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Question
How does nature communicate with the poet?
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Solution
Like Wordsworth, Toru Dutt is also a great lover of nature. She has also had mystical experiences in communion with nature. The emotional bonding between herself and the giant Casuarina tree is beyond reason. When she is away on the shores of Italy and France, she could distinctly hear the dirge-like murmur of her beloved tree who obviously missed her. She could perceive it as the tree’s lament and eerie speech expressing its anguish over the long spells of her absence. Ordinary human eyes will fail to perceive the distinct communication of the Casuarina tree. But through the eyes of faith, similar to William Wordsworth’s inward eye in the poem ‘Daffodils’ it is possible. She was able to vividly see in her inner vision the sublime form of the Casuarina tree. The surprising thing is that she was able to see the tree in its prime in her own “loved native clime.”
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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’.)
How has the poet described a tree earlier in the poem?
What are these bangles for? Why has the poet repeated the word happy in the last line here?
Comment on the contrasted viewpoints in the poem.
Comment on the imagery used in the poem.
The children have been sick for a week. They were unable to go to school.
Answer the following questions with reference to Ray Douglas Bradbury’s short story, ‘All Summer in a Day’:
Why was there so much excitement in the schoolroom that morning? What sets Margot apart from the other children?
How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem? Compare it with what you have learned in science.
Given below is the dictionary meaning of
Smirk: to smile in a silly or unpleasant way that shows that you are pleased with yourself.
Look up the dictionary for the following words which are also related to facial expressions and write down the meaning of each
|
smile |
grin |
grimace |
sneer |
What was the underlying reason for John Ipe's disgust with the world?
Find out different career opportunities in the field of social work.
Use the phrase in a sentence of your own, after finding out its meaning.
carry on
We add ‘un-’ to make opposites. For example, true — untrue. Add ‘un’– to the word below to make its opposite. Then look up the meaning of the word you have formed in the dictionary.
important: ____________
Imagine you are journeying through a desert. Write a couple of paragraphs describing what you see and hear.
Complete the following web diagram.

Go through the text once again and note down Devu Handa’s fond memories of Kasbai in your exercise book. One is done for you.
Devu Handa has fond memories of Kasbai. They are as follows!
(a) It needs ______________ rain.
(b) _________________
(c) _________________
Prepare a poster on the need for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard.
Given in a mixed order below are some good human attributes of the family. Pick out from the box and write it against the line that reflects it.
After some days, Elizabeth informed that she wanted the family to move to a safer place.
The diagram below encircles the various features that make the script of a skit/ play. List the other words and mention the form of writing of which it is a feature.

Write a news report on the ‘Environment Day’ celebrated in your school.
Fill in the blanks using the words in the previous questions.
- _______ and _______ and quickly! You will be late for school.
- Shh! The baby is _______ . Don’t make a sound, or she will
- Are you still _______? You should be _______ now or you will not be able to in the morning for school.
The child got an ______ for winning the race.
Use the option to fill in the blank.
Ram ______ a good football player.
The travellers rested under the ______ of trees.
Describe the author’s grandmother.
How would Miss Meadows usually treat Mary? How did her behavior towards the girl change that day?
How did Jack manage to pay seven pounds eighty and eighty pence out of six pounds?
Write a paragraph of about 150 word, on the following topic.
The importance of Reading
What makes you happy?
Write a composition (300-350 words) of the following:
Describe the locality in which you live. Give details of the things you see and hear as you walk around your locality. What do you especially like about the place?
