Brainstorming = Voyaging Towards Excellence

(A1) (i) Upbringing plays a very important role in shaping one’s life.
The teacher will form two groups in the class. One group will speak in favour of the above topic while the other will speak against it. Debate brings out different perspectives, it does not mean one is right and other is wrong. You can take help of the following points and have a debate on it.
In favour of the topic
1. Provides a healthy atmosphere
2. Makes you confident
3. Helps in finding the role model
4. Helps to follow the footsteps of successful people

Against the topic
1. Achievers can be successful in any atmosphere
2. They are self confident, reliant and dependent.
3. They become role models for others.
4. They set an example for other

(i) Go through the text again and describe the second innings of the writer in your own words.
Ans: The author became a writer in Marathi in his second innings. He wrote 34 books in Marathi, most of which became bestsellers. He could change the lives of thousands of his readers after they read his autobiography 'Musafir' and his book on Psychology 'Manat'. He even helped his readers understand complex concepts with his book on Science, 'Kimayagar', and Maths, 'Ganiti'. He has also helped to create at least 20 entrepreneurs and so on. He has essentially touched the hearts of thousands of his readers in his second innings.

(A2) (i) Read the text again and make a list of great Indian and foreign personalities who had a great impact on Achyut Godbole during his childhood. One is done for you.
Ans:

(ii)Find different techniques used by the writer to learn Science and Mathematics. One is done for you.
Ans: 1) The writer used to appreciate (take a joy) the inherent (inborn) beauty of these subjects.
2) The writer used to solve the Physics and Mathematics problems of 9th standard when he was in 7th standard.
3) The writer tried to find the most elegant (simple/ effective) way of solving a problem.
4) The writer looked beyond marks and developed a problem- solving attitude.

(iii) The writer faced numerous problems while communicating in English because-
Ans: 1) He had his entire education in Marathi.
2) He would think in Marathi and translate awkwardly (not in proper way) into English
3) His vocabulary was very weak.
4) His pronunciation was terrible.
5) His construction of English sentences was very awkward.

(iv) The writer was completely stumped (be at a loss; not know what to do or say.) because his….
Ans: 1) vocabulary was weak
2) spoken English was quite pathetic (poor).
3) pronunciation was terrible.
4) construction of sentences was awkward

(v) Read the text again and complete the sentence:
Ans: Due to the writer's pathetic English -speaking style, he 

a) He was feeling quite lonely in Mumbai in general and IIT in particular
b) He developed an inferiority complex
c) He wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai

(vi) Complete the following sentences.
Ans: The writer wanted to achieve mastery in English because-
1] he wanted to speak excellent, elegant and fluent English
2] he will be able to communicate well in English.
3] he need not have to translate from Marathi to English in awkward manner
(vii) Make a list of different steps that the writer undertook to improve his English -speaking skills.
Ans: a) He started reading English newspapers and novels.
b) He studied etymology (roots of the words) and phonetics (pronunciation of the words).
c) He would stand in front of the mirror to practice speaking and would realize his mistakes and correct those himself; he improvised as well as improved himself day by day.

(viii) (a) Read the text again and describe the writer’s achievements after achieving mastery over the English language.
Ans: - His fear for English disappeared.
- He started feeling confident of speaking in English at length with anybody.
- Later in his career he could make presentations and negotiate (deals) all because of his improved English.

(b) Go through the text again and complete the table
comparing two different phases of life of the writer-as an MD or Chief Executive Officer and an activist of Sarvodaya movement.

(ix) (a) Complete the web highlighting the various opportunities you gained due to your good English -speaking skills.

(b) What kind of books do you like to read? Why?
Ans: I like to read different kinds of books such as travel book, poems, moral stories about gods and animals, historical, autobiographical and motivational books that teach me new things. I really like scientific stories that are realistic and increase my knowledge. I also love stories about resourceful, brave and inspirational people from the past like Shivaji Maharaj. 

(c) Describe a situation or incident when you felt embarassed for your lack of knowledge of a particular subject or incompetence in speaking English fluently.
Ans: This incident happened when I was in the 11th standard and our teacher told me to give speech on the occasion of the Teacher’s Day. I was scared because I had just moved to the college from a Marathi-medium school of my village. I made a lot of practice, but it was my first stage-appearance. As expected, I lost confidence while on stage and couldn't even read my speech properly in front of the students, teachers and the principal. I felt embarrassed and thought that I was inferior as compared to the city students who were convent educated.

(d) What is rationalism? Do you follow it?
Ans: Rationalism is a Western philosophy; its chief source is a test of knowledge, reality, truths, logic etc. The rationalists believe in proof of anything /factor. I like this theory where there is no space for blind faith.

(A3) (i) Fill in the blanks selecting the correct phrase from the alternatives given. One is done for you.
[be completely stumped, be broken, feel out of place, speak at length, feel at home, sea of knowledge, broaden one’s horizon, one’s second innings, touch the hearts, keep one going]
1] By the end of the week she was beginning to feel at home in her new job.
2] When he lost his mother, he was completely broken.
3] Travelling can help to broaden one’s horizon. .
4] After my retirement I started my second innings as a social worker.
5] Having faith in God keeps one going in difficult situation.
6] To succeed in any competitive examination, one requires a sea of knowledge .
7] The simple village girl feel out of place in a formal party.
8] The work done by Sindhutai Sapkal touches the hearts of millions.
9] The teacher spoke at length explaining the concept.
10] The speaker was completely stumped by the intelligent questions asked by the audience.

(ii) Read the text again and find out all the words related to the game of cricket. List two meanings of each. One is done for you.

(iii)Go through the text to find the antonyms (opposites) of the words given in the grid and fill the boxes. One is done for you.

(A4) (i) Primary Auxiliary Verbs are ‘be’, ‘have’ and ‘do’ which occur most commonly and can also be used as a main verb in a clause.
- Go through the sentences given below and say whether the verbs are main verbs or primary auxiliary verbs.
1] I had a very simple upbringing – Main Verb
2] I was immensely impressed. – Helping verb
3] I had learnt from my childhood that money did not mean everything in life. – Helping verb
4] He was a convent educated guy. – Main verb
5] They did all the work in time. – Main verb
6] I had to achieve a lot in life. – Main verb

(ii) Read the given sentences:
1] Does Sam write all his own reports?
2] The secretaries haven’t written all the letters yet.
3] Terry is writing an e-mail to a client at the moment.
The verbs in bold are broadly used to express tense. 'Do' can also be used for adding emphasis, as in " I do know the answer." The verbs 'be', 'have' and 'do' are called Primary Auxiliaries. When helping verbs are used to express the mode or action, they are called Modals.
1] You shall have a holiday tomorrow. (Simple Future)
2] We should obey our elders. (Obligation)
3] I can play the piano. (Ability)
4] Could you open the window, please? (Request)
In the above examples the modals indicate the expressions given in brackets. There are other models that are used for expressions.
Study the given table carefully and do the activities that follow.

(a)
1. Take an umbrella. It may rain later.
2. People should not walk on the grass.
3. May I ask you a question?
4. The signal has turned red. You must wait.
5. I was a sportsperson in my school days. I used to play badminton.
6. 1 am going to the library. I might find my friend there.

(b) The following lines from the text show past habits.
Ans: 1] They used to talk about Keshaysut, Mardhekar, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Hardy.
2] I used to study these, subjects or any subjects for that matter for its inherent beauty.
3] At IT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my English was very poor.
4] I used to stand in front of the mirror and practice speaking English.

5] ------- (Find more examples from the text )

(iii)Do as directed and rewrite the sentences.
1] I did not fully understand their discussions but I was immensely impressed. (Remove 'but'.)
Ans: Though I did not fully understand their discussions, I was Immensely impressed.
2] I had decided that I would do nothing of this sort. (Remove 'that'.)
Ans: I had decided not to do anything of this sort.
3] My fear had vanished and I started feeling at home in my hostel. (Use ‘when’.)
Ans: When my fear had vanished, I started feeling at home in my hostel.
4] It was only my self-esteem which stopped me. (Remove 'which'.)
Ans: Only my self-esteem stopped me.
5] I plunged into all these branches of knowledge. It was a period of renaissance. (Join with 'which'.)
Ans: I plunged into all these branches of knowledge which was a period of renaissance.
6] When I look back, there are a number of lessons that I cherish. (Remove 'When'.)
Ans: No Sooner do I look back than there are a number of lessons that I cherish.
7] There are hundreds who tell me that they understood the theory of relativity. (Remove 'who'.)
Ans: There are hundreds telling me that they understood the theory of relativity.
8] Our 300 square feet house did not even have basic amenities.(Affirmative)
Ans: Our 300 square feet house was without basic amenities.
9] I did not fully understand their discussions in depth. (affirmative )
Ans: I was unable to understand their discussions in depth.
10] I did not and even today don’t understand the ‘grammar’ of music, but I began to love it tremendously since then. ( Use - Though)
Ans: Though I did not and even today don’t understand the ‘grammar’ of music, I began to love it tremendously since then.
11] It was because of such a milieu around me that I had a firm belief. [Simple]
Ans: I had a firm belief because of such a milieu around me.
12] Money does not mean everything in life. ( Rhetorical Question)
Ans: Does money mean everything in life?
13] There is something which enriches our , it is the arts, music and literature. [Simple]
Ans: The arts, music and literature enrich our lives.
14] That helped me to develop a ‘problem-solving’ attitude. (What is the underlined words called? Write its kind?)
Ans: It is called compound adjective. It is noun + present participle type.
15] This exam is completely based on your problem-solving ability. (What is the underlined words called? Write its kind?)
Ans: It is called compound adjective. It is noun + present participle type.
16] Nobody in Solapur told me about it. (Rhetorical Question)
Ans: Did anybody in Solapur tell me about it?
17] I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived. (Use - Though)
Ans: Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived
18] In Solapur I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. ( Simple )
Ans: I had not seen more than three storeyed building in Solapur.
19] Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but, my pronunciation also was terrible. (Remove - Not only – but also )
Ans: I had a very weak vocabulary as well as my pronunciation was terrible
20] Why should I give up? (Assertive Sentence)
Ans: I should not give up.
21] I would do nothing of this sort. (Rhetorical Question)
Ans: Would I do anything of this sort?
22] Until that time I used to consider myself somewhat intelligent. (Identify the modal auxiliary and write its function)
Ans: Modal auxiliary - used to and function- Habitual action in the past
23] My friends were not only more intelligent than me. (Change the degree )
Ans: Only I was as intelligent as my friends
24] None of these subjects were part of our curriculum. (Affirmative)
Ans: All these subjects were out of our curriculum
25] I never studied for scoring marks in any examination. (Infinitive)
Ans: I never studied to score marks in any examination
26] Passing the ‘examination of life’ which was far more important than just passing IIT examination. (Change the degree)
Ans: Passing IIT examination was not as important as passing the ‘examination of life’
27] It is very difficult to become a master.(affirmative)
Ans: It isnot easy to become a master
28] that thought never even touched our minds. (Rhetorical )
Ans: Did that thought ever even touch our minds?
29] I am proud of is the curiosity, humility and humanity. ( Question Tag)
Ans: I am proud of is the curiosity, humility and humanity, aren’t I?
30] In today’s world, nothing is possible without team work. (affirmative)
Ans: In today’s world, everything is possible with team work.
31] You cannot be successful if you are a loner and an egoistic person. (Use – Unless)
Ans: You can be successful unless you are a loner and an egoistic person.
32] You need to treat your subordinates and your colleagues as friends. (Obligation)
Ans: You must treat your subordinates and your colleagues as friends.
33] I made a few mistakes, but learnt a lot about motivation. (Remove but)
Ans: Though I made a few mistakes, I learnt a lot about motivation
34] After working for all these software companies for so many years, I wanted to return to my first love to read and write on various subjects concerning human life and existence. ( Make –compound sentence)
Ans: I worked for all these software companies for so many years and wanted to return to my first love to read and write on various subjects concerning human life and existence.
35] I gave up two offers of around 3 crore rupees per annum to become a writer. (wh –question)
Ans: Why did I give up two offers of around 3 crore rupees per annum?
36) I have written about 34 books in Marathi. (wh –question)
Ans: How many books have I written about in Marathi?
37] It was only when I entered the college that I got a watch [Simple]
Ans: I got a watch after entering in the college