Unit-12 Nature & Development

12.1 Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Fast Track

A. Complete the crossword puzzle below with the words from the text.

ACROSS

3. weak and without protection- vulnerable

5. the amount by which something is less than what is needed- deficit

6. to provide with a space- accommodation

8. events that cause great harm and misery- calamity

10. using new methods or ideas- innovative

DOWN

1. things that limit or control what you can do- constrains

2. to make an action or a process possible or easier- facilitate

4. the state of being crowded- congestion

7. the physical movement of goods from one point to another- quarrying

9. to collect or increase something gradually- accumulate

B. Complete the following sentences choosing the best alternatives.

a. The total length in KTFT from Khokana to Niigadh is ………….

i. 72.5 km ✅

ii. 55.49 km

iii. 10.60 km

b. Nepal can reduce the consumption of petroleum products after completing KTFT as it……..

i. contributes to economic growth

ii. enhances connectivity

iii. shortens travel time ✅

c. The main challenge of the project upon completion is…….

i. managing the crowd in Kathmandu

ii. controlling road accidents

iii. establishing link roads ✅

d. According to the writer, the success of completing the project depends on …..

i. cost

ii. technology ✅

iii. socio-economic benefits

C. Answer these questions.

a. What type of project is Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track?

Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (KTFT) is a mega highway project of strategic importance in Nepal.

b. How is KTFT going to reduce the consumption of petrol in Nepal?

KTFT is expected to reduce the consumption of petrol in Nepal by shortening travel time, thus reducing the need for long-distance travel and the associated fuel consumption.

c. Will this project help promote tourism in Nepal? How?

Yes, this project will help promote tourism in Nepal. The enhanced connectivity provided by KTFT opens up a viable option for tourists coming to Nepal through the southern border. Additionally, tourists from India and beyond will have easier access to travel to Nepal via the fast track.

d. How does this project contribute to the development of high-skill human resource in Nepal?

The development of high-skill human resources in Nepal is facilitated by the KTFT project through the introduction of new technologies and the construction of complicated structures like high bridges and twin tunnels. This project provides an opportunity for the Nepali people involved to enhance their knowledge and skills in these new technologies.

e. How does the project help the people living in the Eastern Terai?

The project benefits the people living in the Eastern Terai by facilitating accessibility between Kathmandu and Nijgadh. It allows for shorter travel distances at higher speeds, benefiting various aspects such as health, education, job opportunities, and access to new markets. Additionally, the project helps to facilitate the Nijgadh International Airport, connecting it efficiently to the capital.

D. How is KTFT likely to affect the environment? Discuss.

The construction of such a large infrastructure will adversely affect the environment. Some major effects during the construction phase can be the pollution of air by dust particles with the rock blasting, quarrying and dumping of filling particles. Deforestation during the period of construction can accumulate air pollution which will be one of the major causes for environmental degradation.

Grammar I

A. Match the sentence halves in A with B to form sentences.

a. Hurry up! We’re leaving…….. – ii. in ten minutes.

b. They’ll be watching a movie in a theatre……. – iv. at this time next week.

c. We will have arrived home…..- v. by this time Sunday.

d. It’s definite. My friends and I are going to travel……..- iii. next winter.

e. I think he will be rich and famous…….. – i. one day

B. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

a. As per the schedule, the exam is going to start at exactly 11 o’clock.

b. See you at the airport! I will be carrying an orange suitcase.

c. Don’t worry! I won’t leave without you.

d. We definitely won’t have finished all the work by this week.

e. Sagun has decided that he is going to invite some of her friends for dinner after work.

f. Will the receptionist remember to call the students this afternoon?

g. What are you going to do at the weekend?

h. I won’t be working tomorrow so we can go shopping.

i. If you touch the stove, you will burn yourself.

j. Next week at this time we will be flying to Dubai for a trip.

Writing I

There may be different development works ongoing in your community. Study one of them and write a report on it. Take text in Reading I as a sample.

Introduction:

The development of communities is an essential part of societal progress. In my community, there are several development projects ongoing, one of which is the construction of a new public park in the downtown area. The park is intended to provide a new space for residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation, relaxation, and socialization. This report will provide an overview of the project and its potential benefits to the community.

Project Overview:

The new park project has been underway for several months and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The park is located in the heart of the downtown area, adjacent to several local businesses and residential neighborhoods. The park will cover an area of approximately 10 acres and will include a variety of features and amenities, such as walking paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports facilities.

The project is being funded by a combination of public and private funds, with the majority of the financing coming from the city’s budget. The city has contracted with a local construction company to manage the construction of the park, and several community organizations are also involved in the planning and development of the park’s amenities.

Potential Benefits:

The construction of the new park is expected to have several benefits for the community. One of the primary benefits is the creation of a new public space for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The park will provide residents and visitors with a new location to exercise, play, and socialize, which will contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community.

In addition to providing new recreational opportunities, the park is also expected to increase property values in the surrounding neighborhoods. Studies have shown that access to parks and other public spaces can increase property values and attract new businesses and residents to an area.

Finally, the construction of the park is expected to create new jobs and stimulate economic activity in the community. The local construction company hired to manage the project will employ dozens of workers, and local businesses will benefit from increased foot traffic and customer spending.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the construction of the new public park in the downtown area is a significant development project for our community. The park will provide new opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, increase property values, and stimulate economic growth. The project is an excellent example of how public and private funds can be used to improve the quality of life for community residents and visitors. The community looks forward to the completion of the project and the many benefits it will bring

12.2 Composed Upon Westminister Bridge [Poem]

A. Consult a dictionary and write the meanings of the following words.

a. doth – does (archaic or poetic form of “does”) (Iswori Education, 2025)
b. majesty – dignity, grandeur, impressive authority, exceptional beauty, power, or greatness (Iswori Education, 2025)
c. domes – rounded or hemispherical roof structures (SkulTech, 2023)
d. glittering – shining or sparkling with bright, flickering lights (SkulTech, 2023)
e. splendor – great beauty, magnificence, brilliance; distinguished or illustrious quality (Iswori Education, 2025)
f. glideth – glides (archaic or poetic form of “glides”) (Iswori Education, 2025)
g. mighty – possessing great power, strength, or force; formidable, influential, or impressive in capabilities (SkulTech, 2023)

. Complete the summary of the poem choosing the correct words/phrases.

Words/phrases: [magnificence, Westminster Bridge, straightforward, the bustling city, the countryside, the morning’s beauty, happily asleep, the most beautiful scene]

A speaker shares his impressions of the view from Westminster Bridge in the poem ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802’ by William Wordsworth. The speaker finds the city of London with the most beautiful scene in the Earth. According to him, anyone who does not stop at the Westminster Bridge to see the scene that morning should be dull. The city wins the heart of the speaker as it is wearing magnificence.

It is early morning when the speaker describes the majesty of the city. The various landmarks visible from the bridge stand before him in all their morning’s beauty in the morning light. The speaker finds him lucky as there is no “London fog” to hide the view .

According to the speaker, the sun is shining on the buildings as it shines on the countryside. He is also surprised to feel more peace in the bustling city of London than anywhere else. The River Thames moves slowly beneath him. He also thinks that the city is happily asleep before another busy day.

❓ C. Answer these questions.

a. When was the poem composed?

The poem was composed on September 3, 1802. The full title of the poem itself indicates this date, which marks the specific morning when Wordsworth crossed Westminster Bridge with his sister Dorothy. This exact date was significant as it represented a fleeting moment of beauty that Wordsworth wished to preserve forever in poetry.

b. According to the speaker, who is dull of soul?

According to the speaker, anyone who could pass by this magnificent scene without being moved by it is “dull of soul.” This means a person who lacks the emotional and spiritual sensitivity to appreciate profound beauty. Wordsworth implies that those who cannot recognize such majesty are spiritually impoverished.

c. How does the poet describe the beauty of morning?

The poet describes the beauty of morning as a serene and magnificent sight. He portrays the morning light as a “garment” that the city wears, making everything appear bright, glittering, and peaceful. The smokeless air allows all architectural features—ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples—to stand out clearly against the sky. The sun’s first splendour bathes everything in a golden glow that even surpasses natural landscapes like valleys, rocks, or hills.

d. What does the word “garment” refer to? Who is wearing it?

The word “garment” refers to the beauty of London. The city itself is wearing this garment. This metaphor suggests that the morning light and beauty envelop the city as gracefully as clothing drapes a person, implying that the city is adorned and transformed by the early morning radiance. It creates an image of London being dressed in light and splendor.

e. How does the poet feel when he sees such a beautiful sight?

The poet feels a deep sense of calmness and tranquility. He explicitly states, “Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!”. This profound peace moves him to an almost spiritual experience, causing him to exclaim “Dear God!” in awe. The sight overwhelms him with a sense of wonder that transcends ordinary aesthetic appreciation .

f. Why does the poet use the words like; valley, rock and hill?

The poet uses the words “valley, rock, and hill” to emphasize the beauty and splendor of the natural landscape surrounding the city of London. By mentioning these natural features, the poet contrasts the man-made structures of the city with the timeless and enduring beauty of nature. The use of these words evokes a sense of grandeur and awe, as they represent elements of the natural world that have stood the test of time. Wordsworth, a nature poet at heart, uses familiar natural imagery to elevate the city’s beauty to the level of nature’s own grand spectacles.

g. What impression of London does the speaker create? How does he do that?

The speaker creates an impression of London as a beautiful and awe-inspiring city. He describes its beauty, stillness, and peacefulness in the early morning, highlighting its grand landmarks. His vivid and descriptive language contributes to the creation of this positive impression. Wordsworth uses words like “majesty,” “splendour,” “bright and glittering,” and “calm so deep” to paint a picture of a city transformed by morning light into something almost ethereal. He also uses personification, describing the houses as “asleep” and the city’s “mighty heart” as “lying still,” giving London a living, breathing quality.

h. What is the main theme of the poem?

The main themes of the poem are natural beauty, and contrast between nature and urban life . Wordsworth explores how the city of London, at a specific moment—early morning—can appear as beautiful and serene as any natural landscape. The poem also touches on the theme of human consciousness versus industrialization, suggesting that moments of peace can be found even in the heart of a bustling metropolis. The Romantics believed that people were becoming mechanized by industry, and this poem offers a moment of respite from that mechanization.

Deeper Line-by-Line Analysis

Lines 1-3: “Earth has not anything to show more fair…”

The poet begins with a bold declaration that nothing on Earth is more beautiful than what he sees. This hyperbole immediately establishes the scene’s extraordinary nature. The rhetorical question implies that anyone who could pass by unmoved is “dull of soul” – lacking spiritual sensitivity. Wordsworth here establishes a connection between nature appreciation and spiritual depth .

Lines 4-8: “This City now doth, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning…”

Wordsworth personifies London as wearing the morning light like clothing. The architectural features—ships, towers, domes, theatres, temples—lie “open unto the fields, and to the sky,” suggesting a harmony between urban structures and nature. The “smokeless air” indicates this is before the city’s factories begin polluting, a rare moment of purity.

Lines 9-12: “Never did sun more beautifully steep…”

The poet compares the city’s appearance favorably to natural landscapes—valleys, rocks, hills—which are typically the subjects of his praise. This inversion is striking: a man-made scene surpasses nature. The river Thames “glideth at his own sweet will,” personified as freely moving, unhurried, mirroring the calm mood.

Lines 13-14: “Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still!”

The exclamation “Dear God!” reveals the speaker’s spiritual awe. The personification of houses as “asleep” extends the poem’s theme of peaceful stillness. The final line’s “mighty heart” refers to London itself—the heart of England—temporarily at rest before its daily bustle begins. This image of a sleeping giant is both powerful and tender.

Thematic Summary

Urban Beauty: The poem celebrates a cityscape with the same reverence usually reserved for nature.
Transience: This perfect moment is fleeting; soon the city will awaken to noise and smoke .
Harmony: For one moment, nature and human creation exist in perfect balance.
Spiritual Awe: The speaker’s reaction borders on religious experience (“Dear God!”).
Romantic Vision: Wordsworth demonstrates the Romantic belief that profound beauty can be found anywhere, even in industrial centers.

📌 About the Poet

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was one of the founders of English Romanticism. Born in Cockermouth, Cumberland in the beautiful Lake District, he published Lyrical Ballads with Coleridge in 1798, revolutionizing English poetry. He served as Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death. His poetry emphasizes the beauty of nature, the depth of human emotion, and the spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world. ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ is unusual in his oeuvre for celebrating an urban landscape, but it demonstrates his belief that profound beauty can be found anywhere, even in the heart of a city.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Historical Context: Written September 3, 1802, during Wordsworth’s journey to France (Allingham, 2003).
Poetic Form: Petrarchan sonnet (octave + sestet) with rhyme scheme abbaabbacdcdcd (Poem Analysis, 2024).
Central Theme: The unexpected beauty of urban landscape when touched by nature’s light (SuperSummary, 2024).
Key Literary Devices: Personification, hyperbole, metaphor, apostrophe.
Legacy: One of the most famous English poems about London, despite Wordsworth’s preference for nature.

📐 Grammar II

A. Choose the correct answers and complete the text.

My uncle’s family usually comes to stay with us for Dashain, but this Dashain we are going to visit them instead. They live in a village in Kalikot. I can hardly wait. I will have had a fantastic time there. School holidays are going to start on Friday, and we are going to leave the following morning. At this time next week, I will have trekked to Rara Lake with my cousin, Sunil. He’s an experienced trekker, and I am going to practise rock climbing with him every day. On the last day of our visit, Sunil’s dad is going to take us to visit Manma, the district headquarters. I hope by then I will have explored a lot about the life of people in Karnali. I will have got a lot of experience of trekking by the time we get back to Kathmandu after Dashain.

B. Complete each sentence using the correct form of the verb in brackets.

a. Tennis practice starts at 10, and we plan to play for two hours. (finish)
By 12 o’clock, we will have finished.

b. The phone is ringing! (answer)
I am going to answer the phone.

c. Do you want to come to the disco with us? (come)
Are you coming?

d. Let’s hurry up. The children are alone at home. (stay)
By the time we reach home, the children will have been staying alone at home for two hours (SkulTech, 2023).

e. Their plane lands at 7.30. Let’s get there earlier. (wait)
At 7 o’clock, we will be waiting (SkulTech, 2023).

✍️ Writing II

B. Imagine you are the secretary of the Child Club of your school. Write a notice on behalf of your Child Club about a programme that you are going to organise soon.

SkulTech Academy
Lalitpur, Nepal
May 10, 2023

NOTICE!

This is to inform all the students that the child club of our school is organizing a thrilling Poem Writing Competition on May 10. This competition aims to encourage and showcase the incredible poetic talents of our students. We invite you to explore the theme of “Dreams and Imagination”.

All budding poets are requested to take part and unleash their creative prowess through the power of words. For any further information or clarifications, feel free to contact the secretary of the child club.

Thank you.

Secretary
Child Club
SkulTech Academy