READ

A Path to Discovery

Something had woken him up. Sami had no idea what it was, but it was not the first time
this had happened. In fact, since he had arrived at his aunt’s ranch, it had become the norm
for his eyes to drowsily flutter open at exactly the same moment around dawn. The strange
thing was, it was always so quiet. He wondered what it was about this place. In his
hometown, he had to drag himself out of the bed, stumbling his way through the ‘getting
ready’ routine, barely making it in time to meet the school bus on his block.
He slowly stretched his body as he waited for his aunt to come to wake him up for Fajr
prayer, and felt a wave of gratitude course through him for being able to do so. It reminded
him of the waking up dua, ‘All praise is for Allah, who restored to me my health and returned my
soul and has allowed me to remember Him’. Who could appreciate the meaning of this dua more
than him? It had almost been like his soul had returned to his body on that fatal day, after all.
The accident that had spared his life, however, had wrecked his body, and the long
excruciating journey of recovery had actually been like being to hell and back.
But he was well now, recuperating at his aunt’s ranch in California, and everything was
different. He felt like a different person. He was not sure if it was the accident, or this
wonderfully earthy place, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the mechanical city life.
Here, one could actually feel the clock ticking as the day trudged on, giving one ample time
to notice small things, not only in one’s surroundings but even within oneself.
If was not like he had nothing to do here. He was not on bed-rest anymore but, leaving
aside the hard physical labour, he could be of help to his aunt and uncle in many small,
significant ways. Besides helping his aunt with the house chores, he also often helped his
uncle in the daily tasks around the ranch; in looking after the livestock, grooming the horses,
feeding and watering them, and cutting the hay, just to name a few. But what he enjoyed the
most were his trips up the seemingly never-ending expanse of lush green slopes as he and
his cousin moved with the cattle from one pasture to another.
So even though there was plenty to keep him busy, there still was a lot of time to be alone
with his own thoughts; a luxury he didn’t remember having in the city, a life otherwise full
of luxuries. For, you see, there were always places to go to, friends to meet with, tests to
study for, video games to ace at, gadgets to mess around with, media to be stimulated by.
Life was good. What else could have a fourteen-year-old asked for from life?
But strangely now, away from all that artificial simulation, he did not feel bereft or
deprived as he had thought he would. He read books more often now, for he could not be on
gadgets for another year due to the havoc the accident had caused to his sensory nervous
system. He now knew life could still go on without his iPad and xBox. In fact strangely, he
was less bored than he used to be before during the natural intervals in his fun-packed
routine, for he had now, within himself, a world of his own to explore.
 Since coming here, as he was taking in the therapeutic effects of the glorious nature
around him, day by day feeling stronger, he was realizing that this healing was more than
physical. For the first time in his life, he was really aware of himself as not just an individual
but a part of a whole.
‘Why am I here in this world? What does it matter if I am here or not?’ his mind would
throw such random questions at him. Back in the city, he had been living a pretty much self-
absorbed life with no rhyme or reason, and it had been perfectly fine. But now, ‘Where
would I be if I had not survived the accident?’ This question would haunt him often and
prompt him to rethink his priorities in life, until he acknowledged that he was not meant to
live a mechanical and self-centered existence, for he belonged to this vast universe, and his
connection to it was important for his mental and physical well-being. It was essential to his
soul.
Think
He welcomed this journey of self-awareness and self-exploration,
and intended to stay on it for the rest of his life now. His body Is the author
trying to convince
would heal, and he would go back to his old life, but he would not
you of
let himself get lost in its all-consuming folds again. He planned to something?
leave the past behind, except for the lessons learnt from it, and to
stay focused on his goals for the future, without compromising his
connection with the present. But he would not let his present be a vain pursuit of pleasure
like before, and would work on building his character to become someone meaningful to
others.
After the Fajr prayer, as Sami went out to watch the rising sun send shimmering rays
across the lush fields from the patio, he took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning breeze
brush against his forehead. He pledged to be always mindful of the blessing every breath
was, and to pursue what was meaningful and rewarding in life. He was here, on this earth,
for a reason, not to run after his whims and desires. He kept thinking, what if he had lost his
life in that accident. What then? For sure Allah had spared him for a reason, and he planned
to continue on this path of discovering what his Creator wanted from him.

Think

What do you
think is author’s
purpose? How do
you know?
 COMPREHENSION
A. Circle the correct answer.

1. What woke Sami up at almost exactly the 3. What was the one thing Sami was not doing at
same moment at dawn? the ranch?
a. The cock’s crow. a. Hard core labour.
b. The call for prayer. b. Cutting hay and weeding the garden.
c. Nothing in particular. c. Sorting the life stock.
d. A pain in his body. d. Grooming the horses.

2. As he stretched, Sami was thankful for….
a. being alive
b. being able to stretch at all.
c. being at his aunt’s ranch.
d. waking up for Fajr prayer.
4. Sami could not be on gadgets for another year
because….
a. He was fed up of them.
b. His aunt had no internet at the ranch.
c. The accident had affected his sensory
nervous system.

B. The author in this story had two purposes. Fill in the organizer below and discuss it with your
partner.

Purpose 1: Purpose 2:

C. Read the story and answer the questions below in your notebook.
1. Reading for Meaning:
a. After reading the story, what do you think it was about his life at the ranch that made Sami
wake up early?
b. What do you think the writer means by “A luxury he didn’t remember having in the city, a life
otherwise full of luxuries”?
c. How do you think the accident changed Sami? Back your claim with evidence from the text.
2. Reading for Ideas:
a. Sami was recuperating at his aunt’s ranch. Find out why sick people are generally sent to places
closer to nature to recuperate.
b. People significantly change for the better and usually come closer to God when they escape
from life-threatening situations in life. Why do you think that is so?
 VOCABULARY
A. Look up for the meaning of the following words in the dictionary and use them in sentences of
your own.
Words Meaning Sentences
g
1. Excruciating

2. Priority

3. Pledge

4. Pursue

5. Deprived

6. Recuperating

7. Acknowledge

8. Significant

B. Read the sentences with the following words in the story and fill in the correct word in context.

earthy - all-consuming - stimulated - therapeutic - bereft - simulation

1. The sunrays have many _____________________ benefits for people, but the depeleting
ozone layer in some parts of the world make them harmful for the skin.

2. Zoraiz loved the ________________ smell of the greenhouse, and often volunteered to help
his grandfather with the weeding of the plants.

3. Children get easily addicted to the _______________ provided by video games, as they give
people real life-like experiences in extraordinary settings far from reality.

4. The untimely death of a five-year-old child left the parents ______________. It was hard for
others to see them grieving at the funeral.

5. Their ___________________ passion to serve Allah’s religion, made the companions of our
Prophet achieve wonders in spreading Islam throughout the world.

6. A good morning walk never fails to _______________________ me to face the busy day
ahead.
 GRAMMAR
Tense Review – Simple and Continuous Tense

Tenses simply refer to the Time an action has happened.

Timeline

Past Present Future

Back then Right Now Later

Uses of Present Tense

Simple present verses Continuous Present

Factual Statements / present action

Subject + am/is/are + noun Ongoing present action / for future plan
Subject + verb (1st form) Subject + is/are + 1st form verb (ing)

A. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?
1. What colour is your bag?

2. What game are you playing now?

3. What are you doing in the evening?

4. What does the baby want?

Uses of Past Tense

Simple Past verses Continuous Past

Past statements – past actions

Past action that continued for a specific time
Subject + was/were + noun
Subject + was/were + 1st form verb (ing)
Subject + verb (2nd form)
B. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?

1. What did Shazia want?

2. What were you doing at the gym?

3. When did the children reach the party?

4. What was Alia doing when you saw her?

 GRAMMAR
Uses of Future Tense

Simple Future verses Continuous Future

Future Action Future action that is expected to continue for some time
Subject + will + verb (1st Form) Subject + will be + 1st form verb (ing)

C. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?

1. What will Aneesa be wearing at the party?

2. What will you eat for breakfast?

3. Where will the clown perform?

4. What will Khalid be doing at this time tomorrow?

D. Circle the correct form of verb.

1. Maria usually goes/went for a walk in the morning, but today she goes/went in the evening.

2. I realized/realize I wasted/was wasting too much time on video games when I am

thinking/thought about my recent routine.

3. Did/Do you were going/go through the test papers yesterday? How do/did your students were
doing/do generally? My class did/does very well, alhumdullilah!

4. I am meeting/was meeting my friends tomorrow at the park but, sadly, Noor will not/is not be
coming as she was shifting/is shifting houses.

5. The field trip to the zoo is postponed/was postponed as most of the teachers will be/are
attending an important workshop on that day.

A. Complete the sentences in your own words using simple or continuous tenses appropriately.

1. When I got home, _____________________________________________________________.

2. After she eats breakfast,________________________________________________________.
3. ________________________________________________________ when the coach arrived.

4. Maliha ______________________________________________________________ in school.

 READ
Being Self-Aware

We all go through the daily routine of washing, brushing and eating breakfast when we wake up in the
morning as if on an autopilot mode. However, it seems, some of us forget to turn the autopilot off as we
embark on the rest of our day’s journey from there. Such people are hardly aware of the peculiarities of
their own habits, routines, impulses and reactions. And the danger in this is that when we are not aware of
these things, they start controlling us rather than us controlling them. At such times, self-awareness comes
to our aid to save us from our own selves, by making us conscious of our conduct which leads to
conscientious behaviour.

What is Self-Awareness?
Simply put, self-awareness is how an individual consciously knows and understands his/her own
character, feelings, motives, and desires. This awareness brings much needed balance in our lives, for
humans are creatures of habits and, if not careful, they can very easily fall prey to bad behavioural
patterns and routines.
Psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund’s developed the theory of self-awareness in which
they proposed that:
“When we focus our attention on ourselves, we evaluate and compare our current behavior to our
internal standards and values. We become self-conscious as objective evaluators of ourselves.”

Self-Control and Self-Monitoring:

Are you aware?
In essence, self-awareness is a major mechanism of self-
control as it should naturally lead us to tap on to our ability to Are you aware that you…
monitor our inner world, our thoughts and emotions. In other  flare up easily at the slightest
words, it is important to realize that self-awareness is not only provocation?
about what we notice about ourselves, but also how we  give up easily when the going gets
evaluate and monitor what we perceive. tough?
For example, you have developed a bad habit. The first step  get discourages easily when faced
towards self-awareness would be to recognize that a bad habit with resistance?
has been developed, and then to start monitoring yourself to  try to control others to get your
make sure you get rid of it. Alternatively, you might have an own way?
ability that you have not been aware of. Certain things happen  become sarcastic and
that make you realize that you have this capability. Self- condescending towards others?
awareness should now naturally help you cultivate this  start blaming others for the tests
potential in you to maximize its benefits in your life. and trials of life?
If yes, then believe that you can
control it
Minimizing Distractions:

The major reason most people are not self-aware any more is that the world today offers numerous
distractions. Why do we seek distractions? It’s usually because they help us relax after a stressful day at
work, or just to break the monotony of the day. But over-indulgence in digital and social media or any
other vain pursuit makes our thinking and conscious minds go on a slumber mode. Our existence becomes
that of a ‘zombie’ featured in many of the senseless video games that are viral nowadays.
Unless we control and monitor our distraction, we face the
danger of wasting away our lives without ever discovering When you minimize distractions
our true potential. So make sure you choose your distractions you may discover that you
wisely and monitor them vigilantly. have…

To conclude, self-awareness gives us a purpose in life and  the ability to make others laugh?
helps us become a better, more conscientious human being.  the ability to console and
This clarity of purpose may bring about professional success encourage others?
and fulfillment of dreams if acted upon wisely, while  a special gift for organizing events?
conscientiousness can bring peace in our lives and harmony  the capability of controlling and
monitoring a crowd?
in the world around us.
 the ability of influencing others
through your speech or writing.
Think  an ability to mediate between
people.
What is author’s  a special skill.
purpose, to If you do, then utilize these
inform you or strengths to your benefit and
move you to the benefit of your community.
action?

Self-Awareness In Islam

“And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those
are the defiantly disobedient.” [Qur’an 2:235]

As the above ayah suggests, remembering Allah is the key to self-awareness, because
when we remember Allah ta’la, He subhan wa ra’la starts opening to us our own
consciousness, and we become aware of the shortcomings, bad behaviours and emotional
stress that we may have, and we are able to combat them. As a result, we become a better
and healthier human being who is beneficial to, not just his own self but, to the whole
community. Islam gives us such a comprehensive code-of-conduct that a self-aware Muslim
can become a role-model citizen of the world.
 COMPREHENSION
A. Write T for true statements and F for false statements.

1. Human beings are creatures of habit, and if not careful can easily form bad habits.

2. Our odd habits and behaviours can control us, if we are not aware of them.

3. We should be self-aware in order to defend our short-comings when faced with criticism.

4. Self-awareness helps us tap into our potential and can lead to success in life.

5. We usually seek distraction to avoid work.

6. A self-aware population can lead to a harmonious society as self-awareness

promotes conscientiousness.

B. What do you think was author’s purpose in writing this article? To inform, entertain or persuade?

Inform Entertain Persuade

C. Read the article and answer the questions below in your notebook.

1. Reading for Meaning:

a. How can self-awareness bring balance in life? Support your argument with examples.
b. The author suggests that we should choose our distractions wisely. What do you think that
implies?
c. Think deeply about yourself. Now come up with a strength and a weakness in your character.
Then outline a plan to enhance your strength and to combat the weakness.

2. Reading for Ideas:

a. Describe what is ‘code-of-conduct’ and how is it relevant to your communal and religious life?
b. What are the common distractions in the world today that keep people from self-evaluation?
c. The article says ‘conscientiousness can bring peace in our lives and harmony in the world
around us.’ Explain how that is possible and give examples from real life.
 VOCABULARY

A. Read the sentences in the article where the following words are given to understand the context
they are used in and try to match them to their meaning given below.

1. autopilot as another option or possibility.

2. motives form an idea of something; assess

3. evaluate a device that keeps an aircraft on a set course

4. alternatively producing no result; useless.

5. vain being watchful and attentive.

6. vigilantly a reason for doing something

B. Read the sentences with the following words in the story and fill in the correct word in context.

conscious - peculiarity - perceive - clarity - impulse - conscientious

1. Shyness was the ________________ in her character that made her standout from the rest of
the girls in her group of friends, who were mostly bold and outspoken. .

2. Leo resisted the _________________ to punch the bully, for he knew that reacting would only
make the matters worse.

3. As his eyes opened, he was immediately ___________________ of someone watching him

from the corner of the room.

4. My father’s company needs _____________________ employees who would never leak

company’s confidential information to its competitors.

5. Children usually are unable to _____________ the extent of danger in a situation unless they
get hurt in it.

6. The students kept on asking questions for greater _______________about what was expected
of them in the upcoming exams.
 GRAMMAR
Tense Review – Perfect and Perfect Continuous Tense

The perfect form is the verb tense is used to indicate a completed, or "perfected," action or
condition. But a specific time is not known.
Timeline

Past Present Future

Back then Right Now Later

Uses of Present Tense

Present Perfect verses Present Perfect Continuous

A past event/action with present consequences A past action/event that continued up to the present
Subject + have/has + verb (3rd form) Subject + have/has been + verb (ing)

A. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?
1. Where have you been for the past month?

2. What have you been doing there?

3. What has Fakiha learnt at school today?

4. Why has mother taken away the tablet?

Uses of Past Tense

Past Perfect verses Past Perfect Continuous

Past actions that completed before Past action that continued up until another
something else happened time in the past.
Subject + had + verb (3rd form) Subject + had been + verb (ing)

B. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?

1. Where had he been studying in London?

2. Why had he dropped out of school?

3. When had you left home to go to the park?

4. Who had the teacher been scolding?

 GRAMMAR
Uses of Future Tense

Future Perfect verses Future Perfect Continuous

An action will have been completed at some An actions that will continue up until a point in
point in the future the future
Subject + will have + verb (3rd form) Subject + will have been+ verb (ing)

C. What would your reply be if someone asked you the following questions?

1. How long will you have been studying in this school next year?

2. How long will you have known me on Thursday?

3. Since when will he have been acting next month?

4. How many books will you have read by January?

D. Circle the correct form of verb.

1. They have written/have been writing three letters to the authorities, but no action has been
taken to improve the law-and-order situation in their area.

2. She will have washed/has washed the dishes by the time mother will reach home. Mother has
to/will have to iron the clothes though.

3. Have/Had you ever been to Canada in your life? I will have lived/had lived in Canada for five years
next week, and I am happy I made the decision to move there.

4. Grandma had been walking/had walked two miles daily before she fell sick with flu.

5. Safina have been/has been waiting for her result eagerly for the past month her admission in
university depended on her grades.

E. Complete the sentences in your own words using simple or continuous tenses appropriately.

1. When I reached home, my mom_____________________________________________________.

2. He told me that___________________________________________________________________.
3. ________________________________________________________ _____________ by evening.

4. For the past month I_____________________________________________________ to the park.

 WRITING STUDY
Connectors to show support

To show one idea supports another, use connectors such as for example, likewise, similarly, in
fact, in particular.
E.g. Self-awareness makes a person conscious of his/her strengths. In fact, it can lead to success if
one utilizes those strengths properly.

A. Choose the correct connector from the parenthesis’s and rewrite the sentences.
1. I plan to get rid of all my bad habit. Wasting time is my top priority. (in particular, in fact)

2. Our school team won most of the track races. In swimming the top two places went to our
school. (similarly, in particular)

3. Her health has significantly improved after moving to the country-side. She looks healthier
than before she got sick. (for example, in fact)

4. There are many ways to acknowledge someone’s support. You can send a postcard, email a
‘thank you’ note or simply return the favour when needed. (likewise, for example)

B. Write a paragraph about how you plan to get rid of your bad habit. Use connectors and tenses
correctly.

Some time back, Farzam had become really forgetful. In particular, he kept getting late for the five
daily prayer. Similarly, he kept forgetting important things which got him into a lot of trouble in
school and at home. It came to a point when he got detained after school for not submitting his
homework on time thrice in a week. Finally, he decided to ask his father for help, who advised him to
keep a dairy to jot down a ‘to do’ list daily, and to use an alarm clock to help him remind of the
prayer. He also taught Farzam a dua to sharpen his memory. It has been only a few days following his
father’s advice, and Farzam can already feel a difference in his overall performance.
 WORD STUDY
Prefix - mis - dis

A Prefix is added to the beginning of a word. It changes the meaning of the word.
The prefix mis- means bad or wrong.
Mis + trust = mistrust [ Due to the mistrust between them, it became hard to work together.]
The prefix dis- is used to show negation.
Dis +ability = disability [Certain diseases can cause disability if not treated on time.]

A. Add prefix mis- or dis- to make new words.

mis- dis-

1. Treat
2. Read
3. Locate
4. Judge
5. Like
6. Belief
7. Calculate
8. Behave

B. Fill in the blanks with the prefixes given in the box. Use its original word to fill in the second
blank in the sentences.
dislocated - misbehave – dislikes - misjudge - mistreat

1. He ______________ bananas and never eats anything that has bananas in it. But strangely, he
___________ banana bread.

2. The girl was asked to leave the class when she ________________with the teacher. She was
allowed to come in only when she pledged to ________________.

3. In my opinion, it’s height of cruelty to ______________ animals. Whoever does that, should not
be ____________ with any respect.

4. We should not __________ people by their looks. One can easily ________________ others this
way.

5. Grandpa uses a stick to walk after he __________________ his knee cap. Now it has become hard
for him to ______________ his glasses whenever he misplaces them, which is often.