Communicative English Solutions for Class IX

Solutions to
Me n Mine
English
COMMUNICATIVE
(COMPLETE PRACTICE MATERIAL)
FOR CLASS IX
First Term
By
Dr. M.M. Sharma
M.A., Ph.D.
New Saraswati House (India) Pvt. Ltd.

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CONTENTS
SECTION AREADING
Unseen Passages (1 to 8) .............................................................................................................03

Comprehension (1 to 3) .................................................................................................................05
SECTION BWRITING AND GRAMMAR
Diary/Article ....................................................................................................................................07
Short Story .................................................................................................................................... 08
Formative Assessment ....................................................................................................................09
Filling Blanks with Suitable Words ...........................................................................................15
Editing: Detecting & Correcting Errors ....................................................................................15
Omission: Supplying Missing Word ............................................................................................15
Sentence Reordering .....................................................................................................................16
Sentence Transformation .............................................................................................................17
Formative Assessment ....................................................................................................................17

SECTION CLITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT
Fiction
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read ..................................................................................20
A Dog Named Duke (William D. Ellis) .......................................................................................22
Poetry
The Brook.........................................................................................................................................24
The Road Not Taken......................................................................................................................26
The Solitary Reaper ......................................................................................................................27
Lord Ullins Daughter....................................................................................................................28
Drama
Villa for Sale ....................................................................................................................................30
Novels
Gullivers Travels ...........................................................................................................................33
Three Men in a Boat .......................................................................................................................34
PRACTICE PAPERS (1 to 5) ..................................................................................................36
-2-
A READING
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
1. 1. (a) The young liftman was fined because he had thrown a passenger out of the lift.
(b) The liftman demanded a little courtesy of please from the passenger.
(c) Law can be enforced while social practice needs to be obeyed.
(d) First requirement of civility is that we should acknowledge a service.
(e) These are important because they make our lives sweet.
(f) The author blames the war as it had snapped the civility out of their lives.
(g) The policeman and law is necessary to keep social order intact.
(h) Victory over oneself counts.
2. 1. (a) Dowry related violence and murderous attack on woman has increased due to
consumarism which inflates expectations and demands.
(b) Indian society has lost its right to call itself civilized because the society at large
indulges in female foeticide and burning of its women.
(c) Womens campaign against dowry has not yielded the desired results because
it is the women who perpetrate these crimes.
(d) Evil of dowry can be dealt effectively if grooms stand up to their family members
in refusing to take dowry from the brides family. The sons should be inculcated
the right values and attitudes towards women.
2. (a) corresponding
(b) ostentatious
(c) onus
(d) mobilised
3. 1. (a) Suspension bridge is built on the river Indus.
(b) It looks like a circus tent because it is covered with prayer flags of every colour.
(c) According to the driver the river would get angry if there were no flags.
(d) The driver prays because the bridge is holy to him.
(e) Timeless objects of Ladakh are the mountains which look like stupas.
(f) When the heat increases, the colour of stones change.
(g) While resting on the top of mountain pass the author found a deserted shephards
hut.
(h) It shows the deep faith of the common Ladakhi in the Buddha.
4. 1. (a) A listener can be tempted to remember what you have said if you think before
you talk, know your message and get to the point quickly.
(b) A conversation is compared to a tennis match because each person have a turn
to give and speak. The true art of conversation is talking and listening.
(c) As almost everything one says is an attempt to persuade the other person to
accept your point of view, it is important that it should be practiced.
(d) Fear of failure, forgetting and humiliation should be controlled, otherwise it
would boomrang on you. It can be controlled by checking your negative self talk
and visualising a positive outlook.
1ST T E R M S O L U T I O N S 3
2. (a) formulating
(b) visualise
(c) patient
(d) crux
5. 1. (a) Louisa wrote her first novel to earn money.
(b) Louisa earned her livelihood by becoming school teacher. She also worked as a
maid in a laundry.
(c) Louisa helped soldiers by bandaging their wounds; by giving them medicines
and by writing letters for them.
(d) Louisas books are Little Women, Hower Fables, Hospital Sketches, Little Men,
Jos Boys etc.
(e) It shows her determination to fight all odds in life.
(f) Her association with literary people like Henry David Thoreau influenced her
towards writing.
(g) The family had to remain under financial strain because her father was a single
minded person with strong values.
(h) Adversities are stepping stones to success.
6. 1. (a) Two factors that led to the popularity of English language in India are: firstly,
they had spent a lot of time under British rule. Secondly, the English language
is easy as compared to other languages like French.
(b) To deny the relevence of English not only useless but also dangerous because
it is the language of the world. This language can give us heightened levels of
technology from abroad.
(c) Learning English language in India is easy as resources to learn the language
are available and the cost of learning is the lowest.
(d) The author does not approve of discarding learning of English language by
Indians. Any kind of cynicism towards the study of English is meaningless.
2. (a) ample
(b) obstacles
(c) endeavour
(d) enhance
7. 1. (a) Livingstones flying fox is restricted to the Comoros Islands because abundance
of fruits and flowers in Comoros Islands helped them to flourish in this unique
island paradise.
(b) To cope with the flying the Livingstones flying fox bats have developed a super
efficient circulation system as the flight muscles need a high oxygen level.
(c) In the absence of Livingstones flying fox, the Comros island would be deserted as
without bats the pollination of flowers and dispersal of seeds would not happen
and plants and forest would not survive.
(d) The giant bats of the Comoros islands are essential for the very survival of the
Comoros islands. These bats have been instrumental in scattering seeds in the
fertile soil of the Comoros islands. Thus enabling the Comoros islands to survive
till date.
2. (a) pierce
(b) abundance
(c) topsy-turvy
(d) germinate
4 E N G L I S H C O M M U N I C A T I V E IX
8. 1. (a) Two types of eczema exists, viz., exogenous and endogenous eczema. Seborrheic
eczema is the most serious one.
(b) Exogenous eczema when once the offending exogenous agent is identified, it is
important to avoid it at any cost.
(c) Eczema caused by congress grass poses serious challenge because it is practically
impossible to avoid the causative agent since pollen are in the air throughout
the year.
(d) Seborrheic eczema affects the areas of the body where the liquid producing
glands are in abundance.
2. (a) aggravated
(b) scenario
(c) susceptible
(d) paramount
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
COMPREHENSION-1
1. 1.1 Word Pronunciation Meaning
1. Originated /ridzineitid/ appeared for the first time
Malaria is thought to have originated in the tropics.
2. Confirmed /knf3:md/ shown as true or correct
His guilty expression confirmed my suspicions.
3. Chief /ti:f/ main, most important
Their chief problem is poverty.
4. Distant /distnt/ far away in space
The airport was about 20 kilometres distant.
5. Sedimentary /sedmentri/ formed from sand, stones,
mud etc. that settle at the
bottom of lakes/sea
Sedimentary rocks are not as hard as granite rocks.
6. Remains /rimeinz/ the parts of something that
are left
She fed the remains of her lunch to the dog.

7. Obviously / obisli/ clearly
Diet and exercise are obviously important.
8. Crude /kru:d/ in its natural state
Crude oil is treated in refineries.
9. Vapours /eiprs/ mass of very small drops of
liquid in air
Water vapours rose high.
10. Various /eris/ several, different
She took the job for various reasons.
2. 2.1 Noun Verb Adjective Adverb
imagination imagine imaginative imaginatively
profession profess professional professionally
potential potentiate potential potentially
direction direct directional directly

2.2 Difficult word Synonym Antonym
Tremendous huge tiny
Pathetic sad cheerful
Talented gifted hopeless
Capture catch free
Rampant fierce mild
Reconcile accept reject
COMPREHENSION-2
1. (a) (iv) a little narrow-minded creature
(b) (iii) to put all things together
(c) (iv) to occupy his humble place
(d) (i) it cant crack a nut
(e) (ii) the squirrel
2. (a) (iv) nervous
(b) (ii) a grave, calm man
(c) (iii) he felt the narrator had a secret to reveal
(d) (iv) his manner was mysterious
(e) (i) revelation
COMPREHENSION-3
1. (a) (iii) early rising
(b) (ii) an early riser
(c) (i) well done
(d) (iv) before midnight
(e) (iii) necessity
2. (a) (iii) education and technical progress
(b) (ii) cost of advertising is added to that of the product
(c) (iv) advertisements
(d) (i) a wider choice is available
(e) (iv) inverting

B WRITING & GRAMMAR
DIARY/ARTICLE
1. Friday 19 May 20XX

What a terrible sight it was! The flower-like innocent child was run over by a careless speedy
crazy monster. I carried the child to the nearest hospital for medical aid. The formalities
consumed time. In spite of best efforts, I failed to save the childs life. I cursed the people
responsible for the tragedy. I feel guilty. Had I rushed towards the child on the road, perhaps
I could have saved him.
2. Monday 28 March 20XX
What a feast for the eyes the flower show was! The organisers deserve kudos for excellent
arrangement. The participants presented their exhibits tastefully. The variety of flowers,
their colour, fragrance and sizes filled my heart with wonder, excitement and joy. I wanted
to have just a fleeting glimpse, but stayed on there for an hour. What a bliss it was!
3. Sunday 6 February 20XX
How elated I felt this morning on watching a picturesque scenean old man planting a
sapling and his grandchild watering it. Their silent dedication had a far deeper message for
me than all the slogans raised by environmentalists. Their actions spoke louder than all the
words. I resolved to follow their example and try environment friendly activities.
4. HEALTH HAZARDS CAUSED BY JUNK FOOD
(by Shobha/Shubham)

Junk food is easy food, easily available and easy to consume. So it has become a favourite
with many. But junk foods are a major health hazard. There is no nutritional value that
they possess. They lead to obesity. Children of today have got hooked on to these foods and
consume them very often. They have developed a taste for drinks like Coke, Pepsi and relish
eating pizzas, burgers etc. As a result of its popularity, the number of joints offering these
foods has increased manifold. At some of these places food is cooked in unhygienic conditions.
Setting up of a Food Control Board restricting the sale of junk food could be one solution.
Also, awareness through print and visual media needs to be generated on these being health
hazards. Such steps could probably restrict as well as bring down the sale of these food items.
5. CARBON CYCLE
(by Arjun/Anju)

Carbon is an essential element found in all living beings. Plants and animals get this element
from carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. Plants take carbon dioxide from air and in the
presence of water and sunlight they make their food by the process of photosynthesis. Thus
plants absorb carbon. Plants are consumed by other animals as food. In this way they get
compounds of carbon. Energy is produced by digestion of these carbon compounds. Carnivores
(flesh-eating animals) get carbon from flesh of herbivores (animals feeding on grass and plants).
Omnivores like man get carbon from both plants and animals. Carbon cycle shows that all
the animals absorb carbon dioxide during respiration or oxidation and this carbon dioxide is
again released into the air. Carbon dioxide is also liberated during the decay of plants and
animals and burning of fuels. Plankton exhales carbon dioxide and volcanoes also release it.
The dead animals lying in the sea get decomposed and carbon dioxide is produced from these
dead animals as well as from the waste material of land. We also get carbon dioxide from
burning of coal, natural gas and oil.
6. POLLUTED WATER IN CITY WATER PARK

(by Leila/Lakshman)
I recall with horror my visit to the Water Park near our city last week. We, a group of thirty
boys and girls, visited the Water Park as a part of school excursion. We had made many
preparations for playing water games and swimming. Our enthusiasm ebbed away on having
a glimpse of the water in the Water Park. It was not clean and had a stale smell. In fact, the
smell was so nauseating that we had to step back instantly. We were not going to take things
lying down. The crusading spirit of youth came to the forefront. We contacted the keeper
of the Water Park and asked for the Visitors Book and Complaint Book. We recorded our
experiences, observations and suggestions. Turning the pages of the Visitors Book, I noticed
the remarks and complaints of the visitors in previous years. There has been a tremendous
fall in the number of visitors each successive year. From around 5500 in 2004, the number
has fallen to less than 3000 in the current year. I am afraid the number will fall further if
no urgent remedial steps are taken to improve the quality of water in the Water Park. The
authorities must ensure the replacement of unclean and foul smelling water with clean and
fresh water. Insecticides in recommended quantity may be used to keep the water germ-free.
Further, no eatables or waste of any type be allowed to be dumped in the Water Park. The
fountains, slides and channels must be kept clean. Dirt and filth heaps in the neighbourhood
must be removed. It is hoped that these measures will help to keep the water clean, fresh
and unpolluted and attract more visitors.

SHORT STORY
1. him to take painkillers along with antibiotics after the operation. Also he was warned that
it might get infected. Though the surgery went well, Pratap couldnt help asking himself
whether it was worth it. He could not see by his left eye anyway. Not just the surgery
but the war itself had forced him into this life of invalidity and pain. What grudges had
he with the people he had fought against? Who had won? Had that winning brought
any happiness? There was a lot of destruction on both sides. Both men and material had
perished. Smirking, he realised that the actual people who had grudges werent even
present there themselves! So why send proxies to win their war? Why put on stake so
many lives? Contemplating, Pratap went into a state of oblivion, where there was no
pain, no war to win, no lives to take.
2. The function was to be held at the forest clearing. In came all the animals and birds in
vibrant dresses. But when they entered the clearing they were shocked to see Booboo, the
lion, lying lifeless at the center of the clearing. Cheeku, the rabbit, who was a dectative,
forbade everyone to go near the body or to leave the clearing and set out to solve the
mystery.
Foxy, the fox, was questioned first as he was a close friend of the lion. Foxy had a criminal
record but being the lions friend, got exenorated all the time. He was of a duel nature
but lion trusted him the most.
During questioning, foxy accepted his many crimes but pleaded that he hadnt killed
the lion as it wouldnt be profitable. Cheeku said, Now that you have told the truth, I
would ask Booboo, the lion, to get up and punish you. Now Booboo got up and thanked
Cheeku for opening his eyes.
3. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE

It was a hot afternoon in June. We, a group of ten boys, were playing hockey outside the
town, in the big ground. When we sat down during the breather, one of us, perhaps it was
Mohit, who pointed at a greyish dilapidated building towards the east. He also told us that
it was a haunted house and his uncle had told him not to go near it. All of us laughed at
Mohits timidity. A keen sense of adventure and expectation of thrill inspired us to explore the
mystery of the haunted house. We decided our signals and code words. Two of us had their
mobile phones with us. We picked our sticks and moved cautiously. We found the main gate
blocked by a heap of stones and bushes. Rahul noticed a man coming out of a side gate. This
was our chance. We grabbed it and rushed in. We were surprised at what we saw there. The
place was neat and clean. Work was going on in the farthest room. A man sat at a printing
machine. We threw discretion to the winds. Two of us advanced to see what the man was doing.
We were shocked to find that he was printing fake currency. The other group had stumbled
upon narcotics and drugs. We hid behind the pillars as we heard some noise. We overheard
what they said. Then we came out. We blocked the side gate with stones, bushes and logs
of wood. Then Sahil telephoned the police. His father, the local police Inspector came there
with a police party. The people inside were taken by surprise and surrendered without any
resistance. The police confirmed what we had guessed. It was the den of anti-social goons.
They had spread the rumour of haunted house to hide their illegal activities.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
WRITING ARTICLE/EMAIL/STORY
1. MOBILE CULTURETHE ETHICS

More and more people are carrying their mobile phones with them. These phones help
instant connectivity and make communication easier. However, the use of mobile phones can
be dangerous at times. Young persons keep on talking on mobile phones or listening while
driving. It certainly distracts attention and may cause accidents. So mobile phone should
not be used while driving. The use of cellular phones has been banned by the government
at petrol pumps as they could ignite the flammable vapours present in the air. Mobile
phones should be switched off inside an aircraft specially while taking off or landing as
the electromagnetic rays emitted/received by it may cause incalculable harm to the plane,
as the latter might catch fire. Ethics of mobile culture impose another restriction on us.
Mobiles should be switched off when in an ICU or if one is near a heart patient or someone
who has pacemaker. It will be in the interest of the patient.
2. Holi is a traditional festival of India. Mother told me a story about Holi. King Hirankashyapu
was a demon king. He opposed Lord Vishnu in particular and the other gods in general. But
his son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The king tried to persuade Prahlad to accept
him as God and stop worshipping Vishnu, but Prahlad did not obey him. The king had a
sister named Holika. She had a boon. Her shawl protected her from fire. She sat in a pyre of
fire with Prahlad in her lap. Soon a wonder came to light as the flames decreased. Prahlad
was safe but Holikathe incarnation of evilhad died. The igniting of fire on Holi means
the victory of good over evil.
3. For self-attempt.
WRITING SHORT PARAGRAPH/ARTICLE/EMAIL
1. MISUSE OF INTERNET
Like other inventions of science, Internet may be misused. The data available on the Internet
is objective and can be surfed easily. Young children get addicted to surfing and waste a lot of
time doing so. Sometimes they come across undesirable sites which pour out a lot of garbage.
Malicious sites pour out data with adult content. They may receive e-mails containing viruses.
Hackers and spammers try to steal the password of genuine but innocent net users. Then they
can log in onto their account details. Even the debit cards and credit cards of reputed banks
are copied and misused. The data of these cards inserted in slot machines at various outlets
may be misused by malicious persons by creating spurious cards. So one should protect ones
password carefully.
2. IMPACT OF INTERNET ON OUR LIFE
The Internet has indeed revolutionised our life. It has changed the world into a global village.
We stay in touch with our friends/relatives in distant countries/place through the Internet.
Information Technology has worked wonders for us. Communication has speeded up and
become instant. No doubt people have discarded the old-fashioned snail mail and adopted
the e-mail for communication. New business opportunities have been created by the Internet
in the world of commerce. Banks have adopted e-banking. Many public and private sector
institutions are providing new and economically viable facilities through the Internet. Besides
being a storehouse of knowledge and information, the Internet provides us entertainment.
We can watch a video or listen to MP3s on the Internet. People can stay at home and work
via the Internet.
3. Message
Hi! Im overjoyed to learn of your success. It must be very nice bagging the first prize and
the trophy.
Heartiest congratulations to you and your team.
Keep it up!
Bye till we meet again.
4. A HARROWING EXPERIENCE
It was around Christmas when I went shopping in the fashionable shopping centre in the
heart of the city. As usual there was a lot of rush. I had selected the articles and was about to
take them to the cashiers counter, when suddenly I heard a sound. It seemed as if a big and
powerful cracker had burst. Cries of people and clouds of smoke filled the air. Panic spread
everywhere. The guards advised the customers to duck near the counters. As people rushed
downstairs, there was a stampede. People were crushed under the feet. Electricity had failed
and phones had stopped functioning. The twenty minutes we spent huddled like animals
seemed like two hours. The arrival of anti-bomb squad and fire-brigade eased the situation.
The police rescued the people stranded inside. I felt happy that I was one of those who had
been rescued first. It was a great relief to be alive and be with my family once again.
JUST A MINUTE
1. For self-attempt.
2. CHILDREN-TARGETED COMMERCIALS
Good Morning Everybody!
Most of the TV commercials are targeted on the children of 5 to 15 years age group. These vary
from toothpaste, soap, liquid shop, pen, pencils, chocolates, chewing gums, food supplements or
eatables themselves. The advertisers target children knowing fully well that children are their
most prospective buyers. Once something catches their fancy, they insist on buying it. They
spread its popularity by word of mouth and all the children of a group vie with each other to
possess the latest advertised object. Sometimes parents have to yield to some unreasonable
demands of the children, who would not compromise on alternatives and must have the brand
of their choice. The commercials do not commit themselves on the genuineness of the claims
made in the advertisements. Some of these prove to be mere sales gimmicks.
Thank you
3. For the motion: Develop these value points
Mobile phones source of distraction in class
misuse by children: gamesMMSSMS
divert attention from studies/games/driving etc.
exposure to electromagnetic waves: not good for brain
Against the motion: For self-attempt.
INTERVIEW/DESCRIPTION
1. Shweta : Hi, Roshni! Welcome to Blue Bells School. Will you please spare a few
(Interviewer) minutes for us?
Roshni : Oh, yes! With pleasure!
Shweta : How did you get the idea of Diwali without polluting?
Roshni : I observed the strange behaviour of my pets and the restlessness of my
grandmother on Diwali night. And I felt disturbed.

Shweta : Was this sufficient motivation for you?

Roshni : It started the ball rolling. I got a direction to move forward. Then I interacted
with my neighbours and children in the street.

Shweta : What was the outcome of your discussion?

Roshni : We decided to have a Diwali without crackers.

Shweta : Which was the first step that you took?

Roshni : I gave a slogan: Say No To Crackers.

Shweta : How was the response?

Roshni : The response was encouraging. Many more joined us.

Shweta : How did you spread the message of Cracker-free Diwali?

Roshni : We started with banners and posters. Then we held group discussions, seminars
and declamation contests. We told people about the disadvantages of crackers
such as pollution and wastage of money.

Shweta : To what extent did you succeed in your mission?

Roshni : To a great extent, I suppose. In some of the schools, students felt so inspired
that they threw all crackers in water and joined our movement.

Shweta : Congratulations, Roshni! It is a remarkable motivation.

Roshni : Thanks for your compliment.

Shweta : Youre welcome.
2. LEG LOST IN CRACKER BURST
I shudder as I recall the horrific incident of that fateful Diwali night. The people of our
street had assembled in the square to watch illumination of homes and to celebrate Diwali
with the explosion of crackers. Young boys were quite enthusiastic. One of them ignited the
wick of 20 cm long 3 cm wide cracker. Unfortunately, the direction went wrong. Instead of
rising upwards, it hit the leg of the boy. The cracker burst inside his leg. Both the bones of
the leg were broken. The ankle and foot hung limp. The boy cried and fell down unconscious.
A cloth was wrapped to stop bleeding, but in vain. He was immediately rushed to hospital.
The doctors performed an emergency operation. Inspite of their best efforts they could not
put the foot and leg together. The poison of gunpowder had infected the wound up to knee.
The doctors had to save a life or a limb. In order to save life, they amputated the youngmans
leg just below the knee. Thus a young man lost his leg in cracker burst.
3. Develop these value points
children love sweets, new clothes, toys and bursting crackers
disadvantages of crackerspollution: wastage of money, fear of injury
loss to property and lives due to firecrackers or pollution
if crackers not explodedpollution-free environment
if money to be spent on crackers is saved, it can be used to help the poor
if needy persons are helpedtheir condition will improve
individual/social welfare
CONVERSATION
(a) (iv) others
(b) (iii) by producing fruit for them
(c) (ii) a good man
(d) (i) the men of noble heart
(e) (iii) benefitting mankind
ACTIVITY
First option:
RWA Sector15 Gurgaon

NOTICE
25 March 20XX IMPROVEMENT IN COMMUNITY PARK
All the elected members of RWA are requested to attend a meeting this Sunday.
Date : 28 March
Time : 11.00 am
Venue : Community Centre
Agenda : Suggestions for Improvements in Community Park
Senior residents are also requested to attend the meeting.
Please come forward with your suggestions and solutions.
Udit Vohra
Secretary RWA
Second option:
Secretary, RWA : Gentleman! I draw your kind attention towards the bad shape of the
Community Park. Grass has withered at many places and bald patches
are visible. The plants and trees have stunted growth.
A Senior Citizen : May I know who was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after
the park?
Cashier, RWA : Sir, a whole time gardener was engaged during autumn. It was not
human negligence, but the vagaries of nature which are responsible for
this sorry state of affairs.
A member, RWA : What leads you to say so?
Cashier, RWA : Sir, we had a very hot summer but not sufficient rains. The earth lay
parched and baked. Lack of rains led to withering of grass. Plants with
short roots could not get enough nourishment for growth.
Chairman, RWA : Well, gentlemen. Let us discuss what steps should be taken to spruce
up things.
A Senior Citizen : Let us involve local youth, students and residents to supervise the relaying
of grass, plantation of saplings, pruning of trees, hedges, weeding out,
manuring and watering etc.
Chairman, RWA : Any other suggestion?
A member, RWA : I support the above suggestion, but I would like to add something.
Let us be practical and not simple idealistic. Duties must be fixed. If
responsibilities are properly assigned, we may get better performance.
Secretary, RWA : If the house approves it we may appoint a subcommittee to elicit cooperation from
all the users as well as the horticulture department and municipal corporation.
Thus we shall get plants, water and expert advice as well.
Chairman, RWA : Any dissensions? Those in favour may say Ayes, dissenters may say No.
All : Ayes.
WRITING PARAGRAPH/STORY
1. ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN THE LIFE OF STUDENTS
Computers have come as a divine boon to the students. Computers store, analyse and transmit
data. They are a source of information and knowledge. They disseminate knowledge on various
topics in different spheres and that too with a click of the mouse. In short, computers have
made the lives of students quite easy and fast. The main disadvantage of computers is that
children have stopped using their minds. They bank on computers and go on browsing the
net for readymade solutions instead of sharpening their own skills or making any efforts. So
the computers hamper the thinking process. Students fail to sharpen their minds.
2. AN UNBELIEVABLE INCIDENT
I was on my way to Dehradun on a cold dark night. I was travelling alone and the car was
running at full speed. I was in a hurry to see my friend who was critically ill. Suddenly fog
descended and reduced visibility to 10 yards. I stopped the car as I sensed a human figure
directly in front of the car. I was near an abandoned house with no light or activity of any sort.
The lady had a dog on a lead. She obviously seemed annoyed at my apparent carelessness and
rash driving. She gave me a cold look that shivered me to the spine. Braving the cold, I got
out and apologised to her as politely as I could. The lady crossed the road. I too got in my car
and turned the ignition key. But the car refused to buzz. I was scared. Drops of perspiration
made my forehead wet even in such a cold night. All sorts of frightening ideas filled my mind
and I could not help shouting. The lady came near me. Perhaps she understood my plight.
She pushed my car from the back. The unbelievable had happened. The car started but my
benefactor had disappeared before I could thank her. Would that I could see that mysterious
lady again.
3. Try yourself.
COMPLETING STORY, WRITING SPEECH/PARAGRAPH

1. Attempt yourself.
2. A POLLUTION-FREE DIWALI
Respected Chairperson, members of faculty and dear friends!
Diwali, the festival of lights, means a row of lamps. Let us illuminate our homes and
surroundings with lamps of light and knowledge and dispel darkness and evil. The noise of
cracker explosion is quite deafening. Pets and small children are quite scared. Their wailing
is sometimes heart-rending. It is a well-known fact that crackers emit many toxic gases and
pollutants when these are burst or ignited. Gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur
dioxide are very poisonous. Hard metals like potassium are also released in air. Children and
patients of asthma have a disturbed night. Some get headache or begin to vomit. Let us save
ourselves and our people by resolving to celebrate this Diwali without crackers. The money
saved by not buying crackers can be used to buy sweets, candles and lamps. These can be
distributed among the poorer section of society. Thus we can inspire others to celebrate a
pollution-free Diwali.
Thank you
3. In our colony, people understand the true spirit of Holithe Festival of Colours. We understand
the true spirit of the festival. This festival heralds the onset of spring. After the chilly winter,
spring promises joy, warmth, pleasant flowers and sweet fruit. People welcome spring with
songs and dances. Holi, the festival of colours, makes the culmination of the month-long
celebrations.
Early in the morning we assemble in the square with our musical instruments. We carry
packets of dry colours. We sing devotional songs. We visit every household to spread the
cheerful message of Holithe equaliser. People apply gulal, embrace each other, and then
offer sweets. The merry-making goes on till noon. At 2.00 pm all assemble for a community
lunch. This is followed by a musical evening. Thus we have a neat, clean, colourful and musical
Holi.
WRITING REPORTS
1. GHASTLY CAR ACCIDENT
Tejpur: 15 July, 20XX Saket Shah: Reporter, National Herald
Yesterday a very serious accident occurred near the Victory chowk. A truck coming at a very fast
speed had a head-on collision with a car. The truck driver jumped the red light and hit the car
with full force. Since he had turned to the right at full speed, the driver of the Maruti car was
caught unawares. The impact was quite forceful. The car swerved, turned over and hit a tree. The
truck driver seemed to have lost control. The truck hit a stationary road roller. The drivers of the
car as well as the truck were badly injured. Since the car had caught fire, the four passengers
in it had received burn injuries as well. They were rushed to the nearby military hospital for
treatment. The driver of the truck tried to run away but his legs could not support him. The police
arrived on the scene and arrested him. He was charged with the offence of reckless driving. Thus
carelessness, negligence and craze for speed caused the accident. The car was badly damaged,
however, there was no loss of life.
2. TREE PLANTATION WEEK
Delhi: 20 August, 20XX Sunil/Sunita, Secretary Nature Club
Our school, Goenka Public School celebrated a Tree Plantation Week this month. It was
inaugurated on the Independence Day i.e. 15 August, by the Director of Education by planting
a sapling. Our Principal, teachers and senior students also participated in this campaign to
make Delhi look green and clean. The D.O.E. praised the efforts of our school in keeping
the environment pollution free by planting trees. Many inter-house competitions were held
during this week. These comprised Poster-making Competition; Painting Competition; Speech
Contests; Poetic Recitation Contests and Essay Writing Contests. The underlying theme of all
these competitions was to highlight the need for ecological balance for mans happiness. On
the concluding day, our worthy Principal distributed prizes to the prize winners in various
competitions. He exhorted the students to adopt one tree each and look after it. The survival
of trees is more important than mere plantation as trees provide us life-breath.
GRAMMAR
TYPE 1: FILLING BLANKS WITH SUITABLE WORDS
1. (a) 2. of (b) 1. to (c) 2. is (d) 3. a (e) 4. more (f) 2. and

2. (a) 3. in (b) 1. at (c) 4. hidden (d) 3. and (e) 1. of (f) 3. being
3. (a) 3. along (b) 3. his (c) 1. bend (d) 3. them (e) 2. but (f) 1. a
4. (a) 2. that (b) 2. developed (c) 4. from (d) 4. their (e) 1. and (f) 4. embalming
5. (a) 2. is (b) 4. many (c) 2. was (d) 2. and (e) 3. after (f) 2. worried
6. (a) 1. who (b) 2. that (c) 2. is (d) 3. as (e) 2. for (f) 2. possesses
7. (a) 4. largest (b) 3. that (c) 1. feel (d) 3. of (e) 2. and (f) 2. in
8. (a) 1. can (b) 2. eat (c) 3. the (d) 3. effective (e) 3. they (f) 3. their
TYPE 2: EDITING: DETECTING & CORRECTING ERRORS

1. (a) tying tied (b) at on (c) popular popularize
(d) considering considered (e) to with
(f) dominating dominated (g) comes came (h) meaning meant
2. (a) decoding decoded (b) being been (c) who which
(d) involve involved (e) transmit transmission
(f) to from (g) then than (h) much more
3. (a) Beside Besides (b) contains contain (c) to in (d) whole all
(e) extract extracted (f) cooling cool (g) saying said (h) where whereas
4. (a) whom which (b) carefree carefreely (c) trusting trusty (d) at on
(e) target targets (f) spurn spurning (g) us our (h) on of
5. (a) for about (b) much many (c) until till (d) at on
(e) less least (f) friend friends (g) in at (h) is was
6. (a) on in (b) breathing to breathe (c) are were (d) the their
(e) one you (f) past ago (g) hill hills (h) traffics traffic
7. (a) of with (b) in to (c) on in (d) who which
(e) go goes (f) form from (g) among against (h) is are
8. (a) was is (b) of by (c) in of (d) on through
(e) should would (f) in of (g) consider considered (h) is are
9. (a) use using (b) who which (c) sharp sharper (d) it them
(e) become becomes (f) instant instance (g) little less (h) could can
10. (a) have had (b) stating stated (c) need neednt (d) fastest faster
(e) those this (f) with of (g) a the (h) it they
TYPE 3: OMISSION: SUPPLYING MISSING WORD

1. (a) Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu (b) going there in
(c) numbers for many (d) because they want
(e) architecture of the (f) very few problems
(g) Through the streets (h) buses are found
2. (a) on the road (b) skidding while turning
(c) brake is applied (d) far better than
(e) are therefore fitted (f) could use smooth
(g) if they moved (h) have to move
3. (a) flights across varying (b) enough for that
(c) it takes several (d) for every time
(e) rhythm and energy (f) means one requires
(g) to the normal (h) lag are fatique
4. (a) products are appearing (b) products have made
(c) is one such (d) which has found
(e) bags a day (f) used for packing
(g) used as carry-bags (h) pointed out the
5. (a) pockets of intense (b) window to the
(c) M82 was triggered (d) and the tremendous
(e) hurricane that is (f) miles an hour
(g) travel in two (h) scene can help
6. (a) parents and a (b) be an oversimplification
(c) one in 10 (d) It has been
(e) enough to need (f) say they feel
(g) because of the (h) girls are twice
7. (a) God for the (b) men gave a
(c) explanation for this (d) scientist and philosopher
(e) known to be (f) concentrations in atmospheric
(g) moisture. The white (h) colours and bending
8. (a) here on the (b) sanctuary has been
(c) for a large (d) order to attract
(e) near the entrance (f) would be developed
(g) also have a (h) animals and plants
9. (a) according to education (b) is an important
(c) which the former (d) completely as latter
(e) usage to a form (f) English that cuts
(g) do the features (h) example of the
10. (a) plant whose leaves (b) right from ancient
(c) makes an excellent (d) twigs are very
(e) Neem has strong (f) treatment of chicken-pox
(g) in which neem (h) inflamed or infected
TYPE 4: SENTENCE REORDERING

1. (a) Fire is the purest of all elements on the earth.
(b) Human beings use fire for cooking, forging, ploughs and swords and in kilns.
(c) Prometheus brought fire down to earth for human use.
2. (a) Organic matter such as leaves can enrich soil fertility.
(b) A compost pit can be made at a convenient location.
(c) The refuse can be placed there with layers of soil.
3. (a) He said that in his childhood his birthday used to be celebrated differently.
(b) Instead of cutting a cake they used to distribute sweets.
(c) We blow out candles but they used to light a lamp.
4. (a) Every year people die in this way.
(b) Even a small amount of current can kill.
(c) Water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
5. (a) When the dial tone is heard, the required number is dialled.
(b) When the receiver is picked at the other end, a one rupee coin is dropped into the provided
slit.
(c) The conversation can go on for three minutes.
6. (a) In Africa, Tanzanians have the highest literacy rate.
(b) But they hardly have anything to read.
(c) The reasons are the soaring costs of paper and the interest rates.
7. (a) The dinosaurs became very heavy.
(b) As a result, their legs could not support them on the land.
(c) But water could be a fine alternative.
8. (a) The stars twinkle in the night sky.
(b) This could reveal the size of the universe.
(c) Scientists say that the flecking of the stars indicates distance.
9. (a) It has a long forked tail on the back, a sheen and wings.
(b) It has a blue band with dark red beneath it at its throat.
(c) Often swallows are seen skimming over a pond or an open space.
10. (a) The friends dog had given birth to six puppies.
(b) Sita told Ravi many times we already have two dogs.
(c) We do not need any more dogs.
type 5: sentence transformation

1. 1. He swore (by God) that he had not seen it (that).
2. The peon asked the officer respectfully if he might go out.
3. He said that I neednt wait.
2. 1. It is prayed that you may live long.
2. No one was blamed by me.
3. It is said that truth is evergreen.
3. 1. Seeing a tiger, he fled.
2. Did mother give a piece of bread to the beggar?
3. I didnt love my country.
4. 1. Let nobody be hated by you.
2. This box will have to be moved by you.
3. It is time for the homework to be done.
5. 1. She is so good that she cannot be dishonest.
2. Silver is not as precious as gold.
3. No other girl in the class is as intelligent as Bhoomi.
formative assessments
tenses or using correct forms of verbs

1. (a) does not know (b) use
1st t e r m s O l u t i o n s 17
(c) do not know (d) has grown (e) are (f) become
2. (a) paints (b) is (c) lived (d) worked
(e) was murdered (f) had united
3. (a) (iii) had (b) (ii) came (c) (iv) woke (d) (ii) started
(e) (i) bark (f) (iv) awoke
4. (a) (iv) invited (b) (iii) reached (c) (ii) had (d) (i) come
(e) (ii) introduced (f) (iii) brought
sentence structure
1. (a) Selflessness is a God-gifted virtue.
(b) A selfless man puts aside his self. (or puts his self aside)
(c) He thinks for others and works for others.
2. (a) Most bats are harmless to people.
(b) Bats are one of the worlds most misunderstood creatures.
(c) There are about 1000 kinds of bats.
3. (a) The elders give young ones gifts on festivals.
(b) The boys lost their way in the jungle.
(c) Monkeys attack when they are frightened.
Or
When monkeys are frightened, they attack.
4. (a) 2. is the shop?
(b) 1. you going there in the evening?
(c) 4. will you go there?
connectors
1. (a) Though (b) as (c) because (d) and (e) while (f) and
2. (a) and (b) because (c) or (d) when (e) Neither (f) because
3. (a) (ii) still (b) (iii) and (c) (ii) So (d) (iii) that (e) (ii) but (f) (iii) and
determiners
1. (a) the (b) an (c) most (d) An (e) a (f) the
2. (a) a (b) X (c) X (d) the (e) A (f) a (g) a
3. (a) our (b) an (c) some (d) the (e) A (f) a
4. (a) (iii) Some (b) (iv) these (c) (ii) the (d) (i) a
(e) (iii) these (f) (iii) many
pronouns
1. (a) your (b) our (c) She (d) her (e) them (f) they
2. (a) They (b) each other (c) this (d) everybody (e) what (f) he
3. (a) It (b) All (c) They (d) themselves (e) what (f) they
4. (a) (i) I (b) (ii) my (c) (iii) someone (d) (iii) no one (e) (iv) all (f) (iii) I
18 e n g l i s h c o m m u n i c a t i v e Ix
prepositions
1. (a) of (b) of (c) in (d) in (e) from (f) of (g) with (h) of
2. (a) for (b) without (c) in (d) of (e) of (f) from (g) from (h) to
3. (a) in (b) on (c) of (d) From (e) of (f) with
4. (a) (iii) of (b) (ii) of (c) (iii) of (d) (ii) in (e) (ii) over (f) (iii) of
5. (a) (ii) by (b) (ii) of (c) (ii) in (d) (iv) of (e) (i) With (f) (ii) into
clauses
1. (a) which (b) who (c) that (d) which (e) which (f) which
2. (a) when (b) where (c) so that (d) as if (e) if (f) because
3. (a) 4. where you bought it from (b) 2. which is situated in Kamla Nagar
(c) 4. how much it cost you
4. (a) 2. how you managed (b) 3. which has helped me
(c) 4. what your future plan is
modals
1. (a) may (b) should (c) can (d) may (e) Can (f) will
2. (a) May (b) can (c) shall (d) will (e) would (f) neednt
3. (a) should (b) must (c) will (d) will (e) should (f) will
4. (a) will (b) can (c) can (d) could (e) must (f) will
passive voice
1. (a) 4. is killed (b) 3. can be made (c) 3. are given
2. (a) 2. was committed (b) 3. is believed (c) 4. had been forced
3. 1. (b) were killed 2. (c) were caned
3. (d) has been developed
narration
1. (a) 3. if he could tell him the way (b) 3. if he wanted one in which he could
(c) 4. he did not want to stay there
2. (a) 4. that there was a fly in his soup (b) 3. why they didnt take care
(c) 2. that they couldnt serve elephants
3. (a) 1. he was going to the market (b) 3. what he would bring home
(c) 3. he would bring nothing

1st t e r m s O l u t i o n s 19
LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS &
C LONG READING TEXT
HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDMOTHER TO READ (Fiction)

I. 1. (a) The grandmother bent down and touched the feet of her granddaughter. This was
something unusual because elders never touch the feet of youngsters.
(b) The grandmother touched her granddaughters feet as a mark of respect for her
teacher. The granddaughter taught her grandmother to read.
(c) According to the narrator, touching the feet of young girls by an elder was not correct
as it reversed the tradition.
II. 1. As a young girl she never went to school. After marriage at a young age, she became
busy in rearing and feeding children. At times she used to regret not going to school. So
she made sure that her children and grandchildren studied well.
2. The sixty-two-year-old bespectacled grandmother told her granddaughter the story of her
life in the middle of night. Her face looked unhappy and her eyes were filled with tears. It
was her inability to read the printed words that had caused the worried expression on
her face.
3. The illiterate grandmother needed the help of her educated twelve-year-old granddaughter.
She wanted to start learning Kannada, though she was sixty-two and had to do a lot of
work in kitchen. She defended her decision. She said, For learning there is no age bar.
Secondly, determination can help one overcome all obstacles.
4. She said that she had touched her feet as a mark of respect to her teacher. She had
taught her so well and so affectionately that she was able to read any novel confidently
in a very short period. She reminded her of the scriptures which said, A teacher should
be respected, irrespective of the gender and age.
III. 1. Friday
26 March 20XX
O! What a surprise our school had for us today. We were led to Asha Kiranan Old Age
Home to celebrate Grandparents Day. We decorated the hall of the old building with balloons
and ribbons. A big cake was placed on a table in the centre. Then the grey-haired sweethearts
were invited there. We sang songs for them. Some of them smiled and joined us in singing.
Others sat without any expression. Some of us sat with them and talked to them. Then the
pieces of cake were distributed. Their eyes sparkled with joy. The diabetic people were quite
excited on seeing the forbidden delicacy.
I felt sad to learn that many of them almost missed their grandchildren. One of them
told me that her son was in the U.S. He found it difficult to look after her. So he left her
at this Home. Though she had people of her age group there and got full medical care
and other attention, she felt lonely, depressed and insecure as she had been cut off from
her grandchildren.
I realised the plight of those who suffered silently without a word of complaint on their
lips. We, the youngsters, have a special obligation towards them. Instead of forcing them
to spend their old age in loneliness and insecurity, we must keep them happy in our own
homes. Our love, affection and admiration can make them realise their worth to us.
2. There is no surer formula for success than determination. No illiterate ever became
literate in a day. No genius became famous overnight. If every person trying to achieve
anything in life had lost heart easily, the world would never have seen such great
sportspersons, leaders, artists, scientists and saints. When you read about the lives of
the makers of history, you will realise how they had to try again and again, some for
years, to achieve what they wanted. We give below many examples. Henry Fords initial
businessess failed, leaving him broke, five times before he started the Ford Motorcar
Company. Soichiro Honda failed even a small job interview with the Toyota company
and was jobless for sometime before he started the Honda Motors company.
Famous people like Goswami Tulsidas, the author of the epic Ramcharitmanas, Plato,
Burke, Virgil, J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter books) had to strive hard repeatedly to
succeed. They prepared themselves to be ready to strive till they reached their goal.
They had lots of failures in the path of their success but they were never disheartened.
They considered the moments of failure as the stepping stones to success, so they
were closer to success.
Failures should only be treated as one more experience which makes us wiser so that
we will not repeat the same mistakes. What is defeat? Defeat is nothing but education,
nothing but the first step to doing something better, says Wendell Phillips.
So everyone, even ordinary people can rise to great heights of success if they have
the courage to keep on trying i.e., are determined. For one who determines to keep
trying till success is achieved, the sky is the limit.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
ROLE-PLAY: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (Fiction)
1. Sudha :
Avva, is everything all right? Are you OK?
Grandmother : (Weeping) I never went to school. I cant read.
Avva, dont cry. Can I help you in any way?
Sudha :
Grandmother : Yes, I need your help. I want to learn Kannada alphabet from tomorrow. Ill
work hard. I want to read Kashi Yatre on Saraswati Pooja day before Dassara.
Sudha : You are sixty-two. Your hair is grey. Your hands are wrinkled. You wear spectacles.
You work so much in the kitchen ... .
Grandmother : My child, Im determined. Ill overcome obstacles. Moreover, for learning there
is no age bar.
Sudha : OK. Avva! Now sleep peacefully. Well start from tomorrow.
2. 19 June 20XX Wednesday 8 pm
Today I am very happy as my cherished desire to learn to read is going to be fulfilled. My
granddaughter, Sudha, has at last consented to teach me. I found free time from my work
according to her convenience. She began with Kannada alphabet. For an hour she taught me how
to read and write them. I resolved firmly that I would not let her effort go waste. I, therefore,
determined to read, repeat, write and recite whatever she taught me. I worked as a diligent and
devoted student. I know that the road ahead is difficult, but I have lit the lamp of knowledge
and I will keep it burning brighter and brighter.
3. (a) (i) They blew balloons and hung them around the hall.
(ii) They cut out chart papers, wrote quotes, drew pictures and stuck them on the wall.
(iii) Some of them sang songs while others sat beside them and spoke to them.
(iv) They cut the cake into several pieces and distributed it among them.
(b) (i) sadness
(ii) loneliness/cut off from grandchildren
(iii) insecurity
(c) (i) telling them how much we love them and making them feel their worth. Proper care,
love, respect and security are essential.
(ii) keeping grandparents with us and showering regard, love and affection on them.
A DOG NAMED DUKE (Fiction)

I.
1. (a) The target that Chuck hit on 1 March was a full days work.
(b) In order to increase his stability and endurance, Hooper turned completely to Duke. It
was because there was no time for the physiotherapy programme.
(c) Dukes job was to get Chuck on his feet.
II. 1. Initially when Charles Hooper brought Duke home, Marcy was almost impolite to him. He
was a rough-playing Doberman Pinscher. She preferred a Pomeranian. However, as she
watched Duke taking the sole responsibility of making Chuck walk she softened towards
him. When Duke was injured, she would not allow anyone else to carry him.
2. Duke would lie on the floor beside his masters bed. Then he would spring to his feet. He
stalked to the bed, poked his pointed nose under Chucks elbow and lifted it. He nudged
and needled and snorted. Hooper would ask him to go and run around the house. Duke
would come over to the bed again and yap and poke.
3. Duke would pull his leash taut. Then he would stand and wait. Hooper would drag himself
up to the dog. Then the dog would move forward to the end of the leash and wait again.
The pair set daily goals. They would move from one fence post to another.
4. Chuck was fighting hard for a comeback. So no one could tell him that he could not handle his
old job. On the other hand, he could work only an hour per day. The problem was what to do
with a salesman who couldnt move around and would work for only an hour a day.
III. 1. Duke was an intelligent and faithful dog. He understood the problem of his master. Since
the left side of his body was paralysed, he needed help to stand, move and retain balance.
Duke could not bear the boredom of remaining idle and keep staring at his masters face.
He tried hard to make his master come back to his normal life. Hooper held the leash
tightly. Duke would stand still. Hooper leaned forward and moved his right leg out in
front. As he straightened his right leg, this caused the left foot to drag forward alongside
the right. Thus he took the first step.
Duke motivated his master. He gave him full support. Now Hooper did not need the support
of his wife. Duke took the full responsibility of his master. Gradually, they increased the
length of their trip as well as speed. It was an ordeal for Duke and his master. But the
rigorous exercise that Duke forced on his master led to the success of the mission. Now
Hooper could walk alone without any help.
2. To: mohitarora@gmail.com
From: kavishkhanna@gmail.com
Subject: Caring for dogs.
In your last mail you wanted to know about caring for dogs.
Dogs are pack animalsthey depend on us for love and protection. We have to make them
a part of our family. They can suffer from stress and loneliness. Though dogs and human
beings speak different languages, interactive training gives dogs greater freedom and a better
understanding of our world. We should be the one to train our dogs, not professionalswe
should be the one who will need to know how to communicate with our dogs.
Dogs can also sense when something is wrong with people near them. Living with their
owners they can sense the pain or sadness exhibited by their owners. They can realise
that their owner or his/her children need their help and respond accordingly. Dogs get
depressed if they are deprived of adequate social interaction, so let them chat and play
with other dogs on walks and at parks. Let them live a little, make choices and take
their time.
Dogs are very sensitive and can become easily frightened, so speak softly to dogs, and
dont shout or fight in their presence. So when Duke (the dog in a story I had read
recently) saw that his master was unable to move due to paralysis, he realised that his
master needed assistance in trying to move his legs. And Duke tried hard everyday and
his master made progress slowly. One day his master was ultimately able to walk on
his own. If seemed that the dog knew that his job was to get his master back on his
feet. So lets take of our pet dogs for they would always be of help to us and not let us
down. Dogs are after all mans most faithful animal companion.
3. In anything you do, work one step at a time. Theres a saying, Never bite off more
than you can chew. If each job done is divided into little steps, and each step done
systematically, success will surely be close at hand.
Lord Chesterfield said, I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will
take care of themselves. Moreover it is necessary to set daily goals, goals that can be
achieved. If you falter or break down, go ahead with determination once again.
If you see problems as challenges, your mind is more prepared to handle them coolly.
A problem is an opportunity given to you to solve something and feel good about it,
like the satisfaction you get by solving a puzzle or a riddle. A difficult situation can
be called an issue by a mature person, a problem by a person having less mental
strength and a crisis by a weak person.
Swami Chinmayananda defines a successful person as one who builds a firm foundation
with the bricks that others throw at him. Practice hard towards perfection and do it
regularly. Keep on going, be determined, steadfast and you will be crowned with success.
JUST A MINUTE: A Dog Named Duke (Fiction)

1. June 1, 1956
January 4
March 1
October 12, 1957
2. Courage: Subdural haemorrhage paralysed Charles Hooper. He remained in a critical condition
for a month, but he never gave up courage. Six weeks after the accident, he was put in a
wheel-chair. When Marcy went out to work, he was left alone.

Perseverance: Chuck didnt make much headway even after his paralysed arm and legs were
worked on and he had been given baths, exercise and a wheeled walker. He kept following
Duke everyday. The dog controlled his movements. From a single step on the first day, he
could walk up to 200 metres after 8 months.

Determination: Chuck decided not to yield. Duke was brought home. The dog was impatient for
his masters company. He pulled the leash taut and let Chuck sway forward. Chuck dragged
his left foot alongside the right. He felt exhausted, but did not give up the effort.

Endurance: Charles had to face physical pain, mental anguish, depression, sadness, loneliness,
helplessness at his paralysed state. He felt shocked and grieved which expressed itself in the
form of anger. He endured physical and emotional strain and adapted himself to new way of life.

Faith: Dukes re-entry into Hoopers life lifted his numb spirits. He made Hooper take the
first step. This rekindled hope. He had full faith in Duke. From shock, denial, helplessness
and anger, he learnt to cope with challenge. He accepted the changed mode of life.
3. (a) quivering (b) grin
(c) blonde (d) rambunctiousness
(e) shimmied (f) rampageous
(g) critical (h) confinement
(i) subdural haemorrhage (j) bellow
THE BROOK (Poem)

I. 1. (a) The brook is an eternal, fearless wanderer. It moves at night in frightening and lonely
places having thorny bushes and trees.
(b) The brook murmurs at night when it flows through wilderness covered with thorny
bushes.
(c) When the brook faces obstructions in the form of shingles it slows down a bit and moves idly.
II. 1. The brook does not behave like ordinary travellers. It does not suspend its journey at
night through desolate places. The brook is an eternal, fearless wanderer. It moves at
night in frightening and lonely places having thorny bushes and trees.
2. Linger means to stay longer or spend a long time doing something. The brook slows
down a bit when shingles bar its movement. Loiter means to hang around; to stand and
wait somewhere, with no obvious reason. When the brook comes across cressesthose
pungent leaved plants like a cabbageit moves around them very slowly.
3. There is a strong parallelism between the movement of the brook and the course of human
life. Just as one has to go through many ups and downs in ones life, the brook also
changes its course several times passing over smooth and rough surfaces alike. Human
life is full of joys and sorrows, songs and tears, periods of activity and rest, fast speed
and slow movements. The brook sparkles in its early stage and makes a lot of noise
as if it were bickering. It reacts angrily to obstacles just like human beingsit frets and
fumes. It murmurs on pebbles and slips by some obstructions. It slows down its speed as
the amount of obstacles increases.
4. There is a striking contrast between the brook and human existence. Human life finally
culminates in death. The brook merges in the river and loses its identity. However, it
remains everflowing from its origin to the point of merger. There is no such perenniality
in case of man who is mortal and death marks the end of his existence.
GROUP DISCUSSION: The Brook (Poem)

1. The other movement words are:
hurry, slip, flow, wind, travel and move.
2. The other sound words are:
chatter, babble, murmur, fret.
3. (a) A word or a combination of words, whose sound seems to resemble the sound it denotes is
called onomatopoeia.
Examples: hiss, buzz.
(b) The onomatopoiec words are:
chatter, babble, murmur, fret.
Reinforcement [Group Discussion]

1. (b) comes from the place where coots and herons live
3. (a) passes under fifty bridges
4. (d) crosses both fertile and fallow land
5. (c) passes lawns filled with flowers
6. (e) goes through wilderness full of thorny bushes
ACTIVITY

First Option
The brook originates from a hilly watery place and flows down the valley with a lot of noise. Its
water sparkles as it passes through the ferns grown in wet areas and shines brightly with flashes
of light under the sun. The brook passes through valleys and near towns and villages. It passes
under fifty bridges. It moves in a zigzag manner and crosses both fertile and fallow lands. It
passes through lawns filled with flowers and carries flowers, leaves and fishtrout or grayling, as
well as foamy flakes. When its water moves over the golden gravel it breaks into many a silvery
waterbreak. It goes in the dark, but glances out. Swallows fly over its surface. It makes the netted
sunbeam dance against its sandy shallows. It murmurs at night as it goes through wilderness
full of thorny bushes. It lingers by shingly bars and loiters around the pungent learned cresses.
It curves out and flows to join the river.
Second Option
The origin of the brook is a hilly watery place. It hurries down the hills and slips by the ridges.
It is in a buoyant mood as it flows down the valley with a lot of noise. Its cheerfulness and
enthusiasm have a childlike quality.
When it moves on stony paths, it creates various noises. These noises are different when its
water moves in spirals. When it flows on pebbles, it creates sounds as if it were talking to itself.
It gets angry when it makes many curves on its banks and fallow fields. It creates much noise
as it encounters obstacles. It moves in a zigzag manner. It passes silently by lawns and grassy
plots. It slides by small hazel trees. It slips, slides, glooms and glances merrily while flowing.
It murmurs at night when it passes through wilderness. It passes by the little town and under
many bridges. It then flows by Philips farm and joins the brimming river. Thus the journey of
the brook is short but eventful. It is significant as it reminds us of ups and downs of life and
our own mortal state.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN (Poem)

I.
1. (a) He shall be telling that two roads diverged in a wood and he had taken the less travelled
by.
(b) Yes, the poet regretted his choice. The expressions telling this with a sigh and that
has made all the difference convey his sadness.
(c) The poet wants to convey the idea that choices must be made very carefully because
they have far reaching consequences and can affect the course of life.
II. 1. He shall be telling that two roads diverged in a wood and he had taken the less travelled
by. The poet wants to convey the idea that choices must be made very carefully because
they have far reaching consequences and can affect the course of life.
2. The poet regretted his choice. The expressions telling this with a sigh and that has
made all the difference convey his sadness. He had taken the road less travelled by.
This charming road looked adventurous but was hazardous. He chose the unconventional
calling and became a poet. This has made all the difference in his life. Now he can not
adopt his family business.
III. 1. First Option
The poem The Road Not Taken is about the choices that one makes in life. Robert
Frost presents the theme through the metaphor of a fork from where two roads diverge
in different directions. Here roads are metaphors for life, changes, journeys, partings,
adventures etc. The roads represent two alternatives of life: one is the familiar, beaten
track on which so many have walked. The other is the fresh, adventurous and greener
one. It may involve risks but looks more tempting. After deliberation the poet chooses
the unbeaten trail. Years later he regrets his decision. The regret will remain because
at a given moment one can choose only one of the alternatives, which means one has to
yearn for the road not taken. One can only imagine what life would have been if the road
not taken had been chosen.
Second Option
The choice of career will depend on many factors like aptitude, ability, financial position,
opportunities for advancement, risks involved. At the tender age of 15, one is too young to
foresee the pros and cons of the choice. It is the peer-pressure or the unfulfilled ambitions
of the parents that lead the young student of 15 to opt for the stream of studiesscience,
arts or commerce that eventually leads to choice of profession in that stream. In this age
of rapidly advancing technology, the beaten tracks offer no thrill or opportunities to show
ones worth. The untravelled ones, though risky, are more promising. I would opt for a
fresher pasture and take risks. If I dont venture, I wont gain anything.
GROUP DISCUSSION: The Road Not Taken (Poem)

1. The other choices are:
Money, Profession, Children, Marriage
[Answers will vary from student to student.]
2. Varied answers possible.
The common dilemmas could be:
(a) Choosing ones apparels
(b) Ones school/college/university
(c) Opting for different professions
(d) Food items, subjects, disciplines, books, friends etc.
Explanatory Note: First of all the choice of profession will have to be made. This choice
is interconnected with studies. The determining factors in this choice will be ones aptitude,
capabilities and financial resources. The importance of money in todays world cannot be
overlooked. Here the determining factors will be whether one wants money to amass material
possessions or just to meet ones physical needs and live a comfortable life. Then comes the
choice of marriage. Here ones concept of a life partner will be the deciding factor. After
marriage one has to decide how many children one would like to have. This decision too
depends upon ones concept of a happy family.
Reinforcement [Group Discussion]
Varied answers are possible. The choices and decisions made will make it clear whether the
choices are acceptable and less risky or the usual ones.
Students may discuss among themselves and their seniors. Teachers may help them by
providing hints.
THE SOLITARY REAPER (Poem)

I.
1. (a) Weary bands in line 2 means the tired groups of travellers in the sandy deserts of
Arabia.
(b) The phrase shady haunt reminds us of shady place in a desert.
(c) The sweet and enchanting song of the nightingale provides comfort to the tired
travellers.
II. 1. The nightingales sing in the deserts of Arabia to welcome the tired travellers to a shady
haunt. The tired travellers feel fresh on hearing the sweet song of the nightingale. Their
tiredness disappears.
2. The songs of the nightingale and the cuckoo are the sweetest, most pleasant and most
refreshing. By comparing it, the poet wants to establish a fact that the song of the solitary
reaper was simply incomparable in its music, melody and sweetness.
3. The poet saw a highland girl, reaping and binding the grain all alone. She was singing a
melodious song in her Scottish dialect. The whole valley was echoing her song. The poet
was held spellbound. He did not wish to disturb her.
4. The girl sang in Scottish dialect which the poet could not understand. However, the
plaintive numbers suggested that she might be singing about a disaster or calamity in
the past: Old, unhappy, far off things or some natural sorrow. She might be singing
of some natural sorrow, loss or pain or of human misery that has been, and may be
again.
APPRECIATION OF THE THEME: Solitary Reaper (Poem)

1. (a) some natural sorrow, loss or pain

(b) familiar matter of today

(c) natural loss/unhappy, far off things

(d) battles long ago
2. Singer Place Heard by Impact on listener

Solitary Scottish the poet holds him spellbound
Reaper Highlands
Nightingale Arabian sands/ weary travellers travellers feel fresh
deserts tiredness disappears
Cuckoo farthest Hebrides sailors sailors feel thrilled
3. (a) was walking (b) field

(c) was singing (d) affected/fascinated
(e) listened (f) to fill
(g) a sad one (h) plaintive
(i) melancholy (j) reminded
PROJECT
... and sings a melancholy strain, ...
More welcome notes to weary bands
Breaking the silence of the seas
LORD ULLINS DAUGHTER (POEM)

I. 1. (a) He here is Lord Ullin. He cried in grief because he was watching his own daughter
drowning in that stormy water.
(b) Lord Ullin promised to forgive the highland chief.
(c) The repetition of the words come back shows Lord Ullins insistence. He makes
repeated requests to his daughter to return to the shore.
2. (a) His horsemen in line 1 refer to the horse riding soldiers of Lord Ullin.
(b) If they are caught, the lover will be slain. Then there would be none left to make the
beautiful and charming bride happy.
(c) The lover was defying Lord Ullin and fleeing away with his daughter against his
wishes. The punishment for this crime is death.
II. 1. He promised to forgive her lover, the highland chief. He couldnt fulfil his promise as the
lovers could neither return nor get aid. They were drowned in the wild water and Lord
Ullin stood lamenting.
2. The two different meanings of stormy are as under:
(i) The land was full of horsemen pursuing her.
(ii) The waves were rising high because of tempest.
3. Scotland stretches across a vast tract. It has a spectacular fusion of wooded glens and
sweeping moors. There are rugged coasts, towering mountains and green valleys. It has
deep blue lakes, which are known as Lochs.
4. Lord Ullins Daughter is a popular romantic poem. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain
and his beloved flee from her wrathful father. They are caught in a surging, stormy sea.
Their defiance leads to their deaths.
5. The daughter of Lord Ullin loves the Chieftain passionately. She wants to marry him.
But she knows her father will never agree to it. He would rather get her lover killed. So
she had no alternative except to defy her father and elope with her lover.
6. The boatman who ferries the couple across the sea is courageous and helpful. He does
not care for money. He is a man of word. He risks everything to fulfil his promise.
III. 1. First Option
I agree with the statement. This poem is included in most of the anthologies and textbooks
for various classes. It is indeed a popular romantic poem. It is located in the Scottish
glens and blue lakes known as Lochs. It deals with the elopement of Lord Ullins daughter
with her lovera Scottish Chieftain. Since the Chief of Ulva is not on good terms with
Lord Ullin, the match is not approved. The lady is caught in a dilemma. She overrules
the opposition of her angry father and flees with her lover. The paths of love never run
straight. They want to cross the Lochgyle but a tempest overpowers them. She prefers
death in the arms of her lover rather than face wrathful father. Her defiance leads to the
death of the two lovers in a surging, stormy sea. This is the usual tragic end of most of
the romantic love stories.
Second Option
The first danger is the wrath of Lord Ullin. If he or his men catch the lovers, the Chief
of Ulva, the lover, would be killed at once. The lovers have been trying to run to safety
from their pursuers for the last three days. They reach the shore. The Chieftain requests
the boatman to ferry them across the Lochgyle. The storm has grown more fierce now.
The horsemen were coming near the shore. Their trampling could be heard closely. The
beloved asked the boatman to make haste. She would prefer to meet the second danger
(angry skies) rather than her angry father. However, the stormy sea proves too strong for
human beings. Lord Ullin softens and promises to forgive them. But the storm drowns
the lovers.
APPRECIATION OF THE THEME: Lord Ullins Daughter (Poem)

1. (a) Chieftain (b) ferry
(c) Lord Ullins men (d) beloved
(e) grown loud (f) to make haste
(g) stormy land (h) shore
(i) vain (j) lover
2. Stanza 6 : Waves are raging white
Stanza 7 : Water-wraith was shrieking
: Scowl of heaven
Stanza 9 : raging of the skies
Stanza 10 : stormy sea
: stormy land
: The tempest gatherd oer her
Stanza 13 : stormy water
Stanza 14 : loud waves lashd the shore
3. Highlands bound; fast before her fathers; bonny bride; hardy highlands; bonny bird; wilder
blew the wind, Adown the glen; rode armed; stormy sea; human hand storm and shade; did
discover; loud waves lashd the shore; water wild went; left lamenting.
4. 11.30 p.m. Friday, 25 April 20XX
At last after three days we could reach the shore of the Lochgyle. We had faced many difficulties
during our hard and constant journey on horseback for three days and three nights. But what
lay ahead was nerve-wrecking. A violent storm had risen. The tempest was lashing the shores
horribly. The waves were rising to the skies. The water seemed to touch the zenith. A boat
was caught amidst these stormy waters. Lord Ullin was wailing bitterly and shouting to his
daughter to come back. He raised hands upwards and cried most piteously but the heavens
took no note of his change of heart. The storm raged unabated. It claimed the lives of his
daughter and her lover, the chieftain of Ulva isle. The scene was heart-rending and bone-
chilling. The scene was so shocking that even hard-hearted soldiers like me had to avert our
gaze from Lord Ullins piteous face. What an unlucky father!
VILLA FOR SALE (Drama)

I. 1. (a) T5here is discrepency between what Gaston said earlier and what he says now. Earlier
he did not want Jeannes parents to stay with them. But now he is showing concern
for them.
(b) The above statement reveals a truth about Gastons character. He is a hypocrite.
(c) Gaston has been thinking seriously about their own old age.
II. 1. She calls it the most delightful little place which has a charm of its own in spite of its
modest appearance. The house possesses a great many advantages. It has electricity,
gas, water, telephone and drainage. The bathroom is beautifully fitted and the roof was
entirely repaired last year.
2. It is Gaston who is better in business. Juliette tries her best to dispose of the villa. She
tries to please her customers. She has to reduce the asking price and sell villa at the
cost price. Gaston tackles the American actress tactfully and writhily. He sells the villa
for three hundred thousand francs and makes a profit of one hundred thousand without
any investment.
3. She says (i) You French people have a cute way of doing business.
(ii) Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on.
She makes the first statement when she finds that the selling price of the villa is not
marked on the signboard For Sale. She hints at their habit of negotiating the deal. The
second statement hits at the Frenchmens habit of consultation and not taking a decision
independently.
4. I like Gaston in spite of his many negative qualities. Admittedly, he is cunning, haughty,
overbearing, domineering and disapproving, but he is also clever, witty, smart, humorous
and practical. He may seem materialistic and money-minded but he is an expert at striking
bargain and dealing with people. He causes a lot of humour by his witty remarks.
III. 1. Tuesday 16 March 20XX
What a disgusting day I had and that too because of my husband who first belittled me
in my own eyes for having no money of my own and yet insisting on buying a villa for my
parents. I felt helpless when he flatly refused to buy the villa. He has no consideration
for the softer feelings of others. His statement I have never cared much about anybodys
opinion keeps ringing in my ears even now.
When I came downstairs with the landlady of the villa, Gastonthe great dissembler
posed to be sweet like honey and remarked that he had been thinking of my papa and
mamma. Now in spite of my refusal, he bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs.
I was shocked utterly and filled with rage when he boasted to me that he had made a
hundred thousand francs and a Corot! When I insisted, he explained that he had entered
into agreement to buy the villa only after he had received a cheque for selling it. In this
way he fooled not only me but also the landlady. His cunningness pricks me hard. What
a shameful act it is!
2. Tuesday
23 October 20XX
9.45 p.m.
Oh! What a day it was. Gaston and I went to see a small villa that was offered for sale
by Madame Juliette, the villas owner. Initially he was not interested in the villa at all.
Then he even made fun of Juliette and ridiculed her. When I was not satisfied with the
smallness of the villa and decided to leave that place he suddenly changed his stance. He
started praising the villa and readily bought the villa by handing Juliette a cheque for
two hundred thousand francs. He also convinced Juliette to part with her fond painting.
Then he told me in the evening how he had already sold that villa to a female American
film star who had come there and was very desperate to buy it as it suited her shooting
location. He told me that he had made a cool profit of one hundred francs by doing so.
Oh what a disgusting, uncivilized, ungentlemanly thing to sell a property which was not
his, by backdating a cheque. He had exhibited his greed and selfishness. I wish he did
not betray the trust Juliette placed on us and the trust I had placed on him. I thought
that he would live up to his word by allowing my parents to stay in that villa. Why did
he do so when we had enough of everything?
What if Juliette were to learn later on how she had been hoodwinked by my trickster
husband. Wont we cut a sorry figure in the society in which we move? Wont we be
criticised and shunned for his disgusting behaviour and cheating? I wish Gaston had
thought of the consequences before doing so. I wish he had been transparent and open
in his dealings. I wish he had exhibited truth and honesty in his dealings.
In sadness.
3. It was due to impatience that Juliette had to sell her villa for two hundred thousand francs.
Had she waited for some more days or for some more customers and evaluated each choice she
would have got a better price for the property. In the same vein, Mrs Al Smith also showed
impatience while buying the villa. She clearly showed that she was desperate to buy the villa.
The moment she announced her plans to Gaston that she was going to demolish the villa and
build a bungalow there she indeed revealed that she was flush with money, thereby giving
a hint to Gaston that he can get a fantastic bargain by selling that villa to her. She never
showed patience and didnt haggle over the price of the villa which any purchaser would do.
After all deals are fixed and amounts are settled only after a good deal of bargaining. She also
didnt see whether the house was worth the price she was paying. Lastly when she handed
over the cheque, she didnt even put his name on it. Instead she advised Gaston to write his
name on the cheque himself. Little did she know that a unnamed cheque could by misused
by anybody.
All these acts show us what damage impatience can cause in ones life. It is necessary
to be patient in ones dealings whether at school, home, office or anywhere else. The one
who is patient always has an advantage over the other person who has been impatient
in his dealings. Remember, patience always pays.
4. Gaston showed an excellent presence of mind by selling the villa (which he had not even
bought) to Mrs Al Smith for three hundred thousand francs. It was this quality in him
which make him realise that he could easily palm off that villa to her as she exhibited
impatience and desperation in buying it. She was wanting to get that villa and price was
not a factor for her. She also brandished the fact that she was a film star who wanted to
demolish the villa and build a bungalow so that she could be near Joinville, the French
Hollywood centre. These hints were sufficient evidence for Gaston that she was awash with
money, desperate to get the villa for her use and that she would buy the villa whatever
be the price he may quote.
Another virtue which has been portrayed by Gaston was to strike hard when the
opportunity comes. Opportunities dont come again and again. Only the one who senses
the opportunity and acts to grab it becomes victorious.
Gaston sensed the opportunity at the right moment and struck the deal instantly. So did
he later strike the deal with Juliette to buy the villa from her for two hundred thousand
francs. So it is necessary to have a presence of mind, alertness and the ability to strike
hard when the opportunity presents itself.
f
ormative assessment
Dramatisation/Role-Play: Villa for Sale (Drama)

1. Classroom activity.
2. The play deals with the eternal theme of greeda basic human instinct. It is portrayed in
modern setting and in modern times. It uses five characters only but only two are on the stage
for longer periods. Almost all the players have lived up to their roles. The helplessness of the
houseowner, craze for films and acting in the French town, the queer haste of American lady
to buy a villa and her reasons thereofare all brought home clearly. It is Gaston, the cunning
youngman, who keeps us in good humour by his witty dialogue and wins our admiration. The
roles, language and dialogue are apt, concise and illustrative.
The dramatisation is beautifully organised. Entrances and exits are flawless. Props have been
used properly. The costumes are in full agreement with the status of person portrayed by the
character. Music highlights the ups and downs in the play.
I liked the ending of the play. It thrills and excites the spectators. What a clever but hilarious
ending!
3. front lawn, big trees/plants, facing the east near a river or sea-shore, having all modern
amenities, open space at the back of the house, well ventilated
4. Juliette, the owner of a villa near Nogent-sur-Marne, wants to sell it as she is in need of
money. Moreover, she is not in favour of the house. Jeanne and Gaston, a couple visit her
with the aim of buying the villa. While Jeanne is enthusiastic about buying, Gaston detests
the idea as he does not want his in-laws in that house. Also he finds the asking price of 300
thousand francs to be expensive. When Jeanne and Juliette go around the house, another
customer walks in and starts talking to Gaston taking him to be Juliettes husband. Gaston
strikes a deal with the customer by which he is able to give 200 thousand francs to the owner
and keep one hundred thousand francs for himself.
NOVELS
GULLIVERS TRAVELS
1. Gulliver noticed peculiar things regarding Lilliputians. Their learning had flourished in all its
branches. Their manner of writing was aslant, i.e., from one corner of the paper to the other.
Their laws and customs were peculiar. All crimes against state were punished severely. If an
accused person made his innocence plainly upon his trial, the accuser was immediately put
to death. The emperor also conferred on him some public mark of his favour. They looked
upon fraud a greater crime than theft.
2. Lilliputians were of the view that parents should not be entrusted with the care and education
of their offsprings whose sole purpose was to bring them into this world. There were public
nurseries in every town and parents were expected to leave their children there. In these
nurseries children were reared and educated till they were at the age of twenty moons. These
schools were of different kinds suited to different qualities and to both sexes. The nurseries of
males of noble birth were provided with learned professors. The clothes and food were plain
and simple. They were brought up according to the principles of honour, Justice, courage,
modesty, clemency, religion and love. The parents were allowed to see them twice a year.
3. Gulliver became a victim of circumstances which allowed his opponents at the court to accuse
him of high treason. He was charged for making water within the precincts of royal palace
under the excuse of extinguishing fire in her Majestys palace. He refused his Majestys order
to seize the remaining ships of the empire of Blefuscu as he was unwilling to destroy the
liberty and life of innocent people. When certain ambassadors arrived from Blefuscu, Gulliver,
like a false traitor, aided and abetted them. Lastly, contrary to the duty of a faithful subject,
Gulliver was to make a voyage to the court and empire of Blefuscu.
4. When Gulliver was informed by Reldresal, a friend of his, that the court of the Emperor of
Lilliput had framed charges against him and they were planning to blind him, Gulliver first
of all thought of destroying Lilliput. But after some thought he resolved to leave Blefuscu
without making any fuss. He had already taken the verbal permission of emperor of Lilliput
to visit Blefuscu. So, he wrote a letter to his friend Reldresal informing him of his intention
to see Blefuscu. Without waiting for the answer, Gulliver crossed over to the side of Blefuscu.
Gulliver was received by the people who were expecting him. They took him to the king of
Blefuscu. King of Blefuscu along with the courtiers and empress and ladies welcomed Gulliver
to the land of Blefuscu.
5. When Gulliver was loitering on the north-east coast of Blefuscu, he saw an overturned boat in
the sea. He immediately went to the king of Blefuscu to get help of some seamen to bring the
boat to the shore. With the help of seamen Gulliver was able to bring the boat. With the help
of five hundred workmen Gulliver made two sails for the boat. His Majestys ship- carpenters
put up oars and masts of the ship. In one months time Gulliver was ready to set sail. The
king of Blefuscu presented Gulliver with fifty purses of two hundred spurgs, a picture of his
at full length. Loading the boat with enough food and drink, Gulliver parted with the king
and the queen of Blefuscu.
6. When one night Gulliver was woken up with loud cries of many hundred people, he was told
to rush to the palace at once where a fire had broken out in her Majestys apartment. Several
people were engaged in putting water on to the fire. But water was at a distance and the
buckets were too small to fetch enough water. Gulliver could easily put out the fire by his
coat but he had left it in the room. Suddenly, he thought to put out fire by urinating on it.
He discharged his urine and within few minutes succeeded in putting out the fire.
7. The king and the queen took Gullivers act of putting out fire in different ways. The king
was considering to pardon Gulliver by an act of Judiciary. The queen on her part could not
digest this act and resolved never to use that part of the palace and removed herself to the
distant side of the palace and vowed to take revenge on Gulliver.
8. Lemuel Gulliver is the most important character in Swifts Gullivers Travels. He is also
a keen observer and recorder of events, lands, people and their practices. No doubt, he is
a fictitious character invented by Swift. But he impresses us as a detached and impartial
observer and critic of mankind.
The voyages with the rough and stormy seas, the attack of sea-pirates or the fantastic
locations of islands everything finds a faithful record in Gullivers accounts. Gulliver is
also a sharp critic of the political, social, cultural and religious institutions and practices of
his own country.
Gulliver serves as a mouthpiece of Swift. Gullivers comments, conclusions, moralization or
condemnation are Swifts. Of course, they are veiled.
Gulliver gives his biographical details about his birth, marriage, education and profession.
He is the third son of a small landowner in Nottinghamshire. He is educated in Cambridge
and studied medicine. He is married to Mary who brings a good dowry to him. All these
biographical details make us believe that Gullivers character is not a fictitious but a real
character of flesh and blood.
Whether in Lilliput or in Laputa ; Brobdingnag or the land of the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver
observes everything with great care and impartiality. In first three parts of the book, he keeps
our interest alive through humorous episodes and amusing and entertaining descriptions. In
part IV, Gulliver as a mouthpiece of Swift goes very caustic in identifying men of his country
with the Yahoos. Here, Gulliver acts like a moral judge. The portrayal of Pedro de Mendezs
character shows that Gulliver (or even Swift) was not a hater of mankind.
9. Skyresh Bologlam was an influential man in the cabinet of Lilliput. He was jealous of Gulliver.
Though the king and majority of the cabinet was in favour of Gullivers liberty he opposed it
and prepared articles and conditions of Gullivers release. These articles put some restrictions
on Gulliver. Gulliver had to accept those conditions in order to get liberty. By these conditions
Gulliver had to accept the sovereignty of the king by becoming a loyal servant of the king.
By the description of it, Skyresh Bologlam seems to be an arrogant person always ready to
harm Gulliver by all means.
THREE MEN IN A BOAT

1. The kettle was not working properly up the river. The more they waited for it to come to a
boil, the more time it was taking. The proper way to treat it was to leave it there to boil and
take no notice of it. If it sees that you are waiting for and are anxious about it, it will never
even singe. You have to go away and begin your meal, as if you were not going to have any
tea at all. It is even better if you do not look at it. This is the best way to treat a kettle.
2. The author is of the view that it is only when our stomach is full our body and mind does the
business quite well. We can not work, we can not think unless our stomach is full. He says
that after eggs and bacon, it says work!. After beefsteak and porter it says sleep! After a cup
of tea, it says to the brain Now, rise, and show your strength... He says, we are the veriest,
sorriest slaves of our stomach. When your stomach is full, you tend to be a good citizen, a loving
husband and a tender fathera noble, pious man. The author aptly remarks that we can even
forget the follies of others when our stomach is full.
3. When the author could not sleep in the boat at night, he observed some strange facts about
night. It was a glorious night and the moon had sunk and left the quiet earth alone with the
stars. While we slept, like her children, the stars were talking to her (night) in mysterious
voices which we are unable to decipher. They awe us, these strange stars, so cold so clear.
We as children know not how to react to the situation.
Night seems so comfortable and full of strength. In its great presence our small sorrows creep
away. The day is full of fret and care and world seems to be so hard and wrong to us. Then
Night, like some great loving mother, gently lays her hand upon our head and smiles. We on
our part get solace in her presence and all our sufferings are gone.
4. The narrators dressing style shows that he is very particular about his looks when he says
that he likes a little red in his thingsred and black. As his hair is a sort of golden brown,
a dark red matches it beautifully. Instead of using a belt, he uses a handkerchief round the
waist which looks better than a belt.
Harris on his part prefers mixtures of orange or yellow. Author does not like this combination
as Harris complex is too dark for yellow. He wants him to prefer blue as a back ground with
white or cream for relief. George on the other hand is not bothered about the dressing. He
even dont seem to be sure of the colour of his blazer which according to shopkeeper was of
oriental design. When Harris opined that the blazer suits to be hanged over flower-bed to
scare away birds, George got infuriated.
5. The two youngmen fooled the party guests by inviting Herr Slossenn Boschen to sing. Herr
sang it in German. Nobody in the party knew German. The two youngmen deliberately told
the author and other guests that the song of Herr Slossenn will amuse them. But professor
sang a sad song in German. The guests at the party followed the young men by roaring and
tittering. When they did so German professor was not happy because guests at the party
annoyed him very much. It appeared that the song was not a comic one at all. By the time all
realised that they had been befooled by the two youngmen, they (two men) had disappeared
from the party. The party ended on a sad note.
6. When the author was rowing with his cousin from Goring, it was late and they planned to
reach Cleeve by the night fall. In between Goring and Cleeve was Wallingford lock, as the
map showed. They were rowing downthe river pretty fast but could not reach Wallingford
lock. As time went on and no sight of the lock at the expected place, they thought that they
had lost their way. The author got puzzled as to the location of the lock. The river seemed
more and more gloomy and mysterious under the gathering shadow of night. By chance, some
other people emerged on another boat. The author asked about the Wallingford lock. They
told him that it had been closed down a year ago. They had just neared Cleeve. The author
thanked them and he and his cousin got home for supper in time.
7. Harris is in the habit of taking the burden of doing everything himself. When Harris asks
for a bit of paper and pencil to jot down the list of materials needed for the boat trip, the
author is reminded of his Uncle Podger. Uncle Podger was in the habit of making all fuss
about taking up a job. In order to hang a picture on the wall, Uncle Podger would create
such confusion that the whole family was ultimately involved in the process. He would ask
for such things like ruler, step-ladder, hammer etc from family members to fix the picture
on the wall. He is hot-tempered and disoriented in his approach. These qualties are shown
by Harris too.
8. The narrator portrays Harris as a man of no emotions. He is not in the habit of crying. He
also does not know why it is so. He is also a jolly man. He is always after some sort of drink
in the offering. When everybody is worried he simply comes out with a solution. The author
is of the opinion that Harris always does know about a place round the corner where you can
get something brilliant in the drinking line. Harris is an easy going person who cares little
about other things.
SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE PAPER1
SECTIONA (READING)
1. 1. (a) To improve insulin function one must cut down all artificial foods.
(b) Butter, ghee, oils and fried foods should be avoided.
(c) Poly-unsaturated oil, like sunflower oil, mono-unsaturated oil such as olive oil is
recommended by the author.
(d) Karela, methi seeds, neem, jamun fruits are the herbs which improve insulin response.
(e) Garlic lowers blood sugar and decreases cholesterol.
(f) High fibre diet is the cornerstone of the treatment of most of the diseases.
(g) Potassium can be found in vegetable broths and raw, sprouted peanuts.
(h) Black channa, legumes, buttermilk, turmeric and amla are low sugar/glycerin index
diets.
2. 1. (a) Indoor pollution affects our health as the level of carbon-dioxide is found to be higher
than outside. Burning sensation in the eyes, drowsiness and tiredness are its symptoms.
(b) TERI findings are that indoor pollution can be as toxic as the quality of air outside.
(c) Lack of certain restrictions such as smoking in office premises, which is closed due to
air conditioning, can worsen the situation for non-smokers.
(d) Occuaptional hazards mean hazards due to ones prefession where such dangers lurk
around.
2. (a) acute (b) fatigue (c) infrastructure (d) restrictions
SECTIONB (WRITING & GRAMMAR)
3. What a horrible day it was! I was living in Mumfordganj locality of Allahabad. One night I
woke to relieve myself and my feet splashed in two inches water in the room. I was shocked
to see flood water entering the room through closed door. I found the whole surrounding area
submerged in flood water. The Ganga river had overflowed its embankment and for three
days there was no respite. Boats were used to carry the affected persons to safer places. We
took shelter on the roof of our house and helicopaters dropped milk and prepared food for us
in pouches.
4. THE LION AND THE HARE
Once upon a time, the lion, the king of the forest, was celebrating his birthday. All the animals
and birds of the forest were there to participate in the grand function. The last to arrive was
a small hare. The lion was furious at his impudence. He roared loudly and asked the hare the
reason for his late arrival. The hare said that another lion had come in the forest and that he
held him up on the way. The lion became all the more furious with rage. Show me that lion.
I will kill him, he roared.
The clever hare led the lion to a well and said, Sir, he lives inside. The lion looked into the
well and saw his own image in the water. Mistaking it for his enemy, he at once jumped into
the well to kill that lion. Since the well was a bit deep, the angry lion got drowned and died
instantly. Thus the other animals were saved from the lion by the clever hare.
5. (a) 3. by (b) 2. its (c) 3. and
(d) 4. across (e) 3. having (f) 4. for
6. (a) Her His (b) at with (c) did do (d) take took
(e) an the (f) were was (g) since and (h) about of
7. (a) on behind (b) in about/of (c) on and (d) is are
(e) in on (f) does do
SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)
8. 1. The water of lake had assumed the shape of a ghost in that wild weather.
2. The sky started scowling in that rough and wild weather. The human faces had become
dark.
3. The armed men rode up and down with their crushing sound sending chill down everyone.
Or
1. The writer of the novel Kashi Yatre is Triveni.
2. The old lady thought that she would get ultimate punya by worshipping Lord Vishweshwara.
So she had a strong desire to go to Kashi.
3. She could not go to Kashi because she gave away her savings to get a young orphan married.
9. (a) Robert Frost had to make a choice between the two roads. Both looked equally attractive
that morning. He took one road thinking he would walk on the other some other time. The
choice for the particular road depended on various reasons, such as it was fair and grassy.
It also wanted wear.
(b) Duke was certainly an extraordinary dog both in physical build and dedication to his master.
He had a high level of intelligence. Only once did he throw Chuck off balance and that too to
express his love at the reunion. From then on Duke behaved like a responsible companion.
It was Dukes initiative, persistence and perseverance that made Chuck walk again.
(c) Gaston detests the idea of buying the villa as he does not want his in-laws in that house.
He tells Jeanne that her parents will occupy the house every year from spring to autumn.
They would also bring the children of Jeannes sister there. He implies that there would be
no privacy left. Secondly, he finds the asking price of three hundred thousand francs to be
excessive.
(d) Her song is melancholy but sweet and melodious. The poet is lost in the sheer melody and
music of the song. Then there is the charm of the unseen, unknown and unfamiliar. These
prompt his imagination to roam freely. It has an unending fascination.
10. 20 April 20XX
Tuesday 8 pm
Today I am very happy as I feel independent. By the grace of God, guidance of my teacher and my
own determination, I have been able to overcome the obstacle of illiteracy that stood between me
and my desire to read the novels and scriptures. I am especially happy because I have achieved
the mission that I started so late in lifelearning alphabet at the age of sixty-two to being able
to read a novel by myself. For some observers, I might have presented a funny picturean old
grey haired woman in her sixties with spectacles on nose and wrinkled hands reading, repeating,
writing and reciting whatever the teacher allotted her as homework.
The day I was able to read the story of Kashi Yatre unaided, I decided to honour my teacher
who had opened the gate of literacy to me. I called my granddaughter to the pooja place, made
her sit down on a stool and gave her a gift of a frock material. Then I bent down and touched
my granddaughters feet. She was surprised and taken aback. I had done the reverse of the
traditionan elder touching the feet of younger. I explained that I was showing respect to my
teacher who taught me so well that I was able to read a novel within a short span of time. A
teacher must be respected irrespective of the gender and age.
Or
DUKES ROLE IN THE LIFE OF HIS MASTER
CharlesChuckHooper met with an accident in autumn and remained in hospital till spring.
His left side was completely paralysed. He couldnt move out of his bed. Duke was impatient
to lead Chuck outside. One evening Chuck hooked the leash on to Dukes collar. Duke pranced
and Chuck had fight for balance. He put the lease under his paralysed fingers and moved his
right leg out in front. Duke pulled the leash taut. Charles straightened his right leg. This caused
the left foot to drag forward. From one step a day, they made a steady progress. In two weeks
they reached the front porch.
Duke and Chuck persevered. By mid-April neighbours saw a daily struggle in front of Marcys
house. The master and his dog would come out on the sidewalk. Duke would pull his leash taut.
Then he would stand and wait. The man would drag himself abreast of the dog. Then the dog
would surge out to the end of the leash and wait again.
On June 1, i.e. after one and half months, they made to an intersection quite far away. Soon
Duke took Chuck for two trips a day. They lengthened the targets. It was one driveway at a
time. Now Duke no longer waited at each step. The big move came on January 4 when Hooper
walked 200 metres without Duke.
Though Duke was physically not with his master, it was the dog that had lifted his masters
numb spirits and rekindled hope. In fact, Duke had assumed all the responsibility for leading
Charles Hooper back to his office. Duke taught him to cope with the challenge and adjust to
the changed way of living. In fact, Duke held the key to all that Chuck achieved in his life.
11. (a) No doubt, Swifts Gullivers Travels is one of the greatest satirical works in English literature.
Swift adopted the form of a travelogue to expose individuals, communities and even mankind
for their follies, weaknesses, vices and hypocrisies. Gullivers Travels turns out to be
wonderful admixture of comic and corrosive satire. Through the accounts of his voyages to
strange and unexplored lands, Swift comes to the conclusion that the Yahoos in human form
living, particularly in Europe and England, are the worst specimen existing on the earth.
Swift employs all the possible devices and weapons like irony, ridicule, mockery and even
invective to lash human follies and weaknesses. Many critics believe that Gullivers Travels
is an allegorical satire where personalities and institutions are attacked not directly but in a
veiled manner. As Swift himself admitted that the purpose of the book was to vex the world
rather than to divert it.
All satires aim at reform. And so does Swifts Travels. Whether he succeeded or not is a
different matter. He himself deplores the fact that accounts of his travels has brought
about no change in the manners or behaviour or mentality of the people around him. Swift
believed that man was not a rational animal but he was certainly capable of becoming
rational. Part I of Gullivers Travels is largely a satire on English politics, politicians,
monarchs and theological disputes prevailing in his times. Flimnap may remind of Walpole
with his dancing skills on a tight rope. The conflict between the High-Heels and the Low-
Heels symbolises the conflict between the Whigs and the Tories of England. The dispute
between the Big-Endians and the Little-Endians may symbolise the constant fight between
the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. The annoyance of the Empress of Lilliput is a
satirical way of describing Queen Annes annoyance with Swift.
Or
Lemuel Gulliver is the most important character in Swifts Gullivers Travels. He is the
prime mover of the story in all the four parts and also a keen observer and recorder of events,
lands, people and their practices. No doubt, he is a fictitious character invented by Swift.
Inspite of his fairy tale adventures and incredible feats, he impresses us as a detached and
impartial observer and critic of mankind.
Gulliver is basically an observer, a narrator and a critic. He has extraordinary powers of
observation and narration. The voyages with the rough and stormy seas, the attack of
sea-pirates or the fantastic locations of the Flying Island or anything or everything finds a
faithful record in Gullivers accounts. The book is not intended as a memoir or travel book.
Gullivers main purpose in recording his accounts is to express his ideas about mankind
in general. But Gulliver is also a sharp critic of the political, social, cultural and religious
institution and practices of his own country, England. The story line may be fantastic or
incredible but Gullivers observations and generalisations of mankind are real and credible.
(b) Three Men in a Boat of Jerome K. Jerome proves that humour based on human nature is
timeless, fresh and universal. Jerome intended to make the novel a serious travel guide.
But the humorous elements dominate so much over the story line that they make Three
Men in a Boat as one of the best comic novels in English comic literature. The antics of
the three gentlemen, Harris, George and Jerome himself, are described laced with humour
which is very refined and sharp but at times coated with sarcasm. The book is full of tongue-
in-cheek humor. But Jeromes humour never resorts to bawdiness and crudity. It is fresh,
heart winning and modern. The jokes seem fresh and witty even today.
In Three Men in a Boat, often, the trip takes a back seat to a series of hilarious and
comic episodes. The trip on the river is just a frame on which hang various anecdotes and
digressions that contain much of humour. Much of the humour is provided by the hillarious
misadventures of a merry but scandalously lazy band of three real life friends. But what
makes the book a classic of British comic literature are the narrators hilarious digressions.
The humour created by characters or incidents, is so real and alive that we find it very
different from the one we are used to. Three Men in a Boat mocks nothing. Instead it
makes its readers laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of life.
Or
Uncle Podger is the real uncle of Mr Harris who is a character of Three Men in a Boat.
Uncle Podger is remebered by the narrator when he criticises Harris who is in the habit of
taking burden of doing something and putting it on the backs of other persons. Jerome finds
Harriss resemblance in the character of his uncle Podger who always created commotion
up and down the house when he undertook any job. Uncle Podger is portrayed as a confused
man who even scolds other for fault commited by him.

SECTIONA (READING)
1. 1. (a) Water is vital to human health and fitness because it is a key nutrient as no life is
possible without it.
(b) It is called a key nutrient because we cannot live longer than a couple of days.
(c) As water approximates 60% of the body weight, it is an ideal constitutent of the body
fluids.
(d) Water dissolves varried products of digestion and transports them to various parts of
the body.
(e) By dissipating (distributing) the body heat efficiently, water regulates body temperature.
(f) High specific heat implies that it takes a lot of heat to raise the temperature of water.
(g) Water-therapy means drinking enough water to treat body ailments.
(h) Hypothalamous regulates water in our body by creating the sensation of thirst and by
controlling the excretion of water in the form of urine.
2. 1. (a) The special children referred to here are children with disabilities such as psychological
disorders.
(b) Education is imortant for such children as, without education, they become a burden on
their families as well as on the society.
(c) Factors responsible for hindering the path of education for such children are lack of
opportunities or facilities in schools and apathy of the parents towards special children.
(d) Meagre resources in the form of some schools for special children can not ameliorate the
lot of these children. There is urgent need to strike at the root of this malaise.
2. (a) segregated (b) motivation (c) discrimination (d) mould
SECTIONB (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)
3. TRAFFIC JAMS AND ACCIDENTS

(by Raj Sinha)
During the last two decades there has been a boom in the automobile industry. This has led to
manifold increase in the number of vehicles in major Indian cities. While the easy availability
of vehicles helps comfortable and hassle-free transportation, the multiplicity of vehicles on the
roads causes various problems like traffic jams and accidents.
The visual depicts the plight of people caught in traffic jam. This is not an unusual scene in a
city like Delhi where the bulging traffic presents a chaotic scene at almost every roundabout
and crossroad. In the eagerness to move faster, drivers break rules, jump the red light signals
and cause accidents. Everyday we hear of traffic jams and road accidents.
Since the problem is acute it needs urgent and drastic measure. Construction of overbridges
will take time but it will ensure freedom from traffic jams. Till then, we can adopt the policy
of restraint on the vehicles by permitting even and odd numbered vehicles on alternate days.
This will cut the number of vehicles to half. The road users will resent it at first, but they
can be persuaded to share vehicles and travel by staff cars or public transport. The Metro
trains can also decrease the volume of traffic on the road. Change in the opening and closing
time in schools, offices and shops in neighbouring areas and adoption of staggered hours can
help to reduce congestion at peak hours. Last but not the least, a proper traffic sense has to
be inculcated among the road users. Most of the accidents and traffic jams are caused by the
violation of the rules of the road. The traffic police must be strict with the habitual offenders.
The penalties must be harsh. It is hoped that all these measures, if adopted sincerely, can
help to curb the problem of traffic jams and accidents.
4. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE

It was a hot afternoon in June. We, a group of ten boys, were playing hockey outside the town,
in the big ground. When we sat down during the breather, one of us, perhaps it was Mohit, who
pointed at a greyish dilapidated building towards the east. He also told us that it was a haunted
house and his uncle had told him not to go near it. All of us laughed at Mohits timidity. A keen
sense of adventure and expectation of thrill inspired us to explore the mystery of the haunted
house. We decided our signals and code words. Two of us had their mobile phones with us. We
picked our sticks and moved cautiously. We found the main gate blocked by a heap of stones
and bushes. Rahul noticed a man coming out of a side gate. This war our chance. We grabbed
it and rushed in. We were surprised at what we saw there. The place was neat and clean. Work
was going on in the farthest room. A man sat at a printing machine. We threw discretion to
the winds. Two of us advanced to see what the man was doing. We were shocked to find that
he was printing fake currency. The other group had stumbled upon narcotics and drugs. We
hid behind the pillars as we heard some noise. We overheard what they said. Then we came
out. We blocked the side gate with stones, bushes and logs of wood. Then Sahil telephoned the
police. His father, the local police Inspector, came there with a police party. The people inside
were taken by surprise and surrendered without any resistance. The police confirmed what
we had guessed. It was the den of anti-social goons. They had spread the rumour of haunted
house to hide their illegal activities.
5. (a) 3. are (b) 2. how (c) 4. what
(d) 3. by (e) 2. have (f) 3. with
6. (a) because what we (b) result of the (c) tomorrow will be
(d) decision we take (e) reverse the wrong (f) taken in the
(g) overselves into becoming (h) if we dont
7. (a) In these places the annual rainfall is less than 25 cms.
(b) Deserts like Sahara remain dry for years.
(c) During the day such deserts are burning hot.

8.
1. The speaker is discussing her helplessness to sell the villa.
2. The speaker wants to sell the villa because she is hard pressed and needs money.
3. The speakers mood is full of anxiety.
Or
1. Marcy cried secretly because she wanted to hide her feelings from Chuck.
2. Marcy felt pained because Chucks smile was replaced by deep set lines showing pain and
sadness.
3. Chuck kept staring around because he had nothing else to do.
9. (a) When the brook moves over the golden gravel it breaks into many a silvery waterbreak. It
goes in the dark, but glances out. Swallows fly over its surface. It makes the netted sun-beam
dance against its sandy shallows. It murmurs at night as it goes through wilderness full of
thorny bushes. It lingers by shingly bars and loiters around the pungent learned cresses.
It curves out and flows to join the river.
(b) The granddaughter overstayed there. During her absence, Karmaveera came on Wednesday.
Being illiterate, the grandmother was unable to read the story Kashi Yatre on her own.
She was desperate to know what happened in the story, but couldnt. So she began to weep
at her helplessness.
(c) She is a practical and forward looking. Being busy, she has no time for details of transaction.
She comes straight to the point and does not beat about the bush. She is not interested in
the details of the house as she wants only the land to build a bungalow after knocking down
the villa. Like most Americans, she always thinks about the future.
(d) The weather was already rough and wild. The storm grew loud quickly. The water-ghost
began to shriek loudly. Heaven seemed angry and turned black. Each face grew dark in the
darkness enveloping them.
10. 22 April 20XX
Thursday 9.30 pm
What a non-comprehending slip of girl have I proved myself today. What else could one expect
of a twelve-year-old irresponsible idiot. Grandma had taken a momentous decision. She wanted
to be able to read Kannada alphabet and she conveyed this to me as she needed my help in
acquiring the ability to read. What a fool and unthinking, unfeeling imp must have I appeared
to her. I made fun of her age, looks, wrinkles and her workload vis-a-vis her desire to read. She
was sixty-two years old. Her hair was grey, her hands were wrinkled and she wore spectacles.
Moreover, she had a lot of work to do in the kitchen. It was childish of me to make fun of the old.
She just smiled at my impudence and said that there was no age bar for learning. Determination
could help her overcome all obstacles.
After dinner, I lay on my mat in the open terrace. I kept thinking of what had transpired
during the day. I felt ashamed of my conduct. Grandma had sought a little favourjust help
and direction to enable her to read. How foolishly had I reacted! I was filled with self-contempt.
There were tears in my eyes. These were tears of repentance. I do not know how long I kept
weeping. I only remember the touch of the soft wrinkled hands of my grandma on my forehead.
No words were spoken. Her loving strokes on my cheeks reassured me of her love for me and
confidence in me. Before bidding her good night I remarked, Well, grandma, we begin reading
after prayers tomorrow. She felt happy. A tear rolled down her cheek. I wiped it with my finger
and she blessed me.
Or
January 4
Friday 8 pm
What an eventful day it was! All unexpected and bizarre incidents happened that day. The
most unusual was the visit of Chuck Hooper, our erstwhile zonal manager who had suffered a
stroke of paralysis after a car hit him. It was a pleasant surprise to all of us when he walked
unaided to the branch office from the clinic 200 metres away. The staff was amazed by the
visit. To me it was more than a courtesy call or a mere visit. Chuck said in his imposing
voice: Gordon, this isnt just a visit. Bring me up to date on whats happened, will youso I
can get to work? This was not a mere request. As it came from my senior, it was an order.
I opened my mouth to say something but being full of amazement at his determination,
confidence and assertion, I kept staring at him with my lips opened wide. Before I could say
anything he expressed his intention to visit the office for only an hour a day to begin with.
He added that he would use the empty desk in the warehouse and asked me for a dictating
machine.
I kept thinking of Chucks resolve. He was fighting hard for a comeback. He had undergone
trauma for more than one and a half years. I was full of admiration for his spirited effort to
combat his deficiency and overcome the challenge. It was for the high-ups to think what to
do with a salesman who couldnt walk or would attend the office only for an hour.
I felt confident that sooner than we expected Hooper might regain his former agility, resolve
and energy to direct the sales of our company upwards. Well, I express my sincere wishes
for him and pray for his speedy recovery.
11. (a) When Gulliver landed on the shore he was so tired that he could not discover any sign
of houses or inhabitants there and fell asleep. When he woke up, he found himself tied
to the ground. He could see nothing except the sky. He realised that he had been held
prisoner by several tiny people who were roaming on his legs and chest. Gulliver freed his
left arm and then loosened the string that tied down his hair. He was fired with arrows
when he attempted to seize them. He then realized that the best thing to do was to calm
down. Whereupon the inhabitants of the land realised that he was quiet and they stopped
showering arrows. Gulliver was provided food and drink by the inhabitants before he was
taken to the city.
As a prisoner Gulliver was put in a temple and the king ordered for his food and lodging.
Gradually Gulliver won the admiration of the king and was treated with respect. He helped
the king in his campaigns against his enemies. But due to intrigues of the courtiers he fell
in the eyes of the king and had ultimately to escape from Lilliput.
Or
When Gulliver first saw the king of Lilliput, he found him (the king) to be taller than most
of his Courtiers. His features were strong and masculine; his countenance erect and his
manners majestic. His dress was very plain and simple and had a light helmet of gold on
his head adorned with jewels. His voice was very shrill but very clear and articulate. The
king has made arrangements for the captivity of Gulliver but he was very kind to provide
very convenience to Gulliver. Gulliver was provided with an army of six hundred persons to
look after his needs. Three hundred tailors were deployed to make suit for Gulliver. Six of
his majestys greatest scholars were employed to instruct the language of the Lilliputians.
(b) While discussing about their health the three menJerome and his two friendsdecided to
take rest and complete change. Change of scene and rest would restore their mental and
physical equilibrium. They wanted to seek out some retired and old world spot, far from the
madding crowd. Harris wanted to go for a sea trip but sea trip was not possible for a short
period of one week. Jerome opined that sea trip would cause sea-sickness. Ultimately all
agreed for a boating trip in the river Thames which would provide them fresh air, exercise
and peace.
Or
Jerome K. Jerome is the main character of his classical comic novel Three Men in a Boat.
He is the narrator and the novel is a first person description of the river journey from
Kingston to Oxford. Like both of his real life-friends Harris and George, Jerome is also a
hypochondriac who is all the time concerned with his health.
Jerome is not a vocal and boisterous character like his other life-friends, Harris and George.
He rarely takes any initiative but slowly and silently he makes his presence felt in all the
decisions and operations that are associated with the river journey. Jerome has a long
association with the Thames.
The narrator doesnt forget to laugh at himself too. On many occasions he contradicts himself.
On one hand he says that he takes a great pride in his work. But in the same breath he
complains that it always seems to him that he is doing more work than he should do.
The narrator has an eye for beauty and romance. His description of the river and the
villages and towns on it is graphic and fascinating. He displays a deep knowledge about
the social practices, culture, history, costumes, food, drinks that the people and places of
the Thamess region are associated with.
SECTIONA (READING)
1. 1. (a) TV watching is one of the main reasons for children being overweight.
(b) A test involving the eating and TV-watching led to the establishment of the fact.
(c) Seven percent loss was more in case of the children who watched TV.
(d) Parents tend to ignore the fact that how much time their children spent on watching
TV.
(e) According to the doctors the recommended duration of TV-watching is one or two hours
per day.
(f) The more the TV children watch, the more they tend to eat things advertised on it and
thus overweight is related to TV.
(g) TV is strictly forbidden in the bedrooms of children.
(h) Parents can encourage their children by allowing them half an hour of TV watching for
every hour spent playing outdoors.
2. 1. (a) The use of various drugs and addictive substances has affected innocent young lives and
it creates many social ails.
(b) The majority of drug edicts are the young students, unemployed rural and urban youths.
(c) The effects of prolonged use of addictive drugs severely affects the personality of the
addict. They become a nuisance to their families and the society. They succumb to the
path of crimes.
(d) The desire to gain materialistic benefits has led us to loose our cherished goals. There
is a complete administrative, moral and social failure.
2. (a) menace (b) callous (c) degenerated (d) scam
3. CARBON CYCLE
(by Arjun/Anju)
Carbon is an essential element found in all living beings. Plants and animals get this element
from carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. Plants take carbon dioxide from air and in
the presence of water and sunlight they make their food by the process of photosynthesis.
Thus plants absorb carbon. Plants are consumed by other animals as food. In this way
they get compounds of carbon. Energy is produced by digestion of these carbon compounds.
Carnivores (flesh-eating animals) get carbon from flesh of herbivores (animals feeding on
grass and plants). Omnivores like man get carbon from both plants and animals. Carbon
cycle shows that all the animals absorb carbon dioxide during respiration or oxidation and
this carbon dioxide is again released into the air. Carbon dioxide is also liberated during
the decay of plants and animals and burning of fuels. Plankton exhales carbon dioxide and
volcanoes also release it. The dead animals lying in the sea get decomposed and carbon
dioxide is produced from these dead animals as well as from the waste material of land.
We also get carbon dioxide from burning of coal, natural gas and oil.
4. THE HARE AND THE LION
Once a lion, the king of the forest, posed a great threat to all other beasts and animals.
He killed many animals whenever he was hungry. The animals were much terrified. It had
become impossible for them to leave their dens.
One day, they held a meeting and went to the lion. They said to him, O brave king! We
are your subjects. Have pity on us. Please dont kill us. We shall send you one animal every
day. The lion agreed.
The arrangement worked for some time. The animals were no longer afraid to wander about,
but their number was steadily decreasing. One day it was a hares turn. Though small in
size, he was very clever. He thought of a plan to save himself and other animals.
He reached the lion very late. The hungry lion was furious. He asked the hare the reason
for his late arrival. The hare said that another lion had come in the forest. That lion held
him up on the way. The lion became all the more furious with rage. Show me that lion. I
will kill him, he roared.
The clever hare led the lion to a deep well and said, Sir, he lives inside. The lion looked
into the well and saw his own image in the water. Mistaking it for his enemy, he at once
jumped into the well to kill that lion. Since the well was very deep, the angry lion was
drowned and killed instantly. Thus the other animals were saved by the clever hare.
5. (a) 2. has (b) 1. and (c) 3. will
(d) 4. next (e) 2. is (f) 3. in
6. (a) On the Agra-Delhi (b) Sanctuary has been (c) for a large
(d) order to attract (e) near the entrance (f) would be developed
(g) also have a library (h) hall where slide
7. (a) He had a noble wife and they were happy.
(b) The people of the kingdom were also happy.
(c) The royal couple paid attention to all the needs of their subjects.

8.
1. She is the solitary reaper. She is reaping the harvest, binding it and singing a sad song.
2. The poetic device used in these lines is alliteration.
3. The poet is addressing his companion. He is deeply attracted to the sweetness and melody
of the reapers song. The valley is overflowing with the sound of the sweet song full of
sadness.
Or
1. They would assemble daily in the temple courtyard.
2. The women at the temple discussed the latest episode of Kashi Yatre because they could
relate with the protagonist of the serial.
3. The narrator could not understand why there was so much debate about the story because
she was too young to follow the way of thinking of the older women.
9. (a) The song of the cuckoo sounds a welcome note by announcing the arrival of the spring. It
is a good news for the people weary of winter. The poet wants to convey the idea that the
maidens song was more exciting and far more pleasant than that of the cuckoo singing
gleefully of the arrival of spring.
(b) The grandmother worked hard to accomplish her desire to read. She did her routine
work in kitchen. She overcame the obstacle of old age and its problems. She revised her
lessons, learnt them and repeated them. She made learning to read her mission in life.
Her single minded devotion helped her to make speedy progress.
(c) Jeanne is eager to buy a villa. She has been looking for a suitable house for over a month.
She wants to buy a villa for her papa and mamma.Gaston is not interested in buying a
villa for his mother-in-law and father-in-law. He does not want to spend his hard earned
money on a house where he may not live even for a month. So he makes one excuse after
the other to condemn the villa.
(d) He shall be telling that two roads diverged in a wood and he had taken the less travelled
by. The poet wants to convey the idea that choices must be made very carefully because they
have far reaching consequences and can affect the course of life.
10. The granddaughter and grandmother are poles apart in age, tastes, temperaments and
views on life. The granddaughter is a young girl of twelve while the grandmother is an old
woman of 62. She has grey hair, wrinkled hands and weak eyesight. She uses spectacles. The
grandmother still does a lot of work in the kitchen. She goes to the temple to worship and to
talk to her friends. The granddaughter goes to the temple courtyard to play hide-and-seek.
The young girl reads to her grandma the story of Kashi Yatre. Her absence from the village
makes the grandmother conscious of her handicap. Being illiterate she is unable to read the
magazine and know what happened in the story.
The grandmother is quite sentimental. She has tears in her eyes at her inability to read.
She tells her granddaughter why she could not go to school in her childhood. She analyses
the factors quite intelligently and objectively.
The granddaughter appears to be childish. She makes a fun of her grandmothers desire
to learn reading Kannada alphabet at her advanced age. She fails to realise the old ladys
aspirations for whom education is the key to her independence.
Both grandmother and granddaughter have full respect for Indian customs and traditions.
The granddaughter is filled with surprise when her grandmother bends and touches her feet.
She had learnt that in their families the juniors touched the feet of the elders to express
respect. The grandmother explains why she had done so. For her the granddaughter is a
teacher who taught her so well that she could read magazines and books by herself within a
few months. She has a rational approach. The teacher may be of any age or sex. Being young
or old makes no difference. As a mark of respect to her teacher she offers her granddaughter
a gift alsothe piece of cloth for a frock. The granddaughter has a present for her neo-literate
grandmaa printed copy of the novel Kashi Yatre. In short, the two offer a study in contrast.
Or
Duke plays an important role in the life of Charles Hooper. When Duke is brought back from
the Kennel, he finds Hooper lying in a bed alone and staring at the ceiling. He is always
lost in his thoughts. Dukes joy at reunion with Charles Hooper is immense but the impact
throws Chuck off balance. From then on Duke realises the gravity of the situation and his
own responsibility. Though unable to communicate with his master through words he conveys
his impatience to move out with him through gestures. Duke stalked to the bed. Then he
pointed his nose under Chucks elbow and lifted. He nudged and needled and snorted. He
would go out when commanded, but return and then yap and poke. He never left his masters
side.
It was only by a sheer chance that Chuck hooked the leash on to Dukes collar. Duke took
it as a positive command and jumped to go out. Hooper had to fight for balance. Marcy
supported him by the elbow. He held the leash tight with his paralysed fingers and moved
his right leg out in front. As he straightened his right leg, the left foot had to be dragged
forward alongside the right. Thus Duke helped Chuck take the first step.
Duke would pull his leash tight and Chuck would sway forward. Gradually Hooper learned
to keep his balance without Marcy at his elbow. The progress was slow but sure. Duke would
pull his leash tight and then stand and wait. Chuck would drag himself abreast of the dog.
Then Duke would surge out to the end of the leash and wait again. After eight months, on
January 4 to be precise, Hooper could walk 200 metres without Duke. He felt that he could
work in the office for an hour a day. From March 1, Hooper started doing full days work.
Thirteen months later, that is, in April next year, Chuck Hooper was promoted to regional
manager covering more than four states.
It was Duke who lifted his master up from the morass of despair and helplessness and
assumed all the responsibility for leading him back to his office desk. People looked with
surprise at the dog dragging his master as if he possessed the man. Duke taught Hooper how
to cope with the challenge. He accepted the changed way of life. From anger, helplessness
and despair, he once again became active, smiling and efficient officer. All this transformation
was due to Duke.
11. (a) Gulliver became a victim of circumstances which allowed his opponents at the court to
accuse him of high treason. He was charged with making water within the precincts of
royal palace under the excuse of extinguishing fire in her Majestys palace. He refused his
Majestys order to seize the remaining ships of the empire of Blefuscu as he was unwilling
to destroy the liberty and life of innocent people. When certain ambassadors arrived from
Blefuscu, Gulliver, like a false traitor, aided and abeted them. Lastly, contrary to the duty
of a faithful subject, Gulliver was to make a voyage to the court and empire of Blefuscu.
When Gulliver was informed by Reldresal, a friend of his, that the court of the emperor
of Lilliput had framed charges against him and they were planning to blind him, Gulliver
first of all thought of destroying Lilliput. But after some thought he resolved to leave
Blefuscu without making any fuss. He had already taken the verbal permission of emperor
of Lilliput to visit Blefuscu. So, he wrote a letter to his friend Reldresal informing him
of his intention to see Blefuscu. Without waiting for the answer, Gulliver crossed over to
the side of Blefuscu. Gulliver was received by the people who were expecting him. They
took him to the king of Blefuscu. King of Blefuscu along with the courtiers and empress
and ladies welcomed Gulliver to the land of Blefuscu.
Or
The king of Brobdingnag was a learned man. He had been educated in the study of
philosophy and mathematics. He felt that the story given by Gulliver was only a figment
of his imagination. He doubted Gullivers nurse and her father. The emperor probed the
farmer his daughter and Gulliver before coming to any conclusion. He took great pleasure
in conversing with Gulliver. He made very wise reflections and observations on men and
matters. The king had very bad opinion of England and its institutions and practices. In
his opinion people of Gullivers country suffered from hypocrisy, cruelty, rage, madness,
anger and lust. He abhored violence and war. The king did not believe that the art of
government could be learnt by reading hundreds of books. The principles of common sense,
reason, justice and lineancy could be better guidelines for running a good government.
(b) When the three friends reached at Waterloo station at eleven, they asked from which
platform the eleven five started. Nobody knew where a train was going to start from.
Nobody even knew the destination about a train leaving Waterloo. The Porter that took
their luggage thought that it would leave from platform number two. Another porter
thought that the train would leave from platform number one. The station master on
the other hand was convinced that it would start from the local. When they met the
superintendent, he told that he had met a person who thought it would leave from platform
number three. When they reached platform number three, the train was different one.
One porter said that the train would leave from high-level plafrorm. They had to give
half crown to the driver to go to Kingston.
Or
Montmorency did not enjoy solitude. He liked noise and to participate in action. There
was no adventure for him in the boat. Montmorency looked like an angel. His looks were
as if he thought that this world had been wicked and he could make it better and nobler.
His innocent pious expressions could bring tears in the eyes of old ladies and gentlemen.
The author thought he would not live long. He would soon be snatched away to heaven in
a chariot. He looked very frail. The author had to change his option about Montmorency
when he killed a dozen chicken, fought with other dogs in the street and killed a cat
belonging to an angry women.

SECTIONA (READING)
1. 1. (a) The young liftman was fined because he had thrown a passenger out of the lift.
(b) The liftman demanded a little courtesy of please from the passenger.
(c) Law can be enforced while social practice needs to be obeyed.
(d) First requirement of civility is that we should acknowledge a service.
(e) These are important because they make our lives sweet.
(f) The author blames the war as it had snapped the civility out of their lives.
(g) The policeman and law is necessary to keep social order intact.
(h) Victory over oneself counts.
2. 1. (a) Intensive farming, degradation of natural resources, overexploitation of surface and
ground water are damaging soil fertility.
(b) Mono-culture of paddy-wheat crop results in the depletion of organic content and
micro-nutrients in the soil and therefore, Atlas warns against it.
(c) To achieve sustainable food security, crop diversity is a necessity. Also leguminous
crops should be introduced in cropping cycle.
(d) Pressure on natural resources can be relieved by providing non-farm employment to
rural population. Strict control of commercial activities like mining, felling of trees,
submerging of forests by dams is also required to relieve pressure.
2. (a) redeem (b) sustainable (c) replenish (d) integrated
3. Monday 28 March 20XX

What a feast for the eyes the flower show was! The organisers deserve kudos for excellent
arrangement. The participants presented their exhibits tastefully. The variety of flowers, their
colour, fragrance and sizes filled my heart with wonder, excitement and joy. I wanted to have
just a fleeting glimpse, but stayed on there for an hour. What a bliss it was!
4. THE WASPISH GONG
A tiger once saw a hare sitting under a tree and asked what he was doing. Oh, answered the
hare, I am keeping watch over my grandfathers gong. Where is the gong? asked the tiger.
Up there, said the hare, pointing to a large round object hanging from one of the branches.
If you like you may strike it to see how well it sounds. But let me go farther away, for the
sound always brings tears to my eyes.
The tiger said he would like to sound the gong, and the hare at once scampered off down the
path. The tiger raised his paw and gave the gong a great blow, which shattered it. It was a
wasps nest and not a gong at all. Hundreds of wasps at once settled on the tigers face and
stung him with such violence that he nearly went out of his mind.
The stings made brown marks on the tigers face, and to this day all tigers have those marks.
5. (a) 3. of (b) 3. more (c) 4. or
(d) 1. some (e) 3. their (f) 4. of
6. (a) have had (b) stating stated (c) need neednt
(d) fastest faster (e) those this (f) with of
(g) a the (h) it they
7. (a) Peers can often aid you in making final decision.
(b) Students are more prone to listening to their peers.
(c) As peer know typically where you are coming from and where you want to head next.
SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)

8. 1. She decided to sail further in the stormy weather rather than return to shore and face
her angry father.
2. Thee in the line O haste thee, haste! is the boatman.
3. The last two lines suggest that she was overpowered by the fierce tempest.
Or
1. They here refers to the film producers at the Joinville Studio.
2. This line is an example of pun or word play. Maids and made have similar sound but
different meaning.
3. The speaker cant refuse the offer because the payment is quite tempting.
9. (a) The poet regretted his choice. It is clear from the expressions telling this with a sigh and
that has made all the difference. So he says that choices must be made very carefully.
These are irrevocable. They have far reaching consequences and can affect the course of
life.
(b) It was by sheer chance that Chucks good hand hooked the leash onto Dukes collar.
Perhaps he wanted to hold him still. The effect was just the opposite. Duke shimmied in
anticipation. Chuck asked Marcy to help him to his feet. Duke jumped forward. Chuck
fought for balance. Holding the leash tight, he leaned forward. Marcy supported him by
the elbow. He moved his right leg out in front. As he straightened the right leg, it caused
the left foot to drag forward. Thus Duke made Hooper take his first step.
(c) Wordsworth has chosen a simple incidenta solitary highland girl reaping and singing by
herself. The very mention of the highlands and valleys transports us to far-off, unknown
lands which charm our imagination. The reference to tired travellers in Arabian deserts
refreshed by nightingales song and the sailors in farthest Hebrides thrilled by the cuckoos
announcement of the ensuing spring further enchant our imagination. The sweetness,
melody and music of the solitary reaper is established by comparison to two song-birds
known for their sweet melodious music. The conjectures that the poet makes about the
theme of her song are also romantic in nature. We always feel thrilled by the past. Familiar
matters of today only make a humble lay. Natural sorrow, loss or pain are the recurring
elements of human existence. Reference to melancholy is another romantic element. She
sings a melancholy strain. Her numbers are plaintive. The over-all effect is sheer magic
and music. Her song seems unending and casts a spell on the listener.
(d) The maid has been asked to act as a maid in a film. She will get a hundred francs a
morning for doing it. She cant refuse the offer as Juliette pays her only four hundred
francs a month. So she asks for an off between nine and noon the next day.
10. The speaker craves for independence to be able to read by herself. Being illiterate she is
dependent on her granddaughter to know the progress of the story in the novel Kashi Yatre.
Her craving for education reflects the desire of millions of adults who were deprived of the
fruit of education due to one reason or the other. Her craving for literacy shows deep desire
of those who are unable to read. They feel handicapped as they are always in need of support
from an outside agency. Grandmothers remarks show that money alone does not provide
happiness and independence. She decides to master functional literacythe ability to read
by herself.
She makes sincere efforts to fulfil her desire. She requests her twelve-year-old granddaughter
to be her teacher. At first the narrator makes fun of the old lady, but her seriousness, devotion
and firm resolution make her realise the old ladys point of view. Along with her many duties
in the kitchen, she finds time for her lesson. Her willingness to learn makes her a devoted
learner. She reads, repeats, writes and recites her lesson. She is not tired by the amount of
homework she does.
It is the grandmothers determination that helps her to overcome all obstacles in her way.
The motivation comes from inside. She learns willingly and works harder than ever. Old age
or weak eyes do not deter her from achieving her goal of independence. Her willpower helps
her to accomplish what she wants and that too in limited time-span. It is the strength of
the grandmothers inner spirit and her resolve that help her to learn how to read.
Or
Chuck Hooper was a tall, athletic young man. He was six-feet-one. His wife Marcy, was not
really a dog lover. She was a tiny blonde. For her Pomeranian was the right size dog for colonial
house on a small plot. Chuck liked Duke for his rambunctiousness. After a car accident
paralysed Chuck Hooper, Duke was sent to a kennel. Chuck remained in critical condition
for a month. After six weeks, he was discharged. Duke remained away for four months.
Chuck was helped to stand up to receive Duke. The dog could not restrain his joy and jumped
towards his master to embrace him to express his joy. His sudden jump made Chuck totter.
He had to fight to keep his balance.
Duke never jumped on Chuck again because he had realised that Chuck was not well and
could not balance himself. He never left his masters side. But Hooper was lost in his own
grief and pain so even Dukes presence didnt reach Chuck.
Then an idle prank on the part of Chuck Hooper made Duke a live wire. He helped Chuck
take the first step. Marcy helped Chuck. Perhaps Duke had realised his responsibility. He
had to get Chuck on his feet. The dog and the master began to move in tandem with the
help of the taut leash.
Whenever Duke felt the slack in the leash he pulled it taut. Chuck would sway forward,
break the fall with his good right leg and then straighten himself. Leaning back against the
pull, Hooper learned to keep his balance without Marcy at his elbow.
Marcys attitude towards Duke underwent a change when she saw what Duke was doing
for her husband. It seemed that Duke had taken the responsibility for leading Chuck back
to his office desk. Then the span of the walk lengthened and so did the frequency. Duke no
longer waited at every step. A time came when Chuck could walk without the help of Duke.
Marcys softness towards Duke is apparent when she did not let anyone else pick up the
wounded Duke. She lifted Duke in her arms, carried him gently to the car and drove him
to the animal hospital. Dukes injures were so severe that he could not survive. Perhaps he
had completed his mission. He had helped his master advance step by step.
11. (a) Swift has been very critical of the institutions of England and this is evident through
Gullivers Travels. He succeeded in exposing the irrationality, follies and absurdities of
human beings in general. He exposes the useless religious conflicts between the Roman
Catholics and Protestants by showing the Big-Endians and Small-Endians, the High-heels
and the Low-heels (conflict between the Whigs and Tories) very satirically. The book is a
political allegory to condemn and criticise political figures, social, political and religious
practices of his own times. Through Gulliver, Swift condemns his own countrymen, its
political system, its judiciary, education and religious divisions. It does not mean that
he hates mankind. On the other hand he shows his love for individuals. He cannot be
charged as misanthropa hater of mankind.
Or
Lemuel Gulliver is the most important character in Swifts Gullivers Travels. He is the
prime mover of the story in all the four parts and also a keen observer and recorder of
events, lands, people and their practices. No doubt, he is a fictitious character invented
by Swift. Inspite of his fairy tale adventures and incredible feats, he impresses us as a
detached and impartial observer and critic of mankind.
Gulliver is basically an observer, a narrator and a critic. He has extraordinary powers of
observation and narration. The voyages with the rough and stormy seas, the attack of
sea-pirates or the fantastic locations of the Flying Island or anything or everything finds
a faithful record in Gullivers accounts. The book is not intended as a memoir or travel
book. Gullivers main purpose in recording his accounts is to express his ideas about
mankind in general. But Gulliver is also a sharp critic of the political, social, cultural
and religious institution and practices of his own country, England. The story line may
be fantastic or incredible but Gullivers observations and generalisations of mankind are
real and credible.
(b) Three Men in a Boat of Jerome K. Jerome proves that humour based on human nature is
timeless, fresh and universal. Jerome intended to make the novel a serious travel guide.
But the humorous elements dominate so much over the story line, that they make Three
Men in a Boat as one of the best comic novels in English comic literature. The antics of
the three gentlemen, Harris, George and Jerome himself, are described laced with humour
which is very refined and sharp but at times coated with sarcasm. The book is full of
tongue-in-cheek humor. But Jeromes humour never resorts to bawdiness and crudity. It
is fresh, heart winning and modern. The jokes seem fresh and witty even today.
In Three Men in a Boat, often, the trip takes a back seat to a series of hillarious and
comic episodes. The trip on the river is just a frame on which hang various anecdotes and
digressions that contain much of humour. Much of the humour is provided by the hillarious
misadventures of a merry but scandalously lazy band of three real life friends. But what
makes the book a classic of British comic literature are the narrators hilarious digressions.
The humour created by characters or incidents, is so real and alive that we find it very
different from the one we are used to. Three Men in a Boat mocks nothing. Instead it
makes its readers laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of life.
Or
Harris is in the habit of taking the burden of doing everything himself. When Harris asks
for a bit of paper and pencil to jot down the list of materials needed for the boat trip, the
author is reminded of his Uncle Poder. Uncle Podger was in the habit of making all fuss
about taking up a job. In order to hang a picture on the wall, Uncle Podger would create
such confusion that the whole family was ultimately involved in the process. He would
ask for such things like ruler, step-ladder, hammer etc from family members to fix the
picture on the wall. He is hot-tempered and disoriented in his approach. These qualties
are shown by Harris too.

SECTIONA (READING)
1. 1. (a) Suspension bridge is built on the river Indus.
(b) It looks like a circus tent because it is covered with prayer flags of every colour.
(c) According to the driver the river would get angry if there were no flags.
(d) The driver prays because the bridge is holy to him.
(e) Timeless objects of Ladakh are the the mountains which look like stupas.
(f) When the heat increases, the colour of stones change.
(g) While resting on the top of mountain pass the author found a deserted shephards
hut.

(h) It shows the deep faith of the common Ladakhi in the Buddha.
2. 1. (a) A listener can be tempted to remember what you have said if you think before you
talk, know your message and get to the point quickly.
(b) A conversation is compared to a tennis match because each person have a turn to give
and speak. The true art of conversation is talking and listening.
(c) As almost everything one says is an attempt to persuade the other person to accept
your point of view, it is important that it should be practiced.
(d) Fear of failure, forgetting and humiliation should be controlled, otherwise it would
boomrang on you. It can be controlled by checking your negative self talk and visualising
a positive outlook.
2. (a) formulating
(b) visualise
(c) patient
(d) crux

3. Wednesday 2 March 20XX
O! What a horrible dream it was! My throat was dry and the whole body was full of sweat. I
trembled with fear like a dry leaf shaken by the wind. I tried to cry but felt that the dragon was
choking my neck. I felt my end was near. So I hit my feet on the bed. I woke up with a start. I
can never forget this terrible dream.
4. THE BLIND LADY AND THE GREEDY DOCTOR
Once a rich lady, who lived in a spacious mansion, became blind. She called in an eye specialist,
who promised to cure her within a fortnight. She agreed to pay a hefty fee for his services. The
doctor operated upon her eyes and bandaged them.
The doctor came everyday. He gave her some medicine, stayed there for some time and removed
some furniture or valuable article. This went on for fourteen days. On the fifteenth day, the
doctor removed her bandages and said, Now, you can see. Please pay my fees.
The lady was cured. Her eyesight had been restored, but she was shocked to see that all the
pieces of costly furniture were missing. She refused to pay the fees on the plea that she could not
see her furniture in her room which meant that her eyesight had not been restored. The doctor
filed a suit against her for not paying his fees. The court heard both the parties. On knowing
the reality, the judge dismissed the doctors case. He was charged with theft and sentenced to
prison for swindling and stealing.
5. (a) 3. other (b) 1. has (c) 4. last
(d) 3. less (e) 3. by (f) 1. or
6. (a) beside besides (b) contains contain (c) to in
(d) whole all (e) extract extracted (f) cooling cool
(g) saying said (h) where whereas
7. (a) A vast multitude of stars are wandering about in space.
(b) A few form groups, but the majority are solitary travellers.
(c) They travel through a universe that is very spacious.
8. 1. The road symbolises the two alternative ways of life.

2. The phrase wanted wear is an example of alliteration.
3. The speaker chose the other road. It was just as fair as the first one. Moreover, it had a
better claim. It was not a beaten track. It promised thrill and advantage.
Or
1. The speaker is appreciative of the listener.
2. According to the speaker, Frenchmen are indecisive.
3. The speaker appears to be straight forward.
9. (a) The refrain in the poem is:
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.
It creates an effect of the brook being perennial and human life as transitory. It also
completes one single idea of the poem.
(b) It was Duke who made Charles Hooper take his first step after the accident in which
his left side had been paralysed. Duke had taken full responsibility of leading Charles
Hooper to his office. He made persistent, diligent and constant efforts. The progress was
sure though slow. They advanced step by step. The chemical companys order appointing
Charles Hooper as Assistant National Sales Manager was worded as if it were a special
tribute to Duke. The words to advance our objectives step by step stand out prominently.
(c) Undoubtedly, Gaston who strikes a deal with Mrs Al Smith, who mistakes him to be the
owner of the villa. Gaston thus makes a hundred thousand francs profit. He successfully,
outwits the American lady, Mrs Al Smith, who is cash rich and always remains in haste.
(d) The symbolism here is suggestive. It, certainly, is a premonition of the tragic death of
the ill-fated lovers. It is a device of fore-shadowing. The poet prepares us to expect the
ensuing tragedy and doesnt want to surprise us with a rude shock.
10. 25 September 20XX
Thursday 8 pm
Today I am very happy as I have got double gift today from granddaughter who is my teacher
as well. I think that no gift can be more valuable than that I have received today and I will
always treasure them in my heart as these have fulfilled my long cherished ambitions.
Well, I must disclose the secret and not build suspense any more. The first gift that Ive got
is literacy. Now I can read independently. Ive not to depend on anyone else to read to me
from magazines or books.
Secondly, my granddaughter has presented me the printed copy of Kashi Yatre. I opened it
at once and immediately read the title and the names of the author and the publisher. I felt
elated.
My granddaughter was also happy. I was her first student and under her able guidance I
had been able to learn how to read within the period I had fixed for myself.
This ability of reading by myself has filled me with confidence and a new power to do something
good. I will utilise the rest of my life in reading scriptures, womens magazines and work for
the welfare of women and children.
Or
COPING WITH LOSS
Coping with loss is quite challenging. One is always conscious of what one is deprived of.
The memory of the days when one was fully fit brings a train of thoughts with it which is
painful as well as pinching. This is exactly what happened with Charles Hooper. The span
of four years in his life from 1953 to 1957 was the most difficult and harrowing. In 1953,
Hooper was a favoured young manhealthy, smiling and successful. He was a very fit high
charging zonal sales manager. A small error by a car driver reduced him to a paralysed
cripple. He was forced to lie on a bed and was lost in his own grief and pain. Left alone with
his thoughts, he developed negative traits. Despair led him to helplessness. He did not want
to vegetate in bed or depend on his wife Marcy for everything. He was shocked and led to a
state of denial.
The re-entry of Duke in his life at this stage was crucial for him. The faithful dog understood
his responsibility and inspired his master to take the first step. He taught Hooper how to
manage the difficult situation. Duke filled him with hope and lifted his numb spirits. Duke
had realised how badly his master was hurt. So while leading him to walk he exercised
the greatest caution. He would exercise patience and let his master drag his paralysed foot
forward.
Hooper had passed through many stages during this period. After recovering from the initial
shock of the accident, a brief excitement at being alive followed. As the brief excitement of
homecoming was over, helplessness, denial, dejection and anger surrounded him. Duke taught
him how to cope with the challenge. He led Hooper to accept the changed mode of life. By
coping with his loss Hooper learnt to advance step by step. Now he felt happy to be living
as well as working successfully.
11. (a) The King of Brobdingnag was a learned man, well versed in philosophy and mathematics.
He took a great pleasure in conversing with Gulliver. He often enquired about the manners,
religion, laws, government and learning of Europe and England. His apprehension was
so clear, and his judgement so exact that he made very wise reflections and observations
upon all, he said. Gulliver talked at length about his beloved country. He talked of trade,
wars by sea and land, their schism in religion, education and about the two political
partiesthe Whigs and the Tories. The King would lift Gulliver up in his arms, stroke
him gently and ask if he was a Whig or a Tory.
The King of Brobdingnag was not at all convinced by the accounts Gulliver had given
of his country. He was of the view that the history of Gullivers country seemed to him
only a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres and revolutions. The people
of Gulliver suffered from many voices like avarice, hypocrisy, cruelty, rage, madness,
hatred, envy, lust, malice and so on. He observed, how contemptible a thing was human
grandeur which could be mimicked by such diminutive insects like Gulliver. The King
was highly critical of wars and the instruments of mass destruction like the gun-powder.
He vehemently rejected Gullivers offer of teaching them the art of making the gun-power.
Nor was the King impressed by many books written in England on the art of government.
He held that honesty, reason and justice must dominate to run the government. Whoever
could grow two ears of corn and a blade of grass did more essential service to his country
than all the politicians put together. Gulliver had his own differences in such things. he
thought that Kings ideas were due to his narrow outlook. The King couldnt be blamed
totally as he was totally cut off from rest of the world. Gulliver attributes the Kings
attitude to a confined education. Their learning was confined to morality, history, poetry
and mathematics. They had no conception of promoting agriculture and mechanical arts.
Or
Skyresh Bologlam was an influential man in the cabinet of Lilliput. He was jealous of
Gulliver. Though the king and majority of the cabinet was in favour of Gullivers liberty
he opposed it and prepared articles and conditions of Gullivers release. These articles
put some restrictions on Gulliver. Gulliver had to accept those conditions in order to get
liberty. By these conditions Gulliver had to accept the sovereignty of the king by becoming
a loyal servant of the king. By the description of it, Skyresh Bologlam seems to be an
arrogant person always ready to harm Gulliver by all means.
(b) When George suggested that we should take only such things that we cant do without,
the narrator appreciates him. He suggests that the boat of life should be light, packed
with only what you needa homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends,
someone to love you, a cat, a dog and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear
and a little more than enough to drink for thirst. This would enable the boat easier to
pull. So only essential things were packedsuch as a rug (each), a lamp, some soap, a
brush and comb, a toothbrush (each), a basin, some toothpowder, some shaving tackle
and a couple of big towels for bathing.
Or
The narrator portrays Harris as a man of no emotions. He is not in the habit of crying.
He also does not know why it is so. He is also a jolly man. He is always after some sort
of drink in the offering. When everybody is worried he simply comes out with a solution.
The author is of the opinion that Harris always does know about a place round the corner
where you can get something brilliant in the drinking line. Harris is an easy going person
who cares little about other things.
qq

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Unseen Passages (1 to 8) .............................................................................................................03

SECTION BWRITING AND GRAMMAR

SECTION CLITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT

1. Friday 19 May 20XX

6. POLLUTED WATER IN CITY WATER PARK

3. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE

1. MOBILE CULTURETHE ETHICS

RWA Sector15 Gurgaon

COMPLETING STORY, WRITING SPEECH/PARAGRAPH

TYPE 1: FILLING BLANKS WITH SUITABLE WORDS

1. (a) 2. of (b) 1. to (c) 2. is (d) 3. a (e) 4. more (f) 2. and

TYPE 2: EDITING: DETECTING & CORRECTING ERRORS

TYPE 3: OMISSION: SUPPLYING MISSING WORD

TYPE 4: SENTENCE REORDERING

type 5: sentence transformation

tenses or using correct forms of verbs

HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDMOTHER TO READ (Fiction)

ROLE-PLAY: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (Fiction)

A DOG NAMED DUKE (Fiction)

JUST A MINUTE: A Dog Named Duke (Fiction)

THE BROOK (Poem)

GROUP DISCUSSION: The Brook (Poem)

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN (Poem)

GROUP DISCUSSION: The Road Not Taken (Poem)

THE SOLITARY REAPER (Poem)

APPRECIATION OF THE THEME: Solitary Reaper (Poem)

2. Singer Place Heard by Impact on listener

Cuckoo farthest Hebrides sailors sailors feel thrilled

3. (a) was walking (b) field

LORD ULLINS DAUGHTER (POEM)

APPRECIATION OF THE THEME: Lord Ullins Daughter (Poem)

VILLA FOR SALE (Drama)

Dramatisation/Role-Play: Villa for Sale (Drama)

THREE MEN IN A BOAT

SECTIONB (WRITING & GRAMMAR)

SECTIONB (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)

3. TRAFFIC JAMS AND ACCIDENTS

4. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE

SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)

SECTIONB (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)

SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)

SECTIONB (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)

3. Monday 28 March 20XX

SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)

SECTIONB (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)

SECTIONC (LITERATURE TEXTBOOK & LONG READING TEXT)

8. 1. The road symbolises the two alternative ways of life.

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1. Friday 19 May 20XX

3. Monday 28 March 20XX