Seagull’s Fearful Flight.

ENGLISH ACTIVITY SET 1

SECTION II: Textual Passages – 20 marks
Q.2. (A) Read the following passage and complete the activities. (10 Marks)
A1. : State whether the following statements are true or false. (2)
(i) Parents of young seagull guided his brothers and sisters in the art of flying
(ii)The whole family kept taunting young seagull for his cowardice.
(iii) The young seagull mustered up courage to take that plunge.
(iv)The young seagull was with his mother on his ledge.

The young seagull was alone on his ledge. His two brothers and his sister had  already flown away the day before. He had been afraid to fly with them. Somehow when  he had taken a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings  he became afraid. The great expanse of sea stretched down beneath, and it was such a  long way down – miles down. He felt certain that his wings would never support him; so 
he bent his head and ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at 
night. Even when each of his brothers and his little sister, whose wings were far shorter 
than his own, ran to the brink, flapped their wings, and flew away, he failed to muster up 
courage to take that plunge which appeared to hi so desperate. His father and mother had  come around calling to him shrilly, upbraiding him, threatening to let him starve on his  ledge unless he flew away. But for the life of him he could not move.
That was twenty-four hours ago. Since then nobody had come near him. The day 
before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister,  perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive  for fish. He had, in fact, seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it,  standing on a rock, while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the  morning the whole family had walked about on the big plateau midway down the opposite  cliff taunting.

A2. Describe the attempts made by the seagull to fly.

A3. Match the Pairs.

A B
i) Upbraiding a) a high steep face of a rock
ii) Devour b) utter a shrill cry

iii) cliff c) scolding
iv) cackle d) eat

A4. Do as directed.
Choose the correct options for the following:
(i) He could not rise. (Rewrite the sentence using ‘unable to’)
(a) He could unable to rise.
(b) He is unable to rise.
(c) He unable to rise.
(d) He was unable to rise.
(ii) ) He was tired and weak. (Make it exclamatory)
(a) How tired and weak he was!
(b) How tired and weak he was.
(c) What tired and weak he was!
(d) How tired and weak was he! 
A5. Personal Response
What is your favourite bird? Why?

Answers

A1.
(i) Parents of young seagull guided his brothers and sisters in the art of flying . False
(ii)The whole family kept taunting young seagull for his cowardice.False
(iii) The young seagull mustered up courage to take that plunge. True
(iv)The young seagull was with his mother on his ledge.True

A2. The young seagull attempted to fly by taking a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and flapping his wings, but became afraid of the great expanse of sea below. He then ran away back to his sleeping hole. Despite his parents and siblings urging him to fly and upbraiding him for his cowardice, he failed to muster up the courage to take the plunge and fly.

A3.

i)Upbraiding c) scolding

ii) Devour – d) eat
iii) cliff – a) a high steep face of a rock
iv) cackle – b) utter a shrill cry


A4.
(i) (d) He was unable to rise.
(ii) (a) How tired and weak he was!

A5. Any One


Bald Eagle: The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. These birds are known for their distinctive white heads, brown bodies, and hooked beaks. They are powerful predators, with sharp talons and excellent eyesight. Bald eagles can be found throughout North America, near bodies of water where they can hunt for fish.

Peacock: The peacock is a large, colorful bird with an impressive fan of feathers on its tail. Male peacocks use their colorful feathers to attract mates during breeding season. Peacocks are native to India and are often kept in zoos and parks around the world for their beauty and showmanship.

Penguin: Penguins are flightless birds that live in cold climates, primarily in Antarctica. They are known for their black and white feathers, waddling gait, and their ability to swim and dive in the water. Penguins are social birds that often form large colonies for breeding and hunting.

Hummingbird: Hummingbirds are tiny birds known for their ability to hover in mid-air and their rapid wing beats. They are found only in the Americas, and many species migrate long distances each year. Hummingbirds are important pollinators and are often attracted to gardens and feeders filled with nectar.

ENGLISH ACTIVITY SET 2

SECTION II: Textual Passages – 20 marks
Q. 2 (A) Read the following passage and do the activities. (10 Marks)
A1) Write whether you ‘Agree’ or ‘Disagree’ with the statements: (2)
i) To accomplish goals, experts recommend a ten step approach.
ii) The champions have to have the skill and the will.
iii) For anyone, setting goal is not easy but challenging.
iv) If we do not take actions to achieve goals, we shall not achieve them.
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have
deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will.
But the will must be stronger than the skill. Successful professionals thrive in the same
manner. We all have natural talents. If we use that talent to set our goal in life, we can
easily get success in life. We shall not achieve our goals if we
do not take action to achieve them.
Setting goals has two valuable assets – a sense of originality and a stepping stone to
illuminate the path. Goals put one at the helm of life; pursuing them acknowledges a
better future situation. They help to steer a course of life rather than simply drifting along
and letting things happen.
Setting goals may appear easy, but, for some, it is quite challenging. Fear of failure may
be avoided in the absence of any goals. After all, one has to decide what one wants to
achieve in the end. To accomplish goals, experts recommend a five step
approach.
A2) Complete the following web: 02
A3) Write the adjectives of the following:
02
i) success -_____________ 2) nature -_____________
A4)1) They have to have the skill and the will. ( Use ‘not only—but also’)
2) We shall not achieve our goals. ( Choose correct ‘Q-tag)
a) shall we ? b) shan’t we ? c) do we ?
A5) Write your any one goal and what do you do to achieve it ?

i) Disagree
ii) Agree
iii) Agree
iv) Agree

A2)

Goal Setting

Valuable assets
Sense of originality
Stepping stone
Illuminate the path
Acknowledge a better future
Steer a course of life
Avoid fear of failure
A3)

i) Success – Successful
ii) Nature – Natural

A4)

Champions not only have the skill but also the will.
We shall not achieve our goals, shall we?
A5)

I have a goal to improve my fitness level. To achieve it, I exercise regularly, follow a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I also set small achievable targets and track my progress regularly to stay motivated.

Q.2 (B) Read the following passage and do the activities. (10 Marks)
B1. Answer the following in 1-2 words : 02
(i) The person who changed the writer’s life –
(ii) The age of beggar’s granddaughter –
(iii) The writer’s role model –
(iv) The things that the writer used to give to beggar everyday –

Then what’s the secret of your energy?’ I asked, like Tendulkar does in the advertisement. She smiled, ‘A beggar changed my life.’ I was absolutely dumbfounded and she could see it.
‘Yes, a beggar,’ she repeated, as if to reassure me. ‘He was old and used to stay in front of my house with his five-year-old granddaughter. As you know, I was a chronic pessimist. I used to give my leftovers to this beggar every day. I never spoke to him. Nor did he speak to me. One monsoon day, I looked out of my bedroom window and started cursing the rain. I don’t know
why I did that because I wasn’t even getting wet. That day I couldn’t give the beggar and his granddaughter their daily quota of leftovers. They went hungry, I am sure.
‘However, what I saw from my window surprised me. The beggar and the young girl were playing on the road because there was no traffic. They were laughing, clapping and screaming joyously, as if they were in paradise. Hunger and rain did not matter.
They were totally drenched and totally happy. I envied their zest for life.’
‘That scene forced me to look at my own life. I realized I had so many comforts, none of which they had. But they had the most important of all assets, one which I lacked. They knew how to be happy with life as it was. I felt ashamed of myself. I even started to make a list of what I had and what I did not have. I found I had more to be grateful for than most people could imagine.
That day, I decided to change my attitude towards life, using the beggar as my role model.’

B2. Describe how the beggar and his granddaughter enjoyed the rain. 02
B3. Write antonyms of the following 02
i) optimist X-____________ ii) unhappy X____________
B4. Do as directed : 02
(i) She could see it. (Use ‘able to’.)
(ii) I used to give my leftovers to this beggar every day.. (Use ‘would’.)
B5. Who is your role model? Why?

B1.
(i) The person who changed the writer’s life – Beggar
(ii) The age of the beggar’s granddaughter – Five
(iii) The writer’s role model – The beggar
(iv) The things that the writer used to give to the beggar every day – Leftovers

B2. The beggar and his granddaughter enjoyed the rain by playing on the road, laughing, clapping and screaming joyously as if they were in paradise. Hunger and rain did not matter to them.

B3.
i) Optimist – Pessimist
ii) Unhappy – Happy

B4.
(i) She was able to see it.
(ii) I would give my leftovers to this beggar every day.

Expand the following idea into 100 words:
‘Health Is Wealth’

“Health is wealth” is a common saying that highlights the importance of good health in our lives. It implies that being healthy is just as valuable as having financial stability, if not more. A healthy body and mind allow individuals to perform daily tasks efficiently, pursue their goals, and enjoy life to the fullest. On the other hand, poor health can limit one’s ability to work, achieve success, and enjoy life’s pleasures. Therefore, investing in our health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and self-care practices can lead to a better quality of life and ultimately, greater wealth in the form of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.




Additionally, good health can also save individuals from significant medical expenses that may arise due to poor health conditions. With the rising cost of healthcare, maintaining good health can provide significant financial relief in the long run. Moreover, a healthy lifestyle can also prevent chronic illnesses such as heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity, which can be debilitating and costly to manage.

The concept of “health is wealth” also emphasizes the need to prioritize health over material possessions. While material possessions can bring temporary happiness, they cannot replace the importance of good health in our lives. Wealth cannot buy good health, but good health can lead to a fulfilling and happy life.

Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on our communities and the environment. By making healthy choices such as eating locally grown foods and engaging in sustainable practices, we can contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.

In conclusion, “health is wealth” highlights the essential role of good health in our lives. By investing in our health, we can achieve greater success, happiness, and fulfillment. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize our health over material possessions and strive for a healthy lifestyle that benefits not only ourselves but also our communities and the environment.

An informal letter is a type of personal correspondence that is written in a more casual tone. The following is a common format for an informal letter:

Sender’s Address: Start with your own address, which can be either at the top of the page or in the upper right-hand corner. Your address should include your name, street address, city, state, and postal code.

Date: Skip a line after your address, and write the date in the format of month, day, and year. You can use the same format throughout the letter.

Salutation: Use a casual greeting such as “Dear [First Name],” followed by a comma.

Introduction: Start with an introductory paragraph that sets the tone for the letter and provides any necessary context or background information.

Body: Use one or more paragraphs to provide the details or information that you need to convey. This can include personal news, anecdotes, or other information that you want to share with the recipient.

Closing: Conclude your letter with a friendly and informal closing such as “Take care,” “Best regards,” or “Yours truly,” followed by a comma.

Signature: Skip four lines after the closing, and type your name. If you are printing the letter, leave space for your handwritten signature.

Here’s an example:

[Your Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]

[Date]

Dear [Recipient’s First Name],

[Introduction]

[Body]

[Closing],

[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]

Suppose you are Tanvi / Tanmay Mugale. Read the advertisement given below and attempt any one of the letters given below it.

A1. Letter Writing

Look at the following advertisement. Write a letter to your friend appealing to him / her to
join. Make use of the points in the advertisement and you may add your own.

Join SUMMER Camp
Organized By : Mr. Shrihari Jadhav
Shivpuri Colony, Omerga.
Duration : 15 days, 16th May to 30th May, 2021
Fees : 2000/- Mobile No. 9403864601
● camp for children to learn ● developing personality
● a good social activity ● makes you confident
● training in joyful activities ● improves the hidden qualities

Dear [Friend’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today to bring to your attention a unique opportunity that I came across recently. Mr. Shrihari Jadhav is organizing a SUMMER Camp for children at Shivpuri Colony, Omerga, from 16th May to 30th May, 2021.

The camp has a lot of exciting activities lined up that can help us develop our personality, improve our hidden qualities, and boost our confidence. As you know, summer breaks can be long, and it can be challenging to find productive ways to spend our time. This camp is an excellent way to make the most of our vacation while also learning new skills.

Apart from these benefits, the camp is also a good social activity where we can interact with children our age from different parts of the city. This can be an excellent opportunity to make new friends and broaden our horizons.

The fees for the camp are only 2000/-, which is quite reasonable considering the benefits that the camp offers. I think it would be a great experience for us to attend this camp together and learn and grow in a fun and engaging way.

I hope you consider my proposal and join me at the SUMMER Camp. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Tanvi / Tanmay Mugale

A.1 Formal Letter

Format of Formal Letter.

Format of Formal Letter

A formal letter typically follows a certain format to convey a professional tone and ensure clarity of communication. The following is a common format for a formal letter:

1. Sender’s Address: Start with your own address, which should be at the top of the page. Your address should include your name, street address, city, state, and postal code. If you are writing on behalf of an organization, include the organization’s name and address as well.
2. Date: Skip a line after your address, and write the date in the format of month, day, and year. Make sure to use the same format throughout the letter.
3. Recipient’s Address: Skip another line, and include the recipient’s name, job title, organization name, street address, city, state, and postal code. If you don’t have a specific recipient, you can use a general greeting such as “To Whom It May Concern.”
4. Salutation: Use a formal greeting such as “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],” followed by a colon.
5. Introduction: Start with an introductory paragraph that explains the purpose of the letter, and provides any necessary context or background information.
6. Body: Use one or more paragraphs to provide the details or information that you need to convey. Make sure to organize your thoughts logically, and use clear and concise language.
7. Closing: Conclude your letter with a polite and professional closing such as “Sincerely,” followed by a comma.
8. Signature: Skip four lines after the closing, and type your name. If you are printing the letter, leave space for your handwritten signature.
9. Enclosures: If you are enclosing any documents or materials, list them below your signature block. For example, you might write “Enclosures: Resume, Writing Samples.”

Here’s an example:

[Your Name] [Your Street Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Job Title] [Organization Name] [Street Address] [City, State ZIP Code]

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Recipient’s Last Name],

[Introduction]

[Body]

[Closing],

[Your Signature] [Your Typed Name]

Enclosures: [List of Enclosed Documents]

Imagine you are Saurabh/Soha Das residing at, Parijat Colony, Pune 411051.’
‘Historical Monument- A National Treasure.’

Write a letter to the Municipal
Commissioner requesting him/her to
take a strict action against those who
spoil the beauty and purity of the
Historical Places.

Saurabh Das
Parijat Colony
Pune 411051
[Date]

The Municipal Commissioner
Pune Municipal Corporation
Pune, Maharashtra
India

Subject: Request for Strict Action against those who Spoil the Beauty and Purity of Historical Places

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you to bring your attention to the issue of spoiling the beauty and purity of historical places in Pune. As a concerned citizen of Pune, I feel it is our collective responsibility to preserve the heritage of our city.

Historical places are the national treasures that reflect our rich cultural heritage and history. Unfortunately, some people indulge in vandalism and deface the historical monuments. They damage the walls, inscribe graffiti and carve their names on the walls, which not only destroys the beauty of these places but also degrades their historical value.

It is disheartening to see that some people do not value the importance of our historical monuments and indulge in such unethical activities. Therefore, I urge you to take strict action against those who spoil the beauty and purity of historical places in Pune.

I would like to suggest a few measures that can be taken to address this issue. First, the Municipal Corporation should install CCTV cameras in and around the historical monuments to monitor any suspicious activities. Second, the Corporation should increase the frequency of patrolling by security personnel to deter vandals. Third, the Corporation should impose heavy fines on those who indulge in defacing the historical monuments.

I hope that you will take this matter seriously and take appropriate action to preserve the historical monuments of Pune. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Saurabh Das

Formal Letter 2

Imagine you are Rohit/ Richa residing at, Sainik Colony, Pune 411051.’

Write a letter to a famous scientist
inviting him/her as a Chief Guest of the
‘Science Day Celebration’ of your
school.

Rohit
Sainik Colony
Pune 411051

[Date]

Dr. Utkarsh Moon
Mahatma Gandhi College of Science
Gadchandur Dist Chandrapur
442908

Subject: Invitation to be a Chief Guest at the Science Day Celebration of our school

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to extend a warm invitation to you to grace the upcoming Science Day Celebration of our school as the Chief Guest. Our school is organizing a Science Exhibition to mark the occasion and showcase the creativity and ingenuity of our students.

As you are one of the most renowned scientists in the field, we believe your presence at the event would inspire our students and help them develop a deeper interest in science. Your valuable insights and experiences in the field of science will undoubtedly enrich the knowledge of our students and provide them with a platform to learn from the best.

The event is scheduled to be held on [Date] at [Time] at our school premises. The exhibition will showcase innovative projects and experiments by our students, and we would be honored if you could take some time out of your busy schedule to attend the event as our esteemed Chief Guest.

We understand that you have a busy schedule, and we will do our best to accommodate your convenience. We will be happy to arrange for your travel and accommodation as per your requirements.

We look forward to your kind response and sincerely hope that you will accept our invitation to be the Chief Guest at the Science Day Celebration of our school.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours Sincerely,

Rohit

Q.5 (A) Letter Writing (5 Marks)
Al or A2 Do any one of the following.
Suppose you are Tanvi / Tanmay Mugale. Read the advertisement given below and attempt
any one of the letters given below it.

A1. Letter Writing

Look at the following advertisement. Write a letter to Mr. Shrihari Jadhav informing
him that you are interested in joining the camp. Ask about the things to be carried
with you for the camp.

Join SUMMER Camp
Organized By : Mr. Shrihari Jadhav
Shivpuri Colony, Omerga.
Duration : 15 days, 16th May to 30th May, 2021
Fees : 2000/- Mobile No. 9403864601
● camp for children to learn ● developing personality
● a good social activity ● makes you confident
● training in joyful activities ● improves the hidden qualities

Look at the following advertisement. Write a letter to your friend appealing to him / her to
join. Make use of the points in the advertisement and you may add your own.

A2. Letter Writing

A2.

Dear Mr. Shrihari Jadhav,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. I came across your advertisement regarding the SUMMER Camp being organized by you at Shivpuri Colony, Omerga. I am writing this letter to express my keen interest in joining the camp.

The duration of 15 days from 16th May to 30th May seems perfect for me as I have my summer break during that time. I am excited about the camp’s various activities and training, which can help me learn new things, develop my personality, and boost my confidence.

I wanted to inquire about the things that I should carry with me for the camp. It would be helpful if you could provide me with a list of essential items that I should pack to make the most of my stay at the camp.

I am looking forward to hearing back from you soon and hope to join the camp with enthusiasm.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Tanvi / Tanmay Mugale

A1.

Dear [Friend’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today to bring to your attention a unique opportunity that I came across recently. Mr. Shrihari Jadhav is organizing a SUMMER Camp for children at Shivpuri Colony, Omerga, from 16th May to 30th May, 2021.

The camp has a lot of exciting activities lined up that can help us develop our personality, improve our hidden qualities, and boost our confidence. As you know, summer breaks can be long, and it can be challenging to find productive ways to spend our time. This camp is an excellent way to make the most of our vacation while also learning new skills.

Apart from these benefits, the camp is also a good social activity where we can interact with children our age from different parts of the city. This can be an excellent opportunity to make new friends and broaden our horizons.

The fees for the camp are only 2000/-, which is quite reasonable considering the benefits that the camp offers. I think it would be a great experience for us to attend this camp together and learn and grow in a fun and engaging way.

I hope you consider my proposal and join me at the SUMMER Camp. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Tanvi / Tanmay Mugale

B. Write a letter to the Principal of your college requesting him to grant you leave of absence owing to the wedding in the family.

Subject: Leave of Absence Request for Family Wedding

Dear Principal,

Name of College

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to formally request your approval for a leave of absence from college due to a significant family event – my sister’s wedding.

The wedding ceremonies are scheduled to take place from [start date] to [end date], and my active involvement and support are crucial during this joyous occasion. I understand the importance of maintaining regular attendance and keeping up with academic responsibilities. Therefore, I assure you that I will make every effort to catch up on missed lectures and assignments promptly.

I have also informed my professors about my intended absence and have discussed strategies to make up for any academic gaps during this period. I am committed to ensuring minimal disruption to my academic progress.

I kindly request your understanding and support in granting me leave for the mentioned period. If necessary, I am willing to provide any additional documentation or information to facilitate this process.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and look forward to your positive response. Thank you for your time and understanding.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your College ID]
[Your Contact Information]