Report on Webinar Conducted by ELLE

Role of Competencies in Language Teaching

ELLE (English Language & literature Explorers) organised a webinar on the topic Role of competencies in Language Teaching at 4 pm on 4 May 2020. The webinar was hosted tactfully by a well-known personality Mr. Nadeem Khan. Dr Manjushree Sardeshpande from Nagpur was the speaker of the webinar. The session was organised on Zoom Cloud Meeting. Almost 85 Jr. College teachers were the direct participants by joining zoom. Many teachers may have enjoyed the live session on FB and YouTube. 

The webinar started sharply at 4 p.m. Dr. Manjushree Sardeshpande started her

session skilfully using screen share feature of the Zoom. She presented slides on the topic one by one and explained them in detail. The contents of presentation were – Statement of Competencies forfstd XII, 21st century learning skills, literacy skills, life skills in std XII course book, Language

skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and study skills.

In her presentation Dr. Manjushree Sardeshpande pointed out the competency level of students entering in Std 12. The syllabus is prepared taking into consideration the previous competencies of the students. We should understand the linguistic level of the students, the teaching goals and objectives of Std XII course book. As a teacher we should start reading the book from the preface. The students do not have surrounding of spoken English. Teacher should create such a surrounding. The students need to understand the 21st century challenges and learn strategies to accept them. Holistic developments of the students also are aimed at in the course book.She pointed out how the course book will help the students to inculcate 21st century skills like 4 c’s critical thinking, creativity,collaborationc and communication. In the course book there

are various places where students can acquire these skills with active involvement. She threw light on different literacy skills like information literacy, media literacy and technology literacy

(IMT) to be acquired by the students. Then she dealt with life skills like flexibility, leadership and initiative, productive and social skills (FLIPS). These skills should be inculcated. The teachers should help students by organising different activities regarding the course book.

Many activities are given in the course book. Our focus should be on learning rather than  teaching. We should create the opportunities to make students learn. In real life we need to be flexible and productive. These qualities are developed in the early stage of life better. Through

the classics and masterpieces chosen for the study, along with these skills wit and humour,astuteness and ingenuity, etiquettes and manners, self-realization, love for nature and wild life, self-esteem etc. should be the aim of teaching learning process. The book connects students with local as well as global.Further she stated that since we are the language teacher our focus should be on basics skills of language. We should make skilful use of audio video aids available on media. As far as listening is concerned, we should remember that the more we listen, the more we learn to speak.

We should ensure that students learn to read and write also. Provide them different

opportunities to read and write. Students should be allowed to struggle with the text and arrive at the answers. Learning to learn is important. Learning for exams only is not enough.

Complexity of writing skills is increased in std XII. To keep pace with the time new skills like SoP, Mind Mapping, Virtual messages are added. She did not forget to tell to develop study habits among the students.

She sorted out the queries raised in the webinar. The queries were regarding urban and rural students, arts and science students. One of the query was about absenteeism of the science students in language classes.

The webinar turned to be a magic wand for me. It was a great experience to learn from the chairperson of English Language Committee Dr. Manjushree Sardeshpande. The webinar led me to the new realm of learning. It gives the clear idea about how to deal with the new course.

Click here to watch video

1.2 On Saying "Please"

Glossary

ICE BREAKERS

A. List the words of courtesy that we use in our daily life. Discuss them with
your partner and explain the purpose of using each 

B.  Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive traits,while others are not. Tick ✓ the ones you feel are desirable. ( Meanings of the words are provided. Students can tick now desirable traits.) 

 
Conniving - conspiring
Insensitive - pretending ignorance
Sly- wise in practical affairs
Humorous - 
Naive - deficient in worldly wisdom
Benevolent - disposed to doing good
Aggressive - 
Scheming
Wise 
Egoistic
Manipulative - influence others in an artful way/ unfair way
Rude- 
Boastful 
Humble - not proud
Servile - slave like
Territorial- organised for home defence
Patronising - treating good
Generous - liberal 

Characteristic traits	Characteristic traits	Characteristic traits	Characteristic traits
Conniving	Insensitive	Sly	Humorous
Naive	Benevolent	Aggressive	Scheming
Wise	Egoistic	Manipulative	Rude
Boastful	Humble	Servile	Territorial
Patronising	Generous

C.  Etiquette and manners are very important for a person to live in the society.
Read the following and put them in proper columns.
1. To receive phone calls while you are in a lecture or class.
2. To knock before you enter your Principal’s office.
3. To thank the person who offers you tea or coffee.
4. To be polite and courteous to others.
5. To leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
6. To occupy the seats reserved for ladies or physically challenged or elderly
people on a bus or a train.

Appropriate.	Inappropriate.
1. To knock before you enter your Principal’s office.                           2.  To thank the person who offers you tea or coffee. 3. To be polite and courteous to others.	1. To receive phone calls while you are in a lecture or class. 2. To leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission. 3. To occupy the seats reserved for ladies or physically challenged or elderly people on a bus or a train.

Question Bank Solution

BRAIN STORMING

(A1) (i) Form groups and explain the following words with examples. You can take help of your teacher.

• Humility - freedom from pride

• Self-esteem - a confidence in oneself 

• Gratitude - thankfulness

• Courtesy - respect

• Generosity - big heartedness

 • Sympathy - compassion, pity

• Empathy - experiencing the feelings of others

(ii) Have a Group Discussion on the topic ‘The need of soft skills at work

place’. Use the following points.

(a) Written and verbal communication

(b) Ways of interacting with others

(c) Creative abilities

(d) Emotional intelligence

(A2) (i) Read the text and state whether the following statements are True or False. 

Correct the False statements.

(a) Bitter problems in day-to-day life can be solved by sweet words. True

(b) Great wars could have been avoided by a little courtesy. True

(c) Observance of etiquette in a normal situation is important but more

important is their observance when the situation is adverse. True

(d) Words like 'please' and 'thank you' help us in making our passage through

life uneasy. False

(e) The law permits anybody to use violence, if another person is discourteous.   False

(ii) Select the most appropriate sentences which suggest the theme of the essay.

(a) The essay tells us about courtesy, civility, morality, responsibility and

control.

(b) The essay explores the difficulties that can be incurred by an individual

when dealing with the public.

(c) One can keep one’s peace of mind without having to lower themselves to

the level of the perceived offender.

(d) People with low self-esteem are generally difficult to work with and they

look down upon others to get a feeling of superiority.

(iii) (a) Find the reasons for the lift-man's uncivilized behaviour.
Ans : A passenger refused to say 'Top-please' to the liftman. The refusal hurt him acutely and damage his social standing. 

(b) List the people and their behaviour that made the passenger rude and ill-mannered.

(iv) Good manners are required in our daily life for making our social contacts

more cooperative and friendly. Illustrate the behaviour of the polite

conductor with different people in various situations.

Situation	Behaviour
1. The writer’s sensitive toe was trampled on	The conductor said sorry with an apology and courtesy.
2. In the rainy season dealing with people	He would give the tips that there is room in the bus.
4. Dealing with children	as solicitous as father
5. Dealing with young people	as considerate as son
6. Dealing with a blind man	He took him across the road and see safe landing.

(v) Discuss and write the impact of good temper and kindliness on the society

in the light of the good-mannered conductor. 
Ans : The narrator pointed out that there was always fine weather on the polite conductor's bus , and his civility, friendly feelings and humorous nature spreaded among the passengers. Kindliness is rewarded with kindness. 

(vi) 'A modest calling can be made dignified by good temper and kindly feeling'.
Ans : 

Explain the statement with examples.

(vii) The service of the police is necessary for the implementation of law in our

society. Do you think you require this service for good social environment?

Discuss.

(A3) (i) • He committed the crime in broad daylight (not bright daylight or narrow 

darkness

• I had a cup of strong tea (not rich tea).

• The fast train is coming (not quick train).

Such words or group of words which habitually occur together and thereby 

convey meaning by association are called collocations. A collocation is a 

combination of words in a language that often go together. 

(a) Find out the words in column 'B' which collocate with the words in column 'A'.

Column A.	Column B.
regular	meal
mid day	concept
key	food
fast	exercise
try	decorated
richly	hard
free	jam
traffic	time
social	animal
wild	justice

Ans: regular exercise,mid day meal, key concept, fast food, try hard, richly decorated, free time, traffic jam, social justice,wild animal 

(b) Learning collocations is essential for making your English sound fluent and

natural. Make collocations and use in your own sentences.

↑   COLLOCATIONS ↑

(ii) Sometimes while using a word in a sentence, we have to change its word

class. We can make several more words from the root word.

We can make several new words from the root word.

I asked Sumit to my pencil for me. (sharp)

I asked Sumit to sharpen my pencil for me.

Now read the following sentences and use the words given in the brackets. 
Change the word class and rewrite the sentences.
(a) Leena was eating a very crunchy 🍎apple and  enjoying it. (crunch)
(b) This picture looks colourful . (colour)
(c) I’m afraid that your behaviour is just not acceptable. (accept)
(d) I like my elder brother. He is very helpful . (help)

Complete the following table. Put a cross if a word class does not exist.

Sr.No.	Noun	Verb.	Adjective.	Adverb
1	absence		absent
2	alarm	alarm	alarming	alarmingly
3	attraction	attract	attractive	attractively.
4	ability	enable	able
5	admiration	admire	admiring	admiringly
6	agreement	agree	agreeable	agreeably
7	application	apply	applicable
8	avoidance	avoid	avoidable.	avoidably.
9	difference	differ	different	differently

(iii) Register often refers to the degree of formality of language, but in a more
general sense it means the language used by a group of people who share
similar work or interest, such as doctors or lawyers.
Imagine that your Principal or teacher is coming. When you meet him, you
would never say,
'Hey, dude ! What's up?'
This is a formal situation, so you would say 'Good morning, Sir'.
In every situation, you use an appropriate expression according to the person.
The language you use, when you meet someone depends on their age, position
etc. There are formal and informal registers in spoken and written language.
Write appropriate expressions and words which you have to use while facing an interview

You are writing a letter of complaint. List the proper expressions that you 
would like to write. 
(a) I disagree.
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(iv) Distinguish between a legal offence and a moral offence on the basis of
the given text.
Legal offence Moral offence
Burglary Rude behaviour

Legal offence.	Moral offence.
Burglary	Rude behaviour
Assault and battery	Wound to self respect
To box people's ears	Hurt feelings and emotions
Kick on the shins	Moral and intellectual damage

(v) Find out the meanings of the following phrases. Use them in your own
sentences.
(a) give and take (b) a black eye
(c) lower than the angels (d) knock someone down

(vi) Find out the words with prefixes and suffixes from the text and write them down.
  

Prefix.	Suffix
uncivil, uncouth, unfriendly, unpleasant.	requirement.         investment
discourtesy , disagreeable	compensation
incivility, inexhaustible	comfortable
Inconvenience	Infectious

(vii) Complete the table with polite expressions that we must use in our day to-day life.

Don'ts.	Dos.
I want a cup of tea	I would like to have a cup of tea.
Your work isn't good	I am afraid your work isn't good.  🙂
Send me the mail.	Send me the mail please.
Go away or leave me alone.	Please go away. Could you leave me alone?
You are wrong.	I am afraid you are wrong.
That's a bad idea.	Thanks for the idea but it's bad.

(A4) (i) Edit the given paragraph using a/an/the wherever necessary.

Rakesh is a/an ideal son who remains devoted to his father as he grows 
professionally to become a/the famous doctor. As his father grows old, he 
takes care to spend time with his father, bringing him tea in a/the morning 
and taking him out for a/the walk in an/the evening.

(ii) Spot the errors in each of the following sentences and correct the incorrect ones.
(a) Radha brought pens and distributed them between her five children. (among)
(b) Jayshree and Sujata sat besides each other in complete silence.(beside)
(c) His best friend Vijay was blind within one eye. (with)
(d) One could dare to encroach on his rights.
(e) She was taken with surprise when she saw the famous Taj Mahal.(by)
(f) It is not possible to exchange the goods once the sale has been completed. (return)
(g) Dr. Sengupta has been trying to master the craft for the last five years. (has tried)
(h) The top-ranking candidates will be appointed in senior jobs in banks. (to)
(i) She knows very well what is expected from her but she is unable to perform. (yet)
(j) They will put on a note in this regard for your consideration.(down)

(iii) Read the following sentence.
Santosh purchased a computer. He read the operating manual and followed the
instructions.

(a) He linked the monitor, keyboard and printer.
(b) He plugged in the main cable .
(c) He switched on the monitor at the back.
(d) When the light appeared on the screen, he placed the Day Disk in Drive A.
(e) He pushed in the disk until the button clicked out.
(It took about 30 seconds for the computer to load the programme.)
(f) He pressed the Drive button and the disk shot out .
(g) He replaced the Day Disk with the Document Disk.

(h) He pressed function key 7

Convert these sentences into passive voice by filling in the blanks.

The first sentence has been done as an example. (Answers are given in the brackets.)

Firstly the monitor, keyboard and printer were linked up. Then the ---- (main cable)
---- was ---- -----(plugged in). The monitor ---- (was switched) at the back. When the light appeared on the screen, ---- ---- ---- ----- Day Disk was placed in Drive A. The disk ---- --- --- (was pressed )until ----- 
--- ---- ---(the button clicked out). It took the computer 30 seconds to load the programme. The drive button ---- ---- ---- was pressed and the disk shot out. The --- ---- --- --- (Day Disk was replaced) with Document Disk. Finally, the function key 7......................( was pressed)
The word processor was then ready to use.

(A5) (i) Write a speech on 'Courtesy is the light of life' with the help of the following points.
(a) People have a good impression of you.
(b) You will be acknowledged and appreciated by all.
(c) You will be happier and contented with life.

Click here to read speech

(ii) ‘Manners maketh man’ – Expand the idea in your own words with proper
examples.

(A7) (i) Soft skills are required in all walks of life including careers and industries. 
They are increasingly becoming the essential skills of today's work force. 
Soft skills are an integral part of finding, attracting and retaining clients 
also. Highly developed presentation skills, networking abilities, and etiquette 
awareness can help you win new clients and gain more work.

Vocabulary Test   Click on test to take the test. You will learn the meaning of the words while taking the test. Quick result for individual word. Choose the next option if you get wrong . Do it until you get the right option 

Spelling Test  After taking the above test , check your spelling and memory with the similar words. For the same test meaning are given you have to write the words .

💧💧

Mind Mapping :An Astrologer's Day

Activities On A Midsummer Night's Dream

   

(1) Choose the odd one out :

(i) Bottom, Moth, Mustardseed, Cobweb
Ans: Bottom is a weaver. Others are fairies.
(ii) Flute, Snug, Quince, Cobweb
Ans: Cobweb is a fairy. Others are different characters.
(2) Characters

3) Draw a character sketch of Oberon as an enemy of his wife but a friend of the lovers.
Oberon is the king of fairies He fights his wife Titania for the custody of an Indian boy. He hatches a plan to teach a lesson. He orders Puck to bring the magic potion to madden his wife.
In the meantime Oberon notices cold behaviour of Demetrius with Helena. He decides to develop feelings for her in the heart of Demetrius by using potion.
(4) Comment on the loving pair of Lysander and Helena from the point of view of developing their character sketch.
Lysander is in love with Hermia. Hermia’s father opposed to it. So they decide to elope to the woods and get married. Helena is Hermia’s friend and is in love with Demetrius. But Demetrius rejects her love and falls in love with Hermia. Lastly Demetrius accepts Hermia’s love. Seeing their love Duke allows Hermia to marry Lysander.


Character Sketch of Different Characters


Puck - Puck is Oberon’s jester, a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. Puck is the closest to the protagonist. His enchanting, mischievous spirit pervades the atmosphere. He mistakes the young Athenians, applying the love potion to Lysander instead of Demetrius, thereby causing chaos within the group of young lovers; he also transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass.


Oberon
- The king of the fairies, Oberon is initially at odds with his wife, Titania. Because she refuses to hand over a young Indian prince whom he wants for a knight. Oberon’s desire for revenge on Titania leads him to send Puck to get the love-potion flower that creates so much of the play’s confusion and farce.


Titania
- Titania is the beautiful queen of the fairies. She opposes the attempts of her husband, Oberon, of making the Indian boy a knight. Titania’s love for Nick Bottom under influence of love potion seems the play’s foremost example of the contrast motif.

Lysander - A young man of Athens, in love with Hermia. Lysander’s relationship with Hermia invokes the theme of love’s difficulty: he cannot marry her openly because Egeus, her father, wishes her to wed Demetrius; when Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest, Lysander becomes the victim of misapplied magic and wakes up in love with Helena.

Demetrius - A young man of Athens, initially is in love with Hermia and ultimately in love with Helena. Demetrius’s obstinate pursuit of Hermia throws love out of balance among the quartet of Athenian youths.

Hermia -Hermia is a young woman of Athens. She is a daughter of Egeus. She is in love with Lysander and is a childhood friend of Helena. As a result of the fairies’ mischief with Oberon’s love potion, both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly fall in love with Helena. Self-conscious about her short stature, Hermia suspects that Helena has wooed the men with her height. By morning, however, Puck has sorted matters out with the love potion, and Lysander’s love for Hermia is restored.


Helena - Helena is in love with Demetrius. Demetrius and Helena were once betrothed, but when Demetrius met Helena’s friend Hermia, he fell in love with her and abandoned Helena. Lacking confidence in her looks, Helena thinks that Demetrius and Lysander are mocking her when the fairies’ mischief causes them to fall in love with her.


Egeus - Hermia’s father, who brings a complaint against his daughter to Theseus: Egeus has given Demetrius permission to marry Hermia, but Hermia, in love with Lysander, refuses to marry Demetrius. Egeus’s severe insistence that Hermia either respect his wishes or be held accountable to Athenian law places him squarely outside the whimsical dream realm of the forest.

Theseus - The heroic duke of Athens, engaged to Hippolyta. Theseus represents power and order throughout the play. He appears only at the beginning and end of the story, removed from the dreamlike events of the forest.

Setting
(1) Correct the given sentences with justification.
(i) The play is restricted to only a part of the woods.
The play is not restricted to only a part of the woods. It occurs in the palace. The scene of performers from Athens acts in the cottage of queen. Some different scene occur in two different part of the woods.
But the Act III Scene II of the play is restricted to only a part of the woods.

(ii) Since there is a reference to the Indian boy, there are some scenes from India too.
NO, there are no scenes from India.
(2) The characters are a part of the stage setting. How does this reflect when the characters of the play range from the Duke and the Indian boy to the fairies?
Characters play a major role in the stage settings. In a play A Midsummer night’s dream characters are from different background. It is reflected in the stage setting. The scene is set in the palace for the entry of king and Duke. Quince’s cottage is set for the Quince and his workmen. The king of fairies is shown in the woods.


3) Comment on the versatility and the aptness of the stage settings, as per the requirement of the play “A Midsummer-Night’s Dream!”
Ans: The stage setting is versatile and apt. It takes place in the forest and the city of Athens. Civilians act in the city and fairies in forest . In the city there is a law and  order and in forest chaos .

Plot
(1) State whether the following statements are True of False:
(i) Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena as a result of the love potion. True
(ii) Oberon transforms Bottom's head into that of an ass. False
Puck transforms Bottom's head into that of an ass
(iii) Titania falls in love with an ass. True
(iv) Both Demetrius and Lysander fight for Hermia. False
Both Demetrius and Lysander fight for Helena.
(2) Give reasons : Oberon and Titania fight for the custody of the Indian boy because –
(i) Oberon wants the IndInd boy to be his attendanat.(ii) Titania wants to take care of him as she adopts him.
(3) The consequences of Oberon’s jealousy for Titania are comic rather than tragic. Comment.
Ans: Oberon is jealous of Titania for two reasons. She adopts an Indian boy whom she loves most . She wants to rear him as her will and Oberon wants to make him his attendant. Oberon is suspicious that Titania is in love with Theseus . He plays magic. He orders Puck to use potion of love and make Titania to fall in love with monster.

(4) There were some reasons why Theseus was initially against but later gave consent for the marriage of Helena with Lysander. Explain.
Ans: Hermia's father Egeus wants her to mary Lysander . When she refuses, he turns to the king Theseus . He orders Hermia either to marry Lysander or face the punishment. Later on he notices that Hermia and Demetrius are in love with each other and Helena and Lysander are in love . On seeing it he gives consent
Form
(1) Select the correct options : A Midsummer-Night’s Dream is a (a) poetic drama (b) comedy of errors (c) comedy based on fantasy (d) a character play (e) a revenge tragedy (f) belongs to realm of dreams
(b) comedy of errors
(2) Find 2/4 expressions of humour from the extract.

.

(3) “A Midsummer-Night’s Dream” is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Comment.

Ans: A Midsummer-Night’s Dream” is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. It is obviously seen in scene of woods. Puck mistakenly uses potion of love. Due to this Demetrius fell in love with Helena. Lysander also woes Helena. Hermia who is in love with Demetrius thinks it true. Under the influence of the same potion Titania fell in love with Bottom with ass head. These errors create comedy.

🌅Answers for the following questions will be added soon
Theme
(1) Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer because he understood human nature better than anyone else. Explain the statement in context of the play.
Ans:A Midsummer-Night’s Dream is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature. Human tendencies like love, jealousy, revenge and fun making are quite evident in the play.
(2) Prove with the theme of the play / extract that the deeper human emotion which profoundly interested Shakespeare was jealousy.
Ans:The theme of jealousy operates in both the human and fairy world in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jealousy plays out most obviously among the quartet of Athenian lovers, who find themselves in chaos. Helena feels jealous of Hermia. Helena loves Demetrius, who in turn feels jealous of his rival for Hermia’s affections, Lysander. When misplaced fairy mischief leads Lysander into an amorous pursuit of Helena, Hermia feels highly jealous. Jealousy also extends into the fairy realm, where it has caused a rift between the fairy king and queen.
Language
(1) Interpret the following lines in simple English. Puck : I’ll follow you. Bottom : The Finch, the sparrow.
(2) Comment on the literary device, used in the following lines: Titania : Be kind and courteous to this gentleman…. Titania : Come wait upon him : lead him to my bower.
(3) Shakespeare’s poetry has come to be valued for its own sake on the stage. Comment with reference to the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
Ans:A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy of error. It is a Shakespeare’s dream in the form of drama. Pure imagination is seen in the play. The play is about love, courting and marriage. These things are skillfully woven with poetic devices and structures.

Dialogue between two friends.

Imagine that a person who has returned to his
native place after a long time is talking to his old friend about the changes that have taken place in the village. Write a dialogue between two friends who have become nostalgic about their old village.


Tukaram : Hi, Adnan
Adnan : Hi, how are you? Seeing you after a year. Where have you been?
T: I am fine. Thank you. I have been to Pune for the short term course.
A: Have you noticed that our village has been changed?
T: Ya, the change is noticeable. Here was a small tea corner. We used to sip hot tea and talk for hours.
A: Hum, it has been replaced with big building. Tea owner moved somewhere.
T: We used to play cricket on the ground behind Post office. The ground is nowhere to be seen now.
A: We have at least memories. What about the children? They have no ground to play.
T: Right. Planners changed the place skillfully. No one can imagine there was a nullha under the New Hill Apartment.
A: Truly. Ok. Bye
T: Bye. See you soon.

Activities On The Planners

Std 11

The Planners (Reduced from the syllabus for 2022 exam)

Ice Breakers

(i) You have heard the proverb ‘Plan your work, work your plan’. It means-
(a) Planning of the work is important.
(b) Without planning work cannot be accomplished.
(c) Make planning and work according to that plan.
(d) Planning and work are two sides of same coin.
(ii) Choose the proper alternatives from the statements given below which
would explain why town planning is essential-
(a) To develop the city according to the guidelines.
(b) To get the ‘Best City Award’.
(c) To attract the tourists.
(d) To use and develop the land available in the city for the interest of the
citizens.
(iii) Given below are various professions and the
nature of work in respective professions.

Sr. No.	Profession	Nature of Work
1.	Anaesthetist.	A person whose job is to give drugs which make the person not to feel pain especially in preparation for a medical operation.
2.	Pharmacist	A person who has been trained to prepare medicines and sell them to public.
3.	Orthodontist	Specialist in the treatment of problems concerning the position of teeth and jaws.
4.	Dermatologist	The medical study of the skin and its diseases
5.	Architect	The ability to make considered decision.
6.	Chartered Accountant	A person who is engaged in the profession of accounting and examining the statements and records of accounts.
7.	Editor	A person who is in charge of a newspaper or of a part of a newspaper.

Brainstorming

(A1) Read the poem and complete the web about the activities the planners do.

(A2) Go through the poem and state whether the following statements are true
or false.
(a) Planners plan to construct buildings wherever they find place. True
(b) Planners take public consent for the alterations they make in the old
structures of the city.False
(c) Planners are concerned about the environment of the area.False
(d) Planners make their plans mathematically perfect, at the same time they
calculate their profit. True
(e) Planners deliberately find drawbacks in the old city planning. True
(f) The newly planned city looks modern and amazingly beautiful.True
(g) Planners paint beautiful pictures of the upcoming changes in the city which
charm the citizens. True
(h) Planners make tactful changes so that citizens do not recognise the familiar
landmarks. True
(A3) Read the expression:
‘the blueprint of our past’s tomorrow’. Consider in a group why the poet
has not mentioned ‘the present’. It is because of the planners who have
possessed our ‘present’ in order to change ‘our past’ into the ‘future’ they
desire. Go through the poem and write the lines which support this thought.
(a) The buildings are in alignment with the roads which meet at desired points.
(b)They erase the flaws,the blemishes of the past.
(c)All gaps are plugged with gleaming gold.
(d) History is new again.
(e) The drilling goes right through the fossils of last century.
(f) Not a single drop to stain the blueprint of our past’s tomorrow.
(A4) The term 'Anaesthesia' in the poem means - 'The planner gives beautiful
pictures of the new modern city'. Now find out what is Amnesia and Hypnosis
in the given context.
Ans: Amnesia : The planner makes such changes in the city to compel people to forget the old city.
         Hypnosis : The planner hypnotised people by showing the dreams of a modern city.
(A5) Pick out the statements which aptly depict the theme of the poem.
(a) In the poem the speaker memorises the past.
(b) In ‘The Planners’ the poet describes the unstoppable force of modernisation.
(c) The poet talks about the replacement of natural environment by the
concrete jungle.
(d) The poet proposes to stop modernisation.
(e) The poet laments helplessly.
(A6) The tone of the poet is sarcastic. When he writes ‘All spaces are gridded
filled with permutations of possibilities’ he intends to indicate the efforts
made by the planner to exploit every available piece of land without any
consideration of harming nature or violating attachments of people to
places. Make pairs/groups and find out some more sarcastic lines having
the same effect.
Ans: 1. Even the sea draws back and the skies surrender.
         2. The drilling goes right through the fossils of last century.
(A7) (i) Write the appreciation of the poem.

About the poem/poet/title

Boey Kim Cheng is a Singapore – born Australian poet . The poem is about the planners / developers. The poem is in free verse form. It has no particular rhyme scheme. Title of the poem is self-explanatory.  

Theme

The poet describes the unstoppable force of modernisation in the poem. He memorises his past. He talks about the replacement of natural environment by the concrete jungle.

Poetic devices/language/style

The use of alliteration in the poem added rhythm. Extended metaphor of dentist makes the poem live. The poet has used paradox, climax, oxymoron and sarcasm in the poem.

Special feature / novelties/ focusing elements

The poet is nostalgic about his old city. When we come across modernisation around us we feel the echoes of his words.

Values/message

In the name of modernisation the nature has been exploited. The people became helpless.   

Opinion about the poem  

The poem is a mirror to the modern society. In the beginning the poem depicts what the planners do. In the middle the poem describes what the planners achieve. Towards the end we come across how the poet is affected due to modernisation 

(ii) Write the summary of the poem.

(A8) Read the first and second stanza of the poem. We understand that the
poet wants to suggest the powerful dominance of the planners who shape
the town according to their selfish desires. Make a list of such expressions.
You may begin with -
(a) All the spaces are gridded, filled with permutations of possibilities.
(b)They build and will not stop.
(c) They erase the flaws,the blemishes of the past.
(d) The piling will not stop.
(A9) (i) Read the expression ‘permutation of possibility’. The consonant sound ‘P’
at beginning of the successive words creates sonorous effect. This is an
example of Alliteration. Find out more examples of Alliteration from the
poem.
Ans : 1. dental dexterity : Explanation -  The consonantal sound 'd' is repeated pleasingly 
         2. and the skies surrender. Explanation - (Try to write yourself. )
         3. with gleaming gold


(A10) Complete the following table.Give suggestions to protect our national heritage monuments.

Figure of Speech	Line of the poem	Explanation
1. Personification	the skies surrender.	The sky is imagined to act like human being.
2. Alliteration	with gleaming gold	The consonantal sound 'g' is repeated pleasingly.
3.Oxymoron	of our past’s tomorrow.	Close association of opposite words.
4. a)Personification    b)Climax	The country wears the perfect smile. Anaesthesia, Amnesia, Hypnosis	a) The country is treated as human being(country smiles) . b)   Ideas are arranged in ascending order.
5.Paradox	so history is new again	There is  absurd contrast as history is said to be new.
6. Metaphor	knock off useless blocks with dental dexterity	Blocks are implicitly compared with teeth and planners with dentist.
7. Repetition	They plan. They build.	The word 'They' is repeated many times in the poem.

(A11) Compose four lines expressing the grief of having lost nature due to
modernisation

1. Developers develop cities
Turn deaf ears to the cries
Of environmentalists. Duties
We have to stop nature fries.

Audio Files of the Poem

 

Dialogue Writing

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Activities on Nose Versus Eyes

Std 11 English Poetry Section

Poem:Nose versus Eyes

Notes

The web of adjectives used to describe eyes and nose in all respect.

Legal Terminology and Description

Sr. No.	Legal Terminology	Description
1.	Affidavit.	A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court.
2.	Argument	An exchange of diverging or opposite views.
3.	Consent	Agreement to do something.
4.	Counsel	A legal adviser conducting a case.
5.	Judgement	The ability to make considered decision.
6.	Trial	A formal examination of evidence by a judge.
7.	Verdict	A decision on an issue of fact in civil .
8.	Contempt of court	The offence of being disobedient to a court of law.
9.	Notice	Notification or warning of something .
10.	Stay order	The act of temporary stopping a judicial proceeding through the order.

Sensory Organs and related idioms 

1) To turn a deaf ear

2) Nothing between your ears

3) In the blink of an eye

4) To turn blind eye

5) To follow your eyes

6) To follow your nose

7) Under someone's nose

8) In poor taste

9) A bad taste in your mouth

10) To keep in touch 

(A1) (i) State whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.

(a) Nose can use spectacles. True
(b) Eyes have to be shut when the Nose wears / puts on the spectacles. True
(c) The Ear was appointed as a judge. True
(d) Eyes cannot use spectacles. True
(ii) Discuss with your partner and match the following expressions given in column A with their interpretations in column 'B'.

(ii) Match the following.

Sr. No.	Column A	Column B
1.	While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws.	(a) Eyes are refrained from using spectacles.
2.	They are made with the straddle as wide as the ridge of the Nose is.	(b) The responsibility of giving verdict rested on the shoulders of the hearing organ.
3.	That whenever the Nose put his Spectacles on, by daylight or candlelight Eyes should be shut!	(c) Spectacles are meant for none other than the nose.
4.	So his lordship decreed with a grave solemn tone, decisive and clear, without one if or but.	(d) The judge delivered a firm verdict without any doubt.

Ans: 1-b;2-c;3-a;4-d


(A2) (i) The tongue justifies the possession of the spectacles on behalf of the nose. Pick up the expressions from the poem that argue in favour of the Nose and complete the following web diagram. Arguments in favour of Nose

(ii) Comment on the following characters depicted in the poem, in a sentence or a phrase.
On the Nose- Nose claims ownership of a spectacles.               
On the Eyes - Having no proof of ownership of spectacles, though spectacles belongs to it, eyes are on the verge of loosing case.

(A3) Pick out examples of Inversion(figures of speech) from the poem.
Ans : 1. Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose.
2. In behalf of the Nose it will quickly appear,

(A4) (i) Justify the verdict delivered in the poem. I can support my answer with the help of the following suitable arguments:
(a)The nose always wear the spectacles .
(b)The spectacles are  designed to sit close to the nose
(c) It is impossible  to wear spectacles without resting on the nose.
(ii) Compose two lines of your own on any sensory organ (poetic creativity).

Nose is so close to us.
Far fragrance it tells .

(iii) Imagine that you are a lawyer defending the case of the eyes in court. Present your counter statement in support of your client.
Ans : Spectacles are made for eyes. They  protect the eyes from sunlight and dust. They improve eyesight . They are of no use to nose.

Activity Sheet

A1 Mention the names of human organs referred to in the poem.
A2 Judgment is based on hearsay. Explain.
Ans: The judgement given by the Baron Ear is based on the argument by tongue and listened by ear. It is not passed on the truth about who does the spectacles belong to . It is quite true that spectacles are for the use of eyes not for nose . But the judge passes the judgment in favour of nose .
A3 Give your views regarding the argument made by the tongue.

Ans: The tongue argued that nose always wear the spectacles so it belongs to nose. It is a funny argument. The argument is one sided .
A4 Find out examples of Simile and personification and give explanation . (any two)
Simile: Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle.
Personification: While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws.
A5 Compose four lines on fight between ear and mouth.

Appreciation : Nose versus Eyes

Nose versus Eyes is a satirical poem on the judiciary system. It makes fun of blind justice. It emphasizes the lack of empathy and common sense in judgment. The poem is humorous and satirical.
The poet uses human organs as characters in the poem. He describes the fight between eyes and nose. The dispute is over the ownership of spectacles. Ear is deputed to judge. Tongue is the lawyer who defend the nose. With the clever argument by the tongue Ear is convinced and passes the judgment in favour of nose.
The poet has used different figures of speech such as inversion, personification, simile and Metonymy. The rhyme scheme of the poem is abab.
The poem gives close resemblance to the human life. The images in the poem describes human tendencies. People believe in hearsay rather than truth.

Summary : Nose versus Eyes

There  was a dispute between nose and eyes about the possession of spectacles. The tongue was the lawyer . It argued the case with a professional skill.  Chief Baron Ear sat in the court to settle the dispute. He was famous for his intelligent judgment .
The argument began in favour of the nose . The  lawyer argued that the Nose always has spectacles to wear .He was the possessor and therefore , the spectacles belonged to him .Then it had a straddle as wide as the ridge of the Nose .It was designed to rest on the nose as perfectly as a saddle was on a horse .This again proved that the spectacles belonged to the Nose.
Another argument was even more interesting .The lawyer drew the attention of the judge to the fact that every face had a nose .There is never a face without nose. Suppose for the sake of argument,that there was such a face .Then who could wear spectacles? He  concluded that the spectacles were plainly made for the nose and nose was meant for the spectacles.
The same lawyer then shifted his side .Now he began to argue in favour of the eyes .He argued in the best possible way he could. But none knew what his arguments were. The court remained unconvinced. The arguments in the favour of eyes were not as convincing as they were in the favor of nose. So the judge gave nose put his spectacles on,by daylight or candle light and ordered  eyes to shut.

Audio Files of The Poem Click On Radio Button to play the audio.