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12th Standard English 3rd Lesson In Celebration of Being Alive Questions and Answers

Warm Up

There are several physically-challenged people who have lived successful and meaningful lives. Here are a few personalities who have fought great odds and lived a life of blazing achievements. Let’s share wdiat we know about each of them and complete the table below.

Answer:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English In Celebration of Being Alive Textual Questions

1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences based on your understanding of the lesson.

Question (a)
What thoughts troubled Dr. Christiaan Barnard as he neared the end of his career as a heart surgeon?
Answer:
Towards the end of his career, Dr. Christiaan Barnard was troubled by the suffering of people and especially of young children. He could not accept the fact that 12 million children are unlikely to reach the age of one and about 6 million children die annually before reaching the age of five.

Question (b)
What were Dr. Barnard’s feelings when he was hospitalized after an accident?
Answer:
He experienced not only agony but also anger after they had met with an accident. He had eleven broken ribs and perforated lungs. His wife had a badly fractured shoulder. He could not understand why they should undergo pain when they had other important things to do in life during that time.

Question (c)
When and where did the accident occur?
Answer:
He and his wife were crossing the road after a lovely meal. A car hit him and knocked him ’ into his wife. His wife was thrown into the other lane and was struck by a car coming in the opposite direction.

Question (d)
How did the hospitalization of Dr. Barnard and his wife affect their routine?
Answer:
As a heart surgeon, he had to operate many heart patients. He was helpless as he had perforated lungs and broken ribs. His wife could not take care of the baby. Thus the routine life of both Dr. Barnard and his wife was affected adversely.

Question (e)
How was Dr. Barnard’s attitude to suffering different from that of his father’s?
Answer:
Dr. Barnard’s father accepted suffering as God’s will. He also believed that suffering ennobles humans. But Dr. Barnard found no meaning in the agony and suffering of patients and especially of the young children.

Question (f)
How was the unattended trolley put to use?
Answer:
The unattended trolley was used as a car for a race (Grand prix of Cape Town’s Red cross childrens’ hospital) within the hospital.

Question (g)
What roles did the duo take up?
Answer:
The unattended trolley was commandeered by a crew of two boys. One served as the driver and the other as a mechanic.

Question (h)
Why did the choice of roles prove to be easy for them?
Answer:
The mechanic provided motor power by galloping along behind the trolley with his head down. The driver steered the trolley by scraping his foot on the floor. The choice of the roles was easy because the mechanic was totally blind and the driver had only one arm.

Question (i)
Who encouraged them and how?
Answer:
They were encouraged by laughter and shouts of encouragement from the rest of the patients.

Question (j)
What does Dr. Barnard compare this entertainment to?
Answer:
Dr. Barnard compared the trolley race as much better entertainment than anything anyone puts on at the Indianapolis 500 car race.

Question (k)
What happened in the grand finale?
Answer:
There was a grand finale of scattered plates and silverware before the nurse and ward sister caught up with them.

Question (l)
How does Dr. Barnard know the boy who played the trolley’s driver?
Answer:
Dr. Barnard knew the trolley’s driver better. He had successfully closed a hole in his heart a few years back.

Question (m)
What was the profound lesson that Dr. Barnard learnt from the boys?
Answer:
The boys had taught Dr. Barnard the lesson in getting on with the business of living. The business of living is the celebration of being alive.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
What did the Grand Prix of the hospital teach the author?
Answer:
The author found out that his perception of human suffering was incomplete. The boys taught him how the experience of suffering helps a person value life. This thought gave the author a solace.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences.

Question (а)
Detail the statistics Dr. Barnard has provided in his speech.
Answer:
Of the 125 million children bom that year, 12 million are unlikely to reach the age of one. Another six million will die before the age of five. Among the rest, many will end up as mental or physical cripples.

Question (b)
What happened when the doctor couple were crossing the street?
Answer:
After a nice meal, Dr. Barnard and his wife were crossing the street. A car hit the doctor. He dashed against his wife who was thrown on the other side of the road. She was hit by another car from the opposite side.

Question (c)
What injuries did they sustain in the accident?
Answer:
Dr. Barnard had eleven broken ribs. A lung was profoundly perforated. His wife had a badly fractured shoulder.

Question (d)
Dr. Barnard couldn’t find any nobility in suffering. Why?
Answer:
As a doctor, he does not find any nobility in suffering. There is nothing noble in a patient’s thrashing around in a sweat-soaked bed, mind clouded in agony. He was against his dad’s faith that suffering ennobles human beings.

Question (e)
Why does Dr. Barnard find suffering of children heartbreaking?
Answer:
He has always found suffering of young children heart-breaking. Especially because they have total faith in doctors. They believe doctors will help. They don’t complain even after undergoing a mutilating surgery.

Question (f)
How did the boy who played the mechanic lose his eyesight?
Answer:
The mechanic was seven years old. One night, when his drunk father tortured his mom, she threw a lantern at him. The lantern broke over the child’s head and shoulders. He suffered third degree bums on the upper part of his body and lost both of his eyes.

Question (g)
Why does Dr. Barnard describe the blind boy as a ‘walking horror’?
Answer:
At the time of the grand prix, the boy was a walking horror. His face was disfigured. A long flap of skin was hanging from the side of his neck to his body. As the wound healed around his neck, his lower jaw became gripped in a mass of fibrous tissue. The only way he could open his mouth was to raise his head.

Question (h)
What were the problems the trolley driver suffered from?
Answer:
The trolley’s driver had a malignant tumour of the bone. A few days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was no hope of recovery.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
How does suffering ennoble a person?
Answer:
One does not become a better person because one has suffered. One becomes a better person because one has undergone suffering. One can’t appreciate light in the absence of darkness.

3. Answer the following in a paragraph of 100 – 150 words each.

Question (a)
Give an account of the medical problems for which the two boys were hospitalized.
Answer:
The seven years old mechanic suffered third degree bums on the upper part of his body. He had lost both his eyes. He was literally a walking horror. He was disfigured. A long flap of skin w as hanging from the side of his neck to his body. As the wound healed around his neck, his lower jaw became gripped in a mass of fibrous tissue. The trolley driver had a malignant tumour of the bone. A few days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was little hope of his recovery. If two adults had similar ailments, they would have got dejected with life. But the boys were just happy celebrating the joy of being alive.

Question (b)
“These two children had given me a profound lesson …” Elucidate.
Answer:
The author had self-pity and was cursing the accident that had caused him and his wife great pain and inconveniences in the daily routine. But the two little boys, one almost scarred to death with both eyes gone and the other with amputated arm and no hope of recovery wrere together celebrating the joy of being alive. They minded the business of living ignoring pain, surgery and the sickly environment. Dr. Barnard leamt the lesson from the children that the business of living is joy in the real sense of the w ord. It was not just something for pleasure, amusement or recreation. The business of living is the celebration of being alive.

Question (c)
Describe the ‘Grand Prix’ at Cape Town’s Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
Answer:
The author describes the event as “the Grand Prix of Cape Town’s Red Cross Childrens’ Hospital”. A nurse had left a breakfast trolley unattended. Very soon this trolley was commandeered by a daring crew of two, a driver and a mechanic. The mechanic provided motor power by galloping along behind the trolley head down. While the driver, seated on the lower deck held on with one hand and steered it by scrapping his foot on the floor. The choice of roles wag easy because the mechanic was totally blind and the driver had only one arm. It was better than Indianapolis 500 car race. Patients shouted and cheered the boys. There was a grand finale of scattered plates and silverware before the nurse and ward sister took control of the situation.

Question (d)
How did a casual incident in a hospital help Dr. Barnard perceive a new dimension of life?
Answer:
Initially Dr. Barnard was grumbling. He wondered why on earth he and his wife should have been subjected to agony and inconvenience. He couldn’t take his dad’s view that suffering ennobles human beings. But the little boys taught him a profound lesson of life. One should get on with the business of living irrespective of whatever misfortune strikes one. You don’t become a better person because you suffered, your suffering does not ennoble you. But you become a better person because you have experienced suffering. It is not what you have lost is important. What is important is what you have left. We can appreciate light better once we have experienced darkness. Similarly, we can appreciate warmth only after experiencing cold.

Question (e)
Life is unjust and cruel to certain people. Do they all resign themselves to their fate? Can you think of some who have fought their disabilities heroically and remained a stellar example for others? (for e.g. the astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, a paraplegic). Give an account of one such person and his/her struggle to live a fruitful life.
Answer:
Alexis Leon lives in Kakkanad, Kerala. He passed B.Tech from the university of Kerala with first rank. Then he did his M.Tech. He met w ith an accident in 1993 which left him paralysed from chest down and confined him to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. After a brief spell of dejection owing to a suspended marriage, he made up his mind to write books. He has written 50 books for Engineering graduates.

His notable w’ork is ‘Internet for Everyone’ and ‘A Guide to Software Configuration Management’. He is also a mentor at International Mentoring Network Association. He offers software consultancy to international IT companies. He travels across the world and delivers lectures to graduates and Corporates. His indomitable will has made him strong. He has become a light house for many aspirants in the software industry.

Additional Questions

(a) What did Dr. Christiaan Barnard know about the mechanic and his family?
Answer:
The mechanic was seven years old. Both of his parents were drunk while quarreling, his mom threw a lantern at his father. It missed him but hit the boy. He suffered severe third degree bums on the upper part of his body. He had lost both his eyes in the process. He got a disfigured face. He was a walking horror with a long flap of skin hanging from the side off his next to his body.

Vocabulary

1. More and more, as I near the end of my career as a heart surgeon, my thoughts have turned to the consideration of why people should suffer. Suffering seems so cruelly prevalent in the world today. Do you know that of the 125 million children born this year, 12 million are unlikely to reach the age of one and another six million will die before the age of five? And, of the rest, many will end up as mental or physical cripples.

2. My gloomy thoughts probably stem from an accident I had a few years ago. One minute I was crossing the street with my wife after a lovely meal together, and the next minute a car had hit me and knocked me into my wife. She was thrown into the other lane and struck by a car coming from the opposite direction.

3. During the next few days in the hospital, I experienced not only agony and fear but also anger. I could not understand why my wife and I had to suffer. I had eleven broken ribs and a perforated lung. My wife had a badly fractured shoulder. Over and over, I asked myself, why should this happen to us? I had work to do, after all; there were patients waiting for me to operate on them. My wife had a young
baby who needed her care

4. My father, had he still been alive, would have said: “My son, it’s God’s will. That’s the way God tests you. Suffering ennobles you – makes you a better person.”

5. But, as a doctor, I see nothing noble in a patient’s thrashing around in a sweat-soaked bed, mind clouded in agony. Nor can I see any nobility in the crying of a lonely child in a ward at night.

6. In those days, they didn’t have sophisticated heart surgery. I have always found the suffering of children particularly heartbreaking–especially because of their total trust in doctors and nurses. They believe you are going to help them. If you can’t they accept their fate. They go through mutilating surgery, and afterwards they don’t complain.

7. One morning, several years ago, I witnessed what I call the Grand Prix of Cape Town’s Red Cross Children’s Hospital. It opened my eyes to the fact that I was missing something in all my thinking about suffering – something basic that was full of solace for me.

8. What happened there that morning was that a nurse had left a breakfast trolley unattended. And very soon this trolley was commandeered by an intrepid crew of two – a driver and a mechanic. The mechanic provided motor power by galloping along behind the trolley with his head down, while the driver, seated on the mower deck, held on with one hand and steered by scraping his foot on the floor. The choice of roles was easy because the mechanic was totally blind and the driver had only one arm.

9. They put on quite a show that day. Judging by the laughter and shouts of encouragement from the rest of the patients, it was a much better entertainment than anything anyone puts on at the Indianapolis 500 car race. There was a grand finale of scattered plates and silverware before the nurse and ward sister caught up with them, scolded them and put them back to bed.

10. Let me tell you about these two. The mechanic was all of seven years old. One night, when his mother and father were drunk, his mother threw a lantern at his father, missed and the lantern broke over the child’s head and shoulders. He suffered severe third-degree burns on the upper part of his body, and lost both his eyes.

At the time of the Grand Prix, he was a walking horror, with a disfigured face and long flap of skin hanging from the side of his neck to his body. As the wound healed around his neck, his lower jaw became gripped in a mass of fibrous tissue. The only way this little boy could open his mouth was to raise his head. When I stopped by to see him after the race, he said, “You know, we won.” And he was laughing.

11. The trolley’s driver I knew better. A few years earlier, I had successfully closed a hole in his heart. He had returned to the hospital because he had a malignant tumour of the bone. A few days before the race, his shoulder and arm were amputated. There was little hope of his recovery. After the Grand Prix, he proudly informed me that the trolley’s wheels were not properly oiled, but he was a good driver, and he had full confidence in the mechanic.

12. Suddenly, I realized that these two children had given me a profound lesson in getting on with the business of living. Because the business of living is joy in the real sense of the word, not just something for pleasure, amusement, recreation. The business of living is the celebration of being alive.

13. I had been looking at suffering from the wrong end. You don’t become a better person because you are suffering; but you become a better person because you have experienced suffering. We can’t appreciate light if we haven’t known darkness. Nor can we appreciate warmth if we have never suffered cold. These children showed me that it’s not what you’ve lost that’s important. What is important is what you have left

(a) Go through the lesson and spot the words which mean the same as the following.

1. profession (para 1)
2. sorrowful (para 2)
3. decency (para 5)
4. destiny (para 6)
5. hijacked (para 8)
6. motivation (para 9)
7. serious (para 10)
8. significant (para 13)

Answer:

1. career
2. gloomy
3. nobility
4. fate
5. commandeered
6. encouragement
7. severe
8. important

(b) Go through the lesson and spot the words opposite to the meaning of the following.

1. rare (para 1)
2. primitive (para 6)
3. fiction (para 7)
4. fearful (para 8)
5. benign (para 11)
6. diffidence (para 11)
7. boredom (para 12)
8. criticize (para 13)

Answers

1. prevalent
2. sophisticated
3. fact
4. intrepid
5. malignant
6. confidence
7. recreation
8. appreciate

(c) Frame illustrative sentences to distinguish the meaning of the words in the following clusters.

In Celebration Of Being Alive Question 1.
career – carrier – courier
Answer:
A J. Cronin started his career as a doctor but eventually became a writer.
The curry spilled over as the tiffin carrier lid was not tightly closed.
The courier office is closed on Sundays.

In Celebration Of Being Alive Questions And Answers Question 2.
patients – patience – patents
Answer:
I saw a large number of patients standing in queue in front of the Government Hospital.
The patience of the gardener got paid well when the garden bloomed.
No other scientist in the world has got so many patents as Edison did.

12th English Unit 3 Prose Question 3.
accident – incident – incidence
Answer:
The accident took place in front of the hospital.
The incident of the French camp is an interesting poem.
The rising incidence of cross border terror attacks has annoyed India.

In Celebration Of Being Alive Question Answers Question 4.
scraping – scrapping – scrubbing
Answer:
Scraping of NEET may help rural students to get into Government Medical Colleges.
Anil Ambani’s company suffered through several bankruptcies, resulting in scrapping of many deals.
After scrubbing the stains for a long time, she found that the stain was gone but the cloth had got damaged.

12th English 3rd Prose Question 5.
accept – except – expect
Answer:
Don’t accept bribe.
Except Raghu all had paid the fees for NEET coaching.
Those who don’t expect much gain a lot in life.

12th English In Celebration Of Being Alive Paragraph Question 6.
lesson – lessen – lesion
Answer:
Dr. Barnard leamt a great lesson from the two disabled kids.
This medicine will lesson the pain.
The protruding thorn caused a lesion in his forearm.

12th English Guide Question 7.
severe – sever – sewer
Answer:
Prime Minister of India warned Pakistan of severe consequences of Pulwana terror attack.
It is difficult to sever the relationship on flimsy reasons.
Madras Corporation has invested a lot in laying underground sewer.

12th English Guide Pdf Free Download 2021 Question 8.
raise – rise – rice
Answer:
The philanthropist raised funds for the benefit of relations of those warriors who laid down their lives in Pulwana.
“The rise and fall of Roman empire” is an interesting book.
Many poor people do not use the ration rice but exchange it for other items.

12th English Guide Pdf Question 9.
quiet – quite – quit
Answer:
Sheela lives in her quiet cottage in Chengalpattu with her retired husband.
Life in Coimbatore is quite expensive.
Some players, who are jealous of Dhoni’s reputation, want him to quit before the world cup matches.

12th Samacheer Kalvi English Guide Question 10.
final – finale – feline
Answer:
You must be relaxed before the final examination.
The performance of the child with autism in super singer in the grand finale was amazing.
I have a young feline pet who is very naughty.

(d) Fill in the blanks with the words given in brackets.

[profound, amusement, confidence, agony, solace, intrepid, disfigured, perforated]

1. Theatrical plays were a main source of ________ before the advent of television.of police.
2. The ________ warriors of the Spartan Army marched into battle against a powerful enemy.
3. The ________ of parents finally came to an end when their lost child was found with the help
4. Social media has brought about a ________ impact on the lives of millennial.
5. The tyres of the car got ________ when the vehicle rolled over the rusted nails scattered on the road.
6. Thomas Alva Edison did not lose his ________ , even after facing a series of experimental’ failures in his quest to discover tungsten.
7. Many victims of the pipeline explosion in an oil refinery were left permanently ________
8. The old lady found ________ in the company of the children in the neighbourhood

Answer:

1. amusement
2. intrepid
3. agony
4. profound
5. perforated
6. confidence
7. disfigured
8. solace

(e) Form a phrase with each of the

1. muscle + pain – muscular pain
2. skeleton + system – skeletal system
3. nerve + disorder – nervous disorder
4. digestion + enzymes – digestive enzyme
5. surgery + instruments – surgical instruments
6. agony + experience – agonising experience
7. glory + victory – glorious victory
8. fancy + idea – fanciful idea
9. emotion + song – emotional song
10. sense + issue – sensitive issue

(f) Fill the empty boxes with suitable words under each word class.

Answer:

(g) Spot the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.

Question 1.
My grandfather is well-known in the village for his nobel deeds.
Answer:
My grandfather is well-known in the village for his noble deeds.

Question 2.
I had my evening meals in a restaurant near my office.
Answer:
I had my dinner in a restaurant near my office.

Question 3.
The Boss had full confidence on his Manager for successful completion of the project.
Answer:
The Boss had full confidence in his Manager for successful completion of the project.

Question 4.
After the complicated surgery, the patient hoped of complete recovery.
Answer:
After the complicated surgery, the patient hoped for complete recovery.

Question 5.
The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to the children suffering with acute tuberculosis.
Answer:
The new health care scheme announced by the Government will bring relief to the children suffering from acute tuberculosis.

Question 6.
In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream carrier.
Answer:
In spite of his poverty and setbacks, he was able to launch his dream career.

Listening Activity

Listen to the passage being read out. Based on your understanding, complete the statements given below with appropriate answers.

Boredom
We have all experienced boredom sometime or the other. Boredom occurs when a person is unable to stay attentive. It is something more than an unpleasant feeling. It can make you angry and frustrated and lead to negative physical health consequences.

How boredom affects one physically
A study reveals that when a person is affected by acute boredom his eyelids droop and the face assumes a frown. There is a gradual loss of ability to coordinate movements. These symptoms are accompanied by mental fatigue and a slowing down of thought processes. A bored person at work is likely to make many more errors than one who is not bored. We should never let boredom take charge. There are several easy ways to overcome boredom.

Here are a few practical suggestions:

• Set goals for yourself, work towards them.
• Develop an interest in hobbies and crafts.
• Socialize, stay in the company of cheerful people.
• Take up a charitable cause.
• Exercise regularly.

Coming out of boredom will feel like breaking free from a cold, dark room into the outdoors on a warm, sunny day

Questions:

1. Boredom occurs when a person is unable to
2. ______ and ______ are emotional consequences of boredom.
3. Two physical signs of acute boredom are (a) ______ (b) ______
4. How does boredom affect the quality of work a person does?
5. Mention two ways by which one can overcome boredom. (a) ______ (b) ______

Answers:

1. stay attentive
2. Anger, frustration
3. (a) Drooping eyelids, (b) Frown
4. A bored person commits a lot of errors in his work.
5. (a) Goal setting, (b) stay in the company of cheerful people

Speaking Activity

1. You are rushing to attend to an important work and you witness an accident on your way. Will you go to the rescue of the injured person? Share your views with the class.
Answer:
There is nothing more valuable than a human life. I would suspend whatever important work I have in hand and call 108 and summon the ambulance. I will try to get the contact number . of the next of kin of the injured person if he/she is conscious. I will inform them the incident without causing panic. I will accompany the injured person to the hospital. In our NSS team, we have blood donors whatsapp group. I will find out if blood is required and inform in my blood donor group to ensure blood donation to the injured person. Only after the doctor confirms that the injured person is out of danger, I will leave the place.

I draw my inspiration to help people in distress from the life of Abraham Lincoln. He was a budding lawyer. He had to walk 2 hours to reach the court. On his way, he found a pig sinking in mud and grunting in agony. It was scared that it would die. Abraham Lincoln was on his only best dress. He just got into the mud, lifted the pig and left him safely on the hard surface. As he reached the court everyone laughed at his dirty coat but Abraham Lincoln just smiled and argued well in favour of his innocent client and got him acquitted too.

2. Every person should take up the responsibility to serve the society in his or her own way. Discuss the various ways in which you can serve the society.
Answer:
Elders keep on telling that students should not enter into politics, instead should focus on studies and scoring high marks. I’ve a sincere feeling that life is more than marks. Students can do a lot of service which would certainly make the society a better place. Though the state government has banned the use of single use plastics, it is widely used. Hot sambar curry and tea are packed in small plastic bags. People just use them.

We can generate awareness to all sellers and buyers in places where large number of people gather that by eating hot things from single use plastic bags, we are increasing the chances of getting cancer.The plastic covers thrown away blatantly does not degenerate for hundreds of years, it does not allow percolation of rain water and soon after rain, we suffer from water scarcity. The rain water runs away and joins the oceans.

We can tell the importance of rain water harvesting and make farming practises economically viable. During elections we can campaign for judicious use of voting rights to elect a person who has both the capacity and love for citizens to serve without expecting anything in return. We can also spread hygiene among the masses.

(a) Pair work: Practise the dialogue with another student. Then write a similar dialogue between a student and the class teacher regarding an educational trip.

Teacher : We plan to go on an excursion.
Student A : Where sir?
Teacher : We will discuss and finalise it today.
Student B : Sir, how about Vandaloor Zoo?
Teacher : it is a very hot season now, all the animals will be taking shelter under distant trees
Student A : We can’t see all of them. What about Vedanthangal?
Teacher : No, only after the rains foreign birds visit it.
Student B : What about Birla Planetarium?
Teacher : Fine, that is a good choice. We will go there next week.

(b) Build a conversation for the following situations with a minimum of five exchanges.

1. A passenger and a railway staff regarding the cancellation of the reserved tickets.

Passenger : Sir, I want to cancel a ticket.
Clerk : When was the journey planned?
Passenger : Sir, next Monday, the 23rd of March.
Clerk : Well, still three days are there.
Passenger : This is my ticket and take the filled in cancellation form. Tell me sir, how much will you deduct.
Clerk : Well, we will deduct only the reservation charges and you will get the balance amount. Take the money and count it, it is Rs. 280/ Thank you sir.

2. Two friends about the NSS camp which they are going to attend.

Tarun : I am leaving for NSS camp.
Kavin : How many days?
Tarun : One week.
Kavin : Where are you going?
Tarun : To Madagupatti.
Kavin : That village has no electricity.
Tarun : Yes. That’s why we are going there to help them in small possible ways.
Kavin : What will you do?
Tarun : We will deepen the lakes, clean the streets, remove the unneeded thorny
Kavin : bushes from the school and temple premises.
Tarun : That is a lot of work.
Kavin : We will conduct a medical camp with the help of doctors too.
Tarun : Sounds exciting. Can I join you?
Tarun : No, brother. Wait till you become old enough to become a volunteer.
Kavin : Well, I’m ten years old already.

3. A salesman and a customer at an electronic shop.

Customer : Good evening sir.
Salesman : Good evening. What shall I do for you?
Customer : We bought a Smart TV last week. It is not working properly.
Salesman : May be the problem is with your dish antenna or cable connection.
Customer : No, the fault is only with the TV.
Salesman : Please leave your address and phone number. I will send the TV mechanic in half an hour.
Customer : Thanks.

4. A father and his daughter about the advantages of the habit of newspaper- reading.

Father : Maydhini my dear, you must read newspapers daily.
Maydhini : How does it help dad? Will they ask questions in the examination from them?
Father : No, newspapers help you know about the world.
Maydhini : I’m a small girl. Are there sections in a newspaper which will have things to my taste?
Father : Why not? You read young world in the Hindu. In fact, children write and send things to be published here.
Maydhini : Can I send my puzzles and paintings?
Father : Yes, of course.
Maydhini : Ok dad, I will read newspaper everyday.

(c) Extend the conversation with two more relevant exchanges.

Question 1.
Receptionist : Good evening, sir. Welcome to Chennai.
Traveller : I would like to book a deluxe room in your hotel for 3 days.
Receptionist : (i) ________
Traveller :(ii) ________
Receptionist :(iii) ________
Traveller :(iv) ________
Answers:
(i) How many people intend to stay sir?
(ii) Three members
(iii) For Deluxe A/C room the charge is Rs. 5000/- per day and for Non A/C it is Rs. 3500/-
(iv) If it includes GST, please book Deluxe A/C room. Take my card and book the room.

Question 2.
Student : Good morning, sir. May I come in?
Teacher : Good morning, why are you late today?
Student : (i) ________
Teacher : (ii) ________
Student : (iii) ________
Teacher : (iv) ________
Answers:
(i) There was a traffic jam sir.
(ii) Why?
(iii) A political party had staged a protest blocking the vehicles. I was stranded and helpless.
(iv) Oh! The politicians should keep in mind the difficulties common people face when doing such protests. Okay, go to your seat now.

Reading

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Humans have long been fascinated by fiction. We experience excitement in assigning supernatural power to imaginary characters in fictional stories – and so we have Spider man, Batman, He man, Titans and many more. The ‘Cyborg’ was an offshoot of such wild imagination of humans to invest our species with superhuman powers. Today, the Cyborg is no more an imaginary organism. We are living in a world where a sizeable population of humans have merged their bodies with technological implants. The term ‘Cyborg’, short for ‘cybernetic organism’, was coined to describe a man, whose body is implanted with technological devices to supplement and substitute body functions.

Cyborgs include people with cardiac pacemakers, contact lenses, bionic ears and eyes, prosthetics and so on. In other words, a cyborg is partly human and partly machine. The technological innovations in the field of medicine and healthcare augment humans with machines, producing a beta version of the human body. The advent of brain machine interfaces is certain to blur the boundary between humans and machines. Scientists are working hard to find a technique for age reversal too. People do not want to die, so mankind is striving to get to the final frontier, which is development of machines and devices that would accord man immortality.

The needs of humans are not limited. As time passes, food habits change, thinking patterns change, and even appearances change. We are about to travel by driverless, folly automated vehicles. Computers and smart phones have become our masters. The more we depend and merge with technological advancements, the more the humanness in us slowly erodes. Intelligence is sought to be infused into machines and robotics are designed in such a way to give man a virtual human companion.

The field of artificial intelligence is overtaking the human brain and many fear that it could even harm the human race. Despite certain limitations and potential threats, many believe that cyborgs will be the next step in the evolution of mankind. The amalgamation of man and machine is sure to add a new dimension to the life of mankind and this will prove to be the ‘biggest evolution in Biology’ since the emergence of life, four billion years ago.

Question (a)
Account for the popularity’ of characters with supernatural powers.
Answer:
Human beings want to achieve things far above their natural capacity. The superheroes like Spiderman, Batman and He man do great feats on screen. So, people like them.

Question (b)
Who is referred to as a ‘Cyborg’?
Answer:
Cyborg is a man whose body is implanted with technological devices to supplement and substitute body functions.

Question (c)
What is expected to happen with the advent of the brain machine interface?
Answer:
The advent of brain machine interface is certain to blur the boundary between machines and humans.

Question (d)
The needs of humans are not limited. How is this statement elaborated in the passage?
Answer:
As the time passes, food habits change, thinking patterns change, even appearances change. We are about to travel by driverless, folly automated
vehicles.

Question (e)
How can a machine turn into a virtual companion for humans?
Answer:
Intelligence is sought to be infused into machines and robots are designed in such a way to give man a virtual human companion.

Question (f)
Explain the flipside of the rapid technological advancement.
Answer:
The more we depend and merge with technological advancements, the humanness in us slowly erodes.

Question (g)
Identify the word in para 2 which means ‘everlasting life’.
Answer:
Immortality in para 2 means ‘everlasting life’.

Question (h)
Which of the following words is synonymous with ‘amalgamation’?
(a) recreation
(b) integration
(c) exploration
(d) proposition
Answer:
(b) integration

Question (i)
Which of the following options is the antonym of the word ‘advent’?
(a) drawback
(b) dispute
(c) departure
(d) danger
Answer:
(c) departure

Question (J)
Find out the word which is the antonym of ‘natural’ in para 2.
Answer:
Prosthetics

Grammar

Tenses
Task 1
Change the following sentences into Passive Voice.

Question (a)
The Governor inaugurated the exhibition at ten o’ clock.
Answer:
The exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor at ten o’ clock

Question (b)
The crowd expected their leader to arrive early in the morning.
Answer:
The leader was expected to arrive early in the morning.

Question (c)
Who taught her Computer Science?
Answer:
By who was she taught Computer Science.

Question (d)
They unanimously named Ravi the captain of team.
Answer:
Ravi was named the captain of the team unanimously.

Question (e)
The President gave the commander an award.
Answer:
An award was given to the commander by the president.

Question (f)
Do not tell a lie.
Answer:
Let not a lie be told.

Question (g)
Please open the door.
Answer:
Let the door be opened please.

Question (h)
It is time to stop the work.
Answer:
It is time for the work to be stopped.

Question (i)
They say he is a spy.
Answer:
It is said that he is a spy.

Question (j)
One should keep one’s promise.
Answer:
Promise must be kept.

Question (k)
People burn a great deal of w ood in winter.
Answer:
A great deal of wood is burnt in the winter by people.

Question (l)
Where had you kept the book?
Answer:
Where had the book been kept by you?

Question (m)
When did you feel the tremors?
Answer:
When was the tremors felt by you?

Question (n)
How did you do the experiment?
Answer:
How was the experiment done by you?

Question (o)
Whose car did someone park in front of your gate?
Answer:
Whose car was parked in front of your gate?

Task 2
Change the following sentences into Active Voice.

Question (а)
The smuggler has been nabbed by the police.
Answer:
The police have nabbed the smuggler.

Question (b)
By whom were you interviewed?
Answer:
Who interviewed you?

Question (c)
Why were you scolded by your parents?
Answer:
Why did your parents scold you?

Question (d)
Not a word was spoken by the convict in self-defence.
Answer:
The convict spoke not a word in self-defence.

Question (e)
Good news is expected shortly.
Answer:
We expect good news shortly.

Question (f)
The mail has just been received.
Answer:
We have received the mail just now.

Question (g)
Sundari has been taken to hospital by her husband.
Answer:
Sundari’s husband has taken her to the hospital.

Question (h)
Our television is being repaired now.
Answer:
We are repairing our TV now.

Question (i)
Sweets have not been distributed to children by the organisers.
Answer:
The organization have not distributed sweets to children.

Question (j)
Prizes were being given by the chief guest.
Answer:
The chief guest was giving prizes.

Question (k)
Nobody has been seen in the library this week.
Answer:
The librarian has not seen anybody in the library this week.

Question (l)
Nobody would have known the truth if you had not disclosed it.
Answer:
Nobody will know the truth if you have not disclosed it.

Question (m)
You are advised to help the poor and needy.
Answer:
Help the poor and the needy.

Question (n)
You are requested to make a cup of tea for the guest.
Answer:
Please make a cup of tea for the guest.

Interrogations Or Questions

Task 1
Add suitable question tags to the following sentences and punctuate properly.

Question 1.
The children are very happy today.
Answer:
The children are very happy today, aren’t they?

Question 2.
You have not returned my books yet.
Answer:
You have not returned my books yet, have you?

Question 3.
We enjoyed the trip very much.
Answer:
We enjoyed the trip very much, didn’t we?

Question 4.
Let’s clean the shelves this weekend.
Answer:
Let’s clean the shelves this weekend, shall we?

Question 5.
My mother rarely travels by bus.
Answer:
My mother rarely travels by bus, does she?

Question 6.
Somebody must bell the cat.
Answer:
Somebody must bell the cat, mustn’t they?

Question 7.
Anita never comes late to office.
Answer:
Anita never comes late to office, does she?

Question 8.
Iam always the winner.
Answer:
I am always the winner, aren’t I?

Question 9.
Don’t commit this mistake again.
Answer:
Don’t commit this mistake again, will you?

Question 10.
There is a pharmacy near that bus stand.
Answer:
There is a pharmacy near that bus stand, isn’t it?

Question 11.
Bacteria can never survive in extreme weather conditions.
Answer:
Bacteria can never survive in extreme weather conditions, can it?

Question 12.
I am not as smart as you are.
Answer:
I am not as smart as you are, am I?

Question 13.
The boys broke the window pane last evening.
Answer:
The boys broke the window pane last evening, didn’t they?

Question 14.
Leaves wither during autumn.
Answer:
Leaves wither during autumn, don’t they?

Question 15.
You should add a little salt to the buttermilk.
Answer:
You should add a little salt to the buttermilk, shouldn’t you?

Task 2
Correct the error found in the question tag in each of the following.

Question 1.
The evil doers cannot cross the path of truth, can’t they?
Answer:
The evil doers cannot cross the path of truth, can they?

Question 2.
The vegetables in the fridge are still fresh, aren’t it?
Answer:
The vegetables in the fridge are still fresh, aren’t they?

Question 3.
The village head understood the intention of the politician, doesn’t he?
Answer:
The village head understood the intention of the politician, didn’t he?

Question 4.
I claim to be a person of faith and prayer, aren’t I?
Answer:
I claim to be a person of faith and prayer, don’t I?

Question 5.
The employees are seldom allowed to meet their boss, aren’t they?
Answer:
The employees are seldom allowed to meet their boss, are they?

Question 6.
Let’s organize a trip to Goa, can we?
Answer:
Let’s organize a trip to Goa, shall we?

Question 7.
The landlady will charge me for the damage, shan’t she?
Answer:
The landlady will charge me for the damage, won’t she?

Question 8.
Both the sisters have left for Canada, aren’t they?
Answer:
Both the sisters have left for Canada, haven’t they?

Question 9.
That’s definitely not the right thing to do in this situation, isn’t that?
Answer:
That’s definitely not the right thing to do in this situation, isn’t it?

Question 10.
We needn’t apply for a bank loan, do we?
Answer:
We needn’t apply for a bank loan, need we?

Question 11.
The Chief Guest spoke a few words, did he?
Answer:
The Chief Guest spoke a few words, didn’t he?

Question 12.
The rhinoceros has a horn made of keratin, haven’t they?
Answer:
The rhinoceros has a horn made of keratin, hasn’t it?

Writing

Story Writing
Task 1
Expand the following outlines into complete stories and supply a suitable title for each.

Question 1.
Big cotton merchant – owned a factory – many employees – one day a heap of cotton stolen – no clue – merchant’s secretary assured to find out – asked him to host dinner – invite all workers – merchant agreed – middle of feast – secretary suddenly shouted – cotton sticking to hair of thieves – the guilty dusted their heads – tried to clear – caught in the trap – punished.
Answer:
Once upon a time there was a big cotton merchant. He owned a factory. Many employees were working in it. One day a bale of cotton was stolen. The merchant had no clue as to who might have stolen the bale of cotton. The merchant’s secretary assured him that she will find out the thief. She asked him to host a dinner and invite all the workers. Merchant agreed. When the feast was in progress, the secretary shouted suddenly, “There is cotton sticking on to the hair of the thieves. The guilty ones involuntarily dusted their heads to clear it. They were caught unawares. They were sacked from their jobs as a punishment for their theft.

Question 2.
Mr. X, a rich businessman – runs a company – always very busy with office work – one day his son – 10 years old – approaches dad and asks – how much he earns in one hour – father gets furious – boy persuades – father says Rs. 500 – immediately son asks for ’ Rs. 300 – father shouts – wasting money on toys – son leaves to his room crying – father feels bad – thinks might need some stationery – enters boy’s room and gives money – boy becomes happy – takes some crumpled notes – under his pillow – counts everything together – total Rs.500 – gives it to dad – wants to buy – one hour of his time – father realizes his mistake – feels sorry and guilty – hugs son – closes all office files – takes him on a picnic – decides to spend more time w ith near and dear ones.
Answer:
Mr. X is a rich business man. He runs a company. He is always busy with his office work. Like a snail, he carries his office work everywhere. His young son one day asks him, “How much do you earn in an hour?” The father gets furious and refuses to reply. But the son coaxes him to give the answer. The father grudgingly says, “Rs. 500/- an hour.” Immediately the boy asks his dad to give him three hundred rupees. He reprimands his son for trying to waste his hard earned money. The boy cries and goes to the bedroom without dinner. The father feels guilty.

He realises that the boy might really need the money for buying some stationary. He gives him three hundred rupees. The next moment, the boy collected all the crumpled notes from under his pillow. Dad asks, “why did you ask for money when you have so much?” Without replying the boy handed him Rs. 500/- and said, “this is the amount you earn in an hour, I have given you that money. Now will you spend an hour with me?” The father realises his mistake. He suspends his work and takes the boy out on a picnic. Then onwards he regularly spends time with near and dear ones.

Task 2
Continue and complete the following stories and suggest suitable titles for the same.

Question 1.
A rich man had a neighbour who was suffering from acute poverty. The rich man was
proud of his wealth and treated his poor neighbour with disrespect and derision. One day, a fortune-teller told the rich man that all his wealth would be possessed by his neighbour within a month. The rich man became greatly worried and spent sleepless nights. He did not know how to safeguard his wealth round the clock. Suddenly he thought of a plan. He disposed of everything he had and with all that money, he bought a large, precious diamond. He sewed up the diamond in his turban. He proudly said to himself, “Now, there’s no way. My poor neighbour can never secure my wealth. The words of the fortune-teller will prove false.” _______
Answer:
Once, he had to go to a distant town with his merchandise. His poor neighbour’s wife came to borrow the turban on the occasion of attending a marriage function in the town. The rich man’s wife wasn’t aware of the value of the turban. She gave it to him. This poor neighbour wore the turban proudly and attended the wedding. When he was returning, he had a feeling that something hurt like a stone. On reaching home, he took a needle and untied the stitches.

He was amazed at the hidden diamond. He threw the turban into the rich man’s compound and vacated the house at night and ran away with his family. When the rich man returned, he saw the turban lying in his compound. He shouted at his wife for not keeping the turban in its proper place. He hurriedly took the turban and touched at the bottom. He was shocked to find the diamond missing. He realized that the fortune-teller w as proved right.
Title: The Rich man’s turban and the fortune-teller

Question 2.
Four friends decided to go to a restaurant for dinner. They ordered an extra-large pizza with grated cheese and other choice toppings. The next 20 minutes seemed to be too long a time. Their eyes widened and their mouth watered, when the server brought the steaming hot pizza and placed it on the table. They could barely control the drool. Simultaneously, all the four hands pulled at a slice from the plate, their faces beaming with a victorious grin. Silence prevailed as they were absorbed in the taste of their favourite food. They relished every mouthful to the core and savoured the taste of each topping with a smile of approval. Soon, the plate was empty and clean with no trace.

The boys dabbed their mouths and wiped their hands with tissues. Mission accomplished, they leaned back with immense joy and satisfaction not knowing, it would be short-lived. The waiter arrived with the bill. Joseph, who had brought the others to the restaurant for a treat casually slipped his hand into his pocket to get his wallet. He gave a soft shriek accompanied by an expression of dismay and utter disbelief. He exclaimed, “It’s not there! Someone has pinched my wallet! What are we to do now?”______
Answer:
One of the friends sprang up saying, “take it easy. Our government has made things simple for us. See we are going digital, isn’t it. So now consider the problem we encountered to be solved.'”Joseph, still will, asked, “What do you mean?” Simple, let me pay the bill through the Paytm app in my mobile. The money will be transferred instantly. Everyone was overjoyed at the turn of the event. They walked out with their pride being saved. It is important to be safe and to have an alternative option in unwarranting situations.

UTHIRA is an event conducted by the NSS unit of ABC Hr Sec School. Imagine you are a volunteer and help a parent fill in the following registration form. (Invent necessary details)

Question 1.

Answer:

Question 2.

Answer:

In Celebration of Being Alive About The Author

Christiaan Neethling Barnard was bom in rural South Africa in 1922 to poor parents as their fourth child. After the loss of his brother to heart ailment, he resolved to become a doctor. He performed the world’s first successful human heart transplantation in the year 1967. He instantly gained worldwide recognition. He has penned 14 books and 235 scientific articles. Some of his prominent books are, ‘The Best Medicine’ and ‘The Faith’. He has been conferred with 11 honorary doctorates, and 36 International Awards. In his late years, he established the Christiaan Barnard Foundation to serve and promote the cause of underprivileged children throughout the world and died at the age of 78.

In Celebration of Being Alive Summary in English

Introduction
The piece “In celebration of being alive” portrays a new dawn of understanding of human life after he met with an accident.

Is there divinity behind suffering?
Christian Barnard was a Doctor who performed the world’s first human heart transplant operation. He found the suffering of children particularly heart-breaking. During his lifetime, Christian Barnard and his wife met with an accident while they were crossing the road. His eleven ribs were broken and lung was perforated. His wife had a badly fractured shoulder. Both experienced fear and agony in the hospital. He totally disagreed with his father’s view that God tests human beings and suffering ennobles a person.

A life changing event
His brother died of an abnormal heart. This incident brought awareness to Dr. Barnard of the sufferings of little children. Several years ago. Dr. Barnard witnessed an incident at Cape Town’s Red Cross Children’s Hospital. That event made him realize that he was missing something in all his thinking about suffering.

Grand prix in the hospital
While he and his wife were undergoing treatment in the hospital, one day a nurse left a breakfast trolley unattended. Two children who were patients took charge of the trolley. One was blind and the other was crippled. One of them played the role of a driver and the other played that of a mechanic. The blind boy provided motor power, and the crippled sat on the lower deck and steered the trolley. The rest of the patients laughed and gave shouts of encouragement. The nurse and the ward sister finally took control over the situation

Harsh truth about the heroes
The mechanic was a seven-year old boy who was admitted in the hospital due to serious bums on the upper part of his body and lost both of I .eyes.
The driver had a harmful tumor and his shoulder and arm were amputated with little hope of recovery. Both did not lose hope. They enjoyed life despite its stings

Learning life’s lesson
These two children taught Dr. Barnard a profound lesson that the business of living is in the celebration of being alive and not just something for pleasure, amusement and recreation. They made it clear that being alive is more important than the suffering they are experiencing. They made him understand that sufferings does not ennobles humans but celebrating life inspite of the sufferings makes it noble

Conclusion
People try to understand life always with their own experiences. Only when a misfortune strikes, they look at life from a different angle. They may have scars but then they understand what makes life noble.

In Celebration of Being Alive Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை:
ஆசிரியர் தாம் விபத்துக்குள்ளாகிய பிறகு எழுதிய இந்தக் கட்டுரை மனித வாழ்க்கையின் புது அர்த்தத்தை விவரிக்கக் கூடிய ஒரு விடிவெள்ளியாகும்.

நாம் படும் வேதனைக்குப் பின்னால் தெய்வீக காரணம் உள்ளதா?
கிரிஸ்டியன் பார்னாட் உலகத்திலேயே முதன் முதலாக மனித இதய மாற்று சிகிச்சையை மேற்கொண்ட மருத்துவர் ஆவார். அவர், குழந்தைகள் இதய நோயால் அவதிப்படுவதை கண்டு மனமுடைந்து போனார். அவர்தம் மனைவியுடன் சாலை ஒன்றை கடக்கும் போது இருவரும் விபத்திற்கு உள்ளானார்கள். அவரின் 11 விலா எலும்புகள் முறிந்தன மற்றும் நுரையீரல் சல்லடைத் துளையாகிப் போனது. அவர் மனைவிக்கு தோற்பட்டை முறிந்து போனது. மருத்துவமனையில் பயமும், வேதனையும் அவரைத் தொற்றிக் கொண்டது. ஆசிரியர் தம் தகப்பனாரின் கருத்தான ‘கடவுள் மனிதனை சோதிப்பான், அந்த சோதனை அவனை மேன்மைபடுத்தும்’ என்பதை ஆட்சேபித்தார்.

ஒரு வாழ்க்கை மாறும் நிகழ்வு
அவரின் சகோதரர் அசாதாரண இதயத்துடன் பிறந்ததால் இறந்து போனார். இந்த சம்பவம் குழந்தைகள் படும் துன்பத்தை உணர்த்த வல்லதாக அமைந்தது. பல வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னதாக டாக்டர். பார்னாட் கேப் டவுனின் செஞ்சிலுவை குழந்தைகள் மருத்துவமனையில் ஒரு சம்பவத்தை காண நேரிட்டது. இந்த சம்பவம் அவர் வேதனை என்று தாம் நினைப்பதில் ஏதோ ஒரு குறைபாடு இருப்பதை உணர்ந்தார்.

கிரிஸ்டியன் பார்னாட்டின் மருத்துவமனை அனுபவம்
ஆசிரியரும் அவரது மனைவியும் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை மேற்கொண்டிருந்த போது ஒரு சமயம் செவிலிப் பெண் சிற்றுண்டி வண்டியை நிறுத்தி சென்று விட்டார். அங்கு அனுமதிக்கப் பட்டிருந்த இரண்டு நோயாளிகளான சிறுவர்கள் அந்த சிற்றுண்டி வண்டியைக் கையாண்டனர். ஒருவன் குருடன், மற்றவனோ முடவன். அதில் ஒரு சிறுவன் தன்னை ஓட்டுனர் போல் சித்தரித்துக் கொண்டான். மற்றொருவன் இயந்திர தொழில் நிபுணராக வேடம் ஏற்றுக் கொண்டான், கண் இல்லாத சிறுவன் வண்டியை தள்ள வண்டியின் அடித்தளத்தில் அமர்ந்த முடவனான சிறுவன் வண்டியை செலுத்துவது போல் பாவனை செய்தான். இதைக் கண்ட இதர நோயாளிகள் உற்சாகக் கூக்குரல் எழுப்பினார்கள். ஒரு வழியாக செவிலிப் பெண்ணும் மற்றும் வார்ட் சிஸ்ட்டரும் நிலைமையை கட்டுக்குள் கொண்டு வந்தனர்.

இரு கத இயந்திர தெரு வயது சிங்கம் கருகி
இரு கதாநாயகர்களைப் பற்றிய திடுக்கிடும் தகவல்:
இயந்திர தொழில் நிபுணராக தன்னை சித்தரித்துக் கொண்ட 7 வயது சிறுவனின் தீப்புண் காயங்களால் உடலின் மேல் பாகம் கருகி கண் பார்வையை இழந்த நிலையில் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டான். தன்னை ஓட்டுநர் போல் சித்தரித்துக் கொண்டு இருந்த சிறுவனுக்கு தோள்பட்டை புற்றுநோய் பாதித்ததால் கை ஒன்று வெட்டி எடுக்கப்பட்டு உடல்நலம் தேற சிறிது வாய்ப்பே இருந்தது. ஆனால், இருவரும் நம்பிக்கையை இழக்கவில்லை. வாழ்க்கையின் வலியைத் தாண்டிய குதூகலம் அவர்களிடம் காணப்பட்டது.

வாழ்க்கை தந்த பாடம்:
இந்த இரு சிறுவர்களும் டாக்டர். பர்னாட் அவர்களுக்கு கற்றுத் தந்த ஆழ்ந்த உண்மை நாம் | உயிருடன் இருப்பதை கொண்டாடுவதே வாழ்க்கை. | அல்லாமல் சொகுசு. வேடிக்கை மற்றும் பொழுது போக்கு அல்ல என்பதாகும். அவர்கள் தாம் அனுபவிக்கின்ற வலியைக் காட்டிலும் உயிருடன் இருப்பதை |முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்ததாக தெளிவுபடுத்தினர். வேதனைகள் மனிதனை மேம்படுத்துவதில்லை. மாறாக,வேதனைகளை அனுபவித்த பின் வாழ்வதின் சுகம் எளிதில் புலப்படுகிறது.

முடிவுரை:
தம் அனுபவத்தின் வாயிலாகதான் மனிதன் வாழ்க்கையை அறிந்து கொள்கிறான். துன்பப்படும் போது தான் வாழ்க்கையை வேறு கோணத்தில் பார்க்க முயல்கிறான். காயங்கள் அடைந்தபோதிலும் வாழ்க்கையை எது உன்னதப்படுத்துகிறது என்பதை அறிந்து கொள்கிறான்.

In Celebration of Being Alive Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

In Celebration of Being Alive Synonyms

Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
My thoughts have turned to the consideration of why people suffer.
(a) imagination
(b) curiosity
(c) absurdity
(d) careful thought
Answer:
(d) careful thought

Question 2.
Suffering seems cruelly prevalent in the world today.
(a) unique
(b) uncommon
(c) common
(d) fair
Answer:
(c) common

Question 3.
Of the rest, many will end up as mental or physical cripples
(a) people with sound bodies
(b) people with rare gifts
(c) people with disabilities
(d) people with perfect health
Answer:
(c) people with disabilities

Question 4.
My gloomy thoughts stem from an accident.
(a) ecstatic
(b) blissful
(c) depressed
(d) lofty
Answer:
(c) depressed

Question 5.
I experienced agony.
(a) relaxation
(b) liberation
(c) amusement
(d) extreme suffering
Answer:
(d) extreme suffering

Question 6.
Dr. Barnard had a perforated lung.
(a) damaged with holes
(b) inflated
(c) shrunk
(d) inebriated
Answer:
(a) damaged with holes

Question 7.
The wound healed around his neck.
(a) cursed
(b) cured
(c) curtailed
(d) contorted
Answer:
(b) cured

Question 8.
He had a malignant tumour of the bone.
(a) harmless
(b) friendly
(c) harm full
(d) helpful
Answer:
(c) harm full

Question 9.
His shoulder and arm were amputated.
(a) attached
(b) surgically cut off
(c) frustrated
(d) transplant
Answer:
(b) surgically cut off

Question 10.
There was little hope for his recovery.
(a) recuperation
(b) discovery
(c) loss
(d) damage
Answer:
(a) recuperation

Question 11.
He had full confidence in the mechanic.
(a) trust
(b) disbelief
(c) doubt
(d) scepticism
Answer:
(a) trust

Question 12.
Two children had given me a profound lesson.
(a) humble
(b) modest
(c) shallow
(d) very great
Answer:
(d) very great

Question 13.
The business of living is joy
(a) amnesia
(b) dyslexia
(c) dementia
(d) delight
Answer:
(d) delight

Question 14.
Life is not something for recreation.
(a) earnestness
(b) meditation
(c) entertainment
(d) distress
Answer:
(c) entertainment

Question 15.
Nor can we appreciate warmth if we have not
(a) heat
(b) wellness
(c) chillness
(d) wetness
Answer:
(a) heat

Question 16.
Suffering ennobles you.
(a) destroys
(b) dignifies
(c) distress
(d) encourages
Answer:
(b) dignifies

Question 17.
I see nothing noble in thrashing around in a sweat-soaked bed
(a) heated
(b) warmed
(c) drenched
(d) smellled
Answer:
(c) drenched

Question 18.
There was a grand finale of scattered plates.
(a) anti-climax
(b) climax
(c) boring end
(d) gloomy denouement
Answer:
(b) climax

Question 19.
They didn’t have sophisticated surgery.
(a) crude
(b) undeveloped
(c) cumbersome
(d) well-advanced
Answer:
(d) well-advanced

Question 20.
Something basic that w as full of solace for me.
(a) pity
(b) neglect
(c) abandon
(d) consolation
Answer:
(d) consolation

In Celebration of Being Alive Antonyms

Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
Why people should suffer.
(a) undergo pain
(b) struggle
(c) enjoy
(d) heal
Answer:
(c) enjoy

Question 2.
Suffering is cruelly prevalent.
(a) sarcastically
(b) tortuously
(c) mercilessly
(d) mercifully
Answer:
(d) mercifully

Question 3.
My gloomy thoughts stem from an accident.
(a) sad
(b) murky
(c) happy
(d) vague
Answer:
(c) happy

Question 4.
I experienced agony.
(a) calamity
(b) delight
(c) horror
(d) misery
Answer:
(b) delight

Question 5.
Suffering ennobles you.
(a) exalts
(b) dignifies
(c) praises
(d) humilites
Answer:
(d) humilites

Question 6.
This trolley was commandeered by an intrepid crew of two.
(a) timid
(b) bold
(c) daring
(d) adventurous
Answer:
(a) timid

Question 7.
They did not have sophisticated heart surgery.
(a) advanced
(b) well-developed
(c) backward
(d) cultured
Answer:
(c) backward

Question 8.
He was a walking horror.
(a) disgust
(b) delight
(c) shock
(d) fear
Answer:
(b) delight

Question 9.
They go through mutilating surgery.
(a) crippling
(b) paralysing
(c) maiming
(d) heating
Answer:
(d) heating

Question 10.
There was a grand finale.
(a) end
(b) climax
(c) exciting finish
(d) begining
Answer:
(d) begining

Question 11.
It was solace for me.
(a) anguish
(b) cheer
(c) consolation
(d) reassurance
Answer:
(a) anguish

Question 12.
The trolley was commandeered by the two boys.
(a) hijacked
(b) snatched
(c) usurped
(d) abandoned
Answer:
(d) abandoned

Question 13.
The wound healed around his neck.
(a) cured
(b) worsened
(c) got healthy again
(d) returned to normalcy
Answer:
(b) worsened

Question 14.
He had full confidence.
(a) trust
(b) belief
(c) disabilities
(d) distrust
Answer:
(c) disabilities

Question 15.
Two children had given me profound lesson.
(a) deep
(b) great
(c) intense
(d) superficial/hollow
Answer:
(d) superficial/hollow

Question 16.
The business of living is the celebration of being alive.
(a) commemoration
(b) praise
(c) honour
(d) criricism
Answer:
(d) criricism

Question 17.
Business of living is not just for joy.
(a) bliss
(b) sorrow
(c) indulgence
(d) elation
Answer:
(b) sorrow

Question 18.
We can’t appreciate light if we haven’t known darkness.
(a) criticise
(b) acknowledge
(c) welcome
(d) be obliged
Answer:
(a) criticise

Question 19.
Living is not for just recreation.
(a) dalliance
(b) amusement
(c) drudgery
(d) pastime
Answer:
(c) drudgery

Question 20.
He was laughing.
(a) crying
(b) chuckling
(c) whooping
(d) simpering
Answer:
(a) crying

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Prose

• Two Gentlemen of Verona Book Back Answers
• A Nice Cup of Tea Book Back Answers
• In Celebration of Being Alive Book Back Answers
• The Summit Book Back Answers
• The Status of Tamil as a Classical Language Book Back Answers
• On the Rule of the Road Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Poem 2 Our Casuarina Tree Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 2nd Lesson Our Casuarina Tree Questions and Answers

Warm Up

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Questions Answers Question 1.
You visit your school after several years. As you cross the banyan tree at the entrance, cheerful memories fill your mind. Fill the bubbles with a your memories.

Answer:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Our Casuarina Tree Textual Questions

1. Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.

[python, statue, nature, casement, nostalgic, lamenting, impressive, forgotten, giant, consecrates, springing, sanctified]

The casuarina tree is tall and strong, with a creeper winding around it like a (1) _____ The tree stands like a (2) _____ with a colourful scarf of flowers. Birds surround the garden and the sweet song of the birds is heard. The poet is delighted to see the casuarina tree through her (3) _____ She sees a grey monkey sitting like a (4) _____ on top of the tree, the cows grazing and the water lilies (5) _____ in the pond. The poet feels that the tree is dear to her not for its (6) _____ appearance but for the (7) _____ memories of her happy childhood that it brings to her. She strongly believes that (8) _____ communicates with human beings. The poet could communicate with the tree even when she was in a far-off land as she could hear the tree (9) _____ her absence. The poet (10) _____ the tree’s memory to her loved ones, who are not alive. She immortalizes the tree through her poem like the poet Wordsworth who (11) _____ the yew tree of Borrowdale in verse. She expresses her wish that the tree should be remembered out of love and not just because it cannot be (12) _____
Answer:

1. python
2. giant
3. casement
4. statue
5. springing
6. impressive
7. nostalgic
8. nature
9. lamenting
10. consecrates
11. sanctified
12. forgotten

2. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Questions Answers Question (a)
What is the creeper compared to?
Answer:
The creeper is compared to a lady love.

12th English Our Casuarina Tree Question (b)
How does the creeper appear on the tree?
Answer:
The creeper appears like a huge python.

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Book Back Answers Question (c)
Describe the garden during the night.
Answer:
At night, the garden overflows with endless melodious song sung by the dark king from the Casuarina Tree when the men are sleeping.

12th English Our Casuarina Tree Question (d)
How does the poet spend her winter?
Answer:
In winter the poet observes a gray baboon that sits in the crust of Casuarina Tree. It looks like a statue sitting and watching the sunrise. At the same time, her young ones leap about and play in the lower branches of the tree.

The Casuarina Tree Poem Questions And Answers Question (e)
Name the bird that sings in the poet’s garden.
Answer:
Nightingale sings in the poet’s garden.

Our Casuarina Tree Question And Answer Question (f)
Why is the casuarina tree dear to poet’s heart?
Answer:
Casuarina tree is dear to the poets’ heart because she and her childhood friends played under that tree.

12th English Unit 2 Poem Question (g)
Does nature communicate with human beings?
Answer:
Yes, nature communicates with human beings. William Wordsworth is a strong advocate of this communication.

Our Casuarina Tree Questions Answers Question (h)
What has Wordsworth sanctified in his poem?
Answer:
Wordsworth has sanctified trees in Borrowdale in his poems.

Our Casuarina Tree Class 12 Question (i)
To whom does Toru Dutt want to consecrate the tree’s memory?
Answer:
Torn Dutt wants to consecrate the memories of the tree to her loved ones.

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Question (J)
The casuarina tree will be remembered for ever. Why?
Answer:
The casuarina tree will be remembered forever because it is immortalized in Toru Dutt’s poem.

Appreciate The Poem

3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live.’’

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Question (i)
Which tree is referred to in the above lines?
Answer:
Casuarina tree is referred to in the above line.

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Pdf Download Question (ii)
How does the tree survive the tight hold of the creeper?
Answer:
The tree takes the tight hold of the creeper like the embraces of a lady love. So, it doesn’t hurt the tree. It grows stronger bearing the bite marks of love.

Our Casuarina Tree Question (iii)
Why does Toru Dutt use the expression ‘a creeper climbs’?
Answer:
A creeper cannot grow without the support of another tree or a pole. While climbing, it tries to sap the energy from the living tree. If the creeper doesn’t climb, it would die without sunlight. So, the poet says the creeper climbs. It twines its body around the tree and keeps climbing.

Our Casuarina Tree (b) “The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung
In crimson clusters all the bough among!”

Our Casuarina Tree (i) Who is the giant here?
Answer:
Casuarina tree is the giant here.

Our Casuarina Tree (ii) Why is the scarf colourful?
Answer:
The scarf is colourful because the tight embrace of the creeper has caused the crimson colour on its outer skin. The poem has a reference to the three young Dutt’s who were affected by tuberculosis and eventually died. The creeper could also refer to TB which sapped the tree’s life.

(c) “Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton,
And Time the shadow”, and though weak the verse That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse,
May Love defend tree from oblivion’s curse.”

Question (i)
What does the poet mean by the expression ‘May love defend thee from oblivion’s curse?’
Answer:
Any living thing will have to meet death. But the poet deeply believes that her love for the tree would ensure its immortality. She will live for ever in her verses.

Question (ii)
What does the expression ‘fain’ convey?
Answer:
Fain means eagerly.

Question (iii)
What does the poet convey through the expression ‘Fear, trembling hope’?
Fear and trembling hope mean the fear of lurking death and trembling hope is that death may not attack in the near future.

Additional Questions

Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “And oft at nights the garden overflows
With one sweet song that seems to have no close,
Sung darkling from our tree, while men repose ”

Question (i)
What overflows the garden at night?
Answer:
One sweet song overflows in the garden at night.

Question (ii)
What is called the ‘darkling’?
Answer:
Nightingale is called the darkling.

Question (iii)
When does the bird sing her sweet song?
Answer:
The bird sings her sweet song when people sleep at night.

Question (b)
“A gray baboon sits statue-like alone
Watching the sunrise; while on lower boughs
His puny offspring leap about and play; ”

Question (i)
What is called a baboon?
Answer:
Baboon is a type of large monkey.

Question (ii)
What is curious about the baboon?
Answer:
The baboon sits like a statue and watches sunrise from the crest of the Casuarina tree.

Question (iii)
What do the puny offsprings of the monkey do?
Answer:
The puny offsprings of the monkey were leaping and playing at the lower branches of the tree.

(c) “But not because of its magnificence Dear is the Casuarina to my soul:
Beneath it we have played; though years may roll,”

Question (i)
What is not the cause for Toru Dutt’s love for the Casuarina tree?
Answer:
The magnificance or the impressive appearance of the tree is not the cause for Toru Dutt’s love for the Casuarina tree.

Question (ii)
What makes the tree dear to the poet?
Answer:
As children, the poet and her friends had played under the tree. This experience has made the tree dear to the poet.

Question (iii)
What is the poet unable to forget despite the passage of years?
Answer:
The poet is unable to forget the wonderful time she had under the tree with her friends.

(d) “For your sakes, shall the tree be ever dear.
Blent with your images, it shall arise
In memory, till the hot tears blind mine eyes!”

Question (i)
For whose sake the trees will be dear to the poet?
Answer:
For the sake of three younger Dutts who died of Tuberculosis, the tree will be dear to Toru ‘ Dutt.

Question (ii)
Whose images bring out hot tears?
Answer:
The images of siblings who died due to TB bring out hot tears.

Question (iii)
What blinds the poets’ eyes?
Answer:
Tears fill and blind her eyes.

Question (e)
“ What is that dirge-like murmur that I hear Like the sea breaking on a shingle-beach?
Answer:
It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech, ”

Question (i)
What do you mean by dirge?
Answer:
‘Dirge’ means a lament for the dead.

Question (ii)
Why does the tree lament?
Answer:
The tree laments the absence of the poet.

Question (iii)
What appears to be an “eerie speech”?
The dirge like murmer appears to be an “eerie speech”.
OR
What do you mean by “eerie speech?”
Eerie speech means unearthly or ghostly speech.

(f) “Mine inner vision rose a form sublime,
Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime
I saw tbiee, in my own loved native clime.”

Question (i)
What rose in the mind of the poet?
Answer:
A glorious inner vision rose in the mind of the poet.

Question (ii)
What was found in the sublime inner vision?
Answer:
The tree’s youthful and handsome figure was found in the inner vision of the poet.

(iii) What do you mean by native clime?
Answer:
It means natural climate in the home background.

(g) “Therefore I fain rould consecrate a lay
Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those
Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,”

Question (i)
What does the poet want to do?
Answer:
The poet wants to consecrate the tree.

Question (ii)
In whose honour does she want to consecrate the tree?
Answer:
She wants to consecrate the tree to the memory of her beloved siblings.

Question (iii)
What does ‘blessed sleep’ mean?
Answer:
‘Blessed sleep’ means death.

Question (h)
“Maysi thou be numbered when my days are done
With deathless trees – like those in Borrowdale,
Under whose awful branches lingered pale’”

Question (i)
What does the poet predict in the words “when my days are done”?
Answer:
The poet predicts her own death in the words “when my days are done”.

Question (iii)
What were the condition of the trees in Borrowdale?
Answer:
The tree was ageing fast. It looked sickly as if it was waiting for the sickle of death.

Question (iii)
Who made the tree deathless? How?
Answer:
William Wordsworth sang about the trees in Borrowdale and thus the trees became deathless.

4. Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

Question (a)
“Dear is the Casuarina to my soul;”
Answer:
Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Torn Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while highlighting the importance of Casuarina tree in her life. The poet explains that she, her friends and siblings have spent long hours playing and enjoying themselves under the tree’s shade. So, it is dear to her soul.

Question (b)
“It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech,…”
Answer:
Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Torn Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while explaining the grief experienced by the Casuarina tree in the long spells of her absence. Even when she was as far as in the coasts of Italy and France she could hear the murmer of grief or lament from her tree. It appeared an eerie speech.

Question (c)
“Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those
Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,”
Answer:
Reference; These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Torn Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while consecrating the memories of the tree to the dear departed. The poet remembers with pain three younger Dutts who succumbed to tuberculosis.

Our Casuarina Tree Additional Questions

Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

Question (a)
“A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound No other tree could live”
Answer:
Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Torn Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while appreciating the strength of her Casuarina tree. The creeper saps the tree for its survival and growth. But the tree treats the creeper’s tight hold as a lover’s embrace. It ignores bite marks oflove.lt allows the creeper to lean on its trunk and live. The tree also grows stout and strong.

Question (b)
“The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung”
Answer:
Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the might of the Casuarina tree. The climber has climbed around the tree like a python trying to sap its life out. But the gallant tree wears the creeper like a scarf around its neck. The poet calls the tree a ‘giant’ unmindful of the attempt of the creeper to strangle it.

Question (c)
“Sung darkling from our tree, while men repose”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while describing Casuarina and its inhabitants at night. When men are sleeping, Darkling (i.e.) Nightingale sings sweetly from the Casuarina tree. It is a kind of a lullaby to sleeping humans.

Question (d)
“When first my casement is wide open thrown
At dawn, my eyes delighted on it rest;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while talking about the early influences of the Casuarina tree in her life. Her day started with seeing the tree with delight. The very first thing she used to see was the Casuarina tree through her casement (i.e.) door like window.

Question (e)
“Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith! Ah,
I have heard that wail far, far away”
Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while talking about the faith-fuelled communication between herself and the Casuarina though divided by thousands of kilometers of distance. William Wordsworth also could sense communication of nature similar to Toru Dutt. The tree and the poet shared an emotional bond. Even when she was far away she could hear the ‘wail’ or lament of the tree expressing the grief of missing her presence.

Question (f)
“Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime
I saw thee, in my own loved native clime.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words recalling the appearance of the lush green giant Casuarina tree when she was a little girl. The image of the giant Casuarina tree is etched in the memory of the poet.

(g) “Dearer than life to me, alas, were they!”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Toru Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while recalling younger Dutts who had succumbed to Tuberculosis. She remembers with poignance the numerous days they had spent under the Casuarina tree.

Question (h)
“May Love defend thee from oblivion’s curse. ”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Tom Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while expressing her wish to ensure the immortality of the tree. Her love for the Casuarina tree frozen in her poem will invariably help the tree to escape the curse of death and death-caused oblivion or forgetfulness.

Question (i)
“Mays/ thou be numbered when my days are done With deathless trees – like those in Borrowdale,”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Our Casuarina Tree” written by Tom Dutt.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while sharing her obvious concern for the ageing Casuarina tree. She is sure that the tree may meet the fate of humans and all other trees. But her unfathomable love for the tree influences her to make it as immortal as the yew tree in Borrowdale which was immortalized by William Wordsworth.

5. Identify the figure of speech used in each of the extracts given below and write down the answer in the space given below. The first one is done for yon.

Question (а)
“LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round
The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars”,
Answer:
Zoomorphism / Simile

Question (b)
“A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound
No other tree could live. But gallantly
The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung. ”
Answer:
Personification (As the creeper is said to embrace the tree, the tree also gallantly, like a bold lover, accepts the embrace)

Question (c)
“A gray baboon sits statue-like aloner”
Answer:
Simile

Question (d)
“The water-lilies spring, like snow enmassed.”
Answer:
Simile

Question (e)
“ What is that dirge – like murmur that I hear Like the sea breaking on a shingle – beach?”
Answer:
Simile

Additional Questions

Identify the figure of speech used in each of the extracts given below and write down the answer in the space given below. The first one is done for you.

Question (a)
“It is the tree’s lament, ”
Answer:
Personification

Question (b)
“Fear trembling hope. ”
Answer:
Personification

Question (e)
“Time the shadow”
Answer:
Metaphor

Question (d)
“The giant wears the scarf”
Answer:
Personification

Question (e)
“Like snow enmassed”
Answer:
Simile

Question (f)
“The waves gently kissed”
Answer:
Personification

Question (g)
“The earth lay tranced in dreamless…”
Answer:
Personification

Question (h)
“Ah, I have heard that wail far awayn
Answer:
Personification

6. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph of 100 -150 words.

Question (a)
Describe the reminiscences of the poet, when she sees the casuarina tree.
Answer:
The poet remembers how her days started with the sight of the Casuarina tree from her casement. She remembers how her loving companions played under the giant Casuarina tree. The memory of her beloved companions bring hot tears because they had succumbed to cruel tuberculosis. She remembers how well the tree accomodated birds to sing songs duimg days and nights. The tree had allowed the creeper to embrace it like a lady love. Though it sapped its vitality, like a gallant lover, allowed the creeper to stay around its neck like a scarf. She remembers how a baboon seated at the crest of the tree had watched beautiful sunrise while her young ones were leaping and playing in the lower branches of the giant tree.

Question (b)
How does nature communicate with the poet?
Answer:
Like Wordsworth, Toru Dutt is also a great lover of nature. She has also had mystical experiences in communion with nature. The emotional bonding between herself and the giant Casuarina tree is beyond reason. When she is away on the shores of Italy and France, she could distinctly hear the dirge-like murmer of her beloved tree who obviously missed her. She could perceive it as the tree’s lament and eerie speech expressing its anguish over the long spells of her absence. Ordinary human eyes will fail to perceive the distinct communication of the Casuarina tree. But through the eyes of faith, similar to William Wordsworth’s inward eye in the poem ‘Daffodils’ it is possible. She was able to vividly see in her inner vision the sublime form of the Casuarina tree. The surprising thing is that she was able to see the tree in its prime in her own “loved native clime.”

Question (c)
The poet immortalizes the tree. Elucidate.
Answer:
The poet, Toru Dutt was conscious of the fact that her most endeared Casuarina tree was growing old. The fate that befalls aged humans and trees would ultimately grab the Casuarina tree too. Time, though slow, is ready with its sickle to harvest the lives of all living things. Being a well-read poet, she recalls how William Wordsworth had immortalised his favourite lonely tall yew tree in his poem, “Yew-trees”. Taking inspiration from him, she decides to prevent her favourite tree from dying and passing into the irreversible world of oblivion by writing a poem about the tree. True to her faith the tree lives on in our memories. As long as tongues can speak and eyes can see, the Casuarina tree will live in the hearts of millions of people till the end of the world.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
Give a summary of the poem
“Our casuatina tree”
Answer:
The poet Toru Dutt describes the perpetually young Casuarina tree in this poem. The tree is tall and mighty. A creeper winds around its huge and wide trunk like a python. Birds chirp happily. The poet is ecstatic seeing the tree from her casement / window. In fact, she greets the tree everyday soon after getting up from bed. She finds a baboon sitting like a statue on top of the tree. The cows are grazing in the lush green meadows around the tree. Water lilies add to the charm of the pond. She recalls that the tree is dear not because of its majestic looks but because of the nostalgic memories attached to it.

She remembers the happy times she had spent with her siblings, who are now no more, under the tree. They died of consumption. Their absence makes the tree much more endearing to the poet. Mysteriously she hears the grief-filled lament of the tree when she is on the shores of France and Italy. She consecrates the tree’s memory to her dear departed siblings. Taking inspiration from William Wordsworth’s poem ‘Yew-trees’, she also wishes to immortalize the Cauarina tree. So she sings about it in her poem.

Listening Activity

First read the questions given below, then listen to the poem, read aloud by the teacher or played on an audio player. Then answer the questions based on your listening of the poem.

Midnight Wonders
I was tossing in my bedin the midnight hour, struggling to get a wink of sleep, but my eyes lay on the clock tower.

I looked upon the dark sky; it was adorned with sparkling pearls, which giggled at meand put a shine to my curls.

I gazed at the chubby moon, who was white and glistening like milk. Gave me a lovely, motherly smile through her lips as rosy pink.

All these magnificent objects made my mind calm. My eyelids started drooping. I was grateful for their wonderful charm.

Nature had arrived to aid me when I was trying to catch sleep. She, with her caring palms, lulled me to a slumber, so deep.

Our Casuarina Tree Objective Questions Answers

Question 1.
The poet was tossing in the bed awake because ________
(a) he was worried
(b) he was struggling to sleep
(c) it was day time
(d) he was tired
Answer:
(b) he was struggling to sleep

Question 2.
The ________ were ‘sparkling as pearls’.
(a) moon
(b) sun
(c) stars
(d) meteoroids
Answer:
(c) stars

Question 3.
The ________ gave the poet a motherly smile.
(a) sun
(b) stars
(c) moon
(d) sky
Answer:
(c) moon

Question 4.
________ made the poet’s eyelids droop.
(a) Nature
(b) Rosy lips
(c) Songs
(d) Tiredness
Answer:
(a) Nature

Question 5.
________ is the title of the poem.
(a) Wonders
(b) Midnight Wonders
(c) Nature
(d) Midnight dreams
Answer:
(b) Midnight Wonders

Our Casuarina Tree About The Poet

Our Casuarina Tree Poem Questions Answers

Torn Dutt (1856 – 1877) was a Bengali poet from the Indian subcontinent, who wrote in English and French. She was the third daughter of the family. The Dutt family was a family of distinguished intellectuals and poets. Despite being taught by British tutors, she retained her fondness for Indian culture and sensibilities. ‘Ancient Ballads’ and ‘Legends of Hindustan’ (1882) are her well-known collections of poems in English. She has to her credit a volume of poems in French titled ‘Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields’ (1875). ‘Our Casuarina Tree’, the most well-known of Toru’s poems, was included in her ‘Miscellaneous Poems’.

Our Casuarina Tree Summary in English

Introduction

‘Our Casuarina Tree’ is a most celebrated poem of Torn Dutt. The theme of the poem is about last friendships and lost childhood. The Casuarina Tree is the living symbol of their childhood friendship. So, she writes an ode to it.

Description of the tree
The poet recalls that the Casuarina Tree was almost tall enough to touch the stars. It was strong with scars on its trunk. Though the creeper had cut into its trunk, it had given its support like a gentleman, for the creeper to lean and grow.She remembers that the tree was always in full bloom giving room to bees and birds. Throughout her childhood, the tree was seen not only as a paragon of strength but also as gentle and peaceful asylum loved by birds and bees.

Mornings in the company of the Casuarina Tree
She always used to wake up to the sight of the tree. Whatever be the season (i.e.) winter or summer, her mornings would never be complete without seeing the the Casuarina Tree. She had often seen a baboon sitting at its crest. The poet paints a serene picture of the morning. Kokilas sing, cows graze in the pasture and water lillies smile in the spring. But the tree plays the central role in the mornings and in the life of the poet.

Reasons for the bonding between the tree and the poet

The poet does not hold the tree dear just because of its gigantic structure. There was an emotional bond between her and the tree. She and her friends played under the tree during their childhood days. As she held her childhood friends dear she couldn’t think the tree apart because it had become a living reminder of her precious friends.

Lament of the friendly tree
Whenever the poet was away far in the coasts of Italy or France, she could hear the lament of the tree conveying its grief of feeling her absence. Strolling under moonlight on the sea coasts she could hear the sad song of the tree.It reminded her of the the Casuarina Tree. In moments of tranquil solitude. She travels down the memory lane to the childhood days which are interlinked with the Casuarina Tree. The tree has become an integral part of her life. She moved on. Her friends also did. But the tree is rooted to the same spot as a monument of her pure childhood friendship with her friends

Immortality conferred
Similar to Shakespeare, the poet believes in the ability of her poem to immortalize the Casuarina Tree. She wishes to add it to the list of deathless trees of Borrowdale. She expresses her wish that her love expressed in her poems would confer immortality on the tree. The tree would live forever.

Conclusion
The Casuarina Tree holds a special place in the heart of Torn Dutt because it was under the same tree she and her friends played. Her own younger siblings also had spent a lot of time under the tree. They had died. The tree had become a symbol of their everlasting friendship. So, the tree is endearing to the poet.

Our Casuarina Tree Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை:

டோரு தத் அவர்களின் மிகவும் (புகழ் பெற்ற) கவிதை ‘Our Casuarina Tree’ “எங்கள் சவுக்கு மரம்” ஆகும். தொலைந்த நண்பர்கள் மற்றும் தொலைந்த குழந்தை பருவம் என்ற கருவை மையமாகக் கொண்ட கவிதை. சவுக்கு மரம் குழந்தை பருவ நட்பின் நினைவுச் சின்னமாகும். இந்தக் கவிதை அந்த மரத்திற்கு சமர்ப்ப ணம்.

மரத்தின் விளக்கம்:
வானத்து நட்சத்திரத்தைத் தொடும் அளவுக்கு சவுக்கு மரம் உயர்ந்து வளர்ந்திருந்தது எனக் கதையாசிரியர் நினைவு கூர்கிறார். அடிமரத்தில் ஆழமான தழும்புகள் காணப்படும் அளவுக்கு முரடான மரம் அது.
| தன்னைச் சுற்றியக் கொடிகளை பெருந்தன்மையுடன் படரவிட்டு கம்பீரமாக பூக்கள் பூக்க, கொத்தாக குலுங்க பறவைகளுக்கும், தேனீக்களுக்கும் இருப்பிடமாக நின்றது அம்மரம் என நினைவு கூர்கிறார்.

சவுக்கு மரத்தடியில் கழிந்த காலை காலைப் பொழுதுகள்:
அதிகாலை கண்விழித்துப் பார்க்கும் போது முதலில் தெரிவது சவுக்கு மரம்தான். எக்காலமாக இருப்பினும், மழைக் காலமோ அல்லது வெயில் காலமோ சவுக்கு மரத்தைக் காணாமல் தன் பொழுது நிறைவடைவதில்லை என்கிறார். உச்சியில் ஒரு வாலில்லாக் குரங்கு மரத்தில் உட்கார்ந்து இருப்பது அவர் அடிக்கடி காணும் காட்சியாக இருந்தது. கவிஞர் அதிகாலை வேலையின் அமைதியை வர்ணிக்கிறார். குயில்கள் கூவுவதும், மாடுகள் புல்வெளியில் மேய்ந்துக் கொண்டிருப்பதும், இளவேனிற் காலத்தில் அல்லிப் பூக்கள் பூத்துக் குலுங்குவதுமே அந்தக் காட்சி. அந்த மரம் கருத்தில் நின்றது அதிகாலை வேலையிலும் மற்றும் கவிஞரின் வாழ்க்கையிலும் எனலாம்.

மரத்திற்கும், கவிஞருக்கும் ஏற்பட்ட உறவின் காரணம்:

மரத்தின் பிரம்மாண்டத்திற்காக மட்டும் அவர் அதன்பால், ஈர்க்கப்படவில்லை . இருவருக்கும் | இடையே உணர்ச்சி பூர்வமான நெருக்கம் இருந்தது. | கவிஞரும் அவர் தோழிகளும் அம்மரத்தடியில் குழந்தைப் பருவத்தில் விளையாடி உள்ளனர். தன் சிறு வயது தோழிகள் போலவே அவர் அந்த மரத்திற்கும் தன் இதயத்தில் இடமளித்திருந்தார். அவர் அந்த மரத்தைப் பிரித்து பார்த்ததே இல்லை. ஏனெனில், அது தன் தோழிகளை நினைவூட்டும் அது சின்னமாக அமைந்துவிட்டது.

அன்பார்ந்த மரத்தின் புலம்பல்:
அம்மரத்திடம் இருந்து தூரமாக இத்தாலியிலோ, | பிரான்ஸ் நாட்டிலோ இருந்தால் அந்த மரம் கவிஞரை காணாமல் அழுது புலம்புவது கேட்பதாக கூறுகிறார். நிலவொளியில் கடலோரம் நடக்கும் போது அம்மரம் வேதனையோடு பாடும் பாட்டு சத்தம் கேட்பதாகக் கூறுகிறார். அந்தத் தருணங்கள் சவுக்கு மரத்தை நினைவு கூர்ந்தன. தனிமையில் அங்ஙனம் தோன்றுகிறது என்கிறார். தன் | நினைவுப் பாதையில் கீழிறங்கிச் செல்கையில் சிறு | பருவத்தில் சவுக்கு மரத்துடன் உண்டான நெருக்கத்தை நினைவு கூர்கிறார். இளம் பருவத்தில் காச நோயால் மரணம் அடைந்த தனது

சாகாவரம் பெற்றது:
சேக்ஸ்பியர் போல் தன் கவிதை வாயிலாக சவுக்கு மரம் சாகாவரம் பெறக் கூடும் என நம்புகிறார். வேர்ட்ஸ்வெர்த்தின் பொர்ரோடேலின் (Borrowdale) சாகாவரம் பெற்ற மரங்களின் வரிசையில் இதையும் சேர்க்க விரும்புகிறார். இந்த மரம் சாகாவரம் பெற்று வாழும்.

முடிவுரை:
சவுக்கு மரம் டொரு டத்தின் மனதில் ஓர் அரிய இடத்தைப் பிடிக்கக் காரணம் அவரும் அவர் தம் தோழிகளும் அதன் அடியில் விளையாடியதே எனலாம். அந்த மரம் அவர்களின் நிரந்தரமான தோழமையின் அடையாளமாகத் திகழ்ந்தது. அதனால் தான் அம்மரம் கவிஞரின் அன்புக்குரியதாய்த் திகழ்ந்தது.

Our Casuarina Tree Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Poem

• The Castle Book Back Answers
• Our Casuarina Tree Book Back Answers
• All the World’s a Stage Book Back Answers
• Ulysses Book Back Answers
• A Father to his Son Book Back Answers
• Incident of the French Camp Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Poem 5 Father to his Son Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 5th Lesson A Father To His Son Questions and Answers

Warm up

Every parent is anxious about the welfare of his / her children. Parents express their anxiety by advising them almost all the time. What kind of advice do you frequently receive from your parents? Fill in the bubbles. Tick the ones you like to follow implicitly and reasons for the ones you don’t like to follow.

Answer:

• Wash your fingers before eating.
• Don’t stay awake till late night.
• Who are you talking to over the phone for a long time?

1. I don’t like to tell my parents what I do with the phone. Why should they interfere with my privacy?
2. I don’t gossip; I just share what I enjoyed. My friends tell me what they like. How can my parents call it ‘gossip’?
Time spent in sharing our dreams is not wasted but invested. The other three agree.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Father to his Son Textual Questions

1. Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.

A father sees his son nearing manhood.
What shall he tell that son?
“Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”
And this might stand him for the storms
and serve him for humdrum monotony

and guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.
“Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.”
And this too might serve him.
Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.

The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split a rock.
A tough will counts. So does desire.
So does a rich soft wanting.
Without rich wanting nothing arrives.

Tell him too much money has killed men
and left them dead years before burial:
the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs
has twisted good enough men
sometimes into dry thwarted worms

Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool ever so often
and to have no shame over having been a fool
yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies

thus arriving at intimate understanding
of a world numbering many fools.
Tell him to be alone often and get at himself
and above all tell himself no lies about himself
whatever the white lies and protective fronts

he may use against other people.
Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.
Tell him to be different from other people
if it comes natural and easy being different.

Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives.
Let him seek deep for where he is born natural.
Then he may understand Shakespeare
and the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov,
Michael Faraday and free imaginations

Bringing changes into a world resenting change.
He will be lonely enough
to have time for the work
he knows as his own.

Lines 1-25

The poet Carl Sandburg gives a vivid description of a father’s worldly (1) _______ in directing a son who is at the threshold of his (2) _______ Here the father motivates his son to be like a hard (3) _______ and withstand life’s (4) _______ and sudden betrayals. (5) _______ is like a fertile soil. We can make our life fruitful if we are gentle, and take life as it comes. At times (6) _______ overtakes harshness. The growth of a (7) _______ can split a rock. One should have a (8) _______ and strong will to achieve. Greed for(9) _______ has left men dead before they really die. Good men also have fallen prey in quest for (10) _______ money. Time for (11) _______ is not a waste. When you seek knowledge never feel ashamed to be called a (12) _______ for not knowing, at the same time learn from your (13) _______ and never (14) _______ it.
Answers:

1. wisdom
2. manhood
3. rock
4. challenges
5. life
6. gentleness
7. tender-flower
8. deep desire
9.money
10. easy
11. leisure
12. fool
13.mistakes
14. repeat

Lines 26-44

Do (15) ______ often, and do not hesitate to accept your shortcomings, avoid (16) to protect self against other people. Solitude helps to be (17) and (18) are taken in silent rooms. Instead of being one among many, be (19) , if that is your nature. The son may need lazy days to find his (20) abilities, to seek what he is bom for. He will then know how free imaginations bring (21) to the world, which (22) change.
During such resentment, let him know that it is time for him to be on his own, and (23) to achieve like Shakespeare, the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov and Michael Faraday.
Answer:

15. introspect
16. white lies
17. creative
18. final decisions
19. different
20. inherent
21. changes
22. resents
23. work

2. Based on your understanding of the poem answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

A Father To His Son Poem Summary Question (a)
How would the poet’s advice help his son who is at the threshold of the manhood?
Answer:
The poet’s advice would help the son at the threshold of manhood, to grow as a positive individual and succeed in life like great scientists and dramatists.

12th English Poem A Father To His Son Question (b)
A tough will counts.’ Explain.
Answer:
One’s physical strength doesn’t matter. Any person with a strong will can achieve great feats. A frail flowering plant succeeds in splitting a rock due to its hard will. Thus a tough will (i.e.) “rich soft wanting” determines one’s success.

A Father To His Son Summary Question (c)
What happened to the people who wanted too much money?
Answer:
People who wanted too much money fell a prey to greed. They lost their reputation also.

A Father To His Son Poem Paragraph Question (d)
What has twisted good men into thwarted worms?
Answer:
One’s desire or love for money should be limited to meeting one’s basic needs like food, clothing and shelter. Beyond that, in ordinate desire to possess a lot of money in a dishonourable way reduces even good men to “thwarted worms”.

Father To His Son Poem Summary Question (e)
How would his being alone help the boy?
Solitude would help the boy to be creative.

A Father To His Son By Carl Sandburg Summary Question (f)
Where are the final decisions taken?
Answer:
In silent rooms, final decisions are taken.

A Father To His Son Question (g)
What are the poet’s thoughts on ‘being different’?
Answer:
Instead of being one among many, one can be different if it is one’s nature to be so. One need not take conscious efforts to be different.

A Father To His Son Poem Explanation Question (h)
Why does the poet advise his son to have lazy days?
Answer:
Lazy days would help the boy to find his inherent abilities and goad him to discover the purpose for which he was bom.

A Father To His Son Poem Summary In Tamil Question (i)
The poet says
‘Without rich wanting nothing arrives’
but he condemns ‘the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs.’Analyse the difference and write.
Answer:
Appreciating rich wanting and condemning ‘the quest for lucre beyond a few easy’ needs seems like a conundmm. One needs to take both the statements with a pinch of salt. One needs a strong will power to succeed. One can earn a lot too. Jack Ma has had strong will and earned beyond lucre but invested major part in community development and charitable works retaining some for his basic needs. Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Ratan Tata are other such examples. The wealth earned should benefit a large number of people and not the individual who initiated the wealth.

3. Here are a few poetic devices used in the poem.

A Father To His Son Poem Carl Sandburg Summary Question (a)
Antithesis – It is a literary device that em phasises the idea of contrast,
eg. The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split
a rock. Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.

A Father To His Son Poem Question (b)
Transferred Epithet – It is a figure of speech in which an epithet grammatically qualifies a noun other than the person or a thing, it is actually meant to describe.
eg. and left them dead years before burial:
Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives.
Bringing changes into a world resenting change.

A Father To His Son Figure Of Speech Question (c)
Repetition – It is a figure of speech.
eg. Tell him to be alone often and get at himself and above all tell himself no lies about himself

Appreciate The Poem

4. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.’’

A Father To His Son Poem Analysis Question (i)
How should one face life?
Answer:
One should face life like a steel.

Question (ii)
Identify the figure of speech in the above line.
Answer:
Metaphor

(b) “Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy. ”
And this too might serve him.

Question (i)
Why does the poet suggest to take life easy?
Answer:
There are certain occasions one needs to treat life like wet clay very gently. Take life as it comes without hard resistance. The poet says, “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”

Question (ii)
Identify the figure of speech in the above line.
Answer:
Metaphor

(c) “ Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms.”

Question (i)
Can being in solitude help a strong human being? How?
Answer:
Yes, solitude helps the strong person to be creative. Solitude helps even a strong human being to introspect and analyse his own mistakes.

Question (ii)
Identify the figure of speech in the above line.
Answer:
Personification

(d) “Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
Tell him to be a fool every so often”

Question (i)
Why does the poet suggest that time can be wasted?
Answer:
Unless one wastes one’s time, one may not commit mistakes and learn from them. Besides learning not to repeat those mistakes would naturally make him wiser.

Question (ii)
Identify the figure of speech in the above line.
Answer:
Simile

Question (e)
“Tell him to be a fool ever so often
and to have no shame over having been a fool
yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies”

Question (i)
Is it a shame to be a fool at times?
Answer:
No, everyone does commit funny mistakes in life. One might just laugh at them.

Question (ii)
What does one learn from every folly?
Answer:
Every folly teaches a person his limitations and vulnerabilities. By making conscious efforts to avoid them in future, one will become stronger and wiser.

(f)“______ Free imaginations
Bringing changes into a world resenting change ”

Question (i)
How does free imagination help the world?
Answer:
Free imagination brings changes in the world.

Question (ii)
Identify the figure of speech.
Answer:
Personification

Question (e)
Pick out the alliterated words from the poem and write.
“And this might stand him for the storms”
Answer:
The words stand and storms alliterate.

Additional Questions

(a) “And this might stand him for the storms
and serve him for humdrum monotony”

Question (i)
What does the poet mean by storms?
Answer:
The poet means life’s challenges by ‘storms’.

Question (ii)
What can help the son overcome “the boring routine” in life?
Answer:
One can overcome ‘the boring routine’ by keeping a strong steel/rock-like will power and face life boldly.

(b) “and guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.”

Question (i)
What could guide the son among unexpected betrayals?
Answer:
Rock/steel-like would guide the son among betrayals.

Question (ii)
What could happen to the boy during slack moments?
Answer:
During slack moments, the boy may be betrayed by his trusted friends.

(c) “Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.’”

Question (i)
When does the Government or law use lashes?
Answer:
When a brute has committed a crime, the law uses lashes to punish him.

Question (ii)
What can transform brutes?
Answer:
Gentleness can transform brutes.

(d) “The growth of a frail flower in a path up has sometimes shattered and split a rock.”

Question (i)
What do you mean by ‘frail’?
Answer:
Frail means weak and delicate.

Question (ii)
How does a frail flower plant split a rock?
Answer:
The plant’s tough will to survive and grow forces the rock to split.

Question (e)
“the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs
has twisted good enough men
sometimes into dry thwarted worms. ”

Question (i)
What do you mean by ‘quest for lucre ?
Answer:
‘Quest for lucre’ means seeking money in a dishonourable way.

Question (ii)
What is the result of such a quest?
Answer:
It results in frustrating and ruining good men.

5. Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

Question (а)
“and guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem “A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while explaining the need to stay strong like a rock or a steel. The steel will guide him when confronted with unexpected betrayals from trusted friends. It will also help him to be strong against future experimentations.

Question (b)
“Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem “A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet highlights the importance of soft but firm will to melt even hardened criminals. Love can transform even criminals. Harsh punishment may harden them but gentleness and love may bring about a change of heart.

Question (c)
“ Yet learning something out of every folly hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem “A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while hinting at the possibilities of failures in the pursuit of knowledge. People may mock at a beginner as a fool. He should not feel ashamed of being called a fool. He must continue the pursuit of knowledge doggedly to achieve success.

Question (d)
“He will be lonely enough
to have time for the work”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words to explain how creative thinkers and those who strive to bring about changes are left alone to fend for themselves. The poet says his son must take advantage of this loneliness to pursue his creative imagination and succeed like Shakespeare, Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov and Faraday.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
“and above all tell himself no lies about himself
whatever the white lies and protective fronts”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words to his son as to how to conduct himself after a folly is done. He wants him not to tell lies or defend himself or blame others for his predicament. He must learn from his follies and become wiser.

Question (b)
“Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives.
Let him seek deep for where he is born natural. ”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while highlighting the advantages of spending leisure hours in introspection. When a person looks within in solitude he will realise his inner strength, innate abilities and also realise the purpose for which he has been created.

Question (c)
“Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”
And this might stand him for the storms”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet emphasises the need to have rock or steel-like determination to confront the challenges in life. He believes that such a stance would help his son to overcome boredom of the routine in life.

Question (d)
“A tough will counts. So does desire.
So does a rich soft wanting
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while stressing the need to have tough will to create a path for success even on a rocky terrain. One needs to have deep passionate desire and strong will to succeed in life.

Question (e)
“the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs
has twisted good enough men’”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem “A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while explaining how ill-gotten wealth suffocates the good men. The money earned through dishonest means frustrates good men and even reduces to the level of worms.

Question (f)
“Tell him too much money has killed men
and left them dead years before burial:”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘A Father to his Son” written by Carl August Sandburg.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while dwelling on the evil effects of amassing wealth beyond basic needs of men. Oliver Goldsmith says, “Where wealth accumulates, man decays.” The poet says that a man who amasses wealth against ethical principles is spiritually dead.

6. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words each.

Question (a)
Explain how the poet guides his son who is at the threshold of manhood, to face the challenges of life.
Answer:
The poet shares his wisdom with his son who is at the threshold of manhood. He persuades his son to be hard like steel or rock to withstand challenges and unforeseen betrayals in life. A person with soft heart will crumble before a breach of trust. Similarly he wants his son to be discerning enough to be soft when needed to grow like a frail flower plant splitting a rock. Occasionally one has to go with the current because life is at times fertile with a lot of opportunities to grow even among the harshest circumstances. ‘Rich soft wanting’ can help a person to win against all odds. He reiterates this’idea by explaining how gentleness can reform a hardened criminal when lashes would, in contrast, harden them further.

Question (b)
How according to the poet is it possible for his son to bring changes into a world that resents change?
Answer:
The poet advises his son to introspect often and not feel ashamed of being called a fool especially when he pursues knowledge. He can examine himself and remove his follies. He must enjoy the advantages of solitude. Solitude would help him to be creative. He would invariably leam that final decisions are always taken in silent rooms. Being alone, he can identify his innate potential and talents. His free imagination will bring about changes even if the world resents them. The zest to bring about changes will elevate him to the level of Shakespeare, Pasteur, Wright Brothers, Pavlov and Michael Faraday. Thus he will be remembered as one of the great men who changed the world.

Listening Activity

Listen to the poem read by the teacher or to the recorded version and write a synopsis in about 100 words. The teacher can choose any three stanzas.

Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher:
He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.. .Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick… .Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.. .But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him it is far honourable to fail than to cheat…Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong .Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon…Teach him to listen to all men.. .but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him if you can, how to laugh when he is sad…Teach him there is no shame in tears, Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness…Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders but never to put a price-tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right. Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient.. .let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have sublime faith in mankind. This is a big order, but see what you can do.. .He is such a fine little fellow, my son!

Abraham Lincoln
Synopsis of the first three stanzas:
Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher is full of his optimism and ethical values he believed in. He asks the teacher to teach his son to have faith in humanity and teach him not to be discouraged by scoundrels, selfish politicians and enemies. For every selfish politician, there is a dedicated hero. He need not condemn all politicians as bad. There may be enemies but there is a friend for every enemy. Thus, the equations in life are wonderful. He must learn the dignity of labour and hard work. He should be taught the necessity of undergoing the pain of failure in order to appreciate success. He requests his son to stay away from envy and to enjoy quiet laughter. He wants him to teach his son that bullies accept defeat quickly. He also urges him to teach his son the wonders of reading books and deep quiet reflection on the beautiful mysteries of nature.

Given below is a well-known quotation.
“Cowards die many rimes before their death”.
Study the quotations and identify the adverse human qualities that are worse than ‘death’ and discuss the underlying message conveyed.
Greed and the craze to amass wealth through dishonourable methods is like dying years before one actually dies. Cowardliness is equally worse than death. Shakespeare has said, “the valiants die only once in their lifetime.”

Father to his Son About the Poet

“Poetry is the opening and closing of a door, leaving those who look through to guess about what was seen during a moment.” – Carl Sandburg

Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois, to parents of Swedish ancestiy. Carl August Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967) was an American poet, writer, and editor. He won three Pulitzer Prizes. During his lifetime, Sandburg was widely regarded as “a major

figure in contemporary literature”, especially for volumes of his collected verse, including Chicago Poems (1916), Comhuskers (1918), and Smoke and Steel (1920). He enjoyed ;unrivalled appeal as a poet in his day. At his death in 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson observed that “Carl Sandburg was more than the voice of America, more than the poet of its strength and genius. He was America.”

Father to his Son Summary in English

Inheritance of wisdom
Poet Carl Sandburg wants to leave his wisdom to his son who is at the threshold of his manhood. He wants his son to be like steel and rock to confront the harsh challenges and betrayals. But he should use his discernment go easy because life can be like soft clay too. He explains lucidly how a tender flowering plant with a ‘tough will’ can split a rock. He makes his son understand how gentleness has reformed criminals when lashes failed. One can’t achieve much without a deep desire to achieve success. He advises his son to be cautious with money for greed of easy money has heralded the downfall of good men. One can’t acquire wisdom or knowledge overnight. One may commit mistakes in life and be called a fool. But one can overcome frailties by consciously avoiding such mistakes.

Value of introspection
One has to look within and analyse one’s shortcomings. One must not be defensive but accept one’s own drawbacks. While contemplating in solitude, one gains flashes of insight into one’s own self and becomes creative. The best decisions in life are usually taken in silent rooms. If it is natural on one’s part to be different, ignoring criticisms one can dare to be different.

Changes wrought by free imagination
Great geniuses like Shakespeare, Pasteur, Pavlov, and Michael Faraday achieved grand success in their pursuits because they wanted to use their free imagination to change the world in their own way The world is complacent with the existing order of things and may resent changes. But if one brushes aside the popular resentment and strives hard with free imagination one can achieve success like scientists and social thinkers who have transformed the world.

Conclusion
The greatest legacy a father can possibly leave his son or daughter is not wealth but wisdom and positive attitude to meet challenges in life.

Father to his Son Summary in Tamil

கவிஞர், கார்ல் ஆகஸ்ட் சான்ட்பர்க் தன்
மகனுக்கு கூறும் அறிவுரையாக இந்தக் கவிதை அமைந்துள்ளது. வாழ்க்கையில் சோதனைகளும், ஏமாற்றங்களையும் எதிர் கொள்ள தன் மகனை இரும்பை போல் அல்லது கல்லைப் போல் கலங்காமல் இருக்கவேண்டும் என்கிறார். வாழ்க்கை களிமண் போன்று மிருதுவாகவும் இருக்கக் கூடும் என்பதால் தன் பகுத்தறிவின்படி தேவைப்படும் போது மென்மையாகவும் நடந்து கொள்ளுமாறு அறிவுறுத்துகிறார். பாறையின் மேல் படர்ந்த மிருதுவான மலர்க்கொடி அப்பாறையைத் துளையிடும் வல்லமை கொண்டது என்பதை தெளிவாக கூறுகிறார். சவுக்கடி தந்தும் திருந்தாத முரடனை நல்ல வார்த்தைகள் திருத்தி மென்மையானவனாக்கி இருக்கிறது. ஒன்றினை அடைவதற்கு ஆழ்ந்த உந்துதல் இல்லையெனில் அதை அடைதல் அரிது. பணத்தின் பால் கவனம் செலுத்துமாறு மகனுக்கு அறிவுறுத்துகிறார். பணத்தின் மீதான் பேராசை காரணமாக பலர் விழுந்திருக்கிறார்கள் என்பதை பிரகடனம் செய்கிறார். ஒரு நாள் இரவில் ஞானத்தைப் பெற்று விட முடியாது. ஒருவன் வாழ்நாளில் தவறுகள் புரிந்து முட்டாள் என பெயர் வாங்கலாம். கவனமாக நடந்து கொண்டால் இந்த பலவீனத்தை தவிர்க்கலாம்.

தற்சோதனையின் மதிப்பு:
ஒருவன் தன்னையே பரிசோதித்து, தன் பலகீனத்தை ஆராய வேண்டும். ஒருவன் தனக்கு இருக்கும் குறைகளை மறுக்காமல் ஒப்புக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். தனியாகத் திட்டமிடும் போது அவனுள்ளே “ஞானம்” பிறந்து அவனை ஆக்கப் பூர்வமானவனாக ஆக்குகிறது. வாழ்க்கையின் முக்கியத் திட்டங்கள் தனிமையில் உதிக்கின்றன. மனிதன் தன் மேல் சாற்றப்படும் தவறான கூற்றுகளைக் கண்டு கொள்ளாதவனாய் அடுத்தவனிடத்திலிருந்து தனித்து நிற்க விரும்பினால் அவ்வாறு துணிந்து நிற்கலாம்.

சுயேட்சையாக சிந்திப்பதனால் உண்டான மாற்றங்கள்:
மேதாவிகளான சேக்ஸ்பியர், பாஸ்ச்சர், பாவ்லோவ் மற்றும் மைக்கேல் ஃபாரடே போன்றவர்கள் தாம் மேற்கொண்ட செயல்களில் சுயமாகச் சிந்தித்து உலகை தனக்கு ஏற்றவாறு மாற்ற முயன்றனர்.உலகம் தற்போதைய சூழ்நிலைக்கு ஏற்ற வண்ணம் செல்வதால் மாறுதலை ஆட்சேபிக்கலாம். ஆனால், எதிர்ப்பைத் தவிர்த்து சுயமாக சிந்தித்து செயல்பட்டால் | விஞ்ஞானிகள் மற்றும் சீர்திருத்தவாதிகள் போல் உலகை மாற்றி அமைக்கலாம்.

முடிவுரை:
தகப்பன் மகனுக்கு விட்டுச் செல்லும் பரம்பரைச் சொத்து பணம், பொருள் அல்ல. ஆனால், நல்ல அறிவுரைகளும் உலகை எதிர்கொள்ளத் தன்னம்பிக்கை அளிக்கும் முற்போக்கு சிந்தனைகளுமே ஆகும்.

Father to his Son Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Poem

• The Castle Book Back Answers
• Our Casuarina Tree Book Back Answers
• All the World’s a Stage Book Back Answers
• Ulysses Book Back Answers
• A Father to his Son Book Back Answers
• Incident of the French Camp Book Back Answers

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12th Standard English 4th Lesson The Summit Questions and Answers

Warm up

(a) Adventures, expeditions and explorations are always exciting. Especially when they are real and if it is the first of its kind, it is even more thrilling. The only question that comes to ones mind is what makes one to take up such tasks that involve high risks. It is the spirit of formidable adventure and certain qualities which make them achieve such feats.

(b) Tick the qualities that are required to achieve such a feat.

Answer:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English The Summit Textual Questions

1. Based on your reading of the text, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

The Summit 12th Prose Summary Question (a)
What did Hillary do with his wet boots?
Answer:
Hillary cooked his wet boots over the fierce flame of the Primus and managed to soften them.

The Summit 12th Prose Question (b)
Name an equipment and a tool carried by the climbers during their expedition.
Answer:
Oxygen gear is an equipment and ice-axe and ice hammer are some tools that climbers carry’ during their expedition.

The Summit 12th English Question (c)
Why did Hillary become clumsy-fingered and slow-moving?
Answer:
After reaching the peak, Hillary ran out of oxygen, he was becoming clumsy-fingered and slow-moving. So, he quickly replaced his oxygen set.

The Summit 12th Prose Paragraph Question (d)
What did Hillary find in a tiny hollow?
Answer:
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing reached a tiny hollow. They found two oxygen bottles left there by Evans and Bourdillon after a failed attempt.

The Summit 12th Prose In Tamil Question (e)
When did Hillary feel a sense of freedom and well being?
Answer:
Their first partly-full bottle of oxygen got exhausted. They had only one oxygen bottle to cany. With reduced load of 20 litre bottle, Hillary cut steps down off the South Summit. So, he felt a sense of freedom and well-being.

Question (f)
What did Hillary mean by saying “We had had enough to do the job, but by no means too much”?
Answer:
It was providential will that Hillary found two oxygen bottles on the way up towards Everest. As they returned successfully after the conquer of Everest, just near their tent, their bottle ran out of oxygen. So, he says they had had enough oxygen to conquer Everest but by no means it was too much.

Additional Questions

Based on your reading of the text, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

Question (a)
Why was Pemba unable to accompany Tenzing and Hillary?
Answer:
Pemba was too ill to climb. So, he did not accompany Tenzing and Hillary.

Question (b)
Where did the three companions go back after climbing up to 27,900 feet?
Answer:
The three companions went back to the south col after climbing 27,900 feet.

Question (c)
When did Hillary and Tenzing get ready for the arduous climb to Everest?
Answer:
Hillary and Tenzing got ready to climb at 4 am on May 29, 1953.

Question (d)
How did Hillary and Tenzing energize themselves for the final lap of the ascent?
Answer:
Both Hillary and Tenzing drank a lot of lemon juice and sugar. They followed it with their last tin of sardines and biscuits.

Question (e)
Why did Hillary ask Tenzing lead when they sit ready to more at 6.30 am?
Answer:
Hillary was worried about his cold feet. So, he asked Tenzing to lead.

Question (f)
Why did Hillary feel relieved on discovering two oxygen bottles?
Answer:
Hillary scraped the ice if the gauges and felt relieved as they still contained several hundred liters of oxygen to last till they return to south col.

Question (g)
Who had left behind the two bottles of oxygen at the tiny hollow?
Answer:
Evans and Bourdillon had made an attempt to climb Everest. They failed in their mission. To reduce their load, they had left the two bottle of oxygen behind.

Question (h)
In which phase of the journey did Hillary and Tenzing find the snow dangerous?
Answer:
In the phase of the last 400 feet to the southern summit the snow was dangerous.

Question (i)
Why did Hillary doubt the feasibility of continuing the climb at one crucial point?
Answer:
As Hillary was inching his way up towards the Southern Summit, he slipped back there or four of his steps. Having a doubt about the feasibility of continuing the climb, he sought Tenzing’s advice.

Question (J)
When did Hillary and Tenzing Crampon on to the South Peak?
Answer:
After climbing for two and a half hours, they cramponed on the south peak at 9 am.

2. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each.

Question (a)
How did the mountaineers belay?
Answer:
Belaying refers to a variety of techniques used by mountaineers to exert tension on a climbing rope so that a climber does not fall very far. A climbing partner typically applies tension at the other end of the rope whenever the climber is not climbing and removes the tension from the rope when the climber needs rope to continue to climb.

Question (b)
Why was the original zest fading away?
Answer:
As Hillary tried to reach the peak, he had to negotiate giant cornices on the right and steep rock sloped on the left. They had no idea as they trudged forward where the peak was. As Hillary cut around the back of one hump, another higher one would swing into the view. So, their original zest was fading away.

Question (c)
What did Edmund Hillary do to escape the large overhanging ice cornices?
Answer:
In a number of places, the overhanging ice cornices were very large. In order to escape them, Hillary cut a line of steps down to where the snow met the rocks on the west.

Question (d)
What did Tenzing and Edmund Hillary gift to the God of lofty Summit? How did they do it?
Answer:
A hole was made in the ice where Tenzing placed reverentially a bar of chocolate, a packet of biscuits, and a handfull of lollies. As Hillary remembered that his team head Col. Hunt had requested to place a crucifix after reaching the peak. So, he also made a hole in the snow and placed the crucifix beside Tenzing’s gift to the Gods. Devout Buddhists believed that at least a small token of gift should be left with Gods who have their homes in that lofty Everest.

Question (e)
What did the photograph portray?
Answer:
The photograph portrayed North Col and the old route which had been made famous by the struggles of those great climbers in 1920’s and 1930’s.

Question (f)
The soft snow was difficult and dangerous. Why?
Answer:
The soft snow made a route on top of the ridge both dangerous and difficult. Sometimes it held Hillary’s weight. But often it gave way suddenly. Thus it was dangerous for the climbers. But both persisted and trudged ahead for 400 feet and reached the southern summit.

Question (g)
How did the firm snow at the higher regions fill them with hope?
Answer:
They were a little perturbed by slippery soft snow. But as they reached firmer snow higher up, they felt better. As one bottle of oxygen got exhausted, their load was now less. As Hillary’s axe bit into the first steep slope of the ridge, his high hopes were realized. The snow was crystalline and firm. They were able to make comfortable belays to haul themselves up slowly.

Additional Questions

Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each.

Question (a)
When did Hillary and Tenzing realize their high hopes?
Answer:
As they trudged up, they came across crystalline and firm snow. As Hillary’s ice-axe bit into the first steep slop of the ridge, their high hopes were realized. They could make comfortable belays and move up with confidence.

Question (b)
What was thrilling to watch 8000 feet below them?
Answer:
In a number of places, the overhanging ice cornices were very large. In order to escape them, Hillary cut a line of steps down to where the snow met the rocks on the west. It was a great thrill to look straight down that enormous rock face to see 8000 ft below them the tiny tents of Camp 4 in the Western Cwm,

Question (c)
What were the immediate feelings of Hillary on the conquest of Everest?
Answer:
On the conquest of Everest Hillary ’s immediate feeling was that of relief that there were no move ridges to traverse. There were no more humps to tantalize them with hopes of success.

Question (d)
How did the achievers express their joy on the conquest?
Answer:
They shook hands. Tenzing threw his arms around Hillary’s shoulders. They thumped each other on the back until they were almost breathless.

Question (e)
How were the achievers welcomed by fellow climbers?
Answer:
Two figures came towards them a couple of hundred feet about their camp. They were George Lowe and Wilfrid Noyce, and it was thoughtful of them because Hillary ‘s oxygen ran out just then.

3. Based on the text, answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100-150 words each.

1. We started up our cooker and
drank large quantities of lemon juice and
sugar, and followed this with our last tin of
sardines on biscuits. I dragged our oxygen
sets into the tent, cleaned the ice off them,
and then rechecked and tested them.

2. I had removed my boots, which
had become wet the day before, and they
were now frozen solid. So I cooked them
over the fierce flame of the Primus and
managed to soften them up. Over our
down clothing we donned our windproof
and on to our hands we pulled three pairs
of gloves – silk, woollen, and windproof.

3. At 6.30 a.m. we crawled out of that
tent into the snow, hoisted our 30 lb. of
oxygen gear on to our backs, connected
up our masks and turned on the valves to
bring life-giving oxygen into our lungs. A
few good deep breaths and we were ready
to go. Still a little worried about my cold
feet, I asked Tenzing to move off.

4. Tenzing kicked steps in a long
traverse back towards the ridge, and we
reached its crest where it forms a great
snow bump at about 28000 feet. From
here the ridge narrowed to a knife-edge
and, as my feet were now warm, I took
over the lead.

5. The soft snow made a route on top
of the ridge both difficult and dangerous,
which sometimes held my weight but often
gave way suddenly. After several hundred
feet, we came to a tiny hollow, and found
there the two oxygen bottles left on the
earlier attempt by Evans and Bourdillon.
I scraped the ice off the gauges and was
relieved to find that they still contained
several hundred litres of oxygen-enough
to get us down to the South Col if used sparingly

6. I continued making the trail on up
the ridge, leading up for the last 400 feet
to the southern summit. The snow on this
face was dangerous, but we persisted in
our efforts to beat a trail up it.
We made frequent changes of
lead. As I was stamping a trail in the deep
snow, a section around me gave way and

7. I slipped back through three or four of
my steps. I discussed with Tenzing the
advisability of going on, and he, although
admitting that he felt unhappy about the
snow conditions, and finished with his
familiar phrase “Just as you wish”.

8. I decided to go on; and we finally
reached firmer snow higher up, and then
chipped steps up the last steep slopes and
cramponed on to the South Peak. It was
now 9 a.m.

9. We cut a seat for ourselves just
below the South Summit and removed our
oxygen apparatus. As our first partly-full
bottle of oxygen was now exhausted, we
had only one full bottle left. Our apparatus
was now much lighter, weighing just over
20 lb., and as I cut steps down off the South
Summit I felt a sense of freedom and well- being.

10. As my ice-axe bit into the first
steep slope of the ridge, my high hopes
were realized. The snow was crystalline
and firm. Two or three blows of the ice axe
produced a step large enough even for
our over-sized High Altitude boots, and
a firm thrust of the ice-axe would sink it
half-way up the shaft, giving a solid and
comfortable belay.

11. We moved one at a time. I would
cut a forty foot line of steps, Tenzing
belaying me while I worked. Then in turn I
would sink my shaft and put a few loops of
the rope around it, and Tenzing, protected
against a breaking step, would move up to
me. Then once again as he belayed me I
would go on cutting

12. In a number of places the
overhanging ice cornices were very large
indeed, and in order to escape them I cut a
line of steps down to where the snow met
the rocks on the west. It was a great thrill
to look straight down this enormous rock
face and to see, 8000 feet below us, the
tiny tents of Camp 4 in the Western Cwm.
Scrambling on the rocks and cutting
handholds on the snow, we were able to
shuffle past these difficult portions.

13. On its east side was another great
cornice; and running up the full forty feet
of the step was a narrow crack between
the cornice and the rock. Leaving Tenzing
to belay me as best he could, I jammed my
way into this crack. Then, kicking
backwards, I sank the spikes of my
crampons deep into the frozen snow
behind me and levered myself off the
ground

14. Taking advantage of every little
rock hold, and all the force of knee,
shoulder, and arms I could muster, I
literally cramponed backwards up the
crack, praying that the cornice would
remain attached to the rock. My progress
although slow was steady. As Tenzing paid
out the rope, I inched my way upwards
until I could reach over the top of the rock
and drag myself out of the crack on to a
wide ledge.

15. For a few moments I lay regaining
my breath, and for the first time really
felt the fierce determination that nothing
now could stop us reaching the top. I took
a firm stance on the ledge and signalled
to Tenzing to come on up. As I heaved
hard on the rope, Tenzing wriggled his
way up the crack, and finally collapsed at
the top like a giant fish when it has just
been hauled from the sea after a terrible
struggle.

16. The ridge continued as before:
giant cornices on the right; steep rock
sloped on the left. The ridge curved away
to the right and we have no idea where the
top was. As I cut around the back of one
hump, another higher one would swing
into view. Time was passing and the ridge
seemed never-ending.

17. Our original zest had now quite
gone, and it was turning more into a grim
struggle. I then realized that the ridge
ahead, instead of rising, now dropped
sharply away. I looked upwards to see a
narrow snow ridge running up to a snowy
summit. A few more whacks of the ice-axe
in the firm snow and we stood on top.

18. My first feelings were of relief–
relief that there were no more steps to
cut, no more ridges to traverse, and no
more humps to tantalize us with hopes
of success. I looked at Tenzing. In spite of
the balaclava helmet, goggles, and oxygen
mask – all encrusted with long icicles–that
concealed his face, there was no disguising
his grin of delight as he looked all around
him. We shook hands, and then Tenzing
threw his arm around my shoulders and
we thumped each other on the back until
we were almost breathless. It was 11.30
a.m. The ridge had taken us two and a
half hours, but it seemed like a lifetime
To the east was our giant

19. neighbour Makalu, unexplored and
unclimbed. Far away across the clouds,
the great bulk of Kanchenjunga loomed
on the horizon. To the west, we could
see the great unexplored ranges of Nepal
stretching off into the distance.

20. The most important photograph,
I felt, was a shot down the North Ridge,
showing the North Col and the old route
which had been made famous by the
struggles of those great climbers of the
1920’s and 1930’s. After ten minutes,
I realized that I was becoming rather
clumsy-fingered and slow-moving. So I
quickly replaced my oxygen set

Question (a)
How did Hillary and Tenzing prepare themselves before they set off to the summit? (Para 1, 2 and 3)
Answer:
They started up their cookers and drank lots of lemon juice and sugar. Then they took sardines and biscuits. Hillary cleaned the ice off the oxygen sets. He rechecked and tested them. He had removed his boots which had become wet the day before. They were now frozen solid. It would be very challenging to start climbing ice-cold Himalayas with such wet and chilling boots. So, he cooked them over the fierce flame of Primus and managed to soften them up. They were also conscious of the probabilitvof braving snow storms during the ascent. They . fortified their clothing with wind proof and also pulled three pairs of gloves silk, woollen, and windproof on to their hands. At 6.30 am they crawled out of their tent into the snow. They hoisted their 30 lb. of oxygen gear on their backs. Connecting their oxygen masks they turned on the valves to bring life-giving oxygen into their lungs. Taking a few deep breaths, fnev got ready to go.

Question (b)
Give an account of the journey to the South Col from 28,000 feet. (Para 4 to 8)
Answer:
From the altitude of 28000 feet, the ridge narrowed to a knife-edge and as Hillary’s feet were now warm, he took over the land and Tenzing followed him. The soft snow was difficult and dangerous to tackle. Sometimes it supported Hillary’s weight and often it gave way suddenly. After trudging several hundred feet, they reached a tiny hollow where they found two oxygen bottles left by Evans and Bourdillon after a failed mission. Hillary7 scraped off the ice and found that both were full and could last till they returned from ascent if they used them sparingly. Despite risky slips, they persisted and made 400 feet climb to the southern summit. Hillary sought the advisability of continuing on such a lowly snow bed. But Tenzing remarked, “as your wish.” Hillary’ made up his mind to go on. His resolve paid off. They finally reached firmer snow higher up fuelling their hopes of success.

Question (c)
Describe the feelings of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing as they reached the top of the Summit. (Para 18)
Answer:
Hillary’s first feelings were of relief on reaching Everest. There were no more ridges to traverse and no more humps to tease them off with hope of success. He looked at Tenzing. In spite of balaclava helmet, goggles and oxygen mask, all encrusted with long icicles, that concealed his face, his delight was visible. He looked around with a grin of delight. They shook hands. Tenzing hugged Hillary’ and thumped each other till they were breathless. It was 1 .30 am. The ridge had taken them two and a half hours but it seemed like a lifetime.

Question (d)
The ridge had taken us two and half hours, but it seemed like lifetime. Why? (Para 15 to 17)
Answer:
Both Hillary and Tenzing reached a wide ledge. Hillary deeply felt the fierce determination that nothing could stop them from scaling the Himalayas. He took a stronghold on the ledge and signalled Tenzing to come up. With great difficulty Tenzing reached the way up the crack and collapsed like a giant fish hauled up from the ocean. There were giant cornices on the right and steep rock sloped on the left. The ridge curved away to the right. They had no idea’ where the peak was. As Hillary cut around the back of one hump, another would swing anew ‘ to his view’. Time seemed never ending. Their original zest started diminishing. The climb becoming a grim struggle. To their surprise, the ridge ahead now dropped sharply away. A few more whacks of the ice-axe in the firm snow’, they stood on top. It w’as 11.30, the ridge had taken two and a half hours. But it seemed like a lifetime as they had to negotiate numerous ridges on the way.

Question (e)
Describe the view from the top. What was the most important photograph? (Para 19 and ’ 20)
Answer:
On reaching the peak, Tenzing and Hillary felt a great relief. To the east was their giant neighbour Makalu, unexplored and unclimbed. Far away across the clouds, the great bulk of Kanchenjunga loomed on the horizon. To the west they could see the unexplored ranges of Nepal stretching off into the distance. The most important photograph w as a shot down at the
north ridge showed the North Col and the old route. It had been made famous by the famous climbers of 1920’s and 1930’s. It w as breath-taking view of the snow’ clad peak all round.

Question (f)
‘There is no height, no depth that the spirit of man, guided by higher Spirit cannot attain’. Discuss the above statement in the context of the achievement of Edmund Hillarv and Tenzing.
Answer:
Man is naturally endowed with an indomitable spirit. Guided by powers above man reach any height. The grit and persistence of both Hillary and Tenzing stand testimony to the above maxim. The conditions were really overwhelming. Hillary slipped many times. Once he even t sought the advisability of continuing the climb under such conditions. But Tenzing and Hillary. resolved to persist and conquer the peak. As a reward to 400 feet climb near the south summit,,they got two bottles of oxygen which in fact kept them alive almost up to their base camp.Both pick up the pieces of hopes only when they come into contact with firmer rock-like.ice as they moved up.

Though they had to inch their way up clearing snow with the ice-axe and making a path to haul themselves up ridge after ridge in the elusive terrain, they did not give up. As Hillary’s ice-axe bit into the first steep slop of the ridge, his hopes were realized. The snow was crystalline and firm. With just two or three blows, Hillary could make a step large enough for their oversized high altitude boots. They could create comfortable belays and trudge forward with confidence. As the humps were continuously seen, their original zest started declining. It was at this point Hillary saw a narrow ridge up to a snowy summit. With a few more whacks of the ice-axe in the form of snow, they reached the top.

Vocabulary

(a) Idioms
(i) Given below are some idiomatic expressions with their meanings. Understand the meaning.
Answer:

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the right idioms. Choose from the above given idioms.

1. The Sherpas are cheerful, gallant men, who _____ tents, oxygen, food etc., for climbers during their ascent of the summit.
2. The team _____ carefully so as to reach the summit successfully.
3. When they had to climb through deep new snow the party sometimes had to _____
4. Each member of the team had all their _____
5. We could not believe that with a few more whacks of the ice axe in the firm snow we were _____ to the top.

Answer:

1. fetch and carry
2. does the math
3. wait for the dust to settle
4. ducks in a row
5. round the comer

(iii) Understand the meaning of the given idiomatic expression and choose the right one to complete the sentence.

the icing on the cake – something extra and not essential, but is added to make it even better
break the ice – to make people more relaxed, especially at the beginning of the meeting

(a) The conference room was silent though packed. The chairman introduced an interactive session to ________
(b) Our headmistress not only promised us to take us for an excursion, but also announced that on return we would get a holiday. It was like ________

Answer:

(a) break the ice
(b) the icing on the cake

(b) Phrasal Verbs

Question (i)
Given below are the phrasal verbs with their meanings. Use the given phrasal verbs in sentences of your own.

Answer:

1. She turned on the induction stove to prepare the dinner.
2. After Steven Paul Jobs took over the lead role, Apple started making a revolution in sales.
3. The boy set off on foot to his uncle’s home in the city.
4. Don’t put off important works as delay could be dangerous.

Question (ii)
Given below are some Phrasal Verbs which are frequently used in connection with travelling. Guess the meaning and match.

Question (a)

Answer:
(a) (ii) to go to station or airport to say good bye to someone
(b) (iii) to stay at a place for a short period of time when travelling to another destination
(c) (i) start off / to begin a journey

Question (b)

Answer:
(a) (iii) arrive inside train, bus etc.
(b) (i) leave a bus, train etc.,
(c) (iv) enter a bus, train, plane.
(d) (ii) to go away from home for a vacation

Question (c)

Answer:
(a) (ii) arrive and register at airport or hotel
(b) (i) pay the bill when leaving a hotel

(c) Compound Words

(i) Here are some compound words chosen from the text.

Let us learn a few more with their meaning.

(d) Semantic network

(i) Match the following with their right field, choosing appropriately from the box given.

Listening Activity

First, read the following statements. Then, listen to the passage read aloud by your teacher or played on the recorder and complete the statements. You may listen to it again, if required.

Question 1.
What were the reasons for our success?
Answer:
There are many answers to this question. Firstly, 1 would say that we owned much to the work of previous climbers on Everest: to the experience and know ledge they passed on, and to the fact that they had gone on trying and had never given up hope.

Next, I w ould place the careful and thorough planning done before the climb began. On the Everest, a large number of people have to do different things in different places at the same time. Unless every detail had been worked out in advance, things would quickly have gone wrong.
The third reason was the excellence of our equipment. In particular, our oxygen apparatus was very important, and it worked well. Without it. we could not have reached the summit.

Our own fitness played a big part in the climb, and this was due to our periods of training, in which we got used gradually to great heights: and to our food; and to the care and attention we received from our doctors.

Above all else, I should like to mention how well we worked together. That was the biggest single reason why we got to the top. In the four months we were together we lived and worked as a team. Not everyone could climb to the top. Some of the members had jobs to do on other parts of the mountain; jobs that were less exciting than climbing to the summit, but just as dangerous and uncomfortable. But everyone played his part to the full. That was the biggest thing of all.

In the same way, our Sherpas were magnificent. Without our tents, our oxygen, our food, our climbing gear, the summit could not have been reached. And without the Sherpas, we could

not have lifted all this equipment, which weighed 750 lb., up to 26,000 feet, ready for the assaults. No praise is too high for these cheerful and
gallant men.

Finally, there was the weather. For five weeks we had bad weather; then, after the middle of May, we were lucky. It no longer snowed, and even the wind sometimes dropped.

Complete the following.

(a) List any three aspects which contributed to the success of the ascent of the summit.

1. ______
2. ______
3. ______

Answer:

1. Knowledge gained from other climbers
2. Careful planning
3. Excellence of equipments (oxygen apparatus)

(b) Without the help of _________ nothing would have been possible.
(c) The main idea of the passage is _________
(d) The biggest thing of all is _________
(e) _________ were cheerful and gallant men.

Answers:

(b) team work
(c) factors contributing to successful conquest of Everest
(d) togetherness of mountaineers
(e) Sherpas

Speaking Activity

(a) Group Activity

(i) Have you ever been on an adventurou trip? If so. share your success story with your friends.

He went on a tour to Ooty. My PET Master said that if we were lucky’, we might see some elephants while travelling in the small train. We saw monkeys on either side of the track. As the train w as going very slow, wc could see the beauty’ of the mountains and lush green trees. Suddenly, the toy train stopped. I wanted to get down and see what was happening. My English miss who was escorting us prevented us from getting down. Her concern was that we might get lost. But the train did not move for about 45 minutes, and everyone became restless. I begged the teacher to let us go out and see what was happening. As our coach was just two coaches behind the engine and our English Miss saw a huge gathering in front of the engine, she relented. At first, myself and Philomena got down.

We found that, in a short while, the rest of our classmates and our teacher came there to know what was happening. We found a baby elephant lying on the track doing some pranks. Someone gave one banana, the baby elephant ate it and continued to sit there. I snatched a bunch of banana which Philomena was keeping and showed it to the baby elephant. It stretched its trunk to take it. But I carefully walked out of the track show ing the banana. The baby elephant followed me twenty feet beyond the track. I gave him the bunch. My English miss asked me to come back, and before the baby elephant returned, the driver resumed the train. I can never forget this adventure in my life

(ii) How will you organize or plan for a trip or an event? Do you have the habit of preparing a check-list? Discuss.
If we want to organise a trip the following things are to be alone. If it is a school trip, we must plan well ahead and decide the place of visit and inform the parents and get the letters of consent and if needed, subsidised charges for entry tickets and journey expenses. Once the travel distance and duration are finalised, it can be decided if we are going to hire a bus or take train tickets in advance. If the distance is less than 150 Km, a bus would be fine.

If it exceeds that distance and if the duration of the trip is about two to three days we need to hook accommodation for students in the visiting spot and ensure safety of children. If advance permission is required to visit a factory or a research institute or a planetarium, we must write and get the proper permission from the competent authorities. One escort must be fixed for every ten students well ahead of the trip. A check list is necessary before the commencement of the journey. The same checklist will be required to bring back the materials which were taken from the school.

(b) Individual Activity
Given below are a few proverbs. Prepare a short speech of two minutes on one of the proverbs.

(i) Nothing is impossible:
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, Good morning, I wish to say a few words on the topic “Nothing is Impossible”. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Impossible is the word found only in a fool’s dictionary”. Conquering Everest was deemed impossible. In the 1920’s and 1930’s mountain climbers aborted their efforts. The brittle snow beyond the altitude of 28000 ft. made even Hillary doubtful for a while of the possibility of conquering Everest. But persisting on their daring adventure, Hillary and Tenzing scaled the Everest. When the whole world is appreciating many daring adventures of able-bodied men, a differently abled lady namely Arunima Sinha has created history by conquering Everest. She was a volleyball player who was pushed from a running train in an attempted robbery.

One of her legs had to be amputated below the knee. Using a prosthetic leg, under the Inspirational guidance of Bachendri Pal, the first Indian lady to conquer Everest, she climbed Everest on 21st May 2013. The most admirable thing about her is that she has climbed six difficult mountain peak of the world viz Everest in Asia, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Kosciuszko in Australia, Aconcagua in Argentina and Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia. She completed her final summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica on 4th January 2019. She is running a charitable foundation namely Arunima foundation. She wants to open a free sports academy for the poor and differently abled children. She wrote a book “Bom again on the mountain” which was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2014. She was awarded Padma Sri, the fourth highest award of India in 2015. Dear friends, we must never accept small defeats in life. We must leam lessons and believe that we can succeed and it is possible to achieve excellence against all the odds.

(ii) Where there is a will there is a way:
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, Good morning, I wish to say a few words on the topic “Where there is a will there is a way”.
There are numerous examples to quote from where the will has made people create history. ‘ All of us know Mother Teresa won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1999. But the beginnings of her work were met with many insults and humiliating experiences. She was moved by poverty, sickness, suffering in old age which she encountered amidst the poorest of the poor in the streets of Calcutta. Her heart went out for street children who could not go to school.She wanted to give them a home and food. The financial position of her organisation was not healthy enough. She willed to adopt orphaned children and provide them with food, shelter and education.

If she had only thought about financial disabilities and not taken the necessary steps, she wouldn’t be the person we know her to be today. Similarly, Thomas Alva Edison [. had only three months of formal schooling, and he was partially deaf too. But that never made his mother give up on him. She took the responsibility of teaching and training him. She persuaded and encouraged him even though she never knew what he would become in future. Hence, dear friends when times of trial come, or when you face mockery by people surrounding you, never give up hope. Always remember this,“Where There is a Will There is a Way”.

(iii) Together we can achieve more:
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, Good morning, I wish to say a few words on the topic “Together we can achieve more”. There are so many social and environmental issues that have been curbed by the coming together of like-minded people. For example, The Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network, a voluntary group comprising students, have been working in the beaches of Chennai since 1987, trying to conserve Olive Ridley, and create awareness about the endangered sea turtles. The steps they had taken have given them pleasant rewards. Many hatchlings can be seen running towards the sea thanks to the efforts made ‘ by these volunteers.

There is Arun Krishnamurthy, who initiated the campaign of cleaning various lakes across India. Arun along with the organisation has been successful in cleaning at least 39 lakes in the country. As a result, Arun was presented with the prestigious Rolex Awards for enterprise in the year 2012 at Geneva. He was the youngest to win this award. He couldn’t have achieved it without the support of his organisation. These are only a few examples that show that “Together we can achieve more”.

Giving instructions:
Here are a few instructions given by a Health Inspector to a group of students, in order to prevent malaria and dengue. Complete the series adding some more important instructions.

1. Do not allow water to stagnate in and around your house.
2. Keep your surroundings clean.
3. Wear long- sleeved shirts / blouses and long pants / skirts that cover your arms and legs.
4. Always use a bed-net impregnated with insecticide.
5. Use mosquito repellants, carry it wherever you go.
6. Don’t allow rainwater to gather in discarded tyres and mud pots or coconut shells.
7. Keep all water containers or tanks closed.
8. Cover your well also.

Now, write a set of 8 to 10 instructions for the following situations:

1. A doctor instructing a patient regarding a healthy diet and proper care after a surgery.

1. Don’t carry heavy weight for a few months.
2. You must avoid infections.
3. Cough and sneeze very’ carefully.
4. Limit salt intake.
5. Limit your sugar intake.
6. Avoid cool drinks and fast foods.
7. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,
8. You can take eggs, fish, legumes and diary products.
9. Go for w alking early in the mornings.
10. Come for regular check-ups.

2. A traffic police personnel to the public, as to how to move around in safety, in crowded public places during festival seasons.

1. Don’t allow’ your children to walk ahead of you.
2. Make your children memorise your phone numbers or give them an id card with your phone numbers written in it.
3. Ask your children not to speak or take anything from a stranger.
4. Park your vehicles only in the open area marked as parking area behind the police stations.
5. Use the entry path to the fair.
6. Go out only through the exit route demarkated by the long rope.
7. In case of any problem or suspicion, contact the nearest police booth and inform the officer there.
8. Make shift toilets are kept separately for men and women at the right corner.
9. Don’t run in a crowd.
10. Walk with your family in a row’ of two members keeping track of children.

3. A mother to her children, on safety measures to be taken before leaving home on vacation.

1. Switch off all the lights.
2. See if the water containers have been closed piverly.
3. If there is left-over food, dispose them in the dust bin.
4. Ensure that there are no unwashed vessels in the kitchen sink.
5. Make certain that all the pipes are properly closed.
6. Check whether there are any w ashed clothes lying in the balcony, if so. bring them inside.
7. Pack your bags with a check list of what you need during the vacation. Each one must bring her/his own tooth brush, soap, towels, etc.
8. Check if the gas cylinder’s regulator is turned off.
9. Don’t forget to bring your mobile phones. Stay connected.
10. Carry at least one Identity card as a proof.

Reading

On the basis of your understanding of the given passage, make notes in any appropriate format.

The Sherpas were nomadic people who first migrated from Tibet approximately 600 years ago. through the Nangpa La pass and settled in the Solukhumbu District, Nepal. These nomadic people then gradually moved westward along salt trade routes. During 14th century, Sherpa ancestors migrated from Kham. The group of people from the Kham region, east of Tibet, was called “ShyarKhamba”. The inhabitants of ShyarKhumbu, were called Sherpa. Sherpa migrants travelled through U and Tsang, before crossing the Himalayas. According to Sherpa oral history, four groups migrated out of Solukhumbu at different times, giving rise to the four fundamental Sherpa clans: Minyagpa, Thimmi, Sertawa and Chawa. These four groups have since split into the more than 20 different clans that exist today.

Sherpas had little contact with the world beyond the mountains and they spoke their own language. AngDawa, a 76-year-old former mountaineer recalled “My first expedition was to Makalu [the world’s fifth highest mountain] with Sir Edmund Hillary”. We were not allowed to go to the top. We wore leather boots that got really heavy when wet, and we only got a little salary, but we danced the Sherpa dance, and we were able to buy firewood and make campfires, and we spent a lot of the time dancing and singing and drinking. Today Sherpas get good pay and good equipment, but they don’t have good entertainment. My one regret is that I never got to the top of Everest. I got to the South Summit, but I never got a chance to go for the top.

The transformation began when the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and the New Zealander Edmund Hillary scaled Everest in 1953. Edmund Hillary took efforts to build schools and health clinics to raise the living standards of the Sherpas. Thus life in Khumbu improved due to the efforts taken by Edmund Hillary and hence he was known as ‘Sherpa King’.

Sherpas working on the Everest generally tend to perish one by one, casualties of crevasse falls, avalanches, and altitude sickness. Some have simply disappeared on the mountain, never-to be seen again. Apart from the bad seasons in 1922,1970 and 2014 they do not die en masse Sherpas carry the heaviest loads and pay the highest prices on the world’s tallest mountain.

In some ways, Sherpas have benefited from the commercialization of the Everest more than any group, earning income from thousands of climbers and trekkers drawn to the mountain. While ,interest in climbing Everest grew gradually over the decades after the first ascent, it wasn’t,until the 1990s that the economic motives of commercial guiding on Everest began. This leads to eclipse the amateur impetus of traditional mountaineering. Climbers looked after each , other for the love of adventure and “the brotherhood of the rope” now are tending to mountain businesses. Sherpas have taken up jobs as guides to look after clients for a salary. Commercial,guiding agencies promised any reasonably fit person a shot at Everest.

Origin and Development of Sherpas

The roots:
The Sherpas-nomadic tribe-migrated 600 years ago-settled in Solukhumbu District, of Nepal-14th Century migration westward from Kham-ShyarKhamba-inhabitants Sherpa- 1 Oral history-four goups at different times-Minyagpa, Thimmi, Sertawa and Chawa-now 20′ groups.

Life in isolation:
Little contact beyond mountains-AngDawa-76-year old former mountaineer-first expedition to Makalu with Hillary-not allowed to top-poor salary no equipments-danced, bought firewood-drank made merry-Today situation bright-Sherpas-good pay-good equipment-no , entertainment.-One regret-never got to the top of Everest.

Transformation:
1953 ascent-Hillary and Tenzing Norgay-Hillary built schools, healthcare centres-Sherpas life in Khumbu better-Hillary-‘Sherpa king’.

Difficult life of Sherpas:
Many casualities-avalanches and altitude sickness-Sherpas die-died enmasse 1922-1970 and 2014 only-heavy loads-price death.

Commercialisation of Everest-a boon:
Regular income-thousands of climbers-1990 onwards economic motive-traditional mountaineering-love of rope-brotherhood gone-jobs as guides-good salary-healthy Sherpas take a shot at Everest now-Guiding agencies help.

Grammar

Kinds Of Sentences
(a) Simple sentence
Task 1
Pick out the finite verbs in the following sentences:

(a) You can solve this problem in different ways.
(b) The professor has been working on the last chapter of the book since March.
(c) Despite being a celebrity, Ravi mingles easily with everyone.
(d) You must speak clearly to make yourself understood.
(e) The chairman being away, the clerk is unable to approve the proposal.
(J) Getting down from the car, the Chief Guest walked towards the dais amidst applause.
(g) The old man struggled to walk without support.
(h) In case of emergency, please contact this number.
(0) The sun having set, the temperature fell rapidly.
(j) But for your help, I could not have completed the assignment.

Answers:

(a) solve
(b) has been working
(c) mingles
(d) speak
(e) is
(f) walked
(g) struggled
(h) contact
(i) fell
(j) completed

Task 2
Read the following passage and identify the simple sentences.

Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. In other words, they ‘ chase the light’. Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy, rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds? If you think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground, you are completely mistaken. Do you know what happens? Sunflowers turn to each other to share their energy. Learning from Nature, we too should support and empower each other.

Simple sentences:

• Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun.
• they ‘chase the light’
• Sunflowers turn to each other to share their energy.

(b) Complex sentence
Task 1
Look at the following complex sentences. Circle the Main clauses and underline the Subordinate clauses.

(a) (Nobody knows) when the power supply will resume.
(b) (please tell me) what the time is.
(c) (The man) who directed the film was my schoolmate.
(d) (I believe) that all men are basically good.
(e) (No one knows) when he will return.

Task 2
Pick out the complex sentences in the following passage.

A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the forest. He did not know what to do. He was helpless. He was too scared to turn around and run. He just knelt down as if he were getting ready to pray. He closed his eyes, thinking that the lion would pounce on him anytime. Out of the comer of his eye, he saw the lion on its knees too. Shocked, he asked the . lion what it was doing. The lion replied that he was praying before he started his meal.

Complex sentences:

• A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the forest.
• He did not know what to do.
• He just knelt down as if he were getting ready to pray.
• He closed his eyes, thinking that the lion would pounce on him anytime.
• He asked the lion what it was doing.
• The lion replied that he was praying before he started his meal.

(c) Compound sentence
Task 1
Identify the two main clauses and conjunction in each of the following sentences.

(a) It started raining suddenly and people ran for shelter.
(b) Understand the concept well, otherwise you cannot solve the problem.
(c) Fifty candidates appeared for the interview, but only five were selected.
(d) Ramesh did not know Spanish, so he wanted a translator.
(e) He is a good actor, still he is not popular.
Answer:

Task 2
Pick out the compound sentences in the following passage.

The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body. The air we breathe in, has to be thrown out, to help us survive. But we hold negative emotions like insecurity, anger and jealousy within ourselves for years. If these negative emotions are not eliminated, the mind grows corrupt and diseased. Let us do away with hatred and lead a healthy life filled with peace and joy.

Compound sentences:

• The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body.
• Let us do away with hatred and lead a healthy life filled with peace and joy.

Task 3
Complete the sentences choosing the right endings.

Conditional Clauses
Task 1
Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks.

(a) If I _____ (be) a spider, I _____ (weave) webs.
(b) If Raj _____ (be) a sculptor, he _____ (make) beautiful idols.
(c) If Mary had an umbrella, she _____ (lend) it to me.
(d) Rex would have played with me, if he _____ (has) time.
(e) If I were you, I _____ (accept) this offer.
(f) We _____ (select) story books for kids, if we allot time for storytelling.
(g) The Education Minister _____ (visit) our school tomorrow, if he goes by this way.
(h) You will be rewarded by the wise, if you (stand) for truth.
(i) If my mother (know) of my poor performance in the exam, she will not allow me to watch a movie.
(j) If I had won the lottery, I (donate) relief materials for the flood victims

Answer:

(a) were, would weave
(b) were, would make
(c) would have lent
(d) had
(e) would have accepted
(J) can select
(g) will visit
(h) stand
(i) knows
(j) would have donated

Task 2
Rewrite the following sentences using ‘If’ without changing the meaning, e.g.

Unless you go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight. (Use ‘If) If you do not go for a walk regularly, you cannot reduce your weight.

Question (a)
Sindhu would not have won the world championship, unless she had had single minded devotion.
Answer:
Sindhu would not have won the world championship, if she had no single minded devotion.

Question (b)
You will not reach your goal, unless you chase your dream.
Answer:
You will not reach your goal, if you don’t chase your dream.

Question (c)
Unless we plant more trees, we cannot save our planet.
Answer:
If we don’t plant more trees, we cannot save our planet.

Question (d)
The rescue team would not have saved the victims unless they had received the call in time.
Answer:
The rescue team would not have saved the victims if they had not received the call in time.

Question (e)
The palace cannot be kept clean, unless we appoint more people.
Answer:
The palace cannot be kept clean, if we don’t appoint more people.

Question (J)
The portraits would not have been so natural unless the artist had given his best.
Answer:
The portraits would not have been so natural if the artist had not given his best.

Question (g)
The manager would not have selected Nithiksha unless she exhibited good accounting skill.
Answer:
The manager would not have selected Nithiksha if she had not exhibited good accounting skill.

Question (h)
The policeman would not have arrested the man unless he had violated the rules.
Answer:
The policeman would not have arrested the man if he had not violated the rules.

Question (i)
Mr Kunaal would not sponsor my higher education unless I studied well.
Answer:
Mr Kunaal would not sponsor my higher education if I do not study well.

Question (j)
Kavin will not stop flying kites unless he understands the risk involved in it.
Answer:
Kavin will not stop flying kites if he does not understand the risk involved in it.

Question (k)
Tanya would not know the answer unless she referred to the answer key.
Answer:
Tanya would not know the answer if she had not referred to the answer key.

Question (l)
My village cannot achieve 100 % literacy rate, unless the elders of the village cooperate with the education department.
Answer:
My village cannot achieve 100 % literacy rate, if the elders of the village do not cooperate with the education department.

Writing

Summarizing

Origin and development of Sherpas

The roots:
The Sherpas are a nomadic race who migrated to Nepal 600 years ago. They got settled in Solukhumbu District of Nepal. In the 14th Century they migrated westward from Kham to ShyarKhamba. This is where the Sherpas inhabited in four goups viz., Minyagpa, Thimmi, Sertawa and Chawa.

Life in isolation:
Sherpas had little contact with the world beyond the mountains. Ang Dawa, 76-year old former Sherpa recounts his bitter memories. He could touch the summit Makalu along with Hillary. He was never allowed to go to Everest. Sherpas had meagre salaries. They danced Sherpa dance, drank and entertained guests. They could buy firewood with their earnings. Now the scenario has changed. They are well paid and given good equipments but left with no entertainment.

Transformation:
The attitude to Sherpas changed after Tenzing Norgay and Hillary reached Everest in 1953. Edmund Hillary is hailed as ‘Sherpa king’ for his initiative to build schools for their children and healthcare centres too.

Tough life of Sherpas:
Many Sherpas have died without a trace due to avalanches and altitude sickness. Enmasse death is now ended after the 1922-1970 and 2014 incidents. They carry heavy loads and pay with dearth for their survival.

Commercialisation-a boon:
After 1990, the commercialisation of mountaineering has started. Many mountain guiding firms now employ Sherpas with good salary. A steady flow of professional climbers and tourists ensure regular income. Now anyone with sound physique can take a shot at the Everest.

Reading a map
Nowadays though locations are traced easily using GPS, (Global Positioning System) one should know what to look for in the map to reach the destination. Here are a few general instructions to be followed while reading a map.

1. Identify and understand the elements of the map correctly.
2. Look out for the title to know what the map shows.
3. Study the symbols / colours that are used on the map and find what they stand for.
4. Look at the scale of the map. (whether to be scaled or not to be scaled)
5. Look for the pointer to know the direction.

Let us together scale the summit. Here is a drawing of the Everest showing the way to the summit, and the position of the camps with their heights. Trace the trekking trail to reach the summit with the given details and write an interesting paragraph in about 100 words.

Tips on Elements of the Map:
Map Title: The title is a centre, a short summary of a map. It should determine the area covered and provide some communication of the map content, as “The Summit of Mount Everest”. Map Scale: A scale is the prime essential of a map. Map scale can be defined as part of a map that compares distance on a map to distance in the real world.
Direction: The direction is normally shown on a map by means of the geographical grid, Meridians (of longitudes) are supposed to extend north-south, and parallel (of longitudes) are east-west lines. A straight arrow pointing northward also marked that is called “north arrow”. The Map show’s the route marked in Red dotted lines having 9 camps at different levels (height).

The trek starts from the base camp which is located on Khumbu Glacier and ends at the south summit.

Phases of climbing Mount Everest:
Everest is our tallest mountain. Its altitude and the technicalities of the climb are not to be underestimated. Climbing Everest requires intensive training. You might be lucky, and the climb might go well even if you didn’t do your homework. But you will undoubtedly notice that Everest lives up to its fearful reputation should the conditions turn against you. By then though, it might simply be too late if not well prepared. Everest is also a gorgeous mountain. And just as we continue to

launch ourselves into space even though missions sometimes turn into tragedy, mountaineers will always try to climb Everest to experience the majesty, beauty, and adventure of our closest frontier to Universe.

Let’s start the trek at the Base camp Route no. 1 which is situated on the Khumbu Glacier at 17,900 feet. Distance from Route No. 1 & Route No. 2 is 1500 feet reaching at route no.2 at 19400 feet- Icefall. This place is similar to a massive horror-chamber at an amusement park. There are countless scary things that can happen here. An avalanche can bury the climbers alive. After climbing further 800 feet, it reaches at Route No.3 20,200 feet – Camp-1, Valley of silence. This is a vast, flat area of endless snow, deep crevasses and mountain walls frequently washed by avalanches. Here climbers set up camp 1. At night one listens to the deep, murmuring cracking sounds under the tents. It is the crevasses opening and closing deep down in the glacier beneath. It is here that for the first time, just a few steps around a comer, we gain first close sight of Everest.

After 1000 feet of an endless, slow march through the silent valley, the climbers reach at last a rocky patch, at the foot of the icy Lhotse wall. This marks route no.4 Camp-2 at 21,200 feet. This place is absolutely stunning. Clouds roll in from the lower ranges of the Himalayas, up the valley and into the camp. Further climbing 800 feet it takes us to Route No.5 which is at 22,000 feet, next comes Route No. 6 at 23,000 feet Camp-3, Lhotse Face/Wall.

Imagine sliding a fun, icy slope on a sunny winter’s day. Only this one is 1200 meter (4000 ft) high. The dangerous part is to hang on to the rope of dubious strength and to change carabiners between the ropes. Further, 1000 feet upwards the climbers can reach Route No.7 at 24,000 feet they are now almost beside South Col Lhotse.

From Route No.7 to Route No.8 the distance is around 2000 feet. The climbers are now, at Geneva Spur which is 26,000 feet above the sea level. It is camp-4, The Death Zone: Camp 4 sits on a plateau resembling a moonscape. The climbers are at the edge of the atmosphere, and the sky owns a strange, dark blue colour. It is surely the closest one can get to space on earth. Only a small climb above camp, you look down the Tibetan plateau with its vast brown plains, white glaciers and the other alpine giants – Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu -in the distance. It’s all magic and unreal.

The final destination is quite far from here. Further climbing 1700 feet climbers reach at Route No.9 which is at the height of 27,900 feet.
South Summit at 28,700 feet.

There, in the distance, the climbers can see a worm of light slowly moving up a dark wall. It’s climbers head torches flickering in the dark. It’s completely silent. Nobody talks. If you do, you whisper. It is terrifying, and you climb and climb, awaiting the first ray of dawn. It’s desperately cold. It’s steep and at parts very icy. The ice axe and the crampons barely cut into the ice. The mountain projects itself onto the morning fog. The shadow towers in front of the climbers like a giant mirage. Beneath lies, the world in all its glory, Everest glowing in the rising sun.

The Summit About the Author

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary (20 July 1919 – 11 January 2008) was a New Zealand . mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. He served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a navigator during World War H. He joined the team led by John Hunt and created history by climbing the Everest in 1953. He has recounted the ordeals, frustrations and moment of glory in “View from the Summit: The Remarkable Memoir by the First Person to Conquer Everest”. He founded the Himalayan Trust to help Sherpa people of Nepal who usually escort mountaineers. High Adventure, No Latitude for Error, Nothing Venture, Nothing Win, are some of his famous works.

The Summit Summary in English

Introduction
Sir Edmund Percival Hillary joined the team led by John Hunt and created history by climbing the Everest with the support of Tenzing Norgay on 29th May 1953.

The preparation
On 28th May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing had put up a little tent at an altitude of 27,900 feet.

They started up their cooker and drank large quantities of lemon juice in addition to sardines and biscuits. Hillary scraped the ice off the oxygen sets. As his boots were wet, he cooked them over the fierce fire of Primus and managed to soften them up. They fortified their clothing with wind proof and they pulled three pairs of gloves, silk, woollen, and wind proof on to their hands. At 6.30 am, they hauled their oxygen gear on their backs. Inhaling deep breaths of oxygen, they got ready to climb.

Gruelling climb to the South Col
From the altitude of 28,000 feet, the ridge narrowed to a knife ridge. Hillary’s feet were now warm. So, he took the lead. The snow’ was dangerously soft. The deep soft snow supported Hillary’s weight. Sometimes, it gave way pulling him down by three to four feet. The brittleness of the ice frightened Hillary a little. He asked the advice of Tenzing if they could continue the climb or abort. Tenzing said, “as you please.” Curiously, Hillary decided to continue. They trudged a few hundred feet and reached a tiny hollow. As if to reward their persistence, they found two oxygen bottles filled to their capacity. Hillary hoped that they would sustain them till they returned to their base camp. After the end of the tricky 400 feet climb, they came across firmer ice. This increased their hope of success. As one of the oxygen bottles had been exhausted, their load was reduced by half. Hillary felt a sense of freedom and w ell-being.

Reaching a wide ledge
As Hillary’s ice-axe bit into the first steep slope of the ridge, his high hopes were realized. The snow was crystalline and firm. Two to three blows of ice-axe could get them a step large enough for their high altitude boots. A firm thrust of ice-axe would sink it half-way up the shaft, giving a solid and comfortable belay egging the mountaineers to move on. Hillary would cut a forty-foot line of steps, Tenzing would belay Hillary while he worked. Hillary and Tenzing changed their roles supporting one another. Taking advantage of every little rock hold and all forces of knee, and arms Hillary could muster, Hillary cramponed backwards up the crack praying that the comice should not give way from the rock. With Tenzing’s support, Hillary reached the wide ledge. For the first time Hillary realized that nothing would prevent their chances of reaching Everest that day. Soon Tenzing wriggled his way up and collapsed like a giant fish hauled up from the sea.

The crucial last leg of the climb
Giant cornices loomed on the right. Steep rock sloped on the left. As Hillary cut around the back of a hump, another came into the view. Time was passing. Ridge seemed to have no end at all.

The conquest
Their original zest in the conquest started diminishing. It was becoming a grim struggle. Then Hillary realized that the ridge ahead instead of rising now dropped sharply away. He looked upwards to see a narrow ridge running up to a snowy summit. A few more whacks of the ice-axe in the firm snow, they stood on top of the Everest.

The triumph and the reaction of the heroes
Both had a great sense of relief. There were no more steps to cut or ridges to traverse and no more humps to lure them with the hope of success. In spite of the balaclava helmet, goggles, and oxygen mask, all covered with icicles, he could not disguise his grin of delight. They shook hands. Tenzing threw his arms around Hillary. They thumped each other on their backs till they became breathless.

The view from the top
To the east of Everest, they saw their giant neighbour Makalu, unexplored and unciimbed. Far away across the clouds, the great bulk of Kanchenjunga loomed on the horizon. To the west, they could see the great unexplored ranges of Nepal stretching off into a distance.

The photography-the testimony of their conquest
The most important photo was shot down the north ridge. It showed the North Col and the old route which had been made famous by the struggles of those great climbers of 1920’s and 1930’s.

Small offering to the great Gods
Devout Buddhists believe that Gods have their home on this lofty summit. Hence, they wish to offer at least a token of gift. Tenzing dug a little hole in the snow and in it he placed a bar of chocolate, the packet of biscuits and a handful of lollies. Hillary had a small Crucifix from Colonel Hunt. He had asked Hillary to offer it to the Gods when they reached the top. Hillary also made a small hole in the snow and placed the small crucifix beside Tenzing’s gifts piously.

Conclusion
Not all adventures are exciting. Adventures are not to be found only upon the mountains. In everyday life, there are Everests to be climbed in every walk of life. Man can conquer any height or depth if he persists with his undaunted spirit guided by a higher spirit.

The Summit Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை:
29 மே மாதம் 1953 ஆம் ஆண்டு டென்சிங் உதவியுடன் ஜான் ஹண்ட் நடத்திய குழுவினருடன் சர். எட்மண்ட் பெர்சிவால் ஹிலாரி சேர்ந்து இமயமலை உச்சியை அடையும் வரலாற்றை ஏற்படுத்தினார்.

ஆயத்தங்கள்:
27,900 அடி உயரத்தில் 28 மே மாதம் 1953 ஆம் ஆண்டு எட்மண்ட் ஹிலாரி மற்றும் டென்சிங் ஒரு கூடாரத்தை அமைத்தனர். அடுப்பை பற்ற வைத்தார்கள். தாராளமாக எலுமிச்சை பரசம் பருகினார்கள். தவிர்த்து மீனும், பிஸ்கட்டுகளும் உண்டார்கள், ஹிலாரி ஆக்ஸிஜன் செட்டின் மேல் படிந்துள்ள ஐஸ்கட்டிகளை அப்புறப்படுத்தினார். காலணிகள் ஈரமாகிவிட்டதால் பிரிமஸ் என்ற பிரம்மாண்டமான அடுப்பில் காட்டி சூடேற்றி அதை மிருதுவாக்கினார். துணிக்கு மேல் அடைக்களமாக காற்று புகா உறையை அணிந்து கைகளுக்கு, சில்க், ரோமத்தினால் ஆன உறை மற்றும் காற்று புகா உறை என மூன்று ஜோடி உறைகளை அணிந்தனர். அதிகாலை 6.30 மணி அளவில் ஆக்ஸிஜன் இயந்திரத்தை முதுகில் இழுத்து மாட்டி ஆக்ஸிஜனை நுகர்ந்த வண்ணம் மலையேற ஆயத்தமானார்கள்.

தெற்கு கோலை நோக்கி கடினமான மலையேறும் படலம்:
28,000 அடி உயரத்தில் இருந்து மலையின் உச்சியை பார்க்கும் போது அது கத்தியின் கூர்மையான முனை போல் குறுகிக் காணப்பட்டது. ஹிலாரியின் பாதங்கள் வெதுவெதுப்பாக இருந்ததால் அவர் பயணத்தை முன்னின்று தொடங்கினார். பனிக்கட்டிகள் மிகவும் இலகிக் காணப்பட்டன. அடித்தளத்தில் காணப்பட்ட தளர்ந்த ஐஸ்கட்டிகள் ஹிலாரியின் பாரத்தை தாங்கியது. சில சமயம் ஐஸ் விலகி அவர் கீழ் நோக்கி மூன்று அல்லது நான்கு அடி இறங்க வேண்டியதாயிற்று. ஐஸ்கட்டியின் கூர் முனைகள் ஹிலாரியை சற்றே அச்சுறுத்தின. அவர் டென்சிங்கிடம் தாம் இந்த பயணத்தை மேற்கொள்ளலாமா

அல்லது விட்டுவிடலாமா என ஆலோசனைக் கேட்டார். வழக்கமாக டென்சிங் “உங்கள் விருப்பம்” என்றார். ஆச்சரியமாக ஹிலாரி பயணத்தை மேற்கொள்ள நினைத்தார். கஷ்டத்துடன் சில நூறு அடிகள் கடந்து ஒரு பொந்தை அடைந்தனர். அவர்கள் முயற்சியை பாராட்டும் விதமாக அங்கு இரண்டு ஆக்ஸிஜன் பாட்டில்கள் முழுமையாக காணப்பட்டன. அவை அவர்கள் தன் கூடாரம் செல்லும் வரை உதவும் என எண்ணினார். 400 அடி மிக சாதுர்யமான மலையேற்றத்திற்குப்பின்னர் கடினமானபனிக்கட்டியை அடைந்தனர். இது அவர்கள் முயற்சியை ஊக்குவித்தது. ஒரு ஆக்ஸிஜன் பாட்டில் தீர்ந்து விட்டமையால் அது அவர்கள் பாரத்தை பாதி குறைத்தது ஹிலாரிக்கு பெரிய விடுதலையாகவும், நிம்மதியாகவும் இருந்தது.

பரவலான விளிம்பை அடைந்தனர்:
ஹிலாரியின் பனிக் கோடரி பனிக்கட்டியின் விளிம்பை முதலில் வெட்டியதும் அவரின் ஊக்கம் வெளிப்பட்டது. பனிக்கட்டிகள் படிகங்களாகவும், கெட்டியாகவும் காணப்பட்டன. இரண்டு அல்லது மூன்று முறை பனிக் கோடரியால் கொத்தினால் உயரத்தில் அணிவதற்கு ஏதுவாக தயாரிக்கப்பட்ட பூட்ஸ் கொள்ளும் அளவுக்கு இடம் கிடைத்தது. திடமாக பனிக் கோடரியை ஊன்றுவதால் அது தண்டை தாங்குவதற்கு ஏதுவாக கீழிறங்கியும், இறுக்கிக் கட்டுவதால் அவர்கள் முன்னேறிச் செல்ல ஏதுவாகவும் மற்றும் சௌகரியமாகவும் அமைந்தது. நாற்பது அடி தாண்டும் வரை டென்சிங் பனிக் கோடரியை ஹிலாரி வேலை செய்யும் வரை இறுக்கிப் பிடித்துக் கொள்வார். ஹிலாரியும் மற்றும் டென்சிங்கும் மாறி, மாறி ஒருவருக்கு ஒருவர் உதவியாக வேலையை மாற்றிக் கொண்டனர்.

சிறு பாறைகளின் உதவியோடும் மற்றும் முட்டியையும், கைகளையும் பலம் கொண்ட மட்டும் ஊன்றி, ஹிலாரி பனி படலத்தின் ஊடே அமைந்த துவாரத்தில் பின்னோக்கி நகர்ந்தவண்ணம் இருக்க அந்த பனிப் படலம் உடைந்து விடக்கூடாது என வேண்டிக் கொண்டார். டென்சிங்கின் உதவியுடன் பனிப்படலத்தின் விளிம்பை அடைந்தார். முதன்முறையாக தான் இமயமலையின் உச்சியை அடைவதை எதுவும் தடுக்க முடியாது என்பதை உணர்ந்தார். விரைவில் டென்சிங் மேலெழும்பி வலையில் பிடிபட்ட பெரி மீன் விழுவது போல் விழுந்தார்.

கடினமான கடைசி முயற்சி:
அகன்ற பனிப்பாறைகள் வலப்புறமும், செங்குத்தான பாறைகள் இடப்புறமும் பயமுறுத்தின. ஹிலாரி ஒரு மேடை கடந்தால் மற்றொன்று தோன்றியது. காலம் கடந்து கொண்டிருந்தது. பனிப்பாறையின் விளிம்புகள் முடிவே இல்லாமல் சென்று கொண்டிருந்தன.

எல்லையைப் பிடித்தனர்:
தொடக்கத்தில் இருந்த வேட்கை குறைந்தது. அது கடினமான போராட்டமாகிப் போனது. ஹிலாரி முன்னே படர்ந்த பனி விளிம்பு மேல் நோக்கி எழாமல் கீழே கூர்மையாக தாழ்ந்த வண்ணம் காணப்பட்டது. மேலே குறுகிய பனிப்படலத்தின் விளிம்பு பனிப்பாறையை நோக்கி படர்ந்து இருப்பதைக் கண்டார். ஓரிரு முறை பனிக் கோடரியை பலமாக பனிக்கட்டியில் ஊன்றி ஏறினால் மலை உச்சியை அடைவது நிச்சயம்.

வெற்றியும், வீரர்களின் குதூகலிப்பும்:
இருவருக்கும் பெருத்த நிம்மதி கிடைத்தது. இனி பாறைகளை உடைத்து முன்னேற வேண்டியதோ, ) கடக்கக்கூடிய முகடுகளோ ஆக்ஸிஜனைக் கட்டிக் கொண்டு வெற்றியை நோக்கி அலையவோ வேண்டிய தேவையில்லை.
(Balaclava helmet) பலாக்லாவா தலைக்கவசம், கண்ணாடி, ஆக்ஸிஜன் முகமூடி இவை அனைத்தையும் கூரிய பனிக்கட்டிகள் மறைத்திருக்க, இருப்பினும் பற்களைக் காட்டி சிரிக்கும் வெற்றியின் மகிழ்ச்சி தென்பட்டது. கை குலுக்கி கொண்டார்கள். டென்சிங், ஹிலாரியை கட்டி அணைத்துக் கொண்டார். மூச்சிறைக்க இருவரும் முதுகை தட்டிக் கொடுத்துக் கொண்டனர்.

உச்சியில் இருந்து கண்ட காட்சி:
இமயத்தின் கிழக்கு மார்கமாக, ஆராயப்படாத மற்றும் மலையேறாத வானளாவிய மக்காளு உச்சி தென்பட்டது. வெகு தூரத்தில் மேகங்களிடையே பிரம்மாண்டமாக கஞ்சன்ஜங்கா தொடுவானத்தை தொட்டது. மேற்கு திசையில் ஆராயப்படாத மறப்பான் மலைத் தொடர்கள் வெகு தூரத்திற்கு நீண்டு தொலைந்தன.

புகைப்படம் அவர்கள் வெற்றியின் அடையாளம்:
வடக்கு மலைத் தொடர்களில் மிக முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்த புகைப்படங்கள் எடுக்கப்பட்டன. அது 1920/1930 ஆம் ஆண்டு மலை ஏறுபவர்களால் பிரசித்தப்படுத்தப்பட்ட வடக்கு கோல் மட்டும் பழைய மலை ஏறும் வழிகள் ஆகியவையே கொண்டிருந்தன.

கடவுளுக்கு அர்ப்பணம்:
புத்தரின் மேல் பக்தி கொண்டவர்கள். உயர்ந்த சிகரம் கடவுளின் இருப்பிடம் என நம்பினர். ஆதலால் கடவுளுக்காக ஒரு சிறிய பரிசை தர விரும்பினர். டென்சிங் பனிக்கட்டியில் துளையிட்டு அதில் சாக்லெட், பிஸ்கெட் மற்றும் மிட்டாய்களை வைத்தார். ஹிலாரி, கர்ணல் ஹண்ட் கொடுத்த சிலுவை ஒன்றை வைத்திருந்தார். அவர் ஹிலாரியிடம் மலை உச்சியை அடைந்ததும் அதை பொதித்து வைக்க சொன்னார். ஹிலாரி பனிக்கட்டியில் துளையிட்டு அந்த திண்பண்டங்களின் பக்கத்தில் சிலுவையையும் பக்தியுடன் நட்டு வைத்தார்

முடிவுரை:
எல்லா சாகசங்களும் உற்சாகமூட்டுவதாக அமைவதில்லை. மலைச் சிகரங்களில் மட்டும் சாகசங்களை நாம் காண்பதில்லை. நடைமுறை வாழ்க்கையில் எல்லா தருணங்களிலும் நாம் எல்லையை தொட வேண்டிய சிகரங்கள் வந்த வண்ணமே உள்ளன. கடவுளின் அருளுடன் மனிதன் எப்பேர்ப்பட்ட உயரத்தையும் அல்லது ஆழத்தையும் சளைக்காத மனப்போக்குடன் தொடலாம் என்பதை அறிந்தோம்.

The Summit Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

The Summit Synonyms

Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences. Tenzing crawled into the tent.

Question 1.
Tenzing crawled into the tent.
(a) craved
(b) craned
(c) crashed
(d) crept
Answer:
(d) crept

Question 2.
I dragged our oxygen sets into the tent.
(a) pushed
(b) loaded
(c) pulled
(d) lauded
Answer:
(c) pulled

Question 3.
They were now frozen solid.
(a) soft
(b) rigid
(c) molten
(d) liquied
Answer:
(b) rigid

Question 4.
I cooked them over the fierce flames.
(a) mild
(b) benign
(c) ferocious
(d) sublime
Answer:
(c) ferocious

Question 5.
We hoisted our oxygen gear on to our backs.
(a) hauled up
(b) dropped
(c) swayed
(d) hooked up
Answer:
(a) hauled up

Question 6.
Tenzing kicked steps in a long traverse.
(a) vertical movement
(b) horizontal crossing
(c) diving
(d) jumping
Answer:
(b) horizontal crossing

Question 7.
We came to a tiny hollow.
(a) peak
(b) sledge
(c) empty space
(d) deep pit
Answer:
(c) empty space

Question 8.
I scraped the ice off the gauges.
(a) melted
(b) applied
(c) saw
(d) scratched
Answer:
(d) scratched

Question 9.
If used sparingly, the newly found cylinders could get us down to south.
(a) lavishly
(b) extravagantly
(c) economically
(d) sufficiently
Answer:
(c) economically

Question 10.
We persisted in our efforts to beat a trail up.
(a) plodded
(b) persevered
(c) prevented
(d) perished
Answer:
(b) persevered

Question 11.
We made frequent changes of the lead.
(a) irregular
(b) intermitent
(c) regular
(d) legal
Answer:
(c) regular

Question 12.
We reached a firmer snow higher up.
(a) milder
(b) softer
(c) fragil
(d) harder
Answer:
(d) harder

Question 13.
A section around me gave way.
(a) firmed up
(b) collapsed
(c) cleared
(d) shook
Answer:
(b) collapsed

Question 14.
We removed our oxygen apparatus.
(a) implement
(b) tool
(c) equipment
(d) mask
Answer:
(c) equipment

Question 15.
Our first bottle of oxygen was now exhausted.
(a) full
(b) filled
(c) exploded
(d) finished
Answer:
(d) finished

Question 16.
The space was large enough for our oversized high altitude boots,
(a) expensive
(b) cozy
(c) height
(d) depth
Answer:
(c) height

Question 17.
We scrambled on the rocks.
(a) slept
(b) slipped
(c) smiled
(d) hurried
Answer:
(d) hurried

Question 18.
We were able to shuffle past these portions.
(a) walk unsteadily
(b) run fast
(c) dive
(d) slide
Answer:
(a) walk unsteadily

Question 19.
I took a firm stance.
(a) chance
(b) act
(c) fact
(d) view point
Answer:
(d) view point

Question 20.
It has just been hauled from the sea.
(a) thrown
(b) preserved
(c) pulled out
(d) put out
Answer:
(c) pulled out

Question 21.
Our original zest had now gone.
(a) indolence
(b) indifference
(c) insight
(d) enthusiasm
Answer:
(c) insight

Question 22.
There were no more humps to tantalize us.
(a) tip
(b) tease
(c) divert
(d) provoke
Answer:
(b) tease

Question 23.
These was not disguising his grin of delight.
(a) concealing
(b) controlling
(c) curbing
(d) curtaling
Answer:
(a) concealing

Question 24.
To the east was our giant neighbour Makalu unexplored.
(a) unnoticed
(b) unnerved
(c) undiscovered
(d) unruffled
Answer:
(c) undiscovered

Question 25.
The great bulk of Kanchenjunga loomed on the horizon.
(a) soothed
(b) reassured
(c) reaffirmed
(d) reaffirmed
Answer:
(d) reaffirmed

Question 26.
All devout Buddhists believe that at least a token gift must be given to Gods.
(a) addicted
(b) devastated
(c) dedicated
(d) delirious
Answer:
(c) dedicated

Question 27.
We cautiously scrambled over the rock.
(a) casually
(b) recklessly
(c) gracefully
(d) carefully
Answer:
(d) carefully

Question 28.
We set ourselves to the task of safely descending the ridge of South Col.
(a) disagreeing
(b) dissenting
(c) climbing down
(d) dissecting
Answer:
(c) climbing down

Question 29.
The tents flapped and shook under the perpetual South Col gale.
(a) transitory
(b) make shift
(c) never ending
(d) rare
Answer:
(c) never ending

Question 30.
John Hunt led the expedition.
(a) picnic
(b) purposeful journey
(c) excursion
(d) tour
Answer:
(b) purposeful journey

The Summit Antonyms

Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
They were now frozen solid.
(a) concrete
(b) firm
(c) thick
(d) liquid
Answer:
(d) liquid

Question 2.
I cooked them over the fierce flames.
(a) rude
(b) tough
(c) gentle/mild
(d) cruel
Answer:
(c) gentle/mild

Question 3.
My feet were now warm.
(a) hot
(b) cozy
(c) chill
(d) comfortable
Answer:
(c) chill

Question 4.
The bottle of oxygen was now exhausted.
(a) emptied
(b) finished
(c) completed
(a) filled
Answer:
(b) finished

Question 5.
They wear over-sized high altitude boots.
(a) depth
(b) sound
(c) light
(d) height
Answer:
(a) depth

Question 6.
I felt a sense of freedom.
(a) liberty
(b) fraternity
(c) equality
(d) slavery
Answer:
(d) slavery

Question 7.
It was a great thrill to look down this enormous rock.
(a) huge
(b) large
(c) tiny
(d) colossal
Answer:
(c) tiny

Question 8.
With effort could muster my arms and shoulder.
(a) gather
(b) collect
(c) give
(d) lose
Answer:
(d) lose

Question 9.
Makalu was unexplored.
(a) expedited
(b) explored
(c) explained
(d) expelled
Answer:
(b) explored

Question 10.
Buddhists believe that God lives in lofty summits.
(a) high
(b) colossal
(c) enormous
(d) lowly
Answer:
(d) lowly

Question 11.
We scrambled cautiously.
(a) carefully
(b) meticulously
(c) carelessly
(d) teasingly
Answer:
(c) carelessly

Question 12.
We set about descending from the ridge.
(a) dissenting
(b) ascending
(c) condescending
(d) stooping
Answer:
(b) ascending

Question 13.
We cramponed along our tracks spurred by the urgency of diminishing oxygen.
(a) aroused
(b) animated
(c) propelled
(d) calmed
Answer:
(d) calmed

Question 14.
With a sigh of delight we collapsed into our sleeping bags.
(a) joy
(b) bliss
(c) sorrow
(d) contentment
Answer:
(c) sorrow

Question 15.
Their happiness and pride showed.
(a) egoism
(b) egotism
(c) gratification
(d) humility
Answer:
(d) humility

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Prose

• Two Gentlemen of Verona Book Back Answers
• A Nice Cup of Tea Book Back Answers
• In Celebration of Being Alive Book Back Answers
• The Summit Book Back Answers
• The Status of Tamil as a Classical Language Book Back Answers
• On the Rule of the Road Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Lesson 6 On the Rule of the Road Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 6th Lesson On the Rule of the Road Questions and Answers

Warm Up

(a) From the pictures given below, identity the actions that may cause inconvenience and discomfort to others. Discuss.

Answer:
Using mobile phones, listening to loud music and driving recklessly will cause inconvenience and discomfort to others.

(b) Classify these pictures to show what they depict-Personal freedom/Public liberty.

Answer:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English On the Rule of the Road Textual Questions

1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

Question (a)
Why did the lady think she was entitled to walk down the middle of the road?
Answer:
The lady thought that they got liberty. She could walk anywhere she liked even if it is the middle of the road.

Question (b)
What would be the consequence of the old lady’s action?
Answer:
If the pedestrian takes to the road, the cars have to take the pavement to drive on. The lady’s action would result in a universal chaos.

Question (c)
What does the ‘rule of the road’ mean?
Answer:
The road of the rule means that in order that the liberties of all may be preserved, the liberty’ of everyone must be curtailed.

Question (d)
Why should individual liberty’ be curtailed?
Answer:
The individual liberty must be curtailed in order that everyone may enjoy a social order which makes the individual liberty a reality.

Question (e)
How would a reasonable person react when his actions affect other person’s liberty?
Answer:
A reasonable person would understand that if the traffic police doesn’t interfere with the liberty of individuals at signal points, there will be a huge traffic jam and none will be able to drive on the road.

Question (f)
Define Liberty as perceived by the author.
Answer:
Liberty is an accommodation of interests. It is a social contract rather than a personal affair,

Question (g)
According to the author, what are we more conscious of?
Answer:
We are more conscious of the imperfections of others than of our own.

Question (h)
What is the foundation of social conduct?
Answer:
A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct.

Question (i)
How can we sweeten our life’s journey?
Answer:
We can sweeten our life’s journey with the-little habits of common place interactions accommodating the interests of fellow human beings.

Question (J)
What does the traffic policeman symbolize?
Answer:
The traffic police man is a symbol of liberty and not tyranny.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
How does individual liberty become social anarchy?
Answer:
When an individual does not follow rules of the road, he interferes with others. Everyone will get into everyone else’s way and thus individual liberty will become social anarchy.

Question (b)
What will happen if the police man does not interfere with traffic?
Answer:
If the traffic police does not interfere with the driving in any way, the result would be chaos. Piccadilly Circus would be a maelstrom which no one would be able to cross.

Question (c)
When can one enjoy a social order?
Answer:
When one submits to a curtailment of private liberty, one can enjoy a social order. Such a social order makes one’s liberty a reality.

Question (d)
Why does the author say liberty is a social contract?
Answer:
Liberty is not a personal affair but a social contract. It is an accommodation of interests.

Question (e)
What are we liable to forget?
Answer:
We are liable to forget that there are a lot of people in the world and we have to accommodate our liberties to their liberties.

Question (f)
What are we often conscious of?
Answer:
We are often conscious of the imperfections of others than of our own when it comes to accommodation of interests.

Question (g)
How do we declare ourselves civilised or uncivilised?
Answer:
It is in the small matters of conduct, in the observance of the rules of the road, that we pass judgement upon ourselves and declare if we are civilised or uncivilised.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

Question (a)
What is ‘liberty’ according to the old lady?
Answer:
According to the Russian old lady, liberty is the right to walk in the middle of the road. She is liberty-drunk. She wasn’t aware that if the pedestrian chooses to walk down the middle of the road, then the end of such liberty would be a universal chaos.

Question (b)
How would ‘liberty’ cause universal chaos?
Answer:
When liberty is used without accommodating the interests of others, it results in universal chaos. Everybody would be getting in everybody else’s -way. Nobody would get anywhere. Individual liberty would become a social anarchy.

Question (c)
Why is there a danger of the world getting ‘liberty drunk’?
Answer:
Similar to the Russian old lady many people are liberty-drunk. Many think that a traffic policeman is a symbol of tyranny. Being in a hurry, the people who are crazy driving their cars . at break-neck speed think that the traffic policeman interferes with their right to free use of highway.

Question (d)
‘Curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order’ – Do you agree?
Answer:
Yes, curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order. Liberty is not a personal affair only, it is a social contract. There are a lot of people in the world who need to accommodate their liberty to the liberties of others. A reasonable consideration of the rights or feelings of others in the foundation of social conduct. When one has submitted to the curtailment of private liberty, one may enjoy a social order which makes his liberty, a reality.

3. Answer each of the following in a paragraph of 100-150 words.

Question (a)
What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the rule of the Road’?
Answer:
A.G. Gardiner’s essay ‘On the rule of the Road’ is a treatise on “liberty”. He starts the essay with an anecdote. A liberty-drunk Russian lady starts walking down the middle of Highway frustrating car drivers, bus drivers and the traffic police. When questioned about her behaviour, she just replied that she now has the liberty to walk anywhere she liked. The author observes that if a- pedestrian gives up the pavement in preference to the road, cars will be forced to move on to the pavement. This would result in universal chaos. Everybody would be getting in everybody’s way. Nobody would get anywhere. Individual liberty would have become social anarchy.

Under such circumstances the world is in the danger of getting liberty-drunk. The rule of the road reminds the readers that in order that liberties of all may be preserv ed, the liberty of everybody must be curtailed. Thus the traffic police at Piccadilly Circus is not a symbol of tyranny but of liberty. He doesn’t hinder but help the smooth flow of traffic. One has to allow curtailment of one’s liberty to enjoy the fruits of a social order.

Question (b)
Explain in your own words, “What freedom means?”
Answer:
Freedom is not the absolute right of an individual. It is not a personal affair only but a social contract. It is an accommodation of interests. One may exercise freedom in matters pertaining to choice of hair-cut, clothes, sandals and sleeping habits. There are thousand little things for which one can use freedom and be wise or otherwise. But beyond that kingdom of freedom, one’s freedom of action is qualified by other’s freedom. One might use trombone from midnight till three in the morning provided it is done in the Mount Everest and not where one’s own family members are asleep. One’s right to play on trombone must not interfere with the liberty of neighbours to sleep in quiet. A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of fellow humans is the foundation of social conduct.

Question (c)
“My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins.” Elucidate with reference to, ‘On the Rule of the Road’.
Answer:
Rights are not completely individual affairs. In order to enjoy one’s rights one has to respect the rights of others too. The lady in Petrograd had the right to walk on the pavement. The right to move stops when the other person’s right to drive starts. A person may have a walking stick and roll it too. But his right just stops where the other person’s nose begins. No one has the right to violate the rights of others. The right, one exercises, must not affect or erode the rights of others. One should not think of one’s own rights but also the rights of others.

A.G.Gardiner beautifully illustrates this idea by emphasising the metaphor of traffic rules. Rules of road are in fact rules of politeness and unselfishness. One may have absolute freedom in the choice , of food, religion, fashionable dress, up keep of hair, funny hairsty le, etc. But one must be conscious of the rights of others. So, the statement “my right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins” fits well with the central theme of the essay ‘ On the Rule of the Road’.

Question (d)
Civilization can only exist when the public collectively accepts constraints on its freedom of action – Explain.
Answer:
Human beings, by nature are quick to find fault with the imperfections of others. They don’t usually realize the truth that they have to accommodate their liberty to the liberty’ of others. A reasonable consideration for the rights and feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct. It is in small matters of conduct, in the observance of the rules of road, that we pass judgement on ourselves. We assess ourselves as civilized or uncivilized.

We are civilized if we enjoy our rights without violating the rights of others or eroding into the privacy of others. It is the little habits of common place interaction that make up the great sum of life and sweeten or make bitter the journey.

In a civilized society, public collectively accepts the fact that freedom is an accommodation of interests of others. It means curtailing a part of one’s own liberty to the liberty of others. So, it is true that civilization can only exist and prosper when the public collectively accepts constraints to its freedom of action.

Vocabulary

Pronunciation – Functional Stress

(a) Now the teacher will read the following words. Listen carefully to the stress in each word. Write against each word whether it is a noun or a verb and mark the stress.

Answer:

American And British English

(c) Some British English words are given in column ‘A’. Write their corresponding American English word is Column ‘B.’

Answer:

(d) Similarly there is a difference in the spelling of certain words between American and British English. In Column ‘A’ words are spelled in American. Write down the corresponding British English spelling for those words in column ‘B\ (The first one is done for you)

Answer:

Listening Activity

Listen carefully to the story being read out and answer the questions.

A boy was flying a kite with his father. He was excited to watch the kite soar high and asked his father, “What kept the kite up?” Dad replied “The String”. The boy said “No dad, the string is holding the kite down.” The father suddenly broke the string, the kite came crashing down. Now the boy understood, what was holding the kite up. This is true in life as well. We are , advised to follow a set of rules or a prescribed code of conduct to enable us to reach our full potential. However, very often we hear the phrase “I want to be free.” If you take the train off the track, it is free. But where would it go? If each one of us follow our own traffic rules and drive on any side of the road what would you call it? Freedom or chaos? By observing rules we are actually gaining freedom. This is what.discipline is all about.

Question 1.
According to the father what kept the kite up?
(a) the kite itself
(b) air
(c) the string
(d) father’s skills
Answer:
(c) the string

Question 2.
The string helped the kite to ______
(a) withstand the pressure
(b) break free
(c) crash
(d) soar high
Answer:
(d) soar high

Question 3.
To realize our full potential, we should ______
(a) obey our elders
(b) follow a set of rules
(c) work hard
(d) plan well
Answer:
(b) follow a set of rules

Question 4.
A train should go on the ______ to reach its destination.
(a) track
(b) line
(c) road
(d) path
Answer:
(a) track

Question 5.
Taking freedom in our own hands will lead to ______
(a) self-discipline
(b) chaos
(c) a code of conduct
(d) freedom
Answer:
(b) chaos

Question 6.
The main idea of the passage is ______
(a) the art of flying kites
(b) father’s advice to his son
(c) the importance of discipline
(d) the right to freedome
Answer:
(c) the importance of discipline

Speaking Activity

(a) Everybody enjoys holidays but, when it comes to safety ‘There is no holiday for Safety’. Discuss in groups what safety measures one should take while driving a car/ two wheeler.

Group A:
While riding a bike, the rider should wear a helmet. If there is a pillion rider, he/she should also wear a helmet. When the signal is yellow, one must stop the vehicle as, red signal will follow soon. Don’t ride or drive with a breakneck speed. If somebody tries to cross the road suddenly, there could be a fatal accident. Before leaving the home, check the tyre pressure, adequacy of petrol or diesel or electricity if it is an electric bike/scooter. Thus, you can ensure safety by adopting the above strategies.

Group B:
If you plan to travel by a car, leave at least one hour early to avoid peak hour traffic. Wear seat belt. Before overtaking ensure if the vehicle ahead of you wishes to take a ‘U’ turn or not. If you wish to take a right turn or a left turn use the indicator to warn the following vehicle of your intended change in the direction of travel. If you tend to travel near a school, don’t speed up, look on either side to verify if children are trying to cross the road. Don’t honk near hospitals and schools. If there is an unmanned level crossing, park your car 10 metres away from the level crossing, check for the movement of train on either side. Even if the train is seen far away, wait for the train to pass by.

(b) Your school has arranged for a road safety campaign, Share a few ideas with your classmates which can be used during the campaign. For example ‘Speed thrills but kills’.

The following are some interesting slogans to be used in the road safety campaign.

• Drive as if every child on the road is your own.
• A spill, a slip, a hospital trip
• Start early, drive slowly, reach safely
• An accident would cripple your income
• Safety protects people
• Safety starts within you
• Risk prevention is better than cure
• Drowsy driving is impaired driving
• Fast drive’ could be the last drive
• Don’t lose your head to gain a minute, you need your head your brains are in it
• Hug your kids at home but belt them in the car
• Safety first because accident last
• Chance takers are accident makers
• Accidents hurts but safety doesn’t
• Speed kills, slow down
• Be cautious, nearly 40% victims in road accidents are pedestrians
• Sober up, drunk driving kills

Reading

Cyber Safety
Given below is a text on “Cyber safety” developed from the inputs received from Crime- Branch Crime Investigation Department (CBCID), Tamil Nadu dated: 05.12.2018. Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1
How should teenagers guard against cyber crimes?
Answer:

• Desist from interacting with strangers on social media and never meet strangers in person pursuant to social media chat/interaction.
• Avoid having your picture as profile picture. Even if you choose to have one, do so while restricting those persons who can see your profile picture.
• Do not download software’s/Apps from unknown sources. Do not download unnecessary apps in the devices. Be a member of social media group or whatsapp group only if you know majority of members in it and also if it is relevant to be part of the group. Do not believe and blindly share message in social media without verifying the facts.
• Keep front camera of mobile phones, laptops etc., closed when not used. For Example, Stickers may be used to close the camera and to avoid remote access of front camera.

Question 2
What should we do to ensure Safe Surfing?
Answer:

• Use a secure browser.
• Do not surf unsafe websites. A website with URL starting with https:// is a secure website. If the website URL starts only as http://, it is unsecure.
• Avoid clicking on links from unknown mails/pop ups.
• Do not enter passwords when connected to a public network (WiFi in Railway station or Airports)
• Always use a computer in which updated Anti Virus is installed.

Question 3
What are the details not to be revealed in public domain ?
Answer:

• Any Passwords
• Bank account /credentials
• Credit card/Debit card details
• Personal mobile number
• Date of Birth
• Any details which would help to track your routine activities

Question 4
What should parents do to ensure the safety of children in cyber space ?
Answer:

• Set a fixed time during which children are allowed to surf the internet.
• Always place the computer in that part of the house, which is visited most often by everyone. Don’t keep the computer in a secluded part. Talk with the children and educate them on the websites that they are allowed / not allowed to visit.
• Be “Friends” with the children’s social media account so that their activities are monitored.
• Install an Anti Virus with parental control in the computer.
• Make it a habit to check browsing history/hidden files, apps installed etc., on the computer/ device to monitor activity of the children.

Question 5
Should children be discouraged from playing online games?
Answer:
Yes, the following steps can be followed to discourage children from playing online games.

• Encourage children to play outdoor games.
• Monitor closely if they are found playing a single game for long hours.
• Watch out for early signs of addiction to games such as
  1. Decreasing Academic activity 4 Less time spent with family
  2. Loss of interest in things previously enjoyed.
  3. Lack of sleep / Sore Eyes
  4. Headaches
  5. Create awareness about the ill-effects of dangerous online games.

Questions:

Question 1.
Which of the following should one avoid while using social media? Tick against the correct options.
Answer:

• Interacting with strangers on social media
• Avoid posting your picture as profile picture
• Forwarding Whatsapp messages without verifying facts
• Use a secure browser
• Entering passwords while using public network

Question 2.
How can we identify insecure websites?
Answer:
If the website URL starts only as http://, it is insecure.

Question 3.
Mention any three details that should not be revealed in public domain.
Answer:

1. Password
2. Bank account details
3. Personal mobile number

Question 4.
What should parents do to ensure cyber safety for their wards ? (Any three points)
Answer:
Set a fixed time for viewing internet
Keep the computer in a place from where the content being viewed can be monitored by anyone Educate children on safe and unsafe sites.

Question 5.
Why is it not advisable to play online games?
Answer:

1. They could swindle the family fortune
2. Online games distract children from studies
3. Children tend to spend less quality time with family members.
4. Children tend to develop eye problems

Question 6.
Pick out words which mean the same as
Answer:
(a) stop doing something (para 1) – desist/avoid
(b) place or fix (para 2) – having
(c) not protected (para 2) – insecure
(d) keep a check on (para 3) – monitor

Grammar

Agreement of the subject with the verb
Task 1
I. Choose the correct option and complete the sentences.

1. Manoj ________ (was, were) present along with his parents.
2. Each of these boys ________ (has, have) passed.
3. Neither Lekha nor Leela ________ (has, have) been selected.
4. Every man, woman and child ________ (was, were) happy.
5. One of the machines ________ (is, are) defective.
6. A number of books ________ (is, are) missing.
7. Seker or his brothers ________ (has, have) done it.
8. To make a promise and then not to keep it ________ (is, are) dishonesty.
9. One or the other of those men ________ (has, have) lodged a complaint.
10. TO. Each leaf and each flower ________ (was, were) stripped off the tree.

Answers

1. was
2. has
3. 3. has
4. were
5. is
6. are
7. have
8. is
9. has
10. was

Task 2
II. Identify the errors in each of the following sentences and rewrite them Correctly.

Question 1.
Either Shyam or Ram have to pay the fine.
Answer:
Either Shyam or Ram has to pay the fine.

Question 2.
Abdul as well as Karim deserve praise.
Answer:
Abdul as well as Karim deserves praise.

Question 3.
Ten thousand rupees a month are an insufficient income.
Answer:
Ten thousand rupees a month is an insufficient income.

Question 4.
Many a student were awarded at the function.
Answer:
Many a student was awarded at the function.

Question 5.
Neither Veena nor her sisters has been informed of the accident.
Answer:
Neither Veena nor her sisters have been informed of the accident.

Question 6.
Mithra as well as her daughters enjoy singing.
Answer:
Mithra as well as her daughters eniovs singing.

Question 7.
You, who is my friend, should help me.
Answer:
You, who are my friend, should help me.

Question 8.
My scissors is missing.
Answer:
My scissors are missing.

Question 9.
A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye.
Answer:
A variety of pleasing objects charms the eye.

Question 10.
Sixty miles are a long distance.
Answer:
Sixty miles is a long distance.

Writing

Describing a process
Task 1:

Preparation of apple juice
You plan to delight your parents and sister, serving them chilled apple juice. Here is the process:

(Complete the sentences with the right form of the verbs)
Four or five apples (1) ______ (take) and (2) ______ (wash) well. They (3) ______ (wipe) dry and cut into pieces of medium size. The seeds (4) ______ (remove). Then the apples (5) ______ (put) into the mixer. Some milk (6) ______ (add) .The apples(7) ______ (crush) and a fine liquid (8) ______ (obtain). This liquid (9) ______ (filter) and the juice (10) ______ (store) in the refrigerator. It is (11) ______ (take ) out whenever needed, and after adding sugar, it (12) ______ (sen e) in cups.
Answer:

1. should be taken
2. washed
3. should be wiped
4. should be removed
5. should be put
6. should be added
7. should be crushed
8. will be obtained
9. should be filtered
10. should be stored
11. taken
12. is served

Task 2:
Installing a computer

The description of installing a computer in your study room is given in the form of jumbled sentences. Rearrange the sentences in the right order and form a coherent paragraph.

1. Once you connect the CPU, connect the keyboard and mouse.
2. Before turning on the power, check that all parts are connected to the CPU.
3. First open the box and take out the computer parts.
4. Plug both the computer and the monitor with a power cord.
5. Set the computer on a table or flat surface.
6. Finally turn on the power.

Task 3:
Attempt a description of the following processes, in about 100 words each, either using the imperative or the passive.

Question 1.
Preparing your favourite dish
Answer:

1. Finely chop one medium size onion, 1 to 2 green chillies, half inch ginger and some coriander leaves.
2. One must keep aside 8 to 10 curry leaves, 10 to 12 cashew nuts, 1 teaspoon chana dal and 1 teaspoon of urud dal.
3. Heat a pan or kadai. Add one cup rava and roast at a low flame, until the aroma of roasted rava arises.
4. Shift the roasted rava to another plate.
5. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil and add mustard seeds. Wait until it crackles.
6. Then add cumin seeds and chana dal and fry them until brown.
7. Add cashews and roast till they become golden colour. Now add finely chopped onions and.saute them till they become translucent.
8. Now add green chilly, ginger, curry’ leaves. Saute for a minute. Add tw’o and a half cups of,water and add salt to taste.
9. Wait until the water boils and add the roasted rava in four or five batches. Keep stirring and mix well under low flame.
10. The rava will absorb the water and will be cooked.
11. Keep on stirring until all the water is absorbed by the rava and then turn off the flame.
12. Serve the delicious upma with coconut chutney or sugar.

Question 2.
Organising a birthday party in your house
Answer:
Organising a birthday party especially for young children could be great fun.

1. Shortlist the names of invitees.
2. Write or print as many invitation cards as necessary,
3. Place them inside the cover and write the names on each cover.
4. Decide on the items to be served to the invitees such as juice, cakes, ice-cream, candies etc.
5. Decorate the home with colour flags, balloons, etc.
6. Decide on the games to be played.
7. Along with food items procure gift items to be given to children who come to honour the child in the birthday party.
8. Either have a photographer or videographer to record the event.
9. Now go ahead with the plan, you w ill have a wonderful birthday party.

Question 3.
Sending a letter by courier service
Answer:

1. Write the letter, fold it and place it inside an envelope.
2. Paste the right end of the envelope and w’rite your address at the left hand bottom.
3. Write the addressee’s name and address in the middle of the envelope.
4. Take it to the courier office.
5. Write on top of the envelope “By Courier”.
6. Get it weighed.
7. The front desk personnel will ask you to pay an amount according to the weight of the envelope and distance it has to travel
8. Pay the money and get the invoice.
9. Now the courier is on its way to the intended destination.

Question 4.
Obtaining a demand draft from a bank
Answer:

1. It is a very simple process.
2. Go to any nationalised bank and ask for a challan to fill in details such as beneficiary’s name,date, amount, commission to be paid.
3. One can turn the challan leaf to find the Tamil version of the challan to be filled,
4. Total.the amount and the commission and fill the challan.
5. Draw a self-drawm cheque and attach it along with the DD challan.
6. The bank will deduct the money from your account and give a demand draft to you. If you don’t have an account, the commission amount may be a little extra.

On the Rule of the Road About The Author

Alfred George Gardiner was a British journalist and author. He was a prolific essayist and his style and subject matter easily qualified him to be categorized as what the English would call a very civilized gentleman. His essays include ‘On Habits’, ‘On Being Tidy’ and ‘On Talk and Talkers’. ‘On the Rule of the Road’, was included in one of Gardiner’s compilations titled “Leaves in the Wind’ and was published under his pseudonym “Alpha of the Plough”.

On the Rule of the Road Summary in English

Introduction
On the rule of the road, A. G. Gardiner emphasises the necessity of certain constraints on individual liberty if society is to function in a genuinely civilised manner.

Social awareness
A plump old lady was walking with her basket in the middle of the road in Petrograd. It created great confusion to the traffic. Even her own life was in danger. Somebody pointed out to her that the pavement was meant for the pedestrians. Her reply was that she enjoyed liberty and could walk anywhere she liked. She did not realise that her liberty or such unrestrained freedom could lead to an all-round disorder. If everybody interferes with the liberties of others, nobody would be able to enjoy liberty. This could lead to social anarchy.

Liberty drunk public
In the modem world, people are liberty dmnk like that old lady. Therefore, it is important to remind them what the mle of the road means. It means that to preserve the liberties of all, everybody’s liberties must be reduced. He makes his point clear with an example of a traffic policeman. The traffic policeman is not a symbol of tyranny but of liberty. An unreasonable man will be annoyed by the interference of the traffic policeman. If the policeman stops a man in a hurry, he will feel that his liberty has been injured by violence. A reasonable man will surely think him to be the right man to do so. If he does not interfere with him, he would interfere with none. It would lead to chaos. Then nobody would be able to cross the road. Therefore, one’s liberty has to be curtailed to create social order and make liberty real.

Personal liberty vs Public liberty

Liberty is not only a personal affair but a social contract too. It requires an adjustment of our interests. There are matters of a private kingdom which does not touch anybody else’s liberty’. In this kingdom, one can follow one’s own fancy and ask no one’s permission. For example, one may follow any religion or one may marry a dark or fair lady. One may dye one’s hair or do whatever one may like with his hairstyle. These actions do not interfere with the liberties of others. But w’hen one comes out of the kingdom of one’s personal liberty of action, becomes qualified by other people’s liberty. For example, one may like to play upon a guitar. But one should do the practice mildly to accommodate one’s liberty to others liberties. But most often people forget this. People look to the faults of others but forget their own. A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct

Equal rights for small and big people

Rights and liberties of small people are as important as those of small nationalities. Gardiner here condemns the attack of Germany on Belgium. In World War-II, Germany, a super military pow’er overran the small and poorly equipped Belgium. He also criticises the aggressive and bullying nature of some people and nations of the w orld. He called them an ugly specimen of a civilised world.

Small actions with big impact
Small actions of conduct count more. By these actions, like observing or not the rules of the road, we can be civilised or uncivilised. It is the little habits of common place intercourse that make up the great sum of life sweeter or make the journey bitter.

Conclusion
A.G. Gardiner illustrates with interesting examples of how the social anarchy could be prevented by adhering to rules of the road. In a way, adhering to rules of the road will not only retain a social order but also prevent fatal accidents on the road and embarrassing traffic jams.

On the Rule of the Road Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை
_ ‘On the Rule of the Road’ (“சாலை விதியைப் பற்றி”) என்ற பாடத்தின் வாயிலாக கார்டினர், நம் தனி சுதந்திரத்தில் சில கட்டுப்பாடுகளை வகுத்துக் கொண்டால் நம் சமுதாயம் உண்மையாக நாகரிகம் நிறைந்ததாக செயல்படும் என்கிறார்.

சமூக விழிப்புணர்வு:
பெட்ரோகாட் நகரத்தில் பருமனான வயது | முதிர்ந்த பெண்மணி ஒருவர் தன் கையில் ஒரு | கூடையுடன் நடுரோட்டில் நடந்து கொண்டிருந்தார். இது சாலை போக்குவரத்தை பெரிய குழப்பத்திற்கு | உண்டாக்கியது. அவர் உயிருக்கே ஆபத்தாக இருந்தது. | நடைபாதையில் நடக்குமாறு சிலர் கூறிய போது, தான் | சுதந்திரத்தை விரும்புதால் தான் எங்கும் நடப்பதற்கு | உரிமை உண்டு எனப் பதிலளித்தார். அத்தகைய சுதந்திரம் மொத்தத்தில் குழப்பத்தையே ஏற்படுத்தும் என்பதை அவர் உணரவில்லை. ஒவ்வொருவரும் அடுத்தவரின் தனி சுதந்திரத்தில் தலையிட்டால் எவராலும் சுதந்திரத்தை அனுபவிக்க முடியாது. இது சமூக அராஜகத்தை உண்டாக்கும்.

சுதந்திர போதையில் தள்ளாடும் பொதுமக்கள்:
தனிச் சுதந்திரம் என்ற அபாய நோக்கமானது இக்காலத்தினரிடயே அந்த வயதான மூதாட்டி போல் தொற்றிக் கொண்டுள்ளது. ஆதலால், சாலை ஒழுக்கத்தை அவர்களுக்கு நினைவுபடுத்துவது முக்கியமான கடமையாகிறது. அதாவது அனைவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை பாதுகாக்கும் பொருட்டு அவர்களின் சுதந்திரத்தில் எல்லை வரையறுக்கப்படுகிறது. ஆசிரியர் இந்த கருத்தை தெளிவாக்க சாலை பாதுகாப்பு காவல்காரரை உதாரணமாகக் கொள்கிறார். சாலை பாதுகாப்பு காவலர் எதேச்சதிகாரத்தின் அடையாளம் அல்ல. அவர் உரிமையின் சின்னமாவார். இதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ளாதவர் காவலர் குறுக்கிடுதலை இடையூறாக கருதுவார். அவசரமாக காவலர் தடுத்து நிறுத்தினால் அவர் நம்மை வன்முறைக்கு உள்ளாக்குகிறார் என நினைக்கக்கூடும். புரிந்துகொண்டவர்களுக்கு அவர் நம் நன்மைக்கே செய்கிறார் என்பது விளங்கும். அவர் நம்மிடம் தலையிடாவிட்டால் அவரால் யாரிடமும் தலையிட முடியாது. அது குழப்பத்தையே உருவாக்கும். ஆகவே, வெறும் சாலையை கடக்க முடியாது. உங்களின் தனிச் சுதந்திரத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்துவது உங்களை பொது விதிகளை அனுசரிக்கச் செய்து உண்மை சுதந்திரத்தை உணரச் செய்வதற்கே ஆகும்.

தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திரம் மற்றும் பொதுச் சுதந்திரம்

சுதந்திரம் என்பது தனி நபரைச் சார்ந்தது மட்டும் அல்ல. அது ஒரு பொதுக் கோட்பாடு ஆகும். இதில் நம் உரிமைகளை பொருந்தச் செய்யவேண்டும். தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திரக் கோட்பாடுகள் வேறு எவரின் சுதந்திரத்தையும் பாதிப்பதில்லை. இந்த நாட்டில் ஒருவர் தன் மனம் செல்லும் வழியில் செல்ல யாரிடமும் உத்தரவு கேட்பதில்லை. உதாரணத்திற்கு ஒருவர் எந்த மதத்தையும் பின்பற்றலாம் அல்லது கறுப்பு நிறத்தவரையோ, வெள்ளை நிறத்தவரையோ திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளலாம். அவர் தலைக்கு சாயம் அடித்துக் கொள்ளலாம். எதுவாயினும் செய்யலாம். இந்தச் செயல்கள் அடுத்தவரின் சுதந்திரத்தைப் பாதிப்பதில்லை. ஆனால் இந்த தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திர வட்டத்தை விட்டு வெளியேறும் போது மற்றவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை மதித்து அனுமதிக்க வேண்டியுள்ளது. அதாவது ஒருவர் கிடார் (guitar) வாசிக்க விரும்பலாம். ஆனால், அடுத்தவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை அனுசரிக்கும் வகையில் தன் சுதந்திரம் இருக்க அவர் மெதுவாக வாசிக்க வேண்டும். பெரும்பான்மையான மக்கள் இதை மறந்து விடுகிறார்கள். அடுத்தவர் குறையைக் காணும் மக்கள் தன் குறையை மறந்து விடுகிறார்கள். அடுத்தவரின் உரிமை அல்லது உணர்வுகளுக்கு இடமளிப்பதே சமூக நடத்தையின் அடித்தளம் ஆகும்.

எளியவருக்கும், வலியவருக்கும் ஒரே விதி:

சிறிய நாடுகளில் வாழும் மக்களைப் போன்ற சிறுபான்மைப்பட்ட மக்களின் விதிகளும், உரிமைகளும் முக்கியமானதே. கார்டினர் (Gardiner) ஜெர்மனி நாடானது பெல்ஜியத்தின் மேல் போர் தொடுத்ததை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறார். இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் போது சிறுபான்மையான மற்றும் போதிய இராணுவ வசதிகள் இல்லாத பெல்ஜிய நாட்டை பெரும் இராணுவப் படையுடைய ஜெர்மனி தன் வசப்படுத்தியது. சில மக்கள் மற்றும் உலக நாட்டவரின் ஆக்ரமிக்கும் குணம் மற்றும் அகங்காரம் குறித்தும் ஆசிரியர் விமர்சனம் செய்கிறார். அவர்களை நாகரிக உலகத்தின் வெறுக்கத்தக்க இனம் எனக் குறிப்பிடுகிறார்.

சிறிய நடவடிக்கை கொடுத்த பெரிய விளைவு:
சிறிய சிறிய நம் செயல்கள் பெரிய தாக்கத்தை உருவாக்குகின்றன. இத்தகைய சிறிய செயல்களான விதிமுறைகளைக் கடைப்பிடிப்பது அல்லது | தவிர்ப்பது வழியாகவே நாம் நாகரிகமானவரா அல்லது (நாகரிகமற்றவரா என வரையறுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். | இத்தகைய சிறிய பொது இடக் கோட்பாடுகளே நம் பெரும்பான்மையான வாழ்வை இனிமையாக்குவது அல்லது கசப்பாக்குவது என்பதை முடிவு செய்கின்றன. இத்தகைய சிறிய பொது இடக் கோட்பாடுகளே நம் பெரும்பான்மையான வாழ்வை இனிமையாக்குவது அல்லது கசப்பாக்குவது என்பதை முடிவு செய்கின்றன.

முடிவுரை:
சாலை விதிகளைக் கடைபிடிப்பதன் மூலம் சமூக அராஜகத்தை எப்படி தடை செய்யலாம் என்பதை ஏ.ஜி. கார்டினர் சுவாரஸ்யமான உதாரணங்களுடன் விளக்குகிறார். ஒரு வழியில், சாலையின் விதிகள் கடைபிடிக்கப்படுவது ஒரு சமூக ஒழுங்கைத் தக்கவைத்துக் கொள்வது மட்டுமல்லாமல், சாலையில் விபத்துகள் ஏற்படுவதை தடுக்கவும், சங்கடமான போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலைத் தடுக்கவும் உதவுகிறது.

On the Rule of the Road Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

On the Rule of the Road Synonyms

Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
A stout old lady walking down the middle of street caused a great confusion.
(a) vision
(b) clarity
(c) mess
(d) mesh
Answer:
(c) mess

Question 2.
She caused great peril to herself.
(a) safety
(b) frill
(c) shrill
(d) danger
Answer:
(d) danger

Question 3.
One who walks on the pavement is called,
(a) stalker
(b) walker
(c) pedestrian
(d) martian
Answer:
(c) pedestrian

Question 4.
We have got liberty now.
(a) tyranny
(b) freedom
(c) avarice
(d) slavery
Answer:
(b) freedom

Question 5.
The end of such liberty would be universal chaos.
(a) brotherhood
(b) love
(c) peace
(d) confusion
Answer:
(d) confusion

Question 6.
Individual liberty would become social anarchy.
(a) cooperation
(b) vanity
(c) civility
(d) lawlessness
Answer:
(d) lawlessness

Question 7.
Liberties of all may be preserved.
(a) excluded
(b) severed
(c) mainteained
(d) pointed
Answer:
(c) mainteained

Question 8.
Liberties of everybody must be curtailed.
(a) enhanced
(b) increased
(c) levelled
(d) reduced
Answer:
(d) reduced

Question 9.
He is a symbol of tyranny.
(a) plutocracy
(b) democracy
(c) aristocracy
(d) autocracy
Answer:
(d) autocracy

Question 10.
We may choose to be wise or ridiculous.
(a) serious
(b) funny
(c) earnest
(d) critical
Answer:
(b) funny

Question 11.
You can be conventional or odd.
(a) common
(b) usual
(c) strength
(d) popular
Answer:
(c) strength

Question 12.
If I play trombone in my bedroom, my family will object.
(a) accept
(b) approve
(c) oppose
(d) oppese
Answer:
(c) oppose

Question 13.
Liberty is a social contract.
(a) contact
(b) encounter
(c) confront
(d) agreement
Answer:
(d) agreement

Question 14.
I have to accommodate the interests of others.
(a) reject
(b) decline
(c) accomplish
(d) fit in with
Answer:
(d) fit in with

Question 15.
A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings for the others is the foundation of social conduct.
(a) thoughtfulness
(b) rejection
(c) confrontation
(d) argument
Answer:
(a) thoughtfulness

On the Rule of the Road Antonyms

Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
A stout old lady was walking.
(a) fat
(b) obese
(c) brittle
(d) lean
Answer:
(d) lean

Question 2.
We’ve got liberty now.
(a) freedom
(b) slavery
(c) right
(d) democracy
Answer:
(b) slavery

Question 3.
Such liberty would be universal chaos.
(a) disorder
(b) confusion
(c) order
(d) mess
Answer:
(c) order

Question 4.
Individual liberty would have become social anarchy.
(a) order
(b) disorder
(c) confusion
(d) mess
Answer:
(a) order

Question 5.
Liberties of all may be preserved.
(a) conserved
(b) damaged
(c) retained
(d) maintained
Answer:
(b) damaged

Question 6.
Liberties of everybody must be curtailed.
(a) reduced
(b) constrained
(c) restricted
(d) increased
Answer:
(d) increased

Question 7.
The policeman is not a symbol of tyranny.
(a) democracy
(b) autocracy
(c) plutocracy
(d) aristocracy
Answer:
(a) democracy

Question 8.
If you are a reasonable person, you would understand liberty.
(a) sound
(b) fair
(c) logical
(d) unreasonable
Answer:
(d) unreasonable

Question 9.
I have liberty to be indifferent to you.
(a) caring
(b) disinterested
(c) heedless
(d) unconcerned
Answer:
(a) caring

Question 10.
We may choose to be harsh or easy.
(a) rude
(b) soft
(c) rough
(d) severe
Answer:
(b) soft

Question 11.
I have to accommodate my liberty to other’s liberties.
(a) adjust
(b) hinder
(c) fit in with
(d) give up
Answer:
(b) hinder

Question 12.
We are conscious of much more imperfections of others than of our own.
(a) frailties
(b) follies
(c) perfections
(d) shortcomings
Answer:
(c) perfections

Question 13.
A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings for the others is the foundation of social conduct.
(a) thoughtfulness
(b) heedfulness
(c) heedlessness
(d) sensitivity
Answer:
(c) heedlessness

Question 14.
I must not interfere with their liberty to sleep in guiet.
(a) solemnity
(b) quietude
(c) tranquillity
(d) noise
Answer:
(d) noise

Question 15.
The lady walked down the middle of the road with great peril to herself.
(a) danger
(b) safety
(c) horror
(d) criticality
Answer:
(b) safety

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Prose

• Two Gentlemen of Verona Book Back Answers
• A Nice Cup of Tea Book Back Answers
• In Celebration of Being Alive Book Back Answers
• The Summit Book Back Answers
• The Status of Tamil as a Classical Language Book Back Answers
• On the Rule of the Road Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Lesson 2 A Nice Cup of Tea Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 2nd Lesson A Nice Cup of Tea Questions and Answers

Warm Up

A Nice Cup Of Tea Questions And Answers Question (a)
Here are a few varieties of tea. How many of these have you tasted? Tick the boxes.

Answer:

12th English A Nice Cup Of Tea Paragraph Question (b)
You would have seen lovely packets of tea on the shelves in supermarkets and shops. Have you ever wondered how tea powder is obtained from the plants? Look at the pictures and describe the process.

Answer:

• The selected young Leaves are Plucked manually. Nowadays machines are avalible
• It is then left for drying.
• The dried leaves are then powdered and packed.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English A Nice Cup of Tea Textual Questions

1.Based on your understanding of the text, answer each of the following questions in one or two sentences.

A Nice Cup Of Tea Summary In English Question (a)
What seems ‘curious’ to the author?
Answer:
The absence of “Tea” in the recipes of cookery book is curious to the author.

A Nice Cup Of Tea Notes Of Lesson Question (b)
Why does the author say that it is important to include a tea recipe in cookery books?
Answer:
It is important to include tea in the cookery book because tea is one of the mainstays of civilisation in England, Eire, Australia and New Zealand. Besides, the nicest manner of making tea is a subject of violent disputes among tea-loving nations.

12th English A Nice Cup Of Tea Question (c)
Mention the countries in which tea is a part of civilization.
Answer:
It is one of the mainstays of civilization in UK, Australia, Eire and New Zealand.

A Nice Cup Of Tea Book Back Answers Question (d)
Which tea does the author prefer-China tea or Indian tea?
Answer:
The author prefers Indian tea to Chinese tea.

A Nice Cup Of Tea Summary In Tamil Question (e)
According to the author, what does the phrase ‘a nice cup of tea’ refer to?
Answer:
Nice cup of tea means Indian tea which makes one feel wiser, optimistic and wiser.

A Cup Of Tea Questions And Answers Pdf Question (f)
What is the second golden rule in the preparation of tea?
Answer:
Second golden rule is that tea should be made in small quantities (i.e.) in a teapot.

A Cup Of Tea Questions And Answers Question (g)
How does army tea taste?
Answer:
Army tea tastes of grease and whitewash.

A Nice Cup Of Tea Paragraph Question (h)
Do tea lqvers generally like strong tea or weak tea?
Answer:
Tea lovers generally love strong tea.

12th English Unit 2 Prose Question (i)
Why should tea be directly added to the pot?
Answer:
Tea should be added directly to the pot because imprisoning tea leaves in strainers, muslin bags or other devices can be really harmful.

Question (j)
Why does the author prefer the cylindrical cup to a flat cup?
Answer:
Cylindrical cups (i.e.) breakfast cup holds more tea. But in the shallow and flat cup, tea turns half cold before one starts drinking it.

Question (k)
What should be poured into the cup first-tea or milk?
Answer:
One should pour tea first into the cup and then add milk to the desired level. Thus one can regulate the amount of milk added to tea.

Question (l)
Why does the author advise removing cream from the milk?
Answer:
Cream should be removed before adding the milk to tea because creamy milk gives a sickly taste to tea.

Question (m)
Does the author like drinking tea with sugar? Give reasons.
Answer:
Adding sugar to tea will deprive tea of its real taste. Misguided people who take tea do it because of the sweetness and not because of the taste of tea.

Question (n)
Why does the author refer to himself as being in ‘a minority’?
Answer:
The author takes tea without sugar to relish the real taste of tea. But majority of people take it with sugar. So, the author refers to himself as a minority.

Question (o)
Whom does the author call ‘misguided people’? What is his advice to them?
Answer:
Some misguided people admit that they drink tea for stimulation and warmth. They are not interested in tea. So, they add sugar to take the taste away. He advises them to drink tea without adding sugar for a fortnight. They would never again ruin the real taste of tea by adding sugar.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
What does the author find in his own recipe for the perfect cup of tea?
Answer:
The author finds eleven outstanding points in his own recipe for the perfect cup of tea.

Question (b)
How does the author value tea out of an urn?
Answer:
According to the author, Tea out of an urn is always tasteless.

Question (c)
What is the ‘third golden rule’?
Answer:
The pot should be warmed beforehand.

Question (d)
What is the author’s opinion about strainers or filters in the preparation of tea?
Answer:
Tea should be put straight into the pot. No strainer muslin bags or other devices must be used to imprison the tea.

Question (e)
What is seventh golden rule?
Answer:
After making tea, one should stir it or better give the pot a good shake. Afterwards, the tea leaves may be allowed to settle down.

Question (f)
What is cited as a mysterious social etiquette surrounding the tea pot?
Answer:
It is considered vulgar to drink tea out of your saucer.

Question (g)
What are the subsidiary uses of tea leaves?
Answer:
Telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing bums and sweeping the carpet are some of the subsidiary uses of tea leaves.

2. Based on your understanding of the text, answer each of the following questions in four or five sentences.

Question (a)
What are the author’s views on China tea?
Answer:
China tea has virtues which are not to be despised, it is economic. One can drink it without milk, but there is not much stimulation in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic after drinking it.

Question (b)
How does adding sugar affect the taste of tea?
Answer:
The author raises a pertinent question, “How can you call yourself a true tea lover if you destroy the flavour of your tea by putting sugar in it?” He mocks such people that they could add even salt and pepper in tea. Adding sugar to hot water would give them an eqaul drink. So, the author disapproves of adding sugar to tea to retain its flavour and taste.

Question (c)
Elucidate the author’s ideas about teapots.
Answer:
The teapot should be made of China or earthen ware. Silver or Britannia ware teapot produce inferior quality tea. Enamel pots are worse. Though curiously enough a pewter teapot, a rarity nowadays, is not so bad.

Additional Questions

Question (а)
How does A.G. Gardiner explode the myth about the harmfulness of tea leaves?
Answer:
In some countries, tea pots are fitted with little dangling baskets under the spout to catch the stray leaves which are supposed to be harmful. The author asserts that one can swallow tea- leaves in considerable quantities without ill-effect. He claims that if the tea is not loose in the pot it never infuses properly with the hot beverage (i.e.) tea.

Question (b)
what are the two schools of thought in tea making which fight against one another in England? Why?
Answer:
In every family in England, two schools of thoughts persist on tea making. One group insists that milk should be poured first and tea should be added to it. But the author seconds the second school which claims tea must be powered first and milk must be added later because one could easily regulate the amount of milk to taste.

3. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph of 100-150 words.

Question (а)
Summarise George Orwell’s distinctive ideas in “A Nice Cup of Tea”.
Answer:
Tea is one of the mainstays of civilizations of UK, New Zealand, Australia and Eire. But, it is not found in the recipes of cookery books. The nicest manner in which tea must be prepared has become a subject matter of violent disputes among tea loving persons even within a family. Indian tea fits in with the author’s description of “nicest cup of tea” as it rejuvenates the drinker with wisdom, stimulation, bravery and optimism. One cup of strong tea is equal to twenty weak ones. Best tea is prepared by boiling tea leaves first and then adding milk to taste.

Milk first schools and tea first schools still fight. Tea prepared in earthen pot or china ware is good. The real flavour of tea should never be imprisoned by strainers. Consuming tea leaves will not harm one’s health. Adding sugar to tea will naturally ruin its real flavour and taste. The author advises misguided people who drink sweet tea to desist from the practice for a fortnight. He guarantees them that they would like the natural taste of tea and would never again add sugar to tea. Tea should be taken in a cylindrical or breakfast cup to enjoy it. Shallow and flat cups don’t retain warmth and taste for a long time.

Question (b)
Discuss how the essay reveals the factual points and the author’s personal opinions on the preparation of tea.
Answer:
Facts found in the essay: There is no mention of tea in the recipes cookery books except some sketchy ideas on the process of preparation. Tea is one of the mainstays of civilization of UK, Australia, New Zealand and Eire. The process of tea making is a subject matter of violent disputes. The author has come up with eleven golden rules for preparation of a nice tea. Tea pot should be made of china or earthen ware. In some countries, teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets under the spout to catch stray tea leaves, which are supposed to be harmful. One should use water that has been freshly boiled. After making tea, one should stir it or better give the pot a good shake, afterwards allowing the leaves to settle down. Some people don’t like tea in itself. They only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated and they need sugar to take away the taste of tea.

The author’s opinion: The maimer of making the nicest cup of tea is the subject matter of violent disputes. China tea doesn’t give stimulation, wisdom, bravery or optimism. Indian tea means ‘a nice cup of tea’. The army tea tastes of grease and white wash. The method of swilling tea out with hot water is not a good practice. One strong cup of tea is better than twenty weak ones. One can swallow considerable quantities of tea. One should take the teapot to the kettle and not the otherway about. If you use already boiled water or freshly brought to boil does not make any difference in the taste of tea. One should remove cream off before adding the milk to tea. By putting tea leaves in first and stirring it as one pours milk one can regulate the amount of milk. Tea must be drunk without sugar for enjoying the real flavour and taste.

Question (c)
What are the aspects that contribute to humour in the essay?
Answer:
The author claims the best manner of making tea is the subject matter of violent disputes. He compliments china tea for being economical but also says one does not feel rejuvenated after drinking it. One doesn’t feel braver, wiser, more optimistic or stimulated after drinking the Chinese tea. He says army tea tastes of grease and white wash. In Britain there are two schools of thought (i.e.) milk first school and tea first school (i.e.) one school claiming that milk must be poured first and tea added later and another school claiming that tea must be poured first and milk to be added next.

He says those who take tea with sugar for its sweetness alone as misguided people. He says that they could veiy well add salt and pepper to tea and drink it. He claims that there are some mysterious social etiquette surrounding teapot. It is vulgar to drink tea out of one’s saucer. There are some subsidiary uses of tea leaves such as telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing bums and sweeping the carpet.

4. Based on your understanding of the text, complete the chart given below by choosing the appropriate words or phrases given in brackets.

(add sugar, shaken, milk, infused properly, strainers, without cream, taken to the kettle, small quantities, China or earthenware, stirred, warmed)

Answers

1. small quantities
2. China or earthenware,
3. warmed
4. strainers
5. taken to the kettle
6. infused properly
7. stirred
8. shaken
9. without cream
10. add sugar

Vocabulary

(a) Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
But because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent disputes.
(a) agreements
(b) applauses
(c) conflicts
(d) discussions
Answer:
(c) conflicts

Question 2.
________ tea is one of the mainstays of civilization in the country.
(a) a society in an advanced state of social development
(b) a society that has slow progress
(c) a society that has no progress
(d) a society in an average state of social development
Answer:
(a) a society in an advanced state of social development

Question 3
________ that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated.
(a) motivated
(b) discouraged
(c) passive
(d) admired
Answer:
(a) motivated

Question 4
________ under the spout to catch the stray leaves.
(a) fresh
(b) loose
(c) gathered
(d) harmful
Answer:
(b) loose

Question 5.
One is liable to put in too much milk.
(a) likely
(b) certain
(c) eager
(d) responsible
Answer:
(d) responsible

Additional

Question 1.
At least four others are controversial.
(a) harmonious
(b) disputable
(c) agreeable
(d) comprehensive
Answer:
(b) disputable

Question 2.
One does not feel more optimistic after drinking it.
(a) dejected
(b) despaired
(c) positive
(d) disdainful
Answer:
(c) positive

Question 3.
China tea has virtues.
(a) vices
(b) admirable qualities
(c) despicable traits
(d) alarming wickedness
Answer:
(b) admirable qualities

Question 4.
They are not to be despised.
(a) loved
(b) yearned
(c) hated
(d) doted
Answer:
(c) hated

Question 5.
Army tea is made in cauldron.
(a) stove
(b) mini cooker
(c) boiler
(d) cup
Answer:
(c) boiler

Question 6.
It is not to be done with the usual method of swilling it with hot water.
(a) rinsing
(b) drenching
(c) chirping
(d) cutting
Answer:
(a) rinsing

Question 7.
In a time of rationing, this is not an idea.
(a) liberal supply
(b) confiscating
(c) blocking
(d) restricting supply
Answer:
(d) restricting supply

Question 8.
In some countries teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets.
(a) dancing freely
(b) hanging freely
(c) severed
(d) tied tightly
Answer:
(b) hanging freely

Question 9.
No, strainers, muslin bags or other devices to imprison the tea.
(a) discharge
(b) release
(c) acquit
(d) detain
Answer:
(d) detain

Question 10.
One should stir it well.
(a) mix thoroughly
(b) drain fully
(c) soak completely
(d) dried fully
Answer:
(a) mix thoroughly

Question 11.
You can prepare a very similar drink.
(a) unidentical
(b) almost the same
(c) unique
(d) distinct
Answer:
(b) almost the same

Question 12.
You could make a drink by dissolving sugar in hot water.
(a) segregating
(b) filter
(c) strain
(d) making a solution
Answer:
(d) making a solution

Question 13.
Shallow type cup doesn’t hold much.
(a) deep
(b) profound
(c) cylindrical
(d) of little depth
Answer:
(d) of little depth

Question 14.
Milk that is too creamy always gives tea a sickly taste.
(a) rich
(b) flavoured
(c) unpleasant
(d) un healthy
Answer:
(c) unpleasant

Question 15.
There is also a mysterious social etiquette.
(a) clear
(b) comprehensible
(c) lucid
(d) incompressible
Answer:
(d) incompressible

Question 16.
A social etiquette surrounds teapot.
(a) evils
(b) goods and services
(c) vices
(d) socially accepted behaviour
Answer:
(d) socially accepted behaviour

Question 17.
There are some subidiarv.
(a) major
(b) crucial
(c) vital
(d) supplementary
Answer:
(d) supplementary

Question 18.
Such as telling fortune…
(a) evil
(b) wisdom
(c) luck
(d) omen
Answer:
(c) luck

Question 19.
predicting the arrival of visitors.
(a) cautioning
(b) addressing
(c) foretelling
(d) doubting
Answer:
(c) foretelling

Question 20.
Be quite sure of wringing out of one’s ration the twenty good, strong cups of tea.
(a) smothering
(b) squeezing out
(c) making out
(d) breathing out
Answer:
(b) squeezing out

(b) Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.
which are not to be despised.
(a) hated
(b) liked
(c) respected
(d) defeated
Answer:
(b) liked

Question 2.
One does not feel wise, braver or more optimistic.
(a) opportunistic
(b) cheerful
(c) realistic
(d) pessimistic
Answer:
(d) pessimistic

Question 3.
Not the flat, shallow type…
(a) narrow
(b) wide
(c) deep
(d) direct
Answer:
(c) deep

Question 4.
Predicting the arrival of visitors…
(a) journey
(b) departure
(c) migration
(d) perusal
Answer:
(b) departure

Question 5.
but they are sufficient to show how subtilized the whole business has become,
(a) enough
(b) suffocative
(c) inadequate
(d) submissive
Answer:
(c) inadequate

Additional

Question 1.
They give no ruling on several of the most important points.
(a) many
(b) plentiful
(c) a few
(d) a large number of
Answer:
(c) a few

Question 2.
It is a subject of violent disputes.
(a) brutal
(b) reckless
(c) vicious
(d) gentle
Answer:
(d) gentle

Question 3.
China tea has virtues.
(a) attributes
(b) vices
(c) injuries
(d) problems
Answer:
(b) vices

Question 4.
It is economical.
(a) frugal
(b) expensive
(c) mean
(d) niggardly
Answer:
(b) expensive

Question 5.
One can swallow considerable quanities without ill-effects.
(a) large
(b) significant
(c) sizeable
(d) paltry
Answer:
(d) paltry

Question 6.
I find no fewer than eleven outstanding points.
(a) exceptional
(b) excellent
(c) exclusive
(d) mediocre
Answer:
(d) mediocre

Question 7.
At least four others are acutely controversial.
(a) disagreeable
(b) contentious
(c) agreeable
(d) disputable
Answer:
(c) agreeable

Question 8.
You will probably find that it is unmentioned.
(a) improbably
(b) apparently
(c) plausibly
(d) tied perhaps
Answer:
(a) improbably

Question 9.
Britannia teapots produce inferior tea.
(a) junior
(b) superior
(c) senior
(d) circular
Answer:
(b) superior

Question 10.
If the tea is not loose in the pot, it never infuses properly.
(a) pervades
(b) permeates
(c) imbues
(d) drains
Answer:
(d) drains

Question 11.
Stray leaves are supposed to be harmful.
(a) hurtful
(b) damaging
(c) evil
(d) harless/safe
Answer:
(d) harless/safe

Question 12.
I am in a minority.
(a) popularity
(b) scarcity
(c) paucity
(d) majority
Answer:
(d) majority

Question 13.
One can exactly regulate the amount of milk.
(a) correctly
(b) inaccurately
(c) precisely
(d) fully
Answer:
(b) inaccurately

Question 14.
Some drink it only to be stimulated.
(a) motivated
(b) encouraged
(c) discouraged
(d) rejuvenated
Answer:
(c) discouraged

Question 15.
The milk-first school can bring forward some fairly strong arguments.
(a) progressive
(b) leeward
(c) backward
(d) onward
Answer:
(c) backward

(c) Fill in the boxes with the correct answers. The first one has been done for you.

Answer:

Listening Activity

Listen to the passage about the ‘Significance of Tea’ and answer the questions.

The Significance of Tea

Tea has been an important beverage for thousands of years. It is consumed by two-thirds of the world’s population. India is the second largest tea producer in the world after China, although over 70 per cent of its tea is consumed within India. Tea has been proved to offer numerous health benefits. Scientists and researchers have found that drinking tea could reduce the risk of heart diseases. The antioxidants in tea might prevent cancer. Regular tea drinking might help one in lowering blood sugar and blood pressure. Tea might be an effective agent in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders. The consumption of tea results in the strengthening of one’s teeth, bones and immune system. However, drinking too much tea may prove to be harmful to one’s health. So, drinking tea moderately could make one healthier. Researchers have confirmed the significant overall health benefits of drinking tea.

Questions:

Question 1.
Which country is the largest tea producer in the world?
Answer:
China is the largest producer of tea in the world.

Question 2.
________ percent of the tea produced in India is exported.
Answer:
30

Question 3.
What is the role of antioxidants in tea?
Answer:
The antioxidants in tea might prevent cancer.

Question 4.
Drinking tea strengthens one’s ______ , and _____
Answer:
teeth, bones, immune system

Question 5.
How does drinking tea help a diabetic?
Answer:
Regular tea drinking lowers blood sugar and thus helps a diabetic.

Speaking Activity

Read the story silently.

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the ( time. It seemed that just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father,a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on high flame. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and .ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.‘

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the boiled eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and poured it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?”

“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied, “Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After peeling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face. “Father, what does this mean?” she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity – the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato was strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the eggs became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique.

After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean? Things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us. Which one are you?

This story shows how people react to different situations in life. Some become weak and soft like the potatoes and some others harden like the egg. The best way to face difficulties is illustrated by the coffee beans which change their colour and add flavour.

Now use these ideas and prepare a speech on the topic ‘The importance of developing a positive attitude’ and deliver the speech in the school assembly.

The importance of developing a positive attitude:

Respected Chief Guest, dignitaries on the dias, teachers and my dear friends. I would like to say a few words on the importance of developing a positive attitude.

Positive attitude is necessary to succeed in life. A person with positive attitude has self confidence and empathy. To highlight this I would like to quote some incidents in the life of Amelia Earhart, the first woman pilot. She watched a pilot taking off in his small plane. On the runway, he wanted to scare her, he drove the small plane very close to her, she didn’t panic or run away. The plane which whizzed past her seemed to invite her. She worked at various jobs such as photographer, truck driver and stenographer. She managed to save 1000 dollars for her flying lessons. In order to reach the air-field Amelia had to take a bus to the end of line and walk 6 km. Earhart’s commitment to flying required her to accept frequent hardwork. After proving her professional skills as a lady pilot, she popularized flying and encouraged many girls to take pilot training. She proved that women can also shine in the field which was till then dominated by men.

The next best example is the positive attitude of Abinandan, the pilot whose parachute drifted into Pakistan and was taken a prisoner. Even while in the custody of Pak military, he did not lose his confidence. He conducted himself bravely. He did not fear, he believed in himself and in his country. He is back home as a living legend spreading the message that positive attitude can help one overcome any obstacle in life.

Reading

Non-verbal Representations.
Look at the following non-verbal representation. Based on your understanding and inference, write a paragraph on career trends in the next decade.

Fastest growing occupations:

It is true that most of us were not aware of the current demands in the job market 10 years ago. As the emerging jobs and the required skill sets change all the professional qualifications become irrelevant. In addition to the basic degree, it is necessary to foresee the emerging trends in the job market. This paragraph shows that the topmost opportunity to grow is in the field of wind and solar energy. Technicians are needed in this sector. There is 100% chances of placement for those who qualify themselves in operating wind mills, designing, installing and maintenance of solar panels. Paramedical profession is likely to grow exponentially.

It means that those who pursue nursing, lab technician courses would get placed soon. Strikingly, Mathematicians and Statisticians wall be next in huge demand as 70% growth is for them only. As there is a boom in media services, T.V., radio, newspapers and periodicals, there is a rising demand for media persons and journalists. Against the common beleif, only 50% growth opportunity is there for professionals qualified in software development. It is heartening to note that cycle repairers and two wheeler mechanics will get opportunities next to software engineers. Though lakhs of graduates do B.Ed. course the growth opportunity in teaching jobs in colleges and schools is only 30%. The dismal picture for sportsmen and coaches is discouraging. Only 20% growth is predicted in placements for coaches and sportsmen. Finally only 10% growth is possible for those who specialise in food analysis and working in hotels.

Task
Now read the following article on the emerging career options in the modern era and answer the questions that follow.

The students at the higher secondary level in schools start thinking of suitable courses to take up at the university level based on their aptitude, ability and interests. While considering the higher education options, they should also plan the career path they wish to take. In today’s complex job scenario, there is a mismatch between demand and supply on one hand we have qualified professionals desperately trying to find a job, while on the other hand, there are many professions that need suitable talented employees. But such skilled employees are unavailable. Therefore, the need of the hour is that students have an understanding of the emerging career options.

Schools should take the initiative to organise career guidance and counselling sessions for students. However, students need to remember that to build a strong career, they must understand the prospective field and their primary interest. It is also important for students to focus on overall personality development and hone their communication skills as these are important for the success of their career. Students are also advised that in order to build a solid career foundation, they need to qualify suitably by pursuing a degree course in the chosen area of interest and also consider post graduate education. Diploma/Short-term courses may help one find a job in the short run but may not promise career progression. Rapid advancement in science and technology and globalisation has widened the scope of career options in the twenty-first century. Let us consider some popular careers.

Fashion Designing:
The current cosmopolitan and fashion-conscious wave that has taken over our country has .opened up a huge arena for careers in fashion. These careers encompass designing clothes, costumes, jewellery, footwear, wardrobe, costumes, accessories and the like.

Culinary Arts:
With food and cookery shows being a major trend across the world, culinary arts, a sub-domain of the hospitality sector, has now become the most sought after career.

Paramedical sciences:
In recent times, there has been a great demand in the health care industry. Paramedical professionals who support medical practitioners in areas such as optometry, pathology, nursing, physiotherapy, and dentistry are much sought after.

Media, Journalism and Advertising:
In this information era, print and entertainment media have become a force to reckon with. This arena has become a huge career playground because youngsters are attracted to it as the exposure and reach is greater through such mass media. We notice that radio and TV channels, internet companies and advertising agencies are increasingly recruiting qualified professionals.

Hotel Management:
The hotel industry is the fastest growing industry in India. The number of international travellers (both for business and leisure) is increasing. The hospitality and service industry offers career options such as house keeping, front-desk executives, tourism management, etc.
76 English-12

Sports Management:
With multinational companies supporting sports, careers in sports offer enormous scope. One need not be a player or an athlete to shine in a sports career because the field of sports offers various career options such as technical trainers, commentators, sports journalists, dieticians, referees, etc. Conducting sports events successfully, organizing the event laudably, preparing the ground for the event are all part of sports management.

Questions:

Question (a)
When do students start thinking about their career path?
Answer:
At the end of plus two exams students start thinking about their career path.

Question (b)
How can students build a strong career?
Answer:
To build a strong career, students must understand the prospective field and their primary interest. They need to qualify suitably by pursuing a degree course in their chosen area of interest.

Question (c)
What are the integral aspects of a successful career?
Answer:
Personality development, communicative competence, required skill sets, keeping abreast of technological advancements in addition to qualification in the respective field are the integral aspects of a successful career.

Question (d)
What is meant by ‘culinary art’?
Answer:
Cooking is called culinary art.

Question (e)
Why is media a popular career option?
Answer:
Media is a popular carrer option because print and entertainment media have become a force to reckon with. Radio, TV channels, internet companies and advertisement companies are increasingly recruiting qualified professionals.

Question (f)
Name some paramedical courses mentioned in the passage.
Answer:
Optometry, pathology, nursing, physiotherapy and dentistry are some popular paramedical courses.

Question (g)
Why is the hotel industry seen as the fastest growing in India?
Answer:
The number of international travellers visiting India is rapidly growing. This has resulted in the exponential growth of hospitality and service industry. A lot of career options such as house keeping, front-desk executives, tourism management etc. are now open.

Question (h)
Does one have to be a player to opt for a career in the field of sports? Answer giving reasons.
Answer:
No. Sports journalists, dieticians, technical trainers and commentators need not be sports persons.

Question (i)
Pick one word from the passage which is the opposite of ‘modern’.
Answer:
Traditional

Question (j)
Which word in the passage means ‘composed of people from many parts of the country’?
Answer:
International travellers

Grammar

Prepositions
Task 1
Recall your learning of basic prepositions and complete the sentences using the prepositions given in brackets.

(a) The boy jumped ______ a narrow stream.
(b) Afsar will meet me ______ Friday morning.
(c) The temple is ______ the bank.
(d) My friend will meet me ______ his brother tomorrow.
(e) There is usually a garden ______ a bungalow.
(f) Yuvan has been studying well ______ childhood.
(g) A trekker climbed ______ a mountain meticulously.
(h) There was a skirmish ______ my brother and sister.
(i) The laudable thoughts were apparent ______ many scholars in a conference.
(j) It is easy to work ______ vthe aegis of visionary leader.

Answers:

(a) into
(b) on
(c) near/beside
(d) with
(e) in front of
(f) since
(g) over
(h) between
(i) among
(j) under

Task 2
Complete the following passages using the prepositions given in brackets.
(among, for, at, to, in,)

Question (i)
______ When Lakshmi was (1) ______ school, she practised music from Monday (2) ______ Friday. She involved herself (3) ______ the school orchestra. She was responsible (4) ______ conducting many programmes. She was very popular (5) ______ her schoolmates, as she was kind, friendly and helpful.
Answers:

1. at
2. to
3. in
4. for
5. among

Question (ii)
(after, with, on, before, of, in, for)
(1) _____ the interview, Solomon was confident (2) _____ getting the job. He knew that he was qualified (3) _____ the job. He was interested (4) _____ discharging his duty perfectly. The interview panel was impressed (5) _____ his attitude and skills. So (6) _____ the interview, he was (7) _____ cloud nine.
Answers:

1. Before
2. of
3. for
4. in
5. with
6. after
7. on

Prepositional Phrases
Task 1
Underline the prepositional phrases. The first two examples have been done for you.

(a) With reference to your advertisement in a local newspaper, I am applying for the post of a salesman.
(b) The assignment will be completed in a few weeks.

Question (c)
Ravi was appreciated by his teachers.
Answer:
Ravi was appreciated by his teachers.

Question (d)
We feel sorry for our mistakes.
Answer:
We feel sorry for our mistakes.

Question (e)
The boy studied well in spite of many obstacles.
Answer:
The boy studied well in spite of many obstacles.

Question (f)
Our nation is famous for its glorious culture.
Answer:
Our nation is famous for its glorious culture.

Question (g)
We are proud of our children.
Answer:
We are proud of our children.

Question (h)
My brother will return home in the evening.
Answer:
My brother will return home in the evening.

Task 2
Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositional phrase given in brackets.

(in favour of, in case of, according to, on the whole, on account of, on behalf of, in spite of, instead of)

(a) ______ Kiran, Rajesh may attend a programme.
(b) Many tourists visited Ooty ______ heavy rains.
(c) Expressing gratitude ______ others is common in a vote of thanks.
(d) ______ I had a happy childhood.
(e) Our teacher always acts ______ her students.
(f) ______ his laziness, the boy remained passive for a long time.
(g) ______ Gandhiji, ahimsa means infinite love.
(h) ______ rain, take an umbrella.

Answers:

(a) instead of
(b) in spite of
(c) on behalf of
(d) on the whole
(e) in favour of
(J) On account of
(g) According to
(h) In case of

Connectives or Linkers

Task 1
Choose the appropriate linker from within the brackets and complete the sentences.

(a) I could not complete my paper in the examination ______ (because, but) I was slow in answering the questions.
(b) It started raining, ______ (yet, so) we could not play.
(c) ______ (As, If) I got up early, I managed to reach school on time.
(d) ______ (Though/Whereas) he committed a mistake, he apologised (and/since) promised that he would not repeat it.
(e) This is ______ (how/what) it must be done.
(f) The vendor saw the train moving slowly from the platform, ______ (therefore/until) he got
(g) I was not well, ______ (but/so) I did not attend the class.
(h) (If, Although) ______ she can drive , she travels by bus.
(i) (If/Unless) ______ you register your name, you cannot participate in the competitions.
(j) (As soon as/Besides) ______ my father arrived home, I narrated the incident.
(k) Be quick to hear ______ (then/ and) slow to speak.
(l) lam ______ (neither/either) an ascetic in theory (nor/or) in practice.
(m) We fail to harness the rain water, ______ (consequently, nevertheless) we suffer.
(n) My brother will certainly clear GRE; ______ (yet/for) he works very hard.

Answers:

(a) because
(b) so
(c) As
(d) Though, and
(e) how
(f) therefore
(g) so
(h) Although
(i) Unless
(j) As soon as
(k) and
(l) neither, nor
(m) consequently
(n) for

Task 2
Combine the sentences and rewrite them using the words given in the brackets.

Question (a)
The well was deep. Therefore, the fox could not get out of the well, (because)
Answer:
The fox could not get out of the well because the well was deep.

Question (b)
The work was over. We went home, (when)
Answer:
When the work was over, we went home.

Question (c)
A library is a public place. We see a number of books kept there for reading, (where)
Answer:
A library is a public place where we see a number of books kept for reading.

Question (d)
The culprit was caught. Immediately, he was taken to the police station, (as soon as)
Answer:
As soon as the culprit was caught, he was taken to the police station.

Question (e)
The boys were stealing mangoes from a grove. At that time, the owner of the grove came in.(while)
Answer:
While the boys were stealing mangoes, the owner of the grove came in.

Question (J)
Artificially flavoured juices are hazardous to health. Moreover, they lead to kidney problems, (and)
Answer:
Artificially flavoured juices are hazardous to health and they lead to kidney problems.

Question (g)
Adit has been promoted. Ranjan has been promoted, (as well as)
Answer:
Adit as well as Ranjan have been promoted.

Question (h)
Caesar was declared emperor. The conspirators killed him. (After)
Answer:
After Caesar was declared the emperor, the conspirators killed him.

Task 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate correlative conjunctions.

(a) She is _____ an understanding person _____ everybody likes to be with her.
(b) Suraj owns _____ a typewriter _____ a computer.
(c) Vani is _____ a good singer _____ a good dancer.
(d) Amit did not know _____ his father met his class teacher _____ not.
(e) I would _____ starve _____ beg.

Answers:

(a) such, that
(b) not only, but also
(c) not only, but also
(d) whether, or
(e) neither, nor

Writing

Article Writing
Task 1

The Government of Tamil nadu has imposed a ban on the use of plastic. Effective implementation of this ban depends on public awareness and individual responsibility.

Write an article of 150 words for your school magazine to create an awareness of the dangers posed by indiscriminate use of plastic. Expand the ideas given below as notes.

Notes:

a. Introduction:

1. Plastic – synthetic material – doesn’t decompose in soil
2. Inevitable role of plastic – man’s day-to-day life

b. Human Health Hazard:

1. Leeching of plastic into food – micro plastic entering food chain
2. Human body’s inability to deal with this unnatural substance
3. Reaction of micro plastic in human body and ill effects

c. Adverse effects on plants and animals:

1. Plastic particles choking waterways – affect aquatic animals
2. Ingestion by aquatic and terrestrial animals -blocking of intestines and respiratory passages

d. Environmental Degradation:

1. Manufacturing process and burning of plastics – pollute atmosphere
2. Plastic-non-biodegradable – interferes with soil microorganisms – affects soil fertility

e. Conclusion:

1. Suggestions for restricted use – alternatives for one-time use of plastics
2. Segregation of plastic waste – for recycling

Use of Plastic in Daily Life

Introduction:
One of the greatest threats to the sustainability of living environment is plastics. It is a synthetic material. It is not biodegradable, it takes hundreds of years to break down into small particles. Without knowing the long term harm plastic can cause to the environment, plastic has entered all walks of life.

Human health Hazard:
AS hot food items are packed in polythene bags, microplastic enters food chain. Besides, the plastic waste that is scattered is eaten by stray animals and even huge whales and they die eventually unable to digest them. The microplastic that goes into the human body blocks intestine and also causes respiratory disorders. Reaction to microplastic in human body leads to a lot of disorders and diseases.

Adverse Effects:
Plastic particles choke the arteries of water ways and affect the lives of marine organisms as well. Ingestion caused by plastic congestion leads to blocks in the intestine, lungs and eventually death in animals.

Environmental Degradation:
Both the processing involved in production of plastics and burning of broken plastic items result in air pollution. The plastic fragments interfere with soil microorganisms and accelerate infertility of the soil.

Conclusion:
People need to be sensitized on the uses of safe disposal of plastic waste and not mix it with organic waste. Besides, people must be encouraged to reduce, recycle and reuse plastic instead of throwing them away.

Task 2
Urban living brings with it a possibility of various communicable diseases.
Now write an article of about 150 words for a leading newspaper on the various ways of maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation in order to ensure a healthy living. Make use of the hints given below.
Hints:

(a) Introduction – ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ – brief explanation

(b) Personal hygiene:

1. Frequent washing of hands and regular bathing
2. Brushing of teeth, trimming of nails and hair
3. Wearing clean clothes

(c) Keeping diseases at bay:

1. Avoid street food
2. Keep food containers covered
3. Drink boiled water
4. Wash fruits and vegetables in flowing water

(d) Keeping living areas, surroundings and the environment clean:

1. Disposal of domestic organic waste on a daily basis and hazardous waste in designated places
2. Regular sweeping, mopping and dusting
3. Disinfection of toilets and bathing areas
4. Avoid littering of public places
5. Avoid spitting, urinating and defecating in public places

(e) Conclusion – hygiene – a collective exercise – everyone’s involvement and practice, a must – ensure community health and happiness – celebrate life

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Introduction:
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Those who keep themselves and their surroundings clean and green live safely without the threat of infectious or contagious diseases.

Personal hygiene:
Regular bathing and hand washing, brushing of teeth, combing the hair, paring the nails and wearing neat dresses are indispensable for ensuring personal hygiene.

Keeping diseases at bay:
People who take street food must avoid them because, the food items are exposed to dust and disease spreading germs. Even at home we must ensure that the vessels containing food items are well-covered with plates or lids. As water-borne diseases are prevalent in cities and villages, one must drink only boiled water. Farmers use pesticides and hence we should always wash the vegetables and fruits in flowing water before using them for cooking or eating.

Keeping living areas, surroundings and the environment clean:
We must dispose organic waste on a daily basis. Hazardous waste must be disposed in the designated places only. Littering in public places must be avoided. One must have the civic sense and refrain from spitting, urinating and defecating in public places.

Conclusion:
Hygeine is a collective responsibilty of all people. For ensuring the health and happiness of the community, everyone must get involved in maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings.

Suggested Topics:
Importance of Physical Exercises / Sports and Games

Introduction:
A sound mind in a sound body goes the old saying. It holds good in modem times. Physical exercises play a vital role in keeping the body strong.

Kinds of exercises:
The simplest form of exercise is walking. Today people use two wheelers powered by petrol and biologists fear that after a hundred years babies maybe bom without legs using the theory of selection. As free bus pass is given, students have stopped cycling or walking even a kilometer a day.

Some do cycling on a regular basis and keep fit. Some go to the gym and do body building exercises. But everyone’s body’ constitution may not permit long hours of work out in a gym.

By playing traditional games like kho-kho, kabbadi, etc. also can maintain good health. In villages, climbing a huge tall oiled smooth pole is a contest during festivals. People stand in circles on whose shoulders young ones climb up to take the prize money kept on the top of the pole. Playing various games such as Tennis, cricket, basket ball, volleyball, foot ball can also give sufficient physical exercises. Students can partake in athletic events and sports to get enough exercise.

Conclusion:
Students should avoid playing games in the phone and watching domestic poison (i.e.) TV serials. Playing and doing physical exercises in the open air will tone up their muscles and build their immune system against diseases.

Travel and its Benefits

Introduction:
Travelling is a great teacher. Augustine says, “the world is a great book of which those who don’t travel read only a page.” Reading about Kashmir or Kodaikanal may not be as fascinating as travelling by car or train and drink and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Heresay vs first hand experience:
Reading about Ooty is less interesting than visiting Ooty in person. Seeing the flower show when Ooty is in full bloom is equal to seeing it in hundred movies. Walking around Botanical gardens, gazing at the valley below from Doddabetta peak, enjoying the boat ride dipping the hands into the chill waters and looking at the Pykara hydel power project are all scenic beauties one etches in one’s memories for long.

Advantages of travelling:
Life is a book full of surprises. As we travel we meet many new and interesting people. We learn about new cultures, life styles, superstitions and rituals followed in different communities across the globe.

Travelling-testing ground of skills:
During travels, one may face unforeseen emergencies. One’s latent skills of problem-solving come to limelight during such emergencies. One would also be amazed to learn how total strangers bestow kindness he/she may not have expected in crises.

Conclusion:
Travel broadens one’s outlook of life. It is also a means of education. It is one of the precious gifts of life. One must travel far and wide to enjoy life-transforming experiences which can never be had inside the four walss of classrooms or home.

Water Conservation

Introduction:
Water is the elixir of life. Earth is the only lonely planet having life-supporting water in abundance. The earth is covered with 71% water. But potable water is only around 1%.

Need to conserve water:
Due to erratic rainfall caused by deforestation, water tables are fast drying up. Global warming is adding to the problem. Even underground water is sucked up by sunlight. Tamil Nadu Government is very strict about water harvesting. Permission to build is given only after ensuring water harvesting facility is added in the blue print.

War for water:
In olden days, wars were waged on rare beauties and gold. But in modem times, the countries which possess large amount of drinking water will become envious target of water hungry nations. Abdul Kalam, the rocket scientist, predicted, for a water can, people would go to the extent of murdering fellow humans. Already interstate quarrels have started over sharing of river waters. On the one hand, the surplus rain water goes to ocean and during summer, there is scarcity of water. There are no check dams on the path of rivers. There is greedy robbery of sand. River beds are becoming moist-free desert-like plains.

Water conservation:
When Israel is able to do agriculture profitably with very little rains, we struggle to ensure lucrative prices for farm products. Many states in India have failed to conserve rain water where surplus rain water rushes to ocean through flood canals.

Conclusion:
Unwise use of water is rampant across the country. Through leaky pipes good water goes down the drain. It is the collective responsibility of citizens and municipal authorities to conserve water and sustain life on the earth.

Child Labour

Introduction:
Child labour has emerged as a major issue in India. To address this social issue, NGOs, parents, social activists and society have to join hands to attack this issue. There is a legal provision to safeguard exploited persons beyond the age of 16. But young children don’t get the advantage of legal cover.

Causes of child labour:
In many developing countries, child labour is rampant. The prominent reasons are sibling care, poverty and lack of schooling opportunities. In developing countries 50% of school aged population (in the age group of 5-14) are engaged in child labour.

Distribution of child labour:
In farming industry, child labour is rampant. In labour intensive cotton industries, brick laying industries and in the informal sector we find a large number of children employed. In small scale industries like weaving, match works, fire crackers, children are engaged as bond labourers to lessen the financial burden of parents.

Conclusion:
It is a cruel paradox that instead of eliminating child labour, we have NCLP, non-formal schools to give education to child labourers. Main streaming is not a success due to inadequate monitoring. It is comforting to learn that international organization have taken up the cause of fighting against child labour. All must realize that healthy children are the real future of India. Child labour is retarding the progress of the children and the nation.

Mobile Phone – Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction:
Mobile phone is a palm held device which has revolutionised the world of communication. A mobile phone does not require fixed landline and makes two way communication easy and affordable. Telegram department had to be closed due to the lightning speed with which messages could be sent orally or through SMS.

Mobile functions and advantages:
A mobile phone can be used for watching cricket, movie or just listen to news. Students now google for collecting information for their assignments and projects. A recent survey says 50% of youth read newspapers only through their android phones. The habit of reading books or dictionaries is falling due to quick access to information via mobile and internet services. Through Ola and Uber apps one can summon a call taxi or even order food from Uber eats or Ola food through these apps for a cheap cost. Railway and flight tickets can be booked online.
’ Memorable events can be frozen in photos or videos and saved in the phone itself. Money transfer is now possible through using PayTM, Bhim app or google money app. As many online newspapers are freely available, people save money.
Big Bazaar sells even vegetables through phone. Flipkart and Amazon apps help one to place order for any home appliances at competitive prices.

Disadvantages:
Social websites such as whatsapp, twitter and facebook keep young ones continuously engaged and crazy for likes. Sometimes evil doers access valuable information and exploit women and children. Sharing vital information, photos, videos, etc. with total strangers can jeopardize one’s honour and life too. Students who get addicted to video games and watching explicit content waste their time and energy and dropout of schools.

Conclusion:
Mobile phone is a technological marvel. Similar to any new technology, it has its fascinating traps. One must use mobile phones judiciously and stay out of harm and disgrace.

Consumerism – Wants and Needs

Introduction:
Consumer has the right to decide what he needs and what he wants to buy. But due to the explosive non-stop advertisements in the television, theatres, print media and in hand bills, the consumer is often influenced to buy what he actually does not need.

Problem of plenty:
A good trader needs to find a balance between both the need and want of the consumer. As many malls have sprung up in big cities and departmental stores in small towns, the consumer’s rights to choose what he needs are eroded. There’s a problem of plenty.

Astute traders Vs gullible customers:
As seasons change, consumers want to change the design of their jewels, wardrobes, etc. Astute traders dump a lot of varieties and under the pretext of discount and offers sub-standard commodities are sold to the consumers.

Conclusion:
The rules of business have changed widely now. Each consumer is different. Traders who are able to recognize the need of the consumer and supply custom-made or tailored commodities can only satisfy their wants and stabilize their business in the competitive market.

Value of Education

Introduction:
Education helps young ones acquire essential knowledge and skills. In modem times, teacher alone is not the dispenser of knowledge. School alone is not the abode of learning. There are many avenues from where students can learn freely.

Value of education:
Education teaches students to understand the fast changing world and problems of modem society and also evolve solutions in unconventional ways. Education shapes the destiny of a nation. It enables young ones to become a productive member of the civilized society and equips them with the required skill sets to seek jobs and shine in them too.

Education teaches us how to meet day to day challenges and overcome obstacles. It helps us leam how to become a well-rounded personality and perpetuate Indian culture. Education teaches young citizens non-negotiable rules in life and manners too. It lays the foundation stone for the future of children. It guides young ones to lead disciplined life and gives them with skills to earn jobs which would pay them well.

Conclusion:
India has to invest more in quality education in our country because education is the prerequisite to the nation’s prosperity and modernization of the country.

Value based Education

Introduction:
Education needs to ennoble human beings. It should teach sensitivity to the social issues which affect the progress of the nation. Education must sensitize students of the sweeping changes occuring around them in modem times.

Importance of value-based Education:
Education without values seems rather to make man a mere clever devil. Nelson Mandela once rightly said, “Education is the most powerful weapon through which you can change the world.” The aim of education should not be confined only to impart knowledge but to inculcate values in young and impressionable minds.

Rote memory vs value based education:
Currently, rote memorization is largely emphasized. Factual information needs to be mastered and not memorised and regurgitated during examinations. This system fails to give any opportunity to think outside the box. As we are moving towards becoming a knowledge economy, moral values have taken a back seat. Juvenile delinquency is threatening the value system of the country. The students may be intelligent and smart but they lack empathy. The schooling system has failed to inculcate the right values among children. It is unfortunate that neither teachers nor the students focus on values for it is not graded. Virtue should never ask for a reward because it is a reward in itself. India would regain its glory when students inculcate values like honesty, patriotism, compassion and hardwork.

Conclusion:
Education is a life long process. In real life, it is to be translated into qualities of truthfulness, self-confidence, compassion to all living things, and integration of mind, body and brain. In short, value based education has the capacity to transform the corrupt mind into a very innocent, healthy, natural, fresh mind embellished with agape love.

Essay Writing

Task 1
Write an essay of about 200 words each.

1. The profession you would like to choose

Introduction:
People do have dreams right from their childhood days about their career. Albert Einstein was asked in his death bed, “what did you want to become in your life?” Tears trickled down his eyes and he said, “I wanted to be a plumber. But my vocational instructor drove me out saying . That I don’t have the required skills.

Changing ambitions of children:
Children keep changing their ambitions as their role models change as they grow older and wiser. But I have decided to become a pilot in Indian force. I want to conquer the skies and fly faster than sound. I know it is a challenging career. After the Pulwama attack, the heroic role played by the twelve pilots of Indian Air force that struck at the hearts of terrorists in Pakistan . destroying the hideouts and training schools of terror impressed me. I do foresee the threat to life. Abinandhan, wing commander was released after India’s persistant diplomatic efforts across the world. I was overwhelmed by the united voice of India seeking Abinandhan, every Indian citizen was praying for the safe return of the sky warrior who had shot down F-16 with MiG 21 Bison, an ageing aircraft.

His composure under the custody of Pak army really motivated young people to stay calm during crisis. In Tamil Nadu two soldiers who died in Pulwama attack were mourned by the whole state. Transcending barriers of caste, religion and political alliances, all came to console the family members. Unkown people started donating their life-time savings. So, I have made up my mind to serve the Indian Airforce. I want to live and die as a jawan with legitimate pride. Only in the armed forces, I find dignity in both service and in death.

Conclusion:
People pursue various kinds of careers for the sake of monetary aspects. But I choose airman’s career so that I will become a part of the pride of Indian armed forces.

2. The importance of a balanced diet

Introduction:
This is a pertinent topic when the young children are becoming early victims of obesity. Most of the children in cities have got addicted to fat-saturated foods such as pizza, burger, and other fast foods which cause cholesterol. Eating balanced diet (i.e.) nutritious food is crucial if one wants to lead a healthy life style.

Balanced diet:
Balanced food is not about having the right kind of foods alone, but eating them at the right time in the right proportions. Millets and nutritious food items are available in plenty even in rural areas.

Intake of liquids:
Fluids are quite indispensable for the human body to lead a healthy life style. Scientists claim that 80% of the human body is filled with water. It is also a co-factor in many of the metabolic activities in the body leading to metabolic changes. At least two to three litres of water is essential for everyone. This can be achieved by restricting the intake of coffee and tea and consuming water as frequently as possible.

Fresh vegetables and fruits:
Regular intake of fruits and vegetables will invariably avoid many health disorders. It is believed that a balanced diet must contain all five tastes (i.e.) bitter, pungent, sour, sweet and salt. The avoidance of processed or tinned food is good because processed foods are deprived of their nutritional values. Transfat substances in processed and junk foods is harmful to us.

How to eat:
One must chew the food one consumes to ensure easy digestion. One must eat only what is required. Over eating will result in obesity and over weight. One can start diet as per the directions of one’s family doctor or dietician.

Conclusion:
If one does not take balanced diet with green vegetables and fibre, one may have to spend a lot to recover the lost health.

3. A memorable journey

Introduction:
One learns a lot about the world and life during travels. One gets to meet new people and find new cultures. I had an opportunity to visit Daijeeling along with my uncle who is working . there.

Darjeeling, the Queen of hill stations:
Daijeeling is a mesmerising hill station located in West Bengal. While travelling in the amazing toy train I was transported to heaven. The lush green hills, beautiful serene monasteries, tea plantations and the clouds that played hide and seek with the Sun really dazzled me.

I spoke to the natives. They understood Hindi and Bengali. Fortunately my uncle knew Bengali and he could translate what people said in English and Tamil which broke the barrier of language. There were frequent mild rainfalls which ran chills down my spine. I can never forget the travel in toy train from Jalpaiguri to Daijeeling. The tracks rise from sea level to 7500 ft in just about 70 km. In order to overcome the gradients, the train used zig zag reverses and loops. Batasia loop is the most famous loop with the figure of eight. As the train slowly went for seven hours, I could drink the beauty of nature and take in the fresh air of the green forests.

I went to Kangchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8586 metres above sea. I felt like standing on top of the World. Sunrise from the tiger hill was the most fascinating scenes I can never forget in my life.

Conclusion:
I strongly recommend that all my friends must visit Daijeeling once in their life.

A Nice Cup of Tea About The Author

Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903-21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic whose work is marked by clear prose, awareness of social iniquity, opposition to totalitarianism and candid support of democratic socialism.
Orwell wrote literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. He is best known for the allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). In 2008, The Times ranked him second on a list of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945”.

A Nice Cup of Tea Summary in English

About Nice Cup of Tea
Tea is one of the mainstays of civilization in India, China, U.K., Japan, Australia and New Zealand. It is curious because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent diputes. For George Orwell it is a national issue. Orwell himself went through a great deal of trouble in importing tea to drink personally. This essay is probably a reflection of his passion of preparing and drinking tea. It is a discussion on the craft of making a cup of tea.

Another view is that Orwell wrote the essay with political undertones. He used a cup of tea as the instrument for airing his political views.

Missing entry in the cookery book
‘Tea’ is not mentioned in the cookery book. There may be sketchy references on the instructions about the process of making tea.

Tea-making – A subject of controversies
The author admits that tea is a mainstay of civilization of UK, Australia, New Zealand and in Eire. What is the best manner of making a nice cup of tea is the subject of violent disputes between tea lovers.

Eleven tips for making tea Indian tea – the nicest tea
Firstly, the author prefers Indian to Chinese tea. The Chinese tea is economical in the sen e one can drink it without milk. But Chinese tea doesn’t give the stimulation, wisdom or bravery one expects after the intake of a nice cup of tea. The author associates “nice cup of tea” only with Indian tea.

Quantity vs Quality
Tea ought to be made in small quantities (i.e) in a tea pot. Tea made in urn is tasteless. Army tea made in Cauldron tastes of grease and whitewash. Tea pot should be made of China clay or earthen ware. The tea produced with silver or Britannia ware and enamel pots is always inferior in quality. However he agrees that tea made in pewter teapots is not so bad.

Method
Thirdly the pot should be warmed beforehand. This could be done better by placing the tea pot on the hob than by swilling it out with hot water.

Strong vs weak tea
Fourthly, tea must be strong. Six heaped tea spoons of leaves would be right if quart holding pot is to be filled with water to the brim. May be it is ideal when rationing of tea leaves is done. But one cup of strong tea is better than twenty weak ones. True tea lovers, as they age, want to take stronger tea and hence extra rationing of tea is done in ration shops for old age pensioners.

Indicator of quality of tea
Fifthly tea should be put straight into the pot. Muslin bags and strainers or other devices imprison tea. Baskets meant for filtering tea leaves are harmful. One can swallow tea leaves in considerable quantities. Loose tea in the pot is an indicator of quality.

Boiled or Bioling teapot
Sixthly, one should take the teapot to the kettle. The water should be boiled at the moment of impact (i.e.) while pouring it. Some maintain that tea should be poured from freshly boiled water which makes no difference.

Shake well
Seventhly, after making the tea, one must stir well and allow the tea leaves to settle down.

Drink from breakfast cup
One should drink from big breakfast cup which is cylindrical in shape. The flat shallow cup starts cooling off quickly thereby the quality gets lost.

Creamless milk
One should throw away the cream of the milk before mixing it with tea. The cream gives a sickly taste to the tea.

Milk first vs Tea first schools

Tenthly, the author believes strongly that tea must be poured and stirred. Then the milk must be added. This would exactly regulate the amount of milk poured. If milk is already poured and tea is added the quantity and impact of tea will not be optimum.

Sugarless tea- the nicest tea
Lastly the author disapproves of Russian tea or tea that is taken with sugar. He doubts the sanity of the choice of tea with sugar as it would really spoil the taste of tea. He recommends misguided individuals who take tea with sugar to switch over to sugarless tea for a fortnight. He guarantees that they would not go back to sweet tea as they would realize the real taste of tea.

Mysterious social etiquette
Some claim that it is vulgar to take tea from the saucer. There are other advantages of tea leaves such as telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of guests, feeding rabbits, healing bums and sweeping the carpets.

Conclusion
The author tries to reiterate the point only by using boiling water one can get twenty strong cups of tea from two ounces of tea leaves given in ration. The point that sugarless tea is good is endorsed by doctors also as a good practice.

A Nice Cup of Tea Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை
| இந்தியா, சீனா, இங்கிலாந்து. ஜப்பான், ஆஸ்திரேலியா மற்றும் நியூசிலாந்து நாட்டு சமுதாயத்தினரிடம் முக்கியமானவையாகக் கருதப்பட்டவைகளுள் தேயிலையும் ஒன்றாகும். இதன் மேல் பேரார்வம் கொண்டதன் காரணம் இதன் செய்முறை குறித்து தீவிர சர்ச்சை நிலவுவதே. ஜியார்ஜ் ஆர்வெல்லுக்கோ தேசிய அளவிலான பிரச்சனையாக அது இருந்தது. போர் தன் சுயதேவைக்கு தேயிலையை இறக்குமதி செய்வதில் பெருத்த சங்கடத்திற்கு அவர் உள்ளாக வேண்டியிருந்தது. இந்தக் கட்டுரை அநேகமாக அவர் தேனீர் தயார் செய்வதிலும் அதை அருந்துவதிலும் கொண்ட ஆர்வத்தின் பிரதிபலிப்பே ஆகும். ஆக, இது தேனீர் தயாரிப்பின் கைப்பக்குவத்தை விவாதிக்கக் கூடிய ஒன்றே ஆகும். ஆர்வெல் இந்தக் கட்டுரையை அரசியல் அடித்தளத்துடன் எழுதியுள்ளார் என்ற மற்றொரு கருத்தும் நிலவுகிறது. அவர் தன் அரசியல் கருத்துக்களை வெளிப்படுத்த ஒரு கோப்பை தேனீர் அருந்துவதைக் கருவியாகக் கையாண்டுள்ளார்.

சமையற்குறிப்பில் விடுபட்ட பதிவு:

தேனீர் பெரும்பாலான சமையற்குறிப்புப் புத்தகங்களில் குறிப்பிடப்படுவதில்லை. தேனீர் தயாரிப்பு மேலோட்டமாக சில சமையல் குறிப்புகளில் காணப்படலாம்.

தேனீர் தயாரிப்பு-சர்ச்சைக்குரிய விஷயம்:
இங்கிலாந்து, ஆஸ்திரேலியா, நியூசிலாந்து மற்றும் ஐயரில் நாடுகளில் முக்கியமான ஒன்று தேநீர் என்பதை ஒப்புக்கொள்கிறார். எந்த விதத்தில் நல்ல சுவையுள்ள தேனீர் தயாரிப்பது என்பதே தேனீர் பிரியர்களிடத்தே உண்டாகும் தீவிர சர்ச்சை ஆகும்.

தேனீர் தயாரிப்பில் 11 குறிப்புகள்:
இந்தியத் தேனீர் இன்பகரமான தேனீர். முதலாவதாக சிக்கனம் எனப் பார்த்தால் பால் சேர்க்காமல் சீனத் | தேயிலையைப் பருகலாம் என்றாலும் ஆசிரியர் இந்தியத் | தேயிலையே சாலச் சிறந்தது எனக் கூறுகிறார். ஆனால், | நல்ல தேனீர் அருந்திய பின் ஒருவர் எதிர்பார்க்கக்கூடிய ஊக்கம், விவேகம் அல்லது வீரம் சீனத் தேனீர் கொடுப்பதில்லை. இன்பகரமான தேனீருடன் ஆசிரியர் தொடர்புபடுத்துவது இந்தியத் தேயிலையையே.

அளவு மற்றும் தரம்:
இரண்டாவதாக தேனீர் சிறிய அளவிலேயே தயாரிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். கெண்டியில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் தேனீர் சுவைமிக்கதாக இருப்பதில்லை. இராணுவத்தினருக்கு பெரிய அண்டாக்களில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் தேனீர் எண்ணெய் பிசிர் மற்றும் சுண்ணாம்புக் கரைசலின் சுவையைக் கொடுக்கும். தேனீர் தயாரிக்கும் பாத்திரம் சீனக் களிமண் அல்லது களிமண்ணால் செய்யப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும், வெள்ளி, பிரிட்டானியா சாமான்கள் மற்றும் எனாமல் பூசப்பட்ட பாத்திரங்களில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் தேனீர் தரம் குறைந்ததே. ஆனால் காரீயத் தேனீர் கெண்டியில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் தேனீர் அவ்வளவு மோசமாக இருப்பதில்லை என்பதை ஆசிரியர் ஆமோதிக்கிறார்.

செய்முறை:
மூன்றாவதாக, தேனீர் பாத்திரத்தை தேனீர் போடுவதற்கு முன்னதாக சூடுபடுத்திக் கொள்ளவேண்டும். இதை அடுப்பின் அருகில் உள்ள மேடை மீது சிறிது நேரம் வைத்து பிறகு கொதிக்கும் நீரை விட்டு அலச வேண்டும்.

கசாயம் அதிகமுள்ள மற்றும் கசாயம் குறைந்த தேனீர்:
நான்காவதாக, தேயிலை கசாயம் நிறைந்ததாக | இருக்கவேண்டும். கால் கேலன் (3.785 லிட்டர்) (Quarter | Cup) அளவு கொண்ட கெண்டியில் விளிம்பு வரை நீரை நிறைத்து அதில் ஆறு தேக்கரண்டி நிறைய | தேயிலைத்தூள் போதுமான அளவாகும். இதுவே
போதுமான அளவுகோல் எனக் கொள்ளலாம். ஆனால், | 20 கோப்பை கசாயம் குறைந்த தேனீரைக் காட்டிலும் ஒரு கோப்பை கசாயம் நிறைந்த தேனீர் சிறந்தது. உண்மையான | தேனீர் பிரியர்கள் வயதாக ஆக அதிக கசாயம் மிகுந்த | தேனீரை உட்கொள்ள விரும்புவதால் நியாய விலைக் | கடைகளில் கூடுதல் தேயிலை ஓய்வூதியம் பெறுபவருக்கு கொடுக்கப்படுகிறது.

தேயிலையின் தரத்தைப் பாதிக்கும் கூறுகள் யாவை?
ஐந்தாவதாக தேயிலையைக் கெண்டியில் போட | வேண்டும். மஸ்லின் பை மற்ற வடிகட்டிகள் மூலம் | தேயிலையை வடிகட்ட உதவும் தேயிலை பைகள் ஆபத்தானவை. அளவுக்கு அதிகமான தேயிலையை ஒருவர் விழுங்கிவிட வாய்ப்புள்ளது. ஆனால் அது உடல்நலத்துக்கு ஒரு போதும் கேடு விளைவிக்காது. அது உடல்நலத்துக்கு நன்று. கெண்டியில் (kettle) போட்டுத் தயாரிக்கும் தேயிலை உயர்தர வகைக்கு சான்று.

கொதித்த அல்லது கொதிக்கும் கெண்டி:
ஆறாவதாக, கொதித்த தேநீரை கெண்டியில் ஊற்ற வேண்டும். ஊற்றும் போது நீர் கொதிக்க வைக்கப்பட வேண்டும். சிலர் தேனீரை கொதித்த நீரில் | போட வேண்டும் என்பர். அதனால் எந்த வித்தியாசமும் இல்லை. நன்றாகக் கெண்டியை குலுக்கினால் போதும்.

நன்றாக கிளறுங்கள்
ஏழாவதாக தேனீர் தயாரித்த பிறகு நன்றாக கிளறி தேயிலைத் தூள் கீழே தங்குமாறு செய்யவேண்டும்.

பசியாறும் கோப்பையில் ஊற்றி குடிக்கவேண்டும்:
எட்டாவதாக கோள (Cylinderical) வடிவிலான பெரிய பசியாற்றும் கோப்பையில் ஊற்றிப் பருகவேண்டும். தட்டையான கோப்பைகளில் ஊற்றுவதால் எளிதில் சூடு ஆறி அதன் சுவை பருகும்போதே தொலைந்துவிடுகிறது.

வெண்ணைய் இல்லாத பால்:
ஒன்பதாவதாக தேனீருடன் கலப்பதுக்கு | முன் பாலில் உள்ள வெண்ணையை அப்புறப்படுத்த வேண்டும். அந்த வெண்ணைய் நுரை தேனீரில் கலந்து பிசுபிசுப்புத் தன்மையைக் கொடுக்கிறது.

முதலில் பால் மற்றும் முதலில் தேனீர்:
பத்தாவதாக, கதையாசிரியர் தேயிலை நீரை முதலில் ஊற்றி கலக்கவேண்டும் என நம்புகிறார். அதன் பின் பால் சேர்க்கப்பட வேண்டும். இது நாம் எவ்வளவு பால் உபயோகிக்கிறோம் என்பதைத் திட்டமிடச் செய்யும், பாலை முதலில் எடுத்துக்கொண்டு தேனீரை ஊற்றுவது ஏற்ற வகையான அனுகூலத்தைத் தராது.

சர்க்கரை இல்லாத தேனீர்-இனிமையான தேனீர்:
கடைசியாக ஆசிரியர் ரஸ்யன் வகை தேயிலை அல்லது சர்க்கரை சேர்த்த தேனீரை ஆட்சேபிக்கிறார். சர்க்கரை சேர்த்த தேனீரின் தன்மையை அவர் சந்தேகிக்கிறார். ஏனெனில், அது தேனீரின் சுவையைக் கெடுத்து விடுகிறது. வழிநடத்தப்பட்டவர்களே தவறுதலாக தேனீருடன் சர்க்கரை சேர்த்துக் கொள்கிறார்கள். அவர்களை சர்க்கரை சேர்க்காத தேனீருக்கு மாறும்படி சிபாரிசு செய்கிறார். அவர்கள் மறுபடியும் சர்க்கரை சேர்த்த தேனீருக்கு திரும்ப மாட்டார்கள் என உத்திரவாதம் அளிக்கிறார். ஏனெனில், அவர்கள் இரு வார காலத்தில் தேனீரின் மெய்யான சுவையை அறிந்திருப்பார்கள்.

மர்மமான சமூக ஆசாரம்:
சிலர் பீங்கான் தட்டில் தேனீரை ஊற்றி அருந்துவது அருவெறுப்பு உடையது என ஏன் கருதுகிறார்கள்? என்றும் மற்றும் தேயிலை உபயோகத்தின் இரண்டாம் பட்சமான உபயோகமான குறி சொல்வது, விருந்தினர் வருகையை அறிவிப்பது, முயலுக்கு ஆகாரமாகக் கொடுப்பது, தீப்புண்ணை ஆற்றுவது மற்றும் சமுக்காளத்தைக் கூட்டுவது என மர்மமான சமூகச் சடங்குகளும் தேனீர் கெண்டியைச் சூழ்ந்துள்ளது.

முடிவுரை:
நியாய விலைக் கடைகளில் கொடுக்கும் 2 அவுன்ஸ் தேயிலையைக் கொதிக்கும் நீரில் இட்டால் 20 கோப்பை நிறைந்த கசாயம் கூடிய தேனீர் கிடைக்கும் என்று அறிவுறுத்துகிறார். சர்க்கரை இல்லாத தேனீர் நல்ல பழக்கம் என்னும் கருத்தை மருத்துவர்களும் வலியுறுத்துகிறார்கள்.

A Nice Cup of Tea Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Prose

• Two Gentlemen of Verona Book Back Answers
• A Nice Cup of Tea Book Back Answers
• In Celebration of Being Alive Book Back Answers
• The Summit Book Back Answers
• The Status of Tamil as a Classical Language Book Back Answers
• On the Rule of the Road Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Lesson 1 God Sees the Truth, But Waits Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 1st Lesson God Sees the Truth, But Waits Questions and Answers

Warm Up:

Question 1.
If you are punished for a prank your classmate played, how would you react to the situation?
Answer:
I will not be quick to anger. I will keep quiet and will quietly let my friend know that, I did not relish his act. If he values my friendship, he will certainly apologize. If he doesn’t, I will forgive.

Question 2.
While many would seek vengeance or feel sorry for themselves, some may put their trust in God, forgive others for the wrongs done to them and move on in life. What is your take on this? Discuss.
Answer:
I believe anger, self-pity and hatred are negative emotions. Anger is a punishment we give ourselves for others wrong doing. I would not be in a hurry to express my anger or displeasure. I will focus more on the business of living ignoring the pain. If the relationship is really good for me, the person who had hurt me knowingly or unknowingly will come back to me. Otherwise, I will understand that he/she was not destined to be my lifetime friend. So, I will move ahead in life leaving the weight of hurt and disappointment behind.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English God Sees the Truth, But Waits Textual Questions

1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the story.

Question (a)
Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Answer:
Aksionov’s wife had a very bad dream about him. So, she stopped him from going to the fair,

Question (b)
What is the importance of Aksionov’s wife’s dream?
Answer:
She had dreamt that he had returned from the town. When he took off his cap, she saw that his hair was quite grey. This was a bad omen.

Question (c)
What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?
Answer:
Aksionov was an early riser. He wanted to travel when the air was cool. So, he left the inn before dawn.

Question (d)
What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov’s imprisonment?
Answer:
Aksionov had left the inn at the dawn. He was intercepted by the police. A blood-stained knife was found in his bag. So, the police arrested him accusing him of murdering the merchant who stayed in the same inn where he had stayed.

Question (e)
Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?
Answer:
Aksionov’s wife came to visit him. She informed that her petition for clemency had been turned down. She asked him if he had done it. Realizing that his wife also suspected him, Aksionov gave up sending petitions to the Tsar.

Question (f)
Why didn’t Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?
Answer:
Makar’s disclosure would have given the police the chance to arrest him and convict him. So, he did not disclose his guilt.

Question (g)
Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story?
Answer:
No, Makar did not feel guilty. Instead, he casually said that it must be the person in whose bag the knife was found.

Question (h)
What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer?
Answer:
Makar asked who could put the knife in Aksionov’s bag when it was kept under his head. This made Aksionov understand that it was Makar who had killed the merchant.

Question (i)
What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?
Answer:
Aksionov realized that vengeance will get nothing. God knows the truth and God’s will happen. He forgave Makar and felt light at the end.

Question (j)
Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?
Answer:
Mrs. Aksionov had dreamt that her husband’s hair had turned grey on his return from the fair. As Aksionov used to drink occasionally, she suspected that her husband may have killed the merchant in a drunken brawl which also correlates with the dream she had the same morning.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
What is the story “God sees the truth but waits” about?
Answer:
This story is about faith, forgiveness, freedom and acceptance of a suffering young merchant named Aksionov. He was sent to prison for a murder he had not committed. He spent 26 years in prison in Siberia before he could discover the murderer. After discovery, though pained, he forgave him. He died on the day the pardon was granted.

Question (b)
Write briefly about the early life of Aksionov.
Answer:
Aksionov was a handsome, fair, haired, curly headed fellow. He was full of fun in his youth. He was very fond of singing. He used to drink in excess and enter into brawls. But after marriage, he became sober.

Question (c)
Why did Aksionov doubt his wife’s statement about a bad dream?
Answer:
Aksionov did not believe in his wife’s dream. He thought his wife must have been afraid that he . might go on a spree after reaching the fair.

Question (d)
What prompted Aksionov to ask Semyonich if he knew anything about the merchant Aksionov of Vladimir?
Answer:
Aksionov heard one of the convicts say that he is from Vladimir. He did not know what happened to his family in the last 26 years. So, he asked him about his family.

Question (e)
What information was consoling to Aksionov?
Answer:
The information that Aksionov’s are now rich was consoling to Aksionov.

Question (f)
Why did Aksionov become angry and restless after meeting Semyonich?
Answer:
Aksionov got convinced that it was Semyonich who had murdered the merchant and kept the. blood-stained knife in his bag. So, he longed for vengeance. He kept praying but could not find peace. He was really restless.

Question (g)
What circumstances made Semyonich threaten to kill Aksionov?
Answer:
Semyonich was digging out a hole to escape from jail one night. Aksionov happened to see it ’ accidentally. Fearing exposure, Semyonich threatened to kill Aksionov.

Question (h)
How did Aksionov react to the threat of Semyonich?
Answer:
He said that Semyonich need not kill him as he had already done so long ago. He may tell about his bid to escape or may not. He would do as God directed him.

Question (i)
What was Governor’s opinion of Aksionov in the Siberian Jail?
Answer:
The Governor of the Siberian jail believed that Aksionov was a truthful old man.

Question (j)
Why did the prisoners respect Aksionov?
Answer:
Aksionov’s fellow prisoners respected him and called him “grandfather” and “The saint”. When they wanted to petition to the prison authorities about anything, Aksionov was their spokesman. He settled their quarrels too in a just manner.

Question (k)
What thoughts prevented Aksionov from exposing Semyonich who had ruined his life?
Answer:
Aksionov knew if he tells the authorities, they would probably flog the life out of Semyonich. Besides what good will come out of getting him punished. Let him pay for his sins himself.

Question (l)
Why was Semyonich left unpunished for trying to escape from the jail?
Answer:
Nobody else dared to expose him. Aksionov found no point in doing so. As there was no evidence’to nail him, Semyonich went unpunished.

Question (m)
What unexpected thing happened at night?
Answer:
Semyonich knelt before Aksionov and asked for his forgiveness and offered to confess his crime of murdering the merchant.

Question (n)
What made Aksionov feel that the belated confession of Semyonich and his own release would be futile?
Answer:
Aksionov had spent the best part of his lie (i.e.) 26 years in Siberia. His wife was dead and children had forgotten him. He had nowhere to go. So, Aksionov felt that the confession of Semyonich would be futile.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

Question (a)
Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
Answer:
Yes, the blood-stained knife was found in Aksionov’s bag. When interrogated, he turned pale and started shivering. He did not have much to say to prove his innocence. Thus, the circumstantial evidences were sufficient to convict Aksionov.

Question (b)
What impact did the book “The Lives of Saints” have on Aksionov?
Answer:
Aksionov read “The lives of saints” when there was enough light in the prison. He became a religious person. He sang in the choir. He was resigned to his fate. The fellow prisoners realized that he was innocent and unjustly condemned and hence respected him. They called him grandfather.

Question (c)
Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.
Answer:
When Makar Semyonich heard the story as to why Aksionov has been kept in Siberia, he became excited. He said, “It is wonderful that we should meet here.” Aksionov asked anxiously if he knew who had murdered the merchant. He blurted out, “how could anyone put a knife into your bag while it was under your head? It would have surely woken you up.” From this Aksionov got the clue that Makar was the murderer and he recognised him clearly.

3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each.

Question (a)
Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, in the story.
Answer:
Aksionov, a handsome man, full of life, enjoyed music. He loved his family and did honest business. He is innocent to the core. The very sight of blood-stained knife found in his bag sends chill down his spine. He is deeply sensitive. When he realizes that his wife too suspected him, he gives up petitioning to the Tsar for mercy. He recognized Makar Semyonich the person who had murdered the merchant and had him framed in murder charges and unjustly punished for twenty six long years. When an opportunity presents to wreak vengeance on him, he keeps quiet. He does not show any interest in his belated freedom and restoration of justice. He seeks refuge in God.

Makar Semyonich is a cold-blooded murderer and scoundrel. Knowingly, he hides the blood-stained knife in Aksionov’s bag and tips off the police. He doesn’t confess his guilt on the day he meets Aksionov. It is only when he realizes that Aksionov is a noble soul and does not want to expose his plan to escape from the prison that he changes his attitude to Aksionov. He is haunted by guilt that he had wronged a noble soul. He confesses but it is in vain. The pardon arrives but Aksionov passes away in prison before release.

Question (b)
How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?
Answer:
Aksionov had deep love for his wife. He wanted to petition to the Tsar for clemency. But his wife said that the petition already sent had been rejected. She asked, “Vanya dearest, tell your wife the truth; was it not you who did it?” It was too much to bear for Aksionov. He was devastated. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed. When he recalled what his wife had said, he was shocked. He said to himself, “It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy.” He gave up all hope. He only prayed to God.

Question (c)
Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.
Answer:
In prison, Aksionov leamt to make boots and earned a little money, with which he bought the book “The lives of saints”. He read the book when there was sufficient light in prison. On Sundays, he read the lessons and sang in the choir. The prison authorities liked him for his meekness. Fellow prisoners, having realized that he was innocent, respected him and called him grandfather. He was made their spokesperson to petition their genuine grievances in the jail. When there were quarrels among the prisoners, they brought their cases to Aksionov for settlement. The jail authorities respected him for his exemplary manners.

Question (d)
Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?
Answer:
Aksionov was quite aware of the gravity of the offence done by Makar Semyonich. He had tried to make a hole in the prison compound wall and escape. Aksionov found this out accidentally. Makar warned him that he would kill him if he testified against him. Initially, the anger welled up in his heart demanding revenge for the 26 years of prison life. But slowly he made up his mind to keep quiet and let God punish him for the crimes he had committed. He thought, “why should I screen him who ruined my life?” When questioned by the Governor, he kept quiet. He knew deep at heart, if he disclosed the truth, they will flog the life out of him.

Question (e)
Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”.
Answer:
Ivan is tongue-tied when the police finds knife in his bag. The moral shock he undergoes as an innocent victim of circumstances allows him to have faith in justice. But the moment his wife expresses her suspicion over his involvement in the murder, he loses all hopes. It is then that he starts believing in God and divine justice. Tsar can’t give him freedom. His judgement is based on evidences given by crooked people.

God need not be given any evidences of innocence. He knows the truth but his mills of justice grind very slow. Ivan loses interest in escaping dr leaving the prison. He had no one to go back to. At this juncture, Semyonich confesses his guilt of murdering the merchant. When the pardon arrives as a cruel joke, Ivan is dead. So, ‘God knows the truth but waits’ is the most appropriate title for this story.

Question (f)
Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
Answer:
There are two important conflicts which help the reader understand Ivan Aksionov’s character. He is condemned for a murder he had not committed. He is hurt more when his wife also suspects him. He submits himself totally to God and expecting mercy and forgiveness only from him. But when he faces another enquiry within the prison, he is forced to tell the truth about Makar. But instead of exposing the sinner Makar, he allows God to take over and keeps quiet. Remorseful Makar seeks his forgiveness in prison. There is a debate with his conscience

“To forgive or not”. Then he tells Makar, “God will forgive you. May be I am hundred times worse than you. Both Makar and Aksionov come to an understanding that God’s forgiveness and mercy towards humans are incomprehensible. If Aksionov had exposed Makar and got him punished, Makar would never have felt guilty and asked for Ivan’s forgiveness. It is true “Forgiveness is the sweetest form of revenge.”

Additional Questions

Question (a)
What were the nostalgic reminiscences that disturbed Aksionov once he discovered the real murderer of the merchant?
Answer:
Soon after discovering the fact that it was Semyonich who had murdered the merchant, he became terribly unhappy. A kaleidoscope of images of his own past life flooded his mind. In his mind’s eye, he saw the youthful image of his lovely wife. Her face and eyes rose before him. He heard her speak and laugh. He saw his little children, one with his little cloak on suckling at his mother’s breast. Then he remembered his own merry-go lucky life in his youth.

He vividly remembered how happily he was playing the guitar at the inn without any worry. He remembered how he was arrested, flogged in the presence of his villagers. He recalled how shamefully he was chained and convicted. He remembered how he had to spend twenty six long years in Siberia and attain premature old age. He felt so wretched that he wanted to take away his own life.

Question (b)
Describe the circumstances leading to Semyonich threatening Aksionov in Siberia?
Answer:
One night, unable to sleep, Aksionov was walking inside the prison. He noticed that soil came out rolling from one of the shelves on which prisoners slept. He found Makar Semyonich creep out of the spot. He looked up at Aksionov with dread. Aksionov ignored him and started ‘ walking ahead. Driven by guilt and fear of exposure, Semyonich ran and caught hold of Aksionov’s hand. He explained how he had dug a hole with his heavy boots to escape from jail. He warned him not to blab. If he did, the authorities will flog the life out of him.

But he would kill him first. He offered the bait that Aksionov also could escape. Aksionov drew his hand away and said he had no desire to escape. He said that Semyonich had already killed him long ago. He added that he may or may not tell about him as per the direction of God.

Question (c)
Why was the Governor forced to seek the witness of Aksionov?
Answer:
Aksionov was meek. He was respected by fellow prisoners. The prison authorities also believed that the religions old man must have been unjustly punished. They knew Aksionov never told lies. The prison authorities found out that someone had been digging the prison shelf to escape. They doubted that newcomer Semyonich could be the culprit. But they could not nail him on the grounds of suspicion alone.

All the prisoners were summoned and enquired including Semyonich. All denied any knowledge of it. Those who knew kept quiet because they knew Semyonich will get flogged if someone betrayed him. As no one was ready to tell the truth, the Governor, who had enormous trust in the nobility and honesty of Aksionov asked him to tell the truth. But Aksionov preferred to stay quiet.

4. Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.

Aksionov was a businessman. He lived with his wife and children. He was full of life. He sang and played the Guitar and occasionally drank too. Once he got ready to go to the fair. His wife tried to stop him saying that she had a bad dream. On his return from the fair, his hair had turned grey. It was ominous. But Ivan ignored his wife’s warning and went to the fair. As he liked cool weather, he left the inn early. He was intercepted by the police who searched his belongings. Finding a blood-stained knife in his bag, he was arrested on charges of murder. His wife’s petition for clemency to the Tsar was turned down. His wife’s unwillingness to trust him was more devastating than Tsar’s rejection of mercy petition. He was flogged. After the wounds healed he was sent to work in the mines of Siberia.

Staying 26 years in Siberia he grew a long beard. He became grandfather to the prisoners. He read “The lives of saints” and was found praying and singing in the choir. He was respected both by the fellow prisoners and the jail authorities for his gentle behaviour. Everyone in the jail believed in his innocence and unjust condemnation. One day a new convict namely Makar Semyonich came there. When Makar blurted out how the knife went to his bag kept under his head, Ivan recognized Makar as the real murderer of the merchant. Ivan had a chance to expose Makar to the jail authorities. But he kept quiet. Makar became remorseful and asked Ivan’s forgiveness. He forgave him. Makar confessed to the authorities. The order of pardon came but then Ivan was dead.

God Sees the Truth, But Waits About The Author

Leo Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Tula Province, Russia. He is best known for the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877), often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction. He first achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with his semi- autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth and Sevastopol Sketches, based upon his experiences in the Crimean War. Tolstoy’s fiction includes dozens of short stories and several novellas such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), Family Happiness, and Hadji Murad. He also wrote plays and numerous philosophical essays. Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910 in Astapovo, Russia.

God Sees the Truth, But Waits Summary in English

Introduction
In “God sees the truth but waits” the author’s deep seated faith in God and moral values is expressed

Innocent man charged of murder

In Vladimir, a young, attractive businessman named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lived with his wife and children. Although in his youth, he had given in to drinking and living a carefree life, he had now settled down and lived a responsible, productive life. One day he decided to make a trip to a fair where he could sell some of his merchandise. His wife objected to his trip saying that she had a bad dream about this trip. Aksionov ignored her apprehension and proceeded. On the way, he stopped at an inn, where he met another merchant he knew.

They stayed at the inn in rooms next to one another. Being an early bird, he proceeded at dawn. After traveling twenty-five miles, however, he was intercepted by a local police officer. He questioned him closely about the time he had spent at the inn. He claimed that the other merchant had been found with his throat slit. Aksionov seemed a likely suspect since he knew the man and since they shared neighbouring rooms. Aksionov vehemently denied any involvement in the murder. However, when his bag was searched, a blood-stained knife was found.

Circumstantial evidences
Although Aksionov protested claiming innocence, he was arrested and charged with the murder. Even his wife wondered if he might have been involved, since the circumstantial evidence was so convincing. A petition to the Czar for clemency was turned down. Aksionov bade his wife and young children farewell, reflecting that only God can know the truth, he waited. As Aksionov’s wife also suspected him, he stopped petitioning to Tar.After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During his twenty-six years of imprisonment there, his hair had turned grey. His cheerful personality disappeared, and his body began to weaken. He never showed any signs of happiness and frequently prayed to God.

Faith lessens sorrow
While imprisoned, he became a boot maker. He earned enough money to buy a book called The Lives of the Saints. He read this book whenever there was light. On Sundays, he took a prominent role in the religious services, and sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility. Other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.” He became their representative when they needed to deal with the authorities. They trusted him so much that they treated him as a kind of judge, who could settle disputes and disagreements amongst them. Meanwhile, he had no information about his family nor any contact with them. He thought that they might all be dead, for all he knew.

Reviving old wounds – a new discovery

When a new shipment of prisoners arrived one day, Aksionov eventually realized that one of the men, Makar Semyonich, was from his own home town. In response to Aksionov’s questions, Maker informed the old man that Aksionov’s family was prosperous. Maker seemed to know Aksionov somehow, leading the latter to wonder if Makar knew, anything about the murder of the merchant. Maker’s reply led Aksionov to begin to suspect that it was Maker who had in fact committed the crime.

Tormented by painful memories and by a sense of all the years he had lost, he eventually accused Makar, privately, of having murdered the merchant. Makar ignored the accusation even though Aksionov had caught Makar trying to dig a tunnel to escape the prison. Aksionov could easily have reported this deed to the authorities. But he chose to keep quiet, even after Makar threatened him with death. When the tunnel was eventually discovered, no one would identify Makar as the culprit who had been doing the digging. Governor believed Aksionov will not tell lies, who was closely questioned by him. He denied knowing who had been digging. He did not want to see Makar harshly punished. He even started wondering if he had wrongly suspected Makar of murdering the merchant.

Transformation of a criminal
Later that night, Makar came to Aksionov’s bed and begged the old man for forgiveness. He confessed that he’had indeed killed the merchant and had hidden the blood-stained knife in Aksionov’s bags. He offered to confess to this crime so that Aksionov could be released from prison and go back to his home and family. Makar continued to beg Aksionov for forgiveness, especially since Aksionov had not revealed what he knew about Makar and the tunnel. Both men were soon weeping, and Aksionov said “God will forgive you! Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you.” Having said this, he suddenly felt a load leave him. He no longer cared about leaving the prison. He only desired death. Makar did eventually confess to having killed the merchant. Ironically, by the time Aksionov’s pardon arrived, he was already dead.

Conclusion

The story’s essence is that forgiveness is the best sort of revenge in life. The hard core criminal Makar Semyonich undergoes a spiritual transformation because Aksionov had forgiven him in spite of unjust suffering for 26 years. In the end, Aksionov gets peace of mind. It is only after he forgave Makar that he enjoyed serenity and was able to die in peace.

God Sees the Truth, But Waits Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை:
“கடவுள் உண்மையைக் காண்கிறார். ஆனால் காத்திருக்கிறார்” என்னும் – கதையில் கதாசிரியரின் ஆழ்ந்த கடவுள் பக்தியும் மற்றும் அறத்தைப் பற்றிய முக்கிய கருத்தையும் வெளிப்படுகின்றன.

களங்கமற்றவன் மேல் திணிக்கப்பட்ட கொலைப் பழி:

விலாட்மிர் என்னும் நகரத்தில் இவான் டிமிட்ரிச் ஆக்சியோனோ தன் மனைவி மக்களுடன் வாழ்ந்து | வந்தார். சிறு வயது முதலே குடிப்பழக்கத்திற்கு ஆளாகி, கவலையற்ற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்திருந்த போதிலும், | தற்போது பொறுப்புள்ள, ஆக்கப்பூர்வமான வாழ்வை வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். ஒரு நாள் சந்தைக்கு சென்று தன் வியாபார பொருட்களை விற்க முடிவு செய்தார். அவன் மனைவியோ தான் கெட்ட கனவு கண்டதால் போக வேண்டாம் எனத் தடுத்தாள். ஆக்சியோனோ, மனைவியின் கவலையைப் பொருட்படுத்தாது பயணத்தை மேற்கொண்டார். செல்லும் வழியில் விடுதி |

ஒன்றில் தங்க, அங்கு தனக்கு அறிமுகமான ஒரு வியாபாரியைச் சந்தித்தார். அவர்கள் விடுதியின் அருகருகே அமைந்த அறைகளில் தங்கினர். அதிகாலையில் எழும் பழக்கம் உள்ளவராக இருப்பதால் பயணத்தை சூரிய உதயத்துக்கு முன்பே தொடங்கினார். இருபத்தி ஐந்து மைல் தூரம் கடந்து சென்றிருந்த போது, ஒரு காவல்காரர் இடைமறித்தார். அவர் விடுதியில் | எவ்வளவு நேரம் கழித்தார் என்பதைக் குறித்து குறிப்பாக விசாரித்தார். தான் தங்கியிருந்த விடுதியில் அவருக்கு | அறிமுகமான வியாபாரி கழுத்து அறுக்கப்பட்டு கொடூரமான முறையில் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டு இறந்து | கிடந்தார் எனத் தெரிவித்தார். அந்த வியாபாரியை தான் அறிந்திருந்ததாலும் அருகருகே தங்கி | இருந்ததாலும் அநேகமாக சந்தேகத்திற்கு உரியவனாகிறான் என ஆக்சியோனோவிடம் சொன்னார். ஆக்சியோனோ இதை கடுமையாக மறுத்தான். இருப்பினும். அவரது பையை ஆராய்ந்த | போது இரத்தக் கறை படிந்த கத்தி கிடைத்தது.

சூழ்நிலை சாட்சியங்கள்:
ஆக்சியோனோமறுத்த போதிலும், அவன் மேல் கொலைப் பழி சுமத்தப்பட்டு கைது செய்யப்படுகிறார். அவரது மனைவியே அவர் கொலை செய்திருக்கக் கூடுமோ என எண்ணும் அளவிற்கு சாட்சியங்கள் அமைந்தன. அரசுக்கு அனுப்பிய கருணை மனுவும் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது. சிறையில் கடைசி முறையாக மனைவி, மக்களை சந்தித்து பிரியாவிடை கொடுத்தார். தன் மனைவியே தன்னை சந்தேகித்ததால் அவர் மேலும் அரசுக்கு மனு அனுப்புவதை நிறுத்திக் கொண்டார்.சவுக்கால் கொடூரமாக விளாசப்பட்டு காயம் ஆறிய பின் சைபீரியா நாட்டின் சுரங்கத்திற்கு பணி செய்ய அனுப்பப்பட்டான். அங்கு 26 வருட சிறை வாழ்க்கையால் தலைமுடி நரைத்துப் போனது. அவரது உற்சாகமான தோற்றம் மாறியது. உடல் பலவீனமானது. எந்த ஆரவாரமும் இன்றி கடவுளையே வழிபாடு செய்து கொண்டிருந்தார்.

நம்பிக்கை சோகத்தைக் குறைக்கும்:
சிறைக் கைதியாக இருந்த போது கால் செறுப்புகள் செய்தார். “சாதுக்களின் வாழ்க்கை ” என்ற புத்தகம் வாங்கும் அளவிற்கு போதிய ஊதியம் கிடைத்தது. வெளிச்சம் கிடைத்த போதெல்லாம் இந்த நூலை ஆக்சியோனோ வாசித்தார். ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைகளில் கடவுள் சேவையில் முதல் ஆளாக நின்று சேவை புரிந்து, ஆலயப் பாடல் பாடும் குழுவினருடன் சேர்ந்து பாடவும் செய்தார். அதிகாரிகளும், காவலர்களும் | ஆக்சியோனோவின் பணிவைப் பாராட்டினர். இதர கைதிகள் ஆக்சியோனோவை ‘தாத்தா’ என்றும், ‘துறவி’ என்றும் கூறினர். சிறை அதிகாரிகளுடன் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவேண்டி நேர்ந்ததால் ஆக்சியோனோவை பிரதிநிதி ஆக்கினர். ஆக்சியோனோவை கைதிகள் தங்கள் சச்சரவுகள் மற்றும் வேற்று மனப்பான்மையைத் தீர்த்து வைக்கும் நீதிபதியாக மதித்தனர். இது நாள் வரை ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு தன் குடும்பத்தாரைப் பற்றிய தகவல் ஏதும் தெரியவில்லை . அவர்கள் எல்லோரும் இறந்திருக்கக்கூடும் என ஆக்சியோனோவ் எண்ணினார்

பழைய காயங்களைக் கீறுதல்- புதிய கண்டுபிடிப்பு:

புதிய கைதிகளுடன் கப்பல் வந்தது.அதில் மக்கர் என்பவன் தன் ஊரைச் சேர்ந்தவன் என்பதை அறிந்து கொண்டார் ஆக்சியானோவ். தன் குடும்பத்தாரைப் பற்றி விசாரிக்க அனைவரும் வளமாக உள்ளதாக மக்கர் தெரிவித்தான். மக்கர், ஆக்சியோனோவை எப்படியோ அறிந்திருந்தான் என்பது, கொலையைப் பற்றிய விவரம் ஏதேனும் அவனுக்கு தெரிந்திருக்குமோ என்று அறிவும் ஆர்வம் ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு உண்டாயிற்று. கொலையைப் பற்றிய மக்கரின் பதில், இந்தக் கொலையை மக்கர் செய்திருக்கக்கூடுமோ என்ற சந்தேகத்தை ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு எழுப்பியது. வலி கொடுக்கும் நினைவுகள் ஒருபுறம் சித்ரவதை செய்ய, மறுபுறம் வீணாகக் கடந்துபோன வாழ்நாட்களை நினைக்க, முடிவாக ஆக்சியோனோ,மக்கரைமனதுக்குள் திட்டிக் கொண்டார். மக்கர் அதை பொருட்படுத்திக் கொள்ளவில்லை.

மக்கர் சிறைச்சாலையில் திருட்டுத்தனமாக சுரங்கம் அமைப்பதை ஆக்சியானோவ் தற்செயலாகப் பார்த்துவிட்டார். அதன் மூலம் மக்கர் தப்பிக்க எண்ணினான். ஆக்சியோனோவ் இதை அதிகாரிகளிடம் முறையிட்டு இருக்கலாம். ஆனால், ஆக்சியோனோவ் மக்கர் கொலை செய்து விடுவதாகக் கூறியும் உண்மையைக் கூறவில்லை. சுரங்கத்தை கடைசியாக கண்டுபிடித்த பிறகு எவரும் மக்கரை குற்றவாளி என்று காட்டிக் கொடுக்கவில்லை. ஆளுநர், ஆக்சியோனோவ் பொய் கூறமாட்டார் என நம்பி அவனிடம் விசாரித்தார். ஆக்சியோனோ சுரங்கம் அமைத்தது யார் என்று தனக்குத் தெரியாது என பதில் அளித்தான். மக்கர் கடுமையான தண்டனைக்கு ஆளாவதை அவர் விரும்பவில்லை. தான் ஒருவேளை தவறாக மக்கரை கொலையாளி எனக்

குற்றவாளியின் மன மாற்றம்:
அன்று இரவு மக்கர் ஆக்சியோனோவின் அறையின் படுக்கைக்கு வந்து, தன்னை மன்னிக்குமாறு | வேண்டிக் கொண்டான். வியாபாரியைக் கொன்று இரத்தக் கறை படிந்த கத்தியை தான் ஒளித்து வைத்ததை ஒப்புக் கொண்டான். தான் கொலைக் குற்றத்தை ஒப்புக் கொள்வதன் மூலம் ஆக்சியோனோ விடுதலைப் பெற்று தன் குடும்பத்தாருடன் சேர இயலும் எனக் கூறினான். சுரங்கம் அமைத்தது மக்கர் தான் என்று தெரிந்தும் | ஆக்சியோனோ காட்டிக் கொடுக்காததால் தன்னை |

மன்னித்து விடுமாறு வேண்டிக் கொண்டான். இருவரும் சேர்ந்து அழத் தொடங்கினர். ஆக்சியோனோ ‘கடவுள் உன்னை மன்னிக்கட்டும், ஏன் நான் உன்னை விட நூறு மடங்கு பொல்லாதவனாக இருக்கலாம்’, எனக் கூறினார். இங்ஙனம் கூறியதும் ஏதோ சுமை குறைந்தது போல் ஆக்சியோனோவ் உணர்ந்தார். இதற்கு மேல் சிறையை விட்டு வெளியேற வேண்டும் எண்ணம் அவருக்குத் தோன்றவில்லை. அவர் மரணத்தையே விரும்பினார். முடிவாக வியாபாரியைக் கொலை செய்தது. தான் என்பதை மக்கர் ஒப்புக் கொண்டான். விதிவசமாக ஆக்சியோனோவின் விடுதலை உத்தரவு வந்த போது அவர் உயிரை விட்டிருந்தார்.

முடிவுரை:

‘பழிக்குப் பழி’ என்பது ஒருவரை மன்னித்து விடுவதே என்பது தான் இக்கதையின் தத்துவம். மக்கர் சீமோனிச் தெய்வாதீனமாக மாற்றம் அடைகிறான். ஏனெனில், 26 வருடம் தான் பெற்ற அநியாயத்திற்குப் பிறகும் ஆக்சியோனோ மக்கரை மன்னித்து விடுகிறார். இறுதியில் ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு மன அமைதி கிடைக்கிறது. அந்த அமைதி அவருக்கு மக்கரை மன்னித்த பிறகே கிடைக்கிறது. அதனால் நிம்மதியாக உயிரை விடுகிறார்.

God Sees the Truth, But Waits Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

సర్వశత్రుంజయ హనుమత్ స్తోత్రం

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Supplementary

• God Sees the Truth, But Waits Book Back Answers
• Life of Pi Book Back Answers
• The Hour of Truth (Play) Book Back Answers
• The Midnight Visitor Book Back Answers
• All Summer in a Day Book Back Answers
• Remember Caesar (Play) Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Lesson 4 The Midnight Visitor Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 4th Lesson The Midnight Visitor Questions and Answers

Warm up

Study the title of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor’. Discuss in groups what the story is all about.
Student activity:

Question (a)
Certain professionals can be identified by their appearance.
Answer:
What comes to your mind first when you think of a ‘pilot’ or a ‘traffic policeman?
Discuss in pairs and share your thoughts with the class:
A pilot controls and steers an airplane. He operates the directional flight controls. He wears milk white uniform and golden stripes on his shoulders. He wears a shiny black cap. A traffic policeman wears white stripes on his shoulders in a khaki uniform. In some states, a traffic policeman wears a white and white uniform also. He regulates traffic, fines people who violate traffic rules. He prevents accidents by monitoring over speeding vehicles and by discouraging drunken driving.

Question (b)
Let us try to picturise people in a few interesting professions (based on common perception there can be exceptions).
Answer:
Form groups of four and draw a picture of one or two of the following:

• scientist
• soldier
• journalist

In your attempt to sketch you may include the following:

• typical dress
• hair style
• accessories

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English The Midnight Visitor Textual Questions

1. Answer in a sentence or two the following questions.

Question (a)
Mention two features of Ausable that were uncharacteristic of a detective.
Answer:
Ausable’s fat body and American accent were the two uncharacteristic features of a detective.

Question (b)
What was Ausable waiting for?
Answera;
Ausable was waiting for an important report.

Question (c)
Who was the Midnight Visitor? What was the purpose of his visit?
Answer:
Max, a gunman was the midnight visitor. His purpose was to snatch the report on new missiles which was about to be delivered to Ausable

Question (d)
How had Max actually entered the room?
Answer:
Max had used a duplicate key to enter Ausable’s room.

Question (e)
Did Max’s presence alarm Ausable?
Answer:
No, he was a little startled. But he was not alarmed. He just expressed his surprise seeing Max who should have been in Berlin.

Question (f)
How did Ausable describe the balcony and the manner in which one could get into his room, through it?
Answer:
It was not Ausable’s balcony. It belonged to the next apartment. It extends under his window now. One can get on to it two doors down as someone did last month. The hotel management, in spite of his protest, has not blocked the balcony till now.

Question (g)
Where did Max try to hide himself?
Answer:
Max tried to hide himself in the balcony described by Mr. Ausable.

Question (h)
Who was Henry? Why had he visited Ausable’s room?
Answer:
Henry was the waiter who entered Ausable’s room with his drinks.

Question (i)
What happened to Max finally?
Answer:
Max foolishly, believing in the presence of a balcony, jumped from the 6th floor to his sure death.

Additional Question

Question (a)
How does Ausable say he got in?
Answer:
Ausable wants to confuse Max. So he says that this is the second time in a month that somebody has got into his room through that balcony next to the window.

Question (b)
Was Max deserving to get a chance to accomplish a risky task?
Answer:
I do not believe that Max deserved a chance to accomplish a risky task. He was not intelligent enough to understand that he was being tricked by the detective. Also, his appearance did not startle the detective.

Question (c)
What did so many people risk their lives for?
Answer:
Ausable was waiting for a report. It contained certain important information about new missiles. This report was so important that several men and women had risked their lives to get it.

Question (d)
What did Mr. Ausable tell Max when he heard the knock?
Answer:
Ausable told Max that it would be the police. He said that he had requested the police for extra protection as he was receiving an important information that night.

Question (e)
What did Ausable tell Fowler when he said that Max would soon come back from the balcony?
Answer:
Ausable told Fowler that Max would never return as he knew that there was no balcony outside. He said that Max has fallen down to the ground and met his end.

2. Answer the following questions in about three to four sentences each.

Question (a)
Who was Fowler? Why did he meet Ausable?
Answer:
Fowler was a journalist. He was assigned to write a column about a private detectives. He was disappointed on seeing a very fat man with American accent living in a small room in the 6th ’ floor. The hotel was not even well-lit.

Question (b)
Why was Fowler initially disillusioned with Ausable?
Answer:
Fowler had a romantic notion of a private detective. Ausable did not look like Mr. Bond. He was very fat and had American accent. He lived in a small room. So, he was initially disappointed.

Question (c)
Fowler was thrilled when he entered Ausable’s room. Why?
Answer:
As soon as Ausable closed the door behind and switched on the light, Fowler had his first authentic thrill of the day. Half way across the room a man with a small automatic pistol in hand stood.

Question (d)
How, according to Ausable, had Max entered the room?
Answer:
Ausable did not disclose the real method Max must have adopted to enter his room. He invented a story on the spot that it was the second time in a month someone had entered his room through the neighbouring building’s balcony which extended just below his window. He made Max believe that there was another possible route of escape through the window.

Question (e)
How did the three men react to the knocking at the door?
Answer:
Fowler jumped at the sudden knocking at the door. Ausable smiled and said it must be the police who he had asked to check on him to ensure a little extra protection. Max bit his lip nervously. He rushed to the window so that he could hide in the balcony and come back after sometime.

Question (f)
Was Ausable really waiting for the police? Give reasons.
Answer:
No, Ausable was not waiting for the police. He had ordered his drink with waiter Henry. He was expecting him only. As the knock was heard, he decided to use the opportunity to scare away Max by casually informing that it must be the police. He added the police may fire if they see Max there.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
Do you think that Ausable was a good secret agent? How?
Answer:
Yes, I think that Ausable was a good secret agent. When he saw Max in his room with an automatic pistol, he didn’t get frightened at all. He diverted his attention. He made story of balcony next to the window. By his description, he made Max believe his story. All these traits show that he was a good secret agent.

Question (b)
Pride before a fall befits Max, who arrived at Ausable’s room to steal the important documents. Did he acquire it? What lesson can one learn from this?
Answer:
Max was an overconfident and proud spy. He thought to himself that wielding a gun would give a further edge over the apparently slow Ausable. However, his pride and confidence, made Max utterly unsuccessful. Ausable conveniently outwitted him without lifting a finger. Max, jumped to his own death. Thus, one learns that one should not be too proud, and must be vigilant before attempting to do anything.

Question (c)
How did Max enter the room? Why did he tell this to Ausable?
Answer:
Max entered the room through the door. He had a passkey. He told this to Ausable because Ausable told him that it was the second time in a month that somebody had got into his room through the balcony. He told that he had no idea about balcony.

3. Answer in a paragraph of about 150 words the following questions.

Question (a)
How did Ausable outwit Max?
Answer:
Ausable was a shrewd private detective. He did not become panicky on seeing Max with an automatic gun in his room. Even if he were, he did not show it off. Instead, he expressed surprise that he expected him to be in Berlin. He cooked up a nice story that it was the second time someone had broken into his room through the balcony of the neighbouring apartment which reaches down under his window. He expressed his displeasure that he would raise hell with the hotel management for not blocking that balcony. This gave a strong suggestion to Max, that he could have used the balcony instead of the pass key to enter Ausable’s room.

Being a criminal or spy, a person always looks for various routes of escape in times of danger. Very rarely he starts direct encounter risking his life. When Henry, the waiter who arrived with the pre-ordered drinks, knocked, Mr. Ausable simply smiled. When Max asked who it was, he told a blatant lie that it was the police who had come for his extra protection and wouldn’t hesitate to fire as the door wasn’t locked but just closed. Max, assuming that there is a balcony extending below Ausable’s window, jumped. He never knew that it was a suicidal jump from the 6th floor. Thus, Ausable outwitted the spy, Max.

Question (b)
Describe the significance of the balcony.
Answer:
On seeing Max, the spy, with a loaded automatic gun in his room, Ausable expressed surprise. Max disclosed his plan very clearly. He had come to receive the report on the new missile which was likely to be handed over to Mr. Ausable in a short while. Ausable, without being shocked sat heavily on an armchair. He grimly stated that he would raise hell with the hotel management because this was the second time that someone had sneaked into his room through the nuisance of the unblocked balcony. Max asks with disbelief, “balcony?” Max remarked that he did not enter through the balcony but with a pass key. Ausable explained that it was the balcony which extended from the living room of the next apartment just below his room. One could walk through two doors and enter his room.

He was not happy with the management as they had failed to block it. When there was a knock at the door, both Max and Fowler got perturbed. But Ausable smiled and said casually it must be the police whom he had informed to check on him for extra protection. Max was confused for a moment. Ausable said as the door was just closed and not locked, the police could enter even by force at any moment and fire at him. This gave Max no time to think. He jumped through the window believing he will end up in the non-existent balcony, but fell like a stone from the 6th floor with a scream. The vividly portrayed balcony led to the suicidal jump of Max, the spy who had a gun but was not smart enough to tackle Ausable’s ploy.

Question (c)
Ausable planned to get rid of Max the very moment he noticed him. Explain with supporting evidence from the story.
Answer:
Ausable spun a story on seeing Max. Max was armed, and he was unarmed. Any wrong move would cost his life. So, he decided to be cool throughout. He feigned anger against the hotel management. His vivid word picture of a balcony extending just below his window from the next apartment makes both Fowler and Max believe that Ausable is angry and irritated. This makes Max happy for learning another possible way of escape in case any threat comes through the door. He tries to add little pieces of evidence like “the management promised to block it” to make Max believe that someone had already used the same balcony to break into

Ausable’s room earlier. Ausable knew that Henry would arrive soon with the drinks he had ordered. So, he timed his narrative in such a way that the arrival of Henry takes place soon after his vivid word portrait of the balcony to Max and Fowler. His ingenious idea of relating the knock of the waiter to a non-existent police officer is a stroke of genius. Because the fear of encountering police and a possible gun fight only goads Max to jump to his death from the 6th floor of the hotel. He thought he was jumping down on to the balcony but he was outwitted. These facts indicate that Ausable had planned to get rid of Max soon after he saw him in his room.

Question (d)
Sketch the character of Ausable.
Answer:
Ausable does not look very handsome, worthy of being called a secret agent or a detective. He is the central character of the story “The Midnight Visitor”. He is not physically very strong. There is nothing elegant or mysterious about him. He is an American who is unable to cover up his American accent when he speaks French and German though he has lived in France for over 20 years. He is practical and shrewd. He is a well balanced individual. Even at gun point he keeps his cool and instantly cooks up a story to trap the villain, spy Max. He outwits Max without moving from his armchair. He uses his presence of mind. He tells two lies which not only save him and Fowler but also give the momentum for Max to kill himself in an attempt to hide in the non-existent balcony.

Question (e)
Do you think physical appearance matters most for a secret agent? Answer giving reasons in the context of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor.’
Answer:
Physical appearance is important for heroes like James Bond who acts in movies or plays. They need sophisticated cars, a royal life style to flaunt about. But in reality, a detective or a secret agent is not much different from an ordinary citizen at least in appearance. He is an ordinary person who thinks and acts with extraordinary intelligence. When it comes to the question of survival, sharpness of wit and handsome looks would help a person, the disappointment of Fowler, the journalist is very obvious. The young and romantic writer envisioned mysterious figures in the night, the crack of pistols, etc.

The writer must have cherished the idea of beauties with dark eyes passing on secret notes. But he has witnessed nothing but a dull music in a French hotel with a sloppy man who made a prosaic appointment only in a prosaic telephone call. Ausable raises the expectations of both the readers and Fowler when he mentions the important paper he waited which many men and women had risked their lives to possess. The drama that ensues in the room testifies the fact that there is no correlation whatsoever with sharpness of wit and the physical appearance of a person. Only after Fowler witnesses how Ausable had outwitted Max to choose his own death without moving from his armchair, he realizes the truth.

Question (f)
The unexpected presence of a criminal wielding a gun triggers different reactions in the two men who entered the room. In this light, discuss the appropriacy of the title.
Answer:
A visitor usually comes during the wakeful hours. Nocturnal visitors are usually thieves. They don’t inform one in advance because the purpose of their visit is never noble enough to inform in advance. People involved in shady businesses only choose midnight to break into someone’s house. In this story a spy is after an important report about missiles, a secretly guarded report, which is expected to be delivered to the private detective Ausable at 12.30 am. The spy gets the secret information from his trusted connections. So, he arrives earlier than Ausable and sneaks into his room using a pass key. The spy is brandishing his pistol to coerce the private detective to pass on the report as and when it arrives. Ausable outsmarts him by cooking up a story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window which extends from the neighbouring apartment. He connects brilliantly the knock of Henry the waiter to that of police who might fire at Max as he is armed. So, the title of the story, “The Midnight Visitor” is very pertinent.

Additional Questions

Question (а)
What impression do you form about Ausable as a secret agent after reading the story ‘The Midnight Visitor’?
Answer:
Ausable is a secret agent. But his appearance is not appropriate to his profession. He does not look smart and intelligent. He is very fat. But he is a very active person. He proves it throughout the story. He never takes decision in a hurry. He works with a cool mind. He is good at talking. He understands Fowler’s internal views about himself. He does not lose his temper when he finds Max in his room with pistol. He sits into an armchair and cooks up a quick story about balcony. It is his style of conversation that he easily makes Max believe about balcony. Thus, we find that Ausable is fearless, clever and fit for the job of a secret agent.

Question (b)
Why was Fowler disappointed after meeting Ausable? Did he change his idea at last?
Answer:
Fowler was a young writer. He wrote for a magazine. He had read in the books that secret agents are mysterious and smart. So he wanted to see all these things in Ausable, a secret agent. But Ausable was a fat man. It appeared that he was not fit for a secret agent’s job. So Fowler was disappointed after meeting Ausable.

But Ausable showed his presence of mind, when he saw armed Max in his room. He misled Max and told him that there was a balcony below the window. Max came there to take an important paper relating to missiles. After this, once again Ausable showed his intelligence, when Henry knocked at the door. He told Max that it might be police to protect him. They might shoot him at sight because he is armed. Without examining the truth of Ausable’s statement, Max jumped from the window to hide himself in the balcony. But it was the end of Max.
Now Fowler was very happy to see Ausable’s intelligence.

4. Look at the following expressions used in the story. Match them with their meanings.

Answer:

5. Based on your understanding of the story, complete the Graphic Organiser (GO) suitably.

Answer:

6. Given below are pictures of fictitious detective characters in English & Tamil short stories. Match them with the authors who created them.

1. Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot
2. Sujatha – Ganesh, Vasanth
3. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson
4. Devan – Sambu
5. Tamizhvanan – Sankar Lai

The Midnight Visitor About The Author

Robert A. Arthur, Jr. was a mystery and speculative fiction writer known for “The Mysterious Traveller” radio series and his “Three Investigators” series of novels. He was born on November 10, 1909. Arthur was a graduate from the University of Michigan. Between 1930 and 1940, his stories were published in Amazing Stories, Argosy All-Story Weekly, Black Mask, etc. He wrote a number of mystery books for children. Arthur, along with his writing partner David Kogan, was twice honoured by the Mystery Writers of America with an Edgar award for best radio drama. Robert Arthur, Jr. died in Philadelphia in 1969.

The Midnight Visitor Summary in English

The detective Ausable:
Ausable was a detective. But he was very fat and he did not look like a detective. He had a room on the sixth floor in a French Hotel and it was the top floor. It was a cheap accommodation unworthy of a detective’s station in life.

Fowler meets Ausable:
Fowler was a writer. He wanted to write a book on detectives. So he came to meet Ausable. But after meeting Ausable, he was quite disappointed as he did not possess the qualities like a detective like James Bond. Ausable could speak French and German. But he had an American accent. Contrary to his expectations, Ausable told Fowler that there were no beautiful girls around him. Talking to each other, they reached the room in the hotel and opened the door.

Max with a pistol:

After entering the room, Ausable told Fowler that he would see an important paper that could change the course of History. Several men and women were after it. As soon as Ausable switched on the light, they saw a man with an automatic pistol. Seeing him, Ausable said that he was shocked to see him there. He thought that he was in Berlin. At this time Fowler was much frightened.

Spinning a Romance:
To confuse Max, Ausable made a false story of balcony next to the window. He sat in an armchair and started saying that it was the second time in a month that somebody had got into his room through the balcony. It is an extension of the neighbour’s balcony reaching just below his window. The hotel management had failed to close it despite his complaint. Ausable showed anger and disappointment. Max believed him and he told that he had come to take the report about missiles.

The sound of knocking at the door:
Just then, they heard a knock at the door. Ausable immediately made a story and told that the police might have come to provide him security due to this important paper. He told Max that the police would enter the room, if he did not open the door. They might fire if they found Max armed.

Max drops from the balcony:

Max believed Ausable and he went towards the window. He caught the door frame with his free hand and put his gun over Ausable and Fowler. Then he moved his other leg up and over the window sill. The doorknob turned. Max freed himself and dropped in the balcony. He cried loudly.

A waiter enters:
After this a waiter entered the room with a bottle and two glasses. It was ordered by Ausable. Fowler was very surprised at this. He asked Ausable about Max. Ausable replied that he (Max) would never return. Thus Ausable had proved himself a true detective.

The Midnight Visitor Summary in Tamil

துப்பறியும் நிபுணர் அவுசபில்:
அவுசபில் ஒரு துப்பறியும் நிபுணர். அவர் பிரஞ் ஹோட்டலின் கடைசி மாடியில் அதாவது ஆறாவது மாடியின் அறையில் தங்கி இருந்தார். அவர் பருமனானவராய் துப்பறியும் நிபுணருக்கேற்ற தோற்றம் அற்றவராகத் தெரிந்தார். அது துப்பறியும் நபர் தன் வாழ்நாளில் தங்கக் கூடிய அறையாக இல்லாமல் மிகவும் எளிமையானதாகக் காணப்பட்டது.

பவுலர். அவுசபிலை சந்திக்கிறார்:
பவுலர் ஒரு எழுத்தாளர். அவர் துப்பறிவதை குறித்து நூல் எழுத விரும்புகிறார். ஆதலால், அவுசபிலைக் காண வருகிறார். ஆனால் அவுசபிலை பார்த்த பின்னர் அவர் ஜேம்ஸ் பாண்ட்டை | போல் எந்த விதத்திலும் தோன்றவில்லையே என | ஏமாற்றமடைந்தார். அவுசபில் பிரஞ்சு மற்றும் ஜெர்மன் மொழிகளை பேசினார். ஆனால் அமெரிக்கர்கள் பேசும் வண்ணம் பேசினார். பவுலர் எதிர்பார்த்ததிற்கு மாறாக, அவுசபில் தன்னை சுற்றி அழகான பெண்கன் எவரும் இல்லை என்றார். இருவரும் பேசிக்கொண்டே தங்கும் விடுதியை அடைந்து அறையைத் திறந்தனர்.

கையில் துப்பாக்கியுடன் மாக்ஸ்:

அறையை அடைந்த உடன் அவுசபில், | பவுலரிடம் சரித்திரத்தையே மாற்றக் கூடிய ஒரு | காகிதத்தை அவர் காணப் போவதாக கூறினார். எத்தனையோ, ஆண்களும், பெண்களும் அதன் பின்னே அலைந்தனர் என்றார். அறையின் உள்ளே நுழைந்து மின்விளக்குப் பொத்தானைத் தட்டியவுடன் ஒருவன் தானியங்கி கைத் துப்பாக்கியோடு நிற்பதை அவர்கள் கண்டனர். தான் அதிர்ந்து போய்விட்டதாக அவனிடம் அவுசபில் தெரிவித்தார். அவன் பெர்லினில்

கற்பனைக் கதை ஒன்றை புனைதல்:
மாக்ஸ்சை குழப்புவதற்காக ஜன்னலருகே பால்கனி இருப்பதாக ஒரு பொய் கதையை அவுசபில் கூறினார். சாய்வு நாற்காலியில் அமர்ந்த வண்ணம், இவ்வாறாக இரண்டு முறை அந்த பால்கனி வழியாக தன் அறை உள்ளே எவரோ நுழைந்துள்ளனர் என விவரித்தார்.
மேலும், விடுதி உரிமையாளரிடம் ஏற்கனவே இருமுறை புகார் செய்தும் பயனில்லை எனக் கோபமாகச் சொன்னார். அதை உண்மை என மாக்ஸ் நம்பினான். தான் ஆயுதங்களைப் பற்றிய குறிப்புத் | தாள்களை எடுத்துப் போக வந்ததாக உரைத்தான்.

கதவை தட்டும் சத்தம்:
அப்போது யாரோ கதவை தட்டும் சத்தம் கேட்டது. உடனே ஒரு புனைக்கதையாக, அவுசபில் தன்னிடம் ஆயுத குறிப்பு தாள்கள் உள்ளதால் போலீஸ் பாதுகாப்பு தர வேண்டி வந்திருக்கக் கூடும் என வினவினார். தான் கதவை திறக்காவிட்டால் போலீஸ் உள்ளே நுழைந்து விடுவார்கள் என மாக்ஸிடம் தெரிவித்தார். கையில் துப்பாக்கியோடு நின்றிருக்கும் மாக்சை சுட்டு விடக் கூடும் என கூறினார்.

பால்கனியிலிருந்து மாக்ஸ் குதிக்கிறான்:

அவுசபில் கூறியதை நம்பிக் கொண்டு ஜன்னல் அருகே மாக்ஸ் சென்றான். துப்பாக்கி குறி அவுசபில் மற்றும் பவுலரை நோக்கியிருக்க ஜன்னல் சட்டத்தை எட்டிப் பிடித்தான் மற்ற காலை ஊன்றி ஜன்னல் விளிம்பை எட்டிப் பிடித்தான். கதவின் கைப்பிடி அகன்றது. மாக்ஸ் தன் இடது கைப் பிடியை தளர்த்தி பால்கனி மேல் குதித்தான். குதிக்கும் போது ஒரே ஒரு முறை சத்தமாக அலறினான்.

விடுதி ஊழியன் உள்ளே நுழைகிறான்:
கதவு திறந்ததும் மதுபானம் மற்றும் இரண்டு டம்ளர்களுடன் ஹென்றி உள்ளே நுழைகிறான். அதை அவுசபில் வரவழைத்திருந்தார். இதைக் கண்டு பவுலர் மிகவும் வியந்து போனார். பால்கனியில் நிற்பவன் மீண்டும் வந்து விட்டால் என வினவினார். அவன் வரப்போவதில்லை என்றார். ஏனென்றால், அங்கு பால்கனியே இல்லை என்றார். அவுசபில் தான் ஒரு உண்மையான துப்பறியும் நிபுணர் என நிரூபித்து விட்டார்

The Midnight Visitor Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Supplementary

• God Sees the Truth, But Waits Book Back Answers
• Life of Pi Book Back Answers
• The Hour of Truth (Play) Book Back Answers
• The Midnight Visitor Book Back Answers
• All Summer in a Day Book Back Answers
• Remember Caesar (Play) Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Poem 3 All the World’s a Stage Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 3rd Lesson All The World’s A Stage Questions and Answers

Warm Up

This is Life Cycle of butterfly.

Question 1.
Discuss with your partner the different stages in the grow th of man from a new born to an adult.
Answer:
An infant pukes on the mother’s arms. As he is unable to articulate his needs, he keeps on crying like a kitten. Then he goes to school giving up his freedom. He is made to learn things he doesn’t want to learn. Then he becomes an adult hopelessly in love. He wastes his purple youth writing love letters or songs admiring the beauty of his love. Some join army or police force to serve the nation. At the peak of adulthood, they are quite touchy about honour and believe it to be more important than life itself.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English All the World’s a Stage Textual Questions

1. Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box to complete the summary of the poem.

Shakespeare considers the whole world a stage where men and women are only (1) _____ They (2) _____ the stage when they are borm and exit when they die. Every man, during his life time; plays seven roles based on age. In the first act, as an infant, he is wholly (3) _____ on the mother or a nurse. Later, emerging as a school child, he slings his bag over his shoulder and creeps most (4) _____ to school. His next act is that of a lover, busy (5) _____ ballads for his beloved and yearns for her (6) _____ In the fourth stage, he is aggressive and ambitious and seeks (7) _____ in all that he does. He (8) _____ solemnly to guard his country and becomes a soldier. As he grows older, with (9) _____ and wisdom, he becomes a fair judge. During this stage, he is firm and (10) _____ In the sixth act, he is seen with loose pantaloons and spectacles. His manly voice changes into a childish (11) _____ The last scene of all is his second childhood. Slowly, he loses his (12) _____ of sight, hearing, smell and taste and exits from the roles of his life.
Answer:

1. actors
2. enter
3. dependent
4. reluctantly
5. composing
6. attention
7. reputation
8. promises
9. maturity
10. serious
11. treble
12. faculties

2. From your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions briefly in a sentence or two.

All The World’s A Stage Poem Questions And Answers Question (a)
What is the world compared to?
Answer:
The world is compared to a stage.

12th English Poem All The World’s A Stage Question (b)
“And they have their exits and their entrances” – What do the words ‘exits’ and ‘entrances’ mean?
Answer:
‘Entrances’ means life. ‘Exits means death.

All The World’s A Stage Questions And Answers Question (c)
What is the first stage of a human’s life?
Answer:
The first stage of human life is “infant”. The babe on nurse’s arms pukes and mewls.

All The World’s A Stage Poem Questions And Answers Pdf Question (d)
Describe the second stage of life as depicted by Shakespeare.
Answer:
The second stage is school boy. The boy goes to school with a heavy heart like a snail.

All The World’s A Stage Question And Answers Question (e)
How does a man play a lover’s role?
Answer:
As a lover, man sings serenades seeking the attention of his lady love.

All The World’s A Stage Poem Appreciation Questions And Answers Question (f)
Bring out the features of the fourth stage of a man as described by the poet.
Answer:
In the fourth stage, man becomes aggressive and ambitious and seeks glory in all his pursuits. He is ready to enter the mouth of cannon for a moment of glory.

All The World’s A Stage Question Answer Question (g)
When does a man become a judge? How?
Answer:
In the fifth stage, man grows mature and wise. He becomes an impartial judge. He is firm and serious about his opinions.

12th English All The World’s A Stage Paragraph Question (h)
Which stage of man’s life is associated with the ‘shrunk shank’?
Answer:
In the sixth stage, man becomes thin and weak. His fashionable dresses of youthful days have now become too lose to use for his shrunk shank (i.e.) legs that have become very lean with age.

All The World’s A Stage Summary Question (i)
Why is the last stage called second childhood?
Answer:
The last stage is called the second childhood. The old man slowly loses all his senses. He requirs the support of a nurse or wife to do anything. In this stage, he departs from the world.

3. Explain the following lines briefly with reference to the context.

All The World’s A Stage Question And Answer Question (a)
“They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while hinting at the beginning and the end of life. The poet divides man’s life into seven stages. The first stage symbolises birth and the last stage death. So, he uses the words “entrances and exits”.

All The World’s A Stage Poem Questions Question (b)
‘‘Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation”.
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the fourth stage when the young man becomes a soldier and runs after short-lived glory. He has inflated sense of honour and ready to insist on duels to settle matters touching his honour. He does not realise that the reputation he seeks is short-lived like a bubble.

All The World Stage Question Answer Question (c)
“Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says this while man gets ready to leave this world (i.e.) the last stage of his life on this lonely planet. In this stage, man becomes totally forgetful. He loses his teeth, eyesight and taste. He loses all his senses of perception. Like a baby, he can’t do anything on his own. So, the poet calls this stage “second childhood” when the old man behaves in a childish manner.

Additional Questions

Explain the following lines briefly with reference to the context.

All The World’s A Stage English Workshop Answers Question (a)
“His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William . Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the first seven stages of life on the stage (i.e.) earth. The first stage/Act is infancy. The babe vomits on the arms of the nurse and cries like a kitten.

All The World’s A Stage Answers Question (b)
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while philosophising and classifying stages of life. The poet compares the world to a stage. All men and women are simply actors playing different roles on the different stages of life.

All The World’s A Stage Poem In Tamil Question (c)
“Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail’
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context’and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the second stage of life. During boyhood, the school boy goes to school reluctantly in snail speed with a heavy heart. In ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Shakespeare compares a school boy going to school like a lover going away from his lady love with a heavy heart.

Question Answer Of All The World’s A Stage Question (d)
“Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage’ written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the third stage of life when he becomes a lover. At this stage, he yearns for the attention of his lady love. He composes ballads expressing his agony caused by unrequitted love. He sings songs praising the beauty of his mistress trying to win her heart.

12th English 3rd Poem Question (e)
“Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the fourth stage of life. In this stage, youngman becomes a soldier. He is quick to anger and attaches great importance to honour. He is ready to lay down his life for the fleeting bubble of reputation.

12 Th English Poem Question (f)
“…And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William ‘ Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the fifth stage of life. At this stage, he behaves like a judge pronouncing his decisive opinions with the modem instances. He quotes wise maxims from his own life experiences to influence other people. He is fond of eating delicacies unmindful of the protruding belly size.

Question (g)
“And so he plays his part The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper ’dpantaloon,”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the impact of ageing on the physical appearance. In the sixth stage, he becomes old, thin and unsteady.

Question (h)
“Hisyouthful hose, well said, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words to describe the unsuitability of one’s own dress as one advances in years. As the young man turns old, his legs become thin and his trousers become very loose giving easy access to legs but tough to wear as the waistline has also thinned. His manly voice has become feeble. When he speaks, it looks like a child piping up his dreams.

Question (i)
“…Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘All the world’s a stage” written by William Shakespeare.
Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while describing the preparedness of the old man in the last stage of life to exit from this lonely planet. The poet beautifully says the “eventful history” (i.e.) life which was spiced up with many interesting things is now coming to a dramatic close. The eternal jewel of life, ‘the soul’, is going to depart the body which had kept it imprisoned for long. The soul celebrates the joy of freedom in death.

Appreciate The Poem

4. Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following lines from the poem.

“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

Question (a)
“All the world’s a stage”
Answer:
Metaphor

Question (b)
“And all the men and women merely players”
Metaphor

Question (c)
“And shining morning face, creeping like snail’
Simile

Question (d)
“Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,”
Answer:
Simile

Question (e)
“Seeking the bubble reputation”
Answer:
Metaphor

Question (f)
“Hisyouthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide”
Answer:
Alliteration

Question (g)
“and his big manly voice, turning again toward childish treble”
Answer:
Metaphor

5.Pick out the words in ‘alliteration’ in the following lines,

Question (a)
“and all the men and women merely players”
Answer:
and all the men and women merely players

Question (b)
“And one man in his time plays many parts”
Answer:
And one man in his time plays many parts

Question (c)
“Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel ”
Answer:
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel.

6. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school ”

Question (i)
Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
Answer:
Boyhood is referred to here.

Question (ii)
What are the characteristics of this stage?
Answer:
Innocence, joy and care-free life are the characteristics of this stage in life.

Question (iii)
How does the boy go to school?
Answer:
The boy goes to school unwillingly. He is slow like a snail.

Question (iv)
Which figure of speech has been employed in the second line?
Answer:
Simile is employed in the second line.

(b) “Then a soldier,
full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth.

Question (i)
What is the soldier ready to do?
Answer:
The soldier is ready to lay down his life.

Question (ii)
Explain ‘bubble reputation’.
Answer:
Reputation is a transitory thing. It doesn’t even last a minute like the life of a bubble.

Question (iii)
What are the distinguishing features of this stage?
In this stage, the youthful soldier attaches great value to honour. He is quick to temper and challenges people for fight for the sake of honour. He often swears to assert his valour.

(c) “And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;’’’’

Question (i)
Whom does justice refer to?
Answer:
Justice refers to man in his fifth stage when he becomes critical of everyone else’s opinion in life.

Question (ii)
Describe his appearance.
Answer:
He has a pot belly and is fond of eating delicacies.

Question (iii)
How does he behave with the people around him?
Answer:
His eyes are severe. He often gives advice to people.

Question (iv)
What does he do to show his wisdom?
Answer:
To show of his wisdom, he often quotes modem examples and words of wisdom.

Additional Questions

Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.”

Question (i)
What are all the men and women of this world?
Answer:
The men and women of the world are just like players on the stage of life.

Question (ii)
Explain: ‘They have their exits and their entrances’.
Answer:
They take birth and enter the world. They die and depart from the world.

Question (iii)
How many parts does every man enact and play?
Answer:
Every man enacts and plays seven different roles in life.

Question (iv)
Why is this world compared to a stage?
Answer:
This world is like a big stage where men and women are ever busy in playing their respective roles.

(b) “At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.”

Question (i)
What does man do in the first stage of life?
Answer:
In the first stage of life man plays the role of an infant. He is always crying and vomiting in the nurse’s arms.

Question (ii)
Does the schoolboy show eagerness to go to school?
Answer:
No, the schoolboy doesn’t show any interest in going to school. Rather he is unwilling to go there.

Question (iii)
How does the schoolboy walk up to his school?
Answer:
He is inching slowly and unwillingly like a snail towards his school.

Question (iv)
Explain, ‘Mewling and pucking’.
Answer:
It means crying and vomiting.

(c) “And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow.”

Question (i)
What is the third stage of life?
The third stage of man’s life is that of a lover.

Question (ii)
What is the poetic device used in the second line?
Answer:
‘Simile’ is used as a poetic device in the second line.

Question (iii)
What does the lover do for his mistress?
Answer:
The lover is ahvays sighing and longing for his beloved. He writes a sad ballad describing the eyebrow of his mistress.

Question (iv)
Explain, ‘sighing like furnace’.
Answer:
It means moaning, breathing deeply and sadly like a fire place.

(d) “Then a soldier.
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation.
Even in the cannon’s mouth.”

Question (i)
Describe the two traits of a soldier.
Answer:
A soldier is always ready to swear and is full of oaths. He is ever ready to compete for honour and glory.

Question (ii)
What is the poetic device used in : ‘bearded like a pard’?
Answer:
The poet uses a simile for comparison.

Question (iii)
Why does the soldier risk his life and what for?
Answer:
The soldier risks his life a momentary reputation and is ready even to enter the cannon’s mouth.

Question (iv)
How is the soldier bearded?
Answer:
He is bearded like a pard or a leopard.

(e) “The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.’’

Question (i)
What is a ‘lean and slippered pantaloon’?
Answer:
It means a thin old man wearing slippers and loose trousers.

Question (ii)
What does the phrase ‘a world too wide’ here mean?
Answer:
The stockings he bought in his youth have become too loose for his shrunk and thin legs.

Question (iii)
How does the ‘mainly voice’ turn into ‘childish’ in the sixth stage of life?
Answer:
His manly voice turns into childish trebles and whistles when he speaks as he has no teeth in his mouth.

Question (iv)
What is the sixth stage of man’s life?
Answer:
In the sixth stage of life man plays the role of a ‘lean and slippered pantaloon’.

(f) “Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

Question (i)
What is the last scene of man’s life?
Answer:
The last scene that ends man’s eventual life is a ‘second-childishness’. In this stage he appears and behaves like a child.

Question (ii)
Why is the last stage of man has been called a ‘second childishness’?
Answer:
The last stage of man’s life has been called a ‘second childishness’ as man’s appearance and activities in this stage are quite similar to those of a child.

Question (iii)
How is the last stage of man’s life a ‘mere oblivion’?
Answer:
The last stage of life is a ‘mere oblivion’ as old age is another stage of forgetfulness.

Question (iv)
Explain ‘eventful history’.
Answer:
It means the life-long history of man full of interesting incidents and experiences.

7. Complete the table based on your understanding of the poem.

Answer:

8. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in about 100 – 150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required, to present and justify your point of view.

Question (а)
Describe the various stages of a man’s life picturised in the poem “All the World’s a stage.”
Answer:
Shakespeare has beautifully portrayed this world as a huge open theatre where in all humans play seven acts/ages. In the first act, he is a helpless infant puking on the nurse’s arms mewling like a kitten. In the second stage, he is the grumbling/whining school student. He moves to school like a snal/unwllingly with his slate and bag. In the third Act, he is a lover sighing and yearning for the attention of his lady love.

He composes romantic ballads complaining his love that he needs a better deal. In the fourth Act, he becomes a quick-tempered soldier, aggressive and ambitious, ready to stake his life for the sake of bubble reputation. As he matures, he becomes a wise judge of contemporary life quoting wise maxims to endorse his opinion. He is firm and serious. In the sixth act, his stout legs become thin making his trousers of youth unsuitable. Thin and lean legs easily travel through them but are unable to stay due to a slimmed waist. His bass voice has become treble like that of a child. In the last act, he is sans teeth, sanys eyes, sans taste and sans everything (i.e.) loses all senses. He departs the world.

Question (b)
Shakespeare has skill fully brought out the parallels between the life of man and actors on stage. Elaborate this statement with reference to the poem.
Answer:
Shakespeare has beautifully compared the growth of humans by stages with his emergent role during that stage. In the first stage man plays the role of an infant. As an infant, he does represent characterisation of mewling and puking. In the second Act, he does the role of a school boy with the characteristics of unwillingness to go to schools and innocence shining in his face. In the third Act, he performs the role of a lover head over heels in love with a beautiful lady. He composes woeful romantic ballads and sings serenades to impress his love. In the fourth act, he plays the impressive role of a short-tempered, honour pursuing soldier.

He is ready to put his mouth in the Cannon’s mouth for conquering the bubble like honour in order to defend the territory of his country. In the fifth Act, he performs the role of a mature and fair judge criticising the ways of the world often spicing up his conversations with wise remarks and wit. His pot belly and well-cut beard shows the social status he enjoys in life. In the sixth act, he is old. He performs the role of a thin old man wearing ill-fitting loose garments with a changed treble in his voice. He is bespectacled and slow in walking. In the final act, he becomes a total invalid losing all senses of hearing, taste and sight. Then the performer leaves the stage (i.e.) the lonely planet.

Speaking Activity

Shakespeare describes the characteristics of the various stages of man. You are in the second stage of life. What do you think of your roles and responsibilities at this stage? Discuss with your partner and share your ideas with the class.
Answer:
At school age, imagination takes wings. Inquisitiveness is common among my peers. Parents, society and teachers want us only to study. But we need to explore the world around us. At home, it is our responsibility to keep our things in order. We need to assist the perennial worker, we mean, our moms in completing their domestic chores. Occasionally, we shall take care of siblings too not as a work but as a duty towards a family member who will be a life long companion to us.

Listening Activity

Listen to the poem and fill in the blanks with appropriate words and phrases. If required listen to the poem again.

The World Is Too Much with Us
The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours;We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon, The winds that will be howling at all hours,And are up- gathered now like sleeping flowers,

For this, for everything, we are out of tune; It moves us not. – Great God! I’d rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

The World Is Too Much with Us:
The world is too much with us; late and soon
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers
Little we see in (1) ______ that is ours;
We have given (2) ______ away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom (3) ______
(4) ______ that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like (5) ______
,For this, for everything, we are (6) ______ ;
It (7) ______ . us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising (8) ______
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.
Answers:

1. Nature
2. our hearts
3. to the moon
4. The winds
5. sleeping flowers
6. out of tune
7. moves
8. from the sea

All the World’s a Stage About The Poet

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre (sometimes called the English Renaissance). Shakespeare’s plays are perhaps his most enduring legacy. Shakespeare’s poems remain popular to this day. Shakespeare’s rich and diverse works have spawned countless adaptations across multiple genres and cultures. His writings have been compiled in various iterations of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most important literary7 figures of the English language.

All the World’s a Stage Summary in english

Introduction
‘All the world’s a stage’ is an extract from the play ‘As you like it’, a romantic comedy by Shakespeare.

A metaphor defining world
Shakespeare claims this world as a stage in a theatre. All men and women are only actors. The stage has both exits and entrances. Similarly, men and women take birth and enter the world. They live their lives and go out of it when they die. Every man plays seven emergent roles and lives through seven stages of life.

Infancy and boyhood
With the birth of an infant begins the first stage of man’s life. The infant cries and vomits on the arms of his nurse. Then he grows into a school-going boy. He is unwilling to go to the school. He moves towards school at a snail’s speed.

Thirst for love and glory
In the third stage, man plays the role of a lover. He sighs like a fumace.He keeps on writing ballads praising the beauty of the eyes of his beloved. The fourth stage is that of a soldier. He keeps a beard like that of a leopard. He always runs after honour and fame. He is ready even to enter a cannon’s mouth just for momentary glory and bubble of reputation.

Wisdom and failing health
In the fifth stage, man plays the role of a justice. He is fond of eating chicken and develops a fat round belly. He is full of wise sayings and modem instances. He is a man of wisdom and knowledge. In the sixth stage, man becomes weak and thin in body. He wears slippers, spectacles and clothes that he bought when he was young. These pants and stockings have become loose for his shrunk and thin legs.

Second childhood
The seventh stage is the ‘second childhood’. In this stage, man becomes very old and starts behaving like a child. He is left with no teeth and becomes weak in eyesight. Actually, he loses taste and becomes a victim of forgetfulness. The poet describes this helpless state as “Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste and sans everything” nicely. Then the man departs from this world.

Conclusion
Shakespeare condenses the life of man beautifully and portrays it well. The revisit of childhood in old age proves his profound understanding of human life.

All the World’s a Stage Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை
‘All the World’s a stage’ (‘உலகம் ஒரு நாடக மேடை’) என்ற கவிதை சேக்ஸ்பியரின் ‘As you like it’, என்ற | நகைச்சுவை கலந்த கற்பனை கதையின் ஒரு சாரம் ஆகும்.

உலகம் ஒரு நாடக மேடை:
சேக்ஸ்பியர் உலகத்தை ஒருநாடக மேடையாகக் கருதுகிறார். அதில் அனைத்து ஆணும், பெண்ணும் நடிகர்களே. இந்த நாடக மேடையின் உள்ளே வரவும் வெளியே செல்லவும் வழிகள் உள்ளன. அதே போல தான் மனிதன் பிறந்து இந்த உலகத்துக்கு வருகிறான். அவனது வாழ்நாளை வாழ்ந்துவிட்டு வெளியே போய்விடுகிறான். ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் ஏழு கதாபாத்திரங்களாக வாழ்க்கை மேடையில் நடிக்கிறான்.

குழந்தை பருவமும், விடலைப் பருவமும்:
குழந்தை பருவமே மனிதனின் முதல் பாகம் ஆகும். வாந்தியும், அழுகையுமாக முதல் பாகம் செவிலிப் பெண் தோளில் இருக்கிறான். பிறகு பள்ளிப் பருவம் அடைகிறான். பள்ளிக்கூடம் போக மனமில்லாது இருக்கிறான். பள்ளிக்கூடத்தை நோக்கி நத்தை போல் நகர்கிறான்.

காதல், புகழ் என ஈர்ப்புக்குள்ளாகிறான்:
மூன்றாம் பாகத்தில் காதலனாக கதாபாத்திரம் ஏற்கிறான். எரியும் அடுப்பைப் போன்று குமுறுகிறான். தன் காதலியின் கண்களைக் குறித்து கவிதை மழை பொழிகிறான். நான்காம் பாகத்தில் சிப்பாய் வேடம் ஏற்கிறான். சிறுத்தை போன்று மீசையை வளர்த்துக் கொள்கிறான். பேர் மற்றும் புகழின் பின்னால் ஓடுகிறான். தற்காலிக பேருக்கும், புகழுக்கும் ஆசைப்பட்டு பீரங்கி | வாயினுள் நுழையவும் தயாராக இருக்கிறான்.

அறிவு முதிர்ச்சியும், குன்றும் ஆரோக்கியமும்:
ஐந்தாம் பாகத்தில் தானே ஒரு நீதிபதி ஆகிறான். கோழி மாமிசத்தின் பால் ஆவல் கொண்டு அதை உண்டு பெரிய தொப்பையுடன் தோன்றுகிறான். அறிவு முதிர்ச்சியுடனும், புதுப் பொலிவுடனும் தோன்றுகிறான். அறிவும் ஆற்றலுமுடையவனாய்த் திகழ்கிறான். ஆறாம் பாகத்தில் உடல் வலுவிழந்து சோர்வடைகிறான், ஒல்லி வடிவமாய், காலில் செருப்புமாய் ஒரு சிரிப்பு நடிகனைப் போல் தோற்றமளிக்கிறான். இளம் வயதில் அணிந்த கண்ணாடியும், துணிகளும், செருப்பும் அணிந்து கொள்கிறான். சுருங்கிய தோல்களுக்கும், ஒல்லியான கால்களுக்கும் இந்த உடையும், செருப்பும் தொள தொளவென காணப்படுகின்றன.

இரண்டாம் குழந்தை பருவம்:
ஏழாம் பருவம் இரண்டாவது குழந்தை பருவம் எனலாம். இந்த பாகத்தில் மிகவும் வயது முதிர்ந்த ஒரு குழந்தையின் இயலாமைத் தனத்தை செயல்பாட்டில் காட்டுகிறான். பற்களை இழந்து, கண் பார்வைக் குன்றிப் போகிறான். குழந்தையின் குரல் போல் மாறி, குரல் ஒரு விசில் சத்தமாய் மாறுகிறது. இது கடைசி அத்தியாயம் எனலாம். அவனின் அதிசயமான பரப்பரப்பூட்டும் நிகழ்வுகள் நிறைந்த வரலாறானது ஒரு முடிவுக்கு வருகிறது. தன் இரண்டாம் குழந்தைப் பருவத்தில் பிறரைச் சார்ந்து வாழும் நிலையை அடைகிறான். பற்களை இழந்து, கண் பார்வையை இழந்து, நாவின் | சுவை இழந்து, பின் அனைத்தையும் இழக்கிறான். உலகத்தை விட்டு வெளியேறுகிறான்.

முடிவுரை:
சேக்ஸ்பியர் மனித வாழ்க்கையை சுருக்கி அழகாக அதை வர்ணித்து இருக்கிறார். வயோதிகத்தில் திரும்பும் குழந்தைத் தனம் என்பது அவர் மனித வாழ்க்கையை அவர் ஆழ்ந்து அறிந்து கொண்டதை உணர்த்துகிறது.

All the World’s a Stage Glossary

Textual:

Additional:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Poem

• The Castle Book Back Answers
• Our Casuarina Tree Book Back Answers
• All the World’s a Stage Book Back Answers
• Ulysses Book Back Answers
• A Father to his Son Book Back Answers
• Incident of the French Camp Book Back Answers

Students can Download English Lesson 2 Life of Pi Questions and Answers, Summary, Activity, Notes, Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Book Solutions Guide Pdf helps you to revise the complete Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.

12th Standard English 2nd Lesson Life of Pi Questions and Answers

Warm Up

Imagine you are going on a trek or an adventure. It requires grit and a strong will to survive the odds and emerge unscathed. Most importantly, you should carry an emergency kit.

Choose the ten most essential items from the box below and complete the table.

Answer:

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Life of Pi Textual Questions

1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the story.

Question (a)
Describe the pathetic condition of Pi in the middle of the ocean.
Answer:
Pi was alone and orphaned. He was drifting in the middle of pacific ocean hanging on to the oar. An adult tiger was in front of him. Sharks were beneath his boat. A storm was raging about him.

Question (b)
Who was Richard Parker?
Answer:
Richard Parker was a Bengal tiger. It stayed in the same boat. Each was cautious of the other.

Question (c)
Richard Parker’s survival seemed incredible to Pi. Why?
Answer:
The elements of nature which threatened his survival the previous night had calmed down. The life boat did not sink. The shark prowled but did not attack. The waves did not pull him off. Thus Richard Parker’s survival seemed incredible.

Question (d)
Why was the great beast not behaving naturally?
Answer:
It was unnatural of 450 pound heavy tiger to lie quietly for two and half days unnoticed by Pi in the lower deck of the boat. It was suffering from sea sickness and sedation. Pi’s father had sedated it early to lessen the stress of sea voyage on the animal. That is why it behaved unnaturally.

Question (e)
Why was Pi not afraid of the hyena?
Answer:
The presence of Richard Parker had intimidated the hyena to such an extent that he hid himself behind the Zebra. So, Pi wasn’t afraid of the hyena.

Question (f)
Describe Pi’s struggle to find drinking water.
Answer:
Pi was just two feet above Richard Parker. He moved the yellow tarpaulin. Thirst egged him on to unroll the tight tarpaulin. He saw the bow and it had an end bench. Upon it, a harp glittered like a diamond. He found a lid shaped like a rounded-out triangle. He found a pile of orange life jackets. He undid the harp and opened the lid. It opened on to a locker. The open locker shined with new things. He found water cans piled up.

Question (g)
What was Pi’s reaction when he discovered drinking water?
Answer:
Hitting the lid against the tarpaulin hook, Pi opened the water can and started drinking. To the gurgling beat of his greedy throat, pure delicious, beautiful, crystalline water flowed into his system. It was liquid life. He drained that golden cup to the very last drop sucking at the hole to catch any remaining moisture.

Question (h)
Why did Pi want to tame Parker?
Answer:
A part of Pi was glad about Richard Parker. A part of Pi did not want Richard Parker to die because if he died, Pi would be left alone to deal with despair, a foe is much more formidable than a tiger. So, he wanted to tame Richard Parker.

Question (i)
What saved Pi’s life?
Answer:
Parker kept Pi from thinking too much about his family and his tragic circumstances. He pushed him on to go on living. It was Richard Parker who pushed him to go on living.

Question (j)
How did Pi reunite with this family?
Answer:
Richard Parker and Pi reached an island. Parker left him without even looking back at him. A ship did find Pi and he got reunited with his family.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
How many days did Pi drift on a lifeboat in the pacific ocean?
Answer:
Pi drifted on a boat in the Pacific ocean for 227 days.

Question (b)
What happened to the ship Pi sailed with his family?
Answer:
The ship disappeared with much burbling and belching lights flickered and went out.

Question (c)
What did Pi look for after the ship sank?
Answer:
Pi looked about for his family, for survivors, for another boat and for anything that might bring him hope.

Question (d)
Why did Pi find himself very weak?
Answer:
For about three days Pi had not had a drop of water to drink. He did not have a minute of sleep in three days. So, he found himself very weak.

Question (e)
What appeared to be a conundrum for Pi?
Answer:
Pi had failed to notice the presence of a 450 pound Bengal Tiger in his lifeboat for about two and a half days. The boat was just twenty six feet long. So, his failure to notice the big beast in a small boat appeared to be a conundrum.

Question (f)
Why did Richard Parker seem to be the largest stowaway in the history of navigation?
Answer:
Richard Parker was 450 pound heavy. He was covering from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail over a third of the length of the ship he was on. So, the feat surely made Richard Parker the largest stowaway proportionately speaking in the history of navigation.

2. Answer the following questions in about 50 words.

Question (a)
How did the presence of Richard Parker help Pi?
Answer:
Pi had to be alert to stay alive in the presence of a 450 pound heavy tiger whose moods may swing. The tiger’s presence did not allow him to think much about his family and the tragic circumstances he was placed in life. He had to keep alert to stay alive. He hated Richard Parker but was grateful to the animal for keeping him out of despair, an enemy much more formidable than the Bengal tiger.

Question (b)
Describe the lifeboat.
Answer:
The life-boat was three and a half feet deep, eight feet wide and twenty six feet long exactly. It was designed to accomodate a maximum of thirty two people. But just the presence of three (i.e.) Zebra, hyena and the tiger along with him made it appear that the boat was already crowded. In the lower part there were many orange life boats and packaged drinking water kept in a closed box.

Question (c)
How did Pi feel after drinking water?
After drinking water, he felt great. A sense of well being quickly overcame him. His mouth became moist and soft. His skin relaxed. His joints moved with greater ease. His heart began to beat like a merry drum. Blood started flowing through his veins like cars from a wedding party honking their way through town. Strength and suppleness came back to his muscles. His head became clearer. In fact, he felt like returning from the world of dead to life.

Question (d)
Did Pi want Richard Parker to die? Answer, giving reasons.
Answer:
No, Pi did not want Richard Parker to die. He was in fact glad about Parker. If he still had the will to live, it was because of Parker. He kept him from thinking too much about his family and the tragic circumstances. Though he hated him for his capability to strike terror in his heart, he wanted him to live. If Parker died, Pi will have to live alone with despair which is a much more formidable enemy than Parker himself.

Additional Questions

Question (a)
Why did Pi compare himself to a losing Tennis champion who bounces back towards the end?
Answer:
Pi was pitted against two foes. The first was a hyena and the second was Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger. The presence of tiger made hyena very quiet. Though he was scared of hyena, the presence of Parker outmatched him. Thirst made him overcome the fear of both foes. The debilitating thirst made him look for water inside the boat. This was like a losing Tennis champion who attacks the confident foe fearing nothing.

3. Answer in a paragraph.

Question (a)
How did the presence of Richard Parker influence the attitude of Pi during his stay on the boat?
Answer:
It was Richard Parker who calmed down Pi. The irony of life is that the animal that scared him witless to start with was the same who brought him peace, purpose and even wholeness. They were literally and figuratively in the same boat. They had to live together. A part of Pi’s personality was glad about Parker’s presence, who gave him the will to hang on to life under the toughest conditions.

He realized danger and peace can co-exist when one is aware of one’s innate strength. He realizes the fact that staying with a tiger is less tormenting than living alone with despair. Loneliness and despair can easily kill a person. He decided to focus on the chances of survival and shut off the tragic circumstances he was placed in a lonely boat in the middle of Pacific Ocean. In short, he became optimistic, balanced and stoical in his attitude to life thanks to the presence of Richard Parker.

Question (b)
Water is the elixir of life. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story of ‘Life Of Pi’.
Answer:
The author calls it ‘liquid life’. For a thirsty man, a cup of water is more precious than gold. He had not drunk water for two and a half days after the ship wreck. Pi drank two litres of the most exquisite nectar (i.e.) water. Suddenly Pi’s forehead was wet with fresh perspiration. Everything in him right down to the pores of his skin was expressing joy. A sense of well-being quickly overcame him. His skin relaxed, his joints moved with greater ease.

His heart began to beat like a merry drum. Blood started flowing through his veins like cars from a wedding party honking their way through the town. Strength and suppleness came back to his muscles. His head became clearer. Truly he was returning to life from the world of dead. After being thirsty for a while, to be drunk on water is noble and ecstatic basked in bliss and plentitude for several minutes. These experiences of Pi highlight the indisputable fact that water is the elixir of life.

Question (c)
If you were lost at sea for as long as Pi was, what is the one item you would want with you? Write a diary entry in which you identify the item and explain why it is the one thing you would want with you.
Answer:
If I were lost in the seas similar to Pi, I wouldn’t have to worry about water because I will carry enough water to last for 140 days. Lifejackets would be already available. A whistle could be my choice of item. Even at night if a ship is passing by I can whistle and attract the attention of the ship. When I feel lonely I can whistle. I can scare away prowling sharks too with my whistle as it would sound like the sound made by dolphins in deep waters.

Occasionally fishermen also come deep into the ocean with their trawlers or fishing boats in early evenings or dawn. I could easily invite their attention. Inspite of having a whistle, if no boat or ship comes that side, it would be difficult to survive. But I can whistle as well as wave the orange life jackets to attract possible rescuers.

Additional Questions

Question (а)
Why does Pi say that thirst is worse than hunger?
Answer:
Prolonged hunger may result in the discomfort of death due to lack of oxygen. But thirst is a long drawn affair. Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross due to suffocation. But his only desire during the last moments of his life was water to drink. If thirst can be so taxing even God incarnate desires of, one can imagine how an ordinary human could drive a thirsty man to go raving mad in thirst. Pi had never before experienced physical hell than that putrid taste and pasty feeling in the mouth. It was an unbearable pressure at the back of his throat. He had a sensation that his blood was turning into a thick syrup that barely flowed through his veins.

Question (b)
How did Pi convince himself that there must be water on board?
Answer:
The divining rod in Pi’s mind dipped sharply and spring gushed forth. He remembered that he was on a genuine regulation lifeboat and such a lifeboat was surely outfitted with supplies. A captain would never fail in so elementary way of preserving water to ensure safety and survival of his crew in the event of a disaster. Besides, it is natural that a ship chandler would think of making a little extra money under the noble pretext of saving lives. It was settled beyond doubt that there was water on board.

4. Sequence the following incidents logically to write the summary of the story ‘Life of Pi’.

• As he looked around, he was shocked to find Richard Parker on board.
• His search for water took him dangerously close to Richard Parker but nothing could stop him neither Richard Parker nor the hyena
• Pi left Richard Parker in a jungle and reunited with his family.
• Pi came back to life and his senses after drinking the elixir of life.
• He understood that it was Richard Parker who helped him survive for 227 days.
• He was pinned by weakness having had no food, water or even sleep for nearly three days.
• Strangely his thirst overpowered his fear of Richard Parker and he went about exploring for ‘ fresh water.
• A little later, he succeeded in his search, when he found stacks of cans of drinking water.
• Pi was stranded in the Pacific on a lifeboat.
• Then, he realized that Parker who scared him earlier brought him peace, purpose and wholeness.

Answer:

1. Pi was stranded in the Pacific on a lifeboat.
2. He was pinned by weakness having had no food, water or even sleep for nearly three days.
3. As he looked around, he was shocked to find Richard Parker on board.
4. Strangely his thirst overpowered his fear of Richard Parker and he went about exploring for fresh water.
5. His search for water took him dangerously close to Richard Parker but nothing could stop him neither Richard Parker nor the hyena.
6. A little later, he succeeded in his search, when he found stacks of cans of drinking water.
7. Pi came back to life and his senses after drinking the elixir of life.
8. He understood that it was Richard Parker who helped him survive for 227 days.
9. Then, he realized that Parker who scared him earlier brought him peace, purpose and wholeness.
10. Pi left Richard Parker in a jungle and reunited with his family.

Life of Pi About The Author

Yann Martel was born in Spain to French Canadian parents. Martel’s father worked as a diplomat and the family moved to Costa Rica, France, Mexico and Canada during Martel’s childhood. He grew up speaking both French and English. Martel studied philosophy at Trent University in Ontario, and later spent a year in India visiting religious sisters and zoos.
His first three books received little critical or popular attention but with the publication of Life of Pi in 2001, Martel became internationally famous and he was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2002.

Life of Pi Summary in English

Introduction
Pi recounts the ordeal he faced in the middle of the pacific ocean after the ship wreck. Francis Adirubasamy, a close business associate of his father, a swimming champion taught him to swim. He also gave him his unusual name Piscine Molitor, a Persian swimming club he used to frequent. Pi is named after that swimming club (i.e) Piscine Molitor. Pi’s father once ran a zoo in Pondicherry. As the political situation in India was volatile, he decided to shift the family to Canada. They set sail in a cargo ship on June 21,1977. A crew and many cages full of animals sailed along with them in that cargo ship.

Crisis in the mid ocean
When the cargo ship was sailing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there was a huge storm. The ship started sinking. Pi jumped into a lifeboat. Very soon he found himself in the company of Richard Parker, a tiger, a zebra, and a hyena, all in a state of shock. Initially, the hyena keeps quiet and hides behind the zebra unwilling to confront the tiger. After two and a half days of drifting in the lifeboat, Pi discovered that Richard Parker was on board just below him. He was unusually quiet because of sea-sickness and the impact of heavy sedation given to him by Pis father.

Water, water everywhere but no water to drink

Pi felt very thirsty. His blood had thickened. His .legs had become stiff. He was afraid that he may die if he did not drink liquid life.

Search for drinking water
When he lifted the yellow tarpaulin, he found Richard Parker just two feet below his legs. Initially, he was scared of seeking the attention of Richard Parker. But his thirst was so much that he preferred to risk his life to find water. The narrator says, ‘thirst is worse than hunger’. Even Jesus Christ who died on the cross yearned for water only before dying. He opened the tarpaulin still further and found hyena looking at him. But Pi wasn’t afraid as much more formidable 450-pound heavy beast was there between him and the hyena

Analysis of the boat
Pi found that the boat was three and a half feet deep and eight feet wide and twenty-six feet long.lt was designed to accommodate 32 people. But it appeared to be cramped due to the presence of three animals (i.e.) zebra, Richard Parker, and the hyena. Tarpaulin, life jackets the lifeboat and the oars were also orange in color. Even the plastic headless whistle was orange in colour.

Discovery of drinking water

The narrator felt like a dried out lizard. He undid the hasp quietly. He pulled on the lid. It opened on to a locker. He looked down between his legs and got delighted because new things glistened. He experienced a heady mixture of hope, surprise, disbelief, thrill, gratitude all crushed into one. He was positively giddy with happiness. The wine of life was found in pale golden cans. Each can contained 500 ml. He felt that he was about to be released from the hell of thirst. He had water stock to last for 124 days.

Returning from the world of dead

He hit the other end of the can hard against the hook.At a stretch he gulped down 4 cans (i.e.) 2 litres of water. It was the most exquisite of nectars. His forehead was wet with fresh, clean refreshing perspiration, his skin relaxed. His joints moved with greater ease. His heart began to beat like a merry drum, blood flowed through his veins like cars from a wedding party honking their way through the tour. Strength and suppleness came back to his muscles. Truly, he was coming back from the world of the dead to life.

Parker and Pi
Richard Parker had finished off the hyena and the zebra. So, Richard Parker and Pi were literally and figuratively in the same boat. He wanted to tame Parker to stay alive.

Richard parker’s help
It was Richard Parker’s presence that shut off all the other memories of family tragedy and the tragic circumstances he was in. Richard Parker egged him to go on living. He hated Parker yet felt grateful to him. He admits that without Parker, he wouldn’t have been alive to tell the story of his survival.