Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
You were one of the fresh graduates at the convocation function of the University. You had the rare privilege of listening to the enlightening speech of Dr. Arignar Anna. Write a letter to your friend highlighting the core ideas of his speech and the impact of the speech on you.
Advertisements
Solution
27th June, 20xx
My Dear Tim,
I was lucky to be present when Dr. Annadurai gave the Convocation Address. Very rarely one gets such a lifetime opportunity. His genius was explicit in his talk. I could see a great leader and his concern for both the educated and unsung heroes fighting to eke out a living. At the outset, he greeted the graduates and thanked Annamalai University for the unique opportunity. His modesty was evident when he admitted that he was not adequately prepared to offer them appropriate guidelines to succeed but, as a layman, he could quote and annotate the ideas of experts connected to the field of education. He showered rich encomiums on the universities for being the repositories of thought, wisdom, and service. He admired the universities for their role in equipping the youth to a better society.
He compared the universities of feudal days which turned scholars into adornments of the royalty but modem universities which are surely for the market and not for mansions. He explained that universities have a role in preparing the graduates to serve society apart from earning a decent living for themselves. He advises the graduates not to be daunted by the adverse and demotivating environment but to draw inspiration from Purananooru, our ancient classic, and overcome societal obstacles to serve society in an exemplary manner. He completed his convocation address with the wish ‘May your life be a bright one and may its luster brighten the entire land’. The words of the great leader are still ringing in my memory.
With love
Your sincere friend
Joe
To
Tim Smith,
12, Sterling Road,
Chennai
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
In India, the number of women pursuing careers in sports is considerably less, when compared to men. What do you think are the reasons? Discuss with a partner and share the ideas with the class.
How forgetful are you?
Discuss and share your views with the class on the following.
Is forgetfulness a result of carelessness or preoccupation?
Name a few things that a person remembers easily.
How do the chemists make fortunes out of the medicines people forget to take?
Narrate the plight of the baby on its day out.
You have borrowed a branded cricket bat from your reluctant friend for an outstation match. After returning home you realize you have absent-mindedly left it in the hotel room. Write a letter of apology and regret to your friend.
Will you sympathize or ridicule someone who is intensely forgetful? Write an essay justifying your point of view.
Describe the activity that was going on in the sale-room at King Street.
What made the author ignore his friend’s warning?
What made the friend laugh heartily?
‘Tight Corner’ means a ______.
The narrator had been a safe contributor at the auction, as ______.
“And I got it.” Here ‘it’ refers to the ______.
The narrator heard his own voice saying, ‘and fifty’. What does this suggest?
Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:
| a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation. | |
| b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow. | |
| c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid. | |
| d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the saleroom. | |
| e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. | |
| f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered. | |
| g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter. | |
| h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibility of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s. | |
| i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator. | |
| j) After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised. | |
| k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture. | |
| l) The narrator kept bidding just for fun. | |
| m) The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation. | |
| n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament. | |
| o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment. |
Explain how the narrator got out of the tight corner that he was in.
Who does the speaker claim to represent?
In what ways have universities improved the society?
What should the youngsters aim in life after their graduation?
How can a graduate give back to his/her society?
How does Arignar Anna highlight the duties and responsibilities of graduates to the society?
Common men contribute to the maintenance of institutions of higher education. Explain this statement.
Often on formal occasions, we admire friends and strangers who appear elegant, who are pleasant to converse with, and who conduct themselves gracefully. At times, we also see people who are awkward, nervous, and doubtful about their next move. Recall a few examples of awkward actions that can cause discomfort or disturbance to others like spilling a cup of a hot drink on someone nearby.
Describe the fluttery cascade of things tumbling from the bag.
What was Bryson’s worst accident on a plane?
‘… But, when it’s my own - well, I think hysterics are fully justified’ – How?
Bring out the pun in the title ‘The Accidental Tourist’ (one who happens to travel by accident or one who meets with accidents often on his or her trips!).
