Tuesday, January 24, 2017

SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS (SELECTED);GRADE 11,COM.ENGLISH -A AD

THE HOUSE CALL
Describe Dr. Braun
=Dr. Braun, in the story “The House Call” was 67 years old. He was a famous surgeon who performed difficult surgical operations or supervised them. Though he was old, he was active. He worked for long hours and even wrote notes about his activity in the evening.
He was kind and performed his duty under any circumstances. When a little girl came to call him to her home for the treatment of her mother, he was ready. Though it was night time and was raining, he followed her to her house.
The Loving Mother
The loving mother is a supernatural story. It is borrowed from Japan. Shoji Sakota was a pharmacist. One night he was working late when a woman knocked at the door. When the woman came in she asked for only an Ame for her baby. Other two nights the same woman came and asked his friend to take her photograph. When the photograph was developed there was everything but no image of the woman. So, they followed her  and in the room they found a healthy baby sucking same Ame and the woman was asleep. When Sakota tried to wake the woman he knew she had been dead for several days.

Fear
Fear is a psychological story. Armando is a poor shoes maker. He, with his wife has collected fifty thousand pesos. They have a dream to buy a small house. Armando went to a bank, in Mexico City to draw fifty thousand pesos. In the bank Armando became very nervous. He thought people wanted to rob his money. He was so nervous that he put his hat backwards. Armando got on the bus to return back home. A heavy man who he had seen in the bank was also sitting in bus. He was frightened and jumped out of the bus. The three boys also got off the bus Armando thought they are going to rob him. So, he began to run. He fell over and the boys came up to him but he found that the boys were no robbers but they were students.

The Recurring Dream
Kimberly Clark is twenty five years old normal young and pretty woman. She loves to dance, and has many friends and a good position in the office. But she has been troubled by a strange recurring dream.
 The dream always begins on a country road. Kim stands on this road and sees a lane with a white fence and a hedge on each side. At the end of the lane, on the top of a little hill, she sees a small white cottage with green shutters. Then she walks up the lane to the house, goes in and looks around and finds a man asleep in bed. He is a little old man with white hair and a white heard. When she comes near his bed, the man wakes up. Then he sits up and looks at her. When she tries to speak to him, she wakes up.
One day Janet proposes Kim to visit her parents’ farm. As they pass through a country road, Kim sees the similar scene which she sees in her dream. They stop there. Janet does not want Kim to go and see the small cottage but Kim goes.
The house was exactly the same, except for ‘FOR SALE’ sign. Unlike her dream, Kim goes to the door of the house and knocks and to her surprise the same old man answers the door who immediately closes the door. After Kim’s request, he opens the door. Kim again asks why the house is for sale. The old man reveals that the house is haunted by a ghost. Kim  asks who the ghost is. The old man gets surprised and says that she is the ghost.

THE LOST DOLL

-What indications are there in the story that the Soto family was poor?
There are various indications in the story that suggest that the Soto family was poor. First, Soto family could not provide proper medicinal care to their sick daughter Carmen and thus she died at the age of four. Second, all of Carmen’s belongings could be kept in a small box which Rosa gave to a priest. Third, Roberto wanted to save the clothes of Carmen so that they could be used by their to-be-born child. Forth, it is mentioned that Roberto was a farmer and had rough hands.
-Describe Carmen
Maria del Carmen was the only child of Roberto and Rosa Soto. She was beautiful, kind, bright and lovely child. She was sick from the day of her birth and died at the age of four. She always carried a doll with blue eyes and in red dress.
-How were Carmen and Evangelina alike? In what ways were they different?
Carmen and Evangelina were alike in their appearance, actions and characters. However, the fundamental difference was in their health. Carmen was sick from the day of her birth and died at the age of four. Evangelina was healthy from her birth. In fact, Evangelina was the rebirth of Carmen.


SPEAKING OF CHILDREN
Does the essay speak in favor or against having many children? Give reasons.
 The writer is speaking against plural children in family. She suggests that there should be a single child in a family. When there is only one child, it is outnumbered by the parents. But if there is more than one child, the children control the parents. There are many other advantages of a singular child. The parents can brainwash a single child. They can teach the child all sorts of good things. The parents can provide many things to the child.With two or more children, there are always problems. The rooms are always dirty with their toys.It is always a counter culture. There remains no privacy between the husband and wife in the house. They do not have enough time to talk to each other.The guardians almost get no time for the works of their personal development. Certainly there is no doubt that there should be only one child in a family. Thus, the writer is in favour of one child in a family.  

LOOK AT A TEACUP
1. Give the description of the ‘Teacup’:
                The teacup is thin. It is the palest water green. The level of tea in the cup can be measured from outside. It is shinny. There are thin bands. But, the bands of gold inside the cup have been disappeared by regular use. There is no decoration outside. However, inside the cup, there are flowers. They have fallen all around the inside. Some fell so fast that they have reached the bottom and some were still on the way down. They don’t seem to be pasted but caught while falling. Each is different. Each has different color and each is falling from different heights.  
2. What do you mean by “Many things fell that year”?
Ans: ‘That year’ means the year of 1939, which is the year when Second World War started.  The war caused many things to fall, for example, human bodies fell dead in the streets by falling bombs. The writer has related all the fallings through the design of fallings of flowers of the cup. As the flower seems to fall off the cup, many other things also fell down. “Many things fell that year” also means many things lost their values. For example, in the year 1939, countries, cities, industries, etc. fell. In Europe, many people’s bodies fell after they were killed by bombs and bullets. Bombs and bullets fell on innocent women and children so people’s faith on traditional values has been destroyed. Their belief on marriage has also been fallen. Countries were captured by other enemies. Fallings of bombs and bullets declined the destiny of women. The sentence “Many things fell that year” also refers to people falling into marriage and falling onto their marriage beds together.

3. Explain, “The cup is a detail, a small uncharred finger from the mid-century bonfire”
Ans: The mid-century bonfire refers to the Second World War which lasted from 1939 to 1945. Many things in Czechoslovakia were destroyed, especially by fire. The cup was brought up by the writer’s mother who was married at the time of war. During the war time, a lot of property was destroyed but the cup was not destroyed by a chance so that it was a small uncharred finger. The cup was not burnt and thus it remained uncharred. So, the cup is a detail from that bonfire (war) because it gives us information about Czechoslovakia at the time of its destruction although, many things were destroyed. Now, the cup is the only thing in the hand of the writer to study about her mother, about Czechoslovakia and the past in detail. Many pictures on the cup could show the art and the situation of the country. We can get much information through this cup. Thus, the cup is a detailed uncharred finger from the mid-century bonfire.

4. How does Hampl see herself and her mother connected by the teacup?
Ans: Hampl’s mother bought the teacup in 1939. Later, she gave it to her daughter. Hampl reads her mother’s history in the cup. It takes her to her mother’s past and to the country where the cup was made. Because of Second World War, the country and the tradition destroyed. But, this is the cup which reminds Hampl about the country and her mother. By giving the teacup to her daughter, Hampl’s mother also wants to hand over the tradition and culture which her daughter refuses to accept. In this sense, the mother and the daughter both were related with the cup. The mother had brought the teacup in 1939 when she was just married. So, the teacup has sentimental value for mother and so this is important for her.

5. What does this essay tell us about marriage? About mother-daughter relationship? About the importance of family? About women?
Ans: The mother and daughter disagree in many things. For example, the mother thinks that family is the most important thing but the daughter thinks that the work is the most important thing. The mother gives importance to the society and particularly marriage but the daughter does not believe in marriage. She thinks that a boy and a girl may live together for a long time but marriage is not necessary. The daughter likes talking very much because she thinks that it’s by talking that we can share our experiences. But, the mother doesn’t like to talk very much. Anyway their relationship  is very friendly.

THE WORN PATH

1.How does she feel about stealing the nickel the hunter dropped?
Ans: When Phoenix saw a nickel dropping from the hunter’s pocket, she immediately made a plan to steal it. She sent the man to seek the dog and the moment he turned his face, she picked up the nickel and put it in her apron pocket. While doing so, she didn’t feel comfortable. There was a mixture of regret and wrong doing in her heart. She knew that she committed a crime and she also felt that God was watching her.

2.How does Phoenix know she is in the doctor’s office?
Ans: As it had become night when she arrived the town, she wasn’t able to see properly. Her weak eyes were unable to find out the proper way. But, she had been to the place several times before, so her legs were quite accustomed to the streets and lanes of the town and depending on her legs she finally came to doctor’s office where there was name plate on the wall and the nurse asked her about the grandson’s situation.   

3.What happens when Old Phoenix is spoken to by the receptionist and the nurse?
Ans: When Old Phoenix is spoken to by the receptionist, she ignored her and she got senseless and lost her memory. When nurse asked her about her grandson then she became conscious and recollects the purpose of her trip to the town.      

THE THREE DAY BLOW

1.What is the setting of the story:
                The rain has just stopped. The wind is blowing making the trees bare. There is a village at the top of the hill where the writer locates his main characters drinking and talking. Below the village, the orchard, road, woods and lakes can be seen.

2.Discuss the “The Three Day Blow” as a dramatic story.
Ans: “The Three Day Blow” is a dramatic story. We find certain elements of a drama here. It’s simply a story of two friends, Nick and Bill. Once, in a blow, Nick came to Bill’s house to meet him. Bill’s father was not there. He was all alone in the house. So, he became very glad to find Nick with him. The two friends started to drink. While drinking, they started to chat over different topics. They talked about games, books and writers, etc. Thus, from the topic to another, Bill happened to open the topic of Marge, Nick’s former beloved. Nick and Marge had a deep love. But, they had to separate due to Marge’s mother. Nick became very sad at the reference of Marge. But, Bill made him understand and thus Nick’s heart gets lighted.
The whole story is full of dialogues and conversations like a drama. The conversations or dialogues between the main characters Bill and Nick have developed the plot of the story.  The readers come to know everything only through the dialogues. Like a drama, there is a setting, that is Bill’s house. The two friends are enjoying a drink and chatting. The scene of complication comes when Bill brings the reference of Marge. Nick becomes serious and sentimental. Again, when Bill makes him understand, Thus this makes it a dramatic story.

“THE POPLAR FIELD”
1. Consider the poem “The Poplar Field” as a defense of nature conservation.
This poem is a defense of nature conservation. The poet’s message is that trees shouldn’t be cut down recklessly. Trees are very necessary for human beings. They are important natural resources. They shouldn’t be misused. The poet also says that though we can plant trees, but they don’t grow as fast as the trees are being cut down in the present time. So, he says that he can’t see such a jungle being replanted and grown up before his death.

THE NIGHTMARE LIFE WITHOUT FUEL
1.According to the author, what will be the advantage of the fuel crisis?
Ans:  The first advantage of fuel crisis is that the air will be cleaner and there will be no air pollution. People will have fewer colds. People will walk freely in the streets and there will be no danger of accidents. The parks will be full. On the top of everything, people will communicate with each other freely and more frequently. There will be fewer crimes and the policemen will be back to their beats.
                On the other hand, there will be peace in the world. Only the United States and the Soviet Union will have some aero planes, ships and tankers. Even these countries will not be able to use such things. People will use things like sweaters, blankets and they will have fresh air in summer. People will complete their daily activities by the evening and will go to beds early at nights.

 2.According to the author, what will be the disadvantages of the fuel crisis?
According to the author, there are many disadvantages of fuel crisis. All the scientific progress will come to a stop. The factories will be closed and there will be full unemployment. At the same time, there will be a total lack of different products in the market.Due to the lack of transportation, people of one end of the world will die out of hunger whereas there will be food supply in the other part of the world. Similarly, medicines also cannot be sent from one part of the world to another. In those countries where there will be lack of food, thousands of people will suffer from malnutrition and brain damage. All the activities will come to an end. Machines will be replaced by  human muscles and animals.

2. In Asimov’s essay, what is happening in the rest of the world as America struggles without
    fuel?
Ans: The writer shows a very dismal picture of the rest of the world as America struggles without fuel. People will be starving in many parts of the world. Perhaps, not more than one in five will have enough to eat. There will be a high rate of infant mortality. Due to the lack of food, there will be many cases of permanent brain damage by under nutrition. So much so, many such people will have to be killed out of mercy.

4. What kinds of serious problems could a fuel shortage cause?
Ans:    i) No normal life       ii) No food                                             iii) No transportation
                iv) No industries v) No production                 vi) No employment
                vii) No civilization                viii) Malnutrition                  ix) Brain damage
                x) No Medicines   xi) Difficult to sustain our life 


UNCHOPPING A TREE

-Is unchopping a tree possible? What does the essay suggest about conservation and against deforestation?
  Ans: It is very clear that unchopping a tree is never possible. The message is that if we cannot unchop a tree, it is better not to chop down trees. In other words, this essay indirectly suggests us to preserve the environment. However, in the surface level, unchopping a tree is possible by using different fixatives. We can fix each and every part of the tree, but the thing is that the tree doesn’t become as natural as it was before. We can’t give its life back in any way. So, a deep study of the essay, clarifies that real unchopping a tree is not possible. In this way,  the writer suggests people not to cut down the trees, but to conserve it.
                
SUMMARY OF “MALINI”
"Malini' composed by Rabindranath Tagore. This play takes place in a Hindu kingdom. Malini, the king’s daughter has been taught by Buddhist monks. She wants to leave the palace and help to solve the problems outside. The Brahmins are worried and are threatening to rebel against the king. They are demanding that Malini is sent away from the kingdom. Malini leaves the palace. Many Brahmins think she is a goddess and begins to follow her but kemankar leaves the king’s garden. Malini is tired and confused. He has found that is too difficult to solve the problems outside the palace. Supriya says he has betrayed his friend, Kemankar, by telling the king about the rebellion. Kemankar is arrested and the king offers Supriya the chance to marry Malini. Supriya says that all he wants for the king not to kill Kemankar. Kemankar arrives in chains. He is proud of what he has done. He asks to speak to Supriya they argue. They then agree to die together. Because that is the only way to find out who is right. Kemankar kills Supriya with his chains. The king asks for his sword to kill Kemankar but Malini says “Fathe, Forgive Kemankar”.

    1. What were the Brahmins demanding for?
Ans: Malini was a Hindu Princess but she was much interested in Buddhist religion. So, her inclination was towards Buddhist religion. She used to study Buddhist literature and also used to discuss the things with monks. The Brahmins were quite afraid of it. They thought that this would be a great challenge for Hindu religion. So, they wanted Malini to stop taking interest in the Buddhist religion. Otherwise, their demand was to banish her from the country. If the King couldn’t banish his daughter, he should be abdicated. In other words, the Brahmins were demanding the banishment of Malini .

    1. Draw the character sketch of Supriya and show how he is different from Kemankar.
Ans: Kemankar and Supriya were closed friends. They were leading the revolution together. We first meet Supriya with Kemankar when the Brahmins were protesting against Malini. All of a sudden, Malini comes there. The other Brahmins became in her side and Kemankar was left alone. Supriya was with Kemankar. Supriya is a learned man and he is not conservative like his friend. Supriya is a nice gentleman.   Though Kemankar and Supriya are closed friends. There are many differences between the two. First, Kemankar is stricter in determination than Supriya. Kemankar is more conservative. Supriya is liberal. He is ready to accept the drawbacks of his religion and the good things of other’s religion. But, Kemankar is blind to his religion.

    1. Describe the character of Malini?
Ans: Malini was the image of love. Forgiving was the divine virtue of her. She was impressed by Buddhism. She, getting birth in the palace, ignored the gold, dresses and ornaments. She liked serving people rather than living in a palace. She was beautiful and young. People thought that she had divine power because when she came in front of the Brahmins they were influenced by her and left their demand except Kemankar. To sum up, Malini was so virtuous that she even asked pardon after Kemankar killed Supriya for his relief
4.What was the revolt against? Against Malini? Against King? Against Buddhism?
Ans: The revolt was against the Buddhism. All the Brahmins were follower of old creed but Malini followed the new creed which was a threat for their religion and demanded her banishment.
    1. Why does Malini ask for her own banishment from the palace?
Ans: Malini thinks that she is born for the people but not for the palace and for king. As people demand for her banishment, she told the king that her banishment must be granted. She opines that she was made for people and for the sake of people; she is even ready to accept her banishment.

ON THE VANITY OF EARTHLY GREATNESS

-Write the summary of the poem “On the Vanity of Earthly Greatness”:
 The main theme of this poem is that it’s useless to be proud of our earthly greatness and achievements. These things aren’t permanent.Everything else including our earthly greatness and achievements has to bow before time. This poem describes what happens to powerful people and animals after they die. It shows how greatness anything is, anyway it continues only for a short time. The poet has presented certain examples, which all prove the same thing. Mastodon tusks are turned to billiard balls, bears are turned into rugs, the sword of great king becomes rusted and the great rulers are turned into statues.

IN BED

-What are the Symptoms of Migraine Headache? 
                i) Headache is not continuous if it occurs it lasts long.
                ii) Migraine attack occurs almost four to five times in a month.
                iii) Flush (blush) of blood in cerebral / brainy arteries / blood vessels. 
                iv) Vision is not clear (temporarily blind)
                v) Mild hallucinations / false sense perceptions / illusion / nightmare 
                vi)  gastric disturbance 
                vii) Overpowering fatigue / exhaustion, tiredness, weariness, weakness etc.
                viii) Aphasia / lack of language abilities
                ix) Chilling / sweating
                x) Nausea / sickness of the stomach
-Causes of Migraine Headache Attack
                i) Stress
                ii) Allergy
                iii) Fatigue
                iv) Abrupt Change in atmosphere
                v) Flashing Light
                vi) Decrease of serotonin (neurotransmitter chemical) in blood

CONCRETE CAT

The poem “Concrete Cat” is an example of concrete poem. It is made for the eye. It is concerned with the physical appearance of the cat but not primarily with ideas or emotions. The capital letters A, Y, U indicate pointed ear, bright eye and tongue of the cat respectively. The space left between the letters in the word tail shows its length. The upside down mouse shows that it is killed. The pun in the cat’s middle stripes or tripes is the only place where language becomes figurative. The poem has reduced language with only ten different words. Thus, it is truly quite an art.   

THE GARDENER
1. What is the real relation between Helen Turrell and Michael?
There is no doubt that the relationship between Helen and Michael is that of mother and son. Helen was the mother of Michael. But, as she was an unwed mother, she was ashamed and so she did not declare it. She only said that Michael was the son of her brother, who had died in India. She also told that she had managed to bring the child from India only to rear him up.
3. How do we know who the gardener really is?
 There are many explorations to the question: who the gardener was. Some people say that he was only an employee. Some others say that he was Michael’s father, who was working there only to live by the grave of Michael. He said ‘son’ rather than ‘nephew’ while leading her to the grave. But, I think that the gardener was Jesus Christ. If it’s so, we can also guess that the Lord had forgiven Helen for her crime. 


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