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Question
The peacock is a colourful bird. How does the poem capture the various colours that its plumage displays?
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Solution
An Asian bird, the peacock is one of the most colourful known birds. Its plumage is a myriad of colours. Sujata Bhatt has detailed the tail of numerous colours with such finesse that it is not hard to visualise the blue and golden of the peacock. In the very beginning when she tells the reader of the presence of a peacock in the vicinity she talks of the turquoise flashed in the peepal tree, a vibrant reflection of the turquoise colour, which is most dominating in its feathers, forms an image in the reader's mind. Even when the peacock makes a spectacle, the poet talks of its dark glowing eyes (in feathers), describing them “violet fringed with golden amber”. It creates vivid imagery of a widespread plumage of the peacock with all the vibrant colours reflecting the flamboyance.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
A1. True or False
State whether the following statements are true or false:
(i) A new research suggests that eating healthy food and getting proper sleep helps children to succeed in school.
(ii) Kids in the age group of 6-12 years should get an average sleep of little less than 7 hours.
(iii) Kids should start their day with yogurt, fruits and veggies.
(iv) Children should have consistent sleeping habit.
A new research suggests that eating healthy food and getting proper sleep can help children succeed in school. According to research, when kids go to school without eating breakfast, their cognitive function can be affected.
According to study, kids should start the day with fruits, proteins and whole grains and they should avoid sugary cereals because they cause a sugar high. If the kids do need to eat something prior to dinner, parents should offer healthy choices like yogurt, fruits and veggies or baked chips. Children have also been advised to drink water instead of soda as-it lacks nutritional value. Moreover, research suggests that children need a good night's sleep for theiroverall school performance. It is said that. lack of sleep can lead to problems with attention and memory in the classroom, affect impulse control and mood regulation lead to.
anxiety and even depression.
While kids aged 6-12 years should get nine hours sleep nightly, adolescents from the age of 13 to 18 years should get an average sleep of little more than seven hours per night. However, the research suggests that catching up on lost sleep on the weekend can make matters worse and recommended a consistent bedtime seven days a week.
A2. Find
Fill in the blocks with the following given in the passage:
(i) Two things to be avoided by children:
(ii) Lack of sleep due to mood regulation leads to:
A3. Select
Select the correct word from the brackets and complete the statements given below:
(anxiety, consistent, impulse, attention)
(i) Last minutes study causes......... to the students.
(ii) Stress affects the.............. for a quick action.
(iii) Saina has shown ........... improvement in her performance.
(iv) Students should pay ..............in class.
A4. Language study
(i) Pick out anyone sentence from the passage where a modal auxiliary indicating advice is used.
(ii) Pick out the correct conjunctions from the given sentences:
(a) Kids should avoid sugary cereals because they cause a sugar high.
(b) It is said that lack of sleep can lead to problems.
A5. Personal response
We should eat healthy food. Explain..
Helen's struggle has become a source of inspiration for all less fortunate. Comment.
Read the following extract and then do all the activities that follow :
I rain into a stranger as he passed by
“Oh, excuse me please” was my reply.
He said, “please excuse me too; wasn't even watching for you.”
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on out way and we said good-bye.
But at home a different story is told.
How we treat out loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My daughter stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knoked her down.
“Move out of the way,” I said with a frown.
She walked away, her little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
“While Dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
But children you love, you seem to abuse.”
A1. Order-
The incidents narrated in the extract are arranged in a jumbled manner here, Rearrange them in a proper order as they occur in the extract:
(i) The poet and the stranger went on their way saying good-bye.
(ii) Seeking excuse politely from the stranger, she went her way.
(iii) The poet ran into a stranger on the road.
(iv) The poet yelled at her daughter.
A2. Poetic device:
Make a list of rhyming pairs from the second stanza and note down the rhyme scheme of the same stanza.
A3. Personal Response:
Understanding and politeness are the essentials of out everyday life. Explain your views in brief.
A4. Creativity -
Frame two poetic lines on the following situation using a rhyming pattern with the help of clues given:
“While introducing great personalities, we praise them highly and talk about their qualities, but while speaking
about our friends we may not follow the same trend.”
While introducing great personalities, — a
------------------------------------ — a
But while speaking about our friends, — b
------------------------------------ — b
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 :
| Noun | Verd | Adjectives |
| (i) attention | attend | _______________ |
| (ii) creation | _________________ | creative |
A lot of money is spent nowadays on marriage ceremonies. What is your opinion about it?
Read the following passage and do the activities:
B1 Match:
Match the areas given in Column ‘A’ with the description of Mehendi design given in Column ‘B’:
| 'A' | 'B" | ||
| (i) | North African | (a) | A mix of Indo-Pakistani and Arabic design |
| (ii) | Indian | (b) | Delicate loops and curves, paisleys, teardrops |
| (iii) | Arabic | (c) | Geometrical images |
| (iv) | South Asian | (d) | Local textiles, paintings, and architecture |
Henna comes from the leaves of the plant Lawsonia inertias. The plant grows in hot and dry climes and is native to North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. The leaves of the plant are dried and crushed to powder. Various additives such as coffee decoction, tea, lime juice, Mehendi and eucalyptus oil are mixed with the henna powder to increase the potency of the dry, this also helps to bind the powder to a paste-like consistency. The mixture is applied through cones in intricate patterns depending on the region of use.
Album of Patterns
Four major styles can be found in the vast dictionary of Mehendi designs. Earlier the application was restricted to hand and feet, but the adoption of Mehendi by different cultures throughout the world has seen experimentation on different body parts including the neck naval and back.
North African patterns rely on geometrical images to trace the shape of hands and feet, Arabic designs borrow heavily from local textiles, paintings, and architecture. These are more spaced out, to allow the design to stand out boldly from the skin parts left untouched by henna. The Indian style comprises of delicate loops and curves, paisleys, teardrops and flowers that give a dainty filigreed glow-like effect. Though intricate patterning is the name of the game today, this trend took off in India only during the 20th century. The patterns preferred by the South Asian countries are mixed with Indo-Pakistani and Arabic design schemes. Chinese and Celtic symbols now find a place in the vast repertoire of Mehendi designs as well.
B2 Complete:
Complete the following and write:
(i) The procedure before applying henna _______
(ii) The reasons for using additives _______
(iii) The suitable climatic conditions for the henna plant _______
(iv) Mehendi is used on _______
B3 Find words:
Look at the following description and find out proper words from the passage and write:
(i) Existing naturally in the place : - n _______
(ii) Consist of something: - c _______
(iii) Delicate decoration made from gold, silver and copper wire: - f _______
(iv) Substance that is added in small quantity : - a _______
B4 Language study:
Fill in the blanks with suitable subordinators given in the box:
| as well as, so that, however, which |
(i) The mixture is applied through cones in intricate patterns _______ depend on the region of use.
(ii) The intricate pattern is the name of the game of today _______, this trend took off in India, recently.
(iii) North African pattern relies on geometrical images ______ they can trace the shape of hands and feet.
(iv) The patterns preferred by the South Asian countries are mixed with Indo-Pakistani _______ Arabic design schemes.
B5 Personal Response:
Which Mehendi design do you like? Why?
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Astrologers' perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture than what they learn from the study of the stars. Comment with reference to the story.
Tick the item that is closest in meaning to the following phrase.
to meet one's match
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'?
'The author's treatment of the subject matter makes the readers identify themselves with the experience.' Comment on the statement.
Why is the quality of pity earth-bound while the other two passions are elevating?
Discuss the following in pairs or in groups of four:
'It is time to realise that unless we modify the established notion of literature as something written, we will silently witness the decline of various Indian oral traditions'
How does the connection drawn between the tail and the eyes add to the descriptive detail of the poem?
What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of 'adult reconciling'?
How does Forster use the analogy of Scheherazade to establish his point ?
Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups.
Exceptionally talented people are born so; talent cannot be cultivated
Read the extract 'Being Neighborly' and complete the following statement:
Jo swept a path around the garden for ________________.
The poet encourages her brother in the second part of the poem by telling him about the brighter side of life. Discuss with your partner and make a list of the expressions in the poem that mean encouragement.
- Brighter garden
- ________________
- ________________
You might have visited a bridge. Complete the web describing the sights you could see from the bridge.
Read different stories about intelligent ministers of kings, whose judgments helped to bring about law and order in society. For example - Birbal, Tenalirama, etc. Write 5 such stories in your notebook.
Match the terms in ‘A’ with their explanation in ‘B’.
| 'A' | 'B' | ||
| (1) | tooth- extraction | (a) | a cut made for surgery |
| (2) | cardiac | (b) | having length, breadth, and depth |
| (3) | sedative | (c) | plastic surgery |
| (4) | tumor | (d) | related to the heart |
| (5) | incision | (e) | a control unit for a robotic surgery |
| (6) | a console | (f) | removing a decayed tooth |
| (7) | 3-D | (g) | a substance that makes a person sleep |
| (8) | Cushing clip | (h) | an extra growth in the body |
| (i) | a device to stop blood loss in neurosurgery |
Expand the idea inherent in the following proverb:
A Bad workman blames his tools.
Expand the idea inherent in the following proverb :
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread - Alexander Pope.
What can you do to show your love, respect, and support to the soldiers who fight for the country? Discuss this in the classroom. You can send greeting cards to them on various occasions, with the help of your teacher.
Write five words each -
with the suffix
- -less
- -ly
- -ness
Read the following and observe the use of tenses.
‘Last week I witnessed a strange accident. Let me tell you about it. The signal flashes green. Vehicles start in the opposite direction. They move fast. Suddenly a speeding motorcyclist tries to cut across, from the wrong side. He is about to collide with a loaded truck. He applies the brakes. He falls and slides out with his bike from under the truck. He comes out unscathed on the other side.’
- When an event, which has occurred in the past, is narrated in the Present Tense to create a dramatic effect its Tense is called the ‘Dramatic Present Tense’.
- Now try to relate Jayant’s sci-fi story, in brief, in the dramatic past tense.
Prepare charts for each one of the asanas described in the passage. Use the following points:
- Name (in English, in your mother tongue)
- Meaning in English
- General information
- Steps and pictures
- Benefits
Fill in the table.
| Period | Way of Addressing a Mother | Boy’s Costume | Lady’s Costume | Daily Chores | Games |
| The 1950s | silk saree | ||||
| 1910 | Kurta pajama and cap | ||||
| The 1800s | |||||
| The 1500s | |||||
| 1000 | |||||
| 100 AD | feed poultry tend sheep keep away birds plaster the yard | ||||
| 3000 BC | Chaupar |
The items in the programme below have got mixed up. Rearrange them in the proper order. Just add the number in the left-hand column.
| Balanand Vidyalaya Art Festival Programme | |
| ( ) | → Koli Dance |
| ( ) | → igniting the Lamp |
| ( ) | → Chief Guest Speaks |
| ( ) | → Appraisal of the Art Festival |
| ( ) | → Dignitaries Arrive |
| ( ) | → Recital of ‘Taal kacheri’ |
| ( ) | → Welcome and Introduction of Guests |
| ( ) | → Prize Distribution |
| ( ) | → The Boy Comes Home - A skit by Std IX |
| ( ) | → Vote of Thanks |
Write the symbol that is used in the poem to represent the following idea.
Some other time.
Who said the following, to whom, and when?
“O Holy Master, bless us with thy song !”
What is a password?
Who is a ‘netizen’?
Answer the question in a paragraph of about 100 – 150 word.
Write a detailed character sketch of Prospero.
Read the incident again and answer the following question.
What did Gilson want the writer to bring for him?
Read the following line from the poem and answer the question given below.
They growl at that and they growl at this;
Whatever comes, there is something amiss;
- What does the word ‘growl’ mean here?
- Why do they find everything amiss?
What game did Anne choose to play?
Which mode of transport did Fogg choose?
Complete the mind map given below
Women/Men can achieve anything, provided they put their heart and soul into it. Discuss in the class. Do you think being a man or a woman makes a difference?
The horses were four and a half inches tall.
In this story, what happened to the Earth?
Try your own.
It ploughs soil before _________.
Why do the soldiers (people) die? When will it stop?
Divide the following word.
man
Where is Keeraikuppam located?
Sparrow tied the elephant and the crocodile with a ______.
How did they go to school?
Do you like this kind of world?
Where do the moles save their food?
Jana and her family moved to the village _______ ago.
Are you the first to protect the nature?
Rani thought of herself as a _______ engineer.
What kind of water did Divya use to brush her teeth?
Nithin's mom said that Bala's father is a ______ magician.
Who fell down and down and down?
Here is an amazing news item on how the qualities of duty and devotion is not restricted to humans alone but shared by animals. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Caesar, the Hero of Mumbai on 26/11
- Mumbai: Caesar, the last surviving hero of his kind, died of a heart attack on Thursday. Caesar, a Labrador Retriever, was covered with tri-color and given an emotional farewell from the city Police Force. The Mumbai Police Commissioner too marked the passing of the hero with a tweet.
- Caesar, who was 11 years old was the sole survivor among the dogs of Mumbai Police who took part in bomb detection operations during the terrorist attack on Mumbai that began on November 26, 2008. He died of a heart attack at a farm in Virar where he and his three canine buddies had been sent after retirement. During the terror attack in Mumbai, Caesar saved several lives when he sniffed out the hand grenades left by the terrorists at the busy CST railway station.
- Caesar was also a part of the search team at Nariman House, where terrorists were holed up for three days. Earlier he was also pressed into service for bomb search operation after the 2006 serial train blasts and July 2017 blast in Mumbai. The Mumbai police officials also tweeted their grief saying, “Services of retired members of Dog Squad during 26/11 will be unforgettable. We will remember our heroes forever.”
Answer the following questions.
- The Labrador Retriever was covered with tri-color. What does this signify?
- How did Caesar save several lives at the CST railway station?
- Which word in the third paragraph of the passage means the same as ‘forced’?
- “Services of retired members of Dog Squad during 26/11 will be unforgettable”. Mention three services rendered by Caesar.
- Caesar is a Labrador breed of dogs. Name a few other native breeds that are used by the Police Force.
- Try to rewrite the news item in your mother tongue without losing the spirit and flavour of the text. Give a suitable title to the translated version.
Read the following passage and do the activities:
A1. Fill in the blanks: (2)
- ______ percent of our daily communication is non-verbal.
- Eye contact is another type of ______ communication.
- Frequent blinking is a sign of the person feeling ______.
- One can readily detect _______.
|
According to some experts, a staggering 93 percent of our daily communication is non-verbal. Facial expressions are easy to decipher. One can readily detect happiness, sadness, anger. Physicians can tell a patient is doing well (or not) by looking at his/her face. Eye contact is another type of non-verbal communication, which can tell a lot about the other person. The eyes convey a range of emotions-happiness, sadness, boredom, surprise, confidence .......... even emotional interest. Staring at someone's forehead may intimidate the recipient, staring at the mouth is sometimes interpretated as a sign of emotional interest. In fact, staring into someone's eyes is a sign of lying, and so is looking away. In certain cultures, lack of eye contact is taken as a sign of respect. If body language is to be defined, it is a combination of facial expression, gestures, eye contact, body movements and posture and voice. Frequent blinking is a sign of the person feeling distressed or uncomfortable. If the pupils are dilated, it ofter indicates interest, even emotional interest. The lips also reflect our body language, and lip biting indicates worry and/or anxiety; tightening of the lips may be an indication of disapproval. Slightly turned-up lips indicate happiness and slightly turned-down lips indicate sadness. |
A2.
A3. Find the antonyms of: (2)
- verbal × ______
- entertaining × ______
- sender × ______
- comfortable × ______
A4. Do as Directed: (2)
- The eyes convey a range of emotions. (Frame a 'Wh' question in order to get the underlined part as answer).
- Physicians can tell about a patient's wellness. (Rewrite using 'able to')
A5. Personal Response: (2)
Non-verbal communication plays an important role in our daily life. Comment.
