Word Meaning
1. straw - hew
2. trembling - shaking
3. mumbled -
struggle to speak in confusion
4. enthusiasm -
interest
5. cradle - big
spoon type
6. gazing - looking
at
7. tiptoed - walk
quietly
8. perhaps - may be
9. stirred - moved
side to side
10. groaned - made
noise
11. pleaded -
requested
12. hesitated -
disturbed
13. appeal - request,
pleaded
14. cultivate -
nurture, develop
15. advanced - came,
move
16. rustle - noise
17. scratch - rub
18. thud - a sound of
heavy things falling
19. agonised - pained
20. tumbling -
rolling
21. tremendously -
greatly, highly
22. sneered – talked
in an unking way that showed disapproval
23. tenacity – the
quality of being very strongminded
24. gesticulations –
excited movements of the hands and arms
25. slunk – moved secretively
in fear of shame
26. laughing stock –
a person who is regarded by many as foolish
27. strain of cruelty
– a tendency of being mean and unkind
28. mortal – deadly,
fatal
29. notorious –
naughty
30. mollycoddle – pamper
A. Choose the correct option.
1. What story does Swaminathen's father read in the newspaper?
a. a story about a noble father
b. a story about a brave boy
c. a story about a brave tiger
d. a story about a stern mother
Ans: b. a story about a brave boy
2. What is the result of reading the story?
a. Swami had to visit a forest.
b. Swami had to sleep next to his father.
c. Swami had to sleep alone
d. Swami had to sleep in the garden.
Ans: c. Swami had to sleep alone
3. How does Swaminathan try to make his father change his mind?
a. He tried to change the subject.
b. He appealed to his grandmother.
c. He appealed to his mother.
d. He burst into tears.
Ans: a. He tried to change the subject.
B. These sentences, when put in
sequences, tell the story of how Swaminathan became a 'hero'. Arrange them in
the right order.
- A loud agonised cry was heard
which brought many people into the office.
- Swaminathan lay down under the
bench in his father's office.
- The police were called, and they
arrested the burglar.
- They all fell upon the burglar and
restrained him.
- Swaminathan remembered all the
stories of devils and ghosts he had heard in his life and felt terrified.
- Unknown to himself, he fell asleep
and had the most disturbing nightmares.
- Sweating with fright, he moved in
the direction of the sound.
- Swaminathan became a hero
overnight.
- His hand came in contact with
something which he held on to tightly and bit into with all his strength.
- He awoke with a start as he heard
a strange, unfathomable rustling sound.
ANSWERS
1.
Swaminathan remembered
all the stories of devils and ghosts he had heard in his life and felt
terrified.
2.
Swaminathan lay down
under the bench in his father's office.
3.
Unknown to himself, he
fell asleep and had the most disturbing nightmares.
4.
He awoke with a start as
he heard a strange, unfathomable rustling sound.
5.
Sweating with fright, he
moved in the direction of the sound.
6.
His hand came in contact
with something which he held on to tightly and bit into with all his strength.
7.
A loud agonised cry was
heard which brought many people into the office.
8.
They all fell upon the
burglar and restrained him.
9.
The police were called,
and they arrested the burglar.
10. Swaminathan became a hero overnight.
C. Complete the table.
|
Quote from the text |
Name
of Speaker |
Trait(s)
of the speaker revealed by the quote |
|
You think you are wiser
than the newspaper? |
Swaminathan’s father |
He does not approve anything easily. |
|
Suppose I have all the
courage, what can I do if a tiger should attack me? |
Swaminathan |
He does not accept anything without a
valid reason and seeks justification. |
|
You are in the Second
Form and I don’t at all like the way you are being brought up. |
Swaminathan’s father |
He is disciplined and bold and is not
satisfied with pampering care to Swaminathan. |
|
Boy, are you already
feeling sleepy? Don’t you want a story? |
Swaminathan’s grandmother |
She is very innocent and in her daily
habit to say story to him. |
|
You let him sleep where
he likes. You needn’t risk his life again. |
Swaminathan’s mother |
She is sensible and reasonably
protective to save her child from risk. |
|
All right, mollycoddle
and spoil him as much as you like. Only don’t blame me afterwards. |
Swaminathan’s father |
He is a responsible person who knows
the need to teach his son some life lessons. |
D. Think and answer.
1. What impression do you form about Swaminathan's father?
Swaminathan's father is a strong-minded responsible gentleman. He is dissatisfied with his son growing like a coward. Therefore he makes some efforts to strengthen his son's weakness.
2. The newspaper report about the tiger and the boy appears to be exaggerated. Who do you think embellished the story, the journalist or Swaminathan's father? Why?
I am sure the journalist had embellished the story. It represents the story of a brave boy fighting a tiger. Somehow this does not sound real at all.
3. Swaminathan becomes a hero and is highly praised. Do you feel that he deserves the praise? Why/ why not?
Of course, he does not deserve praise. It was all by chance and he was not even knowing what he was doing. I would rather appreciate it if he had shown some bravery after the act of heroism. But no, instead he goes early to bed pretending to be asleep in order to escape from his father.
E. Discuss in class.
MUST BE DONE BY SELF
1. "... Courage is everything, strength and age are not
important," Express your views on this statement made by Swaminathan's
father.
2. What message does the author wish to convey through the story? Tick the answer(s) you feel is (are) right. Explain the reasons for your selection.
a. Children should be made independent.
b. We have more strength and courage than we give ourselves
credit for.
c. People work well under pressure.
d. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
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