Bravo Manju
Dad Bakes a Cake
Sweet Success
A Crow For All Seasons
Wheelchair Basketball
The Internet
A Tiger in the Zoo
Eight Rupees
Engine Trouble
Grandpa Fights an Ostrich
The King's Palace
A Little World of Mud
Come, Little Leaves
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Freedom
Only a Dad
My Dad is an excellent cook. He can cook many delicious dishes like rajma and pea pulav, tandoori chicken, pizza and many more. When we hear the words, "I feel like cooking today," we all take off in different directions. Of course, that doesn't mean we are free to enjoy a Sunday morning in any way we please. For soon, there are urgent calls from the kitchen, "Naman, can you come here for a minute?" or "Richa, I need some help" and then like obedient children, we creep into the kitchen carefully.
Hard Words:
Delicious (स्वादिष्ट) - Having a very pleasant taste or smell.
Urgent (तत्काल) - Requiring immediate action or attention.
Obedient (आज्ञाकारी) - Willing to comply with orders or requests.
Creep (धीरे-धीरे चलना) - To move slowly and carefully, especially to avoid being heard or noticed.
Explanation: This paragraph introduces Dad as an excellent cook who can prepare various tasty dishes. The family quickly responds to his calls for help in the kitchen, despite wanting to relax on a Sunday morning.
The whole experience of being in the kitchen with Dad is full of danger. There's always a chance of there being a slippery piece of onion on the floor or a small pool of water near the sink when Dad's at work. I have had an uncomfortable experience of slipping and sliding straight into the kitchen counter in such a pool.
Hard Words:
Experience (अनुभव) - Practical contact with and observation of facts or events.
Slippery (फिसलन) - Difficult to hold firmly or stand on because it is smooth, wet, or slimy.
Uncomfortable (असुविधाजनक) - Causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort.
Counter (काउंटर) - A long flat-topped fixture in a store or bank across which business is conducted with customers.
Explanation: The paragraph describes the dangerous and messy nature of being in the kitchen with Dad, highlighting the risks of slipping on onions or water and recalling a personal incident of slipping.
So, when at breakfast one day Dad announced, "Right, I'm going to try my hand at baking today, so is it to be a lemon cake or baked vegetables with white sauce?", we got up and prepared ourselves to leave the room as hastily as possible.
Hard Words:
Announced (घोषित किया) - Made a public and typically formal declaration about a fact, occurrence, or intention.
Baking (बेकिंग) - Cooking food by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven.
Hastily (जल्दी से) - With excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly.
Explanation: This paragraph explains how Dad's announcement of trying baking led the family to prepare to leave the room quickly, anticipating the chaos that usually follows.
Grandma sighed and said, "I have to finish that pullover I'm knitting." Not waiting for an answer, she walked out briskly to look for the unfinished pullover and a comfortable chair. Grandpa had already left to meet his friends at the park, so he was not there to comment. Richa got up and said, "I've some homework to do." Mummy just smiled patiently in a long-suffering manner.
Hard Words:
Sighed (आह भरी) - Let out a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, or tiredness.
Briskly (तेजी से) - In an active, quick, or energetic way.
Unfinished (अधूरा) - Not completed.
Patiently (धैर्यपूर्वक) - In a way that shows tolerance of delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
Explanation: This paragraph shows how each family member finds an excuse to leave the room when Dad decides to bake, except the narrator who ends up helping.
Dad turned to me, "So Naman, it's the two men today: you and I." Now, there was no way of getting out of it, so I just nodded, unsure of what I should say. Out of the window went my plans of reading the new book I'd got from the library.
Hard Words:
Turned (मुड़ा) - Moved in a circular direction wholly or partly around an axis or point.
Nodded (सिर हिलाया) - Lowered and raised one's head slightly and briefly, especially in greeting, assent, or understanding, or to give someone a signal.
Unsure (अनिश्चित) - Not certain or confident.
Explanation: In this paragraph, Dad tells Naman that they will bake together, and Naman realizes he has no choice but to help, giving up his plans to read a book.
After much discussion, a look at the larder and a peep into the fridge, we decided that it was to be a lemon cake. Of course, Dad's plan to begin the task at hand immediately was vetoed by Mummy. We were impolitely asked to vacate the premises and were allowed into the kitchen once again after Mummy had cleared the breakfast dishes away.
Hard Words:
Discussion (चर्चा) - The action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.
Larder (भंडार गृह) - A room or large cupboard for storing food.
Peep (झांकना) - Look quickly and furtively at something, especially through a narrow opening.
Vetoed (नकार दिया) - Exercise a veto against (a decision or proposal made by a law-making body).
Explanation: This paragraph details the process of deciding what to bake and how Mummy had to clean the kitchen first before they could start baking.
"Now Naman," said Dad, "here's the recipe in your mother's cookbook. Hmmm... now what do we need?" He peered at the book as his glasses perched on his head. "It might help if you wear your glasses, Rohan," said Mummy. "They're there on your head." "Right, of course, I can see better now: Bring the flour, Naman, and Geeta, could I have six eggs and a measuring cup, please? Where is Richa? Surely, she can do her homework a little later. Richa! Richa! I need you for a while."
Hard Words:
Recipe (विधि) - A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required.
Peered (झाँकना) - Look keenly or with difficulty at someone or something.
Perched (बैठा हुआ) - (Of a bird) alight or rest on something.
Measuring (मापना) - Ascertain the size, amount, or degree of something by using an instrument or device marked in standard units.
Explanation: This paragraph shows Dad looking at the recipe and getting ready to bake, while Mummy reminds him to wear his glasses. Dad then starts calling for help from the family members.
So there we were: Mummy was separating egg whites and I was measuring flour when Richa joined the band of helpers. She set the temperature and put on the oven. Dad continued to study the recipe. He took the mixer out of the cupboard and put it on the counter. "I need vanilla essence and some lemons. Geeta, do we have some?" "Rohan, you should have warned me that you were going to bake a cake today. The vanilla essence has finished." "I'll go and get some, Dad," I said and started to slip out of the kitchen, anything to get away from it all.
Hard Words:
Separating (अलग करना) - Cause to move or be apart.
Temperature (तापमान) - The degree of internal heat of a person's body or an object.
Continued (जारी रखा) - Persisted in an activity or process.
Mixer (मिश्रक) - A machine or device for mixing things.
Explanation: This paragraph describes the family's involvement in the baking process, with each member assigned a task. Naman tries to use the excuse of fetching vanilla essence to leave the kitchen.
"No, never mind," said Dad, while reading out loud from the book. "Add lemon juice and lemon zest... Now what's this lemon zest thing, Geeta?" "It's just a bit of grated lemon peel, Rohan," said Mummy. "It adds flavor to the cake." "Yes, I know, I had heard that term before! Now I need the grater," he began pulling out drawers and searching frantically for the grater while Mummy took it off the hook on the wall and patted him gently on the shoulder with it. "Oh you found it, Geeta!" said Dad sounding like a drowning man who'd just been handed a rubber ring.
Hard Words:
Zest (छिलका) - The outer colored part of the peel of citrus fruit, used as flavoring.
Grated (कद्दूकस किया हुआ) - Reduced (food) to small shreds by being rubbed on a grater.
Frantically (पागलों की तरह) - In a distraught way owing to fear, anxiety, or other emotion.
Rubber (रबड़) - A tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical plant or synthetically.
Explanation: In this paragraph, Dad learns about lemon zest and frantically searches for the grater, with Mummy helping him out. Dad expresses relief when the grater is found.
Ruff, the puppy, couldn't bear the thought of being left out. He ran into the kitchen wagging his tail when he found the whole family there. Of course, Richa who was backing away from the oven almost stepped on him. He squealed and ran off into a safe corner. He sat down and looked at all of us, his mouth open, tongue hanging out. The hectic activity in the normally-quiet kitchen confused him.
Hard Words:
Bear (सहन करना) - Endure an ordeal or difficulty.
Wagging (हिलाना) - (With reference to an animal's tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro.
Squealed (चीखना) - Made a long, high-pitched cry or noise.
Hectic (अराजक) - Full of incessant or frantic activity.
Explanation: This paragraph describes the family's puppy, Ruff, wanting to be part of the kitchen activity but causing a small commotion and getting confused by the busyness.
Grandma decided to join us just at this most chaotic juncture. Ours is a family that eats together and cooks together, especially on a day when Dad is at the helm. "So, have you got all you need for the baked vegetables, Rohan?" She said. "I think you'll need some more cheese." Naman finished the last bit at breakfast. "Now Rohan, you know I like plenty of cheese in my baked vegetables. If you're sending Naman out for some cheese, I need a tube of toothpaste. I left it out of the shopping list I gave Geeta yesterday."
Hard Words:
Chaotic (अराजक) - In a state of complete confusion and disorder.
Juncture (समय) - A particular point in events or time.
Helm (नेतृत्व) - A position of leadership.
Toothpaste (मंजन) - A paste used on a toothbrush for cleaning the teeth.
Explanation: This paragraph shows Grandma joining the kitchen activity and suggesting more cheese for the baked vegetables, which Dad is not actually making. She also asks for toothpaste, adding to the confusion.
"Mama, I am not making baked vegetables today. I am baking a lemon sponge cake," said Dad, happily. "Rohan, remember to separate the egg yolks and whites." she advised. "Do you want me to beat the egg whites?" "It's all under control, Mama," smiled Dad happily. "Where's Papa?" "Here I am." said Grandpa. "So, we're cooking today. I hope it's something sweet." "Now Raj," said Grandma," "no sweets for you. I saw you spreading jam on your toast this morning. You know what Dr. Sethi said...."
Hard Words:
Sponge (स्पंज) - A light, porous, and elastic baked dessert made with flour, sugar, and eggs.
Separate (अलग करना) - To divide or split into different parts.
Beat (फेंटना) - To stir vigorously with a fork or other implement.
Explanation: This paragraph explains that Dad is actually baking a lemon sponge cake, not baked vegetables, and Grandma offers advice on baking. Grandpa joins in, hoping for something sweet, but Grandma reminds him about his dietary restrictions.
Meanwhile, Dad was beating the butter and sugar in the mixer. He had just started adding the egg yolks when one egg yolk landed on the floor and Ruff dashed excitedly towards it, almost tripping. This was bound to happen and Mummy had a look painted on her face as she shooed Ruff out of the kitchen. Finally, after many near crises and some tense moments with the electricity department, in its often misunderstood wisdom, decided to switch off the current for five minutes, Dad poured the batter into the cake tin and put the tin in the oven. Relieved, we dashed out of the kitchen. Dad washed his hands and wiped them on a towel and followed us.
Hard Words:
Yolk (पीला भाग) - The yellow internal part of a bird's egg.
Dashed (दौड़ना) - Ran or moved in a great hurry.
Crisis (संकट) - A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.
Relieved (राहत महसूस करना) - No longer feeling distressed or anxious.
Explanation: This paragraph describes the chaotic scene of baking, with Ruff causing a near accident and a power outage interrupting the process. Eventually, the batter is poured into the cake tin and placed in the oven, and the family leaves the kitchen in relief.
I looked back and saw Mummy looking helplessly at the state of her usually neat and clean kitchen. Then she frowned, "All of you, back in here! Help me to clean up, or there'll be no cake for anyone." We trooped back slowly and helped to clean up the mess: flour on the counter, egg yolk on the ground, batter dripping off the mixer jar and egg shells near the stove.
Hard Words:
Helplessly (बेसहारा) - In a way that is unable to help oneself; powerless.
Frowned (माथे पर बल देना) - Made a facial expression indicating disapproval or concentration.
Trooped (जुलूस में चलना) - Moved in a group.
Mess (गड़बड़) - A dirty or untidy state of things or of a place.
Explanation: This paragraph describes Mummy’s dismay at the messy kitchen and her stern order for everyone to help clean up, which the family reluctantly does.
Mummy can be very much like a Colonel commanding a unit and her troops dare not disobey her. It took some effort, for not an eggshell or a drop of lemon juice could escape Mummy's eagle eye and high standards of cleanliness, but soon everything was slip-shape again and we were sent off to do our Sunday chores.
Hard Words:
Colonel (कर्नल) - A rank of officer in the army.
Disobey (अवज्ञा करना) - To refuse to follow the orders of a person in authority.
Escape (बच निकलना) - To break free from confinement or control.
Cleanliness (स्वच्छता) - The state or quality of being clean.
Explanation: This paragraph compares Mummy to a Colonel, emphasizing her authority and high standards of cleanliness. The family works hard to meet these standards and clean up the kitchen before returning to their chores.
An hour later the fragrance of the lemon cake filled the house and after a while Dad emerged from the kitchen triumphantly with a perfect specimen on a plate. It tasted scrumptious too! All was forgotten as we enjoyed a mid-morning coffee and cake break.
Hard Words:
Fragrance (सुगंध) - A pleasant, sweet smell.
Emerged (उभर कर आया) - Moved out of or away from something and came into view.
Triumphantly (विजयपूर्वक) - In a way that shows great happiness or joy at a victory or achievement.
Scrumptious (लजीज) - Extremely tasty; delicious.
Explanation: This final paragraph describes the successful outcome of the baking effort. The smell of the lemon cake fills the house, and Dad proudly presents the cake. The family enjoys a coffee and cake break, forgetting the earlier chaos.
4
Sentences
Identify the type of sentence:
"Please close the door."
a) Declarative
b) Interrogative
c) Imperative
d) Exclamatory
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
"The teacher asked the students __________."
a) to quietly sit
b) quietly to sit
c) sit quietly
d) to sit quietly
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
a) I like to read books.
b) He is tall and strong.
c) She bought a dress that she liked.
d) The dog barked loudly.
Identify the subject in the sentence:
"Swimming in the ocean is fun."
a) Swimming
b) Swimming in the ocean
c) Ocean
d) Is fun
Nouns and its Kinds
Identify the proper noun in the sentence:
"James went to New York for his vacation."
a) James
b) vacation
c) went
d) his
Which of the following is an abstract noun?
a) Teacher
b) Happiness
c) Dog
d) Book
Select the collective noun in the sentence:
"The fleet of ships was ready for departure."
a) Ships
b) Fleet
c) Departure
d) Ready
Identify the common noun:
"The children were playing in the park."
a) Children
b) Playing
c) Park
d) Were
Pronouns and its Kinds
Which of the following is a relative pronoun?
a) Who
b) Her
c) They
d) This
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun to complete the sentence:
"She taught __________ to play the piano."
a) herself
b) myself
c) himself
d) themselves
Identify the indefinite pronoun in the sentence:
"Someone left their umbrella in the bus."
a) Someone
b) Left
c) Their
d) Umbrella
Select the demonstrative pronoun in the sentence:
"Those are my favorite books."
a) Those
b) Are
c) My
d) Books
Adjectives
Identify the adjective in the sentence:
"She wore a beautiful dress to the party."
a) She
b) Wore
c) Beautiful
d) Dress
Choose the correct form of the adjective:
"This is the __________ story I have ever heard."
a) More interesting
b) Most interesting
c) Interesting
d) Interestingest
Identify the type of adjective in the sentence:
"I have three apples."
a) Descriptive
b) Quantitative
c) Demonstrative
d) Interrogative
16. What kind of dishes does Dad cook?
a) Italian
b) Chinese
c) Indian and Continental
d) French
17. How do the family members react when Dad announces he wants to cook?
a) They eagerly help him
b) They take off in different directions
c) They ignore him
d) They go out to eat
18. What kind of unpleasant experience does the narrator recall from being in the kitchen with Dad?
a) Burning food
b) Spilling water
c) Slipping and sliding into the kitchen counter
d) Breaking dishes
19. What does Dad announce he wants to bake one day at breakfast?
a) Chocolate cake
b) Lemon cake
c) Baked vegetables
d) Bread
20. Who among the family decides to do homework to avoid helping in the kitchen?
a) Naman
b) Richa
c) Mummy
d) Grandpa
21. What does Grandma decide to finish instead of helping in the kitchen?
a) A book
b) A puzzle
c) A pullover she's knitting
d) Cooking lunch
22. What task does Naman end up helping with in the kitchen?
a) Separating egg whites
b) Measuring flour
c) Setting the temperature of the oven
d) Cleaning the dishes
23. What ingredient does Dad realize they have run out of when preparing the lemon cake?
a) Sugar
b) Flour
c) Vanilla essence
d) Eggs
24. What does Ruff, the puppy, do when he sees the family in the kitchen?
a) Barks loudly
b) Runs in wagging his tail
c) Hides under the table
d) Jumps on the counter
25. What does Mummy demand from the family after baking the cake?
a) To help decorate the cake
b) To clean up the kitchen
c) To taste the cake
d) To prepare lunch
Sentences
Identify the type of sentence:
"Please close the door."
c) Imperative
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
"The teacher asked the students __________."
d) to sit quietly
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
c) She bought a dress that she liked.
Identify the subject in the sentence:
"Swimming in the ocean is fun."
b) Swimming in the ocean
Nouns and its Kinds
Identify the proper noun in the sentence:
"James went to New York for his vacation."
a) James
Which of the following is an abstract noun?
b) Happiness
Select the collective noun in the sentence:
"The fleet of ships was ready for departure."
b) Fleet
Identify the common noun:
"The children were playing in the park."
a) Children
Pronouns and its Kinds
Which of the following is a relative pronoun?
a) Who
Choose the correct reflexive pronoun to complete the sentence:
"She taught __________ to play the piano."
a) herself
Identify the indefinite pronoun in the sentence:
"Someone left their umbrella in the bus."
a) Someone
Select the demonstrative pronoun in the sentence:
"Those are my favorite books."
a) Those
Adjectives
Identify the adjective in the sentence:
"She wore a beautiful dress to the party."
c) Beautiful
Choose the correct form of the adjective:
"This is the __________ story I have ever heard."
b) Most interesting
Identify the type of adjective in the sentence:
"I have three apples."
b) Quantitative
4
16. What kind of dishes does Dad cook?
c) Indian and Continental
17. How do the family members react when Dad announces he wants to cook?
b) They take off in different directions
18. What kind of unpleasant experience does the narrator recall from being in the kitchen with Dad?
c) Slipping and sliding into the kitchen counter
19. What does Dad announce he wants to bake one day at breakfast?
b) Lemon cake
20. Who among the family decides to do homework to avoid helping in the kitchen?
b) Richa
21. What does Grandma decide to finish instead of helping in the kitchen?
c) A pullover she's knitting
22. What task does Naman end up helping with in the kitchen?
b) Measuring flour
23. What ingredient does Dad realize they have run out of when preparing the lemon cake?
c) Vanilla essence
24. What does Ruff, the puppy, do when he sees the family in the kitchen?
b) Runs in wagging his tail
25What does Mummy demand from the family after baking the cake?
b) To clean up the kitchen
