| Book Name | : Blossom |
| Subject | : English |
| Class | : 7 (Madhyamik) |
| Publisher | : Prof. Nabanita Chatterjee |
| Chapter Name | : The Axe (11th Chapter) |
Activity 1
Identify which of the following statements are true and which are False. Give a supporting statement for your answers:
- Velan was very happy in the big house.
- The other people of the big house not
- No tenant remained in the house for more than a few months.
- People started avoiding the house.
Answer
- True; Velan was contended and happy.
- False; The people in the big house seemed to be equally at peace.
- True; No one remained for more than a few months
- True; And people avoided it.
Activity 2
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
- One midnight he was told ____
- the sons of the late owner left the keys of the house ____
- the house acquired ____
- Even the owners dropped ____
Answer
- that the master was dead.
- with Velan.
- the reputation of being haunted.
- the practice of coming and seeing the house.
Activity 3
Answer the followings question:
- Who was velan ?
- Did the tenants have any regard for the garden ?
- Did the owners of the house frequently?
- How did the house acquire the reputation of a ‘Ghost House’ ?
Answer
- Velen was a gardener.
- No, they didn’t have any regard for the garden
- No, they didn’t visit the house frequently.
- No tenant remained for more than a few months and because of a lack of maintenance work the house was in ruins and looked like a haunted house. Thus the name ‘Ghost House.’
Activity 4
Fill in the chart with information from the text :
| Cause | Effect |
| (i) | (i) Velan hobbled up with the keys. |
| (ii) Velen cleared the vegetation which blocked the entrance | (ii) |
| (iii) | (iii) Velan was ordered to go back to his village. |
| (iv) | (iv) the tree–cutters laid down their axes. |
Answer
- A car sounded its horn at the gate, – Velan hobbled up with the keys.
- Velan cleared the vegetation which blocked the entrance. – the gates opened on rusty hinges with a creaking sound.
- The company that bought the house did not need the garden. – Velan was ordered to go back to his village.
- The old man told them to wait until he was gone further. The tree cutters laid down their axes.
Activity 5
Complete the following sentences with information from the text.
- Someone from the car ordered Velan to ____
- One of the sons of old masters told Velan that ____
- Valan retired to ____
- Velan rushed out and saw ____
Answer
- Open the big gate for the car.
- That he would have to back to his village.
- His old hut
- four men hacking the massive trunk of the old Margosa tree.
Activity 6
Answer the following questions:
- Who bought the house?
- Did they need a garden?
- What was the order of the company?
- What was Valen’s request to the tree–cutters?
Answer
- A company bought the house.
- No, they did not need a garden.
- To cut all the trees including the old margosa tree except a half a dozen on the boundary.
- He requested the tree–cutters to stop cutting until he was gone far away.
Activity 7
Choose the correct alternative from the bracket and fill in the blanks:
- Binota studied ____ (harder/more harder) than me.
- Rupa sang ____ (most sweetly/more sweetly) than her sister.
- Mita did ____ (worse/ more badly) than Ruby in the music competition.
- Among the gymnasts in the championship, Mihir scored the ____ (less / least).
Answer
- Binota studied harder than me.
- Rupa sang more sweetly than her sister.
- Mita did worse than Ruby in the music competition.
- Among the gymnasts in the championship, Mihir scored the least.
Activity 8
Choose the correct adverb from the box and fill in the blanks. One is done for you.
[more gracefully, radiantly, least nervous, earliest, more composed]
There was no one in the hall when Sumana arrived. She was the [earliest] there. Soon, other dancers came. Sumana looked the ____ among the competitors. Her steps were ____ than the other girls on the stage. Her face glowed ____ as she performed ____ that the other dancers on the stage.
Answer
There was no one in the hall when Sumana arrived. She was the earliest there. Soon, other dancers came. Sumana looked the least nervous among the competitors. Her steps were more graceful than the other girls on the stage. Her face glowed radiantly as she performed more composed than the other dancers on the stage.
Activity 9
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb:
- The news ____ (is/are) shocking.
- The children ____ (plays/play) cricket in the park.
- Both Laboni and Soma ____(love/loves) outdoor games.
- The hotel manager and his staff ____ (make/makes) the guests feel comfortable.
- Many women today ____ (works/work) outside the home.
Answer
- The news is shocking.
- The children play cricket in the park.
- Both Laboni and Soma love outdoor games.
- The hotel manager and his staff make the guests feel comfortable.
- Many women today work outside the home.
Activity 10
Fill in the blanks with the words given below:
[retired, blocked, excellent, orders, tenant]
- We have a new ____ in our house.
- The singer has an ____ voice.
- The road was ____ due to an accident.
- The job was done according to the ____ of the manager.
- My father ____ from his job last year.
Answer
- We have a new tenant in our house.
- The singer has an excellent voice.
- The road was blocked due to an accident.
- The job was done according to the orders of the manager.
- My father retired from his job last year.
Activity 11
Write the appropriate Plural Nouns of the following. One is done for you:
- more than one woman: Women
- more than one man :
- more than one person :
- more than one goose :
- more than one mouse :
- more than one barrack :
- more than one deer :
- more than one syllabus :
- more than one focus :
Answer
- more than one man: men
- more than one person: people
- more than one goose: geese
- more than one mouse: mice
- more than one barrack: barracks
- more than one deer: deer
- more than one syllabus: syllabi (or syllabuses)
- more than one focus: foci (or focuses)
Activity 12 (a)
Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to the marriage ceremony of your uncle.
Answer
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] [Friend’s Name] [Friend’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]Dear [Friend’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am thrilled to invite you to the marriage ceremony of my uncle, Mr. [Uncle’s Name], which will take place on [Date] at [Venue] in [City], West Bengal.
The wedding is set to be a joyous celebration of love and unity, and your presence would make it even more special. The ceremony will commence at [Time], followed by a delightful reception filled with music, dance, and delicious food.
I genuinely value our friendship, and having you by my side during this significant occasion would mean a lot to me. Your warmth and infectious energy would certainly add to the festive atmosphere.
Please let me know by [RSVP Date] if you will be able to attend so that we can make the necessary arrangements for your accommodation and ensure your comfort during your visit.
I eagerly await your response and hope that you can join us in celebrating this beautiful union. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
Warmest regards,
[Your Name]Activity 12 (b)
Imagine yourself to be the friend whom the letter was sent to. Now write a reply to the letter accepting the invitation.
Answer
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] [Sender’s Name] [Sender’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]Dear [Sender’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Thank you so much for your kind invitation to the marriage ceremony of your uncle, Mr. [Uncle’s Name]. I am thrilled and honoured to accept your invitation and be a part of this joyous occasion.
I am excited to witness the union of two souls and celebrate this special milestone with you and your family. It will be a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in the rich cultural traditions of West Bengal and create lasting memories.
Please convey my heartfelt gratitude to your family for their warm welcome. I am looking forward to the festivities, the music, the dance, and of course, the delicious food.
Rest assured, I will make the necessary arrangements and confirm my attendance by [RSVP Date]. Once again, thank you for including me in this memorable event. I cannot wait to celebrate with you all.
Warmest regards,
[Your Name]Activity 13
Write a story with the help of the following points:
Frogs lived in a pond – boys hit stones and hurt the frogs – a frog asked, “Why are you throwing stones ?” – boys replied, “We are playing” – frogs said, “It is death to us”-boys felt the sorry-stopped sport.
Answer
In a peaceful pond, many frogs happily lived together. One sunny day, some boys came near the pond and began throwing stones. The stones hit the frogs and caused them pain. One brave frog asked, “Why are you throwing stones?” The boys answered, “We are playing.” The frogs pleaded, “But it is death to us.” The boys felt sorry and realized their mistake. They stopped throwing stones and hurting the frogs. They understood the harm they had caused and didn’t want to hurt them anymore. From that day on, the boys treated the frogs with kindness and respect. They played different games that didn’t harm the frogs. The frogs were relieved and grateful that the boys changed their behavior. They all lived happily together, enjoying the peacefulness of the pond.
