Aneesh Jose

  1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.   i. humid shadows   They refer to the dark, damp clouds that bring rain. These shadows hang low in the sky and create a gloomy, moist atmosphere.   ii. starry spheres   They are the night skies filled with twinkling stars. The poet imagines these beautiful star filled skies before the rain clouds cover them.   iii. what a bliss  It expresses a deep sense of joy and peace. The poet feels it is a great pleasure to lie in bed and listen to the gentle sound of rain on the roof.   iv. a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start   This means that the sound of rain sparks countless imaginative thoughts and dreams in the poet's mind, even while he is awake. v. a thousand recollections weave their air threads into woof This phrase means that the rain brings back many memories from the poet’s past, which blend together like threads i...

 I. Thinking about the poem   1. What are the things the wind does in the first stanza?  In the first stanza, the wind breaks shutters, scatters papers, tears book pages, and brings rain, showing its destructive and powerful nature. These actions highlight how the wind causes chaos and damage.   2. Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What is the word in your language for winnowing?  What do people use for winnowing? (Give the words in your language, if you know them.) Yes, winnowing is a common process in farming areas. In Hindi, winnowing is called "सूपना" (Soopna) or "फटकना" (Fatakna). People use a "सूप" (Soop) or winnowing fan—a flat, circular basket—to separate the grain from the chaff by tossing it in the air. The lighter husk blows away, while the heavier grains fall back down.   3. What does the poet say the wind god winnows?   In the poem ‘Wind’ by Subramania Bharati, the poet uses ...

  I. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.  1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?   Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because he found its sound shrill and unpleasant.  2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?  The shehnai is an improved version of the pungi with a broader, more natural wooden tube and finger holes to control notes. Unlike the shrill and limited sound of the pungi, the shehnai produces a soft, melodious tone, making it suitable for auspicious occasions and classical music.  3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?  Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples and at weddings as it was considered an auspicious instrument. Bismillah Khan elevated its status by introducing it to the classical music stage. He gave many memorable performances both in India and abroad. Also, he played the shehnai at concerts and major events, such as India's Independen...

 Thinking about the Text (Page 20)   I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.   1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?   Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.  2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?   Evelyn's deafness was first noticed at age 8 when her mother saw she wasn't responding in piano class, and it was confirmed by age 11 after a specialist diagnosed her with progressive nerve damage.   II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30-40 words).   1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?   Ron Forbes, a percussionist, played a crucial role in helping Evelyn continue with music. Recognizing her potential, he encouraged her to "feel" vibrations rather than rely on hearing. He tuned two large drums to different notes and asked her...

  I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.  1. How old are Margie and Tommy?  Margie is 11 years old, and Tommy is 13 years old. Their ages highlight their differing perspectives on the old-fashioned book and traditional schools.  2. What did Margie write in her diary?   Margie wrote in her diary, “Today Tommy found a real book”.   3. Had Margie ever seen a book before?  No, Margie had never seen a book before.   4. What things about the book did she find strange?  Margie found the old book’s pages were physical and didn't move like her digital telebooks. She was surprised that all children read the same content instead of having personalized lessons like her mechanical teacher provided. The idea of words staying fixed on paper seemed funny and wasteful to her.   5. What do you think a telebook is?   A telebook is a futuristic digital book used in the story, displayed ...

1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?  Iswaran is an asset to Mahendra as he takes complete care of his daily needs by cooking tasty meals, keeping the house clean, and managing supplies efficiently, even in remote places. He is resourceful, loyal, and always accompanies Mahendra to different postings. Moreover, his lively and imaginative storytelling keeps Mahendra entertained, making life in isolated areas more comfortable and enjoyable.   2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?  Iswaran describes the uprooted tree on the highway in a highly dramatic manner. Instead of simply stating the fact, he builds suspense by saying the road was deserted and he was all alone, when suddenly, in front of him, he saw an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. He was half inclined to turn and go back. But as he came closer, he saw that it was a fallen tree, with...

  1. How does Toto come to grand-father’s private zoo?   Toto comes to Grandfather’s private zoo when Grandfather buys him from a tonga-driver for the sum of five rupees. The monkey was tied to a feeding trough and looked so out of place that Grandfather, who had a fondness for collecting unusual pets, decided to add him to his private zoo. Also, he brought Toto home secretly, without informing Grandmother, as she usually disapproved of new additions to the zoo.   2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?   Toto was considered a pretty monkey because of his lively and attractive appearance. He had bright, sparkling eyes full of mischief and intelligence. His teeth were pearly white, and he often displayed them in a smile that could even frighten elderly Anglo Indian ladies. Toto’s fingers were quick and clever, always ready to create trouble or play tricks. His long tail, which acted like a third hand, added to his cha...

  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? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?   The doctor heard the sound of rats. He initially thought it was the familiar sound of rats in the room, as he lived in a rented room with no electricity that was infested with them. He heard the sound three times: once when he sat down, a second time when he was about to doze off, and a third time after he took his coat off. The sounds stopped when he heard a different kind of sound, a thud as if a heavy object had fallen. This new sound was followed by a snake landing on his back, putting an end to the familiar rat sounds.   2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?   The doctor made two significant decisions while looking into the mirror. The first decision was to grow a thin m...

   I. Thinking about the poem   1. Where does the traveller find himself? What problem does he face?   In "The Road Not Taken," the traveller finds himself at a fork in a yellow wood, symbolizing a crossroads in life. He faces the dilemma of choosing between two seemingly similar paths, unsure which to take. His problem reflects the universal struggle of making irreversible decisions and the anxiety of missing out on the unchosen path.  2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you. i.  a yellow wood   Represents autumn, a season of change and decay, mirroring the speaker’s transitional life phase where he must make a choice. The colour yellow adds a melancholic, contemplative tone.   ii. it was grassy and wanted wear   The path appears less travelled (grassy because fewer people walked on it), symbolizing unconventional choices. "Wanted wear" personifies the path, as if it invites the traveller to t...

   1. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?   On the way to the fair, the child sees a beautiful mustard field, dragonflies, worms and insects. In the fair, he is attracted by toys, sweetmeats like gulab jamun and jalebi, garlands of gulmohur, colorful balloons, a snake-charmer, and a roundabout. All these sights have filled him with excitement and wonder that he lags behind.   2. In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?   In the fair, the child wants toys, balloons, burfi, f lowers, and a ride on the roundabout. However, each time he asks for something and moves on without waiting for an answer because he instinctively knows his parents would refuse, calling them "cheap" or unnecessary. His desire shifts quickly to the next exciting thing, showing his innocent, restless curiosity.   3. When does he realise that he h...

 1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father? Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict, spoke harshly, and never showed affection towards her. His presence intimidated her, and he seemed distant and unkind, making her feel nervous and uncomfortable around him.  2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family? The people in Kezia’s family were her father, her mother, her grandmother, and herself.   3. i. What was Kezia’s father’s routine? before going to his office?  ii. after coming back from his office?  iii. on Sundays?   i. Before going to his office:   He came into Kezia's room, gave her a casual kiss, and left for work, appearing very busy and serious.  ii. After coming back from his office:  He would ask for his slippers, rest on the sofa, stretch out, and demand his tea, newspaper, and silence in the house. iii. On Sundays:   He relaxed at home, slept soundly on the sofa with a handkerchief on his...

1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:  i. In the first stanza, the poet expresses his desire to return to Innisfree and build a small, simple cabin with "nine bean-rows" and a beehive. He wants to live there alone, enjoying a minimalist, self sufficient life close to nature. His planned actions—building a small dwelling, planting a small garden, and keeping bees—emphasize his longing for a life of simplicity and harmony.  ii.  What he hears and sees there and its effect on him.   The second stanza describes the sights and sounds of Innisfree. The poet envisions a peaceful environment where "peace comes dropping slow”. He sees the shimmering light of "midnight's all a glimmer" and "noon a purple glow." He hears the sweet music of crickets ("the cricket sings") and the gentle sounds of the "linnet's wings." The natural sounds and sights have a deeply calming effect on him, suggesting that Innisfree i...

 1. What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?   The guru and his disciple found two very strange things in the Kingdom of Fools. First, people there worked at night and slept during the day, which was completely unusual. Second, everything in the kingdom had the same price; all goods, whether cheap or costly, were sold for just one duddu.   2. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?   The disciple decided to stay in the Kingdom of Fools because he was tempted by the abundance of cheap food. Since everything cost only one duddu, he thought he could live there comfortably and eat to his heart’s content. However, it was not a good idea because the kingdom was ruled by foolish people whose strange laws could put anyone’s life in danger at any time.   3. Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court, and give the reasons for their trial...

 1. Explain what the reasons for the following are.   i. Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.   Einstein left because he hated the school’s strict discipline and rigid teaching methods. He felt unhappy and suffocated in the authoritarian environment.  ii.  Einstein preferred Switzerland over Munich because:  He preferred Switzerland because it had a more liberal and flexible education system (like the Zurich Polytechnic) and no militarism, unlike Germany’s oppressive atmosphere.  iii.  Einstein saw Mileva as an ally because:   Mileva Marić was intelligent and a fellow student of physics. She understood Einstein’s ideas and provided emotional and intellectual support, unlike others who ignored him.  iv. What do these tell you about Einstein?   These show that Einstein was a free-thinking and independent person who disliked rigid systems. They also reveal that he valued intelligence and comp...

 Thinking About the Poem   1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?   The Northland refers to the cold northern regions of the world, near the North Pole, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland and other Scandinavian countries. It is not a specific country, but a general term for those snowy, cold lands.  2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction? Saint Peter, weak and hungry from fasting, asked the old lady for a single cake from her store. The lady's reaction was to bake smaller and smaller cakes because she was too selfish to give him one of her larger ones. Even after baking a tiny, wafer thin cake, she couldn't bring herself to part with it, so she put it on the shelf.  3. How did he punish her?   Saint Peter punished the selfish old lady by turning her into a woodpecker. He cursed her to live as a bird, a creature that has to bore into hard wood all day long to get...

   1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?   The courtiers call the prince “the Happy Prince” because when he was alive, he always lived in luxury, surrounded by pleasures and never experienced sorrow. However, after his death, when his statue was placed high above the city, he was no longer truly happy. From that height, he could see all around him — the poverty, misery, hunger, and suffering of the people — which filled his heart with deep sadness.   2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house?   The Happy Prince sends a ruby for the seamstress because she is poor and tired. She is working hard to embroider a gown for the Queen, but she has no money and her little boy is sick and feverish. She has nothing to give him except water from the river. The prince feels pity for her suffering and want...