Alphonse Daudet was a The last lesson is set in the days of the Franco-

French novelist and Prussian War in which France was defeated by

short story writer. Prussia led by Bismarck. In the story, the French
districts of Alsace and Lorraine have passed into
Prussian hands.

5. M.Hamel teaches his final

1. Prussia took over lesson with devotion, blaming
Alsace and Lorraine, so teachers, kids, and parents for
they had to teach only neglecting their language.
German in schools.
6. He praises French as a clear,
beautiful, and logical language.
2. French teachers, like
M. Hamel, were not
7. M.Hamel advises the class to
needed anymore, and he value their mother tongue,
had to leave. saying it's crucial for cultural
identity.
3. Franz, a student of M.
Hamel, realizes he's 8. Franz questions if even
having his last French animals are affected, like
lesson today. pigeons singing in German.

4. Franz regrets not 9. M. Hamel ends his lesson by

taking French lessons writing "Viva La France" on the
seriously before. blackboard, expressing love for
France.

Alphonse Daudet
1. French teacher 1. Careless
talks about the
2. Strict 2. Conscious of his duties
importance of
freedom and the
3. Selfish at times 3. Admirer of nature
4. Honest and Sensitive man 4. Observant
preciousness of
5. Proud of being French 5. Sensitive and innocent
one's own language 6. Thinker.
6. Passionate about the French

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Pigeons - During his last French class, Franz hears the pigeons cooing and wonders if the
Prussians would make them sing in German too. His thought reveals the Frenchmen's fear of
complete domination by the Germans whereby they would try enslaving even their minds.
 Anees Jung is an Indian female author,
journalist and columnist who writes for
major newspapers in India and abroad.
She was born in Rourkela.
1. Rag pickers from Dhaka moved to
Seemapuri due to storms destroying
their green fields.
2. Saheb, a rag picker, searches for
valuable items in garbage, considering
it as their 'gold' and daily bread.
3. Garbage means survival to their
parents but brings wonder to the
children
.
4. Saheb shares his excitement about
finding a ten rupee note in the
garbage.
5. Despite dreams and desires, these
children lack the means to achieve
them.
6. They lack basic things like shoes but
justify staying barefoot as a tradition
to find happiness.
7. The children are trapped in poverty
and burdened by caste-related
challenges.
1. The story 'Lost Spring'
addresses the pitiable
condition of the poor
children who are unable
to enjoy their childhood
due to their poor socio
economic condition
that prevails in the
place they dwell in.
2. These children live a life that is far distant and different from the life of a normal child who
receives education and is not forced into labour in his early life. The story gives the call to end child
exploitation and let these children enjoy the days of spring that would bring joy under their feet.
Anees Jung raises voice against
child labor by educating poor
children. She works in support of
enforcing strict laws against this.
1. The story is about Mukesh, part of a family of
bangle makers.
2. Around 20,000 children, including Mukesh,
work in this business, unaware that it’s against the
law.
3. They live in poor and miserable conditions,
risking their eyesight due to the dust from bangle
polishing.
4. Mukesh’s grandmother accepts this fate,
attributing his grandfather’s blindness to destiny.
5. The children fear mistreatment, beatings, and
jail, they’re unable to organize themselves into
cooperatives.
6. The absence of a leader among them keeps
them stuck in the cycle of exploitation by
sahukaars, lawkeepers, bureaucrats, and
politicians.
7. Mukesh stands out as he dreams of becoming a
motor mechanic and wishes to learn at a garage.
8. Despite their difficult circumstances, Mukesh
finds contentment in dreaming about cars
speeding through the streets.
1. Lives in slum
1. Bangle maker
2. Came from dhaka 2. Follows different path
3. Roams barefooted 3. Courageous
4. Rag picker 4. Dream - motor mechanic
5. Determined
5. Poor and illiterate 6. Thinker.
6. Cheerful & optimistic
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William Douglas (1898 –1980)
Born in USA, Douglas was a
leading advocate of individual
rights. He was a judge at the
Supreme court of USA.
Douglas was scared of water, but he worked
really hard and became brave to overcome it. He
learned that many fears aren't real and can
make up dangers. Douglas proved that if you
have determination, you can find a way, just
like the saying, "Where there is a will, there is a

1. Starting Point:
- The author shares a journey of
overcoming a fear of water, starting
at age ten or eleven.
2. Early Fear Origins:
- Past incident at age three or
four in California beach, knocked
down by waves, creating a fear of
water.
6. Learning to Overcome:
- Attempts to eliminate fear without
success until deciding to learn swimming
properly with an instructor's step-by-step
process.
7. Instructor's Approach:
- Three months of practice, including
swimming with a rope, breathing underwater,
and kicking water with legs.

3. Confident Attempt: 8. Gradual Progress:

- Decides to learn swimming at - Official approval from the instructor,
Y.M.C.A pool, feeling it's safer than yet author doubts his abilities, swims two
the Yakima river where drownings miles across Lake Wentworth facing little
were common. fear.

4. Bullying Incident: 9. Final Confrontation:

- Bullied by an older boy at the
pool, thrown in, struggles to breathe,
plans escape but faces slow ascent,
suffocation, and unconsciousness.
5. Traumatic Aftermath:
- Saved, but weakened and
emotionally shaken, experiences
paralyzing fear in other water bodies.
- Swims in Warm Lake without trouble,
discovers joy in being free of the fear of
water.
10. Important Revelation:
- Describes the experience as something
only those who've faced severe fear and
conquered it can understand, quoting
Roosevelt on fearing the fear of death.

1. Douglas had a strong fear of water from a bad experience at five.

2. The fear affected his confidence, making him shy and reserved.
3. He was scared of being teased by classmates due to his fear.
4. His fear prevented him from enjoying activities like swimming in lakes.
5. Douglas decided to overcome his fear and took swimming classes.
6. With dedication and motivation, he practiced until he mastered swimming.
7. Eventually, he conquered his fear, realizing it existed only in his mind.
8. Overcoming the fear led to a better and more fulfilling life for Douglas.

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The writer of ‘The Rattrap’ is
Selma Lagerlöf. She is a
Swedish writer.
1. The story is set in Swedish mines
where a rattrap seller struggles to
make a living by selling rattraps
made from materials he gathers
through begging or stealing.
2. The seller views the world
pessimistically, comparing it to a
rattrap where desires for beautiful
things act as baits, luring people
into a trap.
3. One day, seeking shelter, he
meets a kind cottage owner who
welcomes him warmly, sharing his
life story and earnings of thirty
kronor.
4. The seller, tempted, steals the
money but feels impressed with his
deed as he continues his journey
and enters a forest.
5. Lost and tired, he finds shelter
at an iron mill, where the owner
mistakes him for an old friend
and invites him to his house for
Christmas.
1. Oldest daughter of Ironmaster
2. Not at all pretty but seemed modest
3. Kind-hearted
4. Compassionate
5. Smart enough to understand rightly from
the peddler's eyes that he might have escaped
from jail or stolen something.
6. Good host
7. Great human being.
We can change the world through kindness
and compassion; in addition, it teaches us
that materialistic things never bring inner
joy, only love and respect does.
6. Uncomfortable with the
invitation, the seller refuses, but
the ironmaster's daughter
persuades him to stay until
Christmas eve.
7. The ironmaster discovers the
mistake but decides not to involve
the sheriff due to Christmas eve.
The daughter wants the seller to
stay.
8. The rattrap seller spends
Christmas with the ironmaster's
family, and the daughter gifts him
a coat. He leaves a rattrap and the
stolen money with a note.
9. The note explains that the stolen
money is a Christmas present
from a rat freed by their
kindness. The rattrap seller
disappears after returning the
money.
1. Vagabond sells rattraps.
Supplements income with
begging or stealing.
2. Steals from a crofter.
Mistaken for old military
acquaintance by
Ironmaster.
3. Redemption and attitude
change.
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 1. "Indigo" focuses on good leadership
and positive political change.

2. Gandhi, a kind and compassionate

Indigo is an excerpt from leader, understands and resolves farmers'
Louis Fischer’s book – The issues in Champaran.

3. Gandhi avoids violence or extreme

measures in addressing challenges.

1. Gandhi helps poor peasants in 8. Shukla takes Gandhi to

Champaran in 1916.
2. Arable land owned by Englishmen,
workers are Indian tenants,
cultivating Indigo.
3. Landlords demand 15% Indigo
harvest as rent.
4. Germany develops synthetic
Indigo, British no longer need
natural Indigo.
5. Landlords demand compensation,
some peasants agree, others resist.
6. Sharecropper Raj Kumar Shukla
meets Gandhi, urges him to visit
Champaran.
7. Gandhi agrees, boards train to
Patna with Shukla's help.
lawyer Rajendra Prasad's house.
9. News of Gandhi's arrival and
mission spreads, lawyers and
peasants support him.
10. Lawyers acknowledge high
charges, Gandhi criticizes fees,
emphasizes counseling for
confidence.
11. After a yearlong fight,
Gandhi gets justice for
peasants.
12. Gandhi arranges education,
health, and hygiene for poor
peasants' families.
13. Gandhi teaches lesson of
self-sufficiency and self-
confidence.

1. poor sharecropper in his mid-30s.

2.Victim of unfairness by British landlords in Champaran.
3.Despite illiteracy, adamant about challenging British landlords.
4. Persistent, determined, not easily deterred by challenges.
5. Few words but strong opinions, sincere and determined tone.
6. Seeks Gandhiji's assistance in fighting British landlords.
7. Stays by Gandhiji's side until he gets a commitment to visit Champaran.

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The chapter has been taken
from the book ‘My Years with
Boss’ by Asokamitran.
The narrative gives an insight into
how different people work together
despite their casual dislike for each
other and how different is the reel
life from real life.

1. Asokamitran starts the lesson 5. Subbu is resourceful, loyal,

talking about Gemini Studios and
their heavy use of the 'Pancakes'
makeup brand.
2. The studio orders a lot of
products from 'Pancakes,' and the
actors face various challenges in
the makeup room, including bright
lights and excessive makeup to
make them look ugly.
3. The author, a poet, joins the
studio with ambitions to become
an actor, screenwriter, director, or
lyricist.
4. The office boy, Subbu, bothers
the author with complaints, and
the author suspects Subbu's
Brahmin background gives him an
advantage.
and loved by everyone at the
studio for being friendly and
hospitable. He also does poetry
and works in the story
department.
6. Gemini Studios hosts the
Moral Rearmament Army, a
group of international
performers with perfect sets
and costumes.
7. Another guest, Stephen
Spender, visits Gemini Studios,
but he isn't well-known, and
language barriers make his
visit mysterious until the
author recognizes him years
later from a book.

1. Highly respected at Gemini Studios, holding the position

of No. 2.
2. Remains cheerful and composed, never letting failures
affect his mood.
3. Loyal to his boss, Creative, A talented poet
4. Subbu is portrayed as charitable, lovable, and selfless by
the author, Asokamitran.

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The Interview by Christopher
Silvester is a selection taken
from his Penguin Book of
meetings.
1. The chapter focuses on the new
invention in journalism called the
Interview.
2. It explores various views celebrities
have about interviews and how it affects
their personality and being.

1. Christopher discusses the 5. The second part mentions

various functions and
advantages of interviews.
2. Some see interviews as a
source of truth and a way to
answer the public's questions,
while others view it as an
unwarranted intrusion into their
lives.
3. Writers like S. Naipaul, Lewis
Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, and
H.G. Wells express negative views
on interviews.
4. Saul Bellow describes being
an interviewee as disturbing and
diminishing but acknowledges
interviews as a serviceable
medium of communication.
an interview with Umberto
Eco by Mukund
Padmanabhan from 'The
Hindu.'
6. Umberto Eco, author of
'Name of the Rose,' shares
that despite creating
different works, he pursues
his philosophical interests
through his writings.
7. Eco talks about filling
empty spaces, called
interstices, to his advantage
and mentions the difficulty
in tracing a novel's success
over time.

1. loves writing but desires recognition as an

academician.
2. He sees himself primarily as a scholar who writes
novels only on Sundays.
3. Open-minded, acknowledging that interviews are not
improper, and willingly engages with interviewers.
4. Displays a great sense of humor.

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A.R Barton is a modern writer who
writes about the problems faced by
teenagers during adolescence.
1. Story follows teenage girl
Sophie, normal with dreams
despite financial struggles.
2. Dreams of owning a boutique
and becoming an actress or 6. Sophie fantasizes about Irish
fashion designer. football player Danny Casey, makes
3. Practical friend Jansie
works in a biscuit factory,
tries to keep Sophie grounded.
4. Sophie has two brothers,
fascinated by elder brother
Geoff's silence.
5. Parents, more mature, don't
pay much heed to Sophie's
fantasies.
1. Teenager
2. DayDreamer
3. Lives in her own
fantasies
4. Is ambitious and wants
to open a boutique, be an
actress or a fashion
designer. sensitive and
innocent
1. - Barton explores adolescent
fantasizing and hero-worship using
the character Sophie.
2. The story suggests that it's
natural for adolescents to
fantasize, but there's a limit to it.
3. The author conveys that building
castles in the air (unrealistic
fantasies) may not be useful.
up stories about meeting him.
7. Geoff, sensible, doesn't believe
Sophie's stories but wishes they were
true.
8. Sophie deeply immersed in her
make-believe story, eagerly waits
for Danny to show up.
9. Despite disappointment,
continues to fantasize about
meeting Danny in the future.
1. Sophie's friend
2. Sensible and practical
3. Brings Sophie back to the
real world by making her
realize that they both are
embarked to work in the
biscuit factory
4. She cannot keep a secret.
5. opposite of Sophie.
Watch detailed video
 Written by an American author,
Walter Braden “Jack” Finney. Famous
for his pieces on science fiction
and thriller stories.
The third level symbolises
a desire of human beings
to return to stability in
1. "The Third Level" explores life, far away from
how stress affects the violence, worry and
protagonist, Charley. anxiety.

2. Charley, 31, works at an

office and narrates the story.
6. Unable to find the third
level again, he returns to
3. He imagines a third level at
stamp collecting hobby.
Grand Central Station as an
escape from his troubles.
7. Charley discovers evidence
of the third level's existence
4. In 1894, he tries to buy
through a letter from his
tickets but is accused of using
friend Sam.
fake money.
8. Sam may have settled
5. Charley withdraws money,
there comfortably.
plans to settle in 1894 with his
wife, Louisa.

1. Stamp collector, longs for 1. Practical and rational.

peace in a violent society. 2. She helps her husband
2. Desires an idyllic escape. stay grounded by
3. Optimistic and a dreamer, sees reminding him of his
positive aspects in situations. responsibilities.
4. Fascinated by time travel, he 3. loving and
believes the Third Level is a understanding towards her
gateway to the past. anxious husband.
4. Kind and encouraging.

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 1. Story explores the effects of
Written by Indian writer Kalki
arrogance.
Krishnamurthy, is a satirical story
on pride and power.
2. Illustrates how arrogance can
lead to neglect of important
responsibilities.

1. The story's protagonist is the 7. Devotes himself to hunting tigers,

Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. even risking his throne.

2. The story revolves around how 8. Kills 70 tigers in 10 years, but

he earns the name 'Tiger King'.
3. Astrologers predict his future
when he's just 10 days old.
4. Predict that he'll be killed by
a tiger due to being born in the
hour of the bull.
5. Maharaja decides to kill 100
tigers to defy the prediction.
6. Challenges astrologers by
announcing he'll kill the 100th
tiger.
faces extinction of tigers.
9. Marries a princess from a state with
a tiger population to continue hunting.
10. Develops anxiety over not
completing his count of 100 tigers.
11. Orders to increase land tax,
leading to a drastic move by the
dewan.
12. Dewan tricks the king into
thinking he killed the 100th tiger.
13. King celebrates but gets infected
by a wooden tiger toy and dies.

1. Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung

Bahadur, known as the Tiger King.
2. Astrologers predict his death by a tiger due to being born
in the hour of the Bull.
3. Crown Prince raised in an English environment
4. Vows to kill 100 tigers
5. Brave and determined, but lacks worldly wisdom.

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 1. Environmental issues: Problems in
nature due to human activities.

According to Tishani Doshi, 2. Complications: Challenges like

visiting Antarctica is necessary if
one wants to comprehend the
past, present, and future of the
planet.
pollution, deforestation, and climate
change.
3. Youth involvement: Ways young
people can help conserve the
environment.

1. Trip to Antarctica with "Students 9. Simple ecosystem, low biodiversity.

on Ice" program.
10. Importance: Small environmental
2. Understand climate change's changes have big results.
threat.
11. Ozone layer depletion: Affects sea
3. Boarded Russian ship "Akademik animals, birds, and global carbon
Shokalskiy". cycle.

4. Journey: From Chennai, crossed 12. Fossil fuel burning: Increases

nine time zones, six checkpoints,
three bodies of water.
5. Travel: Over 100 hours in car,
airplane, and ship.
global temperature, melts icebergs.
13. Geoff Green's view: High school
students can save Earth, unlike retired
celebrities.

6. Antarctica: 90% of Earth's ice. 14. Impact example: Phytoplankton

7. Concern: Will West Antarctica Ice
sheet melt entirely?
8. Antarctica's significance: Study
past, present, and future Earth.
affected by ozone layer depletion.
15. Conclusion: Beauty of Antarctica
must be preserved.

1. Young, beautiful, adventurous, energetic, and cheerful.

2. Outgoing personality: Helps her connect with people.

3. Excited about traveling to Antarctica. Enthusiastic about

exploring its distinct ecosystem and species.

4. Concerned about climate change. Resilient and determined:

Pushes through challenges to fully experience the trip.

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Pearl S. Buck is an English actor,
comedian, author, and former
singer.
1. Dr. Sadao Hoki: Virtuous
physician, studied medicine in
America, married Hana after
confirming her Japanese roots.
2. Skilled doctor, exempt from
World War duty.
3. Encounters wounded American
soldier, decides to help despite
illegality.
4. Hides soldier in his house,
conducts surgery to save his life.
5. Servants resign due to
unpatriotic act, leaving Dr. Sadao
and Hana to care for the soldier.
6. Dr. Sadao treats General, who
offers to kill the soldier.
1. Committed to his
professional duty
2. A kind man and
generous
3. A well-established doctor
4. A patriot
5. A loving caring and
devoted family man
6. A dedicated surgeon
1. Rise above petty considerations of
race and nationality, act with human
compassion.
2. Humanity should prevail above all.
3. Impact of war: Normal people
affected, shown through the
wounded American soldier facing
weather and hostility.
7. Dr. Sadao worries about
soldier's safety, plans his
escape with Korean
fishermen's help.
8. Soldier escapes, and Dr.
Sadao informs the General.
9. General apologizes for
forgetting promise to kill
the soldier.
10. Dr. Sadao reflects on his
actions and experiences in
America.
1. Ruthless (beats
his wife)
2. Not promising
3. Self-centered
4. Selfish
5. Unfaithful
towards his nation
Watch detailed video

Susan Hill is an English author
of fiction and non-fiction
works.
1. Derry enters an isolated garden
and meets Mr. Lamb.
2. Mr. Lamb welcomes Derry, talks
about the garden being open to all.
3. Derry shares his fear of people's
reaction to his burnt face.
4. Derry reveals his face was burnt
by acid.
5. Mr. Lamb stays calm, talks about
acceptance. Derry fears no one will
like him.
6. Mr. Lamb advises Derry to ignore
people's opinions.
7. Mr. Lamb warns Derry about the
dangers of hatred. Derry likes Mr.
Lamb's house and wants to return.
1. Young boy with a burnt face.
2. Lives secluded from other
children
3. Insecure about the way he
looks
4. Initially has a negative
approach towards his life
because of his deformity of
1. Play depicts the world of the physically
impaired.
2. Focuses on attitude of people towards
disabilities.
3. Shows it's not just physical pain that
troubles disabled individuals.
4. Highlights the grim reality of societal
attitudes towards disability.
8. Derry rushes home to inform
his mother and promises to
return.
9. Derry's mother refuses to let
him go back to Mr. Lamb's.
10. Derry expresses his
frustration and hatred towards
his home.
11. Derry runs away from home
and returns to Mr. Lamb's
garden.
12. Derry finds Mr. Lamb dead
under an apple tree.
1. He was a lonely man
2. Had a tin leg
3. Always had a positive
approach towards his life
4. Keeps himself busy by making
jelly out the apples in his
garden, sitting in the sun and
reading books.
5. Did not have curtains in the
house
6. Keeps the windows open
7. Called Lamey lamb by people.
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 It throws light on the issue of racial
discrimination and the inhumane
Cutting of my long hairs - attitude towards women in the society.
Zitkala - Sa
We too are human beings -
Bama B. We too are human beings

A. Cutting of my long hairs

1. - Story begins in a boarding school in
the land of apples. Children assigned
task of picking apples in bitter cold.
2. Author nervous and stressed in
breakfast hall due to unfamiliarity with
table manners. Pale-faced woman stares
at author, causing insult and alarm.
1. Author learns about
untouchability in third grade.
2. Notices people working hard
for landlords, beaten badly.
3. Takes longer route home to
observe shops and bazaar.

3. Friend Judewin warns of paleface

4. Sees elderly person from her
woman's intention to cut author's long
hair. community carrying packet
strangely.
4. Author remembers mother's warning
about short hair symbolizing cowardice. 5. Initially finds incident funny,
Author decides to resist, hides under bed
in fear.
but brother explains it's pathetic.

5. Found and dragged out, resists but is
tied to chair and hair cut.
6 Author feels extreme indignity and
recalls past sufferings. Cries alone,
without consolation or comfort.
6. Learns lower caste people
treated as untouchables.
7. Shocked, decides to study hard
to overcome discrimination.

1. learns about untouchability in

third grade.
2. Takes longer route home to
observe shops and bazaar.
3. Sees elderly person holding
packet strangely.
4. Brother explains it's due to
discrimination.
5. Author shocked, decides to
study hard to overcome
discrimination.
1. Small innocent schoolgirl
from Dalit community in
South India.
2. Unaware of discrimination
based on caste.
3. Surprised to see distinction
based on class and caste.
4. Brother tells her reality,
she becomes angry.

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