ENGLISH-II LANGUAGE

Unit - 1

A HERO

I Four alternatives are given . Choose the best alternative:

1. The boy who fought the tiger stayed on the tree for half - a -
day - because he

a. wanted to watch the tiger from the tree top b. wanted

to rest for some time
c. was waiting for help d. did not like the tiger

Ans.: c. was waiting for help

2. Swami’s father asked him to sleep alone in the office room as

he

a. wanted him to catch the burglarb. wanted him to prove that he

had courage
c. wanted him to look after the office d. wanted him to
prove that he had strength

Ans.: b. wanted him to prove that he had courage

3. A burglar is a person who

a. enters a house to steal b. kills a tiger

c. writes for a newspaper d. bites other people

Ans.: a. enters a house to steal

4. Swami decided to sleep under the bench because

a. he felt it was a safe place b. it was near the door

c. it was not dusty d. it was made of wood

ans. : a. he felt it was a safe place

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 5. For Swami events took an unexpected turn because

a. his fatherwas angry with him b. his father read about a

newspaper report
c. his home work was not done d. his exams were near

Ans.: b. his father read about a newspaper report

6. Swami thought that the boy in the report was not a boy but a
grown-up person because
а. he knew him
b. he felt he was a coward
c. he was sure no boy could fight a tiger d.
he was sure he was a courageous person
Ans.: c. he was sure no boy could fight a tiger
II. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each:
1. Swami’s father drew his attention to a report in the
newspaper. What was the report about? OR

What was the special news about the bravery of a village lad?

Ans.: The newspaper carried a report about the bravery of a

village boy who had come face to face with a tiger while
returning home by the village path.

2. What comment did Swami make when he heard the newspaper

report? How did his view differ from that of his father?

Ans.: Swami felt that it was not possible for a boy to fight a
tiger and it must have been a strong and grown up person who
had done this. His father disagreed saying that strength and
ago were not so important. What really needed was courage.

3. What challenge did Swami’s father put to him?

Ans.: Swami’s father challenged him to sleep alone in his office

room that night which was a frightful proposition. Swami
always slept beside his grandmother so any change in this
arrangement made him frightful.

4. In which part of the office did Swami decide to sleep. Why did

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he select this place?

Ans.: Swami spread his bed under the bench in the office and
crept in there to sleep. It seemed to be a much safter place
more compact and reassuring.

5. As the night advanced Swami felt that something terrible

would happen to him. What would it be? How would it happen?

Ans.: As the night advanced Swami remembered all the stories of

devil and ghost. He expected the devils to come up and carry
him away.

б. What did Swami feel when he saw something moving in the

darkness? What did he do?

Ans.: When Swami saw something moving in the room he imagined

that if was the devil. He crawled out of the bench, caught
hold of it and dug his teeth into it.

7. Why were congratulations showered on Swami?

Ans.: Swami had bitten the burglar taking him to be the devil.
The burglar’s cry brought Swami’s father and others to the
scene leading to his arrest. So congratulations were showered
on Swami.

8. Why did Swami feel relieved at the end?

Ans.: The next day Swamy slept beside his granny. His father did
not protect much. Swami felt relieved.

9. How was Swami honoured by his classmates, teacher and the

headmaster?

Ans.: Congratulations were showered on Swami. His classmates

looked at him with respect and his teacher patted on his
back. The headmaster said that he was a tree scout.

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 10. Do you think Swami really wanted to join the police? If not,
what did he want to be?

Ans.: No, Swami was not interested to join the police. He wanted
to become an engine driver, railway guard or a bus conductor.

11. “You must sleep along hereafter”, said Swami’s father. By

doing so, what was Swami supposed to prove?

Ans.: By sleeping alone, Swami was supposed to prove his

courage. He was expected to show that even he has courage.

12. What were the excuses given by Swami in order to escape from
sleeping along?

Ans.: Swami said that he would sleep alone from the first of
next month. He alsos said that the office was dusty and full
of scoprions.
III Read each of the following extracts and answer the questions
given below:
1. “Leave alone strength. Can you prove you have courage?
a. What was the view of Swami’s father regarding courage?
Ans.: Swami’s father felt that courage was more important
than strength and age.
b. How did he want his son to prove that he had courage?
Ans.: He challenged his son to sleep alone in the office
room.

2. “A frightful proposition, Swami thought”

a. What was the frightful proposition?

Ans.: The frightful proposition was that Swami’s father wanted

him to sleep alone in the office room that night.

b. Why did Swami regard it as frightful?

Ans.: Swami used to sleep with his granny in the passage and any
change in this left him trembling and awake all night.
3. “You must sleep alone hereafter!”
a. Who did he usually sleep with?

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 Ans.: Swami usually slept with his granny
b. Why did Swami’s father want him to sleep alone?
Ans.: Swami’s father wanted his son to prove that he had the
courage to sleep alone.
4. “Your office room is very dusty and there may be scorpions behind your law books”.
a. Why did Swami make this remark?
Ans.: Swami made this remark because he wanted an excuse for not
sleeping in the office room.
b. What does it reveal about his character?
Ans.: He did not have the courage to tell his father that he was
afraid to sleep alone.
5. “He wished that the tiger had not spared the boy”
a. What do the underlined words imply?
Ans.: These words mean that he wished that the tiger had killed
the boy
b. Why did Swami have such thoguhts?
Ans.: Swami was upset because he was asked to sleep alone.
6. ‘Aiyo, Something has bitten me”
a. Why had he been bitten?
Ans.: Swami thought that it was the devil who had come to attack
him. So, he bit him to save himself.
b. How did the speaker suffer as a result of being bitten?
Ans.: The speaker shouts of pain. This brings the people of
the house there leading to his arrest.
7. The inspector said, “Why don’t you join the police when you are grown up?
a. Why do you think the inspector said this?
Ans.: The inspector thinks that Swami was a brave boy so he
said this.
b. Do you feel Swami would be happy to do so?
Ans.: Swami had caught the burglar by accident. He did not
want to join the police.
8. “Congratulations were showered on Swami next day”
a. Why was Swami congratulated?
Ans.: Swami had caught one of the notorious house breakers of
the district.
b. Do you feel Swami deserves the praise? Give reason.

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 Ans.: Swami had better the burglar out of fright. He was not
really a hero.
IV. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences:
1. A report about a boy in the newspaper was an unexpected event in Swami’s life. Justify.
Ans.: The newspaper carried a report about a village lad who had
fought bravely against a tiger, while he was returning home
by the jungle path. Swami argued that a boy could not fight a
tiger, it had to be a strong, grown-up person. His father
disagreed saying that courage was more important. Swami was
not ready to accept this. His father then challenged him to
show his courage by sleeping alone in the office that night.
While Swami was sleeping there, he saw a dark figure.
Believing it to be the devil. Swami dug his teeth into its
leg. It turned out to be a notorious burglar whose loud cry
brought others to the scene. The burglar was caught and Swami
became a hero over night.

2. What desperate attempts did Swami make to escape from his father?

Ans.: Swami’s father challenged him to seep alone in the office

room that night. Swami was filled with fear and tried
desperately to make his father change his mind. He told his
father that he would sleep alone from the first of the next
month. Bt his father did not agree.

Swami then went to sleep near his granny, pulled the blanket
over his face and pretended to be fast asleep. However, his
father soon came there and pulled him out of bed. Swami tried
to appeal to his
granny and his mother to save him but his father would have none
of it. So Swami’s desperate attempts failed.

3. Narrate Swami’s dreadful experience when he was lying under the bench.

Ans.: Swami crept under the bench, shut his eyes light and covered
himselfwith the blanket. Soon he fell asleep. He began to have a
nightmare that a tiger was chasing him and he could not escape
from its claws. With a desperate effort he opened his eyes. As

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 he lay in fright he heard a rustling sound. He tried to look out
in the darkness and saw something moving. He felt that it was
the devil who would surely attack him. He crawled from the
bench, caught hold of the figure and bit it hard to save
himself.

Unit - 1

GRANDMA CLIMBS A TREE

Summary :

The present poem ‘Grandma Climbs a Tree’ is written by Ruskin Bond. He describes the unusual habit of
climbing trees by his grandmother in an unusal way.

The poet admires his grandma because she climb trees. She could climb any kind of tree since her childhood and
climber the tree even at the age of sixty two years. When she was advised that she should grow old
gracefully for that she cheerfully replied that she would rather grow old disgtacefully. She had learnt this art
of trees from her brother, when she was six years old.

One day she climbed a tree but couldn’t come down. The doctor checked her after the rescue and tld her hat she
needed bed rest for aee. But it was like torture to the grandma. Who enjoyed the most while she was up on
the tree. So she ordered her son i.e. the poet’s father to build her a tree house, which as a dutiful son he did it.
So now grama lives on the tree-house having windows and a door. The poet visits his grandma every day and
they enjou a drink together.

I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Write the correct or
the most appropriate answer in the space provided

1. Grandma was a genius because.........................................................

a. she was skilful b. she could climb a tree

c. she was good d. she loved trees

Ans.: b. she could climb a tree

2. The poet calls his grandmother..............................................

a. a brave woman b. a genius

c. childish d. a silly woman

Ans.: b. a genius

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 3. Poet’s grandma was happier in..........................................

a. a boat b. a lift
c. a house d. a tree

Ans.: a. a tree

4. Grandma learnt to climb a tree from..................................

a. a trainee b. her brother

c. her father d her son

Ans.: b. her brother

5. As soon as the doctor recommended ‘a quiet week in bed’ for granny, all the family members

a. sighed with relief b. laughed happily

c. danced with joy d. felt very bad

Ans.: a. sighed with relief

6. For granny, ‘a quiet week in bed’ was like

a. hell b. heaven
c. prison [Link]
Ans.: a hell

7. Gra ndma wanted a house ,

a. in a tree top b. on a beach

c. in a village d..in a garden
Ans.: a. in a tree top
8. My grandmother was a genius. The underlineed word means ,

a. a tree climber b. an elderly person

c. a gifted person d.a happy person
Ans.: c. a. gifted person

9. The opposite of ‘gracefully’ is

a. ungracefully
c. misgracefully

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 Ans.: b. disgracefully

10. “It was like a brief season in hell” Figure of speech used in the
above sentence si
[Link] b. metaphor
c. personification d. paradox
Ans.: a. simile

II. Answer the following in a word or a phrase or in a sentence (one

mark questions)
1. What does the poet call his grandmother?
Ans.: The poet calls his grandmother a genius.
2. Why does the poet call his grandmother ‘genius’?
Ans.: The poet calls his grandmother ‘genius’ because, she could
climb trees.
3. Who taught grandmother to climb trees?
Ans.: Her loving brother taught grandmother to climb trees
4. 4. What was her age where she climbed the tree last?
Ans.: She was sixty-two when she climbed the tree last.
5. What did the doctor strongly recommend?
Ans.: The doctor strongly recommended a quite week in bed.
6. What did grandma tell her son one day?
Ans.: Grandma told her son to build a house in a tree top.
7. According to poets, what was grandmother’s right?
Ans.: To reside in a tree is considered as grandmother’s right.
8. “My dad knew his duties” what did he think his duty was?
Ans.: Poets father was a dutiful son and in accordance with
grandma’s wishes, he immediately started to build a house
for her in a tree top.

III Answer the following questions in two or three sentences:

1. What did people tell the grandmother as went by?

Ans.: People told grandma that she should stop climbing trees
as she grew old, and also that one should grow old
gracefully
2. What was usual in the reply given by the grandma?

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 Ans. : Grandma was very childish in her reply. She said that she
would grow disgracefully.
3. What did the doctor recommend? How did the family members
react?
Ans.: The doctor recommended grandma a quiet week in bed. Family
members sighed with relief.
4. How did grandma feel while she lay in bed?
Ans.: Grandma felt miserable as she lay in bed. She loved to
look at the dancing leaves. For her, it was like a brief
season in hell.
5. What did she ask for as soon as she was better?
Ans.: As soon as she was better, Grandma as ked her son to build
a house in a tree top.

IV. Read each of the following extracts and answer the questions
given below:
1. “Eversince childhood, said had this gift”
a. Who does ‘she’ refers to?
Ans.: Grandma
b. What was the gift that she had?
Ans.: She had the gift of climbing trees easily whether it was
spreading or high.
2. I Stongly recommend a quiet week in bed”
a. Who recommended bed rest?
Ans.: Doctor
b. For whom was the rest recommended and why?
Ans.: Rest was recommended to grandma because she was ill.
3. She sat up and said, “I’ll lie here no longer”
a. Who does ‘I’ refer to?
Ans.: ‘I’ refers to grandma.
b. Why was the speaker forced to lie down?

Ans.: After the rescue, the doctor took granny’s temperature and
strongly recommended her a quiet week bed.
4. He said, “That’s all right. You’ll have what you want dear”.
a. Who does ‘you’ refer to?

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 ‘You’ refers to granny.
b. What does the speaker mean by above words?
Granny wished for a house in a tree top and his son readily
agreed to fulfill her wish.
5. “I’ll start work tonight”
a. Who started to start the work ?
Ans.: Poet’s father
b. What was the work and why was he doing it?
Ans.: The work was to build a house in tree top. He wanted to
do it to fulfill his mother’s wish to live on a tree.
Unit - 2

THERE’S A GIRL BY THE TRACKS

I Four Alternatives are given for each of the following
questions/incomplete statements. Write the correct or the most
appropriate answer in the space provided.

1. The person who helped Roma was

a. a truck driverb. an auto rickshaw driver

c. a car driverd. a motorist

Ans. a. a truck driver

2. Roma’s belongings had been found by

a. Baleshwar Mishra b. Dinesh Talreja

c. a railway employee d. the truck driver

Ans. a. a railway employee

3. “There’s a girl by the tracks, “the voices cried out. The

voices were of...........................................

a. railway employees b. train passengers

c. truck drivers d. railway cops

Ans. b. train passengers

4. Baleshwar Mishra was a ...

a. [Link] graduate b. marketing officer

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 c. high school drop put d. call centre executive

Ans. c. high school drop out

5..................................................................................................................... The advised

Baleshwar to take Roma to a nearby hospital.

a. truck driver b. cop

c. commuters d. on duty physician

Ans. d. on duty physician

6. Where did Baleshwar find Roma at last?

a. By the side of the Tracks b. By the side of the Road

c. By the side of the Building d. On the Road
Ans : a. By the side of the Tracks
7. _________pulled the red chain to help the wounded girl

a. Dinesh Talreja
b. Vijay

c. Baleshwar Mishra d. a
railway employee

Ans. c. Baleshwar Mishra

8. The other passengers did not volunteer to help Baleshwar because

a. they though one man was enoughb. the train was moving too
fast
b. they were afraid ofbeing involved d. they did not know
Bateshwar

Ans. c. They were afraid of being involved

9. “Oh, I couldn’t thank him”. Baleshwar thought. The ‘him’ refers

to the

a. traffic policeman b. on duty doctor

c. railway employee d. tempo truck driver

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 Ans. d. tempo truck driver

10. Baleshwar had revisited the spot to

a. investigate b. look for her belongings

c. get assurance d. meet someone

Ans : b. look for her belongings

11. Roma’s fall from the train could not be heard as

a. people were talking loudly b. the train made a loud noise

c. she fell unconscious d. the people in the train were busy
Ans.: b. the train made a loud noise
12. Baleshwar saw blood flowing out of a wound on Roma’s head and he
a. started giving her first aid b. went in search of a doctor
c. left her to her fate d. lifted her and made his way across the
tracks
Ans. d. lifted her and made his way across the tracks.
13. They arrived at a small hospital where
a. they locked staff and equipment b. they refused to treat Roma
c. they operated on Roma d. they found that there was no doctor

II. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each :

1. How did Roma fall on the tracks?

Ans : Roma had squeezed herself near the door of the crowded
ladies compartment of a Mumbai local train. Suddenly she got
pushed, lost her foothold and was thrown out of the coach.

2. What did Baleshwar mishra do as soon as he saw the girl lying next to the tracks?

Ans :On seeing the Goal on the tracks, Baleshwar immediately

pulled the red emergency chain of the train. As the train
slowed, he asked the other passengers to go with him to help
the girl. No one came forward. Then Baleshwar bravely jumped
off the still moving train and rushed towards the girl.

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 3. Who Volunteered to help Baleshwar? How did he help him?

Ans : A tempo truck driver stopped when he saw Baleshwar

standing by the road holding the injured girl in his arms. He
helped Baleshwar to lay the girl down in the back of his
truck and drove them to a small hospital, but it lacked
facilities. So he drove them to a bigger hospital where she
could be treated well.

4. How did the doctors at Divine Multi Specialty Hospital treat Roma?

Ans. : The Medical Director of the hospital saw the extent of

Roma’s injuries and immediately admitted her to the ICU
without any paper work. X-rays were taken out and the doctors
found that she needed surgery. She was taken care of very
well and recovered within a few days.

5. Why did Baleshwar revisit the spot where Roma had fallen?

Ans. : Roma’s brother, Dinesh, had told him that her call phone
and handbag were missing. Baleshwar revisited the spot where
Roma had fallen. With the help of a railway employee he was
able to recover some of her belongings.

6. After Roma’s recovery, what did she say about Baleshwar?

Ans. : Roma was amazed to hear about the manner in which she had
been rescued. She wondered how a stranger could jump off a
train and risk his life for her. She could not imagine what
would have happened to her if Baleshwar had not been there.
She felt that she could never repay him for what he had done.

7. “Take the girl to Airoli,” Suggested the cop. But Baleshwar disagreed. Why did he do so?

Ans. : Baleshwar felt that the girl needed medical help

immediately. Airoli was at least 10 kilometers away and he
knew of a small hospital close by. So he did not agree with
the cop.

8. Was Baleshwar right in asking Roma her name while she lay in a critical condition? Justify
your answer.
Ans. : Baleshwar was absolutely right in asking Roma her name. He also

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got from her, her brother’s name and phone number. With this he was
able to call her brother and inform him about Roma’s accident.

1. Baleshwar had a good memory. Do you agree with this? Give examples to support your view.

Ans. : Yes, Baleshwar had a good memory. Roma had given him her
brother’s cell phone number and he memorized it quickly before
she lost consciousness again. Thus he was able to contact
Dinesh and inform him about the accident.

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2. If Baleshwar had not come forward to help Roma, what would have happened to her?

Ans. : If Baleshwar had not come forward to help Roma, She would have bled to death. Luckily
Baleshwar took her to the hospital in time and got her treated.

3. “Roma Talreja tried to settle into a corner near the door in the train”. Was she right in doing this?

Ans. : No, it was wrong on Roma’s part to settle into a corner near the door. It was very risky as
there was a great rush. People were pushing each other to stand safely in less space and she could
have fallen which she did.
III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions given :
1. There’s a girl by the tracks!”
a. Who cried out?
Ans. The train passenger

b. Why was she by the tracks?

Ans. She had lost her balance and was thrown out of the train.
2. Let’s go and help her.
a. What happened there?
Ans. There was a girl by the tracks.

b. Why did they have to help?

Ans. She had fallen from the train.
3. I hope I’m not too late.
a. What did he have to do?
Ans. He had to take her to the doctor

b. Why did he hope so?

Ans. He knew she was hurt badly and hoped he could help her.
4. Please help me take her to a hospital.

a. Whom did he request?

Ans. He requested the motorists who drove by.

b. Why did he have to take her to the hospital?

Ans. She was hurt badly and was unconscious due to the fall.
5. I can’t imagine what would have happened if Baleshwar hadn’t been there.
a. Why was Baleshwar there?
Ans. Baleshwar was there to help Roma.

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 b. What would have happened?
Ans. She would have died on the tracks without his help.
6. They fear getting trapped in the courts or with the police.
a. Who says this?
Ans. Baleshwar Mishra

b. Why do they fear?

Ans. They fear because they may have to go to the courts or police station several times to give
witness leaving their job.

7. “I can never repay Baleshwar”

a. Who is Baleshwar?

Ans. Baleshwar is a young man who helped Roma.

b. Why can’t she repay?

Ans. He has done a great deed. He saved her life from dying.
8. “Chacha, can I borrow your mobile?”
a. Who wanted the mobile?
Ans. Baleshwar

b. Why did he want the mobile?

Ans. To inform Roma’s brother, Dinesh about her accident.

IV. Answer in about eight - ten sentences:

1. Give a brief account of how Baleshwar helped the girl on the tracks. Or Baleshwar was god sent to
Roma. Justify.

Ans. : When Baleshwar saw the girl lying on the tracks, he jumped down from the moving train and
ran towards her. There was no help in sight so he lifted her up, crossed the tracks and walked till he
reached the road. He waited patiently with the girl in his arms for a long time. He stopped a number
of motorists but no one heeded to his call. Finally, a tempo truck driver stopped and helped him to take
the girl to a hospital nearby where she was given first aid. The doctor there advised him to take her to a
larger hospital. Baleshwar did this and the girl got the necessary medical care. Within a few days she
recovered finally.

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 2. The Dalai Lam says “Love and Compassion are the true religions to me. But to develop this, we do
not need to believe in any religion”. How does this relate to the lesson “There’s a girl by the
tracks!”

Ans. : This saying of Dalai Lama’s relates a lot to this lesson. Baleshwar saw Roma lying on the tracks.
Both didn’t know each other. Even then, he pulled the chain and got off the train to help her. He showed
humanity and kindness towards Roma. Had he not done this, anything could have happened to her. He
took her to the hospital and even informed her brother about her injuries. In this way he made us realize
that showing love and compassion towards others is the true religion.

3. After Roma made a full recovery, Baleshwar het her. Briefly describe how Roma thanked him,
and what Baleshwar said in reply.

Ans. : After Roma made a full recovery, she was amazed to know how Baleshwar rescued her. She
thought it is astonishing that a stranger would jump off a train and risk his life for her. She couldn’t
imagine what would have happened if Baleshwar hadn’t been there. She could never repay him. On the
other hand Baleshwar was proud of his good deed. He acknowledged her gratitude.
Unit - 2

QUALITY OF MERCY

Summary :

The present poem ‘Quality of Mercy’ is written by William Shakespeare. This poem is an extract taken from
his one of the famous play ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Here Portia gives a speech on Quality of Mercy to
the cruel Shylock to save the life of her beloved Antonio.

The quality of mercy is not compelled. It is not forced. It drops down from heaven as a gentle rain upon the
earth, blessing both the giver and the receiver. This quality is very mighty and is like a majestic enthroned
Monarch who is looked with awe due to his sceptre and crown. The scepter creates awe and fear in the
hearts of the people. But mercy is above this sceptred sway. Mercy resides in the hearts of the Kings and is
a quality of God himself. If mercy is a part of justice, then earthly power shines like a Godly power.

I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Write the
correct or the most appropriate answer in the space provided.

1. The poet says that the quality of mercy is twice blessed because

a. it is sent from heaven b. it is the mightiest

c. it is an earthly power [Link] blesses both the giver and the taker
Ans. d. it blesses both the giver and the taker

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 2. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Here droppeth from heaven means
a. given to heaven b. as far as heaven
c. as pure as given from God d. very impure

Ans. c. as pure as given from God

3. His sceptre shows..................Here ‘Sceptre’ can be identified with

a. a poor man b. a teacher

c. a king d. a minister

Ans. c. a king

4. A decorated road carried by a king as a symbol of power is called a

a. throne b. crown
c. robe d. sceptre

Ans. d. sceptre

5. According to the speaker, in king’s. mercy is seated in the

a. heart b. head
c. shoulders [Link]
Ans. a. heart
II. Answer in a word/a phrase/a sentence each :
1. Mercy is compared to something in the first two lines of the poem. What is it?
Ans. : It is compared to the gentle rain from heaven.
2. The speaker says that mercy is twice blessed? What does she mean by this?

Ans. : Mercy blesses the giver and the taker too.

3. “Sceptre shows the force of temporal power” In contrast, what or whose quality does mercy stand
for?
Ans. : Mercy is divine and flows from the heart
4. Mention the three things of temporal power of a king.
Ans. : Throne, Crown and Sceptre.
5. When does earthly power show divine power?
Ans.: When kings adopt mercy with justice.

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III. Answer the following in 2 or 3 sentences each:
1. Mercy is compared to gentle rain from heaven. How is this comparison apt?
Ans. : As the gentle rain falls on the earth, so also when mercy is shown it blesses the giver and the
taker and given comfort.

2. The speaker compares the power of the king with the power of mercy, saying that mercy is the
mightiest of the mightiest. How does she justify this?

Ans. : The king who has sceptre in his hand evokes a feeling of fear in the minds of others but the
king who has a feeling of mercy in his heart possesses divine quality of mercy.

3. The poem ‘Quality of Mercy’ has fourteen lines. But it is not a sonnet. Justify the statement.

Ans. : This poem consists of fourteen lines but it is not a sonnet as there is no rhyme, scheme in the
poem. In other words there isn’t three quatrains and a couplet.

IV. Read the following extracts and answer the questions given below:

1. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon

the place beneath. It is twice blest”

a. What is compared to the gentle rain from heaven?

Ans. : Mercy

b. Why does the speaker feel it is twice blest?

Ans.: According to the speaker, the person who shows mercy and the person who receives mercy is
also blest

2. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty.

a. How does the sceptre show temporal power?

Ans.: The sceptre creates fear among people.

b. In contrast, what quality does mercy stand for?
Ans.: Mercy stands for divine quality and it flows from the heart.
3. ‘Its mightiest in the mightiest’
a. Who is mighty?
Ans.: Mercy

b. How is it mighty?
Ans.: Quality of Mercy is more powerful than all the symbols of power on earth.

20
 4. It is an attribute to God himself.
a. What is this attribute?
Ans.: Quality of Mercy

b. Why is it a quality of God?

Ans.: God is all merciful and anyone on earth who preaches it is like God.
5. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes
a. How does it bless the one who gives?
Ans.: The giver gets the blessing as he has helped the other person.

b. How does it bless the one who takes?

Ans.: The taker is blest because he is forgiven
6. Mercy is above the Sceptred sway.
a. What is a Sceptre?
Ans.: It is a decorated rod carried by monarchs.

b. How i s mercy above the Sceptred sway?

Ans.: Mercy is a divine quality or Godly power whereas Sceptre is an earthly temporal power.

V. Answer in about eight sentences:

1. How does the speaker in the court try to convince Shylock that mercy is twice blessed and is a
divine quality? OR What does Portia tell Shylock about the quality of Mercy?

Ans.: Portia, one of the main characters in the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’, argues why mercy is
the greatest virtue of all. Portia compares mercy to the gentle rain that falls from heaven to the
ground. Mercy blesses both the giver and the receiver. It is the most powerful of all virtues and
enhances the glory of a king more than his crown. The sceptre of a monarch is a symbol of worldly
power. It controls people through fear. The power of the sceptre mercy is divine and has its seat in
the heart. The power of a man who shows mercy along with justice would be God - like in nature.

2. Write the summary of the poem ‘Quality of Mercy’

Ans.: The Quality of mercy is not forced. It drops down from heaven as a gentle rain upon the
earth; blessing both the giver and the receiver. This quality is very might and is like a majestic
enthroned Monarch who is looked with awe due to his sceptre and crown. The sceptre creates awe
and fear in the hearts of the people. But mercy is above this. It resides in the hearts of the kings and
is a quality of God himself. If mercy is a part ofjustice, then this earthly power shines like a Godly
power.

21
VI. Quote from memory the poem ‘Quality of Mercy’ (8 lines only)

The quality of mercy is not strain’d;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon
the place beneath, It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
‘ Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kinds;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthroned in the heart of kings;

It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.

- William Shakespeare

Unit - 3

GENTLEMEN OF RIO EN MEDIO

I. Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternative.

1. It took months of negotiation to come to an understanding with the old man because he

a. could not hear properly b. could not understand the language

c. was not in a hurry d. did not like the Americans.

Ans. : c. was not in a hurry

2. The old man was..................

a. understanding b. quick
c. unhurried d. witty

Ans.: c. unhurried

22
 3. ‘The old man removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully’. This reminds us the actions
of .........

a. Chaplin b. janitor
c. Senator d. Prince Albert

Ans. : a. Chaplin

4. The word “innumerable kin” means that the old man had a number of......................................

a. children b. trees in his orchard

c. relatives d. followers

Ans. : c. relatives

5. In the meeting of the old man and the Americans, they talked about rain and the old man’s
large family. It was ..................

a. to mock his large family

b. to break the ice
c. to make everyone know that it had not rained in that area
d. to know more about the old man’s family

Ans.: b. to break the ice

6. “Don Anselmo”, I said, “We have made a discovery”. The discovery was that the old man
7. The old man had agreed to sell the land for

a. twelve hundred dollars b. twelve thousand dollars

a. seven hundred dollars b. seven thousand dollars

Ans. : a. twelve hundred dollars

8. When the story teller offered the old man double the price he

a. jumped with joy b. stood up in anger

c. took off his gloves d. bowed to all in the room
Ans.: b. stood up in anger
9. After the survey, the Americans were willing to pay
a. twelve hundred dollars
b. thrice the amount they had agreed

23
 c. almost twice the money they had agreed
d. half of the money they had agreed
Ans. : c. almost twice the money they had agreed
10. Don Anselmo agreed to sell the land for the Americans because
a. they have agreed to give twice the amount
b. they are his friends
c. they are good people
d. they agreed to buy the land without trees
Ans.: c. they are good people
11. Don Anselmo signed the deed
a. after taking twice the amount
b. but refused to take more than the amount agreed upon
c. without taking any money
d. after demanding more money.

Ans.: b. but refused to take more than the amount agreed upon

12. A piece of land where fruit trees are grown is called

a. a cottage b. a forest
c. an orchard d. a creek

Ans. c. an orchard

13. Don Anselmo took only twelve hundred dollars for the land
finally because............................................

a. Don Anselmo was a man of principles.

b. the story teller failed to convince Don Anselmo to take
more money
c. the Americans refused to give more money
d. the surveyor had fixed the amount for the
land as twelve hundred dollars Ans. a. Don Anselmo
was a man of principle
14. Dom Anselmo sold his land but he didn’t sell his

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 a. Orchard b. trees
c. horse d. river

Ans. : b. trees

15. According to Don Anselmo, the real owners of the trees were

a. DonAnselmo himself b. the Americans

c. the children of Rio en Medio d. the story teller
Ans.: c. the children of Rio en Medio
16. Don Anselmo did not sell the trees because
a. trees were like children to him
b. he thought they did not belong to him but to the children
c. he had grown them in memory of his ancestors.
d. he wanted his surroundings to be green
Ans.: b. he thought they did not belong to him but to the
children
17. The story teller spoke Spanish because
a. The story teller loved to speak Spanish
b. Spanish is the official language in New Mexico
c. Spanish is the official language in America
d. He doesn’t know any other language except Spanish

II. Answer the following questions in two - three sentences each:

1. Describe the old man’s property.

Ans.: The old man’s house was small, wretched but quaint. His
Orchard was gnarled and beautiful. The little creek ran
through his land.

2. Where did Don Anselmo live? What work did he do?

Ans.: Don Anselmo lived in a small, quaint house in Rio en

Medio. He tilled the land belonging to his ancestors.

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3. Explain briefly the appearance and manners of Don Anselmo?

Ans.: Don Anselmo wore an old, green faded coat. His gloves too
were old and torn and his finger tips showed through them and
carried a cane which was the skeleton of a worn - out umbrella.
When he entered the room he bowed to all and slowly removed his
hat and gloves.

4. How did the old man greet the people who had been waiting for
him?

Ans.: The old man bowed to all of them in the room. He then
removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully.

5. What did the Americans speak about with Don Anselmo to break the
ice?
Ans.: The Americans spoke about rain and Don Anselmo’s family to
break the ice.
6. What did the Americans discover after the survey?
Ans.: After the survey, the Americans discovered that Don Anselmo
owns more than eight acres of land which extends across the
river.

7. The story teller offered the old man almost the double of what
he had quoted earlier. Why?

Ans.: The story teller offered the old man almost the double of
what he had quoted earlier because he discovered that Don
Anselmo owns more than eight acres of land which extends across
the river.

8. What was the reaction of the old man to the story teller’s
offer?

Ans.: The old man hung his head for a moment in thought, stood up
and stared at the story teller’s offer.

26
9. After the survey why did the Americans offered double the quoted
price for the old man’s land.

Ans.: The Americans were good people and when they found that Don
Anselmo owned more than eight acres of land, they offered to pay
double the price they had quoted earlier.

10. Why did the story teller fail to convince Don Anselmo to accept
more money?

Ans.: The story teller failed to convince Don Anselmo to accept

more money because Don Anselmo felt that he was insulted by the
offer.

11. Why do you think the Americans wanted to buy Don Anselmo’s land?

Ans.: The little creek ran through the land of Don Anselmo. His
orchard was gnarled and beautiful. So, to lead a happy and
peaceful life. The Americans wanted to buy Don Anselmo’s land.

12. Why did the story teller say that Americans bueana gentla?

Ans.: The story teller said that the Americans are bueana gentla
because they did not want to cheat Don Anselmo and they were
willing to pay Don Anselmo twice the money for his land.
13. Why do you think Don Anselmo did not sell the trees in the
Orchard?

Ans.: Don Anselmo planted a tree for every born child and so the
trees in the Orchard belongs to the children of Rio-en-Medio.
Hence Don Anselmo could sell only the Orchard but not the trees
in the Orchard.

14. How do you say that Don Anselmo was generous?

Ans.: Don Anselmo was generous. Because he was a man of principles

he refused to take the extra money offered by the Americans for
his land.

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15. What did the story teller’s friends complain?

Ans.: The story teller’s friends complained that the children of

the village were over running the property purchased by them.
The children came everyday, played under the trees and took
blossoms.

[Link] changes did the Americans make to Don Anselmo’s

property?

OR

What were the changes made on the ranch after it was

sold?

Ans.: The Americans replastered the old house, pruned the trees
and patched the fence.

16. What did Don Anselmo do as he left the place with money?

Ans.: Don Anselmo shook hands all around, put on his ragged
gloves, took his cane and walked out with the boy behind him.

17. What did the story-teller request Don Anselmo to do after the
complaint?

Ans.: The story teller told Don Anselmo that according to the
deed, the Americans had complete possession of the property, but
the children of the village over ran the orchard everyday. So,
he requested Anselmo to stop the children from doing this so
that the Americans could live in peace.

18. What was Don Anselmo’s reply to the story teller’s request?

Ans.: Don Anselmo replied that he had sold his property to the
Americans because they were good people, but he did not sell
them trees.

19. Why was the story-teller unable to convince the old man?

28
 Ans.: The Story-teller was unable to convince the old man because
the old man insisted that he had sold the property and not the
trees which belonged to the children. So, he had not taken
double the price fixed for the land.

20. Whose argument do you agree with? Don Anselmo’s or the story
teller’s? Give reasons. (Open ended question) (Ans. is
suggestive)

Ans.: I agree with Don Anselmo’s stuck to his principles that he

had sold only the land and not the trees which belong to the
children of the village. His argument was stronger than the
story teller.

III. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
1. “It took months of negotiation to come to an understanding with the old man”
a. What was the negotiation about?
Ans. : The negotiation was about the selling of the old man’s
land.

b. Why do you think it took months to come to an understanding?

Ans.: It took months to come to an understanding because the
old man was in no hurry to sell
2. ‘The old man removed his hat and gloves carefully’
a. Who is the old man referred here?
Ans.: The old man is Don Anselmo

b. Whose style did it remind the writer of?

Ans.: It reminds the style of Charlie Chaplin
3. “We have made a discovery”
a. What did they discover?
Ans.: They discovered that Don Anselmo owns more than eight
acres of land

b. What was the result of the discovery?

29
 Ans.: As a result, they offered Don Anselmo double the price of
what they had quoted earlier
4. “These Americans are Buena gente”
a. What is the meaning of Buena gente according to the context?
Ans.: Buena gente means good people

b. Why did the speaker called Americans Buena gente?

Ans.: The speaker called Americans Buena gente because after
the survey, they did not cheat Don Anselmo and were ready
to pay twice the money they had quoted earlier for the
additional land.

5. He said, “I do not like to have you speak to me in that manner”

a. What is the mood of the speaker?

Ans.: The speaker felt that he was being insulted

b. What made him to react so?

Ans.: He said these words when the Americans offered him
twice the money they had quoted earlier for his land.

6. “I have agreed to sell my house and land for twelve hundred dollars and what is the
price?”

a. When did the speaker say this?

Ans.: The old man said this when the Americans offered him
double the price that had been quoted earlier for his land.
b. What does this statement tell about the speaker?
Ans.: This statement tells that the speaker was not greedy and
he was a man of principles.
7. Don Anselmo said “I did not sell them the trees in the Orchard”.
a. Why didn’t he sell the trees in the orchard?
Ans.: According to Don Anselmo he didn’t sell the trees because
the trees belong to the children ofRio-en-Medio

b. How did Don Anselmo defend his statement?

30
 Ans.: Don Anselmo defended that when a child was born in the
village, a tree was planted and so the trees belonged to the
children of the village.

8. “The trees in that Orchard are not mine”.

a. According to Don Anselmo, who did the trees belong to?

Ans.: According to Don Anselmo, the tree belonged to the

children of Rio-en-Medio

b. Why did he feel so?

Ans.: He felt so because everytime a child was born in the
village, he had planted a tree for that child.

IV Answer the following in 8-10 sentences

1. Don Anselmo and the Americans were generous in their own ways. Explain.

Ans.: The Americans informed Don Anselmo that after survey,

they found that he owns more than eight acres and were
willing to pay double the agreed amount. This shows that the
Americans were generous and they did not want to cheat him.
Once again when the old man stuck to his words that the trees
belong to the children, they bought the trees individually
from the villagers Don Anselmo, however was a man of
principles and refused to take anything more than the amount
agreed upon and expressed his generosity.

2. At last, the problem of ownership was resolved, But it took a long time. What might be the
reason for it.

Ans.: After buying the property from Don Anselmo by the

Americans the children ofRio en Medio, began to overrun the
Orchard and spend most of their time there. This was brought
to the notice of Don Anselmo and he was asked to stop the
children. Don Anselmo claimed that he had sold the land to
them but not the trees. He had planted a tree for each child

31
 born in the village and the trees belonged to the children,
not to him. The owners were left with no choice. They had to
buy the trees individually from the villages and this took a
long time.
3. “I did not sell the trees because I could not, they are not mine”. How did the old man support this
statement?

Ans.: The old man explained that he was the oldest person in the
village. Almost everyone there was related to him and all the
children of Rio en Medio were his neices and nephews. He planted
a tree for every child that was born in the village. So the
trees in the Orchard belonged to the children. Hence there was
no way he could sell the trees along with the land.

4. Don Anselmo’s reaction to the offer of more money was not expected. Justify this statement.

Ans.: Don Anselmo agreed to sell his land for twelve hundred
dollars. After the survey the Americans found that the land was
more than 8 acres and they were willing to offer twice the
amount for the extra land. The old man could have been happy but
as he heard this the old man hung his head for a moment and
stared at the story teller. He felt that he was being insulted.
He told them that he had agreed to sell his property for twelve
hundred dollars to the Americans because they are good and stuck
to his words. This reaction of the old man is truly unexpected.

32
 Unit - 3

I AM THE LAND

Summary :

The present poem ‘I am the Land’ is written by an Italian poetess Marina de Bellagenta. Here in this poem
the poetess describes the patience of Mother Earth as we human beings are repeatedly torturing her. But she
is very confident and sure that we can never shackle her by any means.

The Land i.e. Earth is speaking to the human beings that they think that they own her. But she is land and so
she waits patiently. People shout and proclaim that the land is theirs. They buy lands, drill holes in it and
drive over her but still she waits patiently. Then some one ploughs her and plants seeds and she gives them
fruit, grass, trees etc., this result in people becoming joyous and they sing and dance.

Some times people come and try to fence her and create boundaries which tries to choke her. But the Earth
asserts that she is the land and no one can put a fence around the Planet Earth. She waits patiently for people
to realize.

I Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternative and

write in the space provided.

1. “I am the land. I wait.” Here ‘I wait’ suggests the feeling

of

a. annoyance b. joy
c. patience d. disgust

Ans.: c. patience

2. “A chain line necklace

Chokes me now” Here ‘chain line necklace’ refers to

a. a garland b. a fence
c. trees d. grass

Ans.: b.a fence

33
 3. “You cannot put a fence
Around the Planet Earth” The speaker here is showing a tone
of

a. weakness b. patience
c. excitement d. self assertion
Ans.: [Link] assertion

4. Which line tells that the earth is asserting itself?

a. you shout, I lie patient
b. you say you own me
c. you cannot put a fence around the planet earth
d. you buy me
Ans.: [Link] cannot put a fence around the planet earth.
II. Answer the following questions in a word/phrase/a sentence
1. Who do you think is the speaker of the poem ‘I am the land’?
Ans.: The speaker is ‘mother earth’.
2. You cannot put a fence around the planet earth” What is the
tone of the speaker?
Ans.: It is the tone of self assertion.
3. “I wait” is repeated in the poem. What quality of the speaker
is highlighted?
Ans.: The word “I wait” highlights the speaker’s patience.
4. Who is the speaker referring ‘you’ in the poem ‘I am the
land’?
Ans.: ‘you’ in the poem are the people/human beings.

III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. “I wait” is repeated five times in the poem. What
quality of the speaker is highlighted with this repetition?

Ans.: Human beings are troubling the earth. They say that they
own the lands proclaim that the land is theirs. Mother earth
has an ocean of patience and bears all the cruelty committed

34
 by man.

2. Bring out the contrast between the speaker and the reader in
the poem, “I am the land”.

Ans.: The speaker in the poem is land. It says that it is

always patient and bears all that is done to it. The reader
uses the land in many ways. He digs the land, grows fruits
and trees and even fights for land.

3. What are the activities which go on over the land?

Ans.: Man buys land, digs land and plants trees, grows fruit on
it. Children dance and play on land. Man also fences and
makes boundaries over the land.

4. “YOU CANNOT
PUT A FENCE
AROUND THE
PLANET EARTH”
Is this a tone of weakness or self assertion? Give reason for
your answer.

Ans.: It is a tone of self assertion. The poet mocks at those

who are greedy. They wage wars to acquire more land. The
earth has given everything to us. Whatever injustice we are
doing, the earth bears everything patiently. We cannot put a
fence around the mother earth.

IV. Read the following extracts and answer the questions given.

1. “Then someone
tickles me, plant life fruit”

a. What does tickle mean in the context?

Ans.: According to the context tickle mean to plough the land.

35
 b. What is the mood of the speaker in the statement?

Ans.: The mother earth waits patiently when the people plough
the land, plant, trees and grow fruits.
2. “You come with guns

a chain link necklace chokes me now”.

a. Why do they come with guns?

Ans.: The soldiers come with guns fighting for the land.

b. What is the feeling of the speaker?

Ans.: People fight with guns for the land and mother earth
feels suffocated with the action of men.

3. “You cannot put a fence

Around the planet earth”

a. What is the tone of the speaker here?

Ans.: It is a tone of self assertion

b. Why does it feel so?

Ans.: The speaker mocks at the people who wage wars and build
fences on the land to divide nations.

V. Answer the following question in 8-10 sentences

1. Write the summary of the poem “I am the land” OR How does the poet describe that the
earth has an ocean of patience in the poem, “I am the land”.

Ans.: In the poem ‘I am the land’ the poet depicts the mother
earth as the speaker. Mother earth tells that she waits with
patience when people claim that the land belongs to them.
They occupy the land, plough, plant trees, grow fruits and
grass. The children dance and play on the land. The land
bears everything without a complaint. The soldiers come with
guns fighting for the land. People build fences on the land
to divide nations which suffocates like chains in her neck.
But mother earth mocks at the people’s behavior with a tone

36
 of self assertion.
Unit - 4

THE BIRD OF HAPPINESS

I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following

questions/incomplete statements. Write the correct or the most
appropriate answer in the space provided.

1......................................................................................................................... The people of

the poor area in Tibet believed that...........

a. happiness must exist somewhere in the world

b. happiness will never exist
c happiness has nothing to do with people.
d. happiness is not needed.
Ans.: a. happiness must exist somewhere in the world
2................................................................................................. The bind of happiness was
guarded by............................
a. two monsters
b. three monsters
c. one monster
d. none of them

Ans.: b. three monsters

3. The way Wangjia was sent to find the Bird of Happiness

was in accordance with the the people.

a. rules that govern

[Link] of the people
[Link] of
[Link] of
Ans. : d. Custom of
4. Wangjia decided not to go back home because
a. people at home were waiting for him to bring back
happiness

37
 [Link] at home were waiting for him to return with
gifts
c. people were angry on him

d. he wanted to live on the mountain.

Ans. : a. people at home were waiting for him to bring back

happiness

5. The third monster made Wangja lose his

a. food [Link]
c. eyesight d. water

Ans.: [Link]

6. Though Wangjia’s feet cut to pieces, he continued his j ourney

because he knew that
people at home . .

a. were waiting to punish him for giving up

b. were waiting for him to bring back happiness
c. would no longer give him food
d. would not call him a hero.
Ans.: b. were waiting for him to bring back happiness
7. The third monster asked Wanngjiia to
a. kill Lousang’s mother
[Link] the old man Silong

c. bring the bird’s head

d. bring Bhima’s eyeballs

Ans.: d. bring Bhima’s eye balls

8. The old forlk used to say that happiness was a beautiful …….

38
a. tree b. mountain

c. bird d. flower
Ans. : c. bird

9. Wangjia refused to kill Lousang’s mother because

a. he loved Lousang’s mother
b. he loved his own mother

c. he was frightened to kill her

d. he decided to disobey the monster
Ans.: b. he loved his own mother

II. Answer the following questions in 2 or 3 sentences each.

1. What did the people in the poor area in Tibet suffer from
OR
How can you say that the people in the poor area of Tibet
were unhappy?

Ans.: The poor area had no rivers or good land, no warmth or

fresh flowers, no trees or green grass. The people suffered
from hunger and cold all year round. So they were unhappy.

2. What did the old folk of Tibet say about happiness?

Ans.: The old folk used to say that happiness was a beautiful
bird. It lived far away, on a snowy mountain in the
[Link] the bird flew, happiness went with it.

3. “Will I ever make it?” Why did Wangjia feel so?

Ans.: In anger, the first monster blew through his beard and
the smooth road became a vast scree. Every stone on it was
as sharp as a knife. As Wangjia walked on it his boots got
torn. His feet got cut. His hands were torn to pieces. The
journey was very tough. So, he thought if he would ever

39
 make it.

4. How was Wangjia made to suffer by the second monster?

Ans.: The second monster blew through his beard. His bread bag
flew into the sky. The blue mountains and green rivers
turned into a desert. Wangjia suffered with no food. At
first his stomach rumbled with hunger, his head swam and
got sharp pain in his guts.

5. What changes came over Wangjia as the Bind of Happiness earessed him?

Ans.: As the bind of Happiness caressed Wangjia, his eyeballs

flew back to their sockets, he saw much more brightly than
before. All his wounds were healed and he was stronger than
ever.

6. Why did Wangjia decide not to go back?

Ans.: Though the journey was very tough, Wangjea decided not
to go back. He knew that the people at home were waiting
for him to bring back happiness.

7. What did the third monster warn Wangjia?

Ans.: The third monster warned Wangia that if he wanted to see

the bind of Happiness. If he failed, the monster, would
gouge out Wangjia’s eye balls.

8. How was the last journey of Wangjia different from the previous ones?

Ans.: In the previous journey, Wangjia had his eyesight and

was able to see his path. But in the last journey, he did
not have eyesight. His eyeballs weregouged out by the third
monster. He had to move groping his way with his hands on
the ground.

40
 9. Why did the people offer Wangjia a number of things?

Ans.: The girls of the village offered him barley wine. The
mothers spread barley grains on his head. It was Tibetan
custom to wish him a good journey.

10. What brought hope to Wangjia’s life?

Ans.: Wangjia climbed up the peak of a snow covered mountain.

There he heard the voice of the Bird of Happiness. Wangjia
was filled with joy.
III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions givn.
1. “Every year people went to look for this bird, but not one of them did ever return”
a. Which bird did the people go to look for?
Ans.: The people went to look for the Bird of happiness.
b. Why did they not return?
Ans.: The bird of happiness was guarded by three old monsters who
could kill a man by simply blowing through their long beards.
2. “But I am fond of my own grandpa and I’ll never kill another man’s!
a. When did Wangjia say this?
Ans.: Wangjia said this when the second monster asked him to kill the old man Silong.
b. What do these words show about his character?
Ans.: These words show that Wangjia was not only brave but was
also kind at heart.
3. “This must be the last ordeal” he thought.
a. What was the last ordeal the speaker had to face?
Ans.: When the third monster blew through his beard, Wangjia’s
eyeballs jumped out of their sockets and he became blind.

b. How did he face it?

Ans.: He continued his journey, groping his way with his hands on
the ground. He climbed the peak of the mountain where the bird
of happiness lived.
4. “I love my own mother, and I’ll never kill another person’s” said Wangjia.
a. Who does Wangjia call as another person’s mother?

41
 Ans.: Lousang’s mother
b. What made him say these words? Or
Why was he not ready to kill another person’s mother?

Ans.: The first monster asked Wangjia to kill Lousang’s mother. He

refused to do so because he loved his own mother very much.
5. “My lovely child, have you come here for me?”
a. Why does the speaker say “lovely child”?
Ans.: The speaker said ‘lovely child’ because he had reached there
by undergoing many hardships.
b. Why did he want to meet the speaker?
Ans.: Wangjia wanted to meet the speaker, because he wanted to
bring happiness to his people in the village
6. Over whelmed with joy, Wangjia replied “Yes, I have! My people long to see you day and
night”. Please come back with me!”
a. Who do the people long to see?
Ans.: The people long to see the bind of happiness
b. Why do the people long to see it day and night?
Ans.: The people in the poor area did not know what was
happiness. They were waiting for Wangjia to return with the
bind of happiness, so that they can be happy.

IV Answer the following questions in 8-10 sentences:

1. What hardships did Wangjia undergo on his way to find the bird of happiness?

Ans.: Wangjia came across three monsters on his way. They made
him suffer because he refused to obey them. The first monster
changed the smooth road into a vast scree. Walking on this,
Wangjia’s boots got torn, his feet were cut and hands were
torn to shreds. The second monster turned everything into a
desert. He had no food at all. As a result, he suffered great
pain in his stomach. When the third monster blew through his
beard Wangjia’s eyeballs jumped out of their sockets and he
became blind.

42
2. Wangjia was face to face with three monsters. Each monster had his own wish. What contrast
do you draw between the wishes of the monsters and wish of Wangjia?

Ans.: On the way Wangjia meets three monsters. Each of the

monsters wanted Wangjia to perform an evil deed in order to
reach the bird. The first monster wanted him to kill
Lousang’s mother. The second monster wanted to poison the old
man, Silong. The third monster wanted him to bring back
Bhima’s eyeballs. Wangjia wished to make the people of his
land happy. He suffered a lot but did not follow the evil
path. He proved that good always wins over the bad.

3. How did the Bird of Happiness put an end to the hardships suffered by the people?

Ans.: Standing on the mountain top, the Bind of Happiness gave

three loud cries. At the first cry, a golden sun appeared
through the clouds and a warm breeze to blow. At the second
cry, the mountains were covered with forests, flowers began
to bloom and birds began to sing. At the third cry, green
fields and rivers appeared and white rabbits danced happily
on the grass. From that day on, the people never suffered
hardships again.
Unit - 4

43
 LAUGH AND BE MERRY

Summary :

The present poem ‘Laugh And Be Merry’ is written by John Masefield. Here the poet tells us all to be
happy and cheerful always as it will make the world a better place to live in.

The poet John Masefield asks us to laugh and be merry as it makes the world a better place to live in. Our
time on Earth is for a better span of period. So let us laugh and be merry. God made Heaven and Earth
when he was in a joyful mood and the result of his joy are the Stars and the Earth. The poet asks us to
admire the nature joyfully, face our problems optimistically and work hard merrily and be happy in this
beautiful Earth created by God. He asks us to treat each other as brothers and remain happy as long as we
are alive on this Earth. Thus the poet asks us to keep laughing and be merry as long as we live, till the very
end of our lives.

I Four alternatives are given for each of the following

questions/incomplete statements. Write the correct or the most
appropriate answer in the space provided

1. God made Heaven and Earth

a. to work hard b. far joy

c. to show his power d. for no reason

Ans.: b. for joy

2. In the poem “Laugh and Be Merry” the poet says, “We must
treat one another like..........................................

a. friends b. enemies
c. strangers d. brothers

Ans.: d. brothers

3. “Laugh for the time is brief, a thread the length of a span”.

The figure of speech used here
is ..

a. simile b. Metaphor
c. Personification d. Synecdoche

44
 Ans.:b. Metaphor

4. “Laugh till the game is played” This means that

a. We should laugh while we are playing
b. We should laugh only at the end of the day
c. We should be serious when we are about to die
d. We should laugh till the end of our life

Ans.: [Link] should laugh till the end of our life

5. “He took in a rhyme

Made them, and filled them full with the strong red wine of
his Mirth” The “He” referes to

a. the poet b. Man

c. God d. a friend
Ans. : [Link]

6. In the poem “Laugh and Be Merry” ……. Is mentioned as

evidence of happiness and merriment.
a. dance b. song

c. wine d. stars

Ans. : b. song

6. The poet John Masefield has compared the world to a beautiful .

a. an inn b. star d.

a. dance wine

Ans.: a. an inn

45
7. The poet wants that we should ,

a. live this life happily b. face the hardships

c. have a positive attitude d. all the above

Ans.: [Link] the above

II Answer the following questions in a sentence

1. How can we better the world?
Ans.: We can better the world with a song.
2. Why should we be proud?
Ans.: We should be proud because we belong to the old proud
pageant of man/race of human beings
3. According to the poet Masefield how should we live on this
earth?
Ans.: According to the poet Masefield, we should live on this
earth as loving brothers
4. What has the poet compared the world to in the poem “Laugh
and Be Merry”?
Ans.: The poet has compared the world to the rooms of a
beautiful inn.
5. Why does the poet Masefield call us as ‘guests’?
Ans.: We are not immortal. We live on this earth for a short
period and pass away. So, he calls us as the ‘guests’.
III Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences

1. Laughter not only makes us happy but will better the

world also, says the poet. What does this mean?

Ans.: When we laugh, we are happy and are able to make others
happy. We spread joy and the world becomes a better place.

2. Imagine a person is unjustly treated. What is the poet

Masefield’s advice to him?

Ans.: The poet says that we should always laugh and be

cheerful. People may treat us badly or unjustly but we should

46
 not lose heart. We should face the world with a smile.

3. Why, according to the poet, has God created man?

Ans.: God has created the Earth and filled it with beautiful
things. God created man to enjoy the gifts of nature and fill
his life with happiness.
4. How should we find joy with the forces of nature?

Ans.: The poet says that we should enjoy the beauty of the blue
sky. We must fill ourselves with the light of the stars. We
should work on the fertile, green land and bring joy to our
lives.
5. The poet advises us to laugh and merry. Can you think it is
possible? Give examples.

Ans.: Yes, it is possible. Life is short and we must make our

life happier by laughing. We must be cheerful even when we
face troubles. This will keep us away from all troubles.

IV Read the following extracts and answer the questions given:

1. “Laugh and be merry, remember, better the world with a song.

Better the world with a blow in the teeth of a wrong”
a. How does the world become better; according to the poet?
Ans.: According to the poet, the world becomes better when we
fill our lives with joy and laughter.
b. What does he advise us to do if we are wronged?
Ans.: Even when we are wronged, we should not get upset. We
should face the world with a smile.
2. “Laugh, for the time is brief, a thread the length of a
span”.
Laugh and be proud to belong to the old proud pageant of man”
a. To what is the lifetime of a person compared?
Ans. The life time of a person is compared to a thread
measuring a span.

47
 b. Why does the poet ask us to laugh?
Ans. Because life is short, Time is brief and we belong to the
proud peagent of man.
3. “Laugh and be merry together, like brother, akin
Guesting awhile in the rooms of a beautiful inn”
a. To what does the poet compare our stay on earth?
Ans.: The poet says that the earth is like a beautiful inn. And
we have come to stay in it as guests.
b. How does he want us to live?
Ans.: We should consider all men as our brothers. We should
live together in joy. Let us laugh till the day we die.
4. ‘till the game is played’, till ‘the music ends’
a. What does the poet expect us to do?
Ans.: The poet wants us to laugh and be merry forever
b. What do these phrases suggest?
Ans.: Life is compared to a game and ‘till the game is played’
refers to the end of life. ‘ Till the music ends’ refers to
the end of the joys of life.

V Answer the following questions in 6-8 sentences.

1. Why, according to the poet should we laugh and be merry?

Ans.: In this poem, the poet John Masefield urges us to fill

our life with laughter. He says that laughter not only makes
us happy, it also makes the world a better place. We should
face troubles with a smile. Life is short - let us spend it
in joy. We should remember that God has created the Earth and
Heaven for us to be happy. The sky, the stars and the fertile
green earth are all symbols of joy of God. Let us work
cheerfully, enjoy the gifts of nature along with others. They
are like our brothers.

The poet compares our life to a inn where we have to come to

stay for a short time. So, let us be happy till we die.

48
 2. Write the summary of the poem “Laugh and Be Merry”
Ans.: In this poem, the poet John Masefield suggests the
readers to enjoy their life. We can make the world better
place if we sing and be happy. Laughter and music help us to
face the hardships of life. Life is short and we are lucky to
have born as human beings. God has created Heaven and Earth
out of his joy and filled it with music and happiness.
Everyone knows that life is full of struggles but one must
take them as a challenge and enjoy the joy and happiness
given by God. This world is like an inn where we spend our
time for a short period. Nobody knows when the music of life
will stop and we will have to leave this world. So, till then
we should live like brothers and sisters. We must live life
to the fullest.

VI. Quote from memory: (8 lines)

Laugh and be merry, remember, better the world with a song,

Better the world with a blow in the teeth of a wrong,
Laugh, for the time is brief, a thread the length of a spa,
Laugh and be proud to belong to the old proud pageant of man.

Laugh and be merry: remember, in older time.

God made Heaven and Earth for joy. He took in a rhyme.
Made them, and filled them full with the
strong red wine of his mirth The splendid
joy of the stars; the joy of the earth.

So we must laugh and drink from the deep blue cup of the sky,
Join the jubilant song of the great stars sweeping by,
Laugh, and battle, and work, and drink
of the wine outpoured In the dear green
earth, the sign of the joy of the Lord.

Laugh and be merry together, like brothers akin,

Guesting awhile in the rooms of a beautiful inn,

49
Glad till the dancing stops, and the lilt of the music ends.
Laugh till the game is played; and be you merry, my friends.

50
 Unit - 5

THE CONCERT

I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Write
the correct or the most appropriate answer in the space provided.

1. Smitha is...................years old.

a. 12 b. 16
c. 10 d. 14

Ans.: b. 16

2.............................................................................................................................................. The
maestro who was playing at Shanmukhananda Auditorium was...................................

a. A.R. Rahaman b. Bismilla Khan

c. Pandit Jasraj d. Pandit Ravi Shankar
Ans.: d. Pandit Ravi Shankar
3. ‘It’s the chance of a life time’, said Ananth. What was the chance of a lifetime?
a. play sitar
b. play with his sister
c. attend Pandit Ravishankar’s concert
d. go to cancer hospital

Ans.: c. attend Pandit Ravishankar’s concert

4. Smitha and Ananth’s home town is.................

a. Bombay b. Gangapur
c. Lucknow d. Delhi

Ans.: b. Gangapur

5. Ananth was suffering from

b. tuberculosis d.
a. hypertension
cancer
c. hepatitis - B

Ans.: d. cancer

6. Smitha’s family moved to Bombay

51
 a. so that Ananth could learnSitar
b. so that Ananth could learntennis
c. so that Ananth could be treated at the Cancer hospital
d. so that Ananth could attend concerts.

Ans.: c. so that Ananth could be treated at the Cancer hospital

7. In Bombay Ananth and his family stayed.....................

a. with AuntSushila b. in an independent apartment

c. in a hostel d. in a hotel

Ans.: a. with Aunt Sushila

8. “They did not voice their fears”. Who does the word ‘they’ stand for?

a. doctors b. friends
c. family members d. neighbours

Ans.: c. family members

9. The great wizard of music, who played Tabla with Pandit Ravi Shankar was.................

a. Ustad Allah Rakha b. Zakir Hussain

c. Amjad Alik Khan d. A.R. Rehman
Ans.: a. Ustad Allah Rakha
10. “Suddenly a daring thought came to her” What was the daring thought?
a. ask music maestros to play for her brother in her house
b. to take Ananth to the music concert
c. to take Ananth to cancer hospital
d. to go to the concert with her father

Ans.: a. ask music maestros to play for her brother in her house

11. ‘He actually raised himself up without help’ she said with a catch in her throat. The
underlined phrase shows that

a. she had cold and cough b. someone had caught her by the throat
c. she was filled with grief d. she had tied something round her throat

Ans.: c. she was filled with grief

12. “You know he needs all the sleep and rest he can get” Smita’s mother said this because the

52
boy

a. had worked all night b. had just finished his

c. had come back from a long examination

trip d. was very ill and weak

Ans.: d. was very ill and weak

13. “Take him home. Give him the things he likes” The doctors
said this because..........................................
a. Anant had been completely cured
b. they knew he had not many days to live
c. there were too many patients in the hospital
d. Anant gave them too much trouble

Ans.: b. they knew he had not many days to live

14. “They had come with high hopes”. Their hopes were that
a. they could get ticket to the concert
b. Pandit Ravi Shankar would come to their house
c. the doctors would be able to cure Anant
d. they could stay with Aunt Sushila
Ans.: c. the doctors would be able to cure Anant
15. ‘You must not bother him with such a request’. The request
was.................................................
a. requesting Ravi Shankar to come to her house and play
Sitar for Ananth
b. requesting the doctors to treat Ananth
c. requesting father to take Ananth to the concert
d. requesting aunt Sushila to allow them to stay in her
house

Ans.: a. requesting Ravi Shankar to come to her house and

play Sitar for Ananth

16. “We perform for the boy’ who said this?

a. Ustad Allah Rakhab. Pandit Ravi Shankar

c. Mustachioed man d. Organizer

53
 Ans.: b. Pandit Ravi Shankar
II. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences
each:
1. Why did Smitha get excited after reading the newspaper?
Ans.: Smitha got excited after reading the newspaper
because it had the news ofPandit Ravi Shankar’s music
concert at the Shanmukhananda Auditorium the next day.

2. Why do you think the mother cautioned the girl?

Ans.: Smitha’s brother, Anant had been struck with cancer.

He was very sick and was lying on the bed. So the mother
cautioned Smitha not to disturb Ananth.

3. Why did Smita’s family move to Bombay?

Ans.: Smita’s brother Ananth was suffering from cancer. They
moved to Bombay from their native town Gaganpur, so that he
could be treated at the cancer hospital in the city.

4. For a moment, Smitha had forgotten something. What was it?

Ans.: For a moment, Smitha had forgotten that Ananth was very
ill and not in a position to go to the concert.

5. In what way was the truth frightening to Smitha?

Ans.: Though Smitha and her family had pretended Anant would
get well, she had known that Anant was going to die of
cancer. This was frightening to Smitha.

6. Do you consider Anant a talented boy? Justify your answer.

Ans.: Yes, Anant was a talented boy. He was the best table -
tennis player in the school and the fastest runner. He was
learning to play the Sitar and was already able to compose
his own tunes.

7. “They had come with high hopes”, what hopes did Anant’s parents have?

Ans.: Anant’s parents had high hopes in the miracles of modern

science. They thought that he would be cured. Then he could

54
 talk and run again and hoped that he would become a great
sitarist one day.

8. Aunt Sushila was a generous lady. How would you justify this statement?

Ans.: Whenever Smita’s family came to Bombay for Anant’s

treatment they stayed in Aunt Sushila’s house. Her apartment
was small but there was always room for them. By this we can
say that Aunt Sushila was a generous lady.

9. What did the doctors say to Anant’s parents? Were they words of hope or words of despair?

Ans.: The doctors asked Anant’s parents to take him home and
give him whatever he liked. They were the words of despair
because his parents realized that he had not many days to
live.

10. What was the chance of a lifetime for Ananth?

Ans.: Ananth was a music lover and was also learning to play
sitar. Listening to Sitar maestro’s music and attend his
concert was the chance of lifetime for Anant.

11. What was the daring thought that came to Smita?

Ans.: Requesting the music wizard to come home to play Sitar

for Anant was the daring thought that came to Smita.

12. How did Smitha enjoy the concert?

Ans.: Smitha was spellbound by the music. As the first notes

came over the air, she felt as if the gates of enchantment
and wonder were opening. But every beat of Tabla reminded her
of Anant’s voice.
13. Do you think of Response of music maestros was unusual?
Justify your answer.

Ans.: No, the response of music maestros was not unusual

because any person with good heart and is compassionate
towards others sorrows would do the same.

14. The neighbour’s could not believe their eyes. Why do you

55
 think they felt like this?

Ans.: The neighbour’s could not believe their eyes when they
saw music maestros get down from the taxi in front of
their blocks because they never expected such famous
people to heed to the request of a small girl to fulfill
her brother’s wish.

15. Did Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha keep their
promise? If yes, how?

Ans.: Yes, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha kept
their promise. Next day they went to Anant’s house and
played for the boy.

16. Do you like the ending of the story? Why? If you don’t,
how would you like to end it?

Ans.: No, because I don’t like sad ending. I would like to

see Anant getting cured and back to his earlier days like
playing table tennis and sitar.

17. In the course of the story ‘The Concert’, whom do you

consider to be more worried, Smita or Anant?

Ans.: In the story, Smita was more worried than others.

Though attending the concert was a chance of lifetime, she
could not enjoy it completely because Anant was not with
her. She was always thinking how to fulfill Anant’s wish.
III. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. “You’ll wake him up. You know he needs all the sleep and
rest he can get”
a. Who was sleeping?
Ans.: Anant was sleeping

b. Why does he need rest?

Ans.: Anant was suffering from cancer and had become very
week. So he needed rest.

56
 2. “We musn’t miss the chance”
a. What chance did the boy not like to miss?
Ans.: The boy did not like to miss the chance of attending
Pandit Ravishankar’s music concert.

b. Why is he so eager to make use of it?

Ans.: The boy himself was a sitar player. He was suffering

from Cancer and was very ill. He thought he might not get
another chance, so he was eager to make use of it.

3. “Take him home. Give him the things he likes, indulge

him”.
a. Who said the above statement?

Ans.: Doctors who were treating Anant.

b. Why did they say so?

Ans.: Anant’s condition grew worse with each passing day and
the doctors knew that the boy had not many days to live. This
made them to say so.

4. “A walk in the park might make you feel better”.

a. Who suggested a walk in the park?

Ans.: Aunt Sushila suggested a walk in the park.

b. How was her mood in the park?

Ans.: Smita felt alone in the midst of people who were walking,
running, playing etc. She was lost in her thoughts.

5. ‘But they did not voice their fears”

a. What did Anant’s parents fear?

Ans.: Anant’s parents feared that the boy had not many days to
live.

b. How did they behave towards him?

57
 Ans.: They laughed, talked and surrounded Anant with whatever
made him happy. They fulfilled his every need.

6. ‘Panditji is a busy man. You must not bother him with such requests’

a. Who was bothering Panditji?

Ans. : Smitha

b. What was the request made?

Ans.: The request was made to Pandit Ravishankar to come to the
house and play for Anant.
7. They could not believe their eyes. ‘It is...............It’s not possible?’ they said.
a. Who could not believe their eyes?
Ans.: Neighbours could not believe their eyes

b. Why couldn’t they believe their eyes?

Ans.: They couldn’t believe their eyes because Pandit
Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha came to Aunt Sushila’s
house to play for Anant.

8. ‘Enjoy yourself, lucky you!’

a. Who is considered as lucky?

Ans.: Smitha is considered as lucky

b. Why is she lucky?
Ans.: She is lucky because she was going to attend the music
concert of Pandit Ravi Shankar, with her father. But
Ananth could not go because of his ill health.

9. “No, how can I? We’ve always done things together’.

a. Who has done the things together?

Ans.: Anant and Smitha

b. Why is it not possible now?

Ans.: It was not possible now because Anant had cancer and
was confined to bed. He could not go anywhere with Smitha.

58
IV. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences each:

1. Why do you think that Smitha and Ravi Shankar deserve the appreciation of readers?

Ans. : Smitha could not take Anant with her to the concert
because he was suffering from cancer. She went to the
concert with her father and enjoyed Ravi Shankar’s
recital. She also wanted her brother to listen to Ravi
Shankar’s music. So, she approached Ravi Shankar and told
all about Anant and requested him to come to his house and
play sitar. No one could imagine that a great musician
like Ravi Shankar would agree to her request. But he along
with tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha played for Anant.
Thus Smitha and Ravi Shankar deserve our appreciation.

2. ‘Where there is will, there is way’. How is this saying apt for Smita?

Ans.: Smita and Anant had done things together. Now Anant
was ill and could not accompany Smita to the music
concert. Instead at sitting home and repenting for the
loss, she went to the concert with her father. She also
gathered courage to request Panditji to come to her house
and play for Anant. To everyone’s surprise maestros agreed
to her request and came to her house and played for him.
It was unbelievable for everyone. Thus we can justify that
‘Where there is will, there is way’ is apt for Smita.

59
 Unit - 5

JAZZ POEM TWO

Summary :

The present poem ‘Jazz Poem Two’ is written by Carl Wendall Hines, Jr. The poet describes in this
poem about an old, poor African Jazz musician who looks very pathetic but the music he plays is so
divine. He has the power to make people listen, a gift many do not possess.

Here in this poem the poet says that one can see in the corner of a street an old jazz musician
standing tireldly. His unshaven face is wrinkled and weary amd his eyes are closed with pain. He is
dressed very shabbily. His old faded blue shirt has turned dark with sweat amd grime, his collar is
frayed and his tie is hanging loosely about. His jacket is worn out and his shoes are torn. He has
stuffed paper in them to cover the holes.

He stands there alone and slowly picks up the old saxophone which is hung from his neck by a wire
coat hanger. He slowly starts playing the instrument and forgets that he is a human being who is
discriminated against because of his dark complexion. His music is so heavely, that he then becomes
the messenger of God preaching gospel of Jazz. He soars high with his music and people listen
wondorously to his music. But when he finishes playing the song, he comes back to his original
position as a poor, pathetic neglected Jazz player. Once the music stops, he comes back to the world
of reality.

I Four alternatives are given for each of the following

questions/incomplete statements. Write the correct or the
most appropriate answer in the space provided

1. “. his run-down shoes have paper in them”. This suggests

the Jazz player............................................

a. had come running b. was poor

c. was a good sportsman d. kept his notes in his shoes
Ans. b. was poor
2.................... “ his wrinkled old face so,
Full of the weariness of living”

These lines shows that the Jazz player was

a. an old man full of life b. old but cheerful

c. an old man tired of living d. tired of his wrinkles

60
 Ans. c. an old tired of living

3. The musical instrument mentioned in the poem ‘Jazz Poem

Two’ is..............................................

a. flute b. tabla
c. saxophone d. Sitar
Ans. : c. Saxophone
4. “. . . .he is no longer a man, no not even a Black man”.
What else is he? ....
a. a preacher b. a bird
c. a white man d. an ancient mariner
Ans. : a bird
5.................... “ now preaching it with words of screaming notes
and chords”. These lines
suggests that the Jazz player

a. was shouting very loudly

b. had an old Saxophone

c. wanted to be louder than other players
d. wanted to convey a message through his music
Ans. : d. wanted to convey a message through his music
6. “there he stands, see?
Like a black Ancient Mariner “

Name the figure of speech in the above sentence

a. personification b. simile
c. metaphor d. paradox
II. Answer the following questions in a word/phrase or a sentence
each :
1. What is Jazz player is compared to in the two lines
of the poem? Ans. : Jazz player compared to a black Ancient Mariner
2. Why do you think the Jazz player keeps his head down?
Ans : Jazz player keeps his head down because his life his
full of wearies.
3. What does each wrinkle on the Jazz players face show?

61
 Ans.: Each Wrinkle on the face of the Jazz player’s face
shows pain
4. Why do you think the Jazz player has been sent here?
Ans.: Jazz player has been sent here to spread the message
of God.
5. What is the Jazz player supposed to be when he plays
music?
Ans. : Jazz player is supposed to be a bird when he plays
music.
6. What did the Jazz player have in his shoes?
Ans.: The Jazz player had paper in his shoes.
III Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. “his run down shoes have
paper in them and his rough
unshaven face shows pain in
each wrinkle”
a. why do the shoes have paper in them?

Ans.: The Jazz player is a poor man this shoes are old and
torn and he has put paper in them to be able to wear them.

b. What does the description of the face suggest?

Ans.: The Jazz player’s face is unshaven which suggests that

he does not care for his appearance. He has led a hard
life so his face in wrinkled.

2. “gently
he lifts it
now To
parted
lips, see?
To tell all
the world
that he is
a Black
man”

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 a. What does he lift?

Ans.: He lifted an old saxophone.

b. What message does he want to convey?

Ans.: Through his music, he wishes to convey the message of

God to his listeners.

3. “he is no longer a man. no not even a Black man. but

(Yeah!)
A Bird”

a. When is he no longer man?

Ans.: As the Jazz player begins to play on his Saxophone he

is a changed man.

b. What do these lines suggest?

Ans. The Jazz player may be a poor old man, but when he
plays he seems to go higher and higher like a bird. He can
capture hearts through his music.

IV Answer the following questions in two or three sentences:

1. Give a short description of the Jazz player

Ans. : The Jazz player has wrinkled old face. He is unshaven

and has a tired look. He wears a faded blue shirt, old
necktie and jacket. His shoes too are old and worn out.

2. Why do you think the Jazz player keeps her head down?

Ans. : The Jazz player is a poor, old man. He has led a hard
life. He is tired and keeps his head down.

3. The word ‘old’ has been repeated several times in the

first two stanzas.
Ans. : Everything about the man is old his face, his clothes
and his shoes. He appears to be a pathetic figure.

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 4. What message does the Jazz player want to convey?

Ans.: The Jazz player wants to convey to the world that he

is Black man who can draw people towards him through his
music.
5. How does the Jazz player change as he plays on the saxophone?

Ans.: As the Jazz player starts to play on the Saxophone he

is no longer an old Black man. He produces wonderful music
and appears to be like a bird flying higher and higher.

6. How has the Jazz player held his instrument?

Ans.: The Jazz player has held his instrument across his
chest. It is supported by a wire coat hanger from his
neck.

7. ‘He is no longer a man’ says the poet. Who else is he supposed to be if he is no longer a
man?

Ans.: The Jazz player forgets everything when he plays the

music to preach the world. At that moment he feels like a
bird which gathers his wings and flies higher and higher.
V Answer the following in 8-10 sentences each.

1. Write the substance of the poem ‘Jazz Poem Two’.

Ans: An old Jazz musician is standing like a Black Ancient

mariner. His old face is wrinkled and weary. His faded
blue shirt has turned dark with sweat. Blue shirt has
turned dark with sweat. His stomach is hanging loosely.
His jacket is worn out and his necktie is undone and
dropping loosely over the jacket. His shoes are torn and
are stuffed with paper to cover the holes. His rough
unshaven face shows pain.

He stands alone head down, eyes closed and ears perked. An

old saxophone hangs across his chest supported from his
neck by a wire coat hanger. He gently lifts the saxophone
to the parted lips. But once he starts playing music he is
no longer a Black man but a bird which gathers his wings

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 and flies high and higher. He seems to be spreading the
message of God through his music.
2. Describe the physical appearance of Jazz? What special skill did he have?

Ans. : The Jazz player has a rough unshaven face and sagging
stomach. He wears a faded blue shirt, a loose necktie and
an old jacket. His shoes are run down. Across his chest is
an old alto saxophone supported from his neck by a wire
coat hanger. The Jazz player at first has a weary
expression on his
face. He keeps his head down and appears lifeless. When it is
his turn to play, he lifts the saxophone to his lips,
suddenly, he is filled with a new life. He is no longer an
ordinary may. He is like a bird flying higher and higher,
totally lost in the beautiful music he produces.
Unit – 6

THE DISCOVERY

I. Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternatives:

(MCQ)

1. “The Santa Maria will be lighter for his carcass”. These

words were said by

a. Diego b. Francisco
c. Pedro d. Guillermo Ires

Ans.: d. Guillermo Ires

2. “A Good sailor knows his place”, says Columbus to Diego.

This statement is

a. a piece of advice b. an indirect command

c. an expression of sorrow d. a cry of horror

Ans.: b. an indirect command

3. Columbus feels that his worst enemy is

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 a. the angry sea b. his vision
c. his uncontrolled tongue d. the sailors song

Ans.: c. his uncontrolled tongue

4. The dialogue between Columbus and Pedro in section 2

reveals this train of Columbus.

a. dictatorial attitude b. quick temper

c. hatred towards the seamen d. selfishness

Ans.: b. quick temper

5. Pepe is always eager to say that he is ever to Columbus

a. Loyal
b..disobedient
c. disloyal [Link]

Ans.: a. loyal

6. ‘Who’s to put him in irons?’ challenges Guillermo.

The person meant by ‘him’ in this context is:

a. Guillermo b. The first man to move towards

Columbus

c. Columbus d. The first man who challenged the

Columbus

Ans.: a. Guillermo

7. Columbus set out from Spain to

a. for a long holiday b. to become a new world

b. to discover a new c. to make new friends
world
Ans.: c. to discover a new world
8. Columbus said that he had discovered one thing. It was

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 a. there were no buts to discipline
b. A good sailor knows his place
c. God’s will was his will
d. A man with a vision has to follow it alone.
Ans.: d. A man with a vision has to follow it alone
9. “Your best cannot be bettered”, says Columbus. This implies
that
a. No one is perfect at anytime
b. There is always scope for improvement
c. Once we reach the best, we cannot improve
d. Columbus is not totally happy with Francisco

Ans.: d. Columbus is not totally happy with Francisco

10. ‘I will perform it myself’, says Columbus. What does ‘it’

mean here?

a. To navigate the ship forwardb. To out Guillermo Ires in

irons.
c. To turn back the helps towards Spain d. To stop the
seamen singing

Ans.: b. To put Guillermo Ires in Irons

11. After ‘a perceptible Pause’, who grows mare mutinous than

others?

a. Pedro [Link]
c. Diego [Link]

Ans.: c. Diego

12. “Everybody doubts....except me” says. . .

a. pearo [Link]

c. Juan Diego [Link]

Ans.: b. pepe

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13. Columbus says, “would God important desire to solve mystery
and he doesn’t provide solutions? The mood of Columbus in
saying this.

[Link] b. Trust/Faith in God

Ans.:
[Link] b. Trust/faith in God d. Helplessness
14. The seamen were desperate because
a. they were tired and wanted to return to their homes
and families
b. there was a storm in the sea
c. they were tortured by the captain
d. the food in the ship was exhausted.

Ans.: a. they were tired and wanted to return to their

homes and families.

15. “Your duty is to obey me as mine is to obey the

Royal Sovereigns of Spain who sent me”. These words
prove that

a. Columbus was very loyal to the kind and queen.

b. Columbus was mutinous
c. Columbus was reluctant
d. Columbus was cruel
Ans.: a. Columbus was very loyal to the king and queen.
II. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences
each:
1. What is termed as his worst enemy by Columbus?
Ans.: Columbus feels that his uncontrolled tongue is his
worst enemy.
2. Give a short description of the appearance of Columbus.
Ans.: Columbus was a tall, well build man of forty six. His
hair was prematurely white, fair complexion and ruddy.
3. Complete the table of physical features of Columbus
described in the text.

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 Ans : Physique Tail, well built
Age forty six
Hair Prematurely white
Complexion fair
Hair ruddy repose

4. ‘There are limits to patience’, says Diego. What does this suggest about Digo’s state of mind?

Ans.: Diego along with the seamen were tired of the voyage and wanted to return home, but
Columbus was firm and would not give up. So Dicgo desperately said these words.

5. Who do you think has the lives of fifty in his hands? How?

Ans.: Christopher Columbus had the lives of fifty seamen in his hands. He was their captain.
The seamen were tired and wanted to return home but Columbus was firm and would not
give up.

6. What does Columbus feel his worst enemy? Why do you think he feel so?

Ans.: Columbus feels that his uncontrolled tongue is his worst enemy. Columbus was a man
who lost his temper soon and was easily irritated. He would often speak rudely to his men
which made them angry towards him.

7. ‘Mutiny is an ugly word’, says Diego. Is mutiny an ugly word? If so, why?

Ans.: Yes, Because mutiny leads to destruction. Mutiny curbs the development of
determination, tolerance and faith in God.

8. How does Pedro try to defend the drunken seamen? Was he right in defending them?

Ans.: Pedro defending that the drunken seamen were simple men and wanted to relax by
drinking as they did not have the same vision as Columbus.

Pedro was not right in defending the seamen because their drinking was leading to unruly
behavior.

9. Columbus was always furious when he heard the seamen’s song. Why did it make him angry?

Ans.: The song expressed the seamen’s love for drinking which was a sign of their deep
discontent. Columbus was angry because they did not understand what he was trying to
achieve.
10. Columbus feels that whatever he does, it is God’s will. What will of God does he like to fulfill
through this venture?

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 Ans.: Columbus felt that it was the will of God that he should discover a new world which
would bring wealth to his country and help them to bring new souls on the path to God.

11. Columbus says, “Would God implant desire to solve mystery and he doesn’t provide
solutions?” Identify the mood of Columbus in saying this?

Ans.: Columbus had been sailing for many days not yet sighted land. His men were turning
against him. But Columbus felt that if God had sent him he would surely help him find a way.
These words shows that he had faith in God.
12. Whose company did Pepe prefer? What was the reason for this?
Ans.: Pepe preferred to be in the company of Columbus because he had faith in Columbus
vision.
13. Pepe warns Columbus about some people. Who are they?
Ans.: Pepe warns Columbus about the other sailors because they drank too much and were
going against Columbus.
14. How did the seamen show their anger towards Columbus?
Ans.: The seamen rushed in an angry mass towards Columbus growling like wild animals.
15. “Discipline knows no buts” what made Columbus say this?
Ans.: Columbus wanted to punish Guillermo Ires, who had disobeyed Columbus. So he
ordered that Guillermo should be brought to him. Francisco tried to protest, against this.
Columbus then said these words.

16. Why do the Crewmates of Columbus feel desperate?

Ans.: After sailing for so many days, Columbus and his men could not sight a land. They were
tired and wanted to return to their homes and families. But Columbus would not give up. So
they were desperate.

17. ‘I will perform it myself’, says Columbus. What does ‘it’ mean here?

Ans.: ‘It’ means to put him in irons for the first man to move towards Columbs.

18. ‘Devil’s track to nowhere’, says Guillermo. What does this suggest about the thinking of the
seamen?
Ans.: The seamen felt that Columbus was perhaps possessed by the Devil. He was risking
their lives and taking them on a voyage which would take them nowhere.

19. How did Pepe prove his loyalty to Columbus?

Ans.: Pepe was the only person who had faith in Columbus and tried to warn him about
how desperate the others had become. When the seamen rushed to kill Columbus, Pepe

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 stood before them with his arms spread out and told them that they would have to kill
him first. His loyalty put the others to shame.

20. “This is a voyage of discovery”. What had Columbus set out to discover?

Ans.: Columbus had set out to discover a new world, where he would find new wealth
and a new territory for his king and queen to rule.

21. According to Columbus, what was the one thing that he had discovered?

Ans.: Columbus said that he had discovered one thing - that if a man had a vision, he
must follow it alone. He should not expect loyalty, friendship, discipline or obedience
from others.

22. Pepe says, “Everybody doubts..............except me”. Why do you think he is an exception.

Ans.: Because Pepe was loyal to his captain and believed that the captain would reach his
destiny when the other seamen wanted to attack him with anger.

23. Pep excitedly declares that he is still loyal to the leaders what effect does it have on others
like Juan and Guillermo?

Ans.: Pepe was the only one who had the faith that Columbus would discover a new
world. But the other sailors like Juan and Guillermo rebelled against him and even tried
to attack him and abused Pepe when he came forward to save Columbus from being
attacked.

III Read each of the following extracts and answers the questions given below.

1. “A good sailor knows his place” says Columbus to Diego

a. Was Columbus giving to Diego a piece of advice or was it an indirect command? Give
reason for your choice.

Ans.: Columbus wanted to point out to Diego that he had no right to be on the quarter
deck. It is an indirect command.

b. What was ‘Diego’s reaction?

Ans.: Diego tried to suppress his anger and with a scowl goes off from there.

2. “The Santa Maria will be lighter for his carcass”.

a. Whose words was Pepe quoting here?

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 Ans.: Pepe was quoting the words of Guillermo Ires.
b. What do the words reveal about the person who said them?
Ans: These words show that the speaker was so upset with Columbus that he wished he was
dead.

3. “Once clear of the Devil’s track to nowhere”, we’ll below our way back home”.

a. What does ‘Devil’s track to nowhere’ suggest about the thinking of the seamen?
Ans.: The seamen felt that Columbus was perhaps possessed by the Devil. He was risking
their lives and taking them on a voyage which would take them nowhere.
b. How di d they prove to be wrong?
Ans.: Very soon, land was sighted and a New World was discovered. So they proved to be
wrong.

4. “Your duty is to obey me as mine is to obey the Royal Sovereigns of Spain who sent me’.

a. When did Columbus say these words to Guillermo?

Ans.: Guillermo rebelled against Columbus and demanded that they should give up their
search for a new land.

b. What do these words prove?

Ans.: These words prove that Columbus was not only a strong leader but was also loyal and
obedient towards his kindg and queen.

5. “Why should one man have lives of fifty in his hands?”

a. Who is the speaker?

Ans.: Diego said these words to Pedro
b. What does the speaker mean?

Ans.: Diego and other seamen were becoming impatient and they wanted to return home, but
Columbus was not ready to do so. Diego said these words meaning that Columbus had no
right to spoil their lives.

6. “Mutiny is an ugly word, Sir”

a. Why did the speaker say these words?

Ans.: Diego said these words in reply when Pedro asked him whether he was thinking of
rebelling against Columbus.

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b. In what way the word is ugly?
Ans.: The word is ugly because Mutiny’ is a deed which leads to destruction.

7. “Discipline knows no buts” says Columbus

a. When did Columbus say this?

Ans.: Columbus said these words to Francisco. He asked Francisco to bring Guillermo Ires to
him for speaking against him. Francisco hesitated to obey his order.
b. What did Columbus mean to say by these words?
Ans. : Columbus meant that one should not hesitate to enforce discipline.

8. “I have discovered that when a man is given a version he must follow it along”

a. What does these words show about the speaker?

Ans.: Columbus said these words which show his disappointment that no one was ready to
help him reach his goal.

b. Why did the speaker say so?

Ans.: Columbus said this to Pepe. When Columbus had the dream to discover a New World,
but his sailors rebelled against him and even tried to attack him

9. Pepe said, “Captain, be careful sometimes they are desperate”

a. Why did Pepe say these words?

Ans.: Pepe tried to warn Columbus that these could be danger from them anytime
b. Why were they desperate?
Ans.: Pepe was the only one who had the faith that Columbus would discover a new world
and the other seamen were against Columbus in desperate.

10. “What! does that child stand between me and death?” said Columbus.

a. When did Columbus say this?

Ans.: When Columbus hears Pepe saying that he had to be killed first.
b. What had the child done?
Ans.: The child (Pepe) stood in front of Columbus to protect him from being attacked by
the seamen.
IV. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences.

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 1. “Columbus had the will power and had the strength to face obstacles” Justify your
answer.

Ans.: Columbus and his crew left Spain to discover the new world. He and his men sailed
for a long time but did not come across the trace of any land. The sailors were fed up.
They wanted to go back to their places. They asked Columbus to turn the ship back to
their country. When Columbus asked then to wait for a few days, the crew became angry.
The sailors thought of revolting and even murdering Columbus. One of the sailors rushed
towards Columbus to murder him, Pepe another sailor interviewed him and saved the life
ofColumbus. Columbus had a lot of patience and encouraged his sailors not to become
desperate.

After a few days Columbus saw a light faintly flickering raising up and down. The land
he discovered was west Indies. The crew jumped with joy.

2. Swami Vivekananda says, “Purity Patience and Perservance are the essentials to success -
And above all Love”. Does Columbus posses all these qualities? Justify.

Ans.: Columbus wanted to discover a new world which would make his country, king and
queen rich. He had faith in God and there was purity in his intentions. All his men
wanted to give up, but he had patience and he persevered till he reached his goal. He did
not lost heart. Columbus had love - love for his country. Love for God. His good qualities
finally lead him to success.

3. How was the excitement of finding a new land expressed by different characters at the
end of the play?

Ans.: Columbus pointed out a light, faintly flickering, which rises up and down. Then
Pedro, with a wild shout said Glory by to God and the sea mean with joy and excitement
cried a light, land! Land! and blessed mother of God.

Unit – 6
BALLAD OF THE TEMPEST
Summary :
The present poem ‘Ballad of the Tempest’ is written by James T Fields. Here in this poem the
poet talks through the ballad about the dangers faced by the sailors every day in the sea. Most
often their lives are lost during the tempest. Many a time, God who made us all, saves their lives.
The poem is narrative by a sailor who was caught a tempest along with his fellow sailors. The
sailor and others were crossing the ocean when there was a sudden terrifying tempest. Nobody
could sleep and all were huddled in the cabin praying that they be saved. It was so fearful hat

74
even the strongest person ws very afraid. Suddenly, the captain came down and said that all was
lost and there was no hope. Then his young daughter asked him if the God who cared for them on
land was not the same God who guarded the sea. This gave renewed faith and vigour to all the
sailors. They steered the boat untiringly until they were able to safely dock in the harbor when the
tempest rolled away.
I. Four alternatives are given choose the best alternatives: (MCQ)

1. ‘Not a soul would dare to sleep’ The figure of speech used here is

a. metaphor b. personification
c. simile d. synecdoche

Ans. : d. synecdoche

2. A shelter for ships is known as

a. cabin b. mast c.
harbour d. anchor
Ans.: c. harbour
3. ‘There we kissed the little maiden’ The sailors did this because
a. she was a pretty little girl
b. they wanted to say good bye
c. she was the captain’s daughter
d. she filled their hearts with hope.
Ans. : d. she filled their hearts with hope
4. The captain’s daughter had faith that
a. winter should soon end
b. god would protect them
c. her father could save the ship
d. she could stop the storm

Ans.: b. god would protect them

5. While the hungry sea was roaring. The figure of speech employed here is

a. simile b. metaphor
c. personification d. Synecdoche
d. Ans : c. personification
6. And the brakers taked with death. The figure of speech here is
a. Metaphor b. Synechdoche
c. Simile d. Personification

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Ans : d. Personification
II. Answer the following questions in word/ phrase (VSA)
1. Why could not the sailors sleep ?
Ans. : Because the sailors were afraid that the storm would destroy the ship.
1. Who were crowded in the cabin?
Ans. : The sailors were crowded in the cabin
2. What is a fearful thing according to the poet James T. Fields?
Ans. : According to the poet, it is a fearful thing to be hit by a violent storm at sea in
winter.
3. Why was the little maiden kissed?
Ans.: Because the little girl brought back hope to the sailors by saying that God would protect them.

[Link] the following in 2—3 sentences each:

1. Usually storms are formed in the deep sea. What precaution have the sailors got to take
before voyage?

Ans.: Before setting out on a voyage, sailors have to make sure that the ship is strong
enough to withstand any storm at sea. They have to be well stocked with food and water.
They need life saving jackets and be sturdy swimmers.

2. When the captain shouted. ‘We are lost’. How did his daughter react?

Ans.: His daughter held his hand and gently asked if God protected us on land would he
not protect us when they are on the ocean.

3. The speaker and his crew-mates sat in darkness and prayed. What did they hear?

Ans.: They heard the storm raging at sea, then the sailors sat in the darkness and prayed;
The captain staggered down the stairs and shouted ‘we are lost’.
4. The crew mates kissed the maiden and spoke in better cheers. What made them feel
cheerful?

Ans.: The little girl asked her father if God protected them on land. Would he not protect
them on the sea. Her faith in God brought hope to the sailors and they kissed her in joy.

5. ‘A ship is always safe at the shore, but it was not built for that’ what does this mean?

Ans.: A ship is built to take people and goods across the seas. If it just stays on the shore it
will no doubt be unharmed, but would be of no use to anyone.
6. ‘Tis a fearful thing in winter. What is referred to as a fearful thing in winter?
Ans.: To be caught in a fierce storm at sea in winter is the fearful thing.

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 7. What would be the condition in the deep sea during winter on the sea?
Ans.: The winds would be icy cold and the water too would be freezing.
8. The poet uses the phrase ‘the hungry sea’. What can the reader imagine from this?
Ans.: The poet personifies the sea hungry because when the storm is very severe, the huge
waves will drown the ship and sailors as if the sea is very hungry.
IV Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
1. ‘We were crowded in the cabin, Not a soul would dare to sleep’
a. Who does the word ‘we’ refer to here?
Ans.: ‘We’ refer to the sailors.
b. Not a soul would dare to sleep-why was it so?
Ans.: Because the sailors were afraid that the storm would destroy the ship and their
lives.
2. ‘T is a fearful thing in winter’
To be shattered by the blast”
a. What is to as a ‘fearful thing’?
Ans.: To be caught in a fierce storm at sea in winter is the fearful thing.

b. How did it affect the sailors?

Ans. : The sailors lay awake saying a silent prayer in the dark.

3. “We are lost!” the captain shouted

a. Why did the captain say this?

Ans.: The storm was very fierce and the captain feared that the ship would be torn apart
any moment.
b. How did his daughter react to the situation?
Ans .: His daughter remained calm. Holding her father’s hand she asked if God could
protect them on land would he not protect them on sea.

4. “Then we kissed the little maiden And we spoke in better cheer”

a. Who was the little maiden?

Ans.: The little maiden was the captain’s daughter.
b. Why did they kiss her?
Ans.: The little girl brought back hope to the sailors by saying that God would protect
them. So, they kissed her.

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 5. “Isn’t God upon the ocean,

Just the same as on the land?”

a. When did the speaker say these words?

Ans.: When the captain feared the ship was caught in the storm, he shouted we are lost!’
then the captain’s daughter said these words.
b. What does these words show the attitude of the speaker?
Ans.: Faith in God.

V. Answer the following in 8-10 sentences:

1. Write in your own words the substance of the poem ‘Ballad of the Tempest’

Ans.: It was dark, stormy night in winter a ship was out at sea. Huge waves dashed
against the ship and the roar of the sea filled the sailors with fear. They crowded together
in one cabin. Even the bravest among them could not sleep. They just sat in the darkness
and prayed. As the storm continued, the captain too gave up hope and said that nothing
could save them. At that point, the captain’s little daughter held his hand and quietly
asked if God protected them on sea. Her faith in God filled the sailors with a new hope.
By morning, the storm cleared and they reached harbour safely.
VI. Quote from memory (8 lines)

BALLAD OF THE TEMPEST

We were crowded in the cabin,

Not a should would dare to sleep,
It was midnight on the waters,
And a storm was on the deep.
Tis a fearful thing in winter To be shattered by the blast,
And to hear the rattling trumpet Thunder, “Cut away the
mast!”
So we shuddered there in silence, - For the stoutest held his
breath,
While the hungry sea was roaring And the breakers talked
with death As thus we sat in darkness Each one busy with
his prayers,
“we are lost!” the captain shouted,
As he staggered down the stairs.......
But his little daughter whispered,

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 As she took his icy hand,
“Isn’t God upon the ocean,
Just the same as on the land?”
Then we kissed the little maiden,
And we spoke in better cheer,
And ewe anchored safe in harbour When the morn was
shining clear.
Unit - 7

THE BLIND BOY

Summary :

The present poem ‘The Blind Boy’ is written by Colley Cibber. Here in this poem the poet talks about the
feeling of a blind boy who has never seen light. So he doesn’t understand the concept of light or day or
night.
The ‘Blind Boy’ is a very touching poem. Here the poet talks of the of the blind boy about the light.
The blind boy asks people what is that which everyone calls light and of which he has no knowledge at all.
He says people talk of the wonderful things they see in the world, like the bright Sun. he only feels its
warmth but and does not understand the concept of sunrise and sunset. He decides it is night when he
feels sleepy and it is day when he is active. He often hears people pitying him for his blindness but he
does not feel sorry for not having something which he does not know at all. He decides that he is not
going to worry about the thing he does not have but enjoy his life as a cheerful blind boy. He doesn’t
want to spend his life with a pessimistic attitude but enjou his life with whatever means he has.
The poem talks about being optimistc and cheerful despite having a lot of problems.

I Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternatives.

1. The tone of the speakers is one of
a. surprise b. curiosity
c. sadness d. helpless
Ans : b. curiosity

2. “I feel him warm, but how can he

Or make it day or night”. The ‘him’ here refers to

a. light b. the sun

c. the moon d.
a bulb

Ans.: b. the sun

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 3. “With heavy sighs
I often hear you
mourn my hapless
woe”

who is mourning here?

a. people
b. the blind boy
[Link]
d. poet

Ans. : a. people

4. The word which does not rhyme with ‘woe’ is

a. know b. sow
a. cow d. sow

Ans. : c. cow

5. “then let not what I cannot have my cheer of mind

destroy”. This implies that the blind boy is

a. happy though he does not have the blessings of sight

a. happy not to have the blessings of sight
b. unhappy because he does not see day and night
c. jealous of people who have everything

Ans.: a. happy though he does not have the blessings of the

sight.

6. Whilst thus I sing, I am a king. The figure of speech used

here is

a. metaphor b. alliteration
a. personification d. irony

Ans. a. metaphor

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 7. To the blind boy, the blessings of sight is

a. a curse b. a riddle
a. a lessond. a pain
Ans. b. a riddle
II. Answer the following questions in a word/sentence or a phrase
each:
1. Who is the voice of the poem?
Ans. : The voice of the poem is of a blind boy
2. “You mourn my hapless woe”, who is sympathizing with whom?
Ans.: The people are sympathizing with the blind boy
3. Who do you think is the person addressed as ‘you’ in the
poem.
Ans.: The person who is addressed as ‘you’ in the poem is
the people.
4. What a normal person can easily understand is almost
a riddle to the blind boy. What is it? Ans. : How can sun
make day and night is the riddle to the blind boy.
5. What is it that the blind boy cannot enjoy?
Ans.: The blind boy cannot enjoy the blessings of sight.
6. How do others feel about the blind boy?
Ans.: Others feel sad about the blind boy.
7. Who makes day and night of the blind boy?
Ans.: The blind boy himself makes his day and night.
8. How does the blind boy experience the Sun?
Ans.: The blind boy experiences the sun by its warmth
III. Answer the following in 2-3 sentences:
1. “The blessings of the sight” can you list out a few of
them?
Ans.: Day and night, beautiful colours, and the beauty of
nature around us are the blessings of the sight.

2. How does a blind person understand whether it is day or

night?

Ans.: Whenever the blind person is awake it is day, when he

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 is asleep it is night for him. Sun does not make his day
or night.

3. How do others feel about the blind boy? What is his

reaction?

Ans.: People feel sorry for the blind boy and try to show
sympathy towards him. The blind boy says that he does not
really understand what he is missing so he does not feel
that his life is miserable.

4. How does the blind boy pacify himself?

Ans.: People sympathize with the blind boy. But the boy does
not want to be unhappy about what he cannot get. Though he
is poor and blind, he feels rich because he is happy.

5. What a normal person can understand is almost a riddle to

the blind boy. What is it?

Ans.: We can recognize day and night. The blind boy can feel
the warmth of the sun, but doesn’t know how the sun can
make day and night because when he falls asleep it is
night and whenever he is awake it is day for him.

6. What is the message of the poem ‘The Blind Boy’?

Ans.: The message of the poem ‘The Blind Boy’ is we should

be happy and contented with what god has given us. We
should not spoil our happiness by trying to get what we
can’t.
IV Read each of the following extracts and answer the questions
given below:
1. “I feel him warm, but how can be or make it day or night?”
a. Who is the ‘I’ here?
Ans.: ‘I’ here refers to the blind boy.
b. Whose warmth does he feel? Why does he wonder how he
makes day or night?

Ans.: He feels the warmth of the sun. The blind boy cannot

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 see the sun rising or setting. So he wonders how he can
make day or night.

2. “And could I
ever keep awake
With me ‘there
always day”
a. Who is the speaker here?
Ans.: The blind boy is the speaker here.
b. What is he trying to convey here?
Ans.: The blind boy cannot see the difference between day
and night. To him it is day when he plays and night when
he sleeps. So he says that if he did not sleep it would
always be day for him

3. “But sure with patience, I can bear”

A loss I ne’ver can know”
a. What is the ‘loss’ the speaker cannot know?
Ans.: The loss here refers to the blessings of sight.
b. How does he face the loss? What does it show about
him?
Ans.: The blind boy does not feel sorry for what he cannot
have. He bears his loss patiently and cheerfully.

4. “Then let not what I cannot have my cheer of mind

destroy”.

a. What made the speakers say these words.

Ans.: When people felt sorry for the blind boy and felt that
he cannot enjoy many things, then the blind boy said these
words.

b. What was the reply of the speaker?

Ans.: The blind boy does not want to be unhappy about things
he cannot get. He wishes to remain cheerful at all times.

V Answer the following in 8-10 sentences

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 1. “We should feel happy with what he had and never go
after what we can’t get”. How has the poet brought about
this message in the poem ‘The Blind Boy’. OR Summary of
the poem ‘The Blind Boy’.
Ans. : This poem peeps into the feelings of a boy who cannot
see. The blind boy is the speaker in the poem. He wonders
what light is like for he has never seen it. He wishes to
know what his blessings of sight are. People around him
talk of the beautiful things they see. They say that the
sun shines bright but he can only feel the warmth of the
sun. He cannot understand how the sun brings about night
and day. To him, day is when he is awake and night when he
sleeps. So if he remained awake it would continue to be
day for him. The blind boy hears people pitying him but he
does not feel sorry for himself. He decides that he will
not make himself unhappy over something he cannot get. He
would be happy as a King by being ever cheerful.

Unit - 8
SCIENCE AND HOPE OF SURVIVAL

I Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternatives.

1. If you are so clever, why are you so poor? The ‘you’ in

the statement refers more to a .

a. Scientist b. Lawyer
c. Doctor d. Businessman

Ans. : a. Scientist

2. Every one on the Earth lived under the threat of

annihilation by...................................

a. Nuclear Weapons b. Super Powers c.

Natural Calamities d. Earthquakes

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 Ans.: [Link] Weapons
3. “Immersion in Science does not go with common sense”
suggests............................................
a. foolishness of scientists
b. absentmindedness of scientists
c. that scientists do not bother about the results of
their work
d. that scientists are practical people

Ans.: b. absentmindedness of scientists

4. The three super powers were willing to put a ban on

a. nuclear weapon test [Link] war

c. possession ofammunition d. cold war

Ans.: a. nuclear weapon test

5. Which of the following qualities helped the

scientists to come up with a solution to the problem.

a. self-assessment [Link] - praise

c. popularity [Link]-discipline

Ans : d. self-discipline

II. Answer the following in 2 or 3 sentences only :

1. According to the author, why do some people choose to
become scientists though they may not earn much money?

Ans.: According to the author, some people choose to be

scientists because they cannot live without science.
To them science is an adventure and the discovery made is the
reward.

Instead of money they enjoy freedom, friendship and the joy

of uncovering one of the mysteries of nature.

2. Technical experts were summoned by the then Soviet Academy

of sciences solve the problem. What was the problem or What

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was the ‘problem’ that the nuclear powers had faced? Was it a
violation of the agreement or was it the detection of
violation? Explain briefly?

Ans.: The three super powers wanted to come to an agreement,

putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test. But there was a
possibility that one of the participants could secretly make
an underground nuclear explosion. The problem was how the
other powers could detect this violation

3. Technical experts from the super power nations met in

Geneva. Why?/What was the purpose?

Ans.: The three super powers wanted to come to an agreement,

putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test. And also to discuss
the problems that could arise as a result.
4. Who will be head hunted by financial institution and
pharmaceutical industries? Why?

Ans.: The people trained in theoretical physics are head hunted

by financial institutions, those trained in frontiers of
biological research became founders and directors in the
pharmaceutical industry.

5. Give a few examples which illustrate the writer’s stand

that scientists are the most practical people in the world.

Ans.: All new technologies, all new brands of industry are the
results of research by scientists.

It is through their work that we have medicines, electronics,

synthetic fibres, modes of transport and the green
revolution. This proves that scientists are the most
practical people.

6. “A paradox may refer to a person, a thing or a situation

that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange”.
In the light of this definition how is MAD a paradox?

Ans.: The agreed nations had the nuclear poet signed to stop
the nuclear weapons. But if any country violated the

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 agreement and how it could be detected is the paradox.

7. Make a list of lessons that the writer learnt at the

Geneva Summit.

Ans.: As a scientist, the author had people like him all

over the world, who could think and interact as the
author, when he is abroad, he need not feel lonely.

Science gives us hope of survival and well being for the

whole mankind.

II. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:

1. It turned out that this problem had a direct

connection with the theory of seismic waves. Underground
nuclear explosions produced earth tremors very similar to
those generated by earthquakes.
a. When did this ‘problem’ arise?
Ans: This problem arose during the Geneva Summit.
b. What is the ‘problem’ referred here?
Ans.: The ‘problem’ referred here is how the powers could
detect the violation of agreement.
2. The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an
agreement.
a. Who were the three nuclear powers?
Ans.: Soviet union, united states and united kingdom
b. What was the agreement?
Ans.: The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an
agreement putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test.
3. At that time every man, and child on the Earth lived
under the threat of annihilation?
a. What caused this thread?
Ans.: Nuclear weapons
b. Why did everyone live under the threat?
Ans.: Because each super power nation seemed stronger than

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 the other as far as nuclear weapons were concerned.

4. “My theoretical knowledge had a direct application in

the area of survival of humankind”

a. In which field did the author, Borok, have theoretical

knowledge?
Ans.: The author was doing research on seismic waves and had
theoretical knowledge in this field.

b. How would it have a direct application in the area of

survival of humankind?

Ans.: Underground nuclear explosions produced earth tremors

like those generated by earthquakes. With his knowledge,
the author would know the difference between the two. This
would help in checking the violation of the Nuclear Test
Ban agreement.

III. Answer the following in 6-8 sentences:

1. What lessons did the writer learn at the Geneva

Summit?

Ans.: The writer learnt many things at the Geneva Summit.

The first was that there were people all around the world
who think and interact the way he did. Secondly, he learnt
that with those people with the same interests around him,
he could never feel lonely abroad. Thirdly he realized
that science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker.

As long as there is science, there is hope of survival and

well being for all of us.

2. Why did the scientists meet at Geneva? What conclusion

did they come to?

Ans.: After the Second World War the U.S.A., U.S.S.R and

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 U.K. became powerful countries in the world. Each of these
nations had nuclear bombs. Within minutes the world could
be destroyed. In order to save themselves the super powers
were willing to come to an agreement of putting a ban on
the nuclear weapon tests. But there was a doubt about
violating this treaty. Therefore, a number of scientists
all over the world met at Geneva to save the world from
danger. They arrived at a decision which resulted in the
formulation of Nuclear Text Ban.

3. ‘Iron Curtain’ is referred as a barrier. It was

outwardly difficult for the opposite sides of the iron
curtain to find out the solution for the problem of
violation of agreement. What was the reason?

Ans.: A cold war was going on the atmosphere. There were

political tensions as well and at that moment it was
expected from scientists and engineers to find out the
solution for the problem of violation of agreement which
was impossible. It was because everyone had a different
cultural background. They were able to work out a common
language by expertise but still the cold war and the
political tensions did not allow them to break the Iron
Curtain.

Unit – 8
OFF TO OUTER SPACE TOMORROW MORNING
Summary :
The present poem ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’ is
written by Norman [Link] this poem an astronaut talks of
his imminent space travel and his excitement about it. He is
eagerly waiting to leavae behind his routine and go on the
space journey.

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The astronaut tells his friends that once he is in space, there won’t
be any concept of calendar or clock and the brightness will be only
through the switching on or off the light. He says that he will sleep
when he is sleepy and no one will knock at his door to wake him up.
He says that he would neither receive nor send any mails and nobody
can visit him and his life will be like a solitary confinement. Once
the space ship takes off, he becomes a universe in himself. People
can only watch him from afar on the television and talk about it when
he is off in space.

I Four alternatives are given. Choose the best alternatives.

1. With what feelings is the speaker flying out of earth?

a. Despair
b..Lack of Confidence
c. fear of failure d.
doubt about his return

Ans.: d. doubt about his return

2. The expression “winter under lock” means, that in space

a. there is no change of seasonsb. seasons change

frequently
c. capsules are locked in winterd. there is no hear

Ans.: there is no change of season

3. You can start the count Down; You can take last look;
suggests...........................................

a. the end of the launching of the rocket

b. the re-entering of the rocket to the earth
c. the beginning of the launching of the rocket
[Link] of the launching of the rocket
Ans.: c. the beginning of the launching of the rocket
4. You can cross out my name from the telephone book - the

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 poet says this because........................................
a. he will not be coming back from space b. he is a
failure in space
c. he is lost in space d. he cannot have any
contact with others
Ans.: he cannot have any contact with others
II. Answer the following in one sentence only:
1. “You can cross out my name from the telephone book” why
does the poet say this?
Ans.: Because he will be off to space and nobody can contact
him.
2. “In Solit’ry confinement as complete as any gaol”.
In the above mentioned line what two things are
compared?
Ans.: Lonliness to gaol confinement
3. Why do the tea cups circle around him?
Ans.: There is no gravity in space. So tea cups circle
around him.
4. What does the poet mean by saying “There won’t be any
calendar?”
Ans.: The poet means that there is no count of days in
space.
III. Answer the following questions in 2 or 3 sentences:
1. State the reason for the poet to say ‘Calendars and clocks
are useless in space?
Ans.: The poet says this because there are no seasons and no
day and night.
2. The speaker has the feeling that he is imprisoned.
What might have been the reason for him to have such a
feeling?

Ans.: The speaker is alone and he feels lonely. He cannot

have contact with anybody. No one can visit him.

3. Give some instances of daily routine mentioned in the

poem ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’?

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 Ans.: Writing letters, people visiting, knocking at the door
phone contact. The speaker cannot do all these things
because he is in space.
IV. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. “There won’t be any calendar, there won’t be any clock;
a. Where is the speaker experiencing this?
Ans.: Space
b. Why will there be no calendars or clocks?
Ans. : There is no concept of time while flying through
space. So there are no calendars or clocks.
2. “With tea cups circling round me like the planets round
the sun”
a. Where would the speaker experience this?
Ans.: In space
b. Why does the speaker have the above feeling?
Ans.: There is no gravitational force in space. So
everything floats.
3. I’m off to outer space tomorrow morning?
a. Who is off to outer space?
Ans.: The speaker/the poet
b. Why is this above line repeated several times in this
poem?
Ans.: The poet would be alone in a world of his own. To
emphasis his loneliness this above line is repeated.

V. Answer the following in 6-8 sentences:

1. How has the poet described the life in space?

Ans.: He has mentioned that there is absence of gravitation

pull in space. Everything keeps on swirling inside the
rocket. The concept of day and night doesn’t apply in
space. There will be no communication in the form of
letters and mails with the outer world. Calendars and
clocks are useless in space. Totally, we can say that life
in space is totally in contrast to life on earth.

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 SUPPLEMENTARY READING
1. NARAYANPUR INCIDENT

1. Why were the students marching in the street? Why was it

termed uncommon?

Ans.: The students were marching to give a notice to the

collector, for the British to quit India. It was uncommon
because they walked silently without shouting slogans or
behaving in a violent manner. Even though there were
policemen, they marched as if the policemen didn’t exist.

2. Can you guess what the police officer had been talking to the
student leaders?

Ans. : The students met the D.S.P. and one of them handed him a
piece of paper. The Police Officer didn’t even glance at it.
This shows that he might have advised them to go back. He
might have told them to stop their agitation.

3. Babu and Manju were a bit disappointed with the way

students were marching. What was the reason?

Ans.: The students marched back to their homes silently and

Manju and Babu thought that the students were scared of the
police. According to them, the students should have
protested. Hence, they were disappointed.

4. What had the police expected about the way of protest?

How did the student leaders manage the protest?

Ans.: The police expected the students to stout slogans and

cause violence. This would make the police to arrest them,
beat them up and imprison them. But the students leaders did

93
 not want to be arrested then, as they had a lot more to do.
Therefore, they marched back silently.

5. What was there in the ‘mysterious parcel’? What suspicion did

the police have about that?

Ans.: The ‘mysterious parcel’ contained a ‘cyclostyle machine’.

The police suspected that Mohan and his family were making
copies of Mahatma’s speech. They also suspected that some
people were hiding these.

6. Why had Patil, the sub - inspector come to Mohan’s house?

Who believed him? What was the result?
Ans.: Patil the sub-inspector came to Mohan’s house to give a
warning about the raid of his wife. As he was a close friend
of Mohan’s father, he asked Mohan to give him the cyclostyle
machine and all proof pertaining to the agitation against the
British. Mohan’s mother believed him and allowed him to take
away all these things.

7. How do you know that Mohan’s mother was supportive of their

struggle?

Ans.: When Suman and their friend brought the cyclostyle

machine, she asked them to keep it in the puja room. When the
sub Inspector came in initially, she acted as if everything
was normal and nothing revolutionary took place at their
home.

8. What do you think is the writer of the incident trying to

impress upon the readers?

Ans.: People wanted to fight against the British and get

freedom. Some Indians were working for the British but
they were waiting for them to quit India. These people
helped the freedom fighters secretly. The sub-Inspector
Patil also indirectly helped Mohan’s family.

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 2. ON TOP OF THE WORLD

1. What makes you think that Dicky Dolma’s life as a girl was
sorrowful?
Ans.: Dicky Dolma lost her mother when she was 11. She lost her
elder brother too.
2. What factors encouraged Dolma to take up basic mountaineering
course?
Ans.: Dolma came to know that a mountaineering institute was
set up at Manali and it would give training to those who were
interested in climbing mountains. Her friends and her family
members also encouraged her to join this course.

3. Dolma says, “It is not a difficult decision for me to take

up the challenge of the lofty mountains” Why does she say so?

Ans.: From her childhood, Dolma had been fascinated by the

grandeur of the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas. Her home,
in Palchan was surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.

4. How has Dolma described her preparedness for the task of

scaling Mount Everest?

Ans.: Dolma got training in the mountaineering institute at

Manali. Her determination and hard work helped her to secure
‘A’ grades. She believed that success always follow
dedication, determination and hard work. She used to practice
four hours everyday before the task of scaling Mount Everest

5. What was the biggest headache that Dolma had to face

besides her physical and mental problem?

Ans.: Dolma’s father was bedridden. She was not financially

sound and she needed a lot of money for her father’s

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 treatment, so the family had very little to offer her.

6. What does Dolma say about mountaineering after she returns

from Mount Everest?

Ans.: “Mountaineering” is a tough sport. This thought never

comes to me. It is my zeal for the work. Seeing peaks is a
second nature to me. I have never been scared when it comes
to hard work”, says Dolma

7. What does Dolma say about the view from the top of Mount
Everest?
Ans.: Dolma said that an Everest can feel and understand but
cannot be described in words. It was much breath taking that
she could ever be imagined. The awards that she had bestowed
stand very low before the view from the above.

8. What can we learn from Dolma’s life?

Ans.: Whenever hurdles come, we must face them boldly. Dolma’s

determination and hard work, Zeal for the work is emulating.

3. A GREAT MARTYR EVER CHERISHED

I. Answer the following questions in 2 or 3 sentences each

1. The writer speaks of the ‘smile’ that welcomes anyone

who enters Hanif’s house. What more do we know about this
‘smile’?

Ans.: Hanifudding was a soldier. He participated in the

Kargil war in 1999 and sacrificed his life for the sake of
the country. He was then 25 years old.

2. What did Hanif chose as his mission? Why did he do so?

Ans.: Hanif knew that life for him was short; he wanted to
serve the nation. Therefore he joined Indian Army as a
soldier. He believed that a person working for the nation

96
 could change lives.

3. Life for Hanif in the beginning was never a smooth sail.

Why was it so?

Ans.: Hanif lost his father when he was just eight years
old. His mother a vocal artiste, was out very often with
the performance wing. Therefore he became very responsible
at a tender age.

4. The absence of mother from home taught the children

something. What was that?

Ans.: Hanif’s mother a vocal artiste, would often had to

leave the children alone as she travelled with the
performance wing. The kids became very responsible getting
up and getting ready for school without her having told
them and learnt that one’s duty is the most important
thing in life.

5. Share your thoughts and impression of Hanif with your

classmates.

Ans.: Hanif even though he lived only for 25 years,

continues to live forever in our hearts. In his short life
span he became a hero by sacrificing himself in the Kargil
war. Because of the hardships from a tender age, he learnt
that one’s duty is the most important thing in life. He
often went out of his way to help people and this gave him
happiness. He was a young man of varied talents and
interest. Life for Hanif was always ‘ekdam bindas’

6. How does the writer describe the ‘introvert’ Hanif?

Ans.: Hanif began to make friends at his fourteenth year of

age. He often went out of his way to help people. By doing
so, he derived joy.

7. Hanif was a young man with varied talents and

interest. Illustrate this statement drawing support from

97
 the text.
Ans.: Haniff dabbled in art, sketched very well. He made
beautiful cards out of waste material. He read books and
loved playing drums.

8. What were the dreams of Hanif? Do you think they were

fulfilled?

Ans.: Haniff had dreamt that he would rise up the ranks. This
dream could not be fulfilled because he was killed in the
Kargil war. His another dream was that a post be named after
him. Those dreams came true when the sub-sector was named
after him.

.
4. DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR

1. Ambedkar had a great thirst for books when he was a student. Explain.

Ans.: Throughout his life Dr. Ambedkar was a voracious leader. He had an insatiable thirst for
books. He bought books by curtailing his daily needs. In New York he purchased about 2,000
books and that they to be sent to India in 32 boxes.

2. How did the fourteenth amendment to the US Constitution and Mahatma Phule influence on
Ambedkar?

Ans.: While in U.S.A. Ambedkar was drawn to the fourteenth amendment of the constitution of the
U.S.A. which gave freedom to the Black Americans. He was at once the parallel of the situation for
the depressed classes in India. On returning India he was greatly influenced by the life and work of
Mahatma Phule, the votary of a classless society and women’s upliftment. This made him to devote
all his time and talents for the betterment of his underprivileged brethren.

3. There were great luminaries on the Drafting Committee Dr. Ambedkar is remembered as the pilot.
Give reasons.

Ans.: Dr. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee. He was tactful, frank and had
utmost patience. He explained clearly the meaning and scope of the different provisions of the Draf t
constitution. He explained the most complicated legal concepts which could be easily understood
even by a layman.

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4. Write a short note on Dr. Ambedkar’s idea/perception of the three pillars of state.

Ans.: Dr. Ambedkar had a clear idea about mutuality of the legislature, the Executive and the
judiciary. He said that the jurisdiction ofeach should be clear and untrammeled. He had a sense of
the importance of the sole of citizens.

5. What are the significant observations of Dr. Ambedkar on the constitution?

Ans.: The constitution is a fundamental document which defines the position and power of the
three organs of the state - the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. It also defines the powers
of the executive and legislature as against the citizens. The other purpose ofconstitution to limit
their authority to avoid tyranny and oppression by the legislature and the Executive.
6. Nehru choose Dr. Ambedkar as the law minister. What might have improved Nehru to do so?

Ans. : Ambedkar had a great skill in law and legislation. He had the vision of social justice.
Therefore, Nehru chose him to be Law Minister of India.

7. What made Dr. Ambedkar describe the methods of civil disobedience, Non-cooperation and
Satyagraha as the “Grammar of Anarchy”?

Ans.: According to Ambedkar, methods of civil disobedience non-cooperation and Satyagraha are
necessary in a state which is ruled by foreigners. But in a democratic country, these methods should
not be used. If used there would be loss of lives and public property.

8. How did Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi try to wipe out caste discrimination from India?

Ans.: Gandhiji reminded the higher castes their duty towards the depressed classes.

Babasaheb Ambedkar did the same by reminding them of their inherent rights to equality with the
higher and more powerful castes.

One stressed the duties, the other stressed the rights.

*****

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