Oxford Reading Circle Book-5
Series of literature readers which contain fables, legends, folk tales, and short stories - a representative selection from international and also extracts from the classical and contemporary prose of some of the most highly regarded authors in the English language.
Students can only do this with the wholehearted support and assistance of the teacher.
Story Elements:
1. Setting
2. Characters
3. Plot
4. Conflict
5. Theme
There are five key elements to every story:
- Characters are the people (or animals, or even inanimate objects) who have a role to play in the story.
- Conflict is the problem in the story. It’s also act two of a three-act story
- structure – the turning point.
- The elements of the plot are generally centered on a timeline beginning with a problem and ends with the story’s resolution.
- The setting is where your story takes place. Not just the physical location, but the time it’s set in, too.
- The theme is the main idea of your story.
Chapter- 1
The River Bank
Word Meaning:
- spring-cleaning = the thorough cleaning of a house, usually carried out at the end of winter
- penetrating = strong enough to enter or spread through something
- bolted = moved suddenly and quickly
- privilege = an advantage, right, or benefit that is not available to all; a license
- chaffing = teasing
- jeeringly = laughing at somebody in a rude manner, mockingly
- meandered = wandered along a winding path
- pettishly = sulkily, irritably
- sculled = moved forward with a scull
- made fast = tied up securely
- rapture = great pleasure; joy
- surveyed = looked at; studied
- ecstasies = feelings of great delight
A. Answers
A. 1. Which words and phrases in the first paragraph tell us that the
Mole wanted to be out in the fresh Spring air?
Ans: Words and phrases in the first paragraph which tell us that
the Mole wanted to be out in the fresh spring air are:
a. spring was moving in the air above and in the earth
below and around him
b. sunlight
c. warm grass
d. something up above was calling him
2. How did the rabbits react when the Mole passed by the private road?
Ans: An elderly rabbit immediately tried to charge the Mole
sixpence for having passed by a private road.
3. Which words and phrases tell us that the Mole was enjoying the Spring?
Ans: Yes, the Mole was thoroughly enjoying the spring season
but not cleaning. Sentences that tell us that the Mole was
enjoying the spring are:
a. The sunshine struck hot on his fur, soft breezes
caressed his heated brow.
b. Jumping off all his four legs at once in the joy of living
and the delight of spring.
c. Birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting—
everything happy.
4. What seemed even more attractive than the Spring to the Mole, and what was so good about it?
Ans: The Mole found the boat even more attractive than Spring.
He found the fittings of the boat fascinating—the oars,
the cushions, the rowlocks. What appeared to be great
about boats was that nothing seemed to matter as one
swayed dreamily in the boat, reached one’s destination or
somewhere else, or even dropped down the river.
B. Reference to context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. As he sat on the grass and looked across the river, a dark hole in the bank opposite, just above the water's edge, caught his eye.
a. Who is sitting on the grass and what was the 'dark hole' that he saw?
Ans: The Mole is sitting on the grass. The dark hole that he sees is the Water Rat’s home.
b. What does he see in the hole at first?
Ans: Something twinkled like a tiny star and he soon discovers it to be the Water Rat.
c. What does he see later?
Ans: He saw a little boat just big enough for two animals.
2. 'Is it so nice as all that?' asked the Mole shyly.
a. What is the Mole talking about?
Ans: The Mole is asking shyly about the boat.
b. Why does he ask this question?
Ans: The boat is something new for the Mole. He is not familiar with the river and the riverside life.
c. What does the Mole think was special about 'it'?
Ans: The Mole finds the fittings of the boat fascinating. The boat opened up before him with unforeseen destinations, ‘long waking dreams’, making the world around him come alive, its ripples, scents, and sounds.
C. Words and meaning:
1. Try to explain the following in your own words.
a. ......penetrating even his dark and lowly little house.
How is the word 'lowly' a suitable one to use here?
Ans: The word ‘lowly’ indicates that the Mole’s house is small but it also points to the fact that the sun from its height filters down everywhere.
b. He scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged....
You will not find the word 'scrooged' in the dictionary.
What do you think it means? Why has it been used?
Ans: ‘Scrooged’ is alliterative here and it reaffirms the vigorous effort on the part of the Mole while cleaning his house.
c. 'Onion-sauce! Onion-sauce!' he remarked jeeringly..
Why do you think the Mole used these words?
What did he mean?
Ans: The Mole was stopped by an elderly rabbit as he reached the hedge at the end of the meadow. He was asked to pay a ‘toll’ of sixpence. But the Mole, out to enjoy the spring, pushed away the rabbit. As other rabbits peeped out of their holes to see what the row was about, the Mole said mockingly, dismissing them all, ‘Onion sauce, Onion sauce’ as if he was selling Onion sauce. The rabbits were left speechless.
2. Use the following in sentences of your own.
Ans: a. Her performance on the sports day was thoroughly satisfactory.
b. The children rambled busily around just before the function.
c. The butterflies meandered aimlessly, all over the garden.
d. It was an unlikely situation that the children would be required to buy tickets at the museum.
e. The variety of rides all around the fairground sent little Sad into a rapture.
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Chapter-2
The Months
Answers:
A. 1. Which months are cold?
Ans: January and December are cold.
2. What is the weather like in March?
Ans: Cold breeze blows in March.
3. Which types of flowers are mentioned in the poem?
Ans: According to the poet, the Summer months are filled with flowers, fruits, and cooling showers (like June brings tulips, lilies, roses, and fills the children’s hands with posies, and July has hot weather which brings cooling showers, Apricots, and gillyflowers) whereas the Winter months are dull with leaves falling down and chilling December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christmas treats.
4. Are there any months that the poet seems to like or dislike more than others?
Ans: The poet seems to enjoy the months of April, May, and June more than any other month. The poet does not like November very much. She uses the adjective ‘dull’ for that month.
B. Reference to context
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions. Warm September brings the fruit, Sportsmen then begin to shoot.
1. What is meant by 'brings the fruit'?
Ans: The fruits are ripe and fit to eat by September.
2. What will the 'sportsmen' shoot?
Ans: ‘Sportsmen’ here refers to someone who hunts or shoots wild animals as a pastime. So, the sportsmen will shoot birds or animals.
C. Words and meaning
1. Match the following to make common expressions.
As cold as ice
As hungry as a wolf
As innocent as a lamb
As solid as a rock
As pure as snow
2. Think of original similes of your own for the following, and use them in sentences.
Ans: The apple Mary bought was as round as a ball.
I strive to be as great as Mother Teresa.
The shop owner was as wicked as a wolf.
The old lady was as poor as a church mouse.
The hostel dorm did not feel as safe as home.
Nadeem turned out to be as sly as a fox.
3. The following are the rhyming pairs:
snow-glow-flow corn-borne-torn
rain-again-pain fruit-shoot-loot
shrill-daffodil-bill pheasant-pleasant-present
sweet-feet-heat blast-fast-past
lambs-dams-clams sleet-treat-beat
showers-gilly flowers-bowers
a. Roses-posies
b. Roses-closes
posies-cosies
D. 1.
- January—cold, people like to be out in the sun
- February—cold
- March—pleasant, fun with family and friends
- April—very hot, summer vacations, visit to grandparents’
- house, cousins
- May—very hot, summer camp, holiday homework
- June—warm, new class, friends
- July—rainy
- August—rainy, greenery all around
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Chapter-3
The Boy Who Served his Tribe
Q/A:1. In what ways was the tribe content?
Ans: The Chippewa people were happy and contented as 'they loved the good things of the Earth-like sunshine, the forests, and the cool springs of water.'
2. What was one of the customs of the Chippewa people?
Ans: The custom for them to go into some lonely place, without food, so that they could be alone for several days and think about the life which lay ahead of them.
3. Who do you think the young warrior was?
Ans: The young warrior was the Great Spirit.
4. Why did the boy not tell anybody about what he was doing?
Ans: Because the Great Spirit would give a gift, a gift for the whole tribe, if pleased.
5. What was the gift sent by the Great Spirit to the Chippewa tribe?
Ans: The Great Spirit sent corn as food for the tribe so that they no longer needed to spend all their time hunting animals.
The Boy Who Served The Tribe
Reference to Context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'I have come to test your courage. Stand up.'
a) Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The warrior says these words and to the boy
2. 'I will break through the earth and return to the sunshine.'
a) Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: Warrior says these words and to the boy.
Word Meaning:
tribe = a society whose members have customs, beliefs, etc. in common
Wigwam = a North American hut made of a framework of poles covered with woven rush mats or sheets of bark
fast = not eating food as part of a religious custom
lack = shortage or absence of something
plumes = feathers
moccasins = heelless shoes made of soft leather
utterly = completely
wrestled = to fight with someone by holding them
Cloak = loose outer piece of clothing without sleeves
warrior = solder
grieve = to feel sadness
grave = a place in the ground where a dead person is buried
tassels = bunches of loose threads hanging together
burry = to put a dead into the ground
Chapter- 4
The Toad's Warts
Answers:
A. 1. Which of the incidents that occurred were accidents
and which were done on purpose?
Ans: Chemchongsaipa was moving around doing his work,
sharpening his weapons when the prawn irritated, bit him.
Chemchongsaipa moved towards a tree, in pain, and swung
his knife around. The weapon accidentally struck the tree
and cut it.
The tree dropped fruit on purpose to hit him but it hit
a cock accidentally. The cock scratched the ants’ nests on
purpose, which bit the snake, which in turn bit a bear, which
crushed a plantain. The bat who lived on the plantain tried
to flee but accidentally it flew into the elephant’s ear and bit
him. The elephant kicked over a stone mortar that rolled
down into an old lady’s house.
2. Of all the animals that got hurt, which was the most affected?
Give evidence from the text.
Ans: The ants were the most affected. So, they bit the snake on
purpose declaring war.
B. 1. ‘It’s very dark in here!’—bat
2. ‘I’ll suck it dry!’—elephant
3. ‘I must find something to rub on it.’—bear
4. ‘I’ll build it for you.’—Chemchongsaipa
5. ‘I’ll soon be in the soup!’—prawn
C. 1. angry 2. shock 3. race
annoyed daze hurry
furious astonish hurtle
irate stun dash
2. a. The prawn bit the man in the leg.
b. The man’s sharp weapon cut the tree.
c. The fruit from the tree hit a cock walking by.
d. They attacked a passing snake.
e. It lowered its head and dug furiously.
f. The plant collapsed.
g. It trumpeted and kicked over a stone mortar.
Chapter-5
Nurse's Song
When the voices of children are heard on the green,
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast,
And everything else is still.
'Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down,
And the dews of night arise;
Come, come leave off play, and let us away
Till the morning appears in the skies.'
'No, no, let us play, for it is yet day,
And we cannot go to sleep;
Besides, in the sky the little birds fly,
And the hills are all cover'd with sheep.'
'Well, well, go and play till the light fades away,
And then go home to bed.'
The little ones leaped and shouted and laugh'd
And all the hills echoed.
William Blakes : (1757 - 1827) was a poet and artist who grew up and worked in London, England. He earned his living as an engraver of illustrations for books. He wrote many poems for children as well as adults; he engraved all his poems himself.
Exercises:
A. Give one-word answers.
1. This is heard........laughter
2. This is at rest .......the nurse's heart
3. This is still......everything
4. They should come home........children
5. This has gone down.....the sun
6. This should be stopped.....the children's playing
7. This will fade away.........the light
B. Questions
1. Who is speaking in the poem? To whom is the person speaking?
Ans: The children’s nurse is speaking to them in the poem. The child is the person speaking.
2. Can you give two reasons why the words 'echoed' has an accented 'e'?
Ans: ‘Echoed’ has an accented ‘e’ as an extra beat is required for
maintaining the rhythm of the line. Another reason is that
the poet wants us to stress on this syllable to make it stand
out.
3. Is there a rhyming pattern?
Ans: Yes, there is a rhyming pattern. The poem has four quatrains, rhymed ABCB, and contains an internal rhyme in the third line of each verse.
4. Do you like the poem? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, I love the poem.
It talks about children not wanting to go home. They want to continue their play and give their nurse excuses to extend their playtime. Nurse’s Song is a poem that shows the brighter side of life. This is something I can relate to, as it often happens when my mother calls me home in the evening.
C. Refernce to context
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
Besides, in the sky the little birds fly,
And the hills are all cover's with sheep.
1. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The children say these words to their nurse.
2. What is said before this?
Ans: The nurse asks the children to come home as it is getting
dark.
3. What reply is made to this statement?
Ans: The nurse relents to let the children play a little more but
asks them to come home and sleep after that.
Word meaning:
leave off = stop
cover'd = covered
fades = becomes dimmer; fainter
leaped, etc = the letter marked thus - e- shows that the e sound is stressed: leap-ed. shout-ed.
Chapter- 8
The Sea
James Reeves
The sea is a hungry dog,
Giant and grey.
He rolls on the beach all day.
With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws
Hour upon hour he gnaws
The rumbling, tumbling stones,
And 'Bones, bones, bones, bones!'
The giant sea-dog moans,
Licking his paws.
And when the night wind roars
And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud,
He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs,
Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs,
And howls and hollos long and loud.
But on quiet days in May or June,
When even the grasses on the dune
Play no more their reedy tune,
With his head between his paws
He lies on the sandy shores,
So, quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.
Word Meaning:
clashing = crashing together loudly
shaggy = having long, thick and messy hair
gnaws = bites and nibbles at something persistently
bounds = leaps
reedy = high and thin in tone
scarcely = only just, almost not
Questions/Ans:
1. What is the sea being compared to?
Ans: The sea is being compared to a dog. Because of the way it looks, sounds, and steeps. It is hungry like a dog. The poet sees a similarity between the sea and a dog.
2. What get gnawed?
Ans: The running, tumbling stones on the beach get gnawed.
3. What happens to the sea during a storm?
Ans: During a storm, the sea becomes rough. It also makes loud noises for a long time and the sea is calm and quiet in the months of May and June. When it is wild the poet uses a number of adjectives, words, and phrases to describe it, like it means, 'grows', 'snuffs and sniffs', 'roars', 'howls and hollows' with its 'clashing teeth,' 'shaggy jaws'. Whereas when it is calm and peaceful, the sea does not play but rather keeps his 'head between paws' and remains 'quiet' and 'lies' on the sea shore.
Reference to context:
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
1. He rolls on the beach all day.
a) What is really being described here?
Ans: Waves of the sea are really being described here.
b) Who rolls on the beach?
Ans: Waves of the sea roll on the beach.
c) Why does he roll on the beach? What is he doing?
Ans: The waves come and break on the shore and slowly recede.
2. the rumbling, tumbling stones
a) What really makes the stone move?
Ans: Waves of the sea make the stone move.
b) What are the stones compared to?
Ans: The stones are compared to bones.
c) What is being done to the stones in the comparison?
Ans: The stones are being gnawed like a dog would do to a bone.
C. Which of the words below would be the best one to use in this sentence.
1. His stomach was..........rumbling......... because he had not had any breakfast.
2. moans—Her soft moans of pain were faintly heard.
roars—We could hear roars of laughter from inside the
children’s tent.
tumbling—Razia tripped and went tumbling down the
stairs.
reedy—Shazia began singing in her reedy voice.
howls—Daud could barely sleep because of the dogs’ howls
all through the night.
Extension activity
Write a list of things you see or feel or hear during a visit to a sea
beach. Read it out to your class and describe each item.
Chapter-9
The Cruel Crane
Word Meaning:
outwit = to defeat or trick someone by being more intelligent, clever
blacksmith's pincers = tool for gripping hot metals
contrary = the opposite
folly = lack of good sense
vice = a metal tool with movable jaws, used to hold an object firmly in place while work is done on it
resound = to fill or echo throughout a place
plaudits = enthusiastic approval
deceit = the act of hiding the truth or making someone believe something that is not true
Q/A:
1. Why did the crane stop by the pond?
Ans: The crane stopped by the pond because he was hungry.
2. What did the crane say he would do to help the fish?
Ans: The crane said he would take the fish to a large pond
covered with all kinds of lotuses.
3. Why did the fish believe the crane?
Ans: No, the fish did not do the right thing by trusting the fish.
The crane deceived the fish and ate them all one by one.
The crane first took one fish in its beak and showed it the
large pond. He then brought him back and let him go with
the other fish. He told the others all about the pond and
they believed the crane.
4. How did the crab outwit the crane?
Ans: The crab knew that the crane had tricked the fish and
wanted to teach him a lesson. So, he thought of a plan and
requested the crane to take him to the pond as well. He
told the crane that he would not be able to hold him, so the
crab should hold on to the crane’s neck instead. The crane
agreed and as soon as he saw the fish bones by the pond, he
threatened to cut the crane’s neck with his claws.
He made the crane step down into the pond and then cut his neck.
Whereas, the fish were wrong in their approach as the
crane tricked them one by one. They agreed to be taken in
its beak and trusted a fish that was blind from one eye.
Hence, the approach of the crab was better than that of the
fish.
6. What is the moral of the story?
Ans: The moral of the story is that even a trickster can be tricked
by someone who is cleverer.
B. Reference to Context:
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'I must.... make a prey of them.'
a. Who says this? To whom?
Ans: The crane says this to himself.
b. What does 'make a prey of them' mean?
Ans: ‘Make a prey of them’ here refers to making the fish his
prey, in tricking them as well as eating them.
c. What does he do after this?
Ans: The crane promises to carry the fish in his beak and
take them to a large pond. The fish don’t trust him so
he takes one fish there first and brings him back. After
the fish believe that he wishes them well, he takes them
one by one and eats them.
2. 'Those fishes got eaten through their own stupidity,'
a) Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The crane says these words to the crab.
b. In what way might the fish have been stupid?
Ans: The fish may have been stupid to believe that the crane
was their well-wisher.
c. Do you agree with what he says about the fish?
Ans: Yes, I agree. The fish should have given the proposition
more thought and should not have trusted the crane.
They should have been wary of him because they
already knew that a crane thinking about a fish’s
welfare was unheard of.
C. Words and meaning:
1. Explain these words and expressions.
a. cast it on the ground—throw it to the ground
b. it will be capital—it will be the best thing to happen
c. told them all the glories—described all the good things
about
d. he’s sharp enough in any situation—is very clever or
smart
e. it’s unheard of—not known to have happened before
f. lost in thought—not paying attention to anything
happening around.
Extension activity:
Write a similar story where the characters are tricked and
ultimately the trickster is taught a lesson.
Chap-10
A Debt Made Profit
Answers :
A. 1. What do you think about what Tortoise and Tortesca did to Mister Monkey?
Ans: The Tortoise did not inform his wife about the money he
owed to Mister Monkey because he thought she would get
distressed.
2. What did Tortoise do the first time he saw Mister Monkey coming to his house?
Ans: The first time he saw Mister Monkey coming to his house,
Tortoise told his wife that he was going to the town and
that he would not be long.
3. How much money did Tortoise owe Mister Monkey?
Ans: Tortoise owed Mister Monkey three months’ salary.
4. Where did Tortoise go to think up his plan to trick Mister Monkey?
Ans: It was at the crack of dawn that Mister Monkey visited
Tortoise’s house for the final time to catch him unaware
and because he knew he would be in his house.
B. Reference to Context:
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'This is too much.'
a. Who says this to whom?
Ans: Tortoise says this to himself.
b. What is 'too much'?
Ans: Mister Monkey coming to his house every day to ask
for money is ‘too much’.
c. What does the speaker decide to do?
Ans: Tortoise decides to teach Mister Monkey a lesson with
the help of his wife.
2. 'I can't help it that my husband is such a walk-about...'
a. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: Tortesca says these words to Mister Monkey.
b. Who is the speaker referring to?
Ans: The speaker is referring to Tortoise, her husband.
c. Explain what is meant by 'a walk-about'.
Ans: A ‘walk-about’ is someone who often goes out of the
house to take a stroll or run an errand.
C. 1. What is meant by 'eat his words'?
Ans: ‘Eat his words’ means having to admit that something one
said was wrong.
2. Mister Monkey says Tortoise is 'playing me up and down like a small boy'. Discuss what he means.
Ans: Tortoise had been avoiding meeting Mister Monkey for
a long time since he owed him money. This made Mister
Monkey was angry and he said these words because Tortoise
had been treating him like one would a small boy by giving
silly excuses.
3. Find the simile in the story to complete the descriptions below.
a. Again came Monkey’s knocks, like a machine gun.
b. Tortoise flew through the air like a rocket.
c. I would break his head like a coconut.
d. His anger had blown itself out like a tornado.
e. Waving his long arms about like a windmill in a
Hurricane.
Chap-11
The Speed Track
The Hour-hand and the Minute -hand upon a polished dial
A meeting planned at twelve o'clock to walk and talk awhile,
The Hour-hand with the Minute-hand could never keep apace,
'The speed at which you move:' he said, 'is really a disgrace!'
Then laughed the Minute-hand and sang, 'The way that I must go
Is marked with milestones all along, and there are twelve, you know.
And I must call at each of these before my journey's done,
While you are creeping like a snail from twelve o'clock to one.
So now, farewell! But we shall meet again, good sir,' said he,
'The road that we are following is circular, you see!'
Peter
Word Meaning:
dial = the round face of a clock
apace = at a good or fast pace; at a sufficient rate to keep up with
disgrace = shame or loss of respect arising from bad behaviour
milestone = a stone by the side of the road indicating the number of miles to a certain place (here. it stands for the marks indicating the hours)
Answers:
1. Which hand moves faster- the Hour-hand or the Minute-hand?
Ans: The Minute hand moves faster than the Hour-hand.
2. Whose speed was a disgrace?
Ans: The Minute-hand’s speed is a disgrace because it moves
faster than the Hour-hand.
3. Which hand had to move further?
Ans: The Minute hand had to move faster and had to achieve
more milestones than the Hour-hand. Both of them could
not achieve the same number of milestones.
4. Which lines show that the two hands would meet again?
Ans: The last and the second last lines show that the two
Hands would meet again.
But we shall meet again, good sir,’ said he,
1‘The road that we are following is circular, you see!’
They have to meet again as their road is circular and they
would be meeting each other after every round of their
journey completes.
5. Why does the poem have the title 'the Speed Track'?
Ans: Yes, the title is appropriate as the Minute and Hour
hands of the clock follow a circular path. The Minute’s
hand is speeding along this path or track, whereas the
Hour’s hand creeps along. This is why the poem is
appropriately titled as The Speed Track.
B. Refernce to context:
Read this line from the poem, then answer the questions.
'And I must call at each of these before my journey's done.'
1. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The Minute-hand says these words to the Hour-hand.
2. Why is this explanation being given?
Ans: The Hour-hand could never keep pace with the Minute
hand and says that the speed at which the Minute-hand
moves is a disgrace.
3. What does 'each of these' refer to?
Ans: ‘Each of these’ refers to the twelve milestones
(numbers on the dial) on the circular path of the
Minute-hand.
C. Words and meaning:
1. Explain the following:
a. grandfather clock—tall pendulum clock enclosed in a
wooden case
b. 24-hour clock—This clock uses a 24-hour system.
1:00 a.m. is written as 01:00 hours.
1:00 p.m. is written as 13:00 hours, and 12:00 midnight
is 24:00 hours.
c. digital—dealing with numbers or digits
d. stopwatch—watch which can be started and stopped at
will for timing races
e. kph—kilometers per hour; unit of speed
f. pm—post meridian, afternoon
g. am—ante meridian, before noon
h. sundial—an instrument to show the time of day by the
shadow cast by the sun
2. Can you think of suitable ways to complete the following?
a. chattering like a monkey
b. snoring like a lion
c. flying like a kite
d. soaring like an eagle
e. dancing like a ballerina
f. singing like a nightingale
g. croaking like a frog
h. wobbling like jelly
Chapter- 12
The Winged Monkeys
Answers:
A. 1. Why did Dorothy and her friends want to go to Emerald city?
Ans: Dorothy and her friends were traveling to the Emerald
City to find the brain of Scarecrow and the heart of Tin
Woodman.
2. Can you explain why the winged Monkey agreed to help
Dorothy and others immediately in your own words?
Ans: The Winged Monkey agreed to help Dorothy and others
immediately because they had a vow to fulfill three wishes
of the wearer of the Golden Cap.
3. Compare Quelala's response to the Joke that winged Monkey played on him with Gayelette's response. How and why were their responses different?
Ans: Quelala’s response was very different from Gayelette’s
response because he was a man wise beyond his age and
Gayelette was very furious as she loved Quelala extremely.
B. Reference to context:
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'She lived in a handsome palace built from great blocks of ruby.'
a. Who is being described?
Ans: Gayelette, a beautiful princess, who is also a powerful
sorceress.
b. What do people think of this person?
Ans: Everyone loves her because she uses all her magic to
help people and never hurts anyone who was good.
c. Which details in the story tell us that this person is rich?
Ans: She lives in a palace built from blocks of ruby. Her
fiancé is dressed in a rich costume of pink silk and
2. 'The old fellow loved a joke better than a good dinner.'
a. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The King of the winged monkeys says this to Dorothy.
b. Who is the speaker describing?
Ans: The speaker is describing his grandfather.
c. Write the sentence in your own words while keeping the same meaning.
Ans: The person loved to play a trick and laugh more than
he loved a good meal.
3. Then Dorothy lost heart.
a. What does this mean?
Ans: Dorothy is disappointed and loses her will to carry on.
b. Why does she lose heart?
Ans: Dorothy loses heart because her companions are
convinced that they are lost and that they will never
reach Emerald City on time.
c. What idea does she have after this?
Ans: Dorothy thinks of asking the field mice to help them
find their way to Emerald City.
C. Words and meaning:
1. Say the charm that Dorothy recites.
Ans: Ep-pe, pep-pe, kak-ke!
Hil-lo, hol-lo, hel-lo!
Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik!
2. These are words that can be used to describe speech. Discuss what they mean and when you would use them. Use them in sentences of your own, trying to bring out the meaning clearly.
said, grumbled, whimpered, answered, asked, declared, pleaded, replied, agreed
a. said—Naina said she would bring the basket.
b. grumbled—Waqar grumbled about the amount of
homework given.
c. whimpered—The puppy whimpered after being hit by
a stone.
d. answered—The cat went out of the window while Tim
answered the door.
e. asked—Mimi was asked to draw an elephant.
f. declared—The two states declared war against each
other.
3. These words describe how someone says or does something. Use each one in a short sentence. Example: She whistled cheerfully.
a. anxiously—She waited anxiously.
b. brightly—The stars shone brightly.
c. carefully—He opened the package carefully.
d. soundly—The baby slept soundly.
e. badly—She made the bed badly.
f. easily—He found the pen easily.
g. calmly—She answered calmly.
h. swiftly—She moved swiftly.
i. happily—We sang happily.
Chapter-13
Haggard's Crossing
Answers
A. 1. Why did people not stop at Haggard's Crossing?
Ans: Locals believed that the restless spirit of a man who had
been robbed and killed at Haggard’s Crossing roamed the
valley. People avoided Haggard’s Crossing as they believed
that the spirit caused many accidents from time to time.
2. Why was Jack much in demand by the villagers?
Ans: Jack’s father was a farmer and sold his vegetable to the city
market.
3. Why did Jack play his banjo on the way home?
Ans: Jack always made sure that he got a lift back home on
somebody’s cart.
4. Who do you think the man at Haggard's Crossing was? How did he know Jack?
Ans: Jack was an excellent banjo player. He was in demand as he
enlivened parties with his music.
Jack played the banjo on his way home as he felt comforted
by its sound in the dark
B. Reference to Context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'The road is not safe and Sindleford is quite some way,' said Jack.
a. To whom is Jack speaking?
Ans: Jack is speaking to the Robsons.
b. Why is Jack speaking about Sindleford?
Ans: Jack lives in the village of Sindleford, which is quite a
distance down from the top of the valley at Barkham.
c. What answer does Jack get to make him feel less fearful?
Ans: Jack is reassured by the fact that Charlie Welling and
his family, from his village, have also been invited to
the same party. So they would give him a lift in their
cart on the way back home.
2. 'I have waited so long for you to come this way.'
a. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: The spirit says the words to Jack.
b. Where has the person been waiting?
Ans: The spirit has been waiting at Haggard’s Crossing,
where he had been killed, since that time.
c. Why has Jack come that way?
Ans: Jack is compelled to go through Haggard’s Crossing
from the party at Barkham because the Wellhams who
were to give him a lift by cart had already left. Also, he
finds there has been a landslide on the other route to
their village. So, Jack is forced to take this route.
C. Words and meaning:
1. With the help of a dictionary, find out what these words mean. Use them in sentences.
a. soul—a moving spirit
May his soul rest in peace.
b. spirit—a supernatural being
The dead man’s restless spirit roamed the valley.
c. ghost—soul of a dead person
The ghost rose from the grave at night.
d. phantom—a form without reality; apparent to the
senses but with no substantial existence
The boy imagined that he saw the phantom of his dead
father at his bedside at midnight.
e. ghoul—an evil being who robs graves and feeds on
corpses
In the dark, he looked like a ghoul.
f. poltergeist—a noisy mischievous ghost
The poltergeist made sleeping in the house impossible.
Chapter- 14
Ye Fairy Ship
1. Where was the ship? Use the sentence from the poem in your answer.
Ans: The ship was ‘A-sailing on the sea’.
2. What items was the ship carrying?
Ans: The ship was carrying raisins and almonds.
3. What were the sailors and how many of them were there?
Ans: The sailors were white mice and there were twenty-four of
them.
4. Which detail might make it seem like the mice are captives?
Ans: The mice had rings around their necks which may indicate
that they were captives and the duck was not a nice captain.
5. What makes the ship seem magical?
Ans: The ship has been referred to as ‘fairy ship’. Its captain is a
duck and the sailors are white mice.
B. Refernce to Context
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
1. There were raisins in the cabin
a) What is unusual about where the raisins are stored?
Ans: The raisins are stored in the cabin instead of the cargo
hold.
b. What is a cabin usually used for?
Ans: A cabin is a private room or area in a ship where the
sailors stay.
c. Where would you expect the cargo to be stowed?
Ans: The cargo is supposed to be stowed in the cargo hold.
2. The captain he said, 'Quack!'
a. Who is the captain?
Ans: The duck is the captain.
b. What is the captain wearing?
Ans: The captain is wearing a jacket.
c. In your opinion, what could he mean when he says, 'Quack!'?
Ans: I think when the captain said ‘Quack’, he ordered the
ship to set sail.
===================
Three Men on A Boat
Chapter- 15
Word Meaning:
towed up = the men are in a barge; in certain places, the barge has to be pulled
by someone on the bank.
hamper = a large basket used for carrying food for a picnic
clematis = a climbing plant (also honeysuckle)
the Stage = the name of an inn, a place to take refreshment or stay
vacant = unoccupied or empty; available for hire
meek = showing mildness; weak
coal cellar = a room under a house where coal is stored
enliven = to make somebody or something more lively or interesting
assume = to take on (a role or function)
limekiln = an oven for heating limestone to produce quicklime (used for improving the soil)
Q/A:
A. 1. Why does the author say: 'It will be some time before I forget it?'
Why do you think he remembers it so well?
Ans: The author remembered his first trip because of all the
trouble his friends and he went through to find a place to stay.
2. What objection did Harris have to staying at the Manor House?
Ans: Harris did not want to go to the Manor House as he didn’t
like the looks of the man leaning against the front door
there. He said the man didn’t look nice at all and thought
his boots were ugly.
B. Reference to context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'We passed a very pretty little hotel, with clematis and creeper over the porch.'
a. Who was passing the hotel and whom?
Ans: The author was passing the hotel Stag along with his
friends George and Harris. It was quite late, ten o'clock
at night, a Saturday in the month of August.
b. Were they carrying anything?
Ans: The men were carrying a hamper, two bags, rugs, and
coats.
c. Did they stay at the hotel? If not, why?
Ans: They did not stay at the hotel because the author
wanted a hotel with honeysuckle over the porch
instead.
2. 'We fell upon his neck there in the moonlight and blessed him.'
a. Who is blessed by whom?
Ans: The little boy is blessed by the three men.
b. Why is he blessed by them?
Ans: The little boy takes them to his house, like a saviour
angel, when they were exhausted in their attempt to
find lodging at Datchet.
c. Where does the person who was blessed take the others and
What happens to them there?
Ans: The three men are able to spend the night at the little
boy’s house. They had a hot dinner served by the little
boy’s mother. They had only two beds in the room.
The smaller one was taken by Harris, the other shared
by the author and George.
C. Words and Meaning:
1. What do you think these expressions mean?
a. This staggered us for a bit.
Ans: This surprised and unsettled us.
b. Harris rose to the occasion.
Ans: Harris exerted himself to meet the challenge or
demand.
c. We must rough it.
Ans: We must live without the usual comforts and
conveniences.
d. two feet of bare leg sticking out
Ans: Two feet of the bare leg extending out, as the bed was too
small. (feet here is a measure of length)
2. Can you make sense of the following? Some punctuation marks might help!
a. I said, ‘Oh, don’t let’s go in there! Let’s go on a bit
farther and see if there isn’t one with honeysuckle over
it.’
b. ‘Well then,’ he said, ‘there’s the Manor House just
opposite. Have you tried that?’
c. ‘Oh well, never mind,’ said George, ‘two will do. Two of
us can sleep in one bed, can’t we?’
D. Discuss and write:
1. Discuss the following. Are any of these proverbs appropriate for this story?
a. All good things come to an end.
Ans: Good times don’t last forever.
b. All's well that ends well.
Ans: If the end result is good and favourable, all the
hardships that one has gone through to achieve the
goal seem insignificant.
c. Beggers can't be choosers.
Ans: When you are asking for something, you can’t be
choosy and have to accept whatever is given to you.
d. The early bird catches the worm.
Ans: A person who starts work on time is sure to finish on
time and get results.
Q. Imagine you are making travel plans to visit a seaside or a mountain
resort. Make a list of the things you need to take, the things you
need to do to make the trip, and the places you need to visit when
you reach there. For this, you need to find out a little about the
place.
Chapter- 16
Leisure
William Henry Davies
What is the life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass;
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance,
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies (1871 - 1940) was born in Newport, UK. At school he discovered a liking for poetry. He became an apprentice picture framer, but he gave this up and went to try his luck in America.
There he became a traveller, riding freight cars, working in the fruit fields, and narrowly escaping with his life after an attack of malaria and an assault by armed robbers!
He wrote many enjoyable poems. 'Leisure' is probably the best remembered.
Q/A
1. What is the poet asking us to do?
2. What are some of the things we might not have time to see?
3. What do you think the poet means by 'streams full of stars'? Are there really stars there?
4. In what way might our lives be 'poor'?
Reference to context:
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
1. No time to see, when woods we pass,.......
a. What might be seen in the woods?
b. What is the poet telling us to do and why?
2. No time to turn at Beauty's glance,.......
a. Why is 'Beauty' written with a capital letter?
b. What are the images of Beauty that the poet illustrates?
c. What lesson about life does the poet want us to learn?
C. Words and meaning
1. Can you find these words in the poem?
a. to look directly at somebody or something
b. in, at, or to a lower position than something else
c. forested areas
d. large main branches
e. bright bodies in space
f. to improve the quality of something
2. Can you find the silent letters in the following?
a. boughs
b. where
c. daylight
d. watch
e. knuckle
f. comb
D. Discuss and write
1. There poem is an easy one to learn by heart. Why don't you try to learn it?
2. Look through the poems and stories you have read so far, and find all the examples of characters working and not working. Do you agree with the ideas of the poet that we should take some time to enjoy life?
Chapter-17
The Boy Who Broke The Bank
1. How did the washerman's son help Nathu?
2. In what way was the barber's customer upset?
3. What astonished people about Ganpat's actions?
4. What did the manager tell the crowd?
5. Who do you think was most to blame for the collapse of the bank?
Chapter-18
How I Learned to Ride
Q. What is the message of this story?
Ans: The story conveys the message that success comes only after failure. So if one fails in doing something the first time he shouldn't get disheartened but try to do that even better the next time.
That way one can achieve whatever one wishes to.
Questions
1. Right or wrong?
a) The boys had to study every day of the week. (Wrong )
b) The youngest boy was allowed to ride. (Right)
c) The boy climbed onto his horse by himself. (Wrong )
d) The boy's horse was called Ruddy. (Right)
e) The master watched the boy all the time. (Wrong)
f) The boy was afraid but did not show his feelings. ( Right)
B. Reference to Context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. 'He who does not once fall down from a horse will not learn to ride.'
a) Who says this and to whom?
Ans: The author's father says this to him.
b) What does he say before this?
Ans: His father tells him he can go learn to ride a horse but do not cry even if he falls off it.
c) What impact do his words have on the listener?
Ans: The author very bravely sits on the horse and doesn't call out even when he slides off the saddle. He is frightened but he doesn't show it.
2. 'A child's body is soft.'
a) Who says this?
Ans: The master says this.
b) Why does he say it?
Ans: He says this because the author says he's not hurt after falling off the horse.
c) What does he mean?
Ans: He means to say that children often fall and seldom get hurt.
C. Words and meaning
1. Choose the best answer.
a) The father did not want his son to learn to ride because:
i. he thought he was too light
ii. he wanted him to study
iii. he was worried that he would fall off
b) The boy was frightened in the riding-school because:
i. the horses were noisy
ii. it was dark and unfamiliar
iii. he could not see
c) The boy fell off the horse because:
i. the saddle was broken
ii. the master was not paying attention
iii. the horse threw him off
2. Can you think of homophones for the following?
Note: A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another, but is spelt in a different way.
For example their/there
mane/main
reigns / rains
tale / tail
hair/hare
horse/hoorse
road / rode
nay / neigh
whoa / woe
Chapter- 19
The Lake Isle of innisfree
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
William Butler Yeats
I will arise and go now, and go to innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where
the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now; for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
Word Meanings:
Innisfree = a place in Ireland
wattles = materials such as branches and twigs, which are used to make a fence or wall
bee-loud = loud with the sound of buzzing bees
glade = an area in a wood or forest without trees or bushes
cricket = a leaping insect that produces a chirping sound by rubbing its forewings together
Linnet = a small brownish songbird
Core = the central or most important part of something
William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939 ) was born in Country Dublin, Ireland. He was fascinated from an early age by Irish folklore. Yeats lived for long periods of his life in London. He won the Nobel Prize in 1933. He died in France. Yeats said he wrote 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' when reminded of the holidays of his childhood by a novelty fountain in the window of a shop in Fleet Street, London.
A. 1. What are the simple things that the poet wants to do in Innisfree?
Ans: The poet wants to go to Innisfree and build a small cabin
with clay and wattles. He wants to grow nine rows of beans
and have a hive for the honey bees there.
2. What clues are there in the poem to tell us that the poet has set his mind on doing this?
Ans: The poet lives in the city and is perhaps tired of the noise
and grey surroundings. He dreams of living in Innisfree
surrounded by Nature.
3. Why do you think the poet dreams of Innisfree?
Ans: The poet hears the lake water lapping night and day. He
hears it deep in the core of his heart.
4. How are the following described?
a. morning b. midnight c. evening
As: a. veils of morning—The mist and fog in the morning is
like a veil.
b. midnight’s all a-glimmer—The moon is shining and
the lake sparkles with the reflection.
c. evening full of linnet’s wings—In the evening the sky is
full of linnets on their way home to their nest.
5. When does the poet hear the water of the lake?
Ans: ‘I will arise and go now’—is a definitive decision which the
poet reiterates at the end of the poem. The peaceful nature
images he can hear and see even amidst the hustle and
bustle of the city.
B. Reference to context
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
1. And evening full of the linnet's wings.
a. What other times of the day does the poet describe? What does he say about these?
Ans: The poet describes morning, noon, midnight
times apart from the evenings. Peace drops slowly
permeating through the misty morning into the time
when the cricket sings. Midnight is not dark but
shining, the lake water glimmering with the reflection
of the moon, the noon tinged with the purple of the
sun about to set.
b. What are linnets?
Ans: Linnets are small brownish songbirds.
c. Does the poet mean that the linnets are big?
Ans: The linnets are not big but many. The evenings are full
with the noise of the linnets’ flapping wings retreating
to their nest.
2. I hear it in the deep heart's core.
a. What does the poet hear?
Ans: The poet hears the sound of the lake water lapping
night and day.
b. What is meant by 'deep heart's core'?
Ans: ‘Deep heart’s core’ refers to the innermost part of the
self.
C. Words and meaning:
1. a. arise—The leader exhorted the activists to arise and
fight till the goal was reached.
b. veils of the morning—The veils of the morning parted
to show a bright and sunny day.
c. a purple glow—The rainbow left a purple glow in the
sky.
d. water lapping—The devotees dipped their feet in the
water lapping by the Ghat.
Chapter- 20
Fly Back to Me
A. 1. What is meant by the phrase 'out of the blue'?
Ans: It means all of a sudden, unexpectedly.
2. In what way was Wonder beautiful?
Ans: Wonder was a beautiful pigeon. Shades of green, blue, and
fawn bright and dull blended on its breast. Its tail was black
and white and its feet were pink.
4. Why do think Jerry did not bring back the bird he had shot?
Ans: Jerry did not bring back the bird he had shot, as his mother
would be very angry if she heard about it.
5. With what comparison does Jerry describe the return of Wonder?
Ans: Jerry began to fear that he may have killed Wonder, and not
just any dove.
B. Reference to Context
Read these lines from the story, then answer the questions.
1. Two days! Perhaps he might never see it again!
a. What does 'two days' refer to?
Ans: Two days had passed since Jerry’s favourite pigeon
Wonder had disappeared.
b. Why might the person never see it again?
Ans: Jerry might never see it again for it might have been
killed in the passage of two days. Jerry feared that he
himself could have been the culprit.
C. Describe 'it', recalling phrases used in the story.
Ans: Jerry refers to it as a beautiful pigeon on whose breast
mingled shades of green, blue, and fawn. The colours
on its neck and wings ‘merged in a delightful shifting
harmony’ when it shook its head. Its tail was black and
white like a draught-board in pattern and its feet were
pink.
2. I will break your hand if I see yo' with one.
a. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans: Jerry’s mother says this to Jerry.
b. What is he or she going to 'break' and why?
Ans: Jerry’s mother warns him that she will break Jerry’s
hand if she ever sees a catapult in his hand.
c. Is anything broken later on? What is it and who breaks it?
Ans: Jerry breaks his own catapult at the end when Wonder,
his pigeon, lands safely near his feet after an absence
of two days. During this agonising period, Jerry goes
through the fear that the dove that he had killed was
actually his favourite pigeon Wonder.
2. a. loft—Bina had to sleep in the loft whenever they had
guests in the house. (noun)
Bina lofted the ball into the air. (verb)
b. flock—I saw a flock of pelicans near the swarm.
(noun)
Everyone flocked to the beach to look at the turtle
which had washed ashore. (verb)
c. feed—Rabia went to the market to buy feed for the
cattle. (noun)
I feed my pet parrot twice a day. (verb)
d. mother—Sania’s mother gave her a doll before she
died. (noun)
The old women mothered the orphans after the war.
(verb)
e. present—I have a surprise present for my brother’s
birthday. (noun)
Kasim presented a bouquet to the chief guest. (verb)
f. sling—Jerry took aim and shot the bird with his
sling. (noun)
Nehal slung the bundle over his shoulder. (verb)
Chapter-21
Sea Fever
Answers
A. 1. Where does the speaker want to go?
Ans: The speaker wants to go back to the sea.
2. What kind of life does the speaker wish to have?
Ans: The speaker wishes to live the life of a gypsy, to wander from place to place. He wants to be on the sea and feel the sharp wind and listen to a merry yarn from a laughing
fellow seaman.
3. The speaker cannot deny the call of the seas as it is ‘wild’ and is ‘clear’.
4. The speaker is very eager to go to the sea as all the lines
starting from ‘I must go down to the seas…’ are repeatedly used.
Also in the second stanza he says that the ‘call’ is 'wild’ and ‘clear’ and a call that cannot be refused.
5. What does the speaker wish for after his turn at the helm?
Ans: The speaker wishes for quiet sleep and a sweet dream after his turn at the helm.
B. Refernce to Context
Read these lines from the poem, then answer the questions.
1. Is a wild call and a clear call...
a. Where is this 'wild' and 'clear' call coming from?
Ans: The wild and clear call is coming from the sea, from the running tide.
b. What does the poet think about this call?
Ans: The poet thinks it is a wild call that cannot be refuted.
c. What does the poet require to fulfill this call?
Ans: All that the poet requires to fulfill his call is a windy
day with white clouds, the seagulls crying, the water
frothy and sprayed like a mist.
2. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life
a. What do the words 'vagrant' and gypsy' mean?
Ans: The words ‘vagrant’ and ‘gypsy’ refer to the nomadic
character of the sailor’s life.
b. What other examples of this life are given by the poet?
Ans: ‘Merry yarn’ is spun ‘by fellow laughing-rover’ or seaman in this life where the wild call beckons.
Here, the gull and the whale play with the knife like sharp wind every now and then.
c. What is it about this way of life that appeals to the poet?
Ans: The poet is lured by the constant play with nature’s vagaries and the exposure to the roughness of life that this life holds.
C. Words and meaning
1. Refer to the poem and fill in the blanks.
a. wheel’s kick
b. gull’s or whale’s way
c. wind’s song
d. white sail’s shaking
e. sea’s face
Chapter - 22
Precious Treasure
A. 1. The Old man sold his house and land as he had retired
and wanted to spend the rest of his life with his sons and
grandchildren.
2. The attitude of each son and his family changed toward the
Old man because it has become difficult for them to manage
him for they think his habits are difficult. They also thought
that he does not have table manners and he pampers the
grandchildren which have a bad influence on them.
3. They decided to send him to school because he was free and
had nothing to do. Besides they were tired of keeping him.
4. The metal box was very precious to the Old Man as it
contained letters from his late wife.
B. 1. a. The Old Man said this to his sons.
b. He says this because he has sold all his land and house
to give the equal distribution of it to his sons in his life.
c. Initially they do, in the middle of
the play they start getting tired and plan to send him
to school but in the end, they understand that they are
about to do a great mistake.
2. a. The Old Man is saying these words to Petra.
b. The speaker is referring to his late wife.
c. He says these words when his sons are about to drop
him to school. He was very grieved and sad.