Unit 1 - Prose - Learning the Game

 Unit 1 - Prose - Learning the Game

A. Short Answer Questions

1. Who were Sachin’s favourite players?
• Sachin’s favourite players were Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards.
2. What was special about Shardashram Vidyamandir in Mumbai?
• Shardashram Vidyamandir was known for giving due importance to cricket and had Ramakant Achrekar as its cricket coach.
3. What was the opportunity that transformed the life of Sachin?
• The opportunity to train under Achrekar Sir at the summer camp in Shivaji Park transformed Sachin’s life.
4. What sort of conversations did Ajit and Sachin have while travelling?
• Ajit used to talk to Sachin about the nuances of batting during their bus journeys.
5. What routine did Sachin follow in washing his clothes?
• Sachin had only one set of cricket clothes. He washed them after the morning session, dried them in the sun during lunch, and wore them again in the afternoon. However, his pockets remained wet throughout the camp.
6. What did Achrekar inform Ajit?
• Achrekar told Ajit that Sachin had the potential to be a good cricketer if he practiced throughout the year.
7. What was the suggestion given by Achrekar to Sachin’s father?
• Achrekar suggested that Sachin should change his school to Shardashram Vidyamandir to focus on cricket.
8. What acted as a safety valve?
• Cricket acted as a safety valve for Sachin, helping him channel his energy productively.
9. What did Sachin do during the thirty-minute break?
• During the break, Achrekar Sir would give Sachin money to eat vadapav.
10. What is the intense ‘fifteen minutes’ mentioned?

• The intense ‘fifteen minutes’ was a session where every bowler in the camp bowled to Sachin, and he had to survive without getting out to win a one-rupee coin placed on the stumps.

11. What did Sachin’s father do just to make Sachin happy?

• Sachin’s father treated him to a special fruit cocktail at a juice center near the club.

12. What embarrassed Sachin in the bus?

• Sachin was embarrassed in the bus because the conductors complained about his kitbag taking up space, and sometimes asked him to buy two tickets.

13. What made Sachin forget to go to the nets?

• Playing with his friends at home was so enjoyable that Sachin sometimes forgot to attend practice.

14. What did Achrekar advise Sachin?

• Achrekar advised Sachin not to waste time playing meaningless games and to focus on cricket.

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B. Paragraph Answers (120-150 words)

1. ‘Achrekar was a sincere coach’. Substantiate.
• Ramakant Achrekar was a dedicated and strict coach who played a significant role in shaping Sachin Tendulkar’s career. He closely observed Sachin’s game and gave him a second chance when he was nervous during his trial. He ensured that Sachin attended practice regularly and even went to find him when he skipped practice. He also disciplined Sachin by telling him that if he practiced hard, one day the world would come to watch him play. His training methods, like placing a one-rupee coin on the stumps, helped Sachin develop concentration and perseverance. Achrekar’s advice and coaching not only improved Sachin’s skills but also instilled discipline and dedication in him. Without Achrekar’s guidance, Sachin would not have become the cricketer he was.
2. Narrate in your own words the hardships underwent by Sachin to become a great cricketer.
• Sachin Tendulkar faced several challenges and hardships on his journey to becoming a great cricketer. He had a rigorous training schedule, practicing both morning and evening at Shivaji Park. His daily commute was difficult, as he had to travel by bus with a heavy kitbag, facing complaints from conductors. Sachin had only one set of cricket clothes, which he had to wash daily, often playing with wet pockets. He endured exhausting practice sessions and even ran two full rounds of the ground with his pads on after training. Sometimes, he got so involved in playing with his friends that he skipped practice, but Achrekar Sir made sure he never missed his training. Despite these difficulties, Sachin remained dedicated and determined, and his hard work ultimately paid off, making him one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
3. Quote the sentences which you find most inspiring from ‘Learning the Game’. How do they inspire you? Explain.
• One of the most inspiring lines in the passage is:
  “If I practiced hard enough, one day people from across the world would come and watch me play.”
  This statement, said by Achrekar Sir, teaches us that dedication and hard work can lead to success. It shows that if we stay focused and put in effort, we can achieve great things. Another inspiring line is:
  “Don’t waste your time playing insane games with these kids. Cricket is waiting for you at the nets.”
  This teaches us the importance of prioritizing our goals over distractions. Sachin’s journey proves that success comes to those who are disciplined, committed, and passionate about their dreams. His story motivates us to work hard and stay focused on our aspirations.

C. Match the words in Column A with their Synonyms in Column B

S.No.	A	B (Synonym)
1.	ease	effortless
2.	evolve	progress
3.	excess	surplus
4.	survive	endure
5.	immense	great

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D. Match the words in Column A with their Antonyms in Column B

S.No.	A	B (Antonym)
1.	concentrate	distract
2.	inevitable	preventable
3.	occasional	continual
4.	complete	incomplete
5.	insane	wise

Homonyms

E. Use the words given below in your own sentences so as to get different meanings. One is done for you.

Word	Sentence 1 (Meaning 1)	Sentence 2 (Meaning 2)
bank	I deposited money in the bank.	He sat on the river bank to relax.
will	She has a strong will to succeed.	He wrote his will before passing away.
bark	The dog's bark was very loud.	The tree’s bark was rough and thick.
watch	I like to watch movies on weekends.	He gifted me a gold watch on my birthday.
bat	A bat is used to play cricket.	A bat was flying in the dark cave.

Homophones

Word	Homophone
in	Inn
know	No
be	Bee
to	too, two
watt	what
right	write
were	where, wear
bare	bear
herd	heard

Prefix and Suffix

Prefix	Word-1	Word-2
sub	subway	subconscious
un	unhappy	uncertain
re	rebuild	rewrite
en	enlarge	enrich
dis	disconnect	dislike
ir	irregular	irresponsible

 

Prefix	Word-1	Word-2
ly	suddenly	happily
or	actor	creator
er	teacher	writer
ness	kindness	Happiness
ian	musician	historian
ist	Artist	scientist

 

*Listening

H. Listen to the passage on Paralympics and choose the correct answer.

1. The Paralympic games are for _____

a. children.

b. disabled people.

c. women.

2. The Paralympic games usually

happen ___________

a. in Greece.

b. every four years.

c. after the Olympic Games.

3. The first true Paralympic Games

happened in Rome in _________

a. 1960.

b. 1952.

c. 1848.

4. In 394 BCE, the ________ stopped

the Greek Olympic Games, because

they didn’t like them.

a. Romans

b. Greeks

c. British

5. …………..was a doctor at the Stoke

Mandeville hospital in England.

a. Pierre de Coubertin

b. Sir Ludwig Guttmann

c. Natalie du ToitTop of Form

 

J. Prepare a speech in about 80-100 words for the morning assembly, stressing on the importance of games and sports in ensuring a healthy body and mind.Bottom of Form

Speech on the Importance of Games and Sports

Good morning everyone, respected teachers, and dear friends,

Today, I would like to talk about the importance of games and sports in our lives. Sports are not just about winning or losing; they are about staying fit, active, and healthy. Playing games helps us build strong muscles, improves our concentration, and keeps our minds fresh. It teaches us teamwork, discipline, and patience. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which helps us perform better in studies and daily life.

Writing

K. Your friend who lives in another town/city has won his/her championship trophy in the recent sports meet. Write a letter congratulating him/ her.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State]
[Date]

Dear [Friend's Name],

I just heard the amazing news about your victory in the recent sports meet, and I couldn’t be happier for you! Congratulations on winning the championship trophy! Your hard work, dedication, and passion for sports have truly paid off.

I always knew you had the potential to achieve great things, and this victory proves it. Your success is an inspiration to all of us. Keep up the great work, and I am sure you will continue to shine in the future.

Let’s celebrate when we meet next! Once again, congratulations!

Best wishes,
[Your Name]

L. Collect information from newspapers, magazines, periodicals and books about any two famous sports women. Prepare their profiles. Use the following format.

Details	PV Sindhu (Badminton)	Mary Kom (Boxing)
Date of Birth	July 5, 1995	March 1, 1983
State/Team	Telangana, India	Manipur, India
Sports/Games	Badminton	Boxing
Debut	2009, International Badminton Circuit	2000, National Boxing Championships
Best in Career	Silver medal (2016 Rio Olympics), Bronze medal (2020 Tokyo Olympics), BWF World Champion (2019)	Six-time World Boxing Champion, Bronze medal (2012 London Olympics)
Hobbies	Reading, Listening to Music	Reading, Fitness Training
Awards/Medals	Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2016), Padma Shri (2015), Padma Bhushan (2020)	Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2009), Padma Bhushan (2013), Padma Vibhushan (2020), Arjuna Award (2003)

 

M. Write a newspaper article in about 100 words, comparing the achievements of the two sportswomen based on the information you have already collected.

PV Sindhu and Mary Kom: Icons of Indian Sports

India has produced many great athletes, but PV Sindhu and Mary Kom stand out as true champions. Sindhu, a badminton star from Telangana, became India’s first badminton world champion and won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her dedication has made her a global badminton icon.

Mary Kom, the legendary boxer from Manipur, is a six-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medalist in 2012. Despite challenges, she has dominated women’s boxing for years. Both athletes have won prestigious awards like the Padma Bhushan and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. They continue to inspire young sports enthusiasts with their determination and achievements.

Reading

1. What do Tamil Nadu folk dances and folk arts represent?

• Tamil Nadu’s folk dances and arts represent the ethos, aesthetics, values, and melody of the region.

2.  When are folk dances and folk music usually performed?

• Folk dances and music are usually performed during festivals and community functions.

3.  How is Karagattam performed?

• Karagattam is performed by balancing a decorated pot on the head while dancing to musical accompaniment. The pots are adorned with a cone of flower arrangements, topped by a paper parrot that swings as the dancer moves. Acrobatics like dancing on a rolling block of wood, moving up and down a ladder, and bending backward to thread a needle are also part of the dance.

4.  How were offerings carried during the ancient period?

• During the ancient period, offerings were carried by tying them at either end of a long stick, balanced on the shoulders, which later evolved into the Kavadi Aatt  am dance.

5.  Differences between Therukoothu and Bommalattam:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspect	Therukoothu	Bommalattam (Puppetry)
Performance Style	Performed in open-air streets	Puppets manipulated using strings or wires
Makeup & Costumes	Elaborate makeup and costumes are important	Puppeteers are hidden behind a screen
Story Themes	Stories from Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and folklore	Stories from Puranas, epics, and folklore
Mode of Expression	Involves storytelling, songs, dance, and dialogue rendering	Puppeteers control puppet movements while narrating stories
Purpose	Mainly entertainment and cultural preservation	Used for storytelling, awareness programs, and instilling patriotism during the freedom struggle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anagrams:

1.       ELBOW → BELOW

2.       SECTION → NOTICES

3.       VIEWER → REVIEW

4.       RIPPLES → SLIPPER

5.       NEEDLESS → LESSENED

A. Choose the most appropriate preposition:

1. We have been living in Chennai for eight years.
2. Abdul has taken after his father.
3. Vimal generally goes to his workplace by bus.
4. The cricket ball was hidden among the leaves.
5. Mani divided his toys among his brothers and sisters.

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B. Identify the prepositions and underline them:

1. Riya borrowed a dress from me and lent it to her friend, Mary.
2. When I moved back to the city, things had changed considerably.
3. The burglar found the keys under the pot in the balcony.
4. Prabhu was hiding behind the door when his sister came looking for him.
5. My dog sat on my hat and squashed it.

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C. Complete the passage with appropriate prepositions:

In Tamil Nadu, a very interesting form of recitation named Villupattu developed
(a) during the 15th century. Villupattu means bow-song because a bow-shaped musical instrument
(b) with strong high tension string is used
(c) by placing it
(d) on an earthen pitcher. It is believed that this narrative form was an invention
(e) of Arasa Pulavar. The troupe gives its performance mostly
(f) during temple festivals. There are seven to eight persons in a troupe who form a kind
(g) of chorus that supports the main singer-narrator. When the chief narrator sings, the chorus takes
(h) up the refrain
(i) of the song and repeats it in unison. The whole party sits
(j) on the ground and performs
(k) with a lot
(l) of gesticulation and facial expression to suit the narrative they have taken. The ballad-style songs are composed
(m) in the rural dialect which appeals
(n) to the audience who sometimes join the troupe
(o) with suitable notes or words.

D. Frame sentences using the prepositional verbs given in the box.

1.       Benefit from – Students benefit from regular reading and practice.

2.       Pay for – She had to pay for the damage caused to the car.

3.       Stand in – The vice-principal had to stand in for the principal during the meeting.

4.       Rely on – We should rely on hard work rather than luck.

5.       Stay at – We decided to stay at a beautiful resort near the beach.

6.       Joke about – They often joke about their childhood memories.

7.       Go into – The teacher asked us not to go into unnecessary details.

8.       Consist of – The team consists of ten players and a coach.

9.       Prepare for – She is working hard to prepare for her final exams.

10.   Attend to – The nurse quickly attended to the injured patient.

 

E. Given below is a picture of a carnival. Complete the factual description by filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

Fairs and festivals form an integral part of the culture of Tamil Nadu. They are an excellent platform to promote and preserve the vibrant art and culture of the Tamils.

A thiruvizha (festival) is a source of excitement and thrill for villagers. The village thoroughfare wears a festive look, as the open spaces are cleaned, spruced up, and decorated (a) with colourful streamers. People throng the premises (b) to catch a glimpse (c) of their village deity (d) on a magnificently decorated chariot and pay their respects. There is a big crowd (e) at the food stalls that serve free piping hot sakkarai pongal (sweet pongal), lemon rice, and curd rice.

People (f) from nearby villages and towns display their wares attractively and call out loudly (g) to the people (h) to buy their wares. Cotton candy, cut raw mangoes smothered (i) with salt and chilly powder, boiled groundnuts, murukku, sweets, buttermilk, etc., are sold. Men, women, grandmas, grandpas, and little children dressed (j) in their best clothes enjoy the Thiruvizha greatly.

You can hear the shrieks (k) of happy children enjoying the rides on Ferris wheels and carousels, elders looking (l) at each other with smiles on their faces. The entire day is spent (m) in fun and gaiety. All the village people, irrespective of their age, look forward (n) to the Thiruvizha every year.

F. Write a letter to your friend, describing the joy of celebrating festivals in a village, with the inputs given above.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State]
[Date]

Dear [Friend's Name],

I hope you are doing well. I had the most amazing time this Pongal at my grandparents’ village, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

The village was full of festive energy. We visited the temple fair, where I watched a mesmerizing Karagattam performance. The colorful decorations, the lively folk music, and the delicious aroma of festival treats made everything magical. I even took a dip in the cool river, strolled through lush green fields, and enjoyed simple home-cooked food made in earthen pots over firewood. It tasted heavenly!

At night, sleeping on the terrace under the starry sky was a beautiful experience. The peaceful atmosphere and the cool breeze made it so relaxing. The best part was spending time with my grandparents, listening to their childhood stories and celebrating the festival together.

Festivals in a village have a unique charm that no city can match. I really wish you could have been there with me! Hope to catch up soon.

Take care,
[Your Name]

G. Your class has to stage a Puppet Show in the Assembly Open Forum on the topic ‘Child Labour’. Divide yourselves into groups and discuss the requirements for the presentation like storyline, characters, dialogues, choice of puppets and music for the interlude. Now complete the dialogues given below.

Ramesh: Let us present a Puppet Show on 'Child Labour' for our Assembly Open Forum.

Mohammed: That is a very good idea! Let us start planning right away.

Geetha: What should we do first?

Leema: I suggest we begin with the storyline first.

Mani: How many characters should we have?

Ramesh: We can have around five characters.

Mohammed: What should the theme of the show be?

Meena: We can focus on the problems of poverty and illiteracy as the major reasons for child labour.

Ramesh: Can anyone make the puppets for our show?

Leema: I am good at making stick puppets. I will make them myself. But I require some help.

Mani: I can help you. Tell me, what do you need assistance with?

Leema: Thank you, Mani. Let us stay back after the meeting and discuss.

Ramesh: Have we thought about adding music to the show?

Meena: I think we should have some music for the interlude.

Geetha: That would make it really interesting. I will get my music group to start working on the tunes for our puppet show.