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Question
Why did the author finally give up on his watch?
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Solution
The author got the watch repaired seven times. By the end, he realised that the watch, with its original cost being two hundred dollars, had cost him two to three thousand on repairs itself. And the watch was still malfunctioning. It was when he reached the seventh watch maker and acknowledged the mechanic to be an old acquaintance, a steam-boat engineer of other days and not a good engineer. He gave his verdict like all other watch makers, the author was not gullible and this time he perceived what his uncle William used to say that a good horse was a good horse until it had run away once, and that a good watch was a good watch until the repairers got a chance at it. So, he finally gave up the repairing and decided to let the watch be.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
B1. Select
Fill in the blanks choosing the correct alternatives from those given in the bracket:
(i) The author was inspired and motivated to read ............................................ by the time she was eleven.
[Shakespeare, Chaucer, G.B. Shaw]
(ii) Every lesson .......................... ......... took was spiced with half a dozen or more anecdotes.
[Mrs. Rowlands, Sister Monica, Mr. A.N. Patil]
(iii) The teachers helped the narrator to become ..................................... . .
[confident, happy, independent]
(iv) Mrs. Cynthia Nesamani and Sister Monica gave .......................................... to the narrator.
[freedom to do what he wanted, advice to do something, instructions to produce better results]
In a way, one of the greatest gifts any teacher can give a student, I think, is to inculcate a curiosity to learn.
I've been incredibly lucky to have at least one such teacher at every stage in my life. The first was Mrs. Rowlands who taught me in primary school. She taught me to read without ever pushing me. She made me want to read more by giving 'me some of the most interesting children's books available. And although I still love to go back to those books from time to time, it was only because of her that I was able to read Shakespeare by the time I was ten, and Chaucer a year later.
In later years, it was Mr. A.N. Patil, my Marathi and Hindi Teacher who made a huge impression on me. Every lesson he took, was spiced with half a dozen or more anecdotes from a wide variety of subjects: among them history, politics, religion and sociology. I was, and still am in awe of his knowledge, which despite rather desperate attempts, I doubt I'll ever be able to match.
There have also been other teachers who helped me to try to become independent: to think and act for myself using my own judgement, which to my mind has been just as, if not more important, than actually learning anything.
After all, it's much too easy to become a completely useless repository of facts and little else.
Two teachers whom I remember in particular are Mrs. Cynthia Nesamani and Sister Monica, both taught me in school. The former, by and large, gave me a free rein to do what I wanted to do. I, being one of those people who dislike instructions, she helped me to produce much better results than I'd have otherwise done.
B2.Complete
Read the extract and complete the following:
The teacher can
(i) .............
(ii) ..............
(iii )..............
(iv).................
B3. Similar word
Look at the following sentences arid pick the word having similar meaning to the given word and rewrite:
(i) Spiced His conversation is always with a lot of humour. (made interesting, garnished, flavoured)
(ii) Repository
The library should not merely be a ................ of books. (store-house, reservoir, tank)
(iii) Inculcate
It is the responsibility of the parents and teachers to .......values in the child's formative years. (imbibe, give, show)
(iv) Incredibly
I have been .. lucky to have at least one such teacher at every stage in my life. (importantly, unbelievably, beautifully)
B4. Language study
(i) There have also been other teachers. They have helped me to try to become
independent. (Combine using 'who')
(ii) It was only because of her that I was able-to read Shakespeare.
(Rewrite beginning with: If it was not for her, ).
B.5 Out motivators
Look at the following table and complete it by presenting your own views
| Personalities | Influence on your life |
| (i) Teachers | |
| (ii) Parents | |
| (iii) Relatives | |
| (iv) Friends |
A1. (i) Two activities that mother was free to do:
(a)...........................................
(b)............................................
(ii)Two activities that children avoided doing because of television:
(a) .....................................
(b) ...................................
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash thedishes in the sink
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
It rots the sense in the head!
It kills imagination dead!
It clogs and clutters up the mind!
It makes a child so dull and blind
He can no longer understand
A fantasy, a fairyland!
His brain becomes as soft as cheese!
His power of thinking rust and freeze!
He cannot think - He only sees!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall-we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?'
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
A2. According to the poem, why is excessive watching of TV harmful?
A3. His brain became as soft as cheese. The figure of speech is ..........because............
There were many reasons for Helen Keller's embittered childhood. What were they and how were they overcome?
Answer any four of the following in 30-40 words each:
(a) Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
(b) Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of mere 25 percent?
(c) Aunt Jennifer's efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
(d) What does Stephen Spender want to be done for the children of the school in a slum?
(e) How did the ten-day-old baby (the future Tiger King) react to the prediction about his future made by the astrologers?
(f) Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad along with the troops?
To what end have humans used their superior intelligence ?
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.
Discuss the following statement in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group taking opposite points of view.
The story is called ‘The Adventure’. Compare it with the adventure described in ‘We’re Not Afraid to Die...’
Tick the item that is closest in meaning to the following phrase.
to stand on one's feet
The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.
Comment on the indifference that meets Iona's attempts to share his grief with his fellow human beings.
How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?
How has the author linked the symbol of the rocking-horse to Paul's triumphs at the races?
How does 'A Kondh Song' substantiate the tribal urge to gain domination over time by conversing with their dead ancestors?
Comment on the symbols used in ‘A Munda Song’. What aspect of the tribal worldview do they reflect?
What does the reference to raw mythology imply?
Read the story and complete the following.
Revathi was confident of proving her ownership of her pot of plants because, ____________.
Who said to whom and when / why?
| Who said | To whom? | When / why? | |
| ......the world is full of inequalities. | |||
| I want to do something interesting. | |||
| It is against the will of God. | |||
| Our home is full of love....... | |||
| ...... we can affirm along with United Nations that men and women are equal. |
Make a list of archaic words from the poem and give their modern equivalents.
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
- ________________
- ________________
‘The city now, doth, like garment wear’. The poet imagines that the city is wearing a beautiful garment. Hence, the figure of speech is personification. Find out more examples of personification from the poem.
Answer the following question in short.
What did the bundle in silken cloth contain?
Fill in the gap, choosing a word from the bracket to make an appropriate comparison.
(tall / quiet / humble / merry / busy / slippery / fast / sly / slow / big)
as ______ as a fox
The word 'Review' is different from summarizing and appeal writing. Choose the correct statements of the following.
“A Midsummer-Night’s Dream” is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Comment.
What is implied in the following phrases or lines?
- A silver house in the lovely sky
- It takes two weeks to build it up
- And two to pull it down.
Write a short monologue using one of the following ideas. Write down the monologue and present it in the class.
Yonamine’s father worrying about getting her married.
Write a recipe for the stone soup.
Listen and complete:
Close your books. The teacher will dictate some lines from the poem. She will say the first half and you have to write the entire line/verse.
- I know a funny ____________ As quiet as a ____________ Who does the mischief that is done ____________.
- There’s no one ever sees his face, And yet we all ____________ That every plate we break was ____________ By ____________.
Try to write interesting time tables for imaginary people or creatures.
Read ‘The Story of the Amulet’ by E. Nesbit.
Using the information given in the passage, write a short note on the following in your mother tongue.
Gond art
Find the meaning of the following word.
starlets
Choose a suitable heading for each announcement from those given below.
(Change in School Hours, Cleanliness, Story-telling Competition, Lost and Found, Warning, Football Match)
1.
|
6 July 2015 It has been observed by the Head Boy and Head Girl that certain classes do not clean up their classrooms before leaving. If any class is found untidy and littered after school, that class will be detained the next day after school hours up to 4 pm. Please take note of this. |
2.
| Tomorrow, that is, on the 10th of July, the school will close an hour earlier, as the teachers have to attend an important P. T. A. meeting. So please inform your parents to arrange to pick you up at 2 pm instead of 3 pm. |
3.
| On Sunday, 12th July 2015 there is a football match between classes VIII and IX, on the school ground. The match will begin at 9 am. All students are invited to come and cheer their favorite team. Please come on time, so that the players are not distracted. |
4.
|
The school has organized a Story-telling Competition for Classes V, VI, and VII from 21st to 25th of July. The competition will be held in the school hall at 10 in the morning. Children may select -
Three prizes will be given for each category. The time limit is 3-5 minutes. Those who wish to participate may contact Mrs. Sanjana Mohite for other details. They must register their names with her before the 16th of July. |
5.
|
Construction work to extend the school building will start next week. All students are cautioned not to cross over the fence at the construction site. It is dangerous and may cause you injury. Please stay away from that fence. |
6.
| A cycle key with a blue key chain has been found on the ground. Whoever has lost it can contact the clerk Mrs. Neena Pinto and see if it belongs to him/her. |
List and say whether the following statement agrees with the passage or not.
If you don’t understand something, don’t let the others know about it.
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.
Identify the character or speaker.
He was the chief of all spirits.
What other various pets did Somu have?
Discuss with your partner and complete the table.
| S.No. | Question | Who asked this? | Who answered? | What was the answer? |
|
1. |
Shall we run back together? | |||
| 2. | Can you see something behind the wall? | |||
| 3. | Who said good bye? | |||
| 4 | Was it just the wind? |
Read the lines and answer the questions.
They are of all forms and shapes
They all have an excellent ending
What do have an excellent ending?
Identify the character/speaker.
Go to my cottage and fetch my gloves and fan.
Write a summary based on the flow chart.
Work in pairs and answer the following.
Pick out the alliterated words.
Vasantha made a lot of noise because ______
How did Grandfather’s dream come true?
When the author returned from England to Dehradun, he found Grandfather's dream had come true because the______.
Mithali is one of the women players to score seven consecutive 50s.
Read the questions related to the three sports stars you have read about and tick the appropriate boxes.
 |
 |
 |
|
| 1. Who won the Olympic 2016 silver medal in badminton? | |||
| 2. Who is the role model for her siblings? | |||
| 3. Whose mother tongue is Tamil? | |||
| 4. Whose attitude is 'never-say-die spirit'? | |||
| 5. Which player works in the Police Department? | |||
| 6. Which player holds the record for the highest individual score in cricket? |
In this story, what happened to the Earth?
They went out through the broken windows.
Who is the wisest of all? Why?
Flag day is observed on the _________.
Jaswant was captured alive.
It never takes ______ and ______.
Some words sound the same but their spelling and meaning are different. Such words are called homophones. There are many homophones.
Answer the following yes or no question.
Did Appu share guava?
Find and write the clues.
Clue for the load on the camel ______
Kamali gave her savings to______.
Write the word with same meaning.
post- ______
What would you have done if your grandmother would have slipped?
What is the best time to water the plants?
