Unit 3 Against All Odds page by page solution - Workbook 6 - New Learning to Communicate

Page 29: Present Perfect Tense

A. Fill in the blanks in these short news items with the present perfect form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. M. Sreeshankar has jumped (jump) a massive 8.28m at a training camp for long jumpers.
2. Tejaswin Shankar has cleared (clear) a height of 2.29m in the high jump. He has been (be) a student of Kansas State University, USA.
3. Jinson Johnson has run (run) faster than any other Indian in the 1500m this year. He has performed (perform) creditably in the 800m too.

Page 30:

4. Neeraj Chopra has thrown (throw) the javelin further than any other Indian. He has beaten (beat) the best javelin throwers in Asia with ease.
5. Hima Das has clinched (clinch) the silver medal in the 400m at the 2018 Asian Games. She and Dutee Chand have emerged (emerge) as India’s best sprinters.

B. Use the correct adverb forms of the words given in brackets and complete these sentences.

1. Ravi has hurt his wrist so he is writing rather slowly (slow).
2. All our plans are going smoothly (smooth).
3. The NCC cadet marched smartly (smart) up to the dais and received the trophy.

Page 31:

4. Sheela announced publicly (public) that she was resigning.
5. Test cricketers traditionally (tradition) wear white when they play.

Exercise C:

Complete the conversation with the correct words chosen from the box.

• C: Honestly, I found it difficult to sit through the performance! She danced so clumsily and carelessly.
• L: I don’t know how you can say that! I think she danced gracefully and rhythmically. I don’t think you really know Indian classical dance.

Exercise D:

Fill in the blanks in the sentences with appropriate pairs of adverbs from the box.

1. Meenakshi always expresses her opinions frankly and freely. She is not afraid of anyone.
   
   

Page 32:

2. Shireen speaks English fluently and correctly. No wonder she won a prize in the elocution contest!
3. What a wonderful singer Rafi was! He sang so sweetly and melodiously.
4. Shikhar needs to improve his batting technique. At present he is batting rather awkwardly and stiffly.
5. Slowly and steadily, Nasreen has worked her way to the top of the organization.
6. On the eve of his retirement, the General thanked his colleagues graciously and profusely.
7. Because of the bomb scare, the meeting ended abruptly and dramatically.

Part E:

Comparison of adverbs:

1. A: How’s it going?
   B: Pretty good.

Page 33:

Continuation from Page 32:

Fill in the blanks:

3. She has lost her job. Even worse, she has lost her house too.
4. A: Want a cup of tea?
   B: There's nothing I'd like more!
5. With her eyesight failing, my grandmother reads less now than she used to.
6. Now that we are friends, we should meet more often.
7. He read the letter more carefully the second time to make sure he hadn’t missed any details.
8. Stop worrying, we’ll be there in less time than no time.
9. The rooms in the hotel were awful, and the food was worse than anything we had ever had.
10. You’ll like her when you get to know her better.

Words in Action:

Choose the correct word:

1. If you were an orthopaedic specialist, you would be interested in bones (teeth/bones/eyes).
2. If you were an ophthalmologist, you would be interested in eyes (teeth/bones/eyes).

Page 34:

A. Fill in the Blanks

3. If you were a psychiatrist, you would be interested in the mind.
4. If you were a dermatologist, you would be interested in the skin.
5. If you were a cardiologist, you would be interested in the heart.

B. Use -er or -or to Complete the Words

1. solicitor
2. supervisor
3. engineer
4. sailor
5. actor
6. miner
7. councillor
8. producer

C. Match the Expressions with the Settings

1. "Can I help you, madam?" — in a shop
2. "Please take a seat." — in an office
3. "How long have you had this lump?" — in a doctor’s clinic
4. "Stop talking!" — in a classroom
5. "Objection, Your Honour." — in a court of law
6. "The salt, please, son." — at home
7. "What would you like to have, sir?" — in a restaurant

Page 35:

D-004 Wellkin Park
Begumpet
Hyderabad-500016

10 December 2024

Dear Parthiban,

Thank you so much for inviting me to the hockey match! I would love to come with you next Saturday. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to it.

See you then!

With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Abhishek

Text (Page 36 and 37):

There was once a wise king called Shantanu. He ruled over the kingdom of Hastinapura. The people of Hastinapura loved and respected him. They were truly happy when he made his only son, Devavrata, heir to the throne. They were happy because Devavrata was the best person to take over from Shantanu. Schooled in warfare and horseback riding, Devavrata had all the qualities to succeed to the throne.

However, a little later, Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of a poor fisherman, and wanted to marry her. But the fisherman would not approve of the marriage unless Shantanu promised that Satyavati's sons alone, and not prince Devavrata, would succeed him as king. Shantanu, though, was not prepared to make the promise the fisherman wanted. Since he could not forget Satyavati, he became sad and lonely and shut himself in his palace.

Devavrata soon found out why his father was troubled. He went to the fisherman and begged him to give Satyavati in marriage to his father. But the fisherman turned down his request. Devavrata then promised the fisherman that he would never marry and that Satyavati's sons alone would rule Hastinapura after Shantanu's death. At that moment, a chorus of voices from heaven cried out ‘Bhishma!’ in appreciation of Devavrata's great promise. Since that day, Devavrata was known as Bhishma, or ‘the one who makes and keeps a great promise’.

Comprehension Questions (Page 37 and 38):

1. Now answer these questions:

• a. Why were the people of Hastinapura happy when Shantanu made Devavrata his heir?
  
  The people of Hastinapura were happy when Shantanu made Devavrata his heir because Devavrata was the best person to take over as king. He was skilled in warfare and horseback riding and had all the qualities to be a great ruler.
  
  
• b. Why was the fisherman not willing to let Shantanu marry his daughter?
  
  The fisherman was not willing to let Shantanu marry his daughter because he wanted Satyavati's sons to become kings, not Devavrata.
  
  
• c. What happened to Shantanu when he realized that he could not marry Satyavati?
  
  When Shantanu realized that he could not marry Satyavati, he became sad and lonely and shut himself in his palace.
  
  
• d. How did Devavrata persuade the fisherman to let his daughter marry Shantanu?
  
  Devavrata persuaded the fisherman by promising that he would never marry and that only Satyavati's sons would rule Hastinapura after Shantanu.
  
  
• e. What does ‘Bhishma’ mean?
  
   ‘Bhishma’ means ‘the one who makes and keeps a great promise’.
  
  
2. Put the following eighteen words into six groups, according to their meanings. The first group has been made for you.
   
    palace, knowledge, power, institute, altar, horseback, school, battlefield, science, laboratory, warfare, worship, church, courtroom, classroom, justice, court, throne

ANSWER:

a. school, classroom, knowledge

b. palace, throne, power

c. church, alter, worship

d. battlefield, horseback, warfare

e. institute, laboratory, science

f. court, courtroom, justice

Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - Summary Theme Critical Analysis and Q&A Solved

Table of Content

1. Summary of "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
2. Critical Analysis of "Kubla Khan"
• Themes and Imagery
• Symbolism and Interpretation
• The Role of the Poet and the Power of Imagination
3. Understanding the Poem "Kubla Khan" (Q&A)
4. 10 Extra Questions for Practice on the Poem Kubla Khan

Summary of "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes a vivid and fantastical vision of the Mongol emperor Kubla Khan's palace, located in a place called Xanadu. Kubla Khan orders the construction of a magnificent pleasure dome, a grand and luxurious structure surrounded by beautiful gardens, forests, and a sacred river named Alph. This river flows through a series of mysterious, immeasurable caverns before disappearing into a dark and lifeless sea. The poet paints a picture of a utopian landscape filled with beauty, mystery, and contrasting elements.

Within this idyllic setting, there is also a "deep romantic chasm," a wild and enchanting place hidden beneath cedar trees. This chasm is described as both savage and holy, a place haunted by a woman who wails for her demon lover. From this place of tumult, a powerful fountain gushes forth, sending fragments of rocks flying into the air and feeding the sacred river, which winds its way through the landscape.

As Kubla Khan hears ancestral voices predicting war, the poem shifts to a more mystical tone. The shadow of the pleasure dome floats on the waves, merging the sounds of the river and the caves. This creates a miraculous, dreamlike vision of a "sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice," highlighting the poem's theme of contrasting imagery.

In the final part of the poem, Coleridge describes a vision he once had of an Abyssinian maid playing a dulcimer and singing of Mount Abora. The poet longs to recreate the maid's enchanting music within himself, believing that doing so would enable him to rebuild Kubla Khan's magical pleasure dome in the air. The poem ends with a mystical and almost supernatural aura, suggesting that anyone who witnesses this vision should be in awe and fear, for the poet has experienced something divine, having "fed on honeydew" and "drunk the milk of Paradise."

Critical Analysis of "Kubla Khan"

"Kubla Khan" is often considered one of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's most enigmatic and evocative poems, embodying the essence of Romantic poetry with its emphasis on imagination, nature, and the sublime. The poem is widely regarded as a prime example of Coleridge's use of vivid imagery and supernatural elements to explore the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Themes and Imagery

One of the central themes of "Kubla Khan" is the contrast between the natural and the supernatural. Coleridge juxtaposes the serene beauty of the gardens and the sacred river with the darker, more tumultuous aspects of nature, such as the "deep romantic chasm" and the "lifeless ocean." This interplay of light and dark, order and chaos, reflects the Romantic fascination with the sublime—an awe-inspiring mixture of beauty and terror.

The imagery in the poem is highly visual and sensuous, drawing the reader into a dreamlike world where reality and fantasy blur. The pleasure dome itself is described as both "sunny" and surrounded by "caves of ice," suggesting a fusion of opposites that defies logical explanation. This blending of contradictory elements creates a sense of wonder and mystery, inviting readers to explore the deeper meanings behind the images.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The poem's symbolism is rich and multi-layered. The "pleasure dome" can be seen as a symbol of human creativity and artistic achievement, a place where the imagination can flourish unbounded. The "sacred river Alph" represents the flow of inspiration, originating from a mysterious source and ultimately disappearing into the unknown. This journey mirrors the creative process itself, which often begins with a burst of inspiration and culminates in a work of art that takes on a life of its own.

The "damsel with a dulcimer" in the final stanza represents the ideal of artistic inspiration and creativity. Her music is so powerful that the poet longs to recreate it, believing it would allow him to construct the dome in the air—a metaphor for the power of artistic vision to transcend the physical world.

The Role of the Poet and the Power of Imagination

Coleridge also explores the role of the poet as a visionary figure, capable of accessing deeper truths through imagination and creativity. The final lines of the poem suggest that the poet, having tasted "honeydew" and "the milk of Paradise," possesses a divine insight that sets him apart from ordinary mortals. This idea aligns with the Romantic belief in the poet as a prophet or seer, someone who can tap into the divine or the sublime through their art.

However, there is also a sense of ambiguity and caution in the poem's closing lines. The command to "weave a circle round him thrice" and "close your eyes with holy dread" suggests that the poet's vision is both wondrous and potentially dangerous. This duality reflects the Romantic tension between the liberating power of imagination and the fear of losing oneself to its depths.

Conclusion

"Kubla Khan" is a masterpiece of Romantic literature that captures the complexity of human imagination and creativity. Through its rich imagery, symbolic depth, and exploration of the sublime, the poem invites readers to consider the nature of artistic inspiration and the boundaries between reality and fantasy. Coleridge's use of language and form creates a haunting and mesmerizing effect, making "Kubla Khan" a timeless exploration of the creative spirit.

Understanding the Poem (Q&A)

1. Does the poem have a real geographical location? How does the poet mix up the real and the imaginary to give a sense of the surreal?

The poem refers to Xanadu, the summer capital of the Mongol ruler Kubla Khan, which is a real place. However, Coleridge blends this with imaginary elements like the "pleasure dome" and the "caves of ice" to create a surreal, dreamlike world.

2. Pick out

(i) contrasting images that are juxtaposed throughout the poem.

(ii) images that strike the eye and images that strike the ear, both positive and negative.

(iii) the words used to describe the movement of water.

(i) Contrasting images include "sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice" and "gardens bright" with "a savage place."

(ii) Visual images: "gardens bright," "sunny spots," "dome of pleasure"; Auditory images: "ancestral voices prophesying war," "woman wailing." Positive images: "sunny dome," "incense-bearing tree"; Negative images: "lifeless ocean," "demon-lover."

(iii) Words describing water movement are "meandering," "seething," "burst," and "flung."

3. What is the discordant note heard at the end of the third stanza? Can we relate this to the grandeur and turmoil that are a part of an emperor’s life?

The discordant note is the "ancestral voices prophesying war," hinting at conflict and danger. This reflects the reality of an emperor's life, where moments of peace and grandeur are often overshadowed by turmoil and threats.

4. Which are the lines that refer to magical elements?

The lines "A sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice!" and "For he on honeydew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise" refer to magical elements, highlighting the dreamlike, mystical atmosphere of the poem.

5. What is poetic ecstasy likened to?

Poetic ecstasy is likened to the intense experience of hearing the Abyssinian maid's music. The poet suggests that if he could recall her song, he could create a vision as vivid and powerful as the pleasure dome.

6. The poem is a fragment. What do you think has made it a lasting literary piece?

Despite being a fragment, "Kubla Khan" has endured due to its rich, imaginative imagery, its dreamlike quality, and its exploration of the creative process. The poem’s mysterious, unfinished nature adds to its allure, inviting endless interpretations.

Try this Out

The poem is a product of subconscious fusion of dream images and ideas from Coleridge’s wide reading. Which of the details in the poem do you think are factual, and which imaginary? Surf the internet to get interesting details

ANSWER:

In "Kubla Khan," some details are factual, while others are products of Coleridge's imagination.

Factual details include the references to Kubla Khan, the historical Mongol ruler, and Xanadu, his summer capital. The mention of the "sacred river" Alph is also inspired by the idea of a river flowing through a grand palace, which aligns with the geography of Xanadu.

Imaginary details are more prevalent, such as the "stately pleasure-dome," which is described as a magical structure with "caves of ice." The "deep romantic chasm," the "woman wailing for her demon-lover," and the supernatural fountain bursting from the earth are purely fantastical elements, illustrating a dreamlike, surreal landscape that blends the real with the imagined. These elements reflect Coleridge's subconscious mind, weaving together dream images and influences from his extensive reading, such as tales of exotic places and mystical visions.

10 Extra Questions for Practice on the Poem Kubla Khan

Question 1. What is the significance of the "pleasure dome" in the poem, and how does it symbolize Kubla Khan's power and imagination?

Answer: The "pleasure dome" symbolizes Kubla Khan's authority, his ability to shape nature according to his desires, and the grandeur of his imagination. It represents a man-made paradise that showcases the ruler's wealth and power but also hints at the ephemeral nature of human creations compared to the eternal forces of nature.

Question 2. How does Coleridge use contrast to enhance the poem's imagery and themes?

Answer: Coleridge uses contrasting imagery, such as the "sunny pleasure-dome" and "caves of ice," to highlight the poem's themes of harmony and discord, creation and destruction. These contrasts create a sense of tension and balance, reflecting the complexity of nature and human experience.

Question 3. Discuss the use of supernatural elements in the poem. How do they contribute to the poem's overall atmosphere?

Answer: Supernatural elements like the "woman wailing for her demon-lover," the "ancestral voices prophesying war," and the description of Kubla Khan as having "flashing eyes" and "floating hair" contribute to a mysterious and otherworldly atmosphere. They suggest a connection to the divine and the unknown, enhancing the poem's mystical tone.

Question 4. What role does nature play in "Kubla Khan," and how is it depicted in both positive and negative light?

Answer: Nature in "Kubla Khan" is depicted as both a source of beauty and power. The sacred river, fertile ground, and gardens represent the creative and nurturing aspects of nature. In contrast, the "deep romantic chasm," the "lifeless ocean," and the tumultuous fountain reflect its destructive and chaotic forces, symbolizing the dual nature of the natural world.

Question 5. How does Coleridge use sound imagery in the poem? Provide examples and explain their effect.

Answer: Coleridge uses sound imagery to create a vivid auditory experience, such as "ancestral voices prophesying war," "woman wailing," and the "mighty fountain momently was forced." These sounds contribute to the poem's dynamic and immersive quality, adding layers of meaning and evoking emotions like fear, wonder, and awe.

Question 6. Analyze the structure of the poem. How does the division into different sections affect its meaning and impact?

Answer: The poem is divided into two main sections. The first describes the physical landscape of Xanadu and the construction of the pleasure dome, while the second shifts to a more personal and visionary experience involving the Abyssinian maid. This structure reflects a journey from the external, physical world to the internal, imaginative realm, highlighting the poem's themes of creativity and the power of the mind.

Question 7. What is the significance of the "Abyssinian maid" in the poem, and what does she symbolize?

Answer: The "Abyssinian maid" symbolizes artistic inspiration and the idealized beauty of creative expression. Her music represents the power of art to evoke deep emotions and transcend the physical world. She also serves as a muse, inspiring the poet's desire to recreate the visionary experience through his poetry.

Question 8. What do the "ancestral voices prophesying war" suggest about the potential consequences of Kubla Khan's actions?

Answer: The "ancestral voices prophesying war" suggest that despite Kubla Khan's grand achievements and the beauty of his creation, there are underlying tensions and conflicts. This prophecy of war hints at the inevitable downfall or challenges that come with power and conquest, reflecting the impermanence and fragility of human endeavors.

Question 9. Discuss the poem's ending. How does the final stanza contribute to the poem's theme of the power and danger of the imagination?

Answer: The final stanza, with its depiction of the poet's vision of building the dome in the air and the warnings of "Beware! Beware!" highlights the dual nature of the imagination—its ability to create wondrous visions and its potential to lead to madness or delusion. This emphasizes the Romantic theme of the imagination as both a source of divine inspiration and a force that can overwhelm reason.

Question 10. How does "Kubla Khan" reflect the characteristics of Romantic poetry, and what makes it unique within the Romantic tradition?

Answer: "Kubla Khan" reflects Romantic characteristics through its emphasis on imagination, the sublime, nature, and the supernatural. It also explores the tension between the real and the imaginary. What makes it unique is its dreamlike quality, fragmented form, and the blend of historical and fantastical elements, which together create a poem that is both mysterious and captivating.