List of top English Questions

Have you heard any boatmen’s songs? What kind of emotions do these songs usually express?

‘Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language this word is derived from? Check the dictionary.

What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?
Answer the question in few words or in couple of sentences.

Where was Margie’s school? Did she have any classmates?
Answer the question in few words or couple of sentences.

What do you think a telebook is?
Answer the question in few words or couple of sentences.

Had Margie ever seen a book before?
Answer the question in few words or in couple of sentences.

What things about the book did she find strange?
Answer the question in few words or in couple of sentences.

Here are the terms for different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship, steamer, schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.

We have come across words like ‘gale’ and ‘storm’ in the account. Here are two more words for ‘storm’: typhoon, cyclone. How many words does your language have for ‘storm’?

Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved?

What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?

The word ‘hobble’ means to walk with difficulty because the legs and feet are in bad condition. Tick the words in the box below that also refer to a manner of walking. haggle shuffle stride ride waddle wriggle paddle swagger trudge slog

Notice the different senses of the word ‘take’.
1. to take to something: to begin to do something as a habit
2. to take ill: to suddenly become ill Locate these phrases in the text and notice the way they are used.

Given below are four different senses of the word ‘tell’. Match the meanings to the uses listed above.
1. make something known to someone in spoken or written words
2. count while reciting
3. be sure
4. give information to somebody

Notice the following uses of the word ‘tell’ in the text.
1. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary.
2. I would tell her English words and little things of Western science and learning.
3. At her age one could never tell.
4. She told us that her end was near.

How would you say ‘a dilapidated drum’ in your language?

Mention the way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.

If someone else had narrated Douglas’ experience, how would it have differed from this account? Write out a sample paragraph or paragraphs from this text from the point of view of a third person or observer to find out which style of narration would you consider to be more effective? Why?

How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

Why should child labour be eliminated and how?

What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?

What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?

Is it possible to carry pride in one’s language too far?
Do you know what ‘linguistic chauvinism’ means?