Comprehension Check
- “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer:
- Answer: (iii) Cambridge was the real England.
- The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house:
- Answer: (i) from the nearest phone booth.
- Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because:
- Answer: (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
- “I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to:
- Answer: (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Working with the Text
- (i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Answer: Yes, the writer felt nervous because meeting someone as remarkable as Stephen Hawking, who had overcome great challenges, was overwhelming for him.(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Answer: Yes, the writer was excited to meet Hawking as he admired his intellect and resilience. - Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Answer: The first question likely related to how Hawking managed to keep such a positive outlook despite his physical limitations. - Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Answer: The writer believes Hawking did have a choice — he could have chosen despair or self-pity, but instead, he chose to focus on his work and make the most of his abilities. - “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Answer: The anguish refers to Hawking’s frustration with his physical limitations and his dependency on technology to communicate. - What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Answer: Hawking’s determination, resilience, and brilliance made the writer view him as one of the most beautiful men he had ever seen. - Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Answer: The sentence, “He is one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen,” captures the writer’s admiration for Hawking. - (i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
Answer: The ‘walls’ would be Hawking’s fragile, thin body.(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
Answer: Within these walls lies Hawking’s remarkable mind and spirit.(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Answer: The writer concludes that a person’s physical limitations do not define their inner strength and brilliance. - What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Answer: Hawking’s message for the disabled is to focus on what they can achieve rather than dwelling on their limitations. - Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Answer: The guitar incident illustrates that focusing on one’s limitations can be limiting. Hawking encourages others to concentrate on their strengths. - The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Answer: The writer feels grateful to Hawking for inspiring him and showing him the power of resilience.
11. Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.
| A | B |
| Taping at a little switch in his hand | Trying to find the words on his computer |
| And I told him | I had come in a wheelchair from India |
| And there are people | On which you are too lazy to draw a cheque |
| As if you have a courage account | Smiling with admiration to see you breathing still |
| And they are saying something huge and urgent | It is hard to tell what |
(i) There was his assistant on the line …
Ans: There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, …
Ans: You get fed up with people asking you to be brave as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) There he was, …
Ans: There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find words on his computer.
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, …
Ans: You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent – it is hard to tell what
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know …
Ans: It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
Working with Language
1. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
| Guide, succeed, chair, travel, pale, draw, true |
(i) I met a ____________ from an antique land.
Ans: Traveler
(ii) I need special ____________ in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
Ans: Guidance
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ____________ to Issac Newton.
Ans: Successor
(iv) His other problems ____________ into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
Ans: Paled
(v) The meeting was ____________ by the youngest member of the board.
Ans: Chaired
(vi) Some people say ‘yours ____________’ when they informally refer to themselves.
Ans: Truly
(vii) I wish it had been a ____________ match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Ans: Drawn
2. Make six phrases using the words given in the box.
| Read/session | Smile/face | Revolve/chair |
| Walk/tour | Dance/doll | Win/chance |
Ans:
i. Reading session
ii. Smiling face
Iii. Revolving chair
iv. Walking tour
v. Dancing doll
vi. Winning chance
3. Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.
(i) He has two brothers. _______ are lawyers.
Ans: Both
(ii) More than ten people called. _______ of them wanted to see you.
Ans: All
(iii) They _______ cheered the team.
Ans: All
(iv) _______ her parents are teachers.
Ans: Both
(v) How much have you got? Give me _______ of it.
Ans: All
4. Complete each sentence using the right form of adjectives given in the brackets.
(i) My friend has one of the _______ cars on the road. (fast)
Ans: fastest
(ii) This is the _______ story I have ever read. (interesting)
Ans: most interesting
(iii) What you are doing now is _______ than what you did yesterday. (easy)
Ans: easier
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both _______. (short)
Ans: Short
(v) He arrived _______ as usual. Even the chief guest came _______ than he did. (late, early)
Ans: late, earlier
Speaking and Writing
2. Underline stressed syllables in the following words. Consult the dictionary or ask the teacher if necessary
| artist mistake accident moment compare satisfy relation table illegal agree backward mountain |
Ans:
Artist
Mistake
Accident
Moment
Compare
Satisfy
Relation
Table
Illegal
Agree
Backward
Mountain
3. Writing a notice for the School Notice Board.
Step 1
Discuss why notices are put up on the notice board. What kinds of ‘notices’ have you lately seen on the board? How is a notice different from a letter or a descriptive paragraph?
Step 2
Suppose you have lost or found something on the campus. What have you lost or found? You want to write a notice about it. If you have lost something, you want it restored to you in case someone has found it. If you have found something, you want to return it to its owner.
Step 3
Write a few lines describing the object you have lost or found. Mention the purpose of the notice in clear terms. Also write your name, class, section and date.
Step 4
Let one member of each group read aloud the notice to the entire class. Compare your notice with the other notices, and make changes, if necessary, with the help of the teacher.
answer:
XYZ Public School
NOTICE
Found Item
Date: 13th September 2020
This is to inform all students that a Timex watch with a black belt and a white dial has been found near the senior wing playground. The rightful owner of the watch may contact the undersigned and claim it by providing proper identification.
Contact:
ABC
Roll No.: ___
Class: X-C
or
1.Imagine that you are a journalist.
2.You have been asked to interview the president of the village
panchayat.
3.Write eight to ten questions you wish to ask.
4.The questions should elicit comments as well as plans regarding
water and electricity, cleanliness and school education in the village.
answer:
The questions which I wish to ask the president of the Village Panchayat are:
- What are your plans for the development of education in your area?
- How will you improve the healthcare facilities?
- What will you do to promote cleanliness in the area?
- What plans do you have for improving agriculture in the village?
- Do you plan to promote female children in any way?
- Will you do anything for farmers?
- Will you work for the betterment of the infrastructure of the village?
- What have you planned for civil amenities?
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