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Question
State the central issue in the poem.
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Solution
The central issue dwells around the ironical fact that when a person is in search of shelter, the questions being asked are based on his skin colour and not the usual queries exchanged like that of the rent, the amenities provided, and other basic requirements in an apartment. The landlady is shown to have possessed a very shallow racist behaviour in the poem and ironically, the poet is shown to be sorry for something which he was born with. Discrepancies between what appears to be and what really creates a sense of verbal irony that helps the poem display the ridiculousness of racism.
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Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
The term dietary fibres refers collectively to indigestible carbohydrates present in plant foods. The importance of these dietary fibres came into the picture when it was observed that the people having diet rich in these fibres, had low incidence of coronary heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, dental caries and gall stones.
The foodstuffs rich in these dietary fibres are cereals and grains, legumes, fruits with seeds, citrus fruits, carrots, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, apples, melons, peaches, pears etc.
These dietary fibres are not digested by the enzymes of the stomach and the small intestine whereas most of other carbohydrates like starch and sugar are digested and absorbed. The dietary fibres have the property of holding water and because of it, these get swollen and behave like a sponge as these pass through the gastrointestinal tract. The fibres add bulk to the diet and increase transit time in the gut. Some of these fibres may undergo fermentation in the colon.
In recent years, it has been considered essential to have some amount of fibres in the diet. Their beneficial effects lie in preventing coronary heart disease, and decreasing cholesterol level. The fibres like gums and pectin are reported to decrease postprandial (after meals) glucose level in blood. These types of dietary fibres are recommended for the management of certain types of diabetes. Recent studies have shown that the fenugreek (Methi) seeds, which contain 40 per cent gum, are effective in decreasing blood glucose and cholesterol levels as compared to other gum containing vegetables.
Some dietary fibres increase transit time and decrease the time of release of ingested food in colon. The diet having less fibres is associated with colon cancer and the dietary fibres may play a role in decreasing the risk of it.
The dietary fibres hold water so that stools are soft, bulky and readily eliminated. Therefore high fibre intake prevents or relieves constipation.
The fibres increase motility of the small intestine and the colon and by decreasing the transit time there is less time for exposure of the mucosa to harmful toxic substances. Therefore, there is a less desire to eat and the energy intake can be maintained within the range of requirement. This phenomenon helps in keeping a check on obesity. Another reason in helping to decrease obesity is that the high-fibre diets have somewhat lower coefficients of digestibility.
The dietary fibres may have some adverse effects on nutrition by binding some trace metals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and others and therefore preventing their proper absorption. This may pose a possibility of nutritional deficiency especially when diets contain marginal levels of mineral elements. This may become important constraints on increasing dietary fibres. It is suggested that an intake of 40 grams dietary fibres per day is desirable.
(Extracted from ‘The Tribune’)
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it in points only, using recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Also suggest a suitable title. (5)
(b) Write a summary of the above in about 80 words. (3)
Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each:
(a) What did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day?
(b) What shocking experience did Douglas have at YMCA pool?
(c) Why does Kamala Das compare her mother to 'a pale winter's moon'?
(d) What rich bountry has the heaven given us? (A Thing of Beauty)
(e) Why did the Maharaja have to pay a bill of three lakh rupees to the British jewellers?
(f) What problem did Roger Skunk face when he went to play with his friends. How did he solve it?
Read the following passage carefully and complete the activities given below :
A.1) Complete the web :
Write the words from the passage on the web. 
We saw small bits of grass peeping through the small cracks in concrete pavement. It left us thinking: however impossible things may look, there is always an opening…………
We saw a tree bare of all leaves in the cold winter months. We thought its chapter was over. But three months passed, spring set in and the tree was back to its green majesty once again, full of leaves, flowers, birds, and life. What if we too had the conviction that, however difficult things are right now, it will not remain so forever. Remember, this too shall pass.
We saw an army of ants lugging a fly which was at least ten times the ant’s size. The ants organized themselves around the fly, lifted it on frail feelers and carried it to quite a distance. Their teamwork and perseverance were impressive. What if we too are consistent, organized, focused ……… Spider webs are delicate, yet very strong. A rainbow colors the entire sky. Oysters take in a grain of sand they open up with a pearl. Innumerable stars shine across the infinite sky. Clouds take new shapes with every passing moment. The wind makes trees dance with unhindered passion. Water, without a hint of ego, changes its form according to the dictates of the sun and the wind. When we see a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, a flower turns into a fruit, we experience the alchemy of nature ………. We touch it and become gold ourselves.
A.2) Finding meanings :
Write what you mean by :
(i) _______ there is always an opening.
(ii) _______ its chapter was over.
(iii) _______ the tree was back to its green majesty.
(iv) _______ this too shall pass.
A.3) Matching :
Match the words in Column ‘A’ with their synonyms in Column ‘B’:
| Column 'A' | Column'B" | ||
| (i) | conviction | (a) | strong feeling |
| (ii) | alchemy | (b) | delicate |
| (iii) | frail | (c) | mysterious/magical power |
| (iv) | passion | (d) | strong belief |
A.4) Language study :
Rewrite the sentence using the correct question tag given in the brackets :
(i) Water changes its form. (does it?, do it?, do they?, doesn’t it)
(ii) However impossible things may look, there is always an opening. (Rewrite using ‘but’)
A.5) Personal Response :
Nature is the best teacher. Explain.
The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.
What was the reason for the anxiety of Paul's mother as he grew older?
Why did the author finally give up on his watch?
Discuss the following in pairs or in groups of four:
Because India's tribal communities are basically bilingual there is a danger of dismissing their languages as dialects of India's major tongues.
The peacock is the national bird of India. Why do you think the peacock has been chosen?
Comment on the use of the phrase ‘fresh-peeled voice’.
How does Forster use the analogy of Scheherazade to establish his point ?
How is the idyllic juxtaposed with the pedestrian in the poem?
Pick out words from the poem to fill in the web diagram. They should be related to the theme in the web.
The writer of the story is William Blake.
Life is an amalgam of happy and sad moments. Think of such moments in your life, pair with your classmate, and share both the aspects of life.
| Happy Moments | Sad Moments |
| 1. Winning the first prize in a competition | Losing your mobile, bicycle, or wallet |
| 2. | |
| 3. |
Human beings can learn from honey bees ______.
Read the following phrase and use it in a sentence of your own in proper form.
To voice something
Apart from the children, no other human beings are mentioned in the poem. However, many natural elements are shown to act like persons. Name them and also write what they do.
Suggest what you would do in the following situation:
You realise that you no longer want to pursue your studies in the stream you have selected.
Relate the themes of the Fair to your science textbook by writing the relevant chapter numbers under each theme.
An activity:
Speak fast, think faster! Form groups of 4-6. Discuss each of the following topics. Then each person in the group should choose a topic and speak about it for one minute. Try to say as many sentences as you can in that time.
Imagine you are watching a scene. For example, someone learning to ride a bicycle; or a cricket match. Give a running commentary on what you see.
‘Monu is sitting on the bicycle. It has side wheels. Monu tries to push the pedal down - No - he stops. His uncle holds the seat in one hand and the handle in the other hand. He says, ‘Come on, Monu’... etc.
Think and answer:
Why are the sights said to ‘fly’?
Complete the following sentence with reference to the passage.
At the back rose the high peak of Mount Ida, from which _______________.
Guess the meaning of the following word:
exorbitantly
Write the smaller and related words that you see within this word.
Explain the use of the following property in the development of the play.
An envelope containing the letter
From the poem, find the old word used for each of the following :
- towards
- here
- does
The poet uses a free, conversational style in his poem. It is also called Colloquial style.
Pick out and write down such lines or expressions that support the above statement.
- ______ you have not done what I asked.
- _______________________.
- _______________________.
- _______________________.
- _______________________.
- _______________________.
What was the businessman looking for? Why?
What did Anshuman’s father compare bad habits to?
Make a list of the rhyming words in the poem.
Add one more rhyming word of your own to each pair.
Write some more expressions like ‘hundreds of’. Expand each expression.
Example, ‘Hundreds of children in the school.’
Why did he spill the milk?
What is a website?
Guess the meaning of on the wing.
Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the following passage by the using the phrases given in the box.
| youth to old age | up or down the hill | to hurry nor move away | |
| high adventure | joyful | mourn | looking ahead |
The poet wants to live his life __________, willing to do something. He neither wants __________from his goal. He does not want to _______ the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from __________. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes __________, rough or smooth, the journey will be __________. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy - new friendship, __________ and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life's journey will be the best.
Answer the question in a paragraph of about 100 – 150 word.
Narrate how Prospero made his enemies repent to restore his dukedom.
What did the Bodwells think when they heard the mother shout.
Complete the given tabular column with the suitable plural forms.
| chair | - | |
| box | - | |
| Eskimo | - | |
| lady | - | |
| radius | - | |
| formula | - | |
| child | - | |
| deer | - | |
| loaf | - | |
| hero | - |
‘Finally the day had come’. Here the day refers to ______.
Which of these statements do you find in the speech?
- Inclusion is essential for us to do well in life.
- We should neglect others.
- Communicate politely with the less privileged.
- Teachers teach us to communicate well.
- Effective Communication is inessential to excel in life.
Neerja passed on the warning in a code to the pilots because she______.
Find out the idiom that relates to ‘whatever the circumstances’, from the first paragraph.
Write the story in your own words
Write a paragraph about 50 words describing the scenes that the poet passed by.
Work in pair, find answer for the question and share in the class.
Name the seasons mentioned in the poem?
How do we work?
Why do the soldiers (people) die? When will it stop?
Choose the odd one out.
Look at the picture and Choose the correct word.
Welcome guests to win everyone’s _____ in life’s race.
Whose hospitality is described in the poem?
Name the character or speaker.
“Learn well, live well!”
Parents never let us get ______.
What was the reason behind Nandhini’s dullness?
Read the advertisement and answer the question given below.
When does the offer end?
Speak and win.
Join in any group. Support or oppose using 4 to 5 sentences to win.
| I support Divya. | I oppose Divya. |
Match the rhyming words.
| Say | grow |
| All | time |
| Go | day |
| Rhyme | fall |
Read the passage carefully and answer the following question.
What is the main idea of the story?
What subject did he like the most?
Are these sentence TRUE or FALSE
The poet tells the child to think of friends after it is dark.
Who came to Akbar’s court?
