Question 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

(i) The heart is a pump that ______________ (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action ______________ (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart ______________ (contract). This ______________ (force) the blood out into the arteries, which ______________ (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.

(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it ______________ (dig) a pit and ______________ (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule ______________ (dry) and ______________ (harden), but when rain ______________ (come), the mud ______________ (dissolve) and the lungfish ______________ (swim) away.

(iii) MAHESH: We have to organise a class party for our teacher. ______________ (Do) anyone play an instrument?

VIPUL : Rohit ______________ (play) the flute.
MAHESH : ______________ (Do) he also act?
VIPUL : No, he ______________ (compose) music.
MAHESH : That's wonderful!

Accepted Answer

Solutions:

(i) The heart is a pump that sends the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place when the left ventricle of the heart contracts. This forces the blood out into the arteries, which expand to receive the oncoming blood.

Explanation: The simple present tense is used here to describe facts and habitual actions.

(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries and hardens, but when rain comes, the mud dissolves and the lungfish swims away.

Explanation: Present simple tense is used for habitual actions and general truths.

(iii) MAHESH: We have to organise a class party for our teacher. Does anyone play an instrument?

VIPUL: Rohit plays the flute.
MAHESH: Does he also act?
VIPUL: No, he composes music.
MAHESH: That's wonderful!

Explanation: 'Does' is used for questions in simple present tense with singular subjects; verbs take 's' or 'es' in affirmative sentences with singular third person. — Step-by-step:
- Identify the subject and verb.
- Use simple present tense for facts, habitual actions, and general truths.
- For third person singular subjects, add 's' or 'es' to the verb.
- Use 'does' for questions with singular third person subjects.
- Fill in the blanks accordingly.

Question 2

Discuss in class the shrines you have visited or know about. Speak about one of them.

Accepted Answer

Answer will vary. Example:
I have visited the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu. It is a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati river. Inside the temple, priests perform rituals and devotees offer prayers. The atmosphere is peaceful and spiritual. Outside, there are small shops selling religious items. The temple complex is beautiful and ancient, giving a sense of history and devotion. — This is a subjective question aimed at encouraging students to speak about their personal experiences or knowledge of shrines. Answers will vary based on individual experiences.

Question 3

Imagine you are giving an eyewitness account or a running commentary of one of the following:
(i) a game of football, cricket or hockey, or some sports event
(ii) a parade (e.g. Republic Day) or some other national event

Speak a few sentences narrating what you see and hear. Use the simple present and the present continuous tenses. For example:
- He passes the ball but Ben gets in the way...
- These brave soldiers guard our frontiers. They display their skills here...

Accepted Answer

Sample answer:
"The players are running fast on the field. The striker passes the ball to the midfielder who is moving quickly. The goalkeeper watches carefully and prepares to save the goal. The crowd cheers loudly as the game continues."

Explanation: Use of simple present tense to describe habitual actions and present continuous tense to describe ongoing actions. — Students should use simple present tense for general facts and present continuous tense for actions happening at the moment. The answer should be a few sentences describing the event vividly.

Question 4

I. The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu.

Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later.

Record in point form
- what you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple
- what you see happening inside the temple
- what you do when inside the temple
- what you see outside the temple
- what your impressions are about the place.

Accepted Answer

Sample points:
- Reached Pashupatinath temple, saw the river flowing beside it.
- Observed priests performing rituals inside the temple.
- Participated in the prayer and watched the devotees.
- Outside the temple, saw small shops and pilgrims.
- The place felt peaceful and spiritually uplifting.

Explanation: Students should note down observations and feelings in point form to prepare for writing a travelogue. — This question helps students organize their observations and experiences in a structured manner for writing a travelogue later.

Question 5

II. Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details.

January 2003 — rise before dawn — take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 a.m. from Delhi — meet a newly-married couple on train — talk about Himachal Pradesh — get off the train — enter the once-grand city, Agra — twisted alleys — traffic dense — rickshaws, cars, people — vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets — go to the Taj Mahal — constructed entirely of white marble — magical quality — colour changes with varying of light and shadow — marble with gemstones inside — reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond — school-children, tourists — tourist guides following people.

Accepted Answer

Sample travelogue:
On a cold January morning in 2003, I rose before dawn and took the Shatabdi Express from Delhi at 6:15 a.m. On the train, I met a newly-married couple and we talked about Himachal Pradesh. Upon arriving in Agra, I was struck by the twisted alleys and dense traffic filled with rickshaws, cars, and people. Vendors sold religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices, and sweets. I then visited the Taj Mahal, a magnificent monument constructed entirely of white marble. Its magical quality was evident as the colour changed with the varying light and shadow. The marble was inlaid with precious gemstones. I admired the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond nearby. The place was bustling with school children, tourists, and tourist guides.

Explanation: Students should use the points to write a descriptive travelogue in their own words. — This question encourages creative writing based on given points, helping students practice descriptive writing and organizing information coherently.

Question 6

Thinking about the Poem

1. "A slumber did my spirit seal," says the poet. That is, a deep sleep 'closed off' his soul (or mind). How does the poet react to his loved one's death? Does he feel bitter grief? Or does he feel a great peace?
2. The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which lines of the poem say this?
3. How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her as a person living in a very happy state (a 'heaven')? Or does he see her now as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer?

Accepted Answer

1. The poet reacts with a great peace rather than bitter grief. The phrase 'A slumber did my spirit seal' suggests a calm acceptance of death.

2. The lines 'No motion has she now, no force— / She neither hears nor sees' indicate that the passing of time no longer affects her.

3. The poet imagines her as a part of nature, not in a happy heaven. This is shown in the lines 'Rolled round in earth's diurnal course / With rocks and stones and trees.' — Answers are based on interpretation of the poem's lines and the poet's feelings about death and the afterlife.

Question 7

What is the main theme of the story 'Follow That Dream' by Sudha Murty?

Accepted Answer

Following one's passion and dreams despite obstacles — The central theme of 'Follow That Dream' is about pursuing one's passion and dreams despite facing obstacles such as poverty, societal expectations, and lack of support. The story of Ramu exemplifies this through his determination to get an education.

Question 8

Who is the protagonist of the story 'Follow That Dream'?

Accepted Answer

Ramu — Ramu is the young boy who dreams of learning to read and write despite his father's wishes for him to work as a laborer. He is the main character whose journey the story follows.

Question 9

What role does Ramu's father initially want him to play in the family?

Accepted Answer

A laborer working in the fields — Ramu's father wants him to work as a laborer to support the family income, reflecting common expectations in rural families where children often work instead of studying.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes Ramu's attitude towards education?

Accepted Answer

Determined and passionate — Ramu is shown as a determined and passionate boy who wants to learn to read and write despite many obstacles, showing his strong desire for education.

Question 11

How does Ramu manage to attend school despite his father's opposition?

Accepted Answer

He secretly visits the school and hides his books — Ramu visits the school secretly and hides his books to avoid his father's disapproval, showing his determination to learn despite family opposition.

Question 12

What social challenges does Ramu face in his pursuit of education?

Accepted Answer

Skepticism and discouragement from some villagers — Ramu faces social challenges such as skepticism and discouragement from villagers who believe education is unnecessary for children like him.

Question 13

What is the significance of the teacher's role in Ramu's story?

Accepted Answer

She provides encouragement and extra help — The teacher plays a pivotal role by recognizing Ramu's eagerness and encouraging him, providing extra lessons and emotional support.

Question 14

Why is Ramu's journey symbolic of many children in rural India?

Accepted Answer

Because many face poverty and lack parental support for education — Ramu's journey symbolizes the struggles of many rural children who face poverty and lack of support for education but aspire to improve their lives through learning.

Question 15

What change occurs in Ramu's father by the end of the story?

Accepted Answer

He allows Ramu to continue his studies — After seeing Ramu's dedication and progress, and influenced by the teacher, Ramu's father changes his mindset and permits him to study.

Follow That Dream

Follow That Dream — Study Notes

Introduction

The Story of Ramu

Ramu’s Determination and Challenges

Practice Questions — Follow That Dream

All 8 Chapters in Beehive