Question

Read the following passage and do the given activities:

B1. Complete the following sentences from the passage:    (2)

1. He was only fifteen and _______.
2. Her apartment was not big but _____.
3. Whenever they came to Bombay _____.
4. He was already able to compose his own tunes _____.

Smita bit her lip in self-reproach. She had been so excited at seeing the announcement, that she had not remembered that her brother was ill. She had seen how the doctors had shaken their heads gravely and spoken words that neither she nor her parents could understand. But deep inside Smita had known the frightening truth – that Anant would die. The word cancer had hung in the air – her brother was dying of cancer even though she pretended that all would be well and they would return together, a small family of four, to their home in Gaganpur. And he was only fifteen and the best table-tennis player in the school and the fastest runner. He was learning to play the sitar; they were both taking sitar lessons, but Anant was better than her in many other things. He was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of their guru. Then cancer had struck and they had come to Bombay so that he could be treated at the cancer hospital in the city. Whenever they came to Bombay they stayed with Aunt Sushila. Her apartment was not big but there was always room for them.

B2. Why did Smita become nervous?   (2)

B3. Match the pairs with proper antonyms from the passage:   (2)

A	B
(i) Forgotten	(a) deep
(ii) Misunderstand	(b) together
(iii) Separate	(c) remembered
(iv) Shallow	(d) understand

B4. Do as directed:   (2)

1. He was learning to play the sitar.
   [Frame 'Wh' question to get the underlined part as an answer]
2. He could be treated at the cancer hospital in the city.
   [Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function]

B5. Personal Response   (2)

What would you prefer: music or sports? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer 1

B1. 

1. He was only fifteen and the best table tennis player in the school and the fastest runner.
2. Her apartment was not big but there was always room for them.
3. Whenever they came to Bombay they stayed with Aunt Sushila.
4. He was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of their guru.

B2. Smita became nervous because she had been so excited at seeing the announcement, that she had not remembered that her brother was ill. She had seen how the doctors had shaken their heads gravely and spoken words that neither she nor her parents could understand. But deep inside Smita had known the frightening truth – that Anant would die.

B3. 

A	B
(i) Forgotten	(c) remembered
(ii) Misunderstand	(d) understand
(iii) Separate	(b) together
(iv) Shallow	(a) deep

B4. 

1. What was he learning?
2. Modal auxiliary - Could
   Function - Possibility

B5. I would prefer music because Music is one of the most enjoyable human experiences. Music is an ever-present companion to people’s everyday lives. Music can alter our mood, emotions, motivation, and movement. Music provides a positive mood, offers a valued companion, and allows us to express emotions.