AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, SECTOR-46

Class-IX-2023-24
MLP- Term-1 Exam

Read the passage given below.

1.Management is a set of processes that can keep a complicated system of people and
technology running smoothly. The most important aspects of management include planning,
budgeting, organizing, staffing, controlling, and problem-solving. Leadership is a set of
processes that creates organisations in the first place or adapts them to significantly changing
circumstances. Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that
vision, and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles. This distinction is
absolutely crucial for our purposes here: Successful transformation is 70 to 90 per cent
leadership and only 10 to 30 per cent management. Yet for historical reasons, many
organisations today don’t have much leadership. And almost everyone thinks about the
problems here as one of managing change.

2.For most of this century, as we created thousands and thousands of large organizations for
the first time in human history, we didn’t have enough good managers to keep all those
bureaucracies functioning. So many companies and universities developed management
programmes, and hundreds and thousands of people were encouraged to learn management
on the job. And they did. But, people were taught little about leadership. To some degree,
management was emphasized because it’s easier to teach than leadership. But even more so,
management was the main item on the twentieth-century agenda because that’s what was
needed. For every entrepreneur or business builder who was a leader, we needed hundreds of
managers to run their ever growing enterprises.

3.Unfortunately for us today, this emphasis on management has often been institutionalized
in corporate cultures that discourage employees from learning how to lead. Ironically, past
success is usually the key ingredient in producing this outcome. The syndrome, as I have
observed it on many occasions, goes like this: success creates some degree of market
dominance, which in turn produces much growth. After a while keeping the ever larger
organizations under control becomes the primary challenge. So attention turns inward, and
managerial competencies are nurtured. With a strong emphasis on management but not on
leadership, bureaucracy and an inward focus take over. But with continued success, the result
mostly of market dominance, the problem often goes unaddressed and an unhealthy
arrogance begins to evolve. All of these characteristics then make any transformation effort
much more difficult.

4.Arrogant managers can over-evaluate their current performance and competitive position,
listen poorly, and learn slowly. Inwardly focused employees can have difficulty seeing the
very forces that present threats and opportunities. Bureaucratic cultures an smother those who
want to respond to shifting conditions. And the lack of leadership leaves no fore inside these
organizations to break out of the morass.

1.1.Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by

choosing the most appropriate option. (5)

i) What is the main topic of the passage?

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 (a) Importance of management schools in the present context
(b) Good managers
(c) Importance of leadership in an organization
(d) Management and success of an organization

ii) Which of the following is not true?

(a) Bureaucratic cultures smother those who want to change conditions

(b) Leadership involves carrying out important functions such as budgeting
and planning
(c) Pressure on managers comes mostly from within
(d) Leadership has the potential to establish direction

iii) Which of the following is not the characteristic of bureaucratic culture?

(a) Managers listen poorly and learn slowly.

(b) Managerial competencies are nurtured.
(c) Employees clearly see the forces that present threats and opportunities.
(d) Prevalence of unhealthy arrogance.

iv) Which of the following statement is/are definitely true in the context of the passage?

a. Bureaucracy fosters strong and arrogant culture.

b. Leadership competencies are nurtured in large- size organizations.
c. Successful transformation in organizations is 70 to 90 per cent leadership.

(a) Only A and B (b) Only A and C

(c) Only B and C (d) All of these

v) Which of the following characteristics helps organizations in their transformation efforts?

(a) Emphasis on leadership but not on management (b) A strong and dogmatic culture
(c) Bureaucratic and inward-looking approach (d) None of these

1.2. Answer the following questions briefly. (3)

i) Why, according to the author, is a distinction between management and leadership

crucial?
ii) Why does the attention of large organizations turn inward?
iii) Why did companies and universities develop programmes to prepare managers in
large numbers?

1.3. Pick out the words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following. (2)

i) nurtured’ ---------------(para 3). Ii) smother ---------------(para 4).

Answers
i) (c) Importance of leadership in an organization

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 ii) (b) Leadership involves carrying out important functions such as budgeting and
planning
iii) (c) Employees clearly see the forces that present threats and opportunities.
iv) (b) Only A and C
v) (d) None of these

1.2. i) In today’s context, organisations need leaders much more than managers in
transforming them.
ii) They have to keep themselves under control.
iii) A large number of organisations were created, and they needed managers in good
numbers.
1.3. i) developed. ii) suppress

CASE BASED PASSAGE

2. Read the passage given below and study the pie chart to answer the questions that
follow: 1x10=10
The White Revolution, known as Operation Flood, was launched in 1970. It was an initiative
by India’s National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and was the world’s biggest dairy
development programme. It transformed India from a milk deficient nation into the world’s
largest milk producers. Operation Flood was based on the experimental pattern set up by
Verghese Kurien, chairman and founder of AMUL, who was named the Chairman of NDDB
and was also recognised as the architect of Operation Flood.
There were three phases of the White Revolution in India.
Phase 1: This phase started in July 1970 with the objective of setting up dairy cooperatives
in 18 milk sheds in 10 states. They were to be linked with the four best metropolitan
markets. By the end of this phase in 1981 there were 13,000 village dairy cooperatives
covering 15,000 farmers.
Phase 2: It aimed at building on the designs of phase 1 and on the assisted Dairy
development programmes in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. By the end of this
phase in 1985 there were 136 milk sheds, 34,500 village dairy cooperatives and over 36 lakh
members.
Phase 3: This phase emphasised on consolidating the gains of the earlier two phases by
improving the productivity and efficiency of the dairy sectors for long term sustainability. It
ended in 1996 and by that time there were 73,300 dairy cooperatives and over 9.4 million
farmer members.
It ended the imports of milk solids in India and India started exporting milk powder to many
foreign nations.

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Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by
choosing the most appropriate option.
1. The White Revolution was responsible for turning India to
(i) a milk deficient nation (iii) world's largest milk producer
(ii) world's smallest milk producer (iv) none of these

2. Phase II of the White Revolution ended in

(i)1981 (iii) 1985
(ii) 1970 (iv) 1996

3. The major achievement of White Revolution was that

(i) India stopped importing milk
(ii) India started exporting milk
(iii) India stopped importing and started exporting
milk
(iv) None of these

4. At the end of Phase III of White Revolution, the number of farmer members were
.
(i)15000 (iii) 3.6 million
(ii) 36 lakh (iv) 9.4 million
5. In decreasing order, the share of states in Milk Production in India is
(i) UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra
(ii) Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, (iii) UP, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
Maharashtra (iv) Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Haryana

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 6. UP’s production of milk is that of Gujarat and Punjab
(i) less than (iii) same as
(ii) more than (iv) not mentioned in the paragraph
7. Milk production in Maharashtra and MP is
(i) exactly the same (iii) not mentioned in the paragraph
(ii) almost the same (iv)vastly different

8. Milk production in Haryana and Tamil Nadu together is closest to

(i) Gujarat (iii) Bihar
(ii) UP (iv) Rajasthan
9. The word _______ in the passage means the same as giving importance to something.
(i) Objective (iii) Emphasize
(ii) Improving (iv) Exporting
10. The word ‘sustainability’ in the passage means the ability to
(i) create
(ii) destroy
(iii) be maintained at a certain rate or
level
(iv)start something new

Answers

1. (iii) world's largest milk producer

2. (iii) 1985
3. (iii) India stopped importing and started
exporting
4. (ii) 36 lakh
5. ii) Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Haryana,
Maharashtra
6. (ii) more than
7. (ii) almost the same
8. (iv) Rajasthan
9. (iii) Emphasize
10. (iii) be maintained at a certain rate
or level

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 Writing
1.You are Zaara living in Pune. Your friend Radha has won a gold medal in the State English
Debate Competition. Write a letter to congratulate her.

H.No. 123, ABC colony

Pune

11 March 20xx

Dear Radha

I trust this letter finds in fine fettle. I was elated when your father informed me that you had
won a gold medal at the State English Debate Competition concluded recently.

I heartily congratulate you on your grand success in the competition. You always deserve the
best. I am sure nobody can doubt your oratory skills. You have developed the skill very well
and have worked hard for it. I will be happy if you could write to me the topic that you spoke
upon and the points that you used for the debate. How many schools participated at the state
level? Is there national level next? Please do share with me all the details.

I wish all the best to you for all your future endeavours. When are you coming to Pune? I am
really looking forward to meeting you. Please convey my regards to your parents and best
wishes to your brother.

Your loving friend

Zaara

2.Given below is the beginning of a story. Complete it in about 100- 120 words. Give a
suitable title.

Mr. Vijay was a very wealthy business man. One day he was sitting alone at his dining table.
Suddenly he heard someone's footsteps coming to him.....

The Return Gift

Mr. Vijay was a very wealthy business man. One day he was sitting alone at his dining table.
Suddenly he heard someone's footsteps coming to him. He knew there was a thief there. He
asked him to come in. He also thanked him for coming to his house on his birthday. He
served the thief food and drinks. The thief was starving and impressed with his hospitality.
Mr. Vijay gave him a bag containing silver and gold coins. Years rolled by, his fortune
changed. Vijay was a very poor man now. His business was ruined. S

It was his 60th birthday. He was alone reflecting over his good old days. Suddenly the bell
rang. He went to the door to open the gate. A person in new suit with a lovely bouquet of red

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roses appeared. But he could not recognise at first sight. He asked, "I am your old thief."
With the money you gave me I did some business. Now I am rich business man. Let's
celebrate your birthday, he said. He gave a bag to Mr .Vijay. It was full of new currency .

Moral: Do good to others. It will come back to you in unexpected ways.

GRAMMAR
Q. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given
portion of a letter:
Dear Sir
This is with reference to committee’s letter of recommendation that ________
(highlight) the nominations for ‘Safe Residential Area’ award for this current year.
Ans. highlights
ii. Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply
the correction in the sentence.
This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and
oriental flavour.
Use the given format for your response.
error correction
Ans. Must- will

iii. Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha’s Dance
Academy.
Report Abhilash’s question.
Is your best friend helping you in this venture?
Ans. Abhilash asked Neha whether / if her best friend was helping her in that venture.
Q. Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate options:-

Doctor: Do you go for a morning walk?

Sagar : I don’t have enough time in the morning.
Doctor: but morning walk is very essential for you.
Sagar : a walk many miles a day during the course of my work.
The doctor asked Sagar (1) ………………. Sagar told him (2) ………………….. enough
time in the morning. the doctor insisted that (3) …………………….. Sagar told him that he
walked many miles a day during the course of his work.

Question 1.
(a) If you went for a morning walk

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(b) if he went for a morning walk
(c) it you go for a morning walk
(d) if he goes for a morning walk

Answer

(b) if he went for a morning walk

Question 2.
(a) that I do not have
(b) that I did not have
(c) that he did not have
(d) that he does not have

Answer

(c) that he did not have

Question 3.
(a) morning walk had been very essential for him
(b) morning walk has been very, essential for him
(c) morning walk was very essential for him
(d) morning walk is very essential for him

Answer

(d) morning walk is very essential for him

Q7. Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate options:-

Doctor : How are you feeling now?

Raghu : Much better, sir.
Doctor : are you taking the medicines regularly?
Raghu : Yes, sir.
The doctor asked Raghu (1) …………………. then. Raghu replied that (2)
…………………… much better. The doctor further asked Raghu (3) ………………………..
the medicines regularly. Raghu replied in affirmative.

Question 1.
(a) that how he was feeling
(b) how he was feeling
(c) how you are feeling
(d) how was he feeling

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Answer

(b) how he was feeling

Question 2.
(a) I am feeling
(b) I was feeling
(c) he is feeling
(d) he was feeling

Answer

(d) he was feeling

Question 3.
(a) if you are taking
(b) if he is taking
(c) that he was taking
(d) if he was taking

Answer

(d) if he was taking

Q. Fill the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the concluding line of an issued circular
by an Organisation, to its Managers.

A copy of the plan is enclosed and __________ (that/ then/ this) may be communicated to all Team
Leaders for compliance.

Q. Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence from a commercial company’s
current marketing strategy.

The company aimed at increasing authority in areas frequently visited by the clients.

Use the given format for your response.

Error correction

Q. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the closing line,
from an analytical report.
In conclusion, this study explores the association among short-sleep pattern and overweight
youngsters.

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 Option No. error correction
A explores explore
B and or
C among between
D In for
Ans- c. among between
Q. Complete the line from a self- awareness song, by filling the blank with the correct option.

The river runs through your veins

The trees and mountains ______ your name
The moon and stars watch over
You’re guiding your way back home
To dream the night away.
A. will call B. call C. had called D. calls
Ans- b. call

LITERATURE
FUN THEY HAD

Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed 17 May 2157, she
wrote, ‘Today Tommy found a real book!’ It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once
said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all
stories were printed on paper. They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it
was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were
supposed to — on a screen, you know. And then when they turned back to the page before, it
had the same words on it that it had had when they read it the first time.

Questions :

(i) What did Margie write in her diary?

(ii) Had Margie ever seen a book before?

(iii) ‘They’ turned the pages. Who does ‘They’ refer to?

(iv) What was funny about the book?

(v) Why had the pages of the book turned yellow and crinkly?

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Answers : (i) On the page headed 17 May 2157, Margie wrote, ‘Today Tommy found a real
book!’

(ii) No, Margie had never seen a book before.

(iii) They are Margie and Tommy.

(iv) The words in the book stand still instead of moving.

(v) The pages of the book had turned yellow and crinkly because it was very old.

Why did Margie remark, “How could a man be a teacher”?

Ans. Margie made this remark when she heard Tommy mention that children were taught by
human teachers in the times gone by. She could not believe the truth of Tommy’s comment
because she had not seen any human teacher; she was used to studying with the help of her
mechanical tele-teacher only. Moreover, she believed that a human teacher could not match
the mechanical teacher in intelligence and knowledge.

Why couldn’t Margie concentrate on the Arithmetic lesson?

Ans. Margie could not concentrate on the arithmetic lesson because her mind was pre-
occupied with the thoughts about the school that Tommy had just described her. She was
awestruck to learn that children studied together and were taught by real persons in these old
schools. She thought how much fun those students must have had while studying together.

SOUND OF MUSIC

It was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and daunting
enough for any teenager fresh from a Scottish farm. But this aspiring musician faced a bigger
challenge than most:

(a) Who is referred to as the ‘aspiring musician’?

Evelyn Glennie is referred to as the aspiring musician.

(b) What was likely to daunt teenager?

The first day in a great and renowned institute like The Royal Academy of Music, London
was likely to daunt any teenager.

(c) What do you understand by the expression: “fresh from a Scottish farm”? “

Fresh from a Scottish farm” implies that the girl belonged to the family of farmers in
Scotland and had not yet attained much experience or exposure in the world.

(d)What bigger challenge did she have to face?

The ‘bigger challenge’ that she had to face was to rise in spite of her total hearing
impairment.

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Why does Evelyn say that men with bushy beards give her trouble?

Ans. Evelyn says that men with bushy beards give her trouble because she has to watch their
whole face, especially their eyes, d in order to grasp what they say. just watching their lips
did not help as the lips remained partially hidden in the beards.

Which qualities of character enabled Evelyn to move ahead in life?

Ans. Unfaltering determination and hard work enabled Evelyn to move ahead in life without
looking back. Instead of yielding .r before her handicap, she decided to overcome it and lead
the life of a normal person. Being a workaholic, she put in her earnest efforts and kept
advancing further and further.

Suppose you are Evelyn Glennie. The doctor has diagnosed that your hearing is
completely lost. Write a diary entry in about 150 words about how you feel and what
you plan to do.

(Date)
(Day) (Time)

Dear Diary

Today is a very sad day in my life. The doctor has told me that I can no longer hear because
my hearing is completely impaired owing to some nerve damage. The headmistress and
teachers at my school have advised me to use hearing aids and join a school for the deaf. It is
a real agony to think that I am not among the normal, able children.

I understand that I’ll have to depend on hearing aids, but I have decided not to give in to my
handicap. I know a number of people who have risen to great heights despite their
disabilities. I have never forgotten about the life and achievements of Helen Keller. I will
continue to pursue my passion for music and put in my best efforts to find a way to overcome
the handicap. I know that all obstructions can be conquered by firm determination. Therefore,
I’ll never ever accept defeat. I’ll prove that one can find ways to come out of problems if one
adheres firmly to one’s aims and objectives.

I pray to the Almighty to strengthen my mind and give me moral courage so that I may make
it to the Royal Academy of Music. The dream is much too lofty but not impossible to
achieve. Amen!

Evelyn

Which films did Bismillah Khan provide music for? Why did he discontinue playing the
shehnai for films?

Ans. Bismillah Khan ventured into the film world with Vijay Bhatt’s “Gunj Uthi Shehnai” .
Then he played in a Kannada film – “Samadhi Apanna“. Though he was very successful, he
gave up the film world because his tastes did not tune well with the artificiality and glamour
of filmdom.

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Why does the author believe that Bismillah Khan’s life is “a perfect example of the rich,
cultural heritage of India”?

Ans. India has always shown a liberal attitude to all communities and religions. Its cultural
heritage is a blend of various castes and creeds. Bismillah Khan’s life perfectly represents
this blend. Although a devout Muslim, Khansaab played the shehnai in the Kashi Vishwanath
temple every morning.

Bismillah Khan, on receiving the Bharat Ratna, remarked, “Teach your children music,
this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now coming to learn our music.”
What does it reveal about his sentiments towards India?

Ans. Bismillah Khan, in “The Sound of Music”, emerged as a person imbued with intense
and strong patriotic emotions. He had a profound and passionate love for his birthplace,
Dumraon in Bihar and for Benaras where he took training to play the shehnai. He feels a deep
bond with the Ganga because the flowing waters of the holy river made him improvise and
spontaneously play new raagas – the ones which were earlier regarded to be beyond the range
of the shehnai. Such was Bismillah Khan’s love for his country and the Ganga that he refused
to settle down in America to head a-school for the shehnai. His strong attachment with the
sacred river made him miss Benaras when he was in Mumbai or elsewhere. Equally strong
was his bonding with his birthplace Dumraon.

Bismillah Khan had a great regard for the Hindustani music which, for him, is the richest
cultural heritage of India. He wanted the tradition of the Indian music to be carried on from
generation to generation. That is why he advised the people of India to teach music to their
children and felt proud that this music fascinated even the people of the west.

LITTLE GIRL

Why did Kezia stutter in the presence of Father?

Ans: Kezia’s father’s domineering personality and frequent scolding shook her self-
confidence. She felt under pressure to please him, so she would search hard for appropriate
words in her mind while talking to him. This pressure made her stutter in his presence.

Why did Kezia feel that her father was like a giant?

Ans: Kezia felt that her father was like a giant because he had very big hands and neck. His
mouth seemed big especially when he yawned. In addition, his stern and cold behaviour too
made the little girl think of him as a giant.

Do you think Kezia was wrong in tearing the papers of her father? What does it show
about her character?

Ans: Kezia was certainly wrong in tearing the papers of her father because they formed his
important speech for the Port Authority. She should not have used any of his things without
his permission. The incident only shows that she was too innocent and immature to know the
wrong she was doing. All she wanted was to please her father with a birthday gift.

When and how does Kezia’s view of her father undergo a change?

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Ans: Kezia’s view of her father underwent a change for the better when her father came to
her rescue when she had a nightmare. He carried her to his room, carefully tucked her up and
slept beside her. Kezia felt reassured and safe and snuggled up to him. That is when she
realised that her father was not a cruel giant but a large-hearted, hard-working man who got
extremely tired by the end of the day.

Every father has a love for his child whether he expresses his love or not. Comment on
the basis of the story “The Little Girl”.

Ans. Fathers are not alike. Some play with their children while others love and care for them.
They show their love to them by working hard and giving them all the facilities as well as
instructions. Though they never express their love they have a deep love for their child.
Kezia’s father belongs to the second type. He did not believe in showing off his affection for
his daughter. He believed in showing his love by making her future more secure. When she
tore his papers unknowingly, he beat her harshly. But in thean end, we find him a very
loving and caring father. Thus it is true that every father loves his child’s but the way of love
is different from one person to another. Most of the fathers live their dream in their children.
Their strictness is also a kind of love.

A TRULY BEAUTIFUL MIND

“Einstein’s new personal chapter coincided with his rise to world fame”. What new
personal chapter in Einstein’s life is the author talking about here?

Ans: The new personal chapter in Einstein’s life was his marriage to his cousin Elsa in the
year 1919 immediately after his divorce from Mileva. This chapter coincided with his rise to
world fame when his paper on General Theory of Relativity, published in 1915, was found to
be accurate due to the proof that came through the eclipse of the sun in 1919.

‘The discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin had American physicists in an uproar”.

Why?

Ans: The American physicists were disturbed by the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin
because they were afraid that Germany would make an atom bomb and use it for destructive
purposes.

The author talks about two important letters that Einstein wrote -one to President
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the other to the United Nations. What prompted Einstein to
write these letters? What impact did they make?

Ans: At the insistence of a colleague, Einstein wrote a letter to the American President,
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 warning him that the atomic bomb, if made and used by
Germany, could not only destroy the whole port on which it could be dropped but also the
territory surrounding it. The impact of the letter was both deep and rapid as the Americans
secretly developed their own atomic bombs which were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
in Japan in 1945. As expected, these bombs caused terrible destruction. The large-scale
damage caused by these bombings on Japan perturbed Einstein so much that this time he
wrote a letter to the United Nations. In this letter, he proposed that there should be only one
government in the world. This would put an end to the enmity between nations and hence
stop the massacres caused in the name of wars. But this letter did not have any impact. Thus,

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unlike the letter to Roosevelt, Einstein’s letter to the United Nations failed to evoke any
response.

MY CHILDHOOD

Why does Kalam say he had a secure childhood, both materially and emotionally?

Ans: Though not very well off, Kalam’s father made sure that he provided his family with all
the necessities in terms of food, medicine and clothes. Apart from this, Kalam got all the love
and parental guidance from them during his childhood. That is why he says that he had a very
secure childhood both materially and emotionally.

Right from his childhood Kalam was very enterprising. Discuss.

Ans: Kalam was an enterprising child who used to make full use of the opportunities that
came his way. During the war, when there occurred a great demand for tamarind seeds in the
market, he used to collect these seeds and sell them off to a provision shop. Thus, he was able
to earn some money for himself. The incident shows that he was very enterprising.

In what sense was Sivasubramania Iyer ‘something of a rebel’?

Ans: Sivasubramania Iyer was Kalam’s science teacher. Though an orthodox Brahmin, he
was something of a rebel. A man of liberal views, he wanted to change the society that was
rigid in terms of segregation of different social groups. He knew that if one wished to change
the system, one was bound to confront many problems

In this chapter, A.P.J.Abdul Kalam describes two of his teachers. What is the difference
in the outlooks of these two teachers?

Ans. Abdul Kalam describes two teachers of his school days. When he was in the fifth
standard, a new teacher came to the class. Abdul Kalam was sitting in the front row, next to
his close friend Ramanadha Sastry. The teacher could not tolerate that a Muslim boy should
sit with a Brahmin boy. He sent Abdul Kalam to the back bench. It made both Abdul Kalam
and Ramanadha very sad. Later, however, the teacher realised his mistake.

The attitude of Abdul Kalam’s science teacher was quite different. His name was
Sivasubramania lyer. He did not believe in social barriers and tried his best to break them.
One day he invited Abdul Kalam home for a meal. His wife was a traditional lady. She
refused to serve a Muslim boy into her kitchen. But Iyer served Abdul Kalam with his own
hands. Then he sat down beside him to eat his meal. Thus we find that there is a lot of
difference in the outlooks of the two teachers.

ROAD NOT TAKEN

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden back. Oh, I kept the
first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever
come back
(a) ‘Both’ in line one refers to :
(i) leaves (ii) roads (iii) steps (iv) the poet and his friends
Ans : (a) (ii)

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(b) The poet chose to travel on another road because :
(i) it was easier (ii) it was shorter and easier (iii) it was grassy and wanted wear (iv)
he was sure of his success on that way
Ans: (b) (iii)

(c) The poet doubted if :

(i) he could ever finish his journey (ii) he could meet his family again
(iii) he could join his friend (iv) he could ever come back to travel the first road
Ans: (c) (iv)

“And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the
first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever
come back.”
(a) The poet decided that :
(i) he would take the second road and leave thefirst one for some other day
(ii) he would take the frequently trodden road
(iii) he would go back and decide later on
(iv) he would take the first road
Ans: (a) (i)

(b) ‘Leaves no step had trodden black’ implies :

(i) that the road was not taken by anyone
(ii) that it was not a safe road
(iii) that the poet was not interested in taking the road
(iv) None of the above
Ans: (b) (i)

(c) ‘Should ever come back’ shown that the poet was :
(i) confident (ii) indecisive (iii) optimistic (iv) pessimistic
Ans: (c) (ii)

What does the choice made by the poet indicates about his personality in the poem ‘The
Road Not Taken’?
Ans: This line reveals the adventurous nature of the poet because when he had to take a
decision of making a choice, he did not take the beaten track. He chooses the path which is
not frequented. He decides to leave the first road for some other day knowing fully well that
he will not get a chance to go back to it.
Why did the poet doubt his coming back on the same intersection in life ?
Ans: This poem is about choices, decisions and their consequences. It is a fact that once the
choice has been made, there is no going back. The traveller standing on the road of life, is
confronted with a dilemma when both the paths or choices look equally promising. Once a
road is chosen, the traveller has to move on. There is no rewinding. There would never be a
befitting time or opportunity for coming back and exercising the choice again. Time has
changed, so has the psychology of the traveller. It will never be the same again. So one sticks
to the road one has taken and makes it lead to the destination already decided.
What is the moral presented by the poet in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’?

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Ans. This is an inspirational poem and quite tricky, according to Robert Frost himself. The
poem presents an antithesis. The traveller comes to a fork and wishes to take both, which is
impossible. One of the roads is described as /;[[ grassy and ‘wanting wear’, then he says that
both the roads look the same. This represents the eternal dilemma of man : he finds the grass
greener always on the other side. This poem is a call for the reader to forge his or her way in
life and not follow the path that others have taken. This poem encourages self-reliance,
reinforces the power of independent thinking and sticking to one’s decisions. The poet does
not moralise about choice, he simply says that choice is inevitable and you will never know
till you have lived the ‘difference’. So there is nothing right or wrong about a choice, it is all
relative. Whatever direction one takes one must pack it with determination and zest for one
can never turn the clock back, or relive that moment.
WIND

Wind, come softly.

Don’t break the shutters of the windows.

Don’t scatter the papers.

Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.

The poem opens with the poet’s request to the wind. Addressing it directly, he wants the
wind to blow gently so that the shutters of the windows are not broken and the papers are not
blown about. The poet also urges the wind not to throw books down on the shelf.

(a) How does a violent wind disturb and damage things?

Ans: A violent wind breaks the window shutters and scatters the papers. It also throws down
the books on the shelf.

(b) What request does the poet make to the wind?

Ans: The poet requests the wind to blow gently and not to cause any damage or destruction.

(c) Which poetic device has been used in these lines?

Ans: The poetic device used in these lines is ‘anaphora’ as the imperative ‘Don’t’ is repeated
in three consecutive lines.

(d) What effect does this device create?

Ans: The imperative repetition of the word ‘Don’t’ at the beginning of three consecutive
lines expresses the poet’s strong urge to the wind to be gentle and kind. It also creates a
unique rhythm in the poem.

How does the wind make fun of the weaklings?

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Ans: The strong wind uses his destructive power to harm weak persons and delicate things.
Without showing any mercy or sympathy, he crushes weak houses, crumbling doors, and
even human lives and hearts. By moving violently and destroying the weak, he seems to
make fun of their helplessness.

Why and how does the wind blow out weak fires? Who roars and flourish?

Ans. The god of wind is against any and every shaky and weak thing. Our heart should be
fired with determination and strength. Weak fires and weaklings are flown out. Only the
strong roar and flourish. His friendship is well rewarding. Let us praise the wind, the symbol
of power and strength.

Do you think the poem “Wind” is a didactic poem? What moral values does it preach?

Ans: The poem “Wind”, by Subramania Bharati, teaches a very deep moral lesson for human
beings. The poet uses the wind as a symbol of problems in life while the sturdy structures
symbolize unfaltering, strong human beings. The poet uses both the symbols and direct
statement to bring home the values of strong physical health and mental powers, confidence
and a firm will.

Life is not a cakewalk; it is strewn with obstacles and challenges. However only the weak-
willed and infirm people are unable to beat these obstacles and challenges, and meekly accept
their failures and defeats.

The forces of unfavourable, unhappy circumstances fail to conquer those who have the
courage. Such people beat all odds against them and come out victorious and move on. Just
as the wind extinguishes only small flames and the high flames rise higher with the wind,
similarly troubles terrify only those who have not equipped themselves with an act of
unfaltering courage and determination. Difficulties are a part of life; they cannot be avoided,
but they can be resisted through courage and confidence. Thus, the poem is didactic in nature
and emphasizes the values of courage, confidence and strong will.

RAIN ON THE ROOF

When the humid shadows hover

Overall the starry spheres

And the melancholy darkness

Gently weeps in rainy tears,

What a bliss to press the pillow

Of a cottage-chamber bed

And like listening to the patter

Of the soft rain overhead!

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(a) What does the poet imply by “humid shadow?

Ans: By “humid shadows”, the poet implies the clouds full of rain.

(b) What does the phrase “starry spheres” refer to?

Ans: The phrase “starry spheres” refers to the sky filled with numerous stars shining at night.

(c) What does the poet consider to be a ‘bliss’ in the rainy season?

Ans: In the rainy season when the showers are falling on the roof, the poet considers it bliss
to lie comfortably in the bed pressing his head against the pillow.

(d) Which poetic device has been used in “lie listening”?

Ans: In “lie listening”, the poetic device used is alliteration as ‘I’ sound is repeated.

(e) Which poetic device has been used in the third and fourth lines?

Ans: The third line employs ‘transferred epithet’ by the words “melancholy darkness”. Here
darkness is not sad or melancholy but some man who is sad in the darkness. The fourth line
uses ‘personification’ by presenting the sadness as weeping gently by shedding tears in the
form of rain.

Why does the poet call the sound of the rain as “refrain”?

Ans: A refrain is a line repeatedly used in a song or a poem. The drops of the rain produce a
piece of distinct and continuous music by way of their pattering. This repetitive sound of the
rain is called ‘refrain’ by the poet.

What did the poet dream of while listening to the rain?

Ans. While listening to the pattering of the rain, the poet dreamed of several fancies. The
poet was lost in old recollection. He dreamed of his mother who paid attention to her children
before leaving them in the morning. The poet felt as if her mother was looking at him in a
loving manner.

Suppose you are the poet. You lie in your bed-chamber listening to the ‘patter’ of the
rain. Many memories of your childhood occupy your mind. Write a diary entry in about
100-150 words about the most important experience that you recollect.

Ans: (Date)

(Day)
(Time)

Dear Diary

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As I lie here comfortably in my bed enjoying the melodious music of the soft rain falling on
the roof, I feel that my bond with the past is strengthened further. Some experiences, buried
in my unconscious mind have surfaced today.

I recall the day from my childhood when it was raining at night and I was in bed along with
my brothers and sisters. Mother walked in our room and looked upon us with affection and
warmth in her eyes. I can never forget the love with which her face glowed as she bent over
us one by one to put us to sleep. We were like her prized treasures and dreaming darlings.

The rain on that night was almost like the one falling today. Not a heavy shower, but a soft
and gentle one pattering rhythmically on the roof. It is a bliss to recall Mother’s angelic eyes
and smiling face amidst the gentle sound of the rain.

Miss you mom.

Coates Kinney

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

How does the poet describe the mornings on the lonely island?

Ans:-The poet describes the mornings on the lonely island to be very peaceful and quiet. The
atmosphere of the morning is hazy with fog or mist. Out of the hazy heavens, peace comes on
the land falling softly and noiselessly.

What does the poet imply by “….from the veils of the morning to where the cricket
sings.

Ans:-By this expression, the poet implies that the span of time from morning to evening is
full of peace on the Lake Isle of Innisfree. Here, quietness reigns supreme. The singing of the
cricket adds to the music of nature and can be enjoyed on this island.

How does the poet describe the midnight and noon on the island?

Ans:-Both the midnight and the noon on the island are visualized by the poet to be very
bright with only different hues of brilliance – the twinkling light of the moon and the stars in
the midnight and the bright purple shine in the noon.

How does the poet contrast city life with life in natural surroundings?

Ans:- Although the poet does not describe the city life in detail, his obsession to go to the
beautiful island full of pleasing sights and sounds makes it clear that he wants to leave the
noisy life in the city and lead a simple life. The contrast between the crowded cities and the
calm, natural surroundings of Innisfree justifies his desire.
The description of green glades and pastures, along with birds and insects singing on
Innisfree stand in contrast to the dull looking roadways and pavements that are full of
vehicles and people. This contrast hints at the noise pollution and congestion in cities.
Further, the picture of the island surrounded by the calm water of the lake and its gentle

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waves present a beautiful sight. In contrast, people in cities are lost in a race of accumulating
material possessions. The fewer needs of people living close to nature indicate greater
contentment as compared to the city dwellers’ never-ending chase of wealth and material
possessions. The poet’s urge to return to natural surroundings for a peaceful life hints at the
problems and restlessness of people in cities.
Thus, the poet contrasts every aspect of city life with the life in natural surroundings that are
full of pleasure, contentment and peace.

THE LOST CHILD

How did the child’s father react to hearing the child say, “I want that toy.”?

Ans: The child was used to his parents’, especially his father’s habit of refusing him anything
that he desired to have. Yet when he dared to express his desire to have a toy, his father
looked at him red-eyed like a tyrant. The very look was an emphatic and rude ‘no’.

How can you say that the child was scared of his father?

Ans: The child was tempted by many things but he asked for them only in slow murmurs.
This shows that he was scared of his father and could not express his demands as rightfully as
some other children do.

How did the mother distract the child’s mind from the toy seller?

Ans: The child’s mother drew his attention to the flowering mustard field to distract his mind
from the toy seller. Here he saw colourful dragon-flies with gaudy purple wings, black bee
and butterflies. He gazed at them as they flew in the air.

The kind-hearted stranger tried his best to calm down the lost child but failed. Why did
the child remain inconsolable?

Ans. The stranger who noticed the lost child was a kind-hearted man. He had the heart that
could feel the agony of a lost child. He lifted him up in his arms. He tried to distract his
attention by offering a ride on the roundabout and making him hear the music of the flute. He
offered him to buy sweets and balloons to soothe him. He failed in his attempt because the
lost child had nothing in his mind except his parents.

What values of humanity are reflected through the character of the kind man?

Ans: The man who had rescued the child had a heart full of goodness. He did not ignore the
painful shrieks of the boy calling for his parents. Risking his own safety, he bent down in the
crowd to rescue the child from getting trampled. He forgot his own purpose of visiting

the shrine did his best to comfort and soothe the scared boy. He talked to him very kindly
and inquired about his parents. When he did not get any response from the child, he did not
lose patience. Instead, he tried to make him feel at ease b offering him the little things that
children love. The man sincerely tried to pacify the child so that he could help him to find his
parents. His character thus reflects the human values of kindness, compassion, care and love.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOTO

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“An exhibition attracted a curious crowd of onlookers at the Dehra Dun railway
platform”. What was the cause of this exhibition?

Ans: The canvas kit-bag in which Toto had been placed did not allow the naughty animal to
escape. Therefore, when he attempted to release himself, he would move inside frantically.
The bag would then roll about on the floor and at times jump into the air thus attracting a
crowd of curious onlookers at the platform.

“The brain part devoted to mischief was far more developed in Toto”. Do you agree
with this observation of the narrator? Support your answer with instances from the
text.

Ans: Toto, although an intelligent monkey, used all his energy in playing mischief and that
too of a destructive nature. He would tear and break things or trouble and irritate others. To
make matters worse, he would enjoy his mischievous acts. That is why the narrator has made
this remark about Toto.

Grandmother had an aversion to pets. Was it right for a grandfather to keep a mini-zoo
in his house and also bring in Toto, the monkey? Discuss.

Ans. Grandfather had immense love for animals. He had created a private zoo in the house.
In his zoo, one could see a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel and pet goats. He took
the special care when grandmother had an aversion to pets. When Toto was brought home,
his arrival was kept a secret. Toto was a naughty monkey. All the time he kept creating
problems in the family. Since the very day Toto entered the house, he started damaging the
household things. He pulled out the peg, tore wallpapers and the author’s blazer. Moreover,
he never let other animals live in harmony with the other pets. He proved to be an expensive
deal. So, grandfather was not right in keeping Toto in his private zoo. Grandfather should
also have kept in mind the likes and dislikes of the grandmother.

ISWARAN THE STORYTELLER

It is an ugly creature with matted hair and a shrivelled face, like a skeleton holding a foetus in
its arms.

(a) What is ‘it’ here and who is describing ‘it’?

Ans:‘It’ here is the female ghost who is being described by Iswaran, the cook.

(b) Why was ‘it’ ugly?

Ans:‘It’ was ugly because it had matted hair and shrivelled face like a typical ghost.

(c) Who had seen ‘it’, when and where?

Ans:It was claimed to have been seen by Iswaran at midnight during the full moon in the
factory area supervised by Mahendra.

(d) What effect does this description of the ugly creature have on Mahendra?

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Ans:This description made Mahendra shiver with horror although he put up a brave show by
dismissing Iswaran’s belief in ghosts or spirits as a figment of his imagination.

Describe Iswaran’s ‘amazing capacity to produce vegetables, etc.

Ans. Mahendra had a cook. His name was Iswaran. He was quite attached to Mahendra and
went wherever Mahendra was transferred. Iswaran was a good cook. He had an amazing
capacity to produce vegetables from nowhere and cook them. Even at a place where there
were no shops visible for miles. he was able to cook vegetables. He would conjure up del
iciousdishes made with fresh vegetables within an hour of reaching that place.

Iswaran was a master storyteller. Describe his amazing narrative’ skills.

Ans: Iswaran is a fascinating storyteller who could weave out endless stories and anecdotes.
He acquired this talent by reading Tamil thrillers. He would read these novels every day after
lunch and relate them to his master in his leisure time. He always added suspense and
surprise even to the smallest incident and could make up innumerable stories on different
subjects. He would use facial and body expressions to add interest to the story. He would
raise his eyebrows, wave his hands, and jump about imitating the characters in his stories. He
would narrate a story in instalments and purposely leave it unfinished midway. On returning,
he would not pick it up right away till reminded by his listener. He would narrate a new story
every day and fill it with adventure, horror and suspense, thus entertaining Mahendra as
television does.

IN THE KINGDOM OF FOOLS

What was ironical about the judgement passed by the king holding the dancing girl as
the culprit?

In his judgement, the king termed the burglar as ‘poor’ and ‘innocent’. He blamed the
dancing girl for causing the death of the ‘poor burglar’ and killing an ‘innocent man’.
Expressing sympathy in this manner for a law-breaker was ironical.

How did the kingdom become normal again?

Ans. When the people came to know of the death of their king and minister, they mourned.
They discussed the future of the kingdom. They requested the guru and the disciple to be
their king and minister. They agreed to rule the kingdom, but on one condition. The old laws
would be ‘changed. The good days returned to the kingdom. Thus the kingdom became
normal again.

Wisdom and far-sightedness were the most important qualities of the guru’s character.
Discuss.

Ans. By saving his disciple’s life and eventually becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Fools,
the guru exhibited the positive value of wisdom. He managed to solve even the most difficult
problem only because he was wise enough to stay calm during the moments of crisis. His
character proves that wisdom is an invaluable asset that helps one get over tricky situations.
Like King Solomon of Israel, the guru too was able to accomplish the seemingly impossible
task of rescuing his disciple from the senseless execution orders of the foolish king. Being a

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much travelled and learned man, he was quick to perceive that the Kingdom of Fools was
being misruled and the follies of the king could not continue for long. The dangers sensed by
him came true when his disciple was caught and condemned to be executed simply because
he was fat and his neck could fit the stake. The wise guru made a clever plan not only to save
his disciple’s life but also to get rid of the foolish king and his silly minister. Thus, wisdom
triumphed over foolish and unbridled power.

THE HAPPY PRINCE

What did the swallow overhear while going to the seamstress’s house?

Ans:-As he passed by the palace, the swallow saw a beautiful girl come out into the balcony.
The swallow overheard her saying that she hoped her dress would be ready for the state ball
and that she had ordered flowers to be embroidered on it but the seamstresses were a lazy lot.

What change came over the bird on his return from the seamstress’s house? Why?

Ans:-After returning from the seamstress’s house, the swallow felt curious that despite the
cold he was feeling quite warm. The Happy Prince told him that it was so because he had
done a good deed.

‘Goodness can never be destroyed’. Do you agree? Illustrate with reference to the story
“The Happy Prince”.

Ans. Goodness is forever. The happy prince had goodness for all. He was moved by the
widespread poverty and misery. He gave his eyes, his gold and jewels to the poor. When the
swallow died at his feet, his heart was broken into two. The statue of the happy prince was no
longer useful and beautiful. It was pulled down. When the statue was melted in a furnace, the
leaden heart did not melt because goodness can never be destroyed. The prince and the
swallow both were rewarded by God by providing them with a place in heaven.

Describe the sufferings of poor people in the city. How did The Happy Prince help
them?

Ans. The poor people in the city were miserable. The Happy Prince saw their sorrows and
sufferings. There was a poor seamstress. She was sad and tired. But she had nothing to give
him except the river water. In another house, there lived a poor playwright. He had no wood
to keep himself warm. There was a little match girl. She had no shoes or stockings. The
Prince also saw the homeless and children. They were hungry and were shivering with cold.
The Prince felt pity for them. He sent the ruby to the poor woman. He sent one sapphire each
to the young man and the match girl. He sent all the gold of his body to these children. Now
they could buy bread and be happy. Thus the Happy Prince helped the poor and sad people of
his city.

Imagine you are the playwright who received the mystery gift of a sapphire. While
passing by the statue you get to unravel the mystery when you overhear the general
public and councillors discussing the dull statue of the Happy Prince. Write a diary
entry expressing your gratitude to the Happy Prince and expressing your dismay at the
council’s decision of pulling down the statue.

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Ans:

(Date)

(Day)
(Time)

Dear Diary

For days I have been trying to unravel the mystery of a precious sapphire I found at my desk
a few days ago. I wondered who this admirer and saviour were. I wanted to personally thank
him for his generous and timely help in saving my life and my career as a playwright.

The mystery got solved today when I was passing by the statue of the Happy Prince. A
crowd of people, among them the Mayor and Town Councillors, were discussing how shabby
and dull the statue looked without its ruby, sapphires and gold leaves. That is when I realized
that the sapphire I had got was actually one of the eyes of the statue of the Happy Prince.
That also explained how the poor and needy people in the city were mysteriously getting
jewels and gold so that they could end their poverty and miseries. The Happy Prince with the
help of the swallow – his noble companion – had brought so much happiness to the poor and
downtrodden by sacrificing all he had.

It utterly dismayed me to hear of the council’s decision to pull down the statue because it
looked nothing better than a dull, shabby beggar! How callous and ignorant the Mayor and
the Councillors are!

However, I shall remain eternally grateful to the Happy Prince and the swallow, his faithful
companion, and as a token of my gratitude to them, I am going to write and stage a play to
highlight their exemplary sacrifices in bringing joy and happiness to the poor and needy
people of the city.

May the soul of the Happy Prince and the swallow rest in eternal peace in the abode of God.

JOHN

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