1.1 The Best Christmas Present in the World Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: That night, back in our dugouts, we heard them singing a carol, and singing it quite beautifully. It was Stille Nacht. Silent Night. Our boys gave them a rousing chorus of “While Shepherds Watched”. We exchanged carols for a while and then we all fell silent. We had had our time of peace and goodwill, a time I will treasure as long as I live. (i) Who does the word ‘them’ in the opening line refer to? (ii) What were they singing? (iii) How were they singing the carol? (iv) What was the carol about? (v) Why was the time they had felt special? Ans. (i) The word ‘them’ in the opening line refers to the German soldiers. (ii) They (German soldiers) were singing a carol. (iii) They were singing it beautifully. (iv) The carol was ‘Stille Nacht’, Silent Night. (v) It was a time of peace and goodwill. Extract 2: First, someone saw a white flag waving from the trenches opposite. Then they were calling out to us from across no man’s land, “Happy Christmas, Tommy! Happy Christmas!” When we had got over the surprise, some of us shouted back, “Same to you, Fritz! Same to you!” I thought that would be that. We all did. But then suddenly one of them was up there in his grey greatcoat and waving a white flag. “Don’t shoot, lads” someone shouted. And no one did. Then there was anothewr Fritz up on the parapet. and another. “Keep your heads down,” I told the men. “It is a trick.” But it wasn’t. (i) What did someone see from the trenches on the opposite side? (ii) Who was calling out to whom? (iii) Which greetings were exchanged? (iv) What do Tommy and Fritz stand for? (v) Who told his men to keep their heads down? Ans. (i) Someone saw a white flag waving from the trenches on the opposite side. (ii) German soldiers were calling out to English soldiers. (iii) The Christmas greetings were exchanged. (iv) Tommy stands for a British soldier while Fritz stands for a German soldier. (v) The British officer told his men to keep their heads down. 1
1.2 The Ant and the Cricket Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: At last by starvation and famine made bold, All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold, Away he set off to a miserly ant, To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant Him shelter from rain, And a mouthful of grain. (i) What emboldened the cricket? (ii) What did the cricket expect from the ant? (iii) Why did the cricket go to the ant even when he knew that the ant was a miser? Ans. ( i) The cricket was emboldened by lack of food during winter. (ii) The cricket expected that the ant would provide him shelter from rain and give him some food to eat. (iii) The cricket was starving because of lack of food and his only hope was the miserly ant. He knew that the ant must have stored food for the winter. That is why he went to the ant. 2
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow: So early it’s still almost dark out. I’m near the window with coffee, and the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought. When I see the boy and his friend walking up the road to deliver the newspaper. They wear caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. They are so happy they aren’t saying anything, these boys. I think if they could, they would take each other’s arm. It’s early in the morning, and they are doing this thing together. They come on, slowly. The sky is taking on light, though the moon still hangs pale over the water. Such beauty that for a minute death and ambition, even love, doesn’t enter into this. Happiness. It comes on unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really, any early morning talk about it. 1. Answer the following questions by selecting the correct option. 1. What do we we understand from “ They aren’t sayaing anything, these boys.” a. They are too busy delivering the newspapers. b. They don’t intend to speak to each other. c. The boys are happy in each other’s company. d. They are not on talking terms. 2. The poem is describing a. The feeling of happiness of the two people that are walking up the road. b. The shabby appearance of the boys. c. The laziness of the newspaper vendors. d. The feelings like death and ambition. 3. “They come on, slowly”. What does “they” refer to? a. The two boys. b. The light and the moon. c. None of these d. The sky and the light. 4. The light of the sky and the moon that hangs create a. A peaceful place. b. A beautiful place. c. A magical moment. d. An unusual place. 3
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 5. Choose up the statement which is not true. The mention of light and the moon connects the theme of being happy with small and ordinary things because a. This setting of light and the moon on top is not a rare thing. b. These are usual sights. c. We can see that setting many times in our lives. d. It’s an exceptional thing. Ans: 1. c. The boys are happy in each other’s company. 2. a. The feeling of happiness of the two people that are walking up the road. 3. a. The two boys. 4. b. A beautiful place 5. d. It’s an exceptional thing. Answer the following questions in brief: 1. Quote any two suitable instances to show that it is quite early in the morning. 2. What does the author spot as he looks outside the window? 3. Describe the appearance of the boys. Ans: 1. “So early it’s still almost dark out.” and “It’s early in the morning” 2. He spots a boy and his friend walking up the road to deliver the newspaper. 3. They wear caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. They look happy. II. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: 1. A shiny big car stopped beside Hamid’s stall. A man dressed in designer clothes and shoes got out and ordered a bowl of fruit salad. Hamid expertly tossed some fruits in a bowl, added some salt and pepper and handed over to the customer with a cheerful smile and thanked him for the payment. After finishing the des- sert, the man asked Hamid, ‘How’s business?’ Hamid replied that business was slow because it was the rainy season. ‘Then why are you so happy?’ asked the man. With a wide smile, Hamid said, `I’m happy because I’m alive and well.’ ‘But you might earn very little money today. How can you smile like that?’ Hamid’s smile wid- ened, ‘It’s all right. When I think of my family waiting for me, I’m happy.’ The rich man replied sadly, ‘I wish I could find happiness like you.’ With a sigh, he got into his car and drove away. 2. Like the rich man, everyone seems to be searching for happiness. They try to find it through their achieve- ments, material possessions, friends and entertainment. But truly, the secret to happiness lies in the fruit salad seller’s reply. If you enjoy each moment and each day as it comes, you will be happy. 3. Hamid the fruit salad seller did not have much money but he was contented with what he had. If he com- pared himself to his customer who dressed so well and drove a luxury car, he would be unhappy. So another secret to happiness is not to make money your goal in life if you want happiness. Those who think that hav- ing more money will make them happy will find that money is never enough because they focus all their time and energy in gathering wealth and they never enjoy what they have. 4. The other secret to happiness Hamid shared with his customer is to treasure relationships. Knowing that you are important to someone will make you feel happy. You should invest time to build and strengthen relation- ships with family members and close friends if you want happiness. If you neglect the people in your life, you will end up sad and lonely even if you were to become a great success. Happiness is not as difficult to find as some people think. All you need to do is to be thankful for and to enjoy the present, to avoid making money the top priority in life, and to treasure relationships. 4
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 1. Complete the following sentences: a. People try to find happiness through their _________________________________ b. ___________________________________but he was contented with what he had. c. If we neglect the people in our life, ________________________________________ 2. Answer the following questions in a sentence each: a. What were the two reasons given by Hamid to be happy in spite of slow business? b. How does desire of having more money lead to unhappiness? c. Mention any two ways, according to the passage, can bring us happiness. 3. Find suitable words from the passage which mean the same to the following: a. Tossed (paragraph 1) b. satisfied (paragraph 3) c. value (paragraph 4) Ans: 1 a. achievements, material possessions, friends and entertainment. 1 b. Hamid the fruit salad seller did not have much money 1 c. we will end up sad and lonely. 2 a. Hamid was happy because of the two reasons that he was alive and well and also that his family was waiting for him. 2 b. It leads to unhappiness since people focus all their time and ener gy in gathering wealth and they never enjoy what they have. 2 c. All you need to do is to be thankful for and to enjoy the present, to avoid mak- ing money the top priority in life, and to treasure relationships. (Any two) 3 a. threw 3 b. contented 3 c treasure PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: I. You are Abhinav Gupta, staying at 23, Vivek Nagar, Bangalore. Write a letter to the Editor of Times of India, Bangalore on the topic “Menace of Junk Food” (120-150 words): Ans: FORMAT (Sender’s address Date The Editor The Times of India Bangalore Subject: Menace of Junk Food tBtoiomwdeay-rb(dCutOthnNeoThEveaNallTut:her-hengaouzvalairtdrasrlencaaudutersireeodnftbsyy-oaujfufrenecksttsfeooeoumdr-enbdoowdneyawdinasplyoasn,pgeevtree-wrrymiso-hnleetaopdursettifloeizroesbjiutentsoiktydforaaonwdd-acohtttheeaenprti,aotinalmsoteyfn,ptsesao-vopeillsey and spicy-not easy to digest-affect our body in dangerous way-aware people about junk food-request you to publish an article regarding this in your newspaper) Yours faithfully Abhinav gupta) EXPRESSION (Vocabulary and grammar) 5
PRACTICE SHEET - 21 (PS-21) II. You are Abhinav Shukla, staying at 56, Andheri Mumbai. Write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India, Mumbai to share your views regarding the “Dangers of Reckless Driving”. (Word limit: 100-120 words) Ans: Format: Sender’s Address Date The Editor, Newspaper Name Place Dear Sir, Subject: Dangers of Reckless Driving Body Yours truly, Your Name (first and last name) Content: (Everyday news of frequent accidents taking place on the roads and streets-result of negligence and rash driving-traffic rules not followed like wearing helmets or seat belts, following traffic lights etc.-pre- mature deaths of many precious lives-overtaking a very big reason-time to take drastic steps to put a stop to this-traffic police has a greater role- seize such vehicles flouting traffic rules-award exemplary punishment- I shall be highly obliged if you would kindly allow a little space in your esteemed Daily to highlight this issue. Expression: (Vocabulary and Grammar) 6
2.1 The Tsunami Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: When the tremors stopped, they saw the sea rising. In the chaos and confusion, two of his children caught hold of the hands of their mother’s father and mother’s brother and rushed in the opposite direction. He never saw them again. His wife was also swept away. Only the three other children who came with him were saved. (i) What did they see after the tremors had stopped? (ii) What did the two children do in the chaos and confusion? (iii) Did the children who were with their mother’s father and mother’s brother survive the tsunami? (iv) What happeed to his (Ignesious’s) wife? (v) What happened to his three other children who came with him? Ans. (i) They saw the sea rising after the tremors had stopped. (ii) In the chaos and confusion, the two children caught hold of the hands of their mother’s father and mother’s brother and rushed in the opposite direction. (iii) No, they did not survive the tsunami as Ignesious never saw them again. (iv) His wife was also swept away. (v) His three other children who came with him were saved. Extract 2: Thirteen-year old Meghna was swept away along with her parents and seventy-seven other people. She spent two days floating in the sea holding on to a wooden door. Eleven times she saw relief helicopters overhead, but they did not see her. She was brought to the shore by a wave, and was found walking on the seashore in a daze. (i) How old was Meghna? (ii) Meghna was swept away along with who? (iii) How did she spend two days in the sea? (iv) How many times did the relief helicopters fly overhead? (v) What brought her to the shore? Ans. (i) Meghna was thirteen years old. (ii) Meghna was swept away along with her parents and seventy seven other people. (iii) She spent two days floating in the sea, holding on to a wooden door. (iv) Eleven times she saw relief helicopters overhead. (v) A wave brought her to the shore. 7
2.2 Geography Lesson Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: When the jet rose six miles high, it was clear the earth was round and that it had more sea than land. But it was difficult to understand that the men on the earth found causes to hate each other, to build walls across cities and to kill. From that height, it was not clear why. (i) At what height is the jet from the ground? (ii) What did the poet realize clearly? (iii) Who hate and kill one another? (iv) Does the poet know the reason behind it? (v) Write the words that rhyme together. Ans. (i) The jet is at a height of six miles from the ground. (ii) The poet realised that the earth is round, and it has more sea than land. (iii) Men hate and kill one another. (iv) No, the poet fails to understand the reason behind it. (v) Land-understand; high-why, round-found. 8
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow: I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine. And he knew that it was mine, And into my garden stole When the night had veiled the pole; In the morning glad I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree. 1. On the basis of the reading of the above poem, complete the following summary: The speaker is presenting two scenarios here. In the first, he is ____________ with his friend. He told his friend about his ____________ anger and his anger ____________ went away. In the second scenario speaker is angry with his ____________ enemy. He kept ___________ mum about his anger for his enemy and his anger just ____________ grew. The speaker watered his anger in ____________fears, night and ____________ morning with his tears. He sunned his anger with ____________ smiles and soft ____________ deceitful wiles. In the third stanza, an ____________ apple sprouts from this poison tree of anger. This ‘apple bright’ attracts the attention of his ____________ enemy who then sneaked into the speaker’s ____________ garden one night and ate the apple from this tree. The next morning the speaker was glad to find his enemy lying dead ____________ under the tree, having eaten the poisoned fruit. Ans: The speaker is presenting two scenarios here. In the first, he is angry with his friend. He told his friend about his anger and his anger went away. In the second scenario speaker is angry with his enemy. He kept silent/ quiet about his anger for his enemy and his anger just grew. The speaker watered his anger in fears, night and morning with his tears. He sunned his anger with smiles and soft deceitful wiles. In the third stanza, an apple sprouts from this poison tree of anger. This ‘apple bright’ attracts the attention of his enemy who then sneaked into the speaker’s garden one night and ate the apple from this tree. The next morning the speaker was glad to find his enemy lying dead under/beneath the tree, having eaten the poisoned fruit. 2. Answer the following questions by choosing the correct answer from the options given below: 1. Which statement is true about the first stanza? a. The speaker not sharing his anger with his enemy causes his anger to increase. b. The speaker did not share his real feelings with his friend. c. The speaker wants to harm his friend. d. The speaker behaves in the same way with his friend and his foe. 9
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 2. Throughout the poem, the speaker II. Read the following passage and answer the compares his increasing anger to: questions that follow: a. A forest It is a well-known fact that the Chinese regard b. Growing an apple tree the turtle as a supernatural creature blessed c. Growing a field with magical qualities and long life. To the d. Building a water fountain fisherman whose livelihood comes from the perilous sea, the turtle is both a protector and 3. Which line indicates that the speaker’s a symbol of survival. wrath increased over time? You can thus imagine the excitement in Hong Kong when some fishermen found a a. Night and morning with my tears. giant turtle in the South China Sea one April b. Till it bore an apple bright. morning. A fleet of Chinese trawlers had set c. I was angry with my foe. out in the grey-blue dawn to catch fish. When d. And it grew both day and night they drew in their nets, the fishermen noticed something unusual entangled among their 4. In the end what happens to the speaker’s foe? fish, prawns and squid - it was a giant turtle. a. The speaker and the foe became friends. Immediately they took the creature ashore b. The speaker finds his foe dead on the ground. and asked some zoological experts to estimate c. The speaker continues to grow apple trees. its age. They analysed the calcium content d. The speaker finds his foe taking a of its shell and discovered that the turtle was about 260 years old! It weighed about 160 nap beneath the apple tree. kilograms, and its moss-green patterned shell 5. Identify the poetic device in the line measured a meter long. Professor Lai Ying offered an explanation. “The “And I watered it in fears”. turtle must have strayed north in search of a. Metaphor food and so got caught in the net.” However, b. Simile the fishermen disagreed, saying that it had c. Alliteration instead come to pay homage to the goddess d. Personification Tin Hau on her birthday. Tin Hau is the patron saint of the fishermen, and her birthday is Ans: ceremoniously observed on the twenty-third day of the third moon in the lunar calendar 1. a [around the end of April]. The turtle was 2. b kept in a pool in a temple while waiting to be 3. d released on Tin Hau’s birthday. 4. b Mr C. H. Ko, a wealthy restaurateur, paid for 5. d the privilege. “I’m just like everybody else,” he said. “I also want a long life.” The charity 3. Find suitable words from the passage which organizers carved his name on the stainless mean the same to the following: steel plaque and fastened it onto the turtle’s shell. On the chosen day, Mr Ko tied a red a. Anger (stanza 1) ribbon round the head of the turtle and set it b. entering a place without permission (stanza 4) free from the launch far out at sea. c. under (stanza 4) Ans: a. Wrath b. stole c. beneath 10
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 1. Complete the following sentences: a. The fishermen in Hong Kong were excite when they found a _____________________. b. The turtle weighed about 160 kilograms, ___________________________ a meter long. c. ____________________________________ _____and fastened it onto the turtle’s shell. Ans: a. giant turtle in the South China Sea one April morning. b. and its moss-green patterned shell measured c. The charity organizers carved his name on the stainless steel plaque 2. Answer the following questions in a sentence each: a. How do Chinese fishermen regard the turtle? b. How did the zoologists know the turtle was 260 years old? c. How did Mr Ko set the turtle free in the sea? Ans: a. To the Chinese fisherman whose livelihood comes from the perilous sea, the turtle is both a protector and a symbol of survival. b. The zoologists analysed the calcium content of its shell and discovered that the turtle was about 260 years old. c. On the chosen day, Mr Ko tied a red ribbon round the head of the turtle and set it free from the launch far out at sea. 3. Find suitable words from the passage which mean the same to the following: a. Income (Paragraph 1) b. huge (Paragraph 2) c. tied (Paragraph 4) Ans: a. livelihood b. giant c. fastened 11
PRACTICE SHEET - 21 (PS-12) Writing: I. You went to a gift shop to buy a birthday present for your best friend. Absent-mindedly you slipped a pen into your bag after examining it and was accused of shop-lifting. Write a diary entry describing the embarrassing incident. (120-150 words) Ans: Format: Date: Day Time Dear dairy Content First name Content (Most unpleasant experience this afternoon-Manya Gift Shop-wanted to buy present for Radhika my best friend-decided to buy a soft toy-proceeded to the cashier-as walking out of the shop-caught by security guards-accused me of shoplifting-opened my mouth to protest-dragged into manager’s room-searched handbag-one of the men drew out a pen-carried the price tag-recalled that absent-mindedly slipped this pen-explained that it was honest mistake-near tears-manager a kind man-told me not to make the mistake again-let me go-What an embarrassing incident !) Expression: grammar and vocabulary. II. You are Vishesh. On turning 14 your parents, have decided to give you a room of your own. Write a diary entry on your feelings on having your own room. (Word limit: 100-120 words) Ans: Format: Date: Day Time Salutation: Dear Dairy Main content I am a teenager now-given a room of my own-cozy room with blue-decorated it to my liking-pictures of my parents, friends and family-my childhood photographs-small side table-alarm clock and a picture of my pet puppy-study table faces a window-get good light-a good view of my garden-table lamp to study at night-do my homework-two shelves-keep my encyclopaedia and books-lucky to have such a comfortable place-can relax or do my school work-no one to disturb me. Expression: (Vocabulary and Grammar) 12
3.1 Glimpses of the Past Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: Taxes continued to ruin the peasants. In Bengal, the Santhals who had lost their lands under new land rules became desperate. In 1855, they rose to rebellion and massacred Europeans and their supporters alike. Discon- tent was brewing in the East India company’s army too. “The while soldier gets huge pay, mansions to live in, servants.” “While we get a pittance and slow promotions!” (i) What continued to ruin the peasants? (ii) Who lost their lands under the new land rules? (iii) When did they rise to rebellion? (iv) What did they do? (v) Who else was discontented? Ans. (i) Taxes ruined the peasants. (ii) Santhals lost their lands under new land rules. (iii) They rose to rebellion in 1855. (iv) They massacred Europeans and their supporters alike. (v) East India company’s army was discontented. Extract 2: “Let us not despise ourselves, our ancient culture is great. And we are capable of greater achievements. We must first reform our society. Superstitions have been ruining us.” He told his wife Uma. “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same.” Different teachers have different opinions but the essence of every religion is the same. He was attracted by science and modern knowledge. “Knowledge should be practical and scientific.” (i) Who speaks the opening lines? (ii) Who are capable of greater achievements? (iii) What is the essence of every religion? (iv) According to the speaker, what should the characteristics of knowledge be? (v) What was the speaker attracted by? 13
3.1 Glimpses of the Past Ans. (i) Raja Ram Mohan Roy speaks the opening lines. (ii) Indians are capable of greater achievements. (iii) Every religion teaches us to be tolerant towards each other. (iv) Knowledge should be practical and scientific. (v) Science and modern knowledge attracted the speaker. 14
3.2 Macavity: The Mystery Cat Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and thin; You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in. His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed; His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed. He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake; And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake. (i) Describe Macavity appearance and mention any two of his physical features. (ii) What type of head does he have? (iii) How does he sway his head? (iv) Why does he look dirty? (v) Are we right when we think Macavity is half asleep? Ans. (i) Macavity is tall and thin. His eyes are sunken in. (ii) He has a highly domed head. (iii) He sways his head the way a snake does. (iv) He locks dirty because his coat is dusty and his whiskers are uncombed. (v) No, we are not right. He is always wide awake. 15
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following poem and answer the Ans: questions that follow: 1. b. Anxious and worried. 2. c. He wakes up suddenly at the least sound. When despair for the world grows in me 3. c. Both ‘a’ and ‘b’. and I wake in the night at the least sound 4. d. All of these. in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, 2. Answer the following questions in brief. I go and lie down where the wood drake (wood a. What is one difference between the human duck) beings and other creatures of nature that rests in his beauty on the water, and the great poet speaks about in his poem? heron feeds. b. What does the speaker do when he feels I come into the peace of wild things perturbed by his worry and fear and what who do not tax their lives with forethought does he find? of grief. I come into the presence of still water. c. What are the different images of nature the And I feel above me the day-blind stars poet has spoken about in his poem? waiting with their light. For a time d. Mention any two emotions the poet derives I rest in the grace of the world, and am free when he goes in the lap of nature. 1. Answer the following questions by choos- ing the correct option: Ans: 1. Human beings worry about the future 1. How does the poet feel at the beginning of the poem? whereas wild creatures do not appear a. Happy and hopeful. to fret about the future. They live in the b. Anxious and worried. moment. c. Not worried at all. 2. He goes and lies down near a stretch of d. None of these. water where he finds a wood drake (a wild duck) resting. This is also where the heron 2. How does the poet react to his feeling of hunts. despair? 3. Wood drake (wood duck) resting in his a. He goes and lies down near the pond. beauty on the water, great heron feeding, b. He tries to gather peace within himself. still water, day-blind stars waiting with c. He wakes up suddenly at the least sound. their light. d. He lets that though go past him. 4. Solace, peacefulness, tranquillity, freedom (ANY TWO) (Answers will vary) 3. What is the speaker troubled about in the beginning? a. By the goings on in the world. b. Insecurity for the future safety of his family. c. Both ‘a’ and ‘b’. d. None of these. 4. The poet attempts to convey the message that a. Human beings cannot re- maicalm about the future. b. Nature can help heal our psychological wounds. c. We should live in the moment. d. All of these. 16
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 3. Find suitable words from the poem which mean the same to the following: a. ‘Misery and hopelessness’ b. expectation c. beauty Ans: a. Despair b. forethought c. grace II. Read the following passage and answer the 5. One may mistake this juice for tomato ketchup, but questions that follow: it does not have the characteristic flavour of the 1. Some love it with burgers, others prefer it with tomato ketchup that we are accustomed to. The final step is the flavouring of the tomato ketchup. noodles. In fact, tomato ketchup has become very Manufacturers have their own recipes for producing much part and parcel of our diet. Have you ever their own brand of tomato ketchup, and they guard wondered how it is actually made? their secrets very zealously. Basically, the essential 2. The best tomatoes are chosen for manufacturing ingredients are sugar, a little salt, cloves, onion, tomato ketchup. Out of the tons of tomatoes which garlic and vinegar. These ingredients are cooked are brought into the factory, only those dark red in with the cyclone juice, giving rise to a concentrated colour are selected. Beauty is not only skin deep; mixture which is in fact tomato ketchup. The final even the flesh has to be rich red in colour. Workers step in the production of tomato ketchup is pack- must know how to choose tomatoes which are aging. Clear bottles are filled with tomato ketchup, fleshy as seeds are not used in the production of capped, sealed and labelled. The bottles of tomato tomato ketchup. ketchup are then packed into cardboard boxes, 3. After the selection of tomatoes, the next step is ready for loading onto trucks for distribution to the washing. Some tomato ketchup manufacturers who wholesale and retail outlets. are very hygiene-conscious require the fruits to be soaked for about five minutes. This is followed by 1. Complete the following statements on the basis spraying to ensure that every part of the surface is of your reading of the passage: clean and pesticide-free. The washed tomatoes are then ready for peeling. Bigger factories make use of a. ____________________ tomatoes are selected a sophisticated steam jacketed equipment known for manufacturing tomato ketchup. as the Thermobreak to give the tomatoes a rapid heating. However, in smaller factories, the toma- b. The pulper helps to remove the ______________ toes are loaded into a wire basket which is then ___________________ speedily. dipped into boiling water for one minute. Workers have to be adept in doing this as delay would result c. The essential ingredients of a tomato ketchup in the tomatoes being cooked. Then the fruit is are ___________________________. quickly sprayed with cold water to detach the skin from the flesh. The cold shower cools down the fruit Ans: and makes them ready for peeling. Peeling is done a. Only dark red coloured by hand, from the bottom to the top of the fruit. b. seeds, coarse fibres and the remaining frag- 4. As soon as the tomatoes are peeled, they are imme- diately sent for pulping. In the pulper, seeds, coarse ments of skin fibres and the remaining fragments of skin are c. sugar, a little salt, cloves, onion, garlic and removed speedily. Every minute counts as peeled tomatoes may lose their bright red colour if ex- vinegar. posed to air for too long. Manufacturers go to great 2. Answer the following questions in brief: lengths to preserve the dark colour of the tomatoes. Glass or stainless steel banks are used for storing a. How do hygiene-conscious manufacturers wash the tomatoes to ensure that the peeled tomatoes tomatoes? do not come into contact with iron. Otherwise, chemical reactions may occur affecting the colour b. Why is time a crucial factor from the moment of the tomato pulp. After pulping, the tomatoes tomatoes are heated to the time they are become cyclone juice. pulped? c. State two ways how manufacturers try to preserve the dark colour of the tomatoes at the pulping stage? Ans: a. Some tomato ketchup manufacturers who are very hygiene-conscious require the fruits to be soaked for about five minutes. 17
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) b. As delay would result in the tomatoes being cooked. c. Glass or stainless steel banks are used for storing the tomatoes to ensure that the peeled tomatoes do not come into contact with iron. Otherwise, chemical reactions may occur affecting the colour of the tomato pulp. 3. Find suitable words from the poem which mean the same to the following: a. fast (Paragraph 3) b. rough (Paragraph 4) c. familiar to (Paragraph 5) Ans: a. Rapid b. coarse c. accustomed PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: I. You are Madhu Sarkar staying at 23, Park Street, Kolkata. Write a letter to the Editor of the Bangl- Times, about the misuse and poor maintenance of a public park in your area. (Word limit: 100-120 words) Ans: Format: Sender’s Address Date The Editor The Bangla Times Kolkata Subject:-Poor maintenance of public park. Sir Body Yours truly Madhu Sarkar Content: (Through your newspaper- draw the attention of the authorities-poor maintenance of a public park-important part of a locality-residents come and refresh their tired and fatigue minds-park is not well maintained-utter neglect of the authorities-people dump garbage-rowdies create disturbance-stray cattle and dogs-hub of bad activities-concerned authorities give attention and take immediate steps) 18
PPRRAACCTTIICCEESSHHEEEETT--21((PPSS--21)) II. Write a story taking help of the following clues Before bedtime-Rashmi reading ghost story-excitement and thrill-halfway-heard squeaky opening of front door-frightened-decided to see-walked right into a dark figure-screamed-dark figure-bright kitchen lights -elder brother-gone out late-good laugh Ans: Ans: Format: Title Content: 120-150 words Expression: (Grammar and Vocabulary) 19
4.1 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bepin Choudhury would drop in at Kalicharan’s in New Market to buy books. Crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not social, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time in idle chat. Today, at Ka- licharan’s, Bepin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing him from close quarters. He turned round and found himself looking at a round faced, meek looking man who now broke into a smile. (i) Where would Bepin Chouchury stop every Monday? (ii) Where was Kalicharan’s shop located? (iii) What did Bepin Choudhury buy at Kalicharan’s? (iv) What type of a man was Bepin Choudhury? (v) Who broke into a smile on seeing Bepin Babu? Ans. (i) Bepin Choudhury would stop at Kalicharan’s bookstore every Monday. (ii) Kalicharan’s shop was situated in New Market. (iii) Bepin Choudhury bought books on crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers. (iv) Bepin Choudhury was not social. He had few friends. He did not like spending time in idle chats. (v) A round faced, meek looking man broke into a smile seeing Bepin Babu. Extract 2: Next morning, Bepin Babu was back in Calcutta. He realised that there was truly no hope for him. Soon he would lose everything: his will to work, his confidence, his ability, his balance of mind. Was he going to end up in the asylum at……………? Bepin Babu couldn’t think any more. Back home, he rang up Dr Chanda and asked him to come over. Then, after a shower, he got into bed with an ice bag clamped on his head. Just then the servant brought him a letter which someone had left in the letter box. A greenish envelope with his name in red ink on it. (i) What did Bepin Babu realise upon returning to Calcutta? (ii) Where did he think he would die? (iii) Who did Bepin Babu call? (iv) What did he do after a shower? (v) Who brought him a letter? What kind of letter was it? Ans. (i) On coming back to Calcutta, Bepin Babu realised that there was no hope for him. Soon he would lose everything-his will to work, his confidence, his ability, his balance of mind. (ii) He thought he would die in the asylum. 20
4.1 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory (iii) He rang up Dr Chanda. (iv) After a shower, he got into bed with an ice bag clamped on his head. (v) His servant brought him a letter. The letter was inside a greenish envelope. 21
4.2 The Last Bargain Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: The sun glistened on the sand, and the sea waves broke waywardly. A child sat playing with shells. He raised his head and seemed to know me and said. “I hire you with nothing.” From henceforward that bargain struck in child’s play made me a free man. (i) What was shining on the sand and how did the sea waves break? (ii) What was the child doing? (iii) Did the child know the poet? (iv) What did the child hire the poet with? (v) What effect did the bargain have on the poet? Ans. (i) The sun was shining on the sand and the sea waves broke waywardly. (ii) The child was playing with shells. (iii) Yes, the child seemed to know the poet. (iv) The child hired the poet with nothing. (v) The bargain made the poet a free man. 22
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following passage and answer the 4. There are other scientists who believe that the questions that follow: dinosaurs disappeared because of an incident that happened 65 million years ago. An enormous and 1. Scientists believe that dinosaurs came into being very heavy asteroid hit the earth. There was a huge about 180 million years ago and died out about 60 explosion and this caused tons of dust to be blast- million years ago. Since dinosaurs were reptiles, ed into the earth’s atmosphere. There was such a they must have developed from reptiles that lived thick layer of dust covering our earth that it blocked before them. The first reptiles appeared long before out sunlight for as long as five years. That was how the dinosaurs. They were able to live in water and plants died and the dinosaurs were deprived of on land. They hatched eggs and the young ones had food. Eventually they starved to death. legs and lungs. They could breathe air and probably ate insects. Then the other reptiles became larger 1. Answer the following questions by selecting the and stronger. Some looked like big lizards and oth- correct option. ers like turtles. They had short tails, thick legs and 1. Which of the following statements about the first big heads. They ate plants. reptiles in not true? a. They existed about 180 million years ago. 2. The first dinosaurs to develop resembled their rep- b. They were the ancestors of dinosaurs. tile ancestors. They were slender and probably no c. They were both land and sea animals. bigger than a turkey and, like a turkey, they walked d. They laid eggs. on their hind legs. Some kinds remained small, but 2. How were the first dinosaurs similar to reptiles? others grew heavier and longer. There were even a. They were of the same size. a few that were six meters long, weighing as much b. They walked on their fore legs. as an elephant. They had small heads and short, c. They had big heads. blunt teeth, which were only good for eating plants. d. They were plant eaters. They lived in low, swampy places. Then came the 3. From the fifth paragraph, we know that next period in the Age of the Reptiles. Some of the a. The Brontosaurus fed on other smaller dino- plant-eating dinosaurs became so large that even saurs. four legs could not support them on land. These b. The Brontosaurus had sharp claws and teeth. were the largest of all the reptiles. The largest c. Giant dinosaurs lived mostly in swamps and dinosaurs were probably the biggest animals that rivers. ever walked the earth. They had to spend most of d. The largest of the dinosaurs had two legs that their lives in rivers and swamps. One of these giants could not support them. was the Brontosaurus, 25 meters long and weighing 4. Put the following facts regarding the appearance about 40,000 kilograms! of the dinosaurs in correct order. a. The first dinosaurs were about the size of a 3. At the same time, other dinosaurs were able to walk turkey. about on land. One of these, the Allosaurus, was 10 b. Then came the large reptiles that are plants. meters long, had sharp teeth and claws, and fed on c. The earliest reptiles ate insects. the Brontosaurus and other plant eaters! Dinosaurs d. Then some dinosaurs grew to be as big as developed in many different ways, but none of elephants. them ever developed a good brain. One of the rea- sons dinosaurs disappeared may be that they were just not bright enough to know how to survive and escape from all their natural enemies. But some scientists believe that changes in the earth and in climate killed off the dinosaurs. Swamps dried up and mountains appeared, making life difficult for dinosaurs that could not live on dry land. Also, changes in climate produced changes in vegetation, and since many dinosaurs were plant eaters, their food supply disappeared. Finally as the earth began to have seasons, shifting from hot summers to snowy winters, dinosaurs could not fit themselves to these changes and gradually became extinct. 23
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 5. Which of the following statements that appear II. Read the following passage and answer the in the passage is considered a fact? questions that follow: a. Dinosaurs became extinct 60 million years. 1. Everybody knows Hercules was a ‘strongman’. b. Dinosaurs were developed from reptiles. But to the ancient Greeks he was much more than that. They worshipped him as a god. According to c. The first reptiles ate insects. legend, Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Zeus was a Greek god and Alcmene was a princess d. The Age of the Reptiles was the period when from our earth. Zeus had a wife in heaven called reptiles ruled the earth. Hera. She hated Hercules. While he was still in his cradle, she sent two serpents to kill him, but the Ans: infant strangled them. When he grew up, Hercules 1. a. They existed about 180 million years ago. married Megara, but the evil Hera caused him to be 2. d. They were plant eaters. seized with a fit of madness and during the seizure, 3. c. Giant dinosaurs lived mostly in swamps he killed his wife and children. and rivers. 2. To make up for this terrible deed, the oracle at 4. c, b, a, d Delphi ordered Hercules to offer his services to 5. d. The Age of the Reptiles was the period King Eurystheus. The king gave him twelve labours to do. They were difficult and fearsome tasks. It is when reptiles ruled the earth. these twelve labours which Hercules undertook that make up most of the legend about him. First 2. Answer the following questions in brief: he strangled a fierce lion with his bare hands. Then a. Mention any two reasons why the dinosaurs he was sent to kill the dragon Hydra, a monster disappeared? which had devoured many beautiful young girls. It had nine heads, eight of which were mortal and b. What did the earliest reptiles feed on? one immortal. Every time Hercules struck off a mortal head, two more grew in its place. In the c. When did the earth begin to have seasons? end, Hercules managed to kill the Hydra. Ans: 3. His third labour was to kill the golden-horned stag a. They were just not bright enough to know and after that, he was to slay a wild boar. His next how to survive and escape from all their natural labour was indeed a Herculean task. King Augeas enemies. had a stable of 3000 oxen and they had not been • Swamps dried up and mountains appeared, cleaned for 30 years. Hercules was ordered to do making life difficult for dinosaurs that could the job. He directed the courses of two rivers into not live on dry land. the stables and completed the task in a day. The • Changes in climate produced changes in way he handled the problem proved that not only vegetation, and since many dinosaurs were had Hercules great strength and courage but he plant eaters, their food supply disappeared. was also a wise man. • Finally as the earth began to have seasons, shifting from hot summers to snowy winters, 4. His sixth labour was to kill the birds of Stymphalus; dinosaurs could not fit themselves to these his seventh to capture the Cretan bull. Naturally changes and gradually became extinct. (Any the birds and the bull were no ordinary animals Two) and it took him great effort to finally overcome b. They fed on insects. them. His eighth task was to capture the wild hors- c. The earth began to have seasons about 60 es of Diomedes, which fed on human flesh. For his million years ago. ninth labour, he brought back the belt of Hippoly- ta, the queen of the Amazons. For his tenth, he 3. Find suitable words from the passage which brought hack the oxen of Geryon from a far-west- mean the same to the following: ern island. On his way he split apart a mountain to form what is known today as the Straits of Gibral- a. Be similar to (Paragraph 2) b. died-out (Para- tar. His eleventh labour was to secure three golden graph 3) c. in the end (Paragraph 4) apples from Hesperides and his twelfth was to Ans: a. resembled b. extinct c. eventually bring to King Eurystheus the watchdog of Hades. 24
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 1. Complete the following statements on the basis Ans: of your reading of the passage: a. Hercules first showed his strength when________ a. Zeus and Hera were the two im- ___________________________. mortal beings in his family. b. The most remarkable thing about the way Hercules handled his fifth labour that _________ b. He had to carry out twelve difficult and __________________________. fearsome tasks for King Eurystheus. c. Among the creatures mentioned in the passage, most of them were monsters except c. The first four labours required him to kill. ___________________. 3. Find suitable words from the poem which mean Ans: the same to the following: a. a famous tale (Paragraph 2) a. he killed two serpents. b. rough (Paragraph 4) b. he had thought of such a clever idea c. familiar to (Paragraph 5) and finished the job quickly. • Ans: a. legend b. coarse c. accustomed c. the 300 oxen. 2. Answer the following questions in brief: a. Who were the two immortal beings in Hercules’s family? b. What was Hercules’s punishment for killing his wife and children? c. In what way was Hercules’s first four labours similar? PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: I. You are Abhineet Sharma, staying at 23, Balaghat, Mumbai. Write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India, Mumbai to share your views regarding the neglect of priceless historical monuments in and around your city. (Word limit: 100-120 words) Ans: Format: Sender’s Address Date The Editor, Newspaper Name Place Dear Sir, Subject: Neglect of priceless historical monuments Body Yours truly, Your Name (first and last name) Content: (being a responsible citizen-duty to attract public attention-neglectful and miserable condition of historical monuments-symbols of our past glory and national heritage-priceless records of our history-ne- glect by the officials-brought it to the notice of concerned authorities-no response-callous indifference-ap- proach you-losing their shape-getting dilapidated day by day-lack of proper maintenance-oblige me by publishing this letter in your paper, so that the authorities concerned are awakened in time, and the priceless 25
PRACTICE SHEET - 12 (PS-12) historical monuments are saved and preserved) Expression: (Vocabulary and Grammar) II. You are Mohit. You were given a prize by your headmaster for being the best athlete. You were full of joy and exuberance. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about the same in 100-120 words: Ans: FORMAT: Date Day 7:30 pm MAIN CONTENT (never a great athlete-managed to win a prize-happened on a School Sports Day-represented my house in the Long Jump-win, but not first prize-second place-ten of us competing for the prizes-managed my best jump-delighted to collect my trophy-first time I had ever won anything-house-master patted me on my back-smiled happily as I went home to show the prize to my parents) EXPRESSION: (Vocabulary and Grammar) 26
5.1 The Summit Within Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: There is another summit. It is within yourself. It is in your own mind. Each man carries within himself his own mountain peak. He must climb it to reach to a fuller knowledge of himself. It is fearful, and unscalable. It cannot be climbed by anyone else. You yourself have to do it. The physical act of climbing to the summit of a mountain outside is akin to the act of climbing the mountain within. The effects of both the climbs are the same. Whether the mountain you climb is physical or emotional and spiritual, the climb will certainly change you. It teaches you much about the world and about yourself. (i) Which is the other summit? Where is it? (ii) Why does the writer term it as ‘fearful and unscalable’? (iii) Why can’t anybody else climb it? (iv) Why is climbing a mountain outside same as climbing a mountain within oneself? (v) What can one learn by climbing a mountain? Ans. (i) The other summit is within oneself. It is in the mind. (ii) It is fearful and unscalable because it can be climbed by only you. No one can help you in climbing it. (iii) Anybody else can’t climb it because it is within oneself. (iv) The effects of both the climbs are the same. They change us. (v) One can get a better understanding of one’s abilities and the world around him. Extract 2: Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit means endurance, presistence and will power. The demonstration of these physical qualities is no doubt exhilarating, as it was for me also. (i) What gives a man happiness? (ii) What does ‘a climb to a summit’ mean? (iii) How does a man feel when he gets a chance to test his qualities by climbing a mountain? (iv) For whom is the demonstration of physical qualities exhilarating? (v) Make sentences using the following words: obstacles, exhilarating. 27
5.1 The Summit Within Ans. (i) Overcoming obstacles (hindrances) gives man happiness. (ii) A climb to a summit means edurance, patience and will power. (iii) A man takes pleasure in overcoming obstacles to achieve success. (iv) The demonstration of physical qualities is exhilarating for the writer. (v) They managed to overcome all obstacles with their hard work and determination. Exhilarating: The journey to the top of the mountain was exhilarating. 28
5.2 The School Boy Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: O! Father and Mother, If buds are nip’d, And blossoms blow away. Ad if the tender plants are strip’d Of their joy in the springing day. By sorrow and cares dismay. How shall the summer arise in joy. Or the summer fruits appear? (i) Who is the speaker of these lines? (ii) What happens to tender plants if their joys of spring are taken away? (iii) Why does the poet compare himself to a nipped bud? (iv) What happens to the plant if its blossoms are blown away? (v) Write the rhyming words. Ans. (i) A school going little child is the speaker of these lines. (ii) Tender plant can’t bear summer fruits if their joys of spring are taken away. (iii) The poet compares himself to a nipped bud because his dull and burdensome life has made him unhappy. (iv) It feels unhappy and sad. (v) Nip’d—strip’d; away-day; day-dismay 29
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: Gir is one of oldest sanctuaries in India and it is famous for being home to the majestic Asiatic Lion. It is the only place in India where there animal is found. The sanctuary is spread over 1412 square kilometre of forest, grasslands and rocky hills. Gir has about 400 lions and 300 leopards. Apart from lion and leopard, jungle cats, desert cats and rusty-spotted cats are also found in the forest. Deer such as Sambars and Chitals, Antelopes such as blue bulls, four-horned antelopes, Indian gazelles and wild boars are found in abundance in Gir. Jackals, striped hyenas, jungle cats and rusty spotted cats, langurs, porcupines and black-naped hares are among the other animals found in Gir. Gir is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which can be seen in year-round. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 1. Gir is most famous for _________________________________________________. a. being home to the majestic Asiatic lion. b. being one of the oldest sanctuaries in India. c. being one of the largest sanctuaries in India. d. providing habitat to a wide vareity of animals. 2. Gir is especially important for Asiatic lions as _________________________________________________. a. It is the only place where they found in large numbers. b. Its is the only place in India where they are found. c. It is the place where they are found in the largest number. d. It is a place where they can roam around freely. 3. The sancturay is spread over ____________________ sq.km of forest. a. 1412 b. 1542 c. 1432 d. 1324 4. Apart from lions and leopards, also found in the forest are other memebers of the cat family such as _________________________________________________. a. langurs, porcupines, black-naped hares. b. antelopes, jackals and desert cats. c. jungle cats, desert cats and rusty-spotted cats. d. four-horned antelopes, Indian gazelles and wild boars. 5. The word in the passage which means ‘plenty’ is ________. a. majestic b. spotted c. mammal d. abundance Ans: 1) a 2) b 3) a 4) c 5) d 30
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) II. Read the following passage and attempt the animals. The animals remained healthy, and questions that follow: did not develop the terrible symptom of the 1. One day, more than hundred years ago, a disease. French boy called Louis Pasteur was playing 5. So far, Pasteur’s patients had been animals. with his friends in Arbois, the little town that He had not ventured to try his methods on was his home. Suddenly there came a sound human beings. Then one day-the sixth of July of running feet and voices of people shouting. 1885, a very memorable day for Pasteur –a Louis looked up. “What has happened?” he woman came to him in great distress, with her asked a man standing near him. “Someone son Joseph Meister. “Save my son!” She cried.” has been bitten,” said the man. “By a mad Save him, sir! He had been bitten by a mad dog?” asked Louis. The man looked frightened. dog. He is covered with bites.” The boy had “No,” he said, “not a dog – a wolf. A mad wolf indeed been badly bitten. He took the boy into came down from the mountains.” his own home so as to watch him carefully, 2. Louis hurried home. He too felt afraid, and and gave him a series of injections. He waited he was glad to reach the safety of the house. anxiously to see what would happen. At last The mad wolf was suffering from a disease the danger period had passed. The boy was called rabies. Louis did not forget that day; well and strong again. A method of preventing though he did not then know that later in his rabies had been found! Pasteur’s fame spread, life he would discover a way of preventing the funds flooded in, and he received honours disease. When Louis left school, he trained from many countries. himself as a scientist. At first he worked at problems in chemistry, making discoveries 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases for which he became famous. Soon he began from the passage. to interest himself in such questions as: What a. Louis Pasteur lived in _____________, the sours milk? He discovered that when milk little town_______________. sours, the change is brought about by the b. The mad wolf came _______________ presence of certain bacteria, very tiny and and was suffering from a disease simple living plant-like things that cannot be called__________. seen with the naked eye. Pasteur was able to c. When Louis started working as a scientist, observe them through his microscope. he worked_______________, making 3. He found that the bacteria that cause discoveries _______________. souring can be killed by heat, by raising the Ans: temperature a certain amount for a certain length of time. Heat treatment of milk is still a. Arbois, that was his home carried out today, and, in honour of Pasteur, b. down from the mountains, rabies it is known as pasteurization. We know that c. at problems in chemistry, for which he became pasteurization destroys not only bacteria that cause souring but also germs that cause famous. diseases in human beings. Another field in which Pasteur worked as a scientist was 2. Answer the following questions in brief: the study of disease causing germs. Certain a. What did Louis Pasteur discover about the diseases are caused by bacteria and some milk turning sour? other are caused by viruses which are too b. Describe the process of pasteurization as small to be seen with the kind of microscope given in the passage. that was in use on Pasteur’s time. c. How did Louis Pasteur obtain the virus to 4. While doing all this, Pasteur had never cure the dreadful disease ‘rabies’? forgotten the man in Arbois who was bitten by d. How did the sixth of July 1885 become a the mad wolf. The germ that causes rabies is very memorable day for Pasteur? a virus too small to be seen under an ordinary Ans: microscope. The disease may affect dogs, a. He discovered that when milk sours, the wolves, jackals, other animals and men. change is brought about by the presence of Pasteur removed the infected parts of rabbits certain bacteria, very, tiny and simple living suffering from rabies and, by treating these plant-like things that cannot be seen with parts, obtained the virus. With this he injected the naked eye. 31
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) b. Heat treatment of milk in honour of Pasteur, rabies and, by treating these parts, obtained it is known as pasteurization. We know that the virus. pasteurization destroys not only bacteria d. He was not only able to cure a boy been bit- that cause souring but also germs that cause ten by a mad dog but also able to discover disease in human beings. the method of preventing rabies. c. Pasteur had never forgotten the man in Ar- 3. Find the words which mean the same as bois who was bitten by the mad wolf. The following: germ that causes rabies is a virus too small a) Scared (para 1) b) very bad (para 4) to be seen under an ordinary microscope. c) attempted (para 5) The disease may affect dogs, wolves, jackals, Ans: other animals and men. Pasteur removed a. Frightened b. terrible c. ventured the infected parts of rabbits suffering from PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: I. You are Abhinav Shukla, staying at 56, Andheri II. You are Raghu staying at 46, Marconi Street, Mumbai. Write a letter to the Editor of The Jabalpur. Write a letter to the editor of a na- Times of India, Mumbai to share your views re- tional daily, sharing your views on celebrating garding the Dangers of Reckless Driving. (Word Diwali without crackers. (120-150 words) limit:100-120 words) Ans: Ans: Format: Format: (Sender’s address Sender’s Address Date Date The Editor The Editor, The Times of India Newspaper Name Jabalpur Place Subject: Diwali without crackers Dear Sir, Body Subject: Dangers of Reckless Driving (Content: regular reader of your esteemed news- Body paper-wish to utilize it to draw attention of people Yours truly, toward the hazards caused by bursting fire-crackers Your Name (first and last name) during Diwali- creates a lot of noise and air pollu- Content: (Everyday news of frequent accidents tion-waste of hard-earned money-birds and plants taking place on the roads and streets-result of neg- are affected-green Diwali-can share happiness by ligence and rash driving-traffic rules not followed visiting and donating clothes and sweets in old age like wearing helmets or seat belts, following traf- homes and orphanages-request you to publish an fic lights etc.-premature deaths of many precious article regarding this in your newspaper) lives-overtaking a very big reason-time to take- Yours faithfully drastic steps to put a stop to this-traffic police has Raghu) a greater role- seize such vehicles flouting traffic Expression: (Vocabulary and grammar) rules-awarded exemplary punishment- I shall be highly obliged if you would kindly allow a little space in your esteemed Daily to highlight this issue. Expression: (Vocabulary and Grammar) 32
6.1 This is Jody’s Fawn Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: Jody allowed his thoughts to drift back to the fawn. He could not keep it out of his mind. He had held it, in his dreams, in his arms. He slipped from the table and went to his father’s bedside. Penny lay at rest, his eyes were open and clear, but the pupils were still dark and dilated. Jody said. “How are you feeling, Pa?” “Just fine, son. Old Death has gone thieving elsewhere. But wasn’t it a close shave!” “I agree.” (i) What could Jody not keep out of his mind? (ii) What did Jody do? (iii) Who was Penny? (iv) Describe Penny’s eyes. (v) What do you understand by the phrase ‘Old death has gone’? Ans. (i) Jody could not keep the thoughts of the fawn out of his mind. (ii) He slipped from the table and went to his father’s bedside. (iii) Penny was Jody’s father. (iv) Penny’s eyes were open and clear but the pupils were still dark and dilated. (v) It means Penny’s life was saved from the jaws of death. Extract 2: Then a buzzard rose in front of him and flapped into the air. He came into the clearing under the oaks. Buzzards sat in a circle around the carcass of the doe. They turned their heads on their long scrawny necks and hissed at him. He threw his bough at them and they flew into an adjacent tree. The said showed large cat prints but the big cats killed fresh, and they had left the doe to the carrion birds. (i) What flapped into the air? (ii) Where and how did the buzzards sit? (iii) Describe how the necks of the buzzards looked like. (iv) Why had the big cat left the dead doe to the buzzards? (v) Who are carrion birds? 33
6.1 This is Jody’s Fawn Ans. (i) A buzzard flapped into the air. (ii) The buzzards sat in a circle around the carcass(dead body) of the doe. (iii) The buzzards had long scrawny necks. (iv) The big cat had left the dead doe to the buzzards because they killed fresh. (v) Carrion birds are the birds that eat flesh of the dead animals. 34
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following poem and attempt the c. The brooks are dry and dumb. questions that follow: d. The poet is trying to fill the child with posi- 1. The leaves are fading and falling, The winds are rough and wild, tivity at the end by promising that the spring The birds have ceased their calling, will soon come. But let me tell you, my child, 2. Though day by day, as it closes, 3. Find the words which mean the same as Doth darker and colder grow, following The roots of the bright red roses a. Stopped (stanza 1) b. branches (stanza 3) Will keep alive in the snow. c. silent (stanza 5) 3. And when the Winter is over, Ans: The boughs will get new leaves, a. Ceased b. boughs c. dumb The quail come back to the clover, And the swallow back to the eaves. II. Read the following passage and attempt the 4. The robin will wear on his bosom questions that follow: A vest that is bright and new, 1. Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali And the loveliest way-side blossom Empire and is popularly referred to as the Will shine with the sun and dew. Lion King. Prior to this, Sundiata was the king 5. The leaves to-day are whirling, of a small Mandinka tribe within the Ghana The brooks are dry and dumb, Empire. With the decline of the Ghana Empire But let me tell you, my darling, during the 13th century AD, Sundiata snatched The spring will be sure to come. the opportunity to increase his power. Much of what we know about Sundiata’s life is 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words or derived from what is popularly known as phrases from the passage. the Epic of Sundiata. Additionally, written a. The roots of the bright red evidence about this ruler can be found in roses______________. the writings of several Muslim travellers who b. The robin visited Mali. ________________________________bright 2. According to the Epic of Sundiata, the founder and new. of the Mali Empire was the son of a king by the c. In the season of name of Maghan Kon Fatta (meaning ‘Maghan autumn,___________________. the Handsome’). Maghan married a woman Ans: named Sogolon. According to the epic, the Sogolon is described as a ‘Buffalo Woman’. a. will keep alive in the snow “She is ugly, she is hideous, and she bears on b. will get a vest that is her back a disfiguring hump. Her monstrous c. the birds stop chirping eyes seem to have been merely laid on her face.” says the epic. 2. Answer the following questions in brief: 3. Sogolon eventually bore the king’s son, and a. What signs of the coming winter are gave birth to Sundiata. Sundiata had quite mentioned in the second stanza? an uneventful early childhood. In fact, the b. Write any two signs of autumn as mentioned child seemed to have taken after his mother, in the first stanza of the poem. and looked very unpleasant. “At the age c. What happens to the brooks in autumn? of three, he still crawled along on all-fours d. How is the poet trying to fill the child with while children of the same age were already positivity at the end? walking. He had nothing of the great beauty Ans: of his father. He had a head so big that he seemed unable to support it; he also had a. It starts becoming darker and colder. large eyes which would open wide whenever b. The leaves are fading and falling, anyone entered his mother’s house. He was a silent child and used to spend the whole day The winds are rough and wild, just sitting in the middle of the house.” The birds have ceased their calling (ANY TWO) 35
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) 4. At the age of seven, Sundiata’s father died. she was, her children would be killed The epic says that Sundiata and Sogolon were c. the Epic of Sundiata/the writings of several treated harshly by this half-brother as the late king had been fonder of them than of him. Muslim travellers Legend says that willpower and hard work allowed Sundiata to eventually overcome his 2. Answer the following questions in brief: physical challenge. He was finally able to walk. a. Whom did Maghan marry? How has she been By the age of ten, the future emperor showed described as in the epic and why? signs that he was destined for greatness. b. Why was the King of Mema impressed with However Sogolon decided that if she Sundiata and how did he reward him? continued to stay where she was, her children c. What are two popular notions about would be killed so she decided to go into exile Sundiata’s death? with her children. In due course, they arrived Ans: in the court of the King of Mema who granted them shelter. Sundiata became a favourite of a. Maghan married a woman named Sogolon. the king who admired his drive to overcome According to the epic, Sogolon is described his hardships, and he rose in the king’s court. as a ‘Buffalo Woman’. “She is ugly, she is hid- He was eventually appointed as the king’s eous, and she bears on her back a disfigur- viceroy and governed in the king’s absence. ing hump. Her monstrous eyes seem to have Yet, Sundiata’s destiny was to be much greater been merely laid on her face.” says the epic. than this, and eventually, he returned to his homeland. b. The King of Mema admired his drive to over- come his hardships, and he rose in the king’s 5. At one of the battles, he defeated his half- court. He was eventually appointed as the brother and this victory was his first step in the king’s viceroy and governed in the king’s ab- rise of the Mali Empire. The empire of Mali was sence. ruled by Sundiata for many years and he was now known as the ‘Lion King of Mali’. Sundiata c. Some say he was accidentally shot by a poi- is thought to have died in around 1255 AD, son arrow and others suggest he was a victim though his cause of death is still disputed. of political assassination. But the most wide- Some say he was accidentally shot by a poison ly accepted cause of Sundiata Keita’s death arrow and others suggest he was a victim of is drowning in the Sankarani River, where a political assassination. But the most widely shrine with his name can still be seen. accepted cause of Sundiata Keita’s death is drowning in the Sankarani River, where a 3. Find the words which mean the same as shrine with his name can still be seen. following a. Grabbed (para 1) b. leave the country (para 4) 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: c. uncertain (para 5) a. Prior to becoming the founder of the Mali Ans: Empire, __________________________. a. Snatched b. exile c. disputed b. Sogolon decided to go into exile with her children because_____________________. c. We know about Sundiata’s life from two sources, one is ________________and secondly ___________________________ who visited Mali. Ans: a. Sundiata was the king of a small Mandinka- tribe within the Ghana Empire b. she knew that if she continued to stay where 36
PRACTICE SHEET - 21 (PS-12) Writing: 1. Write a short essay on the topic “Why Students Should Wear Uniforms”. Give balanced views to support your point of view. (200-250 words). Ans: Format: Title Content (VALUE POINTS: topic of debate for long- are out-of-date-appear all equal-sense of community-teach discipline-uniforms can be designed to look modern-attractive uniforms in private institutions-no distinction between the rich and the poor-dress the same to school so no one can off or make others feel inferior-lighten the burden of parents-do not have to buy so many clothes-less distracting-saves time since it will be wasted every morning in deciding what to wear.) Expression (Vocabulary and Grammar) 2. You went to a restaurant to have your lunch. Suddenly a man sitting near you faints and falls down. Describe the situation how you found yourself not knowing what to do. Ans: Format (title, writer’s name) Content (entered the restaurant-ordered some food-sat down at a table-restaurant was about half full-noticed one man in particular-hands on the table-leaning more and more to one side, as if about to fall off the chair-my food came-started eating-took my eyes off him-attention was broken-heard a loud crash-lying in a heap-did not know what to do-called the ambulance-admitted the man in the hospital and left-suddenly one day received a call-went to see him-grateful and offered me money as reward but refused.) Expression (Vocabulary and Grammar) 37
7.1 A Visit to Cambridge Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: And suddenly I felt weak all over. Growing up disabled, you get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque. The only thing that makes you stronger is seeing somebody like you, achieving something huge. Then you know how much is possible and you reach out further than you ever thought you could. (i) Name the author of the lines. (ii) What is wrong with him? (iii) What irritated him? (iv) From where does he get strength? (v) By meeting somebody like him, what are the feelings evoked in him? Ans. (i) Firdaus Kanga is the author of the lines. (ii) He is disabled. (iii) When people keep asking him to be brave, he gets irritated. (iv) He gets strength when he comes across people who are disabled like him and have achieved a lot in their lives. (v) By meeting people like him, he realises what all he can do. Those are the things which he has never thought of doing. Extract 2: An hour later, we were ready to leave. I didn’t know what to do. I could not kiss him or cry. I touched his shoulder and wheeled out into the summer evening. I looked back; and I knew he was waving though he wasn’t. Watching him an embodiment of my bravest self, the one I was moving towards, the one I had believed in for so many years, alone, I knew that my journey was over for now. (i) What were the author’s feelings when he had to leave? (ii) How did he bid him goodbye? (iii) What did he feel when he looked back? (iv) Was Stephen waving him goodbye? (v) Why was the author’s journey over? 38
7.1 A Visit to Cambridge Ans. (i) He felt very attached to Stephen Hawking but did not know how to convey his feelings. He could not decide whether to kiss him or cry. (ii) He bade him goodbye by touching him on his shoulder. (iii) He felt that Stephen Hawking was also bidding him goodbye. (iv) No, Stephen was not waving him goodbye. (v) The author’s journey was over because he felt contented after meeting Stephen Hawking. 39
7.2 When I set out for Lyonnese Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: When I returned from Lyonnesse With magic in my eyes. All marked with mute surmise My radiance rare and fathomless, When I returned from Lyonnesse With magic in my eyes. (i) What happened to the poet after his visit to Lyonnesse? (ii) How did everyone react to it? (iii) Describe the poet’s glow. (iv) Give meaning of the following words. (a) fathmoless (b) surmise (v) Write the words that rhyme together. Ans. i) The poet’s visit lent his eyes a strange glow. ii) Everyone saw the glow but remained silent. iii) The poet’s glow was rare and fathomless. iv) (a) very deep (b) to guess v) Eyes-surmise and Lyonnesse-fathomless. 40
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following passage and answer the amount of gold that they believe would be a questions that follow: fair trade. 1. In West Africa during the medieval period, 5. Some of the historians don’t agree with this salt was traded for gold. This may seem story. They say that salt was not the only astonishing since salt is a cheap commodity commodity brought by merchants from the in today’s society and is easily available today north. Other goods that travelled with the but this was not the case in ancient times. In caravans included glass, precious stones the past, salt was difficult to obtain in certain etc. In addition, the people of West Africa parts of the world. This means that areas could obtain salt from plants and the soil, producing salt had a valuable trade item in it which would have been sufficient for local and they could exchange it for gold. Salt in fact consumption. Still, the impact of the salt led to the development of trade routes, and trade in the region is undeniable. With the brought great wealth to the cities and states help of it, the West African powers were able which they passed through. to control the trade routes. Gaining control 2. Salt has many uses, though it is primarily of these routes meant earning lot of money associated with food. Today, salt is most from the caravans that travelled along them. commonly used to make food salty. In the This brought much wealth and led to the past, salt had another important function that establishment of great empires including the is, the preservation of food. Prior to the advent Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires. of refrigeration, meat and vegetables were salted so that they could be eaten at a later 1. Complete the following sentences: date. a. The traders could exchange the salt for gold 3. The importance of salt may be seen during because _______________________. the Roman period, when soldiers were paid b. Salt led to the development of trade routes in ‘salt money’. Around the 5th century AD, and ____________________________. the use of camels allowed people to cross the c. Some of the historians don’t agree with the Sahara Desert. Trade was flowing between story of the salt trade because in addition to the Saharan and sub-Saharan regions of West the salt, the merchants used to bring _______ Africa. In sub-Saharan West Africa, gold was ____________________________. abundant, and this was exchanged for salt d. Salt trade led to the establishment of great brought by caravans arriving from the north. empires including___________________. The salt transported by these caravans was Ans: obtained from salt mines in the Sahara Desert. a. in the past, salt was difficult to obtain in cer- In certain areas, salt deposits can be found tain parts of the world. not far beneath the surface of the desert. b. as a result brought great wealth to the cities Mining operations were set up in such areas and states which they passed through. and slaves brought in work there. The salt, c. other goods like glass, precious stones etc. which was in the form of blocks, would then d. the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires. be loaded onto the backs of camels, and be transported to the south, where they were 2. Answer the following questions in brief: traded for gold. a. Why the fact that the salt was traded for gold 4. Trading was carried out using a process called may sound astonishing in the present era? ‘silent barter’. During this, neither party spoke b. Apart from making food salty, what was the to each other and often did not even meet other vital function performed with the help of each other. At the chosen trade location, the salt in the past? Why was it done? the salt traders would display the salt they c. Name some important regions where salt brought, beat their drums to announce their trade used to take place. plan to trade, and return to their camp. The d. Explain the system of ‘silent barter’ as gold traders, hearing the drums, would show described in the passage for your reading. up, have a look at the salt, and place an Ans: a. This may seem astonishing since salt is a 41
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) cheap commodity in today’s society and is H K Madhwal, who was a Nanda Devi Game easily available today but this was not the reserve ranger. case in ancient times. 3. Later in 2004, a team of Indian scientists along b. In the past, salt had another important func- with some Europeans visited the area to gain tion that is, the preservation of food. Prior to more information about them. On extensive the advent of refrigeration, meat and vege- research and findings, they found human tables were salted so that they could be eat- skulls, bones and other jewellery. The DNA of en at a later date. the skeletons was taken, and it appeared that c. Trade was flowing between the Saharan and the people belonged to many classes. There sub-Saharan regions of West Africa. was a group of short people and tall people d. During this, neither party spoke to each oth- who were believed to be closely related to er and often did not even meet each other. each other. Though the exact number of the At the chosen trade location, the salt traders skeletons cannot be ascertained, but a total would display the salt they brought, beat number of around 500 hundred skeletons were their drums to announce their plan to trade, found. It is also believed that an equal number and return to their camp. The gold traders, of skeletons perished due to the natural hearing the drums, would show up, have a environment. look at the salt, and place an amount of gold 4. The Radiocarbon dating of the skeletons at that they believe would be a fair trade. the Oxford University determines the age of the skeletons to be somewhere around 850 3. Find suitable words from the passage which AD. Many scientists are of the idea that the mean the same to the following: people did not die of an epidemic but due to a. Shocking (para 1) b. arrival (para 2) sudden hailstorms. The cold and icy weather c. undisputable (Para 5) condition can be said to be the reason for Ans: the preservation of the skeletons for such a a. astonishing b. advent c. undeniable long time. The favourable weather conditions prevented the skeletons to decay off and 2. Read the following passage and answer the decompose into soil. With landslides that were questions that follow: widespread in the area, many bodies slipped 1. Roopkund, in the state of Uttarakhand in into the lakes and stayed there for a long time. India, is a famous glacial lake. This lake The bodies that fell into the lake had a greater is famous due to more than five hundred shelf-life as compared to the ones which skeletons of humans found at the edge of remained in the open. However it is still not the lake. It is located in the Himalayas and determined if this group of people lived here, rests at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters. or if they were heading towards a destination. Roopkund is one of the best sites for trekking 5. Lohajung is the starting trekking point for in Uttarakhand and is closer to hill stations like Roopkund. The Roopkund trek can also be Nainital. It is also one of the major adventure called Skeleton Trek due to the presence attractions for people in the country and also of different skeletons in and around the for people who are travelling from abroad. lake. The lake is surrounded by snow clad Roopkund is also known as the ‘Mystery Lake’ mountains and rock- strewn glaciers. Trekking since one can find human skeletons at the in India and choosing the Roopkund trek bank of the lake and it is believed that they is an adventurous journey which passes belong to the Palaeolithic age. through many exotic and beautiful locations. 2. These skeletons are believed to be of the As you trek towards the lake, you can enjoy heroes who had fought here in the earlier the natural and lush green beauty of the times. Along with the skeletons of humans, surroundings with the pleasant breeze that you can also find skeletal structure of horses blows all around you, giving a soothing effect and other animals. There are reports that to your senses. these skeletons belong to the 12th century to 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases the 15th century. It is believed by specialists from the passage. that the death of many people in this region a. Roopkund is famous because of ____________ was a result of landslides or an epidemic. The ____________________________. human skeletons were discovered in 1942 by 42
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) b. On extensive research and findings, the scientist have found __________________. c. The skeletons could remain preserved for such a long time because of ____________________________ ______________________________________. Ans: a. more than five hundred skeletons of humans found at the edge of the lake. b. human skulls, bones and other jewellery. c. the cold and icy weather condition. II. Answer the following questions in brief: a. Why had Roopkund emerged as one of the major adventure attractions for people? b. Who discovered the human skeletons in Roopkund and when? c. What are two primary reasons which caused the death of people in this region? d. What makes Roopkund trek an adventurous journey as described in the passage? Ans: a. Roopkund is one of the best sites for Trekking in Uttarakhand and is closer to hill stations like Nainital. So it is one of the major adventure attractions for people in the country and also for people who are travel- ling from abroad. b. The human skeletons were discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, who was a Nanda Devi Game reserve ranger. c. It is believed by specialists that the death of many people in this region was a result of landslides or an epidemic. d. The lake is surrounded by snow clad mountains and rock- strewn glaciers. Trekking in India and choosing the Roopkund trek is an adventurous journey which passes through many exotic and beautiful locations. 3. Find the words which mean the same as following: a. height (Para 1) b. wide-spread (para 2) c. positive (para 4) Ans: a. altitude b. epidemic c. favourable PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: 1. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your views regarding cases of bullying in the schools. Suggest some measures to combat with the problem. You are Kishan Kumar staying at 46, Vivek Nagar, Bangalore. (Word limit: 120-150 words) Ans: Format: (Sender’s address Date The Editor The Times of India Bangalore Subject: Menace of bullying 43
PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Body (Content: Bullying at school- name calling, being mercilessly teased, serious physical harm- harmful-victim may grow with unhealthy feelings-parents should write a letter to the teacher-laws enforced by state and local govts.-take action-talk to the counsellor) Yours faithfully Kishan Kumar) Expression: (Vocabulary and grammar) 2. Write a balanced essay on the topic “Why learning a foreign language can be beneficial for a person”. Present strong views favouring your stand. (200-250 words) Ans: Format: Title Content (VALUE POINTS: Learning a new language-time and dedication-numerous benefits and opportuni- ties-exciting and beneficial-Better job prospects-competitive edge when searching for jobs- well-paid-excellent benefits-bridge the cultural gap-new opportunities-confidently go about your business-speak freely to locals and other travellers-better experience-Improved understanding of the world-access many fascinating cul- tures-see fascinating new things-sense of achievement) Expression: (Vocabulary and Grammar) 44
8.1 A Short Monsoon Diary Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: The rain stops on August 3rd. The clouds begin to break up, the sun strikes the hill on my left. A woman is chopping up sticks. I hear the tinkle of cowbells. In the oak tree, a crow shakes the raindrops from his feathers and caws disconsolately. Water drips from a leaking drainpipe. And suddenly, clean and pure, the song of the whistling thrush emerges like a dark sweet secret from the depths of the ravine. (i) When does the rain stop? (ii) What happens to the sky? (iii) Where does the sun strike? (iv) What does a crow in the oak tree do? (v) What emerges like a dark sweet secret from the depths of the valley? Ans. (i) The rain stops on August 3rd. (ii) The clouds begin to clear in the sky. (iii) The sun strikes on the hill. (iv) A crow in the oak tree shakes the raindrops off its feathers and caws unhappily. (v) The song of the whistling thrush emerges like a dark sweet secret from the depths of the valley. Extract 2: Snakes and rodents, flooded out of their holes and burrows, took shelter in roots, attics and godowns. A shrew, weak of eyesight, blunders about the rooms, much to the amusement of the children. “Don’t kill it,” admonishes their grandmother. “Chuchundars are lucky—they bring money!” And sure enough, I receive a cheque in the mail. Not a very large one, but welcome all the same. (i) Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? (ii) Why do the snakes and rodents leave their holes and burrows? (iii) Who blunders about the rooms? (iv) What does shrew mean? (v) Why does grandmother ask the children not to kill chuchundars? 45
8.1 A Short Monsoon Diary Ans. (i) The snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns. (ii) The snakes and rodents leave their holes and burrows because they are flooded. (iii) A shrew blunders about the rooms. (iv) Shrew means a small insectivorous mouse-like animal. (v) She does so because she believes that chuchundars are lucky—they bring money. 46
8.2 On the Grasshopper and Cricket Reading Comprehension Extracts Extract 1: The poetry of earth is never dead: When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead, That is the grasshopper’s — he takes the lead In summer luxury — he has never done With his delights, for when tired out with fun He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. (i) When do the birds faint? (ii) Who sings the poetry of earth in summer? (iii) When it is tired, where does the grasshopper take shelter? (iv) Name the poem and the poet. (v) Write all the rhyming words from the given extract. Ans. (i) The birds faint when the sun is hot. (ii) The grasshopper sings the poetry of earth in summer. (iii) When he is tired, the grasshopper takes shelter beneath some pleasant weed. (iv) The name of the poem is ‘On the Grasshopper and Cricket’ and that of the poet is John Keats. (v) Sun-run. mead-lead, done-fun and lead-weed. 47
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage) I. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: 1. The social and religious reform activities of Dayananda Saraswati were the main inspiration behind the many reform movements of the 19th and the early 20th century. These reform movements transformed the Indian society. He was a man committed to eradicate the evil practices that had crept into the Hinduism. Dayananda (named Moolshanker at birth) was born in 1824 at Tankara, Gujarat in an extremely religious background. Inspired by a couple of early experiences in life, he left home in 1846 to become a sanyasi, adopting the name ‘Dayananda’. He received guidance under Swami Virjananda. To deliver and spread his ideas on reform, he wrote a significant number of pamphlets and books including the Satyarth Prakash, Bhratinivarna etc. 2. Dayananda was keen to rid Hinduism of its belief in idol worship, avataras (reincarnation), animal sacrifices and many of its rites. He propagated monotheism, and stated that God was omniscient (all- knowing), infinite (limitless), formless, merciful and just. His inspiration was the Vedas. His religious reform works inspired confidence among the Indians regarding their racial and national past. It also instilled a sense of national pride and consciousness. 3. To remove the various ills of the caste system, Dayananda held the character of individuals and the actions performed by them and not birth as the basis for determining the caste. He informed the masses that untouchability was a crime that went against the Vedic principles. Opposing child marriage, he increased the marriageable age of both women and men. He suggested widow remarriage. As education was important for forming individual character, he said that it was the states’ responsibility to provide compulsory education to children. 4. Dayananda’s founding of the Arya Samaj at Bombay in 1875 as an organisation expressing his social and religious principles was a noteworthy achievement. Though Dayananda laid down 28 guiding principles for the Samaj, they were made into “Ten Principles of the Arya Samaj” in 1877. The Vedas are believed to be the true books. The Samaj would work for the physical and spiritual welfare of men and spread knowledge among them. Love, justice, truth and virtue are the moral qualities that accorded importance. With the setting up of the Samaj, many gurukuls and Dayananda Anglo-Vedic colleges are established and the Arya Samajists continue to perform welfare activities to this day. 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases from the passage. a. The religious reform works by Dayanand inspired confidence among the Indians _____________________________ and also instilled_______________________. b. The 28 guiding principles for the Samaj laid down by Dayanand were made into ____________________ _____________________________________in 1877. c. Dayanand Saraswati gave importance to the moral qualities of_________________. Ans: a. regarding their racial and national past / a sense of national pride and consciousness b. “Ten Principles of the Arya Samaj” c. love, justice, truth and virtue. 2. Answer the following questions in brief: a. Where was Dayananda Saraswati born and when? What do you gather about his childhood from the passage? b. What did Dayananda do to deliver and spread his ideas on reform? c. What did Dayanand do to remove the various ills of the caste system? d. What impact of the Arya Samaj can be seen in the present time? Ans: a. Dayananda (named Moolshanker at birth) was born in 1824 at Tankara, Gujarat in an extremely religious background. b. He wrote a significant number of pamphlets and books including the Satyarth Prakash, Bhratinivarna etc. 48
PRACTICE SHEET - 1 (PS-1) c. To remove the various ills of the caste system, c) The poet imagines doing impossible things Dayananda held the character of individuals for his friend. This shows his______________ and the actions performed by them and not ______________________________________ birth as the basis for determining the caste. ________. Ans: d. With the setting up of the Samaj, many gu- rukuls and Dayananda Anglo-Vedic colleges a) his friend’s trouble are established and the Arya Samajists con- b) will wipe them off tinue to perform welfare activities to this c) extreme love and dedication toward his day. friend 3. Find the words which mean the same as following: 2. Answer the following questions in brief: a. Changed (para 1) b. tried to spread (Para 2) a) Why does the poet want to catch the c. for the well-being (Para 4) rainbow? Ans: b) What will the poet’s friend be able to do if the a) Transformed b) propagated c) welfare poet would build a mountain for him? c) What is the main idea of the poem? Write in II. Read the following poem and attempt the brief. questions that follow: Ans: If I could catch a rainbow, I would do it, just for you, a) The poet wants to catch the rainbow to share And, share with you, its beauty, on the days you’re its beauty with his friends when he is feeling feeling blue. blue (sad). If I could, I would build a mountain, you could call your very own. b) He could call that mountain his very own and A place to find serenity, a place just to be alone. can find a place for achieving peace, a place If I could, I would take your troubles, and toss where he could just be alone. them into the sea. But, all these things, I’m finding, are impossible for c) The main idea of the poem is that the poet me. loves his friend so much that he thinks of do- I cannot build a mountain, or catch a rainbow fair; ing impossible things for him. but, let me be, what I know best, A Friend, who’s always there. 3. Find the words which mean the same as I promise to defend you, should the occasion ever following rise, a) Peace of mind b) throw And, I promise to wipe away the tears, c) protect/safeguard someone which might stream from your weeping eyes. Ans: Let me be the trusted Friend, the one that you know best. a) Serenity b) toss c) defend I will never leave you, on that, you can surely rest. Feeling blue means feeling sad. 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words or phrases from the passage. a) The poet wants to take away _____________________and throw it in the sea. b) When the poet’s friend is in tears, the poet__ __________________________. 49
PRACTICE SHEET - 2 (PS-2) Writing: 1. You woke up today and it was not a usual day. Your tooth hurt through the night. Your mother took you to a dentist and it happened to be your first visit to him. Write your experience in the form of a diary entry in 120-150 words. Ans: Format (Date time) Content (VALUE POINTS: Severe toothache-asked mother for a painkiller-could not go to school-instead she took me to the dentist-horrified-no choice-waited outside the dentist’s office-nurse came and opened the door-wrote down my particulars and told me to wait-dentist arrived-ushered to the dentist’s chair-horrible drills and pli- ers-sat down on the reclining chair-dentist asked me to open my mouth-tooth had to come out-slight prick of pain when he gave me an injection-all pain disappeared-tooth out-dentist told me that I could go-wonder, I did not even feel it-nodded, smiled and went out-mother was waiting-not too bad after all.) Expression (Vocabulary and Grammar) 2. Write a short essay on “Should our school examination system be abolished?” Give reasons for your stand in 200-250 words. Ans: Format (title, writer’s name) Content (From primary school to the end of their education, students face the scary exams-time and emo- tion-good way of training children for the stress of life-work completed methodically-necessary yardstick for measuring the capability-true abilities may not be shown-many dropouts yet become successful people-too “exam-orientated”-race through the syllabus-weaker students are victimised-discouraged-so occupied with their studies-do not develop their potential-less extracurricular activities-impossible to do away with exams but should be given less importance-results of examinations are not equal to the sum of the net worth of the individual.) Expression (Vocabulary and Grammar) 50
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