DM English Class

 TRIUMPH OF SURGERY CHARACTER SKETCH   Mrs. Pumphrey  : Mrs. Pumphrey was quite a rich and resourceful lady with a large number of servants and maids. She was passionately attached to her little pet dog, Tricki. She was much worried about Tricki’s miserable condition. Tricki had become hugely fat and listless. She thought he was suffering from malnutrition. So, she started giving Tricki malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night. Being overindulgent, Mrs. Pumphrey even ignored Dr Herriot’s advice. The doctor knew that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. He had advised Mrs Pumphrey to cut down food and sweets for Tricki. He also advised her to give him plenty of exercise. The dog  was to be kept on a very strict diet. For Mrs. Pumphrey, it was very difficult for her because she pampered Tricki like a spoiled child. This only compounded Tricki’s misery. His condition worsened. He lost appetite and started vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was impra...

 III. TEA FROM ASSAM- by Arup Kumar Datta I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:    1. An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-puckers with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.   (a) How are the women tea-puckers different from the other workers on the farms?  (b) What did they find on both sides of the road?  (c) How did the tea bushes appear?   (d)What were the groups of women doing?  Answer: (a) They had bamboo baskets on their backs and wore plastic aprons.   (b) On both the sides of the gravel road were acre upon acre of tea bushes.   (c) The tea bushes were all neatly pruned to the same height.   (d) They were plucking the ne...

  II. COORG- by Lokesh Abrol  TEXTUAL QUESTIONS:    Q1: Where is Coorg?   Answer: Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka that is located midway between Mysore and Mangalore.   Q2: What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?   Answer: The fiercely independent people of Coorg are believed to be the descendants of people of Greek or Arabic origin. As the story goes, a section of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there when they could not return to their country. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. This is the beautiful story about the Kodavu people’s descent. Q3: What are some of the things you now know about  (i) the people of Coorg?   (ii) the main crop of Coorg?   (iii) the sports it offers to tourists?   (iv) th...

  GLIMPSES OF INDIA I. A BAKER FROM GOA-by Lucio Rodrigues  Q1: What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?   Answer: The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their love for the famous bread loaves. The writer also mentions that although the eaters of loaves have vanished, the bread makers still do exist. They ponder over the past and tell them that though the Portuguese have left Goa but the bakers still exist, if not the original ones, their legacy is being continued by their sons.  Q2: Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?   Answer: Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. It is evident from the fact that the bread makers still exist, though the eaters have gone away. The presence of the mixers, moulders, the ones who bake the loaves and the time-tested furnaces are a proof of their existence. The legacy of bakers is being continued by their sons. You will find a bakery in every Goan villa...