My Childhood

Question

What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

Answer

He says that he inherited honesty and self discipline from his father. He further says that he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.

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Some More Questions From My Childhood Chapter

2. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?
(ii) What did his father say to this?
(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?

Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:

erupt    surge   trace   undistinguished   casualty

Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used.
Now answer the following questions.
1. What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?
2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?
3. Can you find undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look for the word distinguished and say what undistinguished mean.)

Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

 

                                    A

 

(i) broke out
ii) in accordance with
iii) a helping hand
iv) could not stomach
v) generosity of spirit
vi) figures of authority

 

                                      B

 

(a) an attitude of kindness, a     readiness to give freely
(b) was not able to tolerate
(c) began suddenly in a violent way
(d) assistance
(e) persons with power to make decisions
(f) according to a particular rule, principle,

 

2. Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un – or in – to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).
• I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. (un + distinguished)
• My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts.(in + essential)
• The area was completely unaffected by the war.(un + affected)
• He should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance. (in + equality, in + tolerance)
Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-. The prefix in- can also have the forms il-, ir-, or im- (for example: illiterate il + literate, impractical im + practical, irrational – ir + rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.

_adequate

_____acceptable

_____regular

_____tolerant

_____demanding

_____active

_____true

_____permanent

_____patriotic

_____disputed

_____accessible

_____coherent

_____logical

_____legal

_____responsible

_____possible




IV. Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive
form.
1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.
2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.
4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.
6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore

V. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in
brackets.

1. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the
1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962.
In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor (seriously injure
and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head
by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull (fracture). The entire
team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush ) to
hospital. He (accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies
Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help,
Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.

2. Oil from Seeds
Vegetable oils (make) from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over
the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil (produce) from
cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil (use)
for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives (shake) from the trees and (gather)
up, usually by hand. The olives (ground) to a thick paste which is spread
onto special mats. Then the mats (layer) up on the pressing machine which
will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms ...” What uniforms do you think the poet is
          speaking about?
     (ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?

In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.

How many common features can you find in stanza 2 ? Pick out the words.

“...whenever we are told to hate our brothers ...” When do you think this
happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times?
What does the poet say?