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Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 5 Chapter 2 This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit Questions and Answers Unit 5 Chapter 2 (Poem)

Read And Respond (Text Book)

Question 1.
Why does the poet dislike sitting in dentist’s chair with his mouth wide open ?
Answer:
The poet dislikes sitting in dentist’s chair with his mouth wide open because some tortures are physical and some are mental but the dental torture is both.

Question 2.
Why does one find it hard to keep calm while sitting before a dentist?
Answer:
It is difficult to keep calm while sitting before a dentist because your jaw is down into your chest as you have to keep your mouth wide open.

Question 3.
How, according to the poet, does one lose one’s dignity before a dentist?
Answer:
According to the poet, one loses one’s dignity before a dentist because of many reasons. It is difficult to be in self control, when your jaw is down into your chest and your mouth is wide open. Your fingernails are scratching your palm making serious changes in your life line, love line or some other important line. You feel helpless as the dentist does what he wants in your mouth!

Question 4.
What makes the circumstances terrible?
Answer:
The circumstances are made more terrible because your mouth is like a section of the road on which repair work is going on. It is all cluttered up with stone, crushers and concrete mixers and drills and steam rollers. All the nerves in your head are affected.

Question 5.
What, according to the poet, is the danger in using a mirror for the treatment of dental problems?
Answer:
The dentist uses a mirror for the treatment of dental problems. In the mirror the left is right and the right is left. When we try to tie a bow tie with the aid of a mirror we tend to get mixed up. Like that there is the danger of the dentist getting mixed up and pulling out a tooth on the left side instead of pulling out the one on the right, the one giving you trouble.

Think And Write

Question 1.
Comment on the aptness of the title of the poem. (Mark 2)
Answer:
The title of the poem is very apt. The title is: “This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit”. But the fact is it is going to hurt a lot! The title itself is an exaggeration as the poet makes the pain of going to a dentist much less than it actually is. I would also say the title is a bit too long.

Question 2.
The poet compares the mouth to a section of a road that is being repaired. Do you feel any exaggeration in it? Find out more such instances in the poem. (Mark 2)
Answer:
There is great exaggeration in comparing the mouth to a section of a road that is being repaired. Some other instances of exaggeration in the poem are:

• Your jaw digging into your chest.
• Your fingernails are making serious alterations in your life line, love line or some other important line in your palm.
• There isn’t a nerve in your head that you aren’t being irked on.
• Your teeth are supposed to be polished but they are demolished.
• The dentist is a bear.
• He takes his crowbar in one hand and mirror in the other.
• He then coats your mouth from cellar to roof with something generally used to put a shine on a horse’s hoof.

Question 3.
Go through the notes and examples on Exaggeration and Simile given on page 149.
“And your mouth is like a section of road that is being worked on. ”
What effect does this poetic device produce in the poem? Find out other similes used in the poem. (Mark 3)
Answer:
The simile in the line quoted above is a powerful one as it depicts the pathetic condition of the mouth of the patient. The mouth is kept widely open, “your jaw digging into your chest”. There are all sorts of instruments with which the dentist will repair your teeth. So the mouth is the section of the road and the instruments the dentist uses are the equipment used for repairing the road. Of course, the simile is mingled with exaggeration and thus has a double effect.

Other similes in the poem:

• The dentist is called a bear (This is, strictly speaking, a metaphor).
• The instrument used by the dentist is called a crowbar (metaphor).
• The polishing of the teeth is compared to the polishing of a horse’s hoof (implied simile).
• The patient tottering to his feet, like a drunkard (Implied simile).

This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit (Poem) Edumate Questions & Answers

Question 1.
The poem This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit’ presents a humorous incident in a dentist’s clinic. The narrator had a difficult time with his rotten teeth. Do you agree with the views presented in the poem? Do you have a similar experience to share? Now, share your experience of visiting a dentist.
Answer:
One of my friends used to say jocularly that he is afraid of only two things: a cobra and a dentist. I never thought a dentist is so dangerous. But I was wrong! The problem was with one of my molars on the left upper jaw. I could riot bite anything or drink anything hot or cold. It would pain me as if somebody was piercing me with a knife.

I tried all kinds of tooth¬pastes that promised bliss. But nothing worked. The pain started eating into me. So I decided to go to a dentist. He looked a gentleman and his smile was captivating. He asked me to sit in the dentist’s chair and asked me to open my mouth. I told him where I felt the pain. He started probing with some sharp instrument. After pressing at a point he would ask me, “Is it here?” I would say “No”. Then suddenly his instrument went deep into my cavity! Oh My God! I screamed!

“Don’t worry,” he told me. “It is just a cavity. I will fill it. It will hurt a little. Don’t worry.” Then he inserted his injection needle and gave me some numbing injection. After that he started grinding my tooth. I have seen mine workers drilling holes in the rocks. I was feeling as if the whole world is collapsing. I was convulsing with pain. But he went on saying, “Just a little bit more,” his vicious smile intact. Finally he filled the cavity with some dental cement.

He then asked me to keep my mouth tightly shut for the cement to harden and hold. I thought the ordeal was over. The he came with the bill which gave me greater pain! Rs. 1000 to fill a cavity! This really hurt me more than the pain I had when he was drilling and grinding my poor molar. I remembered the smile of the cat that has the rat in his clutches.

Question 2.
Tooth decay is a severe health problem among youngsters these days. Unhealthy food habits and the craze for junk food aggravate this problem. A dentist maintains the health of our teeth. A few do’s for maintaining the teeth are given below.

• You must brush your teeth daily.
• You ought to eat healthy food.
• You should consult a dentist once in a while. Now, write three don’ts for maintaining oral hygiene. (3 Mark)

Answer:

• Don’t eat too many sweet things like ice-creams.
• Don’t forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed.
• Don’t chew things that are too hot or too cold.

Question 3.
Imagine that one of your friends wants to get an appointment with a dentist in your locality. He wants to know the fee, timing and the exact location of the clinic. You make a telephonic call to get the details. Prepare the likely conversation. There should be at least four exchanges. (4 Mark)
Answer:
I : Hello! Good morning! Is that the Canewell Dental Clinic?
DC : Good Morning! Yes, this is the Carewell Dental Clinic. I am the booking clerk here. What can I do for you?
I : I would like to have an appointment with Dr. Saifu.
DC : Appointment with Dr. Saifu? When do you want it?
I : This evening if possible.
DC : This evening! Hmmmm, let me see. What is your problem?
I : I have a problem with my Wisdom Tooth.
DC : Dr. Saifu has a tight schedule this evening. Is it okay if I give you 8.00 p.m.?
I : It’s fine. I want to see him today itself as I have too much pain.
DC : Okay, come at 8 o’clock.
I . : Thanks! What is the fee for consulting?
DC : The fee for consultation alone is Rs.250/-. But other services and medicines, there will be extra charges.
I : It’s okey. Bye.

Question 4.
And your mouth is like a section of road that is being
worked.
a) Who is the speaker here?
b) Why is the ‘mouth’ compared to a section of road that is being worked?
c) What is the poetic device used in these lines? (3 Mark)
Answer:
a) Ogden Nash/The poet
b) When the road is being worked, you find digging, cleaning, drilling, filling and so on. Here the same thing is happening to the mouth. The dentist is digging, drilling and cleaning and filling.
c) Simile

Question 5.
And thus, O Fate, is I think the most vicious circle
that thou ever sentest
a) Who speaks these words?
b) What is referred to as ‘vicious circle’ in the stanza?
c) Why does the poet use archaic words like thou’ and ‘sentest’ in these lines? (3 Mark)
Answer:
a) Ogden Nash
b) Vicious circle means a situation in which the solution to one problem creates a chain of problems, each making it more difficult to solve. Here the narrator visited the doctor to solve the problem with his teeth and the doctor suggested that he should visit after three months. So his attempt for one solution created a chain of problems.
c) This poem is a humorous one. By using the archaic words he wants to bring some mock solemnity into the poem as if the clinic is like a church or something of that kind.

Question 6.
Read the following lines from This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit.
Because some tortures are physical and some are mental
But the one that is both is dental
It is hard to be self possessed
With your jaw digging into your chest
Explain the idea behind the above lines in a paragraph. (4 Mark)
Answer:
Some tortures are physical and some are mental. But the dental torture is both physical as well as mental. It is difficult to be in self control when your jaw is down into your chest. When you are sitting in a dentist’s chair, the doctor asks you to open your mouth. When you open your mouth wide, your lower jaw touches your chest. Your mind is imagining all sorts of tortures by the probing of the dentist to locate the spot causing the trouble. In such a situation a person loses his confidence and self control. The poet here beautifully expresses the situation when a patient is sitting in the dental chair.

Activity: (Critical Appreciation)

Question 1.
Write a critical appreciation of the poem referring to the theme, the tone of the poem, and the poetic devices used in it. (Mark 8)
Answer:
The poem “This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit” is a very funny poem by Ogden Nash. It describes the feeling of a person going to a dentist. Going to a dentist is really a very unpleasant experience. Sitting in a dentist chair with one’s mouth wide open is not something that anyone likes. Some tortures and physical and some are mental but the dental torture has both.

It is difficult to be in self control, when your jaw is down into your chest. Your fingernails are scratching your palm making serious changes in your life line, love line or some other important line. You are in a position which lacks dignity. Your mouth is like a section of the road on which repairwork is going on. It is all cluttered up with stone, crushers and concrete mixers and drills and steam rollers. All the nerves in your head are affected.

Your teeth are supposed to get polished. But you think they are demolished. What terrifies you more is that it is done with a mirror. The dentist looks like a bear. He takes a crow bar in one hand and a mirror in the other. How can we be sure he won’t make a mistake? Because in the mirrorthe left is right and the right is left. When we try to tie a bow tie with the aid of a mirror we tend to get mixed up. Will the doctor pull out the wrong tooth? Finally he coats the mouth with some harsh polishing stuff.

The shock comes when he says we should go back to him before the end of three months. The poet feels that Fate sends this most vicious circle to man. Man has to go to the dentist continually to keep his teeth in good condition. The man wants his teeth in good condition because he does not want to go to the dentist. It is a real paradox.

The poet has used simile, metaphor and personification very effectively. The dentist is called a bear. The instrument used by the dentist is called a crowbar. The polishing of the teeth is compared to the polishing of a horse’s hoof and we see the patient tottering to his feet, like a drunkard. There are many exaggerations also in the poem: The patient’s jaw digs into his chest. His fingernails are making serious alterations in his life line, love line or some other important line in his palm. There isn’t a nerve in his head that he isn’t being irked on. His teeth are supposed to be polished but they are demolished. The dentist takes his crowbar in one hand and mirror in the other. The dentist polishes the mouth as if he is polishing a horse’s roof.

Ogden Nash is fond of misspelling words. This he does for pun or some funny effect. Thus we see words like “hopen” and “sentest”. Ursa is a Latin word and ‘thou’ is the Old English form for ‘you’. The poem does not have regular stanzas. It is in free verse. It has fine rhythm and we find rhyme in it. Open-hopen, mental-dental, calm- palm, benignity-dignity etc. are some of the examples.

Nash has tried tojnake a painful situation into a light one. When we go to the dentist next time, we can feel more relaxed as we realize that the feelings we get when in the dentist chair are very similar to all the others who have to visit the dentist. We all want our teeth to be clean so that we don’t have to go to a dentist. And the paradox is that to keep our teeth clean we have to go to the dentist. Nash has put it in a nice way.

Read the poem by Sophia Borger on page 149 and team to laugh so that you make your burdens lighter!

This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit (Poem) About The Poet:

Frederick Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet. He is well known for his humorous poems. His poems are noted for their surprising pun and comic effect when words are deliberately misspelt. The exaggeration he uses gives his poems a special charm. The poem ‘This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit’ tells the poet’s experiences when he visits a dentist.

This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit (Poem) Summary in English:

Stanza 1: One thing 1 least like is sitting in a dentist’s chair with my mouth wide open. I always hope against hope that I will never have to do it again.

Stanza 2: Some tortures are physical and some are mental but the dental torture has both. It is difficult to be in self control, when your jaw is down into your chest.

Stanza 3: It is difficult to retain your calm when your fingernails are scratching your palm making serious changes in your life line, love line or some other important line.

Stanza 4: It is hard to give your usual cheerful goodness when you know that you are in a position in life which lacks dignity. There are only 2 or 3 occasions in life when this happens.

Stanza 5: Your mouth is like a section of the road on. which repair work is going on. It is all cluttered up with stone, crushers and concrete mixers and drills and steam rollers. All the nerves in your head are affected.

Stanza 6: Some people are unfortunate enough to be strung up by thumbs. Others have things done to their gums. Your teeth are supposed to get polished. But you think they are demolished. What terrifies you more is that it is done with a mirror. The dentist looks like a bear. The Romans call a bear ‘ursa’. The bear (dentist) takes a crow bar in one hand and a mirror in the other. How can we be sure he won’t make a mistake? Because in the mirror the left is right and the right is left. When we try to tie a bow tie with the aid of a mirror we tend to get mixed up.

Stanza 7: At last he says that is all. He coats your mouth with something that is used to shine a horse’s hoof. You get on to your feet with difficulty and think that | it’s all over now. After all, it was just once this time. But then he says we should go back to him before the end of three months. The poet feels that Fate sends this most vicious circle to man. Man has to go to the dentist continually to keep his teeth in good condition. The man wants his teeth in good condition because he does not want to go to the dentist. It is a real paradox.

This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit (Poem) Summary in Malayalam

III. Read And Reflect

Adjustment and reconciliation are oils that help life to run smoothly. To have good relations with others, we ought to respect their feelings. We should also be ready to sacrifice some personal interests. At times people may laugh at us. Still we can try to change the way of the world.

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 5 Chapter 1 Post Early for Christmas Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook Post Early for Christmas Questions and Answers Unit 5 Chapter 1 (One Act Play)

Question 1.
What was the Assistant’s experience the other day? Why does she consider people funny?
Answer:
She considers people funny because the other day one man came and asked her where he could get a stamp. She thought the man was playing a joke on her. Then there was the old man who could not see very well. He put his glasses on the counter and asked herto give him a pint of beer.

Question 2.
Why does Mrs. Smith dislike snow for Christmas?
Answer:
Mrs. Smith dislikes snow for Christmas because she has rheumatism and snow is not good for it. Last year because of the snow and her rheumatism she could not enjoy Christmas at all.

Question 3.
Why does the Assistant insist on people posting early for Christmas?
Answer:
The Assistant insists on people posting early for Christmas because parcels get damaged in the last-minute rush.

Question 4.
What is the purpose of the old Gentleman’s visit to the post office?
Answer:
The old Gentleman has come to collect his old age pension. He has a huge shopping list and he wants money to buy the things on the list.

Question 5.
Why does the Old Gentleman get angry with the Assistant?
Answer:
The old gentleman gets angry with the Assistant because he does not hear properly. When the assistant asks him if he brought the book, he replies he didn’t bring his cook as his wife does all his cooking. The assistant then says he did not hear what she said. The gentleman again misunderstands. He thinks she said that he ought to be in bed. This makes him angry and he asks the Assistant not to be impudent.

Question 6.
What is the problem with die Old Lady’s cat?
Answer:
The problem with the Old Lady’s cat Tiddles is that she is not eating her food. She used to be a big eater. Tiddles has hurt her paw and the Old Lady thinks it must have upset her.

Question 7.
Why does the old lady decide to buy something from the post office?
Answer:
The old lady decided to buy something from the post office because she came there thinking it was a vet’s clinic. The Assistant tells her where the clinic is. The lady feels that it would be rude to go away without buying something. So she will buy a two half penny stamp. She thinks they are so beautiful and may be useful at this Christmas time.

Question 8.
Why did the farmer humorously enquire about the bombs?
Answer:
The farmer humorously enquired about the bombs because he read the news of a bomb found in a post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time¬bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious-looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.

Question 9.
What was the newspaper report on?
Answer:
The newspaper report was on a bomb found in a post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time-bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious-looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.

Question 10.
How can a time bomb be detected?
Answer:
A time-bomb usually ticks just before it goes off. So the Farmer advises the Assistant that if any parcel makes funny noises, she should be careful.

Question 11.
Why does the Assistant tell the tourist that the parcel was in time?
Answer:
The Assistant tells the tourist that the parcel was in time because it will reach its destination before Christmas. It is a Christmas present and there are some more days to Christmas day.

Question 12.
Why is the tourist very anxious about his parcel?
Answer:
The tourist is very anxious about his parcel because it is a special kind of present and he wants it to reach his friend without getting damaged. Later we come to know it is a clock brought from Switzerland.

Question 13.
Why does everyone in the post office become anxious about the Tourist’s parcel?
Answer:
Everyone in the post office becomes anxious about the Tourist’s parcel because it starts ticking. Earlier the Farmer had talked about the time-bombs and how they tick before they go off. Now everyone thinks the parcel contains a time-bomb.

Question 14.
Why do the people in the post office try to hide themselves?
Answer:
The people in the post office try to hide themselves because the ticking from the parcel gets louder as the Assistant picks it up. The Farmer tells the people to take cover as he thinks the bomb will blast soon.

Question 15.
Why does the Assistant bring a bucket of water?
Answer:
The Assistant brings a bucket of water so that the parcel could be immersed in it to prevent the time-bomb from going off.

Question 16.
Why does the tourist return to the post office?
Answer:
The tourist returns to the post office to collect his gloves which he had left behind. He had forgotten to take them with him when he left the post office after handing over the parcel to the Assistant.

Question 17.
How does the play end?
Answer:
The play ends in a very funny way. The suspected time-bomb turns out to be a beautiful clock from Switzerland. The tourist is angry with the policeman and the post office for ruining his present for his friend. He will make a complaint to the Postmaster General. The Assistant leaves her job at the post office to work at the animal dispensary nearby because she feels animals don’t do such silly things as people do.

Post Early for Christmas (One act play) Edumate Questions and Answers

Question .1
The play Post Early for Christmas starts with the following monologue:
“My ! What a busy day it was for me yesterday.
Oh!
Here’s my first customer.”
Online shopping is the trend of the day, irrespective of festivals, marriages or anniversaries. You might have seen online shopping service driving past us with goods bundled in their bikes. Very often their plight is equivalent to that of the postal assistant in the play. Imagine that the agent of an online shopping company delivers a monologue. What would he say in the monologue? Draft the monologue for him.
Answer:
Oh My God! Yesterday I was dead tired riding kilometres after kilometres delivering the goods to the customers. Sometimes they live in almost inaccessible places, and I have to walk carrying the packet to give them. Well, I should not complain because only because they buy things online I have a job to do. So, God, make more people buy more things online!

Question 2.
A sweeper does his/her duty without receiving due acknowledgment from anyone. Her/his anxieties, experiences and struggles often find expression in the form of monologues. What will be the monologue of a sweeper who had to sweep a Work Experience Fair venue, on the eve of its concluding ceremony?
Answer:
Goodness! How am I supposed to clean up all this mess! Does “Work Experience Fair” mean people throwing things here and there without any care? Don’t these people ever use dust bins? Work Experience Fair! It is work for me. And nobody to help me! If I don’t finish this in time the, the Director will shout at me. Let him clean the place one day and see how easy it is! These top officers have no idea about how we people suffer. And do they give us a good salary? They give us pittance and expect us to work the whole day. I have heard of Hercules cleaning the Aegean stables. This is worse than that! Well, this is my fate! Oh, the director is coming! Let me hurry with the job!

Question 3.
Though the poster Post Early for Christmas is displayed in front of the post office, too many people barge into it with various needs, It is the last minute hurry that makes the situation go out of control. Can you recount any real life experience where things went awry due to last-minute hurry? Write an anecdote in about 150 words.
Answer:
Last Minute Fiasco:
The phone call came from my friend to tell me that his father died and the cremation would be at 4.00 p.m. in his compound. He asked me to convey the message to our common friend George. George and I live at Irinjalakuda and my friend whose father died lives in Thrissur. By car it would take only 30 minutes to reach my friend’s house to attend the cremation. So George and I decided to leave Irinjalakua at 3 o’clock after buying a wreath from a local flower shop.

We chose an expensive wreath with white roses and lilies. We started driving. Unfortunately, there was an accident on the Karuvannur bridge which we had to cross to reach Thrissur. We were delayed by half an hour. Then we rushed and reached our friend’s home around 4.30 p.m. We saw him standing in front of his house.

He looked quite sad. We left the wreath in the car as we knew the cremation had already taken place. We spent a few minutes with our friend condoling with him. From the obituary column of the local newspaper we saw that somebody had died at Irinjalakuda. We got the address of the bereaved family and went to the house the placed the wreath at the foot of the dead body of the stranger. The relatives of the dead people were surprised to see two strangers placing such an expensive wreath. They would never know it was intended for the dead father of our friend!

Question 4.
The tourist in the play ‘Post Early for Christmas’ loses the precious gift that he intended to send via post. With the wet clock in his hand he approaches the Postmaster General arid files a complaint. What would he write in the complaint? Draft the letter of complaint for him.
Answer:
Sam Peter
Fox Meadow
New Jersey, USA
20 December 2016

The Postmaster General
London

Sir,
Sub: RUINING MY SWISS CLOCK
I had bought an expensive Swiss clock and I wanted to send it to my friend as a Christmas present. I handed over the packet to the Assistant at the Milton Square Post office and she accepted it and gave me a receipt. I had forgotten by gloves on the counter and when I went back to collect them, I saw my packet being opened by a policeman. When I asked him the reason for it, I was told that there was a ticking sound and somebody suspected it to contain a time tomb. So it was immersed in water. My precious gift to my friend was ruined.

I want to lodge my protest against such foolish behaviour on the part of your workers in the post office. You have spoiled the joy of my Christmas. I paid 155 Pounds for the clock and then the postal charges. I want a proper compensation forthe loss your worker has caused.
I hope you will take immediate action.

Yours faithfully,
Sam Peter.

Question 5.
Imagine that the tourist in the play ‘Post Early for Christmas’ sends an e-mail to the friend to whom he wanted to send the precious clock. He expresses his grief and frustration over the incidents at the post office. What would he write in the e-mail? Draft the e-mail for him.
Answer:
ranbir@hotmail.com
Hope you are fine. This year I wanted to send you a precious Swiss clock as my Christmas present. I am sure you would be happy with it because it was a beautifully crafted clock. But you know what happened! The Postal Assistant accepted my packet. Then some foolish fellow standing nearby heard the clock ticking and his perverted mind thought the packet had a time bomb. He told people it was ticking and it would explode soon. He asked the Postal Assistant to get a bucket of water and immerse the packet in it to prevent it from exploding! Thus the precious clock got ruined. I’m so sorry, Ranbir!

I have complained to the Post Master General about the ridiculous act.
Hope you had a merry Christmas.
Sam Peter

Question 6.
Unable to tolerate the mistakes made by Bertie in the usage of English, Mrs.Higgins notes down his mistakes in a notepad. She makes Bertie realise his mistakes and asks him to correct them. Help Bertie correct his mistakes.
1. I want a engine.
2. I know Ma, but they sell engines next door, I seed them.
3. Can I have a’ieS-cream?
4. It ain’t half making a funny noise.
Answer:

Question 7.
Imagine that the farmer in Post Early for Christmas feels guilty over his actions that led to utter chaos in the post office. He goes to the postal assistant’s house to apologise. However the postal assistant refuses to meet him. He leaves a message for her. Write the message for him.
Answer:
Madam, I know you are angry with me for what happened at the post office. I am really sorry. That is why I came to apologize to you. But since you have refused to meet me, I am leaving this note to let you know what actually happened and how sorry I am.

When I was coming to the post office I read in the newspaper an item like this: “Bomb found in post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London Post office. Any suspicious looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.”

I had this at the back of my mind when the tourist came with the parcel. You know he looked suspicious and look at the way he talked about the parcel, asking so many questions about the time it reaches the central post office and so on. And when you said that the parcel was ticking, I naturally thought there was a time bomb inside.

I asked you to bring a bucket of water to prevent it from exploding and killing or maiming all of us. I only thought of our safety and I had no plan to spoil anybody’s anything. But somehow it turned out to be a blunder on my part. I am sorry. I am sure you are gracious enough to forgive me for the mistake I made as it was made with good intentions.

Joe Freeman
Farmer from Avon

Question 8.
In ‘Post Early for Christmas’ Bertie is assigned the duty of fetching a policeman to the post office. How would Bertie convince the policeman about the emergency in the post office? Draft a short convincing request that Bertie would make before the police man.
Answer:
Bertie: Sir, I am coming from the local post office. A suspicious looking foreigner came and he handed over a parcel to the postal Assistant saying it is a Christmas gift for his friend. He was asking so many questions about the safety of the parcel. After he left, there was some ticking noise coming from the parcel. When the Assistant mentioned the people assembled there thought it was a time bomb. There was also news about time bombs sent as Christmas present parcels in the newspaper and the Scotland Yard warning people to be on the lookout. The people at the post office are scared. So please come immediately to see to the situation. Come, let’s go fast before anything untoward happens.

Question 9.
The postal assistant in Post Early for Christmas resigns her job following the chaos in the post office. Imagine that she comes across this advertisement in the newspaper.

ARNOLD CLARK AUTOMOBILES LIMITED
134 Nithsdale Drive
Glasgow Lanarkshire G41
United Kingdom
REQUIRE OFFICE ASSISTANTS

We Guarantee security and punctuality in your monthly payment and all the management tools you need.
What you need is a graduation in any subject, thorough knowledge in Computer and excellent communication skills.
You should be below 30 years.

Contact us
Telephone: 0141-422 2700
Fax: 01698454373
E-mail: planning@southlanarkshire.co.in
Answer:
Maggie Hayden
39 Milton Drive
Northamptonshire H32
23 December 2016

The Director
Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited
134 Nithsdale Drive,
Glasgow Lanarkshire G41
UK

Sir,
Sub: Application for the Post of Office Assistant I saw your advertisement. I am interested in applying for the post as I thought my qualification and experience would suit your requirements. I am enclosing my detailed resume for your perusal. I will be available for an interview from now till the end of next month^You may decide the time and place of the interview. I wifi present all the original documents at the time of the interview.
Hoping to get the interview letter soon,

Yours faithfully,
Maggie Hayden.

RESUME OF MAGGIE HAYDEN

Objective: To work in a company which can utilize my services and, at the same time, enable me to sharpen my capabilities for the betterment of all.

Question 10.
Imagine that a journalist rushed to the post office to get a scoop. He noted down several points based on his own observation and comments of the onlookers. The following points were jotted down by him. (crowded London post office-bomb alert by farmer – foreign tourist’s big parcel makes – ticking sound – panic stricken customers-police informed -foreign tourist returns – policeman’s attempt to deactivate the bomb – large clock ruined – people astonished- tourist threatens- postal assistant quits job.)
Help him draft a report.
Answer:
Expensive Swiss Clock Thrown Into A Bucket Of Water.
London: 20 December 2016. There was a time bomb scare at the Milton Square Post office in London in the rush hours of the morning. From my talks with the Post office Assistant and some onlookers this is what transpired at the post office. A foreign tourist arrived with well-wrapped parcel and he said it contained something precious and he was sending it to his friend as a special Christmas present. Some questions he asked about the safety of the parcel and about the time it would reach the central post office for clearing created some doubts in the minds of the Postal Assistant.

The parcel was booked and the tourist left forgetting his gloves on the counter. Soon the Assistant noticed that there was a ticking sound coming from the parcel. She mentioned it and immediately a farmer who was present there said it must be time bomb. He had read an alert in the Newspaper which was issued by the Scotland Yard asking people to be on their alert for ominous looking parcels. He was certain that his parcel contained a time bomb. People got scared and they ran for cover. The farmer asked for a bucket of water.

In the meantime a police man was brought. Soon the tourist returned to take his gloves back. There was an argument between the policeman and the tourist. The policeman then threw the parcel into the bucket of water. The tourist was angry with everyone there for spoiling his precious Swiss Watch he had bought for his friend. He said he would complain to the authorities. Fed up with the happenings at the Post Office the Assistant decided to quit the job there and take up work in an animal dispensary nearby. She thought animals will not be as foolish as men! She has a point, isn’t it!

Think and Write

Question 1.
Do you think Mrs Jones is rude in her behaviour? Why? (Mark 2)
Answer:
I think Mrs Jones is rude in her behaviour. She hands over some huge parcels to the Assistant and asks herto be careful so that the parcels which contain presents should not be damaged. The Assistant tells herthatthey do their best not to damage them and makes a polite enquiry as to why she didn’t post them last week. Then Mrs. Jones rudely tells the Assistant that she will post her presents when she wants.

Question 2.
What is the context of Bertie saying “She’s at home Ma, watching the television ”? (Mark 2)
Answer:
Bertie’s English is horrible. We see him saying ‘seed’ instead of saw and when his mother points out the mistake he ‘corrects’ it and says ‘sawed’. When Bertie closely watches the parcel brought by the tourist, the Assistant asks him what the matter is. Bertie says the parcel “ain’t ‘alf making a funny noise”. Mrs. Higgins asks the boy where his grammar is. It is then the boy says she (grammar) is at home watching television!

Question 3.
How does the Fanner frighten people? (Mark 2)
Answer:
The Farmer frightens people first by reading the newspaper report: “Bomb found in post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time-bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious-looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.” Then he frightens them by saying the parcel brought by the tourist has a time¬bomb in it and it will go’off very soon. This.really frightens the people and they run for cover.

Question 4.
What makes the tourist decide to see the Postmaster General? (Mark 2)
Answer:
The tourist got a beautiful clock from Switzerland and he wanted to send it to his friend as a Christmas present. But the people at the post office suspected it to be a time-bomb and a policeman drops the parcel containing the clock in a bucket of water, ruining his present. This makes the tourist furious. He calls the people mining his gift blundering idiots and decides to see the Postmaster General to complain.

Question 5.
Why does the Assistant leave the post office forever? (Mark 3)
Answer:
The Assistant leaves the post office forever because of her bitter experiences there. People annoy her in so many ways. One man comes and asks where he can buy stamps. Another person wants a pint of beer. Mrs. Jones talks rudely to her. The old deaf gentleman can’t hear her properly and he too gets angry. An old lady comes there thinking it is a vet’s clinic. And then comes the tourist with his ticking parcel. Thinking it is a bomb the parcel is immersed in water. The tourist is furious and threatens to complain to the Postmaster General. The Assistant thinks animals are better than men and so she decides to work in an animal dispensary where she thinks she will be happy.

Question 6.
Bring out the humour in the play. (Mark 3)
Answer:
There are many humorous situations in the play. We laugh when we see somebody coming to the post office and asks where he can get stamps. Another person comes asking for a pint of beer. The deaf man creates a lot of humour as he misunderstands book as cook, said as bed and later Ted. We laugh a lot when see an old lady coming to consult the Assistant about her cat. The greatest humour is when the tourist comes with his ticking parcel and the anxiety created by it. As the parcel with the lime-bomb’ is thrown into water and people run for cover, we really laugh at the foolishness of people.

Question 7.
Comment on the role of the farmer in the play. (Mark 4)
Answer:
It was actually the farmer who caused all the havoc in the post office. First of all he scared the people by reading out the news loudly: “Bomb found in a post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time-bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious-looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.” With his ‘expertise’ he is sure that the ticking parcel given by the tourist contains a time bomb. He is the one suggesting to call a policeman. He scares the people by telling them the time-bomb will soon go off and they should take cover. He is the one who asks the Assistant to bring a bucket of water. Thus he was instrumental for all the commotion and mischief there.

Question 8.
Justify the aptness of the title of the play. (Mark 3)
Answer:
The title “Post Early for Christmas” is a very apt title.
All the major actions in the play are related to posting of gifts and parcels as Christmas presents. The Assistant tells Mrs Jones to post Christmas parcels early to prevent them from getting damaged in the last-minute rush. We feel that if the tourist had posted his parcel ‘early’ the damage could have been prevented. With his bitter experience he vows not to post anything in this country and he bitterly spits out the words “Post Early for Christmas!”

Question 9.
Sketch the character of the Old Gentleman and the Assistant (Mark 5)
Answer:
The Old Gentleman is deaf. He has a long shopping list with him. He has come to the post office to collect his old age pension. When the Assistant asks for his book, being deaf, he thinks she is asking about his cook. He says he didn’t bring his cook. His wife does all his cooking. The assistant says he did not hear what she said. The gentleman again mishears the word ‘said’. He thinks she said something about bed. So he says “Bed! Who ought to be in bed? I am not as young as I was, but I am still healthy.” He asks the Assistant not to be rude. The Assist once again says, “I’m afraid you didn’t hear what I said.” Again the gentleman mishears her and asks her who told her that he is called Ted. Is she trying to tell him his name? His name is Sam.

The Assistant again asks him if he has brought his book. The gentleman tells her not to speak about the cook. The Assistant loudly tells him she is talking of book and not cook. The gentleman asks her why she did not ask for it earlier and fumbles in his pockets. He gives the book to her. He accuses the Assistant of being deaf! When the lady complains about her cat he comes with a helpful suggestion saying that he knows some things about cats and he could help her. The funniest moment is when he asks what all the fuss is about. The old lady answers it is about a time-bomb. Then the old man asks, “Tom, Tom who?” The bomb has become Tom for him!

The Assistant is a young lady who is quite hardworking and polite. She has to deal with many different kinds of people and she has to keep her cool. The other day one man came and asked her where he could get a stamp. Then there was this old man who could not see very well. He put his glasses on the counter. He wanted a pint of beer. She hopes this year there will be no snow for Christmas so that Mrs. Smith can enjoy without her rheumatism getting aggravated. When she suggests to Mr. Jones that gift parcels for Christmas must be posted early, she gets angry. Then she has to deal with the deaf old man. The deaf old man thinks it is the Assistant who is deaf. Then we see the old Lady coming to seek her advice about her cat Tiddles. The Assistant tells her that the clinic for the animals is at the end of the road.

Now comes the Farmer who scares her with news about bombs. She has to deal with the tourist whose English is terrible. When his parcel starts ticking, here is utter confusion. We laugh to our hearts’ content when we see the Assistant coming with a bucket of water to immerse the parcel. The climax comes when she decides to quit the work at the post office. She will work in a dispensary for the animals because she realizes that animals are not as foolish as people. The Assistant proves herself to be a very lively and memorable character.

Question 10.
Narrate the events that lead to the climax of the play. (Mark5)
Answer:
The climax of the play starts building up with the news brought by the Farmer. He reads from his newspaper: “Bomb found in a post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time-bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious- looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.” A suspicion has been created in the minds of the people about a possible bomb. Then we see the Foreign Tourist entering. He is dark and evil-looking. He is dressed in black and speaks with an accent. He has a parcel to be sent. He wants to ensure the safety of the parcel by asking so many questions. Will it be opened? When will it reach the central sorting office? He wants the Assistant to handle it with care. All this enhance our suspicion.

He leaves the post office, forgetting his gloves. Soon Bertie starts hearing the parcel tick. The Farmer is sure that there is a time-bomb inside the parcel. People get scared. The Farmer wants a policeman to be brought. He asks the Assistant to bring a bucket of water to immerse the bomb. The policeman asks the people not to panic. In the meantime the Tourist comes back to pick his gloves. The policeman questions him. The Farmer thinks that the ticking has stopped and time-bomb will immediately go off. The policeman drops the parcel in the bucket of water. The Tourist is angry and calls the policeman an idiot. It was actually a beautiful clock from Switzerland which the tourist wanted to send to his friend. Now he will complain to the Postmaster General. He will never post anything in that country!

Activity – I (Announcement)

Question 1.
The Literary Club of your school decides to enact the play Post Early for Christmas in connection with the school anniversary. Prepare a script for announcing the programme. You may include the given details.
(Play, script; direction, background, music, actors, time, date & venue) (Mark 5)
Answer:
In connection with the school anniversary, the Literary Club of our school has decided to enact the play Post Early for Christmas by the well-known British Dramatist R.H. Wood. The play will be staged in the school Auditorium, at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, the 24m of July 2015.

It is a very hilarious play in which a Christmas parcel containing a beautiful Swiss clock is misunderstood to be a time-bomb. The people get panicky and run for cover as the clock stops ticking. The story takes place in a village post office in England. You see different kinds of people coming to the post office, sometimes even mistaking it for something else.

The direction of the play is by Mr. Fahad Ibrahim, our English teacher. Music is by Mithun Kuttappan. Students of the XII Class will be acting as the various characters.
Come and enjoy two hours of pure fun!

Activity – II (Review writing)

Discuss the following:

Question 1.
What makes the play humorous (Its characters and their traits or the incidents in it). (Mark 6)
Answer:
The play is made humorous by the traits of the characters and also the incidents. The deaf old man makes us laugh a lot. He hears the word book as ‘cook’ and ‘said’ as ‘bed and Ted’. He even accuses the Assistant of being deaf! Then we see the Old Lady coming to complain about her cat thinking the post office to be a clinic for injured animals. We have the Farmer who thinks he knows all about time-bombs. We have the dirty urchin – Bertie- with his horrible English.

We have the Foreign Tourist with his terrible accent. Then there is the incident of a man coming to the post office and asking where he could get a stamp! Another fellow wants a pint of beer. The funniest incident is when people run for cover and the parcel is dropped in a bucket of water. The Tourist had brought a beautiful clock from Switzerland as a Christmas present to his friend. And see what havoc it caused and how it ended up in water!

Question 2.
The haits of each character in the play: (Mark 8)
Answer:

Question 3.
Humorous incidents of the play:
Answer:
There are many humorous incidents in the play. There is the incident of a man coming to the post office and asking where he could get a stamp! Another fellow wants a pint of beer. Then there is the incident of the conversation between the Assistant and Deaf Old Man who misunderstands book for cook and said for bed and Ted. He even accuses the Assistant of being deaf. We see an Old Lady coming to the office seeking advice about her cat as she thinks it is a clinic for animals. Bertie’s speaking makes us laugh because of his mutilated English.

The English of the Tourist is horrible. The funniest incident is when people run for cover and the parcel is dropped in a bucket of water. The Tourist had brought a beautiful clock from Switzerland as a Christmas present to his friend. And see what havoc it caused and how it ended up in water!

Question 4.
Discuss the relevance of the theme, aptness of the dialogues and the suitability of the title. (Mark 6)
Answer:
The theme of the poem is highly relevant especially these days when we hear a lot about letter bombs and parcels bombs. Terrorists make use of them to terrorise the people and to spread a sense of insecurity, suspicion and chaos.

The dialogues are very apt. One would laugh his heart out when he listens to the dialogue between the Assistant and the deaf Old Man. The Old Man misunderstands book for ‘cook’ and said for ‘bed’ and ‘Ted’. Equally funny is the dialogue between Bertie and his mother. Bertie murders English and he says grammar has gone home to watch television. The Tourist also speaks English with a horrible accent.

The title “Post Early for Christmas” is a very apt one. All the major actions in the play are related to posting of gifts and parcels as Christmas presents. The Assistant tells Mrs Jones to post Christmas parcels early to prevent them from getting damaged in the last-minute rush. We feel that if the tourist had posted his parcel ‘early’ the damage could have been prevented. With his bitter experience he vows not to post anything in this country and he bitterly spits out the words “Post Early for Christmas!”

Question 5.
Now, write a review of the play based on the above discussion and points, to be published in your class magazine. (Mark 8)
Answer:
The play “Post Early for Christmas” by R.H. Wood is a rib-tickling comedy. The actions of the play take place in a village post office in England. The plot centres on a sinister looking Foreign Tourist coming to the post office to send a parcel to his friend. The parcel makes a ticking noise and the people in the post office think that there is a time bomb inside. They are scared. A policeman is called in.

To prevent the time-bomb from going off and killing everyone, the policeman drops it into a bucket of water. Then the tourist comes back to explain it was only a beautiful Swiss clock he was sending to his friend as a Christmas gift! He calls the policeman an idiot and vows he will never post anything in that country.

There are many humorous incidents in the play. There is the incident of a man coming to the post office and asking where he could get a stamp! Another fellow wants a pint of beer. Then there is the incident of the conversation between the Assistant and Deaf Old Man who misunderstands book for cook and said for bed and Ted. He even accuses the Assistant of being deaf. We see an Old Lady coming to the office seeking advice about her cat as she thinks it is a clinic for animals. Bertie’s speaking makes us laugh because of his mutilated English. The English of the Tourist is horrible. The funniest incident is when people run for cover and the parcel is dropped in a bucket of water. The Tourist had brought a beautiful clock from Switzerland as a Christmas present to his friend. And see what havoc it caused and how it ended up in water!

The dialogues are very apt. One would laugh his heart out when he listens to the dialogue between the Assistant and the deaf Old Man. The Old Man misunderstands book for ‘cook’ and said for ‘bed’ and ‘Ted’. Equally funny is the dialogue between Bertie and his mother. Bertie murders English and he says grammar has gone home to watch television. The Tourist also speaks English with a,horrible accent.

The title “Post Early for Christmas” is a very suitable one. All the major actions in the play are related to posting of gifts and parcels as Christmas presents. The Assistant tells Mrs. Jones to post Christmas parcels early to prevent them from getting damaged in the last-minute rush. We feel that if the tourist had posted his parcel ‘early’ the damage could have been prevented. With his bitter experience he vows not to post anything in this country and he bitterly spits out the words “Post Early for Christmas!”

On the whole we can say that Wood has written a fine play showing how ordinary people behave as they are faced with problems. Life has a lighter side too, in spite of our worries and anxieties about it. Wood gives us the chance to laugh at ourselves as some of us are just like the characters we meet in the play.

Activity – III (Collection)

Question 1.
Read the anecdote on p. 146. Now collect more such humorous literary anecdotes and present them in the class. (Mark 4)
Answer:
Once a teacher asked her class: “Does anyone here know anything about Shakespeare?”
“Yes, Sir, I know,” replied Rahul promptly.
“What do you know about him?” asked the teacher.

“Sir, he is a Malayalee from Thrissur. His original name was Kundam Kulukki. He went to England and learned English and started writing plays. He changed his name to English ‘Shake Spear’. To confuse people about his proper identity he added an ‘e’ to ‘spear1 making it ‘speare’. Thus he became Shakespeare. But actually he is man from Thrissur. My great grandfather said Kundam Kulukki and he studied together in the primary school at Ayyanthole, near Thrissur.

Question 2.
Fun loving David asked Liz: “Liz, what is the difference between a cat and a comma?”
Answer:
Without any hesitation, Liz answered: “A cat has claws at the end of its paws, and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause.”
If you know all about punctuation, then this statement shouldn’t confuse you. It simply defines the role of the comma.

II. Read And Enjoy

Exaggeration is one of the devices used in showing humour. You might have had very annoying experiences in life. How have you looked at them? Here is a poem that looks at an unpleasant experience from an unusual perspective.

Post Early for Christmas (One act play) About The Author

R.H. Wood is a British dramatist. He is remembered for his one act Play “Post Early for Christmas”. His plays are simple and he presents people in their ordinary life. The action of this play takes place in a post office in an English village. It is about a parcel mistaken for a time-bomb. It is relevant at a time when letter-bombs and parcel bombs are common.

Post Early for Christmas (One act play) Summary in English

Characters:

Scene: A Post Office, with posters reading, “POST EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS”.

The Assistant is complaining that the previous day was a busy day for her. She did not have a minute to rest. People were sending parcels and cards for Christmas. People are funny. One man came the other day and asked her where he could get a stamp. First the Assistant thought the man was playing a joke on her. Then there was the old man who could not see very well. He put his glasses on the counter. He wanted a pint of beer. The Assistant gave him a dozen penny stamps. She opens a book stamps and she sees a customer.

Page 135: Mrs Smith enters. She greets the Assistant and says it is cold. The Assistant agrees and adds that there will be snow for Christmas. Mrs. Smith says she does not like snow as it is not good for her rheumatism. Last year because of the snow and her rheumatism she could not enjoy at all. The Assistant then wishes that it should not snow and asks her what she wants. She wants a book of stamps and a postal order for half a crown (242 shillings). The Assistant asks her if she has no parcels. Mrs Smith says she has already sent her presents and cards. She believes in posting early for Christmas. The Assistant wants more people to do like Mrs. Smith. Parcels get damaged in the last-minute rush. She gives – the stamps and the postal order to Mrs. Smith.

Mrs. Jones enters. After thanking the Assistant, Mrs. Smith greets Mrs. Jones. She says she hasn’t seen her: for a long time. She enquires after her health.

Mrs. Jones moves to the counter. A deaf old man enters and stands at the back looking at a huge shopping list.

Mrs. Jones asks Mrs. Smith if she has finished her Christmas shopping. She is still in the middle of it. Mrs. Smith says she has posted her cards and presents.

Mrs. Jones gives some large parcels to the Assistant, who weighs them. Mrs. Jones tells Mrs. Smith that she is lucky. Then she tells the Assistant that she should be careful with the parcels as she does not want the presents to be damaged. The Assistant tells her that they do their best not to damage them. But why didn’t she post them last week?

Page 136: Mrs. Jones is not happy. She tells the Assistant that she will post her presents when she wants. The Assistant is polite and she says it will cost her 10 and 6 pence altogether. Mrs. Jones gives her the money.

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith talk, standing away from the counter. The Deaf Old Man goes to the Assistant. She asks him how she can serve him. The gentleman says he has come to collect his old age pension. The assistant asks for his book. The gentleman does not hear properly. The assistant asks him: Did you bring the book? The gentlemen replies, “Of course, I didn’t bring my cook. My wife does all my cooking.” The assistant says he did not hear what she said. The gentleman again misunderstands. He replies: “Bed! Who ought to be in bed? I am not as young as I was, but I am still healthy. Don’t you be so impudent, young lady.”

The Assist once again says, “I’m afraid you didn’t hear what I said.” Again the gentleman mishears her and asks her who told her that he is called Ted. Is she trying to tell him his name? His name is Sam and he has come for his pension.

The Assistant again asks him if he has brought his book. The gentleman tells her not to speak about the cook. The Assistant loudly tells him she is talking of book and not cook. The gentleman asks her why she did not ask for it earlier and fumbles in his pockets. He gives the book to her.

Page 137 : Now he turns to the ladies and says it is too cold. The Assistant retums the book to him. He thanks her and mumbles his greetings for the season. The Assistant does not hear him properly and asks him what he said. He says she is a bit deaf. The Assistant is amused at the deaf man calling her deaf.

The deaf man is standing there counting his money. The Fussy Old Lady enters quickly.

The Old Lady rushes to the Assistant and tells her she needs her advice. The Assistant wants to know what the problem is. The Old lady says it is about her cat, Tiddles. Tiddles used to eat plenty but now she is not eating. The Assistant asks her if she has seen a vet. The Old lady says Tiddles has hurt her paw and it must have upset her. The old lady is confused as to what to do. The Assistant says she should put some antiseptic on the paw. The Old lady wants the Assistant to give it to her The Assistant tells her to get it from the chemist’s as this is a post office. The Old lady says she made a mistake; she thought it was a clinic for sick animals.

Page 138 : The Assistant tells her that the animal. clinic is at the end of the road. The Old says she is sorry. But she can’t go away without buying something. She will buy a two and half penny stamp. They are so beautiful and may be useful at this Christmas time.

The gentleman now talks to the lady. He says he knows something about cats and he could help her. At this time a Farmer, Mrs. Higgins and Bertie enter. The farmer greets the Assistant. He puts a parcel on the scales and asks her how much he has to pay. She says one and nine pence. Jokingly the Farmer asks if any bombs came in the post. The Assistant is surprised. Then the Farmer reads from the newspaper. “Bomb found in post office. Scotland Yard has issued a warning that a time-bomb disguised as a Christmas parcel was discovered in a London post office. Any suspicious-looking parcel should be reported at once to the local police station.”

The Assistant wants to know how one can tell it is a time-bomb. The Farmer explains that time-bombs usually tick just before they go off. If any parcel makes funny noises, she should be careful. Now Mrs. Jones recognizes the Farmer whose name is Mr. Brown. Now he talks to Mrs Jones and Mrs Smith. Bertie, an untidy boy, stares at Farmer Brown. His mother, a large, loud woman, goes to the counter.

Page 139 : Mrs. Higgins asks Bertie not to stare as it is rude. Bertie says, “O.K. Ma.’ Mrs Higgins tells him not to call her ‘Ma’, Then he calls her Mum. Mrs Higgins asks the Assistant to give her a book stamps and a money order for 2 pounds, 11 shillings and 5 pence. The Assistant gives her the book of stamps and asks her to fill in the money order form. As Mrs Higgins fills the form, she tells the boy to wipe his nose. He says he wants an engine. Mrs Higgins says this is a post office and engines are not sold there. Bertie says: “I seed ’em” next door. Mrs. Higgins is shocked at his language and asks him if he is not taught to speak English properly at school. He ‘corrects’ himself and says, “I sawed ’em”.

Mrs. Higgins agrees with him! She gives the form to the Assistant. Mrs. Higgins asks the boy not to play with the scales. She tells the Assistant he is a naughty boy and she does not know what to do with him.

Mrs. Higgins asks the boy to put his cap straight and pull his socks up. Bertie wants an ice cream. Mrs. Higgins wonders how he can eat ice cream in this weather. But she agrees to buy him if he behaves well. The Assistant asks her she has any more work at the post office.

Page 140: Mrs. Higgins says she wanted something else. But she has forgotten. She asks Bertie if he remembers it. Bertie says, “An engine’, Mrs. Higgins asks him not to be silly. Then he says it is ice cream. Mrs. Higgins says she wants to draw some money from her National Savings. Bertie wants to know if it is to buy him an engine. She asks him to keep quiet. The Assistant asks Higgins to give her the book and fill in the form.

A Foreign Tourist enters. He is dark and evil-looking. He is dressed in black and speaks with an accent. He greets the Assistant and tells her to send the parcel he has brought. It is for his friend. She wants to weigh it. As she weighs he leaves his gloves on the counter. She is happy the way the parcel is packed. It is very heavy. She says it will cost him five shillings. He thanks her. He walks away and then returns. He says he could not post the parcel early. He came to this country only a few days ago. The Assistant says it if is a present it will be in time. The Tourist says it is a special present. He wants to know how long it will take for it to reach the Central Post office to be sorted. The Assistant says it will be collected at midday.

Page 141 : The Tourist hopes they will take good care of his parcel. He wants to know if it will be opened. Will it be stolen? The Assistant assures him of the safety of the parcel. He thanks her and goes away leaving his gloves behind. The Assistant is a bit shaken. She wonders what is in the parcel. He seemed very anxious about it. Bertie goes to the parcel and looks at it.

Mrs. Smith asks the Farmer if he could give her a – turkey for Christmas. He says he can spare one. Mrs.
Higgins asks Bertie to come away from the parcel. As Bertie is reluctant she tells him that he will not get his engine or anything else for Christmas unless he comes away quickly from the parcel. Bertie can hear some sound from the parcel and he asks her to listen. Mrs. Higgins does not want to listen and she does not want Bertie also – to listen. The Assistant asks Bertie what the matter is. Bertie says the parcel “ain’t ‘alf making a funny noise”. Mrs. Higgins asks the boy where his grammar is. The boy says she is at home watching television!

Page 142: Mrs Higgins threatens to punish him when they go home for his cheekiness. The Assistant says she heard some ticking noise. The Farmer says he can still hear it. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith can also hear. The Old gentleman wants to know what the people are hearing. The Old Lady says she can hear a most peculiar sound. What could it be! Farmer says it is a time-bomb. Everybody is worried and asks Where?’ The Farmer says it is in the parcel. The Old Lady wants to know what a time-bomb is. The Farmer says if they don’t do something fast, they will soon know what a time-bomb is. The Old Gentleman does not know what is the fuss about. The Old Lady says, “It is about a time-bomb.” The Gentleman asks, “Tom? Tom who?” The Farmer says it is better to send for a policeman. Mrs. Higgins asks Bertie to go and bring a policeman. Bertie goes out. The Assistant says she will take it outside and she goes to pick it up. Farmer asks her to leave it there because if she takes it, it will explode and kill all of them. Assistant does not know what to do. Farmer says the ticking noise is getting louder. Assistant agrees. The Farmer asks all the people to take cover. They all hide.

Page 143: The Gentleman thinks they are playing hide and seek. A policeman comes with Bertie. The policeman asks why they all are hiding. Assistant says it is a time-bomb. Policeman asks Bertie if he has been doing any mischief. Farmer says there is a time-bomb in the parcel. Policeman asks him not to talk nonsense. Farmers asks him to listen to the noise from the parcel. Policeman listens and says there is a loud ticking noise. Farmer feels happy that he is proved right. He asks the Assistant go get a bucket of water. The Assistant goes out.

The policeman tells the farmer to mind his job and he will do his job. He takes out a notebook and he says, “I will take down a few details.” Mrs. Jones asks him whether it would not be better to open the parcel. The Assistant comes with a bucket of water. The policeman asks the people not to panic. He will soon know what it – is. He begins to un-wrap the parcel. The Foreign Tourist enters. He says he left his gloves there. The Farmer asks the policeman to stop the Tourist as he brought the parcel. Policeman wants to talk with the Tourist. The Farmer holds the Tourist’s arm.

Page 144: The Tourist asks the Farmer why he is holding him. The policeman says it was because of the parcel brought by him and he is going to open it. The Tourist asks him if he is mad. He should leave the parcel alone. Policeman insists that he will open it. Tourist says it is nonsense. The policeman says he wants to know what it is. Tourist says it was ticking but now it has stopped ticking. He calls the policeman a fool. He says he is ruined.

Farmer says it has stopped ticking and so it will go off. He cautions everybody. The policeman throws it into a bucket of water and everybody dives for cover.

The Tourist calls the policeman an idiot and tells him he would be punished for it. The Tourist takes it out of the bucket of water. It is a large clock. The Assistant exclaims ‘A clock”. The Tourist says he had brought it all the way from Switzerland. It is now ruined. He will sue everyone. He calls them blundering idiots. He will never post anything in this country again. “Post Early for Christmas!” He will see the Postmaster General about this. He goes out.

The Assistant puts on her coat and says, “Well, that is that!” The policeman wants to know where she is going. She says she is leaving the post office for ever. She is going to work in the animal dispensary. Animals don’t do such silly things. She walks proudly away!

Post Early for Christmas (One act play) Summary in Malayalam

Meanings:

Devoid – lacking
Rheumatism – a painful disease with stiffness and inflammation
Crown – British coin worth 25 pence
Peering – looking intently
Fumbles – searches without looking
Nippy – very cold
Impudent – disrespectful
Mumbles – talk softly
Untidy – unclean
Urchin – mischievous boy
Fiddling – playing
Sinister-which make you afraid
Panic – too much fear.

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 5 The Lighter Side Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook The Lighter Side Questions and Answers Unit 5

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of illness. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”

-Audrey Hepburn

About The Unit

Humour adds to the spice of life. It reduces the boredom of a tension-ridden existence. It makes life easier. If one develops a sense of humour, even unpleasant experiences will become less problematic. It will enhance one’s physical and emotional well being.

Humour has occupied an important place in literature right from the time of Geoffrey Chaucer, the ‘Father of English Literature.’ It is a different mode of depicting reality and it has proved very effective.

This unit has a one-act play, a poem and a short story.

Lets Begin

Look at the cartoons:

Let’S Discuss:

Question 1.
What do you understand from these cartoons? What message do they convey?
Answer:
These cartoons make fun of some of the people and things that we see in everyday life. They are primarily meant to make people smile and laugh. Even as they make us smile, they also make us think. Cartoonists try to bring in changes in the society by making people see how they really look to others. Cartoonists hold a mirrorto the society.

Question 2.
Can you identify the common character in all these cartoons? What is his role? Whom does he represent?
Answer:
The common character is a doctor. His role is to keep the people healthy and happy. He represents somebody working for the welfare of humanity.

Question 3.
Cartoons especially such as those by R.K. Laxman convey the pangs andan3deties of ordinary people. Discuss.
Answer:
The full name of R.K. Laxman is Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Laxman. He was a very famous Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist. He is the brother of R.K. Narayan, who is a great writer, who wrote in English. Laxman is best known for his creation of The Common Man and for his daily cartoon strip, “You Said It” in The Times of India, which started in 1951. In his cartoons he conveyed the pangs and anxieties of ordinary pfeople. He made fun of the political leaders who spent the poor man’s tax money to live in luxury. He sympathized with the common man who was always worried about his ‘roti, kapada and makan’.

Read And Reflect

It is said that laughter is not without an element of pain. Is humour always completely innocent and harmless? Doesn’t it create inconvenience to others at least sometimes? Read the play and see.

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 4 Chapter 3 Dangers of Drug Abuse Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook Dangers of Drug Abuse Questions and Answers Unit 4 Chapter 3 (Essay)

Read And Respond (Text Book)

Question 1.
Why do people believe in drugs?
Answer:
People believe in drugs because they think that any sickness of the body and mind can be healed by taking a pill.

Question 2.
What is the danger of over-dependence on drugs?
Answer:
When people become over-dependent on drugs to solve their problems, they lose their capacity to deal with life’s situations through perseverance, self-discipline and mental effort. Some people think it is foolish to expend energy on solving a problem when there is an easy way out.

Question 3.
What is Hippocrates chief contribution?
Answer:
Hippocrates was the first to say that a remedy must take into account not only the symptoms of the disease but also the constitution and habits of the patient. This is his chief contribution.

Question 4.
What is the distinction between medicines and sensual drugs?
Answer:
The difference between medicines and sensual drugs is simple. Sensual drugs are those that the body does not need, but they give the user a strong sense of pleasure. Sensual drugs activate the brain’s pleasure centres. Medicines are those that cure or prevent diseases. The body needs medicines but not sensual drugs.

Question 5.
How do sensual drugs act on the human body?
Answer:
Sensual drugs activate the brain’s pleasure centres. It is the brain that governs sensations, moods, thoughts and actions. Sensual drugs upset the normal working of the brain and give the body a false sense of pleasure.

Question 6.
What is the danger of severe addiction?
Answer:
A drug user’s craving for the drug continues, but he feels less and less satisfaction. His brain’s pleasure reflexes are by artificial stimulation. In severe addiction, the pleasure mechanisms fail to respond to drug stimulation. The drug then gives only relative relief from misery.

Question 7.
Why does the craving for sensual drugs persist in an addict?
Answer:
In an addict the pleasure mechanisms fail to respond to drug stimulation. The drug then gives him only relative relief from misery. So he wants more and more drugs and thus the craving persists.

Question 8.
How does thebi&in govern sensations, moods, actions and thoughts?
Answer:
The brain governs sensations, moods, actions and thoughts by an unbelievably complex series of chemically regulated controls.

Question 9.
Why does the addict suspect everything external?
Answer:
The addict suspects everything external because he is in a state of paranoia. He doesnot know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. Anything outside scares him and he draws further and further into himself.

Question 10.
What are the symptoms of the addict’s sensory deprivation?
Answer:
The symptoms of the addict’s sensory deprivation are a general feeling of physical discomfort and personality changes. The addict feels depressed. He fails to respond either to his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia.

Question 11.
Why do addicts press their fingers deep into their bodies?
Answer:
Addicts press their fingers deep into their bodies because their sensations are lost and they want to reassure themselves of their own reality.

Question 12.
Name some drug related health disorders.
Answer:
Drug-related health disorders are many and varied. Dirty needles and solutions used for injecting drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose. Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases.

Babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be bom addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms! Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, mal-nutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

Question 13.
How do drug affect women addicts?
Answer:
In addition to all the ill-effects that men have from drug abuse, babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be born addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Question 14.
How do sensual drugs affect brain cells?
Answer:
Sensual drugs affect the chemistry of brain cells. Cell function is carried out by thousands of enzymes acting within each cell. Each exposure of the cells to psychoactive drugs alters their chemistry. Toxic chemicals can upset the brain’s intricate system of communication. They can also damage cell tissues. Toxic effect may be permanent.

Think And Write

Question 1.
How does the belief in drugs lead to drug abuse?
Answer:
Drugs were discovered to prevent and cure physical diseases and reverse the disturbances that occur in some mental illnesses. The power of drugs has led people to believe that any ailment, infective or psychic, can be relieved by taking a pill. At the first sign of nervousness, they try pep pills. Medical journals now advertise tranquilizers, amphetamines and other mood-altering drugs. Doctors prescribe them and people expect miracles from them. This excitement overdmgs leads to drug abuse.

Question 2.
What are the principles putforth by Hippocrates in relation to the use of drugs?
Answer:
Hippocrates, the Greek physician, is regarded as the father of medicine. He was the first to say that a remedy must take into account not only the symptoms of the disease but also the constitution and habits of the patient. As per his teaching, medicines must suit the disease and the patient. When there is a disorder only a drug that specifically mitigates that disorder should be used. The drug should also have restorative effects. Otherwise it will unbalance heqlthy functions of the brain and the body. It means a healthy person cannot benefit from taking a drug. He said, “Persons in good health quickly lose their strength by taking purgative medicines.”

Question 3.
How does the sensory deprivation of the addict express itself?
Answer:
The sensory deprivation of the drug addict shows itself in a general feeling of physical discomfort and in personality changes. The addict feels depressed. He fails to respond either to his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia.

Question 4.
How does the addict look upon external objects?
Answer:
The addict knows he has a problem. But he does not know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. He looks upon external objects with suspicion. Anything outside scares him and he draws further and further into himself.

Question 5.
Do you think addiction to drugs will result in identity crisis? How?
Answer:
Addiction to drugs will definitely result in identity crisis. An addict feels that others look at him strangely. When people smile at an addict, he thinks they are laughing at him. An addict may even lose his sense of being alive. He feels ‘dead inside’. Once, a rehabilitated heroin addict told the writer: “Looking out of the window, the sun is shining. The flowers are in bloom. These are signs of a good day.” But pressing his chest, he said, “I don’t feel it here.” Addicts often press their fingers deep into their arms or legs to reassure themselves of their own reality. Their sensations are lost and they look for drug-induced sensations.

Dangers of Drug Abuse (Essay) Edumate Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.
“It is a simple step from ‘look what drugs do for me when I feel depressed,’ to ‘imagine what drug can do for me when I feel good already?”
a) What does the word ‘depressed’ mean in this sentence?
a) ill
b) unhappy
c) disappointed
d) enthusiatic
b) What change in attitude do you notice among the new generation drug users?
Answer:
a) unhappy
b) Earlier, drug addicts used to boast about the power of drugs to relieve them of their unhappiness and uneasiness. But new generation addicts take drugs even when they feel good because they seem to believe in the magical power of drugs.

Question 2.
Go through the excerpt given below and answerthe questions given below.
“A drug user’s craving for the drug continues, but he feels less and less satisfaction. His brain’s pleasure reflexes seem to be weakened by artificial stimulation. In severe addiction, the pleasure mechanisms fail to respond to drug stimulation.”
a) A drug user’s craving for the drug continues. Why?
b) What is the danger of severe addiction?
c) What does the word ‘stimulate’ mean?
a) addiction b) work c) induce d) sedate
Answer:
a) Because his brain’s pleasure reflexes seem to be awakened by artificial stimulation.
b) In severe addiction, the mechanisms fail to respond to drug stimulation.
c) induce

Question 3.
Read the following excerpt and answerthe questions that follow.
“The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, I know these are signs of a good day, but, I don’t feel it in here.”
a) What does the word ‘bloom’ mean here?
a) spring b) freshness c) blossom d) healthy
b) What is the psychological problem of the addict mentioned here?
Answer:
a) blossom
b) The addict loses his sense of being alive because of sensory deprivation.

Question 4.
Read the following excerpt and answerthe questions that follow.
“Real dangers exi^t, although the drug user often assumes they do not because the harmful side effects are not immediately apparent. Possible results range from incidental delirious effects to death from overdose; the dangers that lie between the extremes are the degeneration of health and the depletion of brain function.”
a) Why does the drug user assume that there is no danger?
b) What are the possible and harmful side effects?
c) Word opposite in meaning to ‘apparent’ is
a) dubious b) clear c) evident d) doubtless
Answer:
a) The drug user often assumes that there is no danger because the harmful side effects are not immediately apparent.
b) Possible results range from incidental delirious effects to death from overdose the dangers that lie between the extremes are the worsening of health and reduced brain function.
c) dubious

Question 5.
Two views on addressing drug abuse are given below. Which of two is more appealing to you?
Ban all these drugs legally
I support that and I believe so.
Sorry, I’m afraid, I have to disagree with you, Awareness Programmes will be the lasting solution here.
Imagine that you are participating in a debate on the topic‘Drug Abuse: a Social Menace.’Being the first speaker you make a short speech listing your arguments. Draft the speech of your arguments in hundred words.
Answer:
Drug Abuse: A Social Menace
When talking about the problem of drug abuse some people say, “Ban all these drugs legally”. Well, here drugs mean psychedelic drugs. I don’t agree with this idea to solve the problem of drug abuse. We can’t ban all the psychedelic drugs just because a few people misuse them. Even psychedelic drugs have medicinal value and they are used for treating certain diseases, including alcoholism and epilepsy.
I think the most common psychedelic drugs are psilocybin and Ecstasy.

These are used by doctors in the treatment of diseases like epilepsy, insomnia and mental disorders. They are also used in palliative care to treat the patients who are in constant pain and on the verge of death. So we must realize that even these psychedelic drugs have positive uses and so we can’t ban them all legally; Banning them would be as foolish as throwing the baby out with the bathwater! It is true that some people abuse drug. People abuse so many good things but we can’t ban them all just because we’are afraid of their misuse by a few perverts.

Question 6.
Giving support to PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the NSS Unit of your school had taken an initiative to clean the campus of the menace of drug abuse. The secretary of NSS had lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Police of your district. But no action has been taken so far. Prepare a letter of enquiry to the Commissioner seeking the status and nature of action taken in this regard.
Answer:
Joe Francis
Secretary, NSS Unit
Sri Narayana Guru Memorial HSS
Vellamchira
9 June 2017

The Commissioner of Police Thrissur District
Sir
Sub: PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – Drug Free Campus
The NSS Unit of this School, as part of its effort to participate effectively in the Prime Ministers’ “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” has been making all out efforts to make our campus free from the menace of drug abuse. We have been conducting awareness programmes telling our students and even the local people of the dangers of drug abuse. But some drug peddlers still roam about our campus looking for easy preys.

We had complained to you to take action against these peddlers in our letter dated 20 May 2017. It is nearly three weeks now, but no action seems to have been taken from your end. The peddlers are still very much active here nullifying our efforts to make the campus drug free.

So we once again humbly request you to look into the matter and take steps to prevent the peddlers from coming to our place and destroying our mates here.

Thanking you and hoping that you will take immediate action.

Yours faithfully,
(Joe Francis))

Question 7.
“Say No to Drugs and Drinks.” Write a small paragraph explaining the message of the caption.
Answer:
SAY NO TO DRUGS AND DRINKS
The problem of drug and alcohol addiction has become a serious menace threatening the future of especially ouryocfth. Sensual drugs and alcoholic drinks play havoc with the body and mind of their users. The drug and alcoholic addicts experience sensory deprivation. They feel physical discomfort and there are personality changes in them. They often feel depressed. They fail to respond either to their environment or to other people. Their mental disturbances can be like paranoia.

The addicts know they have a problem, but they can’t solve it. Drugs and alcoholic drinks cause hair fall and the addicts can easily catch diseases like pneumonia tuberculosis, malnutrition and weight loss. Overdoses of drugs and alcohol can cause respiratory and cardiac failure and result even in death. It is easy to start any bad habit but it will be difficult to stop it. So say no to drugs and alcoholic drinks.

Question 8.
A few of your friends have been admitted to the hospital and are recovering from the ill effects of drug abuse. They have understood the impact of drug abuse in their lives and have decided not to touch it again. Prepare a few expressions of advice to discourage them from using it again. You may use expressions like ‘You had better…, Why don’t you … , You could spend … , Let’s … etc.’
Answer:
You had better get rid of your addiction and spend the money on useful things.
Why don’t you to go to a counsellor or practise yoga for improving your self control?
You could spend the money you use for drugs and drinks on healthy and tasty food.
Let’s spend the money on charity; it will help so many people.

Question 9.
As part of the Souhrida Day, the Souhrida Unit of your school is organising a programme called “MEET THE DOCTOR”. As a student interested in knowing more about the physical and mental impacts of drug abuse, you plan to ask a few questions to the doctor. Prepare four questions to be asked to the doctor.
Answer:
a) Good morning, Doctor! I would like to know how drugs affect the mind. Can you please give us some details?
b) I have heard that drugs adversely affect the body also. Is it true doctor? Can you elaborate a bit?
c) Doctor, I have heard about withdrawal symptoms. Will you please explain what they mean and what they indicate?
d) Many people say that even after coming out of the De-addiction Centres after being cured, many addicts go back to their addiction. Is it true?

Activity – I (Paragraph writing)

Question 1.
Describe the mental as well as physical impacts of drug abuse.
Answer:
Drug abuse has both mental and physical impacts. The drug addict experiences sensory deprivation. He has a general feeling of physical discomfort and there are personality changes in him. The addict feels depressed. He fails to respond either to his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia. The addict knows he has a problem. But he does not know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. He looks upon external objects with suspicion.

Anything outside scares him and he draws further and further into himself. There are also drug-related physical disorders. Dirty needles and solutions used for injecting drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose. Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases. Babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be bom addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, mal-nutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

Question 2.
Do you think that the addiction to drugs will destroy not only the addicted butthe entire humanity? Justify your answer with special reference to the modem context.
Answer:
I certainly think that the addiction to drugs will destroy not only the addicted but the entire humanity. I say that because even if a single member of a family is addicted to drugs, the entire family feels bad. A family does not live alone as many families are connected through blood relations or marriage relations. The unhappiness of one family spreads into other families. Families will start restricting their children from having friendship or any kind of relation with the drug addicts and their families. This way there will be a cascading effect, spreading unhappiness all over.

Drugs are a burden on society as they can’t contribute anything positive. They suffer from all sorts of/wental and physical problems and they look at people with suspicion. Love, affection, mercy, sympathy etc. slowly disappear. Drug addiction especially happens among the youth. Once the youth of a country are unable to carry out their responsibilities, the nations will be in jeopardy. Drug addiction leads to distrust, fights and wars which will ultimately min humanity.

Activity – II (Group Discussion)

Question 1.
The health club in yourschool decides to conduct a group discussion (GD) on the topic “Substance Abuse Leads to Social Problems”. Conduct a GD.
(Note: Study the Dos and Don’ts given on page 124 of the Text)
Answer:
A. As you all know the topic for our discussion today is “Substance Abuse Leads to Social Problems”. Substance Abuse is popularly known as drug addiction. Drug addiction has become a big menace especially among the youth of today. Recently we heard how some young actors and actresses were caught by the police for taking and possessing drugs. Drugs cause physical and mental problems if they are abused.

B. I quite agree with A. Even school children are taking drugs. The other day I read in the newspapers that some school children were sniffing ’whitener’ because it gave them some intoxicating feeling. It is so dangerous. Imagine the future of such children.

C. People abuse drugs because they think drugs can cure any disease and they can also give some kind of pleasures. It is common for youngster to take pep pills just to get some euphoria. Even our athletes take drugs to enhance their performance.

D. Many drug abusers do not know how it affects their minds. The drug addict experiences sensory deprivation. He has a general feeling of physical discomfort and there are personality changes in him. The addict feels depressed. He failsto respond either to his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia. The addict knows he has a problem. But he does not know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. He looks upon external objects with suspicion. Anything outside scares him and he withdraws further and further into himself.

E. Drugs also affect the body adversely. Dirty needles and solutions used for injecting drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose. Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases. Babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be born addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, mal-nutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

F. Substance abuse has really become a huge problem and all-out efforts are to be made to find solutions. I think instead of opening more and more rehabilitation centres, the government and the society should do more in the prevention of drug abuse. Prevention is better than cure. The police must be more vigilant. Parents must ensure that their children do not get into drug addiction by keeping a close watch over them. Teachers must constantly make their students aware of the evils of drug addiction. Even religious leaders can play a big role in teaching the people how drug addiction is against God and moral life.

G. I think we have discussed the problem quite exhaustively. I thank all the participants in the discussion. I am sure we ail have benefitted from what we heard today. Let us take a vow that we shall neverbecome drug addicts. Thank you all!

Activity – III (Letter of Enquiry)

Question 1.
While at school you may sometimes have to write letters to different agencies/organization/offices etc. enquiring about their services or seeking permission to use their services. Study the letter of enquiry on page 125 made by the Secretary of the Souhrida Club Of a school to the Central Library, Mumbai.
Now that you have read the sample letter, write a letter to Florets Public School, Chennai, enquiring about the project they are working on and seeking permission to visit their school.
Answer:
St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School
43, Cathedral Road
Irinjalakuda

Tel: 9876543210
Email: stmarvsl 23@hotmail.com

The Principal
Florets Public School
420, Chandrabose Nagar
Chennai
20 June 2015

Respected Sir,
Sub: Permission to visit your school
We have come to Jcnow that the class XII of your school are working on a project on the ‘Increasing Tendency of drug abuse among the young’. We also came to know that the project has made great progress. We saw some of the pamphlets issued by the project coordinator exhorting the young to keep away from drugs, showing them the physical and mental problems they will encounter if they get into the dangerous habit of drug abuse.

We are impressed by your work. We also plan to make a project of our own in our school so that we can help the local people, especially boys and girls of school-going age. We believe that a visit to your school will help us a lot as we can see the work there firsthand and talk to the people who have been working on it. Please let us know if it would be okay if a group of 20 students, led by a teacher, visits your school at a time convenient to you.

We shall be glad if a date is given to us sometime in the 2nd week of July, if it is okay with you. We are sure you will be gracious enough to grant our request. Please send your reply at your earliest.
Thanking you,

Yours respectfully,
(Raj Job)
Secretary, Social Club

Activity – IV (Use of language expressions)

On page 126 and 127 expressions which can be used in different contexts are given. Study them and use them. Two examples, using the first two expressions in each group, are given below:
1. Expression to seek permission
a) Please give me permission to go home half an hour early today, as I have to accompany my motherto the hospital.
b) Please permit me to take this magazine home as I am prepanng a project and an article there would be of much use to me.
2. Expressions to seek information
a) Please tell me if you are going to Thrissurthis evening.
b) I would like to know on which days there are flights to Singapore from this airport.
3. Giving advice
a) You’d better concentrate of your studies instead of wasting your time on cricket.
b) You could use some more time for your studies.
4. Making Requests
a) Can you please speak up?
b) Will you please hold it for me?
5. Offer sympathy and providing encouragement
a) I want you to know how sorry I am at your not getting that job.
b) I’m sorry to hearthat your mother is in hospital.
6. Making suggestions
a) You could spend some more money on your clothes.
b) Let’s go home and do some combined studies.

Activity – V (Giving advice)

You may come across drug addicts among your pwn peer group. You have the responsibility to make them aware of the danger of drug abuse. You can do it in many different ways. For example, you can advise them not to use it/request them lovingly and politely to give up the habit/make alternative or practical suggestions/offer your sympathy and encouragement etc.
Imagine such a situation and make use of the suitable expressions given above to talk to/advise your friend about the dangers of drug abuse.
Answer:
Tom, I have come to know that you are taking amphetamines regularly. I don’t know how a responsible boy like you could get into such a dangerous habit. Do you know the use of amphetamines brings a lot of adverse effects on your mind and body? They destroy the tissues of your nose and slowly your nose will lose your sense of smell. Your brain will be very badly affected. You also become prone to get pneumonia, tuberculosis, hair and weight loss.

I am sure you want to grow into a fine gentleman. How much love your parents have for you! If they come to know that you take amphetamines, how will they feel? How will your friends feel? So, Tom, give up your habit. You can do physical and mental exercises to overcome your craving for amphetamines. Enjoy life, this beautiful life!

Activity – VI (Seminar)

Read the newspaper clippings given on page 128.
These reports give us an alarming picture of the spreading menace of the abuse of drugs among the younger generation. Study the problem in details and prepare a seminar paper on the topic ‘The vicious web of drugs spoils the dreams and lives of the young’.
Read the tips to prepare a seminar paper given on p. 129. (Mark 8)
Answer:
‘THE VICIOUS WEB OF DRUGS SPOILS THE DREAMS AND LIVES OF THE YOUNG’
Abstract: This Paper makes an in-depth study of the problem of drug addiction among the youth of today. The author interviewed some addicts, teachers, parents, and community leaders to find the ground realities. There were also questionnaires to be answered by students, teachers, and parents. The results showthat drug addiction is a real problem amongst our youth of the school and college-going age. Unless we stop this menace, we will have to reap the bitter harvest sooner or later.

Statement of the Problem: The problem of drug addiction has become a serious menace threatening the future of our youth, especially school and college-going youth. This age-group is more vulnerable to addiction because most of them are teenagers. Teenage, as we all know, is the time of stress and strain. To overcome their stress and strain, many youngsters take drugs. These drugs give them temporary pleasure relieving them of their tensions for a brief period.

Information on drug abuse was collected from various sources including books, journals, lecture notes and the Internet. Direct studies were made through interviews and questionnaires. From the sources the author consulted, he has come to the conclusion that he problem is really big and solutions should be found.

Causes : Analysing the responses from people, the author has made certain conclusions regarding the spread of the problem. One problem is that the youngsters today get a lot of money from their parents. Since most families have only a child ortwo, they are pampered by the parents. Many of the parents don’t have the time to spend with their children and they compensate this by giving them money which the youngsters misuse. Another reason is peer-group influence.

A third reason is blind imitation of the so-called glamour boys and girls in films and sports who use drugs. A fourth reason is the easy availability of the stuff. If you have money you can buy it very easily. If you give them a call, the peddlers will bring the stuff to you. Another reason is the moral laxity of the times. We can also see that the law-enforcing agencies are not sincere in their work. Our society has degenerated into a corrupt one and one, it seems, can do anything without being caught.

Effects: Sensual drugs play havoc with the body and mind of their users. The drug addict experiences sensory deprivation. He has a general feeling of physical discomfort and there are personality changes in him. The addict feels depressed. He fails to respond eitherto his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia. The addict knows he has a problem. But he does not know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. He looks upon external objects with suspicion. Anything outside scares him and he withdraws further and further into himself.

Drugs also affect the body adversely. Dirty needles and solutions used for injecting “drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose. Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases. Babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be born addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, mal-nutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

Solutions: The drug problems can be solved only through the concerted efforts of the parents, teachers, community leaders and law-enforcing agencies. Awareness programmes should be conducted about the dangerous effects of drug abuse. Parents should ensure that their children are not given money for which they can’t give a proper account. Community leaders must ensure that the youth have enough facilities and enjoy and expend their energies in a positive way. The police must make sure that sensual drugs are not easily available to the youth. Medical shops should sell medicines only on prescription by doctors.

References:

1. Dangers of Drug Abuse by Hardin B. Jones
2. An Internet article on Sensual Drugs and their Effects
3. Reader’s Digest Article on “Youths and Drugs”, May 2015.

Activity – VII (Power-point Presentation)

Read the matter given on page 129 and prepare a power-point presentation, using the tips given there. You may use the seminar paper above to get appropriate points. Divide the points into the relevance of the topic, causes, effects and suggestions.

Activity – VIII (Let’s edit)

Question 1.
While writing down the following passage, being dictated by the teacher, a student committed a few mistakes in spelling. Correctthose mistakes.
Answer:
One rehabilitated heroin addict described his sensory deprivation to me: looking out of the window, he said, The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom. I know these are signs of a good day.” But, pressing his chest, he said, “I don’t feel it here.” I have seen addicts habitually press their fingers deep into their arms or legs as if to reassure themselves of their own reality. This craving for lost sensations explains in part the addict’s need to continue to seek drug-induced sensations.

Question 2.
Here is a passage by a writer who committed,a few mistakes while writing. Help him write the correct spelling.
Answer:
On a wild and stormy hillside there stood an old ruin of a castle where, quite often on a dark and stormy: night, people could hear the screams of tortured ghost’s coming through the walls and turrets. The clanking of chains could be heard and the soles of those passing by froze at the sound.

Question 3.
Given below is a newspaper report prepared by a student about a forest fire in Wayanad, as part of an assignment given by the English teacher.
There are some errors in it. Identify the errors and rewrite the report with necessary corrections. (Hint: The errors are in concord, voice, preposition, spelling, phrasalverb)
Answer:
FOREST FIRES CONTINUE IN WAYANAD
Three minor incidents of forest fire were reported in Wayanad district. The first incident was reported in Thrissilery in the morning. Later, two incidents were reported at Kottiyur and Kalamkandy. Timely intervention by forest officials and fire and rescue personnel, who put out the fire on a war footing, prevented the fire from spreading. It was reported that nearly five acres of forestland were destroyed in the fire. A Non-Governmental Organization official said that natural forest fires were rare atthis time of the year, adding that often they were man-made. They said they would stage a dharna at Sulthan Bathery on Friday to sensitize the public on the significance of conserving forests.

Dangers of Drug Abuse (Essay) About The Author

Hardin Blain Jones (1914-1978) was born in Los Angeles, California. He was a professor of medical physics and physiology. “Dangers of Drug Abuse’ is a timely warning to modern society.

Dangers of Drug Abuse (Essay) Summary in English

Page 119: Drugs were discovered to prevent and cure physical diseases and reverse the disturbances that occur in some mental illnesses. The power of drugs has led people to believe that any ailment, infective or psychic, can be relieved by taking a pill. At the first sign of nervousness, they try pep pills. Medical journals now advertise tranquilizers (which calm you down), amphetamines (used for slimming and also for euphoria) and other mood-altering drugs. Doctors prescribe them and people expect miracles from them. In this situation, drug abuse is widespread.

When people become dependent on drugs to solve their problems, they lose their capacity to deal with life’s situations through perseverance, self-discipline and mental effort. Some people thy* it is foolish to expend energy on solving a problem when there is an easy way out. People take drugs when they feel bad. They take drugs even when they feel good already.

Page 120: A distinction should be made between medicine and the sensual drugs. We must know the important advances science has made. The history of medical use of drugs goes back 23 centuries to Hippocrates, the Greek physician. He is regarded as the father of medicine. He was the first to say that a remedy must take into account not only the symptoms of the disease but also the constitution and habits of the patient.

As per his teaching, medicines must suit the disease and the patient. When there is a disorder only a drug that specifically mitigates that disorder should be used. The drug should also have restorative effects. Otherwise it will unbalance healthy functions of the brain and the body. It means a healthy person cannot benefit from taking a drug. This also comes from Hippocrates. He said, “Persons in good health quickly lose their strength by taking purgative medicines.”

The difference between medicines and sensual drugs is simple. Sensual drugs are those that the body does not need, but they give the user a strong sense of pleasure. Sensual drugs activate the brain’s pleasure centres. We don’t know how they do it – whethef they stimulate the pleasure centre directly or activate them through chemical mimicry. Both possibilities will be referred to as stimulation.

The brain governs sensations, moods, thoughts and actions. It is done not through any magical process but by an unbelievably complex series of chemically regulated controls. These are easily upset by sensual drugs. They affect on the mechanisms that control pleasure and satisfaction. A drug user’s craving for the drug continues, but he feels less and less satisfaction. His brain’s pleasure reflexes are activated by artificial stimulation. In severe addiction, the pleasure mechanisms fail to respond to drug stimulation. The drug then gives only relative relief from misery and suspends the illness of withdrawal. Information from the senses still reaches the brain, but the brain is unable to evaluate the information and interpret it as pleasurable. In contrast, naturally attained pleasures enlarge the sense of satisfaction and can be repeated indefinitely.

Page 121: Ultimately, the sensory deprivation of the drug addict shows its# in a general feeling of physical discomfort and in personality changes. The addict feels depressed. He fails to respond eitherto his environment or to other people. His mental disturbance can be like paranoia. He does not know the source of his problem and he looks for its cause in everything but himself. Anything outside scares him and draws further and further into himself. He feels that others look at him strangely. One even told me that when people smiled at him he thought they were laughing at him. He may even lose his sense of being alive. He feels ‘dead inside’. This is what one rehabilitated heroin addict told me: “Looking out of the window, the sun is shining. The flowers are in bloom. These are signs of a good day.” But pressing his chest, he said, “I don’t feel it here.” Addicts often press their fingers deep into their arms or legs to reassure themselves of their own reality. Their sensations are lost and they look for drug-induced sensations.

If drugs gave a safe form of pleasure, there would be no objections to using them. But we know continued use of drugs has very bad consequences. There are real dangers, but the drug user thinks there is no danger because the harmful side effects are not immediately seen. An overdose may result in delirious effects or even death. Between these extremes there is the danger of degeneration of health and reduced brain function. Drugs act directly on the brain. They cause mental mechanisms to respond abnormally. The risks are great for regular users. A lot of harm may be done before the warning symptoms occur.

Page 122: Drug-related health disorders are many and varied. Dirty needles and solutions used for injecting drugs can cause abscesses in the arms and veins. They can cause liver disease, venereal disease and infection of the kidney and brain. Sniffing cocaine and amphetamines can damage the tissue of the nose. Marijuana and tobacco smoking can cause lung diseases. Heavy users of alcohol, volatile solvents, amphetamines or marijuana damage their livers permanently. Babies of women addicted to opiates are likely to be bom addicted and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine and amphetamines cause hair fall. Marijuana can damage cells. A drug addict can easily get pneumonia, tuberculosis, malnutrition and weight loss. An overdose of any sensual drug can cause respiratory or cardiac failure and death.

Sensual drugs affect the chemistry of brain cells. Cell function is carried out by thousands of enzymes acting within each cell. Each exposure of the cells to psychoactive drugs alters their chemistry. Toxic chemicals can upset the brain’s intricate system of communication. They can also damage cell tissues. Toxic effect may be permanent.

This article focuses on the effects of drugs on the brain. Drugs affect other parts of the body also and they can be even more debilitating. Damage to the brain is the most subtle and often unrecognized and least understood consequence of drug abuse.

Dangers of Drug Abuse (Essay) Summary in Malayalam

Dangers of Drug Abuse (Essay) Meanings