Holiday Homework for Class 9B & 10A

1. Read & revise all the chapters taken up in the class & prepare all question-answers.

2. Write an article on anyone of the following topics:

a) Child Labour  b) Drug Addiction  c) Importance of Games & Sports

3. Write a letter to the Editor of the Hindustan Times expressing your concern about increasing pollution.

4. Complete the following story in about 120 words:

Last year I decided to visit a fair with my friend. I got up early in the morning ...,....

5. Write a letter to your father to send you some money to buy a few important books.

N.B.- Do all your homework in the classwork notebook.

Holiday Homework for Class 7A, 8A & 8B

1. Read & revise all the chapters taken up in the class & prepare all question-answers.

2.You are ABC, Headboy/Headgirl of your school. You have lost your water bottle somewhere in the school. Write a notice about it in 40 words.

3. Write a paragraph on anyone of the following topics:

a) Diwali  b)Your favourite game   c) Hobby

4. Write a letter to your friend inviting him to join your birthday party.

5. Write an application to the Principal of your school to grant you full fee concession.

N.B.- Do all your homework in the classwork notebook.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 11- The Proposal with the concerned video

The Proposal Summary

The curtain rises with Lomov entering his neighbour Chubukov’s house fully dressed up in his evening attire. Chubukov is surprised to see him well-dressed and asks him the occasion. Lomov reveals that he had come to make a request. Chubukov anticipates that he must have come to ask for money which he does not intend on giving. On being revealed that Lomov had come to ask for Chubulov’s daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage, Chubukov gets filled with excitement and leaves to call Natalya. Lomov is a 35 year- old- gentleman who suffers from palpitations, gets upset very easily and does not  sleep well. He thinks it is the best age for him to get married and he is happy that he has his mind made-up about Natalya. According to him, Natalya is average-looking and a good housekeeper. When Natalya arrives, Lomov begins the conversation about how grateful and glad he is that both their families have been on good terms since the very beginning. While continuing to talk about his land, he somehow mentions about Oxen Meadows which earlier was a disputed property but is now his. Natalya could not believe a word he was saying because she believes that Oxen Meadows belong to her family. Both of them enter into a heated discussion and act childishly.When Chubukov enters just to get the conversation more heated. They shout and scream while Lomov suffers from extreme pounding of the heart, a side pull and a numb foot. They throw Lomov out of the house and continue cursing him. While speaking ill of him, Chubukov unintentionally reveals that he had come with a marriage proposal for Natalya which surprises Natalya and she immediately regrets sending him out. She tells her father to bring him back immediately and Chubukov curses himself on being a father of a grown-up daughter. When Lomov returns, Natalya tries to deviate to another topic and starts talking about shooting. Somehow they enter into an argument involving their dogs. Natalya feels that her Squeezer is better than Lomov’s Guess. They continue arguing when Chubukov enters the scene only to make the situation worse once again. Everyone gets hyper and Lomov finally falls due to his palpitations. Even then, the cursing continues when suddenly Natalya notices that he is unconscious. They try to get water down his throat but end up getting unsuccessful and declare him dead. It is only when Lomov moves a little bit, they feed him some water and Chubukov forcefully hands over Natalya’s hands to him, gives his blessings and asks them to kiss. Lomov, still not fully conscious, doesn not understand what is going on. When he finally comes to his senses, he expresses his excitement and kisses Natalya’s hands. Natalya, being childish as she is, manipulates him into accepting that Squeezer is better than Guess but Lomov, being adamant as he is, refuses to accept it. Thus, once again, the quarrelling continues.                     

 Thinking About the Play

(Page 157)

Question 1.

What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says ‘And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

Answer:

At first Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as he was in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided  not to give any money to Lomov. It was only when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage that his attitude changed and he rushed out to call his daughter, Natalya.

Question 2.

Chubukov says of Natalya: “……. as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat……” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Answer:

Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she gets to know that Lomov came to propose to her. She starts weeping and asks her father to bring Lomov at once.

Question 3.

1. Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier,Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”)

2. Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

3. Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Answer:

The words and expressions that have been used to describe each other by various characters of the play are Chubukov: intriguer, grabber, old rat Natalya: a lovesick cat, an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking’ well-educated. Lomov: a good neighbour, impudent, pettifogger, malicious, double faced intriguer, rascal, blind hen, turnip ghost, a villian, scare crow, stuffed sausage, etc.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter :8-A House is not a Home with the concerned video

 SUMMARY

After passing junior high school the author joined a high school. It was a big school. The author felt awkward during his first year of high school. Ile missed his old school badly. He often went to meet his old teachers. They encouraged him to get involved in school activities.
One Sunday afternoon, not long after he had started high school, he was sitting at home doing his homework. His little cat was sitting on the table. He smelt something strange. Then he noticed smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. Soon the whole room was engulfed in flames. The author and his mother came out of the room.
The author ran to the neighbours to call the fire brigade. He saw his mother run back into the house. She came out after sometime holding a metal box containing important documents. Dropping the box in the lawn she ran back into the house. The author was about to run after her but a fireman stopped him forcibly. The other firemen rushed in to save the mother. They could bring her safe.
After five hours, the fire was finally out. The house was completely burned down. Now the author realized that his cat was found nowhere. He broke down in tears and cried and cried. He wanted to go inside the house but the fireman did not let him go inside that night.
The author and his mother went to the author’s grandparents house to spend the night. The next day it was Monday and the author was to go to school. He was wearing the school uniform but he had no shoes. He borrowed tennis shoes from his aunt. His school bag had burned in the fire. He thought that everything had been finished for him. He walked around school like a zombie. Everything felt surreal and was not sure what was going to happen. He was feeling insecure. When he walked through what used to be his house after school that day, he was shocked to see how much damage there was. There was no time to grieve. His mother rushed him out of the house. They borrowed money from the author’s grandparents. They rented an apartment nearby. When the debris of their burned house was being cleared off, the author came there daily hoping that his cat was somewhere to be found.
The news of this fire tragedy spread in the school. The next day at school, the people were acting even more strange than usual. They had taken up a collection and had bought him school supplies, notebooks and all kinds of different clothes. They were introducing themselves to the author very warmly. The author made friends that day.
A month later of the fire tragedy, their house was being rebuilt. The author’s friends were with him. A kind lady came with the author’s cat and gave it to him. It brought a new life for the author.

Think about it 

(Pages 54 & 55

Question 

What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do

Answer

The author, while doing his homework noticed the smoke pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. The room was filled with the smoke very quickly. The author and his mother ran outside to save their life. His mother ran out of the house with a small metal box full of important documents. She became so crazy that she rushed back to the house just after dropping the box

Question 

Why does he break down in tears after the fire

Answer

The author’s house was completely burned down. Five hours later when the fire was finally put out, he realised at once that his cat was nowhere. He had to face the loss of old school, his house and cat. In such a state, he cried and broke down in tears.

Question 3

Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity

Answer

The author was full of remorse as he was left with nothing. He didn’t have proper dress and study material. He had no backpack. He had the feeling of insecurity. All things appeared strange to him. He was shocked deeply and seemed frustrated. The words uttered by him “Was I destined to be an outcast and a geek all my life? I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle life, if it was to going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die” reveal his fear and insecurity

Question 

The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how

Answer

The author loved his cat very much. He never considered her far from him. She kept sitting beside him when he did his homework and other household work. When the author found his cat back, his happiness was beyond the limits. He grabbed her quickly and felt relieved. This proved that they were very fond of each other.

The cat ran over a mile away when the house was on fire. A stranger lady brought it back as there was a phone number written on the collar of the cat

Question 5

What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start participating in life

Answer

His schoolmates bought up school supplies, notebooks, all kinds of different clothes for the author in order to help him. It was a matter of surprise and too difficult to believe for him. He got emotional satisfaction. People who had never spoken, introduced themselves one by one. All things seemed new and created his interest in life. Now, he had all the things whatever he used to have. He started enjoying his life as usual.

Question 6

What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Had the author gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back

Answer

Here the author wants to point out that life without affection is useless. He was depressed after a great loss in all fields. His old school and teachers were always in his mind. The fire had reduced his house to ashes. His cat was also not with him. In such circumstances he considered himself dead and had no interest in life

In the end as soon as the conditions took the turn he felt relieved. Now he had all the things with him. The author had not gone anywhere. It was his state of mind. He recovered from this gloomy state and started enjoying life when he got his cat back.

Talk about 

(Page 55)

Question 

Have any of your classmates/schoolmates had an experience like the one described in the story where they needed help? Describe how they were helped

Answer

Two years ago, my friend Raju visited the market to buy some household things. It was a crowded market and a shop caught fire due to short circuit. The panic-stricken people rushed here and there. My friend too was trying to leave that place. He with three people got himself locked in a nearby shop to escape from smoke. But the shop was filled with smoke within a little span of time. They felt suffocated by the fumes. They considered that their end was near. In the meantime, a team of an NGO broke open the shutter and took them out of the shop. They were hospitalised quickly. I could get my friend back because of the team and the grace of God.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 9- The Sermon at Benares with the concerned video

The Sermon at Benares Summary in English

Gautama Buddha was born in a North Indian royal family. He was born as a prince. Moreover, his childhood name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was sent to a faraway place to study Hindu sacred scriptures at the age of twelve. Then, on returning after four years, he got married to a princess. Soon, they both were blessed with a son. Then, they continued to live the royal life for about ten years. The Royals were shielded from the unpleasant experiences of the world.

However, one day, on his way to hunt, the Prince met a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession and a monk who was begging for. Such experiences acted as an eye-opener for him. Hence, he left all the royalty behind to seek a higher sense of spiritual knowledge. Then, when he attained salvation, he began preaching. His first sermon was given in the city of Benares. There was a lady whose name was Kisa Gotami whose son has died. She was suffering from unending pain. Thus, she went from house to house looking for medicine to make her son alive. People thought that the lady has lost her senses.

However, one day, she met a man who directed her towards Lord Buddha. He felt that Buddha could possibly have a solution for her problem. Then, Buddha asked her to look for mustard seeds and the seeds must be procured from a house where there had been no death. Filled with hope, Kisa Gotami once again went on a search from house to house but she could not find mustard seeds from a house according to Buddha’s condition. Thus, she was disheartened and sat at the edge of the road where she realised how selfish she had been. She realised the fact that men are mortal. Also, no one could escape the cycle of life. This was the only fact that Buddha wanted her to understand.

According to Lord Buddha, feelings of grief and sorrow increase man’s pain and suffering. It serves no other purpose. Moreover, it deteriorates the health. Thus, a wise person who is fully aware of nature’s functioning must not grieve at something bound to happen. This is the only way in which he can be happy and blessed.

Question 1: When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Answer: Kisa Gotami goes from house to house to get some medicine which could put back life in her dead son. But once a person is dead, he cannot be revived. Hence, people only pity at her agony because they know that no medicine can bring life back in her child.

Question 2: Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for, the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?

Answer: After speaking with the Buddha, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house to get a handful of mustard seeds. But Buddha had made a condition, i.e. mustard seeds should be only from a house in which nobody ever died. Since death is an imminent fact and is integral to the life cycle, so Kisa Gotamy does not get mustard seeds.

Question 3: What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?

Answer: She understood the real truth of life and death. She understood that everyone who has come into this world is going to die sooner or later. By sending her to different houses, Buddha wanted her to realize the fragile nature of human life. He also wanted her to rise above worldly matters so that the departed soul could rest in peace.

Question 4: Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?

Answer: Buddha applied practical way of teaching an important lesson. Sometimes, we may not understand a complex subject by only reading a text material. Many a time, we need to have practical experience to understand complex issues.

Question 5: How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief ’?

Answer: Being concerned with your own desires and beliefs is called selfishness. Kisa Gotami was only thinking about her personal sorrow and life after her personal tragedy. She was not thinking about grief of all other people. So, it can be said that she was being ‘selfish in her grief.

Summary & Question-answers of The Poem :7- When I Set Out for Lyonnesse with the concerned video

When I Set Out for Lyonnesse Summary In English IntroductionThomas Hardy once visited a Parish to supervise the restoration of a church. On his return people noticed two things about him. There was a new glow in his eyes. There was also a piece of paper peeping out of his coat pocket. This paper had the draft of the present poem.Going for the RestorationThe poet says that he had gone for the res-toration of a church. When he started he hardly knew that the visit would be so invigorating. It proved to be like visiting Lyonnesse. He had left for the Parish all alone on a very cold evening. The Parish was a hundred miles away. The foliage was covered with frost. The stars guided his lonesome path. Stay at the ParishHe had to stay at the Parish for sometime. In that short period, he found something happening to him. It was an inner change which was sudden and unexpected. The poet says that at the start of his journey no one could think of such a change in him. No prophet or wizard could have guessed the happening there.The Inner ChangeWhen the poet returned from the Parish, everyone noticed a glow in his eyes. They didn’t speak a word. However, they were impressed by the rare and deep radiance of his eyes.

WORKING WITH THE POEM (PAGE 110)

Questions:

1. In the first stanza, find words that show

(i) that it was very cold.

(ii) that it was late evening.

(iii) that the traveller was alone.

2. (i) Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was

(a) improbable.

(b) impossible.

(c) unforeseeable.

(iii) Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.

3. (i) Read the line (stanza 3) that implies the following.

“Everyone noticed something, and they made guesses, but didn’t speak a word’.

(ii) Now read the line that refers to what they noticed.

Answers:

1.

(i) The word “rime’ shows that it was very cold.

(ii) The word ‘starlight’ shows that it was late evening.

(iii) The word ‘lonesomeness’ shows that the traveller was alone.

2.

(i) Unforeseeable.

The relevant lines are:

No prophet durst declare

Nor did the wisest wizard guess

What would be chance at Lyonnesse

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 8- The Hack Driver with the concerned video

The Hack Driver Summary in English

This is a story of a lawyer who after completing his graduation started working with a famous firm in the city. He was working as an assistant clerk there. He did not like the job of serving summons because sometimes he had to face harsh situations. One day, he had to give summons to Oliver Lutkins who was a key witness in some case. He lived in a small village New Mullion. He was happy to go to the village but the village looked very dull and lifeless. The narrator saw a hack driver on a platform that was cheerful. He inquired him about Lutkins and came to know he was a shrewd man and had taken loan from many people. The hack driver cunningly extracted from lawyer that he has come here to give court summon to Lutkin.

The lawyer decided to rent Bill’s hack and search for Lutkins. Bill manipulated the lawyer and made him visit different places in search of Lutkins. He always goes ahead and inquires about Lutkins. They went to Fritz’s shop to catch Lutkins where he plays poker. They have been told that he has gone to Gustaff barber for shaving.  Later at Gustaff’s place also they could not meet him and somebody told them they saw him in the pool room. They could not find him there and told he left the poolroom after buying cigarettes. In Afternoon Bill asked the lawyer to buy food from his wife as it would be less costly than a restaurant. They had their lunch at Wade’s hill which is a beautiful place.

By now the lawyer was fully convinced that Bill is a generous and helpful person. He even started comparing city people and villagers. Later they went to Lutkins mother’s house but she was a horrible lady and she was close to attacking them with a hot iron rod. At last, the lawyer has to leave without serving to summon to Lutkins. He was badly scolded by his Chief the next day and was sent again to New Mullion with a colleague who knew Lutkins. On reaching station the lawyer happily acknowledged that Bill was such helpful people to him in searching Lutkins. At this point, he was told by his colleague that the hack driver was none other than Oliver Lutkins. The lawyer felt ashamed of himself.Page No 47:

Question 1:

Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?

Answer:

The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case.

He had expected the place to be a sweet and simple country village.

Question 2:

Who befriends him? Where does he take him?

Answer:

The lawyer was befriended by a delivery man who introduced himself as Bill. He told him that he knew Lutkins and would help the lawyer in finding him. He took him to all the places where Lutkins was seen or was known to hang out. He took the lawyer to Fritz’s shop, where Lutkins played a lot of poker; to Gustaff’s barber shop and then to Gray’s barber shop; to the poolroom and several other places before finally taking him to Oliver’s mother’s farm. However, Oliver Lutkins was not found.

Question 3:

What does he say about Lutkins?

Answer:

Bill told the lawyer that Lutkins was a hard fellow to catch. He was always up to something or the other. He owed money to many people, including Bill, and had never even paid anybody a cent. He also said that Oliver played a lot of poker and was good at deceiving people.

Page No 50:

Question 1:

What more does Bill say about Lutkins and his family?

Answer:

Bill told the lawyer that he knew Lutkins’ mother. He said that she was a terror. He narrated an incident when he took a trunk to her once and she almost took his skin off because he did not treat it like a box of eggs. He also said that she was about nine feet tall and four feet thick. She was very quick and could talk a lot. He said that Oliver must have heard that somebody was chasing him and consequently, would have gone into hiding at his mother’s place.

Question 2:

Does the narrator serve the summons that day?

Answer:

No. The narrator did not serve the summons that day.

Question 3:

Who is Lutkins?

Answer:

The hack driver himself was Oliver Lutkins.

Page No 53:

Question 1:

When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think Bill came up with his plan for fooling the lawyer?

Answer:

It is more likely that Oliver made the plan to fool the lawyer right after he came to know from the latter that he was looking for a man named Oliver Lutkins. Oliver knew that he was needed as a witness in a law case. So it is entirely possible that he was prepared for such a situation. It was a matter of chance that the lawyer ran into Oliver himself.

Question 2:

Lutkins openly takes the lawyer all over the village. How is it that no one lets out the secret? (Hint: Notice that the hack driver asks the lawyer to keep out of sight behind him when they go into Fritz’s.) Can you find other such subtle ways in which Lutkins manipulates the tour?

Answer:

Lutkins was always the first to enter the places where he took the lawyer. He prevented the lawyer from directly talking with the people at these places. In this manner he would take them into his confidence. This is probably the reason why no one let out the secret. After they did not find Lutkins at Fritz’s, they went to Gustaff’s barber shop, where again he went in first and the lawyer lingered at the door. Before going to Lutkins’ mother’s house, he gave a terrifying description of Lutkins’ mother and urged the lawyer to let him try and talk to her. Again, Lutkins was the one who went up to her first. The lawyer was only standing back and listening. He told her everything about the lawyer and why he had come, which was a sufficient clue for her to understand what was going on. It should also be noted that at the station, he had asked the lawyer if he was in a hurry to find Lutkins. The lawyer told him that he had to catch the afternoon train back to the city. This perhaps helped him concretise his plan to take the lawyer around the town till it was time for him to catch the train back to the city. In this way, he always kept ahead of the lawyer and managed to manipulate the entire tour.

Question 3:

Why do you think Lutkins’ neighbours were anxious to meet the lawyer?

Answer:

Lutkins took the lawyer all across New Mullion in search of Lutkins himself. He successfully fooled the lawyer—an educated man of the city. During this process of deception, almost all the people in the town got to see the lawyer. This episode would have become the talking point of the town. According to Lutkins, his neighbours were the only people in town who had missed seeing the lawyer and hence, wanted to meet the lawyer.

Question 4:

After his first day’s experience with the hack driver the lawyer thinks of returning to New Mullion to practise law. Do you think he would have reconsidered this idea after his second visit?

Answer:

After his first day’s experience with the hack driver, the lawyer had considered returning to New Mullion to practise law. However, he realised during his second visit that he had been literally taken for a ride by the hack driver (who himself was Lutkins). In this, Lutkins was helped by the townspeople. After becoming the laughing stock of the town, it is most likely that the lawyer would have reconsidered his initial idea of working there.

Question 5:

Do you think the lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being taken for a ride?

Answer:

It can be said that the lawyer was gullible. He could have avoided being taken for a ride if he had noticed what the hack driver was doing. The hack driver was the one who did all the talking and the lawyer remained a mere spectator. The lawyer could have taken control of the proceedings by asking the hack driver to step aside and by doing his work himself. Instead, he allowed the hack driver to take control of the situation. The lawyer was too impressed by the hack driver’s pleasant and friendly personality, and was thus ignorant of what was actually taking place.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 7- The Necklace with the concerned video

The Necklace Summary in English

A lady, Mathilde Loisel lived in a flat with his husband. He worked as a clerk for the Ministry of Education. They were not able to live a luxurious life. However, they were not poor, merely simple. However, Mathilde’s desire was to be rich. She felt irritated, disappointed and sad of not having a large house. Moreover, she desired to have good dresses, lots of jewelry which made her sad.One day his husband brings her an invitation to a fancy party. It was an invitation to the ball. He thought his wife would be very excited about seeing the invitation letter. However, his wife, instead of being happy, threw away the invitation letter and started crying. She complained about not having a pretty dress to wear on such a great occasion. She wanted to seek admiration for everyone. Also, she wanted to be a success at the party. His gentle husband gave her four hundred francs to buy a pretty dress. He had saved the money to buy a rifle.The week of the party approached. His wife seemed to be anxious again. She was upset as she felt that she didn’t have any jewelry to wear with the dress. Her husband suggests her to ask the same from his friend Jeanne Forestier. Mathilde went to her house and borrowed a sparkling necklace.Mathilde, along with his husband enjoyed a lot at the party. She was successful in seeking everyone’s attention to her. Then, they headed for home during the odd hours in the morning. On reaching home, Mathilde was surprised on not finding a necklace around her neck. They both felt that it might have fallen down in the cab which they took to reach home. Also, he searched on the streets they have come through.Moreover, he approached the police, gave advertisement but all in vain. Her husband asked her to write a letter to her friend. She wrote that she had the clasp broken and is getting it repaired. Meanwhile, they were successful in searching for a similar necklace. However, it cost thirty-six thousand francs. His husband has inherited eighteen thousand francs from his father. However, they had to borrow the remaining money. They managed to buy the necklace through inherited and borrowed money.But it took them a period of ten years to repay the borrowed amount. In these years, their lives have drastically changed. They moved to a smaller apartment, cleaned and cooked herself. Moreover, his husband did multiple jobs to repay the amount. Also, she looked like a strong woman of a poor household. She looked very aged. One day she saw Miss Jeanne Forestier on the street. She decided to tell her the truth about the necklace. The latter was stunned by the rough appearance of the former. Moreover, on learning the truth of necklace, Jeanne Forestier told that it was a fake one. The worth of the same was no more than five hundred francs.

Read and Find Out

(Page 39)

Question 1.

What kind of a person is Mme Loisel and why is she always unhappy?

Answer:

Mme Loisel is young, pretty, ordinary but discontented woman. She is of a humble background but dreams of riches and comforts. She is proud of her beauty and wants to be admired. Her meagre resources are not enough to satisfy her expensive cravings making her angry all the time.

Question 2.

What kind of a person is her husband?

Answer:

Her husband M Loisel, is an ordinary and average young man. A mere clerk by profession, he is still contented with his job. Also, he is a caring man as he is excited to show the dinner invitation to his wife.

Page 41

Question 3.

What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?

Answer:

After spending a fortune on a beautiful dress, Mme Loisel is

faced with yet another disaster. She frets over the fact that she does not have a beautiful jewel to go with her dress. So, she asks her husband to pass on the invitation to someone else.

Question 4.

How is the problem solved?

Answer:

Matilda Loisel’s husband, M. Loisel, comes to her rescue. First, he suggests her to wear fresh flowers. Matilda just mocked at the idea. Then, he advises her to borrow some jewels from her rich friend, Mme Forestier. Thus, the problem is solved as Mme Forestier lends her a beautiful diamond necklace.

Page 42

Question 5.

What do Mr and Mme Loisel do next?

Answer:

The Loisels leave no stone unturned. M. Loisel goes backa and searches to the lost necklace. Then, he goes to the police and to the cab offices. Also, they put out an advertisement n the newspapers and offer a reward to anyone who finds :he necklace. But, all their efforts go in vain.

Question 6.

How do they replace the necklace?

Answer:

After all other efforts fail, Loisel’s decide to buy a new identical necklace to replace the lost one. M. Loisel pooled eighteen thousand francs of his inheritance and borrowed the rest. Then the couple managed to buy the new necklace for thirty six thousand francs and returned it to the rightful 0wner.

Think About It

(Page 46)

Question 1.

The course of the Loisel’s life changed due to the necklace. Comment.

Answer:

It takes Loisels a decade to pay back the money they borrowed to buy the necklace. And, it changed everything for them. They had to move to the poorest quarters of the city. With no maids or assistance, Matilda had to cook, clean, mend, sew, bargain with the grocer and butcher to save every sou just for mere survival. The husband had to work in the evening and night to pay their debt. In this way, the course of the Losiel’s life changed due to the necklace.

Question 2.

What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?

Answer:

Matilda’s pride and her materialistic aspirations coupled with her dishonesty pave the way for her ruin. She could have avoided it by learning to accept her current situation and being content with what she had.

Question 3.

What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?

Answer:

Truth and honesty would have saved Matilda from her doom. If only she had it been courageous enough to confess to her friend the truth of the necklace, she would have come to know that it was a fake one that cost only five hundred francs. She would not have spent her husband’s entire inheritance and borrowed eighteen thousand francs to pay for its replacement. In fact, she would have saved herself and her husband from ten long years of crushing poverty, misery and back breaking labour.

Question 4.

If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?

Answer:

Foremost of all, I would have done my best not to become a victim of my own pride and aspirations. If I had been caught in such a situation, I would have let the truth out and then face the consequences. Honesty would have been the way out for me.

Talk About It

(page 46)

Question 1.

The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language? What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be speaking in?

Answer:

Though the characters speak in English, it is not their language. Maupassant wrote the story in French and it was translated into English. Again the very text throws up enough words in French to prove it otherwise. First, the very names of characters like ‘Mme Loisel, Mme Forestier and the minister’s name George Ramponneau indicate their French origin. Then, the words for currency like ‘Franc’ and ‘Sou’ show the same. Also, the shop’s location at ‘Palais Royal’ and ‘Champs Elysees’ point out the French history of the characters and the story.

Question 2.

Honesty is the best Policy.

Answer:

Honesty is definitely the best policy. Falsehood and hypocrisy seem very attractive and rewarding at first. But, the path they tread on leads to nothing but misery, evil and utter gloom. Honesty, on the contrary, seems to be a difficult choice in pursuit of material happiness. However, it is the only choice for a life of contentment, peace and everlasting happiness.

Question 3.

We should be content with what life gives us.

Answer:

Life is a great mystery. For every individual this mystery of life comes wrapped in a unique package. For some, it is all riches, comfort, name and fame. For some, it is nothing but sheer hunger, poverty, anguish and an everyday quest for bare survival. One, however, must learn to live within one’s means and be content with what one has. One may try to improve his lot by honest means but eventually must be at peace with what one manages to have.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter :7- The Last Leaf with the concerned video

The Last Leaf Summary In English

Sue and Johnsy were two young artists. They lived together in a small flat. It was situated on the third storey of an old house.

Johnsy fell seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. Sue was worried. She sent for the doctor. But the doctor told Sue that Johnsy had lost the will to live. Medicines will not help her.

Sue tried her best to make Johnsy to take interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashions. Sue brought her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room and started painting. She also whistled while painting.

Johnsy looked at an ivy creeper outside on the wall. It was shedding its leaves because it was autumn. Johnsy was counting backwards from twelve onwards. Sue asked what it was all about. Johnsy told her that she would die with the falling of the last leaf. It would happen in three days. Sue called it nonsense. She also told her that she would be all right soon. But it had no effect on Johnsy.

Behrman was an old painter. He lived on the ground floor. He was sixty-years old. He had a dream that one day he would paint a masterpiece. But he had no success so far. Sue told Behrman about Johnsy’s strange fancy. Both he and Sue went to Johnsy’s room. Johnsy was sleeping. They saw that the ivy creeper had only one leaf left on it. It was raining. It seemed that the last leaf would fall any time.

Johnsy awoke from her sleep. She looked out of the window. She looked at the last leaf. She asked Sue to look at it. It was green and healthy. Johnsy looked at the leaf every hour. But it didn’t fall even in the stormy evening. This revived a will to live in Johnsy.

Johnsy accused herself. She called Sue. She admitted before her that she had been a bad girl. She told Sue that she was very wicked. The last leaf had shown her that. Now she felt that it was a sin to want to die. She then asked for a mirror. She had lots of hot soup also.

Next morning Sue told Johnsy about Behrman. Behrman was ill for only two days. The guard found him on his bed. His clothes and shoes were wet. He was shivering in the stormy night. Hfe had painted the last leaf on the wall in that night. He had caught pneumonia and died. Sue asked her if she hadn’t wondered why the leaf had not fluttered. She told her that the last leaf was Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell.

Think about it

(Page 48)

Question 1.

What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?

Answer:

Johnsy, a young artist, was ill. She was suffering from pneumonia. But later on she suffered from a misconception that she would die as soon as the last leaf on the creeper would fall down. The medicine had no effect on her. Her willingness to live could cure her.

Question 2.

Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers?

Answer:

Life has two aspects i.e. positive and negative. It depends upon us how we take it. Nowadays it is very common that teenagers are getting depressed because of cut-throat competition. On the other hand, a majority of teenagers who take life positively and faces difficulties boldly never lose hope and proceed further.

Question 3.

Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?

Answer:

Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece in his life. He kept waiting for the opportunity to give it a practical shape. Yes, he could materialize his dream when he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.

Question 4.

What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?

Answer:

Behrman was a 60-year old artist who had a dream to paint a masterpiece. His painting of an ivy leaf was his masterpiece which saved the life of Johnsy. It was such a painting that it was not easy to make out whether the leaf was real or it was just a painting. When Behrman died painting this life-saving painting, Sue called it a masterpiece.

Talk about it

(Page 48)

Question 1.

Have you ever felt depressed and dejected? How did you overcome such feelings? Share your experience with your classmates.

Answer:

Our life is full of troubles. To move ahead we have to face the troubles boldly. Sometimes because of troublesome conditions we get depressed and dejected. We lose interest in the world around us. Pessimism surrounds us. In this state of mind, we should try to think positively and get rid of this condition. Our faithful friends can also be helpful in this regard. I felt depressed and dejected when I could not score good marks in the final examination of Class VI. I was a meritorious student. I was sure that I would get the highest marks in the class. Unfortunately, a month before the final exam, I suffered from severe typhoid. It continued for 15 days. I became weak and could not prepare properly for the exam. As a result, I got the lowest marks in the class. But my parents and teachers consoled me by telling that it happens with everyone. They said me to be confident and be prepared to do best in the next class.

Summary & Question-answers of The Poem : 7- Dad and the Cat and the Tree with the concerned video

Dad and the Cat and the Tree Summary In English

One morning, a cat got stuck in the tree. The narrator’s dad decided that he will easily be able to take care of it. Narrator’s father decided to climb the tree. His wife warned him that he might fall, but ignoring her warnings he climbed the ladder, slipped and fell.

Having fallen once, he thought of trying again, another way. Yet again ignoring his wife warnings, he swung himself up on a branch. The branch broke and again he fell.Not giving up still, the father climbed up the garden wall. Luckily this time he did not fall. However, the moment he sprang unto the tree the cat jumped to the ground, safe and sound. Poor father, on the other hand, got stuck in the tree.

Page No: 110

Working with the Poem

Question 1:

Why was Dad sure he wouldn’t fall?

Solution:

The Dad was sure he wouldn’t fall because he was a good climber.

Question 2:

Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad’s Self-confidence best?

Solution:

“Right just. Leave it to me.” “Easy as winking to a climber like me.”

Question 3:

Describe Plan A and its consequences.

Solution:

According to Plan A, father would have reached the tree top with the help of the ladder. However, the ladder slipped and father fell on the ground.

Question 4:

Plan C was success. What went wrong then?

Solution:

Even though Plan C was a success, it did not work out as planned. The moment the father reached the tree top, the cat jumped and touched the ground and was again out of father’s reach.

Question 5:

The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea.

Solution:

“Smiling and Smirking.”

Question 6:

Describe the Cat and the Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.

Solution:

At the Onset, the cat was stuck on the tree and father was confident to be able to drive it away. By the time the poem ended, the cat was free and the father got stuck in the tree.

Question 7:

Why and when did Dad say each of the following?

Fall

Never mind

Funny joke

Rubbish

Solution:

When his wife warned him against falling, father with a great surprise said “fall?”

Having fallen to the ground, the father did not give up and brushing the dirt from his hair and clothes said, “never mind.”

When his wife again warned him against falling while he was executing Plan B, he found his wife’s warnings to be a “funny joke.”

After the second fall, when his wife intervened saying that he might break his neck, he again dismissed her concern by saying, “rubbish.”

Question 8:

Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you laugh.

Solution:

Of course. The poem is full of humour. The narrator’s father falling over and over again was quite humorous.

(a) “the cat gave a yell/ and sprang to the ground.”

(b) “it slipped. He landed in the flower bed.”

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 7-A Visit to Cambridge with the concerned video

A Visit to Cambridge Summary in English

This chapter is an experience of the author in England. Cambridge University always had a great appeal for him. But, after an interview with Stephen Hawking, it became more appealing to him. During a walking tour there he met Stephen Hawking. Stephen William Hawking was an astrophysicist and was a disabled person. He was the successor of Isaac Newton’s chair in the Physics Department at Cambridge University. He was the author of the book, ‘A Brief History of Time’, the biggest best-seller of his times.After the walking tour was over, he called at Steven Hawking’s house. His assistant answered the call. The author told him that he has come all the way from India and that he was in a wheelchair. He also indicated that he wished to write a book based on his travels in England and also his desire to meet Stephen Hawking. The assistant fixed the time from 3:30 to 4 for the meeting. The author was surprised to see that a machine was supporting his body. However, he composed himself to ask questions.On being asked about his courage, Hawking replied that he had no other option than to be brave and accept his situation. He said that he was amused to see that people patronize him. When the author asked him that did he feels annoyed when people like him disturb him. He replied yes with a smile. During the interview, Hawking appears to be the most beautiful man in the world to the author.The author also questioned him that is it that due to the disability, Hawking is not able to see humility and kindness in the world. Hawking agreed to this with the author. The interview came to the end with a piece of advice for the disabled or handicapped people. He said that they need to focus on the good in them and not their disability. They should not become over-enthusiastic and should do only in which they are good. After this, Hawking went into his garden. The author felt that his journey is inspiring as well as successful.

Question 1:

Which is the right sentence?

“Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,

(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.

(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.

(iii) Cambridge was the real England.

Answer:

(iii) To the writer, Cambridge was the real England.

Question 2:

Which is the right sentence?

The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house

(i) from the nearest phone booth.

(ii) from outside a phone booth.

(iii) from inside a phone booth.

Answer:

(ii) The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house from outside a phone booth.

Question 3:

Which is the right sentence?

Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because

(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.

(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.

(iii) he was face to face with a legend.

Answer:

(ii) Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesizer.

Question 4:

“I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to

(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.

(ii) standing up, walking,

(iii) speaking, writing

Answer:

(i) In the given context, the highlighted words refer to shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.

Question 1:

Answer the following questions.

(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?

(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?

Answer:

(i) Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous. He was to meet a great personality and that too one who had achieved greatness despite his disabilities. Clearly, it was a big moment, a great honour for the writer. So it is not surprising that he was nervous at the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking.

(ii) Yes, he felt excited at the same time because it made him stronger to see somebody like him achieving something huge. This made him aware of the many possibilities present before him, thereby helping him to reach out further than he ever thought he could.

Question 2:

Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

Answer:

The writer might have asked the scientist if he had been brave to reach where he had.

Question 3:

Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?

Answer:

The writer thought that there was a choice. Stephen Hawking could have chosen to leave everything, and be sad and depressed. He could have sulked. However, he chose to live creatively knowing the reality of his disintegrating body.

Question 4:

“I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

Answer:

Stephen Hawking’s mind was active with many thoughts that he wanted to express. However, his thoughts came out in phrases, without reflecting his feelings or emotions. His sentences were mere lines, without any sentiment. The writer felt he could understand his anguish and frustration at that.

Question 5:

What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?Answer:

The writer asked Stephen Hawking if he found it annoying that someone like him came and disturbed him in his work. To this query, the scientist replied in the affirmative, frankly and honestly. Then, he smiled his one way smile and this was what endeared him to the writer. The writer felt that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world.

Question 6:

Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?

Answer:

The most beautiful sentence in the description is, “…you look at his eyes which can speak, still, and they are saying something huge and urgent….”

Question 7:

(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?

(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?

(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?

Answer:

(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would be the man’s body.

(ii) The incandescence or the inner glow of the man is housed within the thin walls.

(iii) The conclusion that the writer drew from this comparison was that the body exists only like a case made of shadows. It is just an accessory. It is the soul that matters. Each individual is what he is from his heart and soul, and not from the body.

Question 8:

What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?

Answer:

The message that he gave to the disabled was that they should concentrate on what they were good at.

Question 9:

Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?Answer:

When Stephen Hawking said that things such as disabled Olympics were a waste of time, the writer agreed with him. He remembered the years which he spent trying to play a Spanish guitar that was considerably larger than he was. He was very happy when he unstringed it one night. It supports Stephen Hawking’s idea that the disabled should only concentrate on what they are good at, and not take up things unnecessarily.

Question 10:

The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?

Answer:

The writer expressed his gratitude to Stephen Hawking because he had been an inspiration for him. He saw him as the embodiment of his bravest self. He felt that if he had been as brave as Stephen, he would have achieved a lot. He felt he was moving towards that embodiment that he had believed in for many years. That is why he expressed his greatest gratitude to him as he had made him realise what great heights he could reach.