An Encounter of a Special Kind
Passage—I
| My father was a medical professional working for a private company in Raniganj in West Bengal……………………
…………………………… I became deeply absorbed in the book. |
Q. 1. Read the following passage and do the activities:
Al. Simple Factual Activity:
Say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:
| 1. | The compound where the writer was living was rich in nature’s bounty. | Agree |
| 2. | Holidays provide the children an opportunity to read various magazines and storybooks. | Agree |
| 3. | The incident occurred during summer vacation. | Disagree |
| 4. | Magazines and storybooks were published specially for adults in the festive season. | Disagree |
| 5. | Writer’s father was a medical professional. | Agree |
A2. Complex Factual Activities:
(1) Complete the web describing the campus where writer’s family lived:
.
| Description of the campus where the writer’s family lived: |
|
|
|
|
(2) How did the family relax after lunch?
Ans: After eating sufficient and wholesome lunch the writer’s parents and his sisters lay down for an afternoon nap. The author settled down with a storybook. The sound of their snoring in sleep was such that it occasionally broke the silence of the writer’s house.
A3. Activities based on Vocabulary:
(1) Match the words in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’
| No. | Column ‘A’ | Answers | No. | Column ‘B’ |
| 1. | hearty | sufficient and wholesome | a. | frequent |
| 2. | engrossed | in full attention | b. | sufficient and wholesome |
| 3. | intermittent | frequent | c. | high pitched |
| 4. | shrill | high pitched | d. | in full attention |
(2) Match the phrases in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’
| No | Column ‘A’ | Answers | No. | Column ‘B’ |
| 1. | a part and parcel | to be essential or integral part of something | a. | get into a comfortable of position |
| 2. | to be engrossed in | was completely dimension occupied in | b. | penned up a new aspect |
| 3. | settle down with | get into a comfortable of position | c. | to be essential or integral part of something |
| 4. | unfolded a new | penned up a new aspect | d. | was completely dimension occupied in |
A4. Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
Rewrite the sentences as per instructions:
(1) My father was a medical professional.
(Rewrite the sentence in the Past Perfect Tense.)
Ans. My father had been a medical professional.
(2) The holidays provided an opportunity for me to read various magazines and storybooks.
(Rewrite the sentence in the Simple Present Tense.)
Ans. The holidays provide me an opportunity to read various magazines and storybooks.
A5. Personal Response:
Do you have a reading hobby? How do you pursue it?
Ans: Yes, I do have a reading hobby. I read a lot. I read anything and everything that comes in my sight. I keep on reading storybooks, novels, biographies, magazines, newspapers, etc. Whenever I find time I love and enjoy reading especially during long vacation.
Passage – 2
| Suddenly, I heard a group……………………………………………..
………………….raised their pitch of cry. |
Q. 2. Read the following passage and do the activities:
Al. Simple Factual Activities:
(1) Say whether the following statements are True or False:
Ans:
| 1. | A big male langur did not intend to kill the baby langur. |
|
| 2. | The writer started throwing more stones at the big langur. |
|
| 3. | The mother langur was watching her baby being killed. |
|
| 4. | According to the custom of animal clan, a dominant male protects another male baby or adult. |
|
(2) Choose correct reasons from the given options:
(1) The writer ignored the commotion of street dogs.
(a) Thinking about the dogs’ involvement in some food items.
(b) Thinking about the dogs’ involvement in some stranger.
(c) Thinking about the dogs’ involvement in some thieves.
(d) Thinking about the dogs’ involvement in some unfortunate pig.
Ans: (d) Thinking about the dogs’ involvement in some unfortunate pig.
(2) The langur did not take notice of the writer’s assault.
(a) Because he was very busy.
(b) Because he was eating the baby langur.
(c) Because he was very infuriated.
(d) Because he ignored the writer’s presence.
Ans: (c) Because he was very infuriated.
A2. Complex Factual Activities:
(1) What wicked custom is practised by animals who live in groups?
Ans: According to the in the animal clan who live in groups, powerful male does not allow another male or adult to survive within its group. Mostly the leader of the group kills male babies or adult.
(2) Complete the web with the help of the information given in the passages
Ans:
| The writer saw on the roof that – |
|
|
|
|
(3) What did the writer do to restrain the big langur from killing the baby langur.
Ans: Then the writer realised that the big langur was about to kill the baby langur, he gathered a big, strong stick in one hand and threw a piece of stone at the attacking langur. The big langur did not take notice of his attack; so he started throwing more stones at it. In this way, the writer restrained the big langur from killing the baby langur.
(4) Write in your own words:
Why did the narrator ignore the barking of dogs?
Ans:
(i) The narrator thought that the pack of dogs, as usual, must have trapped an unfortunate pig.
(ii) So he ignored the barking of dogs.
A3. Activities based on Vocabulary:
(1)Match the phrases given in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in Column ‘B’ •
| No. | Column ‘A’ | Answers | No. | Column ‘B’ |
| 1. | to take notice of | to observe and give attention | a. | overpowered someone |
| 2. | got the better of | overpowered someone | b. | was happening |
| 3. | pitch of cry | high sound of cry | c. | to observe and give attention |
| 4. | was going on | was happening | d. | high sound of cry |
(2) Write from the passage the antonyms of the following:
(1) mercifully
(2) submissive
(3) recognize
(4) greater
Ans:
(1) mercifully x mercilessly
(2) submissive x aggressive
(3) recognize x ignore
(4) greater x lesser
A4. Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
(1) Rewrite the sentences as per the tense mentioned in the brackets.
(1) I heard a group of street dogs barking.
(Present Continuous Tense.)
Ans: I am hearing a group of street dogs barking.
(2) The big male langur was holding a baby langur in his hands.
(Past Perfect Continuous Tense.)
Ans: The big male langur had been holding a baby langur in his hands.
(2) Do as directed
(1) I started throwing more stones. (Begin with – ‘More stones were’)
Ans: More stones were being thrown by me.
(2) It hardly took notice of my assault.
(Make this as a negative sentence.)
Ans: It did not take notice of my assault.
A5. Personal Response:
Do you think that the custom of baby killing by dominant male in animal clan is good? Exp1ain.
Ans: No, I don’t think so. It’s a bad custom in any animal clan. It is the duty of dominant males to protect them and bring them up kindly and lovingly. They should not deprive them of their basic right to live.
Passage-3
| The changed …………….circumstances began taking hesitant bites. |
Q. 3. Read the following passage and do the activities:
Al. Simple Factual Activities:
(1) Complete the following sentences using the information given in the passage:
(1) The langur baby was listless and appeared to be dead.
(2) The writer’s parents and sisters had come out on the veranda and were witnessing his rescue operation.
(3) The baby langur’s eyes welled up with tears.
(4) The unexpected attack forced the langur to drop the baby from the sloping roof over the veranda.
(2) Complete the following sentences.
(I) The writer offered the baby langur a peeled banana.
(2) The baby langur was in state of shock.
(3) Splashes of cold water made the baby stir.
A2. Complex Factual Activities:
(1) Complete the following web and describe the condition of wounded baby langur:
Ans:
| The condition of wounded baby Langur |
|
|
|
|
(2) Complete the following web with the information from the passage:
What attempts helped the baby langur to revive?
- The writer caught hold of the baby langur’s him inside the poultry tail and safely took coup in their backyard.
- The writer’s father gave him first aid to clean the wounds and stop the bleeding.
- The writer splashed cold water on the baby’s body and made him sit up.
- He offered him peeled banana which he accepted and ate up.
(3) Arrange the following events as per their sequence:
(1) Writer’s father provided first aid to clean the wounds.
(2) After a few shaky attempts, the baby langur sat up.
(3) The writer turned away from the coop.
(4) The writer took the baby langur to their backyard.
Ans:
(4) The writer took the baby langur to their backyard.
(1) Writer’s father provided first aid to clean the wounds.
(2) After a few shaky attempts, the baby langur sat up.
(3) The writer turned away from the coop.
A3. Activities based on Vocabulary:
(1) Find present participles and past participles used as adjectives:
Ans:
(1) Present Participles: sloping roof, twinkling eyes.
(2) Past Participles: unexpected attack, unknown quarter, muffled cry, peeled banana.
(2) Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’ •
Ans:
| No. | Column ‘A’ | Answers | No. | Column ‘B’ |
| 1. | shaky | unsteady | a. | rose to the surface |
| 2. | welled up | rose to the surface | b. | made the sound quieter |
| 3. | prospect | future benefit | c. | Unsteady |
| 4. | muffled | made the sound quieter | d. | future benefit |
(3) Match the synonyms:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| (1) trauma | (a) move |
| (2) coop | (b) still |
| (3) stir | (c) great distress |
| (4) motionless | (d) pen |
Ans:
(1) trauma – great distress
(2) coop – pen
(3) stir – move
(4) motionless – still
(4) Write opposites of the following from the passage:
(1) steady (2) known (3) expected (4) firm
Ans:
(1) steady x unsteady
(2) known x unknown
(3) expected x unexpected
(4) firm x shaky
A4. Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
(1) Rewrite the sentences as per the tense mentioned in the brackets:
(1) They were witnessing my rescue operation. (Simple Past Tense.)
Ans: They witnessed my rescue operation.
(2) He was in a state of shock. (Past Perfect Tense.)
Ans: He had been in a state of shock.
(3) I took the baby langur to our backyard. (Past Perfect Tense.)
Ans: I had taken the baby langur to our backyard.
(2) Do as directed:
(1) My parents and sisters had come out on to the veranda. (Add a question tag.)
Ans: My parents and sisters had come out on the veranda, hadn’t they?
(2) He took the baby langur to our backyard. (Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined word as an answer.)
Ans: Where did he take the baby langur?
(3) The baby remained motionless. (Make negative without changing the meaning.)
Ans: The baby did not move.
OR
The baby did no movements.
(4) She simply sat there quietly. (Choose correct question tag.)
(i) doesn ‘t she?
(ii) didn’t she?
(iii) wasn’t she?
(iv) don’t she?
Ans: She simply sat there, didn’t she?
A5. Personal Response:
(1) Have you ever saved a puppy/dog or any other animal from naughty children who were throwing stones at him?
Write about your experience.
Ans: Yes, I have saved a dog who was in such a situation. Though the stones thrown by the urchins did not hit the dog very much, he was frightened to death and was running helter shelter. I gathered a long stick and shouted at them. Then I hit one of the boys with the stick and they ran away. The dog had gratitude in his eyes for me.
2. Complete the following and write a paragraph on each of the following:
| 1. Injured Animal |
How will you help?
|
OR
How will you help an injured bird/animal?
Paragraph: How I will help an injured Animal
Ans: If I find an injured animal, I will pick it up tenderly and bring it to my home carefully. I will put some drops of water in his mouth to make it fresh. I will examine its injury and apply antiseptic ointment to its injured part and bandage it without hurting it. When it is a little bit comfortable, I will provide it water and food. Then I shall keep it in small basket with cotton spread in it. I will see to it that it is safe in the place. I will take its care till it has enough strength or till it is fully recovered from the injury.
(2)
| Mother-child |
Relationship
|
Ans: Paragraph: Mother-child Relationship
The relationship between Mother and child is very close and inseparable. Mother’s love for a child is eternal. It is selfless. Her love and affection for her children are boundless and invaluable. She looks after them, nurses them and strives hard for her children’s upbringing and keeping them healthy. She teaches them their family culture and moral values. The child also loves its mother immensely. Mother guides, inspires and encourages her children throughout their life. How wonderful and pleasant relationship is this!
Passage 4
| My attention was fixed…………… safe from further assault. |
Q. 4. Read the following passage and do the activities:
Al. Simple Factual Activities:
(1) Say whether the following statements are True or False:
(1) The baby langur sensed the presence of his mother. — True
(2) The mother langur was sitting on the floor of the coop. – False
(3) The writer cuddled the baby langur tightly in his bosom. – False
(4) The writer’s attention was fixed on the revival of the baby langur. – True
(2) Complete the following sentences:
(1) The mother langur was sitting on their kitchen roof.
(2) The mother sat still with the baby in her lap for a few minutes.
A2. Complex Factual Activities:
(1) Complete the following:
(1) Mother langur simply sat quietly because she was convinced that no harm was being done to her child.
(2) The baby langur started to sob and cry because he sensed the presence of his mother.
(3) The baby found comfort and peace in caring arms of his mother.
(4) Mother langur gave a thorough inspection of baby langur’s body because she wanted to check his injuries.
(2) When did the baby langur finally find comfort?
Ans: The mother langur descended on the floor of the coop and picked up the baby in her arms. She checked his injuries and then cuddled him tightly in her bosom. The sense of mother’s presence comforted the baby. When the baby found that his mother was there to take care of him, he found comfort and peace in her caring arms.
(3) Write in your own words:
Why did mother langur make no effort t grab her baby from the coop?
Ans:
(1) Mother langur did not make any effort to grab her baby.
(2) It was because she was completely sure that the writer was not doing any harm to her baby and whatever he was doing was for the good of the baby.
A3. Activities based on Vocabulary:
(1) Match the phrases in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| (1) to figure out | (a) to find comfort and peace. |
| (2) to ponder over | (b) the act of checking with complete attention and care. |
| (3) to find solace | (c) to be able to think until you solve the problem. |
| (4) thorough inspection | (d) think over something deeply. |
Ans:
(1) to figure out – to be able to think until you solve the problem.
(2) to ponder over – think over something deeply.
(3) to find solace – to find comfort and peace.
(4) thorough inspection – the act of checking with complete attention and care.
(2) Write the meaning of the following words from the options given in the brackets:
(breast, comfort, weird, evil)
(1) uncanny (2) vicious (3) bosom (4) solace
Ans:
(1) uncanny – weird
(2) vicious- evil
(3) bosom – breast
(4) solace – comfort
A4. Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
(1) Do as directed:
(1) I turned away from the coop and looked up. (Begin the sentence with — Turning … and rewrite it.)
Ans: Turning away from the coop, I looked up.
(2) She gave the baby a thorough body inspection. (Change the sentence into passive voice. Begin with — The baby …)
Ans: The baby was given a thorough body inspection by her.
(2) Rewrite the sentences as per tense mentioned in the brackets:
(1) She simply sat there quietly. (Present Continuous Tense.)
Ans: She is simply sitting there quietly.
(2) The baby sensed the presence of his mother. (Present Perfect Tense.)
Ans: The baby has sensed the presence of his mother.
A5. Personal Response:
What is your mother’s state of mind during your mess?
Ans: My mother is always worried about my smallest illness. Deep anxiety overpowers her. She is restless and uneasy all the time. She keeps herself awake at night worrying about my ill-health. She is always by my bedside providing me food and medicine on time. She remains in a state of anxiety until I get well.
Passage- 5
| For a few seconds ………..’encounter of a special kind’. |
Q. 5. Read the following passage and do the activities:
Al. Simple Factual Activity:
State whether you Agree or Disagree with the following statements:
Ans:
| (1) The narrator made a mistake by saving the baby langur. | Disagree |
| (2) Animals cannot convey emotions. | Disagree |
| (3) The narrator was fifty-five years old when this incident occurred. | Disagree |
| (4) Even today, the narrator cannot forget that look in the mother langur’s eyes. | Agree |
A2. Complex Factual Activity:
| Truth revealed to the narrator about animal human relationship: |
|
|
A3. Activities based on Vocabulary:
(1) Match the phrases in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| (1) to be overwhelmed by
(2) in a flash (3) strike the right chord (4) mutual trust |
(a) to do something that makes people feel to have sympathy with.
(b) very quickly (c) belief felt equally by both people involved. (d) to be affected emotionally in a powerful way. |
Ans:
| Column ‘A’ | Answers |
| (1) to be overwhelmed by
(2) in a flash (3) strike the right chord (4) mutual trust |
(d) to be affected emotionally in a powerful way.
(b) very quickly (a) to do something that makes people feel to have sympathy with. (c) belief felt equally by both people involved. |
(2) Find the words from the passage for the following meanings:
| (1) held closely
(2) moved downwards (3) think very deeply (4) comfort and peace |
Ans:
| (1) held closely | cuddled |
| (2) moved downwards | descended |
| (3) think very deeply | ponder |
| (4) comfort and peace | solace |
A4. Activities based on Contextual Grammar:
(1) Rewrite the sentences as per instructions:
(1) The mother langur looked straight into my eyes. (Rewrite the sentence in the Simple Present Tense.)
Ans: The mother langur looks straight into my eyes.
(2) She surveyed the area for the vicious male langur.
(Rewrite the sentence in the Simple Future Tense.)
Ans: She will survey the area for the vicious male langur.
(2) Do as directed:
(1) I cannot forget that look in her eyes. (Add a question tag.)
Ans: I cannot forget that look in her eyes, can I?
(2) I was overwhelmed by the emotion.
(Write the sentence in Active voice. Begin with – The emotion ….) Ans: The emotion overwhelmed me.
A5. Personal Response:
(1) What did the mother langur seem to convey to the narrator?
Ans: The mother langur seemed to convey the narrator that she was very grateful to him for saving her child. She was expressing her big thanks to him through her silent eyes. Her eyes showered silent gratitude for the narrator for his kindness and compassion. The narrator could understand her feelings, sentiments and the way of thanking him through her eloquent eyes.
(2) What opinion do you form about the writer of the story?
Ans: The writer of this story is a very sensitive, sympathetic, and loving person. His qualities of humanity and courage are admirable and incredible. His thoughts about human-animal relations are great. He believes that communication between man and animal depends not only on food but also on trust, compassion and mutual understanding.