Interview : Environmentalist

Imagine, you have to conduct an interview of a distinguished personality in the field of environment. 

Name of Interviewee : Dr Paul Johnson

Area of Success : Environment

Date Venue Time : 4 March , Green Culture Society Office

Duration of Interview : 30 Minutes

1. As an environmental scientist working for Greenpeace, what is it that you do?
2.   We saw the headline “Hottest Year on Record” , how worried should we be about the warming climate?

3. What ’s your opinion about  global temperatures and disaster?


4. And if we do manage to take action in time? Will the world be magically saved: will forests be replenished, will the Arctic stop melting…?


5. What do you say to someone who doesn’t believe in climate change?


5. What scientific concepts do people often get wrong that really annoys you?

6. Of all the terrible things that are happening in the world — poverty, war, lack of universal education and healthcare — why is environmental protection the most important thing for a scientist to work on?

7. How can we engage in a discussion about climate change or the environment without sounding too gloomy?

8. If there’s one thing that everyone could do today to help protect the environment, what would that be?

Polite Words are nothing but Hypocrisy

Polite Words are nothing but Hypocrisy

View: People use polite words very often with strangers. With the dear and near ones they forget to use polite words. Instead they behave rudely. What does this kind of behaviour show? Isn’t it hypocrisy? On many occasions just to get their work done, people use polite words. After the work is done, they start abusing behind. Some people make use of polite words in English as a status symbol. Polite words on the face and rude word on back is a common practice among the people. This shows polite words are nothing but hypocrisy

Counter-view: Politeness costs nothing but buys everything.

It cannot be said that politeness is the mark of hypocrisy. Many people are of the opinion that politeness begets politeness. The use of polite words can calm the storm of hot words. Polite words have the power of establishing peace and win-win atmosphere. What people speak behind you doesn’t make any difference if they are polite with you. Due to their politeness, you become polite. You pass this politeness to others. This becomes a circle.

The Real Rain Man : Activity Sheet

Read the first activity, read the extract and do the activities that follow. [12 marks)
A1. Complete the following statement by choosing two correct reasons from the options given below .
TO hold conversation With Kim was difficult because ___________ and _____________
I) he was overexcited to speak.
ii) his mind shifted quickly from one topic to another.
iii) he was not interested in the conversation.
iv)he needed somebody's help to steer him back to the original topic.

The Oscar-winning role played by Dustin Hoffman in 1988 film. about an autistic savart with astounding arithmetical skills, is indeed based on Kim Peek (among others), although Kim is rot autistic but developmentally disabled. Most savant possess remarkable expertise in up tiree subjects. Kim is a mega-savant, because he is expert in at least 15 different subjects. No one in the world is thought to possess a brain as extraordinary as Kim Peek's. NASA hoping to use modem advances in brain imaging and data fusion techniques to shed light om how Kim's brain ticks.
I ask Kim what he feels about it. "It's the best way of all,' he replies enigmatically. Why does he think he knows so much? •l have great love for everybody I see," he answers. It is hard to hold a conversation with Kim. His mind flits from one subject to the next with bewildering rapidity — with Fran always trying to steer Kim back on course.
I tell them I grew up near a town called Cirencester. lt was a Roman Camp, called Corin, says Kim. •Corinium," I correct him. Later I check and find that he is right: the Romans based the name Corinium on the Celtic word Corin.
When Kim was bom in 1951, his head was a third larger than normal, with an encephalocele — a blister into which part of his brain protruded — across the back of his head. At the age of three the blister retracted, pulling a nodule into Kim's cerebellum, destroying most of it. In 1983 he had an x-ray which showed that he had one solid brain hemisphere, instead
of two. A later scan showed that the right half of Kim's cerebellum had exploded into three
A2 Order
Following sentences summarize the paragraphs but they are Jumbled up, arrange them in the order of their occurrence. 2
i)He had a photographic memory.
ii) Though physically challenged, Kim possessed unusual abilities.
iii) At the time of his birth his head had some abnormalities.
iv) He could flawlessly give the details of any information he knew, which amazed the scientists.

A3 Mention any two difficulties Kim would have to face in his life. 2
A4 Find and write four describing words from the extract which are similar in meaning to the word 'amazing '. 2
A5 Explain the role of a genius in human progress. 2
À6 Do as directed. 2
1) No one in the world is thought to possess a brain as extraordinary as Kim Peek's ( Rewrite the sentence in Superlative degree.)
ii) I ask him what he feels about it.(Change the narration)

Practice Time : Mommy Knows Best

Sample Activity Sheet


QI (A) Read the first activity, read the extract and then do all the activities (12)

A1. Read the following statements and write down two statements which explain the theme of the extract:

I. Indian moms are superior.

ii. Indian moms are happy about 'proto-fascist parenting techniques'.

iii. The father is dominated by ITM.

iv. Chinese mom is superior to ITM.



Ever since an excerpt from the book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, appeared in the Wall Street Journal under the provocative title 'Why Chinese Moms are Superior' there has been a debate, particularly in the western media, about the proto-Fascist parenting techniques described by writer Amy Chua. Now Chua is no out-of-touch traditionalist. She's a Yale Law School professor married to an American. But she says western methods of parenting are too lax because there's no pressure on the child to excel,

In contrast, the Chinese mom has a strict set of rules which Chua herself applied to her two daughters: no sleepovers, no school plays or complaining about not being in a school play, no getting any grade less than A, watching TV or computer games or choosing their own extra-curricular activities. She talks of a regime where kids practise the piano (or violin) for

hours without complaining. In short, Mommy's way or you are so grounded and punished.

But while western mothers have expressed shock, there has been a quiet chortle of understanding here in India. Many Sherni mothers not only empathise, they cheer. Yes! At last, someone who is on the same wavelength as us. These Indian moms can be seen everywhere, ensuring that their child is a combination of Einstein, Sachin Tendulkar, Bobby Fischer, Picasso and Yehudi Menuhin. Not to forget Bill Gates. And Aishwarya Rai or Tom Cruise..



So we've got the picture of the Indian Tiger Mom (ITM), the one species not likely to go extinct anytime soon. But what about the father? What does he think of all this (assuming he thinks independently)? For argument's sake, we will assume the father too has some thoughts

on the subject. Occasionally he bleats out his views.





A2. Complete (2)

Complete tho following sentence, Indian Mothers are called Tiger Moms because

1._______________________

2. _______________________

A3. Conclusion

'These Indian moms can be soon everywhere, ensuring that their child is a combination Of Einstein, Sachin Tendulkar Bobby Fischer, Picasso and Yehudi Monuhin, Not to forget Bill Gates, And Aishwarya Rai or Tom Cruise,'



The sentence implies Indian mothers ..........(Complete it in a paragraph). 2



A4. Vocabulary

Give ono word for the following from the passage:

1 not sufficiently strict

2. speak in a weak voice

3. suppressed laugh

4. causing discussion or argument (2)

A5. Personal Response

Explain whether you side with Indian moms or Western moms. (2)

A6. Grammar

Do as Directed (2)



1. She talks of a regime where kids practise the piano for hours without complaining. (Rewrite the sentence using the Simple Past Tense in it.)

2. These Indian moms can be seen everywhere.

(Use modal auxiliary showing certainty and rewrite the sentence.)

(B)Do as directed. (3)

I was sore at my friend but I really felt sorry for this fellow.

(Rewrite beginning with 'Though....) (1)

The recipe calls.......... two cups ........ sugar.

(Rewrite the sentence using appropriate prepositions.) (1)

iii.Alice said, "l can hold my breath for two minutes, Can you do it, Fred?
(Change the narration.) (1)

KEY

A 1. (ii) Indian moms are happy about •proto-fascist parenting techniques' (iii) The father is dominated by ITM.
A 2. They are strong, they evoke fear. they are dominating, they are very strict (Accept any two)
A 3. Indian moms are ambitious for their children's success, they want their child to excel in every field. they have high expectations. they see to it that in future their child will a combination of many successful personalities. (Accept any two)
A 4. (i) lax (ii) bleat (iii) chortle (iv) provocative (% mark for each. total 2 marks) A 5. Accept any reasonably correct response.
A 6. Grammar
She talked of a regime where kids practised the piano for hours without complaining.
ii. Indian moms will be seen everywhere.
(B) Grammar
Do as directed
1 . Though I was sore at my friend, I really felt sorry for this fellow.
2. The recipe calls for two cups of sugar.
3. Alice said/told that she could hold her breath for two minutes. She asked Fred if / whether he could do thatflt.

Importance of English Oral Test

We take much efforts to prepare students for BOARD Exam of 80 marks . Students also leave no stone unturned to prepare for the written exam. I think along with students we should think about preparing for oral test too. We conduct model exam/ prelims for written tests. Should we not conduct such practice for oral test? We should give students ample opportunity to listen English. It is possible when we speak with them in English in and outside the classroom. We need to play some audios in the classroom by using Bluetooth speaker and cell phone. Listening skill will lead to speaking skill as they are interlinked. Give them some topic to speak. To make him/her speak on the particular topic, ask him simple questions . He/she may answer easily and feel confident. Encourage them to say something about given topic. Let them believe that they can.If one fails to speak on given topic , let him/her choose the topic.
Loud reading is also one kind of speaking. So encourage them to read stories, news and coursebooks of primary schools. Loud reading by the student gives listening opportunity to him/her. When they read loudly , they listen themselves. These three basic skills of English language have great co-relation and linking. Though they are interlinked and co-related, for the testing they have to be tested separately. Conversation skill is the most important one. As a teacher of English we have to engage students in conversation. We can give certain situations and ask them to discuss. We need to initiate the discussion.

Practice Time : Traffic Problems

A1. Complete the following statements choosing the correct alternatives from those given.
1. The 165/156 citizens have been selected to provide help regarding traffic problems.
2. These volunteers would generate road safety and traffic discipline/indiscipline awareness.
A2. Complete the sentences in column 'A' by matching them with the points in the column'B'
Column A
i. The traffic police have promised
ii. If there is a traffic violation by an individual
Column B
a. the presence of the FOTP helps in diffusing the tension.
b. an action on all complaints made by FOTP about traffic problems and violation.
c. they will face action on any complaints by the FOTP.
A3. The purpose of this text is...........
a. to bring the awareness among the travellers.
b. to tell the people about the presence of FOTP at traffic junction.
c. to recruit more members for FOTP
d. to take precautions to avoid traffic problems.
A4. Find out two compound
s or compound words from the above extract . A5 Describe the activities of the Non-Government Organization (NGO) you know.
A6 Grammar: Do as directed
i) We will speak to people as well as work in coordination with the traffic police.
(Rewrite using 'not only ....but also')
ii) The issuing of identity cards has given them an added confidence.
(Begin the sentence with 'They ..............)

Practice Time : Marching Song

Read the extract and do all the activities that follow.
Activities based on First Two stanzas Marching Song by Nazrul Islam.
A1 Complete the following statements supplying the suitable words from the extract
1. The status on the earth is in ....................
2.The poem (extract)is addressed to...........
A1. Complete the listing of the ‘Do’s ‘The youth should do.
1.usher in glorious morn
2.fight all barriers
3._____________
4._________
A2 “Of the fresh and the new we shall sing . Name the figure of speech in the above line and find another example of the same from the extract and write it down.
A2 Find out an example of each following figures of speech 1. personification 2.transferred epithet
A2 “Storming the doors of the dawn” Name the figure of speech in the above line and find another example of the same from the extract and write it down.
A3. The song arouses the feeling of patriotism. Write your views. A3. The patriotic songs helped to win the battle. Support the statement with your views
A3. The youth should take up responsibility of the development of the nation. Explain.
A4 We shall usher in the glorious morn . We shall destroy the darkness of the night.Compose poetic lines by inversing word order.Rhyming words not necessary.
A4 Compose two lines on patriotism.
A4. Of the fresh and the new we shall sing, The dead to life shall we bring . Arrange the word order differently to make poetic rhetoric questions