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Question
Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each :
(a) Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day?
(b) Sophie was dreaming of so many things in her life. What were they?
(c) Why are the youngsters described as springing? (My Mother at Sixty-six)
(d) In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort? (A Thing of Beauty)
(e) How did the Maharaja deal with a high ranking British officer who wanted to shoot a tiger?
(f) Having got rid of his stink, what problem did Roger Skunk face?
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Solution
(a) M. Hamel did not punish Franz even though he was late because it was the former’s last day at school before the new master came the following day. It was the last French lesson that he would be giving them, so he had become very sad and sentimental about it.
(b) Sophie dreamt of opening a boutique or becoming an actress or a fashion designer. She thought that she would be offered the position of a manager and that she would work there till the time she saves enough money for her boutique.
(c) While driving to the airport, in an effort to distract herself from the thoughts of her ageing mother, the poet looks at the young trees ‘sprinting’. The trees seem to be running past the moving car. The sprinting of the trees symbolises the rapidly passing years of human’s life from childhood to old age. This image, which shows activity and strength, is contrasted with that of her old and weak mother who seems dormant, sleeping in the car. The ‘young’ trees represent life in contrast to her mother’s approaching death.
(d) A man and the beast can get comfort in the hot season by looking out for beauty in nature, which surrounds us. According to the poet, anything which is beautiful, is a constant source of joy.
(e) The British Officer told the Maharaja that he wanted to hunt tigers in his kingdom but the Maharaja refused to give permission. The Maharaja himself wanted to kill hundred tigers so he had to refuse to give permission to the British Officer. Instead he told the officer that if he wanted to hunt boars, rats or even mosquitoes, there will be no problem. But hunting tigers could never be allowed.
(f) The next problem that Roger Skunk faced was that his mother became really very angry at him. Roger Skunk's mommy was angry because her son did not smell like a skunk anymore. He smelled of roses and the wizard had changed him just so that others would not make fun of him again. Roger Skunk's mommy did not want her son to change for others. Her anger is justified because one should revel in their individuality and not be ashamed of it. She decided to speak to the wizard and change him back to his old self with his familiar smell.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
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.
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| (ii) creation | _________________ | creative |
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