Lesson 8
Lesson 8
MEANINGS:
1. shrill = sharp and unpleasant
2. assign = to allot
3. contracted = caught
4. prompt = to make someone to do something or decide
5. wings = the hidden side of a stage which cannot be seen by the audience watching the
play
6. enact = performing a play
7. talented = natural ability to do something
8. squeaky = a short high pitched sound
9. sigh = let out a long, deep, breath expressing disappointment/relief
10. startled = astonished
11. puny = small and weak; tiny
12. intrude = to interfere without permission
13. infuriated = very angry
Q2) Why was Rupa suddenly asked to play the role of Hanuman?
Ans) Alka, who was supposed to act as Hanuman, had contracted measles and was running
with high-temperature. As a result, she could not act in the play. Rupa was asked suddenly
to take the place of Alka and play the role of Hanuman.
Q3) Rupa was sure that once on stage, she would give a brilliant performance. Do you
think she really managed to give a good performance?
Ans) Rupa, was confident that she would give a brilliant performance on stage. However,
she could not do so because she was assigned the role of Hanuman suddenly and she did not
have enough stage practice to perform the same.
EXTRACTS:
1) “I wish I could get Rama’s role”
“I don’t think the teacher will give you Rama’s role”.
b) Why won’t the speaker get Rama’s role in the above extract?
Ans) The speaker wouldn’t get Rama’s role as she had a shrill voice and was shorter than
Radhika who was assigned Sita’s role.
2) “You wanted to be Hanuman, didn’t you? Do you think you can manage?”
HOTS:
Q1) How did the audience react when they saw Rupa’s performance? Do you think Rupa’s
performance achieved the purpose of the play?
Ans) The audience laughed when they saw Rupa’s performance on the stage. I feel that
Rupa’s performance could not achieve the purpose of the play because suddenly she had to
play a new character. As she did not have proper stage practice so she could not bring out
the best of the role given. As a result, the audience burst out of laugh and the play had to
end abruptly.
LIFE SKILLS:
Q1) Imagine yourself to be the teacher directing the play ‘The Story of Rama’. How will you
tackle the situation after knowing that Alka won’t be able to perform in the play?
Ans) If I were the teacher directing the play, ‘The Story of Rama’ and come to know that Alka
won’t be able to perform in the play then, I would select another child for that character and
make sure that the dialogues are clear and easy to learn. I would give a lot of time to
practice before the stage performance. I will also see that the child is appreciated for taking
up the role at the last moment.
Q2) One is often placed in such an embarrassing situation like the one in which Rupa found
herself. How should one handle such a situation?
Ans) When a person is placed in such an embarrassing situation like the one in which Rupa
found herself, one should handle it by remaining calm and composed. Transform the
challenges into an opportunity to grow.
WRITING SKILLS:
Q1. Imagine yourself to be Rupa. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings on your stage
performance as Hanuman on the Annual Day function.
Monday
27 October 2024
9:30pm
Today is a remarkable day for me as I was enacting as Hanuman in the play ‘The Story of
Rama’ for our school Annual Day. In fact I was very confident that I would do my best.
However, when I was on the stage my mouth dried up and I forgot my dialogues.
I started pleading with Ravana not to kill me. This act of mine made the audience roll in
laughter. At last, looking at my situation, our teacher came on the stage, gently leading me
away from the spotlight. I breathed a sigh of relief. Well, I think that it was my first stage
experience but next time, definitely I would do my best.
LESSON NO- 9
OUR TREE (poem) (24-25)
By- David Harmer
MEANINGS:
1. elm = a tall tree with broad leaves
2. drift = carried slowly by a current of air or water
3. ripped = badly torn
Ans: The phrase ‘the arms’ refers to the branches of the tree.
Ans: The phrase ‘wooden fingers’ refers to the small branches and twigs that come out of
the tree.
Q3. Bring out the contrast between the beginning and the ending of the poem.
Ans. The poem begins with the joy of watching a tree grow year after year, showing the
significance of the efforts to take care of the tree and the time it took for its growth.
However, it ends with sadness as the tree is chopped down in just a few minutes. The poet
wants to say that it is difficult to construct something but destroying the same takes a few
minutes.
HOTS:
Q1. What does the poet want to convey by saying, ‘It took ten minutes.’ Discuss with your
partner.
Ans: By saying ‘It took ten minutes’ the poet wants to convey that it takes many years for a
plant to grow into a tree; whereas we human beings destroy them within minutes to fulfil
our needs.
WRITING SKILLS:
On the occasion of ‘Van Mahotsava’, prepare a speech to be delivered in the morning
assembly on the topic ‘Save Trees, Save Life’.
Ans: Good Morning , Respected Principal Madam, worthy teachers and my dear fellow –
students. I Roshini / Rohan of class Six stand before you to speak a few words on the topic
‘Save Trees, Save Life’.
Trees are one of the most precious gifts of God. They are our best friends. They play an
irreplaceable role in our life. We cannot imagine our lives without trees. They give us many
things like timber, fruits, medicines etc. Gardens cannot be charming without trees. They
add beauty to our nature and give us fresh air to breathe in.
Trees, often referred to as the lungs of our planet. The rapid deforestation and
environmental degradation that we are facing today is a serious threat for the habitat. When
we destroy forest we disturb the ecosystem leading to the extinction of various species.
As the government is taking the initiative to grow more trees, we should also join our hands
to plant more trees and save trees. Let’s make ‘Each one plant one’ as our prayer slogan, for
action in the future and we must save our Mother Earth for the children of tomorrow.