Ways with Words
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
a.
All my efforts to convince her to go on the tour were futile.
b.
The lost traveller huddled under a shelter made of branches and leaves.
c.
Her rude behaviour was the main cause of irritation for him.
d.
She moved awkwardly around the room, thinking that I was watching her.
e.
She is mumbling something, but I cannot hear her.
f.
When I met my sister after a long time, she spoke to me in a feeble voice.
B. Tick (✓) the word that is similar in meaning to the underlined word.
a. Rupa studied Science reluctantly because of her father’s pressure.
Answer: Unwillingly
b. She moved her fingers exasperatedly through her hair.
Answer: Annoyingly
c. My grandmother is over eighty. She lifted her hands feebly.
Answer: Weakly
d. She is wearing a tattered shawl.
Answer: Torn
e. I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet in this expensive city.
Answer: Earn just enough money to live
D. Syllables
c. Consult an English dictionary and find the number of syllables in the following words.
| Word | Syllable division | Number of syllables |
|---|---|---|
| Bury | bur-y | 2 |
| Development | de-vel-op-ment | 4 |
| Syllabic | syl-lab-ic | 3 |
| Vowel | vow-el | 2 |
| Education | ed-u-ca-tion | 4 |
| Discipline | dis-ci-pline | 3 |
| Examination | ex-am-i-na-tion | 5 |
| Children | chil-dren | 2 |
| Separately | sep-a-rate-ly | 4 |
| Pronunciation | pro-nun-ci-a-tion | 5 |
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. Why did the mother not recognise her son Gopi?
Answer:
The mother did not recognise her son Gopi because she was about eighty years old and had become weak and forgetful. Her memory had deteriorated because of old age.
b. Why was the sister living with her mother?
Answer:
The sister was living with her mother because she was a widow and there was nobody else to look after their old mother.
c. What was the sister’s attitude towards her brother?
Answer:
The sister was disappointed and critical of her brother. She was unhappy because he had neglected their mother, had not visited her for five years, and had not written to her for a long time.
d. Did the son love his mother very much? How do you know?
Answer:
The son showed some affection for his mother by bending down and bringing his face close to her wrinkled cheeks. However, his long absence and failure to communicate with her suggest that his love was not supported by genuine care and responsibility.
e. What did the mother actually need: a blanket or the warmth of her son’s love?
Answer:
The mother actually needed the warmth of her son’s love, care, and companionship rather than a new blanket. The blanket symbolises the affection and emotional support that she expected from her son.
f. What does the phrase “the tattered blanket” mean? Is it only the blanket that is tattered?
Answer:
The phrase “the tattered blanket” literally refers to the old and torn blanket used by the mother. Symbolically, it represents her neglected life, wounded feelings, loneliness, and weakened relationship with her son.
Therefore, it is not only the blanket that is tattered. The bond between the mother and her son has also become damaged because of neglect and separation.
g. The son says, “Amma can’t remember who I am.” Do you think he remembered his mother? Why did he not answer when his sister asked, “Do you remember your Amma?”
Answer:
Although Gopi complained that his mother could not recognise him, he himself had almost forgotten his responsibilities towards her. He had not visited her for five years and had not written to her for nearly a year.
He did not answer his sister’s question because he felt guilty and had no reasonable explanation for neglecting his mother. His silence showed that he realised his own failure as a son.
Critical Thinking
a. What expectations may parents have from their children in old age?
Answer:
Parents may have several emotional, social, and practical expectations from their children in old age. They spend much of their lives raising, educating, protecting, and supporting their children. Therefore, when they become old and physically weak, they naturally expect love, care, respect, and companionship.
Elderly parents usually want their children to treat them with dignity. Old people often become emotionally sensitive, and even small acts of neglect may hurt them. They want their children to remember their sacrifices and value their contribution to the family.
After retirement, many elderly people lose their regular routines and professional responsibilities. They may spend long periods alone and feel that they no longer have a meaningful role in the family. Therefore, they expect their children to spend time with them, listen to them, and include them in family conversations and decisions.
Parents may also require practical support. They may need help with medical treatment, household work, transportation, financial matters, and other daily activities.
However, every parent is different. Some may want financial support, while others may only want regular communication and affection. Children should understand their parents’ individual needs and fulfil them with love and responsibility.
b. Some children who live far away tend to become indifferent to their parents’ feelings. Why do you think they behave in this way? Discuss.
Answer:
Children may live far away from their parents because of education, employment, business, marriage, or other personal responsibilities. Physical distance itself does not necessarily weaken family relationships, but a lack of communication and attention can gradually create emotional distance.
Some children become extremely busy with their studies, careers, and financial goals. They spend most of their time working and may begin to believe that earning money is more important than maintaining emotional relationships.
Others start new families and give most of their attention to their spouses and children. As a result, their elderly parents may receive less time, care, and support.
Modern life also encourages individualism. Some people focus mainly on personal success, comfort, and independence. They may forget the sacrifices their parents made for them.
When children do not call, write, or visit their parents regularly, the relationship gradually becomes weaker. Their parents may feel lonely, neglected, and emotionally hurt.
However, distance should not become an excuse for indifference. Modern technology makes regular communication possible through telephone calls, video calls, and messages. Children should remain emotionally connected, visit whenever possible, and provide practical support to their parents.
c. “A mother’s love is everlasting and indispensable.” Justify the statement.
Answer:
A mother’s love is one of the purest and strongest forms of love. It begins before a child is born and continues throughout the mother’s life.
A mother carries her child before birth and experiences physical pain and emotional challenges. After birth, she provides nourishment, protection, warmth, and constant care. She tries to ensure that her child remains safe, healthy, and happy.
A mother is often a child’s first teacher, friend, guide, and caretaker. She teaches the child how to speak, behave, respect others, and distinguish between right and wrong. She makes many sacrifices without expecting anything in return.
Even when children become adults, a mother continues to worry about their health, safety, and future. Her love does not disappear because of distance, age, disagreement, or hardship.
A mother’s guidance also plays an important role in shaping a child’s personality and future. Her encouragement gives confidence, while her care provides emotional security.
People sometimes take their mothers for granted, but they realise the true value of maternal love when they are separated from it. Therefore, a mother’s love is everlasting because it continues throughout life, and it is indispensable because it cannot be fully replaced by anything else.
Grammar
B. Complete the following sentences with however, although, or in spite of.
a.
In spite of the fact that he is an octogenarian, he still leads an active life.
b.
I still enjoyed the week although the weather was bad.
c.
He has passed his MA. However, he has not got a job.
d.
Although I had a headache, I enjoyed the movie.
e.
Ramila did not get the job in spite of the fact that she had all the necessary qualifications.
f.
In spite of the fact that he had no money, he bought the car anyway.
g.
We can go to the park for lunch although the weather report says it is going to rain.
h.
Although I speak English well, my first language is actually Maithili.
C. Combine the following sentences using the words given in brackets.
a. He was annoyed. He did not say anything.
(although)
Answer:
Although he was annoyed, he did not say anything.
b. Playing the stock market is exciting. It can be risky.
(however)
Answer:
Playing the stock market is exciting. However, it can be risky.
c. He works slowly. He never makes a mistake.
(even though)
Answer:
Even though he works slowly, he never makes a mistake.
d. It was raining. We still went to the park.
(in spite of)
Answer:
In spite of the rain, we still went to the park.
e. Hark bought the watch. It was expensive.
(despite)
Answer:
Despite its high price, Hark bought the watch.
f. He is very poor. He wears expensive clothes.
(but)
Answer:
He is very poor, but he wears expensive clothes.
D. Rewrite the following sentences using:
1. Although
2. In spite of
a. He had very little time, but he offered to help us.
Using although:
Although he had very little time, he offered to help us.
Using in spite of:
In spite of having very little time, he offered to help us.
b. She is very poor, but she still wears expensive clothes.
Using although:
Although she is very poor, she still wears expensive clothes.
Using in spite of:
In spite of being very poor, she still wears expensive clothes.
c. He is a millionaire, but he lives in a very small flat.
Using although:
Although he is a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.
Using in spite of:
In spite of being a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.
d. They have a lot of money, but they are still not happy.
Using although:
Although they have a lot of money, they are still not happy.
Using in spite of:
In spite of having a lot of money, they are still not happy.
e. The traffic was heavy, but we reached there in time.
Using although:
Although the traffic was heavy, we reached there in time.
Using in spite of:
In spite of the heavy traffic, we reached there in time.
Discussion
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