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Kathmandu

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Summary

Summary of Excerpts

Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs

  • Break out: to come apart due to force
  • Break off: end a relationship
  • Break down: stop working
  • Break away: escape from someone's grip
  • Break up: start suddenly (usually a fight, a war, or a disease)
  • Break into: break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing

Writing Exercises

  • Use suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from verbs (e.g., proclaim -> proclamation).
  • Fill in the blanks with suitable words formed from the verbs.

Punctuation Exercise

  • Correct the punctuation in a given paragraph about a lion and a tiger.

Travelogue Writing Prompts

  • Describe your visit to Pashupatinath temple in point form.
  • Write a diary entry about a visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Diagram Descriptions

  • Boudhanath Stupa: A large white hemispherical dome with a square structure on top, adorned with prayer flags.
  • Beehive Structure: Honeycomb with hexagonal cells and bees illustrated in flight.

Poetic Themes

  • A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal: Reflects on death and the peace associated with it.
  • Fear No More: Addresses the end of worldly concerns and the inevitability of death.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify and describe the various suffixes used to form nouns from verbs.
  • Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to convert verbs into nouns, demonstrating understanding through examples.
  • Apply punctuation rules effectively in written text.
  • Engage in discussions about personal experiences related to travel and cultural sites.
  • Write a diary entry or travelogue reflecting on a visit to significant locations, incorporating sensory details and personal impressions.

Detailed Notes

Notes on Vocabulary and Language

Phrasal Verbs

  • break out: to come apart due to force
  • break off: end a relationship
  • break down: stop working
  • break away (from someone): escape from someone's grip
  • break up: of start suddenly (usually a fight, a war, or a disease)
  • break into: break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing

Noun Formation

Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs:

  • cremate → cremation
  • act → action
  • exhaust → exhaustion
  • invent → invention
  • tempt → temptation
  • immigrate → immigration
  • direct → direction
  • meditate → meditation
  • imagine → imagination
  • dislocate → dislocation
  • associate → association
  • dedicate → dedication

Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Words

  1. Mass literacy was possible only after the invention of the printing machine.
  2. Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks direction.
  3. I could not resist the temptation to open the letter.
  4. Hard work and dedication are the main keys to success.
  5. The children were almost fainting with exhaustion after being made to stand in the sun.

Writing and Speaking Activities

Diary Entry for a Travelogue

  • Pashupatinath Temple: Describe what you see when you reach the temple, what happens inside, what you do, and your impressions.
  • Agra Visit: Write a travelogue about your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal, including details like your journey, sights, and experiences.

Important Observations

  • Kathmandu's Atmosphere: The city is described as vivid and mercenary, filled with small shrines, vendors, and the sounds of daily life.
  • Baudhnath Stupa: A place of stillness amidst the busy streets, with shops selling Tibetan artifacts.
  • Flute Seller: Represents the universal appeal of music, with various types of flutes from different cultures.

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes and Exam Tips

Common Pitfalls

  • Misunderstanding Phrasal Verbs: Students often confuse the meanings of phrasal verbs. For example, 'break out' means to come apart due to force, while 'break off' means to end a relationship.
  • Incorrect Noun Formation: Using the wrong suffix when forming nouns from verbs can lead to errors. For instance, 'proclaim' becomes 'proclamation', but students might forget to change the spelling.
  • Punctuation Errors: Many students neglect proper punctuation in their writing, such as missing capital letters or full stops, which can affect clarity.
  • Inconsistent Tense Usage: When narrating events, students may switch tenses incorrectly, leading to confusion. For example, using present continuous when the context requires simple present.

Tips for Avoiding Mistakes

  • Practice Phrasal Verbs: Regularly review and practice phrasal verbs to understand their meanings and uses.
  • Noun Formation Exercises: Engage in exercises that focus on converting verbs to nouns using the correct suffixes.
  • Punctuation Drills: Conduct drills that emphasize the importance of punctuation in writing, ensuring students understand where to place capital letters and full stops.
  • Consistent Tense Practice: Encourage students to practice writing in consistent tenses, especially when describing events or narrating stories.

Practice & Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions

A.

cremation

B.

cremationation

C.

cremated

D.

cremating
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The noun form of 'cremate' with the suffix '-ion' is 'cremation'.

A.

It encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth.

B.

It swims away immediately.

C.

It dries and hardens the capsule.

D.

It eats the surrounding mud.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

During a drought, the African lungfish digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth.

A.

It highlights the inevitability of death for all, regardless of status.

B.

It suggests that only the young are immune to the effects of time.

C.

It implies that chimney-sweepers are envied for their longevity.

D.

It indicates that only the wealthy are remembered after death.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The phrase 'Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust' signifies the inevitability of death for all people, regardless of their status or wealth, as everyone eventually returns to dust.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break down

D.

break away
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break out' means to start suddenly, usually referring to a fight, a war, or a disease.

A.

invention

B.

inventation

C.

inventor

D.

inventive
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The noun form of 'invent' using the suffix '-ion' is 'invention'.

A.

Break out

B.

Break off

C.

Break down

D.

Break into
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break off' means to end a relationship. This is part of the list of phrasal verbs and their meanings provided in the text.

A.

A flute seller's pole

B.

A basket of flowers

C.

A corn-on-the-cob

D.

A marzipan bar
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Vikram Seth compares the flute seller's pole with protruding flutes to the quills of a porcupine.

A.

The blood is forced out into the arteries.

B.

The blood returns to the heart.

C.

The heart stops beating.

D.

The blood is oxygenated.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

When the left ventricle of the heart contracts, it forces the blood out into the arteries.

A.

The heart sends the blood circulating through our body.

B.

He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.

C.

A fight breaks out between two monkeys.

D.

The sun rises in the east.
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

The sentence 'The sun rises in the east.' uses the simple present tense to describe a universal truth.

A.

was

B.

will be

C.

is

D.

had been
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The verb 'is' is in the simple present tense.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break down

D.

break up
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break up' means to end a relationship.

A.

He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.

B.

He usually take a train instead of a bus to work.

C.

He usually taken a train instead of a bus to work.

D.

He usually taking a train instead of a bus to work.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The correct simple present tense sentence is 'He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.'

A.

direction

B.

directness

C.

directive

D.

directorship
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The noun form of 'direct' using the suffix '-ion' is 'direction'.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break away

D.

break into
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break away' means to escape from someone's grip.

A.

The sun rises in the east.

B.

He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.

C.

A fight breaks out between two monkeys.

D.

Film songs blare out from the radios.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The sentence 'He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.' uses the simple present tense to describe a habitual action, indicated by the word 'usually'.

A.

The goddess inside the shrine will escape.

B.

A new temple will be built.

C.

The river will change its course.

D.

A new era of peace will begin.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

At Pashupatinath, it is believed that when the small shrine fully emerges from the stone platform, the goddess inside will escape, ending the evil period of Kaliyug.

A.

It is a peaceful transition.

B.

It is a fearful event.

C.

It is a joyous occasion.

D.

It is an avoidable fate.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The poem suggests that death is a peaceful transition as it brings an end to worldly tasks and fears.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break down

D.

break into
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break down' means to stop working.

A.

To come apart due to force

B.

To start suddenly, usually a fight, war, or disease

C.

To stop working

D.

To escape from someone's grip
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'broke out' means to start suddenly, which is often used in the context of fights, wars, or diseases.

A.

She lives in a happy state in heaven.

B.

She is now a part of nature.

C.

She has become a star in the sky.

D.

She watches over the poet from above.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

In the poem, the poet imagines his loved one as a part of nature, as indicated by the lines 'Rolled round in earth's diurnal course / With rocks and stones and trees.'

A.

Photolysis

B.

Hydrolysis

C.

Oxidation

D.

Reduction
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Photolysis is a chemical reaction where a compound is broken down by photons, i.e., light. This is distinct from hydrolysis, which involves water, and oxidation/reduction, which involve electron transfer.

A.

Proximity to major cities

B.

Availability of local cuisine

C.

Number of tourists visiting Kathmandu

D.

Historical significance of the route
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

When planning a railway route, proximity to major cities is crucial as it ensures accessibility and potential passenger volume, making the route economically viable.

A.

Simile

B.

Metaphor

C.

Personification

D.

Alliteration
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The line uses a simile, comparing 'Golden lads and girls' to 'chimney-sweepers' to convey the inevitability of death.

A.

imagination

B.

imaginate

C.

imaginary

D.

imagining
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The noun form of 'imagine' using the suffix '-ion' is 'imagination'.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break down

D.

break into
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break down' means 'to stop working'.

A.

sends

B.

send

C.

sending

D.

sent
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The correct form is 'sends' as it is the simple present tense used for habitual actions.

A.

Living in a heavenly state

B.

As part of nature

C.

As a ghost

D.

As a star
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poet imagines her as part of nature, as indicated by the lines 'Rolled round in earth's diurnal course with rocks and stones and trees.'

A.

The sun rises in the east.

B.

The sun is rising in the east.

C.

The sun rose in the east.

D.

The sun will rise in the east.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The sentence 'The sun rises in the east.' expresses a universal truth using the simple present tense.

A.

It is specific to each culture and varies greatly.

B.

It is the most universal and particular of sounds, shared by all cultures.

C.

It is primarily used in religious ceremonies.

D.

It is a modern invention with no historical roots.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Vikram Seth describes flute music as the most universal and particular of sounds, indicating that every culture has its version of the flute.

A.

imagination

B.

imaginate

C.

imaginement

D.

imaginality
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The noun form of 'imagine' using the suffix '-ation' is 'imagination'.

A.

The flutes protruding from the pole

B.

The sound of the flute

C.

The flute seller's attire

D.

The crowd around the flute seller
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The author compares the flutes protruding from the pole to the quills of a porcupine.

A.

The sun rises in the west.

B.

The earth revolves around the moon.

C.

The sun rises in the east.

D.

The moon revolves around the earth.
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The statement 'The sun rises in the east.' is a universal truth.

A.

It makes the narration more dramatic and immediate.

B.

It makes the narration less engaging.

C.

It provides a historical context.

D.

It emphasizes future actions.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Using the simple present tense in narration makes it more dramatic and immediate, as it describes actions as if they are happening in the present.

A.

Increased survival during prolonged droughts

B.

Faster reproduction rates

C.

Enhanced ability to escape predators

D.

Improved digestion efficiency
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The ability to survive for extended periods without water allows the African lungfish to endure harsh environmental conditions, such as prolonged droughts, providing a significant survival advantage.

A.

He is taking a train to work.

B.

He took a train to work.

C.

He takes a train to work.

D.

He will take a train to work.
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The sentence 'He takes a train to work.' uses the simple present tense to describe a habitual action.

A.

16

B.

19

C.

25

D.

36
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The function mystery(x) computes x2+2x+1x^2 + 2x + 1. For mystery(3), it calculates 32+2×3+1=9+6+1=163^2 + 2 \times 3 + 1 = 9 + 6 + 1 = 16.

A.

break out

B.

break off

C.

break away

D.

break into
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The phrasal verb 'break away' means 'to escape from someone's grip'.

A.

We often get fine drizzles in winter.

B.

We are getting fine drizzles in winter.

C.

We got fine drizzles in winter.

D.

We will get fine drizzles in winter.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The sentence 'We often get fine drizzles in winter.' expresses a habitual action in the simple present tense.

A.

A serene and peaceful environment with minimal activity.

B.

A bustling and chaotic environment with a mix of people and animals.

C.

A deserted and quiet place with few visitors.

D.

A highly organized and structured setting with clear pathways.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Vikram Seth describes the atmosphere at the Pashupatinath Temple as one of 'febrile confusion,' indicating a bustling and chaotic environment with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs all moving through the grounds.

A.

He finds it irritating and distracting from his travel plans.

B.

He is indifferent to it and prefers other forms of music.

C.

He is deeply moved by it and finds it universal and particular.

D.

He considers it a mere background noise to the city's hustle.
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Vikram Seth describes the flute music as both universal and particular, indicating that he is deeply moved by it and finds it to be a significant and meaningful part of his experience in Kathmandu.

A.

Death is a terrifying end.

B.

Death is a peaceful release from worldly tasks.

C.

Death is a punishment for the wicked.

D.

Death is a journey to another world.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poet views death as a peaceful release from worldly tasks, as indicated by the lines 'Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.'

A.

Inventation

B.

Inventation

C.

Invention

D.

Inventition
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The correct noun form of the verb 'invent' using the suffix -tion is 'invention'.

A.

Shakuhachi

B.

Recorder

C.

Bansuri

D.

Reed neh
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The bansuri is mentioned as a part of Hindustani classical music.

A.

The goddess inside the shrine will escape.

B.

A new temple will be built.

C.

The river will dry up.

D.

The monkeys will leave the temple.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The belief at Pashupatinath is that when the shrine emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

A.

The sun rises in the east.

B.

I was washing the car.

C.

She will be going to the market.

D.

They had finished their homework.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The sentence 'The sun rises in the east.' uses the simple present tense to describe a fact.

A.

It symbolizes the beginning of a new era.

B.

It marks the end of the evil period of Kaliyug when fully emerged.

C.

It is a place where offerings are made to the river goddess.

D.

It is a historical monument with no religious significance.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The small shrine half protruding from the stone platform is believed to mark the end of the evil period of Kaliyug when it fully emerges.

True or False

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The simple present tense is also used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and facts, not only actions happening at the moment.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

According to the provided excerpts, 'break out' is defined as 'to start suddenly, usually a fight, a war or a disease.'

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The flute seller plays his flute meditatively and does not shout out his wares, making sales seem incidental to his playing.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

According to the provided excerpt, 'break out' is defined as 'to come apart due to force'.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt indicates that the flute seller does not shout out his wares and plays meditatively.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The text mentions that there is a sign at Pashupatinath Temple stating 'Entrance for the Hindus only'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt describes how the African lungfish digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth to survive droughts.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt describes flute music as 'the most universal and most particular of sounds'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

A sign outside the Pashupatinath Temple proclaims 'Entrance for the Hindus only', restricting entry to Hindus.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt explains that using the simple present tense can make a narration more dramatic or immediate.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The simple present tense is used to describe habitual actions or general truths, not actions happening right now.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

According to the provided excerpts, 'break down' means to stop working.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The poet does not express bitter grief; instead, he seems to feel a sense of peace and acceptance, imagining his loved one as part of nature.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt explains that during a drought, the African lungfish digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth to survive without water.