The Tattered Blanket (Answers for the excercises from the textbook)

 The Tattered Blanket (Key for the exercises)

1. Why didn’t the mother recognise Gopi? How did he feel?

Gopi’s mother was very old and had lost much of her memory. Therefore, she could not recognise her own son. Gopi felt uncomfortable and smiled feebly when he realised that his mother did not remember him.

2. Why do you think Gopi didn’t get anything for his mother?

Gopi was busy with his job and had become careless about his responsibilities towards his mother. He came mainly to discuss the sale of his share of the family property and did not think of bringing a gift for her.

3. The mother could not remember Gopi. Do you think Gopi remembered his mother? What does it suggest?

No, in a way Gopi did not truly remember his mother. Though he knew who she was, he neglected her needs and rarely visited or wrote to her. This suggests that he had become selfish and indifferent towards his aged mother.

4. What is meant by the expression ‘the tattered blanket’?

‘The tattered blanket’ means an old, torn and worn-out blanket. It also symbolises the neglected condition of the mother and the weakening bond between Gopi and his mother.

5. Why didn’t Gopi answer his sister’s question, ‘Do you remember your Amma?’

Gopi remained silent because he realised the truth in his sister’s words. He felt guilty for neglecting his mother and could not defend himself.

6. If you were Gopi’s sister, how would you respond to his behaviour?

I would tell Gopi that parents need love, care and attention more than money. I would advise him to visit his mother regularly, write letters to her and fulfil her simple wishes.

Vocabulary

I. Fill in the blanks

1. All my attempts to make him happy proved futile.
2. It was very cold. So, I huddled in a corner.
3. Forced by her parents, Sita reluctantly took the diploma course.
4. What are you mumbling? I can’t hear you.
5. The news that he was denied promotion caused irritation to him.

II. Tick (✓) the words that are similar in meaning

1. His mother made a futile attempt to get up.
• ✓ c. useless
2. It’s all tattered now.
• ✓ d. torn
3. There is a cold mist in the mornings.
• ✓ c. fog
4. It’s just like a ball of knotted yarn.
• ✓ d. tied
5. I can’t make both ends meet with my salary.
• ✓ c. earn just enough money

Grammar

Noun Phrases from the Story

1. a bald, fat, middle-aged man
2. a thin bath towel
3. the family property

Complete the sentences with noun phrases

1. I bought a beautiful red umbrella.
2. We saw a couple of baby elephants in the zoo.
3. Our grandfather lives in a big stone-built house.
4. Ramya has a nice silk sari.

 

How to Keep Up Family Ties Despite Economic Pressures

Nowadays, people work hard to earn money. They are busy with their jobs and have little time for their families. This may create distance between family members.

Even when we are busy, we should spend some time with our family. We should talk to our parents, help them and show love and care. A phone call, a visit or a kind word can make them happy.

Money is important, but family is more important. Love, affection and respect keep families together. We should always care for our family members and maintain good relationships with them.

Thus, we can keep up family ties even during difficult times

Describing a family

There are two main types of families. They are nuclear families and joint families. A nuclear family consists of a father, a mother and their children. A joint family consists of grandparents, parents, children and other relatives living together. Both types of families are important. Family members love, care for and help one another.

 

Additional Exercise for Practice (Noun Phrases)

Complete the sentences with suitable noun phrases using the words given in brackets.

1. I saw __________________________ in the garden. (beautiful/a/flower)
2. Ravi bought __________________________ yesterday. (new/a/bicycle)
3. We visited __________________________ during our trip. (old/an/temple)
4. My uncle lives in __________________________. (large/a/house)
5. The teacher told __________________________ to sit down. (smart/the/boy)
6. We saw __________________________ in the sky. (bright/a/star)
7. She wore __________________________ to the party. (pretty/a/dress)
8. My father drives __________________________. (white/a/car)
9. They adopted __________________________ from the shelter. (small/a/puppy)
10. I read __________________________ last week. (interesting/an/story)
11. We sat under __________________________. (big/a/tree)
12. My sister bought __________________________. (red/a/umbrella)
13. The farmer owns __________________________. (green/a/field)
14. We watched __________________________ at the zoo. (playful/the/monkey)
15. Grandfather told us __________________________. (funny/a/story)
16. Rani has __________________________ in her room. (wooden/a/table)
17. The children played with __________________________. (colourful/a/ball)
18. We crossed __________________________ on our way home. (narrow/a/bridge)
19. Mother prepared __________________________ for dinner. (delicious/a/meal)
20. The tourists visited __________________________. (famous/a/fort)

 

Answer Key

1. a beautiful flower
2. a new bicycle
3. an old temple
4. a large house
5. the smart boy
6. a bright star
7. a pretty dress
8. a white car
9. a small puppy
10. an interesting story
11. a big tree
12. a red umbrella
13. a green field
14. the playful monkey
15. a funny story
16. a wooden table
17. a colourful ball
18. a narrow bridge
19. a delicious meal
20. a famous fort