A wrong man in worker’s Paradise
Exercise
II. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS :
A. Answer briefly the following questions. (choose the answer from
the alternatives given below)
- “The man indulged in mad whims.” Who considers the man’s
work as “mad whims?”
a) The man himself b) the writer
c) the people in workers’ paradise
Answer:c) the people in workers’ paradise
Explain the comparison in Para 3
a) ‘some boys’ compared to ……………
b) They are not studying’ compared to …………….
c) Yet passing in the test’ compared to ……………..
Answers:
(a) the artist.
(b) he is wasting all his time in a painting.
(c) going to heaven.
- When the men say “We haven’t a moment to spare” (para 6) it means
that
a) they are over-burdened with their work
b) they are happy and proud to be so busy
c) they are indifferent.
Answer:(b) they are happy and proud to be busy.
4.Why is the torrent in the workers paradise silent?
Answer: It doesn’t waste its energy in making a sound.
5.“the girl’s hair was carelessly done”, (para 9) This indicates that
a) she was interested only in her work
b) she did not like to dress her hair properly
c) she was unaware of any sense of dressing
Answer: (a) she was interested only in her work.
6.Why did the “girl of the silent torrent” feel sorry for the man?
Answer: She noticed that he had no work to do and was sitting idle.
7.“The girl scanned the painted pot at home secretly”. (Para 27) This line indicates that
a) the girl was impressed by art and beauty
b) the girl did not want the artist to know that she was impressed by his work.
c) the girl was afraid of the elders’ rebuke for wasting her time.
Answer:(c) the girl was afraid of the elder’s rebuke for wasting her time.
8.“The hurrying feet” of the girl became “less hurried” because
a) she became lazy like the man
b) she was attracted by art
c) she was trying to re-arrange priorities
d) the meaningless was,s slowly becoming meaningful.
Answer:(d) the meaningless was slowly becoming meaningful.
9.Why did the elders of the workers’ paradise become anxious?
Answer: More and more people in the worker’s paradise were becoming idle, wasting their time on painting and sculpture.
10.The girl follows the man out of the workers’ paradise. This suggests that the girl.
a) was bored with workers’ paradise
b) was fascinated with the man’s skill in painting
c) saw new possibilities open-up before her.
Answer:(c) saw new possibilities open up before her.
11.What does the line “the man never believed in mere utility” mean?
Answer:The man appreciated the beauty in everything and liked those which pleased the senses even though they were not useful for any activity.
12.What changes occur in the girl’s behavior/attitude at the following stages in the story?
a) Before she agreed to give her pitcher to the wrong man
Answer:When the wrong man offered to draw pictures on her pitcher, the girl was slightly angry because she thought pictures did not help in making a pitcher more useful.
b) After she gave her pitcher to the wrong man
Answer:After the artist drew lines and colors on her pitcher, the girl was puzzled at their meaning. She was very much attracted by the drawing an looked at it again and again. She was so impressed by it that the next day she walked slowly to her work, engrossed in thinking about the colors and lines.
c) When the wrong man offered to make ribbons for her
The wrong man offered to make ribbons for her
Answer:The girl offered her ribbons more readily than before and used the ribbons immediately too. She had to spend more time trying them, and this resulted in a lot of time getting wasted.
d) When she followed the wrong man out of the worker’s paradise
Answer:The girl no longer hesitated to go with the wrong man. She went running after him, asking him to stop for her. Her love for art was total.
13.At the end of the story, there is a complete 9hange in the girl’s attitude to life. Who should the credit go to? (is it to the idler – artist’s ability to impact others? or is it the girl’s readiness and the open-mindedness to change?)
Answer:Firstly, the artist has the ability to draw very well and attract the attention of others towards his art. Secondly, though the girl is not immediately ready to give attention to his art, she is open-minded enough to consider it when he draws on her pitcher. After paying more attention to his art, she becomes so impressed with it that she is ready to go with him when he leaves the workers’ paradise.
II. B. Close Study.
Read the following extracts carefully. Discuss in pairs and then write the answers to the questions given below them.
1.“But the Moving Finger writes even in heaven.”
a) What does ‘Moving Finger’ mean here?
Answer:It can mean God or Fate that keeps an account or record of everything that a man does.
b) What figure of speech is used in “Moving Finger’?
Answer: Metonymy. (Apart is used to refer to a whole: a moving finger is used to refer to a person who keeps an account of man’s activities)..
c) What does the sentence mean in the context?
Answer:Even in heaven, records are kept. Further, though everything is expected to be perfect in heaven, mistakes are made.
2.“As a princess sees a lonely beggar and is filled with pity, so the busy girl of heaven was filled with pity.”
a) Who is compared to a lonely beggar?
Answer:The artist.
b) Why was the girl filled with pity?
Answer:The girl was filled with pity to see that the artist had no work.
c) How did the girl offer to help him?
Answer:She offered him work.
3.“When she set out for the torrent the next day, her hurrying feet were a little less hurried than before.”
a) What had happened the previous night?
Answer:She had examined the lines and colors drawn by the artist on the pitcher for a long time and was now engrossed in thinking about them.
b) What does “hurrying feet” suggest?
Answer:Since there were no thoughts worrying about her mind, her feet were moving fast.
c) Why did they become less hurried?
Answer:She was lost in her thoughts about art.
III. Paragraph Writing.
Discuss in pairs or groups of four each the answers to the following questions. Individually note down the important points for each question and then develop the points into one paragraph answer.
1.Men in Workers’ Paradise say “God! We haven’t a moment to spare”(para 6). The man says, “I haven’t a moment to spare for work” (para 11). Keeping in mind the above statements, contrast the attitude of the men in the paradise with that of the man (artist).
Answer:
- The men in workers’ paradise had a lot of work to do; happy to do that work; no pleasure in just standing and chatting for a long time with one other.
- The artist was involved in visualizing and imagining beautiful pictures which he wanted to transfer onto some surface.
- The artist found pleasure in art whereas the people in workers’ paradise found pleasure in working.
Paragraph: The men in workers’ paradise had a lot of work to do and they were happy to do that work. They were glad to mention the huge amount of work they had. Hence they found no pleasure in just standing and chatting for a long time with one other. They found happiness in no activity other than work. The artist was involved in visualizing and imagining beautiful pictures which he wanted to transfer onto some surface. Hence he felt working would distract his mind which was full of colorful images. The artist found pleasure in indulgence in ‘art whereas the people in workers’ paradise found pleasure in working. They hand totally contrasting lifestyles.
2.There are two worlds in the story: the world of the idler – artist and the world of the inhabitants of the Workers’ Paradise. Which world is better? Why?
Answer:
- The world of an artist filled with colors and designs.
- The world in the Workers’ Paradise – filled with only work.
- Totally extreme worlds. Neither is good.
- The two worlds should come together.
Paragraph: The world of the idler- an artist is a world where the man has no time to spare for any work. He spends his time standing by a stream or painting some object which has no meaning or purpose. On the other hand, in the world of Workers’ Paradise, men are bust at work. They have no time to spare for recreation or painting. To them time is precious and they have too much to do. Neither world is good. A life of idleness does not do any good. Working all the time with no breaks or entertainment is not good either. We should opt for a world where work and recreation are balanced.
3.Have a debate in the classroom on the following topic.
Aesthetics V/s Utility
You can make use of the following points:
- Art for the sake of art × Art for making money
- Knowledge for the sake of × Knowledge for the sake of a job knowledge
- Man is not satisfied with bread alone.
Answers:
- Art for the sake of art × Art for making money
- Knowledge for the sake of × Knowledge for the sake of a job knowledge
- Man is not satisfied with bread alone.
Paragraph: When the individual creates art for the sake of art, his mind and soul are satisfied. He has done justice to his imagination and ability to create art. But even an artist has to survive, for which he needs food, clothing and shelter. Hence he should be ready to part with his products of art in exchange for money however he cannot create art only for the sake of earning money.
When Knowledge is accumulated for the sake of knowledge, it is not very relevant. When it is applied to real-life problems, it becomes meaningful. For this purpose, the individual has to be engaged in a job which makes use of his knowledge.
Man cannot live by bread along because he is not an animal like cow, deer or birds. He has a soul which needs to be satisfied through art and literature. It is these finer aspects of life that lift man’s life above that of an animal’s and make life beautiful and divine.
IV. Vocabulary Exercises.
Antonyms:
Fill in the blanks with the antonyms of the words underlined:
- The people utilize every minute of their life. Whereas the man wasted his time.
- The busy farmers laughed at the Idle artist.
- Some students always work hard but many never/seldom/rarely do so.
- Every individual must have confidence in his abilities. However, we notice diffidence in many individuals.
- The workers thought that the artist was worthless whereas the girl of the silent torrent considered him worthy.
A. Dictionary work:
Work in pairs and find out the meaning of the following phrasal verbs in a dictionary. Use them in sentences of your own:
| run away | go about | take aback |
| run down | go away | take off |
| run into | go ahead | take on |
| run out | go through | take over |
| run around | go along | |
| go into |
Answers:
- Runaway: (win (a prize) easily)
The talented students of that school run away with all prizes. - Rundown: (knockdown with a vehicle)
My brother was in danger of being run down by a speedy car. - Run into:(meet by Chance)
I run into my long-lost friend in the market. - Run out: (use up or be used up)
Ramesh couldn’t send the article timely because he runs out of paper. - Run around: (search)
I am running around for a good house. - Go about: (begin or carry on work)
Since the deadline is approaching, I have to go about my work without wasting my time. - Go away: (go or vanish)
After his father’s accident, fears about his future refused to go away from Ramu’s mind. - Go ahead: (permission to proceed)
I don’t mind at all ! Go ahead and have more servings of the dessert. - Go through: (experience, suffer)
During the recession, we had to go through a tough period. - Go along: (agree to, suit something)
These curtains do not go along with the rich upholstery. - Go into: (investigate or inquire into)
When the police went into the details of the case, they realized that the son himself was the murderer of the father. - Take aback: (surprise)
I was taken aback when. the stranger walked straight into my house and settled down on the sofa. - Take off: remove (clothing), become airborne
Why don’t you take off your coat: It is very warm inside. - Take on: (undertake [a task], acquire [a particular meaning or quality]
The competition for the president’s post has taken on a warlike quality. - Take over: (assume control or responsibility for)
When she saw that I was ill, my mother took over the work of preparing lunch.
B. Given below are some idioms and phrases used in the short story. Work in pairs. Spot them in the story and use them in sentences of your own.
| indulge in | taking charge of | shake off |
| take to task | get the better of | set out for |
| come to pass | be filled with | laugh at |
Answers:
- Indulge in: (enjoy, be happy in)
Don’t indulge in gossip, it’s a bad habit. - Take to task: (reprimand, scold)
Shamu was taken to task for dirtying the room. - Come to pass: (take place, happen)
It came to pass that the idler was placed in the workers’ paradise. - Take charge of:(assume responsibility)
Our new president is taking charge of the committee’s activities. - Get the better of: (win over)
Bad people get the better of good people very easily. - Be filled with: (experience)
I was filled with joy when I heard the news of my promotion. ‘ - Shake off: (throw off)
Shake off your lethargy and start practicing for the competition. - Set out for: (start for a place)
Mahesh has set out for Mumbai to look for a new job. - Laugh at: (mock at)
Don’t laugh at others’ mistakes.
VI. Sub-skills of reading:
The purpose of reading a passage/text determines the way we read it. We just look at the main points if we want general information (what the passage/text is about). This is called skimming. We go through the details if we want specific information. This is called scanning.
(i) Skimming – Read the following news item.
A Korean airbus with 199 passengers crashed 5 km away from Tripoli airport in Libya today and burst into flames, killing at least 100 people. The official Libyan News Agency, Jana, said that the plane fell on two houses, killing four persons in one of them. Jana reported that 80 to 100 people including the captain survived the crash. The crash occurred at 7 am local time, 25 minutes before the expected time of landing.
Select an appropriate heading for the news item from the choices given below. Justify your choice to your partner.
- Hundred feared killed in a plane crash
- The plane crashed before landing
- Tragedy near Tripoli
- Captain survives a plane crash
- A plane falls on houses
- Airbus in flame.
Answer:(3) Tragedy near Tripoli: This heading will be suitable because it refers to both the killing of 100 people in the crash and the falling of the plane on two houses, killing four persons.
(ii) Scanning
Study the following Railway Time-Table at the Bangalore Railway station and answer the questions given below:
| Name of the train | Time of Departure | Destination | Time of Arrival | Days |
| Golgumbaz Exp | 19-45 | Bijapur | 10-30 | Mon. Wed. Fri |
| Siddaganga Exp | 13-00 | Hubli | 21-00 | Daily |
| Brindavan Exp | 06-00 | Chennai | 13-30 | Sun. Tue, Thu |
1.What time does Gol Gumbaz Express reach Bijapur?
Ans:10.30
2.Which express goes to Chennai?
Ans:Brindavan Express
3.Can I get a train to Bijapur on Tuesday?
Ans:No
4.What is the destination of Siddaganga Express?
Ans:Hubli
5.What time does Siddaganga Express leave Bangalore?
Ans:13-00, i.e., 1.00 in the afternoon.
VII. Speaking Activities
A. Making Requests
“Will you give me one of your pitchers?”, said the man to the girl. This is a request.
There are other polite ways of making a request:
“Would/could you give me _________ ?”
“Will you please give me ________ ?”
“Would/do you mind if I use your _________ ?”
Now work in pairs and make suitable requests for the situations given below.
1.Your car breaks down in the middle of a busy road. You stop a biker and his friend on the pillion and ask them to help you push the car to a side.
Answer:“My car has broken down. Could you please help me push it to a side ?” OR “I am unable to push the car all alone. Would you please help me in pushing it?”
2.Your grandfather is critically ill, counting days. You want to be with him for some time. Request your Headmaster for 15 days’ leave of absence.
Answer:My grandfather is critically ill. I am his favorite grandson/daughter. Please grant me leave for fifteen days so that I can be with him and look after him.
B. Giving Directions:
Give directions to your friend to get to point B from point A as marked on the given map using all the landmarks on the way.
Answer:“Sunita, now you are on the 1st cross. To go to point B, turn left onto 1st main, turn right near the hospital and enter 2nd cross, turn left and keep walking till you pass Mayur hotel and the park. Then turn right on the 4th cross. When you take the first left, you get point B.
C. Conversation:
Peter plans to spend a week in Ooty with his family. He approaches a travel agent to make arrangements for the trip. Use the clues given below and develop a conversation between Peter and the travel agent. First, complete the conversation and then role-play it.
Answer:
- Travel agent: Hello Sir, welcome to the Rainbow Travel Agency. What can I do for you?
- Peter: l want to spend a week at Ooty with my family. I want you to help me with the arrangements for the trip. (gives his plan)
- T.A: You have come to the right place, Sir. We offer the best facility for a family. (claims to provide the best facility to a family)
- Peter: Oh. I see. Wonderful. I want an accommodation that overlooks the hills and the valley.
- T.A: For how many days do you plan to stay at Ooty Sir? (asks about the duration of stay)
- Peter: For a week.
- T.A: We have taxis and mini-buses that take you in the morning for sight-seeing, and bring you back in the evening, (explains sight-seeing facility)
- Peter: That is good, but I do not want a breezy visit to every tourist place. I want to spend some time at every place. My children are interested in boating and horse riding. (Yes, not a breezy visit. Spend some time. Children interested in boating and horse riding)
- T.A: That is right Sir, Surely they should enjoy themselves and carry back happy memories. We can arrange for that. Your lodging facility is available in the 2nd week of April. Is that o.k.? (Agrees on _____ lodging facility available in 2nd week of April)
- Peter: Yes, that would be fine. How do I pay you – with cash or credit card? (Accepts _____ Cash or credit card?)
- T.A.: We accept both. You can pay as you find convenient. (Both _____ Thanks.)
- Peter: Thank you. I will pay cash.
- T.A: I hope you and your family find your stay unforgettable and enjoyable. (Hope stays unforgettable and enjoyable.)
VIII. Grammar Revisited.
A. Fill in the blanks with ‘a’ or ‘an’:
- His long nose gives him a unique feature
- Looking at him I said that he must be a European.
- I met him a year ago.
- Walk fast. You are a young person, not an old man.
- It was a unanimous decision.
- ‘Ivanhoe’ is a historical novel.
- We had an hour of English.
- Modesty is a womanly grace.
- The Cyclops was a one-eyed monster.
- My sister is an M.A in English.
- Satish was an N.C.C. cadet.
- On his doctor’s advice, he had an X-ray taken.
- This doctor is an F.R.C.S
- My name begins with an H’
- It surely was a historical event.
B. Fill in the blanks with a, an, or the wherever necessary.
- There is _____ fly in ______ coffee
- ____ book you wanted is not in the library.
- _____ cow is ____ useful animal.
- ______ Mount Everest is tallest peak in ______ Himalayas.
- “Where is Esther? “She has gone to _____ school”.
- ______ Cauvery flows into Bay of Bengal.
- I love stories from ______ Ramayan and ________ Mahabharath
- “Hamlet” is _______ greatest tragedy of Shakespeare.
- Joshua plays _____ piano well. So his parents bought him new piano.
- The climax is in _______ 10th chapter, not in chapter IX.
- My Uncle who was very ill last week, is still in ______ hospital. If you go to _____ hospital you can see him.
- I am going to ______ market to buy vegetables. You cannot come with me because you have to go to _ school.
- “Dad, is ______ aunt coming with uncle?”
- ______ kindness is a great virtue. I cannot forget the kindness he showered on me.
- ________ English is universal language. I learnt English at school.
Answers:
- a, the
- the
- the, a
- O, the, the
- O
- The, the
- the, the
- the, O
- the, a
- the, O
- O, the
- O, O
- O, O
- AO, the
- O, a, O
C. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:
- This table is made _____ wood.
- I expected _____ him a better performance.
- He is a man _____ a fine sense of humour.
- I saw a beautiful girl _____ a limp.
- The purse fell out ______ his pocket.
- She often quotes _____ Shakespeare.
- Our examinations begin ______ 15th April.
- I had the message ______ a friend.
- He hit her ______ the head with a bottle.
- Neeta was angry _____ what I had said.
- This is an idea I entirely agree _____
- Please convey _____ him my best wishes.
- He enquired _______ me what he should do
- Please inform me _____ the details of the scheme.
- I request you to intimate ______ me what he should do.
- Students must opt _____ two of the three courses offered.
- He prayed ______ God for help.
- They presented him ______ a gold watch.
- Please refer ______ your letter of July.
- This figure is wrong; please strike it ______
Answers:
- of
- from
- with
- with
- of
- O
- on
- for / from
- on
- at
- with
- to
- of
- about
- to
- for
- to
- with
- to
- off.
D. Fill in the blanks with suitable Articles or Prepositions:
It’s Never Too Late:
East Taiwan consists of Hualien and Taitung countries. ______ area covers 8143 square kilometers, about one – fifth of Taiwan’s total area, but has ______ population of only 610000 or just three percent ______ the population of Taiwan. Communities are usually found ______ the few scattered flat areas. ______ administration centers, Hualien City and Taitung City, are located ______ north and south of ______ area respectively.
Apart from these two cities, there are more than 20 towns and villages scattered throughout ______ area, so you will not find yourself alone while traveling. East Taiwan faces ______ Pacific Ocean and is bounded ______ the west ______ the Central ______ Range ______ 170-km-long Coastal Range bisects ______ region, running parallel ___ ___ coast. _____total length _____east Taiwan’s coastline is over 300 kilometers.
Numerous scenic places are to be found ___ ___ exceptional geographical environment. _____region also encompasses two islands lying just ___ ___coast opposite Taitung County, Green Island and Orchid Island. _____ tiny islands, only 16 square kilometers and 46 square kilometers respectively, have some marvelous scenery both _____ and _____ high watermark.
Answers:
- This
- a
- of
- at
- the
- in
- the
- the
- the
- the
- on
- by
- this
- the
- to
- the
- the
- of
- along
- the
- this
- off
- the
- some
- below
- above
- the
