1. Thinking about the Text
I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph.
Question 1:
The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? When and why did the sounds stop?
1. Thinking about the Text
I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph.
Question 1:
The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? When and why did the sounds stop?
Explanation:
When the doctor opened the door, he heard some noise coming from above. He assumed the noise was made by rats. Four times, including the sound he heard as he opened the door, he heard it:
I heard the noise from above once more.
"The noise from above came again."
A low thud, resembling a rubber tube falling to the ground, was heard suddenly.
As the snake materialised in front of the doctor, the noises ceased.
2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
Explanation:
The physician made two significant and momentous judgements while gazing into the mirror. These are as follows:
I. He would regularly trim his beard and grow a short moustache to improve his appearance.
ii. He constantly had a charming smile on his face.
3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.”
What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when:
he first smiles, and
he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.”
What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when:
he first smiles, and
he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
Explanation:
(i) The doctor grinned first and thought his smile was quite alluring.
(ii) He was thinking that he was a lousy and incompetent doctor when he grinned once again.
Between the two experiences, his perception of himself shifted from being an attractive doctor to being a foolish doctor. His thinking altered as a result of the imminent threat to his life.
4. II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous?
Question 1:
(i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
4. II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous?
Question 1:
(i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
Explanation:
It is very obvious how the doctor's lifestyle and his strong self-esteem differ. He doesn't have a solid financial situation. He rents a little room, which has a lot of rats residing in it. His medical profession has barely begun. In his bag, he had roughly sixty rupees. His only item of clothing was a single black coat, along with a few shirts and dhotis.
He seeks a desirable appearance. As far as he is concerned, he is an eligible bachelor. His admiration for his appearance and career is contagious. Humour is added to the narrative by the way he compliments his appearance, grin, and line of work.
5. (i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries
5. (i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries
Explanation:
(i) The doctor wants to wed a wealthy woman who has a successful medical career. In order to prevent her from chasing after him and catching him if he makes any stupid mistake, he wants her to be obese.
(ii) He marries a skinny, reedy woman who possesses the speed of a sprinter.
6. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.
6. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.
Explanation:
(i) He feels he has a really lovely grin when he looks in the mirror. He makes the decision to shave every day and maintain his constant smile. As he looks at himself in the mirror, he appears satisfied.
(ii) He became into a stone as the snake wrapped itself around his arm. He continued to sit there while holding his breath. Although being a doctor, he had no remedies for the snakebite in his chamber, so he grinned at his folly and idiocy.
7. Thinking about Language
Question 1:
Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you that the author:
(a) was afraid of the snake,
(b) was proud of his appearance,
(c) had a sense of humour,
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.
7. Thinking about Language
Question 1:
Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you that the author:
(a) was afraid of the snake,
(b) was proud of his appearance,
(c) had a sense of humour,
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.
8. Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.
1. I was turned ________________.
2. I sat there holding ________________.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ________________.
8. Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened? Read the story and complete the following sentences.
1. I was turned ________________.
2. I sat there holding ________________.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like ________________.
Explanation:
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I sat there holding my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.
9. In the sentences given below some words and expressions are italicised. They variously mean that one
• is very frightened.
• is too scared to move.
• is frightened by something that happens suddenly.
• makes another feel frightened.
Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (Very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.
9. In the sentences given below some words and expressions are italicised. They variously mean that one
• is very frightened.
• is too scared to move.
• is frightened by something that happens suddenly.
• makes another feel frightened.
Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (Very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.
Explanation:
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits. (Very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge. (Very frightened)
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him. (To be suddenly surprised or frightened by something)
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that. (Too scared/ frightened)
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end. (Feel shocked or scared)
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors. (Too horrified to move)
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle. (Too frightened to move)
10. Reported questions
Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.
1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”
7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work?”
10. Reported questions
Report these questions using if/whether or why/when/where/how/which/what.
Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.
1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”
7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work?”
Explanation:
1. Meena enquired as to the likelihood of the teacher showing up on that particular day.
2. David inquired about his co-worker's summer plans.
3. He questioned the youngster about the purpose of his English studies.
4. She inquired about our planned departure time.
5. Pran enquired as to whether or not I had completed reading the paper.
6.Seema enquired as to her residence there and the length of time.
7. Before assigning the task, Sheila questioned the kids if they were prepared.
11. Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were very scared. You may have a competition to decide whose story was the most frightening.
11. Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were very scared. You may have a competition to decide whose story was the most frightening.
Explanation:
On one occasion, our class took a field trip to Jim Corbett. My companion Chhavi and I were dozing off in our resort room when we heard rustling leaves, a door scraping sound, and the rattling of stones. Both of us stood up abruptly. I was paralysed by terror as I sat on my bed. When we once again heard the scraping noise, there was a brief period of stillness. This time, I almost leaped out of my skin. Chhavi rose from the bed to gaze out the glass window, but I remained still. I could only see darkness after she took off the blindfold. We abruptly became aware of a cloaked person moving through the shadows. My hair rose up as I observed this. As soon as we heard some voices screaming our names, we both broke down in tears and screamed for aid. We looked outside and noticed our buddies waiting there when someone turned on the lights. They seemed to be pulling some kind of joke. I still vividly recall how appalled and frightened I felt.
12. The following paragraph is about the Indian cobra. Read it twice and close your book. Your teacher will then dictate the paragraph to you. Write it down with appropriate punctuation marks.
The Indian cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognised by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Obviously, the best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. This is facilitated by the fact that humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake. We are a bit large for them to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces. Nearly all snakebites in humans are the result of a snake defending itself when it feels threatened. In general snakes are shy and will simply leave if you give them a chance.
12. The following paragraph is about the Indian cobra. Read it twice and close your book. Your teacher will then dictate the paragraph to you. Write it down with appropriate punctuation marks.
The Indian cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognised by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Obviously, the best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. This is facilitated by the fact that humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake. We are a bit large for them to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces. Nearly all snakebites in humans are the result of a snake defending itself when it feels threatened. In general snakes are shy and will simply leave if you give them a chance.
Explanation:
13. Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out?
13. Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out?
Explanation:
It was a steamy July evening. I had been living in a shack made of straw. The old table was there. There was a mirror on it. Looking in the mirror, I was. A snake then landed on my shoulder. The snake had already wrapped its coils around my left arm before I could react. Above the elbow, that is. It had a wide-open hood. Its head was only a few centimetres from my face.
I was so afraid that I almost froze. My breathing ceased. I was hard as a rock. I was aware that the snake would sting me if I moved even a single centimetre. I was unable to move a single centimetre. I began to pray to God. The snake's eyes happened to land on its reflection in the mirror. It gradually dropped to my lap.
Then, it travelled across the table. It began examining its own image in the mirror. I became aware of my breathing. I immediately sprang off and started running erratically. I thought I was secure. I was really grateful to God.
14. Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.
14. Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.
Explanation:
THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL
A monkey was enjoying himself by climbing and hopping between trees on a sunny day. He unexpectedly noticed a shiny piece of mirror on the ground. He hopped down and peered intently in the mirror. He had trouble figuring it out at first. After a while, he realised that the object in his hand was actually his reflection. In the mirror, he observed his own face. He cleaned the dust and twigs that were adhered to his face. He continued gazing at his mirror while making a variety of looks. His hair was stroked as he caressed his head. For a while, he groomed himself. He threw the mirror back down after that and sprang onto the next tree.
15. The text you read is a translation of a story by a well-known Malayalam writer, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
In translating a story from one language to another, a translator must keep the content intact. However, the language and the style differ in different translations of the same text.
Here are two translations of the opening paragraphs of a novel by the Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami. Read them and answer the questions given below.
Compare the two translations on the basis of the following points.
• the tense of narration (past and present tense)
• short, incomplete sentences
• sentence length
Which of these translations do you like? Give reasons for your choice.
15. The text you read is a translation of a story by a well-known Malayalam writer, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
In translating a story from one language to another, a translator must keep the content intact. However, the language and the style differ in different translations of the same text.
Here are two translations of the opening paragraphs of a novel by the Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami. Read them and answer the questions given below.
Compare the two translations on the basis of the following points.
• the tense of narration (past and present tense)
• short, incomplete sentences
• sentence length
Which of these translations do you like? Give reasons for your choice.
The tense of narration (past and present tense)
Opinion: Sentences are written in the past tense in Column A while they are written in the future tense in Column B.
Short, incomplete sentences Opinion: In Column B short sentences are used. They are framed in the present tense.
Opinion: Short sentences can be found in Column B. They are clear and simple to understand. Additionally, they are written in the present tense
Sentence length
Opinion: The B-marked paragraph is my favourite. The present tense is used to form the sentences. They communicate concise, definite concepts. The facts that are stated in the present tense are simple to recall.
