NOTES

Gulliver -  The narrator and protagonist of the story. Although Lemuel Gulliver’s vivid and detailed style of narration makes it clear that he is intelligent and well educated, his perceptions are naïve and gullible. He has virtually no emotional life, or at least no awareness of it, and his comments are strictly factual. Indeed, sometimes his obsession with the facts of navigation, for example, becomes unbearable for us, as his fictional editor, Richard Sympson, makes clear when he explains having had to cut out nearly half of Gulliver’s verbiage. Gulliver never thinks that the absurdities he encounters are funny and never makes the satiric connections between the lands he visits and his own home. Gulliver’s naïveté makes the satire possible, as we pick up on things that Gulliver does not notice.

Laputans -  Absentminded intellectuals who live on the floating island of Laputa, encountered by Gulliver on his third voyage. The Laputans are parodies of theoreticians, who have scant regard for any practical results of their own research. They are so inwardly absorbed in their own thoughts that they must be shaken out of their meditations by special servants called flappers, who shake rattles in their ears. During Gulliver’s stay among them, they do not mistreat him, but are generally unpleasant and dismiss him as intellectually deficient. They do not care about down-to-earth things like the dilapidation of their own houses, but worry intensely about abstract matters like the trajectories of comets and the course of the sun. They are dependent in their own material needs on the land below them, called Lagado, above which they hover by virtue of a magnetic field, and from which they periodically raise up food supplies. In the larger context of Gulliver’s journeys, the Laputans are a parody of the excesses of theoretical pursuits and the uselessness of purely abstract knowledge.

Richard Sympson -  Gulliver’s cousin, self-proclaimed intimate friend, and the editor and publisher of Gulliver’s Travels. It was in Richard Sympson’s name that Jonathan Swift arranged for the publication of his narrative, thus somewhat mixing the fictional and actual worlds. Sympson is the fictional author of the prefatory note to Gulliver’s Travels, entitled “The Publisher to the Readers.” This note justifies Sympson’s elimination of nearly half of the original manuscript material on the grounds that it was irrelevant, a statement that Swift includes so as to allow us to doubt Gulliver’s overall wisdom and ability to distinguish between important facts and trivial details

Yahoos -  Unkempt humanlike beasts who live in servitude to the Houyhnhnms. Yahoos seem to belong to various ethnic groups, since there are blond Yahoos as well as dark-haired and redheaded ones. The men are characterized by their hairy bodies, and the women by their low-hanging breasts. They are naked, filthy, and extremely primitive in their eating habits. Yahoos are not capable of government, and thus they are kept as servants to the Houyhnhnms, pulling their carriages and performing manual tasks. They repel Gulliver with their lascivious sexual appetites, especially when an eleven-year-old Yahoo girl attempts to rape Gulliver as he is bathing naked. Yet despite Gulliver’s revulsion for these disgusting creatures, he ends his writings referring to himself as a Yahoo, just as the Houyhnhnms do as they regretfully evict him from their realm. Thus, “Yahoo” becomes another term for human, at least in the semideranged and self-loathing mind of Gulliver at the end of his fourth journey.

CBSE PAPER FOR PRACTICE CLASS IX ( S.A II)

SONG OFTHE RAIN ( CLASS IX)

TEXTBOOK ANSWERS

1. Why is the rain divine?

Answer- -The rain is assumed to be the main moving force and as if incarnation of god to save the humanity and to send them a message that God is merciful. Fields are filled with its showers to remove its dryness and barrenness. It is as if the ‘prana’ which helps the flower to bloom and trust to rejuvenate. Pattering is the sound when it has the down pour and only the people of aesthetic civility can sense the song of the rain. In conclusion as it is the source of happiness of every kinds of living object, so the rain is divine.

2. In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?

Answer- -Constructive and positive outputs are the main functions of rain in this universe as heavenly decorators. It decorates natures, field and valleys and like pearls adorns the gardens. It is the source of laughter as it comes from the hills producing the invaluable life force. It makes everything elated along its flowers with its sprinkles. It acts like a communicator and messenger of mercy and thus quenches every objects thirst on the Earth. The delicate and sensitive person assumes it’s downpour to be the welcome song.

3. “When I cry. ….all things are elated.”

   -Explain cry, humble, bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls .Explain then three in context.

Answer- -Multi – dimensional benefit heralds from the rain in the above quoted lines. We are acquainted with three dimensional functions of the noble rain-

ii) cry – The hills in the mood of rejoice creates a sound of laughter when the rain droplets comes down on the earth.

iii) Humble – The slow and soft falling of the rain droplets begets the cause of rejoice and blooming to the flowers.

Iv)  Bow – The soft drizzling droplets get sipped underneath the land surface providing required nourishment to the trees and all other living entities.

d)  How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the field and cure cloud ailment?

Answer--This is an embodiment of prodigious imagery of the writer. A super thought in linkage with the element of the cloud and the field is depicted here. The evaporated air mixed with other necessary ingredients form a cloud. After bursting it pours down as rain. In this way it cures ailment of the cloud. Simultaneously when it comes down and quenches the thirst of the field, it really does the work of a thirst quencher by removing the dryness and barrenness of the field. It transmits them to be a colourful one.

e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees .Mention a few of them.

Answer- The all pervasive effects of the rain droplets is presented here. The rain droplets being a symbol of impartiality embraces every subtle object of the earth. It embraces hills in million little ways; it embraces trees in million little ways. And it embraces every man made structure in million little ways.

f) “All can hear, but only

    The sensitive can understand “

   --What does the poet want to convey?

Answer- The innate super intellectuals with supra-normal ability are hinted in the above extract. A difference between extra – ordinary and ordinary is presented. The patterning sounds of the rain falling on window panes can be graced as beautiful rhythmic song only by the sensitive with distinctive qualities. In other word, the lyrical sound of the fall of the rain provides aesthetic pleasure to the sensitive souls.

g)

 i) Notice the imagery built around “sigh of the sea”, “laughter of the field” and “tears of heaven”.

Explain the three expressions in context of rain.

Answer- Imagery with its lively delineation enables us to get in the nerve of the poem. The evaporation on the surface of the sea begetting the cause of rainfall is presented here as ‘sigh of the sea’.

            Inexplicable rejoicing state of the fields after receiving the rejuvenating rain droplets to quench the thirst is depicted here as ‘laughter of the field’.

Hyperbolic is the imagery of tears of heaven. Only over burdened clouds bursting or parting with the rain droplets release. As it is part the heavy downpour from the cloud meant here as “tears of heaven”.

ii) How would you express rain as-

 -an agent of floods

Answer- Answer- An automatic consequence of the downpour of the rain droplets is inundation. The heavy downpour enriches the rivers & other water bodies causing inundation in the adjacent areas.  

-a source of water for dams.

Answer- Another paradoxical output of inundation for positivity is the development of rainfall and inundation enables the damn with gallows of water for the various human necessities.

            Undoubtedly rainfall simultaneously does the work of preservation in the destruction.

h) “I am like earthly life”

 Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?

Answer- The metaphorical comparison in the above quoted line is really an exquisite one. The earthly cycle of the living entities begin with birth ends with death. Here according to the poet the rain has got also the earthly cycle of life. The child which is born will go through the successive stages and will end up leaving the world. Similarly the rain thus begetting at the feet of same elements i.e. clouds proclaims the birth & when the cloud starts parting as  the rain droplets it ends  in the death.

i) Explain the ending of the song.

Answer- At the conclusion of the poem, the poet recapitulates the very three main functions that rain performs. The sea is the begetter of vapour which turns into cloud. The word affection gives the sea the position of begetter or mother. The colorful field of spirit symbolically represents the mirth of the crops and plants which are nourished by rain. Tears from the endless heaven of memories suggest the rainfall that occurs from heaven that is symbolically meant as cloud.

JULIUS CAESAR

TEXT BOOK ANSWERS

Answer 5

(1) (a) worried

(2) (c) arrogance

(3) (a) ambition

(4) (a) the conspirators would like to be friends with him

(5) (d) knows Antony is a good orator who can sway the mob

(6) (b) Rome will experience fierce civil war in which many people will die

(7) (a) has not understood Brutus' reason for killing Caesar

(8) (b) flattering

(9) (a) remind the mob of Caesar's greatness as a warrior

(10) (c) a loyal friend

Answer 6

(a) Calpurnia sees horrible and frightening dreams. She saw a lioness

(b) Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar that he should not go out of the house

(c) Calpurnia says that Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in

(d) Calpurnia dreamed that Caesar’s statue spouted blood from a hundred

(e) Decius Brutus is a clever man. The arguments put forward by Decius

giving birth on the streets, fierce warriors fighting a bloody fight and

blood falling on the Capitol, ghosts shrieking and squealing in the

streets, the dead coming out of the grave. All these were unnatural

happenings and indicated bad omen. Thus heavens “blaze forth” the

death of Julius Caesar.

that day as some mishap might happen. She describes her frightening

dreams to Caesar and tells him that they indicate bad omen. She tells

him for his safety he should not step out of the house.

confidence' because Caesar decides to go to the Senate ignoring all the

signs which foretell him about danger. Calpurnia felt that Caesar had

become overconfident and because of this he couldn’t understand there

was a threat to his life. Julius doesn’t act wise and declines the idea of

staying back because if he did so, he would be considered a coward.

places and many Roman people came and washed their hands in it.

Decius Brutus interprets it as a lucky and fortunate dream. He says that

Rome and Romans will get a new life. Great man shall gather around

Caesar and stain their handkerchief in his blood. Distinguished men will

get honour at his hands and everything relating to him will be held in

utmost reverence.

Brutus were that the Senate had decided to present Caesar a crown and

if he did not go, then they might change their minds. All this convinces

Caesar to go to the Capitol.

(f) Decius Brutus is a great flatterer. He is more successful in persuading

Caesar than Calpurnia because his argument appeals to Caesar’s

pride.While Calpurnia wishes that Caesar stay at home after seeing

horrible dreams, Decius Brutus interprets the dreams lucky and

fortunate. According to him, they signify Caesar’s power and influence.

He gives Caesar’s ego a boost. Caesar is totally carried away by his

words and decides to go to the Capitol.

(g) The conspirators want that Caesar should call Publius Cimber home as

he had banished him. They request him to review his earlier decision.

However, Caesar is no mood to relent. He tells the conspirators that he

is firm like a Pole Star. His heart will not be softened by bowing and

stooping activities and if Mettellus Cimber continues such activities, he

would turn him away like a street dog.

(h) These words are spoken by Caesar when Brutus along with other

conspirators stabs Caesar. Caesar was stabbed in the Senate House and

Brutus too stabs him. Caesar had not expected Brutus to behave in such

a treacherous manner. As he tries to defend himself, with his broken

heart, he says ‘Et tu Brute’.

(i) After Caesar’s death, the conspirators claim that with Caesar’s death

tyranny has ended in Rome. They shout slogans like ‘Peace, Liberty,

Freedom and Enfranchisement’. They say that although Caesar was a

great man, he had become too ambitious.

(j) Antony is filled with grief and sorrow on seeing mighty Caesar lying on

the ground. He says “O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?/ Are all

they conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,/ Shrunk to this little measure?

/ Fare thee well.” He said he was totally ignorant of the conspirator’s

intentions. He is willing to die at their hands. His life is not as valuable

as Caesar’s and he will think himself as fortunate if he is killed by the

same sword as the one which killed Caesar. He bids Caesar a sorrowful

farewell. He believed that Caesar brought glories, victories and gains in

war to the city of Rome.

(k) Antony calls the conspirators “the choice and master spirits of this

age”. He says this because they had just killed the leader of the Roman

Empire.

(l) Cassius tells Brutus to prevent him to speak at Caesar’s funeral. He

knew that Antony was a great orator and his speech will influence the

audience. At this Brutus tells that he will address the public first giving

reasons for Caesar’s death. Antony will only speak after him and with

their consent.

(m) Cassius does not think it would be proper Antony should speak at

Caesar’s funeral as his speech may change the mind of the audience.

But Brutus tells that Antony would only speak with their consent and

he will speak first and his speech will enumerate reasons for Caesar’s

death.

(n) The conditions imposed on Mark Antony were that in his funeral speech

he would not blame the conspirators, but speak all good things about

Caesar. He had to speak from the same pulpit as Brutus and tell the

people that he did so by the conspirators’ permission.

(o) Antony prays that Caesar will pardon Antony if he has been meek and

gentle with his murderers. Antony calls Caesar the most illustrious man

the world has ever known. He curses the men who have killed him.

(p) Antony says that the Romans will pay for the sin they have committed

by murdering Caesar. A curse will fall upon them. The Romans will

suffer from various terrible happenings. A furious civil war with

bloodshed and destruction will occur in the country. Cruel deeds will be

committed frequently. Mothers shall see their near and dear ones cut to

pieces before their eyes. The soul of Caesar will roam to seek revenge

of his death.

(q) Brutus tells that he killed Caesar because he had become ambitious and

wanted to be the king of Rome. He killed Caesar for the betterment

of Rome. He was also ready to lay down his life for his country.

He honoured Caesar as long as he was heroic but when he became

ambitious he killed him.

(r) The third citizen says "Let him be Caesar" after Brutus has finished his

speech justifying Caesar’s killing. Brutus in his speech proclaims that

the public can kill him if he too becomes ambitious like Caesar. He has

the same dagger for himself and he is willing to lay down his life for his

country. The citizens are fully satisfied. They praise Brutus and show

their sympathy for the act.

(s) Antony speech is more effective because it is genuine and full of

emotions and feelings for Caesar. He very cleverly tells the crowd that

Caesar was not ambitious rather he had refused the crown thrice. He

enhanced the glory of Rome with his victories. He left 75 drachmas in

his will to be given to every Roman. He left his gardens and property

for the common use of the people. He tries to gain the sympathy of the

people by showing Caesar’s wounded body. The mob is filled with

anger after Antony’s speech and they rush to kill the conspirators.

(t) After Antony’s speech, the mob is filled with anger. They rush to kill

the conspirators. They burn their houses. Cassius and Brutus plan to

face the enemy and discuss their strategy inside a tent. However, both

start to quarrel violently but soon become friends. Cassius cannot handle

defeat and commits suicide. The ghost of Caesar haunts Brutus. Brutus

knows his end is near. He asks Starto to hold his sword, runs on it and

dies.

Answer 10

(1) (a) Caesar is speaking to his wife Calpurnia. He speaks these words in

response to Calpurnia’s pleadings that he should not go out of the house as his life

might be in danger.

(b) Calpurnia has expressed a fear that the ominous signs during the night might

mean that Caesar’s life is in danger.

(c) The bases of her fears are the unearthly events during the previous night and

the strange dream which she had.

(2) (a) Mark Antony speaks these words. He is in the market place pulpit.

(b) The contents of Ceasar’s will were as follows:

To every Roman citizen he gave seventy-five drachmas. In addition to this, all his

walks, orchards and gardens were to be opened to the public.

(c) The speaker reads Caesar’s will to the audience to play on their sympathy, and

to make Caesar look like a great, benevolent ruler.

(d) On hearing the will, the citizens call Caesar noble, and pledge to avenge his

death.

PSA 2014

Please refer to CBSE website (Ist circular for year 2014, point 7 is regarding PSA 2014)


7  Problem Solving Assessment (PSA) for Classes IX & XI

Research and analytical skills, ability to apply basic concepts of different subjects, solving
application-based problems in Mathematics and Science, comprehension and analysis of
written texts and effective communication skills ensure success in higher studies and
careers. These dimensions of the 21st Century life skills will greatly assist our learners to
acquire higher order thinking skills. The Problem Solving Assessment (CBSE-PSA) for
Classes IX & XI is compulsory. There will be 60 items of MCQ type for 60 marks. The CBSE
through the CAER will be bringing out a question bank on PSA.