The Feathered Friend

 Reading :1

3. Why did Sven keep the bird a secret from his colleagues?

Sven kept the bird a secret as it is not usual to have a bird in a space station. However, there is no regulation against it.

4. How was the presence of the bird discovered?

The presence of the bird was discovered by the narrator. He heard her musical whistle beside his ear. He thought that the sound was from the intercom. Later he realized that it was from the bird. 

5. Why did the crew want to hide the bird from the VIPs from the Earth? How did they deal with the issue?

The crew wanted to hide the bird from the VIPs from the Earth as the bird had become a general pet to them. They didn’t want to risk the discovery of the bird as it might be taken away from them.

They dealt with the issue by keeping it in various hiding places of the space station. They had to explain the curious peeps and whistles of the bird as she got noisy when upset.

6. What was the alarm meant for? What had caused its failure?

The alarm was meant to warn the crew of the space station when the air quality becomes poor. A rare eclipse by the earth’s shadow made the equipment freeze and it caused the failure of the alarm.

7. How is life in space different from life on Earth?

There is no gravity or air in space. The environment is controlled. We need to acquire the skill of working under these conditions. The available air is limited and it is purified and recycled. 

Reading 2

1. Did Sven do the right thing by getting a bird into the spaceship? Why do you think so?

Yes. I think that Sven did the right thing by getting a bird in the spaceship. I think so because the bird made them realize that there was something wrong with the air in the space station. That knowledge saved all the people there. The bird became a general pet to all and there was no regulation against getting birds into the spaceship.

2. Based on your reading, justify the title of the story?

The title, “The Feathered Friend” is quite appropriate. A canary bird becomes a general pet of a spaceship crew. Canary birds cannot survive in poor-quality air. One day, the bird almost died. She is revived by the crew with help of oxygen. Then the crew found out that the quality of air in the spaceship is poor. Thus, the bird saves the crew and proves that a friend in need is a friend indeed. 

3. What according to you, is a better choice - carrying a canary or an alarm system? Why do you think so?

I think carrying a canary is a better choice. I think so because there is no foolproof alarm system. 

4. Who saved the lives on board: Sven or the Canary? Why do think so?

I think both Sven and the Canary saved the loves on board. Because of Canary’s illness, the crew came to know about the poor quality of the air. It was Sven who found the Canary in a near-death position. So, both saved the lives on board. 

On a Night of Snow

2: Who is the speaker of stanza one? What does the speaker want to convey?

The owner of the cat is the speaker of stanza one. The speaker wants to convince the cat to stay indoors because the weather outside is stormy and cold.

 3: How does the speaker try to coax Cat?

Answer: Mistress tries to coax Cat by making her aware of the stormy weather outside. She describes the chilliness of the night. She tells Cat that the streets are covered with snow that would make his feet cold. She even tries to tempt Cat by offering a warm fireside and a saucer of milk.

 4: Why does Cat want to go out? What does that reflect about Cat?

Cat wants to go outside to enjoy the wild blowing winds. He wants to go out in dark night to hear the strange whisperings in the trees, play in the meadow grasses filled with snow and look for magical omens in the air.

It shows that Cat is adventurous and wants to experience the thrill. He is not afraid of stormy weather and dark night.

 5. The poem has two stanzas with two very different perspectives. Explain the two contrasting points of view presented by Mistress and Cat in this poem. Whose point of view do you agree more with?

The poem has two stanzas. The first one tells us about the perspective of Mistress and the second one tells us about the perspective of Cat.

According to Mistress, Cat should avoid going out in the cold stormy weather. The second stanza gives us an entirely different perspective. Cat wants to go out and experience the thrill. He is not afraid of stormy weather and dark night.

I agree with Cat’s point of view more.

 6. Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to something not human or representation of an abstract quality in human form. Pick this literary device in the poem and explain it.

The poet used the literary device called personification in this poem, ‘On a Night of Snow’. Cat, an animal, is given human qualities in the poem. The poet gives the power of speech and the power of reasoning to Cat. In the first stanza, Cat is addressed as a human. In the second stanza, Cat expresses his point of view.

 

The Stalled Ox

 

1. Why Theophil Eshley is called a cattle painter by force of environment?

Eshley was a talented painter. He started painting cattle not because of his love for cattle, but because of the circumstances and environment in which he lived. His home was in a villa dotted, semi-suburban, park-like area. A neighbor's cows grazed in a nearby meadow. Eshley saw cows, gardens, flowers, grass and walnut trees and started painting cows. Thus Theophil Eshley was called a cattle painter by force of environment.

2. What did Adela expect Eshley to do? Was it fair of her to expect so? Give reasons.

Adela was a neighbor of Eshley. She knew that Eshley painted cows. One day an ox strayed into her garden and started eating her flower plants. She was alone and she went to Eshley seeking help in driving away the stray ox. She expected Eshley to remove the ox from her garden. It was not fair of her to expect so. Eshley was only a painter of dairy cows and he had no experience in managing stray ox.  

3. What was Theophil Eshley's connection with cows and oxen?

Theophil Eshley lived in a villa dotted, semi suburban, park-like area. A neighbor's cows grazed in a nearby meadow. Eshley saw cows, gardens, flowers, grass and walnut trees and started painting cows. He became a well-known painter of dairy cows. He has no experience of any king with ox.

4. Theophil Eshley studied the ox like an artist. What all did he notice?

Theophil Eshley was an artist. He took to painting cows. One day his neighbor asked him to remove an ox from her garden. He went to her garden and saw a huge spotted ox in the garden. The ox was dull red about the head and shoulders. The ox's flanks and hindquarters were dirty white. The ox had shaggy ears and large blood-shot eyes.

5. What efforts did Theophil Eshley make to drive the ox away? What was the reaction of the ox?

Theophil Eshley tried to drive away the ox by making sound by clapping and shooing. The ox hadn't given any indication of moving. Then Eshley picked up a pea stick and flung it towards the ox. Realizing that he had to move the ox pushed its way through the French window into Adela's morning-room. 

6. Why was Adela disappointed at having sought help from Eshley?

Adela thought that Eshley could be good at changing an ox away as he paints cows. She had mistakenly assumed that Eshley would know about managing an ox. She realized her mistake when Eshley failed to remove the ox from her garden. So, she was disappointed at having sought help from Eshley.

7. The episode was the turning point in Eshley's artistic career. Which episode is being talked about here? How was it a turning point?

The episode of Eshley's efforts to drive the ox away from Adela's garden resulted in the remarkable picture, "Ox in a morning-room, late autumn," It  was one of the sensations and successes of the next Paris Art Exhibition, and when it was later exhibited at Munich it was bought by the Bavarian Government.  From that moment, his success was continuous and assured. 

8. Discuss the title of the story.

The title of the story, 'the stalled ox' is quite appropriate. The word 'stalled' means to stop suddenly. In the story an ox had stalled in a neighbor's garden. The ox enters Adela Pingsford's garden and starts eating her flower plants. The ox refuses to leave in spite of Eshley's efforts to shoo him away. Instead of going out, the ox enters the morning-room and stays there long enough for Eshley to paint his masterpiece.

Her First Party

Reading [Page 64]

2. Answer the following questions.

a. Why had Mother given her consent to her children to attend the party?

Millie and her brother Bob had convinced Mother that it was the first-ever grown-ups party that Millie would attend. They further told her that there would be charades, tableaus, and recitations in which Millie was to take a leading role. So, Mother had given her consent.

b. Why were Bob and Millie looking forward to the party?

Millie and Bob were looking forward to the party as it was being given by Bob’s class at the College Hall. Moreover, there would be charades, tableaus, and recitations in which Millie was to take a leading role.

c. What were Millie’s apprehensions about the party?

Millie was afraid that something might go wrong and prevent her from going to the party. She feared that the weather might be bad, the party dress might catch fire, or she might sprain her ankle. In addition to these, her aunt Mildred was ill.

d. A dread that for the moment made her feel faint took possession of Millie.

i. What had alarmed Millie?

A letter from aunt Jane alarmed Millie.

ii. What was her fear?

She feared that there would be some bad news about her aunt Mildred in the letter.

iii. Was her dread misplaced?

No. Her dread was not misplaced. It turned out that the doctors had given up hope on Mildred’s recovery.

e. What did Millie do with the letter? What were her thoughts that made her decide so?

Milled hid the letter by keeping it in her pocket. She thought that one day would not make any difference.

f. What were Millie’s first thoughts as she dressed for the party?

Millie thought of delivering the letter to her mother as she dressed for the party.

g. What made Millie change her mind?

The joyous and merry time that she would have at the party made Millie change her mind.

h. How did the mood at home change after Mother read the letter?

The mood at home changed to sorrowfulness after Mother read the letter.

i. Do you empathize with Millie’s preoccupation with attending the party? Why/Why not?

Yes. I empathize with Millie’s preoccupation. She could not miss the party and at the same time, she could not forget that she hid the letter.

j. “It seems to me she has gained something.” What had Millie gained?

Millie had gained the wisdom of coping with the realities of life. One cannot enjoy when one’s near and dear are not okay.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Reading 1 Page 106

2. The three men were walking on bones; yet the scene Is not gruesome. Why?

The three men were drawn by enthusiastic curiosity to find out the marvels in the bowels of the earth. That is why the scene is not gruesome.

3. Describe the mastodons and their keeper.

Mastodons were gigantic animals that look like elephants. They were tearing down large boughs and eating masses of leaves and green branches. The keeper of these mastodons was a human being. He was above twelve feet tall. His head was as big as the head of a buffalo. He carried a branch of a tree to be used as a crook.

4. Why do you think was the dagger left behind? Was it done on purpose?

The dagger was left behind to indicate the right road to the interior. It was done on purpose. The dagger might have belonged to Arne Saknussemn, who ventured into the earth before them.

5. There are three different terrains described in the story. How are these different from each other?

Bone-filled ground, illuminated forest, and the shore of the central sea are the three different terrains described in the story.

Bone-filled ground contained scattered hills over the ground occupied by the plain of bones. It appeared like a tropical country area during midday summer.

The forest contained wild vegetation of the Tertiary period. It has gigantic mammals and the land was covered with mosses and ferns.

The shore of the central sea had certain groups of rocks. Streams and cascades fell over the projections of rocks.

6. What was the most important discovery in this story? Why do you think so?

I think that the finding of the dagger was the most important discovery in this story. The dagger proved beyond doubt that a sixteenth-century explorer, Arne Saknussemm had travelled there before.

Reading 2 Page 107

1. Foreshadowing is an advance sign or warning of what is to come in future. Before the men spot huge creatures, you are in a way anticipating something like this. Quote words/phrases from the story that you feel prepare you for this.

We can find foreshadowing in the following sentence.

‘Since nature had shown herself capable of producing such stupendous vegetable supplies, why might we not meet with mammals just as large, and therefore dangerous?’

2. In the extract, it is perseverance that guides the men along the way. As a result, they gain knowledge. Justify.

The men in the story ventured into unknown depths of the earth by braving several hardships. They overcame physical tiredness, dangerous grounds, gigantic animals, and all sorts of difficulties. Because of their perseverance, they could finish their adventurous journey successfully and gain knowledge.

3. The lesson you just read is a piece of fiction but it also has some scientific truths. What are they?

The scientific truths that are evident in the fictional lesson are 1. Craters made by extinct volcanos lead to the underground. 2. The existence of giant elephant-like mammals. 3. Earth is covered by a thin layer of upper crust.

Imagination

2. What games did the poet play as a child? What impact did they have on him?

The poet used to play pirates and sail seven seas. He used to imagine himself as a cowboy. These simple things made him happy.

3. The poet’s life is unlike the books he reads. Quote from the poem to validate this?

The poet’s life is unlike the books he reads. His life is an ordinary life whereas the lives of the characters of the books he read were heroic lives. His own words in the poem, …..’I discovered the joy of reading, And escaped the daily grind’ validate this.

4. What was the impact of science fiction on his life?

The poet had read a science-fiction book written by Jules Verne. He felt that he went on to the moon just to take a look. He continued to be attracted by such books even after he became an adult.

5. Allusion is a figure of speech in which an object or circumstances briefly and directly refers to another person, place, thing, or object. In the fifth stanza, the speaker alludes to two people. Find out who they are. What do these allusions convey?

David Livingstone and Huckleberry Fin are the two people mentioned in the fifth stanza. David Livingstone was a famous explorer of the African continent. Huckleberry Fin was a mischievous fictional character in Mark Twine’s book. These allusions conveyed that the poet liked the spirit of adventure, mystery, and mischievousness.

6. What impact did growing up have on the poet?

Growing up means leaving childhood and becoming an adult. The poet says that as he grew up, his childish world has ended. His imagination gave way to practical thinking. He says that though he still loves mystery, his outlook has changed.

Emperors on Ice

 2. What did the scientists want to establish after studying the eggs?

The scientists wanted to establish that the analysis of the emperor penguin’s embryos would reveal links between all birds and their reptile predecessors. It was incorrectly thought that the emperor penguin was one of the most primitive birds of our planet earth.

3. What additional benefits did they expect to achieve through this journey?

Henry Bowers, Edward Wilson, and Apsley Cherry-Gerrard took the journey to Cape Crozier. They wanted to bring some penguin’s embryos for some scientific experiments. Additionally, they would gain some knowledge to continue further pole journeys. They could try out various combinations of sledging rations under extreme filed conditions. They could collect data from the Great Barrier in winter to use in the predictions of weather.

4. What motivated Wilson to undertake this difficult journey?

The chance of continuing the study of the breeding biology of birds is the motivation for Wilson to undertake this difficult journey.

5. What was the curator’s first reaction when he saw the eggs?

The curator of the American Museum of Natural History insulted Cherry-Gerrard who presented the eggs by asking him who he was and informing him that the museum was not an egg shop.

Pocahontas

 

Reading 1

2. a. Who was Pocahontas? How did she get her name?

Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan. She got her name for her beauty and liveliness. Pocahontas means playful one.

b. Why did the Powhatans not like the settlers?

Powhatans didn’t like the settlers because the settlers kill the native people and take their lands.

c. How did Pocahontas help John Smith twice?

Pocahontas helped John Smith twice by saving his life. The first time, she persuaded her father not to kill John Smith. The second time, she revealed her father's secret plan of murdering John Smith, enabling him to escape.   

d. How did Captain Argall manage to capture Pocahontas as a hostage?

Captain Argall took the help of Chief Japazaws to lure Pocahontas onto his ship. He invited the Chief with his wife and Pocahontas to visit his ship. Thus he managed to take Pocahontas as a hostage.

e. What did Captain Argall expect to achieve by holding Pocahontas to ransom?

Captain Argall expected the release of English prisoners and the return of English weapons tools by holding Pocahontas to ransom.

f. How did captivity change Pocahontas’ life forever?

Pocahontas learned the English language. She also learned English customs and way of life. She took Christianity and married an Englishman. Her marriage with an Englishman brought peace and harmony among the warring natives and settlers.

g. Why did Pocahontas go to England?

Pocahontas and her family along with some native women went to England to raise support for their settlements in America.

h. How was Pocahontas received in England?

Pocahontas was received well in England. She toured all of England and her presence in London created a sensation. He visited several important persons there including the king.

Reading: 2

1. This narration brings out the conflict between the Native Americans and the colonists. List the reasons of conflict and how it was resolved?

Colonists were occupying the land and other resources of the native people. They were killing the native people with their modern weapons. The native people were resisting their efforts to establish colonies. The native people were refusing to give the colonists the necessary food.

The conflict is resolved by trading. The native people offered food in exchange for the colonists’ tools and other goods.

2. What do you think of the settlers who sailed thousands of miles away to unknown lands in the 17th century, when travel and communications, healthcare, etc. were not very advanced as today? What difficulties do you think they faced?

I think the settlers were desperate to find new lands and new opportunities. Some of them mush have died because of ill health and malnutrition. Some might have lost their way in the sea. Some might have been killed by natives.  They braved vast expanses of seas, unfriendly natives, unknown diseases, and unpredictable weather to reach places that were thousands of miles away. These were the difficulties they faced.

3. The memory of Pocahontas is honored with a life-sized bronze statue at St George Church in Kent. You have been invited to write an epitaph (words written about a person on their gravestone) in about 50 words to be engraved under the state. Write the epitaph.

Here is the woman who brought peace between two warring communities with her love and compassion. She had made her people prosper. History remembers her as the first-ever black woman to marry an Englishman. She is a true daughter of the Powhatan clan, who ensured the safety of native people. 

A Day in the Country

 Reading 1 (Page 44 and 45)

On the basis of your understanding of the text, answer the following questions.

a. Why was Fyokla looking for Terenty?

i. The weather has changed.

ii. She was scared of the storm.

iii. Her brother had an accident.

iv. all of the above.

b. Why did the little girl came looking for Terenty?

i.. He knows a lot about nature.

ii. He was tall and sturdy.

iii. He could run very fast.

iv. He was kind and helpful.

2. What was the effect of the change of weather on the following?

a. the sky: The sky became dark with clouds. There was lightning. There was a rumbling sound faraway.

b. the grass and trees: The grass was moving as the wind blew playfully. The wind forced the trees to bend.

c. the people of the village: The people of the village became busy as the rain was coming. They took shelter in their huts.

3. What happened to Danilka? What caused the accident? How did Terenty help him?

Danilka had an accident. His hand had stuck in a hole in a tree trunk. Terenty had snapped off the broken piece of the tree trunk which obstructed Danilka’s hand.

4. What had Terenty learnt about Ants and Bees?

Terenty had learned that the downpour had damaged the ant heap and the ants had learned not to settle on low grounds another time. He also learned that the swarm of bees had settled on a branch of a tree as the rain started while they were flying looking for a home.

5. Danilka looks at Terenty and greedily drinks in every word.

a. What is Danilka’s mood here?

Danilka was very curious to know everything about nature.

b. Where were they?

They were walking about the fields and talking about nature.

c. What was Terenty telling him?

Terenty was telling Danilka about thunders ants, bees Spanish flies healing herbs stream engine and answers all his questions.

6. Describe the change in Fyokla’s mood in the story.

In the beginning of the story she was worried about the safety of her brother Danilka. He had an accident. She searched for Terenty. She felt relieved when she saw him and requested him to help her brother Danilka. The man and the boy started moving around fields and talking about nature. She was bored as the two did most of the talking. She followed them. She was tired and slept peacefully on the straw in the community barn.

7. The story reflects Terenty’s love for the children. Give three reasons to prove this.

The story shows Terenty’s love for the children. Here are the three reasons to prove this point. 1. Terenty talks with Fyokla tenderly and agrees to help her brother. 2. He answers all the questions asked by Danilka and patiently tells him about nature. 3. He leaves bread secretly under the children’s heads while they were sleeping on the straw in the community barn.

8. The children were impoverished but joyful. Justify this statement.

It is clear that the children were impoverished as Terenty secretly leaves bread under their heads while they were sleeping. But they were joyful because they could move freely in the countryside enjoying all the natural wonders. They had people like Terenty to protect them and teach them about nature.

Reading 2

1. Describe the setting of this 20th century Russian village.

This 20th century Russian village was surrounded by fields and woods. It had a river running by. The villagers knew many things about nature. There was a railway track nearby the village. The villagers used to store their crops in the community barn. There was a church in the village.

2. Terenty was unschooled but nature had been his greatest teacher. What lessons had Terenty learnt from nature?

Though Terenty was unschooled he learned that we should not settle in low ground. If we want to make a bee to be still, we have to sprinkle some water. He knew about the power of steam. He knew the names of wild flowers animals and stones. He knew the herbs that cure people. 

A Newspaper Is a Collection of Half-Injustices

 1.What is the contrasting picture that the poet creates in stanza one?

In the first stanza, the poet created the contrasting picture of merciful and well as sneering men. These are people who sneer at the stories carried by the newspapers or are sympathetic towards them.

2. Why is the newspaper compared to a court?

A newspaper is like a court because everyone is kindly and unfairly tried by a group of honest men who too much importance to moral and ethical considerations.

3. How is the newspaper a game?

A newspaper is like a game because one person's error brings victory to a player while another's skill results in death. A misstatement made by a reporter can change the outcome of a particular game while another person’s skilled reportage could lead to someone's death.

4. What do you think are the injustices a newspaper can do?

The newspaper may give fake news so that it can hide the important news. That may lead to several unwanted circumstances. Newspapers give importance to celebrities and negative news. Real news which is useful to common people is neglected by newspapers.

5. The poem uses a number of metaphors, for example, A newspaper is a market. What does it sell?

A newspaper is a market because here the truth is sold and compromised for the selling of the newspaper.

Explain four metaphors used in the poem.

1. A newspaper is a court.

A newspaper is a court because honest men who give undue importance to righteousness judge everyone.

 2. A newspaper is a market.

A newspaper is a market where truth is sold to falsehood and rumors.

3. A newspaper is a game.

A newspaper is a game because it can change the outcome of any game by its reporting,

4. A newspaper is a symbol.

A newspaper is a symbol as it symbolizes deceit, popularity, indifference and far-off news.

6. Do you think the poem indicates the poet's disbelief about this medium of communication? Give reasons.

Yes. I think the poem indicates the poet’s disbelief about newspapers. The poet calls a newspaper a collection of half-injustices as it is a collection lies.

7. If Stephen Crane were alive during the 21st century, would he have still found the same problems that he immortalized in the nineteenth century?

Yes. If Crane was alive today, he still would have problems that he immortalized in the nineteenth century. Journalism has become more biased. Commercial importance and financial necessities made newspapers unreliable. 

Somebody's Mother

 

Poem Appreciation

1. On the basis of your understanding of the poem choose the best option for the answer.

a. Where is the setting of the poem?

i. in an old age home      ii. in the poet’s neighbourhood iii. outside the poet’s school        iv. on the busy street

b. What was the woman’s fear?

i. her old age      ii. the traffic        iii. the winter     iv. all of the above

2. Why was it difficult for the woman to cross the road?

The woman was old, tired. It is cold and the road was slippery. She was afraid that the crowd, the horses, or the carriages might harm her.

3. Who helped the old lady?

An unknown schoolboy, who was the gayest of all the boys helped the old lady.

4. What was his reason for helping her?

The old lady was somebody’s mother. He hoped that someday, his mother would be helped by an unknown person in case he is far away from home and not in a position to help her himself.

5. What was the old woman’s reaction to being helped?

The old woman was very happy and grateful to being helped. That night prayed to God to look after the good boy, somebody’s son, who had helped her.

6. Pick a simile from this poem and explain it?

Writers use a simile to compare two things with words like ‘as’ and ‘like’. ‘Came the boys like a flock of sheep’ is the simile in this poem. Here the poet compares a group of boys who are coming out of their school to a flock of sheep. 

The Surgeon

Reading (Answers to the questions given on page no 84)

Answer the following questions.

1. Why did the prince refuse to be moved to a more luxurious hospital?

The prince refused to be moved to a more luxurious hospital because he had complete trust in the doctor who saved his life.

2.What did the prince offer to Robert Sandy? Why was Sandy not able to refuse?

The prince offered a pure white diamond to Robert Sandy as a token of appreciation. Sandy was unable to refuse it because refusing a gift offered by the king of Saudi Arabia would be a terrible insult to the king.

3. Why do you think Harry Gold suggested the Robert Sandy should take the diamond to an auction.

Harry Gold estimated that the diamond is worth at least half a million pounds and probably over a million. An auction offers a chance for the seller to get the best price. So, Harry suggested Robert Sandy to take the diamond to an auction.

4. Why did the couple decide to hide the diamond in the house?

The couple was going out for the weekend. They could not keep the valuable diamond in the bank locker as the banks were closed. They could not even carry the costly diamond with them. So, they decided to hide the diamond in the house.

5. On recognizing the diamond, how did Harry Gold act?

Harry Gold recognized that the diamond belonged to Robert Sandy. He wanted to make sure. He made a phone call to the Radcliffe Infirmary to ask if Sandy had lost the diamond.

6. How had the diamond landed in the young man’s stomach?

The young man was a thief. He broke into Robert Sandy’s house when they were away. He had a drink with some ice cubes. As the diamond was ice white, he could not see it and that is how the diamond had landed in the young man’s stomach.

7. Which aspect of the story makes it humorous?

The thief who came to steal the valuables from Sandy’s house did not see the diamond in the ice cube. He gulps it down along with his drink without realizing its value. This aspect of the story made it humorous. 

 

The River

 Poem appreciation (Answers to the questions given on page no: 87)

1. The river is compared to a child. What are the similarities between the two?

The river is full of energy like a child. It dances over yellow pebbles and passes through flowers and foliage on its way like a child at play.

2. Why does the poet call it ‘swelling river’?

The river seems to grow as it flows on over rocks. It builds up volume as it flows down the mountains. That is why the poet calls it swelling river.

3. How does the sea remind one of eternity?

The sea reminds of eternity as one cannot see the end of the sea. As far as we can see, we can see only water. Thus, the sea reminds us one eternity.

4. ‘The River’ is a poem which describers a river in all its vitality and splendor. Give examples.

The vitality of the river is described by the poet with the usage of words such leaping, brawling and leaping. The poet compares the river with impetuous youth.

On you rush through rough and smooth;

Louder, faster, brawling, leaping,

Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping

Like impetuous youth.

The above stanza is an example.

5. Pick out the words which sound like the movement of the river. What effects do these words create?

The different stages and the vitality of the river is described by the poet with the usage of words such as sparkle, glancing, swelling, leaping, brawling and leaping. The poet compares the river with impetuous youth. Words like brimming, and tending are also used.

6. The poet uses various similes. Mention them. Why has the poet made these comparisons?

The poet uses the following similes in the poem, the river. They are like a child at play, like impetuous youth, like mortal prime, and like eternity. This is to show the readers the similarity between human life and the various stages of a river.

7. Does the river and its movement suggest something else to you?

Yes. The river and its movement is suggestive of human life. A river is born like a child and grows as it flows on. It becomes an impetuous youth and then like a mortal prime gets ready to meet the ocean.

Yang the Youngest

Answers to the questions given on page no: 169

1. Fill in the graphic organizer to show your understanding of the story.

Main Character	Setting	Problem (Conflict)	Solution (outcome)
Yang Yingtao	School in America	Yang comes from China and faces problems in making friends in his new school.	He meets Mathew Conner and feels less lonely.

 Rising action: Jake runs away with his pen.

Conflict: Yang runs after him to get back his pen.

Climax: The teacher gets involved. Mathew Corner tells her Jake took Yang's pen.

Outcome: He finds a friend in Mathew Conner.

2. Answer the following questions.

a. Why was Yang at a disadvantage when he joined his new school in the USA?

When he joined his new school in the USA the school year was almost over. All the other students knew each other by then. He doesn’t know the language to make friends with other children. So Yang was at a disadvantage.

b. How does the narrator compare his being in school with learning swimming in China?

The narrator had to walk hugging the walls as he feared that the American students would bump into him as they run in the hallways. He remembered that he had to swim near the side of the pool as he feared of the other swimmers who swam like sharks in the middle of the swimming pool. Thus the narrator compared his being in school with learning swimming in China.

c. What was the first cultural change that Yang’s parents noticed in him? Why were they unhappy about it?

Yang learned to learn as fast and shove his way as hard as the other kids in the school.  This is the first cultural change that Yang’s parents noticed in him. They were unhappy because he became rough and started tramping the ground hard.

d. How did Yang’s siblings react to their new school and environment?

Yang’s eldest brother had trouble in making friends with others. He found comfort in music. His second sister felt the loneliest because she was popular in China. In America, no one paid any attention to her. So she was cranky and sad. His third sister had no trouble at all in making friends. She began chatting with other kids even before she could speak much English.

e. What made Yang feel a little less lonely?

Yang met a friendly boy, Mathew Conner at his school. This made him feel less lonely.

f. During your reading of the test, which facts did you notice about the Chinese culture? How do some of these contrast with the American culture?

Students in China behave differently. They stand up when a teacher enters the class as a mark of respect. They do not run in the walkways. They do not shove people rudely. They have a different idea of beauty as the narrator’s second sister is considered beautiful. All these things are in contrast with the American culture.

Reading:2

1. The fact that China had invaded Korea is history, and it happened in the distant past. Why does Yang feel that the Korean girl might personally 'hold it against him'?

When China had invaded Korea, the Chinese had caused the Koreans a great deal of pain and damage. It is natural that the Koreans hate Chinses. So, Yang felt that the Korean girl might personally hold the fact against him.

2. Yang says that his poor English was only one of the reasons behind his difficulty in adjusting to the new school. Based on your reading of the text, list the other reasons which added to Yang's difficulty.

The cultural differences confused Yang. He was afraid of the students yelling loudly and running in the hallways. They made fun of him when he stood in respect as the teacher entered the classroom. He had no friends in his new school. These are the reasons for Yang's difficulty.

3. Third sister seems to be the quickest to learn that one needs to adapt in order to survive in an alien culture. Pick out evidence from the text to support this statement.

Third sister had no difficulty in making friends. Even before she could speak much English, she began chatting with other kids. She could always fill in the gaps with laughter. This shows that she was the quickest to learn that one needs to adapt to survive in an alien culture.

 

Jamaican Fragment

 Reading 

1. What did the narrator like when his walk from his home to the tramcar lines?

The narrator liked his walk from his home to tramcar lines. It is pleasant to walk on the road flanked by red and green roofed bungalows, green lawns, and gardens.

2. How does the narrator describe the two boys whom he sees one morning?

The narrator saw two boys one morning. The elder of them is five years of age and the younger of them is of four years. The elder boy is sturdy and dark skinned with black eyes and matted coarse hair. The younger boy is white skinned with hazel eyes and light brown hair. Both of them are dressed in blue shirts and khaki pants.

3. What were the questions that arose in the narrator’s mind when he saw the two boys engaged in their game for the first time?

The narrator felt sure that since both the boys dressed in the same way they belong to same social class. He couldn’t understand why the big black boy was following the orders of the younger white boy. The narrator thought that both the black boy and white boy knew about their social positions and behaved accordingly. It was usual that white people order black people as whites were supposed to be superior and blacks were inferior.

4. What were the questions that arose in the narrator’s mind when he saw the two boys at their game again?

When the narrator saw the boys at their game second time, the black boy was giving commands to the white boy and the white boy was following the orders. Then the narrator realized that they were playing a game in which both the boys become commander and follower one by one.

5. What does the narrator imagine when sees a white man standing at the gate and watching the two boys?

The narrator sees a white man standing at the gate watching the two boys. He feels that the white man may be thinking that the black people are superior to white people. The narrator is of the opinion that the white man is also assuming just like what he himself assumed the day before.

6. ‘This is Jamaica, I said in my heart, this is my country, my people’. With what feelings does the narrator say this and why?

The narrator feels very proud after learning about the boys’ family. He thinks very high of Jamaican culture where different people like happily together.

7. The story shows us the stereotypes can make us narrow-minded in our thinking, whereas the reality around us can be full of pleasant surprises. Explain this statement in the context of the events in the story.

When the narrator saw the boys at play for the first time, he thought that the game they were playing was racially prejudiced. He saw a younger white boy giving orders to an elder black boy and the black boy was obeying the orders. In fact, the boys were playing a simple game. The narrator thought like a stereotype and that led to his narrow-minded conclusion. The next day, he saw the boys again. The scene was reversed then. The black boy was giving orders and the white boy was obeying. The narrator realized his mistake. He was surprised and felt proud of the Jamaican culture.

The Plate of Gold

 

Poem appreciation (Answers for questions given on page no 42)

1. What did God want to test in human beings by sending the amazing gift?

God wanted to reward people who love their fellow beings truly and who do generous and selfless deeds.

2. Why did the plate of gold change into lead the moment people touched it?

The plate of gold changed into lead the moment people touched it because the people who touched it were not the true lovers of their fellow beings.

3. In what hope had all the beggars gathered around the temple gate?

All the beggars gathered around the temple to receive alms from the people who came to the temple hoping that they would get the gift of the gold plate.

4. What does the poet highlight in the attitude of those who freely gave away coins to the poor?

The people who gave away coins to the poor were only showing their generosity. They were not the true lovers of human beings. The poet wants to highlight this kind of attitude of the people who came to the temple in the hope of winning the gold plate. 

5. In God’s eyes, the poor peasant truly deserved the gift of gold. Why?

In God’s eyes the poor peasant deserved the gift of gold truly because he was the true lover of fellow human beings. He wept for their poverty and sat down to comfort one of them. He had not come to win the prize. He didn’t want to show off his generosity.

6. What is the poet trying to tell us through this poem?

Love for our fellow beings is more valuable than any kind of material wealth. Kindness and true love are good qualities we all should possess. We should be like the poor peasant, who is ready to give whatever he has with true love and kindness. This is the point that the poet wants to tell us through this poem.

The Old Wife and the Ghost

Poem appreciation (answers to questions given on page no: 150)


1. On the basis of your reading of the poem, select the best option for the following.

a. What does the ghost do first upon entering the old wife’s kitchen?

i. potters round

ii. bangs pots and pans

iii. eats for the larder

iv. blows up the kitchen fire

b. What was the old woman’s solution to the problem?

i. getting up late

ii. sleeping soundly

iii. getting a rat trap

iv. getting a cat

c. What is the tone of the poem?

i. angry

ii. funny

iii. perplexed

iv. frightened

2. Here’s a summary of the poem. The sentences have been jumbled up. First, fill in the blanks with words or phrases to complete the sentences. Then, number them from 1 to 10 so that the events are in the right sequence.



_____ One bright night, a ghost entered an old woman’s __________.

_____ The ghost ran up and down and screamed _____ ____ ____ ___ ______.

_____ The ghost _____ round in her ____ ____ _______ kitchen.

_____ The old wife slept through it all because ______ _____ _______.

_____ The ghost ran about and _____ _____ the cupboards.

______ The pots and pans went jangle and bang as he _____ __________ ______ all around.

_____ He _____ _____ ____ and bumped on the floor.

_____ At last the old wife woke up and _______ _________ ________ for creating nuisance.

_____ He began to ________ ______ from the larder shelf.

______ The next day the old wife went off to Hitchin and ______ _____ ______ to keep the mice at bay.



Answers:

1. a. i. potters round b. iv. getting a cat c. ii. funny

2. The first number indicates the sequence.

1. kitchen

8. like a storm at sea

2. pottered round / neat and clean

3. she was deaf

5. peeped into

7. was throwing them

6. rattled the door

9. cursed the mice

10. fetched a cat

Be the Best

 Answers to textual questions given in page in 105

2. Answer the following questions.

a. The poem works through a contrast of the ‘the high’ and ‘the low’. Can you give examples from the poem and explain this statement?

The poet uses phrases like a hill and a valley, a bush and a tree, bush and grass, Muskie and bass, captain and crew, highway and trail, sun and star to highlight contrast. The poet makes it clear that we can remain where we are and yet be the best.

b. What should be our attitude towards our work?

We must always try to do our best in whatever we do.

c. The poet makes effective use of the repetition of the refrain ‘If you can’t be ….’. What kind of an effect does this have on the reader? Does the repetition help the poet influence the reader in any way?

Yes. The poet is effective in using the repetition of the refrain. By repeating it, the poet stresses the point that we have to be the best.

d. Do you believe that some occupations are ‘low’ while some are ‘high’? Give reasons to support your answer.

No. I don’t believe that one occupation is ‘low’ and the other occupation is ‘high’. Every job is equally important. A gatekeeper is as important as the boss of the company. Both have specific works to do and each work plays a role for the smooth running of the company.

Two Scavengers in a Truck, Two Beautiful People in a Mercedes

 

1. Complete the table to bring out the contrast in the culture of the two sets of people.  

	Two scavengers in a truck	two beautiful people in a Mercedes
vehicle	garbage truck	Mercedes
dress	red plastic blazers	man: hip, three-piece linen suit and sunglasses woman: short skirt and coloured stockings
hairstyle	old man: grey iron hair young man: long hair	man: shoulder-length blond hair woman: blond hair
routines	they wake up 4am and return home at 9am	they go to their architect’s office at 9am

 

2.Answer the following questions.  

a. What is the setting of the poem?

The poem is set at a traffic light in downtown San Francisco.  

b. The word ‘elegant’ has been used twice to describe the rich couple (lines 8 and 9). What do you think it suggests?

The word ‘elegant’ suggests luxury, wealth, class, and status.

c. How is the first garbage man described? What is the feeling that he evokes?

The older of the two has grey iron hair and a hunched back. He looks like a gargoyle Quasimodo. We feel pity and sympathy.

d. In a paragraph, discuss the importance of colour in this poem.

Colours make the poem more visual. The poet used phrases like red traffic light, bright yellow garbage truck, red plastic blazers, blond hair, coloured stockings, and grey iron hair. The colours highlight the difference between the two classes of people.

e. Comment on the phrase ‘small gulf’ in the last stanza.

The phrase ‘small gulf’ shows the difference in the social status of the two sets of people. Even though they are near to each other, their worlds never meet.

f. The garbage men are ‘looking down’ into the Mercedes. At face value, this is clearly because the garbage truck is higher than the car, but there is an ironic message as well. Bring out the irony in the phrase.

The men ‘look down’ at the people in Mercedes because they feel that they work harder than them and lead more difficult lives. The ironic message is that the people who are looking down are the people in the lower position in society. The irony is that despite their higher physical position, socially the garbage men are in a lower position.

g. Is the poet successful in bringing out the class divide in the society? Do you think it is possible to bridge the gap? Give reasons.

Yes. The poet is successful in bringing out the class divide in society. Yes. It is possible to bridge the gap. We have to give opportunities and resources to the less privileged people. Rich people should help poor people. Then the gap may be bridged.

h. The older garbage man has a hunched back and looks ‘like some gargoyle Quasimodo’. Explain the comparison.

A gargoyle is a large and ugly figure of a person. It is kept on the roofs of buildings to scare off evil spirits and to drain rainwater from the roofs. Quasimodo is a character in Victor Hugo’s novel ‘The Hunchback of Norte Dame’. He is ugly but he is loving and caring. The comparison shows that the older scavenger is kind and caring in spite of his ugly looks.

 3. Give examples of each of these literary devices used in the poem. Also, explain the meaning.  

Literary Device	Example	Meaning
a. simile	like some gargoyle Quasimodo	looking ugly but kind
b. metaphor	scavengers	scavengers are people who search through waste material for valuable or useful things; here they are looking at the rich couple
c. personification	red light which stopped and held all the four people together	the red light is like a mother holding all of her children without any partiality
d. alliteration	causally coifed	her hairstyle looks simple but has been done with great care
e. repetition	an elegant open Mercedes with an elegant couple in it	the word ‘elegant’ highlights wealth, luxury, and privilege