Bhagya

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 2.4 How Doth the Little Busy Bee Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 2.4 How Doth the Little Busy Bee

Class 7 English Chapter 2.4 How Doth the Little Busy Bee Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Write the meaning of:
doth, opening (in the context of the poem), cell.

Question 1.
Write the meaning of:
doth, opening (in the context of the poem), cell.
Answer:

• Doth: In this poem the meaning of ‘doth’ is the word of old origin,
• Meaning of doth: Archaic, third person singular present of do. Doth is a form of the word ‘do’ which is defined as to perform an action. They get back to their nest and relax.
• Opening: Meaning of opening is blooming when a plant or tree blooms. It produces flowers. When a flower blooms, it opens.
• Cell: Meaning of cell is functional and structural unit of life.

2. A parody is playful, comic imitation of a writer’s style. A parody is like a verbal cartoon. Compare the original poem and its parody given on page 35 using the following points:

Question 1.
Compare the original poem and its parody given on page 35 using the following points:

Answer:

3. Answer the following questions and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.

Question a.
What does the bee stand for?
Answer:
The bee stands for hard-work and positivity

Question b.
What does the crocodile stand for?
Answer:
The crocodile stands for laziness, mischief and negativity.

Question c.
Why does the bee work hour after hour?
Answer:
The bee works hour after hour to store the nectar that it collects from the flowers.

Question d.
Why does the crocodile work?
Answer:
The crocodile works only to fill its stomach.

Question e.
Is the bee a gentle creature? Is the crocodile gentle?
Answer:
The bee is a gentle creature. The crocodile is not gentle.

4. Desciibe a crocodile in your own words. Which of the words and phrases in the poem will you use In a realistic description?
Put a tick mark against the ones you will use.

• little [ ]
• shining tail [ ]
• golden scale [ ]
• cheerful [ ]
• grIn [ ]
• claws [ ]
• gently smiling [ ]
• jaws [ ]

Question 1.
Describe the crocodile in your own words.
Answer:
The crocodile is a large reptile. The crocodile to me looks very frightening, ferocious and ugly. The scaly skin of the crocodile makes me feel very creepy. They have different colours which ranges from brown to grey. Some are greenish-brown in colour. They have sharp teeth and claws. They have big strong jaws. They appear to be grinning because of the way their jaw is placed. The tail of the crocodile is very powerful and it helps the crocodile to swim. Crocodiles can live upto 80 years!

5. Note that most of the times well-known works are parodied, because people can enjoy the parody better when they know the original. Try to find more examples of parodies in English or other languages. 

Question 1.
Note that most of the times well-known works are parodied, because people can enjoy the parody better when they know the original. Try to find more examples of parodies in English or other languages.

6. What do you like better – the original poem or the parody? Why?

Question 1.
What do you like better – the original poem or the parody? Why?
Answer:
I like the parody. I like the parody because it is funny, interesting and the best part is that it is very easy to memorize.

Class 7 English Chapter 2.4 How Doth the Little Busy Bee Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
Why does the parody sound funny?
Answer:
The parody sounds funny because it is just in complete contrast with ‘How doth the little busy bee’. The bee is hard working and positive. She is using every minute fruitfully while in contrast the crocodile is wasting its time doing nothing still manages to keep its stomach full.

Question 2.
Match the nouns with the adjectives used to describe them:

Answer:

Read the following extract and do the activities.

Answer the questions in one word.

Question i.
What does the bee gather all the day?
Answer:
honey

Question ii.
How does the bee spread her wax?
Answer:
neatly

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1.
How does the bee build her cell?
Answer:
The bee builds her cell skilfully.

Question 2.
What food does the bee make?
Answer:
The bee makes sweet food.

Poetic Device:

Question 1.
Make a list of the rhyming words
Answer:
hour – flower; cell – well

Question 2.
What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza?
Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the first stanza is abcb

Question 3.
What is the rhyme scheme of the second stanza?
Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the second stanza is abac

Read the following extract and do the activities.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Complete the web.
Answer:

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Which river is mentioned in the above poem?
Answer:
River Nile is mentioned in the above poem.

Question 2.
Whom does the crocodile welcome?
Answer:
The crocodile welcomes little fishes.

Question 3.
How does the extract portray the crocodile?
Answer:
The extract portrays the crocodile as a deceiving, idle reptile.

Question 4.
Write the rhyme scheme for the 2nd stanza.
Answer:
The rhyme scheme is abab.

Question 5.
And welcomes little fishes in, With gently smiling jaws!
Identify the figure of speech of the above lines and explain.
Answer:

• Personification: The human quality of welcoming and smiling is given to a reptile for better poetic effect.
• Exclamation: The line ends with an exclamatory mark.

Poetic Device:

Question 1.
Pick out the rhyming words from the 1st stanza.
Answer:
Crocodile – Nile, tail – scale

Writing Skills:

Question 1.
Create a poem of your own on ‘A crocodile’.
Answer:
Crocodile with a smile
Today I saw a crocodile walking quickly down the isle
I nearly missed a heartbeat, when I saw its clawy feet.
I thought I saw it cry a tear,
This made me really lose my fear. Looking at me it gave a smile
Ohh that’s the reason I ran away a mile.

How Doth the Little Busy Bee Summary in English

In this poem, the poet Isaac Watts tells us about the busy bee who does not waste time but works day in and day out to collect nectar from the flowers and stores it in the hives built by the bees. The poet appreciates the skills of the bees, used in making the cells and sealing them for future use. The poet is trying to tell us that we should take the example of these small creatures and use our time fruitfully. Isaac Watts

The parody “How doth the – a small little crocodile” written be Lewis Caroll tries to poke fun at the poem “How doth the little busy bee”. The parody in a humorous way speaks about the idleness and cunningness of a crocodile in contrast to the hardworking bee. The busy bee works all day for its honey but in contrast the crocodile remains idle yet gets his fill.

Introduction:

‘How doth the little busy bee’ written by Isaac Watts is a poem in which the hard work of the bee is appreciated. A parody is playful comic imitation of a writer’s style. A parody deliberately copies someone or something in an amusing way. It may be simply a humorous imitation of a well-known or popular work.

Glossary:

1. doth (v) – does (old English)
2. opening (adj) – blooming
3. cell (n) – a small hexagonal compartment in a honeycomb
4. labours (v) – works hard
5. grin (v) – to smile with lips parted to reveal the teeth
6. claws (n) – curved pointed nail on each of the foot of a mammal, reptile or bird
7. scale (n) – small flat hard and bony covering the skin, particularly of a fish or reptile
8. jaw (n) – the part of the face below the mouth
9. skilfully (adv) – cleverly.
10. cheerfully (adv) – happily.
11. gather (v) – to collect.
12. parody (n) – a humorous way of writing in which the original work of another writer is copied in an exaggerated way.

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 2.3 Abdul Becomes a Courtier Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 2.3 Abdul Becomes a Courtier

Class 7 English Chapter 2.3 Abdul Becomes a Courtier Textbook Questions and Answers

1. From the play, find all the words that are related to the following.
knowledge and learning, books, works
Add other related words you know to the list.

Question 1.
From the play, find all the words that are related to the following.
Add other related words you know to the list.

1. knowledge and learning
2. books
3. works

Answer:

1. Student, smart, thirst for knowledge, learned, philosophy, astronomy, arabic, persian, scholar, intellectual, sagacious, astute, university, degree.
2. Student, smart, knowledge, learned, scholar, words, e-book.
3. Merchant, serve, clerk, pay, office, poultry, keeper, salary, job.

2. Discuss the following.
(a) Abdul gets what he wants in the end. What is the major factor that contributes to this success?

• His learning of books
• His intelligence
• His attitude
• His relations with other people
• His luck

(b) The Emperor says he had realised earlier that Abdul has great talent. Does this tally with his actions? Give your opinion.

Question a.
Abdul gets what he wants in the end. What is the major factor that contributes to this success?

• His learning of books
• His intelligence
• His attitude
• His relations with other people
• His luck

Answer:
His attitude

Question b.
The Emperor says he had realised earlier that Abdul has great talent. Does this tally with his actions? Give your opinion.
Answer:
No, it does not. But according to me the Emperor wanted to know whether Abdul could put all his knowledge into practical use.

3. Write a letter from Abdul to the Emperor, requesting the Emperor to give Abdul a suitable job.

Question 1.
Write a letter from Abdul to the Emperor, requesting the Emperor to give Abdul a suitable job.
Answer:
Your Royal Highness,
I, Abdul, am a subject in your kingdom. I have learnt everything books could teach me. I would like to be at your service.
I will serve you with all the knowledge, I have gained, if your royal highness will give me the opportunity. All my knowledge would really be of great use and if given a chance I will do everything I can to the best of my ability. Hoping and awaiting a positive reply. Thanking you in anticipation.
Your loyal subject,
XYZ (Abdul)

4. Rewrite the play in the form of a story.

Question 1.
Rewrite the play in the form of a story.

Rewrite the play in the form of a story.
Answer:
Abdul, the Achiever
Once upon a time during the reign of Emperor Akbar, there lived a very humble school teacher. He had an equally humble and down to earth son named Abdul. Abdul dreamt of becoming a scholar. His father could not fund him for the books because they were very costly. His father tried to borrow books from the school library but was unsuccessful. Abdul was disheartened.

He hit upon a brilliant idea to solve his problem. He decided to work for the rich, instead of taking money for services, he requested them to allow him to read the books in their stores. Abdul read and read and became a learned scholar that too one in a million. Now that he had completed his education he aspired to work in the Emperor’s office. The Emperor heard of him and was ready to appoint him. He was first put in charge of the Murgikhana.

Abdul was disappointed at first but then decided to put in his best. His efforts paid him well. The hens were healthier than before. The Emperor was surprised that Abdul had not used any money from the treasury. The Emperor was worried that the hens had died but Abdul told the Emperor that all the hens were in the pink of health because he was feeding them with the left-overs from the Emperor’s kitchen, which was free of cost and something the hens enjoyed and that was the secret of their health.

The Emperor was happy and put him in charge of the library. Abdul was unhappy because he aspired to be a courtier. But he took his job too as a challenge and started making changes in the library. A year later when the Emperor entered the library he was shocked to see that all the books had very expensive covering.

He thought that this would have cost a fortune. Abdul clarified the Emperor’s doubt and told him that it has cost nothing because he used the rich, discarded fabrics of the bags in which requests were sent to the Emperor. Abdul said that he had asked the royal tailors to stitch the jackets and covers for the books. The Emperor was so impressed that he immediately appointed Abdul his courtier.
Moral: Waste not, want not.

5. Suggest at least one method of creating something useful or beautiful from waste.

Question 1.
Suggest at least one method of creating something useful or beautiful from waste.

6. Write how you take care of your books.

Question 1.
Write how you take care of your books.
Answer:
I see to it that my books are always covered, with my name written on it. I do not throw my books anywhere. I keep them neatly whether in my bag or on my table at home. I do not eat or drink anything with my books in front of me so as to avoid spilling and getting oil stains on my books.

7. Language Study: Common nouns – 3: Common nouns can be classified in one more way – concrete nouns and abstract nouns. Concrete nouns stand for things that you can actually touch or see.
Examples : school, house, bags, buttefflies, child.
Abstract nouns stand for ideas, feelings, qualities, actions, states, etc.
Examples: life, time, goodness, progress, kindness, childhood, honesty, mathematics
Can you spot at least three abstract nouns in the following paragraph?
‘We put the plan of action in motion immediately. We kept it a secret. We wanted to give Mrs Desai a surprise. But her intelligence is really appreciable. She spotted the change within a week.’
Now you know that plural forms of nouns have -s, -es, or -ies at the end. But the plurals of some nouns are formed differently. Look at the following forms.

• child – children man – men
• tooth – teeth foot – feet
• leaf – leaves mouse – mice

Some nouns have the singular and the plural alike.
Examples: sheep, deer.

Class 7 English Chapter 2.3 Abdul Becomes a Courtier Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
How did Abdul manage to feed the birds well without spending money?
Answer:
Abdul was in charge of the Emperor’s ‘Murgikhana’. He fed the birds with the left-overs from the kitchen, like scraps, shells and kitchen waste, which the hens enjoyed. This diet not only made the hens healthy but was also free of cost.

Question 2.
How did the Emperor reward Abdul for his work? Do you think the Emperor’s action was right?
Answer:
The Emperor rewarded Abdul by making him in charge of the library. Yes, I think the Emperor’s action was right because he wanted to see how well Abdul would handle this task too.

Question 3.
How did Abdul manage to get expensive jackets for the books?
Answer:
Abdul had noticed that all the formal requests that came to the Emperor were in bags made of the best of fabrics which were discarded. He used these discarded silk, velvet and brocade to make beautiful covers and jackets for the books in the library.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar

Read the following passage and do the activities.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Complete the sentences.
1. Abdul’s father was a ………… .
2. Abdul wanted his father to lend him
Answer:
1. schoolmaster
2. a little gold

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1.
How many books could Abdul’s father get for him?
Answer:
Abdul’s father could not get any books for him.

Question 2.
What does Abdul want to do? How does he plan to do it?
Answer:
Abdul wants to acquire knowledge and become a scholar. He plans to buy books and study them to rise high and become famous.

Question 3.
What are books and manuscripts compared to?
Answer:
Books and manuscripts are compared to treasures rare and exclusive.

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
Frame a sentence with the phrase ‘brighter tomorrow’.
Answer:
Rohan worked day and night for a brighter tomorrow.

Grammar:

Question 1.
How many books could you get? (Identify the kind of sentence)
Answer:
Interrogative.

Question 2.
Pick out a word from the extract which means – to hope or to dream.
Answer:
aspire.

Question 3.
Guess the meaning of ‘a brighter tomorrow’ in context of the play.
Answer:
A brighter tomorrow means a better or brighter future.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Do you like to read books? Why?
Answer:
Yes, I like to read books. I like to read books because it helps to increase our knowledge, gives us a lot of information and keeps us occupied when there is nothing to do. For me. books are my best friends.

Question 2.
Abdul got the Royal Tailors to work for making the jackets. What skills does it reflect?
Answer:
The skill which comes out is making best from waste. It not only saves money but also helps to save the environment.

Read the following passage and do the activities.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Complete the sentences.

1. You appear to be smart,
2. Quench my
3. I am pleased with you
4. made a poultry people?

Answer:

1. be my clerk
2. thirst for knowledge
3. work and loving care!
4. Intellectual, sagacious, astute

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1.
What request must Abdul have sent to the Emperor?
Answer:
Abdul must have requested the Emperor to give him a position in his court because he had gained all the knowledge which would help him in the job.

Question 2.
What was the merchant’s reaction to Abdul’s work?
Answer:
The merchant was very pleased with Abdul’s work and wanted to reward him.

Question 3.
What job did the emperor give Abdul?
Answer:
The Emperor made Abdul his poultry keeper, in charge of the Royal Murgikhana.

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
Find words/phrases meaning ‘rare’.
Answer:
One in a million; a gem; unique

Question 2.
Guess the meaning of ‘a gem’ in the context of this play.
Answer:
The context ‘a gem’ in the play means someone very precious, of great value.

Question 3.
Find pairs of rhyming words used in this passage.
Answer:

• serve – deserve
• clerk – work
• care – rare – fair
• store – more
• learned – yearned
• notice – office
• prayer – care
• scholar – keeper
• refuse – use
• Persian – million.

Grammar:

Question 1.
Write the noun forms of:

1. move
2. direct
3. explore
4. determine
5. estitute
6. hesitate
7. compel
8. treat

Answer:

1. movement
2. direction
3. exploration
4. determination
5. destitution
6. hesitation
7. compulsion
8. treatment

Language Study

Do as directed.

Question 1.
Can you spot at least three abstract nouns in the following paragraph?
‘We put the plan of action in motion immediately. We kept it a secret. We wanted to give Mrs Desai a surprise. But her intelligence is really appreciable. She spotted the change within a week.
Answer:
secret, surprise, intelligence.

Question 2.
Now you know that plural forms of nouns have -s, -es or -ies at the end. But the plurals of some nouns are formed differently. Singular :

1. woman
2. person
3. goose
4. half
5. wife
6. potato
7. cactus
8. fungus
9. oasis
10. syllabus
11. datum
12. focus
13. louse

Answer:

Plural:

1. women
2. persons /people
3. geese
4. halves
5. wives
6. potatoes
7. cacti
8. fungi
9. oases
10. syllabi/syllabuses
11. data
12. foci
13. lice

Question 3.
More of nouns having singular and plural alike.
Singular :

1. news
2. aircraft
3. species
4. darts
5. pants
6. trousers
7. jeans
8. glasses
9. scissors
10. fish
11. salmon
12. headquarters
13. Chinese

Answer:
Plural:

1. news
2. aircraft
3. species
4. darts
5. pants
6. trousers
7. jeans
8. glasses
9. scissors
10. fish (if it is the same species)
11. salmon
12. headquarters
13. Chinese

Question 4.
I’m happy to announce, now you are my courtier! (Kind of sentence)
Answer:
Exclamatory sentence.

Question 5.
The Royal tailors made the jackets. (Change the voice)
Answer:
The jackets were made by the Royal tailors.

Question 6.
Abdul enters and bows before the Emperor. (Pick out the conjunction and state its kind)
Answer:
and – coordinating conjunction.

Question 7.
Days passed by, he learned and learned. (Identify the figure of speech and explain)
Answer:
Repetition: The word ‘learned’ has been repeated for better poetic effect.

Question 8.
I need nothing more. (Identify the figure of speech and explain)
Answer:
Alliteration: The sound of the letter ‘n’ has been repeated for better poetic effect.

Abdul Becomes a Courtier Summary in English

The story in this lesson revolves around Abdul who is very wise and intelligent and loves reading and learning. His father cannot afford the costly books and so Abdul works and accepts his reward only in kind and that too he asks for nothing more than reading books. He quenches his thirst for knowledge and desires to work in the Emperor’s office. Let us see how he gets this honourable position.

Introduction:

The lesson ‘Abdul Becomes a Courtier’ is taken from the series of Akbar and Birbal stories. It has been adapted into the dialogue form by Pratibha Nath who is a wonderful story teller and weaves stories for children.

Glossary:

1. erudition (n) – learning, scholarly work
2. scores (n)- sets of twenty
3. clerk (n) – a person who keeps records, accounts, etc.
4. quench (v) – to satisfy
5. office (n) – position, responsibility
6. prayer (n) (here) – request
7. sagacious (adj) – wise
8. astute (adj) – intelligent, one who knows how to use a situation to his advantage
9. zeal (n) – enthusiasm
10. drive (n) – an effort made to achieve a certain purpose
11. brains (n) – intelligence
12. shirk (y) – avoid
13. brocade (n) – rich fabric woven with golden or silver thread
14. papers (n) – official documents
15. aspire (y) – to hope or dream
16. manuscripts (n) – written by hand, handwritten
17. rare (adj) – uncommon, unique
18. exclusive (adj) – of high quality
19. dejected (adj) – sad
20. rejected (adj) – not accepted
21. yearned (v) – to long for
22. conviction (n) – firm belief
23. passion (n) – love
24. relish (v) – enjoy
25. thrive (v) – grow
26. perseverance (n) – continuing to do something regardless of failure
27. chores (n) – work
28. poultry keeper (n) – a person who looks after chickens, ducks and other birds that are kept for their egg and meat.
29. ration (n) (here) – food.
30. jacket (n) – outer covering.
31. discarded (v) – disposed off, thrown away.
32. courtier (n) – a person who attends a royal court as an adviser to the king or queen.
33. expensive (adj) – costly.
34. ponders (v) – thinks deeply.

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 4.6 Papa Panov’s Special Christmas Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 4.6 Papa Panov’s Special Christmas

Class 7 English Chapter 4.6 Papa Panov’s Special Christmas Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Write the homophones (words which sound the same. of the following words in the story.

Question 1.
Write the homophones (words which sound the same. of the following words in the story.

1. no: ……………………….
2. dear: ……………………….
3. here: ……………………….
4. went: ……………………….
5. pair: ……………………….
6. knew: ……………………….
7. through: ……………………….
8. soul: ……………………….
9. whole: ……………………….

Answer:

1. know
2. deer
3. here
4. vent
5. pear, pare
6. new
7. threw
8. sole
9. hole

Examples for homophones along with the prior:

1. steel-steal
2. read – red
3. see – sea
4. eves – ice
5. air – heir
6. meet – meat
7. grown – groan
8. would – wood
9. great – grate

2. Correct the following sentences and rewrite them.

Question 1.
The best shoes that Papa Panov had made were a pair of lady’s shoes.
Answer:
The best shoes that Papa Panov had made were a pair of tiny leather shoes.

Question 2.
Papa Panov gave hot soup to the sweeper, milk to the young mother and coffee to the beggars.
Answer:
Papa Panov gave hot coffee to the sweeper, milk to the baby and hot soup to the beggars.

Question 3.
By afternoon, Papa Panov had stopped looking out for Jesus.
Answer:
By the time dusk had fallen, Papa Panov had stopped looking out for Jesus.

Question 4.
Papa Panov saw the sweeper, the young mother and the beggars he had helped only once in the morning.
Answer:
Papa Panov saw the sweeper, the young mother and the beggars twice, once during the day and once at night.

Question 5.
Jesus, had actually visited Papa Panov only once on Christmas Eve.
Answer:
Jesus had visited Papa Panov only once on Christmas Eve and several times on Christmas day.

3. Write a character sketch of Papa Panov in your own words.

Question 1.
Write a character sketch of Papa Panov in your own words.
Answer:
Papa Panov was a kind and humble shoe-maker. He lived in a village in Russia. He was a cheerful man,who lived alone. He was widower and his grown up children had left home to seek their fortune. He has loved by his villagers. He was a happy man with laughter wrinkles on his face indicating his happy life.

He was quite old and had weak eyesight which made him wear spectacles. He earned a decent living. we come to know of this because he helped people in distress. He seems to be a god fearing and pious man because he not only dreamnt of God in his dreams but also spoke to him. Thpugh he was lonely he brightened himeself up by helping people when needed.

We can sum these qualities of Papa Panov as being a wonderful human being with a golden heart. He is filled with humaneness, empathy, selflessness and love for mankind making him God’s beloved creature.

4. Write your interpretation of the story.

Question 4.
Write your interpretation of the story.
Answer:
The story of ‘Papa Panov’ according to me is an interesting story to introduce to children, inculcating in them values of selflessness, empathy, sharing and love for humanity. God resides in those who love their kind, is vividly put forth through this story. This story has inspired me to go out and help those in need.

The smile and blessings I get when I help the needy makes my day and makes me feel blessed. It is rightly said ‘Service to man is service to God’.

5. Information about cold winters in Russia.

6. Do you know of similar stories in your mother tongue or in other languages? Narrate it in short.

7. Which season would you say is the hardest in your locality?

Question 1.
What help would the poor and homeless people need in that season?
Answer:
The rainy season is the hardest season in my locality. The poor and homeless people are without a roof and have to remain wet and , huddled under some shelter for hours. They do not have proper shelter, clothes, food and drinking water. This is a season which brings in a lot of sicknesses, which if not treated could be fatal. Medical help is also necessary for them in this season which is difficult for them to get.

Class 7 English Chapter 4.6 Papa Panov’s Special Christmas Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
In the little village what shows that it is Christmas time?
Answer:
In the little village, although it is afternoon, lights begin to appear in the shops and houses, indicating that it is Christmas time.

Question 2.
Did Papa Panov have a shop away from his home?
Answer:
No, Papa Panov’s shop was his home.

Question 3.
Did he live alone? Why?
Answer:
Yes, Papa Panov lived alone because his wife had died and his grown-up children had all left his home.

Question 4.
What tells us that Papa Panov is a kind person?
Answer:
While reading the Christmas story from the Bible, he read how baby Jesus was born in a cowshed. He wished that Mary and Joseph had come to his home where he would have given them his bed and covered baby Jesus with his quilt to keep him warm. This feeling which comes up in Papa Panov’s mind shows us that he was a kind person.

Question 5.
What do the ‘laughter wrinkles’ tell us?
Answer:
The ‘laughter wrinkles’ tell us that Papa Panov is quite old. It also tells us about the number of happy times he had with family and friends.

Question 6.
Why is the small box dusty?
Answer:
The small box with a pair of tiny leather shoes was dusty because it was kept high up on the shelf and had not been touched or moved for years.

Question 7.
What thoughts did Papa Panov have before he fell asleep? Were they related to his dream?
Answer:
Papa Panov while reading the story of Christmas day from the Bible felt sad for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and thought if they were in his home he would have been of help to them. When he read about the splendid gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men, the thought that he had nothing to give made him unhappy. The thought that he could give as gift the pair of tiny leather shoes which he had made years ago made him happy again. No, they were not related to his dream.

Question 8.
Did Papa Panov believe in his dream? In what forms did he imagine Jesus to visit him?
Answer:
Yes, Papa Panov believed in his dream. He imagined Jesus visiting him in the form of a little baby or a grown up man or a carpenter or as God’s son.

Question 9.
How does the author show that Papa Panov was disappointed?
Answer:
The winter dusk had fallen. Papa Panov went to the door and strained his eyes but he could not make out the passers by because it had gone very dark and most of them were at home. This made Papa Panov unhappy because it was too late for anyone to come.

Question 10.
What actions of Papa Panov suggest it?
Answer:
Papa Panov walked slowly back into his room, put up the shutters and sat down wearily indicating his disappointment.

Question 11.
How does the author describe Papa Panov’s happiness?
Answer:
Papa Panov’s heart was overflowing with happiness and peace which made him want to burst out singing, laughing and dancing with joy, knowing that Jesus had come to his home.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Write whether true or false.
1. The setting of the story is in a Russian city.
2. Papa Panov was sad on Christmas Eve.
Answer:
1. False
2. True

Complex Factual Question.

Question 1.
What could be heard from the closed shutters?
Answer:
Muffled sounds of chatter and laughter could be heard from closed shutters.

Question 2.
What reminded Papa Panov of his past Christmas times?
Answer:
The sounds of happiness, the bright lights and the faint but delicious smells of Christmas cooking reminded Papa Panov of his happy past Christmas times.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Write the homophone for:

1. one
2. step
3. been
4. his

Answer:

1. won
2. steppe
3. bean
4. hiss

Grammar.

Question 1.
Old Papa Panov, the village shoemaker, stepped outside. (Separate the subject and predicate.
Answer:
Old Papa Panov, the village shoemaker – Subject; stepped outside – Predicate

Question 2.
With a sigh, he settled in his big armchair. (Separate the subject and predicate. ‘ <
Answer:
Subject – He; Predicate – settled/ in his big armchair with a sigh

Question 3.
Excited children scurried indoors. (Name the part of speech of the underlined words.
Answer:
excited – adjective, scurried – verb, indoors – adverb

Question 4.
It was Christmas Eve. (Add a question tag.
Answer:
It was Christmas Eve, wasn’t it?

Question 5.
Excited children scurried indoors. (Write whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.
Answer:
scurried – intransitive

Personal Response.

Question 1.
What do you do on festivals?
Answer:
I enjoy myself a lot. I celebrate every festival because people from all religions live in my locality. My friends and I visit houses, eat and enjoy. My relatives too come home to celebrate our festivals with us. I love it when my house is full of people.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Complete the following sentences.

1. The Street was deserted
2. Papa Panov opened the shop door,
3. The sweeper old clothes steamed
4. Papa Panov watched him with satisfaction but,

Answer:

1. I no one was stirring yet.
2. letting in a thin stream of cold air.
3. gently in the heat of the stove
4. every now and then his eyes strayed to the window.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Why did Papa Panov give hot coffee to the sweeper?
Answer:
When Papa Panov took down his shutters and looked out, all he saw was the road sweeper looking miserable and dirty working on Christmas Day, in the raw cold and bitter freezing mist which made him give the sweeper a hot cup of coffee to make him feel better.

Question 2.
Why did he tell the sweeper about his dream? Why did the sweeper smile?
Answer:
Papa Panov invited the sweeper to drink a cup of hot coffee to keep him warm from the cold. The sweeper noticed that all the time he was in the room, Papa Panov’s eyes strayed to the window now and then. This made the sweeper ask him if he was expecting a visitor which made Papa Panov relate his dream. The sweeper smiled because he was the special visitor, Jesus, Papa Panov was waiting for.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Give adverb form of

1. gentle
2. special
3. actual
4. comfort

Answer:

1. gently
2. specially
3. actually
4. comfortably

Grammar.

Question 1.
Pick out four adjectives from the passage
Answer:
might, cold, bitter, freezing

Question 2.
Papa Panov opened the door, letting in a thin stream of cold air. (Add a question tag.
Answer:
Papa Panov opened the door, letting in a thin stream of cold air, didn’t he?

Personal Response.

Question 1.
Have you ever noticed that some people have to work even on festivals? Who are they?
Answer:
Yes, I have noticed some people having to work on festivals. They are the newspaper man, the sweeper, our maid at home, the milkman, people employed in the public service such as the postman/postwoman, bus and train drivers and conductors, policemen/ women, soldiers protecting our country.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Complete the following sentences.

1. The young mother let him
2. Papa Panov remembered the little
3. The girl smiled happily and
4. He took the milk from the stove and

Answer:

1. Shepherd her indoors and to the comfort of the armchair.
2. Shoes he had looked at last night.
3. The baby gurgled with pleasure.
4. and carefully fed the baby from a spoon, warming her tiny feet.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
What does the way the girl walked suggest?
Answer:
The way the girl walked suggests that she is very hungry, tired and very little energy left in her to move.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
“You both need a warm by the fire and a rest”.
Answer:
They both needed to get the warmth from the fire in the fireplace and also some rest.

Question 2.
The young mother let him shepherd her indoors.
Answer:
The young mother allowed him to guide her into the house.

Do as directed.

Question 1.
It’s Christmas Day. (Add a Question Tag)
Answer:
It’s Christmas Day, isn’t it?

Question 2.
Expecting someone? (Kind of sentence)
Answer:
Interrogative sentence

Question 3.
The girl walked slowly and quietly. (Use ‘not only … but also’)
Answer:
The girl walked not only slowly but also quietly.

Question 4.
He remembered the little shoes. (Change into negative)
Answer:
He did not forget the little shoes.

Question 5.
I can’t afford the shoes. (Change into positive)
Answer:
I am unable to afford the shoes.

Question 6.
A great peace and happiness filled the room. (Change into exclamatory)
Answer:
What peace and happiness filled the room!

Personal Response.

Question 1.
Why did Papa Panov give the shoes to the baby though he had been keeping them for Jesus?
Answer:
Papa Panov noticed that the young girl with a baby was weary and hungry. He invited her to his home. He noticed that the baby’s feet were bare and the mother could not afford shohes for her child. He decided to give the little shoes he had kept for jesus, to the little baby because he was a very kind-hearted person and could not see them in difficulty.

Papa Panov’s Special Christmas Summary in English

Papa Panov is an elderly cobbler who lives all by himself in a small Russian village. It was Christmas Eve, and there was excitement everywhere. His wife had passed away and his children were all grown up and gone. Alone on Christmas Eve in his shop, Papa Panov decides to open the old family Bible and reads the Christmas story about the birth of Christ. That night he dreams about Jesus coming to him saying that he would visit Papa Panov in person the next day.

Papa Panov was very happy, waited anxiously to meet Jesus on Christmas Day. It was early in the morning and no one in sight. He saw a lone sweeper and invited him for a hot cup of coffee. In this way he helped the needy on Christmas day, all of them blessed him for his love and care. The day wore off but Jesus did not come to meet him. Feeling sad, he sat down in his armchair. He felt that he was not alone. He saw all the people who had come to him that day and as they passed each whispered, ‘Didn’t you see me, Papa Panov?’ Then he understood that Jesus had come to him in the form of the needy people he had helped. He was at peace and his heart danced with joy.

Introduction:

‘Papa Panov’s Special Christmas’ is a short children’s story written by Leo Tolstoy. This is an interesting story to introduce young children to the value of kindness.

Glossary:

1. scurried (v) – to run with quick light steps
2. muffled (adj) – sound which is covered up
3. delicious (adj0 – tasty
4. quilt (n) – a bed covering consisting of two layers stitched together with insulation between
5. splendid (adj) – magnificent
6. charcoal (n) – impure carbon, coal
7. stove (n) – a device for heating food
8. miserable (adj) – sad, poor hunger
9. scanning (adj) – to examine part by part
10. wrapped (v) – covered in thin material
11. shepherd (v) – (here. to guide
12. stirring (v) – action of movement
13. gurgled (v) – to make a bubbling sound
14. anxiously (adj) – in a worried manner
15. hunk (n) – a large piece of something’
16. bewildered (adj) – confused
17. pinched (adj) – very thin, pale from cold or hunger.
18. clasped (v) – to grab tightly

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.2 Who’s the Greatest? Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.2 Who’s the Greatest?

Class 6 English Chapter 1.2 Who’s the Greatest? Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Listen to the stories carefully, as your teacher reads them aloud. Note down the new words, ideas or concepts. Discuss them in the class.

Question 1.
Listen to the stories carefully, as your teacher reads them aloud. Note down the new words, ideas or concepts. Discuss them in the class.

2. Guess the meaning of the following words and phrases:
untold wealth, closest to the Emperor’s heart, grave offence, banish.

Question 1.
Guess the meaning of the following words and phrases:
untold wealth, closest to the Emperor’s heart, grave offence, banish.
Answer:

1. untold wealth: limitless wealth, the magnitude of which is not revealed
2. closest to the Emperor’s heart: dear to the Emperor
3. grave offence: serious mistake
4. banish: send away into exile

3. Say with reasons, whether the following statements are true or false.

Question a.
Akbar wanted to punish the person who pulled his moustache.
Answer:
False. Akbar did tell his courtiers that someone had pulled his moustache. But it was his grandson who had lovingly pulled his moustache and Akbar did not have any intention of punishing him.

Question b.
Akbar thought he was greater than God.
Answer:
False. Akbar did not think so. It was his courtiers who said so in an attempt to praise him for receiving favours.

Question c.
Birbal thought Akbar was greater than God.
Answer:
True. Birbal thought Akbar was greater than God but only at one aspect. Unlike Akbar, God’s kingdom extended everywhere so the Almighty God could not banish anyone from his kingdom.

4. Write a sentence about three of your friends. Each time you should say what your friend cannot do, and yet, pay a compliment to your friend.

Question 1.
Write a sentence about three of your friends. Each time you should say what your friend cannot do, and yet, pay a compliment to your friend.
Answer:

• My friend Raj cannot say no to others as he does not like to hurt others.
• My friend Radha cannot hurt animals as she is concerned about their welfare.
• My friend Sai cannot be rude to others because he is extremely loving and polite.

5. Write a short note on Emperor Akbar.

Question 1.
Write a short note on Emperor Akbar.
Answer:
Emperor Akbar or Akbar the Great is known as one of the greatest rulers in the world – not just because he had a vast empire, a very strong army, untold wealth but because he was a good human being. He cared for his subjects. He had great respect for scholars, writers, poets and artists belonging to different religions. He was a patron of art and culture. The nine gems or ‘nav-ratnas’ in his court were famous which included Birbal who was known for his wit and humour. He was the one who was very dear to Akbar.

6. Convert the stories into dialogues and read the dialogues aloud in the class.

Question 1.
Convert the stories into dialogues and read the dialogues aloud in the class.
(One is done for you.)
Answer:

• Emperor Akbar: (With a serious expression.)
  I have a question for all of you. What should be the punishment for someone who pulls my moustache?
• One Nobleman: Flog him! Give him fifty lashes of the whip.
• Second Nobleman: That’s not enough. Put him in jail without food and water.
• Third Nobleman: Whip him! Beat him up! Fourth Nobleman: Hang him!
• Fifth Nobleman: Cut off his offending hands.
• Akbar: What do you say Birbal?
  What is your opinion?
• Birbal: In my opinion, given of peace to the world, the offender should be given his favourite sweetmeats.
• Courtiers: Raja Birbal, are you out of your mind? Give sweetmeats for such a grave offence?
• Birbal: Yes, who would be so bold as to pull the Emperor’s moustache? Only his own grandson!
  (Akbar burst out laughing as it was exactly what had happened in the morning.)

7. Form pairs and make a ‘pair presentation’ of any one of the two stories. To do so, each person presents only one sentence at a time, and the next one is immediately presented by the partner. Thus, each person in the pair presents alternate sentences without breaking the flow of the narration.

8. Find at least five other Akbar and Birbal stories and share them with your friends. Make a list of the stories collected by the entire class. Write your list in alphabetical order.

9. Visit a library. Find the stories of:

• Mulla Nasiruddin
• Gopal Bhand
• Tenali Raman

Share them in the class.

Class 6 English Chapter 1.2 Who’s the Greatest? Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer in one sentence.

Question 1.
Why is Emperor Akbar or Akbar the Great known as one of the greatest rulers in the world?
Answer:
Emperor Akbar or Akbar the Great is known as one of the greatest rulers in the world, not just because he had a vast empire, a very strong army, untold wealth, but because he was a good human being.

Question 2.
Give two examples to show that Akbar was an ideal ruler.
Answer:

1. Akbar cared for his subjects.
2. He had great respect for scholars, writers, poets and artists belonging to different religions.

Question 3.
Who did Akbar have great respect for?
Answer:
Akbar had great respect for scholars, writers, poets and artists belonging to different religious.

Question 4.
Which question posed by Akbar stunned the Emperor’s court? Why?
Answer:
The question, “What should be the punishment for someone who pulls my moustache?” stunned Akbar’s court as it was unheard of.

Question 5.
Write any one punishment suggested by any one nobleman.
Answer:
One nobleman suggested that the person who pulled the Emperor’s moustache should be flogged with fifty lashes of the whip.

Question 6.
What was Birbal’s suggestion regarding punishing the offender?
Answer:
Birbal suggested that the offender should be given his favourite sweetmeats.

Question 7.
What explanation did Birbal offer for his choice of punishment?
Answer:
Birbal explained that only his own grandson would be so bold to pull the Emperor’s moustache and so giving his favourite sweetmeats would be the best punishment.

Question 8.
Why did the courtiers compete with each other in praising Akbar?
Answer:
The courtiers competed with each other in praising Akbar as they wanted to get some favours from him.

Question 9.
What dilemma did the courtiers face?
Answer:
When the courtiers praised Akbar and said that he was greater than God Almighty, Akbar asked them to prove it or face punishment.

Question 10.
What was the one thing according to Birbal which Akbar could do but God Almighty could not?
Answer:
According to Birbal when Akbar wanted to punish someone, he could banish that person out of his kingdom, but as God’s kingdom extended everywhere, the Almighty couldn’t banish anyone from his kingdom.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar

Read the following extract and complete the activities that follow.

Question 1.
State whether the following statements are true or false.
a. Akbar was happy to hear the praises from his courtiers.
b. Akbar was angry with Birbal’s response.
Answer:
a. False
b. False

Question 2.
What information did Akbar want?
Answer:
Akbar wanted to know if the courtiers had found an answer to his question.

Question 3.
Why could God not banish anyone from his kingdom?
Answer:
God couldn’t banish anyone from his kingdom because God’s kingdom extended everywhere.

Question 4.
Why did Akbar’s face lighten up with a smile?
Answer:
Akbar’s face lightened up with a smile because Birbal had given a clever reply.

Question 5.
Why did Akbar forgive the courtiers for their stupidity?
Answer:
Akbar was so pleased with the answer given by Birbal that he forgave the courtiers for their stupidity.

Question 6.
Find the odd word:
look, royal, good, proper
Answer:
look, The rest are adjectives.

Question 7.
Complete the analogy:
Answer:
prove: proof: punish: punishment

Question 8.
Everyone was curious to see what would happen next. (State the word class of the underlined word.)
Answer:
next: adverb

Question 9.
The Almighty cannot banish anyone from his kingdom. (Add a question tag)
Answer:
The Almighty cannot banish anyone from his kingdom, can he?

Question 10.
Do you believe in false praise? Elaborate.
Answer:
No, I don’t. Appreciating people for their good qualities is a good thing but resorting to false praise for receiving favours or for some ulterior motive is definitely something which we should refrain from.

Language Study

Do as directed.

Question 1.
You are the greatest of the kings. (Underline the adjective)
Answer:
greatest.

Question 2.
Put him in jail without food and water. (State the types of nouns)
Answer:
food, water – Material noun.

Question 3.
He was an patron of art and culture. (Correct the article)
Answer:
He was a patron of art and culture.

Question 4.
I believe you. ( Begin the sentence with ‘you are )
Answer:
You are believed (by me).

Question 5.
Flag him ! (State the type of sentence)
Answer:
Exclamatory sentence.

Question 6.
Akbar looked at Birbal thoughtfully (State the part of speech of the underlined word)
Answer:
thoughtfully – Adverb.

Make sentences using the following phrases.

1. to have respect: I have great respect for my teachers who are my friends and my guide.
2. to come up with: He came up with the most silly excuse.
3. to be stunned: The whole world was stunned by the news .
4. to offer an explanation: He realised his mistake and offered an explanation for them.
5. to have an advantage: The other team in the game had an advantage because they were highly experienced.

Complete the following table.

Give the antonyms by providing appropriate suffixes.

1. interesting × uninteresting
2. human × inhuman
3. pleased × displeased
4. advantage × disadvantage
5. proper × improper

Give one word for:

1. very great in area or size: vast
2. to beat someone hard with a whip: flog
3. to be disturbed: agitated
4. lack of cleverness: stupidity

Did you Know?

Birbal stories are very famous and popular in India among all ages of people. They are also known as Akbar-Birbal stories. Akbar, the Great, the Mughal Emperor in India, ruled from 1560 to 1605. He himself was illeterate but he invited several learned people in his court. Among these, nine people were very famous and were known as Nav-ratnas. Birbal was the favourite of Akbar, because of his wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

Who’s the Greatest? Summary in English

Who’s the Greatest? is an interesting lesson which narrates two of the very popular Akbar and Birbal stories. Akbar would always pose interesting questions and problems in his court and Birbal, one of his nine gems or ‘nav-ratnas’ never failed to come up with an answer displaying his wit and humour.

In this lesson, one of the stories talks about Akbar’s question to his courtiers:
“What should be the punishment for someone who pulls my moustache?”
While everyone called for strict actions for the grave offence, Birbal smilingly suggested that Akbar should give the offender his favourite sweetmeats. After all he said, who would be so bold to pull the Emperor’s moustache other than his own grandson?
The next story is about the challenge Akbar posed to his courtiers who showered him with false praises and called him greater than the God Almighty.
He told the courtiers to tell him atleast one thing he could do but God Almighty would not be able to do.
Here Birbal came to the courtier’s rescue. He said:
“When you want to punish someone, you can banish that person – you can throw him out of your kingdom. But God’s kingdom extends everywhere. The Almighty cannot banish anyone from his kingdom.” Akbar was pleased with the answer.
The humour and wit in the Akbar and Birbal stories are the reasons for their popularity.

Introduction:

‘Who’s the Greatest’ narrates Akbar and Birbal’s stories which reflect Birbal’s wit, humour and intelligence.

Glossary:

1. vast (adj) – very great in area or size
2. empire (n) – a large area ruled by an emperor or supreme authority
3. scholars (n) – learned persons
4. patrons (n) – a person supporting something. Here it is art and culture
5. pose (v) – present a question
6. generations (n) – all the people born in the same period
7. agitated (adj) – angry, disturbed.
8. courtiers (n) – attendants at the court
9. offender (n) – one who commits an illegal act
10. opportunity (n) – circumstances which ensure that something can be done
11. displeasure (n) – annoyance
12. banish (v) – send away into exile
13. advantage (n) – something which provides one a favourable position

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 3.5 News Analysis Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 3.5 News Analysis

Class 7 English Chapter 3.5 News Analysis Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Write your own impression about the news items given in (a), (b), (c), (d) in the table given below.

Question 1.
Write your own impression about the news items given in (a), (b), (c), (d) in the table given below.

Answer:

2. Write a letter to your class teacher or the Principal of your school to make any one of the following requests.

a. You wish to start a news bulletin for your school/class. It will be a one-page bulletin to be published every week. A different group of students will manage the preparation of the bulletin every time.
Answer:
C/1, Elixir Apartments,
V. S. Road,
Dadar (West),
Mumbai – 400 028.
7th July, 2017.

To
The Principal,
St. John’s School,
Dadar (West),
Mumbai – 400 028.
Sub: Request to start a news bulletin. Respected Sir,
I, XYZ, the monitor of VII – B, would wish to request you to grant us permission to start a news bulletin for our school. As part of the Literary Club activity, the bulletin will serve as a platform for those who wish to enhance their writing skills and try their hands at journalism right in school.

The bulletin would be a single page weekly, covering news related to schools in our neighbourhood and their notable innovative activities and of our own school activities, achievements and programmes. This gives opportunity to students to scout around, explore and express their observations, thoughts and ideas and expose them to a new career option for later life.

Kindly consider my earnest request and grant us the permission so that the Literary Club may flourish –
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
XYZ

b. Your school library subscribes to a few newspapers. Your class wants old issue of the newspaper for some educational activity in the classroom. You are required to make cuttings/news clipping. Therefore, the papers cannot be returned to the liabrary but you will use them in a responsible manner. Use the format of a formal letter given below.

Answer:
C/1, Elixir Apartments,
V. S. Road,
Dadar (West),
Mumbai – 400 028.
7th July, 2017.

To
The Principal,
St. John’s School,
Dadar (West),
Mumbai – 400 028.

Sub: Request to issue old newspapers for a project.
Respected Sir,
I, XYZ, of class VII-B would wish to request you to grant us permission to use old newspaper clippings from the Library for our English project.

The project aims at making us aware of various types of news articles, the language used in newspaper reports and enable us to compare and see the changes that have taken place in terms of presentation and news that is printed. However, we do not have access to newspapers of the past five years.

May I earnestly request you to allow us to make use of newspaper clippings of the last five years from the school Library? I assure you that the newspaper will be used in a responsible manner.

We intend to hold competitions that will further encourage students to put in their best. Your support and guidance will help serve the purpose better.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
XYZ

3. Hold a discussion in the classroom about the differences between printed newspaper, radio news bulletins, T.V. news bulletins.

Question 1.
Hold a discussion in the classroom about the differences between printed newspaper, radio news bulletins, T.V. news bulletins. Discuss the merits, demerits and popularity of each.
Answer:
The merits and demerits of the print Media are as follows:
a. Print Media (Newspapers):
Merits: These are more accessible. They are available at a low cost. They are also delivered at one’s doorstep. Besides this, one can always choose to read news of one’s choice by just turning over the pages. More suitable for senior citizens who are not tech-savvy.

Demerits: The illiterate cannot make use of the Print Media. It occupies more space after some time when the newspapers pile up. Usually the news articles are based on the thought process of the owners of the Newspaper advertisements news articles.

b. Electronic Media:
Merits: As the T.V. is an audiovisual medium it appeals to the sense of hearing and sight. The illiterate can have entertainment as well as information. It is more lively as the person can see the reporter or the panel discussing a given topic. Various news channels offer a wide variety of topics and programmes. An animated map with weather forecast is much more interesting to see as compared to reading it in black and white.

Demerits of Electronic media: Electronic media includes radio, television tablets, all phones etc. with the flooding of TV channels, cell phones with enormous features etc have enslaved man. People are hooked on to these items and direct human communication has broken down within the families too. The reason is everybody is busy with either the TV or cell phone most of the time. Children are also hooked on to these from a very early stage in life. These technologies also bring with them problems of radiation and health risks and take away personal time.

Class 7 English Chapter 3.5 News Analysis Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer in one sentence.

Question 1.
Who is Stephen Hawking?
Answer:
Stephen Hawking was a physics professor.

Question 2.
Why did people flock to Ralewadi?
Answer:
People flocked to Ralewadi to get a special powder from Miribaba that was supposed to cure all ailments.

Question 3.
What was the cost of the herbal powder packet?
Answer:
The packet of powder was priced at Rs. 25/-

Question 4.
Name some herbs?
Answer:
Some Common herbs are ginger, tulsi, mint.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Complete the web diagram with all non-electronic items prohibited in the examination hall as per the news item.
Answer:

Question 2.
What is the meaning of issued, candidates and invigilators?
Answer:

1. issued – distributed.
2. candidates – a person who applies for some job (here).
3. invigilators – people who watch students taking an exam.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Who is conducting the test?
Answer:
Shivam Institute of Innovative Technology in Bengaluru is conducting the test.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Form four 4 letter words from the following:

1. Bengaluru
2. prestigious
3. examination

Answer:

1. Bengaluru – Bengal, bugle, lure, rule, glue
2. prestigious – Press, rest, gist, sprout, priest
3. examination – name, exam, mine, animation, nation

Grammar.

Question 1.
The pens will be provided in the hall by the invigilators. (Begin with ‘………….. The invigilators’)
Answer:
The invigilators will provide the pens in the hall.

Personal Response.

Question 1.
Why is this news published in newspapers?
Answer:
This news is published in the newspaper to make the readers and other institutions aware of the steps some educational institutions are taking to prevent malpractices during exams. It also prepares the candidates taking the exam by distributing a ‘Do’s and ‘Don’ts list beforehand.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1.
What words are used for the following in the news item:
1. Film industry.
2. Something on which a lot of money is spent.
Answer:
1. Film industry – Bollywood.
2. Something on which a lot of money is spent – big-budget.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Guess why ‘Ant’ is a big-budget movie?
Answer:
’Ant’ could be a big-budget movie as it must be an animated film with a lot of sound and visual effects and also because the makers had roped in Ritika, a highly paid Bollywood star.

Question 2.
What will be Ritika’s reaction to this news?
Answer:
Ritika might be surprised to read this news as there may be no truth in it.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Guess the meaning of ‘most highly paid’, ‘revealed’, ‘sign films’.
Answer:

1. most highly paid – someone who is paid the highest amount of salary.
2. revealed – to make something new known to others.
3. sign films – to agree to do a film by signing a contract.

Grammar.

Question 1.
She refused to give any reasons for her decision. (Change into a negative sent)
Answer:
She did not give any reasons for her decision.

Question 2.
Make adjectives.
Answer:
1. heart
2. decision
3. reason
Answer:
1. hearty
2. decisive
3. reasonable

Personal Response.

Question 1.
Can you think of other reasons for Ritika’s decision to not sign any more movies after ‘Ant’?
Answer:
There could be many reasons for Ritika’s decision to not sign any more movies after ‘Ant’ like disillusion with film world, desire to seek work in some foreign country, the urge to raise a family and settle down, etc.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Which words or phrases in the news refer to the earth?
Answer:
The word ‘planet’ and ‘world’ in the news refer to the earth.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Which of the following problems do you believe is the most serious:
a. climate change,
b. overpopulation,
c. epidemic diseases?
Answer:
Overpopulation is the most serious problem faced by the world today leading to a host of other problems.

Question 2.
Within two minutes tell as many words as possible related to the following words:
Answer:
a. news – reporters, T.V, radio, crime, politics, movies, sports, newspaper, responsibility
b. T.V. – serials, sports, music, entertainment, education, innovation, remote control, news channels.
c. radio – AIR, Akashwani, Radio Mirchi, news, songs, recordings, talks, interviews.
d. mobile – messages, Whatsapp, charger, camera, music, games, internet, connectivity, camera, instant communication, global.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Guess the meaning of ‘mankind’?
Answer:
mankind – human race.

Grammar.

Question 1.
1. Hawking said that the world today is facing huge challenges.
2. We have only one planet and we need to work together to protect it.
Answer:
1. that
2. and

Question 2.
Make verb.
Answer:

1. dangerous – endanger
2. work – work
3. challenge – challenge

Personal Response.

Question 1.
Prof. Hawking wrote about the problem in the Guardian. Why is it given as ‘news’ in other papers?
Answer:
Although Prof. Hawking wrote about the problem in the Guardian, it is given as ‘news’ in other papers to create awareness about the gravity of the situation and the need to take urgent, constructive steps to protect our planet from further degradation by mending our ways. As the problem in discussion concerns the whole world, putting it in other papers will help spread awareness and take some corrective steps.

Fill in the blanks.

Question 1.
1. He has developed this powder from a special herb in the …………… .
2. Dr. …………… of Ambegaon Civil Hospital said number of patients increased in last few weeks.
Answer:
1. Himalayas
2. Karnik.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1.
Why is there a question mark in the heading?
Answer:
There is a question mark in the heading as the article leaves it on us to decide or find out the truth about Miribaba’s cure. The question mark indicates that it is not certain whether the powder has the power to cure ailments.

Question 2.
Which part of the news is reliable? Which part may not be reliable? How do we learn that?
Answer:
A report from Dr. Karnik of Ambegaon civil Hospital that there was an increase in member of patients in the last few weeks is probably more reliable. It could be that people out of blind faith went to Miribaba with their problems and were treated with some unnamed herbal powder. When their problems got out of hand or did not get better, they must have visited the civil hospital.

The claim of Miribaba’s followers that the herbal packs blessed by him cured thousands of people may be a story to cure more people towards Baber.

Question 3.
Will Miribaba and his followers like the news?
Answer:
Miribaba and his followers will definitely not like the news.

Vocabulary.

Question 1.
Guess the meaning of ‘flock’ and ‘followers’.
Answer:

1. flock – gather or move in large numbers
2. followers – people supporting someone whom they believe in disciples.

Grammar.

Question 1.
Hundreds of people flock every hour to Ralewadi. (Frame a Wh – question to get the underlined word as an answer)
Answer:
Where do hundreds of people flock every hour?

Question 2.
Each packet is specially blessed by him. (Separate the subject and predicate)
Answer:
Each packet – Subject is specially blessed by him – Predicate.

Personal Response.

Question 1.
What should you do when you fall ill?
Answer:
When one falls ill one mus identify the cause of the discomfort and how it can be set right with rest and correct food. Safe home remedies could be tried and if no improvement is found, one should consult a doctor immediately.

Language Study.

Question 1.
Complete the table.
Answer:

Make sentences using the following phrases/ idioms, also write its meaning.

Question a.
to break someone’s heart – to make someone very sad.
Answer:
I kept up my promise of taking my five-year-old nephew out as I didn’t want to break his heart.

Question b.
to flock – to gather.
Answer:
Thousands of flamingoes flock to Sewri every year.

Question 2.
She refused to give any reasons for her decision. (Make negative)
Answer:
She did not give any reasons for her decision.

Question 3.
We have the technology to destroy the planet on which we live. (Add a question tag)
Answer:
We have the technology to destroy the planet on which we live, don’t we?

Question 4.
We will have built colonies amid the stars. (Rewrite in Future Perfect Continuous tense)
Answer:
We will have been building colonies amid the stars.

Question 5.
The world today is facing huge challenges. (Rewrite ending with world today’)
Answer:
Huge challenges are being faced by the world today.

Question 6.
She wants to make a career in politics. (Use Modal auxiliary of possibility)
Answer:
She might want to make a career in politics.

Question 7.
Hawking wrote recently in the Guardian newspaper. (Write in question form)
Answer:
Didn’t Hawking write in the Guardian newspaper recently?

Question 8.
Mankind is facing the most dangerous time in its history today. (Rewrite using ‘Positive degree’)
Answer:
No other time faced by mankind in its history is as dangerous as today.

Question 9.
Imagine how this news item helped people understand the truth that Miribaba’s powder cannot cure diseases. Write the story about it in short.
Answer:
After reading the article in the newspaper regarding ailing people, some truth-seekers made their way to the Ambegaon Civil Hospital. On checking the records and after talking to the patients, it was clear that Miribaba was a fraud and there was nothing miraculous in the powder as claimed by him. To set things straight, these people headed towards to Ralewadi. But the news of the truth being revealed had already reached Miribaba who fled away to save his life.

Question 10.
Go through a few specimens of major newspaper. You will see that each page carries only a certain type of news. Read all the news items given in the lesson of your textbook and decide their types.
Answer:
Nature
a. Educational
b. Entertainment
c. Environment
d. exploitation

Question 11.
Which other items do you find in a newspaper besides news?
Answer:
Besides news, we find advertisements, classifieds, cartoon strips, daily horoscope, brain teaser games, recipes, letters to the editor, entertainment, etc.

News Analysis Summary in English

News Analysis is a detailed examinations of the elements of the news item presented. Here we have news items from different fields such as academics, entertainment, environment and exploitation of gullible people. It is our responsibility to read, reflect and analyse news items and verify the authenticity of the news before we share it with others.

Introduction:
With the application of technology in mass media, we have access to news through various newspapers, magazines, T.V. Channels and through the internet.

Glossary:

1. analysis (n) – detailed examination of the elements give out officially of something.
2. issued (v) – distributed
3. candidate (n) – a person who applies for something (here, exam)
4. prestigious (ad]) – having high status
5. invigilators (n) – people who supervise
6. gadget (n) – a small mechanical or electronic device
7. informal (adj) – friendly, unofficial
8. epidemic (n) – a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease
9. flock (v) – gather
10. settlement (n) – a village
11. winding (adj) – twisting
12. claim (v)- assert that something is the case
13. amid (prep) – in the middle of candidates taking an exam

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.5 A Kabaddi Match Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.5 A Kabaddi Match

Class 6 English Chapter 1.5 A Kabaddi Match Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Form pairs. Make a list of as many games as you can. (At least 25) Then classify the games using the following criteria:

• indoor and outdoor games.
• Games played with and without any equipment.
• Games which have one-to-one matches and those in which teams play against each other (Single player or team)
• Games played mostly by children and games played by adult players.
• Shape and size of the court or field.
• Use the following figures to show your classification.

Question 1.
indoor and outdoor games.
Answer:

Question 2.
Games played with and without any equipment.
Answer:

Question 3.
Games which have one-to-one matches and those in which teams play against each other (Single player or team)
Answer:

Question 4.
Games played mostly by children and games played by adult players.
Answer:

Question 5.
Shape and size of the court or field.
Answer:

2. Read the description of the Kabaddi match and do the following:

Question a.
Note down the names of the players and say whether each one belongs to 9A or 9B.
Answer:

Question b.
Describe, in your own words, the important events in the first half.
Answer:
With the spectators clapping and boosting the morale of both the teams, the match got off to a good start. Having won the toss 9A sent their raider, Govind. Catching the opponent unawares, he touched Suresh from 9B and in no time headed towards home thus scoring a point.

Ravi being a strong player, with the knowledge of the right techniques appeared relaxed as he was aware of his strengths. Mangesh was wrestled down by Ravi and his friend, but Mangesh proved his capability. Even as he was on the ground with the anti¬raiders catching hold of his waist and legs, he slowly inched towards his court.

The best efforts of the anti-raiders failed in pulling him back and Mangesh successfully touched the mid-line scoring three points and getting three players of the anti-raiders out from the game.

Now, 9B began to play by exercising caution. Mihir and one of their raider tasted early success as they managed to tag Sohan in 9A. The other few raids were futile. Now, it was the turn of Vivek, the strategist. The remaining three players from 9B trapped Vivek. He slowly made his way back towards his court with the anti-raiders moving with him.

When they caught Vivek’s arm and tried to pull him back, Vivek slipped his leg beyond the midline with the anti-raiders still hanging onto his arm. Thanks to Vivek’s efforts, the whole of 9B was declared out.

Question c.
Write in your own words, what happened in the second half.
Answer:
The half time break was over, the star players of 9A were brimming with confidence. They did an encore by catching hold of ace raiders Mohan, Ajinkya and Ravi. As they say, the best team wins. Since 9A displayed excellence in all areas of the game, they emerged the winners. This coupled with team spirit, their confidence, strategies, swiftness and suppleness helped them emerge the winners beating 9B – a team which had never been defeated in any game of Kabaddi.

Question d.
Choose any one event and draw a diagram to show what happened.

3. List all the words specially used in the game of Kabaddi.

4. From the internet or other sources, find the other names by which Kubaddi is known in different parts of our country and the world.

Question 1.
From the internet or other sources, find the other names by which Kubaddi is known in different parts of our country and the world.

5. What characteristics are needed to be a good player of Kabaddi? What should you do to develop each? Discuss this in groups of 5 and write a composition on it.

Question 1.
What characteristics are needed to be a good player of Kabaddi? What should you do to develop each? Discuss this in groups of 5 and write a composition on it.

6. Read the following note from a school girl’s diary:

Write diary entries for the interesting or important events that take place in your school. Write at least 3 entries.

Question 1.
Write diary entries for the interesting or important events that take place in your school. Write at least 3 entries.
Answer:
Dairy 1.

15th June, 2016.

Dear Diary,
Today was the first day of our new academic year. It was a fun filled day meeting new teachers and friends.
I am looking forward to the days ahead. My friends and I have made several plans to make the most of our time in school. The new textbooks are really very informative and colourful.
I am all excited about the days ahead.

– XYZ

Dairy 2.

15th Aug, 2016.

Dear Diary,
We had a tree plantation drive in our school on the occasion of Independence Day. All of us had to take saplings to school. I had taken a mango sapling. I wonder when my sapling will grow into a huge tree. There were posters everywhere, one which said – “Plant and preserve, Plant and protect, Plant and prosper, Plant and perish”.

-XYZ

Dairy 3.

12th Dec, 2016.

Dear Diary,
Today was our Sports Day. It was inaugurated by our Sports Minister. After the speeches, the competitions started. Various competitions were held. The most exciting were the Tug of War and Relay. I won the gold medal in 100 m Running. What an eventful day it was!

-XYZ

7. Language Study: Degrees of comparison.
We use different forms of adjectives and adverbs to show comparison. They are known as degrees of comparison.

• Positive: Mangesh was ac strong ac Ravi.
  She is as tall as her sister.
• Comparative: Mangesh was stroll gel’ than other players.
  She is taller than her sister.
• Superlative: Mungesh was the strongest player in the team.
  Their sister is the tallest amongst the three.

8. Complete the following sentences using your own ideas.

1. The princess was as …………. as………… . (Positive)
2. The princess was ……………. than …………….. .(Comparative)
3. The princess was the ……………. amongst all ………… .(Superlative)

Note that we usually add ‘-er’, ‘-est’ to short adjectives and use more’ or ‘moSt’ with longer adjectives.
Examples:

• high – higher – highest
• attractive – more attractive – most attractive
• nice – nicer – nicest
• interesting – more interesting – most interesting

Question 1.
Complete the following sentences using your own ideas.

1. The princess was as …………. as………… . (Positive)
2. The princess was ……………. than …………….. .(Comparative)
3. The princess was the ……………. amongst all ………… .(Superlative)

Answer:

1. The princess was as beautiful as Princess lane.
2. The princess was taller than Prince Arthur.
3. The princess was the best among all girls.

9. Read the following words and name the degree of comparison shown by each.
good – better – best bad – worse – worst

Class 6 English Chapter 1.5 A Kabaddi Match Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following in one or two sentences.

Question 1.
What led to the hopes of class 9 A soaring?
Answer:
The inclusion of three new students in class 9A, who were outstanding Kabaddi players led to the hopes of the class soaring.

Question 2.
How did the spectators boost the morale of both the teams?
Answer:
When the match started, all the spectators clapped and boosted the morale of both the teams.

Question 3.
How was the first point of the game scored?
Answer:
Raider Govind was so swift that before the opponents realised it, he had touched Suresh from 9B and was already heading home and a point was scored.

Question 4.
What was the strength of Ravi from 9B?
Answer:
Ravi from 9B, was a very strong player and he could single-handedly catch hold of any player tightly in between his legs, twisted like scissors. Releasing oneself from his grip would be next to impossible.

Question 5.
Why was Ravi relaxed?
Answer:
Ravi was relaxed as he had never dreamt of any strong opposition from any team.

Question 6.
Which quality helped Mangesh to prove his mettle?
Answer:
The quality of determination helped Mangesh . to prove his mettle.

Question 7.
What was the result of Mangesh’s efforts?
Answer:
Mangesh, through his efforts not only saved himself but was able to score three points for his team as Ravi, Mohan and Ajinkya who were holding him were also declared out.

Question 8.
How was the whole of 9B team declared out?
Answer:
The three players from 9B trapped Vivek but he slowly moved back towards his court with the three anti-raiders moving with him. When they caught his arm and were trying to pull him back, Vivek slipped his leg beyond the midline with the anti-raiders still hanging on to his arm. Thus, the whole of 9B team was declared out.

Question 9.
What helped 9 A beat 9B who had never tasted defeat earlier in the game of Kabaddi?
Answer:
9A outplayed 9B in all areas of Kabaddi. Their team spirit, confidence, strategies, swiftness and suppleness helped them to beat 9B who had never tasted defeat before.

Reading Skill, Vocabulary and Grammar

Read the following passage and complete the activities that follow.

Question 1.
Prepare a word register for the word ‘sports’.
Answer:
courts, teams, opponents, players Extract:
In Kabaddi, two teams of seven members each, face each other on a flat rectangular court, divided by a midline. The game is usually played in two halves with a halftime break in between. After the break, the teams exchange their sides on the court.

To play the game, each team sends ‘raiders’ across the midline to the other team. The raider tries to ‘tag’ the opponents and run back to his side, all in one breath. To show that he hasn’t inhaled again, he has to chant ‘Kabaddi-Kabaddi’ all the time. If he has to inhale again, he is ‘out’.

The opponents try to catch the raider and stop him from going back to his half till he loses his breath, and has to inhale again. If the raider manages to go back successfully, all the persons he has tagged and all those who have touched him are declared out. For each player declared out, the opposite team scores a point. If all the seven players in a team are ‘out’, the opposite team gets bonus points – a Iona. The team with the maximum points wins the match.

The game of Kabaddi requires good health, muscular strength, strategic skills, a lot of practice and above all, great determination.

Question 2.
Which aspects of the game of Kabaddi is highlighted in this extract?
Answer:
The rules of the game of Kabaddi and the qualities required to excel in this game are title two aspects discussed in this extract.

Question 3.
What should each team do to play the game?
Answer:
To play the game, each team sends ‘raiders’ across the midline to the other team.

Question 4.
What does the raider do?
Answer:
The raider tries to ‘tag’ the opponents and run back to his side, all in one breath.

Question 5.
Why should the raider chant ‘Kabaddi- Kabaddi’ all the time?
Answer:
To show that the raider has not inhaled again, the raider has to chant ‘Kabaddi-Kabaddi’ all the time.

Question 6.
When does the opposite team get bonus points?
Answer:
When all the seven players in a team are ‘out’, the opposite team gets bonus points – a Iona.

Question 7.
Which team wins the match?
Answer:
The team with the maximum points wins the match.

Question 8.
What are the qualities essential to excel at Kabaddi?
Answer:
To excel in the game of Kabaddi one requires good health, muscular strength, strategic skills, a lot of practice and above all, great determination.

Question 9.
The team with the maximum points wins, the match. (State the word class of the underlined word.)
Answer:
maximum – adjective

Question 10.
Do you think sports plays an important role in development? Elaborate.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi, has rightly said: “Education is the all-round development of an individual – body, mind and spirit.”
Sports plays an important role in contributing to our physical fitness apart from developing essential values and virtues.

Language Study

Do as directed.

Question 1.
The school sports meet was scheduled next month. (State the part of speech of the underlined word.)
Answer:
next – adjective

Question 2.
The practice matches had already begun. (Add a question tag.)
Answer:
The practice matches had already begun, hadn’t they?

Question 3.
When the match started, all the spectators clapped and boosted the morale of both the teams. (Pick out the action words.)
Answer:
started, clapped, boosted

Question 4.
9A won the toss and sent their raider Govind. (Begin the sentence with, “Winning the toss ……”)
Answer:
Winning the toss, 9A sent their raider Govind.

Question 5.
All the players were literally afraid of him. (Pick out the adverb.)
Answer:
Adverb: literally

Question 6.
Mangesh from 9A was strong. (Form a Wh- question to get the underline word as the answer.)
Answer:
Who was strong?

Question 7.
Kabaddi is an ancient sport. (Pick out the article.)
Answer:
an – article

Question 8.
The team with the maximum points wins the match. (Pick out the collective noun.)
Answer:
team – collective noun

Question 9.
Indian girls and boys have always excelled at Kabaddi. (Pick out the naming words.)
Answer:
girls, boys, Kabaddi – Naming words

Question 10.
One day, you may help win glory for your school. (Pick out the modal and state its function.)
Answer:
may – possibility

Change into the positive degree of comparison.

Question 1.
Kabaddi is the most popular game in this school.
Answer:
No other game is as popular as Kabaddi in this school.

Question 2.
Kevin was the strongest player.
Answer:
No other player was as strong as Kevin.

Question 3.
Kabaddi is more popular than that game.
Answer:
This game is not as popular as Kabaddi.

Question 4.
He is the best Kabaddi player in the school.
Answer:
No other Kabaddi player in the school is as good as he is.

Name of Kabaddi in different parts of the world.

• baibalea – Maldives
• hadudu – Bangladesh
• kabaddi – Denmark
• kabaddi – Kenya
• kabaddi – Spain

Complete the table.

Writing Skills

Flow Chart:

Question 1.
Arrange the points in proper order to show how the game of Kabaddi is played. Write the numbers in the blocks.
Answer:

Essay:

Question 1.
Write an essay using the points given below.
What characteristics are needed to be a good player of Kabaddi?
What should we do to develop each of them?
Answer:
A Good Kabaddi Player
Any player requires various characteristics to emerge as a good player. The game of Kabaddi too requires physical and mental fitness. While good health, muscular strength and strategic skills are essential to emerge a winner, also equally important are other traits. Determination, dedication, devotion, consistency in performance and willingness to give one’s best, too are of paramount importance.

We can acquire these skills if we resolve to do our best and give our hundred percent to the game. Right skills, ample practice and the will to excel will help us reach our goal. Watching Kabaddi matches on television, seeking help from experts, finding one’s weak areas and working on them are ways in which we can develop attributes to become a good Kabaddi player.
‘Hardwork is the key to success’ in Kabaddi or any other game.

Let Us Remember:

“The heights which great men,
Reached and kept,
Were not attained by sudden flight,
They, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.”

Do yoy know?

Kabddi World Cup
The 2016 World Cup, the third standard style Kabbadi World Cup was an international Kabbadi tournament contested from 7th October 2016 to 22nd October 2016 at the Arena, in Ahmedabad. 12 countries had competed in the tournament and 33 matches been played. The tournament was won by India who defeated Iran 38-29 in the Championship Games to win their third Kabbadi world cup.

Kabaddi Match Summary in English

The lesson begins with a School Sports Meet through which the rules and strategies of the game are shared with the reader. The extract also highlights the qualities displayed by the winning team – team spirit, confidence, right strategies, swiftness and suppleness.
The lesson goes on to talk about the rules of the game and ends with qualities essential to excel in this game.

Introduction:

This lesson is about Kabaddi, an outdoor sport which originated in India, and is now popular in many countries of the world.

Glossary:

1. sports meet (n) – an event where sports competitions are held
2. scheduled (v) – planned
3. outstanding (adj) – very good
4. pectators (n) – people who watch a game
5. opponents (n) – ones who compete with another in a game
6. grip (n) – a firm hold
7. literally (adv) – exactly
8. anti-raiders (n) – every player in whose court, raid is being made
9. determination (n) – firmness in purpose
10. cautiously (adv) – in a guarded manner
11. strategies (n) – plans of action to achieve an aim
12. enviable (adj) – sought after
13. ace (adj) – one who excels
14. swiftness (n) – moving with rapid speed
15. suppleness (n) – flexibility
16. inhale (v) – breathe in
17. tagged (v) – to follow someone from one place to another
18. strategic (adj) – useful in achieving a plan
19. resolve (n) – firm decision

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.4 Children are Going to School … Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 1.4 Children are Going to School …

Class 6 English Chapter 1.4 Children are Going to School … Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Read the poem aloud.

Question 1.
Read the poem aloud.

2. Find atleast two things from the poem that show the following:

Question a.
It is early morning:
Answer:

1. Morning light spreads over the earth.
2. The sun, after his morning dip in the river dressed up in his golden muslin turban waits and smiles on one side of the road.

Question b.
The atmosphere is pleasant.
Answer:

1. Breezes sing their songs of blessings.
2. Fragrant flowers awaken the sleepy roads with their melodies.

3. Apart from children, no other human beings are mentioned in the poem. However, many natural elements are shown to act like person. Name them and also write what they do.

Question 1.
Apart from children, no other human beings are mentioned in the poem. However, many natural elements are shown to act like person. Name them and also write what they do.
Answer:

1. The sky: Sky bows his head in respect for children going to school.
2. The sun: The sun waits and smiles on one side of the road for the children are going to school.
3. The breezes: Through the green-topped branches, breezes sing their songs of blessings.
4. The fragrant flowers: They awaken the sleepy roads with their melodies.
5. The peepal tree: It waves his hands for the children going to school.
6. Every particle of the earth: Throbs like a mother’s heart for the children going to school.
7. Pigeons: Fly in the sky for children going to school.

4. Draw a picture of the scene described in the poem.

Question 1.
Draw a picture of the scene described in the poem.

5. The whole world is happy because children are going to school. Why is it so? Discuss it in the classroom.

Question 1.
The whole world is happy because children are going to school. Why is it so? Discuss it in the classroom.
Answer:
Children going to school is a beautiful sight. The fun they have, the little games they play, the mischievous things they do enroute to the school, all make it a pretty picture. So, the whole world is happy to witness this sight. Apart from this, it is important that children go to school for their development and the development of the world at large. So, the whole world is happy because children are going to school.

6. Write about how your family supports you to go to school.

Question 1.
Write about how your family supports you to go to school.
Answer:
My family is my greatest support system. They support me in every way to go to school. Packing my lunch box and bag with books and learning material is done by my mother. My father helps me to keep my books complete. He also helps me to get ready to go to school before dropping me to school.

7. What would happen if children didn’t go to school? Discuss the question in groups of 5-8 and prepare a short composition on it.

Question 1.
What would happen if children didn’t go to school? Discuss the question in groups of 5-8 and prepare a short composition on it.
Answer:
School is a temple of knowledge. If children didn’t go to school, they would not attain knowledge. In a school, they learn different subjects, good qualities and various skills. This helps them to become good individuals and great citizens. Children who don’t go to school will be denied all these experiences. They will also miss out all the fun other children have in schools.

We should ensure that every child is sent to school so that he receives good education. This will not only help him to realise his dreams but also help him contribute towards national development. Let us educate and empower ourselves and work towards a bright future.

8. Write in short about what your parents/guardians feel when they send you to school.

Question 1.
Write in short about what your parents/guardians feel when they send you to school.
Answer:
Parents/guardians experience mixed feelings when they send us to school. They feel happy that we are going to school to acquire knowledge, skills and values and at the same time they miss our absence from home too.
Sometimes, if the school is far away, parents and guardians are worried till we get back. At the same time they are aware that for our bright future it is essential to go to school. They are proud that we are doing our best in school by making the most of our experiences.

9. List five of your favourite Hindi or Marathi poems or songs. Try to translate any one of them into English.

Question 1.
List five of your favourite Hindi or Marathi poems or songs. Try to translate any one of them into English.

10. Visit a library. Find a school poem. Recite it to your parents.

Question 1.
Visit a library. Find a school poem. Recite it to your parents.

Class 6 English Chapter 1.4 Children are Going to School … Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer in one or two sentences.

Question 1.
When and to whom does the sky bow his head in respect?
Answer:
When the morning light spreads over the earth, the sky bows his head in respect to the children going to school.

Question 2.
How has the poet described the sun in the poem?
Answer:
The sun is described beautifully by the poet. He says that after the sun’s morning dip in the river, dressed up in golden muslin turban it waits and smiles on one side of the road for the children going to school.

Question 3.
Who waves at the children going to school?
Answer:
The peepal tree waves his hands at the children going to school.

Question 4.
Why is every road shining bright?
Answer:
The angels of light have set out and so every road is shining bright.

Reading Skill, Vocabulary and Poetic Devices

Read the following extract and complete the activities that follow.

Question 1.
Complete the web diagram with the elements of nature mentioned in the extract.
Answer:

Question 2.
What does the poet convey through the above poem?
Answer:
The poet conveys the happiness of all the elements of nature at the sight of children going to school.

Question 3.
What do the breezes do as the children are going to school?
Answer:
Through the green-topped branches, the breezes sing their songs of blessings.

Question 4.
What do the fragrant flowers do as the children are going to school?
Answer:
The fragrant flowers awaken the sleepy roads with their melodies as the children are going to school.

Question 5.
What has the poet compared the throbbing of every particle of the earth to?
Answer:
The poet has compared the throbbing of every particle of the earth to the throb of a mother’s heart.

Question 6.
Explain the line:
Angels of light have set out Every road is a-gleam.
Answer: The sunlight is rejoicing at the sight of the children going to school and it has made the roads shining bright for the children.

Question 7.
Name the rhyme scheme used in the last four lines of the poem.
Answer:
abed

Question 8.
Pick out an example of Simile from the extract.
Answer:
At this hour, every particle of the earth throbs like a mother’s heart.

Question 10.
What are the emotions you experience at the thought of going to school?
Answer:
I am filled with happiness and joy at the thought of going to school. I look forward to have fun, frolic and enjoyment in school and so I get very excited at the very thought.

Student’s Activity:

Spot the words based on the clues given.

Answer:

1. Greenery, leafy cover
2. Sweet music
3. A kind of soft cotton fabric
4. Light wind

Observe the words given below. Write a story in about hundred words based on the same:

Children are Going to School … Summary in English

‘Children Going to School’ is a beautiful poem translated from ‘Bachche School Ja Rahe Hai’ written by Nida Fazli. The poem talks about how natural elements like the sky, sun, breezes, fragrant flowers, peepal tree, every particle of the earth and pigeons etc., are happy at the sight of children going to school. They express their happiness in different ways as the children find their way to school.

Introduction:

The poem highlights the reaction of different elements of nature at the sight of children going to school.

Glossary:

1. dip (n) – plunge into the river (here)
2. muslin (n) – a kind of soft cotton fabric
3. green-topped branches – branches covered with leaves
4. breezes (n) – light wind
5. melodies (n) – sweet music
6. foliage (n) – greenery, leafy cover
7. gleam (n) – shining bright

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 2.4 Three Visions for India Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 2.4 Three Visions for India

Class 8 English Chapter 2.4 Three Visions for India Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Read the Preamble of the Constitution of India given in your textbook. Pick out words that refer to the following.

1. Brotherhood
2. Freedom
3. Earnestly and seriously
4. Fair and impartial treatment
5. Having supreme authority
6. Unity and oneness
7. A promise made to oneself

Answer:

1. Brotherhood: fraternity
2. Freedom: liberty
3. Earnestly and seriously: solemnly
4. Fair and impartial treatment: equality
5. Having supreme authority: sovereign
6. Unity and oneness: integrity
7. A promise made to oneself: resolve

2. Finite and Non- finite Verbs:
Verbs are action words. They can be Finite or Non-finite.
Read the sentences below, focusing on the verbs.
(a) I play football.
(b) He plays football.
(c) They play football.
(d) Manish plays football.
We notice that the verb ‘play’ as we change the person (First I Second /Third) or Number (Singular/Plural) of the Subject.
When the use of a verb is limited by the Person or Number of the Noun/Pronoun in the Subject, we call it a Finite Verb.
Now read the sentences below.
(a) I like to play football.
(b) He likes to play football.
(c) They like playing football.
(d) Manish likes to play football.
In the sentences above the verb ‘to play’ or ‘playing’ does not change or take ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ after them, even when we change the Person or Number of the Subject.
to + verb, I verb + ing/verb + en I ed/having + verb + en I ed are not limited by their Subject. Such verbs are called Non-finite Verbs.

1. Complete Dr APJ Abdul Kolum’s profile with information picked from the lesson:
Profile – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
a. Title: …….
b. Profession: ………
c. Branch of science: ……..
d. Important position in Government held: ………..
e. His three visions for India: ……..
Answer:
a. Title: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
b. Profession: Missile scientist.
c. Branch of Science: Physics and Aerospace Engineering.
d. An important position in government-held: 11th President of India.
e. His three visions for India: Freedom, Development, and Standing Up to the rest of the World.

2. Using a dictionary/internet note down the main differences between:

Question a.
a developing nation and a developed nation
Answer:
(i) a developing nation: a country that is poor and whose citizens are mostly agricultural workers, and the average income is very low.
(ii) a developed nation: a country with a lot of industrial activity, high economic growth and where people have high incomes.

Question b.
self-reliant and self-assured
Answer:
(i) self-reliant: not needing help or support from other peoples
(ii) self-assured-having confidence in yourself.

Question c.
our strengths and our achievements
Answer:
(i) our strengths – the qualities and abilities that we have which are an advantage to us, or which make us successful.
(ii) our achievements – our successes or accomplishments.

Question d.
farm and granary
Answer:
(i) farm – a large area used for growing crops/flowers, etc.
(ii) granary – a storehouse for grain

Question e.
a remote-sensing satellite and a natural satellite
Answer:
(i) a remote-sensing satellite – artificial (man-made) satellites with remote sensors which have been launched into space to measure various things.
(ii) a natural satellite – any celestial body in space that orbits around a larger body.

3. Find evidence from the lesson and write in your own words:

Question a.
Indians respect the freedom of others.
Answer:
India has not tried to conquer anyone, or grab their land, culture and history. We have not tried to force our way of life on anyone. This is because Indians respect the freedom of others.

Question b.
It is time to see ourselves as a developed nation.
Answer:
We have been a developing nation ‘ for 50 years. Now we are among the top five nations of the world in terms of GDP we have ten percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling and our achievements are being recognized globally. It is time to see ourselves as a developed nation.

Question c.
We Indians are obsessed with foreign things.
Answer:
We Indians are obsessed with foreign things and we want to have things like foreign TVs, foreign shirts and foreign l technology.

Question d.
In Israel, the media have a positive outlook and self-respect.
Answer:
In Israel, it was the day after Hamas had struck and a lot of attacks, bombardments and deaths had taken place. However, the front page of the newspaper had an inspiring picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert land into an orchid farm and granary. The gory details of the killings, bombardments, deaths, etc. were inside the newspaper, buried among other news. This showed that in Israel the media have a positive outlook and self-respect.

Question e.
India has many amazing success stories.
Answer:
India has many amazing success stories. We are not only the second largest producer of wheat in the world, but also the second largest producer of rice. We are the first in milk production and are number one in remote sensing satellites. We have great personalities like Dr. Sudarshan, who has transformed a tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit.

4. Pick out some sentences from (he Iesson that coney u general truth.
(i) If we are not free, no one will respect us.
(ii) …………
Answer:
(i) If we are not free, no one will respect us.
(ii) We must stand up to the world or no one will respect us.
(iii) Only strength respects strength.
(iv) Military power and economic power-both must go hand in hand.

5. Find out from the Internet the poem Song of Youth’ by Dr APJ Abdul Kulam.
(A) Copy it down in your notebook and write its theme in your own words.
(B) Using information from our school library or the Internet, prepare a
Profile of any great Indian Scientist. (Refer to Activity 1 for points.)

6. Say whether each of the verbs, underlined below, is Finite or Non-finite.

Question a.
We lack the confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation.
Answer:
lack – Finite
to see – Non-finite
developed – Non-finite

Question b.
We stand first in producing milk.
Answer:
stand – Finite
producing – Non-finite

Question c.
I want to live in a developed India.
Answer:
want – Finite
to live – Non-finite

Question d.
We prefer buying imported things.
Answer:
prefer – Finite
buying – Non-finite

Question e.
Indians never try to force their way of life on others.
Answer:
to force – Non-finite

Question f.
Having invaded India, they captured our land.
Answer:
captured – Finite

7. Phrases and Clauses:
Study the underlined groups of words.

(i)
(a) He wore a shirt made of cotton.
(b) He wore a shirt which was made of cotton.

(ii)
(a) Are you sure of your innocence?
(b) Are you sure that you are innocent?

(iii)
(a) This is the exact reason for his failure.
(b) This is exactly why he has failed.

(iv)
(a) Pay careful attention to my words.
(b) Pay careful attention to what I say.

(v)
(a) After finishing his work, he went home.
(b) He finished his work and he went home.

You will notice that all underlined groups of words in sentences marked (a) merely
refer to a concept or expression. They do not contain a Subject or a Main or Principal
Verb. Such a group of words or unit of a sentence is called a PHRASE
Each of the underlined groups of words in sentences marked (bi convey a thought/concept and have a Subject and a Principal or Main Verb.
This unit /part of a sentence is called a CLAUSE.

Say whether the underlined parts of the following sentences are Phrases or Clauses:

(i)
People from all over the world have invaded us.
Answer:
Phrase

(ii)
I believe that Indio had its first vision of freedom in 1857.
Answer:
Clauses

(iii)
It is this freedom that we must respect.
Answer:
Clauses

(iv)
We are a great nation.
Answer:
Phrase

(v)
I want to live in a developed India.
Answer:
Phrase

(vi)
We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them.
Answer:
Clauses

(vii)
We have a 10 percent growth rate in most areas.
Answer:
Phrase

Replace the underlined Phrases with Clauses:

Question a.
Do you know his place of birth?
Answer:
Do you know where he was born?

Question b.
In his absence, the thieves looted his house.
Answer:
When he was absent, the thieves looted his house.

Question c.
I am a citizen of India. I am a citizen.
Answer:
I am a citizen who belongs to India.

Class 8 English Chapter 2.4 Three Visions for India Additional Important Questions and Answers

Complete the webs:

Question 1.

Answer:

Question 2.

Answer:

Simple Factual Activities:

Question 1.
Pick out a sentence from the extract that conveys a general truth.
Answer:
If we are not free, no one will respect us.

Question 2.
What helped Dr. Kalam fix the three visions for India?
Answer:
Dr. Kalam fixed the three visions for India based on the achievements and progress he had witnessed in the history of the nation and during his own career as a missile scientist.

Question 3.
How should we handle our freedom?
Answer:
We should protect and nurture our freedom and build on it.

Write the past tense forms of the following words:

1. grab
2. build
3. conquer
4. try

Answer:

1. grabbed
2. built
3. conquered
4. tried

Rewrite the following sentences as affirmative sentences:

Question 1.
We have not done this to any other nation.
Answer:
We have refused to do this to any other nation.

Question 2.
If we are not free, no one will respect us.
Answer:
We will be respected only if we are free.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
What, do you think, will happen if everyone in the world respected the freedom of others?
Answer:
If everyone in the world respected the freedom of others, there would be complete peace and harmony in the world. There would be no wars and no bloodshed. Everyone would be happy and free to develop his full potential

Question 2.
Pick out two compound words from the passage.
Answer:
self-reliant, self-assured

Question 3.
Do you agree that ‘our media is obsessed only with bad news, failures and disasters’?
Answer:
Yes, I agree. The front pages of all leading newspapers carries only bad news. The good news is carried in very fine print somewhere deep in the paper. It can be very depressing. Only when we read detailed articles or actually visit places can we see the amazing success stories and the development.

Complete the following:

Question 1.
The prerequisite of self-respect is _______.
Answer:
self-reliance.

Question 2.
The foreign stuff we Indians are crazy about is foreign TVs, ______.
Answer:
foreign shirts and foreign technology.

Question 3.
The dream of the fourteen-year-old girl in Hyderabad is _____.
Answer:
to live in a developed India.

Question 4.
Pick out a sentence from the extract that conveys a general truth.
Answer:
Self-respect comes with self-reliance.

Write the antonyms of the following words using prefixes:

1. respect
2. developed
3. inspiring
4. imported

Answer:

1. respect x disrespect
2. developed x undeveloped
3. inspiring x uninspiring
4. imported x exported

Pick out the relative pronouns from the following sentences:

Question 1.
The front page had the picture of a gentleman who had transformed his desert land into an orchid farm.
Answer:
who

Question 2.
It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to.
Answer:
that

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Would you too like to live in a developed India? What will be the advantages?
Answer:
Yes, I too would like to live in a developed India. Then there will be no crowds, no queues, admissions to schools and colleges will be easy, there will be no dearth of natural resources, and everyone will be able to live in luxury.

Do as directed:

Question 1.
Write the root words of the following words : achievement, inspiring
Answer:
achieve, inspire

Question 2.
Use the following phrase in your own sentence : stand up to
Answer:
We must have the courage to stand up to any injustice that we see around us.

Question 3.
Spot the error and rewrite correctly : potentail, self-sustenning
Answer:
potential, self-sustaining

Question 4.
Find out four hidden words from the given word : (Each word should have at least 3 letters.) satellite
Answer:
satellite – state, late, least, steal

Question 5.
Write the anagrams of the following words :
(i) bleats
(ii) asleep
Answer:
(i) bleats – stable, tables
(ii) asleep – elapse, please

Question 6.
Replace the underlined phrase with a clause : After finishing her studies, she ran off to play.
Answer:
After she had finished her studies, she ran off to play.She finished her studies 1 and ran off to play.

Question 7.
Pick out the non-finite verb from the following sentence :
Why are we so embarrassed to recognize our own strength?
Answer:
to recognize

Question 8.
Pick out the pronouns from the sentence :
She replied, “I want to live in a developed India.”
Answer:
She replied, “I want to live in a developed India.”

Question 9.
Rewrite as a negative sentence :
Our media is obsessed with only bad news and failures.
Answer:
Our media is obsessed with nothing but bad news and failures.

Question 10.
Use the following word as a noun and a verb in two separate sentences :
attack
Answer:
(i) The attack came when Aurangzeb had least expected it. (norm)
(ii) Aurangzeb was attacked when he least expected it. (verb)

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 1.3 In Time of Silver Rain Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 1.3 In Time of Silver Rain

Class 7 English Chapter 1.3 In Time of Silver Rain Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Find the pairs of rhyming words used at the end of the lines in the poem.

Question 1.
Find the pairs of rhyming words used at the end of the lines in the poem.
Answer:

2. Read the poem aloud using proper intonation.

Question 1.
Read the poem aloud using proper intonation.

3. If you were to draw a landscape on the basis of this poem, what elements will you show in It? What colours will you use?

Question 1.
If you were to draw a landscape on the basis of this poem, what elements will you show in It? What colours will you use?
Answer:
If I were to draw a landscape on the basis of this poem, I would show elements like a patch of lush green grass stretching far and wide, small flowers growing all over the plain tossing their heads, brightly coloured butterflies happily fluttering, a rainbow stretching across the sky.

I would also show a tree-lined road, and under the blue sky I would show boys and girls walking down the road enjoying themselves in the rain. I would use all sorts of colours. Green being promment, I would also use shades of bright colours to depict life, liveliness and joy in nature during spring.

4. The special arrangement of short lines makes you think about every detail. If you write the sentences In the usual manner, It does not have the same effect. For example, the first stanza would be something like ‘The earth puis forth new life again: green grasses grow and flowers lift their heads and the wonder of life spreads all over the plain in time of silver rain.’
Now try the following:
Write one or two sentences about something beautiful, using your own experience or imagination. Then rearrange the words In the sentences In a poetic form. You may write about a beautiful day, a beautiful night, a stream, a crop standing in a field, a graceful bird or animal, etc.
Answer:

• A beautiful night
• The people were enjoying
• When the clouds were making noise and thundering.
• But I was sitting along with no one aside.
• My feelings were at night just like a sea tide.
• It started raining and I cried
• It started raining and I cried

5. Fill in the following blanks with reference to the poem.

Question 1.
‘In time of rain when spring and life are ……….., the butterflies lift ……….. wings to catch a ……….. cry and trees put forth …….. leaves to sing in ………… beneath the sky as ……….. boys and girls too ……… singing down the roadway’.
Answer:
In time of rain when rain and life are new, the butterflies lift silken wings to catch a rainbow cry and trees put forth new leaves to sing in joy beneath the sky as passing boys and girls too go singing down the roadway.

6. Think and answer :

Question a.
Is the poet talking about heavy rains in the rainy season or ram that has come after a long time?
Answer:
The poet is talking about rain that has come after a long time.

Question b.
Are the boys and girls happy that it is raining?
Answer:
Yes, the poet says that the boys and girls are singing as they pass down the roadway in the rain, so they are obviously happy that it is raining.

7. Find out the following with the help of your teacher and the internet.
Seasonal Rains (monsoon) in India and other countries.
Rain in countries like UK which experience spring-summer-autumn-winter.

Question 1.
Find out the following with the help of your teacher and the internet.
Seasonal Rains (monsoon) in India and other countries.
Rain in countries like UK which experience spring-summer-autumn-winter.
Answer:
We get seasonal rain monsoon the starting of June. some times it will receive very high rainfall in some coastal areas states like Kerala – Goa – Karnataka – Odisha etc. This states are receives high rain fall from starting to ending og June. some states have received monsoon in the July. And it continues with heavy rains and winds also.

In United Kingdom the month of June, July and August which is the summer season, and it is very hottest season with long sunny days. autumn can be dry but sometimes occational rains and winds also come.

• Average rainfall in the months of winter December to February is 80 mm.
• Average rainfall in the month of spring March to May is 55 mm.
• Average rainfall in the month of Summer June to August is – 60 mm.
• Average rainfall in the month of autumn September to November is 85 mm.

8. Talk about your favourite season. (A one-minute activity.)

Question 1.
Talk about your favourite season. (A one-minute activity.)
Answer:
My favourite season is winter as with the cold that it brings, it also brings an opportunity to sit by the fire-place and read my favourite book. The snow-clad landscapes look divine and radiate peace. What a pleasure it is to eat in this season! Keeping myself warm under the quilt and sharing roasted peanuts with my siblings is a passtime that brings immense joy.

9. Language Study: Alliteration: When the same sound occurs at the beginning of two or more words in the same line, it is called alliteration.
Example: Nayna needs new notebooks.
Find an example of alliteration from the poem.
Collect other examples of alliteration.

Class 7 English Chapter 1.3 In Time of Silver Rain Additional Important Questions and Answers

Think and answer.

Question 1.
Why does the poet say that life is new when it rains?
Answer:
The poet says that life is new when it rains because after the hot and dry summer, the flora and fauna come back to their former, lively and wonderful forms. People feel refreshed by rain as it provides a relief. Rain restores the energy and colour of the nature that get drained out during the harsh summers.

Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
What is the poem about?
Answer:
The poem is about the changes that take place in nature at the onset of spring, especially when it rains. It also talks about the joy that spring brings along with it.

Question 2.
What do the boys and girls do in happiness?
Answer:
The boys and girls sing in happiness as they pass down the roadway.

Question 3.
Give two examples of imagery used by the poet.
Answer:

1. Butterflies lift their wings to catch a rainbow cry.
2. Green grasses grow and flowers lift their heads.

Reading Skills and Poetic Device

Read the following extract and do the activities.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Fill in the web with all that happens in nature during the time of new rain.
Answer:

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1.
Which elements of nature are mentioned in the given extract?
Answer:
The elements of nature that are mentioned in the given extract are grass, trees, butterflies, rainbow, sky and flowers.

Question 2.
Why do the butterflies lift their silver wings?
Answer:
Butterflies lift their silver wings to catch a rainbow.

Question 3.
Which line in the poem tells us that the spring season has just begun?
Answer:
The line “In time of silver rain when spring and life are new” tells us that the spring season has just begun.

Question 4.
Who go singing down the roadway?
Answer:
The boys and girls go singing down the roadway.

Question 5.
Describe in your own words what happens during the time of silver rain.
Answer:
During the time of silver rain, the face of the earth completely changes. The earth puts forth new life, green grasses are seen on the surface. The flowers lift their heads in happiness. The butterflies lift their silky wings and trees put forth new leaves. The boys and girls are happy and go round singing. Thus everywhere we can see new life.

Poetic Device:

Question 1.
Pick out an example of Alliteration from the extract.
Answer:
Green grasses grow.

Question 2.
Give rhyming words of your own.
Answer:

• life – knife
• rain – main
• grow – throw
• spring – bring

Question 3.
Name and explain the figures of speech in the following lines.
Question i.
And overall the plain The wonder spreads
Answer:
Inversion: The word order has been changed. The correct order is “And the wonder spreads all over the plains”.

Question ii.
Of life, Of life, Of life!
Answer:
Repetition: The words ‘Of life’ are repeated thrice for better poetic effect.

Question ii.
And flowers lift their heads.
Answer:
Personification: The flowers are given the human quality of lifting their heads.

Question iv.
The butterflies lift silken wings To catch a rainbow cry
Answer:
Personification: The butterflies are given the human quality of catching.

Question v.
And trees put forth New leaves to sing In joy beneath the sky
Answer:
Personification: Leaves are given the human quality of singing for a better poetic effect.

Question vi.
As down the roadway Passing boys and girls Go singing, too
Answer:
Inversion: The word order has been changed. The correct word order is ‘As passing boys and girls, too, go singing down the roadway’.

Question 4.
Give the adjective used to describe ’rain’.
Answer:
’Silver1 is the adjective used to describe ’rain’.

Question 5.
Give the rhyme scheme of the first verse.
Answer:
a b a c d a d

In Time of Silver Rain Summary in English

The poem is an expression of joy and beauty of nature that spring brings, along with it filling our hearts with wonderment at the newness of life.

Paraphrase:

In the poem “In Time of Silver Rain” the poet Langston Hughes paints a vivid imagery of rains during springtime. He elaborates in his simple yet effective style, the majestic spread of life in nature. Grass and flowers stretching across green vistas act as symbols of newness in nature. The coming of rain in springtime invites butterflies that flutter around in the hope of catching a rainbow.

The trees give birth to new leaves to express their joy. The happiness in nature is so contagious that it extends to human beings as well. The boys and girls sing merrily as they walk down the road in the rains at the onset of spring season.

Glossary:

1. spring (n) – a season
2. put forth (v) – to bring out
3. beneath (prep) – under
4. joy (n) – happiness
5. forth (adv) – away, forwards
6. spreads (v) – disperses widely, scatters
7. silken (adj) – like silkc

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 2.3 The Worm Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Maharashtra State Board Class 8 English Solutions Chapter 2.3 The Worm

Class 8 English Chapter 2.3 The Worm Textbook Questions and Answers

Warming Up:

1. ‘Worms play a very important role; in maintaining ecological balance. They are friends of farmers.’ Form groups and discuss the significance; of worms in the above two roles.
(Point: worms – loosen the soil-bring up fertile soil-turn organic garbage into organic fertilizers-provide/proteins, etc.)
(Students can discuss this as Oral Work.)

2. Think and write down how the following creatures can be useful:

Question a.
DragonFly:
Answer:
eats mosquitoes and flies; controls unwanted insects.

Question b.
Spider:
Answer:
keeps insect population under control.

Question c.
Ants:
Answer:
turn and aerate the soil; help; in seed dispersal.

Question d.
Honeybees:
Answer:
provide honey; help in pollination.

Question e.
Earthworms:
Answer:
loosen the soil; turn organic garbage into fertilizer.

3. Little creatures in nature can also be your teachers. Think and write: what we can learn from the following:

Question a.
Bees:
Answer:
organization; hard work self-sacrifice

Question b.
Ants:
Answer:
team work hard work discipline

Question c.
Spiders:
Answer:
patience perseverance

Question d.
Caterpillars:
Answer:
patience acceptance of change

4. Breeding worms to convert organic waste into fertilizer is called Vermiculture or Vermicomposting.
Find out more about Vermiculture and how you can carry out the same in your garden/backyard to fertilize your plants at home.
(Students can attempt this on their own as a project.)

1. Read the poem aloud and you ill find some old outdated words that we do not use in everyday language now.
However, some writers poets use them to impart an old-fashioned flavour to suit the background of their write-up. Such words are called Archaic words.
Give the modem words for the archaic words from the poem.

1. thy
2. being
3. bestow’d
4. thee
5. thou
6. canst

Answer:

1. thy – your
2. being – life
3. bestow’d – gifted/given as a gift
4. thee – you
5. thou – you
6. cans’t – can

Read any poem I sonnet by William Shakespeare. Pick out archaic words and guess what they mean.

2. The poet uses a device where he directly addresses someone absent or abstarct. Such a device is the Figure of Speech called ‘Apostrophe’.
For example: Turn, turn, thy, hasty, foot aside.

Pick out any two other lines from the poem that on1uin an Apostrophe.
Answer:
(i)Turn, turn thy hasty foot aside
(ii) Let them enjoy their little day
(iii) O do not lightly take away
The life thou canst not give.

3. Think and answer in your own words ¡n your notebook:

Question a.
Why does the poet appeal to us to respect the life of worms?
OR
Why should we take care even of small worms?
Answer:
The poet urges us to remember that every creature on this earth is created by God for some purpose. We must hence respect every creature, big or small, for each has its own role to play in this universe. Besides, we have no right to lightly take away a life which we cannot give back.

Question b.
Why had God created worms? What is their ecological importance?
Answer:
Every creature on this earth is created by God for some purpose. Worms play a very important role in maintaining ecological balance. They loosen and aerate the mud and bring up fertile, nutrient-rich soil. They turn organic garbage into organic fertilizers. Their bodies provide proteins.
Thus, though they are so small, they play a huge role in maintaining ecological balance, and this is the purpose for which God created them.

Question c.
Live and let live’ is a famous proverb. Which lines from the poem support this proverb?
Answer:
The lines from the poem that support the proverb ‘Live and let live’ Eire:

(i) Turn, turn thy hasty foot aside Nor crush that helpless worm
(ii) Let them enjoy their little day
(iii) Do not lightly take away The life thou canst not give

Question d.
Does the poem urge us to protect I only worms ? What is the general message conveyed through the poem?
Answer:
Though the poem is about the worm, the general message is that God has created all the creatures on earth, big ? and small, and every creature has a role to play. All beings have equal rights over the bounties of the earth. No one can take away a life that he/she cannot give.

4. Find from the library or internet other poems composed on tiny Hing creatures. Try to understand the message in each of them.

5. ‘Even small things in nature play a big role. So protect nature!’
Frame some solgans based on the above topic.
Draft a short speech on the abose topic, which you could give at your school assembly.
Use the following steps while drafting.
(1) Greeting
(2) Salutation
(3) Self-introduction
(4) Introduction of the topic
(5) Body of the speech
(6) Conclusion
(7) Expression of gratitude to audience
Answer:

Small But Important

Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, Good morning. Today is 5th June, World Environment Day, and on this important day I, Smruti Kamath, would like to say a few words on the huge role played by the small things in nature.

Let me begin with the earthworm. The earthworm is rightly called the friend of the farmer for it helps the farmer in immeasurable ways. It not only loosens and turns up the soil, it converts garbage into organic fertilizer too. Those minute creatures, ants, help in aerating the soil and in seed dispersal. Bees, in addition to providing honey, are indispensable in pollination. We owe our food to the work done by these little insects. Dragonflies and spiders keep down the insect population by eating insects. Frogs and fish eat the larvae of mosquitoes.

I could go on and on, extolling the virtues and the uses of every little being on this earth. However, time does not permit me to do this, and I end my speech by requesting all of you here to understand and respect the importance and the place of every little creature on this earth. Thank you.

6. Puruphrase the poem in your own simple language. Write it down in your notebook.
Answer:
In this poem, the poet tells the reader, who is in a hurry, to turn his foot aside so that he does not crush the helpless worm. The reader may be filled with scorn and hatred for the worm, but it was created by God.

The same God who made human beings and all other things that move has also given a portion of His unlimited love to the poor worm.
God has given the sun, the moon and the stars free to all the creatures He created. The grass that grows over the earth was made for worms as well as for human beings. The poet urges the reader to allow the worms to enjoy their brief life with its humble pleasures. He tells us not to take away a life which we cannot give.

7. Frame a pointwise Analysis of the poem ‘The worm’. Use the following points.
Answer:

(a) Poem and poet: ‘The Worm’ by Thomas Gisborne.
(b) Theme: Respect every creature big or small, for each has its own role to play in this universe.
(c) Tone: Serious and thought-provoking in the imperative.
(d) Structure and stanzas: Stanzas of four lines each short lines.
(e) Rhyme and Rhythm: Rhyme scheme: abab, cdcd, and so on. The last words of the first and third line and second and fourth line of every stanza rhyme, Rhythm is smooth.
(f) Language and Imagery: Archaic language; no imagery.
(g) Figures of Speech: Apostrophe, Inversion.

Class 8 English Chapter 2.3 The Worm Additional Important Questions and Answers

Complete the following:

Question 1.
The other creations of God that are mentioned in the poem are the sun, _____.
Answer:
the moon, the stars, the earth, blades of grass and humans.

Question 2.
The thought in the last two lines is that _____.
Answer:
we have no right to lightly take away a life that we cannot give back.

Question 3.
Pick out examples of Inversion from the poem.
Answer:
(i) On that poor worm bestow’d
(ii) The sun, the moon the stars He made To all His creatures free.

Writing Skills:

Question 1.
Even small things in nature play a big role. So protect nature Frame some slogans based on the above topic.
Answer:
(i) Nurture nature and get/nurtured by nature.
(ii) All creatures great and small.
The good Lord made them all.
(iii) Take care of one and all.
All creatures great and small.