KEEPING QUIET, BY PABLO NERUDA CBSE GRADE 12, ENGLISH CORE

KEEPING QUIET

BY  PABLO NERUDA

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Read the following extracts and answer the following:

1. Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.
(a)Name the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)Why does the poet ask us to count to twelve?
(c)Why does the poet ask us to keep still?
(d) Find words from the line which mean.
(ii) Say number (iii) Quiet and motionless.
Ans:
(a)It is from “Keeping Quiet”, by Pablo Neruda who was a Nobel Prize awardee for Literature
(b)Number 12 is an important number in the calendar. There are only twelve numbers on the clock to measure hours as well as 12 months in a year. Therefore, the poet indirectly asks us to count till the day or an year ends.

(c)The poet asks us to be silent because too much rush and unwanted conversations will lead us to the dark pits of misfortune

(d) (i) count (ii) still

 

2. For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for one second, and not move our arms so much.
(a) What do you mean by “on the face of the earth”?
(b) ‘Let’s not speak in any language’, says the poet. Why?
(c)What should we not do for a second?
(d) What is the poetic device in the line “not move our arms so much”?

Ans:
(a) It means all over the earth
(b) The people use different languages in the world. Different languages keep the people in different strata. Because of the ego and the people indulge in wars and make their world insecure. If they do not talk too much, there will have peace and harmony.

 (c) We should not shake our arms for a second; it means we should not use arms and ammunitions for harmful activities

 (d) “Arms” means our hands. It also means weapon, including bombs, guns etc. Here, the poetic device is “pun”.

3. It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
(a) What do you mean by “exotic”?

 (b)What will happen if there is no rush or sound of machines?
(c)What sort of moment will it be?
(d)How would all of us feel at that moment?

Ans:

(a) Unusual, enticing, attracting

 (b)There will be peace of mind and pleasure.

(c) It will be a very enticing and beautiful moment.
(d) All of us would enjoy the sudden strangeness of that moment. There would not be war or enmity.

 

4. Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
(a)What do fishermen usually do in the cold sea?
(b)What does the poet ask fishermen not to do?
(c)What has happened to the man gathering salt?
(d) What should the man gathering salt do?

Ans:

(a)Fishermen usually catch fish, particularly big fish in the cold seas.
(b)The poet asks fishermen not to hurt or injure the whales in the seas.
(c) While gathering salt the man has injured his own hands. Pieces of salt are sharp edged
(d) He must take care of his hurt hands and introspect.

5. Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their
brothers in the shade, doing nothing.
(a) What do you mean by green wars?
(b)What sort of wars is mentioned in the above lines?
(c)What kind of victory will it be?
(d) How should the lovers of war behave?

Ans:

(а) Green wars are wars against the environment. They would kill the environment.

 (b) In these lines the poet mentions with wars with poisonous gas and fire arms like bombs
(c) Victory without survivors will not be a victory. Without survivors how one can celebrate victory, it will be a colourless and meaningless victory.

 (d) They should put on clean clothes and walk holding their brothers’ hands to some shades in a peaceful air and sit under the trees doing nothing.

 

6. What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity. i Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness of never understanding

ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.

(a)What does the poet want? What should it not be confused with?
(b)Explain: 7 want no truck with death’.
(c)What do people pursue single-mindedly? Which is the better course the poet suggests?
(d)When can a huge silence do us good?
Ans:
(а)The poet is advocating for silence or stillness. Stillness should not be confused with total inactivity or death.
(b)Total inactivity brings death. The poet refuses to associate with death. Thus, he is not advocating for death. The death and inactivity are different
(c)The People pursue single-mindedly on only one thing that they keep their lives moving. ..The poet suggests that it would be better if they give themselves rest for some time.
(d)A huge silence can do us a lot of good when we are disappointed at not understanding ourselves or threatening ourselves with death.

 7. Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

(a)What can the Earth teach us?
(b)What remains alive when everything seems dead?
(c) “and later proves to be alive” What does it mean?
(d)What does the poet ask us to do?
Ans:
‘(a) The earth can teach us a lesson on how to live on it and that it will never die (b)Only the earth remains alive when everything seems dead.
(c) It means when everything seems dead the earth proves that it will never die.
(d) He asks us to keep quiet while he is counting up to twelve.

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem? 

Ans: We do not understand ourselves and do rash actions. All disasters and calamities are created by man. Man becomes his own threat and enemy. It is a sad state and disaster of his life.

2. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

Ans: The poet wants to show that under apparent stillness, life can still exist as a seed which is in the state of stillness. But it has life in it. One day it will grow. To prove his point, he invokes the earth as a living symbol. The earth will never die. This idea is beautifully explained in the following lines – “as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive’.

3. How will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us? 

Ans: Keeping Quiet for duration of counting up to twelve will provide us a short peace of mind and also one can introspect oneself. Most of the problems are caused due to hurry and rush. They will create angry and violence. Hence, keeping still gives us peace and happy.

 

 

 

 

                                      

ON GOING PLACES, GRADE 12, ENGLISH CORE (CBSE)

SHORT ANSWERS AND LONG ANSWER

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Q1. What were the dreams of Sophie? Why did Jansie discourage them?  Ans: Sophie wanted to open an amazing boutique in the city. At the same time, she wanted to be an actress and have the boutique as a side business. She also wanted to be a fashion designer. But Jansie asked Sophie to be sensible and stop dreaming impossible things because both of them earmarked to be apprentices in a biscuit factory.

 Q2.Did Geoff believe Sophie when she narrated her meeting with Danny Casey?
Ans: No, Geoff didn’t believe what Sophie had narrated about her meeting with Danny Casey. He said, “It can’t be true”. Then he repeated, “I don’t believe it.” Sophie then said that how Danny Casey came and stood beside her. Geoff asked her, “What does he look like?”  Her answer didn't convince him that she met Danny Casey.  

 Q3. Did her father believe her story?

Ans: No, when he heard that Sophie had met Danny Casey, he looked at her with disdain. When Sophie remarked that Danny was going to buy a shop, her father murmured that it was her another wild story 

 Q4. Why didn’t Sophie tell Jansie the story about Danny?

Ans: According to Sophie, Jansie was nosey who wanted to know other people’s affairs. She would spread the news in the whole neighbourhood. So, Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story with Danny.

Q5. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?

Ans: No, Sophie did not meet Danny Casey. She was highly fascinated by the young Irish footballer. She imagined him as her lover. She sat in the park, waiting for him. She knew that he would not come. She felt sad and it became a hard burden to carry. She was in her dreamy world where she imagined Casey was with her.

Q6. When did Sophie see Danny Casey in person?

Ans: When she was watching  the football match on Saturdays, she got to see Danny Casey, the Irish footballer. On all Saturdays her family would go to watch football match. The last Saturday, she met the Irish genius going round with two big defenders on the edge of the penalty area.

Q7. What is the difference between the characters of Sophie and Jansie?

Ans: Sophie and Jansie are different in their characters. Sophie is a day dreamer. She dreams a lot and floats in the lake of dreams. But Jansie is a realist. She knows that she belongs to a middle class family. She also knows that she is earmarked for a biscuit factory. She advises Sophie to be sensible and practical. But Sophie considers Jansie as a nosey girl.

Q8.Describe the character of Sophie’s father

Ans: Sophie’s father is an industrious man. He is looking grimy and sweaty. He doesn't seem to be an educated man. He is a realist and doesn't believe his daughter's wild stories. He likes football matches. He is a fan of Tom Finney, the great  footballer. He also believes that Danny Casey will be as good as Tom Finney. He looks after his house well and good.

Q9.What are the indicators of Sophie's financial status?

Ans: Sophie belongs to a lower middle class family. She has wild and impossible dreams. She dreams of things she can’t have in real life..Geoff's occupation is their main economic source. He is an apprentice mechanic. His jacket is shapeless. Her father may be an ordinary employee in a factory . It means she belongs to a lower middle class family

 

Q10. Why does Jansie say : “Soaf, you really should be sensible” ?

Ans: Jansie knows Sophie’s financial position. Both of them are earmarked for a biscuit factory. Sophie dreams of big and beautiful things like having a boutique. To have a boutique she needs a lot of money and experience. Sophie has neither of them. So Jansie tells her to be sensible.

Q11. How does Geoff differ from his sister Sophie?

Ans: Geoff is a grown up boy and an apprentice mechanic. He has to travel to his work site each day to the far side of the city. He speaks little but listens to his sister’s ‘wild stories’. But he is not a day dreamer like her. He knows the financial limitations of his family. He advises Sophie not to entertain dreams for a celebrity like Danny Casey.

Q12. Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?      
Ans: Geoff was a grown up boy. He spoke little. Words  were precious to him. Sophie was jealous of his silence. She knew that when he was not speaking, he would be away somewhere else. She thought that he was out in a place where she had never been. She wanted to get her brother’s affection and love.

LONG ANSWER.

1. Every teenager has a hero / heroine to admire. So many times they become role models for them. What is wrong if Sophie fantasizes about Danny Casey and is ambitious in life? (CBSE AI 2016)

Ans:  Teenage period constitutes major changes in one's life. During the phase a boy or a girl learns many things. He / She sets his/her career goals. During this period they have high peer pressure. More over they want to be adults and fantasizing wild dreams. It is true that a teenager lives in a world of dreams.

It is wrong to say that dreaming or fantasizing is nonsense. It is based on realistic aims and the world gives them ample opportunities to achieve their dreams. If one has confidence, positivity and optimism, he or she cannot be defeated.

Here, Sophie's fantasy about Danny Casey is not a matured one. It is a child's longing and a one way affection. He is a celebrity footballer and she is a simple school girl. We can dream but should not grow mad. Sophie should be a realistic and sensible girl.  

LETTERS TO EDITOR, GRADE XII (CBSE), ENGLISH CORE

 

 

 

LETTERS TO EDITOR

CBSE GRADE XII, ENGLISH CORE (SECTION-B, WRITING)

mkchandran.blogspot.com

FORMAT

1. Sender's Address (without the name of the sender)

2. Date

(Leave one line gap here)

3. Receiver's Address

(Example: The Editor,

                    The Hindu,

                    Chennai - 16)

4. Sub:

(Sub: is enough, no need for full spelling  'Subject' )

5. Salutation

(Example: Respected Sir,

                   Dear Sir)

6. Introduction

7. Body of the letter

8. Conclusion (with your suggestion)

9. Leave taking

(Example: Yours faithfully

                    Yours truly)

10. Signature

(In the Exam paper don't put your signature. You can use "Sd/-" instead of real signature)

11. Your full name in capital letters

............................................................................................................

 

 

Example 1

Some of the privately owned and managed schools exploit their teachers by paying them a part of their authorized salaries. This affects their performance and the future of students. Write a letter to the Editor of a National Daily raising your voice against such an exploitation in 120 - 150 words. Also suggest a solution to the problem. You are Devan / Devika

Ans:

12/6C, Amman Kovil Road

Keelapuliyur

Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu.

 

22 Sept, 2023

 

The Editor

The Hindu

Beach Road

Chennai

 

Sub: Private School Teachers are exploited:

Respected Sir

I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the pathetic condition of Private school teachers through the columns of your esteemed news paper. They are exploited by their managements by giving them a fraction of their real salaries.

If the teachers don't get their full salaries as per the payroll register, they will be despised and it will affect the quality of education. If it continues, the students future will be a question mark. If teachers are half bellied, it would definitely affect the career of students

The private school teachers are exempted from perks and allowances. They are ill paid. But they are molding great many rank holders and great citizens. The law regarding the employment of private school teachers should be implemented strictly. Government should monitor the private schools with an upper eye. The school authorities must be human and humane.

I request the concerned authorities to look into the matter at their earliest and take necessary steps to ensure full promised pay  to these nation builders

Yours faithfully

    Sd/-

DEVAN

 

Example No.2

Many children in the age group of 5 to 14 remain at home. They are working in the hotels, fields or simply loitering in the streets. write a letter to the Editor of a National Daily highlighting the problem and also offering some solutions in 120 - 150 words. You are Lakshmi / Lakshmanan.

Ans:

H.No. 12/6, Prem Vihar

3rd Avenue , M.G. Road

Mambakkam, Tamil Nadu

 

24/09/2023

 

The Editor

The  Indian Express

Paris Corner, Chennai 15

 

Sub: Regarding child labour:

Respected Sir

Through the columns of your reputed newspaper, I wish to arrest the attention of the concerned authorities towards  "Child Labour". Though there is Child Labour Abolition Act enacted in 1972 , still many people force the children to do labour in their houses, hotels, farm fields and factories.

Most of the children are bonded labourers. I found many children disinterested or rather indifferent towards education. In the rural areas the same attitude is seen among their parents and elders. Parents will borrow money from landlords, the  factory owners or  hotels managers. To clear their debts, they will  send their son / daughter as bonded labourers.

A strong motivation is needed in this respect. The parents seek extra help from their minor children or some petty cash out of their work. I strongly believe that  it should not be by sparing their children's education

Parents should take initiation for the education of their children. To attract the children, the schools must give free lunch, snacks, books and uniforms. It is wiser to remember that children are the future of tomorrow.

Yours truly

Sd/-

LAKSHMI   

 

Example 3.

You are Navtej / Navita, Secretary, Environment Club, Akash Public School, Agra. You along with a group of students, went on a three day tour through Corbett National Park. You found how the tourist abuse the available facilities and thus endanger the environment. Write a letter, in 120 -150 words, to the Editor of a National Daily highlighting the situation. Suggest ways  though which the environment of the park can be saved. (CBSE (AI) 2015)  

Ans:

Akash Public School

Grand Central Road

Agra 651290

 

25 Sept 20XX

The Editor

The Hindustan Times

Agra

 

Sub: The tourist endanger Corbett National Park:

 

Respected Sir

Through the columns of your reputed newspaper, I wish to arrest the attention of the concerned authorities towards the endangering situation of our environment. Corbett National Park in India is considered as a notable tourism centre in the world. It is rich with a variety of flora and fauna. Moreover it is the oldest park in India, hence it is our duty to protect it.

But the tourists endanger its environment  in many ways. They throw waste plastic bottles and plastic bags wherever they like to litter. They also disturb wild life by throwing stones and waste food. There are parking areas but they park their vehicles in prohibited areas. The authories seemed to be blind and deaf in this regard. Animals and birds hide on seeing human beings.

The following measures may be taken

1. Limit the number of visitors

2. Maintain the parking areas strictly

3. Penalize those who harm the environment

4. Increase patrolling

5. Provide littering areas

6. Post educated guards to direct the tourists

 

I  request the authorities to look into the matter at their earliest and take necessary actions

Thanking you

Sd/-

NAVITA 

 

 

Example 4.

You are Shubha / Krushna Mohanty, residing in Subhadra Appartments, Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha. You have observed , with increasing concern, that garbage collection continues to be done without segregation in your neighbourhood. Write a letter to the Editor of "The Real Times", Bhuvaneshwar, in about 120- 150 words, explaining your concern along with the rationale behind the importance of garbage segregation. Suggest ways in which the R.W.As can participate in this programme.  (CBSE Sample Paper 2021)

Ans:

AP 304, Subhadra Appartment

Bhuvaneswar

Odisha

 

25 Sept 20XX

 

The Editor

The Real Times

Diwan Road

Bhuvaneswar 16

 

Sub: Regarding unwise Garbage Collection:

Respected Sir

I wish to draw the attention of the concerned Municipal Authorities towards the unwise garbage collection and its after effects through  the columns of your esteemed newspaper.

We, the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of Subhadra  Apartment has provided separate garbage containers to all of its residents such as containers for dry waste,  wet  waste and e waste. But the workers who collect the garbage can't pay any attention on the different waste containers. They dumb all wastes in a van and mix all types of wastes.

The mixed wastes will produce different health issues. While decomposing the mixed waste, they will produce toxic gases, which is dangerous to our health. I request to the concerned authorities to pay a higher attention on it and de compose the garbage separately.

Kindly highlight this issue and bring it to the notice of the authorities

Thanking You

Yours truly

Sd/-

SHUBHA MOHANTY                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADE 11, ENGLISH CORE, DISCOVERING TUT (CBSE)

 

GRADE 11, CBSE, ENGLISH

DISCOVERING TUT, THE SAAGA CONTINUES

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ANSWERED BY M.K.CHANDRAN

mkchandran.blogspot.com

 

Short Answers:

1. Why did Tut change his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun?
Ans: There were two famous Gods in ancient Egypt during Tut's period. They were known as Aten (the Sun God) and Amun, another famous God. Amenhottep IV destroyed the images of Amun God and his temples. The king Tut didn't like it. He worshipped Amun God and he changed his name as Tutakhamun, which meant the servant of Amun God.

2 List some adornments on Tut’s body. Why did they keep the adornments along with the dead body?
Ans: Egyptians believed that there was life after death. So they buried different sorts of adornments along with the dead body. When Carter opened the mummy he found that many wonderful gold ornaments like necklaces, bracelets, rings, amulets and board games, linen undergarments, cases of food and drink. They believed that the deceased would use all those items in their afterlife.

3. Who was Howard Carter? What did he discover?
Ans: Howard Carter was a British Archaeologist.  He wanted to study about the death and the reason of death of the teenager king Tut.  He searched his tomb for many years. But it was fruitless. At last he discovered his tomb in 1922.

4. What did Howard Carter do to separate Tut's body from his coffin?
Ans: Howard Carter had no sophisticated tools to work. He was unable to open the coffin. The ritual resin was very strong and hard. So that he put the coffin in the scorching desert sun and heated it in 147 degree Fahrenheit. But it didn't work. He couldn't take out Tut's body from the coffin. At last he applied chisel and cut the body into pieces and took them out. 

5. Carter took a drastic decision regarding the mummy. What was it? How did he justify it?
Ans: Carter took a drastic decision that he chiseled  away the hardened resins from under Tut’s body. As a result of that the Skelton was damaged. The workers removed Tut’s head and almost all joints. Carter justified it by telling that  if he didn't cut the mummy, thieves would have ripped it in order to get the valuable trasure.

6. Why was Tut’s mummy scanned again after so many years?
Ans: Archaeologists were not satisfied with Howard Carter. He didn't use any advanced technology. In his group there had no radiologists, forensic experts and anatomy professors. Hence the modern archaeologists decided to find out the manner of Tut's death and the age at the time of his death. So they scanned Tut's mummy again.

7. What was the result of the CT Scanning?
Ans: The CT scan  showed a grey head of Tut. The technician spun and tilted it. It also showed the neck vertebrae, a hand and the rib cage. Moreover it also showed the cross section of his skull.

.8. What were the funerary treasures found in the tomb?
Ans: There was a shroud with a decorated garland of willow and olive leaves, wild celery, lotus petals and cornflowers. They calculated that the burial might have taken  place in the month of March or April because those things were easily available in March and April. Golden artifacts and things of every-day use were kept in the burial chamber.

9. How was Amenhotep IV described in ‘the history of ancient Egypt’?
Ans: Amenhotep IV did many  foolish activities. He asked the people to worship Aten, the Sun God, and later he attacked Amun, the major God of many people. He ordered his people to smash the images of Amun and destroy his temples. He also shifted the religious capital from the old city of Thebes to the new city of Akhnaten, which was later known as Amarna.

LONG ANSWER.

1. “The mummy was in very bad condition because of what Carter had done in  1920s,” said Zahi Hawaas. How far is the statement true?

Ans: The above statement was true. Carter easily opened two of the three nested coffins and announced the time of burial by seeing the presence of lotus petals, wild celery, olive leaves, willow leaves and dried cornflowers. They were easily available in the month of March or April in Egypt. In the third coffin where Tut's dead body was kept, the ritual resin was hardened. They fixed  the body to the bottom of the coffin using strong resins. He placed the coffin in 149 degrees temperature of the desert sun, but it didn't work. Thus Carter cut the mummy free.

To separate Tut from the ornaments he cut his body into piece by piece , Carter’s men cut his head and every major joints. They had reassembled them on a layer of sand and laid it back in the coffin, hiding the damage.

Carter said that he cut his body piece by piece to take away his valuable gold ornaments from his body, if not thieves would steal them. During those days archaeology lacked sophisticated tools. Thus we cannot justify Carter's action.

 

 

 

AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS BY ADRIENNE RICH, GRADE XII ENGLISH CORE

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

By. Adrienne Rich

Grade XII, English core

Prepared by : M. K. Chandran

mkchandran.blgpot.com

 

1    MCQ

(1)What does the poet criticize in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?

(a)  The society

(b) The Government

(c)  Aunt Jennifer’s husband

(d) Male-domination

Ans: (d)

2.     The wedding band in the poem is a symbol of

(i)                The husband’s superiority

(ii)              The oppression of women

(iii)            The proud of women

(iv)            The wife’s superiority

Ans: (ii)

3.     The figure of speech used in ‘terrified hands” is…….

(a)  Simile

(b) Metaphor

(c)  Transferred epithet

(d) Alliteration

Ans: (c )

4.     “Still ringed with ordeals , she was mastered by.”

What do you mean by “mastered by”?

(a)  Put under

(b) Highly educated

(c)  Passed M.A degree

(d) Hardships

Ans: (a)

5.     Why did Aunt Jennifer make tigers on a panel?

(a)  She liked tigers

(b) For time pass

(c)  Earning money

(d) To be fearless

Ans: (d)

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What is the theme of the poem?

Ans: The theme of the poem is male dominated society. The hardship of the married life crush women badly. However their desire to be free can not be suppressed. That is why Aunt Jennifer creates fearless tigers.

2. Mention some important the symbols used in the poem:

Ans: The massive weight of the wedding band shows the hardship of her married life. It also indicates her husband’s dominating character. Terrified hands indicate terror and hardship of married life faced by Aunt Jennifer. The polished cars indicate the rich people who own costly cars.

3. Why did Aunt Jennifer face difficult to move the needle ?

Ans:  Aunt Jennifer was old. She found the needle hard to pull because she was  very weak and faced a lot of hardship during her married life. She did not enjoy any pleasure from her married life. she was nervous and weak. Her husband dominated her in all the aspect.

4. Why did Aunt Jennifer create tigers that were different from her own character?

Ans: Aunt Jennifer's tigers did not afraid men. They moved with dignity and confidence. They were proud and unafraid unlike Aunt Jennifer. She faced displeasure in her married life. Her husband dominated her throughout her life. She wanted to create something strong which would dominate her husband.  She was scared her husband and was terrified. So she created fearless tigers.

5. Describe the use of poetic devices in the poem

Ans:  The massive weight of the wedding band is a apt symbol of the ordeals and hardship of Aunt's married life. 'Terrified hands'- is a transferred epithet; which stands for the poor  condition of a woman. She has none to seek help. Her husband dominated her in all aspects.

6. What do you learn of the married life of Aunt Jennifer?

Ans: In a male dominated society the wife is always suppressed.  She has no freedom to do anything alone. She has to seek permission from her husband for every minute things. She is terrified of her dominating husband. The heavy and massive ordeals have taken out her pleasure of life and adversely affected her body and mind.

7. "Aunt Jennifer's tigers go on prancing fearlessly even after her death" Explain

Ans: Aunt Jennifer's tigers are on a panel. It was an excellent embroidery work. Her tigers will not die, they are a perfect art foam that survive for long. All living beings are mortal whereas the artistic creations are immortal. That is why her tigers will go on  prancing fearlessly even after her death.