Std. XII Activity Work Book

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English Grammar Activity Workbook First Edition (for class 8 to 12) is available for sale. Price Rs. 220 + Rs. 50 (Postage / Courier Charges) = Rs. 270. Discount is available for buying 30 or more books. Contact Writer: Prof. Tushar Chavan from Rashtriya Junior College, Chalisgaon Dist.Jalgaon Whats app Number: 9850737199

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Friday, 5 September 2025

The Planners

The Planners

The Planners


Title: The title ‘The Planners’ gives hint about the work of the persons who are involved in planning and development department.

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 acomplished.

(c) Make planning and work according to that plan.

(d) Planning and work are two sides of same coin.

Answer-

(c) Make planning and work according to that plan.


(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.

Answer-

(a) To develop the city according to the guidelines.

(d) To use and develop the land available in the city for the interest of the citizens.


(iii) Given below are various professions in column A and in column B, the nature of work in respective professions. Match the columns.

A

B

(i) Anaesthetist

(a) Specialist in the treatment of problems concerning the position of teeth and jaws.

(ii) Pharmacist

(b) A person who designs buildings and supervises the process of constructing them.

(iii) Orthodontist        

(c) A person who is in charge of a newspaper or of a part of a newspaper.

(iv) Dermatologist

(d) The medical study of the skin and its diseases

(v) Architect

(e) A person who has been trained to prepare medicines and sell them to public.

(vi) Chartered Accountant

(f) A person whose job is to give drugs which make the person not to feel pain especially in preparation for a medical operation.

(vii) Editor

(g) A person who is engaged in the profession of accounting and examining the statements and records of accounts.

Answer-

A

B

(i) Anaesthetist

(f) A person whose job is to give drugs which make the person not to feel pain especially in preparation for a medical operation.

(ii) Pharmacist

(e) A person who has been trained to prepare medicines and sell them to public.

(iii) Orthodontist        

(a) Specialist in the treatment of problems concerning the position of   teeth and jaws.

(iv) Dermitologist

(d) The medical study of the skin and its diseases

(v) Architect

(b) A person who designs buildings and supervises the process of constructing them.

(vi) Chartered Accountant

(g) A person who is engaged in the profession of accounting and examining the statements and records of accounts.

(vii) Editor

(c) A person who is in charge of a newspaper or of a part of a newspaper.


The poet: Boey Kim Cheng:

He is a Singapore – born Australian poet. He is of Chinese descent. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising Singapore poets to emerge in the 1990s. Boey has published four collections of poetry. For his artistic achievements, he received the 'National Arts Council Young Artist Award' in 1996. He is the co - editor of the anthology ‘Contemporary Asian Australian Poets’ published in 2014.


The Planners – By Boey Kim Cheng

They plan. They build. All spaces are gridded  
Filled with permutations of possibilities.  
The buildings are in alignment with the roads  
which meet at desired points  
linked by bridges all hang  
in the grace of mathematics.  
They build and will not stop.  
Even the sea draws back  
and the skies surrender.
   
They erase the flaws,  
the blemishes of the past, knock off  
useless blocks with dental dexterity.  
All gaps are plugged  
with gleaming gold.  
The country wears perfect rows  
of shining teeth.  
Anaesthesia, amnesia, hypnosis.  
They have the means.  
They have it all so it will not hurt.  
so history is new again.  
The piling will not stop.  
The drilling goes right through  
the fossils of last century.    

But my heart would not bleed  
poetry. Not a single drop  
to stain the blueprint  
of our past’s tomorrow.


The poem – The Planners:

The poet begins the poem by stating what the planners do. As the poem proceeds, we come to know how the planners achieve what they aim for. Towards the end of the poem the poet depicts how the planning has affected the poet. Boey Kim Cheng is talking about fast - developing modern Singapore. He laments on the disturbing and loss of humane element in his surroundings. He becomes nostalgic about his bonding with the old city. The free verse form of the poem is suitable to the free expressions of the poet’s feelings.


New words:

anaesthesia: a state of controlled, temporary loss at sensation or awareness.

amnesia: inability to remember events for a period of time.

hypnosis: a trance like state with heightened focus and concentration

fossil: the remains of an animal or a plant which have hardened into rock.

blueprint: a photographic print of building plans with white lines on a blue background a detailed plan or scheme.

alignment: placement of two or more things in a straight line.

blemishes: a mark or fault spoiling something that is otherwise beautiful.

dexterity: skill in using one's hand

gridded: a pattern of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines

permutations: a variation in the order of a set of things; combination; arrangement

plugged: filled



Activity Sheet No. 1

A1. True or False (2)

State whether the following statements are true or false.

1) Planners spoiled the past

2) Planners are concerned about the environment of the area.

3) Planners deliberately find drawbacks in the old city planning.

4) Planners make tactful changes so that citizens do not recognize the familiar landmarks.

Answer-

1) Planners spoiled the past- True

2) Planners are concerned about the environment of the area. - False

3) Planners deliberately find drawbacks in the old city planning. - True

4) Planners make tactful changes so that citizens do not recognize the familiar landmarks. - True


A2. Explain (2)

Explain the terms:

a) Amnesia  

b) Hypnosis

Answer-

1) Amnesia: - It is the partial or total loss of memory. The planners offered the new glorified work that makes the people forget the sentimental attachment to the past things.

2) Hypnosis: It is the state of mind when a person’s thoughts can be manipulated by someone. The planners hypnotize the people and make them agree with the need of new development work.


A3. Personal Response (2)

Give suggestions to protect our national monuments.

Answer-

Our national heritage monuments are valuable. They should be cared properly. They should be preserved as the assets of the nation. Common people should make aware of its value and they must participate in its protection. These monuments should be repaired regularly keeping its original beauty as it is.


A4. Poetic device (2)

Name and explain the two figures of speech used in the following sentence.

‘The country wears perfect rows of shining teeth.’

Answer-

Personification: - The country is given the human quality having teeth.

Metaphor: - The shining buildings of the country are indirectly compared with row of shining teeth.


A5. Poetic creativity   (2)

          The piling will not stop.

(Add your two poetic lines that continues the theme)

Answer-

The piling will not stop.

We are helpless about it.

We need the development.

So we can’t make any complaint.


Poetic Appreciation

Q. Write the poetic appreciation of the poem- ‘The Planners’.

Answer-

Poem / Poet:

The poem ‘The Planners’ is written by the poet Boey Kim Cheng. In the poem he depicts the harsh reality of modernization at the cost of the country’s history, monuments, and tradition.

Title:

The title ‘The Planners’ itself shows their planning to destroy something to create new things. There is ruthless control of the influential persons who in the name of development destroys the age-old heritage.

Poetic Device:

The major figures of speech used here include- Personification, Alliteration, Irony, Antithesis, paradox and Inversion. It is written in free verse. In the poem the poet uses Enjambment. Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. Such lines used in the poem are also called run on lines. Enjambment is also one of the figures of speech.

Special Feature:

The special feature of this poem is to show the destruction of past and heritage in the name of development. The poet uses simple words and presents the reality of modernization. He laments due the destruction of past heritage. He wishes to aware readers to control such destruction.

Message of the poem:

The message of this poem is to understand the reality of modernization and protect our heritage. The emotional bond to nature and heritage makes the poet anxious. He wants to aware the readers to know the huge loss of nature and heritage in the name of modern construction.

My opinion about the poem:

I like the idea of the writer protecting our nature and heritage. This idea is universal. So, I like the poem very much.


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Nose Versus Eyes

2.5 Nose Versus Eyes

Nose Versus Eyes by William Cowper

Nose Versus Eyes


Title: Nose Versus Eyes

The title shows us that there is a conflict in between two organs. They are nose and eyes. The title attracts the attention of the readers as it a strange and incredible concept to show the struggle in between nose and eyes.

 

Writer: William Cowper

William Cowper was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and composers of hymns. His poems deal with Nature and everyday life. He is aptly described by Samuel T. Coleridge as ‘the Best Modern Poet’ of his times. Though he studied jurisprudence, he later admitted that he was ‘not much inclined’ to the legal profession.

 

Poem: Nose versus Eyes

The poem ‘Nose versus Eyes’ is a satire on the judiciary system. It also mocks at the stone-blind justice in a humorous manner. It emphasizes upon the lack of empathy and common sense in judiciary system.

 

Ice- Breakers Activities:

3) Name the five sensory organs and provide phrases/idioms/ proverbs related to them.

Answer-

Five sensory organs-

1) Nose

2) Eye

3) Tongue

4) Skin

5) Ear

 

Proverbs / Idioms / Phrases related to the sensory organs-

a. To turn a deaf ear.

b. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

c. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

d. The apple of one’s eye.

e. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

f. A slip of the tongue.

g. Beauty is only skin deep/thick skinned

h. Get under one’s skin.

i. Have one’s nose in the air.

j. Rub one’s nose in it.

k. Become tongue tied.See More-



Poetic Appreciation

Q. Write a poetic appreciation of the poem – Nose verses Eyes.

About Poem and Poet:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a satirical poem written by William Cowper. William Copper was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and his poems deal with Nature and everyday life. The title ‘Nose verses Eyes’ contains the sensory organs, and they symbolize human behaviour.

Theme:

The court room drama is a satire on the judiciary system. It also mocks at the stone-blind justice in a humorous manner emphasizing upon the lack of empathy and common sense. The sentences ‘then shifting his side, as a lawyer knows how’ and ‘what were his arguments few people know’ show the lack of seriousness in the process of judicial system.         

Poetic Device:

The poem is in stanza of four lines each. The first line rhymes with the third while the second line rhymes with the fourth. The rhyme scheme of the stanza is: a b a b 

My opinion about the poem:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a funny poem. It makes me laugh. It is a satire on the courtroom drama. I like it very much. I enjoyed it very much. I also feel pity for those who sometimes don’t get justice due to lack of common sense and understanding.


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Activity No. 1

Q. Read the extract and complete the activities given below. (10)

Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose,
The spectacles set them unhappily wrong;
The point in dispute was, as all the world knows,
To which the said spectacles ought to belong.                            

So Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause                       
With great deal of skill, and a wig full of learning;
While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws,                       
So famed for his talent in nicely discerning.  

'In behalf of the Nose it will quickly appear,
And your lordship,' he said, 'will undoubtedly find,
That the Nose has had spectacles always in wear,
Which amounts to possession time out of mind.'                          

Then holding the spectacles up to the court,
'Your lordship observes they are made with a straddle
As wide as the ridge of the Nose is; in short,                         
Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle.

Complete the information

Reason of disputeDispute in betweenLawyerJudge
--------------------------------------------------------
Reason of disputeDispute in betweenLawyerJudge
Which does spectacle belongNose and EyesTongueEar

The ear was appointed as the judge. Give its reason.

In the court to deliver a fair judgement based on the arguments, the judge must carefully listen to all the information and evidences presented before him or her. Careful listening is the best quality for a judge. Ear has the ability to listen carefully. So, the ear was appointed as the judge.

Name the any four sensory organs and provide phrases/idioms/proverbs related to them.

1) Ear: To turn a deaf ear

2) Eyes: A bird’s eye view

3) Tongue: tongue tied

4) Nose: Under the nose

Find and write one example of – Inversion and Metaphor.

1) Example of Inversion: Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose.

2) Example of Metaphor: While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws.

Compose four lines of your own on any sensory organ.

Eyes can see and ears can hear                        

When your hearing is gone

Use them effectively taking care.          

Eyes help you to go on. 


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Appreciation of Std. XI All Poems


Thursday, 4 September 2025

Appreciation of Std XI Poems

 

Appreciation of Std XI Poems


Appreciation of Std XI Poems


Appreciation is a writing skill. It’s open-ended question. Its answer varies from student to student.

Appreciation of a poem means writing a short, organized explanation of a poem to show that you have understood and enjoyed it. It highlights the important features of the poem and gives your opinion about it.

Usually, an appreciation of a poem includes:

1) Title & Poet – Name of the poem and poet.

2) Theme / Central Idea – Main message/topic of the poem

3) Language & Style – Words, imagery, and tone used by the poet.

4) Poetic Devices – Examples like simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, rhyme scheme, etc.

5) Personal Response – How you felt after reading it, what you liked the most. Opinion of the reader.

How to write poetic appreciation-

Expected points-

• About the poem, poet, and title.

• Theme/summary/gist of the poem.

• Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem.

• Special features/novelties/focusing elements.

• Message/values/morals in the poem.

• Your opinion about the poem.

 

Important-

In the exam, hint points will not be given. Students need to write answers considering the expected points. They can write answer using the points as headings and write answer in different paragraphs. If students do not use points as headings, it is also acceptable.

 

Std. XI Poems-

Sr. No.

Poem

Poet

1)

Cherry Tree

Ruskin Bond

2)

The Sower

Victor Hugo

3)

There is Another Sky

Emily Dickinson

4)

Upon Westminster Bridge

William Wordsworth

5)

Nose Versus Eyes

William Cowper

6)

The Planners

Boey Kim Cheng

 

Q. Write an appreciation of the poem --------------.

 

Appreciation of Std XI Poems-


Cherry Tree

1) Cherry Tree:

About Poet-

Cherry Tree is a beautiful poem written by Ruskin Bond. Ruskin Bond has written hundreds of short stories, essays, novellas and more than thirty books for children.

About Poem-

It is a narrative poem describing the everyday struggle of a plant to grow & blossom.

Title-

The title ‘Cherry Tree’ deals with the cherry plant which the poet planted which took eight years to grow.

Tone-

The poet’s tone is optimistic, full of wonder for the nature – he focusses on the growing aspect of nature. The poem has a beginning, middle and an end. It’s a simple poem about the poet’s innocent & pure joy. All the incidents are in nice sequence.

Special Features-

The style & language of the poem is simple. Poetic devices such as Alliteration, Antithesis, Climax, Personification are used by the poet. The important aspect of this poem is its picturesque depiction & colourful imagery. The whole process of a seed turning into a plant has been made appealing to the readers with colourful & vivid description. The references of seasons, the sky, animals, birds, insects focus on the wonders of nature.

Message-

The poem gives a message of nature conservation- tree plantation & its importance. The cherry tree is indeed a ‘Giving Tree’. It also speaks about the tree’s determination to grow despite all odds.

My opinion about the poem-

I like the poem for its positive, optimistic tone. It encourages us to overcome the obstacles, hardships we may face in life & become resilient like the cherry tree.

 



 

2) The Sower


About the poem/poet/title:

The poem ‘The Sower’ is a description of a hardworking farmer, toiling in his fields, as the poet watches, even after sundown. Toru Dutt, in her translation of Victor Hugo's poem, speaks in praise of his dedication.

Theme:

The poem is woven around the theme of the farmer surveying his land, taking upon himself the hard work to till it, and plodding on into the night, even after the day is done. He seeks neither help nor company but does what needs doing.

Poetic devices, language, style:

The poet has used figures of speech like Alliteration, Antithesis, Hyperbole, Inversion, Personification, Repetition etc. The word imagery ‘Shadows run across the lands’ presents clear picture of natural phenomenon. The rhyme-scheme is ‘a b a b’ which provide a pleasing rhythm. These devices enhance the beauty of the poem.

Special features/novelties/focusing elements:

There is emphasis on the hard work which the farmer performs uncomplainingly day and night and the vivid description of the dusk, the setting sun and the figure against the sunset. There is use of poetic language adding to the novelty and beauty. This is not an ordinary language. Inversion as the poetic device adds effect.

Values, message:

The poem gives a very important message. It brings into focus the importance of the farmer and his unrecognized service to society. One needs the farmer for one's survival.

My opinion about the poem:

I like the poem very much. It presents a positive and respectful picture of the farmer. I also appreciate the qualities of the farmer that are depicted in this poem. I want to acquire these qualities and positive approach to develop my life. I also realise the worth of the farmer’s work. It creates respect with the work of the farmer.

 


 


3) There is AnotherSky

About Poem and Poet:

‘There is Another Sky’ is a poem written by Emily Dickinson. Emily Dickinson was an American poetess.

 ‘There is Another Sky’ is the encouragement of the poetess to her brother who is depressed and alone. She inspires her brother and shows hope and a bright future ahead.

Theme:

The poem has the message to every depressed and alone person that a bright and happy future will come in life. So, keep patience and be optimistic in life. It is an inspirational poem with the message of ‘never lose faith’.

Poetic Device:

The language used in the poem is simple, lucid, illustrative, and effective. There is use of figures of speech like inversion, alliteration, hyperbole, metaphor, and repetition. The poet has used her unique technique of writing in slant rhymes and unconventional capitalization and punctuations. The language is easy to comprehend as the imageries used are clearly defined.

Special Feature:

It is a Petrarchan sonnet. The octave describes the cold, gloomy atmosphere while the sestet shows an inspiring and encouraging tone. There is variation in the rhyme scheme of each stanza.

Message of the poem:

Life is full of challenges. One can tackle the challenges with a positive attitude. Do not lose hope. The future can give good chance to develop life. Nothing is impossible in life. We can achieve the goals of our life so we should not lose confidence in any situation.

My opinion about the poem:

The poem shows the love and care of a sister to her brother. The poem has an optimistic end. I like the poem very much.

 


 


4) Upon WestminsterBridge

About Poem and Poet:

The poem ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’ is written by the poet William Wordsworth. It depicts a vivid description of the views of the city. The poet is on Westminster Bridge and sees the city glittering in the clean smokeless air. He describes the silently flowing river and calm atmosphere of the city. The poem conveys the poet’s feelings about the beauty of the city.          

Poetic Device:

The language used in the poem is simple and lucid. The figures of speech like simile, hyperbole, inversion, and personification increase the beauty of the language. The language brings alive the natural aspects like sun, river, and the city. Readers can see the places in front of their eyes.

Special Feature:

The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet with a ‘complaint’ in the octave and a ‘resolution’ in the sestet. The octave (Eight lines) has the rhyme scheme ‘a b b a a b b a’ while the sestet (Six lines) has ‘c d c d c d’ pattern. Imagery shows beautiful picture of the city. This is the special feature of this poem.         

Message of the poem:

The poet successfully presents the beautiful atmosphere of the city. In the early morning the city becomes a landscape with amazing places. It is the positive way of looking at something that is not often taken for granted. 

My opinion about the poem:

I like the poem very much as it creates beautiful word picture of the city.

 


 


5) Nose verses Eyes

About Poem and Poet:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a satirical poem written by William Cowper. William Copper was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and his poems deal with Nature and everyday life. The title ‘Nose verses Eyes’ contains the sensory organs, and they symbolize human behaviour.

Theme:

The court room drama is a satire on the judiciary system. It also mocks at the stone-blind justice in a humorous manner emphasizing upon the lack of empathy and common sense. The sentences ‘then shifting his side, as a lawyer knows how’ and ‘what were his arguments few people know’ show the lack of seriousness in the process of judicial system.      

Poetic Device:

The poem is in stanza of four lines each. The first line rhymes with the third while the second line rhymes with the fourth. The rhyme scheme of the stanza is: a b a b   

My opinion about the poem:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a funny poem. It makes me laugh. It is a satire on the courtroom drama. I like it very much. I enjoyed it very much. I also feel pity for those who sometimes don’t get justice due to lack of common sense and understanding.

 


 


6) ThePlanners

Poem / Poet:

The poem ‘The Planners’ is written by the poet Boey Kim Cheng. In the poem he depicts the harsh reality of modernization at the cost of the country’s history, monuments, and tradition.

Title:

The title ‘The Planners’ itself shows their planning to destroy something to create new things. There is ruthless control of the influential persons who in the name of development destroys the age-old heritage.

Poetic Device:

The major figures of speech used here include- Personification, Alliteration, Irony, Antithesis, paradox and Inversion. It is written in free verse. In the poem the poet uses Enjambment. Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. Such lines used in the poem are also called run on lines. Enjambment is also one of the figures of speech.

Special Feature:

The special feature of this poem is to show the destruction of past and heritage in the name of development. The poet uses simple words and presents the reality of modernization. He laments due the destruction of past heritage. He wishes to aware readers to control such destruction.

Message of the poem:

The message of this poem is to understand the reality of modernization and protect our heritage. The emotional bond to nature and heritage makes the poet anxious. He wants to aware the readers to know the huge loss of nature and heritage in the name of modern construction.

My opinion about the poem:

I like the idea of the writer protecting our nature and heritage. This idea is universal. So, I like the poem very much.

 

 




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