1.

3 The Turning Point of My Life

Activity No. 3

Q.1 (A) Read the first activity. Read the extract and then do all the activities. (12)
A 1. Complex Factual / Global Understanding (2)
Read the following statements and write the statements that does not describe
the mental anguish of the narrator.
1) I watched his dogged working figure with rising anger and resentment.
2) I was resentful because he had what I had not.
3) I lost myself in the ferociousness of my purpose.
4) I went around the village saying good-bye to the simple folk who had
become my friends.
"No doubt you're the one that's right, doctor, and I’m the one that's
wrong….” He seemed to look right to the bottom of me. “My father ditched this
bog all his days and never made a pasture. I've dug it all my days and I’ve never
made a pasture. But pasture or no pasture," he placed his foot dourly on the
spade, "I canna help but dig. For father knew and I know that if you only dig
enough a pasture can be made here."
I understood. I watched his dogged working figure with rising anger and
resentment. I was resentful because he had what I had not: a terrible
stubbornness to see the job through at all costs, an unquenchable flame of
resolution brought to the simplest, the most arid duties of life. And suddenly my
trivial dilemma became magnified, transmuted until it stood as the timeless
problem of all mortality – the comfortable retreat, or the arduous advance without
prospect of reward,
I tramped back to the farm, drenched, shamed, furious, and picked the
soggy bundle from the ash can, I dried it in the kitchen oven. Then I flung it on the
table and set to work again with a kind of frantic desperation. I lost myself in the
ferociousness of my purpose. I would not be beaten, I would not give in. I wrote
harder than ever. At last, towards the end of the third month, I wrote finis. The
relief, the sense of emancipation was unbelievable. I had kept my word. I had
created a book. Whether it was good, bad or indifferent I did not care.
I chose a publisher by the simple expedient of closing my eyes and pricking a
catalogue with a pin. I dispatched the completed manuscript and promptly forgot
about it.
In the days which followed I gradually regained my health, and I began to
chafe at idleness. I wanted to be back in harness,
At last the date of my deliverance drew near. I went around the village saying
good-bye to the simple folk who had become my friends. As I entered the post
office, the post master presented me with a telegram—an urgent invitation to

Activity set by – Prof.Tushar Chavan, Rashtriya Jr. College, Chalisgaon Dist. Jalgaon
Whats app Contact : 9850737199
meet the publisher. I took it straight away and showed it, without a word, to John
Angus.
The novel I had thrown away was chosen by the Book Society, dramatized and
serialized, translated into 19 languages, bought by Hollywood. It has sold millions
of copies. It altered my life radically, beyond my wildest dreams... and all because
of a timely lesson in the grace of perseverance.
But that lesson goes deeper still. Today, when the air resounds with shrill
defeatist cries, when half our stricken world is wailing in discouragement: "What
is the use…….to work…….to save……to go on living……with Armageddon round
the corner?" I am glad to recollect it. The door is wide open to darkness and
despair. The way to close that door is to go on doing whatever job we are doing
and to finish it.
The virtue of all achievement, as known to my old Scots farmer, is victory
over oneself. Those who know this victory can never know defeat.
A 2. Interpretation (2)
Describe the popularity of the narrator’s novel giving supporting details from the extract.
A 3. Conclusion (2)
The narrator’s dilemma was ended when he met Angus. Its reasons were ------------
(Complete the statement giving reasons)
A 4. Vocabulary. (2)
Write antonyms for the following from the extract
1) Right
2) Decreasing
3) Uncomfortable
4) Win
A5. Personal Response. (2)
Describe the qualities that are essential to become successful in life.
A6. Grammar
Do as directed. (2)
1) I had kept my word. I had created a book.
(Join the sentences using not only -----but also)
2) I understood.
(Rewrite using failed to)

Activity set by – Prof.Tushar Chavan, Rashtriya Jr. College, Chalisgaon Dist. Jalgaon
Whats app Contact : 9850737199
 Expected Answers
Q.1 (A)
A.1.
1) I lost myself in the ferociousness of my purpose.
2) I went around the village saying good-bye to the simple folk who had
become my friends.
A 2.
The novel of the narrator was chosen by the Book Society. It was dramatized and
serialized. It was translated into 19 languages and bought by Hollywood. It’s millions
of copies were sold. This shows the popularity of the narrator’s novel.
A 3.
The narrator’s dilemma was ended when he met Angus. Seeing his work, the narrator
realized the importance of endurance. To continue the work until success comes is
the rule of life. It was presented by the old Angus. He understood his mistake and
decided to continue his work without thinking of reward.
A 4.
1) Wrong
2) Increasing
3) Comfortable
4) Defeat
A5.
The qualities that are essential to become successful in life include- endurance,
confidence, hard work, sincerity etc.
(Accept any reasonably correct answer)
A6.
1) I had not only kept my word but also created a book.
2) I failed to understand.

Activity Set By-

Prof. Tushar Chavan
Rashtriya Jr. College, Chalisgaon Dist. Jalgaon
Whats app Contact – 9850737199
Blog:- https://juniorcollegeteacher.blogspot.com
You tube channel:- Lear with Tushar Chavan

Activity set by – Prof.Tushar Chavan, Rashtriya Jr. College, Chalisgaon Dist. Jalgaon
Whats app Contact : 9850737199