GSEB Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 2 The Tsunami Solutions

Gseb Solutions

Comprehension Check - I

Say whether the following are true or false:

Question 1. Igneslous lost his wife, two children, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law In the tsunami.
Answer: True.

Exam Tip: Remember specific details about characters' fates to correctly identify true or false statements.

Question 2. Sanjeev made ft to safety after the tsunami.
Answer: False.

Exam Tip: Always recall the final outcome for each character mentioned in the story to avoid errors.

Question 3. Meghna was saved by a relief helicopter.
Answer: False.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific details of how each person was saved or lost, as relief efforts are often mentioned.

Question 4. Almas's father realised that a tsunami was going to hit the Island.
Answer: True

Exam Tip: Note the early warning signs and who recognised them in the narrative.

Question 5. Her mother and aunts were washed away with the tree that they were holding on to.
Answer: True

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the actions and outcomes of groups of characters, not just individuals.

Comprehension Check - II

Answer the Following in a Phrase Or a Sentence:

Question 1. Why did Tilly's family come to Thailand?
Answer: Tilly's family went to Thailand to celebrate Christmas.

Exam Tip: Understand the context and purpose of characters' travel plans mentioned in the story.

Question 2. What were the warning signs that both Tilly and her mother saw?
Answer: Both observed the sea rising, and it began to foam and create whirlpools.

Exam Tip: Clearly identify and list the specific natural phenomena described as warning signs.

Question 3. Do you think Tilly'? mother was alarmed by them?
Answer: No, Tilly's mother was not worried by them initially.

Exam Tip: Distinguish between the reactions of different characters to the same events.

Question 4. Where had Tilly seen the sea behaving In the same strange fashion?
Answer: Tilly had watched the strange sea behavior in a video.

Exam Tip: Connect the characters' past experiences or knowledge to their current understanding of events.

Question 5. Where did the Smith family and the others on the beach go to escape from the tsunami?
Answer: They proceeded to the third floor of the hotel and were saved there.

Exam Tip: Note the specific actions taken by characters to find safety during the disaster.

Question 6. How do you think her geography teacher felt when he heard about what Tilly had done In Phuket?
Answer: She experienced great satisfaction and pleasure.

Exam Tip: Consider the emotional impact of a student's actions on their educators.

Comprehension Check - III

Answer Using a Phrase Or a Sentence:

Question 1. In the tsunami, 150,000 people died. How many animals died?
Answer: Very few animals perished.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to comparative data or outcomes presented in the text, especially regarding human vs. animal casualties.

Question 2. How many people and often died in Yala National Park?
Answer: Sixty visitors and two animals.

Exam Tip: Remember specific numbers and categories of victims when they are provided in the text.

Question 3. What do people say about the elephants of Yala National Park?
Answer: People claim that the elephants ran from the beach an hour before the Tsunami reached the coast.

Exam Tip: Focus on reported observations and beliefs regarding animal behavior before disasters.

Question 4. What did the dogi In Galle do?
Answer: The dogs in Galle refused to go to the beach for their regular run.

Exam Tip: Note unusual animal behaviors as indicators of sensing danger.

Working With The Text

Discuss the Following Questions In Class. Then Write Your Own Answers:

Question 1. When he felt the earthquake, do you think Igneslous Immediately worried about a tsunami? Give reasons for your answer. Which sentence In the text tells you that the Igneslous family did not have any time to discuss and plan their course of action after the tsunami struck?
Answer: No, Ignesious did not instantly worry about a tsunami. When the earthquake occurred, his initial action was to safely place his television set on the ground. The text says, "The family rushed out of the house," which shows they had no time to talk about or plan their next steps after the tsunami hit.

Exam Tip: Infer characters' immediate reactions from their actions and look for direct textual evidence of lack of time for planning.

Question 2. Which words in the list below describe Sanjeev, In your opinion? (Look up the dictionary for words that you are not sure of.) Cheerful ambitious brash brave care less heroic selfies heartless humorous
Answer: brave, heroic, selfless

Exam Tip: Carefully consider the character's actions and motivations to choose appropriate descriptive words.

Use words from the list to complete the three sentences below:
1. I don't know If Sanjeev was cheerful,............... or ................
Answer: ambitious, brash

Exam Tip: Select the words that best fit the context and flow of the sentence, paying attention to positive or negative connotations.

2. 1 think that he was very brave, ................ and ................
Answer: heroic, selfless

Exam Tip: Choose adjectives that align with actions demonstrating courage and putting others before oneself.

3. Sanjeev was not heartless, ................ or ................
Answer: careless, humorous

Exam Tip: Identify words that are the opposite of 'heartless' and fit the general portrayal of Sanjeev.

Question 3. How are Megan. and MMS's stories Similar?
Answer: Meghna and Almas were both fortunate. Meghna was carried away with her parents and other individuals. However, she alone survived. A wave washed her ashore. Almas climbed onto a piece of wood. When she opened her eyes, she discovered herself in a hospital in Kamorta.

Exam Tip: Compare and contrast the key elements of multiple characters' experiences to find similarities.

Question 4. What are the different ways in which Tilly's parents could have reacted to her behaviour? What would you have done if you were in their place?
Answer: Tilly immediately anticipated the danger of a tsunami. She became very distressed. Her parents did not ignore her. They were certain that something terribly wrong was about to happen. So, they all departed the beach and were saved. If I had been in Tilly's parents' shoes, I might not have believed her. I might have scolded her for becoming so hysterical without reason.

Exam Tip: Consider various possible reactions of characters to a crisis and reflect on your own potential response in a similar situation.

Question 5. If Tilly's award was to be shared, who do you think she should share it with her parents or her geography teacher?
Answer: It is quite clear. Tilly's award should be shared with her geography teacher. Her parents could not predict the tsunami was coming.

Exam Tip: Identify the individuals who provided crucial knowledge or assistance that led to the positive outcome.

Question 6. What are the two different ideas about why so few animals were killed in; the tsunami? Which idea do you find more believable?
Answer: Very few animals died in the tsunami. Perhaps they perceive the tremor much earlier than humans do. Secondly, animals possess a sixth sense. They can predict an approaching disaster and therefore flee to safer, higher ground. The idea that animals are gifted with a sixth sense appears more convincing. They move quickly to overcome the crisis.

Exam Tip: When presenting multiple theories, clearly state each and then justify which one you find more plausible based on evidence or common understanding.

Working With Language

Question 1. Go through Part – I carefully, and make a list of as many words as you can find that indicate movement of different kinds. (There is one word that occurs repeatedly – count how many times !). Put them Into three categories – fast movement, slow movement, neither slow nor fast. Can you explain why there are many words In one column and not in the others?

There are many more words in Column A. These terms relate either to the urgent requirement to escape or to the force and swiftness of the rushing water. It was natural for people and animals to perform rapid movements in such a crisis. The waves also overtook many individuals and carried them away.

Exam Tip: When categorizing words, focus on the core meaning of movement and how it applies to the context of a disaster, noting why certain types of movement are more prevalent.

2. Fill In the blanks in the sentences below (the verbs given in brackets will give you a clue):
1. The earth trembled, but not many people felt the ............ .(tremble)
Answer: tremors

Exam Tip: Choose the noun form of the given verb that best completes the sentence grammatically and contextually.

2. When the zoo was flooded, there was a lot of ........... and many animals escaped Into the countryside. (confuse)
Answer: confusion

Exam Tip: Convert the hint verb into its corresponding noun to fill in the blank appropriately.

3. We heard with ........... that the lion had been recaptured. (relieve)
Answer: relief

Exam Tip: Select the noun form of the given verb that expresses the emotion associated with the news.

4. The zookeeper was stuck in a tree and his ........... was filmed by the TV crew. (rescue)
Answer: rescue

Exam Tip: Use the noun form of the verb provided to indicate the act that was filmed.

5. There was much ........... in the village when the snake charmer came visiting. (excite)
Answer: excitement

Exam Tip: Transform the given verb into a noun that describes the general feeling or atmosphere.

Study the Sentences In the Columns 'A' and 'B':

Compare the sentences In A to the ones In B. Who Is the 'doer' of the action in every case? Is the 'doer' mentioned in A, or in B? Notice the verbs in A: 'was swept away,' 'was hit,' 'were washed away,' 'were found.' They are in the passive form. The sentences are in the Passive Voice. In these sentences, the focus Is not on the person who does the action. In B the 'doer' of the action is named. The verbs are in the active form. The sentences are in the Active Voice. Say whether the following sentences are in the Active or the Passive Voice. Write 'A' or 'P' after each sentence as shown in the first sentence:

Exam Tip: Differentiate between active and passive voice by identifying whether the subject performs the action (active) or receives the action (passive).

1. Someone stoic my blcycle. .....A......
Answer: A

Exam Tip: Look for the subject performing the action to determine if the sentence is in active voice.

2. The tyres were deflated by the traffic police.
Answer: P

Exam Tip: If the subject is receiving the action, or the agent is introduced by "by," it's likely passive voice.

3. I found it last night in a ditch near my house.
Answer: A

Exam Tip: Identify whether the subject "I" is performing the action "found" directly.

4. It had been thrown there.
Answer: P

Exam Tip: The use of "had been" plus a past participle is a strong indicator of passive voice.

5. My father gave It to the mechanic.
Answer: A

Exam Tip: Determine if "My father" is the one actively performing the act of "gave."

6. The mechanic repaired ft for me.
Answer: A

Exam Tip: Check if "The mechanic" is directly carrying out the action "repaired."

Speaking And Writing

Question 1. Suppose you are one of the volunteers who went to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for relief work after the tsunami. You work in the relief camps, distributing food, water and medicine among the victims. You listen to the various stories of bravery of ordinary people even as they fight against odds to bring about some semblance of normalcy in their lives. You admire their grit and determination. Write a diary entry. You may start in this way: 31 December 2004 The killer tsunami struck these islands I Jive days ago. But the victims are being brought in even now. Each one has a story to tell...
Answer: The deadly tsunami hit these islands five days earlier. However, the affected individuals are still arriving. Every person has a story to share. Their accounts are both frightening and heartwarming, or encouraging. Many were resolute about beginning a new life. They did not wish to remain in the camp for long. Most of them felt a sense of dishonor because living on charity was humiliating. A majority desired to return to their homes, which no longer existed, and to acquire a fishing boat to support themselves. One woman, though elderly, recalled how she had rescued a child from drowning.

Exam Tip: When writing a diary entry, adopt a first-person perspective and include both personal observations and emotional reflections.

Question 2. The story shows how a little girl saved the lives of many tourists when a tsunami struck the beach, thanks to the geography lesson that she had learnt at school. She remembered the visuals of a tsunami and warned her parents. Do you remember any incident when something that you learnt in the classroom helped you in some way outside the classroom? Write your experiences in a paragraph of about 90-100 words or narrate it to the whole class like an anecdote.
Answer: Yes, I recall a time when my science class was very helpful. We had studied first aid, particularly how to stop bleeding and manage minor injuries. One day, during a picnic in the park, my younger cousin tripped and badly cut his knee. He was crying, and everyone around seemed quite worried. I immediately remembered the steps from my class: gently clean the wound, apply pressure with a clean cloth, and then put a bandage on it. I quickly found a clean handkerchief and applied pressure, stopping the blood flow. My aunt was very thankful, and my cousin felt much better. It showed me how valuable classroom knowledge can be in practical situations.

Exam Tip: For personal anecdotes, choose a clear incident and describe how specific learned knowledge was applied, highlighting the positive outcome.

Write a Paragraph On Earthquake - A Natural Calamity.

Earthquake is the tremor in the earth's crust caused either by volcanic eruptions or by sudden dislocation in the rock structure underneath. The usual phenomena of an earthquake are at first the feeling of a tremor, next two or three severe shocks on earth, and then again there may be a tremor for a short period of time. Sometimes, mild quivering of the earth may continue for several days.

Exam Tip: Clearly define the phenomenon, list its typical characteristics, and mention variations in its intensity or duration.

An earthquake causes unaccountable damage, and sometimes heavy destruction of life and; property. If the tremor is strong, the houses 1 rock violently, sometimes causing the high buildings come down, burying the inmates.

Exam Tip: Describe the potential impacts of the phenomenon, focusing on both structural damage and human casualties.

An earthquake causes the trees move unusually as in a storm, and the tanks and the rivers thrown into unusual commotion. During an earthquake, it is unsafe to remain inside a multi-storied building. Houses made of thatch and bamboo are relatively safe. It is better for the Inmates of houses to come out in the open at the time of an earthquake.

Exam Tip: Explain the environmental effects, highlight safety precautions, and suggest optimal actions during the event.

Generally, the neighbours are alerted fearing an earthquake by blowing conch shells. Even at the dead of the night In a village, the sound of conch-shells may awake and alert the sleeping people about an earthquake. The earthquake (Richter Scale of 7.7) of 2001 that took place In Kutch and Ahmedabad caused many buildings collapse and took toll of a number of human lives and cattle.

Exam Tip: Include social warning mechanisms, historical examples, and specific impacts to illustrate the phenomenon's gravity.

In Japan, earthquake Is a common phenomenon. It takes place frequently than In other countries In the world. In India, earthquake Is, however, felt from time to time In mild form In different parts of the country. The research in the direction of a forecast of earthquake' is In progress, and we hope positively that It would help a great deal to withstand earthquakes with the least damages.

Exam Tip: Discuss geographical prevalence, regional variations, and ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of the phenomenon.

(A) Select the Most Appropriate Options As Answers And Complete The Following Sentences:

Question 1. A tsunami is caused by ................
A. a landslide.
B. eruption of volcanoes.
C. earthquakes.
D. All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three

Exam Tip: Understand that tsunamis can result from multiple geological events, not just one specific cause.

Question 2. Tremors Eire ................
A. rising sea waves.
B. shaking of earth.
C. collapsing of structures on land.
D. terrible storm waves.
Answer: (B) shaking of earth.

Exam Tip: Associate tremors primarily with the movement of the earth itself, as distinct from water or structures.

Question 3. In the tsunami ................
A. Ignesious's wife was swept away.
B. Ignesious's two children were swept away.
C. Ignesious's father-in-law and brother-in-law were swept away.
D. All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three

Exam Tip: Recall the complete tragic outcome for Ignesious's family to select the comprehensive option.

Question 4. Sanjeev could not save from tsunami.
B. his cook's wife
C. his baby daughter
D. his cook
Answer: (B) his cook's wife

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific individual Sanjeev attempted to save and failed, as detailed in the story.

Question 5. The Smith family from England had gone to Thailand to ................
A. visit their relatives.
B. pursue some research.
C. celebrate Christmas.
D. None of these three
Answer: (C) celebrate Christmas.

Exam Tip: Remember the stated purpose of the Smith family's trip to Thailand as described in the narrative.

Question 6. Before the tsunami on the coast of India Eind Sri Lanka,...
A. elephants screamed Eind ran for the higher ground.
B. dogs refused to go outdoors.
C. flamingoes abandoned their low-lying breeding areas.
D. All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three

Exam Tip: Collect all instances of unusual animal behavior mentioned prior to the tsunami to choose the complete answer.

(B) Say Whether The Following Sentences Are True Or False:

1. Katchall is part of the Andaman group of islands.
2. Nsmcowry is an island in the Nicobar group.
3. Ignesious's wife woke him up at 6 a.m. because she felt Em earthquake.
4. John was a police-guesthouse cook.
5. Meghna saved herself by holding on to a wooden door.
6. Almas's father could save her grandfather who was hit on his head.
7. Meghna was a student of Carmel Convent in Port Blair.
8. The Smith family belonged to South-East England.
9. The reason of the tsunami on December 26, 2004, was a massive earthquake off northern Sumatra.
10. Tilly's video lesson helped her save her family and other tourists from tsunami disaster.
11. It is believed that animals have a sixth sense to know in advance about upcoming natural disasters.
Answer:
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. True
10. True
11. True

Exam Tip: Review each statement carefully, cross-referencing with specific facts and details presented in the story about locations, events, and characters' actions.

(C) Answer the Following Questions In Two To Three Sentences Each:

Question 1. What is a Tsunami? When did it hit so many countries and sea coasts?
Answer: A tsunami is a very large and strong sea wave, caused by earthquakes beneath the ocean. The devastating tsunami affected Thailand, India, and the Andaman Islands on December 26, 2004.

Exam Tip: Define key terms clearly and accurately, and provide specific dates and locations when asked for historical context.

Question 2. Do animals get foreknowledge of the tsunami coming?
Answer: Yes, it is true that animals perceive an approaching disaster earlier than humans; this was evident in 2004. The tsunami killed over 1,50,000 people in many countries, but very few animals were reported dead. Buffaloes, goats, and dogs remained unharmed. Elephants and leopards also ran away to higher places to preserve their lives.

Exam Tip: Support your answer with evidence from the text, specifically mentioning the contrast in casualties between humans and animals.

Question 3. Who was Igneous? Why did he put his television down on the ground from table?
Answer: Igneous was the manager of a cooperative society in Catchall. When his wife informed him about an earthquake, he immediately took his television set off its table and placed it on the ground so it would not fall and break.

Exam Tip: Provide clear identification of the character and explain their actions with the specific motivation mentioned in the story.

Question 4. How did Sanjeev lose his life?
Answer: When Sanjeev heard cries for assistance from John's wife, the guest house cook, he immediately jumped into the water to rescue her. Unfortunately, both of them were carried away by the powerful waves.

Exam Tip: Detail the sequence of events leading to the character's demise, focusing on their heroic but ultimately tragic actions.

Question 5. What is the view of some experts about the animals?
Answer: Some experts believe that animals' more acute hearing enables them to perceive or feel the earth's vibration. They can sense an approaching disaster long before humans realize what is occurring.

Exam Tip: Summarize expert opinions accurately, focusing on the specific sensory abilities attributed to animals.

Question 6. How did 'Lilly Smith save her family from the deadly waves?
Answer: Tilly Smith, with her family, was celebrating Christmas at a beach in Thailand. She was only 10 years old. She observed the seawater flowing towards the beach. She remembered a geography lesson and a video of the Hawaiian Islands from 1946. She started shouting to her parents to evacuate the beach. Her parents listened to her. They all sought refuge on the third floor of the hotel and were saved.

Exam Tip: Explain the chain of events that led to the family's rescue, highlighting the key role of the child's knowledge and quick thinking.

(D) Answer In Four To Five Sentences Each:

Question 1. Give a brief account of how the Animals saved themselves when the giant waves hit India and Sri Lank.
Answer: Before the immense waves moved towards the coasts in India and Sri Lanka, the wild and domestic animals anticipated the danger. Elephants ran for higher ground. Dogs refused to go outside. Zoo animals rushed into their shelters. This was probably because animals possess a sixth sense, which is very sharp and functions as a warning during disasters. Consequently, not many animals lost their lives in the 2004 Tsunami, while thousands of people were swept away.

Exam Tip: Provide specific examples of different animal behaviors, link them to the concept of a "sixth sense," and emphasize the survival contrast with humans.

Question 2. What happened to Almas and her family?
Answer: When the tremors occurred early in the morning, Almas and her family were sleeping. Suddenly, Almas's father noticed the seawater receding. He realized that the water would return rushing with great force. He awoke everyone and tried to move them to a safer place. As they ran, her grandfather was hit on the head by something and fell down. Her father rushed to help him. However, a giant wave soon arrived and swept both of them away. Her mother and aunts were also washed away by the powerful waves. Almas was somehow saved, but she became a victim of trauma.

Exam Tip: Narrate the events in chronological order, detailing each family member's experience and the ultimate outcome for Almas.

(E) Read The Following Passages Carefully And Answer The Questions Given Below Them:

When the tremors came early in the morning, the family was sleeping. Almas's father saw the seawater recede. He understood that the water would come rushing back with great force. He woke everyone up and tried to rush them to a safer place. As they ran, her grandfather was hit on the head by something and he fell down. Her s father rushed to help him. Then came the first giant wave that swept both of them away. Almas's mother and aunts stood clinging to the leaves of a coconut tree, calling out to her. A wave uprooted the tree, and they too were washed away. Almas saw a log of wood floating. She climbed onto it. Then she fainted. When she woke up, she was in a hospital in Kamorta. From there she was brought to Port Blair. The little girl does not want to talk about the incident with anyone. She is still traumatised.

Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully to grasp the sequence of events and the emotional state of the characters.

Questions:
(1) What was the indication of tsunami, that Almas's father sensed?
Answer: Almas's father observed the seawater receding. He understood that the water would return with immense force, bringing disaster to them.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific natural phenomenon described in the passage that served as a warning sign.

(2) How did Almas's father lose his life?
Answer: As Almas's family members ran, her grandfather was hit on the head by something and fell down. Her father rushed to help him. At that moment, the first giant wave arrived and swept both of them away.

Exam Tip: Trace the father's actions and the circumstances directly leading to his death as depicted in the passage.

Question 2.
But Tilly Smith sensed that something was wrong. Her mind kept going back to a geography lesson she had taken in England just two weeks before she flew out to Thailand with her family. Tilly saw the sea slowly rise, and start to foam, bubble and form whirlpools. She remembered that she had seen this in class in a video of a tsunami that had hit the Hawaiian islands in 1946. Her geography teacher had shown her class the video, and told them that tsunamis can be caused by earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides.
Tilly started to scream at her family to get off the beach. “She talked about an earthquake under the sea. She got more and more hysterical,” said her mother Penny. “I didn't know what a tsunami was. But seeing my daughter so frightened, I thought something serious must be going on."

Question 2. (1) What did Tilly recall?
Answer: Tilly recalled that she had seen this in class in a video of a tsunami that had hit the Hawaiian islands in 1946.
In simple words: Tilly remembered seeing a video in school about a tsunami that happened in 1946 in Hawaii.

Exam Tip: For passage-based questions, directly find the answer in the provided text. Ensure you extract the relevant information accurately.

Question 2. (2) What are tsunamis caused by?
Answer: Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides.
In simple words: Earthquakes, volcanoes, and ground slides can all cause tsunamis.

Exam Tip: Remember the three main natural events that can trigger tsunamis to answer this type of question effectively.

Question 2. (3) How did Tilly react sensing earthquake under the sea?
Answer: Sensing earthquake under the sea, Tilly started to scream at her family to get off the beach. She got more and more hysterical.
In simple words: Tilly screamed at her family to leave the beach because she felt an earthquake under the sea, and she became very upset.

Exam Tip: When describing reactions, use strong verbs and adjectives to convey the emotional intensity of the situation.

Question 2. (4) What made Tilly's mother think seriously?
Answer: Seeing Tilly frightened, her mother thought something serious must be going on.
In simple words: Tilly's mother got worried when she saw Tilly looking so scared, feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Exam Tip: Focus on character emotions and reactions as described in the passage to answer questions about their feelings or thoughts.

Question 3.
Before the giant waves slammed into the coast in India and Sri Lanka, wild and domestic animals seemed to know what was about to happen. They fled to safety. According to eyewitness accounts, elephants screamed and ran for higher ground; dogs refused to go outdoors; flamingoes abandoned their low-lying breeding areas, and zoo animals rushed into their shelters and could not be enticed to come back out.
Many people believe that animals possess a sixth sense and know when the earth is going to shake. Some experts believe that animals' more acute hearing helps them to hear or feel the earth's vibration. They can sense an approaching disaster long before humans realise what's going on.

Question 3. (1) What did the wild and domestic animals do anticipating tsunami?
Answer: Anticipating tsunami, the wild and domestic animals fled to safety.
In simple words: The wild and domestic animals ran to safety before the tsunami hit.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the actions described for animals in the passage; these often indicate their natural instincts in the face of danger.

Question 3. (2) What did the elephants and the dogs react?
Answer: The elephants screamed and ran for higher ground. The dogs refused to go outdoors.
In simple words: Elephants yelled and moved to higher land, while dogs did not want to go outside.

Exam Tip: When listing multiple reactions, ensure each animal mentioned in the question has its response clearly stated.

Question 3. (3) How did the zoo animals behave?
Answer: The zoo animals rushed into their shelters and could not be enticed to come back out.
In simple words: The animals in the zoo quickly went into their safe spots and could not be persuaded to leave them.

Exam Tip: Look for specific actions and behaviors described for each type of animal in the passage.

Question 3. (4) What acute faculty do animals have which is far better than that of human beings?
Answer: Animals have more acute hearing, which helps them to hear or feel the earth's vibration. This ability of theirs is far better than that of human beings.
In simple words: Animals can hear much better and feel the earth shaking, a skill much stronger than humans have.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific sensory ability mentioned in the text as superior in animals compared to humans.

Vocabulary

(A) Replace the Underlined Words Selecting the Most Appropriate Options from the Brackets:

(1) We were a little late leaving the house, but we're on our way! (at a long distance, in the process of travelling, quite near)
Answer: We were a little late leaving the house, but we are in the process of travelling!
In simple words: We left the house a bit late, but we are now moving towards our destination.

Exam Tip: Understand the context of the sentence to choose the most fitting synonym that maintains the original meaning.

(2) The actor says he has been in a daze following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to his latest film. (greatly pleased, quite upset, in a confused state of mind)
Answer: The actor says he has been in a confused state of mind following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to his latest film.
In simple words: The actor felt bewildered because of the huge positive response to his newest movie.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to idioms and phrasal verbs; a "daze" indicates confusion, not pleasure or upset.

(3) She was considered a strong contender to win the local election, but she backed out at the last minute. (got discouraged, withdrew, enrolled again)
Answer: She was considered a strong contender to win the local election, but she withdrew at the last minute.
In simple words: She was a top candidate for the local election, but she pulled out right before the end.

Exam Tip: Identify the action taken (backed out) and select the option that directly explains that action in the context provided.

(B) Choose the Correct Words from the Brackets and Complete the Following Passages:

Question 1. (forewarned, terrifying, Thanks, entire, back, later) The Smiths ______ met other tourists who had lost ______ families. ______ to Tilly and her geography lesson, they had been ______. Tilly went ______ to her school in England and told her classmates her ______ tale.
Answer:
1. later
2. entire
3. Thanks
4. forewarned
5. back
6. terrifying
In simple words: The Smiths later met other tourists who had lost entire families. Thanks to Tilly and her geography lesson, they had been forewarned. Tilly went back to her school in England and told her classmates her terrifying tale.

Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully and consider the context of each blank to select the word that best fits grammatically and semantically from the provided options.

Question 2. (foam, shown, whirlpools, caused, slowly, hit) Tilly saw the sea ______ rise, and start to ______, bubble and form ______. She remembered that she had seen this in class in a video of a tsunami that had ______ the Hawaiian islands in 1946. Her geography teacher had ______, her class the video, and told them that tsunamis can be ______ by earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides.
Answer:
1. slowly
2. foam
3. whirlpools
4. hit
5. shown
6. caused
In simple words: Tilly saw the sea slowly rise, start to foam, and form whirlpools. She remembered seeing a video in class about a tsunami that had hit the Hawaiian islands in 1946. Her geography teacher had shown her class the video, explaining that tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides.

Exam Tip: Match each blank to the most appropriate word from the list based on the story's context and general knowledge of tsunamis.

Grammar

(A) Choose the Correct Article(s), Conjunction (s) and Preposition(s) and Complete the Following Passages:

Question 1. Sanjeev was ______ policeman, serving in ______ Catchall island ______ the Nicobar group of islands. He somehow managed to save himself, his wife ______ his baby daughter ______ the waves. ______ then he heard cries for help from the wife of John, the guesthouse cook.
Answer:
1. a
2. the
3. of
4. and
5. from
6. But
In simple words: Sanjeev was a policeman, serving in the Catchall island of the Nicobar group of islands. He somehow managed to save himself, his wife and his baby daughter from the waves. But then he heard cries for help from the wife of John, the guesthouse cook.

Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks with articles, conjunctions, and prepositions, carefully analyze the grammatical role needed for each blank to ensure proper sentence structure and meaning.

Question 2. Almas's mother ______ aunts stood clinging ______ the leaves of ______ coconut tree, calling ______ to her. A wave uprooted ______ tree, and they too were washed ______.
Answer:
1. and
2. to
3. a
4. out
5. the
6. away
In simple words: Almas's mother and aunts stood clinging to the leaves of a coconut tree, calling out to her. A wave uprooted the tree, and they both were washed away.

Exam Tip: Practice identifying the correct prepositions (like 'to', 'of') and conjunctions (like 'and') that create coherent and grammatically sound sentences.

(B) Fill in the Blanks with the Appropriate Forms of Verbs Given in the Brackets and Complete the Texts:

Question 1. Almas saw a log of wood ______ (float): She climbed onto it. Then she fainted. When she ______ (wake) up, she was in a hospital in Kamorta. From there she ______ (bring) to ' Port Blair.
Answer:
1. floating
2. woke
3. was brought
In simple words: Almas saw a log of wood floating; she climbed onto it. She then fainted. When she woke up, she was in a hospital in Kamorta and was brought to Port Blair from there.

Exam Tip: When filling in verb forms, consider the tense and voice of the surrounding sentences to ensure consistency and grammatical correctness.

Question 2. “The water ______ (swell) and kept coming in,” Penny Smith ______ (remember). "The beach was getting smaller and smaller. ______ (not + know) what was happening."
Answer:
1. was swelling
2. remembered
3. didn't know
In simple words: Penny Smith remembered that the water was swelling and kept coming in. She didn't know what was happening as the beach got smaller and smaller.

Exam Tip: For verbs in quotation marks, ensure they reflect the speaker's original statement. For reported speech, adjust tenses accordingly.

(C) Change the Voice of the Following:

(1) His wife woke him up at 6 a.m.
Answer: He was woken up by his wife at 6 a.m.
In simple words: At 6 a.m., his wife woke him.

Exam Tip: To change from active to passive voice, make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive sentence, and use a form of "to be" with the past participle of the main verb.

(2) Igneslous carefully took his television set off Its table.
Answer: His television set was carefully taken off its table by Igneslous.
In simple words: Igneslous carefully removed his television from its table.

Exam Tip: Ensure that the "doer" of the action in the passive voice is correctly indicated using "by [agent]".

(3) He never saw them again.
Answer: They were never seen again by him.
In simple words: He could not find them ever again.

Exam Tip: Remember to adjust pronouns correctly when changing voice; "them" becomes the subject "they" in the passive sentence.

(4) Thirteen-year-old Meghna was swept away along with her parents.
Answer: The tsunami swept away thirteen-year-old Meghna along with her parents.
In simple words: A huge wave carried away Meghna, who was thirteen, with her parents.

Exam Tip: To change from passive to active voice, identify the agent (often implied or in a "by" phrase) and make it the subject of the active sentence.

(5) Her grandfather was hit on the head by something and he fell down.
Answer: Something hit her grandfather on the head and he fell down.
In simple words: An object struck her grandfather's head, causing him to fall.

Exam Tip: If the active agent is unknown or not stated, you may use a general subject like "something" or "someone" to form the active sentence.

(6) They had been triggered by a massive earthquake.
Answer: A massive earthquake had triggered them.
In simple words: A very big earthquake caused them.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the perfect tenses (had been triggered) and ensure the active voice maintains the same tense (had triggered).

(D) Rewrite as Directed:

(1) Then the family rushed out of the house. (Turn Into Negative.)
Answer: Then the family did not stay back in the house for a moment.
In simple words: The family quickly left the house.

Exam Tip: To make a sentence negative without changing its meaning, use antonyms or phrases like "not for a moment" that convey the opposite action.

(2) Sanjeev Jumped Into the water to rescue her, but they were both swept away.(Use even though)
Answer: Even though Sanjeev jumped into the water to rescue her, they were both swept away.
In simple words: Despite Sanjeev leaping into the water to save her, the strong currents carried them both off.

Exam Tip: "Even though" is used to introduce a contrasting idea. Place it at the beginning of the clause that expresses the concession.

(3) The family had gone to the Nancowry Island to celebrate Christmas. (Use 'with a view to'.)
Answer: The family had gone to the Nancowry Island with a view to celebrating Christmas.
In simple words: The family traveled to Nancowry Island so they could celebrate Christmas there.

Exam Tip: The phrase "with a view to" expresses purpose or intention. It is usually followed by a gerund (-ing form of the verb).

(4) Then came the first giant wave that swept both of them away. (Make It Simple.)
Answer: The first giant wave swept both of them away.
In simple words: A huge wave carried them both off.

Exam Tip: To simplify a sentence, remove unnecessary introductory phrases or inversions and rephrase it into a direct subject-verb-object structure.

(5) I didn't know what was happening. (Turn Into Affirmative.)
Answer: I was unaware of what was happening.
In simple words: I had no idea what was occurring.

Exam Tip: To change a negative sentence to an affirmative one, use a positive word or phrase that conveys the same meaning (e.g., "didn't know" becomes "unaware").

(6) Tilly started to scream at her family to get off the beach. (Use 'so that'.)
Answer: Tilly started to scream at her family so that they could get off the beach.
In simple words: Tilly began shouting at her family, hoping they would leave the beach for safety.

Exam Tip: "So that" introduces a clause of purpose. Ensure the clause following "so that" explains the reason for the action in the main clause.

(7) Seeing my daughter so frightened, I thought something serious must be going on. (Use 'when'.)
Answer: When I saw my daughter so frightened, I thought something serious must be going on.
In simple words: Because my daughter looked so scared, I felt that something bad had to be happening.

Exam Tip: "When" introduces a time clause. Place it to indicate that one action happened at the same time or immediately after another, setting the context.

The Tsunami Summary in English

The Tsunami Summary: Part - I

A tsunami means a very large and strong wave in the ocean. It happens because of an earthquake under the sea. One such disaster happened in many countries on December 26, 2004. The areas hit hardest were the coastal parts of India, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, and Thailand. About 1,50,000 people died. But very few animals were harmed. Maybe they had felt the earthquake coming and ran to higher, safer places.

This lesson tells a few stories of brave acts and cleverness from when the tsunami hit the Andamans. The first story is about Igneous, who was the manager of a cooperative society in Catchall. His wife woke him up at 6 a.m. The family quickly ran out of their house.

Part - II

When the ground stopped shaking, the sea started to rise. The waves carried away his two children and in-laws. However, his three other children were saved because they were with him. Sanjeev, a policeman, managed to save himself, his wife, and daughter from the waves. But soon, he heard cries for help from the wife of John, the guesthouse cook. He jumped into the water to save her, but both were swept away. Thirteen-year-old Meghna was carried away with her parents and 77 other people. She held onto a wooden door for two days. Relief helicopters flew overhead eleven times, but they could not see her. Eventually, a wave carried her to the shore.

Almas Javed, a ten-year-old student from a convent school in Port Blair, had gone with her family to another island for Christmas. Almas's father noticed the sea waves pulling back in the morning. They understood that the waves would return with great power. He tried to move his family to a safer area. But a massive wave swept away her father and grandfather. Her mother and aunts were also washed away. Almas climbed onto a log of wood and later woke up in a hospital.

Part - III

While people lost their lives, wild and domestic animals sensed the danger in time. Elephants ran to higher ground, and dogs, birds, and zoo animals sought safer spots. Perhaps animals have a sixth sense. They feel the ground shaking long before humans notice it. Because of this, not many animals were reported dead. At Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, no dead animal bodies were found, even though sixty human visitors were swept away.