Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 4: ICSE Class 9 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved, which comprises Sequence of Tenses, Style, Comprehension-Words in Context, and Practice Paper – 4. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
The Sequence of Tenses
Assignment
1. Uma finished first though she _________ (begin) late.
Answer: had begun
Explanation: Think of two things that happened in the past. Uma finished the race, and she started the race. Which one happened first? She started first, of course. When we talk about two past actions, we use a special tense called the past perfect (“had” + verb) for the action that happened earlier. So, she “had begun” late before she “finished” first.
2. She believed that God _________ (be) everywhere.
Answer: is
Explanation: The person’s belief (“she believed”) was in the past. But the idea that “God is everywhere” is a universal truth. A universal truth is something that people believe is always true, not just in the past. For facts and truths that are always true, we use the present tense (“is”), even if we are talking about what someone thought a long time ago.
3. The garden is now better kept than it _________ (be) last year.
Answer: was
Explanation: This sentence is comparing two times: “now” and “last year.” Since “last year” is a time in the past, we need to use the past tense verb. The past tense of “be” that fits with “it” is “was.”
4. I am sorry that you _________ (keep) waiting so long yesterday.
Answer: were kept
Explanation: The apology (“I am sorry”) is happening now, but the waiting happened “yesterday.” “Yesterday” is in the past. The person didn’t choose to wait; someone or something made them wait. When the subject of the sentence (you) receives the action, we use the passive voice. The past passive form here is “were kept.”
5. Her face lighted up as he _________ (turn) towards her.
Answer: turned
Explanation: Imagine this happening like a movie scene. Her face lit up at the exact same moment he turned. Both actions happened together in the past. Since the first action (“lighted up”) is in the simple past tense, the second action should also be in the simple past tense (“turned”).
6. I asked him where he _________ (leave) the book.
Answer: had left
Explanation: Here we have two past actions: “I asked” and “he left the book.” Which one happened first? He had to leave the book before I could ask where he left it. For the earlier of two past actions, we use the past perfect tense (“had” + verb). So, he “had left” the book.
7. Amit told me that he _________ (will) come.
Answer: would
Explanation: This is like telling a story about what someone said. Amit said in the past, “I will come.” When we report this later, and our reporting verb is in the past (“told me”), the word “will” changes to “would.” It’s a rule for reported speech.
8. He would die before he _________ (lie).
Answer: lied
Explanation: This sentence talks about a very strong promise or decision made in the past. The structure “He would do something before he did something else” is a special way to say this. The verb in the part after “before” needs to be in the simple past tense. So, “lie” becomes “lied.”
9. We all knew that sugar _________ (produce) from sugarcane.
Answer: is produced
Explanation: The knowing (“we all knew”) happened in the past. But the fact that sugar comes from sugarcane is a general truth; it’s always true. For general truths, we use the present tense. Also, sugar doesn’t produce anything itself; it is made by someone or something. When the subject is the receiver of the action, we use the passive form, so it becomes “is produced.”
10. She cannot read unless she _________ (wear) glasses.
Answer: wears
Explanation: This is a rule or a fact about her in the present. The main part (“She cannot read”) is in the present. The condition (“unless she…”) must also be in the present tense. Since the subject is “she,” we add an “s” to the verb, making it “wears.”
11. It was eleven o’clock last night when I _________ (go) to bed.
Answer: went
Explanation: The sentence is talking about a specific time, “last night,” which is clearly in the past. So, we must use the simple past tense of the verb “go,” which is “went.”
12. After the rain _________ (stop), the sun was up again.
Answer: had stopped
Explanation: There are two things that happened in the past: the rain stopped, and the sun came up. Which one happened first? The rain stopped first. To show that one past action happened before another past action, we use the past perfect tense (“had” + verb). So, the rain “had stopped.”
13. Who taught you that two and two _________ (make) four?
Answer: make
Explanation: The teaching (“taught”) happened in the past. But the mathematical fact “two and two make four” is a universal truth. It never changes. For universal truths, we always use the present tense, even when talking about learning it in the past.
14. She carried flowers whenever she _________ (visit) the shrine.
Answer: visited
Explanation: This sentence describes something she used to do again and again in the past—a past habit. Both actions, carrying flowers and visiting the shrine, happened together as part of this habit. Since the first verb (“carried”) is in the simple past, the second one should also be in the simple past (“visited”).
15. They made so much noise that it _________ (be) difficult to study.
Answer: was
Explanation: The noise-making (“made”) happened in the past. The result of that noise—it being difficult to study—also happened in the past. So, we use the past tense of “be,” which is “was.”
16. I _________ (wonder) why we did not go abroad for higher studies.
Answer: wonder
Explanation: This sentence expresses a thought or question the speaker has right now. When you are thinking about something in the present moment, you use the present tense. So, you say, “I wonder.”
17. They _________ (meet) regularly for two years.
Answer: met
Explanation: The phrase “for two years” often describes a period of time in the past that is now finished. To talk about a completed habit or action that happened over a period in the past, we use the simple past tense, “met.”
18. Political tensions _________ (spill) over into violence.
Answer: have spilled
Explanation: This sounds like a report of a recent event that has a current result or consequence. When a past action affects the present, we often use the present perfect tense (“have” + verb). It connects the past event to the current situation.
19. For about a week, he _________ (complain) of a bad headache.
Answer: has been complaining
Explanation: The phrase “For about a week” tells us the action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment. The best way to describe an ongoing action like this is with the present perfect continuous tense, “has been complaining.”
20. He _________ (work) for the company for ten years.
Answer: has worked
Explanation: The phrase “for ten years” shows a duration that started in the past and connects to the present. Using the present perfect tense, “has worked,” usually means that he started ten years ago and is still working there.
Style
Assignment
Match the proverbial expressions to their meanings:
| Proverbial Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. to upset someone’s apple cart | (d) to throw someone’s plans into disorder |
| 2. to bell the cat | (h) to do the most dangerous part of a suggested scheme |
| 3. to play one’s last card | (a) to take the last chance one has of achieving success |
| 4. to be between the devil and the deep sea | (e) to choose between two undesirable situations |
| 5. to eat out of someone’s hand | (j) to fall in meekly, with a person’s wishes |
| 6. to lose face | (b) to lose one’s good name and reputation |
| 7. to play with fire | (i) to meddle with matters that may lead to serious trouble |
| 8. to play to the gallery | (f) to behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention |
| 9. to do something by halves | (c) to do a thing half-heartedly |
| 10. to make one’s mark | (g) to achieve fame or distinction |
1. to upset someone’s apple cart
Answer: (d) to throw someone’s plans into disorder
Explanation: Imagine you have a little cart and you have stacked all your red, shiny apples in it very carefully. This is like your perfect plan. If someone comes along and pushes your cart over, all the apples fall out and roll everywhere. Your careful plan is now a big mess! That is what it means to “upset someone’s apple cart” – you ruin their plans.
2. to bell the cat
Answer: (h) to do the most dangerous part of a suggested scheme
Explanation: Think about a group of mice who are very scared of a cat. One smart mouse says, “Let’s put a bell on the cat! Then we will always hear it coming.” All the other mice think this is a great idea. But then comes the hard question: who will be the brave one to go up to the big, scary cat and put the bell on its neck? That is the most dangerous job of all. So, “belling the cat” means doing the riskiest part of a plan that everyone else is too scared to do.
3. to play one’s last card
Answer: (a) to take the last chance one has of achieving success
Explanation: When you are playing a card game, and you only have one single card left in your hand, you have to use it. You hope that this one last card will help you win the game. It is your final chance, and there are no more options after that. This is what it means “to play one’s last card” – using your very last opportunity to try and succeed.
4. to be between the devil and the deep sea
Answer: (e) to choose between two undesirable situations
Explanation: Imagine you are standing on the edge of a ship. In front of you is a scary monster, the devil. Behind you is the big, deep, dark sea. If you go forward, you meet the monster. If you go backward, you fall into the water. Both choices are very bad, and you are stuck in the middle. This is what it means to be “between the devil and the deep sea” – having to pick between two equally terrible options.
5. to eat out of someone’s hand
Answer: (j) to fall in meekly, with a person’s wishes
Explanation: Think about feeding a small, gentle animal like a squirrel or a bird. If it trusts you, it will come right up and eat seeds from your open hand. The animal is doing exactly what you want it to do, very calmly and obediently. When a person “eats out of someone’s hand,” it means they are very easily controlled by another person and will agree to do whatever that person wants without any argument.
6. to lose face
Answer: (b) to lose one’s good name and reputation
Explanation: Think of your “face” as being your good reputation, or how people think of you. If you do something embarrassing or are proven wrong in front of others, you might feel like you have lost that good image. People might not respect you as much anymore. “Losing face” means being humiliated and losing your good name.
7. to play with fire
Answer: (i) to meddle with matters that may lead to serious trouble
Explanation: Fire is very hot and can be dangerous. You know that if you play with it, you could get badly burned. In the same way, “playing with fire” means doing something that you know is very risky and could cause big problems or get you into serious trouble. You are taking a chance that could lead to something bad happening.
8. to play to the gallery
Answer: (f) to behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention
Explanation: In an old theater, the “gallery” was the area with the cheapest seats, usually filled with a large crowd. An actor who wanted to get lots of cheers and applause from this crowd would act in a very showy and dramatic way. So, “playing to the gallery” means you are behaving in a way that is designed to get attention and make you popular with ordinary people, often by showing off.
9. to do something by halves
Answer: (c) to do a thing half-heartedly
Explanation: If you are asked to clean your room and you only clean one half of it, you have done the job “by halves.” It means you did not complete the task or you did it without putting in your full effort. You only did part of the work, so it is incomplete or not done well.
10. to make one’s mark
Answer: (g) to achieve fame or distinction
Explanation: Imagine you have a clean white wall. If you make a mark on it, you have left something there that people can see. When we say a person has “made their mark” in the world, it means they have done something so important or successful that they have become famous or well-respected. They have left a lasting impression, just like a mark on a wall.
Write one word from the box in place of the italicised phrase in each of the following sentences:
| impassable, inimitable, incorrigible, incombustible, inaccessible, indelible, impotent, inaudible, inarticulate, incommunicative |
1. The antics of Raj Kapoor are not able to be imitated.
Answer: inimitable
Explanation: Think of something so special and cool that nobody else can copy it, no matter how hard they try. Like a superhero’s unique power or your mom’s secret cookie recipe. That special thing is ‘inimitable’. It means it’s one-of-a-kind and can’t be copied.
2. The speaker was not able to express himself fluently.
Answer: inarticulate
Explanation: Have you ever felt so shy or nervous that the words you want to say get stuck in your throat and come out all jumbled? That’s being ‘inarticulate’. It’s when you have trouble finding the right words to say what you’re thinking or feeling.
3. The voice of the lecturer was so faint that it was not able to be heard.
Answer: inaudible
Explanation: Imagine someone whispering a secret to you from all the way across a big playground. You probably wouldn’t hear them, right? Their whisper would be ‘inaudible’. It means a sound is so, so quiet that your ears can’t pick it up.
4. The incriminating evidence was not able to be burnt.
Answer: incombustible
Explanation: If you try to set a rock or a metal spoon on fire, what happens? Nothing! That’s because they are ‘incombustible’. It’s a big word that just means something cannot catch fire and burn, no matter how hot it gets.
5. The highway, blocked with snow, was not able to be traversed.
Answer: impassable
Explanation: Imagine a giant tree has fallen across the road, and you can’t walk, bike, or drive past it. That road is ‘impassable’. It means you cannot get through or cross it because something is blocking the way.
6. A morose individual is not disposed to converse freely.
Answer: incommunicative
Explanation: Do you know someone who is very quiet and doesn’t like to talk much about their feelings or what they are thinking? That person is ‘incommunicative’. It just means they don’t communicate, or talk, a lot. They like to keep things to themselves.
7. A ruler in name only is not possessed of power.
Answer: impotent
Explanation: Imagine a king who wears a big crown and sits on a throne, but when he gives an order, nobody listens to him. He has no real power to make things happen. In this situation, the king is ‘impotent’, which means powerless or helpless.
8. A marking ink may be bought that is not to be effaced.
Answer: indelible
Explanation: If you draw on your t-shirt with a permanent marker, your parents can wash it and wash it, but the mark won’t come out. That mark is ‘indelible’. It means it’s permanent and cannot be erased or removed.
9. A pupil who cannot profit from his mistakes is not able to be reformed.
Answer: incorrigible
Explanation: Think of a very naughty puppy that keeps chewing on shoes. Even if you tell it “No!” a hundred times, it just keeps doing it. That puppy’s behavior is ‘incorrigible’. It means someone is so stuck in their bad habits that they seem impossible to correct or change.
10. A hideout is a retreat, that, except to a few, is not able to be got at.
Answer: inaccessible
Explanation: Imagine a secret pirate treasure hidden in a cave on top of a super tall, steep mountain with no path. It would be very, very hard to get to it. That treasure cave is ‘inaccessible’. It means a place is difficult or impossible to reach.
Words in Context
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
For the fifth day in succession, I set out on the wearisome search for a house. My husband had been very ill and the doctor was insistent that we must give up living in the town. It was essential for him to breathe the purer air of the country, if he was to get strong again. So, I was feverishly house-hunting.
Of course, I had seen innumerable houses, but there was something wrong with all of them. Some were too large, some too small. Some were surrounded by too much land and some had so little garden that it was practically non-existent. Some could never have been repaired since they were built: roof tiles were missing, walls and ceilings were cracked, woodwork was rotting, paint peeling. It would require a fortune to make them habitable. Some were so ugly outside that I made no attempt to penetrate to the interior.
I was sure that one house was haunted. I could feel a ghostly presence following me from room to room and hear the swish of skirts that I could not see. I have never been afraid of ghosts, but I did not want to share my home with one. I have heard too many tales of the tricks that spirit occupants of houses can get up to, if they are offended by the living owners. It would be uncomfortable to be on bad terms with a companion who was alive, but intolerable with a dead one.
The morning of the fifth day brought no better result, and I was so disappointed that I very nearly gave up looking at anything more that week. However, something impelled me to go on after lunch; and I found exactly what I wanted.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided.
1. wearisome (line 1)
A. forceful
B. tiresome
C. worn-out
D. current
Answer: B. tiresome
2. innumerable (line 5)
A. countless
B. numbered
C. hundred
D. single
Answer: A. countless
3. impelled (line 19)
A. hinted
B. wanted
C. urged
D. nudged
Answer: C. urged
(ii) For each word given below choose the correct antonym from the options provided.
1. habitable (line 10)
A. sustainable
B. unlivable
C. comfortable
D. endurable
Answer: B. unlivable
2. offended (line 15)
A. praised
B. defamed
C. taunted
D. distressed
Answer: A. praised
3. disappointed (line 18)
A. frustrated
B. discontented
C. depressed
D. gratified
Answer: D. gratified
(iii) For each word given below choose a word from the passage (given as an option) that is opposite in meaning to the word [For example the answer for 1. hesitant is (a) insistent (line 2)].
1. hesitant
A. insistent
B. essential
C. surrounded
D. non-existent
Answer: A. insistent
2. undecayed
A. missing
B. cracked
C. rotting
D. peeling
Answer: C. rotting
3. calmly
A. practically
B. ugly
C. feverishly
D. ghostly
Answer: C. feverishly
4. endurable
A. essential
B. habitable
C. haunted
D. intolerable
Answer: D. intolerable
Practice Paper – 4
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 story including all of the following, in any order: car salesman, a confused man and a lost bag.
Answer: The Test Drive Chase
Arthur Pumble’s world had shrunk to the size of a missing object: a worn, brown leather bag. He stood on the pavement, his mind a fog of taxi numbers and street names. Where had he left it? The confusion was a physical weight. Inside that bag was the deposit for his daughter’s new home.
A desperate idea formed. He needed to retrace his steps, and fast. He stumbled into the nearest building, a car showroom with floors so polished he could see his own frantic face. A man in a sharp suit approached, a smile fixed on his face. “Looking for a new ride?” the car salesman asked, his name tag reading ‘Leo’.
“I’ve lost my bag,” Arthur blurted out, the words tumbling over each other. “In a taxi. I need a car. Now.”
Leo’s professional smile flickered. This was unusual. “Sir, we have a process…”
“I’ll buy it. The red one. But you have to drive. We have to find that taxi.”
Leo saw the wild look in the old man’s eyes and, against his better judgment and company policy, grabbed the keys. The test drive became a frantic city-wide search. Arthur pointed vaguely. “I think it went left here.” Leo, a surprisingly skilled driver, weaved through traffic. “Notice the smooth handling, Mr. Pumble!” he would shout over the engine’s hum.
Suddenly, Arthur yelled, “There! The yellow one!” A short, tense chase ended with them pulling alongside the taxi at a red light. The bag was sitting innocently on the back seat.
Back at the showroom, with the bag safe in his lap, the confused man looked at Leo with clear eyes. “I’ll take the car,” he said, a small smile finally appearing on his face. “It certainly proved itself.” Leo, stunned, just nodded and began the paperwork.
(ii) You were all dressed up to go to a fancy restaurant when, at your gate, there was a furious argument based on a case of mistaken identity. Narrate the incident.
Answer: The Wrong Raj
The scent of my expensive cologne filled the car, a perfect match for my crisp suit and polished shoes. My wife, radiant in her new evening gown, was just adjusting her earring. We were heading to ‘The Gilded Spoon’ for our anniversary, a reservation I had made two months in advance. As I started the car, a screech of tires broke the quiet evening air. A delivery scooter swerved and stopped directly in front of our gate, blocking our exit.
The rider, a young man with a panicked look, jumped off and ran towards our house, pointing an accusatory finger. “You! You’re the one who took my wallet!” he shouted.
Before I could even process his words, a second man, large and angry, got out of a car that had pulled up behind the scooter. He stormed towards me. “So, you’re Raj? Give my brother his wallet back, or you’ll regret it!”
I was completely bewildered. “My name isn’t Raj,” I said, trying to remain calm. “There’s been a mistake.”
The argument escalated. Neighbours started peeking from their windows. My wife looked worried, her anniversary mood completely shattered. The larger man was getting more aggressive, ignoring my pleas of innocence. Just as he raised his hand, a meek-looking man walked out from the house next door.
“I… I am Raj,” he stammered, holding up a wallet. “I found this on the street. I was just about to look for you.”
The two men froze, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and confusion. They mumbled apologies, retrieved the wallet, and sped off, leaving a cloud of awkward silence. We looked at each other, our fancy clothes feeling ridiculous. The reservation was likely lost. Our grand anniversary dinner had been replaced by a bizarre case of mistaken identity right at our gate.
(iii) ‘A long life is a blessing.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: A long life is a blessing
I believe that a long life is indeed a great blessing. It offers us the precious gift of time, allowing us to experience the world in all its fullness. With more years, we have more opportunities to learn, grow, and create meaningful relationships with family and friends. A long life means we can witness our children and grandchildren grow up, sharing their joys and guiding them through their challenges. This connection across generations is one of the most beautiful aspects of human existence.
Furthermore, a long life allows for personal development. We can pursue different hobbies, travel to new places, and even change our careers. The wisdom that comes with age is invaluable. Having lived through various decades, older individuals have a unique perspective on life. They have seen history unfold and have learned from their mistakes and successes. This wisdom can be shared with younger generations, helping them navigate their own lives more effectively. A long life also gives us the chance to contribute to society for a longer period, whether through work, volunteering, or simply by being a positive influence in our communities.
Of course, a long life is only a blessing if it is accompanied by good health and happiness. But the potential it holds for love, learning, and leaving a positive mark on the world makes it something to be cherished. It is a chance to see the world change, to adapt, and to find new purposes at different stages of life. The journey itself, with all its ups and downs, is a gift, and having more time to travel that path is a true blessing.
(iv) You woke up at night and saw a house across the road on fire. Describe what happened next.
Answer: The Night of Fire and Rescue
A strange, flickering orange light pulled me from a deep sleep. For a moment, I thought it was the sunrise, but a glance at my clock showed it was only 2 a.m. I moved to the window and my heart leaped into my throat. The house across the street, the Sharmas’ home, was on fire. Angry flames were eating through the roof, and thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky.
Without a second thought, I grabbed my phone and dialled the emergency number, my voice trembling as I gave the operator our address. While on the call, I threw on a jacket and rushed outside. The heat was intense even from across the road. A few other neighbours were already out on the street, their faces illuminated by the terrifying glow.
Suddenly, a window on the ground floor shattered, and Mr. Sharma appeared, coughing and covered in soot, helping his wife out onto the lawn. Their two young children followed, crying in fear. My immediate sense of relief was cut short when Mrs. Sharma screamed, “Moti! Our dog is still inside!”
Before anyone could stop him, Mr. Sharma tried to run back towards the burning house. I and another neighbour, Mr. Khan, grabbed him, holding him back as he struggled. Just then, the sirens grew louder, and a fire engine rounded the corner, its red lights flashing. Firefighters jumped out, uncoiling hoses and shouting instructions. One of them, equipped with breathing apparatus, listened to Mr. Sharma’s frantic pleas and disappeared into the smoke-filled doorway.
The wait was agonizing. After what felt like an eternity, the firefighter emerged, carrying a small, whimpering dog. A collective sigh of relief went through our small crowd as the Sharma family was finally reunited, safe from the inferno that was once their home.
(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.
Answer: Diwali of Quiet Hope
The soft glow of the diyas cast long, dancing shadows across the floor, illuminating the intricate patterns of the rangoli. Ten-year-old Anjali carefully placed the last earthen lamp in the centre of her creation, a circle of coloured powders and flower petals. For her, Diwali was not just about firecrackers or sweets; it was about this quiet, creative ritual she shared with her grandmother every year.
This year, however, was different. Her grandmother was in the hospital, and the house felt empty and silent without her cheerful humming. Anjali’s parents had told her they would just light a few lamps and skip the big celebration. But Anjali refused. “Grandma would want us to,” she had insisted.
So, she had spent the entire afternoon on the floor, meticulously creating the most beautiful rangoli she had ever made. Each swirl of colour, each petal, was a prayer for her grandmother’s recovery. She remembered her grandmother’s words, “Every diya you light, my dear, is a little beacon of hope that pushes away the darkness.”
As she sat back to admire her work, the small flames flickered, reflecting in her thoughtful eyes. The rangoli was not just a decoration; it was a message. It was a promise to her grandmother that the traditions were safe, that the light of their family was still burning brightly, waiting for her to come home. The aroma of marigolds and burning ghee filled the air.
In the quiet solitude of the room, surrounded by the gentle light of her own making, Anjali felt a sense of peace. It was a Diwali of quiet hope, a festival of light celebrated not with loud noises, but with the steady, silent glow of love and patience.
Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Manager of a renowned chain of restaurants complaining about the poor quality of the food served at a particular outlet. Give details of the nature of complaint and request for immediate action.
Answer:
12-B, Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi – 110024
15th July 2024
To
The Manager
Punjabi Tadka Restaurants
Connaught Place Outlet
New Delhi – 110001
Subject: Complaint regarding poor quality of food and service
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the quality of food and service at your Connaught Place outlet. My family and I visited your restaurant on the evening of 14th July 2024, to celebrate a special occasion, but our experience was very unsatisfactory.
We ordered several dishes, including Dal Makhani, Paneer Butter Masala, and some Naans. I am sorry to report that the Dal Makhani was undercooked and lacked its usual rich flavour. The Paneer Butter Masala was excessively oily, and the paneer itself was hard and chewy. Furthermore, the Naans served to us were cold and seemed to have been prepared much earlier.
We have been regular customers of your restaurant chain for many years and have always appreciated the high standards you maintain. However, our recent experience was far below the quality we have come to expect from Punjabi Tadka.
I request you to look into this matter urgently and take necessary steps to ensure that such lapses in quality do not happen again. I hope you will train your staff to maintain the standards that your restaurant is known for.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Rohan Verma
(ii) Recently you visited a place that made you feel totally rejuvenated. Write a letter to your friend telling him/her about your experience at that place.
Answer:
Dear Priya,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today because I have just returned from a trip that was so wonderful I had to share it with you immediately. I visited a small town in the hills of Kerala called Munnar, and it was an absolutely refreshing experience.
The moment I arrived, I felt a sense of peace. The town is surrounded by vast tea plantations that look like a green carpet spread over the hills. The air was so clean and fresh, a complete change from the city’s pollution. I spent my days walking through the tea gardens, watching the workers pluck tea leaves, and just enjoying the quiet beauty of nature.
One of the best parts of the trip was visiting the Eravikulam National Park, where I saw the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat. The views from the top of the hills were breathtaking. Everything was so green and calm. I felt all my stress and worries melt away. It was the perfect break from our busy lives.
I know how much you love nature, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how much you would enjoy this place. We should plan a trip together to Munnar soon. It truly is a place that rejuvenates the mind and soul.
Give my regards to your parents.
Yours lovingly,
Anjali
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Before setting off for his examination in Greek, Vanya kissed all the holy images. His stomach felt as though it were upside down; there was a chill at his heart, while the heart itself throbbed and stood still with terror before the unknown. What would he get that day? A three or a two? Six times he went to his mother for her blessing, and, as he went out, asked his aunt to pray for him. On the way to school he gave a beggar two kopecks, in the hope that those two kopecks would atone for his ignorance, he would not get the bad marks.
He came back from the high school late and noiselessly lay down on his bed. His thin face was pale.
“Well, how did you get on?” asked his mother.
Vanya twisted his mouth and burst into tears. His mother turned pale, and clasped her hands.
“What are you crying for? You have failed, then?” she asked.
“I am plucked. … I got a two.”
“I knew it would be so! I had a presentiment of it,” said his mother. “Merciful God! How is it you have not passed?”
“I am a miserable person…. I was working all night… I have been getting up at four o’clock all this week,” he said.
“No, it is not you but I who am miserable, you wretched boy! You have worn me to a threadpaper, you torment, I have bent my back toiling for you, I am worried to death, and, I may say, I am unhappy, and what do you care?”
“I … I do work. All night…. You have seen it yourself.”
Then mamma hid her face in her hands and broke into sobs.
Vanya’s aunt came in. “So that is how it is…. Just what I expected,” she said, at once guessing what was wrong, turning pale and clasping her hands. “I have been depressed all the morning…. There is trouble coming, I thought… and here it has come….”
“Why are you swearing at him?” cried the aunt. “It is not his fault! It is your fault! You are to blame! Why did you send him to that high school? You are a fine lady! But if you had sent him, as I told you, into business… to an office, like my Kuzya who is getting five hundred a year. And you are wearing yourself out, and wearing the boy out with this studying, plague take it! He is thin, he coughs… just look at him! He is thirteen, and he looks no more than ten.”
The mother went weeping into her room.
After sometime she came out and said, “Vanya, You are being taught, and being educated and have been given many chances. Why have you done it?”
“I have thought of a way to deal with you,” she said and went away.
At the family council in the evening, it was decided to send him into business.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. atone (line 6)
A. spoil
B. redeem
C. touch
D. refresh
Answer: B. redeem
2. presentiment (line 14)
A. foreboding
B. belief
C. deceived
D. robbed
Answer: A. foreboding
(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word energised?
Answer: worn
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) How did Vanya feel before going out to take his Greek exam?
Answer: Before his Greek exam, Vanya felt extremely nervous and scared. His stomach felt upset, and he had a chill in his heart. He was terrified of the unknown result, worrying whether he would get a passing or failing grade. This fear made his heart throb and then stand still.
(b) What did Vanya do before setting off for his exam?
Answer: Before setting off for his exam, Vanya performed several acts out of nervousness and hope. He kissed all the holy images in his house. He sought his mother’s blessing six times and also asked his aunt to pray for him. On his way, he gave two kopecks to a beggar, hoping this act of charity would make up for his lack of knowledge.
(c) What did Vanya give the beggar? Why?
Answer: Vanya gave the beggar two kopecks. He did this not just out of kindness, but out of a desperate hope. He believed that this small act of charity would atone for his ignorance, meaning it would make up for what he did not know for the exam, and prevent him from getting bad marks.
(d) What premonition did Vanya’s mother have when she saw him crying?
Answer: When Vanya’s mother saw him crying, she immediately had a premonition, which is a strong feeling that something bad has happened. She instantly guessed that he had failed his exam. She said, “I knew it would be so! I had a presentiment of it,” showing she had been expecting this bad news.
(e) Whom did Vanya’s aunt blame for Vanya’s failure?
Answer: Vanya’s aunt blamed Vanya’s mother for his failure. She told the mother that it was her fault for sending him to a high school instead of into business.
(f) According to Vanya’s mother, how had his failure affected her? Finally, what solution did she give? Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: According to Vanya’s mother, his failure had made her miserable. She claimed he had worn her out, tormented her, and made her worried to death after all her hard work. The final solution, which was decided at a family council, was to send him into business.
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) managed
A monk arrived at a monastery …0… (manage) by an old abbot, Sylvan, and …1… (ask) to be admitted. He found all the monks busy …2… (make) baskets and mats. He said to them, “Why do you work for a meal that is …3… (perish)? What one should seek is the …4… (sustain) of the imperishable spirit!”
The abbot had the monk put up in an empty room and he …5… (leave) there. Mealtime came and the guest anxiously …6… (wait) to be called to dinner, since it was getting late and he was very hungry. He finally went to the abbot and said, “Father, aren’t the brethren in this house eating today?”
“Of course, they are!” came the reply.
“Then why haven’t I …7… (call)?” asked the monk. “Because you are a …8… (spirit) man and do not need earthly food; we do. We are flesh-and-blood men and therefore work to earn our meals.” said the wise old abbot.
Answer:
- asked
- making
- perishable
- sustenance
- left
- waited
- been called
- spiritual
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) His part-time job brings ____________ a small amount of money.
Answer: in
(b) There has been a small reduction ____________ the price of paper.
Answer: in
(c) I was shocked ____________ the sudden news.
Answer: by/at
(d) He has taken ____________ painting as a hobby.
Answer: up
(e) He made ambitious plans, but all of them fell ____________.
Answer: through
(f) I take exception ____________ your remark.
Answer: to
(g) The manager called ____________ an explanation from the receptionist.
Answer: for
(h) My aunt has to bring ____________ five children single-handed.
Answer: up
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but, so. Choose the correct option.
1. He is wealthy. He can easily buy the best car here.
A. Being wealthy, he can easily buy the best car here.
B. Being having wealth, he can buy the best car here.
C. There being wealth, he can easily buy the best car here.
D. Being able to easily buy the car, he is wealthy here.
Answer: A. Being wealthy, he can easily buy the best car here.
2. Eva is very clever. No problem is difficult for her.
A. Since Eva is very clever, every problem is difficult for her.
B. Since Eva is very clever, no problem is difficult for her.
C. There has been no problem difficult for clever Eva.
D. Eva is very clever for any problem to be difficult for her.
Answer: B. Since Eva is very clever, no problem is difficult for her.
3. He spoke to the man. The man is a magistrate.
A. He spoke to the man that is a magistrate.
B. The man he spoke to, who is a magistrate.
C. The man, he is speaking with a magistrate.
D. The man, he spoke to, is a magistrate.
Answer: D. The man, he spoke to, is a magistrate.
4. Where shall we stay in the city? This is the problem.
A. The problem is staying in the city.
B. The problem is about where we shall stay in the city.
C. The problem is where we shall stay in the city.
D. The problem is of our stay in the city.
Answer: C. The problem is where we shall stay in the city.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. He was known to be a kind man. (End with: … him to be a kind man.)
A. Everyone had known him to be a kind man.
B. Everyone knows him to be a kind man.
C. Everyone knew him to be a kind man.
D. Everyone know him to be a kind man.
Answer: C. Everyone knew him to be a kind man.
2. You must not be late or you will be fined. (Begin with: In the event …)
A. In the event of your getting late, you will be fined.
B. In the event of your getting late, you would be fined.
C. In the event of your getting late, you will get fine.
D. In the event of your getting later, you will be finer.
Answer: A. In the event of your getting late, you will be fined.
3. As soon as she received the good news, she began to celebrate. (Begin with: No sooner …)
A. No sooner did she received the good news than she began to celebrate.
B. No sooner had she received the good news than she began to celebrate.
C. No sooner had she received the good news than she begun to celebrate.
D. No sooner had she received the good news then she began to celebrate.
Answer: B. No sooner had she received the good news than she began to celebrate.
4. “Why did I not get a computer before?” thought Maya. (Begin with: Maya wondered …)
A. Maya wondered why she had not get a computer before.
B. Maya wondered why have she not got a computer before.
C. Maya wondered why she had not got a computer before.
D. Maya wondered why did she not got a computer before.
Answer: C. Maya wondered why she had not got a computer before.
5. He was not sure if he could walk so far. (Use: doubtful)
A. He was doubtful if he can walk so far.
B. He was doubtful if he could walk so far.
C. He was doubtful if he could walked so far.
D. He was doubtful if he could walk far.
Answer: B. He was doubtful if he could walk so far.
6. Bhavya prefers reading a novel to watching a movie. (Begin with: Bhavya would rather)
A. Bhavya would rather read a novel to watch a movie.
B. Bhavya would rather read novels than watching movies.
C. Bhavya would rather read a novel then watch a movie.
D. Bhavya would rather read a novel than watch a movie.
Answer: D. Bhavya would rather read a novel than watch a movie.
7. Jack was too late to catch the bus. (Rewrite using so…. that)
A. Jack was so late that he could not catch the bus.
B. Jack was so late that he cannot catch the bus.
C. Jack was so late that he could not caught the bus.
D. Jack was so late that he could not catch up with the bus.
Answer: A. Jack was so late that he could not catch the bus.
8. Sudha is more graceful than most of the professional dancers I know. (Use: few)
A. Few professional dancers I know are not as graceful as Sudha.
B. Few professional dancers I know are as graceful as Sudha.
C. Professional dancers I know have few talents as Sudha.
D. Professional dancers I have known do not have few talents as Sudha.
Answer: B. Few professional dancers I know are as graceful as Sudha.
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