Thursday, 14 November 2019


he Bond of Love

Page No:119 Thinking about the Text  (do in book)
Given in the box are some headings. Find the relevant paragraphs in the text to match the headings.

Ans: An Orphaned Cub – para 3
Bruno’s Food-chart – para 6
An Accidental Case of Poisoning – para 8
Playful Baba – para 12
Pain of Separation – para 14
Joy of Reunion – para 16
A Request to the Zoo – para 18
An Island in the Courtyard – para 21

(do in notebook)
II. Answer the following questions.
1.   “I got him for her by accident.”

(i) Who says this?
(ii) Who do ‘him’ and ‘her’ refer to?
(iii) What is the incident referred to here?
Ans: (i) Narrator said this.

(ii) Here, ‘him’ refers to the sloth bear and ‘her’ refers to the narrator’s wife.

(iii)  About two  years ago the narrator and his companions were passing through the sugarcane fields near Mysore. Suddenly, they saw a black sloth bear. One of the narrator’s companions shot it on the spot. As they saw the fallen animal, they were surprised to see that the black fur on its back moved. Then they saw that it was a baby bear that had been riding on its mother’s back. The narrator ran up to it and attempted to capture it. He finally succeeded in grabbing it and gifted it to his wife. This incident is referred to in the above statement

2. “He stood on his head in delight.”
(i) Who does ‘he’ refer to?
(ii) Why was he delighted?
Ans: (i) ‘He’ refers to the bear, Bruno.(ii) Bruno was delighted to see the narrator’s wife after three months of separation.
 
3. “We all missed him greatly: but in a sense we were relieved.”
(i) Who does ‘we all’ stand for?
(ii) Who did they miss?
(iii) Why did they nevertheless feel relieved?

Ans: (i) ‘We all’ stands for the narrator, his wife and his son.(ii) They missed Bruno (Baba).(iii) They felt relieved because Baba was getting too big to be kept at home. That is why they had sent him off to a zoo.
 
III. Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.
1. On two occasions Bruno ate/drank something that should not be eaten /drunk. What happened to him on these occasions?

Ans: Bruno ate some poison-barium carbonate He also vomited and breathed heavily, but was later cured. In another incident, he drank nearly a gallon of old engine oil. Fortunately, he remained unaffected.meant for the rats, which paralysed and weakened him.

2. Was Bruno a loving and playful pet? Why, then, did he have to be sent away?
Ans: Yes, Bruno was a loving and playful pet. Everybody in the family was attached to it ,especially the narrator’s wife. It had to be sent  away to a zoo because it was getting too big to be kept at home.

3. How was the problem of what to do with  Bruno finally solved?
Ans: Bruno was not happy at the zoo. Seeing its condition and its happiness at seeing the narrator’s wife, Bruno was allowed to go back to Bangalore. There, an island was made for the bear, keeping all its needs in mind.
do in book
I. 1. Find these words in the lesson. They all have ie or ei in them.(do in book)
f___ld
ingred ___nts
h ___ght
misch ___vous
fr ___nds
___ghty-seven
rel ___ved
p ___ce
Ans:
field
ingredients
height
mischievous
friends
eighty-seven
relieved
piece

2. Now here are some more words. Complete them with ei or ie. Consult a dictionary if necessary.
bel___ ve
rec ___ve
w ___rd
l ___sure
s ___ze
w ___ght
r ___gn
f ___gn
gr ___f
p ___rce
(There is a popular rule of spelling: ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’. Check if this rule is true by looking at the words above.)
Ans:
believe
receive
weird
leisure
seize
weight
reign
feign
grief
pierce
 
II. Here are some words with silent letters. Learn their spelling. Your teacher will dictate these words to you. Write them down and underline the silent letters.
knock
wrestle
walk
wrong
knee
half
honest
daughter
hours
return
hornet
calm
could
sign
island
button
Ans:
Knock
Wrestle
Walk
Wrong
Knee
Half
Honest
Daughter
Hours
Return
Hornet
Calm
Could
Sign
Island
Button


2. Adverbs

(i) Complete the following sentences, using a suitable adverb ending in –ly.
  (in book)
(i) (a) Rana does her homework timely.
(b) It rains heavily in Mumbai in June.
(c) He does his work properly.
(d) The dog serves his master faithfully.
(ii) (a) We should never get down from a moving train.
(b) I was badly in need of support after my poor performance.
(c) Rita met with an accident. The doctor examined her immediately.

The Last Leaf
PageNo: 48 Think About It
1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
Ans: Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. Only the willingness to live could cure her. She had made up her mind that she was not going to get well. The doctor said that if she did not want to live, then medicines would not help her.
2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?
Ans: Yes, I think the feeling of depression Johnsy is very common among teenagers. Because of the present lifestyle, teenagers are under constant pressure to outperform in every field. They are burdened with studies and the anxiety of future. They are also subjected to a lot of parental and peer pressure. Along with all this, they are also expected to behave in a certain manner as believed appropriate by the society. Most of the times, they are unable to bear so much of stress and end up being depressed.
3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
Ans: Behrman was a sixty year old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece. It does come true when he paints a leaf such that it looks extremely natural. He painted the last leaf left on a creeper.

4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?
Ans: Berhman’s masterpiece was the last leaf on the ivy creeper. Sue calls it masterpiece because this painting rekindled the willingness to survive in Johnsy’s heart and she was able to recover from her illness. Johnsy thought that she would die when the last leaf fell from the ivy creeper. But Berhman spent an entire night in a heavy storm to paint a fresh green leaf. Berhman suffered from pneumonia because of getting drenched while painting and eventually died. However, on seeing that leaf Johnsy thought it was real and got a feeling of self-belief. She realized she could get well if she wanted to and came out of her illness.

Weathering the Storm in Ersama
Page No: 42

1. What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?
Ans: The cyclone brought heavy rains and strong winds. As a result, majority of the houses had blown away and only the strong cement houses were  spared. Dirty water covered the land as far as the eye could see. Many people lost their lives. There were floating human bodies and bloated animal carcasses all around. Even the strongest of the trees had  been uprooted. The scenes were gruesome. Many people lost their relatives and many children had become orphans. There was shortage of food. People were sad and helpless and a pall of gloom had descended on the people all around.

2. How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?
Ans: Prashant helped the people of his village by first getting a grip over himself because he was initially shocked on witnessing the after effects of the cyclone. He decided to step in as the leader of his village. He organized a group of youths and elders to  jointly pressurize the merchant to given rice for the people living in the shelter. He was successful in this task. His next task was to organize a team of youth volunteers to clean the shelter and to tend to the wounds of the people who had been injured because of the cyclone.
Prashant also brought a number of orphaned children together and constructed a polythene shelter for them. While women were  mobilized to look after them, the men secured food and other essentials for the shelter. When he realised that the women were becoming too grief-stricken, he persuaded them to start working in the food-for-work programme, which was  initiated by an NGO. He also organized sports events for children.

3. How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?
Ans: The people of the community got together and began to help one another under the leadership of young Prashant. Together they pressurised the merchant to part with his rice for the people in the shelter. They gathered branches from fallen trees and lit a fire, on which they cooked rice for all to eat.
When the military helicopter dropped some food parcels but did not return, the youth task force gathered empty utensils from the shelter and made the children lie in the sand with the utensils on their stomachs to communicate to the passing helicopters that they were hungry. The message went through and the helicopter made regular rounds of the shelter, airdropping food and other basic needs.
Women were  mobilized to look after the orphans, while the men secured food and materials for the shelter. Inspite of being grief stricken the women started working in the food-for-work programme started by an NGO.

4. What  do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? Why alternatives do they consider?
Ans: : The plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows was resisted because it was believed that in such institutions children will grow up without love and affection and widows would suffer from stigma and loneliness. Instead, Prashant and his group suggested that the children and widows should  be resettled in their own community where they can get a homely environment. They suggested setting up of foster families made up of childless widows and children without adult care.

5. Do you think Prashant is good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?
Ans: Yes, Prashant is a very good leader. Though he himself was too grief-stricken, he got a hold of himself and decided to step in as the leader of the village. He carried out his role effectively and helped the people of his village in every possible manner.
Yes. Young people can definitely get together to help people during natural calamities and otherwise. They can use their strength and vigour to help people.


THE DUCK AND THE KANGAROO
Read it
The poem “The Duck and the Kangaroo” is a nonsensical poem. But reading between the lines shows that it actually deals with the significance of love for adventure. Adventure makes life worth living and adds colour and joy to it. The poem also deals with the theme of friendship. Friends, who help others, not only give joy but also experience happiness themselves.

LITERARY DEVICES
Refrain
A refrain is a phrase or a verse that is repeated regularly in a poem. It adds music to the poem, emphasizes certain core ideas, or simply brings unity to the narration.
The repetition of the line “Said the Duck to the Kangaroo” many times in the poem makes it a refrain. This repetition brings out the urgency of the Duck’s desire and also emphasizes her persistent nature

Do it in your notebook

1.Why was the Duck fascinated by the Kangaroo’s hopping?
Ans. The Duck was fascinated by the Kangaroo’s hopping because she herself could not hop. She had to lead a boring life swimming in a silly pond, so she admired the Kangaroo’s continuous hopping over the fields as well as water bodies.

2. Where  was the Duck’s home and what was her deep desire?
Ans. The Duck’s home was the ‘silly’ pond which she found boring and restrictive. Therefore  she had a deep desire to see the wide world that lay beyond her ‘nasty’ and monotonous pond.

3. Why did the Duck wish the Kangaroo to take her for a ride?
Ans. Living in her ‘nasty’ pond, day and night, the Duck had become sick and tired of the monotony of her life. She had observed the Kangaroo hopping around all day long. So, she wished the Kangaroo to take her on a ride, to have fun, and to see new and exciting places.

4. What different traits of the Duck’s character are revealed in the first stanza?
Ans. Optimism and aspiration are the traits of the Duck’s character revealed in the first stanza. She is very appreciative of the Kangaroo’s hopping skills. She aspires to go away. from her pond and go out into the world.

5. What did the Duck promise the Kangaroo and why?
Ans. The Duck promised the Kangaroo that if he took her around for a ride she would fully co-operate with him. She would sit on his back very steadily and quietly so that he would neither be distracted nor lose his balance.

6.What was the Kangaroo’s reaction to the Duck’s request?
Ans. The Kangaroo was a very sensible and wise creature. When he was requested for a ride, he was slightly apprehensive as he knew that the wet and cold feet of the Duck may afflict him with rheumatism, a disease marked by inflammation and joint pains. So, before committing anything, he wished to give the whole issue a good thought, even though the proposal could bring him good luck.

7. How did the Duck prepare for the journey on the Kangaroo’s back?
Ans. The Duck bought four pairs of worsted socks so that her cold and wet feet could be covered and protected from the cold. She also bought a cloak to keep the cold out. In addition, she decided to smoke a cigar daily to pass her time.

8. What instructions did the Kangaroo give the Duck before starting the journey? Did the Duck comply with the instructions?
Ans. The Kangaroo told the Duck to help him maintain his balance during the ride by sitting absolutely still at the end of his tail. The Duck did comply with his instructions and the two had a smooth trip and a very enjoyable journey.

9.Why did the Kangaroo and the Duck hop around the whole world three times?
Ans. The Kangaroo and the Duck’s trip resulted in immense joy for both the creatures. It made them the happiest pair of all. They hopped around the world three times which shows that it was a smooth sailing trip.

Tuesday, 15 October 2019




Reach for The Top  - Maria Sharapova



Q.1. What is something disarming about Maria Sharapova?
Ans. Maria Sharapova is a girl with a smiling face and glamorous attire. But she is a determined girl who worked excessively hard to win the world number one position in women tennis.

2. Why did Sharapova leave Siberia for the U.S.A.?
Ans. At the age of nine years, Maria Sharapova left Siberia for Florida in the U.S.A. She went there to attend a training camp for women tennis. She undertook hard training for two years. Her father Yuri also went with her.

 3. At the age of nine years, what lesson had Sharapova learnt?
Ans. In the U.S.A. Maria Sharapova had to face a heart wrenching two-year separation from her mother. This separation made her learn an important lesson that tennis excellence would only come at a price.

4. How Was Sharapova treated by the seniors in the training camp?

Ans. Maria Sharapova was just nearly ten years old. The seniors in the training camp treated her badly. They look her up. They asked Maria to tidy up the room and clean it

5. What does Maria Sharapova say about her Russian nationality?

Ans. Maria Sharapova speaks with an Amercan accent, She proudly tells about her Russ ion nationality. Clearing all doubts, she tells her blood is totally  Russian. She will play the Olympics for Russia.

6. What has lifted Maria Sharapova to the top of the world?

 Ans:- Maria’s talent, her unwavering determination, her hunger for success, her willingness to work hard, her readiness to endure challenges, and her sacrifices have lifted her to the top of the world. In addition, monetary gains have motivated her to be on the top.



Packing
I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).
1. How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. (Don’t forget the dog!).
Ans: There are four characters in the narrative. They are Jerome (the narrator), George, Harris and Montmorency (the dog).
2. Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?
Ans: The narrator volunteered to do packing because he thought he was the best packer. He felt proud of his packing and wanted to show it.
3. How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reaction?
Ans: George and Harris readily accepted Jerome’s suggestion. George smoked a pipe and “spread himself over the easy-chair”, while Harris put his legs on the table and lit a cigar.
No, Jerome was  irritated by their reaction.
4. What was Jerome’s real intention when he offered to pack?
Ans: When Jerome offered to pack, his real intention was to supervise the work. He wanted to show his ability through the supervision.
5. What did Harris say after the bag  was shut and strapped? Why do you think he waited  till then to ask?
Ans: After the bag  was shut and strapped, Harris mentioned that Jerome had not packed the boots.
He had waited  till then to ask because he wanted to make Jerome realise his mistake and ridicule his packing skills.
6. What “horrible idea” occurred to Jerome a little later?
Ans: The “horrible idea” that occurred to Jerome a little later was whether he had packed his toothbrush or not. Whenever he  travelled  he could never remember if he had packed his toothbrush or not. This thought haunted him and made his life a misery.
7. Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush?
Ans: Jerome finally found the  tooth brush inside a boot when he was putting the things back one by one after turning them out of the bag.
8. Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag?
Ans: Jerome had to reopen the packed bag twice owing to his forgetfulness. Once he had to reopen the bag as he had forgotten to pack the boots. The next time, he unpacked when he  realised  he had packed his toothbrush in.
9. What did George and Harris offer to pack and why?
Ans: George and Harris offered to pack the hampers because It was getting late and they thought that Jerome had taken too much of time. They also wanted to show their skill to Jerome.
II. What does Jerome say was Montmorency’s ambition in life? What do you think of Montmorency and why?
Ans: Jerome says Montmorency’s ambition in life was to get in the way and he sworn at. Montmorency was a mischievous little dog who loved creating troubles for others. I think that Montmorency was a perfect nuisance because whenever he found people busy with their work, he might feel bored and wanted to get involved. He meant no trouble intentionally. But when people shouted at him or threw things at his head, he got discouraged and then went away to sit silently, which the narrator calls as the fulfillment of his conceit.
III.Discuss in groups and answer the following questions in two or three paragraphs (100 −150 words)
1. Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who do you think is the best or worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.
Ans: Of the three, Jerome is the best packer He knew how to arrange things in order. Both Harris and George messed everything. Harris packed the strawberry jam on top of a tomato and squashed it. George stepped on the butter. They  were getting constantly irritated by Montmorency.  Till the time Jerome packed, although he took his time, the job. They even kept things behind them and then kept searching for it. They made everything such a mess.

2. How did Montmorency ‘contribute’ to the packing?
Ans: The packing escapade was already a messy job and Montmorency’s contribution made it even more tiresome. He did his level best to be a “perfect nuisance”.
He came and sat down on things, just when  they  were wanted to be packed. He put his leg into the jam and worried the teaspoons. He also pretended that the lemons were rats. So  he got into the hamper and killed three of them before Harris could land him with the frying-pan.
3. Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it?
(Pick out at least three, think about what happens, as well as how it is described.)
Ans: Yes, this story is definitely funny. Not only is the way in which the three friends pack for their trip quite humourous, but the way the author narrates all the incidents is also entertaining.
The first humorous element is that he offered to pack, George and Harris leaves the whole matter to him. Consequently, he has to do packing though his real intention was to boss the job.
The second humorous element is that George placed the butter on the chair and Harris sat on it and it stuck at his back. When they searched it for packing it was missing. They walk and walk round the room. At last, George saw it at Harris’s back.
The third humorous element is that Montmorency squirms in where he is not wanted. He wants somebody stumble over him and curse him steadily for an hour. He pretends that lemons were rats.

The table below has some proverbs telling you what to do and what not to do. Fill in the blanks and add a few more such proverbs to the table.
Positive
Negative
(i)
Save for a rainy day.
(i)
Don’t cry over spilt milk.
(ii)
Make hay while the sun shines.
(ii)
Don’t put the cart before the horse.
(iii)
____ before you leap.
(iii)
____ a mountain out of a mole hill.
(iv)
____ and let live.
(iv)
____ all your eggs in one basket.
Ans: (iii) Look before you leap.
Don’t  make  a mountain out of a mole hill.
(iv)  Live  and  let Live.
Don’t  put   all your eggs in one basket.
(v) Mind your own business.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
(vi)  Be  first  at the feast and last at the fight.
Don’t  count   the days, make the days count!