From the Diary of Anne Frank

Text I

Q.1. Infer the meanings of the following expressions. The first has been done for you as an example.

(a) to feel the breath of war: there were indications that war was going to start soon

(b) appalling hunger and cold: a terrible and shocking situation of starvation and freezing temperatures.

(c) start of the siege: the beginning of the military operation where the enemy surrounds the city to cut off supplies.

(d) blockade grams: the extremely small and limited amount of rationed food (specifically bread) allowed to citizens during the blockade.

siege, air raids, artillery, bomb, shelters, shells, blockade, rations.

(a) Who were the captives as stated in the above passage?

The captives were the citizens of Leningrad who were trapped inside the city during the German siege.

(b) Why did the people under siege welcome the bad weather conditions?

They welcomed inclement weather because the poor visibility prevented the Germans from bombing the city.

(c) What were the fears in the mind of the people?

The people feared the sunny days and moonlit nights which brought German bombing, and they also feared the growing hunger and cold.

(d) Have the people lost hope or reconciled to the existing situation?

According to the text, the initial fear gave way to apathy due to the appalling hunger and cold, suggesting a state of numbness or resignation to the suffering, though the introduction notes they fought bravely.

‘…when it was still possible to buy food without ration cards in ordinary shops and canteens were no more than a distant memory.’ It means:

(a) There was hope of getting ration soon.

(b) Citizens under siege had to show their ration cards for buying food.

(c) There were shops and canteen for buying food for the people under siege.

(d) The possibility of buying the food without a ration card as in the past, was no more than a memory now.

Answer: (d) The possibility of buying the food without a ration card as in the past, was no more than a memory now.

Text II

Q.1. The above passage is written in the English that was prevalent in the eighteenth century. Find some words and phrases from the text which seem different as compared to the English language usage at present. List them and find an appropriate substitute for each. Look at the example given below:

Example: whence — when (Note: Contextually 'from where')

1. Whither — To where

2. Discourse — Conversation or discussion

3. Endeavoured — Tried or attempted

4. Tokens — Signs or symptoms (of the disease)

5. Parish — A local district with its own church

(a) What is being talked about in the first paragraph of Daniel Defoe’s journal?

The first paragraph discusses the rumours and news regarding the return of the plague in Holland in 1663 and its potential sources (Italy, the Levant, etc.).

(b) How was news about important events circulated during those days?

News was circulated through letters from merchants and others corresponding abroad, and then spread by word of mouth, as there were no printed newspapers.

(c) Why did the rumour about the plague die off?

The rumour died off because the Government kept the information very private, and since it didn't spread instantly, people began to forget it or hope it wasn't true.

(d) How was the news about the plague confirmed?

It was confirmed when two Frenchmen died in Long Acre. Two physicians and a surgeon inspected the bodies, found "evident tokens" of the sickness, and publicly declared it to be the plague.

‘… the weekly bill of mortality’ means:

(a) The weekly payment of dues

(b) The weekly news about the deaths

(c) The statement about the hospital expenditure issued every week

(d) The list which was issued weekly, of persons who died due to plague

Answer: (d) The list which was issued weekly, of persons who died due to plague

(a) I can’t tell you the plan because I don’t know about it. (him her it them)

(b) One should learn to defend oneself against bullies. (herself itself himself oneself)

(c) The girls who were helping you were probably Rahul’s friends. (which who that they)

(d) These dresses belong to you. I am sure they are yours. (yours your yours’ theirs)

(e) The fire caused serious damage to the group of houses. (damage damages injuries injury)

(f) The board was concerned with plans for the tournament. (concerned to concern about concerned at concerned with)

all’s fair in love and war

Meaning: In difficult situations, the rules of fair play do not apply.
Sentence: He used a dishonest trick to get the job, but he believes that all's fair in love and war.

call the shots

Meaning: To be the person who makes the decisions or controls a situation.
Sentence: In this company, it is the manager who calls the shots.

raining cats and dogs

Meaning: Raining very heavily.
Sentence: We cancelled the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs.

icing on the cake

Meaning: Something that makes a good situation even better.
Sentence: I was happy to win the match, and the prize money was just the icing on the cake.

chalk and cheese

Meaning: Completely different from each other.
Sentence: My brother and I are like chalk and cheese; he loves sports and I love reading.

breaking the ice

Meaning: To do or say something to relieve tension or start a conversation.
Sentence: He told a joke to break the ice at the start of the meeting.

This is a beautiful flower. Is not it? Isn’t it?

(a) You should not eat so much. You shouldn't eat so much.

(b) They have written the story. They've written the story.

(c) Let us go watch a movie. Let's go watch a movie.

(d) He did not play tennis. He didn't play tennis.

(e) I could not find my friend in the crowd. I couldn't find my friend in the crowd.

(f) Here is your bag. Here's your bag.

(g) I would guide him. I'd guide him.

(h) They are not rich. They aren't rich.

Suhasini wanted to go out with her mother to the book shop. Her mother came back home very late. She said that her car had broken down on the way back. She had to look for a mechanic. She checked out several apps for roadside assistance but then found out that her internet was not working.

“If I was asked under what sky the human mind were

has most fully developed some for its choicest gifts, of

has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems

of life, and has find solutions of some of them which found

well deserve the attention even of them who have those

studied Plato and Kant, I should pointed to India. point

And if I were to ask me from what literature myself

we who has been nurtured almost exclusively have

on the thoughts of Greeks and Romans, and of the Semitic

race, the Jewish, may draw the corrective which is most want in order to make our inner life more perfect, wanted

more comprehensive, more universal, in fact most truly human a life... life

again I should point to India.” — Max Müller

Today, the means of reporting are vastly different and faster. We use the Internet, 24-hour television news channels, social media platforms (like X/Twitter and Facebook), digital newspapers, blogs, and instant messaging apps. Information spreads instantly across the globe, unlike the word-of-mouth and letter writing methods of the 17th century.

Report: Cleanliness Drive in Sunshine Colony

New Delhi, October 2023: A massive cleanliness drive was organized by the Residents' Welfare Association of Sunshine Colony last Sunday under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The event saw enthusiastic participation from residents of all age groups.

The drive began at 8:00 AM with a pledge to keep the environment clean. Residents were divided into groups to tackle different zones of the colony. One group focused on picking up litter from the parks, while another team worked on clearing the drains and segregated waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable bins. Children created posters to spread awareness about the importance of waste disposal and hygiene.

By noon, the colony looked visibly cleaner. The President of the RWA thanked everyone for their efforts and urged residents to maintain this cleanliness as a daily habit rather than a one-time event. The drive was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community and responsibility towards the environment.