Unit 2 Prose
MAURITIUS
R.K. Laxman
Comprehension:
C1. Read the lesson silently and answer the following questions:
1) Where is Mauritius?
Ans: Mauritius Island is situated below the Equator on the Twentieth parallel, around 4,500 km South-West of Bombay.
2) Name the people of different origins found in Mauritius.
Ans: Africans, Chinese, Biharis, Dutch, Persians, Tamils, Arabs, French, and English are the people of different origins found in Mauritius.
3) Who are referred to as the “buccaneering trinity” of those days? Why are they called so?
Ans: The ‘buccaneering trinity’ of those days is referred to the Dutch, the French and the English. Three powers fought with one another endlessly for tenure of the island which had benefits as spices and sugar, tactical position with regard to the sea route.
4) List out some ‘very musical but unpronounceable names’ as found by the author.
Ans: Some of the musical but unpronounceable names are Trouaux Biches, Beau Bassin, Quarter Bomes, Curepipe, Ross Belle.
5) What are the “flora and fauna” found in Mauritius?
Ans: The flora and fauna at Mauritius are typical of the place. The trees even in the interior of jungles are short and twisted, resembling overgrown bonsai are the flora. The bat, deer, the Aldabra variety of giant tortoises, dodo and monkeys are the fauna at Mauritius.
6) How is nature cruel to the people of Mauritius?
Ans: The people of Mauritius shudder to think of the night the King Cyclone struck them. In addition to the storms which are the annual feature of Mauritius, it devastates the island once in 15 years with the King cyclone as it did on February 6, 1975. The cyclone was a powerful 320 km. broad wind that moved in at 255 km per hour. It ruined everything that came in its way for two days, relentlessly flattening everything that stood, smashing windows and doors, tearing up rooftops, uprooting trees and bringing them down on buildings.
7) Name some aquatic creatures sighted by the author.
Ans: Some aquatic creatures sighted by the author were crabs, lobsters, snaky forms, sea shells, fishes with hideous spikes, long tails and battered faces.
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?
Ans: It was difficult for the author to locate Mauritius in his Atlas because the World Atlas which the author was an old one with many little dots and specks, resulting from weather conditions and cockroaches.
2) What is the reason for the people of different countries to settle in Mauritius?
Ans: The reason for the people of different countries to settle in Mauritius: they are all happy to socialize with one another as they have a peculiar sense of unity and its spices and sugar also attract everyone.
3) How does the author explain the absence of protocol among the government officials and ministers in Mauritius?
Ans: The author explains that the Cabinet Ministers and others in high positions are unassuming, accessible, and communicative and go about like normal people without protection and security. Besides, the Prime Minister lives in in a busy street lined with shops.
4) Give the description of mountains as given by the author.
Ans: The author describes the uniqueness of the mountains of Mauritius by pointing out that the mountains geological ages. These mountains don’t have the traditional monotonous pyramid shapes. Mountains outlines are freakish and whimsical with unexpected sweeps.
5) Describe how the people of Mauritius fight against the cruel jaws of nature.
Ans: Nature is cruel with Mauritius people , they fight against the cruel jaws of nature. The people of Mauritius shudder to think of the night the King Cyclone struck them. In addition to the storms which are the annual feature of Mauritius, it devastates the island once in 15 years with the King cyclone as it did on February 6, 1975. The cyclone was a powerful 320 km. broad wind that moved in at 255 km per hour. It ruined everything that came in its way for two days, relentlessly flattening everything that stood, smashing windows and doors, tearing up rooftops, uprooting trees and bringing them down on buildings.
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES:
Grammar and Usage:
G1. The order of adjectives:
Read the following sentence: This is a beautiful wooden picture frame.
In the above sentence the noun “frame” is described by several adjectives like beautiful, wooden and picture.
When there are several adjectives to a noun, certain word order is followed. Here is the order:
1) Opinion 2)
Size 3) Most other qualities
4) Age 5)
Colour 6) Origin
7) Material 8) Type 9) Purpose
eg:- (a)
A small green insect (size, colour)
(b)
A beautiful wooden picture frame (quality, material, type)
Ex. 1: Now arrange the adjectives for the
nouns provided, in the correct 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
That is an antique,
silver sugar basin.
(Age, material,
type)
3) Game – family, new, exciting
Housie is an
exciting, new family game.
(Opinion, age,
type)
4) Computer – business, Japanese, powerful
It is a powerful, Microsoft
computer commerce.
(Most other
qualities, origin, type)
5) Fire – electric, excellent, small
It is the most
excellent small electric fire.
(Most other
qualities, size, material)
6) Chocolate bar – new, big
It is a big new
chocolate bar.
(Size, age, material)
7) Comedy – American, television, terrific
This is terrific
American television comedy show.
(Most other qualities, origin, type)
8) Doors – aluminium, garage, stylish
These are stylish
aluminium garage doors.
(Most other qualities, material, type)
9) Shoes – modern, sports, wonderful
These are wonderful
modern sports shoes ever.
(Most other qualities, age, purpose)
10) Phone – mobile, German, good
It is good German
mobile phone shop.
(Most other qualities, origin, material)
Ex. 2: From the lesson, pick out the multiple
adjectives used to describe the following:
1) Clouds like: funny shapes, odd, abstract.
2) Trees: short
and gnarled, abnormally overgrown.
3) Cabinet ministers:
ordinary, unassuming, accessible, communicative.
4) Mountains do not
have: traditional, monotonous,
pyramidal shapes.
5) Lagoons: calm,
turquoise blue.
G2. MODALS
Modals are auxiliary verbs which are 13 in number. They are used frequently in our speech. They play a vital role in conversation. They are used to indicate moods like request, permission, command, promise, threat, refusal, hope, wishes, obligation, intention, probability, possibility, ability, suggestion, preferences etc.
(will-would, shall-should, can-could, may-might, must, used to, ought to, need, dare)
A. Given below are some dialogues. Bold and underline the modals.
a) A: Raju has fractured his arm.
B:
But still he can write.
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 p.m.
c) A: The coffee is rather bitter. Would
you please pass some sugar?
B:
No, you must not take any sugar.
d) A: My feet get swollen in the evening.
B:
Then you must consult a doctor.
e) A: I’ll not be able to finish my
assignment in 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.
A B
1) ………. he can
write. a) offering (help)
2) …….. would you
please pass…. b) necessity
3) …. you must not….. c)
requesting
4) Shall I do ….. d) asking for permission
5) She may come….. e)
advising
6) …… it’ll be the
maid. f) logical deduction
7) …… you must
consult…. g) ability
8) May I leave …… h) possibility.
1)
g 2) c 3)
e 4) a 5)
h 6) f 7)
b 8) d
C. Read the following letter and choose the
most suitable alternative from those 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 (ought to / would / should) have a break after your exams! You asked me what you (can / should / will) take. Well, you (might / can’t / mustn’t) _t everything in a backpack so you must be selective. You (will /can/must) take at least one sweater because it (ought to / should / can) get very cold in the mountains. You (needn’t/ could / should) pack a gas stove because there (could / may / will) be plenty of firewood from dead trees.
I’m sure you (will / should / could) have a wonderful time but I (may / would / 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 / can’t be able to / not be able to) get down and it’s very dangerous at night. By the way, you (should / should have to / should have) told me earlier that you were going and I (should have / would have / will 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,
get your ears checked. You must sit
in the front row from tomorrow. I will
now explain it again. Pay attention.
Sara : Thank you, madam.
