… ENGLISH WORKSHOP …
1. In the diagram below encircle the various features that make the script of a skit/play. List the other words and mention the form of writing of which it is a feature.
Ans. Script of a Skit/play –
Letter –
Poster/Broucher –
2. Choose the proper alternative to complete the following.
(i) The skit covers a period of about …………… in the past.
(a) 3000 years (b) 1000 years (c) 5000 years (d) 1800 years
(ii) ………….. characters from Neel’s ancestral lineage make an appearance in the play.
(a) Fourteen (b) Seven (c) Sixteen (d) Twelve
(iii)The task that all boys abhorred was ……………….
(a) cleaning up their room (b) farm-work (c) filling up water (d) making their beds.
(iv) The skit conveys that doing your daily chores at home ………………
(a) makes you stronger (b) sharpens your intellect (c) saves a lot of expenses (d) inculcates a sense of responsibility.
Ans. (i) 5000years
(ii) Fourteen
(iii) making their beds
(iv) inculcates a sense of responsibility.
3. Fill in the table.
Ans. 
4. Answer in your own words.
(a) What excuses did Neel give to avoid cleaning his room?
Ans.
Neel says that he is going out to meet his friends. He then says that he had cleaned his room just two days earlier. He wonders why it needs to be cleaned daily, for it makes no difference.
(b) Why does mother tell Neel about his Grandpa?
Ans.
Neel’s mother tells him about his Grandpa to show him that his Grandpa had many more difficult tasks to do, both inside and outside the house. She wants him to know that his life
is easier.
(c) What task did Grandpa wish to avoid?
Ans.
Grandpa wished to avoid the task of making his bed.
(d) What did the ancestor from 1910 wish to do instead of making his bed?
Ans.
Instead of making his bed, the ancestor from 1910 wanted to go to the riverside with his friends
(e) How many chores did the ancestor from 1800 have to do?
Ans.
The ancestor from 1800 had to do 5 chores – washing clothes in the river, putting them up to dry, chopping the wood, fixing the broken fence and taking goats up the hill to graze.
(f) How is the boy from 1500s dressed?
Ans.
The boy from 1500s is dressed in a loose sleeveless, V-neck top and a short dhoti.
(g) What chores did the boys from 1000 CE and 1st Century CE, do on their farms/fields?
Ans.
The boy from 1000 CE had to fetch water from the lake, pour it into the farm channels to water their crops, clear the blocked channels and pull out weeds. The boy from 1st Century CE had to feed the poultry, tend the sheep and keep the birds away in the field using a sling.
(h) What did Neel realise from his encounter with his ancestors?
Ans.
Neel realised from his encounter with his ancestors that young teenage boys have had chores to do outdoors as well as in doors.
5. In the play two devices that make use of wheels are given.
The devices are (1)_________________ (2) __________________
From the internet or other sources, trace the history of the use of the wheel. Write ‘An Autobiography of a Wheel’.
Ans.
The devices are (1) bicycle (2) grinders The earliest wheels were used as potter’s wheels.
‘An Autobiography of a Wheel’.
I was born in prehistoric times when humans saw a log of wood roll down a hill. They got the idea of a round object and then slowly shaped and developed me in a similar shape to what you now know. No vehicle, no train, no airplane would run without me! I have carried the world civilization from the ancient times to its modern phase.
All the progress of mankind has been possible because of me. I am the lifeline of the modern world. Imagine what would happen without me! The cars, buses, trains, bikes, bicycles, airplanes, etc., would not run! I know I sound proud, but that is not so. It is only that I know my own worth, and that I will still be around even when you humans become extinct.
6. Imagine that the ancestor from 1910 (CE) visits Neel in his dream. Compose a dialogue between the two about the various gadgets the visitor sees in Neel’s room.
Ans.
7. Imagine and compare an argumentative dialogue between the mothers of the 20th/21st century and those of the earlier era, about which life was better for women.
Ans.
1910s Mother: I am very happy as I have a good job in my office. The only problem is I am as busy as machine and so I can’t spend time with my children.
1950s Mother: I am too very happy with my job in office. Unlike you, I can look after the kids and give them at least some time every day.
1800s Mother: My job is only household chores and other odd jobs. I am illiterate, but I’m able to make sure my children get enough care and comfort.
3000 BCE Mother: We use to hunt animals and do farming for living. My children are with us 24hrs a day. We cannot live without each other.
1910s Mother: I earn enough. I can give him a comfortable life where he gets what he wants. Well, everything except a loving mother.
1950s Mother: I try and give whatever he needs, he works hard for himself to get whatever he wants.
1800s Mother: I’m unable to give him anything myself, even knowledge. But I can provide all the warmth and love of a mother.
3000 BCE Mother: He hunt from when he was a kid. I wish I was able to do more for him, so he wouldn’t have to.
1800s Mother: Isn’t any era where women are happy doing what they are able to?
1950s Mother: Yes, why do we always want to keep doing more? Even when we’re doing so much?
1910s Mother: Maybe that’s what makes us good mothers and better people. It’s not only for our own sake, but even for our children’s happiness.
3000 BCE Mother: I think you are right. Mothers want to do as much as they can. And even more of what they can’t.
1950s Mother: We don’t feel this because we don’t do enough. We feel this because what we want to do is never ending. We should just be happy doing what we are able to, to the best of our capacities.
(8) Read the entry about ‘voice’ in the ‘Language Study’ pages. Note that the speeches of all the boys are in the ‘active’ voice. Turn them into passive constructions. Example:
Neel – I put the dishes in the dishwasher,(active)
Ans. The dishes were put in the dishwasher by me. (passive)
Ans.
1950s Boy –
I have watered the garden (active)
The garden has been watered by me. (passive)
I have brought home the groceries. (active)
The groceries have been brought home by me. (passive)
I have dusted the living room. (active)
The living room has been dusted by me. (passive)
I have cleaned my bicycle. (active)
My bicycle has been cleaned by me. (passive)
9. Think of suitable names for the boys from the earlier centuries.
Ans.
1950s Boy – Sandeep
1910s Boy – Deepak
1800s Boy – Ram
1500s Boy – Vishrava
1000s Boy – Sharadchand
100 CE Boy – Krishndeva
3000BC Boy – Kulashekhara