📘 War and Peace
🔤 Working with Words
A. What do the underlined words in the following sentences mean? Tick the best answer.
a. clamour : a loud and confused noise
b. precariously : not securely
c. scrutiny : examination
d. absconded : hid somewhere secretly
e. anglicized : characteristics of English
f. platitudes : doubtful remarks
B. Many words have been borrowed in English from different languages. Find the meaning of the following words which are borrowed from Hindi language.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Veranda | a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. |
| Khaki | A strong cloth of wool or cotton, often used for military or other uniforms. |
| Pashmina | a shawl made from fine-quality goat's wool. |
| Pajamas | loose-fitting jacket and trousers for sleeping in. |
| Pukka | genuine, excellent |
| Pundit | an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give their opinions to the public. |
| Avatar | the incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu. |
| Bangle | A rigid bracelet or anklet, especially one with no clasp. |
| Cheetah | a large slender spotted cat found in Africa and parts of Asia. |
| Guru | A Hindu or Sikh spiritual teacher. |
| Jungle | an area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation, typically in the tropics. |
| Karma | good or bad luck, viewed as resulting from one's actions. |
| Nirvana | Complete cessation of suffering; a blissful state attained through realization of sunyata; enlightened experience. |
| Shampoo | an ideal or idyllic state or place. |
| Raita | an Indian side dish of yogurt containing chopped cucumber or other vegetables, and spices. |
C. Add the given suffixes to the following words to make new words. Notice whether ‘e’ is retained or dropped.
a. change + -able / -ing / -ed / -less
changeable, changing, changed, changeless
b. time + -ly / -ing / -ed / -less
timely, timing, timed, timeless
c. notice + -able / -ing / -ed
noticable, noticing, noticed
d. praise + -worthy / -ing / -ed
praiseworthy, praising, praised
e. home + -less / -ing / -ly
homeless, homing, homely
📖 Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. Why did Iqbal want to sleep in the afternoon?
=> Answer: Iqbal wished to take a rest in the afternoon because the previous night had been exhausting. He had spent it sitting on his bedroll inside a crowded third-class compartment of the train.
b. How did people react with each other in the train?
=> Answer: The passengers interacted with one another noisily, speaking in a particularly loud manner inside the train compartment.
c. Why did the book Iqbal was reading bring commotion in the compartment?
=> Answer: Iqbal's book attracted the attention of the other passengers because it was written in English. They considered reading an English book to be evidence of intelligence, education and prestige, so its presence created excitement and discussion in the compartment.
d. Why did Iqbal have to give clarification with his personal details?
=> Answer: The passengers assumed that Iqbal was an educated and intellectual person after noticing that he was reading an English book. Their curiosity increased, and they therefore pressed him to explain his personal background and provide details about himself.
e. Who was Meet Singh and what did he report to Iqbal?
=> Answer: Meet Singh was the priest serving at the Gurudwara. He told Iqbal about the murder of a fellow villager, which was believed to have been committed by Jugga, a dacoit from the village.
f. How according to Meet Singh, was Jugga Singh different from his forefathers?
=> Answer: According to Meet Singh, Jugga Singh differed from his ancestors because his forefathers, despite being dacoits, followed a particular moral code toward their own villagers. They did not rob or harm people belonging to their village. Instead, they protected them from other dacoits. Jugga broke this tradition by robbing his own villagers and even killing one of them.
g. How does the author show contradiction in Meet Singh's character?
=> Answer: The contradiction in Meet Singh's personality is revealed through his response to Jugga's crime. Even though he knew that Jugga was accused of killing a fellow villager, Meet Singh was not particularly troubled by the act and was willing to swear on the holy Granth to support Jugga and defend him against the murder charge.
h. Who was Hukum Chand and how did he succeed in his career?
=> Answer: Hukum Chand was the Deputy Sahib, also called Nar Adami. His rise in his profession was largely due to his ability to please his superiors, through which he obtained one promotion after another.
💭 Critical Thinking
a. Iqbal is addressed as Babu Sahib by general folk simply because he knew English. Are Nepali people who can speak English taken with respect? Discuss the importance of learning English in the Nepali context.
Ans:
Yes, people in Nepal who can speak English are often viewed positively and may receive greater respect from others. English is commonly associated with education, social position and the elite class. As a result, fluency in English can create the impression that someone is educated, capable and successful.
In Nepali society, people sometimes form opinions about others based on outward signs of status, and English can function as one such sign. A person who speaks English confidently may receive more attention and admiration, just as someone wearing expensive or fashionable clothes may be treated differently in a shop. In this sense, English has considerable social importance in Nepal because it is connected not only with communication but also with education, opportunity and social recognition.
b. Do you agree with Iqbal’s comments on crime and punishment? In your view, what should the state, society and individuals do for peace and order in social lives?
Ans:
Yes, I agree with Iqbal's comments concerning crime and punishment. Peace and social order cannot be achieved through the efforts of only one section of society. Individuals, communities and the state must all perform their respective responsibilities.
Individuals form the foundation of a peaceful society. Each person should understand that personal actions can influence the wider community. People need to take responsibility for preventing violence and promoting peaceful relationships. Peace should not simply mean the absence of war; it should also include justice, equal rights and equal opportunities. War wastes both human lives and financial resources and has repeatedly failed to provide an effective solution to conflicts. Therefore, maintaining peace requires active participation from individuals and communities.
Society also has a major role in preserving order. Families should remain cooperative and united so that their communities become secure places to live. A responsible group can be established within society to help maintain peace and order. Such a group can carry out responsibilities related to maintaining social discipline and dealing appropriately with criminal activities.
The state has the responsibility to establish and enforce laws that protect citizens and maintain social stability. It should take effective measures to reduce crime and violence and should ensure that criminals are dealt with according to proper rules. Strict laws, effective security and appropriate punishment are necessary for maintaining peace and order.
Thus, peaceful social life depends on responsible individuals, cooperative communities and an effective state working together.
✍️ Writing
A. Meet Singh says Jugga a badmash. There can be such people in your locality, too. Write a paragraph describing him / her.
Ans:
During my school years, I became acquainted with a boy who seemed friendly and trustworthy when I first met him. Our friendship developed quickly, and I began sharing many personal matters with him because I believed he would keep them private. Later, however, I discovered that he was telling my secrets to his careless friends and changing the meaning of what I had said. Learning about his behaviour left me deeply hurt and disappointed because I had placed a great deal of trust in him. Although he did not genuinely apologize for what he had done, I eventually decided to forgive him and leave the unpleasant experience behind. I believe that the best way to deal with such people is to forgive, forget the bitterness and move ahead, while keeping the lesson learned from the experience in mind.
B. You may have travelled by bus or train. During your travel, you might have got different experiences. Write a letter to your friend describing about your unforgettable journey.
Ans:
Date: 2082-10-13
Pokhara-7, Kaski
Dear Pratik,
I hope everything is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health. I am writing this letter to share one of the most memorable experiences I had while travelling by bus to my hometown, Sankhuwasabha. I travelled on Manakamana Yatayat, numbered Nine Hundred and Ten. I boarded the bus at 05:30 AM on 10/10/2082 and arrived at my destination at 06:30 PM that very day.
The journey was remarkably pleasant from beginning to end. The scenery outside the window made the trip particularly enjoyable. As the bus moved forward, the trees appeared to pass rapidly behind us. Waterfalls beside the road and fresh air entering through the window made the journey even more refreshing. The fare was reasonable, and the cost of meals was already included in the ticket. I was also fortunate enough to get a corner seat. The fellow passengers were friendly and entertaining, so we played cards, ludo and chess together. This made the long journey seem much shorter and more enjoyable.
The experience was so comfortable and enjoyable that I feel everyone should experience such a journey at least once. I have wonderful memories of that day and am already thinking about travelling again. When I make my next plan, I would certainly like you to come with me.
Until then, take care of yourself.
Much love,
Aayusha Sharma
📚 Grammar
C. Fill in the gaps with the suitable form of the verb in the brackets. Use past simple/past continuous/past perfect tenses. You may need to use negative too.
It was Sunday afternoon. I was watching (watch) a cookery programme on TV when I realised (realise) how hungry I was. But of course, I was hungry; I hadn't eaten (eat) anything since lunch, and I had run (run) a race in the morning. "Biscuits!" I thought (think). My mother had given (give) me a jar of delicious home-made biscuits.
I went (go) into the kitchen, opened (open) the fridge and poured (pour) some milk in a big glass. Then I looked (look) for the kitchen chair but it wasn't (be) there: somebody had taken (take) it away. And there were no biscuits in the biscuit jar: somebody had eaten (eat) them all! I was sure I had put (put) the jar there the previous day and I had eaten (eat) only one cookie. It was very strange.
A few minutes later, I was drinking (drink) my glass of milk when I heard (hear) a loud noise coming from the dining room. I went (go) there quickly and I opened (open) the door. I couldn't believe my eyes. An enormous monkey was eating (eat) the biscuits excitedly on the kitchen chair.
D. Rewrite the following sentences correcting the mistakes.
a. She played the flute and then she had sung in their choir.
=> Answer: She had played the flute and then she had sung in their choir.
b. I borrowed Rima’s car. Had you known about it?
=> Answer: I had borrowed Rima’s car. Had you known about it?
c. After the lesson had finished, we run out of school.
=> Answer: After the lesson had finished, we ran out of school.
d. Had you be there? - Yes, the previous year.
=> Answer: Had you been there? -Yes, the previous year.
e. Did you liked my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?
=> Answer: Did you like my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?
f. I recognized him because I saw him before.
=> Answer: I recognized him because I had seen him before.
g. I hadn’t gone out because I hadn’t finished my homework.
=> Answer: I didn't go out because I hadn’t finished my homework.
h. We had done nothing like this at that time.
=> Answer: We did nothing like this at that time.
i. It was quite difficult. I had had no idea what to do.
=> Answer: It had been quite difficult. I had no idea what to do.
j. As far as I’d known, she had always had some pets.
=> Answer: As far as I knew, she had always had some pets.
k. When I met Jim, he was already a soldier for three years.
=> Answer: When I met Jim, he had already been a soldier for three years.
l. He had gone to the coffee because somebody had told him.
=> Answer: He went to the the coffee because somebody had told him.