Personal response — describes an instance of swinging from a tree using a rope or branch.
Yes, I have tried swinging from a tree. As a child, I tied a rope to a low branch and swung back and forth for fun and excitement. The experience was thrilling as I felt the breeze rushing past me and experienced the exhilaration of swinging high above the ground. It was a simple but joyful activity that gave me a sense of freedom and adventure during my childhood.
Personal response — short yes/no with example.
Yes, I have climbed up trees to pluck fruits. I have climbed small fruit trees such as mango, jackfruit, and guava trees to pick ripe fruits for family snacks and meals. The experience was enjoyable as I could select the ripest and sweetest fruits directly from the tree, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment and connection with nature.
Personal answer listing other occasions and reasons for tree-climbing.
I have climbed trees on several occasions for different reasons. Once I climbed a tree to retrieve a kite that had gotten stuck in the branches. Another time, I climbed to observe a bird's nest and look at the eggs inside out of curiosity about nature. I have also climbed trees to collect fodder for animals and to pick fruits and leaves. On some occasions, I simply climbed trees to enjoy the view from above and experience the peace and quiet of being high up among the branches.
From the story the ancestral house is described as an old stone house — answer in one line.
The old house was built of stone (stone walls).
Straight answer: the visitor is a former resident who returns to see the house and childhood places.
No. The visitor no longer lives in the house; he has come back to visit his old home.
The visitor had hidden his childhood treasures in the hollow of the jackfruit tree. These treasures included marbles, a forbidden book that he had secretly kept, a few old coins, and his grandfather's Iron Cross. These items held deep sentimental value for him as they represented precious memories from his childhood and were items he had carefully preserved in that secret hiding place within the tree.
The visitor hid the Iron Cross in the hollow of the jackfruit tree approximately twenty-five years earlier, when he was still a boy. This was during his childhood, long before he returned to visit the tree as an adult. The passage indicates that a considerable amount of time had passed between when he concealed the Iron Cross and his return to search for it, which is why he found it difficult to locate and retrieve after so many years.
1. T; 2. T; 3. T; 4. T; 5. T; 6. F; 7. T; 8. F; 9. F; 10. F.
- a. old age.
- b. youth.
- c. adulthood.
- d. middle age.
(a) Old age.
- a. remained unchanged.
- b. was totally changed.
- c. was slightly repaired.
- d. was given a facelift.
The house remained unchanged.
- a. Grand mother
- b. Uncle
- c. Grand father
- d. The visitor
(a) grandmother.
- a. wanted to see the jackfruit tree.
- b. was looking for his lost youth.
- c. wanted to look again at his old house
- d. wanted to buy the house.
He wanted to see the jackfruit tree.
- a. iron cross
- b. marbles
- c. bronze medal
- d. old coins
(a) an Iron Cross.
1. A tree's shade makes the people in a house feel protected and blessed by nature. 2. The writer observed that the house still stood firm and was almost unchanged. 3. Local people believed that a house on which a tree's shadow fell was blessed. 4. As a boy, he swung round and round on the turnstile until he became dizzy. 5. A Colonel owns the house now. 6. He returned to see his old house and the treasures left in the jackfruit tree. 7. The girl climbed the tree and retrieved the Iron Cross from its hollow. 8. The house originally belonged to the narrator's grandparents and was sold after his grandmother's death. 9. He gave the Iron Cross to the girl. 10. He had left his childhood treasures in a small hollow in the jackfruit tree.
The correct matching of words in column A with their meanings in column B is as follows: pruning matches with trimming a plant, which refers to cutting and shaping plants for better growth. Chiming matches with emitting a sound, which describes the ringing or musical sound of bells or clocks. Drenched matches with soaked, meaning thoroughly wet or saturated with liquid. Dizzy matches with shaky, describing a feeling of unsteadiness or loss of balance. Prosperous matches with flourishing, meaning thriving, successful, and growing well. Sprightliness matches with lively, referring to a state of being active, energetic, and full of life. Treasure matches with a collection of precious things, referring to valuable items of worth. Rusty matches with ancient, describing something old, worn, or from a long time ago.
1. you'd — you would / you had
2. they've — they have
3. he'd — he would / he had
4. he's — he is / he has
5. wasn't — was not
6. isn't — is not
7. doesn't — does not
8. aren't — are not
9. wouldn't — would not
10. can't — cannot
When visiting my primary school after six years, I would remember many vivid details from my childhood. I would recall the wooden desk with my name carved on it, the drawings on the blackboard, the songs we used to sing together, and the games we played during breaks. Walking through the classroom would bring back memories of sitting in the same seat and learning basic lessons. My feelings at that time would be mixed and profound. I would feel nostalgic, remembering the innocence and simplicity of those early school days. There would also be a sense of shyness and strangeness because the classroom would appear much smaller than I remembered it, and I would realize how much I have grown and changed. I would feel happy to be back in that familiar space, yet surprised at how different everything looks from an adult perspective. Regarding whom I miss more, I believe I miss my teacher more than my friends because of her kindness, patience, and the care she showed us. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping our early education and character. However, I also miss my friends deeply for all the fun times, laughter, and innocent moments we shared together. Visiting this classroom would teach me to value those simple days and cherish the old memories. It would make me realize how quickly time passes and how important it is to hold onto the bonds we formed during childhood. This experience would remind me that childhood is a precious phase of life that shapes who we become.
My Favourite Sport:
Everyone has a favourite sport. My favourite sport is football. It is a fun game to watch and play. I like every sport but football is my favourite because I love to play it. All my life I have been playing football, from the backyard to high school. Football has also provided me with a lot of memories that I can never forget. One memory is winning the Junior football trophy in high school. That is something I will never forget. Also, my family is a football family. My dad is also a football player.
1. I returned to Dehra to relive my childhood at my grandparents' house. The granite house and jackfruit tree were almost unchanged, though the turnstile had gone. I sat under the mango tree and remembered the piano, grandfather clock, old car, birds on the veranda and treasures hidden in the tree. Those memories restored the happiness of my youth. 2. The girl had kindly climbed the tree to retrieve the Iron Cross, so the man gave it to her in gratitude. Taking it away would have denied him the chance to repay her kindness; giving it made both of them happy.
75, Peace street,
Angel Nagar, Nagercoil – 16
7th July, 2018
Dear Queeny,
I am delighted to write to you about my visit to our ancestral house. Last Saturday I had gone there with my parents. It is an old house built with granite stones. There are lot of trees and garden plants in the garden. My grandparents still live there. There was an old swing beside the house. I started swinging for some time. 1 found some of my toys and dolls. I remembered my childhood days. I took some of them with me. I wish to spend my vacation there. I realized that rural life is comfortable than city life. We who live in the towns and cities miss the comforts a lot. Well, convey my love and regards to your mom and dad.
Yours lovingly
Angelina.
To
Sample filled table (example):
- proximity to the railway station: My place — 2 km; Partner's place — 8 km
- proximity to the airport: My place — 25 km; Partner's place — 60 km
- number of shopping centres: My place — 3; Partner's place — 1
- number of temples: My place — 5; Partner's place — 2
- important heritage centres: My place — old fort; Partner's place — historic church
- sea, lakes, rivers or ponds: My place — small lake nearby; Partner's place — no major water body
- traffic: My place — moderate; Partner's place — light
Comparative paragraph:
My locality is closer to transport and has more shopping centres and temples, while my partner's place is quieter with less traffic. My area has a small lake and a historic fort that attract visitors; my partner's town has fewer facilities but is more peaceful. Overall, my place is more convenient for daily needs, whereas my partner's place is calmer.
The page (42) gives the three comparison words. Example comparative sentences students can use:
- (a) Healthier — "Vegetable salad is healthier than fried chips."
- (b) More wholesome — "A bowl of porridge is more wholesome than a candy bar."
- (c) Less calorific — "An apple is less calorific than a slice of cake."
Students may substitute the pictured items and keep the same comparative forms.
(a) This home-cooked meal is healthier than the fried snack because it contains more nutrients and fewer unhealthy fats. A fresh salad is healthier than processed food. (b) That home-cooked plate is more wholesome than instant food because it is made with natural ingredients and prepared with care. A meal prepared at home is more wholesome than takeaway food. (c) Fresh fruit is less calorific than sugary desserts, making it a better choice for maintaining a healthy weight. Vegetables are less calorific than fried foods. These comparisons show that natural, home-prepared foods are generally better for our health and nutrition than processed or fried alternatives.
Common comparison of two transport options (bicycle vs car): bicycle causes less pollution (more eco-friendly) and costs less to run (more economical); a car generally provides better protection and safety (safer). Adjust the noun pair to match the pictured items if they are different.
(a) A bicycle is more eco-friendly than a car because it does not produce harmful emissions and does not consume fossil fuels. Walking is even more eco-friendly than cycling. (b) A bicycle is more economical than a car because it requires no fuel, minimal maintenance, and no registration costs. Public transport is more economical than owning a personal vehicle. (c) A car is safer than a bicycle in terms of protection from accidents and weather conditions. However, a bicycle is safer for the environment and for public health. These comparisons demonstrate that while cars offer certain conveniences, bicycles and public transport are better choices for environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Typical comparisons between 'books/textbooks' and 'social media' (common textbook example): books/textbooks tend to be more educational; social media often feels more interesting to students and is generally trendier. If the textbook pictures show different items, substitute those items and use the same comparative adjectives.
(a) Books are more educational than most social media posts because they provide in-depth knowledge, well-researched information, and structured learning. Textbooks are more educational than entertainment websites. (b) Social media can be more interesting than textbooks for many students because it offers visual content, interactive features, and current information. Videos can be more interesting than reading lengthy articles. (c) Social media is trendier than traditional textbooks because it reflects current events, popular culture, and modern communication styles. Digital platforms are trendier than printed materials. These comparisons highlight the balance between traditional educational resources that provide depth and credibility, and modern digital media that engages students through contemporary formats and content.
Typical transport comparison (bus vs motorcycle): buses generally offer greater safety and comfort while motorcycles can be faster in congested urban traffic. If the actual pictures show other items, substitute them and keep the comparative structures.
(a) A bus is safer than a motorcycle because it provides better protection, stability, and visibility on the road. A car is safer than a motorcycle for long-distance travel. (b) A bus is more comfortable than a motorcycle because it has seats, protection from weather, and space to move around. A train is more comfortable than a bus for very long journeys. (c) A motorcycle can be quicker than a bus in heavy traffic because of its smaller size and ability to maneuver between vehicles. A car is quicker than a bus on highways with light traffic. These comparisons show that different modes of transport have different advantages depending on factors like safety, comfort, and speed of travel.
Comparison between a wooden cottage and a concrete house: cottages often feel cozier while concrete houses are usually stronger and more expensive. Replace the nouns with the actual pictured items if they differ.
(a) A wooden cottage is cozier than a concrete house because wood creates a warm, natural atmosphere and feels more inviting and intimate. A small cottage is cozier than a large mansion. (b) A concrete house is costlier than a wooden cottage because concrete construction requires more materials, labor, and maintenance. A modern apartment is costlier than a traditional cottage. (c) A concrete house is sturdier than a wooden cottage because concrete is more durable, resistant to weather, and less prone to damage from pests or decay. A stone building is sturdier than a wooden structure. These comparisons illustrate the trade-offs between the warmth and charm of traditional wooden structures and the durability and strength of modern concrete construction.
These model sentences use comparative and superlative forms appropriate for bar-graph comparisons (more popular, less popular, among the least/most). Students should check the graph's exact bar heights and replace 'more/less' as required by the actual data (for example, if a sport decreased, change 'became more' to 'became less').
1. Paragliding was more popular in 2017 than it was in 2001.
2. Rafting became more popular in 2017 compared with 2001.
3. Rock climbing was less popular in 2001 than in 2017 (i.e., it grew by 2017).
4. Bungee jumping was less popular than paragliding in both years.
5. Surfing remained among the least popular sports in both 2001 and 2017.
Page 43 of the book lists 'Versatile' as an example and, in the 'Just a Minute' activity nearby, several speech-related words appear (hesitation, stuttering, stammering, gesticulations, deviating). These are appropriate words students might encounter in a conversation exercise. Students should verify the listening transcript on page 203 and use a dictionary to record precise meanings and example sentences.
New Word — Meaning:
Versatile — able to adapt to different activities or functions.
Hesitation — the act of pausing before saying or doing something.
Stuttering — speaking with involuntary repetition of sounds or syllables.
Stammering — speaking with involuntary pauses and repetitions (similar to stuttering).
Gesticulate / Gesticulations — to use hand or body movements to express something.
Deviate — to move away from an established course or topic.
Provide short, focused topics related to the unit and practical speaking tips: plan structure (intro, points, conclusion), use simple sentences, and practice timing to fill one minute without hesitation.
Suggested topics for the one-minute speech include my favourite childhood game, which allows you to describe a game you enjoyed and explain why it was special. Another topic is a memorable visit to my ancestral house, where you can share experiences and emotions connected to family heritage. Why reading is important is an excellent topic to discuss the benefits of reading for knowledge and imagination. An adventure sport I would like to try allows you to express your interests and explain what attracts you to that sport. How to spend a healthy weekend is a practical topic where you can suggest activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Useful tips for delivering an effective one-minute speech include thinking of three to four clear points before you begin speaking. Start with a one-line introduction that captures attention and introduces your topic clearly. Provide one or two supporting points with brief examples or explanations to develop your ideas. End with a concluding sentence that summarizes your main thought or leaves a lasting impression. Speak slowly and clearly so that your audience can understand every word. Avoid using fillers like um, uh, or you know, as these disrupt the flow of speech. Keep strictly to the topic without deviating or introducing irrelevant information. Practice beforehand to build confidence and ensure smooth delivery without hesitation or stammering.