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Question
Look at the highlighted expressions in the following sentences from the text and explain their figurative meaning.
- 'I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb could I catch.'
-
'They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked a cock pheasant as that.'
-
'There is no bolt-hole for you in this country.'
-
'When his castle in the air fell down, it burred him beneath the ruins.'
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Solution
with a fine-toothed comb: To investigate minutely
putting up a bird:
a cock pheasant:
bolt-hole: A place of escape or refuge
castle in the air: A fantasy
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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’.)
In the following items, sentence A is complete, while sentence B is not. Complete sentence B, making it as similar as possible to sentence A. Write sentence B.
(A) His attitude towards his parents has always puzzled the
(B) I have ..................................................................................
Fill in the blanks in the passage givben below with the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets. Do not write the passage, but write the verbs in the correct order.
One day I ____________ (1)(be) in the lunch line, and there I saw a pile of apples. The teacher-incharge _____________ (2)(state) at me and said, “Just __________ (3)(take) one. God ________ (4)(watch)”. So, I ____________ (5)(take) an apple, and the line __________ (6)(move) along. At the next table there ____________ (7)(be) a pile of chocolate chip cookies. I ____________ (8)(not know) what to do. “Put,” the kid behind me ____________ (9)(whisper), “_____________ (10)(take) all you want. God’s watching the apples. ”
Why is the word ‘ cried’ used by the poet in the line, ‘It was the English, Kaspar cried’?
It was roses, roses, all the way,
With myrtle mixed in my path like mad;
The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,
The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.
Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.
When was the patriot welcomed?
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Fill in the blank with an appropriate word:
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(A) He knew the culprit but refused to admit it.
(B) Although………………………..
Join the following sentence to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so.
My grandfather is very old. He is very active.
Write a composition (350–400 words) on the following:
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Think of a time when you found yourself in an embarrassing situation. Narrate how you got into that situation, how you dealt with it and the lesson you learned from it.
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.

I have never seen a film as bad as this. ·
(Begin: This is ........................................ )
Locate the lines in the text that support the title. 'The Ailing Planet'.
Discuss with your partners
Reading plays is more interesting than studying science.
Entomologist and lepidopterists are mentioned in the text and you must have guessed the meanings of these words or found them out in the dictionary.
Now match the kinds of scientists given with the work they do:
|
A |
B |
|
ornithologist |
study of the skin |
|
gerontologist |
study of cells |
|
ergonomist |
study of birds |
|
dermatologist |
study of old age |
|
cytologist |
study of the design of equipment |
Give reasons for the following.
Satyajit not disclosing his present financial status to his uncle.
It is difficult to adjust to a fall from glory.
Make a list of jobs which would give you an opportunity to help the society or serve the country. Also mention the different ways in which they can be beneficial to the people and also the country.
Take help from the sources available on the internet and make a list of proverbs and quotations about ‘road’.
The story of Kalpana Chawla has become an inspiration for millions of young Indians. How? What message did she send from the space shuttle to students of her college?
Answer the following question:
“It was to be a battle of champions.” (8)
(i) What qualities did the two champions have? Pick out words and phrases from the paragraph above this line in the text and write them down.
|
Mongoose |
Cobra |
| (a) ________ | (a) ________ |
| (b) ________ | (b) ________ |
| (c) ________ | (c) ________ |
(ii) What did the cobra and the mongoose do, to show their readiness for the fight?
The extract deals with the atmosphere of two homes. Collect the words associated with - Library.
Give reasons, for us being reluctant to make friends with some strangers, but being comfortable with some, even after meeting them for the first time.
Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points:
- About the poem/poet/title.
- Theme
- Poetic devices, language, style
- Special features/ novelties/focusing elements
- Values, message
- Your opinion about the poem.
Visit your college library or through the web, quest collects information on the ‘Green Revolution’ and ‘White Revolution’ in our country.
Given below is the poem 'Blue Sky' by Mark Hastings. Imagine a poem of a similar kind by replacing the word blue. You can add any colour or object of your choice and write a poem of four lines.

For example, replace 'blue' with
- Starry sky above me _______________
- Cloudy sky above me _____________
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- About the poem/poet/title
- Theme
- Poetic devices, language, style
- Special features/novelties/focusing elements
- Values, message
- Your opinion about the poem
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- Title
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Your examinations are only two months ahead. Plan your schedule of studies and write in your notebook.
Write down the consequences of the following occurrences with the help of the play.
Katherine encourages Dr. Stockmann to proceed in his attempts in the cause of public attempts.
Write the rhyme scheme of the poem (Invictus).
Pick outlines from the poem that help create images of the following in our mind and write them in the table.
| No. | Old Woman | The Street | Schoolboys |
| 1. | |||
| 2. | |||
| 3. |
Find and write the descriptions of different people given in this story.
Write a paragraph and give an appropriate title to it. Use the following points.
| Birds and Animals | Love and Affection |
| Loyal | Our Best Friends |
| Serve us | Protection and Security |
| Kindness, honesty, compassion | Do not hurt or destroy us |
| Loneliness Avoided | |
Go through the following steps and discuss in pairs about the facts mentioned in it. Write a paragraph using the points. Give another interesting title.
| Living A Better Life |
| ↓ |
| Get rid of one bad habit at a time. |
| ↓ |
| Avoid negative thoughts. Be positive. |
| ↓ |
| Trust yourself. Love what you do. |
| ↓ |
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| ↓ |
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| ↓ |
| Be humble. Respect and welcome/accept each day with a smile. |
Look at the image of the familiar advertisement given below. Identify the product and try to frame your own slogan for them.

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Fill in the template given for limerick.
There once was a ______(8 syllable)
______(8 syllable)
______(5 syllable)
______ (5 syllable)
______(8 syllable)
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An anecdote is a brief, revealing account of an individual person or an incident. Consider these questions to write an anecdote.

- Who was involved in the story?
- When did it happen? Is this relevant?
- What happened?
- Where did it happen? How is it relevant?
Look at the picture and write a story.
|
If you cut down trees Your children will pay the fees |

Let's write a poem.
I have a kite but need a friend to fly it with,
I know a song but need someone to hear it,
I have a ball but need someone to catch it,
I ______
I ______
I ______
I ______
______ do you like best in the school – games, art or music?
Complete the following picture board.
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Let s imagine a topsy-turvy scene and describe it in the lines below.
Connect the pairs of sentences below using and or but.
- Raju plays cricket.
- He also plays hockey.
The girl looked up at the ______of stars.
What did Bob share with the cop about their friendship?
Who were the patients waiting for?
What are the occasions when photographs are taken?
| e.g. birthday parties | |

Develop the following hints into a paragraph.
Two kings - ruled neighboring kingdoms. King Arya - great warrior - looked after - subjects - very well - People loved him - looking - their safety and welfare - all his subjects - very happy - healthy life - King Vaishali on the other hand - very lazy man - spent his time - entertaining - dancing – ignoring - needs or developmental - people - His people - angry - never met them - never listened to their woes.
Powerful Sultan attacked - with his strong army - King Arya’s army - alert - ready - preparedness - enemy - more powerful - love for King even women and children - came to the war-front - fought - protected their King -a different story - King Vaishal - impending war - people started fleeing - King all by himself - not interested to protect - King - did nothing for their welfare.
King Vaishal - realized his foolishness - too late - defeated in the war and fled for his life - King Arya - defeated the Sultan - people to live in peace - King Arya - welfare of his people at heart at all times - subjects - returned his love - loyal and supportive - during testing times.
Why did William and the other children bully Margot?
Installing a computer
The description of installing a computer in your study room is given in the form of jumbled sentences. Rearrange the sentences in the right order and form a coherent paragraph.
| 1. | Once you connect the CPU, connect the keyboard and mouse. |
| 2. | Before turning on the power, check that all parts are connected to the CPU. |
| 3. | First, open the box and take out the computer parts. |
| 4. | Plug both the computer and the monitor with a power cord. |
| 5. | Set the computer on a table or flat surface. |
| 6. | Finally, turn on the power. |
Write letter to your father asking permission to go on a educational tour.
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What might success mean to the following people? Think about it and write.
A person who has applied for a job
What makes you laugh?
Write a composition (300-350 words) of the following:
Your teacher has asked you to form a group and work on a particular project. Write an account of how you worked together and what each of you learned from the experience.




