My Home Environment from My Reminiscences
by Rabindranath Tagore
Comprehension
Read and answer:
1. Match the following:
=
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a. My elder cousin Ganendra |
i. wrote a great deal more than he finally used in his finished work.
[c] |
|
b.My cousin Gunendra |
ii. was a sort of club where laughter and conversation were freely
mixed with matters of business. [e] |
|
c. My elder brother |
iii. once did well at some examination and was awarded a prize. [d] |
|
d. My nephew Satya |
iv. was a keen student of the history different countries. [a] |
|
e. The office room of our elders |
v. presided over self-invited gatherings, like hospitality incarnate.
[b] |
2. State whether true(T) or false(F).
a. The story is about the time when Rabindranath Tagore was a young adult. [F]
b. The description clearly shows that the author belonged to a well-to-do family. [T]
c. The author was often given prizes for academic proficiency. [F]
d. Young Tagore started writing at a young age. [T]
e. Young Tagore would always show his compositions to his cousin, Gunendra, who appreciated them greatly. [F]
f. Tagore, as well as his young relatives, was allowed to be a part of the meetings where his elder brother and cousins discussed their poetic outpourings. [F]
3. Which of the following statements about Ganendra is supported by information in the passage?
a. He was a charismatic person. [✓]
b. He had no interest in reading literature. [ ]
c. He was short, stout and rather ordinary looking. [ ]
4. Which of the following statements about Gunendra is supported by information in the passage?
a. Somewhat mean and uncaring, he would not take part in social gatherings. [ ]
b. He looked after the family estates with great precision. [✓]
c. A dutiful businessman, he would have nothing to do with art and theatre. [ ]
Reference to Context:
5. "This prize that I got for not getting a prize did not do me good."
a) What is the prize that the author did not get?
= The author did not get the prize which his nephew Satya got fro doing well at some examination.
b) What is the prize that the author did get?
= The author was pleased with Satya's success. At this his cousin was touched by this and he was remarking about this to his friends praising the author. This was the prize that the author got.
c) Why did being rewarded in this manner not do him good?
= According to the poet, there is no harm in making gifts to children, but they should not be rewarded. It makes young children self-conscious.
Read Reflect and answer:
6. One great advantage which I enjoyed in my younger days was the literary and artistic atmosphere which pervaded our house. Why did the author call this an 'advantage'? How did it influence him?
= In his childhood, there was a detached building comprising the reception rooms. These rooms would be lighted in every evening. Visitors would be constantly coming and going. The author's elder cousin Ganendra had great enthusiasm for literature and the fine arts. He was the centre of the group of visitors who used to come to join in the discussion of art, literature and history. There was a clear sense of nationalism in their dress, literature, music and drama. These things definitely influenced the young author from his tender age. This also developed a strong sense of art and literature in him which helped a lot to nourish the future 'world poet' from his very childhood. The author very aptly calls this as an 'advantage'.
7. "We have ceased to contrive opportunities to bring men together simply because we love our fellow men." What do you think this line means? Do you agree with this view point?
= It is said that Rabindranath Tagore had the ability to think far beyond and ahead of time. The given line is the true example or proof of that fact. It is most relevant even in these days. We do not try to mange time for a casual meet with our fellow citizens. We still meet for business or political purposes but we never can meet simply one another.
I am totally agree with viewpoint as even today we can not or do not get ourselves the least time to meet casually with our friends and family.
8. We can see how much Tagore looked up to his cousins Ganendra and Gunendra in the way he praised them so profusely and in how he sought their approval on the things he did. The people we meet when we are young have a lasting impact on our lives. Can you identify a trait that you have been praised for and see if it matches or is inspired by someone who influences your childhood ? It could be any family member, a teacher, or even a friend?
= I can remember an event when one of my classmates did not pay his school tuition fees and the school authority was about to debar him from sitting in the annual examination. Fortunately I had some more money on that day with me. So, I paid the fees on behalf of him. He was allowed to sit for the examination.
Though he did not belong to a poor family, yet on that immediate hour, I helped him. This made him happy. Both his parents and my parent praised me a lot for that conduct of mine.
If I say about influence, my father is my influence to help others when they are in distress. Both my parents help others when they need anyway - whether monetary help or moral. This is inborn in me to stand beside people who are needy.