Pranshu's English Classroom (CBSE)

Class - IX [Beehive] Unit - 11: If I Were You by Douglas James (Play) Word Meanings 1. Intruder: a person who intrudes, especially into a building with criminal intent. 2. Paws: here, hands 3. Melodramatic: excessive emotions that are required for the situation 4. Nonchalant: not showing anxiety, interest or enthusiasm 5. Gypsies: nomads 6. Inflection: a change in the modulation of voice 7. Embrace: accept 8. Dandy: stylish, fashionable 9. gratuitous double: done without reason. 10. To beat it: to leave immediately 11. Posh: rich, showy 12. Pantomime: to mime or copy someone 13. Tribute: to show gratitude, respect or admiration for someone or something 14. Elude: escape 15. Dodge: to avoid someone, here, the police 16. Invested in: taken up, adopted 17. Cloak: cape, robe 18. Sunday-school teacher: used to indicate an honest man 19. Disguise: give a different appearance to hide one’s identity 20. Muddled head: confused mind 21. Frame: false 22. Props: things used by actors to change ap...

Introduction to Email Writing Email writing is a crucial skill that allows you to communicate effectively in both formal and informal contexts. It is widely used for personal and professional communication. A well-written email should be clear, polite, and structured, helping the recipient understand your message easily. Basic Email Format An email typically follows this format: 1.Subject Line: A brief, clear idea of what the email is about. 2.Salutation: A greeting to the recipient (e.g., Dear Mr. Smith, Hello, etc.). 3.Body of the Email: This is the main part, where you write your message. It should be structured in paragraphs. Introduction: A brief opening sentence. Main Content: The details or purpose of your email. Closing: A polite sentence to wrap up the message. 4.Closing: A sign-off phrase (e.g., Sincerely, Best regards, etc.). 5.Signature: Your name, and possibly other details like your contact information.                 Formal and In...

Unit - 8: A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal by William Wordsworth Glossary 1. Slumber – sleep 2. Spirit – soul 3. Seal – close / shut off 4. Human fear – emotion perceived from danger 5. Earthly years- (here) ravages of time 6. Motion – movement 7. Force – (here) power of her own 8. Diurnal: daily (“Earth’s diurnal course” is earth’s daily rotation on its axis.) Synopsis of the Poem The first stanza deals with the poets shock at the death of his beloved. He was enthralled by her beauty and never thought that he might lose her some day. Her death benumbed his senses and he ceased to perceive any kind of feeling or fear. His beloved the lively and lovely Lucy is no longer able to feel anything anymore and is beyond the reach of time. The ravages of time could no longer harm her. This realization brings about a sense of peace in the poet’s mind. In the second stanza the poet accepts death as an inevitable truth that everyone has to face. He tells us that his beloved is no longer alive and...

Essay Writing An essay is a short piece of writing that focuses on a specific topic or idea. It allows the writer to present their thoughts, opinions, or arguments in a clear and organized manner. Format of Essay Writing       1. Introduction Introduce the topic. Include a hook to engage the reader. Present the thesis statement (main point of the essay).     2.Body Paragraphs: Typically 2-3 paragraphs. Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence. Support with details, examples, or arguments.      3. Conclusion Summarize the key points. Restate the thesis or provide a closing thought. Sample Essay: "The Importance of Reading Books" Introduction : Books are a source of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. They are often referred to as "windows to the world" because they provide us with information about different cultures, histories, and ideas. In this essay, we will explore the importance of reading books and how it can benefit our lives. Bod...

Kathmandu by Vikram Seth (An extract from ‘Heaven Lake’) Word Meanings 1.   Proclaims: make known publicly or officially 2. Febrile confusion: hurried activity; complete chaos 3. Saffron – clad westerners: foreigners dressed as sadhus 4. Corpse: dead body 5. Wilted: dry and withered 6. Shrine: a place of worship 7. Protrudes: comes out 8. Kalyug: it is the fourth and last stages or time period of a Mahayuga. It started with the end of Mahabharata when Lord Krishna left the Earth. 9. Immigrants: a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. 10. Haven: a safe place 11. Deities: gods and goddesses 12. Cows low: the ‘moo’ sound made by cows 13. Marzipan: a sweet made with grated almonds 14. Brazier: open stove 15. Wash down: to drink something after a meal to digest it 16. Nauseating: sickening 17. Propelled: drive or push something forward 18. Per se: by itself 19. Meditatively: thoughtfull...

English Grammar: Tenses Chart with Examples                                        Tense                                Examples 1. Simple present tense is used to describe everyday events, habits, and facts. (i) We go to school at eight o'clock. (ii) It is cold in winter. (iii)The Sun rises in the east. 2. Present continuous tense is used to describe an action that is continuing or going on at the time of speaking. (i) I am studying tenses. (ii) They are working on a project. 3. Present perfect tense is used to show an action that has just happened or to describ...

English Grammar: Tenses Chart   PAST  TENSE  PRESENT   TENSE FUTURE  TENSE   Simple  Tense played  (verb+ ed) plays  (verb + s) will/shall play (will/shall + verb)   Perfect  Tense had played  ( had+ verb+ past participle) has/have played (has/have+ verb+ past participle) will/ shall have played (will/shall have+ verb +past participle)   Continuous Tense was/ were playing (was/ were+ verb+ing)   is/ am/ are playing (is/am/ are+ verb+ ing)   will/ shall be playing (will/shall be + verb+ ing Perfect Continuous Tense had been playing (had+ been+ verb+ ing) has/ have been playing (has/have been + verb + ing) will/shall have been playing (will/ shall have been+ verb + ing)  

 Comprehension  A. 1. Maggie was considered the best housewife in Clegg Row because she always provided fresh home-cooked food for her family—be it pie, stew or home-baked bread. She would never let them eat unhealthy food from outside. She took great care of her husband and five children. She took good care of her house, getting up early in the morning to clean it.  2. Father O’Flaherty thought that a respectable wife and mother like Maggie must learn to read. His advice to her was to learn from her son Timothy. 3. Maggie loved reading her first ‘stiff-backed’ book (Gone with the Wind). She could not stop at just one. She started going to the library every morning and coming back with a book hidden in her shopping basket. She could not stop reading and would read late into the night. Soon, she started bringing back more than one book from the library. 4. The deal Harry struck with Maggie was that Thursday would be ‘Reading Day’. Maggie could read undisturbed every Thursd...

The Adventure by Jayant Narlikar Word Meanings      Amok – to behave uncontrollably       Armour – shell       Assertion – a confident statement of a fact       Astute – smartness; quick-witted       Avidly – with great interest       Bifurcation – division       Blow – by – blow account – a detailed account       Catastrophe theory – it is a branch of mathematics concerned with systems displaying discontinuous changes       Converged – met    De facto – existing in fact with or without any lawful authority    Determinism – a doctrine that all the events are caused by the external will    Dismay – shock    Disparity – difference    Doctored accounts – manipulated accounts related to history   Dumbfounded – amazed   Emerged – developed; begin   Expansionist – a follower of the policy of te...