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Chapter 2.8: Small Towns and Rivers Balbharati Solutions for English Yuvakbharati 12th Standard HSC Maharashtra State Board

Chapter 2.8: Small Towns and Rivers


Most of the civilizations have flourished on the banks of the rivers. Discuss the reasons in the class. One is done for you.

Availability of water

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________


SOLUTION:


Availability of water

Rivers as trade-routes

Rivers as source of livelihood (fish from the rivers and the meat from the thirsty animals drawn to the river banks)

Availability of fertile soil



Write down the names of the famous cities that are situated on the banks of the rivers given below. One is done for you.

River

City

Ganga

Varanasi

Yamuna

 

Godawari

 

Varada

 

Krishna

 

Tapi

 


SOLUTION:


River

City

Ganga

Varanasi

Yamuna

Delhi

Godawari

Nashik

Varada

Kalasa

Krishna

Vijaywada

Tapi

Bhusawal


Write down the names of the rivers on the banks of which following cities have prospered:

City

River

London

 

Cairo

 

New york

 

Paris

 


SOLUTION:


City

River

London

Thames

Cairo

Nile

New york

Hudson

Paris

Seine

 


Divide your class into groups and discuss the changes that might have taken place when the cities grow on the banks of the rivers.


SOLUTION:

 

The students can use the following pointers to build their discussion:

There is an increase in population due to immigration.

Industries are built and more employment opportunities are generated.

The sanitation of the growing town or city keeps getting poorer due to increased congestion.


Share your views in the class on the topic ‘Conservation of Rivers and Development of the Cities’.


SOLUTION:

 

The following pointers can be considered by the students while sharing their views on Conservation of Rivers and Development of the Cities:

The two parts of the topic are interlinked. 

Many of the cities, both big and small, are located on river banks, which is of great commercial significance to those cities. 

They provide water for human consumption and as raw material for industries located on those rivers.

It’s of paramount importance to keep these rivers in good state for ensuring the welfare of the people in cities that depend on them. They must be kept clean by ensuring that no human waste or industrial effluent is led untreated into them. Also, the water from the rivers should not be overdrawn.

‘Rally for Rivers’ is an example of a recent mass-campaign for river conservation in India.


Discuss the importance of Nature in the lives of the people from the Northeastern part of India as expressed in the poem with reference to-


Flowers


SOLUTION:


Flowers - (tuberoses) used for making wreaths.


River


SOLUTION:


River - large dependency of the people on the river for the livelihood and the almost divine status given to the rivers due to their all-knowing nature and immortality; they form an important part of nature, where one finds god


Bamboo


SOLUTION:


Bamboo - the small structures built at the burial sites


East


SOLUTION:


East - the souls rise and walk into the ‘house of the sun’, which is to the golden East.


The poet has described her small town in Arunachal Pradesh. Pick out the lines that describe the poet’s town.


SOLUTION:

 

The lines that describe the poet’s town are as follows:

Stanza 1

My hometown lies calmly amidst the trees,

It is always the same,

in summer or winter,

with the dust flying

or the wind howling down the gorge.


Make a list of natural elements mentioned in the poem.


SOLUTION:

 

The natural elements mentioned in the poem are:

trees

dust

wind

gorge

river

tuberoses

fish

stars

mist

mountaintops

water

rain

earth


‘The river has a soul.’ Elaborate the concept in your words as the poet has explained it in the poem.


SOLUTION:


The expression ‘river has a soul’ personifies the river that flows through the small towns in the poet’s home state. This personification is seen in stanzas three and four of the poem, where the poet has given the river many human-like qualities such as ‘being a torrent of grief’, ‘holding its breath’, ‘seeking a land of fish and stars’, ‘knowing the first drop of rain’, ‘stretching past the town’, and ‘knowing the immortality of water’. By attributing such qualities to the river, the poet has highlighted its omnipresence in the life of the people of her land.


The poet is convinced with the thought of immortality of water. Pick out the relevant lines.

______________

______________

______________


SOLUTION:


The relevant lines from the poem that show that the poet is convinced with the immortality of water are as follows:

Stanza 4

from the first drop of rain to dry earth

and mist on the mountaintops,

the river knows the immortality of water


The poet has used some unconventional expression. Illustrate them in your words.


Torrent of grief


SOLUTION:

 

Torrent of grief:

It refers to the pain or desperation that the river brings to the people in small towns in summer, due to the reduced flow of water.


Shrine of happy pictures


SOLUTION:

 

Shrine of happy pictures:

The poet refers to her childhood as a pristine period full of fond memories.

 

The land of fish and stars


SOLUTION:


The land of fish and stars:

It refers to the idyllic world that the ‘river with soul’ aspires for when it comes to know that it has become a torrent of grief for people.


The poet is anxious about the existence of the natural beauty of her town in the future. But she touches the strings of the hearts while appealing to conserve Nature. Explain the way she has expressed it in the first and the last line of the poem.


SOLUTION:


In the first line of the poem ‘small towns always remind me of death’ the poet says that for her, the small towns are reminders of death. Her tone is sombre, as she thinks about the permanency of the small towns, come summer or winter, and she compares this to the permanency of death.



However, in the last line “in small towns by the river/ we all want to walk with the gods” she persuades the reader to think favourably of the need to conserve nature, for the reason that we, the inhabitants of the small towns on the riverbank, all want to live a quality life. In other words, ‘we all want to walk with the gods’. So, there is a shift in tone from anxiety to optimism from the opening to the closing lines.


The poet has connected the need to preserve Nature with the belief of a particular community and her childhood memories.

Write down the measures you would take to convince the people regarding the need to conserve the Nature.


SOLUTION:


The poet has connected the need to preserve Nature with the belief of a particular community and her childhood memories.

Write down the measures you would take to convince the people regarding the need to conserve the Nature.



Write down the expressions related to ‘the seasons’ from the extract.


SOLUTION:

 

The expressions related to ‘the seasons’ from the extract are as follows:

summer

winter

dust flying

wind howling

first drop of rain

dry earth

mist on the mountaintops

 

Match column ‘A’ with column ‘B’.


Column A 

Column B

Cool

Silence

Happy

Earth

Dreadful

Bamboo

Dry

Pictures


SOLUTION:


Column A 

Column B

Cool

Bamboo

Happy

Pictures

Dreadful

Silence

Dry

Earth



Read the expression ‘a sad wreath of tuberoses’. ‘Is the wreath sad?’ Explain the figure of speech.


SOLUTION:


No, the wreath itself cannot be sad because it’s an inanimate object. The sadness is associated with someone’s funeral, in which the wreath is placed on the dead body. This sadness is transferred from the occasion to the wreath.


The figure of speech used here is Transferred Epithet.


List and explain the metaphorical expressions from the poem. For example, ‘torrent of grief’


SOLUTION:


The ‘grief’ of the people of the town has been indirectly compared to a ‘torrent’ as it is brought on by the reduced flow of the river during summer.



‘The river has a soul.’

‘Life and death.’

These are the two expressions that are repeated in the poem; but both of them indicate different figures of speech. Find out and discuss.


SOLUTION:

 

‘The river has a soul.’

‘Life and death.’

Personification: The ‘river’ is personified as it is said to have a ‘soul’.

Antithesis: Two opposite ideas ‘life’ and ‘death’ have been placed in the same line to represent the perpetual cycle of birth and death, thus conveying their temporary nature.


Find out the beauty of the free verse reflected in this poem.


SOLUTION:


The poem ‘Small cities and the River’ is written in free-verse, as there is no rhyme scheme across its seven stanzas. I think that the use of free verse gives a free hand to the poet to express her ideas without the constraints imposed by a rhyme scheme. The free verse also gives the poem an earthy appeal, and the reader hence finds participative experience in the theme of the poem.


Prepare the arguments for group discussion on the topic-

‘A balanced progress never harms Nature.’


SOLUTION:


Moderator:

You’ve all been given a few minutes to think on your topic for today’s group discussion, which is ‘A balanced progress never harms the Nature’ ’You may now begin the discussion. Who would like to start?

Ramesh:

The world today is driven by progress, that is, progress in all key aspects of life  construction, transport or communication. With time, everything has become more complex yet connected.

Swati: 

That is true. Technological advancements have led to the invention and discovery of things, which at one point seemed impossible. It has only made this world a better place to live in.

Kalpesh:

I agree that technological growth has led to a lot of advancements, but I beg to differ on the point that it has made the world a better place to live in. Though we have gained much, we have also lost a lot of things in the process. Don’t you think so?

Meena:

I totally agree with Kalpesh. We have ventured into forest lands, cut countless trees and are also damaging coastal areas in the bargain.

Swati:

I would like to point something out. We need to keep progress as our top priority as we take on the world. However, that should be in sync with nature. It needs to be balanced, because only then can it be termed as growth in the true sense.

Deepak:

I am afraid I don’t completely agree with that. Keeping the environment unaffected is very uncertain! Take the example of the Mumbai Metro. Numerous trees have been cut which has drastically reduced the green cover of the city. Also, when we think of Delhi, it is now synonymous with pollution, in spite of being the capital of the country and one of the most advanced cities in the world.

Kalpesh:

Excuse me! I would like to add something here. Even when we look at cities like Bangalore, the lakes and gardens are being affected and it looks like we are losing more than we are gaining. Also, consider the global scenario, incidents such as the forest fires in the Amazon and most recently the deadly blaze in Australia are all examples of development and progress having grossly affecting nature.

Ramesh:

I think I agree with Swati though. There may be a lot of things to consider, but growing while maintaining the balance with nature is what we need to master. Only then will it be true progress.

Deepak:

I can see your point; but do you mean that progress should come to a halt? How will we be at par with the developed world if we do not grow at a rapid pace? I feel progress requires us to be cut throat and unidirectional, but yes not at the cost hampering Mother Nature

Moderator:

All right, everyone. Your time is nearly up. Could someone summarise this discussion, please?

Swati:

Considering everything spoken about today, I think it would be fair to conclude that though progress is necessary; it is also a responsibility. We should focus on dreaming bigger and reaching higher but always conscious of the fact that balance is the key and causing minimal damage to the environment should always be a priority!


Compose 4 to 6 lines on ‘Gift of the Seasons’.


SOLUTION:


Gift of the Seasons


The Gift of the Seasons,

That infuses our life with a hundred reasons

To enjoy the summer mango,

To curl up in the winter quilt,

or to prance in the rain,

The seasons help us forget many a pain,

of the life so dreary and mundane!


Write an appreciation of the poem ‘Small Towns and the River’. Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for appreciation.

About the poem/poet and the title

Theme

Poetic style

The language/poetic devices used in the poem

Special features

Message, values, morals in the poem

Your opinion about the poem


SOLUTION:


Appreciation of the poem

‘Small Towns and the River’

The poem ‘Small Towns and the River’ is written by Mamang Dai, a writer from North-east India. It is a nature poem, but with a difference that while celebrating nature around her hometown, the poet also laments the destruction of that nature to make way for the lifeless small towns along the river. The poem consists seven stanzas of unequal length and is written in free verse, which means that it does not have a rhyme scheme. In fact, the poet begins by narrating the flip side of small towns situated amidst trees, which remind her of death with their flying dust and howling wind. She treats life and death as transient, but the nature and rituals as permanent. The river has a predominant presence in her poem. It is depicted as the one alongside which lie numerous small towns, the one with a soul, the one which ‘knows’, the one which brings grief to inhabitants of the towns in summer, and the one which knows about the ‘immortality’ of its water. She speaks of life during childhood, full of happiness, transitioning into the later life of anxiety, as symbolized by the growth of the small towns by the river. The lines are short and the verses are lucid. The poet has used poetic devices like Alliteration, Antithesis, Inversion, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia, Personification, Repetition, Simile, and Transferred Epithet to beautify the poem. The extensive use of Personification can be seen in the animate/human qualities attributed to the river “the river has a soul”, “it holds its breath” and “the river knows”. The traditional belief that the souls of the dead dwell in nature, and rise with the sun, the cold bamboo that springs back with the sunlight, and the significance of the same in the life, form imagery in the poem. The depiction of the towns during the summer and winter seasons adds to the visual imagery of the poem. The elaborate descriptions of the river as a living entity also make for the special feature of imagery used by the poet. The main message of the poem is the conveying of the poet’s mixed, almost antithetical, feelings about nature and the small towns which lie by the river. While the poet employs nature to imply positivity, she looks upon the small towns as a symbol of death, since they have grown at the cost of nature. Overall, the poem is an interesting read and I like it for its curious mix of the positive and the negative aspects.


Write a dialogue between two friends on ‘Importance of the rivers’.


SOLUTION:



Ananya:

Hi, Seema, have you completed the geography homework for today?

Seema:

Yes, Ananya! It was indeed a very interesting lesson on rivers today. I could barely wait to get home and finish it!

Ananya:

I agree. You know, back in my village, there is a mighty river flowing by our house. Whenever I visit, I cannot stop wondering about how important these rivers are to us!

Seema:

True, we get water, the elixir of life from these rivers. The agriculture industry too depends heavily on rivers.

Ananya:

That’s right. These rivers are also an important habitat to many different types of aquatic plants and animals. They provide food to us too. The amazing fresh catch makes for some yummy fish curry in the village. Oh, those memories!

Seema:

Wow! That sounds great! I am just thankful for the river that we cross to reach my village. My village is far in the interiors on a hill which is separated by a river. Thus, it makes the river the only way to reach it.

Ananya:

Well, I can imagine, that must make for a very essential transport system for you and many others who need to cross travel to and from the village.

Seema:

Not just that, this fast-flowing river is also used for the generation of hydroelectric power, which lights up my village.

Ananya:

There are so many useful things these rivers do for us. They can be providers and protectors.

Seema:

True, let us pick a project on river conservation this semester, what do you think?

Ananya:

That’s a great idea! Let’s speak to our teacher about this tomorrow. Now, I better get home and finish my pending homework. Bye!


Collect information about rivers in Maharashtra.


SOLUTION:

 

The students can use the following pointers. One is done for you as a reference.

The major rivers of Maharashtra are:

Godavari:
1465 km, originates at Trimbakeshwar, flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Krishna

Narmada

Koyna

Mula-mutha

Nira

Pavana

Patalganga

Ulhas

Vaitarna

Wainganga

 

Further reading:

1. ‘The River Poems’ - Mamang Dai

2. ‘The World Is Too Much With Us’ - William Wordsworth


SOLUTION:


Do it yourself.


HSC ENGLISH MARCH 2020 SET A BOARD PAPER WITH SOLUTION

 

GRAMMAR

 

English Yuvakbharati Latest Syllabus Solution. 

 

SECTION ONE (Prose)

 

Chapter 1.1: An Astrologer’s Day

 

Chapter 1.2: On Saying “Please”

 

Chapter 1.3: The Cop and the Anthem

 

Chapter 1.4: Big Data-Big Insights

 

Chapter 1.5: The New Dress

 

Chapter 1.6: Into the Wild

 

Chapter 1.7: Why we Travel

 

Chapter 1.8: Voyaging Towards Excellence

 

SECTION TWO (Poetry)

 

Chapter 2.1: Song of the Open Road

 

Chapter 2.2: Indian Weavers

 

Chapter 2.3: The Inchcape Rock

 

Chapter 2.4: Have you Earned your Tomorrow

 

Chapter 2.5: Father Returning Home

 

Chapter 2.6: Money

 

Chapter 2.7: She Walks in Beauty

 

Chapter 2.8: Small Towns and Rivers

 

SECTION THREE (Writing Skills) 

Chapter 3.1: Summary Writing

 

Chapter 3.2: Do Schools Really Kill Creativity? (Mind-Mapping)

 

Chapter 3.3: Note–Making

 

Chapter 3.4: Statement of Purpose

 

Chapter 3.5: Drafting a Virtual Message

 

Chapter 3.6: Group Discussion

 

SECTION FOUR (Genre-Drama)

 

Chapter 4: History of Novel

 

Chapter 4: To Sir, with Love

 

Chapter 4: Around the World in Eighty Days

 

Chapter 4: The Sign of Four

 

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APPEAL WRITING

 

LETTER WRITINGS

 

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

 

SPEECH WRITING

 

25 FAMOUS PROVERBS MEANING AND EXAMPLES

 

PROVERB

 

IDIOMS & PHRASES

 

STORY WRITING

 

RESUME WRITING

 

INFORMATION TRANSFORM

 

DIALOGUE BETWEEN / CONVERSATION BETWEEN

 

FACT FILE AND TOURIST LEAFLET

 

TREE DIAGRAM

 

REPORT WRITINGS

 

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DO YOU AGREE / DISCUSS

 

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ESSAYS COMPOSITIONS

 

POPULAR PROVERBS

 

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Tourist Leaflet writing : HSC Important for Board Exam 2020.

 

Important Application Letter Writing for Board Exam 2020.

 

HSC Important Letter Writing for Board Exam.

 

VIEW AND COUNTER-VIEW IMPORTANT FOR BOARD EXAM 2020

 

Report / News Writing Important for board exam 2020.

 

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Important Grammar for Board Exam 2020.

 

HSC POEM IMPORTANT FOR BOARD EXAM 2020

 

1.1 THE PERSON I AM LOOKING FOR _ HAZARA SINGH:

 

2.1 I RAN INTO A STRANGER:

 

3.1 Suburbs:

 

4.1 Old Women:

 

5.1 The Felling Of The Banyan Tree :

 

6.1 A Nation's Strength:

 

7.1 Peace Is A Woman And A Mother :

 

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WHERE HAVE ALL THE BIRDS GONE?

 

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