Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit 3 Poem How the First Letter was Written 3.4 Solutions

Warming Up:

Question 1. List the materials that man used for the following purposes in the different ages:

Objects	Neolithic Age (Later Stone Age)	1st Century CE	Modern Age
Weapons	Stone/bones/animal teeth	Bows and arrows, armour made of metal; swords, daggers, lances, clubs, etc.	Guns, grenades, missiles, bombs, nuclear warheads
Fuel	Wood, fire	Fat, wood, fire	Petrol, coal, kerosene, CNG
Utensils	Hollow stones, earthen vessels, hollow bamboo stems, coconut shells, shells of dried gourds	Iron, Copper, Bronze	Stainless steel, hindalium, various alloys and metals, plastic, glass
Food	Meat, fruits, roots, berries, vegetables, fish	Cereals, fish, vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy products	Various types of grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products
Clothes	Animal skins, bark of trees	Cloth made from cotton and other natural fibres; silk satin, velvet; woven cloth	Cotton, linen, synthetic fibres.

In simple words: This table illustrates the evolution of materials used by humans for various purposes like weapons, fuel, utensils, food, and clothing across different historical periods, from the Neolithic Age to the Modern Age. It shows the progression from natural materials to more advanced manufactured ones.

🎯 Exam Tip: When presenting information in a table, ensure clarity in column headers and data entries. Accuracy in listing materials relevant to each age is key for scoring.

 

2. Write your name in bold capitals.

Question 2. Write your name in bold capitals.
(a) Now, within 3 minutes try to make as many words as you can using the letters in your name. You cannot use the same letter twice in a word, unless It Is so In your name.
(b) You may use the above Idea to devise a game with your friends.
Answer:
(An example is given below.)
Name: Sandeep Joshi
Words: deep, seep, pane, pain, heap, sheep. etc.
In simple words: This question asks you to write your name in bold capitals and then, as a creative exercise, form as many new words as possible from the letters of your name within a time limit, with a specific rule about letter usage. It also suggests using this idea to create a game.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing tasks, demonstrate understanding of the instruction by providing a clear, relevant example. Ensure all parts of the question are addressed.

 

3. List words from your mother tongue or from Hindi which do not have an exact English equivalent. Try to write their meaning in English.

Question 1. List words from your mother tongue or from Hindi which do not have an exact English equivalent. Try to write their meaning in English.
Answer:
(This is a personal response question and answers will vary. Students should list words from their mother tongue or Hindi that lack direct English equivalents and provide their meanings.)
In simple words: This question encourages you to think about words from your native language or Hindi that don't have a single, perfect English translation. You need to list these words and explain their meaning in English.

🎯 Exam Tip: Personal response questions require thoughtful and relevant answers. Provide specific examples with clear explanations to show comprehension and analytical skills.

 

4. Now, list at least twenty English words which do not have an exact equivalent in your mother tongue.

Question 1. Now, list at least twenty English words which do not have an exact equivalent in your mother tongue.
Answer:
(This is a personal response question and answers will vary. Students should list at least twenty English words that lack direct equivalents in their mother tongue.)
In simple words: You are asked to list twenty English words for which there isn't a precise, one-to-one translation in your mother tongue, highlighting linguistic differences.

🎯 Exam Tip: Aim for a diverse list of words to demonstrate a broad understanding of vocabulary. Ensure the words truly lack direct equivalents, rather than just having different translations.

 

5. Browse the internet to find names of people/ places, etc. in any language that is not familiar to you.

Question 1. Browse the internet to find names of people/ places, etc. in any language that is not familiar to you. Can you pronounce the names correctly? How will you find the correct pronunciation? (An example is given below.)
Answer:
1. Names of people: The name Xi in Chinese is pronounced as 'she' and the English name 'Sean' is pronounced as 'Shawn'.
2. Name/es of place/es: The name of a town 'Muvattupuzhe' in Kerala is not pronounced the way it is written. The last three letters are pronounced as 'rh' with a roll of the tongue. I will get the information from the net or ask people when I want to know the correct pronunciation of names or places.
In simple words: This activity asks you to research names from unfamiliar languages, determine their correct pronunciation, and identify methods like online resources or native speakers to learn how to say them properly.

🎯 Exam Tip: For research-based questions, provide clear, specific examples. Mentioning reliable sources or methods for finding information adds value to your answer.

 

English Workshop:

1. Read the remaining part of the original story.

 

2. Make as many 5 - 8 letter words as you can within five minutes from the name:

Question 1. Make as many 5 - 8 letter words as you can within five minutes from the name: Teshumai Tewindrow: (A few examples have been given. Students can more words)

Five-letter words	Six-letter words	Seven-letter words	Eight-letter words
drawn,	window,	shutter,	estimate,
shore,	wander,	smatter,	minutest,
sword	estate	maestro	meditate

In simple words: This task requires you to form words of 5 to 8 letters using only the letters available in the name "Teshumai Tewindrow" within a five-minute time limit, similar to a word game.

🎯 Exam Tip: When solving word-formation tasks, focus on common prefixes, suffixes, and letter combinations to generate words quickly. Practice helps improve speed and vocabulary recognition.

 

3. How do the following characters in the story live up to their names? Provide points from the story:

Question a. Tegumai Bopsulai:
Answer:
The meaning of Tegumai is Man-who-does- not-put-his-foot-forward-in-a-hurry. He lived up to his name when he showed patience in mending his spear and did not just rush off home or send Taffy back to get another spear. He also did not ask Taffy too many questions about what she had been doing when he was busy repairing his spear, or about her conversation with the Stranger-man. He was patient and cautious.
In simple words: Tegumai's name means "one who is not hasty," and he demonstrates this trait by patiently mending his broken spear and remaining calm and cautious rather than rushing or panicking.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing character names, connect the meaning of the name directly to the character's actions and personality traits as depicted in the story. Provide specific textual evidence for support.

 

Question b. Taffimai Metallumai:
Answer:
The meaning of Taffimai is Small-person- without-any-manners-who-ought-to-be-spanked. She lived up to her name in the way in which she ordered the stranger 'Come here', stamped her foot and called him silly. She wanted the stranger to do her bidding and she succeeded in it. She pulled off the shark's tooth from his necklace without his permission. She would not tell her father what she had done and she wanted him to promise to be surprised. This was a silly thing to do but he did it.
In simple words: Taffimai's name translates to a "small person without manners who deserves punishment," and she exhibits this by being bossy, impolite to the Stranger-man, and taking his shark's tooth without asking.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on direct character actions and dialogue to illustrate how they embody their name's meaning. Use strong verbs to describe their behavior.

 

Question c. Teshumai Tewindrow :
Answer:
The meaning of Teshumai is Lady-who-asks- very-many-questions. Though she did not ask many questions, she talked and shouted continuously at the poor stranger. She drew wrong conclusions and she spoke continuously to her friends telling them all that she had understood from Taffy's drawing.
In simple words: Teshumai's name means "lady who asks many questions," and she fulfills this by talking and shouting constantly, drawing incorrect conclusions, and spreading her misinterpretations to others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Even if a character's actions don't perfectly align with the literal interpretation of their name (like "not asking many questions" but talking a lot), explain how their overall behavior (e.g., being inquisitive, talkative) still reflects the spirit of the name's meaning.

 

4. The story is written in an informal, colloquial style - the way it would be told orally. Find and write expressions where the author addresses the audience directly in the story. for example, 'but we, O Best Beloved, will.......', 'Now attend and listen!'

Question 1. The story is written in an informal, colloquial style - the way it would be told orally. Find and write expressions where the author addresses the audience directly in the story. for example, 'but we, O Best Beloved, will.......', 'Now attend and listen!'
Answer:
Expression: 'He did this, Best Beloved'.
In simple words: This question asks you to identify phrases in the story where the narrator directly speaks to the reader, making the narrative feel like an oral storytelling experience.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for direct address phrases, rhetorical questions, or interjections that break the fourth wall, as these indicate a conversational tone and direct engagement with the audience.

 

5. Write the character sketch of the 'Stranger- man' using examples from the story to support the following attributes:

Question 1. Write the character sketch of the 'Stranger- man' using examples from the story to support the following attributes:
a. ignorant, innocent and polite
b. calm and cool
c. jumps to wrong conclusions
d. hasty and unwise at times
Answer:
The 'Stranger-man' was a very simple and ignorant person. He was so innocent and ignorant that he thought that Tegumai was a great tribal chief merely because he ignored him. He was polite enough to disregard Tegumai's rudeness in ignoring him. He admired every action of Taffy's, drawing his own wrong conclusions from them. He did not even object when Taffy pulled the shark's tooth from his necklace.
He again jumped to wrong conclusions when he saw Taffy's drawing, and without even waiting to consult Tegumai he rushed off to do Taffy's bidding. This was very unwise of him, because Taffy's mother drew her own wrong conclusions from the drawing. He was cool, calm and polite when he met Teshumai, even though he was tired, his legs were scratched with brambles and Teshumai was rude to him.
In simple words: The Stranger-man is portrayed as simple, polite, and easily misled; he misinterprets actions and drawings, leading him to jump to incorrect conclusions and act unwisely, despite maintaining a calm demeanor.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing character sketches, ensure each attribute listed in the question is clearly supported by specific examples or incidents from the story. Use descriptive language to build a comprehensive picture.

 

6. Note the punctuation used in the story. Here, single inverted commas or quotation marks have been used to show conservation. Rewrite the following sentences using double quotation marks:

Question 1. Note the punctuation used in the story. Here, single inverted commas or quotation marks have been used to show conservation. Rewrite the following sentences using double quotation marks:
1. 'Here's a pretty kettle of fish!' said Tegumai.
2. 'It will take me half the day to mend this.'
Answer:
1. "Here's a pretty kettle of fish!" said Tegumai.
2. "It will take me half the day to mend this.”
In simple words: This question asks you to change the punctuation of given sentences, specifically converting single quotation marks, often used for reported speech, into double quotation marks.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the specific punctuation rules for direct speech. Remember that all punctuation marks belonging to the quoted statement (like exclamation marks or periods) should be inside the closing quotation mark.

 

7. Underline the main clauses in the following sentences:

Question 1. Underline the main clauses in the following sentences:
(a) And she was Tegumai Bopsulai's Best Beloved and lier own Mummy's Best Beloved, and she was not spanked half as much as was good for her, and they were all three very happy.
(b) One-day Tegumai Bopsulai went down through the beaver-swamp to the Wagai river to spear carp-fish for dinner, and Taffy went too.
(c) They were miles and miles from home and Tegumai had forgotten to bring any extra spears.
(d) Just then a Stranger-man came along the river, but he belonged to a far tribe, the Tewaras, and he did not understand one word of Tegumai's language.
Answer:
(a) And she was Tegumai Bopsulai's Best Beloved and lier own Mummy's Best Beloved, and she was not spanked half as much as was good for her, and they were all three very happy.
(b) One-day Tegumai Bopsulai went down through the beaver-swamp to the Wagai river to spear carp-fish for dinner, and Taffy went too.
(c) They were miles and miles from home and Tegumai had forgotten to bring any extra spears.
(d) Just then a Stranger-man came along the river, but he belonged to a far tribe, the Tewaras, and he did not understand one word of Tegumai's language.
In simple words: This exercise requires identifying the independent clauses in each sentence, which are parts that can stand alone as complete thoughts, even when connected by conjunctions.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify a main clause, look for a subject and a predicate (verb phrase) that express a complete thought. Conjunctions often link multiple main clauses or separate main from subordinate clauses.

 

8. Imagine Taffy comes to you for help to write a letter of apology in the modem script we use. She wants to express her regret to the Stranger - man for her mother's action. Write that letter of apology (informal) on her behalf.

Question 1. Imagine Taffy comes to you for help to write a letter of apology in the modem script we use. She wants to express her regret to the Stranger - man for her mother's action. Write that letter of apology (informal) on her behalf.
Answer:
Neolithic Cave
Bopsu Forest
Rassamalai
28th July, 2020
Dear Stranger-man Uncle,
I am Taffy, the girl who gave you the drawing on the birch-bark two days back and sent you to my Mummy with it.
When we reached home that day, Mummy told me j that you had come with the birch-bark. She also told me what she had understood from my drawing, and how she had treated you. I was really horrified.
Stranger-man Uncle, I am really very sorry for what happened to you. I did not know that Mummy would misunderstand my drawing and beat you up. Please i accept my apology. See, I am not spoilt like people say. I am sorry for what happened. I will learn to write j properly so that such things do not happen again.
From a sorry little girl,
Taffy.
In simple words: You are asked to write an informal apology letter from Taffy to the Stranger-man, expressing her regret for her mother's misunderstanding and actions based on Taffy's drawing.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing letters, ensure correct format for informal correspondence. Maintain a consistent tone and clearly convey the intended message, using details from the story to make the letter authentic.

 

9. Imagine the Stranger-man narrates how the Neolithic ladies overpowered him. Write an account of the same, making him the narrator.

Question 1. Imagine the Stranger-man narrates how the Neolithic ladies overpowered him. Write an account of the same, making him the narrator.
Answer:
I reached the cave and saw the little girl's mother standing there with some other women. I recognized her immediately, for she looked very much like the little girl. Relieved, I handed over the birch-bark to her. I thought that she would immediately call upon the other members of the tribe to go to the Chiefs help but she did nothing of the sort.
She screamed something to the other ladies, and they immediately pounced on me and flattened me. I was caught completely unawares, and thrown onto the ground. Those heavy and strong ladies sat on my back to prevent me from escaping. The little girl's mother began shouting and pulling my hair. I wonder why they are doing all this, instead of helping their poor Chief?
In simple words: This response retells the event of the Stranger-man being overpowered by the Neolithic ladies, but from his confused and unsuspecting first-person perspective, highlighting his misinterpretation of the situation.

🎯 Exam Tip: For narrative tasks, ensure the story is told consistently from the chosen point of view (first-person in this case). Use sensory details and emotional reactions appropriate to the character's experience.

 

10. Making suitable groups, convert the entire episode into a short skit and write it down. Each group leader must discuss it with the others and add a different end to the skit:

Question 1. Making suitable groups, convert the entire episode into a short skit and write it down. Each group leader must discuss it with the others and add a different end to the skit:
1. Happy ending
2. Sad ending
3. Surprise ending
4. Humorous ending
Answer:
(Tegumai Bopsulai accidentally broke his spear while fishing. He had forgotten to bring any extra spears, and mending the broken spear would take him half a day.)
• Tegumai Bopsulai: Oh, no! It will take me half a day to mend this!
• Taffy: I'll run back to the cave and ask Mummy to give your big black spear.
• Tegumai Bopsulai: It's too far, daughter, and you may fall into the beaver-swamp. I'll try to mend this.
(Tegumai settles down to mend the spear. A Stranger-man comes along and Taffy begins to talk to him.)
• Taffy: Do you know where my Mummy lives? Oh! I see! You want my Mummy's living address? Well, I can't write, but I can draw pictures if I have something sharp. Please lend me the shark's tooth off, your necklace.
(Taffy pulls at the necklace. The Stranger-man was already in awe of Taffy and afraid of her father. He is even more impressed when she pulls at the shark's tooth and comes to no harm, for the sharks' tooth was supposed to be a magic one, which would make the person touching it swell up or burst.)
(The beginning lines have been given. Students can complete the skit in the same format in groups, changing the ending.)
In simple words: This question asks you to adapt the story into a short skit, providing a starting dialogue and context, then tasking students to create various endings (happy, sad, surprise, humorous) for the performance.

🎯 Exam Tip: When adapting a story into a skit, ensure character voices are distinct and dialogue advances the plot. For different endings, brainstorm how key plot points could diverge to achieve the desired emotional outcome.

 

11. Write a short passage/essay on 'Women Power' in the Neolithic, Medieval and Present times.

Question 1. Write a short passage/essay on 'Women Power' in the Neolithic, Medieval and Present times.
Answer:
'Women Power' - in Neolithic, Medieval and Present times
The position of women in society and the power they wield has changed through the ages. During the Neolithic Age, women spent their days gathering berries, roots, nuts, etc. They also gathered materials to make pots and weapons. Women stayed on the home front and looked after the children, but were thought to be equal to men. The men hunted and brought home the food. Later on, with the start of agriculture, women also began to farm and weave cloth.
Medieval society, however, was patriarchal, Women were to fall under male control, and regardless of class women had to submit to the male head of her household. Rural women had many domestic responsibilities, like caring for the children, preparing food and tending livestock. They also had to lend a hand in other household activities like grinding, brewing and spinning. During harvest time, women often helped their husbands in the field to bring in the crops. However, slowly women were increasingly relegated to low-paying tasks like spinning. They suffered a lot of criticism, lacked freedom and stood nowhere next to men.
Today, around the world, women's status in each society and culture varies. In some societies, women's status improved gradually, while in other, it has declined or remained unchanged. This is due to the major changes that have taken place in areas such as legislations, education, employment, awareness of their rights on the part of women, etc. In some societies, women have emerged as major political leaders, statesmen, doctors, lawyers, etc. In some places, she is still subjected to inhuman cruelty, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, etc.
In simple words: This essay examines the changing roles and status of women across three historical periods - Neolithic, Medieval, and Present - highlighting their contributions, societal constraints, and evolving empowerment.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing an essay comparing different periods, use clear topic sentences for each paragraph. Provide specific examples from each era to support your claims about women's roles and power. A strong introduction and conclusion are essential.

 

12. Read: 'Just so stories' and 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling.

 

English Kumarbharati 9th Digest Chapter 3.4 How the First Letter was Written Additional Important Questions and Answers

Simple Factual Activity.

Question 1. Complete the following statements: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:
1. One-day Tegumai Bopsulai went down through the beaver swamp to the Wagai river.
2. Tegumai's spear was made of wood with shark's teeth at the end.
3. He accidentally broke it clean across.
4. Tegumai had forgotten to bring any extra spears.
In simple words: This activity requires you to complete sentences with specific details from the story, ensuring factual accuracy regarding characters' actions and circumstances.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blank questions, re-read the relevant parts of the text carefully to ensure your answers are precise and match the information given in the story.

 

Complex Factual Activity.

Question 1. Who is the author telling the story to?
Answer:
The author is telling us the story.
In simple words: The author directly addresses the readers, making them the audience for the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for direct address phrases like "O Best Beloved" or "you" which indicate the author is speaking directly to the audience.

 

Question 2. Write three things about Tegumal.
Answer:
Tegumal wore very few clothes. He couldn't read and write and he lived a happy life, except when he was hungry.
In simple words: Tegumai is depicted as a sparsely clothed, illiterate man who, despite his simple life, was generally happy unless he was hungry.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list facts about a character, choose distinct and significant details that provide insight into their lifestyle, skills, or typical emotional state.

 

Activities based on Vocabulary:

Question 1. Give one word for the meaning of each of the following names:
Answer:
1. Tegurnal Bopsulal
2. Teshumai Tewindrow
3. Taffimal Metallumai
OR

Question 2. Complete the following table.
Answer:

Names	Meanings	One word for meanings
1. Tegumai Bopsulai	Man who does not put his foot forward in a hurry	cautious
2. Teshumai Tewindrow	Lady who asks a very many questions	curious/ inquisitive
3. Taffimai Metallumai	Small person without any manners who ought to be spanked	spoilt

In simple words: This table maps the characters' unique names to their extended meanings and then provides a concise single-word synonym that captures the essence of that meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: For vocabulary questions involving character names, ensure you accurately recall both the detailed meaning and a suitable one-word equivalent. Double-check spelling for both.

 

Personal Response.

Question 1. Do you like reading books or seeing films about primitive/prehistoric/Neolithic human beings and how they evolved?
Answer:
No, I don't. I am very much a modern person and I wish to know how to do better in today's environment. I like modern technology and the comforts it offers. Though I do like to understand evolution, I am not very interested in it.
In simple words: This question asks for your personal preference regarding content about ancient human history and evolution, prompting you to share whether you enjoy such themes or prefer modern topics.

🎯 Exam Tip: Personal response answers should be honest and well-reasoned. Even if your answer is "no," provide a clear explanation for your preference to demonstrate critical thinking.

 

Simple Factual Activity.

Question 1. Complete the diagram: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह आरेख एक 'मैंडी-बैग' (मरम्मत किट) की सामग्री को दिखाता है। यह चार मुख्य घटकों में विभाजित है: (1) हिरन के कण्डरा (reindeer-sinews), (2) चमड़े की पट्टियाँ (strips of leather), (3) मोम के टुकड़े (lumps of bee's-wax), और (4) राल (resin)। यह आरेख दर्शाता है कि बैग में कौन-कौन सी वस्तुएं थीं।
In simple words: This diagram explains the contents of a 'mendy-bag,' detailing four items: reindeer-sinews, strips of leather, lumps of bee's-wax, and resin, which are materials likely used for repairs or crafting.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing diagrams, ensure that each label or component is correctly identified and placed. Accuracy in associating the item with its description is crucial.

 

Complex Factual Activity.

Question 1. Why had Taffy stamped her foot?
Answer:
Taffy stamped her foot because she saw a shoal of very big carp going up the river just when her father couldn't use his spear.
In simple words: Taffy stamped her foot out of frustration because a large group of fish appeared right when her father's spear was broken and unusable.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always refer to specific events in the story when explaining characters' actions or motivations. This demonstrates a thorough understanding of the plot.

 

Activity-based on Vocabulary.

Question 1. Give the meanings of the following expressions and use them in sentences of your own:
1. a pretty kettle of fish
2. make the best of a bad job
Answer:
1. a pretty kettle of fish : a messy situation.
Sentence: "What a pretty kettle of fish!" exclaimed the old man when he saw the ruined house.
2. make the best of a bad job: do something as well as one can under difficult circumstances.
Sentence: When he found that he had broken the switch while repairing it, he tried to make the best of a bad job by taping it together.
In simple words: This question asks you to define two idiomatic expressions and then use each in a unique sentence to show your understanding of their contextual meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: For idiomatic expressions, first provide a clear and concise definition. Then, construct a sentence that uses the idiom naturally and correctly, demonstrating its meaning in context.

 

Personal Response.

Question 1. What is your opinion of Taffy?
Answer:
Taffy was smart and wanted to help her father. She felt no shyness or fear when she saw the stranger and did not think twice before speaking to him. She was upset when she saw that her father was losing a big catch because his spear had broken at the wrong time.
In simple words: My opinion is that Taffy is a bold, resourceful, and helpful child who acted quickly to aid her father, showing no fear or hesitation in interacting with the stranger.

🎯 Exam Tip: In personal response questions about characters, back up your opinion with specific character traits or actions from the story. Use adjectives to describe the character and evidence to support your choice.

 

Simple Factual Activity.

Question 1. Write whether the following statements are True or False:
Answer:
1. Tegumai did not speak to the stranger because he was busy - True
2. The stranger was impressed with Taffy - True
3. Taffy wanted the stranger to help her father repair his spear - False
4. Taffy could read and write well - False
In simple words: This task requires you to evaluate four statements related to the story and determine whether each is factually correct (True) or incorrect (False) based on the narrative.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read each statement carefully and cross-reference it with the story's details. Avoid making assumptions and rely strictly on the information provided in the text to determine True or False.

 

Complex Factual Activity.

Question 1. What did the stranger make of Taffy's stamping her foot?
Answer:
The stranger thought that Taffy was a very wonderful child because she stamped her foot at him and made faces.
In simple words: The stranger misinterpreted Taffy's foot-stamping and facial expressions, believing them to be signs of her wonderfulness rather than frustration or rudeness.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing character interpretations, focus on how one character perceives another's actions, especially when there's a misunderstanding. Highlight the contrast between intent and perception.

 

Question 2. Why did the stranger offer Taffy a big piece of birch-bark?
Answer:
The stranger offered Taffy a big piece of birch-bark to show that his heart was as white as the birch-bark and that he meant no harm.
In simple words: The stranger offered the birch-bark as a symbolic gesture to convey his innocence and assure Taffy that he harbored no ill intentions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the underlying reason or symbolic meaning behind a character's actions, especially if it's not explicitly stated. Connect the action to the character's personality or the cultural context.

 

Activities based on Vocabulary.

Question 1. Write the antonyms of the following from the passage :
1. idle
2. fake
3. rudely
4. humble
Answer:
1. idle x busy
2. fake x genuine
3. rudely x politely
4. humble x haughty.
In simple words: This question asks you to provide the opposite meanings (antonyms) for a given set of words, based on vocabulary used in the passage.

🎯 Exam Tip: When finding antonyms, think of words that convey a completely opposite meaning. If context is provided, ensure your chosen antonym fits that context as well.

 

Activities based on Contextual Grammar.

Question 1. Your legs are longer than mine. (Rewrite using the positive degree of comparison.)

Complex Factual Activities

 

Question 1. Why did the stranger's admiration for Taffy grow?

Answer: The shark's tooth on the stranger's necklace was a magic shark's tooth. He had been told that if anybody touched it without his permission, that person would immediately swell up and burst. Taffy had touched it without his permission, but she hadn't swollen up or burst. This made the stranger's admiration for Taffy grow.In simple words: The stranger was amazed by Taffy because she touched his supposedly magic shark's tooth without permission, and nothing bad happened to her, which was contrary to what he believed would occur.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on identifying key events or objects that influence character perceptions and motivations in the story.

 

Question 2. Is Taffy's drawing realistic? In how many ways does it fail to show the real picture?

Answer: Taffy's drawing is not at all realistic. It does not show the true picture of Tegumai. The black-handled spear, which Taffy wanted the stranger to fetch, looked as if it was sticking in Tegumai's back. Her hair was standing up in the picture, which it didn't in real life. The stranger, who was nice, was not depicted as being 'pretty'.In simple words: Taffy's drawing was unrealistic; it showed her father with a spear in his back and messy hair, and it didn't accurately portray the kind stranger.

🎯 Exam Tip: When evaluating realism in a story, consider how details are depicted versus how they would appear in reality, as this often highlights humor or miscommunication.

Activities Based On Vocabulary

 

Question 1. Match the adjectives in Column A with the nouns in Column B:

A B
1. wonderful (a) spear
2. magic (b) child
3. beautiful (c) tooth
4. black-handled (d) pictures

Answer:1. wonderful - child
2. magic - tooth
3. beautiful - pictures
4. black-handled - spear.In simple words: The correct matches pair each adjective (wonderful, magic, beautiful, black-handled) with its corresponding noun (child, tooth, pictures, spear) as used in the story's context.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to context when matching words, as some adjectives might fit multiple nouns but only one makes sense in the story.

Activities Based On Contextual Grammar

 

Question 1. Your legs are longer than mine. (Rewrite using the positive degree of comparison.)

Answer: My legs are not as long as yours.In simple words: To change a comparative sentence to a positive degree, express the same meaning using "as...as" in a negative construction if the comparison implies inequality.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting degrees of comparison, ensure the meaning of the original sentence remains unchanged, often requiring a negative structure for positive degree conversions.

 

Question 2. "Don't bother grown-ups,” said Tegumai to Taffy. (Rewrite in reported speech.)

Answer: Tegumai ordered Taffy not to bother grown-ups.In simple words: To convert a command in direct speech to reported speech, use reporting verbs like "ordered" or "instructed" followed by "not to" for negative commands.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to change pronouns and verb forms as necessary when converting from direct to reported speech, and use appropriate reporting verbs for commands.

Personal Response

 

Question 1. What do you think about the stranger?

Answer: The stranger seems to be very simple and foolish. He cannot understand Taffy's body language and the non-verbal communication. He interprets Tegumai's behavior too in the wrong manner. He seems to be in awe of Tegumai and Taffy, thinking that Tegumai is a haughty chief.In simple words: The stranger is naive and misunderstands Taffy's and Tegumai's actions and intentions due to cultural and communication barriers.

🎯 Exam Tip: In personal response questions, support your opinion with specific examples or observations from the story to demonstrate understanding.

Simple Factual Activity

 

Question 1. Complete the flow-chart: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक फ्लो-चार्ट है जो अजनबी आदमी के यात्रा मार्ग को दर्शाता है। वह अपने रास्ते पर चलता गया जब तक वह दो पेड़ों तक नहीं पहुँचा, फिर एक बीवर दलदल से गुजरा, उसके बाद एक पहाड़ी पर गया, और अंत में एक गुफा तक पहुँचा।
Answer:

The stranger had to go
along till
he reached two trees
past a beaver swamp
then go over a hill
finally reach the cave

In simple words: The flow-chart outlines the stranger's journey: he walked past two trees, crossed a beaver swamp, went over a hill, and eventually arrived at the cave.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing flow-charts, ensure each step logically follows the previous one as described in the narrative, maintaining sequence and key landmarks.

Complex Factual Activity

 

Question 1. Is Taffy's drawing realistic? In how many ways does it fail to show the real picture?

Answer: Taffy's drawing is not realistic. She had put the spear in the stranger's hands, when he did not have any spear. The beavers did not look like beavers and only the heads could be seen. The cave looked as high as the hills, which it was not. The spear was actually inside the cave but she had drawn it outside the cave.In simple words: Taffy's drawing was unrealistic; it showed the stranger with a spear he didn't have, beavers only as heads, an exaggerated cave size, and the spear drawn outside the cave instead of inside.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all discrepancies between Taffy's drawing and reality to comprehensively answer how it fails to represent the true picture, showing critical analysis.

Activities Based On Vocabulary

 

Question 1. Write:
1. 'fended' and
2. 'splain' with their proper spellings.

Answer:1. offended
2. explain.In simple words: The correct spellings for the given words are "offended" and "explain," which were likely misspelled in the original text to reflect colloquial speech.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always proofread for common misspellings or informal language when standardizing text from a creative writing piece.

 

Question 2. Pick out four adverbs from the passage.

Answer: very, hard, scratchily, really, quite, inside, etc.In simple words: Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often indicating how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify adverbs, look for words ending in "-ly" or those that answer questions like "how?" (hard, scratchily), "to what extent?" (very, really, quite), or "where?" (inside).

Activities Based On Contextual Grammar

 

Question 1. Rewrite the sentences correctly:
1. She is the most beautifullest Mummy there ever was.
2. She'll be pleased of me.

Answer:1. She is the most beautiful Mummy there ever was.
2. She'll be pleased with me.In simple words: The first sentence corrects a double superlative, using "most beautiful" instead of "beautifullest," while the second corrects the preposition "of" to "with" for proper usage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on correct superlative forms (e.g., "most beautiful" not "beautifullest") and appropriate prepositions (e.g., "pleased with" not "pleased of") for grammatical accuracy.

Do As Directed

 

Question 1. The cave isn't as high as the hills. (Rewrite using the comparative form of the adjective.)

Answer: The hills are higher than the cave.In simple words: To convert a negative "as...as" comparison to a comparative form, reverse the subjects and use the comparative adjective followed by "than."

🎯 Exam Tip: When rewriting sentences to change the degree of comparison, ensure the meaning remains consistent while correctly applying the comparative structure (adjective-er + than or more + adjective + than).

 

Question 2. I haven't put in all the beavers. (Rewrite beginning 'All the beavers ...

Answer: All the beavers haven't been put in (by me).In simple words: This sentence converts an active voice statement into a passive voice, shifting the focus from the doer ("I") to the action and the object ("all the beavers").

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to passive voice, identify the object of the active sentence and make it the subject of the passive sentence, using a form of "to be" and the past participle of the main verb.

Personal Response

 

Question 1. Do you think that giving clear directions to someone, narrating an incident clearly, etc. is important?

Answer: Yes, it is. If your directions are not clear, people may land up at a different place, or do something completely different from what you intend. If a story or an incident is not narrated logically, people may get confused or bored.In simple words: Clear communication, whether giving directions or narrating events, is crucial to avoid misunderstandings, ensure correct actions, and maintain engagement.

🎯 Exam Tip: For personal response questions, clearly state your opinion and provide logical reasoning or real-world examples to support your stance.

Simple Factual Activity

 

Question 1. Complete the following statements: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)

Answer:1. The Stranger-man looked at the picture and nodded very hard.
2. The Stranger-man raced off into the bushes like the wind.
3. Tegumai had mended his spear and was carefully waving it to and fro.
4. "It's a little berangement of my own, Daddy dear,” said Taffy.In simple words: These statements describe key actions of the characters: the stranger's reaction to the drawing, his hasty departure, Tegumai's careful spear mending, and Taffy's affectionate remark.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing statements, ensure your answers are precise, directly supported by the text, and maintain the original sentence structure.

Complex Factual Activities

 

Question 1. How did the stranger interpret Taffy's drawing?

Answer: When the stranger looked at Taffy's drawing, he thought that the beavers she had drawn were the Chiefs enemies who were coming up from all sides with spears. According to the stranger, the Chief was afraid that his enemies were hiding in the bushes and would see him. Therefore he had turned his back on the stranger and let Taffy draw a picture showing his difficulties. This was the stranger's interpretation of Taffy's drawing.In simple words: The stranger misinterpreted Taffy's drawing, believing it showed the Chief surrounded by spear-wielding enemies, hiding in bushes, and that the Chief allowed Taffy to draw his plight.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail each specific misunderstanding the stranger had, linking it directly to elements within Taffy's drawing to show comprehensive analysis.

 

Question 2. What mistaken notions made the stranger race off like the wind?

Answer: After looking at the picture, the stranger thought that Tegumai would be slain by his enemies who were coming up from all sides with spears. Hence he raced off to get help for him from his tribe.In simple words: The stranger ran for help because he wrongly believed Taffy's drawing depicted Tegumai in imminent danger from spear-wielding enemies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly connect the stranger's misinterpretation of the drawing to his urgent decision to seek assistance, highlighting cause and effect.

Activities Based On Vocabulary

 

Question 1. Write the noun forms of:
1. wise
2. pleased

Answer:1. wise - wisdom
2. pleased - pleasure.In simple words: The noun form of "wise" is "wisdom," referring to the quality of being wise, and the noun form of "pleased" is "pleasure," referring to a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice identifying common suffixes that transform adjectives and verbs into nouns (e.g., -dom, -ure, -tion, -ment).

 

Question 2. Write the adjective forms of:
1. feared
2. picture

Answer:1. feared - fearful/fearless/feared
2. picture - picturesque/pictorial.In simple words: The adjective forms of "feared" include "fearful" (causing fear), "fearless" (without fear), or "feared" (dreaded), while "picture" can become "picturesque" (visually attractive) or "pictorial" (relating to pictures).

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that some words can have multiple adjective forms with slightly different meanings (e.g., fearful vs. fearless), and choose the most appropriate one based on context.

Activities Based On Contextual Grammar

 

Question 1. Pick out the adjectives in the following sentences:
1. He let the wise and wonderful child draw the terrible picture.
2. Now I see why the great Chief pretended not to notice me!

Answer:1. wise, wonderful, terrible
2. greatIn simple words: Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, providing more information about their qualities or characteristics.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify adjectives, look for words that describe nouns (e.g., "wise" child, "terrible" picture, "great" Chief).

 

Question 2. Pick out the adverbs in the following sentences:
1. The stranger nodded very hard.
2. He was carefully waving his spear.

Answer:1. very, hard
2. carefullyIn simple words: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating how, when, where, or to what extent an action or quality occurs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that adverbs often end in -ly (like "carefully") but many do not (like "very," "hard"), so look for words that answer "how?" or "to what extent?".

Personal Response

 

Question 1. Is it possible to promise that one will be surprised?

Answer: No, it is not possible. Surprise is a spontaneous and not a pre-planned emotion. If one promises such a thing then one is prepared for it and will not be surprised. This is a promise one can make to a small child.In simple words: True surprise cannot be promised or planned because it's an unexpected emotion; knowing it's coming negates the element of surprise.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering personal response questions, explain your reasoning clearly and logically, drawing on the nature of the concept (e.g., spontaneity of surprise).

Simple Factual Activity

 

Question 1. Number the sentences according to their occurrence in the story: (The answers are given directly.)

Answer:1. The Neolithic ladies sat on the stranger. [3]
2. The stranger ran for some miles. [1]
3. Teshumai pulled his hair. [4]
4. He found Teshumai at the door of her cave. [2]In simple words: The correct chronological order of events is: the stranger ran, then found Teshumai at her cave, then the ladies sat on him, and finally Teshumai pulled his hair.

🎯 Exam Tip: For sequencing events, carefully recall the narrative flow and assign numbers based on the order in which actions actually occurred in the story.

Complex Factual Activities

 

Question 1. What was the stranger's impression of Teshumai Tewindrow?

Answer: The stranger thought that Taffy was very like Teshumai Tewindrow, especially about the upper part of the face and the eyes.In simple words: The stranger perceived Teshumai Tewindrow as resembling Taffy, particularly in her facial features and eyes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note specific physical descriptions or character traits mentioned in the text that form a character's impression of another.

 

Question 2. What terrible message had Taffy's drawing conveyed to her Mummy?

Answer: Taffy's drawing conveyed the message that the stranger had stuck Tegumai full of spears and frightened Taffy so that her hair stood all on end. Teshumai thought that Tegumai's arm was broken and he had a spear sticking into his back. She also thought that there was a man with a spear ready to throw, another man throwing a spear from a cave and a whole lot of people coming up behind Tegumai.In simple words: Taffy's drawing mistakenly communicated to her mother that the stranger had attacked Tegumai with spears, injuring him and causing Taffy great fear, and that more enemies were present.

🎯 Exam Tip: Fully enumerate all the misinterpretations Teshumai made from Taffy's drawing to demonstrate the extent of the communication breakdown.

Activities Based On Vocabulary

 

Question 1. Point out two humorous expressions from 'all the Neolithic ladies sitting patiently on the Stranger-man'.

Answer: Two humorous expressions:
1. all the Neolithic ladies
2. sitting patiently.In simple words: The humor comes from the ironic juxtaposition of "Neolithic ladies" and their "patient" sitting on the stranger, which is an unexpected and comical image.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for contradictions or unexpected combinations of words and actions in descriptive phrases to identify humorous elements in a text.

 

Question 2. Pick out expressions that show you that this story took place in ancient times.

Answer: Expressions:
1. Neolithic ladies
2. Primitive lunch.In simple words: Phrases like "Neolithic ladies" and "Primitive lunch" directly indicate the story's setting in ancient, prehistoric times.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key vocabulary that refers to specific historical periods or cultural practices to determine the setting of a story.

Activity-Based On Contextual Grammar

 

Question 1. Pick out the verbs in the following sentences and state their tense :

Answer:1. He had run - past perfect tense; panted- simple past tense.
2. He has stuck - present perfect tense.In simple words: "Had run" signifies an action completed before another past action, making it past perfect, while "panted" is a straightforward simple past action. "Has stuck" denotes an action that started in the past and has relevance or continues into the present, thus a present perfect tense.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between past perfect (had + past participle) for actions completed before another past event and present perfect (has/have + past participle) for actions starting in the past with present relevance.

Personal Response

 

Question 1. Did you enjoy reading the story? Write down one message it conveyed to you.

Answer: Yes, I enjoyed the story. The message it conveyed was that if one does not communicate properly and clearly, it can lead to a lot of misunderstandings.In simple words: The story was enjoyable and highlights the crucial lesson that clear and precise communication is essential to prevent significant misunderstandings.

🎯 Exam Tip: In personal response questions, clearly state your enjoyment and articulate a relevant moral or message from the story, supporting it with an example if possible.

Simple Activities

 

Question 1. Write two compound words from the lesson.

Answer: fireplace, drawing-roomIn simple words: Compound words are formed by combining two or more words to create a new word with a distinct meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for words that are made up of two smaller, independent words joined together, such as "fire" + "place" or "drawing" + "room."

 

Question 2. Make a meaningful sentence using the phrase 'to and fro'

Answer: The old woman ran to and fro in search of her son.In simple words: "To and fro" means moving back and forth in a repetitive manner.

🎯 Exam Tip: When using idioms or phrases in sentences, ensure the context clearly reflects their meaning and usage.

 

Question 3. Spot the error and correct the sentence: He done this to show that his heart was as white as the birch-bark.

Answer: He did this to show that his heart was as white as the birch-bark.In simple words: The error is "done" which is the past participle; the simple past tense verb "did" is required here to correctly form the sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always use the correct past tense form of irregular verbs (e.g., "do-did-done") when constructing sentences to ensure grammatical accuracy.

 

Question 4. Pick out a present participle/gerund/ infinitive from this sentence and use it in your own sentence: That's the spear I want you to fetch.

Answer: to fetch-infinitive. Sentence: The poor little girl was told to fetch water from the well.In simple words: "To fetch" is an infinitive, a non-finite verb form often used to express purpose or intent, and can be used in various sentences like the example provided.

🎯 Exam Tip: Infinitives often appear as "to + base verb" and can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.

 

Question 5. Identify the type of sentence: Please lend me the shark's tooth off your necklace.

Answer: Imperative sentenceIn simple words: An imperative sentence gives a direct command or request, often starting with a verb and an implied subject of "you."

🎯 Exam Tip: Imperative sentences typically express commands, requests, advice, or invitations and often omit the subject "you."

 

Question 6. Form the present and past participle from a verb in the lesson in which the last letter is doubled.

Answer: slip - slipped, slippingIn simple words: For verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, the last consonant is often doubled before adding -ed for past participle or -ing for present participle/gerund.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the rule for doubling the final consonant: if a single-syllable verb ends in consonant-vowel-consonant, double the last consonant before adding -ed or -ing.

 

Question 7. Punctuate the following: I cant make you pretty in the picture so you musnt be offended

Answer: I can't make you pretty in the picture, so you musn't be offended.In simple words: This sentence requires apostrophes for contractions ("can't," "musn't") and a comma before "so" to correctly punctuate the compound sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to contractions and coordinating conjunctions (like "so") to correctly place apostrophes and commas for proper punctuation.

Medium-Level Activities

 

Question 1. Use the word 'hair' and its homophone in two separate sentences :

Answer:a. The hare rushed away when it saw the jackal.
b. The actress coloured her hair red.In simple words: Homophones are words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings, like "hare" (an animal) and "hair" (on the head).

🎯 Exam Tip: To use homophones correctly, understand the distinct meaning of each word and construct sentences that clearly demonstrate that understanding.

 

Question 2. "Don't bother me," said Tegumai to Taffy. (Rewrite using indirect speech.)

Answer: Tegumai instructed Taffy not to bother him.In simple words: When converting a command from direct to indirect speech, use a reporting verb like "instructed" and change the imperative to an infinitive phrase, adjusting pronouns as needed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to change the pronoun ("me" to "him") and the verb structure (from imperative "Don't bother" to infinitive "not to bother him") when converting to indirect speech.

 

Question 3. Teshumai was talking to some other ladies. (Use the present continuous tense of the verb.)

Answer: Teshumai is talking to some other ladies.In simple words: To change a sentence to present continuous tense, use "is/are/am" followed by the present participle (verb-ing) to indicate an ongoing action in the present.

🎯 Exam Tip: The present continuous tense is formed with the present tense of "to be" (am, is, are) and the -ing form of the main verb, indicating an action happening now.

 

Question 4. The birch-bark was handed to Teshumai by the Stranger-Man. (Change the voice, beginning 'The Stranger-Man'.)

Answer: The Stranger-man handed the birch-bark to Teshumai.In simple words: To change from passive to active voice, make the agent (the one performing the action) the subject of the sentence, and the original subject becomes the direct object.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting from passive to active voice, identify the "by" phrase (or implied agent) in the passive sentence and make it the subject of the active sentence.

Challenging Activities

 

Question 1. He stood on the bank and smiled at Taffy. (Rewrite as a simple sentence.)

Answer: Standing on the bank, he smiled at Taffy.In simple words: To convert a compound sentence into a simple sentence, one clause can be transformed into a participial phrase or other non-finite verb form.

🎯 Exam Tip: Simple sentences contain only one independent clause. To simplify, look for ways to reduce a clause to a phrase (e.g., using a present participle like "Standing").

 

Question 2. She is the most beautiful mother. (Make it comparative.)

Answer: She is more beautiful than all other mothers.In simple words: To change a superlative statement to a comparative one, use "more + adjective + than" and compare the subject to "all other" members of the group.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting from superlative to comparative, use the structure "more [adjective] than all other [nouns]" to maintain the original meaning of supreme quality.