Ways with Words

A. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words.

a. Many portraits of Napoleon show him with his right hand placed inside his coat.

Meaning of portraits:
Pictures or paintings of a person

b. Napoleon won one victory after another, defeating the Austrians in eighteen battles.

Meaning of defeating:
Beating

c. Portrait painters thought this pose made men look more dignified.

Meaning of dignified:
Worthy of honour and respect

d. They announced France a republic.

Meaning of announced:
Officially declared

e. Napoleon conquered Austria in 1805.

Meaning of conquered:
Defeated and took control of

f. There was no place to house his soldiers in the bitter Russian winter.

Meaning of bitter:
Extremely cold and unpleasant

g. Napoleon was humiliated when he was defeated.

Meaning of humiliated:
Made to feel ashamed

B. Find the meanings of the following words from the text and use them in sentences of your own.

1. Violent

Meaning:
Using or involving physical force intended to hurt or damage

Sentence:
The violent storm destroyed several houses.

2. Execute

Meaning:
To kill someone as a legal punishment

Sentence:
The prisoner was captured and executed for murder.

3. Ancient

Meaning:
Very old or belonging to a distant period in history

Sentence:
The pyramids were built in ancient times.

4. Alliance

Meaning:
A union between people, groups, or countries for a common purpose

Sentence:
The two countries formed a military alliance.

5. Brilliant

Meaning:
Extremely intelligent, skilful, or impressive

Sentence:
She is a brilliant student with excellent ideas.

6. Genius

Meaning:
Exceptional natural intelligence, ability, or skill

Sentence:
You do not have to be a genius to understand that the plan will fail.

7. Consul

Meaning:
An official appointed by a government to represent it in a foreign country or city

Sentence:
The consul helped the citizens who had lost their passports.

8. Invading

Meaning:
Entering a country or place by military force in order to take control

Sentence:
The invading army crossed the border at night.

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. Where was Napoleon from?

Answer:

Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica, which had recently become part of France.

b. Why did poor and middle-class people declare France a republic?

Answer:

Poor and middle-class people declared France a republic because they were tired of paying heavy taxes while the king and nobles lived luxurious lives.

They wanted equality, justice, and an end to absolute monarchy.

c. When did Napoleon declare himself Emperor of France?

Answer:

Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France in 1804.

d. What did Napoleon do while he ruled France?

Answer:

While ruling France, Napoleon restored and reorganised the government and strengthened the Bank of France.

He also improved cities by constructing wide roads, bridges, public buildings, and monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe.

He introduced administrative and legal reforms and helped establish order after the French Revolution.

e. Which countries did Napoleon rule when he was emperor?

Answer:

During the height of his power, Napoleon controlled or influenced large parts of Europe, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and several neighbouring territories.

f. What was the main cause of Napoleon’s downfall?

Answer:

Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 was one of the main causes of his downfall.

His army suffered severely because of the extreme cold, lack of food, long distances, and Russian resistance.

g. How did Napoleon’s rule as emperor end in Europe?

Answer:

Napoleon’s rule ended after the European powers united their armies against him.

He was eventually defeated, forced to surrender, and sent into exile.

h. How could Napoleon have become an even greater ruler?

Answer:

Napoleon could have become an even greater ruler if he had controlled his ambition and desire for power.

His repeated wars and attempts to conquer more territories eventually caused his downfall.

Critical Thinking

a. What qualities should a great leader possess? Can a great leader remain in power for a long time? Discuss.

Answer:

Leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and influence people towards a common goal. A great leader plays an important role in the progress of a country, organisation, or community.

One of the most important qualities of a leader is self-confidence. A leader must believe in their own ability and make firm decisions. Without confidence, it is difficult to gain the trust of followers.

A good leader should also be honest and responsible. Honesty helps build public trust, while responsibility ensures that the leader accepts the consequences of their decisions.

Good communication is another essential quality. A leader should be able to explain ideas clearly, listen to different opinions, and maintain healthy relationships with people.

A great leader must also have decision-making ability. In difficult situations, the leader should analyse the problem carefully and choose the best possible course of action.

Courage, patience, empathy, discipline, and creativity are equally important. A leader should remain calm during crises, understand people’s difficulties, and develop new solutions.

A leader can remain in power for a long time if they are capable, democratic, honest, and supported by the people. However, remaining in power for too long may become dangerous if the leader begins to misuse authority.

Therefore, a great leader should remain accountable, respect laws, accept criticism, and allow peaceful political change.

b. Abraham Lincoln said that democracy is “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Is this perfectly applicable in the present context of Nepal? Explain.

Answer:

Democracy literally means rule by the people. It is a political system in which citizens choose their representatives and participate in governing the country.

Abraham Lincoln’s definition presents democracy as a system in which the government is formed by the people, works for the people, and remains accountable to them.

Nepal has adopted a democratic system, and its Constitution guarantees fundamental rights, equality, inclusion, freedom of expression, periodic elections, and representative government.

However, Lincoln’s definition is not always fully reflected in practice. Nepal still faces problems such as corruption, political instability, weak governance, unemployment, discrimination, and misuse of public resources.

Many citizens feel that government institutions are not sufficiently accountable. Political leaders sometimes prioritise party interests, personal benefits, or power struggles over public welfare.

Nepotism, favouritism, and bureaucratic delays also weaken democratic institutions. In some cases, people must struggle to receive basic government services.

A healthy democracy requires independent institutions, responsible political parties, transparent governance, active citizens, and equal treatment under the law.

Therefore, Lincoln’s idea of democracy is constitutionally accepted in Nepal, but it has not yet been perfectly implemented. Strong institutions, honest leadership, civic awareness, and accountability are necessary to make democracy truly work for the people.

Writing

a. Write an essay on “Power and Politics” in about 500 words.

Power and Politics

Power is generally defined as the ability to influence the actions, thoughts, and decisions of other people. In politics, power is the capacity to make decisions, implement policies, control resources, and guide society.

Political power carries great responsibility. A leader must not only persuade people but also inspire them and act in their best interests. Politics therefore involves persuasion, leadership, negotiation, cooperation, and sometimes conflict.

Political power shapes the behaviour of individuals and institutions. A person in a political position can influence laws, public policies, economic decisions, education, healthcare, and national development.

Power can be used positively or negatively. When used responsibly, it promotes justice, development, peace, and social welfare. It can help protect citizens, reduce inequality, and improve public services.

However, when power is misused, it may lead to corruption, oppression, discrimination, and authoritarianism. Some political leaders manipulate people, suppress opposition, or misuse public resources to remain in office.

There are different forms of political power. Coercive power is based on fear, punishment, or force. It may include legal penalties, restrictions, military action, or police control.

Persuasive or soft power is based on ideas, trust, communication, diplomacy, and public support. In a democratic system, leaders should rely more on persuasion and public consent than on force.

Political organisations consist of people with different interests, values, and goals. This can create competition and conflict over positions, resources, and policies.

Conflict is not always harmful. In democracy, disagreement and debate can produce better decisions if they are handled peacefully and respectfully.

A leader should use power to achieve collective goals rather than personal benefits. Political authority should always remain limited by the Constitution, laws, institutions, and public accountability.

Citizens also play an important role in politics. They choose representatives, express opinions, protest injustice, and hold leaders accountable through elections and public participation.

The media, civil society, courts, and constitutional bodies help prevent the misuse of political power. They promote transparency and ensure that leaders follow the law.

In conclusion, power is an essential part of politics. It can produce development and justice when used wisely, but it can cause oppression and conflict when misused. Therefore, political power should always be exercised democratically, ethically, and for the welfare of the people.

b. Write a few paragraphs about a national hero who fought bravely in the Anglo-Nepal War.

Balbhadra Kunwar

Balbhadra Kunwar was a brave Nepalese military commander and one of the national heroes of Nepal. He was born on 30 January 1789.

He is best remembered for his courageous defence of Nalapani Fort during the Anglo-Nepal War of 1814–1816.

Balbhadra Kunwar served as a captain in the Gorkhali army. He was given the responsibility of defending Dehradun and the surrounding territory from the forces of the British East India Company.

When he realised that Dehradun could not be defended effectively, he moved his forces to the strategic hill fort of Khalanga, also known as Nalapani Fort.

He had only about 600 people with him, including soldiers, women, and children. In contrast, the British force consisted of several thousand well-trained soldiers with advanced weapons.

Despite this difference in strength, Balbhadra Kunwar and his troops defended the fort bravely. They resisted repeated British attacks and refused to surrender.

The British forces eventually cut off the water supply to the fort. Even under such difficult conditions, Balbhadra Kunwar rejected the British offer to surrender.

When the situation became impossible, he and the remaining soldiers left the fort with their weapons. Their courage earned the respect of the British commanders.

Balbhadra Kunwar became a symbol of bravery, patriotism, determination, and sacrifice. His defence of Nalapani remains one of the most inspiring events in Nepalese military history.

Grammar

B. Fill in the blanks with may, must, or can’t.

a. Matthew __________ be at home. I can see his bicycle in front of the house.

Answer: Must

Complete sentence:
Matthew must be at home. I can see his bicycle in front of the house.

b. They __________ be coming tomorrow.

Answer: May

Complete sentence:
They may be coming tomorrow.

c. She __________ speak French very well. She has lived in Paris for only two weeks.

Answer: Can’t

Complete sentence:
She can’t speak French very well. She has lived in Paris for only two weeks.

d. My key is not in my pocket or on my desk, so it __________ be in the drawer.

Answer: Must

Complete sentence:
My key is not in my pocket or on my desk, so it must be in the drawer.

e. I saw him yesterday. He __________ be abroad.

Answer: Can’t

Complete sentence:
I saw him yesterday. He can’t be abroad.

f. You got the job! You __________ be very delighted.

Answer: Must

Complete sentence:
You got the job! You must be very delighted.

g. I __________ finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I am not sure.

Answer: May

Complete sentence:
I may finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I am not sure.

h. Somebody is knocking on the door. It __________ be Sabina because she promised to come today.

Answer: Must

Complete sentence:
Somebody is knocking on the door. It must be Sabina because she promised to come today.

C. Rewrite the following sentences using may/might, must, or can’t.

a. I am sure he is not going to the cinema today.

Answer:

He can’t be going to the cinema today.

b. Perhaps she knows the answer.

Answer:

She may know the answer.

c. I am sure he has a car.

Answer:

He must have a car.

d. Perhaps it will rain later.

Answer:

It may rain later.

e. Perhaps she wants to be alone.

Answer:

She may want to be alone.

f. I am sure Harina is in her office.

Answer:

Harina must be in her office.