Reading I
A message from Another Planet
A. Find the words from the story that are either opposite or similar to the words below.
a. dawn (opposite)- twilight
b. shining (similar)- flashing
c. took off (opposite)- landed
d. modern (similar)- advanced
e. descended (opposite)- ascended
f. great (similar) – enormous
B. Match the words with their meanings.
a. saucer- vi. a small shallow round dish that a cup stands on
b. a spaceship – iv. a vehicle that travels in space, carrying people
c. vessel- i. a ship or large boat
d. flashing- iii. short bursts of bright light
e. couch- ii. a long comfortable seat
f. broadcast- vii.to send out a programme on television or radio
g. appliance-v. a machine that is designed to do a particular thing in the home
C. Put the following events in the correct order.
I ➡ e. Suren had been fishing when he saw a bright object over the Sunkoshi River.
II ➡ b. The spaceship landed back on the bank of the Sunkoshi River.
III ➡ g. When Suren went closer to the vessel, he was pulled into it.
IV➡ c. A voice welcomed him and asked to sit him on the couch.
V ➡ f. They wanted to send a message to the leader of Nepal and the world.
VI ➡ a. They gave Suren a tiny computer.
VII ➡ d. Suren wondered whether he had been dreaming.
D. Answer the following questions.
a. What did Suren think about the bright object at first?
⇒ Suren thought it might be a helicopter probably going to Diktel.
b. Where had Suren seen a spaceship before?
⇒ Suren had seen a spaceship in a movie before.
c. How did Suren feel when he was drawn inside the vessel?
⇒ Suren feels frightened and almost jumped when he was drawn inside the vessel.
d. How had they known about Suren?
⇒ They had known about Suren by using a long-distance listening device.
e. How do they manage resources on their planet?
⇒ On their planet, they manage all the resources by recycling them.
f. Why did Suren express his inability to deliver a message at first?
⇒ Suren expressed his inability to deliver a message at first because if he told people he had been in a spaceship they would probably think he was joking or, perhaps out of his mind.
g. What message did they want to pass on?
⇒ The message they wanted to pass on was that the recycling collection centres should be set up in every town and city on Earth, and cans, bottles, old household appliances, in fact, everything which is no longer in use, should be taken there and be recycled.
h. Why did they give Suren a tiny computer?
⇒ They gave Suren a tiny computer because it would prove that what he said was true.
i. Do you think people will believe Suren’s story? Give your reasons.
⇒ Yes, I think people will believe Suren’s story because the tiny computer is far more advanced than any found on Earth, and when it’s examined by a computer engineer.
Grammar I
A. Fill in the blanks with prepositions in, at or on.
- We will meet ……at….. the corner of the street on Sunday at 5: 00 pm.
- Phurba is studying English literature ……in……. Ratna Rajya Campus.
- The horses are grazing …in….. the field.
- Rima and Nakul got married …in……. Bhadrakali temple 10 years ago.
- What time did you arrive …at….. the hotel?
- Rachita lives ……in…….. England these days.
- The cat is somewhere …in…… the house.
- There is a picture of house …on…. Sheetal’s T-shirt.
- The instruction is …at…. the top of the page.
- The dog is sleeping …on…. the carpet.
B. Choose one of the words/phrases from the box and complete the sentences below using in, at or on.
[the air, a farm, school, prison, the airport, Shanti Chalchitra Hall, bed, hospital, the station]
Example: My train arrives at 4:30. Can you meet me at the station?
- I love Saturdays the most. I can stay ……in /on bed….. until eight.
- My favourite movie Pashupati Prasad is playing in Shanti Chalchitra Hall
- Many people are …in prison….. for the crime they committed.
- I like the village, especially the fresh air. I think I should work …on a farm ……. in….. my village.
- Did you make many friends when you were ……in school …….. ?
- Aryashila had an accident last month. She is still …in hospital……..
- It was not a long flight. We were ……at the airport…. for only 25 minutes.
- When our flight was delayed, we had to wait ……in the air…. for about two hours.
Writing
Imagine you have recently met someone from another planet and spent about an hour with him or her. Write an account describing your feelings and reactions.
Meeting someone from another planet was an experience beyond my wildest imagination. It felt like a dream come true, a moment that could redefine our understanding of the universe. As I spent an hour in the presence of this extraterrestrial being, my feelings and reactions swirled through a tumultuous whirlwind of awe, curiosity, and a hint of trepidation.
At first sight, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the sheer otherworldliness of my new acquaintance. Their physical appearance defied all known human characteristics. Their skin had a luminescent quality, emitting a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to dance and shift in hues I had never witnessed before. The shape of their body was elegant, with elongated limbs and a graceful poise that conveyed a sense of profound wisdom.
As we exchanged greetings, my heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The extraterrestrial’s voice carried a soothing melody, resonating in a frequency that transcended the boundaries of human auditory range. It was as if every word they spoke was a symphony of sounds that reverberated deep within me, leaving me in awe of their advanced communication abilities.
During our conversation, I found myself bombarding them with a barrage of questions. Their patient and gentle demeanor encouraged my relentless curiosity. Each answer they provided was a revelation, challenging everything I thought I knew about the universe. They spoke of civilizations that spanned across galaxies, technology that could bend the fabric of spacetime, and a profound understanding of the cosmic forces that govern our existence.
As their words unfolded, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of humility. Here I was, a mere speck in the vast expanse of the cosmos, standing face to face with a being that possessed knowledge and wisdom far beyond our wildest dreams. The realization of our insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe humbled me, yet it also filled me with a sense of wonder and awe.
Throughout our interaction, I discovered that, despite the differences in our origins, there were similarities that transcended our contrasting worlds. The extraterrestrial displayed emotions and empathy, making me realize that, at our core, we were connected by our shared experiences as sentient beings.
As our time together drew to a close, a wave of bittersweet emotions washed over me. I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to meet this extraterrestrial, to glimpse the mysteries of the universe through their eyes. Yet, a tinge of sadness settled in, knowing that our paths might never cross again.
Meeting someone from another planet was a life-altering encounter, one that expanded my perspective on the vastness and diversity of the cosmos. It left me with a hunger for knowledge, a burning desire to explore the mysteries of the universe and to forge connections with beings beyond our own blue planet.
Reading 2
Uphill
A. Match the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’.
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| a. wind | i. person who usually travels on foot |
| b. morn | ii. a small hotel, usually in the country |
| c. inn | iii. to have many bends and twists |
| d. wayfarer | iv. look for |
| e. seek | v. morning |
B. Complete the summary of the poem with the suitable word/ phrases given below.
the road ahead up-hill someone a place a journey in the affirmative on the way everyone fellow travellers an inn
The speaker is making ……………. with her guide. She asks the guide eight different questions about …………. The first question is if the road is all ……………. and if the journey will take all day. The guide replies …………….. Next, she asks if there is ……………. to rest for the night. The guide informs the speaker that there is ……………. which she won’t miss. The speaker’s fifth question is, whether she will meet the other travellers …………….. At the inn, the speaker asks if she should knock or call the …………….. The guide replies that……………. will open the door. Lastly, the speaker asks if there will be a bed for her. The guide tells her that there are beds for…………….
Answer
The speaker is making a journey with her guide. She asks the guide eight different questions about the road ahead. The first question is if the road is all uphill and if the journey will take all day. The guide replies in the affirmative. Next, she asks if there is a place to rest for the night. The guide informs the speaker that there is an inn that she won’t miss. The speaker’s fifth question is, whether she will meet the other travellers on the way. At the inn, the speaker asks if she should knock or call her fellow travellers. The guide replies that someone will open the door. Lastly, the speaker asks if there will be a bed for her. The guide tells her that there are beds for everyone.
C. Answer the following Questions
a. How far is the road uphill, according to the guide?
Answer: According to the guide, the road is so far uphill. It takes morning to night to complete the journey.
b. What does the speaker doubt about the place to rest?
Answer: The speaker doubts whether there is a resting place or not when they reach their destination during the night.
c. Who has travelled the road before?
Answer: The other wayfarers have travelled the road before.
d. What is the speaker’s seventh question?
Answer: The speaker’s seventh question is whether she will find ease and comfort after her difficult journey of being weary and weaker.
e. Who do you think opens the door?
Answer: I think other wayfarers who have gone there before opening the door.
D. Write a short description of an interesting road that you have recently travelled along.
Answer: The road that I have recently travelled along is the road of Gowari Botanical Garden. This road is situated in Lalitpur district and Godawari municipality. This road has various bends uphill. It takes 1 hour to reach the main spot from the ring road of Kathmandu Valley. During my journey, I was quite excited. I enjoy the scenic beauty around Lalitpur and the road. The pollution and dust were disgusting. But the greenery around the Godawari was quite attractive.
Extra Bit of Question Answer
Who composed this poem?
Answer: Christina Rossetti composed this poem.
Who is asking questions to whom?
Answer: The speaker/traveller is asking questions to the guide.
What are they talking about?
Answer: They are talking about their journey.
Where are they travelling to?
Answer: They are travelling to a long journey uphill.
What is the lady asking the man?
Answer: The lady is asking the man various questions regarding a long journey.
What does the speaker ask her guide in the first stanza?
Answer: In the first stanza, the speaker asks her guide whether the road is difficult and up-hill all the way and if the journey would take all day long.
How long will the day’s journey take?
Answer: The day’s journey will take the whole day from morning till night.
Where is the resting place located?
Answer: The resting place is located at the end of the journey.
Why is the speaker worried in the second stanza?
Answer: The speaker is worried in the second stanza because she thinks that the darkness might hide the inn from her view/face.
Who are other wayfarers?
Answer: Wayfarers are those travellers who have gone on the same journey before.
Why does the speaker desire for a resting place?
Answer: The speaker desires a resting place because she needs her safety at the end of her journey.
Who will open the door in that inn?
Answer: The other wayfarers who have gone before on this particular journey will open the door in that inn.
Will the speaker have to wait at the door? Why / Why not?
Answer: No, the speaker won’t have to wait at the door because the other wayfarers will immediately open the door and let her in.
Will there be beds for all?
Answer: Yes, there will be beds for all.
What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer: The main theme of the poem is the hardships of human life till the end.
Discussion
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