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Question
Discuss in groups of four.
“Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?”
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Solution
As we learn in the text, the first Brandt Report raised the above mentioned question about the deteriorating condition of the planet. Earth is like a “patient in declining health”. The depletion of forests, grasslands, fisheries and croplands are the result of excessive demand for resources. Over-population has led to a severe strain on the health of our planet.
We must realise soon that in this “Era of Responsibility” it is solely our duty to preserve our planet. We must realise that the earth belongs as much to the future generation as much to us. Rather making it our property, we should do our best to preserve it for the generations we have “borrowed it from”.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
A1. Choose two sentences that appropriately mention the theme of the passage :
(1) The extract deals with the writer’s concern over Chaitanya's handicap.
(2) The extract depicts the writer’s proud feelings towards her son’s achievement.
(3) The extract deals with how Chaitanya made the writer see positively towards life.
(4) The extract deals with how the writer helps Chaitanya to buy the bus ticket.
Early in 1997-98, when he returned from state-level inter-school sports, he had two prizes to his credit and a silver medal. He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
When I saw the prizes and read the citation Chaitanya had received, I was stupefied, in total disbelief, then–hugged him, kissed him and cried unabashedly to my heart’s content. That day, I cried for the first time out of joy and a sense of being vindicated. Without practice, he had competed with approximately 1,800 children drawn from various schools all over the state. He was subsequently selected for the marathon race, but he could not participate due to a health problem. “Maybe next year, he would”, I assured myself. And I, as his proud mother, would proudly chronicle his future achievements and success to inspire other - mothers of the world.
Looking back at my own life, I feel that it is the spirit with which we can accept our life gracefully is what
matters ultimately; and it is love that nourishes us. All other things are unimportant. Chaitanya has made me look inwards. His handicap doesn’t disturb me any longer. He and I shall live with it and still be happy. The mental strength which he has given to me is inexhaustible.
One day, as both of us got onto a public transport bus, Chaitanya offered to buy the tickets for us.
“One full, one half ”, he said to the conductor beaming with joy.
Looking at him, I wondered whether he was really only a half? An incomplete person? Was I really full?
Complete in all respects? Why do then normal people feel that they are ‘full’ and others like Chaitanya are ‘half’ or incomplete? Chaitanya’s world is complete in itself, pure and innocent while our lives are full of deceit, jealousies, ill-feelings.
A2. Point out -
Point out two instances where you find Chaitanya's victory over his disability.
A3. Give reasons -
Chaitanya’s silver medal in a running race was very special for the writer, because :
(i) __________________
(ii) __________________
A4. Vocabulary -
Match the pairs of the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ | ||
| (1) | stupefied | (a) | official statement about the special act of courage |
| (2) | chronicle | (b) | record events in the order they happened |
| (3) | vindicated | (c) | surprised or shocked |
| (4) | citation | (d) | justified |
A5. Personal response -
Explain, your views about the ill-treatment the special children receive in society.
A6. Grammar -
Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
(i) He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘not only...but also’.)
(ii) When I saw the prizes, I was stupefied.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘No sooner.... than’.)
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) must be installed in every classroom.
Give your views, either for or against this statement.
Write an original short story beginning with the following words :
She was delighted to find the sealed envelope lying on her table. As she reached for it .............
Does the poet use the literary devices in the poem?
What is universal about the theme – that is, what can we all learn from the poem?
Explain the use of figurative language in the poem.
In which context is the expression, ‘mountain mist’ used here?
The poet compares the flowers to the milky way. Is the comparison apt?
Explain the following:
They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude;
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.
Explain with reference to the context.
What bells are being referred to here? Why are they rung?
Discuss with reference to the story An Angel in Disguise how love has the power to transform.
(A) We did not know that Mr. Francis was retiring and leaving for Ooty.
(B) Little……………………………
(A) I am afraid you cannot get admission to the college without clearing the admission test.
(B) I am afraid you cannot be……………….
I prefer playing a, game to watching television. (Begin: I would rather ……….)
I was laid________for three weeks with a broken leg.
Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

"School days are the happiest days of our lives." Express your views either for or against this statement.
How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?
Discuss in groups of four.
Laws are never respected not enforced in India.
Write a letter to the Editor of a magazine describing a dance performance you have seen or an art gallery you have visited.
Discuss in pairs or in small groups
The Indian family system offers more security to the aged than what is found in the West.
Make a list of items that are referred to differently in British and American English, for example, 'lift' (BE) 'elevator' (AmE).
Use the phrase in a sentence of your own, after finding out its meaning.
streaked over
In her message to students of her college, Kalpana Chawla said, “May you have the vision to find the path from dreams to success … Wishing you a great journey.”
Form pairs. Use “May you…” and “I wish you/Wishing you” to wish your partner good luck and success in
- a sports event,
- a quiz or a competition, and
- a test or examination.
Be sure to thank your partner when she/he wishes you in turn. You may also look up a telephone directory, or go to a post office, and get a list in English and Hindi of standard phrases that can be sent in greeting telegrams anywhere in India. Discuss which of these you might use, and when. Compare the English and Hindi phrases for expressing good wishes. Do you know such phrases in any other language?
How did Kalpana Chawla meet her end? When did this tragedy in space take place?
‘Kalpana Chawla was a heroine’. How did a journalist support his statement?
Find five words in the following paragraph, which are generally associated with trees. But here, they have been used differently. Underline the words.
Hari leaves for work at nine every morning. He works in the local branch of the firm of which his uncle is the owner. Hari’s success is really the fruit of his own labour. He is happy, but he has a small problem. The root cause of his problem is a stray dog near his office. The dog welcomes Hari with a loud bark every day.
The words in the box are all words that describe movement. Use them to fill in the blank in the sentence below.
The snake hissed, his forked tongue ____________ in and out.
Imagine that Revathi’s father is abroad on business and she wishes to convey the news of her prize - winning plants. Draft an email for the above subject.
(Use an email format.)
Discuss with your partner and describe the atmosphere in the woods when Peter Crouch didn’t knock before entering Mrs. Adis’s house.
The reason was -
- _________________________
- _________________________
- _________________________
Imagine Taffy comes to you for help to write a letter of apology, in the modern script we use. She wants to express her regret to the stranger-man for her mother’s action. Write that letter of apology (informal) on her behalf.
Listen carefully and write the word in the appropriate column.
| Positive Feelings | Negative Feelings |
Teacher: hopeful, lonely, happy, jealous, surprised, shy, loving, proud, cheerful, anxious, nervous, excited, embarrassed, scared, silly, comfortable, peaceful, depressed, enthusiastic, motivated, inspired, threatened, crushed, angry.
Write your opinion, in your own words:-
Why did they appreciate and praise the stranger’s story?
Say ‘WHY’?
The writer grew less dogmatic and more open-minded.
You lost your geometry box, and someone returns it to you. ______
You are waiting for your exam results. ______
Write a paragraph comparing Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The following words will help you to write a compare and contrast paragraph.
| Similarities | Differences |
| is similar to | on the other hand |
| both | however |
| also | But |
| too | in contrast to |
| differs from | |
| while | |
| unlike |
Arrange the picture in order by writing the numbers 1,2,3 and 4 in the given boxes and write this familiar story in about 100 words.
Make use of the words given below.
| thirsty, village, pitcher, disappointment, pebbles, water level |

One hot day, a thirsty crow _____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Imagine a conversation among your friends about the four characters in the play – Tabaqui, Shere Khan, Mother Wolf and Father Wolf. Use the hints to write it.
- The characters' entry in the play.
- Compare and contrast their character traits.
- The reaction of the characters on seeing the man cub.
The word in the sentence is jumbled. Write them in order.
I went the towards footprint large.
Use the following clues to complete the following exercise.
| play | stop | buy | learn | see | meet | learn |
| be | eat | go | travel | start | read | visit |
Write three new things you have done in the last three years.
- I have started ______
- ____________
- ____________
Now complete the following suitably.
_______ a dog ran out onto the road.
Punctuate the following sentence.
oh no the bus has gone.
Alice follows the strange rabbit because she wants to know a number of things. Re-arrange the words to make the questions that Alice has in her mind, and put a question mark (?).
read he can time the
Make word families. The first word in each has been written for you.




Read Sheela's notice. Discuss the questions that follow.
|
Notice The Drama Committee will meet in the classroom on Monday, at two o’clock. We’ll plan a play for our Annual Day. Will each one of you please bring a play? SHEELA |
- Who was to meet?
- When were they to meet?
- Where were they to meet?
- What were they to do?
Do you know that there are seven wonders in the world? Can you tell the name of the one which is in India? Find out and write the names of all the seven wonders and the countries they are located in.
| Wonders of the world | Countries | |
| (i) | The Taj Mahal | |
| (ii) | The Great Wall of China | |
| (iii) | ||
| (iv) | ||
| v) | ||
| (vi) | ||
| vii) |
Why were the streets devoid of people?
What does each of the following mean in the story? Choose the right option.
arm in arm:
The sun brought about a positive change in the attitude of the children. Illustrate the statement.
Answer the following question as briefly as possible and with close reference to the relevant text.
“Then paint the cut with iodine.” With reference to this line, what is your understanding of Klausner? Do you sympathise with him? Give your reasons.
Write a composition (300 - 350 words) on the following:
It is very important for young people to spend time quietly or alone for a short while every day. If you were given an hour to spend on your own, how will you spend it? What will you learn from the process?
It is widely believed that people do their best work when they are promised rewards for their achievements. Our schools and workplaces operate on the assumption that good work occurs when people are competing for grades, money, or recognition from others. In truth, the prospect of rewards provided by others can inhibit and limit people’s drive and creativity. People do their best work when motivated from within by their enjoyment of a particular challenge and their satisfaction in doing something well.
What do you think motivates people to do their best? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture, or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Think of an occasion when you did not like the decision/actions of your family members but realised later on that they were right. Write about it in 5-8 lines.
Prepare a tourist leaflet for a historical place or a hill station using the following points.
- Place
- Special features
- Distance
- How to go there
- Accommodation
- Food
- Climate
Do you like cartoons and cartoon films? Which one do you like best?
Complete the dialogue.
| Anil: | Which is your favourite book? |
| Sunil: | ______________________ |
| Anil: | What type of book is it? |
| Sunil: | _____________________ |
With reference to the short story Quality, trace the journey of the Gessler Brothers from “ld is an Ardt!" to the bitter realization of “Dey dake it away from us, who lofe our boods….bresently i haf no work.” Write your answer in about 200-250 words.
