Class: IX

Assignment

Subject: English
1. Read the following poem carefully:
WHAT I LEAVE TO MY SON
No point in leaving you a long list
Of those who have died
Even if I limit it to my friends and your uncles
It wont do. Who could remember them all?
My son, isnt it true?
The obituaries leave me indifferent
as the weather. Sometimes they seem to matter
Even less: How can that be, my son?
Ill leave you , yes,
A treasure Im always seeking, never finding
Can you guess? Something wondrous
Something my father wanted for me
Although (poor man!) its been nothing
But a mirage in the desert
Of my life.
My soul will join his now, praying
That your generation may find itSimply peaceSimply a life better than ours
Where you and friends wont be forced
To drag grief-laden feet down the road
To mutual murder.
Nguyen Ngoc Bich

Answer the following questions by selecting the most appropriate options from the ones given below:
1) The obituaries and weather
a)
have no significance for the poet
b)
leave the poet depressed
c) matter a lot to the poet
d) are an integral part of the poets survival
2) The legacy the poet wishes to leave to his son is
a)
b)
c)
d)

To live a life devoid of hatred

To have a better life than his own generation
To be a happy and responsible citizens
All of the above

3) Mutual murder is an example of

a)
b)
c)
d)

Imagery
Alliteration
Metaphor
Simile

4) The poets fathers wishes have been nothing but

a)
b)
c)
d)

A dream
Something wondrous
Treasure he always is seeking
A mirage in the desert of his life

5) The expression drag grief laden feet means

a)
b)
c)
d)

A life that has no aim

Being unhappy
Leading a slow life
Leading a life of monotony

2. You are Manan /Manini , a member of the school editorial team, write a report on the recently held
Independence Day celebrations in your school.

3.Read the dialogue given below and complete the report that follows:
Ramesh : Where are you going ?
Rachana : I am going to school to collect my pass certificate.
Ramesh : How much did you score ?
Rachana : I got good marks in all subjects except English.

Ramesh asked Rachana (a) __________. Rachana told him that (b) __________ pass
certificate. Ramesh then enquired (c) __________ Rachana told him that she had got
good marks in all subjects except English.

4. Answer the questions in about 30 words

1. Describe the boatman in the poem, Lord Ullins Daughter.
2. Why was Gaston interested in buying the villa?
3. Why was Ullin in despair at the end of the poem?
5. Read the given extract and answer the following questions.
While you were upstairs, I have been thinking a lot about your Papa and mamma. You see, I am really
unselfish, and then the rooms for your sisters children .
(1) What is the discrepancy between what Gaston said earlier and what he says now?
(2) What light does the above statement throw on Gastons character?