UNIT 2
MAURITIUS-
R.K. Laxman
Comprehension :
C1.) Read the lesson silently and answer the following questions.
1.) Where is Mauritius?
Answer: Mauritius is a tiny island situated below the Equator in the Indian Ocean. It is 4,500 km away from south-west of Bombay (Mumbai).
2.) Name the people of different origins found in Mauritius.
Answer: People of different origins found in Mauritius are Africans, Chinese, Biharis, Dutch, Persians, Tamils, Arabs, French and English.
3.) Who are referred to as the “buccaneering trinity” of those days? Why are they called so?
Answer: The Dutch, the French and the English are referred to as the “buccaneering trinity.” They are called so because they constantly waged battle for the possession of the island for its spices and sugar or just for the strategic position on the maritime route to the East.
4.) List out some “very musical but unpronounceable names” as found by the author.
Answer: Trouaux Biches, Beau Bassin, Quarter Bornes, Curepipe, Ross Belle are some “very musical but unpronounceable names” as found by the author.
5.) What are the “flora and fauna” found in Mauritius?
Answer: Mauritius doesn’t have much of mammal. Bat was the only mammal on this island before man. The trees here are short and gnarled even in the interior of jungles, looking just like abnormally overgrown bonsai. The birds are dwindling in number and variety. The dodo, a bird which could not fly and which certainly had no claims to beauty and elegance, was a native of this island and mercifully is extinct now. And so are the giant tortoises of the Aldabra variety.
6.) How is Nature cruel to the people of Mauritius?
Answer: The people of Mauritius are used to facing the storms as they are an annual event in Mauritius. The big ones come only once in 15 years. They are called the King Cyclone. After the disaster people rebuild their buildings, houses.
7.) Name some aquatic creatures sighted by the author.
Answer: Some aquatic creatures sighted by the author are crabs, lobsters, snaky forms and fishes.
C2.) In groups of 3 or 4, discuss the answers for the following questions and then present your answers before the other groups.
1.) Why was it difficult for the author to locate Mauritius in his Atlas?
Answer: The author had an old Atlas with him. It had little dots and specks on it. It was not in good condition due to weather and cockroaches so it didn’t prove to be helpful for the author to locate Mauritius in his Atlas.
2.) What is the reason for the people of different countries to settle in Mauritius?
Answer: People from the different origins settle in Mauritius because there is sense of oneness and people live happily with each other. People respect the differences of other and live merrily.
3.) How does the author explain the absence of protocol among the government officials and ministers in Mauritius?
Answer: In Mauritius the Cabinet Ministers and others in high positions do not act superior. They are just like ordinary people. They are unassuming, accessible, communicative and above all, go about without any security. The residence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius is a modest flat in a busy street lined with shops and crawling traffic..
4.) Give the description of mountains as given by the author.
Answer: The mountains in Mauritius do not have the traditional monotonous pyramidal shapes. Their outlines are freakish and whimsical with unexpected sweeps and perpendicular drops and pin-pointed peaks precariously doing a balancing act with boulders as big as a skyscraper.
5.) How are the people of Mauritius described fighting against the cruel jaws of Nature?
Answer: Cyclones and storms as so common in Mauritius that people are used to it. The big storm known as the King Cyclone comes once in 15 years and destroys everything. People have to rebuild their houses and plant trees again.
6.) What would be the future of Mauritius as opined by the author?
Answer: There are many thoughts that come in the mind of the author when he leaves Mauritius. He thinks about its future. He thinks that will it be able to preserve its pristine charm. Though it is eager to have foreign entrepreneurs start their industries here, but the chances are of increasing cost of living, problems of unemployment, etc. The author is worried that if there is increase in industrialization then the serene beauty of Mauritius would be lost.
C3.) Compare and contrast the arriving and departing experiences of the author during his flight. Does it suggest anything to you?
Answer: When the author arrives in Mauritius, he is happy and excited to experience a whole new world and people. He is amazed to see how people from the different origins live merrily. He is attracted and charmed by its pristine beauty. He is also amazed by the facts that how nature is cruel to the people of Mauritius and despite that people come back strong and live together. But at the time of the departure, the author thinks deeply about its future. He thinks about whether it will be the same pristine and beautiful if there is industrialization and foreign entrepreneurship.
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES:
Grammar and Usage
Ex. 1 : Now arrange these adjectives for the nouns provided in thecorrect word order. One is done for you.
1.) Vase – glass, old, lovely.
This is a lovely, old glass vase.
(quality, age, material)
2.) Basin – sugar, antique, silver
Answer: This is an antique, silver sugar basin.
3.) Game – family, new, exciting
Answer: It is a new, exciting family game.
4.) Computer – business, Japanese, powerful
Answer: It is a powerful Japanese business computer.
5.) Fire – electric, excellent, small
Answer: It is an excellent, small electric fire.
6.) Chocolate bar – new, big
Answer: It is a new, big chocolate bar.
7.) Comedy – American, television, terrific
Answer: This is a terrific, American television comedy.
8.) Doors – aluminium, garage, stylish
Answer: These are stylish, aluminium garage doors.
9.) Shoes – modern, sports, wonderful
Answer: These are wonderful, modern sports shoes.
10) Phone – mobile, German, good.
Answer: This is a good German mobile phone.
Ex. 2 : Now, from the lesson, pick out the multiple adjectives used to describe the following :
1.) Clouds like – Funny shapes, odd abstract way
2.) Trees – Short, gnarled, overgrown and bonsai
3.) Cabinet ministers – Unassuming, accessible and communicative
4.) Mountains do not have – Traditional monotonous pyramidal shapes.
5. )Lagoons – Calm turquoise-blue
A.) Given below are some dialogues. Circle the modals.
1. a) A : Raju has fractured his arm.
B : But still he can write.
1. b) A : I have still some shopping to do. May I leave my bag in your store?
B : Yes, but please collect it before 8-00 pm.
1. c) A : The coffee is rather bitter. Would you please pass some sugar?
B : No, you must not take any sugar.
1. d) A : My feet get swollen in the evening.
B : Then you must consult a doctor.
1. e) A : I’ll not be able to finish my assignment on time.
B : Shall I do the drawings for you?
B.) Match the modals in bold in column A with their corresponding functions and attitude given in
column B.
1.) ……. he can write. ability
2.) …… would you please pass …. requesting
3.) ….. you must not …….. advising
4.) Shall I do ….. offering (help)
5.) She may come ….. possibility.
6. …… it’ll be the maid. logical deduction
7.) ….. you must consult ….. necessity
8.) May I leave ……. asking for permission
C.) Read the following letter and choose the most suitable alternative from the modals given in
brackets. Underline your choice. Sometimes more than one alternative is suitable.
Dear Mohit,
It was pleasing to get your letter and to hear the good news that you are going trekking with your friends. You should have a break after your exams! You asked me what you should take. Well, you can’t fit everything in a backpack so you must be selective. You must take at least one sweater because it ought to get very cold in the mountains. You should pack a gas stove because there may be plenty of firewood from dead trees.
I’m sure you will have a wonderful time but I should give you a word of warning. Don’t get stuck in the Laki Pass at night. Once you’re there you won’t be able to get down and it’s very dangerous at night. By the way, you should have told me earlier that you were going and I would have given you walking boots!
Anyway, look after yourself and enjoy your holiday.
With love
Daddy
D.) Sara does not understand a concept her teacher has just taught. Complete the dialogue given below using appropriate modals.
Sara : Excuse me Madam, could you repeat the explanation again, please?
Teacher : Why do you want me to repeat it? You should be very attentive when I am teaching.
Sara : Sorry madam, I couldn’t hear you properly.
Teacher : You may have a hearing problem Sara, check your ears. You msut sit in the front row from tomorrow. I will now explain it again. Pay attention.
Sara : Thank, you madam.
Language Skills :
L1.) Read the situations given in column A and complete the likely responses to them in column B.
SITUATION LIKELY RESPONSE
1) Your neigbour is playing loud music, which is disturbing you.
Answer: Can you please turn down the volume of your music?
2) You could not visit your friend who was ill at the hospital.
Answer: I am sorry I couldn’t come to see when you were ill.
3) You have lost the book you had borrowed from your friend.
Answer: I am extremely sorry that I lost the book that you lent me.
4) You are late to school by an hour.
Answer: Excuse me, Madam, I am for being late today. It won’t happen next time.
5) You are unable to help your friend financially in his need.
Answer: I am afraid I cannot help you financially right now.
L2.) Listening and Speaking
The sounds : /i:/ and /e/
Ex :1
Listen to your teacher reading the following words aloud. Classify them into two groups according to the /i:/ and /e/ sounds.
/e/
Wheel
breed
read
seal
bleak
feed
lead
these
east
beat
/i:/
Bend
check
men
mend
sweat
red
present
them
beat
Ex : 2
Change the vowel sound from /e/ to /i :/ in these words. Write the new words.
Example : met – meat
1.) check – Cheek
2.) red – Read
3.) bet – Beat
4.) men – Mean
5.) sell – Seal
6.) sweat- Sweet
7.) bed – Bead
8.) set – Seat
9.) fed – Feed
10.) led – Lead
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