Study Guide For English @ UNOM Affiliated College Syllabus

MY GREATEST OLYMPIC PRIZE – Jesse Owens

Section A : Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Why were nationalistic feelings running high during the 1936 Berling Olympics?

2. Why does Jesse Owens dismiss the claim of Hitler as Childish?

Olympics is not about winning medals but about taking part. Yet, Hitler the racist boasts that his players would win as they belong to the ‘master race’ slogan. Hitler’s madness and his failure to understand the principles behind Olympics makes Jesse Owens dismiss the claims of Hitler as childish.

3. Why was Owens expected to win the gold medal in the Long Jump hands down?

For six years, Owens had trained, sweated and disciplined himself with games in mind especially the Long Jump. Further he had set the world record of 26 feet 8 inches the year before. Quite naturally everyone expected Owens to win the gold medal in the Long Jump hands down.

4. Why did Owens become hot under the collar before the trials?

Hitler’s ‘master race’ slogan provokes anger in Owens. Further, as an Afro-American player he desires his emancipation, and longs to prove who the real superior is.

5. “I was no exception” – Explain

Hitler’s ‘master slave’ slogan evokes anger in Owens, an African American player and he leaps several inches beyond the take-off board making it a ‘no jump’. Like any anger prone player, Owens too made mistakes.

6. Why did Owens kick the pit in disgust?

Owens, the player who had set a world record of 26 feet 8 inches the year before has failed to qualify in two of the three attempts to qualify. Further, the African-American player is disturbed deeply by Hitler’s master race slogan. So, Owens kicked the pit in disgust.

7. What was actually eating Jesse Owens?

8. Did Owens tell Long what was eating him? If not, why?

No, Owens did not reveal to Long what was troubling him as it is the presence of Luz Long that unsettled him. Long was nurtured in secret by the Nazis to beat the Black athlete to prove the invincibility of the Aryan race.

9. Describe Luz Long?

Luz Long was an inch taller than Owens and he had a lean muscular frame, clear blue eyes, fair hair and a strikingly handsome face. Though he was schooled in the Nazi Youth Movement, he did not believe in the Aryan supremacy. He was friendly.

10. How did Owens manage to qualify for the finals with a foot to spare?

Long made Owens to realize the fact that he should not bother about coming first in the trials as the finals is what counts. Further, he suggested that Owens could draw a line a few inches behind the board and aim at making the take-off from there. Gaining confidence, Owens drew a line a full foot behind the board and jumped from there and qualified with almost a foot to spare.

11. How did Long respond to Jesse winning the gold?

The very moment Owens set a world record, Jesse was the first person to congratulate him ignoring Hitler’s angry stare just a hundred yards away.

12. Why did Hitler glare at Luz and Jesse?

Hitler expected Luz Long to win the gold medal in Long Jump which he would use to support his Aryan supremacy. But Luz Long disappointed Hitler with his failure to win the gold medal and to add fuel to fire he is seen wholeheartedly congratulating Owens, the African-American player.

13. What according to Coubertin is the true spirit of the Olympics?

In the words of Coubertin, the founder of modern Olympic Games the true spirit of the Olympics is not the winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.

Section B : Answer each of the following in a paragraph :

1. Why did Jesse Owens foul the first two jumps in the trial?

For six years, Owens had trained and disciplined himself with games in mind especially the Long Jump. Further he had set the world record of 26 feet 8 inches the year before. Quite naturally everyone expected Owens to win the gold medal in the Long Jump hands down. But the presence of Luz Long unsettled him. Long was nurtured in secret by the Nazis to beat the Black athlete to prove the invincibility of the Aryan race. Hitler’s master race slogan deeply disturbs him and he wishes to prove who the real superior is. In the process, he loses focus on the game and jumps several inches beyond the line.

2. How did Luz Long help Jesse Owens?

The frustration caused by his failure to qualify in two of the three attempts as a player who has set world record and his anger over Hitler’s Aryan supremacy theory as an African-American player were the reason for Owen’s troubled mind. Luz Long seems to understand it and tried to calm Owens. Long made Owens to realize the fact that he should not bother about coming first in the trials as the finals is what counts. Further, he suggested that Owens could draw a line a few inches behind the board and aim at making the take-off from there. Gaining confidence, Owens drew a line a full foot behind the board and jumped from there and qualified with almost a foot to spare.

3. How did the rivalry of Owens and Long end?

4.Explain the reference to Coubertin.

Pierre de Coubertin was the Frenchman whose efforts were responsible for the revival of the modern Olympic in 1896. He believed that the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well. Luz Long seems to be the epitome of the very principles of Olympics and true sportsmanship.

5.What do you understand of Hitler from Jesse’s account?

The nationalistic feelings were running high during the 1936 Berlin Olympics because Adolf Hitler the racist and founder of Nazi’s Aryan superiority theory insisted that his players were members of the ‘master race’ and their victory would add new support to his Aryan supremacy. Long was nurtured in secret by the Nazis to beat the Black athlete to prove the invincibility of the Aryan race. But Luz Long disappointed Hitler with his failure to win the gold medal and to add fuel to fire he is seen wholeheartedly congratulating Owens, the African-American player.

Section C : Answer each of the following in about 200 words

The frustration caused by his failure to qualify in two of the three attempts as a player who has set world record and his anger over Hitler’s Aryan supremacy theory as an African-American player was the reason for Owen’s troubled mind. Luz Long seems to understand it and tried to calm Owens. Long made Owens to realize the fact that he should not bother about coming first in the trials as the finals is what counts. Further, he suggested that Owens could draw a line a few inches behind the board and aim at making the take-off from there. Gaining confidence, Owens drew a line a full foot behind the board and jumped from there and qualified with almost a foot to spare.

The very presence of Luz Long unsettles Owens. Long was nurtured in secret by the Nazis to beat the Black athlete to prove the invincibility of the Aryan race. Hitler’s master race slogan deeply disturbs Owens and he wishes to prove who the real superior is. It is very clear that Owens sees Luz Long as a racist. But, it was with Long’s timely help that Owens was able to qualify for the finals and win the gold. Long looked upon Owens as a potential player and proved that he is not a racist though schooled in Nazi Youth Movement. The very moment Owens set a world record, Jesse was the first person to congratulate him ignoring Hitler’s angry stare who was seated just a hundred yards away. Hitler expected Luz Long to win the gold medal in Long Jump which he would use to support his Aryan supremacy. But Luz Long disappointed Hitler with his failure to win the gold medal and to add fuel to fire he is seen wholeheartedly congratulating Owens, the African-American player. The true sporting spirit of Long has actually put an end to the rivalry between the two players.

IF YOU ARE WRONG, ADMIT IT – Dale Carnegie

Section A : Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Why did the author not muzzle his dog or keep it in a leash?

The author treats his dog Rex as his companion. Further, the dog is a friendly little hound so the author did not muzzle or keep it in a leash.

2.What was the warning of the policeman?

The Policeman warned the author not to let the dog run loose without a muzzle and leash as it’s against law. And there is always danger of the dog hurting a squirrel or a child. He further adds, if the author fails to heed he may have to explain to the judge.

3.’I was in for it. I knew it’ – What was the author in for? What did he know?

The author knew that he has violated the law by letting the dog run loose without a muzzle or leash. The author was warned for the same reason by the same policeman a week ago. Now that he has repeated the same, the author was sure of being fined by the policeman.

4.How did the author and the policeman reverse their roles in their second meeting?

The author admits his mistake quickly and emphatically even before the policeman could point his finger at him. The policeman who expected a defense like in their first meeting was surprised by the admission of guilt.

5.Why did the policeman become magnanimous towards the author?

The policeman like every other human being had the feeling of importance. When the author condemned himself rather than defend or blame, it served to nourish his self-esteem and thereby he became magnanimous towards the author.

6.Why did Warren often leave the art editor in disgust?

Warren, the commercial artist worked for this particular Art Editor who is fond of pointing out mistakes and to criticize. It was not pointing out mistakes but the way it is done like why have you done so and so that the artist leaves the office in disgust.

7.How did Warren have a grand time with the art editor?

Warren decides to try a technique to win the heart of the fault-finding Art Editor. Before the Art Editor could point out the mistakes Warren began criticizing his own work. The editor started defending Warren and Warren seemed to enjoy his act of self-criticism which had evoked a friendly response from the Editor.

8.Why did Harvey go to his boss?

9.Why did Harvey’s boss treat him with respect?

Harvey did not blame others for the mistake. Further when his boss blamed his colleagues Harvey honestly admits his mistake and takes responsibility for the same. This straightforward attitude of admitting mistake instead of shifting the blame won the admiration of the boss.

10.What was picturesque about Pickett?

Pickett had a long coloured hair upto his shoulders and like Napolean he too wrote love letters while in battlefield. His hair style and his cool attitude were notable about him.

11. How did Lee win admirers even after losing the battle of Gettysburg?

Lee took up the sole responsibility for losing the battle and he voluntarily resigned his post. Had he wished, he could have defended himself and shifted the blame onto others but he took responsibility for the defeat and that had won him admirers.

12.How was the problem of the Chinese father rooted in tradition?

According to the Chinese tradition, the elder person cannot take the first step of reconciliation (compromise/reunion). The elder person, a cured opium addict waits for his son to reconcile with him rather than the father who had wronged his son initiate compromise. The father quotes the Chinese tradition in his defense.

13.How did Carnegie come to know about the Chinese father?

While in Hong Kong, Carnegie had enrolled for a course taught by Michael Cheung. It is through this teacher that Carnegie comes to know about the dilemma of the Chinese father.

14.Bring out the contrary aspects in the character of Hubbard.

When a writer writes on something it is often taken as his own opinion. But Hubbard when confronted by the readers replied that he himself does not agree with his ideas today on second thought which he had wrote the day before.

15.What should we do when we are right?

When we are right we should try to win people gently and tactfully to our way of thinking just like Hubbard did with his readers.

Section B : Answer each of the following in a paragraph:

1.How did the author turn the majesty of law into a merciful human?

The Policeman had warned the author not to let the dog run loose without a muzzle and leash as it’s against law. And there is always the danger of the dog hurting a squirrel or a child. The author knew that he has violated the law by letting the dog run loose without a muzzle or leash. The author was warned for the same reason by the same policeman a week ago. Now that he has repeated the same the author was sure of being fined by the policeman. The author admits his mistake quickly and emphatically even before the policeman could point his finger at him. The policeman who expected a defense like in their first meeting was surprised by the admission of guilt. When the author condemned himself rather than defend or blame, it served to nourish his self-esteem and thereby he became magnanimous towards the author.

2.How did Warren take the fight out his art editor who was always delighted in finding faults?

Warren, the commercial artist worked for this particular Art Editor who is fond of pointing out mistakes and to criticize. It was not about pointing out mistakes but the way it is done like why have you done so and so that the artist leaves the office in disgust. Warren decides to try a technique to win the heart of the fault-finding Art Editor. Before the Art Editor could point out the mistakes, Warren began criticizing his own work. The editor started defending Warren and Warren seemed to enjoy his act of self-criticism which had evoked a friendly response from the Editor.

3.How did Harvey handle a tense situation and win the admiration of his boss?

Harvey had by mistake authorized payment of full wages to an employee on sick leave. He could have easily recovered the excess pay in the next pay cheque but the employee pleaded to recover the excess pay in installments for which he needs the supervisor’s approval. Harvey realizes that it is his mistake and decides to meet his boss to set things right. Harvey did not blame others for the mistake. Further when his boss blamed his colleagues Harvey honestly admits his mistake and takes responsibility for the same. This straightforward attitude of admitting mistake instead of shifting the blame onto someone won the admiration of his boss.

4.What was sublime(inspiring) about Lee’s confession?

Pickett had a long coloured hair up to his shoulders and like Napolean he too wrote love letters while in battlefield. His hair style and his cool attitude were notable about him. Lee took up the sole responsibility for losing the battle and he voluntarily resigned his post. Had he wished he could have defended himself and shifted the blame on to others but he took responsibility for the defeat and that won him admirers. His act of self-condemnation and admission of his erroneous judgment is no way less to sublimity. Only few Generals in all history have had the courage and character to admit that.

5.How did an extraneous factor block the Chinese father from admitting his mistakes? How did he overcome it?

The father realizes its too late to admit his mistake quickly so he decides to admit it emphatically(forcefully). He acknowledges the reason that had forced his son expel him out of his life. The father decides to seek forgiveness from his son who is younger in age breaking the Chinese tradition. This act earns him the love of his son, his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.

6. How would Hubbard handle irritated readers?

When a writer writes on something it is often taken as his own opinion. Hubbard is one such original writer who with his stinging sentences often aroused fierce resentment. But Hubbard when confronted by the readers replied that he himself does not agree with his ideas today on second thought which he had wrote the day before. And that the reader is free to visit him and they both would bare out the issue. Hubbard seems to have understood the simple fact: by fighting one can never get enough but by yielding one may get more than expected.

Section C: Answer the following in 200 words:

Everybody aims at improving relationships. Being unyielding (adamant) and defensive destroys the harmony and does not help moving things forward. One should be ever-willing to admit one’s mistakes and also be willing to forgive people. One has to consider the simple fact that we all do commit mistakes. When we know that we have made a mistake why not admit it? Further when someone admits mistake why not forgive them? When someone admits the mistake it takes a lot of courage to do so and it also shows their willingness to better themselves and the world in turn. Sometimes there are people who are difficult to work with. These relationships are sensitive and require special handling. Almost always in these cases the difficult person has a combination of security, esteem and recognition issues. One will have to assess those situations and handle them in ways unique to the individual.

Carnegie points out that fools try to defend mistakes. Admitting one’s mistake gives one a sense of nobility and exultation. It raises one above the herd. There is a certain degree of satisfaction of having the courage to admit one’s errors. It not only takes away the guilt but helps avoid defensiveness and helps to solve the problem caused by the error.

When one is right he should win people to his side gently and tactfully. When one is wrong, one has to be honest and admit quickly and with enthusiasm. It would be easier to clear the air than defend an errant position. One will be surprised by the results that one gets by yielding than arguing. Further, it is lot easier to bear self-criticism than be condemned by others.

MONDAY MORNING – Mark Twain

Section A: Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.What was Tom’s opinion of schools?

Tom considers his stay in school as one that of endless suffering which he would like to put an end to.

2.What made school going on Monday odious(hateful)?

Monday being the first working day of the week especially after a weekend holiday makes Monday odious to Tom.

3.What was Tom’s plan?

Tom hates going to school and finds excuses to abstain from school. In bed on a Monday morning, he discovers lame excuses to fool his Aunt.

4.Why did Tom decide to hold his loose tooth in reserve for the present?

Tom decides to hold his loose tooth in reserve because of the fear that Aunt Polly might pull his tooth and that would be painful to him.

5.Why did Tom decide to complain about a mortified toe?

Tom recollects a doctor threatening his patient to losing a finger if he does not take rest. So Tom decides to use his sore toe as an alibi to abstain from school.

6.Why did Tom claim that he would forgive everything?

Tom pretends as if he is dying. As brothers they had fought a lot and Tom now on verge of dying is willing to forgive his misgivings. This is part of Tom’s plan to abstain from school.

7.How did Aunt Polly react to Tom’s complaint of a mortified toe?

Sid fetches Aunt Polly, who comes running to see what is wrong. Tom complains: ‘O, aunty, my sore toe’s mortified!’ Aunt Polly sees through his act and can’t help but laugh. She cried and laughed both together. Aunt Polly’s reaction shows her love for Tom.

8.How did Aunt Polly come to know of Tom’s loose tooth?

When Tom’s first attempt fails, he decides to use his loose tooth as an alibi to abstain from school. Aunt Polly examines his tooth and finds it loose.

9.What were the dental instruments used by Aunt Polly?

Aunt Polly used a silk thread and a chunk of fire from the kitchen as the dental instrument to treat Tom’s dangling (loose) tooth.

10.How did Aunt Polly use the silk thread?

Aunt Polly fastened (tied) one end of the silk thread to Tom’s tooth and made a loop while the other loose end was tied to the bedpost. She brought the pan with burning coals quite near to Tom’s face and as he instinctively turns away his face the loose teeth came off and was dangling by the bedpost.

Section B : Answer each of the following in a paragraph:

1.How did Tom arrive at the complaint?

Tom considers his stay in school as one that of endless suffering which he would like to put an end to. Monday being the first working day of the long working week especially after a weekend holiday makes Monday odious to Tom. Tom hates going to school and finds excuses to abstain from school. In bed on a Monday morning, he discovers lame excuses to fool his Aunt. Tom decides to hold his loose tooth in reserve because of the fear that Aunt Polly might pull his tooth and that would be painful to him. Tom recollects a doctor threatening his patient to losing a finger if he does not take rest. So Tom decides to use his sore toe as an alibi to abstain from school.

2.How did Tom win the confidence of Sid?

3.How did Aunt Polly extract the loose tooth?

When Tom’s first attempt fails, he decides to use his loose tooth as an alibi to abstain from school. Aunt Polly examines his tooth and finds it loose. Aunt Polly used a silk thread and a pan with burning coal from the kitchen as the dental instrument to treat Tom’s dangling (loose) tooth. Aunt Polly fastened (tied) one end of the silk thread to Tom’s tooth and made a loop while the other loose end was tied to the bedpost. She brought the pan with burning coals quite near to Tom’s face and as he instinctively turns away his face the loose teeth came off and was dangling by the bedpost.

Section C : Answer the following in 200 words:

Tom is a boy of eight. He has a brother Sid and a sister Mary. They live with Aunt Polly. Tom hates to go to school. Tom considers his stay in school as one that of endless suffering which he would like to put an end to. Monday being the first working day of the week especially after a weekend holiday makes Monday odious to Tom. Tom hates going to school and finds excuses to abstain from school. In bed on a Monday morning, he discovers lame excuses to fool his aunt. Tom decides to hold his loose tooth in reserve because of the fear that Aunt Polly might pull his tooth and that would be painful to him. Tom recollects a doctor threatening his patient to losing a finger if he does not take rest. So Tom decides to use his sore toe as an alibi to abstain from school.

Tom pretends as if he is dying. As brothers they had fought a lot and Tom now on verge of dying is willing to forgive their misgivings. This is part of Tom’s plan to abstain from school. As Tom groans and moans, Sid who is in half sleep believes that Tom is dying. Being younger to Tom, Sid gets easily cheated by Tom’s pretence and promises. Sid fetches Aunt Polly, who comes running to see what is wrong. Tom complains: ‘O, aunty, my sore toe’s mortified!’ Aunt Polly sees through his act and can’t help but laugh. She cried and laughed both together. Aunt Polly’s reaction shows her love for Tom.

THE UNEXPECTED – Robert Lynd

Section A: Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Why does Lynd place together the Nightingale and the Phoenix?

Phoenix is a bird which burns itself to yield young ones from its ashes. Nightingale is a bird known for its singing. But both the birds are rarely seen. So Lynd places together the Nightingale and the Phoenix as fictitious (imaginary) birds.

2.Why does Lynd find the company of hens depressing now?

Lynd who was fascinated by hens during his boyhood days now finds the company of hens depressing because now he realizes hens do not fly as other birds do and their interest lies in defending their younger ones. The hen has degenerated into a slave bird failing to inspire awe.

3.Why can a hen be never mysteriously beautiful?

The hen can never be mysteriously beautiful because it has degenerated into a slave bird failing to inspire awe. The degeneration of the hen is complete that it cannot be associated with myths and legends. There could be no myths about the heroism of hens, of their cruel beaks and of the various lovely patterns of their feathers.

4.How does the goose retain some of its ancient glory?

The goose seems to have retained some of its ancient glory because it had played a major part in a Roman legend.

5.Explain the reference to Dick Turpin.

Dick Turpin was a highway robber who lived in the eighteenth century England. Wild birds have free-will and they cannot be tamed. They may use up the garden to feed themselves yet they have least attachment with the garden or the gardener. Like Dick Turpin these wild birds rob the gardener but one could never despise them like one does Dick Turpin.

6.What according to Lynd is the most compulsive and interesting thing about the wild birds that compel our respect?

7.What is Lynd’s prophesy about the willow-wren?

Lynd has a prophesy for the Willow-Wren that if there would be another Shakespeare he would surely compose lyrics about the Willow-Wren or perhaps a song to the Willow Wren.

8.Why in the opinion of Lynd, was an American poet disappointed with the singing of skylark?

The American Poetess impressed by Shelley’s ‘Skylark’ longed to hear a skylark sing. The poetess with great expectation listened to a Skylark sing. But her experience with skylark lacked the element of surprise which Shelley enjoyed. So she returns to America quite disappointed with the skylark’s song which was only half as sweet as song sung to Shelley.

9. What is the greatest pleasure to be got from the song of birds?

The greatest pleasure to be got from the song of birds is that when it comes totally unexpected and unasked for.

10.How does Lynd want us to approach nature?

Nature disappoints us when we expect the expected but surprises us with the unexpected. Lynd wants us to approach nature without any expectations and be ever ready to be surprised by her.

Section B : Answer each of the following in a paragraph:

1.How did Lynd’s fascination for hens undergo a drastic change?

Lynd who was fascinated by hens during his boyhood days now finds the company of hens depressing because now he realizes Hens do not fly as other birds do and their interest lies in defending their younger ones. Further, to him the hen can never be mysteriously beautiful because it has degenerated into a slave bird failing to inspire awe. The degeneration of the hen is complete that it cannot be associated with myths and legends. There could be no myths about the heroism of hens, of their cruel beaks and of the various lovely patterns of their feathers.

2.Why do we not lose our respect for wild birds?

According to Lynd, the most compulsive and interesting thing about the wild birds that which compel our respect is their free-will. They come at their will and leave at their will. They may sing to us through the summer and be calm during the winter. It is their ‘will’ that matters. Dick Turpin was a highway robber who lived in the eighteenth century England. Wild birds have free-will and they cannot be tamed. They may use up the garden to feed themselves yet they have least attachment with the garden or the gardener. Like Dick Turpin these wild birds rob the gardener but one could never despise them like one does Dick Turpin.

3.Why does the nightingale remain supreme among birds of all kinds?

The Nightingale remains supreme among birds of all kinds because of two reasons. First being that the Nightingale is a wild bird with its own free-will. Second, it is a legendary bird known for its singing. Very rarely people have heard the Nightingale sing in its natural habitat. Most often the song of the Nightingale is heard only through radio and loud speakers far removed from its natural setting. The American Poetess impressed by Shelley’s ‘Skylark’ longed to hear a skylark sing. With great expectations, the poetess listened to the song of the skylark. But her experience with skylark lacked the element of surprise which Shelley enjoyed. So she returns to America quite disappointed with the skylark’s song which was only half as sweet as song sung to Shelley.

4.Recount Lynd’s experience when he went into the country to listen to a nightingale.

Lynd went into the country to hear the legendary nightingale. He has been doing this for several years during the month of May. He was also in the habit of taking visitors along to experience the song of the legendary Nightingale. But on this particular occasion, when Lynd went alone he was not able to hear the legendary bird because other than the legendary bird all other birds were in their usual place. Quite unexpectedly, Lynd comes across Lapwing and its chicks, and this is the first time he has spotted one. Lynd seemed to have understood the simple fact: Nature disappoints us when we expect the expected but surprises us with the unexpected. This experience teaches Lynd to approach nature without any expectations and be ever ready to be surprised by her.

Section C: Answer the following in 200 words:

According to Lynd, the most compulsive and interesting thing about the wild birds that which compel our respect is their free-will. They come as their will and leave as their will. They may sing to us through the summer and be calm during the winter. It is their ‘will’ that matters. Dick Turpin was a highway robber who lived in the eighteenth century England. Wild birds have free-will and they cannot be tamed. They may use up the garden to feed themselves yet they have least attachment with the garden or the gardener. Like Dick Turpin these wild birds rob the gardener but one could never despise them like one does Dick Turpin.

Lynd went into the country to hear the legendary nightingale. But on this particular occasion, when Lynd went alone he was not able to hear the legendary bird because other than the legendary bird all other birds were in their usual place. Quite unexpectedly, Lynd comes across Lapwing and its chicks, and this is the first time he has spotted one. Lynd seemed to have understood the simple fact: Nature disappoints us when we expect the expected but surprises us with the unexpected. This experience teaches Lynd to approach nature without any expectations and be ever ready to be surprised by her.

PULLEY OR THE GIFT OF GOD – George Herbert

Section I : Answer the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.According to the first stanza what did God do for man?

God opened a glass of blessings and poured it on man. The glass refers to the material world.

2.What specific riches did he pour on man?

Strength, beauty, wisdom, honour and pleasure were the specific riches that God poured on man.

3.Why does God call rest the jewel of blessings?

God considers rest to be the most precious of all the blessings as all the material blessings will ultimately lead to longing for peace of mind.

4.Why was rest at the bottom of the glass?

The pursuit of materialism will lead to longing for peace of mind. It is to explain this philosophy that rest was placed at the bottom of the glass.

5.What would happen if God gave man rest also?

If God gave man rest also then Man will think only of the worldly blessings God has granted him and forget God who has given him those blessings.

6. In what sense would both God and man be losers if God bestowed man with rest?

If God gave man rest also then Man will think only of the worldly blessings God has granted him and forget God who has given him those blessings. In such an arrangement, man would forget God and God would lose Man.

7.What does God mean by ‘repining restlessness’?

God has to with hold the gift of rest from man as he knew all his other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. Man’s longing for peace of mind at that juncture is what is referred to as ‘repining restlessness’- that moment when God would lift with his pulley.

8.What, according to God, will lift man to Him?

We can say that the withholding of Rest by God is the leverage that will draw mankind towards God when other means would make that task difficult. A pulley is a wheel used for pulling up weights. It signifies a method God adopts to lift human beings to Himself.

9.Comment on the oxymoron ‘rich and weary’.

The material gifts would tire man and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion.

10. Does God have faith in man? Explain.

No, God does not have faith in man which is why he has withheld the blessing of rest until man seeks it.

Section II : Answer the following each in a paragraph:

1.What is the gift of God to man?

When God made man, he poured all his blessings on him including strength, beauty, wisdom, honour and pleasure. However, as in Pandora’s box, one element remained. God after second thought kept ‘rest’ which we might in modern parlance call as God’s ace. The other material gifts that God gave man were not the real gifts. The supreme gift is the gift of rest.

2. What is the jewel of God’s blessings? Why does God decide not to bestow it on man?

Rest is the jewel of God’s blessings on man. God is aware that if He were to bestow this ‘jewel’- REST on man, man would adore his gifts instead of God who gave those gifts. God has to with hold the gift of rest from man knowing fully well that His other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. The material gifts would tire him and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion. If God gave man rest also then Man will think only of the worldly blessings God has granted him and forget God who has given him those blessings. In such an arrangement, man would forget God and God would lose Man.

3. How does God intend to make man seek Him?

God has to with hold the gift of rest from man knowing fully well that His other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. The material gifts would tire him and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion.

4.Which is the real gift of God to man – the blessings that he granted or the blessings he denied?

The blessing of rest that God denied to man was the real gift of God to man. God has to with hold the gift of rest from man knowing fully well that His other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. The material gifts would tire him and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion.

5.How does Herbert play with the word ‘rest’?

Herbert uses a pun on the word ‘rest’. Two meanings evolve out of the context. The first, other than all the other gifts. The second, the spiritual state or peace of mind. God has to with hold the gift of rest from man knowing fully well that His other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. The material gifts would tire him and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion.

Section III : Answer the following in 200 words :

When God made man, he poured all his blessings on him including strength, beauty, wisdom, honour and pleasure. However, as in Pandora’s box, one element remained. We are told that God after a second thought with held ‘rest’. We might in modern parlance call this God’s ace. God is aware that if He were to bestow this ‘jewel’- REST on man, man would adore his gift instead of God who gave those gifts. God has to withhold the gift of rest from man knowing fully well that His other treasures would one day result in spiritual restlessness and fatigue in man. The material gifts would tire him and he eventually would turn to God in exhaustion.

God needs to toss man to his breast. In the context of the mechanical operation of a pulley, the kind of leverage and force applied makes the difference for the weight being lifted. Applied to man in this poem, we can say that the withholding of Rest by God is the leverage that will draw mankind towards God when other means would make that task difficult. A pulley is a wheel used for pulling up weights. It signifies a method God adopts to lift human beings to Himself.

THE NIGHT OF THE SCORPION – Nissim Ezekiel

Section I : Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Why does the poet remember the rainy night?

The poet remembers the rainy night because it was the night when his mother was stung by a scorpion.

2.What drove the scorpion into the house?

The incessant heavy rain drove the scorpion into the house.

3.Where did the scorpion hide itself?

The scorpion hid itself under a bag of rice.

4.What is diabolic about the tail of the scorpion?

The poison lies in the tail of the scorpion making it devilish.

5. What did the scorpion do after stinging the mother?

The scorpion risked the rain again after stinging the mother.

6. How did the villagers come to the house of the mother?

The villagers came like the swarm of flies to visit the mother.

7.What does the poet mean by ‘giant scorpion shadows’?

As the villagers were searching for the scorpion, their own shadows resembled the scorpion.

8.Why did the villagers want to find the scorpion?

The peasants were eager to find the scorpion because they believed for every movement of the scorpion its poison would increase in the victim’s blood.

9.Why did the peasants pray to God to paralyze the Evil one?

The peasants prayed to God to paralyze the scorpion because they believed for every movement that the scorpion makes its poison would increase in the victim’s blood.

10. Why did the peasants claim that the mother would be benefitted by the suffering?

The villagers believe that the suffering the mother undergoes now would reduce the sins of her previous birth.

11.What type of man is the father?

The father is a rationalist and is skeptical about the superstitious beliefs of the villagers.

12. I watched the flame feeding on my mother – Comment.

The poet recollects and narrates one of his childhood memories. This particular incident wherein his mother’s toe was set on fire to reduce the effect of the poison had created a major impact in her son’s mind which the poet is able to recollect vividly even after several years.

13.Did the father’s treatment prove any better than that of the villagers?

No, the father’s treatment did not prove any better than that of the villagers as the mother was in pain.

14. What cured the mother?

The poison lost its power in its natural course after twenty hours.

15.What do you understand of the mother from the concluding two lines?

The selfless mother who underwent all the pains brushes aside all her agonies and thanks God for sparing her children. Once the pain subsided all that she could think of was her children.

Section II – Answer the following each in a paragraph:

1.How was the mother bitten by the scorpion?

It had rained heavily for more than ten hours. The incessant rain had forced the scorpion to crawl into the house to take protection under the bag of rice kept in a dark room. The mother unaware of the scorpion’s presence goes near the bag of rice and got stung by the scorpion. The scorpion left the house into the rain. This was how the mother was stung by the scorpion.

2.How did the villagers come to the aid of the woman?

The villagers crowded the room like flies and like flies hummed the name of God a hundred times. There was a belief that the scorpion would be paralyzed when the lord’s name is chanted. A search party moves up and down with candles and lanterns. The shadows cast by these light on the sun-baked walls looked like giant scorpions. Since they searched for the scorpion their own shadows appeared to be like scorpions. The search ended in vain. They wanted to paralyze the scorpion because of the belief that every movement of the scorpion would increase the poison in victim’s blood.

3.How did the peasants view the stinging in a positive manner?

Some said that this suffering would wipe all the sins of her previous birth. Others said that this suffering would enable her to escape misfortune in her next birth. Others said if the mother’s evil deeds and good deeds are assessed, because of her suffering her ‘evil’ will be diminished in the assessment. The Neighbours prayed and tried to console the lady with their philosophy. They could not do anything helpful to decrease her sufferings.

4.What type of man was the father? How did he treat his wife?

The ‘remedy’ is thought of by the superstitious crowd as well as the rationalistic father. The father who is a sceptic and a rationalist tried and tested every curse and blessings, powder, mixture, herb and hybrid. He even poured paraffin upon the mother’s toe and tried to burn it. The holy man continued to chant prayers to control the poison.

5.How did the mother respond after her recovery?

She undergoes the suffering for a solid twenty hours. At last the poison lost its sting in its normal course. She said “Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children”. She does not fuss about her pain but rather was concerned about her children. That’s a perfect display of selfless love a mother has for her child.

Section III – Answer the following in 200 words:

Here in ‘The Night of the Scorpion’ the poet recaptures the memory of the night when his mother becomes the victim of a scorpion’s sting. The picture of his mother groaning in pain is the centre around which the poet weaves several lines pointing out the superstitious beliefs of people and the inability of the crowd to attend to the sufferer, and finally brushes aside superstition and rationality to establish the universal mother’s love.

The opening lines “I remember the night my mother was stung by a scorpion” creates the scene from the starting point. The reason for this accident follows. For ten hours it had rained and the scorpion had crawled for shelter under the bag of rice. After injecting the poison from its devilish tail, the guilty creature risked the rain.

There is quick action and suggestions from every side. The villagers crowded the room like flies and like flies hummed the name of God a hundred times. There was a belief that the scorpion would be paralyzed when the lord’s name is chanted. A search party moves up and down with candles and lanterns. The shadows cast by these light on the sun-baked walls looked like giant scorpions. Since they searched for the scorpion their shadows appeared to be scorpions. The search ended in vain. They wanted to paralyze the scorpion because of the belief that every movement of the scorpion would increase the poison in victim’s blood.

Some said that the suffering of his mother would wipe all the sins of her previous birth. Others said that this suffering would enable her to escape misfortune in her next birth. Others said if his mother’s evil deeds and good deeds are assessed, because of her suffering her ‘evil’ will be diminished in the assessment. The Neighbours prayed and tried to console the lady with their philosophy. They could not do anything helpful to decrease her sufferings.

The ‘remedy’ is thought of by the superstitious crowd as well as the rationalistic father. The father who is a sceptic and a rationalist tried and tested “every curse and blessings, powder, mixture, herb and hybrid”. He even poured paraffin upon the mother’s toe and tried to scorch it. The holy man continued to chant prayers to control the poison. “I watched the flame feeding on my mother.” This line shows the horror and helplessness of the boy.

She undergoes the suffering for a solid twenty hours when at last the poison lost its sting in its normal course. She only said “Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children”. She does not fuss about her pain but rather was concerned about her children. That’s a perfect display of selfless love a mother has for her child.

THE DEATH OF THE BIRD – A.D. Hope

Section I : Answer the following briefly in one or two sentences:

1.What does the opening line – “For every bird there is this last migration” suggest?

The poet has no particular bird in mind. It is every bird. The poem is about the death of the every bird on its last migration. The last migration becomes a migration to the world of death.

2.What kindles the bird to seek the summer station once more?

The bird’s instinct guides her to migrate to a warm place from its current habitat which is becoming colder day by day.

3.How is the summer station described by the poet?

The summer station is described as ‘a warm passage’ by the poet.

4.Why does the bird become restless once she comes home?

5.How does the bird find the last migration?

The bird is single and frail as it is not able to keep pace with her companions. The weather too is not favourable for her flight. Fear is aroused yet the bird tries to continue its journey.

6.How does the poet describe the death of the bird?

The poet describes the death of the bird in a matter-of-fact style without any emotion. The bird realizes it will die any moment. The invisible thread that links life and the body is broken even as it is flying. Suddenly the bird dies and the earth receives the dead bird as a tiny burden without grief or hatred.

7.What causes the death of the bird?

The weather is not favourable for flight and the bird is weak and single without companion. The pull between the desire to reach a warmer home and the fear over the unfriendly natural setting has caused the death of the bird.

8.How did the earth receive the death of the bird?

The earth received the dead bird as a tiny burden with neither grief nor hate. Nature is impersonal and indifferent to the bird’s death.

9.How does the poet contrast the bird with nature?

The bird has only a small wisdom over location and it’s wisdom is of no match to the vast design of the universe.

10.How did the bird reach the summer station year after year?

The bird is able to reach the summer station year after year guided by its instinct.

Section II : Answer the following in a paragraph:

1.How does the poet describe the migration of the bird season after season?

Birds migrate season after season and year after year. It is said that the birds migrate to the same place by taking the same route. They reach their summer home-the same place year after year, which the poet describes as no more than a speck even in the map. The poet records with wonder how the bird guided by its instinct travels several miles to reach this ‘speck of land’ accurately. The place to which she goes is another home for her. She goes away from one home only to come home. Both homes are in reality summer stations.

2. What does the poet mean when he claims that by going away the bird comes home only?

The poet invests the bird with human emotions and suggests that the bird is haunted by memories of the past. The memories of the other home like her children, her parents and her love that which makes her feel restless. The bird’s instinct guides her to migrate to a warm place from its current habitat which is becoming colder day by day. This way she goes away from one home only to come home. Both homes are in reality summer stations.

3.Describe the last migration of the bird.

The bird is single and frail as it is not able to keep pace with her companions. The weather too is not favourable for her flight. Fear is aroused yet the bird tries to continue its journey. The summons from the warmer home becomes louder and louder. The bird knew that she is weak and single and cannot withstand the harsh weather. The pull between the desire to reach a warmer home and the fear over the unfriendly natural setting has made the migration the last migration for the bird.

4.How did the bird die?

The poet describes the death of the bird in a matter-of-fact style without any emotion. The bird realizes that it is going to die any moment. The invisible thread that links life and the body is broken even as she is flying. Suddenly the bird dies and the earth receives the dead bird as a tiny burden without grief or hatred. The weather is not favourable for flight and the bird is weak and single without companion. The pull between the desire to reach a warmer home and the fear over the unfriendly natural setting has caused the death of the bird. The earth received the dead bird as a tiny burden with neither grief nor hate. Nature is impersonal and indifferent to the bird’s death.

Section III : Answer in about 200 words:

The poet describes the death of the bird in a matter-of-fact style without any emotion. The bird realizes that it is going to die any moment. The invisible thread that links life and the body is broken even as she is flying. The bird loses its wisdom and which of course is no match to the vast design of the universe. Suddenly the bird dies and the earth receives the dead bird as a tiny burden without grief or hatred. Nature is impersonal and indifferent to the bird’s death.

LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI – John Keats

Section I : Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Where did the narrator meet the knight at arms?

The Narrator met the knight at arms in a cold area around a lake, with no vegetation at its edge.

2.Identify the adjectives that indicate the terrible condition of the knight.

Alone, pale, haggard, woe-be gone, anguished.

3.Which line in the third stanza indicate that the knight is dying?

“O, what can ail thee…”, “So haggard and so woe-be gone…?”, “With anguish moist and fever dew/ And on thy cheeks a fading rose/ Fast withereth too”

4.Why is the granary of squirrels full?

The squirrel’s granary is full as the harvest is done and the winter is approaching.

5.Where did the knight meet the beautiful lady?

The knight met the lady in the meadows.

6.How does the knight describe the beauty of the lady?

The lady was very beautiful, according to the knight. She was light-footed and her eyes were wild.

7.How did the knight and the lady express their love for each other?

The knight made a garland for her head and some bracelets too.

8.How did the knight know that the lady declared “I love thee true”?

The knight said that she looked at him with a loving expression and moaned sweetly.

9. What are the things that the lady found for the knight?

The lady gave him roots that tasted sweet, wild honey and manna dew, the heavenly food.

10.Why and how did the knight comfort the lady in the grot?

The lady wept and sighed in sorrow. Therefore the knight comforted her.

11.What was the warning that the knight received in the dream?

To his great sorrow, the knight dreams of pale kings and princes, pale warriors whose face looked death-pale. They all cried that the beautiful lady had taken him under her control, like a slave.

12.Why did the kings and princes look pale with starved lips?

They were all dead and had become the victim of “the beautiful lady without mercy”.

13.Why does the knight call the terrible dream, the latest dream dreamt by him?

The knight perhaps was having hallucination because of his fever.

14.Why does the knight repeat the lines used by the questioner?

Such repetitions of lines or stanzas are ballad conventions. The poem is a ballad. Technically, it brings the end back to one full circle.

Section II : Answer the following in a paragraph:

1.How does the poet suggest the season?

La Belle Dame Sans Merci is a ballad that tells the story of love and bravery, with lot of supernatural element interspersed. The season is indicated through the following references to the weather. “The sedge has withered from the lake, and no birds sing” The approaching winter is described by referring to the squirrel’s granary being full. The harvest is over. There is repeated reference to the “cold hill’s side”.

2.Why does the narrator find the condition of the knight so strange that he has to ask him what ails him?

The poem begins with a question like most ballads do. The Knight was pale-looking and wandering alone, in a cold area around a lake which has no vegetation at its edge. The winter was approaching. The narrator was surprised to see the Knight at this time and asks him why he was there? The knight answers that he fell in love with a strange but beautiful lady. She is described as ‘faery child with wild eyes’. These descriptions are indicative of supernatural elements in the story. The lines also reveal the knight’s passion for the lady.

3.Describe how the knight fell in love with the beautiful lady and declared his love and passion for her.

The lady finds strange food for the Knight. Food that is heavenly. The poet’s description of the lady reveals further that she is not an ordinary human being. The suspense of the supernatural becomes deeper. The lady speaks a strange language and takes the knight to a tiny cave. There her behaviour with the knight is mysterious. She starts crying for some unknown reason and the knight kisses away her tears.

4.What happened at the elfin grot?

The lady speaks a strange language and takes the knight to a tiny cave. There she behaves to the knight in a mysterious way. She starts crying for some unknown reason and the knight kisses away her tears. The knight falls asleep in the cave and he has a terrible dream in which he sees pale-looking kings, princes and warriors, all as pale as death. They warn him of the mysterious lady whom they refer to as the ‘beautiful lady without mercy’. They pitied the knight saying that he is doomed now as he is a slave under the lady’s spell.

5.What lines are repeated in the ballad and to what purpose?

The last three lines of the first stanza are repeated in the end of the last stanza. This is ballad convention. A ballad has repetitive words, lines and stanzas which are called refrain.

Section III : Answer the following in 200 words:

La Belle Dame Sans Merci is a ballad that tells the story of love and bravery, with a lot of supernatural elements in it. The poem begins with a question like most ballads do. The Knight was pale looking and wandering alone in a cold area around a lake which has no vegetation at its edge. The winter was fast approaching. The narrator was surprised to see the Knight at this time and asks him why he is here? The Knight answers that he fell in love with a strange but beautiful lady. She is described as a ‘faery child with wild eyes’. These descriptions are indicative of supernatural elements in the story. The lines also reveal the knight’s passion for the lady.

The lady finds strange food for the Knight, food that is heavenly. The poet’s description of the lady reveals further that she is not an ordinary human being. The suspense of the supernatural becomes deeper. The lady speaks a strange language and takes the knight to a tiny cave. There her behaviour to the knight is mysterious. She starts crying for some unknown reason and the knight kisses away her tears.

When the Knight falls asleep he had a terrible dream. He sees kings, princes and warriors all as pale as death who warns him about the lady and referred to her as the ‘beautiful lady without mercy’. The ghosts seems to be saying that nothing can help the Knight now. He is doomed. Waking up, he found himself on the cold hill side. As is the ballad convention the first stanza is repeated in the end and the lines complete the circle.

Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger – Saki

Section A : Answer each of the following briefly:

1.Why did Mrs. Packletide become envious of Bimberton?

Loona Bimberton has recently shot a tiger and it made her very popular. This overnight popularity of Loona Bimberton made Mrs.Packletide become envious upon her.

2.How did Mrs. Packletide plan to get the better of Bimberton?

Mrs. Packletide plans to shoot down a tiger on her own and she would pose to the press in a coat made out of the tiger’s skin. Further, she has plans to present Loona Bimberton a tiger-claw brooch on her next birthday.

3.What did Mrs. Packletide plan to give Bimberton on her next birthday?

Mrs. Packletide plans to present Loona Bimberton with a tiger-claw brooch on her next birthday.

4.What governed Mrs. Packletide’s movements and motives?

Mrs.Packletide’s motives for her deeds were largely governed by her dislike for Loona Bimberton. She always intends earnestly to be ahead of Loona Bimberton.

5.Why did the villagers agree to help Mrs. Packletide?

The prospect of earning one thousand rupees motivates the villagers to help Mrs. Packletide in her endeavour.

6.Why did the tiger choose to kill small domestic animals?

The increasing infirmities of age forced the tiger to abandon game-killing and confine itself to hunting smaller domestic animals.

7.Why did Mebbin want the tiger to be killed before it killed the goat?

Ms. Mebbin comes to know that the tiger is an old animal making the hunt easier. She intends to save on the cost of the goat if the tiger could be shot before it touches the goat.

8.How did the tiger die?

The tiger is very old and helpless. Mrs. Packletide actually shoots the goat and the fragile tiger died of fright(heart-failure).

9.What did the villagers connive at?

The villagers gladly connived that Mrs.Packletide shot the tiger dead out of fear of losing the promised one thousand rupees.

11.Why did Mebbin think that the world would be amused if it came to know how the tiger died?

Mrs.Packletide claimed to have shot a tiger and her photographs with the tiger appeared in the newspapers. But Mrs.Packletide killed the goat used as bait while the tiger died of fright.

Answer the following in a paragraph each:

1. What prompted Mrs. Packletide to indulge in big game shooting?

Mrs.Packletide’s motives for her deeds were largely governed by her dislike for Loona Bimberton. She always intends earnestly to be ahead of Loona Bimberton. Loona Bimberton has recently shot a tiger and it made her very popular. This overnight popularity of Loona Bimberton made Mrs.Packletide become envious upon her. Mrs. Packletide plans to shoot down a tiger on her own and she would pose to the press in a coat made out of the tiger’s skin. Further, she has plans to present Loona Bimberton a tiger-claw brooch on her next birthday.

2. How did the villagers help Mrs. Packletide?

Mrs.Packletide bribed the villagers of Nimrod to help her shoot an aged tiger. She had Miss. Mebbin as her paid companion. The prospect of earning one thousand rupees motivates the villagers to help Mrs. Packletide in her endeavour. Further, they have to get rid of the tiger to save their herds. Children were posted on the outskirts of the local jungle and goats were left carelessly to prevent the tiger leaving their jungle. Mothers carrying their babies home through the jungle hushed their singing for fear of disturbing the tiger’s sleep. The entire village was anxious to prevent the tiger from leaving the jungle.

3. Describe the shooting.

A platform for shooting the tiger was set up on a moon-lit cloudless day. A scape-goat is placed there as a bait. Ms. Mebbin, the paid companion comes to know that the tiger is an old animal so the hunt would be easier. She intends to save on the cost of the goat if the tiger could be shot before it touches the goat. As they planned, the tiger approached the goat and Mrs.Packletide fires. What actually happened was, she shot the goat dead and the sound of the gun frightened the fragile tiger to death. The villagers gladly connived that Mrs.Packletide shot the tiger dead out of fear of losing the promised one thousand rupees.

4. How did Mebbin manage to get her summer cottage?

Mrs.Packletide claimed to have shot a tiger and her photographs with the tiger appeared in the newspapers. But Mrs.Packletide killed the goat used as bait while the tiger died of fright. The villagers gladly connived that Mrs.Packletide shot the tiger dead out of fear of losing the promised one thousand rupees. Miss.Mebbin subtly blackmailed her by wondering what would happen to her image if the world, particularly Loona Bimberton came to know how the tiger had really died. Mrs. Packletide silenced Mebbin by getting her a summer cottage which she wanted as a price for her silence.

Answer the following in 200 words each:

Saki, the social satirist has a dig at the British settlers in India. Mrs.Packletide is an English lady settled in India. She desires to earn fame in Britain by hunting down a tiger in India. She wrongly assumes that hunting a wild animal is a child’s play. Her real motive to hunt a tiger is not to rescue the villagers from the herd-hunter but rather a selfish motive of remaining ahead of Loona Bimberton in everything. These ladies can be rightly grouped as snobs. Mrs.Packletide’s tiger never got wounded with bullet but died of fright. This comes as a tight slap on Mrs.Packletide when she was actually blackmailed by her shrewd companion. And out of need for guarding her empty honour Mrs.Packletide had to yield to Miss. Mebbin.

A snake in the grass – r. k. narayan

Answer each of the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1. Why did the cyclist ring the bell frantically?

The cyclist frantically rang his cycle bell to get the attention of the inmates of the house into whose compound he saw a big cobra that which crossed his wheel enter.

2. Why did Dasa try to dismiss the news of the arrival of a snake?

Dasa, the servant of the house dismisses the matter of the snake in the compound because his sleep is being disturbed.

3. Why did the family hold Dasa responsible for the entry of the snake?

The entire family makes Dasa accountable for finding out the snake because he who has to trim the garden and lawn failed to do so thereby attracting snakes.

4. What was Dasa’s defense for not keeping the garden tidy?

Dasa cites the non-availability of grass-cutter which he has been demanding for long as his defense for not keeping the garden tidy.

5. How did the college boy bring the focus back to the snake?

The college boy in the family interrupts the discussion and informs that about 30,000 people die of snake bite every year. He further adds for every twenty minutes a human dies of snake bite.

6. Why did Dasa triumphantly ask, “Where was the Snake?”

The entire family makes Dasa accountable for finding out the snake because he who has to trim the garden and lawn failed to do so thereby attracting snakes. But Dasa protested saying that there is no possibility of a snake. A frantic search ended in vain and Dasa was proved right and so he triumphantly asks ‘Where is the snake?’

7. Why did the beggar become happy when she heard of the hunt for the snake?

8. Why was the mother in agreement with the suggestion of the beggar woman not to kill the snake?

The mother feels that the snake’s visit is just to remind her about the abhishekam that she had promised to the God.

9. What did the beggar woman promise to do? Did she keep up her word?

The old woman gets away by telling them that she would send a snake-charmer to their home. As she promised, she did arrange for a snake-charmer.

10. Why could the snake charmer not help the family in catching the snake?

The snake-charmer requests the family to show him the snake. But the family was unable to show the snake but rather could only show the direction in which it went and hid itself.

11. Why did the family members stand at a safe distance and gaze at the pot?

Dasa, the servant carried a pot and declared that it contained the cobra. The very word snake evoked fear and the family members stood at a safe distance from the pot.

12. How did Dasa reprimand the family members?

Dasa is made accountable for the presence of snake in the compound. So in order to save his job and put an end to this problem he decides to feign(fakes) catching the snake in a pot and curtly (briskly)declared, ‘Don’t call me an idler hereafter’.

13. Why did the family decide to reward Dasa?

The snake charmer was of no help to them and it was Dasa who put an end to this problem by capturing the snake. So the family decides to reward Dasa.

14. Why did the family wonder whether there were two snakes in the compound?

15. Why did the younger boy wish that he had taken the risk to find out what the pot contained?

The whole family believed that there were two snakes in the home. But the college boy suspects foul play and longed that he could have been brave enough to knock the pot and find out whether there was actually a snake in it.

Answer the following in a paragraph each:

1.Describe the discussion on the purchase of a grass cutter and its relevance to the problem on hand.

The entire family makes Dasa accountable for finding out the snake because he who has to trim the garden and lawn failed to do so thereby attracting snakes. Dasa cites the non-availability of grass-cutter which he has been demanding for long as his defense for not keeping the garden tidy. One in the crowd said that buying an iron-made product during war is not an easy job while the other spoke of his ability to buy in the black market.

2.How does the author bring out the superstitious beliefs of the women folk?

The old beggar woman becomes happy when she heard of the snake in the compound. She looked at the matter religiously and addressed the snake as Lord Subramanya and declares that the family is fortunate as the Lord himself has paid a visit. The mother feels that the snake’s visit is just to remind her about the abhishekam that she had promised to the God. A snake visiting a bushy garden is an ordinary event but these women assign it religious significance.

3. How did the beggar woman exploit the situation?

The old beggar woman becomes happy when she heard of the snake in the compound. She looked at the matter religiously and addressed the snake as Lord Subramanya and declared that the family is fortunate as the Lord himself has paid a visit. The old woman gets away by telling them that she would send a snake-charmer to their home. The mother gave her a coin for the timely help.

4. How did Dasa, the idler, turn a hero?

The snake charmer was of no help to them and it was Dasa who put an end to this problem by capturing the snake. Dasa, the servant carried a pot and declared that it contained the cobra. The very word snake evoked fear and the family members stood at a safe distance from the pot quite relieved. Dasa is made accountable for the presence of snake in the compound. So in order to save his job and put an end to this problem he decides to feign catching the snake in a pot and curtly declared, ‘Don’t call me an idler hereafter’.

Answer the following in 200 words each:

The short story ‘A Snake in the Grass’ begins with the cyclist who alerts the family about the presence of a snake in their compound. The agitated family tries to wake up Dasa, the servant. But Dasa very coolly declares there is no snake at all. The entire family makes Dasa accountable for finding out the snake because he who has to trim the garden and lawn failed to do so thereby attracting snakes. Dasa cites the non-availability of grass-cutter which he has been demanding for long as his defense for not keeping the garden tidy. Dasa protested saying that there is no possibility of a snake. A frantic search ended in vain and Dasa was proved right and so he triumphantly asks ‘Where is the snake?’

Dasa, the servant carried a pot and declared that it contained the cobra and he leaves to hand it to the snake charmer. As he left, out of a hole in the compound wall came a cobra. So the family wondered whether there were two snakes in the compound. The whole family believed that there were two snakes in the home. But the college boy suspects foul play and longed that he could have been brave enough to knock the pot and find out whether there was actually a snake in it.

The expression ‘snake in the grass’ refers to concealed danger and betrayal. The title could mean several things. It refers to the middle class family which threatens to terminate the service of the old servant who probably was working for the family for a very long time. Herein, the family has betrayed the trust the old servant had on them. On the other side, Dasa had betrayed the trust the family had on them which of course he did to secure his job.

Three questions – Leo Tolstoy

Answer each of the following questions in a sentence or two:

1.What did the King want to know?

The King yearns to know the answer for his three questions namely, the right time to begin everything, the right people to listen to and the most important thing to do.

2.Why did some suggest that the King must have magician to know the right time?

The King was suggested to consult a Magician because a magician can foretell. The king wanted to know what is the right time to begin everything for which one has to know beforehand what is going to happen.

3. Why did the King help the hermit by digging the ground?

4.What would have happened if the King had left the hermitage immediately?

The King would have been killed by his enemy had he left the hermitage immediately.

5.How was the bearded man wounded?

The bearded man was wounded by the bodyguards of the King. The bearded man was on his pursuit of the king and the body guards of the king identified him and attacked him.

6.Why was the bearded man resolved to kill the King?

The bearded man resolved to kill the King because the king had killed and seized the property of his brother.

7.Why did the bearded man want to be the King’s faithful slave?

The bearded man came to kill the king and got wounded by the king’s bodyguards. Had not the king bandaged the wound he would have bled to death. Though the king saved the man’s life without knowledge about his intentions hence as the token of gratitude the man wants to be a faithful slave to the king.

8.How did the King respond to the offer of his enemy?

The king was very glad for having made peace with his enemy. He forgave him and promised to restore his property and also arranged for his own servants and physicians to attend on him.

9.Why did the hermit say that the present is the most important time?

The Hermit said that the present is the most important time because it is the only time we have power over. The hermit explains that the most important time was when the king nursed the wounded man as it not only saved his life but also helped in earning a friend.

10.What is the most important thing that one should do? Why?

According to the Hermit, the most important thing one should do is to do good things to humans whom we are with at that moment. He adds that it is to do good that man was sent into this life.

Answer the following in a paragraph each:

1.What were the three questions that the King wanted to be answered? Why?

The King yearns to know the answer for his three questions namely, the right time to begin everything, the right people to listen to and the most important thing to do. The king wants to be successful in all his endeavors and so he takes immense interest in gathering the right resources in terms of right time, right person whom he could consult and the right order of priority to carry out the work laid before him.

2.What were the answers that the King got from the wise men?

Several Wise Men tried to answer the King. For the first question, they suggested to draw up a timetable and schedule all the work that has to be taken up and adhere to it strictly. Further, one should be attentive to all the things that are taking place. As it is impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, he should seek the help of a Council of Wise Men. At times the king has to resolve urgent issues on his own. To the second question, the King was suggested to consult a Magician as he can foretell. While, others suggested to consult priests, doctors and warriors. For the third question they declared science is the most important thing in the world while others said skill in warfare and religious worship.

3.How did the King make peace with his enemy?

The King out of his curiosity to know answers for his three questions visits the hermit living in a forest. The situation warrants that the king has to extend his stay with the hermit. As the sun sets, a bearded man came out of the bushes with a severe wound in his stomach. The King cleaned and bandaged the wound. The bearded man had come to kill the king and got wounded by the king’s bodyguards. Had not the king bandaged the wound he would have bled to death. Though the king saved the man’s life without knowledge about his intentions the bearded man as a token of gratitude decides to forgo the enmity and be a faithful slave to the king. The king was very glad for having made peace with his enemy. He forgave him and promised to restore his property and also arranged for his own servants and physicians to attend on him.

4.What were the good things that the King did in the hermitage?

The King out of his curiosity to know answers for his three questions visits the hermit living in a forest. The King helped the hermit by digging the ground because the hermit being an old man got tired of digging. Every time he stuck the earth with his spade, he scooped little earth and breathed heavily due to exhaustion. At about dusk, a bearded man severely wounded took shelter with the hermit. The king tended to the wounded man. Had not the king bandaged the wound the wounded man would have bled to death. The king saved the man’s life without knowledge about his intentions of killing him. The bearded man as a token of gratitude decides to forgo the enmity and be a faithful slave to the king. The king was very glad for having made peace with his enemy. According to the Hermit, the most important thing one should do is to do good to people whom we are with at that moment. The King did good to both the Hermit and the wounded man.

5.How did the hermit interpret the events at the hermitage?

The King helped the hermit by digging the ground because the hermit being an old man got tired of digging. Every time he stuck the earth with his spade, he scooped little earth and breathed heavily due to exhaustion. At about dusk, a bearded man severely wounded took shelter with the hermit. The king tended to the wounded man. Had not the king bandaged the wound the wounded man would have bled to death. The hermit interprets these two events. According to the Hermit, the most important thing one should do is to do good to people whom we are with at that moment. The King did good to both the Hermit and the wounded man. The most important time is the present moment, as the present is the only time over which we have power. The most important person is whoever one is with. The most important thing is to make happy the person one is with.

Answer the following in 200 words each

The King out of his curiosity to know answers for his three questions visits the hermit living in a forest. The King helped the hermit by digging the ground because the hermit being an old man got tired of digging. Every time he stuck the earth with his spade, he scooped little earth and breathed heavily due to exhaustion. The situation warrants that the king has to extend his stay with the hermit. As the sun sets, a bearded man came out of the bushes with a severe wound in his stomach. The King cleaned and bandaged the wound. The bearded man had come to kill the king and got wounded by the king’s bodyguards. Had not the king bandaged the wound he would have bled to death. Though the king saved the man’s life without knowledge about his intentions the bearded man as a token of gratitude decides to forgo the enmity and be a faithful slave to the king. The king was very glad for having made peace with his enemy. He forgave him and promised to restore his property and also arranged for his own servants and physicians to attend on him.

The hermit interprets these two events. Had not the King taken pity on the old hermit and helped him dig he would got killed on the way home. Then the king would have regretted for not staying back. Therefore, the most important time was the time the king was digging, and the most important person was the hermit who was with the king and the most important pursuit was to help the hermit. Later, when the wounded man was tended to, the most important time was the time spent in dressing his wounds and for if the king had not cared for him he would have died and the king would have lost the chance to make peace with him. Likewise the most important pursuit was taking care of the wound. The hermit invites the emperor to reflect on his recent experience and see how it is a perfect backdrop to form answers to his questions.

According to the Hermit, the most important thing one should do is to do good to people whom we are with at that moment. The King did good to both the Hermit and the wounded man. The most important time is the present moment, as the present is the only time over which we have power. The most important person is whoever one is with. The most important thing is to do good to the person one is with. The most important pursuit is making that person happy and that should be the pursuit of one’s life.

the gift of magi – o henry

Answer the following briefly in a sentence or two:

1.Why could Della save only one dollar and eighty seven cents?

Della saves one dollar and eighty seven cents to buy a Christmas gift for her dear husband Jim.

2.How did Della manage to save one dollar and eighty seven cents?

3.Why did the couple seriously think of contracting Dillingham to a mere D?

The couple seriously thinks of contracting Dillingham to a mere D because as his income per week is reduced from $30 to $20 so does his name.

4.Why did Della flop down and howl?

Della tried hard to save money to buy a gift for her husband. But the money she saved was not adequate to buy a gift she wanted to give Jim. She sobs over her inability to buy a gift of her choice to her beloved husband.

5.Where did Della go and why?

Della decides to sell her hair, the only priced possession she has in order to raise money to buy her husband a gift.

6.Which description could apply both to Jim and the fob chain?

“Quietness and the value” – the description can be applied to both Jim and the fob chain.

7.Why was Della worried after selling her hair?

Della wonders whether her husband would like her new school boy like looks with her hair trimmed down.

8.Why did Jim stare at Della when he came into the house?

Jim had bought a pack of combs for Della but the combs have become meaningless as Della had trimmed her hair.

9.How did Jim buy a set of combs for Della?

Jim had sold his gold watch to buy a set of combs for Della.

10.Who are the Magi?

The three wise men who went to gift infant Jesus were called the magi. Here in ‘The Gift of Magi’ Jim and Della were the magi.

Answer the following each in a paragraph:

1.How does the author bring out the poor financial status of Jim and Della?

Jim and Della lived in a flat on a rent of $8 per week. Della had run the family with the meager money that Jim brings home. They led a hand to mouth existence. Their family is a nuclear family with no support from kith and kin. This we understand from the empty letterbox and the unrung bell. The couple was seriously thinking about contracting Dillingham to a mere D because as their income per week is reduced from $30 to $20. They are absolutely helpless.

2.What are the prized possessions of Jim and Della? How does the author bring out their value?

Della has a very lengthy and beautiful hair.( It is described by the author as “Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hand out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s Jewels and gifts”.) It shows that the queen’s majestic jewels would depreciate alongside Della’s beautiful hair. Della sells such a valuable possession of hers for the sake of getting her husband a gift. Jim has a gold watch, kind of ancestral property and a source of his pride, which he sold to buy Della a gift.

3.How did Della buy a fob chain as a Christmas present to Jim?

Della has been saving all that she could for months. She saved sixty cents through charges of stinginess from grocer, butcher and vegetable man. The income gets reduced from $30 to $20. Still she saves it for the sake of buying a Christmas gift to Jim. Della saves one dollar and eighty seven cents to buy a Christmas gift for her dear husband Jim. Yet she could not raise the money needed to buy the gift she wanted to buy. She decides to sell her hair for twenty dollars and she buys a fob chain

4.Why would the Christmas presents of Jim and Della for each other remain useless for some time at least?

Della raises money she needs to buy a fob chain for Jim’s gold by selling her beautiful hair. While, Jim sold his gold watch to buy a pack of combs for Della’s hair. Out of love both Jim and Della goes to the extent of sacrificing their most priced possessions. But Della with her trimmed haircut has no use for the expensive comb until her hair grows and Jim who has no watch as of now as he had sold it would not be able to use the fob chain until he buys a new watch.

5. O. Henry’s short stories are known for their surprising ends. What is the sudden twist in the story?

Della raises money she needs to buy a fob chain for Jim’s gold watch by selling her beautiful hair. While, Jim sold his gold watch to buy a pack of combs for Della’s hair. Out of love for one another both Jim and Della goes to the extent of sacrificing their most priced possessions. But Della with her trimmed haircut has no use for the expensive comb until her hair grows and Jim who has no watch as of now as he had sold it would not be able to use the fob chain until he buys a new watch. The twist springs froth from the mutual love that they shared. Their selfless love elevates them to the level of Magi.

Answer the following in 200 words each:

Della saves one dollar and eighty seven cents to buy a Christmas gift for her dear husband Jim. Della has been saving the money she could for months. She saved sixty cents through charges of stinginess from grocer, butcher and vegetable man. The income gets reduced from $30 to $20. Still she saves it for the sake of buying a Christmas gift for Jim. She sobs over the economic condition of the family. Their family is a nuclear family with no support from kith and kin. Della saves one dollar and eighty seven cents to buy a Christmas gift for her dear husband Jim. Yet she could not raise the money needed to buy the gift she wanted to buy Jim. She decides to sell her hair for twenty dollars and she buys a fob chain

She decides to sell her lovely hair that which would challenge a majestic queen, for the sake of Jim. She trembles with fear over her husband’s reaction to her new haircut. She worries whether her husband would love her as he used to. Brushing aside her worries, she goes ahead and buys a fob chain for Jim’s gold watch. The gift she longed to buy for Jim. She describes both Jim and her gift for him as ‘quiet and valuable’.

Meanwhile, Jim sells his gold watch, a kind of ancestral property over which he took great pride in. With the money, he buys a set of combs for his wife. Out of love for one another both Jim and Della goes to the extent of sacrificing their most priced possessions. But Della with her trimmed haircut has no use for the expensive comb until her hair grows and Jim who has no watch as of now as he had sold it would not be able to use the fob chain until he buys a new watch. The twist springs forth from the mutual love that they shared.

The magi were wise people and so were the gifts but in the eyes of the author these two stupid lovers were wiser than the Magi. Their Christmas gifts to each other symbolized selfless love for the other which infused in them a generosity which made them give up their most precious treasures. This love and generosity of the couple was the most beautiful and precious gift anyone could have asked for. Their gifts were of no practical use to the couple but they made Jim and Della wiser than the Magi as there could not be any gift more perfect and ideal than the gift of love.

GRAMMAR

f. Rewriting sentence using an introductory it or there.

1. To inform him is important.

It is important to inform him.

2. Whether the chief guest will come is not known.

It is not known whether the chief guest will come.

3. Three parcels are in the bag.

There are three parcels in the bag.

4. My ambition is to become a pilot.

It is my ambition is to become a pilot.

5. That you did not go in the ill fated bus is your extreme good fortune.

It is your extreme good fortune that you did not go in the ill fated bus.

6. Many lodges are near the station.

There are many lodges near the station.

7. To err is human.

It is human to err.

8. To edit a good book is not an easy task.

It is not an easy task to edit a good book.

9. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported.

There are sporadic incidents of violence reported.

10. When he will come back is uncertain.

It is uncertain when he will come back.

11. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day.

It would be Christmas Day tomorrow.

g. Filling the blanks with suitable articles:

Fill in the blanks with suitable articles wherever necessary. Mark x where article is not necessary.

1. The Indians suffer from an eccentric craze for x gold.

2. I have an appointment in the hospital the doctor has asked me to come without taking x breakfast as the blood is to be tested before the treatment begins.

3. X Butter is expensive these days. Pass the butter.

4. An encyclopedia is a useful book.

5. The man who is sitting there is an eye doctor.

6. She sent x word that she is not coming.

7. Coimbatore is the Manchester of India.

8. We should work to save x tigers from becoming extinct.

9. I have a copy of the Mahabharata.

10. I am very fond of x music. I don’t like the western jazz.

11. As soon as the examination was over the boys went on an excursion to the Maldives.

12. It is anawe inspiring sight to see the Brahmaputra in spate.

13. I have borrowed a novel from the public library. I must return it before the end of the week. It is an interesting book. Don’t you like x novels?

14. One day a woman went to the house of a doctor. She said to the doctor, “My dog is very sick. Can you attend him? The doctor smiled and said, “All my patients are x men. I don’t see x animals. You better go to an animal doctor.” The woman looked puzzled. “Do you mean to say that a person who can cure a human being cannot cure an animal?”

15. The monkey mentioned in your story must be a genius.

16. The money you lost last year would support thelife of a prince.

h. using appropriate preposition given in brackets:

Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:

1. We don’t want to go to school on Sundays.

2. Wait for me at the bus station.

3. I bought this bag for fifty rupees.

4. You can write with a pencil.

5. He spoke to me with his hands in the pocket.

6. Do you want to speak to me about anything?

7. You can cut an apple into two with this knife.

8. I am weak in English but good at computing.

9. India was invadedby China in 1962.

10. I left Delhi ten years ago and have lived in Trichysince then.

11. I was angry withShyam and spoke harshly to him.

12. What did you strike him with?

13. He was punished by the principal with a fine.

14. I am not familiar with the facts of the case.

15. He was busy with his work and did not take note of us.

16. The hermit lived in a wood. The king put on simple cloths, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse and leaving his body guardbehind went on alone.

17. The exhibition is open fromten tosix.

Use appropriate prepositions, given in brackets:

1. He was placed between(between / among) two girls.

2. I am sick of (of / with) flattery.

3. You should not interfere with (into / with) my work.

4. He was struck by (by / with) lightening.

5. Don’t come in (in / into) uninvited.

6. Ram is married to (to / with) Kanmani.

7. He is confident of (of / about) his success.

8. Do not translate word by (by / for) word.

9. I have been working here for (since / for) a long time.

10. I have been working here since (since / for) 2000.

Correct errors in the use of prepositions in the following sentences:

1. He dies from cancer. – He died of cancer.

2. We congratulated him for his success. – We congratulated him on his success.

3. The police accused me with forgery. – The police accused me of forgery.

4. The car dashed on the tree. – The car dashed into the tree.

5. Hitler believed that the Germans were superior than other races. – Hitler believed that the Germans were superior to other races.

6. The shop is under my flat. – The shop is below my flat.

7. He was confrontedwith a number of difficulties. – He was confronted by a number of difficulties.

8. They left in midnight to their village. – They left on midnight to their village.

9. We are not well aquainted to our teacher. – We are not well aquainted with our teacher.

10. We refuse to abide with your rules. –We refuse to abide by your rules.

i. Framing suitable question:

a. Frame suitable Wh questions for the following:

1. I talked to her yesterday. – When did you talk to her?

2. Velan has come from Trichi. – Who has come from Trichi?

3. He is Mr. Ram. – Who is he?

4. My brother is a doctor. – What is your brother?

5. I am watching TV. – What are you doing?

6. He looked really worried. – How did he look?

7. I gave the boy ten rupees. – How much did you give the boy?

8. The bus stop is just a few metres away from here. – How far is the bus stop from here?

9. As I was not well, I didn’t attend the meeting. – Why didn’t you attend the meeting?

10. She did not play well. – How did she play?

11. I prefer this shirt. – Which shirt do you prefer?

12. This is Radha’s bag. – Whose bad is this?

13. I left the key on the table. – Where did you leave the key?

14. I go to the temple once a week. – How often do you go to the temple?

15. The hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. – Who was digging the ground?

16. I will be back soon. – When will you be back?

17. Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles. – What is life made of?

j. Filling the blanks using appropriate adjectival form of the word given in brackets:

1. His gesture is admirable(admire).

2. His action is justifiable (justify).

3. Your claim is laughable (laugh).

4. The ice cream is irresistible (irresist).

5. The car is serviceable (service).

6. Cancer is curable (cure).

7. The Principal of a college must be easily accessible (access) to students.

8. He is very knowledgeable (knowledge).

9. The pain is bearable (negative of bear).

10. The chair is comfortable (comfort).

11. This is a momentous (moment) occasion.

12. It is a wonderful (wonder) sight.

13. This is a constructive (construct) step.

14. He is always accessible (access).

15. This is childish (child).

16. That is a hellish (hell) thing to say.

17. This is an illustrated (illustrate) story.

18. The tiger looks fearsome (fear).

19. It is a glorious (glory) shot.

20. It is a labourious (labour) job.

k. Filing the blanks with suitable forms of the verb given in brackets:

1. She knows him. We all know him. In fact he is well known as a very knowledgeable person. But unfortunately, his knowledge is not of much use to him. He irritates people with his arrogance either knowingly or unknowingly. (know)

2. Where is your application? You are interested in Applied Physics, aren’t you? You must apply yourself, if you want to be successful. (apply)

3. This programme is powered by Ramco. The owner is a powerful industrialist. His power runs very deep. He is a good orator. He expresses his views powerfully. (power)

4. Does he agree with you? He is agreeable to my plan. Show him our agreement. (agree)

5. He is a good critic. His criticism is always constructive. He views things critically. His views are accepted even when he is harshly critical. (criticise)

6. One of you is (be) the culprit.

7. A pair of gloves is (be) always found in the kit of a cricketer.

8. Some of my friends plan (plan) to go to Yercaud this week end.

9. Economics is (be) not an easy subject to study.

10. Neither of my sisters live (live) in India.

11. Either the faucet or the shower headleaks (leak).

12. Neither the captain nor the players are (be) ready to play on this pitch.

13. This type of transistors is (be) no longer available.

14. Idli and sambaris (be) my favourite dish.

15. This is (be) a fine piece of furniture.

l. Antonyms of the words without using prefixes:

1. fragile× strong 31. winner × loser

2. enter× exit / leave 32. hopeful × hopeless

3. creative× destructive 33. release × arrest

4. defeat× victory 34. prosperity × adversity

5. arrival× departure 35. bitter × sweet

6. evolution × static / revolution 36. tragic × comic

7. guilty × innocent 37. preserve × destroy

8. occasionally × regularly 38. conquer × surrender

9. fake× genuine 39. childish × informed

10. master× serf 40. bitter × pleasant

11. instant× late 41. national × catholic

12. alien× known 42. condemn × applaud

13. meek× arrogant 43. derogatory × complimentary

14. minimize× maximize 44. yield × resist

15. remonstrate× agree 45. original × fake

16. estrange× reconcile 46. anticipate × overlook

17. aggravate× alleviate 47. feeble × strong

18. odious× enjoyable 48. vague × clear

19. genuine× counterfeit 49. vanish × appear

20. considerable× insignificant 50. forgive × resent

21. ceased× continued 51. encourage × discourage

22. inhale× exhale 52. humble × proud

23. brief× long 53. deny × grant / accept

24. guest× host 54. dawn × dusk

25. pessimist× optimist 55. vacant × occupied

26. homogeneous× heterogeneous 56. borrow × lend

27. true× false 57. dismiss × employ

28. artificial× natural 58. remember × forget

29. pleasure× pain 59. appreciate × depreciate

30. reward × punish

Give the antonyms of the following using prefixes:

1. grateful× ungrateful 12. active× inactive

2. embark×disembark 13. constitutional× unconstitutional

3. credit× discredit 14. legible× illegible

4. responsible× irresponsible 15. incentive× disincentive

5. dressed× undressed 16. Similar × dissimilar

6. national× antinational 17. yielding× unyielding

7. honest× dishonest 18. expected× unexpected

8. decided× undecided 19. frequently× infrequently

9. spoiled× unspoiled 20. necessary× unnecessary

10. conscious× unconscious 21. believe× disbelieve

11. voluntary× involuntary 22. reserved× unreserved

m. Changing the sentences into negative:

Change the following into their corresponding negatives:

1. It is raining outside. – It is not raining outside.

2. I studied German. – I did not study German.

3. She may join us. – She may not join us.

4. I can sing Ghana songs. – I cannot sing Ghana songs.

5. I weigh 75 kilos. – I do not weigh 75 kilos.

6. I needed your book. – I did not need you book.

7. She wants us to do the job immediately. – She does not want us to do the job immediately.

8. She could understand everything. – She could not understand everything.

9. I have a BMW car. – I do not have a BMW car.

10. Why did you come with him? – Why did you no come with him?

11. Will you have another cigarette? – Will you not have another cigarette?

12. Do criminals have terrible faces? – Do criminals not have terrible faces?

13. He will come if you can. – He will not come if you cannot.

14. We ought to help the poor. – We ought not help the poor.

15. She became angry. – She did not become angry.

Change the following into their corresponding negatives without altering the meaning:

1. She said nothing. – She did not say anything.

2. She rarely comes late. – She does not come late often.

3. Dogs are faithful. – Dogs are not faithless.

4. The story is unbelievable. – The story is not believable.

5. What he did is wrong. – What he did is not right.

6. She rejected my proposal. – She did not accept my proposal.

7. I consider you my friend. – I did not consider you my enemy.

8. Everyone in the class considers Ram a gentleman. – There is none in the class who does not consider Ram a gentleman.

9. I came home tired. – I did not come home fresh.

10. The flower smells sweet. – The flower does not smell bad.

11. The king agreed with none of them. – The king did not agree with anyone.

o. Reported Speech:

Change into reported speech:

1. My father said, “You must come here often”

My father told that I must come there often.

2. My friend said to me, “I came to your house yesterday”

My friend said to me that he had come to my house the previous day.

3. “They have sacked me,” Ram said, “but I wanted to resign a week ago”.

Ram said that they had sacked him and added that he had wanted to resign a week back.

4. Sunil said, “If my father gives me permission, I will leave for the States any time”.

Sunil said that if his father gave him permission he would leave for the States any time.

5. A Malayalee always says, “Kerala’s God’s own country”.

A Malayalee always says that Kerala’s God’s own country.

6. My friend said, “Shall we meet tomorrow?”

My friend asked whether we should meet the next day.

7. My mother said, “Did you hear the news?”

My mother asked whether I had heard the news.

8. Ram said to Keats, “Can you give me your book today? I will return it tomorrow.”

Ram asked Keats whether he could give him his book that day and added that he would return that the next day.

9. My father said to me, “Why do you look so dull? Are you not doing well?”

My father asked me why I looked so dull and whether I was not doing well.

10. My teacher said to Ram, “This is improper. Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday itself?”

My teacher told Ram that was improper and asked why he had not told her that the previous day itself.

11. She asked, “If you miss the train, will you fly?”

She asked whether I would fly if I missed the train.

12. “Bring me a cup of coffee”, my father said to my mother.

My father asked my mother to bring him a cup of coffee.

13. “Come in. don’t stand in the verandah. It is very chill out there”, the mother said to her little son.

The mother asked her little son to come in and not to stand in the verandah.

14. The manager said to the union leaders, “Don’t ask for a salary hike. The financial situation of the company is bad”.

The manager asked the union leaders not to ask for a salary hike, claiming that the financial situation of the company was bad.

15. I said to my teacher, “How nice it is that you still remember me!”

I exclaimed to my teacher how nice it was that she still remembered me.

16. “You are tired, said the king, Let me take the spade and work a while for you”.

The king told that he was tired and offered to take the spade and work a while for him.

17. The king approached him and said “for the last time, I pray you to answer my question, wise man.”

The king approached him and addressing him as a wise man prayed him for the last time to answer his question.

18. “Will you buy my hair” asked Della.

Della asked whether she would buy her hair.

Change into direct speech:

1. I told John that I had completed the job the previous day itself.

I said to John, “I completed the job yesterday itself”.

2. The principal asked me why I was late.

The principal said, “Why are you late?”

3. He asked me whether I played cards.

He said to me, “Do you play cards?”

4. I requested them to sit down and enquired whether they wanted to talk to me on anything.

I said to them, “Please sit down. Do you want to talk to me on anything?”

5. The officer asked the passenger whether she had anything to declare.

The officer said to the passenger, “Have you anything to declare?”

6. She advised us not to eat fruits and vegetables without first washing them.

She said to us, “Don’t eat fruits and vegetables without first washing them”.

7. I asked Rama how she was going to solve the problem.

I said to Rama, “How are you going to solve the problem?”

8. He told me that he did not know where he would be next week.

He said to me, “I don’t know where I will be next week.”

9. Everybody tells her how it feels to be at home.

Everybody says to her, “How does it feel to be at home?”

10. He asked me not to go away.

He said to me, “Don’t go away”.

11. The teacher told me that I was wrong and that I would be fined.

The teacher said to me, “You are wrong. I will fine you.”

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS

PART II : ENGLISH QUESTION PAPER FORMAT

SEMESTER : I (FOR ALL B.A/ B.Sc./ B.COM Corporate Secretaryship Only)

TIME: 3 HOURS MAX. MARKS : 75

Section – A (15 x 1 = 15)

I.Answer all the Questions:

a. Writing two words pronounced with /a:/ sound. b. Marking the stress of the words. c.Marking the strong and weak forms. d. Writing sentences with contracted forms. e.Marking the stressed words in sentences. f.Rewriting sentence using an introductory it/there h.Using appropriate preposition given in brackets. i. Framing suitable question. j. Filling the blanks using appropriate adjectival form of the word given in brackets. k. Filling the blanks with suitable forms of the verbs given in brackets. l. Antonyms of the words without using prefixes. m. Changing the sentences into negative. n.Filling the blank with connective. o.Reported Speech

Section – B ( 5x3=15)

II. Answer FIVE questions selecting not less than one from each in 30 words:

Either or Questions

1.Prose (a) or (b) 2.Poetry (a) or (b) 3.Short Stories( a) or (b) 4.Prose & Poetry (a) or (b) 5.Prose or Poetry or Short Stories (a) or( b)

Section – C ( 3x5=15)

III.Answer THREE questions selecting not less than one from each in 100 words:

Either or Questions

1.Prose (a) or (b) 2.Poetry (a) or (b) 3.Short Stories( a) or (b)

Section – D (3x10=30)

IV.Answer Three questions selecting not less than one from each in 200 words: Either or Questions 1.Prose (a) or (b) 2.Poetry (a) or (b) 3.Short Stories( a) or (b)

Study Guide For English @ UNOM Affiliated College Syllabus

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

ENGLISH I (w.e.f.2014-2015) CLZ1L CATALYST AND GRAMMAR