Samacheer Kalvi solutions for English Class 11 TN Board chapter 2.2 - Confessions of a Born Spectator [Latest edition]

Not everybody loves to play and participate in games, sports and other extra-curricular activities. Some of us wish to be mere spectators. List out the activities in which you like to be either a performer or a spectator. Share your views with the class.

Why does the poet feel glad that he does not play any game?

Do you think the narrator is heroic? Why?

The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?

The poet does not wish to exchange position with the runners. Why?

Are the athletes conscious of the feelings of others? Why do you say so?

Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?

Why does the poet prefer to buy tickets worth their weight in radium? Bring out the significance of the metal referred to here.

Read the poem again and complete the summary using the words given in the box.

In the poem ‘Confessions of a Born Spectator,’ Ogden Nash talks about how people choose different sports in their lives or decide to become athletes. While admiring the talents of athletes and sportsmen, the poet (i)______he is glad that he is neither a sportsman nor an athlete. Children have different (ii)______and wish to play various games. Each child has in mind something in particular, but the narrator is (iii)______he is not one of the players. Though the narrator (iv) ______the talents of all athletes, he derives satisfaction from watching them, but does not wish to (v) ______places with them. He also sometimes regrets that (vi)______athletes play rough games without caring for the feelings of their sporting rivals. He feels that good sense and caution win over ego. The narrator wholeheartedly offers (vii) ______the modest (viii) ______of athletes. Ultimately the narrator is (ix)______that he himself is not an athlete.

How does the poet establish the victory of common sense over ego?

The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his view?

According to the poet, what contributes most to the injuries sustained by the athletes?

Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a sentence or two.

With all my heart I do admire

Athletes who sweat for fun or hire

1. Whom does the poet admire?
2. For what reasons do the athletes sweat?

Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a sentence or two.

Well, ego it might be pleased enough But zealous athletes play so rough…

1. What pleases the ego?
2. Why are athletes often rough during play?

Read the poem and answer the following in a short paragraph of 8–10 sentences each.

When officialdom demands Is there a doctor in the stands?

1. Why are doctors called from stands by the sponsors?
2. Why does the poet make such an observation?

Read the given line and answer the question that follow in a sentence or two

When snaps the knee and cracks the wrist….

Identify and explain the use of the literary device in this line.

Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.

I am just glad as glad can be That I am not them, that they are not me…

Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.

They do not ever in their dealings Consider one another’s feelings…

Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.

Athletes, I’ll drink to you, Or eat with you, Or anything except compete with you…

Read the poem and complete the table with suitable rhyming words

Underline the alliterated word in the following line.

For this most modest physiques…

Underline the alliterated word in the following line.

They do not ever in their dealings…

Find out the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.

One infant grows up and becomes a jockey

Another plays basketball or hockey

This one the prize ring hates to enter

That one becomes a tackle or center…

First, read the following statements. Then, listen to the passage read aloud by your teacher or played on the recorder and answer the questions that follow. You may listen to it again, if required.

Tejaswini Sawant is an Indian shooter from the Maharashtrian city of Kolhapur. Her father Ravinder Sawant was an officer in the Indian Navy. Tejaswini represented India in 2004 at the 9th South Asian Sports Federation Games. She, in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, won one gold medal in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Singles and Women’s 10m Air Rifle Pairs. In 2009, in the 50m Rifle 3 positions, she won a bronze and in 2010 she became a world champion in the 50m Rifle Prone game held in Germany. In the 2010 Commonwealth Games, she won one bronze and two silver medals in the women’s 50m Rifle Prone Pairs, the Women’s 50m Rifle Prone Singles and the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 positions respectively. Tejaswini was the first Indian shooter to win a Gold medal at the world championship in the 50m Rifle Prone Game.

Choose the most appropriate option and complete the sentences.

1. Tejaswini Sawant is an Indian______.

1. shooter
2. boxer
3. cricketer

2. She represented India at the 9th South Asian Sports Federation Games in ______.

1. 2001
2. 2002
3. 2004

3. In 2006, she won a Gold medal in the ______.

1. Commonwealth Games
2. Olympic Games
3. Asian Games

4. She became a world champion in the 50m Rifle Prone game held in ______.

1. Germany
2. Russia
3. India

5. Tejaswini was the first Indian woman shooter to win a ______ medal at the World Championship in the 50m rifle prone game.

1. gold
2. silver
3. bronze

Tell the class about your ambition in life and the way you are working towards achieving your goal.

Your friend competes with you in academics and sports. Think of the situation wherein you would not be affected by his/her victory and the ways in which you would encourage your friend to succeed.

Why do accidents usually happen in the playground? Give your own examples and explain

Everybody is special and everybody is a hero. Each one has a story to tell. In the light of this observation, present your views.

Would you like to exchange your place with someone else? Why/why not?

What sort of encouragement should an athlete in India be given? Give a few suggestions.

You are the School Pupil Leader. Mention some qualities that can be drawn from the field of sports to improve your leadership skills.