An Encounter of a Special Kind

What was the profession of the writer’s father?

Ans : The writer’s father was a medical professional.

Describe the campus where the writer’s family lived?

Ans:  A large campus with green grass colourful flowers, and tall trees

How did the family relax after lunch? 

Ans: The family lay down for an afternoon nap and the narrator read stories.

 What wicked custom is practiced by animals who live in groups?

Ans: A powerful male usually does not allow another male baby or adult to survive within its group.  

What attempts helped the baby langur to revive?

Splashes of cold water, cleaning of wounds and offering of a peeled banana helped the baby langur to revive. 

When did baby langur finally find comfort?

The baby langur finally found comfort when his mother picked her up in her arms and held close to the bosom.

What truth about animal-human relationship did this incident reveal to the narrator?

Ans: 

What did the mother seem to convey to the narrator?

Communication and mutual trust between animals and humans is indeed a reality. Bond can be established between them by striking the right chord.

An Encounter of a Special Kind : Textual Activities

1. State whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Justify your choice with proper reasons. 

(a) The compound where the writer was living, rich in nature’s bounty.  

Ans: I agree with this statement.

(b) Holidays provide us an opportunity to read various magazines and storybooks . 

Ans: I agree with this statement.

(c) The narrator made a mistake by saving the baby langur. 

Ans : I do not agree with this statement. Saving the baby langur he realised the feelings of animals.

(d) Animals cannot convey emotions. 

I do not agree with this statement.The Mother langur conveyed her gratitude by looking into the narrator’s eyes. 

(e) The narrator was fifty-five years old when this incident occurred. 

I do not agree with this statement. The narrator was fifteen years old at that time. He remembered this incident even after fifty five years. 

 2. Match the phrases given in Group ‘A’ with their meanings in Group ‘B’

Group A Phrases	Group B Meanings
(a) to be a part and parcel of	(1) to observe and give attention
(b) to be engrossed in	(ii) to be able to solve a problem
(c) to take notice of	(iii) to find comfort and peace
(d) to figure out	(iv) to think about seriously
(e) to ponder over	(v) to be completely occupied in
(f) to be overwhelmed by	(vi) to be an essential or integral part
(g) in a flash	(vii) to be affected emotionally in a powerful way
(h) to find a solace	(viii) very quickly

3. Write in your own words.

(a) Why did the narrator ignore the barking of dogs? 

(1) He was engrossed in reading

(2) He thought some dogs might have attacked a pig.

 (b) Why did mother-langur make no effort to grab her baby from the coop? 

Ans :  She was convinced that there was no harm  to her baby.

(a) What would you do, if you found an injured bird while returning from your school?

Ans: I would stop there I lift the injured bird. and Then I would offer water to drink. I would see the injury and take the bird home. I would caress the bird to soothe and apply turmeric powder on injury. However I would release the bird to fly.

Q. 2.(A) Read the following passage and do the activities: (10 marks)

A1. Write whether the following statements are ‘True’ or ‘False’ : (2) 

(1) After a hearty lunch, the narrator settled down with a storybook. True

(ii) The quiet afternoon presented the perfect backdrop for reading a mysterious story. False

(ii) The narrator ignored the commotion at first. True

(i) The narrator rushed to the veranda to see where his family was. False

After a hearty lunch, my parents and my younger sisters lay down for an afternoon nap and I settled down with a storybook. The quiet afternoon presented the perfect backdrop for reading an adventure story. The silence was occasionally broken by the sound of my family snoring, the intermittent chirping of house sparrows, the harsh cawing of a crow the shrill call of a kite flying high above the ground. Minutes ticked by. I became deeply absorbed in the book.

Suddenly, I heard a group of street dogs barking furiously in the distance. I chose to ignore the commotion thinking that the pack of dogs might have cornered a hapless pig. But soon, the barking became louder and more aggressive and the alarmed cawing of a flock of crows added to the cacophony. I also heard the disturbance approaching closer. Curiosity got the better of me. Leaving the book aside, I rushed to the veranda to see what was going on.

A2. Complete the following web :

A3. Match the describing words from the passage with the given noun below :(2)

A4.Do as directed

(1) I became deeply absorbed in the book.

(Rewrite it in Simple Present Tense).

I become deeply absorbed in the book.

(ii) I chose to ignore the commotion.

(Underline the infinitive)

I chose to ignore the commotion.

Vocabulary on An Astrologer’s Day

• Sacred – holy

• Astonished – surprised

blotted out – hidden

careworn – tired and unhappy

crisscross – a pattern of crossing lines

deserted – made empty,

 disposed to – make someone to think something

enthusiasm – great enjoyment

equipment – items needed for particular purpose

escaped – got free

flanked – divided

flung –

Threw forcefully

gleam – faint light

grumbled – complained

sharpened – made sharp

surging – rushing

taken aback – surprised

vaguely – uncertain

vendor – seller

vermillion – red pigment

• Vocabulary Test

Summary

“An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K. Narayan is a short story that revolves around an astrologer who makes a living by reading people’s futures and pasts. The protagonist sets up his stall by a busy street and attracts clients with his confident demeanor and accurate readings. One evening, a man approaches him, seeking to find the astrologer who predicted his death. The astrologer realizes that the man is actually the person he thought he had killed years ago. This revelation leads to a twist in the story, showcasing themes of fate, redemption, and the complexity of human nature. Ultimately, the story explores the idea of second chances and the power of forgiveness.

 Activity Sheet 1 on  An Astrologer’s Day

Read the extract from ‘An Astrologer’s Day’ beginning with –  
” Punctually at Midday………the end of day’

A1. Complete the web chart.

A1. Complete the web chart.

A2. People were attracted to the astrologer as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahila stalks. Give reasons.

A2. People flocked to fried groundnut vendor. Give reasons.

A3 Insufficient light suited the astrologer’s business. Explain.

A3. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lightening. Explain 

A4. Astrologer’s by the roadside deserves no wages. Give your opinion.

A4. Describe your plan about earning while learning. 

A5 Rewrite as instructed.

1. The colour scheme never failed. (Make it affirmative.)

2. The place was lit up by the shop lights. (Identify the voice.)

A6. Vocabulary Match the pair

Column A                Column B 

1. Sacred.                   A. red pigment 

2. Vermillion             B. surprised  

3. Flanked.                 C. holy  

4. Astonished.           D. divided

Activity Sheet No. 2 on An Astrologer’s Day

A1. Put the statements in order as the events occur. 

1. A client showed his palm to astrologer with challenge.

2. The astrologer began to bundle up his paraphernalia.

3. The astrologer sensed a man as his client and pressed invitation.

4. The nuts vendor rose to go home.

A2. State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. A client looked careworn.

2. The astrologer was challenged.

3. He charged four pies for a question.

4. A client did not agree to pay the fees.

A3. Guess 

The astrologer recognised the client but didn’t show. Support the statements with proof from the extract.

A4. Opinion

Astrology is a truthful occupation. Give your opinion.

A5. Language Study.

1.) Choose the sentences of passive voice.

1. The nuts vendor blew out his flare.

2. The green shaft of light was blotted out.

3. This pact was accepted after a little further argument.

4. The astrologer caught a glimpse of his face by the match light.

2.) The astrologer felt very uncomfortable. ( Rewrite as exclamatory.)

6. Find the words from the extract which mean . a) seller b) hidden c) complained d) threw forcefully

Activity Sheet No. 3 on An Astrologer’s Day

A1. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. A client was surprised when….

• the astrologer advised him to go home
• the astrologer told him that the person he was looking for is dead.
• the astrologer uttered his name ‘ Guru Nayak’.
• he gazed at the astrologer.

A2. Write the thraits and advice the astrologer gave to the stranger. 

A3. ‘ A great load is gone from me today.’ Explain it with providing reasons. 

A4. Express the feelings when you come to know that you were not wrong.

A5. Language Study.

1. Never travel southward again, and you will live to be a hundred. ( Rewrite the statement as condition. Or Rewrite the statement using ‘ If ..not’)

2. It was nearly midnight when the astrologer reached home. ( Rewrite the statement without conjunction or Rewrite it as simple sentence.)

A6. Use the following words to complete the sentences meaningfully.

  (deserted, escaped, astrologer, stranger)

• When I opened the door, I saw a …….. .
• The stadium was ……. when the match came to an end.
• A man stretched his palm to an ………. to know what is wrong with him.
• A theif has …… from the jail.

Activity Sheet No. 4 on An Astrologer’s Day

8 Unique Vivid Interview Questions

1. Read the extract from An Astrologer’s Day and complete the activities given below: (12)

Punctually at midday he opened his bag and spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic charts on it, a notebook, and a bundle of Palmyra writing. His forehead was resplendent (glorious) with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam (shine) which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt

comforted. The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position placed as they were between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers (moustaches) which streamed down his cheeks: even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting. To crown the effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his head. This colour scheme never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways. A surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way :medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians, and above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it “Bombay Ice Cream” one day and on the next “Delhi Almond,” and on the third “Raja’s Delicacy,” and so on and so forth, and people flocked to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too.

The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare which crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up by old cycle lamps, and one or two, like the astrologer, managed without lights of their own. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life;  and he knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute. He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said things which pleased and astonished everyone: that was more a matter of study, practice, and shrewd guesswork. All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labour as any other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at the end of a day.

A1. State if the given statements are True or False. (2)

i. The astrologer used to have the preparation of his business in quite professional way.

ii. The physical appearance of the astrologer hardly created an impact on the customers.

iii. The place was busy with a variety of occupations.

iv. The astrologer’s style of handling the business lies in his skills.

Ans : i. The astrologer used to have the preparation of his business in quite professional way. True

ii. The physical appearance of the astrologer hardly created an impact on the customers. False

iii. The place was busy with a variety of occupations. True

iv. The astrologer’s style of handling the business lies in his skills. True

A2. Complete the given web. (2)

1. Opened his bag and spread out professional equipment

2. Wound a saffron coloured turban around his head

3. Sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree

4. Transacted his business of astrology

(Note : Draw a web chart and write these points in it.)

A3. The astrologer was a shrewd judge of a character. Explain with some details from the extract. (2)

Ans : He was punctual in his work. Though he did not intend to be an astrologer, he used professional equipment for astrology. He dressed as an astrologer and chose appropriate place for the transaction . He accepted that study, practice and shrewd guesswork helped him to please and astonish his customers.

A4. We need to understand even the smallest details of the business in order to succeed. Write your views. (2)

Ans : 

A5. Do as directed. (2)

1) It was a remarkable place in many ways.

(Choose correct alternative to rewrite the given sentence as an exclamatory sentence)

i. It was a remarkable place in many ways!

ii. How a remarkable place in many ways it was!

iii. What a remarkable place in many ways it was!

iv. What remarkable in many ways the place it was!

2) He spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

(Choose correct alternative to rewrite the given sentence as a compound sentence)

i. He spread out his professional equipment but it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

ii. He spread out his professional equipment and it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

iii. He spread out his professional equipment that it consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

iv. He spread out his professional equipment and it had consisted of a dozen cowrie shells.

A6. Find the synonyms for the following words from the passage. (2)

a. Confusing b. hanging around c. difficult to understand d. magical effect             2

a. Confusing – bewildering 

b. hanging around –  dallied

c. difficult to understand – obscure

 d. magical effect   – enchantment

A Teenager’s Prayer

A Teenager’s Prayer written by J. Morse is a very convincing poem. The poem is a prayer of a child to god. A teenager in her poem states that she has to make decisions every day. She has to choose the road of life. Here she needs help of god to choose the right path to success. She prays god to get the power to avoid temptation. She wants to live her life as the best for her and others.

 What is the age group of the speaker in the poem?

Ans : The age group of the speaker in the poem is 13-19. It is a teenager’s prayer.

What decisions does the speaker have to take?

Ans: The speaker has to take the decisions of choosing the road of lie that leads to success or distress.

What does each new day fetch?

Ans: Each new day fetches new beginnings.  

How should one react to temptation?

Ans: One should say no to the temptation.

What effect does the speaker wish to see in himself at the end of his teens?

Ans: The speaker wishes to see that his life is lived at his best in the company of god.

In what condition does the poet wish to maintain his body?

Ans : The poet wishes to maintain his body clean and fit for life each day.

Whose company does the poet wish for, in the walk of life?

Ans : The poet wishes for the company of God, in the walk of life.

1. Choose the correct alternative and complete the given sentences

(a) According to the poet…………..are brought by each new day.

(new beginnings/new endings)

(b) We must decide to take the road which leads to ……….. ( great distress/ great success)\

(c) The poet prays to the lord to help him stand for what is ………………

(might/right)

(d) The poet wants to see that his teenage years have been the ………. years of

 his life. (worst/best)

Key Answers

(a) According to the poet new beginnings are brought by each new day.

(b) We must decide to take the road which leads to great success.

(c) The poet prays to the lord to help him stand for what is right.

(d) The poet wants to see that his teenage years have been the best years of

 his life.

2. Find and write the pairs of rhyming words from the poem.

1 make, take

2.success, distress 3. see me…. 4. way, day 5. see, me…….

3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? Choose the correct one from the following options.

(i) aabb (ii) abcd (iii) abcb (iv) abba

Ans: (iii) abcb

4. Match the lines in Column A with the Figures of Speech in Column B

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
(i)Decisions, I must make	(a)Apostrophe
(ii)Please open up my eyes, dear Lord	(b)Inversion
(iii)Travel down the darkened road	(c)Metaphor
(iv)I can choose to take the road of life	(d)Alliteration

Answers

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
Decisions, I must make	Inversion
Please open up my eyes, dear Lord	Alliteration
Travel down the darkened road	Apostrophe
I can choose to take the road of life	Metaphor

Figures of speech : Poetic devices

Alliteration is the occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of words in a phrase, sentence etc. such as ‘That life is lived its very best.” Find out more examples of Alliteration from other poems in your book.

Inversion is a figure of speech which does not follow the correct word order in a line.

Metaphor is an implicit comparison between two objects. Here two different things are supposed to be one.

Apostrophe is a direct addressing to an absent person, an abstract idea of object.

Study information Transfer

Read the poem. Write an appreciation of the poem in about 12 to 15 sentences with the help of the following points.

Point
Title	A Teenager’s Prayer
Poet	J. Morse
Rhyme scheme	abcb
Favourite line	That Life is lived its very best
Theme/Central idea	Teenagers should choose the right path to get success.
Figures of speech	Alliteration, Metaphor, Inversion Apostrophe
Special features Type of the poem, language, style, tone, implied meanings etc.	The poem is in the form of prayer The language is aptly used for the speaker and the readers. One should avoid temptation and choose the right path.
Why I like/dislike the poem	I like this poem because it reflects my feelings.

Read 4.4 Unbeatable Super Mom – Mary Kom

Glossary

Read the words and their meanings from the cop and the anthem . Do check your word power by solving the vocabulary test given below.

Appetites – Desire to eat

Averted – Turned away

Blonde – A person with pale yellow hair

Callous – Very hard

Cop – Police

Coveted – Greatly desired

Decadent – Old and worn out

Disconsolate – Unhappy

Disgust – Distaste

Elusive – Difficult to catch, find

Enchantment – A magical spell

Ignoble – Dishonourable

Immaculate – Perfectly clean and tidy

Loitered – Delayed

Menace – Danger

Napery – Table Napkin

Panic – Scared

Pitched – Threw

Radiant – Bright

Take to one’s heal – run away

Raved – Spoke loudly

Rendered – made

Smash – break

Refused – denied

Resurrect – restore to life

Retreated – moved back

Vocabulary Test on The Cop And The Anthem

Summary of The Cop and the Anthem

“The Cop and the Anthem” by O. Henry is a humorous and ironic short story that explores themes of freedom, self-respect, and society’s indifference.

The story follows Soapy, a homeless man in New York City, as he plans to get arrested to secure a warm place to stay during the winter. Soapy believes spending the season in jail would be preferable to freezing on the streets. To achieve his goal, he devises several schemes, including dining at a restaurant without paying, vandalizing a shop window, and causing public disturbances. However, each attempt fails hilariously, as people either dismiss his actions or misunderstand his intentions.

Frustrated and dejected, Soapy wanders into a quiet street and hears a church anthem. The music stirs a sense of nostalgia and inspiration in him, awakening a desire to reform his life and work toward a better future. Just as he resolves to change, a police officer arrests him—not for his earlier antics but simply for loitering in a respectable neighborhood.

The story concludes with Soapy being sentenced to three months in jail, ironically achieving his original goal of warmth and shelter but at the cost of his newfound resolve to turn his life around.

O. Henry’s trademark twist ending underscores the irony of Soapy’s situation and highlights the often arbitrary nature of justice and human intentions.

Brainstorming for “The Cop and the Anthem” by O. Henry

1. Themes

• Irony and Fate – The protagonist, Soapy, actively seeks arrest but is ignored; when he changes his mindset, he is arrested.
• Homelessness and Survival – The story highlights the struggles of the poor in winter.
• Society and Justice – The legal system is shown as unpredictable and indifferent.
• Redemption and Missed Opportunities – Soapy finally decides to reform, but fate intervenes.

2. Main Character: Soapy

• A homeless man in New York City.
• Plans to get arrested to spend winter in a warm jail.
• Tries various petty crimes but fails to attract police attention.
• Inspired by a church anthem, he decides to change his life.
• Ironically, he is arrested just as he chooses to reform.

3. The Role of the Cop

• Represents the unpredictable nature of justice.
• Ignores Soapy’s real attempts at crime but arrests him when he is doing nothing wrong.

4. The Symbolism of the Anthem and the Church

• The anthem represents hope, morality, and a better life.
• The church symbolizes the possibility of redemption.

5. Irony in the Story

• Soapy tries to get arrested but fails repeatedly.
• The moment he chooses to change his life, he is arrested.
• The legal system works against his intentions.

6. Discussion Points

• How does O. Henry use irony to create humor and meaning?
• What does the story say about society’s treatment of the poor?
• Can we relate Soapy’s struggles to modern-day issues of homelessness?

Brainstorming Activities on The Cop And The Anthem

(A1) (i) Discuss with your partner and find out the different ways in which Soapy tried to get arrested. The first one is given.

(ii) Describe the atmosphere when Soapy reached near the Church.

(A2) (i) Read the story and match the incidents given in Column A with the consequences given in Column B.

Column A	Column B
(1) Soapy tried to enter a cafe.	A) The cop ran after another man
(2) Soapy broke a glass window.	B. Suddenly a wonderful change came in his heart.
(3) Two waiters pitched Soapy on  the callous pavement.	C. Dream of turning around in life was  shattered.
(4) Soapy heard the anthem being  played in the Church.	D.  He stood up slowly beating the dust  from his clothes.ch.
(5) Cop arrests Soapy for hanging  around.	E. Strong and ready hands of the head waiter turned him around.

Ans: 1-E, 2-A, 3-D,4-B 5-C

(ii) Give reasons and complete the following :

 (a) Soapy had confidence in himself because he was saven and his coat was trim.

 (b) The head waiter of the luxurious cafe did not allow Soapy to enter because his eyes fell upon Soapy’s trousers and decadent shoes.

 (c) The cop did not arrest Soapy for breaking the glass window because he didn’t believe Soapy had smashed the window glass.

 (d) The cop did not arrest Soapy for shouting and dancing because he thought Soapy was Yale lad celebrating.

(iii) Pick out the lines from the text ‘ The Cop And The Anthem ‘which show that : 

 (a) Soapy wants to enter the cafe for two reasons. 

Lines: Yet the meat would leave him filled and happy for the journey to his winter island.

 (b) Soapy was afraid that he won’t be able to enter the prison.

Lines : It seemed that his route to the coveted island was not to be an easy one.

 (c) Soapy was not caught by the cop for throwing stones at the glass.

Lines : The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue.

 (d) Soapy actually did not want the umbrella.

Lines : He hurled the umbrella angrily into an excavation.

 (e) Listening to the anthem, Soapy remembered his good old days.

Lines: And the anthem that the organist played cemented Soapy to the iron fence, for he had known it well in the days when his life contained such things as mothers and roses and ambitions and friends and immaculate thoughts and collars.

(iv) ‘He would make a man of himself again’ – The word ‘man’ in the sentence means

(v) Soapy’s earlier life was much different from his present life. Complete the table to show this contrast. One is done for you.

Earlier life	Present life.
(a) Contained friends  and roses	( a) Unworthy desires
(b) Mother and ambitions	(b)No roof, No destination, degraded days
(c) Clean thoughts and collars	(c) Villainous attitude, decadent shoes dead hopes

(vi) After listening to the sweet and solemn organ notes, Soapy decides to : 

(a) Soapy decides to lead a simple life working hard to earn livelihood. He would try to be placed as a driver.

(A3) (i) O’Henry in his story The Cop And The Anthem has used different words to indicate prison where Soapy wants to reach. Make a list of those words.

And : winter island, coveted island, limbo, the island,

(ii) Find out the words used for the ‘degraded state of Soapy’.

Ans : degraded days, unworthy desires,dead hopes, wrecked faculties and base motives

(iii) The specific meaning of word ‘anthem’ in the content of the story is…….

Prayer offered in the church

(A4) (i) Convert the following sentences into negative without changing their meanings 

(a) The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue.

Ans : The policeman didn’t accept Soapy even as a clue.

(b) Soapy drifted along twice unsuccessful.

Ans : Soapy didn’t drift along twice successful.

(c) Soapy stopped his unavailing racket.

Ans : Soapy didn’t continue his unavailing racket.

(d) The island seemed very far away.

Ans : The island didn’t seem near ( in his realm) .

(e) The island seemed an unattainable Arcadia.

Ans : The island didn’t seem an attainable Arcadia.

(ii) Convert the following sentences into affirmative without changing their meanings

.

(a) Men who smash windows do not remain to chat with the police.

Ans : Men who smash windows avoid to chat with the police.

(b) Why don’t you call a cop?

Ans: You should call the police.

(c) On the opposite side of the street was a restaurant of no great pretensions.

Ans :On the opposite side of the street was a restaurant of less pretensions.

(d) Noisy; but no harm.

Ans : Noisy; but harmless.

(e) They seemed to regard him as a King who could do no wrong.

Ans: They seemed to regard him as a King who could do everything right.

Activity Sheet No 1 on The Cop And The Anthem

Read the extract from The Cop And The Anthem and complete the activities given below: (12)

Soapy left his bench and strolled out of the square and across the level sea of asphalt, where Broadway and Fifth Avenue flow together. Up Broadway he turned, and stopped at a luxurious cafe. Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button of his vest upward. He was shaven, and his coat was trim and his neat, black bow had been presented to him by a lady missionary on Thanksgiving Day. If only he could reach a table in the restaurant unsuspected, success would be his. The portion of him that would show above the table would raise no doubt in the waiter’s mind. A roasted mallard duck, thought Soapy, would be about the thing with a bottle of wine and then some cheese, a cup of coffee and a cigar. One dollar for the cigar would be enough. The total would not be so high as to call forth any extreme of revenge from the cafe management; and yet the meat would leave him filled and happy for the journey to his winter island. But as Soapy set foot inside the restaurant door, the head-waiter’s eye fell upon his tattered trousers and decadent shoes.

Strong and ready hands turned him about and conveyed him in silence and haste to the side-walk and averted the ignoble fate of the menaced mallard. Soapy turned off Broadway. It seemed that his route to the coveted island was not to be an easy one. Some other way of entering the limbo must be devised. At a corner of Sixth Avenue electric lights and cunningly displayed wares behind plate glass made a shop window attractive.

Soapy took a stone and dashed it through the glass. People came running round the corner, a policeman in the lead. Soapy stood still with his hands in his pockets, and smiled at the sight of brass buttons. “Where’s the man that done that?” inquired the officer agitatedly. “Don’t you think that I might have had something to do with it?” said Soapy, with a friendly voice, as one greets good fortune. The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue. Men who smash windows do not remain to chat with the police. They take to their heels. The policeman saw a man half-way down the block running to catch a car. With drawn club he joined in the pursuit. Soapy, with disgust in his heart, drifted along, twice unsuccessful.

A1 Soapy’s attempts to get into Winter Island: (2)

Attempt 1 : Soapy tried to enter a luxurious cafe. He thought to consume enough eatables and refuse to pay the bill. That would enable him to land in to a Winter Island i.e. jail. But the waiter prohibited him from entering the cafe.

Attempt 2 : He smashed the glass with a stone and remained on the spot to get arrested.  

A2 Complete the given statement in 30 words. (2)

Soapy couldn’t enter the restaurant because………

Soapy couldn’t enter the restaurant because his shoes were decadent and trousers was tattered. The head waiter in the luxurious cafe found it and turned him away. Soapy missed the mallard duck. 

A3 Soapy had confidence in himself from the lowest button of his vest upward. Here the lowest button of his vest upward means ……………. (2)

Ans : He was wearing a coat and a black bow. He was cleanly shaven. This suited to the luxurious cafe. But his tattered trousers and decadent shoes didn’t suit the cafe. Here the lowest button of his vest upward means his appearance after sitting at the table.

A4 If a person tries to damage the public property, how you will react in such a situation.

(write your response in 3/ 4 lines) (2)

Ans : If a person tries to damage the public property, I will explain the importance of public property. I will try to convince him/her not to damage. We all are the owner of public property. How can we damage our own property.

A5 Do as directed. (2)

1) The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue.

(Choose the correct alternative to transform as a negative statement)

i) The policeman didn’t accept Soapy even as a clue.

ii) The policeman had never accepted Soapy even as a clue.

iii) The policeman didn’t accepted Soapy even as a clue.

iv) The policeman couldn’t accept Soapy even as a clue.

3) “Don’t you think that I might have had something to do with it?” said Soapy.

(Choose the correct alternative to change the sentence into indirect speech)

i) Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might have something to do with that.

ii) Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might have had something to do with that.

iii) Soapy asked if he didn’t thought that he might have had something to do with that.

iv) Soapy asked if he didn’t think that he might had had something to do with that.

A6. Match the words in column A with column B: (2)

 A                                               B

1) stroll                   a) border place between heaven and hell

2) decadent           b) walk in a leisurely way

3) limbo.                 c) old and worn out

4) coveted              d) very hard and torn

                                 e) greatly desired

1) stroll –    b) walk in a leisurely way

2) decadent – d) very hard and torn

3) limbo  –   a) border place between heaven

4) coveted  –    e) greatly desired

Activity Sheet No 2 on The Cop And The Anthem

A1. Global Understanding  : Complete the web chart. 

A2. Complex Factual 

Give reason : 1. Soapy was confident of himself to enter into cafe because ………

2. He could not enter the cafe because…..

A3. Inference 

Explain why Soapy misbehaved. 

A4. PRT

Write an incident when you felt scared of police. 

A5. Language Study

1. But as Soapy set foot inside the restaurant door, the head-waiter’s eye fell upon his tattered trousers and decadent shoes. ( Rewrite using ‘no sooner …. than ) 

2. Some other way of entering the limbo must be devised. (Begin the sentence with “Soapy…….)

A6. Find the words which mean: 

a. decorated b. without doubt c. danger d. greatly desired 

Key for Activity 2 The Cop And The Anthem

A1.  Soapy thought to eat – 

1. a roasted mullard duck  2. cheese 3. wine 4.  coffee ( draw the diagram and put these there )

A2.(1) Soapy was confident to enter the luxurious cafe because he was shaven and wearing a decorated coat , black neat bow. 

(2) He could not enter the cafe because the head-water’s eye fell upon his tattered trousers and worn out shoes. 

A3.  Soapy misbehaved. He took a stone and dashed it through the glass of shop window. He did this to get arrested as he utterly wanted a roof in winter days to save himself from the cold. 

A4. Once I got scared of police. I was riding a bike and I had no valid license for riding. At the corner I saw a traffic police checking vehicles. Seeing him there I got frightened. 

 A5. 1. But no sooner did Soapy set foot inside the restaurant door than the head-waiter’s eye fell upon his tattered trousers and decadent shoes. 

2.  Soapy must devise some other way of entering the limbo.

A6. 

a. decorated – trim b. without doubt  – unsuspectedly c. danger -manaced  d. greatly desired – coveted 

Activity Sheet No 3 on The Cop And The Anthem

A1 State whether the following statements are true or false.

a) Soapy was hungry and trying to get food.

b) He was trying to get arrested.

c) He was drunken and so he was misbehaving.

d) Soapy wanted umbrella because it was raining.

A2. Arrange the following statements in order as the events occurred in the extract

a) Seeing the cop Soapy began to yell like a drunkard.

b) Two waiters threw Soapy on the pavement for not paying the bill.

c) Soapy picked up the umbrella and walked away.

d) Soapy consumed eatables at a restaurant and declared he had no money.

A3. The umbrella owner slowed his steps. Soapy did likewise. Explain the underlined expression. 

A4. Discuss what will you do to earn your livelihood.

A5. Language Study

1. In a cigar store he saw a well-dressed man lighting a cigar. ( Frame wh question to get the underlined part as an answer.)

2. Why don’t you call a cop? ( Rewrite as an assertive sentence.) 

A6. Give the antonyms.

1. Disconsolate 2. Slowly 3. Harsh 4. buttoned 

Key for Activity 3 from The Cop And The Anthem

A1. a) Soapy was hungry and trying to get food. True

b) He was trying to get arrested. True

c) He was drunken and so he was misbehaving. False

d) Soapy wanted umbrella because it was raining. False

A2. 

d) Soapy consumed eatables at a restaurant and declared he had no money.

b) Two waiters threw Soapy on the pavement for not paying the bill.

a) Seeing the cop Soapy began to yell like a drunkard.

c) Soapy picked up the umbrella and walked away.

A3 Soapy did likewise means Soapy did the same the umbrella owner did . The umbrella owner followed Soapy as he grabbed the umbrella. When Soapy asked the man to call the police, the man slowed his steps. Soapy also slowed down his steps to make sure the man called the police. Soapy wanted to get arrested. 

A4 . I will set up a start up.  I will get necessary guidance from the expert. Thereafter I will apply for loan and set up a small business with the help of parents. 

A5. 1. Where did he see  a well-dressed man lighting a cigar?

       2. You should call a cop. 

A6. 1. Disconsolate – happy 2. Slowly – fast, hastily 3. Harsh – soft 4. buttoned – unbuttoned 

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