🎨 Arts and Creations
📚 Ways with Words
A. Circle the correct meanings of the underlined words.
a. Martin Luther started a revolt against the conventions of the Roman Catholic Church.
=> Answer: creations
b. It blended classical styles with new ideas.
=> Answer: mixed together
c. The dome marks the beginning of Renaissance architecture.
=> Answer: serves as a sign of
d. The arts flourished during the Renaissance.
=> Answer: grew and improved
e. The new passion for learning also led to amazing discoveries in science.
=> Answer: enthusiasm
C. What do the following idioms mean? Use them in sensible sentences.
| Idiom | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| a. a hot potato | a controversial situation | The issue of racial discrimination has become a political hot potato. |
| b. once in a blue moon | not very often or rarely | Dad works in Japan, so he comes home only once in a blue moon. |
| c. a bed of roses | easy or comfortable situation or activity | We should keep in mind that life is not always a bed of roses. |
| d. when pigs fly | used to say that something will never happen | He promises to clean his house regularly, but he will probably do it only when pigs fly. |
| e. miss the boat | miss an opportunity | If you fail to act at the right time, you may miss the boat. |
| f. zip your lip | shut up | She decided to zip her lip during the meeting because there was no point in saying anything. |
| g. fight tooth and nail | to fight with great ferocity | I want to get this job, so I am prepared to fight tooth and nail for it. |
| h. when life gives you lemon, make lemonade | change something negative into a positive | My grandfather lost his job because of the coronavirus, but he decided to remain active. He says, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” |
| i. goose egg | a score of zero | We played a competitive game, but our final score was a goose egg. |
D. Match the following phrasal verbs with their meanings.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a. break down | to stop functioning |
| b. check out | to leave a hotel |
| c. fed up | tired of something or someone |
| d. fill out | to complete a form |
| e. get away | to escape |
| f. give away | to give something to someone for free |
| g. give up | to quit a habit |
| h. look forward to | to wait anxiously for something or an event |
| i. make up | to invent a story or lie |
| j. pass away | to die |
| k. put out | to extinguish |
| l. take off | to remove clothes or shoes from the body, to depart as in airplane |
📖 Comprehension
A. Answer these questions.
a. What does the word Renaissance mean? Which language is it derived from?
=> Answer: The word Renaissance means ‘rebirth’, and it originates from the French word ‘renaitre’.
b. What did the Greek scholars do in their new locations after leaving the Greek city?
=> Answer: After leaving the Greek city, the Greek scholars took their learning to new places. They taught the Greek language and shared their valuable books with the people in those locations.
c. How did ‘new learning’ teach people to think in different ways?
=> Answer: ‘New Learning’ encouraged people to explore ideas beyond traditional boundaries. It inspired them to express their thoughts through paintings, statues, buildings and great literature, thereby developing different ways of thinking and creating.
d. Describe the artistic developments of Renaissance in brief.
=> Answer: Renaissance artistic activity first emerged in Florence before extending to other Italian cities. The expansion of trade and banking made cities such as Florence, Venice and Milam wealthy. This increased prosperity gave people more opportunities to devote their time and resources to music, art and poetry. As a result, the period produced remarkable masterpieces by artists and writers including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphel, Filipo, Brunelleshchi, Shakespeare, and Cervantes. William Shakespeare became one of the greatest literary figure of that period.
e. Name the three Renaissance scientists who made great discoveries?
=> Answer: The three Renaissance scientists who made great discoveries were Galileo Galilei, Nicolas Copernicus and Sir Isaac Newton.
f. Who developed the printing press? Which country was he from?
=> Answer: Johannes Gutenberg** developed the printing press. He was from Germany.
g. Why is the development of the printing press considered as one of the gifts of Renaissance?
=> Answer: In the period before printing technology, books had to be produced by hand, so they were expensive. The printing press made book production cheaper and allowed writers to publish their works at lower prices. For this reason, it is considered one of the important gifts of the Renaissance.
h. Name the five famous explorers of the Renaissance?
=> Answer: The five famous explorers of the Renaissance were Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Gama, John Cabot, Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake.
i. Why do some people think of the Renaissance as the beginning of modern history?
=> Answer: The Renaissance produced major developments in art, architecture, literature, culture, navigation and science. These changes greatly influenced human knowledge and society, which is why some people regard the Renaissance as the beginning of modern history.
B. What do you infer from the reading? Tick (√) the best answer.
a. Before the Renaissance…
=> Answer: education was limited to scholars and privileged
b. Which statement is true?
=> Answer: The Greeks had a strong influence on Renaissance thinking
c. What did the Renaissance do?
=> Answer: It caused people to make changes in their lives
d. What were the major causes of the Renaissance?
=> Answer: printing, reading and learning
💭 Critical Thinking
a. Do you agree with Machiavelli’s view that a good leader can do bad and dishonest things in order to preserve his power and protect his government? Explain?
-> Answer: Yes, I agree with Machiavelli's view that a good leader
may sometimes use bad or dishonest methods to preserve power
and protect the government. Machiavelli, who was a politician
and writer, discussed the difficult realities associated with
political leadership. His ideas explain how a ruler can be
forced to make morally questionable decisions when trying to
maintain control and protect a nation or territory.
A leader carries the responsibility of safeguarding the
government. If the stability of the government or territory is
threatened, the leader may believe that strict adherence to
ordinary rules could put that stability at risk. Therefore,
the leader might go beyond accepted rules or use dishonest
measures in an attempt to preserve political authority.
However, the pursuit of power, unlimited wealth or fame can
make leadership selfish and dangerous. Leaders who become
obsessed with these goals may ignore the moral standards that
previously guided their behavior. Some may gain authority by
forcing their wishes upon others or destroying people who
oppose them.
Once leaders reach the top, they may also become afraid of
losing their position. They may suspect that others are
preparing to remove them from power. Such fear can encourage
them to perform actions outside the established rules in order
to protect their leadership. Thus, Machiavelli's argument
reflects the complicated relationship between political power,
morality and the responsibility of leadership.
b. Do you think that art and literature are important assets of a country? Give reasons.
-> Answer: Yes, art and literature are important assets of a country
because they preserve human experiences and communicate
people's emotions, ideas and struggles. Literature covers
many aspects of life, from human tragedy and suffering to
love and the search for happiness. Though literary works are
expressed through words, readers understand them through their
imagination and ability to interpret different meanings.
Art and literature also have the power to influence society.
They can awaken people's emotions and make them more aware of
oppression, injustice and the suffering of others. In this way,
creative works can encourage people to recognize social
problems and develop a desire for positive change.
Nepal has to deal with problems such as poverty, unemployment,
inflation, ignorance, casteism, communalism and other social
evils. Artists and writers therefore have an important role in
the effort to build a better Nepal. Through their creations,
they can inspire people, raise awareness and speak against
oppression and injustice.
Consequently, art and literature are much more than sources of
entertainment. They represent society, preserve human
experiences and encourage social awareness. Therefore, they
should be regarded as valuable assets of a country.
✍️ Writing
a. Write an essay on “Literature is the reflection of society.”
Literature is the Reflection of Society
The connection between literature and society has existed
since the beginning of human civilization. In the early days,
people preserved important knowledge through oral traditions.
Songs, spoken stories and other forms of storytelling allowed
information about society and human life to pass from one
generation to another. Later, written literature provided a
more permanent way of recording such knowledge and experience.
Literature is a form through which writers turn their
observations, thoughts and experiences into meaningful words.
Because writers live within society, their works often contain
social, political, ecological, historical and scientific
phenomenon. Literature has also preserved important knowledge
of the past. Through literary sources, present generations can
learn about traditions, beliefs, ancestors and ideas of human
existence. The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Old Testament and
The Bible are examples of works that have helped preserve such
knowledge.
Society itself provides writers with numerous subjects.
Customs, traditions and religious stories often become part of
literary works. However, every writer may represent these
realities differently because the writer's outlook influences
the way society is observed and described. An enlightened
writer may have a different perspective from a conservative
writer.
Literature therefore reflects both the positive and negative
dimensions of human life. It can express emotions, describe
people's activities and record social and political events.
Through literary works, readers can understand the conditions
and experiences of the society in which those works were
created. Hence, literature can rightly be called the mirror or
reflection of society.
b. It is said that today’s reader is tomorrow’s leader. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
-> Answer: Yes, I agree with the statement that today's reader can
become tomorrow's leader. Reading plays an important role in
the complete development of a person's personality. It helps
build basic skills, improves language fluency and increases
vocabulary. A reader also becomes familiar with different
writing styles and gathers a variety of ideas. These benefits
can improve communication and speaking skills.
Reading also provides people with an enjoyable and meaningful
way to use their time. Books can introduce readers to new
worlds, experiences and ideas. Someone who regularly reads can
remain mentally occupied and is less likely to experience
boredom or loneliness. Books also contribute to wisdom and
practical thinking by exposing readers to different situations
and viewpoints.
Leadership requires knowledge, understanding and the ability
to make sensible decisions. Reading can gradually develop these
qualities. A person who reads widely can learn from the
experiences and ideas presented in books and apply that
knowledge to real situations.
Therefore, people who hope to become successful leaders should
first develop themselves as good readers. The habit of reading
today can provide the knowledge and intellectual foundation
required for effective leadership tomorrow.
c. Write a short biography of a national literary, artistic or historical figure you appreciate most.
Bhanubhakta Acharya
Bhanubhakta Acharya is a highly respected personality in the
history of Nepali literature. He is regarded as the first
Nepali poet and is especially famous for translating the great
epic ‘Ramayana’ from Sanskrit into Nepali. He was born on 29
Ashar, 1814 in Tanahu district of Nepal. He belonged to a
Brahmin family and obtained his education at home from his
grandfather. His education was strongly influenced by religion.
His contribution to Nepali poetry and literature earned him the
title Adikabi. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Bhanu
Jayanti (13 July), during which various academic programmes and
poem recitation activities are organized.
Bhanubhakta created two important works during his lifetime.
One was the Bhanubhaktey Ramayan, and the other was a letter he
wrote in verse to the Prime Minister while he was in prison.
He had been sent to prison after becoming a scapegoat because
of a misunderstanding involving the signing of papers. His
poetic letter written in prison became one of his significant
works. Through this poem, he was able to gain his freedom and
was also given a bag of money.
He died in 1868 without knowing that he would eventually be
regarded as one of the most revered poets of Nepal. His
creation was not published while he was alive, so he passed
away without receiving recognition for his literary
contribution. Later, Motiram Bhatta published his works in
1887. Although Bhanubhakta is one of the most celebrated and
revered poets of Nepal, his works are not as famous as those of
other poets in the history of Nepali literature.
📚 Grammar
B. Complete the following sentences with correct relative pronouns and write whether the clauses are defining or non-defining.
a. That’s the house where I was born.
b. My aunt Nita, who a journalist, is coming to visit next week.
c. People who like outdoor activities will love our holidays.
d. The early 1960s, when the Beatles first started, was a very exciting time in pop culture.
e. My essay on Shakespeare, which I found quite difficult, got a really good mark in the end.
f. The Mayans, who lived in Central America, built many stunning temples.
g. That’s the girl whose brother is in your class.
h. The snake that was in the garden last week belongs to our next-door neighbor.
C. Join the following pairs of sentences with an appropriate relative clause.
a. He is a musician. His albums have sold millions.
=> Answer: He is a musician whose albums have sold millions.
b. Amelia speaks English and Chines fluently. She is from Shanghai.
=> Answer: Amelia who is from Shanghai speaks English and Chines fluently.
c. That’s the stadium. Real Madrid plays there.
=> Answer: That’s the stadium where Real Madrid plays there.
d. Dublin is my favourite city. It is the capital of Ireland.
=> Answer: Dublin is my favourite city which is the capital of Ireland.
e. The person was really helpful. They spoke to him.
=> Answer: The person to whom they spoke was really helpful.
f. This smartphone takes great photos. I bought it last week.
=> Answer: This smartphone takes great photos which I bought it last week.