Narration- Practice Paper

NARRATION-DIRECT INDIRECT SPEECH

Exercise : 1

1.       They said, "This is our book."

2.       She said, "I went to the cinema yesterday.”

3.       He said, "I am writing a test tomorrow."

4.       You said, "I will do this for him."

5.       She said, "I am not hungry now."

6.       They said, "We have never been here before."

7.       They said, "We were in London last week."

8.       He said, "I will have finished this paper by tomorrow."

9.       He said, "They won't sleep."

10.   She said, "It is very quiet here."

11. The captain said, ‘This is an occasion to celebrate.’

12. The mother said to her daughter, ‘I’m proud of your achievements.’

13. ‘I’ve spoken nothing but the truth,’ the prisoner said.

14. The mother said to her son, ‘I will lend you the money but you have to listen to me.’

15. ‘Is your father at home?’ the stranger asked me.

16. ‘Get out of the class,’ the teacher yelled at the boy.

17. Sarika said, ‘Let’s get something to eat.’

18. Karan said, ‘Alas, how foolish I have been.’

19. The traveler said, ‘I’ve lost all my money.’

20. They said to her this morning, ‘We will meet you tomorrow evening.’

Exercise:2

1.            You said to her, “stay where you are.”

2.            Robbers said to him.”Do not proceed forward.”

3.            Sheela said to me, “How dirty a saree I have.”

4.            She said to him,” Oh! I cannot see the dirt in my saree now.”

5.            I said to him,” Will you bargain at something.”

6.            She said,” I’m living in London now.”

7.            He said,” My father isn’t very well.”

8.            Charlie said, “Margret has had a baby.”

9.            The doctor said to me,” Stay in bed for a few days.”

10.          I said to Jim,” Don’t shout.”

ICSC -PREPOSITION PRACTICE

  CLASS 10 ICSC

Fill in each blank with an appropriate word:

1.      The lawyer has drawn……………………………. the rent agreement.

2.      He jumped…………………the river.

3.      The meeting concluded……………………………. a vote of thanks.

4.      I am on the lookout……………………………….. a cheap cellphone.

5.      The Chief Minister has access……………………….. the Governor.

6.      Why don’t you draw the young leader……………………………to our party?

7.      The ship appeared……………………………. the horizon.

8.      I am looking forward……………………………my journey home.

9.      My friend refrained………………. criticising the articles in public.

10.  Always be true……………………yourself.

11.  My new secretary has taken ……………………………….. my style of working quickly.

12.  The rebels held…………………….. in the forests for many years.

13.  The people were touched……………………… pity when they saw his miserable condition.

14.  The jungles of Assam abound ………………………………………wild animals.

15.  The massacre was a crime ………………………………….humanity.

16.  This painting is costlier…………………………………………….the two.

17.  I can rely ………………………………… my colleagues for support.

18.  We were not aware ……………………………… the danger from wild animals.

19.  The procession passed …………………………………peacefully.

20.  The tourists were cautioned ………………………….high tide in the sea.

21.  She is blind………………………the faults of her only son.

22.  The goalkeeper dived………………………the ball but missed it.

23.  New shops are appearing all …………………………….the place.

24.  There is always a demand……………………..experienced carpenters.

25.  I saw Jane last summer, but…………………..then I haven’t seen her.

26.  Temperatures fell……………………………..freezing.

27.  The firm decided to cut ……………………………on expenditure due to inflation.

28.  The man was charged……………………………….robbery.

29.  They turned the old palace……………………………..a hotel.

30.  The scheme has fallen…………………………………for want of financial support.

31.  Most people are ………………………………these changes

32.  The three friends could not agree…………………………………….themselves.

33.  There were old magazines lying…………………………………in his room.

34.  The water flows…………………………..the pipe.

35.  Julie aimed the gun………………………..the target.

36.  I exchanged rupees……………………………dollars.

37.  Ben has decided to go in…………………………….teaching.

38.  I’ve got no savings to fall back………………………………………….

39.  Tickets have been on sale…………………………..last Wednesday.

40.  The government came…………………………………heavily on hoarders.

Summer Sun Robert Louis Stevenson

Summer sun

Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven without repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays.

Though closer still the blinds we pull
To keep the shady parlour cool,
Yet he will find a chink or two
To slip his golden fingers through.

The dusty attic spider-clad,
He, through the keyhole, maketh glad;
And through the broken edge of tiles,
Into the laddered hay-loft smiles.

Meantime his golden face around
He bares to all the garden ground,
And sheds a warm and glittering look
Among the ivy's inmost nook.

Above the hills, along the blue,
Round the bright air with footing true,
To please the child, to paint the rose,
The gardener of the World, he goes.
           By Robert Louis Stevenson


Reference to the context
1. a Summer sun
Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven without repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays

I . What do you think that the poet by 'empty heaven'?
Ans. The poet means a cloudless sky by the expression of empty heaven.
II. Why the rays described as 'more thick than rain'?
Ans. The rays are described as more thick than rain because they are strong, and capable of getting through most things.
III. Why did he shower his rays 'in the blue and glowing days'?
Ans. The sun showered his rays in the blue and glowing days because on such days , the sky was free of clouds.


Yet he will find a thing or two to sleep his Golden fingers through
1.  Who will find the chink? Where was he supported to find the change answer the sun will find the chink?
Answer: The sun will found the chink. This chink is to be found between the blinds or curtains that have pulled down to keep the sun out of the rooms in the house.

2 What do you think the poet means of Golden finger ?
Answer: The poet refers to the sun rays through the expression of Golden finger question number.

 3 Why was having kept out?
Answer: The sun was being kept out so that the rooms could be kept cool.

 The dusty Attic spider clad hi through the keyhole make it glad and through the broken age of tiles into the letterhead of Smiles

1.  Who did the sun make happy?How did he do this?
Answer: The sun made the dusty, spider clad attic  glad. He did this by pouring his rays through the keyhole.
 2 How did the sun enter the hayloft?
Answer: The sun entered the hayloft through the broken edge of tiles.

 3 What do these lines tell you about the sun?
Answer: These lines tell us that the sun is hard to keep out from our dwellings as its rays come in through blinds, curtains and even locked doors.

 Question Answers
1. Why do you think the poet has chosen summer as a setting for the poem?
Answer:  The poet has chosen summer as  the setting of poem because it is the season when the clouds are away , and the sun is  at the strongest.  Flower's and trees are  in full bloom during the summer; which is why the poet calls the sun the gardener of the world in the winter, people do not pull the curtains to keep out the sun.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.....ICSC TREASURE TROVE Question Answer

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

MAYA ANGELOU

I free bird leaps

On the back of the wind

And floats downstream

Till the current ends

And dips his wings

In the orange sun rays

And dares to claim the sky

a.   Who has been referred to as a free bird in the poem? Why? How does the poetess describe the world of nature?

Answer: White American has been referred to as a free bird. The white American like a free bird is wholly free to live a life on his will. Nothing can create obstacle in his way. By presenting the beautiful sight of the sunset and its orange rays in which the bird immerses its wings, the poetess describes the world of nature.

b.   What do words ‘orange sun rays’ and ‘dip his wing’ signify?

Answer: The way the poetess describes the’ orange sun rays’ gives the reader an appreciation for the natural beauty of the sky and her description of the way the bird ‘dips his wing’ help the reader to appreciate the bird in its natural habitat, enjoying freedom.

c.    Which words in the extract show the poetess’ great longing for freedom?

Answer: In the extract, the poetess breathes life into her description of the ‘free bird’ by using verbs like ‘leaps’, ‘floats’, ‘dips’. The free bird is a symbol of freedom and these well-chosen verbs are especially meaningful because they contain joy and energy. This is a hint for us to discover how Maya Angelou longs and feels about freedom.

d.   What does the poetess help the reader visualise by presenting the free bird before the caged bird?

Answer: By presenting the free bird before depicting the caged bird, the poetess helps the reader visualise what the caged bird must have been like before its captive the description of the two contrasting environment helps the reader feel the sense of loss of the captured bird because of its reversed fate.

e.   What kind of people does the free bird symbolise? What kind of opportunity does the free bird and free people have?

Answer: The free bird symbolises people who live in this world unencumbered by prejudice of any type whether it be racial, socioeconomic, or psychological. The free bird has the opportunity to move through life soaking in its abundance and the people who are afforded this freedom, forge through life making their own decisions and choices. The sky is limit for those who are free; those who do not face oppression. Without worrying about restrictions, the free bird is able to experience life as an enjoyable adventure. The free people are able to think of the mundane things in life, instead of battling for survival.

f.      Describe the visual imagery in the extract.

Answer: The very first visual imagery we see that of a free bird leaping on the back of the wind. Since we can literally see a bird in nature leaping, jumping, or flying against the wind, we can see how this count as a sight image.  Other images we see are that of the bird floating downstream and dipping its wing in the orange sun rays.

g.    Find out The bird is personified the figures of speech metaphor and personification in the extract.

Answer: The poetess uses metaphor to compare the wind to water saying that the free bird ‘floats downstream/ till the current ends.’ This makes the wind seem fast moving and powerful and yet it is something the free bird has learnt to use for its own ends. The bird is personified when it says that it ‘dares to claim the sky.’

h.   Explain the following lines:

A free bird leaps

On the back of the wind

Answer: A free bird takes off its flight from the ground or a tree and flies in the sky sitting on the back of wind. It flies in the direction of the current of the air.

i.      How does the free bird dare to claim the sky?

Answer: The bird is shown in a state of great tranquility. It has the freedom to move about at its will. It is so utterly free and without restraints that it regards or considers the whole firmament to be its one big home.

But a bird that stalks

Down his narrow cage

Cn seldom see through

His bars of rage

His wings are clipped and

His feet are tied

So, he opens his throat to sing

a.    Why does the poetess begin the second stanza with’ but’?   

Answer:  The second stanza is in stark contrasts with the first.  By using the word ‘but’ to begin this stanza, the poetess prepares the contrast which she is going make between the free bird and the caged bird.

b.    How is the tone changed with the beginning of the second stanza? Why do you think the cage is narrow? 

Answer:   The tone is immediately and drastically changed from peaceful, satisfied and joyful to one that is dark, unnerving and even frustrating. As against the free bird that claims the sky, the caged bird can barely, move within the cage because there is a very little space in the cage.

c.     What is the significance of the phrase ‘stalks down’? What is meant by ‘his bars of rage’?  

Answer: The phrase ‘stalks down’ is used here in an ironic way to mean that the caged bird can only be within the narrow cage and cannot really move.  The words ‘his bars of rage’ are the metaphor of the African- American’s narrow social space, their anguish and their helplessness.  

d.    Whom does the poetess indirectly refer while mentioning of caged bird?  

Answer: While mentioning of the caged bird, the poetess indirectly  refers to herself and all those African- Americans who are victims of discrimination, prejudices and slavish treatments in the society of white Americans.

e.    What is the significance of the words ‘his wings are clipped’?   

Answer: The bird’s wings are clipped, that is, its freedom is taken away. Wings are associated with flight, which in turn is associated with freedom. The words ‘his wings are clipped’ mean that its freedom is forcibly taken away. It cannot fly even if it desires to.

f.      What kind of image does a bird tied to ground represent? What is the true fact of its singing?   

Answer: A bird tied to the ground represents an image completely opposite to its true nature of flight. This represents the fact of alienation of the bird. But the most important thing is that despite being in the utterly despondent predicament, the caged bird opens its throat to sing. That seems to be its only joy and achievement in life.

   

   

The caged bird sings

With fearful trill

Of things unknown

But longed for still

And his tune is heard

On the distant hill

For the caged bird

Sings of freedom

a.    In the earlier extract why does the caged bird show its fury and helplessness?

Answer: The caged bird can not fly freely in the sky. Its vision of freedom is not there as it has to remain behind the bars of the cage. On seeing its pitiable state and the life of a captive, it is filled with rage. Hence, it is furious but at the same time is helpless.

b.   Describe the theme of self-awareness in the context of the extract.

Answer: The bird sings to let anyone one knows that it is straining that is unknown. It desires this unknown

c.    For what does the ‘caged bird’ stand? What does the song of the ‘caged bird’ demonstrate?  
Answer: The caged bird stands for none other than the oppressed blacks who are devoid of liberty and basic human rights.  The black have led hellish, lives full of pains and sufferings, for centuries. The 'caged bird's'song of freedom  demonstration the rage and optimism of blacks that toughen them to endure.

d.   What do the ‘caged birds’ fears signify?
Answer: The 'caged bird's fears are about the uncertainty of achieving freedom in the future.  Its fears reflect those of the black who no more wish to go through the pains of racism. The blacks are scared of the  darkness hanging over the lives of their offspring. 

e.   What do the ‘caged bird’ sing about?
 How is the caged bird different from the ‘five bird?
Answer  : The caged bird sings of freedom something it does not have.  The idea of freedom is its dream which can never be fulfilled. According to the poetess, the caged bird has to  remain in the cage forever as its wings are clipped and the feet are tied. It can only aspire to have a flight in the sky whereas the free bird has fully liberty to fly in the sky at its own will. 

f.      Why does the ‘caged bird’s’ voice waver while singing for its freedom?  
Answer: While signing for its freedom, the caged birds voice waves as it has nevar known what freedom tastes like and it also feels uncertainty about its freedom. It fears that its hope and aspiration of achieving freedom may be unfulfilled. 

g.    Where is the voice of the ‘caged bird’ heard? What is the impact of it?
Answer: The voice of the caged bird can be heard from distant places, on hills where it enlightens and inspires the others to dream of freedom. The caged bird does not sing of sadness, but of hope, inspiration and of freedom. 

h.   What does the singing of the ‘caged bird’ symbolise?  
Answer: The caged bird knows its strength and uses it for expressing its rebellion by singing. The singing symbolizes of its rebellion against oppression. The song divulges its hope and inner strength. 

I know why the caged bird sings....ICSC TREASURE TROVE Maya Angelou

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

MAYA ANGELOU

1.    

I free bird leaps

On the back of the wind

And floats downstream

Till the current ends

And dips his wings

In the orange sun rays

And dares to claim the sky

Reference to the context: These lines presenting the poetess’ own feelings of freedom, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know Why the caged Bird Sings, written by Maya Angelou.

Here, the poetess describes the free bird which is a metaphor for white American who enjoys the freedom to the full extent and also fulfils his dreams and aspirations which he nourishes in his heart. In these lines, the free bird is regarded as a true epitome of freedom.

Explanation: The free bird which is suggestive of a white American, springs from the ground or the tree to take off its flights in the vast sky. It fully enjoys its flight by sitting on the back of air. It flies in the direction of the air current. It experiences moving and gliding freely through the air. It hovers over a stream of wind and floats downwards to where the current of the stream ends and the wind is calm. It dips it wings in the sea of orange sunlight. The bird is shown in a state of great tranquillity. It has the freedom to move about wherever it desires. It is so utterly free and without restraints that it dares to claim the sky. The whole firmament is its one big home.

2.     

But a bird that stalks

Down his narrow cage

Can seldom see through

His bars of rage

His wings are clipped and

His feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing

Reference to the context: These lines showing the pitiable state of the caged bird which is a metaphor of black American, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know the caged Bird sings, written by Maya Angelou.

Here the poetess introduces the limitations set upon the caged bird (which is the metaphor of African-American) and how this affects the bird as the bird is still proud and cries out the freedom.

Explanation:

The poetess contrasts the situation by presenting the image of a caged bird. The caged bird tries to go after its cage in vain. The cage is narrow and its metaphorical bars of rage. The caged bird is seen to be angry with its situation. It desires with all its heart to escape its plight. But the caged bird cannot see beyond this cage. Its wings are clipped, that is, its freedom is taken away. It cannot fly even if it desires to. Its feet are tied. A bird to the ground represents an image completely opposite to its true nature of flight. This represents the fact of alienation of the bird. But the most important thing is that despite being in this utterly despondent predicament, the caged bird opens its throat to sing. That seems to be its only joy and achievement in life.

3.    

The caged bird sings

With fearful trill

Of things unknown

But longed for still

And his tune is heard

On the distant hill

For the caged bird

Sings of freedom

Reference to the context:

These lines showing the loss of freedom resulted in the mental agony for the caged bird, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know Why the caged bird sings, written by Maya Angelou.

Here the poetess points out that the harsh and painful aspects of the caged bird’s existence cannot take away its dignity. It knows its strength and uses it for expressing its rebellion by singing.

Explanation:

The caged bird has been shown to be afraid of many things which are entirely unknown to her as it has never got opportunity to go out of the bars of the cage. Hence the caged bird quavers while singing of the undiscovered things, yet it sings about the thing that it has longed for throughout its life. It realises its condition but still aspires for freedom. The bird’s song is so shrill that it reaches the hills which are far off. Its song enlightens and inspires the others to dream of freedom.

4.    

The fire bird thinks of another breeze

And the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

And the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

And he names the sky his own.

Reference to the context:

These lines showing the free bird’s dissatisfaction, selfish nature and its greediness for craving more, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know why caged bird sings, written by Maya Angelou.

Here the poetess points out the selfishness of the free bird which is not satisfied with its first flight and longs for another fresh flight. It shows its greediness for more freedom.

Explanation:

At one side, we see the caged bird which always longs to take a free flight in the sky, but its cherished dream remains unfulfilled and on the other side we see the free bird which, inspite of taking first flight freely in the sky, does not seem to be satisfied with it and shows heavy greed to have another flight. The free bird always remains dissatisfied and expects more freedom. It thinks of another flight with another current of the air or breeze and of course it can enjoy for another flight for getting more joy and pleasure. It can enjoy flying the trade wind that blows through the trees which produce sighing or moaning sound under the impact of wind. Actually, the sighing sound is made by the breeze while passing through the leafy branches. It gives an indication to their lack of freedom, as the trees are also tied to the ground like the caged bird. It can find its own at its will. It can enjoy the fat worms waiting for it at the sunrise in the green lawn. Fat worms are the best food for the free bird. With the wind in its feathers, water and earth beneath it and the whole sky with it, it feels majestic in its freedom and calls the entire sky its own domain. The free bird knows itself to be the proprietor of this whole universe. Here the sky stands for the universe.

5.    

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing

Reference to the context:

These lines showing again the distressful condition of the caged bird, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know why the caged bird sings, written by Maya Angelou.

Here the poetess makes again a shift to the caged bird and its helplessness. The caged bird’s condition is so distressful that the cage becomes a symbol of its grave of dreams. But once again, the caged bird sings of its freedom.

Explanation:

The bird which is made a captive behind the bars of the cage, is ever craving for freedom but in vain. It cannot come out of it. Its cage becomes the grave of its dreams. It stands on the   grave of its unfulfilled dreams. The shadow, that the caged bird sees of itself makes it scream. The caged bird is utterly frightened to see its pitiable condition in its shadow. After seeing its shadow, it comes to know the reality that its wings have been clipped and its feet are tied. The loss of freedom results in the mental agony for the caged bird. However, the harsh and painful aspects of the caged bird’s existence do not take away its dignity. It knows its strength and uses it for expressing its rebellion by singing.

6.

The caged bird sings

With a fearful trill

Of things unknown

But longed for still

And his tune is heard

On the distant hill

For the caged bird

Sings of freedom

Reference to the context:

These lines presenting a repetition to emphasise the miserable and pathetic state of the caged bird, have been extracted from the poem entitled I know why the caged bird sings, written by Maya Angelou.

The poetess has made a repetition of the stanza because she wants to make us realise the pain, anguish, unfulfilled dreams and shattered hopes of the caged bird.

Explanation:

Although the caged bird lives a life of captive behind the bars of the cage and has never experienced freedom, it still sings of it. Its voice is heard far and wide and its longing foe freedom and equality can not be dismissed as a distant voice. Even though the caged bird lives a harsh life, it continues to persist, persevere and is unwilling to surrender to its opponents. It still longs for freedom in its song.

The poetess feels that the black Americans wrote and sang and danced and cried out the freedom they deserved, but they were only heard as a distant voice. Yet, this did not stop them crying out for freedom and equality because they knew they were made for freedom.  

How did Luz Long exemplify the true sporting spirit?

Q. 2 How did Luz Long exemplify the true sporting spirit? Explain the reference to Coubertin.

Ans. Luz Long noticing a world record holder pathetically fouling, understood the reason behind it. Without hesitation, despite being an opponent, he extended an arm of friendship to Owens. Long was expected to beat Owens in the finals. His being friendly with Owens would only result angering his leader. But without paying any heed to that, he gave his rival crucial tips to avoid fouling. Owens took Luz's  advice and won.

When Owens finished his jump, he found Long by his side congratulating him on his victory, not bothering about his leader's glares. He did not seem to mind his loss. Though Luz had lost the game, he was happy to see his friend's success. His  demeanour and handshake, at Owen's victory, showed no sign of jealousy either. Long was epitome of the message of Coubertin that not winning, but taking part in Olympics is more important.

Coubertin had declared that taking part in Olympics was more important by winning. Luz Long, Being a true Sportsman and an amazing  human being , helped his fellow sportsman to qualify in his jump that made him win . This shows that Long Believed in participating rather than winning. His Rival's winning did not make him jealous . On the contrary,he congratulated with all his heart . This clearly exemplifies that Long believed in Coubertin's words and passed the thoughts to owen.

My Greatest Olympic Prize

My Greatest  Olympic Prize
Question Answers

Q. 1 How did Jesse feel that he was relieved from all the tension and was overpowered with confidence?

Ans. Jesse seemed to be highly disappointed and frustrated at his failure for not qualifying for the final. He had grown so upset that he kicked disgustedly at the dust. Luz Long who was a German athlete and had easily qualified for the finals on his first attempt, was looking all this. He came to Jesse and put his hand on his shoulder. When Jesse turned back, he saw before him a tall German jumper who seemed to be friendly. Luz Long spoke to him that something was troubling him. Then, consoling Jesse, Luz Long told him if he jumped with his eyes closed, he would be able to qualify.

Finally, when Luz felt that Jesse had now calmed down, he pointed to the starting line and talked about it. He advised Jesse to draw a line a few inches in back of the board and start running from there and thus he would avoid mistake in the game. And by doing so, there was a golden chance for Jesse to qualify for finals.  Luz also persuaded Jesse saying that it did not matter much taht he was not selected in his first trial. Having been consoled by Luz, Jesse felt relaxed. It seemed to him that all the tension had gone from his mind. He had known the truth that was spoken to him. Confidently, Jesse drew a line a full foot in back of the board and proceed to jump from there. He qualified with almost a foot to spare.