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Tamilnadu Samacheer Kalvi 9th English Solutions Prose Chapter 3 Old Man River
Old Man River Warm Up:
Look at these pictures of cyclone, floods, earthquake and tsunami.
A. Discuss in pairs for two minutes on any one of these natural disasters. You may use the following points.
- Causes
- Damages
- Precautions
Floods:
Floods are an overabundance of water in an otherwise dry area. A flood can be caused by large quantities of water gushing from a water body, such as ocean, rivers, lakes or ponds, which can swell due to heavy rainfall or mountain snowmelt. If the rivers and lakes receive too much rain then the water will not be confined within their banks. It will flow into the drylands, causing huge destruction.
Flash floods are short-term, intense and quickly-developing floods. Sudden thunderstorms create temporary puddles of water everywhere and cause small rivers and lakes to swell. In coastal areas, cyclones often cause upheavals in the water level. This creates a giant wall of water heading toward land. Depending on the size of the tide and how hard it hits land, it can often be a dangerous phenomenon, literally washing away buildings and structures along the coast.
In the flood-prone areas, the following actions need to be taken:
- Protect your home – elevate the electric appliances, install check valves in sewer traps, seal
walls in basements to avoid seepage, store adequate food, candles, and drinking water. - Listen to radio/TV emergency alerts and instructions.
- Seek higher grounds and be ready to evacuate if instructed.
- Do not try to drive through a flooded road. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it and seek an alternate route.
- After a flood, stay away from floodwater.
- Be aware of areas where water has receded. Roads may have weakened or power lines may have fallen.
- Do not drink tap water until hygiene standards are guaranteed by the health department.
- Clean the home, especially the kitchen with safe chemical cleaners.
B. Fill the word web with words related to natural disasters. One example is done for you.
Answer:
C. Imagine a situation where your house is surrounded by water and answer the following.
Question (i).
What health hazards caused when water stagnates around your place?
Answer:
Dangerous diseases, stench smell, mosquitoes breeding, etc.
Question (ii).
When there is a power shutdown for long hours during floods, what will you do?
Answer:
I will collect rainwater for drinking and other purposes and will try to finish the daily chores before dusk.
Question (iii).
What precautions would you take if there is an announcement about flooding in your area?
Answer:
I will move to a safer place, at a higher altitude.
D. List out the Human activities which have an impact on nature. Complete the tabular column. One is done for you.
Answer:
Old Man River Intext Questions
E. Discuss with your partner and answer the following questions:
Question 1.
What were the girls doing in the living room?
Answer:
Amy and Rose were knitting. Betty was looking at a magazine.
Question 2.
Why was Mother not able to come home?
Answer:
Mother couldn’t get home from Mrs. Brant’s as the bridges between Mrs. Brant’s house and town are underwater.
Question 3.
How did Jim want the girls to ‘get organised’?
Answer:
Jim asked the girls to be organized. He asked Betty to search and bring flashlights, candles, lamps, and lanterns; Rose to fill the tubs and pails; Amy to check on food, blankets, and coats. Jim also asked them to be ready with a first-aid kit.
Question 4.
Which two important things did Jim want the girls to do to avoid getting scared?
Answer:
Jim instructed the girls not to show off to others how much each one was afraid of the situation and cause fear in others. Next to get all the things together like water, food, blankets, coats, lights and to climb into the attic and on to the roof.
Question 5.
Where did Jim want the girls to climb up? How’ was it going to help them?
Answer:
Jim wanted the girls to climb up to the roof. It would help them as they could wave the flashlight and someone would see it and come for their rescue.
Question 6.
Who went to get Sara? Where was she?
Answer:
Jim went to get Sara. Sara was on the playhouse porch.
F. Discuss with your partner and answer the following questions:
Question 1.
What were the important objects that the girls and Jim try to move to the attic? Why?
Answer:
Flashlight, candles, lamps, lanterns, food, blankets, coats, books and jewels were some of the articles that the girls and Jim tried to move to the attic. By night, they were expecting the water to enter into the house. To be safe until the rescue arrived, they planned to stay in the attic.
Question 2.
Who came to rescue the children?
Answer:
Mr. Peters and Miss Marsh came to rescue the children.
Question 3.
What happened to Sara?
Answer:
Sara’s right leg just below the knee was hurt as she climbed down the ladder from the playhouse.
Question 4.
Who is Miss Marsh? How does she help Sara?
Answer:
Miss Marsh is the Red Cross Nurse. She understands that Sara has broken her right leg just below the knee. She splints it up with pillows and an umbrella and lifts her safely into the boat. She also decides to take her to the emergency Red Cross hospital in Armoury.
Question 5.
Who was taken in the boat? Who was left behind?
Answer:
Left behind in the house are Amy and Jim. Others were in the boat – Betty, Sara, Rose, along with Mr. Peter and Miss Marsh.
Question 6.
How does Red Cross help the children?
Answer:
Red Cross helps the children by rescuing them from the flooded area and by saving their lives. ‘
Old Man River Textual Questions
A. Based on your understanding of the play, choose the correct answer and fill in the blanks.
1. The radio announced that ………………
(i) the river was above the flood stage.
(ii) the Bumet Dam had given way.
(iii) there will be a cloud burst.
(iv) they will be a cyclone.
Answer:
(i) the river was above the flood stage.
2. Mother couldn’t get home from Mrs. Brant’s because ……………….
(i) it was raining heavily.
(ii) the bridges between home and the town were underwater.
(iii) there was an emergency at Mrs. Brant’s house.
(iv) she had broken her leg.
Answer:
(ii) the bridges between home and the town were underwater.
3. The Burnett Dam gave away as …………………
(i) it rained for days.
(ii) the dam was weak.
(iii) it rained heavily and the snow was melting.
(iv) the maintenance was poor.
Answer:
(iii) it rained heavily and the snow was melting.
4. There was no power because ………………..
(i) the powerhouse was out of commission.
(ii) the powerhouse was flooded.
(iii) the dam gave away.
(iv) there was the fire.
Answer:
(ii) the powerhouse was flooded.
5. Why did they splint up Sara’s leg with pillows?
(i) She was unconscious out of fear.
(ii) She had broken her leg below the knee.
(iii) She was too lazy to walk.
(iv) She was making a fuss.
Answer:
(ii) She had broken her leg below the knee.
B. Based on your reading, answer the following in two or three sentences each.
Question 1.
Why did Jim run from school?
Answer:
As the river was rising fast, Jim had to run every step of the way from school. The Burnett Dam gave way an hour ago and its condition was very bad.
Question 2.
Where was Amy’s mother?
Answer:
Amy’s mother took Dick to the dentist and was going to stop at Mrs. Brant’s for a recipe before reaching home.
Question 3.
Why did Amy ask Betty to fill in the water tubs?
Answer:
Amy asked Betty to fill the bowls, tubs, pails, and pitchers with fresh water because the town supply might be cut off or could become unsafe to drink.
Question 4.
According to Jim what are the two things that a person should remember in times of emergency?
Answer:
First thing, we must not let others see how scared we are. Next to get all the things together in one place like water, food, blankets, coats, light, etc.
Question 5.
Why is Jim climbing on the roof?
Answer:
Jim wanted to be on top of the roof thinking that he would signal for help from the roof. Coast Guard would send a boat to rescue them.
Question 6.
Who was there in the living room? What were they doing?
Answer:
Amy, Betty, and Rose were sitting in the living room. Amy and Rose were knitting while Betty was looking at pictures in a magazine.
Question 7.
Why were they going to sleep in the attic?
Answer:
To save themselves from getting floated along with the rising water, they decided to climb into the attic and onto the roof because they were living in a bungalow instead of a two-story house.
Question 8.
Who came in the boat?
Answer:
Tom Peter and Miss Marsh came in the rescue boat. (Tom Peter is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Committee and Penny Marsh is the Red Cross nurse.)
Question 9.
Who is the founder of the Junior Red Cross?
Answer:
Jean Henry Dunant
C. Match the following by ‘drawing a line across columns A and B.
Answers:
1. (e), 2. (c), 3. (h), 4. (g), 5. (i), 6. (d), 7. (j), 8. (f), 9. (b), 10. (a).
D. Based on your understanding of the text, answer the following in about three to four sentences each:
1. Describe the ‘home alone’ experience of the children.
Answer:
Amy Marshall and Betty Marshall were left alone in the home and due to cyclones, the water level was rising around their house. They were lucky enough to have their friends cum neighbour Rose field. Sara Field and Jim Hall in their house to fight against the disastrous moment. Amy’s mother had taken Dick to the dentist and on her way back she was supposed to meet Mrs. Brant for a recipe. Amy’s father was in Chicago on some business matters.
2. Elaborate on the rescue operation undertaken by Mr. Peter.
Answer:
Tom Peters and Miss. Marsh, a member of the Red Cross Disaster Committee and Red Cross nurse respectively, were on a boat calling out for Mr. Marshall’s family to know whether they were safe. Jim responded and guided the rescue team to know where they were. Mr. Peter was shocked to know’ that there were children and no adults inside the house. When they were climbing down the ladder Sara fell and got hurt. She was wrapped in a blanket. Mr. Peter suggested that more than the pain it is the fear that is not making them function well and asked them to be composed. Sara has broken her right leg just below the knee. They splint it up with pillows and an umbrella to lift her safely into the boat. They took her to the emergency Red Cross hospital in the Armoury.
3. How did Jim prove himself as a good rescuer in the flood situation?
Answer:
Jim Hall a neighbour, came to the rescue of all three girls luckily during the crisis time. Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Marshall were away due to valid reasons – one on business at Chicago and the other on a visit to the dentist along with Dick. Jim Hall acted very wisely by giving all the three girls directions to collect flashlights, fill water, candles and first-aid kit. Jim advised them to climb into the attic and onto the roof because the house they were staying in was a bungalow and not a two-story house. It was dangerous as water might have entered the house anytime.
4. Briefly narrate the happenings of the play in Scene II.
(a) How did Amy manage the situation at home?
Answer:
Amy, Rose and Betty had three candles on the table. Sara was asleep covered with the blanket in a big chair. Betty was trying to read with the help of candle-light. Amy would suggest them to sleep.
(b) How did Marshall save the children?
Answer:
Mr. Peters was carrying Sara and gave her confidence by stating that she was more frightened than hurt. Miss Marsh splint right leg of Sara up with pillows and umbrella just below the knee to lift her safely into the boat. Then they took her to the emergency Red Cross hospital in the Armoury.
Think and answer:
You are one of the survivors of an earthquake that has affected your city a lot. Share the trauma you underwent and what helped you to sail through it. Give a talk for two minutes.
E. Using a dictionary, find out the synonyms and the antonyms of the words given below. One has been done for you.
Answer:
Listening:
F. Listen to the paragraph and fill in the blanks.
The 2015 South Indian floods resulted from heavy rainfall generated by the annual northeast monsoon in November- December 2015. They affected the Coromandel Coast region of the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and the union territory of Puducherry, with Tamil Nadu and the city of Chennai particularly hard- hit. More than 500 people were killed and over 18 lakh people were displaced. With estimates of damages and losses ranging from nearly 200 billion rupees to over 1 trillion rupees, the floods were the costliest to have occurred in 2015 and were among the costliest natural, disasters of the year. The flooding has been attributed to the2014-16 El-Nino event.
(For listening to the script refer to our website www.fullcircleeducation. in)
The (1) ……………… South Indian floods resulted from heavy rainfall generated by the
annual northeast monsoon in (2) ……………… 2015. They affected the (3) …………….. region of the South Indian states of (4) …………….., and the Union Territory of (5) ……………….., with Tamil Nadu and the city of (6) ………………. particularly hard-hit. More than (7) ………………. people were killed and over 18 lakh people were (8) …………………. With estimates of damages and losses ranging from nearly 200 billion rupees to over 1 trillion rupees, the (9) ………………… were the costliest to have occurred in 2015, and were among the costliest natural disasters of the year. The flooding has been attributed to 2014-16 (10) ………………..
Answers
- 2015
- November
- Coromandel Coast
- Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
- Puducherry
- Chennai
- 500
- displaced
- floods
- El-Nino event
Writing:
G. As a local government official working in the flood-affected area you are talking to an old lady who has lost her belongings. Write a dialogue between you and the old woman. Complete the conversation.
You: Good morning Madam.
Old lady: Good morning.
You: I am from the Fire and Rescue department. How can I help you?
Old lady : (i) ……………………………………………..
You : (ii) ………………………………………………
Old lady : (iii) ………………………………………….
You : (iv) …………………………………………………
Old lady : (v) ……………………………………………
You : (vi) ………………………………………………..
Old lady : (vii) ……………………………………..
You : (viii) …………………………………………..
Old lady : (ix) …………………………………………
Answers:
(i) I have left a very important casket in my closet, can you please bring if for me?
(ii) The water level is rising. It would be really life-threatening to go to that place.
(iii) Yeah, I do understand that. To me, yes it is impossible, can you try for my sake, please.
(iv) One person cannot do that, we may have to work as a team.
(v) Then do so, please. I can’t live without that casket.
(vi) Madam please understand the human power/resource must/can be used to rescue mankind. Amma, life is more important than a casket.
(vii) Yes, I don’t deny that. Can you please take that after you finish this work or when you go to my house or nearby places?
(viii) OK amma, I shall surely try. Take a rest. Health is more important for us.
(ix) Thank you child; May God bless you!! Please try for my sake.
Creative Writing:
H. Write a letter to your friend about your experiences during the recent ‘Gaja’ cyclone.
29 May 2018
XXXX
Dear Malathi,
Hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. Here, I am fine. But recently I have had the worst experience of my wife which I want to share with you. You must have heard about the cyclone ‘Gaja’ that devastated parts of Sri Lanka and India. It was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea since Cyclone Megh in 2015. It started as an area of low pressure in the eastern Andaman Sea on November 21 and within a few days grew into a deep depression. Ockhi intensified into a Cyclonic Storm on November 30 and caused huge damage to property and life in my city. Hundreds of people died and so many were injured. Thousands of trees were uprooted. We had no power supply for a couple of days. Food, drinking water and medicines were out of reach. Even after the cyclone subsided our area was cut off from
Writing:
G. As a local government official working in the flood-affected area you are talking to an old lady who has lost her belongings. Write a dialogue between you and the old woman. Complete the conversation.
You : Good morning Madam.
Old lady : Good morning.
You : I am from the Fire and Rescue department. How can I help you?
Old lady : (i) …………………………………………….
You : (ii) ……………………………………………………
Old lady : (iii) ……………………………………………
You : (iv) …………………………………………………..
Old lady : (v) …………………………………………….
You : (vi) …………………………………………………..
Old lady : (vii) …………………………………………..
You : (viii) ………………………………………………..
Old lady : (ix) …………………………………………..
Answers:
(i) I have left a very important casket in my closet, can you please bring if for me?
(ii) The water level is rising. It would be really life threating to go to that place.
(iii) Yeah, I do understand that. To me, yes it is impossible, can you try for my sake please.
(iv) One person cannot do that, we may have to work as a team.
(v) Then do so please. I can’t live without that casket.
(vi) Madam please understand the human power/resource must/can be used to rescue mankind. Amma, life is more important than casket.
(vii) Yes, I don’t deny that. Can you please take that after you finish this work or when you go to my house or nearby places.
(viii) OK amma, I shall surely try. Take rest. Health is more important for us.
(ix) Thank you child; May God bless you!! Please try for my sake.
Creative Writing
H. Write a letter to your friend about your experiences during the recent ‘Gaja’ cyclone.
29 May 2018
XXXX
Dear Malathi,
Hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. Here, 1 am fine. But recently I have had the worst experience of my wife which I want to share with you. You must have heard about the cyclone ‘Gaja’ that devastated parts of Sri Lanka and India. It was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea since Cyclone Megh in 2015. It started as an area of low pressure in the eastern Andaman Sea on November 21 and within a few days grew into a deep depression. Ockhi intensified into a Cyclonic Storm on November 30 and caused huge damage to property and life in my city.
Hundreds of people died and so many were injured. Thousands of trees were uprooted. We had no power supply for a couple of days. Food, drinking water, and medicines were out of reach. Even after the cyclone subsided our area was cut off from the main market due to blocked roads. It was a terrible experience for me. I wish not to have any such experience again. Life has started to get normal now. I feel better after writing to you regarding this. Awaiting eagerly to listen from you.
Yours friendly,
Shivani
Address on the envelope:
I. Make a poster of any natural disaster, giving details about the devastations caused.
The recent dust storm that swept through India was one of its deadliest. The scale and intensity of this storm stretched from the western state of Rajasthan to the eastern state of Uttar Pradesh and hit Delhi, which lies between them. The dust storm caused more than 100 reported fatalities. Most of the fatalities occurred when intense wind knocked over large structures, killing or injuring those in its way.
J. You are a volunteer in your locality to serve people who are affected by floods. How will you caution them to move to a safer place taking only their bare necessities? Describe.
If I am a volunteer serving people affected by floods, I will first ask them to remain calm and have patience. Then, in a gentle voice I will give them the following instructions:
- Be prepared! We may need to move to a safer place as the floods are getting worse.
- Pack a bag with only your important items.
- Take a few clothes, a pair of bedsheets and a blanket.
- Keep your official documents, like degrees, license, PAN card, etc.
- Pack some eatables that can last long.
- Take some medicines.
- Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves.
- Disconnect all electrical appliances.
- If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving.
- Take a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- While moving out, please be together with your family and take care of each other.
- Do not panic. It is going to be alright soon. We will return home when authorities indicate it is safe.
Think and Do
K. Given below are some qualities that the characters in the play displayed during the floods for survival. Identify and write the character with the qualities.
Answers:
Read the following passage about mountaineering.
Scaling Heights
1. Mountains have a great fascination for men and people. Mountain climbing, however, is not without risks. Is a challenge to the unconquerable spirit of man and his love of adventure. That is is a dangerous sport that cannot be denied. As one climbs higher and higher, breathing becomes more and more difficult. Some climbers, therefore, carry a heavy apparatus from which they inhale oxygen.
2. Mountain climbing is dangerous in the extreme. There are snowstorms and bizzards. It is difficult to walk through the snow. It is still more difficult to climb on ice because it is difficult to keep foothold and cut steps with axes in order to make progress. The cold is so severe that the climber’s skin, feet, toes, fingers and tissues freeze, become numb and they may suffer frostbite. The most serious difficulty is the climber at a high altitude gets exhausted with a little effort.
3. Mountain climbing requires proper training, skill and knowledge. The climbers must be well- equipped. They must be in good physical condition and should possess courage, perseverance and power of endurance. They should carry with them maps, compasses and other equipment so that they are able to find out where they are in the absence of any tracks. They must travel through dense woods as they approach a mountain and then climb steep rocks. Near the summit of a peak, the climbers have to move over snowfields and glaciers. In dangerous areas they use ropes to tie themselves in groups.
4. The climbers carry with them packs loaded with first-aid supplies, food and extra clothing for sudden changes of weather. They display spirit of sportsmanship and fellow-feeling and face the severe risks of life undaunted. Mountain climbing is a common sport in Europe. There are mountaineering clubs where training in mountaineering is imparted.
5. There are high peaks in India and there have been successful expeditions to scale these highest peaks. After the conquest of Everest by Tensing and Hillary in 1953, the Mountaineering Institute ar Darjeeling was established to develop an interest in mountain-climbing among the Indians. Expeditions have been sent to climb the highest peaks in the country.
6. Mountain climbing is a thrilling adventure. It brings into play the heroic qualities of humankind. Mountaineers deserve all praise for their courage and heroism. In recent years. Mt. Everest has been scaled several times by foreign climbers. India too has organized several expeditions to Everest. Lately, an Indian Sherpa scaled Everest without the use of oxygen. Mrs. Bachchendri pal also succeeded in scaling Everest. She is the first Indian woman to do it.
L. Based on your reading answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
- Is mountaineering a dangerous sport? Why? (para 1)
- What is frostbite? (para 2)
- What are the qualities of a good climber? (para 3)
- What do climbers carry with them? (para 4)
- Where is the Mountaineering Institute situated in India? (para 5)
- What qualities of humankind are brought out by this adventurous sport? (para 6)
- Why do mountaineers deserve praise? (para 6)
- What kind of visitors does Mt. Everest get (para 6)
Grammar:
A. Identify the dependent clauses or phrases in the following sentences and underline them.
- Texting on his phone, the man swerved into a ditch.
- It isn’t necessary to cram all night if you have studied a little each day.
- We climbed up the hill to enjoy the view.
- I enjoy painting during my holidays.
- Whether he attends the party or not, I have decided to go.
- I will stop playing the drums when you go to sleep.
Answers:
- Texting on his phone
- if you have studied a little each day
- to enjoy the view
- during my holidays
- when you go to sleep
B. Complete the following sentences using appropriate prepositional phrases.
1. I would like to order coffee …………….. tea.
(a) instead of
(b) instead from
(c) instead to
Answer:
(a) instead of
2. …………….. the rains, we went out.
(a) In spite of
(b) In spite
(c) In spite on
Answer:
(a) In spite of
3 fire, break the glass to escape.
(a) In case of
(b) In case
(c) In case with
Answer:
(a) In case of
4. I am standing here my friends.
(a) In behalf of
(b) on behalf of
(c) on behalf
Answer:
(b) on behalf of
5. We solved the problem a new device developed by our engineers.
(a) by means of
(b) by means
(c) by means to
Answer:
(a) by means of
6 we are impressed with their performance.
(a) In general
(b) On general
(c) In generally
Answer:
(a) In general
C. Look at the action words in bold. Identify whether they are either finite or non-finite verb.
Answers:
- non-finite
- finite
- finite
- finite
- finite
- finite
D. Read the following pairs of sentences:
1. Travelling might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
Identify the subject in the first sentence …………………..
Answer:
Travelling
2. They do not appreciate my singing.
They do not appreciate my assistance.
Identify the direct object in the first sentence ………………..
Answer:
my singing
3. My cat’s favourite activity is sleeping.
My cat’s favourite food is salmon.
Identify the subject complement in the first sentence …………………
Answer:
sleeping
4. The police arrested him for speeding.
The police arrested him for criminal activity.
Identify the object of the preposition in the first sentence ……………..
Answer:
speeding
E. You may role-play the conversation.
Teacher:This is Mr. Gerund, you may have seen him after these verbs ‘enjoy’, ‘finish’, ‘keep’, ‘mind’, ‘suggest’, forgive, ‘excuse’, ‘postpone’, ‘go’
Gerund: I come after a preposition too.
Teacher: Mr. Gerund comes in handy to describe a real action.
Infinittive: Hello friends, I am Infinitive. Words such as ‘like’, ‘refuse’ are followed by me.
Dinesh: I know you. I take your help to describe a general or future action.
(I think I need to get up early tomorrow to complete my grammar exercise.)
Divya: you have helped me to express ‘reason’, ‘intention’, ‘purpose’.
(I wish to finish my assigment by tonight.)
Gerund: Do you know, after verbs like ‘begin’, ‘love’, ‘continue’, ‘try’, Team’, ‘start’, ‘neglect’ you can use either of us?
Infinitive: But remember we mean different things when used after ‘stop’.
Dinesh: Divya, when we saw Rajesh at the mall, I stopped to talk to him. why didn’t you wait?
Divya: Don’t you know I stopped talking to him?
Gemnd: I am also used after these phrases- ‘It’s no use’, ‘It’s no good’
Dinesh and divya: Thank you, mam. bye Mr. Gemnd and Ms. Infinitive.
F. Now, work in pairs and help Dinesh and Divya complete the exercise given below.
Write the gerund/infinitive form of the verbs in the blanks.
- The astronauts managed ……………… (complete) their training in record time.
- They learned how ……………….. (survive) in space without gravity.
- The best astronaut almost quit …………….. (try) to leam the complex information.
- Their mission appeared ……………….. (be) in jeopardy.
- Then Marina encouraged him by saying, “It’s no good ………………….(quit) the project right at the end.”
- Being an astronaut will enable you …………….. (achieve) great success in life.
- If you give up ………………….. (study) now, our mission will be scrubbed.
- Think of your fellow astronauts who wouldn’t hesitate …………….. (help) you in time of treble.
- We astronauts must keep on ………………. (prepare) for our space launch.
- some say it’s no use …………………… (travel) to distant planets because it takes too long.
- But we really want ………………….. (visit) other planets and find out if life exists on them.
- Can you imagine ………………. (walk) up to a Martian and shaking hands and ………………… (say), “Hello, how are you?”
- We really look forward ………………….. (meet) alien creatures and ………………… (find) out what they are really like.
- Many scientists have warned us not ……………… (take) this dangerous journey, but we are not discouraged.
- Travelling to far away planets involves …………………… (risk) our lives for the thrill of discovery.
- However we won’t delay blast off into space.
- Would you like ………………… (accompany) us on our journey if you could?
- During our training we have got used to ……………….. (be) weightless and ……………………. (live) under difficult conditions.
- Scientists admit to ……………………… (be) intensely curious about life on other planets.
- I’m sure they would also enjoy ……………….. (travel) with our crew.
- We told them …………………… (come) with us on our trip, but some of them think it is a waste of time ……………… (search) for life that doesn’t exist.
- We have been taught how ……………… (endure) hardships during our training and now we can’t afford ………………….(waste) money. We’re on our way!
Answers:
- to complete
- to survive
- trying
- to be
- quitting
- to achieve
- studying
- to help
- preparing
- travelling
- to visit
- walking, saying
- to meet, finding
- to take
- risking
- blasting
- to accompany
- being, living
- being
- travelling
- to come, searching
- to endure, to waste
Old Man River Summary:
In this drama, the author pictures life in times of crisis. Its purpose is to highlight the central idea of security. Though in fear and confusion, the characters deal bravely with flood. The scene opens on a late afternoon in March. A group of children find themselves alone at home during heavy rains. The bridges seem to be under water. Amy gets a call from her mother that she wouldn’t be able to return home since the routes are flooded. Amy’s father is in Chicago. Amy’s friend Rose is asked to stay back for the night. The children soon realise that the river is swelling.
They advise each other to be calm and brave. They arrange food, water, flashlights and other necessary things. Each one of them takes responsibility for cooking, safety, etc. Amy tries to save her parents’ valuable articles. In the night, a rescue boat arrives. Rose’s sister Sara gets hurt by chance. The rescue team takes Sara to the emergency Red Cross Hospital. The play focuses on the importance of acting during a crisis and first-aid awareness. We can take a lesson from the children how they help one another and stay calm till help arrives.
Old Man River Glossary:
cloudburst – a sudden violent rainstorm.
gasp – catch one’s breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.
hark – listen, pay attention.
lantern – a lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or electric bulb, and typically having a handle by which it may be carried or hung.
pickaback – a piggyback ride, on the back and shoulders of another person.
pitcher – a large jug.
shudder – shiver typically as a result of fear or revulsion.
splint – a long flat object used as a support for a broken bone so that the bone stays in a particular position while it heals.
stamping – bring down (one’s foot) heavily on the ground.
thumping – hitting or striking heavily, especially with fist or a blunt instrument.
wink – close and open one eye quickly, shine or flash intermittently.