1.
untended – neglected
2.
crumble – break into pieces
3.
flourished – developed, prospered
4.
dense – thick
5.
sprawled – sit casually
6.
dangling – casually going around
7.
nettles – rough surface of a leaf
8.
jingle – noise
9.
seethed – became angry
10.
bubbles – ball or liquid that floats
11.
weed – wild plant
12.
parting – leaving
13.
grabbing – foul paly
14.
stumbled – fell
15.
cumulus – cloud
16.
ceiling – top surface
17.
bobbed – moved
18.
bellowed – shout angrily
19.
plunged – jumped
20.
wriggling – moving around
21.
hinges – corners
22.
dappled – marked
23.
trout – fish
24.
stranded – stuck
25.
slug – a kind of leeches
26.
shrank – become smaller
27.
razed – destroy
28.
stumps – break into pieces
29.
trudged – walk slowly
30.
crater – a big hole in the ground
31.
parched – dry and hot
32.
cracked – break
33.
destitute – helpless
34.
meagre – little
35.
swooped – fly suddenly
36.
sluicing – pouring of water
37.
hoes – tool to dig ground
38.
spades – tool to dig ground
39.
barrows – cart
40.
ripple – wave of water
41.
trinket – ornament
42.
shallows – not deep
A. Choose
the right option to complete these sentences.
1. The story is
about Lake Eim which is situated in
a. Lithuania.
b. Estonia.
c. Finland.
d. Norway.
Ans. b. Estonia
2. The Lake Eim was
a. very deep and surrounded by dense trees.
b. quite shallow and surrounded by dense trees.
c. very deep with few trees on its banks.
d. very deep surrounded by high mountains.
Ans. a. Very deep and surrounded by dense trees.
3. The people lived
near the banks of the lake initially were
a. hardworking villagers.
b. clever fishermen.
c. lazy and brutal brigands and bandits.
d. commercial farmers.
Ans. a. Lazy and brutal brigands and bandits.
4. The lake decided
to leave the land because
a. it was shamed by the blood of the slain.
b. it began to dry up.
c. it wished to roam the world.
d. it found the sun to be too harsh.
Ans. a. It was shamed by the blood of the slain.
5. When the men
opened the treasure chests they were surprised because the chests
a. were full of gold ornaments, pearls and doubloons.
b. were teeming with lizards, newts, frogs, salamanders and water snakes.
c. were packed with trout, bearded barbell and salmons.
d. were packed with clay and sand.
Ans. a. were teeming with lizards, newts, frogs, salamanders and water snakes.
B. Read
these sentences from the text and answer the questions that follow.
1. And soon, within the darkness of trees lurked a darkness of men.
a. What does ‘darkness of trees’ refer to?
‘Darkness of trees’ means the growth of dense forest.
b. What does ‘darkness of men’ refer to?
‘Darkness of men’, indicates the evil nature of human being.
c. Explain the significance of this line in the text.
The line stated above indicates the growth of evil intention of men such as robbery and killing; as the density of the forest grew. Such people found it easy to hide themselves in the dense forest.
2. That would have
been hard work and they had forsworn hard work.
a. Who are ‘they’?
They were brigands and bandits.
b. What did they do to satisfy their needs and wants?
They fished the lake for their supper, spent long hours sprawled in drifting boats, dangling grappling hooks into the deeps.
c. What light does this throw on their character?
They were easy going lazy people.
C. Think
and answer.
1. What indications
has the author given that the brigands had a ‘brisk trade’ and were thriving?
‘Brisk
trade’ suggests a business that makes quick profit. In this context brigands’
brisk trade were thriving, they made quick profit. But it was not made by any
hard work or ethical principle. The brigands were able to do so by killing and
looting the pilgrims or merchants who were passing by.
2. How can we infer
that as a result of the ‘brisk trade’, several lives were put to an untimely
and gory end? Quote phrases from the text to support your answer.
We have
reference from the text that these people “had forsworn hard work”. “So how did
their pockets jingle with gold and their gambling last all night?” We also find
answer for this. “Each time a traveller passed through wood – a pilgrim or a
merchant – they cut his throat and threw his body in the deep dark waters.”
3. What difference
in attitude towards the lake do you find between the brigands and the
villagers? What can you conclude from that difference?
The
brigands and the villagers’ view towards the lake were contradictory. The brigands left
the forest unattended while the villagers, the peasants planted willow trees
along the lake. The brigands stained the lake with human blood showing no
concern or respect for the lake while the villagers thanked the lake with
flowers they floated on its face. In short the brigands showed no care and
love, which the villagers did.
4. Do you think a
lake has feelings? If yes, what feelings would you ascribe to it, and why?
Yes, I think everything that exists has feeling. The feelings of the lake would be something like who entertains and is generous to sustain everything around it. It entertains everyone; as no one feels bored or fed up in and around a lake. Everyone just look for an opportunity to visit this place and spend time there. The life around is so rich that people also make their livelihood in various ways such as catching and selling fish, herbs, tourism etc. Therefore, as it has feeling and could connect and builds life around it.
D. Discuss in class.
If you
don’t want your bed full of newts. Comment on the ending of the legend.
This statement has a simple meaning, that comes with a condition, ‘if’, which connects us with the previous line that reads, ‘which is as it should be; care for each other’. Everything that exists, is mutually dependent. If we want our room free from dirt, we need to clean i.e. to take care of it. Likewise, if we want our surrounding free from germs and waste, we need to look our surrounding. This is so simple that if we want nature to take care of us; we must also take care of the nature.
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