OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

Business Reports

Exercise I.

Question 1.
Describe the structure of a formal business report.
Answer:
A business report is a formal statement of facts written for a specific audience to meet specific needs. It is an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after a thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.

Basic principles of a good Report

  • A formal statement of facts
  • Should be conventional in nature
  • Should meet the needs of a specific audience
  • Should include analysis and interpretation of data and the procedure for the collection of data
  • Should contain conclusions reached by the writer based on the data or facts observed
  • May include suggestions and recommendations, when required.

Need of writing Reports

  • Reports play a key role in an organization.
  • An engineer, a business executive or a government official spends a large amount of time in writing reports.
  • Governments and business organizations take decisions based on the information presented or recommendations made in reports.

Reports Types
Written Reports (Formal)

Feasibility Reports, Progress / Performance Reports, Evaluation/Appraisal Reports, Inventory Reports, Inspection Reports, Lab Reports, Media Reports, Survey Report, FI.R. Reports, Project Reports, etc.
Oral Reports (Informal)

Structure of a formal business report
A formal report generally has three Sections

Section I: Front Part:

1. Title Page

  • Contains the title of the report,
  • The report number
  • The organization’s name
  • The name of addressee
  • The name of the report writer
  • The date of submission

2. Preface (optional): the salient features of the report
3. Terms of Reference (ToR): For example,

  • The committee was constituted by the so and so authority to look into the…
  • The committee was entrusted with task of finding…. and report on

4. Letter of Transmittal: a brief Cover Letter-the purpose/objectives or highlights.
5. Acknowledgments
6. Table of Contents/ Content List: lists of headings and subheadings with page numbers.
7. List of Illustrations: tables, graphs, charts or figures with page numbers.
8. Abstract or Executive Summary: objectives, main findings, conclusions and recommendations overall summary-essential information.

Section II: Main Body

1. Introduction: providing background information-why, what, how, for whom you are writing.

2. Methodology / Procedure: the methods of data collection/ methods of investigation.

  • Primary source & Secondary Source
  • Records of the organization, reference to books, directories, standard publications
  • Field Visits, personal inspections, observation
  • Experimentation
  • Case studies
  • Personally Interviewing, getting questionnaires filled in, informal talks with randomly selected persons concerned.

3. Discussion/ Body of the Report: the main part of the report- follow the structure of the Table of Content/Contents List

  • Discusses the problem at length
  • Precise information, what you have discovered
  • Presents analysis and interpretation of the data/facts observed
  • Mainly factual NOT based on your opinions
  • Tables, charts, bullated lists used to make it clearer

4. Conclusions: Here you can give your opinions on facts/information

5. Recommendations:

  • Suggestions, remedies or ways to solve the problem/ improve the situation
  • Should be based on the conclusions.

Section III: Back Part

1. References: list of sources referred to or used
2. Appendices: questionnaires, enclosures, graphs, etc.

  • for detailed information
  • With cross reference to them in the body of the report

3. Questionnaire:
4. Bibliography: List of publications/books you have referred to

Language Bank of a Report
i. Should be formal language NOT informal
ii. Stating Objectives:

  • The purpose! aim/’objective of this report is to …
  • This report aims to
  • This report presents! gives information on…

iii. Passive Voice: For instance,

  • Consumer’s choices were observed during the period of investigation.
  • Three meetings were held with members of the organization.
  • A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents!consumers.
  • The responses thus obtained are given in the form of …pie diagrams/graphs/ tree diagrams
  • On the basis of the observations of this survey, it is concluded that….
  • The survey was conducted on
  • From the tree diagram, it is established that…

iv. Headings and Subheadings should be short: – grammatically – noun phrase consisting of less than three or four words E.g.: Increase in Market Cost, Non-availability of Raw Material

v. Use of Comparison of Adjectives: For instance,

  • The age group of 15-35 years is more inclined to spend their time with smartphones 15-35 the age group of 45-65 years.
  • The present rate of inflation growth is higher than that of the corresponding period last year.

vi. Recommendations may be numbered and must be in the same grammatical form.

  • E.g. The committee makes the following recommendations:
  • The survey team recommends the following steps:
  • The following steps/measures are recommended:

vii. Outlining Research:

  • E.g. We asked the. ..to
  • We have conducted the research by asking a group of…
  • We examined/ looked are researched… the problems/the issues
  • We compared A and B
  • The sample group was made up of…

viii. Presenting the Findings: We found that, on the whole,….

  • E.g. According to the majority of respondents
  • Overall, people preferred…
  • 65% of those surveyed said that…

ix. Giving Conclusions:

  • E.g. In conclusion….
  • The research shows/demonstrates that…
  • From the evidence/ research we conclude that…

Question 2.
Describe the process of writing a feasibility report.
Answer:
Sample Feasibility Report

Title Page

Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Entering into Shampoo Production
Prepared for The Managing Director
Prepared by The Marketing Executive
Date:

Acknowledgments

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, I Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
  • I fail in my duty, if I do not express my gratitude to the …

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusion
  • Recommendations

List of Illustrations

Figure: Bar graph on the number of shampoos sold in four cities
Table: No. of respondents in five capital cities.

Feasibility Report: a Model

i. Introduction : In today’s busy life style, shampoos have become an essential commodity for many people in India. The earlier practice of applying soaked soap nuts or shikakayi during hair wash was a time-consuming process. Hence, the present generation has got used to shampoos. In addition, shampoos are available in different combinations and consumers have a choice to select a shampoo based on their hair condition.

ii. Discussion! Description : A survey was conducted on shampoo consumers in five states capitals. The different bands of shampoos available in these cities are Himalaya, Gamier, Sunsilk, Head and Shoulders, Nile, etc. The number of respondents from the five capital cities is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Hyderabad 200
2 Chennai 200
3 Bengaluru 100
4 New Delhi 300
5 Kolkata 200
Total 1000

Methodology (Mode of collecting data)

A structured questionnaire was administered to the consumers randomly, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the questionnaire. The responses thus obtained are given in the form of pie diagrams:
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 1
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From the pie chart, it is established that the consumption of shampoos that promise healthy growth of hair is higher. This chart shows the Nile shampoo occupies the first place, as it is helpful in making hair smooth and also controls the hair fall and dandruff to some extent. The cost of this shampoo is affordable, and it is available in various sizes.

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though many shampoos are available in the market, there is still space for a new product and that this is the right time to get into shampoo production. As today’s generation is more conscious of hair fall, they are always ready to try new products. Though Nile Shampoo was rated number one in the survey, people were not satisfied in terms of its treatment of dandruff.

iv. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to bring out a new product that prevents hair fall and fights dandruff, as this was found to be one of the main gaps in the existing market. As our company has already established itself in the production of hair oil, marking, sales and service, the budget required will not be a problem for us.

Appendix

Questionnaire:

1. Name of the city you are living in?
2. What shampoo are you using?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the price of the shampoo you are using?
5. Is the price right for the product?
6. Are you satisfied with your shampoo?
7. Is there any additional quality you would want to see in your shampoo?
8. Would you try a new shampoo?
9. If yes, what kind of shampoo are you looking for and at what price?

Sample Covering Letter

The Marketing Executive Corporate Office,
Sales Department, Abids
Hyderabad-05

The Managing Director
Parachute Inc.
Mumbai – 01

Lr. No. _____________ date _____________
Sir/Madam, (Salutation)
Sub:
With reference to the subject cited, the feasibility report of is herewith being submitted to your kind consideration
With regards
Yours sincerely (Subscription)

Question 3.
Describe the structure of a progress report.
Answer:
Progress report is one which provides the details about the progress in the ongoing enterprise/product/activity/ any other work of business in nature. For example, the progress report is to be taken up, if an existing company is confident of competing with the other manufactures of the same product and of making a decent profit. Usually, the team observing the progress of a product prepares weekly, fortnightly or monthly reports for the management to take informed decisions.

Structure of a Progress Report
A typical progress report may have the following blueprint:

1. Introduction
The progress report usually begins with the Introduction including the aims of the projects, its venturing into the new field, capturing the market, earning profit, etc.

2. Body of the Report
What is happening to the sale of the product should be precisely described by including facts as these:

  • When was the product introduced?
  • When was it introduced?
  • How is it doing? (Poor/Average/Good)
  • Does the sales graph have ups and downs?

3. Conclusion
The progress report ends with indicating the future of the product in the market.

Blueprint of a Progress Report
Title Page

Report No. XYZ
A Progress Report on Construction of ABC Housing Project Prepared for
The Managing Director Prepared by
The Marketing Executive
Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgments

I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report. I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience. Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report. I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations

List of Illustrations

Figure: Bar Graph on the number of floors in each Block in the Housing Project.

Therefore it can be said that a progress report helps the management take stock of a given situation. It is on the basis of the progress report, informed choices are made and decisions are taken with regards to the production.

Question 4.
Describe the structure of an evaluation report.
Answer:
In business communication, an evaluation report plays an important role in decision making. It is a written document that describes how the product has been monitored and evaluated. It presents the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from a particular evaluation, including recommendations for how evaluation results can be used to guide the product improvement and decision making.

For example, imagine after introducing a particular product into the market and checking its progress through several progress reports, the company now wants to evaluate its product. The company assigns this task to one of its senior employees. A typical evaluation report has the structure presented below:

1. Introduction
Evaluation report begins with Introduction. In order to write the Introduction for an evaluation report, one should read the feasibility as well progress reports and summaries both the reports.

2. Discussion/Description
In order to write the description part of the evaluation report, the team should decide the criteria (parameters or expectations) and check whether their expectations are in line with the set criteria or not.

3. Conclusion
The conclusion of the evaluation report is important as it decides the fate of a product. Based on the reporter’s conclusion, the organization decides whether to continue or discontinue the product.

Blueprint of an Evaluation Report

Title Page

Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on Construction of ABC Housing Project Prepared for The Managing Director, ABC Housing Project Prepared by The Marketing Executive, ABC Housing Project Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusions

List of Illustrations
Figure: A rectilinear graph of the sales of the Housing Project

Exercise II.

Question 1.
Write a feasibility Report on the establishment of a small scale industry in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Establishing Soup Production Industry near ABC Village Prepared for The Managing Director Prepared by The Marketing Executive
Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
Small-scale industries are very important segment in the industrial sector which can provide huge employment opportunities in our county, especially in the rural areas which semi-skilled and unskilled workers are available. In today’s busy life style, body soups have become an essential commodity for majority people in India.

The earlier practice of applying mud during hair wash was a time-consuming process. Hence, the present generation has got used to soaps of chemical and other aromatic fragrance. In addition, soups are available in different combinations and consumers have a choice to select a soup to suit their body skin condition.

ii. Discussion/ Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report to establish a small scale industry of soup making, a survey was conducted on soup consumers in five cities in the Telangana state. The different bands of soups available in these cities are Lux, Cinthol, Santoor, Lifebuoy, Pears, etc. The number of respondents from the five cities is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Hyderabad 200
2 Warangal 200
3 Karimnagar 200
4 Khammam 200
5 Mancherial 200
Total 1000

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A structured questionnaire was prepared and administered to the soup consumers randomly, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the questionnaire. The responses thus obtained are given in the form of pie diagrams: Lux, Cinthol, Santoor, Lifebuoy, Pears.

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From the analysis of the data collected from the sample consumers presented in the pie charts, it is established that the consumption of soups that promise healthy and glowing skin is higher. This charts show the Santoor soup occupies the first place, as it is helpful in making skin smooth and also improves its health to some extent, The cost of this soup is affordable, and it is available in various sizes.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though many soups are available in the market, there is still space for a new product and that this is the right time to get into soup production. As today’s generation is more conscious of fair skin complexion, they are always ready to try new products. Though Santoor soup was rated number one in the survey, people were not satisfied in terms of its effectiveness in durability of skin protection.

v. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to bring out a new product that provides an extended period of skin care, as this was found to be one of the main gaps in the existing market. Since in our locality is surrounded by a large swathes of forest area, the ingredients such as herbs and aromatic plants used in the herbal soups are available abundantly. Therefore it is feasible to establish a small scale industry of herbal soup production in our locality.

Appendix

Questionnaire

1. Name of the city you are living in?
2. What soup are you using?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the price of the soup you are using?
5. Is the price right for the product?
6. Are you satisfied with your soup?
7. Is there any additional quality you would want to see in your soup?
8. Would you try a new soup?
9. If yes, what kind of soup are you looking for and at what price?

Covering Letter

The Marketing Executive               The Managing Director Corporate Office, Gnanika Small Scale Industry Inc.  Sales Department, Abids
Karimnagar-505 101                       Hyderabad-05
Lr. No. ________________ date _____________
Sir/Madam, (Salutation)
Sub:
With reference to the subject cited, the feasibility report of is herewith
being submitted t your kind consideration.
With regards
Yours sincerely (Subscription)

Question 2.
Think of something that would make your college better. It could be anything better facilities, better infrastructure, better branding and so on. Once you have identified a specific area/areas for lmprovement write a feasibility report on the course of action to be taken.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Setting up of Student-run Canteen on College Campus
Prepared for The Principal
Prepared by The Student Council
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Principal for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In order to make a college a full-fledged one, it requires to have well-trained and experienced teaching staff and sufficient infrastructure. We the Student Council is fortunate to have experienced and committed teaching staff in our ABC College of Arts and Sciences. In terms of infrastructure, we have almost everything in place except a canteen for the students.

Since our college is located on the outskirts of the city, it is essential to have a canteen for the students who are coming from surrounding villages and towns who carry lunch boxes for lunch. Moreover, a canteen will act as a hub of idea generation and many productive student activities. Hence, requires a student-run Canteen on our college premises.

ii. Discussion! Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report to establish a student-run Canteen on our college premises, a survey was conducted on a student-mn Canteen on our college premises by interviewing the all the stakeholders. The number of respondents from the five cities is as follows:

S.No. Stakeholders No. of Respondents
1 Students 150
2 Teachers/Lecturers 20
3 Non-Teaching Staff 10
4 Parents 50
5 Alumni 50
Total 300

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the stakeholders students, teachers, non-teaching staff, alumni, and parents, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the interview schedule.

From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is established that the majority of the students, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and alumni who were interviewed preferred to have a Student-run Canteen on the college campus. Only very few opined to have other infrastructure such as indoor stadium, swimming pool, etc.

The expenditure to construct the proposed student-run canteen can be met through the donations from alumni, and other philanthropists. Moreover, the land for the facility is also available on the college campus.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, there is unanimous opinion to have a student-run canteen on college campus. Our college is located on the outskirts of the city.

Therefore, it is found to be essential to have a canteen for the students mostly coming from surrounding villages and towns carrying lunch boxes for lunch. Moreover, a canteen is considered to act as a hub of idea generation and many productive student activities. Therefore a student-run Canteen on our college premises may be constructed to cater to the students.

v. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to construct a student-run canteen to provide accommodation for the students coming from far-off villages to take lunch and to help them share their idea in an informal space. Therefore it is feasible to establish a student- run canteen on the college campus.

Appendix

Interview Schedule

1. Do you think that your college has all the facilities essential for a college?
2. What is, in your opinion, the most essential infrastructure requi1 –I in our college?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the best option in terms of expenditure?
5. Suggest the resource mobilization for the construction?

Question 3.
Write a feasibility report on declaring certain shopping areas as no-vehicle zones.
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on declaring certain shopping areas no-vehicle zones
Prepared for The Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda Police
Commissionerate, Hyderabad
Prepared by The President, Uppal Residents Association
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Commissioner of Ikilice,
    Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In order to make the shopping areas located in the Uppal Zone peaceful, it requires declaring some of the thickly populated areas where the shopping malls are located vehicle-free zones. Traffic is heavy in these areas mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls.

Especially, during the week-ends, the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life in these colonies. We the residents of the colonies located in the Uppal Zone have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through these colonies.

There are also some schools and hospitals situated in these localities. The decibel level of the noise emanated from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students, patients and old age people living in these residential areas. Therefore the shopping areas need to be declared vehicle free zones.

ii. Discussion/Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report on declaring certain shopping areas no-vehicle zones, a survey was conducted by interviewing the residents and the owners of the shopping malls located in the shopping areas. The number of respondents from the shopping areas in Uppal Zone is as follows:

S.No. Place Number of Respondents
1 Residents 200
2 Owners of the Shopping Malls 20

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the residents, and the owners of the shopping malls located in the areas. They were asked to answer the questions given in the semi-structured interview schedule.

From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is analyzed that the majority of the residents and the owners of the shopping malls who were interviewed preferred to declare the shopping areas “vehicle-free zones”. Only very few opined to either shift the shopping areas to non-residential areas or close them.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, majority opinions that the shopping areas should be declared vehicle-free.

v. Recommendations
Traffic is heavy in the areas mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls. Especially, during the week-ends, the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life in these colonies. The people living in these areas have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through these colonies.

There are also some schools and hospitals situated in these localities. The decibel level of the noise emanating from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students, patients and old-age people living in these residential areas. On the basis of the survey findings, it is possible to declare the shopping areas “vehicle free zones” so as to protect the health of the people and peace in the areas.

Appendix

Sample Questions in the semi structured Interview Schedule

1. Do you feel any noise-pollution in your area?
2. What is, in your opinion, the main reason for the noise pollution?
3. What are the adverse effects of noise pollution in your locality?
4. What is your suggestion for reducing the noise pollution?

Question 4.
Write a feasibility report on the practicality of installing solar panels on all roof tops.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on the practicality of installing solar panels on all roof tops Prepared for
The Mandal Parishad Chairperson Prepared by
The Panchayat Secretary of XYZ Gram Panchyat
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
    Last but not the least, I also thank the MPDO of XYZ Mandal for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In present times, India is emerging in the global arena as a leading generator of renewable energy, adopting renewable power strategy at a rapid rate. In its efforts to move further towards sustainable development, the government has set a target to achieve 175 GW of installed capacity of renewable energy by the end of 2022. Out of this, 100 GW is the target set for solar installations.

Till date, 23 GW of this target has already been achieved and 40 GW is under different stages of implementation. Though large scale installations account for 87% of solar power generation, today the adoption rate of solar rooftop panels is accelerating.

The installed capacity of solar rooftops augmented from 117 MW to 1250 MW during 2013-16. Taking this immense growth into consideration, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through its National Solar Mission of India has set a target of 40 GW power through rooftop solar by 2022. Keeping the benefits of solar energy in minds, the feasibility report is prepared for installing solar rooftop panels on the buildings in our village.

ii. Discussion Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report on installing solar rooftop panels on the buildings in our village, a survey was conducted by interviewing the residents in the village about willingness towards this end. The number of respondents from the village is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Residents 500

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the residents in the village. They were asked to answer the questions given in the semi-structured interview schedule. From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is analyzed that the majority of the residents who were part of the survey preferred to install solar rooftop panels on their buildings in our village. Only very few opined to continue with the conventional energy sources.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, majority opinion is that it is better to install solar rooftop panels on their buildings in our village, sic there are many benefits out it.

v. Recommendations
On the basis of the findings of survey, it can be recommended to go for installing solar rooftops on the buildings In the village. The initiative has many benefits: the biggest advantage of installing rooftop solar panels is that they offer cost savings.

The tariff rates for rooftop solar in comparison to industrial and commercial tariff rates are cheaper by 17% and 27% respectively; electricity prices keep on fluctuating from time to time. So, it is difficult to calculate the expenditure on electricity for a certain period of time.

However, when it comes to electricity generated by solar rooftops, the price of power generated can be calculated easily; though the deficiency of power in India is decreasing rapidly, still there are many people both in the rural and urban areas, who have improper and unreliable access to electricity. Since rooftop solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate electricity, they are eco-friendly.

Furthermore, their cost of operation is also stable; in order to encourage people to adopt solar energy, the government offers tax credits to those who install rooftop solar panels whether it be for residential or commercial purposes.

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the government pays 30% of the installation cost as a subsidy to the installer; and it reduces carbon footprints and a source of green energy. On the basis of the survey findings, it is possible to install solar panels on the rooftops of the building in the village.

Appendix

Sample Questions in the semi-structured Interview Schedule

  • Do you have an electricity connection?
  • If yes, on an average how much electricity bill do you get per a month?
  • Do you want to install the solar panels on the rooftops of your house?
  • If yes, why do you want to install the solar panels on the rooftops of your house?

Question 5.
Imagine that you are asked to supervise the establishment of a small-scale industry in your locality. Write a progress report on the work being done.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZA
Report on the Progress of Establishment of a Soup Making Industry Prepared for
The Managing Director Prepared by The Sales Manager
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments

I thank all my colleagues, especially the sales executives who collected the data on the progress of the establishment of Soup making industry in the area for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
I also thank The Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction

In October 2020, our company called for a feasibility report on the prospects of entering into the production of soup making. Accordingly. our Marketing Executive submitted a report. On the basis of the report, the company started the production of the soup, and it launched the product with the brand name “Sankalpa Herbal Soup” on January 19, 2021. Within a week, the soup was distributed to every nook and corner of the country. I have been asked to prepare and present a progress report on the sales of Sankalpa Herbal Soup in the first thred months of its launch.

ii. Discussion/Description

Sankalpa Herbal Soup was launched in three sizes. It is available in 100 gms, 150 gms and 200 gms. In order to prepare progress report on the progress of the soup sales, a survey was conducted among different customers in the five major cities in the country, including hyderabad from Telangana. The analysis of the survey results shows that many customers have tried the soup and liked it very much.

The merchants are also happy with the demand for the soup. However, they viewed that the soup needs to be given much more publicity. It was also identified that many village are not yet aware of the product. Therefore, measures must be initiated to publicize the soup product in rural areas.

However, there is huge demand for the soup and its popularity is on the rise. It was identified that the main reason for demand is its success in protection of the skin in all seasons and its moisturizing quality. The results of the survey are preseited in the form of a bar graph, as shown here:

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 7

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the demand for the soup is satisfactory and sales are picking up day by day. We introduced the product at the right time. However, there are some lapses too, which need our immediate attention.

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations are hereby made for your kind notice and consideration:

  • The product should be published well in villages too.
  • It should be made available in small sizes such as in 50gms.
  • The marketing strategy should be revised.
  • There should be a close watch on shopkeepers who are not promoting our product active. because of high incentives being offered by our competitors.

Appendix

Sample Questions In the semi-structured Interview Schedule

  • Do you use our brand soup ”Sankalpa Herba? Soup”?
  • Why?
  • Do you suggest any improvements in the product?

Question 6.
Write a progress report on your collection of data about school dropouts in the colonies around your college.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A progress report on the collection of data about school dropouts in the
colonies around the college
Prepared for The Mandai Education Officer
Prepared by Hrushikesh, Student Study Project group leader
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my classmates and friends who were involved in collecting the data about school dropouts in the colonies around the college.
  • I also thank the Mandai Education Officer for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction
School going children are seen going not to schools but to work or to other non agricultural work. Beautiful childhood turns into spoilt and burdened adulthood. This is especially true in the case many children living in the nearby colonies around the ABC College. As part of a student study project undertaken by the students of the college, the issue of school dropouts in the nearby colonies around the college was taken up.

In the process, the required data was being collected from the sample of parent and school dropout respondents. A group of students from our college have got divided themselves into sub-groups and have been on their visit to the nearby colonies for the last one month. A progress report on the collection of data about school dropouts in the colonies around the college is hereby present

ii. Discussion/Description
Though child labour is prohibited in our country, there are so many young children seen either working in the roadside dabo.s. moteLs, hotels, construction work, and agriculture-related work. This results in constant rise in the number of school dropouts in the near by colonies around our college.

A survey method with a structured questionnaire has been adopted in order to study the exact number of school dropouts in these colonies, the main reasons for such increase in the dropout rate and the measures required for taken up.

The population of the survey constitutes all the children of school going age group and according
to Census 2011 is around 2500 in the colonies around our college. Stratified random sampling technique based on their age and the qualification of their parents’ education and economic background was chosen for the purpose of data collection. The colony wise progress in the data collection process is presented in the form of a bar graph as shown here:

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 8

Bar graph shows the number of colony wise school dropouts from the selected five colonies (Blue indicates the figures of total sample and red shows the figures of the already covered school dropouts).

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that 3930 out of sample of 5000 school dropouts from the selected colonies around the college have been enumerated along with their demographic variables. It constitutes 78.6 percent of the sample school dropouts

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following observations and recommendations are here by made for your kind notice and consideration:
i. Some of the sample school dropouts were not available since they were engaged in the labour works.
ii. There needs to be some cooperation from the schools located in the colonies in the survey process so as to step up the data collection process.

Appendix

Questionnaire (for both children and parents)

1. Why are you not going to school?
2. What are your parents?
3. Do you send your child children to school. if any support is provided to your family?
4. If yes, what kind of support do you expect from the government?

Question 7.
Assume that you are selected as a green volunteer. Prepare a progress report on the tree plantation drive being carried out in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A progress report on the tree plantation drive being carried out in ABC Nagar
Prepared for The District Collector
Prepared by Hrushikesli. a Green Voluneer
Date: 05.06,2021

Acknowledgements:

I thank the Word member and all my friends from my colony who were involved in data collection process on the tree plantation drive being
carried out in ABC Nagar. I also thank the District Collector for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction
A tree plantation drive was held in the ABC Colony on 10th Aug, 2020. The duel objectives of this drive were to enhance the tree cover in the colony and to sensitize the residents towards importance of trees. In this program, members of the Colony Welfare Association and the residents were made to plant a tree each at the designated place.

Each tree was marked by a plate mentioning the name of the tree, and the name of the person that planted it. Each member of the associations has taken the responsibility of nurturing their tree. This also creates among the colony children a sense of belonging to nature, As a Green Volunteer, I am authorised to present the following progress report of the tree plantation drive undertaken in my colony:

ii. Discussion/Description
The survey method was adopted as the methodlogy to data collection and analysis. After analyzing the data, it was identified that the tree plantation drive in the colony went on as per the plan. Firstly, time-slots to different streets were given between 11am to 1pm. residents came to the site with a member of the association as per the schedule and planted the trees. They were given information about the naine and type of tree, colour of its flowers, its blooming season and about what are they expected to do to take care of it.

On this occasion one tree each was also planted by our guests Municipal Chairperson and Ward member and other representatives of Government. In all, 200 trees were planted on the occasion, all of which are flowering trees. The trees that were planted were Gulmohar (Delonik Regia), Jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia), Kanak Champa (Pterospermum Acerifoliuni), Kurejia or Mexican Silk Cotton (Ceiba Petandra) and Tota (Erythrina Variegata). The street wise trees planted as part of the plantation drive is presented in the form of a bar graph, as shown here:
………………………..

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey. it is concluded that 200 saplings were planted during the plantation drive. In the street Number 3, the highest number of saplings was planted. In the contrast, in the street number 4, there were 30 saplings were planted. It was concluded that there should be follow up action on the part of the colony association to take care of the plants to grow into big trees

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following observations and recommendations are hereby made for your kind notice and consideration:

  • The residents of the colony and volunteers should be allotted with watering the plants even during the summer season.
  • There should be a regular green audit to ascertain the survival of the plants and green cover in the colony.

Appendix

Programme Schedule Sheet

  • Inauguration 10:00AM
  • Plantation Drive 11:00 AM -1:00 PM

Question 8.
Write an evaluation report on the socio-economic and environmental Impact of the small-scale industry in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on the socio-economic and environmental impact
of the Soup making industry near ABC village
Prepared for The Managing Director (Sankalpa Herbal Soup)
Prepared by The Marketing Manager (Sankalpa Herbal Soup)
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report. I also thank the Managing Director (Sankalpa Herbal Soup) for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction
After going through the progress reports of the last one year, it can be said that the sales graph of “Sankalpa Herbal Soup” is not consistent, The management examined the progress reports and implemented the recommendations made in the reports. Now the management wants to evaluate the product.

ii. Discussion Description
The management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, popularity, profit margins, etc. of the “Sankalpa Herbal Soup”.

  • At least 50% of the people should use the product.
  • The profit margin should increase by at least 3-4% every month.
  • The brand name of the product should become a household name.
  • At least 45% of sales should be in villages.
  • There should be 100% satisfaction from the consumers.

After going through the details, it was found that the product has met the majorily of the criteria. As expected by the management. more than 50% of people are using the soup and the profit has increased almost every month, though not at the desired rate.

This soup has been received well by consumers, and it has become a household name in some areas. There is 90% satisfaction among the consumers. However. 100% satisfaction is very difficult to achieve. Sales in villages are increasing month by month and have now gone up to 38%.

Sales graph of the Sankalpa Herbal Soup in the last 6 months:
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 9

From the above graph, it can be observed that there was a steady and constant growth in the sales of the soup during last six months.

iii) Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the sales of the soup are picking up, and profits will also improve gradually. There should be improvement in sales in some areas. Many indicators match the expectations of the management. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the product, particularly since there have been no losses so far.

Question 9.
Write an evaluation report on a new course of study introduced 2 years ago.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An evaluation report on the new course of study introduced 2 years ago
Prepared for The Board of Studies, Department of Commerce,
Osmania University
Prepared by The Principal, XYZ College
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
I also thank the Board of Studies, Dept. of Commerce, Osmania University, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction
After having gone through the increased admissions during the last three years in the new course ‘B.Com. Business Analytics” introduced 2017-18, it can be said that the admission graph of the course is consistent in its upward trend. The college management examined the year-wise response of the students getting admission into this particular course and initiated necessary measures to keep the demand for the course high. Now the college management wants to evaluate the course outcomes.

ii. Discussion! Description
The college management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, popularity, employability of the students studying “B.Com. Business Analytics”.

  • There should be 100% admissions into the course.
  • The demand for the course should increase by at least 5% every year.
  • At least 80% of pass-out graduates should get campus recruitment.
  • There should be 100% satisfaction from the stakeholders-students, parents, alumni, and employers.

After going through the details, it was found that the new course has met the majority of the criteria, As expected by the college management, more than 100% of students have been applying for the new course using the soup and demand for the course should increase by at least 5% every year. This course has been received well by the commerce student community.

There is 100% satisfaction among the students and it shows the popularity of the course among the commerce students. Employability of the students who have completed the course is 100%. since all the graduates of the “B.Com. Business Analytics” have been absorbed into the industry through the campus recruitment dive.

The following graph presents the applications, admission and employability of the “B.Com. Business Analytics” in the last 3 years: From the above graph, it can be observed that there has been an upward trend in the course admissions and employment for the course during last three years.

Conclusion:
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the demand for the course has been increasing over the years from 150 applications in 2017-18 academic year to 650 applications in 2019-20 academic year. In order to accommodate the growing demand, the number of seats has also been increased with the prior permission of the university.

There should be improvement in sales in some areas. Except in the academic year 2017-18, there has been 100% employment provided for the course graduates as part of the college campus recruitment drive. Many indicators match the expectations of the college management. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the course with increased seats in our college.

Question 10.
Write an evaluation report on online admissions into undergraduate courses.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on online admissions into undergraduate courses
Prepared for The Convener, DOST, Telangana
Prepared by The Principal, XYZ College
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
I also thank the Convener, DOST, Telangana, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction

Degree Online Services Telangana known as DOST is a unified, online degree admission system for students in Telangana by Government of Telangana. The DOST online service, brings all government colleges, autonomous colleges, private and aided colleges under one system.

Over 2.2 lakh students were allotted seats in various degree colleges in all state universities-Osmaflia University, Kakatiya University, Telangana University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Satavahana University and Palamuru University in May and July every year.

In order to get an admission for bachelor’s degree in universities in Telangana, they are required to register on the DOST portal: dost.cgg.gov.in. Since the introduction of the online admissions through DOST platform in 2016, there have been many changes to make the platform user-friendly and hassle free. However there are some issues that need attention. In this context, the evaluation report on the DOST is essential.

ii. Discussion/ Description

The college management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, user-friendliness and other issues related to the DOST platform:

  • There should be 100% satisfaction among the stakeholders, especially students.
  • Online admission schedule should be followed strictly.
  • There should be an increase in the online applications by at least 2-3% every year.

After having gone through the details, it was found that the online admissions into undergraduate courses through the DOST platform have not met the majority of the criteria. As expected by the stakeholders, especially students and parents, the online system is not working.

Only 70% of student applicants are satisfied with the online admission system through DOST. Due to many reasons. the online admission schedule has been disturbed almost every year. It was identified that there an increase in the online applications into the undergraduate courses through DOST by 3% every year.

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that

  • Aspiring students need to register their web options on the official website and opt for colleges. After the admission process begins, the students receive SMS when a seat is allotted in a degree college.
  • The student admission process was linked to biometric system in 2017-18. For the academic year 2018-19. it was linked with Aadhaar of students. There are 3 phases in the admitting the students.
  • Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE). Hyderabad. conducts the
    Degree Online Services Telangana Admission on the official website i.e., dost.cgg.gov.in.
  • DOST admission is provided on the basis of merit and reservation criteria. It is a state-level admission process through which candidates are offered admission to courses such as BA. B.Com, B.Sc, B.Com (Voc), B.Com (Horis), BSW, BBM, BCA. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the course with increased seats in our college.
  • There will be constant rescheduling of the online admission process due to many reasons. And satisfaction levels of the stakeholders are not up to the mark.

Media Reports

Exercise 1.

Question 1.
Explain the inverted pyramid’ style of wilting a media report.
Answer:
Writing media reports is different from writing general reports or essays. Unlike other reports, media reports begin with the conclusion and disclose the details gradually. In order to grab the attention of the reader, media reports use the most essential element of the report first, followed by details and supporting information in order of diminishing importance.

This method followed in writing media reports is known as the ‘inverted pyramid’ style of writing because it turns the conventional structure upside down by starting with the conclusion. It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘front loading’ style because it gives the most important information first and directly.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 10
Question 2.
Describe the process of writing a media report.
Answer:
A good media report is one that catches the attention of the reader quickly and is able to convince the reader to read through the story. Remember that today’s reader has many alternative sources of information and has no patience with badly written and I or badly presented reports. The following are some of the techniques followed in writing media reports:

i. Compose a catchy headline: The headline is your “hook” to catch your reader – use vivid language and verbs. Convey the basic idea of the story in one line; use two lines only if absolutely necessary. You may find writing the headline easier after you have finished your media report.

ii. Lead the first paragraph with answers to the questions who, what, when, where and why. Be brief and give the most relevant details. Numbers should not merely be listed, but woven into the text in a readable manner. Give facts in an accurate but entertaining manner.

iii. Follow the “inverted pyramid” style in the remaining paragraphs of your media report. The inverted pyramid style gives details in descending order of importance. Start with the most important and newest information. Continue with remaining details, ending with the oldest and least important. Include as much information as needed but no more.

iv. Proofread your copy and double check. Follow the style guide used by your media outlet. Check for spelling and grammar errors even if your word processing program has a built in error-checker. One helpful technique in proofreading is reading your media report backwards. This technique makes errors stand out. Verify dates, times, addresses and the spelling of names.

Question 3.
List some important points to be kept in mind while wilting media reports.
Answer:
A good media report is one that catches the attention of the reader quickly and is able to convince the reader to read through the story. Remember that today’s reader has many alternative sources of information and has no patience with badly written and/or badly presented reports. The following are some of the guidelines for writing media reports:

  • Use clear and simple language, shorter words and active verbs. For example, ‘We watched the match” instead of The match was watched”.
  • Avoid jargon and slang and complex sentences and try to conclude only one idea in a sentence.
  • Make each paragraph present only one idea and concept. ‘Front load’ each paragraph, i.e., start each paragraph with the main idea or conclusion of the paragraph.
  • Be direct. Make your point first and then explain. The front loading or ‘direct approach’ may be considered inelegant, blunt and even rude perhaps in other kinds of writing. However, it is the preferred style of media reports because their target reader is one who wants to grasp information quickly and easily.
  • Give details but only as much as required. Cut out the flab.
  • Always remember that the reader is under no obligation to read the report. You have to catch the reader’s attention and make sure you do not lose it.

Exercise II.

Write media reports on the following topics:

Question 1.
Decline in the number of applications for admissions into engineering courses.
Answer:
Applications for Admission into Engineering Courses declined
Students are averse of tech courses but opting for traditional degree courses
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 11
There is a striking decline in the number of applications for admissions into engineering courses in colleges in Telangana state. This year there have been only 1,90,524 applications for the total seats of 1,08,175. Last year this number was slightly higher with 2,76,233 students aspired for the engineering education.

The B.Tech. admissions in Telangana engineering colleges are purely based on merit. Every year, at least 2 lakh students appear for the state-level engineering entrance exam, and the competition for B.Tech. admission in Telangana is moderate. Intermediate second-year students who are aspiring to pursue B.Tech. in Telangana must clear the entrance test to secure admission.

The Telangana State Board of Technical Education and Training (TSBTET) has released the official details about the total number of seats available in government and private engineering-colleges across the state. The official seat matrix of Telangana engineering colleges can be checked below.

College Type Total No. of Colleges Total No. of Seats
Govt. Engineering Colleges 14 3,055
Private Engineering Colleges 200 1,05,120

Lack of employment of opportunities, lack of quality engineering education and cost of the courses are some of the main reasons for the decline in the number of applications for the engineering courses.

Question 2.
Private and foreign universities setting up campuses in the state soon.
Answer:
Telangana govt, gives permission to 5 private universities
Approval for nine private universities given preliminary approval in
February last; Foreign universities to open Campuses
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 12
In a significant move, the Telangana government has cleared permission to five private universities in the state. The government promulgated an ordinance giving permission to five universities and operate from the current academic year 2020-21 on Wednesday. There is also talk of allowing foreign universities to open their campuses in the state soon.

In fact, the state government has given preliminary approval for nine private universities in February last and was about to enact legislation. However, after giving preliminary permission, the matter was referred to a ministerial subcommittee to examine the credentials of each of the nine universities.

After a thorough study, the committee made certain recommendations based on which five of them were given permission. The five new private universities are – Tech Mahindra (Bahadurpalli), Woxsen University (Sadasivapet), Mallareddy University (Dulapalli), SR University (Anantasagar, Warangal) and Anurag University (Venkatapur, Ghatkesar).

Guru Nanak Educational Society, Srinidhi Educational Society, National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR) and MNR Medical College & Hospital which were given preliminary approvals were now denied permission. Vagdevi, Vignan Group, Amity, Radcliff, etc. had also applied for university status, but the government rejected them.

How and from when these private universities operate
The new private universities permitted by the state government will start academic activity from the current academic year 2020-21. Admissions into these universities will be made on JEE merit or Eamcet score. TechMahindra has been running technical courses in association with JNTU- H for a few years now while Anurag and SR Educational Institution are already established colleges. Woxsen specializes in design and architecture, but they will be adding other engineering courses, too from this year.

Reservation for Telangana local students
As specified by the Telangana State Private Universities Act, 2018, the private universities are supposed to reserve 25 percent seats to local students in admissions. For being considered as local, a student has to study in Telangana for at least two years or intermediate course. However, there won’t be any fee concession under any quota.

Question 3.
Student demand their college buildings to be included in the heritage building list.
Answer:
Growing Demand for heritage building State for College Building
Students have been pushing for its inclusion in the Heritage List
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 14
Students and staff demand that “The building complex of our City College here should be tagged with heritage status” as part of the new scheme initiated by the University rants Commission (UGC) for conservation of history-rich buildings in colleges and universities. The students and staff explain that the Arts and Sciences College buildings on the sprawling campus, which are a century-old, should be set for national attention in view their history, heritage and influential in higher education.

“We submitted the proposed last year to include the buildings in the UGC Heritage List. We hope that it will make it into the List this time. If listed we can avail ourselves of the fund of Rs 5 Core for the conservation of the buildings.” Dr D. Hrushikesh, Principal of the college, told our special correspondent on Wednesday.

Started in 1920 with Dr Rajeshwar as Principal, the City College celebrated its lOOrd college day in April last. The Arts and Sciences College constructed in Saracenic architecture have the pride of being host to Rabindranath Tagore in 1935 when he delivered a series of lectures on the campus. The three buildings that will get attention are Main Hall (1920), Conference Hall (1922) and Ganghi Hall (1923).

“Plinth area of these buildings is over one lakh square feet and the architecture is a marvel in Hyderabad,” the Principal said. Dr Gnanika, Vice-Principal, said that buildings were constructed with a long-term vision. “Our college was an influential institution in the pre-Independence period. The cherished buildings certainly deserve the heritage status and we hope for status,” she added.

Question 4.
Students want their campus to be declared a vehicle-free zone.
Answer:
Students want their campus to be declared a vehicle-free zone
Vehicular noise spoil peace on the campus
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 14
The students of Osmania University campus demand for declaring their campus vehide-free zone. Traffic is heavy in the roads running through the campus area mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls in the surrounding areas. Students lamented that the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life on the university campus, especially during peak hours and the week ends.

They complained that they have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through the campus. The decibel level of the noise emanated from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students Living in the hostels on the campus. Therefore the students of Osmania University demand that their campus need to be declared vehicle free zone.

Question 5.
Students take out a rally In support of boycotting boycotts.
Answer:
Students take out a rally In support of boycotting boycotts
Boycotts hampering Academic Schedule
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 15
The students of Osmania University campus and affiliated colleges took out a rally in their respective college premises and raised slogans against boycotting classes. They decried that due to the frequent calls for boycotting classes that hampar the academic schedule and are affecting the academic atmosphere in the educational institutions.

Taking out the massive rallies, the student leaders raised “Boycott the boycotts” and “No to Bundhs”. They appealed to all the political parties not to pollute the college atmosphere with constant boycotts of classes. “We are taking out rallies to bring awareness among the general public about the bad effects of the boycotts on the education and studies”, a student leader explained the objective of the rallies across the state.

Question 6.
Symposium held on” Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
Answer:
Symposium on “Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
‘That kilts the very purpose of the colleges’, opine the experts
Our Special Correspondent
Hyderabad: UPDATED: MAY 10, 2020 05:30 IST
UGC member Dr Maurya Prasad viewed “If colleges were turned into coaching centres, it would defeat the very purpose of the educational system”. Delivering the Key Note Address at the symposium organised by the University College of Arts and Social Sciences, Osmania University here on Monday, Dr Prasad reminded the audience the objectives of establishing colleges in India and how the ecosystem of the coaching centres hamper the essence of the functioning of the colleges.

However, he suggested having a centre in every higher educational institution for imparting coaching classes for various competitive examinations such as UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC exams, and state service exams such as Group I, Group it etc.

University Vice Chancellor Dr ABC also spoke on the occasion and assured that his university will set up one state-of-the-art Career Guidance and Coaching Centre on the university campus to cater to the needs of the students who aspire for the various competitive examinations and career guidance. Arts College Principal Dr XYZ presided over the symposium and over five hundred delegates from across the country were participated in the symposium.

Question 7.
Rising trend of students of professional courses opting to write competitive examinations.
Answer:
Rising Trend in Professionals opting for Competitive Examinallons
‘Service motto arid privilege’ are attracting them
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 16
Mr. Hrushikesh Dasari, a graduate from HT Mumbal secured the all India 1 Rank in the Civil Services Examination 2020 the results of which were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) late Last night. When asked the motivation for his opting Civil Services, Mr. Hrushikesh who left a lucrative package from a reputed MNC in the USA said that the pleasure and privilege associated with public service attracted him towards the Indian Administrative Service (lAS). Interestingly, there are 78 candidates with engineering and technology background in the top 100 all India ranks this year. This figure was almost akin to the last year’s which stands at 76.

Dr Murali Ramana, Director of the XYZ Coaching Centre, Hyderabad explained the main motives behind the rising trend of students of professional courses opting to write competitive examinations-respect, privilege, service motto and power associated with the Civil Servies.

Question 8.
Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions.
Answer:
‘Prepare Academic Calendar suiting local weather
conditions’: Parents’ Association
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 17
Hyderabad: UPDATED: MAY 10, 2020 05:30 1ST

The Telangana Parents Association (TPS) urged the officials of the School Education to revise the Academic Calendar by keeping the local weather conditions in mind. Usually, every year school classes end by 21 st April and summer holidays begin thereafter till June 12.

However, they explained that for the last couple of years, the summer sets in during the mid-February and the day temperatures are touching over 400 C. They recounted the instances of their children getting dehydrated in the month of February during the school hours. There were reports unfortunate incidents of heat-wave related deaths in schools in some parts of the states.

Therefore, the parents’ body, in a press release, requested the Education Minister to take a call in this regard and revise the Academic Calendar in order to suit it to the local weather conditions so as to strengthen the academics of their wards.

Question 9.
Companies complain about the mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge levels.
Answer:
‘Mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge
levels’: Industry Bosses
Need for a forge between Industry and Academia
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 18
The CEOs of the multinational companies complained that there is strong mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge levels. In the symposium “Alliance between Industry and Academia” held on Monday in the College Auditorium, Arts College, Hyderabad, the Chief Executive Officers of the reputed Multinational Companies Located across the country expressed a unanimous opinion saying that when they visited various college campuses, they were surprised to find out that the outgoing graduates and postgraduates were unable to exhibit the minimum skill set required for their companies.

They lamented that even the students’ with the scores over 95% of marks or 10/10 grades fail to perform the very essential soft skills and life skills in the work place. Representing the FICCI, Mr. Guiarla opined that there should be a close alliance between the academic institutions and industries and the curriculum should constantly be revised to meet the needs of the industry. He suggested introducing industrial training as a part and parcel of the curriculum so as to impart the employability skills among college graduates.

the students’ with the scores over 95% of marks or 10/10 grades fail to perform the very essential soft skills and life skills in the work place. Representing the FICCI, Mr. Guiarla opined that there should be a close alliance between the academic institutions and industries and the curriculum should constantly be revised to meet the needs of the industry. He suggested introducing industrial training as a part and parcel of the curriculum so as to impart the employability skills among college graduates.

Question 10.
Students organize a round table on “My ideal College”.
Answer:
“My Ideal College”
That provides enabling academic environment
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 19
My ideal college is the one which provides enabling academic environment in which every individual student can realise his or her innate abilities and to mould themselves in to an all-round personality with unwavering faith in the harmony between environment and human beings.” opined a student participating in the roundtable conference held by the Student Joint Action Committee in the University Auditorium on Friday.

Echoing similar views, another student delegate said that her ideal college should have all the sources both human and material resources, It should have well-qualified, experienced and committed teaching and non- teaching staff and should be adequately equipped with state of the art infrastructure facilities- adequate classrooms, office rooms, staff rooms, separate washrooms for both boys and girls, canteen, sports and games facilities, NCC, NSS, Indoor Games, Swimming Pool, greenery, etc.

Question 11.
Write a media report on: Conference held on “Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
Answer:
A conference was held on 15th of July at the Tagore auditorium in Secunderabad. The conference was an argumentative topic i.e., “Should colleges become coaching centres?” Many eminent and well-known educationists and writers took part in the conference.

Besides this, about a hundred undergraduate students from different colleges of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad participated in this conference along with a few teachers. “Colleges should not become only coaching centres. Educational institutions like colleges should spread the aroma of a collection of educational values besides acquiring knowledge.

Acquiring knowledge is only a part of it”. This is what the famous young writer Chetan said on the occasion. Similarly, the Secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education, Mr. Isaac reminded the students and teachers, who participated in the conference, that colleges should not compel the students to cram tons of information.

Addressing the audience, he repeatedly said that the students are coached now-a-days to mug up information. The education, now imparted to the students in colleges, does not make them more creative, rather makes them mug up machines. One of the students, by name Miss Parvathy, belonging to Ill semester B.Sc, from “Ravindra College, Hyderabad” declared that these so called, money minded colleges should be controlled by enacting laws. She repeatedly warned such colleges that their coaching culture should be curbed.

Question 12.
Write a media report on: “Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions”.
Answer:
“Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions”, Hyderabad, 15th June Parents of the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, whose school-going children are facing certain problems regarding the academic calendar, met at Nizam college and passed a resolution the form of a memorandum to be submitted to the managements of the private schools and to the D.E.Os of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The proposal was to split the vacation into two parts Le., a month of vacation in May, during summer and another month of vacation in December Le., during winter.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 5 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 5 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 5 Vocabulary, Grammar

Vocabulary – Commonly Confused Words

1. Accept x Except
2. Admit x Join
3. Awful x Awesome
4. Bad x Badly
5. Before x In front of
6. Beside x Besides
7. Break x Brake
8. Compliment x Complement
9. Current x Currant
10. Die x Dye
11. Envy x jealousy
12. Hear x Here
13. Heir x Hare X Hair
14. Illicit x Elicit
15. Jealousy x Envy
16. Little x A little
17. Much x Many
18. Plain x Plane
19. Stationary x Stationery
20. Story x Storey
21. Tail x Tale .
22. Terriblfe x Terrific
27. Tier x Tire x Tyre
28. Too x Very
29. Troublemaker x Troubleshooter
30. Valet x Wallet
23. Facilitate x Felicitate
24. Famous x Notorious
25. Few x A few
26. Great x Grate

Exercise I.

Fill in the blanks with the correct alternative.

1. You have made ……………. mistakes this time, (less/fewer)
2. The sun ……………. in the east, (raises/rises)
3. The park ……………. is the lake, (buy/by)
4. The scheme has lost ……………. purpose, (it’s/its)
5′. What is the ……………. objective of your research? (principal/principle)
6. A tie is a perfect to ……………. a suit, (compliment/complement)
7. Practice well so that you don’t the match, (loose/lose)
8. Most drugs have side ……………. (affect/effect)
9. ……………. knowledge is a dangerous thing. (A little/ Little)
10. An introduction should ……………. the presentation, (precede/proceed)
11. The captain’s decision met with much ……………. (dissent/descent)
12. The violent child was taken to a ……………. (councillor/counsellor)
13. The case needs ……………. investigation, (further/farther)
14. I liked the ……………. part of the film, (later/letter)
15. Every student should have ……………. to a good library, (axis/access/excess)
Answers:
1. You have made fewer mistakes this time.
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. The park is by the lake.
4. The scheme has lost its purpose.
5. What is the principal objective of your research?
6. A tie is a perfect complement to a suit.
7. Practice well so that you don’t lose the match.
8. Most drugs have side effects.
9. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
10. An introduction should precede the presentation.
11. The captain’s decision met with much dissent.
12. The violent child was taken to a counsellor.
13. The case needs further investigation.
14. I liked the latter part of the film.
15. Every student should have access to a good library.

Exercise II.

Fill in the blanks choosing the correct word from the box.

accept – except lead – led historic – historical
formally – formerly already – already quite – quiet

1. Before the bell rang, students were _______ to go home.
2. Chennal was _______ known as Madras.
3. He discovered some _______ records during his research.
4. I don’t think he will _______ the invitation.
5. I have _______ eaten. So I am not hungry now.
6. I like all books _______ the badly written ones.
7. Now you can find pencils without.
8. The exercise is easy.
9. The signing of the peace treaty was a _______ event.
10. Writers need a place to write.
11. Gurgaon was _______ renamed Gurugram in 2016.
12. The captain ___________ from the front.
Answers:
1. Before the bell rang, students were all ready to go home.
2. Chennai was formerly known as Madras.
3. He discovered some historical records during his research.
4. I don’t think he will accept the invitation.
5. I have already eaten. So I am not hungry now.
6. I like all books except the badly written ones.
7. Now you can find pencils without lead.
8. The exercise is quite easy.
9. The signing of the peace treaty was a historic event.
10. Writers need a quiet place to write.
11. Gurgaon was formally renamed Gurugram in 2016.
12. The captain led from the front.

Grammar — Determiner

Determiners are words that come before nouns or at the beginning of norm phrases. Determiners limit or fix the meaning of nouns in some way and help clarify what a noun refers to. They can be specific or general.

Specific Determiners
Following are specific determiners:

  • Definite article. the (the most common determiner in English; says that the noun is ‘definite’). Example: Is the teacher on leave today?
    Demonstratives: this, that, these, those (indicate nearness to or distance from the speaker).
    Example: Look at those beautiful paintings.
  • Possessives: my, your, his, her, its, our, their (indicate possession, ownership).
    Example: May I borrow your pen?
    We use specific determiners when:
  • The people or things we are talking about have already been mentioned.
  • The listener/reader knows exactly which people or things we are referring to.

General Determiners
The general determiners are:

  • Indefinite articles: a/an (very common determiners in English; say that the noun is ‘indefinite’) Example: We visited an art gallery.
  • Quantifiers: some, jew, little, may, much, several, jive, first, next, last, etc. (indicate quantity, number, rank or order). Example: Some students were waiting outside the examination hall.
    We use general determiners when:
  • We mention people or things for the first time.
  • We speak about people or things generally without exactly referring to anyone or anything.

Exercise I.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate determiner.

1. I have very money left in my bank account, (few/little)
2. The government has to spend time on implementing the schemes.(many/more)
3. My mother sent me to buy rice, (some/little)
4. Stephen Hawking wrote book A Brief History of Time in 1988. (a/the)
5. I can speak English but not very fluently, (a few/a little)
6. Please give me more coffee, (any/some)
7. The students didn’t pay attention to the lecture, (little/much)
8. Can’t you see book, it’s right here! (that/this)
9. I have been reading for hours now, and I am still in the first chapter. (much/many)
10. Give me pencils to colour this picture, (few/a few)
Answers:
1. I have very little money left in my bank account.
2. The government has to spend more time on implementing the schemes.
3. My mother sent me to buy some rice.
4. Stephen Hawking wrote the book A Brief History of Time in 1988.
5. I can speak English a little, but not very fluently.
6. Please give me some more coffee.
7. The students didn’t pay much attention to the lecture.
8. Can’t you see this book, it’s right here!
9. I have been reading for many hours now, and 1 am still in the first chapter, (much/ many)
10. Give me a few pencils to colour this picture, (few/a few)

Exercise II.

Identify and correct the mistakes in the use of determiners.

1. How many free time does he have to spare for the social cause?
2. She never makes much mistakes in grammar.
3. I gave her an advice.
4. She found several informations on the internet.
5. India is facing much challenges.
6. He bought notebook at the book store.
7. My brother went to the supermarket to pick up some few things.
8. Every day I drink glass of milk.
9. Do you often get this headaches?
10. An education is important for economic security.
Answers:
1. How much free time does he have to spare for the social cause?
2. She never makes many mistakes in grammar.
3. I gave her some/a piece of advice
4. She found a lot of information on the internet.
5. India is facing many challenges.
6. He bought a notebook at the book store.
7. My brother went to the supermarket to pick up a few things.
8. Every day I drink glass of milk.
9. Do you often get these headaches?
10. Education is important for economic security.

Exercise III.

Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct determiner from the box.OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 5 Vocabulary, Grammar 1

1. How _________ homework have you completed?
2. I need to finish _________ English essay that I started in the morning.
3. My friend took _________ small gift for the child in the orphanage.
4. My sister rarely drinks _________ coffee.
5. When you are driving, it is advisable to carry _________ cash in your wallet.
6. _________ candidate was declared successful.
7. The street looks deserted. There are _________  people around.
8. Excuse me, _________ pencil is this?
9. He has two sisters _________ sisters like playing basketball.
10. I have _________ time for sports.
Answers
1. How much homework have you completed?
2. I need to finish the English essay that I started in the morning.
3. My friend took a small gift for the child in the orphanage.
4. My sister rarely drinks any coffee.
5. When you are driving, it is advisable to carry some cash in your wallet.
6. Every candidate was declared successful.
7. The street looks deserted. There are few people around.
8. Excuse me, whose pencil is this?
9. He has two sisters. Both sisters like playing basketball.
10. I have little time for sports.

Post-Reading Activity

Question 1.
Write about your views on people’s attitude towards new ideas and change.
Answer:
I strongly believe that the opinion of people is ephemeral, lasting for a very short time. Particularly, the attitude of the people changes in no time when it comes to new ideas and thoughts. For example, Alfred Tennyson’s poem The Flower’ is a classic instance of how people are on constant flight in their attitude towards the ‘flower’. The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’. Later they view it as ‘splendid flower’. In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’.

I feel that people change their opinions from time to time. For example, people expressed apprehensions about the efficacy of the vaccine against corona virus when different vaccines have been announced. They feared to come forward to get inoculated with the jabs.

Later on they changed their attitude towards the vaccines and slowly started believing in their use. Now people are interested in the jab and demanding for vaccines. I am sure in the course of time people would treat the vaccine and vaccination as common as a daily routine without much interest towards them.

I also opine that we should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. We should keep in mind that the attitude of people is not static and but dynamic for no reasons. Hence,in the poem ‘The Flower”, Alfred Tennyson urges us to be equally indifferent to praise and criticism from the fickle-minded throngs of people.

The poem ‘The Flower’ is a wry comment on the nature of human beings. People are unsure and apprehensive about new or original ideas and things. Therefore, they tend to reject the unfamiliar as worthless and harmful. The people are happy with the familiar things. I appeal to all of you to read Tennyson’s poem and understand the unstated moral of the story in the poem.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

The Kitemaker Questions and Answers & Summary by Ruskin Bond

The Kitemaker Questions and Answers & Summary by Ruskin Bond

OU Degree 4th Sem English – The Kitemaker Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension I (Short Answer Questions)

Question 1.
What was Mehmood doing when Ali woke him up?
Answer:
Mehmood was sitting in the sunshine of their back courtyard nodding dreamily, when Ali woke him up.

Question 2.
What did Mehmood do when Ali lost his kite?
Answer:
When Ali lost his kite, Mehmood the kitemaker made a new kite from bamboo paper and thin silk, and it lay in the sun, firming up. The kite was pale pink in colour, with a small green tail. Finally, Mehmood the old man handed it to his grandson Ali.

Question 3.
Why do so few people buy kites these days?
Answer:
In his story, Ruskin Bond explained that not many people bought kites these days. The author viewed that adults disdained them, and children preferred to spend their money at the cinema. In addition to that, there were not many open spaces left for the flying of kites. Now the city had swallowed up the open grassland that had stretched from the old fort’s walls to the river bank.

Question 4.
What were the various things that people did when they fly kites in the past?
Answer:
According to Mehmood, the old man remembered a time when grown men flew kites. Then the people fought great battles with their kites. During the kite flying competitions, the kites were swerving and swooping in the sky, tangling with each other until the string of one was severed.

Ruskin Bond was philosophical when he explained that the defeated but liberated kite would float away into the blue unknown. While the kite flying competitions were going on, there was a good deal of betting, and money frequently changed hands.

Question 5.
What was the name of the special kite that Mehmood made at die request of the nawab? What happened to it?
Answer:
The name of the special kite that Mehmood made at the request of the nawab was the ‘Dragon Kite’. At the first attempt it refused to leave the ground. However with great difficulty, it went very high, and started pulling fiercely on the twine. Mehmood’s young sons had to help him with the reel.

Still the kite pulled. Within no time, the twine snapped, leading the kite leaping away toward the sun, sailing on heavenward until it was lost to view. It was never, found again. Mehmood did not make another like it.

Question 6.
How many sons does Mehmood have? Where are they?
Answer:
Mehmood has two sons: one is working in a local garage and the other, who is in Pakistan at the time of the Partition, has not been able to rejoin his relatives.

Question 7.
Which two trees are Mehmood and Ali compared to? How is the ending related to the beginning of the story?
Answer:
Mehmood was compared to the banyan tree and his hands gnarled and twisted like the roots of the ancient tree. Similarly, his grandson Ali was compared to the young mimosa that was planted at the end of their courtyard. In two years both Ali and the mimosa tree would acquire the strength and confidence of their early youth.

Ruskin Bond skilfully related the ending with the beginning. In the beginning of the story, Ali’s kite was stuck in the branches of the banyan tree. In the end the same tom kite was lifted in the air liberating itself info the heavens. The story is an example of Ruskin Bond’s philosophical view of life and his extraordinary writing skills.

Question 8.
What does Mehmood dream of and what is it compared to?
Answer:
Mehmood dreamt of a beautiful and powerful kite. The kite is compared to the great white bird of the Hindus – Garuda, God Vishnu’s famous steed.

Question 9.
What did Ali find when he came asking about his mother?
Answer:
Ali was at the courtyard door, asking if his mother had yet returned from the bazaar. When Mehmood did not answer, the boy came forward repeating his question. The sunlight was slanting across the old man’s head, and a small white butterfly rested on his flowing beard.

Mehmood was silent. When Ali put his small brown hand on the old man’s shoulder, he met with no response. The boy heard a faint sound, like the rubbing of marbles in his pocket. He realised that his grandfather was no more and ran down the stret shouting for his mother.

Question 10.
What happens to the kite at the very end of the story? How is the ending related to the beginning of the story?
Answer:
In the beginning of the story, Ali’s kite was stuck in the branches of the banyan tree. In the end the same tom kite was lifted in the air liberating itself into the heavens. The story is an example of Ruskin Bond’s philosophical view of life and his extraordinary writing skills.

Comprehension II (Essay Type Answer Questions)

Question 1.
Write an account of the lifestyle of the people in the past, as described in the story “The Kitemaker”.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof when he was 17 years old and went on publishing more than a 100 books-novels, novellas, collections of stories, essays, and so on.

The Blue Mountain, a Hindi film that was awarded the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film in 2007, was based on his story of the ‘ same name, and the Hindi film Junoon(1978) was based on his story “A Flight of Pigeons”.

He received two awards from the SahityaAkademi- the Annual Akademi Award in 1992 for his anthology of stories Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra and the ‘BalSahityaPuraskar’ in 2012 for “Total Contribution to Children’s Literature”.

He was also honoured with the Pcidma Shri (1999) and the Padma Bhushan (2014). Ruskin Bond’s present story”The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker.  In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying. They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings.

Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites. Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie.

Question 2.
Describe the life style of the people in the present, as depicted in “The Kitemaker”.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond (bore 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof when he was 17 years old and went on publishing more than a 100 books-novels, novellas, collections of stories, essays, and so on. Ruskin Bond’s present story ”The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker.

In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying. They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings. Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites. Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie.

However, in the present the life style has changed a lot. The adults disdain from kite flying. Children prefer to spend their money at the cinema. Sadly, there are not many open spaces for flying kites. The city has swallowed up the open grasslands.

In the hustle and bustle of modem materialistic city life, people struggle for a living. No one cares about Mehmood and his art. Bond nicely describes the contrast in the attitude of the ancient and modem people towards Mehmood and his mastery of kite making.

Question 3.
Contrast the status of Mehmood in the past with that in the present.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond’s present story ”The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker. In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying.

They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings. Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites. Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie.

However, in the present the life style has changed a lot. The adults disdain from kite flying. Children prefer to spend their money at the cinema. Sadly, there are not many open spaces for flying kites. The city has swallowed up the open grasslands. In the hustle and bustle of modem materialistic city life, people struggle for a living.

No one cares about Mehmood and his art. Bond nicely describes the contrast in the attitude of the ancient and modern people towards Mehmood and his mastery of kite making. Mehmood once made his living from making kites. However as he grew older there were less people looking for kites and the long serving tradition that had made Mehmood a living eventually died out. Now Mehmood is left alone. It is as though he is unknown by people apart from his family.

However, it is interesting that Mehmood still perseveres with making kites even if it is only to please his grandson Ali. Due to this contrast attitude of the people of the present and past towards kite flying and kitemaker Mehmood, he is presently living in poverty and despair, compared with his golden period of the past.

Question 4.
Attempt a character sketch of Mehmood as an expert kitemaker.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. “The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker.

Mehmood is the protagonist of the story. Watching his grandson Ali flies kites, Mehmood recollects a time when he was well-known throughout the city for his special kits, like the ‘Dragon Kite and Musical kite, etc. He would earn three or four rupees for each kite.

In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying. They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings. Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites.

Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie. In the present the life style has changed a lot. The adults disdain from kite flying.

Children prefer to spend their money at the cinema. Sadly, there are not many open spaces for flying kites. The city has swallowed up the open grasslands. In the hustle and bustle of modem materialistic city life, people struggle for a living. No one cares about Mehmoodand his art. Bond nicely describes the contrast in the attitude of the ancient and modem people towards Mehmood and his mastery of kite making.

Ruskin Bond uses many symbols – banyan tree, butterfly, mimosa tree, Garuda, God Vishnu’s famous steed, birds, stringed and severed kites- with telling effect to depict the nature of human life. Bond describes, “Mehmood was like the banyan tree and his hands were gnarled and twisted like the roots of the ancient tree.” When Mehmood dies, Bond symbolically describes, “a sudden gust of wind…carrying it (the kite) far above the struggling city into the blind sky.”

Question 5.
Explain the symbolism of the kites and the trees in the story “The Kitemaker”.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof when he was 17 years old and went on publishing more than a 100 books-novels, novellas, collections of stories, essays, -and so on.

Ruskin Bond’s present story”The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker. Ruskin Bond uses many symbols – banyan tree, butterfly, mimosa tree, Garuda, God Vishnu’s famous steed, birds, stringed and severed kites- with telling effect to depict the nature of human life.

Bond describes, “Mehmood was like the banyan tree and his hands were gnarled and twisted like the roots of the ancient tree.” When Mehmood dies, Bond symbolically describes, “a sudden gust of wind…carrying it (the kite) far above the struggling city into the blind sky.”

According to Mehmood, theold man remembered a time when grown men flew kites. Then the people fought great battles with their kites. During the kite flying competitions, the dates were swerving and swooping in the sky, tangling with each other until the string of one was severed.

Ruskin Bond was philosophical when he explained that the defeated but liberated kite would float away into the blue unknown. While the kite flying competitions were going on, there was a good deal of betting, and money frequently changed hands.

Mehmood was compared to the banyan tree and his hands gnarled and twisted like the roots of the ancient tree. Similarly, his grandson Ali was compared to the young mimosa that was planted at the end of their courtyard. In two years both Ali and the mimosa tree would acquire the strength and confidence of their early youth. Ruskin Bond skilfully related the ending with the beginning.

In the beginning of the story, Ali’s kite was stuck in the branches of the banyan tree. In the end the same tom kite was lifted in the air liberating itself into the heavens.  The story is full of symbols such as kites and trees and is an example of Ruskin Bond’s philosophical view of life and his extraordinary writing skills.

Question 6.
Discuss the author’s attitude towards the past and the present in the story “The Kitemaker”.
Answer:
Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. “The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker.

Watching his grandson Ali flies kites, Mehmood recollects a time when he was well- known throughout the city for his special kits, like the ‘Dragon Kite and Musical kite, etc. He would earn three or four rupees for each kite. In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying.

They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings. Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites. Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie.

In the present the life style has changed a lot. The adults disdain from kite flying. Children prefer to spend their money at the cinema. Sadly, there are not many open spaces for flying kites. The city has swallowed up the open grasslands. In the hustle and bustle of modem materialistic city life, people struggle for a living. No one cares about Mehmood and his art.

Therefore, the author beautifully displayed the strikingly contrast attitude of the people in the past and in the present towards the hobby of kite flying and kitemakers. Ruskin Bond nicely describes the contrast in the attitude of the ancient and modem people towards Mehmood and his mastery of kite making.

The Kitemaker Poem Summary in English

Ruskin Bond (born 1934) is a renowned Indian English author. He is popular for his books for children and young adults. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof when he was 17 years old and went on publishing more than a 100 books-novels, novellas, collections of stories, essays, and so on. The Blue Mountain, a Hindi film that was awarded the National Film Award same name, and the Hindi film Junoon(1978)was based on his story “A Flight of Pigeons”.

He received two awards from the Sahitya Akademi- the Annual Akademi Award in 1992 for his anthology of stories Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra and the ‘BalSahityaPuraskar’ in 2012 for “Total Contribution to Children’s Literature”. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri (1999) and the Padma Bhushan (2014).

Ruskin Bond’s present story ’’The Kitemaker” is a moving story about an expert kitemaker. The story is based on the recollection of Mehmood’s past experience as a master kitemaker. Watching his grandson Ali flies kites, Mehmood recollects a time when he was well-known throughout the city for his special kits, like the ‘Dragon Kite and Musical kite, etc.

He would earn three or four rupees for each kite. In the past, the people, young and adults alike, had the time for leisurely pastimes such as kite flying. They had the aesthetic sense to patronize crafts such as kite making. Mehmood recalls that kite flying was considered as a sport of kings.

Even the Nawab used to participate in the flying of kites. Then people used to bet with money during kite flying competitions held in the open and spacious places. In this way, the write recreates a bygone era through Mehmood’s reverie.

In the present the life style has changed a lot. The adults disdain from kite flying. Children prefer to spend their money at the cinema. Sadly, there are not many open spaces for flying kites. The city has swallowed up the open grasslands. In the hustle and bustle of modem materialistic city life, people struggle for a living. No one cares about Mehmood and his art.

Bond nicely describes the contrast in the attitude of the ancient and modem people towards Mehmood and his mastery of kite making. Ruskin Bond uses many symbols – banyan tree, butterfly, mimosa tree, Garuda, God Vishnu’s famous steed, birds, stringed and severed kites- with telling effect to depict the nature of human life.

Bond describes, “Mehmood was like the banyan tree and his hands were gnarled and twisted like the roots of the ancient tree.” When Mehmood dies, Bond symbolically describes, “a sudden gust of wind… carrying it (the kite) far above the struggling city into the blind sky.”

The Kitemaker Poem Summary in Telugu

రస్కిస్ బాండ్ (జననం 1934) ప్రఖ్యాత భారతీయ ఆంగ్ల రచయిత. అతను పిల్లలు మరియు యువకుల కోసం తన పుస్తకాలకు ప్రసిద్ది చెందాడు. అతను తన మొదటి నవల, ది రూమ్ ఆన్ ది రూఫ్ ను 17 సంవత్సరాల వయస్సులో వ్రాసాడు మరియు 100 కు పైగా పుస్తకాలు-నవలలు, నవలలు, కథల సేకరణలు, వ్యాసాలు మరియు మొదలైనవి ప్రచురించాడు.

2007 లో ఉత్తమ పిల్లల చిత్రానికి జాతీయ చలనచిత్ర పురస్కారం లభించిన ది హిందీ చిత్రం ది ఐ్లూ మౌంటైన్, అదే పేరుతో అతని కథ ఆధారంగా, మరియు హిందీ చిత్రం జునూన్ (1978) అతని కథ “ఎ ఫైట్ ఆఫ్ పావురాలు” ఆధారంగా రూపొందించబడింది. 1992 లో సాహిత్య అకాడమీ- వార్షిక అకాడమీ అవార్డు నుండి డెహ్రాలో అవర్ ట్రీస్ స్టిల్ గ్రో మరియు “పిల్లల సాహిత్యానికి మొత్తం సహకారం” కోసం 2012 లో “బాల్ సాహిత్య పురస్కర్” కథల సంకలనం కోసం రెండు అవార్డులు అందుకున్నారు. పద్మశశ్రీ (1999), పద్మ భూషణ్ (2014) లతో సత్కరించారు.

రస్కిన్ బాండ్ యొక్క ప్రస్తుత కథ “ది కిట్మేకర్” అనేది నిపుబులైన కిట్మేకర్ గురించి కదిలే కథ. మాస్టర్ కైట్ మేకర్గా మెహమూద్ గత అనుభవాన్ని గుర్తుచేసుకోవడం ఆధారంగా ఈ కథ రూపొందించబడింది. తన మనవడు అలీ గాలిపటాలను చూస్తూ, మెహమూద్ తన .ప్రత్యేక వస్తు సామగ్రి, ‘డ్రాగన్ కైట్ మరియు మ్యూజికల్ కైట్’ వంటి వాటికి నగరమంతా సుపరిచితుడైన సమయాన్ని గుర్తుచేసుకుంటాడు. అతను ప్రతి గాలిపటం కోసం మూడు లేదా నాలుగు రూపాయలు సంపాదించేవాడు.

గతంలో, ప్రజలు, యువకులు మరియు పెద్దలు, గాలిపటం ఎగురుట వంది ీీరిక కాలక్షేపాలకు సమయం ఉండేవారు. గాలిపటం తయారీ వంది చేతిపనులని పోషించడానికి వారికి సౌందర్య భావం ఉంది. గాలిపటం ఎగరరుట రాజుల క్రీడగా పరిగణించబడిందని మెహమూద్ గుర్తు చేసుకున్నారు. నవాబు కూడా గాలిపటాల ఎగురుతూ ఉండేవాడు.

బహిరంగ మరియు విశాలమైన ప్రదేశాలలో జరిగే గాలిపటం ఎగిరే పోదీలలో ప్రజలు డబ్బుతో పందెం వేసేవారు. ఈ విధంగా, ప్రాత మెహమూద్ యొక్క పున ప్రారంధం ద్వారా పూర్వ . యుగాన్ని పున సృష్జిస్తుంది.

ప్రస్తుతం జీవన విధానం చాలా మారిపోయింది. పెద్దలు గాలిపటం ఎగురుతూ ఉండరు. పిల్లలు తమ డబ్బును సినిమా వద్ద ఖర్చు చేయడానికి ఇష్టపడతారు. పాపం, ఎగిరే గాలిపటాల కోసం చాలా బహిరంగ ప్రదేశాలు లేవు. నగరం బహిరంగ పచ్చికభూములను మింగేసింది. ఆధునిక భౌతికవాద నగర

జీవితం యొక్క హస్టిల్ లో, ప్రజలు జీవించడానికి కష్టపడుతున్నారు. మెహమూద్ మరియు అతని కళ గురించి ఎవరూ పట్టించుకోరు. మెహమూద్ పట్ల పురాతన మరియు ఆధునిక ప్రజల వైఖరి మరియు గాలిపటం తయారీలో అతని పాండిత్యం బాండ్ చక్కగా వివరిస్తుంది.

రస్కిన్ బాండ్ అనేక చిహ్నాలను ఉపయోగిస్తుంది – మర్రి చెట్టు, సీతాకోకచిలుక, మిమోసా చెట్టు, గరుడ, దేవుడు విష్ణు యొక్క ప్రసిద్ధ స్టీడ్, పక్షులు, తీగ మరియు కత్తిరించిన గాలిపటాలు- మానవ జీవిత స్వభావాన్ని వర్ణించటానికి ప్రభావంతో.

బాండ్ వివరిస్తూ, “మెహమూద్ మర్రి చెట్టు లాందిది మరియు అతని చేతులు పురాతన చెట్టు యొక్క మూలాల వలె మెలితిప్పినట్లు మరియు వక్రీకృతమయ్యాయి.” .మెహమూద్ చనిపోయినప్పుడు, బాండ్ ప్రతీకగా వివరిస్తూ, “అకస్మాత్తుగా గాలి దాన్ని (గాలిపటం) పోరాడుతున్న నగరానికి చాలా దూరం అంధ ఆకాశంలోకి తీసుకువెళుతుంది.”

Glossary:
The Kitemaker Questions and Answers & Summary by Ruskin Bond

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

Flower Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Tennyson

Flower Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Tennyson

OU Degree 4th Sem English – Flower Poem Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension I (Short Answer Questions)

Question 1.
What did the people call the flower at first?
Answer:
The poet says that when the narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. At first, the people called the flower a “weed”.

Question 2.
How did they react when they saw it in the garden?
Answer:
The poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sowed a ‘seed’ and it sprouted a ‘flower’. However, people started calling it a “weed.” They criticized and cursed the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’.

Question 3.
Did people’s curses have any effect on the growth of the flower?
Answer:
Number People’s curse had no effect on the growth of the flower. The flower grew tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Similarly, we should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Therefore, Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.

Question 4.
What happened when the plant grew tall?
Answer:
When the plant grew tall, it wore “a crown of light”. Once, the poet planted a seed, it blossomed into a beautiful flowering some good time that over the years. The “crown of light” refers to the flowering of the plant and the flower kept on growing in beauty and brilliance.

Question 5.
What did the thieves do with the stolen seed?
Answer:
When the plant grew tall, it wore “a crown of light”. Once, the poet planted a seed, it blossomed into a beautiful flower in some good time that over the years. The “crown of light” refers to the flowering of the plant and the flower kept on growing in beauty and brilliance. Then thieves stole its seeds at night. The stolen seeds were sowed in far off cities and towns.

Question 6.
How did the people react when the flower grew everywhere?
Answer:
When the flower grows tall and attractive, thieves stole its seeds at night. The stolen seeds were sowed in far off cities and towns. The same people are also curious. The people appreciated the beauty of the flowers produced by the seeds. They started cried “Splendid is the flower.”

Question 7.
What happened to the quality and beauty of the flower when the seed was cast everywhere?
Answer:
When the seed was cast everywhere, there was no change in the quality and beauty of the flower. The flower grew tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Similarly, we should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Therefore, Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.

Question 8.
How did the people view the flower when it became commonplace?
Answer:
When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’.

Comprehension II (Essay Type Answer Questions)

Question 1.
Explain the central idea of the poem, ‘The Flower’,
Answer:
Alfred Lord Tennyson was a famous Victorian poet. He was the poet laureate of England from 1850 to 1892. Tennyson was influenced by the Industrial Revolution and Scientific Inventions at that time. His well-known poems include “In Memoriam”, “Ulysses”, and “The Lotus-Eater’. Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”.

The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’. When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’.

As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’. Tennyson calls his poem ‘The Flower’ My little Fable’. It should be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. Etymologically, the word ‘fable’ means ‘a tale, parable or an allegory which tells a moral story. ’ Here the poem also tells some short moral story.

The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’. Later they view it as ‘splendid flower. In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’. People change their opinions from time to time. We should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views.

Hence Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story. The poem The Flower’ is a wry comment on the nature of human beings. People are unsure and apprehensive about the new or original ideas or things. So they tend to reject the unfamiliar as worthless and harmful. The people are happy with the familiar things.

Question 2.
Discuss the use of the opposites (light and night, sees and weed, cast and stole) in the poem, ‘The Flower’.
Answer:
Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”.The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’.

When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’.

Tennyson’s poetry is full of rhyme and rhythm. The poem “The Flower’ represents his poetic genius for its use of the opposites: light and night, sees and weed, cast and stole. After the seed is cast (sown), it is stolen by some thieves. Here the two words ‘cast’ and ‘steal’ are opposite in meaning. The words ‘seed’ and ‘weed’ are opposite to each other. In the same way, the flower represents ‘light’ but the people, who are in dark, are in ‘night’. Therefore, Tennyson is a poetic genius and his poetry is full of rhythm and music.

Question 3.
Explain why the story of the flower is called a ‘fable’. What qualities of a fable does the poem have?
Answer:
Tennyson calls his poem ‘The Flower’ My little Fable’. It should be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. Etymologically, the word ‘fable’ means a tale, parable or an allegory which tells a moral story.’ Here the poem also tells some short moral story. The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’. Later they view it as ‘splendid flower’.

In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’. People change their opinions from time to time. We should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Hence Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.The poem The Flower’ is a wry comment on the nature of human beings. People are unsure and apprehensive about the new or original ideas or things. So they tend to reject the unfamiliar as worthless and harmful. The people are happy with the familiar things.

Question 4.
The speaker of the poem says that the meaning of the poem is clear and uncomplicated. Do you agree? Justify your answer.
Answer:
Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”. The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’.

The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’. When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’.

As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’. The speaker of the poem says that the meaning of clear and uncomplicated. He says:

Read my little fable.
He that runs may read.

However, the poem is not clear in its meaning and complicated one. It throws up multiple interpretations. The flower in the poem is interpreted in different ways: as the Industrial Revolution, Christianity or Tennyson’s own poetry.

In Tennyson’s days, it was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, Tennyson suggested that the poem be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. The narrator reflects while everyone may see things differently, they should avoid jumping to conclusions on their opinions of things.

Question 5.
Explain the unstated moral of the story of the flower.
Answer:
The central idea of Tennyson’s poem “The Flower” is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’.

When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’.

Tennyson calls his poem ‘The Flower’ My little Fable’. It should be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. Etymologically, the word ‘fable’ means ‘a tale, parable or an allegory which tells a moral story.’ Here the poem also tells some short moral story. The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’.

Later they view it as ‘splendid flower’. In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’. People change their opinions from time to time. We should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Hence Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.

Question 6.
Discuss the poem, ‘The Flower’ as a commentary on human nature.
Answer:
Alfred Lord Tennyson was a famous Victorian poet. He was the poet laureate of England from 1850 to 1892. Tennyson was influenced by the Industrial Revolution and Scientific Inventions at that time. His well-known poems include “In Memoriam’S “Ulysses”, and “The Lotus-Eater’.

Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”. The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’.

When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’.The speaker of the poem says that the meaning of clear and uncomplicated. He says:

Read my little fable.
He that runs may read.

But the poem is not clear in its meaning and complicated one. It throws up multiple interpretations. The flower in the poem is interpreted in different ways: as the Industrial Revolution, Christianity or Tennyson’s own poetry.

In Tennyson’s days, it was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, Tennyson suggested that the poem be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. The narrator reflects while everyone may see things differently, they should avoid jumping to conclusions on their opinions of things.

Tennyson cedis his poem ‘The Flower’ My little Fable’. It should be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. Etymologically, the word ‘fable’ means ‘a tale, parable or an allegory which tells a moral story.’ Here the poem also tells some short moral story. The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’.

Later they view it as ‘splendid flower’. In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’. People change their opinions from time to time. We should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Hence Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.

The poem ‘The Flower’ is a wry comment on the nature of human beings. People are unsure and apprehensive about the new or original ideas or things. So they tend to reject the unfamiliar as worthless and harmful. The people are happy with the familiar things.

Flower Poem Summary in English

Alfred Lord Tennyson was a famous Victorian poet. He was the poet laureate of England from 1850 to 1892. Tennyson was influenced by the Industrial Revolution and Scientific Inventions at that time. His well-known poems include “In Memoriam”, “Ulysses”, and “The Lotus-Eater’.

Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”. The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’.

But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’. When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old.

Gradually, it loses it novelty and becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’. The speaker of the poem says that the meaning of clear and uncomplicated. He says:

Read my little fable.
He that runs may read.

But the poem is not clear in its meaning and complicated one. It throws up multiple interpretations. The flower in the poem is interpreted in different ways: as the Industrial Revolution, Christianity or Tennyson’s own poetry. In Tennyson’s days, it was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

However, Tennyson suggested that the poem be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. The narrator reflects while everyone may see things differently, they should avoid jumping to conclusions on their opinions of things.

Tennyson’s poetry is full of rhyme and rhythm. The poem “The Flower’ represents his poetic genius for its use of the opposites: light and night, sees and weed, cast and stole. After the seed is cast (sown), it is stolen by some thieves. Here the two words ‘cast’ and ‘steal’ are opposite in meaning. The words ‘seed’ and ‘weed’ are opposite to each other. In the same way, the flower represents ‘light’ but the people, who are in dark, are in ‘night’.

Tennyson calls his poem ‘The Flower’ My little Fable’. It should be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. Etymologically, the word ‘fable’ means ‘a tale, parable or an allegory which tells a moral story.’ Here the poem also tells some short moral story. The flower grows tall and attractive irrespective of the opinions of the people. Initially, people call the flower a ‘weed’.

Later they view it as ‘splendid flower’. In the end, the same people again call the flower ‘a weed’. People change their opinions from time to time. We should have a strong belief in our convictions, irrespective of others’ views. Hence Alfred Tennyson urges us to be indifferent to praise and criticism. This is the unstated moral of the story.

The poem ‘The Flower’ is a wry comment on the nature of human beings. People are unsure and apprehensive about the new or original ideas or things. So they tend to reject the unfamiliar as worthless and harmful. The people are happy with the familiar things.

Flower Poem Summary in Telugu

ఆల్ఫైడ్ లార్డ్ టెన్నిసన్ ఒక ప్రసిద్ధ విక్టోరియన్ కవి. అతను 1850 నుండి 1892 వరకు ఇంగ్లాండ్ కవి గ్రహీత. టెన్నిసన్ ఆ సమయంలో పారిశ్రామిక విప్లవం మరియు శాస్తీయ ఆవిష్కరణలచే ప్రభావితమయ్యాడు. అతని ప్రసిద్ధ కవితలలో “ఇన్ మెమోరియం”, “యులిస్సెస్” మరియు “ది లోటస్ఈటర్” ఉన్నాయి.

టెన్నిసన్ తన ప్రస్తుత కవితను “ది ఫ్లవర్” ను “మై లిటిల్ ఫేబుల్” అని పిలిచాడు. పద్యం యొక్క ముఖ్యమైన ఆలోచన ప్రజులు కొత్త ఆలోచనలు మరియు విషయాలపై స్పందించే విధానం గురించి. ‘పువ్వు’ పెరుగుదలకు ప్రజలు ఎలా స్పందిస్తారో వివరిస్తుంది. కథకుడు ఒక ‘విత్తనం’ విత్తుతాడు మరియు అది ‘పువ్వు’ మొలకెత్తుతుంది. కానీ ప్రజలు దినిని ‘కలుపు’ అని పిలుస్తారు.

వారు కథకుడిని అలాగే పువ్వును ‘గొడవ పడుతున్న అసంతృప్తి’తో విమర్శిస్తారు మరియు శపిస్తారు. పువ్వు పొడవైన మరియు ఆకర్షణీయంగా పెరిగినప్పుడు, అదే వ్యక్తులు కూడా ఆసక్తిగా ఉంటారు. మరియు వారు దీనిని ‘అద్యుతమైన పువ్వుగా కేటాయిచడం ప్రారంథిస్తారం.

సమయం పెరుగుతున్న కాద్దీ, క్రాత్తది విస్తతంగా స్వీకరించలడుతుంది మరియు పాతదానికి అనుగుణంగా ఉంటుంది. క్రమంగా, ఇది కొత్తదనాన్ని కోల్పోతుంది మరియు సాధారణం అవుతుంది. మరోసారి, ప్రజలు దానిపై ఆసక్తిని కోల్పోతారు మరియు దానిని పనికిరానిదిగా వదిలివేస్తారు. చివరగా అదే గ్యక్తులు పువ్వును ‘కలుపు’ అని పిలుస్తారు. పద్యం మాట్లాడేవారు స్పష్టమైన మరీయు సంక్లష్టమైన అర్ధం అని చెప్పారు. అతను చెప్తన్నాడు:

నా చిన్న కథను చదవండి.
పరిగెత్తేవాడు చదవవచ్చు.

కానీ పద్యం దాని అర్ధంలో స్పష్టంగా లేదు మరియు సంక్లిష్టమైనది. ఇది బహుళ వివరణలను విసురుతుంది. పద్యంలోని పువ్వు వివిధ మార్గాల్లో వివరించబడింది: పార(శామిక విప్లవం, క్రస్తవ మతం లేదా టెన్నిసన్ సొంత కవిత్వం. టెన్నిసన్ రోజుల్లో, ఇది పారిశ్రామిక విఫ్లవానికి నాంది.

ఏదేమైనా, టెన్నిసన్ ఈ కవితను “సార్వత్రిక క్షమాపణ మరియు నీతికథ” గా చదవమని సూచించారు. ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ విషయాలను భిన్నంగా చూసేటప్పుడు కథకుడు ప్రతిటింబిస్తాడు, వారు వారి విషయాలపై వారి అభిప్రాయాలపై నిర్ధారణకు వెళ్లడం మానుకోవాలి.

టెన్నినన్ కవిత్వం ప్రాస మరియు లయతో నిండి ఉంది. “ది ఫ్లవర్” అనే పద్యం అతని కవితా మేధావిని దాని వ్యతిరేకత కోసం ఉపయోగిస్తుంది: కాంతి మరియు రాత్రి, చూస్తుంది మరియు కలుపు, తారాగణం మరియు దొంగిలించణడింది. విత్తనం వేసిన తరువాత (విత్తుతారు), అది కొంతమంది దొంగలచే దొంగిలించబడుతుంది. ఇక్కడ ‘తారాగణం’ మరియు ‘దొంగిలించడం’ అనే రెండు పదాలు అర్థంలో వ్యతిరేకం. ‘విత్తనం’, ‘కలుపు’ అనే పదాలు ఒకదానికొకది వ్యతిరేకం. అదే విధంగా, పువ్వు ‘కాంతిని’ సూచిస్తుంది కాని చీకదీలో ఉన్న ప్రజలు ‘రాత్రి’ లో ఉన్నారు.

టెన్నిసన్ తన కవితను ‘ది ఫ్లవర్’ మై లిదిల్ ఫేబుల్ ‘అని పిలుస్తాడు. దీనిని “సార్వతిక క్షమాపణ మరియు నీతికథ” గా చదవాలి. శబ్దవ్యత్పత్తి ప్రకారం, ‘కల్పిత’ అనే పదానికి ‘ఒక కథ, నీతికథ లేదా నైతిక కథను .చెప్పే ఉపమానం’ అని అర్ధం. ఇక్కడ పద్యం కొన్ని చిన్న నైతిక కథను కూడా చెబుతుంది. ఈ పువ్వు ప్రజల అభిప్రాయాలతో సంబంధం లేకుండా పొడవైన మరియు ఆకర్షణీయంగా పెరుగుతుంది.

ప్రారంధంలో, ప్రజలు పువ్వును ‘కలుపు’ అని పిలుస్తారు. తరువాత వారు దీనిని ‘అద్భుతమైన పువ్వు’గా చూస్తారు. చివరికి, అదే వ్యక్తలు మళ్ళీ పవ్వును ‘ఒక కలుప’ అని పలుస్తారు. ప్రజలు తమ అభిప్రాయాలను ఎప్పదికప్పుడు మార్చుకుంటారు. ఇతరుల అభిప్రాయాలతో సంబంధం లేకుండా మన నమ్మకాలపై మనకు బలమైన నమ్మకం ఉండాలి. అందువల్ల ఆత్ఫైడ్ టెన్నిసన్ ప్రశంసలు మరియు విమర్శల పట్ల ఉదాసీనంగా ఉండాలని కోరారు. ఇది కథ యొక్క అస్థిరమైన నైతికత.

‘ది ఫ్లవర్’ అనే పద్యం మానవుల స్వభావంపై వంకర వ్యాఖ్య. (క్రాత్త లేదా అసలు ఆలోచనలు లేదా విషయాల గురించి ప్రజలకు ఖచ్చితంగా తెలియదు మరియు భయపడుతుంది. కాబట్టి వారు తెలియనివారిని పనికిరాని మరియు హానికరమైనదిగా తిరస్కరించారు. తెలిసిన విషయాలతో ప్రజలు సంతోషంగా ఉన్నారు.

Flower – Tennyson

Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.
To and fro they went
Thro’ my garden-bower,
And muttering discontent .
Cursed me and my flower.
Then it grew so tall
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from oer the wafl
Stole the seed by night.
Sow’d it far and wide
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried
‘Splendid is the flower.’
Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.
And some are pretty enough,
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.

Glossary:

Flower Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Tennyson 1

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 4 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 4 Vocabulary, Grammar1OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 4 Vocabulary, Grammar

Exercise I.

Choose the correct phrasal verb from the options given at the end of the sentence.

1. I ______ but no one has seen my mobile. (asked out/asked around)
2. The firemen had to ______ the kitchen to rescue the residents. (break in/break into)
3. My boss ______ the meeting because of heavy rain. (called off/called back)
4. Don’t forget to take the room keys when you. (check in/check out)
5. Diabetic patients are advised to ______ sweets and oily food. (cut off! cut back on)
6. We ______ the bus when it reached our stop. (got off/got out)
7. This is your time to your old parents now. (look after/look for)
8. She loves to ______ with her friends on weekends. (hang out! hand on)
9. I ______ an old friend of mine at the theatre. (ran into/ran out)
10. She ______ her father. Both love to read books. (takes off/takes after)
Answers:
1. I asked around but no one has seen my mobile.
2. The firemen had to break into the kitchen to rescue the residents.
3. My boss called off the meeting because of heavy rain.
4. Don’t forget to take the room keys when you check in.
5. Diabetic patients are advised to cut back on sweets and oily food.
6. We got off the bus when it reached our stop.
7. This is your time to look after your old parents now
8. She loves to hang out with her friends on weekends.
9. I ran into an old friend of mine at the theatre.
10. She takes after her father. Both love to read books.

Exercise II.

Complete the phrasal verbs with the correct particle.

1. I don’t know where my phone is. I must look …………………….. it. (off/for/at/on)
2. Fill ……………………..  the form with pencil, (up/with/in/on)
3. The music is too loud. Please turn the volume …………………….. (on/out/down/off)
4. Turn …………………….. the lights when you leave the room, (down/off/on/out)
5. Put …………………….. your slippers when you enter the bathroom, (off/on/out/up)
6. Please switch …………………….. the TV. I want to watch the match, (off/in/on/for)
7. Take off your shoes when you enter the computer room, (out/on/of/off)
8. The food was stale. I had to throw it …………………….. (off/away/down/in)
9. The firemen put …………………….. the fire, (off/on/in/out)
10. Hurry …………………….. we are getting late, (on/up/in/off)
Answers:
1. I don’t know where my phone is. I must look for it.
2. Fill in the form with pencil.
3. The music is too loud. Please turn the volume down.
4. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
5. Put on your slippers when you enter the bathroom.
6. Please switch on the TV. I want to watch the match.
7. Take off your shoes when you enter the computer room.
8. The food was stale. I had to throw it away.
9. The firemen put out the fire.
10. Hurry up we are getting late.

Exercise III.

Choose the most suitable phrasal verb from among those given in the box and fill the blanks.

bring forth bring back bring in bring out bring forward
bring up bring down bring on bring off bring about

1. The administration wants to ………….. a change in the work culture.
2. Old photos never fail to ………….. old memories.
3. Because of the hot summer, the parents want the school to ………….. the exam dates.
4. No one expected the new player to ………….. a sensational victory.
5. The publisher hopes to ………………. the book next month.
6. The opposition party tried hard to ………………………. the government.
7. The government wants to ………….. a new law to deal with cyber-crimes.
8. His casual comments sometimes ………….. strong reactions.
9. He was advised to ………….. his proposal at the meeting.
10. Classical music does not ………….. a headache.
Answers:
1. The administration wants to bring about a change in the work culture.
2. Old photos never fail to bring back old memories.
3. Because of the hot summer, the parents want the school to bring forward the exam dates.
4. No one expected the new player to bring off a sensational victory.
5. The publisher hopes to bring out the book next month.
6. The opposition party tried hard to bring down the government.
7. The government wants to bring in a new law to deal with cyber-crimes.
8. His casual comments sometimes bring forth strong reactions.
9. He was advised to bring up his proposal at the meeting.
10. Classical music does not bring on a headache.

Grammar – Concord

A sentence has two main parts: subject and verb. Subject tells us who the doer is or what the sentence is about. Verb describes the action of the sentence. The subject of a sentence can be a norm (Amar, car, dog etc) or a pronoun (she, they, it etc). It can be singular (book, bird) or plural (books, birds).

To make a sentence meaningful and grammatically correct, the two parts of a sentence – subject and verb – should match or agree with each other. The agreement between the subject and verb in person, number, gender or case is called concord or subject-verb agreement. However, remember that it is the subject that determines the verb:

To find out whether there is concord between the subject and the verb or not, we must be able to identify the subject and the verb in a sentence.

Exercise I.

Identify the subject and the verb in the following sentences.

Example: The girl sings very well. (Subject: girl, Verb: sings)
1. A supreme court judge retires at 65.
2. The survey covering fifty villages reveals interesting facts.
3. The list of items is very long.
4. There were many important leaders at the meeting.
5. The manager is a hard worker who spends a lot of time in the office.
6. Everyone in the group is welcome to give suggestions.
7. His meticulous data amazes everyone.
8. During the celebrations, we all sat outside in the hot sun.
9. The laces on these shoes never stay tied.
10. The temptation is to treat children as though they don’t know anything.
Answers:
1. A supreme court judge retires at 65. (Subject: Judge; Verb : retires)
2. The survey covering fifty villages reveals interesting facts. (Subject: survey; Verb : reveals)
3. The list of items is very long. (Subject: list; Verb : is)
4. There were many important leaders at the meeting. (Subject: leaders; Verb : were)
5. The manager is a hard worker who spends a lot of time in the office. (Subject: manager (Who pronoun); Verb : is, spends)
6. Everyone in the group is welcome to give suggestions. (Subject: everyone (pronoun) Verb : is)
7. His meticulous data amazes everyone. (Subject: data; Verb : amazes)
8. During the celebrations, we all sat outside in the hot sun. (Subject: we; Verb : sat)
9. The laces on these shoes never stay tied. (Subject: laces; Verb : stay)
10. The temptation is to treat children as though they don’t know anything. (Subject: temptation, they (pronoun); Verb : is; do not know).

Exercise II.

Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.

1. My father and my mother (is/are) attending the meeting.
2. Nobody (know/knows) what the truth is.
3. The news (are/is) at seven.
4. The management (don’t /doesn’t) know how to treat teachers.
5. Five hundred rupees (are /is) what I paid for the ticket.
6. There (was/were) ten books in that box.
7. Each one of those books (is/are) a classic.
8. The film, including all the advertisements, (take/takes) about three hours to watch.
9. Civics (were/was) my favourite subject.
10. (Are/ls) there scissors at home?
Answers:
1. My father and my mother are attending the meeting.
2. Nobody knows what the truth is.
3. The news is at seven,
4. The management doesn’t know how to treat teachers.
5. Five hundred rupees is what I paid for the ticket.
6. There were ten books in that box.
7. Each one of those books is a classic.
8. The film, including all the advertisements, takes about three hours to watch.
9. Civics was my favourite subject.
10. Are there scissors at home?

Exercise III.

Correct the verbs in the following sentences to make them agree with the subjects.

1. Ramesh and Robert is good friends.
2. Each of us have some work experience.
3. Here is my car keys.
4. My pair of pants require stitching.
5. Neither the student nor theparent know the answer.
6. Either the director or the actor are responsible for the failure.
7. Neither the script nor the dialogues was interesting.
8. The sale of water and soft drinks increase during summer.
9. Six months are all I have to find a job.
10. The book, including the CD and the free gifts, are not worth the money.
Answers:
1. Ramesh and Robert are good friends.
2. Each of us has some work experience.
3. Here are my car keys.
4. My pair of pants requires stitching.
5. Neither the student nor the parent knows the answer.
6. Either the director or the actor is responsible for the failure.
7. Neither the script nor the dialogues were interesting.
8. The sale of water and soft drinks increases during summer.
9. Six months is all I have to find a job.
10. The book, including the CD and the free gifts, is not worth the money.

Post-Reading Activity

Question 1.
What is your dream? Do you still remember it? Since when did you have the dream? Write about it.
Answer:
My dream is to become an independent human being, independent of all gender, racial, caste, and other biases. I can still remember that when I was in tenth standard, I set up my dream of becoming independent of all financial problems, including becoming independent of all biases. Then I thought of doing a good job in which I could earn money and extend a helping hand to my family and provide them financial support.

However, I have been unable to fulfil my dream due to many reasons. The main reason is that my parents do not want me to work because of my gender. I am a girl. They are under misconception that it may not be secure to send a girl to job places away from the family.

Moreover, I am the only girl in the entire village and it makes my parents more worried about my safety. In addition to that, I am 25 now and completed my post-graduation. My parents want me to get married immediately. They think that being girl will be judged in future by my household works, not by my studies and job. Therefore, I have been not allowed to do any job.

However, after having completed my PG, I did job in an MNC in Hyderabad for one and a half year. However, I faced some health issues due to the odd timings which were inconvenient for my family as well. Moreover, there is no support from my family and there are still some inexplicable restrictions and safety issues.

Since I did not want to be stubborn to go for the job, I felt helpless and resigned for the job. All I need is gender-free attitude from people at work place and support from my family, my parents without my dream cannot be fulfilled.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

Grammar of Anarchy Questions and Answers & Summary by BR Ambedkar

Grammar of Anarchy Questions and Answers & Summary by BR Ambedkar

OU Degree 4th Sem English – Grammar of Anarchy Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension I (Short Answer Questions)

Question 1.
What did India become on January 26, 1950? What are the “two thoughts” that come to the speaker’s mind on the eve of this historic day?
Answer:
On 26th January 1950, India became an independent country. There are the “two thoughts” that come to Ambedkar’s mind on the eve of this historic day. The first thought is about what would happen to her independence. He also cautions whether India will maintain her independence or lose it again due to the existence of diverse and opposing political parties and the possibility of placing their creed above the country.

He gives historical evidence of India losing her independence in the past due to the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people. The second thought that comes to Ambedkar’s mind is about his anxiety about what will happen to India’s democracy.Though India had earlier enjoyed its democratic and parliamentary tradition in the form of republics and the Buddhist BhikshuSanghas, we have lost it. He cautions that there is a danger of democracy giving place to dictatorship.

Question 2.
According to the speaker, what was the “system” of governance that India had in thepast but has lost? What evidence does he give to show that this system existed in the past?
Answer:
According to Dr. Ambedkar, democracy was the “system” of governance that India had in the past but has lost.He gives evidence to the existence of this system in the past. Dr. Ambedkar mentions that a study of the Buddhist BhikshuSanghas discloses that not only there were Parliaments-for the Sanghas were nothing but Parliaments – but the Sanghas knew and observed all the rules of Parliamentary Procedure known to modern times.

Question 3.
Civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and satyagraha were the principal methods of seeking justice during India’s freedom struggle. Why does the speaker want these methods abandoned in independent India? What alternative methods does he recommend?
Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar also provides the Indians with three solutions to maintain the democracy in reality. One among them is that we should hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means that we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution- the method of civil disobedience, non-cooperation and satyagraha.

Dr Ambedkar considers them unconstitutional and opines that where constitutional methods are open, there can be no justification for these unconstitutional methods. These methods are nothing but the Grammar of Anarchy and the sooner they are abandoned, the better for us.

Question 4.
What was JS Mill’s injunction to those interested in maintaining democracy?
Answer:
Dr. Ambedkar also provides the Indians with three solutions to maintain the democracy in reality. Dr. Ambedkar advises us to follow the caution given by John Stuart Mill. Dr. Ambedkar quotes JS Mill who says not “to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great man, or to trust him with power which enable him to subvert their institutions”.

Question 5.
What is the difference between showing bhakti in religion and bhakti in politics? Why is this difference particularly relevant in India?
Answer:
According to Dr. Ambedkar, in India, Bhakti, believed as the path of devotion or hero-worship, plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world. Dr. Ambedkar opines that Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. He feels that Bhakti or hero-worship in politics, is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.

Question 6.
What, according to the speaker, is social democracy?
Answer:
According to Dr. Ambedkar,social democracy is a way of life which recognizes the cherished universal ideals-liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life. In his speech Dr. Ambedkar strongly advocates that we must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. He believes that political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.

Question 7.
What, according to the speaker, were the various contradictions that India was faced with on January 26, 1950?
Answer:
In his speech, Dr BR Ambedkar points out that on the 26th of January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions. According to Dr Ambedkar, in politics, we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. He feels that in politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. However, in our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure (Since our society is based on the principle of graded inequality), continue to deny the principle of one man one value.

Question 8.
The speaker states that “two things” are completely absent in the indian society. What are they?
Answer:
In his speech, Dr. Ambedkar states that “two things” are completely absent in the indian society: equality in economic and social life, and the principle of fraternity, i.e., a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians-of Indians being one people.

Question 9.
What is fraternity? What are the obstacles in achieving fraternity?
Answer:
According to Dr. BR Ambedkar, fraternity means a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians-of Indians being one people. It is the principle which gives unity and solidarity to social life. Dr Ambedkar feels that it is a difficult thing to achieve, since there are many obstacles in achieving fraternity. He views that without fraternity, equality and liberty will be no deeper than coats of paint.

Question 10.
What has India “lost” by independence and what responsibility has this loss brought upon independent India?
Answer:
According to Dr. BR Ambedkar, by independence, we the Indians have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong. He feels that if hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves.

There is great danger of things going wrong. In his opinion, Dr. Ambedkar views that the loss of blaming the British has brought upon Independent India to recognise the aspirations of the downtrodden important for the maintenance of democracy.

Comprehension II (Essay Type Answer Questions)

Question 1.
What “anxieties” does Dr Ambedkar express in his speech and what is the basis for his apprehension?
Answer:
Dr. BhimraoRamji Ambedkar (1891-1956) is the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and one of the makers of the modern Indian nation. He was a social reformer who fought for the rights of people from the deprived sections of the society.

As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, he worked with Promethean zeal to bring out a comprehensive document that was inclusive and had the capacity to hold the diverse populace of india together. He was rightly awarded the “Bharat Ratna” India’s highest civilian award, posthumously in 1991.

The present lesson ‘The Grammar of Anarchy’ is an edited extract from Dr BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. The speech outlines the diversity of India and details the challenges the country would face in implementing the Constitution. He emphasized the need to build a nation on the basis of social equality.

He upholds a road map that India needs to follow in order to hold its fragments together and graduate from being a country to a full-fledged nation. Dr Ambedkar’s three advice-to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social and not just a political democracy-continue to be relevant even today.

On 26th January 1950, India became an independent country. There are the “two thoughts” that make Dr Ambedkar anxious about on the eve of this historic day. Firstly he is anxious about what would happen to her independence.

He also cautions whether India will maintain her independence or lose it again due to the existence of diverse and opposing political parties and the possibility of placing their creed above the country. He gives historical evidence of India losing her independence in the past due to the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people. Secondly and equally, Dr Ambedkar is anxious about what will happen to India’s democracy.

Though India had earlier enjoyed its democratic and parliamentary tradition in the form of republics and the Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas, we have lost it. He cautions that there is a danger of democracy giving place to dictatorship. It is quite possible for this newborn democracy to retain its form but give place to dictatorship in fact. If there is a landslide, the danger of the second possibility becoming actuality is much greater.

Dr. Ambedkar also provides the Indians with three solutions to maintain the democracy in reality.Firstly, we should hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It means that we must abandon the method of civil disobedience, non¬cooperation and satyagraha.

Ambedkar considers these methods are nothing but the Grammar of Anarchy. Secondly, for in India, Bhakti or what may be called the path of devotion or hero-worship, plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world. Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul.

But in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship. Thirdly, we must do is not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

Question 2.
According to Dr. Ambedkar, what are the three things that India must do in order to remain a democracy?
Answer:
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) is the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and one of the makers of the modern Indian nation. He was a social reformer who fought for the rights of people from the deprived sections of the society. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, he worked with Promethean zeal to bring out a comprehensive document that was inclusive and had the capacity to hold the diverse populace of India together.

He was rightly awarded the “Bharat Ratna” India’s highest civilian award, posthumously in 1991. The present lesson ‘The Grammar of Anarchy’ is an edited extract from Dr BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. In his speech, Dr Ambedkar upholds a road map that India needs to follow in order to hold its fragments together and graduate from being a country to a full-fledged nation.

Dr Ambedkar’s three advice-to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social and not just a political democracy-continue to be relevant even today. Dr Ambedkar also provides the Indians with three solutions to maintain the democracy in reality.

Firstly, we should hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It means that we must abandon the method of civil disobedience, non-cooperation and safyagraha. Ambedkar considers these methods are nothing but the Grammar of Anarchy.

Secondly, for in India, Bhakti or what may be called the path of devotion or hero- worship, plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world. Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. But in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.

Thirdly, we must do is not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

Question 3.
How does Dr. Ambedkar argue that liberty, equality and fraternity are not separate entities but a union of trinity?
Answer:
According to Dr Ambedkar, the three cherished ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity are not separate entities but a union of trinity. He argues that we must do is not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

During his speech, Dr Ambedkar considers the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life. They are not to be treated as separate items in a trinity. In his opinion, they form a union of trinity in the sense that to divorce one from the other is to defeat the very purpose of democracy. Ambedkar argues that liberty cannot be divorced from equality, equality cannot be divorced from liberty.

Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things. It would require a constable to enforce them.

Dr. Ambedkar points out in his speech that we the Indians must begin by acknowledging the fact that there is complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the social plane, we have in India a society based on the principle of graded inequality which we have a society in which there are some who have immense wealth as against many who live in abject poverty.

In his speech, Dr. Ambedkar reminds the audience that on the 26th of January 1950, we the Indians are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value.

In his speech, Dr Ambedkar questions the members of the Constituent Assembly how long we shall continue to live this life of contradictions andhow long we shall continue to deny equality in our social and economic life.

He warns us that if we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which is Assembly has to laboriously built up. Therefore Ambedkar argue that liberty, equality and fraternity are not separate entities but a union of trinity.

Question 4.
Why, according to Dr Ambedkar, is the recognition of the aspirations of the downtrodden important for the maintenance of democracy?
Answer:
The present lesson ‘The Grammar of Anarchy’ is an edited extract from Dr BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. In his speech, Ambedkar upholds a road map that India needs to follow in order to hold its fragments together and graduate from being a country to a full-fledged nation. Dr Ambedkar’s three advice-to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social and not just a political democracy-continue to be relevant even today.

In his speech, Dr Ambedkar emphasizes that the recognition of the aspirations of the downtrodden is important for the maintenance of democracy. According to Ambedkar,political power in India has too long been the monopoly of a few and the many are only beasts of burden, but also beasts of prey.

During his speech, Dr Ambedkar elaborates that this monopoly has not merely deprived the downtrodden people of their chance of betterment, it has sapped them of what may be called the significance of life. Ambedkar opines that these down-trodden classes are tired of being governed by others and they are impatient to govern themselves.

Ambedkar cautions that this urge for self-realization in the down-trodden classes must not be allowed to devolve into a class struggle or class war. He feels that it would lead to a division of the House and that would indeed be a day of disaster. Ambedkar quotes Abraham Lincoln who says that a House divided against itself cannot stand very long.

Therefore, Dr Ambedkar advises us that the sooner room is made for the realization of their aspiration, the better for the few, the better for the country, the better for the maintenance for its independence and the better for the continuance of its democratic structure. Ambedkar strongly feels that the recognition of the aspirations of the downtrodden can only be done by the establishment of equality and fraternity in all spheres of life.

Question 5.
Dr Ambedkar says that people tired of Government of and by the people may prefer government for the people. What is the difference among these three expressions and how is the shift in peoples’ preference significant?
Answer:
The present lesson The Grammar of Anarchy’ is an edited extract from Dr BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. In his speech, Ambedkar upholds a road map that India needs to follow in order to hold its fragments together and graduate from being a country to a full-fledged nation. Dr Ambedkar’s three advice-to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social and not just a political democracy-continue to be relevant even today.

In his speech, Dr Ambedkar says that people tired of Government of and by the people may prefer government for the people. There is significant difference among these three expressions. The expression the “Government of the people” refers to the government’s composition. It’s referring to the fact that the government is made up of people who come from the electors, i.e., people.

Similarly, the expression the “Government by the people” refers to the government that is elected by the people. It means it is the government represented by some among them elected by the larger number of people. The expression the “Government for the people” refers to the government that works for the welfare of its people.

Dr. Ambedkar in his speech opines that there is a significant shift in the people’s preference. Dr. Ambedkar thinks that some people are being moved by new ideologies. In his opinion, they are getting tired of Government by the people and they are prepared to have Governments for the people and are indifferent whether it is government of the people and by the people.

Dr. Ambedkar points out that if we wish to preserve the Constitution, we should resolve not to be tardy in the recognition of the evils that lie across our path and which induce people to prefer Government for the people to Government by the people, nor to be weak in our initiative to remove them. In Ambedkar’s view, that is the only way to serve the country.

Grammar of Anarchy Poem Summary in English

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) is the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and one of the makers of the modern Indian nation. Ambedkar grew up experiencing the trauma of seclusion and discrimination. Encouraged by the Maharaja of Baroda, he went to Columbia University, New York, where he did his master’s thesis on the caste system and doctoral work on British finance in India.

He was a social reformer who fought for the rights of people from the deprived sections of the society. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, he worked with Promethean zeal to bring out a comprehensive document that was inclusive and had the capacity to hold the diverse populace of India together. He was rightly awarded the “Bharat Ratna” India’s highest civilian award, posthumously in 1991.

The present lesson The Grammar of Anarchy’ is an edited extract from Dr. BR Ambedkar’s closing speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. The speech outlines the diversity of India and details the challenges the country would face in implementing the Constitution. He emphasized the need to build a nation on the basis of social equality.

He upholds a road map that India needs to follow in order to hold its fragments together and graduate from being a country to a full-fledged nation. Dr Ambedkar’s three advice-to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social and not just a political democracy-continue to be relevant even today.

On 26th January 1950, India became an independent country. There are the “two thoughts” that make Dr. Ambedkar anxious about on the eve of this historic day. Firstly he is anxious about what would happen to her independence. He also cautions whether india will maintain her independence or lose it again due to the existence of diverse and opposing political parties and the possibility of placing their creed above the country. He gives historical evidence of India losing her independence in the past due to the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people.

Secondly and equally, Dr. Ambedkar is -anxious about what will happen to India’s democracy. Though India had earlier enjoyed its democratic and parliamentary tradition in the form of republics and the Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas, we have lost it. He cautions that there is a danger of democracy giving place to dictatorship. It is quite possible for this new born democracy to retain its form but give place to dictatorship in fact. If there is a landslide, the danger of the second possibility becoming actuality is much greater.

Dr. Ambedkar also provides the Indians with three solutions to maintain the democracy in reality. Firstly, we should hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It means that we must abandon the method of civil disobedience, non¬cooperation and satyagraha.

Ambedkar considers these methods are nothing but the Grammar of Anarchy. Secondly, for in India, Bhakti or what may be called the path of devotion or hero-worship, plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world. Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul.

But in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship. Thirdly, we must do is not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

During his speech, Dr. Ambedkar considers the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life. They are not to be treated as separate items in a trinity. In his opinion, they form a union of trinity in the sense that to divorce one from the other is to defeat the very purpose of democracy. Ambedkar argues that liberty cannot be divorced from equality, equality cannot be divorced from liberty.

Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things. It would require a constable to enforce them.

Dr. Ambedkar points out in his speech that we the Indians must begin by acknowledging the fact that there is complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the social plane, we have in India a society based on the principle of graded inequality which we have a society in which there are some who have immense wealth as against many who live in abject poverty.

In his speech, Dr. Ambedkar reminds the audience that on the 26th of January 1950, we the Indians are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value.

In his speech, Dr. Ambedkar questions the members of the Constituent Assembly how long we shall continue to live this life of contradictions and how long we shall continue to deny equality in our social and economic life. He warns us that if we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril.

We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which is Assembly has to laboriously built up.Therefore Ambedkar argue that liberty, equality and fraternity are not separate entities but a union of trinity.

In his speech, Dr. Ambedkar emphasizes that the recognition of the aspirations of the downtrodden is important for the maintenance of democracy. According to Ambedkar,political power in India has too long been the monopoly of a few and the many are only beasts of burden, but also beasts of prey.

During his speech, Dr. Ambedkar elaborates that this monopoly has not merely deprived the downtrodden people of their chance of betterment, it has sapped them of what may be called the significance of life. Ambedkar opines that these down-trodden classes are tired of being governed by others and they are impatient to govern themselves.

Ambedkar cautions that this urge for self-realization in the down-trodden classes must not be allowed to devolve into a class struggle or class war. He feels that it would lead to a division of the House and that would indeed be a day of disaster. Ambedkar quotes Abraham Lincoln who says that a House divided against itself cannot stand very long.

Therefore, Dr. Ambedkar advises us that the sooner room is made for the realization of their aspiration, the better for the few, the better for the country, the better for the maintenance for its independence and the better for the continuance of its democratic structure. Ambedkar strongly feels that the recognition of the aspirations of the downtrodden can only be done by the establishment of equality and fraternity in all spheres of life.

Grammar of Anarchy Poem Summary in Telugu

డాక్టర్ భీమ్రావ్ రామ్జీ అంబేద్కర్ (1891-1956) భారత రాజ్యాంగం యొక్క ప్రధాన వాస్తుశిల్పి మరియు ఆధునిక భారతీయ దేశాన్ని తయారుచేసేవారిలో ఒకరు. అంబేద్కర్ ఏకాంతం మరియు వివక్ష యొక్కగాయం అనుభవిస్తూ పెరిగాడు. బరోడా మహారాజా జేత ప్రోత్సహించబడిన అతను న్యూయార్క్ లోని కొలంబియా విశ్వవిద్యాలయానికి వెళ్ళాడు, అక్కడ క:ల వ్యవస్థపై తన మాస్టర్స్ థీసిస్ మరియు భారతదేశంలో బ్రిటిష్ ఫైనాన్స్ పై డాక్టరల్ పని చేశాడు.

సమాజంలోని అణగారిన వర్గాల ప్రజల హక్కుల కోసం పోరాడిన సామాజిక సంస్కర్త ఆయన. రాజ్యాంగం యొక్క ముసాయిదా కమిటీ భైర్మన్గా, సమగ్రమైన పత్రాన్ని కలుపుకొని ప్రోమేతియన్ ఉత్సాహంతో కలిసి పనిచేశారు మరియు భారతదేశంలోని విభిన్న జనాభాను కలిసి ఉంచే సామర్థ్నాన్ని కలిగి ఉన్నారు. 1991 లో మరణానంతరం ఆయనకు “భారత్ రత్న”, భారతదేశం యొక్క అత్యున్నత పౌర పురస్కారం లభించింది.

ప్రస్తుత పాఠం ‘అరాచకం యొక్క వ్యాకరణం’ నవంబర్ 25, 1949 న రాజ్యాంగ సభలో డాక్టర్ బిఆర్ అంబేద్కర్ ముగింపు ప్రసంగం నుండి సవరించిన సారం. ఈ ప్రసంగం భారతదేశ వైవిధ్యాన్ని వివరిస్తుంది మరియు రాజ్యాంగాన్ని అమలు చేయడంలో దేశం ఎదుర్కొనే సవాక్లను వివరిస్తుంది. సామాజిక సమానత్వం ఆధారంగా ఒక దేశాన్ని నిర్మించాల్సిన అవసరాన్ని ఆయన నొక్కి చెప్పారు. భారతదేశం తన శకలాలు కలిసి ఉంచడానికి మరియు ఒక దేశం నుండి పూర్తి స్థాయి దేశానికి పట్టభద్రుడయ్యేందుకు

అనుసరించాల్సిన రహదారి పటాన్ని ఆయన సమర్థించారు. డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ యొక్క మూడు సలహాలుఅరాచకత్వం యొక్క వ్యాకరణాన్ని వదులుకోవడం, హీరో-ఆరాధనను నివారించడం మరియు రాజకీయ ప్రజాస్వామ్యం మాత్రమే కాకుండా సామాజికంగా పనిచేయడం-ఈనాటికీ సంబంధితంగా కొనసాగుతున్నాయి. 26 జనవరి 1950 న భారతదేశం స్వతంత్ర దేశంగా మారింది.

ఈ చారిత్రాత్మక రోజు సందర్భంగా డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ గురించి ఆందోళన కలిగించే “రెండు ఆలోచనలు” ఉన్నాయి. మొదట అతను ఆమె స్వాతంత్ర్యానికి ఏమి జరుగుతుందో అనే ఆత్రుతతో ఉన్నాడు. విభిన్న మరియు వ్యతిరేక రాజకీయ పార్టీల ఉనికి మరియు వారి మతాన్ని దేశానికి పైన ఉంచే అవకాశం ఉన్నందున భారతదేశం తన స్వాతంత్ర్యాన్ని నిలబెట్టుకుంటుందా లేదా మళ్ళీ కోల్పోతుందా అని ఆయన హెచ్చరిస్తున్నారు. తన సొంత వ్యక్తుల యొక్క అవిశ్వాసం మరియు ద్రోహం కారణంగా భారతదేశం గతంలో తన స్వాతంత్ర్యాన్ని కోల్పోయిందని చారిత్రక ఆధారాలు ఇస్తాడు.

రెండవది మరియు సమానంగా, డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ భారతదేశ ప్రజాస్వామ్యానికి ఏమి జరుగుతుందోనని ఆత్రుతగా ఉన్నారు. భారతదేశం ఇంతకుముందు తన ప్రజాస్వామ్య మరియు పార్లమెంటరీ సంప్రదాయాన్ని రిపబ్లిక్ మరియు బౌద్ధ భిక్షు సంఘాల రూపంలో ఆస్వాదించినప్పటికీ, మేము దానిని కోల్పోయాము. ప్రజాస్వామ్యం నియంతృత్వానికి చోటు కల్పించే ప్రమాదం ఉందని ఆయన హెచ్చరించారు. ఈ కొత్తగా జన్మించిన ప్రజాస్వామ్యం దాని రూపాన్ని నిలుపకకోవటానికి చాలా సాధ్యమే కాని వాస్తవానికి నియంతృత్వానికి స్థానం ఇస్తుంది. కొండచరియ ఉంటే, రెండవ అవకాశం వాస్తవికత అయ్యే ప్రమాదం చాలా ఎక్కువ.

వాస్తవానికి ప్రజాస్వామ్యాన్ని నిలబెట్టడానికి డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ భారతీయులకు మూడు పరిష్కారాలను అందిస్తుంది. మొదట, మన సామాజిక మరియు ఆర్ధిక లక్ష్యాలను సాధించే రాజ్యాంగ పద్ధతులను గట్టిగా పట్టుకోవాలి. విప్లవం యొక్క నెత్తుటి పద్ధతులను మనం వదిలివేయాలి. శాసనోల్లంఘన, సహకారం మరియు సత్యాగ్రహ పద్ధతిని మనం తప్పక వదిలిజేయాలి.

ఈ పద్ధతులు అరాచకత్వం యొక్క వ్యాకరణం తప్ప మరొకటి కాదని అంబేద్కర్ భావించారు. రెండవది, భారతదేశంలో, భక్తి లేదా భక్తి లేదా హీరోఆరాధన యొక్క మార్గం అని పిలవబడేది, ప్రపంచంలోని ఇతర దేశాల రాజకీయాల్లో అది పోషించే పాత్ర ద్వారా దాని రాజకీయాల్లో ఒక పాత్ర పోషిస్తుంది. మతంలో భక్తి ఆత్మ యొక్క మోక్షానికి ఒక రహదారి కావచ్చు.

రాజకీయాల్లో, భక్తి లేదా హీరో-ఆరాధన క్షీణతకు మరియు చివరికి నియంతృత్వానికి ఖచ్చితంగా మార్గం. మూడవదిగా, మనం చేయవలసింది కేవలం రాజకీయ ప్రజాస్వామ్యంతో సంతృప్తి చెందకూడదు. మన రాజకీయ ప్రజాస్వామ్యాన్ని సామాజిక ప్రజాస్వామ్యంగా కూడా మార్చాలి. రాజకీయ ప్రజాస్వామ్యం సామాజిక ప్రజాస్వామ్యం యొక్క స్థావరంలో ఉంటే తప్ప ఉండదు. సామాజిక ప్రజాస్వామ్యం అంటే ఏమిటి? ఇది స్వేచ్ఛ, సమానత్వం మరియు సోదరభావాన్ని జీవిత సూత్రాలుగా గుర్తించే జీవన విధానం.

డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ తన ప్రసంగంలో స్వేచ్ఛ, సమానత్వం మరియు సోదరభావం యొక్క సూత్రాలను జీవిత సూత్రాలుగా భావిస్తారు. వాటిని త్రిమూర్తులలో ప్రత్యేక వస్తువులుగా పరిగణించకూడదు. అతని అభిప్రాయం ప్రకారం, వారు త్రిమూర్తుల సంఘాన్ని ఏర్పరుస్తారు, అంటే ఒకదాని నుండి మరాకటి విడాకులు తీసుకోవడం ప్రజాస్వామ్యం యొక్క ఉద్దేశ్యాన్ని ఓడించడమే.

స్వేచ్చను సమానత్వం నుండి విడాకులు తీసుకోలేము, సమానత్వం స్వేచ్ఛ నుండి విడాకులు తీసుకోలేము అని అంబేద్కర్ వాదించారు. స్వేచ్ఛ మరియు సమానత్వం సోదరభావం నుండి విడాకులు తీసుకోలేము. సమానత్వం లేకుండా, స్వేచ్ఛ చాలా మందిపై కొద్దిమంది యొక్క ఆధిపత్లాన్ని ఉత్పత్తి చేస్తుంది. స్వేచ్ఛ లేకుండా సమానత్వం వ్యక్తిగత చొరవను చంపుతుంది.

సోదరభావం లేకుండా, స్వేచ్ఛ చాలా మందిపై కొద్దిమంది యొక్క ఆధిపత్యాన్ని ఉత్పత్తి చేస్తుంది. స్వేచ్ఛ లేకుండా సమానత్వం వ్యక్తిగత చారవను చంపుతుంది. సోదరభావం లేకుండా, స్వేచ్ఛ మరియు సమానత్వం సహజమైన విషయాల కోర్సుగా మారలేవు. వాదిని అమలు చేయడానికి కానిస్టేబుల్ అవసరం.

డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ తన ప్రసంగంలో ఇండియన్ సొసైటీలో రెండు విషయాలు పూర్తిగా లేవని అంగీకరించడం ద్వారా మనం భారతీయులు ప్రారంభించాలి. వీటిలో ఒకటి సమానత్వం. సాంఘిక విమానంలో, మనకు భారతదేశంలో గ్రేడెడ్ అసమానత సూత్రం ఆధారంగా ఒక సమాజం ఉంది, ఇందులో మనకు సమాజం ఉంది, ఇందులో కొంతమంది పేదరికంలో నివసించేవారికి వ్యతిరేకంగా అపారమైస సంపదను కలిగి ఉన్నారు.

డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ తన ప్రసంగంలో, జనవరి 26, 1950 న, భారతీయులైన మనం వైరుధ్యాల జీవితంలోకి ప్రవేశించదోతుస్నమని (పేక్షకులకు గుర్తు చేస్తున్నారు. రాజకీయాల్లో మనకు సమానత్వం ఉంటుంది మరియు సౌమాజికీ మరియు ఆర్ధిక జీవితఁలో మసకు అసమానత ఉంటుంది.

రాజకీయాల్లో మనం ఒక మనిషికి ఒక ఓటు, ఒక ఓటు ఒక విలువ అనే సూత్రాన్ని గుర్తిస్తాము. మన సాంఘిక మరియు ఆర్ధిక జీవితంలో, మన సామాజిక మరియు ఆర్ధిక నిర్మాణం కారణంగా, ఒక మనిషి యొక్క సూత్రాన్ని ఒక విలువగా నిరాకరిస్తూనే ఉంటాము.

డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ తన ప్రసంగంలో, రాజ్యాంగ సభ సభ్యులను ఈ వైరుధ్యాల జీవితాన్ని మనం ఎంతకాలం కొనసాగిస్తాము మరియు మన సామాజిక మరియు ఆర్ధిక జీవితం సో సమానత్వాన్ని ఎంతకాలం నిరాకరిస్తాము అని ప్రశ్నించారు.

మనం దానిని ఎక్కువసేపు నిరాకరిగ్తూ ఉంటే, మన రాజకీయ ప్రజాస్వామ్యాన్ని ప్రమాదంలో పడేయడం ద్వారా మాత్రమే చేస్తామని ఆయన హెచ్చరిస్తున్నారు. ఈ వైరుధ్యాన్ని మనం సాధ్యమైనంత తొందరగా తొలగించాలి, లేకపోతే అసమానతతో బాధపడేవారు రాజకీయ ర్రజాస్వామ్యం యొక్క నిర్మాణాన్ని పేల్చివేస్తారు, ఇది అసెంద్లీ శ్రమతో నిర్మించాల్సిన అవసరం ఉంది.

అందువల్ల స్వేచ్ఛ, సమానత్వం మరియు సోదరభావం ప్రత్యేక సంస్థలు కాదని యూనియన్ అని అంబేద్కర్ వాదించారు. త్రిమూర్తుల. డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ తన ప్రసంగంలో, అణగారిన ప్రజల ఆకాంక్షలను గరర్తించడం ప్రజాస్వామ్య నిర్వహణకు ముఖ్యమని నొక్కి చెప్పారు.

అంబేద్కర్ ప్రకారం, భారతదేశంలో రాజకీయ అధికారం చాలా కొద్దిమందికి గుత్తాధిపత్యంగా ఉంది మరియు చాలా మంది భారం యొక్క జంతువులు మాత్రమే, కానీ ఆహారం యొక్క జంతువులు కూడా. తన ప్రసంగంలో, డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ ఈ గుత్తాధిపత్యం అణగారిన ప్రజలకు వారి మంచి అవకాశాన్ని కోల్పోలేదని, ఇది జీవితం యొక్క ప్రాముఖ్యత.

అని పిలవబడే వాదిని తొలగించింది. అంబేద్కర్ ఈ అణగదొక్కబడిన తరగగులు ఇతరులచే పరిపాలించబడటానికి విసిగిపోతున్నారని మరియు వారు తమను తాము పరిపాలించుకోవడానికి అసహనంతో ఉన్నారని అభిప్రాయపడ్డారు. అణగారిన వర్గాలలో స్వీయసాక్షాత్కారం కోసం ఈ కోరికను వర్గ పోరాటంలో లేదా వర్గ యుద్ధంగా మార్చడానికి అనుమతించరాదని అంబేద్కర్ హెచ్చరిస్తున్నారు.

ఇది సభ విధజనకు దారితీస్తుందని, అది నిజంగా విపత్తు రోజు అని ఆయన అభిప్రాయపడ్డారు. అంబేద్కర్ అబ్రహం లింకన్ను ఉటంకిస్తూ, తనకు వ్యతిరేకంగా విభజించబడిన సభ చాలా కాలం నిలబడదని చెప్పారు.

అందువల్ల, డాక్టర్ అంబేద్కర్ వారి ఆకాంక్షను నెరవేర్చడానికి త్వరగా గదిని తయారు చేయాలని, కొద్దిమందికి మంచిది, దేశానికి మంచిది, దాని స్వాతంత్రం కోసం నిర్వహణకు మంచిది మరియు దాని ప్రజాస్వామ్య నిర్మాణాన్ని కొనసాగించడానికి మంచిదని సలహా ఇస్తున్నారు. అణగారినవారి ఆకాంక్షలను గుర్తించడం జీవితంలోని అన్ని రంగాలలో సమానత్వం మరియు సోదరభావాన్ని నెలకొల్పడం ద్వారా మాత్రమే చేయగలమని అంబేద్కర్ గట్టిగా భావిస్తున్నారు.

Glossary:

Grammar of Anarchy Questions and Answers & Summary by BR Ambedkar 1

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

As I Grew Older Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Langston Hughes

As I Grew Older Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Langston Hughes

OU Degree 4th Sem English – As I Grew Older Poem Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension I (Short Answer Questions)

Question 1.
What did the poet have a “long time ago” and what happened to it?
Answer:
The poet says that long time ago he had a “dream”. But now, he has almost forgotten it

Question 2.
What does the poet compare his dream to? Why do you think he chose to make the comparison?
Answer:
The poet compares his dream to a bright sun. He says that it was bright like a sun. I think that the poet chose to compare his dream to the sun because he feels that his dream like the sun provides him with light to see the world.

Question 3.
The poet says that he has “almost forgotten” his dream. What made him forget it?
Answer:
Poet Langston Hughes says that he has “almost forgotten” his dream. It is the ‘wall’ (racial discrimination) that rose silently between the poet and his dream. Now the poet is not able to see his dream before him due to the “wall”.

Question 4.
“And then the wall rose”. Is it really a wall that the poet is referring to? If not, what do you think the ‘wall’ refers to?
Answer:
When Langston Hughes, the poet says “And the wall rose”, he is referring not to any physical wall. However, Langston Hughes is referring to racial discrimination and subjugation he is faced with. Because of the wall (racial discrimination), now the light from his dream was completely blocked and he was standing in the shadow of the wall. The wall symbolizes all the impediments and humiliations that confront the black man in America.

Question 5.
How does the poet hope to recover his dream?
Answer:
Towards the end of the poem, the poet becomes determined to do something and drops off his submissive acceptance of the racial discrimination. There is a shift in the energy. He wishes that with his dark hands he could break the wall, smash and shatter the darkness and reach out to the light. The poet imagines that once the wall is broken his dreams would be liberated and would soon see the light, would soon be a reality.

Question 6.
The poet uses various words to suggest ‘light’ and ‘darkness’. List the words.
Answer:
In the poem, poet Langston Hughes uses various words to suggest ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ such as ‘black’, ‘dark’, ‘shadow’, ‘night’, ‘sun’. The effective use of such words in the poem has furthered his idea of darkness in the absence of his cherished dream. By juxtaposing the images of light and shadow, Hughes turns the conflict between hope and despair into a universal experience. ‘ ‘

Question 7.
Describe how the poet brings together the colour of his skin and the state of his mind.
Answer:
In the poem ‘As I Grew Older’, Langston Hughes, the poet brings together the colour of his skin and state of his mind. He proclaims: “I am black” and it means that the colour of his skin is black. Similarly, the state of his mind is full of despair and agony. He says: “I lie down in the shadow” of the wall of racial discrimination and subjugation. The poet beautifully brings together his physical colour and the associated mental darkness in order to drive home his racial bias.

Question 8.
Look at the title of the poem. Explain its relevance to the theme.
Answer:
The poet chose the title “As I Grew Older” to this poem. The tile is appropriate since as he grew older, the poet, an African-American, had been witness and subjugated to racial discrimination and bias. As an adult, he is determined to shatter the ‘wall’ of racial bias and the ‘darkness’ and recover his dream back.

Question 9.
There are three time frames in the poem. Identify them.
Answer:
In the poem, As I Grew Older’, the poet uses three time frames: the past, the present, and the future. The poem begins with the past tense as the poet says: “It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream.” He emphasised that in the past the dream was there before him bright like a sun. Then the wall of racial discrimination rose between he and his dream.

The poet used the present tense saying: “I am black. 1 lie down in the shadow”, in order to emphasise his present mental agony and despair. In the end, the poet uses the future tense to break through the wall, shatter his darkness, smash the night and shadow to find his dream at least in the near future.

Question 10.
What is the poet’s attitude towards his dream at the beginning of the poem and at the end? Is it the same or is there any change?
Answer:
In the beginning the attitude of the poet is submissive and silently accepts racial discrimination (the wall) that is being meted down upon him. However, in the end he is determined to break the silence. He cries, “My hands! / My dark hands!” He wants to break through the wall and find his dream; he wants to break apart the darkness and “smash” the night.

He wants that shadow to break apart into a “thousand lights of sun” and “a thousand whirling dreams / of sunbathe poet forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall so he can access his dream. He is no longer willing to let it languish beyond his grasp. He wants to “shatter this darkness” and “smash this night.” Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered and feels no equivocation or anxiety about what he must do.

Comprehension II (Essay Type Answer Questions)

Question 1.
Bring out the central idea of the poem and explain how the poet conveys it.
Answer:
Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture. He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927). He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’. He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings.

The present poem ‘As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926. The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams. The poet starts by describing a dream he used to have a “long time ago” that he has since nearly forgotten. But it was right in front of him. He says,

‘But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright like a sun –
My dream.’

However a wall rose up slowly between the poet and his dream – it rose and rose until it touched the sky. The poet uses ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here, the ‘wall’ refers to ‘racial discrimination and injustice’ that the African-American people face in America. The wall is a shadow. The poet proclaims, “I am black. ” He lies down in the shadows, which prevents the light of the dream from shining on him. All he can see is:

Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.

This is fairly straightforward symbolism – the poet represents all African- Americans who had to relinquish their dreams due to “racial bias” in early 20th century American society. The poet may have experienced the wall of injustice that rises up to gradually block the sunlight.

Hughes deliberately uses the symbol of a shadow as a way to actualize his character’s blackness. His race is the barrier that is keeping him from achieving his dream. As the poem progresses, though, the poet’s helplessness and apathy turns into determination and vigour, creating a shift of energy. He says,

‘My hands
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!

By confronting the obstacle, the poet has found his voice and his purpose. Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered. The poet forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall to see his dream. In the beginning the attitude of the poet is submissive and silently accepts racial discrimination (the wall) that is being meted down upon him.

However, in the end he is determined to break the silence. He cries, “My hands! My dark hands!” He wants to break through the wall and find his dream; he wants to break apart the darkness and “smash” the night. He wants that shadow to break apart into a “thousand lights of sun” and “a thousand whirling dreams of sunP’ The poet forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall so he can access his dream.

He is no longer willing to let it languish beyond his grasp. He wants to “shatter this darkness” and “smash this night. ” Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered and feels no equivocation or anxiety about what he must do.

Question 2.
Analyse the imagery of the poem and its relation to the theme.
Answer:
Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture. He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927). He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’.

He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings. The present poem ‘As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926. The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams.

The poem contains full of images and the imagery in the poem consists of a powerful mix of ‘light’ and ‘dark’ images. Imagery employed by poet Langston Hughes in. the poem creates symbols and pictures in the mind of the reader. The poet says that his dream is ‘Bright like a sun’. He says that the ‘thick wall’ that keeps rising till it touches the sky. Here the ‘wall’ refers to the racial discrimination and prejudice and the oppression that makes the African-American people unable to fulfil their dreams.

The poet also emphasizes that he lies in his ‘shadow’ of depression and despair. The poet cries, “My hands! / My dark hands!” He wants to break through the wall and find his dream; he wants to break apart the darkness and “smash” the night. He wants that shadow to break apart into a “thousand lights of sun” and “a thousand whirling dreams / of sun!”

The images of ‘light’ and ‘sun’ symbolize dreams, hope, optimism, possibilities/ opportunities, goodness, intellectual achievements, awareness (enlightenment). Darkness, on the other hand, symbolizes prejudice, discrimination, hatred, racism, evil, ignorance. Now he is determined to break through the barrier of being bom with a black skin in a white-dominant society. Thus the poem ends with a tremendous hope and strength. The imagery used in the poem is appropriate and apt for the theme of the poem.

Question 3.
What kind of statement do you think the poem is making about identity and its impact on one’s life?
Answer:
Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture, He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927). He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’.

He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings. The present poem ‘As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926.

The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams. He craves for restoring his identity and the struggle for existence. The poet starts by describing a dream he used to have a “long time ago” that he has since nearly forgotten. But it was right in front of him. He says,

‘But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright like a sun-
My dream.’

However the wall’ rose up slowly between the poet and his dream – it rose and rose until it touched the sky. The poet uses ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here, the ‘wall’ refers to ‘racial discrimination and injustice’ that the African-American people face in America. The wall is a shadow. The speaker proclaims, “I am black. ” He lies down in the shadows, which prevents the light of the dream from shining on him.

This is fairly straightforward symbolism – the poet represents all African- Americans who had to relinquish their dreams due to “racial bias” in early 20th century American society. The poet may have experienced the wall of injustice that rises up to gradually block the sunlight. Hughes deliberately uses the symbol of a shadow as a way to actualize his character’s blackness. His race is the barrier that is keeping him from achieving his dream.

As the poem progresses, though, the poet’s helplessness and apathy turns into determination and vigour, creating a shift of energy. By confronting the obstacle, the poethas found his voice and his purpose. Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered. The poet forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall to see his dream. Identity and struggle for restoring the stolen identity is the central theme of the poem.

Question 4.
What is the poet’s dream? Does he specify it anywhere in the poem? Do you think it matters whether he does or does not state what his dream is?
Answer:
‘As I Grew Older’ is about the dream that never saw the light. There is no mention about what the dream was but all know that it was the dream for a better world for his African brethren. In the beginning of the poem, the poet recalls a dream he had long ago and had nearly forgotten, but now he can see it ahead of him once more.

But then it was clear in his mind, it shone like the sun in front of him. But as days passed a wall slowly rose between him and the dream. The wall grew so high that it seemed to be touching the sky. Now the light from his dream was completely blocked and he was standing in the shadow of the wall. The wall was high above him; not only was the wall high, it was thick too.

The shadow too was thick and overpowering. Towards the end of the poem the poet drops off his submissive acceptance and becomes determined to do something. There is a shift in the energy. He wishes that with his dark hands he could break the wall, smash and shatter the darkness and reach out to the light. The poet imagines that once the wall is broken his dreams would be liberated and would soon see the light, would soon be a reality.

This is fairly straightforward symbolism – the poet represents all African Americans who had to relinquish their dreams due to the pervasive discrimination and persecution in early 20th century American society. African American children may have experienced a few brief years of blissful ignorance (like the poet), but they all eventually became aware of their status as second-class citizens – a ‘wall’ of racial injustice that rises up to gradually block the sunlight.

Just because the wall has risen up, though, it does not mean that the dream ceases to exist – the poet simply cannot see it anymore. Hughes deliberately uses the symbol of a shadow as a way to actualize his character’s blackness, because the speaker’s race is the barrier that is keeping him from achieving his dream. In the entire poem, the poet does not specify what his dream is. However it does not matter to whether he does or does not mention it explicitly. From images and symbols employed in this poem, we can understand clearly that his dream is to achieve racial equality and justice.

Question 5.
Similarly, the poet uses the ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. What do you think the wall refers to in the context of the poet’s racial identity?
Answer:
Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture. He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927).

He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’. He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings. The present poem As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926.

The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams. The poet starts by describing a dream he used to have a “long time ago” that he has since nearly forgotten. But it was right in front of him.

However a “wall” rose up slowly between the poet and his dream – it rose and rose until it touched the sky. The poet uses ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here, the ‘wall’ refers to ‘racial discrimination and injustice’ that the African-American people face in America. The wall is a shadow. The poet proclaims, “I am black. ” He lies down in the shadows, which prevents the light of the dream from shining on him. All he can see is:

Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.

This is fairly straightforward symbolism – the poet represents all African- Americans who had to relinquish their dreams due to “racial bias” in early 20th century American society. The poet may have experienced the wall of injustice that rises up to gradually block the sunlight. Hughes deliberately uses the symbol of a shadow as a way to actualize his character’s blackness. The poet’s race is the barrier that is keeping him from achieving his dream.

As the poem progresses, though, the poet’s helplessness and apathy turns into determination and vigour, creating a shift of energy. He says,

‘My hands
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!

By confronting the obstacle, the poet has found his voice and his purpose. Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered. The poet forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the ‘wall’ to see his dream.

However the poet uses the ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here ‘the wall’ refers to the racial bias or injustice or discrimination in the context of the poet’s racial identity. The wall symbolizes all the impediments and humiliations that confront the black man in America. He explicitly proclaims: “I am black” and “My dark hands” indicate his racial identity and the ‘wall’ represents the racial discrimination.

Question 6.
Describe the changing tone and mood of the poem.
Answer:
Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture. He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927).

He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’. He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings. The present poem ‘As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926.

The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams. The poet starts by describing a dream he used to have a “long time ago” that he has since nearly forgotten. But it was right in front of him.

However a wall rose up slowly between the poet and his dream – it rose and rose until it touched the sky. The poet uses ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here, the ‘wall’ refers to ‘racial discrimination and injustice’ that the African-American people face in America. The wall is a shadow. The poet proclaims, “I am black.” He lies down in the shadows, which prevents the light of the dream from shining on him.

As the poem progresses, though, the poet’s helplessness and apathy turns into determination and vigour, creating a shift of energy. By confronting the obstacle, the poet has found his voice and his purpose. Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered. The poet force fully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall to see his dream.

Help me to shatter this darkness,
To smash this night,
To break his shadow
Into a thousand lights of sun,
Into a thousand light whirling dreams
Of sun

As the poem progresses, the tone and mood of the poem changes constantly. In lines 1-6, the speaker is naive, optimistic and innocent (Bright like the sun-My dream). In lines 7-16, the tone is depressing and angry (wall, between me and my dream.

Diminishing, Hiding, The light of my dream). In the lines 17-23, pessimistic, depressing, and angry (shadow, No longer the light of my dream, thick wall). In lines 24-33-the speaker becomes hopeful. The whole stanza expresses hope that the speaker can achieve his dream.

The poem’s changing tone indicates the speaker’s changing perspective on life as he grew older, i.e., he moves from childhood to young adulthood. Lines 1-6 reflect the speaker’s perspective as a child. Lines 7-16 reflect the moment when the speaker’s perspective begins to change. Lines 17-23 reflect his pessimistic, depressing, and angry view of the issue. Lines 24-33 reflect the speaker’s perspective now, meaning at the time the poem was written.

As I Grew Older Poem Summary in English

Langston Hughes was a leading writer and thinker of the Harlem Renaissance-the African-American artistic movement of the 1920s that celebrated African-American life and culture. He rode to fame with his collection of poetry The Weary Blues (1926) and Fine Clothes to the Jews (1927).

He was an early inventor of ‘jazz poetry’. He condemned racism, promoted equality and celebrated the African-American life and culture through his writings. The present poem ‘As I Grew Older’, though first published in 1925, is included in his first collection of poems The Weary Blues in 1926.

The central idea of the present poem, “As I Grew Older” is about one’s dreams in life and the hardships one has to face and the strong will one needs to have to realise the dreams. The speaker starts by describing a dream he used to have a “long time ago” that he has since nearly forgotten. But it was right in front of him. He says,

‘But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright tike a sun-
My dream

However a wall rose up slowly between the poet and his dream – it rose and rose until it touched the sky. The poet uses ‘wall’ in a figurative manner. Here, the ‘wall’ refers to ‘racial discrimination and injustice’ that the African-American people face in America. The wall is a shadow. The speaker proclaims, “I am black.” He lies down in the shadows, which prevents the light of the dream from shining on him. All he can see is:

Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.

This is fairly straightforward symbolism – the speaker represents all African- Americans who had to relinquish their dreams due to “racial bias” in early 20th century American society. The poet may have experienced the wall of injustice that rises up to gradually block the sunlight.

Hughes deliberately uses the symbol of a shadow as a way to actualize his character’s blackness. The speaker’s race is the barrier that is keeping him from achieving his dream.As the poem progresses, though, the speaker’s helplessness and apathy turns into determination and vigour, creating a shift of energy. He says,

‘My hands
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!

By confronting the obstacle, the speaker has found his voice and his purpose. Hughes uses this violent language to show that the speaker is suddenly empowered. The speaker forcefully commands his “dark hands” to break through the wall to see his dream.

Help me to shatter this darkness,
To smash this night,
To break this shadow
Into a thousand lights of the sun,
Into a thousand light whirling dreams
Of sun!’

The poem contains full of images and the imagery in the poem consists of a powerful mix of ‘light’ and ‘dark’ images. Imagery employed by poet Langston Hughes in the poem creates symbols and pictures in the mind of the reader. The poet says that his dream is ‘Bright like a sun’.

He says that the ‘thick wall’ that keeps rising till it touches the sky. Here the ‘wall’ refers to the racial discrimination and prejudice and the oppression that makes the African-American people unable to fulfil their dreams. The poet also emphasizes that he lies in his ‘shadow’ of depression and despair.

The poet cries, “My hands! / My dark hands!-’ He wants to break through the wall and find his dream; he wants to break apart the darkness and “smash” the night. He wants that shadow to break apart into a “thousand lights of sun” and “a thousand whirling dreams / of sun!’’.

The images of ‘light’ and ‘sun’ symbolize dreams, hope, optimism, possibilities/ opportunities, goodness, intellectual achievements, awareness (enlightenment). Darkness, on the other hand, symbolizes prejudice, discrimination, hatred, racism, evil, ignorance. Now he is determined to break through the barrier of being born with a black skin in a white- dominant society.

As the poem progresses, the tone and mood of the poem changes constantly. In lines 1-6, the speaker is naive, optimistic and innocent (Bright like the sun-My dream). In lines 7-16, the tone is depressing and angry (wall, between me and my dream. Diminishing, Hiding, The light of my dream). In the lines 17-23, pessimistic, depressing, and angry (shadow, No longer the light of my dream, thick wall). In lines 24-33-the speaker becomes hopeful. The whole stanza expresses hope that the speaker can achieve his dream.

The poem’s changing tone indicates the speaker’s changing perspective on life as he grew older, i.e., he moves from childhood to young adulthood. Lines 1-6 reflect the speaker’s perspective as a child. Lines 7-16 reflect the moment when the speaker’s perspective begins to change. Lines 17-23 reflect his pessimistic, depressing, and angry view of the issue. Lines 24-33 reflect the speaker’s perspective now, meaning at the time the poem was written.

As I Grew Older Poem Summary in Telugu

లాంగ్ణన్ హ్యూస్ 1920 లలో హార్లెం పునరుజ్జీవనం-ఆఫ్రికన్-అమెరికన్ కళాత్మక ఉద్యమం యొక్కప్రముఖ రచయిత మరియు ఆలోచనాపరుడు, ఇది ఆ(్రికన్-అమెరికన్ జీవితం మరియు సంస్తతిని జరుపుకుంది. అతను తన కవితా సంకలనం ది వేరీ బ్లూస్ (1926) మరియు ఫైన్ క్లాత్స్ టు ది యూదులతో (1927) కీర్తి పొందాడు. అతను ‘జాజ్ కవిత్వం’ యొక్క ప్రారంభ ఆవిష్కర్త.

అతను జాత్యహంకారాన్ని ఖండించాడు, సమానత్వాన్ని (్రోత్సహించాడు మరియు ఆఫ్రికన్-అమెరికన్ జీవితాన్ని మరియు సంస్కతిని తన రచనల ద్వారా జరుపుకున్నాడు. ప్రస్తుత కవిత ‘యాస్ ఐ గ్రూ ఓల్డర్, మొదటిసారి 1925 లో ప్రచురించబడినప్పదికీ, 1926 లో అతని మొదటి కవితా సంపుది ది వేరీ బ్లూస్లో చేర్చబడింది.

ప్రస్తుత కవిత యొక్క కేంద్ర ఆలోచన, “యాజ్ ఐ గ్రూ ఓల్డర్” అనేది జీవితంలో ఒకరి కలలు మరియు ఒకరు ఎదుర్కోవాల్సిన కష్టాలు మరియు కలలను సాకారం చేసుకోవాల్సిన బలమైన సంకల్పం. అతను చాలా కాలం క్రితం మరచిపోయిన “చాలా కాలం క్రితం” కలిగి ఉన్న ఒక కలను వివరించడం ద్వారా ప్రారంభమవుతుంది. కానీ అది అతని ముందు ఉంది. అతను చెప్తన్నాడు,

‘అయితే అది అక్కడే ఉంది,
నా ముందర,
సూర్యుడిలా ప్రకాశవంతంగా-
నా కల.’

అయితే కవికి మరియు అతని కలకి మధ ఒక గోడ నెమ్టిిగా పైకి లేచింది – అది ఆకాశాన్ని తాకే వరకు పెరిగింది. కవి ‘గోడ’ ను అలంకారిక పద్ధతిలో ఉపయోగిస్తాడు. ఇక్కడ, ‘గోడ’ అనేది అమెరికాలో ఆఫ్రికన్-అమెరికన్ ప్రజలు ఎదుర్కొంటున్న ‘జాతి వివక్ష మరియు అన్యాయాన్ని’ సూచిస్తుంది. గోడ నీడ. స్పీకర్ “నేను నల్లనివాడిని” అని ప్రకటించాడు. అతను నీడలలో పడుకున్నాడు, ఇది కల యొక్క కాంతి అతనిపై ప్రకాశించకుండా నిరోధిస్తుంది. అతను చూడగలిగేది: రచయిత యొక్క నిస్సహాయత మరియు ఉదాసీనత సంకల్పం మరియు శక్తిగా మారుతుంది, ఇది శక్తి యొక్క మార్పును సృష్టిస్తుంది. అతను చెప్తన్నాడు,

‘నా చేతులు
నా చీకది చేతులు!
గోడ విచ్ఛిన్నం!
నా కలను కనుగొనండి!

అడ్డంకిని ఎదుర్కోవడం ద్వారా, స్పీకర్ తన స్వరాన్ని మరియు అతని ఉద్దేశ్యాన్ని కనుగొన్నారు. స్పీకర్ హాాత్తుగా అధికారం పొందారని చూపించడానికి హ్యూస్ ఈ హింసాత్మక భాషను ఉపయోగిస్తాడు. తన కలను చూడటానికి గోడను పగలగొట్టమని స్పీకర్ తన “చీకటి చేతులను” బలవంతంగా ఆదేశిస్తాడు.

ఈ చీకదిని ముక్కలు చేయడానికి నాకు సహాయం చెయ్యండి,
ఈ రాత్రి పగులగొట్టడానికి,
ఈ నీడను విచ్ఛిన్నం చేయడానిక
వెయ్యి లైట్ల సూర్యునిలోకి,
వెయ్యి కాంతి సుడిగాలి కలలలోకి
సూర్యకి! 

ఈ కవితలో చిత్రాలతో నిండి ఉంది మరియు కవితలోని చిత్రాలలో ‘కాంతి’ మరియు ‘చీకటి’ చిత్రాల శక్తివంతమైన మిశ్రమం ఉంటుంది. కవితలో కవి లాంగ్ణన్ హ్యూస్ ఉపయోగించిన చిత్రాలు పాఠకుల మనస్సులో చిహ్నాలు మరియు చిత్రాలను సృప్టిస్తాయి.

కవి తన కల ‘సూర్యుడిలా ప్రకాశవంతంగా’ ఉందని చెప్పాడు. ఆకాశాన్ని తాకే వరకు పెరుగుతూనే ఉండే ‘మందపాటి గోడ’ అని ఆయన అన్నారు. ఇక్కడ ‘గోడ’ అనేది జాతి వివక్ష మరియు పక్షపాతం మరియు ఆఫ్రికన్-అమెరికన్ ప్రజలను వారి కలలను నెరవేర్చలేకపోయే అణచివేతను సూచిస్తుంది. కవి తన నిరాశ మరియు నిరాశ యొక్క ‘నీడ’లో ఉందని నొక్కి చెప్పాడు.

కవి, “నా చేతులు! / నా చీకది చేతులు!” అతను గోడను పగలగొట్టి తన కలను కనుగొనాలనుకుంటున్నాడు అతను చీకదిని విడదీయాలని మరియు రాత్రి “పగులగొట్టాలని” కోరుకుంటాడు. అతను ఆ నీడను “వెయ్యి వెలుతురు” మరియు “వెయ్యి సుడి కలలు / సూర్యున్” గా విడదీయాలని కోరుకుంటాడు. ‘కాంతి’ మరియు ‘సూర్యుడు’ చిత్రాలు కలలు, ఆశ, ఆశావాదం, అవకాశాలు, మంచితనం, మేధో విజయాలు, అవగాహన (జ్ఞానోదయం). చీకది, మరోమైపు, పక్షపాతం, వివక్ష, ద్వేషం, జాత్యహంకారం, చెడు, అజ్ఞానం. తెల్ల ఆధిపత్య సమాజంలో నల్ల చర్మంతో పుట్టడానికి ఉన్న అడ్డంకిని అధిగమించడానికి ఇప్పుడు అతను నిశ్చయించుకున్నాడు.

రచయిత, పద్యం యొక్క స్వరం మరియు మానసిక స్థితి నిరంతరం మారుతుంది. 1-6 పంక్తులలో, స్పీకర్ అమాయక, ఆశావాది మరియు అమాయకుడు (సూర్యుడిలా (ప్రకాశవంతమైనది-నా కల). 7-16 పంక్తులో, స్వరం నిరుత్సాహపరుస్తుంది మరియు కోపంగా ఉంది (గోడ, నాకు మరియు నా కలకి మధ్య. తగ్గిపోతోంది, దాచడం, నా కల యొక్క కాంతి). 17-23 పంక్తులలో, నిరాశావాద, నిరుత్సాహపరిచే మరియు కోపంగా (నీడ, ఇక నా కల యొక్క కాంతి, మందపాది గోడ). 24-33 పంక్తులలో-స్పీకర్ ఆశాజనకంగా మారుతాడు. స్పీకర్ తన కలను సాధించగలడని మొత్తం చరణం ఆశాఖావం వ్యక్తం చేస్తుంది.

పద్యం యొక్క మారుతున్న స్వరం వక్త వయసు పెరిగేకొద్దీ జీవితంపై మారుతున్న దృక్పథాన్ని సూచిస్తుంది, అనగా అతను బాల్యం నుండి యవ్వనంలోకి వెళ్తాడు. 1-6 పంక్తులు చిన్నతనంలో స్పీకర్ దృక్పథాన్ని ప్రతిబింబిస్తాయి. 7-16 పక్తలు స్పీకర్ దృత్పథం మారడం ప్రారంభించిన క్షణాన్ని ప్రతిబింబిస్తాయి. 17-23 పక్తులు అతని నిరాశావాద, నిరుత్సాహకరైౖన మరియు కోపంగా ఉన్న దృక్పథాన్ని ప్రతిబింబిస్తాయి. 24-33 పంక్తులు ఇప్పుడు స్పీకర్ దృక్పథాన్ని ప్రతిబింబిస్తాయి.

As I Grew Older – Langston Hughes

It was a long time ago.
I have almost forgotten my dream.
But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright like a sun –
My dream.
And then the wall rose,
Rose slowly,
Slowly,
Between me and my dream.
Rose until it touched the sky –
The wall.
Shadow.
I am black.
I lie down in the shadow.
No longer the light of my dream before me, Above me.
Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.
My hands!
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!
Help me to shatter this darkness,
To smash this night,
To break this shadow
Into a thousand lights of sun,

Into a thousand whirling dreams
Of sun!

Glossary:

As I Grew Older Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Langston Hughes 1

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 3rd Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 3rd Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 3rd Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

Essay Writing

Essay

  • An essay is perhaps the most common form of writing. It is important in academic life and later in the process of securing an employment.
  • The students must know how to write an essay (well-balanced).
  • The word ‘essay’ comes into English language from Latin and French languages. It means to examine, try test or weigh.

Quality of an Essay

1. An essay is an attempt to last or examine one’s ideas about a particular subject.
2. Essay writing involves number of skills : close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, pervasions and exposition.
3. Essay should be concise and should have clarity in purpose and direction.

Types of Essays
1. Narrative : These essays tell us some events that happened.
Example: Cricket match; College day celebration.

2. Descriptive : These essays describe persons, places, things etc. A painter uses his colours to recreate a scene whereas a writer can use his rich vocabulary to describe a person, place or thing.
Example: A begger; An accident; My village.

3. Argumentative (Persuasive) : These essays deal with topics that are controversial issues.
Example : Democracy vs Dictatorship, Science – a necessary evil.
The most common essay geneses are the discursive and argumentative essays.

The Writing Process

Any piece of writing involves three stages
i. Pre – Writing
ii. The Writing
iii. Post writing

i. Pre – Writing
Step 1: Think and Grainstom, on the giverilSeleded topic
Step 2 : Job down the ideas that emerge from the thinking/brain-storming
Step 3 : Make an outline of the structure and select the ideas:
a. Introduction
b. Body
c. Conclusion.

The ideas may be jatted down as Table of Contents
a. Introduction: Clearly state the topic to be discussed often with a topic sentence (one paragraph).
b. Body: Clearly state points and exemplify/justify them In (one or three) separate paragraphs.
c. Conclusion: Summarise or conclude by restating your ideas (one paragraph)
Check the following points:

  • All the points have to be included
  • There no point that not necessarily I irrelevant.
  • There are no repetitive ideas
  • Think again cross check add I delete if necessary

ii. The writing stage
Tips for wilting effective essays:

  • Use a style/tone appropriate to the kind of essay being written (A discursive essay is a presentation of ideas, facts in logical, neutral and balanced form.
  • Use an impersonal and format style.
  • Avoid contractions (eg: ‘aren’t, ‘he’s etc.,) short forms, idioms, colloquial expression and so on.
  • Avoid strong, emotional language (eg: I love English, “I hate exams” etc.,)
  • Avoid over-generalization (eg: Slow and steady wins the race”)
  • Use reliable sources of information for reference.
  • Be neutral and make general statements even if one differs in opinion.
  • Use linerslconnectiveWdiscourse makers.to bring out the logic, connect the sentences and paragraphs:
  • Use if appropriate, a direct or thought-provoking question, a quotation or striking the statement o begain the essay.

iii. Post – Writing Stage

  • After the first draft, do some basic editing.
  • Check for topic sentence.
  • Check for cohesion and effectiveness through the use of connections.
  • Check against the outline prepared in stage I and the draft of stage lito check whether all the points are covered.
  • Check the length, style, points covered and add or delete to make it effective.
  • Write the final draft.

Points to Remember for Writing an Essay

  • Choose an apt title for the essay. The little is important to convey the main idea of the essay.
  • Brainstorm, prepare an outline and develop the these is statement. These are important and preliminary steps.
  • Use liners to connect ideas within the essay.
  • Start and end, if you wish, with a quotation, statement or rhetorical question to make essay impressive.
  • Remember the three stages of writing: Pre-writing, writing, post – writing.
  • Get your facts right.
  • Be balanced/unemotional/impersonal in tone.
  • Use &mple language and appriate vocabulary and eliminate grammatical errors.
  • Use separate paragraphs (generally, one paragraph for one idea) for different ideas and links them.
  • Pay attention to editing in the post writing stage.

Discursive Essay :

Exercise 1.

Question 1.
Define the term ‘essay’. List the types of essays and explain the features of a discursive essay.
Answer:
The term ‘essay is derived from Latin through french it means ‘to test and to
examine’. The main quality of an essay is to examine the ideas on a particular subject. There are four types of essays in general. They are:

  • Narrative
  • Descriptive
  • Discursive (or) expository
  • Argumentative (or) Ersuasive

Discursive Essay
A discursive essay will normally contain an introduction followed by a series of paragraphs which gradually, through the main body of the essay, build a cohesive argument leading to a concluding statement of the writer’s own position on the topic under discussion.This conclusion should be natural, convincing and, at best, inescapable.

Features:

  • Explores an issue or an idea and may suggest a position or point of view
  • Approaches a topic from different angles and explores themes and issues in a style that balances personal observations with different perspectives
  • Uses personal anecdotes and may have a conversational tone
  • Primarily uses first person although third person can also be used.
  • Uses figurative language or may be more factual.
  • Draws upon real life experiences and/or draws from wide reading.
  • Uses engaging imagery and language features.
  • Begins with an event, an anecdote or relevant quote that is then used to explore an idea.
  • Resolution may be reflective or open-ended.

Question 2.
Explain the pre-writing, writing and post writing stages of a discursive essay.
Answer:
i. Prewriting : The pre-writing stage of a discursive essay can be. split into three steps. The first
step is to think and brainstorm on the given topic. The second stage is jotting down the ideas derived from thinking. The third stage is making outline of the structure of the essay.

Generally, the essay has three main paragraphs i.e., introduction, body of the essay and the conclusion of the essay. The last stage in the pre-writing level is checking. One must check if all the relevant points are included. Delete the irrelevant points and repeated points, if any.

ii. Writing : The writing stage begins with the first draft. The ideas must be written in a logical manner. The tone should be neutral and balanced. It should be written in an impersonal style. Avoid colloquial language. Avoid emotional language. Use reliable sources of information.

iii. Post Writing : Post-writing stage begins by editing the draft especially focusing on spelling mistakes, mistakes in grammar etc. Check for the topic sentence, cohesiveness and also check whether all the points are covered or not. Check also the length, the style of writing etc. Write the final draft.

Question 3.
Describe the structure of a five-paragraph discursive essay.
Answer:
The First Paragraph: The Introduction
The first paragraph will introduce your topic. The introduction is the most important paragraph because it provides direction for the entire essay. It also sets the tone, and you want to grab the reader’s attention with interest and clarity. The best way to tackle the introduction is to:

  • Describe your main idea, or what the essay is about, in one sentence. You can usually use the essay writing prompt or question to form this sentence.
  • Develop a thesis statement, or what you want to say about the main idea. When the writing prompt is a question, your thesis is typically the answer to the question.
  • List three points or arguments that support your thesis in order of importance ; (one sentence for each).
  • Voila! You’ve just written your introductory paragraph.

The Second, Third and Fourth Paragraphs: Supporting Details
These three paragraphs form the body of the essay. They provide details, such as facts, quotes, examples and concrete statistics, for the three points in your introductory paragraph that support your thesis. Take the points you listed in your introduction and discuss each in one body paragraph. Here’s how:

  • First, write a topic sentence that summarizes your point. This is the first sentence of your paragraph.
  • Next, write your argument, or why you feel the topic sentence is true.
  • Finally, present your evidence (facts, quotes, examples, and statistics) to support your argument.

Now you have a body paragraph. Repeat for points two and three. The best part about introducing your main points in the first paragraph is that it provides an outline for your body paragraphs and eliminates the need to write in transitions between paragraphs.

The Fifth Paragraph: The Conclusion
The concluding paragraph must summarize the essay. This is often the most difficult paragraph to write. In your conclusion, you should restate the thesis and connect it with the body of the essay in a sentence that explains how each point supports the thesis. Your final sentence should uphold your main idea in a clear and compelling manner. Be sure you do not present any new information in the conclusion.

Exercise II.

Write Discussive essay on the following topics

1. Duties of a good citizen

India is a great country. The citizens of India are blessed with many rights and also responsibilities. A good citizen is one who is aware of both duties and responsibilities. He or she should perform for the sake of the society and also for the nation. Morality and statesmanship is necessary.

  • He or she should serve the society. Community services, programmes must be organised and he should participate volunteerly to serve others.
  • Honesty and sincerity is necessary.
  • Obey the law, norms and rules.
  • He or she should enhance the right of other’s by his behaviour.
  • a. Respecting others
    b. Protecting the property of others
  • Adoptability, flexibility and responsibility of his actions
  • Observation of the environment.

2. Education as Empowerment:

Education may be defined as the process of facilitating learning or acquiring knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Education as human endeavour is said to be an empowering agency. It helps human beings build a better world with their knowledge, skills and values.

It is widely accepted that true education has the power to help us reduce poverty and inequality that exist in our society. Education enables the marginalized people to claim their status as full participating members of a community in the economic, social, political and cultural spheres. Hence education can be equated with empowerment.

Firstly, education is useful in enhancing one’s social status. Human history is replete with so many instances where an educated person always enjoyed high social regard. For example, people like, Kalidas, Aryabatta, Charaka, Annamayya, etc., were respected in their contemporary society.

Secondly, education empowers its possessor with financial growth. Educated people are sought after by the prospective employers, since the knowledge and skills associated with education play a crucial role in setting up a human organisation and its smooth administration. It is quite natural that the more the educated, the more the chances of getting employed and getting more associated salary and emoluments.

Thirdly, education also empowers people politically. Education provides the required awareness about the nature of governance, constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedures, peoples’ aspirations, rights and duties of citizenry. The trained and aware citizenry is the hallmark of any democratic dispensation.

Hence education empowers people with social status, wealth and economic stability, and also provides with political empowerment. It helps us in preserving our culture and tradition. There is a high difference between the educated and the uneducated in many ways. Therefore education plays an empowerment role, and helps us realize a variety of human capabilities and make the world better to live in.

3. Privatisation of Education:

With the advent of New Economic AIicy 1991, the many sectors of the Indian economy have been liberalised, privatised and globalised. Education Is one of such sectors opened up for the private players. Privatisation of Education refers to private ownership of educational institutions-schools, colleges and universities and keeping them under private management and control. It breaks the state monopoly in education sector.

The effect of privatization of education, like many other sectors, is slowly being felt in India. Since our independence, the responsibility for expansion and development of education has been largely on the governments. With development of the society and an increase in its economic capacity, it becomes obligatory for the state to increase its allocation of resources to the education sector.

Education has recently given the status of fundamental right and now the government is mandated to provide free, and compulsory education to all children under the age of 14; higher education for its citizens so that they can lead quality life; and equal opportunities for education to those who
belong to the weaker sections of the society.

Over the years, education has become one of the fastest growing service sectors in the Indian economy. Our government’s spending on education in India was limited to 3.3% of its GDP in 1999-2000 while the average spending on education by the top

100 countries in the world was 5.24% of their GDP instead of spending more to expand and strengthen the public-funded education institutions, the Indian governments, irrespective of the political affiliations, have started resorting to allow the private players into education sector.

With the changing priorities of the government, public education is slowing losing its strength and giving way to the private sector. The state is no longer coping with the situation where the private players are to take up the responsibility of providing education. Some people are looking towards privatization of education as a panacea. Education is a necessity for human development.

Since the government feels that it is unable to find the funds required for it, and wants to create a competitive environment for public- funded educational institutions, privatization may seem to be the only answer. However, the state should provide safeguards to ensure the educational needs of the weaker sections of the society who have been hitherto deprived of education. And the governments should not forego their responsibility towards them.

4. True Friendship

A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend is a companion and partner to share happy and sorrowful moments of life. Through freindship one can forget all the pains and gets new energy with lot of enthusiasm. Friendship need trust and understanding. It enhances life and pushes us to new horizon to explore. The needful help and support can be gained by friendship. In scriptures the ideal friendship is between lord Krishna and Kuchela. Nowadays Twitter” is used for passing on and sharing the opinions. Friendship enhances strength, encouragement and motivation.

5. Technology and Human Relationships

The rapid technological advancement has brought about significant changes in human lives, especially in their relationships. The latest technologies such social media and online gaming, have turned this world into a “global village” but the way humans interact with each other, the types of relations and their importance has changed a lot.

There is a perception that human relationships are getting weakened with wide use of technology, especially, widespread use of the social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.

Firstly, technology provides an opportunity for virtual reality, i.e., hyperreality. This hyperreality seems to be more real than the reality. Those who are habituated to the use of addictive technology, tend to prefer more the virtual reality and unintentionally lose the value of human touch and human relationships.

Secondly, technology has brought us closer and reduced the physical distance between people. However, in reality, it has taken us away from each other. With addiction to technology, people are moving towards isolated and individualistic life even in the presence of other people. For instance, let us imagine a situation where a family is at the dining table with sumptuous food to eat.

While having their breakfast, the daughter and the son are immersed in their mobile phones, chatting with their friends on WhatsApp. The father has a smart phone in his hands, reading the e-newspaper. The mother is searching for the recipe for preparing a new food item. Here in this context, all the members of the family are physically close and virtually “socializing” but are psychologically emotionally at distant from each other. The situations like this are quite common these days.

Thirdly, the advancement in technology has brought us close. However, it is also taking away us from each other. Until, the later part of the twentieth century, the means of communication were limited such as writing letters or sending telegrams. The number of people one knew of was limited. At that time, one might not know the person living on the other side of globe.

But they talked and interacted with each other and understand each other. Today, one knows the person who lives several thousand miles away through social media but sadly, one does not know his or her next door neighbour. People now seem to be spending more of their time on either on social media or in playing online video games.

Technology is widely accepted as an enabling agent for realisation of human capabilities. However, if not used properly, it can spoil the very human capabilities. Now is time to realise the harmful impact of the negative use of technology on human relationships and train the young mind to use it in a positive manner.

6. Peaceful Coexistence

To be peaceful is a great mental state and adjustment and co-operation is necessary for peaceful co-existence in life. This is possible by understanding and rising to different situations. We should live in the right way and also allow other to live and let live is a meaningful sologan in daily life. Peace prevails only when hearts unite together.

We should try to listen others problems and also we should express our own facts and ideas. An open mind and a loving heart can create cecellency around the atmosphere. Peaceful existence is so desirable for a long and comfortable life.

7. India’s Plural Culture

India has a rich culture of diversity and is known as a ‘land of unity in diversity for its vibrant diverse culture. Historically, India has absorbed and assimllated into its own many religions, cultures and other varied identities. India is blessed with different traditions, and customs. Be in religions, races, Languages, intellectual achievements, performing arts, our country has made us a vivid and colourful; rich and diverse nation.

The pluralistic culture of our country can be explained as follows: Firstly, India is a land of many religions. Major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhisni were born in this land and spread all over the world. Over 80 percent of the people follow Hinduism; the other faiths are also respected. The Constitution of India proclaims itself as secular and treats all religions equally. The people of different faiths live harmoniously in this country, though there are testing times with religious turbulences.

Secondly, our country is a land of multiple languages. According to an estimate, more than 19,500 mother tongues are spoken in India. However the Indian Constitution has officially recognized 22 Languages. Besides English, Hindi is treated as official language. Barring some anti-Hindi movements in the southern parts of the country, the people of this country with diverse linguistic background co-exist with a sense of brotherhood.

Thirdly, India is a land of many races Indians consist of Aryans, Dravidians, Mongoloid, etc. However people of different races feel oneness in their racial plurality. The plural culture of India can also be witnessed in terms of diverse climatic conditions. food habits, dressing, and celebration of different festivals and even in political view points.

Thus, the unity in diversity is the hail mark of Indias pluralistic culture, People of this country enjoy the comingling and assimilation into Indianness. making this land multicultural nation which can be an example of how ‘plurality lives together in singularity’ in the present strife-torn world.

8. Meaningful Life

The question ‘what makes our life meaningful?’ is difficult to answer. In the pursuit of their life, human beings are always confronted with this question. The meaning of life may vary from person to person and from perception to perception. Some people try to find the meaning of life in wealth: some others try to find it in name and fame;

some more in health; and some others in spirituality. In this essay, an effort is made to look at the meaningful life through two different perceptions: the perception of spirituality and philosophy, and the perception of worldliness (material happiness).

From the perception of life through the Lenses of philosophy and spirituality, the ultimate goal of our existence and the purpose of human race is the development of spiritual and moral character of an individual. In one situation, people can make their life meaningful through their activities. For example, a person can see the meaning of his or her life in pursuit of happiness and well-being; and in other situation, such as hostile environments of existence, life may assume different meaning. In some other situations, life is an eternal struggle to chase our dream. in contrast to tranquillity and harmony.

From the perception of worldliness, the meaning of life assumes an altogether different proposition. For those who are fully involved in world affairs, the life is meaningful when we put our efforts in the pursuit of matenal happiness. This perception of life entirely depends on the notion of non existence of life after death. Those who believe in this perception feel that whatever life offers in this world in tenns of satisfying material needs should be enjoyed without any complaint. For them, fulfilment of material happiness makes life meaningful.

However it is very difficult answer the question of ‘what makes our life meaningful. We may conclude that life is meaningful if we realise our potential and use our energies to make this world better to Live in, giving voice to the voiceless; and power to the powerless. We may make our life meaningful in serving the humanity manavasevemadhawaseva.

9. India since Independence

Since independence, India has achieved a lot of success In many areas, however with some exceptions Ever since India attained independence from the British in 1947, there were misconceptions about the ability of the Indians to run their own country after freedom. However, the Indians have not only dispensed with the misconceptions but have also attained excellence in the field of agriculture, education, health, space and nuclear technology. and information and communication technology (IT).

However, there are certain areas we are still lagging behind the world. First and foremost thing that India has achieved after independence is the upholding of democratic traditions. Presently, India is the world’s largest democracy. Since independence, india is the only country in the entire Asia that has remained democratic; the only exception to this is the brief period of the Emergency in 1975-76.

Many in the world were doubtful about the viability of democracy in india. Their belief was further strengthened when several countries in the region, including Pakistan, failed as democracies and chose authoritarian and militarist regimes. However, India has crossed almost seventy year as a democracy. In India, it is the ballot, and not the bullet, that reigns supreme.

The second thing that India can be proud of is its self-sufficiency in food production. Immediately after independence, India was not in apposition to feed its own people and in dire need of food imports. The Green Revolution of 1960’s has brought technology into the Indian agricultural sector. This has resulted in massive scaling up of food produce, leading to stocks to fend off any untoward situation. Now our country is in a position to export food to other needy countries.

India’s contribution to the UN Food Programme to support the poor countries is well-appreciated. The third thing that India has achieved after its independence is its advancement in the field of science and technology, especially in the area of information and communication technology. We are the leading nation in proving the IT and ITES to the world. Our self-sufficiency in the nuclear and space technology is known to the entire world.

However, India is still struggling with its own inhibitions such as caste and religious strife. Some deficiencies in our democracy, illiteracy, poverty and inequalities in the society are some of the failures of India even after its independence. Still we are a nation in the making and have miles to go before we take rest.

10. Globalisation and its Impact

Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990’s, the world has moved towards more liberal and private view of economies. It was in that context, the advent of ‘globalization’ as a concept and practice has assumed importance. The term ‘globalisation’ is used to describe the growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.

Globalisation has brought about by the seamless cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment, people, and information. It has transformed the entire world as ‘global village’. The amalgamation of varied activities associated with ‘globalisation’ has influenced the entire human race in one way or the other. The impact of globalisation may be explained in the following:

Globalisation has offered an opportunity to move goods, services, investment and people from country to another without any restrictions. It created the world as one market for all. Some goods, which were hitherto not available to some countries, started reaching to the needy throughout the world. Investment has become cheaper for the developing countries, like India and contributed in their development.

Globalisation has also provided safeguards for the poor and least developed countries in terms of preferential tariffs. With the seamless movement of people from part of the globe to another, cultures and traditions have got into constant contact. Influencing and getting influenced has happened, leading to formation of multi-cultural and cosmopolitan cultures. Food habits, dressing, popular cultures such as movie, entertainment, etc., have been in constant change which makes it easier to understand each other.

On the negative side of it, globalisation has its own limitations. All is not well with it. Especially, globalization does not hold the same benefits for all members of the global community. Too much interdependence of economies has made some countries at disadvantage. It holds more benefit for members of developed nations such as the USA, the U.K. etc., while many developing nations are deprived of their rightful place in trade and business.

Influx of goods and services into the developing countries has not only eroded economic independence of these countries but also affected their political independence. Due to the disorder created by globalisation, the poor are getting poorer; the rich getting richer- poverty increased, inequality increased, and world peace disturbed.

Every coin has two sides and similar is the case with globalisation. Globalisation has offered plenty of opportunities for many disadvantaged countries. It also provides a level playing field for individuals who can now venture into the world markets to explore their possibilities. Still globalisation has its own limitations.

11. Protection of Bio-diversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of both terrestrial and aquatic life on Earth. It is typically a measure of variation at three levels-genetic, species, and ecosystem. It is because of human intervention in the form of industrialisation, urbanisation, and human induced climate change and global warming that the biological diversity is getting disturbed.

As the result, some of the species which once existed on the earth have now become extinct; some are endangered; and some others are on the brink of extinction. It is in this context, protection and conservation of biodiversity is the vital measure for the survival of various species, including the human being, on the planet Earth.

Conservation of biodiversity is possible when we take measures for protection and preservation of the flora and fauna on the Earth. Through a variety of protective measures, the richness of ecosystem can be conserved and quality of human life, including life of the other species improved. We the human beings should ensure equilibrium in the well-established food chains in different ecological habitats.

Protection of biodiversity is possible if we adopt more sustainable development models that minimize our intervention in the natural ecosystem. It is now a well-established fact that human activities in the form of the industrial revolution, ever-expanding improper urbanisation, pressure on natural resources, have severely affected the conservation of biodiversity.

As the result, deforestation; high level of air, water, sound, and soil pollution; global warming, extreme weather conditions such as frequent floods, famines, threat of locust, rise of sea and ocean levels, etc., are disturbing the whole ecological balance. Sustainability is the only panacea for the impending disaster for biodiversity.

Serious steps need to be taken in order to protect and conserve biodiversity. Especially, human beings should realise that every single class of flora and fauna possesses its unique place in the environmental and ecological structure and helps others survive. It is a win-win situation for everyone and it should not be one’s survival as others’ extinction, but the extinction of all.

For example, if a single species gets extinct from the food chain, it will affect the other species that survive on the former and eventually gets on the queue of destruction. The richer the biodiversity in an ecosystem, the healthier will be the species living in them. Hence, sustainable development is the only measure to protect the endangered biodiversity. Live, let others and posterity to live.

12. Nature and its important

A life intune with nature is serene peaceful and balanced. In oldens days people used to live according to natural laws. Nature takes care of eco-system in a creative way

  • The learning method takes place naturally
  • Health” aspect improves fastly quick recovery for patients
  • The aspects of food, hygene and thinking power, inner peace all depend on natural life.

Natural Sources
Oceans, rivers, mountains, seas all take park in maintaining natural eco-balance and life sustainity. Forest conservation, greenary maintenance is important. In ozone protection, river purification and strategies to protect environment are necessary.

Argumentative Essay

Exercise 1.

Question 1.
Explain the features of an Argumentative Essay.
Answer:
Features of argumentative essay:

  • The purpose of argument in writing is to convince or move readers toward a certain point of view, or opinion.
  • An argument is a reasoned opinion supported and explained by evidence. To argue, in writing, is to advance knowledge and ideas in a positive way.
  • A thesis that expresses the opinion of the writer in more specific terms is better than one that is vague.
  • It is essential that you not only address counterarguments but also do so respectfully.
  • It is also helpful to establish the limits of your argument and what you are trying to accomplish through a concession statement.
  • To persuade a skeptical audience, you will need to use a wide range of evidence. Scientific studies, opinions from experts, historical precedent, statistics, personal anecdotes, and current events are all types of evidence that you might use in explaining your point.
  • Make sure that your word choice and writing style is appropriate for both your subject and your audience.
  • You should let your reader know your bias, but do not let that bias blind you to the primary components of good argumentation: sound, thoughtful evidence and respectfully and reasonably addressing opposing ideas.

Question 2.
Compare and contrast Discursive and Argumentative essays.
Answer:

Discursive Essay Argumentative Essay
1. The questions end with “Discuss”. Questions end with “Do you agree?”

Alternative, they might compel writers to make a stand throught he use of absolute terms such as “alway”, “definitely” etc.

2. Focus is on explaining one’s perspectives and thoughts. Focus is on making a stand on an  argument and providing elaboration and examples to reinforce this stand.
3. Writing is often balanced, with arguments on both sides of the issue. Writing is often inclined towards the
writer’s stand and often offers a counter argument, of which it is often rebutted.
4. Focus is more on the expression and clarity of the writer’s thoughts and perspectives. Focus is more on being persuasive, convincing the readers to the writers’ point of view.

Question 3.
Describe the structure of three – paragraph argumentative essay.
Answer:
The Structure of an Argumentative Essay

  • The introductory part may begin with a general statement on the given topic but by the end of the topic should be in line with the writers position.
  • The body should contain all the cons of the topic is one paragraph and proving the falsity with the pros in the next paragraph.
  • The role of linkers and cohesive markers is important in effecting a smooth transition of ideas within the paragraph and among the paragraphs.
  • Conclusion should be logical and effective and should arise out to he arguments provided in the preceding paragraphs.
  • The writers tone should remain logical arid balanced. He or she should use an ’emotional personal tone except for espressing individual opinion or clarifying the stand taken.

There are three possible structures of an argumentative essay.
Structure 1
Para 1 : Introduction
Para 2 : Supporting argument 1
Para 3 : Supporting argument 2
Para 4 : Opposing argument or argument with refutations
Para 5 : Conclusion

Structure II
Para 1 : Introduction
Para 2 : Opposing argument or arguments with refutations.
Para 3 : Supporting argument 1 Para 4 : Supporting argument 2
Para 5 : Conclusion

Structure III
Para 1 : Introduction
Para 2 : Opposing argument 1 and refutation
Para 3 : Opposing argument 2 and refutation
Para 4 : Opposing argument 3 and refutation
Para 5 : Conclusion

Exercise – II.

Using either the three-paragraph or the five-paragraph method, develop the following hints into argumentative essays and give suitable titles.

Question 1.
Treating women as objects Patriarchy: women as property Popular culture: portrayal of women in popular cinema, media and advertisements Religion: women as impure and inferior Violence in society and violence against women Need for gender sensitization Teaching non violent behaviour Changing gender stereotypes Awareness through education.
Answer:
Since time immemorial women is treated as an object. She is an in many forms like house wife, mother, servant, sex object and so on. She is. used as stage properly in popular culture. The portray of women in cinemas, media and advertisements reflects various stages of victimisation and exploitation. Father and husband take decisions at institutional level and they execute the things without the consent of women.

Even in religious level women is portrayed in victimised status. It is understood that violence in society is violence against women. They are impure in all aspects and inferior to men. It is high time to recognise the need of women empowerment. This can be possible through the promotion of creating awareness among the women the need of education. Mere stereotype characters will not help you in any way. Men have to develop the sensitive attitude of non-violent behaviour.

Question 2.
Lack of family time Distractions – Modem age communication technologies and devices Internet, smart phones and selfie mania Sleep disorders Accidents Behavioural changes Radiation risks Unrealistic aspirations increasing crime – Social cost of economic and technological progress.
Answer:
We are living in jet-speed life. Man is full of worries, anxieties. He has no time to establish good relation with others. He uses all the time a mono syllabic words. His communicative abilities are distracted by several drawbacks like using cell phone, using internet and other communication technologies.

As a result he kills his imaginative and creative power. He at great risk. His behavioural pattern changes cynically. He is man without voice. He imitates crime and allows himself to grow unrealistically. He is standing in the way of National progress and true spirit of technological progress.

Exercise III.

Using either the three-paragraph or the five paragraph method, write argumentative essays on the following topics:

Question 1.
Should Schools do away with Homework ?
Answer:
Homework is a must for children because it enhances the motor skills learning takes place fastly. It is old practice traditionally followed by ‘Gurukula system’.

The Role of the School
If teaching is qualitative and methodical the child need not have homework from the school curriculum. He should not be burdened by it but it should enhance his learning process.

Home Work in holidays
In traditional way of learning abundant quantitative level of homework is entrusted to children. It is done mostly by other members in the family hence the child can not be benefited.

Sincerity and Honesty
Children should be taught values while using cell phones and other technological devices for the homework.

Question 2.
Do ends always justify means ?
Answer:
It depends on the goals, what means one is suppose to select. The goal has to be noble and ideal. One can be highly benefitted by means also. The means is to be an open channel and it should purify and mend the individual.The approach is also important it depends upon the attitude. In ethics the right
means lead to right goal.

Moralitical foundation is most important in imparting education. A society with corrupted minds and criminals cannot sustain by itself. Our heritage and culture and upanishads teaches us to stand by truth and non-violence.

Question 3.
Can one use western gadgets but remain unaffected by of western culture ?
Answer:
Indian Culture, which is one of the oldest and richest cultures in the world with varied languages, customs, beliefs, ideas, taboos, codes, instructions, works of art, architecture, rituals, ceremonies etc. India’s cultural history of several thousands years old and it shows a continuity and subtle change with strong thread of continuity, epitomised in the assimilative power of culture and unique display of unity in diversity’.

With the conquest of European powers and subsequent British rule in India has had a profound effect of eastern culture on Indian society. Western culture has made its presence in various forms. Westernization is defined as incorporation of the norms, values and culture of the west into our culture. It as greatly affected our traditions, customs, our family and our respect and love for others.

The concept: joint families is fastly decreasing everyone wants to remain aloof from others and has given rise to ngle families. Marriages are fast breaking down & our tolerance and patience has given the answer.

Question 4.
Is science always right ?
Answer:
Science itself is beneficial but it. depends on the persons who are handling it and on their altitude. The benefits of science are multiple. There are many people in the society blindly following science by experiments and proofs.

They are intellecually stagnated. The society economically and socially. Promoting education and skills is an important aspect to lift them to heights. Parents while bringing up children can inculcate sensitivity and respect towards them. The attitude towards women can be changed rapidly by sing media. The non-cooperative rigid views is to be transformed into co-operative and non-violent and tenderness.

Question 5.
Should government schools and hospitals be made mandatory for I government officials and politicians
Answer:
This policy should not be one at mandatory for any government employees. There are many facts which we have to think over. The first one is that all government employees cannot send their children to government schools whose standard is at low level.

The government employees must have good and well equipped hospitals for their I hygene and secured life. For residential purpose government employees cannot be isolated from other society and live in separate colonies. The freedom to get qualitative education freed to select the means and ways is for all. India is a diversified country but its constitution is strong and well framed.

Question 6.
Is the right to privacy sacrosanct ?
Answer:
Our is a democractic country. The law and order is highly appreciated. The citizens of India are more powerful to vote and select a government. Privacy of the people should be limited in life. The law is above to it. the law ban implemented at any moment to contrail the access of the people for the sake of welfare of the society. Ex : The Central Beaura of investigation and other departments of law is always vigilant on the section of the people crossing the lines.

Question 7.
Should private coaching institutions be banned ?
Answer:
Private coaching institutions are, necessary as educational scenario is changing drastically the traditional way of teaching changed. Students face lot Of competition for competitive exams. Coaching centres help students to achieve their goals in specified time. Before scantioning recognition or affiliation government should make policy about infrastructure and quality.

Private institutions should not be banned but there should be certain regulation on its management. The financial status of the students varies so graduation or the students with good ranks can be given preference. The fees and the working hours are to be observed.

The commercial purpose need not be encouraged. The burden the stress and strain students in the name of competition is not a healthy sign. Limited and beneficial methodical teaching can support the students to fulfill their aspirations

Question 8.
Is the law always just ?
Answer:
The law is for the people the down trodden must benefited and encouraged for social upliftment. As India is democratic country law helps us for protecting liberty and fraternity. Sovernity also depends on law. The government should make law helpful to people should realise the value of constitution. The brotherhood of the people india is possible by following the law. The law is for enhancement of a sound life.

Question 9.
Should religion play any role in public life ?
Answer:
Religion imparts values in human life. It is important and plays a vital role. The foremost point is character building which is imbibed by religious life. The code of conduct, the personality behaviour depends on what we learn form religion. We learn the most important aspect i.e., faith from our scriptures. Religions values changes person and purifies the inner most layers of the soul. It transforms animal to human and then devine. Thus religion plays an important role in our life.

10.
Advertisements benefit the manufactures and not the customer
Answer:
The manufacturing company should maintain quality of the product. Then the company sales can rise and reputation of the company can be sustainable. Through advertisements, company will be benefited. It helps the advertiser. Without quality advertisements cannot support the company’s name and fame.

Without quality products advertisements are just a waste for the manufacturer. Advertisements brings happiness and information to the customer. Customer’s satisfaction depends on the quality and reasonable cost of the product. Advertisements should be attractive and plays a vital role to increase the market sales.

Vocabulary – Idioms

Question 1.
What is an idiom?
Answer:
An idiom is an expression whose meaning can not be worked out from the words it contains. In an idion the group of words have a fixed order and as a group, they have a meaning of the individual words in the group.

Ex : If somebody is described as a person who has both her feet on the ground, it means she is ‘sensible’ ‘realistic’ and practical person. An idiom is more like a saying or an expression (or proverb. that is specific to a culture!

Use : Idioms are used in informal English. It is advisable to avoid idioms in formal contexts such as academic, scientific and technical writing.

Exercise 1.

Choose the Correct Meaning of the Idiom

Question 1.
To pay through the nose
a. Doing something correctly or well.
b. To pay more for something than its actual worth.
c. To show your anger.
d. To spend more time or energy on something than is necessary.
Answers :
b. To pay more for something than its actual worth.

Question 2.
To take something to heart
a. A lot of worry of excitement about a situation that is not important.
b. To not allow criticism to worry or upset you
c. To allow something to affect or upset you deeply.
d. To start behaving in an unacceptable way.
Answers :
a. A lot of worry of excitement about a situation that is not important.

Question 3.
To not have the stomach for something.
a. To be born to rich parents
b. To exist with very little money
c. To not feel interested, strong or brave enough to do something.

Question 4.
On the ricks
a. In trouble
b. Near failure or defeat
c. To do things in the wrong order
d. To settle down or become established
Answers :
a. In trouble

Question 5.
To show someone the rope
a. To annoy someone
b. To impress of influence someone
c. To put pressure on someone
d. To show someone what to do.
Answers :
d. To show someone what to do.

Question 6.
To see red
a. To small, visible part of a large problem.
b. To become angry
c. To be suspicious of what you bear, to not believe everything you bear
d. To turn a small problem into a large one.
Answers :
d. To turn a small problem into a large one.

Question 7.
To hold the fort
a. To accept the good and bad aspects of something
b. To be experienced and good at something
c. To do a job for some one (e.g. while they are away or busy.
d. To make some one or something seem less lood or important
Answers :
c. To do a job for some one (e.g. while they are away or busy.

Question 8.
To lead someone up the garden path .
a. To be funny or isonic
b. To deceive some one (often over a long period of time.
c. To embrass someone
d. To get out of control
Answers :
b. To deceive some one (often over a long period of time.

Question 9.
To get something off your chest
a. To dd something that harts yourself
b. To have many things to do or worry about
c. To relase
d. To talk about something that has been worrying you for a long time
Answers :
c. To relase

Question 10.
To take a leaf out of someone’s book
a. To be involved in something
b. To be sensible and realistic
c. To follow someone’s example
d. To look after someone to take care of them
Answers :
c. To follow someone’s example

Exercise II.

Match idiom in Column I with the meaning in Column II.

Column I Column II
1. If something fits the bill (a) It has difficulties at the start.
2. If you do something at the drop of a hat (b) It is not clear until the last moment who will win.
3. If you don’t bat an eye (c) They are in conflict.
4. It something has testing problems (d) You manage your finances badly
5. If people are at loggerheads (e) It is not what you believe in
6. If something goes against the grain (f) It is difficult.
7. If you’re penny wise, pound foolish. (g) You do it without hesitation.
8. If a race down to the wire (h) It is what is required.
9. It something is like clock work (i) You show no reaction.
10. It something is not bed of roses. (j) It is punctual and regular.

Answer:
1. (h)
2. (g)
3. (i)
4. (a)
5. (c)
6. (e)
7. (d)
8. (b)
9. (J)
10. (f)

Grammar Connectives

Connectives are variety of words and phrases that can be used to Link sentences and organise text. Connectives help in establishing connections within and between sentences.
Connectives help the reader to move smoothly from one idea to another.
Connectives can be classified into different categories based on the functions they perform.

1. Connectives are used to add further information.
Example: Air conditioners use lot of energy. Additionally they cause pollution.

2. Sequencing connectivies help develop the logical ‘sequence of ideas and show a chronological order.
Example: Initially he injected a small amount later he asked his friends invest.

3. Emphasising connectives help highlight in it certain points.
Example: Work hard especially if you wish to top the class

4. Comparing connectives show the difference between two ideas
Example: I am tall whereas my sister is short.

5. Cause and effect connectives explain why something happens.
Example: The girl missed her bus. Consequently, she was late for her class.

5. Illustrating connectives are used to provide examples.
Example: (She eat a lot of fruits such as apples, bananas, water melons etc.)

Exercise I.

Choose the appropriate connective

1. _______ we started late, we still arrived in time. (AlthougMnspite of)
2. Many people in the office tried to helps. They were friendly (too/as well)
3. I love carom my friends prefer cricket. (further more, whereas)
4. ________ ¡ didn’t know anyone at the party, I left early (As/so)
5. Manu wanted to watch the film, he fell asleep halfway through (but, because)
Answers :
1. Although
2. too
3. whereas
4. As
5. but

Exercise II.

Fill in the gaps with a suitable connective more than one connective may be possible

1. They took a map along …………. they lost their way.
2. She had sprained her ankle that, …………. she managed to participate in the dance competition.
3. My handwriting is terrible ………… my sister’s handwriting is beautiful.
4. She came late to the exam hall …………. she forgot to bring a pen.
5. He is a bad driver …………. he hasn’t had any accidents.
Answers :
1. However
2. Inspite of
3. whereas
4. moreover
5. yet

Exercise III.

Link the sentences in a logical way with an appropriate connective. Do not repeat the connectives.

1. The firm was doing badly. It was closed.
2. It is your money you can do what you like with it.
3. The programme was cancelled. All the tickets had been sold out.
4. It’s very hot. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. I slipped and fell. I fractured my knee-joint.
Answers :
1. The firm was doing badly. I as a result It was closed.
2. It is your money certainly you can do what you like with it.
3. The programme was cancelled even though all the tickets had been sold out.
4. It’s very hot hence/win on the air conditioner.
5. I slipped and fell as a result I fractured my knee-joint.

Exercise IV.

Read the sentence and correct the errors in the use of connectives.

1. I will call you wherever I have the results.
2. You keep my books when you like.
3. My sister went shopping Moreover she didn’t buy anything.
4. My nephew is good at languages. Because my niece is good at maths.
5. It was getting late. Though the guests didn’t leave
Answers :
1. after
2. As long as
3. however
4. whereas
5. But

Exercise V.

Re arrange the jumbled sentences in a proper order using the hints provided by the connectives ( in italics)

Accident on NH 65
1. On Friday night, two buses collided in heavy rain one NH 65.
2. One was a sleeper bus going to Hyderabad.
3. The other one was a Volvo Bus in which a marriage party was travelling from Hyderabad to Pune.
4. Both the vehicles suffered considerable damage, though
5. In spite of this damage, the two vehicles managed to reach the nearby depot.
6. Luckily, there was.no loss of life, but the drivers and five passengers sustained minor injuries.
7. Eye – witnesses said that neither of the vehicles was speeding at the time of the accident.
8. However, because of the heavy rain, the drivers could not see the danger until a few seconds before the collision,
9. Consequently, there was no time for them to avoid the accident.
10. A spokes person for the RTA said a committee of enquiry would be setup to investage the matter and look at the causes.
11. The official added that the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Transport, would be leading the committee.
Answers :
1. Two buses collided on NH 65 in heavy rain on Friday night.
2. One sleeper bus was going to Hyderabad.
3. A Volvo bus in Which a marriage party was travelling from Hyderabad to Pune was the other one.
4. Though both the vehicles suffered considerable damage.
5. The two vehicles managed to reach nearby depot, inspite of this damage.
6. The drivers and five passengers sustained minor injuries but there was no loss of life luckily.
7. Neither of the vehicles was speeding at the time of the accident, said the eye witnesses.
8. The drivers could not see the danger until a few seconds before the collision because of the heavy rain.
9. To avoid the accident consequently there was no time.
10. “A committee of enquiry would be setup to investigate the matter and look into the causes said spokes person for the RTA.
11. The Principal Secretary Ministry of transport would be leading the Committee, the official added.

OU Degree 3rd Sem English Study Material