists and snow. The Albatross is called a christian soul because it seems to have taken pity on
the miserable plight of the sailors and the old Mariner. Perhaps it had come from some bright
and warmer lands to guide the ship and sailors there. The weather improved after its arrival.
The ship could easily move. The sailors offered it food and it flew round and round. It seemed to
enjoy the company of the sailors and responded to their call. The bird perched on the ship for
nine evenings. The poet introduces a new element in the poem with the arrival of the Albatross
on the ship.
WORKSHEET101
1. 1. The repetition of day reinforces the meaning. It conveys the idea of prolonged boredom
immobility and utter loneliness.
2. They were thirsty, helpless and bored. Their ship had got stuck in the silent seas. They
could neither breathe nor move.
3. The poet has used a simile in the last two lines to describe the stationary ship and its
inability to move.
2. (a) The hot sun was directly above their heads at noon. It was red hot and seemed to pour fire.
It was no bigger than the moon then because they had reached a place near the Equator.
(b) The ship was stuck in a vast expanse of water. There was nothing else but water all around.
The irony is that they had not a drop of water to drink. Their supply of potable water was
exhausted. They were almost dying of thirst.
(c) The poet builds up the atmosphere of supernatural. The rotting sea is unbelievable in ordinary
circumstances. The slimy creatures crawling in the slimy sea look repulsive and create the
sense of awful horror. The phosphorescent lights generated by certain kind of sea-fish at
night seemed like death-fires dancing. The sea water was boiling like witchs oil. The three
colours are associated with black magic.
(d) The mariners held the Ancient Mariner responsible for their misery as he had killed an
innocent bird. They felt dry in the mouth and couldnt speak. They gave the old man evil
looks. They hung the dead Albatross round his neck in place of the cross as a sign of guilt.
3. One day the Mariner killed the Albatross with his cross bow. His fellow mariners accused him of
having committed a crime, which would bring them great unhappiness and sorrow. They cursed
him for killing the bird which had brought the good breeze.
The fog cleared and the sun shone brightly. Now the sailors approved of the Mariners action.
Their ship sailed on and they reached the silent sea. Suddenly the wind stopped blowing and the
ship came to a halt. It was extremely hot. The ship looked like a painted ship on painted ocean.
They had no water to drink. The ocean seemed to rot, yet some slimy creatures crawled in it.
The water of the ocean burnt green, blue and white like witchs oils. They suffered untold miseries.
S-52
WORKSHEET102
1. 1. (c) they were surrounded by icebergs and there seemed to be no sign of life
2. (b) it split the icebergs around the ship and helped the ship move forward
3. (b) the icebergs split and a strong breeze started blowing
2. (a) In the silent sea, the weather became very hot. The crew of the ship were helpless as the
ship got stuck in the silent seas. The poet uses a simile. He compares the ship to a painted
ship upon a painted ocean. It shows that the ship was stagnant, i.e., completely motionless
in the middle of the sea.
(b) The mariners felt that the Ancient Mariner was responsible for their suffering. He had
killed an innocent bird. Conditions had worsened. They were dying of heat and thirst.
(c) The tongues of all the 200 sailors, who were the victims of the drought, were parched. These
seemed to have dried up completely. The sailors could not speak. They felt choked with
soot.
(d) The mariners were rudderless and forlorn after the death of the Albatross because the bird
acted as a divine guide. After its death they didnt know where to go and eventually got
stuck up in the middle of the silent sea.
3. The fog cleared and the sun shone brightly after the Ancient Mariner had killed the Albatross.
Suddenly the wind stopped blowing. The ship came to a halt in the silent sea. It was extremely
hot. They had no water to drink. Even the ocean seemed to rot. The sailors suffered untold
miseries.
The ancient mariner was held responsible for their misery as he had killed an innocent bird.
The sailors had condemned him because the conditions had worsened and they were dying of
heat and thirst. Some sailors dreamt that a spirit was plaguing them. It had followed them nine
fathom deep from the land of mist and snow. The mariner and sailors felt dry in the mouth and
couldnt speak. They felt as they had been choked with soot. The sailors gave the ancient Mariner
evil looks. Holding him to be the sole cause of their suffering, they hung the dead Albatross
round his neck in place of the cross as a sign of his guilt.
APPRECIATION OF THE THEME: The Rime of ... (Poem)
WORKSHEET103
1. (c) something that is with you all the time, as a reminder that you have done something wrong.
2. An albatross is a large sea-bird with a wing span of about 4 m.
3. (a) The Ancient Mariner stops the wedding guest. He is compelled to tell the story of his sufferings
to someone. His eyes have a grasp on the beholder. He stops the particular wedding guest
for this purpose.
(b) The Ancient Mariner suffers from a sense of guilt. He cannot get peace unless he tells the
story of his sufferings to someone.
(c) The poet is trying to convey through this poem that love for the creatures of God, however
small, slimy or repulsive, leads to peace and salvation. Hatred, cruelty and violence towards
birds, fishes etc. fills one with sense of guilt. The acts of such person harm himself as well as
others. As we sow, so shall we reap.
4. 1. The Wedding-Guest stood still Simile: the wedding guest was completely
And listens like a three years child: under the control of the mariner
2. Below the kirk, below the hill, Repetition: fixes the direction of the
Below the lighthouse top movement of the ship
3. The sun came up upon the left, Personification: the sun is given human
Out of the sea came he attributes
4. The bride hath paced into the hall, Simile: heightens the beauty of the bride.
Red as a rose is she She is extremely pretty
5. And now the storm-blast came, Personification: the blast of storm acts
and he was tyrannous and strong: like a powerful tyrant and pushes the
ship towards the South Pole
6. With sloping masts and dipping prow, Metaphor: the ship is compared to a man
As who pursued with yell and blow who is being pursued so closely by his
Still treads the shadow of his foe enemy that the pursuers shadow falls
on him, and he is running fast for fear
of life
7. The ice was here, the ice was there, Repetition: it heightens the effect of vast
The ice was all around expanse of ice all around. It also lends
a musical touch to the poem
5. The weather improves a little. Fog still blots the sun. The sailors blame the ancient Mariner
of his wrong act. The fog may not clear. Then the sailors may praise the act of the old Mariner.
Thus they too become partners in his sin. Their bad acts are likely to plague them and they
will be paid in the same coin. The Ancient Mariner will be constantly tormented for his evil
act. He might be able to lessen his torment only by confessing his guilt.
6. Class-room activity: to be performed under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
PROJECT: Mainly a classroom activity.
Various answers are possible. One such possible report is given below:
The Polar Spirit pushed the ship of the Ancient Mariner on and on towards the north. The sun
became hotter every day. The throats of the sailors were parched. All of them died one by one,
casting glance full of curse on the Ancient Mariner. Perhaps the avenging spirit took pity on them
and liberated their souls from bodies by their death. But the old Mariners guilt was immense, and
so was his punishment. He was the only man left to witness the death of his two hundred companions.
Their dead bodies lay scattered around him. Then he saw the slimy creatures once again. There was
a change in his heart and he tried to pray to God and love His ugliest creatures. Perhaps this got him
a reprieve. His life was spared but he was under a curse to retell his story from time to time. He did
so when the fit was high. He had to wander from place to place like a lunatic and narrate the story of
his evil deed, agony and punishment.
S-54
SNAKE (Poetry)
WORKSHEET104
1. 1. (d) drinks water just like cattle
2. (c) it was a really hot day when the snake came
3. (b) thought about/reflected
2. (a) The snake had come out from a fissure in the earthwall. He was a yellowbrown snake,
which is generally considered to be quite poisonous in Sicily. He had a long, slack body and
soft belly. He used his soft belly to drag himself. He had straight gums and a forked tongue.
(b) It was a hot day of July. It was an extremely hot day. Sicilian July is usually hot. Etna
volcano was emitting smoke. The bottom of the earth was burning with heat.
(c) The interior of the earth was burning hot. Snakes usually live in holes, pits and fissures in
mud walls. Extreme heat makes them thirsty and they come out to quench their thirst. They
depart peacefully after they pacified.
(d) Yes, the snake was conscious of the poets presence. He lifted his head and looked at the poet
vaguely in the same manner as drinking cattle generally look at others.
3. 25, Brown Mead
Hert ford
15 July, 20XX
Dear John
An incident occurred yesterday which gave a jolt to my conscience and I thought it fit and proper
to share my thoughts and feelings with you. The incident revealed the conflict in my mind between
the voice of education and my own natural human instincts.
Well, I am narrating the whole incident in its chronological sequence. It was a hot day of July. I
felt thirsty and came out to fill a pitcher with water. When I came near the water-trough, I found
a snake resting his throat at the edge of trough stone. It was a long and golden brown snake. In
Sicily, such snakes are very poisonous. The voice of my civilised social education demanded that
I must kill him at once.
On the contrary, I developed a fancy for the snake. He was sipping water patiently. I felt honoured
at the arrival of the snake to drink water at my water-trough. I thought him as a guest.
In the meantime, the snake had his fill of water and began to drag its long body. A feeling of
horror gripped me now. I picked up a log of wood and threw it at the snake. It did not hit him. He
withdrew into the hole and disappeared.
I felt I had committed a sin. I started hating myself for what I had done. My natural instincts won
ultimately. I cursed the voices of civilised social education.
Kindly do write and enlighten me with your frank opinion.
Yours sincerely
Daniel/Dona
WORKSHEET105
1. 1. The voice of his education or his worldly wisdom urged the poet to kill the snake at once.
It was a golden brown snake. Such snakes were considered to be quite poisonous in Sicily.
2. He would take a stick and finish off the snake if he were really a man.
3. The poet felt infatuated by the snake. He had come at the water-trough as a guest to
drink water. He hoped it would depart peacefully without causing him any harm. So he
developed a fancy for the snake.
2. (a) The snakes thirst was satiated as he took his time to quench his thirst. The expressions
drank enough, peaceful and pacified show that he had drunk to his fill and was contented
and completely in a relaxed mood.
(b) The golden brown snake was a poisonous snake. The poet had this knowledge. So he had a
sense of fear and terror. But the snake also fascinated the poet. He liked the snake. He
considered him like a guest who had come to drink water from the trough. He was glad to see
him depart peacefully and pacified mood.
(c) It is ironical that the poets earlier fancy, love and respect for the snake were replaced by a
sort of horror and protest. This rash act is prompted by fear, hatred and violence.
(d) The grace or majesty of the snake leads the poet to compare him to a god. He looks relaxed
and pacified. He is splendidly unconcerned and detached. The expressions are: lifted his
head, dreamily, seeming to lick his lips, looked around...unseeing, into the air, slowly
turned his head.
3. Monday, 7 March 20XX 9.30 pm
I threw a stick at the snake, but it failed to hit him. The snake withdrew his body into the
hole and disappeared. I cursed myself. I hated the voice of education that urged me to throw
the stick to kill the snake. I felt I had committed a sin. I was reminded of the Albatross of
Coleridges poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The old Mariner had killed the sea-bird
Albatross. He had to suffer a lot on this account. This very same fear gripped my heart as
I had tried to kill the snake. I wished that the snake would come again. I would then expiate
for my sin in trying to kill the snake.
WORKSHEET106
1. 1. (d) he wants to kill it so that it doesnt return
2. (b) slipping in with majestic grace
3. (a) is like a king during banishment
2. (a) In the beginning of the poem the snakes movement is slow and relaxed. The snake trailed
his yellow-brown slackness soft bellied down. The poet has repeated the word slow/slowly
to highlight this movement of the snake. When the poet strikes it with a log of wood, the
snake speeds up his movement into his hole. The phrases convulsed in undignified haste
and writhed like lightning describe his movement.
(b) The poet despised himself for his cowardice. The poet regretted having acted in a vulgar and
mean way. The poet is ashamed of his pettiness and wants to atone for his guilt. The words
are paltry, vulgar and mean, and I have something to expiate : A pettiness.
(c) The killing of innocent albatross by the mariner brought a lot of ill-luck to the sailor. Similarly,
the snake was quite innocent. It came silently, drank water and withdrew into its hole in a
pacified and peaceful manner. Throwing a log at such and innocent and honoured guest was
really a mean act like the killing of the albatross.
(d) Ungratefulness is a sin. Teasing or killing an innocent animal is also a sin. Throwing a log of
wood at an innocent snake that meant no harm or mischief was really a vulgar and mean act.
The poet is ashamed of his pettiness. He wants to atone for his sinful action.
3. The voice of education told the poet that the snake was poisonous. Therefore it told him to pick
up something (a stick) to kill it. This voice of education continued to ring in his ears but he could
not do so. On the contrary, the poet soon felt honoured in the coming of the snake to drink
water at his water trough. He thought him as a guest.
S-56
In the meantime, the snake had his fill of water and began to drag its long body. A feeling of
horror gripped him now. He picked up a log of wood and threw it at the snake. The snake was
not hurt but it withdrew its body into the hole and disappeared. At this the poet felt that he had
committed a sin. He started hating himself for what he had done and wished the snake to come
again so that he might atone for his sin. The poets own feelings won ultimately as he cursed the
voices of education.
APPRECIATION OF THEME: Snake (Poem)
WORKSHEET107
1. The correct logical sequence is
(d), (g), (a), (h), (j), (e), (c), (i), (b) and (f)
2. 1. (c) the act of throwing a log of wood at the snake
2. (d) someone who, if disturbed, might harm the poet
3. (a) slowly and lazily
4. (b) cowardice
3. (a) It was a very hot day in July in Sicily.
(b) The smoke rising from the volcano of Mt. Etna made the heat more intense.
(c) The colour of the snake is yellow-brown or golden brown.
(d) His belly is soft.
(e) The poet compares the snake to some god.
4. Repetition:
(a) hot (line 2)to emphasize the fact that it was very hot day.
(b) must wait (line 7)to show the extent of the writers fear of snake.
(c) drinking, as cattle do (line 15 and 16)to hint that the snake looked at the poet vaguely.
(d) black (line 23)to emphasize that black snakes are harmless in Sicily.
(e) afraid (line 34)to show fear of snake.
(f) slowly (line 42-43)snakes slow action.
Simile:
line 27he had come like a guestsnake is worthy of honour.
line 40looked around like a godsnakes grace and majesty.
line 65like a king in exileglory and respect due to the snake.
Project: Individual activity for self-attempt.
To be performed under the guidance of the teacher.
JULIUS CAESAR (Drama)
WORKSHEET108
1. 1. (d) Decius Brutus
2. (a) ambition
3. (c) arrogance
2. (a) Calpurnia is terrified by unnatural and extraordinary things which she thinks portend danger
to Caesars life. She persuades him not to leave house that day. Caesar turns a fatalist and
overrules her. Then he boasts of his bravery. He dismisses her fear saying death is inevitable.
Calpurnia feels sad. She tells him that he has allowed his better judgement to be swayed and
over-powered by his rash confidence. For her it is misplaced over-confidence. He seems to
have thrown cautious to the winds and ignored his personal safety.
(b) Decius gives an interpretation that inflames Caesars ego. He asserts that it is his love for
him that speaks thus. This love has over-shadowed his better judgment and discretion. On
the other hand, Calpurnia merely pleads, requests and urges him not to leave house. Caesar
is so impressed by the arguments of Decius that Calpurnias fear and apprehensions now
appear to be quite groundless, rather foolish.
(c) Antony is a practical politician. He finds his life in danger and asks the conspirators to kill
him if they so desire. He addressed the conspirators as the noblest and most influential man
of the present generation in Rome. He would prefer to die at their hands and lie beside
Caesar than live for thousand years. Thus the skilful and practical politician that Antony is,
tries to make peace with the conspirators by eulogising (praising) them.
(d) By his skilful oratory Antony has aroused the anger and hatred of the mob against Brutus,
Cassius and other conspirators. The mob plans to torch their houses with the burning sticks
of wood from Caesars pyre. Pursued by such a hostile, furious and blood thirsty mob, Brutus
and Cassius have no option but to run away from Rome to save their lives. Their fate is
sealed. As they leave Rome, another CaesarOctavius Caesar arrives in Rome to join Antony
and have revenge on the conspirators.
3. Antonys speech is more effective because it is a direct appeal to the passion and feelings of the
people. He concentrates on the main charge of Brutus against Caesar that he was too ambitious.
Antony cleverly reminds the people of the glorious wars and the captives whose ransoms filled
the Roman treasury. At the Lupercal festival Caesar had thrice refused to accept the crown
from Antony. This incident shows that he was not ambitious. He asks people why they are
unwilling even to shed tears at his funeral. He stops cleverly claiming that he had become
overcome with emotions.
Then Antony plays on their emotions. He mentions a will which would show that Caesar was
the best friend of the people. Mixed feelings of pity, curiosity and greed are now aroused in the
mobs hearts. They cry for the will. Antony refuses to read the will as that would incite them
against the conspirators. He would not let them know that Caesar had left all his riches and
property to the people. This only whets the curiosity of the mob. They insist to hear the will.
Antony shows them the wounds of Caesar. This arouses pity for Caesar and fury against his
murderers. Then he reads the will. The mob is now filled with fury and rush out to destroy the
conspirators. Thus Antonys speech is highly successful.
WORKSHEET109
1. (a) Antony speaks these lines to himself. These form the concluding part of his famous soliloquy.
He is alone with the corpse (dead body) of Caesar.
(b) The foul deed refers to the murder of Caesar. The soul of Caesar will roam about in search
of vengeance. With the authority of a monarch, he will cause destruction in these territories
by fire, famine and civil war.
(c) Ate is the Greek goddess of revenge. She will come in hot haste from the hell. She will help
Caesars spirit to take revenge.
2. (a) Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar of the impending danger to his life. Both heaven and earth
have been terribly disturbed. She had a frightening dream. She saw Caesar being murdered.
She cried thrice in her dream for help as people were murdering Caesar. Her anxiety for her
husbands safety makes her request Caesar not to leave house at any time that day.
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(b) Cassius advises the conspirators that some of them should go to the common pulpits. They
should proclaim, Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement. For these Republicans Ceasar is a
dictator and so a curse for Rome and Romans. They have got rid of slavery and ushered in
freedom.
(c) He calls Caesar all-mighty. He is shocked to see that Caesar has fallen down so low from his
greatness. He is bewildered that Caesar who so far towered above mankind is now lying so
low in the dust. With almost certain disbelief he enquires whether this is all that now remains
of all his glorious victories, distinctions, glories, honours and magnificent trophies brought
from all corners of the world. Then he bids farewell to Caesar.
(d) Cassius objects to allowing Antony to speak at Caesars funeral. He tells Brutus that he is
going to commit a blunder. They do not know what Antony will say there and how the people
will be excited by his speech. So in his political sagacity (wisdom) Cassius requests Brutus
not to permit Antony to say anything during Caesars funeral.
Brutus overrules his objection. He says that he will go up to the platform first and speak to
the people. He will explain to them fully the reasons for killing Caesar. He will declare that
Antony is speaking with their full knowledge and permission. Finally, he will inform them
that Caesars funeral will be conducted with full rites and religious observances.
3. The four citizens are taken as the chief spokesmen in the crowd of people listening to the speeches.
Their speeches and actions put in proper sequence reveal their characteristics.
The first citizen is a practical man and given to original ideas. All the practical suggestions are
put forth by him. He never addresses Brutus or Antony as the others do, but speaks directly to
the mob. He has qualities of leadership.
The second citizen is sympathetic by nature. He listens and reflects. He is quick to pick up
suggestions carry on and improve them. He is mostly moved by an appeal to the pocket. It is he
who suggests the final action to his fellow citizens.
The third citizen is a good natured responsive man. He is fond of admiring personalities. More
ideas have very little attraction for him.
The fourth citizen has a remarkable personality. He is impatient, curious, hot-tempered and
talkative. He represents the well-known prying tendencies of the mob.
WORKSHEET110
1. 1. (b) unnatural occurrences
2. (d) they portend something bad taking place
3. (b) restrain Caesar to go to the senate
2. (a) Calpurnia believes in omens and portents. She has seen and heard about strange sights.
This superstitious woman had had a bad dream about her husband. She is anxious about his
safety and pleads with him to keep in mind these supernatural signs. She says that when
beggars die, their death is never foretold by the appearance of comets in the sky, but when
princes and kings (greatmen) are about to die, the very heavens announce and foretell the
coming of disaster and utter ruin to them.
(b) First, he gives a favourable interpretation of the happy dream. He knows Caesars love of
flattery and his eagerness to become a crowned monarch. He informs Caesar that the Senate
has decided him to give the crown of a king that day. If Decius gives them the message that
Caesar is not coming, they might change their decision. Secondly, people may consider him
weak, timid, coward and superstitious, laugh at him and declare in a mocking manner,
Come, dissolve the senate to-day till the time Caesars wife sees a better dream! Moreover,
if Caesar hides him in this manner, will not some people whisper, Lo, Caesar is afraid!
(c) Decius gives an interpretation that inflames Caesars ego. He asserts that it is his love for
him that speaks thus. This love has over-shadowed his better judgment and discretion. On the
other hand, Calpurnia merely pleads, requests and urges him not to leave house. Caesar is
so impressed by the arguments of Decius that Calpurnias fear and apprehensions now appear
to be quite groundless, rather foolish. He even feels ashamed that he gave way to her request.
He is so convinced by Decius that he decides to go to senate and asks for his robe.
(d) Antony calls Brutus and the others butchers or cruel murderers. May the men who shed
Caesars precious blood be cursed for ever. May ruin and disaster overtake them. Thus Antony
gives vent to his emotions. He, paying a touching tribute to Caesar, seeks pardon for being
meek and gentle with his murderers.
3. Addressing the citizens, Brutus tells them that he killed Caesar because the latter had grown
ambitious and wanted to become the king of Rome. Although he had intimate friendship with
Caesar, he had to kill him for the good of Rome. He asserts that his love for Rome was far greater
than his regard and love for Caesar.
He did not like that the citizens of Rome should live in a state of slavery under Caesar. He killed
Caesar so that all of them should live in perfect freedom from tyranny and oppression.
Brutus tells the citizens that no freedom-loving man can disapprove of the murder of Caesar.
Every true Roman should be happy that a tyrant has been killed. Every genuine patriot should
support the murder of Caesar, who would have crushed the freedom of people. Thus the murder
of Caesar was no crime. Only people with a slavish mentality and devoid of any sense of honour
would feel angry at the murder of Caesar.
WORKSHEET111
1. 1. (d) Decius
2. (a) the Roman mob
3. (d) respect and honour
2. (a) Caesar agrees to stay at home to allay the fears of his wife Calpurnia. He agrees to send a
message to the senate through Mark Antony. He will say that Caesar is not well. Just then
Decius Brutus arrives and Caesar wants him to convey that message to the senators. He
tells Decius to carry his greetings to them and tell them that he will not come that day.
When Calpurnia suggests saying that Caesar is not well, Caesar bursts with anger. He
boasts that he is not afraid to tell them the truth. He shows scant regard for the senators.
He contemptuously calls them Grey beards.
(b) Decius is working with a plan. The conspirators have decided to kill Caesar in the Senate.
They have sent Decius to persuade Caesar to come to Senate. Decius knows that Caesar
loves flattery. In order to flatter him, he gives an auspicious interpretation of Calpurnias
dream. He says Caesars blood will renew the vitality of Roman Empire. People will consider
it a favour to retain stains of Caesars blood as relics. Then he plays upon Caesars ambition.
He informs Caesar of the decision of the Senate to offer him a crown. If he does not go that
day, they might change their decision. Caesar is completely deceived by the sweet words of
Decius and Calpurnias fear and apprehensions now appear to be quite groundless and
rather foolish.
(c) The conspirators know that Caesar is superstitious. He may not come to the senate-house
that day. So, first of all they send Decius Brutus to his home. He is very clever at flattery.
By his subtle flattery he persuades Caesar to agree to go to the capitol that day. The
conspirators do not want to leave anything to chance. So they come to Caesars house in a
group to lead him to the Capitol. Caesar welcomes them as friends and offers them some
wine. He agrees to go with them like friends. The conspirators lead Caesar to the Capitol in
a procession and surround him there.
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(d) Brutus tells Antony not to ask them to kill him. Their hands are blood-stained and the dead
body of Caesar is lying there. Their swords which were so strong in the hatred of Caesar,
have absolutely no strength against him. Their swords have lost all their sharpness. As far
as Antony is concerned, they have no quarrel with him. They have no wish to do any harm
against him. He, therefore, welcomes Antony as a brother, with all brotherly feelings of
affection, kind wishes and respect.
3. When there is one meaning for the actors on the stage and another opposed to it to the audience,
we have dramatic irony. It makes the play all the more enjoyable.
There is dramatic irony in Caesars position. He thinks himself invincible and is quite blind
to his coming fate. He talks like a god while his enemies are surrounding him with hidden
daggers.
The many blunders of Brutus are also ironical in character. Decision not to kill Antony along
with Caesar and allowing Antony to speak at Caesars funeral boomerang on him. There is
dramatic irony in the speech of Brutus. He speaks against Caesar but the ignorant mob
wants to make him a Caesar.
The most exquisite bit of verbal irony is seen in the speech of Antony. His repetition and re
repetition of the statement, Brutus is an honourable man is so deadly that it makes Brutus
the most dishonourable man in the end.
WORKSHEET112
1. 1. (b) Antony
2. (c) the choice and master spirits of this age
3. (a) suitable for his own death
2. (a) Like a really brave person, Caesar is not afraid of death. He knows that death is the inevitable
end of life. He also seems a believer in fate as he says that death will come when it will come.
(b) Greatmen shall gather around Caesar and stain their handkerchiefs in this blood which will
serve as colours added to a coat of arms, an object of reverence, mementos and a badge of service.
(c) A curse will fall upon the Romans who will suffer from various terrible happenings like
famine etc. There will be a civil war in Italy. People will become habituated to bloodshed
and dreadful sights. Even mothers shall smile if they see their infants cut to pieces before
their very eyes.
(d) He says that his love for Rome was far greater than his regard and love for Caesar. For him the
worst punishment is slavery. He asks people if they should live in a state of slavery all their lives
or that Caesar should be dead and all of them live in perfect freedom from tyranny and oppression.
3. Calpurnia saw an evil dream that Caesars statue was sending forth blood in showers like a
fountain with many spouts. Many happy and brave young citizens of Rome came flocking there
with smiling faces and washed their hands joyfully in this flowing blood. Calpurnia considers
the dream as an evil omen and as a warning of coming danger to Caesar.
Decius Brutus interprets the dream to be a sign of good luck. The dream shows that the Roman
Empire looks up to him to renew her vitality and the most distinguished citizens of Rome will court
his favour and try to win his smile. They will consider it an honour to keep a small part of his body,
say a hair or a nail or a drop of blood, as a sacred memento or relic to leave to their descendants.
WORKSHEET113
1. 1. Antony speaks these words.
2. In the second line butchers refers to Cassius, Casca, etc.
3. Antony praises Caesar by calling him the noblest person of the age.
2. (a) He is totally disillusioned at the pathetic end of Caesar. For him it is an extremely sorrowful
sight to see the mighty Caesar lying on the ground in such an abject condition.
(b) Their pity for the general feelings of Roman people led them to murder Caesar. Brutus says
that as one fire burns out another, their pity for Rome drove out their pity for Caesar and
they have been incited to this act.
(c) Antony calls him the most illustrious man the world has ever known. It is one of the most
glorious tributes to the memory of the great departed.
(d) Whenever Caesar heard the poor men cry, whenever they suffered from hardships and misery,
Caesar always shed tears. Antony refers to it to prove that Caesar was not ambitious because
an ambitious person should be more hard-hearted than this.
3. Antony predicts that a curse shall fall on all mankind. Men shall be plagued with all sorts of
bodily diseases while a furious civil war will be fought all over Italy. Bloodshed and death will
be so common throughout the country and people shall get so used to dreadful sights that mothers
shall look on indifferently as their children are cut in pieces by the sword before their own eyes.
The spirit of Caesar, roaming over the world in search of vengeance, in company with Ate, the
goddess of revenge (which will come in all haste from the lower world of hell), shall with all the
authority of a powerful king cause these regions to be ravaged by famine and war, till the earth
will be polluted by the evil smell of the large number of rotting bodies of men, lying unburied
and uncared for.
ROLE PLAY: Julius Caesar (Drama)
WORKSHEET114
1. Mahatma Gandhi John F Kennedy Smt Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi
2. (a) Killing is an act of making somebody or something die. It may be accidental.
(b) Murder is the crime of killing somebody deliberately. There is a clear motive and intention.
(c) Assassination refers to the murder of an important or famous person, especially for political
reasons.
3. Person Extract from play What it tells
us about the
character
Julius 1. the things that threatend me arrogant
Caesar Nere lookd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
2. Cowards die many times before their deaths; brave
The valiant never taste of death but once.
3. What can be avoided fearless
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
4. Shall Caesar send a lie? great conqueror
Have I in conquest stretchd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell greybeards the truth?
S-62
5. ....from you great Rome shall suck loves flattery
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance
6. Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause over-confident
Will he be satisfied.
Mark 1. I know not, gentlemen what you intend, fearless
Antony Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit.
2. Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, Loyalty
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes
3. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up Shrewd
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
4. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, Manipulative
And I must pause till it come back to me.
5. For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, oratory
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir mens blood.
6. I will not do them wrong; I rather choose crafty
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
4. Words/actions of the mob Characteristics
1. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. Foolish
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
2. Let him (Brutus) be Caesar. Does not
Caesars better parts understand the
Shall be crownd in Brutus. ideals of democracy
3. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Emotional
Let not a traitor live!
4. They were Willains, murderers: the will! read the will. Greedy
...The will! Lets stay and hear the will
Most noble Caesar! Well revenge his death.
O royal Caesar!
5. This Caesar was a tyrant Fickle
If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong.
Away then! come, seek the conspirators.
6. Well mutiny. Violent
Well burn the house of Brutus
SECTIONA (READING)
1. (a) miserable (b) holy
(c) heartless (d) ill-treat
(e) trembling (f) joy
(g) poverty (h) hunger
(i) joy (j) bleak
2. 1. it is eco-friendly
2. it has an unmatched texture
3. it helps in preventing water, land and air pollution
4. paper mills were established
5. thrived
3. 1. (c) they consider sleep as a pleasure of life
2. (d) they think it as a waste of time
3. (b) they have wasted one-third of their life in sleep
4. (a) the human body recovers its health during sleep
5. (c) prevent from having or doing
4. 1. (d) whales are being killed indiscriminately
2. (c) prevent the danger of extinction of the species of whales
3. (a) whales can be bred and protected there
4. (b) only then we can protect the endangered species
5. (c) very strict and that must be obeyed
SECTIONB (WRITING)
5. ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Abraham Lincoln was born on the Big South Fork of Nolin Creek, Kentucky on February 12,
1809. In 1828 he saw slavery in operation for the first time. He vowed to hit slavery hard. It
was in 1834 that he was elected to the Legislature and again in 1838 and third time in 1840.
Twenty years later in 1860 he was elected President as a nominee of Republican party. At last
he fulfilled his vow to uproot slavery from USA when the Thirteenth amendment to the
constitution was passed. This amendment ended slavery forever. The same year he was
assassinated on 14 April 1865.
6. XYZ school
ABC city
20 April 20XX
The Editor
The Herald
Gandhi Street
Delhi
Dear Sir
Sub: Expressing views on cruelty towards animals
PRACTICE PAPER1
S-64
I read an article in your newspaper regarding mans wanton destruction of animal life to suit
his own selfish needs.
I strongly condemn this ghastly act in which some members of our society indulge and feel
proud of their exploits. For centuries man has been a ruthless hunter. He has been constantly
slaughtering various animals mercilessly to fulfil his needs. A cursory glance at the shopping
list reveals that most of the articles such as chess pieces, belts, buttons, jewellery, purses and
caps are made from animals.
This cruelty towards animals should be stopped immediately. The hunters and poachers are
disturbing the ecological balance. Nature has created man as well as multiple biological forms
such as wild animals and they have coexisted for centuries. Today when the death-kiss of
pollution overwhelms the earth, the need to preserve and protect vegetation and animal species
is very urgent. We must devise ways to restore the ecological balance and they maintain it at a
safe level for our own existence.
I hope the readers will react favourably to my views and desist from cruelty to the mute and
defenceless denizens of the forest.
Yours truly
Pranav/Poonam
7. THE GENERATION GAP IS DESTROYING FAMILY LIFE
(For the Motion)
Respected Chairman, honourable judges, members of the staff and my dear friends!
I stand before you in favour of the motion The Generation Gap is Destroying Family Life.
There are many points to support this contention.
Our forefathers believed in the motto Simple living and high thinking. Their wants were
limited. They wore simple dress and followed old customs. Nature provided them music. On
the other hand the modern youth is being swept by a strong current of western civilization.
Lured by modern materialistic attitude, he has discarded the old values and customs, the
traditional clothes and music. Wealth and material possessions are far more important for
him than wisdom and truth.
The generation gap has caused a chasm between the old and the young. There is a clash of
ideas and ideals, tastes, way of thinking and lifestyle. The young hanker after luxury, comfort
and material happiness. They believe in full enjoyment and complete freedom. The elders
insist on moral and spiritual values. They advocate renunciation and control on desires. The
children think that their parents are slave to customs.
The generation gap is evident in behaviour and manners of the two classes. The elders believe
in strict obedience to a superior authority. They want that children must respect their elders
and learn to be polite. The children pine for freedom. They resent all sorts of curbs. They
demand freedom of expression. They want to have a say in family affairs. They insist that
their views must be given proper consideration. This leads to bickering, heart-burning and
tension in the family.
The elders insist on discipline and strict compliance of their orders. They advocate smiling
acceptance of punishment meted out for breach of discipline. The young insist on unrestrained
freedom and frankness. They advocate freedom of self-expression and are unwilling to tolerate
any interference in their personal affairscareer, love-affair or marriage. Thus there is a
wide gap between the two generations. This difference in their way of thinking and behaviour
is destroying family life.
Hence, I wholeheartedly support the motion, that The Generation Gap is Destroying Family
Life.
Thank you.
SECTIONC (GRAMMAR)
8. (a) 4. Will you like to join us (b) 1. Why is it not possible
(c) 3. When is she coming (d) 2. I will miss you
9. (a) 3. other (b) 2. of (c) 1. has (d) 4. last (e) 3. less (f) 3. by (g) 1. or (h) 2. were
10. (a) will be replaced (b) arrived in seoul
(c) has killed 191 people (d) has been/(was) found guilty
11. (a) to inform (b) have been selected
(c) our (d) are requested
(e) at (f) considered
(g) telegraphically (h) has been arranged
12. (a) had been trying to solve that problem since the previous day
(b) if they should go and ask the teacher
(c) she had not been available the previous
(d) that they should go to the staff room then
SECTIOND (LITERATURE)
13. (A) First option
1. (c) the ruined statue of Ozymandias
2. (d) the futility of human pride
3. (b) else
Second option
1. (a) Mark Antony
2. (d) instigating the mob to rebel against the conspirators
3. (d) mutiny breaks out in Rome
13. (B) 1. Jenkins, the publisher of a magazine, speaks these words. He was the only person who
published the narrators stories.
2. Stories dealing with the supernatural were in demand. These are full of horrors. Jenkins
says that the public wants them. The ghosts of his stories are life-like.
3. In order to earn his living the narrator has to work as an accountant in a lumber company.
14. (a) Patol Babu reported for his walk-on role at the location of shooting at 8.30 a.m. He had to
wait for a long time. He acted the collision shot with perfection but left the place before
getting paid. This surprised Naresh Dutt, the production assistant.
(b) After the dragon caught hold of Sebastian, he sent a message for Michael on the printer. He
wished Michael better luck next time. He exhorted Michael not to give up, otherwise he
would have to stay in jail forever. He suggested trying Jailbreak. He hoped it might work.
He cheered up Michael.
(c) The Albatross came at a time when the ship and the mariners were in trouble. The weather
improved after its arrival and the ship could move. It perched on the ship for nine evenings
and ate the food which sailors gave it. When the ancient Mariner killed the bird, the sailors
had to face miseries.
(d) The snake is like a king in exile, a lord of life. He is described in these terms because he has
the power to kill any person just as a king can pass death sentence on any person.
S-66
(e) Et tu Brute means Even you, Brutus. These words were spoken by Caesar when he was
stabbed first by Casca, then the other conspirators and finally by Brutus. Caesar was shocked
and surprised as the man whom he loved as his son and regarded him dearest friend also
stabbed him. So dying Caesar speaks these words.
15. First option
A Shady Plot is quite amusing. It tickles the audience/reader and makes them laugh. Humour
arises out of the narrators ability to laugh at himself, clever use of language as well as comic
situations. The story is full of many witty lines which make us laugh. The narrators ability to
laugh at himself is evident from the following lines:
Id begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability.
I had reached the stage of imbecility when I was talking to myself.
When I am nervous or excited there is a muscle in my face that starts to twitch, and this
pulls up one corner of my mouth and gives the appearance of an idiotic grin.
I felt my ears grow crimson, purple, maroon. My wife was looking at me as though I were
some peculiar insect.
Clever use of language helps to make the story quite enlivening. For example, consider the
paradoxical statement: I did not specialise in ghost stories, but more or less they seemed to
specialise in me. When the ghost asks him whether he hasnt been calling on heaven and earth
all afternoon to help him write a story, a possible explanation occurs to him and his spine gets
cold. The explanation for ignoring his wifes telephone call to come early is also quite amusing.
He says, I had been hunting three lost receipts at the time. He takes a dig at his wife Lavinia,
My wife is never so pretty as when shes doing something she knows I disapprove of. His
criticism of Miss Laura Hinkle grinning in his face like a flirtatious crocodile arouses our
interest. Lines like ...with her brow corrugated, and the light of the huntress in her pale blue
eyes tickle us.
The story has many comic situations. For example, the ghost appears in sectionslike film
cartoons being put together. The behaviour of the ladies at the Ouija Board Party and the
narrators reaction to it make us laugh. Lavinias decision to break off her relationship, Gladolias
threat to quit and the narrators efforts to avoid a confrontation between Helen, the ghost and
Lavinia, his wife, are some humorous situations.
Second option
Brutus is an idealist. His speech betrays his ignorance of mob psychology. He tries to give
rational arguments. He doesnt know that the mob is fickle, irrational and easily swayed by
passions. He offers such arguments as he would put before a group of philosophers like himself.
To him the worst disgrace is to be a slave. He cannot believe that any Roman would submit
tyranny or to a suppression of rights.
He loves freedom, mainly independence and patriotism and hopes that others also do the same.
Caesar is a danger for these values. But Brutus misjudged people. They are unable to understand
his noble hatred of tyranny. They offer to make him Caesar. It is because they are accustomed
to pray. They must crave or bow down before some idol or the other. The speech of Brutus thus
fails to have any lasting effect.
SECTIONA (READING)
1. (a) blossoms/flowers (b) falling
(c) possibility (d) their
(e) young (f) blushing
(g) shortness (h) brevity/shortness
(i) similar (j) transitoriness
2. 1. (d) it is completely impartial
2. (b) it is not limited by national boundaries or political parties
3. (a) they cause much damage
4. (c) it makes huge tidal waves sweep inland
5. (c) belonging to an early stage in development of humans
3. 1. cultivating more land and setting up industries
2. agroforestry
3. cutting trees for using the land for food and industries
4. planting trees in alleys and growing crops in interspaces
5. afforestation
4. 1. (d) it has medicinal properties
2. (b) they ward off sickness
3. (c) they believe evil spirits will be driven away
4. (b) the yellow fruit of the Neem tree
5. (b) marked with spots
SECTIONB (WRITING)
5. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION
The Prize Distribution Function is a very important event in the school calendar. It is held
every year to honour students who have distinguished themselves in academics, sports or
other co-scholastic activities. Our school celebrated its prize distribution function last week.
The school was decorated beautifully. The Education Minister was the chief guest. The principal
and teachers received him warmly. Students offered him bouquet and sang a welcome song.
The principal read out the school annual report. The minister gave away the prizes. Students
clapped. The minister advised the students to work hard and make India a leading nation in
the 21st century. The function came to a close with the national anthem.
6. 2345 Sector 7
Chandigarh
25 May 20XX
The Editor
The Tribune
Chandigarh
Sir
Sub: The Need and Ways to Conserve Energy
PRACTICE PAPER2
S-68
I want to highlight a problem that our country is facing today and affects every citizen. India
is facing an energy crisis. The demand of electricity has exceeded much beyond its production
and supply. All citizens must realise their responsibility in conserving energy.
We must make judicious use of energy. Conservation of energy is the need of the hour. It is the
responsibility of each individual as well as organisation.
Wastage of electrical energy should be strictly avoided. All electrical appliances must be switched
off when not needed. We must use good quality appliances and ensure they are in good condition.
CFL lamps must be used at homes and in offices. Proper use of fuel is also essential. To save
LPG we should use pressure cookers and energy-efficient burners.
Maximum use of solar energy can solve the problem of shortage of electricity. Solar energy
should be used for heating water, cooking etc. as far as possible. In order to encourage people
to use solar energy, Government should provide these appliances to the general public at
subsidized rates.
To save petrol, diesel and CNG, the use of public transport must be maximized. Carpools,
riding bicycles and walking should be preferred.
It is hoped that these steps would benefit not only the individual immediately but also help
the nation and preserve our environment for future use.
I hope my views will get a nod from you for publication in the columns of your renowned daily.
Yours sincerely
Rahul Sinha
7. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE
It was a hot afternoon in June. We, a group of ten boys, were playing hockey outside the town,
in the big ground. When we sat down during the breather, one of us, perhaps it was Mohit,
who pointed at a greyish dilapidated building towards the east. He also told us that it was a
haunted house and his uncle had told him not to go near it. All of us laughed at Mohits
timidity. A keen sense of adventure and expectation of thrill inspired us to explore the mystery
of the haunted house. We decided our signals and code words. Two of us had their mobile
phones with them. We picked our sticks and moved cautiously. We found the main gate blocked
by a heap of stones and bushes. Rahul noticed a man coming out of a side gate. This was our
chance. We grabbed it and rushed in. We were surprised at what we saw there. The place was
neat and clean. Work was going on in the farthest room. A man sat at a printing machine. We
threw discretion to the winds. Two of us advanced to see what the man was doing. We were
shocked to find that he was printing fake currency. The other group had stumbled upon
narcotics and drugs. We hid behind the pillars as we heard some noise. We overheard what
they said. Then we came out. We blocked the side gate with stones, bushes and logs of wood.
Then Sahil telephoned the police. His father, the local police Inspector came there with a
police party. The people inside were taken by surprise and surrendered without any resistance.
The police confirmed what we had guessed. It was the den of anti-social goons. They had
spread the rumour of haunted house to hide their illegal activities.
SECTIONC (GRAMMAR)
8. (a) 3. of (b) 2. is
(c) 2. many (d) 3. more
(e) 4. or (f) 1. some
(g) 3. their (h) 4. of
9. (a) 3. What do you think about (b) 1. Who is the best teacher
(c) 4. How many marks did you get (d) 2. How did your teacher react
10. (a) Now it is the time to go out and enjoy.
(b) You can finish up the assignments in the morning.
(c) You can easily make up your deficiency with a little extra effort.
(d) I will stop my work and accompany you to the Wengers.
11. (a) why he looked so worried
(b) seventy per cent was unseen
(c) advised him to read magazines and newspapers
(d) if he had followed that method
12. (a) has been banned (b) granted bail
(c) organised (d) 16 people were killed
1. (a) guilt and pain
2. (c) the Wedding-Guest
3. (b) evil spirits
Second option
1. (d) Patol Babu
2. (c) it may pave his way into films
3. (a) polite
13. (B) 1. It means cowards are afraid of death and cannot enjoy life.
2. The speaker means that the brave are not afraid of death and accept it as when it comes.
3. These lines reveal the boastfulness of the speaker.
14. (a) Michael likes computer games the most. Although computers can paint, play music and
create displays, he considers the games best of all. He has played all the games he has, e.g.
Tornado, MeBebash, Black Belt, Kyrenes Kastle. Big screen and loud volume make him
feel that he is a participant in the games.
(b) Helen had a terrible experience as a reader in a magazine. She is now a member of The
Writers Inspiration Bureau. She and her ghost-mates scout around until they find a writer
without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept impression. The narrator gets help as
he has these two qualities.
(c) Common sense demanded that a poisonous and dangerous snake shouldnt be allowed to go
into his hole unhurt or undamaged. It was unmanly to leave him unhurt. Therefore the poet
threw a log at the snake to kill him. The poet missed his aim and the snake withdrew
himself at once into the hole.
(d) Shelley conveys the idea that boasts of human glory and power are empty and useless. Man
is mortal and so are his achievements. Everything in this world is shortlived. Time is a great
destroyer. It humbles the pride of mighty kings. Flourishing kingdoms are wiped off. No
trace of their glory is left. Huge statues and carvings on stone fail to bring everlasting glory.
(e) They fail to understand why Brutus killed Caesar. Brutus shed tears for Caesars love. He
expressed joy for fortune and honour for his valour. How could he kill Caesar for being
ambitious. They shout in approval only because they love, respect and honour Brutus.
S-70
15. First option
Naresh Dutt had approached Patol Babu for a walk-on part in a film. He had to play the part of
a pedestrianan absent minded, short-tempered pedestrian. It was to be a speaking part and
he would be given his dialogue on the location. He was asked to report outside Faraday House
on Sunday at 8.30 am in a jacket with buttons upto the neck.
Patol Babu was quite punctual. He found a crowd of people there. He spotted Naresh Dutt who
asked him to wait in the shade. Patol Babu was perspiring in the woollen jacket as it was the
middle of summer. Patol Babu did not know who was the director or the hero. Then the shooting
of other scenes began. Naresh Dutt offered him tea in a small cup. Patol Babu was worried
about his lines. So he asked Naresh Dutt for them. Naresh Dutt took him to Sosoko, who scrawled
the word Oh! on a page of a note-book.
Patol Babu was shocked to see the single word. So this was the dialogue he was supposed to
speak. Patol Babu felt a sudden throbbing in his head. He felt disillusioned unhappy. He didnt
know why these people had befooled him. He had all unfavourable thoughts about these film-
makers. All his enthusiasm had evaporated.
Second option
The masts of the ship looked sloping because the ship had to bend farward because of the
heavy pressure of the storm blast from behind. The ship is here compared to a man who is
being pursued by an enemy so closely that his enemys shadow falls on him and he is running
for fear of his life. The storm blast roared loud and the ship drove fast.
Soon the sailors felt exceedingly cold as the ship had reached a region full of mist and snow
icebergs. The icebergs were so huge that they reached upto the top of masts. These icebergs
shone like emerald. The brightness surrounding the ship looked sad and dismal. Perhaps
they had reached the Polar region.
SECTIONA (READING)
1. (a) time, old age, changing seasons or passing of hours
(b) measure time, divide it into day and night, seasons and list
(c) one long breath .... a soft exhalation (breathing out)
(d) old age and death
(e) the passage of time, pain, old age and decay
2. 1. (d) the first flights to London resumed on Tuesday after a week
2. (b) only under half of the 27,500 flights over Europe were given go ahead
3. (a) it was sheer joy to be travelling back
4. (c) passengers with current bookings were being given priority
5. (b) no movement of traffic
3. 1. they heal a wide range of diseases
2. cream
3. they want to get pleasure and thrill
4. drugs can ruin a persons life and even cause death
5. the amount of medicine to be taken or used
4. 1. (d) electronically
2. (a) it ensures instant despatch and guaranteed delivery
3. (c) it provides access to the farthest place in no time
4. (b) check the postbox (mail box) regularly
5. (b) clearly
SECTIONB (WRITING)
5. GLOBAL WARMING
All over the world temperatures are rising. Global warming is responsible for warming climate.
Glaciers are melting and we have flash floods. Arctic meltdowns have increased the danger of
coastal cities being submerged in sea water. The mischief maker is of course gas emissions.
These gas emissions are from various sources such as burning fossil fuels in transport, burning
coal in thermal plants to generate electricity, using various chemicals in industries and tanneries,
pesticides and insecticides in agriculture, generators, air-conditioners and refrigerators in
commercial and residential sites.
6. 123 Motibagh
New Delhi
22 April 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
PRACTICE PAPER3
S-72
Sir
Sub: Radiation Caused by Cobalt-60 in Scrap
The news about radiation caused by Cobalt-60 in scrap shops in Mayapuri is quite disturbing.
Till date eight persons have been reported to be the victims of radiation. All of them had burn
injuries caused due to radiation exposure. It is feared that the number of people affected by
Cobalt-60 radiation may rise.
People in general should avoid touching radioactive substances. The exposure to the gamma
radiation emanating from the radioactive source found lying in scrap shops resulted in six
people falling ill seriously and one (Deepak Jain) critically. Ajay Jain, the eighth victim, who
got a Cobalt-60 pin from scrap dealer Deepak Jain and kept it in his wallet, is battling for his
life at a city hospital for the past fortnight.
Various state and central agencies like health ministries, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and National Disaster Management Authority should join
hands to tackle the situation on war footing.
As a precautionary measure, the blood samples of all shopkeepers, workers and policemen on
duty at the high risk zone in Mayapuri should be tested. It would be in public interest if the
Health Department of NCT issues an advisory for the dealers in Mayapuri and residents in
adjacent colonies.
It is hoped that you will add your comments to my submission.
Yours truly
Dipti/Deepak
7. IMPACT OF WESTERN CULTURE
Western culture has a great impact on our minds even today. More than 60 years have passed
since we regained independence. But the aping of Western culture still goes on unabated. It
is clear from the fact that we observe so many different days as Mothers Day, Valentines
Day, Friendship Day etc. All these are originally not a part of our culture and tradition. Some
of us tried to appear more westernised than the Western people and started observing these
days. Others in their circuit did not want to lag behind or be labelled as orthodox old fogeys
and joined the celebrations with a gusto.
I think that instead of blindly following the West, we should question the utility and importance
of observing or celebrating a particular day. Is a mother to be respected on only one day, every
year? Is friendship something that should be celebrated just once every year. One does not
need a special day. In fact, a lifetime is not enough for celebrating these relationships.
Even if we decide to celebrate these days, why should we ape the Western style. Flowers, cards,
messages etc. are superficial. Writing messages, preparing cards or selecting flowers are
wastage of time and money. Our youth should awaken towards such extravagances. We should
try to show respect, love and affection in our own unique way.
SECTIONC (GRAMMAR)
8. (a) 4. Who will be elected (b) 1. that they will vote
(c) 2. what he would do (d) 3. that he would promote
9. (a) 2. has (b) 2. to install
(c) 1. and (d) 3. of
(e) 3. will (f) 4. next
(g) 2. is (h) 3. in
10. (a) has been arrested (b) was opened
(c) were killed (d) will be inaugurated
11. (a) Even a small of current can kill.
(b) Water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
(c) Therefore never touch a live wire when wet or perspiring.
(d) Make sure you switch off the electric current before electrical repair.
12. (a) where he had been the previous evening
(b) that there was an exhibition of rare paintings at the Art Gallery
(c) how well he was prepared
(d) that he had been preparing
1. (c) the miracle recovery story
2. (d) playing a computer game on his laptop
3. (b) driven by mental power
Second option
1. (d) Roman people
2. (c) Caesar
3. (a) instigate the listeners
13. (B) 1. He was in a completely relaxed mood.
2. A simile has been used. Examples:
(i) lifted his head dreamily as one who has drunken
(ii) flickered his tongue like a forked night on the air
3. It conveys contentedness. The snake had drunk water to his fill.
14. (a) John wants the ghost to disappear before his wife enters the room. So he waves his arms at
the ghost with something of the motion of a beginner when learning to swim. He does not
want to be seen in the company of Helen, the ghost, by his wife Lavinia.
(b) Jyoti was an assistant to director Baren Mullick. When Patol Babu asked Jyoti how long it
would be before his turn came, Jyoti told him not to be impatient. Patol Babu learnt that
one had to be patient in the line of film shooting.
(c) The sailors praised the Mariner when they thought that the death of the Albatross had
cleared the fog and mist. But they blamed him when they thought that the death of the
Albatross had caused the wind to stop.
(d) The words on the pedestal of the statue were words of self-praise. The vanity of Ozymandias
led him to boast of his achievement. He threw an open challenge to other kings. None of
them could hope to equal him. So they would be filled with despair. These words reflect
pride, vanity, egotism and boastfulness of Ozymandias.
(e) Brutus tells Antony that the latter should be careful not to say anything against them in his
funeral speech though he can say all things that he likes to say in praise of Caesar. Secondly,
he has to tell the people that he has the full permission of the gentlemen (the conspirators)
to do. Thirdly, Antony must deliver his speech from the same platform as Brutus but only
after he has explained to the people the circumstances of Caesars death. Brutus adds that
if Antony does not agree with these directions, he will not be allowed to take any part
whatsoever in the funeral of Caesar.
S-74
15. First option
Friday, 11 March 20XX 9.30 pm
They say that third time is always lucky. I never believed it as I dont believe in superstitions.
However, actions speak louder than words. Today, I have finally been successful in rescuing
Sebastian from the clutches of the enemy. Both of us had to make superhuman effort to reach
the helicopter. Our jeep had been smashed by the enemy tank and Sebastian was thrown into
the air. He tumbled round and round closer to the helicopter. He landed with a thud, just below
the hatch. I pulled him up. As he sat beside me, the helicopter soared in the sky. Well, success is
always sweet. Both of us rejoiced.
My joy was redoubled when I thought of my unhappiness and pangs of suffering on two previous
occasions when I had narrowly missed in my efforts to save Sebastian. These failures had
proved stepping stones to my success. I had learnt to be alert and active.
Second option
The speech of Antony is a direct appeal to the passions and feelings of the people. He wants to
set the mob against the conspirators. He has to proceed very cautiously as he has been allowed
to speak under the authority and knowledge of Brutus. He is a great student of mob-psychology.
At the outset he tells the mob that he comes to bury Caesar not to praise him. He does not reply
directly to the charge of ambition. He indirectly gives arguments on the other side. He gives
instances that are itched in the public mind. Thus he manages to discredit Brutus authority.
He then asks people to give tears to their former favourite. He makes use of a rhetorical trick.
He pauses as his heart is in the coffin there with Caesar. Now he hears the murmurs of the
crowd. People are convinced that Caesar was not ambitious.
Then Antony strikes the note of contrast between Caesars position a day ago and his
powerlessness today. Finally Antony mentions the will of Caesar, which would show that Caesar
was their friend. Mixed feeling of pity, curiosity and selfishness are aroused in the mob. They
shout for the will. Antony refuses to read the will, for they would rise in mutiny.
The mob insists on him to read the will. Antony comes down from the platform. He points to
Caesars gown and associates it with a famous victory. Then he points to the various wounds.
He gives a graphic description. The cut by Brutus hit him the most. The mobs anger is now
aroused against the conspirators. They even forget the will. Antony is happy but he works up
their fury to the highest. He pretends that he is no orator like Brutus otherwise he would incite
them to mutiny. He suggests that the murder was due to private jealousy. Then he discloses the
contents of the will. The mob rushes to destroy the conspirators. Antony is successful in his
mission.
SECTIONA (READING)
1. (a) unpleasant (b) enjoy (c) sitting (d) kept
(e) details (f) woman (g) identity (h) charm/surprise
(i) annoyed (j) silent
2. 1. (c) it is exceptionally cold and hence full of discomfort
2. (b) it offers sublime spectacles of nature
3. (d) she took the stairs to her second-floor hotel room
4. (c) she enjoyed watching spectacular views of Bhutans forests and mountains
5. (a) mysterious and difficult to understand
3. 1. they are obligate predators
2. to preserve tigers
3. tigers kill their cattle
4. knowledge of exact number helps in their conservation
5. proof
4. 1. (a) cold air and storms were absent
2. (c) it was the hottest for many places in the northern region
3. (b) there will be fewer thunderstorms
4. (d) these favour an early monsoon
5. (c) the process by which hot air collects close to the earth
SECTIONB (WRITING)
5. Shweta : No, I never paid attention to this aspect.
Swati : What will you do with the plastic bag after finishing lunch?
Shweta : Ill throw it into the dustbin.
Swati : From the dustbin it flies on the drains and chokes the sewage or it may be eaten
by some stray cow and clog her intestine and prove fatal. It makes soil barren by
blocking its pores and leads to water pollution. If it is burnt, it creates air pollution.
Moreover, it is a danger to health. It has a corrosive effect. Perishable items like
curd, milk, butter, ghee, spicy vegetables etc. get sour and contaminated if kept in
open in the polypacks.
Shweta : Well, if plastic bags are so harmful, why arent they banned?
Swati : The government has done so, but people are slow to act.
6. Value Points
Punjabi Weddingoccasion for fun and merriment
Various ceremonies and functions
Betrothal Mehndi Ladies Sangeet Phere Send off
Festivities
songs and dances
decoration and lights
Elaborate food and clothes
various sweets and dishes
colourful and gaudy dresses
PRACTICE PAPER4
S-76
Wedding guests and family
ceremonial welcome
reception
feast
7. For the Motion
Respected Chairperson, members of faculty and dear friends!
I want to defend the motion that reality shows for children do more harm than good. My
worthy opponents have listed the benefits of reality shows for the children. They have cited
their popularity on the idiot box as an index of the benefit they give children in the form of
exposure. I agree that reality shows discover latent talent. But I fear, the talent is not groomed
properly. It is rather being exploited. All channels are in a rat race to cash on the craze among
viewers. Parents are eager to see their children perform. The various channels are motivated
by their commercial instincts to earn as much as they can. Programmes are made keeping in
view the TRP ratings and the curiosity of viewers. As far as the participants are concerned
these shows are doing more harm than good. Unnecessary anxiety is caused to children by
adding their workload. They have to undergo untold strain and tension during rehearsals and
performance. The inherent fear of failure and sense of defeat haunts them. They easily become
victims of emotional instability. It is seen that even a child prodigy fails to adjust properly to
the demands of life in adulthood. The negative competitiveness makes their personalities
lop-sided. Negative qualities such as jealousy, disbelief, fear, suspicion, doubt etc. enter their
mental make-up. The result is that they fall prey to inferiority complex. They have no time left
for developing their own personality. Childhood is sacrificed at the altar of professionalism.
Excuse me for a bit of plain speaking. There is nothing real in reality shows. It is all manipulated.
The final show presents a resemblance of realitybut no reality at all.
Thank you.
SECTIONC (GRAMMAR)
8. (a) 3. are (b) 2. how (c) 4. what (d) 3. by (e) 2. have (f ) 2. and (g) 1. No (h) 3. with
9. (a) 3. to conserve rainwater (b) 4. be done by collecting
(c) 2. recharging groundwater (d) 1. is cleaned
10. (a) were hurt (b) was arrested
(c) is strictly prohibited (d) was auctioned
11. (a) Fasting also removes poisons from the body.
(b) Take liquids every four hours during the fast.
(c) Juice of lemons, grapes and oranges is recommended during the fast.
(d) Your doctor may also recommend vegetable soup.
12. (a) she was going very fast
(b) she had exceeded the speed limit
(c) requested him to let her go that time
(d) she had to report at the police station only the next day
1. (c) the sailors
2. (a) alliteration
3. (b) helplessness
Second option
1. (c) Helen, the ghost
2. (d) the ghost materialising in sections
3. (b) she was too tired to materialise
13. (B) 1. The fall of Caesar and Roman values is referred to here.
2. It suggests the decline of Romans.
3. It means that Caesars own courtiers and friends plotted against him and assassinated
him leading to civil war.
14. (a) The poet feels guilty as he threw a log of wood at the snake who came there like a guest to
drink water. It was really a mean act. The poet wants to make amends for his pettiness or
his vulgar and mean act.
(b) It is called a Christian soul because it had come at such a time when the ship and the mariners
were in trouble. The weather improved after its arrival. The ship could easily move then.
(c) First, the things bought at a bargain sale cant be returned or exchanged. Secondly, she was
interested in the other world, if he wasnt.
(d) Patol Babu gave the shot of collision with the hero. He timed it to perfection. The word oh
synchronised with his body language. His exclamation and gestures had anguish, surprise
and irritation. He felt fully satisfied. So he heaved a sigh of relief.
(e) Antony first arouses the feelings of pity, curiosity and greed of the mob. He reads the will to
arouse sympathy for Caesar and hatred against the conspirators. He proves that they are
the descendants of Caesar, who has provided for each one of them in his will.
15. First option
The Ouija Board Party that Lavinia Hallock organised at her home had a disastrous effect on
her marital relationship. She forced her husband John to be partner of Miss Laura Hinkle,
inspite of his unwillingness and protests. Laura grinned in his face like a flirtatious crocodile.
Then she leaned forward and coyly held his hands in the desired position. The board became
alive and named John as Traitor. John wanted to leave. Miss Hinkle read the message on the
board. Someone named Helen was trying to communicate with John. This message was read on
the Ouija boards of Mrs Hunt and Mrs Sprinkle. Lavinia expressed her ignorance of Helen. She
looked at John through narrowed lids. Now every one of these five Ouija boards was calling
Johns name. John felt ashamed and humiliated. He left the room, went upstairs and crawled
into the bed. He dozed off to sleep at 3 am. Next morning, Lavinia pushed a note under the door
to convey that she was leaving. Perhaps she had held her husband guilty of infidelity.
Second option
Patol Babu is certainly a practical man. Life has been very hard to him. During his youth he
had a passion for the stage and was an amateur actor in Jatras, amateur theatricals and in
plays put up by the club in his neighbourhood. He was always in demand. This was in
Kanchrapara. When he shifted Calcutta, he remained busy in his office job for nine years. The
war had a chilling effect on his career. He lost his job. Ever since then Patol Babu had struggled
to make a living. At first he opened a variety store. He had to wind it up after five years. Then
he had a job in a Bengali firm. He gave it up in disgust when his boss began to treat him in too
high handed a fashion. Then for ten long years, he worked as an insurance salesman. In short,
Patol Babu tried every means of earning a livelihood without ever succeeding in improving his
lot. Of late he has been paying regular visits to a small establishment dealing in scrap iron
where a cousin of his has promised him a job. The visit of Naresh Dutt opens a new avenue. He
may get chance to act in films. Thus Patol Babu comes to terms with whatever life has to offer.
S-78
SECTIONA (READING)
1. (a) memories/recollections (b) died (c) aural (d) tune (e) hovers
(f) smell (g) morning (h) reminds (i) blue (j) stillness
2. 1. (b) altering our environment radically 2. (d) it is an untested technology
3. (c) lining highways with artificial trees 4. (d) it has the potential to cool the earth
5. (a) to change something completely so that it is the opposite of what it was before
3. 1. to sup soupy food 2. the dinner knife evolved a rounded end
3. these helped in preparation of dishes 4. cutting and scooping food
5. out of date
4. 1. (d) they believe their pets cant possibly live without them
2. (a) they take the creatures out of their normal environment
3. (b) pet fees and deposits are too high in airlines and hotels
4. (c) to find a pet-friendly hotel and not to hide the animal
5. (b) taking somebody/something away in a quick, secret or mysterious way
SECTIONB (WRITING)
5. ABDUL KARIM
Mr Abdul Karim, my favourite tailor, is in his fiftees. He is about six feet tall and weighs
around 70 kg but looks taller as he is slim. He has a large family to support. Besides his wife
he has six childrenfour boys and two girls. Although he is educated only up to middle standard,
he is educating all his children. He likes listening to film music and expects prompt payment for
his services. He is popular because he is gentle, polite and true to time limit.
6. 123/67
Mangolpuri
New Delhi
15 May 20XX
The Chairman
CBSE
New Delhi
Sir
Sub: Suggestions regarding change in school syllabus
The average school student is burdened with books, tests, assessments, exams and marks.
Todays child goes to school to pass exams and then secure admission in colleges. There is no
fun left in the process of learning. Due to the pressure of tests and exams the childs creativity
gets arrested. He is loaded with facts by the teacher without bothering whether these are
assimilated or not. Learning for the sake of gaining knowledge is almost non-existent.
The school syllabus in many subjects is not even relevant to the present-day world. Most of it is
of no practical value to the child. I feel that the syllabus should be more interesting and challenging.
More interactive activities should be included in the curriculum to make it student friendly.
I am optimistic that you will take initiative to initiate deliberations over this issue and bring
out a student-friendly curriculum.
Yours sincerely
Ankit/Asha
7. THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF POVERTY
Poverty is the state of being poor. It means not having enough money for basic needs. Poverty
PRACTICE PAPER5
compels one to have a low standard of living. Most of the children are ill-fed, ill-clad and ill-mannered.
These malnourished children have neither physical strength nor do they enjoy any immunity
against diseases. They are deprived of the lamp of knowledge and get very little education. Most
cases of school dropouts are from the poorest sections of society. Their low efficiency makes
them prey to inferiority complex. In order to supplement the income of the family small children
are engaged in petty jobs which are usually poorly paid jobs. Low income and low productivity
compels the family to exist in abject poverty. Most of the poor people do not adopt family
planning. Consequently they have large families with more mouths to feed than hands engaged
in work. Poor health forces them to take frequent leave from work. No work-No pay means
illness makes them poorer than before. The vicious circle of poverty goes on and on.
SECTIONC (GRAMMAR)
8. (a) 3. by (b) 2. its (c) 3. and (d) 4. across
(e) 3. having (f) 4. for (g) 3. to (h) 2. these
9. (a) 3. was celebrated (b) 4. who was the Chief Guest
(c) 2. was accorded (d) 3. were inaugurated
10. (a) has been banned
(b) 8 persons were injured as a crude bomb exploded
(c) has developed a fan-cap
(d) have launched a drive against drug peddlers who are
11. (a) It has a long forked tail on the back, a sheen and wings.
(b) It has a blue band with dark red beneath it at its throat.
(c) Often swallows are seen skimming over a pond or an open space.
(d) Sometimes they may be found hunting insects down a busy city street.
12. (a) their new servant had (b) if anything was missing
(c) he had stolen one of their blankets (d) it was the one they had taken
1. (c) anger and contempt
2. (d) copied
3. (b) pieces of stone
Second option
1. (d) the members of the film unit
2. (c) all his labour and imagination
3. (b) reduced his acting talent
13. (B) 1. Decius Brutus speaks these lines. These are addressed to Julius Caesar.
2. The speaker refers to Calpurnias dream.
3. This dream has been wrongly interpreted. It is a beautiful dream. It predicts good luck.
14. (a) The poets attitude of love and respect changed into one of hatred, fear and violence. His
safe presence in the hole was a constant danger to him.
(b) They are almost dying of thirst in the middle of water. Their ship has become stationary.
The water of the rotting sea boiled and presented a horrible and hateful sight. Moreover,
they have become victims of a revengeful supernatural force.
(c) First, his magazine had so far been the only one to print his stuff. Secondly, he had an
uncanny knowledge of the narrators need for money to pay the landlord or the grocer.
Jenkins supplemented his income.
(d) Patol Babus wife thought that he was a drifter. He could not devote himself whole heartedly
to any task. Secondly, she thought him a dreamer. He would count his chickens before they
are hatched. He built castles in the air.
S-80
(e) He says that his love for Rome was far greater than his regard and love for Caesar. For him
the worst punishment is slavery. He asks people if they should live in a state of slavery all
their lives or that Caesar should be dead and all of them live in perfect freedom from tyranny
and oppression.
15. First option
Respected Chairperson and mates!
I was assigned the case of Mr. John Hallock, an upcoming writer of ghost fiction, who is always
starved of ideas for the plots. I knew that his wages as bookkeeper for lumber company are
inadequate to meet the grocery bills and pay for his wife Lavinias fancy shopping. I found him
quite receptive. I told him how I had been helping in the past, but would not be able to do so any
longer as the Ouija Board manipulators disturbed our sleep and made us work all night. I
extracted a promise from him. He would use his influence to persuade his friends, relatives and
acquaintances not to use Ouija Board. What incensed me was the fact that he failed to force his
wife to return the Ouija Board. Then he became a player in the Ouija Board Party, though
unwillingly. This was like adding salt to injury. I proclaimed him a traitor. He had broken his
promise. His wife and her friends thought that he had some illicit relation with me. His wife
Lavinia, threatened to break off their relationship. I materialised again and set everything
right. She destroyed the Ouija Board. Now the Hallocks love each other. Peace has returned
and so has their cook. Mr Hallock has started writing another ghost story.
Wont you give me a treat?
Second option
325, 17th Avenue
New Orleans
Ohio
15 March 20XX
Dear Tom
In order to satisfy your curiosity about computer games, I am penning the following few lines
about their relative merits and difficulty levels.
The Wildwest is the simplest and easiest of them all. It takes us back to the old world charm.
Sheriff Dawson and the second Sheriff try to dodge the Black-Eyed Jed and his horsemen. The
second sheriff is hurt.
The Dragonquest has the atmosphere of the middle ages. Fair princess Aurora is imprisoned in
a tall tower of the dragon. She appeals to me to rescue her. The second knight intervenes. He
asks for immediate help. I recognise him. We try to escape but the dragon gets hold of Sebastian.
The Jail break has modern prison cell with winding corridors. There are sirens, guards and
fierce dogs. A helicopter arrives but it is a bit slow and the twelve guards and their dogs thwart
our attempt. Sebastian slips and falls down. He is injured.
The Warzone is the most exciting. It is located in a modern city with tall buildings. These are
window less but riddled with holes. Machine gun fire raked the sky. Walls tumbled. Bomb
exploded. We try to reach the helicopter. The tank fire pushes us back to wall. We jump into a
jeep to get to the helicopter. A tank hurtles after us. Sebastian applies brakes. The jeep skids
into a spin. I jump into the helicopter. Sebastian is unable to come out of the jeep. The tank
crashes into the jeep. Sebastian is thrown into the air. I pull him up into the helicopter.
You can easily see that the last game has all the elements of thrill, excitement, planning, execution
and ingenuity associated with warfare.
More when we chat
Yours sincerely
Michael

Me N Mine English Solutions X Second Term 2011

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