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Question
Write in 100 words what the cherry tree in the poem symbolises.
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Solution
The cherry tree in the poem is symbolic of human life. It highlights the hardships that one has to face and overcome in order to live life to the fullest. It sends out a loud and clear message of „survival of the fittest‟. It is nature‟s law that only the best can survive and not losing hope is the first step towards it. Determination and time is an answer to everything in this world. The cherry plant took its own sweet time to bloom; but it finally did, it didn't disappoint the poet by giving up when it was facing the wraths of nature. We should take lessons from this cherry tree and learn to survive against all odds.
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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 loved his little daughter, but he was in mortal fear of her fierce temper.
(B) Although ..............................................................................
Fill in the blanks in the passage givben below with the appropriate form of the verb given in brackets. Do not write the passage, but write the verbs in the correct order.
One day I ____________ (1)(be) in the lunch line, and there I saw a pile of apples. The teacher-incharge _____________ (2)(state) at me and said, “Just __________ (3)(take) one. God ________ (4)(watch)”. So, I ____________ (5)(take) an apple, and the line __________ (6)(move) along. At the next table there ____________ (7)(be) a pile of chocolate chip cookies. I ____________ (8)(not know) what to do. “Put,” the kid behind me ____________ (9)(whisper), “_____________ (10)(take) all you want. God’s watching the apples. ”
Can it be argued that this is an anti- war poem?
Explain the use of words like ‘fluttering’ and ‘dancing’ as used by the poet.
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Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Naught man could do,have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.
Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.
Comment on the tone of the Patriot in this stanza.
What thoughts are uppermost in the soldier’s mind as he talks with the old man?
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Fill in the blank with an appropriate word :
Sheila's grandmother found it difficult to climb __________ the steep staircase.
Join the following sentence to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so.
Mala is not in the classroom. Mala is not in the library.
The tree grew at a dangerous slant and had to be cut ________
What does the phrase “strange to tell” mean?
Give reasons for the following.
Satyajit attending the village wedding.
Although the author was not a vindictive man he was very happy to see the twenty-one stone lady
who had impoverished him twenty years ago, and says he had finally had his revenge. What makes him say this?
The words in the box are all words that describe movement. Use them to fill in the blank in the sentence below.
I saw a cobra ___________ out of a clump of cactus.
Report writing
Study the web diagram and write the characteristics of report writing.
Choose the correct alternative for the given line. Focus on the inference of the poet.
‘Dull would he be of soul who could pass by’
The line means - __________________.
Note down ways in which you can make your life less ordinary in terms of nurturing relationships.
Write the character sketch of Dr. Stockmann.
Write two lines from this poem which you find most humorous. Justify your choice.
Narrate the story of Sushruta in your own words.
Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde :
Mathilde wrote a note to her friend as dictated by her husband.
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.
A special dish that is prepared on a special occasion at home.
Use the internet, your school library, or other sources for the following activity.
Try to find other nature poems.
Write in your own words:-
Why does the poet remark that advice is cheap?
Why should one learn to tackle one's problems by one’s own self?
Divide the class in four groups. Collect four different stories written by Sudha Murthy. Select a story for every group and write it in the form of a play. Enact it in front of the class.
Write about Your Favourite Sports person/Famous personality/Hobby/Recipe by starting your own blog.
“The Himalayas are the highest mountain ranges.” He knew that the Himalayas ______ the highest mountain ranges.
“Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” Write an anecdote on the extraordinary deed of Jaiswal K.P. who helped in the recent Kerala Flood. Use the tips given in the box.
An anecdote is a brief, revealing account of an individual person or an incident. Consider these questions to write an anecdote.
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- When did it happen? Is this relevant?
- What happened?
- Where did it happen? How is it relevant?
Having an ice cream on a hot summer day is exciting and enjoyable.
Write about some of the exciting and enjoyable things that one can do in the winter season.
______ do you like best in the school – games, art or music?
Reference to context.
Draw pictures of the speakers of the above lines.
In the sentence below the capital letter, comma, full stop and question mark are missing. Put these in the correct place.
every sunday i go for a walk have breakfast read story books listen to music and watch television
What did Bob share with the cop about their friendship?
Why did she call herself ‘lucky’?
Describe Bertie’s problem.
Given below are hints about a renowned British science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke. Write a biographical sketch on the author in not more than 80-100 words based on the information given below.
| Name | Arthur C. Clarke |
| Pen names | Charles Willis, E.G.O’Brien |
| Birth | 16 Dec 1917, England |
| Career | novelist, television host, inventor, and film screenwriter. |
| Genre | Science-Fiction, Television series, Film screenplay |
| Awards and Honours | 1961, Kalinga Prize - an award given by UNESCO for popularising science Hugo and Nebula Awards Chairman of the Interplanetary Society Highest Civil Honour of Sri Lanka – ‘Sri Lankabhimanya 2005’ |
| Titles | Clarke, Robert Heinlein, and Isaac Asimov – ‘Big Three’ of Science Fiction ‘The Prophet of the Space Age’ |
| Famous Works | Childhood’s End 2001: A Space Odyssey Rendezvous with Rana |
Write conversation on the following situation.
Between two friends about planting trees
The narrator was frustrated as ______.
Now write a short story to explain these proverb.
Despair gives courage to a Coward
Write a composition in approximately 350 – 400 words on the following subject:
(You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.)
International sports promote friendship between nations.
Argue FOR or AGAINST the given statement.
On returning home, Tishani Doshi writes her thoughts reflecting on how her decision to enrol for the Students on Ice programme has been the single most important decision of her life that has completely transformed her.
Imagine yourself to be Tishani and express these thoughts.
You may begin like this:
I can’t thank my stars enough for having cashed in on the opportunity of........
It is widely believed that people do their best work when they are promised rewards for their achievements. Our schools and workplaces operate on the assumption that good work occurs when people are competing for grades, money, or recognition from others. In truth, the prospect of rewards provided by others can inhibit and limit people’s drive and creativity. People do their best work when motivated from within by their enjoyment of a particular challenge and their satisfaction in doing something well.
What do you think motivates people to do their best? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.
Imagine someone has invited your family to a program and you were the only person at home when the invitation was given orally.
Imagine someone has invited your family to a program and you were the only person at home when the invitation was given orally. Write a note (4-5 lines) to pass on the message to the other people in your family. Or, Write an imaginary conversation in which you pass on the message to your parents.
Group Discussion:
You along with your friends Sujit, Rohit and Kishore discussing their likes and dislikes. But all are fascinated with the reading habit. Write a short group discussion in the form of dialogue telling the importance of reading for enhancing knowledge.
Write an e-mail to the Principal of a neighbouring school inviting their pupils to attend the classes if they so wish. Give all details of the classes to be held.
Using the given informal letter as a model, write a letter on any one of the topics given below.
Write letter to your father asking permission to go on a educational tour.
Write a composition on humor.
Find some examples of antithesis from your mother tongue and translate them into English.
Think before you use! Name some ‘ready to eat’ and ‘ready to cook’ food items available in the market. Discuss the following in groups.
- Discuss whether it is necessary to use such items and why they are sold.
- Discuss the possible adverse effects of such food items.
Imagine someone has invited your family to a programme, and you were the only person at home when the invitation was given orally.
Write a note (4-5 lines) to pass on the message to the other people in your family. Or, Write an imaginary conversation in which you pass on the message to your parents.
Send a formal letter of invitation · in 50 words to Dr. Mehra, noted novelist and educationist, to speak on, The Importance of Books'. You are Lena/Sanjay, Secretary Literary Club, S. S. Public School. Meritionday, date, time and venue.
Despite being a half monster and half human, Caliban comes across as superior to Stephano and Trinculo. Justify the statement with supporting evidence from the Acts studied in 200-250 words.
What do you think prompts the poet’s desire for a temporary escape in the poem, Birches? Why does he wish to come back to Earth? Write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Write a composition (in approximately 400 – 450 words) on any one of the following subjects.
You become what you read. Present your reflections on this statement.
