CHAPTER 14 - Questions & Answers

Supply for, since, at, in, on, by where required in the following sentences:

1. She drinks a lot of coffee in the evenings.

2. It is usually much warmer at three o'clock in the afternoon than in the morning.

3. The new term starts in March.

4. They have lived in this town since 2015.

5. I have been waiting for you since eight o'clock.

6. We will finish our exams in two days' time.

7. They have lived in Delhi for six months.

8. In summer we will have our vacations.

9. Tom went home at sunset.

10. We have been waiting for over half an hour.

Supply suitable prepositions:

1. There is a bus stop at the end of the road.

2. I was in Japan when the President was there.

3. He used to live in Kanpur.

4. She lost her ring in the sand.

5. I will meet you at the signpost near my house.

6. Our house is at the top of the hill.

7. There has been an accident at the corner of the street.

8. Suddenly he jumped into the river.

9. He sat between Mary and Janet.

10. He was standing beside the pillar.

I. Match the proverbial expressions to their meanings:

1. to upset someone's apple cart
Answer: (d) to throw someone's plans into disorder

2. to bell the cat
Answer: (h) to do the most dangerous part of a suggested scheme

3. to play one's last card
Answer: (a) to take the last chance one has of achieving success

4. to be between the devil and the deep sea
Answer: (e) to choose between two undesirable situations

5. to eat out of someone's hand
Answer: (j) to fall in meekly, with a person's wishes

6. to lose face
Answer: (b) to lose one's good name and reputation

7. to play with fire
Answer: (i) to meddle with matters that may lead to serious trouble

8. to play to the gallery
Answer: (f) to behave in an exaggerated way to attract people's attention

9. to do something by halves
Answer: (c) to do a thing half-heartedly

10. to make one's mark
Answer: (g) to achieve fame or distinction

II. Language is the most exciting tool of communication. We must choose the right word to produce the desired effect.
The word "got" is often used in such a general way that it has little real meaning. Write the following passage with each "got" replaced by a more exact word (you may make any other necessary changes):

I got up early this morning and quickly got dressed. I got straight down to breakfast and soon got ready for school. I got my bus, which got me to school in good time. I had good day at school and got good marks for all my work. I got through the day feeling very pleased, and after school, got a bus back to my home, where I got my tea and then got down to do my homework.

Answer: I woke up early this morning and quickly dressed. I went straight down to breakfast and soon was ready for school. I caught my bus, which took me to school in good time. I had a good day at school and scored good marks for all my work. I passed through the day feeling very pleased, and after school, boarded a bus back to my home, where I had my tea and then sat down to do my homework.

III. Word Economy
Write one word from the box in place of the italicised phrase in each of the following sentences:

1. The antics of Raj Kapoor are inimitable.

2. The speaker was inarticulate.

3. The voice of the lecturer was so faint that it was inaudible.

4. The incriminating evidence was incombustible.

5. The highway, blocked with snow, was impassable.

6. A morose individual is incommunicative.

7. A ruler in name only is impotent.

8. A marking ink may be bought that is indelible.

9. A pupil who cannot profit from his mistakes is incorrigible.

10. A hideout is a retreat, that, except to a few, is inaccessible.

Attempt any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper on the impact of a flyover being built in your colony.
(ii) Write a letter to your local newspaper giving your views on public transport.
(iii) Write a letter to a newspaper against the violence in films. You should also suggest what you expect to see in a film.

Answer for (i):
To,
The Editor,
The Times of India,
New Delhi.

Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the severe impact of the flyover currently being built in our residential colony.

While we understand that the flyover is a necessary infrastructure development aimed at easing traffic congestion, the ongoing construction has led to massive noise and dust pollution. The heavy machinery operating late into the night is causing great distress to the residents, particularly the elderly and students preparing for their examinations. Moreover, the haphazard dumping of construction materials on the internal roads has caused severe traffic bottlenecks, disrupting our daily lives.

I sincerely request the authorities to ensure that loud construction activities are restricted strictly to daylight hours and that proper measures are taken to control dust pollution and clear road debris promptly.

Yours faithfully,
A Concerned Resident

Question 1
Write a composition (300 - 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a story in which a mobile phone, a burglar and a girl play an important role.
(ii) Narrate an incident from your experience when you taught someone an important lesson. Explain why you did that and what you learnt at the end of the day.
(iii) 'Large sums of money spent on extravagant celebrations could be better used to help the poor.' Express your views either for or against this statement.
(iv) Describe the day when you were caught in a sudden storm. How did you react? In retrospect, could you have done something differently?
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you...

Answer for (i):
It was a dark, storm-swept evening when fifteen-year-old Meera found herself alone in her house. Her parents were delayed in the neighboring town due to the torrential downpour. Meera was curled up on the living room sofa, deeply engrossed in her studies, when the electricity suddenly flickered and died. The silence that instantly flooded the house was unnerving, broken only by the aggressive drumming of rain against the windowpanes.

Suddenly, a distinct scraping sound echoed from the kitchen door. Meera's heart leaped to her throat. Tiptoeing to the hallway, she peered carefully around the corner. A dark silhouette was attempting to pry the back lock open. It was a burglar. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but Meera knew screaming would only escalate the danger. She needed a quick, silent plan.

She quietly crept back into the living room and grabbed her mobile phone. Her fingers trembled as she dialed the emergency police number. Shielding the screen's glow, she whispered her exact address to the operator, urgently pleading for help. The operator assured her that a patrol team was just minutes away. Meera swiftly put her phone on silent mode and hid behind the thick velvet curtains, keeping her eyes glued to the hallway.

The back door finally gave way with a crack. The burglar entered, switching on a small flashlight. He began rummaging through the cupboards, searching for cash and valuables. Meera held her breath, praying silently.

Just as the intruder stepped toward the living room, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the rain-slicked street outside. A loud police siren wailed, shattering the tension. The burglar panicked, dropping his loot, and sprinted back towards the kitchen, but he was immediately intercepted and pinned down by the officers surrounding the house. Meera stepped out of her hiding place, shaken but entirely unharmed. Her presence of mind and the timely use of her mobile phone had averted a disaster.

Question 2
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Customer Care Manager of a renowned food delivery app, complaining about the cold soggy food that you received when you ordered food through the app. Give details of the nature of the complaint and suggest remedies so that others do not face such a problem.
(ii) You have joined a residential school at a hill station. You are learning new skills like horse riding, rappelling and skating. Write a letter to your cousin describing your life in the new school.

Answer for (i):
To,
The Customer Care Manager,
QuickBite Delivery App.

Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my profound dissatisfaction regarding an order (Order ID: #98432) placed through your application on the 10th of July.

I had ordered a family-sized pizza and pasta from a nearby restaurant, with a promised delivery time of 35 minutes. However, the delivery executive arrived after a staggering delay of one and a half hours. Consequently, the food I received was completely cold, and the pizza base had turned extremely soggy and unappetizing. This completely ruined our family dinner and caused immense frustration.

To prevent such unpleasant experiences for other customers, I suggest that you implement stricter time-tracking for your delivery personnel and equip them with better thermal insulation bags to preserve food temperature. Additionally, optimizing your routing algorithm during peak traffic hours would be highly beneficial.

I hope you take this feedback seriously and improve your service quality.

Yours faithfully,
Arun Sharma

Question 3
(i) Your school is organising a Grandparents' Day. Write a notice for the school notice board informing the students about the event.

Answer:
ST. PETER'S HIGH SCHOOL
NOTICE
15th October, 2026

Grandparents' Day Celebration

This is to inform all students that our school is organizing a special 'Grandparents' Day' celebration on the 28th of October, 2026, in the school auditorium from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event will feature a variety of cultural performances, fun interactive games, and a high tea session. All students are requested to warmly invite their grandparents to be a part of this memorable occasion. For further details or to register for performances, please contact the undersigned.

Head Boy

(ii) Write an email to a famous sports person, who recently celebrated his/her 90th birthday, inviting him/her to be the Chief Guest at the Grandparents' Day and share his/her views on how to lead a long and healthy life.

Answer:
To: contact@legendaryathlete.com
Subject: Invitation to be the Chief Guest for Grandparents' Day

Dear Sir,

We hope this email finds you in excellent health. Please accept our belated but warmest congratulations on your 90th birthday!

The students and faculty of St. Peter's High School are organizing a Grandparents' Day celebration on the 28th of October, 2026, at our school auditorium. It would be an absolute honor and a privilege to have a legendary sports icon like you grace the occasion as our Chief Guest.

Your lifetime of discipline, resilience, and dedication continues to inspire generations. We kindly request you to address our gathering and share your invaluable views on how to lead a long, healthy, and meaningful life.

We eagerly await a favorable response from your end.

Warm regards,

Principal
St. Peter's High School

Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. swooped (line 16)
(a) attacked      (b) fell      (c) plunged      (d) captured

Answer: (c) plunged

2. clambered (line 29)
(a) ran      (b) crawled      (c) rushed      (d) slid

Answer: (b) crawled

(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word gushing?
(a) carrying      (b) trickling      (c) falling      (d) drinking

Answer: (b) trickling

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) In what mood did the king and his friends ride out on a hunting trip?

Answer: The king and his friends rode out gaily into the woods, which shows they were in a very cheerful, enthusiastic, and high-spirited mood for the hunt.

(b) What happened when the king tried to drink the water for the first time?

Answer: When the king put the cup to his lips to drink for the first time, his pet hawk suddenly swooped down and knocked the cup from his hands, spilling the water.

(c) Why did the hawk knock the cup down from the king's hands?

Answer: The loyal hawk knocked the cup down to save the king's life, as the water trickling down was coming from a pool that contained a huge, dead, and highly poisonous snake.

(d) What did the king do to the hawk for its action?

Answer: Blinded by intense anger and thirst, the king drew his sword and struck the hawk as it swooped down the third time, fatally wounding his loyal pet.

(e) What lesson did the king learn at the end of the story?

Answer: The king learned a deeply saddening lesson that one should never act out of anger.

(iv) State what the king saw at the place from where the water trickled. What did he feel then? Answer in not more than fifty words.

Answer: Upon climbing the bank, the king discovered a pool of water containing a massive, dead, poisonous snake. Realizing the water was toxic and his hawk had intentionally saved his life, he entirely forgot his thirst and was overcome with immense regret and sorrow for hastily killing his savior.

Question 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.

Answer:
1. announced
2. archaeological
3. to be unveiled
4. discovery
5. detected
6. scanning
7. Egyptian
8. helped

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) He is devoid of common sense.

(b) He passes for a learned man.

(c) Our team put up a good fight in the debate.

(d) Burglars broke into the shop at night.

(e) The Manager called for an explanation from the receptionist.

(f) The Principal has dispensed with the services of the peon.

(g) The enemy was driven back by the advancing troops.

(h) She always beats around the bush.

(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.

1. He went to the market. He wanted to buy some paints.
(a) He went to the market where he wanted to buy some paints.
(b) He went to the market to buy some paints.
(c) He went to the market for buying some paints.
(d) He had gone to the market to buy some paints.

Answer: (b) He went to the market to buy some paints.

2. You told me a lie. Kindly tell me the reason for it.
(a) Kindly tell me the reason why you lied to me.
(b) Kindly tell me the reason for you lied to me.
(c) Kindly tell me the reason for why you told me a lie.
(d) Kindly tell me the reason for you told me a lie.

Answer: (a) Kindly tell me the reason why you lied to me.

3. He looked over the wall. The temple could be seen clearly.
(a) Looking over the wall, he could see the temple clearly.
(b) He looked over the wall for the temple to see clearly.
(c) The temple could be seen clearly through the wall.
(d) He looks over the wall to see the temple clearly.

Answer: (a) Looking over the wall, he could see the temple clearly.

4. He is miserly. He is selfish.
(a) He is miserly as well as selfish.
(b) He is miserly yet selfish.
(c) Not only he is miserly yet also selfish.
(d) He is miser as well as also selfish.

Answer: (a) He is miserly as well as selfish.

(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.

1. Neetu is the fastest runner in our batch. (Use: ...fast...)
(a) No other runner in our batch is as fast as Neetu.
(b) Very few runners in our batch is as fast as Neetu.
(c) Very few runners in our batch are more fast than Neetu.
(d) Neetu is as fast as no other runner.

Answer: (a) No other runner in our batch is as fast as Neetu.

2. He was not sure if he could walk so far. (Use: ...doubtful...)
(a) He was not doubtful if he could walk so far.
(b) He was doubtful if he could walk so far.
(c) He was doubtful that he could walk so far.
(d) He was doubtful about if he could walk so far.

Answer: (b) He was doubtful if he could walk so far.

3. If nobody wants the old music system, I shall dispose of it. (Begin: Unless...)
(a) Unless nobody wants the old music system, I shall dispose of it.
(b) Unless somebody wants the old music system, I will dispose of it.
(c) Unless somebody wants the old music system, I will not dispose of it.
(d) Unless I will dispose of it, nobody wants the old music system.

Answer: (b) Unless somebody wants the old music system, I will dispose of it.

4. Wake up or you will miss your bus. (Begin: If...)
(a) If you do not wake up you can miss your bus.
(b) If you do not wake up you will miss your bus.
(c) If you wake up you will miss your bus.
(d) If you wake up you miss your bus.

Answer: (b) If you do not wake up you will miss your bus.

5. "Why did I not get this software before?" thought the Accountant. (Begin: The Accountant wondered...)
(a) The Accountant wondered why he did not get this software before.
(b) The Accountant wondered why did not he get this software before.
(c) The Accountant wondered why he had not got this software before.
(d) The Accountant wondered why did I not get this software before.

Answer: (c) The Accountant wondered why he had not got this software before.

6. The old lady is too proud to accept any help. (Begin: The old lady is so proud...)
(a) The old lady is so proud to accept any help.
(b) The old lady is so proud for accepting any help.
(c) The old lady is so proud that she does not accept any help.
(d) The old lady is so proud that she cannot accept any help.

Answer: (d) The old lady is so proud that she cannot accept any help.

7. He was accused of stealing. (Begin: People...)
(a) People accused him of stealing.
(b) People accused him for stealing.
(c) People had accused him of stealing.
(d) People have accused him of stealing.

Answer: (a) People accused him of stealing.

8. No subject interests her as much as English. (Begin: Of all...)
(a) Of all her interests, English is her favourite subject.
(b) Of all her interests, no subject is as much as English.
(c) Of all the subjects, she is interested the most in English.
(d) Of all the subjects, she is most interested in English.

Answer: (d) Of all the subjects, she is most interested in English.