me n mine english xii solution august 2011

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��PULLOUT WORKSHEETS

XII

By

Dr. M.M. SharmaM.A., Ph.D.

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SECTION A – READING SKILLSUnseen Passages� Worksheets 1 to 31 .............................................................................................................. 3–19

SECTION B – ADVANCED WRITING SKILLSShort Composition (Advertisements)� Worksheets 32 & 33 .......................................................................................................... 21–22Short Composition (Notices)� Worksheets 34 to 38 .......................................................................................................... 23–26Short Composition (Posters)� Worksheets 39 to 42 .......................................................................................................... 27–30Short Composition (Invitations)� Worksheets 43 & 44 .......................................................................................................... 31–32Short Composition (Replies to Invitations)� Worksheets 45 & 46 .......................................................................................................... 33–34Report or Factual Description (Events or Experiences)� Worksheets 47 & 48 ................................................................................................................ 35Report or Factual Description (Processes)� Worksheet 49 ........................................................................................................................... 36Report or Factual Description (Reports for School Magazines)� Worksheets 50 to 52 .......................................................................................................... 37–38Report or Factual Description (Reports for Newspapers)� Worksheets 53 to 55 .......................................................................................................... 39–41Letter Writing (Business/Official Letters)� Worksheets 56 & 57 .......................................................................................................... 42–43Letter Writing (Letters to Editors)� Worksheets 58 to 60 .......................................................................................................... 44–47Letter Writing (Applications for a Job)� Worksheets 61 & 62 .......................................................................................................... 48–51Long Composition (Articles for School Magazines)� Worksheets 63 & 64 .......................................................................................................... 52–53Long Composition (Articles for Newspapers)� Worksheets 65 & 66 .......................................................................................................... 54–55

SECTION C – TEXTBOOKS1. FLAMINGO (English Reader)

POETRYMy Mother at Sixty-six (Kamala Das)� Worksheets 67 & 68 ................................................................................................................ 57An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (Stephen Spender)� Worksheets 69 & 70 .......................................................................................................... 58–59Keeping Quiet (Pablo Neruda)� Worksheets 71 & 72 .......................................................................................................... 60–61A Thing of Beauty (John Keats)� Worksheets 73 & 74 ................................................................................................................ 62

(iii)

A Roadside Stand (Robert Frost)� Worksheets 75 to 77 .......................................................................................................... 63–64Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)� Worksheets 78 & 79 ................................................................................................................ 65PROSEThe Last Lesson (Alphonse Daudet)� Worksheets 80 to 82 .......................................................................................................... 66–67Lost Spring (Anees Jung)� Worksheets 83 to 86 .......................................................................................................... 68–69Deep Water (William O. Douglas)� Worksheets 87 to 89 .......................................................................................................... 70–71The Rattrap (Selma Lagerlöf)� Worksheets 90 to 95 .......................................................................................................... 72–75Indigo (Louis Fischer)� Worksheets 96 to 98 .......................................................................................................... 76–77Poets and Pancakes (Asokamitran)� Worksheets 99 to 102 ........................................................................................................ 78–79The InterviewPart-I (Christopher Silvester)Part-II (An Interview with Umberto Eco)� Worksheets 103 to 106 ...................................................................................................... 80–81Going Places (A.R. Barton)� Worksheets 107 to 109 ...................................................................................................... 82–83

2. VISTAS (Supplementary Reader)The Third Level (Jack Finney)� Worksheets 110 to 116 ...................................................................................................... 84–87The Tiger King (Kalki)� Worksheets 117 to 120 ...................................................................................................... 88–89Journey to the End of the Earth (Tishani Doshi)� Worksheets 121 & 122 ............................................................................................................ 90The Enemy (Pearl S. Buck)� Worksheets 123 to 128 ...................................................................................................... 91–94Should Wizard Hit Mommy? (John Updike)� Worksheets 129 to 132 ...................................................................................................... 95–97On the Face of It (Susan Hill)� Worksheets 133 & 134 ............................................................................................................ 98Evans Tries an O’Level (Colin Dexter)� Worksheets 135 to 137 .................................................................................................... 99–100Memories of Childhood� The Cutting of My Long Hair (Zitkala-Sa)� We Too are Human Beings (Bama)� Worksheets 138 & 139 ..................................................................................................101–102

• SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE PAPERS OF VOL. 1 ................................................. 104–136

• LATEST CBSE SAMPLE PAPERS (Solved) ............................................................ 138–160

• FIVE MORE PRACTICE PAPERS (Unsolved) ......................................................... 162–188

• LATEST EXAMINATION PAPERS (Solved) ............................................................. 190–228

(iv)

Solutions toSolutions toSolutions toSolutions toSolutions to

Pullout WorksheetsPullout WorksheetsPullout WorksheetsPullout WorksheetsPullout Worksheetsofofofofof V V V V Vololololol. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1

Section–ASection–ASection–ASection–ASection–A

READING SKILLSREADING SKILLSREADING SKILLSREADING SKILLSREADING SKILLS

3GNIDAER SLLIKS

SOLUTIONS TO WORKSHEETS OF VOL. I

WORKSHEET–1

1.1 (a) Rising prices have burnt holes in the pockets of the common man. There is no immediatehope of relief as inflation shows no sign of decreasing or coming down.

(b) Rising prices would make the task of containing inflation a more difficult exercise. It willhurt economic growth and reform process.

(c) The suggestion was to impose control on food products and essential commodities to rein inthe increasing rates. The Prime Minister ruled it out. He also did not favour depressingagriculture’s terms of trade as it would hurt farmer’s welfare as well as the long termgrowth of economy.

(d) The price rise may deal another blow to the Indo-US nuclear deal. The rising inflation withits political fall out could sap the Manmohan Singh government’s will to push the contentiousdeal. It is already on the backburner and could slip further off the agenda as the price risethreatens to spoil the good opinion people had of the budget.

(e) The price-rise is hurting Congress and its allies in UPA and the Left. The coalition maypull on. Opposition NDA may derive some traction whereas regional parties may grow atthe expense of the Congress party in several states.

1.2 (a) Leverage (b) Adventurism

WORKSHEET–2

1.1 Title: Various Uses of KitesNotes:1. Strange Reasons for flying Kites

(a) Chinese—to keep away evil spirits(b) Tibetan—to bring rain

2. Use of Kites in modern times(a) met. invest’s(b) sc’fic expt.—Benjamin Franklin: lightning caused by elec.(c) Sending up inst’s on kites to measure

(i) air pressure(ii) temp

(iii) speed(iv) direction(v) humidity

3. Use of Kites by armed forces(a) as line across a stream—form’g bridge(b) to help distressed ships at sea in rough weather(c) as gunnery targets

(i) easy to make(ii) cheap to use

(iii) stand a lot of punishment

UNSEEN PASSAGESSECTION

A

4 RO EE N G L S CI XII–H

(d) flying flags for aerial photography(e) during night fighting(f) raising transmitting & receiving aerials(g) kite flare—survival equip’t for airmen at sea(h) not useful in jungle warfare

1.2 Summary: Kites are used in modern times for meteorological investigations. Instruments onkites measure air pressure, temperature, speed, direction and humidity. The armed forces usekites for various purposes, e.g. carrying a line across the stream to form a bridge or at sea tohelp distressed ship; as gunnery targets or for flying flags for aerial photography. Kites arehelpful during night fighting for carrying men over enemy lines and dragging torpedoes. Theyhelp in obtaining improved wireless reception by raising transmitting and receiving signals.‘Kite flare’ was used as survival equipment for airmen forced down at sea.

WORKSHEET–3

1.1 (a) R.K. Pachauri, an environmental expert, is known for his efforts to spread awarenessabout global warming and its effects on earth’s ecosystems and various species. He is theChairman of IPCC and has won Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007.

(b) Planet Earth is warming up steadily because of human activities. Emission of gases likecarbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels leads to heat being trapped by the atmosphere. Thisheat will cause heat waves, droughts, floods, glaciers melting rapidly, serious waterstresses and extinction of many species.

(c) (i) Our low-lying areas could get submerged. Sea-level rise is a threat to Sunderbans.(ii) There may be heavy downpours frequently and more intensely.

(iii) Rapid melting of glaciers may affect flow of water in the rivers in the northern partsof India.

(d) Global warming can be reversed by bringing down the emissions of gases to below zero andfinding ways to absorb existing carbon dioxide. It requires a political will and publicawareness.

(e) Some countries do so because they sell fossil fuels.

1.2 (a) conspiracy (b) vested interests

WORKSHEET–4

1.1 Title: Self-MedicationNotes:1. Introduction

(a) Self-med.—part of normal living(b) advance in diag tech.—last 100 yrs.(c) medic’l expert rqd. for diag. & treat. of disease acc. to symptoms/cause

2. Advancement in Medi’ Sc.(a) deve. of drug therapy(b) impvt. in pub. health org’s & nutri’l standards

3. Counter Trends(a) Advertising by pharma’l companies

(i) lures the patients for overuse of drugs

5GNIDAER SLLIKS

(ii) induces faith in chronic patients(iii) encourages self-medi’n in minor illnesses like cough/cold, etc.

e.g. many prep’tn like laxatives, tonic, painkillers found in quantity in households(b) Emergence of sedentary society

(i) faulty life style(ii) lack of exercise, over eating, insuff ’t sleep etc.

(iii) stress, unhappy rela’ps etc.4. Dangers of Self-medi’n

(a) prep’n contain unsuitable ingre(b) taker becomes dependent(c) taker consumes medi. in excess(d) prep’ns may cause poison’g(e) real cause of illness gets suppressed or untreated

1.2 Summary: Self-medication is part of normal living. Medicinal experts are required for diagnosisand treatment of disease according to symptoms and cause. The development of drug therapyand improvement in public health organisations and nutritional standards have helped progressin medicinal science. Excessive advertising by pharmaceutical companies and emergence ofthe sedantary society are two counter trends. Self-medication is dangerous as the preparationmay be toxic or contain unsuitable ingredients, the user becomes dependent and consumesmedicine in excess. Self-diagnosis is worse than self-medication.

WORKSHEET–5

1.1 (a) Air is essential for our life. We have to breathe in over 10,000 litres of air in a day to keepalive.

(b) Most of us spend ninety per cent of our time indoors—in homes or offices. The air webreathe indoors may also be polluted and cause ill health. So we should pay attention tothe quality of air we breathe indoors.

(c) The important sources of indoor air pollution are:(i) Tobacco smoke

(ii) Animal dusts(iii) Air conditioners(iv) Moulds, bacteria(v) House dust mites

(vi) Cooking and heating(vii) Toxic chemicals

(viii) Asbestos(d) ETS stands for Environmental Tobacco Smoke or “passive smoking”. It causes all the

harms of tobacco smoking to non-smokers for example, the children of smoking parentssuffer from respiratory problems. There is an increased risk of lung cancer among womenexposed to passive smoking.

(e) We must first identify the allergen and then prevent exposure to them. Use of vacuumcleaners, exposure to sun, washing linen in warm water and cleaning coolers, air-conditionersetc. are some of the important steps to minimise allergies.

1.2 (a) contaminate (b) unequivocally (c) humidifiers


WORKSHEET–6

1.1 Title: Advantages of WorkOr

Work—a Source of HappinessNotes:1. Work: source of unhappiness

1.1 irksome work1.2 excess of w’k: painful

2. Work: source of happiness2.1 w’k less painful than idleness2.2 delights of work:

2.2.1 relief of tedium to deep delight2.2.2 nature of w’k2.2.3 ability of worker

3. Advantages of work3.1 fills leisure intelligently

3.1.1 saves from troublesome ex. of choice3.1.2 prevents boredom3.1.3 uninteresting work as boring as no work

3.2 holidays more delicious3.3 gives chances of success

3.3.1 success measured in terms of money3.4 opportunities for ambition

3.4.1 dull w’k—bearable if it builds reputation3.5 continuity of purpose—comes through w’k.

1.2 Summary: Much work which is irksome or excess of work is painful. But work is less painfulthan idleness. The delights of work varying from relief of tedium to deep delight depend onnature of work and ability of worker. Work in itself may not be interesting but it offers manyadvantages such as filling leisure intelligently, preventing boredom and saving from thetroublesome exercise of choice. Work makes holidays more delicious, provides chances ofsuccess and opportunities for ambition. Continuity of purpose, essential for happiness, comesthrough work.

WORKSHEET–7

1.1 (a) Stress is a reaction of the body to any demands or changes in its internal and externalenvironment. Factors such as imbalance between demands and resources change intemperature, pollutants, humidity and working conditions lead to stress.

(b) No, stress has a different meaning depending on the stage of life. For a child a rebuke orloss of a toy causes stress. An adolescent may feel tense after failing in the examination.For an adult loss of job or a dear one causes stress.

(c) (i) Change in the attitude and behaviour(ii) muscle tension

(iii) palpitation, high blood pressure, indigestion and hyperacidity(iv) depression, lethargy, weakness for work.

7GNIDAER SLLIKS

(d) (i) heart diseases (iv) hypertension(ii) neurological depression (v) insomnia

(iii) ulcers (vi) injuries due to accidents(e) (i) Self-inner control—faith in oneself, usefulness of job and in super power.

(ii) Use of stress modifiers or stress busters

1.2 (a) wreck (b) injuries due to accidents lethargy (c) threshold

WORKSHEET–8

1.1 Title: Headache

Notes: HEADACHE

↓ DEFN

Orig. nerves Pain base of skull

↓behind eyes

TYPES OF HEADACHE

↓ ↓

TENSION H. ACHE MIGRAINE H. ACHE

SYMPTOMS band of pain – pain head one side –head, neck, shoulder nausea, irritability

CAUSES drivg certain foodstypg smokgsit’g Gen.

DURATION short 8-24 hrs.possible hangover

GENERAL CAUSES RELIEF ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓Harmonal Envtl. Stress Spinal Short Term Long Term

Imbalances misalignment

Poor posture in sitting/ Visit doc.sleeping ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

ice dark fluid painpack glasses intake killers

1.2 Abstraction/Summary: Headache originates in the nerves and pain signals are sent to thebrain. There are different kinds of headache. Tension headache is usually felt like a band inthe head radiating to the nape of the neck and shoulders. It may be due to long hours ofsitting at a desk, typing or driving. It is usually short. Migraine headache is characterized bypain on one side of the head and other symptoms like nausea, irritability etc. Causes could bevaried ranging from hormonal imbalance to stress. Short term relief can be acquired throughpainkillers, ice-packs, fluid intake and use of dark glasses. However, a doctor should beconsulted.

pain

signals→

↓

↓

↓


WORKSHEET–9

1.1 (a) It has revealed that Ozone has declined in the stratosphere. The losses range around tenper cent in winter and spring and around five per cent during summer and autumn. Theaffected areas are as widespread as Europe, Australia and North America.

(b) Ozone absorbs damaging ultraviolet rays and checks the flow of harmful radiation toearth. The accumulation of pollutant gases in the upper atmosphere alters the passage ofsun’s heat energy and rays to and from the earth.

(c) The stratospheric Ozone above Antarctica disappears during September. The hole whichlasts for two months only measures about 9 million miles—nearly the size of NorthAmerica.

(d) The ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, eye-injury, harm to immune system andupsets the balance of entire eco-system.

(e) Trapping/absorbing of sun’s heat and reflecting it back to earth results in green-houseeffect, leading to global warming. The earth may warm up by four degrees celcius over thenext five decades.

1.2 (a) incidences (b) potential (c) proliferate

WORKSHEET–10

1.1 Title: Charity Hospital for BirdsNotes:1. Place & Origin

1.1 Locn. : Corner of Ch. Chowk1.2 Founder : Lala Lachumal Jain (1929)1.3 Growth : 1929—1 room struc.

1957—pres. bldg.1.4 Facilities : upto 1968—ayurvedic treatment

: from 1968—allopathy introduced: from 1992—path lab tests & surgery

2. Procedure of treatment:People bring injured birds

↓entry in register

↓Name of person, kind of bird, date

↓Ailing bird adm. first-aid

↓Kept in iso cage

↓Moved to comm. sec.

↓Allowed to fly away

3. Resources Charity

bus. men visitors tourists

9GNIDAER SLLIKS

4. Uniqueness4.1 charitable—no govt. funds4.2 free of cost trtmt—4000 to 5000 birds/day4.3 expenditure: Rs 6-7 lakhs annually

5. Drawbacks5.1 carnivorous & pets excluded5.2 locn. inaccessible5.3 no research wk.

1.2 Abstraction/Summary: A charitable hospital for birds was begun in 1929 in a one roomstructure. It caters to hurt and injured birds excluding carnivorous birds and pets. Funds areprovided by rich businessmen, visitors and tourists. After making entry in a register the birdis treated and kept in an isolated cage. Later it is transferred to the common pool and thenallowed to fly away. Though allopathic treatment is available, there are still certain drawbacks.The place is inaccessible and no research facilities are available.

WORKSHEET–11

1.1 (a) Dioxin, an organochlorine, belonging to the family of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)is produced. It causes cancer.

(b) Converting garbage into energy to produce 25 megawatts of power and swallow 1,000tonnes of garbage everyday. Incineration simply changes risky waste from solid form toair, water and ash.

(c) (i) Hydrochloric acid attacks respiratory system, skin and eyes and results in coughing,vomiting and nausea.

(ii) Polyethylene produces volatile carinogens like formal-dehyde and acetaldehyde whichcause cancer.

(iii) Breathing styrene from polystyrene can cause leukaemia.(iv) Polyurethane is linked with asthma.(v) Dioxin disrupts hormones, causes birth defects and reproductive problems.

(d) (i) Exorbitantly expensive to operate.(ii) release of dioxin is highest from incinerators.

(e) Nearly 80% of Indian garbage is recyclable or compostable.

1.2 (a) garbage (b) gobble (c) conventional.

WORKSHEET–12

1.1 Title: Machines and CivilizationNotes:1. Third great defect of our civiliz.

(i) lack of knowl.(a) to use mach. (b) to manage mach.

2. Mach. more like rulers/masters(i) sh. be kept at rt. temp. (ii) sh. be fed/kept properly

(a) or ref to work/blow up3. More time & energy avail.

(a) used up to make better mach. (b) time & energy sh. be used to bec. better civilised4. Mach. as aids to civiliz.

(i) exploring universe (ii) making civiliz. everlasting(iii) Civiliz. is

(a) making beaut. things (b) living rightly (c) maint. justice equally


1.2 Summary: The great defect in present civilization is that it does not make proper use ofknowledge given by science. Machines were made by man to serve him as servants but theyare now becoming masters and man has become dependent upon them. The time and energysaved by machines can be used to make our civilization great and everlasting. We can explorethe universe and remove the causes of quarrels between nations. Machines can help ineradicating poverty.

WORKSHEET–13

1.1 (a) The only way to contain SARS till now is by quarantining the affected person. By keepingthe SARS infected person away from others, the disease is prevented from spreading.

(b) The SARS virus has evaded all attempts to identify it. The incubation period of virus being10 days, passengers are requested to report if they develop symptoms within 12 days ofarrival. Screening of all passengers is impossible because of the large number and timeconsuming diagnostic tests.

(c) The major cause of SARS infection is through close contact. It is transmitted by inhalingcough droplets, or through an object contaminated with body fluids from an infectedperson. It may be transmitted through air as well, because the coronavirus can survive inthe environment for upto 24 hours.

(d) Good infection control can contain the outbreak of SARS. Simple precautions such as usingmasks, gloves, gowns and goggles, in order to avoid direct physical contact with the SARSinfected person, can be quite effective.

(e) At present, there is no cure available for SARS virus. The use of combination of anti-viraltreatments and antibiotics have met with only partial success. A drug with anti-viralproperties developed from the green mussel is found effective against many respiratoryviruses and is being tested against coronavirus now. The development of proper drug andits test on cell cultures may take time.

1.2 (a) surveillance (b) mutate (c) virulent

WORKSHEET–14

1.1 Notes:1. Second Chance Edn.

(a) Motives:(i) Serious: love for lrg.,

(ii) Ordinary:1. Promotions 2. Better job/marriage

2. Scope of Dis. Edn.(a) No replacem’t of formal Edn.(b) Parameters widen’g

(i) lesson packets (ii) interactions—p.c.p.—responses: 2-way process(iii) audio/video tapes: electronic media

3. Diff. in Attitudes(a) Formal Edn.—obl’g parents/appeas’g trs. (b) Dis. Edn.—disciplin’d & motivat’d

4. Society & Dist. Edn.(a) social purpose—safety valve(b) jobs & degrees

(i) formal edn—more unemp’d (ii) dist. edn.—more empl’d5. Quality of Edn. & Institutes

(a) check diln. of stand’s (b) no comm’n

11GNIDAER SLLIKS

1.2 Title: Role & Scope of Distance EducationSummary: Distance education is second chance education. The serious minded have love forlearning while promotion in jobs or better prospects in job/marriage market drives the ordinarypursuers. It is not a replacement of formal education. Its parameters are widening. From sendinglesson packets it has come to audio and video tapes. Responses and interactions in personalcontact programmes make it a two-way process. Disciplined and motivated students earn, learnand serve society. Commercialisation and dilution of standards should be effectively checked.

WORKSHEET–15

1.1 (a) Allergy is a disease. Allergy is caused by hypersensitivity to certain substances (antigensor allergens). Allergies are triggered off by what one breathes, eats or touches.

(b) Antibodies combine with specific foreign materials to neutralise them. Antibodies aredefensive in nature against bacteria and viruses.

(c) Allergy may be inherited from parents. If both the parents are allergic, the children willbecome allergic in the ratio of 3 : 1. In case only one parent comes from an allergic family,the chances for allergy in the children will be reduced to 2 : 1.

(d) The two common allergies of the respiratory system are hayfever and asthma.(e) Digestive system allergies are triggered off by drugs and foods.

1.2 (a) neutralise (b) symptoms (c) sensitivity

WORKSHEET–16

1.1 Notes:1. Physical Envt.

(a) conducive to focus thought(i) identify distract’g factors (ii) no concentrat’n in envt. full of distract’n

(b) Focus–attn. & retn. powers at optm. levels(i) soft music—blocks outside noise

(ii) study table—away from window—visual distract’n.2. Fixing Goals & Targets

(a) Estg. goals for self—no gen’l targets(b) focused system—thoughts & goals in line(c) schedules of study/recn.

(i) mix’g subjs.—like/dislike (ii) ret’g enj’le subjs to last pn3. Timing

(a) 40 mts at a stretch(b) short break:

(i) bld. concentrat’n (ii) refresh mind(c) longer relaxation—undesired effects

4. Concentration(a) disciplining the mind:

(i) practice (ii) patience(b) +ve thkg.—no disheartening

1.2 Title: Enhancing ConcentrationSummary: For enhancing concentration, the physical environment should be conducive tofocus thought. One should first identify the distracting factors as there can be no concentrationin an environment full of distraction. For focussing thought, attention and retention powersmust work at optimum levels. Soft music blocks outside noise. Study table away from window


checks visual distraction. Fixing goals helps to achieve focused system. Schedule of study andrecreation also helps. Have a short break after concentrating for 40 minutes. Concentrationdisciplines the mind through practice and patience. Have positive thoughts and avoid beingdisheartened.

WORKSHEET–17

1.1 (a) Modern woman is a self-directed and dignity conscious person who is rational in approachand careful in handling.

(b) Women’s empowerment and participation is necessary for finding durable solution tosociety’s most threatening social, economic and political problems.

(c) The two benefits from education of girls are:1. narrowing down the prevailing inequality.2. accelerating the process of economic and political change in the status of women.

(d) The factors which have affected the education of girls adversely are:1. prevailing cultural norms of gender behaviour and the perceived domestic and

reproductive roles of women.2. negative attitudes towards sending girls to schools, restrictions on mobility specially

after puberty, early marriage, poverty and illiteracy of parents.(e) Women empowerment can help the community by providing sustainable development.

1.2 (a) domain (b) luxury (c) inculcate

WORKSHEET–18

1.1 Title: Innovation for GrowthNotes:1. India lag’g behind in innovat’n: reasons

(a) lack of thinkers/innovators(b) too late to realize/acknowledge their achvt.

2. Position of India(a) Storehouse of int’l capital

(i) NASA (ii) Microsoft (iii) IBM(b) Know’ge not used properly

(i) identify’g & promot’g talent(ii) pr’dg proper opportunities, atmosphere & technology

3. Innovation & Role of Industry(a) Innovat’n—lifeline to exist in business(b) thrust on R & D(c) R & D—neglected sphere:

(i) minimum expenditure (ii) long term gains4. Human Contribution Factor

(a) India—abundant natural resources(b) comb’g resources with tech’gy & innovat’n—better economy(c) human zeal & contribut’n(d) India—infn. rich country—know’ge tested—put to use(e) goals ach’d through creativity & innovat’n

1.2 Summary: India is lagging behind in innovation not because there is a lack of thinkers orinnovators but because they are too late to realize and acknowledge their achievement. Indiais a storehouse of intellectual capital but knowledge is not used properly. Talent should beidentified and promoted by providing proper opportunities and atmosphere. Innovation is

13GNIDAER SLLIKS

lifeline of industry. Research and development must get proper thrust. Minimum expenditurehere will get long term gains. Human zeal has contributed to combining resources withtechnology and innovation. Information-rich India should ensure that knowledge is tested andput to use for achieving goals.

WORKSHEET–19

1.1 (a) Scientists have discovered how women’s minds work while shopping. Different types ofbrain-waves are generated to prompt buying or rejecting the item. The scientists haveidentified these signals.

(b) The research will help the manufacturers to create products, shops and advertisementsand subconsciously stimulate similar brainwave patterns. Thus, they will encourage peopleto buy their products without realising.

(c) This approach has been criticised on ethical grounds as it is a sinister method which seeksto brainwash the shoppers.

(d) Heightened pleasure produces blood flows to the left prefrontal cortex and to the visualcortex. This activates the buy zones and women are likely to buy that article.

(e) The reject zones are linked to the “flight or fight” reaction. There is a rapid surge of bloodto the right prefrontal cortex. It is an area linked with negative reactions.

(f) Academicians and manufacturers have reacted favourably to the scientific study. They arequite impressed as the research will help manufacturers save spending money in marketingsomething that is unlikely to attract customers.

1.2 (a) generated (b) stimulate (c) sceptical

WORKSHEET–20

1.1 Notes:1. Gold—indispensable in the past

(a) ornl. value(b) hedge against inflat’n(c) banks—gold reserves(d) Indians—sentimental value(e) easy liquidity

2. Chang’g Worth of Gold(a) decline in gold prices(b) IMF & Foreign central banks—gold, a dead investt.(c) Dev’g countries mob’g resources other than gold

3. Solutions for Indian Investors(a) Investt. in comm’s mutual fund(b) safe and high returns

4. Change in Govt. Policy(a) hgr. for’n exchange reserves(b) stable currency(c) gold import—weaken’g currency

1.2 Title: Gold—A Dead InvestmentSummary: Gold has been indispensable in the past. Apart from ornamental value it has beenused as hedge against inflation. Banks kept gold reserves. Gold has a sentimental value.Moreover, gold has easy liquidity. Of late there has been decline in gold prices and it is


considered a dead investment. Developing countries are mobilising other resources. The Indianinvestors can have safe and high returns by investing in commodities mutual fund. Thegovernment has to change its policy by maintaining stable currency, higher foreign exchangereserves and curbing gold import which weakens currency.

WORKSHEET–21

1.1 (a) India is likely to cross the one-billion mark in terms of population. It would then becomethe second nation in the world having a billion-plus population.

(b) The two likely drawbacks are:1. It is a drain on the nation’s limited resources.2. It spells ecological disaster.

(c) India’s urban population is likely to rise to 326 million in 2005, from the current 286million. It is expected to further increase to 419 millions in about 15 years from now. Thenumber of urban dwellers will outnumber the rural population in 21st century.

(d) Increasing population will have an adverse effect on environment. Water pollution and airpollution are likely to increase.

(e) Feeding the ever-increasing millions will become the most critical problem as availableland is limited and demand for food grains is likely to increase by 1.8 per cent annually.For example, the requirement of foodgrains is expected to go up to 284 million metrictonnes by 2020 from the 180 million metric tonnes for 2000.

1.2 (a) drain (b) megapolis (c) syndrome.

WORKSHEET–22

1.1 Notes:1. Mineral water—defn.2. Classification of Mineral Waters

(a) LMW—500 mgs TDS/litre(b) MMW—500 to 1500 mg TDS/litre(c) HMW—over 1500 mg TDS/litre

3. Position in Indiaprocessed H2O as mineral H2O

4. Importance of minerals in H2O(a) adjuncts to good health(b) contribute to well being(c) help body to absorb minerals in sols.

5. Taste(a) HMW—strong pronounced taste(b) LMW—subtle in flavour(c) WMW—no taste

6. Water—essential for human body(a) biochemical processes(b) thirst not accurate indicator(c) 3.5 litres/day(d) for intense activity: more H2O + mineral + energy source(e) keep body well hydrated & active(f) if no mineral H2O—simple, plain water.

15GNIDAER SLLIKS

1.2 Title: Mineral WaterSummary: Mineral water is defined as water that is bottled at the source without anytreatment. Mineral waters are classified as lightly, moderately or highly mineralised water asper varying quantity of total dissolved salts per litre varying from 500 mg to 1500 mg andabove. In India processed water is sold as mineral water. The minerals in water are adjunctsto good health and contribute to its well being by helping the body to absorb minerals. Highlymineralised water has strong pronounced taste, lightly mineralised is subtle in flavour. Plainwater has no taste. Water is essential for human body to maintain biochemical process. Onemust drink 3.5 litres of water per day to stay healthy, hydrated and active.

WORKSHEET–23

1.1 (a) The author’s father emigrated because everything around him was full of the presence ofhis wife, who had died and it continually reopened his wounds.

(b) The author did not feel the absence of his mother after her death because he was very wellbrought up by his father, who was both father and mother for him.

(c) The author's father wanted to go back to his old village because he wanted to see the oldfolks again and visit his wife’s grave.

(d) The author had come back to the land of his birth because he had promised his father thathe would go on his own.

(e) The author’s father had described over and over again what they would see at everymilestone, after leaving the nearest town. The author was sure that he would recognise itas familiar territory. Hence he thought that he would not need a map for the last part ofhis journey.

(f) The author could not locate his old village because he could not see any valley, farms,cottages and church spire as told by his father but only a lake, which was not marked onthe map. Moreover, the village had been submerged in the lake.

1.2 (a) nightmare (b) submerge (c) speedometer.

WORKSHEET–24

1.1 Notes:1. Ess. of mor.

(a) compassion—real mor.(b) meaning of mor. depends on good and bad concept(c) inflicting no harm or injury to others

2. Basically mor. means(a) abi. to understand(b) abi. to sympathise(c) feeling of kindness and sorrow for others

3. Killers of mor.(a) taunting or insulting others through words or actions(b) selfishness(c) verbal or acts of torture contradict mor.

4. Soc. mor.(a) essen. to stop degeneration of values(b) otherwise sufferings and chaos.

5. degeneration in soc. mor.(a) lack of sympathy and kindness b/w fellow-beings(b) comp. getting eroded in the mechanical lifestyle(c) today’s man busy in personal gains


(d) no more humanity left.Abbreviations used: Ess. essence essen. essential mor. morality

soc. social abi. ability b/w between

1.2 Title: Essence of Real MoralitySummary: Compassion is the essence of real morality. The meaning of morality depends ongood and bad concepts and, inflicting no harm or injury to others. Basically, morality meansability to understand, sympathise and feelings of kindness and sorrow for others. Taunts, insult,selfishness and acts of torture are killers of morality. Social morality is essential to stopdegeneration of values. Today man has become selfish and has forgotten humanity in mechanicallifestyle.

WORKSHEET–25

1.1 (a) The author wants that educationists should build up a habit of resistance to suggestion inthe minds of their students.

(b) Resistance to suggestion can be built up by teaching the children:(i) to rely upon their own internal spiritual resources and

(ii) not to depend on incessant stimulation from without.(c) Purposeless reading, listening to radios or looking at films are also addictions. These are

psychological equivalents of alcoholism and morphinism. People suffer real distress if theyare deprived of newspapers, radio, music of film even for a few hours because they feelpainfully subnormal and incomplete without them. These psychological additions provideincessant stimulation from without.

(d) Children can be helped from becoming reading, hearing or seeing addicts by providingthem the education of the hand and the intellect as well as by training them to use criticalanalysis to judge propaganda.

(e) Critical analysis helps us to react to forceful suggestions in the right way at the right time.

1.2 (a) incessant (b) conceal (c) coherent

WORKSHEET–26

1.1 Title: Impact of TelevisionNotes:1. Advantages

(a) helpful to people with selective view’g (b) incr. knowl. of diffr. fields(c) benefits old people/patients-confined to home/hosp(d) helps non-native speakers for infor’l language practice, voca. and listen’g

2. Disadvantages(a) long view’g hrs. averag’g 6 hrs a day

(i) child glued to TV w/out study’g/sleep’g (ii) powerful, often neg. influence(b) recent studies

(i) ‘relaxes’ brain to ‘before sleep state’ in < 30 sec(ii) reduces concentra’n time to 15-20 min

3. Negative Influ.(a) dissatis’n with personal life

(i) reel life more attractive than real life(b) exposure to excessive violence

(i) child. grow more aggre. and violent(c) causes addiction to itself

(i) powerf ’l need to watch TV even if not req’d

17GNIDAER SLLIKS

1.2 Summary: Television has a strong impact on people’s lives. It has many positive features asgood programmes telecast can increase our knowledge about various fields like science, artand medicine, etc. It is an ideal companion for old people or patients who can’t leave home.Also, it promotes one’s communication skills, especially, if one is a non-native speaker. On theother hand, TV viewing has a strong negative influence as well. In many countries, long TVviewing hours, averaging six hours a day become detrimental to the growth, concentration andstudy-habits of children. Since reel life is more exciting than real life, people develop dissatis-faction with personal lives. Over exposure to violence and fights makes children more aggressive.TV viewing, finally, becomes an addiction which forces people to sit glued to it without derivingany pleasure from it.

WORKSHEET–27

1.1 (a) Primitive man lived by hunting. Each man hunted for himself and his family or tribe.Strangers were then avoided or driven away. So money and even trade were unnecessary.Hence primitive man did not feel the necessity of money as a means of exchange.

(b) The various stages in the development of human society are:1. Primitive man who lived by hunting;2. Nomads who constantly wandered around, and drove his flocks and herds to new pastures.3. When communities began to settle down and cultivate the land. (Any two acceptable)

(c) In the pastoral stage of human history, a cattle was an acceptable commodity as a meansof exchange. The Latin word ‘pecus’ means ‘cattle’. It gave birth to another Latin word‘pecunia’ which means ‘money’. In modern English the adjective ‘pecuniary’ means ‘concernedwith money’. This is how the word pecuniary originated.

(d) Exchange or barter system would be done only with few certain things. It could nothappen between a shoe-maker and a farmer. A shoe-maker who needs supplies of corn forhis family from time to time, may not always find that the farmer willing to take shoes inexchange. It would have been more convenient, if there were some other objects thatwould always be useful to both the shoe-maker and the farmer, and this object is money.

(e) ‘Tael’ was the standard money of China which is not a coin but a weight of silver.(f) To make coins of standard shape, weight and fineness, it is necessary for the government

to mint coins.

1.2 (a) Primitive (b) Business transaction (c) Fineness

WORKSHEET–28

1.1 Title: Power of Intelligent Computers/Electronic Brain/Artificial IntelligenceNotes:1. Earlier terms

(a) ‘Electronic brain’(i) first massive compu. capable of rapid computation

(b) ‘High Speed Idiot’(i) to protect vanity (ii) human idiot still among most intelli. forms on earth

(c) neither describes artifi’l intelli. of comp. appro’ly2. New discovery regarding thought processes

(a) greater understanding about human brain(b) higher animals cap’ble of basic thought, e.g., dog, cat, etc.(c) Insect, other lower forms–no thought(d) higher mammals–more complex brain activity


3. Artif’l Intelli. Research(a) machines like compu/robots–superior mental ability to many life forms

(i) play chess/backgammon unlike plants/lower animals(b) World’s best players–computers

1.2 Summary: The first massive computers which could make rapid computation were called‘electronic brain’. Later on these were dubbed ‘high-speed idiots’ to protect human vanity. Eventhe human idiot is still among the most intelligent life forms on earth. Neither label describesartificial intelligence of computer appropriately. New discovery regarding thought processeshave led to great understanding about human brain. While higher animals e.g. dog, cat etc.are capable of basic thought, insects and other lower forms are thoughtless. Higher mammalsshow more complex brain activity. Artificial Intelligence Research reveals that machines likecomputers/robots have superior mental ability to many life forms. They can play chess/backgammon unlike plants/lower animals. Some of the world’s best players are now computers.

WORKSHEET–29

1.1 (a) The employed woman has to work in an office or factory. She has to do the household workalso. Husbands and children barely increase their contribution to housework and childcare when the employed woman is in the labour force. As a result, the employed womangives up most of her leisure to carry out the responsibilities of family life. So she isdeprived of the joys of leisure.

(b) Home making is not considered at par with paid work because it is not clear whatconstitutes housework. Housework standards vary greatly. It would be difficult to knowhow to reward it. Again pay for housework might place homemakers in the difficultposition of having their work assessed by their husbands, while in the case of single home-makers, it is not clear who would do the assessing.

(c) Unless women and men are paid equally in the labour force and there is no division oflabour based on sex, women’s work in the home will have no value.

(d) In spite of time-saving gadgets and appliances, U.S. women are more busy today than everbefore. It is because family members demand more frequent changes of clothing than inearlier generations. As a result, women today spends more time doing laundry.Today’s women devote inordinate amount of time and money to waxing floors, creatingrooms free of ‘odour-causing’ germs and seeking to meet other extraordinary standards ofcleanliness. Again, husband and children expect more varied meals. Furthermore, theincreasing concern with good nutrition means that many home-makers are now spendingmore time preparing foods that are not available in the market-place.

(e) Women working at home may not be considered equal to those working in office or businesscentres. Some single women with family responsibilities work because they are the familybread winners. Again, the housework standards vary greatly. It would be very difficult toknow how to reward it.

1.2 (a) assorted (b) reinforce (c) inordinate

WORKSHEET–30

1.1 Title: Civilised CommunitiesNotes:1. Composition of Civilised Communities

(a) small cl. of corrupted rulers(b) large cl. of sub’s

19GNIDAER SLLIKS

2. Social order(a) Desirable sl. order–delivers one from avoidable evils(b) Bad sl. order–leads people into temptations

3. The Modern World: prevalent position(a) War–great obstacle to desirable change(b) Foreign policy of nations–militaristic principles(c) Source of Reform

(i) Pvt. individuals (ii) Not thro’ those in power(d) Method of Reform: persuasion

(i) Policy of pacifism preferable to militarism

1.2 Summary: The civilised communities of the modern world are made up of a small class ofrulers, and of a large class of subjects. A desirable social order is one that delivers people fromavoidable evils. Bad social order leads us into temptation. In the modern world the greatobstacle to all desirable change is war. All the nations conduct their foreign policy on militaristicprinciples. It is the business of private individuals to persuade majority of people that policy ofpacifism is preferable to that of militarism.

WORKSHEET–31

1.1 (a) Practice fixes in us the virtues, vices and dispositions of character. We become brave bydespising terrible things as a force of habit and by resisting them with full force. When webecome brave we can stand firmly against them.

(b) Being afraid is an appropriate emotion when we face quite fearful things.(c) (i) A brave person is different from a reckless person since a rash or reckless person is

never afraid. He cannot be educated. Being afraid of really fearful things is a trait of abrave person.

(ii) The coward lacks confidence. He is disposed to be overly fearful, yet examples ofencouragement may help him. A brave person has confidence and does not express fearagainst everything.

(d) The striking courage displayed by Gandhiji or Horatius had an infectious nature. It inspiredothers.

(e) The mere inclination to do the right is not enough. We have to know what is the rightthing to do. For this we need wisdom to give our courage determinate form and intelligentdirection. We also need the will, the motivating power that inspiring leaders help usdiscover within ourselves.

(f) The older children can cultivate their own dispositions by behaving bravely before theiryounger brothers or sisters. It provides excellent practice. There is nothing to be afraid of.The elders can stand by the children in challenging circumstances. They learn how tohandle their own confidence and fear, to figure out the right thing to do and to muster thewill to do it.

1.2 (a) inspire (b) right/appropriate (c) safe

Section–BSection–BSection–BSection–BSection–B

ADVANCEDADVANCEDADVANCEDADVANCEDADVANCEDWRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLS

21ECNAVDA GNITIRWD SLLIKS


WORKSHEET–32

1. PROPERTY FOR SALEFor sale the first floor of a newly constructed house in Greater Kailash comprising two bedrooms, one large drawing-cum-dining room, a large kitchen and bathrooms with latestamenities. Prices negotiable. Please contact Ranjit/Rekha, 751 GK between 10 am to 5 pmon Sunday or ring 5467329.

2. PROPERTYFor immediate sale, the rear portion of a bungalow, 115, Rajpur Road, Delhi. Two bed-rooms, attached baths, drawing-cum-dining. Price around 20 lakh but negotiable. ContactRohit, 115 Rajpur Road or ring 23295665.

3. SITUATIONS WANTEDA computer engineer well versed in hardware and software techniques seeks a part timejob in or around Delhi in the evening hours. Presently working in a MNC at NOIDA.Salary negotiable. Contact Munish Mehta, 37-B, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi or Phone 26423457.

4. Subscribe to SPORTSLINE for a year

a fortnightly sports & features magazineand get a

PRESTIGE ALARM CLOCKFREE

READ & SAVEH Annual subscription (105 issues) Rs. 1050.

H Special inaugural discount Rs. 210.H Despatch a demand draft of Rs. 840

and get Sportsline for a yearHurry

offer closes 31 August 200X

WORKSHEET–33

1. LOST AND FOUNDLost my brown VIP leather briefcase while travelling from Punjabi Bagh to Maharani Baghin greenline bus on Friday between 10 a.m. and 11 am. It contains my identity card andsome valuable documents. Please contact Rahul/Rashmi of 215-C, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi,or ring 25425368.

SHORT COMPOSITION(Advertisements)

SECTION

B


2. FOR SALEAvailable for sale a brand new Santro car and other household goods such as fridge, television,air-conditioner, micro-wave processor etc. The owner is leaving for Canada soon. Pricesnegotiable. Contact Sunil/Simi, 243-B Kalkaji, New Delhi or ring 24629876.

3. APPEALA promising young lad with kidney beyond repair and the other damaged in a car accidentis on dialysis in Apollo Hospital. Donors are invited to offer one of their kidneys to savethis sole bread earner of a family of five. Please contact immediately Medical Superintendent,Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

4. YOGA CENTREThe creative centre for complete Health has started a Yoga Centre at 15/25 Tilak Nagar,New Delhi. The centre will be open from 10th April, 200X. It will function between9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. and is open to all children between 5-18 years. For registration andfurther details, contact Aman at 9811196543.


SHORT COMPOSITION(Notices)

SECTION

BWORKSHEET–34

1. ABN SR. SEC. SCHOOL, JODHPUR25 July, 200X NOTICE

CAREER GUIDANCEWe are pleased to inform that Miss Renu Nigam, the eminent counsellor, CARING, haskindly consented to give a talk on the various career options available to the students ofthe humanities stream.

Date : 30th July, 2008Time : 11 a.m.Venue : School AuditoriumClasses : XI and XII

For queries, kindly contact the undersigned

AmitaHead Girl

2. DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL KAROL BAGH, NEW DELHI17 October, 200X NOTICE

ZONAL VOLLEYBALL FINALIt is a rare honour that our school is playing against CPM School, Meerut in a ZonalVolleyball Final tomorrow

Date : 18 Oct., 200XTime : 3 p.m. sharpVenue : Our School Ground

All the students are cordially invited to watch the tournament and cheer up the schoolteam.

A. GaneshDirector, Physical Education

WORKSHEET–35

1. SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEENATIONAL SCHOOL, BARODA

4 March, 200X NOTICE

PROPOSED CALENDAR 2007-2008The School Development Committee proposes to develop calendar of activities for the nextyear. All suggestions on following topics may be directed to the undersigned by the9th March:


ExcursionsTrekking VenuesInter-house CompetitionsInter-School Contests

DebatesQuizScience Exhibitions

Welfare ActivitiesSchool FeteBlood Donation CampAfforestation Campaign

Manav/ManasiStudents’ RepresentativeSDC

2. S.R. PUBLIC SCHOOL, AGRA7 August 200X NOTICE

DONATE BLOOD: SAVE LIFEThe Red Cross Society of India is organising a one-day blood-donation camp as per detailsgiven below:

Date : 15 Aug., 2008Time : 9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.Venue : Activities RoomAge Limit : Above 16 years

All the members of the staff and the students are requested to come forward and donateblood generously for the noble cause.

Arun SenSecretarySchool Red Cross Committee

WORKSHEET–36

1. DAYANAND MODEL SCHOOL, AJMERNOTICE 25 July 200X

OPPORTUNITY FOR BUDDING ARTISTSStudents are invited to participate in the Inter School Poster Making Competition to beheld on 9 August, 200X in the school ground from 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Junior Category (Classes IV to VII)Topic : Save Water

Senior Category (Classes IX to XII)Topic : Eco-friendly Diwali

For details contact:PriyaSecretary, Cultural Society


2. AB PUBLIC SCHOOL, PATIALA

NOTICE 1 Feb., 200X

INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

The Eleventh International Book Fair is being organised as per details given below:

Venue : Pragati Maidan, Delhi

Dates : 7 Feb. to 14 Feb., 200X

Timings : 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (week days)9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays)

Those interested in books may give their names to the undersigned by 3 Feb., 200X.

Gian SinghLibrarian

WORKSHEET–37

1. ABT SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, XYZ CITY

NOTICE 1 August, 200X

Career Counselling Session

A career counselling session with Ms. Usha Grewal, noted counsellor will be held in ourschool.

Date : 10 August 200X

Time : 11 a.m.

Venue : School Auditorium

Classes : XI and XII

Please be seated by 8.45 a.m. and do not carry eatables and bags inside the auditorium.For further details contact:

Rahul Khanna(Head Boy)

2. Queen Victoria Senior Secondary School, Nagpur

NOTICE 17 July, 200X

INAUGURATION OF LITERARY ASSOCIATION

The School Literary Association will be inaugurated by noted educationist. Prof. B. Rajanon 19 July at 11.30 a.m. in the school auditorium. He will also deliver a talk on ‘How toimprove spoken English’. It will be followed by an interactive session.

All members are requested to attend.ABCSecretary


WORKSHEET–38

1. ABT SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, HYDERABADNOTICE

25 October, 200XSchool Magazine

The School Magazine ‘REFLECTIONS’ will be brought out in the last week of January.Students interested in contributing articles, poems, riddles, tit-bits, cartoons, sketches, etc.,may send them to the undersigned lasted by 15th November. Contribution should be typedor neatly written on one side of paper.

XYZEditorSchool Magazine

2. ZENITH PUBLIC SCHOOLNOTICE

BRITANNIA QUIZ CONTEST15 Nov. 200X

The preliminary round of Britannia Quiz Contest for North Zone will be held at our schoolon 25 Nov, 200X. All the students who desire to participate in it may submit their namesto the undersigned by the 20th Nov.

AmritaHead Girl


SHORT COMPOSITION(Posters)

SECTION

BWORKSHEET–39

1. STOP CHILD EXPLOITATIONSTOP CHILD EXPLOITATIONSTOP CHILD EXPLOITATIONSTOP CHILD EXPLOITATIONSTOP CHILD EXPLOITATION

SAY ‘NO’ TO SAY ‘NO’ TOCRACKERS CHILD LABOUR

DON’T BURN THEIR FUTURE IN SMOKETHEY NEED YOUR LOVE & CARE

COME: JOIN HANDS

Participate in large numbers in the rally organised against the exploitation of children

Date : 14 November 200X

Time : 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Venue : XYZ school to neighbouring areas.

LET’S LET’S LET’S LET’S LET’S CELEBRATE CRACKER-FREE DIWALICELEBRATE CRACKER-FREE DIWALICELEBRATE CRACKER-FREE DIWALICELEBRATE CRACKER-FREE DIWALICELEBRATE CRACKER-FREE DIWALI

Issued by:President, Eco ClubXYZ School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.

2. SAY ‘NO’ TO PLASTICSSAY ‘NO’ TO PLASTICSSAY ‘NO’ TO PLASTICSSAY ‘NO’ TO PLASTICSSAY ‘NO’ TO PLASTICS Non-Biodegradable

Dumping Pollutes Environment

Burning Air Pollution

Toxic Elements ∴ Lung Cancer

DISCARD PLASTIC BAGS—INSTEAD USEDISCARD PLASTIC BAGS—INSTEAD USEDISCARD PLASTIC BAGS—INSTEAD USEDISCARD PLASTIC BAGS—INSTEAD USEDISCARD PLASTIC BAGS—INSTEAD USE

Paper Bags Jute Bags Cloth Bags

PROTECT THE PROTECT THE PROTECT THE PROTECT THE PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENTSTAY HEALTHYSTAY HEALTHYSTAY HEALTHYSTAY HEALTHYSTAY HEALTHY

Issued by:SecretaryEnvironment ClubABC School, Vayu Vihar, Delhi.


WORKSHEET–40

1. BLINDNESS

H A great handicap H Hinders DevelopmentH Makes one dependent on others H Checks Potential

H Object of pity & Sympathy

HELP THE BLINDGIVE THEM LIGHT

not money or petty jobsDONATE EYES

LIVE AFTER DEATHLIVE AFTER DEATHLIVE AFTER DEATHLIVE AFTER DEATHLIVE AFTER DEATHCONTACT: Eye Bank of Your City

SecretaryEYE BANK, CIVIL HOSPITAL, MADURAI

2. Dramatic ClubSALWAN PUBLIC SCHOOL, GURGAON

proudly presents

THE NEVER-NEVER NESTa hilarious comedy

byCEDRIC MOUNT

for the benefit of Spastic Society of Indiaon SATURDAY, 28th OCTOBER 200X

Entry: Donor Tickets of Rs. 100 eachCOME, ENJOY & HELP A NOBLE CAUSE

Cultural SecretaryDramatic ClubSPSG

WORKSHEET–41

1. AN ATTRACTIVE & COLOURFUL

DIWDIWDIWDIWDIWALIALIALIALIALI MELMELMELMELMELAAAAAorganised by

ST. MARY PUBLIC SCHOOL, MEERUTin aid of flood-affected people

onWEDNESDAY, 25th OCTOBER 200X

from9 am to 5 pm

atSCHOOL CAMPUS


Remember it’s:

A Day of Fun and FrolicsA Day of Fun and FrolicsA Day of Fun and FrolicsA Day of Fun and FrolicsA Day of Fun and FrolicsH Merry go-rounds H Snack StallsH Gymnastics H Gun ContestsH Electronic Games H Fancy Dress

Entry by TicketsCome one : Come allHelp a noble cause

2. PLANT TREESPLANT TREESPLANT TREESPLANT TREESPLANT TREES&&&&&

LIVE LONGERLIVE LONGERLIVE LONGERLIVE LONGERLIVE LONGERTrees are our friends Trees bring rainTrees release oxygen Trees check soil erosionTrees suck carbon Trees provide shade & greenery

JOINTREE PLANTATION CAMPAIGN

ONSUNDAY, 8 OCTOBER 200X

at 9.00 amSARVODAYA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, JAIPUR

WORKSHEET–42

1. LIONS CLUB AND LEO CLUB, CHENNAIwill conjointly organise

DIWALI MELAat

NEHRU STADIUMfrom

3 to 6 October, 200X

6 p.m. onwards each day

Entry Fee : Adults : Rs. 20/- Kids : Rs. 5/-

ATTRACTIONS✫ FUN GAMES FOR KIDS ✫ TAMBOLA

✫ MERRY GO-ROUNDS ✫ EATABLES FOR ALL TASTES

ATTRACTIVE PRIZES

R. MurlitharanPresident Leo Club,Temple Town


2. EXCELLENT COACHING CENTRED-24, Boat Club Road, New Delhi

announcesCommencement of 15th batch for

IIT & CPMT aspirantsSpecial Features

Expert guidance by specialistsScientifically prepared study materialPeriodic tests and assessmentsReasonable fees

OUR TEN STUDENTS TOP INIIT/CPMT/GNAT

Limited Seats

Contact: Dr. A.N. Jha, Director Phone: 22343256


WORKSHEET–43

1. The Principal, Staff and Students

ofWonderland Public School

cordially invite you to the

ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONat

Hawk Auditoriumon

5th April 200Xat

6.00 p.m.

Mr. S.P. Tailang, noted Environmentalist has kindly consented to be the Guest of Honour.

RSVP

Principal, Wonderland Public School Kindly be seated by 5.45 p.m.Phone: 2342034 Mobile phones and cameras are not allowedMobile: 9891002034 please.

2. The Principal, Staff and Studentsof

M.J. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, DELHIcordially invite you to their

ANNUAL DAY FUNCTIONANNUAL DAY FUNCTIONANNUAL DAY FUNCTIONANNUAL DAY FUNCTIONANNUAL DAY FUNCTIONat

The School Auditoriumon

15 November, 200Xat 5 p.m.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi has kindly consentedto be the Chief Guest.

RSVPPh.: 26165423, 26193467

Please occupy your seats by 4.45 p.m.Valid for two only

SHORT COMPOSITION(Invitations)

SECTION

B


WORKSHEET–44

1. Value Education ClubVivekananda Sr. Sec. SchoolRoop Nagar, New Delhi27 August, 200XMr K.B. Vaid18 Defence ColonyNew Delhi

Sir

Subject: Invitation to deliver a talkThe Value Education Club of our school will feel obliged if you could kindly spare some timeto speak on ‘The Importance of Devotion, Dedication and Discipline’ on any Friday afternoon.Kindly intimate the date and time convenient to you.With regardsYours faithfullyRohit KhannaSecretary

2. C-38 Hope ApartmentsGurgaon–14

15 July, 200X

Dear DiptiYou will be glad to know that I have secured admission in I.I.F.T. and in the course I wasmad to go in for. It is an occasion for celebrations and merry making. I want to share a fewhappy moments of my life in the company of my old friends at a dinner at the Vimpy'sSouth City Gurgaon, at 8.30 p.m. on 25th July.Please do come. I hope you won't disappoint me.

Yours sincerelyAditi


SHORT COMPOSITION(Replies to Invitations)

SECTION

BWORKSHEET–45

1. 25, Rani Jhansi RoadNew Delhi

5 March, 200X

The SecretaryLions Club, Karnal

SirSub: Acceptance of invitationThanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and yourconcern for the children. I would like to utilise this opportunity to share my experienceswith other like minded enthusiasts and experts.I hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.

Yours sincerelyAkshya/Aakiriti

2. 158–MIG FlatsDilshad Garden, New Delhi

7 March, 200X

The SecretaryYouth Club, Vivek ViharNew Delhi

SirSub: Inability to accept invitationI whole heartedly express my thanks to you and your club for inviting me to act as a judgein the inter-school group song competition on Monday, 13 March 200X.I regret my inability to accept the invitation because of a prior engagement.I wish the function all success.Please do keep in touch.

Yours sincerelyRahul/Neha

WORKSHEET–46

1. ABC SchoolNew Delhi

7 March 200X

The Professor InchargeNCERTNew Delhi


MadamSub: Education for AllI would like to thank you for inviting our school for the proposed seminar on ‘Education forAll’ being organised by your Institute.Kindly send me a copy of the working paper prepared for the seminar so that I can preparemyself properly and make a meaningful contribution in the deliberations at the seminar.Looking forward to an early response.

Yours sincerelySachin/Shama

2. 138–MIG FlatsMoti Bagh, New Delhi

7 March 200X

The PresidentThe Lions Club, Vasant ViharNew Delhi

SirSub: Inability to accept invitationI whole-heartedly express my thanks to you and your club for inviting me to act as one ofthe judges for the Children’s Day fancy dress competition on Monday, March 15, 200X.I regret my inability to accept the invitation because of a prior engagement. I wish thefunction all success.Please do keep in touch.

Yours sincerelyMohan/Molly


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1. OUR SCHOOL LIBRARYOur school library is housed in a separate block. It has a big hall and four rooms. Books arekept in almirahs in the hall. These almirahs have glass fronts. The assistant librarian andrestorer sit at the counter. The librarian sits in another room. It has reference books, computerand photostat machine. Newspaper and magazines are kept in the reading room. Studentsand teachers go there when they are free. The library has fans and it is well ventilated. Itlacks airconditioning and facility of internet. The display board showing the covers of newarrivals should be placed in the porch. With these improvements our library would becomethe pride of the town.

2. THE PARK IN OUR LOCALITYOur locality is quite lucky in having a central park, adjacent to the community centre. Parksare called the lungs of a city. Our park fulfils all the functions of a green space in the jungleof concrete. It is spread in four acres with a road skirting its boundary wall. There are shadytrees along the boundary wall. Grassy lawns, beds of flowers and fountains sprinkling wateradd to its beauty and charm. The park caters to the needs of citizens of all age groups. Thereis arrangement for yoga classes in the morning. Men and women, boys and girls take activepart in these. Some like to stroll on the paved paths while children enjoy rolling on the grass.During hot summer, we enjoy boating in the lake of the park. It provides welcome relief fromthe heat of the blazing sun.

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1. A PLACE OF INTERESTThe Taj at Agra is a place of historical interest. I visited the Taj recently. The visit is stillvivid in my memory as the Taj has left a deep imprint on my mind and heart. The Taj standson the bank of the Yamuna at Agra. The main entrance to the Taj provides a panoramicglimpse of the celebrated building. It is built on a high pedestal with four minarets at the fourcorners and a huge dome on the top. The Taj is a double storey building. It was gotconstructed by Emperor Shahjehan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal andcalled Taj Mahal. The tall trees along the canal amidst the grassy lawns add to the splendourof the building which casts its shadow on the bright clear water. The Taj contains the gravesof the royal couple. The marble walls of this building have engravings and are embedded withprecious stones. It is indeed a wonder—a dream in marble.

2. COMPUTER WING INAUGURATEDThe computer wing of Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Senior Secondary School, Allahabad wasinaugurated yesterday by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. It is a wonderful addition to school and waspossible with the generous grants offered by Rajeev Gandhi Foundation. The addition ofcomputer wing to the school is a step towards complete and perfect education. The Chairperson,Mrs Gandhi exhorted the students to learn computer science, electronics and basic ideas ofscience. She advised them to realise the importance of computer in the modern age and tooffer encouraging results in the modern scientific age. The use of advanced technology, computersand robots will lead India to the path of glory in the new millennium. The Students’ Council,which had organised this function, assured the donors that proper use will be made of theirgenerous gift.


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1. OPENING A SAVING BANK ACCOUNTThese days people prefer to keep money in a bank. It is safe as well as profitable. The processof opening a saving bank account is quite simple. Go to a bank and obtain the prescribedprinted form for opening an account. These days photographs are essential. Paste two passportsize photographs on the space provided for this purpose. Fill in the other particulars on theform and appended card. You have to put your signature at certain places. The signatures onthe card are termed specimen signatures and referred to for comparison everytime you withdrawmoney from the bank. You need an account holder of the bank to introduce you. Then you goto the deposit counter and deposit the money mentioning ‘New Account’. Then you will beissued a pass-book and cheque book. You can deposit money in your account now or withdrawit by filling a withdrawal form or cheque.

2. Try yourself.

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1. SCIENCE EXHIBITION(A report by Rama)

Kolkata: 25 November

The previous day i.e. 24th November, I, along with my classmates, visited the science exhibition,organised jointly by the city schools at Central School, Kolkata. As many as twenty five schoolsparticipated. The Science Exhibition was inaugurated by the State Minister for Education.There were about 150 exhibits on display. Some models were operated by electricity. Some ofthem exhibited India’s progress in the field of communications and missiles technology. Thebio-diesel prototypes attracted a lot of visitors. Students tried to answer their queries as bestas they could. All the visitors felt impressed by the intelligence, organization and dedication ofthe budding scientists.

2. VISIT TO THE LOCAL MUSEUM(A report by Ram/Rohini)

Pune: 15 November

Sun Public School, Pune, organised a visit to the local museum on Children’s Day. The StateMuseum was housed in a big building. It has collections from all parts of the country. Theantique articles are well arranged. They represent every branch of science, art and culture.We saw specimens of rocks, ores, and finished metals. Old paintings, dresses and war-weapons belonging to different periods were on display. These throw light on the history, artand culture of that era. A special feature of the museum was the Shivaji section. The dresses,ornaments and weapon of the celebrated Maratha warrior impressed everyone. Books,magazines, newspapers and pictures dealing with Shivaji’s life and contribution to HinduNation revised the struggles he faced and the ultimate glory he achieved. In short, the visitwas entertaining as well as rewarding.

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1. INTER-HOUSE DRAMA COMPETITION(A report by Sunil/Sunita)

Allahabad: 25 October

During the cultural week an Inter-House Drama Competition for the students of the fourhouses of our school was organised. Each house tried to present the best possible playsdealing with current socio-political-economic questions. The titles of the plays—‘Post Graduate’,‘The New Horizon’, ‘The Hungry Babe’ and ‘Whirlpool’—give a glimpse of the concern of thestudents and teachers about the prevailing situations and the future of the nation. Thethemes deal with burning problems like unemployment, opportunities in careers, hunger andfamine and the vortex of problems in life. They began with man’s helplessness against theforces of nature and the prevailing circumstances, but ended on an optimistic note. Shonit ofTagore house was adjudged the best actor.


2. WORLD HERITAGE DAY(A report by Ram/Rama)

Agra: 19 April

Like the previous years, Sun Public School, Agra celebrated the World Heritage Day yesterdayi.e. the 18th April. Inter-house Poster-making, Placard and Banner-writing contests wereorgainsed. A film show depicting our famous monuments, history and culture of the bygoneera was screened. Our Principal exhorted us to try our level best to preserve our monumentsbecause they are our heritage. He pointed out that some of these relics of the past werecrumbling to ruins. It devolved on the younger generation, the students to take a timely stepand check any further deterioration in our cultural heritage. Those who deface, disfigure orspoil the ancient artefacts must be brought to book.

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1. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY(A report by Bharat/Bharati)

Lucknow: 6th June

Sun Public School took a leading step in celebrating the ‘World Environment Day’ on 5thJune this year. On this hot summer morning children belonging to at least 20 local schoolsparticipated in an On-the-spot Painting Competition. The theme of the paintings were:‘Dangers to Environment’; ‘Ozone hole and Global Warming’; ‘Preserving EnvironmentalPurity’ and ‘Measures to check Environmental Pollution’. An exhibition of these paintingssensitised the visitors about the need to preserve environment. This was followed by aseminar on world environment day in which more than 25 students participated in thediscussion. The participants presented in written papers suggesting ways and means tocontrol pollution. All agreed that our environment is under pollution through various agentslike water, soil, air and noise and we are on the brink of extinction. Even populationexplosion is causing a great threat to our environment. Our every nook and corner is beingpolluted by different objects and they have posted a big challenge to our survival. During thediscussion it was resolved that we should plant trees and saplings on all the open spaces. Ourvehicles too use noise resistant horns and play them by using C.N.G. Social organisationsshould participate to educate the masses on the harms of pollution. Exhibitions and seminarsneed to be organised for the public so that we get rid of deadly pollution.

2. MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA(A report by Aseem)

Delhi: 18 May

The Amnesty Public School organised a musical night for the parents and general publicof Lucknow. Well known celebrities and singers graced the occasion. The evening was ahuge sellout due to the intensive marketing done by the staff and students of the school.The presence of singers such as Sunidhi Chauhan and Kumar Sanu also drew the audience.The tickets were highly priced but they were all sold out. Most of the parents who came forthe show also contributed generously by buying all the eatables prepared by the students.The huge amount of money was generated to help the victims of Aids being taken care ofby the orphanage CARING HOME. The entire community seemed to come together to helpthe noble cause. The people who came for the show really appreciated the song, music anddance blended together. The evening ended on a positive note when the Guest of Honour,Shri B.L. Srivastava applauded the effort of the school in mobilising resources to help acharitable cause.


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1. LIFE AFTER TRAUMATIC TSUNAMI(Rajan/Ranjita, Special Correspondent, ‘The Times of India’)

Nellore: 10 Dec

Chaos, death, destruction and horror are the common expressions one finds while visiting theTsunami hit coastal areas. Gathering the remains after the devastating calamity, people aretrying hard to come to terms with their lives, although their hearts are full of grief at losingtheir loved ones. The fisherman of those coastal areas have lost almost everything to thegigantic waves. Most of them are languishing in temporary shelters erected by NGOs andgovernment agencies, waiting for their turn to get some relief and help to begin their livesanew. Miseries and sorrows are writ large on their faces. Some of them who were in the midsea returned safely, only to find their families snatched by the deadly waves. They are hopingagainst hope to be reunited as the dead bodies of the lost ones have not been traced so far.NGO like Times Group, Saksham, Hope, Siemens Foundation have adopted coastal villagesfor their rehabilitation and counselling. Disaster Management teams are working round theclock to clear off the debris and prevent the break out of epidemics. Fresh drinking water,food and clothes are being distributed. Every effort is being made to restart life.

2. BRIGHTEN THE EVENING OF THEIR LIVES(Nandan/Nalini, member Disha, an NGO)

Kolkata: 25 September

Unfortunate are those who are rendered homeless in the evening of their lives. Sometimeseven their ultimate shelter becomes helpless to provide them solace in their old age. A visit to‘Sandhya’ an old age home, revealed this bitter truth. This home for the aged is mired infinancial crisis. Lack of funds and infrastructure have proved a great hindrance in meetingeven the basic necessities of the inmates, whose number has swelled to 200, i.e. double thecapacity of ‘home’.The efforts of our organisation ‘Disha’ to mobilize funds and awaken the conscience of thesociety have proved quite successful. We took the initiative to arrange an outing for thesesenior citizens to give them respite from dull and monotonous. The visit of students of Spring-field school brought cheer and inspiration to the aged to enjoy life. With the flow of cash inthe form of contributions, hobby classes were started. These experienced senior citizensshared their skills like painting, stitching, sewing etc. with local residents. Their activeinvolvement in routine life has made them feel confident and worthy.

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1. NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND SNACKS COMPETITION(Archana/Anjum, reporter ‘The Young India’)

Delhi: 5 October

To promote healthy eating habits among school children, Vaibav Public School, Hastinapurorganised a Nutritious Food and Snacks Competition on Oct. 5, 2005 in the school premises.The competition was open to both the students as well as their parents. The famous nutrition

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consultant, Dr. Shikha Sharma, was the Chief Guest. A diet questionnaire was first distributedamong the contestants to set various dietary goals. A variety of mouth-watering, easy-to-make, sandwiches, soups, low fat beverage’s and salads etc. were aesthetically displayed withcomplementing cutlery and serviette. The spread was a real feast for the eyes and a gourmet’sdelight. Bobby Sareen of Class IX won the first prize for a tasty sprout preparation which waslow in fat and high in fibre content. Dr. Sharma, finally, stressed on the need for healthyeating habits by strongly condemning the growing craze for fast food and cola drinks amongthe teenagers. The competition was enjoyed by one and all.

2. RAY OF HOPE FOR THE UNFORTUNATES(Nandan/Nalini, member Disha, an NGO)

Delhi: 2nd May

Orphans are not born orphans, but made orphans by circumstances, untimely death of parentsor quirks of fate. Unfortunate are those who are rendered homeless and deprived of parentalaffection and care in their tender age. The orphanages, they take shelter in, sometimes fail toprovide even basic amenities to the hapless, helpless and hopeless unfortunates. A visit to‘Aishraya’ an orphanage for children revealed the pathetic state of existence of the inmates.The reason behind this was financial crisis. The sudden demise of two of its patrons resultedin cash crunch. The situation took a turn for the worse with the arrival of about 50 moredestitute.Our NGO, Disha, organised a campaign to mobile funds and awaken the conscience of thesociety. Charity shows, fete and balls for the elite class helped us collect money. People feltshocked on watching the street plays depicting the plight of orphans. We submitted a proposalto the management to let us help them in running the orphanage.Now all the inmates have joined the local school. A training centre has been opened. Itprovides training in some craft to make the children independent. The visits of local leadershave made the inmates feel that they are not neglected by society.

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1. WORKSHOP ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT(Ravi/Rani, student reporter)

Noida: 30 January

Keeping in view the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, APS School, Noida, in associationwith the Indian Red Cross Society organised a talk on Disaster Management. Around 100teachers and 250 students from various educational institutions participated in the workshop.Mr. Harihar Narayan, the society secretary was the main speaker. He cited statistics fromWorld Disaster Report and identified areas, more vulnerable to earthquake in the states. Healso explained the precautionary measures to be taken by the public and the government incase of emergency. The session included a multimedia presentation on the aftermath in thedisaster struck areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. Mrs. Subha Rao, Secretary‘Seva’, an NGO was the other resource person. She focussed on the capacity assessmenthighlighted the problems of rehabilitation and relief work. A mock evacuation drill was alsoconducted by the volunteers from the NCC team of the school.The workshop was really enlightening for one and all.

2. RELIEF MEASURES UNDERTAKEN(Mithun/Mallika, reporter ‘The Delhi Times’)

Delhi: Oct. 15

In view of the immense loss of life and property caused by the devastating earthquake in theWestern Himalayas on 8th Oct. 200X, the RWA, Vikas Colony, held an emergency meeting to


discuss various relief measures for the victims. Mr. Chopra, the convener, briefed the membersabout the situation. The action committee then drew up a plan to expedite the relief work. Itwas decided to transport and distribute relief-care packages as well as blankets, medicinesand tents for the survivors. Each relief care package containing rations of dry food, milkpowder and water cans etc. was meant to serve a family for two days. Mr. Makhani, thePresident RWA, urged the volunteers to prepare 1000 such packages. An eleven-memberteam was appointed to coordinate and transport relief supplies to the strategic places.Collection points were finally fixed for the residents to deposit their material and food items.The funds collected were to be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.


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1. 175C–JanakpuriNew Delhi

20 June 200X

The DirectorThe Centre for Creativity and DevelopmentMall RoadDelhi

Sir

Sub: Information regarding 8-week Summer CourseMy younger sister has just passed the All India Secondary School Examination of CBSE. Sheis a brilliant student and has secured 85% marks in X. She does not want to opt for thetraditional prestigious courses in science viz. medicine or engineering. She is enamoured ofthe information technology, but I feel that she is a bit timid and lacks self-confidence. Shecertainly needs some skilled guidance and training in personality development, leadershipand interaction. She consulted her language teacher on the subject and he advised her to joinyour centre for this purpose.Kindly supply me the following information regarding the 8-week summer course in leadership.(a) the number of students in each group.(b) whether separate coaching classes are held for girls.(c) fee for the whole course.(d) whether fee is accepted in two/three instalments.

Yours faithfullyRakesh Gupta

2. 251, Navy NagarColaba, Mumbai

17 March 200X

Dear PriyankaReceived your affectionate letter and was glad to note that you are going to complete Xstandard. I felt elated when you sought my advice whether to opt for science or commercegroup in XI standard.In my opinion, you should not join the rat race of choosing the science stream. I know thatyou are a practical person, who is intelligent as well as diligent. I would therefore suggestthat you should opt for commerce group. There are some other reasons behind this choice.

(i) Your father is a successful businessman. As a student of commerce you may learnbusiness/management in practice. Secondly, he may set up a small unit for you and investin it. You can manage and expand it with your knowledge of commerce and English.

(ii) In case you want to seek employment, your commerce degree may help you get a good jobin some multinational firm.

(iii) You may appear in a competitive examination for bank recruitment etc.


I do hope you will consider all these points before arriving at any decision.With loveYours sincerelyPiyush

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1. PLANWEL COMPANYTarapore Towers, MG Road, BengaluruRef. No. 20/PC/3519 April, 200XThe ManagerApex Information Centre3, Anna Nagar, NambaccumChennaiSirSub: Offer of a premises on rentReference your advertisement in The Hindu dated 18 April regarding availability of a suitableaccommodation in the central market for your office. In this connection we desire to informyou that we have a suitable office located in the vicinity of the central market. The accommodation(with roads on two sides) comprises a big hall 25' × 40' with two adjoining rooms 12' × 15'each and an inter-connected pantry and toilet. This is an ideal location for all kinds of businessestablishments. There are three nationalised banks on the opposite road. The terms andconditions for rent are as under:

(i) A refundable security of rupees two lakh. (iv) Sanitation at your disposal.(ii) Rent of Rs. 10,000 pm payable in advance. (v) Rental lease will lapse after eleven months.

(iii) Electricity and water charges extra.In case the above-mentioned terms are acceptable, please contact the undersigned within a week.Yours faithfully,Vishnu WasanOffice Manager

2. 27, Lawrence RoadKolkata19 September, 200XDear AlbertI am looking forward to your visit to the City of Joy i.e. Kolkata. The city is connected to theRailway Station by means of a famous bridge known as HOWRAH BRIDGE after the station.Since your train from Delhi arrives at 4.30 p.m., I shall reach platform no. 5 at 4.25 p.m. andwait near the Brooke Bond Tea Stall. Your coach M-5 will be just near that stall. In order tohelp you identify me I am sending my photograph in the get up I shall be putting on. I havechosen this multicoloured dress—white coat, grey trousers, red shirt and a bowler’s hat witha pink ribbon to help you recognise me at once.In case your train should arrive before time or if I am held up in traffic jam, please call me onmy mobile phone number 9136875543.I do hope you will experience no difficulty.Hoping to see you soon.Yours sincerelySukomal Sen


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1. 23 Rifle LaneJhansi

30 January, 20XX

The EditorThe Bhopal TimesBhopal

SirSubject: Child-marriagesYesterday we went to the Laxmi Narayan temple to worship the deities on Basant PanchmiDay. What horrified my sensibility was a queue of young girls—hardly sixteen years in ageand dressed in bridal clothes, waiting to be married off to their respective bridegroomsarrayed in the opposite row. I was shocked beyond belief that this evil practice of earlymarriage still continued in spite of legal ban. The presence of many bigwigs of societyaccorded these group marriages prestige in society. It seems that the law regarding girl’smarriage is not at all being implemented properly. People conveniently forget that the maincause of pregnancy related deaths is motherhood in the teens.I hope the government agencies will enforce the law strictly and save the lives of manyinnocent women and babies.

Yours faithfully

Savita Sen

2. 25 Indira ColonyRohtak

17 June, 20XX

The EditorThe Rohtak TimesRohtak

SirSubject: Problems of residents of Indira ColonyThe residents of Indira Colony are victims of twin problems. The frequent load shedding andpower cuts for long periods have made lives miserable during these hot days of June.Secondly, the commercialisation of residential space in this colony has attracted workshopsand small scale industries resulting in pollution and noise and causing annoyance anddisturbance to the peaceful lives of the citizens.As a resident of the colony, I plead to you to bring our problems to the notice of the concernedauthorities and persuade/motivate them to take immediate remedial action.

Yours faithfullyAnjana Malik

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1. 15/1129 Rajiv NagarAnanthpurAndhra Pradesh20 March, 20XXThe EditorThe Indian ExpressHyderabad-24

SirSub: Load of Heavy Bags on Primary School KidsThrough the columns of your prestigious newspaper I want to draw the attention of thegovernment about the undesirability of primary school students carrying heavy bags to theirschool.Sometimes these bags seem heavier than the kids and cause severe strain on the youngshoulders. It becomes odd for them to get into the school bus. Can’t we reduce the content ofschool bags? Why not keep the books and exercise books at schools in their desks. Let gamesand electronic media do the rest. An improvement in techniques of education is essential inthe new millennium.It is time the educationists realised the plight of these kids and evolved ways to lessen theirburden.Yours faithfullyBharat Reddy

2. The EditorThe Times of IndiaNew Delhi5 April, 200XSirSub: Security—A Major ConcernI wish to draw your attention to the crimes which are being perpetuated on a daily basisagainst the common citizens of this country. Newspaper headlines everyday are splashedwith details of crimes ranging from petty chain snatching incidents to daring burglaries andgory blood chilling murders. No city, street or home is safe and the people live in constantfear of life and property. What is our society coming to?It is indeed a matter of great shame that the police has become ineffective and cannot checkthe rise of unprecedented crime graph. It is even more shocking that the judiciary seems tohave lost its voice and criminals are acquitted of charges ranging from kidnapping to rapeand murder.It is high time that we rise with a heightened sense of urgency to tackle this serious issue.Stringent laws need to be put into place and enforced religiously. The policing needs toundergo a rapid transformation by involving the community at large. Resident WelfareOrganisations, MLA’s, NGO’s and other support systems must work in tandem to addressthese security concerns. Self-defence training should be provided to all students as a part ofthe school curriculum. People need to be vigilant at all times and report any suspiciousactivity noticed in their surroundings to the local authorities. The police force needs to betrained and empowered to develop a more positive image in the eyes of the common person.Yours trulyRanjit


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1. 54, Kamraj StreetChennai

3 March, 200X

The EditorThe New Indian ExpressChennai

Sub: Chain-snatching incidents

Sir

May I use the columns of your esteemed daily to draw the attention of the concernedauthorities towards the increasing incidents of chain-snatching in the city. Our organizationhas lodged several complaints with the police, but no action seems to have been initiated sofar as no tangible results can be perceived.It seems that some anti-social elements have adopted this method to make a fast buck.Crowded market places, railway platforms, bus shelters and lonely or deserted roads areusually the scenes of these crimes.It is suggested that the police as well as general public must take some strong steps andprecautions to check these incidents and nab the culprits. Girls and ladies should not flaunttheir ornaments or display them brazenly to tempt the chain-snatchers. More policemen withfacility of wireless and mobile phones should be posted at sensitive points. Concerted effortsshould be undertaken.It is hoped that the authorities will take prompt action.

Yours faithfullyKarthik

2. 23, Cubbon RoadBengaluru–560 001

7 March, 200X

The EditorThe Deccan HeraldBengaluru

Sub: Daylight robberies and burglaries

Sir

Through the columns of your esteemed daily I want to draw the attention of the authoritiestowards an urgent law and order problem - namely the increase in daylight robberies andburglaries.During the last fortnight twenty cases have been reported in the papers. These incidents haveoccurred in various parts of the city and no area seems immune from the criminals. However,one thing stands out common which suggests a method in their madness. It is the victimswho are targetted by them. A rough and ready analysis of the cases cited above shows thatmost of them were either aged couples living alone or widows/widowers having no members offamily with them. Almost all these homes had trusted male servants/maid servants. It clearlypoints out the nexus between the criminals and the household helps.


Keeping in view the above, it is suggested that the police should augment day-time beat vigilsand undertake a summary check of the antecedents of the households servants. It will beadvisable to households not to engage domestic helps without proper verification of theirconduct from the police. The Citizens Welfare Associations should evolve local supervisionschedules.I am confident that all these steps will help to curb the menace of daylight robberies andburglaries and the citizens will lead peaceful and carefree life.

Yours faithfullyNavin/Namitha


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1. 23 Raman VillaRace Course RoadBhopal

August 11, 200X

The Personnel ManagerPioneers (Pvt.) Ltd. Co.Hyderabad

SirSub: Application for the post of an AccountantIn response to your advertisement in The Times of India dated 1 August 200X, I wish to beconsidered for the position mentioned above. I feel my qualifications and experience are goodenough to enable me to discharge my duties. I attach herewith attested copies of mycertificates and my biodata. If given a chance, I may assure you, sir, that I shall spare nopains in the discharge of my duty honestly and devotedly. I will certainly win the confidenceof my superiors.

Thanking you

Yours faithfullyNipun(Nipun)

Encl: Biodata

BIODATA

1. Name : Nipun Verma2. Father’s Name : Mr Mohan Lal Verma3. Address : 23, Raman Villa, Race Course Road, Bhopal4. Date of Birth : 15 September 19705. Educational Qualifications : (i) CBSE (10+2) 1987 83%

(ii) B.Com. (Hons) 1990 73%(iii) CA 1994(iv) ICWAI 1997

6. Experience : TISCO ‘Bhopal’ since Nov. 19977. Salary Expected : Rs. 9000 pm + perks8. Marital Status : Unmarried9. Languages known : Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu

10. References : (i) Dr. V. Anand, H.O.D. Commerce, Holker University,Indore

(ii) Mr R.K. Sareen, Financial Advisor GRASIM (India)Bengaluru.


2. 158, Nirala NagarLucknow

26 September, 200X

The ManagerICICI BankLucknow

SirSub: Application for the post of Business Development ManagersWith reference to your advertisement in The Pioneer, dated 24 September, 200X seekingapplications for the post of Business Development Managers for the credit car section, I offermy candidature for the same. Please find enclosed my biodata/resume to enable you to assessmy suitability for the aforesaid post

Yours faithfullyPritham/Priti

BIODATA/RESUME

Name : Miss Priti MudgilFather’s Name : Mr V.P. MudgilAddress for Correspondence : 58, Nirala Nagar, LucknowContact No. : 09819600325Age : 25 yearsEducational Qualifications : (i) ISC from St. Maria’s School, Agra, 1998—80% marks

(ii) B.Com. (Hons.) 2001—V.N. College, LucknowProfessional Qualifications : (i) Short term course in Money and Banking - IBM

(ii) Short term Computer Course - APTECHWork Experience : (i) Development Executive HFDC, Lucknow—6 months.

(ii) Working as Deputy Development Officer with CanaraBank, Kanpur.

Marital Status : UnmarriedOther Achievements : Proficient in spoken English and Customer DealingsSalary Expected : Rs. 20,000 pm plus usual perks.Reasons for change : Stay at Lucknow

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1. Kamala6/39 Harrison RoadKolkata

17 March, 200X

The PrincipalRani Public SchoolKolkata

SirSub: Application for the post of an English TeacherIn response to your advertisement in The Statesman dated 15 March 200X, I wish to beconsidered for the position mentioned above. I feel my qualifications and experience are goodenough to enable me to discharge my duties. I attach herewith my biodata and attested copies


of certificates. I am seeking a change as it will give me a chance to work in a better academicatmosphere in your prestigious institution.If given a chance, I may assure you sir, that I shall prove worthy of the confidencereposed in me.

Thanking you

Yours faithfullyKamala

Encl: Biodata & certificates

BIODATA

1. Name : Kamala Pradhan2. Father’s Name : Mr Biswajit Pradhan3. Address : 6/39 Harrison Road, Kolkata4. Date of Birth : 5 May 19805. Educational Qualifications :

(i) CBSE (10 + 2) 1997 85%(ii) B.A. (Hons) 2000 74%

(iii) B.Ed. 2001 69%6. Experience : Rosemary School since July 200X7. Salary Expected : Rs. 6000 + perks8. Marital Status : Unmarried9. Languages known : English, Bengali, Hindi

10. References : 1. Dr S. Mukherjee, HOD English Dept., Presidency CollegeKolkata

2. Mrs Bhattacharya, Principal Rosemary School, Bali(Howrah)

2. Saranya217-B, Lajpat NagarDelhi

17 July, 200X

The ManagerNew India AnodisersA-10, Phase II, Mayur ViharNew Delhi

Sir

Sub: Application for the post of an Accountant

This is in response to your advertisement for the post of an Accountant published in ‘TheTimes of India’ dated 16 July. I think I fulfil all the eligibility conditions laid down by you.Hence I offer myself as one of the candidates. My biodata is enclosed for your kind perusal.

Yours faithfullySaranya

BIODATA

Name : Miss Saranya SethiFather’s Name : Mr R.P. SethiAddress for Correspondence : 217 B, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi


Contact No. : 011-25731077Age : 25 years

Educational Qualifications : (i) S.S.C. from CBSE 1998—85% marks.(ii) B.Com. (Hons.) 2001. LSR College (DU)

Professional Qualifications : (i) Diploma in Advanced Accountancy (IBCM)(ii) Short Term Computer Course (APTECH)

Work Experience : (i) Accounts Clerk, Spencers: 11/2 years(ii) Junior Accountant, BPL Sales. Noida—2 years

Present Posting : Accountant, Harsha Fans, NoidaMarital Status : Unmarried

Salary Expected : Rs. 15,000 plus usual perks


LONG COMPOSITION(Articles for School Magazines)

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1. VALUE BASED EDUCATION—REMEDY TO DECREASE CRIME(by Kamakshi/Kuber)

Respected Chairperson, Honourable Judges and Dear AudienceI am here to present my views that ‘Value based education is the only remedy for decreasingthe crime rate amongst the educated folk’.The headlines of daily newspapers are filled with gory details of crimes committed byeducated gentlemen. We often hear of chain snatching, shop-lifting, stabbing, kidnapping androbbery. Murder for money is the latest phenomenon indulged in by anti-social elements. It issaid that unemployment and poverty force the youth to adopt criminal activities. But recentincidents have revealed that young boys belonging to good families and respectable parentsalso indulge in criminal activities such as thefts, borrowings and car-lifting. Devoid ofparental care and control these youngsters crave for fun and adventure. The foreign actionfilms thrill their minds and lead them to emulate some of the tricks of their favourite heroes.If we are keen enough to decrease the crime rate amongst the educated youth, we must bringa radical change in our system of education. We must inculcate in students the respect forvalues and good qualities such as honesty, truthfulness, trust, kindness and self-sacrifice.Employment opportunities should always be increased to channelise their energy.

2. MINIMIZATION OF HUMAN WANTS IS THE ONLY WAYTO CLEANSE SOCIETY FROM CORRUPTION

Respected Chairman and Friends,Corruption is a canker that eats into the vitals of our society. It is the biggest killer andcrippler of modern society. Our daily newspapers are replete with scams and malpracticeswhich have become the hallmark of the present day social set-up. Although we have progressedin the fields of science and technology there seems to be an awful decline in humanity andhumanitarian values. Corruption has ingrained itself deep in our society. The social fabric isfast disintegrating. People are lured by wealth and do not bother how it is earned. Means areno longer important. One must make a fast buck—that seems to be the compelling motivebehind every young person in quest of millions. The root of this malaise lies in materialismand growing consumerism. In the past the slogan of life was simple living and high thinking.Now the roles have reversed. It is high living and simple thinking. Human beings haveincreased their desires. These uncontrolled desires have changed into needs. Mushrooming ofwants have compelled modern man to run after money like a lunatic. We have forgotten thatmoney is a means to happiness and not an end in itself. A complete change of attitude isessential. I think that minimization of human wants is the only way to cleanse society of allkinds of corruption.

WORKSHEET–64

1. NEWSPAPERS OUGHT TO CONTAIN MORE NEWSAND FEWER ADVERTISEMENTS

Respected Chairperson, August Faculty and Dear Friends,It is painful to see that journalists have lost all ethics and professionalism today. Like allother professionals, the pressmen are also attracted by the lure of the lucre. They adopt


diverse techniques to increase the revenue of their paper. They try to sensationalise the newsto win more readers. However, even the newspaper having the largest circulation is not self-dependent. It must have plenty of commercial advertisements to meet its running costs. Infact it is these ads which provide the owners the requisite funds. Thus, advertisementscannot be ruled out. They are a necessary evil and must stay.The owners and editors of the newspapers must also realise their responsibility to the nation.The press is the strongest pillar of democracy. It creates sensible public opinion in favour ofgood policies and criticizes the wrong policies. The newspapers must maintain a balancebetween news and advertisements. A common man buys a newspaper for news. It would bebetter that the editors publish a classified advertisement supplement twice or thrice a weekand save the general reader from the proliferation of advertisements while scanning thepages for views and news.

2. THE PROBLEMS OF THE LEPERSThe Value Education Club of our school organised a visit to the ‘Home for the Lepers’ in ourtown. This home was situated far away from the town. We drove there with eatables, fruitsand clothes. We got an opportunity to interact with the lepers who revealed their feelings andproblems. We could learn to judge things from their perspective. Then we understood theiragony. They are considered worse than untouchables or outcastes. That is why they arecompelled to dwell far apart in a lonely nook. Being afflicted by a wasting disease, they losetheir fingers. Festering wounds on their palms, fingers and toes make their appearancerevolting and nauseating. They feel themselves a neglected lot. Government and societyshould make suitable provisions for these unfortunate victims of leprosy. They deservesympathy and not hatred. Proper treatment can cure them and make them respectablecitizens.


LONG COMPOSITION(Articles for Newspapers)

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BWORKSHEET–65

1. ‘CLEAN YOUR CITY’ CAMPAIGN‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’ is an old adage. It is perhaps most relevant nowadays whenenvironmental pollution is increasing day by day. Prevention is better than cure. Dirt anddisease thrive together. Insanitary conditions of the streets not only give the city a filthy andugly look, they also breed many harmful disease causing bacteria. Our first effort, therefore,is to keep our surroundings clean. People should separate their household solid waste in twoparts—biodegradable and non-biodegradable, instead of heaping them together. Proper stepsshould be taken for garbage disposal. Incinerators should be installed at proper places. Theuse of biogas and other eco-friendly materials can help to keep the kitchen clean. The ‘cleanyour city’ campaign launched by the magazine ‘Our Good Earth’ aims at making us consciousof cleanliness of our surroundings. We can keep our environment clean by minimising theharmful gases spewn by the automobiles by sharing the vehicles. The replacement of dieseldriven buses by CNG buses will help to reduce the suspended particulate matter in the air.The citizens must become cleanliness conscious.

2. BAN CHILD LABOURChildren can be seen working in various jobs which are meant only for adults such as house-building activities, factories, industries, shops and restaurants. Factories making bangles,matches, crackers, carpets etc. usually employ child labour. The atmosphere in these factoriesis not conducive to health. The working conditions are awful and unhealthy. Children areforced to work there for long hours on low wages. This exploitation of child-labour goes ondespite several laws banning the employment of children in hazardous industries. The realsolution lies in proper implementation of the ban on child labour. Empowered committeesshould inspect the factories without prior notice and take stringent action against thoseindustrialists who flout the law. Only then child labour can be eliminated. The problems ofdeprived and exploited children should also be brought to the notice of social workers, generalpublic and parents to build general awareness. An enlightened public can force the greedyfactory owners to desist from the profit motive of employing small children in factories.

WORKSHEET–66

1. HAZARDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONThe Bugle, 23 October 200X (by Pravin Chopra)Environmental pollution is the most dangerous health hazard for the modern generation.Progress in science and technology has resulted in advancement in the fields of industry,transport, medicine and agriculture. Population explosion has increased the population ofcities. Urbanisation, industrialisation and rapid transport have resulted in pollution. Ourenvironment is being polluted by different means through air, water, noise and food. Certainspecies face extermination and humanity is under a great threat.

The tall chimneys of factories emit out smoke and pollute the air. The smoke spewed bytrucks, buses and other vehicles spreads poisonous gases as well as suspended particulatematter. Consequently city dwellers have become victims of incurable chest related diseases.The noise of machines in factories, vehicles, loudspeakers, etc. has brought deafness tomillions. Even the water has become so polluted that fish do not find their survival there.


Inhaling fresh, pure air has become a thing of the past. Our soil which produces grain,vegetables and fruits has also been polluted by the excessive use of pesticides and chemicalfertilizers. The soil pollution is contaminating the rivers along with the rainfall.

2. ROLE OF YOUTH IN COMBATING CORRUPTIONThe Yugantar, 25 Nov. 200X (by Mohit Sen)Corruption is rampant in our social and political life. Like cancer it is eating into the vitals ofthe society. Self-serving politicians and their agents and power brokers can stoop to anyextent to feather their own nest. Nobody is free from the needle of suspicion. Corruptionseems to rule the roost everywhere. In government offices, it percolates from the top to thebottom. ‘You pay the piper and call the tune’ or ‘Money makes the mare go’ are the unwrittentenets of our administrative-cum-political set up.It seems that the older generation has given the go by to all that was good in India. It is theyouth and specially students who have to take cudgels against this demon of corruption andcrush it altogether. A beginning can be made in this direction by holding anti-corruptiondrives. The ill-effects of corruption in public life should be publicised through inter-schooldeclamation and essay-writing contests. Students should take a pledge to resist the temptationof using unfair means in examination. They can also go a step further and persuade theirfriends, relatives and parents to curb this evil at all cost. The dedicated efforts of honestyouth are bound to succeed in the long run in demolishing and vanquishing this social evilwhich has earned us a bad name.

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WORKSHEET–67

1. (a) The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was sittingbeside her.

(b) She noticed that her mother was dozing with her mouth open.(c) Her mother’s face looked pale, faded and lifeless like a dead body.(d) (i) doze (ii) corpse (iii) realised.

2. (1) When the poet sees the pale and corpse-like face of her mother, her old familiar pain or theache returns. Perhaps she has entertained this fear since her childhood. Ageing is a naturalprocess. Time and ageing spare none. Time and ageing have not spared the poet’s motherand may not spare her as well. With this ageing, separation and death become inevitable.

(2) The poet is driving to the Cochin airport. When she looks outside, the young trees seem tobe walking past them. With the speed of the car they seem to be running fast or sprinting.The poet presents a contrast—her ‘dozing’ old mother and the ‘sprinting’ young trees.

(3) The poet has brought in the image of merry children ‘spilling out of their homes’ to presenta contrast. The merry children coming out of their homes in large numbers present animage of happiness and spontaneous overflow of life. This image is in stark contrast to the‘dozing’ old mother, whose ‘ashen’ face looks lifeless and pale like a corpse. She is an imageof ageing, decay and passivity. The contrast of the two images enhances the poetic effect.

WORKSHEET–68

1. (a) Her mother was lost somewhere else in thoughts. It pained her.(b) The poet withdrew her thoughts from her mother and looked outside.(c) The young trees growing outside went past as if they were sprinting. Happy children were

coming out of their houses.(d) (i) sprinting (ii) merry (iii) spilling.

2. (1) The poet’s mother is sixty-six year old. Her shrunken ‘ashen’ face resembles a corpse. Shehas lost her shine and strength of youth. Similarly, the late winter’s moon looks hazy andobscure. It too lacks shine and strength. The comparison is quite natural and appropriate.The simile used here is apt as well as effective.

(2) The poet’s parting words of assurance and her smiles provide a stark contrast to the oldfamiliar ache or fear of the childhood. Her words and smiles are a deliberate attempt tohide her real feelings. The parting words: “See you soon, Amma” give an assurance to theold lady whose ‘ashen face’ looks like a corpse. Similarly, her continuous smiles are anattempt to overcome the ache and fear inside her heart.

(3) The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport. The poet’s mother hadcome to see her off. She was sitting beside her. She was dozing with her mouth open. Thewords ‘driving’ and ‘doze’ provide a contrast between images of dynamic activity and staticpassivity respectively.

MY MOTHER AT SIXTY-SIX(Kamala Das)

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WORKSHEET–69

1. (a) These children are sitting in the school classroom in a slum which is far far away from thewinds or waves blowing strongly.

(b) The faces of these children look pale. Their uncombed and unkempt hair look like rootlesswild plants.

(c) The head of the tall girl is weighed down by the burdens of the world. She feels depressed,ill and exhausted.

(d) It means that the boy is exceptionally thin, weak and hungry.

2. (1) The colour of ‘sour cream’ is off white. The poet has used this expression to suggest thedecaying aspect. The deterioration in the colour of the classroom walls symbolises thepathetic condition of the lives of the scholars—the children of this slum-school.

(2) These pictures that decorate the walls hold a stark contrast with the world of theseunderfed, poverty-stricken, slum children living in cramped dark holes, obstacles hampertheir physical and mental development and at best their growth is stunted. The pictures onthe wall suggest beauty, well-being, progress and prosperity—a world of sunshine andwarmth of love.

(3) The poet wants the people in authority to realise their responsibility towards the children ofthe slums. All sort of social injustice and class inequalities be ended by breaking theobstacles that confine the slum children to their ugly and filthy surroundings. Let themstudy and learn to express themselves freely. Then they will share the fruit of progress andprosperity and their lives will change for the better.

WORKSHEET–70

1. (a) The colour of the classroom walls is ‘sour cream’ or off white. This colour suggests thedecaying aspect and pathetic condition of the lives of the children in a slum-school.

(b) The walls of the classroom have pictures of Shakespeare, buildings with domes, world mapsand beautiful valleys.

(c) The poet hints at two worlds: the world of poverty, misery and malnutrition of the slumswhere children are underfed, weak and have stunted growth. The other world is of progressand prosperity peopled by the rich and the powerful. The pictures on the wall suggestinghappiness, richness, well being and beauty are in stark contrast to the dim and dull slums.

(d) (i) ‘Open handed-map’ suggests the map of the world drawn at will by powerful people/dictators like Hitler.

(ii) ‘Awarding the world its world’ suggests how the conquerors and dictators award anddivide the world according to their whims. This world is the world of the rich andimportant people.

2. (1) He uses the images of despair and disease to describe the miserable and pathetic lives ofthe children living in slums. The faces of these children are pale and lifeless. They and theirhair are like ‘rootless weeds’. The burden of life makes them sit with their head ‘weigheddown’. The stunted growth is depicted by ‘the paper-seeming boy’ and ‘the stunted unluckyheir of twisted bones’. Their weak bodies recite their fathers’ ‘gnarled disease’.

AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMIN A SLUM (Stephen Spender)

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(2) The burden of poverty and disease crushes the bodies of these slum children but not theirsouls. They still have dreams. Even their foggy future has not crushed all their hopes. Theydream of open seas, green fields and about the games that a squirrel plays in the tree room.

(3) In this poem Stephen Spender deals with the theme of social injustice and class inequalities.He presents the theme by talking of two different and incompatible worlds. The world of therich and the ‘civilized’ has nothing to do with the world of narrow lanes and cramped holes.The gap between these two worlds highlights social disparities and class inequalities.


WORKSHEET–71

1. (a) The name of the poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’. The poet is Pablo Neruda.(b) The people of the world have been indulging in wars and bloodsheds on minor excuses. If

they keep quiet, they may not indulge in reasoning, disputes and quarrels. So let them keepquiet and not speak in any language. This will ensure peace.

(c) We should cease all activities for a second. Man has used his arms only to kill and destroyothers. Therefore, let them not move their arms so much as to harm others.

(d) ‘The face of the Earth’ refers to the various countries on the surface of the earth.

2. (1) Counting up to twelve takes very short time. Keeping still for this brief interval of timegives us a momentary pause to introspect and review the course of action. It is generallyobserved that most of the ills and troubles of the world are caused by our rush or hurry.Violence is caused by anger. Keeping quiet and still will give us necessary respite andensure peace.

(2) No, he doesn’t advocate either total inactivity or death. He makes it quite clear that‘stillness’ should not be confused with ‘total inactivity’ or equated to it. Total inactivitybrings death. But Neruda has ‘no truck with death’. His stillness means halting of harmfuland hostile human activities.

(3) Man’s sadness is formed out of his own actions and thinking. It is quite ironical that manwho understands so much fails to understand himself and his action. Rash actions proveharmful and disastrous. His rush and hurry causes trouble. Man is the creator of alldisasters. He is always threatening himself with death because of his thoughts and actions.This is the tragedy of his life.

WORKSHEET–72

1. (a) The name of the poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’. The poet is Pablo Neruda.(b) There will be peace all around if there is no rush or the sound of the running of engines and

machines.(c) It will be a very enticing and beautiful moment.(d) All of us will enjoy the unusualness and sudden strangeness of that moment.

2. (1) The poet wants to prove that there can be life under apparent stillness. The poet invokesthe earth as a living symbol to prove his point. The earth never attains total inactivity.Nature remains at work even under apparent stillness. It keeps earth alive. This idea isbeautifully illustrated by the following lines:

“as when everything seems deadand later proves to be alive.”

(2) Stillness is essential for calm reflection and quiet introspection. We hear the voice ofconscience in moments of silence. The poet is convinced that most of human ills andmiseries are caused by man’s hurry and rush to do things. The poet wishes that we maywithdraw from our undesirable actions and keep still for a moment.

KEEPING QUIET(Pablo Neruda)

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(3) People of the world speak in different languages. They indulge in unnecessary debates anddisputes. Most of these arguments lead to destructive wars. The poet urges people to stopspeaking in any language. They must speak through their hearts. So far men have movedtheir arms only to harm others. The poet wants that they should not move their arms somuch. Let these arms rest for once. Let a feeling of mutual understanding be created amonghuman beings.


A THING OF BEAUTY( John Keats)

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CWORKSHEET–73

1. (a) A thing of beauty is the source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing. It will neverpass into nothingness.

(b) A bower is a pleasant place in the shade under a tree. It protects persons/animals from thehot rays of the sun.

(c) It provides us a sound sleep, full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.(d) (i) loveliness (ii) nothingness (iii) quiet.

2. (1) Everything of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are: thesun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, massof ferns and the blooming musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are constantsources of joy and pleasure.

(2) Many things cause us suffering and pain. Malice and disappointment are the biggest sourceof our suffering. Another one is the lack of noble qualities. Our unhealthy and evil waysalso give birth to so many troubles and sufferings. They dampen our spirits. They act as apall of sadness on our lives.

(3) Keats is a lover of beauty. He employs his senses to discover beauty. The link of man withnature is eternal. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem toweave a flowery band everyday. It keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.

WORKSHEET–74

1. (a) We are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth.(b) We possess the evil qualities of malice and disappointment. We suffer from the lack of noble

qualities and unhealthy and evil ways.(c) It means in spite of all the evils mentioned above.(d) (i) spite (ii) despondence (iii) gloomy.

2. (1) There are many things that bring us troubles and sufferings. They dampen our spirits.However, ‘some shape of beauty’ brings love and happiness in our lives in spite of suchunpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness and sufferings. It makesus love life.

(2) The mighty dead were very powerful and dominating persons during their own times. Theirachievements made them ‘mighty’ and great. Their noble works dazzle our eyes. We imaginethat such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur on the doomsday. Hence‘grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’.

(3) We feel happy by coming into contact with things of beauty. They make a lasting impressionon us. Keats makes it clear at the outset. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constantsource of joy. Its beauty never declines or diminishes. Its loveliness goes on increasing everymoment. Its value remains undiminished. It never passes into nothingness. It removes thepall of sadness that covers our dark spirits.

63OOBTXET SK

A ROADSIDE STAND(Robert Frost)

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CWORKSHEET–75

1. (a) The roadside stand was located at one side of the road. A little old house was extended anda new shed was constructed in front to open it.

(b) It pleaded/begged in the most humble way.(c) It would not be fair to say that the stand was set up for a dole of bread.(d) The real aim of running the shed was to earn some money from the city people who passed

from there.

2. (1) The following lines bring out the complaining attitude of the city folk who drove through thecountryside:(i) ‘.................... then out of sorts

At having the landscape marred with the artless paint.’(ii) ‘Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong.’

Their complaint was that the artless and clumsy paint painted on the roadside standspoiled the beauty of the whole landscape. They were also irritated that even signslike N and S were turned wrong.

(2) The folk who had put up the roadside stand pleaded pathetically for some customers tocome as they wanted to earn money from them. City folk used to pass that way. Theywanted some of them to stop and buy something from them. It was with this intention thatthe roadside stand had been put up.

(3) The government and the party in power were quite indifferent to the welfare of the poorrural people. Nor were the other social service agencies doing any good to them. The wordsand phrases showing their double standard are:‘greedy good-doers’, ‘beneficent beasts of prey’, ‘swarm over their lives’, ‘enforcing benefits’,‘calculated’, ‘to soothe them out of their wits’.

WORKSHEET–76

1. (a) The traffic passed by the roadside stand without stopping there. The vehicles drove pastahead.

(b) The building was painted clumsily. The sight of this building with the artless paint spoiltthe landscape. It irritated a person who stopped there.

(c) The signs with the letters ‘N’ and ‘S’ were turned wrong.(d) (i) polished (ii) traffic (iii) marred (iv) artless.

2. (1) The poet thinks that the persons who are running the roadside stand, suffer from a childishlonging. They are always expecting customers and waiting for their prospective customers.They keep their windows open to attract them. They become sad when no one turns up.They are always waiting to hear the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car. But alltheir efforts go in vain.

(2) The poet feels that all the pains from which the poor rural people suffer must be removedat one stroke. The following lines express his feelings:

“I can’t help owning the great relief it would beTo put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”


(3) An old house was extended out with a little new shed. In the front, at one side of the road,a roadside stand was set up. It was on a busy road. The city folk driving through thecountryside passed in front of it. The stand had been set up to attract the city folk ascustomers. It was hoped that the stand would bring some cash.

WORKSHEET–77

1. (a) The poem is ‘A Roadside Stand’. The poet is Robert Frost.(b) The place offers a beautiful mountain scene for staying there if one had money.(c) One should keep one’s money and move ahead.(d) (i) mean (ii) hurt (iii) trusting.

2. (1) The people who ran the roadside stand wanted to attract the city folk as customers, expectedsome of the traffic to stop there. They looked forward to their prospective customers forearning some money. But very few obliged them. Hence, they didn’t get the money whichthey had expected to earn from their customers.

(2) Money is very important. It is money that makes the world run. The flow of money and thecash supports all the development in the city. It supports the best things of cities fromsinking and being destroyed. It was hoped that the roadside stand would get some of themoney or the cash that flowed in cities.

(3) ‘The polished traffic’ of the rich and the refined generally didn’t stop at the roadside stand.They passed with a mind to go ahead. If at all, some of them stopped there, they were notimpressed with the place. They felt irritated at the clumsy paint of the building. They wereout of sorts at the sight of signs ‘N’ and ‘S’ turned wrong.

65OOBTXET SK

WORKSHEET–78

1. (a) The poem is ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’. The poet is Adrienne Rich.(b) They are jumping across a screen or a wall. They look like shining yellow topaz.(c) They live in green forests. They are fearless. They don’t fear the men under the tree.(d) (i) prance (ii) denizens (iii) chivalric.

2. (1) Like all beasts of prey, the tigers are the denizens of forest. They live far away from humansettlements. They are called ‘chivalric.’ This indicates the majestic and honourable positionthat they occupy in the world of animals. So the use of the words ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’adds to our understanding of the tigers’ attitudes.

(2) Aunt Jennifer is weaving tigers on the panel. Her hands are moving about her wool. She isfinding the needle quite hard to pull. The weight of years of her married life is lying heavyon her hand. This makes the pulling of the neddle so hard.

(3) It suggests the weight of the harsh and difficult experience of Aunt Jennifer’s married life.The image is quite suggestive. The wedding band is symbolic. It represents the unbreakablebond of marriage between the husband and the wife.

WORKSHEET–79

1. (a) Aunt Jennifer’s fingers were fluttering through her wool.(b) She was finding even the ivory needle hard to pull.(c) The weight of Uncle’s wedding band was lying heavily on her hand.(d) (i) fluttering (ii) massive (iii) band.

2. (1) In the third stanza, the poet refers to Aunt Jennifer’s ‘terrified hands’. The old unhappymemories are still fresh in her mind. She had passed through many testing and horribletimes during her married life. These ordeals crushed and suppressed her. Their effect isstill visible. So she is still ringed with those ordeals that dominated her life.

(2) The poem addresses the experience of marriage in the midst of constriction. The word‘ringed’ is significant. It suggests that the vicious grip or her unhappy married life is stillholding her tightly. The word ‘ringed’ has been used in two ways. First is the conventionaluse. Here ring is a symbol of the sacred bond of marriage. The other is the figurative use of‘ringed’. It means encircled or surrounded.

(3) The tigers are ‘prancing’. They pace in ‘sleek chivalric certainty’. They ‘do not fear’ the menbeneath the tree. Thus they are symbols of strength, fierceness and beauty. Aunt Jennifer,on the other hand, is weak and terrified. Her hands are finding it difficult to pull throughher wool. The massive weight of the wedding band sits heavily on her hand. Her terrifiedhands are still ringed by the ordeal that crushed her during her married life. The contrastheightens the intensity.

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS(Adrienne Rich)

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THE LAST LESSON(Alphonse Daudet)

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CWORKSHEET–80

1. That day Franz was expected to be prepared with participles because M. Hamel had said thathe would question them on participles. Franz did not know anything about participles.

2. Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street.But it was all very still that day. Everything was as quiet as Sunday morning. There was noopening or closing of desks. His classmates were already in their places. The teacher’s greatruler instead of rapping on the table, was under M. Hamel’s arm.

3. For the last two years all the bad news had come from the bulletin-board. An order had comefrom Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The Germans had putup this notice on the bulletin-board.

4. M. Hamel had put on his best dress—his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the littleblack silk cap, all embroidered. The whole school seemed so strange and solemn. On theback benches that were always empty, the elderly village people were sitting quietly likethe kids.

5. Franz came to know that it was the last lesson in French that M. Hamel would give them.From the next day they will be taught only German. Then he felt sorry for not learning hislessons properly. His books, which seemed a nuisance and a burden earlier were now oldfriends. His feelings about M. Hamel also changed. He forgot all about his ruler and howcranky he was.

WORKSHEET–81

1. Mother tongue helps a person to express his feelings and thoughts most lucidly andintimately. Conquerors try to subdue and control the people of the enslaved territory byenforcing many measures such as use of force to crush dissent and imposing their ownlanguage on them.From time immemorial the victorious nations have imposed their own language on theconquered people and taken away their own language from them. The Romans conqueredmany parts of Europe and replaced the local languages by their own language—Latin. Lateron Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French developed from Latin. The Muslim invaders imposedArabic and Persian in the countries of Asia overpowered by them. In many Arab countriesthe local religion and language have disappeared. In India, a new language Urdu developedfrom the mixture of Persian and Hindi.

2. The linguistic minority in any state is easily marked and faces the same discrimination as thereligious, social or ethnic minorities. There is, however, a pronounced difference in the treatmentmeted out and the level of acceptance displayed by the majority community in that region/city.Some cities like Delhi, Mumbai are cosmopolitan in outlook.The linguistic minority tries to preserve its identity through an intimate contact, interactionand preservation of their language in social get togethers, family functions and festivals oftheir own region. Adherence to social customs and traditions in family gatherings/groupmeetings of women also promote the unity between members of the linguistic minority.In short, they create a mini-Punjab in Bengaluru, mini-Chennai in Mumbai, mini-Bengaluru inDelhi and mini-Surat in Kolkata.

67OOBTXET SK

WORKSHEET–82

1. M. Hamel told the students and villagers that henceforth only German would be taught in theschools of Alsace and Lorraine. Those who called themselves Frenchmen would neither be ableto speak nor write it. He praised French as the most beautiful, the clearest and most logicallanguage in the world. He said that for the enslaved people, their language was the key to theirprison. Then the people realised how precious their language was to them. This shows people’slove for their own culture, traditions and country. Pride in one’s language reflects pride inmotherland.

2. This comment of Franz shows a Frenchman’s typical reaction to the imposition of learningGerman, the language of the conquerors. Being deprived of the learning of mother tonguewould mean cutting off all bonds with the motherland. Teaching the pigeons to sing in Germanindicates how far the Germans would go in their attempts of linguistic chauvinism.

3. Franz was afraid of being scolded that day especially because M. Hamel, the teacher, had saidthat he would question them on participles. Franz frankly admits that he was totally ignorantabout the topic. His exact words are: “I did not know the first word about them.” Secondly, hehad started for school very late that morning.

4. There was a bulletin-board near the town-hall. When Franz passed by it, he noticed a crowdthere. He did not stop to look at it. He wondered what could be the matter then. For the lasttwo years they had received all the bad news from the bulletin-board—the lost battle, conscriptionand the orders of the commanding officer.

5. Usually, when the school began, there was a great bustle. The noise could be heard out in theschool. Students opened and closed their desks. They repeated the lessons together very loudly.They kept their hands over their ears to understand better. The teacher would go on rappingthe table with his great iron ruler.


LOST SPRING(Anees Jung)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–83

1. Saheb is looking for gold in the garbage dumps. He is in the neighbourhood of the author.Saheb has come from Bangladesh. He came with his mother in 1971. His house was set amidstthe green fields of Dhaka. Storms swept away their fields and homes. So they left it.

2. One explanation offered by the author is that it is a tradition to stay barefoot. It is not lackof money. She wonders if this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty.She also remembers the story of a poor body who prayed to the goddess for a pair of shoes.

3. No, Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. He is no longer his own master. His face haslost the carefree look. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry solightly over his shoulder. The bag was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea-shop.

4. The city of Firozabad is famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged inmaking bangles. It is the centre of India’s glass-blowing industry. Families have spent generationsworking around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for the women in the land.

5. Boys and girls with their fathers and mothers sit in dark hutments, next to lines of flames offlickering oil lamps. They weld pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes aremore adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. They often end up losing eyesight beforethey become adults. Even the dust from polishing the glass of bangles is injurious to eyes.Many workers have become blind. The furnaces have very high temperature.

WORKSHEET–84

1. Mukesh is the son of a poor bangle-maker of Firozabad. Most of the young men of Firozabadhave no initiative or ability to dream, but Mukesh is an exception. He has the capacity to takecourage and break from the traditional family occupation. He has strong will power also. Hedoes not want to be a pawn in the hands of the middlemen or moneylenders. He insists onbeing his own master by becoming a motor mechanic.He can realise his dream by joining a garage and learn the job of repairing cars and drivingthem. He will have to overcome many hurdles before he succeeds. Then comes transportproblem. Money is the first one. He will have to earn some money himself. The garage is a longway from his home. He will have to cover it twice everyday anyhow—by walking on foot.Patience, hardwork, firm will and the determination to learn will help him realise his dream.

2. The glass bangles industry has many health hazards. It usually employs small children. It isillegal to employ very young children in hazardous industries, but certain forces like middlemen,moneylenders, police and politicians combine to entrap the poor workers.Let us first consider the places where bangle makers work. It is a cottage industry. They workin the glass furnaces with high temperatures. The dingy cells are without air and light. Boysand girls work hard during day next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps. They weld piecesof coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to thelight outside. That is why they often end up losing their eyesight before they become adults.Glass blowing, welding and soldering pieces of glass are all health hazards. Even the dust frompolishing the glass of bangles adversely affects the eyes and even adults go blind. Thus thesurroundings, prevailing conditions and the types of job involved–all prove risky to the healthof the workers.

69OOBTXET SK

WORKSHEET–85

1. Mukesh’s grandmother thinks that a God-given lineage can never be broken. Her son andgrandsons are born in the caste of bangle makers. They have seen nothing but bangles.Mukesh’s father has taught them what he knows—the art of making bangles. Mukesh wants tobe a motor mechanic. He will go to a garage and learn, though the garage is far away from hishome.

2. People migrate from villages to cities in search of livelihood. Their fields fail to provide themmeans of survival. Cities provide employment, jobs or other means of getting food. The problemin case of the poor is to feed the hungry members. Survival is of primary importance.

3. The promises made to the poor are rarely kept. The author asks Saheb half-joking, if he willcome to school she starts. Saheb agrees to do so. A few days later he asks if the school is ready.The writer feels embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. Promises likehers abound in every corner of their bleak world.

4. Certain forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty. Theseinclude the moneylenders, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of law, the bureaucratsand the politicians. Together they impose a heavy burden on the child.

5. Saheb was a young boy of school-going age. He was looking for gold in the garbage dumps of thebig city. He had left his home in Dhaka, Bangladesh and came to the big city in search of living.He has nothing else to do but pick rags.

WORKSHEET–86

1. Child labour should be eliminated because the children employed at tender age as domesticservants, dish-washers at road-side dhabas and in hazardous industries making glass bangles,biris, crackers etc. lose the charm of the spring of their life. Their childhood is stolen. Burdenedby the responsibility of work, they become adults too soon. Most of them are undernourished,ill-fed, uneducated, and poor. They have a stunted growth.Child labour can be eliminated only through concerted efforts on the part of government agencies,NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), co-operative societies and political leaders. Mere passingof law will not help. Laws should be enacted faithfully. The children thrown out of work shouldbe rehabilitated and given proper food, clothes, education and pocket money. Their feelings,thoughts and emotions should be respected. Let them enjoy sunshine and fresh air.

2. Poor rag-pickers like Saheb spend the early years of their lives looking for gold in garbagedumps. The parents of these street children have no fixed income. They wage war againstpoverty and hunger. They have no dreams except finding the means of survival. Garbage tothem is gold. It is the source of their daily bread and provides a roof over their heads. He endsup as a servant at a tea-stall and loses his freedom.Mukesh, the son of a poor bangle-maker of Firozabad, has a dream of becoming a motormechanic. He also wants to learn to drive a car. He thinks of joining a garage to fulfil hisdream. He knows that the garage is far away, yet he has decided to walk. He realises thereality and is willing to overcome the obstacles. His daring to rise and decision to get free fromthe trap laid by vicious moneylenders and middlemen arouses a sense of hope.Deprived of education, proper food and upbringing, these children are forced into labour earlyin life.


WORKSHEET–87

1. William O. Douglas had just learnt swimming. One day, an eighteen year old big bruiser pickedhim up and tossed him into the nine feet deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. He hit the water surfacein a sitting position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom. He nearly died in thismisadventure.

2. Douglas was frightened when he was thrown into the pool. However, he was not frightened outof his wits. While sinking down he made a plan. He would make a big jump when his feet hitthe bottom. He would come to the surface like a cork, lie flat on it, and paddle to the edge of thepool.

3. This experience revived his aversion to water. He shook and cried when he lay on his bed. Hecouldn’t eat that night. For many days, there was a haunting fear in his heart. The slightestexertion upset him, making him wobbly in the knees and sick to his stomach. He never wentback to the pool. He feared water and avoided it whenever he could.

4. His fear of water ruined his fishing trips. It deprived him of the joy of canoeing, boating, andswimming. Douglas used every way he knew to overcome this fear he had developed sincechildhood. Even as an adult, it held him firmly in its grip. He determined to get an instructorand learn swimming to get over this fear of water.

5. The instructor built a swimmer out of Douglas piece by piece. For three months he held himhigh on a rope attached to his belt. He went back and forth across the pool. Panic seized theauthor everytime. The instructor taught Douglas to put his face under water and exhale and toraise his nose and inhale. Then Douglas had to kick with his legs for many weeks till theserelaxed. After seven months the instructor told him to swim the length of the pool.

WORKSHEET–88

1. I must have been about eight or nine year old. It was the night of Diwali. All the houses wereshining bright with the rows of candles, oil lamps and electric bulbs. Children were burstingcrackers. Suddenly a cracker went up and hit the thatched roof of a poor gardener. Soon thehut was in flames. His only son, a tiny infant had severe burns before he could be rescued. Ibegan to tremble with fear as the police questioned the boys exploding crackers. From then onI had a fear of crackers, fire and police. My parents and I had to work very hard to remove thisblemish. It was adversely affecting my personality. By learning the safeguards against fire andsafe handling of crackers, I gradually overcame my fear. However, I still panicked at the sightof a policeman in uniform. The fear of police remained now. My uncle came to my rescue. Hegot me dressed as a police inspector in one of his plays. I commanded many policemen andscolded them for misbehaving with the common people. I learnt that policemen were alsohumans and not demons. Police protected and helped us to maintain law and order. Thank God,I have overcome all my fears now.

2. In his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela tells the extraordinary story ofhis life. He brings vividly to life the escalating political warfare in the fifties between theAfrican National Congress and the government, culminating in his dramatic escapades as anunderground leader and the notorious Rivonia Trial of 1964, at which he was sentenced to lifeimprisonment. He recounts the surprisingly eventful twenty-seven years in prison and thecomplex, delicate negotiations that led both to his freedom and to the beginning of the end of

DEEP WATER(William O. Douglas)

SECTION

C

71OOBTXET SK

apartheid. Mandela also struggled against the exploitation of labour and on the segregation ofthe universities. He persevered to achieve his mission and to liberate the oppressed and theoppressor. In 1990, he was freed from prison. The apartheid laws were relaxed. Mandelabecame the champion for human rights and racial equality. He also became the first non-whitepresident of the Republic of South Africa.

WORKSHEET–89

1. Douglas still felt terror-stricken when he was alone in the pool. The remnants of the old terrorwould return, but he would rebuke it and go for another length of the pool. He was still notsatisfied. So he went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Triggs Islandand swam two miles across the lake. He had his residual doubts. So he went to Meade Glacier,dived into Warm Lake and swam across to the other shore and back. Thus he made sure thathe had conquered the old terror.

2. Douglas gives a detailed account of his feelings and efforts to save himself from gettingdrowned. He uses literary devices to make the description graphic and vivid. For example,‘Those nine feet were more like ninety’, ‘My lungs were ready to burst.’ ‘I came up slowly, Iopened my eyes and saw nothing but water..... I grew panicky’..... ‘I was suffocating. I tried toyell, but no sound came out!’

3. When Douglas grew up, he took the help of an instructor to learn swimming. His training wenton from October to April. For three months he was taken across the pool with the help of arope. As he went under, terror filled him and his legs froze. The instructor taught him to exhaleunder water and inhale through raised nose. He made him kick his legs to make them relax.Then he asked him to swim. He continued swimming from April to July. Still all terror had notleft. He swam two miles across Lake Wentworth and the whole length to the shore and back ofWarm Lake. Then he overcame his fear of water.

4. The experience of terror was a handicap Douglas suffered from during his childhood. Hisconquering of it shows his determination, will power and development of his personality. Hedrew a larger meaning from this experience. “In death there is peace.” “There is terror only inthe fear of death.” He had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of itcan produce. So the will to live somehow grew in intensity. He felt released–free to walk themountain paths, climb the peaks and brush aside fear.

5. Douglas was ten or eleven year old when he decided to learn swimming. He could swim in theYakima River or the Y.M.C.A. pool at Yakima. The Yakima River was dangerous. Manypersons had drowned in it. So he chose the Y.M.C.A. pool. It was considered safe.


THE RATTRAP(Selma Lagerlöf )

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–90

1. The peddler had been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea thatthe whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It offeredriches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap offeredcheese and pork. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in onhim, and then everything came to an end.

2. His own life was sad and monotonous. He walked laboriously from place to place. The worldhad never been kind to him. So, during his gloomy ploddings, this idea became his favouritepastime. He was amused how people let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare and howothers were still circling around the bait.

3. The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game ofcards with him till bed time. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made sour faceswhen the peddler asked for shelter.

4. The crofter’s circumstances and temperament made him so talkative and friendly with thepeddler. Since he had no wife or child, he was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.Secondly, he was quite generous with his confidence.

5. The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he hadreceived thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to assure hisguest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.

WORKSHEET–91

1. The peddler wins our sympathy for his way of life and how the world treats him. It is anadmitted fact that the underdog always runs away with sympathy, so does the peddler with therattraps. He begs the material like wire for his rattraps. His business not being speciallyprofitable, he resorts to begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together.His life is sad and monotonous. He plods along the road lost in his own meditation. The worldhas never been very kind to him and he feels happy in calling it a rattrap. Whenever he asksshelter for the night, he meets sour faces. He is an unwelcome, unwanted and undesirablefigure. The blacksmiths at forge glance at him only casually and indifferently. The masterblacksmith nods a haughty consent without honouring him with a single word.The old and lonely crofter finds him an enjoyable company. The ironmaster mistakes him foran old regimental comrade. Only Edla Willmansson behaves with him in a kind, friendlymanner. Her nice treatment arouses the tramp’s goodness. He redeems himself by returningthe stolen money and wins our admiration. Thus we see that the sympathy is not only wellearned but well justified as well.

2. There are at least three characters in the story who suffer from loneliness and express the needto bond with others. They represent three strata of the human society as well. The peddler withthe rattraps, the old crofter and the ironmaster all suffer from loneliness. The peddler is calleda tramp, a vagabond and stranger at various points of the story. He moves wearily from oneplace to the other. He is lost in his own thoughts. He seeks shelter for night and people look athim with sour faces. Even the blacksmiths look haughtily at him and nod consent. The old croftersuffers from loneliness as he has neither wife nor child with him. The cow which supports himis no company. Hence he feels happy when he gets the peddler to talk to in his loneliness.

73OOBTXET SK

The Ironmaster is also lonely in his manor-house. His wife Elizabeth has died and his sons areabroad. There is no one at home except his oldest daughter and himself. His requests toCaptain Von Stahle to accompany him show his need for human bonding. He admits franklythat they didn’t have any company for Christmas. The stranger turns down the request notbecause he is against bonding with others but because he fears being caught with stolenmoney.

WORKSHEET–92

1. No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At the firstopportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the money and hung theleather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.

2. The peddler realised that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen money in hispocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without coming to the end of the wood. Thenhe realised that he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let himself befooled by a bait and had beencaught.

3. The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the furnace,he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He addressed thestranger as Nils Olof, spoke very kindly and invited him home.

4. The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental comrade.Secondly, he had the stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the ironmaster’s residencewould be like entering the lion’s den. So he declined the invitation.

5. Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She noticed that the manwas afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. Sherequested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her friendly manner made the peddlerfeel confidence in her and accept her invitation.

WORKSHEET–93

1. Yes, I know how the kindness of a Bishop transformed a hard-hearted beastly convict into aman again with faith in God and human values. The story is presented in the form of a famousplay ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’.The Bishop provides food and shelter at midnight to a runaway convict who threatens him witha knife. Long years of imprisonment and harsh treatment in the prisonship has transformedthe man into beast and he is devoid of all human feelings now. The convict runs away with theBishop’s silver candlesticks, but is caught by the police.In order to save the convict from further punishment and torture, the Bishop tells the policeofficer that the fellow is his friend and he had himself given him the candlesticks. This kind act ofthe Bishop melts the hard heart of the convict. He sobs and weeps. He promises to be a man again.

2. The story entertains us by providing glimpses into human nature and how people react tovarious situations. The actions of the peddler after stealing thirty kronor are quite amusing.The reactions of the blacksmiths to the tramp’s request for shelter show how casual andindifferent human beings can be.The U-turn in the ironmaster’s attitude towards the stranger reveal how selfish and ignoranthuman beings can be. Mistaking the vagabond for his old regimental comrade, whom he thinkshe has run across unexpectedly, he asks the stranger to accompany him home and spendChristmas with them. When the stranger refuses to go with him, the Ironmaster sends hisdaughter. With her better persuasive power she makes him follow her.The ironmaster is annoyed on seeing the stranger in broad daylight. But instead of realisinghis own mistake, he puts the blame on the man. He talks of handing him over to the Sheriff.


The metaphor of the world being a rattrap saves the situation for the tramp, but the ironmasterwants to turn him out. His daughter’s comments are quite entertaining and philosophical. Shewants the tramp to enjoy a day of peace. Secondly, she does not want to chase away a personwhom they had invited home and had promised Christmas cheer.

WORKSHEET–94

1. As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened.Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit failed to calm him. From hisfear, she thought that either he had stolen something or he had escaped from jail.

2. Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut hishair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster saw him inbroad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. The ironmasterrealized his mistake and threatened to call the Sheriff.

3. The peddler explained that he had not tried to pretend as his acquaintance. He was not atfault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had pleaded and begged to beallowed to stay in the forge. No harm had been done by his stay. He was willing to put on hisrags again and go away.

4. Edla did not think it proper on their part to chase away a human being whom they had askedto come to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She understood the reality ofthe peddler’s life and wanted him to enjoy a day of peace with them. Hence she still entertainedthe peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

5. As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view. She found a smallrattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. The peddler wantedto be nice in return as she had been so nice to him all day long. He did not want her to beembarrassed at the Christmas season by a thief.

WORKSHEET–95

1. The theme of the story is that most human beings are prone to fall into the trap of materialbenefit. However, every human being has an essential goodness that can be awakened throughunderstanding and love. A human being has the tendency to redeem himself from dishonestways.The theme is developed with the help of the metaphor of the rattrap. The peddler of rattrapscalls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like riches and joys, shelter and food, heatand clothing are temptations that allure a person to fall into the rattrap of the world exactly asthe bait of cheese and pork attract a rat to fall into the rattrap. Once someone takes the bait,the world closes in on him and then everything is lost.The peddler is tempted by the thirty kronors of the old crofter. He steals the money. Now he isafraid of being caught and moves through the woods. It is the kind, sympathetic, loving andgenerous treatment given by Edla Willmansson that helps him get himself free from therattrap of the world.

2. Having robbed his generous host, the peddler felt quite pleased with his smartness. He did notfeel any qualms of conscience that he had abused the confidence reposed in him by the crofter.The selfish wretch thought only of his own safety. He realised the danger of being caught by thepolice with the stolen thirty kronor on his person. Hence, he decided to discontinue walking onthe public highway and turn off the road, into the woods.

75OOBTXET SK

During the first few hours the woods caused him no difficulty. Later on, it became worse as itwas a big and confusing forest. The paths twisted back and forth. He kept on walking but didnot come to the end of the wood. He realised that he had only been walking around in the samepart of the forest. The forest closed in upon him like an impenetrate prison from which he couldnever escape.The reaction of the peddler highlights the predicament of human nature. Temptations lead toevil. The fruits of evil seem pleasant at first, but they deprive man of his goodness and pushhim into the maze of the world which holds a vice-like grip on him.


INDIGO(Louis Fischer)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–96

1. (a) (ii) a politician (iii) a delegate (iv) a landlord.(b) (ii) physically strong

2. He had come all the way from Champaran district in the foothills of Himalayas to Lucknow tospeak to Gandhi. Shukla accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Shukla followed him to the ashramnear Ahmedabad. For weeks he never left Gandhi’s side till Gandhi asked him to meet atCalcutta.

3. Shukla led Gandhi to Rajendra Prasad’s house. The servants knew Shukla as a poor yeoman.Gandhi was also clad in a simple dhoti. He was the companion of a peasant. Hence theservants thought Gandhi to be another peasant.

4. Gandhi’s first meeting with Shukla was at Lucknow. Then he went to Cawnpore and otherparts of India. He returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Later he went to Calcutta, Patnaand Muzaffarpur before arriving at Champaran.

5. The peasants paid the British landlords indigo as rent. Now Germany had developed syntheticindigo. So the British landlords wanted money as compensation for being released from the 15per cent arrangement. The prices of natural Indigo would go down due to the synthetic Indigo.

WORKSHEET–97

1. For the poor of India means of survival are far more important than freedom or legal justice. Idon’t think the poor of India are free from fear after Independence.The foreign rulers have beenreplaced by corrupt politicians and self-serving bureaucracy. Power-brokers and moneylendershave a field day. The situation has improved in cities and towns for the poor but the poor in theremote villages still fear the big farmers and moneylenders. The police and revenue officials arestill objects of terror for them.The poor, landless workers have to still work hard to make both ends meet. Peasants andtenant-farmers have to borrow money from rich moneylenders on exorbitant rates of interest,which usually they fail to repay due to failure of monsoon or bad crops. Cases of small farmerscommitting suicide are quite common. If this is not due to fear, what is the reason behind it?

2. A good leader has a mass appeal. He rises from the masses, thinks for them and works forthem. He is sincere in his approach. He is a man of principles, truth, honesty, patriotism,morality, spirit of service and sacrifice are the hallmarks of a good leader. He never mixespolitics with religion or sect. He believes in working for the welfare of the nation and does notthink in the narrow terms of class, caste or region. Corruption and nepotism are two evils thatsurround a leader in power. The life of a good leader is an open book. There is no differencebetween his words and actions. Such good leaders are very rare. What we find today arepractical politicians, who think of achieving their end without bothering about the purity ofmeans. The law of expediency gets the better of morality.

WORKSHEET–98

1. Gandhi’s politics was intermingled with the day-to-day problems of the millions of Indians. Heopposed unjust laws. He was ready to court arrest for breaking such laws and going to jail. Thefamous Dandi March to break the ‘salt law’ is another instance. The resistance and disobedience

77OOBTXET SK

was peaceful and a fight for truth and justice. This was linked directly to his ideas ofSatyagraha and non-violence.

2. For Gandhi the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the landlords hadbeen forced to return part of the money, and with it, part of their prestige too. So he agreed tosettlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers.

3. The peasants were saved from spending time and money on court cases. After some years theBritish planters gave up control of their estates. These now reverted to the peasants. Indigosharecropping disappeared.

4. The Champaran episode began as an attempt to ease the sufferings of large number of poorpeasants. He got spontaneous support of thousands of people. Gandhi admits that what he haddone was a very ordinary thing. He declared that the British could not order him about in hisown country. Hence he considered the Champaran episode as a turning point in his life.

5. Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. They said thatthey had come to advise him. If he went to jail, they would go home. Then Gandhi asked themabout the injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers held consultations. They came to theconclusion that it would be shameful desertion if they went home. So they told Gandhi thatthey were ready to follow him into jail.


POETS AND PANCAKES(Asokamitran)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–99

1. By ‘the fiery misery’ the writer means the pain and trouble caused by the heat produced by theso many lights in the make-up room. Those subjected to make-up had to face bright light andlot of heat there.

2. The head of the make-up department was earlier a Bengali. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrianwho was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, and Anglo-Burmese and the local Tamils. Thus there were persons belonging to different states, religionsand using different languages.

3. The office-boy made-up the players who played the crowd. On the days of crowd-shooting, hemixed his paint in a very big vessel and applied it quickly and noisily on the faces of the crowdplayers. He had joined the studios in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screen writer,director or lyrics writer. He was disappointed because he failed to do so and remained only a‘boy’.

4. The author’s duty was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and storethem in files. Many of these had to be written out in hand. The onlookers noticed him merelytearing up newspapers. Hence to them he seemed to be doing next to nothing.

5. The office boy was frustrated because in spite of a good opening, he remained only an office boy.He had had a good formal education and was a bit of poet too. But his great literary talentwas being allowed to go waste. He showed his anger on Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 atGemini Studios.

WORKSHEET–100

1. In the early days of the Gemini Studios, film production was a family affair. All the six hundredworkers worked as a unit. Most of the films were shot indoors. The cine-cameras and recordingsystem was also in infancy. Today film-production has come a long way from that era. Most ofthe films are now shot on outdoor locations. Visuals form not only a backdrop but an integralpart of the film. There has been a great advance in photography and recording of songs/dialogues. Dubbing and multi-track recording has made the dialogue delivery and singingfoolproof. The freelance star system and multi-star cast have increased production costs. Mostof the producers have to borrow finances to complete their productions.

2. The ‘office-boy’ wasn’t exactly a ‘boy’; he was in his early forties. He had entered the studiosyears ago. He had hoped to become a star actor, a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. Atpresent he had to slap paint on the faces of the players who played the crowd. He closed everypore on the surface of the face by applying make-up. He felt dissatisfied and disillusioned. Heconsidered the make-up department fit only for barbers and perverts. He felt frustrated thathis great literary talent was being allowed to go waste. He was a bit of poet too. He had gotgood formal education and had an encouraging opening in films. However, in spite of his start,he did not advance an inch from his position as ‘office-boy’.He has shades of universal characters. He is typical specimen representing the youth luredby glitter and glamour of films, struggling hard to make a name and then doomed tofrustration.

79OOBTXET SK

WORKSHEET–101

1. Mr S.S. Vasan, the founder of the Gemini Studios was Subbu’s principal.2. (i) Subbu had the ability to look cheerful at all times. (ii) His sense of loyalty made him turn

his entire creativity to his principal’s advantage: Film-making was quite easy with Subbuaround. (iii) He was literary inclined too—a poet and novelist. He was an amazing actor.(iv) He had a charitable and loving nature.

3. The lawyer was in the Story Department. He was officially known as the legal adviser. However,his actions did nobody any good. He had unwittingly brought to an end the career of a promisingyoung actress. Hence he was referred to as the opposite by others.

4. It was the lawyer’s dress that made him stand out from the others at Gemini Studios. He worea pant and a tie and sometimes a coat also. Others put on a khadi dhoti with a slightly oversizedand clumsily tailored white khadi shirt. These looked like a uniform.

5. Most of the people at Gemini Studios were Gandhiites and Khadiites, i.e. they wore khadi andworshipped Gandhi, but beyond that they did not have any particular political affiliations.However, they were all averse to communism.

WORKSHEET–102

1. Kothamangalam Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. Though officially on the rolls of StoryDepartment, he was always with the Boss. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times. Hissense of loyalty made him identify himself with his principal completely. He turned his entirecreativity to his advantage. He was tailor-made for films. Film making was quite easy withSubbu around. He could suggest many alternatives to baffled producers. He could be inspiredwhen commanded. He had a literary bent of mind too. He was a poet and had composed severaloriginal ‘story poems’. He had also written a novel. His success in films overshadowed anddwarfed his literary achievements. He was an amazing actor also, but confined himself toplaying supporting roles. He loved whosoever he met. He was charitable and improvident andplayed permanent host to dozens of persons. His success was envied by frustrated people likethe ‘office-boy’.

2. The staff of Gemini Studios had a nice time hosting two hundred strong Moral Re-Armamentarmy led by Frank Buchman. In fact, MRA could not have found a warmer host in India thanthe Gemini Studios. They presented two plays—‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ in amost professional manner. The message of the plays were usually plain and simple homilies,but the sets and costumes were first rate. These plays ran several shows in Madras. Thecitizens of the city and Gemini family of 600 saw the plays over and over again.For some years, almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of‘Jotham Valley’ with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune played on the flute.This was the impact of the plays staged by the MRA on Madras in general and the Tamildrama community in particular.


THE INTERVIEW(Christopher Silvester, Umberto Eco)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–103

1. In its highest form, an interview is a source of truth. In practice, it is an art. Interview is thecommonplace of journalism. It is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.

2. Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they consider interview as anunwarranted intrusion into their lives. Some of them feel that it somehow diminishes them.

3. In some primitive cultures it is believed that if one takes a photographic portrait of somebody,then one is stealing that person’s soul.

4. The expression “thumbprints on his windpipe” suggests the pressure that causes suffocationand strangulates someone by choking the windpipe. The pressure on the windpipe is so intensethat prints of the thumb are visible there.

5. In today’s world, our chief source of information about personalities is the interview. We getmost vivid impressions of our contemporaries through interviews.

WORKSHEET–104

1. Yesterday I watched Simi Grewal interviewing the famous cine-star, Amitabh Bachchan on thetelevision. The celebrated actor had received an honorary doctorate from a university in Britainand the highest civil award from France. His wax statue had also been installed in the TuexedoLondon museum. Simi Grewal started the interview in her familiar, inimitable style bywelcoming the Indian legend–the star of the millennium, greeting him on the shower of latestinternational awards and recognition and asking him probing questions about the high qualityas well as enormous volume of his output even at the age of 64. She cajoled him to share withher audience the secret of his success. She complimented the star and encouraged him to revealsome of his future plans.

2. The medium I like best for an interview is the television. It has both audio and visual effect. Itpresents the interviewer and interviewee before the audience in their true colours. Usuallycelebrities accuse the reporters of misquoting them or misreporting them in the print media orthe radio. This is not possible when they are face-to-face on the television. Their lip movementand body movement while replying to probing questions are there for all to see. The recordingof various expressions coming on the face of the interviewee and his/her gestures and words arethe additional advantages that television holds over the print media or the radio. The printmedia has dull, dry words alongside a picture whereas the radio tries to create the atmosphereby skilful variation of the sound. Both expect a lot of attention from the reader/audience.

WORKSHEET–105

1. I think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed. An Italian novelist giving his assent to an Indianjournalist for being interviewed and his frank and detailed answers show that he likes beinginterviewed.

2. Umberto Eco explains his method of working. He utilises the time available to him to themaximum. He makes use of the interstices or empty spaces in the life. These moments betweenone action and the other provide him time for creative work.

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3. Umberto Eco’s academic writing style is quite distinctive. It has a certain playful and personalquality about it. It is a marked departure from a regular academic style, which is usuallydepersonalised and often dry and boring.

4. Umberto Eco considered himself an academic scholar first and a novelist later. He makes hispreference clear by saying: “I consider myself a university professor who writes novels onSundays”. On weekdays he attends academic conferences and does other scholarly, non-fictional work.

5. ‘The Name of the Rose’ is different sort of novel. It is quite serious novel. It is a detective storyat one level. But it also probes into metaphysics, theology and medieval history. The reasonsfor the success of the book, however, remain a mystery.

WORKSHEET–106

1. Interviewers want to present exclusive and intimate details about the famous person they areinterviewing. Some interviewers focus on the public life and achievements of the individualonly. They try to be objective in their approach as well as assessment. However, there areothers who want to make their interviews more spicy and usually cross the thin limit of privacyof the individual. In their zeal to present a good copy they embarrass the famous person withvery personal questions, some of which are highly inconvenient for them to answer. Sometimesimpact of such questions on the famous person reveals his/her aversion as well as irritation atthe silliness of the person at the other hand. If they shout, they are accused of being rude andproud, if they keep mum they are labelled arrogant and charged of having some skeletons inthe cupboard. In my opinion, the privacy of an individual must be respected.

2. Although ‘Interview’ as a literary genre is not more than 150 year old, it has become animportant tool for the journalists. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over theyears, and some of them repeatedly. Opinions differ. Some consider it a source of truth and anart. Others despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives. The celebritiessee themselves as its victims. They feel that it somehow diminishes them.V.S. Naipaul feels that some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves.Lewis Carroll was said to have had ‘a just horror of the interviewer’. Rudyard Kiplingconsidered interview as an assault. H.G. Wells, who was a fairly frequent interviewee, hasreferred to ‘the interviewing ordeal.’ Saul Bellow, who was interviewed on several occasions,once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe.Despite all these drawbacks, interviews help us to learn about our contemporaries and formopinions. In short, interviews act like mirrors to reflect the personality of the interviewee.


GOING PLACES(A.R. Barton)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–107

1. Sophie and Jansie would soon pass out of their school. Only a few months were left. Jansieknew very well that both of the them were earmarked for biscuit factory. Sophie had wilddreams about her career. Jansie was a realist. She knew that they did not pay well for shopwork and Sophie’s father would not allow her to work there.

2. Sophie wanted to open a boutique. It would be the most amazing shop that city had ever seen.Alternatively, she would become an actress and have the boutique as a side business. She alsothought of being a fashion designer. Jansie had her feet firmly planted to the ground. Shewanted Sophie to be sensible and drop all her utopian plans. All of them required much moneyand experience.

3. Sophie knew her father well. He would be angry if he knew of her meeting with the young Irishfootballer, Danny Casey. She didn’t tell him. When Geoff told his father about it, he becameangry. He turned his head to look at her with disdain. Sophie wriggled where she was sittingat the table.

4. No, Geoff doesn’t believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey. First, helooks round in disbelief and says, “It can’t be true”. Again he says, “I don’t believe it.” Sophiethen narrates how Danny Casey came and stood beside her. Geoff asks her, “What does he looklike?” So, he doesn’t seem to be convinced that Sophie met Danny Casey.

5. No, Sophie’s father does not believe her story. When Geoff tells him that Sophie met DannyCasey, his father looked at Sophie with disdain. He ignores her totally. He thinks that it is yetanother ‘wild story’. He begins to talk about Tom Finny, another great football player.

WORKSHEET–108

1. Teenagers have boundless enthusiasm and ambitions. They have sweet dreams and go onfantasising. It is natural for them to do so. Every youth is a dreamer. Every great scientist orwriter has a dream. Without something to aspire for one can’t strive to achieve that goal.Dreams lead to the golden gate of success. Some teenagers float in the world of fantasy. Theyhave unreal dreams. It is just like a child asking for the moon. Their feet are in the mud andthey dream of the stars in the sky. Such fantasising results in disappointment and disillusionment.A dreamer who fails to realise his dream is labelled a failure. Those who realise their dreamsbecome heroes and achievers in their spheres. I think it is better to have dreams even if we failto realise them. Who would have dreams if the teenagers don’t—will these grey headed, greybearded persons have dreams? Let the teenagers indulge in their natural activity and dream ofa golden future. They will strive to translate them into reality.

2. Sophie is a young school girl. She dreams of big and beautiful things. Some of these are beyondher reach or her means. Her ambitions have no relation with the harsh realities of life. Shethinks of having a boutique. She wants to have the most amazing shop this city has ever seen.Then she entertains the idea of being an actress ‘There’s real money in that.’ Actresses do notwork full time. So she would run the boutique as a side business. If need be, she can be afashion designer. She doesn’t realise that her family is not rich enough and her dreams can’t befulfilled.Sophie develops a romantic fascination for Danny Casey. He is a young Irish football playerand the hero of her dreams. She indulges in hero worship. She tells a story that she met Casey.

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Her father calls it another of her “wild stories”. Even Geoff does not believe her. He tries tocaution her. Casey is a celebrity. Many girls run after him.Sophie is an incurable dreamer. She has seen Casey only once, but all the time she thinks ofhim. She sits alone and waits for his arrival. She becomes sad and despondent when Caseydoes not come. She suffers because of her dreams. These dreams and disappointments are allthe creations of her mind.

WORKSHEET–109

1. Geoff was always the first to share her secrets. So she told him about meeting Danny Casey.She also told him about her plan to meet him next week. She suspected areas of his life aboutwhich she knew nothing. She longed to know them. She wished that someday he might takeher with him. She saw herself riding there behind Geoff.

2. Jansie was ‘nosey’. She took interest in knowing things about others. She would spread thenews in the whole neighbourhood. So Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story withDanny. It may also be mutual rivalry and one-upmanship on her part. Sophie was startled tolearn that Geoff had told Jansie about her story with Danny.

3. No, Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. She was very fascinated by the young Irishfootballer. She imagined his coming. She sat in the park, waiting for Casey and knowing thathe would not come. She felt sad. Sadness was a hard burden to carry. She was always lost ina dreamy world where she imagined Casey meeting her.

4. Sophie and Jansie are poles apart in tastes and temperament. Sophie has fantastic dreams andfloats in a fairy land. She is an incurable escapist who won’t come out of her dreams. Jansie isdown to earth—a realist. Sophie wants to do something sophisticated. Jansie knows that thesethings require a lot of money which their families do not possess. Jansie also knows that theywere earmaked for the biscuit factory. She even advises Sophie to be sensible and practical.Sophie considers Jansie ‘nosey’ and does not want to confide in her.

5. Sophie belongs to a lower middle class family. She is an escapist and has wild dreams. Shedreams of things she can’t have in real life. Jansie tells her that boutique needs a lot of money.Sophie knows that the family doesn’t have money. Even little Derek understands her unrealisticnature.Geoff’s occupation reflects their socio-economic background. He is an apprentice mechanic. Hisjacket is shapeless. Her father lacks sophistication. He sits in his vest at the table. He gruntsand tosses one of little Derek’s shoes from his chair on to the sofa. There is stove in the sameroom where dirty washing is piled in a corner. Sophie’s father goes to pub on his bicycle. Allthese indicators confirm their lower middle class family background.


THE THIRD LEVEL( Jack Finney)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–110

1. The harsh reality of the world one lives in, are sometimes too oppressive. There is a lot of stressand strain. Tension and worry kill more people than war itself. Fear of failure causes insecurity.Fierce competition is the order of the day.Charley declares himself to be an ordinary guy but his actions in ‘The Third Level’ present himas a sensitive soul, full of scientific enquiry and love for adventure. His wish to visit Galesburg,Illinois, is certainly an attempt to withdraw into the dream-world of the past.In the 1890s, Galesburg was a wonderful town with big old frame houses, huge lawns andtremendous trees. The branches of these trees met overhead and roofed the streets. Summerevenings were twice as long, and people sat out on their lawns. The men would smoke cigarsand talk quietly. The women would wave palm-leaf fans. In this peaceful world, there were fire-flies all around. That world was unware of the World Wars. Charley earnestly wished to beback there.Thus, the description of Galesburg and Charley’s attempts to find the third level indicate thatthe third level was a medium of escape for Charley.

2. Sam’s letter to Charley raises more questions than it solves. Was it really written by Sam orwas it a figment of Charley’s imagination? Charley finds this letter among the first-day coversof his grandfather’s collection. Someone had mailed to his grandfather at his home in Galesburg.The address on the envelope said so. It had been there since then—i.e. since 18 July 1894, thedate in the postmark. Charley admits that when the envelope came to his Granddad in themail, it went right into his collection and stayed there till he took it out and opened it.The first-day covers usually have a blank paper in the envelope and are mailed by the stampcollectors to themselves. These are never opened but preserved for the sake of the stamps. Thepostmark proves the date.Sam’s letter to Charley raises the question about its authenticity. Then there are some issueswe infer from it. The introductory part of the letter seems to be a projection of Charley’swaking-dream wish fulfilment. It confirms his belief in the existence of the third level. It alsosuggests that those who find the third level can travel across to Galesburg and enjoy the fellow-feelings, festivities, songs and music of the peaceful world of the 1890s. The romantic charm ofthe bygone era, unravaged by the two World Wars, beckons dreamers like Charley to come toits fold and enjoy a tension-free, peaceful and happy life. It is an open invitation to escape intothe dream-world from the harsh world of reality.

WORKSHEET–111

1. The third level at the Grand Central Station refers to the level at the station from where trainsleave for far-flung destinations in space and time such as Galesburg, Illinois in 1894. Only afew persons like the narrator and his friend Sam Weiner had ever dared to explore it. Sam hadsucceeded in using the third level to fulfil his long cherished ambition.Sam, the psychiatrist, dismisses third level as a waking-dream wish fulfilment of the narrator(Charley), but in the end of the story Sam has discovered the third level and used it to reach apeaceful place of old times.

2. Charley had by chance strayed on to the ticket-counter on the third level at the Grand CentralStation. Charley wanted to buy two tickets to Galesburg—one for himself and the other for his

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wife, Louisa. The booking clerk refused to accept the money Charley offered. He threatened toget him punished.Charley went to a coin dealer’s shop. He bought old-style currency. Equipped with the currencyof 1894, Charley went back to the Grand Central Station. He could not find the corridor thatled to the third level. Since then he has tried often enough but has never again found thatparticular corridor.

3. The author says that the presidents of the New York Central and the New York, New Havenand Hartford railroads will swear on a stack of timetables that there are only two levels at theGrand Central Station. Fast trains like the Twentieth Century leave from the first level,whereas suburban trains leave from the second level.

4. Charley asserts that there are three levels at Grand Central Station. His assertion is based onhis personal experience. He has been on the third level. Among others, he talked to apsychiatrist friend about it. The psychiatrist said that it was a waking-dream wish fulfilment.He was unhappy and just wanted to escape.

WORKSHEET–112

1. There are only two ways to overcome the insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress prevalent inthe modern world. One is that we should be realists and pragmatic. We must accept the bittertruth, howsoever painful it might be. We must try to mould the circumstances as best as wecan. If the forces, surrounding us, are so dominant and powerful that our efforts are likely tofail, we must be elastic and pragmatic. Instead to striking our heads against a rock to break it,we must accept the existence of the rock and adapt ourselves and our actions accordingly. Wemust learn to adjust with the forces that hinder the full growth of man’s potential and block hismental, moral and physical development. We must learn to cope with the handicaps we sufferfrom and co-exist with them if we can’t overcome them. Adaptation to circumstances is theroute to success.The second alternative is that of escape from reality. Dreamers, visionaries and people withvery sensitive imagination are likely to be lost in waking-dreams of a far away world which isa foil to the modern world. Its peaceful life full of songs, music, dance and communitygatherings seem quite exciting. The rest, repose and relaxation of the evenings have charm oftheir own. Men smoke cigars and talk quietly. Women wave palm-leaf fans. Huge lawns andbeautiful trees decorate the charming world unpolluted by inventions of science and unravagedby the two World Wars.

2. Yes, we see an intersection of both time and space in the story. The narrator, Charley, agedthirty-one, lives in the suburbs of New York. He goes to the second level at Grand CentralStation to catch a suburban train to get home to his wife Louisa. Charley frankly admits thathe has been in and out of Grand Central hundreds of times, but he is always bumping into newdoorways and stairs and corridors.He ducks into an arched doorway heading for the subway and gets lost. After crossing theangling the slanting corridor he reaches an open space. When the tunnel turns sharp left, hegoes down a short flight of stairs and comes out on the third level at Grand Central Station.The narrator is transported in time to the world of 1890s where people wore green eyeshadesand long sleeve protectors. The dim and flickering light of open-flame gaslights illuminated theplace. Wood and brass were in use. The dress of the people was typical of the era–derby hat,four-button suit with tiny lapels, beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches. Women wore typicalVictorian costumes. People still used gold watches which they pulled out of their pockets.Sam Weiner’s letter to Charley from Galesburg confirms that there is an intersection of bothtime and space. He invites Charley and Louisa to come to that world and enjoy the relaxed,peaceful, happy and cheerful life of the bygone era.


WORKSHEET–113

1. Charley says that almost everyone wants to escape from the stress, tension, fear and worry ofthe modern world. But these people do not wander down into any third level at Grand CentralStation. Secondly, his grandfather, who started stamp-collecting, didn’t need any refuge fromreality. During his time things were pretty nice and peaceful. Even President Rooseveltcollected stamps.

2. Charley walked down a flight of stairs to the second level. He then ducked into an archeddoorway heading for the subway and got lost. The corridor turned left and sloped downward,but he kept on walking. He heard only the empty sound of his own footsteps. He didn’t pass asoul. The tunnel turned sharp left. He went down a short flight of stairs and came out on thethird level at Grand Central Station.

3. By ‘that’s easy to do’, Charley means that it is easy to get lost. He has been in and out of GrandCentral hundreds of times, but he is always bumping into new doorways and stairs and corridors.Once he got into a tunnel. It was about a mile long. He came out in the lobby of the RooseveltHotel. Another time he came up in an office building on Forty-sixth street, three blocks away.

4. The Grand Central Station is certainly expanding. Charley says that there may be a longtunnel under the city up to Times Square and another to Central Park. Nobody knows aboutthem. For many people Grand Central has been an exit, a way of escape, through the years. Soit is possible that it may have the tunnel Charley got into and reached the third level.

WORKSHEET–114

1. Logic is not the sole yardstick to guide, motivate and inspire human thoughts and feelings.Logic helps in thinking about something or explaining the reasons. Every occurrence in nature,however, cannot be explained by logical yardstick. There are certain thoughts, feelings, actionsand phenomena which do not seem to be sensible or thought out in a logical way. The obviousillogicality of certain thoughts and feelings might appear strange or fantastic according tomodern outlook or way of thinking. All the great scientists, philosophers and poets arevisionaries. They have their own dreams about the future. These dreams do not follow anylogical pattern, but they do hold a projection about the future. The diaries of Leonardo da Vincicontain sketches of many devices like the aeroplanes which the scientists invented or developedlater. The vision of the atom as a source of immense power led to the creation of Atom Bomb.Who would have thought 200 years ago that man would fly in the space or sail under the wateror disappear from sight using chemical camouflage? Science has made it possible now. In thenear future man would disappear, like Mr India of the Bollywood movies, at will usingscientific devices. Thus, it is correctly said that apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to bea futuristic projection.

2. Philately is the collection and study of stamps. A stamp, though small in size, has an importantpiece of history around it. Nations all over the world issue new stamps to commemorateimportant events, persons or developments. Thus a study of stamps helps to keep the pastalive. Coin-collecting, ornament-collecting, pottery and painting collection are some otherwaysin which it can be done.Man is never satisfied with what he has or he can achieve. He constantly moves between thepast, the present and the future.I agree with Shelley when he says: “We look before and after, and pine for what is not.”The dissatisfaction of man with his present and his yearning to make it better or to achieve theideal inspires him to strive more. Past shows us the mirror and we try to do better than thegreat achievers of the ages goneby. Future beckons us with promises of infinite possibilities.Hence the yearning and striving for the best goes on endlessly.

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WORKSHEET–115

1. The room was smaller here. There were fewer ticket windows and train gates. The informationbooth in the centre was of wood and old-looking. There were brass spittoons on the floor. Dimand flickering open-flame gaslights illuminated the place. People wore Derby hats and four-button black suit with tiny lapels. They used golden pocket watches. Women put on dressescovering their whole body. A very small locomotive with a funnel-shaped stack was on thetrack. All these differences convinced Charley that he had come out on the third level.

2. Galesburg is described as a wonderful town with big old frame houses and huge lawns. Thebranches of the splendid old trees met overhead and covered the streets. In 1894, summerevenings were twice as long. People sat out on their lawns. The men would be smoking cigarsand talking quietly. The women would be waving palm-leaf fans. There were fire-flies allaround. It was a peaceful world that had not been ravaged by the two World Wars of thetwentieth century.

3. The booking clerk looked at the money the narrator offered to buy tickets. He nodded hisdisapproval, saying, “That ain’t money, mister”. He also issued a warning, “...if you’re trying toskin me, you won’t get very far.” The narrator did not think it nice to go to jail. So he turnedaway and got out fast.

4. Charley did not find the corridor that led to the third level. Since then, he has tried oftenenough, but failed. His wife looked worried when he told her all that. She didn’t want him tolook for the third level. After a while he stopped and went back to his stamps. But now both ofthem were looking every weekend, because they had proof that the third level was still there.

WORKSHEET–116

1. In ‘Adventure’ by Jayant Narlikar, Professor Gangadhar Pant or Gaitonde made a transitionfrom one world to another and back again. By doing so, he was able to experience two worlds,although one at a time. One has the history we know, the other a different history or a fantasy.The separation of the two worlds took place in the Battle of Panipat. Thus fantasy and realityare interwoven.In ‘The Third Level’, Galesburg, Illinois, is a region full of romantic charm, peace, ease, songand music and a relaxed life. The narrator’s granddad used to live there in the 1890s andCharley, the narrator frantically searches the third level to go there. The hectic life of NewYork with its insecurity, fear, war, worry and tension is the reality. Transition to the idyllicsurroundings of Galesburg is a fantasy—an escape from reality. The psychiatrist, Sam Weiner,who tries to cure Charley of his obsession with the third level, himself finds it and is transportedto Galesburg.

2. Charley, the narrator had found out that there were three levels at the Grand Central Station.No one was ready to believe him as the presidents of famous railroads were willing to take asolemn oath that there were only two levels. Charley stuck to his guns. He declared that he hadbeen on the third level himself. He talked to a psychiatrist friend about it. He dismissed it asa waking-dream wish fulfilment. He said Charley was unhappy. This made his wife a bit insane.The psychiatrist tried to explain his point. The modern world was full of insecurity, fear, warworry, etc. Charley just wanted to escape from stress and tension. Charley’s other friendsagreed to the escape theory. They claimed that everything pointed out to it. Charley’s stamp-collecting hobby was called a “temporary refuge from reality”.


THE TIGER KING(Kalki)

SECTION

CWORKSHEET–117

1. On surface level, ‘The Tiger King’ seems to be a simple story about a royal prince, his growthand exploits as a king. The prophecies at his birth about the manner of his death make thestory interesting by introducing the element of surprise and suspense.On a deeper level, the story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. It is usually seen thatthose in power have too much pride in themselves and what they do. Two such specimens inthe story are the Tiger King and the British officer. The author employs dramatic irony andhumour to show their faults and weaknesses. The words of these characters carry an extrameaning. They do not know what is going to happen. The Tiger King resolves to hunt a hundredtigers to disprove the prediction of the astrologer. In his stubbornness, he falls prey to a woodentiger. The high-ranking British officer is equally vain. He is more interested in photographwith carcass than hunting itself. The Tiger King offers to organise any other hunt except tiger-hunt. It may be a boar-hunt, mouse-hunt or a mosquito-hunt. He has to lose three lakh ofrupees for his refusal. The ego of the British officer is satisfied when his wife is pleased.

2. For centuries innocent animals have been subjected to the wilfulness of human beings. Manhas been killing animals for sport, meat or organs of body. The author does not make any directcomment about it in the story. Man advances strange logic to defend even his unlawful andcruel acts. The Maharaja quotes an old saying, “You may kill even a cow in self-defence”. Hencehe finds no objection to kill tigers in self-defence. It reveals not only the callousness of humanbeings towards wildlife but their disregard for maintaining ecological balance. The extinction oftiger species in Pratibandapuram state and the state ruled by the Maharaja’s father-in-lawamply illustrates the result of man’s cruelty towards wild animals. An old tiger has to bebrought from the People’s Park in Madras to satisfy the king’s whim to kill one hundred tigers.

WORKSHEET–118

1. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was called the Tiger King. At the time of his birth theastrologers declared that the prince would have to die one day. The ten-day-old prince askedthe astrologers to reveal the manner of his death. The wise men were baffled at this miracle.The chief astrologer said that his death would come from the tiger. The young prince growledand uttered terrifying words: ‘Let tigers beware!’ He decided to kill one hundred tigers. He thusgot the name ‘Tiger King’.

2. Crown prince Jung Jung Bahadur grew taller and stronger day-by-day. He was brought up byan English nanny and tutored in English by an Englishman. He got the control of his statewhen he came of age at twenty. He decided to kill tigers. For him it was an act of self-defence,as the astrologer had predicted his death by a tiger

3. Within ten years the Maharaja was able to kill seventy tigers. Thirty tigers still remained to beshot down by his gun. The Maharaja decided to get married. The Dewan found the right girlfrom a state which possessed a large number of tigers. The Maharaja killed five or six tigerseach time he visited his father-in-law. Thus he was able to find the required number of tigersto kill. He shot ninety-nine tigers.

4. Maharaja’s anxiety reached the highest level of excitement when only one tiger remained to bekilled. He thought of the hundredth tiger during the day and dreamt of it at night. But itbecame impossible to locate tigers anywhere. The Maharaja was sunk in gloom. Then came a

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happy news. In his own state sheep began to disappear frequently from a hillside village.Surely, a tiger was at work. The Maharaja set out on the hunt at once. But the tiger was noteasily found. The Maharaja continued camping in the forest and waiting for the tiger.

WORKSHEET–119

1. A minion is an unimportant person in an organization who has to obey orders. The Maharajahas many minions or servants. Most of them fear the Maharaja and obey his orders faithfully.They dare not disobey him or contradict him. The Maharaja’s displeasure means loss of job oreven loss of life. Only a few of them are truly sincere towards him. One such person is the chiefastrologer. He is willing to burn his books of astrology, cut off his tuft and crop his hair shortif his prediction proves untrue. The others try to keep the Maharaja in good humour. Even theDewan is no exception. Many officers lose their jobs when the Maharaja’s fury and obstinacymount higher. The king’s bullet misses the hundredth tiger. It faints from the shock and fallsas a crumpled heap. The hunters realise the truth, but they decide not to reveal it to the king.They fear that they might lose their jobs.In today’s political order, subordinates serve their superior bosses as deaf and dumb creatureswho see only what their masters want them to see. Their self-interests and fear of eliminationmake them faithful servants.

2. In our times, big game-hunting has been banned by law as so many species of wildlife havebeen declared endangered species. Sanctuaries, national parks and games reserves have beenestablished to preserve wildlife from extinction and maintain ecological balance in nature.Even then sporadic cases of game-hunting are reported in papers now and then. It is generallynoticed that the erstwhile rulers—kings or nawabs or the rich and powerful persons or famousfilm stars indulge in game-hunting. The cases against M.A.K. Pataudi and Salman Khan arestill pending in courts. Poachers and smugglers too destroy wildlife for skin, meat or for variousorgans of body and escape scot-free.

WORKSHEET–120

1. The Dewan got an old tiger brought from the People’s Park in Madras. It was taken to theforest where the Maharaja was hunting. The Maharaja took careful aim at the beast. The tigerfell down in a crumpled heap. The Maharaja was extremely happy that he had killed thehundredth tiger.The hunters found that the tiger was not dead. It had only fainted on hearing the sound of thebullet. One of them shot at it and killed it. The dead tiger was taken in procession through thetown and buried there. A tomb was erected over it.The prophecy was not disproved as the king met his death with the infection caused by thesliver of a wooden tiger. The astrologer was already dead. He could not be punished orrewarded.

2. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram is the hero of this story. He may be identified as HisHighness Jamedar-General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, Maharajadhiraja VisvaBhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K. This name isoften shortened to the Tiger King.

3. The astrologers said the child born under that particular star would one day have to meet itsdeath. At that very moment a great miracle took place. An astonishing phrase emerged fromthe lips of the ten-day-old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, “O wise prophets!” Everyone stoodmotionless with astonishment and stupidity.

4. The infant said that all those who are born will one day have to die. So he did not need theirpredictions to know that. He further said that there would be some sense in it if they could tellhim the manner of that death.


WORKSHEET–121

1. By visiting Antarctica we can get a grasp of where we have come from and where we couldpossibly be moving towards. It helps us to understand the importance of Cordilleran folds andpre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon; evolution and extinction.Antarctica is the only place in the world which has never sustained a human population.Moreover, it holds in its ice-cores half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers ofice. In other words, the world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.

2. ‘Students on Ice’ programme aims to study and examine the Earth’s past, present and future byorganising expeditions to Antarctica for high school students. The young students are providedinspiring educational opportunities which will help them to develop a new understanding andrespect for our planet—the earth. The future generation of policy-makers is offered a life-changing experience. The main reason for including high school students in this expedition istheir young age. They are at an age when they are ready to absorb, learn and act.

WORKSHEET–122

1. Gondwana, was in existence six hundred and fifty million years ago. Gondwana thrived for 500million years when the climate was much warmer. It supported a great variety of flora andfauna. Then the dinosaurs were wiped out. The age of the mammals set in. The landmass wasforced to separate into countries. The changes occurred over a million years.Geological phenomena resulted in the formation of the Himalayas as India jammed againstAsia. South America drifted off to join North America. The opening up of the Drake Passagecreated a cold circumpolar current. It keeps Antarctica very cold, desolate and at the bottom ofthe world.

2. The indications for the future of humankind are neither bright nor positive. The rapid increaseof population has resulted in pressure on other species for supplies. The burning of fossil fuelshas created a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world. The average global temperature isincreasing. Even little changes in environment can have big consequences.Scientists warn that a further depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities ofphytoplankton. This will affect the life of all marine animals and birds of the region. The globalcarbon cycle will be affected.

3. Tishani Doshi, the author, boarded a Russian researchship named the ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’going to Antarctica. Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest continent in the world. Herjourney began 13.09 degrees north of Equator in Madras. It involved crossing nine time zones,six international borders, three oceans and at least as many ecospheres.

4. The author’s first emotion on facing Antarctica’s far-flung white landscape and continuous bluehorizon was relief for she had been travelling for over 100 hours.It was followed by wonder at the large size of the continent, its loneliness and at how onceIndia and Antarctica were the part of the same landmass.

JOURNEY TO THE ENDOF THE EARTH (Tishani Doshi)

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WORKSHEET–123

1. Dr Sadao Hoki faces a dilemma when he finds the body of an unconscious wounded white manlying on the lonely coast with dangerous rocks near his house. As they saw his face, they foundthat he was a white man with long yellow hair and a rough yellow beard.Being an expert surgeon, Dr Sadao saw that the man had a gun-wound on the right side of hislower back. He at once packed the wound with sea moss to stanch the fearful bleeding. SinceJapan was at war with America, the white man was an enemy. If they sheltered a white manin their house they would be arrested and if they turned him over as a prisoner, he wouldcertainly die. Hana still insisted on putting him back into the sea. The man was a prisoner ofwar. He had escaped and that was why he was wounded in the back.Hana asked if they were able to put him back into the sea. Sadao then said that if the man waswhole he could turn the man over to the police without difficulty. He cared nothing for the man.He was their enemy. All Americans were their ‘enemy’. But since he was wounded… Hanaunderstood his dilemma and realised that in the conflict between his sense of national loyaltyand his duty as a doctor, it was the latter which proved dominant. Since Sadao too could notthrow him back to the sea, the only course left for them was to carry him to their house. Sadaoenquired about the reaction of the servants.Hana said that they would tell the servants that they intended to give the man to the police.She told Sadao that they must do so. They had to think of the children and the doctor’sposition. It would endanger all of them if they did not give that man over as a prisoner of war.Sadao agreed and promised that he would not think of doing anything else.

2. Dr Sadao and his wife, Hana, together lifted the wounded man and carried him to an emptybedroom. The man was very dirty. Sadao suggested that he had better be washed. He offered todo so if she would fetch water. Hana was against it. She suggested that the maid, Yumi, couldwash the man. They would have to tell the servants. Dr Sadao examined the man again andremarked that the man would die unless he was operated upon at once. He left the room tobring his surgical instruments.The servants did not approve of their master’s decision to heal the wound of a white man.Even Yumi refused to wash the white man. There was so fierce a look of resistance uponYumi’s round dull face that Hana felt unreasonably afraid. Then she said with dignity thatthey only wanted to bring him to his senses so that they would turn him over as a prisoner.However, Yumi refused to have anything to do with him. Hana asked Yumi gently to returnto her work.The open defiance from the domestic staff hurt Hana’s feelings. She had told the servants todo what their master commanded them. She was convinced of her own superiority. She nowbecame sympathetic to her husband and helped him in his efforts to heal the wounded man.Though the sight of the white man was repulsive to her, she washed his face and his upperbody. She prepared herself to give him the anaesthetic according to her husband’s instructions.She had never seen an operation. She choked and her face turned pale like sulphur. She feltlike vomiting and left for a while. She returned after retching and administered anaestheticto the man. Thus she co-operated with her husband fully to save the wounded man.

THE ENEMY(Pearl S. Buck)

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WORKSHEET–124

1. Dr Sadao Hoki was an eminent Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had spent eight valuableyears of his youth in America to learn all that could be learnt of surgery and medicine there.He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean.Dr Sadao’s house was built on rocks well above a narrow beach that was outlined with bentpines. It was on a spot of the Japanese coast.

2. Dr Sadao knew that they would be arrested if they sheltered a white man in their house. Thewounded man was a prisoner of war who had escaped with a bullet on his back. Since Japanwas at war with America, harbouring an enemy meant being a traitor to Japan. Dr Sadao couldbe arrested if anyone complained against him and accused him of harbouring an enemy.

3. The gardener and the cook were frightened that their master was going to heal the wound of awhite man—an enemy. They felt that after being cured he will take revenge on the Japanese.Yumi, the maid, was also frightened. She refused to wash the white man. Hana rebuked themaid who had refused to wash a wounded helpless man. Then she dipped a small clean towelinto the steaming hot water and washed the white man’s face. She kept on washing him untilhis upper body was quite clean. But she dared not turn him over.

4. Dr Sadao and his wife, Hana, had told the servants that they only wanted to bring the man tohis senses so that they could turn him over as a prisoner. They knew that the best possiblecourse under the circumstances was to put him back into the sea. However, Dr Sadao wasagainst handing over a wounded man to the police. He decided to carry him into his house. Heoperated upon him and extracted the bullet from his body. He kept the white man in his house.He and his wife looked after him and fed him till he was strong enough to walk on his legs.

WORKSHEET–125

1. On the third day after the operation, the young man asked Dr Sadao what he was going to dowith him and if he was going to hand him over. Dr Sadao said that he did not know himselfwhat he would do with the man. He ought to hand him over to the police as he was a prisonerof war.The young man saw that Dr Sadao and his wife Hana were different from other Japanese. Theyspoke English well, looked after him and served him food. Seven days after the operation of theman, Dr Sadao was called to the palace to see the General. Hana thought that the police hadcome to arrest Dr Sadao. Dr Sadao confided in the General and he (General) promised to sendhis personal assassins to kill the man and remove his body.Dr Sadao waited for three nights. Nothing happened. Then he made a plan to let the prisonerescape. He told Tom, the young American, about it. The young man stared at him and asked ifhe had to leave. It seemed he was reluctant to leave. Dr Sadao told him that he shouldunderstand everything clearly. It was not hidden that he was there and this situation was fullof risk for himself as well as for the doctor. Thus it is quite clear that the reluctance of thesoldier was caused by the single motive of self-preservation. He knew from the treatment hehad received from the couple that they would save him.

2. During his meeting with the General, Dr Sadao told him about the man he had operated onsuccessfully. He explained that he cared nothing for the man. The General appreciated his skilland efficiency and promised that he would not be arrested.The General thought it quite unfortunate that the man had been washed up to Dr Sadao’sdoorstep and thought it best if he could be quietly killed. He promised to send his privateassassins to do so and remove his dead body. He suggested that Dr Sadao should leave theouter partition of the white man’s room to the garden open at night.

93OOBTXET SK

It is evident that the General had no human consideration in this matter. For him an enemywas an enemy and must be wiped out. He wanted the man to be eliminated silently to save thedoctor from being arrested. It was neither lack of national loyalty nor dereliction of duty thatguided and inspired his decision. It was simply his sense of self-absorption. He wanted to keepDr Sadao safe only for his own sake. He had no faith in the other Germany trained doctors. Hemight have to be operated upon anytime when he had another attack and he had full faith inthe skill and loyalty of Dr Sadao only.This fact is further corroborated by the General’s remarks to Dr Sadao, one week after theemergency operation upon the General. Dr Sadao informed him that the man had escaped. TheGeneral asked whether he had not promised Sadao that he would kill the man for him. DrSadao replied that he had done nothing. The General admitted that he had forgotten hispromise as he had been suffering a great deal and he thought of nothing but himself. Herevealed the whole truth. He admitted that it was careless of him to have forgotten hispromise. But added that it was not lack of patriotism or dereliction of duty on his part.

WORKSHEET–126

1. In the afternoon, a messenger came there in official uniform. He told Dr Sadao that he had tocome to the palace at once as the old General was in pain again.Hana, thought that the officer had come to arrest Dr Sadao. Dr Sadao told the General aboutthe white man he had operated upon. Since Dr Sadao was indispensable to the General, hepromised that Dr Sadao would not be arrested.

2. Dr Sadao told Tom, the white man, that he was quite well then. He offered to put his boat onthe shore that night. It would have food and extra clothing in it. Tom might be able to row tothe little island which was not far from the coast and could live there till he saw a Koreanfishing boat pass by.Dr Sadao gave the man Japanese clothes and covered his blond head with a black cloth. Inshort, Dr Sadao helped the man to escape from Japan.

3. Sadao’s father was a visionary. He knew that the islands near the sea coast were the steppingstones to the future for Japan. No one could limit their future as it depended on what theymade it. His son’s education was his chief concern. He sent his son to America at the age oftwenty-two to learn all that could be learned of surgery and medicine. He loved the Japaneserace, customs and manners.

4. Sadao was an eminent surgeon and a scientist. He was perfecting a discovery which wouldrender wounds entirely clean. Secondly, the old General was being treated medically for acondition for which he might need an operation. Due to these two reasons Sadao was being keptin Japan and not sent abroad with the troops.

WORKSHEET–127

1. It is the consciousness of the demands of one’s calling that make a sensitive soul respond tothe call of his duty as a professional doctor to attend to the wounded human being regardlessof his being an enemy.In the story ‘The Enemy’ Dr Sadao Hoki finds a prisoner of war washed ashore and in a dyingstate thrown to his doorstep. As a patriot, it is his duty to hand him over to the police. If hedoes not want to be entangled, the next best thing is to put him back to the sea.However, the surgeon in him instinctively inspires him to operate upon the dying man andsave him from the jaws of death. First, he packs the wound with sea-moss to stanch the fearfulbleeding. Then he brings him home with the help of his wife. In spite of stiff opposition andopen defiance of the servants, he operates upon the man and harbours him till he is able toleave. He knows fully well the risk of sheltering a white man—a prisoner of war—in his house.


But his sentimentality for the suffering and wounded person help him rise above narrownational prejudices and extend his help and services even to an enemy.

2. Yes, I think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in thecircumstances. Initially, the doctor as well as his wife thought that the best as well as kindestthing would be to put him back into the sea. But neither of them moved. Neither was able toput him back into the sea.Sadao explained that if the man was whole he could turn him over to the police withoutdifficulty, but since he was wounded, the doctor could not throw him back to the sea. He couldnot kill the man whom he had saved from the jaws of death.The General promised to send his private assassins to kill the man and remove his dead body.Sadao waited for three nights for their arrival, but they never came as the General beingpreoccupied with his own suffering, forgot everything else.Meanwhile the fear of Hana, the doctor’s wife, that he would be arrested on the charge ofharbouring an enemy kept on mounting. Dr Sadao made up his mind to get rid of the man asit was not only inconvenient but also dangerous for them to have him there any longer. He,therefore, quietly devised the plan of letting the prisoner escape by using his own boat andJapanese clothes.As soon as the enemy left, the servants returned and life became normal once again. Dr Sadaoinformed the General that “the man” had escaped. The General admitted that he had forgottenhis promise as he thought of nothing but himself as he was suffering a great deal. He confessedthat it was careless of him but it was not his lack of patriotism or dereliction of duty. In short,the doctor’s strategy to let the prisoner escape was the best possible solution to the problemunder the prevailing circumstances.

WORKSHEET–128

1. Sadao married Hana when they returned to Japan after finishing their work at medical school.Sadao’s father saw her. The marriage was then arranged in the old Japanese way. They hadbeen married years enough to have two children. Their married life was quite happy. They stillloved each other.

2. The man lay motionless with his face in the sand. As they turned the man’s head, they sawthat he was a white man with long yellow hair. His young face had a rough yellow beard. Hewas unconscious. From his battered cap they learnt that he was a sailor from an Americanwarship.

3. Sadao’s head told him to put the man back into the sea as he was an American soldier–anenemy of Japan. His trained hands seemed, of their own will, to be doing what they could tostanch the fearful bleeding. He packed the wound with the sea-moss that strewed the beach.The bleeding was stopped for the moment.

4. The white man was wounded. He needed immediate medical care. Dr Sadao could do so. But ifthey sheltered a white man in their house, they would be arrested. On the other hand, if theyturned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die.

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SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY?( John Updike)

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CWORKSHEET–129

1. The story raises a moral issue—should parents always decide what the children should do orlet the children do what they like to do. There is an evident contrast between an adult’sperspective on life and the world view of a little child.Jack, the father, defends the behaviour of Roger Skunk’s mother who forced the old wizard torestore the natural but offensive smell to Roger Skunk. He sums up the issue in one sentence:‘She knew what was right’. As to why the little skunk agreed to her mother’s proposal, Jacksays that the little skunk loved his mummy more than he loved all the other little animals.Jack cites an instance. When Roger Skunk was in bed, Mummy Skunk came up, hugged himand said he smelled like her little baby Skunk again and she loved him very much.Little Jo, the spokesperson of children, does not agree with her father’s view. She feels that theSkunk’s mother should not have robbed the pleasure of her little son and deprived him of thepleasant smell of the roses. She insisted that the wizard hit that mummy on the head and didnot change that little skunk back. She calls the little skunk’s mother “a stupid mommy”. Sherealised that her father was defending his own mother to her, or something odd.Jo stuck to her viewpoint. She insisted that her father should tell her the story the next day ina different manner. It was the wizard that took the magic wand and hit that mommy.

2. Jack ends the story in a way that seems unusual to Jo. In her dream world, the wizard is amiracle worker. She can’t digest the statement that the little skunk’s mother hit the wizardright on his head with her umbrella and he agreed to do what she desired. Roger Skunk did notsmell of roses any more. He smelled very bad again.Jo did not want the story to end this way. She had in mind, the pleasure of all the littleanimals. She says, “But daddy, then he said about the other little animals run away!” Herfather admits it. He agrees that Roger Skunk told his mother, “But Mommy, all the otheranimals run away!” The mother does not bother about them. She says bluntly, “I don’t care.You smelled the way a little skunk should have.”Jo can’t digest the ending that the mother hit the wizard right over the head and he madeRoger Skunk smell very bad again. She suggested to her father to end the story in anothermanner—“The wizard hit her on the head and did not change that little skunk back.” Shewanted that stupid mummy to be punished and insisted repeatedly on the changed ending nextnight till her father agreed to consider it, saying, “Well, we’ll see.”

WORKSHEET–130

1. Jo is the shortened form of Joanne. She is the four year old daughter of Jack and Clare. For thelast two years, her father, Jack, has been telling her bed-time stories. Since these stories arewoven around the same basic tale and have the same characters and turn of events, Jo takes somany things for granted and takes active interest in the story-telling session. The protagonist(main character) is always named Roger. It may be Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel, Roger Chipmunkor Roger Skunk. The other characters are the huge, wise, old owl and the thin small wizard.Other creatures of the forest—small animals—also take part in playing with Roger and liking/disliking him.

2. Jack told the story of Roger Skunk—an animal which emitted a foul smell and how the wizardchanged his smell to that of roses at his request. The other little creatures, who earlier hated


Roger Skunk, now gathered around him because he smelled so good. They played variousgames of children till dark and then went to their homes happily.

3. Little Jo had been accustomed to the happy ending of the stories of Roger, where the wizardwas helpful to him in fulfilling his wish.Jo could not accept that mother’s stubbornness-hitting the well wisher of her son, Roger Skunk.Jo insisted that her father should tell her the same story again the next day with changedending. The wizard should hit that unreasonable mummy on the head and leave Roger Skunkemitting the pleasant smell of roses. In the beautiful world of a child’s imagination, fairies andwizard’s are more real than reality itself. She could not digest the harsh realities of life. Shedid not like the unfeeling mother who hit the benefactor of her son.

4. Jack would tell his four year old daughter Joanne (or Jo) a story out of his head in the eveningsand for Saturday naps. This custom had begun when she was two and now it was nearly twoyear old.

WORKSHEET–131

1. Jack has the typical parental attitude. He is of the opinion that the parents know what is bestfor their children. He asserts the parental authority time and again to quieten Jo and stifle herobjections and amendments to the story of the foul smelling Skunk related by him.He defends the attitude of Roger Skunk’s mother. She does not approve of the unnatural,unskunk like smell that Roger has. She calls the sweet smell of the roses an awful smell.Earlier the little skunk smelled the way a little skunk should. She wants the naturalcharacteristic—the foul smell—restored. He says that she knew what was right. Secondly, thelittle skunk loved his mommy more than he loved all the other animals. That is why, he tookhis mommy to the wizard. She hit the wizard and forced him to change the smell of roses to hisearlier bad odour. He insisted on this ending to emphasise the concern of the parents forchildren and their role in bringing them up on proper lines.

2. Jack feels that he has been caught in an ugly middle position physically, emotionally as well asmentally. The woodwork, a cage of mouldings and rails and skirting boards all around themwas half old tan and half new ivory.He was conscious of his duties as a father and as a husband. Little Bobby was already asleep.His efforts to make Jo fall asleep proved quite fatiguing. She kept on interrupting him, askingfor clarifications, pointing errors and suggesting alternatives.Jack did not like that women should take anything for granted. He liked them to be apprehensive.So he extended the story, though he was in a haste to go down stairs and help his pregnantwife in her hard work of painting the woodwork. The result of the extension to the story provedunfruitful and unpleasant for Jo, Jack and Clare. Jo wanted him to change the ending of thestory. Clare complained that he had told a long story. Jack felt utter weariness and did notwant to speak with his wife or work with her or touch her. He was really caught in an uglymiddle position.

WORKSHEET–132

1. A small creature named Roger had some problem. He would go to the wise owl who told him togo to the wizard. The wizard performed a magic spell. It solved Roger’s problem. He demandedmore pennies than Roger had. Then he directed Roger to the place where extra money could befound. Roger felt happy and played many games with other creatures. He then went home. Hisdaddy arrived from Boston. They had supper. The story wound up with the description of theitems of their supper.

97OOBTXET SK

2. Jo was growing up. She never fell asleep in naps any more. Her brother, Bobby, who was two,and already asleep with his bottle. But Jo would not take her nap like an infant. The bumps herfeet made under the covers were halfway down the bed. Her fat face deep in the pillow shone inthe sunlight. The custom seemed futile and especially fatiguing on Saturdays.

3. Jo suggested ‘skunk’ for the story that day. It was a new animal for her. They must be talkingabout it at nursery school. A skunk or a pole-cat is a small black and white North Americananimal. It can produce a strong unpleasant smell to defend itself when it is attacked.

4. Jo squeezed her eyes shut and smiled to be thinking that she was thinking. She opened herblue eyes and said firmly, “Skunk”. Having a fresh hero momentarily stirred Jack to creativeenthusiasm. He started telling the story of Roger Skunk that smelled so bad that none of theother little woodland creatures would play with him.


WORKSHEET–133

1. Both Derry and Mr Lamb suffer from physical impairment. Derry has one side of his face disfiguredand burnt by acid. The old man has a tin leg because his real leg got blown off during the war.Apart from these physical disabilities, Derry finds signs of loneliness and disappointment inMr Lamb’s life. The old man tries to overcome these feelings but the sense of alienation felt byhim is more painful than the pain caused by physical disability. Derry tries to avoid meetingpeople because they consider his face frightful and ugly. They avoid him as they are afraid ofhim. His parents seem worried about him and talk about him and his future.Mr Lamb provides him a new approach to things. He tells him to see, hear, feel and think aboutthings around him. He should not hate others. Hatred is worse than acid because it burns theinside. He has all the God-given limbs. He must take a firm decision and work towards it. Hewill succeed. He should not be afraid of people and they will not be afraid of him. All thesefactors draw Derry towards Mr Lamb.

2. It is in the middle section of the first scene of the play that Mr Lamb displays signs ofloneliness and disappointment. He says that when it is a bit cooler, he will get the ladder anda stick, and pull down those crab apples. He makes jelly. Derry could help him. Then he sayshe is interested in anybody or anything that God made. It may be a person, flower, fruit,grass, weeds or rubbish. There are plenty of things to look at. Some of them are his crabapples or the weeds or a spider climbing up a silken ladder or his tall sun-flowers. He alsolikes to talk and have a company. He has a hive of bees. He hears them singing. He sits inthe sun and reads books. He likes the light and the darkness. He hears the wind comingthrough open windows. There aren’t any curtains at the windows as they either shut thingsout or shut things in.

WORKSHEET–134

1. Mr Lamb is an old man with a tin leg. His real leg was blown off years ago during the war. Helives all alone in his house. There is a garden near the house. It has ripe crab apples lookingorange and golden in colour.Mr Lamb is sitting in his garden when Derry climbs over the garden wall to get into hisgarden. Though the gate is open, the boy does not use it.

2. At first Derry does not like being near people. Mr Lamb offers him a new way of thinking. All thisbrings a change in Derry’s attitude towards Mr Lamb. He promises to come back after informinghis mother. He asks Mr Lamb about his life and friends and recognises his loneliness anddisappointment. He keeps his promise and returns only to find Mr Lamb lying on the ground.

3. Mr Lamb issues this instruction to Derry, a boy of fourteen, who climbs over the garden walland enters the garden. He asks him twice to mind the apples which have been blown down bythe wind from the trees and strewn in the grass. He could put his foot on some apple, fall downand hurt himself.

4. Mr Lamb’s attitude to the small boy is quite gentle, protective and accommodating. Like anelder in the family offering advice and instructions to the younger members, Mr Lamb advisesthe young boy to mind the apples lest he should trip and not to feel afraid.

ON THE FACE OF IT(Susan Hill )

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WORKSHEET–135

1. It is Evans who has the last laugh. The play makes a fun of the routine procedure followed byprison authorities and police. It depicts how the criminals are one step ahead of the jailauthorities.All precautions have been made by the Governor of Oxford Prison to see that the O-LevelGerman examination, held in prison for the prisoner Evans, does not provide him means toescape. The examination passes off peacefully. Mr Stephens, a prison officer, sees off McLeery,the invigilator and on returning to the cell finds injured “McLeery” sprawling in Evans’ chair.It is easy for Evans impersonating as McLeery to leave the prison along with police officer. Heclaims to have spotted Evans driving off along Elsfield Way but loses track at the Headingtonroundabout. He grogs off near the Examination offices. Then he disappears. He is located in theGolden Lion in Chipping Norton by the Governor of Oxford Prison. Instead of bringing Evanssecurely back to prison, the Governor lets him come in a prison van guarded by a prison officer.It is just what Evans had planned. The driver and the ‘prison officer’ are his friends and Evansescapes from prison once again.In fact, Evans has made elaborate arrangements. He joins the night classes in September. TheGerman teacher is one of his friends. He has his friends in the Examination Board as well. Hewaits patiently till June. Two of his friends bind and gag Reverend Stuart McLeery in his BroadStreet flat. One of them personates him. He is dressed up as a minister. He has two collars andtwo black fronts on his person. Evans fiddles about under the blanket with the black front andthe stud at the back of the collar. His friends also arrange a car where he can change his makeup as well as clothes. He successfully deceives the police as well as the prison authorities.

2. On his return to the cell of Evans, Stephens saw a man sprawling back in Evans’ chair. For asemi-second Stephens thought it must be Evans. But the small black beard, white clericalcollar and black clerical front and red blood dripping from the front of his head, made Stephensjump to a conclusion—Evans impersonating McLeery, had walked out.Almost immediately the whole machinery jumped into action. No one bothered to check theidentity of the injured ‘McLeery.’ The assumption of Stephens prevailed. It was reinforced bythe broader Scots accent and slimmer body of the parson he had seen off and the blood comingout of wound and dress of the “parson” in the cell.The hasty conjecture prevents one from seeing the obvious. The jail breaker might have playeda trick again. Even the Governor is deceived. He believes what his staff says. The man whodoubted everything and cross checked it, does not even examine the victim.Due to their long sojourn in prison the criminals become familiar with the temperaments ofprison officers as well as the routine they follow. A criminal is always disbelieved. On the otherhand, an officer’s word is always accepted. The criminals are certain that negligence of the prisonauthorities is their only passport to freedom. They doubt the remotest possibility and doubtgenuine telephone calls as fake ones, yet an assumption is accepted as truth and the obvious isignored. Hence the criminal is able to predict such negligence on the part of prison authorities.

WORKSHEET–136

1. James Roderick Evans was a jail bird. The prison officers called him ‘Evans the Break’ as hehad escaped from prison three times. At present he was in a solitary cell in Oxford Prison. He

EVANS TRIES AN O-LEVEL(Colin Dexter)

SECTION

C


was quite a pleasant sort of chap—an amusing person who was good at imitations. He was notat all violent. He suffered from the disease of involuntarily stealing things. This was diseasewith which he was born.

2. The solitary cell of Evans was turned into examination room by placing two small tables andtwo chairs in it. Reverend Stuart McLeery, a parson from St. Mary Mags was to work asinvigilator. The cell was to be kept locked from outside and a prison officer would observe Evansfrom a peep-hole after every minute or so. All potential weapons such as knife, scissors, nail-file and razor had been taken away. Even the contents of the suitcase of the invigilator werethoroughly searched. The paper knife was taken away by a prison officer. The Governor himselfwas to listen-in the conversation in the cell during the examination. The cell was in the D-Wingwhich had two heavy gates—outer and inner. Both were locked securely. Mr Jackson, the prisonofficer, was in constant contact with the Governor on the phone.

3. The request was to create an examination centre in the prison for one candidate named JamesRoderick Evans. He had started night classes in O-Level German last September. He was theonly one in the class and said that he was keen to get some sort of academic qualification. TheSecretary agreed to give him a chance and promised to send all the forms and stuff.

4. Evans was called ‘Evans the Break’ by the prison officers. He had escaped from prison threetimes already. He would have done so from Oxford Prison as well if there had not been unrestin the maximum security establishments up north.

WORKSHEET–137

1. The Governor should have escorted Evans himself to the Oxford Prison. He had only two personswith him, and later it turned out that these two persons were associates of Evans. One of them,who posed to be the silent prison officer instructed the driver to move on faster. The driver, whospoke in a broad Scots accent, was the person who acted as the Reverend S. McLeery. The Governorshould have at least checked the identity of the staff to whom he was entrusting the prisoner.Secondly, he should have contacted Mr Jackson and Mr Stephens, the two prison officers,Detective Superintendent Carter and Detective Chief Inspector Bell, who were all searchingEvans.It was perhaps his over excitement and childish enthusiasm at his arm-chair reasoning inlocating the hide-out of Evans and catching him at the Golden Lion, that he threw all cautionsto wind and acted foolishly by reposing confidence in wrong persons. Evans and his associateshad befooled him earlier as well. The German teacher and the invigilator were friends ofEvans. The correction slip sent from Examination Branch was a clever device to convey theroute of escape and the hide-out. The Governor’s last act of foolishness really proved that hewas only worth being laughed at as he was too credulous and trustful.

2. People condemn the crime as it is an evil act against law and society. In the past, punishmentwas the only way to treat the criminals. The greater the crime, the harsher and harder thepunishment, which could go to the extent of life-imprisonment or death sentence.In the modern age, efforts are on to reform the criminals, even the hard core, and bring themback to the mainstream. Hence police, prison officers, judges and other law-enforcing agenciesdevelop a soft corner for the people in custody. While the sufferer should get justice, theinnocent must not be punished. This idea too helps the prison staff often develop a soft cornerfor the prisoners.The behaviour of prison officer Jackson amply illustrates the above point. He is very strict inenforcing the rules and regulations of prison as well as the Governor’s orders. Yet somewherein him we find a tiny core of compassion. Even Evans knew it. Mr Jackson has asked Evans toremove that filthy bobble hat. Evans requested him to allow it to wear it during exam as itbrought luck to him. It was kind o’ lucky charm for him. Jackson agreed.

101OOBTXET SK

WORKSHEET–138

1. The two accounts given in the unit ‘Memories of Childhood’ are based in two distant cultures.Two grown up and celebrated writers from marginalised communities look back on theirchildhood. They reflect on their relationship with the mainstream.The discrimination, oppression, humiliation, suffering and insults that they faced as youngmembers of the marginalised communities are common to both. Zitkala-Sa highlights thesevere prejudice that prevailed towards the Native American culture and women. Deprivingher of her blanket that covered her shoulders made her look indecent in her own eyes. Thecutting of her long hair reduces her to the status of a defeated warrior as in her cultureshingled hair are worn only by cowards. The replacing of her moccasins by squeaking shoes and“eating by formula” at breakfast table are other signs of forcible erosion of their own cultureand imposition of dogma on them.Bama highlights the humiliations faced by the untouchables who were never given any honour,dignity or respect as they were born in lower classes. They were made to live apart, runerrands, and bow humbly to the masters. They scrupulously avoided direct contact with thepeople of higher classes or the things used by them.The sense of rebellion against the existing state of affairs and decision to improve them are alsocommon themes.

2. Children are more sensitive and observant than the adults. They see, hear, feel and experiencewhatever happens around them. They are quick to note any deviation from the normal or anyaberration.Bama at first, thinks the behaviour of the elder of her community is quite funny. He is holdingthe packet by string and running with it awkwardly. But when she learns the reason of hisbehaviour in that particular manner her ire is aroused against the cruel, rich people of uppercastes who shamelessly exploit them and heap humiliations on them. She is ready to rebelagainst the oppression by snatching the packet of vadai from the landlord and eating themherself. Her elder brother channelises her anger. He tells her to study with care and makeprogress. We see the seeds of rebellion in her.Zitkala-Sa too shows that she has the seeds of rebellion in her even at an early age. Her friendJudewin tells her that the authorities are going to cut their long, heavy hair. She says thatthey have to submit, because they (authorities) are strong. But Zitkala-Sa rebels. She declaresthat she will not submit. She will struggle first. And, she does carry out her resolution. Shehides herself to foil their attempt. When she is detected hiding under the bed and dragged out,she resists by kicking and scratching wildly. She is overpowered and tied fast in a chair, butshe does not take things lying down. The spark of rebellion in her is not put out by oppression.

WORKSHEET–139

1. It was a bitter-cold day. The snow still covered the ground. The trees were bare. A large bellrang for breakfast. Its loud metallic sound crashed through the belfry overhead and penetratedinto their sensitive ears.

2. The annoying clatter of shoes on bare floors disturbed the peace. There was a constant clash ofharsh noises and an undercurrent of many voices murmuring an unknown tongue. All these

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD(Zitkala-Sa and Bama)

SECTION

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sounds made a bedlam within which she was securely tied. Her spirit tore itself in strugglingfor its lost freedom.

3. The ringing of a large bell summoned the students to the dining room. Then a small bell tapped.Each pupil drew a chair from under the table. Then a second bell was sounded. All were seated.A man’s voice was heard at one end of the hall. They hung their heads over the plates. The manended his mutterings. Then a third bell tapped. Everyone picked up his/her knife and fork andbegan eating.

4. Judewin knew a few words of English. She had overheard the paleface woman. She was talkingabout cutting their long, heavy hair. Judewin said, “We have to submit, because they arestrong.” Zitkala-Sa rebelled. She declared that she would not submit. She would struggle first.

Solutions toSolutions toSolutions toSolutions toSolutions toPractice PapersPractice PapersPractice PapersPractice PapersPractice Papers

of Vol. 1of Vol. 1of Vol. 1of Vol. 1of Vol. 1


SECTION–A (READING SKILLS)

1.1 (a) Stress makes human body vulnerable to diseases by(i) depleting the stress related hormones

(ii) weakening the immunity system by suppressing body’s killer cells.(b) Worry is chief source of stress. The symptoms are

(i) pain in the head and neck region (ii) teeth grinding (iii) nail nibbling(iv) disturbed sleep (v) nervousness and shakiness

(c) Hypothalamus alters the nervous system and activates the pituitary gland which releasesstress hormones like adrenaline. These make the body alert to react to the anxiety-provoking events. Increased levels of blood pressure, blood sugar and risk of heart strokesare the possible results.

(d) (i) Adopting healthy lifestyle - exercise(ii) engaging in soothing activities

(iii) Positive attitude, socialising instead of loneliness(iv) alternative therapies—hypnotherapy, faith therapy, yoga and meditation.

(e) (i) People tend to have poor diets and consume more junk food, caffeine and alcohol.(ii) Prolonged stress causes vitamin and mineral depletion.

1.2 (a) immune (b) vague (c) amenable

2.1 Notes:1. Confi. Makers

(a) overcoming problems unaided(b) faith in ind’l ability(c) (i) self-help (ii) self-dependence

2. Confi. Shakers(a) overprotectn by family(b) never left alone to manage for themselves

3. Confi. and Success(a) manag without support

(i) more assurance (ii) greater self-esteem4. Confi. Building

(a) avoid overprotectn(b) self-reliance(c) self-assurance

5. Mid Gen. Parents(a) afraid of extra bold children - aggressiveness(b) lack confidence - meek suggestions - children more confident(c) obey and appease their old dictatorial parents(d) want children with ind’l entity and confidence(e) self-oriented child - disobey parents(f) suffer from both sides - lack of confi.

2.2 SELF-CONFIDENCEFaith in one’s own capacity and single handed tackling develops confidence while overprotectiveattitude destroys it. Self-supporting children have more assurance, and greater self-esteem.Self-reliance and self-assurance are essential for success. The mid generation parents, are

SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE PAPER–1

SREPAPECITARP C 105

afraid of the aggressiveness of the naughty and extra bold children. Their children are moreconfident and assertive because they have individual entity and are self-oriented. These midgeneration parents suffer both ways—from dictatorial parents and disobeying children simplybecause they lack self-confidence.

SECTION–B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS)

3. First Option

ACCOMMODATION WANTEDWanted for a Central Government senior officer, an independent accommodation comprisingthree bedrooms with attached bathrooms, drawing-cum-dining room, kitchen with modernamenities and facility for car parking in Greater Kailash/Friend’s Colony on reasonablerent. Provision for separate bathroom and a store will be considered an extra facility.Contact Phone No. 2326 3081 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Second Option

D-59, Adarsh NagarNew Delhi

18 May 200X

Dear MridulaThank you for your cordial invitation for spending a part of my summer vacation with youin your native village. I was eager to go to your village but the sudden illness of my motherhas pushed back all my thoughts of recreation. I am sorry I am unable to enjoy yourhospitality this summer.I hope you won’t feel upset or take it to heart.

Yours sincerelyVipasha

4. First OptionPREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

People generally love animals and keep them as pets. Of late domestic animals are being ill-treated by their masters. Instead of being well-fed, well nourished cattle, cows, bullocks andhorses, we find emaciated bullocks pulling overloaded carts or wooden legged horses yoked totongas. The fate of cows is the worst of all. The dry cows are let loose on the roads. Thesestray cows wander about in search of grass and create many problems in the traffic besidescreating insanitation. This is a very sorry state of affairs. Animals are in no way less faithful,punctual, helpful and sincere than man. They express love and loyalty, gratitude and anger.They serve us as true servants and guard us as true guardians. We should stop maltreatinganimals. The harassment of animals begins at home. If we can’t maintain pets properly, wehave no right to keep them. The authorities should prevent cruelty to animals by checkingoverloading of goods/passengers in carts. Similarly, attention should be paid to the animals incircus or zoo. They should get proper food and care.

Second OptionREPORT ON OPENING CEREMONY OF SPORTS MEET

The tenth inter school state sports competitions were inaugurated at our school playgrounds onSunday, the 19th Feb, 200X. Mr T. N. Biswas, the Chief Secretary of the state declared thegames open. Over 2500 school boys and girls would compete for honours in 27 disciplines over thenext 10 days. The flame for the Sports Meet was lit by famous athlete Anjaiya. 29 participatingcontingents from various states and union territories took part in the impressive march past.


After the oath taking ceremony by the athletes, there was a beautiful cultural programme offolk dances and music. In his brief speech, the Chief Guest congratulated the participants fortheir enthusiasm and expressed the hope that this sports meet will help the potential talentto bloom to full glory.

5. First Option16, Vasant KunjNew Delhi

16 October 200X

My dear ArunI hope this letter will find you in the best state of health and happiness. You are well awarethat the auspicious festival of Diwali is at hand. All the buildings present a very gay andbright look as they have been whitewashed and painted. Diwali is also associated withsending of gifts to relatives and friends. Young children indulge in exploding crackers. I wouldlike you not to indulge in the extravagance on crackers. It is not a whim, fancy or sentimentof mine but has a solid argument behind it.The bursting of fireworks spreads pollution as the harmful gases it emits are unhygienic innature. The suspended particulate matter affects the sensitive tissues of our body adversely.Secondly, cracker-burst may cause severe burns on human body. Sometimes people lose theireyes or suffer severe fatal burns. Every year shops catch fire due to cracker-burst. The moneyspent on crackers can be utilised for a better cause. Thirdly, the explosives in crackers are ofvery poor quality. These crackers are products of the labour of small children who exposethemselves to all dangers while manufacturing them. Let us also raise our voice of protestagainst exploitation of child-labour.So please celebrate Diwali jubiliantly without exploding crackers or using fireworks.Pay my compliments to dear uncle and aunt.

Yours affectionately,Rajan

Second OptionD-52, Shakti NagarDelhi

18 August 200X

The EditorThe Times of IndiaNew DelhiSirSub: Non-availability of Essential CommoditiesThrough the columns of your esteemed daily I want to draw the attention of our popularleaders, general public and the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Delhi, towards the non-availability of essential commodities to the bonafide ration card holders at the fair price shopsof our area.Our area is densely populated and the arrival of migrant labour has worsened the consumersupply ratio. The fair-price shops which used to cater to the needs of our locality have nowadopted unfair means and indulge in malpractices in order to make a fast buck.Their modus operandi is quite simple and obvious. Whenever the consumers—the genuineration card holders approach them for sugar, rice, wheat or kerosene oil, the stock reply isthat they have not yet received the supply. In case a truck comes during the daytime,serpentine queues can be seen. By the time half of them get their supply, the ‘NO STOCK’board is put up. Poor consumers waste their time and energy and return empty handed.

SREPAPECITARP C 107

We have lodged frequent protests and complained to the concerned authorities. We get quitepleasing assurance. I think there is a vicious nexus between the blackmarketeers, shop-owners and inspectors of Food and Civil Supplies Department.I appeal to the political bosses to order a thorough probe into these irregularities andsafeguard the interest of the genuine ration card holders.

Yours trulyRashmi

6. First OptionTHE INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENTS IN POLITICS

The involvement of students in politics began during the freedom struggle. After independencepoliticians utilised the exuberance of bubbling youth for their partisan and selfish ends. Thelowering of voting age and democratisation of the set up of educational institutions broughtpolitics to the school level. While contesting elections to the students’ council, the studentleaders resort to all the tricks employed by the seasoned politicians. In the colleges anduniversities elections are contested on party lines. The political parties thus make inroadsinto educational institutions. They get dedicated workers and utilise their services duringtheir own elections to parliament or state legislatures. Well, political awareness is good, buttoo much involvement in politics is certainly harmful. The frequent elections to various civicbodies and legislatures further aggravate the violence and disruptive activities on the campus.Students ignore their studies and indulge in slogan shouting, speech making and taking outprocessions. Sometimes there are clashes amongst student groups owing allegience to politicalparties with diverse ideologies. Students should not forget their main aim and mission–studies and learning. They should develop political conciousness but not become tools of wilypoliticians.

Second OptionBRAIN-DRAIN

India can proudly proclaim the achievements of scientists, engineers and professionals in thefield of computer software. We have developed a large and sound infrastructure of science,technology and industry. Our software professionals have made a significant contribution tothe development of Silicon Valley and now Germany is thinking of utilising the services of ourengineers and professionals. This brain-drain may bring lucrative rewards to the migratingscientists, engineers etc. in the form of higher wages, better standard of living and vast scopefor research and professional advancement, but the motherland is deprived of the fruit oftheir knowledge and skill. This brain-drain thwarts our development.Monetary consideration such as hefty salaries and perks in developed countries is the primarycause of brain-drain. Lack of facilities for research and inadequate pay force the budding talentto seek greener pastures elsewhere. Bureaucratic and political domination and interference inthe field of science and technology irritates the young visionaries. Corruption, nepotism and red-tapism thwart all their efforts to make significant contribution to their fields. Lack of promotionand stagnation pours cold water on their hopes and enthusiasm. Under such poor workingconditions they resort to the escape route and migrate to other countries, sometimes forever.In case we want to check brain-drain, proper atmosphere of work, research facilities, good payand perks should be given to the talented professionals. Effective and positive measuresshould be adopted by government to curb this trend.

SECTION–C (TEXTBOOKS)

7(a). First Option(a) Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with the fire are the different kinds of

wars.


(b) It will be a victory where no survivors will be left to celebrate it.(c) They should put on clean clothes and walk with their brothers under the trees leisurely

doing nothing.(d) survivors

Second Option(a) The life of the people in countryside is quite miserable for want of money. Money which

can increase the level of their living is not found there. Hence the spirit of the ruralpeople remains depressed because of poverty.

(b) The voice of the country people seems to complain of injustice against them and lack ofmoney in their lives.

(c) The poet will feel a great relief if the rural people are liberated of all pains with one stroke.

(b). (a) The poet has used beautiful images to highlight the stark contrast between the sceneinside the car and the activities going on outside. The ‘ashen’ face of the poet’s mother ispale and lifeless. It looks like that of a corpse. She is dozing and lost to herself. Theimage of the ‘dozing’ mother is contrasted with the ‘spilling’ of children. The ‘ashen’ and‘corpse-like’ face is contrasted with the young trees sprinting outside.

(b) In this poem Stephen Spender deals with the theme of social injustice and classinequalities. He presents the theme by talking of two different and incompatible worlds.The world of the rich and the ‘civilized’ has nothing to do with the world of narrow lanesand cramped holes. The gap between these two worlds highlights social disparities andclass inequalities.

(c) Man himself is the root cause of his sufferings. We suffer from malice and distress. Welack human qualities and it makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivateunhealthy and evil ways. All such things bring misery, sorrows and sufferings to man.

(d) When Aunt Jennifer dies, her hands will still look terrified. Perhaps she has experienceda lot of hardships and troubles in the past. Their effect has left its print on her hands.The ordeals that crushed her married life had sorrounded and cramped her fingers andhands too.

8. (a) Firozabad is famous for its glass bangles. It is the centre of India's glass-blowingindustry. Families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass,making bangles for all the women in the land. Every other family in Firozabad isengaged in making bangles.

(b) Franz had hoped to get to his desk unseen during the commotion. But that day it wasquite quiet. So Franz had to open the door and go in before everybody. He blushed as hewas late. He was frightened that the teacher might rebuke him, but M. Hamel spokekindly to him that day.

(c) The man had put his money in a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the windowframe. He picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor bills for his guest to see as he hasseemed sceptical. Then he stuffed them back into the pouch.

(d) Gandhi cooperated with the officials. He helped them regulate the crowd. He was politeand friendly. He gave the Britishers a concrete proof that their dreaded and unquestionedpower could be challenged by Indians.

(e) The diversity and volume of Umberto’s output baffles people. Even David Lodge, theEnglish novelist and academic once remarked that he could not understand how oneman could do all the things Eco did. Eco admits that he might have given the impressionof doing many things but he is convinced that he is always doing the same thing.

9. First OptionDouglas was frightened as he was going down. His active mind suggested a strategy to savehimself from being drowned in water. He knew that water has buoyancy. He must make a

SREPAPECITARP C 109

big jump as his feet hit the bottom. He hoped to rise up like a cork to the surface, lie flat onit and paddle to the edge of the pool.Before he touched bottom, his lungs were ready to burst. Using all his strength, he made agreat jump. He rose up very slowly. He saw nothing but yellow coloured dirty water. Hegrew panicky and he was suffocated. He swallowed more water as he tried to shout. Hechoked and went down again. His stiff legs refused to obey him. He had lost all his breath.His lungs ached and head throbbed. He was getting dizzy. He went down through darkwateragain. An absolute terror seized Douglas. He was paralysed under water. His reasoningpower told him to jump again. He did so, but his arms and legs wouldn’t move. His eyes andnose came out of water, but not his mouth. He swallowed more water and went down thirdtime. Now a blackness swept over his brain. He had experienced the terror that fear ofdeath can produce as well as the sensation of dying.

Second OptionGeoff was Sophie’s elder brother. He was three years out of school. He was an apprenticemechanic. He travelled to his work each day to the far side of the city. He was almost grownup now. He spoke very little. Sophie was jealous of Geoff’s silence. He was quiet and didn’tmake new friends easily. He thought that Sophie was too young and immature. Geoff wasmature enough to understand his limitations and those of his family. He never dreamt of bigand beautiful things.In spite of difference in their temperaments, there was a close bond between the two. Geoffwas always the first to share Sophie’s secrets. He knew that Sophie’s story of meeting withDanny Casey was not true. Still he listened to her. Sophie confided in him. Her secret wassomething special just between them. It was not meant for nosey Jansie who would spreadit in the whole neighbourhood. Geoff tried to persuade Sophie. He warned her that DannyCasey was a celebrity. He must have many girls like her running after him. Sophie told himthat Casey would give her an autograph if she cared to meet him next week. Geoff did notbelieve “he’d ever show up.” Thus he acted like an elder brother.Geoff and Sophie share a common trait. It is their fascination for the Irish prodigy, DannyCasey. But they differ in their thinking. Like his father, Geoff wished Casey to be a greatfootballer one day. Sophie had romantic fascination for Casey. It was something else otherthan football.

10. First OptionThe author regards a journey to Antarctica as very important. She thinks that the world’sgeological history is trapped in Antarctica. If you want to understand the earth’s present, pastand future, Antarctica is the place to go to.At present Antarctica is an expanse of white snow with no trees, animals or native humaninhabitants. However, millions of years ago Antarctica had far warmer climate and had ahuge variety of flora and fauna. Due to some geological changes, the different parts thatmade Gondwana, split apart.Now Antarctica is very cold, desolate and farthest place in the world. Antarctica holds in itsice-cores half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice. When we seeglaciers retreating and ice-shelves collapsing, we realise that the threat of global warming isvery real.Antarctica is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have bigconsequences. The example of the phytoplankton is quite relevant as it gives us a soundadvice: “take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves”. Theexperience on Antarctica helps in developing a new understanding and respect for the earth.

Second OptionMr Lamb is quite gentle, accommodating and protective. He asks Derry to mind the applesas he might trip. Instead of feeling angry over the way of his entry, he points out that the


gate is always open and he is welcome. His cordial manner and conciliatory tone touch theinner most chords of a defiant boy like Derry who does not want to mix up with others. Onlearning about his burnt face, he does not react like others. Instead of exhibiting fear andrevulsion, he shows understanding and affection. He admits that he is the same as the boy.If the boy has a burnt face, he has got a tin leg. Gradually, he tries to win over theconfidence of Derry by reminding him of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He then tells him the storyof a man who feared everything and shut himself in a room. His positive attitude anddifferent thinking to life inspires the boy to talk to him like a friend.

11. (a) Charley judged from the style of dress the people at third level were wearing that theybelonged to the 1890’s. Their beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches also pointed out tothat era. Charley saw a stack of the newspaper ‘The World’ at the feet of the newsboy.The lead story was about President Cleveland. From the files of the Public Library hecame to know that the issue was printed on 11 June 1894.

(b) The Maharaja was excited beyond measure when he killed his first tiger. He felt proudof his feat. He wanted to show the dead beast to the State astrologer. So he sent for himand wanted to know what he said then.

(c) He found Evans sitting with his pen between his lips. He was staring straight in front ofhim towards the door. Opposite him sat McLeery. His hair was amateurishly clippedpretty closely to the scalp. His eyes were fixed at ‘The Church Times’. His right indexfinger was hooked beneath the narrow clerical collar. The fingers of the left-hand wereslowly stroking the short black beard.

(d) There would be mango, cucumber, sugarcane, sweet potato, palm-shoots, gram, palm-syrup, palm-fruit, guavas and jack-fruit, according to the season. She would see peopleselling sweet and savoury fried snacks, payasam, halva, boiled tamarind seeds and icedlollies each day.

SREPAPECITARP C 111



1.1 (a) The most prominent quality associated with youth is energy.(b) It means ‘learn’ to operate the modern devices, ‘earn’ wealth by employing them, ‘burn’ the

natural resources as well as oneself and ‘enjoy’ one’s own funeral.(c) They are intelligent, skilful and hardworking but they lack insight and foresight. Being

self-indulgent they do not follow any moral code of conduct. They are confined to presentjoys and do not think deeper.

(d) It may take the form of political opposition. Sometimes these rebels become violent andindulge in insurgent and terrorist activities.

(e) Modern man is exploiting mother earth and nature to the extent of their destruction andconsequently his own. The sensitive youth are looking for an alternative model of developmentbased on mutual love, friendship, co-operation and harmony.

(f) Humanity is likely to be ushered into the third millennium by evolving a new way of lifeand releasing a new principle of global consciousness through a fundamental research inthe science of life.

1.2 (a) insurgent(b) insatiable(c) ethereal.

2.1 Notes:1. Defn. of dietary fibres2. Importance

(a) low incidence of heart diseases and cancer(b) removes constipation(c) checks obesity, diabetes, caries etc.

3. Characteristics(a) include cellulose, lignin, pectin etc.(b) specific chem. structure(c) solubility

(i) some sol in water(ii) others insoluble in H2O

4. Sources(a) cereals and grains, legumes(b) fruits with seeds, citrus fruits(c) carrots, cabbages, green leafy vegs.

5. Properties(a) not digested/absorbed by enzymes of stomach/small intestines(b) hold water—get swollen—act like sponge(c) add bulk to diet—increase transit time in the gut(d) undergo fermentn in the colon.

6. Action Mechanism(a) bind bile salts—prevent reabsorptn(b) decrease cholesterol level in circuln(c) decrease post prandial glucose level in blood


7. Adverse Effects(a) preventg absorpon of metals(b) nutritional deficiency—lesser minerals

2.2 ROLE OF DIETARY FIBRESDietary fibres are indigestible carbohydrates present in plant foods, which result in lowincidence of many diseases. These fibres include cellulose, lignin, pectin, plant gums andmucilages. They have a specific chemical structure but different physical and chemicalproperties. Some are soluble in water while others are insoluble. Cereals and grains, legumes,fruit with seeds, citrus fruits, carrots, cabbages and green leafy vegetables are rich in fibres.Being indigestible they add bulk to diet and increase transit time in the intestines. Since theyhold water, they get swollen and act like sponge. Some fibres undergo fermentation in colon.They bind bile salts and prevent its reabsorption. They also decrease cholestoral level andglucose level in blood. Since they prevent absorption of metals and minerals increased dietaryfibres may result in nutritional deficiency.


3. First Option

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTDOGS & KENNELS

Adult Pekinese and Dachshund, Scotch Terrier Pups, nine in all, three each of a breed, areavailable for sale. Age of pups – 3 to 6 months; adult dogs 1½ to 2 years – fully trained andinoculated, both male and female, imported blood line. Only genuine dog lovers need.Contact: Sumit Bandopadhayay, 38, Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Second Option

NOTICEGOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR

Book-loversThe International Book Fair is being organised at Pragati Maidan as per details givenbelow:

Dates : 14 Nov. to 19 Nov. 200XTime : 2 pm to 9 pm

Latest publications and rare books will be on display. All students are requested to attend.

Chetan Swaroop 9 Nov. 200XLibrarian

4. First OptionSPEEDING TRUCK HITS AND RUNS

—Mani AiyyarTrichy, 7 March

In yet another hit and run accident, a speeding truck struck against an autorickshaw full ofschool children. The head of driver of the auto bumped into the wind screen. As he lostcontrol, the vehicle overturned and the road was littered with bags, books, waterbottles etc. Anumber of children were thrown off and two hit the railing on the pavement. People rushed tosave them. Fortunately they had received only minor injuries. The truck driver utilised theopportunity and sped away.

SREPAPECITARP C 113

Second OptionSunil Joshi, Head boy THE NEW STUDY CENTREThe school has added another feather to its cap by converting the new wing to a Study Centrecomprising a spacious hall for library with 90 stacks of open shelves and about 60,000 books.The three reading rooms are well furnished with moulded chairs, gloss-top tables and velvetycarpets. One of the reading rooms is for newspapers and periodicals. The other is for thefaculty members. The third is reserved for self-study where we can carry our books and read.All the reading rooms are well-lit and have curtains to ward off the heat. The covers of newlyarrived books are displayed on a notice-board. The magazines and periodicals have theirbeautiful, transparent covers and are placed at specific places and stands. Since the openshelf system has been introduced, it has become easier to locate the books. In case it is not onthe shelf, it can be requisitioned with the help of catalogue card. The librarian is ever readyto help us.

5. First Option: Attempt yourself.

Second Option123 Diplomatic EnclaveNew DelhiThe EditorThe Hindustan TimesNew Delhi

18 March, 200X

SirSub: Hard Core MarketingThrough the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to draw the attention of the authoritiesand parents to the malpractices that are being carried on by the media under the guise ofmarketing strategies.Advertisements are launched in such a way that children are the targets of the advertisedgoods. Consumerism has made inroads to such an extent that all out efforts are made toentice them into becoming prospective consumers. Then there are numerous awards attachedto schemes – all very dear to the hearts of young children. Parents who love and fondle theirchildren yield to their insistence. The child and through him the parents are easily exploitedby the advertisers of sports goods, shoes, confectionaries, textiles, fast food and fizzy drinkmanufacturers.I think, before approving the advertisements for public display the authorities should takenote of its precise effect on children and check the errant agencies from committing suchmalpractices.

Yours trulySudhanshu

6. First OptionMAGAZINE ARTICLE

For centuries the girl child has been a victim of misplaced notions and an object of ridiculeand discrimination. Even educated people consider boys superior to girls because they arestronger physically, mentally and emotionally. The mothers fondle, cajole and coax the boysand scold the equally intelligent, and rather more industrious girls due to the misconceivednotion that the family propagates only with the male child. These orthodox and retrogradeviews have forced the grown up women to raise the banner of protest and demand reservationfor women. In fact, women are so suppressed and depressed in the countryside that any


project of women uplift is impossible without giving them special treatment. It is only in theelite urban groups that the feats of girls and women are applauded. In the educated middleclasses we find girls and women competing with boys and men in every sphere—studies, jobs,administration or politics. Yet, the condition of girls in 60% urban homes and 90% ruralhomes is still pitiable. Our constitution provides for equality of sexes and no discrimination orgender bias should thwart the progress of girl child. We have to change the social milieu andforce the traditional, orthodox, retrograde and backward looking people to change their pointof view and treat boys and girls equally by providing them equal opportunities for studies,creative sensibilities and developing physical stamina. They will find the girl child morehardworking, patient and understanding.

Second OptionEXAMINATION PHOBIA

Examinations are an ordeal, a hellfire for the children as well as their dear parents. They donot welcome it, yet they have to face this necessary evil year after year. The aspirations of thechildren are high and the parents are so involved with the performance of their wards inexamination that both are tense. Since the portals of higher education and technical /professional education are open to students with good grades, parents expect their children toperform wonderfully well in the examination. They try to egg their wards on by indulging incomparisons of the attainments of their siblings with those of their friends or neighbours.Thus they cause a psychological strain on themselves besides overburdening and harassingtheir children. In their myopic state they forget that only one student can top the class. Everychild cannot get the highest marks in each subject. Sometimes these pressures drive studentsto the brink of mental breakdown. Many students commit suicide because they fear that theirperformance may not match their parents’ expectations. The need is to inculcate properperspective in parents as well as students. Let the students try to display their real talentand potential.


7(a). First Option(a) The poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’. The poet is John Keats.(b) The magnificence that we imagine for our mighty dead forefathers on the dooms day.(c) The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk-rose is more enchanting than all lovely stories

that we have heard or read.(d) The endless fountain of nectar (immortal drink) pours into us from the heavenly bliss of

nature.

Second Option(a) The colour of the classroom walls is ‘sour cream’ or off white. This colour suggests the

decaying aspect and pathetic condition of the lives of the children in a slum-school.(b) The walls of the classroom have pictures of Shakespeare, buildings with domes, world

maps and beautiful valleys.(c) The poet hints at two worlds: the world of poverty, misery and malnutrition of the slums

where children are underfed, weak and have stunted growth. The other world is of progressand prosperity peopled by the rich and the powerful. The pictures on the wall suggestinghappiness, richness, well being and beauty are in stark contrast to the dim and dull slums.

(b). (a) The poet is driving to the Cochin airport. When she looks outside, the young trees seemto be walking past them. With the speed of the car they seem to be running fast orsprinting. The poet presents a contrast—her ‘dozing’ old mother and the ‘sprinting’young trees.

SREPAPECITARP C 115

(b) Instead of indulging in wars, the people must come out in their best dresses with theirbrothers. They should go out for a walk under the shady trees and enjoy themselvesdoing nothing.

(c) The greedy people will pose as ‘good-doers’. They will swarm over the lives of the poorrural folk. They will make plans to extract maximum profit from them. These people aremore cruel than the wild beasts of prey. Their only aim is to mint money and earn hugeprofits by befooling the innocent rural people. They will themselves ‘sleep all day’ but‘destroy their sleeping at night’.

(d) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers were created in the panel by her own hands. They appeared to beprancing (jumping) across a screen. They looked sleek. They were bright like yellowtopaz. They were majestic and courageous. They didn’t fear the men beneath the tree.They paced in ‘chivalric certainty’.

8. (a) Mukesh’s father was born in the caste of bangle-makers. His father went blind with thedust from polishing the glass of bangles. He is an old and poor bangle maker. He hasworked hard for long years, first as a tailor and then as a bangle-maker. He has failed torenovate a house or send his two sons to school.

(b) Franz hardly knew how to write. He had not learnt his lessons properly. He wasted timeon seeking birds’ eggs or going sliding on the Saar. Books seemed a nuisance to him anda burden to carry. He had put off learning till the next day thinking he had plenty oftime.

(c) Unpleasant memories of the past were revived and childish fears were stirred. In a littlewhile he gathered confidence. He paddled with his new water wings. He watched theother boys and tried to imitate them. He did so two or three times on different days. Hebegan to feel comfortable.

(d) The sharecropping arrangement was troublesome to the peasants. Many of them signedthe new agreement willingly. Some resisted and engaged lawyers. Then they came toknow about synthetic indigo. The peasants wanted their money back.

(e) The author suggests that it might be because of his intimacy with the Boss or because hisgeneral demeanour resembled that of a sycophant. It may have been due to his readinessto say nice things about everything.

9. First OptionOne dark evening the peddler reached a little gray cottage by the roadside. He knocked onthe door to ask shelter for the night. The owner, an old man without wife or child, welcomedhim. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him hot porridgefor supper and gave him tobacco for his pipe. Then he played cards with him till bed time.The host told the peddler that in his days of prosperity, he worked on land at RamsjoIronworks. Now his cow supported him. He sold her milk at the creamery everyday. Heshowed the peddler the thirty kronor notes he got as payment that month. Then he hung theleather pouch on a nail in the window frame. Next morning the crofter went to milk the cow,and the peddler went away. However, he returned after half an hour, broke the windowpane, took the money out of the leather pouch and put it back on the nail.This episode shows that in loneliness, human beings crave for company, for social bonding.Secondly, temptations can overpower the greatest philosopher. The peddler who calls theworld a rattrap is himself tempted by thirty kronor.

Second OptionUmberto Eco has many philosophical interests. He pursues them through his academicworks and novels. Even his books for children are about non-violence and peace. They arethe same bunch of ethical and philosophical interests. Eco has written more than 40 scholarlynon-fictional works. Among them is a seminal work on semiotics. He prefers to be called an


academician. He participates in academic conferences and not in the meetings of pen clubsand writers. He identifies himself with the academic community. He declares that he is auniversity professor who writes novels on Sundays.Umberto Eco shares a secret with the interviewer. He thinks that if we eliminate the emptyspaces from the universe the world will shrink. It will become as big as a fist. Similarly wehave a lot of empty spaces or interstices in our lives. He works in these empty spaces anduses them to his advantage.Umberto Eco has evolved a distinct non-fictional style. It is different from the regularacademic style which is usually ‘depersonalised and often dry and boring.’ Padmanabhanfinds a certain playful and personal quality about his scholarly work. Eco admits that hisessays have a narrative aspect. This narrative style of his scholarly works was fullydeveloped later on in his novels.

10. First OptionDr Sadao’s father had high dreams about the future of Japan. There was no limit to theirfuture as it depended on what they made it. He never played or joked with his only son. Buthe spent infinite pains upon him. For the sake of the best possible medical education, he senthis son to America. Sadao met Hana there, but waited to fall in love with her until he wassure she was Japanese. His father would never have received her unless she had been purein her race. Their marriage was arranged in the old Japanese way only after Sadao’s fatherhad seen her when both of them had come home to Japan after finishing their education.He was a Japanese every inch. The floor of his room was deeply matted. He would never siton a chair or sleep in a foreign bed in his house. The quilt was covered with flowered silk andthe lining was pure white silk. In short, everything here had been Japanese to please him.

Second OptionRoger Skunk smelled very bad—in fact so bad that none of the other little woodlandcreatures would play with him. Whenever Roger Skunk went out to play, all the other tinyanimals would cry: ‘Uh-oh, here comes Roger Stinky Skunk.’ Then they would run away.Roger Skunk would stand there all alone. Two little round tears would fall from his eyes.Roger Skunk walked along very sadly and came to a very big tree. There was a huge, wise,old owl on the topmost branch of the tree. He told the owl that all the other little animalsran away from him because he smelled very bad. The owl admitted that he did so. Skunkwanted to know what he could do and cried hard. The owl advised Roger Skunk to go to thewizard who lived in the dense forest over a little river. The wizard too observed that theSkunk smelled awful. He asked what he wanted. Roger Skunk told his problem. The wizardfound his magic wand and asked Roger Skunk what he wanted to smell like. Roger thoughtand said, “Roses”. The wizard chanted a magical spell. There was a smell of roses all aroundthe wizard’s house. Roger Skunk now smelled of Roses.

11. (a) The paper inside the first-day cover was not blank. It contained a note by Sam, writtenfrom Galesburg on 18 July 1894 and addressed to Charley. It revealed that Sam hadfound the third level and had been in Galesburg for two weeks, enjoying the company ofcarefree, song and music loving people there. He advised Charley to keep looking for thethird level as it was worth it.

(b) The reaction of the Dewan is quite funny and amusing. He thinks that the Maharaja wantsto marry him. He says that he has already two wives. The Maharaja clarifies that he doesnot want to marry him. He wants a tiger. The Dewan interrupts him saying that hisancestors were married to the sword. He might marry the gun if he liked. He added thata Tiger King was more than enough for that state. It did not need a Tiger Queen as well.

SREPAPECITARP C 117

(c) It was a frightening possibility owing to the stark contrast in physical parameters.The author, a South-Indian, lived under the hot sun. Antarctica has 90 per cent ofEarth’s total ice. Not only circulatory and metabolic functions but even imagination arestrained.

(d) Mr Lamb does not provide a straightforward solution. He says that in the street kidsshout “Lamey–Lamb” at him. Still they come to his garden. They are not afraid of himbecause he is not afraid of them. He simply ignores their comments. He concentrates onother things.




1.1 (a) It suggests breaking through the limitations of what the human body can achieve.(b) The adventure sports thrill human beings by infusing a sense of achievement which

initially seemed beyond the endurance limit of human body.(c) It showed that people involved in inexpensive leisure were more happy than those involved

in expensive ones. It is because the mind has to be pressed to the maximum constructiveuse.

(d) The factors that inspire man to higher level of performance in life are:(i) necessity/personal gain (iii) pleasing others

(ii) fascination (iv) solving problems(v) actualising values (Any two out of five)

(e) (i) living for something greater than overselves(ii) knowledge of doing something different

(f) (i) it is lonely, dull and monotonous(ii) others try to pull you back.

1.2 (a) trivial (b) parable (c) ingredients.

2.1 Notes:1. Impact of fossil fuels on envt.

(a) huge cloud of polluts(i) haze (ii) acid rain

(b) global warm’g(i) green house gases (ii) acid gases (iii) depletn of ozone layer

(c) adverse effects of gn.house gases(i) rise in the sea level (ii) shifting of various deserts and plateaus

2. Investt. for envtl. protn.(a) Energy & Envt. correlated

(i) cleaning up polln. (ii) invt. at grass root level(b) Energy consn.

(i) envtl. necessity (ii) cost saving3. Refineries & Energy consumptn

(a) significant reduction in energy consumptn(i) better opern. in processing: conserve petrol, reduce pollution

(ii) ‘clean-burn’ pollt. free4. Energy consn.

(a) combined efforts(i) mental attitude (ii) behavl. aspects

(b) formulating envtl. mgt. system(i) prevtg. polln. (ii) energy & resource consn.

(c) renewable sources of energy(i) little envtl. harm (ii) no polln.

5. Goal of Industry(a) avoidance of wasting sources of energy(b) efft. use of energy(c) presn. of envt.

SREPAPECITARP C 119

2.2 PETROLEUM CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTA huge cloud of pollutants hovers over us due to burning of fossil fuels. Haze and acid rainwill follow this global warming caused by greenhouse gases and depletion of ozone layer.Rising sea level and shifting of various deserts and plateaus may follow. Hence investmentfor environmental protection is essential. Since energy and environment are correlated,investment at grassroot level will clean up pollution. Energy conservation is environmentalnecessity as well as cost saving. Refineries can help energy consumption by better operationsin processing and pollutant free ‘clean-burn’ combined efforts, proper environment managementand utilisation of renewable sources of energy are essential to conserve energy and preserveenvironment.


3. First Option

POSTER

THE RED CROSS SOCIETY, FARIDABADis organising

A BLOOD DONAA BLOOD DONAA BLOOD DONAA BLOOD DONAA BLOOD DONATION CAMPTION CAMPTION CAMPTION CAMPTION CAMPat

CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL, SECTOR 16on

15 August, 200Xat

11.00 HoursEVERY DONOR WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATE

Remember

BLOOD DONATION CAUSES NO WEAKNESSCOME FORWARD

DDDDDonatonatonatonatonate Be Be Be Be Blololololooooood and Sd and Sd and Sd and Sd and Savavavavave a Le a Le a Le a Le a LifififififeeeeeSecretaryDistrict Red Cross Society, Faridabad

Second Option

NOTICE 15 Nov. 200XWhile playing hockey in the games period today, I lost my wristwatch in the schoolplayground. It is an HMT ‘Supriya’ model with golden case and a brown strap.It bears my initials on the backside. Being a birthday present, it has a sentimental valuefor me. The finder is requested to hand it over to the undersigned or the Principal.

Mithun/MadhuriXII-A, Roll No. 305


4. First OptionCOMPUTER EDUCATION

Computers have covered five generations since Charles Babbage invented a machine thatcould take in information and sort it in the form of tables. During the last three decades of thetwentieth century new dimensions have been added to computer technology. The Indiancomputer industry has also taken rapid strides and now computers have far wider applications.Scientists use computer for engineering science, oceanography and geology. Business housesand government departments use computers for data collection, analysis, comparison. Salesaccounting, sales analysis and stock verification can be done accurately. E-mail and E-commerceare the latest applications of computer science. Banks, hotels and other establishments usethem in various calculations and maintenance of record of funds, taxes, income, expenditure,profit/loss and record of employees/patrons. Traffic control and space technology can beassisted by computers. Thus computer education has become essential in the new millennium.

Second OptionA BURGLARY

Burglary is a hateful and heinous crime of entering a building in order to steal. Nowadays theburglars have no qualms of conscience while snatching or removing money and materialforcibly. Sometimes the burglars do not hesitate to use force and cause bloodshed also. Iwitnessed a gory accident yesterday. Four youngmen with masked faces broke into the houseof Mr Sumer Chand, a jeweller who lives in a house opposite ours. It was about 11.00 p.m.His wife and children had gone to bed. On hearing sounds of footsteps he raised alarm. Butthe burglars pointed a gun towards him and demanded the keys of the chest. Two of theburglars tied the members of his family with ropes. They fired a shot in the air. I was toofrightened to inform the police, but my father did so when he heard the gun shot. Theburglars tied cash and jewellery in bundles when the police surrounded the building andasked the burglars to surrender. Thus timely action by vigilant neighbours led to the arrest ofthe criminals.

5. First OptionSARVODAYA SCHOOL, BIKANER

Students’ ForumNo 328/SSB/01

15 March, 200X

The General ManagerNorthern RailwayBaroda House, New DelhiSirSub: Reservation of a Bogie for 60 studentsA group of 60 students of senior classes of this school have planned to visit Bhubaneswar andnearby worth seeing spots during the summer vacation. They will be accompanied by threelecturers and two attendants. The touring party intends to leave Bikaner on 15 May, 200X byBikaner Mail in a specially reserved bogie to be linked to Konark Express at Delhi. They arelikely to commence their return journey on 5 June by the same train. Please confirm whethera bogie can be reserved for them during the above dates. An early confirmation at your endwill help the school authorities finalise the other necessary arrangements.You are also requested to supply the details of estimated expenditure with student concessionso that the money may be deposited well in time. List of tour party on prescribed proformasis enclosed.Hoping for an early reply

SREPAPECITARP C 121

Yours faithfullyVarshaSecretaryStudents’ Forum

Second OptionC-564, Vishnu GardensKarnal

21 September, 200X

The ChairmanMunicipal CorporationKarnalSirSub: Insanitary conditions and erratic water supplyI would like to bring to your kind notice the plight of the residents of Vishnu Gardens due tounsatisfactory state of sanitary arrangements and improper supply of drinking water.Heaps of dirt keep lying in the streets. The drains are open and keep over-flowing withgarbage and dirt. Low-lying areas and pits remain filled with stagnant waters. Stray dogs,pigs and cows also add to the worsening insanitary conditions.The supply of drinking water is very irregular and inadequate so people use water of handpumps. Due to non-availability of pure drinking water, the residents have become victims ofwater borne diseases like cholera, malaria, typhoid and diarrhoea. We have requested thesanitary inspector time and again but our grievances remain unattended. We, thereforerequest you to kindly spare some time, visit our locality in person and take immediate stepsto improve the living conditions.

Yours faithfullyHarish KumarSecretaryResidents Welfare Association

6. First OptionRAGGING IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Ragging in schools and colleges has become a customary practice and symbol of modernity. Nowonder ragging sessions have gained respectability in public schools. The motive behindragging is to make the freshers ‘comfortable’ in the new set up. Many defend the practice ofragging the freshers as a harmless way of introduction and free mixing up. However, thesenior students resort to tricks of C-grade horror movies. They bully, intimidate, humiliateand even beat up their juniors. Imagine the torture and insults the freshers have to undergoduring a ragging session. Physical and mental torture of the freshers is a harassment. Thebarbaric acts of beating innocent freshers, locking them up in lavatories, giving them electricshocks or asking them to parade naked are worst forms of torture and abuse. Authoritiesshould take care that ragging doesn't affect the self-esteem of the freshers or dehumanisethem. The strategy of 3P’s: Prohibition-Prevention-Punishment devised by the UGC forcolleges and universities should be made applicable to schools also. The administratorsshould keep a close watch on the activities of the students. Ragging should be banned and theguilty should be given exemplary punishment.

Second OptionSMOKING—A HEALTH HAZARD

The use of tobacco in any form is harmful for health. Smoking is the most dangerous evilwhich is prevalent in almost all the countries of the world. In the western countries women


are addicted to smoking. In India too, mod girls copy their peers and indulge in smoking. Thepoor labourers—industrial, domestic or farm labourers—resort to smoking to snatch somemoments of peace and rest from their back breaking routine. Although every packet ofcigarettes contains the statutory warning that smoking is injurious to health, it has littleeffect on the smoker.Tobacco contains nicotine that harms the lungs and may cause incurable cancer. Smoking affectsour nervous system, heart and circulatory system. It clogs the arteries and causes respiratoryproblems like asthma and bronchitis. It reduces stamina and life-span but increases bloodpressure and incidence of heart attack. In short the use of tobacco in any form is harmful forhealth.


7(a). First Option(a) (i) Greedy people pretending to be doing good things.

(ii) People who are cruel like the flesh-eating wild animals pretending to be generous.(b) The innocent rural people will be befooled. The cunning and greedy people will force

them to part with their money. They will exploit the rural poor and mint money.(c) They will pretend to teach the rural people how to sleep, relax and rest. Actually they

will make them work but they themselves will sleep all day.(d) The ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’ will use their old tricks to destroy

their peace and sleep.

Second Option(a) Her mother was lost somewhere else in thoughts. It pained her.(b) The poet withdrew her thoughts from her mother and looked outside.(c) The young trees growing outside went past as if they were sprinting. Happy children

were coming out of their houses.(d) (i) sprinting (ii) spilling.

(b). (a) The conquerors and dictators can change the map of the world according to their whimsand will. They change the boundaries of various nations and shape the ‘map’. Their fairmap is of a beautiful world full of domes, bells and flowers, rivers, capes and stars.

(b) The title of the poem is quite appropriate and logical. It suggests the necessity of quietintrospection. The people of the world are overactive and always on the move. Theiractivities have caused untold troubles and sufferings. Keeping quiet will do them a lot ofgood. It will save them from many harmful and violent activities. Moreover, it will helpin reflecting over the fate of man and help in creating a feeling of mutual understandingamong human beings.

(c) The dooms-day is considered the day of judgement, when the dead will receive what isdue to them. Our mighty dead forefathers earned name and fame with their noble deeds.It is hoped that they will be rewarded with rare magnificence and grandeur.

(d) Aunt Jennifer is making her tigers in the panels. She is using ivory needles. Her fingersare fluttering through the wool. She finds it difficult (hard) to pull even the ivoryneedles. The reason is obvious. The weight of unhappy and unfortunate experiences ofher married life sits heavily on her hands.

8. (a) Wachter was a blacksmith. He was reading the latest bulletin. He asked Franz not to goso fast to his school. He added that the little boy would get to his school in plenty oftime. Wachter had read the latest bulletin about teaching of German. Franz thoughtthat the blacksmith was making a fun of him. So he ran to the school and reached therebreathless.

SREPAPECITARP C 123

(b) Douglas was frightened when he went down into the pool and was about to be drowned.He had an aversion to water and now he was filled with terror. He had remarkable self-control. He used his mind even in the crisis and thought of a strategy to save himselffrom being drowned.

(c) The owner of that mill was a very prominent ironmaster. His greatest ambition was toship out good iron to the market. He insisted on quality and kept a watch on the workboth night and day. He came to the forge on one of his nightly rounds of inspection.

(d) The author says that a frustrated person always directs his anger towards a singleperson openly or covertly. He does so to explain the conduct of the ‘boy’ in make-updepartment towards Subbu as the former held the latter responsible for all his woes,ignominy and neglect.

(e) Eco’s American publisher told him that she loved her book, but she didn’t expect to sellmore than 3000 copies there. So Eco was given an advance for 3,000 copies only. But inthe end it sold two or three million in the U.S.

9. First OptionGandhi had reached Motihari, the Capital of Champaran, to study the problems of thesharecropper peasants. He was on his way to a neighbouring village, where a peasant wasill-treated. On the way, he was stopped by the police superintendent’s messenger andordered to return to town. When he reached home, he was served with an official notice toquit Champaran at once. Gandhi wrote on the receipt that he would disobey the order. SoGandhi received a summons to appear in court the next day.Next morning the town of Motihari was black with peasants. Thousands of peasantsdemonstrated voluntarily outside the court. The prosecutor requested the judge to postponethe trial. Gandhi protested against the delay. He read out a statement pleading guilty. Heasked the penalty. The judge announced that he would pronounce the sentence after a two-hour recess. He asked Gandhi to furnish bail for that period. Gandhi refused. The judgereleased him without bail. After the recess, the judge said that he would not deliver thejudgment for several days. Meanwhile he allowed Gandhi to remain at liberty.Several days later Gandhi received a letter. The case against him had been dropped. Thuscivil disobedience had triumphed, for the first time in India.

Second OptionSeemapuri is a place on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it metaphorically.Squatters who came from Bangladesh way back in 1971 live here. Saheb's family is one ofthem. Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is, but it is no longer empty. Nearly 10,000ragpickers live there in structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. These shantiesare devoid of sewage, drainage or running water. These people have lived there for morethan thirty years without an identity or permit. They have got ration cards that enablethem to buy grains and get their names on voters’ lists. For them food is more important forsurvival than an identity. The women put on tattered saris. They left their fields as theygave them no grain. They pitch their tents wherever they find food. Rag picking is the solemeans of their survival.It has acquired the proportions of a fine art for them. Garbage to them is gold. It providesthem their daily bread and a roof over the heads. Most of the barefoot ragpickers roam thestreets early in the morning and finish their activities by noon. They seem to carry theplastic bag lightly over their shoulders. They are clothed in discoloured shirts and shortsand denied the opportunity of schooling.

10. First OptionJack feels that he has been caught in an ugly middle position physically, emotionally as wellas mentally. The woodwork, a cage of mouldings and rails and skirting boards all aroundthem was half old tan and half new ivory.


He was conscious of his duties as a father and as a husband. Little Bobby was alreadyasleep. His efforts to make Jo fall asleep proved quite fatiguing. She kept on interruptinghim, asking for clarifications, pointing errors and suggesting alternatives.Jack did not like that women should take anything for granted. He liked them to beapprehensive. So he extended the story, though he was in a haste to go down stairs and helphis pregnant wife in her hard work of painting the woodwork. The result of the extension tothe story proved unfruitful and unpleasant for Jo, Jack and Clare. Jo wanted him to changethe ending of the story. Clare complained that he had told a long story. Jack felt utterweariness and did not want to speak with his wife or work with her or touch her. He wasreally caught in an ugly middle position.

Second OptionCharley noticed some obvious differences in objects and persons that distinguished the thirdlevel from the second level. The room here was smaller than the one on the second level.There were fewer ticket windows and train gates. Moreover, the information booth in thecentre was wooden and old-looking. The lights were dim and flickering. These were open-flame gaslights. There were brass spittoons on the floor.The man in the information booth wore a green eyeshade and long black sleeve protectors.A man pulled out a gold watch from his vest pocket. He snapped open the cover and glancedat his watch. He wore a derby hat and a black four-button suit with tiny lapels. He had a bigblack, handlebar moustache. There were people with strange beards, sideburns and fancymoustaches. A woman wore a dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves and skirts to the top of herhigh-buttoned shoes. Everyone in the station was dressed like eighteen-ninety-something.

11. (a) The manner of the death of the Tiger King is of extraordinary interest. The mostfantastic aspect of his demise was that as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretoldthat one day the Tiger King would actually have to die.

(b) Sadao went on with his swift concise movements. He did not seem to hear her. She wasused to his absorption when he was at work. She wondered for a moment if it matteredto him what the body was upon which he worked so long as it was for the work which hedid so excellently.

(c) Derry thinks that the old man can put on trousers and cover up his tin leg. Then no onesees it. So people don’t have to notice and stare at, as they do at his face. Mr Lambreplies that some people do notice and stare at his disability. Some don’t. In the end,they get tired of it. Moreover, there are plenty of things to stare at.

(d) These included the performing monkey, the snakecharmer’s snake, the cyclist who hadkept on biking for three days, the spinning wheels, the Maariyaata temple and the hugebell hanging there. She also noticed the pongal offerings being cooked in front of thetemple.

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1.1 (a) An air pollutant is a substance which is present in air although normally it is not or it ispresent in an amount exceeding the normal concentrations.

(b) The air pollutants may be present either in gaseous form or as a particulate matter.(c) It is caused by the lack of oxygen there.(d) It is a set of symptoms which indicate diseases caused by indoor pollutants. Sick building

syndrome is increasing due to overfurnished small houses. The indoor concentration ofpollutants exceeds those of outdoors.

(e) It can be overcome by identifying the offending antigen and then by removing it completely.

1.2 environmental tobacco smoke exposure causes several medical problems.

1.3 (a) syndrome (b) incidence (c) radon.

2.1 TITLE: FACING AN INTERVIEWNotes:1. Importance of Interview

(a) prospects depend on interview.2. What is an Interview?

(a) discussion – interviewer – candidate(b) questions (i) probe knowledge (ii) assess personality(c) formal means of interaction

3. Tips for facing interview(a) know’ge – imp. component of success

(i) range – beyond special’n(ii) depth – awareness of various aspects

(b) Read’g and listen’g imp. for gain’g know.(c) Dress – elegant but simple – no casuals.(d) conducting oneself properly

(i) way of mov’g, sitting, placing briefcase & talking.(e) Good expn

(i) clarity of mind – balanced thinkg(ii) clarity of speech: use right words. Avoid ambiguity/verbosity.

(iii) convey your pt. of view(iv) disagreement not to be visible on face(v) create imn of being a ldr.

2.2 Summary: Facing an interview is essential because our future prospects depend on itssuccess. An interview is a formal interaction between an interviewer (or group ofinterviewers) and a candidate. Questions are put to the interviewee to probe his knowledgeand assess personality. Hence knowledge is most important component of success. Onemust put on elegant but simple dress. Casuals should be avoided. One’s deportment is anindex of one’s personality. Good expression conveying clarity of mind, speech and point ofview is an asset. Disagreement should not be visible on face. Leave impression of yourleadership qualities.



3. First OptionAjay Gupta23D-Vasant ViharNew Delhi5 May, 200XThe SecretaryLeo ClubSouth West DelhiVasant ViharDear SirIt is a matter of pleasure for all of us that the Leo Club is organising a seminar on‘Elimination of Child Labour’ at the Community Centre on 15 May, 200X at 5 p.m. I willcertainly make it a point to participate in the seminar and acquaint others with my viewsand be benefitted by the ideas of other honourable members. I thank you for the invitationextended to me.Yours sincerelyAjay Gupta

Second Option: Attempt yourself.

4. First OptionFROM MARKS TO GRADES

New Delhi: 15 Feb, 200X —Nishi: TOI ReporterThe Chairman NCERT called a press conference today to enlighten the teaching fraternity,students and public at large about the proposed changes in evaluation from marks to grades.The NCERT has come out with a project paper to elicit the views of educationists, administratorsand all those involved with the cause of education. One of the points that goes in favour ofswitch over to the grading system is the flexibility of approach. In the modern world of stressand strain caused by competition at every stage, students have to exert their capacities to themaximum to increase their marks tally by 0.5 per cent. The grading system will unburdenthem from this tension and inculcate in them the spirit of inquiry and quest for depeerlearning.

Second OptionTREE PLANTATION DAY

Trees are man’s best friends as they help to keep the human environment free from pollutionby absorbing toxic carbon dioxide and releasing health giving oxygen. Our Delhi has becomehighly populated and polluted. In order to make Delhi greener and cleaner, plantation of newtrees as well as preservation of the old ones is essential. Our school took up the project of treeplantation by observing tree plantation week from 1 August to 7 August. Fresh saplings ofshady trees were planted in the school campus as well as the road leading to the school. Toseek willing co-operation and involvement of students one tree was assigned to a group offour, who would look after it till it grew to a proper height. The outgoing members would bereplaced by fresh ones. Thus the project would continue throughout the year. The Principalannounced special prizes for the tree lovers whose trees exhibited proper growth.

5. First Option: Attempt yourself.

Second OptionPuneet Verma32, Gautam NagarDelhi

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16 March, 200X

The InchargeTextbook Section NCERTNew DelhiSirSub: Complaint about poor quality of textbooks.Please permit me to draw your attention to certain facts about the quality of textbooksprovided by you for class XII. The books on Economics lack complete and up to date data. Forexample, the chapter on population does not detail the true picture about population growthand the means undertaken to decrease it. Although the books carry a galaxy of names of thehighly qualified and experienced authors, yet the quality speaks otherwise. The books alsosuffer from lack of balance in learning objectives. For example, in Maths some chapters arequite detailed while others present only a rough sketch. I was shocked beyond belief when Idiscovered no practice exercises or do yourself assignment after so many chapters. Thetextbooks in English have many printing errors. Besides these shortcomings the paper used isrough and of low quality. This type of paper keeps the printed price cheap but the book is notdurable. Sometimes we are forced to buy another copy after three months. Thus the price-quality equation is self-defeating.I do hope that you will pay proper attention to these suggestions and improve the quality oftextbooks in subsequent editions.Thanking you

Yours faithfullyPuneet Verma

6. First OptionHAZARDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

(by Pravin Chopra)Environmental pollution is the most dangerous health hazard for the modern generation.Progress in science and technology has resulted in advancement in the fields of industry,transport, medicine and agriculture. Population explosion has increased the population ofcities. Urbanisation, industralisation and rapid transport have resulted in pollution. Ourenvironment is being polluted by different means through air, water, noise and food. Certainspecies face extermination and humanity is under a great threat.The tall chimneys of factories emit out smoke and pollute the air. The smoke spewed bytrucks, buses and other vehicles spreads poisonous gases as well as suspended particulatematter. Consequently city dwellers have become victims of incurable chest related diseases.The noise of machines in factories, vehicles, loudspeakers etc. has brought deafness tomillions. Even the water has become so polluted that fish do not find their survival there.Inhaling fresh pure air has become a thing of the past. Our soil which produces grain,vegetables and fruit has also been polluted by the excessive use of pesticides and chemicalfertilizers. The soil pollution is contaminating the rivers along with the rainfall.

Second OptionFUTURE PROSPECTS FOR IT PROFESSIONALS

(by Rohit)The IT industry has seen many changes over the years, creating a need for newer skills. Thesoftware training industry has come of age and private institutes have certainly carved aniche for themselves. With the convergence of computing and television technologies and witha leap towards graphical user interfaces and visual computing, it has become essential for thecomputer professionals to acquire a combination of skills. A planned approach to arming theskills will lead to a plethora of job opportunities for the aspiring computer professionals. It is


expected that basic computer awareness will be made available to students at school level inthe 21st century. But there will be continuous need for professionals who have goodprogramming skills and an ability to develop applications and for those capable of integratingthe larger applications of the enterprise. Besides the traditional career options there are alarge number of non-traditional career options available to todays IT aspirants. The servicedelivery industries like Insurance, Hospitality and Airlines run out of customer supportfunctions. This area of IT enabled services is expected to employ millions all over the world.Web designing is opening up career opportunities for artists, graphics, designers and animators.E-commerce is opening up opportunities in a whole range of areas from interactive web sitedesign to Group Ware applications, to Internet security and payment systems implementation.You must have good communication skills to cash in on the huge demand for IT professionals.


7(a). First Option(a) The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was

sitting beside her.(b) She noticed that her mother was dozing with her mouth open.(c) Her mother’s face looked pale, faded and lifeless like a dead body.(d) (i) doze (ii) corpse (iii) realised.

Second Option(a) The earth can teach us a lesson how to live on it.(b) Only the earth remains alive when everything seems dead.(c) The poet is Pablo Neruda. He wants to count upto twelve.(d) He asks us to keep quiet while he is counting upto twelve.(e) (i) seems (ii) dead (iii) quiet

(b). (a) Stephen Spender uses contrasting images in the poem to picturise the condition of theslum children. For example:

“A narrow street sealed in with a lead skyFar far from rivers, capes and stars of words.”

The first line presents the dark, narrow, cramped holes and lanes closed in by the bluishgrey sky. The second line presents a world of beauty, prosperity, progress, well-beingand openness.

(b) The mighty dead were very powerful and dominating persons during their own times.Their achievements made them ‘mighty’ and great. Their noble works dazzle our eyes.We imagine that such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur on the doomsday.Hence ‘grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’.

(c) The roadside stand offered some of the ordinary things of daily use for sale. Theseincluded wild berries. They were sold in wooden quarts, a measure equal to quarter of agallon. Crook-necked gourds with silvery hard lumps were also offered for sale there.

(d) In the third stanza, the poet refers to Aunt Jennifer’s ‘terrified hands’. The old unhappymemories are still fresh in her mind. She had passed through many testing and horribletimes during her married life. These ordeals crushed and suppressed her. Their effect isstill visible. So she is still ringed with those ordeals that dominated her life.

8. (a) His full name is “Saheb-e-Alam”. It means the lord of the universe. He does not know it.If he knew it, he would hardly believe it. He roams the streets barefoot with otherrag-pickers. This army of barefoot boys appears in the morning and disappears at noon.

(b) When Douglas grew up, he took the help of an instructor to learn swimming. Histraining went on from October to April. For three months he was taken across the pool

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with the help of a rope. As he went under, terror filled him and his legs froze. Theinstructor taught him to exhale under water and inhale through raised nose. He madehim kick his legs to make them relax. Then he asked him to swim. He continuedswimming from April to July. Still all terror had not left. He swam two miles acrossLake Wentworth and the whole length to the shore and back of Warm Lake. Then heovercame his fear of water.

(c) As Edla lifted the peddler’s hat, he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened.Even her kind looks, disclosure of her name and purpose of visit failed to calm him.From his fear, she thought that either he had stolen something or he had escaped fromjail.

(d) Asokamitran explains that those were the days of mainly indoor shooting. Then hemakes a humorous remark. The sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to bemade to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie.

(e) Jansie was a classmate and friend of Sophie. She lived in the same neighbourhood. Sheknew Sophie quite well. She was also aware of Sophie’s habit of dreaming. On learningof her meeting with Danny Casey, her first reaction was of disbelief. “You never did”,exclaimed Jansie. But when Sophie told her about her request for autograph, Jansiesoftened a little and said, “Jesus, I wish I’d have been there.”

9. First OptionFranz was not good at learning. He would rather take the day off and waste time in searchingbirds’ eggs or going sliding on the Saar. Franz was scared that day because M. Hamel hadsaid that he would question them on participles. Franz did not know anything aboutparticiples.He found that the day was warm and bright. The birds were chirping at the edge of thewoods. The Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open fields. There was a crowd in front ofthe bulletin-board near the town-hall.Franz found the school room unusually quiet. So he had no option but to open the door andgo in before everybody. He blushed and was frightened of the teacher. M. Hamel spoke verykindly to him and asked him to go to his place quickly. Franz jumped over the bench and satdown at his desk.

Second OptionFor the poor of India means of survival are far more important than freedom or legal justice.I don’t think the poor of India are free from fear after Independence.The foreign rulers havebeen replaced by corrupt politicians and self-serving bureaucracy. Power-brokers andmoneylenders have a field day. The situation has improved in cities and towns for the poorbut the poor in the remote villages still fear the big farmers and moneylenders. The policeand revenue officials are still objects of terror for them.The poor, landless workers have to still work hard to make both ends meet. Peasants andtenant-farmers have to borrow money from rich moneylenders on exorbitant rates of interest,which usually they fail to repay due to failure of monsoon or bad crops. Cases of smallfarmers committing suicide are quite common. If this is not due to fear, what is the reasonbehind it?

10. First OptionAs soon as the prince was born, astrologers predicted that one day the Tiger King wouldcertainly have to die. It was the influence of the star under which he was born. At that verymoment a great miracle took place. An astonishing phrase emerged from the lips of the ten-day-old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, “O wise prophets!” Everyone stood motionless withastonishment and stupidity. The infant said that all those who are born will have to die oneday. So he did not need their predictions to know that. However, there would be some sensein it if they could tell him the manner of that death.


The astrologers were baffled that a baby barely ten-day-old has not only opened his lips inspeech but had also raised intelligent questions. It was quite incredible. The chief astrologerfixed his eyes upon the little prince. He said that the prince was born in the hour of the Bull.The Bull and the Tiger are enemies. Therefore, death comes from the Tiger.

Second OptionJames Roderick Evans was a smart fellow. He was known as ‘Evans the Break’ among theprison officers. He had escaped from prison three times. Now he was taking O-LevelGerman Examination in prison.His solitary cell was located in D-Wing, which had two heavy gates—outer and inner. Bothwere locked securely. Evans’s cell was kept under strict observation. Prison officer MrStephens watched his activities every minute through the peep-hole. Mr Jackson, theincharge of D-Wing, was in constant touch with the Governor on phone. The Governorhimself listened in to the conversation in the cell. During his stay in prison, Evans was notallowed to have any visitor or letters.All potential weapons such as knife, scissors, nail-file and razor had been removed from thecell of Evans. The contents of the suitcase of the invigilator, Reverend S. McLeery were alsothoroughly searched. Even the paper-knife was taken away. In short, all precautions hadbeen taken to see that Evans did not get a means to escape.

11. (a) When the psychiatrist said that Charley was unhappy and wanted to escape, Charley’swife, Louisa was shocked. The remark made her ‘kind of mad’. The psychiatrist explainedthat the modern world was full of insecurity, fear, war, worry etc. He regarded Charley’sstamp-collecting as a ‘temporary refuge from reality’. Charley’s friends agreed to thepsychiatrist’s observation but Charley didn’t.

(b) Over the years India has been pushing northwards. It has been jamming against Asia tobend its hard outward layer and form the Himalayas. South America has drifted off tojoin North America. The Drake Passage has been opened up. It has created a coldcurrent around the poles. This cold current keeps Antarctica very cold, uninhabited andat the bottom of the world. This is an extremely surprising experience—one that is verydifficult to imagine or understand.

(c) Derry says that people always change the subject. They don’t ask him about his physicalimpairment. They simply pretend that it is not true and isn’t there. They don’t want theboy to mind and get upset. He thinks that the old man has changed the subject becausehe is afraid to ask him about his burnt face.

(d) It was her first day at school. She was marching into the dining room with other girls ina line. She walked noiselessly in her soft moccasins. But she felt that she was immodestlydressed, as her blanket had been removed from her shoulders. So she felt like sinking tothe floor.

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1.1 (a) Character is constituted of the principles and values that give life direction, meaning anddepth. It is made up of our inner sense of right and wrong.

(b) These traits are: integrity, honesty, courage, fairness and generosity.(c) Happiness and fulfilment result from success which is achieved by skill, talent, energy,

personality and character.(d) In the past character was considered essential for experiencing true success and happiness.

In the last 80 years or so charm, skill and technique have become associated with successas there is a shift to personality ethic.

(e) (i) by looking within—inside out approach: tackling a hard choice, committing to changeand staying with it.

(ii) by developing trust—being loyal to those who are not present.(f) True character begins at home because we are constantly tested there and are most

vulnerable there. Our families provide a critical measure of our character. Secondly, theyprovide the opportunity to nurture character.

1.2 (a) latitude (b) vulnerable (c) subvert.

2.1 TITLE: IMPORTANCE OF BREAKFASTNotes:1. Effects of Breakfast

(a) Eating—benefits memory, provides essenl nutrients and energy.(b) Skipping—affects cognitn, nutrient not made up, energy deficit.

2. Brain & Glucose(a) Imp’t in speed of recall(b) impro’d cognitive function(c) better retentn(d) decla. mem. sharpened

3. Breakfast and School Children(a) Vul. to dietry impovt.(b) Intelligence tests

(i) healthy childn—scores unaffected(ii) previously malnourished—score imp’d

(iii) high energy breakfast—more original ideation4. Breakfast and College Students

Little or no effect on prelunch perf.5. Breakfast Consumption

(a) impt. for all age groups(b) bene’l. for undernourished

2.2 Summary: Eating breakfast benefits the memory by providing essential nutrients and energywhereas skipping breakfast affects cognition and mental performance adversely. Higher levelof blood glucose improves speed of recall, cognitive function, retention and sharpens declarativememory. Breakfast is essential for children as they are vulnerable to dietary impoverishment.Though the scores of healthy children in intelligence tests remained unaffected those ofpreviously malnourished ones improved after intake of breakfast. College students showedlittle or no effect on pre-lunch performance in mental activities. Thus breakfast consumptionwhich is important for all age group is specially beneficial for the undernourished.



3. First Option

APEX PUBLIC SCHOOL, DEHRADUNSPORTS NOTICE 10 Sept, 200X

All the students of our school are hereby informed that our football team will play its zonalfinal match in the inter-school competitions with St Francis School, Lucknow on Saturday,the 16th September 200X at 4 p.m. on our school grounds. All are requested to come andencourage the morale of our players.

Manoj SinhaSports Captain

Second Option

SITUATION VACANTWanted immediately an experienced photostat operator on part-time basis for a leadingphotostat booth in the New Market, Jaipur. Attractive honorarium to efficient, honest andhardworking hands. Please contact Akshay/Aditi, 278, Aditi Photostat, New Market, Jaipurbetween 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.

4. First OptionFUND RAISING ACTIVITIES

Last November the coastal areas of Orissa were hit by a severe cyclone. Thousands of personslost their lives. Millions of them became homeless refugees without any means of sustenance.The government declared it a national calamity. All out efforts were made to despatch reliefto the unfortunate victims of cyclone. The Three Arts Club of our school organised variouscultural activities to raise funds for helping the cyclone affected persons. We organised a musicalevening, a dance competition, an inter-school drama competition as well as a poetry recitationcontest in which prominent poets participated. All the students took an active part in sellingtickets. The citizens responded generously to our appeal. We were able to raise about one lakhfifty thousand rupees. Our principal sent a bank draft of this amount to the Orissa CycloneRelief Fund. He appreciated our noble gesture and congratulated us on our success.

Second OptionTEACHER’S DAY

Teacher’s Day now occupies a prominent place in the school calendar. Ever since Dr S.Radhakrishnan, our philosopher president dedicated his birthday to teachers, this day hasbeen celebrated every September in almost all the schools throughout the country. This yearthe Teacher’s Day in our school was celebrated with great fanfare. Our esteemed PrincipalMr Brij Mohan Ghose was retiring after rendering 35 years’ meritorious service to the field ofeducation in general and to this institution in particular. The Chairman of the managingcommittee, who was an alumnus of the school, recalled the spirit of dedication, diligence,enthusiasm and inspiring leadership exhibited by Mr Ghose in the all round development ofthe students and making the school a premier education institution. Encomiums and felicitationspoured in from all quarters. The students too made speeches highlighting the contribution ofteachers in moulding and uplifting social values. Almost everyone agreed that teachers deservedmore recognition, facilities and social prestige to enable them to perform their arduous task ofnation building properly.

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5. First OptionRajan687, Sunder NagarNew Delhi

19 Nov, 200XThe ManagerGlobal Travel AgencyGoaSirSub: Booking of AccommodationA party of twenty students of Delhi Public School plans to visit Goa during the winter breaki.e. from Dec 20 to 2 January. Kindly arrange to book suitable accommodation for our groupin a lodge or youth hostel having proper boarding and lodging facilities. Since it will be apleasure trip, we shall need the services of a guide for a conducted tour in a minibus, to beprovided by you. We also plan to visit the beaches and watch the Christmas Eve and NewYear Celebrations at important Hotels. Kindly book our seats for that too. I am enclosingherewith a demand draft of Rs ten thousand as advance to meet the initial expense.Please acknowledge the receipt of the letter and confirm the bookings.Thanking youYours faithfullyRajan

Second OptionParulB-22, Lajpat NagarNew Delhi25 May, 200XThe EditorThe Times of IndiaBahadur Shah Zafar MargNew DelhiDear SirSub: Nuisance of Polythene litter bagsThrough the esteemed columns of your newspaper I wish to draw the attention of thegovernment authorities to the nuisance caused by numerous polythene litter bags lyingalongside the road early in the morning. It is not only an obnoxious sight but also a menaceand health hazard. In order to keep their houses neat and clean, people resort to throw litterhere, there and everywhere. Thus they endanger the environment by causing pollution. Straycattle poke into these polythene bags and scatter the filthy contents all around. Thus ourcolony virtually becomes a storehouse of garbage emitting foul smell and breeding flies,bacteria and other germs.The Delhi Government has enacted laws to impose fine or sentence the offender to prison ifcaught in the nefarious act of discarding litter bags. I, however, feel that sufficient number ofofficers are not posted early in the morning to check this menace.I have written to the concerned authorities earlier also, but no action has been taken so far.I sincerely hope that my appeal and your critical comments will arouse the indolent officersfrom their slumber and make them responsive to the call of duty.Yours trulyParul


6. First OptionNEED OF ELECTORAL REFORMS

Elections are essential for a democracy as they provide the electorate the means to exercisetheir choice to elect their representatives. Of late, however, some glaring shortcomings, corruptpractices and malfunctioning have cropped up which have vitiated the whole democraticprocess and the elections have turned to a farce and sometimes a bane for the society.I was shocked to see the blatant misuse of money and musclemen during the recent electionto local bodies in our district. Though every party and individual swore by Gandhian principlesof non-violence and co-existence, one could get enough display of coaxing, cajoling, coercion,threats, pressures and pulls to grab the ‘votes’ of the vulnerable sections of the society, whounfortunately constitute the majority of the electorate. When the voters are threatened tovote for a particular person/party under duress or gratification, the whole system is vitiatedas it stifles the exercise of free will. Under the prevalent circumstances this system of adultfranchise has become outmoded. Urgent reforms in qualifications of voters as well as candidatesare needed. Persons of criminal background should be debarred from contesting elections.Proper monitoring of election expenses and strict supervision will exercise a healthy check onmany electoral malpractices. The election commission should satisfy itself that the rules laidby it are scrupulously adhered to. Any violation of them should incur stringent penaltiesincluding debarring the candidate from contesting elections.

Second OptionEACH ONE, TEACH ONE

Dear friendsWe have all assembled here for a noble cause—a mission to eradicate illiteracy. It is thedream of the National Literacy Mission to educate all the Indians. We would work togetherfor an India where each person is literate. Since most of the learners are adults who have arich experience of life, the learning strategies that will be adopted in our programmes will beexploratory and interactive. We have to teach as well as learn. We must keep in mind theirexperience, wisdom and maturity while discussing any topic. We should encourage them totalk and express their views in a fair and frank manner.We should always keep in mind the learning objectives set for the adult illiterates. We haveto make them literates by inculcating in them love for reading, writing and arithmetic. Letthem do simple calculations and exult at the right calculations. Health awareness and jobrelated problems are next in order. It is only after sufficient bridge has been built that wewould like to create an awareness about civil rights, duties, privileges and obligations. Whenthey become confident of their powers, we must create in them social awareness. Issues likeenvironmental pollution, population control and employment generation can then be discussed.In short I’ll make sincere efforts to achieve these goals.


7(a). First Option(a) Shakespeare and his works are of no use to the children in slum schools. So Shakespeare

is not good or noble to them. The map is a bad example because it does not depict theirown world of narrow lanes and hovels.

(b) All beautiful things like ships, sun and love tempt these children of slum school becausethey don’t have them.

(c) They live like rats in their cramped little holes. Fog and darkness dominate their lives.

Second Option(a) They are jumping across a screen or a wall. They look like shining yellow topaz.(b) They live in green forests. They are fearless. They don’t fear the men under the tree.

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(c) They run with a well-groomed, honourable confidence.(d) (i) denizens (ii) chivalric.

(b). (a) The lifeless and faded face of the poet’s mother pains her heart. She looks lifeless like acorpse. She provides an image of passivity, decay and death. The old lady seems to belost in her thoughts. The poet needs a distraction, a change. She puts that thought awayand looks outside. There she gets a picture of life, happiness and activity.

(b) Pablo Neruda is against any kind of violence. He addresses the fishermen and asks themnot to harm whales living in the cold seas of the polar regions. He is also against anykind of self-torturing. The man who is gathering salt has hurt his hands. He asks thisman to look after himself and take care of his injured hands.

(c) All beautiful things of nature are a boon for humanity. The magnificence and beauty ofobjects of nature surpasses the grandeur of dooms that we have imagined for our mightydead forefathers. It is lovelier than all the lovely tales that we have heard and read.

(d) The people who are running the roadside stand are always waiting for the city folk tostop there to buy something. This will mean flow of cash. The squealing of brakes andthe sound of a stopping car are auspicious signs for them. These indicate the arrival ofcity folk and raise their hopes to sell something.

8. (a) The author finds Saheb standing by the fenced gate of a neighbourhood club. He iswatching two young men, dressed in white, playing tennis. Saheb says that he likes thegame, but he is content to watch it standing behind the fence. He goes inside when noone is around. He uses the swing there.

(b) Douglas mentions him for his misadventure in the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool in which hehad nearly died. It was this boxer boy who had picked up Douglas and tossed him intothe deep end. Later on, when Douglas was rescued, the boy said, “I was only fooling.”

(c) The world had never been kind to the peddler. So he got unusual joy to think ill of theworld. His pastime was to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught inthe dangerous snare of the world, and of others who were still circling around the bait.

(d) Champaran district of Bihar is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, near thekingdom of Nepal. Under an ancient arrangement, the Champaran peasants weresharecroppers. They had to grow indigo on 15 per cent of the land and give it to theEnglish estate owners as rent.

(e) V.S. Naipaul is a celebrated cosmopolitan writer. He has written novels, travel books anddocumentary works. He presents his impression of India, the country of his ancestors, inthem. He says that some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves.

9. First OptionFirozabad, the centre of India’s glass-blowing industry, is famous for its bangles. Spirals ofbangles of various colours can be seen lying in mounds in yards or piled on four wheeledpush carts. These bangles have shining bright colours: sunny gold, paddy green, royal blue,pink, purple–in fact, every colour born out of the seven colours of the rainbow.The banglemakers lead a miserable life. They know no other work than bangle making.They have neither courage nor money to start another trade or job. They have spentgenerations in the clutches of midlemen and moneylenders. Extreme poverty forces them toremain hungry and yet work all day. The elderly woman,who works with Savita, has notenjoyed even one full meal in her entire lifetime. Her husband has made a house for thefamily to live in. He has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. Mukesh's fatherhas failed to renovate a house or send his two sons to school. Young boys are as tired astheir fathers. Their work at hot furnaces makes them blind prematurely.

Second OptionGemini Studios had an extremely talented actress. She was also extremely temperamental.Once she blew over on the sets and gave vent to her feelings against the producer. Every-


body was stunned. The lawyer quietly switched on the recording equipment. When theactress paused for breath, the lawyer played back the recording. There was nothingincriminating or unmentionably foul in the actress’ tirade against the producer. But she wasstruck dumb on hearing her voice again through the sound equipment. She was a girl fromthe countryside and raw and immature at worldly affairs. She lacked wordly experience andsophistication that persons in position of importance generally acquire. The result was thatshe never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. This is how a brief and brilliantacting career had unwittingly been brought to a sad end by the legal adviser.

10. First OptionCharley showed total disagreement with what the psychiatrist and his other friends saidabout the tendency to escape from reality. He tried to counter the argument by assertingthat everybody wants to escape but they did not wander down into any third level at GrandCentral Station. The stamp-collecting was started by his grandfather. He did not need anyrefuge from reality. Things were pretty nice and peaceful in his days. This nice collectionhad blocks of four of practically every U.S. issue, first-day covers, and so on. Moreover,President Roosevelt too collected stamps. Thus stamp collecting could not be termed a“temporary refuge from reality”. Thus it is obvious that Charley remained totally unconvincedabout the views of Sam and his other friends.

Second OptionThere was a fixed procedure laid down for breakfast. Zitkala-Sa calls it ‘eating by formula’.The ringing of a large bell summoned the inmates to the dining room. Boys and girls enteredthe dining room in lines from separate doors. Then a small bell was tapped. Each of thepupil drew a chair from under the table. The writer also did so. She supposed this act meantthey were to be seated. So she slipped into the chair. She found others standing. Just whenshe began to rise, looking shyly, the second bell sounded and all sat down. Then she hearda man’s voice at one end of the hall. She looked around to see him. But all the others hungtheir heads over their plates. She found the paleface woman watching her. When the manceased his mutterings, a third bell was tapped. Everyone picked up his knife and fork andbegan eating. She began to cry. She was so afraid that she could not do anything further.Her discomfiture was caused by her unfamiliarity with the procedure. However, she found ita difficult experience—a sort of trial.

11. (a) The infant had an uneventful childhood. He grew up just like other royal princes ofIndian states during the British rule. The prince grew taller and stronger day by day.The boy drank the milk of an English cow. He was brought up by an English nanny andtutored in English by an Englishman. He saw nothing but English films.

(b) Hana was Sadao’s wife. He had met her by chance at an American professor’s house.Professor Harley and his wife had been kind people. They held a party at their home fortheir few foreign students. Hana was a new student. He waited to fall in love with heruntil he was sure she was Japanese. It was because his father would never havereceived her unless she had been pure in her race.

(c) Whenever Roger Skunk went out to play, all of the other tiny animals would cry: “Uh–oh, here comes Roger Stinky Skunk”. Then they would run away. Roger Skunk wouldstand there all alone. Two little round tears would fall from his eyes. Jack would relateall this with zest, remembering certain humiliations of his own childhood.

(d) Mr Lamb tells Derry that he is interested in anybody and anything. There’s nothing Godmade that does not interest him. Fruit and flowers, trees and herbs, grass and weeds allinterest him. Even stuff or rubbish is interesting. He finds no essential differencebetween a ‘weed’ and another ‘flower’ as both represent life—developing or growing.

me n mine english xii solution august 2011

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