Find Dhanuskodi and Rameswaram on the map. What language(s) do you think are spoken there? What languages do you think the author, his family, his friends and his teachers spoke with one another?
Dhanuskodi and Rameswaram are located in Tamil Nadu. The primary language spoken there is Tamil. The author, his family, his friends, and his teachers most likely spoke Tamil with one another.
I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.
1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?
Abdul Kalam's house was on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram.
2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.
Dinamani is the name of a newspaper. This is because Kalam tried to trace the stories of the Second World War in its headlines.
3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?
Abdul Kalam's school friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. Ramanadha Sastry became the priest of the Rameswaram temple, Aravindan went into the transport business, and Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.
4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?
He earned his first wages by helping his cousin Samsuddin catch newspaper bundles that were thrown from the moving train on the Rameswaram Road.
5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?
Yes, he had earned money before by collecting and selling tamarind seeds to a provision shop.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words)
1. How does the author describe: (i) his father, (ii) his mother, (iii) himself?
(i) His father, Jainulabdeen, was a man of great innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit, though he had neither much formal education nor much wealth. He was austere and avoided all inessential comforts.
(ii) His mother, Ashiamma, was a kind and generous woman who fed a large number of people every day.
(iii) He describes himself as a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents.
2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?
He inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father, and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.
III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
1. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.
(i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)?
(ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences?
(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?
(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?
(i) He mentions orthodox Hindu Brahmin families and Muslim families. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable. For example, Abdul Kalam wore a cap which marked him as a Muslim, and Ramanadha Sastry wore the sacred thread, marking him as a Hindu Brahmin.
(ii) They also naturally shared friendships and experiences. As children, Kalam and his friends never felt any difference due to their religious backgrounds. They listened to stories from both the Ramayana and the life of the Prophet at home. Their families also participated in common cultural events, like arranging boats for the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony.
(iii) The new teacher who asked Kalam to sit on the back bench was aware of and enforced the differences. People who tried to bridge these differences included Lakshmana Sastry, who confronted the teacher, and Sivasubramania Iyer, who invited Kalam to his home and worked to break social barriers.
(iv) Incident 1 (Creating difference): The new teacher could not stomach a Hindu priest's son sitting with a Muslim boy and asked Kalam to move to the back bench. Incident 2 (Resolving difference): Lakshmana Sastry confronted the teacher, asked him to apologize or quit, and reformed the teacher's attitude. Another incident is Sivasubramania Iyer inviting Kalam for a meal and persuading his wife to overcome her prejudices. People can change their attitudes through strong, principled intervention and by personally experiencing interaction with others, which breaks down preconceived notions.
2. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?
(ii) What did his father say to this?
(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?
(i) He wanted to leave Rameswaram to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram. The country was filled with optimism after the war, and he wanted to grow.
(ii) His father said, "Abul ! I know you have to go away to grow. Does the seagull not fly across the sun, alone and without a nest?" He also quoted Khalil Gibran to Kalam's mother.
(iii) His words mean that for children to grow and achieve their potential, they must leave the security of their home and parents, just as a seagull must fly alone across the sun. He spoke these words because, although it was difficult for them as parents, he understood and supported his son's need for independence and growth.
I. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur... Now answer the following questions.
Sentences from the text: erupt: ...a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market. (Para 3) surge: ...I can still feel the surge of pride in earning my own money for the first time. (Para 3) trace: ...which I would later attempt to trace in the headlines in Dinamani. (Para 3) undistinguished: I was one of many children — a short boy with rather undistinguished looks... (Para 2) casualty: The first casualty came in the form of the suspension of the train halt... (Para 3)
1. What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?
Erupt: means to break out suddenly and violently.
- A volcano can erupt (emit lava and ash).
- Violence can erupt in a city (start suddenly).
- A demand can erupt in the market (appear suddenly).
Surge: means a sudden powerful forward or upward movement.
- Water can surge in a wave (move powerfully).
- A crowd can surge forward (move forward suddenly).
- Emotions like pride or anger can surge (arise powerfully).
2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?
Trace can mean:
1. to find or discover (e.g., trace the source of a problem)
2. to copy a drawing by following its lines on transparent paper
3. a very small quantity (e.g., a trace of evidence)
The meaning closest to the text ("attempt to trace in the headlines") is "to find or discover."
3. Can you find the word undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look up the word distinguished and say what undistinguished must mean.)
Distinguished means successful, authoritative, and commanding respect.
Therefore, undistinguished must mean not remarkable or impressive; ordinary.
II. 1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
A
B
(i) broke out
(c) began suddenly in a violent way
(ii) in accordance with
(f) according to a particular rule, principle, or system
(iii) a helping hand
(d) assistance
(iv) could not stomach
(b) was not able to tolerate
(v) generosity of spirit
(a) an attitude of kindness, a readiness to give freely
(vi) figures of authority
(e) persons with power to make decisions
2. Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-...
Word
Opposite
adequate
inadequate
acceptable
unacceptable
regular
irregular
tolerant
intolerant
demanding
undemanding
active
inactive
true
untrue
permanent
impermanent
patriotic
unpatriotic
disputed
undisputed
accessible
inaccessible
coherent
incoherent
logical
illogical
legal
illegal
responsible
irresponsible
possible
impossible
IV. Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form.
1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.
2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.
4. Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.
6. Our National Anthem was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
V. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets.
1. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket
Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor was seriously injured and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn. Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull was fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to hospital. He was accompanied by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood was donated by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets are routinely used against bowlers.
2. Oil from Seeds
Vegetable oils are made from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil is produced from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil is used for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives are shaken from the trees and gathered up, usually by hand. The olives are ground to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats are layered up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.
Here is a topic for you to... Find out what other people think about it...
Topic: ‘Career Building Is the Only Goal of Education.’
My opinion: In my opinion, education serves a much broader purpose than just career building. While preparing for a career is an important aspect, education's primary goals are to develop critical thinking, foster creativity, build character, and create responsible citizens. It should teach us how to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully to society. If career building were the only goal, we would neglect the arts, philosophy, sports, and other areas that enrich human life but may not always lead directly to a high-paying job. A well-rounded education helps us become good human beings first, which ultimately makes us better at any career we choose.
Think and write a short account of what life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been like.
Life in Rameswaram in the 1940s, as described by Abdul Kalam, seemed simple and secure but also marked by limited resources and social rigidity. Most people were likely not rich but content with their necessities being met. The society was hardworking, with people engaged in trades like fishing, running provision shops, distributing newspapers, and priestly duties. The environment was emotionally secure and family-oriented, with strong community bonds. However, social groups were segregated based on religious identities, though friendships across these lines did exist. The outbreak of the Second World War brought some changes, like the suspension of the train halt, forcing adaptations. Despite the social rigidities, there were individuals who advocated for equality and change. The overall atmosphere towards the end of the 1940s was likely filled with hope and optimism for India's impending freedom and the future.
No Men Are Foreign
1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms …” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
(ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
(i) The poet is speaking about the different uniforms that soldiers of various countries wear. It could also symbolize all the external markers of nationality, ethnicity, or culture that distinguish people.
(ii) The poet suggests that beneath all superficial differences (uniforms), we all have the same human body. We walk on the same earth and will ultimately lie buried in it. We all share the same basic needs like sun, air, water, and food obtained through labour.
2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.
1. "a single body breathes Like ours"
2. "the land our brothers walk upon"
3. "Is earth like this"
4. "in which we all shall lie"
5. (Implied) No men are strange, no countries foreign.
3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Five common features can be found:
1. "aware of sun and air and water"
2. "Are fed by peaceful harvests"
3. "by war’s long winter starv’d" (common suffering)
4. "Their hands are ours"
5. "A labour not different from our own"
4. “…whenever we are told to hate our brothers…” When do you think this happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say?
This happens during times of conflict, war, or when political leaders or propagandists create hatred against people of other nations or communities. They 'tell' us to hate to serve their own agendas, often by highlighting differences and fostering fear. No, we should not do as we are told at such times. The poet says that when we hate our brothers (people of other countries), we are actually hating and betraying ourselves, and we defile our common human earth.