Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 11: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved which comprises Interchange of Sentences, Descriptive Composition, Invitations, Practice Paper-11. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Interchange of Sentences
ASSIGNMENT
1. It is admitted that he is the greatest cricketer of the country.
Begin: He is
Answer: He is admitted to be the greatest cricketer of the country.
Explanation: This is like changing the way you start a story. The first sentence starts with “It is admitted,” which means “people admit.” The new sentence must start with “He is.” So, we change the sentence to say what “he is.” He is admitted to be the greatest. It’s like changing “It is said that he is kind” to “He is said to be kind.” We are just rearranging the words to say the same thing.
2. I was not sure that you will attend the party.
Begin: I was
Answer: I was doubtful whether you would attend the party.
Explanation: Think of “not sure” as a two-word phrase. We can replace it with one word that means the same thing: “doubtful.” So, “I was not sure” becomes “I was doubtful.” Also, when the first part of a sentence is in the past (like “I was”), the word “will” in the second part usually changes to “would.” It’s a rule for telling stories about things that already happened.
3. It is a horrible night.
End: … a horrible night!
Answer: What a horrible night!
Explanation: The first sentence is a simple statement. The second sentence needs to show a strong feeling, like surprise or fear. We can do this by starting with “What” and ending with an exclamation mark (!). It turns a plain sentence into an excited one. For example, “It is a beautiful day” becomes “What a beautiful day!”
4. Everybody will admit that he struggled hard throughout his life.
Use: Nobody.
Answer: Nobody will deny that he struggled hard throughout his life.
Explanation: This is a game of opposites. The first sentence says everybody agrees with something. To say the exact same thing using the word “Nobody,” we need to use the opposite of “admit.” The opposite of admitting something is denying it. So, if “Everybody will admit” it, that means “Nobody will deny” it. The meaning doesn’t change.
5. Her heart is so full that she cannot express her feelings.
Use: too.
Answer: Her heart is too full to express her feelings.
Explanation: In English grammar, the phrase “so… that… cannot” is a partner to “too… to.” They mean the same thing. Think of it like a secret code. When you see “The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it,” you can change it to “The box is too heavy to lift.” Your sentence follows the same pattern.
6. No other magazine has as big a circulation as this.
End: … of all the magazines.
Answer: This magazine has the biggest circulation of all the magazines.
Explanation: The first sentence compares this magazine to every other one and says none are as big. If nothing is bigger, it means this one is the number one, the top, the “biggest.” When we say something is the “biggest of all,” we are using the superlative degree to show it’s at the very top of the list.
7. Why should you suspect me of doing the fraud?
Begin: Why should I
Answer: Why should I be suspected by you of doing the fraud?
Explanation: This is like flipping the sentence around. In the first sentence, “you” are the one doing the suspecting. In the new sentence, “I” am the one receiving the suspicion. When we do this flip, we have to add the word “be” and change the verb “suspect” to its past participle form, “suspected.” It’s like changing “Why did you break the vase?” to “Why was the vase broken by you?”
8. He went to his house so that he might leave a message for her.
Begin: He wished
Answer: He wished to leave a message for her, so he went to his house.
Explanation: The first sentence tells us the reason or purpose he went to the house. The new sentence must start with his desire, or “wish.” What did he wish for? He wished to leave a message. The action he took to make his wish come true was going to the house. So, we connect the wish and the action: “He wished to leave a message for her, so he went to his house.”
9. She had to sign the contract, or be expelled.
Begin: If she
Answer: If she did not sign the contract, she would be expelled.
Explanation: The sentence gives two choices: do something, or face a bad result. We can change this into an “if” sentence. The “if” part talks about what happens if she doesn’t do the first thing. So, if she did not sign the contract, what is the bad result? She would be expelled.
10. I shall rejoin office when I am in better health.
Begin: I must
Answer: I must be in better health to rejoin office.
Explanation: The first sentence sets a condition: you can only rejoin the office when you are healthy. The new sentence starts with “I must,” which means something is required or necessary. What is the necessary thing? “To be in better health.” Why is it necessary? “To rejoin office.” So, we put it all together: “I must be in better health to rejoin office.”
11. You should note down the points, so I spoke slowly.
End: … note down the points.
Answer: I spoke slowly so that you could note down the points.
Explanation: This sentence explains a cause and an effect. The cause is “I spoke slowly.” The effect is “You should note down the points.” We can connect these by explaining the purpose of the action. Why did I speak slowly? I did it for a reason: so that you could note down the points.
12. The weather is bad and it might be worse.
Begin: Bad as
Answer: Bad as the weather is, it might be worse.
Explanation: This is a special and slightly formal way of saying “Although the weather is bad…” You take the adjective (“bad”), put it at the very beginning, add the word “as,” and then follow it with the subject and verb (“the weather is”). It’s a way to agree that something is bad, but then add another, often surprising, thought.
13. Finish your assignment and then you may go home.
End: … your assignment.
Answer: You may go home after you have finished your assignment.
Explanation: The original sentence gives an order: first, finish your work, and second, you can go home. The new sentence puts the permission to go home first, but it adds a condition. You are allowed to go home, but only after you have finished your assignment.
14. Hear her out patiently and you will understand her viewpoint.
Begin: If you
Answer: If you hear her out patiently, you will understand her viewpoint.
Explanation: This is a cause-and-effect pair. Doing the first action (“Hear her out patiently”) will cause the second thing to happen (“you will understand”). We can easily connect these two ideas with “If.” If you do the first part, then the second part will be the result.
15. I wish I had the wings of a dove.
End: … the wings of a dove!
Answer: If only I had the wings of a dove!
Explanation: The first sentence is a simple statement of a wish. To make it sound more emotional and full of longing, we can use a phrase like “If only I had…” and add an exclamation mark at the end. It changes a calm statement into a passionate exclamation.
16. As soon as he saw the lion, he climbed up a tree.
Begin: No sooner
Answer: No sooner had he seen the lion than he climbed up a tree.
Explanation: “As soon as” and “No sooner… than” are two ways of saying that one thing happened immediately after another. When you start a sentence with “No sooner,” you have to follow two special rules: 1) You must flip the subject and the helping verb (so “he had” becomes “had he”). 2) You must use the word “than” to connect the two events. Think of “No sooner” and “than” as partners that always have to be used together in this type of sentence.
Descriptive Composition
ASSIGNMENT
1. Write about a village that you know, placing it in its surroundings and describing the types of houses and the important buildings. You may include among the important buildings: a cinema hall, a shrine, a shop, etc.
Answer: The Village of Rampur
Rampur is a small village in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is surrounded by green fields of wheat and sugarcane. A small river flows on the western side of the village. On the other side, there is a road that connects the village to the nearby town, Bansipur. People often walk or ride bicycles along this road. The village is quiet, and most people know each other well.
The houses in Rampur are simple. Many are made of bricks with tiled roofs. Some older houses are built with mud walls and thatched roofs. They stay cool in summer but need repairs after heavy rains. A few new houses have cement walls and flat roofs. These belong to families whose children work in towns and send money home. The houses stand close together, and narrow lanes pass between them.
In the center of the village, there are a few important buildings. There is a small shop run by Ramesh, where people buy rice, oil, soap, and other daily goods. Children often buy toffees there. Near the shop is a shrine under a large peepal tree. People gather there in the mornings and evenings to pray. On festivals, the place is decorated with flowers and lamps. A little further away stands a small cinema hall. It is not big, but it shows old Hindi films on weekends. Villagers sit on wooden benches and enjoy the shows.
The school is another important place. It has three rooms and a playground. Children study there till class eight. For higher studies, they go to the town. Beside the school is a well, where women draw water and talk. The Panchayat office, though small, is also important. Villagers meet there to discuss farming, roads, and other issues.
Rampur is simple, but it has everything people need. Life moves slowly here, and the people are close to their land and each other.
2. Write an account of a visit you have made to a factory or some other place of work.Concentrate on the place itself; do not describe the journey.
Here are notes for a possible plan:
Introduction
- Where is the factory or office located?
- What work is done there?
The workplace
- The scene when you enter.
- Details of machines and other equipment.
- Actions of the workers.
- Sounds, smells, etc.
General impression and conclusion
- Your feelings towards the workers-admiration or pity?
- Final impression.
Answers: A Visit to a Textile Factory
Last month, our class teacher, Mr. Mehra, took us to a textile factory in our town. The factory was owned by a man named Rakesh Sharma. It was the first time I had entered such a place, and I was eager to see how cloth was made.
As we stepped inside, the sound of machines filled the air. The factory floor was large and well lit. Rows of looms stood one after another. Each machine was busy weaving colourful threads into cloth. The workers moved quickly, checking the machines, tying loose threads, and keeping the work going. Some were loading yarn into spindles, while others folded the finished cloth neatly.
We were guided by an engineer named Sunil. He explained how cotton comes in bales and is first cleaned. Then the fibres are spun into yarn. The yarn goes through the looms, where patterns are set, and finally, cloth comes out. He showed us samples of plain and printed fabrics. I was surprised to learn that hundreds of metres of cloth are made each day in that factory.
The workers looked serious but not unhappy. Some smiled at us as we passed by. We also saw a section where women checked the cloth for faults. They used scissors to trim loose threads and folded the cloth into bundles. It was steady and patient work.
At the end, Mr. Sharma himself met us. He said that the factory gave jobs to more than two hundred people. He told us that the cloth from his factory was sent to many states. I felt proud that our small town had such a factory.
The visit taught me how much effort goes into making even a simple piece of cloth. Each shirt or saree in our homes is the result of so many hands and hours of work. As we left the factory, I looked at the workers again and thought about their hard work with respect.
3. A ride in a bus through a busy road in the evening. Describe what you have seen during the ride, and say whether or not you enjoyed while you were in the bus.
Answers: A Ride Through the Evening Road
One evening I boarded a bus from College Street to go back home. The seats were almost full, so I stood near the window. The road outside was alive with movement. Shops were open and their lights shone on the street. Some people were still buying vegetables from roadside stalls. Others hurried to catch their buses and autos.
As the bus moved slowly through the traffic, I saw students like me walking in groups. A fruit seller shouted the price of guavas. Two boys argued over the change. At a crossing, an old man sold balloons, while children pulled their parents to buy one. Small food stalls gave out the smell of fried pakoras and tea. Office workers stood there, still in their formal clothes, eating in a hurry.
Vehicles crowded the road. Cars honked, rickshaws rang their bells, and bikers tried to find gaps to move ahead. At times the bus stopped for several minutes. I watched people cross the road even as vehicles pushed forward. A policeman tried hard to control the crowd, blowing his whistle again and again.
Inside the bus, it was noisy too. Some passengers talked on their phones. Two school girls giggled over a joke. A mother told her son to stand close to her. Near the driver, an old man hummed a song. I could hear the conductor calling out the names of stops in his loud voice.
I enjoyed the ride because it showed me how different lives meet on the same road. Everyone had their own story, yet all were part of the evening rush. Though the heat and noise were tiring, I liked watching people and listening to the sounds. The ride gave me a sense of being part of the city. It felt like the road carried not only buses and cars but also the daily struggles and hopes of people.
Invitations
ASSIGNMENT
Write a formal invitation for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of your school and then write a formal reply to the invitation from a guest, who is unable to come owing to his trip abroad.
Answer: Formal Invitation
The Principal, Staff and Students
of
City Public School, Nagpur
request the pleasure of your company
at the
Golden Jubilee Celebrations
of their school
on Saturday, 25th November, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
at the
School Auditorium.
Dr. Anjali Sharma, the District Education Officer,
has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest.
R.S.V.P.
Mrs. Kapoor
Principal
City Public School
Nagpur
Answer: Formal Reply of Refusal
Mr. and Mrs. Sharma thank the Principal, Staff and Students of City Public School, Nagpur for their kind invitation to the Golden Jubilee Celebrations on Saturday, 25th November, 2023.
They, however, regret their inability to attend the function due to a prior engagement as they will be on a trip abroad.
They send their best wishes for the success of the celebrations.
Practice Paper-11
Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a short story to justify the theme: ‘Failures are stepping stones to success.’
Answer: Failures are Stepping Stones to Success
Leo had always dreamed of winning the annual town baking competition. This year, he was sure his masterpiece, a three-tiered lemon and raspberry cake, would secure him the blue ribbon. He had spent weeks perfecting the recipe, and on the morning of the competition, he worked with intense focus. The cake looked magnificent, a tower of perfect sponge and delicate frosting.
However, disaster struck during the transport. A sudden stop sent the cake toppling over in its box. When Leo arrived at the community hall, all he had was a mess of crumbs, cream, and shattered dreams. Humiliation washed over him as he saw the perfect creations of other bakers. He left without even entering the hall, his confidence completely broken.
For weeks, Leo didn’t bake a thing. The failure had soured his passion. One afternoon, his grandmother sat with him. “You failed to transport a cake, Leo,” she said gently. “You did not fail as a baker. What did you learn?” Her words sparked something in him. He realised his mistake was not in the baking, but in the structure and transportation. He had built something beautiful but not something strong.
This realisation became his new foundation. He spent the next year learning about structural engineering in baking, studying how to build stable, multi-layered cakes. He experimented with dowels, internal supports, and secure transport methods. His baking became not just an art, but a science.
The following year, Leo entered the competition again. His cake was even more ambitious, a four-tiered marvel of chocolate and hazelnut. It was not only delicious but also incredibly stable. He had built a special, padded box for it. This time, when he placed his creation on the judges’ table, it stood tall and proud. He won the first prize. Holding the blue ribbon, Leo knew that his previous, crushing failure had not been an end, but the most important ingredient in his eventual success.
(ii) Narrate an incident which has changed your life forever.
An Incident That Changed My Life
Answers:- Until I was fifteen, my life was a comfortable bubble of school, friends, and family. I took my health and my abilities for granted. That all changed one winter morning on my way to school. The roads were icy, and a car skidded at an intersection, hitting me while I was on the pedestrian crossing. The world went black, and I woke up in a hospital bed with a fractured leg and a sea of worried faces around me.
The weeks that followed were the most challenging of my life. I was confined to the bed, completely dependent on others for the simplest tasks. The frustration was immense. I watched my friends go on with their lives, playing sports and attending parties, while I struggled with physiotherapy, learning to walk again. There were days filled with pain and despair when I felt like giving up.
However, this period of forced stillness gave me something I never had before: perspective. I began to notice the quiet dedication of the nurses, the unwavering support of my family, and the small acts of kindness from friends who visited. I saw other patients in the hospital, some with far more serious injuries, facing their challenges with incredible courage.
My own struggles seemed smaller in comparison. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started focusing on my recovery with a new determination. Each small step was a victory. The day I finally walked out of the hospital without crutches, the world looked different. The air felt fresher, the colours seemed brighter.
The accident was a painful ordeal, but it taught me the value of resilience, empathy, and gratitude. It shattered my bubble of comfort and showed me my own strength. I no longer take a single day or a single step for granted. That unfortunate incident, in a strange way, was the beginning of a more mindful and appreciative life.
(iii) ‘We should switch to electric vehicles to save the environment.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answers: We should switch to electric vehicles to save the environment
The urgent need to address climate change and urban air pollution makes a decisive shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) not just a good idea, but a necessity. The argument that we should switch to EVs to save the environment is compelling and grounded in clear scientific and social benefits.
The most immediate advantage of EVs is the elimination of tailpipe emissions. In our densely populated cities, conventional petrol and diesel vehicles spew a cocktail of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. These pollutants are directly linked to a rise in respiratory illnesses, asthma, and other health problems. By replacing these vehicles with EVs, we can significantly improve the quality of the air we breathe, creating healthier and more pleasant urban environments for everyone.
On a global scale, the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of climate change. Electric vehicles, powered by electricity, offer a path to decarbonise this sector. While the carbon footprint of an EV depends on the source of its electricity, the transition to EVs is happening in parallel with a global shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. As our electricity grids become greener, the environmental benefits of driving an EV will only increase, helping us meet our climate goals and mitigate the devastating effects of global warming.
While concerns about battery production and disposal are valid, technology is rapidly advancing. Manufacturers are developing more sustainable battery chemistries, and the recycling industry for EV batteries is growing. The long-term environmental benefits of eliminating fossil fuel consumption for transport far outweigh the current challenges of battery technology, which are being actively addressed. Therefore, embracing the switch to electric vehicles is a critical and responsible step towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our planet.
(iv) Describe the scene of a busy street during a hot summer afternoon.
Answers: A Busy Street on a Hot Summer Afternoon
The summer sun beat down relentlessly on the city street, turning the asphalt into a soft, shimmering surface. A visible haze of heat radiated upwards, distorting the view of the traffic-clogged road ahead. It was an afternoon where the air itself felt heavy and thick, making every breath a conscious effort.
Pedestrians moved with a shared lethargy, their faces glistening with sweat. They clung to the narrow strips of shade offered by shop awnings and building overhangs, darting from one shadow to the next as if the sunlight were a physical barrier. A street vendor selling cold drinks was doing brisk business, the clinking of ice in plastic cups providing a momentary soundtrack of relief. Nearby, the sweet, slightly burnt aroma of roasted corn from another cart mingled with the acrid smell of vehicle exhaust fumes.
The noise was a constant, oppressive drone. The impatient honking of car horns blended with the hum of countless air conditioning units straining in the windows above. A bus groaned as it pulled away from the curb, releasing a blast of hot air onto the waiting crowd. The chatter of people seemed subdued, muffled by the overwhelming heat.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Drivers sat slumped in their seats, windows rolled down in a futile attempt to catch a breeze that did not exist. A stray dog lay panting in the shade of a parked car, its tongue lolling out. Even the colours of the shop displays seemed faded and washed out under the harsh, white glare of the sun. The entire scene was one of collective endurance, a city holding its breath, waiting for the cool reprieve of the evening that still felt hours away.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answers: Story from the Picture
The warm glow of the morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, falling upon seven-year-old Maya as she sat at the small wooden table. In front of her was a plate that held her perfect breakfast: two slices of toast with butter, a small mound of sliced strawberries, and a hard-boiled egg, neatly cut in half. A bright smile lit up her face, a genuine expression of pure, simple joy.
This was not just any breakfast; it was a victory. For the first time, Maya had made it all by herself. Usually, her mother would prepare everything while Maya was still getting dressed for school. But today, Maya had woken up extra early, filled with a secret determination. She had carefully taken the bread from the bag, her small hands struggling slightly with the toaster lever. She had washed the strawberries under the tap, the cold water feeling exciting on her fingers, and then used a butter knife to slice them, just as she had seen her mother do a hundred times. The egg was left over from last night’s dinner, a lucky find in the refrigerator.
Now, sitting in her favourite red sweater, she looked at her creation with immense pride. The toast was a little darker than usual on one edge, and the strawberry slices were all different shapes and sizes, but to her, it was a masterpiece. She could hear her mother moving around in the other room, still unaware of her daughter’s morning accomplishment. Maya took a big bite of the toast. The crunch was loud in the quiet kitchen. It was the most delicious breakfast she had ever tasted. In that small, sunlit moment, with the taste of butter and success in her mouth, Maya felt wonderfully grown-up and happy.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper stating the importance of raising awareness about fire-fighting safety norms.
Answer:
15, Park Avenue
Kolkata – 700016
15th July 2023
To
The Editor
The Statesman
4, Chowringhee Square
Kolkata – 700001
Subject: Need for Greater Awareness of Fire Safety Norms
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the public and the concerned authorities towards the urgent need for raising awareness about fire-fighting safety norms.
Recent reports of fire incidents in various parts of the city have been alarming. In many cases, a significant loss of life and property could have been prevented if basic fire safety measures were in place and people were aware of how to respond during such an emergency. It is a common sight to find fire extinguishers that are expired, emergency exits blocked with clutter, and faulty wiring in many commercial and residential buildings.
The general public often lacks the basic knowledge of what to do when a fire breaks out. Panic and chaos lead to stampedes and further casualties. It is imperative that we educate citizens on simple but life-saving procedures, such as the ‘stop, drop, and roll’ technique, the correct use of a fire extinguisher, and the importance of having a clear evacuation plan.
I suggest that the municipal authorities, in collaboration with the fire department, should organize mandatory fire safety drills and workshops in schools, offices, and residential societies. Awareness campaigns through print and electronic media can also play a vital role in educating the masses.
I hope this letter will serve as a wake-up call, prompting the authorities to take necessary action and encouraging citizens to become more vigilant about fire safety.
Yours faithfully,
Rohan Sharma
(ii) Recently you had gone with your school on a trip to a national park famous for its tigers. Write a letter to your cousin describing your experience of seeing our national animal from such close quarters.
Answers:-
Dear Sameer,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today because I have just returned from the most incredible school trip and I had to share the experience with you. We went to the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan!
The entire trip was exciting, but the highlight was undoubtedly the jungle safari. We set off early in the morning in an open-top jeep, the air crisp and filled with anticipation. Our guide was pointing out different birds and herds of deer, but all of us were silently hoping for one thing – a glimpse of the majestic tiger.
After driving for almost two hours, our guide suddenly signalled for the driver to stop. He pointed towards a thicket of bushes, and there it was! A magnificent tigress emerged from the foliage and walked languidly across the track, not more than twenty feet away from our jeep. The entire jungle fell silent. We were all frozen, mesmerized by its grace and power. Its coat was a brilliant orange with bold black stripes, and its amber eyes seemed to look right through us. For a few minutes, it just stood there, a perfect picture of wild beauty, before disappearing back into the dense forest.
Seeing our national animal in its natural habitat from such close quarters was a surreal experience. It was a mix of awe, excitement, and a little bit of fear. The memory of that powerful creature walking so freely is something I will never forget.
I wish you could have been there with me. We must plan a trip together soon. Do write back and tell me what you have been up to. Give my regards to uncle and aunty.
Your loving cousin,
Aditi
Question 3
(i) You are the Secretary of the Arts Club of your school. Write a notice asking students of classes VI to X to submit their names for a workshop on sketching for comic strips.
Answer:
GREENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, PUNE
NOTICE
10th July, 2024
WORKSHOP ON SKETCHING FOR COMIC STRIPS
This is to inform all students of classes VI to X that the Arts Club is organizing a workshop on ‘Sketching for Comic Strips’. The workshop is designed to help students learn the basics of character creation, storyboarding, and illustration techniques used in comic art.
The details for the workshop are as follows:
Date: 20th July, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Venue: School Art Room
The workshop will be conducted by renowned cartoonist Mr. R.K. Verma. Interested students must submit their names to the undersigned in the Art Room during the lunch break by 15th July, 2024.
Rohan Gupta
Secretary
Arts Club
(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school inviting him/her to send students for the workshop.
Answer:
To: principal.sunshine@email.com
Subject: Invitation for Workshop on Sketching for Comic Strips
Dear Principal,
The Arts Club of Greenwood High School is pleased to announce a workshop on ‘Sketching for Comic Strips’ for students of Classes VI to X. The workshop aims to nurture creativity and develop skills in visual storytelling.
The session will be conducted by the famous cartoonist, Mr. Ajit Narayan, on Saturday, 27th July 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in our school auditorium.
We would be delighted to have students from your esteemed institution participate in this event. We believe this would be a wonderful opportunity for creative exchange. We can accommodate a group of up to 15 students from your school.
We look forward to a positive response.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Rohan Verma
Secretary, Arts Club
Greenwood High School
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
You know that modern inventions in science have helped make the great cities of the world. They have done a great deal to make our lives more comfortable, more healthy and also to give us time to do more things for pleasure. But you have also probably heard that modern developments, like industrial areas and crowded highways, have brought smog, a major nuisance and hazard into our lives. Smog is a hazardous mixture of fog and smoke. Smog is a nuisance because it sifts down and settles on everything-people, laundry, streets, parks, buildings, reservoirs, and airports-a gritty, greasy substance. This means more cleaning, sweeping, scouring, washing, vacuuming and repainting for everyone.
Smog is a serious health hazard. It is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It can even be poisonous enough to cause death. Many cities, suffer from periodic attacks of this mixed smoke and fog-smog. It’s not the fog that is irritating, of course; it is the smoke. What is in the smoke that makes it such a nuisance? You know that smoke comes from fires. You have seen it swirling up from burning leaves or from barbecues or out of chimneys. The smoke consists of tiny particles of solid material, mostly carbon, carried up into the air by hot gases. Is there a way of cleaning the air of these particles? The best way is not to let them get into the air in the first place. Scientists, especially chemists, have been trying to solve this problem for many years.
They tried fine screens in chimneys. But these only kept out the flying ash and large unburnt particles of fuel. Most smoke particles are too small to be stopped by fine screens. But scientists knew that tiny particles can be attracted by something that has an electric charge on it. The particles will stick to the charged surface. An American chemist named F.G. Cottrell decided to try to attract smoke particles with an electric charge before the particles flew into the air. Cottrell put a pair of iron plates inside a smoking chimney and connected them to a high-voltage electric charge of 50,000 volts. He turned on the current. His method worked. Not only did his precipitator stop the smoke, but also it proved useful in trapping valuable deposits of carbon and various metals that have been going up in smoke.
Not all impurities in the air come from smoking chimneys. Automobiles contribute a major share. Scientists have found that exhaust gases contain partly burned fuels that pollute the air with carbon particles, carbon monoxide, and other chemicals. Can we stop these from getting into the air? One way would be to make fuels burn completely. The more completely fuel is burned the less it pollutes the air. Scientists are working to find ways of producing complete burning in engine fuels. Their goals are to produce an inexpensive, a light-weight, safe device that either produces better burning inside the engines, or one that causes the exhaust gases to burn completely before they are emitted into the air.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. nuisance (line 6)
(a) pest
(b) irritant
(c) pain
(d) noise
Answer: (a) pest
2. gritty (line 7)
(a) realistic
(b) spirited
(c) sandy
(d) harsh
Answer: (c) sandy
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word absorbed?
(a) released
(b) crowded
(c) carried
(d) stopped
Answer: (a) released
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) Which two things have brought ‘a major nuisance and hazard’?
Answer: Modern developments like industrial areas and crowded highways have brought the major nuisance and hazard of smog into our lives.
(b) How is smog a major health hazard?
Answer: Smog is a major health hazard because it causes irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It can also be poisonous enough to cause death.
(c) Briefly state what causes smoke?
Answer: Smoke is caused by fires. It consists of tiny solid particles, mainly carbon, which are carried into the air by hot gases from burning materials.
(d) What is the fine screen method? Why is it a failure?
Answer: The fine screen method is the use of fine screens in chimneys to trap particles from smoke. It is a failure because the screens can only stop large particles like ash, while most smoke particles are too small to be caught.
(e) How did Cottrell prevent smoke particles from flying into the air?
Answer: Cottrell prevented smoke particles from flying into the air by placing a pair of iron plates inside a chimney and connecting them to a high-voltage electric charge. This charge attracted the smoke particles and stopped them from escaping.
(iv) What is smog? Describe the harm done by smog. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: Smog is a hazardous mixture of fog and smoke. It is a nuisance that settles on everything as a gritty, greasy substance, requiring extensive cleaning. As a serious health hazard, it irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can be poisonous enough to be fatal.
Question 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
Example: (0) coastal
The Portuguese built forts in Kochi, Goa, Kollam, Kozhikode and Kodungalloor, to protect their colonies that were largely in ….0…. (coast) regions. This….1…. (give) them a decisive advantage in ….2…. (navy) battles because the Portuguese navy could fight even at night while personnel of the other navies had to return to the land every night after battle.
Fort Emmanuel was built along the beach-front at Kochi by the Portuguese in 1503. It was a symbol of the….3…. (strategy) alliance between the Maharaja of Kochi and the monarch of Portugal, after whom it ….4…. (name). By 1806, first the Dutch and later the British ….5….(destroy) most of the walls and bastions of the fort. “Most remnants of the fort remain….6…. (submerge) along the coast, while visitors will be lucky if they get to see it when the waves subside,” says K.J. Sohan, convener of the Kerala Chapter of INTACH and former Mayor of Kochi. “Visitors ….7…. (benefit) if a part of the fort’s remains is rebuilt using laterite bricks, similar to the ones that were used 500 years ago. A few pillar-like structures can be erected atop them using these bricks, that can then be used as gateways to the beach,….8…. (help) to recreate memories of the fort,” he adds.
Answer:
- gave
- naval
- strategic
- was named
- destroyed
- submerged
- would benefit
- helping
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) This question came ______ during the Monsoon session of the Parliament.
Answer: up
(b) The policeman ran ______ the pickpocket.
Answer: after
(c) We are looking ______ to the visit of our uncle’s family.
Answer: forward
(d) The old man was run ______ by a truck.
Answer: over
(e) How did all this come ______?
Answer: about
(f) The boat with its secrets lay ______ several feet of water.
Answer: under
(g) The enemy has encroached ______ our territory.
Answer: upon
(h) Look ______ my children when I am away.
Answer: after
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. The boy is my cousin. He gave us some cold water.
(a) The boy gave us some cold water, who is my cousin.
(b) The cold water given to us by the boy, was my cousin.
(c) The boy, who gave us some cold water, is my cousin.
(d) The boy, who give us some cold water, is my cousin.
Answer: (c) The boy, who gave us some cold water, is my cousin.
2. The thief escaped. It was dark.
(a) The thief escaped because it was dark.
(b) The thief escaped under darkness.
(c) The thief escape due to darkness.
(d) The thief escaped after darkness.
Answer: (a) The thief escaped because it was dark.
3. Students can go there. They have to tell the warden about it.
(a) Students are going to tell the warden to go there.
(b) Students can go there provided they tell the warden about it.
(c) Students went there when they told the warden about it.
(d) Students can go there until they tell the warden about it.
Answer: (b) Students can go there provided they tell the warden about it.
4. He was caught. He admitted his crime.
(a) After he was being caught, he admitted his crime.
(b) After though he was caught, he admitted his crime.
(c) After being caught, he admitted his crime.
(d) After that he was caught, he admitted doing his crime.
Answer: (c) After being caught, he admitted his crime.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. You may pay him a great deal of money; nevertheless, he will not work any harder. (Begin with: However much …)
(a) However much you might pay him, he will not work any harder.
(b) However much a great deal of money you pay him, he will not work any harder.
(c) However much you pay him, nevertheless, he will not work any harder.
(d) How much you pay him, nevertheless, he will not work any harder.
Answer: (a) However much you might pay him, he will not work any harder.
2. “Can I have a new dress?” said Tara to her father. (Begin with: Tara asked …)
(a) Tara asked her father to have a new dress.
(b) Tara asked her father if she could have a new dress.
(c) Tara asked her father if she can have a new dress.
(d) Tara asked to her father for a new dress.
Answer: (b) Tara asked her father if she could have a new dress.
3. He assumed that you would be present at the wedding. (Use: granted)
(a) He took it for granted that you would be present at the wedding.
(b) Your presence was taken to be granted by him on his wedding.
(c) He took it granted, that you would be present at the wedding.
(d) He took it for granted that you will be present at the wedding.
Answer: (a) He took it for granted that you would be present at the wedding.
4. Having finished his work, he went to play. (Begin with: When he …)
(a) When he finished his work, he went to play.
(b) When he had finished his work, he went to play.
(c) When he has finished his work, he went to play.
(d) When he finishes his work, he went to play.
Answer: (a) When he finished his work, he went to play.
5. Why did he deprive you of your property? (Begin with: Why were you …?)
(a) Why were you deprived at your property?
(b) Why were you deprived on your property by him?
(c) Why were you deprived of your property by him?
(d) Why were you deprive him of your property?
Answer: (c) Why were you deprived of your property by him?
6. We will not join the dance class, if we do not like it. (Begin with: Unless)
(a) Unless we like the dance class we will not join it.
(b) Unless we do not join the dance class, we will not like it.
(c) Unless we will not join the dance class, we will not like it.
(d) Unless we like the dance class, we do not joined it.
Answer: (a) Unless we like the dance class we will not join it.
7. Mahatma Gandhi said that Sarojini Naidu is the Nightingale of India. (Begin with: Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘…)
(a) Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Sarojini Naidu was Nightingale of India.’
(b) Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Sarojini Naidu is the Nightingale of India.’
(c) Mahatma Gandhi says, ‘Sarojini Naidu is the Nightingale of India.’
(d) Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Sarojini Naidu had been the Nightingale of India.’
Answer: (b) Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Sarojini Naidu is the Nightingale of India.’
8. The king had to sign the treaty, or be imprisoned. (Begin with: If the king…)
(a) If the king signed the treaty he would be imprisoned.
(b) If the king did not sign the treaty he would be imprisoned.
(c) If the king did not sign the treaty he would not be imprisoned.
(d) If the king had signed the treaty he would be imprisoned.
Answer: (b) If the king did not sign the treaty he would be imprisoned.
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