हिंदी

What does the phrase 'as if he were on needles' mean? Can you think of another phrase with a similar meaning substituting the word 'needless'? - English Elective - NCERT

Advertisements
Advertisements

प्रश्न

What does the phrase 'as if he were on needles' mean? Can you think of another phrase with a similar meaning substituting the word 'needless'?

एक पंक्ति में उत्तर
Advertisements

उत्तर

The phrase actually is 'on pins and needles' which means to be nervously waiting to see what is going to happen.

Another phrase that has a similar meaning is 'on tenterhooks'.

shaalaa.com
Reading Skills
  क्या इस प्रश्न या उत्तर में कोई त्रुटि है?
अध्याय 1.1: The Lament - Language Work [पृष्ठ ९]

APPEARS IN

एनसीईआरटी English (Elective) - Woven Words
अध्याय 1.1 The Lament
Language Work | Q 4 | पृष्ठ ९

संबंधित प्रश्न

Read the passage carefully.

1. I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall experiencing some of the most carefree times of my life. But I can also remember, even more vividly, moments of being deeply frightened. As a child, I was truly terrified of the dark and getting lost. These fears were very real and caused me some extremely uncomfortable moments.

2. Maybe it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar room at night that scared me so much. There was never total darkness, but a street light or passing car lights made clothes hung over a chair take on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw curtains move when there was no breeze. A tiny creak in the floor would sound a hundred times louder than in the daylight and my imagination would take over, creating burglars and monsters. Darkness always made me feel helpless. My heart would pound and I would lie very still so that 'the enemy' wouldn't discover me.

3. Another childhood fear of mine was that I would get lost, especially on the way home from school. Every morning, I got on the school bus right near my home ‒ that was no problem. After school, though, when all the buses were lined up along the curve, I was terrified that I would get on the wrong one and be taken to some unfamiliar neighbourhood. I would scan the bus for the faces of my friends, make sure that the bus driver was the same one that had been there in the morning, and even then ask the others over and over again to be sure I was in the right bus. On school or family trips to an amusement park or a museum, I wouldn't  let the leaders out of my sight. And of course, I was never very adventurous when it came to taking walks or hikes because I would go only where I was sure I would never get lost.

4. Perhaps, one of the worst fears I had as a child was that of not being liked or accepted by others. First of all, I was quite shy. Secondly, I worried constantly about my looks, thinking people wouldn't like me because I was too fat or wore braces. I tried to wear 'the right clothes' and had intense arguments with my mother over the importance of wearing flats instead of saddled shoes to school. Being popular was very important to me then and the fear of not being liked was a powerful one.

5. One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is  being able to recognise and overcome our fears. I have learnt that darkness does not have to take on a life of its own, that others can help me when I am lost and that friendliness and sincerity will encourage people to like me. Understanding the things that scared us as children helps to cope with our lives as adults.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary.

(b) Make a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made and also suggest a suitable title.


Answer any four of the following in 30-40 words each:

(a) Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
(b) Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of mere 25 percent?
(c) Aunt Jennifer's efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
(d) What does Stephen Spender want to be done for the children of the school in a slum?
(e) How did the ten-day-old baby (the future Tiger King) react to the prediction about his future made by the astrologers?
(f) Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad along with the troops?


Read the passage and complete the activities given below
B1 Complete the table :
A few facts about the Mehendi rituals during marriage ceremonies are given below :
Write them into appropriate columns :
(i) A simple family affair.
(ii) Song and dance performances accompanied by lavish food and entertainment.
(iii) Creative family members, apply Mehendi to the bride.
(iv) Beauticians are appointed to apply Mehendi to the bride.
Fill in the table as :

Yesteryears Present times
(i) (i)
(ii) (ii)

Mehendi enjoys special attention during the wedding. In India, the day before the wedding is devoted exclusively to the elaborate ritual of applying Mehendi on the hands and feet of the bride. This practice is followed in Arab countries as well, except that it is held a few days prior to the wedding day. Songs are woven around the healing properties and lucky omens associated with mehndi are sung by the bride’s family and friends. An age-old belief handed down to generations lays great emphasis on the color of the bride’s Mehendi – a darker color suggests bountiful love and affection from the future in-laws and husband, and for this reason, brides take the pain to ensure that only the best quality henna is used for her wedding day.

The ritual of adorning the bride with henna is a sacred one and in some communities requires the initiation by the mother-in-law. A popular game during marriage function is the search for their names, by the bride and groom hidden within the elaborate pattern on the bride’s hands.

In certain parts of India, the bridegroom has his hands decorated with henna. The Mehendi function during marriages has evolved from simple family affairs of yesteryears to elaborate events of today. A lavish spread of food and entertainment in the form of song and dance performances have transformed it from a small function to a gala prelude. In earlier days, the task of applying Mehendi on the bride was the sole prerogative of creative family members. The demand for intricate and different style now, sees this job outsourced to beauticians skilled in this art. Beauty salons charge according to the style and complexity of pattern desired by the clients.

B2 What is the age-old belief related to the bride’s Mehendi color and its significance?

B3 Find the words :

Find the words from the passage :

The first letter of each word is given as a clue :
(i) Nowadays a lot of e .......... is given to the use of Information Technology in school.
(ii) Temples and mosques exhibit i .......... carving on their walls.
(iii) The minister announced the i .......... of the National Polio Eradication Programme.
(iv) Villages have t .......... to towns.
 
B4 Complete the table : 
Noun Verd Adjectives
(i) attention attend _______________
(ii) creation _________________ creative
Select any one word and use it meaningfully in a sentence of your own.
 
B5 Personal Response :
A lot of money is spent nowadays on marriage ceremonies. What is your opinion about it? 

Read the following passage carefully and complete the activities given below :
A.1) Complete the web :
Write the words from the passage on the web. 

          We saw small bits of grass peeping through the small cracks in concrete pavement. It left us thinking: however impossible things may look, there is always an opening…………
             We saw a tree bare of all leaves in the cold winter months. We thought its chapter was over. But three months passed, spring set in and the tree was back to its green majesty once again, full of leaves, flowers, birds, and life. What if we too had the conviction that, however difficult things are right now, it will not remain so forever. Remember, this too shall pass.
             We saw an army of ants lugging a fly which was at least ten times the ant’s size. The ants organized themselves around the fly, lifted it on frail feelers and carried it to quite a distance. Their teamwork and perseverance were impressive. What if we too are consistent, organized, focused ……… Spider webs are delicate, yet very strong. A rainbow colors the entire sky. Oysters take in a grain of sand they open up with a pearl. Innumerable stars shine across the infinite sky. Clouds take new shapes with every passing moment. The wind makes trees dance with unhindered passion. Water, without a hint of ego, changes its form according to the dictates of the sun and the wind. When we see a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, a flower turns into a fruit, we experience the alchemy of nature ………. We touch it and become gold ourselves.

A.2)  Finding meanings :
Write what you mean by :
(i) _______ there is always an opening.
(ii) _______ its chapter was over.
(iii) _______ the tree was back to its green majesty.
(iv) _______ this too shall pass. 

A.3) Matching :
Match the words in Column ‘A’ with their synonyms in Column ‘B’: 

  Column 'A'   Column'B"
(i) conviction  (a) strong feeling 
(ii) alchemy (b) delicate
(iii) frail  (c) mysterious/magical power 
(iv) passion  (d) strong belief 


A.4) Language study : 
Rewrite the sentence using the correct question tag given in the brackets :
(i)
Water changes its form. (does it?, do it?, do they?, doesn’t it)
(ii) However impossible things may look, there is always an opening. (Rewrite using ‘but’) 

A.5)  Personal Response :
Nature is the best teacher. Explain. 


The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.


Rearrange the following events as they occur in the story. Put the correct number in the boxes.

(a) Mr Fitzwarren provided shelter to Dick.  
(b) A carter gave Dick a lift to London.  
(c) A cat sailed to the African coast.  
(d) The captain sold the cat for a very high amount of money.  
(e) Dick left his village on foot, to go to London.  
(f) Dick became rich, and later, the Mayor of London.  
(g) Dick was homeless, helpless, cold and hungry.  
(h) Dick bought a cat to get rid of the mice.  
(i) The rats and mice ate up all the dinner, laid for the king and queen.  

Make a list of the preparations made for an assault on Tiger Hill.

They also explored to ______________.


Write down any two Slogans on 'Gender Equality'.


The special thread for kite - flying is sharpened by adding sugar and glass pieces.


When a poet/writer attempts to describe something in words, so that it appeals to our five senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste) he/she has used a device called Imagery.

For example: ‘a host of golden daffodils’.
‘to a chasm, deep and vast and wide’.

Go through other poems in your textbook or other books and find outlines that contain Imagery. Write them down along with the name of the poem and line/stanza number.


Expansion of Idea:

Expand the following idea in about 100-150 words by using the points.

'Beauty is truth, truth beauty'.

  • Meaning of the proverb
  • Significance of the proverb
  • Add your own points.

Discuss orally in your class.

In what subjects is knowledge of mathematics used, at school level, and college/university level? Name them.

Did you know maths is used in music and poetry also? Can you tell how?


Birbal thought Akbar was greater than God.


Draw a diagram to show a volcanic eruption from its description given in this passage. Label the diagram. Show the following in it :

Volcano; earth’s crust; crack in the earth’s crust; hot molten rock; red, hot lava; smoke; ash; burning chunks of rock.


Enact the ad by playing the roles of Didi and her relatives. One more child acts as the salesman of ‘Hemagauri’ and presents the text given in white letters in pink bubbles.


List five questions from the play which can be answered with 'yes' or 'no'. 


Relate the themes of the Fair to your science textbook by writing the relevant chapter numbers under each theme.


Think and answer:

Why are the sights said to ‘fly’?


Sayali made a hasty purchase.


Answer the following question and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.

Why does the bee work hour after hour?


Say whether you agree or disagree.

The children showed disinterest even in the bachelor’s story-telling, throughout.


Who said the following, to whom, and when?

“As you desire, Huzoor.”


Find the meaning of the following word.

abused 


Choose a suitable heading for each announcement from those given below. 

(Change in School Hours, Cleanliness, Story-telling Competition, Lost and Found, Warning, Football Match)

1.

6 July 2015

        It has been observed by the Head Boy and Head Girl that certain classes do not clean up their classrooms before leaving. If any class is found untidy and littered after school, that class will be detained the next day after school hours up to 4 pm. Please take note of this.

2.

      Tomorrow, that is, on the 10th of July, the school will close an hour earlier, as the teachers have to attend an important P. T. A. meeting. So please inform your parents to arrange to pick you up at 2 pm instead of 3 pm.

3.

      On Sunday, 12th July 2015 there is a football match between classes VIII and IX, on the school ground. The match will begin at 9 am. All students are invited to come and cheer their favorite team. Please come on time, so that the players are not distracted.

4.

      The school has organized a Story-telling Competition for Classes V, VI, and VII from 21st to 25th of July. The competition will be held in the school hall at 10 in the morning. Children may select -

  1. A fable
  2. A folk-tale
  3. A fairy-tale
  4. A True Story
  5. A Funny Story

     Three prizes will be given for each category.

      The time limit is 3-5 minutes. Those who wish to participate may contact Mrs. Sanjana Mohite for other details. They must register their names with her before the 16th of July.

5.

      Construction work to extend the school building will start next week. All students are cautioned not to cross over the fence at the construction site. It is dangerous and may cause you injury.

Please stay away from that fence.

6.

        A cycle key with a blue key chain has been found on the ground. Whoever has lost it can contact the clerk Mrs. Neena Pinto and see if it belongs to him/her.

What will happen to the bird in imprisonment?


Read the incident again and answer the following question.

What is the humour element in the above incident?


He decided to find his cousins’ home without their help. He asked the policeman for information in Italian because he.


Hamid’s friends are ______


What do you think are the two most important lessons that the speaker mentions?


How can we make our life worth living?


What qualities of Mr. Phileas Fogg are highlighted in this extract? Support your answer with suitable examples.


Read the following lines and answer the questions.

It’s a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.

  1. What is an ‘ingrained trait’?
  2. Why does a courageous man need patience?

Olive Ridleys are the only sea turtles seen on Indian shores.


What made Grandfather plant saplings on the rocky island?


Grandfather felt planting trees would help the forest because______.


Recall Merlin’s memories and complete the story map.


Try your own.


Vicky was an active boy.


Rosy ______a bicycle.


Look at the picture and Choose the correct word.


Choose the correct option from the given homophones.

You should never ______ to your parents.


Why was the fish floating on top?


Match the words with the pictures.

Robinson
cannibals
Friday
footprint

Write the rhyming word.

goat


Like whom did they want to do?


Fill in the blank

Do you like apple______ orange?


Meena was transferred to a______.


Match the rhyming words.

1.  share dare
2. bread rest
3. care needs
4. deeds ahead
5. zest bear

Who were the guest to Kani’s home?


Who made the tree become a monster?


In which season is ice cream popular?


Read the passage carefully and answer the following question.

What is the main idea of the story?


Name the animal and sound it makes.


How did Mugund’s mother die?


What was the truth finally learned by Chris?


Why does the poet feel that the nose is a funny thing?


Which part of the plant should be watered?


The branch of economics that deals with the allocation of resources. 

  1. Microeconomics 
  2. Macro economics
  3. Economics
  4. None of these

Form groups of four to six.

Discuss whether and how you can improve English spelling.


Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×