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प्रश्न
Read the following extract from Ray Bradbury's short story, 'All Summer in a Day' and answer the questions that follow:
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"Margot" They stood as if someone had driven them like so many stakes into the floor. They looked at each other and then looked away. They glanced out at the world that was raining now and raining and raining steadily. They could not meet each other's glances. Their faces were solemn and pale. They looked at their hands and feet, their faces down. |
- Who is Margot?
How does the author describe her? [3] - Who are 'They'?
Where do they live?
Mention any one reality of the planet on which they live. [3] - What two words would you use to describe what the children were experiencing in the above extract?
Why does the mention of Margot's name affect them in this way? [3] - What event had the children awaited eagerly that day?
What made this event special?
Why did this event mean so much to Margot in particular? [3] - What is the central theme of Bradbury's story, 'All Summer in a Day'?
What important lesson have the children learnt from this experience?
Why do you suppose the story is said to end on a note of hope? [4]
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उत्तर
- Margot, a fragile and pale child, possessed features of almost ethereal delicacy. She spent her early years in Ohio before relocating to Venus with her parents at the age of four. Inclined towards introversion, Margot preferred solitude over engaging in activities with her peers. Unfortunately, her distinctiveness from the Venus-born children resulted in her being both despised and excluded. She appeared as if the enduring rain on Venus had washed away the vibrancy of her features, rendering her seemingly lost and isolated. Margot's sorrow deepened due to the relentless rain, serving as a constant reminder of the sunny days she once enjoyed on Earth. Her profound depression made it challenging for her to establish connections with anyone on Venus.
- "They" denotes a collective of children native to Venus, where they have spent their entire lives. The distinctive environmental characteristics of Venus involve incessant rainfall, with occasional interruptions occurring only once every seven years, providing brief periods of sunlight. Consequently, these children have not encountered sunshine for seven years and have adapted to the planet's climate, considering it the standard norm.
- A profound sense of guilt and shame engulfed the children as they comprehended that Margot could not partake in the rare and much-anticipated occurrence of sunlight on Venus, which occurred only once every seven years. The gravity of their deeds was evident in their sombre and pale countenances, indicating the sincerity of their regret. Previously, the other children had harboured envy towards Margot's vivid descriptions of the sun and had subjected her to bullying due to their own jealousy. The mere mention of Margot's name now stirred a deep response within them as they realized that their unkind actions had deprived her of a long-awaited chance to revel in the warmth and splendour of the sun.
- The children on Venus were eagerly awaiting the rare and fleeting appearance of the sun in the sky. This event held great significance for them, as they had never witnessed the sun before, and the scientists' prediction of its occurrence filled them with excitement. Margot, who had spent her early years on Earth before relocating to Venus, shared the same eagerness to see the sunlight. She longed to feel the sun's warmth once more, but the other kids made fun of her for it.
- The primary focus of Ray Bradbury's narrative, "All Summer in a Day", revolves around the detrimental effects of bullying on the emotional state of individuals, emphasizing the profound emotional suffering and trauma experienced by those who are perceived as different or vulnerable. Additionally, the narrative delves into the significance of empathy. The children in the story come to recognize their wrongdoing and experience deep guilt and shame for their mistreatment of Margot. On that day, they grasped the importance of empathy, gaining an understanding of the value of treating others with kindness and respect.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Why does the disciple’s decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
Read a short story about an exemplary boss.
Working 12 to 18 hours a day was not uncommon for scientists at the rocket launching station, Thumba. A group of such scientists was frustrated due to the work pressure and meeting their boss's demands; however, they were loyal to him.
One day, a scientist gathered enough courage to go up to his boss and say, "Sir, I have promised my children that I will take them to the exhibition this evening. Therefore, I have to leave the office by 5.30 pm. Can I leave early today, Sir?"
His boss replied, "Alright. You may leave early today."
The scientist was happy for having received the permission and continued with his work. He stayed on to work after lunch, and, as always, got so engrossed in his work, that he peered at his watch only when he thought he was done. Unfortunately, it was past 08: 15 pm.
With a jolt. he remembered his promise to his children. He looked for his boss who was not in his omee. Having told him just that morning. he wrapped up hia work and hurried home.
A.P.J. he drove home, he felt very guilty for having let hla children down. When he reached, the chlldren were not at home. His wife was busy reading. He felt that initiating any conversation with her would only add fuel to fire, so he stayed quiet.
Looking up at him, bis wife asked, "Do you want eomething hot to drink or would you like to have dinner right away?"
The man could only aak, "Where are the children?"
His wife said, "Don't you know? Your boss came here around quarter past five and took the children to the exhibition you had promised to take them to."
He was surprised, but, it did not take him very long to guess what had happened.
The boss who had granted him permission had observed him working very seriously well past 5.00 pm. He realized that the scientist would not leave the work half' done, but if he had promised his children visit to the exhibition, then they deserved it. So, he took the lead in taking them to the exhibition himself.
The boss did not have to do it every time. But once it was done, loyalty was established.
No wonder, all scientists at Thumba continued to work under this boss in spite of the great pressure.
This boss was none other than Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Following are eight incidents from the story but their order is mixed up. Put them in the right sequence.
(a) The scientist rushed home anticipating the disappointment of his children.
(b) Scientists were working for 12-18 hours at Thumba.
(c) The boss consented.
(d) Scientists had heavy work pressure but they were loyal.
(e) A scientist approached the boss for permission to leave at 5.30 pm to take his children to the exhibition.
(f) To his surprise, he learnt that his boss had kept his appointment for him.
(g) Suddenly, he remembered his promise to his children.
(h) The scientist became so engrossed in his work that he continued working till 8.15 pm.
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Read the lines given above and answer the following question.
Explain with reference to context.
He looked at me very blankly and tiredly, and then said, having to share his worry with someone, “The cat will be all right, I am sure. There is no need to be unquiet about the cat. But the others. Now what do you think about the others?”
“Why they’ll probably come through it all right.”
“You think so?”
“Why not,” I said, watching the far bank where now there were no carts.
“But what will they do under the artillery when I was told to leave because of the artillery?”
“Did you leave the dove cage unlocked?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Then they’ll fly.”
“Yes, certainly they’ll fly. But the others. It’s better not to think about the others,” he said.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
What does the old man worry about? Why?
Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening— the last evening of the year. In this cold and darkness there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet. When she left home she had slippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? They were very large slippers, which her mother had hitherto worn; so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as she scuffled away across the street, because of two carriages that rolled by dreadfully fast.
One slipper was nowhere to be found; the other had been laid hold of by an urchin, and off he ran with it; he thought it would do capitally for a cradle when he some day or other should have children himself. So the little maiden walked on with her tiny naked feet, that were quite red and blue from cold. She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand. Nobody had bought anything of her the whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing. She crept along trembling with cold and hunger—a very picture of sorrow, the poor little thing!
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Had she managed to sell any matches?
How did Mr Gessler described his brother?
Bring out a contrast between Mr. Purcell and the customer.
Fill in the blank in the sentence below with the words or phrases from the box. (You may not know the meaning of all the words. Look such words up in a dictionary, or ask your teacher.)
____________ , the elf began to help Patrick.
Answer the following question.
Nasir wants to learn ______________________________________________
Does the poet get scared at the thought of peeping through the window?
