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1 Life*
Henry Van Dyke
Poem
Let me but live my life from year to year,

With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
So let the way wind up the hill or down,

O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road's last turn will be the best.
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About the Poet

Henry Van Dyke (1852 – 1933) was an American author, poet,
educator, and clergyman. He served as a professor of English literature
at Princeton University between 1899 and 1923. He was elected to
the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received many other
honours.
mourning (v) - feeling or expressing great sadness

veils (v) - to hide or cover something so that you cannot see it clearly or
understand it
crown (n) - a prize or position offered for being the best
quest (n) - a long search for something that is difficult to find
unreluctant* (adj.) - willing to do something (*This form is generally not used but
the poet has coined it for emphasis)
The word sonnet is derived from the Italian word “sonetto,” which means
a ‘little song’ or ‘small lyric’. In poetry, a sonnet has 14 lines, and is written in
Sonnet
'iambic pentameter' (A line with ten syllables, accented on every second beat). The
first eight lines of a sonnet is known as “octave” and the last six lines is known as
“sestet”. Sonnets can be categorized on the basis of their rhyme scheme.
A. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that follows.
1. Let me but live my life from year to year,
a. Whom does the word ‘me’ refer to?
b. What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
2. Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
a. Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
b. What should one not mourn for?
3. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
a. What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘in the dim past’?
b. Is the poet afraid of future? c. How can one travel on with cheer?
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4. So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
a. How is the way of life?
b. How should be the journey of life?
c. What did the poet seek as a boy?
5. M
y heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road's last turn will be the best.
a. What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
b. What is the poet’s hope?
6. I n the dim past, nor holding back in fear

a. Identify the rhyming words of the given lines.
7. L
et me but live my life from year to year,
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
a. Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
B. Answer the following question in about 80 – 100 words
1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.
C. Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the following passage by the
using the phrases given in the box.
youth to old age up or down the hill to hurry nor move away
high adventure joyful mourn looking ahead
The poet wants to live his life __________, willing to do something. He neither wants
__________from his goal. He does not want to _______ the things he has lost, not hold
back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart
which cheerfully travels from __________. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether
the path goes __________, rough or smooth, the journey will be __________. He will
continue to seek what he wanted as a boy - new friendship, __________ and a crown
(prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn
in his life's journey will be the best.
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Read and Enjoy
Sea Fever
John Masefield
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
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3 I am Every Woman*
Rakhi Nariani Shirke
Poem
This poem talks about the multifaceted nature of women. Today's women are
empowered, brave, strong and resolute. They are always ready to take up new ventures.
They are persistent and work tirelessly to prove what they are capable of. Women
have to be treated respectfully for the growth of a nation.
A woman is beauty innate,

A symbol of power and strength.
She puts her life at stake,
She's real, she's not fake!
The summer of life she's ready to see in spring.

She says, "Spring will come again, my dear.
Let me care for the ones who're near.”
She's The Woman – she has no fear!
Strong is she in her faith and beliefs.

"Persistence is the key to everything,"
says she. Despite the sighs and groans and moans,
She's strong in her faith, firm in her belief !
She's a lioness; don't mess with her.

She'll not spare you if you're a prankster.
Don't ever try to saw her pride, her self-respect.
She knows how to thaw you, saw you – so beware!
She's today's woman. Today's woman, dear.

Love her, respect her, keep her near...
- Rakhi Nariani Shirke.
About the author
Rakhi Nariani Shirke is an academician with a passion for writing poems

as a medium of self-expression. She is a post graduate, with a Bachelor's
degree in Education.
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innate (adj) - inborn and natural prankster (n) - a person who acts
stake (n) - risk mischievous
persistence (n) - determination groans (v) - complaints and grumbles
sigh (v) - expressing grief moans (v) - grieves
mess with (p) - to tease or play a joke

A. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. The summer of life she's ready to see in spring.
She says, "Spring will come again, my dear
Let me care for the ones who're near.”
a) What does the word summer mean here?
b) How does she take life ?
c) What does she mean by “spring will come again”?
2. Strong is she in her faith and belief.

“Persistence is the key to everything,” says she.
a) What is she strong about?
c) How does she deal with the adversities in life?
3. Despite the sighs and groans and moans,

She's strong in her faith, firm in her belief !
a) Is she complaining about the problems of life?
b) Pick out the words that show her grit.
4. Don't ever try to saw her pride, her self-respect.

She knows how to thaw you, saw you – so beware!
a) What do the words thaw and saw mean here?
b) What is the tone of the author?
5. She's today's woman. Today's woman dear.

Love her, respect her, keep her near...
a) Describe today's woman according to the poet.
b) How should a woman be treated?
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B. Read the lines and identify the figure of speech.
1. A
woman is beauty innate, a) Pick out the rhyming words from
A symbol of power and strength. the above lines.
She puts her life at stake, b)
Add another word that rhymes
She's real, she's not fake! with it.
c)
Give the rhyme scheme for the
above lines.
She's a lioness; don't mess with her.
2. a) Pick out the line that has a
She'll not spare you if you're a prankster. metaphor in it.
b) Give your examples of metaphor to
describe the qualities of a woman.
3. She's strong in her faith, firm in her belief. a) Pick out the alliterated words from
the above.
b)
Pick out other alliterated words
from the poem.
C. Fill in with a word in each blanks to complete the summary of the poem. Use the
help box given below.
dignified healthier today's persistent care symbol innate fake adversity
hope life disgrace prankster woman near faith optimistic quitter thaw
respect lioness fear beliefs self respect saw strength
Every woman is beautiful She is the of power and She is

prone to put her at risk. Every woman is true in expressing her love and she is never
. She is very in her approach even at times of she finds a ray of
and she continues to for her ones. She is the
and she has no . She is forceful in her and She
is never a and she is She is ferocious like a it's better
for the to stay away from her. Never should one try to bring to
her pride and for she knows how to and them. She is
woman. It is to love her her and to keep her .
D. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 80 to 100 words.

1. How are today's women portrayed by the poet?
2. What qualities have made women powerful?
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Read and Enjoy
Still I Rise
By Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history You may shoot me with your words,
With your bitter, twisted lies, You may cut me with your eyes,
You may trod me in the very dirt You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like dust, I'll rise. But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you? Does my sexiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom? Does it come as a surprise
Cause I walk like I've got oil wells That I dance like I've got diamonds
Pumping in my living room. At the meeting of my thighs?
Just like moons and like suns, Out of the huts of history’s shame
With the certainty of tides, I rise
Just like hopes springing high, Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
Still I'll rise. I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Did you want to see me broken? Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
Weakened by my soulful cries? I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
Does my haughtiness offend you?
I rise
Don't you take it awful hard
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
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5 THE SECRET OF THE

MACHINES* Rudyard Kipling
Poem
The poem deals with

the problem of modern
technology and automation.
In the beginning the reader
gets informed about how
machines are produced
and what kind of treatment
they need. Afterwards the
machines explain how
they can serve humanity.
The poem ends with the
statement that machines,
although capable of great
deeds, are still nothing
more than creations of the
human brain.
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We were taken from the ore-bed and the mine,

We were melted in the furnace and the pit
We were cast and wrought and hammered to design,
We were cut and filed and tooled and gauged to fit.
Some water, coal, and oil is all we ask,

And a thousandth of an inch to give us play:
And now, if you will set us to our task,
We will serve you four and twenty hours a day!
We can pull and haul and push and lift and drive,
We can print and plough and weave and heat and light,
We can run and race and swim and fly and dive,
We can see and hear and count and read and write!
But remember, please, the Law by which we live,

We are not built to comprehend a lie,
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive,
If you make a slip in handling us you die!
Though our smoke may hide the Heavens from your eyes,
It will vanish and the stars will shine again,
Because, for all our power and weight and size,
We are nothing more than children of your brain!
-Rudyard Kipling
About the poet

Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay,
India. He was educated in England but returned to India in 1882.
A decade later, Kipling married Caroline Balestier and settled in
Brattleboro, Vermont, where he wrote The Jungle Book (1894), among
a host of other works that made him hugely successful. Kipling was the
recipient of the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature. He died in 1936.
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furnace (n) – an enclosed structure in thousandth (adv.) – a fraction of thousand

which material is heated to very high haul (v) – pull or drag with effort or force
temperatures
comprehend(v) – grasp, understand
wrought (adj.) – beaten out of shape by
vanish(v) – disappear suddenly and
hammering
completely
gauge (n) – an instrument that measures
perfection in appearance and quality
A. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Who does ‘we’ refer to in first stanza?
a. Human beings b. Machines
2. Who are the speakers and listeners of this poem?
3. What metals are obtained from ores and mines? Iron ore
4. Mention a few machines which are hammered to design.
5. Mention the names of a few machines that run on water, coal or oil.
6. Mention a few machines used for pulling, pushing, lifting, driving, printing,
ploughing, reading, and writing etc.
7. Are machines humble to accept the evolution of human brain? Why?
8. What feelings are evoked in us by the machines in this poem?
9. ‘And a thousandth of an inch to give us play:’
Which of the following do the machines want to prove from this line?
a. Once Machines are fed with fuel, they take a very long time to start.
b. Once Machines are fed with fuel, they start quickly.
10. And now, if you will set us to our task,
We will serve you four and twenty hours a day!
a. Who does the pronoun ‘you’ refer to here?
b. Whose task is referred to as ‘our task’ here?
c. Open conditional clause is used in the given line. Why is the future tense ‘will
set’ and ‘will serve’ used both in the ‘if clause’ and in the ‘main clause?’
d. Do the machines serve us twenty four hours a day?
e. Rewrite the given lines with the ending ‘365 days a year.’
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POETIC DEVICES
1) Rhythm and rhyme:
Rhyme Scheme
Rhyme scheme is a poet’s deliberate pattern of lines that rhyme with other lines in a
poem or a stanza. The rhyme scheme, or pattern, can be identified by giving end words
that rhyme.
But remember, please, the Law by which we live , ............ a
We are not built to comprehend a lie , ............ b
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive , ............ a
If you make a slip in handling us you die ! ............ b
It has a clear rhyming words with a,b,a,b so the rhyming scheme is a,b,a,b.
The rhyme is also clear with the same sound. E.g. pit-fit, ask-task, play-day

2) Imagery:
E.g. The descriptions create a picture in the reader's mind
We can see and hear and count and read and write!
The example explains to us the many tasks that could be completed by the machine.
3) Personification :
Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing – an idea or an animal – is given
human attributes.
E.g. We can pull and haul and push and lift and drive
4) Hyperbole:
A figure of speech using exaggeration
E.g. We are greater than the Peoples and the Kings.
5) Assonance:
Repetition of two or more vowel sounds
E.g. all we ask
6) Simile:
Compare things alike
E.g. Greater than the people of the Kings
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7) Connotation:
Suggests beyond what it expresses
E.g. Though our smoke may hide the Heavens from your eyes,
8) Alliteration:
Repetition of two or more consonant sounds
E.g. We can print and plough and weave and heat and light,
Activity
B. Write your favourite stanza from the poem and find the rhyming scheme.
C. Read the poem and find the lines for the following poetic devices or write your own
example.
Alliteration
Assonance
Personification
Simile
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4 The Ant and the Cricket

Adapted from Aesop’s fables
Poem
A fable is a traditional story that teaches us a moral lesson. Usually the characters in
the fables are animals. This poem ‘The Ant and the Cricket’ teaches us the importance
of hard work and planning.
A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing

Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found

On the snow-covered ground;
Not a flower could he see,
Not a leaf on a tree.
“Oh! what will become,” says cricket, “of me?”

At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold,
Away he set off to a miserly ant,
To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain.

And a mouthful of grain.
He wished only to borrow;
He’d repay it tomorrow;
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If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow.
Says the ant to the
cricket, “I’m your servant
and friend,
But we ants never
borrow; we ants never
lend.
But tell me, dear cricket,
Did you lay anything by
When the weather was
warm?” Quoth the cricket,
“Not I!”
My heart was so light

That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.”
“For all nature looked gay”.
“ You sang, Sir, you say?
Go then”, says the ant, “and dance the winter away”.

Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket.
Folks call this a fable. I‘ll warrant it true:
Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.
- Adapted from Aesop’s fables
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About the Author
‘Aesop’s fables’
is a collection of Cricket- a brown or black insect
fables credited related to the grasshopper but with
to Aesop, a slave shorter legs. It is a small insect that
and a story teller produces short, loud sounds by
believed to have rubbing its wings together.
lived in ancient
Greece between
620 and 564 B.C.E. These fables became
popular when they emerged in print.
Several stories are attributed to Aesop
even today. The process of inclusion is
continuous and new stories are being A. Based on your understanding of the
added. Collections of Aesop’s fables poem, read the following lines and
were among the earliest books to be answer the questions given below.
printed in many languages.
1. A silly young cricket
accustomed to sing
Through the warm,
sunny months of gay
summer and spring.
a) What was the routine of the cricket?
accustomed to (v) – be used to
b) Name the seasons mentioned here.
gay (adj.) – glad, joyful
2. Began to complain when he found that,
crumb (n) – piece of bread at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter
famine (n) – extreme scarcity of food was come.
miserly (adj.) – hesitant to spend money a) Who does he refer to?
quoth (v) – said (old English usage, used b) Why was his cupboard empty?
only in first and third person singular
befor the subject) 3. Not a crumb to be found
On the snow-covered ground;
hastily (adv.) – hurriedly
a) What couldn’t he find on the
warrant (v) – guarantee, promise ground?
b) Why was the ground covered with
snow?
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4. At last by starvation and famine made bold, 9. He wished only to borrow;
All dripping with wet, and all trembling He’d repay it tomorrow;
with cold,
a) Pick out the rhyming words in the
a) What made the cricket bold? above lines.
b)
Why did the cricket drip and b)
Give more examples of rhyming
tremble? words from the poem.
5. Away he set off to a miserly ant, 10. My heart was so light

To keep if, to keep him alive, he would that I sang day and night,
grant For all nature looked gay.
Him shelter from rain, “You sang , Sir , you say”?
And a mouthful of grain. a)
Mention the rhyme scheme
a) Whom did the cricket want to meet? employed in the above lines.
Why?
B. Based on your understanding of the
b) What would keep him alive? poem, complete the summary using
the phrases given below .
6. B
ut we ants never borrow;
we ants never lend. In this narrative poem, the poet brings
a)
Why do you think ants neither out the idea that is essential for every
borrow nor lend? creature. He conveys this message to the
readers through a story of __________
b) Who says these lines to whom?
The ant spends all its summer saving
7. ‘‘ Not I! __________. The cricket __________
My heart was so light
happily in the summer. He __________
That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.” anything for the winter. When winter
comes, he is worried that his __________
a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
is empty. So, he seeks the help of the ant to
b) What was the nature of the cricket?
have __________ and a __________ to
How do you know?
stay. The cricket was even prepared to
8. Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket, repay it in the future. The ant made it clear
And out of the door turned the poor that ants __________. He also enquired
little cricket,
the cricket if it had saved anything when
a) The ant refused to help the cricket. the weather was fine. The cricket answered
Why?
that it had sung day and night
b) Explain the second line. enjoying__________. The ant threw the
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cricket out and stated in a stern voice it C. Answer each of the following
should dance in the winter season too. In questions in a paragraph of 120-150
words.
his concluding lines, the poet affirms that
this is not __________ but it is true and 1. ‘Some crickets have four legs and some
applicable to __________ also. have two’. Elucidate this statement from
the poet’s point of view.
(the pleasant nature, human beings, 2. Compare and contrast the attitude of
doesn’t save, warm place, kitchen the ant and the cricket.
cupboard, just a fable, saving for
future, some grains, never borrow or 3. If given a chance, who would you want
lend, an ant and a cricket, sings and to be- the ant or the cricket? Justify
dances) your answer.
Read and Enjoy
City Mouse and Country Mouse Exchange Visits
A wealthy city mouse once came This is the life! said Country Mouse,
To view his country cousin's clutter, I've been a bumpkin long enough!
He stayed for lunch but all they ate THEN suddenly four dogs burst in
Were sandwiches of peanut butter. With masters shouting, loud and gruff.
You call that lunch? the rich mouse said, LOOK OUT! the city cousin screamed
Call this a house? He laughed with glee, And dove into a bag of coal,
Come into town tonight, he said, The country mouse leaped to the floor
Step up a notch and visit me! And ran like lightning down a hole,
So in they went and to a house And never stopped until he came

With walls of stone and gardens green, Back to his peaceful country door.
And soon were eating steaks and chops Enough! he said, of city life,
And every kind of haute cuisine. It's great--but not worth dying for.
MORAL: Peace of mind is the greatest wealth.
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6 No Men Are Foreign*

James Falconer Kirkup
Poem
Read on the poem to know why we mustn’t hate our brethren because
they belong to a different country or speak a different language. The poet
reminds us of that how all people are similar and part of the brotherhood
of men. By the end of the poem we get to know how it is unnatural to fight
against ourselves.
Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign

Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes
Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon
Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.
They, too, aware of sun and air and water,
Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.
Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own.
Remember they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is common life
That all can recognise and understand.
Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
Remember, we who take arms against each other
It is the human earth that we defile.
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.
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About the author

James Falconer Kirkup (1918-2009)born James Harold Kirkup,
was an English poet, translator and travel writer. He wrote over 30
books, including autobiographies, novels and plays. Kirkup wrote
his first book of poetry, The Drowned Sailor at the Downs, which
was published in 1947. His home town of South Shields now holds a
growing collection of his works in the Central Library, and artefacts
from his time in Japan are housed in the nearby Museum. His last
volume of poetry was published during the summer of 2008 by Red Squirrel Press, and
was launched at a special event at Central Library in South Shields.
Condemn - express complete disapproval

Labour - hardwork
Betray - disloyal
Defile - damage the purity or appearance
Outrage - extremely strong reaction of anger, shock
Based on the understanding of the poem, read the following lines and answer the
questions given below.
1. Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes

Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon
Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.
a) What is found beneath all uniforms?
b) What is same for every one of us?
c) Where are we all going to lie finally?
2. They, too, aware of sun and air and water,

Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.
a) What is common for all of us?
b) How are we fed?
c) Mention the season referred here?
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3. T heir hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own.
a) Who does ‘their’ refer to?
b) What does the poet mean by ‘lines we read’?
c) What does not differ?
4. Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
a) Who tells us to hate our brothers?
b) What happens when we hate our brothers?
c) What do we do to ourselves?
5. O
ur hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.
a) What outrages the innocence?
b) Who are not foreign?
c) What is not strange?
Literary devices:
Transferred Epithet Metaphor

A transferred epithet is a figure A figure of speech in which a word
of speech where an adjective or epithet or phrase is applied to an object or action
describing a noun is transferred from the to which it is not literally applicable.
noun it is meant to describe to another Recorded from the late 15th century, the
noun in the sentence. In the lines, They, word comes via French and Latin from
too, aware of sun and air and water, Greek metaphora, from metapherein ‘to
transfer’.
Are fed by peaceful harvests, by
war's long winter starv'd. "starv'd" is an e.g., Hells of fire - metaphor
epithet which is placed beside the noun Repetition
'winter'. However, it does not describe the
'winter' as being starved, but describes the Poets often repeat single words or
pronoun 'they'. Historically many wars phrases, lines, and sometimes, even whole
were fought during the winter, while the stanzas at intervals to create a musical
harvest season was essentially peaceful. effect; to emphasize a point; to draw the
'They' refers to the soldiers in uniform readers’ attention or to lend unity to a
who had to starve during winter while piece. In “No Men are Foreign” James
fighting for their land. Kirkup repeats the word ‘Remember’
five times in the poem to emphasize the
e.g., Winter starv’d – transferred epithet
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serious message the poem has to convey. ……………… like ours. We as human do
Similarly, the last line of the last stanza they same labour with ………….and look
(“Remember, no men are foreign, and at the world with the…………. Waging war
no countries strange”) though reversed, against others as they belong to a different
is the same as the first line of the first country is like attacking our own selves. It
stanza (“Remember, no men are strange, is the …………….we impair. We all share
no countries foreign”). This repetition the same……………. We are similar to
emphasizes the core message of the each other. So the poet concludes that we
oneness of mankind. shouldn’t have wars as it is ……………to
fight against us.
Based on your understanding of
the poem complete the following by (unity of human, dreams and aspirations,
choosing the appropriate words/phrases same land, our hands, unnatural,
given in brackets: breathing body, same eyes, brotherhood,
language, human earth)
This poem is about the ……………
of all men. The subject of the poem is the Based on your understanding of the
…………..race, despite of the difference in poem answer the following questions in
colour , caste, creed , religion , country etc. a paragraph of about 100-150 words.
All human beings are same. We walk on the
…………… and we will be buried under 1. W hat is the central theme of the poem
it. Each and everyone of us are related to ‘No men are foreign’?
the other . We all are born same and die
in the same way. We may wear different T he poem ‘No men are foreign’ has
2.
uniforms like’ ………………,’ during wars a greater relevance in todays world.
the opposing side will also have the same Elucidate.
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7 The House on Elm Street

Nadia Bush
Poem
It sat alone.
What happened there is still today unknown.
It is a very mysterious place,
And inside you can tell it has a ton of space,
But at the same time it is bare to the bone.
At night the house seems to be alive,
Lights flicker on and off.
I am often tempted to go to the house,
To just take a look and see what it is really about,
But fear takes over me.
I drive past the house almost every day.
The house seems to be a bit brighter
On this warm summer day in May.
It plays with your mind.
To me I say, it is one of a kind.
Beside the house sits a tree.
It never grows leaves,
Not in the winter, spring, summer or fall.
It just sits there, never getting small or ever growing tall,
How could this be?
Rumors are constantly being made,
And each day the house just begins to fade.
What happened inside that house?
I really don't know.
I guess it will always be a mystery.
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A. Read the given lines and answer the questions given below.
1. It sat alone.
What happened there is still today unknown.
It is a very mysterious place,
And inside you can tell it has a ton of space,
But at the same time it is bare to the bone.
a. What does ‘It’ refer to?
b. Pick out the line that indicates the size of the house?
2. I drive past the house almost every day.

The house seems to be a bit brighter.
On this warm summer day in May.
It plays with your mind.
a. To whom does ‘I’ refer to?
b. Pick out the alliterated words in the 2nd line.
3. It never grows leaves,

Not in the winter, spring, summer or fall.
It just sits there never getting small or ever growing tall
a. What does ‘it’ refer to?
b. In what way the tree is a mystery?
4. Rumors are constantly being made,

And each day the house just begins to fade.
What happened inside that house?
a. Does the house remain the same every day?
b. How does the poet consider the house to be a mystery?
5. What happened inside that house?

I really don’t know
I guess it will always be a mystery
a. Does the poet know what happened in the house?
b. What is the mystery about the house?
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B. Answer the following in a paragraph.
1. W
here is the house located? Why is it a mysterious place?
2. H
ow is the mystery depicted in the poem?
C. Read the poem and write the rhyming words and rhyme scheme for the given
stanzas.
Stanza Rhyming words Rhyme Scheme

alone - -
1
- space
- May
3
mind -
tree -
4
- tall
D. Identify the poetic lines where the following figures of speech are employed and
complete the tabular column.
Figure of speech Meaning Lines

A figure of speech in which a part is
made to represent the whole or vice
Synecdoche
versa.
e.g. “The Western wave was all
a-flame.”
The “Western wave” is a synecdoche as it
refers to the sea by the name of one of its
parts i.e. wave.
A figure of speech in which a statement
Paradox appears to contradict itself.
e.g. To bring peace we must war.
Be cruel to be kind.
A figure of speech wherein the word
imitates the sound associated with the
Onomatopoeia
object it refers to.
e.g. Pitter patter, pitter patter
Raindrops on my pane.
A figure of speech in the form of a
question that is asked to make a point
Rhetorical
rather than to elicit an answer.
Questions
e.g. And what is so rare as a day in
June?
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Unit 1 Poem
* Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost
1. Have you ever travelled through a forest? How did you feel?
Warm Up
2. Did you have any time to stop and enjoy the beauty of the forest?
Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
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sweep (v) : to move swiftly and

smoothly
About the author
downy (adj.) : soft and fluffy
Robert Frost
flake (n) : a small piece of
(1874-1968) was
snowflake
an American poet
A. M
emorise the poem 'Stopping by
noted for his realistic
Woods on a Snowy
descriptions of
Evening'.
rural life. Born
on 26 March 1874, he spent his B. R
ead the following
first 40 years as an unknown entity. lines and answer the
He received four Pulitzer prizes for following questions.
poetry and was a special guest at 1. He will not see me stopping here
President John F. Kennedy‘s To watch his woods fill up with snow.
inauguration. Frost became a poetic a) Whom does ‘he’ refer to?
force and the unofficial Poet Laureate b) Identify the season in these lines.
of the United States. Some of his 2. My little horse must think it queer
famous works are The Road Not Taken, To stop without a farmhouse near
West Running Brook, Mending Wall,
a) Who is the speaker?
After Apple Picking etc.
b) Why should the horse think it
Jawaharlal Nehru, the former queer?
Prime Minister of India, had the
c) Pick out the rhyming words.
last two lines of this poem written
3. He gives his harness bells a shake
in block letters and placed it on his
To ask if there is some mistake.
desk as these lines reminded him of his
a) Whom does ‘he’ refer to in these
responsibilities.
lines?
GLOSSARY b) Why does ‘he’ give his harness
queer (adj.) : strange, odd bells a shake?
c) How does the horse communicate
woods (n) : an area of
with the poet?
land covered with a thick
4. T
he woods are lovely, dark and deep,
growth of trees.
But I have promises to keep
harness (n) : a) How are the woods?
straps and fittings by which a horse is
b) Whom does ‘I’ refer to?
fastened to a cart or carriage
c) What are the promises the
frozen (adj.) : in ice form speaker is talking about?
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5. And miles to go before I sleep, 3. W

hat are the sounds heard by the
And miles to go before I sleep. poet?
a) Why the poet has used the same 4. T
he poet is aware of two choices. What
line twice? are they? What choice does he make
b) Explain: miles to go before I sleep ultimately?
C. C
omplete the summary of the 5. P
ick out words from the poem that
poem by filling in the blanks. bring to mind peace and quiet.
After a long travel the poet entered E. Identify the rhyme scheme used
a___________. He wondered to whom in each stanza. One example has
the wood _______! He realized that the been done for you.
owner of the wood lived in a ________.
He thought that the owner would not be Stanza Rhyme scheme
able to ___________him stopping in his 1 aaba
woods to watch _____________ fill the
2
woods. The poet felt that the horse would
think it very _________ to stop near the 3
woods as he had never _____. He was
4
actually standing between the woods and
_______. The time was ________. The
horse indicated that the poet has made a F. C
omplete the table by identifying
________ by shaking its head. The poet lines, against the poetic devices
felt that the woods are lovely, _______ from the poem. One example is
and ______. He suddenly realized that done for you.
he had worldly ______which would not
Lines from the
allow him to _______ in the woods for a Poetic device
poem
long time.
Alliteration watch his woods
D. A
nswer the questions in two or
three sentences.
Personification
1. W
hat information does the poet
highlight about the season and the Repetition
time of the day in the poem?
Imagery
2. In which way is the reaction of the
speaker different from that of the
horse? What does it convey?
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Writing
G. Answer the following questions in a paragraph about 80 -100 words.
1. It is said, “The choices made by one, shapes one’s destiny”. Ponder on the thought
and write a paragraph.
H. W
ork in pairs and discuss the factors that contribute towards making a choice
and make a presentation to the class.
Read and Enjoy
LEISURE
What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies
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Read the poem with your partner and then answer the questions that follow.
A Poison Tree
I was angry with my friend;

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I water’d it in fears,

Night and morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright .
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see,
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
William Blake
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About the author

William Blake (1757 – 1827) was an English Poet,
painter and print maker. Blake is now considered a
seminal figure in the history of English poetry.He was
born in London. He was a boldly imaginative rebel
in both his thought and his art. Some of his famous
poems are “The Lamb” and “The Tiger”.
Glossary 4. And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright.
wrath (n.) - anger a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
foe (n.) - enemy b) What does ‘apple’ signify?
deceitful - cunning, c) What grew both day and night?
(adj.) treacherous B. Complete the
wiles (n.) - tricks summary by filling
veiled (v.) - covered in the given spaces
with suitable
A. A
nswer the following questions in words.
a sentence or two.
Once the poet was angry
1. I was angry with my friend
with his friend. He expressed his
a) Whom does ‘I’ refer to? (i) ____________ and it ended. They became
b) How did the anger of the poet
friends. But when he grew angry with his
come to an end?
foe, he (ii) ___________ it and allowed his
2. And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears; anger to grow. Day and night he watered
a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
it with his tears and allowed it to grow. He
b) How is ‘it’ watered?
(iii) _________ his foe with false smiles and
3. I n the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree cunning tricks. The tree kept growing and
a) How did the poet feel in the
yielded a bright apple which (iv) __________
morning?
b) Who is the ‘foe’ referred to here? his foe to eat it stealthily during the night. The
c) Why was the ‘foe’ found lying
next morning the poet was happy to see his
outstretched beneath the tree?
foe lying (v) _________ under the tree.
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C. Answer the following questions *Listening

in about 80-100 words. F.
Listen to the passage on 'anger
1. How did the poet’s anger with his management' and match the
friend end? sentence parts by drawing a line.
2. Describe how his anger kept growing. The recording can be played more
3. Describe the effect of the poisonous than once if needed.
fruit on the ‘enemy’.
a) who will take
Meditation is
care of the
Poem appreciation 1 definitely a great
reason why you
technique .......
D. Figures of Speech got angry ?
There is a person b) to know how
There is alliteration 2 living inside you to handle it is a
in the line : And ............. virtue.
I sunned it with Getting angry
Pick out at least c) to calm your
3 is natural but
smiles. two instances of inner self.
..............
The sound /s/ is alliteration from Anger is
d) speak to your
repeated in the the poem. something that
4 self and calm
releases the
words ‘sunned’ and yourself.
tension ............
‘smiles’.
e_ who always
Close your eyes
5 tells you how to
E. R
ead the following lines from the and ...........
act.
poem and answer the questions
G. Answer the following in about 80-
that follow.
100 words. Take ideas from the
1. I was angry with my friend;
poem and also use your own ideas.
1. Recall a recent situation when you became
I was angry with my foe
angry. What were the consequences
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
of your anger? After listening to the
i. Pick out the rhyming words.
guidelines on anger management, find
ii. What is the rhyme scheme of
out how well you could have handled the
the stanza?
situation. Write your findings.
iii. Identify the figure of speech in
2. W
hat might have caused the conflict
the title of the poem.
which led to the poet becoming angry
2. And I water'd it in fears with his enemy? Think of one such
Night and morning with my tears; situation that you have experienced.
i. What figure of speech is used Describe how you felt and how the
in ‘watered it in fears’? enmity grew and things became worse.
*Listening text is on Page No. 204

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H. Discuss and Write.
1. I dentify five to six qualities which make an ordinary person, loved and respected by
all. Work in groups of five or six. Each group has to take up one quality and discuss
the methods for imbibing that quality and identify the challenges that need to be
faced.
2. A
dolescents are often distracted by feelings like anger, disappointment and general
helplessness when they face challenges at school or at home. Suggest way to turn
such feelings into positive ones.
Different types of laughter

 Smirk.  Laugh  Smile.  Cackle
 Grin.  Guffaw.  Snicker.  Howl.
 Giggle.  Shriek.  Chuckle.  Convulse.
 Chortle.  Die laughing.
Read and Enjoy
The Power of a Smile

The power of a sun can kill
And the power of foe can burn
The power of wind can chill
And the power of mind can learn
The power of anger can rage
Inside until it tears you apart
But the power of a smile
Especially yours can heal a frozen heart
– Tupac Shakur
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Unit 3 Poem
*On Killing a Tree

Gieve Patel
Warm up
1. What is a tree?
2. Why trees are important for our survival?
3. How long does it take a tree to grow to

its full size?
4. How much time does it take to cut down

a tree?
Now read the poem which speaks about the pain of trees.
It takes much time to kill a tree,

Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leperous hide
Sprouting leaves.
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So hack and chop

But this alone wont do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
No,
The root is to be pulled out –
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out – snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
Then the matter

Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
75 75 English
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About the Author
Dr. Gieve Patel is one of the prominent Indian poets. His

famous works include Evening, Forensic Medicine, and From
Bombay Central. He has also penned three plays. He has been
conducting a poetry workshop in Rishi Valley School for more than
a decade. This poem is taken from his poetry collection ‘Poems’
published in 1966.
Glossary
jab (v) : ii. Why does it take much time to kill a

to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply tree?
with a short, quick blow
2. It has grown
crust (n) :
the brown, hard outer Slowly consuming the earth,
portion or surface Rising out of it, feeding
leprous (adj) Upon its crust, absorbing
covered with scales
i. How has the tree grown?
hide (n)
ii. What does the tree feed from the
the strong thick outer skin
crust?
miniature (adj.) :
very small 3. And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
A. *
Memorize the first two stanzas of
the poem. i. What does the phrase ‘leprous hide’
mean?
B. R
ead the following lines
from the poem and ii. What comes out of the leprous hide?
answer the questions
4. The bleeding bark will heal
in a sentence or two.
And from close to the ground
1. It takes much time to
Will rise curled green twigs,
kill a tree,
Miniature boughs
Not a simple jab of the knife
i. What will happen to the bleeding
Will do it.
bark?
i. Can a ‘simple jab of the knife’ kill a ii. What will rise from close to the
tree? ground?
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5. The root is to be pulled out -- 5. Why does the poet say ‘No’ in the
Out of the anchoring earth; beginning of the third stanza?
i) Why should the root be pulled out? 6. How should the root be pulled out?
ii) What does ‘anchoring earth’ mean? 7. What is hidden inside the earth for
years?
C.
Based on the understanding of
the poem, write down the summary of 8. What finally happens to the tree in
the poem by filling in the blanks. this poem?
The poet explains the process of E. Answer the following questions in

___________. A lot of work has to about 80-100 words.
be done in order to ___________
1. How does the poet bring out the pain
completely. It cannot be accomplished
of the tree?
by merely cutting it with ___________.
The tree has grown strong with the help 2. ‘A tree doesn’t grow in a day.’ Explain
of ___________ for countless years. it with reference to the poem.
Even the ___________ of the tree gives
rise to ___________. The ___________ 3. Why do you think the poet describes
sprouts new twigs and leaves. In a short the act of cutting a tree? What effect
period, they grow into a new tree. So, does it have on you as a reader?
to ___________ completely, one should
take out its roots completely from the F. Complete the table by identifying
soil. Then they should be exposed to lines, against the poetic devices from
___________. Only then the tree will be the poem.
completely killed. Poetic Devices
Poetic lines / Figures of
D. Based on the understanding of the
Speech
poem, answer the following questions
in a sentence or two. It takes much time
to kill a tree.
1. What is the poem about?
2. What are the lessons to be learnt from The bleeding bark

the poem? will heal.
3. What are the life sources needed for a Out of the

tree to grow? anchoring earth
4. What does the poet mean by ‘bleeding

bark’?
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4. How is the “Bread sandwich method”

*LISTENING
a boon to the farmers?
G.
Listen to the passage about 5. Pick out ideas from the passage to
Nammazhwar, an environmental show that he learnt first and then
crusader from Tamil Nadu. As you shared with farmers.
listen, answer the following questions.
6. Explain in your own words the meaning
The listening act can be repeated if
of “Farming ___________ even in the
required.
21st Century”
1. Who is Nammazhwar? What is his 7. Give the synonyms of ‘rely’ and

contribution to farmers and farming? ‘sustainable’.
2. In 1963 he worked for ___________ 8. “He never pushed ideas down anyone’s
as ___________ throat” means
3. What was the turning point in the life (a) favoured (b) compelled
of Nammazhwar? (c) opposed
WRITING
H. Based on the reading of the poem, complete the web chart given below.
C u tt
ing
t re e a
is an
of m a c
u rd e t
r.
w
ne
pe e
le
th
op
n d re n e a
n
l's poe m is
i
at
s o ess
e
at
aw c re
he
ft
To
ab
a
P
Gieve
out
mi
...
m D
an isap
c a k in p ro
re d v
fo i s f a l o
rt ail f
he ur
ea e
rth to
.
*Listening passage is on Page 205
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I. Look at the two trees. One is a green flourishing tree and the other, a
brown withering tree.
The class will now be divided into two groups. Group A will list down the agents that
support a tree’s growth. Group B will list down those that prevent it. Once the groups
are ready with their lists, a few representatives from each group will write down the lists
on the black board.
Taking clues from the lists on the board, complete the following chart.
I will not_____ I will _______

____________ ____________
I will _______ I will not_____

____________ ____________
I will _______
____________
How will you

protect trees?
I will not_____ I will _______

____________ ____________
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J. Work in pairs. Create three slogans on ‘Saving Trees’.
Remember
 Use catchy, meaningful phrases.
 Do not write complete sentences.
 Ensure that the words at the end rhyme.
Read this Save a Tree

example Get Oxygen for Free
SPEAKING
K. Deliver a short speech for about five minutes on the following.
1. I magine what will happen if all the trees in the earth disappear. Discuss with your
friends and share it with your classmates.
2. Think of a situation where all the trees can speak. What will they talk about?
Let us laugh together
How do trees access the internet?
They simply ___________ in.
What will the tree do, if the banks are closed?
It will start its own ____________.
What type of tree fits in your hand?
A ____________ tree.
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Unit 4 Poem
The Spider and the Fly

Mary Botham Howitt
Warm up
If your little brother or sister does not like to eat any of these following vegetables
 How will you make him or her eat them?

 What are all the flattering or tempting words you might use to convince them?
 Work in pairs and enact that moment in front of your classmates.
Read the poem with your partner while one takes up the role of the
Spider and other the Fly.
“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,

“Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve many curious things to show when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair
can never come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?”
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“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,

Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —
Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing!
At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
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About the Author
Mary Botham Howitt (1799-1888) was an English poet. She was

born at Coleford, in Gloucestershire. She was educated at home
and read widely. She commenced writing verses at a very early
age. Together with her husband William Howitt, she wrote over
180 books.
Glossary
parlour (n) - a tidy room in a house used for entertaining guests

winding (v) - a twisting movement or course
weary (v) - very tired, especially from hard work
pantry (n) - a room where beverages, food, dishes are stored
subtle (adj.) - delicate or faint and mysterious
flattering (v) - to praise or compliment insincerely
counsellor (n) - a person who advises
A. R
ead the following lines from the poem
and answer the questions in a sentence or two.
1. "The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

And I’ve many curious things to show when you are there"
) How can the fly reach the spider’s parlour?
a
b) What will the fly get to see in the parlour?
2. "Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"
) Is the fly willing to enter the spider’s pantry?
a
b) Can you guess what was in the pantry?
3. "Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “You’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!"
a) List the words used by the spider to describe the fly.
b) Why does the spider say that the fly is witty?
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4. "The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:"
) Why is the poet using the word 'den' to describe the spider’s web?
a
b) Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?
5. "With buzzy wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —"
) Who does ‘she’ refer to?
a
b) What was ‘she’ thinking of?
6. "And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:"
a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
b) What is the advice given to the readers?
B. C
omplete the summary by filling C. Answer the following questions
in the spaces with suitable words. in about 80-100 words.
The poem begins with the 1. Write a character sketch of the spider.
spider’s_________ of the fly. He 2. W
hat happens if we fall a prey to
__________ to the fly to come into its flattery? Give instances from the poem
home. The spider describes his parlour 'The Spider and the Fly’.
as the _______ one. The spider kindles
3. In your own words give a detailed
the curiosity of the fly so that she may
description of:
enter his home. Fortunately, the fly was
a) The Spider’s Parlour
_________ and refused to get into his
home. Now the spider pretends to be a b) The Fly’s Appearance
__________and asks her to come and rest
Appreciate the poem
in his home. He offers her __________
and a __________ to rest. This time also Anthropomorphism
the fly __________ the spider's offer very means to endow a non-
politely. The next weapon that the spider human character with
uses is_________. The spider praises human traits and
the ______ and _____of the fly and also behaviour. For example:
praises her ________. He invites her to Throughout the poem,
look at herself in the ______which is in his we see the spider and
parlour. The fly is_______ by the words of the fly behave like human beings. We
the spider and she falls a _________ to see a pantry, bed, mirror, and stairs and
his ________. so on.
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Figures of speech Identify the figures of speech.
1. Consonance: Repetition of similar ”Your eyes are like the diamond bright,
consonant sounds in the neighbouring but mine are dull as lead!”
words.
4. Alliteration: Repetition of consonant
(e.g.) T
’is the prettiest little parlour that sounds at the beginning of words
ever you did spy;
Pick out the words in alliteration.
Pick out one more instance of consonance
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “You’re
from the poem.
witty and you’re wise,”
Down in the hill Sat the little doggie Nell
There she dillied and she dallied all
Day, Day, Day
2. Assonance: Repetition of similar

vowel sounds in the neighbouring
words
(e.g.) ‘T is the prettiest little parlour that

ever you did spy;
Pick out one more instance from the
Listening
poem.
D. *
Listen to the passage and fill in the
The cat ran after the
blanks with appropriate answers.
alligator, past the pastry
shop and the alleyway.
1. W
ithout trust there is no
______________.
3. Anaphora: Repetition of a word or a 2. _

_____________ is a very rare thing
phrase at the beginning of a sequence to find in life.
of sentences, paragraphs and lines. 3. W
hen people betray you learn from the
ow handsome are your gauzy
(e.g.) H _____________.
wings, how brilliant are your eyes! 4. D
on’t let _________on the road
_____________.
"that government of 5. I f we keep moving forward you will have
the people, by a wonderfully __________________.
the people, for
the people, shall not
perish from the earth"
*Listening passage is on Page 208
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Speaking Writing
E. T
he cunning spider was waiting for a F. The fly gives into flattery and becomes

chance to pull the fly into its web and the spider’s prey. If you are asked to
it used all the possible ways to trap give a happy ending to the poem, how
her. Have you ever been trapped by will you save the fly? Write in your own
flattery to do something you did not words.
want to do? Discuss in pairs and share
your experience in the class.
Read and Enjoy
N e v e r Tr u s t a Mi r r o r
Never trust a mirror,
For a mirror always lies,
,rorrim a tsurt reveN
It makes you think that all you’re worth,
,seil syawla rorrim a roF
Can be seen from the outside, , h t r o w e r ’ u oy l l a t a h t k n i h t u oy s ek a m t I
Never trust a mirror. , e di s t u o e h t m orf n e e s e b n a C
It only shows you what’s skin deep, .rorrim a tsurt reveN
,peed niks s’tahw uoy swohs ylno tI
You can’t see how your eyelids flutter,
,rettufl sdileye ruoy woh ees t ’nac uoY
When you’re drifting off to sleep,
,p e e l s o t f f o g n i t f i r d e r ’ u o y n e h W
It doesn’t show you what the world sees, , s e e s d l r o w e h t t a h w u oy w o h s t ’ n s e o d t I
When you’re only being you, , u oy g n i e b y l n o er ’ u oy n e h W
Or how your eyes just light up, ,p u t h g i l t s u j s e y e r u o y w o h r O
,o d u o y t a h w g n i v o l e r ’ u o y n e h W
When you’re loving what you do,
, g n i l i m s er ’ u oy n e h w er u t p a c t ’ n s e o d t I
It doesn’t capture when you’re smiling, , e e s n a c e sl e e n o o n er e h W
Where no one else can see, ,uoy llet tonnac noitcefler ruoy dnA
And your reflection cannot tell you, , e m o t n a e m u oy g n i h t y r ev E
,rorrim a tsurt reveN
Everything you mean to me,
,niks ruoy swohs ylno ti roF
Never trust a mirror, , h t r o w r u oy s e t a t c i d t i t a h t k n i h t u oy f i d n A
For it only shows your skin, .nihtiw dekool uoy emit s’tI
And if you think that it dictates your worth, .nosnaH nirE
It’s time you looked within.

Erin Hanson.
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Unit 5 Poem
*The River
Caroline Ann Bowles
Warm up
• Have you ever been to a river?
• Describe the beauty of the river you have seen?
• Do you think rivers have life like human beings?
River, river, little river!

Bright you sparkle on your way;
O’er the yellow pebbles dancing,
Through the flowers and foliage glancing,
Like a child at play.
River, river! Swelling river!

On you rush through rough and smooth;
Louder, faster, brawling, leaping.
Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping
Like impetuous youth.
River, river! Brimming river!

Broad and deep, and still as time;
Seeming still, yet still in motion,
Tending onward to the ocean,
Just like mortal prime.
River, river! Headlong river!

Down you dash into the sea,
Sea that line hath never sounded,
Sea that sail hath never rounded,
Like eternity.
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About the Poet

Caroline Ann Bowles (1786-1854) was an English poet and the wife of Robert
Southey, the poet laureate of Britain. She was a poet of great merit and produced
some of the best work at the threshold of the Victorian era. She wrote various
other works including ‘The Little Ladybird’, ‘Chapter on Churchyard’ and ‘Tales of
the Factories’.
Glossary
foliage (n) : a cluster of leaves, flowers and branches

glancing (adj) : touching or hitting something lightly from
the side, without causing much damage
swelling (adj) : becoming greater in intensity or volume
rose-banks (n) : riverbanks where roses (flowers) appear along
impetuous (adj) : acting quickly and without thought or care
tending (adj) : going in a particular way
headlong (adv) : with the head first and the rest of the body following
hath (v) : in the past, the third person singular form of the word ‘have’.
eternity (n) : life continuing without end after death
A. *Memorise the poem 'The River'

B. Read the following lines and answer the questions given below
1. O’er the yellow pebbles dancing,
Through the flowers and foliage glancing
a) How does the river flow?
b) What is meant by ‘foliage’?
2. River, river! Swelling river!

On you rush through rough and smooth;
a) Why does the poet mention the river to be swelling?
b) What are the surfaces the river flow through?
3. Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping

Like impetuous youth.
a) Where does the rose grow?
b) Which stage of man is compared here?
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4. Broad and deep, and still as time;

Seeming still, yet still in motion.
a) What is broad and deep?
b) Is the time still?
5. Tending onward to the ocean,

Just like mortal prime.
a) Where is the river flowing to?
b) What does the poet mean by ‘mortal prime’?
Poetic Devices
Anaphora is the repetition of a certain word or phrase at the beginning of successive
lines of writing or speech.
(e.g.) Sea that line hath never sounded,
Sea that sail hath never rounded
Epithet is an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as
characteristic of the person or the thing mentioned.
(e.g.) Little river.
Imagery is the name given to the elements in a poem that sparks the senses. It
need not be only visual, it can relate any of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch,
taste, smell)
(e.g.) yellow pebbles.
C. Read the following lines and answer the questions

1. Bright you sparkle on your way;
O’er the yellow pebbles dancing,
Through the flowers and foliage glancing,
Pick out the rhyming words.
2. Mention the rhyme scheme of the poem.
3. Through the flowers and foliage glancing,
Mention the figure speech used in the above line. Give various other examples
from the poem.
4. Seeming still, yet still in motion
a. Pick out the words in alliteration from the above line
b. Identify other examples from the poem for alliteration.
5. Pick out the examples for epithet from the poem.
6. Pick out the examples for imagery from the poem.
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D. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 120-150 words.

1. How does the poet bring about the comparison of life with the river? Explain it with
reference to the poem.
2. Describe how the poem clearly describes about the features, functions and destruc-
tive power of the river.
E. B ased on your understanding of the poem, complete the summary of the poem by
choosing the words/phrases given below.
prime phase, the yellow pebbles, motionless, stages of

human life, sweeping, child, journey, reckless youth.
In the poem 'The River', the poet compares the flow of the river with
different__________________. The first stanza explains how the sparkling river goes
dancing over _______________ and glancing through the flowers and leaves. These acts
of the river is compared to a curious and innocent _______ at play. The second stanza
compares the river to a _______________ who goes through rough and smooth patches
of life. Like a youth, here the river becomes louder, faster and ___________ everything all
along the way. In the third stanza, the river becomes like a hard working man who is at
the _____________ of the life. Here the deep and broad river seems ____________ but it
keeps moving towards the sea like a matured man who silently marches towards the goal.
In the last stanza the long ___________ of the river reaches the endless sea like a human
life attains eternity.
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Read and enjoy
Nature, The Gentlest Mother

Emily Dickinson
Nature, the gentlest mother,

Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest,
Her admonition mild
In forest and the hill

By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.
How fair her conversation,

A summer afternoon, --
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down
Her voice among the aisles

Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.
When all the children sleep

She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky
With infinite affection

And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.
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Unit 6 Poem
*The Comet
Norman Littleford
Warm up
Fill in the crossword puzzle using the clues given below.
2 3
6 7
10
11 12
ACROSS DOWN
2. Earth's only natural satellite 1. Smallest planet in the Solar system
3. Morning star 2. Our Galaxy
6. Titan is the largest moon of ____ 4. Seventh planet from the sun
9. Smaller bodies in orbit around the Sun 5. Distance travelled by light in a
10. The star at the centre of solar system vacuum in one tropical year
11. The Blue planet 7. Farthest planet in the Solar system
12. Largest planet in the solar system 8. The Red planet
n
Su
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Rampaging through the heavens

Never stopping day or night,
A spectacle of a lifetime
A comet in full flight.
Faster than a cheetah

With a tail that’s miles long,
Bigger than a mountain
So powerful and strong.
The outer ice is melting

Causing vapor from the force,
And leaves a trail behind it
As it travels on its course.
If one should come too close to earth

The atmosphere will shake,
With shockwave reaching to the ground
Causing the land to quake.
Scientists say the chemicals

In the dust they leave behind,
Could have started life on the earth
Which resulted in mankind.
I cannot say if this is true

I do not have the right,
But I know no better spectacle
Than a comet in full flight.
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About the Author
Norman Littleford (18 May 1889 - 20 May 1947) was an American poet, born in
Maryland, USA. Most of his works focused on life and nature. His poems are simple
but deep in thought and provoke the readers to absorb the ideas beyond the usual.
Glossary
rampaging (v) - going through an area making a lot of noise and causing damage
spectacle (n) - an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts
attention, interest
comet (n) - an icy small Solar body, which when passing close to the Sun,
warms and begins to release gases that are seen on rare
occasions from the earth as a bright line in the sky
trail (n) - a path often made or used for a particular purpose
quake (v) - a sudden violent movement of the earth's surface, some times
causing great damage (short form of earthquake).
A. *Memorise the first three stanzas of the poem.
B. Read the following lines and answer the questions.

1.
Rampaging through the heavens
Never stopping day or night,
a. How does the comet travel?
b. Which word could you replace 'rampaging' with?
a. charging b. rolling c. speeding d. flying
2.
Faster than a cheetah
With a tail that’s miles long,
a. Why is the comet compared to a cheetah?
b. Whose tail is compared here?
3.
With shockwave reaching to the ground
Causing the land to quake
a. What is reaching to the ground?
b. What is causing the land to quake?
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4.
In the dust they leave behind,
Could have started life on the earth
Which resulted in mankind
a. What does the word 'they' refer to?
b. According to scientists, how did life start on earth?
5.
But I know no better spectacle
Than a comet in full flight.
a. Who does 'I’ refer to?
b. What is the best spectacle mentioned in the above lines?
C. Complete the summary by filling in the given spaces with suitable words/
phrases given below
a trail spectacular spectacular scene outer ice a cheetah

day or night emerging of life powerful and strong shock wave scientists
The poet describes a moving comet which speeds through the heavens and never
takes a break by ____________. When a comet is in full flight, it gives a ____________
which can never be compared to anything else for a lifetime. The comet is compared to
____________ for its speed and a mountain as it is ____________. The ____________
melts which causes a vapour from the force and leaves behind _________ as it
travels on its way. If it comes very close to the atmosphere, it causes a shake which
in turn produces a ____________ that reach the Earth’s surface. According to the
______________ the comets leave behind chemicals in the form of dust which resulted
in the ____________ on earth and mankind came into existence. But the poet is not
sure whether this principle is true or not but he knows for sure that whatever the truth
may be, the sight of the comet in full flight is ____________.
D. Poem appreciation
If one should come too close to earth
The atmosphere will shake,
With shock wave reaching to the ground
Causing the land to quake.
1. Pick out the rhyming words.

2. Mention the rhyme scheme of the stanza.
3. When you read the poem aloud, you can feel/hear a rhythm. What according to
you gives rhythm to the poem- the rhyme or the words in a line? Support your
answer with examples from the poem.
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E. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.

1. Narrate how the poet describes the comet.
2. Give a detailed account of the various effects caused by the comet to the earth.
*LISTENING
F. *Listen to the passage on 'Comet' and fill in the blanks by choosing the
correct answer.
1. Comets are believed to be remnants of the materials created by the _____.

a. Moon b. Sun c. star d. asteroids
2. Comets are mostly made of _______.

a. dust b. ice c. sand d. snow
3. The _______ can be seen in the night sky as a bright, quickly-moving light.
a. head b. star c. tail d. wings
4. Comets orbit at the very edge of the galaxy, past the _______.
a. Earth b. Neptune c. Pluto d. Saturn
5. State whether the statement is true or false.

The melting process causes bits of dust and debris to trail behind the comet.
SPEAKING
G. Imagine you are interviewing an astronaut about his/her experiences in

space. Select a partner to be an astronaut and present the interview as a
role-play in front of the class.
WRITING
H. Imagine that you and your friend get a chance to visit another planet.
There, you befriend an alien who takes you around the planet. After
reaching the earth, write a letter thanking him for all the help he did.
*Listening text is on Page - 213

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Read and Enjoy

The Star
Jane Taylor
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,

When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Then the traveller in the dark,

Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep,

And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark,

Lights the traveller in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
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Unit 7 Poem
The Stick-together Families

Edgar Albert Guest
Warm up
At the heart of life lie the relationships you have with other people: with family,
classmates and friends close-by and far away. All relationships are based on some
commonly accepted values like respect, honesty, consideration and commitment. Think
about all the important relationships in your life and complete the table given below.
What are the

What I value the things that What could I do
Relationship most about this may/do cause to improve this
relationship unpleasantness in relationship?
this relationship?
Grandparents
Parents
Siblings
Friends
Teachers
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The stick-together families are happier by far

Than the brothers and the sisters who take separate highways are.
The gladdest people living are the wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside that no power but death can break.
And the finest of conventions ever held beneath the sun
Are the little family gatherings when the busy day is done.
There are rich folk, there are poor folk, who imagine they are wise,
And they're very quick to shatter all the little family ties.
Each goes searching after pleasure in his own selected way,
Each with strangers likes to wander, and with strangers likes to play.
But it's bitterness they harvest, and it's empty joy they find,
For the children that are wisest are the stick-together kind.
There are some who seem to fancy that for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest they must wander far from home.
That the strange friend is the true friend, and they travel far astray
They waste their lives in striving for a joy that's far away,
But the gladdest sort of people, when the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters who together share their fun.
It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth,

That hears the sweetest music and that finds the finest mirth;
It's the old home roof that shelters all the charm that life can give;
There you find the gladdest play-ground, there the happiest spot to live.
And, O weary, wandering brother, if contentment you would win,
Come you back unto the fireside and be comrade with your kin.
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Glossary
conventions (n) - a large formal meeting of people who have a similar interest
shatter (v) - to break suddenly into very small pieces
astray (adv.) - away from the correct path or correct way of doing something
mirth (n) - laughter, humour or happiness
comrade (n) - a friend
A. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the questions in a
sentence or two.
1. The gladdest people living are the wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside that no power but death can break.
a. Who are the gladdest people living ?
b. Where do they gather?
c. What can break their unity?
2. And the finest of conventions ever held beneath the sun

Are the little family gatherings when the busy day is done.
a. When do they have their family gatherings?
b. Where do they have their family conventions?
c. What does the poet mean by ‘finest conventions'?
3. There are rich folk, there are poor folk, who imagine they are wise,
And they're very quick to shatter all the little family ties.
a. What do the rich and poor folk imagine themselves to be?
b. What do they do to their families?
c . Whom does 'they' refer to?
4. There are some who seem to fancy that for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest they must wander far from home
a. Why do they roam?
b. According to them, when do they get bright smiles?
5. But the gladdest sort of people, when the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters who together share their fun.
a. Who are the gladdest people?
b. When do they share their fun?
c. What does 'who' refer to?
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6. It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth,

That hears the sweetest music and that finds the finest mirth;
a. Who wins the joys of the earth?
b. How do they find their joy?
c. What does the poet mean by 'stick-together family'?
B. Based on the understanding of the poem, fill in the blanks using the words
and phrases given below to make a meaningful summary of the poem.
brothers and rich and the

bitterness joint family share their fun
sisters poor folk
shatter their stick-together
charm of life separate ways the joy of earth
family families
The poet brings out the difference in the attitudes of children living in joint family
and nuclear family. The ________________ are the happiest of all. Where as the
_________________ of nuclear families take ______________. The gladdest people are
the children from _______________ who circle near the fireside. No power other than
death can break them. The _______________ imagine themselves to be wise and in the
process they ______________ ties. Each of them goes searching for pleasure in their
own selected way. They harvest only ____________ and find empty joy. But the wisest
among them are the children of the stick-together families. When the busy day is done,
they together ______________. The stick-together family wins _______________. The
old house shelters all the ______________. The poet invites wandering brothers to
come and join the stick-together families in their fireside and have fun.
C. Answer the following questions in about 80 - 100 words.

1. The stick-together families are the happiest of all. Explain.
2. Bring out the difference between the children of the joint family and nuclear
family.
Figure of speech
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction
is given human qualities or abilities.
E.g. It's the stick-together family that wins the joys of earth,...
Imagery
Imagery means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and
ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.
E.g. That hears the sweetest music...
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Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden
comparison between two things that are unrelated, but which share some common
characteristics
E.g. It's the old home roof that shelters....
There you find the gladdest play-ground...
D. Answer the following

1.
There are rich folk, there are poor folk, who imagine they are wise,...
Pick out the words in alliteration.
2. Mention the rhyme scheme of the poem.
*LISTENING
E. Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks with appropriate answer.
1. A person is valued based on his _______________.
2. _______________ does not happen overnight.
3. A close family bond is like a _______________.
4. A strong foundation for any individual comes from being with a __________.
5. A gift not only with _______________, but _______________ who care and
love us beyond themselves.
SPEAKING
F.
“The building actually rests on the well laid out foundation and hence is strong and
still.” How can this be related to a family? Discuss with your partner and share your
views in the class.
WRITING
G. Write a four-line poem with rhyming words describing your family.
*Listening text is on Page - 214

English 194
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Read and Enjoy
Memories of My Dad
Rebecca D.Cook.
He wasn’t a hero
Known by the world,
But a hero he was
To his little girl.
My daddy was God,

Who knew all things.
And better than Santa,
With the gifts he’d bring.
I knew his voice

Before I could speak.
And loves it when
He would sing me to sleep.
He taught me life’s lessons

Or right from wrong
And instilled in me values
That I might be strong.
And so, dear Dad

My best memory to recall
Is the gift of your presence,
The greatest gift of all.
195 English
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Poem
*Special Hero
Christina M Kerschen
*Memoriter
Warm up
What are the sacrifices made by your father for

your family.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
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When
YOUTUBE - WIN & SHINE IAS : TELEGRAM - WIN & SHINE IAS :I INSTAGRAM
was a baby,- @winshineias2019
you would hold me in your arms.
I felt the love and tenderness,
keeping me safe from harm.
I would look up into your eyes,
and all the love I would see.
How did I get so lucky,
you were the dad chosen for me.
There is something special
about a father's love.
Seems it was sent to me
from someplace up above.
Our love is everlasting,
I just wanted you to know.
That you're my special hero
and I wanted to tell you so.
Christina M Kerschen
23
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Glossary
tenderness (n) – gentleness and kindness
everlasting (adj) – lasting forever or a very long time
special(adj) – different from what is usual
A) Read the poem aloud in pairs.

B) Find a line from the poem to match the statements given below and write it
in the blank.
1. He always saves me from harm --------------------------------------------------.
2. I am so lucky to get you --------------------------------------------------.
3. The affection between us has no end --------------------------------------------------.
C) Answer the following questions.

1. Who is the speaker?
2. Who is the special hero mentioned in the poem?
3. How did the child feel when it was hold by its dad?
Seems it was sent to me
From someplace up above.
4. What do the above lines mean?
5. What did the child want to tell its dad?
D) Work in pairs and answer the questions below.

1. "There is something special
about a father's love".
Identify the alliteration in the given lines.
2. Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.
WRITING
E) Write a paragraph on the father’s love as described in the poem.
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Parallel Reading
ONLY A DAD
Only a dad, with a tired face,

Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame,
To show how well he has played the game,
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come, and to hear his voice.
Only a dad, with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more.
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent, whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad, but he gives his all
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing, with courage stern and grim,
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen,
Only a dad, but the best of men.
Edgar Albert Guest
25
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Poem
*Making Life Worth While

George Eliot
Warm up
Observe the pictures and write the moral values. Share your
experience.
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Making Life Worth While

Every soul that touches yours -
Be it the slightest contact -
Get there from some good;
Some little grace; one kindly thought;
One aspiration yet unfelt;
One bit of courage
For the darkening sky;
One gleam of faith
To brave the thickening ills of life;
One glimpse of brighter skies -
To make this life worthwhile
And heaven a surer heritage.

- George Eliot
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About the Poet
Mary Ann Evans (1819 – 1880), known by her

pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist,
poet, journalist, translator, and one of the leading
writers of the Victorian era. She wrote seven novels.
George Eliot
Glossary
grace (n) - elegance, charm
a hope or ambition of achieving something, desire,
aspiration (n) - wish
courage (n) - bravery, valour
gleam (n) - shine brightly
glimpse (n) - glance, quick look
worthwhile (adj) - valuable, purposeful
heritage (n) - inheritance
1. Comprehension questions.
1. What should we learn from every soul?
2. What qualities will help us brave the thickening ills of life?
3. Why should we make this life worthwhile?
4. What does the poet assure if we make our life worthwhile?
2. Fill in the blanks:
1. We should have a _____________________ in life.
2. A ______________ is need for the darkening sky.
3. One must have a ___________ of brighter skies to make the life worthwhile.
3. Figure of speech.
Repetition:
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words of phrases a few times to
make an idea clearer and more memorable. It is used to emphasize a feeling or idea,
create rhythm, and bring attention to an idea.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep,
and miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost
Pick out
YOUTUBE any&two
- WIN lines IAS
SHINE of repetition
: TELEGRAMfrom -the
WINpoem.
& SHINE IAS : INSTAGRAM - @winshineias2019
81
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Parallel Reading
Just One
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream,
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul,
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer,
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true,
One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!
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Poem
*A Thing of Beauty
John Keats
Warm up
1. Do you admire the beauty of nature, animals,
people, places or things? Discuss with your partner.
108108
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A Thing of Beauty
John Keats
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About the Poet
John Keats (1795 – 1821) was a British Romantic
poet. Although trained to be a surgeon, Keats decided
to devote himself wholly to poetry. Keats’ secret, his
power to sway and delight the readers, lies primarily
in his gift for perceiving the world and living his
moods and aspirations in terms of language. "A Thing
of Beauty' is an excerpt from his poem ‘Endymion:
A Poetic Romance’. The poem is based on a Greek
legend, in which Endymion, a beautiful young shepherd
and poet who lived on Mount Latmos, had a vision
of Cynthia, the Moon Goddess. The enchanted youth
resolved to seek her out and so wandered away through the forest and down under the sea.
Glossary
bower (n) - shelter under the shade of trees
wreathing (v) - cover, surround, encircle something
pall (n) - covering
rills (n) - clear stream
sprinkling (v) - falling in fine drops
A. Read the poem aloud twice.
B. Choose the correct answers

1. According to the poet, a thing of beauty is ____________.
a. a joy forever b. a pain forever
c. a suffering forever d. neglected
2. Beautiful things never “pass in to nothingness ” means that they ____________.
a. never increases b. create unpleasantness between friends
c. never fade away d. always bring unhappiness
3. “Will keep a bower quiet for us” means ____________.
a. will give us peace and calm b. will stop unpleasant sound
c. make our beds fit to sleep d. reduces noise
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4. - Of
YOUTUBE WINall&the unhealthy
SHINE IAS : means ____________
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a. pain b. neglect
c. suffering d. ill-health
5. The sun, moon, trees, old and young are the things that ____________.
a. depress us b. remove the pall of gloom from our lives
c. makes us laugh d. gives us oxygen
C. Answer the following
1. How is a thing of beauty joy forever?
2. Why do we suffer?
3. According to the poet, mention the evil things we possess?
d. Figure of Speech
Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant letters or similar sounds at the
beginning words in a set or series of words.
 wild wind
 curious clock
 splendid scholar
 memorable moments
 creepy crawlies
Imagery is the way that a writer helps reader visualize or see in their minds what is
being described. These images often suggest emotions. Images appeal to one or more of
the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste or smell.
For example
 It was dark and cloudy in the woods.
 The boys were screaming and shouting in the playground.
 The mountain was spewing and spitting the smoke.
 The sauce was sweet and sour.
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Poem
*Lessons in Life
Brigette Bryant & Daniel Ho
Warm up
What do you feel when you meet your friend after a long time?
Building a friendship with someone is easy or difficult? Why?
Having a friend is like planting a flower

Show love and kindness it one day will bloom
Let’s be aware as we walk on this planet
Even the tiniest creature needs room.
Lessons in life aren’t always so simple
Nothing you’re given will ever come free
Even the smallest of gifts deserves “thank you”
I respect you and Eliot
George you respect
I think of you and you think of me.
Remember everyone here is important

When you’re forgotten it makes you feel sad
Know that you matter and you make a difference
Let no one shame you or make you feel bad.
Lessons in life aren’t always so simple

Nothing you are given will ever come free
Even the smallest of gifts deserves “thank you”
I respect you and you respect
I think of you and you think of me.
Bridgette Bryant & Daniel Ho
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Glossary
kindness (n) - humble
bloom (v) - come into
tiniest (adj) - smallest
forgotten (v) - out of mind
deserves (v) - be qualified for
A. Comprehension Questions
1. What is planting a flower compared to?
2. What does the tiniest creature need?
3. What do the smallest gifts deserve?
4. What will happen if you fail to give importance to others?
5. What do you learn from your lessons in life?
6. Pick and write the rhyming words from the third stanza.
7. “Having a friend is like planting a flower.” Explain.
Figures of speech
a. Simile:
A ‘Simile’ is a figure of speech, in which two unlike things are compared, using the
words, ‘like’ or ‘as’. It is used to bring a dramatic effect in Prose. Simile is one of the most
common forms of a figure of speech and is also used in poems as well as our day-to-day
talks.
Examples:
• as blind as a bat (means that someone is not willing to notice)
• like peas in a pod (means that two people are quite similar)
• as wise as an owl (refers to someone who is very smart / knowledgeable)
• quiet like a mule (refers to someone who is silent / quiet)
• as brave as a lion (refers to someone who is too brave/courageous)
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YOUTUBE - WIN & SHINE IAS : TELEGRAM Exercise:

- WIN & SHINE IAS : INSTAGRAM - @winshineias2019
Answer the following.
1. Write a sentence using ‘as fast as the wind’.

2. Write a simile using the word ‘like’.
3. Create a simile using the word ‘as’.
4. What does ‘as smart as a fox’ mean?
2. Metaphor:
A ‘Metaphor’ is quite similar to a ‘Simile’, as a ‘Metaphor’ also compares two unlike

things. But a Metaphor has an implied or a hidden meaning between unrelated things.
Here, for a Metaphor we do not use words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. Unlike Similes which
compare two things, Metaphors directly state a comparison to things that are in no way
similar. We can use Metaphors to explain an idea, but its literal meaning should not be
taken. It is only to be used as a symbolism.
Examples:
• My father was boiling mad. (implies that he was too angry)
• She is the apple of my eye. (implies that she is too dear to me)
• Your brain is a computer. (implies that your brain is smart and quick)
• Her voice is music to his ears. (implies that her voice makes him feel happy)
• The given task was a breeze. (implies that the task was not difficult)
Exercise:
1. Which of the given options is a Metaphor?
a) Life is like a chocolate box. b) Raj is like his twin brother.
c) His words are pearls of wisdom. d) The bus is slow as a snail.
2. What does "The world is a stage” mean?
3. Identify the Metaphor in the sentence.
Her hair is always a rat’s nest in the morning.
4. Write a sentence on your own that includes a Metaphor.
William Shakespeare invented over 1700 of our common words by changing nouns
into verbs, changing verbs into adjectives, connecting words never before used
together, adding prefixes and suffixes and devising words wholly original.
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Parallel Reading
A Time to Talk
When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.
Robert Frost
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Poem
My Computer Needs A Break

Shanthini Govindan
Warm up
In pairs, tell each other how computer plays a vital
role in all fields.
1. Computer helps students learn new things.
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
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My Computer Needs A Break
My computer has always been so brainy and smart –

It seems to know mountains of information by heart.
If I type in a question, and give my mouse a click,
My computer always gives me the answer really quick!
But of late, my computer has been behaving badly too,

It’s so absent-minded, that I don’t know what to do.
It forgets to ‘save’ my work, and store it away,
And instead, makes it vanish in the most dreadful way.
My computer doesn’t check that my spellings are right,

And hides my files, so that they vanish from sight.
And one day, my naughty computer actually gobbled a worm,
And behaved so erratically that it made me squirm.
Then my computer caught a virus, and fell very sick,

So I had to call in a doctor, double quick.
As the doctor examined my computer, I just had to say,
‘Doctor, do you think my tired computer wants a holiday?’
Shanthini Govindan
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About the Author
Shanthini Govindan is a widely published, award-winning
author of children's literature in English in India, who has
written over 50 books for children including poetry, picture
books and short stories for children of all ages.
Glossary
brainy (adj) – very intelligent
absent-minded (adj) – being forgetful
vanish (v) – disappear
dreadful (adj) – unpleasant
gobbled (v) – ate hastily or greedily
erratically (adv) – unsteadily or unpredictably
squirm (v) – to twist the body in discomfort
A) Answer the following:

1. How does the poet describe her computer?
2. What happened to the computer?
3. List four things that the computer could not do after it became absent-minded
4. What made the poet squirm?
5. Why did the poet call the doctor?
B) Fill in the blanks.

1) Computers are ______ and _______.
2) We get answers for questions by a ______.
3) The computer forgot to ______ the poet's work.
4) The computer actually gobbled a _______.
5) The poet feels that his computer needs _______.
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C) Pick
YOUTUBE out&the
- WIN rhyming
SHINE words from-the
IAS : TELEGRAM WINpoem.
& SHINE IAS : INSTAGRAM - @winshineias2019
Smart - ________
click - _________
right - _________
sick - __________
D) Match the poetic lines with Figures of speech
1) So brainy – personification
2) Mountains – personification
3) It's so absent minded – hyperbole
4) Computer gobbled a worm – metaphor
5) Very sick – metaphor
E) Find the alliterating words from the poem
1) Save - ________________________________
2) Doctor - ________________________________
3) Virus - ________________________________
4) makes - ________________________________
5) Gobbled - ________________________________
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Parallel Reading
Ode to Technology...
You've brought us closer,

Then made us more distant.
Made us more aware,
Then made us doubtful of ourselves.
Introduce us to more friends,
Then invited more enemies.
Given us more publicity,
Then exploited us.
Save us more time,
Now it's spent to be more busy.
Simplify our tasks just to make life more difficult.
You're an entrapping blessing in disguise.
Made us feel more secure,
Yet gave us more tools to break in.
You've become our new addiction,
Just a second without you,
Got us in technology withdraw.
You're a complication in simplicity.
There's so much to love you but also so much to hate.
Can't live with you or without you...
Tien Dang
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3
Your Space Poem
Warm Up
Look at the pictures given below. Fill in the blanks according

to the cues given.
When you are in a meeting
Situation: Formal Informal
Conversation: Formal Informal
Your own sentences __________________

___________________________________
___________________________________
With your head master

___________________________________
___________________________________
With your parents

___________________________________
___________________________________
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Speak gently! – It is better far

To rule by love, than fear
Speak gently – let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here!
Speak gently! – Love doth whisper low

The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently Friendship’s accents flow;
Affection’s voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child!

Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild:-
It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the young, for they

Will have enough to bear –
Pass through this life as best they may,
‘T is full of anxious care!
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Speak gently to the aged one,

Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart!
Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;

Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word!
Speak gently to the erring – know,

They may have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
Oh, win them back again!
Speak gently! – He who gave his life

To bend man’s stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, ‘Peace, be still.’
Speak gently! – ’tis a little thing

Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.
David Bates
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GLOSSARY
harsh rough
doth does
whisper low voice
accents emphasise
anxious feeling worried or showing worry
grieve be sorrowful
depart leave/go
endure suffer patiently
toiled worked hard
vain producing no results
stubborn one refusing to change one’s opinion
strife disagreement
eternity without end
Read and Understand
A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
1. Why should we speak gently?

2. What do you infer about speaking with others from this poem?
3. What are the disadvantages of speaking harshly?
4. Why does the poet tell us to speak gently to young children?
5. How should you speak with old people?
B. Read the poem and fill in the blanks with the correct option.
soft vain fear joy love heard toiled mild good sand life harsh
1. It is better far to rule by , than .
2. Teach it in accents and .
3. Let no tone be .
4. They may have in .
5. The , the_______, which it may bring.
6. The of are nearly run.
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1 Sea Fever Poem
Warm Up
Rescue the sinking words!
1. . 5. .
2. . 6. .
3. . 7. .
4. . 8. .
93& SHINE IAS : INSTAGRAM - @winshineias2019

YOUTUBE - WIN & SHINE IAS : TELEGRAM - WIN
7th Std Tamil CBSE Term 3 Combined 16.05.2019.indd 93 03-10-2019 15:08:09

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I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
John Masefield
John Masefield (1878–1967) was an English Poet and writer. He was appointed
poet laureate of the United Kingdom in 1930.


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GLOSSARY
the north star is the pole star which tells the

Star to steer - sailor where North is and thus they can steer
the ship correctly
flung - threw
spume - sea foam
vagrant - wandering
whetted - sharpened
A long or rambling story especially one that is
yarn -
impossible
flurried - worried
rover - wanderer
trick - a period of stay on the ship after the voyage
A. Read the poem aloud in pairs.
B. Choose the best answer.
1. The title of the poem ‘Sea Fever’ means ______________________.
a) flu fever
b) the poet’s deep wish to be at sea
c) the poet’s fear of the sea
2. The poet asks for ___________________.
a) a fishing net
b) a big boat
c) a tall ship
3. The poet wants to lead a life at sea like __________________.
a) the gulls and whales

b) the penguins and sharks
c) the pelicans and dolphins


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C. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky
Where does the poet want to go?
2. And the wheel’s kick and the winds song and the white sail’s shaking
What according to the poet are the pleasures of sailing?
3. And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying
Why does the poet ask for a windy day?
4. And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover.

What kind of human company does the poet want?
5. And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over
What does the poet want to do after his voyage is over?
D. Poem Appreciation
1. Fill in the blanks with correct rhyming words from the poem.
sky____________, knife__________, rover____________
2. Quote the line that has been repeated in the poem.
_____________________________________________.
3. Write the poetic device which is used in the line below.

And a grey mist on the sea’s face ………………………
4. What poetic device is used for the comparison in the below line?
………….where the wind’s like a whetted life:
E. T
he poem has many visual and sound images. Complete the table with
examples from the poem. The first one has been done for you.
Visual images Sound images
Wheel’s kick Wind’s song


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2 Courage Poem
Look at the Face It chart. Discuss in small groups and tell how to face those
situations.
Warm Up
FACE IT!

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Courage isn’t a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment’s flash;
It isn’t an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring
It isn’t a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it’s something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.
Courage isn’t the last resort

In the work of life or the game of sport;
It isn’t a thing that a man can call
At some future time when he’s apt to fall;
If he hasn’t it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot.
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.
Courage isn’t a dazzling light

That flashes and passes away from sight;
It’s a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.
It’s part of a man when his skies are blue,
It’s part of him when he has work to do.
The brave man never is freed of it.
He has it when there is no need of it.
Courage was never designed for show;

It isn’t a thing that can come and go;
It’s written in victory and defeat
And every trial a man may meet.
It’s part of his hours, his days and his years,
Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
Courage is more than a daring deed:
It’s the breath of life and a strong man’s creed.
Edgar Albert Guest
Note on the Poet: Edgar Albert Guest (1881–1959) was a prolific England-born
American poet who was popular in the first half of the 20th century and became
known as the People’s Poet. His poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view
of everyday life.

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GLOSSARY
instantaneous - happening or done immediately

flickered - shone unsteadily
strive - make great effort
ingrained - firmly established and hard to change
READ AND UNDERSTAND
A. Answer the following questions.

1. Can courage be developed suddenly? Why?
2. When should we have courage?
3. Give an example for dazzling light.
4. Can a courageous man be defeated? Why?
5. What is the ‘breath of life’?
6. What are the characteristics of a courageous man?
B. Read the following lines and answer the questions.

1. It isn’t an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring
a. What does ‘it’ refer to?
b. What does ‘born of despair mean’?
2. It’s a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.
a. What is an ‘ingrained trait’?
b. Why does a courageous man need patience?
3. It’s part of his hours, his days and his years,

Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
a. What does ‘tears’ mean?

Literary Appreciation
Rhyme Scheme: A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line
of a poem or song. It is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines
rhyme; lines designated with the same letter rhyme with each other.

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C. Work in pairs and answer the following.
1. Pick out the alliterated words.
2. Pick out the rhyming words.
3. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
CREATIVE WRITING
Bio - Poem
A Bio - Poem is an essay about oneself in the form of poetry.
Line 1 : Your name.

Line 2 : Four adjectives that describe you.
Line 3 : Son of / daughter of … brother of / sister of…
Line 4 : Lover of three people, things or idea.
Line 5 : Who feels (three sensations or emotion)
Line 6 : Who needs (three things)
Line 7 : Who gives (three things)
Line 8 : Who fears (three things)
Line 9 : Who would like to see (three persons or places)
Line 10 : Who lives …
Line 11 : Your last name.
Anne
Friendly, kind, smart and obedient
Daughter of Sam and Diana, sister of Jack
Lover of pets, sports and reading
Who feels cheerful, comfortable and excited
Who needs education, peace and friends
Who gives smiles, support and courage
Who fears spiders, the dark and stray dogs
Who would like to see Mt. Everest
Lives in Cape
Sara
D. W
ork in small groups. Pick out the adjectives and nouns that suit you using
a dictionary. Read the steps given. Arrange adjectives and nouns like the
given sample to construct your BioPoem. Present in the class.
E. Collect all the poems. Compile an Anthology of BioPoems of Class VII.

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Poem
Team Work
WARM UP
What is the most essential quality required to win the game given below?
It’s all very well to have courage and skill

And it’s fine to be counted a star,
But the single deed with its touch of thrill
Doesn’t tell the man you are;
For there’s no lone hand in the game we play,
We must work to a bigger scheme,
And the thing that counts in the world to-day
Is, How do you pull with the team?
They may sound your praise and call you great,
They may single you out for fame,
But you must work with your running mate
Or you’ll never win the game;
Oh, never the work of life is done
By the man with a selfish dream,
For the battle is lost or the battle is won
By the spirit of the team.
You may think it fine to be praised for skill,
But a greater thing to do
Is to set your mind and set your will
On the goal that’s just in view;
It’s helping your fellowman to score
When his chances hopeless seem;
Its forgetting self till the game is o’re
And fighting for the team.
- Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959)
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About the Author. GLOSSARY

Edgar Albert Guest began his illustrious career
Deed - Act; Achievement
in 1895 at the age of fourteen when his work first
Scheme - Plan
appeared in the Detroit Free Press. His column was
syndicated in over 300 newspapers, and he came to Fame - Glory
be known as “ The Poet of the People” . Guest was Mate - Companion; Partner
made Poet Laureate of Michigan, the only poet to Spirit - Will; Determination
have been awarded the title. His poems often had an O’re - A(poetic)abbreviation
inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life. for 'over'
A. Read the poem aloud and fill in the wheel with its rhyming pair. Also try
giving your own rhyming word. One is done for you.
thr
ill,
dril
l
e skill
fa m
g re
e
don
at
e
pla
em
y
sch
sta
r do
B. Fill in the table.

Contraction is a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted
letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe (').
It’s It is
Doesn’t
There’s
You will
That’s
I have
He’d
Aren’t
He has
Won’t
Can not
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C. Answer the following questions.
1. What qualities are needed to play a game?
2. What helps one win the game?
3. How is team spirit created?
D. Read the lines and answer the questions given below.
1 . I t’ s helping your fellowman to score

W hen his chances hopeless seem;
I ts forgetting self till the game is o’ re
And fighting for the team.
a) What does 'it' stand for here?

b) Write the rhyme scheme for the above lines.
2 . T hey may sound your praise and call you great,

T hey may single you out for fame,
But you must work with your running mate
O r you’ ll never win the game;
a) Whom does ‘ they’ refer to?

b) Which line talks about team spirit?
c) Pick out the rhyming words from the given lines.
E. Pair work. Discuss with your partner and list out any five team games.
1. _______________________.
2. _______________________.
3. _______________________.
4. _______________________.
5. _______________________.
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Poem
From A Railway Carriage
WARM UP
Read the title.

• What do you think the poem is about?
• Have you been on a train?
• Close your eyes and think about the moving scene outside a train window.
• Take turns in class to describe one image that crossed your mind.
eg. I saw a tea vendor run past the window; I saw tall trees flash past...
Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.
Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And there is the green for stringing the daisies!
Here is a cart run away in the road,
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill and there is a river:
Each a glimpse and gone forever!
- Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (13 Nov 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a
Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, musician and travel writer. His famous works are
‘Treasure Island’, ‘Kidnapped’, ‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde’ and ‘A Child’s
Garden of Verses’.
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GLOSSARY
Charge - To make a rush at or sudden attack upon a person or thing

Clamber - Climb or move in an awkward and laborious way using both hands and feet
Brambles - A prickly scrambling shrub of the rose family especially a blackberry
Tramp - A person who travels from place to place on foot in search of work or as
a beggar
Stringing - Hang so that it stretches in a long line
Lumping - Carry with difficulty
Glimpse - See or perceive briefly or partially
READ AND UNDERSTAND
A. Read the lines and answer the questions given below.
1. Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
a. What is faster than fairies and witches?

b. Why does the poet mention ‘bridges and houses, hedges and ditches’? Where are they?
2. Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,

All by himself and gathering brambles;
a. Where do you think the child is?

b. What does ‘gathering brambles’ mean?
3. And ever again, in the wink of an eye,

Painted stations whistle by.
a. ‘In the wink of an eye’ means very quickly. Explain ‘painted stations whistle by’.
4. Each a glimpse and gone forever;
a. What is ‘each’ over here? Why is it gone forever?
B. Answer the following questions.
1. What does ‘charges along like troops in a battle’ mean?

2. What word could best replace ‘charges’ in the poem - marches, rushes or pushes?
3. Why does the child clamber and scramble?
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C. Think and Write.
1. Write a paragraph about 50 words describing the scenes that the poet passed by.
2. There is a connection between the rhyming words and rhythms of the train. Present
your views about it.
D. Fill in the blanks to complete the summary.
Ever since their introduction, ___________, and their unique rhythms have
___________ poets. In this poem the poet shares his experience ___________
with us. He presents natural scenes seen from __________ a railway carriage. The
___________ is regular and steady but ___________ from the window of the train is
constantly changing. The poem’s rhythm and phrases bring ___________ of a railway
journey. The poet looks out of the window at the ___________ images outside. Every
line we see here is a quick account of something seen for ___________. The line that
best sums up is the final one: "Each a glimpse and gone forever!"
VOCABULARY
E. Find me in the poem.

1. I can help you to cross the river - .
2. I can border your garden - .
3. I can alert you - .
4. I can carry you - .
5. You can ride on me - .
6. You can climb on men - .
7. You can lay down on me - .
8. You can play with me - .
APPRECIATING THE POEM
F. Work in pairs.
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Similes explicitly
use connecting words such as ‘like’ and ‘as’.
eg. ‘as cool as’; ‘like a child’.
1. Discuss with your partner and pick out the similes used in the poem. Which one do
you like the most? Why?
2. Discuss with your partner and pick out the rhyming words from the poem.
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CREATIVE WRITING
Cinquain Poem
• Brainstorm some interesting nouns, verbs and adjectives connected to travel.
• Pick out the most descriptive words from your brainstorming and put your cinquain
together.
• Your cinquain should have five lines and the finished poem should have only eleven
words.
A cinquain poem has eleven words arranged like this :
Line 1: A single word title -a noun.
Line 2: Two words that describe the title- adjectives.
Line 3: Three words that describe the action of the title.
Line 4: Four words that describe a feeling in a phrase.
Line 5: One word that repeats the title.
e.g.:
Train
long snaking
hooting, chugging, steaming
along the winding tracks
Procession
G. Pick out the nouns from the poem. Write as many Cinquain poems as
you can.
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Poem Indian Seasons
WARM UP
write them in the blanks.
K S N O W S K Y
L M U Y K E M H L
O S N S O T Q O K
U P N D S I R T I
D R Y L E A V E S
R A I N W I N D M
S O T H U N D E R
What day is it?
1. We feel thirsty on a _________.
2. We use an umbrella on a _________.
3. We sail paper boats on a _________.
4. We fly kites on a _________.

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Indian Seasons
Summer comes
in a blaze of heat
with sunny smiles
and dusty feet
Then seasons change
to muddy roads
monsoons and mangoes
leapfrogs and toads
Spring is pretty
but short and sweet
when you can smell the grass
from your garden seat
Autumn is English
in red, yellow and brown
Autumn is Indian
whenever leaves fall down
Nisha Dyrene
. .
. .
1. make the feet dusty. ___________

2. rogs and toads will visit when I am there. ___________
3. am pretty short and sweet. ___________
4. make your garden smell sweet. ___________
5. Leaves will wither because of me. ___________
GLOSSARY
blaze - bright flame or fire dusty - covered with tiny bits of sand
leap - to jump high toad - a small brown animal similar to a frog
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READ
YOUTUBE - WINAND UNDERSTAND
& SHINE IAS : TELEGRAM - WIN & SHINE IAS : INSTAGRAM - @winshineias2019
. .
1 . Summer comes
in a blaz e of heat with
sunny smiles
and dusty feet
a. Does the poet welcome the summer? How do you know?
b. Which line tells you that there is no rain in summer?
2 . Spring is pretty
but short and sweet
when you can smell the grass
from your garden seat
a. How does the poet describe the spring season?
b. Which line tells you that the garden is fresh?
c. Who does ‘you’ refer to?
3 . A utumn is E nglish
in red, yellow and brown
A utumn is Indian
Whenever leaves fell down
a. How is autumn in India?
b. ompare the nglish autumn with the ndian autumn.
D. .
Stanz a - 1 Stanz a - 2 Stanz a - 3
E. .
1. in a blaze of heat 2. to muddy roads 3. Spring is pretty
with sunny smiles monsoons and mangoes but short and sweet
__________________ __________________ _________________
. .
1. Name the seasons mentioned in the poem?
2. What does the summer bring?
3. Which word refers to ‘rain’?.
4. Why does the poet say the ‘ Spring is pretty’?
5. When is it autumn in India? Why does the poet say this? Is there an autumn
season in India?
G. How does the poet describe the Indian seasons? Write in your own
words in about 5 0 words.
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Poem A TRAGIC STORY
WARM UP
Pin the tail on the donkey.

Scan here to get the picture of the donkey.
Get the tail of the donkey cut off from the picture.
Use a dark coloured cloth to cover the participant’s eyes. Have the player stand close
to the picture of the donkey. Spin the player ﬁve to ten times. ow let the blind folded
player pin a tail.
Read the poem silently. Based on your reading discuss in class whether the
incidents are humorous or tragical.
There lived a sage in days of yore,

And he a handsome pigtail wore;
But wondered much and sorrowed more,
Because it hung behind him.
He mused upon this curious case,
And swore he'd change the pigtail's place,
And have it hanging at his face,
Not dangling there behind him.
Says he, " The mystery I've found –
Says he, " The mystery I've found!
I'll turn me round," he turned him round;
But still it hung behind him.
Then round and round, and out and in,
All day the puzzled sage did spin;
In vain–it mattered not a pin –
The pigtail hung behind him.
And right and left and round about,
And up and down and in and out
He turned; but still the pigtail stout
Hung steadily behind him.
And though his efforts never slack,
And though he twist and twirl, and tack,
Alas! Still faithful to his back,
The pigtail hangs behind him.
- William Makepeace Thackeray
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GLOSSARY
sage - wise man mused - thought over

yore - long ago curious - eager to learn more
pigtail - a plaited lock of hair worn mystery - puzzle
singly at the back stout - thick in structure
William Makepeace Thackeray was one of the great novelists of

the nglish Victorian Age. His Vanity air is one of the finest and
best-known novels in English literature. Thackeray wrote in a colorful,
lively style, with a simple vocabulary and clearly- structured sentences.
These qualities, combined with his honest view of life, give him an
important place in the history of realistic literature.
A. .
1. What made the sage upset?
2. Why did the sage spin all day?
3. What solution did he arrive at for the mystery that he found?
4. Was he finally successful in changing his pigtail’s position? Support your answer
with a line from the poem.
5. Did something dreadful happen? How would you describe the events in the poem–
comedy or tragedy?
B. poem lines and answer the questions given below.
1. But wondered much and sorrowed more
Because it hung behind him.
a) What was he wondering about?
b) What does the word it’ refer to here?
2. And though his efforts never slack
And though he twist, and twirl, and tack,
Alas! Still faithful to his back
The pigtail hangs behind him.
a) Pick out the rhyming words from the above lines and give the rhyme scheme
for the same.
b) Did he uit his trying? How can you say?
3. He mused upon this curious case’
What is the figure of speech used in this line?
4. Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their
intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. It may also be a situation
that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple
words, it is a difference between appearance and reality.
Can this poem be called an ironic poem? Justify your answer.
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C. Fill
YOUTUBE in the
- WIN table IAS
& SHINE with the appropriate
: TELEGRAM - WIN &poem
SHINElines.
IAS : A few lines may
INSTAGRAM be used
- @winshineias2019
more than one time.
Pick the line or lines that

e.g. And swore he'd change the pigtail's
 suggest the sage lacked practical place
common sense
 make the poem humorous
 show the clowning movements of the

sage
 that are actually funny but have a

serious tone
D. The summary of the poem is given.But there are some words missing. Fill
in the blanks with the help of the box given below.
faithfully, change, pigtail, round,

sage, down, slack, out, hung,
place, behind, vain, face
Once upon a time there lived a . He had a handsome . He was

worried and pondered over his pigtail's . He wanted to it's
place. He wanted it hanging at his He didn’t like it hanging there
him. So he turned right and left and about, up and ,
and in and but it still behind him. However he tried, his
efforts were in . But he didn’t in his efforts. Nevertheless his
pigtail hung behind him.
E.
Work with a partner. Let one student read the poem and the other to pantomime
(communication by means of gesture and facial expression) the poem as he or she
reads.
108

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Let me but live my life from year to year,

So let the way wind up the hill or down,

10th English_Book.indb 17 26-02-2019 16:24:02

About the Poet

mourning (v) - feeling or expressing great sadness

10th English_Book.indb 18 26-02-2019 16:24:02

6. I n the dim past, nor holding back in fear

10th English_Book.indb 19 26-02-2019 16:24:02

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

10th English_Book.indb 20 26-02-2019 16:24:03

A woman is beauty innate,

The summer of life she's ready to see in spring.

Strong is she in her faith and beliefs.

She's a lioness; don't mess with her.

She's today's woman. Today's woman, dear.

- Rakhi Nariani Shirke.

About the author

Rakhi Nariani Shirke is an academician with a passion for writing poems

10th English_Book.indb 84 26-02-2019 16:24:24

persistence (n) - determination groans (v) - complaints and grumbles

sigh (v) - expressing grief moans (v) - grieves

mess with (p) - to tease or play a joke

2. Strong is she in her faith and belief.

3. Despite the sighs and groans and moans,

4. Don't ever try to saw her pride, her self-respect.

5. She's today's woman. Today's woman dear.

10th English_Book.indb 85 26-02-2019 16:24:25

Every woman is beautiful She is the of power and She is

D. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 80 to 100 words.

10th English_Book.indb 86 26-02-2019 16:24:25

Does my sassiness upset you? Does my sexiness upset you?

10th English_Book.indb 87 26-02-2019 16:24:26

5 THE SECRET OF THE

The poem deals with

10th English_Book.indb 148 26-02-2019 16:25:06

We were taken from the ore-bed and the mine,

Some water, coal, and oil is all we ask,

But remember, please, the Law by which we live,

About the poet

10th English_Book.indb 149 26-02-2019 16:25:06

furnace (n) – an enclosed structure in thousandth (adv.) – a fraction of thousand

A. Answer the following questions briefly.

10th English_Book.indb 150 26-02-2019 16:25:06

10th English_Book.indb 151 26-02-2019 16:25:06

10th English_Book.indb 152 26-02-2019 16:25:06

4 The Ant and the Cricket

A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing

Not a crumb to be found

“Oh! what will become,” says cricket, “of me?”

Him shelter from rain.

10th English_Book.indb 115 26-02-2019 16:24:37

My heart was so light

Go then”, says the ant, “and dance the winter away”.

- Adapted from Aesop’s fables

10th English_Book.indb 116 26-02-2019 16:24:37

About the Author

10th English_Book.indb 117 26-02-2019 16:24:38

5. Away he set off to a miserly ant, 10. My heart was so light

10th English_Book.indb 118 26-02-2019 16:24:38

Read and Enjoy

City Mouse and Country Mouse Exchange Visits

So in they went and to a house And never stopped until he came

6. I n the dim past, nor holding back in fear

D. Answer the following in a paragraph of about 80 to 100 words.

sweep (v) : to move swiftly and

5. And miles to go before I sleep, 3. W

G. Answer the following questions in a paragraph about 80 -100 words.

Glossary 4. And it grew both day and night,

C. Answer the following questions *Listening

H. Discuss and Write.