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Read the extract and answer the following questions-
Extract:
I was one of many children — a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. We lived in our ancestral house, which was built in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was a fairly large pucca house, made of limestone and brick, on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram. My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries. However, all necessities were provided for, in terms of food, medicine or clothes. In fact, I would say mine was a very secure childhood, both materially and emotionally.
(My Childhood)
Question (i)
Which of the following is NOT an antonym for the word "austere" in the given context?
- (a) Extravagant
- (b) Generous
- (c) Frugal
- (d) Lavish
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(c) Frugal
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 "austere" means strict or severe in manner or attitude, especially in terms of self-discipline or avoiding pleasures.
- The words "extravagant", "generous", and "lavish" are antonyms for "austere" because they mean spending or giving freely or excessively, or having a rich and luxurious quality.
- The word "frugal" is not an antonym for "austere" because it means sparing or economical with regard to money or food, which is similar to being austere.
- Therefore, the correct answer is C. Frugal.👍
Question (ii)
Why is it fair to say that the narrator's tone, when he says "I would say mine was a very secure childhood", is grateful and contented? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The narrator's tone is grateful and contented because he appreciates his father's provision of all necessities and his emotional stability, despite living in a simple and strict household.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A tone is the attitude or emotion that a writer conveys through their words and style.
- Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation for something or someone.
- Contentment is a feeling of satisfaction or happiness with one's situation or circumstances.
- In the given sentence, the narrator uses the phrase " I would say " to express his personal opinion or perspective on his childhood.
- He also uses the word " very " to emphasize the degree of security he felt as a child, both materially and emotionally.
- He does not complain or regret anything about his childhood, but rather acknowledges it as a positive and stable experience.
- Therefore, it is fair to say that the narrator's tone is grateful and contented because he appreciates his father's provision of all necessities and his emotional stability, despite living in a simple and strict household.😊
Question (iii)
Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
- (a) A biography is a written account of someone's life, written by someone else.
- (b) An autobiography is a written account of someone's life, written by themselves.
- (c) A memoir is a written account of someone's personal experiences or memories, usually focused on a specific theme or period.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(b) An autobiography
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A biography, an autobiography, and a memoir are all types of non-fiction writing that deal with someone's life story.
- A biography is written by someone else who has researched and studied the person's life, usually covering their entire life span or major achievements.
- An autobiography is written by the person themselves who has reflected and narrated their own life story, usually covering their entire life span or major events.
- A memoir is written by the person themselves who has selected and shared their personal experiences or memories, usually focused on a specific theme or period that has shaped their identity or perspective.
- In the given extract, the narrator is writing about his own childhood experiences, using the first-person pronoun "I". He is not writing about someone else's life, nor is he writing about a specific theme or period. He is writing about his general childhood situation and circumstances that influenced his personality and outlook.
- Therefore, the correct answer is (b) An autobiography.📚
Question (iv)
If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while using his body language?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
An actor would be required to focus on showing confidence, pride, and nostalgia while using his body language.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- An actor is someone who performs a role in a play, movie, or other form of entertainment.
- Body language is the use of physical movements or gestures to communicate emotions or attitudes.
- In order to enact this extract effectively, an actor would have to use his body language to show how he feels about his childhood and his parents.
- Some possible body language that an actor could use are:
- Standing straight and tall to show confidence and pride in his parents' appearance and his ancestral house.
- Smiling slightly or warmly to show gratitude and contentment with his childhood security and stability.
- Looking back or around to show nostalgia and reminiscence for his childhood memories and experiences.
- Therefore, an actor would be required to focus on showing confidence, pride, and nostalgia while using his body language.😊
