Question

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways. A surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way : medicine sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians and above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it "Bombay Ice Cream" one day and on the next "Delhi Almond;' and on the third "Raja's Delicacy;' and so on and so forth, and people flocked to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too. The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare which crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up by old cycle lamps, and one or two, like the astrologer, managed without lights of their own. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life; and he knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute.

A1. True/False   (2)

Read the following sentences and state whether they are true or false. Correct the false statements and rewrite them.

1. The sellers of stolen hardware and junk were the loudest in shouting to attract customers.
2. The pathway running through the Town Hall wasn't lit by the municipal lighting.
3. The astrologer managed to light his shop with naked flares stuck on poles.
4. It suited him well because he could foretell future with a high level of accuracy.

A2. Rearrange:     (2)

Rearrange the following statements in the order of their occurrence in the extract.

1. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too.
2. It was a remarkable place in many ways.
3. The place was lit up by shop lights.
4. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

A3. Guess:   (2)

Read the following sentences and write down what it means.

1. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too.
2. And he knew no more of what was going so happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute.

A4. Suppose some people in your family consult an astrologer before taking any decision in their lives. Describe your reaction to their superstitions and suggest some ways to eradicate these from our society.   (2)

A5. Language Study:  (2)

1. Who doesn't like delicacies? (Make a declarative sentence)
2. Many promises have been given in spite of the drawbacks. (Frame a Wh-question to get the answer underlined)

A6. Vocabulary:   (2)

• surging
• moving
• manage
• intend

Answer 1

A1. 

1. False.
   Correct statement - They created enough din all day to attract the whole town.
2. True
3. False.
   Correct statement - He transacted his business without any lights of his own.
4. False.
   Correct statement - It suited him well because he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer.

A2. 

(b) It was a remarkable place in many ways.

(a) A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too.

(c) The place was lit up by shop lights.

(d) It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

A3. 

1. A huge crowd talked in a superficial way in front of the astrologer.
2. He did not have the least idea of what is going to happen to others in the future nor did he know what was his own future.

A4. I've always seen the older members of my family contact astrologers before making any significant life decisions. They frequently wear multiple rings on their fingers, some of which are absurdly expensive, as I have seen. All of them seem completely arbitrary to me because I think that our choices determine how our lives will turn out. Nothing, not even the most expensive ring, can make us successful if we don't work hard. Therefore, I consider astrology and wearing rings to be superstitions.

If we want our society to advance and, eventually, our country to grow, we must rid it of superstitions and other harmful customs. Education is essential to it. Students can be taught the national way of thinking from the beginning of their education, which will help them spread it and grow into responsible adults.

A5. 

1. Everybody likes delicacies.
2. How have many promises been given?

A6.

• surging - surge
• moving - movement
• manage - management
• intend - intention