Write an article in 100 – 120 words on ‘A library is good for all — the old and young’. You are P.V. Prabhu/Prabha. Use the following clues:

•best place in the school

•reference books, help books, newspapers, etc.

•don’t have to buy expensive ones

•books to relax - novels, plays, etc.

•books - treasure of knowledge

•spend leisure hours

Read the passage below.

1. During our growing up years we as children were taught __ both at home and school __ to worship the photos and idols of the Gods of our respective religions. When we grew a little older, we were to read holy books like the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran; we were told that there are a lot of life lessons to be learnt from these holy books. We were then introduced to stories from our mythologies which taught us about ethics and morality __ what is good and what is bad. I also learnt to be respectful towards my parents who made my life comfortable with their hard work and love and care, and my teachers who guided me to become a good student and a responsible citizen.

2. Much later in life, I realised that though we learn much from our respective holy books, there is a lot to learn from our surroundings. This realisation dawned upon me when I learnt to enquire and explore. Everything around us __ the sun, the moon, the stars, rain, rivers, stones, rocks, birds, plants and animals __ teach us many valuable life lessons.

3. No wonder that besides the scriptures, in many cultures nature is also worshipped. The message that we get is to save our environment and maintain ecological balance. People are taught to live in harmony with nature and recognise that there is God in all aspects of nature.

4. Nature is a great teacher. A river never stops flowing. If it finds an obstacle in its way in the form of a heavy rock, the river water fights to remove it from its path or finds an alternative path to move ahead. This teaches us to be progressive in life, and keep the fighting spirit alive.

5. Snakes are worshipped as they eat insects in the field that can hurt our crops, thus protecting the grains for us. In fact, whatever we worship is our helper and makes our lives easy for us. There are many such examples in nature, but we are not ready to learn a lesson. Overcome with greed, we are destroying nature. As a result, we face natural disasters like droughts, floods and landslides. We don’t know that nature is angry with us.

6. However, it is never too late to learn. If we learn to respect nature, the quality of our life will improve.

2.1 Answer briefly the following questions :

A. What are we taught in our childhood and growing up years ?

B. Why should we respect our parents and teachers ?

C. What message do we get when we worship nature ?

D. How does a river face an obstacle that comes in its way ?

2.2 Give the meanings of the words given below, as used in the passage, with the help of the options that follow :

(e) guided (Para 1)

(i) answered

(ii) advised

(iii) fought

(iv) polished

(f) explore (Para 2)

(i) search

(ii) frequent

(iii) describe

(iv) request

(g) valuable (Para 2)

(i) proper

(ii) desirable

(iii) available

(iv) useful

(h) harmony (Para 3)

(i) beauty

(ii) friendship

(iii) discomfort

(iv) honesty

The road that leads to your market is broken and full of potholes. Mosquitoes and flies breed there. Write a letter in 100 – 120 words to the editor of a local newspaper drawing attention of the concerned authorities to get the road repaired. You are P.V. Prabhu/Prabha, 112, Aram Nagar, Delhi. 5

Write a story in 150 – 200 words based on the following outline:

A stag, thirsty — a pool of clear water — reflection — saw his horns — proud of them — his thin legs — ashamed — hunter’s dogs — ran — horns caught in a tree — dogs very near — pulled his horns free — ran for his life — legs saved him.

Complete the story in 150 – 200 words which begins as the following:

It was my fifteenth birthday. My parents were very happy. Some of my class-fellows had agreed to come. ..........