11

CBSE

Assignments in

ENGLISH PLUS
CORE

TEACHERS' HANDBOOK

FULL MARKS PVT LTD

Educational Publishers

New Delhi-110002
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 CONTENTS
SECTION A: READING
♦ Factual Passages Assignments – 1 to 5 ............................. 3 – 4
♦ Discursive Passages Assignments – 1 to 5 ........................ 4 – 5
♦ Literary Passages Assignments – 1 to 5 ............................ 5 – 6
♦ Note-Making & Summarising Assignments – 1 to 5 ........ 6 – 8
SECTION - B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR
Part - I : Writing Skills .................................................... 9 – 30
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ..................................... 9 – 24
• Short Composition........................................................... 9
I. Notice .......................................................................... 9
II. Poster.......................................................................... 10
III. Advertisement............................................................ 12
• Long Composition.......................................................... 13
I. Business Letters/Placing Orders/Complaints ........... 13
II. Letters to Editor.......................................................... 14
III. Applications for Job................................................... 16
IV. Letters to the School/College Authorities.................. 18
• Very Long Composition................................................. 19
I. Article........................................................................ 19
II. Speech........................................................................ 20
III. Report......................................................................... 22
IV. Narrative..................................................................... 23
♦ Assignments – 1 to 10 ................................................... 24 – 30
Part - II : Grammar ....................................................... 31 – 35
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ................................... 31 – 33
1. Determiners ..................................................................... 31
2. Tenses .............................................................................. 31
3. Clauses ............................................................................ 32
4. Modals ............................................................................. 32
5. Sentence Transformation.................................................. 33
6. Sentence Re-Ordering...................................................... 33
7. Error Correction............................................................... 33
♦ Assignments – 1 to 10 ................................................... 33 – 35
  Note: Please note this Teachers’ Handbook contains the Solutions/ Hints for the Assignments/ Worksheets/ Unit Assignments
given in the book Full Marks Assignments in English Plus Communicative - 9 written by Kumkum Sinha and published
by Full Marks Pvt Ltd.
  © All rights reserved with the Author.
(ii)
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK &
EXTENDED READING TEXTS
Hornbill — Prose .......................................................... 35 – 46
1. The Portrait of a Lady ..................................................... 35
2. “We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together” .38
3. Discovering Tut : the Saga Continues ............................. 40
4. The Ailing Plant : the Green Movement’s Role .............. 43
5. The Browning Version .................................................... 44
Hornbill — Poetry ......................................................... 46 – 48
1. A Photograph ................................................................... 46
2. The Voice of the Rain ...................................................... 47
3. Childhood......................................................................... 47
4. Father to Son ................................................................... 48
Snapshots ....................................................................... 49 – 60
1. The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse ..................... 49
2. The Address ..................................................................... 50
3. Ranga’s Marriage ............................................................ 52
4. Albert Einstein at School ................................................ 54
5. Mother’s Day................................................................... 55
6. Birth ................................................................................ 57
7. The Tale of Melon City ................................................... 58
Extended Reading Texts ............................................... 60 – 62
1. The Canterville Ghost ..................................................... 60
2. Up From Slavery ............................................................. 61
Unit Assignments ........................................................... 62 – 68
Unit Assignment – 1 ............................................................ 62
Unit Assignment – 2 ............................................................ 64
Unit Assignment – 3 ............................................................ 65
Unit Assignment – 4 ............................................................ 67
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT QUESTION PAPERS
♦ Summative Assessment Paper – 1 ................................ 68 – 72
♦ Summative Assessment Paper – 2 ................................ 72 – 75
 SECTION - A: READING
Factual Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1 2. For the housewife, life in the kitchen of old times
A. 1. (d) they emit their own light at night was an ordeal. The kitchen was like a dungeon
2. (c) Different which kept her captive with chains. Compared to
3. (b) predatory the dungeon, modern kitchen is a place of recreation
4. (a) abdominal organs where coooking is a fun. So life in a kitchen is
5. (d) cold but efficient in terms of energy enjoyable and simple.
6. (c) interesting/attractive 3. With the availability of gadgets, ingredients for
B. 1. The females of the predatory fireflies called photuris delicacies and ‘helping hands’, working women find
versicolon mimic the flash pattern of males of other it simple to try out the most complicated of recipes.
species. They give a single flash and attract the 4. The food processor is the most popular among the
photinus males to their mouth. ladies because it saves her the manual labour of
2. The names other than fireflies are: cutting, chopping and dicing vegetables or grinding
(i) lightning bugs, and the other ingredients.
(ii) glow-worms C. 1. Govern 2. Passe
3. They flash light from their abdominal organs. A ASSIGNMENT – 4
chemical known as luciferin produces the light.
A. 1. (b) Reputation of being the nerve centre and back-
Their ‘fire’ is cold but efficient in terms of energy.
office to the world, and its production centre.
4. Glow-worms emit an intense green light when
they are disturbed. This is meant to frighten off the 2. (c) Because of its young population.
predators. 3. (a) a great propensity to consume
C. 1. Generate 2. Predators 4. (a) Growing labour pool and rising consumption
demand.
ASSIGNMENT – 2 5. (b) 0.2%
A. 1. (c) militant group
6. (c) restrictive
2. (b) retired US General
B. 1. An abundant supply of capital is a prerequisite of
3. (b) Haidar al-Abadi
employment creation. In India the foreign investors
4. (a) Syria
face too many bureaucratic hurdles.
5. (c) Middle East
2. Our labour laws basically hinder employment
6. (b) stopping
growth. They are ostensibly designed to protect the
B. 1. The passage discusses the rise of ISIS militant group
labour. As a result, the growth of jobs is discouraged.
in Iraq and Syria.
3. We can ensure that India and its youth attain their
2. The problem has gained substantially in Iraq.
full potential with the help of business pursuits and
3. The goal of the Iraqi Prime Minister was to build a
support given to educational charities.
stable government.
4. The majority of the city’s population fled away 4. If we raise spending in infrastructure and speed up
because the jihadies continued to attack them. privatization, we can address the growing gaps in
C. 1. Substantial 2. Envoy infrastructure.
C. 1. Ostensibly 2. Impede
ASSIGNMENT – 3
A. 1. (b) it has every utensil behind closed doors ASSIGNMENT – 5
2. (c) it takes care of fumes quietly A. 1. (d) one of the most accomplished archers of his
3. (d) an ordeal times.
4. (a) gadgets and ingredients for delicacies are easily 2. (d) always yielded the desired results.
available 3. (b) India’s top batsman.
5. (c) the food processor 4. (c) He was unable to tolerate pressure and politics
6. (d) irritable within.
B. 1. The sleek looking hi-tech electrical chimney takes 5. (d) 210
care of fumes as well as noise. 6. (b) Six

3
 B. 1. Dravid’s admirers and fans called him “The Wall :
Upright and Unbreakable”.
2. Dravid’s intelligence, charm and good-looking face
could have made him prone to vices. But he never
tried to look beyond the eyes.
3. On the eve of the match he used to spend around 30
minutes by the pitch. Here he often tried to discover
the mysteries of the pitch and make friendship
Discursive Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
A. 1. (b) Peace and unity
2. (c) by believing in themselves.
3. (c) spiritual
4. (c) the integration of mind, body and soul
5. (d) Mahatma Gandhi
6. (c) Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
B. 1. The great men spread the message of peace and love.
Their arguments inspired the freedom fighters. As
a result, they became ardent admirers of India, her
people and culture.
2. He presented Indian wisdom as a spiritually
advanced before the British. He also desired India
to believe in herself. Hence, he tried to break the
British fetters on Indian consciousness.
3. He dedicated the book, titled ‘Religion and Society’
to Indian women. In this book, he honoured their
character.
4. He says that India has produced millions of women
who have never found fame. But their daily
existence has helped civilise the race. Their warmth
of heart, self-sacrificing zeal, unassuming loyalty
and strength are the glories of this ancient race.
C. 1. Immortality
2. Unassuming
ASSIGNMENT – 2
A. 1. (d) he carried a cane in his hand.
2. (c) a flick of cane on the body.
3. (d) it can be used for other purpose also
4. (b) become more refined
5. (d) they have to bid for the limited seats
6. (d) Out of date
B. 1. The foot-rule has replaced the cane because it can
injure without leaving a mark.
2. As one progresses to higher classes, the tools of
torment become more refined.
3. The month of ‘June’ is a state of suffering for
parents and children because they have to appear
for admissions.
4. The writer is opposed to examination system. He
calls it the culmination of all sadistic impulses and
4 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
with the devils within. He also thought over all his
previous big games played here.
4. Like Arjuna, Dravid is also known for unflinching
focus and unyielding dedication for his skill. The
similar traits have also marked out Dravid for
greatness at the young age.
C. 1. Unravel
2. Pinnacle
real wrecker of young nerves. According to him
examination should have no place in a civilized
world.
C. 1. Obsolete
2. Frantically
ASSIGNMENT – 3
A. 1. (c) it keeps one healthy
2. (a) it protects us from diseases
3. (d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered
4. (b) it is acidic in nature
5. (c) seeking proper immunisation
6. (d) poisonous
B. 1. In case the cut or abrasions is left open, the disease
producing micro-organisms penetrate the body and
cause disease. So we should keep cuts and abrasions
covered.
2. Gastric juice is produced by our intestinal tract. It
is acidic in nature. It kills all extraneous organisms
which enter our body through food.
3. Defensive mechanism is the power of human body
to fight against various disease producing agents.
4. We can increase our defensive mechanism by
seeking proper immunisation.
B. 1. Secrete
2. Toxic
ASSIGNMENT – 4
A. 1. (d) The old man had a family.
2. (d) A genuine person.
3. (a) the charcoal fire
4. (d) Crookedly
5. (b) Politely
6. (d) In the rickshaw coolies’ shed.
B. 1. The old man sold his peanuts in the Landour bazaar.
2. During winter, he slept in the rickshaw coolies’ shed.
3. The small boys and the patrons of the cinemas
bought his peanuts the most.
4. The demands for peanuts were the most on cold
winter evenings or misty monsoon days.
C. 1. Hunched
2. Immense
ASSIGNMENT – 5
A. 1. (b) tools
2. (d) an immeasurable amount
3. (c) Higher animals intelligence may fuel debate on
ethics and cruelty.
4. (a) Parrots can imitate or repeat a sound.
5. (d) Ability to classify the number, colour and kind
of objects.
6. (d) Repetition
B. 1. Ability to use tools is the effective measure of our
mental ability. On the other hand, instinct is a skill
programmed into our brain by its genetic heritage.
2. For scientists, insight is a flash of sudden under-
standing. According to them, insight makes animals
Literary Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
A. 1. (b) eating raw fish and its juice
2. (c) they provide vitamin C
3. (d) he wanted to exist like a shipwrecked sailor
4. (c) he used it as a pointed oar
5. (d) he was trying to rescue his air-filled cushion
from sea water.
6. (c) the soft substance between the skin and bones
of animal or human bodies
B. 1. Dr Bombard wanted to avoid using the sealed
fishing equipment because he wanted to exist like
a shipwrecked sailor.
2. Dr Bombard bent his knife and tied it to the end of
the oar because he wanted to use it as a pointed oar.
3. Dr Bombard would have drowned because he was
trying to rescue his air-filled cushion from sea water.
4. Sharks could have attacked and wounded Dr
Bombard. The sword fish could have cut the rubber
raft to pieces very quickly with its vicious sword.
That would have been the end of the experiment.
C. 1. Dinghy 2. Flesh
ASSIGNMENT – 2
A. 1. (c) a powerful presentation of the working classes
2. (a) they exploit and bring them down
3. (b) a metaphor
4. (c) they live off the labour of others
5. (d) they are deprived of the fruit of their labour
6. (a) the top outside floor of a ship
B. 1. The poem conveys that there is great disparity in
society.
2. Because they are deprived of every basic facility of
life.
3. It means the people of England must come to their
senses and realise the poor plight of the depressed
classes.
Section - A: Reading
capable to solve new problems without trial and
error.
3. The chimpanzees first select a right twig. Then they
trim and shape it to serve its purpose. They carefully
insert the twig into the entrance to a termite mound
and turn it skillfully to fit the inner tunnels. They
also shake the twig to attract the insects. They pull
out the twig tool without scrapping off termites. At
last, they use its lips to skim the termites into mouth.
4. A parrot can separate five objects of two different
kinds. He has capacity to make difference between
the number, colour and kind of things. Thus, he has
knowledge of a basic thinking skill.
C. 1. Distinguish
2. Instinct
4. The poem is all about the social condition of
England.
C. 1. Scourge 2. Tempered
ASSIGNMENT – 3
A. 1. (d) a typical land labourer
2. (a) he carries a huge burden on his shoulders
3. (b) he works along with an ox
4. (c) is a freak of nature
5. (c) to beware of the rebellions
6. (d) alliteration
B. 1. The poet asks the power of the world to set the things
right which have been ignored for centuries.
2. The poet wants to say that disparity in society
must end. Everyone should have an equal right
to live.
3. The emptiness of ages in his face signifies the
sufferings he has faced and it also signifies how
deprived he has been of the basic facilities of life.
4. The silence of the centuries signifies that the
labourers have accepted their suffering as a curse
of their fate.
C. 1. Censure 2. Immemorial
ASSIGNMENT – 4
A. 1. (d) huge tracts of jungles
2. (c) they cling to their primitive ways of life
3. (a) tribals
4. (b) shells in their ear lobes and septums
5. (d) they use clubs to crack heads
6. (a) to take rest
B. 1. The native tribals of Brazil inhabit the forbidden
zones which are prohibited to outsiders. They
are ignorant about the outside world. These
tribes often indulge in violent warfare among
themselves.
5
 2. Jumi and Jemi belonged to Matis tribe. Their faces
were tattooed. They had adorned themselves with
shells in their ear lobes and septums.
3. The Korubu tribals often suffer from malaria. The
other danger, especially for the children, is in the
form of huge anaconda–a large American snake that
crushes its victims to death before eating them.
4. The Korubu are called head bashers because they
use clubs to crack heads. They prefer the club to the
bow and arrows.
C. 1. Maloca 2. Massive
ASSIGNMENT – 5
A. 1. (d) spends all his time in sleeping.
2. (c) to make our mind prepared for any fate.
3. (d) None of these.
4. (d) work daily
5. (c) valuable lessons
6. (d) Dedicative
B. 1. As per the poet, death is not the ultimate goal. Life
does not end with death.
2. By working diligently, we can make our lives noble
and elevated. We can also reach heights. After our
death, our noble deeds may encourage others.
3. The poet compares this world to a battlefield and a
temporary camp for troops. The human beings are
compared with troops.
4. The poet compares a dejected person with a forlorn
and shipwrecked brother. Both of them need
encouragement.
C. 1. Mournful 2. Forlorn

Note-Making & Summarising

ASSIGNMENT – 1 4. Presentation of a Report
A.    I. Title: Effective Office Communication (a) determine whether it would be read
II. Notes: (b) how carefully it would be read
1. Effective Comm’n (c) overall impact
(a) Imp. but difficult to achieve. (d) computers help by
(i) structure language & style, tone & jargon. (i) variety of fonts
(ii) consciousness, interest & practice (ii) colourful pages
(iii) skill (iii) impressive tables and graphs
(b) facilitates action
(iv) page layouts, appendics
2. Creating a Good Report.

(a) Aim of a Report Key to Abbreviations
comm’n. — communication
logl. — logical
inform record persuade impress
prob. — problem
attn. — attention
instruct recommend motivate change
attitude int. — interest
(b) present argmt. - logl. manner.
B. Summary
(c) reader’s perspective
Effective communication involves better structure,
(i) easy to read & understand
language, style, tone and jargon. A report has many
(ii) clear objectives
aims. It presents argument in logical manner. The
(iii) proper shape & structure reader’s perspective helps in making the reports easy to
3. Structure of a Report read and understand. A report has a beginning, a middle
and an end. The introductory part attracts attention,
arouses interest and creates desire to read. The details
Beginning Middle End
maintain/ interest gain acceptance and lead to an end.
The concluding part sums up the contents and presents
Introduction Details Conclusion the conclusions, suggestions and recommends further
actions. The presentation of a report is important as it
Sum-the contents determines whether it would be read, how carefully it
attract attn. maintain int. pull together would be read and the overall impact. Computers help
in it by variety of fonts, colourful pages, tables and
arouse int. gain acept. suggestions graphs, effective layouts, exhibits, appendics.Using
create desire lead to end recommendations all these tools, a report can be well presented.
to read
6 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
ASSIGNMENT – 2 congestion, increasing population, lack of public
A.    I. Title: Noise Menace awareness and use of generators increase noise
II. Notes: levels. High level noise affects health and behaviour
1. Noise pollution – ignored patterns. Aggressive behaviour, sleep disturbance,
(a) escalating & medically injurious irritability, hypertension, stress, increasing heart
(b) near Diwali rates and hearing loss creep in as noise pollution
(i) noise of crackers increases. Many laws and regulations exist but the
(ii) pollutants emitted implementation is tardy. So, high level of noise
(c) Some reactions pollution continues.
(i) DOE — campaigns in schs. – harmful effs. ASSIGNMENT – 3
of crackers on eardrums & lungs A.    I. Title: The Plight of the Hill People
(ii) DPCC — say no to crackers II. Notes:
(iii) NGO — meetings & plays
(iv) D.Govt. — burst crackers in open spaces/ 1. Landslide disasters
parks Geological movements Man-made causes
2. Prob. of Noise Polln.
(a) Above CPCB stds 55dB (day) can’t mitigate top soil depleted
resdl. colonies 45dB (night) eliminate disaster
(b) Causes
(i) traffic cong’tn deforestation inapp. crop’g pattn
(ii) increasing population
large scale
(iii) lack of pub. awareness potatoes paddy
(iv) generators timber mafia
& peas
(v) airhorns
(vi) loudspeakers loss of seepage
fertile soil of water
3. Effect of Noise Polln. on Health & Behaviour
admn. inaction
(a) above 55 dB
(i) aggressive behaviour
(ii) sleep disturbance laws faulty relief
ignored policies work
(iii) annoyance
(iv) irritability 2. Exposed boulders — potential threat
(b) to 65 dB (a) no green cover to bind
(i) h’tension (b) downpour exposes boulders
(c) above 75 dB (c) no wire meshing
(i) extreme stress 3. Ways to mitigate disasters
(ii) increasing heart rates (a) Edutg cultivators – conserve soil & moisture
(iii) potential hearing loss (i) partial levelling & contour cultn.
4. Laws & implementation (ii) trdl. crop & cropg. patn.
(a) many laws & regulations (b) using wire mesh to bind expd. hillside
(b) tardy impl’n (c) tradl. housing – mud & timber
Key to Abbreviations (i) wood bends – saves lives
polln. — pollution (ii) concrete – weight traps
resdl. — residential
Key to Abbreviations
cong'tn. — congestion
pattn. — pattern
h'tension. — hypertension
admn. — administration
impl'n. — implementation
crop'g. — cropping
B. Summary tradl. — traditional
Noise pollution is escalating and medically injurious expd. — exposed
but is usually ignored. Many agencies have reacted
to the problem. The Central Pollution Control B. Summary
Board has fixed daytime noise limits to 55 dB The hill-people in India live with fear of landslides. These
in residential colony and 45 dB at night. Traffic landslides are caused due to geological movements

Section - A: Reading 7
 and man-made causes. Large scale deforestation by
timber mafia and inappropriate cropping patterns cause
depletion of precious top soil. Cultivation of potatoes
and peas leads to loss of fertile soil while paddy crops
cause seepage of water and break the interlocking
system of rocks. Administrative inaction, neglect of
laws and faulty policies also cause landslide disasters.
The cultivators should be educated to conserve soil and
moisture. Traditional mud and timber houses are safer.
Using wire mesh to bind exposed hillside can mitigate
disasters.
ASSIGNMENT – 5
ASSIGNMENT – 4
A.    I. Title: Self Cleaning Materials
II. Notes:
1. Self clg. mats.
(a) clean dirt, stains
(b) eliminate foul odour & dang. bacteria
2. Self clg. tiles — pple. of wk.
(a) UV rays → Ti O2
3. Spl. props. of Ti O2
(a) TiO2 makes paint / tooth paste white
(b) ability to break down H2O into H2 and O2
(c) abs. energy from UV band + reacts with H2O
vapours → prod. O2 → brk. org. matter → CO2
+ trace elements
4. Discovery Testing & Research
(a) dis. — Akira Fujishima (Tokyo Univ.) - 1969
(b) Testg. — Ako Central Hospl.
(c) Adam Heller (Texas Univ.) — TiO2 coated glass
— removed finger prints in 2 hrs.
5. Marketing
(a) Tiles called ‘Neo clean’
(b) Jap. Toto Corp.
Key to Abbreviations
clg. — cleaning
mats. — materials
spl. — special
Jap. — Japanese
univ. — university
dang. — dangerous
abs. — absorb
prod. — produce
brk. — break
org. — organic
B. Summary
Self cleaning smart materials clean off dirt and
stains besides eliminating foul odours and dangerous
bacteria because of the interaction between titanium
8 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
dioxide and ultraviolet rays. Titanium dioxide absorbs
energy from UV band and reacts with water vapours
to produce oxygen molecules which break organic
matter into carbon dioxide and trace elements. The
discovery was made in 1969 in Tokyo University and
tested in Ako central hospital. Adam Hellar of Texas
University claims that glass coated with Titanium
dioxide removed finger prints in two hours. Self
cleaning tiles called ‘Neo clean’ are marketed by
Japan’s Toto Corp.
A.    I. Title: Earthquake
II. Notes:
1. Defn. – tremor/shak’g of grnd.
2. Types of E’quake
(a) Gentle – unrecog’d
(b) Suff. pron’d – gentle alarm
(c) Severe — eno. dest’n
3. Signs of Occurrence
(a) Trembl’g — 1 or more severe shocks- trembl’g
(b) Various Noises
(i) howl’g of storm
(ii) growl’g of thunder
(iii) clank’g / clash’g of iron chains
(iv) rumbl’g of heavy wagon on road
(c) Range — thro’ grd, sea, air – heard at distance
(d) Some e’quakes silent
4. Changes in Earth’s Surface
(a) Landslips and cracks - drainage alt’d
(b) E’quake + sea waves - rocks & sand swept inland
(c) Perm’t elev’ns/ depr’ns
5. Origin
(a) mount. region
(b) sea
(c) volcanoes
6. Causes
(a) Volcanic action in mount.
(b) Sea water entg. heated rocks
(c) Explo’n of expanding vapour
(d) Collapse of under grd. hollows
(e) Snap’g of strata
7. Occurrence — cold months/winter
8. Most Dest. E’quakes
(i) 1908 — Straits of Messina altered
(ii) 1925 — Japan - Upheaval - Towns dest’d -
thousands kill’d
 Key to Abbreviations B. Summary
shak’g — shaking A tremor of shaking of ground is called earthquake.
e'quake. — earthquake Gentle earthquake pass unnoticed whereas severe
unrecog’d. — unrecognised ones spread enormous destruction. Trembling of
suff. — sufficiently earth, severe shocks and various noises, indicate
pron’d. — pronounced occurrence of earthquake. Many changes are
dest’n — destruction produced in Earth’s surface by earthquakes. Drainage
trembl’g — trembling is altered. Great sea waves sweep away rocks and
perm’t. — permanent sand inland. They cause permanent depressions
elev’ns — elevations or elevations. Earthquakes are most common in
depr’ns — depressions volcanic and mountainous regions due to various
causes. One of the most destructive earthquakes in
explo’n — explosion
modern times altered the straits of Messina in 1908.
snap’g — snapping
The other destroyed towns and caused deaths of
dest’d — destroyed
thousands in Japan in 1925.
SECTION - B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR
Part - I : Writing Skills
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE 3. Dramatic Club
SHORT COMPOSITION SCINDIA SCHOOL, INDORE
I. Notice: 16th Aug., 20×× NOTICE
1. ST. COLUMBIA’S SR. SEC. SCHOOL Inter-School Competitions
AMEENABAD, LUCKNOW
On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebration
8th Sept., 20×× NOTICE of the school, the Dramatic Club has organised an
Tour to Goa & Mumbai inter-school competition in one-act plays as per
details given below:
The school is organising a tour to Mumbai and Goa
Date : 30th Aug., 20××
as per details given below:
Time : 10:00 am. onwards
Duration : 10 days Venue : Ashoka Auditorium
Date : 24th Dec. to 2nd Jan, 20×× Participants : Maximum 7 in a team
Cost : ` 5000 each Last date for the receipt of Entry form is 25th Aug.
Plans : Visiting interesting sites 20×× by 4:00 pm.
Those interested may kindly give their names to Pradeep/Asha
the undersigned by the 15th Sept. 20××. President
Madhavi Dramatic Club
(School Pupil Leader)
4. Science Club
2. English Literary Association GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL, NEW DELHI
TAGORE MEMORIAL SCHOOL, PATNA 15th Jul., 20×× NOTICE
5th Aug., 20×× NOTICE
Inter-House Competitions
Inter-House Competitions
The English Literary Association invites partic- Bright, enterprising and intelligent science stu-
ipants in the following contest to be held in the dents are invited to participate in the Inter-School
school auditorium: Science Exhibition to be held in Sophia School
(a) Debate competition : 20th Aug., 20×× at 11:00 am. next month.
(b) Oratorical skills : 20th Aug., 20×× at 11:00 am.
(c) Elocution contest : 21st Aug., 20×× at 2:00 pm. Submit your charts, models, projects by 30th Jul.,
Each house can send a team of two students per 20××. Appear before screening committee on 5th
items. Aug., 20×× at 11:00 am. in the Activities Room.
Last date for submission of names is 10th Aug., 20××.
Ravi Mohan Praveen/Prabha
Secretary
ELA Secretary

Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar 9

 5. S.D. SR. SEC. SCHOOL, AMBALA CANTT 8.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL,
2nd Sept., 20×× NOTICE BHIVANI
N.S.S. Camp 25th Oct., 20×× NOTICE
An N.S.S, camp of our unit will be held from
15th Sept., 20×× at village Dinapur. Project
Picnic to Rose Gardens/Sukhana Lake,
include Adult Literary, Tree Plantation, Cleanliness
Chandigarh
Campaign and Health Awareness. Volunteers
The students from class VI onwards are informed
should give their names to the undersigned by
that the school has planned a picnic tour to Rose
7th Sept., 20××. Gardens/Sukhana Lake, Chandigarh. The details of
picnic are given below:
Gauri/Gautam Duration : Two Days
Group Leader N.S.S. Date : 28th to 30th Nov., 20××
Expenses : ` 2,000
Itinerary : Available with the undersigned
6. SPRINGDALES SCHOOL, ROHTAK The interested students may give their names to the
undersigned before 15th Nov., 20××.
22nd Aug., 20×× NOTICE
Asha/Abhinav
Each One : Teach One Programme School Pupil Leader
Our school has adopted a nearby village, known
II. Poster:
as ×××××××, Rohtak to spread knowledge among
the children under “Each One : Teach One 1.
Programme”: The students from classes IX to XII DONATE OLD/NEW BOOKS
are advised to participate in this programme and TO LIBRARY
make it successful. The classes will start from the
next month and the interested students may consult
their teacher by the end of this month. Books:


Í Inform
Vibha/Varun
Í Instruct
(N.S.S. Group)
Í Delight
7. ABC SCHOOL, AGRA Í Enrich

15th Feb., 20×× NOTICE Books — Our Best Friends

Selection for School Hockey Team
•
Distribute books among the poor children.
The students will be happy to learn that our school •
Help them become educated.
is going to select players for ‘School Hockey •
Don’t judge books by its cover.
Team’. All the students from classes VI to VIII are •
Give poor students opportunity to become
informed that if they are interested, they may give a knowledgeable man.
their names to their respective class teacher by 25th • Let your books become a source of
Feb., 20××. The final selection will be made on 5th enlightenment for the poor children.
March, 20××.
YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY HAS
Ravi/Ritu TEN THOUSAND BOOKS
Sports Secretary

10 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook

 2. 4.
FETE SAY NO TO ALCOHOL
Organised by SAY IT JUST TODAY
ST. JOHN SCHOOL, AGRA Why?
in aid of earthquake victims
Addiction leads to:
on
    Ruined Health
Sunday, 2nd March, 20××
from       Ruined Family Life
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.         Ruined Self
at           Finally .....painful death
SCHOOL CAMPUS
Regain Health Control and Happiness
A Day of Fun & Frolic

 Fancy Dress  Snacks Stalls

Don’t be late
 Gymnastics  Gun Contests SAY IT NOW!
 Merry-Go-Rounds  Electronic Games
 Lucky Draw Join De-addiction Camp

Come one : Come all Entry by Tickets Call at helpline ‘Saathi’

HELP A NOBLE CAUSE Phone No. 25××××××

3. 5.
Dramatic Club Plant Trees & Live Longer
RYAN’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,
Join
GURUGRAM
proudly present TREE PLANTATION CAMPAIGN

The Never Never Nest

a hilarious comedy
by
CEDRIC MOUNT on
Sunday, 5th August, 20××
for the benefit of Spastic Society of India
9:00 a.m.
on
at
Saturday, 4th October, 20××
6:00 p.m. sharp ADARSH SR. SCHOOL, JODHPUR
at
Remember the benefits of trees:
SCHOOL AUDITORIUM • Release oxygen • Take carbon dioxide
Entry: Donor Ticket of ` 100 each • Bring rain • Check soil erosion
• Provide fruit, shade & greenery
COME, ENJOY & HELP A NOBLE CAUSE
GO GREEN & PLANT A TREE
Cultural Secretary
RISG Trees live for us. Let us protect our friends.

Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar 11

 6. 8.
Beware of Suspicious Packets! ANIMALS
A TREASURE TROVE

?
 Be kind to animals
 Be gentle to animals
 Show concern to animals
Pets give us :
May be Bombs!  Company
 Love and affection
SAVE INNOCENT LIVES BY HELPING
 Warmth
DELHI POLICE
 Security
Your Duty: ADOPT A PET : SOURCE OF LIFE
ã If any suspicious packet or object is found
Issued by
in public places/trains/buses, immediately
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE AND WELFARE
inform Delhi Police.
ã Never touch the dangerous packet or don’t
III. Advertisement:
try to remove the object otherwise. It could
be bombs. 1. SALE
ã Vacate the place at once and keep an eye on Available a 20×× model blue Maruti Zen with
the doubtful person if any. AC fitted, in a decent running condition with new
ã Use our helpline number 011-24×××××× tyres. The owner driven car has barely run 1,500
and wait for the arrival of Bomb Squad and km. Expected range of price is 1,50,000 or so but
Sniffer dogs. negotiable. Interested parties may contact Amar
Nath, XYZ or ring 011-26×××××× between 10:00
Issued by:
am. to 5:00 pm. on week days.
DELHI POLICE
With you for you always 2. SITUATION VACANT
Wanted two smart, impressive young lady checkers
7. for a renowned export house based in Kolkata.
CN EED OF LI
ASI
Fresh graduates with good communication skills
FE
B can apply. Attractive salary besides other benefits.
Apply to Manager (HRD), Globe Exports, Virat
Nagar-700085 till 15 November.

WATER
Adopt Rain Water Harvesting System
RECYCLING BEGINS AT HOME
1 Depending on the roof top and
gradient, proper water collection
pipes can transfer rainwater to a
tank or the building’s main rainwater
harvesting pipeline.
2 The rainwater should be filtered
before use.
1 1
3 The remaining water could be
connected to a rainwater harvesting
well, deep enough to connect to the
ground water level.
2 as a receptionist for a leading industrial group. The
3 candidate with knowledge of computer and EPABX
This pure water can be used variously.
3. SITUATION VACANT
Wanted two young and dynamic Sales Executives
for our marketing division. Minimum Qualifications
— M. Pharma. Work experience of at least 5 years.
Proficiency in English, impressive personality &
ready to travel. Good salary and other perks. Apply
in confidence with complete bio-data till 15 March,
20×× to the Manager, Herbal India Ltd., 6-B/247,
Ashok Vihar, New Delhi-110070.
4. SITUATION VACANT
Wanted a convent educated, smart and young
lady in the age group 21-25 years with pleasing
personality and fluency in communication to work
machine operation will be preferred. Apply to the
Personnel Manager, B-11, Ashok Nagar, New
Delhi-110070 by 30 June, 20××.M: 98××××××××

12 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook

 5. Moreover, the old editions of the following books have
FOR SALE
been packed:
For Sale a DDA flat in Ashok Vihar, first floor, two
(i) Physical Education by V.K. Sharma
bed-rooms. Drawing/Dining with full interiors,
(ii) Elementary Commerce by J.P. Goel
car parking available. North park facing, located
near main market. Reasonable price. Contact: M.L. We are compelled to return the soiled/old editions of
Goyal, 27××××××. books through our attendant and hope to receive their
substitutes.
6. ACCOMMODATION WANTED We further hope that you will instruct your shop
assistants to be careful in packing of books to avoid
Coal India, New Delhi wanted suitable accommodation
inconvenience/loss.
on rent to be used as a guest house. Minimum carpet
area of 2500 sq. feet in a posh South Delhi area Thanking you
preferred. Interested parties may please contact Yours faithfully
5, Balu, G.M. Coal India, 35 Asaf Ali Raod, Rajat Khosla
New Delhi. Phone: 22××××××. (Librarian)
7. HOME TUTORS AVAILABLE 2. 23 Fort Road
Agra
Qualified and experienced tutors to teach boy and
girl students of classes VI-XII in English/Hindi at 15th November, 20××
reasonable fees are available. No travelling charges The Manager
will be collected from parents. Contact: Managing Oberoi International
Director, Tutor Bureaue, Mobile No. 98×××××××. Lucknow
Dear Sir
8. LOST AND FOUND
Subject: Enquiry regarding expenses for Wedding
Lost a black briefcase in DTC Bus, Route No. 4××,
Reception.
while travelling between Anand Vihar and New
Delhi Railway Station. The briefcase contains some Kindly let me know whether your lawns would be
important documents besides my purse, ATM & available on the evening of 7th December to hold
credit card. The finder will be suitably rewarded. the wedding reception of my sister. In case space is
Contact person: Rajeev, D/××, New Delhi-110002, available, please enlighten me regarding the following:
Mobile No. 98×××××××. (i) catering cost per head (Menu no. 3)
(ii) service charges
LONG COMPOSITION (iii) decoration charges
I. Business Letters/Placing Orders/Complaints: (iv) advance amount to be paid.
1. Dyal Singh Public Library Please send me point-wise specific reply at the address
Karnal given above.
Looking forward to an early reply.

10th March, 20××
Thanking you

The Manager
Happy Book Company Yours sincerely
23 D Kamla Nagar Nandani
Delhi–110008 3. XYZ TEXTILE COMPANY

Dear Sir 24 Pyarelal Road, Mumbai
Ref. STC/20/78
Subject: Complaint against Soiled/Old Editions of
Books. 12th August, 20××

We are thankful to you for the delivery of books at the The Senior Purchase Manager
The American Textile Company
proper time but regret to inform you that the books
Madurai
were not properly packed. As a result, many books have
been badly soiled. The following books are too badly Dear Sir
damaged to be used: Subject: Offer of Products for Bulk Sale.
(i) Advanced Accountancy by K.K. Jain We are one of the leading manufacturers of textile
(ii) Physics for Beginners by R.C. Khanna products in Western India and our products are equally

(iii) A Course in Written English by M.M. Sharma. popular at home and abroad. We have received an

Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar 13

 enquiry from your branch office at Kanpur regarding warranty letter for two years against any technical fault.
terms for bulk purchase.
Having used the Refrigerator for about eight months,
We wish to inform you that we grant 30% trade discount we now find that the freezing section of this refrigerator
to commercial/bulk purchases on an order for not less is not working properly. We are unable to get even a
than Rs. one lakh at a time. We allow further discount single eatable fresh when kept in it. Unfortunately the
of 5% to buyers whose orders exceed Rs. 5 lakh per summer season is in full swing and we are feeling great
year. inconvenience due to our defective refrigerator.
Our latest price list and illustrated catalogue along with
In view of the above circumstances, it is requested
specimen of textiles are enclosed for your kind perusal that the defective refrigerator may be replaced at your
and approval. earliest in order to stop further inconvenience to us.
An early reply will be appreciated. It will be appreciated if the new set is installed after
Thanking you proper testing.
Yours sincerely
Yours faithfully
A. G. George
S.P. Chaudhri
(Sales Manager) II. Letters to Editor:
4. Eagle Youth Club 1. B-22, Lajpat Nagar
B-69 Court Road New Delhi
Kanpur 25th May, 20××
1st August, 20×× The Editor
The Manager The Times of India
Nawab Furniture Depot Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
84-Railway Road New Delhi
Kanpur Dear Sir
Sir Subject: Nuisance of Polythene Litter bags.
Subject: Replacement of Defective Furniture. Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I
This is with reference to order no 93812 of a sofa set, wish to draw the attention of the government authorities
wooden chairs and table worth ` 45,000. This is to bring to the nuisance caused by numerous polythene litter
to your notice that on inspection of the furniture after bags lying alongside the road early in the morning. It
receipt at Club office certain defects have been noticed. is not only an obnoxious sight but also a menace and
We request you to replace the furniture within a week health hazard as well.
as the Club’s general meeting is scheduled for the next In order to keep their houses neat and clean, people
week. throw litter bags anywhere. Thus they endanger the
We hope that such mistakes will not occur in future. environment by causing pollution. Stray cattle poke
Hoping for an early replacement. into these polythene bags and scatter the filthy contents
all around. Thus our colony virtually becomes a
Thanking you storehouse of garbage emitting foul smell and breeding
Yours faithfully flies, bacteria and other germs.
Amina I have written to the concerned authorities earlier also,
(Secretary) but no action has been taken so far. I sincerely hope that
my appeal will arouse the indolent officers from their
5. 160, Netaji Subhash Chandra Enclave
slumber and make them respond to the call of duty.
Kolkata
Yours faithfully
28th June, 20××
Parul Saxena
The Sales Manager
Wonder Home 2. 171, Radhika Apartments
Central Market New Delhi
Kolkata 25th June, 20××
Sir The Editor
Subject: Replacement of 265 litres B.L.P. Refrigerator. The Times of India
New Delhi
We purchased a frost free B.L.P. Refrigerator of 265
litres from you about one year back, vide your Receipt Sir
No.D-9211 dated 11th June, 20××. You provided us a Subject: Involvement of Domestic Servants in Crime.

14 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook

 Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I
would like to draw the attention of the public in general
and police authorities in particular towards a problem
which deserves immediate attention and necessary
action. It has been observed that the acts of crime such
as theft, house-breaking, kidnapping and murders are
increasing day by day. Newspaper reports reveal that
persons working in houses for cleaning, cooking, etc.
are involved, directly or indirectly in such acts of crime.
They either collude with anti-social elements to make
easy money or indulge in the heinous and nefarious act
of stealing, kidnapping and murder themselves.
I think the police should make it mandatory for people
engaging domestic servants to get clearance from
the local police station after registration and proper
verification. The police must show alertness and far-
sightedness while dealing with such cases.
I do hope you will spare some time to look into this
problem.
Yours faithfully
Shobha
3. P-37, Suman Apartments
New Delhi
21st March, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Underage driving.
Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I
want to draw the attention of public in general and
police authorities in particular towards the increasing
incidence of injuries and death taking place due to
underage driving in Delhi. In most cases, these drivers
having no driving licence hit and run away. The police
arrives late and the offenders go scot free.
There is not a single day when there is no road accident
involving teenagers. Driving fast has become a craze
and a status symbol for rich teenagers. Their parents
allow them to drive on road without caring for the lives
of others.
Sir, through these columns, I would like to request the
police authorities to be very strict in such cases. Those
who are found guilty of reckless driving should be
given exemplary punishment. There should be strict
action against the parents who allow their underage
children to drive on roads.
I hope parents will be watchful and the police will take
strict steps to stop this practice.
Yours faithfully
Abha
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
4. Madurai
24 June, 20××
The Editor
The Hindu
Mudurai
Sir
Subject: The cause of road accident.
Through the columns of your newspaper I would like
to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the
road accidents caused by the speeding vehicles.
We should not forget that high speeding kills lives.
Contrary to this fact, these days the youths often prefer
to show heroism on the roads. They have no regards
for the traffic rules and can take turn at their will. They
often like to overtake the other vehicles at a high speed
which may cause accidents on the roads. During rush
hours, overtaking on the roads is dangerous. The over
loaded heavy vehicles are dangerous for light vehicles.
The heavy vehicles never give room to such light
vehicles. And in a hurry to overtake them, the light
vehicles meet with accidents.
The drivers are bound to follow traffic rules on the
road. If they are caught violating the traffic rules,
the authority should take strict action against them.
Besides, the Transport Department should conduct
‘Road Safety Week’ to spread the message of traffic
rules among the people.
Yours faithfully
Kripa/Krishna
5. 32, Kailash Colony
New Delhi
9th March, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Poor Maintenance of Public Park in Kailash
Colony.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
I would like to draw the attention of the Municipal
Corporation of Delhi towards the wretched condition
of the public park in our colony.
Our colony, Kailash Colony, was developed in the
eighties, when much attention was not given to green
belts. It has only one public park which is in an abject
state. It seems a picture of utter neglect. The boundary
wall is broken at several places. Consequently, stray
cows and dogs wander inside at will. Some undesirable
elements and beggars sleep on the benches at night.
There is no watchman or gardener to look after its
maintenance. People are wary of going to the park early
15
 in the morning or late in the evening. Thus the park has physique. I did my B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry from Hans
become a nuisance to the residents. Raj College, Delhi in 1998. Thereafter I started working

It is hoped that after reading our plight in the newspaper, in a local pharmaceutical company. I have acquired
the authorities will be roused to take remedial steps. sufficient experience in sales and marketing.
So far all our appeals and letters to the authorities have I would like to switch over to your prestigious company
failed to elicit any response from them. Hope this letter for the sake of better career prospects.
does the trick. I am willing to travel outside Delhi, if necessary.

Yours faithfully I hope my particulars meet your requirements.

Shaan Yours faithfully
III. Applications for Job: Sumit Awasthi
1. 236, Elgin Road 3. 21B, MIG Flats
Delhi Ashok Vihar, Phase–III
Delhi–110052
20th May, 20××
3rd March, 20××
The Personnel Manager
Hewlett Packard Ltd. The Hindustan Times
43 Nehru Place ABC Consultants
New Delhi Box 45731
Delhi
Sir
Sir
Subject: Outdoor Marketing Assistants.
Subject: Application for the Post of Web Designer.
In response to your advertisement in ‘the Delhi Times’
dated 18th May, 20×× requiring young boys/girls for This is in response to your advertisement in the
marketing your products in Delhi, I offer myself as one ‘Hindustan Times’ of 1st March, 20×× regarding your
of the candidates. requirement of a Web-designer. I wish to apply for the
I fulfil the conditions laid down in your advertisement, same.
I have my own scooter. I enjoy sound health, good I am a 26-year-old science graduate. I did B.Sc. (Hons)
personality and pleasing manners. I have reasonable (Physics) from Hans Raj College, Delhi in first division
good command over Hindi and English. Although I in 20××. Along with I pursued a four-year part time
am just 18 and have just finished my schooling at St. computer course from NIIT. For the past three years I
Columbus Sr. Secondary School, I have heard a lot have been working with XY Graphics and Multimedia
about your prestigious company and your products. Ltd. as their web designer.
I think it will be an honour to me to get associated with During the course of my work, I have acquired
your esteemed concern. experience in conceptualising, visualising, designing
I do assure you of my dedicated service and wholehearted and animation for websites. I would like to switch over
co-operation. to a bigger company where prospects for promotion are
brighter.
Yours faithfully
In case my particulars suit your requirement, please
Subodh Srivastava contact me at the above address. I am enclosing photo
2. 387, Sector-14 copies of my degrees and certificates.
Gurgaon With best wishes.
18th July, 20×× Yours faithfully
The Personnel Manager Gauri Bhasin
Ranbaxy Chemicals Encl: Copies of (i) B. Sc. Degree and (ii) Computer
23 Scindia House Certificate.
New Delhi 4. 22-A
Sir Sham Nath Marg
Subject: Application for the post of a Sales Executive. Delhi
This is in response to your advertisement in ‘The Indian 9th March, 20××
Express’ dated 15th July, 20×× inviting applications The Deputy General Manager (Personnel)
for the post of Sales Executives in your esteemed Sarabhai Enterprises
pharmaceutical company. I wish to apply for the same. Nehru Place
I am a young man of 25 with sound health and good New Delhi

16 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook


Sir 5. 23A, MIG Flats
Subject: Application for the Post of Sales Manager. Rajouri Garden Phase-I
New Delhi

This is response to your advertisement in the ‘Hindustan
Times’, dated 7th March for the post of Sales Manager
15th March, 20××
in your concern. I fulfil all the condition laid down and
The Secretary
wish to apply for the same. A perusal of my Bio-Data DAV College Management Committee
will satisfy you. I am an electrical engineering graduate Paharganj
from IIT Bengaluru with an MBA degree from the same New Delhi
prestigious institute. I possess a working knowledge of
Sir
computer.

I have been handling sales and purchases at Lohia Subject: A pplication for the Post of Lecturer in
Enterprises for the last two years. I want to join your Chemistry.
firm for better career prospects as well as to live with
This is in response to your advertisement in ‘The Indian
my aged parents. My bio-data is enclosed. Express’ of 10th March, 20××, inviting application for

Hoping for a favourable response. the post of a lecturer in Chemistry. I wish to apply for
the same. I am thirty three years of age and currently

Yours faithfully
teaching Chemistry to under-graduate/post graduate

Vinod Arora students in M.M.H. College, Ghaziabad. I would like
Encl.: Bio-data
to switch over to your prestigious institution for job
satisfaction and better prospects.
BIO-DATA
In addition to studies, I take keen interest in basketball,
Name : Vinod Kumar Arora tennis and organising science exhibitions. I am
enclosing my Bio-data.
Father’s Name : Ram Chandra Arora

Hoping for a favourable response.
Date of Birth : 5th October, 19××

Yours faithfully
Address : 22-A, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi

Mukund Bhasin
Nationality : Indian
Educational : (i) SSCE (CBSE 19××) Encl.: Bio-data

Qualification   A Grade, ABC School, Delhi BIO-DATA
(ii) BE (Electrical)
1st Division (20××) Name : Mukund Bhasin
I.I.T., Bengaluru Father’s Name : Ramesh Chand Bhasin
(iii) MBA (I.I.T.) Date of Birth : 10th May ,19××
1st Division (20××) Address : 22-A, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi
I.I.T., Bengaluru Nationality : Indian
Experience : Senior Sales Officer Educational : (i) SSCE (CBSE 19××)
Lohia Enterprises, Pune Qualification   A Grade, ABC School, Delhi
— 2007 onwards
(ii) B.Sc. (Physics)
Testimonials : (i) Sh. A.K. Mohlal 78%, 1st Division (19××)
Principal Hans Raj College, Delhi
ABC School, Delhi
(iii) M.Sc (Chemistry, Organic)
(ii) Dr. B.C. Ghosh 1st Division (20××)
Director Delhi
I.I.T., Benga­luru
(iv) Ph.D (20××)
References : (i) Sh. R. Prabhu Meerut University
Deputy Manager (Personnel)
Lohia Enterprises, Pune Educational : Qualified UGC. NET (20××)
Qualification
(ii) Sh. A.C. Mehta
M.L.A. Experience : (i) Lecturer (20××-××)
Alipur Road Area, Delhi R.G. College, Meerut
(ii) Lecturer (20×× till)
Vinod Arora MMH College, Ghaziabad

Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar 17


Dear Ms Ghose
Testimonials : (i) Principal
ABC School, Delhi Subject: Computer Programming Course.
(ii) Principal
I thank you for your letter dated 25th March, 20××
R.G. College, Meerut and the interest you have shown in the crash course of
computer programming. The point-wise reply to your
References
: (i) Principal
queries is as under:
MMH College, Ghaziabad
(a) The short-term course is of six weeks duration.
(ii) Sh. Jagdish Chandra
M.L.A. (b) Many other courses like web-designing, data
Raja Garden Area, Delhi processing, etc. are available.
(c) ` 1500: in two installments.
Mukund Bhasin (d) 10 per group.
(e) 30 min. in a class of 3 hours.
IV. Letters to the School/College Authorities: (f) Morning: 9 to 12, Evening: 3 to 6 on alternate days
excluding Sunday.
1. C-176, Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi-110024
Hope to hear from you soon.

25th March, 20××
Yours faithfully

Krishna Kant

The Administrative Officer
(Administrative Officer)
ET&T Computer Education
Mansarovar Garden 3. 27-C, Raja Garden
New Delhi Delhi

Sir
20th March, 20××
Subject: Information Regarding Computer Program-
The Director
ming Course. Sahayoga

Apropos your advertisement in ‘the Statesman’ dated
27, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
23rd March, 20×× regarding a crash course in computer
New Delhi
programming, I solicit some information. I have just
Sir
completed my 12th standard from CBSE, New Delhi
Subject: Enquiry regarding Short-term Course.
and I am interested in doing a short-term computer
programming course in the evening session. Kindly
I would like to join the special courses run by your
supply me the following details: organisation for the welfare of students who are victims
of examination stress. Kindly supply me the full details
(a) Duration of short-term courses.
of the short term courses/classes scheduled during the
(b) Other courses available. summer vacation. I am keen to join a shorter group so
(c) Fees to be paid—whether payment in installments that I can put forward my problem freely.
is permitted.
In case there is some printed leaflet/brochure, please
(d) Size of the class/group. also supply it. Perhaps it will help some of my friends
(e) Availability of computer time. as well.
(f) Timings of classes and frequency.
Yours faithfully

I am sending a self-addressed envelope. Please despatch

Sumit
the requisite information at the earliest.
4. A-14, Sun City

Yours faithfully Delhi

Aparna Ghose
15th March, 20××
2. ET & T Computer Education
The Principal
Mansarovar Garden Summer Spring Girls School
New Delhi Vinod Garden

2nd April, 20×× Delhi

Ms Aparna Ghose
Madam,
C-176, Lajpat Nagar Subject: L ack of Proper Arrangement of Clean
New Delhi-110024 Drinking Water.

18 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook


During a recent meeting of PTA, I happened to visit
your school as the guardian of my younger sister. I was
deeply impressed by the standard of cleanliness and
discipline in your school. One thing, however, irked me
the most. It is the lack of proper arrangement of clean
drinking water in the school. Although summer has
not yet begun, I found long queues of thirsty students
in front of the water coolers on the ground floor. I saw
some students quenching their thirst from water taps
on the first and second floors.
Supply of clean, germ-free water is an essential part
of the facilities the school should offer. I suggest that
immediate steps should be taken to install boosters to
provide a running supply of water to the water coolers
on the first and second floors.
I hope you will take urgent steps in this regard.
Yours faithfully
Aaradhna
5. Examination Hall 2. A HARROWING DEVASTATION
................... Centre
8th January, 20××
The Principal my breakfast. I had to attend the state level function at
ABC Sr. Sec. School 9 a.m. I was eager to cover the function for our paper
XYZ City
Sir
Subject: Extra Classes in Maths.
The other day we were admonished about poor
performance in Maths in the Pre-Board Examination.
We have tried to search our souls, rack our brains
and find out the fault. The reason is quite obvious.
Our Maths lecturer retired in August and stop-
gap arrangements were made for three months by
appointing temporary hands. Only last month we
were able to get the guidance from an expert and
competent teacher like Mr. B.M. Garg. However,
a lot of our course remains uncovered and proper
justice cannot be done to it in the regular periods
only.
Moreover, we have to make up our deficiency. Drill,
revision and classroom tests also require certain
periods. In view of the paucity of time available to
us between now and the commencement of board
examination, it is requested that some extra classes
before/after school hours be arranged in Maths for XI
and XII classes.
I hope that the request of the students will be acceded
to without any delay.
Yours obediently
Rajani Walia sight. They scatter with wind and choke the drains.
Head Girl
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
VERY LONG COMPOSITION
I. Article:
1. NEED OF HEALTH CARE CENTRES
By XYZ
The government has launched many health care
schemes for small-pox, tuberculosis, leprosy and
HIV infections. The Pulse Polio campaign has been a
resounding success. These efforts of the government
are commendable but not sufficient. Recently, the city
clinics reported the re-emergence of some infectious
diseases like cholera, small pox, malaria, dengue, etc.
These were thought to be under control, but they have
resurfaced. Cases of HIV infection have multiplied.
Hence there is urgent need of a health care centre in
every locality. These centres can check diseases by
diagnosing them at early stages and providing effective
cure. In short, health care centres are essential to ensure
a disease-free nation.
By ABC
It was 8:30 a.m. on the 26th January when I was having
‘The Times of India’. Suddenly, the flat started shaking
violently. The clock fell down at 8.40 a.m. I looked out
of my fifth floor apartment. The building opposite was
swaying. Suddenly it started collapsing. The ceiling fan
and lamps in my room were also swaying violently. I
heard a loud crashing sound. I called my wife, picked
up my baby and ran towards the door. The staircase was
already overcrowded. People were shouting. Children
were crying. My son Rohit also began to sob. My wife
soothed him. The building was now rocking more
violently. As we reached the ground floor I saw cracks
in it. Somehow we managed to reach my car and drove
away. As I reached open space I saw dust and rubble
all around. Ahmedabad had become a devastated area
with lakhs of people trapped under the debris.
3. HAZARDS OF POLYTHENE BAGS
By Bhoomi
Polythene bags are a potential threat to our environment.
They have many adverse effects on human health and
hygiene. Polythene bags are non-biodegradable. They
do not dissolve in mud. Rather they clog the pores and
do not allow earth to suck up water. Thus the fertility
power of the earth is lost. New buds do not get a chance
to come up. Greenery is hampered. They produce
obnoxious gases when burnt. These gases cause serious
diseases like bronchitis, eyesore, rashes, allergy, cancer
etc. Heaps of discarded polythene bags present an ugly
Deadly germs breed in the pools of dirty water. Sewer
19
 system is choked. Stray animals eat them and their
digestive systems get disturbed. We should create
public awareness against these hazards. Anti-polythene
campaigns should be organised.
4. BAN CRACKERS
By Dipti/Dhruva
II. Speech:
Many harmful practices have been associated with
some of our religious festivals and social events.
Bursting crackers on Diwali, weddings etc. is such an
evil practice. It is not only wasteful but harmful as well.
Perhaps the desire to display wealth and a misguided
notion of fun urges people to enjoy the sight of their
hard earned money going up in smoke.
The smoke emitted by the firework releases harmful
and poisonous gases. People suffering from asthma
and other respiratory disorders have to bear additional
suffering. The indulgence in this practice encourages
the social evil of child labour. Most of the factories
producing fire-crackers use children as labourers. These
unfortunate children are deprived of education and
healthy childhood. They also get diseases by handling
poisonous chemicals. Hence, it is the need of the hour
to ban crackers.
5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
AND YOUNGER GENERATION
By Madhu/Mudit
The Information Technology has provided new avenues
to the students for acquiring knowledge, enhancing
thrills of creativity, enjoying pleasures of discovery
as well as new job opportunities at home and abroad.
Computers have brought a silent revolution. These
electronic devices are as efficient as the best of human
brains. Computers have become indispensable in data-
processing and resource planning. Access to Internet
has opened vast field of knowledge to the computer-
operator. Computer is more than a calculating machine.
No doubt it has made lengthy calculations and working
out tedious problems a matter of fun. In writing articles
too it helps like a good friend by correcting spellings
and grammatical errors. Web-designing, e-mail and
e-commerce are quite engrossing and rewarding.
6. ROLE OF STUDENTS IN
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
By Astitva/Ashita
Students are the pride and glory of a nation. They can
play a very constructive role in the progress, uplift
and development of a country. In the new millennium,
information technology has turned the world into a
global village. Our educated youth have a tremendous
responsibility on their young shoulders. Our country
is overpopulated and beset with poverty, ignorance,
illiteracy and superstitions. The young students can
play a positive and constructive role in every field of
20 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
national development. They can enlighten the villagers
about new techniques in agriculture. By making
them literate, the students can provide them valuable
guidance in establishing cooperative societies. This will
help in generating money through self-employment. In
short, they can bring a transformation in the society.
1. POLLUTION CAUSED BY FIRE-CRACKERS
Respected Principal, teachers and dear friends!
Good Morning! Today I would like to talk about a
subject that we all do know but scarcely pay any heed to
it. On the days of festivals most of us burst fire crackers
not realizing the amount of pollution they cause.
Thus we are ourselves degrading the environment.
The bursting of fire crackers increases atmospheric
pollution. The suspended particulate matter like
nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide are added up when
a cracker is burst.
The increase in atmospheric pollution gives rise to
respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. The
cases of heart-attacks and strokes multiply. The noise
pollution created by bursting of crackers may cause
deafness as well.
We may enjoy the bright light and the sound of
explosion for a few seconds, but we ignore the
permanent damage caused by bursting of crackers. We
ourselves inhale the extremely harmful particles as we
ignite the crackers.
Hence it becomes the duty of each one of us to keep our
environment clean and refrain from bursting crackers.
Let us put an end to this wasteful exercise of burning
our hard-earned money.
Thank you
2. LIFE IN A COUNTRYSIDE PREFERABLE
TO LIFE IN A CITY
Respected Chairperson, Members of faculty and dear
Friends!
I stand before you to support the motion that life in the
country side is preferable to life in the city. At the outset
I will like to remind the audience about the numerous
advantages that the villages offer. In fact life in the
country has so many advantages over life in the city
that I don’t think any one present would disagree with
me. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet and has a
soothing effect. The air is fresh and pure. Green fields
which can be seen all around are a lovely sight. In the
country people are friendly and the neighbours are
helpful. On the other hand, cities are full of vehicles
giving out smoke and creating atmospheric pollution.
There is also air pollution from the chimneys of
industries spewing off smoke. Moreover, the streets in
the city are always crowded with people. Everyone is
in a hurry and never finds time to relax. Village life is
tension free. There is no undue hurry and excitement.
 The villagers may be poor in terms of income but they
live a far happier life than the city dwellers. Hence I
conclude that life in the countryside is preferable to life
in the city.
Thank you
3. MODERN GADGETS HAVE MADE US
SLAVE TO MACHINES
Respected chairperson, honourable judges, members
of the staff and my dear friends!
Today I stand before you stoutly and wholeheartedly
to speak on ‘Modern gadgets have made us slave
to machines’. We have become so dependent upon
machines for everything that out life would come to a
stand still without them.
Science and technology have transformed the life style
of modern man. In fact the modern civilization has
become highly mechanised. Right from the time he
gets up to the time he goes to bed, he depends on one
or the other modern scientific gadget. He uses fridge
to store food and keep it cool. Fans, room coolers and
air conditioners keep him cool. Telephone increases
the range of his voice whereas car multiplies the speed
of his legs and now he can fly even like a bird. In his
office too he dictates letters on dictaphone, which
his secretary types on a computer, another device of
modern science. Now he can store information in a
computer. Mobile phones, television and cable network
have become quite common. Most of these gadgets are
based on electricity.
Now think of a day when electricity fails. All the
activities of the morning are shelved or delayed.
There is no hot water for shaving or bathing. No tea
or sandwich for breakfast. No computer, television or
airconditioner can work without electricity. We feel
miserable because we have become so used to them.
The modern gadgets have helped the world to leap
forward to a glittering civilization. They have provided
tremendous power and unlimited knowledge to man.
In fact the modern gadgets have revolutionised every
phase of man’s life. Man has become so dependent
upon them that it is impossible to conceive of modern
man’s life without these gadgets. Hence, we can safely
conclude that modern gadgets have made us slaves to
machines.
Thank you
4. ADULT EDUCATION
Respected Chairperson, distinguished guest and dear
friends!
Education provides all round development of our
personality—body, mind and soul. Unfortunately, a vast
number of our population remain uneducated. The rate
of school drop-outs is increasing fast. To overcome the
ever increasing number of illiterates, Adult Education
programmes have been launched by the Ministry of
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
Education. Many voluntary and social organisation
have also come forward to render their service.
The National Literacy Mission is an organization
engaged in Adult Education. It has helped to eradicate
illiteracy in India to a great extent. School and college
students can also help in the noble mission. They can
offer voluntary service during their free period, that is,
vacation. They can organize adult literacy classes in
their streets or villages.
It is hoped that these educated villagers will prove
helped in the development of the nation. Education will
give them awareness and knowledge. They will gain
information, dignity and self-respect. They will become
good citizens of the nation. They will become free
from the social bondage, exploitation and humiliation.
Education will not remain ornamental. It will become
a part of their personality.
Thank you
5. IMPACT OF RISE IN PRICES OF
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Respected Chairman and dear friends!
The decision of the Central Government to hike the
prices of Petroleum products has shocked all the
consumers. The salaried classes and the middle-income
group are the worst affected. As a common man, I
resent this harsh decision of the government. The
increase is not only sudden but steep also.
The common man is already reeling under the spiralling
prices. The recent hike in the cost of petroleum products
will push the expenditure graph up by 30 to 40 per cent.
The increase in the prices of diesel and petrol will not
only increase the expenditure on one’s own vehicle, but
also increase the freight of goods and their initial cost
will. The essential commodities will get dearer. Fares
of buses, autos and taxis will have an upward swing.
Shopkeepers will enhance the prices of even those
articles which are produced locally. This continuous
rise in prices of commodities will make it difficult to
live within a fixed income. This escalation will mean
cutting down the necessary expenditure by curbing
some needs of the family.
I urge the Finance Minister to reconsider the decision
which is bound to hit hard millions of working classes
and salaried people besides, creating a vicious circle
of spiralling prices. It is earnestly hoped that my views
will merit some consideration at the hands of the
authorities.
Thank you
6. MISUSE OF SCIENTIFIC GADGETS
Respected Chairperson, teachers and students!
Twentieth century has witnessed a revolution in the
field of science and technology. Everyday we hear of
numerous latest gadgets produced to make our life easy
and comfortable.
21

Recently, however, some cases have come to light
where criminals and unscrupulous elements have
misused the gadgets of science for their selfish and
nefarious ends. Committing dacoity, kidnapping or
murders using stolen vehicles has become a routine.
Telephone is misused by anti-social elements.
Young Romeos misuse the telephone for eve-teasing.
Rash driving, honking of horns and playing loud music
are some other tricks used by them.
Unscrupulous operators of cable network screen vulgur
films depicting glorification of violence and sex. These
films directly encourage evils like smuggling, drinking
and drugs.
The hard-core terrorists use bombs hidden in toys to
hit their targets. Remote control comes handy to them
to accomplish their plan. The powerful beams of lasers
are used by modern day criminals to break the safest
safe.
The remedy does not lie in banning the gadgets,
but in arousing public consciousness. Police and
administration must exercise effective vigilance. Law
enforcement should be strict and law-breakers be given
exemplary punishment.
Thank you
III. Report:
1. PLEASANT EXPERIENCE
AT A RAILWAY STATION
Reported by XYZ was decided to hold an exhibition of art and craft and
7th March, 20××
Last Sunday I had to go to the railway station to receive
a friend. On reaching the station I learnt that the train
was late. So I had enough time to enjoy the scene. The
second class waiting room was packed to its capacity.
Some passengers were chatting in groups, others were
lying on the floor. There were long queues before the
booking windows. The enquiry clerk seemed very busy.
The coolies were carrying luggage to the platform. The
railway platform presented an interesting, amusing and
absorbing scene. The hawkers were having a good time.
People were anxiously waiting for the train. The scene
changed as soon as the train arrived. There was a lot of
noise and confusion. Everyone was eager to get down.
They were pushed back by those who wanted to get in.
My friend waved to me. I helped him in moving down
his luggage. Soon the guard whistled and the train
moved off. Now the platform looked deserted. I came
out of the station with my friend.
2. HOW I CELEBRATED MY BIRTHDAY
Reported by ABC after 1st October. The bus-operators pointed out that
12th April, 20××
My birthday falls on the 4th April. This year too it
was a gala event. Grandpa had arranged a ‘Havan’.
The priests offered religious worship to the family
22 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
gods and prayed for my long life. At 6 in the evening
I welcomed my friends and relatives at the Gaylord’s.
They greeted me with the words “Many happy returns
of the day!” They also gave me birthday presents. As I
cut the cake all the invitees sang in a chorus: “Happy
birthday to you.” I offered them pieces of cake. Then
dainty dishes and tea were served. It was followed by
a brief but entertaining cultural programme. We had a
jolly good time. I thanked all my friends and relatives
for their kind visit and good wishes. Thus my birthday
was celebrated in both the ways—traditional as well
as modern. I sought the blessings of family gods and
elders. I also enjoyed the fun of dancing and singing
with my peers. At the end of the day, I was dead tired.
So I retired to bed early. I had only one regret—
Birthday come only once a year.
3. GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
Reported by Mayank
8th February, 20××
Our school completed fifty years of its existence on
‘Basant Panchami’—the 5th February, this year. To
commemorate the event, a year-long programme of
celebrations were planned. Meetings of staff, and
students’ council were held. An organising committee
comprising the principal, five members of staff, office
bearers of the student council was constituted. A
calendar of curricular activities was chalked out. It
science exhibition at school level. Fancy dress and
dance competitions were held for the primary section.
A Golden Jubilee issue of the school magazine was
also brought out. Inter-school debate contest and a
play festival were held in September and October.
During November, special programmes were staged
by ex-students. On the concluding function, a dance-
drama ‘Eklavya’ was presented. It was acclaimed by
the audience.
4. COMMUTERS STRANDED
Reported by Nidhi
28th November, 20××
New Delhi
A state of disorder and confusion was witnessed at
almost all the bus stops whereas the situation was quite
chaotic at the railway stations and ISBT. This was a
direct outcome of the protest by bus operators against
the Delhi Govt. orders to ban diesel driven buses with
immediate effect. According to the Supreme Court
orders, only CNG fuel driven buses could operate
conversion to CNG mode was costly and refuelling
was time consuming. So they called for a flash-strike to
register their grievances. Their action brought transport
to a standstill. School children, office-goers, patients,
 old and sick-persons were all stranded. There were
not enough vehicles on the road to cope with the rush.
Taxis and auto rickshaws had a field day. The plight of
women and children was touching. Some alternative
fuel or energy source is needed to save the transport
going into a mess.
5. DEVASTATION BY FLOODS
Reported by XYZ winds made us shiver. We were confined to the base
News Correspondent, The Express camp. Two of us Sudhir and Anil had running nose and
14th July, 20××
A visit to the flood-hit districts of the state of Orissa
fills one with depressing thoughts. How can nature be
so cruel? The cyclonic storm has proved a disaster for
the state. Coastal areas have been hit hard. The villages
and hamlets have been adversely affected. Thousands
of acres of land having crops are still submerged in
water. Millions of cattle have been washed away or
perished in the flood waters. Thousands of the villagers
have been rendered homeless. Hundreds of children
and the aged have been swept off. Thus there has been
an all round destruction of life, property, cattle and
crops. Government agencies and voluntary groups have
rushed to the help of the flood affected victims. The
situation is grim and calls for more concerted efforts.
6. RAINFALL CAUSES HAVOC
Reported by XYZ
6th July, 20××
Agra is situated on the bank of the Yamuna river. The
Taj Mahal is the pride of this city. The government has
made every arrangement to keep the city neat and clean.
However, we have no control over nature. Recently this
city experienced heavy rainfall. It rained continuously
for four days. People remained locked in their homes
and tied within four walls of their rooms.
There was water everywhere in the city. The choked
drains did not allow rainwater to empty into the Yamuna
river properly. When the entire city was flooded with
rainwater, it created havoc for life and property. Two
or three people drowned in the water collected in the
drains. Several animals also drowned in the big drains.
Rainwater had damaged several cars and buses also.
The roofs of some houses had also fallen down as their
foundation could not sustain the force of rainwater
flowing beside its wall. Really, it was a pathetic scene
in the town after the rainwater had drained into the
Yamuna river. The loss of life and property caused by
torrential rains was beyond our imagination.
IV. Narrative:
1. STRANDED IN SNOWFALL
Our school organised a hiking and trekking expedition
during the winter break this year. Our party comprised
ten members including the Physical Training
Instructor who was our guide and mentor. The weather
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
was pleasant and there was bright sunshine for the first
3-4 days. We covered about 10 to 12 kilometres of
hilly terrain each day. Then there was heavy snowfall.
We were forced to suspend our activities as the
tracks covered with snow became slippery and hence
dangerous. We enjoyed making snowmen and playing
with snow. Our new pastime was shortlived as cold
mild fever. Our teacher advised us to drink warm water
and avoid cold drinks and ice-cream. We had to remain
content watching the snowfall from our camp. Luckily
our companions recovered after two days.
2. BLOOD DONATION CAMP
A blood donation camp was organised by our school
on 24 October, the UNO Day, at 9.00 am in the school
auditorium. Our Principal was the first person to donate
blood. Thus, he inaugurated the campaign with a
practical example. His inspiring lead was followed by
the members of the staff, who took their turn to make
their contribution in this noble mission. Students of
senior classes did not lag behind. I also donated blood
and motivated my friends and classmates to donate
blood for the noble cause. We felt proud and happy
that 150 units of blood were collected. The organizers
felt overwhelmed at the massive response of student
community. Each donor was issued a certificate of
having donated blood, in addition to an apple, two
bananas and a glass of milk.
3. HELPING THE FLOOD VICTIMS
Rains are usually over in Delhi by the end of August.
But this year it rained continuously for four days in
the first week of September. This caused flash flood
in Yamuna. It crossed the danger mark. The plight of
people living in the flood-affected areas was shocking.
I had never seen humans and animals huddled together
in filthy shanties. As usual the government agencies
were slow to react. As a responsible citizen I organised
a taskforce of volunteers to help the unfortunate
victims of the vagaries of nature. I also persuaded two
NGOs to rise to the occasion and render help to reduce
the miserable plight of the hopless victims of flood
who had lost their homes and material possession.
We distributed packets of milk, loaves of bread and
bottles of drinking water. Fodder for animals was also
arranged. I felt tired but I was happy to help the needy
and relieve their sufferings.
4. DEMONSTRATION BY WOMEN
While returning from school yesterday afternoon, I
came across a group of women. Housewives from all
sections of society and some political activists had
organised a demonstration to register their annoyance
and protest against the recent hike in LPG and
23
 other petroleum products. They carried banners and
placards with catchy slogans. Some of the women
seemed overenthusiastic. They shouted vociferously.
Their selfless devotion to a common cause stirred
my innermost chords. I felt impressed by their zeal
to attract the attention of the authorities towards the
sufferings of the common man and their efforts to
spread awareness among all the sections of the society.
Instinctively, my friends and I joined the procession.
As  it was a  very hot afternoon, the weather took its toll
and some of the volunteers collapsed under sunstroke
and dehydration. We rushed them to nearby hospitals
but the march of the protesters went on. I wish I could
make more meaningful contribution.
5. PICNIC TO BADKHAL LAKE
It was a bright sunny Sunday morning in November.
We left for Badkhal Lake for a picnic in a chartered
bus along with our class-teacher. The journey took
us half an hour. As soon as we crossed the Delhi
Border at Badarpur, cool November wind greeted
us. When we reached the lawns near the lake, we
found the place quite overcrowded. Children and
youngsters had come in glittering and colourful
dresses. We selected a shady corner and sat there.
We decided to play some amusing group games.
Everyone had to entertain others at his turn. We
all sang and danced for hours together. Some of us
could not resist the temptation of having a dip in
the lake. Some others enjoyed boating under the
supervision of the boating instructors. By 1 pm we
felt hungry. We enjoyed the food we had brought.
After playing hide-and-seek for an hour we left the
place. It was indeed a great fun.
6. A GHASTLY TRAIN ACCIDENT
It was about 2 p.m. last night when I fell down from the
upper berth of the Super Fast Express. I was travelling
from Delhi to Jammu. The violent jerk not only
caused me to fall down but also roused me to the plight
of other passengers. On coming out of the coach,
I found that the train had rammed into a stationary
goods train. The impact was severe that two bogies
of the express were mounted atop the engine of the
goods train. The lights at the Shahabad Railway
Station were dim. Relief measures were slow. About
150 passengers trapped in the two bogies were
shouting for help. We needed ladders and ropes to
go up and extricate them. The people of the town
rose to the occasion. They brought emergency
lights, ropes and ladders. I joined the local young
men in the relief measures. The stranded passengers felt
thankful to us and cursed the railway staff. The severely
injured persons were rushed to hospital.
24
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. SITUATION VACANT
Wanted a smart, confident Executive Assistant to
the Director of a reputed company. Qualification
-graduate, age-between 25-30 years. Typing speed
-40 wpm. Preference to those candidates who can
handle computer. Salary negotiable. Apply with
complete bio-data by 25th July, 20×× to Ravi,
Mobile: 98××××××××, E-mail : Ravi1000@xyz.com
2. B– Block,
Sector –19
Noida
18th March, 20××
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Frequent Digging-up of Roads.
I want to highlight the problems faced by the residents
of Sector-19, Noida due to the frequent digging-up of
roads by various departments, such as electricity, water
supply, sewage, telephones, etc. It seems that there is
no co-ordination between these departments and the
PWD. We have to put up with traffic diversions almost
every fortnight. Great inconvenience is caused by the
unfilled pits and dust rising from the unsettled earth.
The dug-roads remain unrepaired and cause traffic
hazards as well as accidents.
We have written to the Development Authority many
times, but our repeated efforts have failed to bear any
fruit. Even today the roads are lying in a dug-up state.
I hope the publication of the letter in your newspaper
will draw the attention of the authorities to our plight
and motivate them to expedite the repair work.
Yours truly
Vibhu Mehra
3. A FIGHT BETWEEN A LANDLORD
AND HIS TENANT
Quarrels between a landlord and his tenant are a
common occurrence in Indian cities. Yesterday I
witnessed a fight between a landlord and his tenant in
our block. They were engaged in a heated argument.
The landlord was asking the tenant for rent at enhanced
rates, but the tenant consistently refused to yield to his
demand for enhancement. He argued that the house
lacked even essential facilities. From exchange of
hot words, they soon turned to exchange of blows. I
reached there, neighbours and other also, flocked to the
scene. All of us tried to pacify them. Our intervention
Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
 seemed to add fuel to the fire. Each tried to shout
down the other. Then I and some other neighbours
separated them and took them some distance apart.
Our conciliatory efforts seemed to bear fruit. Just then
there was a barrage of taunts and abuses from inside the
house. It seemed that the wives of the landlord and the
tenant had now jumped in the fray. This flared up the
two gentlemen. From verbal exchanges, they came to
physical handling, blows, pulls and pushes. Meanwhile,
a police van arrived and took them in custody on the
charge of breach of peace. They reached a compromise
at the police station and were released from custody.
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1.
COMMUNAL HARMONY
the need of the hour
Live in Peace: Respect Others’ Religion
Remember
INDIA IS A SECULAR STATE
v Live and let live
v All religions lead to God
v All human beings are children of God
v So why disharmony? Live as brothers & sisters
Avoid Distinctions of caste, creed, sex, etc.
Issued in Public Interest:
CITIZENS’ FORUM, LUCKNOW
2. F-311, Ekta Colony
Delhi
15th October, 20××
The Principal library books
Evergreen Senior Secondary School
Daryaganj, New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Lack of Clean Toilets.
I want to draw your kind attention to one shortcoming
in your otherwise good institution. I happened to go to
one of the toilets for students after a school function. I
attended this function as the guardian of my younger
brother. I was shocked to see the condition of the toilets.
There was a foul stench all around. Yellow patches
caused by urine were visible everywhere. There was
no proper flushing and cleaning of the pots of the
toilets. Some of them seemed to be blocked and caused
overflow of filthy water. The walls bore ugly graffiti.
Since toilet is an essential facility, proper cleanliness
and maintenance is a must. I do hope you will pay
attention to this most essential problem.
Thank you
Yours faithfully
Karan
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Respected Principal, teachers and friends!
Global warming has accelerated the rise of temperature
on earth. The sea level is also rising and glaciers are
melting away. Natural calamities are taking a toll of
life on earth. Floods and scanty rainfall result in a
crunch of food products, drinking water and disturb
normal living conditions. The drought in Rajasthan
has led to deaths and famine. Man is himself to blame
for the deterioration of ecosystem. Depleting forests,
industrial pollution, toxic-wastes, vehicular pollution,
cutting of trees in cities, and lack of green cover are
some of the contributory factors. The entire process of
environmental pollution is becoming a vicious cycle.
The urgent need of the hour is to protect environment.
School children have begun to create awareness by
campaigning against polythene bags and recycling
waste material. Let us join hands to protect our forests,
grow more trees, check toxic pollutants and change our
lifestyle.
Thank you
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1.
JAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, AMBALA
15th Mar., 20×× NOTICE
Library Timings/off day, etc.
The members are requested to note the following
decisions that will come into effect immediately:
(i) Working hours : 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(ii) Working days : Tuesday to Sunday
(iii) Off day : Monday
(iv) Period of retaining : Two weeks
J.L. Bhasin
Librarian
2. D-2, Green Park
New Delhi
7th March, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Atrocities on Women.
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would
like to draw the attention of the authorities towards the
steady increase in the atrocities on women.
It is a matter of shame that inspite of constitutional
safeguards and provision of equality of sexes, the
condition of women is going from bad to worse
even after 50 years of the implementation of the
25
 Constitution. The gender bias is predominant
in all areas—home, school, office, factories,
buses or trains. Women suffer discrimination and
humiliation everywhere. The government enacts
laws to provide social equality, but women become
victims of social discrimination and physical
assaults. Cases of dowry deaths, molestation, rapes
and eve-teasing are steadily increasing. The legal
process still relies on evidence and witnesses. The
offenders commit crimes, threaten the victims/
eyewitness and go scot-free in the absence of any
incriminating material or circumstantial evidence
against them.
It is high time, the government adopted preventive
steps. Let the onus lie on the offender to prove his
innocence and not on the victim. Creation of Awareness
Cells, Local Vigilance Committees and Mobile
Magistrates can help and check the problem to some
extent.
Yours truly
Roma
3. BANE OF COMMUNALISM
By Ritu
Communalism is a black spot on the fair name of
secular India. The cancer of communalism is eating into
the vitals of our nation. Every year we have communal
riots and arsoning in one big city or the other. Cities like
Aligarh, Meerut, Moradabad, Kanpur and Ahmedabad
have frequent communal riots.
The root cause of communalism is religious intolerance.
It is fanned by religious fanatics who spread communal
hatred in order to feather their own nest. These narrow-
minded persons suffering from sectarian or communal
prejudices lack a rational, scientific and democratic
approach. They harm the nation by crippling economy
and hinder the development. Communalism has also
been spread by self-seeking politicians. It is high
time that the organizations and the people who divide
people in the name of religion and block the progress
of secular, socialist and democratic India should be
brought to book.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1.
WANTED TUTOR
Wanted a qualified tutor to coach a girl of class-XI
in English. Only tutors with minimum three year’s
experience of teaching CBSE will be considered.
Emoluments: travelling expenses plus 500 to 5,000
p.m. depending upon the calibre and experience.
Contact: Prashant/Preeti, Sector-19, Noida-201301,
Mobile: 98××××××××.
26
2. The Principal
Sarvodaya Academy Sr. Sec. School
Vikas Nagar, Delhi
20th July, 20××
Sir
Subject: Facility of Learning Computers.
As the head boy of school, I would like to put before
you a genuine need of the students. Our school is one
of the leading schools in the state and famous for
its academic excellence. We students, however, feel
handicapped in one respect only. Our school is lacking
in facility of computer education.
The need of computer education is felt nowadays by
everyone. We know that the modern age is moving
fast. The frontiers of knowledge are spreading fast and
unfolding something new every moment. To cope with
the inflow of scientific and technical data, knowledge
of computers is a must. The computers play a vital
role in banks, business houses, railways, airlines,
science laboratories and research centres. Without
effective training in computer learning, the students
will not be equipped to cope with the problems they
are likely to face in the forthcoming career. If we have
to compete with other countries in the field of science
and technology, the knowledge of computers must be
imparted at an early age.
Keeping in view the facts stated above, I request you
to arrange computer learning facility in our school at
the earliest.
Hope to have a favourable consideration.
Thanking you
Yours obediently
Rajat Mittal
(Head boy)
3. BURGLARY IN LOCALITY
I was studying in my room when at 11 pm I heard some
agonising cries from the flat opposite my house. I saw
two persons manhandling an old lady who seemed to be
the sole occupant of the house. These burglars gagged
her and tied her to a pillar. Then they ransacked the
rooms. Meanwhile, I contacted the police station and
gave brief description of their physique and clothes
as well as their activities. After completing their job,
the two burglars got near the main door. They got the
shock of their life when they found that it would not
open easily. Perhaps they thought it was jammed.
They applied force. Then one of them tried to break
it open. The other explored the alternative possibility
of escape. Since it was an upstairs flat, jumping from
window could cause a fracture. Little did they know
that I had bolted the door from outside. The police
showed exemplary promptness in reaching the scene.
I was asked to hide behind the stairs. A young police
Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
 officer slowly opened the door. The luck of the burglars 3. CHILDREN’S DAY
ran short. They were nabbed and put behind the bars. Reported by Aditi
ASSIGNMENT – 5 20th November, 20××
New Delhi
1. TAKE
Children’s Day was celebrated in our school on
REGULAR EXERCISE November 14, this year. This day is the birthday of
and our beloved Chacha Nehru. It is celebrated in schools
H Become Active! H all over the country. This year it was celebrated in
H Get Fit For Life! H our school with great pomp and show. The Education
Minister was the Chief Guest. A cultural programme
H Enjoy Mental Alertness! H
was organised. Dances, songs and one-act plays were
Remember presented. Students recited poems. In the morning,
A Healthy Body Shelters a Healthy Mind sports were held. A Bal Mela was also organised in the
afternoon. The students arranged the stalls there.
Exercising can be fun—choose any one: Parents and other visitors went round the stalls. They
• Swimming liked the items prepared by students and praised their
    • Jogging efforts. Tiny-tots were most elated. For them it was
       • Aerobics colourful fair. They moved about freely and enjoyed
         • Dancing themselves. It was now afternoon. The Chief Guest
           • Working out at the Gym awarded prizes to winners of sports, best stalls and
 Live Longer cultural events. The function ended with thanks giving
 Run and have fun ceremony.
 Sport a Healthy heart
 Give your heart a healthy resort ASSIGNMENT – 6
Issued by 1. ABT SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL,
SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA XYZ CITY
  2. The Principal
St. Francis School 1st Aug., 20×× NOTICE
Caster’s Town Career Counselling Session
Deoghar A career counselling session with Ms. Renu Nigam,
18th August, 20×× noted counsellor will be held in our school.
Sir Date : 10th August, 20××
Subject: Replacement of defective sports goods. Time : 11:00 a.m.
I have honour to state that I am Sunil/Sunita and Venue : School auditorium
captain of the cricket team of our school. Last week Classes : XI and XII
on 8th August, 20×× our team was issued four bats, Please be seated by 8.45 a.m. and do not carry
a dozen of balls and six pairs of leg guards from the eatables and bags inside the auditorium. For further
school. Unfortunately, we found these sports good details contact.
defective. The handle of bats is loose and its holder
Amit
may come out anytime because of poor grip. The box
of balls contains soiled balls with seams broken at Head Boy
several places. As far as leg guards are concerned,
they are also of poor quality. The players do not feel 2. B–216
on comfortable with them. It seems that there has Mayur Vihar
been some carelessness committed by the packing New Delhi
department. Therefore, it is requested that these
defective sports goods may be replaced and our team
28 May, 20××
be re-issued fresh bats, balls and leg guard.
The Editor
Thanking you The Times of India
Your obediently New Delhi
Sunil/Sunita Sir
(Captain of Cricket Team) Subject: Children-targeted Marketing.

Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar 27

 I wish to draw the attention of the authorities ASSIGNMENT – 7
in general and the parents in particular, towards
certain malpractices carried on by the media in their 1. MODEL SCHOOL, NAGPUR
advertisements. The manufacturers approve of these
ads as they boost the sales of their products. 25th Nov., 20×× NOTICE
Most of these ads have a mother and a child or two young Magic Show
children. The product is praised and its virtues extolled. The Students’ Council is organising a magic show
The child or children in the ad seems to offer a suggestion in aid of Flood victims of Andhra Pradesh as per
to his/her peers—it is good for me/us; why don’t you details given below:
try it? Thus, children become targets or prospective Date : 30 November, 20××
buyers. This trend may be fashionably termed as ‘market
strategy’ or ‘customer management’, but it is certainly a Time : 5:30 p.m. onwards
malpractice. It exploits parents’ love for their children. Venue : Community Centre, Nagpur
They can’t refuse the demands of their child whether it is Entry by Ticket : ` 500, ` 100
proper or improper. This new consumer-culture is doing All are cordially invited.
more harm than good to the society. Mithun/Mithilesh
Will the concerned authorities pay attention to this Secretary
malpractice and punish the errant ad agencies? Students’ Council
Yours faithfully
Aakriti 2. 21B, Phase III
3. ADVANTAGES OF TREE PLANTATION MIG Flats, Ashok Vihar
Respected Principal, teachers and friends! Delhi – 52
It is good that our school is celebrating the Vana 19th March 20××
Mahotsava Day. It is only recently that man has realised
the importance of afforestation and growing more trees. ABC Consultants
In these days of ever increasing pollution, trees are the Box – 45731
best friends of human beings. The Hindustan Times
The advantages of planting more and more tree lies in Delhi
the fact that the number of trees preserved is quite low

Sir
as compared to the number of trees planted. Some of the
trees wither away due to lack of proper nourishment Subject: Applying for a web designer job.
and care and some are cut down. Two random examples
With reference to your advertisement in ‘The Hindustan
are sufficient to prove the point. The number of trees times’ dated 15th March 20×× for the web designer for
planted in 2013 was 4,000. Of these more than 1,000
your company. I would like to be considered for the
dried (withered) of the old trees about 2,500 were
cut. Thus the loss of trees was just 500 less than the said post.
plantation that year. However, due to preservation of the My Bio-data is enclosed for your persual and
old trees, the number of preserved trees stood around consideration. If I am found suitable, I can appear for
1,500. Let us consider another example. The highest the interview at any time suitable to you. In case of
number of trees 8,000, were planted in the year 2016. selection, I assure you of my unstinted co-operation
But in the same year 3,000 trees withered and 5,000 and devotion in the discharge of my duties.
were cut. Only 4,000 trees survived. These figures Your faithfully
clearly indicate that the loss of trees due to cutting or
withering is almost equal to fresh plantation. This is Gauri
not a healthy sign. Enclosed: Bio-data
Hence our endeavour should be not only to plant BIO-DATA
more and more trees every year, but also to preserve Name: Gauri Bhasin
them in greater number. Proper care and nourishment Father’s Name: Ramesh Bhasin
is as necessary for trees as for children. Let us look Address: 21B, Phase III, MIG Flat, Ashok Vihar,
after these tender saplings as we look after our young
          Delhi-52.
brothers and sister and guard them from every danger—
natural or man-made. Date of Birth: 09 September, 1990
I am confident that the willing co-operation of all my Educational Qualification: (i) CBSE (10 + 2)
young friends will certainly make this programme             (ii) B.Com, Delhi
highly successful.               University
Thank you                        (iii) M. Com, IGNOU

28 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook

 Technical Qualification: Diploma in designing and
animation from VITECH
Experience: 2 years.
Present Employment: X-42 advertisement Pvt. Ltd.,
New Delhi.
Salary Expected: ` 30,000 pm
Personal Details: Marital Status– Unmarried;
Languages Known – Hindi and English; Hobbies
– Reading and Travelling.
3. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
(by XYZ)
Our country is prone to disasters like floods, drought,
cyclones or earthquakes. We do not have any clear-cut
policy of disaster management nor any force to tackle
the situation. Ad-hoc measures are adopted to cope with
every disaster. We wait and watch for others to join the
fray. There are heated arguments over jurisdiction—
centre or state liability, official assessment and surveys
before any help is rushed out to the affected area. The
slow response results in the loss of precious human
life and valuable property. We must have clear-cut,
well defined guidelines for disaster management. A
well-trained task-force having special equipment and
trained personnel should be constituted. Its controlling
officer should have the authority to take decisions and
ensure their speedy implementation. Better transport
and communication facilities will ensure better results.
Bureaucratic set-up should not be allowed to interfere
with the work of the disaster-management group.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. FOR SALE
Available Maruti 800 DX, 20×× Model in excellent
working condition. White scratchless, self driven,
sparingly used. Average 18 km a liter. All accessories
intact. Expected Price not below ` 1.40 lacs. Contact.
Malhotra, 24××××××.
2. MB-195 ASSIGNMENT – 9
Near Jain Mandir
Kailash Nagar
Delhi
18th March, 20××
The Principal ILLUMINE YOUR LIVES WITH JOY &
XYZ School
Delhi
Sir
Subject: Introduction of Biology.
As a former student of the school, I request you to
introduce Biology as one of the subjects in our school
in senior secondary classes. Our school has excellent
facilities for physics and chemistry, but there is no
provision for the learning of Biology.
Biology is a very important subject for the students
who have to seek admission in MBBS course. Since
we do not have this particular subject in the senior
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
secondary classes, our students will always have
a major drawback if they want to compete for the
Entrance Test leading to admission in MBBS course.
Private coaching is no substitute for regular classes.
In the present competition oriented times, where
professionalism is the order of the day, it becomes
imperative to have thorough knowledge in the field
where one’s interest lies.
If the subject of Biology is introduced in our school,
it will prevent unnecessary inconvenience to students
who have to migrate to other schools after passing the
tenth standard for want of their desired subject.
I am optimistic to hear a positive response in this matter
from you at the earliest.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Lokesh
3. STRANGE LOGIC FOR ‘HONOUR-KILLING’
Yesterday I happened to attend a meeting of elders in
the nearby village Kartarpur. The family of a leading
politician had called this ‘panchayat’ or meeting
of elders. The issue was to get the approval of the
village elders for the heinous act of murder of a girl
and her lover. Speakers glorified the tragic happening
as ‘honour killing’. The girl belonged to high caste.
She had eloped with a boy of lower caste and got
married to him secretly. The villagers who still cling
to age-old traditional caste system opposed it. The
couple was chased, caught and brought to village and
then murdered in cold blood. Since most of the elders
belonged to high-caste, all of them approved of the
‘honour-killing’. I was horrified at their callous attitude.
How could one glorify a heinous act? I shuddered to
think of the cruelty meted out of them. As adults they
had the freedom to lead their lives in their own way.
But the feudal bent of mind opposed undue liberty. I
wondered when a progressive state will have liberal
minded citizens.
1. LIONS CLUB AND LEO CLUB
organise a sparkling
DIWALI-MELA
HAPPINESS
Venue : Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Date : 4th to 6th November, 20××
Time : 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Entry Fee : Adults – ` 20, Children: ` 5/-
Celebrate Eco-friendly Diwali
Save the Environment
Cracker-Free
Sponsored by
PEPSI
29
 2. Universal Book Suppliers ASSIGNMENT – 10
26, Ansari Road
1. FOR SALE
Daryaganj
New Delhi For immediate sale, white LG Washing Machine,
Model PX-7 (20××), Sony T.V. 25'' (20××), Sofa Set
Tel. No. 23××××××
for 7, Oval-shaped dinning Table with 8 chairs. All

Our Ref. No. UBS/AMS/02/DE/0507 goods are in excellent condition. Owner transferred.
Your Ref. No. SCG/CE/54-03 Price negotiable, Contact : Raman Mahotra, Mobile
No.98××××××××.

19th May, 20××
The Librarian 2. National Sr. Sec. School
Scindia School Vayu Vihar
Gwalior New Delhi
Sir 25th March, 20××
Subject: Information regarding sale of Dictionaries City Central Book Shop
and Encyclopaedias. Shop No.10, Paharganj
We thank you for your letter dated 5th May, 20×× and Delhi-110006
are happy to furnish you the following information: Sir
We stock dictionaries and encyclopaedias published Subject: Non-compliance of the order No.11/RS.
by Indian as well as foreign publishers. We have books
suitable for all age-groups of school going children. As This is with reference to our order No. 11/RS dated 4th
desired by you, we are enclosing our latest catalogue. March, 20×× regarding the delivery of a few books for
It contains the information you need. our school library.
We shall offer you 15% discount given to educational In this respect, I regret to state that despite
institutions on this category of books. We need two repeated reminders on the phone, the books have
weeks’ time to make delivery of the order. We accept not yet been delivered to the library so far. The
payment by demand draft only. It should be payable at new session has started and the books are required
Universal Book Supplies, New Delhi. urgently for reference-work by the students. I
I hope our terms will meet your approval and we’ll am quite upset about the non-compliance and
receive your order soon. negligent attitude shown by your shop towards our
order. If the specified books don’t reach us within
Yours faithfully three days from the receipt of this letter, we will
S. Ravindran conclude that you are not interested in fulfilling
Sales Manager this order. In that case, we’ll be compelled to
3. NO TOBACCO DAY CELEBRATIONS place the order elsewhere. A list of books ordered
is being enclosed herewith. Kindly do the needful
Reported by Amrit (Head boy) at the earliest.
28th November, 20××
Yours truly
Last Saturday our school celebrated ‘No Tobacco Day’
in school hall. The aim was to create general awareness ABC
about the harmful effects of tobacco on human lives. We (Librarian)
displayed posters and banners in and around the school Encl.: Photocopy of the book-list.
campus to this effect. An exhibition was arranged in
the Activities’ Room, to enlighten the people about 3. SHELTER TO HOMELESS
‘Tobacco—the silent killer.’ It highlighted the harmful Respected Principal, teachers and dear friends!
effects of smoking, chewing or inhaling tobacco. A I invite your attention to a social cause. Every year
public meeting was also arranged. Eminent doctors, thousands of homeless people die of extreme cold. It is
local dignitaries and general public participated. The the responsibility of the state and the citizens to provide
doctors highlighted how tobacco harms not only the facilities to homeless persons to sleep indoors during
user but also others around him. With the help of slides, chilly weather.
film strips and charts, they illustrated how tobacco Since creating new shelters is both time-consuming
impairs human throat, eyes, lungs, digestion and blood and costly, we must find enough shelters for homeless
circulation system. It could lead to mouth sores and people in all our cities from the existing stock of
cancer. Dr Anuj Vats advised people to avoid the use buildings. A large number of spacious buildings at
of tobacco in any form. The programme had a salutary prime locations are vacated every night. These are
effect on all. schools, colleges, offices and places of worship that

30 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook

 lie empty every night. There is no reason why these
buildings can’t be additionally redeployed with small
modifications as night shelters for the homeless.
You may ask why school and college premises
should be deployed additionally as shelters at
night. It is not just that most school and college
teaching spaces are vacant during night and the
same space can be used by dispossessed people
who do not have a place to sleep, without any-extra
cost. Far more important is the fact, that this step
Part - II : Grammar
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
1. DETERMINERS
I. 1. (a) the (b) a
(c) the, the (d) the, an
(e) these (f) this, that
2. (a) an, some, a, many
(b) Many, the, any, a, his
(c) any, the, the, the, some, the, some/several
(d) a, my, some, a few, several, the, a, a
(e) the, the, some, the, an, the, any, his
(f) The, this, the, many, the, all, some/any, all, some
3. (a) a (b) a
(c) a little (d) no one
(e) something (f) some
(g) all (h) all
4. (a) Some (b) the
(c) a (d) a
(e) an (f) a
(g) a few (h) a
(i) the (j) the
5. (a) an (b) some
(c) an (d) every
(e) the (f) a
6. (a) a (b) any
(c) some (d) This
(e) a (f) any
II. 1. (a) an ... the (b) any ... some
(c) that ... this (d) some ... any
(e) a ... an (f) mine ... my
(g) all ... whole (h) few ... a few
2. (a) hold ... held (b) officer ... officers
(c) might ... might be (d) their ... the
(e) had ... had been (f) sold ... held
(g) take ... taken (h) have ... had
III. 1. (a) be the biggest (b) as a three
(c) see many banyan (d) places. A banyan
(e) like a palace (f) just one main
(g) enter the ground (h) like a smaller
2. (a) not any new (b) know very well
(c) expected much to (d) was some feeling
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
would provide these educational institutions an
opportunity to fulfil their social commitments as
responsible social institutions and teach children
and young people first-hand social empathy and
social responsibility.
I do hope that the authorities of our school would realize
the plight of these homeless persons and open the doors
of our schools to them at night. It will show light to the
entire country.
Thank you
(e) But this was (f) so. The more
(g) But some way (h) without a little tension
2. TENSES
I. 1. (a) shines (b) is sold
(c) bite (d) writes
(e) leaves (f) cooks
(g) is waiting (h) came
2. (a) has joined (b) has not worn
(c) have been teaching (d) have been leaving
(e) have been playing (f) has been marking
(g) broke (h) told
3. (a) worked (b) did not rain
(c) joined (d) was writing
(e) limped (f) was sleeping
(g) was talking (h) go
4. (a) did not examine (b) had occurred
(c) would accept (d) had stepped out
(e) had been working (f) had treated
(g) had watched (h) had been raising
5. (a) would not stay (b) would not mention
(c) shall not take (d) shall go
(e) will not get (f) will write
(g) will snow (h) will close
6. (a) felt (b) moved
(c) moved (d) stopped
(e) asked (f) was missing
(g) was (h) marched
7. (a) could (b) had died
(c) arrived (d) was anxious
(e) moved (f) had passed away
(g) hugged (h) solaced
II. (a) If you come, I shall go with you.
(b) We must eat as we cannot live.
(c) She needed a long rest because she was tired.
(d) This is the place where accident occurred.
(e) Unless you behave properly, you will be
punished.
(f) Can you tell me why you were absent yesterday.
31
 (g) I want to know whether / if you will help me in
this case.
(h) When the match began, it started raining.
III. 1. (a) cross ... crossed (b) begun ... began
(c) increases ... increased (d) was ... were
(e) look ... looking (f) sense ... sensed
(g) look ... looked (h) have ... had
2. (a) was ... were (b) hold ... held
(c) trick ... tricked (d) seem ... seemed
(e) built ... build (f) loss ... lost
(g) feel ... felt (h) known ... knew
IV. 1. (a) history teaches us (b) in was slowly
(c) animals were placed (d) all was the
(e) he ruled over
(f) civilization was supposed
(g) There is enough (h) We are still
2. (a) one of his (b) He was trying
(c) he fell down (d) he was dead
(e) all took him (f) he could not
(g) He felt a (h) He did not
3. CLAUSES
I. (a) that there will be time to visit the zoo.
(b) why the patient was not recovering.
(c) before I reached the school.
(d) he would not have failed.
(e) the better it is.
(f) you come in time.
(g) as Rani
(h) whether he will help you
II (a) Although you may be very clever, you can’t
deceive me.
(b) If you drop this glass, it will break.
(c) Start immediately when you will see the green
light.
(d) The patient had died before the doctor arrived.
(e) If you lend me your car, I shall feel obliged.
(f) I know to some extent that he is honest.
(g) When the cat is away, the mice will play.
(h) Although she proved false, he still loves her.
III. (a) He worked hard, but he failed.
(b) When the sun set, the farmers returned home.
(c) He was talking as if he was a mad man.
(d) I am glad that he is successful.
(e) You should make hurry or/otherwise you will
be late.
(f) When the sun set, the farmers returned home.
(g) I would have been ruined if you had not helped
me.
(h) As he is lazy, he can’t get up early.
IV. 1. (a) who deal in money
(b) before other people have got it
(c) because they can make a lot of money
32 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
2. (a) why you are so confused.
(b) when the guest is arriving.
(c) where you have put his visiting card.
V. 1. (a) I can prepare a cake
(b) type of cake you want to make
(c) (when) you want to prepare the cake
2. (a) that we should go
(b) have to seek
(c) to accompany us to Shimla
(d) Will he be at home
3. (a) when I was a child
(b) how we are going
(c) what are we carrying?
4. (a) when we should go
(b) where we can relax and enjoy
(c) were are taking woollens
VI. (a) The boy who is playing outside is my brother.
(b) The shop which is next to Raman’s is for sale.
(c) She showed me the man whose son won a prize
yesterday.
(d) The examination had started before/when
I reached the hall.
(e) Hari was so tired that he could scarcely stand.
(f) She can’t pass unless she works hard.
(g) She needed a long rest because she was tired.
(h) He must apologise if he wants to escape
punishment.
VII. 1. (a) where ... when (b) when ... where
(c) for ... as/since (d) whether ... that
(e) whose ... which (f) and ... because
(g) when ... while (h) who ... which
2. (a) which ... who (b) where ... when
(c) who ... whom (d) which ... who
(e) they ... can (f) where ... how
(g) them ... him (h) where ... when
VIII. 1. (a) shocked when he
(b) photographer who prided
(c) face which he (d) astonished as it
(e) features and had (f) much that they
(g) photograph which he (h) who had monster
2. (a) Shashi if his (b) teacher that the
(c) him if he (d) replied that he
(e) him that he (f) morning and he
4. MODALS
I. 1. (a) Could (b) can
(c) can (d) would
(e) must (f) ought
(g) dare (h) should not
(i) Would (j) will
2. (a) should/must (b) will
(c) must (d) used to
(e) should not (f) may
 (g) can (h) should
(i) can (j) will
II. 1. (a) will (b) might
(c) could (d) will
(e) will (f) ought to
(g) should (h) should
2. (a) will (b) will
(c) can (d) might
(e) will (f) should/ought to
(g) Should (h) Can
III. (a) What would you do tonight?
(b) She may not be trying to get a job.
(c) She might have come if you had sent a proper
invitation.
(d) I shall have finished this book before 5 p.m.
(e) You said, “she may come back soon”.
(f) Sheetal asked her teacher if she could use that
pen.
(g) I could swim well when I was younger.
(h) He might have reached home by now.
IV. 1. (a) could (b) can
(c) can (d) can
(e) should (f) should
2. (a) have to (b) should
(c) should (d) should
(e) should (f) can
V. 1. (a) Can (b) can
(c) might (d) will
(e) will (f) shouldn’t
2. (a) May (b) Can
(c) would (d) would
(e) would (f) would
VI. 1. (a) ought to ... can (b) should ... might
(c) dare to ... should (d) dare ... ought
(e) wandered ... wondered
(f) have ... should
(g) shall ... can (h) of ... about
2. (a) might ... will (b) May ... Will
(c) might ... can (d) must ... will
(e) may ... can (f) Will ... Can
(g) will ... can (h) dare ... should
3. (a) could ... should (b) will ... would
(c) will ... should (d) should ... can
(e) will ... may (f) needs ... must
(g) a ... an (h) would ... should
VII. 1. (a) Competition will be held (i) Good news was expected.
(b) In-charges are requested
(c) already been put (d) student are advised
(e) It is expected (f) decorum will be
(g) chairs should be (h) visitors should not
Section - B: Writing Skills & Grammar
2. (a) I had to go
(b) grandmother would be
(c) I would be (d) one could never
(e) (f) She didn’t not
(g) it might be (h) she could be
5. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
I. 1. (a) that he was going to God’s own country.
(b) people liked its beaches, backwaters and canals.
(c) Kerala had everything that soothed one’s eyes.
2. (a) why he was so tensed.
(b) he had an exam the next day.
(c) if he was not prepared for that.
3. (a) had deducted 500 for not being on duty for a
week and another 300 for not doing his duty
well.
(b) if he could give him 1000 then.
(c) he had deducted 800 more for breaking his
crockery and then he was left with just 200.
4. (a) what couldn’t be cured must be endured.
(b) marriage and sports couldn’t go together.
(c) she was herself preparing for reorientation and
very soon he would find her in first fifty.
II. 1. (a) are analysed
(b) is sent to the subject
(c) to send
2. (a) are soaked in a solution
(b) are then taken out and beaten
(c) are squeezed and hanged
3. (a) are pulled
(b) is cleaned with sand paper
(c) are painted
6. SENTENCE RE-ORDERING
(a) A man came forward to help me in great difficulties.
(b) Unluckily we reached the station after the train had left.
(c) The two children have been in the garden playing for
hours.
(d) Instead of resolving our disputes amicably we resort to
violence to settle them.
(e) Siddharth grew up amidst the pleasure of the royal court
at Kapil-Vastu.
(f) Success depends on adequate preparation and indom-
itable determination.
(g) Debate is not a group discussion or a formal discussion.
(h) English is one of the most widely spoken languages in
India.
(j) This poem will be learnt by me today.
7. ERROR CORRECTION
(a) Will you have a cup of coffee?
(b) You should come at 10.00 a.m. sharp. I insist on it.
33
 (c) That you will help me or not. I do not bother.
(d) No sooner had he finished his paper that the bell rang.
(e) He failed as he was careless.
(f) She lives near the temple on civil road.
(g) Mother cooked food after the guests has arrived.
(h) I am going to the post office. It is near the central park.
(i) He sits there for hours every evening and gossip.
(j) If you would not mend your ways,nobody will like you.
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. (a) working ... work (b) how ... where
(c) while ... by (d) must ... will
(e) mine ... my (f) with ... for
(g) look ... looking (h) select ... selected
2. (a) India is one of the rapidly growing economies of
the world.
(b) The state should take active steps to oversee setting
up of better infrastructure.
(c) Modern gadgets have made us slaves to machines.
3. (a) are crushed (b) is boiled
(c) are added (d) is removed
(e) Cool (f) is mixed well
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. (a) is an electrically (b) used to keep
(c) offices, and laboratories
(d) warm during winter
(e) temperature but also (f) airconditioners of all
(g) sizes are available (h) capable of cooling
2. (a) Ranjan decided to obey his mother this time and
prayed very hard for a long time.
(b) Children vacation are meant for fun and can’t be
compromised.
(c) When Ranjan saw her instead he burst into
laughter.
3. (a) The traitors shall die.
(b) May I open the window?
(c) May she come on time!
(d) Would you post this letter, please?
(e) I will come if you need my help.
(f) I would rather die than beg.
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1. (a) was ... is
(b) was regularly ... is regular
(c) gets ... get (d) at ... in
(e) A ... The (f) get ... getting
(g) in ... out of (h) witness ... witnessing
2. (a) Bullet failed to silence the voice of Chandra
Shekar Azad.
(b) As a lone freedom fighter he always took the
British to task.
(c) The British was always helpless to catch him and
put him on the gallows.
34 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
3. (a) who do you wish to speak to?
(b) here. Where are you?
(c) Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
(d) Is there someone else with you.
(e) When will you come here?
(f) I am waiting for you.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. (a) run over by (b) bus in Mangolpur
(c) Maksood was on (d) wheeler when the
(e) He was rushed (f) to his injuries
(g) of rash and negligent
(h) driving has been registered
2. (a) The working couples should regularly consult the
counsellors to save their marriage.
(b) The textile industry is facing major shortage of
good quality cotton.
(c) All should be transferred to over English medium
schools.
3. (a) wants (b) makes
(c) thinks (d) inform
(e) will be (f) try
ASSIGNMENT – 5
1. (a) More ... Most (b) use ... using
(c) who ... which (d) The ... They
(e) it ... them (f) these ... this
(g) would ... can (h) shape ... shapes
2. (a) Water wars are taking place between many devel-
oping countries.
(b) The union cabinet gave its approval for the setting
up of the sixth pay commission.
(c) The 45th International Education fair was inaugu-
rated in New Delhi on 15th July, 20××.
3. (a) Where did you get this pen from?
(b) These students are preparing for their exams.
(c) I like it very much.
(d) Anand has been working on this film for ten years.
(e) If you are going to Kashmir buy a Pashmina shawl
for me.
(f) Meeta always writes beautiful poems.
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1. (a) center to take (b) decision on the
(c) there will be no (d) demand is justified
(e) constitutionally and politically
(f) Formation of separate
(g) It will only (h) credibility in the
2. (a) Drinking large quantities of warm water results
in sweating thus removing poisons from the
body.
(b) Monuments provide an insight into the technolo-
gies used for construction.
 (c) Juice of lemons, grapes and oranges is recomm-
ended during the fast.
3. (a) is taken (b) is formed
(c) kneaded (d) divided into balls
(e) heated (f) is then turned
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1. (a) since ... for (b) from ... by
(c) in .. by (d) will ... should
(e) situations ... situation (f) than ... to
(g) worthy ... worth (h) so ... thus
2. (a) As soon as all the terror suspects were arrested the
plot was thwarted.
(b) Jawa island was unaffected by the 20×× Tsunami.
(c) Delhi is prone to earthquakes because of its
location.
3. (a) I was not able to find my bag.
(b) not brought your bag.
(c) I couldn’t find it.
(d) you will get punished.
(e) I get caught and hence get the punishment.
(f) God may help you, son.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. (a) Examination that comes (b) evil and no one
(c) it as far he (d) tool that measures
(e) shudder as they (f) students who work
(g) grade although they (h) those who are
2. (a) Coffee is grown in India by the farmers.
(b) The flowers are not being plucked by her.
(c) The national anthem is sung by the student.
3. (a) Choose only those friends whom you can trust.
(b) Five plus seven makes twelve.
(c) He had won the tournament in 1986.
(d) The Aryans were brave people.
(e) I am the one who is to blame.
(f) The rider’s hat was blown off by the strong wind.
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK & EXTENDED READING TEXT
HORNBILL — PROSE
1 : The Portrait of a Lady
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The narrator’s grandmother was terribly old. She could
not appear young and beautiful. Her face was a criss-
cross of wrinkles. She was short, fat and slightly bent.
The very idea of her being young and pretty did not
appeal to the mind.
2. The three reasons why the author’s grandmother was
disturbed when he started going to the city school are:
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1. (a) in ... of (b) climb ... to climb
(c) faint ... fainted (d) had ... was
(e) run ... ran (f) further ... farther
(g) or ... nor (h) was having ... had
2. (a) This knowledge of Brahmanas Sanskrit texts
earned a lot of respect in society.
(b) Key words are the consistency and practice for
Mathematics.
(c) It is always better to clear the concepts than just
solve problems from books.
3. (a) who help themselves.
(b) according to your principles.
(c) to go for a holiday.
(d) to visit in India.
(e) going out for a walk.
(f) to do is to set up a tent.
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1. (a) pollution in the
(b) sewage and the
(c) fields which often
(d) pesticides and insecticides
(e) animals in the
(f) sewage is treated
(g) it in the
(h) We can produce
2. (a) Noise intensity is measured in decibel units.
(b) America has eased up tourist and study visas for
Indians.
(c) Junk food contains high levels of salt and sugar.
3. (a) Can (b) could
(c) can (d) used to
(e) Can (f) should
(i) She hated western science and learning.
(ii) She was pained to know that there was no teaching
of God and the scriptures.
(iii) She was allergic to music. She thought it was not
meant for decent people and gentlefolk. It was the
monopoly of prostitutes and beggars.
3. When the author returned home after 5 years she
clasped him in her arms. In the evening she collected
all the women of the neighbourhood and celebrated his
35
 homecoming by beating drums and singing songs of
warriors returning home after winning the war.
Long Answer Questions
1. Yes, I agree that the author’s grandmother was a person
strong in character. She was a strong woman with
strong beliefs. Although she was not formally educated,
she was serious about the author’s education. She could
not adjust herself to the western way of life, science and
English education. She hated music and disapproved
of its teaching in school.
She didn’t stop Khushwant Singh from going to
school although she disapproved of city education.
She didn’t even stop him from going abroad for higher
education. She loved him dearly and wanted him to
become a learned person having knowledge of religious
scriptures as well.
2. During my boyhood, I was completely dependant on
my grandmother. She was a part of my life. The turning
point in our friendship came when we went to city. She
could no longer accompany me to school as I went there
by bus. We shared the same room but she could not help
me in my studies. She would ask me what the teachers
had taught. She did not believe in the things that were
taught at school. She was distressed that there was no
teaching about God and the scriptures. She felt offended
that music was also being taught. She expressed her
disapproval silently. After this she rarely talked to me.
When I went up to university, I was given a room of
my own. The common link of friendship was snapped.
However, our feelings for each other did not change.
We still loved each other deeply. She went to see the
me at off at the railway station when I was going
abroad for higher studies. She showed no emotion but
kissed my forehead silently. The author valued this as
perhaps the last sign of physical contact between them.
When I returned after five years, she received me at the
station. She clasped me in her arms. In the evening,
she celebrated my homecoming by singing songs and
beating an old drum.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. She was a deeply religious lady. Her lips were always
moving in a silent prayer. She was always telling the
beads of her rosary. She went to temple daily and
read the scriptures. She was distressed to know that
there was no teaching about God and holy books at
Khushwant’s new English school.
2. The three reasons why the author’s grandmother really
hated the city education are:
(i) She hated western science and learning.
(ii) She was pained to know that there was no teaching
of God and the scriptures.
(iii) She was allergic to music. She thought it was not
meant for decent people and gentlefolk. It was the
monopoly of prostitutes and beggars.
36 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
3. She would ask him what was taught at school. She was
aghast to know that music lessons were being given
at the school. She believed that music was the sole
property of beggars and harlots. Although she didn’t like
it yet, she didn’t stop the author from going to school.
Long Answer Questions
1. Yes, definitely elders can teach a lot of things to
the younger generation. They teach love, kindness,
generosity, rebonding with God and so on. Khushwant
Singh as a child would listen to the prayers being
recited by his grandmother. From there he became
deeply religious and has written and authored many
books on religion. Then he used to his grandmother
feeding sparrows and stray dogs. From there he picked
up the lessons of benevolence. His grandmother never
stopped him from doing anything. She was not averse
to the idea of sending him to school although she
didn’t like the teaching of music. She didn’t stop him
from going abroad despite her old age. She loved her
grandson dearly and wanted him to be a good human
being. Thus grandparents are like a tower of strength
for youngsters.
2. My grandfather loved me deeply and looked after
me. He had served in the army before he retired as a
colonel 20 years ago. When I was a school going kid,
he was still active and smart. He was fond of walking,
jogging and playing outdoor games. He inspired us to
get up early in the morning. He believed that a healthy
mind lives in a healthy body. He used to give us good
physical exercises followed by milk and nourishing
food and then asked us to study for a while before going
to school. In the afternoon, he would enquire what we
had been taught in the school. He would help us in our
home task and supervise our reading, writing and doing
sums. He was gentle but firm. He laid stress on good
habits and character building. He passed away when I
had gone abroad for higher studies. I miss him a lot. A
sense of loss fills me whenever I see his portrait on the
wall. But his cheerful looks remind me to take heart
and fight the struggle of life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The author earlier lived in the village with his
grandmother. She used to look after him . She dressed
him up, bathed him, took him to school, etc. But when
they shifted to city, Khushwant Singh started going to
school in bus. Now grandmother couldn’t accompany
him. Also she didn’t understand what was being taught
in the school. So, the common link of friendship was
snapped. And then he was given a separate room of his
own.
2. The grandmother went to the school with the narrator.
The school was attached to the temple. The narrator
would learn alphabet and morning prayer at school.
The grandmother would sit inside the temple. There
 she would read holy books. Thus she spent her time
before they came back together.
3. The grandmother was always dressed in spotless white.
She had silvery hair. Her white locks spread untidily
over her pale and wrinkled face. She looked like an
expanse of pure white serenity. The stretch of snow
over the mountains looks equally white and peaceful.
So her silvery locks and white dress made her look like
the winter landscape in the mountains.
Long Answer Questions
1. Author’s grandmother was a person strong in character.
She was a strong woman with strong beliefs. Although
she was not formally educated, she was serious about
the author’s education. She could not adjust herself to
the western way of life, science and English education.
She hated music and disapproved of its teaching in
school.
She was a deeply religious lady. Her lips were always
moving in a silent prayer. She was always telling the
beads of her rosary. She went to temple daily and
read the scriptures. She was distressed to know that
there was no teaching about God and holy books at
Long Answer Questions
Khushwant’s new English school.
She was a kind lady. She used to feed dogs in the
village. In the city she took to feeding sparrows.
Although old in years and weak in body, she had
strength of mind. Just before her death, she refused to
talk to the members of the family as she did not want
to waste her time. She wanted to make up for the time
last evening when she had not prayed to God. She lay
peacefully in bed saying prayers and telling the beads
of her rosary till she breathed her last.
2. The narrator’s grandmother was taken ill due to
overstraining and exertion. Unfortunately, that became
the cause of her death. The members of the author’s
family lifted her off the bed and laid her on the ground.
Her dead body was covered with a red shroud. After
a few hours of mourning they left her alone to make
arrangements for her funeral. In the evening they
went to her room with a stretcher to take her to be
cremated. They found that all over the verandah and
in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff,
thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There
was no chirping. The sparrows came there to mourn
the death of grandmother. The author’s mother threw
little crumbs to them but they paid no heed to the bread.
When the people carried the narrator’s grandmother’s
corpse off, they flew away quietly. This shows that they
did not come there for bread.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Just before her death, the author’s grandmother
refused to talk to them. Since she had omitted to pray
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
the previous night while she was singing songs of
homecoming and beating the drum, she was not going
to waste any more time. She ignored their protests. She
lay peacefully in bed praying and telling beads.
2. She would ask him what was taught at school. She was
aghast to know that music lessons were being given
at the school. She believed that music was the sole
property of beggars and harlots. Although she didn’t
like it yet, she didn’t stop the author from going to
school.
3. The happiest moment of the day for the grandmother
was when she was feeding sparrows. Grandmother
had taken to teaching of sparrows in the city as there
were no stray dogs available. Everyday for half an
hour she would sit in the verandah calling to sparrows.
The sparrows had also started recognizing her. They
would come and sit on her shoulders even, but she
never shooed them away. She would crush the bread
into crumbs and lovingly feed them. It seemed as if she
understood what they were chirping about. That was
the happiest part of the day for her.
1. The author and the grandmother saw less and less of
each other now. It was the demand of the situation.
The author was grown up now. He was attending a
college. Then he went to a university. According to
his needs, he was given a separate room of his own.
So, now grandmother and grandson hardly met each
other. Earlier he would come back from school and
tell everything to his grandmother. Then he saw that
grandmother didn’t like certain things like teaching of
music in school. She also didn’t like the fact that there
was no teaching of religious scriptures. So, he also
started discussing less and less with his grandmother.
So, it was not intentional. He didn’t want to hurt his
grandmother.
2. Yes, it is true that even nature mourns the death of
pious and good people because such people are a loss
to the society. Such good souls are born once in a blue
moon. Let’s take the example of the grandmother. She
was a pious soul. She loved everybody around her,
her grandson, stray dogs and sparrows and would take
care to feed them. In the village, it was her routine to
feed the stray dogs and would cook chapatti for them
in the night only. In the city, when she could not feed
stray dogs she started feeding sparrows. So, when she
died even the birds got the message. They came and sat
down in the verandah. They didn’t eat the bread crumbs
that were thrown to them by the author’s mother. They
were also not chirping as usual. When her dead body
was taken away for cremation they silently flew away
without eating the bread crumbs, thus mourning the
death of grandmother.
37
 2 : “We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together”
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. When the narrator tried to comfort and reassure
the children, Jon said they were not afraid of dying
if all four of them could be together. The narrator
could find no words to respond and he left the children’s
cabin determined to fight the sea with everything
he had.
2. As the ship rose to the top of each wave, they could
see the vast sea rolling above them. All their efforts to
secure the ship proved useless. Some of the waves were
as high as the mast of the ship. When they tried to ride
over the ship a loud blast was there . Water gushed over
the ship tossed them like a rag doll. They tried to drain
the water manually and simultaneously tried to cover
the holes.
3. The narrator had been able to save everybody’s life
when all had given up hope. He had managed to get
the ship to the island of Ile Amsterdom . That’s why
the narrator’s son told him he was the best daddy in
the world and gave him a hug. He also called him the
best captain in the world.
Long Answer Questions
1. The narrator, a 37-year-old businessman was a lover
of adventure. He had dreamt of going on a round the
world sea voyage. He and his wife had spent all the
leisure hours for 16 years developing and improving
their skills about work or travel on sea. This shows his
love for perfection and attention to details.
The narrator was practical in his approach. He engaged
two crewmen to help them sail through the rough waters
of the southern Indian Ocean. He had keen foresight.
They made advance preparations to protect the ship
and passengers against violent sea-storms. He did not
lose hope, calm or courage in the face of difficulties.
He had his priorities fixed. Repairing the damaged
ship was essential. Everything else including injuries
could wait. He was resourceful also. He managed to
steer the course with the help of whatever had been
left with them. His presence of mind helped them to
overcome troubles. He had a level head. He made exact
calculations of their positions and that of the island. He
fixed the course and speed. His self confidence and
practical knowledge made him a good captain.
2. Mighty waves struck Wavewalker. The decks were
smashed. Water was gushing in through holes and
openings. The whole starboard side had bulged
inwards. Clothes, crockery, charts, tins and toys moved
round noisily in deep water.
Their hand pumps got blocked up with the debris
floating around the cabins. The electric pump short
38 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
circuited. Water level rose high. The two spare hand
pumps had been wrenched overboard. Waves had also
swept off the forestay sail, the jib, the dinghies and the
main anchor.
There was a tremendous leak somewhere below the
waterline. The boat’s main rib frames were smashed
down to the keel. A whole section of the starboard hull
was being held up by a few cupboard partitions only.
The hull of the ship had been damaged so badly that
the pressure of rigging could simply pull the damaged
section of the hull apart. Wavewalker was so damaged
that she could not hold together long enough to reach
Australia.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. A mighty wave hit the stern of their ship Wavewalker
in the evening of the 2nd of January. A tremendous
explosion shook the deck. A torrent of green and white
water broke over the ship. The narrator’s head struck
against the wheel. He was swept overboard. He was
sinking below the waves and losing his consciousness.
He accepted his approaching death. He felt quite
peaceful.
2. By morning on January 3rd, they had managed to pump
out the water to a reasonable level and they could afford
to take rest, in turns. The narrator suspected a huge leak
somewhere and found that nearly all the boat’s main
rib frames were damaged down to the keel. There was
nothing holding up a section of Starboard’s hull except
a few cupboard partitions.
3. All the 28 inhabitants of the island gave them all the
support that was required. The island itself was a piece
of volcanic rock with little vegetation. Sue had to
undergo six operations to remove a piece of clot. They
were able to repair their boat so as to reach Australia.
Long Answer Questions
1. The story teaches us that one’s perception determines
one’s success. Some people believe that problems are
opportunities to have their skills and attain success.
Adversities are the pillars of success. If scientists
stop experimenting in the research laboratories, the
world will stagnate. There will be no progress. There
are people who have the ability to accomplish a
very dangerous mission. They are confident, brave,
courageous, decisive, positive and docile. Those who
shirk work never achieve phenomenal success in
this world of competition. An eminent motivator has
rightly said, “winners don’t do different things. They
do things differently.” One’s outlook, perception and
the way of doing something determine one’s future.
Hardships are the stepping stones. It is said that
 mortals are not infalliable. They are bound to make
mistakes. But they must not repeat the same mistake.
Failures teach us valuable lessons. If a person wants
to reach his destination, he must not give up because
of the numerous obstacles. Life is a fight against odd
circumstances. We should have faith in God and in
our capabilities. We can undertake any adventurous
expedition and can get benefited that we should face
the challenges of life bravely. It is rightly said that
God helps those who help themselves. One should not
surrender oneself to the situations or circumstances.
The obstacles of life sharpen one’s skills and tap one’s
talent. The protagonist of the story wins the battle
because he did not give up. He kept trying and won.
Misfortunes are bound to be converted into happiness.
A very popular poet has said, “If winter comes can
spring be far behind.” The mortals should remember
that unity plays an important role in overcoming
hardships. The family in the story was united and
everybody helped one another in safeguarding the ship.
The bond of love has the knack to do miracles. Such
hazardous experiences bring us together and make us
realize the presence of the Almighty.
2. The children were brave and played their role
efficiently. When the narrator went to the children’s
cabin and enquired about their well-being they replied
positively. When the captain went in to comfort the
children Jon said, “We aren’t afraid of dying if we can
all be together...”. The girl did not trouble her parents
for her head injury which took six minor operations to
remove a recurring blood clot between skin and skull.
Once Mary and the narrator sat together holding hands
and felt that their end was very near. The adults got full
support from children in those horrible circumstances.
They had got these values from their parents only who
were adventurous, brave and courageous and who
wanted to duplicate the voyage made by one of their
ancestor.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. When the narrator tried to comfort and reassure the
children, Jon said they were not afraid of dying if
all four of them could be together. The children also
made a card for the parents. Although Sue was badly
injured still they didn’t trouble the parents at all. The
narrator could find no words to respond, and he left
the children’s cabin determined to fight the sea with
everything he had.
2. On their second day out of Cape Town, they began to
face strong storms. These storms blew continuously
for the next few weeks. He was worried about the
waves. Their size was alarming. This rose up to 15
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
metres, i.e., as high as their main mast. The weather
changed for the worse on January 2nd. Now the
waves were gigantic. As the ship rose to the top of
each wave, they saw endless enormous seas rolling
towards them.
3. When Sue head injury worsened with her blackened
eye narrowed to slits, she held on to her spirit and gave
the narrator a card with drawn caricatures of Mary and
Him with the words –Here are some funny people. Did
they make you laugh? The underlying message of love
and positive hope overwhelmed the narrator. He was
touched with the thoughtfulness of a seven-year-old
girl.
Long Answer Questions
1. Life is a fight against odd circumstances. We should
have faith in God and in our capabilities. We can
undertake any adventurous expedition and can get
benefited that we should face the challenges of life
bravely. It is rightly said that God helps those who
help themselves. One should not surrender oneself
to the situations or circumstances. It was the sheer
optimism of the narrator and the two men in the
crew, Larry and Herb, that helped them carry on
in the face of life threatening dangers. Had they
succumbed to the circumstances and given in, their
ship would have definitely gone down. The situation
was already very bad. Huge waves were lashing the
ship. Nobody could have rescued them. But due to
their own will power and sheer determination, their
life could be saved. It is truly said-God helps those
who help themselves.
2. The reaction of the adults and children when faced
with danger was not unexpected. The captain tried
his level best to protect Wavewalker from the gigantic
waves. He slowed the boat down, dropped the storm
jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across
the stern. A torrent of green and white water broke
over the ship and injured the captain. The narrator
was aware of flying overboard and sinking below the
waves. He accepted his approaching death. The same
thing happened with Mary. She screamed, “We’re
sinking.” But the children were brave and played
their role efficiently. When the narrator went to the
children’s cabin and enquired about their well-being
they replied positively. When the captain went in to
comfort the children Jon said, “We aren’t afraid of
dying if we can all be together...”. The girl did not
trouble her parents for her head injury which took
six minor operations to remove a recurring blood clot
between skin and skull.
Once Mary and the narrator sat together holding hands
and felt that their end was very near. The adults got full
support from children in those horrible circumstances.
39
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. When Sue head injury worsened with her blackened
eye narrowed to slits, she held on to her spirit and gave
the narrator a card with drawn caricatures of Mary and
Him with the words, “Here are some funny people”.
Did they make you laugh? The underlying message of
love and positive hope overwhelmed the narrator. He
was touched with the thoughtfulness of a seven year
old girl.
2. Their life was saved due to those two islands only. All
the 28 inhabitants of the island gave them the support
that was required. Although the island itself was a
piece of volcanic rock with little vegetation, still to
the narrator it appeared as the most beautiful one. Sue
had to undergo six operations to remove a piece of
clot. They were able to repair their boat so as to reach
Australia.
3. Mighty waves struck ‘Wavewalker’. The decks
were smashed. Water was gushing in through holes
and openings. The whole starboard side had bulged
inwards. Clothes, crockery, charts, tins and toys moved
round noisily in deep water. Their hand pumps got
blocked up with the debris floating around the cabins.
The electric pump short circuited. Water level rose
high. The two spare hand pumps had been wrenched
overboard. Waves had also swept off the forestay sail,
the jib, the dinghies and the main anchor.
Long Answer Questions
1. 10th January, 19××
Dear Mathew
You will be surprised to receive this letter from me as
you know that I had gone on a long voyage. I am writing
this letter to you from the island of Ile Amsterdom.
This is a small volcanic island and only 28 people
live here. But to me and my family it is the most
beautiful island in the world. How we reached this
island is a story in itself. Our ship was caught in a
terrible storm. We lost everything. The boat itself
was damaged. For five days my parents and two crew
member tried hard to drain out the water and repair
the ship. But our troubles didn’t end there. Sue, my
sister, had a huge bump on her forehead. The doctor
on the island says she will have to undergo many
3 : Discovering Tut : the Saga Continues
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Howard Carter was a British archaeologist. He
discovered Tut’s tomb in 1922 after many years of
futile searching. Carter’s men removed the mummy’s
40 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
surgeries to remove the clot. Right now she is in the
hospital.
I can now say that God really helps those who help
themselves. We should not surrender to the situations
or the circumstances.
Yours lovingly
Jonanthan
2. One’s perception determines one’s success. Some
people believe that problems are opportunities to
have their skills and attain success. Adversities are
the pillars of success. If scientists stop experimenting
in the research laboratories, the world will stagnate.
There will be no progress. There are people who
have the ability to accomplish a very dangerous
mission. They are confident, brave, courageous,
decisive, positive and docile. Those who shirk work
never achieve phenomenal success in this world of
competition. An eminent motivator has rightly said,
“winners don’t do different things. They do things
differently.” One’s outlook, perception and the way
of doing something determine one’s future. Hardships
are the stepping stones. It is said that mortals are
not infalliable. They are bound to make mistakes.
But they must not repeat the same mistake. Failures
teach us valuable lessons. If a person wants to reach
his destination, he must not give up because of
the numerous obstacles. Life is a fight against odd
circumstances. We should have faith in God and in
our capabilities. We can undertake any adventurous
expedition and can get benefited that we should face
the challenges of life bravely. It is rightly said that
God helps those who help themselves. One should not
surrender oneself to the situations or circumstances.
The obstacles of life sharpen one’s skills and tap one’s
talent. The protagonist of the story wins the battle
because he did not give up. He kept trying and won.
Misfortunes are bound to be converted into happiness.
A very popular poet has said, “If winter comes can
spring be far behind.” The mortals should remember
that unity plays an important role in overcoming
hardships. The family in the story was united and
everybody helped one another in safeguarding the
ship. The bond of love has the knack to do miracles.
Such hazardous experiences bring us together and
make us realize the presence of the Almighty.
head and cut off almost every major joint to remove
the golden adornments.
2. Vistors gazed at the murals on the walls and peered at
Tut’s gilded face on his mummy shaped outer coffin
lid. Some visitors read from guide book in whisper.
 Others stood silently. Perhaps some of them were
thinking deeply over Tut’s untimely death in his teens.
Others might be trembling with fear and wondering
if the Pharaoh’s curse was really true.
3. In Tut’s bomb, precious collars, inlaid necklaces and
bracelets, rings, amulets, a ceremonial apron, sandals,
sheaths for fingers and toes and the inner coffin and
mask were placed along with him. All of them were
made of pure gold. His coffin was of solid gold. There
were two reasons: first, the royals were extremely
happy. Secondly, they thought or hoped that they could
take their riches with them to the great beyond.
Long Answer Questions
1. Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our
knowledge of the world we live in: A great poet and
thinker believed that our past modifies our present
and our present shapes our future. If one wishes to
attain phenomenal success in possessing a thorough
knowledge of the present earthly existence, one has to
delve deep into the study of the past. Man’s progress
is gradual. The importance of relationships, love,
friendship, humanity, mankind, human values and
family can be understood by comprehending the past.
‘Past repeats itself’ is a very popular saying. Those
who learn from the past are wise and intelligent. They
never suffer in life. Those who forget the past, repent
in future.
2. The chapter, ‘Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues,
throws light on some interesting facts about Egyptian
life. Egyptians believe in rituals and traditions.
They bury their dead in huge and beautifully decorated
coffins. King’s Tut coffin had three storeys and made
of solid gold. The Egyptians also think that they can
take their riches beyond this world. That’s why they
bury their dead with gold ornaments, and the utensils
that the person was using during his life time. King
Tut’s body was buried with precious inlaid necklaces,
bracelets, amulets, ceremonial apron, sandals, sheaths
for his finger and toes, all made of gold and precious
stones. Then they also bury their dead covered
with flowers. For example, Tut’s body was buried
covered with willow and olive leaves, lotus petals and
cornflowers which gave an idea that he died in March
or April. The pyramid in which he was buried had
beautiful murals. So, all this shows that Egyptian life
is deeply rooted in beliefs and customs.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The C.T. scan produced clear images of Tut’s head,
neck vertebrae, rib cage, hand and skull. The results
proved satisfactory. A team of specialists in radiology,
forensics and anatomy are busy probing the secrets
lying buried in Tut’s grave with his body.
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
2. Precious collars, inlaid necklaces, and bracelets, rings,
amulets, a ceremonial apron, Sandals, sheaths for
fingers and toes and the inner coffin and mask were
placed inside Tut’s tomb. All these things were made
of pure gold. His coffin was of solid gold.
3. Tut’s grandfather, Amenhotep III, was a powerful
Pharaoh who ruled for almost four decades at the height
of the dynasty’s golden age. His son Amenhotep IV
promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk. He
changed his name to Akhenaten, or ‘‘servant of the
Aten’’. He moved the religious capital from the old
city to Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten. He further
shocked the country by attacking Amun, a major god,
breaking his images and closing his temples. Thus, the
wacky king started one of the strangest periods in the
history of ancient Egypt.
Long Answer Questions
1. It is very true that death puts his icy hand on everyone.
Even the rich and powerful are also not spared.
Everyone who has taken birth in this world has to die
one day. Nobody can continue living in this world
endlessly. Everybody has to understand this harsh
reality of life. Worldly wealth and money cannot save
anybody from death. It happened to King Tut’s father
who was a whacky king and considered himself all
powerful. Even King Samar and King Tut was not
spared who was considered very powerful. So, Man
is mortal. The Egyptians believe that they can carry
their riches and their materialistic things to other
world. That’s why they bury their dead with precious
ornaments and jewellery.
2. Yes, the present lesson emphasizes on preservation of
artefacts and monuments because they are a part of
our history and culture. It is important for the coming
generations to know what their ancestors thought
and left for them. We should love our tradition and
practices. I also believe that the principles left by
our forefathers must be respected. All traditions and
rituals pertaining to marriage and death are significant
and play a pivotal role in shaping the personality of
a person. One has no right to discard the established
convictions and traditions. It is also said that past
modifies our present and shapes our future. If one
wishes to attain phenomenal success in possessing a
thorough knowledge of the present earthly system one
has to delve into the study of the past. The importance
of relationships, love, humanity can only be understood
by delving into the past.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. In 1968, more than after Carter’s discovery, an anatomy
professor X-rayed the mummy and revealed a startling
41
 fact; beneath the resin, his breast bone and ribs were
missing. However it is not clear whether they were
removed first time the mummy was taken out.
2. The contents of Tut’s tomb, precious necklaces,gold
ornaments, utensils, jewellery, solid gold coffin all
revealed that Tut was quite powerful in his time.
3. Egyptians believe that the riches can be taken along
with them in the next life. So, all the wealth of the
person is buried along with them. They also believe
that a person may require the utensils in his next life
so, they are also buried along with him.
Long Answer Questions
1. Perhaps no other Pharaoh of Egypt has fascinated
the public mind so greatly as the boyish king—
Tutankhamun. Although he died in his teens and ruled
for about nine years only, he introduced certain changes
during his brief rule. These were significant as they
marked restoration of the old ways of the worship of
Amun. The unanswered questions about the causes
and modes of his death as well as his age at the time
of death kept public curiosity alive.
After his death, his dead body has been a centre of
scientific examination. Howard Carter, the British
archaeologist discovered Tut’s tomb in 1922. In 1968,
an anatomy professor X-rayed the mummy. The
Egyptian Mummy Project began an inventory in late
2003. It has so far recorded 600 and is still continuing.
The next phase of C.T. scanning with a portable C.T.
machine began on 5 January 2005. The pride of place
went to King Tut, whose mummy was the first to
undergo C.T. scan. Thus, I fully endorse the aforesaid
assertion.
2. A veil of mystery surrounded Tut’s life and death. Old
methods of archaeology did not provide satisfactory
clues to the circumstances of his death and his age at the
time of demise. An X-ray of the mummy in 1968 further
complicated the confusion. C.T. scan was undertaken
to create a three-dimensional virtual body.
A scanner was taken in a trailer to the sandy area near
Tut’s tomb. Tut’s body was carried there from his tomb
in a box. The C.T. machine scanned the mummy head to
toe, creating 1700 digital X-ray images in cross section.
Tut’s entire body was scanned in 0.62 millimetre slices.
The C.T. scan produced clear images of Tut’s head,
neck vertebrae, rib cage, hand and skull. The results
proved satisfactory. A team of specialists in radiology,
forensics and anatomy are busy probing the secrets
lying buried in Tut’s grave with his body.
42 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. After the death of Samar Khakare, King Tut ascended
the throne. At that time he was known as Tutankhaten.
Then he changed his name to Tutankhamun, living
image of Amun. He supervised the restoration of old
ways. He restored the temples of God Amun which had
been destroyed by the previous king.
2. Visitors gazed at the murals on the walls and peered at
Tut’s gilded face on his mummy shaped outer coffin
lid. Some visitors read from guide book in whisper.
Others stood silently.
3. The pharaoh’s curse was that death or misfortune
would fall upon those who disturbed him. The silent
visitors are the first to refer to it. Later on a guard joked
nervously when the million dollar scanner stopped
functioning because of sand in a cooler fan.
Long Answer Questions
1. King Tutankhamun was the last of his family line. His
funeral marked the end of a dynasty. He was laid to
rest laden with gold as the royals in Tut’s time were
extremely wealthy and thought they could take their
riches with them. His tomb was discovered by Howard
Carter, a British archaeologist in 1922, more than
3000 years after his death. The rich royal collection
of jewellery and golden artifacts fascinated Carter.
Visitors thronged the boy king’s tomb. The particulars
of King Tut’s death and its aftermath are not clear. In
1968, more than 40 years after Carter’s discovery an
anatomy professor X-rayed the mummy. He revealed
a startling fact. The breast-bone and front ribs of Tut
were missing. On 5 January 2005 a CT scan was
done to obtain precise data for an accurate forensic
reconstruction of King Tut. It was hoped that it would
offer new clues about his life and death. Thus, Tut’s
mummy has been the centre of fascination throughout
the previous decades.
2. Howard Carter was a British archaeologist. He
discovered Tut’s tomb in 1922 after many years of
futile searching. Carter’s men removed the mummy’s
head and cut off almost every major joint to remove
the golden adornments. Carter found that the ritual
resins had become quite hard. These had fixed Tut to
the bottom of his solid gold coffin. The heat of the sun
could not melt it. So the solid resins had to be chiselled
away to free the king’s remains from the box. Carter
said that if he hadn’t cut the mummy free, thieves would
certainly have found a way of avoiding the guards.
Then they would have torn apart everything forcibly
to remove the gold.
 4 : The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement’s Role
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The signs of the earth which are connected with life
show that the earth is a patient in declining health. We
must realize our moral obligations to be good stewards
of the planet. We must act as responsible trustees of the
legacy of future generations.
2. Industry has a most important role to play in this age.
Chairman of Du pont, Mr. Edgar said that as leading
manufacturers said that it was required of them that
they excel in environmental practices. All the industry
houses should practice sustainable development.
3. Mr. L.K. Jha in the Brandt commission report raised the
question whether we wanted to leave behind a scorched
planet-a sick environment for coming generations,
because the earth is already behaving like an ailing
human being.
Long Answer Questions
1. The earth has four principal biological systems Grass-
lands, Forests, Fisheries and croplands. Mr. Lester R.
Brown in his book “The Global Economic Prospect”
points out that these four principal Biological systems
form the foundation of the global economic system. In
addition to supplying our food , these four biological
systems provide all the raw material needed for our
industry. Human claims on these systems are reaching
an unsustainable level, a point where productivity has
been impaired. As a result fisheries are collapsing, for-
ests are disappearing and croplands are deteriorating.
Since tropical forests are the powerhouse of evolution,
several species of life face extinction as a result of their
destruction.
2. There is a remarkable change in the attitude of the
human race towards the earth due to the ongoing green
movement. It is the shift from the mechanistic view
to the holistic and ecological view. The Mechanistic
view believed that the earth is an inanimate thing like
a brick, a rock, etc. The Holistic view believes that
the earth is a living organism, like a human being, an
animal. Thus earth is considered to be ailing, suffering
from diseases, due to all the signs that are showing.
The shift in climate, summers getting hotter, winters
shorter, ice glaciers melting has forced the man to
take preventive measures. It needs treatment from
human beings. Drastic measures are to be taken for
population control and, control of carbon emissions
so that four principal biological systems can be
preserved.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. We need to plant more forests in India because forests
are being cut at a very fast pace. There are still families
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
in rural areas, villages who depend on trees and wood
fuel for cooking their meals. Due to all this, shift
in temperature can be felt everywhere. Climate is
undergoing a sea change.
2. We have shifted our perceptions from mechanistic
view to a holistic and ecological one. Now we regard
the earth as a living organism. It is an enormous being
and we are its parts. It has its own metabolic needs and
vital processes. We must respect and preserve them.
3. The earth has four principal biological systems-Grass-
lands, Forests, Fisheries and Croplands. Mr. Lester R.
Brown in his book. “The Global Economic Prospect”
points out that these four principal Biological systems
form the foundation of the global economic system.
Long Answer Questions
1. “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of
advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an
ailing environment?” The question raised by the writer is
relevant and deserves attention. The polluted environ-
ment affects the ecological balance. Global warming
is also the result of man’s technological advancement.
Fields are diminishing. Forests are being cut. The natu-
ral resources are overused. It seems that our successors
will not get grasslands, rivers, and hygienic places
to live in. They will get scorching heat, innumerable
deserts and corpses of species in legacy. We are doing
great injustice to posterity. Instead of making their
earthly existence comfortable we are eager to create a
hell on earth for them.
2. Industries and industrialists have to exercise control
in use of natural resources. The top officials need to
become the guardians of our environment if we have
to think about our future generations. Chairman of Du
pont, Mr. Edgar, said that as leading manufacturers , it
was required of them that they excel in environmental
practices. All the industry houses should practice
sustainable development. Trees cut by them should be
replanted, waste water which is polluted should not
be thrown into the rivers directly. Villages should be
adopted by them to make them developed. Only then
we will be able to save our planet earth. It is important
that four principal biological systems of earth are
protected and preserved.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Mr. Lester R. Brown expressed his worry over the
fact that our four biological systems are reaching
an unsustainable level. The tropical forests,“the
powerhouse of evolution”, as Dr. Meyers called them,
are being destroyed causing extinction of several
43
 species. All this is leading to rise in earth’s temperature
which is a cause of worry.
2. Standing in front of the mirror inside the cage in
that zoo, one finds his own reflection on the mirror,
suggesting that human beings are the world’s most
dangerous animal, because on the mirror are written
the words — ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’.
3. Now the folks have realised what endangers our race.
It is not about the survival of human race but the survival
of the planet Earth. It is an Era of Responsibility. The
industrialists have to understand the present concern
with most consideration. This has led to emerging new
era of world vision.
Long Answer Questions
1. In the lesson, Nani Palkivala has discussed the differ-
ent factors that have made our earth an ailing planet,
need immediate attention from and treatment from the
human race. One major factor that has left our planet
earth ailing is that the claim of human race on fisheries,
forests, grasslands, and croplands, which comprise
the earth’s principal biological system, has become an
unsustainable level. They have been consumed in such
a way that there cannot be fresh resources for consump-
tion for the future generation. Thus, farmlands have
become infertile and there has been overfishing. And
then for reasons like demand for firewood, industriali-
zation and urbanization, huge areas of forests have been
been cleared all over the world in alarming rate every-
day. The factor responsible for such mindless and mad
exploitation of all the natural resources is uncontrolla-
ble growth of population. Although it took thousands
of years for the world population to hit the first billion
mark, now every ten years is burdening the earth with
a billion population. The problem of overpopulation is
greater in countries like India. Such overpopulation is
the root cause of our planet earth becoming deceased
needing treatment in the form of care and concern and
population control and lower carbon emissions.
2. The author talks about four major factors-growing
population, rapid industrialization, cutting of forests,
and polluting rivers. We have started behaving as if
we own the earth. Whereas the truth is that earth has
been inherited from our ancestors. And we have to
preserve it for our future generations. Thus, farmlands
have become infertile and there has been overfishing.
And then for reasons like demand for firewood,
industrialization and urbanization, huge areas of forests
5 : The Browning Version
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Frank laments sadly that what they get in science are
usually idlers who are not hard workers. All good and
hard working students took arts.
44 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
have been cleared all over the world in alarming rate
everyday. The need of the hour is to have sustainable
development which doesn’t harm the principal
biological systems.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The population of India today is 920 million, which
is more than the entire population of Africa and
South America. So, it has become essential to control
population growth in India.
2. Yes. To conserve the environment and to bring down the
population of the world, which is 5.7 billion, Palkhivala
suggests that development is the only solution. Fertility
falls as the income rises, education spreads, and health
improves. He supports compulsory sterilisation and
defends it by saying that there is no other alternative
but coercion.
3. The world’s tropical forests are now being destroyed at
the rate of forty to fifty million acres a year. As a result
people use dung for burning and this takes away from
the soil an important fertilizer.
Long Answer Questions
1. Value Points:
• A remarkable change in the attitude of the human
race towards the earth.
• Shift from the mechanistic view to the holistic and
ecological view.
• Mechanistic view that the earth is an inanimate thing
like a brick, a rock, etc.
• Holistic view- that the earth is a living organism,
like a human being, an animal.
• Thus earth is considered to be ailing, suffering from
diseases.
• Needs treatment from human beings.
• Treatment population control, control of carbon
emissions.
2. The author points out the importance of the Green
Movement by comparing it to the revolutionary ideas
of Copernicus. He had taught mankind in the 16th
century that the earth and the other planets revolved
round the sun. Due to green movement, we have shifted
our perceptions from mechanistic view to a holistic and
ecological one. Now we regard the earth as a living
organism. It is an enormous being and we are its parts.
It has its own metabolic needs and vital processes. We
must respect and preserve them.
2. If Taplow didn’t have to do extra work he would have
played golf instead. He had been given extra work for
missing a day in school.
3. She advises him to leave as Harris has been at Bursars
and may take quite a time to get back. Proposing an
 excuse for his absence, she hands Taplow a prescription
asking him to take it to a chemist and get it made up
for Harris.
Long Answer Questions
1. Whatever we learn about Mr. Crocker-Harris is through
reactions of other characters and their comments on
him. Even this method of indirect presentation helps
us to gather a fair picture of the strict and stern middle-
aged master. He is in a class by himself and is totally
unlike the other teachers. He is a man of principles and
sticks to the rules. Unlike other teachers, he does not
divulge the results of the form to the students, since it
is the domain of the headmaster. He is not a sadist. He
does not beat the students. Even then the students are
mortally afraid of him. It is because he is quite strict
and shows no emotion, even of anger. He remains calm
and composed. He teaches classical languages (Greek
and Latin). Even his jokes are classical. Students fail to
understand them. He is duty conscious. He is leaving
the school at the end of term and is quite busy on the
last day in his own affairs, still he asks Taplow to come
in for ‘extra work’. In short, he impresses us with his
fine qualities of head and heart.
2. The play presents a funny situation. Frank, a young
science teacher, finds sixteen-year-old Taplow waiting
for his master Mr. Crocker-Harris. This lower fifth form
student has been asked to come in to do extra work on
the last day of the school. Mr. Crocker-Harris is leaving
the school for good the next day. Being quite busy is
settling his own affairs, he has not yet arrived there.
Taplow’s fears of adverse remarks about his result make
us smile.
The interaction between Mr. Frank and Taplow is
quite amusing. The young science teacher encourages
Taplow’s comments on Crocker-Harris. The manner
in which Taplow imitates his master’s voice, manner
of speaking and diction are quite amusing. The
sudden arrival of Millie Crocker Harris in the midst
of an imitation of a joke surprises Frank and makes
Taplow nervous. Their reactions are quite amusing.
Taplow’s unwillingness to leave the place and his fears
of consequences in case his master returns before his
arrival seem genuine but funny. He feels relieved only
when Millie offers to take the blame. All these actions
seem exaggerated and funny.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Mr. Crocker-Harris appears as a stern master who is a
man of principles and stickler to the rules. He believes
in fair assessment of his students and is not swayed by
emotions, as the man is hardly human. He is not a sadist,
but strict in performance of his duties. Even on his last
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
day at school, when he is overbusy in his own affairs,
he does not neglect his duty towards his students.
2. Frank envious the effect Crocker-Harris seems to have
on students. All students seemed to be scared to death of
him whereas his students don’t behave in this manner.
3. Frank pretends to be outraged when Taplow calls
Mr. Crocker-Harris a sadist who takes pleasure in
inflicting pain on his students and failing them.
Mr. Harris is shrivelled and dried up like a nut. That’s
when Frank makes this remark.
Long Answer Questions
1. Taplow is a student of Mr. Crocker-Harris. He has to
stay behind even on the last day of the school. Mr.
Crocker-Harris has given him extra work to do because
he had been ill for a day during the week and missed
the class. It is already very late Mr. Crocker-Harris has
not come yet but Taplow is afraid of Crocker. He dare
not leave the class until Crocker comes. Although he
is afraid of Crocker, he doesn’t dislike him. He laughs
at Crocker’s poor joke only out of respect. We can say
that Taplow is a very obedient student.
2. In old British schools much stress was laid on the
study of classical languages—Latin and Greek.
Students of the lower fifth form were made to learn
a classic play like the Agamemnon. Since the stress
was on the acquisition of language, the students found
it disinteresting and very unpleasant. They could
specialise only after completing fifth form.
There was a system of punishment. For a simple error,
one had to repeat fifty lines. Students were also ‘kept in’
or called for ‘Extra work’. They were mortally afraid of
teachers like Mr. Crocker-Harris who would abide by
rules and show no human feelings. At the same time, the
school had teachers who were sadists and others who
would break the rules and tell results to the students.
Students like Taplow were afraid of hard masters like
Mr. Crocker-Harris, still they liked him.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Other masters would certainly give a chap, a form after
his taking extra work, but Mr. Crocker- Harris is unlike
them. When Taplow asked him about his form, he told
the boy that he had given him exactly what he deserved:
no less; and certainly no more. Taplow is afraid that he
might have marked him down, rather than up for taking
extra work.
2. Taplow is waiting for his master, Mr. Crocker-Harris.
He has come in to do extra work on the last day of term
because he missed a day last week when he was ill.
Since the weather is quite fine, he feels quite unhappy
to be confined in a room. He might as well be playing
golf.
45
 3. Taplow is a boy of sixteen. He is still in the lower fifth.
He can’t specialise until the next term if he gets his
form/division all right Since his master, Mr. Crocker-
Harris has not told him the result, he will have to wait
till the next day to learn his fate.
Long Answer Questions
1. Mr. Crocker-Harris appears as a stern master who is a
man of principles and stickler to the rules. He believes
in fair assessment of his students and is not swayed
by emotions, as the man is hardly human. He is not
a sadist, but strict in performance of his duties. Even
on his last day at school, when he is overbusy in his
own affairs, he does not neglect his duty towards his
students.
2. It is true that students should decide themselves what
they want to study. They should decide whether they
want to study science or Arts or humanities. They are
the better judge. They are the ones who should decide
their destiny. More often than not their career choices
are made by the parents. They are the ones who tell the
children to go for arts or science. Children feel trapped
if they are unable to cope up with the pressures. Then
they go for drastic steps like suicides.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Taplow is waiting for his master, Mr. Crocker-Harris.
He has come in to do extra work on the last day of term
because he missed a day last week when he was ill.
Since the weather is quite fine, he feels quite unhappy
to be confined in a room. He might as well be playing
golf.
2. Taplow is really shocked at this suggestion. He reacts
strongly and says that he couldn’t cut Mr. Crocker-
Harris. It has never been done during his stay there.
If he did so, nobody could predict the consequences.
Perhaps he would follow Taplow home or do some such
extraordinary thing.
HORNBILL — POETRY
1 : A Photograph
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The two girls alongwith the mother had gone for
a sea holiday, when they were about 12 years old.
(ii) The poet’s feelings are aroused after looking at the
photograph as she remembers her mother.
(iii) The word ‘cardboard’ in the poem refers to the
photograph. It is a memory of poet’s mother after
she is dead and gone. It signifies transience of life.
46 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
3. Taplow had laughed at the poor joke of his master out
of respect only. But Crocker Harris was not impressed.
He told Taplow to explain the joke to the class if he had
understood it.
Long Answer Questions
1. Taplow is a student of Mr. Crocker-Harris. He has
to stay behind even on the last day of the school.
Mr. Crocker-Harris has given him extra work to do
because he had been ill for a day during the week and
missed the class. It is already very late Mr. Crocker-
Harris has not come yet. But Taplow is afraid of
Crocker. He dare not leave the class until Crocker
comes. Although he is afraid of Crocker, he doesn’t
dislike him. He laughs at Crocker’s poor joke only out
of respect. We can say that Taplow is a very obedient
student. He respects his teacher and doesn’t want to
offend him. Maybe after Frank instigates him he speaks
against Crocker Harris. He respects Crocker Harris
because only that teacher is a stickler for rules and
doesn’t indulge in unfair practices despite being in a
noble profession. So, Taplow also emerges as a student
with divine qualities which cannot be found these days.
2. Millie is Mr. Crocker-Harris’s wife. She is a thin woman
and is in her late thirties. She dresses herself in smart
clothes. She sees Taplow imitating her husband’s voice.
But she takes it lightly. She finds Taplow waiting for
her husband. She can understand very well that Taplow
likes to go and play like other boys. She tells him that
her husband is at the Bursars. It could take him a lot of
time there. Thus she indirectly hints to Taplow that he
could go and play. Even then Taplow dare not go. Then
she sends Taplow to a chemist to get some medicine
Her chief purpose is not to get the medicine. She only
wants to help the poor boy enjoy his freedom for some
time at least. Thus we can say that Millie is a loving
and intelligent woman of helping attitude.
2. (i) Her own childhood and that sea holiday was a
thing of the past for the poet’s mother.
(ii) They had gone to the sea beach with the uncle.
(iii) Mother’s laughter is past for the poet because
mother is no more in this world.
Short Answer Questions
1. The mother went to the beach with her two girl cousins
who are younger than her, holding her hand. They
went paddling in the sea. They had uncle click their
photograph.
 2. The camera has captured a happy moment as the girls
were enjoying their holiday.
3. The stillness of the photograph and the overwhelming
sense of her mother’s loss mutes the poet.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The poet is talking about her mother and her feet
which were there in the sea for a short time.
(ii) The sea waves washed their feet as they walked
barefoot in the sand.
(iii) The word ‘transient’ means for a short period of
time.
2. (i) She has been dead for almost twelve years now.
(ii) The poet says that her mother had been dead and
she feels herself in a situation that there is nothing
2 : The Voice of the Rain
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Land and the bottomless sea are the source of rain.
(ii) Personification
(iii) The seeds will keep on lying dormant in the earth
if the rain doesn’t fall.
2. (i) ‘Thou’ refers to rain as the poet is asking the
question to rain.
(ii) ‘Thou’ responded by saying that she was the poem
of the earth.
(iii) Rain is personified here.
Short Answer Questions
1. Rain defines itself as the poem of the earth.
2. The rain gives an answer or the poet is able to under-
stand the feelings of the rain –is something strange over
here.
3. The last two lines contain a comment about music and
its cycle. These differ from the first nine lines. The
first two lines are the voice of the poet whereas lines
three to nine are spoken by rain. The cycle of song is
put within brackets to mark the difference in speakers
but similarity in content.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ refers here to rain.
3 : Childhood
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker noticed a wide gulf between what
adults appeared to be and what they actually were
in real life. There was apparent contradiction
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
to be said about but only emptiness. The silence
of this situation silences her.
(iii) It refers to the death of her mother and how she
died as it is only a memory of the past.
Short Answer Questions
1. The three girls are smiling at the uncle with the camera.
They are quite excited to get their photograph clicked.
2. The poet’s mother had been out on a beach holiday
years back and felt nostalgic about it, similar to
what the poetess felt when she relived the memories
of her dead mother. The memories in both cases
were beautiful but painful to recall as time slipped by.
3. Yes, it is true that change is the law of nature. Childhood
slips by and adulthood arrives which soon gives
way to old age. Only memories are left behind. But
human beings are not good at accepting the reality and
often lament at the time that has gone by.
(ii) Land and endless sea are the birth place of the rain.
(iii) Rain water rises untouched out of the land and
deep sea and gathers in the sky, where it changes
form, and then comes down to earth to bathe the
dry tiny particles of dust layers and all that lies
buried under it. Then it returns to the place of its
origin.
2. (i) Rain is the speaker here.
(ii) The sea has been addressed as bottomless.
(iii) The rain calls itself as eternal because it doesn’t
die. After coming back to earth the water reaches
the land and sea from where it again rises back to
heaven.
Short Answer Questions
1. The two participants are the poet and the rain. The
poet makes the rain relate its own story. This direct
presentation makes the narration more authentic,
interesting and captivating.
2. It washes away the dust layers from the surface of
the earth. It makes trees and leaves look like new. It
quenches the thirst of the land thus taking away the
droughts.
3. The rain helps in germination of seeds and leaves or
quenches the thirst of the land so that there are no
droughts. Thus it is the harbinger of life.
between their words and deeds. They talked of
love and advised others to love, but they never
acted lovingly.
(ii) When the poet understood the hypocrisy of
adults, he felt that the innocence of his childhood
has gone to home untraceable place.
47
 (iii) The adult’s behaviour seemed confusing to the
poet due to the apparent contradiction between
their words and deeds.
2. (i) When the poet became rationalistic he realised
that he was growing up.
(ii) Hell and heaven signify the poet becoming ration-
alistic and drawing his own conclusions.
(iii) It means he lost his childhood when he ceased to
be eleven.
Short Answer Questions
1. According to the poem, the loss of childhood is involved
in the process of growing up. This loss is compensated
by some gain which come with adolescence. These are:
increase in understanding and power of rationalising
and discrimination as well as a sense of individuality
and self-confidence.
2. • Was it the time I realized that hell and heaven could
not be.
• When I found my mind was really mine.
• The adults were not as they seemed to be.
3. Yes, he got answers to his questions because at the end
of the poem he says that his childhood had gone to some
forgotten place and is untraceable now.
4 : Father to Son
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Father is in reflective mood.
(ii) They behave and speak like strangers as they don’t
understand each other.
(iii) The father has been unable to understand what his
son loves to do. He is not in a position to advise
him as there is hardly any intimacy between them.
They speak like strangers, otherwise there is
silence around them. The son has his own dreams
and plans which he does not appreciate.
2. (i) Father wants his son to return back home. This
show the love and care of father.
(ii) The father expects his son to return penniless.
(iii) The father is ready to see his prodigal son because
he wants his son to return back home.
Short Answer Questions
1. Actually, the father-son relationship is non-functional.
The father does not understand the aspirations, longings
or cravings of the son. They speak like strangers. Their
exchanges, if any, are just formal. Otherwise, silence
surrounds them.
2. His lack of understanding on the part of the older
generation (here, father) is at the root of the problem.
48 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) This stanza shows the phase of poet’s adulthood.
(ii) The poet realised that his mind is really his own
when he became master of his own mind.
(iii) The poet chose his own way because he wanted to
be independent and not to be a parrot.
2. (i) The poet’s childhood is hidden in his face.
(ii) It signifies that childhood was not entirely lost but
was hiding somewhere .
(iii) Childhood is a period of innocence when one
accepts people at the face value and trusts them.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet asks various questions pertaining to loss of
his childhood:
Where did my childhood go?
When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven?
Was it the day I realized?
2. Childhood is a period of innocence when one accepts
people at the face value and trusts them. Adulthood
brings with it rationalistic thoughts.
3. Yes, he got answers to his questions because at the end
of the poem he says that his childhood had gone to some
forgotten place and is untraceable now.
The father wants the young man to stick to home turf.
The son, now a young man, seeks fresh avenues and
lives in a world of his own. The father finds it hard to
adjust to the growing changes.
3. Because he cannot live without his son.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference to Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The above stanza reveals the lack of understanding.
(ii) Father does not know anything about his son
because there is no communication between them.
They speak like strangers otherwise there is silence
around them.
(iii) The father is trying to build up a relationship with
his son from the beginning.
2. (i) The child is designed as his father.
(ii) The nature of the father is authoritarian.
(iii) Alliteration.
Short Answer Questions
1. The father is not able to rebuild a cordial relationship
with his son due to lack of understanding and commu-
nication.
2. He wants his son to return back home. He wants to
forgive him if the son also returns an empty hand.
3. They long to forgive each other.
 SNAPSHOTS
1 : The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The two visitors were uncle Khasrov and John Byro.
Uncle Khasrov had come for coffee and cigarettes. John
Byro had come to tell about his horse which had been
stolen.
2. Mourad kicked his heels into the horse and said, ‘Vazire
run’. The horse stood on its hind legs and then ran.
It was a lovely sight. They ran across a field over the
dry ditches and then returned back to where Aram
was standing.
3. The boys returned the horse to its rightful owner
because suddenly they felt that their family honour was
at stake.
Long Answer Questions
1. Yes, Mourad was a thief only and it would be termed as
stealing. He may justify it by saying that he borrowed
the horse. But he did so without telling the owner. It
seemed to him that stealing a horse for a ride was not
the same thing as stealing something else, such as
money. Since Narrator and Mourad were quite crazy
about horses, it wasn’t stealing. Mourad convinced
himself with the thought that it would become stealing
only when they offered to sell it.
2. Yes, we agree with John Byro because only a suspicious
man would believe his eyes instead of his heart. John
believed his heart. He had full faith on the members of
Garoghlanian tribe. He knew that they would go hungry
rather than steal. So, he didn’t blame the boys. He said
that maybe his eyes are failing him and it was a twin of
his horse. Due to this faith reposed in the narrator and
his cousin, the boys felt that they had put their family
honour at stake and decided to return the horse.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. John Byro recognised his horse, yet he could not believe
his eyes because the children accompanying the horse
were Aram and Mourad and they belonged to a tribe
which was known for their honesty.
2. Once he was sitting in a barber’s shop. Somebody came
running to tell him that his house was on fire. He only
replied impatiently-pay no attention to it and this led
to burning down of his house.
3. The narrator requested to keep the horse for a longer
time. He also wanted to learn horse riding desperately
but now Mourad wanted to return it. Beccause his
family pride would not let him steal.
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
Long Answer Questions
1. It seemed to narrator that stealing a horse for a ride was
not the same thing as stealing something else, such as
money. Since he and Mourad were quite crazy about
horses, it wasn’t stealing. He convinced himself with
the thought that it would become stealing only when
they offered to sell it. His love for horses forced him
to take this drastic step and to put his family honour at
stake.
2. Stealing would always be considered as stealing only
even if it is done to help someone. If the boys desper-
ately wanted to learn horse riding they could have taken
permission from John Byro and with his permission,
they could have gone for horse riding. But Mourad
decided to do it other way round. He chose to steal the
horse and then call it “borrowing”.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Mourad and his family had no money. They lived in
extreme poverty and it was difficult to understand
how they got food to satisfy their hunger. The narrator
frankly admits that every branch of the Garoghlanian
family was living in the most amazing and comical
poverty in the world.
2. The narrator requested to keep the horse for a longer
time. He also wanted to learn horse riding desperately
and he objected to Mourad returning the house. But
now Mourad wanted to return it.
3. When Aram got on the horse, it got scared and instead
of running to the irrigation ditch, threw Aram down
and disappeared in the vineyard.
Long Answer Questions
1. “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” is a
story of two Armenian boys, Mourad and Aram. They
belonged to a tribe known for its truth and honesty.
Aram is the narrator and Mourad is his cousin. Aram
recalls the time when he was nine years old. One day his
cousin came to his house at 4 a.m. He woke up Aram by
tapping on the window of his room. Aram woke up and
saw Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. Mourad
asked Aram to be ready for the ride. Aram was surprised
how Mourad was able to get a white horse. They were
too poor to buy a horse. Aram thought that Mourad had
stolen the horse. Aram got ready and jumped onto the
horse behind Mourad and they were on Olive Avenue
in some time.
Mourad asked the narrator to get down as he wanted to
ride alone. The narrator got down. Mourad raced the
horse across a field of dry grass to an irrigation ditch.
49
 It was now the narrator’s turn to ride alone. The horse
did not move. So the narrator kicked the horse and it
began to run. Instead of running across the field, it ran
down to a vineyard and leaped over seven vines before
the narrator fell. Even then the horse continued running.
Mourad came running down the road. It took Mourad
half an hour before he could bring the horse back. He
told Aram they would either take the horse back or hide
him.
They left the horse in the barn of a deserted vineyard
and returned home. That afternoon the narrator’s uncle,
Khosrove, and another farmer named John Byro came
to his house. He said that his horse had been stolen last
month was still gone.
One day they came across the vineyard of John Byro,
the farmer. The farmer looked at the horse eagerly. He
then looked into the mouth of the horse. He swore that
was his horse. But he thought that Mourad’s family was
famous for honesty. So the horse was the twin of his
horse. John Byro then went away bidding them good
day. Next morning, Mourad and the narrator took the
horse to John Byro’s vineyard and put it in the barn.
That afternoon, John Byro came to his house. He was
surprised to find the horse that had been stolen now
returned back.
2. Crazy about horses Mourad wanted to learn horse riding
desperately. He couldn’t afford to buy one. His family
was living hand to mouth. It was difficult to make both
ends meet. So, he decided to steal one. He also justifies
it by saying that he was borrowing it. Mourad was crazy
like his uncle Khosrove.
2 : The Address
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Mrs. S was narrator’s mother. In the war in Holland,
their house was destroyed. All her belongings were
lost. The narrator rendered homeless and had to move
to another city.
2. No, we don’t approve. She had taken the things with
the promise that she will return them after the war. Now
she had gone back on her words.
3. The second visit of the narrator to 46, Marconi Street
was different from the first one in one respect. She was
led to the living room, where she could see and touch
some of the things she had wanted so eagerly to see.
The touch and sight of familiar things aroused memory
of her former life. These objects had now lost their real
value for her since they were severed from their own
lives and stored in strange circumstances. She resolved
to forget these objects, and their past and move on. This
is clear from her decision to forget the address.
50 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Uncle Khasrov refused to listen or sympathize with
John Byro. So, he went slamming the door behind.
Uncle Khasrov kept repeating-it’s no harm. Pay no
attention to it.
2. Mourad was considered crazy by everybody who knew
him except the narrator. He was quite crazy about
horses. Secondly, he enjoyed being alive more than
anybody else.
3. Mourad had stolen the horse quite a few days earlier and
had been riding it secretly. That’s why he had developed
an affinity with the horse. He told his secret to Aram
after few days had gone by.
Long Answer Questions
1. Cousin Mourad had a crazy streak. He was quite crazy
about horses. He kept the stolen white horse for about
six weeks, rode it, loved it, fed it well and hid it in a
deserted yard. When he sang in the open countryside,
it seemed as if he were roaring.
2. Yes, this act of Mourad could have degraded their
family. If John Byro had claimed the horse there and
then, surely the matters would have landed the boys
in trouble. The story gives no indication that the boys
were afraid of anything or anyone. They were also
not conscience stricken when John visited their home
and told about the stolen horse, even then they did not
think of returning the horse. It is only when the farmer
showed faith in the family values and honesty of their
tribe, they decided to return it.
Long Answer Questions
1. The human predicament that follows war is amply
illustrated through the experience of the narrator.
The war had caused many physical difficulties as
well as emotional sufferings to her. She had lost her
dear mother. She went to 46, Marconi Street to see
her mother’s valuable possessions. How greedy and
callous human beings can become is exemplified by
the behaviour of Mrs Dorling who refused to recognise
the narrator. The presence of her mother’s possessions
in strange atmosphere pained her. Now these valuables
had lost all their importance for her as they had been
separated from her mother. She could get no solace or
comfort from them.
2. Mrs. S’s daughter is the nararator in the story. She
leaves a very favourable impression on us about her
emotional and intellectual qualities. We find her an
intelligent but devoted daughter. She loves and respects
her mother.
 The narrator has a keen power of observation and
a sharp power of judgement. She at once seizes up
Mrs Dorling. Her persistent efforts to remind Mrs
Dorling of her own identity and the latter’s relations
with her mother reveal her indomitable spirit. She
visits 46, Marconi Street twice to see, touch and
remember her mother’s belongings. She is a realist,
who doesn’t like to remain tagged to the past. Her
resolution to forget the address and move on shows her
grit and forward looking nature. She has a progressive
personality.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The woman was wearing the green knitted cardigan of
the narrator’s mother. The wooden buttons had become
rather pale from washing. She saw that the narrator
was looking at the cardigan. She half hid herself again
behind the door. Her reaction convinced the narrator
that she was right.
2. During the World War II, the Nazis under Hitler
attacked Holland. Many Jews were killed during and
after the war. These who remained alive had to leave
Holland for fear as the narrator did. The narrator lost her
mother. She went in search of her mother’s belongings
after the war.
3. Her first visit had been a disaster. She was not allowed
to enter the house. Dorling refused to recognize her.
So, second time the narrator entered without waiting
for her. She looked at the things which brought back
painful memories and decided to leave without taking
anything or without waiting for Mrs. Dorling.
Long Answer Questions
1. Dear Friend
I hope this letter finds you in best of health and high
spirits. You might be curious about my visit to Holland.
Well I was able to find the house of Mrs. Dorling. But
imagine she refused to recognize me. She was wearing
the green cardigan knitted by my mother. It had the
same wooden buttons. But still she refused to recognize
me. I am really shocked by this whole incident.
I am planning to make another visit. I will tell you about
it. Till then take care.
Your friend
Narrator
2. Yes, it is better to forget and forgive. If we keep on
holding on to past memories they will only spoil our
future. Let’s take the case of narrator. After the war
when life had become normal she wanted to reclaim
her things. She had gone back in the hope of bringing
back certain items of her mother. But first time Mrs.
Dorling refused to recognize her. Second time she
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
entered the house but those things only brought back
painful memories which she wanted to forget. So, she
came back empty handed.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. After the liberation, everything became normal again.
Bread was getting to be a lighter colour. She could sleep
in her bed without any fear of death. She could glance
out of the window of her room each day. One day, she
went to 46, Marconi Street as she was eager to see all
the possessions of her mother stored there. She felt
disappointed when Mrs. Dorling neither recognised her
nor let her in. She asked her to come again someday.
2. The narrator become curious about his mother’s pos-
sessions as normalcy returned in the post-liberation
period. She knew that those things must still be at the
address her mother told her. She wanted to see them,
touch and remember.
3. On her second visit she found herself in the midst
of those things. She felt oppressed in the strange
atmosphere. These objects evoked the memory of the
familiar life of former time. But they had lost their
value since they had been separated from her mother
and stored in strange surroundings. She no longer
wanted to see, touch or remember these belongings.
She resolved to forget the address. She wanted to leave
the past behind and decided to move on.
Long Answer Questions
1. We should not believe what others tell us without
verifying the facts. That is the first valuable lesson of
the story. Mrs. S. had done exactly that. Her faith in
Dorling had led to loss of her belongings. She had too
much faith on that casual acquaintance.
The second lesson of this story teaches us that it is better
to forget and forgive. If we keep on holding on to past
memories they will only spoil our future. Let’s take the
case of narrator. After the war when life had become
normal she wanted to reclaim her things. She had gone
back in the hope of bringing back certain items of her
mother. But first time Mrs. Dorling refused to recognize
her. Second time she entered the house but those things
only brought back painful memories which she wanted
to forget. So, she came back empty handed.
2. The narrator remembered the address 46, Marconi
Street. Her mother’s valuable belongings were stored
there. After her mother’s death, the narrator had an
urge to visit the place. She was not allowed to enter the
first time. On her second visit, she found herself in the
midst of those things. She felt oppressed in the strange
atmosphere. These objects evoked the memory of the
familiar life of former time. But they had lost their
value since they had been separated from her mother
and stored in strange surroundings. She no longer
51
 wanted to see, touch or remember these belongings.
She resolved to forget the address. She wanted to leave
the past behind and decided to move on.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. No, Mrs. Dorling’s unfriendly behaviour towards
the narrator is not justified. She should have kept her
promise and returned the things. She was a very mean
and callous lady.
2. The narrator suddenly decided to leave Marconi street
because she felt oppressed in the strange atmosphere.
The objects related to her mother evoked the memory of
the familiar life of former time. But they had lost their
value since they had been separated from her mother
and stored in strange surroundings. She no longer
wanted to see, touch or remember these belongings.
3. The narrator has a keen power of observation and
a sharp power of judgement. She at once seizes up
Mrs. Dorling. Her persistent efforts to remind Mrs.
Dorling of her own identity and the latter’s relations
with her mother reveal her indomitable spirit. She visits
46, Marconi Street twice to see, touch and remember
her mother’s belongings.
Long Answer Questions
1. The narrator’s mother had given her the address, years
ago during the first half of the war. The narrator came
home for a few days and missed various things in the
rooms. Then her mother told her about Mrs. Dorling
and gave her the address.
3 : Ranga’s Marriage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Everything is going as planned. Shyama asks Shastri
what might be worrying the boy to which he replies that
it might be a girl. On further calculations he suggests
that girl’s name has connection with something found
in the ocean. When Shastri hints pearl or Ratna, Ranga
is amazed. Once again narrator pours water on Ranga’s
hope by saying Ratna is married.
2. The narrator took Ranga to the astrologer. The Shastri
called astrology an ancient science. He told Ranga that
he was thinking about a girl. She had the name of some
thing found in the ocean. He assured them that their
negotiations would definitely bear fruit. Ranga was
impressed by the science of astrology.
3. Ratna was just eleven years old. She had a beautiful
voice. She kept fast on Fridays so as get a good
husband. She would dress up nicely on Fridays. She is
Rama Rao’s niece. She has came in the village for few
days.
Long Answer Questions
1. Ranga finally gets married to Ratna and is father of
two children. Ratna is now eight months pregnant
52 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
Mrs. Dorling was an old acquaintance of the narrator’s
mother. The latter had not seen her for several years.
Then she suddenly turned up and renewed their contact.
Every time she left that place she took something with
her—table silver, antique plates, etc. Mrs. Dorling
suggested to the narrator’s mother that she should store
her belongings at a safer place. She wanted to save all
her nice things. She explained that they would lose
everything if they had to leave the place. The narrator’s
mother was a kind-hearted, generous and liberal lady.
She was fond of collecting valuable things. She is
more worried about the physical risk to Mrs. Dorling
than losing them to her. She thought it an insult to tell
her friends to keep those things for ever.
2. The narrator remembered the address 46, Marconi
Street. Her mother’s valuable belongings were stored
there. After her mother’s death, the narrator had an
urge to visit the place. She was not allowed to enter the
first time. On her second visit, she found herself in the
midst of those things. She felt oppressed in the strange
atmosphere. These objects evoked the memory of the
familiar life of former time. But they had lost their
value since they had been separated from her mother
and stored in strange surroundings. She no longer
wanted to see, touch or remember these belongings.
She resolved to forget the address. She wanted to leave
the past behind and decided to move on. She appears
to be very realistic. She has a progressive personality.
when narrator meets them. Narrator is invited to third
birth anniversary of their first child. The child has been
named as Shyama after the narrator. So, in the end
narrator forgets what he has learnt in the city and falls
a victim to customs and traditions in the village. It is
not easy to do away with all that one has learnt since
childhood.
2. In a way, the story promotes child marriages. In the
past, marriages were arranged by relatives and parents.
The bride and groom had no say in the matter. Child
marriages often spelled doom for the girl. When the
children grew up, they would marry again a girl of their
choice, leaving their first wife, married in childhood.
The girl was the sufferer in most of the cases. She
would not be allowed to marry again. In case she
became widow then her life would become hell.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Narrator called Ranga to his home. Then he asks
Rao’s wife to send Ratna to his house to fetch butter-
milk. As planned, at that very moment Ranga arrives
 and gets mesmerized by Ratna’s singing and falls in
love with her.
2. The narrator is very talkative, takes a lot of interest
in village affairs. He decides to get Ratna married
to Ranga as soon as he realizes they are suitable for
each other.The astrologer’s remarks and the meeting
between Ranga and Ratna add humour to the story.
3. The narrator took Ranga to the astrologer. The Shastri
called astrology an ancient science. He told Ranga that
he was thinking about a girl. She had the name of some
thing found in the ocean. He assured them that their
negotiations would definitely bear fruit. Ranga was
impressed by the science of astrology.
Long Answer Questions
1. The narrator of the story is a very talkative person. He
takes a lot of interest in village affairs. He decides to
get Ratna married to Ranga as soon as he realizes they
are suitable for each other.The astrologer’s remarks
and the meeting between Ranga and Ratna add humor
to the story.Thus being talkative is his strength.
2. In the past, marriages in India were  usually arranged by
parents/relatives. After independence, certain changes
have come in the economic and social set-up of the
Indian society. Women empowerment has made women
men’s comrades and equals and not a mere prisoner
confined within the four walls. Women education and
access to jobs have changed the attitude of modern
males towards them. A girl is now accepted as a partner
in marriage for her worth or qualities rather than the
dowry. Marriageable young boys and girls have now
more say in the choice of partners. Early marriages
have been banned legally. Indian society has certainly
moved a long way from the time of arranged marriages.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. According to the astrologer, Ranga was thinking about
a girl. This is the cause of worry of Ranga. He was
thinking whether he would be able to marry that girl.
The girl he was thinking had the name of some thing
found in the ocean.
2. During the last ten years, English has made inroads
into Indian countryside as well. Now there are many
who know English. One comes across them in every
street and corner, English is required to get accepted
in society and to land a good job. In my opinion,
English is the language of the future now.
3. Ranga was influenced by the English way of life.
Like them he wanted to marry a mature girl and not a
young present-day bride. He told the narrator that he
would marry when he grew a bit older. Secondly, he
wanted to marry a girl he admired. He was not in favour
of arranged marriages. This shows the influence of
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
English way of life on modern young educated Indians.
the narrator did not approve of it.
Long Answer Questions
1. Ranga is a typical South Indian young man whose feet
are firmly entrenched in the traditional Indian culture
but the head is swayed by the latest acquisition of
English language and ways of life.
He seems to have attained marriageable age according
to the norms prevalent in society at that time. The nar-
rator finds him generous and considerate. The young
man could rightly assess a person’s worth and knew
when it would be to his advantage to talk to someone.
At first, Ranga seemed to be in favour of love mar-
riage—marrying a girl of one’s choice, whom one
loved and who would be mature enough to understand
love-talk and reciprocate it. The systematic steps taken
by the narrator to rope in Ranga to marry Ratna shows
that the young man has a sensitive heart. Ranga’s act of
naming his golden boy ‘Shyama’ after the dark colour-
ed narrator Shyama shows his adherence to the English
custom of naming the child after someone you like. On
the whole, Ranga appears as a smart but lovable fellow.
2. The narrator was intimate with Rama Rao’s family. He
knew that his niece Ratna would be a suitable wife for
Ranga. He proceeded systematically. First he created an
opportunity where Ranga might listen to Ratna’s song
and have a glimpse of her. He arranged this sudden
encounter of two strangers at his home. The reaction
of two youngsters was on expected lines. Ranga felt
interested in her. Ratna felt shy, lowered her head and
went to the other room.
In order to test the intensity of Ranga’s feelings towards
Ratna, the narrator said that she had been married a
year ago. Ranga looked crestfallen. Then the narrator
tutored an astrologer and took Ranga to him. Shastri,
the astrologer, gave sufficient assurance that there was
no hitch in his marriage to a girl whose name was that
of something found in the ocean.
While returning from the Shastri’s house, they saw
Ratna standing alone in her uncle’s house. The narrator
went in for a moment and brought the news that Ratna
was not married. After ascertaining Ranga’s views, the
marriage was settled.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The news that Ratna was unmarried and previous
information about her marriage was wrong causes
infinite joy to the narrator. Now he can marry Ratna.
2. He wanted that Ranga should get interested, in fact,
he was desperate to get married to Ratna. In order to
make her hard to get, he spread false rumors about her
marriage.
53
 3. Despite his theories regarding marriage to a partner who
is of the same age and mature enough to understand his
needs, he marries Ratna who is just eleven years old.
Thus he is the same man with hardly any change in his
character.
Long Answer Questions
1. Ranga is fickle minded, gullible, and credulous. What-
ever may be his beliefs about marriage he still falls in
the trap and marries Ratna, who is just eleven years old
and very innocent. In the end, narrator forgets what he
has learnt in the city and falls a victim to customs and
traditions in the village. It is not easy to do away with
4 : Albert Einstein at School
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. He decides to get a medical certificate with the help
of a doctor friend saying he had a nervous breakdown
and needed rest.
2. First of all he wanted to tell the landlady of the apart-
ment where he lived that her wailing was worse than
his violin. Secondly when the head teacher expelled
him.
3. For Einstein, ideas are important; facts do not matter.
He considers learning the dates of battles or the details
about victorious armies meaningless. He is more
interested in the causes that led the soldiers to kill each
other.
Long Answer Questions
1. Elsa is Albert’s cousin. She was his best friend and
guide. She gave him emotional support in times of
his trouble. She told Albert that it was not difficult to
learn dates at all. She told him that she was sure he
could learn enough to pass the examinations if he tried.
She told him that she knew many students more stupid
than Albert. They got through the examination. So he
should try and pass the examination.
Albert once told Elsa that the wanted to study science
simply because he liked it. He did not need additional
reasons to study the subject he was interested in.
2. Albert Einstein’s miserable five years’ stay at school
is a telling comment on the system of education
prevailing then and existing even now. This system
of education has no room for individual aspirations,
brilliance or aptitude. It discourages genius and
originality and encourages mechanical dullards or
the so-called ‘average’ students. This system lays
stress on facts and dates rather than ideas. It ignores
originality and creativity, which lead to progress and
development.
The teachers and authorities insist on discipline and
conformity. Brilliant students like Albert Einstein
54 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
all that one has learnt since childhood. These values
have no place in the modern society. Child marriage
is a thing of the past. People have started realizing the
importance of educating girls and women empower-
ment.
2. Yes, there is a great deal of difference among the
village people and city people. Villages are still rooted
in traditions, customs and beliefs. In city, people have
done away with these customs which stand in the
way of progress. Banning child marriages, widow
remarriage will only prove beneficial for the dawn of
new era. Women empowerment is the need of the hour.
are considered dullard, stupid, incompetent, unfit
rebels.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Albert concluded after living six months in Munich
was that he won’t be able to continue in the school.
He didn’t get along well with the history teacher or with
the headmaster. He wanted to go home desperately.
2. The headmaster told Albert when the latter asked
about the crime he committed to leave as he was being
expelled. He further added that his presence in the
classroom made it difficult for the teachers to teach
and the students to study.
3. No, the doctor didn’t commit a mistake because he was
on the verge of nervous breakdown already. He was
desperate to go back.
Long Answer Questions
1. Mr. Koch said these words. He was Albert’s maths
teacher. He knew about Albert’s daily altercations with
the history teacher and with the headmaster. Albert was
not able to learn dates, etc. He was often scolded by
history teacher and punished by the headmaster. All
this had made Albert miserable. However he was very
good in maths and had learnt everything that was there
from Mr. Koch. So, he knew that Albert would leave
very soon.
2. Exchanges between Einstein and history teacher show
that Einstein is honest and truthful. He admits his
shortcomings frankly. He has firm and well-defined
opinions. He explains precisely what he thinks. Thus
his basic intelligence, logical reasoning and lucid
expression are highlighted. He showed the sparks of
genius even at a young age. His maths teacher had a
high opinion of him. But he has problem getting along
with certain people because he doesn’t like their views
about education. For example, the history teacher and
the headmaster. Then he has problems with his landlady
who doesn’t understand his need for solace and cannot
give him cordial atmosphere at home.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Dr. Ernest Weil was young and understanding. He is
still a student himself. He understood what Albert was
going through so he gave him certificate without taking
any money.
2. Albert had procured that certificate after a great
difficulty. But before he could show it to the Headmaster,
he was expelled and labelled as a disgrace to the
teachers and students of his class.
3. Yes, he was able to understand what Albert was
going through because he was a student himself. He
understood that Albert was on the verge of nervous
breakdown.
Long Answer Questions
1. Mr Braun asked Albert in what year the Prussians
defeated the French at Waterloo. Albert told him that
he didn’t know. Mr Braun said that he had told them
so many times. Albert told him that he saw no point in
learning dates. These could be seen in books. This made
him speechless. Mr Braun asked for Einstein theory
of education. He did so highly sarcastically and in a
mocking tone. For Einstein, ideas are important; facts
do not matter. He considers learning the dates of battles
or the details about victorious armies meaningless. He
is more interested in the causes that led the soldiers to
kill each other. The history teacher felt amazed as well
as annoyed at Albert’s stubbornness. It was because
Albert challenged all the established norms of attaining
knowledge.
2. For the students to answer themselves
5 : Mother’s Day
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. She says she was working hard enough. Now it was
her turn to work hard. Doris is the first one to learn her
lesson in politeness, civility and self help.
2. George treats her wife shabbily. He doesn’t care for her.
He goes to the club every night with friends, leaves her
alone at home.
3. She wants her family members to help her in the
house work. She wants to take a day off, wants family
members to spend time at home.
Long Answer Questions
1. Doris and Cyril treat her like a servant, issue orders,
don’t spend time with her. They expect that all their
work is done on time by their mother. They don’t take
her opinion in their personal matters. Doris even shouts
at her mother if her orders are not fulfilled.
2. Husband and children can help the mother in running
the house in many ways. They can do some of their
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Albert was relying on the certificate given by Mr. Koch
which proved that he was a mathematical wizard.
2. In school, Einstein’s ideas of education are not
acceptable to the teachers and Principal. His honesty,
logical reasoning and originality were considered as
stupid and incompetent. His history teacher insulted
him and told him that he was a disgrace to school.
That’s why Albert decided to get rid of his school.
3. Mr. Koch had written that Albert knew more than his
age in mathematics and was a genius.
Long Answer Questions
1. To stay away from school for six months, Albert
decided to take help of his friend Yuri. He knew
a doctor who would give a certificate of nervous
breakdown which would help him to leave school and
go back. He managed to procure the certificate with
great difficulty. The doctor did not even take the fees
from him. With this certificate in his pocket he planned
to meet the headmaster with his request.
2. Dear Albert
I am sorry for what you had to go through. I have now
realized that it was a mistake on our part to let you go.
The history teacher’s remarks really instigated me and
I started blaming you. But now Mr. Koch has talked to
me and I have learnt the truth.
I will be very happy to admit you back again in the
school.
Yours
The headmaster
work themselves rather not to order their wife and
mother for them. They can make tea for them and also
for their wife and mother. Husband and children can
bring grocery and vegetables from the market. This
will give some time to mother to enjoy in her own way.
They can also help the mother in by doing small chores
of house like mending clothes, cleaning house, etc.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Mrs Fitzgerald offers to deal with the family of Mrs
Pearson and teach them to treat her properly. Mrs
Pearson feels flustered. She thanks her saying that it
wouldn’t do at all. They would resent being ill-treated
by somebody else and wouldn’t listen.
2. Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to decide firmly and
stick to her decision. She must assert her position
and become the real mistress of the house. Her own
initiative can help her. She must let them wait or look
after themselves for once.
55
 3. Doris treats her like a servant, issue orders and don’t
spend time with her. She expects that all their work is
done on time by their mother.
Long Answer Questions
1. The theme of the play is the status of women in their
own household. The housewife serves the members of
her family with complete devotion, sincerity and love.
However, she is never given the regard, attention or
thanks due to her. Instead of being politely requested
for a favour, she is ordered to do it. She gets no thanks
in return.
The theme is worked out by portrayal of the Pearson
family. Mrs Pearson is the harassed mother. Her
daughter Doris, son Cyril and husband George take
her services for granted. The harsh treatment meted
out to them by the personality of Mrs. Fitzgerald (in
the body of Mrs. Pearson) reforms them and they obey
the mother willingly which is the true celebration of
Mother’s Day. Hence the title is justified.
2. No, first of all the issue never arises. In my family
mother is given due respect. In fact in all Indian
households, mother is given due respect. We don’t
believe in celebrating one single day as Mother’s Day.
All days are Mother’s Days. Yes, but I remember one
incident where I had answered back my mother. I saw
tears in her eyes. She didn’t speak to me for many
days. In the end I felt sorry for my behaviour.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. She agrees to Fitzgerald’s suggestion and they exchange
souls. Fitzgerald deals with the family members in her
own way and teaches them a lesson.
2. Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to decide firmly and
stick to her decision. She must assert her position
and become the real mistress of the house. Her own
initiative can help her. She must let them wait or look
after themselves for once.
3. Children learn their lesson, understand how hard their
mother worked, promise to mend their ways.
Long Answer Questions
1. Mrs. Fitzgerald plays a very important role in the
play. She is introduced as a fortune teller and the
next-door neighbour of the Pearsons. It is through the
initial conversation between her and Mrs. Pearson
that we come to know the problems that Mrs.
Pearson faces. Mrs. Fitzgerald analyses the situation
quite objectively and becomes the playwright’s
mouthpiece. She also suggest the ways and methods
of tackling the situation. Since Mrs. Pearson
does not have the guts to stand for her right, Mrs.
Fitzgerald suggests a novel approach—exchange
of personalities. Now as Mrs. Pearson, with the
personality Mrs. Fitzgerald, she puts the plan of
56 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
reformation in action. She smokes, drinks and plays
cards. All this is unusual for the family. She further
shocks them by being tough with them in word and
action. She asks them to look after themselves. She
clearly tells them that she has already worked for
more than eight hours that day. She tells them plainly
how they behave at home and workplace. She is
equally blunt with Mr. George Pearson, who goes
away every evening to club, leaving his wife alone
at home. She reveals to him how the people at club
make a fun of him. In short, she makes them realise
their responsibility towards the mother. In the end,
she performs the exchange of personalities once
again. Thus she is the main spring of initial action,
climax and denouement.
2. It is the habit of certain people. They will always
speak well in front of others but do back biting in their
absence. As we see regarding George’s friends, they
make jokes about his playing abilities. They call him
names. They are not his true friends.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Mrs. Pearson devotes all her time and energy to serve
her husband, son and daughter. These thoughtless and
selfish persons go out every night to enjoy themselves
leaving Mrs. Pearson alone at home. She is no better
than a servant in her own home. Mrs. Pearson herself
is responsible for the ill-treatment, neglect and lack of
concern shown to her.
2. Cyril is annoyed with his mother because his shirt has
not been mended and the tea is not ready.
3. When she comes to check on her husband and children,
she finds Doris crying and Fitzgerald smoking. On
enquiry she learns what Fitzgerald impersonating as
Pearson had told the truth about Charlie Spence, Doris’
boyfriend.
Long Answer Questions
1. Mrs Pearson is a pleasant but worried-looking woman
in her forties. She loves her husband and children
very much and runs after them all the time. She feels
neglected and lonely but lacks courage to discuss things
with them. She is not willing to act as a tough mom as
she is nervous and fluttering by nature. She is so tender-
hearted that she is shocked to see the rough treatment
meted out to her children. She decides to change back to
her original personality to deal with her family herself.
She is indeed a loving and affectionate mother and a
devoted wife.
2. No, it is not wise to interfere in other’s matters. It only
adds fuel to fire. However in this case it was different.
The children were spoilt brats and Pearson couldn’t
teach them manners. So, Fitzgerald had to interfere to
teach lesson to them and to her errant husband.
 6 : Birth
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Dr. Andrew found the newborn baby lifeless. The
child’s body was white and soft. The skin was of lovely
texture, smooth and tender. The head lolled on the thin
neck. The limb seemed boneless. Dr Andrew concluded
that whiteness of the child’s body meant asphyxia and
pallida.
2. The young doctor Andrew Manson had done a
commendable work. His exclamation is justified. He
had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe
delivery of a male child but also restored them to
perfect health.
3. The major achievement of Andrew was to resuscitate
the stillborn child. First he laid the child on a blanket
and began the special method of respiration. Then he
tried the hot and cold water treatment. He rubbed the
child with a rough towel. At last the baby responded.
His chest heaved. Then came the child’s cry.
Long Answer Questions
1. Normally the medicines prescribed in the textbooks are
used by the practising physicians. However, in extreme
cases of emergency, the physician’s experience,
resourcefulness and practical approach become far
more important than the theoretical knowledge. With
limited resources at his command, the practising
physician exercises all his practical experience to
control the damage to the minimum and check the
victim’s state from further deterioration. A stitch in
time does save nine in such cases. The practical help
comes as a boon.
2. Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful
married lives of some persons he knew. Bramwell
was foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him
immorally. Edward Page was bound to quarrelsome
Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily apart from his
wife. His thoughts were muddled (confused).
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Andrew had struggled for more than an hour to help Mrs
Susan Morgan in the safe delivery of her first child. At
last the child was born, but it was lifeless. As Andrew
gazed at the still form of the baby, a shiver of horror
passed over him. Should he save the life of mother or
try to revive the dead child-that was the dilemma.
2. A shiver of horror passed over Andrew as he gazed at
the still form of the new born baby. Though it was a
perfectly formed boy, its limp warm body was white. The
whiteness meant suffocation caused by lack of oxygen.
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
3. Joe Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a mining town.
He was a big, strong and heavy middle-aged person.
Joe and his wife Susan, who had been married nearly
twenty years, were expecting their first child. Joe was
waiting for the doctor to help Susan in the delivery of
the child.
Long Answer Questions
1. Normally the medicines prescribed in the textbooks are
used by the practising physicians. However, in extreme
cases of emergency, the physician’s experience,
resourcefulness and practical approach become far
more important than the theoretical knowledge. With
limited resources at his command, the practising
physician exercises all his practical experience to
control the damage to the minimum and check the
victim’s state from further deterioration. A stitch in
time does save nine in such cases. The practical help
comes as a boon.
2. I think that Susan might have felt grateful. It was an
unusual case. The child was still born. Everybody else
had given hope. The midwife was scared to death. She
didn’t even want to look at the still born. They didn’t
knew what answer they would give to grandmother and
the father. It was at that time Dr. Andrew’s practical
knowledge came in handy. Had he also given up the
hope then the child would have been declared dead.
So, Susan will feel grateful when she will be told the
whole story.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Mrs Morgan’s mother offered to make a cup of tea for
the doctor. The experienced woman had realized that
there must be a period of waiting. She was afraid that
the doctor would leave the case saying that he would
return later.
2. Yes, Susan was a self-sacrificing woman because they
were having this child after many years of marriage.
She was bound to face problems. She could even lose
her life.
3. Yes, it is an apt title as the whole story revolves around
the birth of the child and then its resurrection which
was no less than a medical miracle.
Long Answer Questions
1. Both the woman would have shouted in joy. The nurse,
because she knew what had happened. She had helped
Susan give birth to a dead child. She knew how hard
the doctor had worked to make that miracle happen.
Grandmother would be happy because she had been
waiting for the birth of this child for long. Joe had been
married for long now when this miracle happened.
57
 They had all given up hopes of seeing a child in their
house. And then Susan was going to have a difficult
time. There was danger to her life as well as to child’s
life.
2. Yes, it is a universal phenomenon. Mother is always
ready to sacrifice her life for the sake of her children.
She would go to any extent to see her child well and
happy whereas the same cannot be expected from
the children. There are cases where children turn the
mothers and fathers out of their house during old age.
They don’t want to spend time and money on old
parents.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Dr. Andrew had read about such cases. As in this case,
the child was a precious one, he decided to adopt that
methodology to give it one last try.
2. At the end of the story, Andrew is physically exhausted
but emotionally cheerful and mentally alert. His mind is
filled with joy and self-satisfaction. He has performed
an unusual feat, no less than a miracle. He forgets his
personal feelings and thinks only of reviving the patients.
3. Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful
married lives of some persons he knew. Bramwell
was foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him
immorally. Edward Page was bound to quarrelsome
Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily apart from his
wife. His thoughts were muddled (confused).
Long Answer Questions
1. Yes, it is true that our strong will power combined with
knowledge is responsible for bringing back many lives
7 : The Tale of Melon City
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The king got confused by the architect’s clever self-
defence. So he needed the advice of the wisest man in
the country. The man selected was so old that he could
neither walk nor see. He was not really the wisest one
as wisdom does not necessarily come with age. His
advice proves his worthlessness.
2. The chief of builders shifted the blame on the workmen.
The workmen told the king that the bricks were made
of the wrong size. Swayed by their rational argument,
the masons were summoned. They shifted the blame
on the architect. The clever architect reminded the king
that he had made certain amendments to plans. This
clearly meant that he held the king responsible for the
mishap. Thus, each accused succeeded in shifting the
blame on others.
3. The criteria was that wisdom comes with grey hair.
The old man they selected could not walk or see. He
58 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
on the brink of death. Lets take the case of medical
fraternity. Normally the medicines prescribed in the
textbooks are used by the practising physicians. How-
ever, in extreme cases of emergency, the physician’s
experience, resourcefulness and practical approach
become far more important than the theoretical knowl-
edge. With limited resources at his command, the prac-
tising physician exercises all his practical experience
to control the damage to the minimum and check the
victim’s state from further deterioration. A stitch in time
does save nine in such cases. The practical help comes
as a boon.
2. The young doctor Andrew Manson had done a
commendable work. His exclamation is justified. He
had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe
delivery of a male child but also restored them to
perfect health. Susan Morgan’s strength was ebbing
after the delivery. She was almost pulseless. Andrew
gave her an injection and worked severely to strengthen
her heart.
The major achievement of Andrew was to resuscitate
the stillborn child. First he laid the child on a blanket
and began the special method of respiration. Then he
tried the hot and cold water treatment. He rubbed the
child with a rough towel. At last the baby responded.
His chest heaved. Then came the child’s cry.
Andrew called upon God as witness of his act which
was no less than a miracle. It was not mere theoretical
talk but a practical achievement—something real and
solid.
spoke in a trembling voice. The advice he offered was
absurd. A lifeless object cannot be deprived of life by
hanging it.
Long Answer Questions
1. Alliteration, for. e.g., so since
Repetition – long live the king
Onomatopoeia—sound words like muttering
Then it is skillfully woven, ‘The Tale of a Melon City’
caters ludicrous activities. From Alpha to omega of
the poem we feel ourselves transported to the land of
the bird brains. The just and placid king’s chase to find
the culprit shows whimsical nature of the king. We are
fully prepared for the nonsense happenings when we
see, the king’s assay to punish the arch. Nincompoops
are the ministers and the king himself when we see the
hanging of the king. The process to choose the next
king highlights and satires indirectly the foolishness of
incompetent people. At the end a melon’s being king
giggles us to the core but leaves us thoughtful even for
 subject of the country are happy for a melon, an object
which could give them “Laissez Faire”.
2. The just and placid king appears quite ruthless as
he becomes ‘placider’ and decides to have all the
workmen hanged instead of the chief of builders. His
wobbling mind and capricious nature is indicated by the
frequent changes in his decision. He is easily swayed
by arguments and seems fickle-minded. The whimsical
king is easily outwitted by the clever architect. His
lack of foresight proves to be his doom. He foolishly
becomes a victim of his own order. Thus he is a short-
sighted crank with muddled reasoning power.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. No, the criterion followed in finding a wise man was
not right. Whosoever came from the gate first was
asked to chose a ruler. He gave melon for an answer
so, a melon was chosen.
2. The king noticed that the crowd of spectators had
become restless and people were muttering aloud.
He judged their mood. He trembled to think of the
consequences if they were deprived of the fun of
watching someone being hanged. So, in order to
save his skin, he ordered that someone be hanged
immediately.
3. The ministers believed in tradition and ceremonies.
The crowed shouted in one breath. ‘Long live the king!
The king is dead’. They were practical-minded men.
They knew that the throne could not be left unoccupied.
The crown being a symbol of power, someone must be
crowned king. It hardly mattered that the new king was
a man or a melon.
Long Answer Questions
1. The State where the king was ‘just and placid’ seems
to be a backward region full of ignorant fools and ruled
by a whimsical king. The whole process of changing
judgement on the appeals of the victims appears as a
mock-trial. The Ministers and Councillors seem to be
selfish. They advise the king to serve their own ends.
The common people are uneducated and ignorant fools.
They are fun loving. They do not bother whether the
king is a man or a melon. They want their personal
freedom, free business and peaceful lives.
2. I think the best course lies in good governance. It
ensures peace and liberty to the common man. Ded-
icated rulers, enlightened citizens and proper law
enforcing agencies can establish peace and harmony
in the state. Free expression of opinions must be
allowed but respect for law and order be observed.
People should be conscious of their privileges and
rights as well as duties and responsibilities. This is
the only way to maintain peace and liberty.
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Workmen were blamed by the chief builder. This left
them amazed.
2. As the king rode under the roof, his crown touched the
archway and fell down.
3. It is their custom to choose the new ruler of their State.
Whoever passed the City Gate first of all the next
day would choose the ruler of the State. This method
of random choice excluded dynastic rule as well as
conspiracies. The ministers decided to observe it with
proper formality.
Long Answer Questions
1. The chief of builders shifted the blame on the workmen.
The workmen told the king that the bricks were made
of the wrong size. Swayed by their rational argument,
the masons were summoned. They shifted the blame
on the architect. The clever architect reminded the king
that he had made certain amendments to plans. This
clearly meant that he held the king responsible for the
mishap. Thus, each accused succeeded in shifting the
blame on others.
2. The king noticed that the crowd of spectators had
become restless and people were muttering aloud.
He judged their mood. He trembled to think of the
consequences if they were deprived of the fun of
watching someone being hanged. So, in order to
save his skin, he ordered that someone be hanged
immediately. So the noose was set up somewhat high.
Each man was measured one by one. Only one man was
found tall enough to fit the noose. He was the king. He
was hanged by the royal order. Thus, the king paid with
his life for his thoughtless order.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The clever architect reminded the king that he had made
certain amendments to plans. This clearly meant that
he held the king responsible for the mishap. The king
got confused and needed some advice. He ordered that
the wisest man in his country should be brought to give
him advice.
2. The ministers believed in tradition and ceremonies.
They shouted in one breath. ‘Long live the king! The
king is dead’. They were practical-minded men. They
knew that the throne could not be left unoccupied.
The crown being a symbol of power, someone must
be crowned king.
3. It is their custom to choose the new ruler of their State.
Whoever passed the City Gate first of all the next
day would choose the ruler of the State. This method
of random choice excluded dynastic rule as well as
conspiracies. The ministers decided to observe it with
proper formality.
59
Long Answer Questions
1. The city is called Melon City because its ruler is a
melon. Once a fair and gentle king got an arch built
across the thoroughfare. As he passed under the low
arch it struck his head and he lost his crown. He thought
it a disgrace and ordered the chief of builders to be
hanged. The chief lay the blame on the workmen. The
workmen said that the bricks were made of wrong size.
So the masons were thought guilty. The masons shifted
the blame on the architect. The architect put the blame
at the king’s door as he had amended his original plan.
A wise man held the arch guilty and ordered it to be
hanged. A councillor objected to it as it had touched
the king’s head. The people became restless. They
wanted to see someone hanging. Only the king’s head
EXTENDED READING TEXTS
1 : The Canterville Ghost
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Long Answer Questions
1. When Virginia saw Canterville ghost in the Tapestry
chamber she was about to run away from the place. But
the sight of Canterville ghost—his head was leaning
on his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme
depression—that she took pity on him and decided to
console him. To her, Canterville ghost seemed to be
engrossed in some deep thinking. Canterville ghost was
so much absorbed in himself that he could not sense
Virginia’s presence in the Tapestry chamber until she
spoke to him. Virginia thought that Canterville ghost
was in remorse of what he had done to her family
members in the past.
2. Mr Otis offered the jewels given by Canterville
ghost to Virginia back to Lord Canterville because he
thought that the jewels legitimately belonged to Lord
Canterville who had sold the house to Mr Otis. He was
of the opinion that Canterville ghost was the ancestor of
Lord Canterville and thus any property worth something
must belong to the legitimate heir. Therefore, Mr Otis
offered the jewels to Lord Canterville.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Long Answer Questions
1. Mrs Otis offered doctor Dobell’s tincture to the
Canterville ghost because she thought that Canterville
ghost was unwell because he had been struck by the
strong armour on his knees. It so happened when
Canterville ghost wanted to scare the Otis family in
his second appearance. The twins had shot Canterville
ghost by their pie-shooter and Mr Otis challenged him
with his revolver.
60 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
could fit the noose. So he was hanged. It was now
announced that the next man who passed the City Gate
would choose the king. An idiot came. He suggested
‘A melon’. So melon was crowned the king. He was
taken to throne. He was called melon king.
2. The State where the king was ‘just and placid’ seems
to be a backward region full of ignorant fools and ruled
by a whimsical king. The whole process of changing
judgement on the appeals of the victims appears as a
mock-trial. The Ministers and Councillors seem to be
selfish. They advise the king to serve their own ends.
The common people are uneducated and ignorant fools.
They are fun loving. They do not bother whether the
king is a man or a melon. They want their personal
freedom, free business and peaceful lives.
Canterville responded to the offer of doctor Debell’s
tincture by Mrs Otis by glaring her in fury. He even
tried to change into a large black dog to frighten Mrs
Otis.
2. When the Otis family entered the avenue of Canterville
Chase the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds.
There was a curious stillness that seemed to hold the
atmosphere. The rooks passed silently over their heads
and before they reached the house, some big drops of
rain had fallen. It seemed that some omen signs were
greeting them.
In the house, the Otis family saw a dull red stain on the
floor just by the fireplace which was revealed to them
to be mark of blood. I think some unusual phenomenon
was taking place to warn the Otis family about the
impending danger that were to unfold during the course
of their stay in the new house that Otis family bought.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Long Answer Questions
1. When Madam Tremouillar woke up one morning early,
she saw a skeleton seated in an armchair by the fire
reading her book. She was so shocked that she had
been confined to her bed for six weeks with an attack of
brain fever, when she recovered from the shock of the
ghost, she became reconciled to the church and broke
off her connection with the atheist.
2. At about eleven o’clock in night the funeral ceremony
of Canterville ghost started from Canterville chase. The
coffin of the ghost was drawn by eight horses which
was covered by a purple pall on which was embroidered
in gold the Canterville coat-of-arms. Servants walked
by the side of the hearse with torches. Lord Canterville
 was the chief mourner along with Virginia, Mr Otis,
Washington and three boys and Mrs Umney too went
after Lord Canterville. A deep grave had been dug in
the corner of the churchyard, just under the yew-tree
and the service was read by Rev. Augusts Dampier.
Servants extinguished the torches as per the custom
of Canterville family. Virginia laid on the Coffin a
large cross made of white and pink almond blossoms.
Thus Canterville ghost was put to rest in a most fitting
manner.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Long Answer Questions
1. When Mrs Otis saw a dull red stain on the floor just by
the fireplace, Mrs Umney, their housekeeper, revealed
that it was the blood of lady Eleanore de Canterville
who was murdered by her husband, sir Simon de
Canterville in 1575. Washington Otis, the eldest son of
Mr Otis said it was all nonsense. He told that Pinker-
ton’s champion stain remover and Paragon detergent
would clean it up in no time. He even applied them on
the stain and successfully removed it from the floor. In
2 : Up From Slavery
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Long Answer Questions
1. The cabin in which the narrator lived with his family
was also used as the kitchen for the plantation and his
mother was the cook. It had only openings, rather than
glass windows, and these let in the light and cold. There
was a door, but that was cracked and too small. The
floor was just the naked earth and there was a hole in
the middle of the room to store potatoes. His mother
had to cook on an open fire as there was no cooking
stove. He and his family slept on a bundle of filthy rags
laid on the floor.
2. The opening of the school in Kanawha valley led
to the narrator’s disappointment. When the school
opened, the narrator has been working in a salt-
furnace and due to his financial value, his stepfather
decided that he could not spare him for his work. The
narrator’s disappointment had become more severe
as he could watch the happy children passing to and
from school mornings and evenings while working in
the salt-furnace. His mother was the only person who
sympathized with the narrator and sought to comfort
him in all the ways she could, in his disappointment.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Long Answer Questions
1. Brick-making at Tuskegee school was started as
a necessity as there was no brickyard in the town.
In addition to the requirements of the school there
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
his enthusiasm, he exclaimed triumphantly. But sud-
denly a terrible flash of lightning lit up in the room and
a thunderous sound emanated and Mrs Umney fainted.
2. Virginia is a little girl of fifteen. She has blue eyes.
She is a lovely and beautiful girl. She is very sensitive,
emotional and understanding. Her courage attracts the
readers’ attention. She is affectionate and trustworthy.
Virginia helps the ghost of Sir Simon to get salvation.
She takes him seriously and listens to his problems
patiently. She is receptive also. She learns an important
lesson as well as the true meaning behind a riddle.
She weeps for the ghost, prays for him and disappears
with him through the wainscoting. She goes with
Sir Simon to the Garden of Death and bids the ghost
farewell. Her ability to accept Sir Simon leads her to
enlightenment. She understands the mystery of human
existence. She dares to accuse the ghost of being
rude, vulgar, dishonest and horrid. She also asks him
to behave properly. It goes without saying that she is
compassionate, sentimental, generous, philanthropic,
magnanimous and kind. She is a good natured and soft
hearted girl who has all the deific virtues.
was a general demand for bricks in the market. As
the bricks made by the students of Tuskegee were
of high quality there grew a demand of bricks by
the white people. White people came to buy bricks
from the school. Thus a demand was met by the
school. Thus business interests got intermingled
in the process. The school had something which
the white people wanted and white people had
something which the school wanted. Thus, a
pleasant relationship grew between the white people
and the coloured people.
2. Tuskegee was called the ‘Black belt of South’ because
the colour of the soil was black in that part of the
country. Also Tuskegee was inhabited by coloured
people who outnumbered the whites by about three to
one. Also in adjoining countries the proportion was not
far from six coloured person to one white person. The
term seems to be used wholly in a political sense—i.e.,
to designate the countries where the black people
outnumber the whites. Therefore, Tuskejee is regarded
as the ‘Black belt of South’.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Long Answer Questions
1. While travelling through Albama the author expe-
rienced some strange things about the people about
whom he describes in detail. In plantation districts
the whole family lived in one room which included
guests as well as relatives. The common diet of the
people was fat pork and corn bread. The author was
61
 surprised that though these people could grow every
kind of garden vegetable they raised only cotton. The
people often purchased costly items such as sewing
machine, clock and even organ–of which they had no
use except to show them. They did not know hygiene
as depicted by the author of one incident where one
fork was shared by whole family. The breakfast, lunch
and dinner were the same—a piece of meat, a lump of
dough which was cooked in a frying pan and family
members would not join together to take it.
2. The opinion of the southern whites was that if a
Negro is allowed to exercise his political rights the
mistakes of the reconstruction period–during which
many Negroes were appointed as governors by
Northern whites to punish the southern whites–
would be repeated. The author on the other hand felt
otherwise because as the time passed a Negro became
much stronger and wiser man than his predecessors.
The Negro now can not afford to aleniate the south-
ern white neighbour from him. He is of the opinion
that both Negro and white man should be given equal
opportunity in building of the state—the nation.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Long Answer Questions
1. As per the narrator, in the organisation of Tuskegee,
students not only do agricultural and domestic work,
but also to construct their own buildings. They were
to be taught the best methods for doing so. By this,
the school not only would benefit from their labour,
but also students would learn to love labour for its
own sake. The same principle applied to brick making,
wagons, carts, and buggies which students built.
Students also learnt the art of carpentery and also made
mattresses by sewing together cheap clothes into bags.
The narrator, Washington was their friend and advisor.
UNIT ASSIGNMENTS
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 1
I. (i) The poem is ‘A Photograph’ and poetess is Shirley
Toulson.
(ii) The cardboard reminds the poet of her mother.
(iii) The girls had gone on a beach and were paddling
in sea water.
Or
(i) The poet wants to know where his childhood has
gone.
(ii) The poet’s childhood is lost as poet has entered
adolescent stage.
(iii) The poet decides that his childhood is hidden in
an infant’s face.
62 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
Many times, he asked students to write him a letter
with their criticism or complaints. In the absence of
Washington, the work in the Tuskegee School was
going smooth as enough money had been raised to keep
the school in operation during that time.
2. The following are the impressions that the narrator
developed about Englishmen:
(a) The English people are ahead of the Americans.
i.e. they have learned how to get more out of life.
They have a perfect home life, i.e. everything
moves clockwise. He was impressed with the
respect their servants showed to their “masters”
and “mistresses” terms which he supposed would
not be tolerated in America.
(b) Another thing that impressed itself upon the narrator
throughout England was the high regard that all
classes had for law and order; and the sense of ease
and thoroughness with which everything was done.
(c) He was also impressed by the fact that the English
nobility were so generally loved and respected by
the masses; nor he had any correct conception of
how much time and money they spent in work of
philanthropy and how much real heart they put
into that work.
(d) The other impression he formed was that the
average Englishman was so serious and was
so tremendously in earnest about everything
that when he told a story that would have made
an American audience roar with laughter, the
Englishman simply looked him straight in the face
without even cracking a smile.
(e) Another impression he formed was that when an
Englishman takes you into his heart and friendship,
he binds you there as with cords of steel and he
did not believe that there were many friendships,
that are so lasting or so satisfactory.
II. 1. Carter said that if he hadn’t cut the mummy free,
thieves would certainly have found a way of
avoiding the guards. Then they would have torn
apart everything forcibly to remove the gold.
2. Taplow prefers science to literature. He finds it a
good deal more exciting than his play which he
considers quite unpleasant.
3. The horse was magnificent to look at, gave out a
lovely smell and its breathing was quite exciting.
Yet the narrator couldn’t believe that the horse had
anything to do with Mourad, because he couldn’t
have bought it.
4. Andrew had once seen a similar case in the
Samaritan. He remembered the treatment that had
 been used. He at once decided to administer that
hot and cold water therapy.
III. “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers;
we have borrowed it from our children.”
Each individual should remember that the earth is
not our ancestor’s property. We have not inherited
it from our forefathers. It has been borrowed from
our children. So it is our duty to maintain its beauty
and safeguard it from our selfish motives. We should
not use it considering it our personal property. Every
father thinks that he should leave enormous wealth
for his children. But we are creating problems for the
children to come. We are determined to offer them
the problems of global warming, cutting of forests,
overpopulation, and pollution. They can never lead
a happy and contented life amidst such insurmountable
problems. Our responsiblity is to keep the environment
clean and green. Only then our children will remember us.
Or
The second visit of the narrator to 46, Marconi Street
was different from the first one in one respect. During
the first visit, the narrator could not get admittance in
the house, whereas during the second one, she was
led to the living room, where she could see and touch
some of the things she had wanted so eagerly to see.
She had visited this place with a specific purpose—to
see her mother’s belongings. The touch and sight of
familiar things aroused memory of her former life.
These objects had now lost their real value for her since
they were severed from their own lives and stored in
strange circumstances. Thus, her mission to see, touch
and remember her mother’s belongings was partly
successful. She resolved to forget these objects, and
their past and move on. This is clear from her decision
to forget the address.
IV. 1. When the Otis family entered the avenue of
Canterville Chase the sky became suddenly
overcast with clouds. There was a curious stillness
that seemed to hold the atmosphere. The rooks
passed silently over their heads and before they
reached the house, some big drops of rain had
fallen. It seemed that some omen signs were
greeting them. I n the house, the Otis family saw
a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace
which was revealed to them to be mark of blood.
I think some unusual phenomenon was taking
place to warn the Otis family about the impending
danger that were to unfold during the course of
their stay in the new house that Otis family bought.
Or
During the civil war the white people found it
difficult to secure food for themselves because
of the fact that usual diet of the coloured people
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
was corn bread and pork and these could be raised
on plantations. But products such as coffee, tea,
sugar and other articles which the whites had
been accustomed to use could not be raised on the
plantation and the condition brought about by the
war frequently made it impossible to secure these
things. They had to use parched corn as coffee
and a kind of black molasses instead of sugar as
substitutes. Therefore, author says that slaves felt
the deprivation less than the whites.
2. When Virginia saw Canterville ghost in the
Tapestry chamber she was about to run away from
the place. But the sight of Canterville ghost—his
head was leaning on his hand, and his whole
attitude was one of extreme depression—that
she took pity on him and decided to console him.
To her Canterville ghost seemed to be engrossed
in some deep thinking. Canterville ghost was so
much absorbed in himself that he could not sense
Virginia’s presence in the Tapestry chamber until
she spoke to him. Virginia thought that Canterville
ghost was in remorse of what he had done to her
family members in the past.
Or
The author, Booker T. Washington, craved for
education from the early childhood and had an
intense longing to learn and read. While in west
Virginia his mother procured for him an old
copy of Webster’s “blue-black” spelling book.
He envied a young coloured boy who used to
read newspapers. When a school was opened for
coloured children in the village he sought to get
admission in it. But his father discouraged him
to get education. Instead he was forced to work.
However, he managed to get education in night
school. While working in a coal mine he happened
to know about a school in Virginia—Hampton
Normal and Agricultural School. He decided to
go to Hampton to get admission there. To achieve
this goal he had little money for the journey. On
his way to Hampton he worked on a shipyard to
earn some money to continue his journey towards
Hampton. When he finally landed in Hampton
Institute, he had to earn the admiration of the
Head teacher. He could get admission by a test of
cleaning the recitation-room. Author’s keen desire
to get admission even in adverse circumstances
shows his determination in seeking education.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 2
I. (i) ‘I’ in the third line refers to the poet.
(ii) The rain gives an answer to the poet’s query.
(iii) Incapable of being felt by touch.
63
 Or
(i) The father is sad because there is no understanding
between him and his son.
(ii) Due to lack of understanding.
(iii) The father and the son, both of them have become
strangers for each other where they don’t want to
speak to each other at all.
II. 1. The author’s grandmother was deeply religious
lady. We come to know this through the different
ways of her behaviour. She visited the temple
every morning and read scriptures. At home she
always mumbled inaudible prayer and kept telling
the beads of rosary. She would repeat prayers in a
sing-song manner while getting the writer ready
for school. She hoped that he would learn it by
heart. She didn’t like English school as there was
no teaching of God and scriptures.
2. Taplow mimiced Andrew repeatedly because he
is being encouraged by Frank to mimic Crocker
Harris as he is jealous of Crocker’s popularity.
3. Industries can go for sustainable development
which will conserve the environment without
harming it.
4. The author attracted to Hosahalli, village because
from his point of view it is an important village in
the Mysore state. The place has been ignored both
by British and Indian authors. No cartographer has
put it on the map. The raw mangoes from the man-
go trees in the village are quite sour. The creeper
growing in the village pond had beautiful flowers
and broad leaves. The latter can serve as plates
for serving afternoon meal. The village doctor
Gundabhatta also speaks glowingly of Hosahalli.
III. The reaction of the adults and children when faced with
danger was not unexpected. The captain tried his level
best to protect wavewalker from the gigantic waves.
He slowed the boat down, dropped the storm jib and
lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern.
A torrent of green and white water broke over the
ship and injured the captain. The narrator was aware
of flying overboard and sinking below the waves.
He accepted his approaching death. The same thing
happened with Mary. She screamed, We’re sinking.”
But the children were brave and played their role
efficiently. When the narrator went to the children’s
cabin and enquired about their well-being they replied
positively. When the captain went in to comfort the
children Jon said, “We aren’t afraid of dying if we can
all be together...”. The girl did not trouble her parents
for her head injury which took six minor operations to
remove a recurring blood clot between skin and skull.
Once Mary and the narrator sat together holding hands
and felt that their end was very near. The adults got full
support from children in those horrible circumstances.
64 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
Or
Albert wanted to remain away from the school. He got a
medical certificate from Dr Ernest Weil. It was certified
that he had a nervous breakdown. So he must stay away
from school. He wanted to see the head teacher. Next
day the head teacher called Albert to his office. He
told Albert that his work was terrible. So he was not
prepared to have him in the school. Albert asked if he
should think he was to be expelled. The head teacher
told him that if he left the school of his own accord,
the question wouldn’t arise. Albert asked what crime
he had committed. The head teacher told him that the
teacher couldn’t teach the class when he was in it. In
his presence, the pupils couldn’t learn. Albert wanted
to tell the head teacher what he thought of him and the
school, but he didn’t say anything. The head teacher
asked him to close the door behind him. But Albert
didn’t do so. Nor did he have the last look at his school.
He met only Yuri.
IV. 1. Virginia is a little girl of fifteen. She has blue
eyes. She is a lovely and beautiful girl. She is
very sensitive, emotional and understanding.
Her courage attracts the readers’ attention. She is
affectionate and trustworthy. Virginia helps the
ghost of Sir Simon to get salvation. She takes him
seriously and listens to his problems patiently. She
is receptive also. She learns an important lesson as
well as the true meaning behind a riddle. She weeps
for the ghost, prays for him and disappears with
him through the wainscoting. She goes with Sir
Simon to the Garden of Death and bids the ghost
farewell. Her ability to accept Sir Simon leads her
to enlightenment. She understands the mystery of
human existence. She dares to accuse the ghost of
being rude, vulgar, dishonest and horrid. She also
asks him to behave properly. It goes without saying
that she is compassionate, sentimental, generous,
philanthropic, magnanimous and kind. She is a
good natured and soft hearted girl who has all the
deific virtues.
Or
When Washington, the author completed his
graduation, he was asked by C. Armstrong to go
to Alabama to start an industrial school there.
When the author arrived in Tuskegee, Alabama,
he was surprised to find that no provisions had
been secured for the purchase of land or building.
The only funds of $ 2500 for the teacher’s salaries
is secured by the law. Booker faced the challenge
of finding a suitable location for the school and
building the campus. He also had the difficulty of
getting funds to start the construction of institute
and to meet other expenses. Miss Davidson, and
 C. Armstrong helped the author by getting funds
from the whites and coloured people in and near
Tuskegee. They succeeded to erect the building
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 3
for the school and meet out the other expenses of
the school.
2. Canterville ghost had tried to frighten the Otis
family by several means and was not able to scare
them. Ultimately he decided to appear before the
Otis family as the headless Earl. In this form, he
had frightened many previous generations with
great success. He hoped that by appearing headless
he would frighten the Otis family and they would
leave the house. For last seventy years he had not
appeared in this form.
To appear as headless Earl, the Canterville ghost
took three hours to prepare for the final show.
When Canterville ghost finally appeared before
the Blue bed chamber, where he found the door
ajar, he was encountered with a heavy jug of water
which the two sons of Otis had placed. The jug
fell upon him and he was wet to the skin. He had
to escape from the place in a hurry. As a result of
this he caught severe cold.
Or
Booker T. Washington belonged to a very poor
family. He was an African-American and worked
for the betterment of his community throughout his
life. He was an educator, orator and social worker.
The principles of his life were to provide the
community with his valuable services. He never
expected anything in return. His positive thoughts
paved the way for posterity. The philanthropic
deeds of Washington made him popular. He
argued that the surest way for blacks to gain
equal social rights was to demonstrate ‘‘industry,
thrift, intelligence and property.’’ He established
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in
Alabama with enthusiasm. He felt convinced that
with self-help, people could go from poverty to
success. He conceived that by providing needed
skills to society, Afro-Americans would play their
part, leading to acceptance by white Americans.
He believed that blacks would eventually gain full
participation in society by acting as responsible,
reliable American citizens. He was social, amiable
and humble. His hard work was key to his
success. He never shirked work. His vision made
him a grand success in Atlanta. He discharged
all responsibilities sincerely and honestly. He
did everything with dedication and devotion.
The vicissitudes of life made him practical and
experienced. He never despised the white or
the rich. His public speeches got appreciation
from every corner. In short, it can be said that
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
Washington was a noble soul who lived for others
only.
I. (i) Rain is the speaker here.
(ii) Rain is telling about its achievements.
(iii) There will be droughts if nature stops its function.
Or
(i) ‘She’ refers to Mother.
(ii) She laughed at the snapshot because it brought
back happy memories for her.
(iii) Betty and Dolly refer as cousin sisters of mother.
II. 1. Thousands of sparrows sat silently surrounding the
dead body of the author’s grandmother. There was
no chirruping. The author’s mother threw some
crumbs of bread to them. They took no notice of
them. As soon as the grandmother’s corpse was
carried off, they flew away quietly. Thus, the
sparrows expressed their sorrow.
2. Tut’s grandfather, Amenhotep III, was a powerful
Pharaoh who ruled for almost four decades at
the height of the dynasty’s golden age. His son
Amenhotep IV promoted the worship of the Aten,
the sun disk. He changed his name to Akhenaten,
or ‘‘servant of the Aten’’. He moved the religious
capital from the old city to Thebes to the new city
of Akhetaten. He further shocked the country by
attacking Amun, a major god, breaking his images
and closing his temples. Thus, the wacky king
started one of the strangest periods in the history
of ancient Egypt.
3. Garoghlonion family as famous for being honest.
They would go without food but will not steal.
4. Joe and Susan Morgan’s case was a difficult one.
Susan was becoming mother after 15 years of
marriage. Everybody was waiting for the child.
III. One’s perception determines one’s success. Some
people believe that problems are opportunities to have
their skills and attain success. Adversities are the
pillars of success. If scientists stop experimenting in
the research laboratories, the world will stagnate. There
will be no progress. There are people who have the
ability to accomplish a very dangerous mission. They
are confident, brave, courageous, decisive, positive
and docile. Those who shirk work never achieve
phenomenal success in this world of competition. An
eminent motivator has rightly said, “winners don’t do
different things. They do things differently.” One’s
outlook, perception and the way of doing something
determine one’s future. Hardships are the stepping
stones. It is said that mortals are not infalliable. They
are bound to make mistakes. But they must not repeat
the same mistake. Failures teach us valuable lessons.
65
 If a person wants to reach his destination, he must not
give up because of the numerous obstacles. Life is a
fight against odd circumstances. We should have faith
in God and in our capabilities. We can undertake any
adventurous expedition and can get benefited that
we should face the challenges of life bravely. It is
rightly said that God helps those who help themselves.
One should not surrender oneself to the situations or
circumstances. The obstacles of life sharpen one’s
skills and tap one’s talent. The protagonist of the
story wins the battle because he did not give up. He
kept trying and won. Misfortunes are bound to be
converted into happiness. A very popular poet has
said, “If winter comes can spring be far behind?” The
mortals should remember that unity plays an important
role in overcoming hardships. The family in the story
was united and everybody helped one another in
safeguarding the ship. The bond of love has the knack
to do miracles. Such hazardous experiences bring
us together and make us realize the presence of the
Almighty.
Or
The play ‘Mother’s Day’ treats a serious theme in a
light-hearted manner. The humour in the play springs
from an unusual situation where the personalities of
two ladies change bodies. Their subsequent behaviour,
which is in total contrast to their previous one, is a
very powerful source of laughter. The ignorance of the
characters about the personality they are facing also
creates humour. Suggestive dialogues also provide a
lot of fun. For example, consider the following:
(i) “Mrs Pearson if you had to live my life it wouldn’t
be so bad. You’d have more fun as me than you’ve
had as you.” any effect on the Otis family who were bent upon
(ii) “It’s that silly old bag from next door—Mrs
Fitzgerald.”
(iii) “Ticking her off now, are you, Annie?”
(iv) “They call you Pompy-ompy Pearson because they
think you’re so slow and pompous.”
The actions, gestures and reactions of the characters
also provide humour. The housewife being given
orders, treated like dirt and forced to stay home every
night while other members go out to amuse themselves
is sharply contrasted with the position at the end of the
play where she is the mistress of the house. The play
also satirises the eight hour work culture and threats to
go on strike. Even the housewife adopts this weapon.
IV. 1. Mrs Otis offered doctor Dobell’s tincture to
the Canterville ghost because she thought that
Canterville ghost was unwell because he had
been struck by the strong armour on his knees.
It so happened when Canterville ghost wanted to
66 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
scare the Otis family in his second appearance.
The twins had shot Canterville ghost by their
pie-shooter and Mr Otis challenged him with his
revolver.
Canterville responded to the offer of doctor
Debell’s tincture by Mrs Otis by glaring her in fury.
He even tried to change into a large black dog to
frighten Mrs Otis.
Or
While the author was preparing himself for
Hampton the older coloured people too were
enthusiastic about his adventure to Hampton.
They had spent their whole lives in slavery and
they were happy to help him go to Hampton for
studies in a boarding school. They helped him
in whatever manner they could in the form of a
nickel, a quarter or even a handkerchief. It was
really heart-whelming for the author. This shows
how eager the older people were to see someone
from their community to get education.
2. Canterville ghost recalls the incident that made
Colonel Carbury paralysed, when he heard that
young Duke of Cheshire whose grand uncle Lord
Francis Stilton had once bet a hundred guineas
with Colonel Carbury that he would play dice with
Canterville ghost. Colonel Carbury was found in a
paralytic state the next morning in the card room.
Though Colonel Carbury lived for many years
afterwards, he was so terrified by the Canterville
ghost that he could not utter anything again except
‘Double Sixes’. Canterville ghost thus enthused
himself by remembering his feats in the past.
Unfortunately, none of his tactices were having
encountering the ghost by all means.
Or
The author was fortunate enough to come into
contact with such a man as General Armstrong in
his life. According to him none other persons could
equal General Armstrong. The first time when
author met him he saw General Armstrong as a
perfect man. The author found in him something
that was superhuman. According to author none
other thing could equal General Armstrong for
a liberal education—not even buildings, class-
rooms, teachers, industries, etc. The author
was convinced that books and costly apparatus
could not equal to that which can be gotten from
contact with great men and women. Even when
he (General Armstrong) was paralysed he worked
constantly night and day for the cause to which he
had given in life. One should emulate such a great
personality to achieve success in life.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 4
I. (i) The cause of father’s trouble is that both are not
speaking to each other.
(ii) He realises that they have to forgive each other.
(iii) If both of them start understanding each other, the
reconciliation between father and son is possible.
Or
(i) The poet refers to the loss of his childhood.
(ii) He started analyzing everything rationally.
(iii) The poet realised about childhood finally that it
IV. 1. In "The Canterville Ghost," the twins are the
was lost forever and he was an adult now.
II. 1. Some bones and ribs were missing.
2. Temperatures are rising drastically, glaciers are
melting, there are severe droughts, all these are
signs of ailing planet.
3. Ranga’s homecoming was a great event. The
crowds milled around his house to see whether he
had changed or not. People were quite excited as
the boy was returning home after studying English
at Bangalore. Everyone was surprised to see that
Ranga was the same as he had been six months
ago, when he had first left the village.
4. Cyril and Doris justify their behaviour by saying
that they are also working. They have lot of work
to do.
III. During his boyhood, the author was completely
dependant on his grandmother. She was a part of his
life. The turning point in their friendship came when
they went to city. She could no longer accompany him
to school as he went there by bus. They shared the
same room but she could not help him in his studies.
She would ask him what the teachers had taught. She
did not believe in the things that were taught at school.
She was distressed that there was no teaching about
God and the scriptures. She felt offended that music
was also being taught. She expressed her disapproval
silently. After this she rarely talked to him. When he
went up to university, he was given a room of his own.
The common link of friendship was snapped.
However, their feelings for each other did not change.
They still loved each other deeply. She went to see the
author off at the railway station when he was going
abroad for higher studies. She showed no emotion but
kissed his forehead silently. The author valued this as
perhaps the last sign of physical contact between them.
When the author returned after five years, she received
him at the station. She clasped him in her arms. In the
evening, she celebrated his homecoming by singing
songs and beating an old drum.
Or
The human predicament that follows war is amply
illustrated through the experience of the narrator.
The war had caused many physical difficulties as
Section - C: Literature Textbook & Extended Reading Text
well as emotional sufferings to her. She had lost her
dear mother. She went to 46, Marconi Street to see
her mother’s valuable possessions. How greedy and
callous human beings can become is exemplified by
the behaviour of Mrs Dorling who refused to recognise
the narrator. The presence of her mother’s possessions
in strange atmosphere pained her. Now these valuables
had lost all their importance for her as they had been
separated from her mother. She could get no solace or
comfort from them.
youngest children of Mr and Mrs Otis. They
nicknamed as ‘The Stars and the Stripes.' They
quickly become the nemesis of Sir Simon, the
Canterville ghost because they delight in playing
tricks on him. This occurs first in Chapter Two
when the twins throw pillows at the ghost as he
runs down the corridor to escape Mr Otis. Later,
in Chapter Three, for example, the twins humiliate
the ghost by using their pea-shooters on him. In
another scene, in Chapter Four, the twins outwit
him by constructing a slide from the entrance of
the Tapestry Chamber to the top of the staircase.
Unaware of its presence, the ghost slips on the
slide and injures himself in the process.
But the twins have a sentimental side, too. When
Virginia goes missing in Chapter Six, for instance,
the twins join the search to find her. At dinner, they
are described as being "awestruck" and "subdued"
by her absence because of their fondness for her.
So, while their love of mischief and playing jokes
on the ghost is at the forefront of their portrayal, it
is important to remember that they are affectionate
and caring characters, too. They are overjoyed at
their sister's sudden reappearance, for example,
and, together, they all attend the ghost's funeral,
a serious affair with no mention of tricks or pea-
shooters.
Or
Booker T. Washington belonged to a very poor
family. He was an African-American and worked
for the betterment of his community throughout his
life. He was an educator, orator and social worker.
The principles of his life were to provide the
community with his valuable services. He never
expected anything in return. His positive thoughts
paved the way for posterity. The philanthropic
deeds of Washington made him popular. He
argued that the surest way for blacks to gain
equal social rights was to demonstrate ‘‘industry,
thrift, intelligence and property.’’ He established
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in
Alabama with enthusiasm. He felt convinced that
67
 with self-help, people could go from poverty to
success. He conceived that by providing needed
skills to society, Afro-Americans would play their
part, leading to acceptance by white Americans.
He believed that blacks would eventually gain full
participation in society by acting as responsible,
reliable American citizens. He was social, amiable
and humble. His hard work was key to his
success. He never shirked work. His vision made
him a grand success in Atlanta. He discharged
all responsibilities sincerely, and honestly. He
did everything with dedication and devotion.
The vicissitudes of life made him practical and
experienced. He never despised the white or
the rich. His public speeches got appreciation
from every corner. In short, it can be said that
Washington was a noble soul who lived for others
only.
2. Virginia asked the Canterville Ghost to emigrate
and improve his mind. Her father would help the
ghost. Mr. Otis would be happy to give the ghost
a free passage. She told the ghost that there was a
heavy duty on spirits. But the officers at Custom
House were all Democrats so they would follow
her father’s instructions. There would be no
difficulty at the Custom House. She confidently
told the ghost that he would be a grand success in
America. She knew lots of people in America who
would give a hundred thousand dollars to have a
grandfather and much more than to have a family
ghost. It would be better for the ghost to go there
and enjoy peace of mind. He would reach there
easily and earn. But the ghost did not accept her
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT QUESTION PAPERS
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT PAPER – 1
SECTION – A
1. A. 1. (a) if our thought are orderly and methodical
2. (a) if we control our negative emotion-anger,
fear, jealousy
3. (c) in the lives of people of technologically
advanced countries
4. (b) disharmony
5. (d) traffic control
6. (c) Fear
B. 1. The stress has become a universal as it afflicts
people regardless of their situation in life.
2. The various kind of stress are:
Physical, emotional and intellectual.
68 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
proposal. He despised America because of their
navy and manners.
Or
By walking, begging rides both in wagons and
in the cars, Booker, the narrator reached the city
of Richmond, Virginia, about eighty-two miles
from Hampton. When he reached there, tired,
hungry, and dirty, it was late in the night. He had
never been in a large city, and this rather added to
his misery. When he reached Richmond, he was
completely out of money. He had not a single
acquaintance in the place, and, being unused
to city ways. He did not know where to go. He
applied at several places for lodging, but they all
wanted money, and that was what he did not have.
Knowing nothing else better to do, he walked the
streets. In doing this, he passed by many food-
stands where fried chicken and half-moon apple
pies were piled high and made to present a most
tempting appearance. At that time it seemed to him
that he would have promised all that he expected
to possess in the future to have gotten hold of one
of those chicken legs or one of those pies. But he
could not get either of these, nor anything else to
eat. Just about the time when he reached extreme
physical exhaustion, he came upon a portion of a
street where the board sidewalk was considerably
elevated. He waited for a few minutes, till he was
sure that no passers-by could see him, and then
crept under the sidewalk and lay for the night
upon the ground, with his satchel of clothing for
a pillow. He worked on a ship to earn money.
3. Modern technology and facilities are responsible
for physical stress.
4. Emotional stress increases when there is dishar-
mony and friction in relationship.
C. 1. Scripture 2. Accumulation
2.    A. I. Title: Examination stress
II. Notes:
1. Board Ex. Causes
(a) anxiety
(b) permanent scar on personalities
(c) dejection
(d) hopelessness
(e) a challenge
 2. This year Ex. will Cause Or
(a) traumatic experience ABC SCHOOL, AGRA
(b) results not matching expectations
5th Feb., 20×× NOTICE
3. G.S. to be introduced
(a) Operation hope started Opportunity for Elocution
(b) to help children relieve of stress The Literary Club is organising a programme for
(c) centres to start distress classes Public Speaking as per details given below:
(d) will offer counseling Date : 10th Feb., 20××
4. Psyc. opinion Time : 9:00 am
(a) exams not end of world Venue : School Auditorium
(b) to broaden def. of success Class : XI and XII
Key to Abbreviations TV anchors Joy Abrams and Dolly Bains will grace
def. — definition the occasion.
Psyc. — psychologist Xyz
G.S. — grading system President
ex. — exam Literary Club
def. — definition

B. Summary 4. D-2, Green Park
Board exams cause anxiety among all the students Hisar, Haryana
of 12th class. The board results has left a permanent
10th August, 20××
scar on the personalities of these students. Because
of the fierce competition and parental expectations,
The Editor
students feel jealousy, stress, dejection and they The Times of India
even commit suicide. To prevent this, CBSE had New Delhi
announced the grading system for Class X. But
Dear Sir
this has been deferred for the time being. An NGO, Subject: Health Hazards Caused by Junk Food.
named Saarthak has launched ‘Operation hope’ to
help young students to cope up with examination
Kindly spare me some space in the columns of your
stress and results. There will be a 24 hour hot line to esteemed daily. I want to recount my experiences
counsel students. A distress class also be organised and sufferings as a consumer of fast food, which is
by the centre for the parents. They also have 60 growing in popularity among teenagers. I, too, had
trained volunteers for counselling and receiving been a votary of junk food and relished all types of
phone calls. food which tempted my tongue and palate. Little did
I realise then that all these dishes of fried food with
SECTION – B lot of fats and spices are unwholesome and a potent
3. danger to health. The first effect of junk food was
visible in the form of obesity. I became overweight.
“You can see the world long The doctors advised me to reduce weight by running,
after you are no more” jogging and taking exercises. I felt breathlessness and
exhaustion too soon and too quickly. The accumulated
EYE DONATION fat and excessive weight increased the palpitations of
my heart and I became a victim of heart disease. Now
BLISS TO THE SIGHTLESS I have been forced by circumstances to give up fast
Contact: food altogether.
Times Eye Bank
I would, therefore, request all persons, especially the
1, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001 teenagers, to avoid eating junk food. It is hazardous to
health. Simple, home-made food cooked hygienically
YOUR ACTION NOW CAN HELP is the best for us.
COUNTLESS PEOPLE LATER
I am confident you will give a wide publicity to my
views.

Summative Assessment Question Papers 69

 Yours faithfully
Swati/Sourav
Or
51, College Road 6th Mar, 20××
Hisar, Haryana
16th March, 20××
The Principal build a concrete structure. Agricultural lands and
Excellent Academy forests are depleting. Man is himself responsible for
25, Model Town deterioration of his environment. Motivated by greed
Delhi
Dear Sir
Subject: Request to open a career counselling centre.
My son, Anuj, is a student of class XI in your school
and is currently appearing in the Board examination.
Very soon, he and other students of his class will
have to make an important decision. They will have
to select the stream/subjects they should opt for at the
+2 level.
As you know, this is the most crucial decision of
a student’s life. Most of the parents are unaware
of the latest trends in educational/job fields. I,
therefore, request you to kindly open a career
counselling centre in your school to help your students
make the correct choice according to their aptitudes/
talents as well as future job prospects. Expert guidance
in the field will prove invaluable to the young students.
I hope you will consider my request favourably.
With regards and best wishes.
Yours faithfully
Mahima Oswal
SECTION – C
5. ROLE OF STUDENTS IN NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
By XYZ
Students are the pride and glory of a nation. They can
play a very constructive role in the progress, uplift
and development of a country. In the new millennium,
information technology has turned the world into a
global village. Our educated youth have a tremendous
responsibility on their young shoulders. Our country
is overpopulated and beset with poverty, ignorance,
illiteracy and superstitions. The young students can
play a positive and constructive role in every field of
national development. They can enlighten the villagers
about new techniques in agriculture. By making
them literate, the students can provide them valuable
guidance in establishing cooperative societies. This will
help in generating money through self-employment. In
short, they can bring a transformation in the society.
70 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
Or
HOW GREEN WILL THE WORLD BE IN 2050?
Reported by ABC
Increasing population, rapid industrialisation and
unplanned housing schemes have led to a single result—
deforestation. The greenery around us is destroyed to
and short-term plans, he is striking at the very root of
human sustenance. Trees and vegetation supply us
nourishment directly or indirectly. They help to reduce
pollution. However, if the speed of deforestation goes
on unabated, a time may come when there will be no
trees on earth. Our grandchildren may simply look at
pictures of trees in books. Let us keep the world green
in the next fifty years also and save the world from
pollution and global warming.
6. (a) solidest ... solid (b) each ... dim
(c) the ... a (d) a ... the
(e) an ... the (f) the ... a
(g) colour ... colours (h) a ... the
7. (a) It has been drizzling since last night.
(b) Does the maid know when the guests are arriving?
(c) We took a taxi lest we should miss the train.
8. (a) I generally don’t like ice cream, but would like to
have one.
(b) He asked if I would help him and I replied in
positive.
(c) The principal is not in her office? Surely she might
not be at home.
9. (i) The above stanza talks about the loss of childhood.
(ii) When he understood the hypocrisy of adults, he
realises that his childhood had gone.
(iii) Adults talked of love and preached of love but did
not do themselves in real life
Or
(i) Rain washes off dust layers of the world and ends
the droughts.
(ii) The world looks very dirty without the rain.
(iii) The rain falls on earth. The same water goes up
and forms the clouds.
10. (a) The narrator had known his grandmother—old and
wrinkled for the last twenty years. She was terribly
old. Perhaps she could not become older. People
said that she had once been young and pretty. They
said that she even had a husband. The narrator
found it hard to believe.
 (b) As economy improves people start having less
children. Poor people have more children. In this
way, economic growth and population growth
contradict each other.
(c) After the liberation, everything became normal
again. One day, the narrator went to 46, Marconi
Street as she was eager to see all the possessions
of her mother stored there. She felt disappointed
when Mrs Dorling neither recognised her nor let
her in. She asked her to come again someday.
(d) Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful
married lives of some persons he knew. Bramwell
was foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived
him immorally. Edward page was bound to
quarrelsome Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily
apart from his wife. His thoughts were muddled
(confused).
11. Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our
knowledge of the world we live in: A great poet and
thinker believed that our past modifies our present and
our present shapes our future. If one wishes to attain
phenomenal success in possessing a thorough knowl-
edge of the present earthly existence, one has to delve
deep into the study of the past. Man’s progress is grad-
ual. The importance of relationships, love, friendship,
humanity, mankind, human values and family can be
understood by comprehending the past. ‘Past repeats
itself’ is a very popular saying. Those who learn from
the past are wise and intelligent. They never suffer in
life. Those who forget the past, repent in future.
Against the motion: Life is very precious. It should
not be wasted in studying the past. Everyone wants to
be happy in this world. And I have a firm conviction
that those who believe in the present can never feel sad
and dejected. They believe in the present. They develop
their skills to live and enjoy the present moment
instead of repenting for their past mistakes. Man is not
infalliable. So we are bound to make mistakes. And we
should not waste time in brooding over the past. Our
experiences of the present can lead us to success.
Or
Exchanges between Einstein and history teacher show
that Einstein is honest and truthful. He admits his
shortcomings frankly. He has firm and well-defined
opinions. He explains precisely what he thinks. Thus
his basic intelligence, logical reasoning and lucid
expression are highlighted. He showed the sparks of
genius even at a young age. His Maths teacher had a
high opinion of him.
The head teacher told Albert that he was expelling him
from school because his presence in the classroom
Summative Assessment Question Papers
made it impossible for the teacher to teach and other
pupils to learn.
Albert didn’t say even a single word. Holding his head
high, he went out with a sense of pride. Thus he had
a lot of self-control. Albert was not at all impolite. He
addressed his teachers respectfully and answered the
questions honestly.
12. (a) Mr Otis offered the jewels given by Canterville
ghost to Virginia back to Lord Canterville because
he thought that the jewels legitimately belonged
to Lord Canterville who had sold the house to
Mr Otis. He was of the opinion that Canterville
ghost was the ancestor of Lord Canterville and
thus any property worth something must belong
to the legitimate heir. Therefore, Mr Otis offered
the jewels to Lord Canterville.
Or
During the civil war the white people found it
difficult to secure food for themselves because
of the fact that usual diet of the coloured people
was corn bread and pork and these could be raised
on plantations. But products such as coffee, tea,
sugar and other articles which the whites had
been accustomed to use could not be raised on the
plantation and the condition brought about by the
war frequently made it impossible to secure these
things. They had to use parched corn as coffee
and a kind of black molasses instead of sugar as
substitutes. Therefore, author says that slaves felt
the deprivation less than the whites.
(b) Canterville ghost had tried to frighten the Otis
family by several means and was not able to scare
them. Ultimately he decided to appear before the
Otis family as the headless Earl. In this form, he
had frightened many previous generations with
great success. He hoped that by appearing headless
he would frighten the Otis family and they would
leave the house. For last seventy years he had not
appeared in this form.
To appear as headless Earl, the Canterville ghost
took three hours to prepare for the final show.
When Canterville ghost finally appeared before
the Blue bed chamber, where he found the door
ajar, he was encountered with a heavy jug of water
which the two sons of Otis had placed. The jug
fell upon him and he was wet to the skin. He had
to escape from the place in a hurry. As a result of
this he caught severe cold.
Or
Viola Ruffener, the wife of Colonel Ruffener
the owner of the salt-furnace and the coal mine,
71
 was the employer of Booker. She was a yankee’
woman from Vermont. She was a very strict and
fastidious lady. The servants who often worked
in her household could not come up to her expectation
had to quit job in few months. All of them left
with the same excuse that she was too strict.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT PAPER – 2
SECTION – A
1. A. 1. (d) that they have some of the most magnificent
rock-cut sculptures of Lord Shiva
2. (c) Maheshmurti
3. (b) in a dilapidated state
4. (a) protect caves from vandalism
5. (a) a toxic chemical storage terminal
6. (b) the process of becoming worse
B. 1. The caves were in a dilapidated state.Vandals
ravaged them. Picnickers littered the surround-
ings with left over food packets and plastic bags.
2. Security personnel were deployed in order to
protect the caves from vandalism.
3. The most potent threat the caves suffer from is
the rapid industrial development in their vicinity
as it causes pollution and threatens marine and
bird life in the area.
4. The island was named after a great elephant
structure in black stone. It was removed in 1864
by the Britishers, who took it to England. It
was later returned to India. Now it stands at the
Victoria Gardens in Mumbai.
C. 1. degeneration 2. stringently
2.    A. I. Title: Democracy in India
II. Notes:
1. India
(a) stands for freedom
(b) toler.
(c) non-alignm.
(d) to blunt conflicts
2. Country as extended family
(a) sp. prov. for weak and smaller industries
(b) ind. has to balanced with agriculture
(c) daunting venture
3. Why democracy worked in India?
(a) national leadership dedicated
(b) society supported it
(c) we tend to rise above differences.
(d) w e fight for social justice, equality,
economic justice
72 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
She was in the habit of keeping everything clean
about her and wanted things done promptly and
systematically. She also expected her servants to
be very honest and frank. Nothing was allowed
to be dirty or slipshod. The author learned few
things under her supervision which helped him in
his career.
Key to Abbreviations
toler — tolerance
prov. — Provision
align — Alignment
sp. — special
ind. — industry
B. Summary
Democracy is tolerance for other opinions. It also
involves tolerance of other nations and systems.
For stability in the world, India being a democratic
country avoid involvement in the conflicts between
power blocs. This is called non-alignment. A
country can be developed by making special
provisions for the weaker section. Industry has
to balanced with agriculture and so large with the
small. Transformation should not cause suffering
for others. India as a democratic country rises above
the difference in many sphere. All citizens should
be united fighting for not only the political freedom,
but also the social justice and equality against the
enemies in disguise.
SECTION – B
3.
TRACK SUIT FOR
YOUNG AND OLD
Available Comfortable:
Latest track suits for the young
and old persons by
XYZ Company, Mumbai
v The track suits are of latest trendy style.
v They are available for men and women
v All sizes in attractive colours.
Wholesale Parties and Dealers
Can also Contact us for the bulk order.
Interested Person can Contact
XYZ Company
Saraswati Vihar Mumbai, • Ph: 98××××××××.
 Or
GD PUBLIC SCHOOL, BIKANER
10th Mar, 20×× NOTICE
Cultural Evening
The Cultural Club is presenting a cultural evening
as a thanks giving programme on the last day of
our schooling as per the following details.
Date : 15th Mar., 20××
Time : 6:00 pm
Venue : Ashoka Auditorium
Class : XI and XII
Entry by invitation cards only.
Those interested may collect their invitation cards
from the undersigned.
Rohit/Rashit
Secretary
Cultural Form
4. Examination Hall wall is broken at several places. Consequently, stray
ABC Centre
19th September, 20××
The Principal
Albert Mission School
Rouse Avenue
New Delhi
Respected Sir
Subject: Improvement in School Canteen.
I would like to draw your kind attention towards the
need of bringing improvement in our school canteen.
Our school canteen is just an apology for a canteen. It
is housed in an old dingy, ill ventilated room. Though
the school has more than 2500 students, the canteen has
only 25 chairs and most of them are broken. There is a
huge rush during the recess. Students who go there in
their vacant periods find it in bad shape. The contractor
pays no attention to the quality of the eatables served
here, though the prices are exorbitant. No effort is made
to keep the place neat and clean.
I request you to kindly pay a surprise visit to the canteen
and make an on the spot appraisal. In case you are
convinced of the genuineness of our observation, please
ask the canteen committee to take immediate steps to
improve the situation.
Yours faithfully
Arun Pradhan transport and defence. Green revolution, White
President revolution and now cyber-revolution have brought a
Students’ Association
Summative Assessment Question Papers
Or
32, Kailash Colony
New Delhi
8th June, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Poor Maintenance of Public Parks in Kailash
Colony.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper,
I would like to draw the attention of the Municipal
Corporation of Delhi towards the wretched condition
of the public park in our colony.
Our colony, Kailash Colony, was developed in the
eighties, when much attention was not given to green
belts. It has only one public park which is in an abject
state. It seems a picture of utter neglect. The boundary
cows and dogs wander inside at will. Some undesirable
elements and beggars sleep on the benches at night.
There is no watchman or gardener to look after its
maintenance. People are wary of going to the park
early in the morning or late in the evening. Thus, the
park has become a nuisance to the residents.
It is hoped that after reading our plight in the newspaper
the authorities will be roused to take remedial steps.
So far all our appeals and letters to the authorities
have failed to elicit any response from them. Perhaps
your editorial comments may do the trick.
Yours truly
Shaan
(Resident, Kailash Colony, New Delhi)
5. INDIA HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE
Respected Principal, teachers and dear friends!
India is on the march, ready to make a giant leap
forward. I have no hesitation in claiming with certainty
that India has a bright future. Our nation has vast natural
resources. We have suffered from floods or droughts
because we failed to lay down national policy for
harnessing river waters. Similarly, the enemy attacked
us when we were slack in defence preparedness. Our
advance in Science and Technology has made us self-
dependent in food grains, energy, communication,
radical transformation in Indian economy, trade and
73
 banking. With foreign exchange reserves marking very
high, we can engage in profitable foreign trade. To sum
up, India is bound to make all round progress in the
coming years.
Thank you
Or
“A VISIT TO A LIBRARY”
Last Sunday, I went to Mahatma Gandhi National
Library with my friends. As we entered, I was
suprised to see its size. It is so huge and clean and
has two floors. The whole building is full of books.
All types of books are divided into sections. I first
went to the kids section. This section has many
variety of books for almost all subjects like maths,
english, hindi, etc. I went through many books.
The books were of very high quality. The library
has good facility of clean drinking water and clean
washrooms. All the staffs and attendants for your
guidance were doing their job satisfactorily. I like
this library very much. Next weekend, I will surely
visit if again with my parents.
6. (a) has been accorded (b) India has been
(c) with a long (d) teachings have not
(e) classrooms but have (f) to the whole
(g) as an excellent (h) Indian to spread
7. (a) The birds fly to South to escape chill and starvation.
(b) What is being looked at by you?
(c) There is little sense in crying over spilt milk.
8. (a) Your house may be bigger but mine is better than
you.
(b) The window panes were shattered due to explosion
of the bomb.
(c) You and Rajeev may be right.
SECTION – C
9. (i) The poet’s mother and her female cousins’s sweet
face is referred here.
(ii) All three stand still and smile because uncle was
taking a snap with a camera.
(iii) Uncle was taking the photograph.
Or
(i) The father wants his son to return home.
(ii) He is in forgiving mood.
(iii) The father wants to forgive his son but they have
nothing to talk about.
10. (a) Man is the most dangerous animal of the world. He
has learnt a new awareness. He has acted wisely.
He has shifted from the system of domination to
one based on partnership.
(b) Millie tells Taplow that her husband is at the
Bursars and might be there quite a long time. If
she were him, she would go. Taplow remarks that
74 Assignments in English Plus Core – 11 Teachers’ Handbook
Mr Crocker-Harris had especially asked him to
come. She then asks him to run to the chemist
and bring medicine according to the prescription.
Thus he could do a job for him. She would take the
blame if he came before Taplow returned.
(c) Cyril only thinks about himself and is afraid to
speak the truth. He cannot tell his father that people
make fun of him in the club.
(d) Albert left his school without any regrets. He, in
fact, left it arrogantly. It was because of the bad
treatment meted out to him by the head teacher.
He didn’t turn his head to have even a last look at
this school.
11. The reaction of the adults and children when faced with
danger was not unexpected. The captain tried his level
best to protect wavewalker from the gigantic waves. He
slowed the boat down, dropped the storm jib and lashed
a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern. A
torrent of green and white water broke over the ship and
injured the captain. The narrator was aware of flying
overboard and sinking below the waves. He accepted
his approaching death. The same thing happened with
Mary. She screamed, “We’re sinking.” But the children
were brave and played their role efficiently. When
the narrator went to the children’s cabin and enquired
about their well-being they replied positively. When
the captain went in to comfort the children, Jon said,
“We aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together...”.
The girl did not trouble her parents for her head injury
which took six minor operations to remove a recurring
blood clot between skin and skull.
Once Mary and the narrator sat together holding hands
and felt that their end was very near. The adults got full
support from children in those horrible circumstances.
Or
As the title indicates, the poem tells a story about Melon
City­­­—a city named after its ruler. It is quite interesting
and edifying to learn how the country got a melon as its
ruler. In short, it was on account of customary choice.
The people relate the story of a just and placid king
who was hanged by his own Royal Decree.
What the king did for the people and how he held the
trials of the accused both are quite amusing. The clever
arguments of the accused to save their lives are equally
interesting. The king feels the pulse of the people who
want to see a hanging. He knows how mischievous an
angry mob can be and hence orders that someone must
be hanged immediately. The irony of the situation is
that only the king is tall enough to fit the noose.
The practical-minded ministers resort to the age-old
custom to choose the next ruler. The idiot’s idiotic
choice is approved of in the name of custom. The
people are indifferent to the fact that their ruler is a
melon not a man. The behaviour of pragmatic ministers
 and equally selfish, foolish and mean people seems
quite funny and interesting. It is instructive too. A wise
man should avoid the company of fools.
12. (a) When Canterville ghost was about to embark
(b) When Mrs Otis saw a dull red stain on the floor just
upon his scheme to frighten the Minister for the
United States, he was encountered with a horrible
sight himself. Right in front of him was standing
a spectre whose head was bald and burnished,
its face round, and fat, and white. From its eyes
streamed rays of scarlet light, the mouth spewed
fire and which was wrapped in a huge gown. This
spectre held a sword in its right hand. Canterville
had himself never seen a ghost and became quite
frightened. He fled to his room but came back
thinking that two ghosts would be better than one.
When Canterville ghost caught hold of Spectre’s
hand. He ultimately realised that it was a trip laid
by the Otis twins.
Or
The author was determined to erect the building
by the labour of the students because he thought
that by doing this he would instil the importance
of labour in their lives. To him, labour was not a
menial work but a path to dignity. In this way he
tried to lift the concept of labour up from drudgery
and toil. The students would learn to love work
for its own sake. He wanted to show them how
to make the forces of nature–air, water, steam,
electricity, horsepower assist them in their labour.
Summative Assessment Question Papers
Skill and knowledge could transform their lives in
a constructive way. This is the reason why author
insisted on the labour of students.
by the fireplace, Mrs Umney, their housekeeper,
revealed that it was the blood of lady Eleanore de
Canterville who was murdered by her husband,
Sir Simon de Canterville in 1575. Washington
Otis, the eldest son of Mr Otis said it is all
nonsense. He told that Pinkerton’s Champion Stain
Remover and Paragon Detergent would clean it
up in no time. He even applied them on the stain
and successfully removed it from the floor. In
his enthusiasm, he exclaimed triumphantly. But
suddenly a terrible flash of lightning lit up in the
room and a thunderous sound emanated and Mrs
Umney fainted.
Or
Tuskegee was called the ‘Black belt of South’
because the colour of the soil was black in that part
of the country. Also Tuskegee was inhabited by
coloured people who outnumbered the whites by
about three to one. Also in adjoining countries the
proportion was not far from six coloured persons
to one white person. The term seems to be used
wholly in a political sense—i.e., to designate the
countries where the black people outnumber the
whites. Therefore, Tuskegee is regarded as the
‘Black belt of South’.
qqq
75
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