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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, SECTION D, Textual Question - 20 Marks, Questions on the prescribed textbooks will test comprehension at, different levels: literal, inferential and evaluative based on the following, prescribed textbooks:, 1. Hornbill, , :, , 2. Snapshots, , :, , Text Book published by NCERT, New Delhi, 12 Marks, Supplementary Reader published by NCERT, New, Delhi, 08 Marks, , The following have been deleted:, Hornbill, 1. Landscape of the Soul, 2. The Adventure, 3. Silk Road, 4. The Laburnum Top (Poetry), Snapshots, 5. The Ghat of the only World, A PHOTOGRAPH, Shirley Toulson, SUMMARY:, The cardboard; here it refers to the photo frame; showed the speaker how, life was when the two cousin sisters went paddling; to propel or travel in, a canoe or the like by using a paddle: to row lightly or gently with oars:, to move by means of paddle wheels, as a steamer: to propel with a, paddle: to spank or beat with or as with a paddle: to stir, mix, or beat, with or as with a paddle: to convey by paddling, as a canoe: here it, means walked barefoot in shallow water; with each one of them holding, the speaker‟s mother‟s hands. The bigger girl of the cousin sisters must, be about twelve years old. All three of them stood still shoulder to, shoulder to smile through their long hair at the camera whose picture, was taken by the uncle holding it. The mother had a sweet and pleasant, smile before her child was born into this world. The sea in which they, were paddling; which seemed to not have been changed; washed their, terribly transient; not lasting, enduring, or permanent; transitory: lasting, only a short time; existing briefly; temporary: staying only a short, time: here it means short lived; wet feet., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, After twenty to thirty years later, the mother took out the photograph, and laughed at the snapshot. The two cousin sisters were Betty and, Dolly. She found it so hilarious at the manner that they dressed up for, the beach. The sea holiday was her past for the mother while it was, laughter for the speaker. Both mother and daughter wry; produced by a, distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features: abnormally bent or, turned to one side; twisted; crooked: devious in course or purpose;, misdirected; contrary; perverse: distorted or perverted, as in meaning:, bitterly or disdainfully ironic or amusing; at the labored ease of loss. But, now the mother has been dead for the past few years just as one of those, cousin sisters‟ lives. Out of all these circumstances, there is nothing else, left to say. The matter is closed and silence has sealed its fate., UNDERSTANDING THE LESSON THROUGH KEY SENTENCES:,  The poet looks at the cardboard on which there is a childhood, photograph of her mother.,  She had gone for a sea holiday with two her cousins Betty and, Dolly,  While they were paddling, their uncle took a photograph of them.,  Both the cousins were holding the hands of her mother who was, the eldest among the girls.,  This was before the poet was born,  Time fled past since and all those who are in the photograph, underwent changes while the sea remained the same.,  Her mother would look at the photograph after about twenty to, thirty years and laugh nostalgically.,  Now for the poet her mother‟s laughter and her sea holiday is a, thing of the past.,  Her mother died about 12 years ago.,  The silence of the photograph silences the poet.,  She experiences great loss., USE OF OXYMORON IN THE POEM „A PHOTOGRAPH‟, An oxymoron is a term or statement that contradicts itself, or seems to., Examples often given are "giant shrimp" or "controlled chaos". Some are, literary effects designed to create a paradox, while others are done for, humor., The poem "A Photograph" contains the oxymoron "laboured ease", which, in the context of loss may mean avoiding the public display of grief., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Read the stanza given below very carefully an answer the questions, that follow:, STANZA – 1, The cardboard shows me how it was, When the two girl cousins went paddling,, Each one holding one of my mother‟s hands,, And she the big girl – some twelve years or so., a. What does the „cardboard‟ show the poet?, Ans: The „cardboard‟ shows the poet the scene on the sea beach with, three girls., b. Why did the two girl cousins hold one of the poet‟s mother‟s, hands?, c., Ans: As the poet‟s mother was „the big girl‟ i. e. elder in age so the two, girl cousins hold one of her hands., d. How old was the oldest girl among the three cousins?, Ans: The oldest among the three cousins was some twelve years old., e. How did the girls go to the sea beach?, Ans: The girls went to the sea beach „paddling‟ means barefooted., STANZA – 2, Now she‟s been dead nearly as many years, As that girl lived. And of this circumstance, There is nothing to say at all., Its silence silences., a. How long has the poet‟s mother been dead?, Ans: The poet‟s mother has been dead for about twelve years., b. What is the meaning of the word „circumstance‟ in the poem?, Ans: The word „circumstance‟ in the poem means the death of the poet‟s, mother., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, c. Why is there nothing to say at all?, Ans: There is nothing to say at all because the poet has lost her mother, and her beautiful smile forever., d. What silences the silence?, Ans: The silence of the death silences the silence., Write answers of the following questions in about 40 words each:, a. Describe the three girls as they pose for the photograph?, Ans: The three girls went to the sea beach to be photographed by their, uncle. The younger cousins were holding hands of the elder cousin. They, smiled through their hair as they stood still for a photograph., b. Why would the poet‟s mother laugh at the snapshot?, Ans: The poet‟s mother would laugh at the snapshot as it would revive, her memories of the old happy days on the sea beach and the strange, way in which they were dressed for the beach., c. What are the losses of the poet‟s mother and the poet?, Ans: The poet‟s mother‟s loss is of her old happy days on the sea beach, while the loss of the poet is the beautiful smile of her mother as she is, now dead., d. The entire poem runs through the lament of loss of something, near and dear. Which feeling is presented prominently here?, Ans: The nostalgic feeling is presented prominently the poem., , THE VOICE OF THE RAIN, By Walt Whitman, Summary:, The speaker enquired from the soft falling shower as to who or what it, really is? Though it may appear to be very strange to express it in words,, yet the soft rain seemed to give the speaker an answer which can be, translated as follows: that it is the poem of the earth that rises eternally, from an impalpable; not palpable; incapable of being perceived by the, sense of touch; intangible: difficult for the mind to grasp readily or, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, easily:(of powder) so fine that when rubbed between the fingers no grit is, felt; something that cannot be touched; portion of the land and the, bottomless sea. Upward to heaven, to the immeasurable heights of the, sky, from whence it vaguely forms, altogether change and yet the same., It descends to lave; (of a river, sea, etc.) to flow along, against, or past;, wash: Obsolete. To ladle; pour or dip with a ladle: wash or bathe; the, droughts; a period of dry weather, esp. a long one that is injurious to, crops: an extended shortage; atomies; tiny particles; and the dust layers, of the globe. All that is in the world without the rain were only seeds that, are latent; hidden; and unborn. Eternally, day and night, and round the, clock, it gives back life to its own origin, to make the earth pure and, beautify it. (For song, issuing from its birth place, after fulfillment,, wandering Reck‟d or unreck‟d, duly with love returns); to have care,, concern, or regard (often fol. by of, with, or a clause): to take heed:, Archaic .To be of concern or importance; matter., Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:, STANZA - 1, And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin., And make pure and beautify it., (For song, issuing from its birth place, after fulfilment, wandering, Reck‟d or unreck‟d, duly with love returns), 1) How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem?, The poem gives a clear picture of how clouds are formed and how they, dissolve into water again., 2) What is the significance of the world „song‟ here?, The word „song‟ is the repetition of the earlier expression-poem of the, earth., 3) How does the rain benefit the earth?, It is a real benefactor of the earth .It makes the earth pure and, beautiful., 4) Who is „I‟ here?, „I‟ is referred as the rain., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, STANZA - 2, And who art thou? said I to the soft falling shower, Which strange to tell gave me an answer ,as here translated:, I am the Poem of Earth ,said the voice of the rain,, Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea. 1x4=4, MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:, 1)The „I‟ in the third line stands for:, a)the rain, b) the poet, c) the reader, , d) Earth, , 2) „I‟ in the third and fourth line stands for:, a) the poet, b) the voice of the rain, , d) the sea, , 3) „Eternal I rise‟ means:, a)formation of cloud from vapour, c) heavenly bodies, , c) Earth, , b) heaven, d) None of these, , 4) The word „impalpable‟ in the fourth line means:, a) strong, , b) weak, , c) untouched and unseen d) bottomless, , CHILDHOOD, Markus Natten, Summary:, The speaker pondered deeply upon the spiritual questions of life and, ultimately realized the fact that his childhood days were finally gone, down into the past of eternity for good, and would never return. Childhood would now only remain in his, memories. He wandered if the end of childhood was the day he ceased to, be eleven years old. The time when he realized that Heaven and earth, could not be found in Geography and never could be. Where did his, childhood go? Was it the time he realized that adults were not all they, seemed to be? They talked of love and they preached of love, but did not, act so lovingly nor practiced what they preached. Was that the day., Where did his childhood go? Was it when he found out that his mind was, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, really his? To use it whichever way he chose? To produce thoughts that, was not those of other people but his and his alone. Was that the day?, Where did his childhood go? It went to some forgotten place that is, hidden in a baby‟s face. That was all that he knew and that was all that, he remembered., The poet feels that heaven and hell are not real places because they, could not be located in geography. In the poem 'Childhood', the poet is, trying to realise the age when he lost his childhood, when he became, mature enough to understand the worldly things. So he keeps saying,, "When did my childhood go?" He finally realises that his his childhood is, gone to "some forgotten place", "that is hidden in an infant's face.", Wordsworth in his poem, My Heart Leaps Up, said, "Child is the father of, the man". Markus Natten in his poem 'Childhood' has tried to explain, this thought. It is child who is noble and pure in her/his thoughts and, heart. A child appreciates the nature's beauty and the innocence in the, world. A child is the one who teaches a mature human to selflessly, appreciate simple love and natural wonders., One out of two extracts based on poetry from the text to test, reference to context, comprehension and appreciation., Read the stanza given below and answer the questions that follow:, STANZA-1, - “ When did my childhood go?, Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,, Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,, Could not be found in Geography,, And therefore could not be,, Was that the day!”, i., , ii., , How did the poet realise his being grown up?, The poet realised his being grown up, when he was able to, differentiate between truth and fiction. / When he was analysing the, statement of adults., What does the Hell and heaven stand for?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, It stands for the world of imagination that fascinates only small, children./ These are nothing but the product of our imaginative mind, that helps the person to escape from reality., iii., , What kind of phase of his life does the stanza reveal?, The stanza reveals the phase of rationalism where he is using his seat, of reasoning ., , iv., , What is the poet asking for?, He is asking for the time when his childhood went., STANZA-2, “ When did my childhood go?, Was it the time I realised that adults were not, All they seemed to be,, They talked of love and preached of love,, But did not act so lovingly,, Was that the day!”, , i., , What does the stanza expose?, The stanza exposes the hypocrisy of the adult., 1. According to the poem when did his childhood go?, It might go when he was able to analyse the contrast of adult‟s way of, thinking and way of life., 2. What contrast did he find in adult‟s behaviour?, They talked of human values but did not practise in their day to day, life., 3. How did he find the hypocrisy in adult‟s behaviour?, He found that they pretend to have certain belief that they do not, really have., STANZA-3, “ When did my childhood go?, Was it when I found my mind was really mine,, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, To use whichever way I choose,, Producing thoughts that were not those of other people, But my own, and mine alone, Was that the day!”, (i), , What do the words „My own‟ and „mine‟ stand for?, Its shows the independent way of thinking of a grown up./ It, reveals the development of his own seat of reasoning., , (ii), , When did his childhood go?, It might go when I realised his „self thinking.‟/When he was able to, take his own decision., , (iii), , Which phase of life does this stanza show?, Individuality, transitional period – between childhood and grown, up., , (iv), , Why did he choose his way?, He chose his way to express his own views. / To show his self –, confidence., , STANZA-4, “Where did my childhood go?, It went to some forgotten place,, That‟s hidden in an infant‟s face,, That‟s all I know.”, (i), , What does the first line suggest?, It suggests place where his childhood went., , (ii), , What would the „forgotten place‟ stand for?, „Forgotten place‟ stand for the childhood that cannot be regained or, restored., , (iii), , What does he know about his childhood?, He knows that childhood is the state of mind of a person it will, reside in an infant‟s face only., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, (iv), , Find out the rhyme scheme in the present stanza., abba., , Answer the following question up to 40 words., 1. How does the poet describe the process of being grown up ?, Ans. The process of being grown up develops the critical thinking and, analytical point of view in the person. It makes the person rationalized, and abled to take his decision by virtue of his seat of reasoning., 2. How does the poet repent on his loss of childhood?, Ans. He expresses concern over his childhood‟s disappearance., Childhood cannot be regained. It keeps our life aloof from the world of, hypocrisy, bitter reality and materialism., 3. The poet has asked two questions one is about the time and other, isabout the place. Why has he used these questions?, Ans: He has used these two questions to interpret the time and place of, way of going his childhood away. „When‟ points out the process of being, rational at a particular time and „where‟ states the place where the, innocent world of childhood resides., , FATHER TO SON, By Elizabeth Zennings, Summary, The father complains that he does not understand his own child. Though, they have lived together for so many years now i.e. since the time of his, son‟s birth, the father knows nothing of him. The father tries to build up, a relationship with his son from the early years, in a manner when his, son began to recognize people around, to crawl and to walk in a, desperate attempt. The father wonders whether he has destroyed the, seed of his off-spring or sown it where the land belongs to his heir and, none is his. Both father and son continue to speak like strangers now, and there seem no signs of understanding in the air between the two. In, traditional belief, the son is created and born to the likings and designs, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, of his father, yet in this case, the father cannot share what his son loves., Most of the time silence surrounds them. The father‟s greatest wish is for, his son to be „The Prodigal‟ son who will very soon return to his father‟s, house; the home which he always knew. This is definitely the better, alternative rather than to see his son move out into the world blindly on, his own, by himself and fall into trouble. The father is ready to forgive, him at any cost as long as he is able to reshape him up from the long, bounded sorrow to a new love. Both father and son all over the world, must learn to live on the same globe and on the same land. The father, finally admits that there are times that he cannot understand himself or, why his anger grows from grief? However they have learnt to put out, each other‟s empty hand and with each other‟s heart that is longing for, something to forgive., , The Portrait of a Lady –, Khushwant Singh, Summary, The story is written in first person and is in biographical mode. It is a, perception of Khushwant Singh of his grandmother through his own, eyes. Khushwant Singh recalls his grandmother as an eternally old, person. She was an extremely religious person. It was difficult for him to, believe that once she too was young and pretty like other women. The, stories about her childhood games were like fairy tales to him. She was, short, fat and slightly stooped in stature. Her silvery white hair used to, scatter on her wrinkled face. Khushwant Singh remembers her hobbling, around the house in spotless white clothes with one hand resting on her, waist to balance her stoop and the other busy in telling the beads of her, rosary. Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayers. Possibly she was, not beautiful in worldly sense but she looked extremely beautiful with, the peacefulness, serenity and the contentment her countenance, displayed., Khushwant‟s relationship with his grandmother went through several, changes when he was a small boy. In the first stage Khushwant lived in a, village with her as his parents were looking for the opportunity to settle, down in the city. In village grandmother took care of all the needs of the, child. She was quite active and agile. She woke him up in the morning,, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, got him ready for the school, plastered his wooden slate, prepared his, breakfast, and escorted him to the school. They fed street dogs with stale, chapattis on their way to school which was a great fun for them. She, helped him in his lessons also .It was her domain and she was the queen, of her kingdom. In this period she was the sole unchallenged guardian,, mentor, and creator of the child Khushwant. The turning point came in, their relationship when they came to city to stay with Khushwant‟s, parents. In city Khushwant joined an English School and started to go to, school in a motor bus. Here the role of his grandmother in his bringing, up was curtailed a little bit. Now she could not accompany him to the, school. Despite taking lot of interest in his studies she could not help, him in his lessons because he was learning English, law of gravity,, Archimedes‟ principle and many more such things which she could not, understand and this made her unhappy. She found herself at loss. One, more thing which disturbed her a lot was that the kids were not learning, about God and scriptures in the school instead they were given music, lessons which was not an honourable thing in her opinion. To her music, was not meant for gentlefolk. It was meant for beggars and prostitutes, only. She highly disapproved this and as she could not change it she was, dismayed and withdrew herself to some extent. Perhaps she had realized, that in the makeover of the child her role was finished and this very, thought saddened her most., After finishing school Khushwant went to university. He was given a, separate room. The common link of their friendship was snapped. His, grandmother confined herself to a self-imposed seclusion. She spent, most of her time in reciting prayers and by sitting beside her spinning, wheel. She rarely talked to anyone. The only recreation for her was in the, afternoon when she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. A kind, hearted person, in village she used to feed street dogs, here in city she, focused on birds and they too became very friendly with her. This was, the phase when she found herself totally isolated and aloof but she, braved this isolation with grace and dignity., Khushwant‟s grandmother was a strong person. Whatever she went, through in her heart she always restrained herself from demonstrating, her emotions.He recalls that when he went abroad for further studies his, grandmother was there to see him off on railway station quite calm busy, telling the beads of her rosary and reciting prayers as always. When he, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, came back after five years he found her more and more religious and, more and more self-contained. She spent still more time in prayers and, spinning the wheel. Feeding the birds was her only happy pastime. But, just the day before her death for the first time she broke this routine and, gave up her prayers. That day she sang the songs of the home coming of, the warriors on a withered drum along with the ladies of neighbourhood, in order to celebrate her grandson‟s return from abroad. Next morning, she got ill. Although the doctor said it was a mild fever and would go, away she could foresee that her end was near. She was upset that she, omitted her prayers just before the final departure from the world. She, did not want to waste any more time talking to anybody. She lay, peacefully in bed praying and telling the beads till her lips stopped, moving and rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. To mourn her death, thousands of sparrows flew in and sat scattered around her body in utter, silence. They even ignored the breadcrumbs thrown for them by, Khushwant‟s mother. They only flew away after the corpse was carried, away for last rites., , Short-Answer Questions:, Solved Examples:, a. How did Khushwant Singh portray his grandfather in the lesson?, Ans: Khushwant Singh describes his grandfather as he was painted in, the portrait wearing a big turban and loose-fitting clothes, a long white, beard covering the best part of his chest and looking at least a hundred, years old., b. Describe „the happiest half-hour of the day‟ for the grandmother., Ans: For Khushwant Singh‟s grandmother there was none other pastime, and happy activity than that of feeding the sparrows in the afternoon for, half an hour. The sparrows could be seen perched on her legs, shoulders, and even on her head but were never shooed away by her., Questions for Practice:, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, a. Why did Khushwant Singh say that the thought of his grandmother, being young and pretty was almost revolving?, b. Mention the instances from „The Portrait of A Lady‟ for Khushwant, Singh‟s grandmother being called considerate for animals., c. State any one incident from the lesson which shows that the, grandmother accepted changes but did not impose them in her own, life., Long –Answer Questions:, Solved Example:, „All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead, and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered, on the floor. There was no chirruping. ------------------ The sparrows took, no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother‟s corpse off,, they flew away quietly.‟, Animals do recognize and value a relationship established with human, beings. Write an article pertaining to the above sentence keeping in mind, the relationship established by Khushwant Singh‟s Grandmother with, animals., Ans: Animals are said to have no brains but they do have hearts for they, feel and it is out of feeling, concern or love for human being that they let, themselves domesticated. But do they recognize relationships too?, At least I believe that they do. Numerous examples can be stated to prove, the same. The relationship between Khushwant Singh‟s grandmother, and the dogs and the sparrows can be just one of them. The need is to, revere this lovely bond of emotional attachment with the animals in one, way or the other. And it is but evident that the animals and birds are, more compassionate, more affectionate and more dependable than most, of the human beings., Questions for Practice:, 1. Compare and contrast the routine of the grandmother in the, villagewith that of it in the city., Value Points:, -Accompanying the writer to the school, helping in study, -Prayers at the temple, -Feeding dogs, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, -Frustrated at the subjects taught in English school, -Resolved to prayers, -Feeding sparrows, 2. Khushwant Singh‟s grandmother was emotionally attached to, him. Support the statement with help of instances from the story, „The Portrait of A Lady‟., Value Points:, -The grandmother‟s attachment with Khushwant Singh, -Her feelings when she could not help the writer, -Her prayers for the writer‟s safe journey, -Happiness expressed at the writer‟s arrival, -Continuous chanting of prayers, Long Questions, 1. Bring out the spiritual elements in the character of the grandmother., 2. What light does the lesson throw on Indian family values?, 3. Evaluate the writer‟s attitude towards his grandmother when he was a, child., Short Answer Questions:, 1. What poetic words are used by the writer to bring out the physical and, spiritual beauty of the grandmother?, 2. Mention some incidents from the lesson that show that the, grandmother loved her grandson intimately., 3. What is the difference between village school education and urban, school education brought by the lesson?, 4. What does the sparrow‟s behaviour highlight?, 5. Mention some instances to show that the grandmother was highly, composed and patient., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, We Are Not Afraid To Die…If we can All be Together, - By Gordon Cook and Alan East, A critical summary:, This short story is about the writer narrating his thrilling journey across, the sea on board his Wavewalker and about how optimism raises one's, spirits and helps one overcome stress and difficulty. The narrative, describes on how determination and strong will power helps us overcome, all forms of stressful situations. Optimism helps to reduce "the direct, stress". This can be verified with the instance where the level of, perseverance rose in the author after seeing the caricatures of him and, Mary, drawn by the children. His motive was to travel around the world, through sea just like Captain James Cook, which he wished to complete, in three years. He was with his family, his wife Mary, his daughter, Suzanne and his son who was only six years old., The first phase was about 105,000 kilometres up to the South African, seaport of Cape Town, which passed off very pleasantly. The second part, of the journey was for 150,000 kilometres. This phase was completed in, Australia. On 25th December, the writer's ship was in the southern, Indian Ocean, 3500 kilometres to the east of Cape Town. The family, celebrated their new year (1977) on board the ship. Next came a phase, when the ship was caught in the stormy seas. The weather suddenly, became very terrible. The writer thought that their ship would ride over, the waves but were heavily caught amidst the stormy situations at the, sea. There was water everywhere and they found the ship to be sinking., The condition was extremely helpless and very pathetic. Water was, gushing in from everywhere. Debris was floating across the cabins. The, electric pump was also not working as it had short-circuited. They had to, keep pumping and steering all night long. The writer's daughter's head, had swollen and she had a deep injury. However, the bravery of the, strong-willed children is noteworthy in the story., On January 4, they breathed a sigh of relief after having survived 36, hours of continuous pumping. However, their relief seemed to be quite, short-lived because by evening that day the sea again witnessed bad, weather. This is the turning point of the story when we see the author, consoling the children. It was quite amazing that the children exclaimed, "...we aren't afraid of dying if we can all be together." This led to the, building energy and enthusiasm inside a very extremely fatigued writer., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, He decided to heave and fight the sea. Next day saw a very bright, morning. He was welcomed by his children who exclaimed "You are the, best daddy in the world." He rushed to the deck and to his amazement,, gazed at the stark outline of Ile Amsterdam. It seemed to him to be the, most beautiful island in the world. They anchored off shore for the night, and then were welcomed by the 28 inhabitants of the island the next, morning. All along, the only thing which filled the writer's mind was the, undeterred courage which his wife Mary showed, his daughter who didn't, worry about her head injury and his son who wasn't afraid of dying., Short Answer Questions, 1. What was the object behind the writer‟s undertaking the journey?, Answer: The writer undertook the voyage along with his wife in order to, duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain, James Cook., 2. Describe the boat which was made for undertaking the voyage., Answer: The name of the boat which was made for undertaking the, voyage was „Wavewalker‟. It was a 23 meter, 30 ton wooden-hulled boat, which had been professionally built and the writer and his wife had, spent months fitting it out and testing it in the roughest weather they, could find., 3. What are Mayday calls? Why was the ship getting no replies to its, Mayday calls?, Answer: Mayday calls are distress signals sent through the radio by, ships facing troubles in the sea for getting help from other ships passing, nearby. The ship „Wavewalker‟ was not getting replies to its Mayday calls, because the boat had reached a remote part of the sea where other ships, did not go., 4. What did Sue say when she was asked by her father why she had, not complained much about her grave injuries at the first, instance?, Answer: Sue had been injured badly when the wave had hit the ship. Her, head had swollen alarmingly. She had two very big enormous black eyes, and she had also showed to her parents a deep cut on her arm. When, asked why she had not complained about her injuries earlier she replied, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, that she had not wanted to worry her parents when they were trying to, save them all, 5. Comment on the mood of the sea on 2nd January 2010? How did, the writer and his family and the crewmen prepare for that?, Answer: At dawn on January 2, the waves became gigantic. As the ship, of the writer rose to the top of each wave, they could see the sea water, rolling towards them and the noise made by the wind and the spray of, the wave water was painful to their ears. In order to slow the boat down,, they dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop, across the stern. Then they double lashed everything and went through, their life raft drill, attached lifelines and wore oilskins and life jackets, and waited for the worst things to happen., 6. What happened at 6pm on 2nd of January?, Answer: At 6 pm on 2nd January, the sea became silent and the wind, dropped and the sky grew immediately dark. After that a very huge wave, which was double the size of the other waves struck the ship with, explosive power and damaged it., 7., a., b., c., , List the steps taken by the captain, to protect the boat when rough weather began, to check the flooding of the water in the ship, Slowed down the speed of the boat- storm jib dropped- double lashed, everything- went for life-raft drill- attracted lifelines- put life jackets., d. Larry and Herb kept pumping water out- the narrator stretched, canvas and secured water proof latch- covered the gaping holes., 8. How did they pass the first leg of the journey?, Answer: It was pleasant sailing down the West coast of Africa to Cape, Town., 9. Who were Larry and Herb? What role did they play?, Answer: Crewmembers Larry Vigil was an American and Herb Seigler was, from Switzerland. They were of great help. As a team they worked with, the narrator- kept pumping water out of Wavewalker till the water level, was brought under control., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 10. Why and when did the captain send „May Day Calls‟? What was, the response?, Answer: When nothing worked well after the gigantic wave had hit the, Wave walker… impending disaster awaited- the captain sent „May Day, Calls‟-no response as this part of the ocean is less traveled., Long Answer Questions, 1. Highlight the tremendous courage and stoicism shown by the two, children during the struggle of the ship to keep from sinking?, Answer: The two children Suzanne and Jonathon, who were aged seven, and six respectively, showed tremendous courage and stoicism during, the epic struggle, put up by their parents and the crewmen to keep the, ship from sinking. Suzanne had been injured badly when the wave had, hit the ship. Her head had swollen alarmingly. She had two very big, enormous black eyes and she had also showed to her parents a deep cut, on her arm. When asked why she had not complained about her injuries, earlier she replied that she had not wanted to worry her parents when, they were trying to save them all., On January 5th when the condition of the ship was very bad, the author, went in to comfort the children and his son, Jonathon, asked him if they, were going to die. When he was assured that they would all survive, somehow he told his father that they were not afraid of dying if they, could all be together., That very evening the badly injured Suzanne had patience and power, enough even to draw caricatures of her parents with the words, “Here are, some funny people. Did they make you laugh?” She had written a, message also inside which said that she had loved them both and that, card was meant to say thanks to his father and hope for the best.Such, extraordinary patience, courage and tolerance shown by the small, children on the face of an enormously dangerous situation gave courage, and inspiration to his parents to fight hard for survival., 2. Describe the behaviour of the narrator and his family, particularly, of his children Jon and Sue, during the Voyage., Answer:, Value Points:, -When the gigantic wave hit the boat the narrator was badly injured, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, - showed his heroic qualities- did not panic-used his seafaring skills, –used whatever tools available- saved all., - Little John and Sue showed their bravery, - did not disturb parents, - cheered their parents up, - John‟s statement gives fresh encouragement to the narrator, - Wife and crew members worked as team- all survived., 3. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure „the, direct stress ‟?, Value Points:, -Last 16 year‟s experience helped a lot, - the gigantic wave broke the boat, Wavewalker, not their spirit, - If winter comes…can spring be far behind, - all worked as a team, - cheered themselves up, - encouraged themselves-used every possible measures, - worked very hard, - determined to succeed, - remained hopeful, - „God helps those who help themselves‟., Questions for Practice, Long Questions, 1. What picture does the lesson draw on lives at sea?, 2. What are the different technical aspects of a boat that the lesson, highlights?, 3. What do you feel are the attitudes that help the passengers of the boat, steer them to safety?, Short Questions:, (i) Do the children represent typical children or they are more than, them?, (ii) Why was it felt that the Mayday calls would go unanswered?, (iii) What were the specialties of the Wavewalker?, (iv) What drove the parents of the children undertake such a voyage, full of dangers?, (v) Why was the ugly island, Ile Amsterdam, the most beautiful island for, the passengers of Wavewalker?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Discovering Tut : the Saga continues, A.R. Williams, A critical summary :, This chapter is meant to show readers the beauty and mystery of ancient, Egyptian culture and the science and wonder of archaeology. This, chapter is actually a part of the book which goes with the same title as, mentioned above and it has many chapters, rather than a short story; in, fact, the book is an in-depth look at the circumstances of King Tut's, death, as well as the general culture and lifestyle practiced during his, lifetime. Fascinating and well-written this book has captured many, people's interest, and it remains a popular choice for anyone interested, in archaeology and ancient Egyptian culture.This is a living example of, technology advancement. We accepted things and events attributing their, cause to nature and her wrath. However, advancement and technology, could give us a different picture. This way, it has become a habit with us, to accept everything that history states and dictates., On the process the modern world has found ways to offer a different view, on it. In other words, the modern world has turn impossibilities to, possibilities.William‟s report gives an insight into this. A mummy, scanned after a thousand years has opened new avenues regarding a, cause of its death. The mummy referred to here is that of King Tut or, Tutankhamen, meaning the living image of Amun. The earlier ruler,, Amenhotep-IV has shocked the country by attacking Amun, a major God,, smashing his images and closing all his temples. His family had ruled for, centuries before the boy king, Tut took over. However, Tut ruled for nine, years and then died both mysteriously and unexpectedly., The scanning of Tut‟s mummy also gave an insight as to how mummies, were buried. Howard Carter, who scanned the body found it difficult to, extract the mummy. The ritual resins had hardened thereby cementing, Tut to the bottom of his solid gold coffin. Carter finally had to chisel the, mummy away having no other option. Every major point was severed., Tut was buried with gold which was meant to guarantee the resurrection, and was also buried with every day things he would need in his after-life., Tut also had things to take on his journey to the great beyond-glittering, goods, precious collars, necklaces and sandals, all of pure gold. The, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, computed Tomography scan couldn‟t solve the mysterious death of Tut, but gave us clues for sure. The X-rays and C.T.scan reveal a startling, fact-the breast bone and the Pont ribs of Tut were missing. Such a, revelation would not have been possible without technological precision., This fact gives us a clue that Tut, in all likelihood did not die a natural, death., Technology hasn‟t been able to give us a definite answer to, Tut‟sdeath.However, it has given us a direction to think and proceed., Maybe in future, technology would solve it for us. The whole excavation, and the scan required scores of people. It was a gruelling job and the, workers had a tough time., After the pharaoh was rested in peace again, ZahiHawass, Secretary, General of Egypt‟s Supreme Council of Antiquities said, “I didn‟t sleep, last night, not for a second. I was worried. But now I think I will go and, sleep.” It just proves how tough the whole process was. In other words,, King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned-in death as in life. He, was famous when he was alive and his untimely death has raised the, necessity to probe the lingering mysteries of this young ruler who died, more than 3,300 years ago., Short Answer Questions, 1. Who was Tut? Why was his mummy got scanned?, Ans. Tut was the last heir of a powerful family that ruled Egypt and its, empire for centuries. When he died, he was just a teenager. After his, death his dynasty came to an end so that his mummy was scanned. A, CT scan was done on his mummy to get new clues about his life and, death., 2. Why was Carter‟s investigation resented?, Ans. Though Howard Carter was an archeologist, he did not use the, scientific methods while excavating Tut‟s mummy. It resulted in great, damage to the mummy. Its breast bone and front ribs are still missing., Scientific intervention was not followed to unearth buried mysteries., 3. What were things buried with Tut‟s mummy? And Why?, Ans. It was buried with stunning artefacts in gold, also with the everyday, things: board games, a bronze razor, linen undergarments cases of food, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, and wine. It would guarantee resurrection. Egyptian ruler might believe, in life after death., 4. The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to, Tutankhamun. Do you think that it might be the reason of his, death? Analyse the statement., Ans. Yes, I think that his attempts to oversee a restoration that might, have caused the sensation among the follower of Akhenaten who brought, about the complete demolition of “Amun, a major god. As a result they, might have murdered Tut., 5. Why did Ray Johnson describe Akhenaten as „wacky‟?, Ans. Ray Johnson described him as „wacky‟ because of his eccentric, nature and decisions. He moved the religious capital from the old city of, Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten, and he attacked Amun, a major god,, smashing his images and closing his temples. It was his eccentric, behaviour that caused turmoil in the kingdom., 6. What were the results of the CT scan?, Ans. - Tut‟s neck vertebrae appeared very clearly., - Other images showed a hand, several views of the rib cage and skull., 7. What is the Pharao‟s curse?, Answer: The Phararo‟s curse is inscribed on the walls of the burial, chambers of the Pharao inside the pyramids. It affirms of death or, misfortune falling upon those who disturb him., 8. Who is ZahiHawass?, Answer: ZahiHawass is an archaeologist. He is the Secretary General of, Egypt‟s Supreme Council of Antiquities., 9. Who is Howard Carter? What did he do that put King Tut‟s, mummy in a bad condition?, Answer: Howard Carter is the British archaeologist who had discovered, Tutankhamen‟s tomb and his mummy in the year 1922. Howard Carter, had found out that the ritual resins which were used in the coffin had, hardened cementing Tut to the bottom of his solid gold coffin and none, was able to move the mummy with the use of simple force. Therefore, he, put the coffin in the scorching sun of summertime Egypt with the idea, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, that it would loosen the resin. But this idea was also unsuccessful. After, that with no way out he had to use a chisel to separate the mummy from, the coffin and this damaged the mummy to a large extent., 10. Why were the Pharaohs buried with tremendous amount of, wealth?, Answer: The ancient Egyptians believed that there is life after death. That, is why the Pharaohs were buried with tremendous amount of wealth, including things of daily use so that they could use them in the life after, death., 11. What was the nature of the wealth with which King Tut‟s, mummy was buried? What were the things of daily use which, were buried with him?, Answer: The wealth with which King Tut was buried remains the richest, royal collection ever found and this has become part of the pharaoh‟s, legend. The wealth basically contains different stunning artifacts of gold., Tut was also buried with everyday things which it was thought he would, want in the afterlife and these things are:, a. board games,, b. a bronze razor,, c. linen undergarments, d. and cases of food and wine., 12. How has archaeology changed over the years?, Answer: From the time of the discovery of Tutankhamen‟s tomb back in, the year 1922 to the present time the nature of archaeology has changed, and thus it now focuses less on treasure and more on the fascinating, details of life and the intriguing mysteries of death., 13. What do you mean by a CT scan?, Answer: CT scan means Computed Tomography. It is a process by which, hundreds of X-rays in cross section are put together like slices of bread, to create a three dimensional virtual body., 14. What are the two biggest questions still lingering about, Tutankhamen?, Answer: The two biggest questions still lingering about Tutankhamen are, how he had died and what his age was at the time of his death., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Questions for Practice, Long Questions, 1. What picture of Egyptian life and beliefs does the lesson portray?, 2. Describe the Egyptian rulers that you find mention in the lesson., 3. Do you feel the lesson is able to mirror the element of mystery that is, associated with the Egyptians pyramids and the mummies inside, them?, Short Questions:, 1. What is the superstition associated with the mummies?, 2. Describe in short Tutankhamen as the lesson mirrors him., 3. What is the justification of so much modern methods being applied to, Tut‟s Mummy?, 4. What are the two basic aspects of Ancient Egyptian life as portrayed in, the lesson?, 5. Why is Tutankhamen so famous of all the Egyptian Pharaos?, , The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement‟s Role, -By NaniPalkhivala, Critical summary:, Our Earth is a living organism–an enormous being, of which we are, parts. This is our planet; its destruction will make us all homeless. We, are dependent on Earth and not the other way round. However, the, thankless creature, man, is unconcerned about the dangers that pose, threats to our survival. The article by NaniPalkhivala deals with the, concerns of the environmentalists at this eleventh hour and talks about, the new awareness that has dawned upon our race. A holistic and, ecological view of the world has been brought into consideration. The, Green Movement launched in 1972 has never looked back. There is a, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, growing need of sustainable development, which was popularised by, World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987., Man is the most dangerous creature, as it was declared by a Zoo in, Lusaka, Zambia. Human beings are taking too much time to realize the, need of the hour. One of the members of Brandt Commission, MrL.K.Jha,, raised a vital question, “are we to leave our successors a scorched planet, of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes, and ailing environment?”, Mr Lester R. Brown expressed his worry over the fact that our four, biological systems are reaching an unsustainable level. The tropical, forests, “the powerhouse of evolution”, as Dr. Meyers called them, are, being destroyed causing extinction of several species. The fear hovers,, what if the words, “forests precede mankind, and deserts follow”, come, true. And the reality is that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7, million acres a year. The Article 48A of the Indian Constitution provides, that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment, and safeguard the forest and wildlife of the country. To conserve the, environment and to bring down the population of the world, which is 5.7, billion, Palkhivala suggests that development is the only solution., Fertility falls as the income rises, education spreads, and health, improves. Nani supports compulsory sterilisation and defends it by, saying that there is no other alternative but coercion. The population of, India today is 920 million, which is more than the entire population of, Africa and South America. What is happening today is that rich are, getting richer and poor are begetting children, which begets them to, remain poor. Now the folks have realised what endangers our race. It is, not about the survival of human race but the survival of the planet, Earth. It is an Era of Responsibility. The industrialists have to, understand the present concern with most consideration. The view of the, Chairman of Du Pont, Mr Edgar S. Woolard is much appreciable, “Our, continued existence as a leading manufacturer requires that we excel in, environmental performance.” Let us be grateful to Mother Nature and, keep Margaret Thatcher's felicitous words, “No generation has a freehold, on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy– with a full repairing lease”. In, the words of Mr Lester Brown, “We have not inherited this earth from our, forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.”, (The Data used here are all related to the chapter, it is not as per the, present survey), , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Short Answer Questions:, 1. What does one see on the mirror inside the cage in the zoo at, Lusaka Zambia?, Answer: Standing in front of the mirror inside the cage in that zoo, one, finds his own reflection on the mirror, suggesting that human beings are, the world‟s most dangerous animal., 2. According the Lester Brown, what are the four principal biological, systems of the earth?, Answer: They are four: fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands., 3. What do you mean by the concept of „Sustainable development‟?, Answer: Sustainable development means: development that meets the, needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future, generations to meet their needs”, i.e., without stripping the natural world, of resources future generations would need., 4. „What goes under the pot now costs more than what goes inside, it‟ what does that suggest?, Answer: That suggests that the cost of firewood has become higher than, cost of rice and other staple food., 5. What is the role of industries in the preservation of environment?, Answer: Industries and industrialists have to exercise control in use of, natural resources. Thetop officials need to become the guardians of our, environment if we have to think about our future generations, Long Answer Questions:, 1. What are the factors as enumerated by NaniPalkivala that have, made our earth an ailing planet?, Answers: In the lesson NanaiPalkivala has discussed the different factors, that have made our earth an ailing planet, needing immediate attention, from and treatment from the human race., One major factor that has left our planet earth ailing is that the claim of, human race on fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands, which, comprise the earth‟s principal biological system, has become an, unsustainable level. They have been consumed in such a way that there, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, cannot be fresh resources for consumption for the future generation., Thus, farmlands have become infertile, and there has been overfishing., And then for reasons like demand for firewood, industrialization and, urbanization, huge areas of forests have been cleared all over the world, in alarming rate every day., The factor responsible for such mindless and mad exploitation of all the, natural resources is uncontrollable growth of population. Although it, took thousands of years for the world population to hit the first billion, mark, now every ten years is burdening the earth with a billion, populations. The problem of overpopulation is greater in countries like, India. Such overpopulation is the root cause of our planet earth, becoming deceased needing treatment in the form of care and concern, and population control and lower carbon emissions., 2. „We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers: we have, borrowed it from our children.‟ Discuss., Answer: Value Points:, -earth‟s resources are limited., -The resources have been almost exhausted by the generations so far, -Uncontrollable populations growth is responsible for such demand on, the available resources, -Every generation needs to think about the future generations, -Borrowed things are treated and handled with career, -Thus the resources are not to be exhausted as they belong to the future, generations., 3. What is the remarkable shift in our attitude towards the earth, brought on by the Green Movement?, Answer:, Value Points:, -a remarkable change in the attitude of the human race towards the, earth, -Shift from the mechanistic view to the holistic and ecological view, -Mechanistic view- that the earth is an inanimate thing like a brick, a, rock etc., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, -Holistic view- that the earth is a living organism, like a human being, an, animal., -Thus earth is considered to be ailing, suffering from diseases., -Needs treatment from human beings, -Treatment- population control, control of carbon emissions, Questions for practice:, Long Questions:, 1. Why does NaniPalkhiwala call the Earth an ailing planet and what is, the role of the Green Movement?, 2. NaniPalkhivala in his essay „The Ailing Planet‟: The Green Movement‟s, Role‟,calls man „the worlds‟ most dangerous animal‟. How does he, defend his viewpoint and at he same time holds out hope for the, world?, 3. What picture of the future of the planet does the author paint? What, can thwart that scenario?, Short Questions :, 1. What causes endless anguish to common man?, 2. What are the unusually alarming statistics about the population that, the author talks about?, 3. Why is the Green Revolution important?, 4. Justify the title of the essay., 5. Explain the statement „forests precede mankind; deserts follow‟., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, THE BROWNING VERSION, By Terrence Rattigan, A critical summary:, The Browning Version is the play that cemented Terence Rattigan‟s, reputation as a serious, mature playwright. It is viewed as one of his best, works, and one of the best one-acts ever written. (The actual play, The, Browning Version, opens in the sitting room of the home of Mr. Andrew, Crocker-Harris and Mrs. Millie Crocker-Harris. A young student, John, Taplow, knocks at the front door, and then lets himself inside. He steals, a chocolate from an open box, and then uses his walking stick to practice, his golf swing. ), Frank Hunter, a young schoolmaster, watches Taplow‟s moves unseen., Finally, he interrupts and gives Taplow pointers on his swing. They, converse for a few moments. Taplow has come for his tutoring session, with Mr.Andrew Crocker-Harris, although it is the last day of school. The, young man is worried, however, that Andrew will not give him his, „„remove.‟‟ He plans to study science, which is Hunter‟s subject., Taplow does a wicked impersonation of Andrew, which he almost, immediately regrets. However, Frank asks him to do it again, and then, suggests that since Crocker-Harris is rather late, Taplow should go play, golf. Taplow is appalled at the suggestion. Despite his problems with, Andrew, Taplow does like him and fears him enough to stay. Taplow, relates an incident and again mimics Andrew for Frank‟s benefit. This, time, Millie Crocker- Harris appears at the door, and she listens for a, moment before coming inside. Taplow is afraid that Millie has overheard, his imitation. Millie informs Taplow that her husband will be tied up at, the Bursar‟s for a while and that he could go, but he decides to wait., Millie sends him on an errand., Short Answer Questions:, 1. Why does Taplow says Mr. Crocker Harris cannot be a sadist?, Answer: A sadist is a person who gets pleasure out of giving pain. Taplow, says that Mr. Cracker Harris cannot be even a sadist because that would, mean that he has some feelings but he has not at all. He is all shriveled, up inside like a nut., 2. What did Mr. Crocker Harris do after Taplow laughed out at the, joke that Mr. Crocker Harris made to the class?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Answer: Mr. Crocker Harris told Taplow that he was pleased at the, advance that Taplow‟s Latin had made because it was only Taplow who, understood what the rest of the class could not. Therefore, Mr. Crocker, Harris told Taplow to explain the joke to the whole class so that they, could share the pleasure with him., 3. What does Millie Crocker Harris ask Taplow to do?, Answer: Millie Crocker Harris asked Taplow to take a prescription to the, chemist and get the medicine made up., 4. Why was Taplow horrified to find Mrs. Crocker Harris standing by, thedoor screen and watching Taplow and Frank?, Answer: Taplow had all the way been talking to Frank about Mr. Crocker, Harris. Therefore he was horrified to find Mr. Crocker Harris‟s wife, standing by the door screen and watching the two as he feared that she, might had overheard what he had been saying., 5. Mention two character traits of Taplow., Answer:, a. Taplow is humorous. He has keen power of observation., b. He is critical about Mr. Crocker Harris for whom he has got, a soft corner also in spite of his crankiness., Long Answer Questions:, 1. Make a character sketch of Mr. Crocker Harris., Answer: The small excerpt „The Browning Version‟ revolves around the, character of the school teacher Crocker Harris although we do not meet, him in the play directly. Whatever we get to know about him is his, impression in the mind of his student Taplow as described by Taplow to, Mr. Frank who is another teacher from the school where Taplow studies., As it is described by Taplow, Mr. Crocker Harris is an unusual teacher., He is pictured as a heartless teacher without any feelings and emotions., He is set apart from the other teachers because like the other teachers he, never lets the results of examinations known to the students even a day, before the formal announcement of the results. He abides by the rules, perfectly. He is such a person that he does not hesitate to call a student, for extra duty as punishment even on the last day of his tenure in a, school as it is the case with Taplow that day. He has no compassion and, he never takes pain to pass a student by giving his extra marks out of, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, compassion. For such harshness on his part, he has been nicknamed, the „Crock‟ by the students., Taplow opines that Mr. Crocker Harris is not even a sadist. Sadist is a, person who obtains pleasure from inflicting pain on others. It is so, because had Crocker Harris been a sadist, it would mean that he has a, heart and emotion. But Crocker Harris has no emotion at all. Taplow, says that in spite of all these, he has got a soft corner for Crocker Harris, and Crocker Harris knows that and does not like it. That is why he has, taken pain that Taplow actually hate him. As a whole, Taplow‟s, description of Crocker Harris is very humourous., 2. Discuss the humorous elements in „The Browning Version‟, Hints:, -The play is replete with humourous description of a teacher by student, -Crocker Harris is pictured as an unusual teacher and an unusual, human being, -He is a person who loves to be hated and makes attempts for that., -He feels that Taplow likes him and so he tries to make him hate him., -He is not even a sadist because that would mean that he has got, feelings but he has got no feelings, -Only Taplow, out of compassion, laughs out at the joke Mr. Harris, cracks in the class in the Latin language to which none responds. As a, punishment Taplow is made to make the class understand the joke., -Taplow‟s frightened reaction when he finds Crocker Harris‟s wife looking, at them thinking she might have overheard them., Value based Question:, Do you feel it is proper for students to present their teacher the way, Taplow does? What is your opinion the relation between teacher and, student should be like?, Questions for Practice, Long Questions, 1. What kind of teacher student relationship does the lesson portray?, 2. What is the universal aspect of the characters portrayed in the, Browning Version?, Short Questions:, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 1. What is your opinion about Frank that you form from his conversation, with Taplow?, 2. Do you really feel Mr. Crocker Harris is absolutely like the way he has, been presented by Taplow or Taplow is exaggerating?, 3. Contrast Mrs. Crocker Harris with Mr. Crocker Harris., 4. What is Taplow‟s attitude towards Mr. Crocker Harris?, 5. Are there any differences in the school system of Taplow‟s school with, yours? If yes, what are they?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, -William Saroyan, Short Answer Questions:, 1. Why was it difficult for Aram to believe the sight of his cousin, Mouradwith the beautiful white horse?, Ans: When Aram looked through the window, he saw his cousin Mourad, with a beautiful white horse and it was a sight which was very difficult, for him to believe for two reasons:, First, the whole of the Garoghlonian family to which the two boys, belonged were extremely poor and therefore it was not possible for, Mourad to buy that horse. Secondly, in that case, it would mean that, Mourad had stolen that horse. But that was also not possible, because, the Garoghlonian family was also very much famous for their honesty, and therefore Mourad could not steal that horse either., 2. Where had Mourad been hiding the horse?, Answer: Mourad had been hiding the horse in the barn of a deserted, vineyard which was owned by a farmer named Fetvajian., 3. What did the farmer John Byro tell the two boys when one day, they accidentally met him with his horse in their custody?, Answer: The farmer examined the horse when one morning he found it, with the two boys and he told them that he could swear that the horse, was his very horse which had been stolen from him many weeks before if, he did not know about their parents. He added that the fame of their, family for honesty was very well known to him and therefore he liked to, say that the horse could be the twin of his stolen horse., 4. What did John Byro tell Aram‟s mother and Uncle Khosrove when, he got his horse back?, Answer: After John Byro got his horse back mysteriously one day, he, came to Aram‟s house and told Aram‟s mother and Uncle Khosrove that, he did not know what to think about the whole matter. It was because, the horse was stronger than ever and was better tempered too and, therefore he thanked God., 6. What were the two things for which the Garoghlonian family was, famous?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Answer: The Garoghlonian family was famous for the following two, things:, 1. Their poverty, 2. Their honesty, 7. What points were put forward by Aram in defense of Mourad‟s act, of stealing the horse?, Answer: Aram argued to himself that stealing a horse for a ride was not, the same thing as stealing something else, such as money. And then he, went a little ahead by saying that if one was so much crazy about horses, the way Mourad and he himself were, it was not stealing at all. It would, not become stealing until they offered to sell the horse and he was sure, that last thing they would never be doing., 8. Which excuses were given by Aram to himself for taking a ride on, the horse despite knowing fully the truth about the theft of the, horse by Mourad?, Ans: Aram dismissed stealing a horse as much grave a crime as stealing, money. Secondly, he believed that if it was something like a horse for, which both he and his cousin were crazy then it couldn‟t be stealing., Additionally, it was not going to become stealing until they offered to sell, the horse., 9. Why was Aram unwilling to return the horse so soon?, Ans: Aram was crazy for horse and he wanted to learn horse riding at all, costs. The horse would not let him to ride over it and hence he was, unwilling to return the horse at least till he would learn to ride it., Long Answer Questions, 1. Why did the two boys ultimately return the horse all of a sudden, although they had planned to keep it at least for six months?, Answer: Although the two boys had planned to keep the horse for at least, six months, they returned it all of a sudden the morning after they, accidentally met the farmer John Byro from whom Mourad had stolen, the horse. The farmer examined the horse and told them that he could, swear that the horse was his very horse which had been stolen from him, many weeks before if he did not know about their parents. He added that, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, the fame of their family for honesty was very well known to him and, therefore he liked to say that the horse could be the twin of his stolen, horse. What John Byro told them served as an eye opener for the two, boys especially Mourad and they became conscious how precious and, strong their family‟s fame for honesty was and therefore they did not, want to tarnish that name and prestige and immediately returned the, horse., 2. Mourad was the natural descendant of the crazy streak of uncle, Khosrove. Explain the statement giving instances from the story,, „The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse‟., Ans: Uncle Khosrove was considered in the Garoghlanian tribe as one of, the craziest persons. It was also believed that the tribe that Mourad was, the natural descendant of the crazy streak in their tribe. Uncle, Khosrove‟s craziness was out of the world. He had the largest moustache, in the surrounding. His talk was not less than roaring, which was but, natural for him. Once when his son came running to tell him about his, house on fire, he simply said, „It is no harm; pay no attention to it‟. The, barber who reminded him that it was his own house also got rebukes., Khosrove also asked John Byro not to worry about the horse or the loss, of money or even for his paining legs and answered in the same way., Mourad was considered the natural descendant of this man though not a, biological descendant mainly because of the crazy acts he was involved, in. The act of stealing a horse because he was crazy about it is an, example to prove the same. Like the punch line of uncle khosrove i.e. „It, is no harm; pay no attention to it‟ Mourad used to say that he had a way, with the things, animals and even people. Thus Mourad said that he had, a way with the horse, with the dogs and with the farmers too., 3. „I knew my cousin Mourad enjoyed being alive more than anyone, else who had ever fallen into the world by mistake.‟ Explain the, statement with help of the instances from the story., Answer:, Value Points:, -Mourad‟s nature, -His crazy deeds, -Having a way with the things, -Considerate towards animals, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, -A true member of the tribe, 4. Write a brief note on the Garoghlanian tribe., Value Points:, -The traits of the tribe, -Economic condition, -The members of the tribe, -Its uniqueness, Questions for Practice, Long Questions:, 1. Does the social atmosphere described in the story differ from your, social atmosphere? How?, 2. What are moral lessons that the story put forward?, 3. Compare and contrast the character of Aram and Mourad., 4. What picture of rural life does the story paint?, 5. Describe Aram‟s horse-riding lesson., Short Questions:, 1. How does Mourad has a „way with the dogs‟?, 2. How does Mourad have a „way with farmers‟?, 3. Even when Aram knew that Mourad was sitting on the back of the, horse that morning, he could not believe his eyes?, 4. Does Uncle Khroshrove resemble Mourad in any way?, 5. Bring out the frustrations in the farmer John Byro after losing his, horse., , THE ADDRESS, By – MARGA MINCO, Short Answer Questions, 1. “I was in a room I knew and did not know.” Why does the narrator, say that she was in a room which she knew and yet she did not, know?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Answer: The second time the narrator went to Mrs. Dorling‟s house she, was taken inside the house by Mrs. Dorling‟s daughter. When the door of, the living room was opened to her, she went inside and she was, immediately horrified by whatever she saw inside the room. The room, was full of all their belongings which had been taken away by Mrs., Dorling at the beginning of the war. She felt she „knew‟ the room because, it was full of all her belongings and as the room was not theirs but was a, different room and the things were kept in a different manner she felt she, „did not‟ know the room., 2. Why does the narrator come back without claiming her, belongings?, Answer: The narrator came back without claiming her belongings. She, says that the objects which are linked in our memory immediately lose, their value when those objects are seen after some time in strange, surroundings. All her belongings, the silver cutlery, the clothes etc. had, lost their charm when they were seen in Mrs. Dorling‟s house. She knew, that if taken back they would again seem strange in her new small, rented room., 3. What change did the narrator notice in her rooms when she was, home for a few days?, She noticed that various things were missing. – Mother was surprised, that she noticed so quickly – told that Mrs. Dorling would keep things, safely., 4. Why did the narrator resolve to forget the address, No 46,, Marconi Street?, Narrator turns up to collect the belongings – they aroused nostalgic, feeling – true owner no more – the „stored‟ things reminded the, uncharitable Mrs. Dorling and her own tragic past – better to forget., 5. Justification of the title, Short story revolved around the No 46, Marconi Street – starts with the, address where the Jewish family suffer – ends with the narrator, forgetting the address., Long Answer Questions, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 1. „Have you come back?‟ said the woman. „I thought that no one, had come back.‟ Does this statement give some clue about the, story? If yes, what is it?, Answer: The sentence uttered by the cruel woman Mrs. Dorling gives us, clinching clues about the story., The story has been set on the aftermath of the destructive Second World, War. By the end of the war in 1945, some 60 lac Jews who were staying, in Germany and other territories occupied by the German Nazi forces,, had been killed systematically by the German Nazi forces led by Adolph, Hitler, something which is known as the Holocaust. Hitler and the other, like-minded Germans had considered the Jews along with some other, races of people as people of inferior racial quality and as enemies and, threats to the German society and nation and that is why they targeted, the Jews and robbed them of all human rights and first put them in, confinement centers known as ghettoes and from the ghettoes they took, them to the concentration camps which were built in many places in, Germany and other occupied territories and killed them in millions by, putting them in gas chambers and also by other all types of cruel, methods. When the war ended in the year 1945, some of the Jews got, liberated from the concentration camps by the Allied Armies., The narrator in the story is unmistakably such a survivor of the, concentration camps. While others from her family had died she survived, the war and came back in search of her belongings which had been, taken away by Mrs. Dorling from her mother at the start of the war. By, the quoted sentence Mrs. Dorling refers to the holocaust saying that she, had thought that none of the narrator‟s family members had been lucky, enough to come back., 2. The story “The Address” is divided into Pre-War and Post-War, times. What hardships do you think the girl underwent during, these times?, Answer:, Value Points:, – War affects the fortunes of many, – Mrs. S and her family left their town for safety purpose, – she died – the daughter returned, – told the tragic story., – Before the War the narrator returns home, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – finds things missing, – Mrs. Dorling takes things away, – the narrator doubts Mrs. Dorling. After War narrator returns to, take her belongings, – the uncharitable Mrs. Dorling‟s behaviour and „stored‟ things, unsettles her – things reminds her mother‟s memories, – Becomes nostalgic – wants to forget tragic past – resolves to forget, the address and does not take things., 3. “The Address” is a story of human predicament that follows war., Comment., Answer:, Value Points:, – Wars always bring death and destruction. Wars cannot end, conflict., – In Holland a Jew family suffered, – disrupted the life of Mrs. S and her family, – before War left town for safety, – Mrs. Dorling took chance, – grabbed her costly things., – Mrs. S died – the daughter returns – visits Mrs. Dorling, No. 46,, Marconi Street, – she shows her uncharitable character – denies recognition, – in her second visit the narrator found the daughter of Mrs. Dorling, – found her belongings – became nostalgic – recalled mother – felt, sorry for her tragic death, – things‟ reminded the tragedy she had to undergo – resolved to leave, things and forgot the address –, – War changed narrator‟s life – lost mother and costly things., Questions for Practice, Long Questions:, 1. What picture of corrupt human mind you find portrayed in the, character of Mrs. Dorling. What is your idea about her daughter?, 2. What are the character traits of the narrator? Why is that she has, been given no name in the story?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Short Questions, 1. Highlight the pain of loss and frustrations and helplessness in the, mind of the narrator., 2. Is the story able to paint the horrible pictures of the inhuman Nazi, atrocities on the European Jews during the Second World War?, 3. You find out that the narrator managed to come back from, somewhere. Where has she managed to come back from? (From the, Nazi concentration camps, the death camps, gas chambers, from the, jaws of death), 4. Why does the narrator say she knew and did not know the things?, What does that mean?, 5. What changes of normalcy does the story speak about? (bread of a, lighter colour, which was of a darker colour for Jews during the War, etc.), , Ranga‟s Marriage, byMastiVenkateshaIyengar, Short Answer Questions:, 1. Describe the pictorial sketch of the Hosahalli village., Ans. Hosahalli is the village of the narrator. Its beauty enchants one and, all. It is situated in the lap of nature. Its rusticity enthralls the readers, forever. Versatility of Gudabhatta and sense of humour of the villagers, are matchless. Nature around the village is a feast to behold. Taste of, mangoes would linger on your tongue forever., 2. Ranga‟s home coming was an important event for the villagers., Give reasons., Ans. It was because the village accountant was the first one who had, enough courage to send his son to Bangalore to study. English was a, priceless commodity to the villagers. That was why his home coming was, a great event to them., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 3. Do you think that Ratna is a victim of the arranged marriage, system? Give reasons., Ans. When the narrator arranged the marriage of Ranga with Ratna, we, have a conversation of Ranga and the narrator about their views on the, marriage in our society but Ratna was not asked for it once. It shows, that she got married without her consent or opinion about her, independent thinking at the age of just 11., Long Answer Questions:, Answer the following question in 100 to 120 words, 1. Do you think that Indian marriage system keeps Indian social, fabric alive? How?, Ans. Indian social fabric is based on the caste system. It has its own, social hierarchy that is strictly maintained by one and all for their own, convenience. The people like the narrators are ever ready to take, initiatives to get the bachelors like Ranga married by arranging and, compromising on traditions and rituals by virtue of their status in society, and sometimes with the help of so-called customs i.e. seeking help from, the Astrologers and Shastri., In the present story, when Ranga returned to his village from the city, his, ideas about marriage were then quite different. He wanted to bring about, changes in the marriage system as a sole right of the individual. But the, narrator moulded his point of view to follow the beaten track of society, that is marriage is a social institute not the individual‟s choice. That‟s, why I think that Indian arranged marriage system has been keeping, Indian social structure alive for the century., 2. English integrates India as a nation or it belittles/ dwarfs the, expression of native speakers. Elucidate., Ans. The story Ranga‟s Marriage‟s raises very important moral issues of a, mode of communication in India and its consequences. In India English, is playing a role of lingua franca without any doubt. It holds a composite, dialogue among all Indians. It has brought all Indians together. It has, opened the window on world. India poses itself as a nation because of its, integrity. Another side of it is the excessive use and making it a matter of, dignity confuses the mind of common man. The middle class mentality, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, thinks that English is the matter of dignity. For the sake of it they, discriminate the expression of the native speakers. Common man‟s, expression in their mother tongue is being dwarfed because of the, excessive value of English in upper class society. In the present story, Ranga was sent to pursue his education in city because of the mode of, communication that provides plenty of opportunities and gets dignity in, society. On the other hand it is a priceless commodity for the villagers. It, should have been a mode of communication only that bridges the gap, between two social strata., Questions for Practice:, Long Questions, 1. Discuss the creative role played by the narrator in fixing the marriage, of Ranga., 2. Is the story an indirect comment on the worthlessness of Horoscopes, and Kundlies which can be managed to serve individual purpose?, Discuss., 3. What social atmosphere does the story portray?, 4. What is the tone of the narration of the story? Is it ironical and, satirical, sarcastically humorous or tragic? Discussion, Short Questions, 1. Is Ranga happy with his marriage?, 2. Is the marriage of Ranga a love marriage or a perfectly arranged, marriage?, 3. Describe the quality of the mangoes of the Hosahalli village?, 4. How does Shastriji become a pawn in the hands of the narrator to, serve his purpose?, 5. Comment on the ending of the story. Is it a proper ending considering, the general tone of the poem?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Albert Einstein at School -Patrick Pringle, Short Answer Questions:, 1. Why did Albert feel his medical certificate was burning a hole in, his pocket?, Answer: Before Albert could get an appointment with the head teacher to, show him the medical certificate which certified him that he needed to be, away from the school at least for six months because of nervous, breakdown, the head teacher himself summoned him to his room and, informed that he was being expelled from the school. Albert felt the, certificate burning in his pocket as it was rendered worthless., 2. What according to the head teacher were Albert‟s faults?, Answer: According to the head teacher, Albert was guilty of refusing to, learn and not allowing others learn and of being in constant rebellion at, school with his teachers., 3. What was the atmosphere in Albert‟s place of lodging which used, totrouble him so much?, Answer: The atmosphere was one of slum violence. His landlady used to, beat her children regularly and every Saturday her husband came drunk, and beat her., 4. Why did Albert need a medical certificate so badly?, Answer: Albert wanted to get rid of the school where he was studying and, wanted to go to Milan to get admission in an Italian college or institute, on the merit of his acknowledge expertise in Mathematics. However it, was his father‟s wish that Albert get a diploma in that school. He felt that, his father would send him back to school if he left it that way. A medical, certificate certifying that he could not continue in school because of, health reasons could convince his father., 5. What was the doctor‟s reaction when Albert visited him?, Answer: The doctor received Albert cordially and listened to his problem, in a friendly manner. He even agreed that Albert was really in a state of, nervous breakdown otherwise he would not have come to him for a, certificate in that line., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Long Answer Questions:, 1. Describe the exchanges between Albert Einstein and the history, teacher. What characteristics of Einstein‟s nature are highlighted, by this exchange?, Answer: This biographical piece first presents Albert in confrontation, with his history teacher. When the teacher asks him in what year the, Prussians had defeated the French at Waterloo, Albert flatly replies that, he did not know and this leads to a heated exchange between them., When he is further asked why he did not try to learn them, he again, replies honestly that there is no point in learning dates which could be, checked in a book by anyone. This reply angers his teacher greatly who, responds asking him again whether he saw no point in learning facts, which forms the basis of school education at that time. To this again, Albert honestly replies that he did not see any point in learning facts., Now his teacher becomes sarcastic and asks him to tell the class the, Einstein theory of Education. Ultimately Albert opines that he did not see, any point in learning dates of battles or which army killed more men but, he would be rather interested to know why those soldiers were trying to, kill each other. This made his teacher go mad with anger and he scolded, Albert viciously and asked him to stay back after school for an extra, period., This exchange brings out the unthinking honesty of Albert as a child. He, of course lacked tactfulness and was very straightforward. He spoke, whatever was in his mind. Of course, he used to feel miserable in classes, like that of history. His mind was a great mind of science which used to, be in search of the true working of the universe and time and other, dimensions., 2. Describe the circumstances leading to Albert getting a medical, certificate issued declaring him unfit to continue school., Answer:, Value Points:, – Albert used to feel miserable at school which basically taught arts, subjects., – had regular confrontations with his teachers because of his honest, replies., – The environment of his lodging place was also miserable., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – Wanted to get rid of his school where he was because of his father‟s, wish, – So wanted to have a medical certificate certifying that he needed to, stay away from school because of nervous breakdown., – His friend Yuri helps him., – Albert is sent to a friend of Yuri who had freshly become a doctor., – He gets a certificate as suffering from nervous breakdown., – His medical certificate becomes useless as the school itself expels, him., 3. Describe the events leading to Albert‟s expulsion from his school., Answer:, Value Points:, – Albert was disinterested with his school which basically taught arts, subjects like History., – Used to come into confrontation with teachers because of his, unthinking honesty, – Felt miserable at school and in his place of lodging which was full, of chaos and domestic violence., – Wanted to go to Milan for studying in an Italian School or college, on the merit of his acknowledged superior Mathematical expertise, – Needed a medical certificate certifying him unfit to continue in, school, – Manages such a certificate from a doctor referred by his friend Yuri, – -However the head teacher summons him before he gets an, interview with him, – He is informed that he has been expelled from school, – Reasons- refusal to learn, constant rebellion against teachers., – Albert feels hurt in spite of the fact that he himself wanted to get, rid of the school., Questions for Practice:, Long Questions:, 1. Bring out the humour contained in the lesson, 2. Describe how Albert‟s friend Yuri and cousin Elsa help him., 3. What do you gather about the character of Albert as a school pupil?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Short Questions:, 1. Why did Albert consider the school „a hateful place‟?, 2. What is your idea about the school system of Germany at that time?, 3. Yuri calls Albert „the world‟s worst liar‟- do you think this is an insult, or a compliment for Albert? Why?, 4. What was the Mathematics teacher Koch‟s opinion about Albert‟s, mathematical knowledge?, 5. What was Elsa‟s advice to Albert regarding study and examination?, , MOTHER‟S DAY, By J. B. Priestley, Value Points,  The job of a mother in a family is actually a twenty four hour job, and the mother does not have the luxury of even enjoying any, weekend, any holiday.,  The popular conception is that only those who are in service have, to work hard. The mother who stays at home has a leisurely life.,  The other members in the family always take the work that the, mother does at home for granted and gives no credit for that.,  The children in a family go on to believe that the job of the mother, is to keep herself in the beck and call of her children and so is the, thinking of the husband of the family towards his wife.,  The mother needs to be harsh and assertive every now and then, with her children and husband, reminding them that the work she, does is a round the clock work and is valued much more than, theirs.,  If the mother of the family turns out to be too soft with her attitude, towards her children and husband, then the children are bound to, be led astray and spoilt as is the case with Cyril and Doris Pearson., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA,  Always a little bit of caution, cold looks, strong words and body, language from the mother help the atmosphere of the family, ordered and the health wholesome., Short Answer Questions, 1. What is Mrs. Fitzgerald‟s opinion about Charley Spence?, Answer: Mrs. Pearson opines that Charlie Spence is buck-toothed and, half-witted and she would not like to be seen dead with a fellow like, Charlie Spence., 2. What is Doris‟ idea what might have happened that made their, mother behave so strangely?, Answer: Doris suggested to her brother Cyril that their mother could, have hit her head against something and got a concussion and therefore, she behaved in a strange way., 3. What does Mrs. Pearson tell George Pearson what people‟s, conception about him in the Club is?, Answer: Mrs. Pearson, who is actually Mrs. Fitzgerald, tell her husband, that he is a standing joke for the other club members and they call him, Pompy-ompy Pearson as they think he is very slow and pompous., 4. What is Cyril‟s prime fault as expressed by Mrs. Pearson?, Answer: According to Mrs. Pearson, Cyril spends too much time and, money at greyhound races and dirt tracks and ice shows., 5. What is Mrs. Fitzgerald‟s suggestion to Mrs. Pearson how she, could maintain that atmosphere of discipline and realization that she, created?, Answer: Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested that Mrs. Pearson was not to start any, explaining or apologizing or it would spoil the good work that was done., She was asked to just give her children and husband a look, or a tone of, voice off and on to suggest that she might be tough with them if she, wanted to be., Long Questions:, 1. What are the issues that the play, „Mother‟s Day‟ highlights?, Answer: The play „Mother‟s Day‟ basically highlights the different real, aspects related to the status of the mother in a family. In most, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, familiesthe mother is a house wife who stays at home while the father, and in some cases the children go out for works. The popular concept is, that only those who are in service have to work hard and therefore they, need weekends and holidays for taking rest and after coming from work, they need to be waited upon by the mother who is seen as living a life of, leisure. The reality is that the job of mother in a family is a twenty four, hour harsh job for which she cannot have the luxury of even enjoying, any weekend and holidays. That is the case with Mrs. Pearson in this, play. Her two grown-up children Cyril and Doris Pearson and her, husband George Pearson always take the work that Mrs. Pearson does at, home for granted and gives absolutely no credit to her for that and they, want her to be at their beck and call. However it is Mrs. Pearson whose, love and care and concern and soft attitude and lack of any assertion at, all towards those three members of her family that has created trouble, for her and has spoilt them perfectly., The mother needs to be harsh and assertive every now and then with her, children and husband, reminding them that the work she does is a, round the clock work and is valued much more than theirs. If the mother, of the family turns out to be too soft with her attitude towards her, children and husband, then the children are bound to be led astray and, spoilt as is the case with Cyril and Doris Pearson. Ultimately Mrs., Fitzgerald‟s idea of changing bodies and personality with Mrs. Pearson, brings reform to the errant family members., 2. How does Mrs. Pearson reform her spoilt family members?, Answer:, Value Points:, – Mrs. Fitzgerald is Mrs. Pearson‟s neighbour., – She is domineering, practical, quite opposite to the character of, Mrs. Pearson., – Mrs. Pearson is soft, unassertive, too fond of her children and, husband., – She knows about their mistakes but cannot be harsh with them., – Mrs. Fitzgerald compels her friend to agree to change body with, her with magic to straighten her family members., – So they change bodies., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – Mrs. Pearson first takes on her daughter Doris whom she scolds, for her erratic behaviour., – Next she takes on her son Cyril whom she scolds scathingly for, preparing to go out for late night parties., – Ultimately, she attends to her husband who has acquired very, bad name in his club where he spends most of his time/, – Mrs. Pearson‟s behaviour is puzzling for the three confused, family members., – The three ultimately are made to be aware of Mrs. Pearson‟s, actual status in her home., – They promise to reform themselves., – Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald change back their bodies., 3. Make character sketches of Doris, Cyril and George Pearson., – Doris is perfectly spoilt./ wants to be waited upon by her, mother/takes no permission for going out with her boyfriend who, according to her mother is worthless/ Weeps in every possible, opportunity/highly immature., – Cyris is equally pampered and immature/ wants to be waited upon by, his mother/engrossed in outdoor life/ late night partying and betting, on horse racing/, – George Pearson is haughty, pompous, arrogant and self important and, uncivil/ careless of domestic duties/ unconcerned about his wife‟s, wishes and pain/ engrossed in an outdoor life/ spends his time in the, club where he has got a bad impression unknown to him/ ultimately, is brought to the reality of his actual social situation., 4. What is Magic Realism? How has the dramatist used the device of, Magic Realism in making the plot of the play believable for the reader?, Answer:, Value Points:, – Magic realism is a modern method used in fiction where magical, elements are intermixed with the realistic description of everyday, affair in such a way that the magical elements are taken as realistic, description which help in emphasizing some basic aspect where the, writer wants to give focus., – Popularized by writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman, Rushdie, MilanKundera etc., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – In this play, Mrs. Fitzgerald changes her body with Mrs. Pearson,, something which is impossible in real life., – However, the reader does not object to this fantastic aspect in the plot, line because this element has been used in such a way in the plotline, that the reader overlooks the impossibility as his real focus is the real, issues of the play which is highlighted by the dramatist., Discuss some of the humourous situations of the play., Answer:, Value Points:, – First is the scene where Doris is scolded for preparing to go out with, Charley Spence., – Mrs. Pearson‟s comments on Charley Spence and Doris‟ reaction to, them/ Her weeping, – Doris and Cyril‟s hushed discussion between them as to the possible, cause of -her mother‟s strange behaviour, – The scene where Mr. Person finds his wife drinking wine for the first, time in his life and Mrs. Pearson‟s answers to his questions., – Mrs. Peasron‟s comments about what others think about George in, the club and George‟s reaction to them., – Mrs. Pearson‟s threatening to beat up her husband as reaction to her, husband‟s uncivil behaviour towards Mrs. Fitzgerald., Questions for Practice:, Long Questions:, 1. Do the two youths in the story exemplify typical youths of their age, group? Or they have much more individuality?, 2. What is the universal aspect of the story in the play?, 3. What are the aspects of European society that the play mirrors?, 4. Do you feel that Mrs. Pearson will really be able to keep her family, members on track or you feel Mrs. Fitzgerald‟s good work will be, wasted in due course of time?, Short Questions:, 1. Is the title of the play proper? What other titles you can imagine for, the play?, 2. What do Mrs. Fitzgerald‟s magic words signify about the origin of, those words, 3. How do Cyril and Doris justify their behaviour?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 4. How does Mrs. Fitzgerald prove to Mr. Pearson that what she has, opined about his actual status in the Clun is in fact true, a common, knowledge?, 5. What is the reaction of the Pearson youths and the father towards, each other‟s predicament?, Value based Question:, 1. Do you approve of whatever Mrs. Fitzgerald does for reforming the, errant Pearson family?, , BIRTH, By A. J. Cronin, Value Points, – People‟s sense of responsibility towards work., – A doctor‟s sense of duty, dedication, and humanistic approach, towards his patients., – The supreme joy of motherhood., – The real sense of fulfillment and peace and joy that a piece of good, work done brings to human mind., – The real piece of work in human life lies in bringing joy in other, people‟s life., – The tremendous sense of expectation and anxiety that is caused in, other family member‟s heart when a baby is on the way., – The technical aspects of the resuscitation method as regards a newborn., Short Question Answers:, 1. What was the dilemma that Andrew faced after the baby was, born?, Answer: After the baby was born, Andrew was faced with the dilemma, whether to attend to the baby which was still-born in order to try to, resuscitate it or to turn his attention rather to the mother, Susan, Morgan, who was in a desperate state of health because of loss of blood, and labour pain., 2. Why was Joe and Susan Morgan‟s case special for Andrew?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Answer: Joe and Susan Morgan‟s case was special for Andrew because, Joe and Susan were expecting their first child although they had been, married for twenty years., 3. What was Susan Morgan‟s suggestion to Andrew which she, informed through her mother-in-law?, Answer: Susan Morgan wished that she was not to be given the, chloroform if it would harm the baby., 4. What did Andrew guess could be cause of the baby being still, born?, Answer: Andrew found out that the baby had turned white and it could, mean only one thing: asphyxia which is suffocation or unconscious, condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the, blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of, reflexes., 5. What is your impression about Dr. Andrew as a doctor and a, human being?, Answer: The story „Birth‟ is a comment on what a doctor should really be, as a doctor and a human being. Dr. Andrew is an exceptionally dutiful, and kind and passionate human being. Not only he sets aside mental, and bodily fatigue to visit Joe Morgan‟s house dead at night, but also he, almost rebels against nature‟s laws to keep trying to bring breath back to, the still born baby wherein he succeeds., Long Questions with answer and hints, 1. Describe the efforts that Andrew made in order to bring the still, born baby back to life., Answer: After pulling the still born baby out from beneath the bed,, Andrew could guess why the baby had lost its breath. The cause was, asphyxia which is a condition in which insufficient or no oxygen and, carbon dioxide are exchanged on a ventilator basis caused by choking or, drowning. Therefore, he realized that there was point in trying to, resuscitate the baby with the help of the traditional resuscitation, methods applied in such cases. So he first laid the baby upon a blanket, and began the special methods of respiration. Thus he poured hot and, cold water in two basins and frantically went on pushing the baby into, the water of both the basins alternately for almost half an hour. But no, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, breath emerged from the baby and a sense of desperation and defeat set, in his mind. Still he wanted to put in another last effort. So this time, he, rubbed the baby with a rough towel and then he crushed and released, the little chest with both his hands, trying to get breath into that lax, body. And after this, the miracle happened and the tiny chest of the baby, gave a heave and then another and then another and Andrew was, victorious as the baby was finally revived., 2. Why was Andrew so emotionally attached to his efforts to bring, the lifeless baby back to life?, Answer: Hints:, – Joe Morgan and Susan Morgan were expecting the birth of their, first birth, – They were married for twenty years., – It was Dr. Andrew who had been handling the case., – Andrew had assured the couple of no complication and safe, delivery of the baby., – All others in Morgan‟s family were anxious, – Susan Morgan feels labour pain before due date, – Susan‟s mother-in-law informs Andrew about Susan‟s wish to go, through labour pain without anesthesia in case the same would, hurt the baby., – Andrew goes on with anesthesia, – A still baby is born, – Andrew has to do something to revive the baby because he had, held a promise., 3. Why does Andrew comment that he had done something „real at, last‟ in Blaenelly?, Answer: Value Points:, – Andrew Manson is a young doctor just out of medical school., – The place where he works is a small mining town named Blaenelly., – He had been handling the case of Joe and Susan Morgan who were, expecting their first child after twenty years of marriage., – Andrew had assured the couple of no complication and safe, delivery of the baby., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – He visits Joe Morgan‟s house dead at night as Susan Morgan has, premature labour pain, – In an atmosphere of anxiety and expectation, he works for the safe, delivery of the baby, – A lifeless baby is born and Susan is on the verge of death too, – Andrew is crushed, – He first helps Susan‟s condition improve, – Then he works massively for resuscitating the breathless baby, – After half an hour‟s harsh struggle, the baby breaths, – At last Andrew can be true to the promise he had held., – Saving the lives of two this way and guaranteeing joy to a whole, family is thus „ something real‟, Questions for Practice:, Long Questions, 1. Compare and contrast Dr. Andrew‟s contrasting emotional status at, the beginning of the story and in the end., 2. What does the story highlight about the essence of true happiness and, joy and sense of fulfillment through Dr. Andrew‟s experience., 3. Is there any supernatural element about the baby being brought back, to life from being dead? Or the writer has presented the phenomenon, as natural in the story?, Short Questions:, 1. What is Dr. Andrew‟s concept about women? What led him to think, that way?, 2. What was the expression and attitude of the mid wife/nurse towards, what Dr. Andrew was doing?, 3. What is the setting of the story? (Time and place where it is set), 4. Bring out the atmosphere of expectation and anxiety in the mind of, the Morgan family members., 5. Why did the baby lose its breath?, Value based question, 1. Do you feel that modern day doctors are rather mechanical medical, machines without human emotions? Or it is rather a prejudiced, opinion about these professionals who are also considered human, gods?, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, The Tale of Melon City, byVikram Seth, Short-Answer Questions:, 1. How do you think a just and placid king would be after reading, the first two lines?, Ans: The qualities of justness and placidity fits a king. After reading the, first two lines of the poem we feel that the king would be truth loving and, serious about his administration., 2. How did the king react when the people responsible for tumbling, the king‟s crown started blaming each other?, Ans: The king started immediately accepting the other one‟s statement, and declaring punishment for them., 3. Ultimately, who was held responsible in the matter of fixing the, charges for insulting the crown?, Ans: The king himself was held responsible for insulting the crown as no, one was of the height to fit the rope., 4. The Tale of Melon City is an irony. Describe giving instances from, the poem., Ans: The instance of deciding the issue of the wisest man and the next, king is an irony on the decision making process in modern government, while the King‟s getting executed by his own order is an irony on the, nature of so called just laws., Long Answer Questions:, 1. Sometimes stressing too much on rules and regulations is also, difficult for smooth functioning and may lead to chaos and, anarchy. Explain in wake of the theme of the poem „Tale of Melon, City‟., Value points:, – -Rules are made for systematizing working, – -Following all rules in all conditions not possible, – -Need of change in rules as per circumstances, – -King‟s stress on his just and placid nature, – -The disastrous result., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Questions for Practice:Long Questions:, 1. Describe the different twists and turns of the story., 2. What larger picture of politics does the story in the poem paint?, 3. Describe the exercise undertaken by the king and his men to frame, charges for the crown‟s insult. What was its final result?, Short Questions:, 1. What is the tone of the poem? Is it ironical and satiric or sarcastic?, Comment., 2. How do the architects and the masons save themselves from the, blame?, 3. What does the melon being a King signify, , SECTION E, Long Reading Text - Novel - 15 Marks, With a view to inculcate the habit of reading among the students, CBSE, has introduced compulsory reading of a Long Reading Text - Novel in the, English Core Course and will be evaluated in both Formative and, Summative Assessments., The long reading text prescribed for class XI is:, 1. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde (unabridged version 1906, Edition), OR, 2. Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington 2000 Edition, B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL recommends “The Canterville Ghost” by, Oscar Wilde to be followed in all KVs for uniformity., There will be two long answer questions on the theme, plot, character, and incidents from the prescribed Novel., Question 12: Long Answer Question (Approximately 150 Words), 08 Marks, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, Question 13: Long Answer Question (Approximately 130 Words), 07 Marks, 1. „Oscar Wilde‟s „The Canterville Ghost‟ is written in such a way, that the story, in spite of being about a ghost, does not scare the, readers, instead it makes them laugh.‟ Comment., Answer: „The Centerville Ghost‟ does not scare readers, instead it makes, them laugh.Despite the attempts made by Sir Simon who is the ghost in, the story to appear in the most scary guises, the family refuses to be, frightened, and Sir Simon feels increasingly helpless and humiliated., When Mrs. Otis notices a mysterious red mark on the floor, she simply, replies that she does “not at all care for blood stains in the sitting room.”, When Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, informs Mrs. Otis that the blood, stain is indeed evidence of the ghost and cannot be removed, Washington, Otis, the eldest son, suggests that the stain be removed with Pinkerton‟s, Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent: A quick fix, like the, Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator, and a practical way of dealing with the, problem., The most humorous character in the story is undoubtedly the ghost, himself, Sir Simon, who goes about his duties with theatrical elegance, and talent. He assumes a series of dramatic roles in his failed attempts, to impress and terrify the Otises, making it easy to imagine him as a, comical character in a stage play. The ghost has the ability to change, forms, so he taps into his range of tricks. He takes the role of ghostly, apparitions such as a Headless Earl, a Strangled Babe, the Blood-Sucker, of Bexley Moor, Jonas the Graveless, Suicide‟s Skeleton, and the CorpseSnatcher of Chertsey Barn, all having succeeded in horrifying previous, castle residents over the centuries. But none of them works with these, Americans. Sir Simon schemes, but even as his costumes become, increasingly ghostly, his antics do nothing to scare his house guests, and, the Otises succeed in failing him every time. He falls victim to trip wires,, pea shooters, butter-slides, and falling buckets of water. In a particularly, comical scene, he is frightened by the sight of a “ghost,” rigged up by the, mischievous twins., In this way, „The Centerville Ghost‟, makes the readers laugh all the way, instead of making them squeeze in horror., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 2. The Canterville Ghost is study in contrast. Justify the statement., Ans. The story of The Canterville Ghost is the embodiment of contrasts., The story begins with the plot where American Characters wish to settle, down in European context. The story provides insights into the worlds of, European conservatism & American rationalism. Mr. Otis is a, representative character of American culture who wants to believe only in, the present, mirroring a practical, pragmatic and capitalist point of view, in every sphere of life. On the other hand, Lord Canterville and Mrs., Umney belong to the European culture and they are determined to, safeguard their traditions and customs faithfully without verifying the, authenticity and practical value of it. The writer has used gentle humour, to point out the human foibles that make human beings superstitious,, blind follower of culture and narrow minded., In the present story, the writer wants to show the contrast and difference, between the two cultures in their way of thinking as well in their way of, life. Virginia establishes empathy with the ghost and the ghost narrates, his tragedy of isolated life that keeps his past alive and haunted. She has, held a composite dialogue with the ghost. As a result, the ghost repents, of his misdeed. It contrasts with the behaviour of the rest of the family, members. The author satirizes American capitalism and superior, complexity and he makes fun of British puritanism and traditionalism., Member of the Otis family always laughs at the eccentric nature of the, ghost without taking into account the miserable condition of the ghost., They do not respect and try to study the value of the British tradition. It, shows their conceit., 3. Virginia holds a composite dialogue to bring two cultures, together. Justify it. (Value based question)., Ans. VALUE POINTS:, – She represents the positive view of young generation., – Believes in dialogue to understand other‟s problem., – Established empathy with the person (the ghost) who always, remained in the past; escapes from the reality,, – Restores faith in the ghost through interaction, – Made the ghost realize his misdeed., – Conduit between two culture – way of life, – Cross cultural understanding, – Mouth piece of the writer, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – Aspiration of the new generation to be inclusive., – Doesn‟t neglect the traditions of Europe, respects them try to, understand., 4. The Canterville Ghost mirrors the mindset of a middle class, family. Discuss it., Ans. VALUE POINTS, – Otis family – showing off their modernism, fearlessness, superior, complexity, American Capitalism, – Prefer material things to traditional values, – The Ghost – egoism, way to repent on his misdeed, male, domination, sticking to tradition without any sense, – Sir Simon murdered his wife because she was not a good cook, nor, could do repair work., 5. Describe the universal message of the story. (Value based, question), Ans. VALUE POINTS, – Cross cultural understanding, – Excessive belief in tradition and customs make the person, superstitious and blind follower, – Traditions keep the past alive, – The Ghost is the imagination of bankrupt mind, – Through composite dialogue – solve any problem, – Modern outlook and challenging nature , pragmatism always, challenge the nonsense customs and rituals, – Egoism of capitalism and puritanism of Europe - conflict, Question 13: Long Answer Question (Approximately 130 Words), 07 Marks, 1. How does the writer justify that the place is haunted?, Ans. The Canterville Ghost is well designed and imaginative product of a, creative mind of Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost is not just a, suspense story of ghost but also it is the great example to give a, universal message through word woven., The following are the examples, incidents and action that may prove that, the place has been haunted., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, The Ghost has been seen by many a person and there was a man who, can be trusted by one and all witnessed the appearance of the ghost. He, was nothing but the Rector of the Parish, the Rev. Augustus Dampier., Secondly the grandmother of Lord canteville felt unconscious when two, skeleton hands were placed on her shoulder. Moreover, Lady Canterville, often had very little sleep at night. Mrs. Umney always found blood, stains on the carpet., The rankling of the chain heard by Mr. Otis, one who did not believe in, the superstitiousness. The disappearance of Virginia made the Otis, family confirmed about the presence of the Ghost. These are the, examples described by the writer to justify that the place is haunted., 2. Do you think that The Canterville Ghost is just a ghost story?, Justify., Ans. VALUE POINTS, – Yes /No, – Ghost stories get us to the world of horror, – Makes the readers curious, excited, anxious, – Main themes would be – death, horror, witch, evils, traditional, prophecies, – It is a story with a difference. The writer used the Ghost as an, image to weave a plot of cross culture understanding. The ghost is, not horrible. He didn‟t succeed to terrify the Otis family. He also, wanted to leave the place, – He confessed his misdeeds, wants to terrify only not to murder, anybody, – He himself was frightened by the twins; his miserable condition, makes the story humorous., 3. How did the Ghost himself get rid of his stereo type role?, Ans. VALUE POINTS, – Became dejected as nobody fears him, – Made no appearance, – The ghost confides in Virginia, – The Ghost seeks help from Virginia, – He requested Virginia to weep for him as a result he got salvation., Prayed for him, – He was repentant, , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, – God has forgiven him because of Virginia, 4. What are the attempts made by the Ghost to terrorize the Otis, family?, Ans. VALUE POINTS, – The persistent blood stains, – Strangely there was thunder and lightning – at their arrival, – The sound of clanking metal, – The ghost with burning – red eyes, – Emitting a ghostly green light, – Extinguishing the candle, giving out frightening sounds of, demoniac laughter, 5. Describe the behavior of each character in the story with the, Ghost., Ans. VALUE POINTS, – Mr. Otis – challenged the existence of the ghost, to prove his, modernism, – Mrs. Otis – cool minded ordered Umney to clean up the floor, – Virginia – restored faith in him, provides platform to express his, inner heart, establishes empathy and helps him to get rid of this, victimization., – The Twins – made a fun of him, first who dared to frighten the, Ghost, made the Ghost realize his mistakes and shortcoming, made, him belittled., – Washington – wanted to remove the blood stains practically, with, Pinkerton‟s champion stain Remover, shows his indifferent attitude, towards the existence of the ghost., – Questions for Practice, , The Canterville Ghost, Some other important questions, 1. It was the ghost who was haunted by the American family. Explain the, statement indicating instances from the novel., 2. The Canterville Ghost presents more instances of belied expectations, and terrors than that of frightening incidents usually incorporated in, ghost novels. Discuss., , Department of English

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B. K. SR. SEC. PUBLIC SCHOOL, BAWANI KHERA, 3. Describe the character of Virginia in the novel., 4. The activities of the ghost are at the same time horrifying and, amusing. Support the statement with help from relevant instances, from the novel., 5. State your views on Duke of Cheshire and Virginia‟s relationship in, the novel., 6. Why did the American Republican Minister, Mr. Otis purchase the, Canterville Chase despite knowing it to be haunted?, 7. Mention the plans made by the ghost to frighten the Otis family., 8. Write a detailed note on the tricks played by the twin on the ghost., 9. If given an option, which part of the novel would you like to change or, modify and why?, 10. Explain the role played by supernatural elements apart from the, ghost in the novel., 11. The ghost and Mr. Otis‟s family presented a cultural clash between, English and the United States. Explain., 12. How did the ghost help Virginia „to see the significance of life and, death, and why love is stranger than both‟?, , Department of English