I'Abbaye's Secret Portrait Tests Bartoli's Patience

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b. Why did the narrator drag the mattress to the middle of the room?

As a precaution to ensure his safety,the narrator dragged the mattress along with the bed clothes
to the middle of the room because he expected danger from the corner of the room.He probably
thought he would be able to see the full room from the middle and protect himself easily.
3. Answer in detail.

What efforts did the narrator take to protect himself from the joke he suspected his friends would
play on him?

Suspecting his friends would play a prank on him,the narrator took care not to expose himself.
That night,expecting trouble in the darkness,he lighted all the candles in the room and taking small
steps inspected every article in the room.He shut the large wooden shutters,drew the curtains and
placed a chair in front of them to avoid any intrusion from outside.Finally,he thought the bed was
suspicious looking.So,he dragged the mattress out along with the bed sheets to the very middle of
the room facing the door.By doing all this he thought he would be safe and not get fooled.
4. Answer in detail (Think and answer).

In the process of saving himself from being fooled,the narrator unknowingly played a prank on
himself.Explain.

It was indeed a hilarious situation in the end,when after taking all efforts to avoid the possible pranks,
he made a fool of himself by his own doing.Little did he realise that he had laid the trap for himself
when he dragged the mattress to the middle of the room to feel safe from the possible prank.As he
was sleeping peacefully in the middle of the room on the improvised bed,the valet who brought his
morning cup of tea just tripped over the unexpected bed and crushed and smothered the narrator.
Thus,he became a victim by trying to avoid being tricked.
STUDENTS’BOOK ANSWER KEY
AN UNCOMFORTABLE BED
1.
The writer builds up our interest in paras 1-6 by describing everything that makes him feel suspicious,
such as his friends welcoming him too warmly or being too cheerful at dinner.
2.
To build up the suspense further,the writer describes different possible pranks that may have been
set up for him,so that the reader keeps guessing which,if any,of these pranks may be played on him.
3.
In paras 16-18,the writer takes the excitement to a peak by telling us about an unknown weight
falling upon him,accompanied by some unidentified burning liquid and some strange sounds.It
seems as if the prank that the reader had been waiting for has finally happened.The writer then
explains what had really happened—it was the valet who had fallen down with the breakfast tray.
The explanation adds to the humour by showing how the writer brought about this accident by
trying to be too careful.
New Gulmohar_TRP 07_English_Book Format.indb 9 04-Nov-19 2:06:34 PM

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Understanding the Text
1. a. The second sentence tells us that the speaker valued a sense of humour in his friends.
b.
The only evidence that we can find in the text for the first sentence is the way the speaker’s
friends laughed when they found out what had happened.We do not see them actually playing
any practical joke on the speaker.
2. a. watchful,restless,distrustfully,carefully,cautiously
b. Sample answers:nervous / apprehensive
3. a.
The speaker calls himself a ferret because he was trying to find out what kind of prank his friends
could play on him.He was trying to ferret out the truth,and he was also acting a bit like a ferret—
hunting for clues and trying to‘catch’his friends.
b.
The speaker thought that his friends had set some kind of trap for him or set him up for a practical
joke.
4.
Once inside his room,the speaker shut the door,and remained standing,without moving a single
step.He looked around at the walls,the furniture,the ceiling,the hangings and the floor.He thought
that his candle may go out,so he lighted all the candles in the room.He moved with short steps,
carefully examining the room,and inspected every article,one after the other.He was convinced
that his friends had laid a trap for him inside the room,so he was being careful and trying to check
everything.
5.
The speaker closed the shutters and drew the curtains so that no trick could be played on him
through the window.As a result of this,no light could come into the room from outside.In para 14,he
made his bed in the middle of the room,on the floor,and extinguished all the candles.Since the room
was now completely dark,when the valet came in,he could not see the bed on the floor and tripped
over it.
6. c
7.
At first,the speaker did not dare to get into the bed because he was sure that his friends had made
some arrangement in the bed for a prank.Yet,he also thought that his friends,who must be waiting
for the success of their trick,would be laughing at him because he was too afraid to go to bed.He
could not let them have so much fun at his expense and went to bed to challenge them.
8.
As the speaker was awakened by a body falling over him,he felt a burning hot liquid on his face,neck
and chest.It made him howl with pain.At the same time,he heard a great noise,as if many plates and
dishes had fallen down.After a brief struggle with the body which had fallen over him,the speaker
managed to get up and rush out of the room.It was then that he realised it was morning,and in the
light from the corridor,he saw that the valet,while bringing his tea,had tripped over his bed and
fallen down,along with the plates he had been carrying.The hot liquid had been the tea.
Appreciating the Text
Right from his arrival at his friends’house until bedtime,the speaker kept expecting some trick to be
played on him.He was suspicious and watchful,in order to avoid falling into any trap.He was so careful,in
fact,that in taking measures to guard himself against a prank,he set himself up for an awkward situation,
making his friends laugh.That is the irony of this story.
The first-person narrative helps to build this irony because this style of narration lets the reader know
exactly what is going on in the speaker’s mind.Had it been told by someone else,we,as readers,may not
have known how nervous or suspicious the speaker was feeling,or why he took certain odd decisions,like

11
placing a chair in front of the window or making his bed on the floor.The first-person narrative traces his
feelings—from his first suspicion to growing nervousness to his final embarrassment—clearly.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. Uncountable noun:experience; rule 1
3. Uncountable noun:business; rule 1
4. Uncountable noun:fire; rule 1
5. Uncountable noun:excitement; rule 2
6. Uncountable noun:seaweed; rule 1
7. Uncountable noun:friendship; rule 3
8. Uncountable noun:praise; rule 2
B. 2. anyone 3. another 4. few 5. several 6. No one 7. each 8. most
Words in Use
A. uncomfortable,unexpected,dishonest,distrustful,impolite,impractical
2. dishonest 3. impractical 4. distrustful 5. impolite 6. unexpected
B. 2. Alia did not seem to mind that her cousins had a laugh at her expense.
3. He cast a glance at his notes before entering the examination hall.
4. Rohan’s classmates made much of him when he won the quiz competition.
5. After a lot of thought,I made up my mind to go to Himachal,and not Kerala.
6. I think my family has a surprise in store for my birthday.
Writing
Sample answer:
In the morning,I went to Mr M’s room with his tea.At first,I could not see anything—it was so dark inside.
However,I walked into the room carefully,trying to see my way in the dark.The next thing I knew,I had
stumbled over something piled on the floor! Down went the tray with all the plates and the dishes.
Additionally,I myself fell down.As I struggled to get up,the pile under me started moving and struck me
a great blow! But I was not going to take that so easily.I too,struck out.At that,the man jumped up and
rushed out of the room.After he had left,I tried to look around and understand what was going on.Right
then,I heard people laughing outside.Mr M and his friends were looking into the room.I finally realised
who had been lying on the floor.It was Mr M himself!

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b. Why do you think I'Abbaye wanted to make Bartoli’s portrait in secrecy?

Bartoli had asked I'Abbaye to make his portrait on a twenty-foot-tall and the space impressed
the artist.He wanted to make use of that space to make the portrait using his unique creative
imagination.He probably knew that Bartoli would not let him create the portrait the way he
wanted.So,he wanted total privacy.

In what way did Monsieur I'Abbaye test Signor Bartoli’s patience? Was he satisfied with the outcome
in the end?

Bartoli had hired Monsieur I'Abbaye to make his portrait on the wall of his dining hall where everyone
could see it.Monsieur I'Abbaye on the other hand wanted to make use of that opportunity to give
wings to his artistic imagination and wanted to paint the portrait in absolute secrecy.Weeks and
months passed but l'Abbaye was not ready to show the painting.He would keep talking about
different things which did not interest Bartoli.All he wanted was to see his portrait.Finally,frustrated
with the delay,when Bartoli forced l'Abbaye to show his painting,he was shocked and angered as he
could not tolerate l'Abbaye Cubist expression on the portrait.
4. Think and answer
Why do you think the author feels Monsieur Signy I’Abbaye had born five hundred years too early?

Monsieur l'Abbaye was a great artist who did not have the freedom to paint in the style of his choice.
The style he wanted to work on became famous in the early twentieth century.Monsieur Signy I’
Abbaye had discovered that five centuries earlier.But at that time he never received any recognition
for that style of art.
THE MASTER ARTIST
1.
The writer shows us that l’Abbaye was also forming a different and secret plan by telling us that a glint
came to l’Abbaye’s eyes as he looked at the wall and thought of the space.It suggests that l’Abbaye
was planning to use the space in a way different from what Bartoli thought.
2.
In para 11,l’Abbaye told Bartoli that the portrait would last forever.Since Bartoli did not like the
portrait at all,remembering that would make him feel even worse.
A. 2.
Monsieur Signy l’Abbaye had been a master artist of his day....he also thought about how highly
the artist had been recommended.
3.
...for all of his career of forty-five years,Monsieur l’Abbaye had longed to paint in his own way.
...Monsieur Signy l’Abbaye had hungered to break free of restraints.But the guild,his craft and
livelihood,would never have allowed it.So he followed their rules...

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4.
Perhaps his patron could not tolerate his Cubist expression,but Pablo Picasso would have been
proud of him! If truth be told,Monsieur l’Abbaye wasn’t crazy,not at all.He’d simply been born five
hundred years too early!
B. 1.
Yes,there was another reason why l’Abbaye told Bartoli that he did not have to pose for him.
l’Abbaye had planned to finally paint the way he had always wanted to,but had never got the
chance to.He did not want Bartoli to see how he was painting the portrait,as it was going to be in
a new and different style.
2.
According to l’Abbaye,the painting was taking so long because his teacher Ambrogio Lorenzetti
had taught him how to grind pigment and lay plaster slowly and quickly,and had taught him not
to hurry.He also said that the painting was going to be a buon fresco,which needed four coats of
lime plaster and was time-consuming work.
3.
The masterpiece took six months to finish.It took so long not only because it was a twenty-foot-
tall buon fresco which needed four coats of lime plaster,but also because l’Abbaye had fussed
over it and worked on it for a long time.
4.
At this point,Bartoli was astonished.He also felt furious and disappointed.His mouth fell open,his
eyes turned red and his eyebrows twisted as if he was under a spell.He grabbed the few hairs on
his head,did a little hop and a twitch.
5.
When Bartoli looked at the picture,he felt that l’Abbaye was not an artist because l’Abbaye had
painted the portrait in a completely new and different style from what was popular at that time.
Bartoli could not appreciate the style at all.He called him a thief because he thought l’Abbaye was
trying to take his money without painting a proper portrait.He called him a madman because his
style was so different from what Bartoli was used to that he could not understand why l’Abbaye
had painted that way.
C. 2. Bartoli agreed to the terms set down by l’Abbaye although he found the terms strange.
3.
He had no idea how or in what style l’Abbaye was painting his portrait and could not stop or
influence l’Abbaye.
4. He did not like l’Abbaye’s work at all,and l’Abbaye’s unique talent could not be appreciated.
Free response.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):
This story features suspense as we have to wait to find out,like Bartoli,why l’Abbaye does not wish his
work in progress to be seen.We do not know how he is painting the portrait—what it looks like—till the
very end.Like Bartoli,we feel curious and impatient to know more about the hidden portrait.At the end,
when we understand what happened and why,we feel surprised and amused.We cannot guess that
l’Abbaye would paint in such an unusual style,so the revelation would come as a surprise.It would also
be amusing because of how Bartoli reacts to the portrait.We may also feel impressed to realise how much
ahead of his time l’Abbaye was.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. After,for 3. behind 4. in / after 5. at,towards 6. in,till 7. over
8. from,with

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B. 2. Taxi drivers locate places easily by means of GPS.
3. She paid Rs 100 as service charges at the restaurant in addition to the bill.
4. Instead of Kodaikanal—if it is too far—we can go to Ooty.
5. On account of the severe heat,the school will remain closed for a week.
Words in Use
A. 1. retire 2. continued 3. longed 4. reveal 5. withdrew 6. tolerate
B. 1. give his imagination wings 2. If truth be told 3. my heart’s content
4. sighing deeply 5. No matter what 6. to break free 7. last forever
Listening
Have you got all your things ready? Good.Now please pay attention to some basic instructions.First,you
have to mix the plaster-of-Paris in water—two parts plaster-of-Paris to one part water.Please check the
mixing ratios on the package you have as they may vary among different brands.You have to add the
plaster slowly while stirring,so that it mixes in thoroughly.The mixture should not be watery but still thin
enough to pour slowly off a spoon.The thinner the mixture the longer it takes to dry.After your cast or
mould is dry,paint the finished plaster with acrylic paints.Plaster-of-Paris is porous,so avoid water-based
paints if you want bold colours.Seal finished pieces with a clear gloss or matte paint if desired.Finally,
remember to wipe the mixing bowls and spoons immediately after use.And most important,please
listen! Avoid pouring unused plaster down the sink as it may clog the drains as it hardens.
a. 2 b. 4 c. 6 d. 5 e. 1 f. 3
Writing
Sample answer:
What a day! Had just finished the portrait when Bartoli marched in,demanding to see it.This time,
I didn’t need to send him away with some excuse.I was ready to show him the buon fresco.It was looking
great—completely different from the styles I have had to follow for so long.I just hoped that Bartoli
would have some sense of creativity,or at least,some faith in my ability,so that he would accept the
portrait in good grace.And if I was lucky,maybe he would be as excited about the new style as I was.
But of course,I hoped for too much.When he did see it! What was the reaction?! You should have seen his
face! He hopped,he twitched,he called me a thief,madman and who knows what else! And why? Simply
because he did not have the sense to see how brilliant it was.Too bad that my patron had been expecting
something like the same old paintings that he had seen all his life.This is why I have never been able to
paint as I wish.Because people like Bartoli and those at the guild have no imagination—they cannot
appreciate something new and interesting and brave.Well,I don’t care.I am proud of what I have done.If I
get the chance,I will do it again.Someday,I am sure,the world will recognise the true worth of my unique
style.

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Appreciating the Poem
Rhyme:dream – seem; stars – bazaars; knowing –
blowing; weather- altogether; wands – vagabonds.
Alliteration: maps-mightier;Than – they;Where-
winds;Wind – weather.
Repetition: maps
Figure of Speech:
Metaphor:Maps are magic wands (Maps are
compared to magic wands because of their power
to take us to strange lands in our imagination.)
Juxtaposition: Home-staying vagabonds (People
staying at home can wander from place to place in
their imagination with the help of maps.)
Post-Reading
Activity (optional)
Form 2 groups
●
● Let each group draw a map to guide the other group from one place to another on the school
campus.It can be a deviated route to confuse the pathfinders!
●
● Switch maps and find the place you have to reach on the map drawn by the other group.
Remember,you have to follow the route in the map,ticking off the places mentioned en route.
QUESTION BANK WITH ANSWER KEY
MAPS
Answer in detail.
How does the poet glorify a map in the poem?
The poet brings out the importance of a map,which no one realises is inevitable for our day to day
movements.One usually considers a map an insignificant piece of paper but the poet says it is much
more mightier than what it projects itself to be.It is most powerful as it is required to navigate the ship,
direct the trains and move on the roads.Maps are like magic wands to people who travel a lot and
explore new places in the world.This way,the poet feels maps help in fulfilling adventurous dreams and
exciting travels.
MAPS
Understanding the Poem
1.
Maps help us to dream happily of unknown places and unseen things.They help us plan and go on
exciting adventures.They make us feel fascinated about every place we can travel to and discover.
That is how they are related to high adventure and bright dreams.

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2. Maps remind the speaker of ships,stars,markets,ice floes and aeroplanes.
3. The speaker mentions train maps,maps of wind and weather,and road maps.
4. a.
Maps have been called magic wands because they seem to have a magical power similar to magic
wands.Magic wands can easily transport us elsewhere or change one thing into another.Maps
can help us imagine different places so well that it feels as if we are there,and they can make
ordinary things like ice and markets feel wonderful and exciting because they are far away and
unknown.
b.
A person who stays at home can be a vagabond—he or she can travel to different places—by
reading about and imagining different places.In one’s imagination,one can move from markets
to ice floes,ships to aeroplanes in a matter of seconds,all the while sitting at home.And maps can
help one do that.
1. a.
Maps may not seem very mighty at first because a map may just look like a piece of paper with
some lines drawn and some names written on it.
b.
The poem argues that maps are,in fact,important,as they give us information about trains,
roads,wind and weather.Without this information,we wouldn’t be able to know so much
about different places.Maps are also magical because they help us imagine things that are not
mentioned in the maps themselves but can be found in the places that the maps mention,such
as ships and strange markets and ice floes.
2.
The line‘Ships that follow leaning stars’draws a picture of ships sailing under a night sky full
of stars,as if the stars are showing the way to the ships.This adds an element of mystery and
adventure to the ships.The line‘Red and gold of strange bazaars’uses three words to make
markets sound attractive—strange (we think of unknown and unseen bazaars rather than those
we have seen already),red and gold (What could be the things that have these bright colours and
are sold at these markets?).It also uses the word,bazaar,rather than,market,to make it sound a
little more unfamiliar and curious.‘Ice floes hid beyond all knowing’makes us imagine a strange,
wintry land where many big things are hidden from sight and are waiting to be discovered by us.
Finally,the line‘Planes that ride where winds are blowing!’reminds us that aeroplanes travel to
many different places,as if carried there by winds like paper-planes,and there will always be new
places to discover.
3.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):A book or a painting may look simple and humble
on the surface,but it can fire our imagination by talking about or showing us strange,wonderful
or even imaginary places,people and things.
Going Further
Free response.

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What was Nanny’s explanation for appendicitis?

Nanny had no idea what an appendix was or its function.When the speaker asked why it was in the
body,she gave her usual reply that God worked in his mysterious ways and there was no answer to
that.She also did not have an answer to what caused appendicitis but said without any hesitation
that it was caused by loose toothbrush bristles,that came off the brush while one brushed,and
travelled into the body and got stuck in the appendix and infected it.
4. Think and answer.

Why do you think the Matron or the resident doctor could not guess that the speaker was feigning
sickness?
[Free response] Suggested answer:The speaker was acting well enough to pull off the pretence.He had
seen his sister suffer from appendicitis and knew the symptoms.When the Matron and the resident
doctor examined him,he reacted in a way that confirmed the condition.This led them to believe
that he was indeed suffering from appendicitis.It could also be that they were not aware that he was
miserably homesick.
HOMESICKNESS
1.
In paras 1,3 and 4,the writer makes it sound as if he is speaking directly to the reader by addressing
the reader directly as‘you’(‘You don’t know...’,‘You will probably think...’,‘You might...’).He uses
this style of writing to make it feel as if he is telling the reader an anecdote; as if he is chatting or
conversing with the reader personally.
2.
In the second part of para 9 it is the voice of a grown-up talking about the past.The second part says
‘which was her stock reply whenever she did not know the answer’.This is not how the writer,as a
child,felt about his Nanny.He came to understand this only when he grew up.
3.
No,the writer does not admit directly that in his childhood the Matron was a scary figure.
He expresses it with the single word‘even’(‘I did not even feel frightened...’).It tells us that normally,
he did feel frightened of the Matron,and was proud to be unafraid of her on this occasion.
4.
The description that the writer exaggerates in para 25 is‘I let out a cry that rattled the windowpanes.’
This is an exaggeration as he cannot possibly have cried so loudly.He exaggerates this description
because he is trying to tell us how loud he sounded to himself,how loud he tried to cry and to add to
the comic effect.
5.
The words used by the writer in paras 35-41 to describe how he was speaking and acting are‘blurted
out’,‘kept silent’,‘nodded miserably’and‘asked him,trembling’.These words tell us that he was
alarmed that Dr Dunbar had seen through his act; he was nervous about how Dr Dunbar would react;
and that he wanted to go home.

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A. 1.
The speaker thought that he might sound silly for thinking that as a nine-year-old he could make
a number of grown-ups believe that he had appendicitis when he did not and thus get sent home
from school.He argued that he was,in fact,not silly,by explaining that not long before,one of his
sisters had actually had appendicitis,and he had observed closely how she behaved—how she
hurt on the lower right side of her tummy,kept being sick and ran a temperature.So he knew
exactly how to pretend to be ill so that he would be believed.
2.
The speaker and his sisters were very excited about the event of an operation inside their home.
They lurked in the corridor outside the nursery while the operation was going on.They stood
fascinated outside the nursery door,listening to the soft murmurs that could be heard from
inside.They could smell the ether through the crack under the door and imagined what the
patient might be looking like.
3.
The adults in this story are the speaker’s Nanny,the school Matron,the school doctor,the
speaker’s mother and Dr Dunbar.The speaker,as a child,admired Nanny as being very wise,and
believed everything she told him.This could be because she had a ready reply for every question.
He was rather afraid of the school Matron.It could be because she was rather stern with him.He
loved his mother and wanted to go home to her.He also admired Dr Dunbar greatly because Dr
Dunbar was a skilful doctor as well as a wise and kind person.He listened to his advice and was
grateful to Dr Dunbar for helping him.
4.
Dr Dunbar taught the speaker a lesson by pointing out that life is tough and the sooner he
learned to cope with it,the better it would be for him.He explained why the speaker needed to
face his homesickness.At the same time,he was kind,understanding and sympathetic.He told the
school that the speaker had to stay at home for a few days so that the speaker’s plan was not a
complete failure and he did get to spend some time with his family.
B. 1. a.
The speaker had asked his Nanny what causes an attack of appendicitis and she had said that
if loose toothbrush bristles were swallowed,then they get stuck in the appendix and turn it
rotten.That is why he would get nervous if he found a loose toothbrush bristle on his tongue.
b.
From this statement it is clear that the speaker had great faith in his Nanny’s wisdom.
He believed whatever she told him.The other words that show his attitude towards his Nanny
are‘Nanny,who in my eyes was filled with more wisdom than Solomon...’
2. a. The Matron’s room in the speaker’s school is being referred to here.
b.
The speaker was pretending to have an attack of appendicitis.He had observed his sister,who
had really had such an attack,and she had complained of pain in the lower right side of her
tummy.That is why he was clutching his stomach on the right-hand side.
c.
The speaker was staggering pathetically because he was pretending to be in great pain.He
was putting on an act of being very ill—so ill that he could not eat or walk properly.
3. a. The clincher was the speaker’s (false) report to the Matron that he had been sick all morning.
b.
Here,the word‘clincher’means the final argument or statement that would decide the case.
It is because the speaker said that he had been sick that the Matron finally began to believe
him.
4.
Dr Dunbar said this because he had understood that the speaker had lied and pretended to be
sick in order to come back home.He knew that the speaker may be homesick again,or face other
problems at school,but he had to be strong and face them bravely.

35
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):Yes,after this incident,the speaker would be able to
bear his homesickness more bravely.He would not be so miserable and would not try so hard to
come back home.Free response.
a.
The three most important scenes that the speaker remembers are the scene of his sister’s operation
inside their house,with he and his other sisters waiting outside the door (paras 4-5); the scene inside
the school Matron’s room where he pretended to be ill and tried to make the Matron believe that he
was having an attack of appendicitis (paras 17-31); and the scene in Dr Dunbar’s chamber in Cardiff
where Dr Dunbar saw through his acting and told him that although he could stay at home for a few
days,he would have to be braver from then on (paras 33-43).
b. Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):
The speaker’s conversation with his Nanny was quite amusing because the speaker believed his Nanny
when she told him that toothbrush bristles could make his appendix go bad and remained nervous
about them for a long time.His plan to get out of school by faking an attack of appendicitis was also quite
funny,as it showed him to be a clever,mischievous and imaginative boy.The scene where the speaker
went to the Matron’s room is very amusing because he put on an elaborate act of being in pain and made
everything out to be particularly awful;for example,how he stumbled and moaned to make it look like he
was ill,how he screamed so that it rattled the windowpanes and his claim that he had not eaten anything.
His pretending to be ill when he was actually feeling delighted and thankful to be going home also paints
a very amusing picture of the speaker as a child.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. surprising 3. frightening 4. interested 5. relaxed 6. exciting
B. 2. relative clause:that is known for selling good spices; noun phrase:the shop
3. relative clause:who works hard to support a large family; noun:Gomti
4. relative clause:who lose their passports; noun:people
5. relative clause:where there is a beautiful greenhouse; noun phrase:a large park
6. relative clause:who has won the Nobel Prize; noun phrase:the famous author
C. 2. Is this the book that you borrowed from the library?
3. We enjoyed the visit to the art museum where you can see some amazing sculptures.
4. Further north is our family home,which was built by my great grandfather.
5. On Nandi Hill there is an old bungalow where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed.
6. We need time to get to Jodhpur,which is quite some distance away.
Words in Use
A. 2. f,iv 3. b,vi 4. c,iii 5. a,ii 6. e,i
B. Sample answers:
2. He had a bright idea of faking appendicitis.
3. He had paid close attention to the symptoms when his sister had appendicitis.
4. It was common knowledge that Matron was a trained nurse.

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5. She had a stock phrase for each of the questions.
6. He may have suffered severe punishment.
Writing
Sample answer:
Dear Dr Dunbar,
I write to thank you for helping me that day in Cardiff.I may have got into great trouble with the school if
they had found out that I was faking my illness.
Thank you also,for explaining to me why I need to be braver and more patient.I will try to keep in mind
everything you said.I understand that I cannot do something like that again.
Now that I am back in school,I do not find it so awful.Since I could be with my mother for a few days,
I feel less homesick.I write to her regularly.I told her what had really happened.I am beginning to take
part in the school games and I have also made a few friends.I hope to see you when I go home in the
holidays.
Yours sincerely,
Roald

38
Rhyme:Every two lines rhyme with each other as in
couplets:feet-street; roam-home; shed-dead; kings-
things; sow-go; wait-fate. The rhyme-scheme is aa,
bb,cc,dd,ee,ff.
Alliteration:Where-voice-wind-wandering;
simple-sorrowful; where-wind-wandering-we
Repetition:echoing-echoing; what…shall we…?,
what…shall we…?,No…bids us…,No…bids us…,
the voice of…,the voice of…
Connotative Expressions:
Words associated with royalty:Sword,battles,crown,
kings,cities
Words associated with wandering singers: Wind,
forest,lute,street
Theme: Detachment from worldly ways can bring
joy.
Post-reading
Discussion:
Form two groups.
●
● Group 1:Make a collage of a few people whose inventions have made our lives more comfortable.
●
● Group 2:Make a collage of a few people whose ideas have made our lives more spiritual.
●
● Spokespersons from each group can talk about the benefits of the two attitudes to life.
QUESTION BANK WITH ANSWER KEY
WANDERING SINGERS
Answer in brief.
What quality of the wandering singers is reflected throughout in the poem?
The poem expresses the lonely,nomadic and selfless life of the wandering singers.They move about
everywhere singing forever for others.They are not attached to anyone in particular.Everyone around
them is family to them.The sole purpose of their life is to spread love and happiness,singing songs of long
lost things.They have no expectations for themselves and move about wherever the wind takes them.
WANDERING SINGERS
1. ‘With lutes in our hands ever-singing we roam’
2.
Although the wandering singers do not have any permanent home or family,they do not show any
sadness about it.In the line‘All men are our kindred,the world is our home’,the wandering singers tell

39
us that they consider everyone their family and the whole world their home.So they feel a bond with
everyone and at home anywhere and everywhere.
3.
The wandering singers sing about cities which were once great and famous,about the laughter and
beauty of women who died long ago,old battles and kings and of different happy,simple and sad
things.
a.
In terms of knowledge,listeners can learn something of history and folklore from the wandering
singers’songs,as they sing of cities,battles,women and kings from the past.
b.
In terms of mood,the listeners can feel fascination,curiosity,admiration,sadness and excitement
as they hear about cities that used to be grand,women who were happy and beautiful,battles
that were bravely fought and kings who were great,but none of whom exist anymore.
4.
The wandering singers do not wait anywhere because no close ties or loving relationships make
them stay on at a particular place.Their happiness is not associated with a particular place where they
might want to wait.Instead,the wind,as it moves freely from one place to another,seems to call to
the wandering singers to follow it.The sound of the wind feels like a voice to the singers,calling out to
them to travel to one place one day and another place the next day.Their destinations keep changing,
like the wind.So they keep moving from one place to another.
1.
This poem is written in first person plural—‘we’.The poet did not use‘I’because the poem is about a
group of wandering singers—not any specific group,but any or all wandering singers.She does not
use‘they’because she wants it to seem as if the wandering singers are speaking to the reader directly,
telling the readers their own story in their own words,rather than someone else talking about the
singers.
2.
The words‘wander’and‘roam’mean walk or move in a relaxed,unhurried manner,with no fixed
purpose.The words‘march’and‘stride’mean to walk quickly and with a purpose,in a specific direction.
The first two words have been used instead of the others because the wandering singers are never in
a hurry; they have no fixed destination or place to reach.They move in a relaxed pace,going wherever
they feel like going,free to change direction as often as the wind.
3. The rhyme scheme of this poem is aa bb cc dd ee ff.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):The poem does sound like a song when read aloud.
4.
Yes,these repetitions are particularly suitable for a poem about singing because these words bring
a lyrical quality to the poem.They remind the reader of different things associated with sounds and
music,such as echoes,voices and the wind,which also has songs of its own.
5. a. i and iii contribute to the sorrowful mood of the poem.ii and iv contribute to the happiness.
b.
v helps to make the figures of the wandering singers look timeless—the singers have always
travelled and will always travel; even when some singers stop,others take their place,so that it
seems as if the singers belong to every age and do not change or disappear with time.
Going Further
Free response.

47
There were no draws or eliminations.Only one of them could win.They had to rise above their
friendship and had to face each other in the boxing combat.
b. How did not seeing each other till the match help both the friends?

The boxing match was an important one for both Antonio and Felix.As it was a deciding
match,they both had to work hard to win.As they kept away from each other,they were able to
concentrate on the bout without allowing their sentiments to get the better of them.On the day
of the match,they faced each other as opponents and not as friends.
Describe the confrontation between the friends in the boxing ring?

Antonio and Felix were escorted to the ring by friends and fans.Both were great friends but in the
ring they had to confront each other like worthy opponents.The outcome had to be decisive.Both
Felix and Antonio threw punches without breaking the rules of the game.They did not let their
friendship come in the way of their fight.At one point Felix rushed into Antonio like a bull; Antonio
in turn gave Felix a barrage of punches.It was a perfect fight witnessed by the crowd gathered there.
Once the fight was over,they did not wait for the results.It did not matter to them.They just left the
ring arm in arm,exhibiting true friendship.
4. Think and answer:
Both Felix and Antonio were mature and sensible.Justify.

[Free response] Suggested answer:From the text we can understand that both Felix and Antonio
were young boys.But both seemed to know what sportsmanship was as they were well prepared
to confront each other in the boxing ring for a decisive fight though they were best friends.Both
sensibly thought over the situation and decided not to see each other till the fight as they did not
want their friendship to distract them from their goal.They were mature enough to understand that
friendship should not interfere with competitions.
THE FIGHT
1.
‘ain’t’,‘hermano’,‘gotta be like’,‘don’t cha’,‘Sí’.The use of these words add a local flavour to the story and
also makes it feel more real,because this is how people talk in real life.
Sample paraphrasing:
“Same here.It isn’t natural to not think about the fight....There isn’t any draw in the eliminations.”
...“Tony,let’s promise something right here.All right?”
“If it’s fair,brother,I’ll agree to it.”

“It’s fair,Tony.When we get into the ring,it must be as if we have never met.We must act and fight like
two strangers who want the same thing and only one can have it.You understand,don’t you?”

48
“Yes,I know,”Tony smiled.“No pulling punches.We will fight sincerely and thoroughly.”
2.
‘Antonio danced,a joy to behold...like a piston pumping jabs...with seeming ease.Felix bobbed and
weaved...boring in’
3.
‘The sounds of their blows were loud in contrast to the silence of a crowd gone completely mute...
The bell sounded over and over again.Felix and Antonio were past hearing.Their blows continued to
pound on each other like hailstones...A cry of alarm surged through Tompkins Square Park...The fear
soon gave way to wave upon wave of cheering as the two amigos embraced...’The crowd was silent
because they were tense and eager to see the end of the fight; the loudness of the blows stressed the
intensity of the fight.The bell sounding again and again showed how absorbed the fighters were in
the fight.The cry of alarm showed that the silence of the crowd had given way to an anxiety about
the safety of the fighters.Their cheering showed both their relief and their gladness to see that the
fighters were as great friends as ever.
A. 1. b 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. c
B. 1. a. Antonio and Felix were running along a river’s edge.
b.
Both Antonio and Felix must have been feeling rather awkward and uncertain at this point.
They knew they were going to fight each other in a few days.They were both wondering how
the fight might affect their friendship and how they should interact with each other.Antonio
looked at Felix to see how he might be feeling.Felix looked purposely ahead because he was
not ready to face Antonio yet.
2. a.
The speaker and the listener—Antonio and Felix—agreed not to see each other till the day of
their fight.They decided this because they thought it would be a good idea to face each other
directly at the fight as competitors,rather than keep meeting as friends before the fight.
b.
They also agreed to face each other at the fight as two strangers who want the same thing—
to fight equally,without trying to spare the other or letting their friendship come in the way of
the fight.
3. a. The referee said this to the two fighters—Antonio and Felix.
b.
In this context,‘a clean fight’means a match fought fairly and honestly,where each fighter tries
his best and none tries to defeat the other by any unfair means.
c.
Yes,the fight that followed was a clean fight as both fighters fought as hard as they could.
They did not try to spare each other because they were friends.In fact,they were only
concerned with putting up a good fight,so they did not even wait to hear the result.
4. a. Felix was in the ring,fighting a boxing match with Antonio.
b.
He might have had doubts about their friendship affecting their fight because he and
Antonio were great friends.When they had learned that they were going to fight each
other, they had been wondering whether their friendship was going to affect their fight
(or vice versa)—whether they would fight less hard, try not to hurt each other or try to
make the other person win.
c.
If Felix had any doubt,it was being dispelled by the way Antonio was fighting and hitting back
at him.Antonio was not pulling punches at all,and neither was Felix himself.

49
1.
From this text,‘sportsmanship’seems to mean the quality of participating in a sport honestly and to
the best of one’s abilities.It means the spirit of fairness where the sportsperson does not let other
emotions,even positive emotions like affection,affect his performance.Yes,the two boxers were good
sportsmen.We know this because they fought as well as they could,without letting their friendship
affect their fight.They did not even wait to hear the result because winning was not as important as
fighting fairly.
2. a.
The unanswered question at the end of the story is who won the match. In spite of not
knowing this, we get a sense of satisfaction as we see that Antonio and Felix remain great
friends.
b.
At the end of this story, after fighting as hard as they could, the two fighters hugged each other
and left the ring together, without waiting to know who had won the match.This proved that
what mattered the most to the two boys was boxing itself—the importance of fighting well—
and their friendship.They did not care to find out who had won the match.The question was
left unanswered to stress the importance of friendship and sportsmanship over success and
failure.
Grammar and Usage
2. In case there is any help you need,please call me at once.
3. He visited us before he went away on war duty.
4. I gave my mother a big hug as though I hadn’t seen her for weeks.
5. Since the time we moved to Chennai,I haven’t been to the beach.
6. Wherever we go,we find shops selling mobile phones.
7. They won’t allow you inside the airport unless you have your ID proof.
8. Although she waited patiently,she couldn’t cross the busy road.
Words in Use
A. Sample answers:
1. I practise violin regularly because I am an aspiring musician.
2. I purposely keep my alarm clock away from my bed so that I have to get up to stop it.
3. I learned from the school grapevine that a sports celebrity is about to visit our school.
4. The annual festival in our local drama club hosted many dignitaries.
5. We went to see the first solo exhibition of an emerging artist.
B. Sample answers:
2. a. how the crowd reacted when the two boxers climbed into the ring
b. how the audience reacted when the name of the first prize winner was announced
3. a. how Felix hit Antonio
b. how one cat fought with another cat

50
4. a. how Antonio fought back
b. how the student replied to another student during the debate
5. a. how Antonio’s movements looked during the fight
b. the sight of the flowers swaying in the breeze
6. a. how the crowd reacted when the fight continued evenly
b. a character in a video game
Writing
Sample answer:
A Fight to Remember
At last! After days of suspense and training,the finals were held today.The days of practice felt pretty
tough—not because the training was extra hard,this being a super important match—but because
I was going to face my best friend in the ring! At first I didn’t know what to do—how to go about it.
Then I told myself I must be honest as a fighter.I must fight as well as I can.To pull punches would also be
disrespectful to my friend,as if I thought he wouldn’t be able to match my skills.I tried to clear my head
as I walked up to the ring.Once the bell sounded,I thought of nothing but the fight,and I could see that
my amigo was doing the same.What a fight! What a fight! No matter how many matches I take part in
in my whole life,I shall always remember this one.What a joy it was to fight with such a partner! My love
and respect for that boy has gone up even higher.By the time the bell sounded at the end,we did not
care at all for the prize.The fight had been complete in itself—the satisfaction of having fought so well,
so equally,and that too with each other,was the best reward either of us could hope for.That’s why we
didn’t feel like waiting to hear the name of the winner.As far as we are concerned,the real winner is our
friendship!
#friendship,#finals,#onthewaytoGoldenGloves,#fightofourlives

59
2. Answer in brief.
a. How did the team finally locate the injured elephant?

The injured elephant,along with the herd,was constantly moving,making it extremely difficult
for the team to find its location.They had to take the help of the villagers,when they met a young
man belonging to one of the local tribes who offered to take them to the elephant as he was
taking cut branches of trees to feed the injured elephant every day.
b. Why did the team ask Subrata to hurry?

Subrata’s experience in tranquilising animals had been restricted to mostly monkeys where time
was not a major factor.Here too,he was taking his own time in getting the syringe ready.The
team had with great difficulty found the injured elephant alone without the herd.It was very
important that they treated the elephant before the herd came back.So,the team asked him to
hurry.
How did the team finally give medical support to the injured elephant?

It was extremely difficult for the team to first locate the injured animal as it was moving with the herd
and making it impossible for them to separate it from the herd and treat it.Later,with the help of the
villagers,they drove the herd away and isolated the injured animal.After some initial difficulty the
elephant was successfully tranquilised.The vet cut across the swollen part of the leg that brought out
the black blood from the large abscess.The animal was then given a shot of long-acting antibiotic.
There were a few tense moments for the team as the elephant took a little more time than usual to
revive.After confirming that the elephant was in a deep sleep,the team left the place.
4. Think and answer (Answer in brief).

Do you think a veterinarian treating animals needs to be much more skilful than a physician treating
humans? Why? Why not?

[Free response] Suggested answer:It is important to have the support and cooperation of the patient
to treat them.Veterinarians have to treat animals.Animals can become fierce and unmanageable.One
needs to exercise extreme caution and skill while treating them.Physicians who treat humans may
not face similar issues and they speak the same language.Mostly human patients cooperate as they
understand what the doctor wants and hence treating them becomes easy.
VET IN THE FOREST
1.
In the opening paragraph,the writer answers the questions what (help needed),where (East
Medinipur forest),when (March 1991),why (injured animal) and who (forest division,young elephant).
He begins with these details because he wants to report facts and information relevant to an event.

60
2.
In para 12,the writer reminds us that he was not doing any actual work by saying that he‘followed to
provide moral support and advice’rather than to do any specific work.He said the same thing in para
2 when he called himself a‘hanger-on’.
3.
The audience were the villagers who were watching the vet’s team from a distance.The writer shows
his awareness of this audience in para 15 by saying that the bandage was more for visual effect than a
part of the treatment.
A. 1.
There were three men in the team that went to Bishnupur forest—SC De,Chief Wildlife Warden of
the state; Subrata Choudhuri,an officer specialising in tranquilising animals; and the speaker.They
went to the forest to treat an injured elephant.A veterinary officer (who had no experience of
treating elephants) joined them afterwards.
2.
The herd was chased away by a group of villagers who shouted and burst crackers.The herd had
to be chased away so that the injured animal could be separated from it.The injured elephant
could be treated only if it was alone.
3. a. The patient was an injured elephant.
b.
The speaker's team needed help to locate the patient—the injured elephant—because it had
been moving constantly with the herd and the speaker’s team did not know where exactly the
elephant was.
c. The word‘enthusiastic’tells us that the villagers were very willing to help.
4. a.
They—they speaker’s team—quickened their pace.They were following the injured elephant
which had begun moving more quickly because it had been pricked by the dart.
b.
The injured elephant lay on its side.Subrata had fired a dart gun with a tranquiliser at the
elephant.The medicine took effect in five minutes and the elephant fell over and lay down.
5.
The vet made a deep cut across the swollen part of the elephant’s leg.It brought out a flow
of black blood.Then he treated the leg,gave the animal a shot of long-acting antibiotic,and
bandaged the leg.He also gave an antidote to the elephant,which would revive it.
6.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):No,the speaker and his team were not irresponsible.
Although they wanted to stay around for the elephant’s revival,they could not have done that
because there was no tree that was strong enough to support a machan where the team could
spend the night.And it would have been very difficult to spend the night on the ground with
about fifty wild elephants nearby.
B. 1. c 2. b 3. b 4. c 5. a
a.
facts and details like place,time and people involved and clear description of the events and relevant
action
b.
At first,the team did not know where the injured elephant was or how to locate it.Then,a young
man approached them and said he knew where the elephant was—he had been taking food to the
elephant.The next problem was to separate the injured elephant from its herd so that it could be
treated.After some discussion,the team decided to chase the herd away so that the injured elephant
would lag behind.The villagers helped the team by shouting and bursting crackers so that the herd
ran away.Now,the team needed to locate the injured elephant.Again,the villagers helped them by

61
finding the elephant.Finally,when the team had treated the elephant,they were worried because the
elephant did not wake up when it was supposed to.The villagers helped by bringing buckets of water
from a nearby stream to pour on the drugged animal to keep its body temperature down.Eventually,
the team had to leave the spot because they could not stay near the elephant,although they would
have preferred to.Later,they heard that the elephant had revived in the night and the herd had taken
it away.
c.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):Yes,this problem-solution style of writing does
contribute to the suspense in the text.It makes us wonder how each new problem may be solved,
whether they will be able to treat the elephant at all,whether they will come face to face with the
herd of wild elephants,and so on.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. e We may not reach Mangalore by tomorrow if the airline strike continues.
3. d We shall consult an expert if the building develops more cracks.
4. f Quick! If you don’t take it off the fire,the curry will burn.
5. a Not a problem! If you don’t like the shirt,we will exchange it for another one.
6. c Priya will explain the rules to you if you are going to be on the team.
B. 2. If I was sure of my maths grade,I would certainly apply for engineering.
3. If it rained,it could ruin our picnic.
4. If you planned your homework better,you would have time for a game of tennis.
C. 2. If there is a flood,he will lose his crop.
3. If she got a distinction,she would get a scholarship.
4. I would have been ready if I had known when you were coming.
Words in Use
A. 1. enormously 2. methodically 3. visibly 4. accordingly 5. frighteningly
6. reluctantly
B. chased,lag,fleeing
C. elevation,depression
Listening
Teacher:
Good morning,children.Our topic this morning is Asian and African elephants.There are
many differences between them.The African elephant is much larger.They can be as tall as 4
metres.
Rani:
People say that an African elephant’s ears are like a map of Africa and the Asian elephant’s
ears are smaller,like the shape of India.
Teacher:
Yes,Rani,that’s true.The African beast’s ears are much bigger.Also,African elephants have
more rounded heads,while Asian elephants have a twin-domed head—that is,an Asian
elephant’s head looks like it has two domes with an indent in the middle.
Rajiv: Do all elephants have tusks?

62
Teacher:
All African elephants,male and female,can have tusks,whereas only some male Asian
elephants have tusks.Can you see any other difference?
Rani: The trunks look different too…
Teacher:
Clever girl! Yes,the tip of the trunk is also an important difference between the two kinds of
elephants.The African elephant’s trunk has two bumps or‘fingers’which it uses to pick up and
move objects.The Asian elephant has only one‘finger’.
Rani: What do they eat?
Rajiv: I think they eat a lot of grass.
Teacher:
That is correct.Both species of elephant eat different kinds of plants.However,the Asian
elephant tends to eat more grass and the African elephant more leaves.
1. the African elephant
2. the Asian elephant
Writing
Free response.

65
A Sea Of Foliage
1.
This poem describes a garden as seen in the morning and at night.We know this because the poem
describes the different shades of green visible in the garden.These different shades—from light green
to grey to deep green—can be distinguished only in daylight.The poem also describes the sight of
the moon visible through the bamboo trees,which is a night scene.
2. a.
There is so much foliage and greenery in the garden that it looks like a vast,green sea.
The different shades and levels of the foliage seem like the waves of the sea.
b.
The sea is not a dull,unvaried green because the foliage consists of the greenery of different kinds
of trees,with different shades of green or even other colours.The tamarind tree is light green
whereas the mango trees are dark green and the seemul trees look red.
c.
The variation in the green colour of the foliage makes the garden look beautiful.It fascinates and
pleases the speaker to look at it.
3.
The speaker considers the scene among the bamboos the loveliest spot in the garden because the
bright moon looking through the dark trees appears particularly beautiful.The silvery light of the
moon makes the white lotus look like a silver cup,and everything seems to take on a magical shade.
This beauty of the garden at that time makes the speaker gaze at it in fascination,feeling almost dizzy
with wonder.
4.
This line means that in the moonlight,the round,white lotus seems to shine so that it looks like a cup
made of silver.
1. a. This simile points at the tallness and straightness of the palm trees.
b.
Another simile in the first stanza of the poem is‘o’er the quiet pools the seemuls lean,/ Red-
red,and startling like a trumpet’s sound.’This means that the seemul trees lean over the quiet
pools of water,red in colour,and presenting a contrast to the green around them.This contrast
and difference may surprise someone looking at and around the garden,just as the sound of a
trumpet can surprise or startle someone who is not expecting it.What is unusual about this simile
is that it compares a sight to a sound,instead of to another sight.
2.
This poem asks us to look around the garden from one side to another as it points at the different
trees standing side by side,from the tamarind to the mango to the seemuls.It also begins by saying
that the foliage surrounds the garden on all sides,so that to see the foliage,we have to look all
around.It then talks about the moon in the sky visible through the bamboo trees and goes on to
describe the white lotus floating on a pool of water,thus making us look from the sky above to the
ground below.
3. a and c.
Going Further
Free response.

76
b. Why did Bobby want to go with his father to the moon in the rocket?

Bobby was always fascinated by the rocket and would secretly go near the laboratory to have
a peek at it through the grating in the floor.The moment he thought his father was going to
the moon,he wanted to join him.He felt his parents would be proud of his brave act and so he
wanted to surprise them.
What tells you that Bobby was greatly fascinated by rockets?

Bobby’s father was a top scientist and Bobby grew up in an environment which was filled with
secrecy,surprises and excitement.His fascination for rockets is clear because he had his own space
rocket in the backyard with seats and an instrument panel.He discovered a way to see the real rocket
through the secret passage.He had to climb down into the sewers and reach the big drome where
they were building the rocket.He was so impressed looking at the beautiful shiny rocket that he
wanted to join his father on the journey to the moon in the rocket.He was not aware of the perils of
travelling in the rocket without proper training and protection.

Do you think Bobby came back because he was truly concerned about his mother? Justify your
answer.

[Free response] Suggested answer:Bobby was a young boy who innocently thought he would make
his parents proud by going to the moon along with his father.He wanted to keep that a secret and
took all risks to settle himself inside the rocket.Although the reason he gave was convincing enough,
there is all possibility that he got scared and decided against going in the rocket and came back
home.
ZERO HOUR
1.
‘this was the big day...Bobby shivered deliciously at the thought of it...he didn’t want to talk; not today,
he didn’t.Might spill something secret.Might even let out the big secret.That would be terrible...all
things were secret at Buffalo Flats.So secret that top scientists like his father,John Kendall,didn’t even
discuss them with their families.’
2.
The writer creates a relaxed atmosphere in Bobby’s home.This creates a sense of mystery because the
last time we saw Bobby,he was sitting inside the rocket waiting to go to the moon with his.Yet here,
his father is back at home and we are left to wonder if Bobby went off in the rocket all by himself.
3.
The writer has included the last two paragraphs to add to the sense of irony—it shows us that John
thought his son was only talking about his toy rocket and flying to the moon in play.He did not
understand or guess that Bobby had been inside the real rocket and had almost gone off in it.

77
A. 1. a. Bobby said this to his mother when she asked him his plans for the day.
b.
The listener,Bobby’s mother,thought that Bobby was talking about games—his toy rocket and
make-believe moon missions.
c.
The speaker,Bobby,had a second meaning in mind when he said this.He was really planning
to go the moon in a real rocket.He decided to give his mother a hint though he knew that his
mother would not guess his real plan.
2.
Bobby’s own space rocket was six feet long with two seats and a neat instrument panel.
That morning,Bobby did not spend time on it with real interest.We know that since he fussed
around the rocket just until he could slip away without his mother noticing.He was not interested
in his rocket that morning because he was planning to go to the moon in a real rocket and he was
very excited about that.
3.
One day,as Bobby was peeking up at the rocket from his hiding place,two scientists came
and stood close to where he was hiding.One of them was his father.Bobby listened to their
conversation and realised that the rocket was going to the moon.He did not hear anyone say that
his father was going on the rocket,but he believed it because his father was the second biggest
scientist in the place.The most important scientist was too old to go to the moon,so Bobby felt
confident that his father would.
4.
In paragraph 26,Bobby is sitting inside the rocket.We see him next in the evening,at his home,
in his bed,in paragraph 37.He was there instead of inside the rocket because while hiding inside
the rocket,he thought that if his father went to the moon,he should stay behind to look after his
mother.So,he got down and came back home.
5. a. Bobby said this to his father at night in his bedroom.
b.
The speaker,Bobby,meant that he had gone inside the real rocket and was actually going to
go off to the moon.
c.
The listener,Bobby’s father,thought that Bobby was talking about his toy rocket and a make-
believe mission to the moon.
6. a.
Bobby’s father John thought this when Bobby told him that he had been planning to fly to
the moon.Although Bobby was talking about really going to the moon in the real rocket,John
thought his son was talking about playing at going to the moon in his toy rocket.He thought
Bobby was talking about his‘dream world’.
b.
In this situation,it was the grown-up,Bobby’s father,who thought that he was wiser.However,
he did not really have the fuller and better understanding of the situation.He did not realise
that Bobby had found the real rocket and had been inside it.He had no idea that his son had
almost gone off to the moon and had got down from the rocket just in time.
B. 2. the backyard; the drome where the rocket was kept
3. inside the rocket,go to the moon
4. changes his mind and comes out of the rocket,back home
5. fires the rocket
6. comes back home
7. talk at home about going to the moon and decide to play ball the next day

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1.
‘Zero Hour’is a suitable title for this story because something very important happens at a particular
time in the story.It was the time when Bobby was hiding inside the rocket.He thought that he was
going to the moon with his father.He did not know that his father was not going to the moon.
This particular time was also crucial because in the few minutes before the rocket actually took off,
Bobby thought of his mother and it occurred to him that he should stay behind to look after her.
He got off the rocket.Thus,he did not end up going off to the moon all by himself.
2. a.
We know that Bobby loved and admired his father because when he heard that the rocket was
going to the moon he thought that his father would certainly go to the moon on the rocket—he
was confident that no one was smarter or more suitable than his father to go on the mission.
Later,back home,when he met John,he was glad that he had not gone to the moon since his
father had not gone either,and he looked forward to spending some time with his father the next
day.
b.
We know that Bobby was a brave boy not only because he explored the underground passage
and discovered the rocket,but also because he took the decision to go to the moon.The idea
made him both excited and scared,but he made up his mind to go because he wanted to make
his parents proud.
c.
We know that Bobby was a responsible boy because although he was very excited at the
prospect of going to the moon with his father and had even managed to get into the rocket and
hide inside,he got down from it and came back home because he remembered his mother and
thought that he should stay behind to look after her if his father was going to the moon.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. I am in a hurry to take the bus to Bangalore.
3. She visited the library to borrow some books for her grandparents.
4. It was very kind of him to give up his seat for me.
5. To tell you the truth,I don’t like long road journeys.
B. 2. past participle:exhausted
3. past participle:painted
4. present participle:playing
5. past participles:progressed,stuck
6. present participle:being; past participle:nominated
7. past participle:swollen
8. past participle:fractured; present participle:resting
C. 2. Learning different languages is good for personal development.
3. It is great fun to do indoor ice-skating.
4. All the students will benefit from participating in the summer camp.
5. We are bored with exercising day and night.
6. Teaching young children is a fulfilling career.

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Words in Use
A. 1. b 2. a 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. a
B. 1. Mother said,as she stepped out,“See to it that the fish are fed before you go out to play!”
2. The thought of march-past practice in the blazing sun is too much to bear.
3. After running round the park twice,Reba sat down for a few minutes to get her breath back.
4. ‘Take a deep breath,’I tell myself whenever I feel too angry or nervous.
5.
A film review should mention the subject of the film but it should not give too much away and
spoil the surprise.
Listening
Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory,who was to die on Mount Everest,was asked
why did he want to climb it.He said,“Because it is there.”
Well,space is there,and we’re going to climb it,and the moon and the planets are there,and new hopes
for knowledge and peace are there.And,therefore,as we set sail we ask God’s blessing on the most
hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.
Thank you.
1. b. 2. a. 3. a. 4. c.
Writing
Sample answer:
Today was the big day.I knew it was going to happen today.I had kept this a secret for so long,I felt I
would burst! Father was going to the Moon today; I simply had to go with him.That was my secret plan.
How lucky for me that I had found the way underground just in time—the rocket had not gone off,and
I could find out,without asking anyone,where it was going and when.I still remember hiding under the
grating while Father and the other scientist came to stand near me and talked about the moon mission.
Of course,Father is both terribly smart and very careful.So,he would have never told me about the moon
mission.How awesome that he is involved with such an important mission! I am sure that one of these
days,they will send another rocket to the moon.And then,at least one of us should make the journey.
This time,I almost went off—I got into the rocket,hid in a suitable place and got ready to fly to the moon.
But then I got down and came back home.Why? Well,I remembered at the very last minute that if both
Father and I were to go off to the moon,who would stay with Mom? We couldn’t leave her completely
alone,could we? Well,it was more important for Father to go,so I decided to return to Mom.I got out of
the rocket just in time.It was good that I did,for later that night I realised that Father had not gone to the
moon either.Truth be told,I would have been a bit lonely and a bit scared to go there without him.So it’s
all right.

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FRIENDS AND FLATTERERS
A. 1. a. ...be your friend
b. ...bountiful
c. ...saying that it’s a pity that you are not a king.
2. a. ...supply what you need.
b. ...lessen.
c. ...no longer enjoy your company.
B. 1. a.
The words of flatterers are being referred to here.These words are easy in the sense that they
are spoken easily and freely,without attaching too much meaning or sincerity to them.They can
change as easily as the wind,or disappear when the flatterer does not need the person anymore.
b.
Words are easy,but staying true to words of affection and friendship are harder.Praising
someone is easy,but showing loyalty to that person and supporting that person when he or
she needs it is difficult.
2.
True friends help us when we need them.They share our problems,worries and sorrows—they
cry with us and stay awake with us in hard times.False friends,on the other hand,may flatter us
with easy words.They act as friends only as long as we have enough money to spend; they do not
help us in times of need.When we spend a lot,they flatter us by calling us generous and worthy of
being a king,but if we fall upon hard times,they no longer remain with us.
3.
A flatterer is,in a sense,a foe or an enemy because a flatterer cheats us with false words of
friendship and praise.A flatterer makes use of our resources when we have them,but does not
help us when we face a loss.This way,a flatterer betrays our trust and can set us up for shocks or
disappointments.
4.
The words‘charm’and‘fawn’have similar meanings to‘flatter’.The words‘condemn’and‘criticise’
mean the opposite.
5. ‘flattering foe’
1.
Other examples of inversion in this poem are‘But if fortune once do frown’,‘Use his company no more.’
and‘He with thee doth bear a part’.
2.
Other examples of alliteration in this poem are‘Whilst thou hast wherewith to spend’,‘But if fortune
once do frown’and‘Faithful friend from flattering foe.’
3. a. The speaker sounds disappointed and bitter—as if he has realised the dark side of human nature.
b.
Accordingly,we can guess that the speaker had probably lost money and was being avoided by
his friends.
Going Further
Free response.

90
into the centre of the German group and downed two German planes.As their planes were tiny,
they could maneuver quickly and easily.
b. How was Soviet Union ahead of other countries in recognising female fighter pilots?

Though there were other countries which might have allowed women to fly in their air force,they
served more in transport and support departments.Soviet Union was the first nation to allow
women on combat missions.Nadezhda Popova and Marina Raskova from the Soviet Union with
their remarkable achievements have brought great pride and recognition to women fighter pilots
across the world.
Give a brief account of Nadezhda Popova’s life as a fighter pilot.

Nadezhda Popova ,a commander of the squad who flew nearly 852 of its missions,has left behind
a legacy which female fighter pilots of today could cherish and feel proud of.With the limited
technology that was available,she accomplished much more than what any male pilot could achieve.
She had to command dangerous missions when they sailed through enemy fire,in planes that had
open cockpits,leaving the woman’s face to freeze in the chilly night air.Apart from facing the enemy,
she as a female fighter pilot,had to struggle to earn the respect of her own male counterparts.
Despite all this bravery,however,the female fighter pilots initially struggled to earn the respect of their
brothers in arms.Is this statement true even in modern times? Give reasons for your answer.

[Free response] Suggested answer:Times have changed now.Women are very successful in every
field and they are surpassing men even in fields which were considered only‘men’s domain’.There are
women officers in the Army,Navy and Air Force.Today,there is no need for women to struggle to gain
their respect and recognition.Hence the above statement does not apply to modern times.
[Students may differ in their opinion.Accept any logical answer.]
NIGHT WITCHES
1.
The writer waits until this point to reveal that the regiment was a female unit because till then she
had been talking about the pilots and their bravery.She wanted to draw the attention of the readers
to the courage and efficiency of the pilots before pointing out that they were women.This way,she
stresses that the pilots were just as brave as the bravest of the male pilots.
2.
The writer stresses the heroism of the Night Witches by telling us about the difficult circumstances
they worked in and by giving a specific example where forty-two bullet holes studded a little plane
along with bullet holes in the pilot’s map and helmet. She also tells us the pilot’s casual reaction to
the death-defying experience. She does not express her feelings and opinions but only sticks to a
record of words and events because she is reporting exciting and important events that happened
in real life.

91
A. 1.
The aircraft used by the female fighter pilots were built mainly of plywood and canvas.They were
small and usually reserved for training and crop-dusting.These planes,if hit by bullets,could
burst into flames.One plane could carry only two bombs at a time.A strong wind could toss the
plane about.However,the advantage of these small and flimsy planes was that they could be
manoeuvred quickly and easily.
2.
The people in this situation were making the mistake of thinking that the brave pilot must have
been a man—a brave lad.This shows that the female fighter pilots were an uncommon figure at
that time—the people did not immediately think that the pilot might be a woman.
3.
The female fighter pilots flew their planes at night,often quietly and secretly,running their
engines slowly as they neared their targets,gliding their way to the bomb release points and then
dropping the bombs.Because of this mode of operation,their planes only made soft whooshing
noises as they flew by.This noise sounded like witches’broomsticks to the Germans.That is why
they gave the title‘night witches’to the Soviet female fighter pilots.
4.
Limited technology was available to the Night Witches; they had no radar to navigate their paths
through the night skies—only maps and compasses.They flew only in the dark.They carried no
parachutes.Their craft could burst into flames if hit by bullets.Frequently,they had to fly through
a wall of enemy fire.Each plane flew multiple missions in a night,as the planes could only carry
two bombs at a time.This increased the risk of being shot.The planes had open cockpits,so the
women had to suffer freezing cold.A strong wind could toss their small planes.All these factors
made their missions particularly dangerous.
5. a. Pilot Nadezhda Popova said this to her navigator.
b.
Just before this,Popova and her navigator had completed a flight.They had survived the flight,
but forty-two bullet holes were studding their little plane,with bullet holes in Popova’s map
and helmet.
c.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):The speaker must have said this because she had
a lot of courage and a fine sense of humour.She meant that if they could survive such a flight
where so many bullets struck their plane,maps and even their helmets without killing them,
they were very lucky and would live a long life—they would not die easily.
6. a.
‘All that’refers to the female fighter pilots’bravery and achievements—the thousands of
missions they flew,the bombs they dropped and the challenges they overcame.
b.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):The female fighter pilots decorated their planes
with flowers because along with courage they also had a sense of beauty and wanted to make
the planes which they flew look as nice as possible.
c.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):This indicates a sense of humour.The Night
Witches must have used their navigation pencils as lip colour as a good joke.
B. 1.
Their passage was on its way to being a routine patrol,until the pilots found themselves face to
face with a collection of German bombers.
2.
Other countries,the US among them,may have allowed women to fly as members of their early
air forces; those women,however,served largely in support and transport roles.
3.
And the obituaries that resulted,celebrations of a life and a legacy largely unknown to many of us
around the world,serve as a reminder of the great things the female flyers accomplished.

92
4.
The Witches (they took the name given by the Germans as a badge of honour) flew only in the
dark.
5.
The Night Bomber Regiment was one of three female fighter pilot units created by Stalin at
the insistence of Marina Raskova—an aviation celebrity who was,essentially,‘the Soviet Amelia
Earhart’.
6.
She also prepared them for an environment that preferred to treat women as bombshells rather
than bombers.
1. a.
The German soldiers hated and feared the Night Witches.It was they who gave the title of‘Night
Witches’to the female fighter pilots.Any German pilot who could down one of these female
fighter pilots was awarded an Iron Cross.
b.
Soviet soldiers did not—at least at first—respect the Night Witches as much as they should have.
A male general had initially complained of being sent a bunch of‘girlies’instead of proper soldiers.

The lack of respect and trust from the Soviet soldiers would be an extra challenge for the Night
Witches because they were fighting on the same side.Just as the male soldiers were respected for
their courage and work,the female fighter pilots should also have been respected for what they
were doing for their country.If people from their own country or soldiers from their own side did
not trust them or appreciate them,then it would be unfair and discouraging.

Another example of how the Night Witches were considered inferior to male soldiers was that the
Night Witches’uniforms were hand-me-downs from male pilots.
2.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):The Night Witches could be described as brave,young,
skilled and resourceful.We know from the text that the Night Witches ranged in age from 17 to 26.
They were skilled as they could manoeuvre their tiny planes quickly,easily and quietly.They were
brave—they flew numerous missions without parachutes or radars through enemy fires,in freezing
cold and despite discouraging attitudes of their brothers in arms.They were also resourceful—they
used planes meant for training and crop-dusting to drop bombs.The last line tells us that they
also used their navigation pencils as lip colours,meaning that these women were capable of using
whatever was available to them to suit their purpose.
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. ought to; inference 3. would; checking preference 4. might; probability
5. shall; offer 6. could; ability in the past 7. must; necessity 8. should; advice
B. 2. Salil would have heard the phone ring if he had not been daydreaming.
3. I don’t think the results are out.Father would have called me if they were.
4. Her handwriting is far better now.She must have practised hard.
5. He would have dropped us if his wife hadn’t taken the car.
6. How did I forget to add salt? You should have reminded me.Let’s add a little.
C. 2. We would not have bought it if it had looked stale.
3.
He really should not have walked such a long distance to buy mangoes.He forgets his age
sometimes.

93
4. Preet:No.We should not have spent more time on our costumes but on our acting instead.
5. He could not have lost his way,because he has been here twice before.
6.
Joe:Actually,I wasn’t really exceeding the speed limit,but I dared not argue with him.I didn’t have
the courage.
7. We need not go to the movie theatre to book them.
Writing
Sample answer:
Good evening,ladies and gentlemen.Tonight,we are celebrating three very special people—remarkable
people who have performed some remarkable acts of courage.The first recipient is a brave police
inspector who chased and caught a group of three robbers while they were on the run after having
robbed a jewellery store.Inspector Shah arrived at the spot when the police was alerted by local people.
Although the robbers had already escaped in a car,the inspector lost no time in going after them.The
culprits were caught after an hour,on the outskirts of the city and the loot was also recovered.
The second winner is a firefighter who not only saved an entire family from a burning building,but also
took a great risk to save their two pets—a cat and a dog.The residential apartment had caught fire from
a gas leak in the middle of the night.When the fire service reached the spot,some of the families had
run outside.The firefighters helped the others to exit the building safely.However,one family was stuck
because one of their rooms was engulfed in flames and they did not know how to save themselves and
their pets.This brave firefighters climbed into the apartment through the window and helped everyone
climb out of the window and down a ladder.Our winner then tied a harness around the dog’s body to
help lower it to the ground.The cat was carried in both arms and brought outside,safe and sound.
Our final winner this evening is a pilot who was flying a plane as a part of training and practice when
one of its wings caught fire.The pilot could have jumped off from the plane using the parachute,but
that involved a risk of the plane falling down on a village.To save the lives of those villagers,the pilot
kept flying the plane till it reached a wide field where there were no people or residential settlements.
Fortunately,the pilot could make a landing and survive it.Injuries were sustained,but our winner
considers it a small price to pay for saving the lives of so many others.
A big hand,ladies and gentlemen,for police inspector Nazneen Shah,firefighter Maria Gomes and air
force pilot Arundhati Sen!
Words in Use
1. manoeuvre 2. outnumbered 3. automatically 4. essentially 5. legacy
6. aviation celebrity

102
What did Amalie have to say about the death of a Cernogratz?

Amalie had to interrupt when Baroness Gruebel remarked that there was no truth in the story about
the dogs and wild beasts howling when someone died in the castle.She said that it did not happen
when just anyone died in the castle; but only when one of the Cernogratz family died did the wolves
which came from far and the dogs of the castle,farm and the village,howl.A tree would then crash
down in the park as the soul left the body.
4. Think and answer (Answer in detail).

Baroness Gruebel’s family has been described as a highly practical family.How far would the reality of
the story narrated by Amalie,have changed their opinion? Give reasons.

When Amalie introduced herself as a von Cernogratz and said that her father had shared with her
the family legends,they did not believe a word of what she had said and brushed that off as a mere
fabrication.But later when Amalie was in her sick bed and finally passed away,everything happened
the way she had narrated.The family though tried to give practical reasons for the happenings,finally
seemed to have believed her.This is evident from the notice in the newspaper where they referred to
Amalie as Amalie von Cernogratz.
THE WOLVES OF CERNOGRATZ
s1.
The writer uses the word‘but’to describe Conrad because he introduces Conrad as a man with the
sensitive and imaginative nature of a poet,although he was a (successful) merchant by profession and
his family members were very practical (rather than imaginative).
2.
The writer gives a more detailed description of Amalie than of the other characters because she is the
principal character in the story—more important than the others.
3.
Amalie was a governess employed by the Gruebels.Therefore they were,in a sense,in a more
powerful position of authority compared to her.The writer uses‘defiance’to describe Amalie’s attitude
to tell us that on this occasion,she was challenging that authority—she had explained how the
Baroness was wrong.He also uses‘contempt’because here,Amalie expressed a low opinion of the
Gruebels although they were her employers—richer and more important than her.She was implying
that the Gruebels did not really belong in that castle.
4.
In paras 22-24,the small lapdog suddenly hides under the sofa.The dogs outside start barking
suddenly and angrily.And then comes the sound of a howl—rising and falling,as if it is both near and
far.It is a sound that expresses terrible hunger,cold and sadness along with many other emotions that
can hardly be understood.The people cannot understand this sound or the animals’reaction to the
sound.Yet they are startled and moved by it.Hence it feels strange and rather frightening.
5.
In para 30,Amalie says it is‘beautiful’that the wolves have come.In para 33,the Baroness calls the
howling of the wolves‘terrible’.In para 34,Conrad says that the‘music’could not be bought for any

103
amount of money,meaning that he thought the music priceless or extremely precious—almost
supernatural.This tells us that Conrad agreed with the governess.
6.
The writer has added the notice from the newspapers to tell us a little more about the Gruebels.The
notice shows that they were beginning to think that Amalie might really have been a von Cernogratz.
And in case she was,in fact,a member of the old and important family,they wanted people to think
that they had been friends with her—rather than the truth,which was that Amalie had been their
governess and they had not treated her with enough respect.
A. 1. a. The old governess,Amalie Schmidt,is being referred to here.
b.
Everyone looked at her in astonishment because she usually sat silently and primly at her
place,and never spoke unless someone spoke to her.Today,she had suddenly spoken out of
turn,replying unexpectedly to the Baroness.
c.
She,meaning Amalie,continued rapidly and nervously.She spoke in that manner because
she was feeling awkward to be talking in front of so many people,out of turn.Yet she was also
determined to talk and explain about the legend,so she spoke rapidly.
2. a. Baroness Gruebel is being referred to here.
b.
The Baroness had taunted Amalie,saying she did not know that Amalie was an expert in family
histories,because Amalie had challenged her.She had explained what the legend really was
and that it would not apply to someone who was not a von Cernogratz.
c.
Amalie’s answer to the Baroness’taunt was that she knew the legend because she herself was
a von Cernogratz.It was unexpected and astonishing because the Baroness and her guests
knew Amalie as an old and poor governess,whereas von Cernogratz,which was an old and
rich family which had owned the castle.
3. a. The Baron said these words.He snapped as he spoke because he was angry.
b.
The impertinence was Amalie’s claim that she was actually a von Cernogratz.It was considered an
impertinence because the Baron did not believe her.He thought she was trying to prove herself
to be superior to them.
4. a. The speaker is Baroness Gruebel.She was referring to Amalie,the governess.
b.
The Baroness was sorry for Amalie because she was ill and looked withered and shrunken.She
was annoyed because Amalie could not work as much as usual when there were so many guests
in the house.
c.
Suggested answer (accept any logical answer):No,the Baroness was not really sorry for Amalie.
She was just annoyed that Amalie could not work as much as usual.She was already angry with
Amalie because she had claimed that she was a von Cernogratz,an old and famous family.
5. a.
Conrad was referring to the howling of the wolves.He called it music because he found it strange
and wonderful that the wolves were howling right at that time when the governess was ill and
possibly dying.
b.
Conrad said this in response to the Baroness’comment that she would not have such music—
meaning the wolves’howling—for much money.She found the sound disturbing.
c.
He said that the music could not be bought because he believed the legend.He knew that they,
the human beings,could not control the music in any way—they could not make the wolves
howl,nor could they make the wolves stop howling.

104
B. 1. when her mother-in-law had died in the castle,no wolves had howled.
2. the wolves howled only when a member of the von Cernogratz family died in the castle.
3. She herself was a von Cernogratz.
4.
she had been talking to the peasants about the old Cernogratz family and because her
grandfather may have been a pantry boy in the castle.
5. it sensed that something strange was going on—the dogs outside were barking loudly and angrily.
6. she wanted to listen to the wolves’howling—she believed they had come to sing for her.
The banker’s wife resembled the Gruebels the most.
1. a.
Fraulein Schmidt is introduced to the readers as an old governess working with the Baron’s family.
She usually sits silently and primly at her place,never speaking unless spoken to.
b.
Conrad feels that the legend is weird and romantic because although his family is very practical,
he himself has the sensitive and imaginative nature of a poet.
2. a.
The Gruebels are surprised and angry at the governess’s revelation.They think she is being rude
and untruthful because they do not like to think that she may belong to a more important family
than themselves.
b.
The governess talks unexpectedly,explaining the legend,and then reveals that she is,in fact,a
member of the von Cernogratz family.
c.
Yes,Conrad believes the governess’s words because he does not agree with his family when they
call the governess rude and dishonest.He keeps quiet because he noticed that the old woman
had tears in her eyes when speaking of her memories.
3. a.
The Baroness is at first angry that the governess cannot work as much as usual.When the wolves
start howling unexpectedly,as they are said to do according to the legend,she feels curious to
see whether the wolves are howling because the governess is actually dying,so she goes to the
governess’s room when the latter is on her deathbed.
b.
The governess finds it beautiful that the wolves have come to sing for her.She does not feel lonely
anymore,as they remind her that she is part of a great old family.She speaks to the governess in
an unusually commanding voice although she is weak and ill.That is because she no longer feels
like she works for the Baroness.She knows she is dying and she feels satisfied that the legend has
come true for her.
c.
Conrad is fascinated by the strange occurrence.We know this because when the wolves start
howling,he thinks that there must be hundreds of them.Later,he says that the music—the
howling of the wolves—cannot be bought for money.The occurrence is weird and mysterious at
the same time.
4.
After the governess dies,the Baron and the Baroness put a notice in the newspaper where they call
the governess by the name of Amalie von Cernogratz and claim that she was their valued friend.
This shows that they considered the von Cernogratz family to be a great old family.At first,when
they thought that the governess was dishonestly trying to act as a von Cernogratz—someone more
important than them—they had been annoyed.When it seemed like the legend was true and the
governess could really be a von Cernogratz,they claimed in the public notice that she had been their
friend.Thus,they were dishonest and anxious to make people believe that they were associated with
someone from the great von Cernogratz family.

105
Grammar and Usage
A. 2. is 3. write 4. supply 5. has 6. is 7. plays 8. have
B. 2. were 3. were 4. was 5. were 6. was 7. was 8. were
Words in Use
A. Free response
B. 1. b 2. d 3. e 4. c 5. a
Writing
Sample answer:
Conrad: So you see,what the governess said must have been true.
Mother: Oh dear! What a strange and wonderful tale!
Baroness:
But it was just a coincidence,don’t you think? I mean it was really very cold that night.Surely
the wolves came out because of that and the tree fell down for the same reason?
Mother: It is a possibility.Yet...
Conrad:
Exactly! Yet,is that reason enough for such an extraordinary wolf-chorus and such a
remarkable timing of the crashing of the tree—just when the old lady died? It must be quite
cold on other nights too; do these strange things happen every time?
Mother: Have you ever heard of anything like this happening in a different season?
Baroness:
No,I haven’t.I am telling you,no wolves howled and no tree crashed when my mother-in-law
died in the castle.
Conrad:
But she wasn’t a von Cernogratz.The governess explained how the legend works,and events
proved that she was right.
Baroness:
But just because some wolves happened to be howling and a tree happened to fall down,it
really doesn’t mean they were in any way connected to her death! Why would those things
happen if a von Cernogratz died?
Conrad:
What else can explain the events? Did any von Cernogratz live in the castle before you
bought it?
Baroness:
No.It was bought from the von Cernogratz family by some other people quite a long time
ago.They hardly ever lived here—they mostly live abroad.Finally,they decided to sell it off
and we bought it.
Mother:
So there is no way to know if something similar happened with another von Cernogratz in
the recent past.
Conrad:
And the last von Cernogratz—the governess Amalie—is now dead too! That means we shall
never be able to hear the wolves howling like that; nor shall a tree crash down by itself.
Mother: What it means is that we shall never know for sure...the legend shall remain a legend.

108
BREAK,BREAK,BREAK
1. The sea is being addressed in the first line.
2.
In the first stanza,the speaker wishes that he could speak out loud the thoughts that come to
his mind.This shows that he was feeling overwhelmed and upset.His mind was so full of difficult
emotions that he wanted to express them and feel better,but he could not.
3.
The fisherman’s boy,his sister and the sailor boy are the people mentioned in the second stanza.
The fisherman’s children are playing on the shore.The sailor boy is singing and sailing a boat on the
bay.
4.
In the third stanza,the speaker mentions that the stately ships sail away to their destinations as
before.That scene has remained unchanged.What has changed is that the speaker’s beloved friend is
no more,so the speaker can no longer hold his hand or hear his voice.
5.
The tender grace of a day that is dead—the beauty and warmth of the time that is past,the time
spent with his friend,will never come back to the speaker,because the friend with whom the speaker
spent the time is no more.
6.
The speaker is mourning the death of his friend.He is deeply sad but he cannot express his sorrow.
He misses his friend’s company and his voice and knows that the time spent with his friend will never
return.Yet he sees that the sea waves crash on the shore as always; children play and sing and sail as
before,unaffected by his sorrow.Ships sail on.Nothing beyond his own life stops or changes because
of his sorrow.Thus life and nature go on despite what happens to human beings.
1.
In the first stanza,the sea has been given human qualities.The speaker addresses the sea directly,as
he would address a person,and asks the sea to break on its cold gray stones,as if the breaking of the
sea waves on the shore is like an action performed by a human being.
2.
The words repeated in this poem are‘break,break,break...O Sea’and‘O,(well) for the...’.The first set of
words have been repeated to show the speaker’s helplessness and hopelessness as he asks the sea
to keep breaking its waves on the shore.The word‘break’may reflect the heartbreak he is feeling.He
may also wish to say that he wants to break his silence and express his sorrow but cannot.The other
set of words have been repeated to show how sad the speaker is feeling.He writes‘O,well for the...’
when he notices that others are carrying on happily and lightheartedly when his heart is weighed
down by sorrow.He writes‘O,for the...’when he wishes that he could get back the company of his
friend.All these repetitions express sadness and distress.
3. a.
The word‘break’and the lines‘And I would that my tongue could utter / The thoughts that
arise in me.’,‘But O, for the touch of a vanish’d hand, / And the sound of a voice that is still!’and
‘But the tender grace of a day that is dead / Will never come back to me.’express sadness and
longing.
b. The second stanza expresses a mood of joy and light-heartedness.

109
4.
The two people who are unable to speak are the speaker and his friend.The speaker’s friend is no
more,so his voice cannot be heard anymore.The speaker is deeply upset by the death of his friend—
he is so distressed that he cannot express all that is going on in his mind—so he too,is unable to
speak as he would like to.
Going Further
Free response.

I'Abbaye's Secret Portrait Tests Bartoli's Patience

I'Abbaye's Secret Portrait Tests Bartoli's Patience

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