1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?
Explanation:
At Rameswaram, Abdul Kalam lived in a home on Mosque Street.
2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.
Explanation:
As Kalam claims that after his brother-in-law had told him stories about the War, he would subsequently try to find them in the "headlines" of Dinamani, I believe that Dinamani is the name of a newspaper. Dinamani would have likely been a newspaper, according to this.
3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?
Explanation:
Few were the friends Abdul Kalam had. He was very close with Shivaprakasan, Aravindan, and Ramanadha Sastry. Aravindan started a transportation company, Ramanadha became a monk, and Shivprakasan had a catering deal with Southern Railways.
4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?
Explanation:
On the Rameswaram Road between Rameswaram and Dhanuskodi, Abdul Kalam earned his first salary by collecting and dispersing bundles of newspapers that were flung out of moving trains.
5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?
Explanation:
As the Second World War started, there was an unexpected increase in demand for tamarind seeds on the market. The seeds were gathered by Abdul Kalam and his cousin, who then sold them at a grocery store on Mosque Street. Each day, they received one anna.
6. How does the author describe:
his father
his mother
himself?
Explanation:
i) The author calls his father an upright and disciplined man. Previously, his father would forgo unnecessary conveniences and pleasures. The author claims that, despite not having a formal education or much money, his father was very wise and kind.
ii) The author thinks of his mother as his father's ideal helper. Together with her family, she used to feed several non-family individuals.
iii) The author identifies as a small lad with unremarkable appearance who was born to tall and attractive parents.
7. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?
Explanation:
He claims that his mother instilled in him a great sense of love and confidence in goodness, while his father taught him to be honest and control himself.
8. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.
(i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)?
Explanation:
Hindus and Muslims are the societal groupings he refers to in item I Certainly, these groups might be quickly identified based on their attire, customs, cultures, etc. For instance, Kalam once sported a headgear that revealed he was a Muslim. A holy thread was worn by Ramanathan Sastry.
9. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.
Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house; of who his friends were; and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.)
Explanation:
They were not simply conscious of their disparities. They naturally exchange acquaintances and experiences as well. During bedtime stories, Kalam's mother and grandmother used to recount incidents from the Ramayana and the Prophet's life. All of his pals came from traditional Hindu homes. His family would set up boats with a special platform for the Lord's statues to be transported from the temple to the wedding location in the middle of the pond known as Rama Tirtha, which was close to his home, during the yearly Sita Rama Kalyanam Ceremony.
10. The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?
Explanation:
The author discusses both individuals who made an effort to overcome their differences and those who were acutely aware of them. Yeah, we can spot these individuals in the text. Although Sivasubramanian Iyer and Lakshmana Sastry attempted to overcome these disparities, the new instructor and Sivasubramanian Iyer's wife were acutely conscious of the inequalities between the social classes.
11.
Explanation:
12. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?
(ii) What did his father say to this?
(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?
Explanation:
Answer:
(i) Abdul Kalam desired to study at the district office in Ramanathapuram, hence he sought to leave Rameswaram.
(ii) His dad said, "Abul! I am aware that growing requires time away. Does the seagull not fly alone and without a nest across the sun?
(iii)His statements indicated that he recognised Kalam's need to leave his home and get a quality higher education in order to advance. He said these things because he was aware of the harsh realities of life, which required the kids to leave their parents and their house in order to pursue a job and gain money.
13. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:
Erupt, surge, trace, undistinguished, casualty
Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used.
Now answer the following questions.
Explanation:
These phrases are used in the following sentences in the text:
Erupt: "A sudden demand for tamarind seeds exploded in the market for reasons I have never been able to fathom."
Surge of pride: "I can still feel the surge of pride in earning my own money for the first time, half a century later."
The following sentence is an example of a trace: "My brother-in-law Jallaluddin would tell me stories about the War, which I would later try to trace in the headlines in Dinamani."
"I was one of many children - a short guy with very unremarkable appearance, born to tall and gorgeous parents," the youngster said.
The stoppage of the railway halt at Rameswaram station was the first casualty, according to the casualty statement.
14. What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?
Explanation:
Volcanoes, emotions, and rage are examples of things that can explode.
- The Mauna Kea volcano erupted last night.
- Ashima's constant bugging caused Ranjan's wrath to flare up.
Prices, waves, crowds, storms, and other things may all spike.
15.
Explanation:
16. Can you find the word undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look up the word distinguished and say what undistinguished must mean.)
Explanation:
No, I was unable to locate the term undesired in my dictionary.
According to the dictionary, the definition of distinctive is specific and distinct.
So, undistinguished must mean 'not particular', 'not distinct'.
17. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
18. Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un – or in – to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).
• I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. (un + distinguished)
• My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts. (in + essential)
• The area was completely unaffected by the war. (un + affected)
• He should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance. (in + equality, in + tolerance)
Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-. The prefix in-can also have the forms il-, ir-, or im- (for example: illiterate–il + literate, impractical –im + practical, irrational –ir + rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.
19. . Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.
1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.
2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.
4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.
6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.
Explanation:
1. The Principal awarded the awards in the competition from yesterday.
2. The workers were paid on time even if there were financial issues.
3. Vehicles were not permitted past this point on Republic Day.
4. Every Saturday, used books were purchased and sold on the street.
5. The Lok Sabha is elected every five years.
20. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets.
Question 1.
How Helmets Came to Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor (seriously injure and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull (fracture). The entire team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush) to hospital. He (accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.
Explanation:
How Cricket Started Using Helmets
In the 1960s, India's opening batsmen and captain was Nari Contractor. In 1962, the Indian cricket team visited the West Indies. Nari Contractor fell during a game against Barbados in Bridgetown after suffering a major injury. Helmets were not worn back then. Contractor had a head injury from a Charlie Griffith bouncer. The contractor suffered a skull fracture. The entire group was really worried. The West Indies team members were anxious. Contractor was taken urgently to a hospital. Frank Worrell, the captain of the West Indies team, was with him. The West Indies players contributed blood. Contractor was spared because to the prompt assistance. Nowadays, helmets are often utilised in combat.
21. Vegetable oils (make) from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil (produce) from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil (use) for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives (shake) from the trees and (gather) up, usually by hand. The olives (ground) to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats (layer) up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.
Oil from Seeds
Explanation:
Seed-derived oil
The seeds and fruits of several plants that grow all over the world, from small sesame seeds to large, luscious coconuts, are used to make vegetable oils. Cotton seeds, groundnuts, soy beans, and sunflower seeds are all used to make oil. Salad dressing, cooking, and other uses all use olive oil. Olives are often collected by hand after being shook off of the trees. A thick paste made from the ground olives is applied to specific mats. The mats are then stacked on the pressing machine, which uses a gentle push to extract the olive oil.
22.
Explanation:
23.
Explanation:
24. Think and write a short account of what life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been like.
Explanation:
Life at Rameswaram may have been quite straightforward in the 1940s. According to Abdul Kalam's narrative, the inhabitants were not very rich. Even though there was religious division, people coexisted peacefully. Nonetheless, some people did not enjoy mixing with others from various social groups. The people's attire or the region in which they resided served as markers for their respective religions. Families of Hindu Brahmin orthodoxy were more rigorous. Yet, the others were vehemently opposed to individuals who showed their conservatism and religiosity.
Given that the author describes how his cousin used to gather bundles of newspapers for distribution, the residents of the town may have been hard workers. Boats were organised for the pilgrims by Kalam's family. Also, the author himself began working at the juvenile age of eight.
In addition, the Second World War could have had an impact on people's lives. According to the author, India was coerced into joining the conflict, and a state of emergency was later proclaimed. Indians eagerly anticipated their freedom.
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