Working with the text…
1. Do you think the Indian
princes were short- sighted in their approach to the event of 1757?
Ans: Yes, the Indian princes
were short- sighted in their approach to the event of 1757. They fought among
themselves and became weaker.
2. How did the East India
Company subdue the Indian princes?
Ans: The Indian princes fought with one another and
became weaker. The British took advantage of the situation and subdued them.
3. Quote words used by Raja Ram
Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.
Ans: Cows are of different
colours. But the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have
different opinions but the essence of every religion is the same.
4. In what way did the
British officers exploit Indians?
Ans: They imposed high taxes
on Indians. They imported tax free good from Britain. They cut the thumbs of
expert artisans and ruined their business.
5. Name these –
(i) The ruler who fought
pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
(ii) The person who wanted
to reform the society.
(iii) The person who
recommended the introduction of English education in India.
(iv) Two popular leaders who
led the revolt.
Ans: (i)Tipu Sultan of
Mysore
(ii)Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(iii)Macaulay
(iv)Kunwar Singh and Peshwa
Nana Saheb
6. Mention the following.
(i) Two examples of social
practices prevailing then.
(ii) Two oppressive policies
of the British.
(iii) Two ways in which
common people suffered.
(iv) Four reasons for the
discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Ans: (i) a) Child
marriage b) untouchability
(ii) a) In 1818, they passed Regulation III under
which an Indian could be jailed without trial in the court.
b) They imported tax free goods from Britain
(iii) a) They imposed high
taxes on farmers.
b) They imported tax free
goods from England. Thus ruined Indian industries.
(iv) a) The East India
Company ruined Indian industries.
b) They imposed high taxes
on farmers.
c) Santhals from Bengal who
lost their lands rebelled.
d) The grease on the bullets
was made from the fat of cows and pigs.
Working
with Language…
1. A: Change the following
sentences into indirect speech.
(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.
Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.
Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament
The first man said that -------------
The second man added that ----------
The third man suggested that -----------
Ans:
The first man said that they must educate their brothers.
The second man added that they should try to improve their
material conditions.
The third man suggested that they must convey their grievances
to the British Parliament.
(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions
and servants.
Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.
Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?
The first man said that--------
The second soldier remarked that ----------
The third soldier asked ---------
Ans:
(i) The first soldier said
that the white soldier got huge pay, mansions and servants.
(ii) The second soldier remarked that they
got a pittance and slow promotions.
(iii) The third soldier asked who the
British were to abolish their customs.
Poem 3 Macavity - The Mystery Cat
Working with the poem (Page 51)
1. Read the first stanza and think.
(i) Is Macavity a cat really?
(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?
Ans: (i) Macavity is a cunning cat.
(ii) If he is not a cat, he can be an expert thief or a
master criminal.
2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) A master criminal is one who …………………………..
(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because …………………..
(iii) …………………… because Macavity moves much faster than
them.
Ans: (i) can defy the law and escapes from the scene of
crime.
(ii) whenever they reach the scene of crime, they cannot
find Macavity.
(iii) Flying Squad is not able to catch Macavity
3. “A cat, I am
sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through”. (Jules Verne)
Which law is Macavity breaking in the light of the
comment above?
Ans: Newton’s Law of Gravitation.
4. Read stanza 3, and then describe Macavity in two or
three sentences of your own.
Ans: Macavity is a very cunning cat. He is tall and thin.
His eyes are sunken in, his forehead is wrinkled, and his head is dome like.
His coat is dusty and whiskers are not combed.
5. Say ‘False’ or ‘True’ for each of the following
statements.
(i) Macavity is not an ordinary cat.
(ii) Macavity cannot do what a fakir can easily do.
(iii) Macavity has supernatural powers.
(iv) Macavity is well-dressed, smart and bright.
(v) Macavity is a spy, a trickster and a criminal, all
rolled in one.
Ans: (i) True (ii)
False (iii) True (iv) False (v) True
6. Having read the poem, try to guess whether the poet is
fond of cats. If so, why does he call Macavity a fiend and monster?
Ans: The poet admires the cat for his swift movement,
expert criminality and the way he gives a slip to the police. But he is a law
breaker at the same time, so the poet calls him a devil and giant.
7. Has the poet used exaggeration for special effect?
Find a few examples of it and read those lines aloud.
Ans: The following statements are examples of
exaggeration.
• He is the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying
Squad’s despair.
• His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare.
• He’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.