A+ BLOG-SSLC-ENGLISH-FOCUS AREA CHAPTER BASED NOTES -GRAMMAR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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SSLC 2021

ENGLISH

FOCUS AREA

* Summary of Selected Lessons

*Model Questions

*Possible Answers

*Grammar - Model Questions & Answers

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LESSON 1

ADVENTURES IN A BANYAN TREE

SUMMARY

The narrator, Ruskin Bond is describing his childhood experiences in this

autobiographical piece. He was staying along with his grandparents in his boyhood

days. He was very fond of the banyan tree in the garden.

He had set a small platform in the tree. A young grey squirrel made friends

with him. He enjoyed the presence of many birds, especially rosy pastors, parrots,

bulbuls and crows in spring season. He had a good habit of reading. He read

Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, Mowgli stories and novels of Edgar Rice

Burroughs and Louisa May Alcott.

On a warm April afternoon when Bond was sitting in the tree, he accidentally

saw a black cobra coming out of a cactus. Suddenly a mongoose appeared from

bushes. They came face to face in a clearing underneath the tree. They started

fighting. It went on severely with flashing movements. Unexpectedly a myna and a

jungle crow arrived the spot. They interfered twice. Luckily they escaped. But at the

third attempt, cobra struck the crow and it fell dead. Again the fight between

mongoose and cobra continued for a while. Ruskin Bond was moved by the flashing

movements of both the worriers. After sometime, the cobra became weak. The

mongoose still remained agile. At a special moment the mongoose could hold on the

snout of the snake. It writhed and lashed about to escape. But mongoose won the

battle. Cobra died and mongoose dragged it into the bushes.

The boy, Ruskin Bond was happy. He narrated all these to grandpa. Grandpa

was happy with mongoose and allowed him to stay in garden. Though it stole eggs

from poultry house grandfather forgave it.

One day grandfather bought a white rat from the market. Bond took it to the tree

and it made friends with grey squirrel. Both of them moved on trees happily. After a

few weeks the boy, Ruskin Bond happened to see three white squirrels in a hole in

the tree. It was a surprise for grandfather and Bond to know that the white squirrels

were the offspring’s of grey squirrel and white rat!.

SHORT SUMMARY.

Ruskin Bond was living with his grandparents. There was a big banyan tree in

their garden. He loved it a lot. He made friends with a grey squirrel in the tree. A lot

of birds visited the tree in spring season. He read stories and novels there. One

warm day he saw a fight between a cobra and a mongoose under the tree. It went

on for a long time. Both were good fighters. Finally mongoose won the battle. It killed

cobra and took it to bushes. Grandfather was happy with mongoose. He allowed it to

stay in garden. One day grandfather bought a white rat from market. It became

friendly with grey squirrel. After a few weeks they gave birth to three white squirrels !

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Read the given paragraph and answer the questions.

My first friend and familiar was a small grey squirrel. Arching his back and sniffing

into the air, he seemed at first to resent my invasion of his privacy. But, when he

found that I did not arm myself with a catapult or air-gun, he became friendlier. And,

when I started leaving him pieces of cake and biscuit, he grew bolder, and finally

became familiar enough to take food from my hands.

1. Who is the narrator here?

2. How did grey squirrel resent the narrator's invasion?

3. Why did the squirrel become friendlier?

4. Give one word for ' to feel bitter or angry about something '

5. What did the narrator do to make friends with the squirrel? (5×1) = 5

marks)

Possible Answers

1. Ruskin Bond

2. He seemed to resent the narrator's invasion by arching his back and sniffing into the air.

3. When it found that the narrator did not arm himself with a catapult or air-gun, it

became friendlier.

4. Resent

5. The narrator left him pieces of cake and biscuit to make friends with squirrel.

6. Imagine the narrator in 'Adventures in a Banyan Tree ' is writing a diary after

watching the fight between cobra and mongoose. Write a likely diary.

5 marks

Diary

Date

It's an unforgettable day! It's the first time in my life I happened to watch a fight

between a cobra and a mongoose! God! It was really a battle.

I was on the tree as usual and a huge black cobra appeared right beneath it. At

the same time a mongoose also emerged from the bushes. When they came face to

face I never expected such a fight. It was really a battle of champions!

Cobra raised three of his six feet off the ground and fought with lighting

movements. The mongoose bushed his tail and his long hair stood up on his spine.

Both of them fought vigorously. When the combat was going on, a crow and a

myna arrived the spot. Both of them hurled themselves at the cobra. Cobra struck

the crow and killed it. Then myna refrained from interfering. When cobra weakened

mongoose raised himself on his short legs and had the cobra by the snout. It was a

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lighting snap. Cobra writhed and lashed about but all to no avail. Mongoose dragged

it into the bushes.

When I narrated all these grandfather was very happy with mongoose. Even I'm

happy. I can fearlessly go there when he is patrolling there.

7. The boy in the lesson "Adventures in a Banyan Tree” was very much thrilled by his

acquaintance with the squirrel. Imagine he writes a letter to his friend. Prepare a

likely letter. 6 marks.

Possible Answers

1. Ivy Cottage

Landour Cantt

Dehradun

28 April 1997

Dear Sravan,

Hope you're enjoying your vacation there. Do you have many friends to play with?

Hope you're happy with them.

Here I have got a new friend. A young squirrel it is! I met him in the banyan tree.

It's grey in colour. At first he was scared of me. But I remained very friendly to him.

Slowly he also became friendlier. And when I started leaving him pieces of cake and

biscuit, he grew bolder. Now he takes food from my hands. He often delves into my

pockets! Can you believe it? I really enjoy his company now.

Try to make friends with animals also, Sravan. It gives you a lot of pleasure.

Hope we'll meet soon.

Yours lovingly

sd/-

(name)

8. The boy was thrilled at seeing the fight between the cobra and the mongoose.

You may also have the same feeling. Narrate the fight scene in your own words.

6 marks

It was an April afternoon. When the boy was in the banyan tree he saw a huge black

cobra gliding out of a cactus. At the same time a mongoose emerged from the

bushes and went straight for the cobra.

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Profile of Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond, the famous Indian author of British descent, is born on 19 May, 1934 in

Kasauli, in British India. He received education from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla.

He has worked as an author as well as a poet.' The Room on the Roof ', ' The Angry

River', 'Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra' are his important works. He has won John

Llewellyn Rhys Prize, Sahitya Academy Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and

Lifetime Achievement Award. Ek Tha Rusty ll is his famous T. V. Show.

LESSON 2

THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR

SUMMARY.

The famous Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer is retelling a strange

incident occurred in the life of a homeopath. It happened many years back, when he

was a young, handsome bachelor.

The homeopath was staying alone in a rented house. In a hot summer night, he

was sitting on a chair and admiring his own beauty in mirror. There was a regular

traffic of rats at his roof and he was familiar to it.

That day he heard a peculiar noise from above but didn't pay attention.

Suddenly something fell down with a dull thud. By the time he turned back, a fat

snake wriggled over his chair and then to his left arm. Homeopath sat like a stone.

He cried in mind, " O, God!" and thought of his imminent death. The snake coiled

around his arm like a rod of molten fire and held its hood close to his face. Death

lurked inches away.

Luckily the snake turned its head and saw the mirror. It unwound itself and

climbed over to the table to watch its image in mirror. By then homeopath got up and

ran out. When he returned next day to collect his belongings he found them all

stolen. The thief had left only an ugly vest there. Narrating all these homeopath

bursted into laughter.

SHORT SUMMARY

A young homeopath was staying alone in a rented house. One night he was

sitting in front of a mirror. Then a big snake fell down from roof. It got to the chair

and coiled onto his arm. Homeopath stood like a stone. He thought he is going to

die. Luckily the snake left him and moved to the mirror. Homeopath ran and

escaped.

1. Prepare a character sketch of homeopath. 6 marks

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Character sketch of homeopath

Homeopath is a skillful narrator. He narrates the snake incident in an attractive

manner. He holds a long memory of it and goes through each and every details

of the incident. He's very friendly to others and shares his happy moments with

them. He frankly describes his bachelor lifestyle and his hopes of a rich life

partner. He is optimistic and funny. He says a fat wife is helpful to lead a happy

married life as she won't run fast and attack him!

He's a man of courage and common sense. When a full-blooded cobra

coiled on his arm he sat motionless as even a slight movement would bring death

to him. He knew that fact and made up his mind to sit like a stone. When the

snake moved towards the mirror, he ran out and reached his friends. He shares

all these with his friends even when he is middle-aged. It's his friendliness with

others made his life happy always.

2. Imagine homeopath is discussing the snake incident with his friend. Prepare a

likely conversation

5 Marks

Homeopath : Ravi, there is a big snake in my room!

Ravi : A snake? What type of snake is it?

Homeopath : Cobra ! A big one! I’ve never seen such a big cobra!

Ravi : God ! when did you see it?

Homeopath : Just now, I was sitting in front of the mirror. Then it fell down from the

roof. !

Ravi : Oh! You are lucky, man. It didn’t fall on your body no?

Homeopath : No, it didn’t. But it slithered over me.

Ravi : Hei, don’t lie man!

Homeopath : No, it’s true. It then coiled around my left arm!

Ravi : Oh! My god! Is it true man?

Homeopath : It’s true! Luckily it saw the mirror and moved to it. I then ran and

escaped

Ravi : Really? Then what a lucky man you are ! God is there with you!,

doctor.

3. Imagine the homeopath is writing a diary after he escaped the snake. Write a

similar one.

5 Marks

Diary

5 April 1935

Yesterday was an unforgettable day in my life. I met a big cobra face to face!

God! What a snake it was! A huge one! It wriggled over my shoulder and coiled

around my arm! I can’t just believe it. What a horrible experience! Even now I

remember that spreaded hood. It was there only there or four inches away from my

face!

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5. Read the given hints and prepare a profile of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

6 marks

Born : 21 January 1908, Thalayolaparambu.

Known as : Beypore Sultan

Notable works : Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu,

Mathilukal, Ntuppappakkoranendarnnu, Janmadinam,

Anargha Nimisham

Awards : Vallathol Award, Muttathu Varkey Award, Kerala Sahitya

Academy Fellowship, Padma Shri

Spouse : Fabi Basheer

Died : 5 July 1994, Beypore

Profile of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, well known as ' Beypore Sultan', was born on

21 January 1908 in Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom. His notable works are,

'Balyakalasakhi', 'Shabdangal', 'Pathummayude Aadu', 'Janmadinam', and 'Anargha

Nimisham'. He won Vallathol Award, Muttathu Varkey Award, Kerala Sahitya

Academy Fellowship and Padma Shri. Fabi Basheer is his spouse. He died on 5

July, 1994 in Beypore.

LESSON 3

LINES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING

Summary

William Wordsworth is a famous Romantic poet. In most of his poems beauty of

nature is premier.

Stanza 1.

When I sat in the garden I heard a thousand mixed sounds of nature. Even in that

sweet mood my heart was filled with happy and sad thoughts.

Stanza 2.

Nature has linked the soul of every human to its own beauty. And now I worry on the

wrongdoings of man.

Stanza 3.

In that green, shady place the periwinkle hung its flowers down through primrose.

And I believe that every flower enjoys the surroundings.

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also see visual and auditory images in the poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is

‘abab’. All these poetic crafts add beauty to poem.

In my opinion the poet could successfully reflect his mind here.

Read the given lines and answer the questions.

I heard a thousand blended notes,

While in a grove I sate reclined,

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran;

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.

2. Where does the poet sit?

3. Give an instance of hyperbole.

4. What does the poet grieve on?

5. Give the rhyme scheme. 4×1 = 4 marks

Answer

2. The poet sits in a grove.

3. In the line 'I heard a thousand blended notes', the poet is exaggerating the sounds

he heard in the grove. This is an instance of hyperbole.

4. The poet grieves on the evildoings of man.

5. abab

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7. Imagine Dr. Cronin is writing a diary after his meeting with Mr. John. Write a

similar diary. 5 Marks

Diary

15 April 1959

I feel I very happy and contented today I met a couple, Mrs. And Mr. John

from London on shipboard, today. They were staring at me for the past few days.

And I was quiet annoyed of that. But when the couple came and talked to me, it

gave me an immense pleasure. That gentleman, Mr. John, is one of the best

human I have ever met. He is now working for the betterment of the delinquent

and maladjusted youth. For the past fifteen years, God! You please bless them

again continue that selfless service let God bless you, my dear ones!

What you’re doing now is a divine action, Mr. John. Only angels can do it.

How many derelict adolescents had been saved by you! Incredible it is! You’re

conveying an inspiring message to the society. Surely you people are role

models. Now I feel pity on me. What could I do for the derelict ones in my life?

What could I spend for them? And what could I earn in my life? I have made a lot

of investments in different fields. Surely some of them were profitable. But many

of them created only anxiety, disappointment and frustration in my life. That

seven pounds and ten shillings was the only good investment I’ve done so far.

Sure that’s the best investment I’ve ever made.

8. Read the given hints and write a profile of A. J. Cronin 6 marks

Born : 19 July 1896, Cardross, U K

Education : Dumbarton Academy, St. Aloysius College, University of Glasgow

Occupation : Physician, novelist

Famous works : 'The Citadel', 'The Stars Look Down', ' Hatter's Castle'

Awards : National Book Award for fiction

Died : 6 January 1981, Montreux, Switzerland

Profile

A. J. Cronin was born in Cardross, U K on 19 July 1896. He was educated from

Dumbarton Academy, St. Aloysius College and University of Glasgow. He could

perform as a novelist as well as a physician. 'The Citadel', 'The Stars Look Down',

and 'Hatter's Castle' are his famous works. He won National Book Award for Fiction.

He died on 6 January 1981 at Montreux in Switzerland.

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II Edit the given paragraph.

(a) (b)

1. It was an ___april___ afternoon. And the warm breezes of_summer__

(c)

_approaching____ had sent everyone, including Grand father __indoor__ .

(d)

I was feeling ____drousy_.

Answer : a. April

b. approaching summer

c. indoors

d. drowsy

(a) (b)

2. It __is__ a hot summer night about ten 0’ clock. I ____have_____ my

(c)

meal at the restaurant and returned to my room. I heard a ___noise

above_from____

(d)

as I opened the door. The sound was a _____femiliar_____ one.

Answer : a. was

b. had

c. noise from above

d. familiar

(a) (b)

3. No one can beat ____hollywood____ when it comes to ___make____ films

with animals in them. I remember films in my childhood – and there were

__a few quite of them_ - that had an ____Alsacian____ called Rin – tin - tin.

Answer : a. Hollywood

b. making

c. quite a few of them

d. Alsatian

III Use suitable phrasal verbs.

(a) (b)

1. At night homeopath ................ a restaurant and had his meal. Then he .................

(c)

to his room. He took 'The Materia Medica' and .................. it for a while. He heard a

(d)

sound from the roof. But he didn't feel to .................... the matter as there was a

regular traffic of rats.