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प्रश्न
Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem:
The poet Okara in this narrative monologue painfully condemns the (a)______ displayed by adults, both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes that creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into (b)______. He says that people used to be (c)______ when they laugh and the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh (d)______. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere (e)______. He warns his son that people are not trust-worthy and have become so selfish that they are concerned only about their own (f)______benefits. People utter words of welcome and exchange (g)______, but those words come only from the tip of their tongues and not from the depth of their hearts. Humans have learnt the art of changing their (h)______ expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear(i)______ and exhibit multiple faces. The narrator admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his son that though he (j)______ his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says he wants to become a (k)______ again and laugh genuinely. He wants to (l)______ the unreal things and (m)______how to laugh as he had done once upon a time. When he laughs before the (n)______, he sees no expression. His teeth are bare like that of the (o)______of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way he used to laugh when he was a kid like him.
| relearn | adults | facial |
| personal | fangs | child |
| fakes | superficially | duplicity |
| genuine | unlearn | falsity |
| masks | mirror | pleasantries |
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उत्तर
The poet Okara in this narrative monologue painfully condemns the (a) falsity displayed by adults, both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes that creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into (b) adults. He says that people used to be (c) genuine when they laugh and the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh (d) superficially. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere (e) duplicity. He warns his son that people are not trust-worthy and have become so selfish that they are concerned only about their own (f) personal benefits. People utter words of welcome and exchange (g) pleasantries, but those words come only from the tip of their tongues and not from the depth of their hearts. Humans have learnt the art of changing their (h) facial expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear(i) masks and exhibit multiple faces. The narrator admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his son that though he (j) fakes his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says he wants to become a (k) child again and laugh genuinely. He wants to (l) unlearn the unreal things and (m) relearn how to laugh as he had done once upon a time. When he laughs before the (n) mirror, he sees no expression. His teeth are bare like that of the (o) fangs of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way he used to laugh when he was a kid like him.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
What does the poet long for?
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
laugh with their eyes
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
There will be no thrice.
Not everybody loves to play and participate in games, sports and other extra-curricular activities. Some of us wish to be mere spectators. List out the activities in which you like to be either a performer or a spectator. Share your views with the class.
| Activities | ||
| performer/player | spectator/audience | |
| e.g. | cricket | magician |
| a. | ||
| b. | ||
| c. | ||
| d. | ||
| e. | ||
Why does the poet feel glad that he does not play any game?
The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?
Would you like to exchange your place with someone else? Why/why not?
What sort of encouragement should an athlete in India be given? Give a few suggestions.
Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas:
- connected together
- spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner
- make out or understand
- slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan.
- What does ‘heaven’ refer to?
- Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about four to five sentence each.
The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,
Their thoughts I cannot measure.
How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?
Answer in a paragraph of about 100−150 words.
Do you think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because he has lost his link with nature and forgotten how to enjoy nature, or because man is cruel to other men?
Listening Activity
Some phrases have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required
To Autumn
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my ______, there thou may’st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my ______;
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the ______of fruits and flowers.
“The ______opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her ______;
Blossoms hang round the brows of morning and
Flourish down the ______of modest eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And ______strew flowers round her head.
The spirits of the air live on the smells
Of fruit; and joy, with ______, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.”
Thus sang the ______as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his ______.
William Blake
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
He sways his head from side to
side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep,
he’s always wide awake…
- Explain the comparison made here.
- What does he pretend to do?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
- What seems to be a challenge for the Scotland Yard?
- Why do they need his footprints?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
- Which cat is being talked of here?
- How is he different from the rest?
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair
But it’s useless to investigate…
Which quality does the speaker wish to nourish? What is his mission?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
Our nature it is that whatever we try We do with devotion deep and true.
- Who does ‘we’ refer to?
- How should we carry out our duties?
In what way is every hillock similar to Everest?
Discuss the following topic in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the view and share them with the class.
‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal.’ It is the courage and perseverance that counts.
Work with a partner and take this short quiz to find out how well-informed you are about history.
- Name a few wars and battles you have read about.
- What is the difference between a war and a battle?
- Why do rulers wage wars and battles?
- Is the outcome of a war always fair?
- Do you think rulers understand the true meaning of life – in defeat or in victory?
- Can you name a few kings and leaders who have fallen from glory to disgrace?
Fill in the blank with appropriate word from the box and complete the statement suitably:
The spectators died laughing at the ______of the clown.
What hides within the crown and laughs at the king’s grandeur?
What does ‘flesh’ mean here?
Working with your partner, discuss the following adages and share your views with the class. You may need to give your ideas and justify your point of view. Remember to take turns while making your presentation/short speech.
War begets war
