UNIT 6 : Bio-Diversity : Environment , Or will the Dreamer Wake? (Poem), A Tale of Three Villages SUMMARY AND STUDY MATERIAL

UNIT 6 : Bio-Diversity : Environment , Or will the Dreamer Wake? (Poem),  A Tale of Three Villages brief summary and notes.

Bio-Diversity 

A. Environment
B. Or will the Dreamer Wake? (Poem)
C. A Tale of Three Villages

 

6.BIO-DIVERSITY

 

"The theme is more relevant than ever in the wake of sweeping changes taking place in different spheres across the world. The process of development has assumed a new dimension in the recent times. It has been a direct attack on the biodiversity and large scale exploitation of resources for private profits. This problem is likely to aggravate further making life on the planet miserable. There is every need to think about today and tomorrow. This becomes the rationale for including the present texts for reading. The learners will certainly become aware of their role in preserving the pristine nature of the environment as they read and reflect on the passages in this unit."

Part-A: Environment

It is an interview by Japan’s NHK Radio with Wangari Maathai, a well-known  environmentalist and a Nobel Prize winner from Africa. She started the Green Belt Movement and also fought for equal rights for women in Africa.

Part-B: Or will the Dreamer Wake?

The very title of the poem is interesting. It is a question arousing interest in the minds of the readers. It clearly depicts how certain species of animals are about to disappear. The dreamer , perhaps, here is the man; the destruction is caused in four directions. It seems that man is still dreaming about something. The animals like tigress, white bear, songthrush and whale are disappearing very fast. But the question is whether the dreamer or the man would wake up in the right time, is an open ended question.

Part-C: A Tale of Three Villages

It tells us the stories of three villages that are vulnerable to pollution with dangerous chemicals and radioactive dust. It presents a clear picture of many hundreds of villages which are in the same plight as the three villages depicted here.

Glossary

• Green Belt Movement (n) : a movement to protect environment
• Fodder (n) : food for farm animals
• Forested (adj) : forested areas are covered in forests (place where trees are densely grown)
• Pristine (adj) : extremely fresh or clean
• Indigenous (adj) : native
• Biological diversity (n) : the variety of plants and animals in a particular place
• Exotic species (n) : unusual plants
• Plaintive (adj) : sounds sad
• Snuffles (n) : to breathe noisily through your nose
• Gleaming (adj) : to shine softly
• Glaciers (n) : a large mass of ice which moves slowly down a mountain valley
• Warbles (v) : to sing with a high continuous but quickly changing sound
• Birth fills (n) : the process of giving birth to a baby
• Solemn (adj) : very serious and not happy
• Out stretched (v) : stretched out to full length
• Apron (n) : piece of clothing that covers the front part of your clothes and is tied around your waist.
• Radioactive dust (n) : the dust that comes out of radioactive reaction

Phrasal Verbs

• Trailed off (phr. Verb) : it (voice) becomes gradually quieter and then stops
• Trailed off ( phr v) : became gradually quieter and stopped
• Broke down (phr v) : lost control of feelings and started crying
• Go about ( ph.r v) : tackle
• Fight over (phr. v) : argue about something

Synonyms

• Profound : deep, fathomless

Antonyms

• Exotic x indigenous
• Ominous x auspicious
• Barren x fertile

UNIT : 3. HUMAN RELATIONS , THE JOURNEY, ANOTHER WOMEN , A NEVER NEVER NEST. SUMMARY AND STUDY MATERIAL

UNIT : 3.  HUMAN RELATIONS ,  THE JOURNEY,  ANOTHER WOMEN , A NEVER NEVER NEST. BRIEF SUMMARY AND NOTES.

 

3.HUMAN RELATIONS 

 

"‘Child is the father of man’-This is a well known quotation from Shakespeare’s works. The child grows into an adult. The adult finally becomes old. As this happens, there is an attitudinal change in the individual. The children have some dreams about their future. The adults have some priorities like getting a good job, living in comfortable house, etc. But none of these physical comforts gives us the feeling that warm relation with people living around us gives. Nowadays, the elderly people have feeling that they not wanted by anybody. In this  background, “Old age homes” are mushrooming which tell us that human relations have been pushed to the back burner. The globalized world has encroached this space among people and they feel that they are separated from their friends and kin psychogically. Many stories, novels, poems have been written on this subject. The present reading includes the following."

Part-A: The Journey

The story ‘A Journey’ creates a silent ambience which mostly psychological in nature. The reader feels that each individual( the father and the son) is talking to himself. Their behavior brings out so much that is not expressed orally; but their actions suggest what would be the thoughts of the father and his son. The father is confident and son is diffident and feels that his education had made him so.At the end of the story, The son and the father start traveling in two opposite directions symbolizing their ways of life.

Part-B: Another Woman

It is poem ‘Another Woman’ picturising the plight of the traditional Indian woman. The ill treatments meted out to her, the treatment given by her in-laws after the marriage is universal phenomenon. The poem picturizes all these things quite naturally.

Part-C: The Never- Never- Nest

‘The Never- Never- Nest’ is a one act play on the vicious circle of installments. This play shows how a family of average income group might fall prey to consumerism. The characters and their attributes are found everywhere in the society.

Glossary

• Lethargy (n) : the state of not having any energy or enthusiasm for doing things
  Creeps (v) : develops very slowly
• Dilly-dallying (v): taking a long time to do something, go somewhere or make a decision
• Shun (v) : to avoid something or somebody
• Dissuade (v) : to convince somebody not to do something
• Plight (n) : a difficult and sad situation
• guilt (n) : the unhappy feelings caused by knowing that you have done something wrong
• Self-consciousness (n): feelings of nervousness about what other people think of you
• Contentment (n) : a feeling of happiness or satisfaction
• Weary (adj) : very tired
• methi (n) : fenugreek
• White radish (n) : white and round or finger-shaped vegetable
• Extravagance (n) : spending more than necessary in an uncontrolled way
• Villa (n) : small house standing in its own garden
• cosy(adj.) : warm and comfortable
• Shriek (n) : a high loud cry
• Exclaim (v) : speak with strong feelings
• Thin gummy (n) : a word used in spoken English, when the name of an object has been forgotten
• Tartar (n) : an irritable, hard to cope with person
• Phew (interj.) : expression of tiredness, shock or relief

Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• Leave behind (phr.v) : not to take someone with you when you go somewhere
• See off (phr.v.) : to go to an airport, station, etc. to say goodbye to someone
• Catch up (phr.v.) : to come from behind and reach someone in front of you by going faster
• Bare feet (n.phrase) : the feet without chappals or shoes
• Pebble-strewn road (n.phrase) : the road over which pebbles are scattered
• The Never-Never Nest (idiom) : a house that can never become one’s own.
• of course (phr) : used to introduce an idea or action as being obvious or to be expected
• As a matter of fact (idiom): actually / in fact
• Come to (phr.v) : reach in total / amount to
• Good heavens! (phr) : a phrase used to express surprise
• Note of hand (phr) : a promissory note
• See to (phr.v) : accompany to some place
• Pay off (phr.v) : pay completely
• Good money (phr) : valuable money
• Black out (phr. v.) : ends with lights off

Synonyms

• Shun : avoid, elude, eschew, escape, evade
• Extravagant : excessive, prodigal, lavish
• Absurd : silly, foolish, ridiculous

Antonyms

• Guilty x innocent
• Recede x advance, proceed
• Extravagant x thrifty, frugal
• Absurd x rationale, sane

On The Rule Of The Road by A.G. Gardiner - (Summary ,Annotation and Answer )

On The Rule Of The Road 

                   By AG Gardiner

Introduction :

 Reference:

 

 This sentence is taken from the essay on the rule of the road written by AG Gardiner. 

Context : The essay is a lively debate about the need to strike a balance between enjoying individual liberty and respecting social orderliness. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.

 

 

Explanation :

Answer : 

 

 AG Gardiner stresses that Liberty cannot be equated with unrestricted Freedom. The essay begins with an anecdote about a lady who walked down the middle of a road. If in the name of Liberty, pedestrians started walking in the middle, there would be accidents. Every citizen must follow rules along with the enjoyment of Liberty. For the Smooth running of society otherwise there would be social anarchy.

There are many activities like eating and dressing in which an individual enjoys freedom . But he cannot do anything that interferes with the rights of the others. For instance he should not play the music at night as the loud music would disturb the neighbours. The liberty to play a musical instrument would clash with an-other's liberty to sleep well.

General Relevance :

Conclusion :

Liberty does not give us the license to do whatever we want: All should follow rules for the smooth functioning of society.

The Antidote By RK Narayan Summary & Answer

   The Antidote
                           By    RK Narayan

Answer :  

RK Narayan depicts the superstitious beliefs of people in ' The Antidote ' .  Gopal a film actor is deeply upset when he is told that he has to enact a dying scene on his 49th birthday. Astrologers had predicted that if he survived his 49th birthday he could look forward to a smooth life thereafter. He had propitiated ( make peace ) the God's but feels it would be inauspicious to enact a dying scene on his birthday. He is desperate to get the ending changed. He pleads with the director,  & the script writer and the script writer's boss in vain .  Even the attempt to postpone the shooting fails. Gopal feels he cannot fight his fate any longer.  He agrees to die. The shot he gives is perfect. But before the director can say 'Cut'  Gopal winks at the camera. It is his way of reassuring ( Antidote) himself that he had not died, even in the shot.


Conclusion :

He believes that this little action would be an Antidote to the ill effects of enacting a dying scene on his birthday.

UNIT : 4.Films and Theatre, Rendezvous with Ray ,Maya Bazaar, A Tribute Brief summary and study material

 

 UNIT : 4.Films and Theatre, Rendezvous with Ray ,Maya Bazaar, 
A Tribute Brief summary and notes.


                                             


4. Films and Theatre
A. Rendezvous with Ray.
B. Maya Bazaar
C. A Tribute

4.FILMS AND THEATRE

"‘Films and Theatre’ is considered to be the most popular entertainment media. India has a 100 year history of films. The first Indian film was released in the year 1913. The year 2013 remains in history as programmes are being organized as a mark of centenary celebrations of Indian cinema. Children have a sound knowledge of films and are ready to discuss something about films. The 100 years of Indian cinema has some outstanding personalities and films of epic stature. The technology of Indian cinema has evolved over the years. The 35mm black and white and colour, cinemascope films,70 mm and 3D films are the milestones of film technology. Dts is a recent advance. The galaxy of directors, producers and actors provide the children with an opportunity to exchange information and opinions. A special effort has been made to  introduce certain interesting technical concepts to the learners."

Part-A: Rendezvous with Ray

 

 

‘Rendezvous with Ray’ is a feature article on the world famous film-maker Satyajit Ray. As a feature article it has many niceties to observe. It presents how Fr. Gaston Roberge happened to see the three movies of Apu trilogy;how he was drawn closer to Ray; how he described the physical attributes and intellectual qualities and humaneness of Ray in a complex but clear manner. Each paragraph of this article has clear idea conveyed in a rich range of vocabulary. This article is a typical that should be read by any learner who is a potential reader of feature articles. It is well-known that feature articles provide the reader with good range of vocabulary and organising the events in an interesting manner. This text is a good model for practicing writing feature articles. It is interesting to note that this article has two narrators.

Part-B: Maya Bazaar

 

This is a review about the near sixty year old Telugu-Tamil classic ‘Maya Bazaar’. The review is written on the occasion of the film’s Golden Jubilee in he year 2007. Usually any review outlines the story and then proceeds to the other aspects. But this review is slightly different. It takes for granted that the story is known to every one. It is special in the sense that it throws light on some interesting facts which are not ordinarily noticed. It is a film about pandavas and Kauravas. We don’t see any one of the pandavas throughout the film. The review analyses how the film became known to every household. Teachers can exploit this text to teach review  writing to children.

Part-C: A Tribute

It is a tribute to the well-known artiste Savitri. This is not a biographical sketch. In a biographical sketch personal details are important. A tribute is slightly different from that. Savitri hails from a village where there is no ambience for potential artiste to develop. She entered the tinsel world and initially was not successful. But within no time she became famous and was admired by all. All these facts are included in the form a tribute. A tribute is not a biographical sketch. But what is it? No prizes for guessing the other important qualities of a tribute.

Glossary

• En route (adv) : on the way
• Stopover (n) : a halt in a long journey
• Path-breaking (adj) : totally new
• Portal (n) : an entrance
• Trilogy (n) : a set of three films with the same artists or characters
• Haunted (v) : obsessed
• Accusation (n) : the act of accusing somebody
• Detractors (n) : people who criticise
• Arrogance (n) : showing pride muster up
• Dictum (n) : a statement that is believed to be true and followed
• Analogy (n) : a feature that is similar
• Aesthetics (n) : the art of judging beauty
• Fallout (n) : result
• Agnostic (n) : a person who does not know whether God exists
• VFX : Visual Effects shortened to Visual FX and then to VFX
• The vicinity (n) : the area around a particular place
• Reverberates (v) : repeats
• Repertoire (n) : all that a performer can do
• Advent (n) : arrival
• Array (n) : an impressive collection of things
• Indignation (n) : a feeling of anger
• Sarcasm (n) : a way of using words to make fun
• Magnum opus (n) : the greatest work
• Lion’s share (idm) : major portion / part
• Zenith (n) : peak

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• Muster up confidence (idiom): gather or gain confidence
• Right away (idiom) : immediately
• Come across (phr. v) : meet by chance
• On the dot (idiom) : exactly on time
• In the twinkling of an eye (idiom): very quickly
• Needless to say (phrase) : no need to mention specially
• Lion’s share (idiom) : major portion

Synonyms

• Haunt : hover, inhabit, follow and importune
• Confidence : belief, certitude, dependence, faith
• Unique : exceptional, matchless, only, rare, single, sole
• Acquaint : familiarize, disclose, inform, make aware
• Compliment : commend, congratulate, eulogize, extol
• Elegant : polished, refined, graceful
• Culprit : delinquent, criminal, felon, offender
• Impulse : inclination, instinct, passion, proclivity
• Zenith : apex, climax, pinnacle, prime, summit, top
• Demon : devil, fiend, kelpie, goblin, troll
• Adore : esteem, honour, revere, worship

Antonyms

• Arrogant x humble
• Confidence x distrust, doubt
• Confident x diffident
• Massive x light, small
• Zenith x nadir

UNIT 8: Human Rights : Jamaican Fragment, Once upon a Time (Poem), What Is My Name? brief summary and study material

UNIT 8: Human Rights :   Jamaican Fragment, Once upon a Time (Poem), What Is My Name? brief summary and notes.

 

Human Rights

 A. Jamaican Fragment.
B. Once upon a Time (Poem).
C. What Is My Name?

8.HUMAN RIGHTS

"It is the period of great awakening for the human society. Particularly the twentieth century stands testimony to so many changes in the world in the field of science and technology and a series of social, cultural revolutions. The two world wars that threw the world into a chaos, the Bolshevik Revolution and the upsurge in the industrial society, the spirit of freedom that bid adieu to colonial empire gave the world a new direction. It is the century that sent man to the moon. Amidst this, … there was a strong demand for the protection human beings against all kinds of exploitation and oppression. The learners of this century need to internalize the spirit of human rights to uphold humanity. The three texts are really touching and apt to the theme."

Part-A: Jamaican Fragment

The writer of this story is A L Hendricks is a Jamaican writer. The word fragment means ‘a piece’. It can also be understood that it is a small piece of example taken to represent the whole Jamaican society. The two boys-one brown and the other white- puzzle the writer who was on his usual walk. The incident that he saw makes him worried as the two boys appear to represent the oppressing and the oppressed races. But the same two boys  surprise the writer next day with their role reversal. The writer had a sigh of relief as he concluded that this is not what he thought to be . The end of the story is quite fascinating.

Part-B: Once upon a Time

This is a poem the African poet Gabriel Okara. The poet ridicules the hypocrisy practiced by the people of the present times. The poem is a biting criticism on the society for not being truthful in their words and deeds. Reading this poem, every one feels that hypocrisy is dominant in every society. It gives a new dimension to the reader that there is some repentance in the society for being so insincere. The reader, finally is left with a hope that somewhere, someday there is an end to this. The language used is simple but imagery is very effective.

Part-C: What is my Name?

The place of translation in literature plays a catalyst role. It helps in spreading the ideas and emotions from one language to the other. But the success of translated works largely depends on how effective the translation is. Translation is not just translating language but translating the idea, translating the concept without taking the life out of it. The story writer, P Satyavathi is a feminist. The present story is about a woman who forgot her name. This is an unlikely incident but is a symbol of how the woman loses her identity, especially after marriage. Everyone knows her as Mrs … This story portrays beautifully the frantic efforts of a woman to establish her own identity.

Glossary

• Be flanked by (v) : to have something on one or both sides
• Sturdy (adj) : strong and healthy
• Hazel (adj) : reddish/greenish brown
• Imperiously (adv) : haughtily
• Shuffled (v) : to walk by dragging (one's feet) slowly along
• Bidding (n) : ordering
• At one's beck and call : (idiom) be ready to do what someone asks
• Stride (v) : to walk with long steps
• Abjectly (adv) : completely without pride
• Impute (v) : claim that someone has done something unjustly
• Cock-tail (n) : a drink usually made from a mixture of one or more alcoholic drinks.
• Conform (v) : to be and thinking the same way as most other people in a group or Society; normally acceptable
• Portrait (n) : a painting, drawing or photograph of a person especially of the head and shoulders.
• Good - riddance (n) : a feeling of relief when an unwanted person leaves
• Muting (adj) : changing all the time; expressionless / not expressed in speech
• fangs (n) : long, sharp teeth of some animals like snakes and dogs.
• Swab (v) : clean
• Dexterous (adj) : skillful
• Sumptuous (adj) : luxurious, splendid
• Mopping (v) : cleaning / washing
• Perturb (v) : bother / disturb / trouble
• Immerse (v) : absorb oneself in something
• Giggling (v) : laughing nervously
• Frantically (adv) : worriedly / anxiously
• Maternity home (n): house of one's parents
• Parch (v) : dehydrate
• Incognito (adv) : having a concealed identity
• Fish (v) : search

Idioms and Phrases

• At some one’s beck and call (idiom) : be ready to do what someone asks
• Up and down (phrase) : in two directions

Synonyms

• Coarse : crude, impure, rough, unpurified
• Elegant : polished, refined, graceful
• Zeal : ardour, cordially, devotion, eagerness
• Wail : bemoan, deplore, lament, mourn, cry, weep

Antonyms

• Tender x hard, strong
• Zeal x apathy