Gujarat Board GSEB Solutions Class 12 English Second Language Supplementary Reader Lapwing Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers.

GSEB Std 12 English Supplementary Reader Lapwing Reading Comprehension (2nd Language)

The Birdman Of India

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Orphaned (lost his parents) at a very young age, Salim Ali was brought up by his maternal uncle. As a child, Salim was given an expensive airgun as a present and spent all his time shooting sparrows around the house. One day he noticed that one of the sparrows he had shot at had a yellow throat.

He couldn’t hold (was unable to stop) his curiosity and approached his uncle. His uncle, who was equally clueless (no information /knowledge or idea of something), took him to the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in the hope of finding an answer.

There, the honorary secretary, W. S. Milliard told him that the bird was the Yellow Throated Sparrow. Milliard also told him about the variety of sparrows. That day Salim decided that he was going to be an ornithologist (a person who studies birds).

No one would have imagined that the bird shooter would become a bird lover and nature conservator (a person who protects values or things) one day!! [Page 1]

Questions:
(1) By whom was Salim brought up ? Why ?
(2) What was Salim given as a present ? What did he do with it?
(3) Why did young Salim’s uncle take him to BNHS?
(4) When did Salim Ali decide to become an ornithologist?
(5) What change came over Salim ?
OR
Questions:
(1) Who created interest in Salim Ali for the birds ?
(2) Who took care of Salim Ali after he lost his parents ?
(3) What was given to Salim as a present ?
Answers:
(1) Salim was brought up by his maternal uncle as he had lost his parents at a very young age.
(2) Salim was given an expensive airgun as a present. He shot a yellow throated sparrow with it.
(3) Young Salim’s uncle took him to BNHS / to satisfy Salim’s curiosity about the yellow throated l sparrow that he had shot.
(4) Salim Ali decided to become an ornithologist on the day he visited BNHS with his uncle.

Final Game

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Before the final game, life was ordinary, daily routine. Each day I awakened with a mental list of tasks I had to complete before the end of the day. My life wasn’t too complicated: class, soccer (football) practice, studying and sleep. Often I returned home from soccer field after heavy practice to study until the early hours of the morning.

Having accepted well to my daily routine, I never imagined it would be altered. However, my life changed the day on the final game. It was the last game of the tournament; and winner would achieve ‘championship’.

My team had been under vigorous (tough) physical training for the past four years in anticipation of this day. But emotionally we were ready as well. I was ready. I entered the game with the mindset (HlrM.dl) that the title was in our hands. We deserved it because our desire to win was great! [Page 8]

Questions:
(1) How was the writer awakened each day?
(2) What was the daily routine of the writer before the final game?
(3) When did the writer’s life change ?
(4) Why was the writer confident about their winning the championship?
(5) Pick out from the passage the words with similar meanings:
(i) changed
(ii) expectation
Answers:
(1) Each day the writer was awakened with a mental list of tasks she had to finish before the end of the day.
(2) Before the final game, the writer followed an ordinary daily routine. She attended her class, practised soccer, studied and went to sleep.
(3) The writer’s life changed on the day of the final game.
(4) The writer was confident about their winning the championship because her team had been under vigorous physical training for the past < four years and they were emotionally ready as well.
(5) The words are:

• altered
• anticipation

(2) In an attempt to block my shot, my opponent challenged me in midair. But instead of heading the ball, her body slammed into mine leaving me unconscious in the middle of the field.

My teammates shouted cries of victory and horror at the same time. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a hospital bed, surrounded by family, friends and teammates.

Also at my side, were doctors, the determiners of my future. In a matter of moments, they would tell me the severity of my injuries. I was told that I would have to undergo an extremely rarer surgery. This type of surgery had only been performed a limited number of times, with a mere 50 percent success rate. After some thinking, I decided to undergo the surgery, knowing that /either way, many challenges would await me.

Would I be able to finish my studies? What effect would it have on my social life, my grades? These questions circled my head, and unfortunately, only time would provide answers. [Page 9]

Questions:
(1) How was the writer hurt? ?
(2) Why did the teammates of the writer shout two types of cries at the same time?
(3) What did the writer find when she / regained consciousness?
(4) How was it a rare surgery?
(5) What thoughts crowded the writer’s mind before deciding to undergo that rare surgery?
Answers:
(1) In an attempt to block the shot, the writer’s opponent challenged her in the midair. But instead of heading the ball, her body slammed into the writer’s and the writer became unconscious in the middle of the field.
(2) The teammates of the writer shout two types of cries at the same time. One cry of joy was of victory as the writer had hit the goal, and the other cry was of horror that the writer was severely hurt.
(3) When the writer regained consciousness, she found herself in a hospital bed, surrounded by her family, friends, teammates, doctors and the determiners of her future.
(4) It was a rare surgery because this type of surgery had been performed a limited number of times, with a mere 50 percent success rate.
(5) Before deciding to undergo that rare surgery, the writer was greatly worried whether she would be able to finish her studies, what effect it would have on her social life, her grades, etc.

I Love Me

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) I had to conquer (overcome) my low self-esteem (love for the self). I had no other option. One day I made a decision to change, and I started to read everything I could about self-help.

I wanted to be a speaker and an author. Seems odd, I know, but it was my lifelong dream. I saw other people standing up, making a difference, and doing it with an ease that I couldn’t even fathom (understand).
Why was it so difficult for me? I realized then that I needed to:

Understand exactly why I felt low.

• Figure out why I was thinking everything as negative-The way people looked at me, their comments, their actions… it was literally destroying me.
• Understand how much harm I was causing myself.
• Find effective ways to pause, recognize my negative behaviour, and eliminate (remove, get rid of) the obstacles I was creating for myself-I was the only one with the power to do it. [Page 13]

Questions:
(1) How could the writer change himself? What did he start doing to achieve it?
(2) What was the writer’s lifelong dream ?
(3) What couldn’t the writer fathom ?
(4) What was destroying the writer ?
(5) What effective ways did the writer decide to find?
Answers :
(1) The writer could conquer his low self-esteem and deciding to change himself, he started reading everything he could about self-help.
(2) The writer’s lifelong dream was to be a speaker and an author.
(3) The writer couldn’t fathom how other people stood up and made a difference with an ease.
(4) The writer’s negative thinking about everything-the way people looked at him, their comments, their actions-was destroying the writer.
(5) The writer decided to find effective ways to pause, recognize his negative behaviour, and eliminate the obstacles he was creating for himself.

(2) Once I discovered the techniques that worked for me, my confidence grew and I began to see challenges as opportunities to move forward and succeed. Now I enjoy meeting people and my relationships are much better. I have more friends and can rely on them when I feel myself slipping back to where I was before.
I am achieving my goals with ease because I have developed my self-confidence.
I no longer miss the opportunities that life offers. I am more optimistic and my mind no longer limits me. Life is finally good ! [Page 13]

Questions:
(1) What benefits does the writer get after discovering the techniques?
(2) What change comes over the writer ?
(3) What is the result of his developing self-confidence ?
(4) What is the ultimate truth that the writer discovers ?
(5) Pick out the words from the passage which mean:
(i) ahead
(ii) one who thinks positively
Answers:
(1) After discovering the techniques that works for the writer, the writer’s confidence grows and he begins to see challenges as opportunities to move forward and succeed.
(2) Now the writer can enjoy meeting people and his relationships are much better.
(3) As a result of his developing self-confidence, the writer is achieving his goals with ease. He no longer misses the opportunities that life offers. He is more optimistic and his mind no longer limits him.
(4) The ultimate truth that the writer discovers is ‘Life is finally good’.
(5) These words are:
(i) forward
(ii) optimistic

(3) 0-8: You have a strong love for yourself that is capable of bringing quite a lot of change and helps you feel in control of your life. Keep trusting your intuition (Hebitesit) and continue feeling good about yourself.

9-13: You have a moderate love for yourself. If you are conscious of your negativity towards you, try and identify the areas of your life that have contributed to this. Try and let false opinions of yourself go.

14-26: A score in this range suggests you have a number of concerns about yourself and or your life. These concerns are likely to feed a negative self-image and could upset your chances of feeling successful or positive about yourself.

It is important to recognise which aspects of your life you’re unhappy with and decide to tackle one aspect of something in order to put you back in control. [Page 15]

Questions:
(1) What is the advantage of loving oneself strongly?
(2) When can one feel good about oneself?
(3) What should you do if you are conscious of your negativity towards you?
(4) How can you put yourself back in control ?
(5) Pick out the words from the passage which mean:
(i) not so strong
(ii) inner sense
Answers :
(1) If one loves oneself strongly, it brings quite a lot of change and helps one feel in control of one’s life.
(2) One can feel good about oneself when one keeps trusting one’s intuition.
(3) If we are conscious of our negativity towards us, we should try and identify the areas of our life that have contributed to having a moderate love for ourselves.
(4) To put ourselves back in control, we should recognize which aspects of our life we are unhappy with and decide to tackle one of those aspects.
(5) These words are:
(i) moderate
(ii) intuition

I Miss You, Mother

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) From my Mother’s book: I have loved family, friends, nature, animals, music and many other things. It will be hard to say goodbye to those I love and to the beauty in the world.

I read these words for the first time when I was surrounded by packing boxes in my mother’s apartment, a month after her death. I tried to picture her face as I read the words but the memories of the last two months as she lay dying, were too painful. I closed her book.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, one year from the day my mother was admitted to the hospital. I suddenly knew the time had come to remember and honour her life and her death.

For a month, I kept on reading the notebook I had kept during her hospitalization and my mother’s book. When I finished reading, I realised that my mother was no longer lost to me; in some new and different way I had regained her. [Page 19-20]

Questions:
(1) Why would it be hard to say goodbye to certain things for the writer?
(2) When did the writer happen to read some words from her mother’s book?
(3) Why did the writer close her book?
(4) How had the writer regained her mother?
(5) Pick out the words from the passage which mean:
(i) continued
(ii) full of grief
Answers:
(1) It would be hard to say goodbye to certain things for the writer because she loved family, friends, nature, animals, music and many other things.
(2) The writer happened to read some words from her mother’s book for the first time when she was surrounded by packing boxes in her mother’s apartment, a month after her death.
(3) The writer closed her book because the memories of the last two months, as she lay dying, were too painful.
(4) For a month, the writer kept on reading the notebook she had kept during her s hospitalization and her mother’s book. When she finished reading, she realized that her mother was no longer lost to her; in some new and different way she had regained her.
(5) These words are :
(i) kept on
(ii) painful
OR
Questions:
(1) What has the writer’s mother loved
(2) What was painful for the writer ?
(3) What did the writer realise when she finished reading of her mother’s book ?
Answers:
(1) The writer’s mother has loved family, friends, nature, animals, music and many other things.
(2) The memories of the last two months of her mother as she lay dying were too painful for the writer.
(3) When the writer finished reading of her mother’s book, she realised that her mother was no longer lost to her.

(2) From my notes, dated January 21, 1985. My Mother continues to amaze me. Despite what is happening to her body, she continues to appreciate nature and the small bits of life. Her room no.

235 has a large window. She enjoys watching birds busily flying outside. Her pain is awesome (severe). She can no longer sit up. Today is her grandson’s birthday, and somehow she managed to write a note to him.’

One day, I will tell him of the unimaginable amount of effort his grandmother put into writing this note. One warm day is February, I opened the window in her room. The soft, scented air spilled in.

My mother opened her eyes and asked, “Is the grass beginning to grow?” I closed my eyes and stream of memory ran across. [Page 20]

Questions:
(1) What was amazing about his mother for the writer?
(2) What did the writer’s mother do even if she could not sit up longer?
(3) What will the writer tell his mother’s grandson one day?
(4) What happened when the writer opened the window?
(5) The words: ‘stream of memory ran across’ means :
(a) forgot everything
(b) recalled many things
(c) started losing memory
Answers :
(1) Irrespective to her health, she continued to appreciate nature and small bits of life. This was surprising for the writer.
(2) Even if the writer’s mother could not sit up longer, somehow she managed to write a note to her grandson.
(3) One day, the writer will tell his mother’s grandson about the unimaginable amount of effort his grandmother put into writing the note on his birthday.
(4) When the writer opened the window, the soft scented air spilled in and the writer’s mother felt a little relaxed.
(5) The words: ‘stream of memory ran across’ means ‘recalled many things’.

(3) From my diary when I was five years old:
I have stepped out of the house in the middle of a summer night to watch the grass and flowers in our garden.

Suddenly my mother is at my side. Instead of sending me back to bed, she joins me, we sit there together. Listening to the noise made by cicadas (a type of Insect). “Look,” she says, pointing to a shooting star. But I am looking at the light in her eyes.

Later, I fall asleep with my head in her lap. I remember the day my mother asked that I write a last message from her to each member of the family. I wrote through my tears.

I was aware that while my mother had accepted her death, I hadn’t. Over the next few days, my mother wanted to talk about her life so we began our long, final conversation. As we talked, the picture of my mother’s life grew stronger. [Page 20]

Questions:
(1) Why did the writer come out of the house at night?
(2) What did the writer do when his mother asked him to look at a shooting star?
(3) What does the writer mean by the words-I wrote through my tears.
(4) Why does the writer call it a ‘final conversation’ ?
(5) Pick out the words from the passage which mean:
(i) then
(ii) knew
Answers:
(1) The writer came out of the house at night to watch the grass and flowers in their garden.
(2) When his mother asked the writer to look at a shooting star, instead of looking at the star, he looked at the light in her eyes.
(3) By the words ‘I wrote through my tears’, the writer means that his mother was going to live no more and he was writing a last message from her to each member of her family, so he was overpowered emotionally and tears rolled down from his eyes.
(4) The writer calls it a ‘final conversation’ because his mother was going to die soon and they would not have any other communication in future.
(5) The words are:
(i) later
(ii) was aware

The Princess And The Tiger

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

There was once a king. If anyone committed a serious crime in the kingdom, the king did not condemn (give punishment) him to death. Instead, the criminal would be taken to a large arena (a place for public events). All the people would come to see the show.

In the arena there were two doors. Behind one door, there was a fierce and hungry tiger. Behind the other, there was a beautiful young girl. The man would not know which door was which. He would have to choose one of the two doors.

If he chose well, he had to marry the girl. If he chose badly the tiger would eat him. The king had a very beautiful daughter. One / day he found out that she had fallen in love with (a poor young soldier in his army.

The king was very angry. The soldier was arrested and taken ) to the arena. The princess knew which door concealed (hid) the tiger and which one concealed the beautiful girl.

However, she was a very jealous princess and did not want the soldier to marry the girl behind the door. Neither did she want to see her lover killed by the tiger. [Page 24]

Questions:
(1) What punishment was not given for a serious crime in the kingdom?
(2) What was the arrangement for punishment in the arena ?
(3) When was the king very angry?
(4) What was the confusion for the princess?
(5) Pick out the words from the passage which mean:
(i) the other option/alternative
(ii) fearful of being displaced
Answers:
(1) If anyone committed a serious crime in the kingdom, he was not given death punishment.
(2) In the arena, two doors were kept. Behind one door, there was a fierce and hungry tiger and behind the other, there was a beautiful girl. If the criminal chose the tiger-door, the tiger would eat him, and if he chose the door with a girl, he had to marry that girl.
(3) The king was very angry when he found out that his daughter had fallen in love with a poor young soldier in his army.
(4) The princess was jealous. She did not want the soldier – her lover – to marry the girl behind the door, nor did she want him to be killed by the tiger.
(5) The words are:
(i) instead
(ii) jealous

Ananya Writes To His Parents

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Dear Mummy, Dear Pappa,
I love you both.
Yesterday I saw a child on a merry-go-round. He waved at his parents every round. The parents waved back too. The incident ran through my mind the whole day and I kept asking a question to myself:

“Where do the parents get patience from to express love for their child in trivial (small) activities of life”? For searching the answer, I went back to my childhood and realized that on each day of your life, you made deposits in the memory banks of your children.

In bringing me and Asmi up, you had built self- esteem first and our house later. You had finger- paint (painting the fingers) more and pointed the finger less.

You had done less correcting but more connecting. You had run through more fields and gazed at more stars for us.Today I am just crossing the border between my childhood and adulthood.

I am no longer a child now. In these years of my adolescence, I have unlimited confusions. I have started feeling that ‘growing up’ is quite scary, whereas being a ‘grown up’ has many attractions.

The responsibilities that go with growing age often come as surprise. I think now I have started developing an understanding about why and how you did what for us. [Page 27-28]

Questions:
(1) Which incident ran through the writer’s mind the whole day?
(2) What motivated the writer to go back to his childhood?
(3) What had their parents to do for them in bringing them up?
(4) What does the writer realize after entering adolescence ?
(5) What comes as a surprise along with growing age, according to the writer?
Answers:
(1) The writer saw a child on a merry-go-round waving at his parents every round. The parents waved back too. This incident ran through the writer’s mind the whole day.
(2) Watching the child on merry-go-round waving to his parents and his parents waving back to him made the writer think, “Where do parents get patience from to express love for their child in trivial activities of life?” This thought motivated the writer to go back to his childhood.
(3) In bringing their children up, their parents had built self-esteem first and then their house. They had finger-paint more and pointed the fingers less. They had done less correcting but more connecting. They had run through more fields and gazed more stars for them.
(4) After entering adolescence, the writer started feeling that ‘growing up’ is quite scary.
(5) According to the writer, responsibilities come as a surprise along with growing age.

(2) I need you both to be with me and understand me about my decisions regarding what’s wrong and what’s right. I wish to try out my ways to deal with the situations around me.

I recall that when I was learning to walk, I used to fall quite often. But with your love and care, I learnt to get up and run. While experimenting in my life I know, I may fail, but I am also sure that you will be there with me.

I have learnt from you that experience generates strength to begin anew after committing mistakes. I have seen you both and Asmi argue over what she should become.

Mummy…Pappa, I know, you have a right to suggest what fits her personality the best. But as ‘understanding persons’ let us respect her feelings and her wishes. Our over aspirations might suffocate her growth.

You might disagree to what I think. But this is what I feel and think. I hope you also want Asmi to venture on the path of life with her own maturity. Trust in her abilities and a little encouragement will facilitate her to learn how to respond to changing situations. [Page 28]

Questions:
(1) Why does Ananya want his parents to ; be with him?
(2) What has Ananya learnt from his parents about experience?
(3) What does Ananya write to his parents in the favour of Asmi’s career selection?
(4) What could be an obstacle in the growth of Asmi, according to Ananya?
(5) What, according to Ananya, should his parents do when Asmi ventures on the path of life with her own maturity?
Answers:
(1) Ananya wants his parents to be with him to understand him about his decisions regarding ‘What is wrong and what is right’?
(2) Ananya has learnt from his parents about experience that experience generates strength to begin anew after committing mistakes.
(3) In the favour of Asmi’s career selection, Ananya writes to his parents that they should respect her feelings and her wishes.
(4) Ananya believes that their over aspirations might be an obstacle in Asmi’s growth.
(5) When Asmi ventures on the path of life with her own maturity, according to Ananya, his parents should trust in her abilities and give her a little encouragement. It will facilitate her to learn how to respond to changing situations.

Vismay@Search

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) “I access the net for e-mail only.”
“That’s good. You will be able’ to understand quickly then.”
After the lunch, the teacher took Vismay to the computer lab, logged on to the internet and said, “Here you are!! Read this… it gives all information on what is aeronautical engineering.”
“Its’ so fast How did you do it within no time, sir? Can I get information on anything? Can I also know about institutions that offer courses in aeronautical engineering?”, Vismay was excited.
“Yes, my boy… with the help of Search Engines, you need not depend on libraries or any other source for getting information.”
“What is this Search Engine ?” asked Vismay.
“A web Search Engine is a tool designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. All you need to do is to enter a word or a phrase in the search engine and it will display the list of websites in which the word/phrase occurs,” replied the teacher. [Page 31-32]

Questions:
(1) For what purpose does the writer access the net ?
(2) Where did the teacher take Vismay? What did he do there ?
(3) Why was Vismay excited ?
(4) What is a search engine ?
(5) How can one access a website ?
Answers:
(1) The writer accesses the net for e-mail only.
(2) The teacher took Vismay to the computer lab. There he logged on the internet and got Vismay to view the information on aeronautical S engineering.
(3) Vismay was excited to know for the first time how fast he could get information on anything.
(4) A Search Engine is a tool designed to search for information on the World Wide Web.
(5) One can enter a word or a phrase in the search engine and it will display the list of websites in which the word/phrase occurs.

(2) It is almost a week now. Vismay, a bright, ambitious and hard-working student of 12th science looks confused to his class teacher. One day during the recess, the teacher sat for lunch with Vismay and asked, “You are hard-working and scoring well in all the subjects then why are you so much worried over something?”

Vismay took a deep breath and said, “Actually I am thinking about my studies after 12th. I don’t know much about aeronautics but I want to know more about it and wish to join the course somewhere. But I… I… don’t know anything about a college that offers such course.” [Page 31]

Questions:
(1) What did the teacher ask Vismay when he sat for lunch with Vismay?
(2) What was Vismay worried about ?
Answers:
(1) When the teacher sat for lunch with Vismay, he asked Vismay why he was so much worried over something.
(2) Vismay was worried whether he would be able to join the course of aeronautics somewhere because he knew nothing about a college that offered such course.

The Locked Gate

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) The guru and his disciples found three persons Standing before the gate and shouting at one another. They were about to come to blows. In the moonlight, the sentries seated atop the wall were enjoying their quarrel.

The guru observed the three men and listened to their angry exchanges. He soon understood the cause of their dispute. The three were the residents of the town, but had been locked out as they were late in returning from some pleasure- trip.

One of them, who was drunk, proposed that they should storm the gate and march into the town over the smashed metal-plated doors. “Heroes that we are, this will be the right thing for us to do,” he claimed. [Page 38-39]

Questions:
(1) What did the guru and his disciples find?
(2) How did the guru come to understand the cause of the three persons ?
(3) What was the cause of their dispute ?
(4) What did the drunk man suggest?
(5) What does the phrase ‘Come to blows’ mean ?
Answers:
(1) The guru and his disciples found three persons standing before the gate and shouting at one another.
(2) The guru observed the three men and listened to their exchanges, and soon understood the cause of their dispute.
(3) The three men were the residents of the town, but had been locked out as they were late in returning from some pleasure-trip.
(4) The drunk man suggested that they should storm the gate and march into the town over the smashed metal-plated doors.
(5) The phrase ‘Come to blows’ means ‘to get into a fight, often physically’.

(2) “Most of the arguments are like this-unrelated to reality. None of the three could have done what he proposed to do. Yet he was eager to prove the superiority of his method over the other methods.

What is more important, there was a method different from theirs-a simple and healthy method. That was to give their identity to the sentries and request them to open the gates. They would rather cling to their false and unreal methods than thinking of the simple and true method,” observed the guru.

The two disciples kept quiet. They understood ) what the guru had in mind-their conduct. Many beliefs are imposed on others in the name of religion which are insignificant. Controversies resulting from discussion over such issues are meaningless and avoidable.

Often ignorance and ego are the major barriers (blocks) in solving complex situations; whereas a humble mind can avoid unnecessary debate and present a simple solution to even complex issues. [Page 39-40]

Questions:
(1) Why were most of the arguments made c by the three men unrelated to reality?
(2) What was each of the three men trying to do?
(3) What was the simplest method for them to get their purpose solved?
(4) What are the major barriers in solving complex situations?
(5) What can a humble mind do in critical situations .
Answers:
(1) Most of the arguments made by the three men were unrelated to reality because s since they were not practicable, none of the three ; could have done what they proposed to do.
(2) Each of the three men was trying to prove the superiority of his method over the other methods.
(3) The simplest method for them to get their purpose solved was to give their identity to the sentries and request them to open the s gates for them.
(4) Often ignorance and ego are the major barriers in solving complex situations.
(5) A humble mind can avoid unnecessary debate and present a simple solution to even complex issues.

I Keep My Tryst With Everest

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Ang Dorjee was going to climb without oxygen. But because of this, his feet would get very cold. He thus wanted to avoid long exposure at heights and a night at the Summit Camp.

He had therefore to either get to the peak and back to the South Col the same day or abandon the attempt. He was keen to start immediately and asked if I would like to go with him.

Going to the top from the South Col and back in a day would be strenuous (full of activity which need lot of energy and effort) and tough and there was the risk of Ang Dorjee turning back if his feet got too cold.

I however, had full confidence in Ang Dorjee as well as in my stamina and climbing capability. Besides no one else was ready to move at that time. [Page 44]

Questions:
(1) Why did Ang Dorjee want to avoid long exposure at heights?
(2) Why had Ang Dorjee to come back to the South Col the same day?
(3) What was the problem in going to the top from the South Col and back in a day?
(4) Did they still decide to climb on ? Why ?
(5) Pick out from the ‘ text the words that are similar in meanings to:
(i) leave
(ii) strength to sustain
Answers:
(1) Ang Dorjee wanted to avoid long exposure at heights because in that case his feet would get very cold.
(2) Ang Dorjee had to come back to the South Col the same day because he wanted to avoid a night at the Summit Camp.
(3) Going to the top from the South Col and back in a day would be strenous and tough and if Ang Dorjee’s feet got too cold, he would not be able to come back.
(4) Yes, they still decided to climb on as Bachendri had full confidence in Ang Dorjee as well as in her own stamina and climbing capability.
(5) The similar words from the text are:
(i) abandon
(ii) stamina

(2) At 6:20 when Ang Dorjee and I stepped out from the South Col, it was a perfect day. There was a gentle breeze but the cold was intense. I was, however, warm in my well-insulated (covered as not to allow heat to go out) climbing gear.

We climbed unroped (without taking help of a rope). Ang Dorjee set a steady pace but I had no difficulty keeping up with him. The steep (a sharp slope) frozen slopes were as hard and brittle (easily breakable) as sheets of glass. We had to use the ice-axe and I had to kick really hard to get the front teeth of the crampons (boots with spikes) to bite into the frozen surface. I took every step very deliberately on the dangerous stretches.

In less than two hours, we reached the Summit Camp. Ang Dorjee looked back and asked if I was tired. I replied, “No,” to his surprise and delight. He told me that the earlier Summit Party had taken four hours to reach the Summit Camp and added that if we could keep our present * pace, we would be on the Summit by 1:00 p.m. [Page 45]

Questions:
(1) How was Bachendri warm in spite of the intense cold ?
(2) How did they start climbing?
(3) How had she to use her ice-axe ?
(4) Bachendri and Ang Dorjee climbed faster. How can you say so?
(5) How would they be able to be on the Summit by 1:00 p.m.?
Answers:
(1) In spite of the intense cold Bachendri was warm because she was in her . well-insulated climbing gear.
(2) They started climbing unroped.
(3) Since the steep frozen slopes were hard and brittle, Bachendri had to kick the ice-axe hard to get the front teeth of the crampons to bite into the frozen surface.
(4) Bachendri and Ang Dorjee climbed faster.
We can say so because they took two hours to climb, while the earlier Summit Party had taken four hours to reach the Summit Camp.
(5) If they keep up their present pace (speed), they would be on the Summit by 1:00 p.m.

(3) Lhatoo was following us and caught up with (succeeded in reaching) us when we rested below the South Summit. After drinking some tea,’ we moved on. Lhatoo had brought a nylon rope so Ang Dorjee and I roped up while Lhatoo walked in the middle, holding the rope with one hand, more for balance than security.

Lhatoo noticed that I had been climbing with oxygen at about two and a half litres per minute against the normal four for these heights. After he increased the oxygen flow on my regulator I found even the steeper stretches (distance) comparatively easy. [Page 45]

Questions:
(1) When did Lhatoo catch up with Bachendri and Ang Dorjee?
(2) Why was Lhatoo holding the rope ?
(3) At those heights what should be the normal amount of oxygen that one should breathe in?
(4) Why did Lhatoo increase the flow of oxygen on Bachendri’s regulator?
(5) What was the result of increase in the oxygen flow?
Answers:
(1) When Bachendri and Ang Dorjee were resting below the South Summit, Lhatoo caught up with them.
(2) Lhatoo was holding the rope more for balance than security for Bachendri and Ang Dorjee.
(3) At those heights the normal amount of oxygen that one should breathe in should be four litres per minute.
(4) Lhatoo increased the flow of oxygen on Bachendri’s regulator because it was just two and a half litres per minute against the normal four for those heights.
(5) As the result of increase in the oxygen flow, Bachendri found even the steeper stretches comparatively easy.

(4) It was terrifying to stand erect on a knife-edge ridge, with a sheer drop on either side. I had to dig my ice-axe deep and secure myself by attaching the waist-strap to the ice-axe head.

There was some tricky climbing between the South Summit and what is popularly known as Hillary’s Step. Ang Dorjee and Lhatoo were already over it, but I was still negotiating its vertical face when Ang Dorjee gesticulated towards s the top. I was thrilled. The goal was near.

With renewed vigour I was on top of step in seconds. The sun had made the snow Soft’ and clihibing was easier here than it had been earlier. We trudged (walked slowly with heavy steps because of tiredness) in the heavy powder snow for some time.

Then the gradient (slope) started easing off noticeably. A few steps later I saw that after only a couple of metres there was no upward climb. The slope plunged steeply down. [Page 45-46]

Questions:
(1) How did Bachendri secure herself?
(2) What is known as Hillary’s Step ?
(3) When was Bachendri thrilled?
(4) What does Bachendri mean by ‘The slope plunged steeply down.’
(5) Pick out from the text the words with similar meanings to :
(i) energy
(ii) clearly
Answers :
(1) Bachendri secured herself by attaching the waist-strip to the ice-axe head.
(2) The tricky climbing between the South Summit is known as Hillary’s Step.
(3) Bachendri was thrilled when Ang Dorjee gesticulated towards the top.
(4) By ‘The slope plunged steeply down’
Bachendri means that leaving all the slopes behind, ? she was on the top.
(5) The similar words from the text are:
(i) vigour
(ii) noticeably

(5) In less than two hours, we reached the Summit Camp. Ang Dorjee looked back and asked if I was tired. I replied, “No” to his surprise and delight. He told me that the earlier Summit Party had taken four hours to reach the Summit Camp and added that if we could keep our present pace, we would be on the Summit by 1:00 p.m. Lhatoo was following us and caught up with us when we rested below the South Summit.

Questions:
(1) Write the names of the writer’s companions.
(2) Where did the crew take rest ?
Answers :
(1) The names of the writer’s companions were Ang Dorjee and Lhatoo.
(2) The crew rested below the South Summit.

City Of Tobors

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Derf’s workshop was on the fourth floor of the city. He took a lift. A Tobor was on duty at the door. He was counting the workers.
Derf joined the queue. The Tobor went on counting in his cold voice.
“Once hundred and two. One hundred and three. One hundred and four. One hundred and four, stop!”

Derf looked at the front of the queue. What was wrong ? It was a female Nem holding a bundle. The bundle was crying.The Tobor spoke.
“You cannot take this to work. It is forbidden (not allowed).” The female Nem argued with him.

“But he won’t be any trouble. I can still work hard.” The Tobor’s voice was as cold as steel. He wasn’t angry. Tobors were never angry. They didn’t seem to fell anything. “It is forbidden, “The Tobor said again, “Babies must go to the clinic. Take it away.” [Page 49]

Questions :
(1) What was the Tobor’s duty at the door ?
(2) Why did the Tobor stop a female Nem entering?
(3) What did the female Nem argue ?
(4) One of the characteristics of the Tobors is described in this passage. Which is it?
(5) What was the rule for babies ?
Answers:
(1) The Tobor’s duty was to count the workers at the door.
(2) The Tobor stopped a female Nem entering because she was carrying a child with her.
(3) The female Nem argued that her child wouldn’t be any trouble and she could still work hard.
(4) The Tobors are cold. They never get angry nor do they have any kind of feeling.
(5) Babies could not be taken to work-places.
They were supposed to be dropped at the clinic.

(2) It was a mistake. The computer couldn’t answer a question like that. It seemed quite upset. Lights went on and off. It was trying hard to find an answer in its memory bank, but it could not.

In the end, it printed out a new instruction to Derf, I don’t understand this question. Please ask it in a different way. Derf felt very excited. He had never seen this before.

A computer breakdown, yes! But computer ignorance (The state of being ignorant), no! Derf started do feed lots of silly questions into his computer. It couldn’t answer them.

He fed the questions faster and faster, Why? What? Where ? How ? When ? Which ? The computer worked faster and faster. It clicked and hummed. But it couldn’t work.

In the end, its lights went off, and it printed out its ( last message. Derf read it. Computer breakdown, Please repair. Derf smiled. He had won a victory. It was a small victory, but it was a beginning. [Page 49-50]

Questions:
(1) Why was the computer upset?
(2) Why was Derf very excited ?
(3) Why did Derf start feeding lots of silly questions into his computer?
(4) What was a victory for Derf?
(5) What does the sentence – ‘It clicked and s hummed’ indicate ?
Answers:
(1) By mistake, such an odd question was asked to the computer that it couldn’t answer, so it was upset.
(2) Derf was very excited because he knew that there could be a computer breakdown but he had never heard or seen computer ignorance.
(3) Derf started feeding lots of silly questions into his computer because he wanted to upset and breakdown the entire computer system.
(4) By asking some silly questions, Derf had been able to breakdown his computer. This was a great victory for Derf.

(5) Derf cried out to the others. It was a cry of victory. “The Tobors are only machines! They aren’t gods at all! They are only machines! They can be broken!” The cry went round the city. The Nems stopped work, and attacked the Tobors.

Now there was no danger from the Tobors. Their power had gone. Soon, the city belonged to the Nems. Derf was the hero of the city. Derf stood in front of the giant computer at The Centre.

It was running down, now. But a few lights were still on and some sounds came from it. It would answer a few questions before 5 it broke down completely. The computer’s voice was weak, and Derf had to listen very carefully to the answers.

“Robots were made by men,” it said. “Robots must never kill men. Robots must …” The voice died away. There was silence. And then, Derf understood. [Page 52]

Questions:
(1) What was the greatest surprise for Derf and others ?
(2) Who took over the city?
(3) How was Derf the hero of the city?
(4) What secret did Derf know from the computer ?
(5) The meaning of ‘running down’ is…
(a) ‘losing power gradually and ceasing to function’.
(b) ‘developing defects’.
(c) ‘losing contact’.
Answers:
(1) When Derf and others came to know that the Tobors are only machines and they can be broken, they were greatly surprised.
(2) The Nems took over the city.
(3) Derf had found out that computers could be broken and he taught others to do so. Thus, being an initiator, he became the hero of the city.
(4) Derf knew the secret from the computer that Robots were made by men and they must never kill men.
(5) The meaning of ‘running down’ is ‘losing l power gradually and ceasing to function’.

(6) “Who are the Tobors?” He yelled (shouted in a loud or piercing) at it. A Tobor came up behind Derf, ready to kill him with a touch. But, the Tobor was weak.

He had lost some of his power. Because of the computer breakdown, he could no longer kill.

Derf kicked and struggled and made a hole in the Tobor’s silver uniform. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The Tobor’s body was not like a Nem’s body at all.
Derf put out his hand, and opened a door in the Tobor’s chest. There were wires inside.

The Tobor staggered (walked unsteadily) back. It couldn’t walk. It fell to its knees and crawled ’ (moved on the hands and knees).

Derf cried out to the others. It was a cry of victory. “The Tobors are only machines! They aren’t gods at all! They are only machines ! They can be broken!”

The cry went round the city. The Nems stopped work, and attacked the Tobors. Now there was no danger from the Tobors. Their power had gone. Soon, the city belonged to the Nems. [Page 52]

Questions:
(1) Why couldn’t the Tobor kill Derf?
(2) What surprised Derf after he had made a hole in the Tobor’s uniform ? ’
(3) Why did Derf cry out to others ?
(4) What was the discovery of Derf ?
(5) How did the city come to belong to the Nems?
Answers:
(1) The Tobor couldn’t kill Derf as he had been very weak and had lost some of his power.
(2) After making a hole in the Tobor’s uniform, Derf saw that his body was not like a V- Nem’s body at all and he was greatly surprised.
(3) Derf cried out to others because he had succeeded in breaking down the Tobor.
(4) Derf discovered that the Tobors were only machines. They were not gods at all. They could be broken.
(5) When the Nems realised that the Tobors were machines and they could be broken, the Nems stopped work and attacked the Tobors. There was no danger from the Tobors as they had become powerless. Thus the city belonged to the Nems.

Counting Sheep

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) “I do. What is wrong with you, anyway?” “Everything, doctor. Absolutely everything, I just can’t sleep.” Dr Shalini replied “Hm if you move to the chairs, we could talk.” The dog rolled over on his stomach and walked unsteadily. Dr Shalini cleared her throat.

“First of all, tell me how did you become ? so large ?”
“One of my forefathers was Great Wolves.” “I see. Mixed up genes and all that.” Muttered Dr Shalini and wrote down something rapidly on her pad.

“How long have you been suffering from insomnia (inability to sleep)?’’
“Oh, nearly two months now.” [Page 57]

Questions:
(1) What was the complaint of the dog?
(2) How did the dog move to the chair?
(3) Why was the dog so large in size ?
(4) Why did the doctor use the words ‘mixed up genes’ for the dog?
(5) Pick out from the passage the words which mean:
(i) utter words in a barely audible manner
(ii) fast
Answers:
(1) The dog complained that he couldn’t speak.
(2) The dog rolled over on his stomach and walked unsteadily to the chair.
(3) The dog’s forefathers were Great Wolves. Thus being a mixed breed, he was so large in size.
(4) The doctor used the words ‘mixed up genes’ for the dog because the dog was a breed of a wolf and a dog, i.e. Mixed species.
(5) The words are:
(i) mutter
(ii) rapidly

(2) “Any major change in diet in recent weeks ?”
“Doctor, naturally. I have to eat more now to keep up my energy.” said the patient painfully.
“And it shows. Particularly around the waist. What time do you go to bed ?”
“Oh, around ten at night. I keep the same hours as humans as I work for them.”
“Have you tried anything to promote sleep ?”
“Haven’t I, now? I have tried a walk just before bedtime.
I have tried a hot drink; I have tried a cold drink. I have tried a full meal.
I have tried no meal But nothing works.”
“Well,” said the doctor. “Doctors have recommended one remedy for sleeplessness- counting imaginary sheep.” [Page 57]

Questions:
(1) How it showed that the dog ate more those days?
(2) In what respect does the dog compare itself with humans?
(3) What did the dog try to promote sleep ?
(4) What is the sure remedy recommended by doctors for sleeplessness?
(5) What is this passage about?
Answers:
(1) The inflated waist of the dog showed that the dog ate a lot those days.
(2) The dog kept the same hours as humans for going to bed, i.e., at ten o’clock at night.
(3) The dog tried a walk before bedtime. He tried a hot drink. He tried a full meal. He also tried no meal to promote sleep.
(4) The sure remedy recommended by doctors for sleeplessness is counting imaginary sheep.
(5) This passage is about a doctor examining a patient.

(3) “Well,” said the doctor. “Doctors have recommended one remedy for sleeplessness counting imaginary sheep.” The patient’s eyes opened wide. His nostrils ballooned. He jumped on his feet.

“Doctor, don’t mention that word in my presence, for heaven’s sake. I do nothing but count sheep all day. I am Miko, the sheepdog!”

“That should not make you sleepless.” “Ah, but it does. It is those dumb things I chase around all day. I have to go looking for them up the hills and down, in and out of bushes, behind fence, into caves…”

“Relax, relax” said the doctor. “Don’t take strain.” “You would also get strained (tension) if you ? had to look after sheep for a living. It is the most boring, uninspiring, exhausting and dead end job. At the end of the day, I am so frustrated ‘l (annoyed, upset) that I can’t sleep.” [Page 57-58]

Questions:
(1) Why was the dog greatiy irritated hearing about counting sheep from the doctor?
(2) Describe the reaction on the dog after hearing about counting sheep from the doctor.
(3) Why was the dog fed up with looking 5 after the sheep?
(4) How was his job, according to the dog?
(5) Pick out from the passage the word which mean :
(i) tiring
(ii) grew very wide
Answers:
(1) The dog was greatly irritated hearing about counting sheep from the doctor because he was a sheepdog, all day chasing sheep, and he was greatly tired of doing that job.
(2) After hearing about counting sheep from the doctor, the dog’s eyes opened wide, his nostrils ballooned, and he jumped on his feet telling the doctor not to suggest him to count sheep.
(3) The dog was fed up with looking after the sheep because being a sheepdog, all day he had to keep chasing dumb sheep. He had to look for those sheep up the hills and down, in and out of bushes, behind fence, into caves, etc.
(4) According to the dog, his job was the most boring, uninspiring, exhausting and a dead end job, so he got frustrated.
(5) The words are:
(i) exhausting
(ii) ballooned

(4) But he never turned up on Friday. On Saturday, he rushed in, more worried than ever and said, “Doctor, will you please do something to stop buzzing in my head?”?
“Open your eyes,” said the doctor quickly,“and look at me.”
The patient obeyed. “And now where are the bees ?”
The sheepdog shook his head. “Can’t say.
They flew away.”
“Listen,” said the doctor. “I was at your place of work today. In fact, I saw you in action. Even talked to some of your flock.”
“Oh, those,” the sheepdog made a face. “You need not have taken the trouble. Sheep can’t think for themselves.”
“Well, let me tell you most of them do and they think you are unpleasant, short-tempered, impatient, unreasonable bully.”
The patient leapt to his feet and got shocked. “How can they say like this ? I always struggle to keep them together and save them out of any harm.”
“That is it. You keep them together by bullying them into a tight bunch. You won’t let them step out of the circle. You don’t even allow them to search for juicy grass.”
“Bah! They are eating all the time as it is,” said the sheepdog. But he didn’t sound quite as angry as before. [Page 59]

Questions:
(1) With what complaint did the dog enter on Saturday?
(2) What did the doctor do to find out the cause of the dog’s complaint?
(3) What report did the doctor get from the sheep that the dog was looking after?
(4) What did the dog say in his defense?
(5) What hateful things did the dog do for the sheep ?
Answers:
(1) On Saturday, the dog entered with the complaint that he felt a great buzzing of bees in his head.
(2) To find out the cause of the dog’s complaint, the doctor went to his place of work and saw him in action. He even talked to some . of his flock.
(3) The doctor got the report from the sheep that the dog was unpleasant, short-tempered, impatient and an unreasonable bully.
(4) In his defense, the dog said that he always struggled to keep them together and save them out of any harm.
(5) The dog kept them together by bullying them into a tight bunch. He didn’t let them step out of the circle. He didn’t even allow them to search for juicy grass, therefore, the sheep hated him.

(5) “They eat all right” said the doctor. “But what they need is a little more freedom and little more peace. Not somebody barking at them all the time.”
“I never thought of that!”
“And have you ever thought why you can’t sleep ?”
The dog kept quite. “It is because you bark at the sheep all day. You growl (how, rumble) by day and simply can’t sleep by night. If you ‘ give the sheep more freedom, you will definitely sleep by night.”
There was a silence in the room. Then slowly the sheepdog rose to his feet. “Hats off to you, doctor” he said “I believe this time you have got it.”
“Report back, will you?” “Sure” said the sheepdog. He waged his tail and went off. [Page 59]

Questions:
(1) What do the sheep need besides eating?
(2) What do the sheep not like ?
(3) Why can’t the dog sleep by night?
(4) Pick out the phrase from the passage which means ‘Salute’.
(5) Which line suggests that the doctor had rightly diagnosed the illness of the dog?
Answers:
(1) Besides eating, the sheep need a little more freedom and a little more peace that the dog never allowed them.
(2) The sheep do not like that the dog keeps on barking at them all the time depriving them of their freedom.
(3) If the dog keeps control on his barking s at the sheep and allow them a little freedom to move about, he can definitely sleep by night.
(4) The phrase is: hats off
(5) The line is: “I believe this time you have got it.”

How To Kill By Kindness

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) ‘There was a farmer, once, who was cross and surly (unfriendly) and a very disagreeable f man. Everyone who knew him disliked him. He was sure to make the most of whatever went wrong about him; and the poor offender always met with severe punishment.

There was not a boy in all the neighbourhood who did not feel uncomfortable as he passed his gate; and the poor dog that barked at his geese, or the neighbour’s rooster that crowed on his wall, was speedily visited either with the lash of his whip (blow or stroke with a whip), or the shot from his gun.

The very cat knew his footsteps, and slunk away (moved away) from him in terror. He was a complete pest, as much so to himself as to those about him. Every day brought him some fresh trouble, and found him in continual ‘hot water’ (in a difficult situation); indeed, his very life was made up of broils (full of tensions). [Page 62-63]

Questions:
(1) Why did everyone who knew the farmer dislike him?
(2) Who became the victims of the farmer’s bad nature?
(3) Find out the sentence used to show hatred toward the farmer.
(4) Was the ill-natured farmer happy by himself? How can you say so ?
(5) Pick out from the text the words that are similar in meanings to :
(i) rude
(ii) go away quietly
Answers:
(1) Everyone who knew the farmer disliked him because he was cross and surly and a very disagreeable man who made the most of whatever went wrong with him.
(2) The poor dog who barked at his geese and the neighbour’s rooster that crowed on his wall became the victims of the farmer’s bad nature.
(3) The sentence used to show hatred toward the farmer is: He was a complete pest.
(4) No, the ill-natured farmer was not happy by himself because every day brought him some fresh trouble.
(5) The similar words from the text are:
(i) surly
(ii) slink away (slunk away)

(2) One day, Mr Green sent to the wife of our surly friend a basket of nice plums; but her husband wouldn’t let her have them. He told the person who brought them, very gruffly, that it was only done to get some of his pears in return, and he was not going to give any of them away.

At another time, Mr Green’s team of oxen stuck fast in a bog, and when he asked his neighbour for a little help, he told him, in a very rough way, that he had enough to do to mind his own business, and refused to help him. “Never mind,” said Green to someone standing by, “I’ll kill him very soon, see if I don’t.” [Page 63]

Questions:
(1) Why, according to the surly man, was the basket of plums sent to him?
(2) What happened to Mr Green’s oxen one day?
(3) What reason did Mr Green’s neighbour give for refusing the help?
(4) What oath did Mr Green take for his neighbour ?
(5) Pick out from the text the words that are similar in meanings to:
(i) rudely
(ii) tightly
Answers:
(1) According to the surly man, the basket of plums was sent to him to get some of his pears in return.
(2) Mr Green’s oxen stuck fast in a bog one day.
(3) Mr Green’s neighbour refused to help saying that he had enough to mind his own business.
(4) Mr Green took the oath that he would kill his neighbour very soon.
(5) The similar words from the text are:
(i) gruffly
(ii) fast

(3) Yes, the ‘enemy’ was ‘killed’ without the loss of a single life, or shedding even a single drop of blood. He went in the morning to confess his ingratitude to his kind neighbour, and to ask his forgiveness, and the very man who had been noted for nothing but his wickedness became the friend of all.

There is the greatest difference in the world between conquering by power, and conquering by kindness. The former is like building a dam across a stream of water. It may stop its flow for a little while, but presently the dam will give way, and then the stream will rush on with more force and fury than ever. Conquering by power is like chaining a lion; conquering by kindness keeps the lion from doing harm, by changing his nature, and turning him into a lamb. [ Page 64]

Questions:
(1) How was the enemy ‘killed’?
(2) What change came about in the ill-natured man?
(3) Which are the ways to conquer?
(4) How has the writer exemplified ‘conquering by power’?
(5) What result does ‘conquering by kindness’ bring about?
Answers:
(1) The enemy was ‘killed’ without the loss of a single life, or shedding one drop of blood.
OR
The kindness of Mr Green had killed the ‘enemy’ (ill nature) in the ill-natured man.
(2) In the morning, ‘the ill-natured man’ went to confess his ingratitude to his kind neighbour and to ask his forgiveness. The wicked man became the friend of all.
(3) There are two ways to conquer:
(i) to conquer by power and
(ii) to conquer by love.
(4) For ‘conquering by power’ the writer has given the example that it is like building a dam across a stream of water. It may stop its flow for a little while, but then it will break and the water will start running more forcefully bringing more destruction.
(5) ‘Conquering by kindness’ keeps the lion from doing harm by changing its nature. It will then turn him into a lamb.

(4) After a time, good Farmer Green came to live near him; and, as you may suppose he was 5 soon told the character of his not over-pleasant neighbour. “Well”, said he, “if he treats me badly, I’ll very soon kill him.” This remark of Farmer Green’s soon got abroad, and all sorts of things were said about it.

He seemed the very last man to ‘kill’ anyone, for his looks and words and actions, all told of a loving heart. Nobody could think for a moment of his becoming a murderer. Mr Green’s intention at length came to the ears of the ill-natured farmer, and you may be sure he was not at all pleased about it. Everything he could do to tease, annoy and even injure.

Mr Green was done; but somehow or other the man who was to ‘kill’ this ugly-tempered farmer took it all in good part (take), and spoke as calmly, and looked as kindly as ever. [Page 63] ?

Questions:
(1) What did Farmer Green decide about his neighbour ?
(2) Why was no one ready to believe that Mr Green would ‘kill’ his neighbour?
(3) What could the ill-natured farmer do ?
(4) How did the farmer Green behave even s after declaring that he would ‘kill’ his neighbour ?
(5) The phrase ‘at length’ means…
(a) ‘with the passing of time’.
(b) ‘in a long distance’.
(c) ‘after a long waiting’.
Answers:
(1) Farmer Green decided to kill his neighbour soon if he treats him badly.
(2) No one was ready to believe that Mr Green would ‘kill’ his neighbour because Mr Green’s looks, speech and actions told that he had a
loving heart, and he could never be a murderer.
(3) The ill-natured farmer did everything he could do to tease, annoy and even injure.
(4) Even after declaring that he would ‘kill’ his neighbour, farmer Green spoke as calmly as he did before and also looked as kindly as ever. There was no change in his behaviour.
(5) The phrase ‘at length’ means ‘with the passing of time.’

(5) Soon after this, the team of the ill-natured man was in the same plight (in a dangerous or difficult situation) that his neighbour’s had been in. Mr Green saw it. He ran for his oxen and chains, and set off to the bog.

He spoke kindly, offered his help, and began to render it; but what did he receive in reply? Why, a fierce look and an angry word! “I don’t want your help! Take your oxen away.”

“No,” said the other, “I must help you, for the night is coming on, and what is bad enough by day is ten times worse in the dark.” Away pulled the oxen and the men, and soon all was set straight again.

That ‘evening the ill-natured man had a strange feeling -something which he had never felt before. And his wife gave him a strange look as he said, “Peg, Farmer Green has killed me. He said he would and he has done it.” [Page 63 – 64]

Questions:
( 1 ) What help was offered to the farmer in his plight by Mr Green?
( 2 ) What did Mr Green receive in reply ?
( 3 ) When did the ill-natured farmer have a strange feeling? (March 18)
Answers:
(1) In his plight, Mr Green offered the farmer his oxen and chains to take out his oxen and his men that were stuck in the bog.
(2) In reply Mr Green received a fierce look and an angry word with blunt refusal.
(3) When the ill-natured farmer reached home after getting his oxen taken out from the bog with the help of Mr Green, that evening he had a strange feeling.

An Accident

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

(1) Chamba Valley in the Himalaya is surrounded by high mountains from three sides. ? Ravi flows in the centre. Pir Panjal Range is in the North and in the West one can enjoy panoramic,view of the Dhauladhar Range.

Manimahesh in ( the Himalaya is a 18556 ft high mountain in the middle of these ranges. At the feet of the mountain is the Manimahesh lake. Manimahesh Yatra is almost equivalent (same)

to Amarnath Yatra. The traditional route goes from Bhrammaur (Bharmor), Hadsar to Manimahesh. But we in a group of 15 chose an untraditional route i.e. Chamba s -Holy-iyori-Kalah-Jail Khad-Sukhdali-Sari Pass (a path that allows the crossing of mountain chain) – Manimahesh. Interesting names, aren’t they?

As per plan, we started our trek from Tyori. We arrived at Holy by jeep and trekked up to Tyori. We reached there in the evening and took shelter in the primary school with the help of the local teachers.

Every place in the Himalaya offers a view. The view of snow-covered Talang Pass from the school was soothing after 8 hrs journey by vehicle and two hours walk.

It was a mixed group with Shri Manmohansingh Bawa, running 76, the eldest and the most experienced trekker and Gulal being the youngest at the age of 12. [Page 66-67]

Questions:
(1) Describe the location of the Chamba Valley,
(2) With which Yatra is Manimahesh Yatra ? compared ?
(3) By which route did the writer and his group prefer to go to Manimahesh?
(4) Where did they take shelter on their way?
(5) Who accompanied the group of the writer ?
Answers:
(1) The Chamba Valley is in the Himalaya. It is surrounded by high mountains from three sides. Pir Panjal Range is to its North ) and the Dhauladhar Range is to its west.
(2) Manimahesh Yatra is compared with Amarnath Yatra.
(3) The writer and his group preferred to go to Manimahesh by an untraditional route i.e., Chamba – Holy-Tyori-Kalah-Jail Khad-Sukhdali-Sari Pass and finally to Manimahesh.
(4) On their way they took shelter in the primary school at Tyori.
(5) Shri Manmohansingh Bawa 76, the eldest ‘ and the most experienced trekker and Gulal 12, the youngest of all accompanied the group of the writer.

(2) The leader of the group, an experienced mountaineer and trekker, announced the next day’s plan. The next day, we left very early after the breakfast and reached Kalah in the late afternoon after almost 11 km’s trek. The trek was beautiful. We could see Ravi for some time as we gained height. We discovered some villages on the slopes that we couldn’t see before.

At around 1 pm, the clouds started gathering on the horizon and soon they covered the whole sky. It started drizzling “ (light rain). Bawaji explained the young trekkers a few characteristics of typical Himalayan weather.

He said that it’s always better to start early and reach the next destination by afternoon, as late afternoon showers are common in the mountains. [Page 67]

Questions:
(1) What did the trekkers do the next day?
(2) What beauties they could see from the trek?
(3) How did the climate change at about …1 pm?
(4) What did Bawaji explain the young trekkers ?
(5) Pick out from the passage the word which mean:
(i) acquired
(ii) features
Answers:
(1) The next day, the trekkers left very early after the breakfast and reached Kalah in the afternoon after almost 11 km’s trek.
(2) From the trek, they could see Ravi for some time as they gained height. The also discovered some villages on the slopes that they couldn’t see before.
(3) At around 1 pm, the clouds started gathering on the horizon and soon they covered the whole sky. It started drizzling.
(4) Bawaji explained the young trekkers a few. characteristics of typical Himalayan weather.
(5) The words are :
(i) gained
(ii) characteristics

(3) Everything was going as per the plan. The next day we started early in the morning to reach Jail Khad. But the weather didn’t favour us. Moreover, one of the team members was tired and was unable to walk. So we decided to halt early near a stream. There was a Gaddi (shepherd) already there with his sheep. We cleaned and leveled the ground to erect the tents. We divided ourselves in different tents. Meanwhile, the kitchen tent was also ready and we enjoyed hot soup before meal.

The weather cleared in the evening and everyone was out of the tents. Bawaji took us to the Gaddi. We were surprised to know that they live in such cold and hard Himalayan weather without a tent or even a sleeping bag for months together.

His only company was a V” Himalayan Shepherd dog who helped him in protecting and managing the sheep. The Gaddi informed us of heavy snow on the pass and in Sukhdali, our next destination.

Generally, the snow melts by late May but due to late winter heavy snow fall it was still there. When we returned to our tents we found one more group of ten young and enthusiastic trekkers who was going on the same route. [Page 67-68]

Questions:
(1) Why did the trekkers decide to halt early near a stream?
(2) What did the trekkers do near the stream?
(3) What information from the Gaddi surprised the trekkers?
(4) How did the dog help the Gaddi?
(5) Why was there still heavy snow in Sukhdali?
Answers:
(1) The trekkers decided to halt early near a stream because the weather was not favourable and one of the team members was tired and unable to walk.
(2) Near the stream, the trekkers cleaned and leveled the ground and erected their tents.
(3) The trekkers were surprised to know from Gaddi that they live in such cold and hard Himalayan weather without a tent or even a sleeping bag for months together.
(4) The dog helped the Gaddi in protecting and managing the sheep.
(5) Generally, the snow melts by late May but due to late winter heavy snowfall there was still heavy snow in Sukhdali.

(4) In the late afternoon, a porter of the group that left in the morning came running towards the campsite. He informed us that one of the boys had fallen into a crevasse (a large deep crack in thick ice or rock) near Sukhdali. He did not have a stick to test the snow-covered ground for hidden crevasse and had paid the price for his carelessness.

Our team leader knew that there was not a moment to be lost. The freezing cold and the reduced supply of oxygen would cause the body’s temperature to drop below normal. Hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature) would set in and the boy would go into a coma. He asked Sansar Chand, the local guide, to collect ropes, a flask of tea, a torch and a blanket.

We rushed to the site with the Gaddi and a few local porters. “Can you hear me?” the team leader shouted, He was relieved a bit to hear the boy’s reply though his voice sounded faint. He could not have fallen too deep. There was hope yet. [Page 68]

Questions:
(1) What did the porter inform the trekkers ?
(2) What was the cause of the mishap ?
(3) Why did the team leader not want to lose even a moment in rushing help to the boy?
(4) What did the team leader ask the local guide to do ?
(5) Why did the team leader feel that there was a hope yet?
Answers:
(1) The porter informed the trekkers that one of the boys had fallen into a crevasse near Sukhdali.
(2) The boy did not have a stick to test the snow-covered ground for hidden crevasse and he paid the price of his carelessness.
(3) The team leader did not want to lose even a moment in rushing help to the boy because she knew that the freezing cold and the reduced ? supply of oxygen would cause the body temperature to drop below normal. Hypothermia would set in s and the boy would go into a coma.
(4) The team leader asked the local guide to collect ropes, a flask of tea, a torch and a blanket to help out the boy.
(5) The team leader felt that there was a hope yet because when he gave the boy a call, he could hear the boy’s faint reply. It meant that the boy would not have fallen too deep.

(5) Kalah was a small and beautiful village with a population of only 200 people. We took shelter in a Sarai, a small house with a kitchen and a hall, constructed for the pilgrims. The evening was very cold with temperature around 7 – 8 °C. It further dropped at night to 2-3 °C. We had a welcome hot dinner followed by a sound sleep in the warmth of our sleeping bags.

The morning in Kalah was beautiful. Everyone was at ease as it was acclimatization halt. It was a rich mix in the true sense of the term as there were painters, writers, photographers, ornithologists and adventure lovers. Someone took a sketch-book and started sketching beautiful wooden houses of the village. A few of us captured beautiful views of the Himalayan village in our camera. Ornithologists took their binoculars and started studying the variety of birds. Our local guide, Sansar Chand, informed us about a temple at some height from the village. Bawaji and I visited the temple. [Page 67]

Questions:
(1) What is a Sarai ?
(2) Write whether the following statement is true or false:
The writer could have a sound sleep at night as the temperature raised to 2 – 3 °C at night and the night was warmer.
(3) Who are the other travellers or companions of the writer?
(4) ‘Ornithologist’ means the person who
(5) How did the writer come to know about the temple at height?
Answers:
(1) A ‘Sarai’ is a small house with a kitchen and a hall constructed for pilgrims.
(2) This statement is False.
(3) The other travellers or companions of the writer are: painters, writers, photographers, ornithologists and adventure lovers.
(4) ‘Ornithologist’ is the person who studies birds.
(5) Their local guide Sansar Chand informed them about the temple at some height from the village and they came to know about it.

The Little Prince

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

So I had to choose another job and I learnt to pilot aeroplanes. I flew more or less all over the world. And indeed geography has been extremely useful to me. I am able to distinguish between China and Arizona at a glance. It is extremely helpful if one gets lost in the night.

As a result of which I have been in touch, throughout my life, with all kinds of serious people. I have spent a lot of time with grown¬ups. I have seen them at very close quarters which I’m afraid has not greatly enhanced my opinion of them.

Whenever I met one who seemed reasonably clearsighted to me, I showed them my drawing No I, which I have preserved as an experiment. I wanted to find out whether he or she was truly understanding. But, the answer was always: ‘It is a hat.’

So I gave up mentioning boa constrictors or primeval forests or stars. I would bring myself down to his or her level and talk about bridge, golf, politics and neckties. And the grown-up would be very pleased to have met such a sensible person. [ Page 72 ]

Questions:
(1) How did geography become useful to the writer?
(2) What advantages has the writer got as a pilot?
(3) Why did the writer show his drawing to a clearsighted person?
(4) What did the writer give up mentioning? Why?
(5) When, according to the writer, would the grown-ups be pleased?
Answers:
(1) Geography became useful to the writer as while flying, he could distinguish between China and Arizona at a glance. The knowledge of geography becomes extremely useful, particularly, if one gets lost at the night.
(2) As a pilot, the writer has been in touch, throughout his life, with all kinds of serious people. He has spent a lot of time with grown¬ups. He has got the opportunity to see them from very near.
(3) The writer showed his drawing to a clearsighted person to find out whether he or she was truly understanding what it was in the drawing.
(4) The writer gave up mentioning boa constrictors or primeval forests or stars.
(5) According to the writer, the grown-ups would be pleased if the writer went down to their level and talk about bridge, golf, politics and neckties.

You Cannot But Communicate …

Read the following text and answer the questions given below it:

Eye Contact: Maintaining a good eye contact shows respect and interest in what people have to say. Posture is the next thing to master. When the posture is right we automatically start feeling better as it makes us feel good almost instantly.

Chances are that we’ll be slouched (stand, move or sit on a drooping fashion) over with our shoulders drooping down and inward. This collapses (breakdown) the best and inhibits good breathing, which, in turn, can make us feel nervous or uncomfortable.

Head position is a great one to play around with, with one self and others. When we want to feel confident and self assured, keep the head level both horizontally as well as vertically.

One can also use this straight head position when one wants to be authoritative and what she is saying is to be taken seriously. Conversely when one wants to be friendly and in the listening, receptive mode, tilt (lean, slant) the head just a little to one side or other.

We can shift the tilt your head just a little to one side or other. He can shift the tilt from left to right at different point during the conversation.[Page 81]

Questions:
(1) What does a good eye contact show?
(2) What is the advantage of a right posture?
(3) What can make us feel nervous or uncomfortable ?
(4) In what position should our head be to feel confident and self assured?
(5) When should one tilt his head just a little to one side or other?
Answers:
(1) A good eye contact shows respect and interest in what people have to say.
(2) When the posture is right, we automatically start feeling better as it instantly makes us feel good.
(3) If we slouch over with our shoulders drooping down inward, it collapses the best and inhibits good breathing, which, in turn, can make us feel nervous or uncomfortable.
(4) To feel confident and self assured, our head should be level both horizontally as well as vertically.
(5) One should tilt his head just a little to one side or other when one wants to be friendly and in the listening, receptive mode.