A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

The Enemy — Pearl S. Buck ​ Central Character: Dr. Sadao Hoki ​ Theme: Conflict between Patriotism/National Loyalty and Professional Ethics/Humanity ​ House: Built on rocks along the Japanese coast, framed by bent pines, near a low beach where fishermen occasionally landed. ​ Father: A traditional, orthodox Japanese man whose chief concern was Sadao's education; he never joked or played with him but spent infinite pains on his future. ​ Education: Sadao went to America at twenty-two to study surgery and medicine, returning at thirty as an accomplished surgeon and scientist. ​ Meeting Hana: Sadao met Hana at Professor Harley's house in America, but waited to fall in love with her until he was sure she was purely Japanese. ​ Marriage: They married in Japan according to traditional Japanese customs with his father's approval; they lived a happily married life with two children. ​ The Discovery: While standing on their veranda in the mist, they saw a man flun...

NOTE MAKING NOTE-MAKING is an important study skill. In this type of question, a passage is given from which we need to draw the main points using a prescribed format of: Title/Heading, Sub-Headings, Points, glossary (table of abbreviations) and a summary based on the notes prepared. How to prepare good notes? 1. Notes should be short. They should identify the main points. 2. They list information in what is called ‘note form’.  3. They are written only in phrases, not sentences.  4. Information is logically divided and subdivided by the use of figures/letters. 5. The divisions are made like this:  Main sections: 1, 2, 3, etc.  Sub-sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.  Sub-sub-sections:    1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, etc. 6. Abbreviations and symbols are freely used.  7. Articles, prepositions and conjunctions are omitted.  8. Notes must make sense when they are read again otherwise, they will be of no use. How to summarize? 1. The points sho...

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Types of Clauses Independent Clause Can stand alone as a complete sentence and gives complete meaning. Examples:  1. She is reading a book.  2. He plays football. Dependent Clause Cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning. Examples:  1. because she was tired  2. when the bell rang Types of Dependent Clauses A. Noun Clause Works like a noun in a sentence. Joining words: that, what, who, whom, whether, if Example: I know that he is honest. B. Adjective Clause Describes a noun or pronoun. Joining words: who, whom, whose, which, that Example: She is the girl who won the prize. C. Adverb Clause Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb. Joining words: when, where, because, if, although, since, until, unless Example: I will wait until you come. How to Identify a Clause Find the subject. Find the verb. Ask its function: Acts as a noun → Noun Clause Describes a noun → Adjective...

Indigo — Simple Point-wise Summary Author: Louis Fischer 1. The lesson shows how Mahatma Gandhi fought for justice through truth and non-violence. 2. The story is set in Champaran, a district in Bihar. 3. Poor farmers were forced by British landlords to grow indigo on 15% of their land and pay it as tax. 4. The farmers suffered from poverty, exploitation, and unfair treatment. 5. A poor farmer named Rajkumar Shukla requested Gandhi to come to Champaran and help them. 6. Shukla followed Gandhi everywhere until Gandhi agreed to visit Champaran. 7. Gandhi met the peasants and collected information about their problems and written statements. 8. The local authorities ordered Gandhi to leave Champaran, but he refused because he wanted to help the farmers. 9. Gandhi appeared in court and calmly accepted punishment for disobeying the order. 10. His honesty and courage impressed the people, and thousands gathered outside the court in support of him. 11. The case against Gandhi was withdrawn, a...

Summary The Address by Marga Minco is a moving story about war, loss, memory, and the limits of material possessions. It is narrated by a young Jewish girl who returns to Holland after surviving the Second World War. Her purpose is to recover the valuable belongings her mother had entrusted to Mrs. Dorling, a family acquaintance, before the war. During the war, Mrs. Dorling regularly visited their house and took away silverware, crockery, table linen, and other valuable items, claiming she was keeping them safe. Although the narrator always found her cold and businesslike, her mother trusted her in those desperate times. After the war, the narrator visits Mrs. Dorling’s address. On her first visit, Mrs. Dorling refuses to acknowledge her and shuts the door. Later, the narrator returns, and Mrs. Dorling’s teenage daughter unknowingly invites her inside. There, the narrator sees her family’s belongings arranged in a completely different home. Instead of bringing joy, the familiar objects...

The Rattrap 1. Why did the peddler think that the whole world was a rattrap? The peddler believed that the world was "nothing but a big rattrap." According to him, riches, food, shelter and other comforts were merely "bait" placed to tempt people. Once attracted by these worldly pleasures, people became trapped in sorrow and suffering, just like rats caught in a trap. Ironically, after stealing the crofter's money, the peddler himself became trapped in the forest, proving that his philosophy applied to his own life as well. 2. Describe the meeting between the peddler and the old crofter. The old crofter welcomed the peddler with great warmth and hospitality. Being lonely, he enjoyed the peddler's company and shared food, tobacco and a comfortable bed with him. He proudly showed the "thirty kronor" he had earned by selling milk and trusted the peddler completely. However, tempted by greed, the peddler betrayed this trust and stole the money, showing...