Self-Learning English Course with Activities

S.Chand's Self-Learning English Series Self-Learning English Course with Activities 8 This Series is developed to promote Learning, Speaking and Writing Correct English as per Guidelines provided by CBSE under CCE pattern Edited By RITA WILSON Former Principal Auckland House School, Shimla Former Principal Starex International School, Gurgaon & Former Officiating Chief Executive & Secretary Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi Authors KALPANA AGGARWAL M.A., B.Ed. S.R.D.A.V. Public School Dayanand Vihar, Delhi MILAN GOWEL B.A., B.Ed. S.R.D.A.V. Public School Dayanand Vihar, Delhi S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD. (AN ISO 9001 : 2008 COMPANY) RAM NAGAR, NEW DELHI - 110 055

VISAKHAPATNAM : S. CHAND & COMPANY PVT. LTD. (An ISO 9001 : 2008 Company) Head Office: 7361, RAM NAGAR, NEW DELHI - 110 055 Phone: 23672080-81-82, 9899107446, 9911310888 Fax: 91-11-23677446 Shop at: schandgroup.com; e-mail: info@schandgroup.com Branches : AHMEDABAD : 1st Floor, Heritage, Near Gujarat Vidhyapeeth, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 380 014, Ph: 27541965, 27542369, ahmedabad@schandgroup.com BENGALURU : No. 6, Ahuja Chambers, 1st Cross, Kumara Krupa Road, Bengaluru - 560 001, Ph: 22268048, 22354008, bangalore@schandgroup.com BHOPAL : Bajaj Tower, Plot No. 2&3, Lala Lajpat Rai Colony, Raisen Road, Bhopal - 462 011, Ph: 4274723, 4209587. bhopal@schandgroup.com CHANDIGARH : S.C.O. 2419-20, First Floor, Sector - 22-C (Near Aroma Hotel), Chandigarh -160 022, Ph: 2725443, 2725446, chandigarh@schandgroup.com CHENNAI : No.1, Whites Road, Opposite Express Avenue, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014 Ph. 28410027, 28410058, chennai@schandgroup.com COIMBATORE : 1790, Trichy Road, LGB Colony, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore -6410045, Ph: 2323620, 4217136 coimbatore@schandgroup.com (Marketing Office) CUTTACK : 1st Floor, Bhartia Tower, Badambadi, Cuttack - 753 009, Ph: 2332580; 2332581, cuttack@schandgroup.com DEHRADUN : 1st Floor, 20, New Road, Near Dwarka Store, Dehradun - 248 001, Ph: 2711101, 2710861, dehradun@schandgroup.com GUWAHATI : Dilip Commercial (Ist floor), M.N. Road, Pan Bazar, Guwahati - 781 001, Ph: 2738811, 2735640 guwahati@schandgroup.com HYDERABAD : Padma Plaza, H.No. 3-4-630, Opp. Ratna College, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad - 500 029, Ph: 27550194, 27550195, hyderabad@schandgroup.com JAIPUR : 1st Floor, Nand Plaza, Hawa Sadak, Ajmer Road, Jaipur - 302 006, Ph: 2219175, 2219176, jaipur@schandgroup.com JALANDHAR : Mai Hiran Gate, Jalandhar - 144 008, Ph: 2401630, 5000630, jalandhar@schandgroup.com KOCHI : Kachapilly Square, Mullassery Canal Road, Ernakulam, Kochi - 682 011, Ph: 2378740, 2378207-08, cochin@schandgroup.com KOLKATA : 285/J, Bipin Bihari Ganguli Street, Kolkata - 700 012, Ph: 22367459, 22373914, kolkata@schandgroup.com LUCKNOW : Mahabeer Market, 25 Gwynne Road, Aminabad, Lucknow - 226 018, Ph: 4076971, 4026791, 4065646, 4027188, lucknow@schandgroup.com MUMBAI : Blackie House, IInd Floor, 103/5, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Opp. G.P.O., Mumbai - 400 001, Ph: 22690881, 22610885, mumbai@schandgroup.com NAGPUR : Karnal Bagh, Near Model Mill Chowk, Nagpur - 440 032, Ph: 2720523, 2777666 nagpur@schandgroup.com PATNA : 104, Citicentre Ashok, Mahima Palace, Govind Mitra Road, Patna - 800 004, Ph: 2300489, 2302100, patna@schandgroup.com PUNE : Sadguru Enclave, Ground floor, Survey No. 114/3, Plot no. 8 Alandi Road, Vishrantwadi Pune 411015 Ph: 64017298 pune@schandgroup.com RAIPUR : Kailash Residency, Plot No. 4B, Bottle House Road, Shankar Nagar, Raipur - 492 007, Ph: 2443142,Mb. : 09981200834, raipur@schandgroup.com (Marketing Office) RANCHI : Shanti Deep Tower, Opp. Hotel Maharaja, Radium Road, Ranchi-834001 Mob. 09430246440, ranchi@schandgroup.com SILIGURI : 122, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, East Vivekanandapally, P.O., Siliguri, Siliguri-734001, Dist., Jalpaiguri, (W.B.) Ph. 0353-2520750 (Marketing Office), siliguri@schandgroup.com No. 49-54-15/53/8, Plot No. 7, 1st Floor, Opp. Radhakrishna Towers, Seethammadhara North Extn., Visakhapatnam - 530 013, Ph-2782609 (M) 09440100555, visakhapatnam@schandgroup.com (Marketing Office) 2010, Kalpana Aggarwal & Milan Gowel All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any material form (including photo copying or storing it in any medium in form of graphics, electronic or mechanical means and whether or not transient or incidental to some other use of this publication) without written permission of the copyright owner. Any breach of this will entail legal action and prosecution without further notice. Jurisdiction : All disputes with respect to this publication shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts, tribunals and forums of New Delhi, India only. First Edition 2010 Subsequent Editions and Reprints 2011, 2012, 2013 Revised Edition 2014 ISBN : 81-219-3233-1 Code : 11C 1088 PRINTED IN INDIA By Rajendra Ravindra Printers Pvt. Ltd., 7361, Ram Nagar, New Delhi -110 055 and published by S. Chand & Company Pvt. Ltd., 7361, Ram Nagar, New Delhi -110 055.

PREFACE TO SECOND REVISED EDITION Interactive and communication skills need to be developed right from an early stage. Keeping this in mind the CBSE and CISCE have formulated and introduced a step wise scheme of Communicative Approach as a part of the teaching of English as a language. These books are especially relevant to Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), the current educational programme introduced by CBSE. The books are thoroughly revised based on insightful feedback from schools all over India. On the basis of the perceptive and extensive comments offered by teachers, learners, departmental heads, Principals and parents, the books have been produced as revised editions that we hope will receive greater critical acclaim. Authors Acknowledgment Ted Hughes for 'Grandma' and Tennyson for 'Poetry'; Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for 'My Mother'; Mary Britton Miller for 'The Man's Quest'; Ruskin Bond for 'The Tiger'; Joy Allison for 'Which Loved Best?' Although every exertion been made to contact the owners of copyright of the pieces published here, a few have been impossible to trace. If they would please contact the authors, appropriate acknowledgment will be made in future editions.

PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION Communication is life. Just as healthy biological life is possible only when the brain is able to communicate well with other parts of the body, similarly a successful social life is possible when one is able to communicate well with other members of society. Self-Learning English Course with Activities is a series of ten books that is especially designed for primary & middle classes, keeping in view the latest trends of Communicative Teaching of English Language. The aim of this series is to help the learner attain Communicative Competence in the English language. The practice material includes Comprehension Passages and Interactive Exercises. There are also activities designed to stimulate children to think and develop their creative powers. Students take on a less heavy structural load but come away with greater language ability and confidence. Language is a means of communication. How effectively one communicates and interacts with people reflects ones personality. Interaction and Communication skills need development right from an early stage. Keeping this in mind the Central Board of Secondary Education has formulated and introduced a stepwise scheme of Communicative Approach as a part of the teaching of English as a language. Based on the guidelines, an effort has been made to provide suitable practice material on comprehension passages and writing skills while taking care of Grammar. Thus the old adage Practice makes a man perfect has been implemented. The development of material is from the simple to the complex in a carefully graded manner with suitable practice exercises. We extend our grateful thanks to the entire management and editorial staff of S. Chand and Co. Ltd., who took great pains to get the book published in such a nice form. The authors invite constructive feedback from teachers and users which will be thankfully acknowledged in the future editions of the book. Authors Disclaimer : While the authors of this book have made every effort to avoid any mistake or omission and have used their skill, expertise and knowledge to the best of their capacity to provide accurate and updated information. The authors and S. Chand does not give any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this publication and are selling this publication on the condition and understanding that they shall not be made liable in any manner whatsoever. S.Chand and the authors expressly disclaim all and any liability/responsibility to any person, whether a purchaser or reader of this publication or not, in respect of anything and everything forming part of the contents of this publication. S. Chand shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising out of the use of the information contained in this publication. Further, the appearance of the personal name, location, place and incidence, if any; in the illustrations used herein is purely coincidental and work of imagination. Thus the same should in no manner be termed as defamatory to any individual.

CONTENTS Comprehension of Unseen Passages and Poems Unseen Passages 1. The Commonwealth Games 1 2. The Story of a Dog 5 3. The Great Escape 8 4. Pearls 10 5. A Speaking Tree 13 6. The first lesson of success 15 7. Forty minutes fear 17 Unseen Poems 8. Grandma 19 9. From In Memoriam 22 10. My Mother 24 11. The Man's Quest 26 Grammar 1. The Sentence 29 2. Subject and Predicate 34 3. Nouns 37 4. Verbs 42 5. Agreement of Verb with the Subject 51 (Concord) 6. Modals 55 7. Adjectives 63 8. Determiners 71 9. Articles 77 10. Pronouns 83 11. Prepositions 88

12. Adverbs 94 13. Conjunctions 100 14. Tenses 104 15. Active and Passive Voice 118 16. Direct and Indirect Speech 127 17. Finite and Non-finite Verbs 137 18. Phrases and Idioms 145 19. Conditionals 149 20. Punctuation 152 Writing Skill I. Letter writing 156 II. Essay writing 165 III. Notice writing 168 IV. Messages 170 V. Diary Entry 173 VI. Article writing 177 Test Yourself Test Paper I 181 Test Paper II 188

1 The Commonwealth Games Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: The Commonwealth Games is a multinational sports event which is organized every fourth year. The event was first held in 1930.The vibrant city of New Delhi, which has a population of 14 million hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. We welcomed the world to help us show India's unique hospitality. The unbound support from everyone made the event a memorable one. Delhi is the capital of India and is rich in culture, tradition and history. It is the third largest city in India and now the most preferred city in terms of investment, industrialization and Information Technology. It stands on the western end of the Gangetic Plain. It is bordered by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.There are two main districts of the city, Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India between the th th mid 17 and late 19 centuries with its historic sites, mosques and monuments and New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British Raj with its imposing government buildings and tree lined avenues. The culture of Delhi reflects the rich heritage of the past coupled with the influence of modern lifestyle. Apart from being the national capital of India and important economic hub of India, Delhi is the most preferred tourist destination of North India. Delhi won the right to host the 2010 Games by defeating the Canadian city of Hamilton by 46 votes to 22 at the CGF General Assembly held in Montego Bay in November 2003. Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8 1 Comprehension of Unseen Passages and Poems

The Commonwealth Games were held in the city from October 3 to October 14, 2010, inclusive of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The temperature in Delhi in the month of October is moderate. It is neither cold nor very hot. In other words the weather was pleasant and the tourists enjoyed watching the games in the month of October. Various sports as Archery, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Tennis, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling were the main events of the Commonwealth Games. New venues for various games were constructed. Badminton and Squash were held at Siri fort Sports Complex. Rugby was held at Delhi University and venue for Table Tennis was Yamuna Sports Complex. Weightlifting and Wrestling were held at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. The venues for Shooting and Archery were Dr Kami Singh Shooting range and Yamuna Sports Complex respectively. Lawn Bowls were held at Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex. Tour and travel agencies in the city provided tourism services ranging from accommodation to guides and sight seeing to the tourists who came from all over the world to see these Commonwealth Games. Delhi Tourism Department also set up help desk services for foreign tourists to find all necessary information about the city. Some of the major tourist attractions for the tourists are India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajghat, Jamamasjid, Qutub Minar, Redfort, Humayun's Tomb and Akshardham temple to name a few. The Government of India made every effort to restore the original story of these monuments that attracted a large number of sight seeing tourists to the sites. Metro train facility was very convenient for the tourists to move from one place to another. We, as citizens of India, are very proud that our country hosted this international sporting event. effervescent-lively ;renovate-to make new. QUESTIONS 1. When and where were the 2010 Commonwealth Games held? 2 Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8

2. What was the role of Delhi Tourism Department in making the Commonwealth Games a successful event? 3. Write the names of a few places of tourist attraction in Delhi. 4. How can you say that Delhi was all prepared for Commonwealth Games which were held in 2010? 5. Write whether the following statements are true or false: (a) Delhi is the third largest city in India. (b) The Commonwealth Games is an annual event. (c) The Commonwealth Games were first held in the year 1930. (d) Delhi won the right to host the 2010 Games by defeating the Canadian City of Hamilton. Comprehension 6. Write the names of venues where the following sports were held- (a) Rugby (b) Archery (c) Squash (d) Wrestling (e) Lawn Bowls (f) Badminton 7. Write a few lines to prove that Delhi has a rich culture, tradition and history. Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8 3

8. Being a citizen of Delhi what could you have done to make this event a greater success? 9. Write a short letter to your friend about the Commonwealth Games. Dear Your loving friend 4 Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8

2 The Story of a Dog Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: When I was born I couldn t see anything. I had a big family with two sisters and three brothers. The world was all darkness for us for a few days after our birth. I remember the day when all of us opened our eyes. The family we were living with, was very excited when we were born. We mostly lay huddled with each other. The body warmth of my mother and mates was very reassuring. Those were the best days, when most of the time we either slept or suckled our mom. I will never forget the way she used to lick us and clean us. Comprehension When we were two weeks old, we had started playing among ourselves. My mother was very strict. She never played with us. She always kept an eye on all of us all the time. I remember my first meal. The mistress of the house brought cold milk in a beautiful bowl. It was okay, but not as tasty as my mother's milk. I was growing pretty fast and could feel the change in my body. At around five weeks I was having four meals a day. Now all day my mother was no where to be seen. We played amongst ourselves. We got the company of mom only at night. One day we were busy playing among ourselves. Suddenly we felt there was lot of commotion in the house. A beautiful girl named Rumita came near us. She was accompanied by our master Mr Ghosh. We all rushed to greet her, except our sister Silky. She was always afraid of strangers and hid behind me and started to cry. Our mother was no where to be seen. May be she heard the cries of Silky and was barking loudly from inside the house. We were scared but Rumita who came to see us was fascinated. She immediately developed a liking for me. She picked me up, held me close to her. My heart was throbbing, but her hug calmed me down. She kissed me and named me Blackie. Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8 5

My first experience of a car ride to Rumita's place was frightening. I lay cuddled up in her lap and she constantly stroked my head to reassure me. When we reached my new mistress's house she allowed me to inspect it. I was comfortable but suddenly I started to miss mom and my mates too. I started to cry. Rumita rushed to me and soothed my fears. She made a soft and comfortable bed for me. I slept peacefully. I dreamt of my mates, we were playing, running around. The next week, Rumita and her father took me out in the car. I was not scared of the ride now. They took me to a Vet. I heard the Vet inform them that I was a German Shepherd. Our forefathers were taken to England from Germany and we were called Alsatian. I felt proud of my ancestry. The Vet gave me a sharp prick. It was quite painful, yet it ensured that I do not catch some dreaded diseases. Rumita seemed to know her way with dogs. She gave me a small fish immediately after the Vet took out the needle. This made life easy for me and the next pricks after a couple of days were not bad at all. I was always rewarded with more fish whenever I was injected. I was very happy in my new home. Rumita and her family made a lovely pack and her brother was our leader. I used to wait for him to come back from his office. The sound of his jeep was exciting for me. He used to take me out on long walks. He used to teach me his language with short commands like 'go' 'eat' 'run' etc. Soon I was able to understand their commands. They were able to understand my language too. Humans have a spoken language, whereas we express only through body language. It was good that we understood each other well. I remember a dog in the neighbourhood. His name was Sheru. He was beaten cruelly daily by the family members. There was lack of communication between him and his master's family members. This made his life miserable. Life was very comfortable for me. When I was one year old, I had many puppies. When they grew up they also went to their new homes. I wonder if they were as fortunate as I was! Rumita has gone abroad for higher studies. I am nine years old. I often dream of her. She comes on holidays to meet her parents. She spends hours playing with me. I wish all dogs were as lucky as I am! reassuring-convincing; commotion-confusion. QUESTIONS 1. Which line in the story suggests that the baby dog had a big family? 6 Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8

2. Why did the baby dog feel that her mother was very strict? 3. How could the baby dog feel the change in her body? 4. Did the baby dog like her new mistress? Why? 5. Why was the dog taken to the Vet? 6. Why did the dog mentioned in the story consider herself to be lucky? Comprehension 7. What names have been given to the following in the story: (a) The dog's sister - (b) The dog - (c) New mistress of the dog - 8. What is the meaning of the following: (a) I wish all dogs were as lucky as I am! (b) I felt proud of my ancestry. 9. Suppose you have an alsatian dog as a pet. How will you take care of it. Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8 7

3 The Great Escape Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: As the train approached Goa, where I was going to spend my holidays, I went into the corridor to stretch my legs. I stayed there for a short while, breathing in the fresh sea air and exchanging a few words with one of the passengers, whom I had met earlier on the platform of Mumbai station. When I turned to go back to my seat, I happened to glance into the compartment next to mine. Sitting there was a man who many years ago had been my neighbour. He was a great talker, I remembered; it used to take hours to get away from him once he began a conversation. I was not at all sorry when he went to live in another part of Mumbai. We had not met since then, nor did I wish to meet him now, when my holiday was about to begin. Luckily at that moment he was too busy talking to the man opposite him to catch sight of me. I slipped back into my compartment, took down my luggage and carried it to the far end of the corridor so as to be ready to get off the train as soon as it stopped. The moment the train came to a halt, I called a porter, who in no time at all carried my luggage out of the station and found me a taxi. As I drove towards my small hotel on the outskirts of Vasco city, I breathed a deep sigh of relief at my narrow escape. There was little chance that I should run into my boring ex-neighbour again. When I reached the hotel, I went straight to my room and rested there until it was time for dinner. Then I went down to the coffee shop and ordered a cappucinno coffee. I had barely raised the cup to my 8 Self-Learning English Course With Activities 8

Self Learning English Course With Activities For Class 8 20% OFF Publisher : SChand Publications ISBN : 9788121933339 Author : Rita Wilson, Kalpana Aggarwal And Milan Gowel Type the URL : http://www.kopykitab.com/product/12030 Get this ebook