RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GHAZIABAD

CLASS-X
SUBJECT-ENGLISH
STUDY MATERIAL
1. "A Letter to God"
 Q: How does Lencho’s belief in God contrast with the reality he faces after
the storm?
Answer: Lencho’s unwavering belief in God forms the central theme of
the story. After the destructive storm, which devastates his crops, Lencho
is certain that only God can help him. His belief remains steadfast even
when others seem indifferent to his suffering. Lencho’s trust in divine
intervention leads him to write a letter to God, asking for money to restore
his livelihood. However, the reality of his situation starkly contrasts his
belief. Although the post office employees try to help him, the money they
collect is still short of what Lencho requested. When he receives the
money, he believes that God must have sent it through the post office,
even though it was collected by people. The story highlights how blind
faith can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations and how people tend
to hold on to their beliefs, even when reality doesn’t align with them.

2. "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"

 Q: Discuss the impact of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration on the people of
South Africa and the world.
Answer: Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the first democratically
elected black president of South Africa in 1994 was a momentous
occasion, not just for South Africa but for the world. It marked the end of
centuries of institutionalized racial discrimination and the apartheid
system. Mandela’s inauguration symbolized the triumph of justice,
equality, and human dignity over oppression. It was a message of hope for
the oppressed and marginalized groups worldwide. For the people of South
Africa, Mandela’s presidency was the realization of their long struggle for
freedom. The inauguration ceremony was a defining moment for the
nation, as it brought together people from all races and backgrounds to
witness the peaceful transition from an apartheid state to a democratic
one. Mandela’s words emphasized reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity,
laying the foundation for a multi-racial South Africa that would be a model
for the world.

3. "Two Stories about Flying"

 Q: How does the story of the young seagull relate to the theme of fear and
overcoming challenges?
Answer: The young seagull in the story symbolizes every individual who
faces the challenge of overcoming fear. Initially, the seagull is afraid to fly
because it is uncertain about its ability to soar. The fear of failure and the
 unknown prevent the bird from taking the plunge. However, when the
seagull is driven by hunger and a necessity to survive, it finally spreads its
wings and flies. This moment of liberation represents the overcoming of
the self-imposed limitations created by fear. The theme of fear and
overcoming challenges is portrayed beautifully, showing how an individual
often needs a push or an external catalyst to take risks and move beyond
their comfort zone. This story conveys a powerful message that fear must
be confronted to achieve growth and progress.

4. "The Diary of Anne Frank"

 Q: Discuss Anne Frank’s experience in the annex and how it shaped her
character and views on humanity.
Answer: Anne Frank’s life in the secret annex was one of isolation, fear,
and uncertainty. Living in hiding with her family and others during the Nazi
occupation of the Netherlands, Anne was constantly aware of the danger
they faced. Despite these hardships, Anne’s diary reveals her remarkable
maturity and introspection. Her reflections on her inner world, her
relationships with her family, and her observations about human nature
allowed her to develop a deep understanding of herself and the world
around her. Anne’s time in the annex shaped her views on humanity in a
profound way. She realized the importance of love, friendship, and the
need for kindness in a world filled with prejudice and cruelty. Her diary
also reveals her growing awareness of the flaws of human beings,
including her own. Through the experiences in the annex, Anne's character
developed into a young woman who, despite facing extreme adversity,
never lost her hope for a better world.

5. "The Sermon at Benares"

 Q: Explain the central teachings of the Buddha in the sermon at Benares
and their relevance in today’s world.
Answer: In his sermon at Benares, the Buddha outlines the path to
freedom from suffering, which is based on the Four Noble Truths and the
Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths state that suffering is an inherent
part of life, suffering is caused by desire and attachment, it is possible to
end suffering by removing desire, and the way to end suffering is through
the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, right
intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right
mindfulness, and right concentration. These teachings emphasize the
importance of self-control, ethical conduct, and mental discipline in
overcoming suffering and attaining enlightenment. The relevance of the
Buddha’s teachings today lies in their focus on compassion, mindfulness,
and non-violence, which can help individuals deal with the stress and
conflict of modern life. The Buddha’s teachings encourage living a
balanced life, fostering peace within oneself and with others, making them
universally applicable, regardless of the time period.
6. "The Proposal" (Play)
 Q: Analyze the characters of Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov in the play
The Proposal.
Answer: In The Proposal, the characters of Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov
are depicted as absurd and comical, but they also reflect certain social
norms and expectations of the time. Lomov, a nervous, hypochondriac
man, is portrayed as an anxious suitor who seeks to propose to Natalya.
He is overly concerned about trivial matters, such as land ownership and
his health, which makes him a comical character. Natalya, on the other
hand, is a strong-willed and somewhat stubborn woman. She becomes
argumentative over trivial issues, such as the ownership of land and the
quality of dogs, showing how she is more interested in petty
disagreements than in the deeper aspects of a relationship. Chubukov,
Natalya’s father, adds to the comedy by supporting the marriage proposal
but also exacerbating the situation with his own stubbornness and
exaggerated behavior. The interplay between these characters highlights
the theme of social conventions, as they are all caught up in the
absurdities of marriage and societal expectations, showcasing how trivial
concerns can often overshadow the more meaningful aspects of human
relationships.

7. "Madam Rides the Bus"

 Q: Discuss the theme of independence and self-reliance in the story
Madam Rides the Bus.
Answer: In Madam Rides the Bus, the theme of independence and self-
reliance is strongly reflected through the character of Valli. At just eight
years old, Valli demonstrates a remarkable sense of independence and
maturity. She decides to take a bus ride to the city, despite her young age
and the objections of her mother. Valli's self-reliance is evident in the way
she plans and saves money for the journey without anyone’s help. Her
confidence in managing the trip on her own shows her determination and
desire to experience the world beyond her small village. However, the
story also illustrates the challenges that come with independence,
especially when Valli faces the harsh realities of the world, like the death
of the cow. This experience broadens her understanding of life and its
complexities. Valli's journey symbolizes the growth of a young girl who
seeks freedom and independence, despite the constraints of her age and
society's expectations.

8. "The Ball Poem"

Q: How does the poet convey the theme of loss and the understanding of its
significance in The Ball Poem?
Answer: In The Ball Poem, the poet conveys the theme of loss through the
experience of a young boy who loses his ball. The ball, which was a symbol of
material possession, is no longer in his grasp, and the boy feels a deep sense
of sorrow and emptiness. The poet uses the ball as a metaphor for all material
 possessions, which are temporary and fleeting. The loss of the ball makes the
boy realize the impermanence of material things, and this realization leads
him to a deeper understanding of life and its transience. The poet also
highlights the emotional aspect of the loss, not just the material value of the
ball. Through the boy's grief, the poet explores how we tend to value things
that are fleeting, and the importance of learning to cope with such losses. The
poem also hints at the boy's emotional growth as he learns that loss is a part
of life and must be accepted with maturity.
Writing Section
Q.1. You are Chhavi Pathak of Ranchi Bihar write a letter about 120 words
addressing the secretary of the city municipal authority. Detailed the problem of
overgrown trees and shrubs in the neighbourhood and request the delegation of
personnel for regular pruning.
Ans.
Chhavi Pathak
Ranchi, Bihar

13th January 2024

The Secretary
City Municipal Authority
Ranchi, Bihar

Subject: Request for Regular Pruning of Overgrown Trees and Shrubs

Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am a resident of Ranchi and wish to draw your
attention to the issue of overgrown trees and shrubs in our neighbourhood. This
unchecked growth has become a significant concern for the residents. It
obstructs streetlights, limits road visibility, and creates an unkempt appearance.
Furthermore, the dense foliage provides a breeding ground for pests, increasing
health risks in the community. I request you to kindly delegate personnel for
regular pruning and maintenance of these trees and shrubs to ensure a clean
and safe environment.
I trust you will address this matter at the earliest.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours Sincerely
Chhavi Pathak
Q.2.You are Priya, office in-charge at VPS School, Sant colony,
Vishakhapatnam. Place an order of stationery items for the school
office to Modern store, New Market, Vishakhapatnam.
VPS Public School,
Sant colony
Vishakhapatnam.
20th December, 2024
Modern store,
New Market,
Vishakhapatnam
Subject: Supply of stationery items for the school office.

Sir
I am the office in-charge of VPS Public School. As exams are near we
require stationary items for examination department. your company is well
known and we are your very old customer. Consequently, we are pleased
to order the following stationery items.

S.
NO List of articles No. of items
.

1 White Paper 10 reams

2 Blue Pens 10 boxes

3 White Chalk Stick 12 gross

4 Carbon Paper
12 boxes
(Black)

We would want you to provide us with an estimate of the prices, including

sales tax and other fees, for the supply of the aforementioned items.
Please send the above mentioned items before.
Thanking You

Yours faithfully
 Priya
Office In-charge

ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH

Question 3: The graph given shows estimated sales of gold in

Dubai in 2002. Write an analytical paragraph describing the line
graph in around 150 words.

Answer :
The line graph depicts the estimated sales of gold in Dubai for a period of
twelve months in 2002 in millions of Dirhams.
In January 2002, the sales stood at 200 million Dirhams. It steadily
increased through the next month and peaked to 350 million Dirhams in
the third month of the year. However, the gold sales started to plummet
over the next three months and hit 110 million Dirhams in the month of
July. Unexpectedly, the sales doubled in August before coming down to the
same level as in July for the month of September. For the next two months
of the year, the gold sales levelled off to 180 million Dirhams and then
slightly increased in December.
Overall, the estimated gold sales fluctuated in 2002. The sales were the
highest in the month of March and lowest in the months of July and
September. The sales at the end of the year were almost the same as they
were in the beginning of the year.

GRAMMAR
Complete any ten of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.
 I Fill in the blank with the correct option to complete the
opening line of a formal letter:
Dear Mr. Patel,
We are pleased to inform you that your proposal for the upcoming project by
the board of directors.
A. had endorsed
B. will have been endorsed
C. has been endorsed
D. have endorsed

II Read the given sentence from a marketing report. Identify the error
and supply the
correction in the given format.
The company continues to strives tirelessly to meet customer demands.

ERROR CORRECTION

III Rhea asked the following question to her colleague, Deepak.

Have you finalised the magazine content to be submitted tomorrow?
Report Rhea’s question correctly
IV Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete an
official
announcement.
Attention all prefects,
Please be informed that the deadline for submitting your registrations for
participation in the Art Exhibition has been extended; (that/ these/ this) should
be
communicated to all students of classes IX-X.
V Read Sana’s reply to her team leader, regarding the preparation of an
important
presentation.
I’m sorry I forgot ma’am. I’ll have the presentation ready for you very soon today.
Report Sana’s reply by completing the following sentence correctly.
Sana apologised for having forgotten and said .
VI Identify and correct the error in the given line taken from an online
news report:
Nearly most shop was closed for the public holiday.

Option No. Error Correction

A most every

B shop shops

C was were

D the that

VII Complete the given school announcement by selecting the correct

option to fill in
the blank.
Good news, everyone!
Our school's robotics team has successfully a place in the semi-finals.
A. securing
B. secured
C. will secure
D. had secured

VIII Detect the error and supply the correction for the given observation
by a child.
That needn’t be Dad’s jacket. It’s too small.

ERROR CORRECTION

IX Report the dialogue between a teacher and a student, by completing

sentence.
Teacher: Did everyone understand the new assignment?
Students: Yes, we all got it, thank you!
The teacher asked if everyone had understood the new assignment, to which the
students_________________, expressing their gratitude.
X Select the correct option to complete the given sentence from a
handbook for
managers.
The manager _________________ consider the proposal before
making a decision.
A. will
B. should
C. might
D. can
XI Complete the given sentence about the reaction of some friends, by
selecting the correct option:
The group of friends _______excited at the prospect of their upcoming adventure.
A. are
B. has
C. is
D. were
XII Read the conversation about social media, between a teacher and a
student
Teacher: How do you think social media influences our perceptions of reality?
Jagrit: I believe it distorts our perception of reality by only showing the highlight
reels of people's lives.
Report the student's response by completing the following.
The student remarked ___________by only showing the highlight reels of people's
lives
GRAMMAR ANSWER KEY
I C. has been endorsed
II strives – strive
III Rhea asked her colleague if he had finalised the magazine content to be
submitted the following / next day.
IV this
V ...that she would have the presentation ready for her very soon that dayVI A.
most – every
VII B. secured
VIII needn’t -can’t
IX responded/ replied affirmatively
X B. should
XI C. is
XII that he believed social media distorts their perception of reality