8 Unit-7 A Visit to Cambridge

 


Unit-7

Complete Notes and Solved Textual Exercises

Glossary

Sl No

Word

& Part of Speech

Meaning

Explanatory Image

&

Meaning in Telugu

1

Visit (v)

go to see and spend time

సందర్శించుట

2

Disabled/differently abled (adj)

Differently Abled is often described in terms of lack of normal functioning of physical, mental or psychological processes.

విభిన్న సామర్థ్యం కలవాడు

3

Metaphor (n)

a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else.

ఏదైనా ఒక విషయం, దాని ప్రత్యామ్నాయంగా లేదా ప్రతీకగా గుర్తించినది.

4

Astrophysicist (n)

Scholar of astrophysics – a branch of physics dealing with stars, plants etc.

ఖగోళ భౌతిక శాస్త్రవేత్త

5

Paralysed (adj)

to cause a person to lose the ability to move or feel part of the body, 

పక్షవాతం వచ్చింది

6

Disintegrated body (n phr)

Having no coordination among the parts of the body

అవయవాల సమన్వయ లోపం కలిగిన శరీరం

7

Exhaustion (n)

Tiredness

అలసట

8

Anguish (n)

severe mental pain or suffering.

 వేదన

9

Buoyant (adj)

Intensely active and vibrant

వుల్లాసంగా

10

Glimpse (v)

A short look

చూచుట (కొద్ది క్షణాలు)

11

Eternal (adj)

/ɪˈtəːnl/

Never ending

శాశ్వతమైన

12

Torso (n)

The upper part of the body

మొండెం

13

Incandescence (n)

Inner glow or light

మానసిక సౌందర్యం

14

Inflection (n)

Rise and fall of the voice in speaking

స్వరంలో హెచ్చు తగ్గులు

15

Cliché (n)

/ˈkliːʃeɪ/

 

A phrase or idea used so often that it loses its meaning

అతి ఉపయోగం వలన అర్ధం మారిపోయిన పదాలు

16

Claustrophobic (adj)

Very small and suffocating (it is abnormal fear of being in an enclosed space)

ఉక్కిరిబిక్కిరిగా

17

Gleefully (adv)

Very happily

సంతోషముగా

18

Grinning (v)

smiling broadly.

నవ్వుతూ

19

Rumbling (v)

a continuous sound.

శబ్ధం చేస్తూ

20

Embodiment (n)

Realization

అవతారం/సాక్షాత్కారము

 

Comprehension Check (pg.no.100)

Which is the right sentence?

1.   “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,

(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.

(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.

(iii) Cambridge was the real England.

Answer: (ii) England was famous for Cambridge.

 

2.   The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house

(i) from the nearest phone booth.

(ii) from outside a phone booth.

(iii) from inside a phone booth.

Answer: (ii) from outside a phone booth.

 

3.   Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because

(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.

(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.

(iii) he was face to face with a legend.

Answer: (ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.

 

4.   “I felt a huge relief... in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to

(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.

(ii) standing up, walking.

(iii) speaking, writing

Answer: (i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.

 

(ref pg.no.100)

Answer the following questions.

1.   (i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so,   why?

(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?

Answers:

(i)   Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous. The writer felt guilty whenever he spoke to Hawking because he had to put in so much effort to respond due to his physical limitations.

(ii)  At the same time, the writer was very excited because meeting someone like Stephen Hawking, who had achieved so much despite his condition, was inspiring and felt like a unique opportunity.

 

2.   Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

Answer:

The first question the writer asked Stephen Hawking could be: "Are you often laughing inside?"

 

3.   Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?

Answer:

The writer thinks there was a choice — to live creatively and accomplish great things despite the disability.

 

4.   “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

Answer:

The anguish could be the frustration Hawking felt due to his physical limitations, where his brilliant mind was trapped in a body that could not function as he wished.

 

5.   What endeared the scientist to the writer so he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?

Answer:

The scientist's resilience, sense of humour, and ability to inspire others despite his immense struggles endeared him to the writer.

 

6.   Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?

Answers:

“Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.”

7.   (i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?

(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?

(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?

Answers:

(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would be his frail body.
(ii) The light housed within the thin walls is his brilliant mind and spirit.
(iii) The writer concludes that the essence of a person is not his physical body but his inner self, intellect, spirit, and character.

 

8.   What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?

Answer:

The scientist’s message for the disabled is: "They should concentrate on what they are good at."

 

9.   Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?

Answer:

The writer refers to the guitar incident to illustrate the idea of focusing on one’s strengths instead of struggling with something unsuitable or beyond one’s abilities. This supports the scientist’s advice to focus on what one is good at.

 

10.   The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?

 Answer:

The writer expresses great gratitude to Stephen Hawking for being an inspiration and for showing how much is possible, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Hawking's achievements helped the writer believe in his own potential.

 

11.  Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.

(i) There was his assistant on the line ...

(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, ...

(iii) There he was, ...

(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, ...

(v) It doesn’t do much good to know ..

Answers:

i)     There was his assistant on the line, tapping at a little switch in his hand.

ii)   You get fed up with people asking you to be brave as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.

iii) There he was, trying to find the words on his computer.

iv)  You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent.

v)    It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.

 

(ref pg.no.102)

1. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words

given in the following box.

 

i)       I met a traveller from an antique land.

ii)      I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.

iii)    The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Issac Newton.

iv)     His other problems paled into insignificance besides this unforeseen mishap.

v)      The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board.

vi)     Some people say ‘yours truly when they informally refer to themselves.

vii)   I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.

 

2.   Look at the following words.

Can you create a meaningful phrase using both of these words?

(It is simple. Add -ing to the verb and use it before the noun. Put an article at

the beginning.)

..a walking stick

 

Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box.

Answers:

1

Read/session

A reading session

2

Smile/face

A smiling face

3

Revolve/chair

A revolving chair

4

Walk/tour

A walking tour

5

Dance/doll

A dancing doll

6

Win/change

A winning chance

 

3.   Use all or both in the blanks. Tell your partner why you chose one or the other.

i)     He has two brothers. Both are lawyers.

ii)   More than ten persons called. All of them wanted to see you.

iii) They all cheered the team.

iv)  Both her parents are teachers.

v)    How much have you got? Give me all of it.

 

4.  Complete each sentence using the right form of the adjective given in brackets.

i)     My friend has one of the fastest cars on the road. (fast)

ii)   This is the most interesting story I have ever read. (interesting)

iii) What you are doing now is easier than what you did yesterday. (easy)

iv)  Ramesh and his wife are both short. (short)

v)    He arrived late as usual. Even the chief guest came earlier than he did.

(late, early)

  

 


(ref pg.no.103)

1.  
Say the following words with the correct stress. Pronounce the parts given in colour 

 

2. Underline stressed syllables in the following words. Consult the dictionary or ask


the teacher if necessary.

Slno

Word

a stressed syllable with underline

pronunciation

1

artist

artist

/ɑːˈtiːst/

2

mistake

mistake

/mɪˈsteɪk/

3

accident

accident

/ˈaksɪd(ə)nt/

4

moment

moment

/ˈməʊm(ə)nt/

5

compare

compare

/kəmˈpɛː/

6

satisfy

satisfy

/ˈsatɪsfʌɪ/

7

relation

relation

/rɪˈleɪʃn/

8

table

table

/ˈteɪbl/

9

illegal

illegal

/ɪˈliːɡl/

10

agree

agree

/əˈɡriː/

11

backward

backward

/ˈbakwəd/

12

mountain

mountain

/ˈmaʊntɪn/

 

3. Writing a notice for the School Notice Board.

Step 1

Discuss why notices are put up on the notice board.

What kinds of ‘notices’ have you lately seen on the board?

How is a notice different from a letter or a descriptive paragraph?

Answer:

·       Why notices are put up: Notices inform students or staff about important announcements, events, or lost/found items.

·       Types of notices seen: Exam schedules, competition announcements, event invitations, lost and found notices.

·       Difference from letters/paragraphs: Notices are brief, formal, and to the point, while letters and descriptive paragraphs are longer and more personal.

 


Step 2

Suppose you have lost or found something on the campus.

What have you lost or found?

You want to write a notice about it. If you have lost something, you want it  restored to you in case someone has found it. If you have found something, you want to return it to its owner.

Answer:

·       Example: Lost: A blue water bottle with a floral design.

 

Step 3

Write a few lines describing the object you have lost or found. Mention the purpose of the notice in clear terms. Also write your name, class, section and date.

Answer:

NOTICE

3rd January 2025
Subject: Lost Water Bottle


I have lost my blue water bottle with a floral design on 2nd January 2025 near the school library. If anyone finds it, kindly return it to me.


Srija
8th standard

B-section

 

 

Step 4

Let one member of each group read aloud the notice to the entire class. Compare your notice with the other notices, and make changes, if necessary, with the help of the teacher.

or

Imagine that you are a journalist.

You have been asked to interview the president of the village panchayat.

Write eight to ten questions you wish to ask.

The questions should elicit comments as well as plans regarding water

and electricity, cleanliness and school education in the village.

Answer:

Interview Questions for the Village Panchayat President

1.     What are your plans for improving the water supply in the village?

2.     How do you ensure electricity is provided consistently to all households?

3.     What steps are being taken to keep the village clean and hygienic?

4.     Are there any programs for waste management in the village?

5.     How do you plan to improve school education and infrastructure?

6.     Are there initiatives to encourage more children to attend school?

7.     What measures are you taking to conserve water resources?

8.     How do you guide the youth of your village?

9.     Are there any healthcare programs for villagers?

10.  What is your long-term vision for the development of the village?

1.   In the first stanza, find words that show

i)     that it was very cold.

ii)   that it was late evening.

iii) that the traveller was alone.

Answers:

(i) That it was very cold: "The rime was on the spray"
(ii) That it was late evening: "And starlight lit my lonesomeness"
(iii) That the traveller was alone: "My lonesomeness"

 

2.   (i) Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was

a)    improbable.

b)    impossible.

c)    unforeseeable.

Answer:

c) unforeseeable

 

(iii) Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.

Answer:

"No prophet durst declare;
Nor did the wisest wizard guess."

 

3.   (i) Read the line (stanza 3) that implies the following.

‘Everyone noticed something, and they made guesses, but didn’t speak a word’.

Answer:

"All marked with mute surmise."

 

(ii) Now read the line that refers to what they noticed,

Answer:

"My radiance rare and fathomless."

**** End of Unit_7 ****

Visit the Blog to Access more English Resources

https://ksrenglishmadeeasy.blogspot.com/

For video Lessons Visit

https://www.youtube.com/@KSREnglishMADEeasy