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QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow: - 1 X 3= 3

1.Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over shoeshine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business.

(i) Who does ‘we’ in this extract stand for? Who are the ‘friends’ here?

(ii) What were these ‘friends’ doing a day before?

(iii) What do you mean by ‘brisk business ’?

2. One night, we came upon them in the windy and deserted square, resting on the stone pavement beneath the lights.

(i) Who is the speaker of these lines?

(ii) Who are ‘them’ and why were they resting on the pavement at night?

(iii) What does the phrase ‘came upon them’ here mean?

3. He coloured deeply under his sun-burn, then grew pale. He looked to the ground. “ You must be saving up to emigrate to America,” I suggested. He looked at me sideways, spoke with an effort.

(i) Who is ‘he’ in this extract?

(ii) Why does he look to the ground?

(iii)Explain the expression ‘coloured deeply under his sunburn’.

4. Nicola shook his head, but suddenly Jacopo said, “Sir”, he burst out, “every Sunday we make a visit to the country, to Poleta,30kilometres from here. Usually we hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car.”

(i) What was the question to which Nicola shakes his head ?

(ii) Why did the boys make a visit to Poleta every Sunday?

(iii) What do you mean by the phrase ‘burst out’. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 5. The two boys were seated at the beside of a girl of about twenty two who propped up on the pillows, wearing a pretty lace jacket, was listening to their chatter, her eyes soft and tender.”

(i) Who is the girl in this extract?

(ii)Where are the boys? What was the purpose of the boys’ visit?

(iii) What do you mean by ‘propped up’?

6. “Won’t you go in?” The nurse murmured, “Lucia will be pleased to see you.”

(i) Who is Lucia? Does the narrator go to see Lucia?

(ii) What makes the writer decide to do so?

(iii) What do you mean by the word ‘murmur’?

7. Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation. “We could not think of troubling you, sir.”

(i) Why does Nicola not want to trouble his sir?

(ii) What do the above lines tell about Nicola?

(iii) What do you mean by the word ‘vexation’?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 2 marks for each

Q.1 Who were the two boys who met the narrator on his way to Verona? Why was the narrator attracted towards them?

Q. 2.Describe the physical appearance and the narrator’s observation of the two boys as they showed them in town as guides.

Q.3. The two boys were of great help to the narrator while he stayed in the town. How?

Q.4. What different jobs did the “Two Gentlemen of Verona do?”

OR

“We do many things, sir,” Nicola answered seriously. Illustrate this statement. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Q.5. What were the boys doing one midnight on the windy and deserted square stone pavement beneath the lights ?

Q.6.What did the nurse tell the narrator about the boys?

Q.7. What led the boys to dislike the Germans?

Q.8. The narrator preferred to keep the secret which the boys did not want to reveal . What was the secret and why did the boys want to keep it ?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS & VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

Q.1. Imagine that you are the narrator. You have reached back to your town. Still the memory of the ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ is fresh in your mind, as you really miss those little heroes. Write a letter to one of your friends telling him/her about the gratifying experience you had at Verona in their company.

Q.2. Imagine you are Nicola. You are touched by the empathy and the kindness of the narrator towards you and your brother. Thinking that such good people are rare to find in otherwise hostile world, record your sweet encounter with the narrator in the form of a diary entry, putting down your experiences ever since you met him.

Q.3. “War is another name for destruction. It brings with it endless number of maladies in the name of poverty, crimes, innocent killings, social unrest, food crisis and so on.”With reference to the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ write an article telling how war has affected the lives of the characters in the story.

Q.4. Imagine you are Jacopo. When the narrator leaves, he gives his address to you in case ,he would be of some help to you in future, though you and your brother never approached him for help being self-righteous. Ten years have passed. You both are well-established as young men now. Remembering back your struggle, write a letter to the narrator recounting your journey from orphan child laborers to the present established state.

Q.5. “The real gentlemen are the people who never give up like Nicola and Jacopo.”What values do you learn from the “Two Gentlemen of Verona”.

Q.6 How does the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ promise hope for society? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

MRS. PACKLETIDE’S TIGER

EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION:-

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:-

1. It was Mrs. Packletide’s pleasure and intention that she should shoot a tiger. Not that the lust to kill had suddenly descended on her , or that she felt that she would leave India safer and more wholesome than she had found it, with one fraction less of wild beast per million of inhabitants .

(i) What was Mrs. Packletide’s intention?

(ii) Why did she want to kill the tiger?

(iii) Find the word from the passage that means ‘came in mind’.

2. She had also already designed in her mind the tiger claw brooch that she was going to give LoonaBimberton on her next birthday. In a world that is supposed to be chiefly swayed by hunger and by love Mrs. Packletide was an exception ; her movements and motives were largely governed by dislike of LoonaBimberton.

(i) What was said about Mrs. Packletide ?

(ii) Whom did Mrs. Packletidedislike ?

(iii) Find the words from the passage which is opposite to ‘previous’.

3.The prospect of earning a thousand rupees had stimulated the sporting and commercial instinct of the villagers ;children were posted at night and day on the outskirts of the local jungle to head the tiger back in the unlikely event of his attempting to roam away to fresh hunting grounds, and the cheaper kind of goats were left about with elaborate carelessness to keep him satisfied with his present quarters.

(i) What had stimulated the sporting and commercial instinct of the villagers?

(ii) “ The goats were left about”. Interpret it. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (iii)Find the words from the passage which means ‘chance’.

4. The great night duly arrived,moonlit and cloudless. A platform had been constructed in a comfortable and conveniently placed tree and thereon crouched Mrs. Packletide and her paid companion, Miss Mebbin.

(i) How was the night?

(II)Where was the platform constructed?

(iii)Find the words from the passage which is opposite to ‘honorary’.

5. The rifle flashed out with a loud report, and the great tawny beast sprang to oneside and then rolled over in the stillness of death. In a moment a crowd of excited natives had swarmed on to the scene, and their shouting speedily carried the glad news to the village, where a thumping of tom –toms took up the chorus of triumph.

(i)What was the glad news?

(ii)What idea can you have by ‘’their shouting speedily’’.

(iii)Find theword from the passage which is opposite to ‘defeat’.

6. It was Louisa Mebbin who drew attention to the fact that the goat was in death throes from a mortal bullet wound, while no trace of rifle’s deadly work could be found on the tiger. Evidently the wrong animal had been hit, and the beast of prey had succumbed to heart-failure, caused by the sudden report of the rifle, accelerated by senile decay.

(i) What was the fact?

(ii)How did the tiger die?

(iii)Find word from the passage which means ‘ violent pangs of suffering’.

7.I’ve seen a weekend cottage near Darking that I should rather like to buy, ’’said Miss Mebbin with seeming irrelevance.’ ‘’Six hundred and eighty ,freehold. Quite a bargain, only I don’t happen to have the money.’’

(i) Who wanted to buy a weekend cottage?

(ii) ‘I don’t happen to have the money’, Interpret it. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (iii)Find the words from the passage which means ‘complete ownership of property.’

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:-

1. What was the reason for which Mrs. Packletide decide to kill a tiger?

2. How would Mrs. Packletide belittle LoonaBimberton?

3. How did circumstances prove favourable to Mrs. Packletide?

4. What steps were taken to keep the tiger satisfied in his present quarters?

5. What preparations were made for the hunting on the shooting day?

6. How did the tiger die?

7. How did LoonaBimberton show her jealousy towards Mrs. Packletide?

8. What did Miss Mebbin discover?

9. How did Miss Mebbin blackmail Mrs. Packletide?

10. Why did Mrs. Packletide give up big-game shooting?

11. What was LoonaBimberton’s reaction at Mrs. Packletide’s instant fame?

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS:-

1. “ Materialistic morals of high sophisticated society lead to hollowness and shallowness’’. What values do you learn from Mrs. Packletide’s materialistic morals and vain gloriousness.

THE LETTER

EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION:-

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:-

1. ‘’Now he understood the meaning of love and separation. He could no longer enjoy the sportsman’s pleasure and laughter.’’ QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (i) Who is ‘he’ referred to?

(ii) How is real love growing in Ali’s heart?

(iii) What do you mean by sportsman pleasure?

2. ‘’ Ali came out very slowly, turning after every few steps to gaze at the post office. His eyes were filled with tears of helplessness, for his patience, even though he still had faith.”

(i) Why were Ali’s eyes filled with tears of helplessness?

(ii) What do you mean by the word ‘exhausted’.

(iii) What had exhausted his patience?

3. After spending but a single night in suspense, anxiously waiting for the news of his daughter, his heart was brimming with sympathy for the poor old man who had spent his nights in the same suspense for the last 5 years.

(i)What suspense is being referred to in these lines?

(ii)Whose heart is brimming in sympathy and for whom?

(iii)What do you mean by the phrase ‘brimming with sympathy’.

4. ‘’ HE lifted his eyes and in them was a light so unearthly that the postmaster shrank back in fear and astonishment.’’

(i) In this extract who lifts his eyes?

(ii) Whose eyes emitted an unearthly light?

(iii) What do you mean by the word‘astonishment’.

5. Tortured by doubt and remorse , he sat down in the glow of charcoal sigri to wait.’’

(i) Who is tortured by doubt and remorse and why?

(ii) What do you mean by the word ‘remorse’.

(iii) For whom is the character referred to in these lines waiting for ? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 6. ‘’But when the evening of his life was drawing in, he left his old days and suddenly took a new turn.’’

(i) What does the expression ‘evening of life’ means ?

(ii) What old ways has he left?

(iii) What new turn has his life taken?

7. ‘’ At last they had all gone. Ali get up too and saluting the post office as though it housed some precious relic, went off.”

(i) Why does Ali salute the post office?

(ii) Who are ‘they’ here?

(iii) What do you mean by ‘precious relic’? What is the precious relic of Ali ?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 2 Marks for each

1.Who was Ali? Where did he go daily?

2.How do you know Ali was familiar figure at the post office?

3. What expressions do you form of the postmaster after reading the story?

4. ‘’Ali displays qualities of love and patience.’’Give evidence from story to support this statement?

5. Why did Ali give up hunting?

6. The postmaster says to Ali,’ ‘’What a pest you are, brother!’’ Do you agree with the statement? Give reasons for your answer?

7. How was the heart of the postmaster brimming with sympathy for Ali?

8.Explain Ali’s dictum’ ‘’ The whole universe is built up through love and grief of separation is inescapable’’?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS & VALUE BASED QUESTIONS QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 1. The postmaster is ridden by a sense of remorse at what he had done to Ali and he decides to write a letter to his friend. Imagine yourself as the postmaster and write a letter on his behalf.

2. You are the clerk, Lakshmi Das who received the five god coins from Ali . Write a page in your diary describing your feelings from the time you received the coins to the time you laid the letter on Ali’s grave.

3. Imagine you are Miriam , the daughter of Ali. You have learnt about hoe miserable your father is through an acquaintance. You decide to write a letter to your father at once pouring down your deepest feelings of heart.

4. ‘ No one can gauge the depth of human emotions till one identifies oneself with one’s fellow beings.’’The postmaster realizes the pain of Ali when his own daughter was sick. He was full of remorse, guilt and repentance for his ill treatment to Ali. What value do you learn from the condition of the postmaster.

The Frog and the Nightingale

Summary The poet, Vikram Seth, very cleverly gives us a message of the importance of self-confidence and moral courage in his poem - The 'Frog and the Nightingale'. Once in a bog, a frog sat under a Sumac tree and croaked all night in a loud and unpleasant voice. The other creatures loathed his voice but their complaints, insults and brickbats couldn't stop him from croaking stubbornly and pompously, insensitive to the disturbance he wascausing. Then, one night a nightingale appears at the bog. Her melodious voice captures the admiring attention of the creatures of the Bingle Bog. Ducks and herons swim towards the Sumac tree to hear the nightingale serenade. Some lonely creature even weeps hearing her song. When she stops, there is thunderous applause with the creatures demanding a repeat performance (encore). The jealous frog disturbed by the intrusion of a challenging rival listens to the nightingaledumbstruck.

Next night, when the modest bird prepares to sing, the plotting frog interrupts and posing as a music critic, says that the technique was fine, of course, but it lacks a certain force. Unassuming and not used to any kind of criticism, she defends herself by saying, "At least its mine".The heartless frog convinces the nightingale that she was in need of training that only he could provide. The nightingale, lacking in confidence and extremely gullible agrees and flatters him, saying that he was Mozart in disguise. The frog capitalized on the nightingale's servile attitude and said that he would charge a modest fee, which would not harm her. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

The nightingale soon became famous and the frog grew richer, earning money from her concerts. Eminent personalities like the Owl (Earl) of Sandwich and Duck (Duke) of Kent attend the concerts. The frog sat and watched with mixed feelings of happiness and bitterness. Happy because he was earning money and jealous because the bird was receiving so much attention.

Meanwhile, the frog makes the nightingale rehearse hard even when it rained and constantly criticized and abused her, ensuring that she became broken in spirit. Fired and spent, her voice lost its beauty and the creatures stopped coming to hear her sing. Morose and depressed, she refused to sing, but the frog goaded her to practice. Scared and unhappy, the nightingale tried, burst a vein, and died.The frog, unsympathetic, dismissed her off - calling her 'stupid'. A shrewd judge of character, he summed her up saying that the nightingale was too nervous and prone to influence, hence bringing her own downfall. Now, the frog once more sings at night in his bog - unrivalled.

Multiple questions Question: 1 Where does the frog croak? 1.In Bingle bog 2.From dusk to dawn 3.On the Sumac tree 4.On a toadstool Answer: In Bingle bog

Question: 2 What kind of reaction did the animals display to the frog's songs? 1.They hated it 2.They adored it 3.They ignored it 4.They tried to improve it Answer: They hated it

Question:3 Why were the animals of the Bog dumbstruck? 1.The frog sang very well 2.The nightingale sang melodiously 3.The moon shone brightly QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 4.All the animals came to the same place Answer: The nightingale sang melodiously

Question:4 One night when the nightingale was about to sing she was startled. What startled her? 1.The frog's advice 2.The frog's croak 3.The frog's movement 4.The frog's scolding Answer: The frog's croak

Question: 5 What did the frog claim to be? 1.A great teacher 2.The owner of the sumac tree 3.A publisher 4.The king of the Bog Answer: The owner of the sumac tree

Question: 6 'I don't think the song's divine But - oh - well - at least it's mine.' What does the nightingale imply by the last line? 1.She does not like the frog's songs 2.She sings from her heart 3.She wants him to train her 4.She is haughty Answer: She sings from her heart

Question:7 Animals for miles around Flocked towards the magic sound What had made the sound magical? 1.skill and praise 2.art and fire 3.inspiration and skill 4.flattery and money QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Answer: skill and praise

Question: 8 In which weather does the nightingale not prefer to sing? 1.sunny weather 2.rainy weather 3.winter 4.autumn Answer: rainy weather

Question: 9 'So the frog and nightingale journeyed up and down the scale'. This line refers to their 1.travel in Bingle Bog 2.singing 3.movement on the tree 4.popularity rating

Answer: singing

Question: 10 Which of the following do not indicate the nightingale's growing popularity? 1.Attendance by the aristocrats 2.The joy of the frog 3.The sale of tickets 4.The frog's reprimand Answer: The frog's reprimand

Question:11 The birds and beasts stopped coming to the concert because the nightingale's song 1.was always the same 2.was uninspired 3.was too loud 4.had no trills Answer :was uninspired

Question:12 The frog says that the nightingale was 'for too prone to influence.' What was ironical about this statement? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 1.The nightingale was not like that 2.The frog was too proud 3.It was this quality that fetched him money 4.It was the frog who was prone to influence Answer: It was this quality that fetched him money Short and Very Short Questions

1. Where did the Frog sit and sing? Ans. The Frog sat under a Sumac tree in the Bingle Bog.

2. What was the reaction of the creatures to the Frog's singing? Ans: They hated his singing. They begged him to stop. They hurled abuses and stones at him but it had no effect.

3."In this I've long been known for my splendid baritone". Explain. Ans: The frog is very presumptuous and boastful. He is also lying.

4."You'll remain a mere beginner. But with me you'll be a winner". What does this reveal about the frog's character?

Ans:The frog is very presumptuous and boastful.

5."This is a fairy tale - And you're Mozart in disguise. Come to earth before my eyes". What does this reveal about the Nightingale's character?

Ans:The bird is fawning. She is also not a good judge of character.

6.Explain the lines: "And the Sumac tree was bowed with a breathless titled Crowd".

Ans.There were so many creatures sitting on the Sumac tree listening to the bird's singing. These were well-known personalities such as the Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent, MatinCardinal Mephisto who had come to enjoy the concert.

7.Explain the lines: "And the frog with great precision counted heads and charged admission". QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Ans:The money-minded frog was charging an entrance fee for the Nightingale's concerts so he was busy selling tickets to each one of them and collecting money from them.

8.Said the frog 'I tried to teach her but she was a stupid creature' , do you agree with theFrog's view. Give two reasons to support your answer.

Ans.Yes, I agree because the bird was not a good judge of character and could not see through the frog. She did not have confidence in herself and was very gullible.

9. Not too bad.... But far too long the technique was fine, of course, but it lacked a certain force". What does this reveal about the Frog's nature?

Ans. The frog is behaving extremely superior and in a condescending manner. He is also extremely cunning and is trying to convince her to take training from him.

10. "And the ticket office gross crashed, and she grew more morose". a) Why did the ticket office gross crash? b) Why did the bird grow morose?

Ans.a) The bird was tired and sick. The spirit was broken. Her voice lost its beauty and the people got tried of her voice and stopped coming. b) The frog was successful in breaking the bird's spirit. He was goading her to practice harder. The bird could not take in the pressure and grew depressed and sad.

11.Give a character sketch of the Frog. Answer: The Frog is a cunning and stubborn creature. Brimming with confidence, he did not stop singing even when bricks are thrown at him. He is jealous of the Nightingale's singing and cleverly plans to destroy her. Winning her trust he forces her to practice hard all the while criticizing and abusing her. He is a mercenary and benefits from her concerts. So hard hearted he is that he does not even soften when she dies dismissing her as a stupid creature who deserves her end. A shrewd judge of character, he capitalises on the Nightingale's weak and timid nature.

12.Give a character sketch of the Nightingale.

Answer: The Nightingale is shy, timid and modest to a fault. She is not a good judge of character QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH and cannot see through the Frog's plotting and scheming. She is easily influenced and forgets that one should sing for one self and not for others. In a way, the bird is responsible for her own tragedy.

13.How did the Nightingale meet her death?

Answer: The Nightingale practiced very hard in the rain. Her voice grew hoarse and lost its beauty. The animals stopped coming to hear her sing. She grew sad and depressed because she had got accustomed to the applause and praise. Finally, one day when she was forced to practice she burst a vein and died.

14.How did the Frog scheme to break the birds spirit and destroy her?

Answer: The Frog was clever. He appeared before her as a music critic and promised to train her. He got her addicted to the appreciation of the audience. Forcing her to practice in bad weather, he broke her physically. He also ruined her mentally by constantly scolding and undermining her confidence. Finally, heartlessly, he forced her to practice when she was not up to it. She tried, but burst a vein and died.

15. "Well poor bird she should have known. That your song must be your own".Is the Frog right in his view? Give reasons to support your answer. Ans: The Frog is right. The bird should have continued singing for herself. She should have had confidence in herself and not allowed the frog to destroy her.

16.Inspite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. Is she responsible for her own downfall?

Ans:The nightingale has an enchanting voice and she enthralls the creatures of the bingle bog with her singing. The Cunning and jealous frog with his cacaphonic voice decides to ruin her. The nightingale is different and a poor judge of character. She comes under the influence of the manipulate frog who trains her in bad weather and makes her in over practice. As a result the nightingale loses her confidence, her health and finally pays for her foolishness with her life. The bird's gullibility and servility leads to her tragic end QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 17."Now the nightingale, inspired flushed with confidence, and fired with both art and adoration sang" (a) Explain 'art and adoration' (b) What was the outcome of her singing?

Ans.(a) The nightingale was elated because the frog, who she thought was a music critic, had appreciated her singing. She was also very thrilled because she was enjoying the adulation of the public when she sang.

(b). She became a huge success. Creatures from all over came to listen to her singing. Very important creatures like the coot of monte cristo and duck of kent and ladies with tiaras glittering came to listen to her. The frog collected money from the concerts and grew richer. Finally with the frog's persuasion she sang more and more, burst a vein and died.

18. And the foghorn of the frog blared unrivalled through the bog. (a). Explain 'foghorn' (b). Why was he 'unrivalled' now?

Answer: (a) Foghorn is a loud unpleasant noise which warns ships against dangers in the frog. The unpleasant cacaphonic voice of the frog is compared to the foghorn.

(b) The frog had been singing in the bog despite the criticism and insults heaped on him by the creatures of the bingle bog. With the arrival of the nightingale he felt threatened. He planned and schemed to put the bird out of the way. He earned money from her concerts, finally, when the nightingale dies, he is relieved and happily goes back to singing in the bog.

19. What was the philosophy of the frog? Do you agree with it? Answer: The frog despite his wicked nature had a sound philosophy of life. He believed that "your song must be your own". He had confidence to sing though he received so many brickbats. Nothing could still his determination to sing because he enjoyed it. In contrast the nightingale was out to please people and finally destroyed herself. I do agree with the frog that one should trust oneself and not come under the influence of another person. Self-confidence and individuality are two important aspects of a happy and well-developed personality. Long Answers The nightingale was foolish and could be exploited. Explain in 100-125 words. Ans : The nightingale had a typical temperament of an artist. She was very musical and her melody not only earned her great appreciation but also made some creatures cry. The crowd of QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH her concerts consisted of some with titles and creatures from far also flocked to listen to her. She quickly became addicted to their praise but lacked acute business sense. She was not practical or worldly wise and got very foolishly trapped by the clever frog. She never realised that he was making money and cheating her. She never saw through his manipulations that he wanted her to overexert. He criticised her needlessly and made her lose confidence. So it was the nightingale’s fault to succumb to the clever frog’s tricks. She never realised her own interest and welfare till the end. Her end was inevitable.

2. The frog was too boastful and conceited. The nightingale was too modest and unaware of her latent talent. The frog was insensitive to public reaction. The nightingale thrived solely on public adulation. Compare and contrast the singing of the frog with that of the nightingale in the light of the above statements.

Ans : The frog was conceited and self-centred. He sang loudly, brashly all through the night, thus disturbing all the creatures of the Bingle Bog. The frog was rude, arrogant and too boastful. The bog-creatures were so fed up that they prayed, resorted to beating but nothing could stop his irritating and noisy singing. The frog basically lived and sang to please himself. He was egoistic and self-centred. In contrast the nightingale was too sensitive and polite. She was innocent and very gullible. Despite being an excellent singer, she loses confidence because of the frog. So she is an artist who has no confidence in herself and needs others to either boost her morale or break it. The nightingale was most pleasant and the frog was most irritating and unmusical.

3. Vikram Seth has used irony and symbols with great dexterity in the poem ‘The Frog and the Nightingale.’ Discuss by giving examples. Ans : The poet has incorporated a large variety of meanings beneath the emotional storyline. The poem is allegorical in nature for the frog is a symbol of very clever and manipulative people who exploit young artists and abort their careers. The nightingale represents true and innocent artists who are taken for a ride by the people like frog in the guise of organisers who harm the blooming careers of great ‘geniuses’ in the making. It is ironical that nightingale enchants and pleases everyone, but does not understand her own strength or talent. The poet also highlights the importance of public applause and the importance of blooming careers. It is ironical that many times a good talent is nipped in the bud, like that of the nightingale.

4. How did the Frog break the nightingale’s spirit and destroy her? (100 to 125 words) QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Ans : The frog wanted to be the undisputed king of Bingle Bog. He sang to his delight and could not stand any kind of rivalry. Even though he was hated by all but there was no one to compete with. He is extremely passionate about his loud and unmusical voice and has an exaggerated opinion about himself. When the nightingale arrives, she mesmerises everyone with her politeness and musical voice. The frog senses competition. So he forcibly becomes her tutor and mentor and strategically plans, not only to finish her career but also to end her life. He makes her sing in rough weather, endlessly and advises her to exert more and more. As a result, the nightingale succumbs to pressure and the frog emerges as the king of Bingle Bog again.

5. Do you think that ‘The Frog and the Nightingale’ is a humorous poem or a tragic one? Give arguments to support your answer. Ans : The basic storyline of the poem is humorous. The poet has added lot of humorous touches like the pun of words like “owl of Sandwich” etc. The frog’s exaggerated opinion of himself is really funny and the fact that he is compared to ‘Mozart’, a great musician, is quite hilarious. There are bits of humour here and there but the message and essence of the story is tragic. The poem is a tragic tale of a great singer whose flourishing and thriving career is ended prematurely. The nightingale is too innocent, too gullible and her succumbing to her death is a masterstroke of great tragedy. Her end arouses sympathy for her and hatred for such conniving cheats who exploit natural talent and destroy it for their own selfish interests.

Additional Questions 1. The frog’s aim was to (a) make the nightingale a sensation (b) make the nightingale as good a singer as him (c) maintain his supremacy in the bog (d) make a lot of money

2. The animals reacted to the nightingale’s song with (a) hatred (b) admiration (c) indifference (d) suggestions for improvement

3. The nightingale accepted the frog’s tutelage as she (a) was not confident of herself (b) wanted to become as good a singer as the frog (c) wanted to become a professional singer QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (d) was not a resident of Bingle Bog

4. The nightingale was sorrowful and pale because (a) she had been practising in the rain (b) she had been performing all night (c) she was losing confidence in herself (d) she was falling ill 5. The audience was tired of her song because (a) they had heard it many times (b) it had become mechanical (c) she sounded tired (d) she had added trills to her song

6. She no longer enjoyed singing alone as (a) she wanted to sing only for the titled crowd (b) she was now used to the appreciation she got (c) the frog was no longer with her (d) she had become proud of herself

Answers : 1. (c) . 2. (b) 3. (a) . 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (b) .

Mirror (SUMMARY ) This poem is written in free verse and does not depend on any rhythm to convey the message. It is a poem describing a woman’s struggle against the falsity of lies and the truthful harshness of her own image from the perspective of an unsympathetic mirror. ‘I’ in the poem represents the mirror as Sylvia Plath is trying to see the mirror’s view of herself. The poem is written in the style of a monologue. Sylvia Plath was suffering from severe depression and she had very little compassion for herself. This poem shows how she is really scared of the truth the mirror is reflecting. Unlike other people, the mirror is free from any preoccupations or prejudices. Unlike human beings, it is free from any likes and dislikes and reflects only the truth. It is omniscient like the God, and sees everywhere. The mirror has God-like powers over the woman. The mirror constantly gazes at the wall opposite to it and the wall has pink spots of age, or discoloration on it. The view in the mirror is interrupted by the ‘to and fro’ movements of the woman. This refers to the passing of time and the young girl ageing into an old woman. The image of the sea and water is a foreboding motif in many poems of Syliva Plath. In this poem also the mirror is QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH compared to a lake. The mirror is able to ‘swallow’ like a lake and the lake gives a seemingly crystal clear image like a mirror. The lake can also refer to the creatures, who exist in the lake because time flies too soon. The mirror of the lake unemotionally observes how the woman is shaken by its reflection. Not everyone is ready to accept the reality depicted by the mirror, so people prefer to live in a world of illusions, in the dim light of candles or moonlight, which hides their flaws. The mirror is unsympathetic, it is unmindful of the tension of people and continues to reflect their true selves. The mirror is supposed to be cruel but the woman cannot do without it. Repeated viewing of the mirror and seeing her own reflection leads to self-loathing as Sylvia Plath sees less and less of the young girl and more of the old woman. The old woman reflected in the mirror is reminded of her past youth and she feels herself trapped in the cruel jaws of time like a fish. In the last lines the poetess has incorporated mythology into her poem. ‘Drowned’ apparently refers to the Greek prince Narcissus who was very handsome. He kept gazing at his reflection in the lake for so long that he drowned. So the poem is about a woman who is torn between the true picture of herself and the distorted image that others see of her. She wants to escape from the reality of harsh ugliness that time inflicts upon her.

MCQ based on stanzas 1. I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions: Whatever I see I swallow immediately Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike. I am not cruel, only truthful. (i) The use of ‘I’ is there because the poem is presented in the form of a : (a) Soliloquy (b) Dialogue (c) Monologue (d) Autobiography (ii) How is ‘I’ different from the other human beings? (a) Mirror is made of metal (b) It can be stuck on the wall (c) It is not prejudiced and has no preconceived notions (d) It has a wide frame (iii) What makes the mirror cruel? (a) Because it cannot speak (b) It cannot praise (c) It does not hide ugliness (d) cannot be carried everywhere (iv) Human beings are ‘misted’ by love or dislike. What does this expression reflect about their nature? (a) They are cruel (b) They are emotional (c) They are hypocrites (d) They are truth-loving Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (iv) (c) 2. The eye of a little god, four-cornered. Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall. It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long I think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers. Faces and darkness separate us over and over. (i) What do the four corners of the mirror symbolise? (a) four corners (b) four walls (c) four rooms (d) four directions of the entire universe (ii) Why is the mirror compared to a god? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (a) It is beautiful (b) It looks awesome (c) It has heavenly colour (d) It is unbiased and has strong influence over women (iii) The gazing of the mirror on the opposite wall is termed as ‘meditate.’ Why? (a) It has no choice (b) It loves that wall (c) It gazes steadily (d) There is a lot of intensity in that look (iv) ‘Pink speckles’ has double meaning. What does it symbolise? (a) Pink colours (b) Patches of discoloration (c) Disappearance of youthful flush and glow (d) Embarrassment Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (d) (iii) (c) (iv) (b) 3. Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is. Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon I see her back, and reflect it faithfully. She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands. (i) Who is ‘I’ in the above stanza? (a) woman (b) lake (c) mirror (d) the poetess (ii) Why does the woman bend over the lake? What is she searching for? her ring (b) her make-up (c) her lost beauty and youth (d) her future (iii) The candles and moon are called ‘liars.’ Why? They get extinguished quickly (b) They are dim and dull (c) They hide the reality (d) They bring darkness (iv) What is the poetic device used here? (a) Simile (b) Personification (c) Metaphor (d) Allegory (v) What does the mirror reflect ‘faithfully’? (a) her clothes (b) her wrinkles (c) her jewellery (d) her youth Answes : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (iv) (b) (v) (b) Short Answer Questions Why is the old woman compared to a terrible fish in the poem, ‘Mirror?’ Ans : Sylvia Plath chose the metaphor of the fish because seeing her own reflection leads to self- loathing and she sees less of young girl and more of the old woman in the mirror. She feels herself trapped in the cruel jaws of time like a fish. Just as a fish depends on water, the woman depends upon the mirror. Why is the mirror’s reflection unacceptable to most of the people? Ans : The mirror is unbiased in its reflection. It presents the flaws and signs of aging truthfully. Truth, ugliness, signs of aging are unacceptable to most women. That is why the woman gets agitated to look at her wrinkles and does not feel like accepting the reality. Do you agree that the poem ‘Mirror’ presents a pessimistic view of life? Ans : Truth is often cruel. The poem is unbiased, blunt and too frank in its statement. Truth when it is unmisted, often hurts. So the poem is frank, confessional from the point of women, though QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH sad in nature. It does present grim reality of life. It depends upon the individual, how he accepts the reality. So the poem cannot be called pessimistic. Why does the woman turn to the moon and the candles? Ans : Women are most concerned for their physical appearance and it is difficult for women to digest the truth of their aging. The mirror and the lake present a true reflection of the woman with signs of age and flaws. So to live in a world of illusion, the woman turns to the moon, candles, dim light which hide her flaws and give her temporary solace. What does the poem reveal about the character of the woman? Ans : The woman dwells too much on physical beauty, she is almost obsessed by it. She appears to be vain and never accepts aging as a natural outcome of life. She looks for illusions, escapism from the world of reality, which will never benefit her. The woman is fickle with shallow values and does not realise that life cannot be lived on the basis of temporary distractions. Why does the woman not like the mirror? Ans : The mirror in the poem symbolises truth, reality and objectivity. If a person has flaws, the mirror displays them without any hesitation. The woman looks into the mirror for comfort but is confronted with her ugly reality, so she does not like the mirror. Why does the mirror state that the pink coloured, opposite wall is a part of its heart? Ans : The mirror constantly gazes at the wall opposite to it and appears to be contemplating deeply. The wall has pink spots of discolouration on it. When no one is around these pink spots get reflected in the mirror and have become a part of the life of the mirror. The poet describes the mirror as a little four cornered God. Why? Ans : The mirror is like a world with its four directions. The four corners of the mirror make it look like a microcosm of the world. It is omniscient like God, free from any prejudices or preoccupations any likes and dislikes and reflects only the truth. Thus the poet describes mirror as little four cornerned God.

Long Answers 1-In what way is the mirror different from the people who view it? How does it affect the people? Ans : The mirror is truthful, unbiased. It reflects the reality as it sees. It is cruel, blunt and frank whereas the people who view the mirror are hypocrites who cannot accept the reality. They are not truthful, are biased, have preconceived notions. Women and men who view the mirror, have double standards and they lead artificial lives. They seek to escape from reality, they prefer to QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH hide their flaws in dim light. If a person has flaws, the mirror reflects it without hesitation. The human beings are most reluctant Literature to state the reality or accept it.

2. Discuss the obsessive relationship between the mirror and the woman. OR The poem ‘Mirror’ shows the problems of an ageing woman. Elaborate in 100-125 words. Ans : Age is the most cruel factor for any woman, especially for those women who lay great store on physical beauty. Physical beauty is temporary and one cannot escape the ravages of age. Most women are afraid to confront the reality of their ugliness or wrinkles. So they prefer to present themselves in dim light. Such women forget that the ultimate aim of life should be salvation and spiritual upliftment, rather than the trap of youth or beauty. One needs to transcend such physical barriers and see the beauty of the soul. So women should protect themselves from being obsessed by the charms of youth. Any woman should hanker after permanent pleasures of life like one’s spiritual elevation.

3. “In me she has drowned a young girl.” Explain the significance of ‘drowned.’ What does it refer to? Ans : ‘Drowned’ means “swallowed”. Apparently this refers to the Greek prince Narcissus, who was very handsome. He kept gazing at his reflection in the lake for so long that he drowned. So the poem is about a woman who is torn between the true picture of herself and the distorted image that others see of her. ‘Drowning’ also indicates the consequences of vanity. The poet uses this metaphor to show that the little girl that used to look in the mirror has drowned and the old woman has replaced her. Basically the woman is obsessed of her looks and when she gazes in the mirror or in a lake, she feels cheated. So the woman gets upset that the lake has swallowed the image of the young girl.

4. “The world of illusion and flights of fancy give happiness. The stark world of reality is too depressing and ugly. The only way out is escapism.” Why/Why not? Ans : The world of imagination and fancy is always so glorious and bright. But one cannot dwell in it for long. Anything that takes one away from reality should not be accepted. Women and men many times take recourse to flights of fancy to escape reality. But for how long? Life has to be lived not on temporary basis but on the hard ground of reality even if it is ugly or harsh. The ultimate aim of life is to face the realities bravely and find new challenges. Illusions and escapism are the diversions of the weak-willed or the hypocrites. So one must grow and groom oneself into the real world and take on life in its true spirit or colour. Then only life will prove to be worthwhile QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Not Marble Nor the Glided Monuments Short Answer type Question 1.Why do you think the rich and the powerful people get monuments and statues erected in their memory? 2. Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time? 3.Why does the poet refer to time as being Sluttish? 4.The poet says that neither forces of nature nor wars can destroy his poetry. In fact even godly powers of mars will not have a devasting effect on his rhyme. What quality of the poet is revealed through these lines. 5.Identify Shakespeare’s use of personification in the poem.

1-THE DEAR DEPARTED MCQ

Question 1. Mrs Slater is angry with Victoria because she is moving around too much she is wasting time in the street she hasn’t changed her dress she’s not bothered about her grandfather’s death

Question 2. Aunt Elizabeth and Ben are paying a visit to offer condolence for the old man’s death check upon the old man lay their hands on his belongings to show to Mrs Slater their sorrow over the death

Question 3. Mrs Slater appears to be a lady who is very particular about QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH ceremonies relatives

© condolence

(d) mourning dresses on death

Question 4. Mrs Slater is very disturbed because her father is dead his things are lying scattered she has to make arrangements she cannot afford to have his things wasted

Question 5. Mrs Slater is very resourceful as she manages to make all the arrangements she is able to use her father’s slippers she has managed to inform her sister she has managed to get tea ready for relatives

Question 6. Victoria’s remarks “Are we Pinching them “reflect upon the behaviour of the adults that they are

QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (a) hypocrites (b) Mercenary (c) greed-driven (d) clever Question 7. Henry proves to be ______from his statement.

gullibl (a) submissive (b) e (c) henpecked (d) vulnerable

Mrs Jordan : I like ‘Never Forgotten’. Its refined Henry : Yes, but it’s rather soon for that.

Ben : You couldn’t very well forget him the day after.

Question 8. Do you believe the conversation taking place above is

authenti (a) emotional (b) c pretenti (c) genuine (d) ous Question 9. The comment of Ben is pretenti (a) humorous (b) ous (c) ironical (d) satirical

Question 10. The relatives above are discussing about ______to be given in the newspaper.

obituar announce (a) y (b) ment (c) tribute (d) notice

Answer : QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH (i) (c) (ii) (d) (iii) (d) (iv) (d) (v) (b) (viii ) vi) (a) (vii) (c) (ix) (d) (x) (a) (d)

2-THE DEAR DEPARTED (Short and Very Short Questions) Why does Mrs Slater instruct Victoria to change her dress?

Ans : Mrs. Slater is very particular about mourning dresses. Since her father has expired, she instructs her daughter Victoria to quickly change her colourful dress into something sober, before the guests and relatives arrive.

Why were Mr and Mrs Jordan visiting the Slaters after so many years?

Ans : Since Mr Abel Merryweather had expired, Mrs. Jordan, the daughter, was visiting her sister’s family, to look after the arrangements to be made for the father’s death.

Henry says, “I suppose it’s in the family.” Why does Henry make this comment and what does it reflect about the two sisters?

Ans : Henry is well aware that both the sisters Mrs Slater and Mrs. Jordan are very mean and calculative, so they will not lose any chance to pinch things belonging to their family. When his wife brings the new slippers of her father and gives to Henry, he makes this humorous comment.

“Mother and me is going to bring grandfather’s bureau down here.” Who makes this remark and in what context? What does this reflect about the speaker?

Ans : Henry Slater tells his daughter Victoria that they were shifting grandfather’s bureau down because he had gifted it to them. Victoria cannot believe it. This remark depicts that Henry is not only a hen-pecked husband but also a hypocrite, who just does what his wife tells him. He has no individuality of his own.

“For myself it’s such a relief to get into the black.” Who makes the above remark and what is the context? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Ans : Mrs Jordan makes the above remark because she got delayed due to a new mourning dress for herself. She was not bothered about her father but worried about appearing in a new mourning dress. This indicates her pretentious nature without any thought for her father.

Mrs Slater says, “he must have gone round to the ‘Ring-O-Bells’ afterwards, for he came in as merry as a sand boy” regarding Abel Merryweather. Do you think this remark is a prediction of the things to come?

Ans : Yes, this remark is a death-knell on the plans forged by the two sisters to grab their father’s money. The fact that Abel is going there too often and is looking Mrs Jordan, “we want a verse that says how much we loved him and refers to all his good qualities and says what a heavy loss we’re had.” Point out the irony in this remark.

Ans : Mrs. Jordan, the daughter, wishes to show to the world how much they all loved their father, by choosing such words for his obituary. But the irony is that in reality, they do not love him nor do they care for any of his good qualities.

“After all I’ve done for him, having to put up with him in the house these three years. It’s nothing short of swindling” who makes this remark and what does this reflect about the speaker’s attitude?

Ans : Mrs. Slater makes the above remark in great agitation when Abel states that his entire property will go to the person with whom he would be staying, at the time of his death, Mrs. Slater feels cheated. She believes that looking after her father for these years has not benefitted her at all.

Describe the reaction of all Slaters and the Jordans when Abel Merryweather walks in the parlour?

Ans : Both the Jordans and the Slaters are too shocked. There are no gasps of relief, none of them heaves a sigh of happiness. Both the sisters are displeased to see their father alive. They had spent quite some money on their mourning dresses. Mrs. Jordan had made this visit only because of her father’s death. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

Why are Amelia and Elizabeth reluctant to tell the truth to their father regarding their mourning dresses? What stories do they cook up to convince their father?

Ans : Abel Merryweather is shocked to see his daughters in mourning dresses and when he wishes to know the reason, he is told that Ben’s brother has expired. They further tell lies that the brother was in Australia and he was older by five years.

3-THE DEAR DEPARTED ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS You are a neighbour of Mrs Slater on Upper Cornbank Street. You have witnessed the indifferent and insensitive manner in which Mrs Slater looks after her father and how the poor father contrives ways to stay out of the house. Write a letter to a friend expressing your grave concern at the way in which the elderly people are neglected.

Ans : Post Carter Road, Mumbai

30 March, 2010 Dear Alina,

With a heavy heart, I am writing this letter as I fear for our advancing age. The Slaters are our neighbours and Mrs. Slater treats her father so badly, that I fear how our old age will fare. The old father is very sporting, friendly and happy-go-lucky and still treated badly. He is not the demanding type, but still Mrs. Slater is always cribbing about keeping him. Mr Abel, that is his name, hardly stays at home and goes about to visit people even when he is sick and should be tended. His granddaughter Victoria is the only one who cares for him but a child cannot have her way. Mrs Slater is always trying to take away Mr Abel’s things, one way or the other. These days he appears to be looking better because I have heard in the neighbourhood, that he is apparently seeing some old widow Mrs. Shorrock. Atleast there is some light in his life, some flicker of hope. God save us from such children. I hope we do not face any such problems. Do write to me.

Your sister, Agatha.

2. Discuss the character-sketch of Mrs Jordan and Mrs Slater as opposed to the characters of their husbands. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

Ans : Mrs Slater is clever, manipulative and mean, much like her sister Mrs. Jordan. Their aim in life is to do nothing for their father and derive maximum benefit. If Amelia takes away her father’s slippers, bureau and clock, Elizabeth wants to take away her father’s watch. Both the ladies spare no thought for their father and worry about outdoing each other in wearing mourning dresses. For them the death of their father is like a drama that needs to be staged with best outfits. Both the husbands are henpecked and they go according to their wives. Henry knows that his wife is an opportunist but he assists her in carrying the bureau down. The husbands have no individualities except to pamper the whims of their wives.

3. Victoria is the only one who loves her grandfather. She is also a witness to the manipulations and the mercenary behaviour of her parents and her aunt and uncle. She writes a diary expressing shock at their attitude and the emotional loss she would undergo after her grandfather’s departure.

Ans : Dear Diary,

Today is the worst day of my life, when Grandpa was supposed to have passed away. I am deeply shocked at the behaviour of my mother and father, who are pinching the belongings of my Grandpa. Imagine none even went to look up Grandpa. I know Grandpa was not happy living with us, I tried my best but mummy never listens. Even papa supports her. I am so ashamed to see their hypocrisy. I don’t know how they will expect respect from me, when they have behaved so abominably. I pity Grandpa for this treatment. Oh! how I wish I was grown up enough to look after him.

Victoria. 4. Bring out the irony in the title of the play. Ans: The title of the play is ‘The Dear Departed’. From the title, one can guess that this is a tragic play about someone dear of some family leaves them forever. On the other hand, the play is about someone, who is supposed as dead by the family members, leave them forever when he come to know about their cunning, selfish and materialistic attitude. Also, the title tells us about someone ‘dear’, but here the one who is departed, i.e. grandfather, is not at all dear to any of the members of the family except little Victoria. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

5. Many years have elapsed. Mr Abel Merryweather passed away some years back. Mrs Slater is old and she realises how greedily she had behaved with her father. She is grief-stricken and regrets her actions. She unburdens her self in a diary-entry. Compose this on her behalf.

Ans : Dear Diary,

I am so depressed because for a long time I have not received any letter from Victoria. Victoria has always been cold and unresponsive towards me. I know she will never forgive the treatment I gave to my father. The minds of young children are impressionable and she will never change her opinion or learn to respect me. I am sick, old, and I need care but do I deserve any care, after the way I treated my father. On God! I feel so guilty. I wish I could turn the clock back. I made my father most unhappy so ill-luck and misery has to happen to me. I wish I could make amends.

Amelia

6.You are Abel Merryweather. Express your ideas/ feelings after you wake up and come to know about your daughter’s feelings/greed and intentions.

Or

Abel in “The Dear Departed” is very upset at the behaviour of his family. He expresses his feelings to a close friend in a letter. As Abel, write this letter.

Ans : Dear Anthony,

You must be surprised to get my letter after such a long time. But frankly speaking I did not find anyone in this whole world to become a witness to my marriage with Mrs. Shorrock, a widow, running a school in our neighbourhood.

Don’t get shocked to hear about my marriage at this ripe age when I have a full fledged family of two children and grand children. I myself never thought of taking such a drastic step had I not got over drunk one night and slept till late in the morning. That was a blessing in disguise, I could see the hypocrisy of my daughters. My supposed death was no loss to them since they considered me a burden. My death became a kind of competition for both of them. They outshone each other in QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH wearing the best mourning dresses and took away the things from my room in the presence of my supposed dead body and started accusing each other. It is only my granddaughter who has some feelings for me.

Sensing the mercenary nature of my daughters, I have taken a stern decision, to spend the fag end of my life in good care. I have outwitted all of them and have planned to Marry Mrs Shorrock who would look after me better. Moreover, I am going to take away all my things and leave nothing for them. I hope you will appreciate my decision. Do come to St. Wilson church on Monday, the day I am getting married, at 11 a.m.

Yours very own

Abel Merrywheater.

7. Discuss the significance of the title of the play. Bring out the irony inherent in it?

Or

In what way is the play satirical? Comment on the nature of its characters.

Ans. The title is very appropriate and packed with great irony and wit that makes a farce of all relationships that are most intense and pious. Children like the Slaters and the Jordans are a blot on humanity and on the bonds of love and affection. Both Amelia and her sister consider their father Abel Merry weather a burden and his death is no loss to them. The father is taken lightly. Immediately after Abel’s supposed death, the elder daughter pinches his slippers, clock and his bureau. For both the daughters father’s death is a kind of competition to outshine each other. There is no mourning in their hearts, but both the daughters vie with each other to wear the best mourning dress. Mrs Jordan wants to have her tea and snacks rather then looking at her dead father. Accusations are hurled at each other, death announcement is planned but no one spares a thought for the father. An obituary should reflect their feelings, that are non-existent. It is only the grand daughter Victoria, who is a sole witness to this game of pinching things and benefits. In a lighter tone, Abel Merryweather had sensed the mercenary nature of his daughter so he outwits them in their planning. He finds a widow to marry who would look after him better. The QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH lesson ends on a humorous note but outlines a very tragic and pathetic concern – care of the elderly that is a glaring and ugly reality of today’s world.

8. How does the spat between his daughters lead to grandfather discovering the truth? Ans: Both the daughters are not on good terms with each other. They do not leave even one opportunity to show each other down and blame each other. When Elizabeth Jordan comes to know that the bureau lying in Mrs. Slater’s room belongs to grandfather, she tells grandfather that Slaters tried to steal grandfather’s property thinking that he is dead. On the other hand, Mrs. Slater tells grandfather that she had a fight with Mrs. Jordan long back because Mrs. Jordan wouldn't take grandfather off hands at any price. Mrs. Slater also mentioned that Mrs. Jordan said that she (Mrs. Jordan) had enough of grandfather to last a lifetime.

Thus, their attempt of saving themselves made them to reveal the real character of each other. This led to grandfather discovering the truth. 9. What does Mrs. Jordan describe as 'a fatal mistake'? What is the irony in the comment she makes on Mrs. Slater's defense? Ans: Not verifying from a doctor whether the grandfather is dead or alive is ‘a fatal mistake’ described by Mrs. Jordan. Mrs. Jordan gives the example of many such cases of dead persons restored to life after they were thought to be dead. The irony lies in Mrs. Jordan’s hope that grandfather would have restored to life if Mrs. Slater would have sent for doctor. Even though both the sisters equally wanted their father to die as soon as possible, Mrs Jordan actually comments it as a 'fatal mistake' on not confirming Father's death.

10. What change does grandfather make in his new will? What effect does it have on his daughters? Ans: Grandfather decides to alter his will. According to the new will that he is going to make, his entire property would be given to the one who would take care of him, and with whom he would stay and die at his or her place. This very decision gives birth to the selfish and materialistic attitude of both daughters. In order to have their grandfather’s property they show their willingness to keep grandfather with them till he die. So, sometime back, the sisters who were not interested in keeping the grandfather with them when he was alive, they both fight with each other for keeping grandfather with themselves in order to get his property. Health and Medicine QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Q.1. write a letter to younger brother or sister who is sleep deprived to take proper sleep as it is essential for our health. You may use CODER to complete it. Q.2. write an article on whether we get enough sleep these days or not. Q.3. now write an email to your overstressed sister who is preparing for her class XII exam suggesting her to join a laughter club to combat her anxiety. You may use the following points along with your own.

Laughter- lower blood presser

Reduce stress hormones

Cleanses lungs and body tissues

Increase blood circulation

Boosts immune function

Produce a general sense of well being

Q.4. write a diary entry about the feelings that the young but poor talented person evoked in you and the plan you thought of to develop his potential. EDUCATION q.1. Right to education is a reality in the present scenario. How ? narrate it. 2 What do you mean by “inclusive education” explain it ? 3 Write a paragraph on “the growing need for Vocational Education /education curriculum requires fresh perspective.” SCIENCE Q.1. you have been gifted a new cellphone which is powered by solar energy. write an email to your friend describing the phone and all its exiting features. Q.2. you are very impressed by the achievements of the women astronauts and decide to give a speech on how Indian girls should also make a mark in this field. Write the speech.

The story of my life 1. What is The Story of My Life and when was it written? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH The Story of My Life is an autobiography of Helen Keller which she wrote during her third year at Radcliffe College. 2. Who was Helen's father and mother and what information does she share about them? Helen's father was Arthur Keller and he had been a Confederate Captain during the civil war. He was also related to Robert E. Lee. Her mother was Kate Keller, a well-read woman who came from an intellectual family. 3. What position did Helen hold in the family and how was she treated? Helen was the first child of this marriage. Arthur had been previously married and had two sons. Helen was fussed over a lot because she was the first child of the marriage. 4. After the fever what memories about sight and sound did Helen have left? After the fever, Helen had just a few memories of sight and sound left, but she gradually forgot them. 5. Why did Helen call Boston "the city of kind hearts"? To start, Helen's experiences with kind people in Boston have greatly influenced her thoughts about the city. Because of the people, Helen will forever equate Boston with kindness, welcome, and compassion. The main example of someone who embodies the spirit of such welcoming hospitality would be Mr. William Endicott. Helen tells us that she was thinking of Mr. Endicott when she called Boston The City Of Kind Hearts. Mr. Endicott opens up his house to Helen and talks to her as if they are great friends who have always enjoyed each other's company. Another example you might consider using would be that of Mr. Anagnos (director of the Perkins Institution For The Blind in Boston). When Helen's father writes to request a teacher for Helen, we are told that Mr. Anagnos answers with a 'kind letter' filled with ' the comforting assurance that a teacher had been found.' In May 1888, Helen gets a chance to visit the Perkins Institution For The Blind. Her is joy is complete when the children greet her with eagerness and enthusiasm. She feels so thoroughly at home in Boston that she begins to regard Boston 'as the beginning and the end of creation.' Another instance of kindness is experienced in the presence of the child actress, Elsie Leslie, who stars in the play, 'The Prince and The Pauper,' in Boston. Despite fatigue, Elsie receives Helen with a generous warmth and a kind welcome after the play. Helen tells us that it 'would have been hard to find a lovelier or more lovable child than Elsie...' Helen tells us of her sadness at the death of Mr. John Spaulding, a great supporter of Helen's studies. 6. In The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, what made Miss Sullivan's teaching interesting? In The Story of My Life, Helen Keller's autobiographical account of her childhood, Helen admits that her life would have been torment without Miss Sullivan's intervention. Helen has such a QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH special bond with Annie Sullivan that she says in chapter seven, "my teacher is so near to me that I scarcely think of myself apart from her." Helen has an avid imagination and is eager to absorb everything. Miss Sullivan's style of teaching makes that so much easier for Helen, who "learns from life itself." It is Annie's confidence in Helen, her complete patience and her ability to make "every subject so real that I could not help remembering what she taught" that ensures that Helen never becomes bored. Annie allows her to explore her subjects in a natural environment, spending many hours of teaching outside. Annie understands Helen's connection with the outdoors and uses that in her teaching. She does not teach Helen the theory without the reality; "everything that could hum, or buzz, or sing, or bloom had a part in my education." Miss Sullivan comes from a lowly background and she has had her own difficulties. Having previously had an operation to restore her sight, she is partially sighted herself and this ensures that she never takes anything for granted. This contributes to her own appreciation of her surroundings and she wants to share everything with Helen, realizing that Helen will learn best from personal interaction with her subjects wherever possible. She even teaches Helen geography by taking her to Keller's Landing and making clay maps and using pebbles to construct miniature dams. Helen knows that it is Miss Sullivan's methods and dedication, her "genius" that have made her teaching so interesting and that have made Helen's "first years of my education so beautiful." 7. According to Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, who was Arthur H. Keller? What did he do? As we learn from the first chapter of Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, Helen came from a very noteworthy Southern family of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her father was Arthur Henley Keller, who served as a captain of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Captain Keller owned a homestead in Alabama that they named Ivy Green because, as Helen informs us, the house and the surrounding trees and fences were covered in beautiful English ivy. Helen also informs us that, after the Civil War, when he married Helen's mother, Kate Adams, his second wife, he built a small house annexed from the main house, in Southern tradition, and Helen was born in this house and lived their until her illness had passed. 8.Based on her autobiography The Story of My Life, how was Helen Keller as a child and as a student?. In her autobiography, The Story of My Life, Helen Keller confesses to having been quite a wild child before she met her teacher Anne Sullivan. Her wildness is seen in the fact that she was prone to temper tantrums and used manipulation to get her way. But she also explains that her temper tantrums were a result of feeling angered by being trapped in a world she didn't understand and her poor behavior a result of having no way to learn morals. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH

One example she gives of a tempter tantrum due to frustration concerns the times she observed people around her moving their lips to communicate. After recovering from her high fever, as she got older, she explains that she felt a basic need to communicate with others around her and started making gestures to do so: A shake of the head meant "No and a nod, "Yes," a pull meant "Come" and a push, "Go." Was it bread that I wanted? Then I would imitate the acts of cutting the slices and buttering them. (Ch. 2) At some point in her early life, she realized that other people didn't use gestures to communicate. She used to stand between two people she knew were talking and touch their lips. She could feel their lips moving but didn't understand why. She tried moving her lips too but knew she wasn't communicating anything by doing so. As she explains, "This made [her] so angry at times that [she] kicked and screamed until [she] was exhausted" (Ch. 2).

She also explains that she spent all of her time with their cook's daughter her age named Martha Washington, mostly because she "seldom had any difficulty in making [Martha] do just as she wished" (Ch. 2). She further says she realized when she was behaving badly and felt something "akin to regret" anytime she hurt someone with her kicking but not enough regret to stop herself from behaving that way in the future.

However, all of this changed when she started learning from Sullivan. The lessons were very challenging at first, but, soon, Helen learned manners, how to do new tasks on her own, and how to communicate, which opened up the door for her to be able to understand kindness, compassion, and moral behavior. 9. In The Story of My Life, what were the reasons for Helen's constant outbursts of passion? Helen Keller suffered a debilitating illness as a baby and as a result she spent the rest of her life deaf and blind. The Story of My Life traces her efforts to cope and to make the most of her life and circumstances which are changed forever with the arrival of Annie Sullivan on "the most important day I remember in all my life" (chapter 4). However, prior to Annie's arrival, Helen suffers many frustrating incidents and occasions when she cannot make herself understood or cannot get what she wants. Her "fits of temper" (chapter 1) cause her to seek refuge in the garden which gives Helen some relief from her frustration and disappointment because she familiarizes herself with the vines and the "tumble-down summer house" so all sense of independence is not lost. Her struggle to communicate is intensified by her own recognition that she is "different" (ch 2) from everybody else. When her mother has friends over, Helen realizes QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH that they do not need to use signs to communicate and she mimics them in an effort to be understood. She says, "I moved my lips and gesticulated frantically without result" and this adds to her bewilderment. She even exhausts herself from all her screaming. In chapter 3, Helen recalls how her failure to communicate only makes her want to express herself more and she becomes increasingly aware how inadequate the signs that she uses are in making herself understood. It is her failure to convey her request or demands that leads to "outbursts of passion." The more Helen tries, the more intense her outbursts until they are occurring almost "hourly." This makes her parents even more determined to find someone to help Helen and this leads them to Baltimore and ultimately to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. The meeting with him is so significant that Helen describes it as "the door through which I should pass from darkness into light." `10. Helen's intelligence and talent serve her well as revealed in The Story of My Life. In what ways do Helen's intelligence and talent cause her frustration and rage? Helen Keller recounts the first twenty-two years of her life in The Story of My Life. She intends for the autobiographical book to serve as an inspiration to others and therefore, although often described as poetic and told purely from her perspective, it is honest and includes many of those instances of which Helen is not proud but all of which contribute to her development and ability to motivate others. Just as Helen's intelligence and talent allow her to gain an understanding of her surroundings and to thrive, they also mean that she is more easily frustrated. She has an awareness that she cannot communicate effectively but no amount of intelligence and hard work seem to make any difference. In chapter 2, Helen talks about when she is a small child and takes refuge in the garden because she cannot express herself. She also refers to her awareness that her mother and her mother's friends do not use signs like she has to. She "moved my lips and gesticulated frantically without result" and this is extremely frustrating for her. On another occasion, Helen refers to her father's "secret" and she mimics his actions as he reads a newspaper, "even wearing his spectacles, thinking they might help solve the mystery" but it only adds to her confusion. It is the fact that she knows that she is "different" which contributes to her bouts of rage as she cannot accept it. In chapter 3, Helen talks about how "inadequate" her forms of communication are to the point of having temper tantrums "sometimes hourly." This is one of the motivations that drive her parents to seek help and Annie Sullivan's arrival and ability to connect with Helen contribute to her soul's "sudden awakening" (chapter 5). Helen loves all her opportunities to learn and it is her natural ability which allows her to "learn from life itself" (ch 7). However, she admits that arithmetic is QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH something she is not able to master to her own satisfaction as she sets her expectations high- another reason why her intelligence causes her frustrations. 11. In her autobiography The Story of My Life, why does Helen Keller call The Feb month dreadful? What happened to her in that month? For many residents of regions that annually experience a notable change of seasons, with very distinct transitions from the warmth of summer to the cold of winter, the month of February is a particularly bleak time of year. The peak of winter is cold and grey. The merriment of the Christmas season and New Year is long over, and the approach of spring too distant to contemplate. For Helen Keller, the month of February represented something even more pernicious: the illness that deprived her of her sight and of her ability to hear and speak. Keller relates this obviously formative episode of her life in her memoir of growing up a blind mute: "They tell me I walked the day I was a year old. . .These happy days did not last long. . . [I]n the dreary month of February, came the illness which closed my eyes and ears and plunged me into the unconsciousness of a new-born baby." Later in the published version of her memoir, Keller is again quoted as reflecting on this period of her life, and of the bleakness of the month in which her illness occurred: "But the brightest summer has winter behind it. In the cold, dreary month of February, when I was nineteen months old, I had a serious illness. I still have confused memories of that illness. My mother sat beside my little bed and tried to sooth my feverish moans while in her troubled heart she prayed . . . But the fever grew and flamed in my eyes and for several days my kind physician thought I would die." For Keller, the month of February would forever be identified with her affliction, which she was able to overcome through the efforts of her extraordinarily gifted and tenacious teacher, Ann Sullivan. There would, however, be another moment of sadness in Keller's life that would also occur in a February. A close friend and financial benefactor, John Spaulding, died in February 1896, adding an even greater sense of ennui to that particular month. 12. What is inspirational about Helen Keller as seen in The Story of My Life and why? One of the most inspirational points readers can take away from Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life is the importance of perseverance.

In her early days, Helen describes herself as having been a bit animalistic in her behavior due to being trapped in darkness, silence, and loneliness. For example, she reports playing with the cook's daughter, Martha Washington, because she loved to "domineer over her" and that Martha "generally submitted to [Helen's] tyranny rather than risk a hand-to-hand encounter" (Ch. II). She also reports being able to recognize when she was "naughty" and having a "feeling akin to regret" QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH but not to the extent that it ever stopped her from seeking what she wanted. Yet, even despite her anamalistic nature, she had the perseverance to learn how to do things in her world, such as fold and put away clean clothes. Furthermore, when she starts to be educated by Anne Sullivan, she very quickly comes to understand the what was wrong about her previous behavior and to learn that there is a world beyond her isolated self. She quickly learns how to communicate, which opens the doors to other knowledge and a new understanding of morality. Hence, not only is Helen able to learn as a result of her perseverance, she is also able to develop into a genuinely good and well-rounded individual.

The goodness Helen develops as a result of her perseverance is especially seen later in her determination to help others through charity work for the disabled, the speaking tours she gave, and the articles she wrote to champion the blind and deaf. 13. How did Helen Keller lose her sight and hearing? Helen Keller was a little more than two years old (19 months) when she lost her sight and ability to hear. While there was no official diagnosis of the disease except "brain fever," the symptoms lead to the modern belief that she had meningitis or scarlet fever. The description of the disease was "an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain." According to both Helen Keller's autobiography and the accounts of various historians, she came close to death with a high fever over the course of several days. A third disease, encephalitis, is also a possibility; however, it is extremely rare. The fourth possibility was rubella. When Helen Keller was two Alabama was experiencing an epidemic. Helen Keller's account of the disease speaks of the loss of her sight as a gradual process wherein her eyes felt dry and hot. Tests done later in her life proved that she was not able to see any light or objects. Likewise the same tests found that there was no vibration or "air conduction" in either ear. Whichever disease Helen Keller experienced, it robbed her of her vision and hearing completely. Because she was so young, the inability to hear rendered her mute without a conduit to learn speech. 14. What are the value points in the first ten chapters of The Story Of My Life? In the first ten chapters of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, the reader learns about many of the experiences of Helen's early childhood and how she "learnt from life itself" (ch 7). In summarizing the most important aspects of those chapters to find value points, Helen's intention must always be clear. She wants others to learn from any events which have affected her and from the people who have helped to mold her unique personality and from which others can make a better life for themselves despite heartache and intense struggle. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH In chapter 1, Helen describes the illness which changes her life for ever as "the illness which closed my eyes and ears and plunged me into the unconsciousness of a new-born baby." She admits that she gets used to it but when the frustration is too much to bear she finds relief in the garden, the paradise of my childhood. In chapter 2, Helen's independence is apparent. She mentions how proud she is that she can even do some chores. She also tests her parents' patience and they resolve that she needs a teacher. In chapter 3, the most significant event is Helen's meeting with the famous Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. Helen comments that "that interview would be the door through which I should pass from darkness into light." It is Dr. Bell who recommends The Perkins' Institute and it is Mr. Anagnos who will send Annie Sullivan to the Keller household. Chapter 4 begins with the words "The most important day I remember in all my life..." and this confirms how Annie's patience, understanding and determination will ensure Helen has all the tools she needs in her efforts to communicate. "W-A-T-E-R" is the word which Helen eventually realizes gives her that ability to make herself understood and she says "that living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!" Helen now looks forward to learning new things every day but in chapter 5 she also learns that not every experience will be a positive one. Whilst in a tree, a storm blows over and "a nameless fear" overtakes Helen as she feels isolated even if only for a short time. It takes Helen a long time to regain her confidence sufficiently to climb another tree. Abstract concepts present Helen with a challenge as she struggles to understand them. It is when Annie tells her to "think" in chapter 6 that she begins to grasp the idea. Helen points out how much longer it takes a child with her disabilities to grasp ideas and she mentions how Annie has conversations with Helen to encourage her to communicate despite the fact that Helen cannot hear tone or see body language or expression. Annie's abilities to teach Helen are quite apparent and in chapter 7 she uses every opportunity so that Helen can appreciate so much more than standard lessons could ever teach her. Helen knows that she owes so much to Annie to the extent "that the footsteps of my life are in hers." Chapter 8 talks about a particular Christmas when Annie gives Helen a canary. Helen loves it and takes good care of it until, unfortunately she accidentally leaves the cage open and it flies away. In chapter 9, Helen visits the Perkins' Institute for the Blind and relishes an opportunity to talk to these children "in my own language" by signing into their hands. She is so impressed with Boston that Helen sees it as "the beginning and end of creation." Helen gets her first experience of the sea in chapter 10 "this strange, all-enveloping element" which will always fascinate her. 15. What is an overview of The Story of My Life? QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Helen Keller's The Story of My Life is an incomplete autobiography as it only covers twenty-two years of her life (she lived to be nearly eighty-eight). Nevertheless, this inspirational story of Helen's challenges and successes as a deaf-blind person are graphically detailed as they illustrate the girl and young woman who possessed great intelligence and an amazing desire to learn and attain a sense of worth in society. Helen records her early memories before she was struck blind and deaf from fever at nineteen months and her fortunate meeting of Anne Sullivan, who lightened the darkness of Helen's mind by connecting the word water with the tangible substance. Further, Miss Sullivan provided the necessary links between Helen and those around her, as well as links with nature, not to mention providing Helen love and friendship and security away from her home. Friend and mentor, Anne Sullivan encouraged Helen's determination to learn as she instructed Helen through most of her life journeys, on which she met such notable persons as Alexander Graham Bell and several presidents of the United States. 16. How was Helen Keller born and what physical illness did she have? Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on June 27, 1880, Helen Keller was a normal, healthy baby until she contracted an unknown illness. It is conjectured that she either had Rubella (German measles) or Scarlet Fever or meiningitis; from the illness she was left deaf and blind. Of course, because she was born in the day and time that she was, there were no vaccines and fewer ways to combat such diseases. As a consequence of her darkness and isolation from the sights and sounds of her world, Helen became unruly, although she did have some homemade signs that her family understood. In 1886, her mother searched for some help, and recalling something she had read in a work by Charles Dickens, had her husband seek the advice of J. Julian Chisolm, a Baltimore eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist. He, in turn, referred the Kellers to Alexander Graham Bell, who worked with others at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, where one of Chisolm's pupils had been successfully educated. It was from this institute that 20-year old Anne Sullivan came to the Keller's home to instruct Helen. Helen Keller has been an inspiration to the visually and hearing impaired as well as many others. She was undaunted in her quest for knowledge, even graduating from Radcliffe. Often quoted, this statement of Helen Keller's certainly expresses her philosophy of life: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. 17. Please help with character sketches of all the characters in The Story of My Life. Helen Keller is the main character in The Story of My Life which is a personal account of Helen's young life after she has a debilitating illness as a baby and is rendered blind and deaf. Annie Sullivan, Alexander Graham Bell and Mr Anagnos all change Helen's life dramatically and it is her QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH first meeting with Dr. Bell which starts the process of her education and her fulfillment. In chapter III, Helen reflects how "that interview would be the door through which I should pass from darkness into light." Helen is a very expressive person and once she learns how to communicate, she is tireless in her efforts to learn as much as she can. She is intuitive and very demanding of others but she finds joy in the simplest things and shows appreciation through her acceptance and remarkable development. She is trusting and loving. Her high expectations do result in disappointments and one of her greatest regrets is after she unwittingly plagiarizes The Frost Fairies by Miss Margaret T. Canby which affects her confidence and belief in herself and after which her relationship with the beloved Mr Anagnos is irreparably damaged. Dr. Alexander Graham Bell is compassionate and kindhearted and an incredibly gifted inventor (as history will confirm). Helen dedicated The Story of My Life to him. He has a special relationship with children, especially the deaf, and his methods ensure that children are motivated and enthusiastic to learn. He is funny and immediately connects with Helen. He recommends The Perkins' Institute to the family which will begin Helen's long and extremely demanding path to learning. Annie comes from The Perkins' Institute for the Blind where she learnt to manage and overcome her own difficulties and is the person whom Helen recognizes as most significant in her education. Annie makes Helen "think" and the day she arrives is "the most important day I remember in all my life," such is the impact which Annie has on Helen's success. Annie is patient, determined and even stubborn, and it is her resolve which ensures that Helen is given time to adapt and to learn "language." Annie is visually impaired herself and, despite her young age and her complete lack of experience, she is dedicated and wise. She takes every opportunity to teach Helen, whether it be during lessons or out in the environment where she ensures that Helen has every opportunity to explore, discover and overcome her fears. She will become Helen's constant companion to the point that Helen feels that "the footsteps of my life are in hers." Dr Anagnos is the director of The Perkins' Institute for the Blind and he understands potential, encouraging Annie as her mentor when she is uncertain whether she is ready to teach at the Keller's home. He recognizes Helen's enormous capacity for learning and becomes a dear friend to her. Unfortunately, although he claims to believe Helen, he is unable to shake the feeling that she may have deceived him in writing her version of Canby's story and he never regains his unquestionable faith in her to the point of his attitude being "hostile and menacing" (ch XIV). However, his contribution to Helen's amazing success and to the lives of many blind children with whom Helen comes into contact is indisputable. QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH 18. In The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, describe the childhood incidents which become a part and parcel of Helen's sight. Having been left blind and deaf after an illness at the age of nineteen months, Helen Keller relies on her sense of touch to explore and discover the world around her. In The Story of My Life she invites the reader to share her story and learn from her experiences. The reader finds inspiration and is surely motivated to appreciate the potential in the simplest things. In chapter 1, Helen describes her home and the garden as "the paradise of my childhood." When she is particularly frustrated, she finds solace in the garden, using her sense of touch and smell to find her favorite place and "to hide my hot face in the cool leaves and grass." At the age of five, Helen is proud that she can do some chores and her attempts to be normal include dressing up and even placing herself in front of a mirror with powder on her face and a "bustle" around her waist in an attempt to help "entertain" guests. Helen also wonders why when she moves her mouth and "gesticulates[d] frantically" she cannot make herself understood. Helen recalls cutting Martha's hair and even trying to tip her baby sister out of a cot which Helen thinks should be reserved for her doll Nancy. She recalls almost setting herself on fire while trying to dry her apron in front of the fire and she recalls mimicking her father, putting on his glasses and holding a newspaper up to her face trying to make some sense of what he does (ch 2). Helen's experiences with Annie Sullivan become her vision, starting with Annie's attempts to teach Helen "language." So the turning point in Helen's life comes when she learns the importance of words and "that 'w-a-t-e-r' means the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul" (ch 4). Annie does not restrict Helen to a classroom or to structured lessons but takes every opportunity to expose Helen to new and exciting textures and experiences including an occasion when Helen is in a tree and becomes aware of a change in the atmosphere, signalling an approaching storm. Helen admits that "a nameless fear clutched at my heart" (ch 5) because Annie has left her alone and for a long time afterward Helen avoids climbing trees. Helen admits that "everything that could hum, or buzz, or sing, or bloom had a part in my education" which therefore ensures that she "learned from life itself" (ch 7). Helen visits the Perkins' Institute for The Blind and discovers real" joy to talk with other children in my own language" (ch 9). She relishes holidays, the seasons and the sea which both fascinates and terrifies her. She remembers tobogganing and an "exhilarating madness" (ch 12) in the snow. She refers to her efforts to speak and extend her communication abilities and she painfully mentions in chapter 14 how she learns lessons that are sometimes almost too hard to bear such as the incident with her story The Frost King which turns out to be too similar to Margaret Canby's work The Frost Fairies and which therefore irreparably damages her friendship with the dear Mr QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH Anagnos who thinks she plagiarized the work. She admits that "this sad experience may have done me good." Helen's experiences therefore become her measure of development and, effectively her "sight," giving her valuable memories and allowing her to understand things and accept them. 19. In The Story of My Life, was Helen Keller childhood friends with Martha Washington and Martha's dog Belle? In Chapter II of Helen Keller's autobiography titled The Story of My Life, we learn a great deal about what Helen was like at the age of five, after her illness at the age of approximately a year and a half left her blind, deaf, and dumb. We learn that she used to cling to her mother's skirts, following her around as her mother did household chores. We are also told she learned how to fold and put away clean clothes and even to recognize her own clothes. Helen also states that she knew she was "different from other people" even before her teacher Anne Sullivan arrived. She particularly recognized her differences when she felt peoples' lips moving when they were in conversations with each other.

Beyond the above, we also learn that Martha Washington and Martha's dog named Belle were Helen's "constant companions." Martha was an African-American girl and daughter of the Kellers' cook. Helen describes that she and Martha spent most of their time together in the kitchen helping with making dough balls, ice cream, coffee, and feeding the chickens and turkeys. But most interesting is Helen's point that she spent time with Martha both because Martha could understand her signs and because Helen was able control her, to use Martha to get what she wanted, as we see Helen explain in the following passage: Martha Washington understood my signs, and I seldom had any difficulties in making her do just as I wished. It pleased me to domineer over her, and she generally submitted to my tyranny rather than risk a hand-to-hand encounter. I was strong, active, indifferent to consequences. I knew my own mind well enough and always had my own way, even if I had to fight tooth and nail to get it. From the above, we learn that Helen was quite selfish and even a bit of a bully in those days, all because she was still incapable of learning morals and principles to guide her understanding of right and wrong and of how the world works. 20. From The Story of My Life, give a character sketch of Helen's father, Arthur H Keller. The Story of My Life by Helen Keller reveals many of the occurrences of her childhood and many of the influences in her life. Her father, Arthur H Keller has a huge impact on Helen's development, tirelessly looking for methods and people to help her. Helen's father, a captain in QUESTION BANK TERM I ENGLISH the Confederate Army, has been married before and Helen's mother Kate is much younger than he. Helen remembers Captain Keller as a loving father who takes great pleasure in pleasing his daughter. He is proud of his garden and grows the best grapes, berries, watermelons and strawberries and Helen is always the first to taste the sweet, ripe grapes. He knows that Helen also loves the garden, "the paradise of my childhood" (ch 2) and relsihes leading her through the garden. He is also an accomplished hunter and a gracious host to regular guests. As a newspaper editor, Helen, as a blind and deaf girl, is often perplexed by his work as, even when she puts his glasses on, she can still not conclude what he might be doing and only years later can she understand his occupation. He also tells Helen, after she has learnt the manual alphabet, thus setting "my spirit free," anecdotes which Helen recalls at "opportune moments," (ch 2) thus bringing her father much delight. A breakthrough for the family, after being "grieved and perplexed (ch 3) comes when Helen's father takes her to see a Dr Chisolm who then refers them to Dr Alexander Graham Bell and he is the first step towards "the door through which I should pass from darkness into light.

------Best of luck------

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