Unit - I

Comprehension Exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) With a shudder Swami realized that it was

(i) Friday (ii) Thursday (iii) Wednesday (iv) Monday

Ans: (iv) Monday

(b) When Swami ought to have been in the school prayer hall, he was lying on the

(i) bench (ii) table (iii) bed (iv) desk

Ans: (i) bench

(c) According to Swami, Samuel is especially angry with boys who are

(i) absent (ii) late (iii) inattentive (iv) undisciplined

Ans: (ii) late

2. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

(a) time when Swami complained of a headache

Nine ‘o’ clock in the morning

(b) person who ordered Swami to dress up and go to school

Swami’s father

(c) name of the teacher mentioned by Swami

Samuel

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/ phrases/words in support of your answer:

(a) Swami said that he had a headache. (Ture)

Supporting statement: Headache swami replied.

(b) Swami was lying in his father’s room. (False)

Supporting statement: Swami was lying on the bench in Mother’s room.

(c) According to Swami, the headmaster was not afraid of Samuel. (False)

Supporting statement: “They say that even the headmaster is afraid of Samuel.”

Unit 2

Comprehension Exercises

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Father decided to send the headmaster a

(i) telegram

(ii) notice

(iii) letter

(iv) report

Ans: Father decided to send the headmaster a letter.

(b) While going to school swami was bothered by

(i) conscience

(ii) headache

(iii) toothache

(iv) fever

Ans: While going to school swami was bothered by conscience

(c) The colour of Samuel’s coat was

(i) black

(ii) blue

(iii) white

(iv) yellow

Ans: The colour of Samuel’s coat was yellow.

5. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) Father’s behaviour took an unexpected turn.

(b) Swami went to school feeling that he was the worst boy on earth.

(c) Swami stopped on the roadside to makeup his mind about Samuel.

6. Answer the following questions:

(a) Where did Father put the letter ?

Ans: Father put the letter in an envelope and sealed it.

(b) What did Swami fail to decide about Samuel ?

Ans: Swami could not decide if Samuel really deserved the allegations made against him in the letter.

(c) How did Samuel look ?

Ans: Samuel was a man of a dark face with a thin moustache and unshaven. He used to wear yellow coat.

Unit 3

Comprehension Exercises

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) When Swami entered the class, Samuel was teaching

(i) history

(ii) arithmetic

(iii) science

(iv) geography

Ans: When Swami entered the class, Samuel was teaching arithmetic

(b) Swami was late to school by

(i) half an hour

(ii) an hour

(iii) two hours

(iv) three hours

Ans: Swami was late to school by half an hour.

(c) The headmaster was on a leave for one

(i) day

(ii) month

(iii) year

(iv) week

Ans: The headmaster was on a leave for one week.

8. Complete the following sentences with information from text:

(a) As Swami entered the school gate, an idea occurred to him.

(b) Swami stood at the entrance to his class.

(c) Father snatched the letter away from Swami and tore it up.

9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

Cause : (a) Due to headache Effect : (a) Swami did not do his homework.

Cause : (b) Swami never met anyone as good as Samuel

Effect : (b) Swami sat down, feeling sad.

Cause : (c) The head master had gone a week’s leave.

Effect : (c) Swami could not deliver the letter

Grammar in use

10. Choose the correct alternative to the complete the following sentences:

a) Rina (take / takes/ took) the bus to school everyday.

Ans : Rina takes the bus to school everyday.

b) Last Monday, while we (was watching / have been watching / were watching ) the television, the electricity went off.

Ans : Last Monday, while we were watching the television, the electricity went off.

c) By this tomorrow they (will have left / will have leave/ will had left).

Ans : By this tomorrow they will have left.

11. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions:

Arifa, the younger of the two girls, has cracked IIT, while an older one is the engineer in a multinational company.

Comprehension exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to the following sentences:

(a) The quarrel was between the mountain and the

i. cat

ii. rabbit

iii. squirrel

iv. rat

Ans : The quarrel was between the mountain and the squirrel.

(b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is

i. big

ii. kind

iii. small

iv. noble

Ans : Bun has no doubt that the mountain is big.

(c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a

i. joke

ii. stone

iii. nut

iv. lock

Ans : Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a nut.

2. State whether the following statements are true or false. Provide sentences/ Phrases/ Words in support of your answer :

a) The mountain called this squirrel “little Bun”. F

Supporting statement : And the former called the later “Little Prig”.

b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain. T Supporting statement : And not half so spry.

c) The mountain can carry forest on its back. T

Supporting statement : If I cannot carry forests on my back.

3. Answer the following questions

a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel ?

Ans : A mountain had a quarrel with the squirrel.

b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?

Ans : The squirrel is not a disgrace to occupy her place.

c) What is it that the squirrel doesn’t deny ?

Ans : The squirrel doesn’t deny that the mountain makes ‘a very pretty squirrel track.’

Grammar in use

4. Replace the underlined word with the suitable phrasal verbs from the list given below. Change the form of the verb where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list.

a) Ravi met his friend in the park.

Ans : Ravi come across his friend in the park.

b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to the animal.

Ans : Tanushree cannot put off with cruel behaviour to the animal.

c) His proposal was rejected.

Ans : His proposal was turned down.

list : turn down, come over, put up with, come across

5. Change the voice of the following sentences

1. Lock the door.

Ans : Let the door be locked.

2. Ashim knows that solution to the problem.

Ans : The solution to this problem is known to Ashim.

3. I had written a letter.

Ans : A letter had been written by me.

Unit 1

Comprehension exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Gandhiji had been shot on his way to

(i) the Birla House

(ii) the author’s house

(iii) a prayer meeting

(iv) a family gathering

(b) The author came to know of Gandhiji’s death by

(i) a letter

(ii) a telephone call

(iii) a telegram

(iv) a public broadcast

(c) When one is faced with the shock of a loved one’s death, one

(i) whimpers

(ii) laughs

(iii) claps

(iv) shouts

2. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

(a) date on which Gandhiji was shot dead

30th January, 1948

(b) place where Gandhiji breathed his last

Birla House

(c) information given by the broadcast

Bapu was no more.

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:

(a) The author received an urgent telephone call in the morning. F

Supporting statement: I was having tea at home on the evening of 30th January, 1948, when I was called to Birla house by an urgent telephone.

(b) People attempted to break into the Birla House. T

Supporting statement: They jostled one another in a stampede to break into the house.

(c) The news of Gandhiji’s death did not shock the people. F

Supporting statement : The people were too stunned to speak in the beginning.

Unit 2

Comprehension exercises

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place

(i) on the day of his death

(ii) two days after his death

(iii) one day after his death

(iv) a week after his death

(b) Padmasi was Mrs. Naidu’s

(i) niece

(ii) sister

(ii) friend

(iv) daughter

(c) While walking, Bapu used to carry in his hand a/an

(i) flag

(ii) staff

(iii) umbrella

(iv) cane

5. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) Thousands of people wept, trying to touch Bapu’s feet.

(b) The author was among people for whom walking with Bapu had a special meaning.

(c) To walk is to make slow progress.

6. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

Statement : (a) It was impossible to move.

Reason : There was a thick crowd.

Statement : (b) Padmasi declared that they would walk with Gandhiji in the funeral procession.

Reason : It was the last time they would be walking with Bapu.

Statement : (c) To walk was often the only way open to the average Indian.

Reason : It required no vehicle except his own body and cost him nothing but his energy.

Unit 3

Comprehension exercises

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Gandhiji’s ashes were taken to

(i) Ahmedabad

(ii) Allahabad

(iii) Delhi

(iv) Benaras

(b) A huge crowd had gathered by the

(i) Ganges

(ii) Yamuna

(iii) Brahmaputra

(iv) Narmada

(c) Gandhiji awakened people to one another’s

(i) indifference

(ii) jealousy

(iii) suffering

(iv) greed

8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) People on the special train sang bhajans.

(b) The author felt she had grown up within a magic circle.

(c) Bapu had passed away but his India would continue to live in his children.

9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

Cause : (a) People could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and the songs.

Effect : People did not weep anymore.

Cause : (b) The magic circle vanished.

Effect : The author felt unprotected.

Cause : (c) The author’s values were not so weak.

Effect : The author felt that she wouldn’t lose courage so easily.

Grammar in use

10. Join the following pairs of sentences into single sentences as directed:

(a) I saw a snake. I ran away.(use participle)

Ans: Seeing a snake, I ran away.

(b) He learns music. He listens to the chords. (use preposition with gerund)

Ans: By listening to the chords, he learns music.

(c) Gold is a precious metal. It is used to make ornaments. (use noun in apposition)

Ans: Gold, a precious metal, is used to make ornaments.

(d) Ramu has some money. He can buy books. (use infinitive)

Ans: Ramu has some money to buy books.

(e) The sky was cloudy. We postponed our journey. (use nominative absolute)

Ans: The sky being cloudy, we postponed our journey.

(f) The boy wrote the answer. The answer was incorrect. (use adverbial phrase)

Ans: The boy wrote the answer in an incorrect way.

11. Join the following pairs of sentences into single compound sentences as directed:

(a) The old man is unwell. He cannot go out. (use Illative conjunction)

Ans: The old man is unwell, so he cannot go out.

(b) He is honest. He is humble. (use cumulative conjunction)

Ans: He is not only honest but also humble.

(c) Sonali cannot write poetry. She keeps on trying. (use adversative conjunction)

Ans: Sonali cannot write poetry but she keeps on trying.

(d) Study hard. You will not pass the examination. (use alternative conjunction)

Ans: Study hard or you will not pass the examination.

12. Join the following pairs of sentences into single complex sentences as directed:

(a) Rabindranath Tagore is a famous poet. He won the Nobel Prize. (use adjective clause)

Ans: Rabindranath Tagore, who is a famous poet, won the Nobel Prize.

(b) He returned home. Everyone in the family had fallen asleep. (use adverb clause)

Ans: When he returned home, Everyone in the family had fallen asleep.

(c) The sun rises in the east. Everyone knows it. (use noun clause)

Ans: Everyone knows that the sun rises in the east.

13. Join the following pairs of sentences into single sentences as directed:

(a) It rained hard. The roads were not flooded. (compound sentence)

Ans: It rained hard but the roads were not flooded.

(b) He completed his work. He took rest. (simple sentence)

Ans: On completing his work, He took rest.

(c) Rahul is a great singer. He can sing different kinds of songs. (complex sentence)

Ans: Rahul, who is a great singer, can sing different kinds of songs.

(d) The time of departure of the train has changed. Alia knew it. (complex sentence)

Ans: Alia knew that the time of departure of the train had changed.

(e) I do not watch television. I do not listen to the radio. (compound sentence)

Ans: I neither watch television nor do not listen to the radio.

(f) The child was short. The child could not pick the guava from the tree. (simple sentence)

Ans: Being short, the child could not pick the guava from the tree.

14. Split the following into two sentences:

(a) It rained and I could not leave my room.

Ans: It rained. I could not leave my room.

(b) He thought that he could win the race.

Ans: He could win the race. He thought it.

(c) Having been informed of the trouble, the Principal left for home.

Ans: The principal had been informed of the trouble. He left for home.

(d) Nasir, who was the captain of the team, scored a century.

Ans: Nasir was the captain of the team. He scored a century.

Writing activities

15. Write a biography of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (within 100 words) based on the hints given below:

born on 11 November 1888-composed poetry in Urdu-worked as a journalist, protested against British Raj-enthusiastic supporter of Gandhiji’s ideas-wrote many books-like ‘India wins freedom’, ‘Ghubar-e-Khatir’ etc.first Education Minister of independent India-birthday celebrated as National Education Day-died on 22 February 1958

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a versatile genius, is known to us as a great freedom fighter. His contribution to India’s freedom movement is unforgettable. He was born on November 11, 1888. He worked as a journalist for a long time. He composed poetry in Urdu. In everything he continued his protest against the British Raj. He was a great and enthusiastic follower of Gandhiji and his philosophy. He wrote many books voicing his protest against the British Some of them are ‘India wins freedom’. ‘Ghubar-e-Khatir’ etc. After independence he became the first Education Minister of India. Now his birthday is observed as National Education Day. Unfortunately, we lost him forever on February 22, 1958.

16. Use the following flow-chart to write a paragraph (within 100 words) on how a building is constructed:

drawing of a plan of the building by the architect-getting the plan sanctioned by the corporation or municipal authorities-engaging masons and labourers-starting the construction with bricks, cement and sand-fitting doors and windows-plastering of walls-wiring-electric and water connections-painting-building completed-fit for living

How a Building Is Made

When a building is to be constructed, we have to follow a long process. First of all, the drawing of a plan is to be collected from an architect. Then it is to be sanctioned by the corporation or municipal authorities. After that, masons and labourers are engaged. The construction started with bricks, cement and sand. In the middle, if possible, the doors and windows are fitted. After the completion of the construction, the walls are plastered. Then the electric wiring is done. Electric and water connections are to be put in. Then the walls are painted both inside and outside. Now the building is complete and fit for living.

Comprehension exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Creeping in an oakwood, the poet was looking for a

(i) goat

(ii) rhinoceros

(iii) stag

(iv) buffalo

(b) Whenever an oak tree is felled, the number of trees the poet must plant is

(i) two

(ii) three

(iii) four

(iv) five

(c) When the poet came out of the oakwood, his heart was that of a

(i) stag

(ii) tree

(iii) human child

(iv) old woman

2. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer.

(a) The old woman held the poet’s secrets in her little bag. T

Supporting statement: She said: ‘I have your secret here inside my little bag!

(b) The tree tribe said that the poet is bothered to see the chopping down of oak trees. F

Supporting statement: We are chopped down, we are torn up, you do not blink an eye.

(c) The poet never came out of the oakwood. F

Supporting statement: When I came out of the oakwood, back to human company.

3. Answer the following questions:

(a) When did the poet come twice awake?

Ans: When the old woman opened her bag the poet awoke twice.

(b) What would happen to the poet if he failed to make the promise?

Ans: The poet would die if he failed to make the promise.

(c) What was it that altered the poet?

Ans: The dream of a true family altered the poet.

Grammar in use

4. Change the following into indirect speech:

(a) Rahul asked Dipa,” Will you go to school today?”

Ans: Rahul asked Dipa if she would go to school that day.

(b) Rita said to Ayesha, “Please give me a glass of water.”

Ans: Rita requested Ayesha to give her a glass of water.

(c) The old man told the little girl, “May you be happy!”

Ans: The old man wished that the little girl might be happy.

5. Do as directed:

(a) Ranjan said, “Who does not know the name of Rabindranath?” (Change into affirmative sentence)

Ans: Ranjan said, “Everybody knows the name of Rabindranath.”

(b) Sangeeta runs faster than any other girl in her class. (Rewrite using the positive degree of ‘faster’)

Ans: No other girl in the class runs as fast as Sangeeta.

(c) Kaushiki blamed her friend for the trouble. (Rewrite using the noun form of ‘blamed’)

Ans: Kaushiki put the blame on her friend for the trouble.

Writing activities

7. Your school is going to host the Inter-school District Sports Competition. Suppose you are the Secretary of the Sports Club of your school. Write a notice (within 100 words) calling students to participate in the competition. Mention the time, date and venue of the competition. Your notice should be countersigned by the Headmistress/Headmaster of your school.

SPC High School

NOTICE

30.05.2022

Inter-school District Sports Competition

All the students are hereby informed that our school is going of organizing the Inter-school district sports competition. The competition will be held in our school ground between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm on 15.06.2022.The competition will be on the several categories of indoor and outdoor games.Interested student should register their name with the sport teacher before 10.06.2022. A student can compete in any three games. No registration fee is required for participating in the competition. For any further information the undersigned may be contacted.

Countersigned sd/

Headmaster Secretary

Sports Club

SPC High School

Unit - 1

Comprehension exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences :

(a) The keeper of the Big Half Moon Lighthouse is

(i) Aunt Esther

(ii) Father

(iii) Claude

(iv) Dick

(b) The family moved over to the mainland in

(i) summer

(ii) spring

(iii) monsoon

(iv) winter

(c) When asked about relations, Father looked

(i) happy

(ii) angry

(iii) sorrowful

(iv) irritated

2. Fill in the chart with information from the text :

(a) name of the island

Big Half Moon

(b) age of Claude

twelve years

(c) the game played by Claude and the narrator

pirate caves

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences / phrases / words in support of your answer :

(i) People felt that Claude and the narrator were lonesome in the island. T

Supporting statement : They said we must be so lonesome over there.

(ii) Claude and the narrator quarrelled. F

Supporting statement : Claude and I never quarrelled.

(iii) Nobody on the mainland had relations. F

Supporting statement : Everybody on the mainland had relations.

Unit - 2

Comprehension exercises

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences :

(a) In summer the Big Half Moon is always

(i) lovely

(ii) unpleasant

(iii) boring

(iv) dull

(b) Back on the island, Claude and the narrator made plenty of

(i) puppets

(ii) masks

(iii) kites

(iv) envelopes

(iii) Claude was standing with

(c) The kite was patched with a

(i) newspaper

(ii) letter

(iii) envelope

(iv) card

5. Complete the following sentences with information from the text :

(i) A boy on the mainland showed Claude how to make kites.

(ii) On the kite Claude and the narrator pasted gold tinsel stars.

(iii) Claude was standing with a bit of cord in his hand, looking foolish.

6. Fill in the chart with information from the text :

Statement : (a) The narrator’s elbow went through the kite.

Reason : The narrator had tripped and fallen over the rocks.

Statement : (b) Claude and the narrator hurried to fix the kite.

Reason : They wanted to send it up before the wind fell.

Statement : (c) The kite soared.

Reason : The wind was glorious.

Unit - 2

Comprehension exercises

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences :

(a) A letter came for father after a

(i) day

(ii) week

(iii) fortnight

(iv) month

(b) Father left home after quarrelling with his

(i) brother

(ii) sister

(iii) aunt

(iv) uncle

(c) Dick and Mimi discovered the kite on the top of a

(i) roof

(ii) tree

(iii) lighthouse

(iv) light post

8. Fill in the chart with information from the text :

(a) person who sent the letter

Aunt Esther

(b) name of Aunt Esther’s mother

Phillipa

(c) total number of family members in the narrator’s family at present

six

9. Answer the following questions :

(a) What did Father find when he went back home years afterward ?

Ans: Years afterward when father found that his brother had died and his sister was missing.

(b) Where did Aunt Esther live ?

Ans: Aunt Esther lived hundreds of miles inland.

(c) Why did Aunt Esther turn pale ?

Ans: Aunt Esther turned pale to see the letter pasted on the kite which she had written to her brother.

Grammar in use

10. Change the following sentences into questions, as directed:

(a) Shankha lives in Alipurduar. (Information question using ‘where’)

Ans: Where does Shankha live?

(b) They have gone to a picnic. (Interrogative sentence using ‘where’)

Ans: Where have they gone?

(c) I went to school yesterday. (Simple question using ‘did’)

Ans: Didn’t I go to school yesterday?

(d) Tia studies in class X. (Information question using ‘which’)

Ans: Which class does Tia study in?

Writing activities

11. Suppose your bicycle has a sudden tyre puncture on your way to school. You have taken the cycle to a repair shop. Write an imaginary dialogue (within 100 words) between the shopkeeper and you.

Me: Hello, will you please listen to me?

Shopkeeper: Yes, how can I help you?

Me: The tyre of the front wheel of my bicycle has been punctured on the way. I am in trouble. Me: Will you please repair it?

Shopkeeper: Yes, that’s my work. Let me see the tyre.

Me: Thank you. How much will it cost?

Shopkeeper: It will cost you Rs. 10.

Me: Fine. I am waiting. You may start your repair work.

Shopkeeper: I shall try to mend it right now so that you can attend your school in time.

Me: Thank you.

12. Write a story (within 100 words) using the given hints. Give a title to the story.

crow sitting on a tree-piece of meat in its beak – fox passing under the tree – wants the meat – asks the crow to sing – crow keeps meat under its feet and sings – fooled, fox leaves

The Clever Crow and the Fox

One day a crow found a piece of meat. It sat on the branch of a tree. The piece of meat was in its beak. At that time a fox was passing under the tree. The fox noticed the piece of meat in the crow’s beak. The fox was really greedy. He wanted to get the piece. So the sly fox requested the crow to sing a song. The fox expected that as the crow would start singing the piece of meat would fall from its beak. But the crow had enough wit. It understood the fox’s cunning. So keeping the meat under its feet, the crow started to sing. The crow was able to fool the fox successfully. Disheartened, the fox departed.

Unit - 1

Comprehension Exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The poet asks for a sail the colour of which would be

(i) blue

(ii) grey

(iii) black

(iv) white

(b) While going down to the sea, the poet wants to hear the crying of

(i) seagulls

(ii) cuckoos

(iii) eagles

(iv) swallows

(c) The wind on the sea is like a whetted

(i) sword

(ii) axe

(iii) knife

(iv) spear

2. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/ phrases/ words in support of your answer:

(a) To steer the ship the poet needs the moon. F

Supporting Statement:- And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

(b) The call of the running tide is wild and clear. T

Supporting Statement:- for the call of the running tide is a wild call and a clear call that may not denied.

(c) The poet is going out to the sea for the first time. F

Supporting Statement:- I must go down to the seas again.

3. Answer the following questions:

(a) During what time of the day does the poet wish to go down to the seas?

Ans:- The poet wishes to go down to the seas at the time when the dawn is breaking.

(b) What kind of day does the poet prefer for sailing?

Ans:- The poet prefers a windy day with the white clouds moving about the sky.

(c) What does the poet prefer to hear from a fellow rover?

Ans:- The poet prefers to hear a merry yarn from a fellow rover.

Grammar in use

4. Do as Directed:

1. What a shocking sight! (Change into an assertive)

Ans:- It is a very shocking sight.

2. I am sure of his success. (change into a complex sentence)

Ans:- I am sure that he will succeed.

4. Snigdha is not only wise but also brave. (change into a simple sentence)

Ans:- Snigdha is wise and brave.

Writing activities

5. Write a summary of the following passage within 100 words):

Egyptian kings were called Pharaohs. Tutankhamun, son of Akhenaten, became king at the age of ten. He undertook different building projects. After death the kings dead bodies were preserved as mummies. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and mummy by the Englishman Howard Carter made ancient Egypt the subject of attraction to the world.

6. Write a newspaper report (within 100 words) on the incident of burglary in a flat in Kolkata using the following points:

date and place – time – occupants of the house – number of robbers – list of articles stolen – police investigation

Ans:-

Kolkata, June 12: Kolkata is no longer safe for living। This was proved once again on Monday. A really daring burglary occurred in a flat at Salt Lake in Kolkata. It is a small flat where an old man with his family lives. It was about eleven in the morning. The old man was alone in the flat as all the other members had gone either to office or to school. The door-bell rang. The old man was expecting the arrival of the gas cylinder. As he opened the main door a gang of robbers entered the flat and made the old man absolutely helpless with their threats. Then opening the almirah they gathered ornaments and cash worth not less than three lakhs. After their departure, the man recovered himself within half an hour and called the police. Investigation has been started. According to the police, they have found some vital clues though the robbers and the stolen money and jewellery are yet to be traced.

Unit - 1

Comprehension Exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Most people think that the cat is

(i) wise

(ii) unintelligent

(iii) clever

(iv) intelligent

(b) The cat cares little for anything but mice and

(i) soup

(ii) juice

(iii) water

(iv) milk

(c) One can see the cat as he really is in the

(i) morning

(ii) night

(iii) afternoon

(iv) evening

2. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) The cat really has more character than most human beings.

(b) The cat sometimes watches a mouse-hole.

(c) All day long the cat allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house.

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/ phrases/ words in support of your answer:

(a) The cat is not fond of ease. F

Supporting Statement:- Most people think that the cat is an unintelligent animal, fond of ease and – – – – milk.

(b) The cat has no athletic skills. F

Supporting Statement:- He or she is an athlete an acrobat and a grim fighter.

(c) The cat takes things very easily. T

Supporting Statement:- All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and – – – – – the house.

Unit - 2

Comprehension Exercises

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences :

(a) The cat rubs himself against the legs of the family members and noisily

(i) purrs

(ii) howls

(iii) barks

(iv) mews

(b) with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much

(i) amused

(ii) annoyed

(iii) unhappy

(iv) upset

(c) The guest hands down the cat a bit of

(i) meat

(ii) fruit

(iii) fish

(iv) vegetable

5. fill in the chart with information from the text:

(a) the guest calls the cat

“Poor pussy! Poor pussy!”

(b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes

leg

(c) the things from which the cat stays at a safe distance

The guest’s boot

6. Answer the following questions:

(a) When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?

Ans:- When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share.

(b) Who is the cat particularly civil to?

Ans:- The guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him.

(c) How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?

Ans:- The cat gingerly receives the bit of fish handed down by the guest with a look in his eyes that my friend another time you would be so slow to understand.

Unit - 3

Comprehension Exercises

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The cat saunters down his own

(i) courtyard

(ii) front yard

(iii) backyard

(iv) shipyard

(b) The cat skips to the roof of an empty

(i) room

(ii) shade

(iii) floor

(iv) corridor

(c) Exiled in a new land, the cat would have to learn new

(i) history

(ii) manners

(iii) culture

(iv) geography

8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room.

(b) The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and sends a call to his kindred.

(c) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as they get older.

9. Fill in the information from the text:

Cause : (a) The cat has many enemies.

Effect : He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly.

Cause : (b) He wants to see if every muscle is in full working order.

Effect : The cat stretches himself a few time.

Cause : (c) The cat knows his friends and every landmark.

Effect : The cat doesn’t like to leave his country and the land.

Grammar in Use

10. Split the following sentences:

(a) They postponed their visit as the programme was called off.

Ans: (i) The programme was called off.

(ii) They postponed their visit.

(b) Having fought the battle, he returned victorious.

Ans: (i) He fought the battle.

(ii) He returned victorious.

(c) He poured some water into the glass and drank it.

Ans: (i) He poured some water into the glass.

(ii) He drank the water.

(d) He was afraid lest he be proved guilty.

Ans: (i) He was afraid.

(ii) He was afraid to be proved guilty.

11. Join the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence:

(a) He is wise. He is brave.

Ans: He is wise and brave.

(b) My grandfather lives in a big house. The house is by the river.

Ans: My grandfather lives in a big house that is by the river.

(c) I got a new book. I felt happy.

Ans: I felt happy because I got a new book.

(d) Muskan is sick. She could not attend the function.

Ans: Muskan could not attend the function because he was sick.

Writing Activity

12. Suppose you are the Secretary of a club which has decided to open a library.

Write a notice (within 100 words) to the members of your club inviting them to actively join this programme by donating books for the library.

Ans:

June 28, 2021

SPC Self-Help Club

Notice

This is to inform that the “SPC self-Help Club” is going to open a library for its members on 1^st August, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at the Community Centre. The inauguration will be done by the SDO of our area. The people of this area are invited to actively join this programme by donating books for the library. All the members are also invited to attend the opening ceremony and requested to donate money voluntarily as much as they can. The members are requested to donate some books for the library may be started as early as possible. For any further inquiry, you may contact the undersigned.

Secretary

SPC

Self-Help Club

Comprehension exercises

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences :

(a) With the slightest touch, the snail shrinks into its house with

(i) displeasure

(ii) pleasure

(iii) pain

(iv) surprise

(b) In its house, the snail lives with

(i) parents

(ii) friends

(iii) relatives

(iv) no one

(c) The poet has compared the snail to a

(i) tree

(ii) hermit

(iii) rock

(iv) blind man

2. State whether the following statements are true or false. Provide sentences/ phrases/ words in support of your answer:

(a) The snail fears to fall from the wall. F

Supporting Statement : the snail sticks close, nor fears to fall

(b) The snail comes out of his house during a storm. F

Supporting Statement : when danger imminent betides, Of storm,

(c) The snail and his house are conjoined. T

Supporting Statement : He and his house are so combined.

3. Answer the following questions:

(a) What does the snail usually stick itself to?

Ans: The snail usually stick itself to grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall.

(b) What makes the snail well-satisfied?

Ans: The snail dwells alone in his own house with all his belongings and whole treasure. This makes him well- satisfied.

(c) When dose the snail feed faster?

Ans : The snail feed faster when it meets another snail.

Grammar in Use

4. Change the following sentences into questions, as directed:

(a) Siraj always rises early. (Interrogative sentence using ‘does’)

Ans: Does Siraj always rise early ?

(b) Joyce is the best singer in the class. (Information question using ‘who’)

Ans: Who is the best singer in the class ?

(c) He saw the rainbow. (Interrogative sentence using ‘did’)

Ans: Did he see the rainbow ?

(d) I go to school by bus. (Information question using “how’)

Ans: How do you go to school ?

Writing Activity

5. Write a letter (within 100 words) to the editor of an English daily about the disturbances caused by the thoughtless use of loudspeakers.

To,

The Editor,

The Statesman,

Kolkata- 700001

Subject: Disturbances caused by the thoughtless use of loudspeakers.

Sir,

Respected sir,

Through the column of your esteemed daily, I wish to express my anguish and annoyance over the problem caused by the thoughtless use of loudspeakers. I am a student class ten. Now a day it has become so disturbing to the extent that we no longer concentrate at our study properly. There are thousands of students like me who have to suffer on account of this problem. Besides, there are some old patients and new born babies in every locality who get affected by this noise pollution.

So, therefore sir, on behalf of all the students and general people of the city I plead and appeal to concerned authorities to look into the matter and take necessary action to solve this deadly problem.

Yours faithfully,

SPC

Dist: Hooghly