MY CHILDHOOD

1. Where was Abdul Kalam's house? Abdul Kalam's house was situated on the Mosque Street. It was his ancestral house, which

was built in the mid nineteenth century.

2. What do you think Dinamami is the name of? Give a reason for your answer. Dinamani is the name of a newspaper. Abdul Kalam's buothet-in-law told him the stories

about the war that he would later trace in its headlines. Therefore, no doubt it is the name of a

newspaper.

3. Who were Abdul Kalam's school friends? What did they later become? Abdul Kalam'a friends were Ramanandha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakshan. They all

belonged to Hindu families. Later Ramanandha took over the priesthood of the Rameswaram

temple, Aravindan went into the business of arranging transport for visiting pilgrims and

Sivaprakshan became a catering contractor for the Sothern Railways.

4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages? When the Second World War broke out in 1939, it resulted in the form of suspension of the

train halt at Rameswaram station the newspapers now and to be bundled and thrown out from

the moving train. His cousin Samsuddin who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram,

needed a helping hand. He found it in the form of Abdul Kalam. In this way, Abdul Kalam

earned his first wages.

5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way? Yes, he had earned one Anna before that. When he was eight year old, there was a sudden

demand for tamarind seeds increased in the market. He used to collect seeds and sell them. It

fetched him the princely sum of one Anna.

Answer the following questions in about 30 words:

1. How does the author describe: (i) His father?

According to Abdul Kalam, his father was a gentle person. His name was, Jainulabdeen. He

had neither much formal education nor much wealth. Despite these, he possessed great innate

wisdom and a true generosity of spirit.

(ii) His mother?

Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to his father. She fed a large number of people every day.

The number of outsides ate with them was far more than the members of their own family.

Abdul Kalam was one of the many children, born to tall and handsome parents. He

inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father. From his mother he inherited faith in

goodness and deep kindness.

2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents? He inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father. From his mother he inherited faith in

goodness and deep kindness.

3. Which social groups does Kalam mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (e:g by the way they dressed)? In Rameshwaram, society was divided into small groups as per castes and religions. Kalam

also mentions the same social groups. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable by the way

they dressed. However, they never felt any difference among themselves because of their

religious differences.

For example, when a new teacher identified Kalam because of his cap and

Ramanandha Sastry because of his sacred thread, as Muslim and Hindu; he could not digest

the fact that a priest's son us sitting with a Muslim. He asked Kalan to sit on the backbench,

but Laxmana Sastry (father of Rmanandha Sastry) scolded him and warned not to repeat such

type of activity in future.

4. Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences?

No, they were not only aware of their differences but also naturally share friendships and

experiences. Kalam's mother used to tell them the stories from Ramayana and from the life of

Prophet. All the Kalam's three friends belong to orthodox Hindu Brahmin families. But they

loved each other very much and the difference of religions never bother them. During annual

Sita Rama Kalyanan ceremony, Kalam's family carried idols of Lord to the marriage site,

situated in the middle of Rama Tirtha pond.

5. The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the

text?

Yes, we can easily identify these people. The new teacher and wife of science teacher are

fine examples of those people who were very aware of the difference. Lakshmana Sastry and

Kalam's science teacher are the examples of people who tried to bridge these differences.

6. Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?

Once a new teacher identified Kalam because of his cap and Ramanandha Sastry because of

his sacred thread, as Muslim and Hindu. He could not digest the fact that a priest's sin us

sitting with a Muslim. He asked Kalam to sit on the backbench, but Laxmana Sastry (father

of Rmanandha Sastry) scolded him and warned not to repeat such type of activity in future.

The second incident happened when Kalam was invited by his science teacher who was a

orthodox Brahmin on lunch. However, his wife refused to serve food to a Muslim boy. His

teacher himself served him food and also sit with him and took food His wife was watching

behind the door the Kalam taking food and clean the floor after taking food. She did not find

any difference. Next time when Kalam was invited for lunch she herself served him food.

7. Why did Kalam want to leave Rameshwaram? Kalam wanted to leave Rameshwaram because he wanted to study at district headquarters in

Ramanathapuram.

8. What did Kalam's father say? Kalam's father understood his problem and said, Abdul! I know you have to go away to grow. Does the seagull not fly across the sun, alone and without nest?"

9. What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he speak those words? His words mean one has to choose one's own way. His father knew that if his children

wanted to grow they had to leave that small village. He also wanted to develop a confidence

in Kalam.

PACKING

1. How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. The following characters are there in the narrative:-

(a) Jerome K. Jerome :- The writer and narrator of the story.

(b) George :- Writer's friend

(c) Harris :- Writer's friend

(d) Montmorency :- Dog

2. Why did the narrator volunteer to do the packing? The narrator volunteered to do the packing because he thought that he knew more than

anyone else about packing.

3. How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reaction? Whenever author offered himself for packing George and Harris accepted his idea readily.

George put on a pipe and spread himself over the easy chair. Harris cocked his legs on the

table and lit a cigar. No, Jerome did not like their reactions.

4. What was Jerome's real intention when he offered to pack? Jerome wanted to boss the job and Harris and George should potter about under his

directions.

5. What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you think he waited till then to ask?

After the bag was shut and stripped, Harris asked that was he not going to put the boots in.

He kept quiet intentionally because he wanted to tease Jerome.

6. What "horrible idea" occurred to Jerome a little later? While Jerome was shutting the bag after putting the boots, a horrible idea occurred to him if

he had packed his toothbrush.

7. Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush? Jerome finally found the toothbrush in a boot.

8. Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag? Jerome had to reopen the packed bag to pick out the tobacco pouch.

9. What did George and Harris offered to pack and why? George and Harris offered to pack the hampers or the large baskets for carrying food. They

did so because they thought it an easy job to do.

10. What does Jerome say was Montmorency's ambition in life? What do you think of Montmorency and why?

According to Jerome Montmorency's ambition in life is to get scolded. In my opinion,

Montmorency was not doing so intentionally. It was his general behaviour. He wanted to stay

near masters. However, what it did generally disappointed them.

11. Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who so you think is the best or worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.

Of the three, Jerome seems to be the best packer. It is because what he did, he did by his own

and systematically. However, he also has some lacunas or we can say he is in a habit of

forgetting. While packing at first he forget to pack boots, then he wondered whether he had

kept his tooth brush inside or not. He had to reopen the bag to take out his tobacco pouch.

Harris and George are worst packers. They offer their service during packing of

hampers. However, they made a mess of it. They broke a cup, squashed a tomato, walked

upon the butter and made a lot of noise.

12. How did Montmorency 'contributed' to the packing? Montmorency's ambition in life is to get in the way and scolded. He usually gives his

presence at such a place where he is not wanted. He makes the people mad, and makes them

to throw things on his head. He sits down on those things which are about to be paced. He

thought lemons as rats and got into the hampers and killed three of them. He put his leg into

the jam.

This was the contribution of Montmorency to the packing.

13. Do you think this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it? The story is really funny. There are four characters in this story - Jerome (narrator and

writer), George, Harris and Montmorency. All of these are funny in their behaviour. Jerome

wants to show his supremacy on George and Harries, but George and Harries sit aside and let

all the work for Jerome. It was unexpected for Jerome.

The forgetfulness of Jerome makes the story more humorous.

The way in which Harris and Geroge Packed hamper and the contribution of Montmorency

to the packing make the readers laugh. Therefore, there is no doubt; the story is really funny.

REACH FOR THE TOP

SANTOSH YADAV

Answer the following questions:-

1. Why was the Holy Man who gave Santoshs mother his blessings surprised? The holy man gave Santoshs mother his blessings was surprised because Santoshs

grandmother told him that they did not want a son.

2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable.

Even as a young girl, Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. For example,

where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Sontosh preferred shorts.

3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? Santosh was sent to a local school in line with the prevailing custom in the family.

4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? At the age of sixteen Santosh left home for Delhi. At this age most of the girls of her village

used to get married. But Santosh decided to leave home to get proper education and got

herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.

5. Why did Santoshs parents agree to pay for her schoolings in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident?

Santosh parents agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi because she threatened her parents

that she would never marry if she did not get proper education. She also showed her

determination that her plans to earn money by working part time to pay her school fees.

6. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains? Wishing always to study a bit more Santosh joined Maharani College and got a room in

Kasturba Hostel faced Aravalli Hills. She used to watch villagers going up the hill and

suddenly disappear. She decided to meet them and found a few mountaineers. She asked to

join them and got an affirmative answer. In this way, Santosh begin to climb mountain.

7. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santoshs concern for her teammates?

During the 1992 Everest mission, Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber who laid

dying at the South Col. Unfortunately she could not save his life. However, she managed to

save the life of another climber, Mohan Singh, by sharing her oxygen with him, who would

have met with the same fate. It shows her concern for her teammates.

8. What shows her concern for the environment? Being an environmentalist, Santosh has a great concern for the environment. She collected

and brought down 500kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This helped in maintaining

the beauty of the Himalayas.

9. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest? While describing her feelings at the summit of the Everest Santosh felt herself at the top of

the world. It was a spiritual moment for her. She unfurled the Indian flag. While holding it

she felt proud being an Indian.

10. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mount Everest. What were the reasons for this?

Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mount Everest because first

time she was the youngest woman to conquer Mount Everest and the second time she was the

only woman to scaled it twice.

MARIA SHARAPOVA

1. Why was Maria sent to the USA? Maria was sent to USA for her tennis training. She had learnt an important lesson that tennis

excellence would only come at a price. She also paid the same because she had not

celebrated her birthday when she had to leave her mother.

2. How did she feel in the USA? In USA, she felt so lonely and missed her mother terribly. Her father had to work as much as

he could to keep her training going.

3. Describe Marias training in the USA. In USA, she felt so lonely and missed her mother terribly. Her father had to work as much as

he could to keep her training going.

As she was so young, she used to go to bed at 8 p.m. The other tennis pupils would come

in at 11 p.m., wake her up, and order to tidy up the room and clean it. Instead of letting that

depress her, she became more determined and mentally tough. She learnt how to take care of

herself.

4. How did she become mentally tough? As she was so young, she used to go to bed at 8 p.m. The other tennis pupils would come in

at 11 p.m., wake her up, and order to tidy up the room and clean it. Instead of letting that

depress it made her more determined and mentally tough. She learnt how to take care of

herself.

5. What were the most amazing achievements of Maria? Maria bagged the womens singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and she rose to the world

number one spot the following year. These were the most amazing achievements of Maria.

6. Describe Marias pride in her roots. Maria is very devoted to tennis. She considers the sacrifices were worth it. She says, I am

very, very competitive. I work hard at what I do. Its my job. She is proud of being a

Russian. She herself said, I am Russian. It is true that the U.S. is a big part of my life.

However, I have Russian citizenship. My blood is totally Russian. I will play the Olympics

for Russia if they want me.

7. What do you think of Marias achievements? No doubt, Maria is a hard working lady. The achievements, which she gained, are not

borrowed; she gained them by her hard work, determination and sacrifice. There is nothing

wrong when she says, I am very, very competitive. I work hard at what I do. Its my job.

8. What are Marias hobbies? Marias hobbies are fashion, singing and dancing. She likes pancakes, chocolate and fizzy

orange drinks.

9. What does Maria think of tennis? She thinks that money is a motivation. Tennis is a business and a sport but the most

important thing is to become number one in the world. That is the dream that kept her going.

10. What impression do you form of Marisa? No doubt, Maria is a hard working lady. The achievements, which she gained, are not

borrowed; she gained them by her hard work, determination and sacrifice. Even after getting

the first position in world ranking, her love for her country does not decrease. She is proud of

being a Russian. She herself said, I am Russian. It is true that the U.S. is a big part of my

life. But I have Russian citizenship. My blood is totally Russian. I will play the Olympics for

Russia if they want me.

THE BOND OF LOVE

Answer the following questions.

1. I got him for her by accident.

(i) Who says this?

The narrator said the given statement.

(ii) Who do him and her refer to?

Here, him refers to the sloth bear and her refers to the narrators wife.

(iii) What is the incident referred to here?

Once they were passing through the sugarcane fields near Mysore. People were driving away

the wild pigs from the fields by shooting at them. Suddenly, they saw a black sloth bear. One

of the narrators companions shot it on the spot. As they watched the fallen animal, they were

surprised to see that the black fur on its back moved. Then they saw that it was a baby bear

that had been riding on its mothers back. The narrator ran up to it and attempted to capture

it. He finally succeeded in grabbing it and gifted it to his wife. This incident is referred to in

the above statement.

2. He stood on his head in delight.

(i) Who does he refer to?

Ans. Here, he refers to the bear Bruno.

(ii) Why was he delighted?

Ans. , him refers to the sloth bear and her refers to the narrators wife.

3. We all missed him greatly: but in a sense we were relieved.

(i) Who does we all stand for?

Ans. Here, we all stands for the narrator, his wife and his son.

(ii) Who did they miss?

Ans. They missed Bruno (Baba).

(iii) Why did they nevertheless feel relieved?

Ans. They felt relieved because Baba was getting too big to be kept at home. That is why

they sent it off to a zoo.

Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.

1. On two occasions Bruno ate/drank something that should not be eaten /drunk. What

happened to him on these occasions?

Bruno ate some poison meant for rats. It could not stand on its feet and was rushed to the

vets residence, where it was finally cured.

Later, it drank nearly a gallon of old engine oil. However, it remained unaffected.

2. Was Bruno a loving and playful pet? Why, then, did he have to be sent away?

Yes, Bruno was a loving and playful pet. Everybody in the family was attached to it,

especially the narrators wife. It had to be sent away to a zoo because it was getting too big to

be kept at home.

3. How was the problem of what to do with Bruno finally solved?

Bruno was not happy at the zoo. Seeing its condition and its happiness at seeing the

narrators wife, Bruno was allowed to go back to Bangalore. There, an island was made for

the bear, keeping all its needs in mind.

WEATHERING THE STORM IN ERSAMA

1. What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of orissa? The super cyclone has killed thousands of people and devastated nearly everything in

hundreds of villages. Heavy rain filled the atmosphere with darkness. Ancient trees were

uprooted and crashed to the earth. Houses were swiftly washed away. People lost their

families, belongings and source of living. They had nothing to eat but green coconuts.

Moreover, they had lost their hope. It becomes very difficult to bring the life back on track.

2. How has Prashant, a teenager been able to help the people of his village? Prashant has never witnessed such type of destruction before. He has all the qualities of a

true leader. The devastation and the miserable condition of the people living in the camps

inspired him to help the people of his village. When people started helping him, he found his

work very easy.

3. How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?

Men and youth worked on arranging for food and shelter; while women took care of cooking

and looking after the orphaned and injured. It is no way different from the real life situation.

In real life also men go to work to earn livelihood and women look after the children and

household works.

4. Why do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? What alternatives do they consider?

Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans, widows

because it was felt that in such institutions children would grow up without love and widows

would suffer from stigma and loneliness. They believed resettled them in their own

community. It was suggested that new foster families should be made. These would be made

up of childless widows and orphans. This would provide parents to the children without adult

care and children to the parents without children. This would help them in healing the

wounds of cyclone.

5. Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?

Yes, Prashant is a good leader. He did not weep over his loss and started working for others.

It is a quality of a good leader to utilize the men power and other resources to bring the

fruitful results. This quality can easily be seen in Prashant. He not only managed the food and

shelter for the people but also motivate the people to resettle the widows and orphans in new

foster families.

Yes, there is no doubt, youth can get together to help people during natural calamities. It

will give fruitful results as we have seen in this story.

THE LAST LEAF

1. What is Johnsy's illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live? Johnsy has no physical illness. She was ill psychologically or we can say she was in

depression. She was very attached to a creeper, outside her window. It was autumn season.

The creeper was dropping its leaves. Johnsy thought as the last leaf dropped she would die.

The willingness to live can cure her because there is no medicine for psychological illness.

2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers? Yes, I think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers. It is because it

is the age of emotional attachment. Teenagers attach with something emotionally. They want

the result in their faviour. Sometimes they get negative response that is the real cause of their

depression.

3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true? Behrman has a dream to paint a masterpiece. Yes it comes true but not in a usual way. To

save Johnsy's life he painted a leaf and tied it t the creeper in such a way that no one can

recognize it, whether it was real or fake. For this, he had to loss his own life. In this way we

can say, Behrman's masterpiece was far more superior to anyone else's.

4. What is Behrman's Masterpiece? What make Sue say so? To save Johnsy's life Behrman painted a leaf and tied it to the creeper in such a way that no

one can recognize it, whether it was real or fake. For this, he had to loss his own life. In this

way we can say, Behrman's masterpiece was far more superior to anyone else's.

Sue says so because Behrman made it only to save Johnsy's life at the cost of his

own life.

A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME

1. What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mothers reaction?

What does she do?

The author notices one Sunday afternoon while doing his homework near the fireplace that

smoke is pouring in through the seams of the ceiling. They run out into the front yard.

His mother runs out carrying a small metal box full of important documents. She again

runs into the house to take his fathers pictures and litters as he died earlier.

2. Why does he break down in tears after the fire?

He breaks down in tears after the fire because he does not find his cat. He thinks that it has

burnt into the fire. He has not come out the shock of leaving his old school and now his cat

has gone far from him.

3. Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his

fear and insecurity?

The author has lost nearly all his things in the fire. He has nothing to wear. He was not in a

proper uniform. He was wearing the tennis shoes of his aunt. Therefore, he was deeply

embarrassed. The words that show his fear are-

I dont want to grow up.. I just want to die.

4. The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the

story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?

The cat and the author are very fond of each other. The cat was never life far from him. The

author had rescued her when it was a kitten. The cat knew very well that he was the one

responsible for giving her the good life.

When the house caught into fire, the cat was is frightened that it ran over a mile away. A

gentle lady caught it and tried on the phone no. attached with the collar for a month.

However, due to fire the phone had been destroyed. That lady took the cat to the author.

5. What action of the schoolmates change the author understands of life and people, and

comforts him emotionally? How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start

participating in life?

His schoolmates knew that author had lost everything in the fire. They collected money and

presented nearly everything to the author. They not only became his friends but also helped

him in making his new home.

6. What is the meaning of My cat was back and so was I? Had the author gone

anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?

The author has lost everything in fire, even his cat that he loves very much. He has lost all his

interest in life and wanted to die. At this moment, his schoolmates cone forward and help him

getting all the things of his need. They also help him in rebuild his new home.

No, the author had not gone anywhere. It is said only because he has lost his interest in

life.

One day a gentle lady comes to him and handover his cat to him. He feels very happy.

Here, the authors life comes again on the track because he had found his cat as well as new

friends. Therefore, he says that he is also back.

THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST

1. Bill Bryson says, I am, in short, easily confused. What examples has he given to justify this?

Often whenever Bryson goes looking for the lavatory in a cinema, finally he finds himself in

an Alley. There he finds himself on the wrong side of a self-locking door. When he stays at a

hotel, he has to go two or three times to the receptionist to ask his room number.

2. What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way? When the zip of his carry-on bag gives way all the things in the bag fly out. These things

include newspaper cuttings, loose papers, a tin of pipe tobacco, magazines, passport, English

money and a film roll. The lid of the tobacco tin opens and tobacco spreads all over the place.

He finds that he has cut his finger while pulling at the zip.

3. Why is his finger bleeding? What is his wifes reaction? The authors finger starts bleeding at the zip. His wife looks at him in surprise. She says, I

cant believe you do this for a living.

4. How does Bill Bryson end up in a crash position in the aircraft? Once, Bryson leans over to tie a shoelace. Just then, someone sitting in the front seat throws

his seat back with full force. Bryson ends up helplessly in a crash position in the aircraft.

5. Why are his teeth and gums navy blue? Once, Bryson was writing his thoughts in his notebook. He started sucking at the end of the

pen. The pen leaked and his teeth & gums looked navy blue.

6. Bill Bryson ached to be suave. Is he successful in his mission? List his unsuave ways. It is true that Bryson ached to be suave, but he failed in his mission. He never rose from a

dining table without creating a nuisance. He would get into the car and close the door. Then

he would find that a part of his coat was outside. He would spoil his light coloured trousers

by sitting on such things as chewing, ice cream, cough syrup and motor oil.

7. Why do you think Bill Brysons wife say to the children, Take the lids off the food for Daddy?

Bill Brysons wife says to the children, Take the lids off the food for daddy, because she

knows that her husband remains confused. He always makes a mess in whatever he does.

While removing the lid he can spoil either the food or someones clothes.

8. What is the significance of the title? The title of the story, The Accidental Tourist no way seems to be inappropriate. Sometimes

must happen unexpected with him. Either he forgets the number of the room in hotel or locks

himself behind the self-locking door. He spoils the clothes of other passengers while

handling a soft drink, he cuts his finger while pulling the jammed zip. Anything can be

happened with him anytime.

THE BEGGAR

1. Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice? Luskoff has become a beggar by his own choice. He never asks for work to anyone but asks

for alms only. He always has a new excuse for a new victim. Previously he said to the author

that was a student but later told himself a teacher who has lost his job.

2. What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies? He gives a reason for telling a lie that if he tells the truth nobody will give him anything.

Therefore, he tells a lie to get some money as help.

3. Is Luskoff a willing worker? Why, then does he agree to chop wood for Sergei? No, Luskoff is not a willing worker. He agrees only because he was trapped by his own

words. He said that he could chop wood if he got such a work. Actually, he thinks that

narrator was not really offering work to him. He thinks that narrator is also preaching and

testing him like others.

4. Sergei says, I am happy that my words have taken effect. Why does he say so? Is he in right in saying this?

Sergei thinks that his scolding has brought a change in Luskoff. He thinks himself behind this

change. However, he is wrong. He is not right in saying such words, as it was his cook Olga,

whose scold, working and shedding tears for Luskoff bought change in Luskoff.

VIJAY JANGRA