Std. XI - Prose - 1.

1 Being Neighborly

Brief story

It’s a snowy day, and Jo decided to go out and dig paths in the snow. The Marches’ house
is a small, brown, shabby dwelling which lost its summer greenery. It was separated by a low
hedge from Mr. Laurence’s large stone mansion. She saw Laurie sitting near one of the windows
on the second floor. Jo felt sorry for the poor lonely boy. She threw a snowball at the window,
grabbing Laurie’s attention. Laurie admitted that he had been sick with a cold, and he invited Jo
to come over. Jo arrived soon after with an armful of offerings for Laurie: a plate of blanc-
mange (a kind of custard) from Meg and kittens from Beth. Jo straightened up Laurie’s quarters,
and offered to read out loud to Laurie. Laurie begged her to talk to him, and Jo told him about
her family. Laurie revealed that he sometimes spied on the March family, but Jo saw that he only
did it because he was orphaned (his parents died when he was young, so he was now with his
grandfather) and felt lonesome. Laurie stepped out momentarily to see his doctor, and while he
had gone Mr. Laurence, Laurie’s Grandpa came in and surprised Jo. Jo told him that she felt
Laurie needed to spend more time around kids of his own age. Mr. Laurence invited Jo to tea. As
he saw Jo and Laurie chatter, Mr. Laurence realized that there might be some truth to what Jo
had told him. Jo revealed that Laurie said he’d been grateful for the “medicine” Mrs. March had
sent over, and Meg remarked that Laurie was paying Jo a compliment. Jo is flustered, and chides
Meg for being sentimental when all she wanted to do was befriend Laurie. Mrs. March gave Jo
permission to invite Laurie over to their house.

Characters:-

1) Josephine March:- The protagonist of the novel and second oldest March sister. Jo has a
temper and a quick tongue, although she works hard to control both. She is a tomboy and reacts
with impatience to many limitations placed on women and girls.

2) Meg March:- The oldest March sister. She is responsible and kind. She has a small weakness
for luxury and leisure but the greater part of her is she is gentle, loving and morally vigorous.

3) Beth March:- The third March daughter. Beth is very quiet and very virtuous. She does
nothing but tries to please others. She adores music and plays the piano very well.

4) Amy March:- The youngest March girl. Amy is an artist who adores visual beauty and has a
weakness for pretty possessions. She is given to fits of temper and vanity but she does attempts
to improve herself.

5) Laurie Laurence:- The rich boy who lives next door to the March family. Laurie, whose real
name is Theodore Laurence. He is charming, clever and has a good heart.

6) Mr. Laurence:- Laurie's grandfather and the Marches' next - door neighbour. He seems gruff
but he is loving and kind.

7) Marmee:- The March girls' mother. Marmee is the moral role model for her girls. She
counsels them through all of their problems and works hard. Her husband is at war.

1
8) Mr. March:- The March girls' father and Marmee's husband. He serves in the Union army as
a chaplain.

9) The Hummels:- A family that lives near the Marches. The Hummels are poor and in bad
health.

10) Aunt March:- A rich widow and one of the March girl's aunts. Although irritated and
difficult, she loves her nieces and wants the best for them.

Icebreaker:-
An icebreaker is an activity, game or event that is used to welcome and warm up the
conversation among participants in a meeting, training class, team building session, or another
event. Any event that requires people to comfortably interact with each other and a facilitator is
an opportunity to use an icebreaker. It is a kind of preparation activity. It relates the learners to
the theme of the topic.

Textual Activities.

i) Complete the web diagram

Friendship to me means:-
1) Get moral support in difficulties.
2) Ready to sacrifice anything.
3) Relation beyond gives and gains.
4) Place to open your heart.
5) Sharing the secrets, happiness and sorrow.
6) Caring and sharing.
7) Ready to help every other in need.
8) Having long conversation.
9) Giving and receiving gifts.
10) Making lots of fun.

ii) Complete the statement

If you see someone lonely or sad you will:-

1) I will help him in difficult times.

2) I will co-operate him in difficult situations.
3) I will be courteous to him.
4) I will overcome his sorrows by walking hand in hand.
5) I will give solution on any distress that the person is suffering from. I will remind him karma
i.e. duty which we need to face.
6) I will befriend him or her and start topics in such a way that he / she will feel home.
7) I will ask him what wrong was happen with him.
8) I will talk with him and try to understand his problem.
9) I will offer him or her tea or snacks.

2
10) I will tell good jokes.

Vocabulary:-
1) Pussy cat- easy going, lazy or inactive person
2) groves- small group of trees
3) hedge- a row of bushes
4) frolicked- overplayed, behaved in a playful way
5) Society- Company of friends (companions)
6) scandalizing- teasing, to cause somebody to feel shocked by doing unusual things
7) croaked out as hoarsely as a raven- uttered a low hoarse sound like raven bird
8) a little gentleman- small aged polite person or boy of etiquettes
9) colored up- changes in colour that shows how you are feeling from the face
10) To wait on- to serve the needs of someone
11) good breeding- good manners, polite and socially correct behaviour
12) pranced- to move about with quick, high steps
13) wicked- morally bad, evil, here mischievous
14) affair- situation, behaviour

Brainstorming:-

A1. i) Jo’s decision to make friends with the lonely boy next door proves to be good one.
Elaborate. You may begin with ‘Jo was a bold, friendly and warm person---------
Answer:- Jo was a bold, friendly and warm person. She knew that the next door boy Laurie was
lonely and wanted to enjoy the fun with the persons of his age. So she had taken appropriate
steps and met the lonely boy. She changed the life of the boy and he became neighbourly with
others.

ii) Read the extract ‘Being Neighborly’ and complete the following statements:

a) To Jo the fine house seemed like a kind of enchanted palace, full of splendors and delights
which no one enjoyed.

b) Jo swept a path around the garden for Beth to walk in when the sun came out and her broken
limbs dolls needed air.

c) Jo entered the old stone house carrying blanc – mange surrounded by a garland of green leaves
ant the scarlet flowers.

d) In order to tide the room, Jo needed to place the objects in a right place.

iii) Bring out the contrast between the two houses with the help of the following points.

House of March
House of Laurence

1) Old, brown house

a) Stately stone mansion

3
2) Robbed of the vines
b) Well-kept grounds

3) Children played all around

c) Lonely and lifeless – no children playing

4) Loving and friendlier

d) No motherly face smiled at the window

A2. The traits of the characters you meet in the extract are jumbled. Sort them out and
write them in the appropriate columns.

(Shy, bold, guff, friendly, withdrawn, perceptive, empathetic, playful, lonely, happy,
gentlemanly, frank, mature, dull, sharp, adventurous)

Jo Laurie Grandpa
bold shy guff
friendly perceptive withdrawn
playful lonely emphatic
happy gentlemanly dull
adventurous frank
sharp mature

A3.(i) Write down in your own words the way Laurie confirmed the names of the March
sisters.
Answer:- Laurie described the rosy girl as Beth who stayed at home most of the time and
sometimes went out with a little basket. He recognized the pretty girl as Meg while the curly –
haired one as Amy. In this way Laurie confirmed the names of the March sisters.

(ii) Give a brief account of the interaction between Grandpa and Jo.
Answer:- Jo expressed her thoughts about Grandpa that he had kind eyes, tremendous will but he
was not as handsome as her grandfather. She did not know that Laurie’s Grandpa was hearing
her words. Grandpa thanked her hearing her expressions about him. She blushed and felt
uncomfortable about what she had said about Grandpa. But Grandpa accepted her remarks and
made her comfortable with soft words. He enquired about her presence with his grandson Laurie.
She claimed that he needed to become friendlier with neighbours so he would never remain
alone. Grandpa accepted her thinking.

A4. (i) Find proverbs, maxims and Idioms related to ‘friendship’.

(a) For example: Birds of a feather flock together.

(b) A friend in need is a friend indeed.
(c) A friend in court is better than a penny in purse.
(d) Isn’t it pleasure to receive a friend from afar?
(e) A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody.

(ii) The extract deals with the atmosphere of two homes. Collect the words associated with-

4
(a) Home:- Old, brown house, bare and shabby, Stately stone mansion, big coach house,
enchanted place, as dull as tombs etc.

(b) Library:- A fellow can’t live on books, lined with books, distracting little cabinets full of
coins and curiosities, sleepy hollow chairs, queer tables, bronzes, open fireplace etc.

(c) Garden:- Groves, lawns, robbed of the vines, low hedge etc.

A5. Change into indirect speech.

(a) “Do you like your school?” asked the boy.

“Don’t go to school; I’m a business man – girl. I mean,” answered Jo.
Answer:- The boy wanted to know whether she (Jo) liked school. To which , Jo answered rather
emphatically that she did not go to school. She further added that she was a businessman,
jovially corrected the gender.

(b) Jo flourished her broom as she called out….. “How do you do? Are you sack?”
Laurie opened the window and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven………
“Better, thank you. I’ ve had a bad cold and been shut up a week.
Answer:- Jo flourished her broom as she called how he (Laurie) was. She further inquired
whether he was sick. Laurie opened the window and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven and
giving thanks he confirmed her that he was feeling better. He further added he had been suffering
from cold and had been shut himself up a week.

(c) “The pretty one is Meg and the curly – haired is Amy, I believe?” – Laurie.
“How did you find that out” –Jo
Answer:-Laurie confirmed that the pretty one was Meg and the curly – haired was Amy.
Jo (surprisingly) asked (him) how he had found that out.

(d) “I’m not afraid of anything,” returning Jo, with a toss of the head.
“I don’t believe you are!” exclaimed the boy.
Answer:- Returning Jo, with a toss of the head assured that she was not afraid of anything.
The boy exclaimed that he didn’t believe she was afraid of anything.

Activity:- Give information

Laurie has:
1. All the riches or physical pleasures
2. Stately stone mansion- full of splendors and delights
3. Servants, Grandfather, Tutor
Laurie doesn't have
1. Parents (mother and father)
2. Children of his age to play
3. Society and fun

Activity: Describe the effect of Laurie's words on Jo.

Answer:-

5
 When Laurie tells Jo about his real condition of being lonely; his grandpa lives among his books
and do not bother about what happen outside of his house, his tutor does not stay there and he
has no one to go about with him but to stop and get on as he can, Jo becomes cautious. She
realizes in what condition, Laurie is going through. She advises him that he needs to make an
efforts and go visiting everywhere. He will have plenty of friends, pleasant places to go. He
should forget his shyness.

Activity: List the things that Jo notices in the portrait.

Answer:-
1) The old gentleman has got kind eyes
2) His mouth is grim (serious)
3) He looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own.
4) He is not as handsome as her (Jo's) grandfather.
5) She likes him.

Activity:
In spite of Jo's apprehensions, Grandpa is
Answer:-
1) Pleased
2) Gives sharp laugh
3) Shakes hand with her

Activity:
Discuss what Jo meant by this.
1) "Only trying to be neigbourly, sir"
2) seems a little lonely
3) splendid Christmas present
Answer:-
1) Here she only meant that she is doing her duty as a good neighbor. She just wanted the boy of
her age should not be lonely. He should get company of his
neighbours.
2) The boy is alone as he doesn’t get company of his age persons.
3) Here she reminded the kindness of Laurie's grandfather who had sent them the splendid
Christmas present.

Activity:- Name and explain the figures of speech

I’m happy as a cricket here

Answer:-Simile:-The girl Jo is directly compared as a cricket (insect) who is free from any fear
and tension.

It’s as dull as tombs up here

Answer:-Simile:- The house of Laurie is directly compared with the tombs which are isolated
and lifeless.

Activity:- Guess the meaning of the phrase in the context:

6
go on being neighbourly

In the context the phrase ‘go on being neighbourly’ means the isolated Laurence family (Laurie
and his grandfather) is ready to make close and warm contacts with their neighbouring March
family. There will be good and healthy relationship in between these two families.

1.2 prose: On to the Summit

Activity
Discuss with your partner the various hazards and risks that a mountaineer / trekker has
to face in an expedition.

Answer -
Various hazards and risks that a mountaineer has to face in expedition are:-
1) snowy and stormy wind (blizzard)
2) falling rocks,ice and boulders.
3) high altitude sickness.
4) carry wounds caused due to sliding or falling down.
5) snow bite during stay or journey.
6) unable to Keep in touch with base camp to gain help
7) loose the right path and trap in unknown place.
8) keep the body safe from insects, reptiles and other wild creatures.
9) survive in insufficient or low oxygen area.
10) tolerate hunger and remain thirsty in critical situations.

Activity:-
Give reasons for the rope being called a symbol.

Rope is used to climb safely. It connects each mountaineer with other and gives message that
they are attached firmly. Rope is the symbol of working unitedly. It converts the individuals into
a team. It tides them together. So it is a symbol and it is the symbol of unity.

Brainstorming

A1. Summarize to the class in your own words the highly risky and dangerous journey of
Tenzing and Hillary from the base to the top of Mt. Everest.

Answer:- The journey of Tenzing and Hillary was really risky and dangerous. One hour of steady
going, they had to pass up a steep line of rocks. They had to climb the snow – covered slope. It
caused slanting up and down. By the help of rope, they went over the dangerous ground. They
were thirsty and tired. But finally they reached the top of the Everest.

A2.
(i) Complete the web highlighting the feelings/emotions of Tenzing after reaching the
summit.
Tenzing’s feelings / emotions after reaching the summit:-

7
Answer:-
1) Gratitude to God.
2) Placed offerings to God on top.
3) Adjusted flags on summit to show win of man over Everest.
4) Embraced each other to express joy.
5) Red scarf made Tenzing felt that his friend Lambert was with him.
6) Exhilarated for completing the task

(ii) Glance through the text again and explain the qualities of Tenzing Norgay.
Pick lines that show his unique qualities. One is done for you.

Answer:-

Sr. Qualities Lines

1 Patriotic I told colonel Hunt that I was carrying the Indian flag with me and I would
like it to on the top with other flags.

2 Aesthetic My first thought -----gratitude to God

3 Emotional I was wearing a red scarf -------I remembered him.

4 Humble The tea smelled kerosene --- enjoy it whatever the smell

(iii) Write down the significance of the following in the context of 'On to the Summit' :
(i) Red Scarf
(ii) husiar
(iii) Kerosene flavoured tea
(iv) Ice axe
(v) Anchor

Answer:-
1) Red scarf:- It felt Tenzing that his friend who had given it was with him.
2) Husiar:- Means caution. Climbing down needed to be cautious or it might result in the
accident.
3) Kerosene flavoured tea :- It was the tea provided by Noyce who in a hurry he brought
Kerosene mixed tea to welcome them.

8
4) Ice axe:- It is a multipurpose hiking and climbing tool used by mountaineers.
5) Anchor:- The person follows other climbing person has a difficult job both climbing up and
down. He connects the other person. It makes the climbing persons remain fixed to any place.
Such person is called anchor.

(A3) (i) Add suitable suffixes (-tion,- ly, -ment, -ous) and prefixes (un, il, im) to the words
given below. One is done for you.

Answer:-
Sr. Word Prefix Suffix

1 absolute nonabsolute absolutely

2 fulfill unfulfilled fulfillment

3 determine undetermined determination

4 danger endanger dangerous

5 tight airtight, untighten tightly, tighten

6 clear unclear clearly, clearance

7 sure ensure surely

8 legal illegal legally

9 legitimate illegitimate illegitimately

10 possible impossible possibility

(ii) By filling appropriate letters in the blank spaces, you will get a past participle from it.
Use the word as adjective in your own sentence. One is done for you.

(a) s _ _ n _ d

9
Word- signed.
1) The advocate took all the signed documents to the court.
2) He must submit the signed photo copy of the documents.

(b) p_ _ z _ d

Word- Prized.

1) The pen I lost was prized one.

2) M. S. Dhoni’s prized collection includes an Audi car.

(c) f_ _ t_ e n e_

Word- Flattened.
1) You can draw rangoli on flattened soil.
2) The boxer was flattened in the 7th round.

(d) b _ i_e_

Word- Boiled.
1) We used to drink boiled water.
2) I like to eat boiled eggs.

(iii) Spot the error. One is done for you.

I was not afraid for die that day.

Correct Sentence- I was not afraid to die that day.

(a) Tenzing and Hillary made an pact at the office of P M of Nepal.

Answer:- Tenzing and Hillary made a pact at the office of P M of Nepal.

(b) I has to bring my ice axe down with me.

Answer:- I have to bring my ice axe down with me.

(c) Tenzing have spent a night with Camp Eight.

Answer:- Tenzing has spent a night at Camp Eight.

(d) Pact was signed from Tenzing and Hillary.

Answer:- Pact was signed by Tenzing and Hillary.

10
(e) I and Hillary were in no mood of talking.
Answer:- Hillary and I were in no mood for talking.

(A4) When Tenzing and Hillary reached the summit, Tenzing in utter joy said, “We have
done it.” In this sentence the subject (we) is the doer of the action while it (achieving the
feat) is the subject. The verb of passive voice is formed by using the correct form of the
verb ‘to be’ + past participle of the main verb. Construct the sentences accordingly.
Now carefully go through the changes in both the sentences and do the changes accordingly
in the remaining sentences.

We have done it.

It has been done by us.

(a) We made a pact.

Answer:- A pact was made by us.

(b) I offered silent prayer in my heart.

Answer:- Silent prayer was offered in my heart by me.

(c) Colonel Hunt gave me three flags.

Answer:- I was given three flags by colonel
Three flags were given to me by colonel.

(d) I was carrying the Indian flag.

Answer:- The Indian flag was being carried by me.

(e) I took photographs of Tenzing holding aloft the flags.

Answer:- Photographs of Tenzing holding aloft the flags were taken by me.

(f) I remembered him.

Answer:- He was remembered by me.

(g) We spent the night at Camp Eight.

Answer:- The night was spent at Camp Eight by us.

Activity:- Comparisons
Look at the sentences given below. Find out which one is correct. If the sentence is wrong
give reasons.
a. Sunita is the quieter of four sisters.
Answer- Wrong sentence. Reason:- It’s a superlative degree and needs the third form or
superlative form of adjective (i.e. quietest)

b. Sunita is the quietest of the four sisters.

Answer- Correct sentence.

11
c. Anil’s computer is more new than mine.
Answer- Wrong sentence. Reason:-The wrong second form of adjective is used.

d. Anil’s computer is newer than mine.

Answer- Correct sentence.

e. I have the wonderfullest mother in the world

Answer- Wrong sentence. Reason:- The wrong third form of adjective is used.

f. I have the most wonderful mother in the world.

Answer- Correct sentence.

g. Aditi is more carefuller than Mary.

Answer- Wrong sentence. Reason:- The wrong second form of adjective is used.

h. Aditi is more careful than Mary.

Answer- Correct sentence.

When we compare two nouns, we use comparative adjectives. When we compare more
than two nouns, we use superlative adjectives.
e.g.
a. Milind is taller than John.
b. Zakir is the tallest of the three brothers.

Activity:- Look at the following sentences and observe the changes in the three sentences.
Discuss the changes and note your responses:
e.g.
a. Atul is not as bright as Milind in studies.
b. The dining room is brighter than the kitchen.
c. Anne is the brightest girl in class.
Answer-
In the first sentence the first form or base form of the adjective is used so it is the sentence
having positive degree.
In the second sentence the second form or comparative form of adjective is used so it is the
sentence having comparative degree.
In the third sentence the third form or superlative form of adjective is used so it is the sentence
having superlative degree.

Activity:- Make a list of adjectives in three different forms of comparison. Use different
texts to find these.
Degree forms –

1) Positive + er and est

12
Bold Bolder Boldest

Clever Cleverer Cleverest

Great Greater Greatest

Kind Kinder Kindest

Sweet Sweeter Sweetest

2) Positive ending ‘Y’ + ier and iest

Easy Easier Easiest

Happy Happier Happiest

Heavy Heavier Heaviest

Wealthy Wealthier Wealthiest

3) Positive ending ‘e’ + r and st

Able Abler Ablest

Brave Braver Bravest

Fine Finer Finest

Wise Wiser Wisest

Noble Nobler Noblest

4) Positive + double the consonant with er and est

13
Big Bigger Biggest

Hot Hotter Hottest

Thin Thinner Thinnest

Fat Fatter Fattest

Kind Kinder Kindest

Small Smaller Smallest

5) Positive + more / less and most / lest

Beautiful More/ Less beautiful Most/Lest Beautiful

Qualified More/ Less qualified Most/Lest qualified

Prompt More / Less prompt Most / Lest prompt

Proper More / Less proper Most / Lest proper

6) Separate words –
Good Better Best

Bad Worse Worst

Old Older Oldest

Little Less Least

Activity:- Fill in the blanks with comparative, superlative and positive forms of the correct
adjectives in the brackets.

14
a. You are very naughty. You are---------------- your brother. (clever)
Answer- You are very naughty. You are cleverer than your brother.

Or You are very naughty. You are not so clever as your brother.

b. The tiger is the----------------- animal in the zoo. (dangerous)

Answer- The tiger is the most dangerous animal in the zoo.

c. This is------------------- road in town. (busy)

Answer- This is the busiest road in town.

d. My new house is----------------- the one I used to live in. (big)

Answer- My new house is bigger than the one I used to live in.

e. He is the-------------------- boy in class. (forgetful)

Answer- He is the most forgetful boy in class.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(C.W.F.) Noyce:

Cuthbert Wilfrid Francis Noyce (31 December 1917 – 24 July 1962) was usually known as
Wilfrid Noyce. He was an English mountaineer and author. He was a member of the 1953 British
Expedition that made the first ascent of Mount Everest.

(W.G.) Lowe :

Wallace George Lowe (15 January 1924 – 20 March 2013), was known as George Lowe. He was
a New Zealand-born mountaineer, explorer, film director and educator.

Section Two- Poetry

2.1 Cherry Tree

Synopsis:
The poem Cherry Tree is about the ecstasy of the poet over a plant which he has seeded
eight years ago. It took eight years to grow. In the poem, Bond expresses his wonder at the ways
of nature and how it takes care of itself to survive against all odds. Eight year ago, the poet
planted a cherry seed because he wanted to have a plant of his own. The young poet watered it
daily but was unaware of the fact that cherry plant needs other special care too to grow into a
healthy tree. In spite of getting any special attention, by the end of May, the poet saw the small

15
cherry sapling coming out of the ground. It was a very small plant, young and fragile, vulnerable
to all kinds of external dangers. Tall wild grasses grew all around it and ‘the goats’ ate its
‘leaves’ and then one day the grass cutter’s blade mercilessly ‘split it apart’. Its tender stem also
bravely fought the heavy monsoon and even after all these, the poet saw new shoots growing out
of it as the young tree made its struggle against nature to survive and fiercely made an ‘upward
thrust’ to get ‘light and air and sun’.
The poet could now just wait and watch while he took pleasure on seeing his small cherry
plant blossoming into a tree as ‘Time and the rain’ nourished it and like a miracle the tree grew,
too stubborn to give up. Then it was time for the poet to bid adieu to his beloved tree as he went
to Kashmir to spend a season there. The poet returned after a few months poor in health and
heart but was overjoyed to find a ‘six feet high’ dark cherry tree at his doorstep. To his disbelief,
he saw a small berry fruit hanging from a branch, ‘Hung from a branch—just one! a small little
pink and fragile berry that could fall at the single stir of wind.
In his ecstasy, the poet “lay on the grass” whole day at leisure to look up to the cherry
tree as the “finches” flew past and birds flocked in and out of the tree and the bees drank nectar
from each ‘bloom’. Soon it was dark and stars lit the whole night sky and the ‘moon-moths’ and
crickets sang. As the poet enjoyed the rapture of nature and felt himself akin with it, he marveled
at his own creation, the small cherry plant that has grown into a big tree over the span of eight
years. In the ending couplet, the poet associates himself with the nature and creator, as he takes
pride for being part of it. Cherry Tree is therefore, the poet’s rumination about the ways of nature
as it participates in the process of creation. It is the struggle of each living object to fight and
survive despite all odds.

Vocabulary-
scythe – a tool with a long curved blade at right angle to a long handle used to cut long grass and
grain.

blight – a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts

shrivelled – dried or wrinkled or shrunken due to lack of moisture

slender – thin, struggle – making forceful against odds

thrust – to push with sudden impulse or force

fierce – aggressive

lust – strong desire

miracle – a welcoming or happy event developing by chance that cannot be explained with
reason or science

scarcely – almost not

ripended (ripen)– become or make ripe

jeweled – adorned with jewels

16
blossoms – flowers that bloom on trees

fragile – weak

finches – a small passerine bird

flitted – pass lightly, softly or rapidly

dappled – marked with rounded dark patches

ecstasy – a feeling of greatest happiness

nector – a sweet fluid secreted by flowers

moon-moths – a large pale long green moth

crickets – an insect, characteristic for its musical chirping sound.

Ice Breakers:-

Activity- Trees are revered because:-

a) They give us joy.
b) They give us oxygen, food, wood, flowers, cotton and shelter.
c) They keep balance of the environment.
d) They give us shadow.
e) They prevent soil erosion, flood and landslide.
f) They bring rainfall.

Activity- Column A shows your involvement in growing a tree, as well as the stages in the
life of a tree. Column B shows the feelings you experience at all the stages. Match them
appropriately.

Answer

A B
1. You planted a sapling. You wanted to make a humble
beginning.
2. You watered the plant. You cared for it.
3. You saw the shoot for the first.
The new experience brought
excitement to you.
4. You fenced the plant. Your motive was to protect it.
5. The plant gradually saw lush The colour, symbolizing life, gave you
green leaves grow on it. a feeling of hope.

6. The tree had buds too. Gave you a feeling of joy to see the
promising future.

17
7. Birds made a nest on the tree You were happy and satisfied because
which was fully grown and laden you experienced what you had often
with flowers. heard, that small beginnings can lead
to great achievements.

Activity- The thought which prompted the poet to plant the cherry seed-

1) ---------------
Answer-
1) To have his own plant

2) --------------- 3) --------------- 4) --------------- were a threat.

Answer-
2) Goats
3) Grass cutter
4) Monsoon (heavy rains) which caused a plant disease.

Activity- State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. They destroyed the Cherry tree.

Answer- False
Nobody destroyed the cherry tree. It grew very well.

2. The Cherry tree had an instinct to survive.

Answer- True

Activity- True or false

The blossoms are fragile----------- (True/ false)
Answer- True

Activity- Complete the statements

1) The poet felt richer because---------------

Answer- he had a cherry tree at his door.

2) The beneficiaries of the cherry tree are---------------

Answer- bees, moon – moths, crickets and the poet.

Brainstorming

(A1) (i) Find proof from the poem for the following.

(a) The poet has mentioned different seasons.

Answer-Summer:- And suddenly that summer near the end of May.
Monsoon:- Split it apart and a monsoon blight.
Spring:- Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.

18
(b) The poet’s minute observations of the steady growth of the cherry tree.
Answer-The steady growth of the cherry tree shown in these following lines.
I found a tree had come to stay.
It was very small, five months child,
Lost in the tall grass running wild.

(c) The colour imagery in the poem.

Answer- Colour imagery in the poem:-
Green growing pain (Dappled green),
blossom small pink,
blue blind sky

(d) The struggle of the cherry tree for survival.

Answer- The struggle of the cherry tree for survival has shown in the following lines-
The young tree struggle, upward thrust
Its arms in a fresh fierce lust
For light and air and sun.

(A1) (ii) State whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false
statements by finding evidence from the poem to support your remark.

(a) The cherry tree did not take long to grow.

Answer- False
The cherry tree took eight years long to grow.

(b) Birds and insects were benefitted from the tree.

Answer-True

(c) The poet was exalted at the sight of the cherry tree.
Answer-True

(d) The poem has an underlying message about the importance of trees.
Answer-True

(e) The poet repents planting the cherry tree.

Answer-False
The poet praised planting the cherry tree.

(A2) (i) Discuss in groups, reasons/ consequences/ effects:

(a) The life of the cherry tree was threatened.

Answer- The life of the cherry tree was threatened because of goats grazing, grass cutters and
monsoon. The cherry tree has no leaves and stem. It gets dried. But as the spring arrives, new
shoots grow. The young tree struggles for light, air and sun.

(b) The cherry blossomed.

19
Answer- Initially the cherry tree bore just one berry. It was not so good. But the next year the
tree was blossomed. The poet, bees, moon - moths and crickets were much excited. They became
the beneficiary of it.

(ii) A small thought, put in action, led to a great achievement. Pick out the lines from the
beginning and end of the poem and explain their significance.
Line- Eight years have passed since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.
This is the normal work that the poet did.
Line- It was very small, five months child.
The tree survived and showed growth struggling in the adverse situations.
Line- Next spring I watched three new shots grow.
The progress of the tree continues
Line- But richer by a cherry tree at my door.
Glorifies the importance of the tree considering himself rich due to tree.
Line- That small, the cherry, grown by me.
Great achievement as the tree survived and stayed.

(A3) The cherry tree has inspired the poet to compose the poem. Such poems, describing
Nature or aspects of Nature are called ‘Nature poems’. Find out some expressions from the
poem that bring out the elements of beauty of Nature.

Answer- In the poem the following references show the elements of beauty of Nature-
1) Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.
2) Made a miracle from green growing pain.
3) But richer by a cherry tree at my door
4) Ripened and jeweled in the sun.
5) And next year there were blossoms small pink, fragile, quick to fall.
6) While bees in an ecstasy drank --------in the sky.

(A4) (i) Read the line.

Pink, fragile, quick to fall
Notice the arrangement of the words in the line:
They move from healthy to delicate
This figure of speech is called Climax where successive words, phrases, sentences are arranged
in ascending order of importance. Here, the cherry blossom turns pink, ripens and is ready to be
picked.

(ii) Find out examples from the poem.

Alliteration :
1. Its arms in a fresh fierce lust. : A consonantal sound 'f' is repeated pleasingly.
2. Made a miracle from green growing pain. : A consonantal sound 'g' is repeated rhythmically.

Antithesis :
1. but cherries have a way of growing,
Though no one's caring very much or knowing. : Opposite idea of growing without caring is seen
in the line.

20
 Personification :
1. A Tree had come to stay : A tree has attributed human quality of coming and staying.
2. Its arms in a fresh fierce lust : A tree is described as having arms like human beings.

(A5) (i) Cherry tree is a narrative poem. Features that make it a narrative poem are given
below. Justify them with proper examples.
Answer-
a) The poem has a beginning, a middle and an end - It begins with a planting of a cherry seed. It
survives overcoming adversities and at the end blossoms.
b) Different places are mentioned- The poet’s residence and Kashmir.
c) Characters are referred to - The poet, grass cutters, bees, cricket and moon moths are the
characters referred to in the poem.
d) Incidents are arranged in sequence- The activities and growth of the tree are given in a
sequence.
e) There is a dialogue between the poet and the reader or the characters of the poem.- “ Must
have a tree of my own,” I said.
I found a tree that had come to stay.
Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.
Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and tree:
f) It is a time-bound poem. It deals with a particular time of the year and showed different
changes in atmosphere and the tree.

(ii) Compose 8 to 10 line. Narrate any incident in your life without using any rhyming
pattern.
Answer:-
I decided to plant a tree.
But it was not easy to do it.
I didn’t have a place to plant.
I was lining in a flat.
It had no courtyard.
So I bought plastic trees.
They had no need to give water and soil
But it also didn’t have any life and growth.

(iii) Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points.

ØAbout the poem, poet and title.

The poem deals with the poet’s feeling of great joy over a tree which he planted and took eight
years to grow.
The poet Ruskin Bond belongs to India. He considered himself richer having a cherry tree at his
door. He felt proud for planting his own tree.
Title of the poem is related to the central character i.e. cherry tree whose journey from planting
to upward growth to blossomed tree is given.

ØTheme / Summary/ Gist of the poem.

It has the theme of struggle, resilience, dedication, conflict, growth, responsibility and pride.

21
The poem depicts a small of action of planting a cherry tree which led to a great achievement
giving benefit to bees, moon-moths, cricket and the poet.

Q. 1. Write an e- mail to the mentor that you require 15 days leave for internship.
Hints: You are suffering from cold and cough, doctor advised to go through RTPCR test,
request to grant a leave for 15 days, give assurance to complete the pending work
Write to abc@[Link]

Answer:-

Compose Search Mail:

Inbox To: abc@[Link]

Draft CC:

Sent BCC:

Trash --------------------------------------------

Subject: Application for leave.

More Labels
--------------------------------------------

With due respect, I wish to state that I have been suffering from severe
cold and cough infection. Looking at the current COVID-19 pandemic
situation, my family doctor has advised me to get a RTPCR Test done.
He also suggested me to isolate myself for a fortnight.

Hence, I request you to kindly excuse me from my internship duties for

ten days and grant me a leave of absence for the same.

I assure you that I will complete all pending works as soon as I am fit to
resume my duties.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Anamta Ali.

Attachments:

Doctor's Report.
Sent Forward

22
Activity No. 2

Q.2 Write an e- mail to your friend who has not contacted you for a long time.
Use simple e- mail templet. Students should draw such templet in the answer sheet while
writing an e- mail. Use block - letter format for writing e - mail.
Write to: abc@[Link]

Answer:-

Compose Search Mail:

Inbox To: abc@[Link]

Draft CC:

Sent BCC:

Trash ------------------------------------------

Subject: Meeting proposal

More Labels
-------------------------------------------

Dear Atul,

How are you? Where are you on this earth? Do you remember me? It’s
long time we have done a conversation. What’s the matter? I hope
things are going well with you.

I think we should take some time from our busy schedule and arrange a
programme to spend a weekend together. We can meet at the place
where we used to meet. We can take dinner at our favourite hotel i.e.
Hotel Green Leaf. It will be good chance to spend a quality time for us.
We can enjoy these moments. So do come.

Expecting a positive reply.

Take care.

Yours lovingly,

Tushar
Sent Forward

23
Figures of Speech - Easy Learning

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33