I. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B.
A
B
1. fear or terror
(i) father comes into her room to give her a goodbye kiss
2. glad sense of relief
(ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter
3. a "funny" feeling, perhaps of understanding
(vi) father comforts her and falls asleep
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Kezia was afraid of her father because he was a large, loud, and stern figure who often scolded her and made her feel nervous, especially when she stuttered in his presence.
2. Who were the people in Kezia's family?
The people in Kezia's family were her father, her mother, and her grandmother.
3. What was Kezia's father's routine
(i) before going to his office?
Before going to his office, he came into Kezia's room and gave her a casual kiss.
(ii) after coming back from his office?
After coming back, he asked for his tea, newspaper, and slippers in a loud voice.
(iii) on Sundays?
On Sundays, he stretched out on the sofa with a handkerchief on his face, sleeping soundly and snoring.
4. In what ways did Kezia's grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Kezia's grandmother encouraged her by sending her down to the drawing-room on Sundays to have a "nice talk with Father and Mother" and by suggesting she make a pin-cushion for his birthday.
III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
1. Kezia's efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Kezia wanted to make a nice pin-cushion for her father's birthday. To fill it, she tore up many sheets of fine paper she found on her mother's bed-table. Unknowingly, she had torn up the speech her father had written for the Port Authority. When her father discovered this, he was very angry and punished her by beating her hands with a ruler. Thus, her effort to please him resulted in a severe punishment.
2. Kezia decides that there are "different kinds of fathers". What kind of father was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia's father?
Mr. Macdonald was a playful, cheerful, and loving father. He played games like 'tag' with his five children, let them hang on to his coat pockets, and laughed when they turned the hose on him. He was the opposite of Kezia's father, who was strict, stern, undemonstrative, and often frightening to her.
3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Kezia's perception changes one night when she has a nightmare. Her father comes to comfort her, carries her to his bed, tucks her in, and lets her snuggle close to him. As she lies next to him, she realizes he is tired from work and has no one to look after him. She feels a sense of sympathy for him, understanding that he is not just a giant to be feared but a hardworking person who cares for her in his own way.
I.
1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.
(i) She was delighted by the news of her brother's wedding. (very pleased)
(ii) I was thrilled to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)
(iii) She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy)
(iv) The coach was pleased with his performance. (satisfied about)
(v) She was very happy with her results. (happy about something that has happened)
2. Consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences.
(i) You are a big girl now. older
(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career. most important
(iii) Their project is full of big ideas. grand / ambitious
(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country. very popular
(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar. great / ardent
(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater. someone who eats a lot
(vii) What a big heart you've got, Father dear. kind and generous
II. Verbs of Reporting
1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.
(i) He says he will enjoy the ride.
(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.
(iv) He answered that the price would go up.
(v) I wondered why he was screaming.
(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.
(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
2. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks.
(i) "I am not afraid," replied the woman.
(ii) "Leave me alone," my mother shouted.
(iii) The children were complaining that the roads were crowded and noisy.
(iv) "Perhaps he isn't a bad sort of a chap after all," remarked the master.
(v) "Let's go and look at the school ground," suggested the sports teacher.
(vi) The traffic police ordered all the passers-by to keep off the road.
1. This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country?
Yes, the characters in the story are universal. Many children have stern, hardworking fathers who may seem distant or strict but ultimately care for their families. Likewise, gentle, mediating grandmothers and busy mothers are common figures in many households, including those in India.
2. Was Kezia's father right to punish her? What kind of a person was he?
While Kezia's action had serious consequences, her intention was not malicious. Punishing her so severely was perhaps too harsh, as she was too young to understand the value of the papers. Kezia's father was a strict, short-tempered, and undemonstrative disciplinarian. However, he was also a responsible, hard-working man who cared for his family, as shown when he comforted Kezia after her nightmare.
Has your life been different from or similar to that of Kezia when you were a child?... Write three or four paragraphs (150–200 words)...
My childhood perception of my parents was somewhat similar to Kezia's. I saw my father as a strict authority figure whose primary role was to discipline and provide, which sometimes made me nervous around him. Like Kezia, I found more immediate comfort in my mother and grandmother.
However, as I've grown older, my perception has changed significantly. I now understand that my father's sternness came from a place of immense responsibility and a desire to prepare me for the world. The long hours he worked were for our family's benefit, not because he was indifferent. This shift in understanding is similar to Kezia's realization that her father was not a giant but a tired human being who needed care.
To build a stronger relationship based on understanding, I would take the initiative to have open conversations with my parents. I would try to share my perspectives while also making a conscious effort to understand their experiences and the pressures they faced. Spending quality time together and expressing gratitude for their efforts can also help bridge any gaps in understanding, making the relationship more mutual and empathetic.
Rain on the Roof
I.
1. What do the following phrases mean to you?
(i) humid shadows: This refers to the dark, moisture-laden clouds that cover the sky before it rains.
(ii) starry spheres: This refers to the night sky that was originally full of stars but is now covered by clouds.
(iii) what a bliss: It expresses the poet's feeling of utter joy and contentment.
(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start: The sound of the rain triggers the start of countless imaginary thoughts and dreams in the poet's mind.
(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof: Countless memories from the past come together in the poet's mind, intertwining like threads being woven on a loom.
2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
The poet likes to lie in his cozy cottage-chamber bed, press his head against the pillow, and listen to the patter of the soft rain on the roof.
3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the "darling dreamers" he refers to?
The single major memory that comes to the poet is that of his mother. The "darling dreamers" are the poet and his siblings, whom their mother would look upon lovingly before she left them till the dawn.
4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?
No, the poet is now an adult, reminiscing about his childhood. The poem is a memory, so it is likely that his mother is no longer alive, which adds a tone of nostalgia and sadness to the recollection.
II.
1. When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poet's did?
Yes, when I was a young child, my mother would often tuck me into bed, ensuring I was warm and comfortable before I went to sleep, much like the poet's mother. It was a comforting and loving ritual.
2. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem?
Yes, I like the rain. When it rains steadily, I enjoy watching the raindrops fall and listening to the sound they make. I often like to sit by a window, read a book, or simply relax and let the soothing sound of the rain calm my mind, similar to the poet.
3. Does everybody have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains? Look around you and describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter etc. during rain.
No, not everyone has a cozy bed during the rain. While some people are safe and dry in their homes, others, like street vendors or homeless people, have to seek shelter under tarpaulins, bridges, or bus stops. Stray animals often hide under parked cars or in any covered space they can find to stay dry. The experience of rain is very different for those who lack secure shelter.