Class 7 › English › Poorvi Chapter 1: Learning Together Tap a card to open it full-screen — swipe through like a story.
In 'The Day the River Spoke', what is Jahnavi's greatest wish?
A To go to school and learn like her brothers B To become a fisherwoman C To leave her village D To travel on a big ship
Unit 1 of Poorvi explores the joy and importance of learning through three readings. The opening prose, 'The Day the River Spoke' by Kamala Nair, follows Jahnavi, a nearly-ten-year-old village girl who longs to go to school like her brothers but is held back to mind her younger siblings. A talking River gently encourages her to believe in herself, reminding her that girls can do as much as boys. Gathering courage, Jahnavi slips into the village school, the kind teacher visits her father, and she is finally allowed to study, dreaming of becoming a teacher herself. The unit's narrative poem, 'Try Again' by Eliza Cook, retells how King Bruce of Scotland, on the verge of giving up, watches a spider fall and climb nine times before reaching its web; inspired by its perseverance, the king tries once more and succeeds. The third reading, 'Three Days to See' by Helen Keller, is a moving reflection by a blind-and-deaf writer who imagines how she would spend three days of sight, urging readers to use every sense fully and never take them for granted. Together the readings celebrate determination, equality in education, and gratitude for the gift of learning and the senses.
1 Jahnavi sits by the river and cries because her family does not send her to school. 2 The River speaks kindly, listens to her worries, and says girls can do as much as boys. 3 The River advises Jahnavi to go quietly to school and sit there to listen. 4 Jahnavi gathers courage, reaches the school, and listens to the teacher with little Appu on her shoulder. 5 The teacher speaks to Jahnavi’s father, and her parents finally agree to send her to school. 6 Jahnavi happily thanks the River and dreams of becoming a teacher for other village girls. J Jahnavi A village girl who dreams of going to school; with the River's encouragement she overcomes her fear and finally begins her education.
T The River (personification) A common noun written with a capital letter and given human qualities; it speaks, advises and encourages Jahnavi to be brave.
K King Bruce The Scottish king in 'Try Again' who is inspired by a persistent spider to attempt his great deed once more and succeed.
P Perseverance The central theme of 'Try Again' — continuing to try despite repeated failure, shown by both the spider and King Bruce.
H Helen Keller The blind and deaf author of 'Three Days to See', who experiences the world through touch and urges everyone to value their senses.
M Metaphor A figure of speech comparing two unlike things without 'like' or 'as'; the spider's climb is an implied comparison to Bruce's own struggle.
splashed
fell in drops with a sound
slithered
moved by sliding side to side
murmuring
speaking in a low voice
thicket
a dense group of bushes and trees
shrieked
made a high-pitched sound
startled
surprised suddenly
rustle
light sound of rubbing leaves
conspiratorially
in a secretive way
wailed
complained in a loud voice
clump
a small group growing together
rattling
making shaking, sharp sounds
Q1 What was Jahnavi's dream and why could she not fulfil it at first? Answer Q2 How did the River help Jahnavi? Answer Q3 Why has the author written 'River' with a capital letter though it is a common noun? Answer Q4 What does Jahnavi decide she will do when she grows up? Answer Q5 In 'Try Again', what was King Bruce feeling at the start of the poem? Answer Q6 What inspired King Bruce to try again? Answer Q7 What is the central message of the poem 'Try Again'? Answer Q8 How does Helen Keller experience the beauty of nature in 'Three Days to See'? Answer Q9 How would Helen Keller spend the three days if she could see? Answer Q10 What advice does Helen Keller give to people who can see? Answer Q1 I Close your eyes and quietly listen to the sounds around you for a minute. 1. Are they trying to tell you something? Answer Q2 I Close your eyes and quietly listen to the sounds around you for a minute. 2. Do you think the things around you also listen to you all day long? Answer Q3 II Jahnavi was a bright young girl who lived with her parents and three brothers in a coastal village in India. Her parents worked on the farm. She had a dream. 1. What could that dream be? Answer Q4 II Jahnavi was a bright young girl who lived with her parents and three brothers in a coastal village in India. Her parents worked on the farm. She had a dream. 2. How could she make her dream come true? Answer Q5 II Jahnavi was a bright young girl who lived with her parents and three brothers in a coastal village in India. Her parents worked on the farm. She had a dream. 3. What is your dream? What can you do to make your dream come true? Answer Q1 1. What was Jahnavi’s dream? Was it important to her? Why? Answer Q2 2. Do you think the river can help her in fulfilling her dream? How? Answer Q1 Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Check your answers with the teacher. Column 1: ...why the moon always comes from behind the hills...? Answer Q2 Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Column 2: ... little girls can do as much as little boys. Answer Q3 Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Column 2: Big boats, so big that they can take hundreds of people, and they sail along the sea with lights that shine all night. Answer Q4 Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Column 1: Will they come here? Answer Q1 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” She was puzzled. It was such a voice, like the river. It couldn’t be the river! “Well, tell me all about it,” said the River, for it was the River. “I’ve got to hurry to reach the sea, you know.” (i) Complete the sentence with the correct option from those given in the brackets. The tone of the River in the given extract is __________________. (assuring/sympathising) Answer Q2 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” (ii) Select a phrase from the extract which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot. Answer Q3 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. (iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The use of an exclamation mark at the end of the line, ‘It couldn’t be the river!’ expresses __________________. A. excitement B. hesitation C. irritation D. disbelief Answer Q4 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. “You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. (iv) Choose three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract from the words in the box given below. affectionate forgiving thoughtful impatient kind-hearted Answer Q5 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi. “Well, it’s up to you,” said the River. “Seems to me little girls can do as much as little boys—they swim as fast as little boys. You just slip along one morning and sit there in the school and listen to what’s going on, and maybe the teacher will let you stay.” “I couldn’t,” gasped Jahnavi. “I couldn’t! They’d scare me! They’d chase me out.” (i) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because __________________. Answer Q6 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi. (ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false. The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself and fulfill her desire to go to school. Answer Q7 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi. (iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. When the River suggests that Jahnavi should ‘slip along’, it means that she should move __________________. A. quickly B. casually C. quietly D. confidently Answer Q8 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi. (iv) What does the repetition of the phrase I couldn’t, tell us? Answer Q9 II Answer the following questions. 1. Why does the writer describe different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story? Why do you think the writer does this? Answer Q10 II Answer the following questions. 2. How did the River know so much about Jahnavi? Answer Q11 II Answer the following questions. 3. Jahnavi says, “And I’m so old now, they’ll never let me go.” What can you infer about Jahnavi and the school from this line? Answer Q12 II Answer the following questions. 4. Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school? Answer Q13 II Answer the following questions. 5. Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice? Answer Q14 II Answer the following questions. 6. How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing? Answer Q15 II Answer the following questions. 7. What is the main message that the writer intends to convey? Answer Q1 I You have learnt that naming words are called nouns and only proper nouns begin with a capital letter. Why has the author used a capital letter for the ‘River’ even when it is a common noun? (Clue: Has the River been given qualities of a human being?) Answer Q2 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 1. made a high-pitched piercing sound Answer Q3 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 2. to cause liquid to strike or fall on something Answer Q4 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 3. a low continuous background noise Answer Q5 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 4. cry with loud uncontrollable gasps Answer Q6 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 5. to make a soft dry sound, like paper or leaves moving Answer Q7 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 6. took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock Answer Q8 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 7. shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds Answer Q9 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 8. making a lot of noise Answer Q10 II There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition. 9. made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness Answer Q11 Now, fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II). The classroom grew (i) _______ as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers. Answer Q12 Now, fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II). As the teacher turned the pages with a (ii) _______, the children (iii) _______, wondering what comments awaited. Answer Q13 Now, fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II). Someone (iv) _______ in frustration, and the (v) _______of the students steadily increased. Answer Q14 Now, fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II). Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students (vi) _______ with excitement. Answer Q15 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. The word originates from Tamil language ‘kattu maram’ meaning ‘tied wood’. Find out the meanings of these words. From which Indian language these words were borrowed. 1. karma (Sanskrit) Answer Q16 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 2. sahib Answer Q17 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 3. chutney Answer Q18 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 4. guru Answer Q19 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 5. verandah Answer Q20 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 6. jungle Answer Q21 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 7. areca Answer Q22 III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. Find out the meanings of these words. 8. palanquin Answer Q23 IV Chandu, the fisherman, has a catamaran that the River preferred to a ship. Given below are some boats that are used in different parts of our country. 1. canoe 2. catamaran 3. coracle 4. shikara (i) Which one would you like to travel in? Answer Q24 IV Chandu, the fisherman, has a catamaran that the River preferred to a ship. (ii) Make a colourful drawing of a boat that you would like to travel in. Answer Q25 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Across 1. a large vessel used for transporting goods or passengers by sea Answer Q26 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Across 2. a small vessel for travelling on water, typically propelled by oars, sails, or an engine Answer Q27 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Across 3. a flat floating structure for travelling across water Answer Q28 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Across 4. a boat or ship driven by steam Answer Q29 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Down 5. a small, light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends and moved using a paddle Answer Q30 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Down 6. a boat with a powerful engine which can change direction easily and is used to pull large ships into and out of port Answer Q31 V Solve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport. Down 7. a boat with sails and sometimes an engine, used for either racing or travelling for pleasure, rhymes with ‘cot’ Answer Q32 VI Read the highlighted words in the following lines from the text. “She goes down towards the sea. I’ve seen her; she always takes the same way—over the mountains and down to the sea, like me!” Now, fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions given within the brackets. Jahnavi takes the River’s advice and goes to school. On her first day 1. _________ (at/in/on) school, Jahnavi stood nervously 2. _________ (in/outside/above) the gate, clutching her bag close to her. Answer Q33 VI Read the highlighted words in the following lines from the text. Now, fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions given within the brackets. She found a seat 4. _________ (among/between/from) two friendly classmates. The teacher greeted them warmly and started the lesson 5. _________ (about/in/for) numbers. Answer Q34 VI Read the highlighted words in the following lines from the text. Now, fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions given within the brackets. Jahnavi listened attentively, feeling excited 6. _________ (at/about/for) the new adventure ahead. Answer Q35 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 1. The cat jumped ___________ the table. (preposition) Answer Q36 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 2. The children played ___________ until dark. (adverb) Answer Q37 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 3. She quickly ran ___________ the park. (preposition) Answer Q38 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 4. The helicopter was hovering ___________. (adverb) Answer Q39 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 5. We were just walking ___________, chatting. (adverb) Answer Q40 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 6. After thoroughly wiping his shoes, he stepped ___________. (adverb) Answer Q41 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 7. She drove slowly ___________ the sharp curve. (preposition) Answer Q42 VII Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs. 8. He placed the keys ___________ the mat before leaving. (preposition) Answer Q1 I Read the words given in the box below. You will listen to five people speak about school life. As you listen, circle the words that are used by the speakers. There are two words you do not need. (lawyer desks homemaker principal posters newspapers marriage advertisements careers books) Answer Q2 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). There are two statements that you do not need. 1. Promotes active participation for all in school activities Answer Q3 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 2. Comments on how school makes learning Mathematics joyful Answer Q4 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 3. Believes in the power of education that leads to freedom of choice Answer Q5 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 4. Shares that school also means companionship Answer Q6 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 5. Understands that boys and girls have different abilities Answer Q7 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 6. Persuades the parent to grant permission to attend school Answer Q8 II You will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). 7. Believes that learning skills is not gender-based Answer Q1 I Read the sentence given below. “Dear, dear! What’s the matter? … You shouldn’t cry, you know. And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” The River spoke to Jahnavi in a ‘sleepy’ voice. Work in pairs and take turns to speak the same sentence in ‘other’ voices. Some hints are given below. happy surprised angry scared sad worried Answer Q2 II Janhavi asks the River for advice and the River gives advice. Read the given situations and work in pairs to ask for and give advice. Take turns to change your roles. Use the prompts given below. 1. Situation (i) : You wish to play football at school but it has an all-boys’ team only. Answer Q3 II Janhavi asks the River for advice and the River gives advice. 2. Situation (ii) : You have been unable to score well in Mathematics due to nervousness during exams. Answer Q4 II Janhavi asks the River for advice and the River gives advice. 3. Situation (iii) : You really enjoy music classes but do not get enough time to practise for it. Answer Q5 II Janhavi asks the River for advice and the River gives advice. 4. Situation (iv) : You cannot see the blackboard clearly from the last bench. Answer Q1 Ideas Prompts • What do you observe? • Every day, I see... • I find it very interesting that... • How do you feel? Why? • I like... because... • I feel... as... • What is your message to everyone around you? • I want to tell you that... • My advice to all is... Write a descriptive paragraph based on what you’ve observed in nature. Give a title to your paragraph. Answer Q2 III Read the poster given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. What are the things you can observe in the poster? Answer Q3 III Read the poster given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. Why do you think the girls look happy? Answer Q4 III Read the poster given below and answer the questions that follow. 3. Dignity means ‘self-respect’. What is the relation between ‘dignity’ and ‘happiness’ ? Answer Q5 III Read the poster given below and answer the questions that follow. 4. How does a Nation prosper when its daughters are happy? Answer Q6 IV The Government has launched many schemes for the education of the girl child. Some of them are ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, ‘Balika Samridhi Yojana’, ‘Samagra Shiksha Scheme–Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas’, etc. Find out more such schemes from the internet or from your teacher and spread awareness in your neighbourhood. Answer Q1 I Who inspires you to do your best? Answer Q2 II Work in pairs, identify what you see in the pictures given below. What can we learn from them? Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher. Pictures 1 to 6 Answer Q1 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. The poem, written in a narrative style, tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland, who was feeling 1. _____________ after failing multiple times to achieve something 2. _____________ for his people. Answer Q2 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. In a moment of 3. _____________, he observed a spider trying to reach its web high above. Answer Q3 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. The spider 4. _____________ every time it fell after getting close to its goal. Answer Q4 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. It made nine 5. _____________ and finally succeeded. Answer Q5 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. The king said that the spider had 6. _____________ and so would he. Answer Q6 I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. Inspired by the spider’s determination, King Bruce decided to 7. _____________. When he 8. _____________ this time, he ultimately succeeded. Answer Q7 II Complete the following sentences suitably. 1. We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because ________. Answer Q8 II Complete the following sentences suitably. 2. The central idea of the poem is ________. Answer Q9 III Pick three examples from the poem for each of the following: 1. lines that describe the spider’s efforts Answer Q10 III Pick three examples from the poem for each of the following: 2. alliteration (the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words) Answer Q11 IV Why does the poet repeat the following words or phrases in the poem? tried and tried; steadily, steadily; up, up Answer Q12 V Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets. 1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ____________. (AABB/ABBA/ABAB) Answer Q13 V Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets. 2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of ____________. (conjunction/interjection/adjective) Answer Q14 V Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets. 3. The poet uses ‘twas and ‘tis for the sake of ____________. (rhythm/rhyme/contraction) Answer Q15 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. This poetic device is called metaphor. It strengthens the poem’s message about perseverance—keep trying till we succeed. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. Write M for metaphor and S for simile. (i) He ran as fast as a cheetah. Answer Q16 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (ii) The world is a stage. Answer Q17 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (iii) The night was as dark as coal. Answer Q18 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (iv) He sang like an angel. Answer Q19 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (v) Her voice was music to his ears. Answer Q20 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (vi) The classroom was a zoo. Answer Q21 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (vii) The baby slept like a log. Answer Q22 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun. Answer Q23 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. (ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky. Answer Q24 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. (iii) The book was a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures. Answer Q25 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. (iv) Her laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days. Answer Q26 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. (v) The mountain stood as a guard, watching over the valley below. Answer Q27 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. (vi) The night was like a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery. Answer Q28 VI The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. (vii) Her thoughts were like butterflies in a summer meadow. Answer Q1 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. He flung himself down in low despair, As grieved as man could be; And after a while he pondered there, “I’ll give it all up,” said he. Now just at that moment a spider dropped, With its silken, filmy clue; (i) Select the phrase which shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state. Answer Q2 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. He flung himself down in low despair, (ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘low’ before despair? Answer Q3 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. He flung himself down in low despair, (iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. In the line, ‘And after a while he pondered there’, the word ‘pondered’ means _____________________. A. paused B. thought C. noticed D. rested Answer Q4 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. He flung himself down in low despair, (iv) Choose the correct option from the words given in the brackets. The phrase ‘silken filmy clue’ creates an image of something that is _____________________ (long and light/very delicate and soft). Answer Q5 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “...when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time.” But up the insect went once more, Ah me! ‘tis an anxious minute; He’s only a foot from his cobweb door, Oh say, will he lose or win it? (i) Choose the correct option to complete the analogy. toil: hard::_______________: _______________ A. roll: tumble B. tumble: circle C. compress: roll D. jump: tumble Answer Q6 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “...when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time.” (ii) List any two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line, ‘But up the insect went once more’. Answer Q7 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “...when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time.” (iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The expression ‘Ah me!’ in the extract indicates a sense of _______________. A. happiness B. stress C. relief D. loneliness Answer Q8 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. “...when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time.” (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. Readers are able to relate to this extract because ____________. Answer Q9 II Answer the following questions. 1. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem? Answer Q10 II Answer the following questions. 2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes from the beginning towards the end of the poem. Answer Q11 II Answer the following questions. 3. The poet describes every action of the spider in great detail. What does this tell us about his attitude towards the spider? Answer Q12 II Answer the following questions. 4. How does the spider inspire us to overcome despair and not give up? Answer Q13 II Answer the following questions. 5. The poem teaches us that failures are stepping stones to success. Explain. Answer Q14 II Answer the following questions. 6. The spider’s journey tells us that anyone can be a source of inspiration in our lives. Elaborate. Answer Q1 I Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem. 1. up x _____________ Answer Q2 I Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem. 2. fast x _____________ Answer Q3 I Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem. 3. glad x _____________ Answer Q4 I Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem. 4. win x _____________ Answer Q5 I Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem. 5. succeed x _____________ Answer Q6 II Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. Frame sentences of your own for these words. proximity middle of nowhere vicinity adjacent remoteness yonder afar a stone’s throw light year hairline farther 1. work very hard and/or for a long time Answer Q7 II Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. 2. prepared themselves for something difficult Answer Q8 II Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. 3. an attempt to do something new or difficult Answer Q9 II Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. 4. to try very hard to achieve something Answer Q10 III The poem uses words that show distance. For example: a long way up, inch by inch, higher and higher, half-yard higher Classify the words or phrases in the box given below based on the distance (far or near) and write in the space provided. Far Near Answer Q1 I You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. 1. What was the ant known for? (i) determination (ii) strength (iii) wisdom Answer Q2 I You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. 2. Why was the ant unable to take the roti home? (i) It was stuck under a rock. (ii) It was too heavy to carry. (iii) It was pulled by other ants. Answer Q3 I You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. 3. What was the bird doing? (i) playing with the ant (ii) searching for food (iii) picking up leaves Answer Q4 I You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. 4. How did the bird make the ant feel? (i) proud (ii) inspired (iii) relaxed Answer Q5 I You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. 5. How did the fellow ants help? (i) by advising the ant continuously (ii) by standing still near the ant (iii) by joining the ant in her efforts Answer Q1 I Work in pairs. Recall a visit to a place that you liked. Discuss the details of that place and write about the following: 1. Name of the place 2. The person(s) you went with 3. The things that you could: • see • listen • smell • taste • touch and feel Answer Q2 II How does this memory make you feel? Answer Q3 III Do you think your visit/experience would be different if you could not see or hear? Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher. Answer Q1 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. Share your answers with the teacher. 1. The author expresses a deep longing to experience the world through the sense of hearing. Answer Q2 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 2. The author would like exploring the city only to observe how people are suffering. Answer Q3 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 3. The author would spend the first day seeing the people whose kind-heartedness and friendship have enriched her life. Answer Q4 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 4. The author acknowledges that even in three days, she would not be able to see everything. Answer Q5 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 5. The author feels that everyone can find the greatest joy merely by the sense of touch. Answer Q6 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 6. The author advises those who can see to appreciate every moment as if they might lose their senses tomorrow. Answer Q7 I Work in pairs. Identify the statements that are true from the ones given below. 7. On the third day, the author would like to observe people in their daily lives and understand their experiences. Answer Q8 II Complete the table given below with what Helen Keller wanted to do on the three days if she had sight. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 see the people, know her friends from the feel of their faces, … Answer Q9 III The author says that you need eyes to be able to ‘see’ the true self of a person. Therefore, she refers to the eye as ‘window of the soul’. How is the narrator able to understand the feelings of a person? Answer Q1 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In spring, I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter’s sleep. Occasionally, I am very fortunate; I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. (i) What does the ‘delicate symmetry of a leaf’ symbolise? Answer Q2 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. (ii) List two phrases from the extract that describe the texture of objects in nature. Answer Q3 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. The phrase ‘awakening Nature after her winter’s sleep’ refers to __________________. Answer Q4 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. (iv) What is the tone of the writer in this extract? A. nostalgic B. proud C. admiring D. celebratory Answer Q5 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. The next day I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle by which night is transformed into day. I should behold with awe the magnificent panorama of light with which the sun awakens the sleeping earth. This day I should devote to a hasty glimpse of the world, past and present. I should want to see the pageant of man’s progress, and so I should go to the museums. (i) The word ‘thrilling’ has been used with ‘miracle’. Which of the following words does not match with the word ‘thrilling’? A. experience B. tale C. knowledge D. adventure Answer Q6 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. The next day I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle (ii) Why does the writer refer to the earth as ‘sleeping earth’? Answer Q7 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. The next day I should arise with the dawn (iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. The writer wishes to dedicate the day to a brief look at the present and past world because __________________. Answer Q8 I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 2. The next day I should arise with the dawn (iv) Why does the writer use ‘should’ multiple times in the extract? Answer Q9 II Answer the following questions. 1. The sense of touch makes up for the loss of sight and hearing. Explain this statement with reference to the text. Answer Q10 II Answer the following questions. 2. Why does the author believe that the sense of sight is the most wonderful? Answer Q11 II Answer the following questions. 3. How might the author’s opinion on making the most of our senses guide us to be kinder towards people with special abilities? Answer Q12 II Answer the following questions. 4. What is the significance of imagining the loss of a sense, according to the author? Answer Q13 II Answer the following questions. 5. How does the author encourage people to approach their everyday sensory experiences? Answer Q14 II Answer the following questions. 6. What do the author’s choices for the three days tell us about her values and priorities? Answer Q1 I Sensory words are descriptive—they describe how we experience the world: how we see, hear, smell, taste or feel something. Complete the following table with sensory words from the text in Column 2 for the five senses in Column 1. Add new words in Column 3. Column 1 What you see panorama Column 2 Column 3 Answer Q2 III Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences. Choose the functions they express from those given in the box below. possibility necessity polite request ability moral obligation 1. You can learn a lot from this experience. Answer Q3 III Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences. Choose the functions they express from those given in the box below. 2. They might arrive late due to traffic. Answer Q4 III Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences. Choose the functions they express from those given in the box below. 3. She must finish her homework before dinner. Answer Q5 III Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences. Choose the functions they express from those given in the box below. 4. They ought to apologise for their mistake. Answer Q6 III Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences. Choose the functions they express from those given in the box below. 5. He would like to have some lassi, please. Answer Q7 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. After filling in the blanks, explain the function of each modal verb you used to your classmates and the teacher. Column 1 You want to leave work early. permission (i) ____________ I leave early today if I finish all my tasks? Answer Q8 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 2. You have an important deadline tomorrow. obligation (ii) I ____________ finish this report by tomorrow. Answer Q9 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 3. Your friend is thinking whether to join Art class. advice (iii) You ____________ consider all the pros and cons before making a decision. Answer Q10 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 4. There are dark clouds in the sky. possibility (iv) It ____________ rain later today. Answer Q11 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 5. Asking someone to pass the salt at the dinner table polite request (v) ____________ you pass the salt, please? Answer Q12 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 6. Advising someone to apologise for a mistake moral obligation (vi) You ____________ apologise for the mistake you made. Answer Q13 IV Read the situations in Column 1 and functions in Column 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences in Column 4 with appropriate modal verbs from Column 3. 7. Deciding where to go for picnic suggestion (vii) We ____________ go to any park nearby for picnic. Answer Q1 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 1. Anuj finds the concept of Braille fascinating and wants to learn more about it. Answer Q2 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 2. Mother is unsure of the school’s efforts to include students with visual impairment. Answer Q3 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 3. Anuj initially thinks that Digital India is only about learning how to use computers. Answer Q4 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 4. Mother believes that screen readers are very effective for persons who are visually impaired. Answer Q5 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 5. Anuj already knew that persons who are visually impaired can use computers and smartphones. Answer Q6 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 6. Anuj wants to know about the effectiveness of assistive technologies for persons who are visually impaired. Answer Q7 You will listen to a conversation between a mother and son. As you listen, select four true statements from 1–7 given below. 7. Mother believes a right mindset is the best support for persons who are visually impaired. Answer Key-term flashcards
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A village girl who dreams of going to school; with the River's encouragement she overcomes her fear and finally begins her education.
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