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Question
Write a few lines about what Mathilde had and what she dreamt about.
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Solution
Mathilde was a pretty and charming girl. She was born into a family of clerks. She wanted to be wedded to an aristocrat, but she was married to a minor official at the Ministry of Education. She dressed plainly, but she dreamt of rich dresses and jewels. She wanted so much to charm, be envied, and be sought after. She lived in a shabby, poorly furnished house. She dreamed of a grand, palatial mansion with vast rooms and inviting smaller rooms, perfumed for afternoon chats with close friends.
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) He is forgetful as well as careless with his work.
(B) Besides .............................................................................
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In triumphs, people have dropped down dead,
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But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
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It is an attribute to God himself;
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When mercy seasons justice.
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(ii) What are the three qualities of mercy which the speaker has stated just before the extract?
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(iv) What is Bassanio ready to do for Antonio in the court? Why is Bassanio snubbed immediately by the disguised Portia?
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Rewrite the given statements in their order of occurrence.
The most difficult task of maintaining the hold on Tiger Hill was achieved in this way:
- 8 Sikh was ordered to attack and capture Helmet and India Gate.
- Bodies of the Pakistani soldiers were collected and buried appropriately.
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- Sikh fought back successfully two counterattacks with forty to fifty personnel.
- An ad-hoc column of 8 Sikh climbed the steep rock and captured India Gate.
- In spite of heavy casualties, 8 Sikh captured Helmet on 5 July.
The cherry tree is a narrative poem. Features that make it a narrative poem are given below. Justify them with proper examples.
Characters are referred to.
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Write 5 lines about the place where you reside and what makes you feel proud of it.
Complete the table. One is done for you.
| The World around you | What we should aim to be | |
| 1. | Callous | Caring for people, environment, life |
| 2. | Violent | |
| 3. | Greedy | |
| 4. | Corrupt |
Given in a mixed order below are some good human attributes of the family. Pick out from the box and write it against the line that reflects it.
Fritz felt that someone needed his help and he was determined to find the sender.
Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde :
Mathilde told her friend about the lost necklace.
Gather information on any one of the following by talking to your elders, family members, and from other sources in your mother tongue and write a short note on it in English.
Something that you use to decorate your home on special occasions.
Write in your own words:
What does the listener do when the poet asks him to just listen? Give 3 points.
Write in your own words:-
Why does the poet remark that advice is cheap?
Write your opinion, in your own words:-
Why did they appreciate and praise the stranger’s story?
Make a word web of at least 12 words related to BANKING.
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Form groups and discuss each element of planning an interview and prepare notes on each element.
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| Size/Length - How much | ______ |
| Do’s and Dont’s - Rules and Regulations | ______ |
| Type of Questions - Yes/No questions or Wh Type. | ______ |
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Example: What is happening in picture 5?

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The golden ______ was very ______ to him. (dear, deer)
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Both Jimmy and Bob were of the same age.
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