Date of Submission : 31/05/2019

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Date of Submission : 31/05/2018

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Date of Submission : 09/11/2017

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Date of Submission : 05/11/2017
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Date of Submission : 06/09/2017
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Date of Submission : 25/8/2017

KEEPING QUIET

1. Why shouldn’t we speak any language and move our arms so much?

2. How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Explain.

3. “I want no truck with death.” Explain.

4. What are the various wars mentioned? What is the result of these wars?

5. What would be the result of quietude?

6. What is the ‘exotic moment ’mentioned in the poem and how can we achieve it?

7. What has man single-mindedly focused on and to what effect?

8. What is ‘fisherman’ symbolic of? What will happen when fishermen do not harm whales?

9. What has happened to the man gathering salt? What must he do?

10. Under the apparent stillness there is life’. Justify.

11. Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?

Date of Submission : 23/8/2017

Question 1. How did the peddler of rattraps manage in survive?

Question 2. How did the peddler look? Was he different from people of his type?

Question 3. What idea. did he get about the world? What were its implications?

Question 4. Why did the peddler think of the world as a rattrap? What became his cherished pastime?

Question 5. What hospitality did the peddler with rattraps receive from the old crofter?

Question 6. ‘The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco’. What personal information did he impart to his guest ?

Question 7. Where had the old man put his money? Why did he hold it up before the eyes of his guest and what did he do later on?

Question 8.‘ The next day both men got up in good, season.’ Why? Who are the men and what did they do after getting up?

Question 9. Why did rattrap peddler return and how did he rob the old crofter?

Question 10. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? Why did he discontinue walking on the public highway?

Question 11. Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?

Question 12. How did the peddler feel while walking through the wood? What did he realise?

Question 13. What do you learn about the Ramsjo Ironworks from ‘The Rattrap’?

Question 14. Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge?

Question 15. ‘The blacksmiths glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder’, What prompted them to do so?

Question 16. What observation did the ironmaster make about the stranger? What did he ask him to do?

Question 17. What did the peddler think about going up to the manor house? How did he react to the ironmaster’s invitation?

Question 18. What reason did the ironmaster advance in support of his invitation to the stranger?

Question 19. What did the young girl notice about the stranger? What did she conclude? How did she make him feel confidence in her?

Question 20. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap? [Delhi 2014]

Question 21. What impression did the well-groomed guest make? How did the ironmaster react and why?

Question 22. What arguments did the young girl give in favour of the stranger’s stay there?

Question 23. “The young girl sat and hung her head even more dejectedly than usual.” What two reasons forced her to behave in this manner?

Question 24. Sum up the contents of the letter addressed to Miss Willmansson.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Date of submission:15/8/2017

To be written in Home work Notebook 

Report Writing

Types of Reports –

 For News Paper - For Magazine

POINTS to Remember  -

 Report an event in the order in which things happened

. - Should be always written in Past Tense (Magazine) and a mixture of tenses (for News Paper). Format for Magazine

Heading by Content Split into 3-4 paragraphs

 1st Para :-What/Where/When/for Whom, who is invited.

2nd Para :- Sequence of the event to be described.

3rd Para : - Quote excerpts from Chief Guests Speech and Conclusion.

FORMAT FOR NEWS PAPER

HEADLINE

BY _________________ Date : ______________________ Place : _____________________

1st Para :-Expansion of the headline.

 2nd Para :- Detailed description of the event/ happening.

3rd Para : - Remakrs of the witness/people present at the event.

4th Para : - Action taken so far/will be taken

 Questions : Scholastic India Ltd. organised a one day workshop on creative writing in your school to promote writing skills. As the Literary captain of your school, write a report to be published in the school magazine. You are Rohit/Radha.

 Sample of a report for the School Magazine

Creative Writing Workshop

By Radha

Scholastic India Ltd. conducted a one day workshop in KV.......... as part of their campaign to promote writing on 20th September'16 in the school library for the student of class XI-XII.

 The Team of scholastic India Ltd. was given an introductory welcome by the school coordinator Ms J Sharma. Mr. Rahul and Ms Deepshikha of the team took over the mike. They took the students through the mechanics of writing and how the use of figurative language can improve their writing. The students were grouped into a team of 5 each and were given some clues and

were asked to write a story in the stipulated time. The teams were expected to present their stories one by one. It was an interesting session as how same clues in different hands can result into different stories.

The next session was mainly for budding poets. Mr Rima Roy, the famous poetess too the next session. She highlighted the finer details of writing poerty. The students were then asked to compose a poem on the given topics. Rohit of XII a got lot of appreciation for his poem. The stories and poems were all put on the library board for others to read.

The workshop came to an end with the Principal sir's address. He expressed the need for good writing ability to communicate effectively in writing. The Head boy proposed a vote of thanks for the organizers.

Attempt any one of the following Reports

Questions : 1. Your School organised Van Mahotsav Day recently. Write a report to be published in the School Magazine in 180-200 words. You are Suman of Class XII, Delhi Public School, Agra.

2. You are Amit of Class XII, Birla Vidya Mandir, the publication captain. Your School was the venue of National Level Social Science Exhibition. Write a report for the School Magazine.

 3. You are Kavita, a reporter with the Times of India, You were asked to cover the health mela organised by "Ayush Ministry", at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Delhi submit your report for the publication.

 4. A massive fire due to Shortcircuit gutted. 50 odd shops in the conjested area of Sadar Bazar, Jaipur leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with The Hindu write a report for the newspaper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Date of Submission :20/8/2017
1. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?
2. 2. How did Roger Skunk’s Mommy react when he went home smelling of roses?
3. 3. How did the Skunk’s mother get him his old smell back?

4. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

_______________________________________________________________________________

Date Of Submission: 10.08.2017

1 Why did the General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier?

2. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent with the troops? 

3. How was the plan of the prisoner’s escape executed in the story? 

4. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house? 
5. ‘‘But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night, had 

his reward’’. What was the reward? 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Date Of Submission: 24.07.2017

1 Why did the General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier?

2. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent with the troops? 

3. How was the plan of the prisoner’s escape executed in the story? 

4. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house? 
5. ‘‘But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night, had 
his reward’’. What was the reward? 
The “reward” was the escape of the enemy. Dr

1. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?
2. 2. How did Roger Skunk’s Mommy react when he went home smelling of roses?
3. 3. How did the Skunk’s mother get him his old smell back?

4. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

Report Writing

Types of Reports –

 For News Paper - For Magazine

POINTS to Remember  -

 Report an event in the order in which things happened

. - Should be always written in Past Tense (Magazine) and a mixture of tenses (for News Paper). Format for Magazine

Heading by Content Split into 3-4 paragraphs

 1st Para :-What/Where/When/for Whom, who is invited.

2nd Para :- Sequence of the event to be described.

3rd Para : - Quote excerpts from Chief Guests Speech and Conclusion.

FORMAT FOR NEWS PAPER

HEADLINE

BY _________________ Date : ______________________ Place : _____________________

1st Para :-Expansion of the headline.

 2nd Para :- Detailed description of the event/ happening.

3rd Para : - Remakrs of the witness/people present at the event.

4th Para : - Action taken so far/will be taken

 Questions : Scholastic India Ltd. organised a one day workshop on creative writing in your school to promote writing skills. As the Literary captain of your school, write a report to be published in the school magazine. You are Rohit/Radha.

 Sample of a report for the School Magazine

Creative Writing Workshop

By Radha

Scholastic India Ltd. conducted a one day workshop in KV.......... as part of their campaign to promote writing on 20th September'16 in the school library for the student of class XI-XII.

 The Team of scholastic India Ltd. was given an introductory welcome by the school coordinator Ms J Sharma. Mr. Rahul and Ms Deepshikha of the team took over the mike. They took the students through the mechanics of writing and how the use of figurative language can improve their writing. The students were grouped into a team of 5 each and were given some clues and

were asked to write a story in the stipulated time. The teams were expected to present their stories one by one. It was an interesting session as how same clues in different hands can result into different stories.

The next session was mainly for budding poets. Mr Rima Roy, the famous poetess too the next session. She highlighted the finer details of writing poerty. The students were then asked to compose a poem on the given topics. Rohit of XII a got lot of appreciation for his poem. The stories and poems were all put on the library board for others to read.

The workshop came to an end with the Principal sir's address. He expressed the need for good writing ability to communicate effectively in writing. The Head boy proposed a vote of thanks for the organizers.

Date Of Submission: 14.07.2017

Attempt any one of the following Reports

Questions : 1. Your School organised Van Mahotsav Day recently. Write a report to be published in the School Magazine in 180-200 words. You are Suman of Class XII, Delhi Public School, Agra.

2. You are Amit of Class XII, Birla Vidya Mandir, the publication captain. Your School was the venue of National Level Social Science Exhibition. Write a report for the School Magazine.

 3. You are Kavita, a reporter with the Times of India, You were asked to cover the health mela organised by "Ayush Ministry", at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Delhi submit your report for the publication.

 4. A massive fire due to Shortcircuit gutted. 50 odd shops in the conjested area of Sadar Bazar, Jaipur leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with The Hindu write a report for the newspaper.

 Keeping Quiet

1. Why shouldn’t we speak any language and move our arms so much?

2. How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Explain.

3. “I want no truck with death.” Explain.

4. What are the various wars mentioned? What is the result of these wars?

5. What would be the result of quietude?

6. What is the ‘exotic moment ’mentioned in the poem and how can we achieve it?

7. What has man single-mindedly focused on and to what effect?

8. What is ‘fisherman’ symbolic of? What will happen when fishermen do not harm whales?

9. What has happened to the man gathering salt? What must he do?

10. Under the apparent stillness there is life’. Justify.

11. Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?

Report Writing

A report can be a brief note or a complete detailed information about an event that has taken place in the past.

Types of Reports –

 For News Paper - For Magazine

POINTS to Remember  -

 Report an event in the order in which things happened

. - Should be always written in Past Tense (Magazine) and a mixture of tenses (for News Paper). Format for Magazine Heading by Content Split into 3-4 paragraph. 1st Para :-What/Where/When/for Whom, who is invited. 2nd Para :- Sequence of the event to be described. 3rd Para : - Quote excerpts from Chief Guests Speech and Conclusion. FORMAT FOR NEWS PAPER HEADLINE BY _________________ Date : ______________________ Place : _____________________ 1st Para :-Expansion of the headline. 2nd Para :- Detailed description of the event/ happening. 3rd Para : - Remakrs of the witness/people present at the event. 4th Para : - Action taken so far/will be taken Questions : Scholastic India Ltd. organised a one day workshop on creative writing in your school to promote writing skills. As the Literary captain of your school, write a report to be published in the school magazine. You are Rohit/Radha. Sample of a report for the School Magazine Creative Writing Workshop By Radha Scholastic India Ltd. conducted a one day workshop in KV.......... as part of their campaign to promote writing on 20th September'16 in the school library for the student of class XI-XII. The Team of scholastic India Ltd. was given an introductory welcome by the school coordinator Ms J Sharma. Mr. Rahul and Ms Deepshikha of the team took over the mike. They took the students through the mechanics of writing and how the use of figurative language can improve their writing. The students were grouped into a team of 5 each and were given some clues and were asked to write a story in the stipulated time. The teams were expected to present their stories one by one. It was an interesting session as how same clues in different hands can result into different stories. The next session was mainly for budding poets. Mr Rima Roy, the famous poetess too the next session. She highlighted the finer details of writing poerty. The students were then asked to compose a poem on the given topics. Ronit of XII a got lot of appriciation for his poem. The stories and poems were all put on the library board for others to read. The workshop came to an end with the Principal sir's address. He expressed the need for good writing ability to communicate effectively in writing. The Head boy proposed a vote of thanks for the organizers. Questions : 1. Your School organised Van Mahotsav Day recently. Write a report to be published in the School Magazine in 180-200 words. You are Suman of Class XII, Delhi Public School, Agra. 2. You are Amit of Class XII, Birla Vidya Mandir, the publication captain. Your School was the venue of National Level Social Science Exhibition. Write a report for the School Magazine. 3. You are Kavita, a reporter with the Times of India, You were asked to cover the health mela organised by "Ayush Ministry", at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Delhi submit your report for the publication. 4. A massive fire due to Shortcircuit gutted. 50 odd shops in the conjested area of Sadar Bazar, Jaipur leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with The Hindu write a report for the newspaper.

Date Of Submission: 25.07.2017

Mind maps after each prose& poetry

Lost Spring

1.a. What does the title of the story ‘Lost Spring ’ imply?

b. Where has Saheb come from and why?

c. How is Saheb’s name full of irony ?

d. Mention the hazards of working in the bangle industry.

e. Do you think Mukesh will realize his dream of becoming a car mechanic?

2. Child Labour is a crime. When a child is asked or forced to do work that interferes and deprives him of his childhood activities like playing and studying. Prepare a speech to be made in the school assembly.

An Elementary School Class room in a Slum

1.Why do you think the poet has used the expression ‘sour cream’ to refer to the classroom walls?

2. How does the wall decorations of the classroom contrast with the reality of the slum children?

3.How can the life of the slum children be changed?

4. What spectacles of the slum and slum children does the poet bring out through the poem?

5. ‘So blot their maps with slums as big as doom’. What does the poet want to convey?

6. ‘History is theirs whose language is the sun’. Explain.

7. ADVERTISEMENT- CLASSIFIEDS- WANTED

8.Presently the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing causing much hardship to the common man. Write an article in 150 -200 words expressing your views and suggesting measures to curb this problem.

DEEP WATER

1. Why did mother warn Douglas against River Yakima?

2. What impact did the incident at California beach have on him?

3. What made him decide that the instructor’s role in teaching him swimming was over?

4. Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire? How did he make his terror flee?

5. What larger meaning did the experience have on him?

Writing Section Question : Scholastic India Ltd. organised a one day workshop on creative writing in your school to promote writing skills. As the Literary captain of your school, write a report to be published in the school magazine. You are Rohit/Radha.

Tips on Report Writing

A report can be a brief note or a complete detailed information about an event that has taken place in the past.

Types of Reports - For News Paper - For Magazine

POINTS to Remember - Be brief and to the point. - Report an event in the order in which things happend. - Should be always written in Past Tense (Magazine) and a mixture of tenses (for News Paper).

 Format for Magazine Heading by Content Split into 3-4 paragraph. 1st Para :-What/Where/When/for Whom, who is invited.

2nd Para :- Sequence of the event to be described.

3rd Para : - Quote excerpts from Chief Guests Speech and Conclusion.

FORMAT FOR NEWS PAPER

HEADLINE BY _________________ Date : ______________________ Place : _________

 1st Para :-Expansion of the headline.

 2nd Para :- Detailed description of the event/ happening.

3rd Para : - Remakrs of the witness/people present at the event.

 4th Para : - Action taken so far/will be taken

Questions : Scholastic India Ltd. organised a one day workshop on creative writing in your school to promote writing skills. As the Literary captain of your school, write a report to be published in the school magazine. You are Rohit/Radha.

 Sample of a report for the School Magazine

 Creative Writing Workshop

 By Radha

Scholastic India Ltd. conducted a one day workshop in KV.......... as part of their campaign to promote writing on 20th September'16 in the school library for the student of class XI-XII.

The Team of scholastic India Ltd. was given an introductory welcome by the school coordinator Ms J Sharma. Mr. Rahul and Ms Deepshikha of the team took over the mike. They took the students through the mechanics of writing and how the use of figurative language can improve their writing. The students were grouped into a team of 5 each and were given some clues and were asked to write a story in the stipulated time. The teams were expected to present their stories one by one. It was an interesting session as how same clues in different hands can result into different stories. The next session was mainly for budding poets. Mr Rima Roy, the famous poetess too the next session. She highlighted the finer details of writing poerty. The students were then asked to compose a poem on the given topics. Ronit of XII a got lot of appreciation for his poem. The stories and poems were all put on the library board for others to read. The workshop came to an end with the Principal sir's address. He expressed the need for good writing ability to communicate effectively in writing. The Head boy proposed a vote of thanks for the organizers.

 Question : 1. Your School organized Van Mahotsav Day recently. Write a report to be published in the School Magazine in 180-200 words. You are Suman of Class XII, Delhi Public School, Agra.

Students requiring additional help may refer the answers given below.

Lost Spring Chapter Wise Important Questions Class 12 English

Date Of Submission: 15.07.2017

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. To which country did Saheb’s parents originally belong? Why did they come to
India? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why did Saheb’s parents leave Dhaka and migrate to India? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. Saheb’s parents belonged to Dhaka in Bangladesh, where they lived amidst green fields. They and the other ragpickers left their homes many years ago and migrated to India in search of a livelihood, as their homes and fields were destroyed in storms. This forced them to come to India, where they settled in the slums of Seemapuri.

Question.2. What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy? (All India 2014 Modified)
Answer. Saheb took up work at a tea stall, where he had to perform several odd jobs, including getting milk from the milk booth. He was not happy, as he had lost his independence. Though he earned ? 800, and got all his meals free, he was no longer his own master.

Question.3. In what sense is garbage gold to the ragpickers? (Compartment 2014)
or
Garbage to them is gold; why does the author say so about the ragpickers? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because it provides them items which can be sold for cash, which can buy them food and is a means of survival. Moreover, it is gold also because the ragpickers can find stray coins and currency notes in it.

Question.4. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers of Firozabad? (Delhi 2014; Modified)
Answer. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all adversity, whereas the other bangle makers of Firozabad have resigned to their fate, and have suppressed all their hopes and desires. Mukesh refuses to follow the ‘God-given lineage’ of bangle making and wants to be a motor mechanic when he grows up.

Question.5. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the bangle makers?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the lawmakers, the bureaucrats and the politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle makers. These people conspire against and exploit the poor bangle makers. They pay them meagre wages, do not let them form co-operatives, and compel their children to join the same trade at an early age.

Question.6. What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why? Why
not? (Compartment 2014)
or
What was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream? (Foreign 2009)
or
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer. (All India 2009)
Answer. Mukesh’s dream is to become a motor-mechanic. It is no doubt difficult for Mukesh to achieve his dream, as he is torn between his desires and his family tradition, which he cannot escape. Besides, he has to face a number of obstacles in the form of sahukars, middlemen, bureaucrats, law makers, politicians etc. However, his will to work hard, and his strong determination could make him achieve his dream. ‘

Question.7. In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not
devoid of hope. How far do you agree? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in the slum have the desire to achieve something big in life, like Mukesh. This shows that they are not devoid of hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells making bangles, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic, which is very much against his family traditlbn.

Question.8. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. Mukesh is a child labourer who Works in a glass bangle making factory that is situated in Firozabad. Though Mukesh belongs to a poor family which is engaged in bangle making, he dreams of becoming a motor mechanic when he grows up.

Question.9. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a cooperative? (All India 2012)
Answer. The bangle makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative because they were trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, up bureaucrats and politicians. If they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by up the police and put in jail.

Question.10. Mention any two hazards of working in the bangle industry. (Foreign 2011)
Answer. The glass bangle industry offers a very unhealthy and hazardous environment to the people working in it. They have to work in the glass furnaces with high temperature in dingy cells
without air and light. Workers, including child labourers, lose their eyesight at an early age.
Slogging for long, relentless hours also has adverse effects on their bodies.

Question.11. Why does the author say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web?
(All India 2010)
Answer. The bangle makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen, policemen, law makers, bureaucrats and politicians. They toil day and night, but are not
paid appropriate wages and are steeped in poverty. They cannot form cooperatives for their betterment. Moreover, their children are also compelled to join the same trade at an early age and cannot dare to take up any other profession.

Question.12. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? How do you know? (Foreign 2010, All India 2009)
Answer. Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. He is paid a fixed wage of Rs 800, and also receives all his meals free. But the author notices that his face has lost its carefree look, which makes it evident that he is not happy. He has lost his independence, and is no longer his own master.

Date Of Submission: 05.07.2017

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in
Seemapuri. (Delhi 2011)
Answer. The author’s acquaintance with Saheb and other barefoot ragpickers introduced her to Seemapuri. It is a slum area located on the periphery of Delhi. The residents of Seemapuri consist of people who left Bangladesh in the 1971 War and are basically refugees. Saheb’s family is among them. The area does not have facilities of sewage, drainage or running water. About 10000 ragpickers live here. Their only means of livelihood is ragpicking, and they treat rags as valuable as gold. These ragpickers have lived here for more than thirty years without any identity. They do not have permits but have ration cards, with which they can get their names on the voter’s list and also buy grains at subsidised rates.

Question.2.’Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and traditions that condemn thousands of
people to a life of abject poverty. Do you agree? Why/Why not? (All India 2011)
Answer. ‘Lost Spring’ is a good narration of grinding poverty and traditions to which thousands of people have succumbed. The story revolves around the pitiable condition of poor children who have been forced to live in slums and work hard in dirty conditions. The story is divided into two parts. The first part tells the writer’s impression about the life of poor ragpickers who have migrated froin Bangladesh, but now have settled in the Seemapuri area of Delhi.
The second part narrates the miserable life of the bangle makers in the town of Firozabad. The stark reality of these families is that in spite of back-breaking hard work that they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day. Besides, they are victims of exploitation by those above them and also suffer the consequences of blind belief in traditions.

Question.3. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy
but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate. (Delhi 2010)
Answer. Firozabad is the hub of India’s glass-blowing industry where families have spent generations making bangles to adorn married women. The stark reality of these families is that in spite of the back breaking hard work that they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day.
They work in deplorable conditions and many lose their eyesight early. To top it all, they live in unhygienic conditions where there is a lack of basic amenities too.
The sad reality is that the workers cannot organise themselves into a cooperative. They are devoid of all enthusiasm and do not dare to dream of anything better. The fear of the police and lack of leadership among themselves have confined them to a vicious circle of poverty, indifference and greed. Thus, while they bring happiness to everyone’s life, their own life is steeped in poverty and squalor.

Q. What is the theme of the poem ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a slum’?

(Ans) In the poem, Spender depicts the pathetic life of slum children who are victims of government apathy. He presents social injustice and class inequalities that prevails in society. The poem is a bitter criticism on the state of education in elementary schools in slum areas.

2Q. What picture of the slum children is depicted in the poem?

(Ans) The slum children in an elementary school look pathetic. Their hair are like wild weeds. They are undernourished and diseased. They are used to dark, dirty, narrow cramped areas closed in by a grey sky.

3Q.What do slum children receive as inheritance?

(Ans) The children inherit their parents’ poverty and disease. A boy has twisted bones like his father. The slum children inherit the diseases as they are subjected to inhuman dirty cramped conditions.

4Q. Explain ‘far from gusty waves’.

(Ans) ‘Gusty waves’ represents energetic children who are like strong waves. The slum children are unlike the usual children. They are undernourished and miserable.

5Q. What is the comparison drawn with squirrel’s game?

(Ans) This is suggestive of the world of dreams, the sweet and young boy lives in. He dreams of squirrel’s game in trees away from his gloomy classroom.

6Q. Explain ‘like bottle bits on stones’.

(Ans) This simile describes the shattered glasses of the spectacles some slum children have to wear. It looks like the bits of glass on stone walls. It highlights the poverty and hardships of people in slums.

7Q. Explain ‘like bottle bits on stones’.

(Ans) This simile describes the shattered glasses of the spectacles some slum children have to wear. It looks like the bits of glass on stone walls. It highlights the poverty and hardships of people in slums.

8Q. In spite of despair and disease, the slum children are not devoid of hope. Give an example of their hope or dream.

(Ans) Even though the world of the slum children is dark and their future bleak, their eyes dream of a better future which is distant and beyond their reach. They dream of open seas, green fields and squirrel’s game.

9Q. Explain ‘future’s painted with a fog’.

(Ans) The future of slum children is uncertain and bleak. Just as fog blurs one’s view in winter, poverty and apathy of the officials have dimmed the future of the slum children.

10Q. How is ‘map’ a bad example?

(Ans) Map opens before the slum children a beautiful world. The map is a bad example because it tempts them to aspire for a world which is beyond their reach. Their world is confined to the dark narrow lanes in the slums.

11Q. Bring out the optimism in the last stanza.

(Ans) Spender feels education is the instrument of change. It can release the slum children from the miserable life they lead. He appeals to the officials to become sensitive to their needs. This will break down the barriers that hinder their growth.

12Q. How can powerful people improve the lot of slum children?

(Ans) Powerful people can liberate the slum children. They can do so by removing

social injustice and class inequalities. They must provide opportunities to these children so that their childhood does not get lost in dreary ‘foggy’ slums.

13Q. Explain ‘history is theirs whose language is the sun’.

(Ans) Those people create history who outshine others. Through this metaphor, Spender feels that only those people who have courage can leave their mark. To create history, their language must have the power, brightness and warmth of the sun.

DEEP WATER

- By William Douglas THEME: In this essay William O .Douglas talks about his fear of water and thereafter, how he finally overcomes it. IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER: 1. Developed aversion to water (i) 3 to4 years old: father took him to the beach in California. (ii) waves knocked him down. (iii) swept over him. (iv) fear of water sets in 2. Yakima River : (i) dangerous (ii) mother-warned him against it. (iii) kept fresh in his mind - each drowing in the river. 3. Misadventure at Y.M.C.A.(safe pool) (i) Y.M.C.A. pool-shallow end  is 2-3   feet deep; 9 feet at the deep end (ii) An 18 yr old bully tossed  him into the deep end (iii) Douglas' plan (strategy)-when he hits the bottom of the pool-he would jump &come to the surface. (iv) went 9 feet down (v) failed to rise, suffocated, lungs ached, head throbbed. fear-stricken (vi) became unconscious, nearly died. 4. Effect/Impact of Fear : (i) ruined his fishing trips (ii) deprived him of the joy of canoeing , boating & swimming. 5. HIRED AN INSTRUCTOR TO OVERCOME FEAR OF WATER : (i) practised 5 days a week-1hour each day (ii) used belt& rope to teach swimming (iii) Taught to exhale under water &inhale above water (iv) Taught Limb coordination (v) Taught different strokes-crawl stroke, breast stroke, side stroke& back stroke 6. TESTED HIMSELF : (i) Went to Lake Wentworth in Hampshire-swam 2 miles to Stamp Act Island (ii) Went upto Meade Glacier to swim in warm lake near Gilbert Peak.

ENGLISH

CHARACTER SKETCH OF DOUGLAS

*adventurous by nature. *had a zest for life. *courageous/bold. *indomitable spirit-to overcome his fear. *not frightened by crisis-accepted it as a challenge.

 SOLVED QUESTION Q,1.Answer the following questions in 30-40 words : (

i)                    How did the fear of water ruin Douglas' leisure activities?

Value Points:  EFFECT/IMPACT of FEAR: (i) ruined his fishing trips

(ii)  deprived him of the joy of canoeing , boating& swimming.

Practice Questions

(ii)  What factors led Douglas to decide in favour of Y.M.C.A. pool?

(iii) Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in Hampshire? (iv) How did the instructor "build a swimmer" out of Douglas?

 (v) What does the author mean by "All we have to fear is fear itself"?

Q2. Answer the following questions in 120-150 words:

Solved Question: Q.1."All we have to fear is fear itself." Elucidate.

Value points: *Douglas quotes Roosevelt-"All we have to fear is fear itself." *instead of running away from fear- we must fight it - Douglas justifies the statement by reecounting his YMCA experience and how it impacted his adult life. *fear of water would raise it's ugly head every time he was near water -trouble Douglas. * He decided to deal with his fear by hiring an instructor to teach swimming. *alone at pool-tiny vestiges (remains) of terror return occasionally. *challenge fear*went to Lake Wentworth-laughed & challenged fear *remove residual fear-went to Warm Lake-swam across to the other shore &back. *shouted with joy-when he experienced no fear. *overcame his fear by-determination, strong will-power ,perseverance.

Q.2."At last I felt released". Describe the efforts made by Douglas to find this moment of release from fear.