Solutions

TS 9th Class English Guide Unit 4C Cant Climb Trees Any More

Questions and Answers:

Answer the following

Questions

Question 1.
What is your opinion about the theme of the story?

Answer: The short story, Cant Climb Trees Any More reflects the nostalgic love and attachment of a person for his childhood environment arid youthful memories. The theme of the story has universal appeal. Everyone in this world is fond of his/her childhood environment and youthful memories. Visiting ones childhood environment gives pleasure to anybody

Question 2.
The middle-aged man remembers his joyous days of youth. What are the different words/phrases used in the story (for example, dark dancing eyes; swift and sweet of limbs) to show the characteristics of the youth?

Answer: The following words/phrases are used in the story to show the characteristics of the youth

  1. swing
  2. going round and round
  3. lively eyes
  4. long black hair
  5. climb over the Wall
  6. flying trapeze
  7. climb the jack fruit tree
  8. marbles Id won
  9. old coins Id collected
  10. a bit of a crow
  11. sprang up
  12. swift and sweet of limb
  13. crawling along the projecting branch
  14. ran breathlessly
  15. outstretched hand
  16. my youth
  17. quickened his steps
  18. moved briskly
  19. sprightliness in his step
  20. dark dancing eyes
  21. melon sweet lips
  22. lissom limbs
Question 3.
A blessing rests on the house where the shadow of a tree falls/ And so the present owners must also be receiving the trees blessings. What does the narrators grandmother mean by this statement?

Answer: According to the grandmother, the tree gives protection by giving shade. It is just like God. Its shade is as cool as the blessings of God. It helps man in several ways as God helps. She feels it is precious and just like a mother

Question 4.
Are the grandmother and Chief Seattle expressing the same feelings about trees and nature? Why ?

Answer: Yes. The grandmother in the story Cant Climb Trees Any More and Chief Seattle in his speech What Is Man Without the Beasts? express the same feelings about trees and nature

According to the grandmother, the tree gives protection by giving shade. It is just like God. Its shade is as cool as the blessings of God. It helps man in several ways as God helps. She feels it is precious and just like a mother. Chief Seattle also feels that things like water, wind, trees and land in nature are very precious and sacred. They are created by God and equal to God. He treats nature as a mother. Both the grandmother and Chief Seattle express their worshipping attitude towards trees and nature while expressing their opinions

Project Work:

Look at the picture. Our water resources are getting polluted every day. If we do not care enough to prevent pollution and save water, there ts going to be an acute scarcity of drinking water

I. Visit five houses in your locality and collect the following information
Question1.
Number of members in the family?

Answer:

  1. adults
  2. children
Question2.
The average quantity of water used in the household (in litres)?

Answer:

  1. for drinking and cooking food
  2. for washing clothes and cleaning the house
  3. for cattle
  4. for gardening
Question3.
The average quantity of drinking water wasted in the household (in litres)?

Answer:

  1. for drinking and cooking food
  2. for washing clothes and cleaning the house
  3. for cattle
  4. for gardening
Question4.
What are the water sources for the household and what is the average quantity of water used from these sources?

Answer:

  1. well in the household
  2. public well
  3. water from public taps
  4. river, pond, lake, etc
Question5.
Does the ground water in the locality get polluted? If so, the sources?

Answer:

  1. domestic sewage
  2. industrial wastewater
  3. agricultural wastewater
  4. construction site runToff
  5. urban run-off

Consolidated Sheets of the data collected from five houses

  1. Number of members in the family
  2. The average quantity of water used in the household (in litres)
  3. The average quantity of drinking water wasted in the household (in litres)
  4. What are the water sources for the household and what is the average quantity of water used from these sources
  5. Does ground water In the locality If get polluted? If so, the sources
QuestionII.
Work in three groups and make reports as suggested below. Present all the reports before the whole class?

Group A The quantity of water used by the households in the locality from various water sources and how the usage can be minimised for conserving drinking water. Group B The water sources in the locality, how the water gets polluted and how it can be prevented. Group C What measures that can be taken for conserving water and preventing pollution of water

Answer: Group A: This is a briefing of our survey on water conservation and wastage. Now I am presenting the details of the quantity of water used by the households in the locality from various water sources and how the usage can be minimised for conserving drinking-water. The local water sources for the household are wells in the houses, public wells, public water taps, rivers, ponds and lakes. The average quantity of water used by 5 families from various water sources is 2057 liters per day. Each family uses more than 25 liters of water for drinking purpose. We can minimize the conservation of drinking water by using it properly and by reducing wastage

The following are the ways of minimizing of water use:

  1. Improving irrigation system performance
  2. Using of improved technologies
  3. Efficient water management practices
  4. Reducing losses from dams, lakes, ponds, water tanks etc
  5.  
  6. Improving soil structure

Group B: The details I am going to present are about the water sources in the locality, how the water gets polluted and how it can be prevented. The local water sources for the household are wells in the houses, public wells, public water taps, rivers, ponds and lakes. The water gets polluted mainly ffom domestic sewage and industrial waste water. The other reasons are agricultural waste water, construction site run-off and urban run-off. Water pollution can be prevented by following personal health and hygiene in household. Industries should arrange and plan the proper utilization of industrial waste water

Even though water is more precious than gold, a lot of our fresh water is being polluted with toxic chemicals or poisons that are being dumped and drained into our water systems. Some of these chemicals are common household items like chlorine bleach, paint thinner and the very poisonoils mercury that comes out of broken thermometers. Other toxic chemicals that pollute our water include pesticides which are chemicals designed to kill insects, and petroleum products like gasoline and oil. Tons of these chemicals are dumped and washed into our water every year. This water pollution not only damages the animals, birds and fish that depend on clean, healthy water, but it is also harming our fresh water supply and making people

Group C:

Here are 5 ways you can prevent water pollution at home:

  1. Use less water : This might sound simplistic, but decreasing your water consumption is one of the keys to minimizing water pollution. By reducing the amount of water you use, you will reduce the amount of water that flows into sewage treatment systems. You can decrease your water consumption by taking a shower instead of a bath, letting it mellow if its yellow (i.e. dont flush the toilet every time you urinate), turning the water off while youre brushing your teeth, and using natural landscaping so you dont have to water your lawn
  2. Use environmentally friendly household products : Dont use household products that contain chemicals. Instead, use green products, like biodegradable soap and all-natural toiletries. To clean your house, stop using bleach and chemical cleaners and use vinegar instead
  3. Apply natural pesticides and fertilizers : The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers leads to water pollution because contaminated water seeps into ground water and runs off into nearby water sources. Natural pesticides that you can use include insecticidal soap and pyrethrum. Natural fertilizers include wood ash, grass clippings, and animal manure
  4. Dont litter : Avoid littering in rivers, lakes, and oceans. If youre really feeling motivated, gather a group of friends and family members to clean up litter on the beach and near other bodies of water. Make sure that you dispose of the litter in an appropriate waste disposal area
  5. Dispose of toxic products with care : Make sure to dispose of toxic products, such as paints, solvents, and polishes, in the proper area. Dont pour them down your drain. Better yet, avoid toxic products altogether and use environmentally friendly products instead
  6. As you can see, there are a variety of things that ordinary citizens can do to prevent water pollution. It is everyones responsibility to take the steps necessary to lessen water pollution and prevent it from causing further damage to our delicate ecosystems
Self Assessment:

How well have I understood this unit? Read and tick (?) in the appropriate box.

Cant Climb Trees Any More Summary in English

The short story Cant Climb Trees Any More is a wonderful narration of Ruskin Bond. It expresses the nostalgic love of a man lor his childhood environment and his memories in youth

A middle-aged man returned to his home town after twenty-five years. He came to the gate of a house. He started looking at the iliouse, the garden and the tree at the side of the house casting its shade on the wall. A girl about twelve or thirteen from inside the compound asked him what he was looking at. The man told the girl that he was looking at the house. He used to live in that house twenty five years ago as a boy and as a young man. The girl asked him whether he came back to buy the house again. But the middle-aged man told her that he just wanted to see it again

The girl invited and allowed him to see the house more closely. Both sat on a stone bench under the mango tree in the garden. They talked to each other. He enjoyed the fragrance of the mango tree in blossom. He remembered many things of his youth at the place. He told her that the jackfruit tree was his favourite place and he used to climb the tree. He told her that he used to keep the marbles he had won and the coins he had collected in the hollow of the tree. He told her that he kept an Iron Cross of his Grandfather in the hollow of the tree twehty-five years ago and forgot when he left the house as he was busy and so excited at the time, packing and saying good bye to people and thinking about the ship he was going to sail on

The girl became curious and asked him whether he would climb and look into the hollow whether the Iron Cross had been there. But he said that he could not climb trees any more. Then the girl climbed the tree very curiously. To her great surprise she found the Iron Cross there. She ran breathlessly towards him and gave the rusty medal (Iron Cross) to him

He took the medal and turned it over on his palm. On seeing this, the girl thought that the man came to see Whether the Iron Cross had been still in the tree. But the man told the girl that he could not know why he really came to, the place. But he said that it Was his youth (unforgettable nostalgic love for his home and environment) that brought him there. But the girl could not understand the meaning of the words of the man

He gave the Iron Cross to the girl and started walking to go on his way. The girl walked with him to the gate and stood there gazing after him as he walked away. When he reached the turning of the road, he looked back and waved his hand to the girl and rrioved fast towards the bus stop. While returning from the place he heard a loud cry of his nostalgic love for the childhood environment and memories in his heart

About the Author:

Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, in 1934. He wrote a number of short stories, essays, novels, and many books for children. The Room on the Roof was his first novel, written when he was seventeen. It received the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. In 1992, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his short story collection, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra, given by the Sahitya Akademi, Indias National Academy of Literature. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to childrens literature

Glossary: verge (n) : a piece of grass at the edge of a path, road etc casting (v) : making a shadow turnstile (n) : a mechanical gate consisting of revolving horizontal arms fixed to a vertical post, allowing only one person at a time to pass through dizzy (adj) : having a sensation of spinning around and losing ones balance hollyhock (n) : a tall garden plant with large showy flowers disembodied (adj) : (of a sound) lacking any obvious physical source framed (adj) : settled in certain place colonel (n) : an officer of high rank in the army brigadier (n) : an officer of higher rank than a colonel in the army burst out (phr.v) : began suddenly tip (n) : the end witty (adj) : clever or amusing remark (n) : opinion or comment offence (n) : the act of insulting somebody appraising (v) : examining ; considering taking in (phr.v) : absorbing mind (v) : to be worried club (n) : a place where people go and enjoy music and dance trapeze (n) : a swing used by circus acrobats muttered (v) : said in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear slithered (v) : moved to the ground shattering (v) : breaking into small pieces pruning (adj) : trimmed bougainviliaea (n) : an ornamental shrubby climbing plant widely cultivated in the tropics, with bright coloured flowers blossom (n) : a mass of flowers on a fruit tree fragrance (n) : a pleasant smell drenched (v) : made completely wet chiming (n) : ringing twitter (n) : a series of short high sounds cranking (v) : making something move budgerigar (n) : a small bird belonging to the parrot family hollow (n) : a hole treasures (n) : a collection of valuable / memorable things gaze (n) : a long steady look at something sprang (v) : moved suddenly in a particular direction swift and sweet of limb : (here) (climbed the tree fast like a bird crawling (v) : moving forward on hands and knees projecting (adj) : targeted eddy (n) : (pi. eddies) a circular movement of dust (here) outstretched (ad]) : spread out as far as possible briskly (adv) : quick or busy sprightliness (n) : liveliness and energy in action lissome (adj) : slim; graceful course (v) : (of liquid) flow

Important Question

TS 9th Class English 12th Lesson Cant Climb Trees Any More Important Question and Answers

Section - C : Creative Writing Major Discourses:
Question 1.
You with your friend, Prabhakar visited the zoo and feed distressed at the plight of the caged birds and animals. Write a possible conversation between you and your Mend about this?

Answer: You : Prabhakar, you know we get a first-hand knowledge about various birds and animals kept ¡n the zoo. It was good that we visited ¡t today. But I feel distressed at the plight of the caged birds and animals. Prabhakar : It was sad seeing them hungry and skinny. Didnt you. see that they looked helpless and sick? You : Yes, I did see all this. I think these animals and birds are happy in their natural habitat. Freedom, you know, is the most dear to all. Prabhakar : Yes, but zoos are very important for children and the people alike, to know about wildlife. You : I agree with it. But the zoo authorities should keep these animals in a good health. I fail to understand what hinders the authorities to treat these caged animals like their own children. Prabhakar : You are right

Question 2.
Describe an incident that you have come across in your life through which you have witnessed the mans cruelty towards animals?

Answer: Only the other day I happened to watch a street corner show. I saw a bear man and the big bear, fully domesticated. The bear man was playing on the small drum and the bear was dancing to that tune majestically. The bear man had a small stick and the strings with which he handled the bear as he liked. This provided some entertainment to the children and other passers-by like me

But I felt it differently. I saw that the bear was not healthy. There were small wounds on his legs. He had not been washed for long. Flies were covering his mouth. He gave out a kind of cry when the owner jabbed his stick onto his body. This showed the extent of cruelty that was there in his upkeep. Then I thought about the owners who had been earning their livelihood by making the bear entertain the public like the monkey men

This all left a bitter taste in my mouth about how pitilessly we treat the animals. Animals are essential for the ecological balance of nature. But the greed or say compulsions of man make him ill-treat these dumb animals

Question 3.
You returned to your village after 10 years. You wanted to visit your school on a Sunday. You saw the watcnman at the gate. Write a possible conversation between you and the watchman?

Answer: Watchman : Who are you sir? What are you looking at ? You : I am looking at the school. Watchman : Why, do you have any work in this school ? You : No, I studied here, once. Watchman : How many years back have you studied ? You : 10 years ago. At that time another watchman was there. What happened to him ? Where is he ? Watchman : He is retired. I am the new one. You : Oh ! Shall I see the school again ? Watchman : Would you like to come in and look more closely ? You : Yes. Watchman : Where do you live now, sir ? You : In the city nearby to this village. The school hasnt changed much. Only there are fewer trees more than previous ones. Watchman : Yes, sir. You : I used to climb this Banyan tree. I used to spend a lot of time under this tree in my leisure time. Watchman : Oh! The tree is easy to climb also. You : My friends and I used to play cricket on Sundays in this play ground. I like my RE.T sir and all my teachers. My headmaster is a man of principles. Watchman : 1f you come on Monday, you can meet them. sir. Nobody has been retired since ten years. You : Yes, of course. This evening itself ¡ am going to depart. But I am excited to recollect all my school days, How Pretty they are! Watchman : Would you like to sit on the bench? You : Yes. We dont get this fresh air, nice fragrance of flowers ¡n cities. Watchman : Yes, villages are pleasant. You : It is not the village, it is not the school, It is my boyhood. I cant forget my memories in this school. OK! Bye. Watchman : Bye, sir

Question 4.
Narrate your childhood memories and treasures?

Answer: It is best said that the childhood days are the best days of anyones life. Some day or the other we all think life was more easy and fun in our childhood and we miss those days badly. I used to be good at a lot of things, I used not to fear of taking risks and used to celebrate every bit of life without any worry during my childhood. But as I grew up, I started getting busy with other stuff in my life. My life changed and so did my priorities. When I think of my childhood memories, it leaves a sweet smile on my face. By this post I try to bring those memories of my childhood back. Cartoon was the favourite thing which I used to spend my complete day. Whether it was Tom & Jerry, Scooby Dooby Dov, The Mask, Mickey Mouse, Popeye, The Sailor Man I loved them all and had a proper schedule to watch them. And who can forget Pokemon ? I used to buy Cheetos just for Tazoos and flaunt them in front of my friends

We used to count, who had the most. From morning to evening only playing cricket, that was life, was then in my childhood. My parents used to come in search of me where the hell I was playing. Pen fight was a favourite time-pass in school time. I used to use a heavy pen just to get an edge in this game over others. Brick game was my very personal childhood version of what is known as play station today. I used to write the letters FLAME which was the best way to test friendship then

I just loved to peel that dried Fevicol out of my hand. It looks as if you are removing your skin. The game hide and seek, seriously I missed it badly. Chor-Police game was a favourite time-pass in school time. Throwing stone in water and having competition with friends as to whose stone skimps the most time. And now we study the physics behind it. Chasing dragonfly which was a real fun, and we used to call them helicopters then. And who can forget butterflies down the roads of my colony. I guess most of you have done this. I cannot forget making paper boats in rainy season and float them

I remember very well. Once I was playing with sand and injured my finger and came to realise only when I was on my way home. I loved to make castles in sand with my friends and test whose castle was more stronger by destroying it. Most fun loving activity of my childhood was trying to design the best possible paper plane which could fly the longest distance among the planes made by others. I used to love making soap bubbles a lot in my childhood. I used to create as many bubbles as possible and try to chase each and every bubble to burst them. And finally criss-cross. It is the only game I still play sometimes with my friends. After memorising all these childhood memories, I think childhood is the mosthappiest period of anyones life

Minor Discourses:
Question 1.
You have read the unit Environment. After reading it you want to launch a tree plantation drive. Imagine that you are the President of Green Club of your school. Write a notice for the stqdents of Class IX informing about the drive. Give all the necessary details?

Answer: XYZ SCHOOL NOTICE 15th November, 20xx Lets colour the Earth green. Students of Class IX are informed that the Green Club is launching a tree plantation drive in the vicinity of the school. Students interested in the drive can assemble in the school playground at 10 a.m. Plants will be arranged by the school. For further details contact the undersigned. X X X X X President, Green Club

Question 2.
You have read the unit Environment. By the inspiration of Chief Seattles speech you want to say No to poly bags. As a part of it you want to campaign in the nearby colonies. Write a notice as the Secretary of Eco Club of your school to request the students to come forward to make the campaign successful?

Answer: ROYAL PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTICE 10th January 20xx "SAY NO TO POLY BAGS". The Eco Club of our school is organising a campaign on 18th January 20xx to raise awareness against the use of poly bags. The campaign will begin from school at 10.a.m. in the nearby colonies. All the students are requested to come forward to make the city free of poly bags. Gautam Secretary, Eco Club

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