Tamil Nadu 11th Standard English Book Answers | Tight Corners

11th English : Tight Corners

Unit 4.1 > Tight Corners

Glossary

• Brittany – a region on the coast of North–West France
• St. James’ Street, King Street – well-known commercial streets in London
• bloatocrat – a fat and rich person of high station – a term coined by E.V. Lucas by blending the words ‘bloated’ and ‘aristocrat’
• electrified – shocked by something unexpected
• crescendo – progress towards a climax
• congealed – thickened as if frozen (through fear etc.)
• smothered – suppressed
• nonchalantly – unconcernedly, coolly
• glibly – smoothly but not sincerely
• note of hand – promissory note
• rectitude – honesty, good behaviour
• farthing – as low as a paise
• baize – coarse woollen material
• guile – cunning, deceit
• indelible – cannot be rubbed out or removed

1. Choose the most appropriate answer for the following questions:

a. ‘Tight Corner’ means a ______.

1. difficult situation
2. crowded corner
3. tragic incident
4. fierce fight

Ans : difficult situation

b. Barbizon refers to a _______.

1. kind of paint
2. type of architecture
3. region in Britain
4. French school of painters

Ans : French school of painters

c. The narrator visited the sale-room as he ___________________.

1. wished to see an auction
2. had a painting to sell
3. was persuaded by his friend
4. wanted to buy a painting

Ans : was persuaded by his friend

d. The narrator had been a safe contributor at the auction, as ___________.

1. there were bidders quoting higher prices
2. he had a sound financial background
3. his friend had lent him money
4. he did not make any bidding

Ans : there were bidders quoting higher prices

e. “And I got it.” Here ‘it’ refers to the_____________________.

1. picture he wanted to buy
2. money he asked for
3. card to participate in the auction
4. amount he had to pay

Ans : money he asked for

2. Answer the following questions.

a) What is a tight corner? What happens when one finds oneself in a tight corner?

Tight corner means difficult situation. When one finds oneself in a tight corner one will be afraid and one will try his best to come out of the situation.

b) What is the difference between a physical and mental tight corner?

Physical tight corner is the one where a person’s safety is in trouble. Mental tight corner is the one where dilemmas and difficult choices are involved.

c) Why did the narrator visit Christie’s?

The narrator entered the Christie’s because he was persuaded by his friend to see the auction inside.

d) The narrator heard his own voice saying ‘and fifty’. What does this suggest?

The narrator without his knowledge and any understanding of the situation said ‘and fifty’.

e) What was the narrator’s financial condition?

He had only sixty three pounds in his bank. He did not have securities even for five hundred pounds.

f) The narrator could not pretend to have made a mistake in bidding. Why?

The narrator had made many other bids before he was caught. Moreover a genuine mistake of this kind must have been rectified in the beginning itself. So he knew that no would believe him.

g) What could have been the best way for the narrator to get himself out of the tight corner?

The best way for the narrator to get himself out of the tight corner could have been to confess his mistake to one of the Christie’s staff and make him put up the picture again for auction.

h) Why did the narrator feel he could have welcomed a firing party?

The narrator did not have enough money to pay for the picture after the auction was over. He could have welcomed a firing party because that would bring his death and he need not be humiliated in front of others.

i) What was the bidder’s offer to the narrator?

The bidder offered the narrator fifty guineas.

j) How did the narrator take advantage of the situation?

When the bidder sent a man to ask the narrator whether he was ready to give the picture for fifty guineas he wanted to take advantage of the situation. He asked for one hundred guineas and he got it for the picture.

3. Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:

a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation.

b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow.

c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid.

d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the sale‒room.

e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught.

f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered.

g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter.

h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibility of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s.

i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator.

j) After sometime a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised.

k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture.

l) The narrator kept bidding just for fun.

m) The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation.

n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament.

o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment.

Ans :

d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the sale-room.

l) The narrator kept the bidding just for fun.

e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught.

j) After sometime a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised.

f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas to the amount offered.

c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid.

i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator.

a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation.

b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow.

n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament.

h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibilities of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s.

g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter.

k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture

o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment.

m) The picture was given to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation.

4. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100 – 150 words.

a) Narrate the circumstances that led to the narrator getting into a tight corner by his own folly.

E V Lucas in his essay ‘Tight Corners’ tries to explain how the mental tight corner is worse than physical tight corner. The narrator entered Christie’s, the famous auction house persuaded by his friend. He saw Barbizon pictures were being sold and they were auctioned for very high prizes like four thousand guineas. The narrator did not want to buy any pictures but he simply stood there to see what was going on. He wanted to enjoy fun of taking part in the auction cautiously. Though the pictures were auctioned for huge sum it started very moderately. So he was adding something to the deal in the beginning. It was a safe game. His friend warned him that he might be caught and he asked him to stop his game. But he was sure that he was very cautious and he would never be in trouble. It went on for some time very safely. When a picture was put up for auction a dealer who had bought many other pictures asked for four thousand guineas. Others were excited to hear that. But the narrator without realizing the value of the call simply said, “And fifty”. There was a dead silence and the dealer who had kept four thousand guineas was silent and the sale fell on the narrator.

b) Trace the thought that went on in the mind of the narrator when the picture after picture was put up and sold at the auction.

E V Lucas in his essay ‘Tight Corners’ tries to explain how the mental tight corner is worse than the physical tight corner. The narrator entered Christie’s, the famous auction house persuaded by his friend. He saw Barbizon pictures were being sold and they were auctioned for very high prizes like four thousand guineas. The narrator did not want to buy any pictures but he simply stood there to see what was going on. He wanted to enjoy fun of taking part in the auction cautiously. His friend warned him that he might be caught and he asked him to stop his game. But he was sure that he was very cautious and he would never be in trouble. But unfortunately he was caught. He had to find four thousand and fifty guineas to buy a picture which he did not want. He was in real trouble. Pictures after pictures were being sold. He did not mind about them. He was trying to get some names of this relatives who would be kind enough to lend him money. He did not get anybody in his mind. He thought it would be good to confess his poverty to the Christie’s staff. But he knew that after participating in many other auctions he could not do that. Moreover a genuine mistake of this kind could have been rectified at once.

c) Explain how the narrator got out of the tight corner that he was in.

E V Lucas in his essay ‘Tight Corners’ tries to explain how the mental tight corner is worse than physical tight corner. The narrator entered Christie’s, the famous auction house persuaded by his friend. He saw Barbizon pictures were being sold and they were auctioned for very high prizes like four thousand guineas. The narrator did not want to buy any pictures but he simply stood there to see what was going on. He wanted to enjoy fun of taking part in the auction cautiously. His friend warned him that he might be caught and he asked him to stop his game. But he was sure that he was very cautious and he would never be in trouble. But unfortunately he was caught. When the auctions were over the dealers were standing in a queue to give the payment. He decided to stand in the outskirt. As he was standing a new man came to him and asked him whether he was the one who had bought the particular picture. When he said yes, the other man asked him whether he was ready to sell the picture for the one who had made a bid for four thousand guineas for the picture. He was ready to give him fifty guineas for the picture. His presence of mind pushed him to ask him hundred guineas and he got it. Thus he escaped from the tight corner with a cheque for 100 guineas.

d) As the narrator make a diary entry about the tight corner you faced at Christie’s and how you were saved from the dire situation.

10th June,
11 a.m.

Entered the Christie’s with my friend.
Many pictures were being auctioned.
Started bidding in the low level for fun.
My friend warned me.
I was safe and I did not bother about the warning from my friend.
A new picture was put up for auction.
One rich dealer made his bid with 4 thousand guineas.
Without realizing the value of the money I said fifty more.
To my surprise and shock the other dealer stopped his bidding.
The picture was in my name.
I had only sixty three pounds in my bank.
I tried to get the names of my relatives to borrow money.
I decided to confess my poverty to the Christie’s staff but it was too late.
Stood last in the queue.
Met by a man who was sent by the rich dealer.
He asked me to give the picture for 50 guineas, I asked for 100.
He gave the cheque and got the picture.
Immense relief after harrowing experience.

Vocabulary

Auction House Puzzler

You have come across many terms associated with an auction, in the lesson. Now solve the crossword puzzle with words from the lesson. Make use of the clues given.

Idioms:

l An idiom is an expression in English with a special meaning of its own. Idioms do not give the literal meaning of the individual words used in them.

l You come across the idiom ‘by the skin of one’s teeth’ in the lesson. It means ‘a narrow escape’.

A. Use the idioms in your own sentences.

1. tight corners :

• We should be careful in life not to get into tight corners.

2. shot his bolt :

• In the discussion he shot his bolt and other had to accept his view.

3. in a nice pickle :

• When the headmaster called me making a noise in the class I was in a nice pickle.

4. have cold feet :

• When I was chased by a dog I had cold feet

(B) Match the following idioms related to difficult situations with their meanings.

C. We use a variety of idioms in our daily life to describe various situations. Describe the
narrator’s situation in your own words, making use of some of the new idioms you have just
learnt.
The narrator and his companion entered the auction hall just to watch how the sale would be
conducted. The mischievous narrator raised the bidding rate out of fun. When there was total silence, he
heard the alarm bells ringing in his mind. As the rich man did not raise the bidding rate, the narrator
understood that he had shot his bolt. The narrator was in a nice pickle because he did not have enough
money to pay for the picture. The hammer fell thrice, and the narrator was caught in a tight corner. In
the mean time, his friend left the place, unable to control his laughter. Indeed, he hanged out to dry. The
narrator found himself being pushed back to the wall. He speculated on the possibility of borrowing and
confessing his poverty to one of the staff. He was trying to clutch at straws. He had cold feet as the clock
ticked by. Dame Luck smiled at him finally. A messenger approached him to offer 50 guineas more to hand
over the picture. Immense relief swept over him because he was saved by the bell.

Phrasal Verbs

Use the following phrasal verbs in sentences of your own.

stand

1. up – Your statement will not stand up as proof in the court of law.
2. for – My father always stands for truth and honesty.
3. by – Come what may, I will stand by you.

look

1. into – The manager looked into the matter seriously.
2. at – When the stranger made a curious noise we all looked at him.
3. through – I have been looking through your cookery book for inspiration.

run Page

1. over – The class was very interesting and it ran over the time.
2. away – The thief ran away when he saw the police.
3. into – I ran into my class teacher when I visited the Government Exhibition.

put

1. on – She put on her dress after her bath.
2. up – He could not put up with his noisy neighbour.
3. off – The umpire put off the match on account of dim light.

Listening Activity

A. Listen to the announcement made by your teacher and answer the questions that follow.

Complete the following sentences based on your listening.

i. The programme is organized by the Department of _________.

Ans : School Education.

ii. The topic of the seminar is ________.

Ans : ‘Career Guidance and Counselling’.

iii. The programme is to be held at _____p.m. at ______.

Ans : 3 p.m. at Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Auditorium

iv. Students are instructed to carry a _____ and a ______to the programme hall.

Ans : notebook and a pen

v. The main purpose of the programme is to provide information on __________ options and the ________ that offer relevant courses.

Ans : numerous course / various institutions

vi. Students who wish to attend the second session should register within ______.

Ans : School Pupil Leader

SPEAKING ACTIVITY

a) Work with a partner. Your friend has lost her books just before the annual examination and she is upset. How will you help her? Take up roles and enact the situation.

Gita : Mary, what has happened to you? You look worried.

Mary : I lost my text books somewhere.

Gita : Don’t worry. By mistake, you would have kept them in some place in your house.

Mary : You see. I never keep my books in any room other than my study room.

Gita : Did you search carefully?

Mary : Yes, but I could not find them anywhere.

Gita : Did you enquire your mischievous sister?

Mary : Yes, but she said she had no idea about my missing books.

Gita : That’s all right. Let’s share our books. Exam is fast approaching.

Mary : Thank you, Gita. Group study makes learning easy and fast.

Gita : You’re absolutely right.

b) You have recently shifted to a new locality. You cannot find your way home. Your uncle spots you and takes you home. Narrate the incident to the class.

We shifted to a new residence as my father got transferred. It was a totally new locality for me. The way to reach there is like a maze. There are so many lanes to walk through before we reach there and all look alike. Just after settling down there, I wanted to see my old friend. So I came out of my house and walked the distance. After spending some good time with him I started to go back home. After crossing the first lane I was confused; I didn’t know which lane to take. Unfortunately I took the wrong lane, and it took me away from my house. As I was wandering about my uncle came that way and saw me. He enquired me where I was heading for. Then I told him about my inability. He took me back to my house.

c) As a friend of the narrator, describe how you would have behaved at the auction.

I would certainly warn him of the serious consequences of his mischief. I would try to stop him every time he raised the rate. I would try even physically to push him out of Christie’s. He would not heed to me and finally he would be caught in a light corner by raising fifty guineas to four thousand guineas. No doubt I could not help him financially. I could try to get the names of some of my friends who might lend money. I would stand by him through his ordeal. When the man approached him to get the picture for fifty guineas, I would persuade him to accept it.

The Stationmaster’s supreme sacrifice
Sanchari Pal

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

i. Why was the accident at Union Carbide unparalleled in the world’s industrial history?

In the accident Union Carbide pesticide plant released 30 tons of highly toxic gas. Nearly 6000000 people were exposed to the deadly gas. It left thousands of people dead and many became chronic patients.

ii. How was Dastagir affected by the poisonous gas?

Dastagir was the deputy stationmaster at Gorakhpur. When he entered the platform he felt his eyes burn and an itching in his throat. By the time the deadly gas had enveloped the station.

iii. What was the action taken by the superintendent? 

The superintendent tried to stop the trains reaching the station in the previous stations. But Gorakhpur express came to the platform and waited for its departure after 20 minutes. With his support staff he sent the train immediately without getting permission from his authorities.

iv. How did Dastagir and his staff break rules?

The Gorakhpur train was waiting in the platform for its departure after 20 minutes. But the poisonous gas was engulfing the station. So Dastagir and his staff sent the train immediately without getting permission from their authorities.

v. What was the cause of Dastagir’s death?

The cause of his death was prolonged exposure to toxic fumes that was emitted from Union Carbide.

vi. Find the words from the passage which means the opposite of the following.

1. safeguard x risk
2. common or familiar x queer
3. prompt x delay
4. cause x effect

GRAMMAR

Conditional Clauses

i) Complete the following with appropriate conditional clauses. 

a) We will miss our train, ______.

Ans : if we are late.

b) Jayashree would travel to France, ______.

Ans : if she had time.

c) People get sun-burnt, ______.

Ans : if they are exposed to sun for a long time

d) Vicky would have passed, ______.

Ans : if he had studied well

e) I wouldn’t refuse,______.

Ans : if I got the same offer

f) Sundar would have waited, ______.

Ans : if he had known about his arrival

g) Vijayshree will be busy, ______.

Ans : if she joins the course

h) Adhvika will not go to play,______.

Ans : if she has homework to do.

ii) Complete the following paragraph.

Did you hear about that boy who won one crore in a game show? If I had won (win) that much money, I would have quit (quit) my job the next day. I would travel (travel) round the world and stay (stay) in the most luxurious hotels. If I wanted (want) anything, I would buy (buy) it. If I saw (see) a Mercedes that I wanted, I would buy (buy) it. I could (can) do anything in the world if I had one crore rupees. Oh, I am starting to sound a little materialistic. Well, I will do (do) good things with the money as well. If anybody needs (need) help I will take (take) care of their needs. I will donate (donate) money to charities. I will give (give) money to help support the arts. If I won (win) that much money, I wouldn’t keep it all for myself. I would help (help) as many people as possible.

iii) Fill in the blanks in the following dialogue.

Gopal : What’s wrong, Muthu? You look terrible!

Muthu : Well, you will look (look) terrible today, too, if you have (have) a day like mine yesterday. My car slid into a tree, because the road was slippery.

Gopal : Oh! I was driving on the slippery road yesterday and I didn’t have such trouble. What happened?

Muthu : Well, I think if I had not driven (drive not) so fast, I would not have slid (slide, not) into the tree.

Gopal : Slippery road and speed don’t mix. If drivers speed (speed) on the wet roads, they’re likely to spin their car in a circle.

Muthu : I know. But I have one more problem. I didn’t have my driver’s license with me. If I had
had (have) it I would not have had (have to, not) to pay an extra fine in the court next week.

Gopal : Why were you driving without your license?

Muthu : Well, I lost my wallet some days ago. It slipped out of my pocket, while I was riding the bus to work.

Gopal : Oh, Muthu! If you had not taken (take, not) that bus, you would not have lost (lose, not) your wallet. If you had not lost (lose, not) your wallet, you would have had (have) your driver’s license with you when you hit the tree. If you had had (have) your driver’s license with you, you would not have had to pay (have to pay, not) a big fine when you go to court to the next week. And of course if you had not driven (drive, not) too fast, you would not have run (run into, not) a tree, and you would not have been (be, not) in this mess now. If I were you I would take (take) it easy for a while and just stay (stay) home where you are safe

Muthu : Enough about me. How about you?

Gopal : Well, things are really looking up for me. I’m planning to take off for Goa as soon as I finish my finals. I’m sick of all this old, rainy weather we’ve been having.

Muthu : I wish I would go (go) with you. How are you planning on getting there?

Gopal : If I have (have) enough money I will fly (fly). Otherwise I will take (take) the bus. I wish I could drive (drive) my own car because it would be (be) nice to drive there, but it’s such a long trip. I’ve been looking for a friend to go with me and share the driving.

Muthu : I have a super idea! Why don’t I go with you? I can share the driving. I’m a great driver!

Gopal : Oh, Muthu! I can’t believe it.

Framing questions

A. Seema goes to a hotel for lunch. The waiter explains to her the different items available at that time. Here is the conversation between them. Complete the dialogue. You may use modals to frame questions.

Seema : Could I get something to eat immediately?

Waiter : Yes Ma’m. We have full meals and other tiffin items too.

Seema : Do you have chappati?

Waiter : Yes Ma’m. It is available.

Seema : Will it take much time?

Waiter : It should not take long. Do you want coffee?

Seema : Yes bring that too. Will you bring them as early as possible?

Waiter : Ok Ma’m. How do you like your coffee?

Seema : I prefer it cold. Do you have ice-cream?

Waiter : Sorry Ma’m we don’t have ice cream served here. But you can get it in the outlet next door.

Seema : Oh that’s fine. Ok, please get these quickly.

Waiter : Sure Ma’m.

B. Answer the questions after reading the story.

Last night somebody broke into our neighbour’s house. He stole everything he found. The neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Umar, saw him while he was running away but they couldn’t catch him. This morning an inspector arrived to make an inquiry.

The Inspector posed certain questions to Mr. Umar.

The Inspector : The thief broke into the house at around 10 p.m. What were you doing then?

Mr. Umar : I was watching a movie with my wife. Then I went to the kitchen to prepare tea.

The Inspector : How many minutes did you spend in the kitchen?

Mr. Umar : I think 10 or 15 minutes… I’m not sure….

The Inspector : Did you prepare tea?

Mr. Umar : Yes.

The Inspector : OK. Thanks.

The Inspector also asked Mrs. Umar some questions:

The Inspector : What were you doing at around 10 pm yesterday?

Mrs. Umar : I was watching a movie while drinking my coffee.

The Inspector : Coffee? But your husband prepared tea.

Mrs. Umar : Tea? No… We didn’t drink tea last night.

The Inspector : OK. What was he doing in the kitchen?

Mrs. Umar : He was thirsty. He wanted to drink water.

The Inspector : Hmmm. What happened then?

Mrs.Umar : A friend of his called him and he went out to help him.

The Inspector : So, you were alone at home, weren’t you?

Mrs.Umar : Yes, I was. I called him immediately but he didn’t answer. The inspector was suspicious about Mr.Umar, so he asked him to come to the station for further questioning.

The Inspector : You weren’t at home when the thief broke into your neighbour’s house. Where were you?

Mr.Umar : I went out to help a friend of mine. The Inspector: Who is that friend?

Mr.Umar : Ehhhh… he is just a friend.

The Inspector : Hmmm. Who is that friend?

Mr.Umar : I told you already. He is just a friend.

The Inspector : If you cannot prove that you were with a friend, we can arrest you. At the end of the questioning session, Mr.Umar told the inspector the truth. “Last night, somebody called me, but he wasn’t my friend. I had borrowed some money from him and he had given me time till last night to return it. But I did not do so. So, he called me and asked me to meet him outside the house. That’s why I went out. I did not tell my wife as I did not want her to know about it. When I went out, I saw a stranger entering my neighbour’s house but I did not stop as I was in a hurry to meet the moneylender

1. Did Mrs. Umar see the thief?

No, Mrs. Umar did not see the thief.

2. What was Mrs. Umar doing when the thief broke into the house?

Mrs. Umar was watching a movie when the thief broke into the house.

3. Was Mr. Umar watching movie with his wife when the thief broke into the house?

No, Mr. Umar was not watching movie with his wife when the thief broke into the house.

4. What was Mr. Umar doing in the kitchen?

Mr. Umar was preparing tea in the kitchen.

Frame suitable questions for the following statements.

1. Mr. Umar was at home when the event occurred.

Where was Mr. Umar when the event occurred?

2. Yes, Mr. Umar saw the thief entering the neighbour’s house.

Did Mr. Umar see the thief entering the neighbour’s house?

3. Mrs. Umar was watching the movie while her husband was drinking water.

What was Mrs. Umar doing while her husband was drinking water?

4. The thief broke into the house while they were watching a movie.

When did the thief break into the house?

Questions Tags.

A. Add appropriate question tags to the following sentences.

1. Cities are increasingly becoming urbanized.

aren’t they?

2. They experiment with ways to improve air quality.

don’t they?

3. The aim should be to reduce congestion.

shouldn’t it?

4. There is an urgent need to provide clean, reliable and affordable energy to their growing populations.

isn’t it?

5. Automation and shared mobility will play a key role in this transformation.

won’t they?

6. It changes the way people commute in cities.

doesn’t it?

7. Before long, a fleet of electric autonomous vehicles (AVs) could drive people to their destination.

couldn’t it?

8. These shared AVs will run at higher utilisation rates.

won’t they?

9. They can substantially reduce the cost of mobility and congestion.

can’t they?

10. These should not be thought of as luxury but as necessity.

should they?

B. Add appropriate question tags and role play the dialogue with your friend.

Jeyanth : Hello, Anish! It’s your physics exam today, isn’t it?

Anish : Yes. They have set a very long paper. Yet, I managed to finish the paper, didn’t I?

Jeyanth : True. My maths paper too was very long. I couldn’t finish it, could I?

Anish : I could not solve my paper properly, could I?

Jeyanth : Ok. Actually, my question paper was very easy, wasn’t it?

Anish : Mine wasn’t easy. I made a silly mistake, didn’t I?

Jeyanth : Tell me about your English paper, will you?

Anish : The story comprehension was very easy. I am sure to score more than ten marks on fifteen. I wrote it very well. There wouldn’t be any mistake, would there?

Jeyanth : For me, my letter- writing was the best. I didn’t make a single mistake, did I?

Anish : Ok. I’ve got lots to study for tomorrow’s exam, haven’t I?

Jeyanth : Me too. So, see you later. All the best, bye.

Anish : Thank you. Wish you the same, bye.

WRITING

A) Read the information in the table below and answer the following questions.

1. What kinds of natural disasters have occurred before 2005?

Earthquake and tsunami occurred before 2005

2. Name the disasters that are common in India.

Floods and cyclones are common in India.

3. Mention the states often affected by disasters.

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are often affected by disasters.

4. List out the disasters that are common in North India.

Earthquakes and floods are common in North India.

5. Write three sentences on your inference about the data given.

India is prone to natural calamities. Almost every 3 years some part of India gets affected. Our Government should be always ready to help people when they are affected by such natural calamities.

B. Study the pie-chart carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Percentage of people who speak each language as their first language

1. Which language is spoken by most people?

Most of the people speak Mandarin.

2. What are the Indian languages that rank among the top five spoken languages?

Hindi is the only language that ranks among the top five spoken languages.

3. Which are the languages that are spoken by less than three percent of people?

Hindi, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, German and Japanese are the languages that are
spoken by less than three percent of people.

4. With the help of the question and answers draw your own conclusions from the pie chart. Then write a paragraph on the popular spoken languages.

Generally people are known by their mother tongue or the language which they speak. As per the pie chart 12.44% of people speak Mandarin. Apart from this most of the people speak English and Spanish. Only two Indian languages – Hindi and Bengali find their place in this pie chart. Some of the languages are spoken by very few people when compared with other languages. For example, Japanese and German are spoken by 1.80% and 1.33% respectively. The languages which appear in the pie chart make for nearly 40% of the people.

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