Read the extract and answer the following questions-
Extract:
The girl was given the name ‘Santosh’, which means contentment. But Santosh was not always content with her place in a traditional way of life. She began living life on her own terms from the start. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. Looking back, she says now, “From the very beginning I was quite determined that if I chose a correct and a rational path, the others around me had to change, not me.”
(Reach for the Top)
Question (i)
Which of the following is NOT an antonym for the word "content" in the given context?
- (a) Satisfied
- (b) Discontented
- (c) Unhappy
- (d) Restless
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(a) Satisfied
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- An antonym is a word that has the opposite or nearly the opposite meaning as another word.
- In the given context, the word "content" means happy and satisfied with one's situation or circumstances.
- The words "discontented", "unhappy", and "restless" are antonyms for "content" because they mean dissatisfied or unhappy with one's situation or circumstances, or unable to stay still or calm.
- The word "satisfied" is not an antonym for "content" because it means happy or pleased with something or someone, which is similar to being content.
- Therefore, the correct answer is A. Satisfied.😊
Question (ii)
Why is it fair to say that the narrator's tone, when he says "She began living life on her own terms from the start", is admiring and respectful? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The narrator's tone is admiring and respectful because he praises Santosh's courage and independence in choosing her own way of life, despite the social norms and expectations that she faced.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A tone is the attitude or emotion that a writer conveys through their words and style.
- Admiration is a feeling of respect or approval for someone or something.
- Respect is a feeling of regard or esteem for someone or something.
- In the given sentence, the narrator uses the phrase "on her own terms" to indicate that Santosh made her own decisions and followed her own interests, without being influenced by others.
- He also uses the word "start" to indicate that Santosh was determined and confident from an early age, and did not change her mind or compromise her values.
- He does not show any criticism or judgment towards Santosh, but rather acknowledges her as a remarkable and inspiring person.
- Therefore, it is fair to say that the narrator's tone is admiring and respectful because he praises Santosh's courage and independence in choosing her own way of life, despite the social norms and expectations that she faced.😊
Question (iii)
Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
- (a) A character sketch is a brief description of a character's personality, appearance, and background, usually based on their actions, words, and thoughts.
- (b) A theme statement is a sentence that expresses the main idea or message of a story, usually related to a universal concept or value.
- (c) A plot summary is a concise overview of the main events and actions that take place in a story, usually following a chronological order.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(a) A character sketch
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A character sketch, a theme statement, and a plot summary are all ways of analyzing or presenting information about a story or its elements.
- A character sketch is used to provide a brief description of a character's personality, appearance, and background, usually based on their actions, words, and thoughts. It helps to understand what makes a character unique or interesting.
- A theme statement is used to express the main idea or message of a story, usually related to a universal concept or value. It helps to understand what the story is trying to convey or teach.
- A plot summary is used to provide a concise overview of the main events and actions that take place in a story, usually following a chronological order. It helps to understand what happens in the story and how it develops.
- In the given extract, there is no theme statement because there is no sentence that expresses the main idea or message of the story. The narrator does not relate Santosh's story to any universal concept or value.
- There is no plot summary because there is no overview of the main events and actions that take place in the story. The narrator does not describe what happens in Santosh's life or how it progresses.
- There is a character sketch because there is a brief description of Santosh's personality and background, based on her actions, words, and thoughts. The narrator describes Santosh's name, her dissatisfaction with her traditional way of life, her preference for shorts over dresses, and her determination to choose her own path.
- Therefore, the correct answer is (a) A character sketch.😊
Question (iv)
State TRUE or FALSE.
The narrator is the same person as Santosh in the extract.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
FALSE
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A true or false question is a type of objective question that requires choosing between two options: true or false, based on the given information or statement.
- In order to answer a true or false question correctly, one must read the information or statement carefully and compare it with the facts or evidence from the source.
- In this case, the source is the extract from the chapter "Reach for the Top".
- In the extract, the narrator is the person who tells Santosh's story in the third-person point of view, using pronouns like "she" and "her" to refer to Santosh.
- Santosh is the main character or subject of the story, whose name, personality, and background are described by the narrator in the extract.
- The narrator and Santosh are not the same person, but two different people with different roles in the story.
- Therefore, the correct answer is FALSE. 😊
