Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

1. Bowel 

2. Notices 

3. Review 

4. Slipper 

5. Lessened

Bommalattam or Puppetry is held in rural areas of Tamil Nadu during festivals and fairs. Skilled puppeteers manipulate the puppets with strings or wires. They stand behind a screen and the puppets are held in front. The puppetry depicts stories mainly from the Puranas, epics and folklore. Even during Indian freedom struggle, the awareness programmes for the common people were conducted through puppet shows to instill patriotism among the people. Therukoothu is usually conducted during village festivals in the months of Aadi and Panguni. In this dance form, make-up and costumes are considered very important. It is performed on the streets and in open air. The performance involves storytelling, songs, dance and dialogue rendering.

Context : This poem is a ballad. The knight is disappointed in his love with the French lady Fanne Brawne. He is wandering alone in the forest and his condition is very pitiable. 

Explanation : In this stanza the poet asks the knight the reason of his tension. He has guessed from his face that he is in a great worry. His forehead looks white like a lily flower and his beautiful rosy cheeks have lost their grace like a faded rose. His face is moist with perspiration as if he were suffering from fever. So the poet asks him the cause of his distress.

Context : In this ballad the poet points out his disappointed love with a French lady. The knight is Keats himself. That lady took him to her cave and expressed her love. She made him sleep. Then the knight saw a fearful dream. 

Explanation : In this stanza the warrior describes his dream. He dreamt that there were many kings, princes and warriors. But all were very weak and pale like a dead body. They were warning him and saying that this beautiful lady has no mercy in her heart. She has captivated him like them. He has also met the same fate as they.

(a) Amelia.

(b) the bureau.

(c) bring the bureau down.

(d) Materialistic

It was one of those October days when it was a pleasure to be alive. The sky was blue and the air was cold and sharp with a scent of wet earth as the morning sun warmed the chilled countryside. And then I caught the sight of a lonely bee struggling to find the pollen of a final flower. Where had he been, this sad worker, doomed so soon to die? I marvelled at his energy as he climbed along so many bare stalks. Finding nothing, he flew on and disappeared from sight. I continued my walk to a country inn where, sitting outside, I contentedly sipped my beer, musing all the while on the mixed fortunes of life.

Mr. Rao is a seventy-two-year old man. He is living with his daughter Mrs. Sarojini and her husband Prakash. Their daughter is Sushma, who loves her grandpa very much. Mr. Rao’s another daughter is Mrs. Aruna and her husband Rajesh.

One day Mrs. Sarojini thinks that her father is dead. She tells her daughter to change her dress before her aunt Aruna and her husband come.

Mrs. Sarojini’s husband Prakash has sent them the message to come home. When Prakash wonders if they will come at all, Mrs. Sarojini replies that Aruna will come at once for her share of the old man s things. Mrs. Sarojini asks her husband to wear the new shoes of her father. She also wants to pinch the old man’s TV set, computer and his bracelet too. She wants to do it before her sister’s arrival. When she tells the same, her husband agrees after some hesitation.

Mrs. Sarojini fastens the door and she and her husband shift the TV set and com¬puter and put the radio in their place. Their daughter Sushma understands that they are pinching the grandpa’s TV set and computer and asks them if they are pinching them. Mr. Prakash replies that her grandpa has given them those things before his death. Mrs. Sarojini and her husband carry them downstairs and put them in the parlour.

She asks her husband to wear her father’s bracelet round his wrist and he obeys. At the same time Mrs. Aruna and her husband come. Mrs. Sarojini tells them that the old man is found dead that morning when she takes up a bit of something for him on tray.

Mrs. Aruna and Mr. Rajesh don’t want to look at the old man. They prefer to have tea. Then they talk about how to announce the old man’s death in the papers. Then Mrs. Sarojini and Mrs. Aruna come to talk about dividing their father’s belongings. Mrs. Aruna tells that the old man has promised his gold ring for Srikar. This news amazes Mrs. Sarojini. Mr. Rajesh calls the old man “The drunken old beggar” when Sushma tells that grandpa hasn’t paid his insurance. Both the sisters complain that they have to put up with their father for all those years. Then Mrs. Sarojini asks Sushma to go and bring the bunch of keys from grandpa’s room. After some time, Sushma gets back scared and tells them that grandpa is getting up. All are amazed as they all think he is dead. Mr. Rao enters their room after a few minutes and is surprised to see Mrs. Aruna and her husband. He asks them why they are in mourning dress. Sushma tells her grandpa that she is very happy that he is not dead. Grandpa asks them who is dead. Mrs. Sarojini lies that Rajesh’s brother is dead. Mrs. Rao sees his shoes being worn by Prakash and says it is not good. Then he looks at the gold bracelet and understands that they have stolen it. He also understands that Mrs. Sarojini and her husband have stolen his TV set and computer.

Mr. Rao doesn’t want to stay with either of his daughters anymore. He declares that he is going to change his will leaving all his property to whoever he is living with when he dies. Mrs. Sarojini and Mrs. Aruna fight with each other to keep their father in their care. Both the sisters try to persuade him to keep him with them but he refuses to stay with them. Then the old man shocks them with his announcement. He announces that he has got to do three things the next Monday. He has got to go to the lawyer and change his will, to pay the insurance premium and to go to Tirumala to get married to Mrs. Laxmi, the owner of ’Komala Vilas’. He invites them all to the marriage ceremony. He thanks Mrs. Sarojini for bringing the TV set and computer downstairs as it will be easier to carry them across to his house after his marriage.

a) tired, vigorously 

b) landlords, grateful 

c) lovely, teacher 

d) bigger, nearer 

e) returned, dragging 

f) impatient, destroyed

1. looked at 

2. took off 

3. set up 

4. lay down 

5. gets up 

6. change into

4th February, 20xx.

From

Regd. No. x x x x,

Government College Road,

Bhimavaram.

To 

The Municipal Commissioner, 

Bhimavaram Municipality.

Sir, 

I regret to bring the following to your notice for necessary action.

Our town is suffering a lot due to the negligence of the Municipal health workers The sweepers are not regular to their duties. Once in a week they come in a casual way. There are piles of garbage at every corner emitting foul smell.

Some roads have pot-holes and ditches. Water gets stagnated. Recently a girl fell into a ditch. Thank God, a cyclist saw it and saved her. If the same state of affairs continue, I am afraid that diseases may spread. All these things lead to health hazard. May I request you to take steps in this regard ? You know sir, public health should be the priority of the Municipality. 

Thanking you Sir,

Yours faithfully, 

xxxxxxxx.

When Abel Merryweather enters their room, he is surprised to see his daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. and Mr. Jordan. The two sisters and their husbands can’t believe their eyes. Abel comes forward to shake hand with his son-in-law, Mr. Ben Jordan. Ben retreats with Mrs. Jordan to a safe distance. Mrs. Slater pokes Abel with her hand to see if he is solid. Abel reveals that he is well enough but has a bit of a headache. Then Abel asks for his new slippers. When he observes Henry wearing his slippers, Mrs. Slater snatches them from Henry and gives them to Abel. He puts them on and sits in an armchair.

Abel asks them why they all are in mourning. Mrs. Jordan makes up some story to pacify him. She tells that Ben’s brother has died. Abel tells them to sit down and take tea. He suggests that they all should be jolly. Then he notices his bureau there in that room. He asks Mrs. Slater and Henry what they have been doing with his bureau. At the same time he hears a clock striking six. He looks at it and questions them why it is there. He grumbles and scolds for her deceitful acts. Mrs. Jordan blames her sister of robbing their father. The two sisters start quarrelling. Abel understands his daughters’ dishonesty. He comes to know about the reality Abel doesn’t want to stay with either of his daughters anymore. He addresses his daughters directly and declares that he is going to change his will leaving all his property to whoever he is living with when he dies. Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan fight with each other to keep their father in their care. Both the sisters try to persuade him to make him live with them but he refuses to stay with them. Then Abel makes an announcement which shocks everyone. He announces that he has got to do three things the next Monday He has got to go to the lawyer and change his will and he has got to go to the insurance office to pay the premium and then he has got to go to St. Philip’s Church and get married. Everyone is shocked. Abel reveals that he has at last found someone who is happy to keep him. When he leaves the room, he invites them all to his marriage with Mrs. John Shorrocks who keeps the ‘Ring-o-Bells’. He thanks Mrs. Slater for bringing the bureau downstairs as it will be easier to carry it across to the Ring-o-Bells.’

1. Latha’s father refused to send her to the picnic but when she requested for many times he gave in and sent her. 

2. Why do dogs run after cats? 

3. You will smell the fragrance of the night queen when you pass by our garden. 

4. Our family moves in / will move in to the new house once it was white washed. 

5. Electricity has gone off in my area.

Life is a game and the world is a playground. We have to play the game of life with all our energy and courage. Games and sports help us to learn how to overcome the challenges of life. A sound mind lives only in a sound body. Sports and games are useful for the students who must have a balanced development of the body as well as the mind.

Education is incomplete without games. Games are necessary to keep the body fit and trim. Moreover, they provide recreation. Students feel happier in a playground than in a classroom. Games also teach us that we should play a game for game’s sake, not for victory or defeat. Games and sports also produce a sense of equality, co-operation and fraternity.

(a) Abel Merryweather’s slippers.

(b) She wants him to wear them.

(c) They are new and his own are old and worn out.

(d) The slippers are small for Henry. She says they will stretch once he starts wearing them

1. Who is the Father of our Nation? 

2. Which is your favourite subject? 

3. Where is Sultan working? 

4. When do you wake up? 

5. Whose project will get the prize?

(a) Whose car is this?

(b) Whom did you meet yesterday?

(c) How is this film?

(d) When will she come?

(e) Who won the game?

Monday, 10th August, 20xx 8:30 p.m. Dear Diary, Oh, God ! I am really grateful to you. Finally, my long lasting wish has been fulfilled. It’s all because of your grace. From my childhood onwards, everyone has referred me as ‘why-why’ girl. That ‘why – why’ girl has become a teacher today ! My questioning nature has brought me to today’s position. But, in the morning class, the children did not ask me questions. They were all lazy in that period. Why didn’t they ask me the questions such as, “Why should mosquitoes be destroyed ?”, “Why is the pole star always in the north sky ?” etc. Then only they will shine, they will have a bright future. From tomorrow onwards, I shall make them learn the art of questioning. If one doesn’t question, one doesn’t find anything and one doesn’t achieve anything Moyna

The front part of the ship i.e. the bow dipped in water and masts bent slightly. The ship moved as if it was being chased by an enemy. It bent his head forward and drove fast forwards the South amidst the roaring sound of the storm.

(a) Mrs. Slater.

(b) Mrs. Jordan.

(c) to get her share of her father’s possessions.

(d) She can be stubborn/ not easy to dissuade/not easy to stop.

1. you will get success 

2. it will bite you 

3. you will be healthy 

4. If you walk fast 

5. If you give respect to others,….

1. She planted a mango sapling

2. A mango sapling

3. In her backyard

4. On her birthday

5. Mangoes

(a) She is not satisfied with her mourning dress yet.

(b) She needs a new mourning dress.

(c) She needs it as her father has died.

(d) She is a hypocrite, competes with her sister and does not suffer any grief at her father’s death.

1. If you are good at English, you will get a better job. 

2. If you ask the teacher, she will clarify vour doubts. 

3. If you mix red and white, you will get pink colour. 

4. If you dial 1098, the child helpline will help you. 

5. If you pull the dog’s tail, it will bite you.

Moyna was a strong, hard-working, fearless yoiing girl, a role model for all of us. She had the curiosity to learn and spread knowledge to others.

1. The table is about Reasons for dropouts among children aged 5 -14 years (1997-98)

2. Ctiild not interested in studies

3. a) 15.8

4. b) to work for daily wages

5. c) 7.4

Moyna was called The Why-Why Girl’ because she frequently asks ‘why?’.

If you can’t be a pine tree, be a scrub

Kishan’s uncle took a good decision which might be appreciable. 

Nowadays people prefer the decoration of houses exterior and interior. This may cause more life-threatening to other living forms. If you elevate the house with mirrors, it creates lot of inconvenience to you. The birds, creatures suffer a lot by the reflection and creation of multiple images. The plain mirrors may reflect light during day and night. 

So, Kishan’s uncle’s decision is really good and I support it.

‘The Why-Why Girl’ is an inspiring story written by the Jnanapith award winning writer Mahasweta Devi.

Moyna belonged to a tribal community called Shabars. They were poor and did not own land. The Shabars did not usually send their daughters to work. But Moyna’s had to work because Moyna’s mother had a bad leg and so couldn’t walk properly. Her father had gone to Jamshedpur in search of work and her brother Gora, went to the forest every day to collect firewood. Moyna cannot go to school because she has to tend the goats, collect the firewood, fetch the water and do other works of the landlord. Moyna never thanked the landlords for giving left over rice. She is so full of questions that the postman calls her the ‘why – why girl’. Moyna was barely ten years old when the narrator found her chasing a cobra. She dragged Moyna into the Samiti office, where her mother works.

One day Moyna went to narrator’s house to live with her, with a set of clothes and her pet mongoose. She asked the narrator countless questions including why she reads book before going to sleep.-The narrator replied that reading is a way of finding answers to all her questions. At that moment Moyna decided to go to school and find answers to all her questions. At last Moyna became a teacher of primary school en¬couraging students to ask questions. Moyna is an inspiration and motivation for all of us.

No work has less importance. All works have their own importance.

He wants us to be the best in our work.

When his wife warned him the first s time, father was really astonished. He thought how a good climber like him could fall. The second time his wife warned him, he laughed at her finding her warning to be a funny joke.

1. For its loyalty towards its master

2. Ueno, a Professor in Agriculture department at the Tokyo Imperial University

3. His students

4. He goes to his work by train.

5. He accompanies his owner to the station every morning and comes back to the station every evening to receive his master.

Reference: These lines have been taken from the lesson ‘On an African Rives’ written by David Livingston. 

[ N.B. : The above reference will be used for all explanations of this lesson. ] 

Context: In this lesson the writer describes his personal experiences of wildlife in South Africa. He sailed to a hill station with his family and a fellow explorer named Oswell in April, 1851. 

Explanation : In these lines the writer tells us that hippos generally live together in a herd and herd is never dangerous to man. But if a canoe passes through their midst, when they are sleeping they become dangerous and may attack the canoe. So, the travellers are advised that they should always direct the boat near the bank during day time and in the middle of the river in the night. Generally hippos run away to see a man. But if a hippo is turned out of its herd it becomes violent like an elephant. The writer saw a boat which was broken into pieces by any one of the hippos by striking its hind foot against it again and again.

Context: The river Chobe, discovered by the author, flows in South Africa and is a natural habitat of dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles. Except some ill natured ones, the hippos are less furious than crocodiles until they are disturbed. Crocodiles of the river are so much daring that they carry off calves and seize even Cows. 

Explanation : In these lines the writer tells us about the food of crocodiles and how they attack a man. The chief food of crocodile is fish-either large or small. The crocodiles have broad scaly tails and with the help of their tails they catch fish. When a crocodile sees a man on the other bank of the river, he runs atonce at a very high speed at the bottom of the river. So his body is not seen on the surface of water. But his speedy motion inside the water makes small waves on the surface and this is the indication that a crocodile is coming at a high speed inside the water.

Context: The hippos are always hidden under the water and they come up after every few minutes when they want to breathe. So by counting their heads only, their number can be told. 

Explanation : In this passage the writer tells us about the young and its mother and how she looks after her young. The young animal, when very little, stands on the neck of his mother. Soon the small head above the large comes on the surface of water and .. both the little and the mother breathe. The mother comes more often to the surface when she knows that her calf cannot wait so long under the water. She does it again and again after short intervals till her young one is under her care.

In Chobe dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles live.

1. She wants her Baba (the pet bear) back home with her.

2. The curator said that the bear belonged to the zoo and was government property now and so he could not give away government property. If the superintendent at Bangalore agreed, she might have the bear back.

3. Baba and the narrator’s wife.

4. The superintendent in Bangalore

5. At the narrator’s house

The poem Be the Best of whatever you are is a beautiful piece of poetry by Douglas Malloch. The poet has tried to inspire and motivate us to improve ourselves on the point where we stand in society. The poem tells us to make the best use of available opportunities and resources.

Stanza 1 : 

In this stanza, the poet says that if you cannot become a pine tree that grows on hills and mountains with all splendor, be a little scrub that must be best of its kind. Here the poet points to the fact that quality matters, not quantity. 

If you cannot become a pine tree on a forest hell which is tall and strong, do not stop becoming. You have other options as well. Try to be a scrub in the valley. It does not matter what you become. What matters really is whether you are best in it or not. Here, the poet conveys the message that if you a choice is not appropriate for, do not be hopeless. You have much more than it to become.

Stanza 2 : 

In this stanza, the poet says that even if you are unable to become a bush, this is not really disappointing. You can be a bit of grass instead. Although both differ in size and function, they are equally important. By showing these two examples, the poet has emphasized the necessity of excelling in something small rather than playing bad in something big. 

Stanza 3 : 

In this stanza the poet tries to convey to us the message that diversity is beautiful. Our differences are like color. Each is beautiful in itself. Not everyone can be the captain of the ship. There are some people who are to be on the crew. Both the captain and the crew have different functions to play. In case if we cannot become a captain, we have the opportunity to become a part of the crew and offer our services. 

Stanza 4 :

In these lines, the poet says that paths are needed to reach from one point to another. They all are important, for every destination has a different path. In this way, if you cannot be a stretched highway which symbolizes greatness in size, you can become a trail that also provides navigation to the travelers. Likewise, if you are unable to be the sun, be a star. Your size does not decide your success but your excellence.

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang’.

Autumn is the poet talking about in the first stanza.

A crocodile attacks its victim with its tail, then he pulls its victim in and drowns him. 

The animals come up to breathe every few minutes. If the heads keep coming up all the time, the herd is supposed to be large.

After breaking a canoe, a hippo looks on the surface for the people and if he sees none, he soon runs away.

To avoid the attack the traveller is advised to steer always near the bank in day time and in the middle of the stream in the night.

A herd of hippos is dangerous when a canoe passes into the midst of it when all are asleep. They become dangerous because they are disturbed in their sleep.

(c) a resting place of animals 

Once a small crocodile, about three feet long, made a dash at the author’s feet and caused him to rush quickly in another direction. The author calls it unusual because he had never heard of a similar case. 

When a crocodile sees a man in water, it rushes across the stream with a wonderful speed. Its speed is judged by the high ripple it makes on the surface.