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Question
Why does Ruskin feel that reading the work of a good author is a painstaking task?
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Solution
Ruskin feels that reading the work of a good author is a painstaking task as it is not very easy to get into the meaning of the words that the author has written. He says that one has to be prepared to work like an Australian Miner to understand a good book which is born of wisdom. Just as mining is a very painstaking task, so is reading a good book, according to the author. In other words, the essayist means that one has to go through between the lines to understand the pithy words in the good books. Like an Australian miner, one needs patience and hard work to understand the works of the good authors.
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(b) Why did Gandhi tell the court that he was involved in a 'conflict of duties' ?
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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?
Comment on the influence of English – the language and the way of life – on Indian life as reflected in the story. What is the narrator's attitude to English?
Do you think that the ruled always adopts the language of the ruler?
The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?
We 'draw up a deed'. Complete the following phrase with an appropriate word.
________a loan
Discuss in pairs
Choice of diction is very crucial to the communication of meaning.
The lecture was delivered in 1864. What are the shifts in style and diction that make the language different from the way it is used today?
How does the poem bring out the elusive nature of happiness in human existence?
Give a brief account of the interaction between Grandpa and Jo.
Make sentence of your own using the following expression.
overcome:
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?
Using a dictionary/internet note down the main difference between a developing nation and a developed nation.
There are different types of short stories. Use a dictionary/internet and find out what each of the following types refers to.
- fable:
- anecdote:
- fairy tale:
- parable:
- tragedy:
- humorous story:
- detective story:
- myth:
‘But the peasant bowed and prayed to God ...........’ What could he have prayed for?
Read the story and choose the appropriate meaning.
Palette __________________.
Read the lesson and name the following.
Anaesthetics used from mid 19th century ______
Discuss with your partner the different ideas connoted by the word 'season'.
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
Birbal thought Akbar was greater than God.
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.
List five of your favourite Hindi or Marathi poems or songs. Try to translate any one of them into English.
State the difference between poetry and drama.
Answer the following question in one sentence.
What does the title of the poem say?
What are the games/play activities, entertainments that use a wheel?
Expand the following ideas in a paragraph or two:- Courage and resourcefulness are the keys to overcome problems.
The merchant ships brought spices and other treasures from India and other countries to Italy.
Using your imagination, and information from other sources, describe anyone stalls in detail.
Write a short note on the following:
Sujata’s offering
Form groups. Discuss the first two paragraphs. Try to present their content in the form of a series of conversations among the volunteers and the villagers.
Correct the following sentence using facts from the passage.
Achilles was killed by an arrow that pierced his heart.
What changes do we see in the life of human beings when the season changes? Write with reference to their celebrations.
A parody is a playful, comic imitation of a writer’s style. A parody is like a verbal cartoon. Compare the original poem and its parody given on page 35 using the following points:
|
How doth the little busy bee |
How doth the little crocodile (parody) |
| Choice of a subject (an animal) | __________________ |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| Number of lines and stanzas | __________________ |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| Same or similar constructions | __________________ |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| Tone of the poem | __________________ |
| __________________ | __________________ |
Mention the various places that the brook flows past.
The story has a very heart-warming and touching end. Now try to change the end of the story to make it sound very funny.
Present Mr. Wilson’s story as it would be shown in a comic strip. Write what picture you will show in each frame along with the dialogues. Write the dialogue with the help of the story. Examples:
 |
 |
 |
Using the following points frame a character sketch of the narrator. Support each character trait with instances from the lesson.
- Diffident and timid
- Unusual behavior
- Ignorant about banking
- Nervous and careless
- Economical.
Was it right for the youngest brother to ask for a share in the money? Why?
Write other meaningful words that begin/end with stepmother.
They may have______ in______.
- soft
- vain
- fear
- joy
- love
- heard
- toiled
- mild
- good
- sand
- life
- harsh
Describe the elephant driver in your own words.
Why did the governments of India, America and Pakistan – honour Neerja?
If you are a flight attendant how will you deal with the hijackers?
Discuss in groups and share your views in three or four sentences with others in the class.
What is your favourite dish? Do you know the spices that go into it?
Identify the speaker/character.
"Don't let us down now, Gulliver; we need your help."
Why did the crowd gather by the side of the pond?
Try your own.
Complete the following sentence using the prepositions from the option.
The summer vacation ends _____ Monday.
Jaswant was helped by __________ tribal girls.
| Our national emblem is taken from Ashoka’s pillar at Sarnath. It is found on all government documents, coins, currency notes, postcards, and envelopes. It consists of four lions standing back to back but, we can see only three lions at a time. There is a Dharma chakra in the centre of the base plate, with the figure of a bull in the right and that of a horse in the left. The entire structure is sitting on a lotus. The words ‘Sathyameva Jayate’ is written under it in Devanagari script. These words mean, ‘Truth alone Triumphs’. |
- Where is our national emblem taken from?
- Where is our national emblem found?
- What does ‘Sathyameva Jayate’ mean?
- What are the animals found in the emblem?
The bird-catcher decided to sit under the ________.
Choose the best answer.
Suddenly there was a______.
How are we divided in real world?
What are the difficulties they faced in India?
Why did Jana’s friends stop her from going near the tree?
Every year the children visit the______.
Write the word with same meaning.
tap- ______
Does the brush bend to her will?
Who was Hiawatha?
Choose the right word.
“Eat the leaves of the tamarind tree, and you’ll also sing like ______.
How did the jackal become blue?
