ST.

KAREN’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, PATNA

2021-2022
WEEK: 9

Class: VIII English Literature

What Makes Me Indian

Answer Key of Assignment: 9.1

I. Word Meanings
1. worried myself to distraction: became so worried that
I was unable to think clearly
2. paranoid : very suspicious or afraid
3. Red Indian : a native American
4. entitles : gives the right
5. revert : here, go back

II. Read the extracts and answer the questions

thatfollow.
1. It must be the land itself that holds me.
What does Ruskin Bond mean by the land itself holds
me? In what way can the land hold him?
Ans. The land holds him back and does not allow him
to leave.
He is so attracted and attached to India – its landscape
and natural beauty, its beauty , its people and culture –
that he does not want to leave. All his needs are met
here and he does not need to look elsewhere for
anything. The people here love him and he is happy
here. (Other relevant responses are also acceptable)
2. For India is more than a land. India is an atmosphere.
 How does Ruskin Bond explain this? What does he mean
by atmosphere?
Ans. Ruskin Bond says that is not just a geographical
entity – it is civilization, it is a culture, it is an undefinable
phenomenon. Over thousand of years, the races and
religious of the world have mingled here.

He defines ‘atmosphere’ as a sense of connection or

oneness–the feeling or mood that you have in a
particular place or situation or a feeling between
people or within a group.

3. I'm as Indian as the postman or thepaanwala or your

favourite movie star.
Why does Ruskin Bond pick on these as examples of
Indians?

Ans. The postman and paanwaala are among the most

ordinary and common people in India, and they are
representative of the country. He says that he isentifies
with them and that he is an ordinary and common as
them. (Other relevant responses are also acceptable)

4. Race did not make me an Indian.

But history did.
What race Ruskin Bond belong to? What does he mean
by history?
How did history make him an Indian?
Ans. By birth/race, Ruskin Bond is British/North European. By
‘history’, he means his past and his life so far– he was born
and raised in India, and he has spent almost all his adult life
 here. India is where his father was born and where he
studied, worked and died. This history makes him Indian.

III. Answer the following questions in brief.

1. Why does Ruskin Bond say that he was greatly

relieved to turn down the offer to work in Hong
Kong?
Ans. Ruskin Bond does not want to leave India. When
he was offered a well-paid job in Hong-Kong, he was
tempted to leave India. After a lot of thought, he
declined the offer. He was relieved because he did not
have to leave India.

2. Why do Ruskin’s friends think he is crazy?

Ans. Ruskin Bond’s friends think he is crazy to let go
of great opportunities abroad and continue to live in
India.

3. What does Ruskin Bond wonder about people who

leave India?
Ans. Ruskin Bond wonders if Indians who leave India
never feel homesick or long to return home.
IV. Decoding Words.

1. Comparable means like or as good as.

a). What does a comparable offer mean?
Ans. A similar offer
2. Typical means normal or average; son of the soil is a
person who is a native of the place or belongs to the
place
a). Why does Ruskin Bond not look like a typical son of
the soil?
Ans. Ruskin Bond does not look like a native Indian
because he is North European/British by birth and has
non-Indian features.

3. And if other countries were a little more willing to

open their doors.....

a). How can a country open its doors?

Ans. A country can open its doors by letting people

from other countries work and live there. In other
words, by welcoming immigrants.

4. ......... so terrifying in a crowd, so beautiful in himself.

a. Why do you think Ruskin Bond thinks so about
Indians?
Ans. Everyone is a nice person individually but when
she/he is part of a group, she/he tends to be different.
(Other relevant responses are also acceptable)

b. Do you think that the same individual can be both

beautiful and terrifying?
Ans. Answers may vary (Self attempt)
 Grammar: Conjunctions

Answer Key of Assignment: 9.2

I) Join these sentences using the conjunction given in the

brackets
1. The fuse has flown off. The toaster is not working. (as)

Ans. The toaster is not working as the fuse has blown off.
2. They were very irresponsible people. They were never found
on their seats. (such …. that)
Ans. They were such irresponsible people that they were never
found on their seats.
3. The car ran over some nails. The tyres got punctured. (so)

Ans. The car ran over some nails, so the tyres got punctured.
4. The voltage is very low. The air conditioner has stopped
working. (so …. that)
Ans. The voltage is so low that the air conditioner has stopped
working.
5. We’ll accept your application. You should fulfill all the
conditions. (provided)
Ans. We'll accept your application provided you fulfil all the
conditions.
6. Sonal was down with jaundice before the examination. She
passed with an A1 grade. (although)
Ans. Although Sonal was down with jaundice before the
examination, she passed with an A1 grade.
7. Your Principal should recommend your case. Only then you will
get this scholarship. (only if)
Ans. You will get a scholarship only if your Principal
recommends your case.
8. Even your Principal may recommend your case. You will not
get this award. (even if)
Ans. You will not get this award even if your Principal
recommends your case.

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