Incorporating DAV Class 5 English Reader Book Solutions Pdf Chapter 3 Where There’s A Will into study routines can lead to better overall language proficiency.
My English Reader Class 5 DAV Solutions Unit 3 Where There’s A Will
DAV Class 5 English Reader Book Solutions Unit 3 Where There’s A Will
Introduction:
‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ is a proverb.
A proverb is a well-known phrase or sentence that gives advice or says something that is generally true.
In your opinion, which of the following options conveys the correct meaning of the proverb—‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’—
(i) If you wish, you can make a road for yourself.
(ii) Wherever you find a will, there will be a road for you.
(iii) If you really want to do something, you will certainly be able to find a way of doing it.
Answer:
(iii) If you really want to do something, you will certainly be able to find a way of doing it.
Look at the describing words given below and tick (✓) those which can help you to find your way and make you successful.
‘I can reach my goal if I am……….’
Answer:
A
A.1. Have you ever tried to analyse yourself? Do you face a situation readily or do you try to avoid it? What do you do in the following situations? Tick (✓) your choice.
(i) When you make a mistake, do you—
(a) i admit it?
(b) i hold someone else responsible?
Answer:
(a) i admit it?
(ii) When you see a person better than you, do you try to—
(a) learn from him?
(b) prove him to be inferior?
Answer:
(a) learn from him?
(iii) When you come across a difficult question, do you—
(a) try your best to find the answer?
(b) find fault with the question?
Answer:
(a) try your best to find the answer?
(iv) When you are unable to score good marks, do you—
(a) work harder than before?
(b) give up after sometime?
Answer:
(a) work harder than before?
(v) When you find your teacher is not satisfied with your performance, do you—
(a) try to improve yourself?
(b) complain about it?
Answer:
(a) try to improve yourself?
If you have opted for the first answer to each question, you are determined to work hard, but if the second answer is you choice in each case, you need to improve yourself and change your attitude.
A.2. Now read the story of Ekalavya, who refused to accept defeat and surpassed the limits set by man and nature.
Limits of the Mind {TextbookPages 54-57}
Summary of the Story
Ekalavya and his family lived a little away from Hastinapura, the capital of the Kura Kings. As they belonged to a low caste, they had no recognition in the society. The upper caste people considered them low bom and never allowed them to come in the mainstream of the society. Ekalavya’s mother had accepted this discrimination and used to tell her son not to go near the so called high bom people. But Ekalavya questioned the system of the society which was based on discrimination. He was sure that God had made all human beings equal and he could cross all bounds.
One day, Ekalavya saw the Kura princes with their teacher, Drona. They had come to forest near his village to practise archery. When the boys started shooting with bows and arrows, his eyes rested on Arjuna. He (Arjuna) was amazing. Ekalavya got very impressed with the way Arjuna was shooting at a target.
After the practice ended, Ekalavya went up to Drona and requested him to teach him archery. But Drona refused to teach him because of his low-birth. The harsh words of Drona did not deviate Ekalavya from his determination. He thought out a plan. He carved a statue of Drona from a tree trunk and started practising acrhery in front of it (statue). And very soon he got mastery in this art.
One day he happened to come across Guru Drona. When he touched his (Guru’s) feet, he (Guru) asked Ekalavya about his teacher. Ekalavya led Drona to the statue. Drona looked at it for sometime and then demanded his (Ekalavya’s) right thumb as guru dakshina. Ekalavya did not get disturbed, cut off his right thumb and laid it at Drona’s feet.
Ekalavya had lost his right thumb but not his determination. He leamt to shoot with his left hand and with his feet. He taught others and raised an army in due course. When Drona came to know about this, he became speechless. Ekalavya had opened his eyes and made him feel his mistake. He also offered his services to the Guru in the battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Summary in Hindi
एकलव्य और उसका परिवार कुरु राजाओं की | राजधानी हस्तिनापुर से कुछ दूरी पर रहता था। चूँकि वे नीची जाति के थे, अतः समाज में उनकी कोई पहचान नहीं थी। ऊँची जाति के लोग उन्हें नीच समझते थे और उन्हें समाज की मुख्य धारा में नहीं आने देते थे। एकलव्य की माँ ने ऊँच-नीच के इस भेदभाव को स्वीकार कर लिया था और अपने पुत्र से भी ऐसा ही करने को कहा करती थी। लेकिन एकलव्य ऐसा करने को तैयार नहीं था । उसे यह अच्छी तरह पता था कि ईश्वर ने सभी को एक समान बनाया है और वह किसी भी सीमा को पार कर सकता है।
एक दिन एकलव्य ने कुरु राजकुमारों को उनके गुरु द्रोण के साथ देखा। वे सभी उसके गाँव के समीप के जंगलों में धनुर्विद्या का अभ्यास करने के लिए आए थे। जब राजकुमारों ने तीर-धनुष चलाना शुरू किया तो एकलव्य की आँखें अर्जुन पर टिक गईं। अर्जुन विलक्षण था। एकलव्य उसकी धनुर्विद्या की कला देखकर मंत्र-मुग्ध हो गया।
अभ्यास खत्म होने के बाद एकलव्य गुरु द्रोण के पास गया और उनसे धनुर्विद्या सीखने की इच्छा जाहिर की। लेकिन द्रोण ने यह कहकर इंकार कर दिया कि वे नीची जाति में जन्म लेने वालों को यह विद्या नहीं सिखाते हैं। गुरु द्रोण के यह कठोर शब्द एकलव्य को उसके दृढ़ निश्चय से विमुख नहीं कर पाए। उसने एक योजना बनायी। उसने गुरु द्रोण की एक मूर्ति बनायी और उस मूर्ति के सामने धनुर्विद्या का अभ्यास शुरू कर दिया। और बहुत जल्दी इस कला में पारंगत हो गया।
एक दिन उसकी मुलाकात गुरु द्रोण से हो गयी। उसने उनका पैर छुआ। द्रोण ने उससे उसके गुरु के बारे में पूछा। एकलव्य उन्हें उसी मूर्ति के पास ले गया जिसके सामने वह धनुर्विद्या का अभ्यास किया करता था। द्रोण ने कुछ क्षणों तक मूर्ति की ओर देखा और उससे (एकलव्य से) उसका दाहिना अंगूठा गुरु-दक्षिणा के रूप में माँग लिया। एकलव्य तनिक भी विचलित नहीं हुआ और अपना दाहिना अंगूठा काटकर गुरु के चरणों में अर्पित कर दिया। एकलव्य का साहस फिर भी बना रहा। दाहिना अंगूठा नहीं था तो क्या उसने अपने बाएँ हाथ और अपने पैरों से धनुर्विद्या सीख लिया। उसने दूसरों को भी यह विद्या सिखायी और बहुत जल्दी धनुर्धरों की सेना खड़ी कर दी। जब द्रोण को यह सब पता चला तो वे अवाक् रह गए। एकलव्य ने उनकी आँखें खोल दी थी और उन्हें उनकी गलती का भी एहसास कराया था। कौरवों और पांडवों के बीच चल रहे युद्ध में उसने अपनी सेनाएँ भी गुरु को भेंट कीं।
Word – Meanings:
Shunned = kept away from – से दूर रहना से बचना,
High-born = ऊँची जाति में जन्म लेने वाले
Discrimination = (against) distinction – भेदभाव
Sighed = expressed with sadness – आह भरना
Bound = border – सीमा चौहद्दी
Quiet = silent – चुप,
Chariot = horse-driven carriage – रथ,
Patted = tapped gently with an open hand- थपथपाया
Archery = the art of shooting with bow and arrows – धनुर्विद्या
Amazing = wonderful – विलक्षण,
Target = mark goal – निशाना, लक्ष्य,
Chased = ran after पीछा किया.
Replied = answered – जवाब दिया,
Glaring = conspicuous – प्रत्यक्ष, सुस्पष्ट,
carved = cut into forms – आकार में काटना,
Statue = moulded figure – मूर्ति,
Stone-hearted = hard-hearted, cruel – निर्दयी,
Watched = witnessed – देखा,
Fate = destiny – नियति.
Pupil = disciple – शिष्य,
Speechless = unable to speak because of emotion or shock – अवाक्, सन्न,
Fairness = justice – न्याय,
Offer = present – अर्पित करना ।
A.3. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against the given statements. If a statement is false, correct and write it in the space provided.
(i) Ekalavya and his family lived in Hastinapur. ( )
Answer:
False — Ekalavya and his family lived a little away from Hastinapur.
(ii) Ekalavya failed to understand the discrimination between the high-born and the low-born.
Answer:
True
(iii) Ekalavya requested Arjuna to teach him archery. ( )
Answer:
False—Ekalavya requested Drona to teach him archery.
(iv) Ekalavya carved a stone statue of Drona. ( )
Answer:
True
(v) Drona asked for Ekalavya’s left thumb as his guru dakshina. ( )
Answer:
False—Drona asked for Ekalavya’s right thumb as his guru dakshina.
(vi) In the battle of Kurukshetra, Drona and Arjuna were on the opposite sides.
Answer:
True
A.4. Complete the given statements briefly.
(i) Ekalavya’s mother would often tell him not to _______________
Answer:
Ekalavya’s mother would often tell him not to go near the people of high- birth.
(ii) The Kura princes came to the forest to _______________
Answer:
The Kura princes came to the forest to practise archery.
(iii) Arjuna’s skill in archery _______________
Answer:
Arjuna’s skill in archery was amazing.
(iv) Each day Ekalavya would practise shooting and _______________
Answer:
Each day Ekalavya would practice shooting and imagine a pat on his back from Drona.
(v) After the loss of his right thumb, Ekalavya learnt to _______________
Answer:
After the loss of his right thumb, Ekalavya learnt to shoot with his left hand and with his feet.
(vi) Real courage means _______________
Answer:
Real courage means fighting against wrong limits and respecting the correct ones.
A.5. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
(i) ‘Don’t go near them.’
(a) Who said these words and to whom?
Answer:
Ekalavya’s mother said these words to him (Ekalavya).
(b) Who are ‘them’ here?
Answer:
‘Them’ here refers to the people who are high-born.
(c) Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
Because in those days, low-born people were not supposed to mix with high-born.
(ii) ‘I offer my services to you in this battle.’
(a) Who do ‘I’ and ‘you’ refer to?
Answer:
‘I’ stands for Ekalavya and ‘You’ for Guru Drona.
(b) Which battle is going on and between whom?
Answer:
The battle of Kurukshetra is going on between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
(c) Why is the speaker offering his services?
Answer:
Having lost his right thumb Ekalavya learnt to shoot with both hands and feet. And this reason, he offered his services to Guru Drona.
A.6. Answer the following questions.
(i) Why did Ekalavya’s family live away from Hastinapura?
Answer:
Ekalavya’s family lived away from Hastinapura because they belonged to a low caste.
(ii) Why did Ekalavya carve Drona’s statue?
Answer:
He carved Drona’s statue to learn archery from it (statue).
(iii) Why did Drona ask for Ekalavya’s right thumb as ‘guru dakshina 1
Answer:
He asked for Ekalavya’s right thumb as ‘guru dakshina’ because without the right thumb, he could not hold a bow.
A.7. Value Based Questions
(i) What inspiration do you get from the story of Ekalavya?
Answer:
One should have belief in oneself. One should be determined and confident. One should have enough courage to face any difficulty in order to achieve one’s goal.
(ii) Who of the two do you think is worthy of more respect—Drona for being an excellent teacher or Ekalavya for being a meticulous or sacrificing student? Explain with reasons.
Answer:
In my opinion Ekalavya is more worthy of respect for being a meticulous or sacrificing student. When Drona refused to teach him archery because of his low-birth, he didn’t lose his spirits and confidence. He carved a statue of the Guru (Drona) and practised shooting before him. Very soon, he became the master of this art (archery). This shows Ekalavya’s dedication and meticulousness. Drona came to know about it and asked for Ekalavya’s right thumb as his guru dakshina.
This shows how stone-hearted the Guru was. In fact, his blind love for Aijuna crossed the limits of fairness. Here also, Ekalavya surpassed Guru Drona. Without showing any hesitation, he cut, his right thumb and laid it at his feet. Having lost his right thumb, he learnt to shoot with both hands and feel and offered his services to Drona in the battle of Kurukshetra. Ekalavya remained the gem from beginning to the end. He is worthy of appreciation from one and all. But Drona did nothing to get respect from any one.
A.8. A few words from the text have been given in the box. Choose an appropriate word from the Aid Box which can be used to replace the bold words in the sentences given below. Write the chosen word in the space provided.
(i) The old man was looking fiercely at his son, when the guedtd came in. _________
Answer:
glaring
(ii) In olden times, kings used to travel in two-wheeled vehicles drawn by horses. _________
Answer:
chariots
(iii) Shekhar was avoided by his friends due to his bad habits. _________
Answer:
shunned
(iv) Every one dislikes the village head for his unfavourable attitude towards a few village familes. _________
Answer:
discrimination
(v) Sheena went to the Principal and accepted her mistake with an ability to disregard fear. _________
Answer:
courage.
A.9. ‘Drona was speechless’ – In the word ‘speechless’, ‘less’ is a suffix which has been added to the word ‘speech’ to make a new word.
Suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to make another word.
(i) Find out at least five words from the chapter ending with a suffix. (Do not write words ending in ‘ed’ or ‘ing’.)
(a) _________
(b) _________
(c) _________
(d) _________
(e) _________
Answer:
(a) wordless
(b) fairness
(c) respectful
(d) speechless
(e) greatness.
(ii) Add the suffix ‘less’ to the following words and use the newly formed words appropriately in the blanks below.
rest, end, self, life, tire, help
(a) Mahatma Gandhi is remembered for his _________ service to the nation.
Answer:
selfless
(b) After half an hour’s waiting, the children started feeling _________.
Answer:
restless
(c) Rahul felt _________ when he saw his house on fire.
Answer:
helpless
(d) He seems to think that I have an _________ supply of money.
Answer:
endless
(e) The _________ effort of the construction staff helped in the completion of the bridge before time.
Answer:
tireless
(f) The bird’s body appeared to be _________ but a little water revived it.
Answer:
lifeless
A.10. Life Skills
In groups of four, discuss the following about Ekalavya.
- his determination/desire to learn.
- the difficult he faced.
- how he overcame these difficulties.
- the success he achieved in the end.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
A.11. Based on your discussion, write a character sketch of Ekalavya in your own words (60 – 80 words).
Answer:
Ekalavya was a little boy, bom in a poor family. But he was a blessed child. He had immense faith in himself. Once he decided to learn archery, no one could deviate him from the target, not even Guru Drona who left no stone unturned to discourage him. He faced so many hurdles but didn’t lose his spirits and confidence. In the last, he remained successful in overcoming all the difficulties. He leamt archery and came to be known as a great archer. We all appreciate him for his dedication and meticulousness.
A.12. Read the proverbs given below with their meanings.
(i) Make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: Make good use of opportunities, favourable conditions till they last.
(ii) Empty vessels make the most noise.
Meaning: People who do not have much knowledge often talk the most.
(iii) A stitch in time saves nine.
Meaning: Action that is taken in time will prevent further problems.
Now match the proverbs in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
Answer:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| (i) All that glitters is not gold. | (c) All that looks good may not always by good. |
| (ii) Birds of a feather flock together. | (e) People of the same character get along well and like to stay together. |
| (iii) Cut your coat according to your cloth. | (a) Act according to your financial capability. |
| (iv) Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it. | (b) Do not worry about difficulties till they arise. |
| (v) Every cloud has a silver lining. | (d) Even the worst situation has some hope and goodness. |
Find and write three more proverbs with their meanings.
Answer:
(i) Strike the iron when it is hot—to make use of an opportunity immediately.
(ii) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush—it is better to keep something that you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get much more.
(iii) A friend in a need is a friend indeed—a friend who gives you help when you need it is a true friend.
A.13. You have read about Ekalavya, who, even after losing his right thumb, kept practising, became a great archer and even raised an army. Now listen to the story of a brave boy, Jitendra Kumar Sharma, who fought with some robbers even after a bullet had hit him in the back.
Listen to the audio CD, titled Listen & Comprehend (Class-V). After listening answer the questions verbally. Thereafter, complete the given exercise. The tape script is also given on Textbook Page 77.
Listen to the tape script and complete the passage by filling in the blanks.
Answer:
Some robbers entered the Kalyanji Temple at Diggi. They threatened the priest and took of the crown and the jewels of the main idol. Jitendra, the priest’s 14-year old son, pounced upon a robber. His mother, Shakuntala Devi snatched the crown. The robbers fired to frighten her. A bullet hit her in the head and the crown slipped from her hands. Jitendra quickly picked it. One of the robbers’ bullet hit Jitendra in the back. But still Jitendra ran out of the temple with the crown. The robbers chased him but failed. The crowd caught two of the robbers and handed them over to the police.
Additional Questions:
Question 1.
Why were Ekalavya and his family shunned by the society?
Answer:
They were Shunned by the society because they belonged to a low caste.
Question 2.
What did Ekalavya see one day?
Answer:
One day Ekalavya saw beautiful chariots coming into the forest near his village. He saw boys of his age and an old man with snowy white hair get out of the chariot.
Question 3.
Who were those boys and the old man?
Answer:
Those boys were the Kuru princes and the old man was their teacher, Drona.
Question 4.
What amazing thing could Arjuna do?
Answer:
He could shoot at a target with closed eyes. He could shoot with his left hand as well as the right.
Question 5.
What was magical about Drona’s arrows?
Answer:
His arrows made fire, chased, chased things in circle, brought rain and lightning.
Question 6.
Why did Drona not teach Ekalavya the art of archery?
Answer:
Drona did not teach Ekalavya the art of archery because he belonged to a low- caste.
Question 7.
What did Ekalavya do when turned away by Guru Drona?
Answer:
When turned away by Drona, Ekalavya carved his statue from a tree trunk and began practising shooting in front of its (statue) imagining it Guru Drona.
Question 8.
What shocked the Kuru princes and their teacher?
Answer:
While Arjuna was getting ready to take aim at a particularly difficult target, Ekalavya shot an arrow that reached, his (Arjuna’s) target before he (Arjuna) could even aim. This shocked the Kuru princes and their teacher, Drona.
Question 9.
What made Guru Drona speechless?
Answer:
When Ekalavya told him that he had learnt to shoot with his left hand and with his feet and had raised an army by teaching them archery, Drona became speechless.
Question 10.
Why were Drona’s eyes filled with tears?
Answer:
Drona eyes were filled with tears as Ekalavya made him realise his fault.
His great love for Arjuna crossed the limits of fairness and he asked for his (Ekalavya’s) thumb. This was injustice done by a guru to a poor, low-born boy (Ekalavya). This realisation filled Drona’s eyes with tears.
Question 11.
What is real courage according to Guru Drona?
Answer:
According to him real courage is fighting against wrong limits and respecting the correct ones.
B
B.1. ‘Time and tide wait for no one.’—We all know this very well but still most of us keep on postponing our work. Select 8-10 students in the class and conduct the following survey.
• Total no. of students in your class.
• No. of students who regularly do their work on time.
• No. of students who always keep their work pending.
• No. of students who occasionally do their work on time.
Discuss the result of the survey in the class. Also discuss the various reasons that children give for doing or not doing their work on time.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
B.2. Now read this poem that advises you not to put off your work till you think the right time to do it has come.
Just Be Up and Doing! [Textbook Page 64]
Summary of the Poem
The poet says that we face a lot of troubles and anxieties in our life. There also are burdens which bend people with their weight. But in
spite of all odds we must keep on doing our best in order to achieve our goal.
It seems easy to sit idle until the favourable time comes. But we should always be ready to fight if need be. We must not forget that the game of life can be won only by our readiness to action. So, sitting and cursing should be avoided.
The poet says that there are people who fail to achieve goal even after their best efforts. There are also people who win their goal by just sitting and waiting for good luck to come. But the number of such people in both the conditions are very few. The truth still lies in the fact that unless we do hard labour, we cannot achieve anything. So, we should believe in action because it is only our action that decides our fate.
Summary in Hindi
कवि कहता है कि हम अपने जीवन में बहुत सी मुश्किलों और चिंताओं का सामना करते हैं। कुछ ऐसे बोझ हैं जो अपने भार/ वजन से लोगों को झुका देते हैं। लेकिन इन सारी परेशानियों के बावजूद अपने लक्ष्य की प्राप्ति के लिए हमें काम करते जाना चाहिए। अनुकूल समय आने तक आराम से बैठे रहना बड़ा आसान लगता है। लेकिन जरूरत पड़ने पर हमें लड़ने के लिए भी तैयार रहना चाहिए। हमें यह नहीं भूलना चाहिए कि जीवन रूपी खेल हम तभी जीत सकते हैं जब हम काम करने के लिए तैयार हो। अतः चुपचाप बैठे रहना और कोसते रहना किसी तरह से उचित नहीं है।
कवि कहता है कि ऐसे लोग होते हैं जो कड़ी मेहनत के बाद भी सफलता हासिल करने में नाकाम रहते हैं। ऐसे लोग भी होते हैं जो चुपचाप बैठकर भाग्योदय का इंतजार करते हैं और बाजी मार लेते हैं। लेकिन दोनों ही स्थितियों में ऐसे लोगों की संख्या बहुत ही कम होती है। सच्चाई तो यही है कि जबतक हम कड़ी मेहनत नहीं करेंगे, हम कुछ हासिल नहीं कर सकते हैं। अतः हमें काम में विश्वास करना चाहिए क्योंकि काम ही हमारे भाग्य का निर्धारण करता है।
Word Meanings:
Trouble = worry परेशानी, चिंता,
Heaps = plenty बहुतायत
Bend = turn downwards – झुका देना
Pursuing = following – अनुकरण करना,
Idle = not ready to do anything- कुछ भी नहीं करना
Bridle = harness on a horse’s head – लगाम,
Wooing = attempting to win – प्राप्त करने का प्रयत्न,
Fortune = luck – भाग्य
Conquer = win – जीतना,
Fate = a person’s destiny – भाग्य, नियति
Hewing = cutting into shape – काटकर बनाना।
B.3. Complete the central idea of the poem by filling in only one word.
Answer:
The poet agrees that one faces a lot of troubles and worries in life. There also are burdens which bend people double with their weight but in spite of all this one must keep on working and moving towards one’s goal.
He further says that everyone likes to remain idle and wait for the favourable time but one must always be ready to fight if need be.
The poet adds that no one will ever fail if he tries hard and also there is hardly any one who can win by just sitting and waiting for good luck to come. One can only carve a path of fate if one is up and doing hard.
B.4. Match the phrases given in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
Answer:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| (i) heaps of cares | (e) lots of worries |
| (ii) keep pursuing | (c) to keep doing |
| (iii) see it through | (d) not to give up a task until finished |
| (iv) like to idle | (f) only talking and blaming |
| (v) hewing | (b) carving out, making |
| (vi) your sitting, sighing | (a) to love to be carefree and happy |
B.5. Life Skills
Quote any two/three lines from the poem that inspire you the most. Explain in what way do these lines inspire you.
Answer:
The world is finite, resources are scare,
Things are bad and will be worse,
Coal is burned and gas exploded,
Well are dry and air polluted.
These lines inspire us to be careful about using natural resources because they are finite.
B.6. You have received the following letter from your friend who has been very upset lately because of some problems at home.
Answer:
Read the letter given on Textbook page 66.
B.7. Now write a letter to your friend encouraging her to be calm and cool and also give her some tips to tackle the problems at home. (You can use the tips given on Textbook page 66).
Answer:
2-C, Chandigarh
10 July, 20……..
My dear Jyoti
Don’t get disturbed while facing problems at home. Those problems are temporary and will soon come to an end. However, you should admit your mother in a hospital for better care and treatment. You say that you don’t get time to study. For this 1 would advise you to keep an extra domestic help. You should also work according to a schedule for better time management. You can also encourage self-help among the family members. If some chores are not urgent or necessary, you can drop them from daily routine till your mother gets well.
I’m sure the above tips will enable you to tackle the problems at home in a far better manner.
Your friend
Kalpana
Additional Questions:
Question 1.
What does the poet say in the first stanza of the poem?
Answer:
The poet agrees that a man’s life is full of troubles. There also are burdens that bend him double with their weight. But he mustn’t get disappointed. He should keep on moving towards his goal.
Question 2.
What message is conveyed in the second stanza?
Answer:
The poet says that there are people who like to sit idle and wait for the good chance to come. But these people should be ready to fight if need be because fortune does come so easily and comfortably. One has to do hard labour for it.
Question 3.
Why does the poet repeatedly say—be up and doing?
Answer:
The poet does so because without being ready and doing something; nothing can be achieved. One has to do hard work to turn one’s fortune in favour. Devotions to work decides one’s fate.
C
C.1. Life is not been kind to everyone. There are people who are born with certain disabilities or develop some problems later in life. (We describe them as differently abled, for they have some other kind of abilities.)
- Do you know any such person who has some kind of disability?
- Is doing little, ordinary things for them as easy as it is for you? Discuss in the class.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
C.2. Given below are descriptions of some people who in spite of their physical limitations made it big in the world. Choose the name of famous personality from the box and write it against their description.
(i) A scientist who can’t speak and is restricted to the wheel chair but has given amazing theories to the world. _________
Answer:
Stephen Hawking
(ii) A German music composer who was born deaf but created beautiful compositions. _________
Answer:
Ludwig Van Beethoven
(iii) The US president who suffered from polio. _________
Answer:
Franklin D. Roosevelt
(iv) A classical dancer who lost her leg in a car accident but continued dancing with an artificial leg. _________
Answer:
Sudha Chandran
(v) A blind genius who developed the Braille for visually challenged people to enable them to read. _________
Answer:
Louise Braille
(vi) A dynamic cricketer who suffers from diabetes but never let it affect his performance. _________
Answer:
Wasim Akram.
C.3. Now read the story of this courageous and determined girl.
The Fearless Fighter [TextbookPages 68-70]
Summary of the Story
This is the story of Janaki, who, in spite of being physically challenged, swam the English Channel successfully. When the officials of the English Channel Swimming Association first saw Janaki, they were shocked. ‘How could a polio patient like her swim the channel?’ was the question that every member wanted to ask. Janaki was a physically challenged girl no doubt but her dreams were very high. She had an ambition to swim the English Channel and had come all the way from India to England to participate in the event. But the members were not sure whether she could qualify for it. Janaki, in order to remove their doubts, handed over the certificates she had earned during four years of training. Her certificates also made it clear that she could swim for ten hours continuously. As she fulfilled the conditions that were required to swim the England Channel, she was given the permission to swim.
Janaki was happy. She was made a part of a relay team that had mainly American swimmers. On July 28, 1992 she created history by successfully swimming the English channel. While swimming she faced a lot of difficulties. The water was so cold and salty. The seaweeds and the jelly fish kept sticking to her body. But all the problems in the sea were forgotten as she swam to victory. Thus, she proved that one can overcome all the obstacles by hard work, courage and self-reliance.
Summary in Hindi
यह कहानी जानकी की है जिसने शारीरिक रूप से बहुत सक्षम नहीं होते हुए भी इंग्लिश चैनल सफलतापूर्वक पार कर लिया।
जब इंग्लिश चैनल स्वीमिंग एसोशिएसन के अधिकारियों ने जानकी को पहली बार देखा तो वे दंग रह गए थे। ‘कैसे वह चैनल तैरकर पार कर पाएगी?’ जैसा सवाल हर एक सदस्य पूछना चाहता था। जानकी शारीरिक रूप से बहुत सक्षम नहीं थी । वह पोलियो की शिकार थी। लेकिन उसके सपने बड़े ऊँचे थे। वह इंग्लिश चैनल पार करना चाहती थी। और इसमें भाग लेने के लिए भारत से इंग्लैंड आई थी। लेकिन एसोशिएसन के सदस्यों को यह शंका थी कि वह शायद ही इतना मुश्किल काम कर पाए। जानकी ने उनकी शंकाओं को दूर करने के लिए अपने सारे सर्टिफिकेट्स उनके सामने रख दिए । उसके सर्टिफिकेट्स से यह भी स्पष्ट हो रहा था कि वह दस घंटों तक लगातार तैर सकती है। इस प्रकार जब उसने उन शर्तों को पूरा कर दिया जो इंग्लिश चैनल को तैरने के लिए चाहिए थे सदस्यों ने उसे अनुमति दे दी।
जानकी खुश थी। उसे रिले टीम का अंग बनाया गया जिसमें अधिकतर अमरीकी तैराक थे। 28 जुलाई 1992 को उसने चैनल पारकर इतिहास रच दिया। तैरते समय उसे बहुत सी मुसीबतों का सामना करना पड़ा। समुद्र का पानी काफी ठंडा और नमकीन था । समुद्री खर-पतवार और जेली मछलियाँ उसके शरीर से चिपक जाते थे। लेकिन समुद्र में जिन परेशानियों को उसने झेला था, उन्हें वह फौरन भूल गई क्योंकि उसने विजय हासिल कर ली थी। उसने इस बात को साबित कर दिया कि कड़ी मेहनत, साहस और आत्मविश्वास के जरिये सभी बाधाओं का सामना किया जा सकता है।
Word – Meanings:
Nervous = slightly afraid – डरी हुई,
Shocked = surprised – चकित थे
Participate = to take part in – भाग लेना.
Impressed = influenced – प्रभावित हो गए.
Beaming = very happy- खुश,
Solo = single – एकल
Accompany = go with – साथ जाना,
Ambition = desire – अभिलाषा
Challenging = a demanding task – चुनौतीभरा.
Shake = move-feel, Put aside-pay no attention – ध्यान न देना
Event = an item in a sports programme – प्रतियोगिता
Realised = felt – महसूस किया
Recalled = remembered – याद किया
Extremely = very badly – बुरी तरह से
Undying = everlasting – जो कभी खत्म न हो,
Outstanding = Exceptionally good- शानदार,
Obstacle = hindrance – बाधा।
C.4. On the basis of your reading of the passage, tick (✓) the correct answer.
(i) Janaki practised swimming twenty kilometres everyday in—
(a) the Arabian sea
(b) the English Channel
(c) the Indian Ocean.
Answer:
(a) the Arabian sea
(ii) Janaki swam in the Channel for—
(a) four hours
(b) two hours and a half
(c) one hour and a half.
Answer:
(b) two hours and a half
(iii) The Channel officials were shocked to see Janaki because she was—
(a) a girl
(b) an Indian
(c) a handicapped girl.
Answer:
(c) a handicapped girl.
(iv) While swimming in the Channel Janaki faced a lot of difficulties. They were due to—
(a) cold and salty water
(b) seaweeds and jelly fish
(c) both the above.
Answer:
(c) both the above.
C.5. Write T for true and F for false statements.
(i) Janaki was not allowed to make a solo attempt in the Channel.
Answer:
T
(ii) Janaki’s team-mates were Indians.
Answer:
F
(iii) Janaki did not need much training to fulfil the conditions of the English Channel Swimming Association.
Answer:
F
(iv) The officials of the English Channel Association were not much impressed with Janaki’s confidence.
Answer:
F
(v) Janaki’s ambition was to swim alone in the English Channel.
Answer:
T
(vi) All the difficulties Janaki faced while swimming in the Channel were forgotten as she swam to victory.
Answer:
T
(vii) Janaki believed in luck and did not want to work hard.
Answer:
F
C.6. Read the following extracts and answer the questions.
(i) ‘Whoever wishes to swim in the Channel has to fulfil two conditions.’
(a) Who is the speaker of these words?
Answer:
The speaker of these words is one of the members of the English Channel Swimming Association.
(b) What are the two conditions?
Answer:
She should be able to swim in the high sea for long hours without a break. She should be able to spend ten hours continuously in the water.
(ii) ‘Although Janaki had wanted to make a solo attempt, she could not do so.’
(a) What does ‘solo attempt’ mean?
Answer:
It means an attempt made by a single person.
(b) Why was Janaki not allowed to make a solo attempt?
Answer:
She was not allowed to make a solo attempt because the special boat needed to accompany her for her safety was not available.
C.7. Answer the following questions:
(i) Why were the officials of the English Channel Swimming Association shocked to see Janaki?
Answer:
They were shocked to see Janaki because she was a physically challenged girl and was ready to swim the English Channel.
(ii) What was wrong with Janaki? How did it happen?
Answer:
Janaki’s leg muscles had became so weak that she could not use her legs at all. She had been attacked by polio when she was two years old.
(iii) Why were all the officials impressed with Janaki?
Answer:
The officials were impressed with Janaki to see her certificates that showed how she trained herself by swimming twenty kilometres upstream everyday for three weeks in the Arabian Sea. The certificates also showed that she could swim for ten hours continuously.
(iv) In what way did July 28, 1992 create history?
Answer:
It was the day on which Janaki fulfilled her life’s ambition i.e. to swim the English Channel.
(v) What were the difficulties that Janaki faced while swimming across the Channel?
Answer:
The water was so salty that every time it entered her mouth it made her feel sick. The seaweeds and the jelly fish kept sticking to her body and made her extremely uncomfortable.
C.8. Life Skills
Janaki underwent very difficult training to achieve her ambition. Imagine how she would have felt if, for any reason, she had not achieved victory in the relay across the English Channel. Do you think she would have given up swimming or she would have worked harder next time?
Answer:
If, for any reason, she had not achieved victory, she would have felt a little disappointed. But being a courageous girl, she would have soon gathered all her confidence and have started working harder for the next time.
C.9. Value Based Questions
(i) Which of Janaki’s qualities do you admire the most?
Answer:
Janaki’s courage and self-reliance are praise-worthy. These qualities enabled her to create history. She swam the English Channel successfully and proved that nothing is impossible for one who has courage and determination.
(ii) What do you think is the secret of Janaki’s success?
Answer:
Obviously her hard work, courage, determination and self-reliance brought her glorious success. She did what seems really impossible for hundreds and thousands.
C.10. Read the following sentences.
Whoever wishes to swim in the Channel……………
I should be able to swim in the high sea for long hours without a break.
Notice the words ‘whoever’ and ‘without’. They are actually made up of two words each.
‘Whoever’ is made up of ‘who’ and ‘ever’. ‘Without’ is made up of ‘with’ and ‘out’.
They are put together to form a ‘compound’ word. They may be written as one word as in ‘whoever’ or as words separated by a hyphen as in ‘self-reliance’.
C.11. Read the story again, identify and write below five compound words.
(i) _________
(ii) _________
(iii) _________
(iv) _________
(v) _________
Answer:
(i) sideways
(ii) overtaken
(iii) overcome
(iv) seaweeds
(v) hardwork
C.12. Now read the passage given below and fill in the blanks with compound words given in the Aid Box.
_________ the children went for football practice. They had to reach the _________ at 5:00 a.m. sharp. _________ was allowed to miss the practice _________ in the school, notices had been put up saying that _________ was absent would have to play for three hours _________ a break. The boys put in a lot of _________. The date of the match was nearing. In the match, the learn’s perforrnanc was
_________. This was the result of _________.
Answer:
Everyday the children went for football practice. They had to reach the playground at 5:00 a.m. sharp. Nobody was allowed to miss the practice. Everywhere in the school, notices had been put up saying that whoever was absent would have to play for three hours without a break. The boys put in a lot of hardwork. The date of the match was nearing. In the match, the team’s performance was outstanding. This was the result of teamwork.
C.13. Read the table given below. It gives us information about Baba Amte— the man who undertook the task of looking after leprosy patients. His hardwork and will to do so made him successful. [TextbookPage 74]
Now write a paragraph.
Answer:
The Man with an Iron Will:
Baba Amte, as he is popularly known, was a man of great admiration. His real name was Murlidhar Devidas Amte. He was a lawyer by profession. He was blessed with qualities like courage, determination, hardwork and humility. He gave up his practice of law and went to Kolkata to treat leprosy patients. There he opened a home for leprosy patients, known as Anandvan. Today it has many buildings, farms and a fully- equipped hospital. He was given awards like Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan but he declined them. He was given Danien-Dutton Award for Leprosy Aid in 1983. He died in 2009. But we will always remember him for his dedication to work.
Additional Questions:
Question 1.
What were the two conditions that Janaki had to fulfil for swimming the English Channel?
Answer:
- She should be able to spend ten hours continuously in the water.
- She should be able to swim in the high sea for long hours without a break.
Question 2.
What did Janaki want?
Answer:
Janaki wanted to make a solo attempt.
Question 3.
What was decided in the last?
Answer:
In the last it was decided that Janaki would be a part of a relay team that had mainly American swimmers.
Question 4.
‘But she had tough fight ahead.’ Explain it.
Answer:
While swimming in the Channel, she faced tough fight. Most of her energy was taken up by the waves that kept moving her legs sideways and the Channel water was very cold.
Question 5.
What had overtaken all the difficulties?
Answer:
A strange sense of fulfilment and an undying spirit of achievement had overtaken all the difficulties.
Question 6.
For how many hours did Janaki swim in the English Channel?
Answer:
Janaki swam in the English Channel for two hours and a half.
Question 7.
Mention some of Janaki’s qualities that enabled her to fulfil her dream.
Answer:
Janaki was an apostle of hardwork, determination, courage and self-reliance. These qualities made her able to fulfil her dream. She swam the English Channel and created history.
D. Read it yourself.
Read an interesting story of a little girl.
Heena’s Determination [Textbook Pages 75-77]
Summary of the Story
Heena was upset to see her exam result. Again she was tenth in the class. She came home and began to cry. Her mother tried to cheer her up. She told her that determination and the will to achieve the goal can work wonders. She gave the instances of Winston Churchill, the great war time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Thomas Edison, known for his inventions and discoveries and Abraham Lincoln, the President of America.
These great personalities performed badly when they were in school. Their teachers were fed up with them. But they didn’t give up. They tried their best and got success. These words of mother did miracle. Heena began to smile. A new hope filled her with enthusiasm. She became ready to work harder to achieve her goal. She understood the real meaning of the proverb ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’ which her teacher used to quote time to time.
Summary in Hindi
हीना अपना परीक्षाफल देखकर बहुत दुःखी थी। वह एक बार फिर से कक्षा में दसवें स्थान पर थी। वह घर आई और रोना शुरु कर दी। उसकी माँ ने उसे खुश करने की कोशिश की। उसने कहा कि दृढ़निश्चय और | लक्ष्य पाने की इच्छा चमत्कार कर दिखाती है। उसने विंस्टन चर्चिल, यूनाइटेड किंगडम के युद्ध के समय के प्रधानमंत्री, थॉमस एडिसन, जो अपनी खोजों और आविष्कारों के लिए जाने जाते हैं और अब्राहम लिंकन, अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति का उदाहरण पेश किया।
उसने कहा कि ये सभी महान व्यक्तित्व स्कूल के दिनों में अच्छे विद्यार्थी नहीं माने जाते थे। उनके शिक्षक उनसे काफी दुःखी रहते थे। लेकिन उन्होंने अपना प्रयास नहीं छोड़ा। कड़ी मेहनत की और सफल रहे । माँ के ये शब्द चमत्कार कर दिखाए। हीना मुस्कुराने लगी। उसके अंदर नई उम्मीद पैदा हुई। उसने निश्चय कर लिया कि वह अपना लक्ष्य पाने के लिए कड़ी मेहनत करेगी। अब उसे इस कहावत ‘जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह’ का असली अर्थ समझ में आया। उसकी शिक्षक अक्सर इस कहावत को दोहराती रहती थी।
Word – Meanings:
Flinging = throwing – फेंकते हुए,
Buried = hid – छिपाया,
Consoled = comforted in time of sorrow – -ढाँढस बँधाना,
Recognised = identified – पहचाना,
Expelled = drive out निकाल बाहर किया,
Suggested = advised – सलाह दिया,
Genius = talented – तीव्र बुद्धि वाला, मेधावी,
Hardships = tough time – मुश्किल भरे दिन,
Twinkled = shone – चमका।