Q2 of 30 Page 26

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

'… and these are the millionfold chorus of life-the magnified echo of his own pleasure in being alive.' (Para 3)


i) What does the author refer to as the 'millionfold chorus of life'?


ii) What do the sounds in nature echo?


iii) Give the adjectival form of 'chorus'.


i) The author refers to the pleasant and soothing sounds of the chirping of birds, the humming of insects and the splashing of sea waves as the ‘millionfold chorus of life’.


ii) The sounds in nature vividly echo the very joy and pleasure of man in being alive. The sounds seem to be in harmony with his breathe and blood, and are thus a reflection of life, which man so cherishes and is grateful for.


iii) The adjectival form of ‘chorus’ is choral.


For example: The moment the band transitioned into choral singing, the crowd went berserk.


More from this chapter

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2

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

'I do not admit that the bee would have been justified in stinging even the human being – who after all, is master of this partially civilized planet.' (Para 1)


i) Who is 'the human being' mentioned here?


ii) Explain the reference to a 'partially civilized planet'?


iii) Why does he describe it as 'partially civilized'?

 2

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

'Luckily, the question does not often arise in practice owing to the fact that the wasp and bee have more or less the same habits of nocturnal rest.' (Para 2)


i) What is the question?


ii) Why does the author use 'luckily' in this context?


iii) Give the meaning of 'nocturnal'.

 2

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

We had the illusion in those days that it was going to last for ever' (Para 3)


i) Identify 'we'. What does 'those days' mean'?


ii) What illusion did they nurse?


iii) Why does he call it an 'illusion'?

 2

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

'The world will always remain to a child the chief toy, and the hum of insects as enhancing as the hum of a musical top' (Para 4)


i) Why is the world the chief toy to a child?


ii) What enchants the child as much as the hum of a musical top?


iii) Give another word for 'enchanting'.