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Question
‘The Tale of Melon City’ has been narrated in a verse form. This is a unique style which lends extra charm to an ancient tale. Find similar examples in your language. Share them in the class.
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Solution
‘The Tale of Melon City’ is a narrative poem. It is an ancient tale told in verse. Vikram Seth uses all poetic devices to create special effects. The whole poem runs in rhyming couplets. The last word of each line rhymes with the second. The poet adopts a narrative style of story-telling. But it is the use of humour and irony that creates a special effect in the poem.
The poem introduces us to a ‘just’ and ‘placid’ king. Both the adjectives are ironical. The irony is that the king is neither of the two. He is neither ‘just’ nor ‘placid’. His exaggerated sense of justice is the reflection of his personality. He is whimsical. The arch is too low and bangs his crown off when he rides under it. The king takes it as a ‘disgrace’. Then starts the summoning of the people to be hanged. But he is easily influenced and convinced and lets every one go scot-free. He falls in his own trap. His exaggerated sense of justice leads him to his own death.
Again it is quite humorous that an idiot chooses the next king. He names a melon. The crowning of a melon with respect and ceremony sounds quite humorous. But it is ironical as well. The irony is that the people care little if they are ruled by a man or a melon. Even when the king was alive he was no better than a melon. A melon was the right substitute for such a whimsical and idiotic king.
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Maggu’s achievements are particularly noteworthy because – as is well known – academic institutions in India are less than sold on the idea of inclusive education. In fact, when Maggu lost her sight in class IV, her school (which she declines to name) expelled her while suggesting she attend a “blind school”. Though shocked, Maggu rejected the advice. “Attending a special school would have tarred me with a handicap forever, which was not how I saw my future. Therefore I did the rounds of other public schools with my father, a small – time merchant, explaining that my case was different Since I had vision till the age of ten,” she recalls.
Impressed by her persistence and ambition, Delhi’s Bluebells School not only admitted her but pulled out all the stops to support her in academics sporting events and also notched up a respectable 73 percent average in the class XII exam with the help of Braille, interactive textbooks and extra coaching.
The respectable average in her CBSE exam paved the way for admission into LSR where again she proved her mettle by winning medals in a slew of inter – collage events (100 200 and 400 metre sprints) high jump, long jump, javelin and discuss throw: resulting in her being declared ‘Athlete of the year’ 2003’ at a sports meet for 100 physically challenged athletes. And the cherry on the cake was the selection to the IBSA Games last year. “It was a tough regimen,” recalls Maggu. “I had to attend sports camps manage my studies and officiates as sports president. But I managed.”
Questions:
(1) What qualities of Maggu are highlighted in this passage?
(2) Why did Maggu refuse to attend a ‘blind school’?
(3) Quote the lines that show that Jyoti Maggu was good in academics as well as in sports.
(4) Use any two phrases in sentences of your own :
(a) To win laurels
(b) To pave the way
(c) To prove one’s mettle
(d) A tough regimen
(5)
(a) I did the rounds of other public schools with my father [Change the voice]
(b) though shocked Maggu rejected the advice [Rewrite as a simple sentence]
(6) Should the physically challenged be sent to special schools? Express your views.
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.
(b) Write a summary of the above in about 80 words.
Mention three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school.
Notice these expression in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
cairn of rocks
Briefly comment on:
The author’s physical condition in Darchen.
Briefly comment on:
The author’s meeting with Norbu.
Combine related points.
Explain the line:
'I seemed to detect in myself a sort of sneaking fellow-feeling for the mummy in the museum, and a desire to swap news with him.
In English, the peacock is associated with pride. ‘As proud as a peacock’ is a commonly used simile. With what qualities is the peacock associated with the literature of your language?
What, according to the poet, are human beings out of tune with?
The title, 'Refugee Blues' encapsulates the theme of the poem. Comment.
Find from the story one word for the following.
a very narrow passage between buildings ______
Discuss in groups and share your answer with the class.
Can you name the famous musician in Emperor Akbar’s court, who could perform miracles, when he sang different Ragas?
Make a list of the preparations made for an assault on Tiger Hill.
Bofors guns _____________.
|
Little things Little drops of water, Thus the little minutes, Little deeds of kindness, |
What important message does the above poem convey?
Pick out a word from the poem to complete the sentence meaningfully.
The Government made a ______ (announcement) about their new taxation policy.
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. |
Read the expression:
‘the blueprint of our past’s tomorrow’. Consider in a group why the poet has not mentioned ‘the present’. It is because of the planners who have possessed our ‘present’ in order to change ‘our past’ into the ‘future’ they desire. Go through the poem and write the lines which support this thought.
- The buildings are in alignment with the roads which meet at desired points.
- ____________________________________________
- ____________________________________________
- ____________________________________________
- ____________________________________________
- ____________________________________________.
Pick out dialogue of Tenali Raman that proves that he had the following quality.
Wit and wisdom
Read the given words and share with your friend what comes to your mind.
Choose any one of the seven States. Find more information about it and prepare a leaflet or brochure to invite people to visit it.
Find what Hirabai tells the traveller by reading her words from right to left.
Imagine that there is a Mr Somebody who has to correct all the wrongs that are done by Mr Nobody. Write in the following table, what Mr Somebody will have to do.
| Mr Nobody’s Actions | Tasks for Mr Somebody |
| 1. The plate is broken / cracked | Mend the plate. / Throw it away carefully. |
| 2. The book is torn | ____________ |
| 3. The door is ajar. | ____________ |
| 4. The buttons are pulled from the shirt | ____________ |
| 5. The pins are scattered. | ____________ |
| 6. The door is still squeaking. | ____________ |
| 7. There are finger marks upon the door. | ____________ |
| 8. The ink has spilled over. | ____________ |
| 9. Boots are lying around. | ____________ |
| 10. ____________ | ____________ |
| 11. ____________ | ____________ |
Add a few more things to the list in the above table, using your own ideas and experience.
Read the passage and answer the following:
Who has written the book?
Try to write interesting time tables for imaginary people or creatures.
Discuss:
Is it necessary to develop a good accent? Why? What efforts can you take to improve your pronunciation? With your teacher’s help, find out how to use online dictionaries for the purpose.
Talk about your favourite season. (A one-minute activity.)
Answer the following question and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.
Why does the bee work hour after hour?
Imagine the following and write about it in your own words:
What the world looks like to a fish.
Read the word. Write the words that combine to make it.
footprint
Write other meaningful words that begin/end with footprint.
Discuss how you will measure the worth of a friend.
What is used to make Rangoli designs?
Mahatma Gandhi, Che Guevera, Guru Nanak, and Gauthama Buddha are some of the famous personalities and thinkers who made extensive journeys to understand life. Do you think journeys can be life-changing?
What will happen to the bird in imprisonment?
Is the bird a crow?
Title summarises the story. Each paragraph is a part of the story. Look at the following expressions and find out the paragraphs that best suit these expressions.
- Oh, No! But it happens!
- Don’t let out your travelling dates
- Anyway, people will be people
- Search begins
- Things are not that easy
- Hurry invites worry
What commotion did the boomerang cause in the neighborhood?
Read the letter again and write a few lines on each of the following.
- things that the coach taught….
- transformation in the child……..
- things that amazed the writer……..
How did the children react when they met each other at the ruins?
Read these lines and answer the questions given below.
Our lays are of cities whose lustre is shed,
Here ‘Lays’ means______
Who is Raj?
Merlin was thrilled when the school arranged the trip because ______.
What does ‘charges along like troops in a battle’ mean?
Identify the speaker/character.
He felt something moving along his body almost up to his chin.
They went out through the broken windows.
Raju loves______.
Look at the picture and Choose the correct word.
Choose the correct option from the given homophones.
I saw a ______ on the flower.
Choose the correct option from the given homophones.
You should never ______ to your parents.
Write the rhyming word.
Nature - ______.
Read the advertisement and answer the question given below.
What is the name of the dealer?
Meena met the official after ______ years.
Try your own.
When do you feel proud?
What will you do if you have a gold plate?
Nithin's mom said that Bala's father is a ______ magician.
Why did the child in the poem like looking at the pictures?
Read the passage carefully and complete the activities:
1. Complete the following sentences. (2)
- Female sparrows lay ____________
- Sparrows build their nest out of __________.
- The eggs are ________.
- In cities, sparrows build their nest in ______
|
A sparrow is a small bird which is found throughout the world. There are many different species of sparrows. Sparrows are only about four to six inches in length. Many people appreciate their beautiful songs. Sparrows prefer to build their nests in low places-usually on the ground clumps of grass low trees and low bushes. In cities, they build their nests in building nooks or holes. They rarely build their nests in high places. They build their nests out of twigs grasses and plant fibers. Their nests are usually small and well-built structures. Female sparrows lay four to six eggs at a time. The eggs are white with reddish-brown spots. They hatch within eleven to fourteen days. Both the male and female parents care for the young. Insects are fed to the young after hatching. The large feet of the sparrows are used for scratching seeds. Adult sparrows mainly eat seeds. Sparrows can be found almost everywhere where there are humans. Many people throughout the world enjoy these delightful birds. The sparrows are some of the few birds that engage in dust bathing. Sparrows will first scratch a hole in the ground with their feet then lie in it and fling dirt or sand over their bodies with flicks of their wings. They will also bathe in water or in dry or melting snow. Water bathing is similar to dust bathing with the sparrow standing in shallow water and flicking water over its back with its wings also ducking its head under the water. Both activities are social with up to a hundred birds participating at once and are followed by preening and sometimes group singing. |
2. How do sparrows take bathe? (2)
3. Find out adjectives for the following nouns from the passage. (2)
- ________ Song
- ________ Water
- ________ Bird
- ________ species
4. Do as directed. (2)
- A sparrow is a small bird which is found throughout the world.
(Underline the subordinate clause) - Female sparrows lay four to six eggs at a time.
(Frame a ‘wh’ type question to get the underlined part as an answer.)
5. ‘We have to save the birds.’ Do you agree with this statement? Why? (2)
