Plus Two

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions and Answers Chapter 5 Biotechnology and its Applications.

Kerala Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions Chapter 5 Biotechnology and its Applications

Question 1.
Teacher asked Balan to write the principle of RNAi technology. Help him by describing the method.(MARCH-2010)
Answer:
The silencing of mRNA by a double stranded RNA (dsRNA) is called RNA interference.

Question 2.
Bt. Cotton is a well known example of application of Biotechnology in Agriculture. Bt. Cotton reduces use of pesticides. Explain. (MAY-2010)
Answer:
Bt. Cotton is a transgenic plant which contains the cry gene of bacillus thuringiensis. The cry gene produces cry protein which kills larvae of lepedopteran, diptern insects which attack cotton plants. This protein is inactive in bacteria and becomes active in the intestine of insects. When the cry gene is transferred to the plant it becomes resistant to the insects.

Question 3.
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency is a hereditary disease, where ADA, which is crucial for functioning of immune system is absent. Explain how ADA deficiency can be treated. (MAY-2010)
Answer:
Lymphocytes are taken from patient’s blood. It is grown invitro culture. By using retroviral vector functional ADA c DNA (from WBC of normal person) is introduced into invitro cultured lymphocytes of patients. These genetically engineered lymphocytes (corrected functional lymphocytes) are re injected to patients. If the ADA producing genes are introduce into cells at early embryonic stage it could be a permanent cure.

Question 4.
Bt toxin is produced by Bacillus thurungiensis that can kill certain insects. (MARCH-2011)
a) Name the bacterical gene that is producing this toxin.
b) Why the toxin produced by the bacterium is nontoxic to it?
Answer:
a) Cry-gene
b) Bt. toxin protein exist as inactive ie. protoxin in bacteria

Question 5.
Raju is a diabetic parient who takes insulin injections regulary. The insulin used by such patients is producted by genetically engineered organisms . Write the different steps involved in the production of insulin by genetic engineering. (MARCH-2011)
Answer:
1) Preparation of DNA sequences corresponding to A&B chain of human insulin.
2) Introduce them in plasmid of E.coli.
3) Products of A&B Chains are separated.
4) Combine A&B chains by creating disulphide bonds

Question 6.
Expand the common short forms used in biotechnology. (MAY-2011)
i) GEAC
ii) GMO
iii) PCR
iv) ELISA
OR
Bt toxins are not toxic to bacillus and Bt cotton plant but toxic to insects. Explain.
Answer:
i) GEAC – Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
ii) GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms
iii) PCR -Polymerase Chain reaction
iv) ELISA – Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay
OR
The protein crystals are solubilised in the presence of alkaline pH of insect gut, hence becomes toxic to insects.

Question 7.
In human beings, certain diseases are caused due to genetic disorders. (MARCH-2012)
a) Name the method that allows the correction of a gene defect that has been diagnosed in a child or embryo.
b) How this method has been used for treating ADA (Adenosine deaminase) deficiency?
Answer:
a) Gene therapy
b) Introduction of functionalADAcDNAintothe lymphocyte of defective person.

Question 8.
Infection by nematodes cause threat to cultivation and yield loss of tobacco plants. A strategy has been developed at RNA level to control this infestation. (MARCH-2012)
a) Name the process.
b) Explain how this process works at the molecular level.
Answer:
a) RNA interference
b) In this process specific mRNA of the nematode is silenced due to a complementary ds RNA, that prevents the translation of mRNA

Question 9.
Using genetically modified crops, farmers can minimize use of insecticides and pesticides during cultivation. (MAY-2012)
a) Give name of one such genetically modified pest resistant crop.
b) Which gene is used for its production?
c) Name the source of pest resistant gene.
d) Write about its mode of action.
Answer:
a) Bt cotton
b) cry gene
c) Bacillus thuringiencis
d) The cry gene produce the insecticidal protein which solubilised in the alkaline PH of insect gut and make pores in the epithelial cells.This causes the death of insect.

Question 10.
Nita found that her Grandma used to inject human insulin that is genetically engineered. She wants to know how such insulin can be produced. Give her an idea about structure of insulin and production of genetically engineered insulin. (MAY-2012)
Answer:
It consists of two short polypeptide chains: chain A and chain B, that are linked together by disulphide bridges.
It is necessary to prepare two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B, chains of human insulin and inserted in plasmids of E. coli to produce insulin chains. Chains A and B are produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulfide bonds to form human insulin.

Question 11.
A novel strategy to prevent nematode infestation is (MARCH-2013)
based on ‘RNA interference’
a) Explain RNA interference.
b) Can you suggest, how it can be used for producing nematode resistant plant.
Answer:
a) it involves silencing of a specific mRNA of nematode Here the complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing).
b) Afterthe insertion of nematode-specific genes by Agrobacterium vectors into the host plant, it produce both sense and anti-sense RNA in the host cells. These double stranded RNA (dsRNA) that initiated RNAi and silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode.

Question 12.
Sophie was born with a genetic disorder – ADA deficiency. (MARCH-2013)
a) What is ADA deficiency?
b) Can you suggest methods to treat this ADA deficiency?
Answer:
a) Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency
b) Bone marrow transplantation or gene therapy (Lymphocytes from the blood of the patient are cultured and functional ADA cDNA is introduced in it.Then, these cells are return back to the patient) .

Question 13.
Gene therapy aims in correcting diseases caused by defective genes. A Child is suffering from a disease due to deficiency of ADA enzyme. ADA gene which normally produce the enzyme is missing in the patient. Recommend any two methods to treat the child. (MAY-2013)
Answer:
Enzyme replacement therapy & Genetic engineering.

Question 14.
Expand the short forms used in Biotechnology. (MAY-2013)
1) PCR
2) ELISA
3) GEAC
4) GMO
Answer:
PCR – Polymerase Chain reaction
ELISA – Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay GEAC – Genetic Engineering Approval Committee GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms

Question 15.
Bt Cotton is regarded as an important achievement of genetic engineering. What does Bt stands for? (MARCH-2014)
Answer:
Bacillus thuringiensis

Question 16.
Animals that had their DNA manipulated to possess and express foreign DNA are called transgenic animals. Write briefly any three benefits of such transgenic animals to human beings. (MARCH-2014)
Answer:
a) Transgenic mice are used to test the safety of the polio vaccine.
b) Transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein enriched milk (2.4 grams per litre).The milk contained the human alpha-lactalbumin It is the balanced product for human babies than natural cow- milk.
c) Transgenic animals that carry genes which make them more sensitive to toxic substances than non- transgenic animals. Toxicity testing in such animals get results in less time.

Question 17.
Consider you are appointed as biotechnologist in a National Institute: What are the basic steps to be designed to produce a genetically modified organism? (Hint 3 points) (MAY-2014)
Answer:
i) Identification of DNA with desirable genes.
ii) Introduction of the identified DNA into the host.
iii) Maintenance of introduced DNA in the host and transfer of the DNA to its progeny.

Question 18.
Pharmaceutical companies are producing large quantities of human insulin by genetic engineering. Briefly explain the process. (MAY-2014)
Answer:
1. Prepare two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B, chains of human insulin.
2. Introduced them in plasmids of E. coli to produce insulin chains.
3. Chains A and B were produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulfide bonds to form human insulin.

Question 19.
in the 2012 children’s science congress one of the speaker summarized like this – if we are not vigilant, countries or individuals encash our resources as their right. (MAY-2014)
Explain this with an example
Answer:
Basmati rice is distinct for its aroma and flavour and 27 documented varieties of Basmati are grown in India. There is reference to Basmati in ancient texts, folklore and poetry, as it has been grown for centuries.
In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmati rice through the US Patent and Trademark Office. This allowed the company to sell a ‘new’ variety of Basmati, in the US and abroad.

Question 20.
In a class room seminar on cloning vectors, your friend asked to explain the steps to introduce the plasmid DNA to a bacteria cell, Microinjection and bilestics. Answer his questions. (MAY-2014)
Answer:
For this, bacterial cells must first be made ‘competent’ to take up DNA. This is done by treating them with a specific concentration of a divalent cation, such as calcium, Recombinant DNA can then be forced into such cells by incubating the cells with recombinant DNA on ice, followed by placing them briefly at 42°C (heat shock), and then putting them back on ice. This helps to introduce the plasmid DNA into bacterial cell.
Microinjection – In this recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell. Biolistics – In this cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA

Question 21.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is always a debatable topic among scientists,’academicians and public. State any four usefulness of GMOs. (MARCH-2015)
Answer:
i) More tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).
ii) Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest- resistant crops).
iii) Helped to reduce post harvest losses.
iv) Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants
v) Enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., Vitamin ‘A’enriched rice.

Question 22.
Biotechnology in agriculture will lead to pest resistant plants, which could decrease the amount of pesticides used. For example Bt cotton. Expand the letter ‘B’ and ‘t’. (MARCH-2015)
Answer:
B-Bacillus t-thuringiensis

Question 23.
In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmati rice through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Variety of Basmati had actually been derived from Indian farmer’s varieties. If so, what is Biopiracy? (MARCH-2015)
Answer:
It is the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper authorisation from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment.

Question 24.
One of the speaker in the National Children’s Science Congress delivered a talk about Transgenic animals. Explore any 2 benefits of Transgenic animals. (MAY-2015)
Answer:
i) Study of disease: Transgenic animals can be used to know, how genes contribute to the development of disease.
ii) Biological products: Transgenic animals that produce useful biological products. In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein-enriched milk contained the human alpha- lactalbumin. It is nutritionally a more balanced product for human babies than natural cow-milk.

Question 25.
The recombinant DNA technological process have made immense impact in the area of healthcare. How Eli Lilly produced Insulin? (MARCH-2016)
Answer:
Eli lily prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B chains by using recombinant DNA technology , it is introduced into plasmid of E coli and produced polypeptide chains A and B.
These chains are separated and connected by using disulphide linkage to form human insulin

Question 26.
A farmer approached an Agriculture officer to tell his grievance i.e.. reduction in tobacco yield due to root damage by nematodes, (MARCH-2016)
a) What is your suggestion to prevent this infestation?
b) Briefly explain the process.
Answer:
a) RNA interference (RNAi)
b) The best method used to prevent the attack of nematode is RNA interference (RNAi). It involves silencing of a specific mRNA of nematode. Here the complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing).

Question 27.
RNA can suppress the activity of a gene. Explain it with suitable example. (MAY-2016)
Answer:
In this process nematode specific genes were introduced into the host plant through agrobacterium,it produce both sense and antisense RNA, since this two RNAs are complementary to each other, form a dsRNA RNAi is operated and the nematode can’t produce proteins.

Question 28.
Match the following: (MARCH-2017)

Answer:

Question 29.
Insulin getting assembled into a mature form was the major challenge in commercial insulin production by rDNA technology. How did Eli Nilly found a solution to this problem? (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
An American company Eli Lilly in 1983 prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B, chains of human insulin and inserted in plasmids of E, coli to produce insulin chains. Chains A and B were produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulfide bonds to form human insulin.

Question 30.
A) Bt cotton is an example of genetically engineered cotton. (MAY-2017)
a) What does Bt stands for?
b) Name the gene responsible for Bt toxin production.
c) How does the toxin kill the insect?
OR
B) Gene therapy is a corrective therapy for a hereditary disease.
a) Name the disease which was successfully corrected by gene therapy for the first time.
b) How gene therapy is practiced for a permanent cure of the disease?
Answer:
A) a) Bacillus thuringiensis
b) Cry gene
c) Bt toxin protein exist as inactive protoxins it is converted into an active form in the presence of the alkaline pH of insect gut. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores that cause cell swelling and lysis and results in the death of insect.
OR
B) a) Adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA)
b) In this, functional ADA cDNA is introduced into embryonic stage. It is permanent cure forthe disease.

Question 31.
Antigen-antibody reaction is the basis of the technique called ____. (MAY-2017)
a) ELISA
b) PCR
c) RNA interference
d) Gene therapy
Answer:
ELISA

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions and Answers Chapter 4 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes.

Kerala Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions Chapter 4 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes

Question 1.
Rinku with a circular DNA contains sequence (MARCH-2010)
5′-> GGAATTCC -> 3′
3′ -> CCTTAAGG -> 5′
She wishes to add a new segment of DNA into it.
a) Identify the technology she planned.
b) Suggest the specific enzyme to make a cut in the DNA with above sequence.
c) Name the category of enzyme you suggested.
d) How this enzyme identifies the sequence ?
e) Draw the cut ends of the DNA with sequence.
OR
Rashid isolated a natural plasmid from a bacterium and planning to facilitate cloning.
a) What are the minimum requirements for considering the isolate & plasmid as a vector ?
b) How he identifies whether a foreign DNA is inserted or not after cloning ?
Answer:
a) Recombinant DNA technology
b) Eco- R-1
c) Restriction endonuclease
d) Palindromic sequence
e)

OR
a) It should have origin of replication (ori), selectable marker for identifiying transformants, cloning sites.
b) Selectable marker which helps in identifying and eliminating non transforms and selectively permitting the growth of transformants. The markers commonly unsed are the gene encoding reistance to antibiotics such as tetracycline, ampicillin etc.

Question 2.
Diagram shows a typical agarose gel showing migration fragments. (MAY-2010)

a) Which of the bands has largest and smallest DNA fragments?
b) How can you make fragments of DNA for electrophoresis ?
c) Explain separation of DNA fragments using electrophoresis.
d) Point out a method to visualize the separated DNA fragments after electrophoresis.
Answer:
a) a is the largest DNA fragment and d is the smallest DNA fragment
b) DNA fragments can be made by cutting the DNA by restriction endonuclease.
c) Separation of DNA fragments takes place through gel electrophoresis where the cut DNA fragments
matrix. The separation takes place according to the size of the DNA.
d) The DNA separated by electrophoresis is visualized by staining it with Ethidium Bromide dye and viewing it under UV light. The fragments of DNA appears as orange coloured bands.

Question 3.
The picture given below shows the technique used forgenerating multiple copies of the gene of interest. (MARCH-2011)

a) What is the technique called?
b) Name the reactions at Step I, Step II, Step III.
c) Explain the principle underlying this technique of DNA amplification.

The above picture shows cloning vector pBR 322.
a) What is Ori? Give its importance.
b) How does the insertion of foreign DNA at Bam Hi site selected ? What is ampR?
c) How many cloning sites are depicted in this vector as shown in the figure?
Answer:
a) Polymerase chain reaction
b) Step I denaturation
Step II annealing
Stepl II extention/amplification
c) Multiple copies of gene of interest is synthesized invitro by using the set of primer,/Taq polymerase and deoxy nucleotides
OR
a) Origin of replication. Controlling the copy no.of linked DNA
b) Due to insertion of Foreign DNA at Bam H1 site, recombinant plasmid will lose tetracycline resistance, thus recombinants will not grow in the medium containing tetracycline
c) 5 cloning sites-Eco R1, Bam H1, Puv^II, Pst1, Pvu1

Question 4.
In a class room seminar on cloning vectors, your friend asked to explain the steps to introduce the plasmid DNA to a bacteria cell, Micro injection and biolistics. Answer his questions. (MAY-2011)
Answer:
For this, bacterial cells must first be made ‘competent’ to take up DNA. This is done by treating them with a specific concentration of a divalent cation, such as calcium, Recombinant DNA can then be forced into such cells by incubating the cells with recombinant DNA on ice, followed by placing them briefly at 420C (heat shock), and then putting them back on ice. This helps to introduce the plasmid DNA into bacterial cell.
Micro injection – In this recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell.
Biolistics – In this cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA.

Question 5.
Observe the relation in the first pair and fill up the blank in the second. (MAY-2011)
Cry I Ac: Control cotton bollworm
……………: Control corn borer
Answer:
Cry I Ab ………. control corn borer.

Question 6.
Restriction endonucleases are the enzymes used to cut the DNA molecules. (MARCH-2012)
a) Give the general term of the specific sequences where these enzymes cut the DNA.
b) Name the enzyme that joints the foreign DNA and vector DNA.
c) Give any two procedures to introduce the recombinant DNA into the host cell.
OR
During genetic engineering Vector with foreign DNA is transferred into a host bacterium. The next target will be the selection of transformants from non- ‘ transformants.
How antibiotic resistance and insertional inactivation is exploited for this purpose?
Answer:
a) Palindromic sequence or recognition sequence
b) DNAIigase
c) Direct gene transfer by gene gun (biolistics) Direct gene transfer by micro injection
OR
Antibiotic gene is used us selectable marker to identify the recombinants from non recombinant. Insertional inactivation is used to identify the transformants as white coloursed and non transformants as blue coloured

Question 7.
While studying nucleotide sequence. Raj found the following sequence which can be recognized by some enzymes : (MAY-2012)
5′- GAATTC – 3′
3′- CTTAAG – 5′
a) Give salient features of this sequence.
b) Write name of enzymes which recognize such sequences.
c) Elaborate importance of this enzyme in Genetic engineering.
OR
A group of students came to know about recombinant DNA technology. They want to know how scientists can produce a new desired product using rDNAtechnology. Can you give them an idea about the important steps that are involved in this process?
Answer:
a) Palindromic sequence
b) Restriction endonuclease enzyme
c) The enzyme cut at specific nucleotide sequence and get sticky ends.The same restriction enzyme is used to cut both foreign DNA and cloning vector.
OR
Recombinant DNA technology involves several steps.
They are
1) Isolation of the Genetic Material (DNA)
2) Cutting of DNA at Specific Locations
3) Amplification of Gene of Interest using PCR
4) Insertion of Recombinant DNA into the Host Cell Organism
5) Obtaining the Foreign Gene Product
6) Down stream processing

Question 8.
Jaya read in a Biotechnology book that alien DNA can be introduced into host ceil by micro injection and biolistics. Explain these methods. (MARCH-2013)
Answer:
1) Micro-injection- The recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell.
2) Biolistics or gene gun- The cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA. It is suitable for plants.

Question 9.
Genetic Engineering include creation of recombinant DNA with the help of restriction enzymes. (MARCH-2013)
a) Explain recombinant DNA technology.
b) What are restriction enzymes? Name a restriction enzyme.
Answer:
a) Recombinant DNA technology involves several steps.
They are
1) Isolation of the Genetic Material (DNA)
2) Cutting of DNA at Specific Locations
3) Amplification of Gene of Interest using PCR
4) Insertion of Recombinant DNA into the Host Cell /Organism
5) Obtaining the Foreign Gene Product
6) Downstream Processing
b) Restriction enzyme is used to cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequence Examples are EcoR1 ,Hind111 etc.

Question 10.
Gel electrophoresis is a technique to separate fragments of DNA from a mixture. Some of the events of electrophoresis are given below. Arrange the events in order: (MAY-2013)
1) Cutout DNA bands
2) Expose to UV
3) Force DNA to move through gel
4) Stain DNA with ethidium bromide.
Answer:
Force DNA to move through the gel, stain DNA with ethidium bromide expose to UV ,cut out DNA bands.

Question 11.
Identify palindrome sequence from the following. (MAY-2013)
1) 5′-GAATTC-3′
3′-CTTAAG-5′
2) 5′-ATCG-3′
3′-TACG-5′
3) 5′ – AAAAA – 5′
5′ – TTTTT – 3′
4) 5′-CCCCC-3′
3′-GGGGG-5′
Answer:
5′ ___GAATTC ____ 3′
3′ ____ CTTAAG ____ 5′

Question 12.
_________ are the enzymes used for cutting the DNA molecule into fragments. An example for this type of enzyme is Eco Ri. What does Eco, R and I stand for? (MARCH-2014)
Answer:
UB Restriction Endonuclease,
Eco- Escherichia coli, R- letter ‘R’ is derived from the name of strain, I— It indicate the order in which the enzymes were isolated from that strain of bacteria.

Question 13.
Use of a thermostable DNA polymerase from the bacterium, Thermus aquaticus made it possible to generate billion copies of DNA in a very short time using a process. (MARCH-2014)
a) Name the process.
b) Name the three important steps involved in this process.
Answer:
a) Polymerase chain reaction
b) Denaturation, Anealing, Extension

Question 14.
There are many features required to facilitate successful cloning in to a vector. Write shortly any two such features required by a vector. (MAY-2014)
Answer:
Origin of replication (ori): This is a sequence from where replication starts and any piece of DNA when linked to this sequence can be made to replicate within the host cells.
Selectable market: Genes encoding resistance to antibiotics are considered as useful selectable markers which helps in identifying and eliminating non transformants and selectively permitting the growth of the transformants.

Question 15.
Recombinant DNA technology can be accomplished only if we have the following key tools, ie. Restriction enzymes, Polymerase enzyme, Ligases and Vectors. (MARCH-2015)
State the functions of
a) Ligases
b) Restriction Enzymes
Answer:
a) Ligase- Enzyme which is used to join the DNA fragments
b) Restriction Enzymes- It is used to cut DNA at specific locations

Question 16.
Figure representing the reactions associated with Polymer Chain Reaction (PCR). Name the steps A, B, C in the process (MARCH-2015)

Answer:
A — Denaturation
B — Annealing
C — Extension/Elongation

Question 17.
Observe the cloning vector and explain the following: (MAY-2015)

a) Ori
b) Bam HI
Answer:
a) ori-origin of replication
b) Bam HI- restriction enzyme

Question 18.
A multinational company successfully cloned a gene of interest and also optimized the conditions to induce the expression of target protein. (MAY-2015)
a) Name the apparatus for large scale production of such proteins.
b) Briefly explain the apparatus.
Answer:
a) Bioreactor
b) It is the large culture vessel (100-1000 litres) used for the production of large quantities of recombinant protein, enzymes, etc. it,provides optimum growth conditions (temperature, pH, substrate, salts, vitamins and oxygen). It consist of agitator system, an oxygen delivery system and a foam control system, a temperature control system, pH control system and sampling ports.

Question 19.
Observe the sketch of stirred-tank bioreactor and label the parts A, B. C and D. (MARCH-2016)

Answer:
A – motor
B – Foam breaker
C- Flat bladed impeller
D – Acid or base for PH Control

Question 20.
Manipulating with nucleic acid is a trend in Biotechnology. (MARCH-2016)
a) Name any one organism used as vector.
b) What are DNA polymerase?
Answer:
a) Ecoli
b) It helps to add nucleotide one by one on template srtand (polymerization of deoxy ribonucleotides)

Question 21.
Electrophoresis is a method commonly used in Biotechnology. Write briefly about GelElectrophoresis. (MAY-2016)
Answer:
In this method DNA fragments are separated accord-ing to their charge and size.
DNA is negatively charged molecules they move through agarose gel towards positively charged anode, DNA fragments are stained by Ethidium bromide, separated fragments can be observed as orange coloured bands under UV light.

Question 22.
Genetic engineering is a promising branch recently developed in biological science. (MAY-2016)
a) Expand PCR and name three steps in each cycle.
b) What is a plasmid? Name three features required for cloning vectors.
Answer:
a)PCR or polymerase chain reaction involves 4 steps
1) Denaturation – It involves the separating of DNA strands.
2) Annealing – The double strands are synthesised from free nucleotides by the action of DNA polymerase.
3) Extension – The length of the strands are increased as a result of addition of more and more nucleotides. The process of replication is repeated many times & billions of copies of DNA is synthesised.
OR
b)Plasmids are circular double stranded DNA molecules occurring in extra chromosomal state
1) Ori (Origin of replication) it is the sequence from where replication starts.
2) Cloning sites: For linking the alien DNA into the vector, there must be preferably single recognition sites because more than one recognition sites within the vector results several fragments.
3) Selectable markers are employed in rDNA technology for selecting the recombinants from non recombinants.

Question 23.
The following photograph shows the result of a technique showing the separation of DNA. (MARCH-2017)

a) Name the technique.
b) How the separated DNA is visualized?
c) DNA fragments of size 500bp and 2000 bp are separated by this process. Which fragment will migrate fast. Why?
OR
B) Different methods have been suggested to introduce alien DNA into host cells. Given and explain any three methods adopted for this purpose.
Answer:
A) a) Gel electrophoresis
b) The separated fragments of DNA can be visualized only after staining with ethidium bromide followed by exposure to uv radiation. DNA will be visualized as bright orange coloured bands on the gel.
c) 500 bp migrate fast because it is the smaller fragment found nearer to anode than other fragments on the gel.
OR
B) 1) Micro-injection-recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell.
2) Biolistics or gene gun – cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA. It is suitable for plants.
3) Disarmed pathogen – vectors when allowed to infect the cell, transfer the recombinant DNA into the host.

Question 24.
Sequences of base pairs in DNA that reads the same on both the strands when the orientation of reading is kept the same are called ______ sequences. (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
Palindromic nucleotides

Question 25.
Origin of replication and selectable markers are the two important features required for a cloning vector. Explain their role in facilitating cloning. (MAY-2017)
Answer:
Up Origin of replication – It is the start of replication required for making many copies of the desired gene. Selectable markers – They are antibiotic-resistant genes that helpful in identifying recombinants from non-recombinants.

Question 26.
Rhizome, bulbil, offset and the bulb is different methods of vegetative reproduction in plants. Of these, the vegetative reproductive structures of Agave and Ginger are and respectively. (MAY-2017)
Answer:
Bulbil, Rhizome

Question 27.
Denaturation, Annealing and Extension are three steps of a process used for gene amplification: (MAY-2017)
a) Name the process.
b) Name the organism from which the DNA polymerase for this process is extracted.
Answer:
a) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
b) Thermusaquaticus

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions and Answers Chapter 3 Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production.

Kerala Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions Chapter 3 Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

Question 1.
Johny, a Plus Two student is from a tribal colony with lower level of vitamins, minerals and protein deficiency. He wishes to be a plant breeder to help the public by producing new crops with high levels of vitamins, minerals, protein etc. Identify the phenomenon. (MARCH-2010)
Answer:
Biofortification

Question 2.
In mid 1960’s as a result of various plant breeding techniques, there was a drastic increase in food production in our country. This phase is often referred as _______. (MAY-2010)
Answer:
Green revolution

Question 3.
Tissue culture is a fast and efficient system for crop improvement. Scientists in a research institution wants to produce a hybrid of potato and tomato. Is it possible to make such a hybrid ? If possible, explain how. (MAY-2010)
Answer:
Somatic hybridisation – The isolated cells from to-mato and potato are converted into naked protoplasts by digesting the cell walls. Isolated protoplasts of the two plants are fused to get hybrid protoplasts which is further grown to form a new plant. Somatic hybrid of tomato and potato is called Pomato.

Question 4.
Ram Singh is a conventional wheat breeder, One the promising wheat varieties is found to be susceptible to leaf rust.
What breeding steps he will adopt to make his original promising variety resistant to leaf rust? (MARCH-2011)
Answer:
Breeding steps
a) screening germ plasm
b) hybridization of selected parents
c) selection and evaluation of hybrid
d) testing and release of new varieties

Question 5.
The method of producing thousands of plantlets through tissue culture is called ______.  (MARCH-2011)
These plantlets which are genetically identical to each other are called _______.
Answer:
a) Micropropagation
b) Somaclones

Question 6.
Being a member of the Committee of People’s Planning Programme of your Panchayat, suggest two common fresh water fishes to grow in the fresh water fishery project undertaken by your Panchayat.  (MAY-2011)
Answer:
Catla and Rohu

Question 7.
If the tomato plants of your village are virus affected, which part of the plant would you recommend to culture for virus free plants?  (MAY-2011)
Answer:
Meristem /Shoot tip

Question 8.
The regeneration of whole plants from any part of the plant grown under sterile conditions is called tissue culture.
a) The general term for the part of the plant taken out for tissue culture is _______.  (MARCH-2012)
b) The capacity to generate a whole plant from any plant cell is ______.
Answer:
a) Explant
b) Toti potency

Question 9.
Raju went to a Rice Research station on his study tour. There he noticed a scientist working on rice plants using scissors and forceps. To his surprise he saw the scientist covering the inflorescences with paper bags. (MARCH-2012)
a) Name the techniques the scientist was doing.
b) Give the purpose of these techniques.
Answer:
a) Emasculation & Bagging
b) It helps to prevent the contamination of unwanted pollen

Question 10.
A newspaper report read like this. (MARCH-2012)
“Conventional agricultural products like cereals, pulses and other seeds may not be able to meet the demand of food according to the increase in population. So focus has to be shifted to alternate food sources like SCP’s.
a) What are SCP’s?
b) Give one example of SCP’s.
c) What are the advantages of SCP’s?
Answer:
a) Single cell protein. It is alternative food source human consumption
b) Spirulina
c) They are protein rich food besides carbohydrate, fat and minerals.

Question 11.
Continued inbreeding, usually reduces fertility and causes non productivity. This is called ________. (MAY-2012)
Answer:
Inbreeding depression

Question 12.
Bee keeping requires some specialized knowledge for success. (MAY-2012)
a) What is the alternate name for Bee Keeping?
b) Give your suggestions for successful bee
Answer:
a) apiculture
b) i) Knowledge of the nature and habits of bees
ii) Selection of suitable location for keeping the beehives
iii) Catching and hiving of swarms (group of bees)
iv) Management of beehives during different seasons, and
Handling and collection of honey and beewax.

Question 13.
Plant breeding programmes are carried out in a systematic way in research organizations. Explain main steps in breeding to produce a new genetic variety. (MARCH-2013)
Answer:
i) Collection of variability
ii) Evaluation and selection of parents:
iii) Cross hybridisation among the selected parents:
iv) Selection and testing of superior recombinants.
v) Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars:

Question 14.
MOET is a programme for herd improvement. Expand MOET. (MARCH-2013)
Answer:
MOET- Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology

Question 15.
It is observed that continuous inbreeding of animals for 4 – 6 generations produce progeny with reduced fertility and productivity. What measures can be taken to improve fertility and productivity of progeny? (MAY-2013)
Answer:
The selected animals of the breeding population should be mated with unrelated superior animals of the same breed. This is usually helps to restore fertility and yield. The offspring of such a mating is known as an out-cross.
A single out cross helps to overcome inbreeding depression.

Question 16.
crop are completely used up and hence genetic variations are to be created for crop improvement. Suggest any one method for creating genetic variation. (MAY-2013)
Answer:
Mutation breeding

Question 17.
Vidya got a plant which was affected with a viral disease. Her objective is to raise a disease free plant from this infected plant through tissue culture. (MARCH-2014)
a) Which part of the plant should be selected as the explant?
b) State the reason for the selection of this part as the explant.
Answer:
a) Shoot tip
b) Conducting tissues are not present

Question 18.
Plant breeding involves techniques for manipulating plants in order to create the desired plant types. State the steps involved in the production of a new genetic variety of a crop. (MARCH-2014)
Answer:
The main steps in breeding a new genetic variety of a crop are:
i) Collection of variability
ii) Evaluation and selection of parents:
iii) Cross hybridisation among the selected parents:
iv) Selection and testing of superior recombinants Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars.

Question 19.
The local people in a village wanted to produce a crop with improved nutritional qualities. What are the major objectives to be included to improve the nutritional qualities? (MAY-2014)
Answer:
i) Protein content and quality
ii) Oil content and quality
iii) Vitamin content; and
iv) Micro nutrient and mineral content

Question 20.
Observe the relation in the first pair and fill up the blank in the second. (MAY-2014)
a)

Crop	Variety	Resistance to disease
Chilli	Pusa Sadabahar	Chilly or tobacco Mosaic virus
Brassica	…………………	White rust

b)

Crop	Variety	Insect pest
Flat bean	Pusa sawani	Jassids ,fruit borer and aphids
Okra	………………….	Shoot and fruit borer

Answer:
a) Pusaswarnim
b) PusaSawani

Question 21.
In a debate one of the speaker reported like this. (MARCH-2015)
“Continuous inbreeding leads to inbreeding depression.” If so, define the following:
a) Outcross
b) Crossbreeding
Answer:
a) It is the practice of mating of animals within the same breed, but having no common ancestors on either side of their pedigree up to 4-6 generations. The offspring of such a mating is known as an out-cross.
b) In this superior males of one breed are mated with superior females of another breed. Hisardale is a new breed of sheep developed in Punjab by crossing Bikaneri ewes and Marino rams.

Question 22.
250 Kg. cow produces 200g of protein/day. In the same period 250 g of Methylophilus methylotrophus produce 25 tonnes of protein. Then what is single cell protein?  (MARCH-2015)
Answer:
One of the alternate sources of proteins for animal and human nutrition is Single Cell Protein (SCP)
Eg- Spirulina

Question 23.
In a Grama Panchayat, Members wanted to start a Bee-keeping industry. What are your suggestions for successful bee keeping ?  (MAY-2015)
Answer:
For successful bee-keeping it requires
i) Knowledge of the nature and habits of bees.
ii) Selection of suitable location for keeping the beehives.
iii) Catching and hiving of swarms (group of bees).
iv) Management of beehives during different seasons.

Question 24.
Observe the relation in the first pair and fill up the blank in the second.  (MAY-2015)
a)

Crop	Variety	Resistance to disease
Brassica	Pusa swarnim	Wheat rust
Chilli	………………..	Chilly mosaic virus

b)

Crop	Variety	Insect pest
Okra	Pusa sawani	Shoot and fruit borer
Flat bean	…………..	Juassids ,fruit borer and aphids

Answer:
a) Pusa sadabahar
b) Pusa sem 2, Pusa sem 3

Question 25.
Resistance is the ability to prevent the pathogen from causing disease.  (MARCH-2016)
1) Elucidate the steps in breeding for disease resistance.
2) Cite two examples for virus resistant plants.
OR
Tissue culture is an achievement in plant breeding. What is a somaclone ? Describe the production of somatic hybrid.
Answer:
1) a) screening of germ plasm for resistance
b) Hybridization of selected plants
c) Selection and evaluation of hybrids
d) Testing and release of new varieties
2) pusa sadabahar, parbhani kranti
OR
Morphologically and genetically similar off springs are produced through tissue culture called somaclones. Isolation of somatic cells from two different varieties Digestion of cell wall using enzymes.
Fusion of protoplast of two different varieties forming somatic hybrid protoplast.
Culture of protoplast hybrid to produce somatic hybrid.

Question 26.
a) Describe the major steps followed for the production of new genetic variety starting from the collection of germplasm upto elucidating the cultivars.  (MAY-2016)
b) A plant breeder has a rare variety of cultivar with him but unfortunately it has become infected with vims. Suggest a suitable technique to produce many viable number of progenies with a short note.
Answer:
a) Collection of variability
Evaluation and selection of parents Cross hybridisation among the selected parents Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars. Selection and testing of superior recombinants,
b) Meristem culture In this method virus free plants are developed because it lack conducting tissues

Question 27.
Match the following varieties with their respective crops:  (MARCH-2017)

Variety	Crop
a)  Pusa Swarnim b) Pusa Snowball c)  Pusa Swani d)  Pusa Sadabahar	i)    Chilly ii)   Bhindi iii)  Cauliflower iv)  Brassica

Answer:

Variety	Crop
a)  Pusa swarrnim b)  Pusashubhra c)  Pusasawani d)  Pusa Sadabahar	i)    Brassica ii)   Cauliflower iii)  Bhindi iv)  Chilli

Question 28.
Breeding crops with the objective of increased nutritional quality is called _______.  (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
Biofortification

Question 29.
Out crossing and cross breeding are two different aspects of out breeding in animals. How out crossing is different from cross breeding?  (MAY-2017)
Answer:
Out-crossing
It is mating of animals within the same breed, but having no common ancestors on either side of their pedigree up to 4-6 generations.
Cross-breeding
It is the method of mating superior males of one breed with superior females of another breed.

Question 30.
The practice of maintenance of honeybees for the production is called _______. (MAY-2017)
Answer:
Bee keeping (Apiculture)

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions and Answers Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants.

Kerala Plus Two Botany Chapter Wise Previous Questions Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question 1.
Given below in the diagram showing the transfer of pollen grains. (MARCH-2010)
i) Identify a & b with technical terms.
ii) Critically evaluate a & b.

Answer:
i) (a) Autogamy & (b) Geitonogamy
ii) (a) Transfer of pollen from antherto the stigma of the same flower is called autogamy.
b) Transfer of pollen from anther to the stigma of a different flower on the same plant.

Question 2.
Microsporangium is generally surrounded by four wall layers. Name the layer which nourishes developing pollen grains.   (MAY-2010)
Answer:
Tapetum

Question 3.
Match the following:  (MAY-2010)

Answer:

Question 4.

Copy the picture given above and mark the following:  (MARCH-2011)
a) Connective tissue
b) Endothecium
c) Tapetum
d) Sporogenous tissue
Answer:

Question 5.
Transfer of pollengrains from the anther to the sitgma of a flower is called pollination. Grass plants generally have small, inconspicuous flowers while plants belonging to many angiosperm families bear conspicuous coloured flowers. (MARCH-2011)
a) Comment on the type of pollination taking place in these two groups.
b) What are the salient features present in these two groups for effective pollination?
Answer:
a) 1) Wind pollination
2) Pollination by biotic agents

b) Floral features of wind pollination :-

1. Light pollengrain
2. Dry, smooth & large quantities of pollengrains
3. Exposed stigma
4. Lack of scent
5. Lack of nectar

c) Floral features of animal pollination :-

1. Large flower
2. Colourful and fragrant with nectar
3. Sticky pollengrain

Question 6.
After fertilization in flowering plants, seeds bearing embryos are found inside the fruits. If seeds are developed from ovules. (MARCH-2011)
a) Name the parts that given rise to embryo and fruits.
b) What is the thick wall of the fruit that is protective in function called?
Answer:
a) Zygote -> Embryo
Ovary -> Fruit
b) Pericarp

Question 7.
Teacher wrote the steps of a crop improvement programme on the blackboard as follows: (MAY-2011)
Bagging
Emasculation
Arrange the steps in correct order, explain them and name the process of crop imdorvement programme with the given steps.
Answer:
Emasculation
Bagging
If the female parent bears bisexual flowers, removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces This step is called emasculation. Emasculated flowers have to be covered with a bag of suitable size prevent the contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.
The above two process are coming under Artificial Hybridisation

Question 8.
+2 students of a school at Kasargod district on their study tour collected flowers showing the following character
1) Flowers are with light pollen grains. (MAY-2011)
2) Colourful flowers.
3) Nectar producing flowers.
4) Flowers with feathery stigma.
a) Arrange the characters underdifferent pollination groups in the given table.
b) Write the name of 2 flowers pollinating through water.

Answer:
a)

Entamophilous flowers	Anemophilous flowers
Colourful flowers .	Flowers are with pollen grains.
Nectar producing flowers.	Flowers are with feathery stigma.

b) Hydrilla, vallisneria

Question 9.
a) Hilum (MARCH-2012)
b) Funicle
c) Micropylarpole
d) Nucellus
e) Chalazalpole
d) Embryosac
Answer:

Question 10.
Innermost wall layer of microsporangium which nourishes the developing pollen grain is called ________. (MAY-2012)
Answer:
Tapetum

Question 11.
In large number of plants, pollination is carried out by insects. List four characters of flowers that helps insect pollination. (MAY-2012)
Answer:
Characters of entamophilous flowers.
1) Flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.
2) small flowers are clustered into an inflorescence to make them conspicuous.

Question 12.
In Papaya, male and female flowers are present in separate plants. They are said to be ______. (MAY-2012)
Answer:
Dioceous

Question 13.
In artificial hybridization, it is important to make sure that sigma is protected from unwanted pollen. This is achieved by emasculation and bagging techniques. Can you explain, how emasculation and bagging techniques are performed? (MAY-2012)
Answer:
Anthers are removed before the dehiscence of anther of female parent that bears bisexual flowers. This step is called as emasculation.
It is covered with a bag of suitable size, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.

Question 14.
After syngamy and triple fusion in embryosac, embryo will be diploid and endosperm will be ________. (MARCH-2013)
Answer:
Triploid

Question 15.
Flowering plants evolved an array of adaptations to achieve pollination.(MARCH-2013)
a) Explain pollination.
b) Point out adaptations found in flowers for insect pollination and wind pollination.
c) Illustrate pollination in Vallisnaria.
(OR)
Artificial hybridization is one of the major approaches for crop improvement programme. In such crosses it is important to avoid unwanted pollen.
a) Explain how can we protect stigma from unwanted pollen.
b) How artificial pollination can be performed?
Answer:
a) It is the transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of a pistil.
b) Characters of entamophilous flowers
1) Flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.
2) small flowers are clustered into an inflorescence to make them conspicuous.
Characters of anemophilous flowers
1) pollen grains are light and non-sticky.
2) They possess well-exposed stamens and feathery stigma.
3) The flowers have a single ovule in each ovary and numerous flowers packed into an inflorescence.
c) In Vallisneria, the female flower reach the surface of water by the long stalk and the male flowers or pollen grains are released on to the surface of water. The anthers eventually reach the female flowers and the stigma.
(OR)
a) It is covered with a bag of suitable size, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.
b) 1) Anthers are removed before the dehiscence of anther of female parent that bears bisexual flowers. This step is called as emasculation.
2) It is covered with a bag of suitable size, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging.
3) When the stigma of bagged flower attains receptivity, mature pollen grains collected from anthers of the male parent are dusted on the stigma, and the flowers are rebagged, and the fruits allowed to develop.

Question 16.
In many grasses seeds are formed only after fertilization. There are reports that in some grasses, seeds are formed without fertilization. Explain the phenomenon. (MAY-2013)
Answer:
The phenomenon of formation of seeds without fertilization is called Apomixis.
Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction. In this phenomenon , the diploid egg cell is formed without reduction division and develops into the embryo without fertilization.

Question 17.
The diagramatic view of a typical anatropous ovule is show below. Copy the diagram and label the unlabelled parts. (MAY-2013)

Answer:

Question 18.
In flowering plants, double fertilization occurs during sexual reproduction. One of the events of double fer-tilization is triple fusion. Name the other event. (MAY-2013)
Answer:
Syngamy. (Fusion of egg cell with male gamete that leads the formation of zygote)

Question 19.
In flowering plants during double fertilization two events take place in the embryosac namely ______ and ______. (MARCH-2014)
Answer:
Syngamy and Triple fusion

Question 20.
From the following, select the two having haploid Chromosome number. (MARCH-2014)
a) Egg
b) endosperm
c) Zygote
d) Pollen
Answer:
Egg, pollen

Question 21.
Sunflower is pollinated by insects while rice is pollinated by wind.  (MARCH-2014)
a) How these plants are adapted to their respective type of pollination method? (Hint-any 4 points)
b) Plants can be self or cross pollinated. Write any two mechanisms existing in nature to promote cross pollination.
(OR)
a) The diagram given below shows the transverse section of a young anther. Identify the parts a, b, c and d.

The developmental stages of male gametes in plants consist of microsporogenesis and male ga- metophyte. Arrange the following terms in their correct developmental sequence.
Pollen grain
Sporogenous tissue
anther
microspore tetrad
pollen mother cell
male gamete.
Answer:
Adaptation for wind pollination
1) The pollen grains are light and non-sticky
2) They possess well-exposed stamens and feathery stigma
Adaptation for insect pollination
1) Insect-pollinated flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.
2) The flowers are small, a number of flowers are clustered into an inflorescence
b) 1) pollen release and stigma receptivity are not at the same time.
2) Anther and stigma are placed at different positions so that the pollen cannot come in contact with the stigma of the same flower. Both these devices prevent autogamy.
(OR)
a) a-connective
b- epidermis
c – sporogenous tissue
d-Tapetum
b) Anther -> sporogenous tissue —> pollen mother cell —> microspore tetrad —> pollen grain —> malegamete

Question 22.
Most of the plants produce single type of flowers but Viola, Commelina and Oxalis produce two type of flowers. Explain. (MAY-2014)
Answer:
Chasm ogamous
Flowers with exposed anthers and stigma.
Cleistogamous
Flowers which do not open at all. In such flowers, the anthers and stigma lie close to each other. These flowers are example for autogamous flowers (self pollination)

Question 23.
Egg cell formation in angiosperms involves me- gasporogenesis and female gametophyte development. (MAY-2014)
a) Briefly write the various steps involved in female gametophyte development.
b) Mature angiosperm embryosac at maturity, though 8 nucleated is 7 celled.
What is your explanation related to this statement? Explain.
Answer:
a) Single megaspore mother cell (MMC) in the micropylar region of the nucellus undergoes meiotic division results in the production of four megaspores. In a majority of flowering plants, one of the megaspores is functional while the other three degenerate. Only one functional megaspore develops into the female gametophyte (embryo sac).

b) 2 polar nuclei are situated below the egg apparatus in the large central cell.
Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus. The egg apparatus consists of two synergids and one egg cell.
The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the pollen tubes into the synergid. Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals.

Question 24.
Development of fruit without fertilization and are seedless known as ______. (MARCH-2015)
a) Polyembryony
b) Apomixix
c) Parthenocarpy
d) Parthenogenesis
Answer:
Parthenocarpy

Question 25.
Given below are the components related to simplified model of mineral cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem. Construct a flow chart. (MARCH-2015)
(Hint: Weathering of rock)

Answer:
Producers consumers -> detritus -> soil solution -> Minerals in rock

Question 26.
a) Reeja a science student observed the structure of mature embryosac comprising antipodals, central cells and egg apparatus. Explain each one of them. (MARCH-2015)
(OR)
b) Three different flowers are given to you in the practical class.
i) Maize
ii) Vallisneria
iii) Rose
You are asked to group them based on pollinating agents. Describe the adaptations of each flower related with the agents of pollination.
Answer:
The typical female gametophyte or embryo sac is 8-nucleate and 7-celled.
2 polar nuclei are situated below the egg apparatus in the large centraftfell.
Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus. The egg apparatus consists of two synergids and one egg cell.
The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the pollen tubes into the synergid.
Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals.
(OR)
1) Maize wind pollination
a. The pollen grains are light and non-sticky
b. They possess well-exposed stamens and feathery stigma
2) Vallisneria water pollination
a. Water pollinated flowers are not very colourful and do not produce nectar.
b. Pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering
3) Rose Insect polination
a. Insect-pollinated flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.
b. The flowers are small, a number of flowersare clustered into an inflorescence.

Question 27.
You are supplied with three different flowers such as Maize, Vallisneria and Rose and they have different pollinating agents also. (MAY-2015)
a) Differentiate the type of pollination.
b) Write their various adaptability in the plants suited to pollination.
Answer:
a) Maize -> wind pollination Vallisneria-> water pollination Rose -> insect pollination
b) In maize pollen grains are produced in large quantity, small flowers are packed into inflorescence, and stamen and stigma are exposed.
In vallisneria pollen grains are non sticky and surrounded by mucilaginous layer to prevent from wetting. They have not produced nectar and scent. In rose pollen grains are sticky and produced strong scent, the flowers are brightly coloured. it attract insect for pollination.

Question 28.
In some seeds the nucellus may be persistent. Such nucellus is called _______. (MARCH-2016)
a) Endosperm
b) Scutellum
c) Plumule
d) Perisperm
Answer:
d) Perisperm

Question 29.
What is a false fruit ? Cite an example. (MARCH-2016)
Answer:
Fruit is developed from parts of flower other than ovary.
Eg. apple and strawberry

Question 30.
Many of the flowering plants have developed some devices for discouraging in breeding. Write any two of them. (MARCH-2016)
Answer:
Self incompatibility
Production of unisexual flowers

Question 31.
The development of pollen grains in Angiosperms is called _______. (MAY-2016)
a) Microsporogenesis
b) Embryogenesis
c) Megasporogenesis
d) Gametogenesis
Answer:
Microsporogenesis

Question 32.
Which of the following part in a flower is haploid? (MAY-2016)
a) Antherwall
b) Pollen mother cell
c) Synergid
d) Secondary nucleus
Answer:
c) Synergid

Question 33.
Observe the following diagram and label A, B, C and D. (MAY-2016)

Answer:
A) Epidermis
B) Endothecium
C) Middle layers and
D) Tapetum

Question 34.
In aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water Lily the pollinating agent is ________. (MAY-2016)
a) Wind and insect
b) Water
c) Birds and butterflies
d) Aquatic organisms
Answer:
a) Wind and insect

Question 35.
A date palm seed discovered during archeological investigation retained viability even after 10000 years. The retention of viability is due to the state of inactivity of embryo called ________. (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
Dormancy

Question 36.
When the pollen is transferred from anther to the stigma of the same flower, the pollination is called autogamy.
a) Cleistogamous flowers are invariably autogamous. Explain. (MARCH-2017)
b) Geitonogamy is functionally cross pollination, but genetically similar to autogamy. Justify the statement.
Answer:
a) In this, flowers are not open pollen falls to the stigma of the same flower and seed setting takesplace without the influence of external agency.
b) In geitonogamy transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of another flower of the same plant.
Functionally geitonogamy is a type of cross pollination but it is genetically similar to autogamy since the pollen grains come from the same plant.

Question 37.
The thick protective covering of the fruit is known as ______. (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
Pericarp

Question 38.
Nature has mechanisms to promote outbreeding in plants. Explain any two mechanisms existing in plants to promote outbreeding. (MARCH-2017)
Answer:
1) Anther and stigma are placed at different positions so that the pollen cannot come in contact with the stigma of the same flower.
2) Self-incompatibility is the genetic mechanism in which pollen cannot germinate on the stigma of the same flower or other flowers of the same plant by inhibiting pollen germination or pollen tube growth in the pistil.

Question 39.
Rose is a flower pollinated by insect while in paddy pollination is by wind. Give any three adaptations existing in these plants to facilitate their respective mode of pollination. (MAY-2017)
(OR)
(B) Double fertilization and triple fusion are the two terms associated with angiosperm fertilization.
a) What is double fertilization?
b) Explain triple fusion.
c) Give the ploidy level of
i) endosperm
ii) zygote
Answer:
(A) Pollination in Rose
1. Flowers are large and colourful
2. They are fragrant and rich in nectar
3. Pollen grain are sticky
Pollination in Paddv
1. Pollen grains are light weight and non-sticky.
2. They possess well-exposed stamens
3. They possess feathery stigma.
(OR)
(B) a) It is the fertilization take place in two times. It involves syngamy and triple fusion.
b) It is the fusion of two polar nuclei and male gametes and results primary endosperm nucleus (PEN)
c) i) endosperm – 3n
ii) zygote-2n

Question 40
Identify the following parts of a dicot embryo. (MAY-2017)

Answer:
a- plumule
b – cotyledons
c – hypocotyle
d – radicle

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 1 Chapter 2 Any Woman Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook Any Woman Questions and Answers Unit 1 Chapter 2 (Poem)

♦ Read and Respond (Textbook Page No.14)

Question 1.
Mention the underlying ideas in the expression ‘pillars of the house’.
Answer:
The pillars are the main supports of the house. It is not possible to have a house without pillars. The pillars support the weight of the house and make it stand without crumbling.

Question 2.
How does the poet portray the bond between a mother and her children?
Answer:
According to the poet, children get their love from their mother. She is their light of love. Without her, the children can’t thrive. She is the twist that holds the children together in the sacred ring of the family. The children do not want to leave her and go away. The bond between a mother and her children can be compared to a stem and its branches.

Question 3.
Comment on the expression from ‘floor to roof. Attempt to coin another expression without changing the meaning.
Answer:
Floor to roof means from the start to the finish, from the beginning to the end. All aspects of the home are connected with the woman, the mother of the house. Nothing in the home is away from her or unknown to her. Another expression with the same meaning would be ‘from top to toe’ or ‘head to foot’.

Question 4.
What is the symbolic significance of ‘wind and snow’?
Answer:
The symbolic significance of ‘wind and snow’ is the troubles and tribulations that come to life. Life is affected by problems of various sorts. They can be diseases, financial problems, emotional problems or some other tragedies. The mother tries to prevent all these things from entering the family and bothering its members.

Question 5.
Explain, in your own words, the concluding line of the poem.
Answer:
It is a prayer that the woman makes to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the person whom a woman (Mary) laid in the manger. The woman is praying to Jesus not to take away her life until her children have grown. She knows without her, her children won’t be able to live and thrive in the world.

Let’S Discuss

Question 1.
Woman: the focal point of the family.
Answer:
The woman is the focal point of the family. She is the pillar of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. Without her, the roof and wall will collapse. She is the heat upon the hearth. She is the heat that warms the home. Without her the home will be colder than a stone.

The children get their warmth from her. She is the light of their love. Without her, her children will not thrive. She holds the children together in the love ring of the home. They are tied together with the knots of love. The children would not like to break the thread and go away wandering.

The woman is everything in the house. She is the one filling the bed of the children with down (soft hair of animals) and covering them with leather. She is the wall that protects the members of the family against all kinds of dangers. She prevents dangerous winds and snow from harming the members. Without her a family is unimaginable.

Question 2.
The qualities a woman needs to face the challenges of life.
Answer:
A woman should have many qualities to face the challenges of life. First of all she should be educated. Education tells a woman her rights and duties. Secondly, she should have some employment which brings her some income. Income empowers her. Then she should have leadership qualities. These include wisdom, understanding, courage, determination, compassion, sympathy and empathy. Women should not remain the weaker sex. There is nothing ‘weak’ about them. They should dare the difference and come into leadership roles acquiring equality with men in all walks of life.

Think and Write
Question 1.
Analyse the theme of the poem keeping in view the plight of women in the Indian social scenario.
Answer:
The theme of the poem is the importance of the woman in the family. Without a woman, a family is simply unimaginable. This is more so in the case of Indian women. Women take care of the children, cook, wash and do all other household chores. Nothing at home happens without her knowledge or without her participation. She is the pillars, roof, walls and doors of the house. She is the one who gives love to all. It is the woman who makes home a sweet place.

Question 2.
Identify the major figure of speech used in the poem and describe its significance.
Answer:
The major figure of speech used in the poem is a metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison where one thing is seen as another. The entire poem is a metaphor because the woman thinks she is the pillars, walls, roof and doors of the house. She is the heat and light of the house. In fact she is the house!

Question 3.
What is the quantum of work done by a woman in the household? Can it be reduced? How?
Answer:
The quantum of work done by a woman is tremendous. She cooks for everyone in the family. She washes the plates, pots and pans. She washes the clothes and irons them and keeps them in the cupboard. She has to clean the house and the yard. She has also to take care of the children’s discipline as well as their education. Indeed, she has a lot to do.

Her work can be reduced in two ways. One way is taking mechanical help by using some modern labour¬saving machines. But, more importantly, her work can be reduced by an understanding husband and loving children. They can lend a helping hand in the various jobs she is doing at home.

Activity I: (Composing lines)

Question 1.
Try writing a few lines on any one of the following topics/themes.
Answer:

Mother’s Love

There is a saying that since God could not be everywhere at the same time, he created mothers. It shows the importance of mothers. Mother is a synonym for love. Their love is unconditional. They expect nothing in return for the love they give you. That is the most important thing about a mother’s love.

Right from a child is formed in the womb, the mother starts loving her baby. Once the baby is born, its entire care is done by the mother. Feeding it, cleaning it, nursing it, making it sleep, making it comfortable – all this is done by the mother. When her child is sick, the mother keeps awake the whole night nursing her child. She knows without her the child will not live and grow comfortably. That is why we see her praying, “God don’t take my life away until my children grow up!” Mother’s love is unique and there is nothing that can be compared to it. What we are today is the result of our mothers’ love.

Activity II (Appreciation)

Question 2.
Keeping in viewthe ideas discussed above, prepare an appreciation of the poem “Any Woman”.
Answer:

Appreciation of the poem

The poem ‘Any Woman’ by Katharine Tynan speaks of the importance of the woman in the family. She is the pillars of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. She is the roof and walls. She is the fire upon the hearth. Without her, the home would be colder than a stone.

The children come to her for love and affection. She is the light of their love. The children could hardly thrive without her support. She is the one who holds the family together. No child wants to get away from the close-knit family group. She is all overthe house, from thefloorto the roof. Nothing happens without her knowledge. She decorates the house and makes the children’s bed cosy and warm.

She also protects the children from all dangers. She is the door that guards against all kinds of troubles and tribulations that come to pester the inmates. At the end of the poem, the woman prays to Jesus to spare her life till her children are properly grown up.

The poem has simple language. The entire poem is an exquisite metaphor. The imagery is great. The woman doing all kinds of jobs and standing guard at the same time make us admire her capabilities. Her love is superb and there is utter unselfishness in her activities. At last we also see the birth of Jesus in the manger. We see the woman standing before Jesus praying to him to let her live till her children grow up. Katharine has painted a fine picture of a devoted mother with words.

The poem is in rhyme. Except in the first stanza, the rhyme scheme is abab.

Activity III (Comparison)

Question 3.
You are aware of the pivotal role of a woman, especially the mother at home. There are occasions when her self-effacing love is painfully missing, when the prayer Take me not till the children’ has not been realized.
Answer:
Now, read the poem ‘The Toys’ by Coventry Patmore :

Meaning of The Poem :
In the poem a father is talking :

Lines 1 – 6: My little Son …. being dead.

My little son looked at me with thoughtful eyes. He moved and spoke as if he had grown up. He had disobeyed my instructions 7 times and so I beat him. I sent him away with hard words. I did not kiss him when he went to bed. His mother was a patient woman, but she is dead.

Lines 7 – 11: Then sobbing wet.

Thinking that his sorrow at my beating him and scolding him might prevent him from sleeping, I went to his bed. I found him in a deep sleep. But his eyelids were dark and his lashes were wet because of his earlier crying.

Lines 12 – 22: And I, …. sad heart.

I felt very sad at his condition and I too wept. I kissed away his tears but left my tears on his cheek. On a table near his head he had kept within his reach a box of counters (metal or plastic pieces), a stone with red lines, a piece of glass abraded (worn or rubbed by the sand on the beach) and six or seven shells, a bottle with bluebells (flowers) and two French copper coins which were arranged in an artistic manner. He had kept all these to comfort his sad heart.

Lines 23 – 34: When I prayed to God that night, I wept. I spoke to God something like this. When we lie with silent breath, not annoying you as we are dead, you may remember what toys made us happy when we were alive. We did not properly understand the good things you commanded us to do. But you are a much greater and more merciful father than I am, as I am made of clay. You will be not so angry like me when I beat and scolded my son. When you see our disobedience, you will only say, like a kind father, that how sorry you are for our childishness and not punish us harshly.

Answer the following questions. They will add to your comprehension of the poem.

Question 1.
What is the theme of the poem?
Answer:
The theme of the poem is Toys’. But in a deeper way the poem talks about mistakes and their punishments. We human beings tend to punish children when they make some mistakes; when they disobey us. But the poet believes that God will not punish us harshly for our disobedience.

Question 2.
Do you justify th£ father’s action? Why?
Answer:
The father is a human being and it is natural that he gets angry when his orders are disobeyed by his son. The son had disobeyed him seven times. In the circumstances, I justify the father’s action. The father is a loving father and that is why he goes to check if his son is sleeping. A loving father has to punish his son for disobedience, especially when it is repeated.

Question 3.
What is the symbolic significance of the toys?
Answer:
The symbolic significance of the toys is that they represent our pleasures. While children find pleasure in simple toys, grownups find pleasure in some undesirable and sinful acts.

Question 4.
Comment on these lines citing the importance of the mother in the family:
Answer:

• “Take me not till the children grow” (Any Woman)
• “His mother, who was patient, being dead.” (The Toys)

Both the lines signify the.importance of a mother in the house. Mother is the synonym of love. A child without a mother does not develop properly and that is why the mother in ‘Any Woman’ prays to God to spare her life till her children grow up. In the second example, we see how the son is beaten and scolded by the angry father. The boy’s mother would not have done it because she was patient. Both poems stress the importance of a mother in the family, especially for the welfare of the children. She is the backbone which keeps everything tidy and neat and makes everybody comfortable and happy.

Question 5.
Now, compare the poem with ‘Any Woman’ and prepare a review focusing on the themes and their significance.
Answer:
The poem ‘Any Woman’ by Katharine Tynan speaks of the importance of the woman in the family. She is the pillars of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. She is the roof and walls. She is the fire upon the hearth. Without her, the home would be colder than a stone. The children come to her for love and affection. She is the light of their love. The children could hardly thrive without her support. She is the one who holds the family together. No child wants to get away from the close-knit family group. She is all overthe house, from the floor to the roof. Nothing happens without her knowledge. She decorates the house and makes the children’s bed cosy and warm. She also protects the children from all dangers. She is the door that guards against all kinds of troubles and tribulations that come to pester the inmates. At the end of the poem, the woman prays to Jesus to spare her life till her children are properly grown up.

The poem has simple language. The entire poem is an exquisite metaphor. The imagery is great. The poem is in rhyme. Except in the first stanza, the rhyme scheme is abab.

The poem ’The Toys’ is different from ‘Any Woman’. Here the plight of a boy, whose mother is dead is depicted. The boy disobeys the father and he loses patience and beats up his won. He sent him away with hard words. He did not kiss him when the boy went to bed. The boy’s mother was a patient woman, but she is no more. Thinking that the sorrow at his beating his son and scolding him might prevent him from sleeping, the father goes to the boy’s bed. He found him in a deep sleep. But the eyelids were dark and his lashes were wet because of his earlier crying.

The father feels very sad at his condition and he too weeps. He kissed away the tears from the boy’s cheeks but left his tears there instead. On a table nearthe boy’s head he had kept within his reach a box of counters, a stone with red lines, a piece of glass worn by the sand on the beach and six or seven shells, a bottle with bluebells and two French copper coins. He had kept all these to comfort his sad heart. When the man prayed to God that night, he wept. He requested God to forgive his disobedience and not to punish him forthe sins he had committed in his life. He punished the boy for disobedience because he is made of clay. But God can forgive because God is love and not made of clay.

The poem uses simple language. It has fine imagery. The boy sleeping with dark eyelids and wet lashes, surrounded by toys, is an exquisite picture. The poem is in rhyme. In the first 6 lines the rhyme is aabbbb.

Between the two poems, I prefer ‘Any Woman’ as it has made a greater impression on me.

III. Read And Reflect

Question 1.
“There are two ways of spreading light…

Question 2.
To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.”

Question 3.
Women should choose between being a candle or a mirror, and work for their own emancipation as well as that of the generations to come.

Any Woman (Poem) Edumate Questions and Answers

Question 1.
The poem ‘Any Woman’ ends with the prayer Take me not till the children grow!’ Analyse this line in the Indian context where women sacrifice their lives for their children. Write a paragraph on the unfailing love of mothers, in about 100 words.
Answer:
It is often said that since God could not be everywhere at the same time, he created mothers. This is more so in the case of an Indian mother. In the Indian context, a mother lives and dies for her child. ‘Any Woman’ ends with the prayer “Take me not till the children grow!”. The mother is praying like that not because she is afraid of death or because she wants to live long but to ensure that her children are grown up and they can stand up and face the world. The Indian woman will go to any extent to ensure the safety and welfare of her child.

Question 2.
Read the poem given below and write a note of appreciation comparing it with ‘Any Woman’ with reference to its theme, tone, rhyme scheme etc.

What Women Wanted
Long before your grandma was young
Women’s freedom was a song not yet sung
Men mostly said that women didn’t get it
If you gave them a job they just forget it
They said a woman’s job was cleaning house
And staying quiet as a nurse
But many women said we want more
We like our homes, but we want more than chores
We want the right to earn real pay
We work just as hard as men each day
And more than anything, please note
We want to have the right to vote
And after the matches and protests were done
All of that is just what they won
– (Anonymous)
Answer:
The anonymous poem ‘What Women Wanted” speaks about the needs of women and what they were able to achieve after all the marches and protests. Long ago there was no freedom for women. The men said that a woman’s job is cleaning the house and looking after the children. But women wanted more. They wanted to get pay and they wanted to vote. They were able to get these things after a lot of struggle.

The poem ‘Any Woman’ by Katharine Tynan speaks of the importance of the woman in the family. She is the pillar of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. She is the roof and walls. She is the fire upon the hearth. The children come to her for love and affection. She holds the family together. She is everywhere in the house – from floor to roof. She protects the children from all dangers. At the end, the woman prays to Jesus to spare her life till the children are grown up.

Both poems are in simple language. “What Women Wanted” stresses their rights whereas ‘Any Woman’ emphasizes the duties of a woman. The tone of “What Women Wanted” is playful and humorous whereas the other poem has a serious and sincere tone. The imagery in both the poems is good. Both poems have made use of metaphors. Both poems are in rhyme. The rhyming scheme in ‘Any Woman’ is abab except in the first stanza. In the other poem the rhyming scheme is aabb. Between the two poems, I prefer ‘Any Woman’ as it talks of the real feelings of a devoted mother.

Question 3
Read the poem ‘Sad Women’ by Daria Domitrovic and write a note of appreciation comparing and contrasting itwith’the poem ‘Any Woman’.

Sad Women
Sad women always get up
To make breakfast for their children,
To tell him, “have a nice day”
And women go to work and always do their best,
They make lunch and always sit last,
Sad women buy groceries on the way home,
Make phone calls to hear someone’s voice,
They are faithful to their promises.
Sad women take upon other’s grief
Sad women comfort others and say “everything will be okay”,
They don’t let their sadness to come out,
Sad women don’t have time to be sad,
Sad women cry when lights go out.
Answer:
Daria Domitrovic’s ‘Sad Women’ gives a beautiful portrayal of sad women who do not show their sadness in the open. They are destined for a hard life. They get up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for their children and to wish their husbands a happy day ahead. They then go to work and do their best. They make lunch but they are the ones who eat last. They make the purchases for home. They make phone calls and keep their promises. They empathise with others in their grief and comfort them. They never show their pain as they have no time to show it. But they cry in the nights when the lights are out and nobody sees them.

The poem ‘Any Woman’ by Katharine Tynan speaks of the importance of the woman in the family. She is the pillars of the house. She is the keystone of the arch. She is the roof and walls. She is the fire upon the hearth. The children come to her for love and affection. She holds the family together. She is everywhere in the house – from floor to roof. She protects the children from all dangers. At the end, the woman prays to Jesus to spare her life till the children are grown up.

Both poems are easy to understand. ‘Sad Women’ emphasizes the chores of a woman and how she suffers. But “Any Woman” is happy to do her duties and she does not complain. The imagery in both the poems is very powerful. The tone of “Sad Women” is that of sadness and complaint. But the tone in Any Woman is that of love and sincerity. ‘Any Woman’ is in rhyme and the rhyming scheme is abab except in the first stanza. The rhyming scheme in the other poems is erratic, although we can trace some rhyme in the last stanza of the poem. There the scheme is abbcdc. Between the two poems, I prefer ‘Any Woman’ as it talks of the real feelings of a devoted, non-complaining mother.

Question 4.
The speaker in ‘Any Woman’ is proud as a homemaker. Do you think the present day women are as proud as the mother in ‘Any Woman’? Write your opinion in a paragraph of about 150 words.
Answer:
The speaker in ‘Any Woman’ is proud as a homemaker. But I do not think the present day women are as proud as the mother in ‘Any Woman’. The present day mothers are not so sincere as the mother in the poem. I have often heard mothers complaining about their chores in their homes. Many of them do the work at home because they have no other way! They complain of disobedient and careless children and their unhelpful and domineering husbands who do not help them in their household chores. The sincerity shown by the mother in ‘Any Woman’ cannot be seen, in my opinion, in the modem women who would like to spend a lot of their time watching serials or spending time in their Women’s Clubs. Generally speaking, the attitude of women has changed!

Question 5.
Read the following lines and answer the questions given below:
‘Thou whom a woman laid in a manger, Take me not till the children grow!’
(a) Who is the ‘thou’ referred to here?
(b) What is the incident referred to?
(c) What is the mother’s prayer?
Answer:
(a) Jesus Christ.
(b) The birth of Jesus.
(c) The mother’s prayer is that she shouldn’t die until her children grow.

Question 6.
Read the following lines from the poem ‘Any Woman’ and answer the questions given below.
‘I am the fire upon the hearth I am the light of the good sun,
I am the heat that warms the earth …
(a) Identify the figure of speech employed in the above lines.
(b) Comment on the effectiveness of the figure of speech in conveying the idea.
Answer:
(a) The figure of speech employed here is a metaphor,
(b) A metaphor is a figure of speech like a simile where two things are compared. In a simile, we say one thing is like the other. But in a metaphor, we may one thing is the other. Thus “Chitra sings like a cuckoo” is a simile. But when we say “Chitra is a cuckoo in singing”, it is a metaphor. In the poemih§ mother speaks of herself as the fire of the hearth, the tight of the good sun, and the heat that warms the earth. They are beautiful metaphors and show the importance of the mother in a house.

Any Woman About The Author

– Katherine Tynan

Katherine Tynan (1859-1931) is an Irish poet and novelist. She has written more than 20 novels and 7 books of poetry. Her human sympathy is keen, tender, warm and constant. The poem ‘Any Woman’ shows that the woman is the soul and heart of the home.

Any Woman Summary in English

Stanza 1: I am the pillars of the house. I am the keystone of the arch. If you take me away, the roof and wall will fall down and ruin me completely.

Stanza 2: I am the fire upon the hearth. I am the light of the sun. I am the heat that warms the earth. Without me the earth will be colder than a stone.

Stanza 3: The children get their warmth from me. I am the light of their love. Without me the hearthstone will be cold and the children will not thrive.

Stanza 4: I hold the children together in the love ring of the home. We are tied together with the knots of love. They would not like to break the thread and go away wandering.

Stanza 5: I am the bouse from floor to roof. I am the walls and the board. I am the one who opens and closes the curtains. I am the one filling the bed of the children with down (soft hair of animals) and cover them with leather.

Stanza 6: I am the wall that protects them against all kinds of dangers. I prevent dangerous winds and snow from harming my children. Lord Jesus, whom Mary delivered in the manger, please keep me alive till my children are grown up.

Any Woman Summary in Malayalam

Any Woman Glossary

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 1 Flights of Freedom Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook Flights of Freedom Questions and Answers Unit 1

“I am no bird and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will”.

– Charlotte Bronte

About The Unit

There is an increasing realization and recognition that empowering women is an urgent need of the hour. In most countries, including India, social reformers and leaders have been doing a lot towards empowering women. Still, we have a lot more to do. In this unit, we see how education, determination, and courage help women break the chains of socio-cultural limitations. The Unit has a speech by Christine Lagarde, the first woman Finance Minister of France, a poem by Katharine Tynan, a story by Ashapurna Debi, and an anecdote by Sudha Murty.

Let’s Begin

• Look at the collage given below.
• Identify the personalities and the fields they are related to.
• What are they famous for?

Think And Discuss

Question 1.
Have you ever thought about the various roles taken by women in their homes and outside?
Answer:
Yes, I have. Women play major roles in their homes and also outside. India had a woman Prime Minister and a woman President. Currently, the President of the Indian National Congress is a woman. Women are working in the army, in the air force, and in the navy. They are piloting planes and making space flights. We will never forget Kalpana Chawla, the darling daughter of India who died in the Apollo 13 crash. Nowadays we don’t call women who do not go for outside jobs as housewives but as homemakers. In fact, they are not only homemakers but nation makers.

Question 2.
What are the challenges faced by women today?
Answer:
Women face many challenges today. They have less freedom than men. They are often discriminated against in education, job opportunities, and some other rights. Our society is male-dominated where women are considered second-class citizens. They don’t get equal pay with men even when they do similar jobs. To get married they have to pay dowries.

Question 3.
Are women equipped to meet those challenges?
Answer:
They are getting equipped as they get a better education and better job opportunities. Many measures are taken by the government to empower women. Things like dowries and female foeticide are forbidden by law. Hopefully, women will get their rightful places in the society in the very near future.

Read And Reflect

Emancipation and the empowerment of women is of prime importance in every society. In our country, we have achieved a partial success. But we have a long way to go. What should we do to achieve this goal? The speech below gives the requisites of women empowerment.

Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 1 Chapter 1 The 3Ls of Empowerment Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.

Kerala Plus Two English Textbook The 3Ls of Empowerment Questions and Answers Unit 1 Chapter 1 (Speech)

The 3Ls of Empowerment (Speech) Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What are the three essential factors for empowerment?
Answer:
The three essential factors for empowerment are Learning, Labour and Leadership. Together they are called the 3Ls.

Question 2.
What is the role of learning in empowering women?
Answer:
Education is the foundation on which any change is built. Learning helps women to help themselves and break free of the chains with which they are bound.

Question 3.
How can we promote more opportunities for women in the workplace?
Answer:
Women can be given more opportunities in the work place by changing some of our laws to ensure that property and inheritance laws do not discriminate against women. Education and healthcare for women should be encouraged. Women should be given more credit facilities so that women can get greater economic independence.

Think And Write

Question 1.
The role of educated, empowered women in building a strong nation.
Answer:
Educated and empowered women have a big role to play in building a strong nation. India has a population of 1.3 billion of which nearly half are women. If these women are not given their rights and if they do not carry out their economic responsibilities how can we hope to grow and prosper? There should be gender equality between man and woman so that India too can become a developed nation.

Question 2.
The role of learning, labour and leadership skills in making a woman liberated.
Answer:
The 3 Ls are important in liberating a woman. Education makes her conscious of her rights and responsibilities. Labour helps her to earn money and also contribute to the economic development of the nation. Women are sometimes better leaders because they tend to make decisions based on consensus-building, inclusion, compassion and sustainability. Men tend to be rash, whereas women are supposed to be more sober.

Question 3.
Women should step outside their ‘comfort zones’. Discuss.
Answer:
Women should certainly step outside their comfort zone if they have to get their rightful place in the society. Most women, especially Indian women, feel safe and comfortable within the four walls of their home. Even when they take up jobs they prefer to do safe jobs like teaching, nursing and clerical jobs. They are afraid to take up more challenging jobs because they are afraid of failure. They think if they take up jobs and do things that are usually done by men they will be called ‘men’ and they don’t relish it. So they remain in their comfort zones, denying themselves the opportunity to grow to their potential.

Question 4.
Women sometimes lack the confidence to match their competence. Comment on the statement.
Answer:
It is true that many women are competent but they often lack confidence. They are afraid of failure. We have seen women like Golda Meir of Israel, Margaret Thatcher of Britain, Sirimao Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka and Indira Gandhi of India. They were all more manly than men! They were iron ladies who had the courage to do things the way they thought right. But most ladies lack such confidence. They prefer to stay at home, looking after their husbands and children. Their mindset has to change. They should feel that they are in no way inferior to men. There is a popular African saying: “What a man can do, a woman can do better!” Let them believe in it and then they will see the difference.

Question 5.
How can we build self-confidence in women?
Answer:
We can build self-confidence in women by letting them do things on their own, without being advised and guided. They should be made to read the biographies of women like Golda Meir of Israel, Margaret Thatcher of Britain, Sirimao Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka and Indira Gandhi of India. They should also read about Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and our own Kalpana Chawla. All religious books contain stories about courageous and powerful women. The idea that men and women are equal should be drilled into their minds. Entrust them with responsible jobs.

Activity I (Speech)

Question 6.
Can speeches make an impact on the human mind?
Answer:
Speeches can definitely make an impact on the human mind. We see how great men influenced their people with powerful speeches. Our own Subhash Chandra Bose said, “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”. Many people joined the INA (Indian National Army) because of his speeches. We know how Winston Churchill influenced his countrymen during the Second World War with his ‘Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat’ speech on 13 May 1940. When he was elected the Prime Minister he told the cabinet: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Kennedy influenced the American youth and indeed the youth all over the world with his famous inaugural address on 20 January 1961. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” Speeches do influence us. Some of our political leaders are good speakers and that is why they are in leadership positions.

Question 7.
Why do we make speeches?
Answer:
We make speeches to make our listeners follow our ideas and ideologies. Through speeches we let others know what we think is right. Religious leaders make the believers follow their religion through speeches, known as sermons. Political leaders constantly make speeches to retain their following and to prove that their policies and programmes are the best. To be successful in public we ought to master the art of speech-making. Oratorical skills are essential for leaders to make an impact on people. Sometimes, it may sound paradoxical, but words often speak louder than actions!

Read the speeches given on page 11 and 12:

Question 8.
Do you remember any such famous speech?
Answer:
Yes, I do. The speech made by John F. Kennedy on his Inauguration as the 35th President of the United States.

If so, provide the following details:

• Who delivered it: John F. Kennedy
• What was the occasion : His Inauguration as the President
• When was it delivered: On 20 January 1961
• What was the purpose of his speech: To influence the youth, of America
• Who were the audience: Mainly the House of Representatives and the US Congress. But the entire America, and in fact the whole world, listened.
• How was it presented? With powerful voice, apt gesticulations and other oratorical flourishes.

Question 9.
Christine Lagarde suggests various means of empowering women. She persuasively insists on the idea that women should think and act independently. Keeping this in mind; prepare a script of a persuasive speech on the topic ‘Education is the Key to Women Empowerment’ to be delivered at the school assembly on International Women’s Day (March 8).
Answer:
Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear students, As all of you know, today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. All over the world, the day is observed to ensure that women have an equal share in the developmental activities. In many parts of the world women are still considered second class citizens. India is one of the countries where women suffer most because of discriminations. We still have the dowry system. Female foeticide is common. Although these are prohibited by law, they still go on in our society.

The life of an Indian woman, generally speaking, is a series of slaveries. Until she is married, she is a slave of her father; when she is married she is a slave of her husband and when the husband dies she becomes the slave of her son with whom she chooses to stay. It is usual that husbands die before their wives because they marry women much younger to them. This situation has to change and this can be done by 3 Ls – Learning, Labour and Leadership – as shown by Christine Lagarde, who was first woman Finance Minister of France.

Learning helps the woman to know about her rights and duties. Labour or employment gives her the economic power to assert herself. A woman without any income has to depend on her father, husband or son for her needs. Leadership makes the woman powerful. She should be able to lead so that the world becomes a better place to live in. Lagarde says women make better leaders than men. Women tend to make decisions based on consensus-building, inclusion, compassion and sustainability.

It is true that sometimes women lack the confidence to match their competence. They have to change their mindset. They should be ready to “dare the difference”, to take risk and step outside their comfort zones. Indira Gandhi and Kalpana Chawla .came out of their comfort zones and that is why we respect them and remember them almost every day.

I, therefore, ask the girls assembled here to take charge of their lives. You have a lot to gain and nothing to lose by trying to make yourself equal to men.

I wish you success in your endeavours!

II. READ AND ENJOY

Question 1.
What is your concept of freedom? When does a person enjoy real freedom?

Question 2.
Do women enjoy real freedom?

Question 3.
Women support a family, but are they really supported by the family?

Question 4.
Do women share equal status with men?

The 3Ls of Empowerment (Speech) Edumate Questions and Answers

Question 1
In her speech The 3Ls of Empowerment’, Christine Lagarde speaks about the importance of learning in empowering women. Do Indian women get an equal space in the society? Write a paragraph of about 100 words on the social, cultural and economic status of Indian women.
Answer:
Christine Lagarde is quite right in saying that in empowering women, learning has great importance. In the Indian society, women do not have equality with men in many areas. Although the Constitution of India ensures equality of women in all aspects of life, in practice that equality remains on paper. In the social, economic and cultural status, women are inferior to men. Even now there is the dowry system. When a man marries he gets not only a wife, but also a lot of money which is called by euphemistic terms like share, pocket money or gift. But the fact of the matter is women won’t get married unless they pay huge dowries to men. Culturally a woman is discriminated against. She is refused entry in many places, even in some places of worship just because she is a woman. There is also economic discrimination. If a man gets Rs. 800 as his daily wages, a woman is paid only Rs. 400, although she may do more work than a man. Look at the Ministries in the Centre and the States. How many women ministers are there? Look at the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies. How many women representatives are there? We find in India equality of women is only on paper and to change this, learning has a major role to play.

Question 2.
Imagine that your Residents’ Association is organising a celebration on Women’s Day. As the secretary of the Youth Wing of the Association, you are asked to deliver a speech on the Role of Women in the Family and Society. Draft the speech in the light of your reading of “The 3Ls of Empowerment’ and any Woman’.
Answer:
Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear students, As all of you know, today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. All over the world, the day is observed to ensure that women have an equal share in the developmental activities. In many parts of the world, women are still considered second class citizens. India is one of the countries where women suffer most because of discriminations. We still have the dowry system. Female foeticide is common. Although these are prohibited by law, they still go on in our society. The life of an Indian woman, generally speaking, is a series of slaveries. Until she is married, she is a slave of her father; when she is married she is a slave of her husband and when the husband dies she becomes the slave of her son with whom she chooses to stay. It is usual that husbands die before their wives because they marry women much younger to them. This situation has to change and this can be done by 3 Ls – Learning, Labour and Leadership – as shown by Christine Lagarde, who was first woman Finance Minister of France.

Learning helps the woman to know about her rights and duties. Labour or employment gives her the economic power to assert herself. A woman without any income has to depend on her father, husband or son for her needs. Leadership makes the woman powerful. She should be able to lead so that the world becomes a better place to live in. Lagarde says women make better leaders than men. Women tend to make decisions based on consensus-building, inclusion, compassion and sustainability.

It is true that sometimes women lack the confidence to match their competence. They have to change their mindset. They should be ready to “dare the difference”, to take risk and step outside their comfort zones. Indira Gandhi and Kalpana Chawla came out of their comfort zones and that is why we respect them and remember them almost every day.

I, therefore, ask the girls assembled here to take charge of their lives. You have a lot to gain and nothing to lose by trying to make yourself equal to men.

I wish you success in your endeavours!

Question 3.
You are a regular commuter in city buses. You have noticed that the seats reserved for women are usually occupied by men. The conductor of the bus does not respond to your complaints and you decide to report it to the station master. Draft a letter of complaint.
Answer:
CIassXII
St. Jude’s HSS,
Chalakudy
7 July 20178

The Station Master
City Bus Service
Chalakudy

Sir,
Sub: Seats Reserved for Women in the City Buses

I am a regular traveller in the city buses. As a woman, I find it quite irritating to see men occupying the seats meant for women, while women are standing. The other day I saw a pregnant woman and an old lady standing in the bus, while the seats reserved for women were occupied by some very impolite and rude male passengers. I requested the conductor of the bus to ask the illegal occupants to vacate the seats but the conductor told me that he would be abused or even beaten by the men. I think this is a gross violation of the law by the male passengers. Please ensure that the seats reserved for women are made available to them when they are travelling in the bus.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

Sd /-
(Nelly Jose)

Question 4.
The Ayalkkoottam unit in your locality is opening a canteen for wayfarers and locals. Imagine that you are a journalist and you wish to prepare a feature on how such initiatives boost the self-confidence of women.
Answer:

Opening Of Vanitha Canteen Near Athani Junction

The Ayalkkoottam Unit of Athani is planning to open a Vanitha Canteen for wayfarers and locals very close to the Athani Junction, on the NH 47. The Canteen will be managed by a Committee consisting of only women. The primary aim of opening the Canteen is building self-confidence among women to undertake new initiatives. It will also bring in financial benefits to the Ayalkkootam for planning and executing other welfare services in the locality. Since Athani is a busy junction, close to the Kochi Airport, the Canteen is expected to have a lot of customers. Since the prices are below what is charged by similar places run by private persons, it is expected that Canteen will prove a success.

If you are near the airport for any reason you may visit this Canteen and have nice meals or snacks at quite reasonable prices. The authorities say customers can expect excellent personalized service in their Canteen.

Question 5.
Your friend Raj drafted the following notice for a debate to be conducted by the Social Science Club. But it has some errors. Edit it.

Dear friends,
The Social Science Club of our school has organising a debate in the topic ‘Women are born to do what men cannot do’ on’21.08.2Q17. The programme will inaugurate by Dr. Prasanna who fights for women’s rights. We shall be thankful if you could kindly register your names at least by 18.8.2017.

Sd /-
Convenor
Social Science Club
Answer:
Dear Friends,
The Social Science Club of our school is organizing a debate on the topic “Women are born to do what men cannot do’ on 21.8.2017. The programme will be inaugurated by Dr. Prasanna who fights for women’s rights. We shall be thankful if you could kindly register your names at least by 18.8.2017.

Sd/-
Convenor
Social Science Club

Question 6.
A popular television channel is telecasting a panel discussion on ‘The Need for women Empowerment’. If you are one of the panellists, how will you introduce the topic? Attempt it in about 150 words.
Answer:
The Need for Women Empowerment Empowering women is an urgent need of the day, especially in our society. In the Indian society, women do not have equality with men in many areas. Although the Constitution of India ensures equality of women in all aspects of life, in practice that equality remains on paper. In the social, economic and cultural status, women are considered inferior to men. Even now there is the dowry system. When a man marries he not only gets a wife, but he also gets a lot of money or ornaments. Many women don’t get married because they have no money to pay huge dowries to men. Culturally a woman is discriminated against. She is refused entry in many places, even in places of worship just because she is a woman. There is also economic discrimination. If a man gets Rs. 800 as his daily wages, a woman is paid only Rs. 400, although she may do more work than a man. Look at the Ministries in the Centre and the States. How many women ministers are there? Look at the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies. How many women representatives are there? We find in India equality of women is only on paper. Therefore the empowerment of women is very essential.

Question7.
The following is an article on the importance of girl child in our society. Complete the paragraph using appropriate adjectives. .
Education of the girl child is a ……….. (a) ……….. (disturbing/distracting/ discussing) question when we analyse the situation in certain rural areas of our country. A girl child is often seen as a ……….. (b) ……….. (big/ negligible /grand) burden by many families in rural areas. The government is trying its best to bring to the fore, the ……….. (c) ……….. (lighter/brighter/tighter) side of learning, especially in the case of the girl child. However, it is the parents who should realise that a girl child is a ……….. (d) ……….. (deliberate/ dedicated/ divine) gift and should be properly taken care of.
Answer:
(a) disturbing,
(b) big,
(c) brighter,
(d) divine

Question 8.
Given below is an excerpt of an article that appeared in a prominent daily newspaper. There are certain errors in the passage given below. Edit them.

The more disturbing fact about the plight of women in India is that the merits of learning and labour are not enjoyed by all. The deepest our analysis, the clearer the picture becomes. Rural women are lesser ill focus when we study the impact of education among women. The great trouble is that it is realty hard to bring the rural, semi-rural, urban and semi-urban women under the same umbrella.
Answer:
The most disturbing fact about the plight of women in India is that the merits of learning and labour are not enjoyed by all. The deeper our analysis, the clearer the picture becomes. Rural women are less in focus when we study the impact of education among women. The greatest trouble is that it is really hard to bring the rural, semi-rural, urban and semi-urban women under the same umbrella.

Question 9.
A debate was conducted by the English Club of your school on the topic ‘Women are not bom to do everything a man can’. As a member of the group that supports the topic, write a short paragraph expressing your arguments in favour of the topic. There should be at least four points in your argument. You may use expressions like ‘I agree … ,”1 don’t agree…’ etc.
Answer:
I quite agree with the idea that “Women are not born to do everything a man can”. I may sound a male chauvinist when I say like that. But look at the facts impartially and decide if a woman can do everything a man can do. Can a woman run as fast as a man? Can a woman lift as much weight as a man can? Can a woman jump as high as a man jumps? Look at the world of science and technology. If you ask people to name some great women inventors they may immediately gome up with the name of Marie Curie and then they will struggle to find a second inventor. But we have hundreds of male inventors. Ask the ladies to name a few literary giants like Shakespeare, Milton, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Dickens and so on. Of course they will come up with some names like Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. But can we really compare their works with those of the men? Now ask for great painters among women. Do they have any Raphael, Michael Angelo or Pablo Picasso? Do they have any female composer to match Mozart or Beethoven? So I feel that women can’t do everything that men can do!

Question 10.
Imagine that a leading activist for women’s rights is visiting your school. You are one of the students who got an opportunity to interact with her. Frame four questions on the need of women empowerment that you wish to ask.
Answer:
Madam, do you think women empowerment is really possible?
What is the greatest obstacle you find in women empowerment?
Do you think women themselves are against women empowerment because in many families mothers prefer their sons to their daughters?
We have heard that the 3 L’s for women empowerment are Learning, Labour and Leadership. Are they enough?

The 3LS of Empowerment About The Author

– Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde was born in Paris on 1.1.1956. She is the first woman to become the Finance Minister of G-8 economy and to head the International Monetary Fund. She advocates 3 Ls for women empowerment. This speech was made on 19 May 2014 at the National Democratic Institute, Washington DC.

The 3LS of Empowerment Summary in English

Good Afternoon!

It is great to be among friends and kindred spirits.

The 21st century poses many challenges that require new ways of thinking. None of them is more important than the economic role of women in a quickly changing world. But women today remain blocked from contributing their true potential. This has a huge cost. In some countries, the per capita income is very low because women are not given equal opportunity. They are half the world’s population. But their economic contribution is far less than 50%. We have to change this situation. For empowering women, I suggest three Ls – Learning, Labour and Leadership.

Education is the foundation on which any change is built. Learning helps women to help themselves and break free of the chains with which they are bound. This is more necessary in the developing world. In Africa, there is a common saying: “If you educate a boy, you train a man. If you educate a girl, you train a village.”

Labour is the second step. Labour helps women to flourish and achieve their true potential. Unfortunately today, even when women work, they are often limited to jobs where the pay, status and security are low. Globally, women earn only % as much as men, even when they have similar education and similar jobs. One of our important ideas should be “equal pay for equal work”. Researches show that removing the gender inequality in economic participation can bring an increase in the per capita income.

Women can be given more opportunities in the work place. There is a need to change our laws to ensure that property and inheritance laws do not discriminate against women. Education and healthcare for women should be encouraged. Women should be given more credit facilities so that they can get greater economic independence.

The 3rd L is leadership. It enables women to rise and fulfil their inborn abilities and talents. A lot can be done here. Sometimes women make better leaders than men. Women tend to make decisions based on consensus building, inclusion, compassion and sustainability. It is true that sometimes women lack the confidence to match their competence. They have to change their mindset. They should be ready to “dare the difference”, to take risk and step outside their comfort zones. But they face a lot of barriers. These barriers are seen even when we talk about giving primary education for girls in a village orgiving executive positions to women in business.

It is time to create a world where all women can grow to their potential. The world will reap the benefits. The three Ls will help us to get there.

If we dare the difference, the difference will deliver.

The 3LS of Empowerment Summary in Malayalam

The 3LS of Empowerment Glossary

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.