11th std The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role

 11^th std The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role

Question 1. What does the notice “The world’s most dangerous animals” at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?
Answer: The notice “The world’s most dangerous animals” at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia signifies that man is solely responsible for all the deterioration in environment and depletion of natural resources. Thus man is the world’s most dangerous animal.

Question 2. How population growth is the main cause of ailing planet?

Answer: The growth of world population puts a severe strain on the earth's principal biological systems. Due to excessive human claims these reach an unsustainable level where their productivity is damaged. Development is not possible if world population continues to grow so rapidly.

Question 3. Why does the author agree that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?
Answer:The growth of world population puts a severe strain on the earth’s principal biological systems. Due to excessive human claims these reach an unsustainable level where their productivity is damaged. Development is not possible if world population continues to grow so rapidly. Increasing population brings hunger, poverty and unemployment.

Question 4. How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?Answer:There are four principal biological systems - fisheries, grasslands, forests, and croplands. These four systems provide food and raw materials for industry except for minerals and synthetics. These systems have reached an unsustainable point where their productivity have impaired. As a result, fisheries are collapsing, deforestation is taking place, grasslands are turning into barren wasteland and croplands are becoming worse. Overfishing is very common nowadays where people are becoming protein-conscious. In poor countries, the forest is being cut down on a large scale to obtain wood for cooking. In some areas, firewood is more costly than food. Many species are under destruction in tropical forests.

Question 5. Discuss the problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.

Answer: Overpopulation leads to many problems that are affecting mankind and natural resources. It leads to poverty and unemployment. The poor children are forced to live the same lifestyle as their parents did because of the lack of resources and facilities. Overpopulation leads to lesser education and low health facilities which results in more problems like the rise in harmful diseases and fertility rate. The natural resources are being consumed at a very fast rate to fulfill the need of the population throughout the world. Deforestation is one of the issues where forests are being cut down. All this results in global warming and if the population is not controlled, it will deplete the environment and earth.

Question 6.Discuss laws are neither respected nor enforced in India.
Answer:It is painful but true that laws are neither respected nor enforced in India. Let us take examples from our everyday lives. Almost everyone is conversant with the rule of the road. Still there are cases of wrong overtaking, road rage, lane jumping, signal jumping, and over speeding . Our laws insist on compulsory elementary education up to the age of fourteen. Yet we find many illiterate teenager boys or girls of this age loitering around in lanes or employed in petty jobs in road side restaurants or as domestic servants. Our Constitution insists on the protection and improvement of the environment. The states have been given the responsibility of protecting forests and wildlife. Forests are being cut and illegal shooting of wildlife goes on. Similarly, there are laws regarding abolishing casteism, untouchability and bonded labour. But these remain on paper. In actual life, these are never put into practice. Hence, it can be concluded that laws are neither respected nor enforced in India.

Question 7.“Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?” Elaborate.
Answer:I fully agree with the view contained in the statement. There is every likelihood of such an eventuality occurring in future. There are solid reasons behind this apprehension. Our resources are limited. They will not last indefinitely if we go on consuming them indiscriminately. Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands form the basis of the global economic system. They supply us food and raw materials for industry. Increasing population has put a severe pressure on them. Excessive use of these resources have impaired their productivity. In large areas of the world these systems have reached an unsustainable level. The results are awful and disastrous.
The fisheries will collapse, forests disappear, grasslands will become barren wastelands and croplands will lose their fertility. Decimation of forests will increase dryness and heat and there will be less rainfall. Hence there is a possibility of the earth becoming an overheated place full of increasing deserts, poor landscapes and ailing environment in future.

Question 8. Elucidate - “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children”.

Answer:From many decades, humans are using the resources of the earth at a very alarming rate without worrying about future generations. Now the environment has become critical enough that humans must realize the era of responsibility towards it. With quite some time, human perception is changing and the earth is seen as a ‘holistic and ecological view’. Earth is seen as a living organism which has its own metabolic and vital needs. We must protect the resources for future generations. Use of ‘Sustainable Development’ which means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising with future generations. Thus, the earth’s resources should be utilized in a way that doesn’t affect the future.

Question 9.Why does Nani Palkhivala call the earth ‘The Ailing Planet’? How can the ailing planet survive?
Answer:The signs of the earth connected with life necessary for staying alive show that the earth is a patient in declining health. Its deserts are advancing, landscapes are being impoverished and environment is ailing. Aerial photography using satellites has revealed that the environment has deteriorated very badly in many parts of the world. In fact, it has became critical in many of the eighty eight countries investigated. The concept of sustainable development and green movement can help the ailing planet to survive. People must discharge their moral responsibility as stewards of the planet and trustees of the legacy of the future generations. The plundering of the natural resources should be controlled. These must be preserved for the future generations.

Question 10.What are the earth’s principal biological systems? Why have they been depleted and how can they be preserved?
Answer:The earth has four principal biological systems. These are: fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. They form the basis of the world’s economic system. They supply us food and raw materials for industry. These biological systems are being depleted by excessive use. Over fishing is quite common. Forests are being destroyed to obtain firewood for cooking. In many areas of the world, these biological systems have reached an unsustainable level. Grasslands are turning into deserts and produce from croplands is decreasing. It seems they have lost their productivity. The decimation of forests is likely to cause extinction of several species. We must change our outlook and stop overusing the natural resources. We have to hand them over to the coming generations in a healthy state so that they can meet their needs. Consciousness of our moral responsibility as caretakers of the legacy of our children can help to preserve these non-renewable resources.

Question 11.“Forests precede mankind; deserts follow”, Examine the validity of this remark in the light of reading ‘The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role’.
Answer: Forests are one of the most important biological systems of the earth. They came into existence much before mankind. In this sense forests precede mankind. We have inherited large tracts of forests from our forefathers. Forests are the power house of evolution. Several species of life exist in them. The world’s ancient inheritance of tropical forests is now wearing away at the rate of forty to fifty million acres per year. In poor countries, local forests are being destroyed to procure fuel wood. It is estimated that a five fold increase in the rate of forest planting is needed to cope with the expected fuel wood demand in the year 2000. It is the responsibility of the state to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife. However, large areas named as the forest land are now treeless. As the forests disappear, deserts will follow. We must take timely steps to prevent this.

Question 12.“For the first time in human history we see a transcending concern—the survival not just of the people but of the planet”. Elucidate.
Answer: In the twentieth century, there has been a revolutionary change in human perceptions. We have begun to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence. The earth is now regarded as a living organism of which we are parts. It has its own metabolic needs and processes necessary for staying alive, which need to be respected and preserved.
The environmental problem does not necessarily indicate our death, it is our passport for the future. A new world vision has emerged. It is a holistic view, an ecological view. This regards the world as a whole rather than a collection of isolated parts. This vision has ushered in the Era of Responsibility. Industrialists, politicians and writers have become environment friendly and realised their responsibility in preserving the non-renewable natural resources.

10th std The Proposal

 

10^th std The Proposal

Exrta Questions

Question 1.
Chubukov: We just get along somehow, my angel, thanks to your prayers, and so on. Sit down, please do… Now you know, you shouldn’t forget all about your neighbours, my darling. Me dear fellow, why are you so formal in your get-up! Evening dress, gloves, and so on. Can you be going anywhere, my treasure?
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who do ‘my darling’ and ‘my Angel’ refer to?
(iii) Do you think Chubukov means all the nice words he speaks?
(iv) What is antonym of‘formal’?
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) ‘My darling’ and ‘ my angel’ refer to Lomov.
(iii) Not at all, he is a bit hypocritical and shows excess hospitality to Lomov.
(iv) ‘informal’.

Question 2.
Lomov: Well, you see, it’s like this. (Takes his arm) I’ve come to you, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, to trouble you with a request. Not once or twice have I already had the privilege of applying to you for help, and you have always, so to speak… I must ask your pardon, I am getting excited. I shall drink some water, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) What was he hoping for?
(iii) Why is he so excited?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as ‘opportunity’.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) He was hoping for marriage proposal for Natalaya.
(iii) He is excited because he had to propose to his daughter, Natalaya.
(iv) ‘privilege’.

Question 3.
Chubukov: [Interrupting] Me dear fellow… I’m so glad, and so on… Yes, indeed, and all that sort of thing. [Embraces and kisses Lomov] I’ve been hoping for it for a long time. It’s been my continual desire. [Sheds a tear] And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son. May god give you both—His help and His love and so on, and so much hope… What am I behaving in this idiotic way for? I’m off my balance with joy, absolutely off my balance! Oh, with all my soul… I’ll go and call Natasha, and all that.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) What was he hoping for?
(iii) Why is he excited?
(iv) What does the speaker wish for the listener?
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Chubukov was hoping for the marriage proposal for his daughter from Lomov.
(iii) Chubukov is excited because Lomov had come with marriage proposal for his daughter.
(iv) Chubukov wishes for Lomov that God may give him His help and His love.

Question 4.
Lomov: It’s cold… I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I’ll never get married. Brr… It’s cold! Natalaya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is feeling cold her?
(iii) Why did he feel cold?
(iv) Pick out the word from passage that means the same as ‘to decide’.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is feeling cold here.
(iii) He feels cold as he has come to propose Natalaya. He is not sure how she would react.
(iv) ‘Mind made up’ means to decide.

Question 5.
Natalya: Then smoke. Here are the matches. The weather is splendid now, but yesterday it was so wet that the workmen didn’t do anything all day. How much hay have you stacked? Just think, I felt greedy and had a whole field cut, and now I’m not at all pleased about it because I’m afraid my hay may rot. I ought to have waited a bit. But what’s this? Why, you’re in evening dress! Well, I never! Are you going to a ball or what? Though I must say you look better… Tell me, why are you got up like that?
(i) Who is speaking these words and to whom?
(ii) Why is she not pleased?
(iii) What does she offer him?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as ‘managed in a pile’.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is speaking these words to Lomov.
(ii) Natalaya is not pleased because she thinks her hay might rot. She had a whole field cut and hay stacked but unfortunately it had rained the previous day.
(iii) She offers him a cigarette to smoke.
(iv) ‘stacked’.

Question 6.
Lomov: I shall try to be brief. You must know, honoured Natalaya Stepanovna, that I have long, since my childhood, in fact had the privilege of knowing your family. My late aunt and her husband, from whom, as you know, I inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. And, as you know, my land is a near neighbour of yours. You will remember that my Oxen Meadows touch your birchwoods.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What type of relations they had in the past?
(iv) What is common between the Lomovs and Chubukovs?
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is being addressed to Natalaya.
(iii) They had good relations in the past. Both the families had respect and affection for each other.
(iv) Lomov’s Oxen Meadows touch Chubukov’s birchwoods.

Question 7.
Lomov: …Oxen Meadows, it’s true, were once the subject of dispute, but now everybody knows that they are mine. There’s nothing to argue about. You see my aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to the peasants of your father’s grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her. The peasants belonging to your father’s grandfather had the free use of the Meadows for forty years, and had got into the habit of regarding them as their own, when it happened that.
(i) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(ii) What are they arguing about?
(iii) Who gave the Meadows and to whom?
(iv) What were they supposed to do?
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) They are arguing about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows.
(iii) The Oxen Meadows were given by Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother to the peasants belonging to Chubukov’s father.
(iv) They were supposed to make bricks for her aunty.

Question 8.
Natalya: No you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. These Meadows aren’t worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can’t stand unfairness. Say what you will, I can’t stand unfairness.(Page 148)
(i) Who is the speaker? Who is being addressed?
(ii) How much are the Meadows worth.
(iii) What does she find ‘unfair’?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means opposite to ‘gradually’.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is the speaker. She is speaking to Lomov.
(ii) The Meadows are worth 300 roubles.
(iii) Natalaya finds Lomov claim that Oxen Meadows are his as unfair.
(iv) ‘suddenly’.

Question 9.
Natalya: Ours! You can go on proving it for two days on end, you can go and put on fifteen caress jackets, but I tell you they’re ours, ours, ours! I don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want to give anything of mine. So there!
(i) Who is speaking these words and to whom?
(ii) What are they arguing over?
(iii) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “confirm”.
(iv) What does the speaker offer to prove two days on end?
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is speaking these words for Lomov.
(ii) They are arguing over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(iii) ‘prove’(PROVE)
(iv) The Natalya offer to prove for two days on end to ownership of oxen meadows.

Question 10.
Natalya: I can make you a present of them myself, because they’re mine! Your behaviour, Ivan Vassilevitch, is strange, to say the least! Up to this we have always thought of you as a good neighbour, a friend; last year we lent you our threshing-machine, although on that account we had to put off our own threshing till November, but you behave to us as if we were gypsies. Giving me my own land, indeed! No, really, that’s not at all neighbourly! In my opinion, it’s even impudent, if you want to know.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What does the speaker offer?
(iv) What does the speaker remind the listener?
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is the speaker.
(ii) Natalaya is addressing Lomov.
(iii) She offers that she can give Lomov her Oxen Meadows as a gift.
(iv) She reminds Lomov that they were good friends and her family gave him their threshing machine last year.

Question 11.
Lomov: But, please, Stepan Stepanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man! My aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that…
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What do ‘They’ stand for?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “familiar”.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is addressing Chubukov.
(iii) ‘They’ refer to the ‘Meadows’. Each one is trying to prove that the Meadows belong to them.
(iv) ‘accustomed’.

Question 12.
Natalya: There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer. I don’t like people who don’t say what they mean, because you know perfectly well that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your silly Guess. Why do you want to say he isn’t?
(i) What does Natalaya blame Lomov for?
(ii) What do Natalaya and Lomov first argue about?
(iii) Who are Guess and Squeezer?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “opposition”.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya blames Lomov for opposing whatever she says.
(ii) Natalaya and Lomov first argue about the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(iii) Guess and Squeezer are the names of their dogs.
(iv) ‘contradiction’.

Question 13.
Chubukov: It’s not true! My dear fellow, I’m very liable to lose my temper, and so, just because of that, let’s stop arguing. You started because everybody is always jealous of everybody else’s dogs. Yes, we’re all like that! You too, sir, aren’t blameless! You no sooner begin with this, that and the other, and all that… I remember everything!
(i) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(ii) Who give this advice to whom?
(iii) Who is not blameless? Why?
(iv) Pick out the synonym of innocent or guiltless’ from the passage.
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Chubukov gives this advice to Lomov.
(iii) According the Chubukov, Lomov is not blameless because he had tried to prove that Guess, his dog is superior to Squeezer.
(iv) blameless

Question 1.
Which qualities are common in all three characters of the play ‘The Proposal’?
Answer:
All the characters in the play are argumentative, full of pride and possessiveness. They are always ready to argue for petty things.

Question 2.
How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come? How is he received?
Answer:
Lomov came to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on. He cames to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all the respect by Chubukov.

Question 3.
How does Chubukov react when Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter?
Answer:
When Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter, Chubukov gets off balanced with joy. He embraces and kisses Lomov, sheds a tear of joy and calls for God’s blessing for Lomov and Natalya.

Question 4.
Why did Lomov want to get married?
Answer:
Lomov wanted to gel. married as he was already 35 years old. Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep- sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him.

Question 5.
What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?
Answer:
When Lomov is in an excited state his heart beat increases, lips tremble and there is a twitch in his right eyebrow. When he goes to sleep in such a state something pulls him from his left side and he jumps like a lunatic

Question 6.
How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting?
Answer:
Natalya repeatedly insisted that Oxen Meadows are theirs and told Lomov that upto now she considered Lomov as a good neighbour and friend. This excited Lomov to the point of verbal fighting.

Question 7.
How does Lomov react when Chubukov says that he is not used to misbehaviour by a young man like Lomov?
Answer:
Lomov reacts by saying that Chubukov thinks that he is a fool. He says that he cannot talk to him calmly and politely as he is making a false claim to his property. He further accuses Chubukov of being a grabber.

Question 8.
Why does Natalya ask her father Chubukov to fetch Lomov in at once? Why does she accuse her father?
Answer:
Natalya asked her father to fetch Lomov at once as she
had come to know that Lomov had come to propose her. She accused Chubukov of driving Lomov out of their home.

Question 9.
How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose her?
Answer:
When Natalya cames to know that Lomov had come there to propose her she was shocked. She wails, changes her stance and asks her father to fetch Lomov.

Question 1.
The principle ‘forgive and forget’, helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbors. Do you think Anton Chekov conveys this message in the play ‘The Proposal’ ?
Answer:
Anton Chekov does convey the message that the principle of ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in -maintaining cordial relationship with one’s neighbours. Initially, the neighbours in the play, Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov were fighting over petty issues. They were putting important issues behind them and wasting their time by arguing over small things. These arguments slowly developed into fights and they started hurling abuses at one another. This damaged their relationship with each other.
It was when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her that she left the topic of argument (Oxen Meadows) behind. She also asked for forgiveness from Lomov and requested him to come to the point. Hence it is mandatory to ‘forgive and forget’ if one wants to have cordial relationship with others.

Question 2.
The characters Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues. It shows their poor skills at anger management. Suggest some ways that help you in maintaining cordial relationship with people around you.
Answer:
The way in which Lomov and Natalya lost their temper shows that how anger can easily effect a relationship. Thus, it becomes very important to have good anger management skills. Following are a few anger management skills that can be followed in one’s life. These would also help in building healthy relationships.Always follow the principle of ‘forgive and forget.Try to understand the person to whom you are talking.Be helpful rather than being self-centric. Always have empathy towards others.First listen and then speak.Be as courteous as possible to everyone. Don’t have the habit of always complaining about others.

Question 3.
Based on your understanding of the Play ‘The Proposal’ how do you think good relationships can be maintained? Why in today’s time we see so many people going away from each other?
Answer:
The play ‘The Proposal’ teaches us how anger and
arguments can easily ruin a relationship. Thus to maintain a good relationship, it is important to have a control over your anger. Having arguments over unimportant or small issues is extremely harmful and a waste of time. If someone commits a mistake, one should be ready to forgive and forget rather than being angry and arguing with the person endlessly. In today’s time people try to find only the positives in others and do not easily accept their negatives. Hence is becoming extremely difficult to maintain a good and cordial relationship with others.

Question 4.
It is a common observance that more attention is paid to unimportant issues at the cost of important ones. The play ‘The Proposal’ beautifully portrays this fact. Suggest some steps how we can avoid this unhealthy practice.
Answer:
It is true to an extent that people usually give more importance to the unimportant issues forgetting their priorities. Just like how Lomov came to propose Natalya but due to their argument that matter was left unaddressed. Thus, it becomes very important to set your priorities in life. One must ignore the unimportant issues. It is a waste of time to have discussions over them. One ’ should not pay too much attention on the trivialities. This energy can be saved on spending it over some useful and important issues that gives a fruitful result.

Question 5.
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship that Lomov and Natalaya do not have. Elucidate the first fight between them.
Answer:
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship but in the case of Lomov and Natalaya, it was different. Lomov and Natalaya were rich people. They were wealthy people and had a competition between them on the subject of wealth. Both were neighbours. Lomov, at a critical age of thirty-five, thought that he had to marry and found Natalaya not bad looking, an excellent housekeeper. So he decided to propose to her.

Lomov, in a well-dressed manner, wearing coat and gloves, one evening went to Chubukov’s house. Chubukov was Natalaya’s father. When he came there and said that he wanted a help, the help which could only be done by him. Chubukov, for first time suspected that he had come for asking money. But after a long struggling and shivering, Lomov uncovers his need. He had come to propose to Natalaya. Chubukov was mistaken and he was filled with extreme joy and called Natalaya. Lomov asked then, whether Natalaya would agree for it or not. Then, Chubukov said that, she would be ready to accept it because she was a lovesick cat.

When Natalaya arrived, she actually did not know that Lomov had come to propose to her. They started talking and when they were talking about land, Lomov stated “Our Oxen Meadows”. Then Natalaya said, “Our Oxen Meadows”, it is not your Oxen Meadows’, it is their. Lomov did not agree. But Natalaya initiated a heated argument. By arguing with each other, they did not solve any problem. They got trapped in a long argument just because of their lack of tolerance towards each other and their desire to keep their pride. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalaya do not have.

Question 6
Anton Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Illustrate with examples from the lesson, “The Proposal”. Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires.

Answer:
Lomov and Natalaya meet for a serious purpose , i.e., to talk about marriage that decides the progress of one’s life as a member of the conventionally established society. But the purpose of their meeting gets lost on two consecutive occasions because Lomov’s faith in the values of his society disrupts his approach to the topic of marriage. He learns that the girl and her father like him, but, instead of proposing to marry her and discussing how their marriage should be organised, he goes on to talk about properties, relations, family histories, and pets, draws them into an unnecessary argument, and antagonises both of them.

Finally, Chubukov marries Lomov and Natasha by force before another problem crops up. Thus the play ends in a comic note, just because the couple gets together with their father to celebrate their marriage while the dispute over the pets is still continuing. For any healthy relationship there should be mutual understanding and respect. Quarreling over trivial issues like dog cannot guarantee longevity of a relationship.

Question 7
Is Natalaya really a lovesick cat as called by her father? If it is so, why does she quarrel with Lomov?
Answer:
Natalaya was a young unmarried girl of twenty five years. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov, a young unmarried man. She was an excellent housekeeper and was not bad looking. She wanted love in her life. Her father called her a lovesick cat. Lomov said that she was well educated, but she did not seem to be so.

She was very quarrelsome and abusive by nature. She began a bitter quarrel with Lomov over a piece of land that had little value. She said that those meadows were not much worth to her but she could not stand unfairness. But when she learnt that Lomov had come to propose to her, she forgot all fairness and unfairness.

She began to wail over the lost chance. She forced her father to call him back. But in no time, she started quarrelling with him again. It was on their dogs. Both claimed their respective dogs to be of a superior breed.

Question 8.
What type of person is Natalaya? Give two examples to show her quarrelsome nature.
Answer:
Natalaya is also rather hypocritical, and she is obstinate and argumentative. When Natalaya first
enters the room, she greets Lomov with warmth and is very gracious as she permits him to smoke and compliments him upon his appearance. However, when Lomov speaks of “my meadows,” she abruptly interrupts and contradicts him. An argument then ensures over who own what land.

Even when Lomov offers them to her as a gift, she continues to insist upon her ownership of them in the first place, reigniting the argument until Lomov leaves. When her father finally reveals to Natalaya that Lomov has actually come to propose marriage; she is infuriated, blaming her father for causing the neighbour to depart.

Question 9.
The principle ‘Forgive and Forget’ helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbours. Do you think the author proves this message in the play “The Proposal”?
Answer:
Life is a journey which is often compared to the roller coaster ride. It means life is full of ifs and buts and ups and down. But the path of life can be smoothened by virtues of our actions, attitudes and behaviour. And the principle of forgive and forget comes from these virtues. Letting go of anger and bitterness can work wonders both for our attitude and for our health.

Anger may spoil anything like poison. One cannot afford to remain wallowing in the marsh of anger’or sad feelings. Life has to move on and if one wants to get ahead one has to imbibe “forgive and forget”. Only sensitive and great people can follow this gospel.

In the present play “The Proposal” we find that Lomov visits the house of Chubukov with a proposal to marry his daughter Natalaya. Chubukov’s joy knows no bound to hear this. But in course of their common talk, they pick up nonsensical issue and stand fighting and abusing each other.

Even Natalaya also jumps into the ring of verbal quarrel. When things become normal after the sudden departure of Lomov, Natalaya comes to know about the proposal, She asks her father to call Lomov back. When he comes back this time he and Natalaya starts abusing each other and have heated oral fight over dogs. But in the end, they compromise, they forget their issue and forgive each other. The proposal changes into marriage. Hence we see that the principle helped them unite.

Question 10.
What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov had come for? Is he sincere when he later
says, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Answer:
Chubukov has often helped Lomov with money whenever he requested for it. So he thinks and suspects that Lomov will ask for money. But this time the case is different. He requests a proposal to get Natalaya’s hand for marriage. Since long, Chubukov wanted match for his daughter. Finding fact in his favour, Chubukov changes and uses sweet words and becomes ready for the match.

Question 11.
Chubukov says of Natalaya, “… as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Answer:
In reality Natalaya has got the fittest age for the marriage. She wants a life partner. On the other hand, Chubukov also desires that his daughter should be married. Lomov is the most suitable match in every respect. In order to say something outwardly, Chubukov happens to pour out these words. It is an acceptable fact that Natalaya loves Lomov from the core of her heart.

 

10^th std The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Extra Questions

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse, And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
(a) Where did Belinda live?
(b) How many pets did she have?
(c) Which word in the stanza means “carriage”?
(d) Whose young one known as a ‘kitten’?
Answer:
(a) Belinda lived in a little white house.
(b) She had four pets, a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon.
(c) The word is ‘Wagon’.
(d) A cat’s young one is known as a kitten.

Question 2.
Now the name of the litde black kitten was Ink, And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
(a) What is the colour of Belinda’s dog?
(b) What were the kitten and the mouse called?
(c) Which word is the stanza means “fear easily”?
(d) ‘Blink’ here is the name of a mouse but what actually the word means?
Answer:
(a) Belinda’s dog is yellow as mustard.
(b) The Kitten was called Ink and the mouse was called Blink by Belinda.
(c) The word is ‘Coward’.
(d) The word ‘blink’ means to shut and open eyes frequendy in quick succession.

Question 3.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.
(a) What did the dragon look like?
(b) Why is the dragon’s mouth called a chimney?
(c) Which word in the stanza means the same as “a small sword”?
(d) Find from the passage a word which means a structure through which smoke or steam is carried up away from a fire.
Answer:
(a) The Dragon had spikes on top and scale underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace and nose was like a chimney. He looked dangerous as his toes looked like daggers.
(b) Dragons can spit fire, therefore Custard’s mouth has been called a fireplace.
(c) The word is ‘Dagger’.
(d) The word is ‘Chimney’.

Question 4.
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
(a) How brave were the Kitten and the mouse?
(b) Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage?
(c) Which word is similar to “anger”?
(d) Which figure of speech has been used in the first and the third line of the passage.
Answer:
(a) The kitten and the mouse were so brave that they could scare away lions.
(b) Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was a coward.
(c) The word is ‘Rage’.
(d) Figure of speech used in first and third line is Simile.

Question 5.
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival, They all sat laughing in the little red wagon At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Why did everyone laugh?
(b) What did the other three pet call the dragon?
(c) What does realio, trulio mean?
(d) Give the synonym of ‘un merciful’.
Answer:
(a) Everyone laughed at the Dragon because Belinda tickled him unmerciful.
(b) The other three pet, Ink, Blink and Mustard rudely called Custard Percival.
(c) Realio, trulio actually mean really and truly. The words have been changed by the poet so as to give rhythm to the poem.
(d) The synonym of‘un merciful’ is ‘merciless’.

Question 6.
Belinda giggled till she shook the house, And Blink said Week!, which is giggling for a mouse, Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age, When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
(a) What did shake the house?
(b) How did the mouse giggle?
(c) Write the antonym for giggle.
(d) Find the antonym of the word ‘insecure’ from the passage.
Answer:
(a) Belinda giggled so hard that it shook the house.
(b) The giggling sound of mouse is ‘week’.
(c) The word is ‘Cry’.
(d) The antonym of insecure is ‘Safe’.

Question 7.
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound, And Mustard growled, and they all looked around. Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda, For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.
(a) Which poetic device is used in these lines?
(b) Why was everyone frightened?
(c) Which word in the stanza means “unpleasant”?
(d) What does a ‘nasty sound’ refer to?
Answer:
(a) In the first line, the poet has used repetition in ‘Suddenly, suddenly’.
(b) Everyone was frightened because a pirate was climbing up the window.
(c) The word is ‘Nasty’.
(d) A nasty sound refers to the entry of a pirate into the house.

Question 8.
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right, And he held in his teeth a cudass bright, His beard was black, one leg was wood; It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
(a) How many weapons was the pirate carrying?
(b) Describe the physical appearance of the pirate.
(c) What does cutlass mean?
(d) What is the rhyming scheme adopted in the stanza?
Answer:
(a) The pirate was carrying two pistols in each hand and a cutlass in his teeth.
(b) The pirate’s beard was black and he had one wooded leg. He looked very frightening.
(c) Cutlass is a small sword like weapon with a very sharp blade.
(d) The rhyme scheme adopted is aabb.

Question 9.
Belinda paled, and she cried, Help! Help! But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp, Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household, And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed. [CBSE 2016]

(a) How did the people in the house react on seeing the pirate?
(b) Why did everyone cry for help?
(c) What does ‘mouseholed’ mean?
(d) Write the antonym of ‘bottom’.
Answer:
(a) Belinda became pale with fear and the Mustard fled the scene. Ink went to the bottom of the house and Blink vanished in a mouse hole. They all cried for help.
(b) Everyone cried for help because they all got frightened of the pirate.
(c) Mouseholed has been used by the poet to mean the hole made by the mouse in which it disappeared.
(d) The antonym of bottom is ‘brim’.

Question 10.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine, Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(a) Why did Custard jump?
(b) What sounds did Custard’s body make?
(c) What does dungeon mean?
(d) Find at least two words from the passage which are examples of onomatopaea (a figure of speech).
Answer:
(a) Custard jumped to fight the pirate.
(b) Custard’s tail clashed like irons in a dungeon and he moved with a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm.
(c) Dungeon means an underground prison cell.
(d) Words are clattes, clank, jangling.

Question 11.
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon, And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon, He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit, And Custard gobbled him, every bit.
(a) What did the pirate do on seeing the dragon?
(b) What did Custard do to the pirate?
(c) Which word means the same as “swallow”?
(d) Find from the passage a word which means a large bottle or similar container with a handle in which wine etc is sold or served.
Answer:
(a) The pirate gulped some wine from his bottle.
(b) Custard swallowed the pirate and left no trace of him.
(c) The word is ‘Gobble’.
(d) The word is ‘flagon’.

Question 12.
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him, No one mourned for his pirate victim Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
(a) What was everyone’s reaction after Custard gobbled the pirate?
(b) Why is the pirate called a victim here?
(c) What does gyrate mean?
(d) Give a synonym of the word ‘mourn’.
Answer:
(a) Everyone became happy and hugged Custard. Ink and Blink started to dance around him.
(b) The pirate is called a victim because he suffered death at the hands of Custard as he ate him up.
(c) Gyrate stands for circular movements.
(d) A synonym of the word mourn is ‘Lament’.

Q1 Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
A1 Writers always use such phrases and words that do not tell us directly about what they mean but always gives us an indication of the meaning. Such words or phrases are used to trigger our own imagination in painting the picture that they mean. Use of such images in the poem is the following: ‘mouth like a fireplace’, ‘chimney for a nose’, ‘brave as a barrel full of bears’, ‘brave as a tiger in a rage’, ‘went at the pirate like a robin at a worm’, etc. Such things are also termed as writer's effect.

Q2 Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

A2 Custard cried for a nice safe cage because it was a coward and was scared very easily. It is called “cowardly dragon” because everyone else in the house is very brave while the dragon is the only one, who fears a lot and looks for a nice safe cage for himself. Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink can chase lions and Mustard is as brave as an angry tiger.

Q3 “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?

A3 Belinda tickled him unmerciful because custard the dragon was a coward So, Belinda and her inmates ill-treated him just for fun.Custard always demanded a safe cage. That is why all of them made fun of him and called him a coward.

Q4 The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

A4 The poet has used many poetic devices to enhance the beauty of the poem. Like, to create rhyme with ‘Belinda’, he used the word ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’. Other such rhyming words are ‘household’ used with ‘mouseholed’ and ‘wagon’ with ‘dragon’. Not only this, he also uses poetic device of repetition for example the word ‘little’ is used many times to describe her house and her pets. There is also the use of poetic device of refrain because we can see the repetition of line “And her realio, trulio little pet dragon” in many stanzas.

Q5 Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon?

A5 The looks of the dragon are explained in a way that it has big sharp teeth and spikes on top. This means its skin is pointed on the top. On the lower part it has scales which are bony plates meant to protect the skin. His mouth has been compared to a fireplace because it is assumed that the dragons can release fire from the mouth. Even his nose is compared to a chimney which is used to pass out the smoke. His feet are like a sharp knife i.e. a dagger.

Q6 Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

A8 The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a light hearted poem. All the characters have names which are rhyming with each other. They all are defined to be very brave except the dragon. But in reality the dragon proves to be the real hero. When they are attacked by the pirate, the dragon gulps him. Though all the other characters were not brave enough to handle the pirate but still they define themselves as more powerful than the dragon after the incident is handled by the dragon alone. Though, the dragon was defined as a coward by the poet right from the beginning of the poem.

11th std Childhood

 

11^th std Childhood

Question 1
What are the poet’s feelings towards childhood?
Answer:
The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is a period of make-believe. Children readily accept whatever the elders say. The poet does not feel any regret or sense of loss on losing his childhood.

Question 2
Which, do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?
Answer:
The following lines in the poem are most poetic:
It went to some forgotten place That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.
These lines beautifully sum up the process of growth and the disappearance of a particular stage of life. These lines have a figurative or metaphorical meaning also. The infant’s innocent face hides many things behind its smiles. Perhaps the childhood lies hidden in some forgotten place lying buried deep inside a child’s consciousness.

Question 3
What did the speaker learn about the existence of Heaven and Hell ?
Answer:
As the speaker grew to be mature, he acquired reasoning power. He realized that Hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography books or Atlas. Since they could not be located anywhere in the world map, he concluded that they did not exist. He would believe only what he could see and find.

Question 4
How did the speaker realise the hypocrisy of the adults?
Answer:
The speaker noticed a wide gulf between what adults appeared to be and what they actually were in real life. There was apparent contradiction between their words and deeds. They talked of love and advised others to love, but they never acted lovingly.

Question 5
How did the realization of being the master of his own mind helped him ?
Answer:
The realization that he was the master of his own mind, and could use it in any way he liked, filled him with self confidence. He could now think independently and need not repeat parrot like thoughts of others.

Question 6
‘Childhood is an essential state in the process of growing up, but it can’t go on forever.” Discuss.
Answer:
Childhood is an important stage in the process of growing up of every person. The human infant is totally dependent on others, but during childhood he gains physical, emotional and mental strength.

As the tiny baby grows bigger in size, other faculties, traits and qualities also develop. This stage is an important landmark in man’s growth, but it can’t go on forever.
Childhood being a stage, must give way to another stage. It is followed by adolescence or early youth. Now all the faculties are fully developed. The person acquires reasoning power. His rationalism helps him to decide truth or falsehood, fact and fiction. He acquires a fine capability of analysis and discrimination. Now he can see through persons and things. He begins to understand the hypocrisy of adults. He gains confidence and becomes an independent thinker.

Question 7
Is independent thinking a step towards adulthood? If yes, then how? Explain with reference to the poem ‘Childhood’.
Answer:
Of course, independent thinking is a step towards adulthood. As a child, one is not able to make one’s own decisions and one’s thinking is always influenced and directed by parents or guardians . A child is so innocent that it is not able to distinguish between truth and imagination.

As a child’s thinking is influenced by others, it has no individuality. Moreover, it is prone to manipulations which lead to fickle-mindedness. Independent thinking makes us what we are. It enhances and shapes our personality and we are known among people through what our mind thinks and what decisions we take.

If we want to stay away from evil people who try to influence our thoughts for their selfish purposes, then only independent thinking can help us. We cannot claim to be an individual if we cannot take decisions ourselves.

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follows.

A) 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!

Question 1.
At what age does the poet think he lost his childhood ?
(a) After he crossed the age of eleven
(b) After he crossed the age of twelve
(c) After he crossed the age of ten
(d) After he crossed the age of nine
Answer:
(a) After he crossed the age of eleven

Question 2.
What did the poet realise?
(a) That hell and heaven are geographical places
(b) That hell and heaven are one and the same thing
(c) That hell and heaven are not any geographical places
(d) That hell and heaven are located on the Earth itself
Answer:
(c) That hell and heaven are not any geographical places

Question 3.
………. in the extract means the same as discontinued
(a) Realised
(b) Therefore
(c) Ceased
(d) Stopped
Answer:
(c) Ceased

B) 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!

Question 1.
Who is ‘my’ in the above lines?
(a) ‘my’ refers to the poet, Markus Natten
(b) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s childhood
(c) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s friend
(d) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s father
Answer:
(a) ‘my’ refers to the poet, Markus Natten

Question 2.
Why is ‘I’ confused?
(a) Because ‘I’ do not seem to understand when he lost his childhood
(b) Because ‘I’ could not search heaven and hell in geography .
(c) Because T is getting a lot of negative thoughts
(d) Because T has lost his mind
Answer:
(a) Because ‘I’ do not seem to understand when he lost his childhood

Question 3.
Explain “But did not act so lovingly”.
(a) It means that children talk about love but their actions are not loving
(b) It means that adults talk about love but their actions are not loving
(c) It means that adults talk about love and their actions reflect the same
(d) It means that children talk about love and their actions reflect the same
Answer:
(b) It means that adults talk about love but their actions are not loving

C) When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was really mine, 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!”

Question 1.
Explain “my mind was really mine”.
(a) It means that his mind was influenced by others
(b) It means that his mind was not influenced by others
(c) It means that his mind was influenced by his parents
(d) It means that he was not confused
Answer:
(b) It means that his mind was not influenced by others

Question 2.
What did the poet realise?
(a) He realised that his mind belonged to his parents
(b) He realised that his mind was controlled by his friends
(c) He realised that his mind was controlled by his teachers
(d) He realised that his mind was his, and he had his own individuality
Answer:
(d) He realised that his mind was his and he had his own individuality

Question 3.
The poet ……….. find an answer to his question.
(a) did
(b) did not
(c) can
(d) may
Answer:
(a) did