People & Places | Unit 15 | English

15.1 Me at the Beginning of Life

A. Vocabulary Meanings

a. Insipid — lacking taste

b. Inscribed — wrote words

c. Tangled — twisted together

d. Suffocating — causing difficulty in breathing

e. Offspring — a person’s child or children

B. Contextual Words

a. The word ‘calm’ is opposite in meaning to restless.

b. The phrase passed away means ‘died’.

c. The word invisible means incapable of being seen.

d. The word ‘wish’ and desire are synonyms.

e. The word soiling means making dirty.

C. True or False Statements

a. Jhamak Ghimire defines her life as a beautiful flower of creation.	True
b. According to her, our fortune decides how our life will be.	True
c. The author was happy with how she spent her childhood.	False
d. People blamed Jhamak herself for her physical disability.	True
e. Homer was incomplete because he was physically incapable.	False
f. Jhamak could make grandmother happy with her voice.	False
g. Jhamak’s grandmother still looks after her.	True

D. Questions and Answers

a. Why does Jhamak think of her life as a burdensome life?Jhamak thinks her life is burdensome because she feels robbed by fate and believes she lacks the sweetness and joy of life. She perceives her existence as being akin to an animal’s life, with no invisible sympathies or sensations of the human heart.

b. When does the fortune draw a line of fate?The fortune is believed to draw a line of fate on the night when a newborn child is bathed, washed, made clean, and put to sleep with an exercise book and a pen under her pillow. In Jhamak’s case, her mother performed this ritual on the sixth day after her birth.

c. How did people respond to her life? Was she happy with their behavior?People responded with displeasure and anger. They considered her cursed by the gods and blamed her for her physical disability. Their behavior lacked sympathy and love. Jhamak was not happy with their behavior.

d. Who does Jhamak compare herself with? What made them different?Jhamak compares herself to individuals like Homer, Nikolai Ostrovsky, and Helen Keller. The difference lies in the recognition they received; they were celebrated for their contributions, while Jhamak faced criticism and negative attitudes.

e. Did achieving awareness become a curse for her? Why?Yes, achieving awareness became a curse because it made her aware of her desires and dreams that she could not fulfill due to her physical limitations. The awareness of her limitations intensified her pain and suffering.

f. How does Jhamak picturise her family’s economic condition?Jhamak portrays it as challenging. It was difficult to manage two meals a day, and her parents often went hungry. Despite the hardships, her grandmother fed and cared for her, even sacrificing her own meals.

E. Story Narrative: Jivan Kadan Ki Phul

Jhamak’s life began with a sense of struggle and adversity. She reflects on life as a beautiful creation but questions whether her own life fits that definition. Despite facing hardships and pain, she managed to survive. Jhamak considers her life burdensome and filled with bitter truths and harsh realities… [Click to read more]

Throughout her life, Jhamak felt robbed by fate and experienced the absence of joy and sweetness. She acknowledges that she was born in a different world and lived a life that was unequal. Achieving awareness became a curse as she lacked a voice to speak and strength in her limbs to walk. Jhamak’s early life was marked by adversity, but she finds beauty in the love and support she received from her grandmother, continuing to navigate life with resilience and determination.

Grammar I: Relative Clauses

A. Underlining Relative Clauses

Swikriti: Abdul, look at this photo.
Abdul: Is this Sahara, the girl who plays the piano?
Swikriti: No, this is Reema, the girl who won the singing competition last year.
Abdul: I know her, She is the girl who has long brown hair.

B. Relative Pronouns Practice

a. I admired the player whose performance was fantastic.

b. We had some juice which was in the fridge.

c. She didn’t tell her teacher about her problem which was her mistake.

d. My mother, who is a farmer, grows a lot of vegetables.

e. You are my friend whom I want to sit with.

f. I want to help those children whose economic condition is very bad.

g. This is the road where the accident took place.

h. The mobile phone, which I bought six years ago, is still working.

i. It was in 2015 when the earthquake hit Nepal badly.

j. Marima is a wonderful lady whom everyone can trust.

C. Joined Sentences

• The letter, which my friend sent from abroad, reached me this morning.
• This is the palace that Bhimsen built.
• The boy who committed cyber crime was sent to jail by the judge.
• He is a liar whom you should not believe.
• I know an artist who moves with an artificial leg.
• Bring me the file which is about our new project.
• We met a girl who had lost her way.
• I saw a soldier whose bravery impressed everyone.
• Once upon a time, there lived a giant in a forest where nobody dared to go.

15.2 Sugarloaf Mountain: 5 Interesting Facts

A. Vocabulary: Match the words with their meanings

Word	Meaning / Definition
a. landmark	viii. an object or structure on land that is easy to see and recognize
b. spectacular	v. very impressive
c. sprawling	viii. covered with buildings across a large area
d. tranquil	iv. calm, quiet, and peaceful
e. blockbusters	ii. very successful films
f. fortifications	i. walls or other constructions built to strengthen a place against attack
g. peninsula	iii. a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water and is attached to a larger land area
h. bustling	vii. full of lively activity

B. Adjective Formation:

AdjectiveComplete the sentences by changing the verb in the brackets into an adjective by adding -ing or -ed.

• a. The children were annoyed when they missed the beginning of the movie. (annoy)
• b. Have you read Agni by Nabarai Lamsal? It’s a great book if you are interested in reading poems. (interest)
• c. The result of the game was surprising. The best team didn’t win! (surprise)
• d. I don’t enjoy going out with Sumi. She’s the most boring person I’ve ever met. (bore)
• e. The students were so excited when their school decided to take them on a trip. (excite)
• f. Angela was quite terrified when she was flying for the first time. (terrify)
• g. I love to go to the fairs because they perform very interesting magic. (interest)

C. Paragraph Headings Alignment

Paragraph	Correct Heading
A	iv. Rock Climbing
B	i. Neighboring Mountains
C	v. Hollywood Star
D	iii. Guanabara Bay
E	ii. Awesome Cable Car Ride

D. Comprehension Questions

a. Where is Sugarloaf Mountain located?

Sugarloaf Mountain is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

b. How did the mountain get the name ‘Sugarloaf Mountain’?

The mountain got the name ‘Sugarloaf Mountain’ due to its unique shape that resembles a traditional form of refined sugar used in the 19th century.

c. Do you think many people can do rock-climbing at a time? Why?

Many people can do rock climbing at a time when they visit Sugarloaf Mountain. It is one of the largest and most popular urban rock-climbing destinations in the world, with 270 different routes to explore. It offers ample opportunities for climbers to ascend the mountain and enjoy the experience.

d. Which of the sites do you think the children would love to visit? Why?

e. Name the first film in which Sugarloaf Mountain was featured.

The first film in which Sugarloaf Mountain was featured is “Now, Voyager” in 1942, starring Bette Davis.

f. What is historic about Guanabara Bay?

Guanabara Bay is historic because it was home to several fortifications built by the colonial government in the 16th century. It holds historical significance in the region.

g. What should you do to enjoy the best scene of Guanabara Bay?

To enjoy the best scene of Guanabara Bay, I should take the two cable cars that take me to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. From there, I can enjoy stunning views of Rio de Janeiro, including the beautiful natural scenery of Guanabara Bay and the surrounding area.

E. Critical Thinking & Reflection

Do you think a visitor should ride cable cars? Which fact interested you most?

Yes, a visitor should definitely ride cable cars while visiting Sugarloaf Mountain. Riding the cable cars offers a unique and breathtaking experience, providing stunning views of Rio de Janeiro from a height of 1296 feet. The cars themselves are enclosed by glass panels, allowing visitors to enjoy the panoramic scenery while feeling safe and comfortable. Ascending to the summit in the cable cars allows visitors to witness the scenic combination of a bustling city, a tranquil bay, and a sparkling ocean, all in one sweeping view. It is a memorable way to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and fully immerse oneself in the natural and urban wonders of the area.

Prepositions

A. Choose the Correct Preposition

• a. I love to travel. Therefore, I went to Delhi by plane last week.
• b. Namrata visited Lumbini in 2002.
• c. My best friend lives in a beautiful house across the street.
• d. We had to walk up to the edge of the desert to find water.
• e. The Prime Minister died of a head injury a few days after his accident.
• f. My family has been living in Dharan for two years.
• g. I am very pleased to meet you.
• h. He is a tall boy with long brown hair.
• i. Guman Singh is a student at Tribhuvan University.
• j. On November 2, we will start our new semester.
• k. I love your house by the river.
• l. She misses her grandfather because she has not met him for ages.

B. Text Completion: Preposition Paragraph

Preposition ParagraphI live in Bhairahawa, but every summer I like to travel to Pokhara. I am afraid of travelling by plane. Last summer I decided I would travel by bus. According to the ticket I received from the travel agency, the bus would leave Pokhara at 9:15 pm on Friday and arrive in Pokhara the following day at 5:30 in the morning. The travel would include boating in Phewa Lake, from one end of the lake to another end. We would also drive to different beautiful places. It would be really wonderful.

Letter to a Foreign Friend

Nakhipot, Lalitpur
9th May, 2023

Dear [Friend’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I wanted to share with you the remarkable beauty of Pokhara, a mesmerizing tourist destination nestled in the heart of Nepal. It’s a place that truly captivates the senses and offers an unforgettable experience.

Pokhara is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, tranquil lakes, and majestic mountain views. Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, this enchanting city is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Annapurna Circuit.” Here are a few interesting facts that make Pokhara a must-visit destination:

• Stunning Lakes: Pokhara is home to Phewa Lake. The calm waters reflect snow-capped peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You can take a boat ride to the Tal Barahi Temple.
• Adventure Sports: For enthusiasts, Pokhara offers paragliding, zip-lining, bungee jumping, and ultralight flights.
• Peaceful Escape: Surrounded by lush green hills and cascading waterfalls, it provides a perfect retreat.
• Sarangkot Sunrise: A short drive leads to Sarangkot, famous for first rays of sun illuminating Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) mountain.
• Hospitality: One of the most delightful aspects is the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people.

With its natural wonders and cultural richness, Pokhara is a destination that will create memories to last a lifetime. I warmly invite you to experience the magic of this place firsthand. Please let me know if you are interested, and I would be more than happy to assist you with travel arrangements.

Take care and hope to see you soon!

Warm regards,