Read the extract and answer the following questions-
Extract:
After school, we went home and told our respective parents about the incident. Lakshmana Sastry summoned the teacher, and in our presence, told the teacher that he should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance in the minds of innocent children. He bluntly asked the teacher to either apologise or quit the school and the island. Not only did the teacher regret his behaviour, but the strong sense of conviction Lakshmana Sastry conveyed ultimately reformed this young teacher.
(My Childhood)
Question (i)
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for the word "summoned" in the given context?
- (a) Called
- (b) Invited
- (c) Ordered
- (d) Dismissed
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(d) Dismissed
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
- In the given context, the word "summoned" means to authoritatively or urgently call someone to be present, especially as a defendant or witness in a law court.
- The words "called", "invited", and "ordered" are synonyms for "summoned" because they also mean to request or demand someone's presence or attention.
- The word "dismissed" is not a synonym for "summoned" because it means to order or allow someone to leave, especially from a law court or a job.
- Therefore, the correct answer is D. Dismissed.👎
Question (ii)
Why is it fair to say that the narrator's tone, when he says "Not only did the teacher regret his behaviour, but the strong sense of conviction Lakshmana Sastry conveyed ultimately reformed this young teacher", is admiring and hopeful? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The narrator's tone is admiring and hopeful because he praises Lakshmana Sastry's courage and influence in confronting and changing the teacher's attitude, and he expresses his optimism for a better future without social inequality and communal intolerance.
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.
- Hope is a feeling of expectation or desire for something good to happen.
- In the given sentence, the narrator uses the phrase " Not only...but " to emphasize the positive outcomes of Lakshmana Sastry's intervention in the incident.
- He also uses words like " regret ", " conviction ", and " reformed " to show how Lakshmana Sastry made the teacher feel sorry for his behaviour and change his views on social inequality and communal intolerance.
- He does not show any anger or resentment towards the teacher, but rather acknowledges him as a young and innocent person who was influenced by Lakshmana Sastry's example.
- Therefore, it is fair to say that the narrator's tone is admiring and hopeful because he praises Lakshmana Sastry's courage and influence in confronting and changing the teacher's attitude, and he expresses his optimism for a better future without social inequality and communal intolerance.😊
Question (iii)
Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
- (a) A conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing forces or characters in a story, which drives the plot and creates tension.
- (b) A resolution is an act of finding an answer or solution to a problem or issue in a story, which usually occurs at the end of the plot and brings closure.
- (c) A climax is a point of highest interest or intensity in a story, which usually occurs near the end of the plot and determines the outcome of the conflict.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(b) A resolution
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- A conflict, a resolution, and a climax are all elements of a plot or structure of a story that shape its development and outcome.
- A conflict is used to create a problem or issue that needs to be solved or overcome by the characters in a story, which usually involves some kind of opposition or challenge.
- A resolution is used to provide an answer or solution to the problem or issue that was created by the conflict in a story, which usually involves some kind of change or improvement.
- A climax is used to present the most important or decisive moment in a story, which usually involves some kind of confrontation or turning point that determines how the conflict will be resolved.
- In the given extract, there is no conflict because there is no struggle or clash between opposing forces or characters. The narrator does not describe any problem or issue that needs to be solved or overcome by him or anyone else.
- There is no climax because there is no point of highest interest or intensity in the extract. The narrator does not describe any confrontation or turning point that determines how anything will be resolved.
- There is a resolution because there is an act of finding an answer or solution to a problem or issue in the extract. The narrator describes how Lakshmana Sastry confronted and changed the teacher's behaviour, which solved the problem of social inequality and communal intolerance that was created by the incident.
- Therefore, the correct answer is (b) A resolution.😊
Question (iv)
If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while using his voice modulation?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
An actor would be required to focus on showing respect, admiration, and relief while using his voice modulation.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- An actor is someone who performs a role in a play, movie, or other form of entertainment.
- Voice modulation is the use of pitch, tone, volume, speed, or accent to express emotions or attitudes through speech.
- In order to enact this extract effectively, an actor would have to use his voice modulation to show how he feels about Lakshmana Sastry and his intervention in the incident.
- Some possible voice modulations that an actor could use are:
- Speaking softly and politely to show respect for Lakshmana Sastry as his father's friend and as an authority figure who summoned and scolded the teacher.
- Speaking warmly and enthusiastically to show admiration for Lakshmana Sastry's courage and conviction in standing up for social justice and equality.
- Speaking calmly and happily to show relief that Lakshmana Sastry's intervention resulted in a positive change in both him and his teacher's views on social issues.
- Therefore, an actor would be required to focus on showing respect, admiration, and relief while using his voice modulation.😊