Morning Star ICSE Total English Class 10 Solutions and Total English Class 10 Chapter 4 Active and Passive Voice, Beginning and Ending, Format of A Personal Letter, Test Paper 4 Answers Solutions make the process easier for students by providing all grammar-related topics.
Total English Class 10 ICSE Answers Chapter 4 Test Paper 4
A. Active and Passive Voice
Assignment
Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Change only what yot are asked to do and make a correct sentence. Do not alter the meaning.
1. She invited me to her birthday party yesterday.
Begin: I was _________
Answer:
I was invited to her birthday party yesterday.
2. They propose to build a school in the village.
Begin: It is. _________
Answer:
It is proposed by them to build a school in the village.
3. All desire success and some achieve it.
End: _________ by some.
Answer:
Success is desired by all, but achieved only by some.
4. Cut the vegetables just now.
Begin: You are _________
Answer:
You are required/ordered to cut the vegetables now.
5. The rules forbid the audience to enter the hall without a pass.
Begin; The audience _________
Answer:
The audience is forbidden by the rules to enter the hall without a pass.
6. Her friends accused her of being rude.
End: _________ her friends.
Answer:
She was accused of being rude by her friends.
7. Mrs Gupta pretended to be a wealthy woman.
Begin: It _________
Answer:
It was a pretence by Mrs Gupta to be a wealthy woman.
8. It will greatly surprise Mr Das if they elect him.
End: _________ elected.
Answer:
It will be a great surprise for Mr Das if he is elected.
9. Everyone will blame me for my son’s behaviour.
Begin: I _________
Answer:
I will be blamed by everyone for my son’s behaviour.
10. It is time to switch off the lights.
End: _________ switched off.
Answer:
It is time for the lights to be switched off.
11. You must listen to your mother’s advice.
Begin: Your _________
Answer:
Your mother’s advice must be listened to by you.
12. Do not look down upon the poor.
End: _________ down upon.
Answer:
The poor must not be looked down upon.
13. We so often feel that these situations need never arise.
End: _________ felt by us that these situations need never arise.
Answer:
It is so often felt by us that these situations need never arise.
14. Alas! We shall hear his voice no more.
Begin: Alas! His voice _________
Answer:
Alas! His voice shall be heard no more by us.
15. Too much is being taken for granted.
Begin: They are _________
Answer:
They are taking too much for granted.
B. Beginning and Ending
Assignment
Write an opening and closing sentence for each of the essay titles and justify the effectiveness of each of your suggestions.
Question 1.
A day in the life of a student.
Answer:
Opening sentence:
My typical day begins with me waking up to my alarm which I set to 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays as I am part of the school’s advanced chorus group.
Justification: The opening sentence begins with an account of my first action for the day. ‘Closing sentence:
My day ends with me doing my homework till8: 30 \mathrm{pm}. And then I eat dinner, pray, and go to bed.
Justification: The last activity for the day is mentioned in the closing sentence.
Question 2.
Mobile phones- a blessing or a curse?
Answer:
Opening sentence:
- Mobile phones can either be a blessing or a curse; this is determined by the way in which they are used.
- Justification: The sentence introduces the topic of debate and also suggests a reasonable solution.
Closing sentence:
- Technology has given us a choice of life to live for technology, which always comes with two options, use or abuse: using
- leads to success and abusing to destruction, so it is up to us to prioritize.
- Justification: The sentence sums up the debate and leaves an open-ended choice for us to take.
Question 3.
There is no place like home.
Answer:
Opening sentence
I always tell my children that for me, there is no place like home because just as a man who has undergone suffering knows the meaning of pleasures, similarly a man, who has lived a substantial portion of his life away from home and shorn of the comforts and warmth of a home, truly appreciates the importance of home.
Justification: The sentence in the very beginning gives a positive connotation to the discussion that is to take place in the rest of the essay.
Closing sentence:
There is a limit to one’s capacity to adjust to new surroundings and acquaintances and one wants to settle down to the leisurely routine of a settled home- life, hence it has been rightly said that there is no place like home, sweet home.
Justification: The sentence concludes with the same sentiment that the essay started with that home is the best place in the world. The entire essay’s subject matter and its focus is summed up in this concluding sentence.
Question 4.
Life usually gives another chance to those who try hard.
Answer:
Opening sentence
‘Life isn’t and can’t be a bed of roses’ as ups and downs, highs and lows are part of everyone’s life and honestly, these extreme conditions are the elements that make us strong and give us a push to work hard and move on in life.
Justification: The sentence introduces the topic by giving a broad hint about what the essay will be about.
Closing sentence.
It’s all about believing that ‘this is not the end of the road’ and surely life will always give you a second chance provided you try hard enough.
Justification: The sentence aptly concludes the thought followed in the essay.
C. Format of a Personal Letter
Assignment
Question 1.
Your sister has recently joined a boarding school in Shimla. She writes to inform you that she feels confused in the new place. Write a letter, advising her how to make the best of her time in the hostel.
Answer:
Rinku Matharu
32/C Main Road, Ahmedabad
7th July, 2024
To:
Shruti Matharu
Sevaraman Girl’s School Hostel,
Shimla
My dear Tanya,
How are you? I know you have not been keeping well and the main reason seems to be your being away from all of us for the first time. It is natural to be confused in a new place away from your loved ones. But you must try to adjust as it is all for your betterment. If you feel lonely try to keep yourself busy and utilise your time. Being depressed is affecting not only your health but also your studies as you are not concentrating. You are now a grown up girl.
You must learn to adjust in your hostel and understand that you have gone there to achieve a goal. By neglecting your studies, you will be doing harm to your future career. This is the time to build up the career with honest efforts. Try to divert your mind and work hard to achieve good grades so that you can make a mark and forge ahead in your chosen field. If necessary, you may join a coaching class for help. Our father will send you the extra money for the fees.
Try to make a time table of your free time so that you remain busy. After classes eat your lunch rest for some time. Then visit the library. In the evening after tea play table tennis or some other games. Then join your friends for chit chat before dinner. At night you can prepare for your classes before going to sleep. This way you will have less time to miss home and will slowly get used to the new environment.
And don’t worry about anything. Just concentrate on your studies. Make a timetable for yourself so that no time is wasted and you utilise every minute in a fruitful manner. Make time for games so that you can enjoy with your friends too. Join some hobby classes too as that also helps in spending time in a fruitful manner and you can enjoy at the same time.
You could even join some computer classes or even try online coaching classes. Make friends and start studying in groups as that not only makes you understand better but also pushes you to excel.
Please write to me if you have any personal problems. I am not only your sister but also your friend and guide. I am ready to guide and help you in all matters.
Yours affectionately
Rinku
Question 2.
A pen friend from Russia is coming to India for the first time. Write a short letter giving directions to enable him (or her) to reach your house.
Answer: From
Gurpreet Kumar
3/4, Rajouri Garden
New Delhi ____i
To
Bjorg Marshall
3, Lenin Road
Moscow, Russia.
Dear Bjorg,
Received your letter informing me that you are planning to visit India next week and at last we will be able to meet although we have been pen-friends for more than three years. I would be very happy if you stay with me at my house and you will also be able to get a feel of Indian culture and lifestyle. My house is quite close to the airport. Just follow the instructions and keep guiding the taxi driver. Take a prepaid cab from the airport for Lajpat Nagar. From the airport head right and you will reach the Delhi-Jaipur Highway.
From the T-junction there take the road on your left which is called the Mahavir Marg. After about 4 Kilometres you will reach a roundabout. Take the first road on your left again called the Akbar Road. Head straight and after crossing two flyovers you will reach a red light crossing. Take the road on your right side; called Lodhi Road, under the overbridge and on your left side you will see the signboard of Lajpat Nagar. Take the second lane into the colony and my house is the 3rd on your right hand side.
Hope to see you soon. In case you have any problems just call me on my mobile number which you already have with you.
Yours affectionately
Gurpreet Kumar
Total English Class 10 Test Paper 4 Answers
D. Test Paper- 4
Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300-350 words) on any one of the following.
i. Write a short story based on the theme: “In solitude the mind gains strength.”
Answer:
For The young woman sat quietly, lost in thought, on the edge of the cliff, her long hair whipping in the wind. Although the wind had a bite due to the cold yet she did not seem to mind it. In fact one could almost feel that it energised her as did her solitude. She stared out at the vast ocean, her mind racing. She had just lost her job because of her ill-tempered boss, and she felt lost and alone. The ocean seemed fathomless and vast.
She had always been a social person, and she loved spending time with her friends and family. But now, she felt like she needed some time to herself to figure out who she was and what she wanted in life.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She listencit to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below. She felt the fading sun on her face and the wind in her hair. And she began to think.
She thought about her job, and what had gone wrong. She thought about her dreams and goals, and what she wanted to achieve in life. She thought about her strengths and weaknesses, and what she needed to do to become the best person she could be.
She spent hours sitting on the cliff, just thinking. And the more she thought, the clearer her mind became. She realized that she was stronger than she thought she was. She realized that she was capable of anything she set her mind to. And she realized that she was not alone.
She opened her eyes and looked out at the ocean again. But this time, she saw something different. She saw a vast and endless horizon beckoning her, its golden hue a sign that life was beautiful and invigorating. She saw a world full of possibilities. And she knew that she was ready to face the world and what it had in store for her. No challenge seemed insurmountable to her at that moment. She was confident of herself.
Shestood up and took a step forward. She was ready to start her new life. She was ready to be strong. And she was ready to be alone in her battles.
ii. You were forced to travel by bus to your aunt’s place in another city. Narrate your experience of travelling alone.
Answer:
I had never traveled alone before, but I was forced to when my parents had to go out of town on a business trip. They didn’t want me to stay home alone, so they booked me a bus ticket to my aunt’s place in another city.
I was nervous about the trip, but I was also excited. I had never been on a bus before, and I didn’t know what to expect.
The bus ride was long, but it was also interesting. I got to see a lot of the countryside that I had never seen before. I also met some interesting people on the bus.
One of the people I met was a woman who was travelling to visit her son. She told me all about her grandchildren, and I told her about my school and my friends. We talked for the whole ride, and by the time we reached my aunt’s house, I felt like I had made a new friend.
When I arrived at my aunt’s house, she was so happy to see me. She gave me a big hug and told me how much she had missed me. I was so glad to be there, and I was even gladder that I had decided to take the bus trip.
It was an experience that I will never forget. I learned a lot about myself and about the world around me. I also learned that it’s okay to be nervous about new experiences. Sometimes, the best experiences are the ones that are outside of your comfort zone.
iii. Helen Keller said, ‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.’ Express your views either for or against the statement.
Answer:
For
The quote Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” is attributed to Helen Keller, a renowned author and activist who overcame significant challenges in her own life. This quote reflects the idea that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, embracing risks and new experiences rather than playing it safe.
Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer who was the first deafblind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on June 27,1880 . She lost her sight and hearing at the age of 19 months due to an illness but she did not give up on life and made a mark despite her handicap.
There are many benefits to living a daring life. For one, it can help us to grow as individuals. When we step outside of our comfort zone and take risks, we are forced to learn new things and develop new skills. This can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Additionally, daring adventures can help us to create lasting memories that we will cherish for years to come.
Of course, there are also risks associated with living a daring life. We may experience failure, rejection, or even physical harm. However, the potential rewards are often worth the risks. When we take risks, we learn from our mistakes and become stronger as individuals. We also live a more exciting and fulfilling life.
If you are looking to live a more daring life, there are a few things you can do. First, start by identifying your fears. What are you afraid of? Once you know what your fears are, you can start to challenge them. One way to do this is to set small goals for yourself and gradually work your way up to bigger challenges. Additionally, it is important to find a support system of people who will encourage you to take risks and live your life to the fullest.
Living a daring life is not always easy, but it is always worth it. When we take risks and embrace new experiences, we learn and grow as individuals. We also create lasting memories that we will cherish for years to come.
Against –
The statement “life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” is often attributed to Helen Keller, though there is no evidence that she ever said it. Regardless of its origin, the statement is a popular one, and it is often used to encourage people to live life to the fullest and to take risks.
However, I in my opinion this statement is flawed. There are many ways to live a good and meaningful life, and not all of them involve daring adventures. Some people may find fulfilment in a quiet and uneventful life. They may enjoy spending time with their loved ones, pursuing their hobbies, or simply relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the world around them. There is nothing wrong with this type of life. It is just as valid as a life filled with daring adventures.
Furthermore, the statement “life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” can be dangerous. It can pressure people to take risks that they are not comfortable with, and it can lead to them feeling guilty or ashamed if they choose not to live a life of adventure. This is especially true for people who have anxiety or other mental health concerns.
Ultimately, I believe that the best way to live life is to find a balance between adventure and safety. We should all take some risks in our lives, but we should also be mindful of our own limitations and needs. We should not feel pressured to live a life that is not right for us.
iv. Describe a Sunday evening which you can never forget.
Answer:
It was a beautiful, balmy Sunday evening. A slight cool breeze was blowing and there was the scent of spring in the air. The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with colour, the horizon bathed in iridescent hues of crimson, scarlet and even grey in some places. The birds were singing their evening songs, and I evenherad an owl hooting amongst the trees.. I was sitting on my porch, enjoying the peace and quiet, lost in my reverie, admiring the myriad sounds and colours of nature.
Suddenly, I heard a noise. I looked up and saw a young boy standing in the middle of my yard. He was dressed in ragged clothes, and his hair was long and unkempt. He looked lost and scared.
I invited the boy onto my porch and gave him a glass of water. He told me that his name was Tarun, and that he had run away from home. He said that his parents were always scolding him, and that he didn’t feel loved at home.
I talked to Tarun for a long time. I told him about my own childhood, and how I had also run away from home once. I told him that it was okay to be scared, but that he wasn’t alone. I told him that in my case I had run away because I was an orphan living with my disgruntled aunt and uncle who found me to be a burden. But he had parents and if they scolded him it was only because they loved him and wanted him to excel in his life.
By the time Tarun left, he seemed to be feeling a little better. He promised to stay in touch, and he gave me his address.
I never saw Tarun again, but I’ll never forget that Sunday evening. It was a night when I made a difference in someone’s life. And it was a night when I learned that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference.
v. Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what the picture suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answer: Once upon a time, there were three sisters who lived in a small village. They were very close, and they loved to spend time together. One day, they decided to plant a sapling in their backyard. They dug a hole and planted the sapling, and then they watered it and gave it some fertilizer.
The sisters visited the sapling every day, and they watched it grow. They talked to it and sang to it, and they even made it a little house out of sticks and leaves. The sapling grew very quickly, and soon it was a tall and strong tree.
One day, the sisters were playing under the tree when they saw a bird building a nest in its branches. The sisters were very excited, and they watched the bird build its nest. The bird laid some eggs, and soon there were baby birds chirping in the nest.
The sisters visited the tree every day to watch the baby birds grow. They talked to the birds and sang to them, and they even brought them some food. The baby birds grew very quickly, and soon they were able to fly away.
The sisters were very sad to see the baby birds go, but they were also happy that they had been able to help them grow up. They knew that the tree would always be there for them, just as it had been there for the baby birds.
The sisters grew up, and they all had children of their own. They would often bring their children to visit the tree. The children would play under the tree and climb its branches. They would also talk to the tree and sing to it.
The tree was a very special place for the sisters and their children. It was a place where they could come to relax and enjoy nature. It was also a place where they could learn about life and the importance of family.
One day, the sisters were sitting under the tree when they were talking about their lives. They realized that the tree had had a very big influence on their lives. It had taught them about the importance of family, friendship, and nature. It had also taught them about the importance of hard work and perseverance.
The sisters were very grateful for the tree. They knew that it would always be there for them.
Questign 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question)
Select one of the following:
i. Your younger brother spends most of his free time playing games on the computer. As a result he is always tired and cranky. Write a letter to your brother asking him to utilise his free time by doing some physical exercises.
Answer:
27, Hans Vihar
Nagpur
14th April 2024
Dear Anshuman
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to you today as an elder brother who has your best interests at heart. Please do not brush aside this advice as I feel you are too immature to understand that certain things prove harmful in the long run. So I believe it is my duty to tell you about the importance of physical exercise and to discourage you from playing too many computer games.
I know that you love playing computer games, and I’m not saying that you should never play them. However, it’s important to find a balance between playing games and getting enough exercise. i
Physical exercise is essential for good health. It helps to keep your body strong and healthy, and it can also improve your mood and energy levels. Exercise can also help you to sleep better at night.
When you play computer games for too long, you can end up sitting in the same position for hours on end. This can lead to back pain, neck pain, and other health problems. It can also make it difficult to concentrate in school or at work.
I know that it can be hard to break the habit of playing computer games for too long, but I encourage you to try to find other activities to do in your free time. You could go for a walk, play a sport, or join a club or group. There are many different things that you can do to have fun and be active.
I hope that you will take my advice to heart and start exercising more regularly. It’s one of the best things that you can do for your health.
Your loving brother
Gulshan
ii. Write a letter to the manager of a mineral water bottling plant requesting him/her to grant permission to the students of classes IX andX to visit the factory. Mention the probable date of the visit and the number of students who will visit the factory.
Answer: From
Monitor Class X
Sarvodhaya High School
Ganganagar
12-3-2024
To
The Manager
Krishna Bottling Plant
Ganganagar
Sir
I am writing on behalf of the students of classes IX and X of Sarvodhaya High School, to request permission to visit your mineral water bottling plant. We are very interested in learning about the process of bottling mineral water and how your company ensures that its products are safe and of high quality.
We have been studying about water resources and pollution in our science classes, and we believe that a visit to your plant would be a valuable educational experience for us. We would be able to see firsthand how clean water is extracted, bottled, and distributed to consumers. We would also learn about the environmental impact of your company’s operations and how you are working to minimize your environmental footprint.
We are a group of responsible and respectful students, and we would be grateful for the opportunity to visit your plant. We would be happy to follow any safety guidelines that you have in place. We would like to visit next week preferably on 18th March if it is convenient for you. We will be a group of about forty students of classes IX and X.
Thank you for ybur time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours Sincerely,
Ritesh Kumar
Monitor Class X
Question 3.
i. Your school is organising an inter- house debate competition to select the participants who will represent your school at the ‘National Inter- School Debate’. Write out a notice for your school informing the students of the competition.
Answer:
Taurus High School
Notice
Inter-House Debate Competition
Selection for National Inter-School Debate
Dear Students,
The Debating Society of Taurus High School, Kanpur, is organizing an inter-house debate competition on14^{\text {th }} April, 2024 at 10.30 am in the school Auditorium. The competition is open to all students from classes VIII toX.
The topic of the debate is:
” Is India A true Democracy”
Each house will be represented by two speakers, one arguing in favour of the motion and the other against it. The speakers will have 15 minutes each to present their arguments.
A panel of judges will evaluate the speakers on their delivery, content, and overall persuasiveness. The top two speakers from each house will be selected to represent our school in the National Inter-School Debate Competition.
All students are encouraged to participate in this exciting opportunity to showcase their Gebating skills and represent their house. To register for the competition, please contact Manish Arora at [email protected] by4^{\text {th }} April.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Manish Arora
Secretary
The Debating Society
ii. Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school requesting him/her to send two teachers from his/her school to judge the event.
Answer:
To: principal [email protected]
Sub: Team of teachers to judge event
Sir
I hope this email finds you well.
I am Manish Arora from Secretary of the Debating Society, Taurus High School. It is my request that you send two teachers from your school to judge our upcoming Inter-House Debate competition to be held on 14th April, 2024 at 10.30 am in the school Auditorium.
The topic of the debate is:
“Is India A true Democracy”
Each house will be represented by two speakers, one arguing in favour of the motion and the other against it. The speakers will have 15 minutes each to present their arguments.
A panel of judges will evaluate the speakers on their delivery, content, and overall persuasiveness. The top two speakers from each house will be selected to represent our school in the National Inter-School Debate Competition.
Thanking You
Yours sincerely
Manish Arora
Secretary
Debating Society, Taurus High School
Question 4.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
One fine morning the collegiate assessor, Kirill Ivanovitch Babilonov, was being buried. As the funeral procession set off from the church to the cemetery, one of the deceased’s colleagues, called Poplavsky, got into a cab and galloped off to find a friend, one Grigory Petrovitch Zapoikin, a man who though still young had acquired considerable popularity. Zapoikin, possesses a rare talent for impromptu speechifying at weddings, jubilees, and funerals. He can speak whenever he likes: in his sleep, on an empty stomach, or in a high fever.
“Put on your hat and coat this minute and come along” said Poplavsky. “One of our fellows is dead, we are just sending him off to the other world, so you must do a bit of palavering by way of farewell to him… You are our only hope. If it had been one of the smaller fry it would not have been worth troubling you, but you see it is the secretary …a pillar of the office, in a sense. It is awkward for such a whopper to be buried without a speech.”
“I know your secretary,” he said, as he got into the cab. “A cunning rogue and a beast – the kingdom of heaven be his – such as you do not often come across.”
The friends overtook the funeral procession and joined it.
In the cemetery came the service by the graveside. The mother-in-law, the wife, and the sister-in-law in obedience to custom shed many tears. When the coffin was being lowered into the grave the wife even shrieked “Let me go with him!” but did not follow her husband into the grave probably recollecting her pension. Waiting till everything was quiet again Zapoikin stepped forward, turned his eyes on all present, and began:
“Can I believe my eyes and ears? Is it not a terrible dream this grave, these tear-stained faces, these moans and lamentations? Alas, it is not a dream and our eyes do not deceive us! He whom we have only so lately seen, so full of courage, so youthfully fresh and pure, who so lately before our eyes like an unwearying bee bore his honey to the common hive of the welfare of the state, he who … he is turned now to dust, to inanimate mirage.
Devoted to good works and his official duty, he gave up the joys of this life and even renounced the happiness of domestic existence; as you are aware, to the end of his days he was a bachelor. And who will replace him as a comrade? I can see now the kindly, shaven face turned to us with a gentle smile, I can hear now his soft friendly voice. Peace to thine ashes, Prokofy Osipitch! Rest, honest, noble toiler!”
Zapoikin continued while his listeners began whispering together. His speech pleased everyone and drew some tears, but a good many things in it seemed strange. In the first place they could not make out why the orator called the deceased Prokofy Osipitch when his name was Kirill Ivanovitch. In the second, everyone knew that the deceased had spent his whole life quarrelling with his lawful wife, and so consequently could not be called a bachelor; in the third, he had a thick red beard and had never been known to shave, and so no one could understand why the orator spoke of his shaven face. The listeners were perplexed; they glanced at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
Soon the listeners began to observe something strange in the orator himself. He gazed at one point, shifted about uneasily and began to shrug his shoulders too. All at once he ceased speaking, and gaping with astonishment, turned to Poplavsky.
“I say! he’s alive,” he said, staring with horror.
“Who’s alive?”
“Why, Prokofy Osipitch, there he stands, by that tombstone!”
“He never died! It is Kirill Ivanovitch who’s dead.”
“But you told me yourself your secretary was dead.”
“Kirill Ivanovitch was our secretary. You have muddled it, you queer fish. Prokofy Osipitch was our secretary before, that’s true, but two years ago he was transferred to the second division as head clerk.”
i. For each of the word – given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the optiuss provided.
Question 1.
impromptu (line 5)
(a) profuse
(b) spontaneous
(c) planned
(d) piece of music
Answer:
(b) spontaneous
Question 2.
perplexed (line 19)
(a) undaunted
(b) scared
(c) puzzled
(d) exchanged
Answer:
(c) puzzled
ii. Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word ‘ambled’?
(a) whopper
(b) galloped
(c) palavering
(d) mirage
Answer:
(b) galloped
iii. Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
a. Why did Poplavsky rush to fetch Zapoikin?
Answer:
Poplavsky rushes to find his friend Grigory Petrovitch Zapoikin as the funeral procession leaves the church for the cemetery. Zapoikin is a young man who has become very popular.
b. Though Zapoikin was still young, he had acquired considerable popularity. How?
Answer:
Grigory Petrovitch Zapoikin was a young man who had gained popularity for his ability to give impromptu speeches at weddings, funerals, and jubilees. He could speak at any time, even when he was dead drunk, asleep, or had a fever. His words flowed smoothly and evenly, like water from a pipe.
c. How did the dead man’s immediate family behave at the funeral?
Answer:
The mother-in-law, the wife and sister-in law shed tears as per the custom. When the coffin was lowered into the grave the wife even screamed and cried “Let me go with him.”
d. Whose eulogy was the speech? Whose was it supposed to e? Why was it a case of mistaken identity?
Answer:
The orator, Zapoikin, accidentally gave the eulogy to the wrong person, speaking about a man in the audience instead of the man in the casket. The orator’s speech was appropriate for the deceased, but it was a mockery when it was about a living person.
The speech was classic case of mistaken identity when Zapoikin misapplied his ‘gift of the gab’ talent in praise of a person who was alive and attending the funeral while it was actually intended for the deceased Kiril Ivanovitch. Zapoikin mistakenly thought that Prokofy Osipitch had died and praised him in his eulogy speech when actually Kirill Ivanovich had died.
e. What horrified the orator?
Answer:
The orator was horrified to see that Prokofy Osipitch was alive and standing in front of him in the cemetery. Zapoikin had mistakenly thought that Prokofy Osipitch had died and. praised him in his eulogy speech when actually Kirill Ivanovich had died.
iv. In not more than 50 words, describe the mistakes the Orator made in his speech.
Answer:
The Orator began his speech by insulting the deceased, calling him “ugly of face” and “uncouth.” Then he became distracted and began to stare at something near him. He also made a factual error when he claimed that the deceased was alive before ending his speech by crying out in horror.
Question 5.
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in the brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in the correct serial order, the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
I am very …. 0 …. (greed), especially for cream cakes, and drastically over-weight. Despite my doctor’s advice to go on a diet, I cannot. I have ….1…(try) hundreds of times. I always …. 2…(start) with good intentions, but when I …. 3…(see) something I …. 4 …(like), I …5….(fall) into the trap and indulged again. Much to my sorrow, my wife …..6…(book) me into one of those ……7….(slim) centres. Even she thinks I am too fat. I do not believe they work. She says “you will not know until you have tried.” I have to leave tomorrow, I have decided that today I am going to have a binge while my wife is out …. 8 …. (make) final arrangements with the doctor.
Answer:
I am very greedy, especially for cream cakes, and drastically over-weight. Despite my doctor’s advice to go on a diet, I cannot. I have tried hundreds of times. I always started with good intentions, but when I saw something I liked I fell into the trap and indulged again. Much to my sorrow, my wife booked me into one of those slimming centres. Even she thinks I am too fat. I do not believe they work. She says “you will not know until you have tried.” I have to leave tomorrow, I have decided that today I am going to have a binge while my wife is out making final arrangements with the doctor.
ii. Fill in the blank’ with appropriate words.
a. We competed _________ the prize.
Answer:
We competed for the prize.
b. Why are you so rude _________ your brother?
Answer:
Why are you so rude to your brother?
c. Does he agree _________ the proposal?
Answer:
Does he agree to the proposal?
d. This shop deals _________ imported pens.
Answer:
This shop deals in imported pens.
e. The war began _________ September, 1939.
Answer:
The war began on September, 1939.
f. One should not be negligent _________ one’s duty.
Answer:
One should not be negligent of one’s duty.
g. He has been waiting here _________ over an hour.
Answer:
He has been waiting here for over an hour.
h. One should not be blind _________ one’s faults.
Answer:
One should not be blind to one’s faults.
iii. Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
Question 1.
Our team has a captain. He directs our players.
(a) Our team has a captain for the players to direct.
(b) Our captain has a team of players to direct.
(c) Our team has a captain who directs our players.
(d) Our team of players being directed by a captain.
Answer:
(c) Our team has a captain who directs our players.
Question 2.
We all waved goodbye to John. We were driving along the road.
(a) We all waved goodbye to John when he was driving along the road.
(b) While driving along the road, we all waved goodbye to John.
(c) John waved goodbye to us all when we were driving along the road.
(d) While driving along the road, we were waving goodbye to John.
Answer:
(b) While driving along the road, we all waved goodbye to John.
Question 3.
You must hurry up. You will miss the train.
(a) You will miss the train unless you have to hurry.
(b) Unless you hurry up you will miss the train.
(c) If you hurry you will not have to miss the train.
(d) If you are in hurry, you will miss the train.
Answer:
(b) Unless you hirry up you will miss the train.
Question 4.
Lata is more intelligent. Jaya is less intelligent.
(a) Jaya is more intelligent than Lata.
(b) Lata is less intelligent than Jaya.
(c) Lata is more intelligent than Jaya.
(d) Jaya is not less intelligent than Lata.
Answer:
(c) Lata is more intelligent than Jaya.
iv. Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions giver after each sentence.
Question 1.
He died a very poor man. (End with: died.)
(a) He was a poor man so he died.
(b) He being a poor man died.
(c) The man was very poor when he died.
(d) He had poor when he died.
Answer:
(c) The man was very poor when he died.
Question 2.
Health is far better than wealth. (Use: preferable)
(a) Health is preferable than wealth.
(b) Health is preferable to wealth.
(c) Health is preferable with that of wealth.
(d) Health is not as preferable as wealth.
Answer:
(b) Health is preferable to wealth.
Question 3.
We are waiting for the bill to be settled. (Use: ‘settlement’ in place of ‘settled’)
(a) We are waiting for the settlement of the bill.
(b) We are waiting for settlement of bill to be done.
(c) We are waiting for the bill settlement to be made.
(d) We are waiting for the bill settlement to be done.
Answer:
(a) We are waiting for the settlement of the bill.
Question 4.
You remembered to post the letter, didn’t you? (Begin with: You did not…)
(a) You did not remembered to post the letter, did you not?
(b) You did not forget to post the letter, did you?
(c) You did not remembered to post the letter, did you?
(d) You did not forget to post the letter, did you not?
Answer:
(b) You did not forget to post the letter, did you?
Question 5.
You should not bother to pay me. (Use: ‘about’ in place of ‘to’)
(a) You should bother about paying me.
(b) You should not bother paying me about it.
(c) You had to bother about paying me.
(d) You should not bother about paying me.
Answer:
(d) You should not bother about paying me.
Question 6.
He said, “I believe they were found yesterday.” (Begin with: He said that…)
(a) He said that I believe they were found yesterday.
(b) He said that he believed that they were found a day before the previous day.
(c) He said that he believed that they were found the next day.
(d) He said that he believed they were found the previous day.
Answer:
(d) He said that he believed they were found the previous day.
Question 7.
We cannot seem to make both ends meet. (Begin with: We seem)
(a) We seem not to make both ends meet.
(b) We seem that we can make both ends meet.
(c) We seem to make for the ends not to meet.
(d) We seem that we will make both ends meet.
Answer:
(a) We seem not to make both ends meet.
Question 8.
As I see more of him, I like him less. (Begin with: The more…)
(a) The more he sees me, I like him less.
(b) The more I will see him, the more I like him.
(c) The more I see him, the less I like him.
(d) The more I would see him, the less I will like him.
Answer:
(c) The more I see him, the less I like him.
Words Often Confused
Assignment
Choose one of the words from the pairs given in brackets in each of the following sentences:
Question 1.
The parcel has been (all ready/already) delivered.
Answer:
The parcel has been already delivered.
Question 2.
We went to the picnic (all together/altogether).
Answer:
We went to the pienic all together.
Question 3.
Now it is a different story (all together/ altogether)
Answer:
Now it is a different story altogether.
Question 4.
We are (all ways/ always) spilling milk on the table.
Answer:
We are always spilling milk on the table.
Question 5.
Anne comes (all ways/ always) late.
Answer:
Anne comes alwazs late.
Question 6.
It is (all ready/ already) eight o’clock. Let us go.
Answer:
It is already eight o’clock. Let us go.