Question

Read the extract and solve the activities.

I scored 100% marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations that I appeared for from my 1st standard until IIT, barring only a few times. I stood 16th in the SSC Board (at that time, this examination was for the whole of Maharashtra, including Nagpur) and I stood 1st in the University in all subjects put together. Those days, you could get an admission into IIT without the entrance test (JEE) if you had secured the 1st rank in the University. Therefore, I did not have to appear for the entrance test to get the admission into IIT, but nobody in Solapur told me about it, for I doubt if anybody in Solapur even knew about this rule. Therefore, I appeared for the entrance examination, and I secured a very good rank in the same. I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short lived. At Solapur, I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers. At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my English was very poor. I had my entire education in Marathi. My spoken English was quite pathetic. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but, my pronunciation also was terrible and my construction of English sentences very awkward to say the least. Due to all this, I was feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general and IIT in particular. I had developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.             One day, I was sitting at my mess table in the hostel sipping tea when a senior guy came and sat on the chair adjacent to me. He was a convent educated guy with fairly sophisticated English- at least spoken or colloquial English. He was a bit arrogant and wanted to pull my leg. He tried to engage in some conversation with me and started pointing out errors in just about every sentence or everything that I said. After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me.             I felt extremely humiliated and upset. As it is, I was feeling quite depressed and diffident and this incident was the last straw. I was almost broken. I felt out of place there and literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment. However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me. Despite hailing from Solapur, if I could be a rank holder in the school, college and IIT with many awards in Mathematics, there must be something right with me. Why should I give up? And that too for a silly and small thing like English? I was not to give up anymore, and I was determined to fight back.

A1. Complete the given statements.

1. The writer got admission in IIT as he ______.
2. The poor English of the writer was responsible for ______.

A2. Describe the state of mind of the writer when he came from Solapur.

A3. The incident of the insult by a senior was a blessing in disguise for the writer. Explain. (2)

A4. We need a punch to push ourselves forward. Share your experience.

A5. Do as directed.

i. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but my pronunciation also was terrible.
(Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the sentence as a simple sentence)

1. I had a very weak vocabulary with terrible pronunciation.
2. I had a very weak vocabulary and my pronunciation was terrible.
3. I did have a very weak vocabulary along with terrible pronunciation.
4. I had a weak vocabulary as well as terrible pronunciation.

ii. I felt extremely humiliated.
(Choose correct alternative to rewrite the sentence using the noun form of the underlined word.)

1. I felt extremely humiliation.
2. I felt extremely humiliating.
3. I felt extreme humiliation.
4. I felt extreme humiliating.

A6. Prepare a word register for ‘language’.

Answer 1

A1.

1. The writer got admission in IIT as he secured a good rank in the entrance examination.
2. The poor English of the writer was responsible for making him feel diffident and depressed.

A2. When writer arrived in Mumbai from Solapur, he felt alienated and lonely. He felt depressed and diffident because of his poor English. He developed an inferiority complex and even considered running back to Solapur.

A3. At first, when the writer’s senior ridiculed him for being from vernacular medium, he felt offended. He felt diffident and this incident was the last straw. He legit wanted to go back to his hometown. But, his self-esteem stopped him. All of a sudden, a feeling of strength and determination engulfed him. He decided to stay back and not give up for a petty thing like English. He decided with a strong willpower to fight back.

A4. Success in life comes through hard work, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude. Sometimes, even negative experiences can motivate us to do better. I remember struggling in my first year of college cricket, where I was ridiculed for my poor performance and low scores. Instead of giving up, I used that criticism as motivation. I worked hard, practiced consistently, and returned stronger the next year. My efforts paid off, and I ended up being the highest run scorer in the tournament. This taught me that setbacks can be stepping stones to success if we stay determined and keep pushing forward.

A5.

1. I had a very weak vocabulary with terrible pronunciation.
2. I felt extreme humiliation.

A6. Language, speech, dialect, intonation, pronunciation, communication, reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary, lexicon, verbal.