These TS 8th Class English Important Questions 5th lesson Education and Career will help the students to improve their time and approach.
TS 8th Class English Important Questions 5th lesson Education and Career
Section – A : Reading Comprehension (25 Marks)
Questions : (1 – 10), Marks : 15
1. Read the following part of interview.
HC : I used to have this terrible nightmare. Only now, over the last four to five years, it seems to have disappeared.
BR : What nightmare are you talking about and why do you think- it has disappeared now?
HC : I used to get continuous nightmares about appearing for a maths examination where I did not know anything! Now the psyche must have gotten over it, I don’t have to think about education and there is absolutely no time to get nightmares.
BR : Tell us something about your earliest memories in school.
HC : In the first and second year I was a good student. After 1 reached the third standard, I simply lost interest and I never studied.
I used to be interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. I would copy in class during exam times. I would try to get hold of the examination paper that had. been prepared and study it, as I could not remember things that had been taught to me in class.
However, later, one sentence spoken to me by my Principal changed my life.
When I approached my eleventh standard, the Principal called me and said, “Look here* Son. I have been seeing you since day one. You are a good student, but you never studied. I have taken care of you till today. Now, f can no longer take care of you, so you do it yourself.”’
He talked to me for five minutes, “You don’t have your father, your mother has worked so hard to bring you up and paid all your fees all these years but you have only played games. Now you should rise to the occasion and study.” I used to be a very good sportsman. I had been the senior champion for so many years and I also was the cricket captain. I used to play every game, but that year I did not step out onto the field.
I would go for prayers and all I would do was eat and study. J normally used to copy and pass, but I realised that once I was in SSC, I could not do that.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
Question 1.
What does ‘that’ refer to in the expression, “……………….. once I was in SSC, I could not do that,” ?
A) to eat and study
B) to go for prayers
C) to copy and pass
D) not to copy and pass
Answer:
C) to copy and pass
Question 2.
“I used to have this terrible nightmare.” – Here the nightmare was ________
A) about appearing for a maths examination
B) about ghosts
C) about his Principal
D) about games
Answer:
A) about appearing for a maths examination
Question 3.
The word ‘psyche’ means ________
A) a perverted person
B) a dream
C) a game
D) mind
Answer:
D) mind
Question 4.
“Only now over the last four to five years, it seems to have disappeared.” – What have disappeared ?
A) dreams about playing games
B) dreams about education
C) dreams about funny pranks
D) dreams about jokes
Answer:
B) dreams about education
Question 5.
When Hafeez was in his fifth standard, he might have been interested in ________
A) playing games
B) mathematics
C) nightmares
D) education
Answer:
A) playing games
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each. (5 × 2 = 10M)
Question 6.
What are his Principal’s words that changed Mr. Hafeez’s life completely ?
Answer:
When Hafeez approached his eleventh standard, his Principal affectionately called him as son and told him that he had been seeing him since day one. He was a good student, but he never studied. He had taken care of him till that day. Then, he could no longer take care of him, so he must do it himself. He didn’t have his father, his mother had worked so hard to bring him up and paid all his fees all those years but he had only played games. It was the time for him to rise to the occasion and study. These words changed Mr. Hafeez’s life completely.
Question 7.
Hafeez said, “I used to play every game, but that year I did not step out onto the field.” – Why do you think he did not step out onto the field ?
Answer:
His Principal’s words influenced him very much. Those words changed his life -> Completely. So he did not step out onto the field.
Question 8.
Why did Hafeez try to get hold of the examination paper and study it ?
Answer: Hafeez used to be interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. He was not interested in academics. He would copy in class during exam times. As he could not remember things that had been taught to him in class, he would try to get hold of the examination paper and study it.
Question 9.
Name the areas in which Hafeez contractor interested.
Answer:
Hafeez was interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others.
Question 10.
“Now you should rise to the occasion and study.” – What does the Principal mean by this expression ?
Answer:
Hafeez was not a little boy anymore. He was in his eleventh standard. He should be responsible. He should take care of himself. He should concentrate on his studies.
2. Read the following part of interviews.
HC : When I got a second class, 50 per cent, in my SSC, my Principal said, “Son, consider yourself as having got distinction!”. This is my memory of my school days. I did lots of other things. See, a? far as my things are concerned, I can’t remember. I forget things very easily. To remember, I have to see things as a photograph. I read a book and I can remember the matter as a photograph but not through my mind. That is how it works.
BR : When you were in school and you were doing badly,did the teachers pull you up and how did you feel?
HC : I never felt anything on being pulled up. I used to be so interested in playing. I would receive a caning every week.
BR : When you knew that you had incurred the wrath of your teacher by not doing your homework or by behaving badly, when you knew you would get a caning, what was the state of your mind?
HC : State of mind? Just lift up the hand and they would cane me. It would hurt badly and then I would have to forget about it, because I would want to go and play.
BR : Have you ever felt insecure or threatened?
HC : I was just interested in playing and nothing else. I was most interested in funny pranks. One day, I did not want to study, so I created a distraction. For one whole hour we played ‘chor police’.
Every Saturday we were allowed to go into town to see a movie. So what I would do was have no lunch and collect money from 40-50 students, and run and buy the tickets. On my way back, I would eat to my heart’s content.
I used to be the leader of a gang. We would have gang fights and plan strategies. These things used to interest me more than any academics.
Students used to book my textbooks for the following year, because they were almost brand new. I probably opened them one day before exams.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
Question 1.
“This is my memory of my school days.” – Here ‘this’ refers to ________
A) getting distinction
B) getting 50 per cent in SSC
C) speaking to his Principal
D) copying in his SSC exams
Answer:
B) getting 50 per cent in SSC
Question 2.
As a student, Mr. Hafeez remembered things ________
A) by seeing them as a photograph
B) through his mind
C) through his eyes
D) by forgetting them easily
Answer:
A) by seeing them as a photograph
Question 3.
The word ‘strategies’ means _______
A) educational matters
B) fights
C) mindsets
D) methods of winning
Answer:
D) methods of winning
Question 4.
As a student, Hafeez would receive a caning every week because _______
A) of his good behaviour
B) he was interested in studies
C) of his bad behaviour
D) it was his hobby
Answer:
C) of his bad behaviour
Question 5.
When Hafeez knew that he would receive caning _______
A) he was frightened
B) he would take it easy
C) he would feel insecurity
D) he would be sad
Answer:
B) he would take it easy
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each. (5 × 2 = 10M)
Question 6.
What made Principal say to Hafeez to consider himself as having got distinction when he got second class in his SSC ?
Answer:
Hafeez’s Principal realized that Hafeez honestly tried hard and scored 50% of marks in his SSC. To encourage Hafeez, the Principal told him to consider himself as having got distinction.
Question 7.
What was the reason for which Hafeez indulged in distraction ?
Answer:
Hafeez was just interested in playing and nothing else. He was most interested in funny pranks. One day, he didn’t want to study, so he created a distraction. They played ‘chor police’ for one whole hour.
Question 8.
What do you understand by Hafeez’s words, “On my way back, I would eat to my heart’s content” ?
Answer:
Every Saturday the students were allowed to go into town to see a movie. He would take no lunch and collect money from 40 – 50 students and run and buy the tickets. On his way back, he would eat as much as he wanted. This means he would prefer a movie to meal.
Question 9.
Why did the students book Hafeez’s textbooks for the following year ?
Answer:
Students used to book his textbooks for the following year, because they were almost brand new. He probably opened them one day before exams.
Question 10.
What things did Hafeez prefer to academics ? List them.
Answer:
Hafeez preferred watching movies, participating in gang fights, planning strategies, playing games, playing jokes and pranks.
3. Read the following part of interview.
BR : How did you get into the field of architecture?
HC : In the college for architecture, nobody who had got below 80-85 per cent was allowed to enter. I had only 50 percent. I wanted to join the Army. I got my admission letter but my aunt tore it up. Then I decided that I wanted to join the police force. My mother said, “Don’t join the police force, just do’your graduation!” So I went to Jai Hind College in Bombay.
There, I was to take either French or German. Though I had studied French for seven years, I did not know seven words of French. So I took German. Then my German teacher died. The college told me that I could change the college or take French. Now, who would give me admission in another college? I had got admission to Jai Hind by influence. So I thought, ‘Okay, I will take French’ and I started learning French again. I learnt it frommy cousin. She was an architect’s wife. I was going to the architect’s office to learn French!
BR : Was it then that you decided you wanted to do architecture?
HC : Actually, it all happened quite by chance. In the architect’s office, I saw somebody drawing a window details. A window detail is very advanced drawing.
I told him that his drawing was wrong- that the window he had drawn would not open.
He then had a bet with me and later he found that indeed, his drawing was wrong! My cousin’s husband was surprised. He asked me to draw a few specific things, which I immediately did.
He asked me to design a house and I designed a house. After that, he told me to drop every thing and join architecture. We went to meet the Principal of the college. The Principal warned me, “I will allow you to take part in the entrance exams, but if you do not do well I will not allow you to join.”
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
Question 1.
In the college, Hafeez couldn’t study architecture because ________
A) he wanted to do graduation
B) he got 80-85% of marks
C) he wanted to join the police force
D) he only got 50% of marks
Answer:
D) he only got 50% of marks
Question 2.
At Jai Hind College, Hafeez took German because ________
A) he had studied french for seven years
B) he was interested in German
C) he didn’t know seven words of French
D) he had studied German for seven years
Answer:
C) he didn’t know seven words of French
Question 3.
“I was going to the architect’s office to learn French !” Here the architect is
A) Hafeez’s cousin
B) Hafeez’s cousin’s husband
C) Hafeez’s aunt
D) Hafeez’s mother
Answer:
B) Hafeez’s cousin’s husband
Question 4.
In the above text, the person that was being interviewed was _______
A) Hafeez Contractor
B) Hafeez’s aunt
C) Hafeez’s Principal
D) Ms. Bela Raja
Answer:
A) Hafeez Contractor
Question 5.
Hafeez’s cousin’s husband was surprised because _______
A) as he had a bet with another person in the office
B) to see Hafeez’s intelligence in drawing
C) to see Hafeez’s drawing was wrong
D) to see that he couldn’t draw window details
Answer:
B) to see Hafeez’s intelligence in drawing
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each. (5 × 2 = 10M)
Question 6.
Why did Mr. Hafeez want to join the police force ?
Answer:
At first Hafeez wanted to join the Army. He got his admission letter but his aunt tore it up. So he wanted to join the police force.
Question 7.
Why couldn’t Hafeez join either the police or the Army ?
Answer:
Hafeez wanted to join the Army but his aunt tore his admission letter up. So he couldn’t join the Army. Later he decided to join the police force. His mother told him not to join the police force and advised him to join his graduation. Thus he couldn’t join either the police or the Army.
Question 8.
At first Hafeez took German and then he changed to French. Why ? How did he manage to learn it ?
Answer:
Though Hafeez had studied French for seven years, he did not know seven words of French. So he took German. Then his German teacher died. So he took French. He managed to learn it from his cousin.
Question 9.
What made Hafeez become an architect ?
Answer:
One day Hafeez went to his cousin whose husband was an architect. In the architect’s office, he saw an assistant drawing the details of a window. Hafeez said that the window with those details wouldn’t open. Hafeez was proved right. That surprised the architect. He asked Hafeez to draw some specific details and to design a house. Hafeez drew them at once. Those were excellent sketches. That led Hafeez into architecture.
Question 10.
What did the Principal of the architecture college warn Hafeez ?
Answer:
The Principal of the architecture college warned Hafeez that he would allbw him to take part in the entrance exams, but if he did not do well, he would not allow him to join.
4. Read the following part of interview.
BR : Why do you think you did not like studies? Was Jt because you felt you could not cope, could not deal with the curriculum?
HC : I was very bad at languages. Science and geography 1 could deal with, maths was very bad. I just was not interested. I was studying for the sake of studying. What they taught me today, I would forget after two days. I would not bother because there was no application of mind there, to begin with.
BR : Did you think that what they taught in school was boring or did you feel that once you understood the concept of what was being taught, you lost interest in the rest of the lesson?
HC : Living in a boarding school is difficult. We were just living from day to day. Nowadays, there are so many tests. Back then, whenever we had tests, we used to just copy. The teacher thought that we had done our work.
BR : There is a contention that giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand. Do you think this applies to you?
HC : Well, take some students from my class. Those who always stood first or second are today doing very ordinary jobs.
BR : I have come across this situation in so many different places where people tell me that their class toppers are doing very ordinarily today.
HC : In school, I think living our lives there made us street smarts. I have learnt more by doing what I did on my own than what academics would have taught me.
BR : That is because the personality and skills were there. You were able to find expression in a manner you were comfortable with, and you defied every rule so that nobody would stop you from doing what you needed to do.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
Question 1.
The word ‘contention’ means ________
A) angry agreement between people
B) disagreement between people
C) scolding
D) rebuking
Answer:
A) angry agreement between people
Question 2.
Bela Raja said, “I have come across this situation _______.” What does the phrase ‘this situation’ refer to ?
A) dull students doing very ordinary jobs
B) clever students doing very good jobs
C) clever students doing very ordinary jobs
D) dull students doing jobs for very low wages
Answer:
C) clever students doing very ordinary jobs
Question 3.
Mr. Hafeez was very bad at ________
A) Telugu and Science
B) Telugu and Geography
C) Hindi and Geography
D) Telugu and Maths
Answer:
D) Telugu and Maths
Question 4.
The expression, “I was studying for the sake of studying,” means ________
A) He was not interested in studying at all
B) He was interested in studying very much
C) He studied carefully
D) He studied paying full attention
Answer:
A) He was not interested in studying at all
Question 5.
The text you have just read is ________
A) autobiography
B) biography
C) interview
D) play
Answer:
C) interview
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each. (5 × 2 = 10M)
Question 6.
Why do you think Hafeez was not interested in studies ?
Answer:
Hafeez was very bad at languages. He could deal with science and geography, but as far as maths was concerned, he didn’t do well. He studied for the sake of studying. What the teachers taught him that day, he would forget after two days. He would that day, he would foret after two days. He would not bother because there was no application of mind there.
Question 7.
What were the academic subjects in which Hafeez did badly ?
Answer:
Hafeez was bad at languages and mathematics.
Question 8.
Comment on the statement: “Giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand.” How do Hafeez’s experiences support this statement ?
Answer:
The given statement says that one who is naturally skilled cannot perform well in academic examinations. This proved to be totally right in the case of Hafeez. He never did well in his classes. But now he is a leading architect at national level.
Question 9.
Do you agree to the statement : “Giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand” ? Why (not) ?
Answer:
Yes, I agree to the statement. There are so many persons who are doing menial jobs and they performed very well when they were students. The persons who did not do well at their studies, now, they are leading a happy life and are enjoying a good status.
Question 10.
What does Hafeez mean by saying, “I have learnt more by doing what I did on my own than what academics would have taught me” ?
Answer:
Hafeez felt that he didn’t learn much in school. He had learnt more by doing what he did on his own than what academics would have taught him. He was of the opinion that his school subjects couldn’t help him in anyway.
5. Read the following part of interview.
HC : I was more interested in other things. If, for example, while in class, it started raining outside, I would think of the flowing water and how to build a dam to block it. I would be thinking about the flow of water within the dam and how much of water the dam would be able to hold. That was my interest for the day.
When students lost a button while playing or fighting, they would come running to me and I would cut a button for them from chalk, using a blade. Discipline in the school was very important and no student could afford to have a button missing. The student would get past dinner with a full neat uniform and after that it did not matter.
BR : Coming to the present, how do you decide as to what kind of structure you want to give a client?
HC : I look at the client’s face, his clothes, the way he talks and pronounces, the way he eats and I would know what his taste would be like. I can relate to people in a way that would be comfortable. I sketch very spontaneously on a paper on the spot. That paper, I give to my people in the office.
BR : Did you do it instinctively?
HC : Call it instinct, call it arithmetic, whatever. Now it comes to me like mathematics. Putting design, construction, psychology and sociology . together and making a sketch from all that is ‘mathematics’.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
Question 1.
When he was a student, Hafeez was afraid of a subject but later all his work was related to that only. That subject is _______
A) languages
B) mathematics
C) history
D) geogaphy
Answer:
B) mathematics
Question 2.
The word ‘spontaneously’ means ________
A) without planning
B) with proper planning
C) innovative
D) intentional
Answer:
A) without planning
Question 3.
Hafeez Contractor is ________
A) one of India’s leading ornithologists
B) one of India’s leading archaeologists
C) one of india’s leading sociologists
D) one of India’s leading architects
Answer:
D) one of India’s leading architects
Question 4.
The Interviewer of the above Interview is ________
A) Mr. Hafeez Contractor
B) Hafeez’s mother
C) Ms. Bela Raja
D) Hafeez’s Principal
Answer:
C) Ms. Bela Raja
Question 5.
The expression, “That was my interest for the day,” suggests that _______
A) Mr. Hafeez thought in his own way
B) when he was in class, Hafeez thought about only studies
C) when he was in class, Hafeez thought about rain
D) when he was in class, Hafeez thought about building a dam
Answer:
A) Mr. Hafeez thought in his own way
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each.
Question 6.
When Hafeez’s school mates lost a button, what would they do ?
Answer:
They would come running to Hafeez and he would cut a button for them from chalk, using a blade.
Question 7.
How does Hafeez decide as to what kind of structure would suit to his client ?
Answer:
Hafeez looks at the client’s face, his clothes, the way he talks and pronounces, the way he eats and he knows what his taste would be. He can relate to people in a way that would be comfortable. He sketches very spontaneously on a paper on the spot.
Question 8.
If it was raining outside while Hafeez was in class, what would he do ?
Answer:
Hafeez would think of the flowing water and how to build a dam to block it. He would think about the flow of water within the dam and how much of water the dam would be able to hold.
Question 9.
What, according to Hafeez, is ‘mathematics’ ?
Answer:
According to Hafeez, putting design, construction, psychology and sociologs together and making a sketch from all that is mathematics’.
Question 10.
Do you agree with Hafeez’s view of mathematics ? Why (not) ?
Answer:
I don’t find ‘mathematics’ difficult. In fact it is a very interesting subject for me. I can’t understand Hafeez’s definition about mathematics.
Questions : (11 – 16), Marks : 10
1. Read the following part of conversation.
The students of Class VIII were very excited. A computer specialist was going to speak to them ! He was a young man who was working in Google, a company that specializes in helping people search for information. He had also started a small voluntary group called ‘Intelligent Use’, to advise young students about intelligent and risky use of computers. His name was Kumar Valliappan, and he smiled at all of them as he came in.
Kumar : Hi, kids ! You can call me Kumar. And you can ask me any questions you want – at any time ! Don’t worry about interrupting me. Do you want to know how smart people use computers ?
All : Yes, Kumar !
Mani : Who made the computer ? God ?
Kumar : Well, the real answer is that many inventors contributed to the evolution of computers. The major contribution was by Charles Babbage, an English mathematician, who designed a computer in 1822. In general a computer is a machine that can be ‘programmed’ to receive information, store it and retrieve the data whenever we want. You know it’s like a human brain.
We study the lesson, retain in our memory, and recall it whenever we need to.
Kannan : My briain computer’s bad !
Kumar : There are bad computers – human or otherwise – only bad programmes, and unsure users !
Kannan : That’s reassuring !
Kumar : No problem. (Smiles)
Radha : Things are changing so fast with computers !
Kumar : True, from LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN [Wider Area Net¬work] to interlinking of computers at the global level, the World Wide Web – www.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (2 × 1 = 2M)
Question 11.
The conversation is about _______
A) the use of modern science
B) how to use the computers
C) Kumar Valliappan’s intelligence
D) a computer specialist
Answer:
B) how to use the computers
Question 12.
The latest network available for us is ________
A) LAN
B) WAN
C) CAN
D) WWW
Answer:
D) WWW
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. (4 × 2 = 8M)
Question 13.
Why do you think the students were excited ?
Answer:
The computer specialist, Kumar Valliappan, was going to speak to the students of class VIII. They could ask him any questions they wanted. So they were excited.
Question 14.
What is the main theme of the above text ?
Answer:
The main theme of the text is to make the students aware of using the computer in a right way.
Question 15.
What is ‘Intelligent Use’ ? How does it work ?
Answer:
Intelligent Use’ is a small voluntary group started by Kumar Valliappan. It advises young students about intelligent and risky use of computers.
Question 16.
What are the different ways in which you use a computer ?
Answer:
I can type documents. I listen to music. I chat with my friends. I use the internet to know more about so many things. I play games. I watch movies.
2. Read the following passage.
Thoreau’s father was part French ; his mother was the daughter of a New England minister. Young Thoreau was tough and strong, but not handsome ; he had a short body, long legs, and a big nose ; his manners were extremely awkward.
Though the family wasn’t wealthy, they sent young Henry to the local Concord Academy, where, as he said, he was “fitted, or rather made unfit, for College.” How¬ever, he successfully completed his education at Harvard College in 1837, at the early age of twenty. He did not like to follow an organized course of study but preferred to spend many hours in the library where the careful reading of books became the basis of his education.
Even as a young man, he showed love for a free, simple life, in some of his college papers he wrote against the “blind love of wealth, and staud that a man should work only one day during the week and “keep the rest of it for joy and wonder” — not for getting money, property, or power. He considered work a poor way to spend one’s time, and believed that such effort was foolish when compared with enjoyment of nature.
Thoreau’s father earned his living by making pencils. After college Thoreau as¬sisted his father for a while in the family trade of pencil-making. He then tried teach¬ing in a little school in Concord. Though he was quarrelsome by nature and often stubborn and hard, he was always gentle with children. He was unsuccessful as a teacher, partly because he refused to beat the pupils, as the custom of that time required.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (2 × 1 = 2M)
Question 11.
Thoreau loved ________
A) free and simple life
B) organized studies
C) wealth
D) formal education
Answer:
A) free and simple life
Question 12.
According to Thoreau ________
A) we should always work
B) we should work to earn money
C) we should work to get power
D) we should work only for a little time
Answer:
D) we should work only for a little time
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. (4 × 2 = 8M)
Question 13.
Describe Thoreau.
Answer:
Thoreau was tough and strong, but not handsome, he had a short body, long legs, and a big nose, his manners were extremely awkward. He was quarrelsome by nature and often stubborn.
Question 14.
Why do you think Thoreau was unsuccessful as a teacher ?
Answer:
After working in the family trade of pencil-making, Thoreau tried teaching in a little school in Concord. He refused to beat the pupils, as the custom of that time required. So he was unsuccessful as a teacher.
Question 15.
How can you say that Thoreau’s family was very poor ?
Answer:
To Thoreau’s family, it became a big task to send Thoreau to the local Concord Academy. Their family trade was pencil-making. Thoreau too worked in pencil-making for sometime and then tried teaching in a little school in Concord. All the things tell us that Thoreau’s family was very poor.
Question 16.
What was Thoreau’s opinion about work ?
Answer:
In some of his college papers, Thoreau wrote against the “blind love of wealth”, and stated that a man should work only one day during the week and “keep the rest of it for joy and wonder” – not for getting money, property or power. He considered work a poor way to spend one’s time.
3. Read the following passage.
Eight-year-old Nafis, with a playful smile in spite of cracked hands, does not know of a life outside the kiln. The boy who moved along with his family seven months back now leads a team of children at the brick kiln. “For us, the factory is our world. We have never been to a cinema hall, though we often dream of going there to watch our heroes,” says Nafis.
Seventy-five percent of India’s population lives in the countryside and most migrant workers belong to rural areas with the poorest economic indicators. In their search for work that will bring them at least one square meal a day, entire families move out from the village, often leaving only the elderly behind.
Many days, Nafis and the children work for up to 12 hours unloading bricks and heavy weights which take their toll on their delicate bodies making them susceptible to various illnesses. “My hands pain and I often feel weak and listless. Most of us are down with fever at regular intervals.
But we have to work hard for the survival of the family,” says nine-year-old Sanju. Nafis’s parents are distressed but have little choice.
Neither is there any access to education. The parents say, that in any case their poor economic conditions would deter them from sending the children to school. Many children work along with their parents. Kailash, with his two sisters Ankit, Rekha, Raj Kumar and Sonu all between eight and fourteen years of age who have come here for work from nearby districts in Uttar Pradesh have the same story.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet (2 × 1 = 2M)
Question 11.
The mood of the expression, “But we have to work hard for the survival of the family,” is _______
A) joyful
B) anxious
C) playful
D) distress
Answer:
D) distress
Question 12.
Neither is there any access to education because _______
A) of their poverty
B) of their weakness
C) their illness
D) their owners
Answer:
A) of their poverty
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. (4 × 2 = 8M)
Question 13.
What is the main theme of the above text ?
Answer:
The child labour should be avoided. All the children should be provided a chance to go to school and study.
Question 14.
Why do you think the children become child labourers ? ‘
Answer:
Some of the children become labourers because of their poverty. Some others’ parents die and they forcefully become child labours. Some children escape fun their houses and become labourers.
Question 15.
If you find a child labourer, what will you do ?
Answer:
If I find a child labour, I will inform ‘CHILDLINE 1098’ or ‘The Child Labour Enforcement Team’ or ‘Child Rights and You’ organisation or ‘SOS’ organisation about the children who are employed in households as child labour with the help of my friends. I also complain about it in the police station.
Question 16.
Do you come across any such child labourers ? If you do, where do you find them?
Answer:
Yes, I do. We come across child labourers in some households, factories, shops, hotels and construction sites for daily wages.
4. Read the following news report.
MUMBAI : “Believe in your dreams. They do come true,” said astronaut Sunita Williams, while interacting with several hundred school children and students of the Indian Institute of Technology. She spoke about her 195-day “summer vacation” at the international space station, during her key note address at Zephyr, the annual aviation festival at IIT.
Interacting with children and college students for nearly two hours, Ms. Will¬iams, dressed in her blue jump suit, repeatedly challenged and encouraged the students to take up any vocation they want to pursue and not feel intimidated.
Overwhelmed by her achievement, children asked her several questions rang¬ing from health issues in a no-gravity situation to fear of crossing the atmosphere.
A little girl, who had come from Satara just to see Ms. Williams, asked if she could go up to her to shake hands with her.
Elaborating on her stay in “Discovery,” she showed videos of her stay in space; she made the crowd chuckle with her anecdotes about how to use water, how to eat the packaged processed food and haircut, when she was “doing things to feel at home.” Ms. Williams — Who holds three records for female space travellers, long¬est spaceflight (195 days), the number of spacewalks (four), and total time spent on spacewalks (29 hours and 17 minutes) — emphasised that it was not as difficult as some of the awestruck students thought, “I hope you see a little bit of you in me and 1 see myself in you.”
She also illustrated from her life to explain that becoming an astronaut was not her initial goal, Ms. Williams, who wanted to become a veterinary doctor, went to a naval academy and then went on to become a pilot and eventually was selected by the NASA. “Life is going to give you curveballs but take advantage of those.” she said, adding she saw future astronauts in the crowd.
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (2 × 1 = 2M)
Question 11.
‘Discovery’ is ________
A) a space-suit
B) a space shuttle
C) a helicopter
D) an aeroplane
Answer:
B) a space shuttle
Question 12.
Sunita Williams made the children laugh ________
A) with her jokes
B) by creating funny situations
C) by playing some tricks
D) with her short and amusing stories
Answer:
D) with her short and amusing stories
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. (4 × 2 = 8M)
Question 13.
“Becoming astronaut was not her initial goal.” – Then what was her initial goal and what made her become an astronaut ?
Answer:
Her initial goal was to become a veterinary doctor. But later she went to a naval academy and then went on to become a pilot and eventually was selected by the NASA. Thus she became an astronaut.
Question 14.
What are the records held by Sunita ?
Answer:
Sunita holds three records for female space travellers. They are longest spaceflight (195 days), four space walks and she spent 29 hours and 17 minutes on space walks.
Question 15.
What does Sunita mean by saying, “Life is going to give you curveballs but take advantage of those” ?
Answer:
Sunita means that there are some unexpected and difficult situations in our lives. Everyone of us must face them bravely and skilfully and take advantage of those to place us in a better position.
Question 16.
“Dreams do come true.” – Do you belive in this statement ? What is your dream ?
Answer:
Yes, I believe in this statement. If we don’t have a wish, we don’t dream. If we don’t dream, there will be no efforts from our side. Hence I think that we dream high to reach our goal. Our dreams lead to thoughts and our thoughts lead to actions.
5. Read the following poem.
Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by. ‘
Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And there is the green for stringing the daisies!
Here is a cart run away in the road,
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill and there is a river;
Each a glimpse and gone for ever!
Now, answer the following questions. Each question has four choices.
Choose the correct answer and write (A), (B), (C) or (D) in your answer booklet. (2 × 1 = 2M)
Question 11.
What is it that moves “foster than fairies” and “foster than witches” ?
A) an aeroplane
B) a helicopter
C) a spaceship
D) a train
Answer:
D) a train
Question 12.
The phrase ‘in the wink of an eye’ means ________
A) in a short period of sleep
B) very quickly
C) while you close and open your eyes
D) to move an eye-ball
Answer:
B) very quickly
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. (4 × 2 = 8M)
Question 13.
Pick out the words which describe the movement of the train.
Answer:
The words that describe the movement of the train are : faster, charging and fly.
Question 14.
What do you think the poet means when he talks of ‘witches’ ?
Answer:
Some people think that witches have some wonderful magical powers. It is thought that they fly about on long broomsticks speedily. Here the poet com¬pares the train to those witches.
Question 15.
What figurative expressions do you find in the poem ? Write them down and name them.’
Answer:
The figurative expressions found in the poem are :
(i) charging along like troops in a battle
(ii) fly as thick as driving rain
We find ‘simile’ in the above expressions.
Here the comparison is made using ‘like’ and ‘as’.
Question 16.
Make a list of all the things that the poet sees from the window of the train.
Answer:
The poet sees bridges, houses, hedges, ditches, the meadows, the horses and cattle, the hill and the plain, painted stations, a child, a tramp, the greenery, a cart, a mill and a river from the window of the train.
Section – B : Vocabulary and Grammar (20 Marks)
Read the following text focusing on the parts underlined and answer the questions given at the end as directed. Write the answers in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
1. HC : I used to have this terrible nightmare (17). Only now, over the last four to five years, it seems to have disappeared (18).
BR : What nightmare are you talking about and why do you think it has disappeared now?
HC : I used to (19) get continuous nightmares about appearing for a maths examination where I did not know nothing (20) ! Now the psyche must have gotten over it, I didn’t have to think about education and there is absolute (21) no time to get nightmares.
Question 17.
Write your own sentence using the underlined expression.
Answer:
Last night I had a terrible nightmare.
Question 18.
Write the opposite of the underlined word.
Answer:
appeared
Question 19.
Write a sentence using’used to ‘.
Answer:
He used to go slow
Question 20.
Replace the underlined word with the correct one.
Answer:
anything
Question 21.
Write the right form of the underlined word.
Answer:
absolutely
2. I used to be interested in games, running around, play (17) jokes and pranks on others. I would copy in class during exam times. I would try to get hold in (18) the examination paper that had been prepared and study it, as I could not remember things that had been taught to me in class. However, latter (19), one sentence spoken to me by my Principal changed my life. When I approached my eleventh standard, the Principal called me and said, “Look hear (20), Son. I have been seeing you since day one. You.are a good student, but you never studied. I have taken care of you till today. Now, I can no longer take care of you, so you do it yourselves (21).”
Question 17.
Write the correct form of the verb.
Answer:
playing
Question 18.
Replace the preposition with the correct one.
Answer:
of
Question 19.
Replace the underlined word with the correct one.
Answer:
later
Question 20.
Use the correct homophone of the underlined word.
Answer:
here
Question 21.
Write the correct reflexive pronoun.
Answer:
yourself
3. BR : When you were in school and you were doing badly,did the teachers pull up you (17) and how did you feel?
HC : I never felt anything on being pulled up. I used to be so interested in playing. I would receive a caning (18) very week.
BR : When you knew that you had incurred the wrath of your teacher by not doing your homework or by behaving badly, when you knew you would get a earning,what was the state of your mind?
HC : State of mind? Just lift up the hand and they would (19) cane me. It would hurt badly and then I would have to forget about it, though (20) I would want to go and play.
BR : Have you ever felt insecure (21) or threatened?
Question 17.
Use the phrasal verb correctly.
Answer:
pull you up
Question 18.
The word ‘caning’ means ________
Answer:
beating/punishment
Question 19.
Use the underlined word in your own sentence.
Answer:
He would go to his office on foot
Question 20.
Replace the underlined conjunction with the correct one.
Answer:
because
Question 21.
Write the opposite of the underlined word.
Answer:
secure
4. He then has (17) a bet with me and later he found that indeed, his drawing was wrong! My cousin’s husband was surprised. He asked me to draw a few specific things, which I immediately (18) did.
He asked me to design a house and I designed an (18) house. After that, he told me to drop every thing and join architect (20). We went to meet the Principal of the college. The Principal warned me, “I will allow (21) you to take part in the entrance exams, but if you do not do well I will not allow you to join.”
Question 17.
Use the correct form of the verb.
Answer:
had
Question 18.
Write the synonym of the underlined word.
Answer:
at once
Question 19.
Use the right article.
Answer:
a
Question 20.
Write the correct form of the underlined word.
Answer:
architecture
Question 21.
Write the opposite of the underlined word.
Answer:
disallow
5. BR : Why do you think you did not like studies? Was it because you felt you could not cope, could not deal with the curriculum (17)?
HC : I was very bad at languages. Science and geography I could deal in (18), maths was very bad. I just was not interested. I am (19) studying for the sake of studying. What they taught me today, I would (20) forget after two days. I would not bother because there was ho application of mind there, to begin with.
BR : Did you think that what they taught in school was boring (21) or did you feel that once you understood the concept of what was being taught, you lost interest in the rest of the lesson?
Question 17.
The word ‘curriculum’ means ________
Answer:
the subjects that are included in a course of study
Question 18.
Replace the underlined preposition with the correct one.
Answer:
with
Question 19.
Use the right form of the verb.
Answer:
was
Question 20.
Replace the underlined word with an equivalent expression.
Answer:
used to
Question 21.
Write the opposite of the underlined word.
Answer:
interesting
Questions : (22 – 26), Marks : 5
Complete the passage choosing the right words from those given below. Each blank is numbered and the choices are given as A, B, C & D. Choose the correct answer and write A, B, C or D in your answer booklet. (5 × 1 = 5M)
1. Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bepin Choudhury _______ (22) drop in at Kalicharan’s in New Market to _______ (23) books. He had to buy at least five at _______ (24) time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time _______ (25) idle chat. Today, at Kalicharan’s, Bepin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing _______ (26) from close quarters.
Question 22.
A) will
B) would
C) must
D) might
Answer:
B) would
Question 23.
A) bought
B) buying
C) buy
D) be bought
Answer:
C) buy
Question 24.
A) those
B) the
C) an
D) a
Answer:
D) a
Question 25.
A) in
B) on
C) at
D) by
Answer:
A) in
Question 26.
A) her
B) him
C) me
D) you
Answer:
B) him
2. There _______ (22) three kinds of volcanoes-active. dormant _______ (23) extinct. _______ (24) active volcano has steam or gases coming from it, and when it _______ (25) it pours out lava or throws out ash and cinders. A dormant or sleeping volcano is one may become active again. _______ (26) is not active now, but which scientists think may become active again.
Question 22.
A) are
B) were
C) is
D) was
Answer:
A) are
Question 23.
A) yet
B) or
C) but
D) and
Answer:
D) and
Question 24.
A) A
B) An
C) The
D) These
Answer:
B) An
Question 25.
A) erupted
B) erupt
C) erupts
D) will erupt
Answer:
C) erupts
Question 26.
A) who
B) where
C) whom
D) which
Answer:
D) which
3. The students of class VIII ______ (22) very excited. A computer specialist _______ (23) to speak to ______ (24) ? He was a young man _____ (25) was working in Google, a company that specializes In helping people search for _________ (26).
Question 22.
A) is
B) was
C) are
D) were
Answer:
D) were
Question 23.
A) Is going
B) was going
C) are going
D) were going
Answer:
B) was going
Question 24.
A) them
B) they
C) we
D) us
Answer:
A) them
Question 25.
A) that
B) which
C) who
D) whom
Answer:
C) who
Question 26.
A) Information
B) inform
C) informative
D) informed
Answer:
A) Information
4. In his time Faraday was ________ (22) enormously popular lecturer, as well as a physicist and chemist ________ (23) the first rank. In one of his lectures in the 1840’s he _____ (24) the peculiar behaviour of a magnet in ________ (25) with a spiral coil of wire ________ (26) was connected to a galvanometer that would record the presence of an electric current.
Question 22.
A) this
B) a
C) an
D) the
Answer:
C) an
Question 23.
A) In
B) of
C) with
D) at
Answer:
B) of
Question 24.
A) Illustrate
B) illustrates
C) illustrating
D) illustrated
Answer:
D) illustrated
Question 25.
A) connection
B) connect
C) connected
D) connecting
Answer:
A) connection
Question 26.
A) why
B) where
C) which
D) how
Answer:
C) which
5. The arctic tern Is not a big bird : it is only about. 40 centimeters long and is grey in colour. It ________ (22) a forked tall, a red beak and a black cap. The tern builds ________ (23) nest with small twigs and lays Its eggs in it. ________ (24) summer the eggs hatch out and small chicks come out. The sun ________(25) bright In the sky. The tern enjoys the summer sunshine, flying near the coast ________ (26) feasting on the fish.
Question 22.
A) have
B) had
C) has
D) having
Answer:
C) has
Question 23.
A) their
B) his
C) her
D) Its
Answer:
D) Its
Question 24.
A) By
B) From
C) To
D) With
Answer:
A) By
Question 25.
A) shine
B) shines
C) shining
D) shone
Answer:
B) shines
Question 26.
A) and
B) but
C) yet
D) still
Answer:
A) and
Questions : (27 – 31), Marks : 10
Read the passage given below. Five sentences in the passage are numbered (27 – 31) at the beginning. Each of these sentences has an error. Correct and rewrite them in the answer booklet. 5 × 2 = 10M
Question 1.
(27) I used to be an very good sportsman. (28) I have been the senior champion for so many years and I also was the cricket captain. (29) I used to play every game, or that year I did not step out onto the field. (30) I would go for prayers and I all would do was eat and study. (31) I normal used to copy and pass, but I realised that once I was in SSC, I could not do that.
Answer:
27) I used to be a very good sportsman.
28) I had been the senior champion for so many years and I also was the cricket captain.
29) I used to play every game, but that year I did not step out onto the field.
30) I would go for prayers and all I wpuld do was eat and study.
31) I normally used to copy and pass, but I realised that once I was in SSC, I could not do that.
Question 2.
(27) Every Saturday we were allowed to go in town to see a movie. (28) So what I will do was have no lunch and collect money from 40 – 50 students, and run and buy the tickets. On my way back, I would eat to my heart’s content. (29) I used to be a leader of a gang. We would have gang fights and plan strategies. (30) These things used to be interest me more than any academics. (31) Students used to book my textbooks for the following year, though they were almost brand new.
Answer:
27) Every Saturday we were allowed to go into town to see a movie.
28) So what I would do was have no Junch and collect money from 40 – 50 students, and run and buy the tickets. On my way back, I would eat to my heart’s content.
29) I used to be the leader of a gang. We would have gang fights and plan strategies.
30) These things used to iiiterest me more than any academics.
31) Students used to book my textbooks for the following year, because they were almost brand new.
Question 3.
(27) There, I was to take either French nor German. (28) Though I had studied French for seven years, I did not knew seven words of French. So I took German. (29) Then his German teacher died. The college told me that I could change the college or take French. (30) Now, which would give me admission in another college? (31) I had got admission to Jai Hind in influence.
Answer:
27) There, I was to take either French or German.
28) Though I had studied French for seven years, I did not know seven words of French. So I took German.
29) Then my German teacher died. The college told me that I could change the college or take French.
30) Now, who would give me admission in another college?
31) I had got admission to Jai Hind by influence.
Question 4.
(27) I stood first in class, first all over after that. (28) I believe this all understanding came from what I used to play and do during school. (29) I have a friend called Behram Divecha. (30) We used, to have competitions among ds for designing forts, guns and ammunition. (31) Each of us would design something in a effort to be different.
Answer:
27) I stood first in class, first throughout after that.
28) I believe that all this understanding came from what I used to play and do during school.
29) I had a friend called Behram Divecha.
30) We used to have competitions between us for designing forts, guns and ammuni¬tion.
31) Each of lis would design something in an effort to be different.
Question 5.
I was more interested in other things. (27) If, for example, where I was in class, it started raining outside, (28) I will think of the flowing water and how to build a dam to block it. (29) I would be thought about flow of water within the dam and how much of water the dam would be able to hold. That was my interest the day for. (31) when students lost a button while playing or fighting, they would come running with me and I would cut a button for them from chalk, using a blade.
Answer:
27) If, for example, while I was in class, it started raining outside,
28) I would think of the flowing water and how to build a dam to block it.
29) I would be thinking about the flow of water within the dam and how much of water the dam would be able to hold.
30) That was my interest for the day.
31) when students lost a button while playing or fighting, they would come running to me and I would cut a button for them from chalk, using a blade.
Rewrite the following passage using proper punctuation and capitalization. 5M
Question 1.
when I approached my eleventh standard, the Principal called me and said, “look here, Son. I have been seeing you since day one. you are a good student but you never studied, i have taken care of you till today. Now i can no longer take care of you, so you do it yourself .
Answer:
When I approached my eleventh standard, the Principal called me and said, “Look here, Son. I- have been seeing you since day one. You are a good student but you never studied, i have taken care of you till today. Now I can no longer take care of you, so you do it yourself.”
Question 2.
When I got a second class, 50 per cent, in my SSC, my Principal said, “son, consider yourself as having got distinction!”. This is my memory of my school days. I did lots of other things. See, as far as my things are concerned, I cant remember, i forget things very easily.
Answer:
When I got a second class, 50 per cent, in my SSC, my Principal said, “Son, consider yourself as having got distinction!”. This is my memory of my school days. I did lots of other things. See, as far as my things are concerned, I can’t remember. I forget things very easily.
Question 3.
I was just interested in playing and nothing else I was most interested in funny pranks one day, I did not want to study so I created a distraction, for one whole our we played ‘chor police’ every Saturday we were allowed to go into town to see a movie. So what I would do was have no lunch and collect money from 40 – 50 students and run and buy the tickets on my way back I would eat to my hearts content
Answer:
I was just interested in playing and nothing else. I was most interested in funny pranks. One day, I did not want to study, so I created a distraction, for one whole our we played ‘chor police’. Every Saturday we were allowed to go into town to see a movie. So what I would do was have no lunch and collect money from 40 – 50 students, and run and buy the tickets on my way back, I would eat to my heart’s content.
Question 4.
I wanted to join the Army i got my admission letter but my aunt tore it up. then I decided that I wanted to join the police force. My mother said dont join the police force, just do your graduation So I went to Jai Hind College in bombay. There, I was to take either french or german.
Answer:
I wanted to join the Army. I got my admission letter but my aunt tore it up. Then I decided that I wanted to join the police force. My mother said, “Don’t join the police force, just do your graduation !” So I went to Jai Hind College in Bombay. There, I was to take either French or German.
Question 5.
He asked me to design a house and I designed a house after that he told me to drop everything and join architecture, we went to meet the Principal of the college the Princi¬pal warned me I will allow you to take part in the entrance exams but if you do not do well I will not allow you to join
Answer:
He asked me to design a house and I designed a house. After that, he told me to drop everything and join architecture. We went to meet the Principal of the college the Principal warned me, “I will allow you to take part in the entrance exams, but if you do not do well I will not allow you to join.”
Section – D : Creative Writing
Major Discourses:
Questions : 33, Marks : 12
Speech
Question 1.
You have read about Mr. Hafeez Contractor in the lesson “The Treasure Within”. You know that, today Mr. Hafeez is one of India’s leading architects.
You are asked to deliver a speech about Mr. Hafeez Contractor on the occasion of his birthday. Now, prepare a speech using the following hints.
- education in his childhood
- interested areas
- learning ability
- creativity
- way of designing
Answer:
Respected headmaster, teachers, elders and my dear friends,
Good morning to everybody ! Today, I stand before you to speak a few words about the famous Indian architect, Mr. Hafeez Contractor on the occasion of his birthday. You all know very well that he was born on June 19, 1950 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Hafeez came from a poor family. Initially he was not interested in studies. He used to be interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. But, his Principal’s words influenced him very much. Since childhood he was fond of sketching, drawing and designing sections of buildings, forts, etc. He faced many hurdles on his way to become an architect.
He thought creatively since his childhood. While in class, if it started raining outside, he would think of the following water and how to build a dam to block it. This example shows us that he would become a famous architect later in his life. By god’s grace he got admission in the Academy of Architecture. There was no looking back for Hafeez since then.
He was really a source of inspiration to all the young architects and engineers. There are so many prestigious projects in his account. He shows great concern regarding the lack of greenery in India and rejects the idea of going behind western techniques and following them blindly. He proposes the installment of green spaces and public parks at walking distance from residential zones. We should appreciate him for his awareness about the environment. I wish him good in all his future endeavours.
Thank you all for giving me this wonderful opportunity !
Description
Question 2.
You have read about Mr. Hafeez in the lesson “The Treasure Within.” One day his Principal told him that he had never studied though he was a good student. He also told him that he had taken care of him till that day. Then, he could no longer take care of him, so the Principal asked him to do that himself. Thus the Principal talked to him for five minutes. Mr. Hafeez started thinking.
Describe the thoughts of Mr. Hafeez after he had met the Principal on that day.
Answer:
Mr. Hafeez didn’t like academics. He used to be interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. He preferred all those things to studies. When he approached his eleventh standard, the Principal called him and told him that he had been seeing him since day one. Though he was a good student, he never studied. He had taken care of him till that day. Then, he could no longer take care of him, so he must do it himself.
Hearing the Principal’s words, Hafeez didn’t give any reply. At first, he didn’t think about the Principal’s words seriously. As usual he played for an hour after school hours and went to the hostel: There he took part in a gang fight. He was the leader of a gang. It all started as soon as he reached his bed. His Principal’s words were lingering in his mind. His thoughts went as follows. “Why has the Principal talked to me like that ? Till now, he hasn’t scolded me for even a single moment. I know very well that my mother has worked so hard to bring me up and paid all my fees all these years.
She has faced many difficulties since my father’s death. She has sacrificed all her life for my welfare. But, what have I done in return ? I have only played games. I curse myself for what I have done all these years. But, I am helpless. I am not interested in education. I am afraid of maths. I always want to play. How can I develop interest in studies ? I am an irresponsible person. Oh, God !
Biographical Sketch
Question 3.
Read the following details about Mr. Hafeez Contractor.
Year of Birth : June 19, 1950
Place of Birth : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality : Indian
Education : (i) Graduate diploma in architecture from University of Mumbai in 1975
(ii) Graduation and MS – Columbia University, New York
Profession : Architect
Professional Background :
(i) Started practice – 1968 – T. Khareghat’s office
(ii) Became the associate partner – 1977
(iii) Visltng faculty at Academy of Architecture, Mumbai 1977-’80.
(iv) Started own firm with a staff of two in 1982.
(v) Today it has 350 employees
Concern : Regarding the lack of greenery in India
Awards : Padma Bhushan in 2016
Major projects :
(i) 23 Marina, Dubai
(ii) Imperial Towers, Mumbai .
(iii) Infosys GEC & SDB 4 – Mysore
(iv) ICICI Headquarters, Hyderabad
Now, attempt a biographical sketch of Mr. Hafeez Contractor.
Answer:
Hafeez Contractor is a famous Indian architect. He was born to me 19, 1950 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He did his graduate diploma in architecturedrom University of Mumbai in 1975. He completed his graduation and MS from Columbia University in New York on a Tata scholarship. Since childhood Hafeez was fond of sketching, drawing and designing sections of buildings, forts, etc.
He faced many hurdles to become an architect: Hafeez Contractor commenced his career in 1968 with T. Khareghat as an apprentice architect. In 1977 he became the associate partner in the firm. Between 1977 and 1980 Hafeez was a visiting faculty at the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. He was a member of the Bombay Heritage Committee and New Delhi Lutyens Bungalow Zone Review Committee. He started his practice in 1982 with a staff of two.
Today the firm has over 350 employees. Hafeez Contractor was awarded ‘Padma Bhushan’ by the Government of India in 2016. Some of his prestigious projects are 23 Marina, Dubai, Imperial Towers Mumbai, Infosys GEC & SDB 4 – Mysore and ICICI Headquarters, Hyderabad. He has done many other projects.
He shows great concern regarding the lack of greenery in India and rejects the idea of going behind western techniques and following them blindly. He proposes the installment of green spaces and public parks at walking distance from residential zones.
Description
Question 4.
You have read about the behaviour of Hafeez Contractor in his childhood in the lesson ‘The Treasure Within’ and how he changed in the later life.You also know how he became a great architect.
Now, describe how bad his behaviour was in school days and what things led him to become a great architect. Use the following hints.
- Not interested in studies
- Playing jokes and pranks on fellow students
- Love to watch cinemas
- Gang fights
- Later finds fault with architecture’s design
- Received encouragement
Answer:
Mr. Hafeez Contractor is one of the leading Indian architects. He faced many problems before reaching such a great height in his life. As a child, Hafeez was not interested in studies. In the first and second year he was a good student. After he reached the third standard, he simply lost interest and he never studied.
He used to be interested in games, running around, playing jokes and pranks on others. He would copy in class during exam times. He would try to get hold of the examination paper that had been prepared and study it, as he could not remember things that had been taught to him in class. He would receive a caning every week. He was fond of watching movies. He used to be the leader of a gang. He and his friends would have gang fights and plan strategies. These things used to interest him more than any academics. Students used to book his textbooks for the following year, because they were almost brand new. He probably opened them one day before exams.
When Hafeez approached his eleventh standard, his Principal told him to take care of himself. He advised him to be more responsible. His words influenced Hafeez deeply. As a result he got a second class in his SSC. He joined Jai Hind College, Bombay to study his graduation. He was going to his cousin to learn French. His cousin’s husband was an architect. One day Hafeez found fault with a window details sketched by an assistant at the architect’s office. His cousin’s husband recognized the potential of Hafeez and advised him to join architecture. With the encouragement given by him, Hafeez became a great architect.
Conversation
Question 5.
In the lesson “The Treasure Within,” Hafeez was not interested in studies and just idling his time by playing jokes and pranks. One day his Principal called him and spoke to him to change his attitude.
Now write the possible conversation between Hafeez Contractor and Principal.
Answer:
Hafeez : Good morning, sir!
PrIncipal : Very good morning, come and sit beside me.
Hafeez : Thank you, sir. Ganesh told me that you asked for me. What can I do for you, sir?
PrincIpal : I want to talk to you about your future, my dear boy.
Haleez : Sir, ……………..
Principal : Look here, son. I have been seeing you since day one. You are a good student, but you never studied. I have taken care of you till today. Now, I can no longer take care of you, so you do it yourself.
Hafeez : O.K., sir. But, ………………
PrIncipal : What is your problem ? What are you whispering about?
Hafeez : Sir, I am not interested in studies. I am airald of maths. My mind and my body always want to play. I can’t control my feelings, sir.
Principal : There are so many persons who reached great heights in their lives with dedication and determination. A lazy fellow can’t achieve anything.
Hafeez : O.K., sir. I shall try hard to concentrate on studies.
Principal : That’s good. You don’t have your father, your mother has worked so hard to bring you up and paid all your fees all these years but you have only played games. Now you should rise to the occasion and study.
Hafeez : O.K. sir. I shan’t pain my mother anymore. I shall be more responsible. I take an oath that I won’t step out onto the field, this year. I won’t copy in the exams anymore. I shall work hard from today onwards. Thank you sir for your kind suggestion.
Principal : It’s alright. Keep your words.
Minor Discourses:
Questions : 34, Marks : 8
Diary Entry
Question 1.
Hafeez and his cousin’s husband went to meet the Principal of the architecture col¬lege. The Principal warned him that he would allow him to take part in the entrance exams, but if he did not do well, he would not be allowed to join.
Imagine that you are Hafeez Contractor and attempt a diary entry at the end of that day.
Answer:
Monday
28 November, 2016
8 p.m.
Dear Diary,
Oh, God ! What a testing time for me ! You know that I am very much interested in architecture. But, now, what has the Principal warned me ? If I didn’t do well in the entrance examination, I would definitely be rejected. Actually I don’t get admission into architecture with my per cent. I have only 50 per cent. But now I have got a golden opportunity to study architecture. God ! Please help me with my work. Under any circumstances, I must get through the entrance test with good marks. I am really thankful to my cousin’s husband. He has shown me a way to join the architecture course. I am really indebted to him if I get admitted in architecture ! O.K., I shall try my level best to attain good marks. I hope God may help me.
Hafeez
Notice
Question 2.
You are the secretary of your School Cultural Club. On the occasion of Mr. Hafeez Contractor’s birthday, your club is going to conduct an essay writing competition on “Mr. Hafeez as a student.”
Prepare a notice to be put up on the notice board informing the students about the competition.
Answer:
Message
Question 3.
Imagine that you are Hafeez Contractor and you are learning French from your cousin. You go to their office but she is not there and her husband receives you. So you decide to leave a message for her. You want to inform her through her husband that you will come the next day at about 10 a.m. Request her not to go anywhere. Write the message in not more than 50 words.
Answer:
Poster
Question 4.
Hafeez shows great concern regarding the lack of greenery in India and rejects the idea of going behind western techniques and following their footsteps blindly as they don’t go in accordance with the climatic conditions and other demands of our country. Now, prepare a poster that stresses the need and importance of greenery in our country.
Answer:
