UNIT-XI

Hobbies

Working with words

A.    Find the words from the text which have the following meanings.

    a.     a wave-like motion- undulation

b.     to make or do something again exactly in the same way- replicate

c.  decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into partial ruin especially through neglect or misuse- dilapidated

d.     a bright, smooth surface- sheen

e.     the feeling of having no energy and enthusiasm- listlessness

f.      a state of noise, commotion and confusion- tumult

g.     being alone, often by choice- solitude

h.     to regard with respect, often tinged with awe- revere

i.      said in a way that is not direct, so that the real meaning is not immediately clear- obliquely

B.    Find the meaning of the following words from a dictionary.

sophisticated, conscious, blistering, proximity, invisible

sophisticated:    not simple, artless, naïve, etc.; urbane, worldly-wise, etc. or knowledgeable, perceptive, subtle, etc.

conscious:             awake, thinking, and knowing what is happening around you

blistering:            extremely fast, forceful, or impressive

proximity:            nearness in space, time or relationship

invisible:              unable to be seen 

Comprehension 

Answer the following questions.

a.       What is the author’s favourite hobby? Why does she like it so much?

·         Walking is the author’s favourite hobby. She likes it so much as it is the beginning of travel. Walking causes the movement, the rhythm, the undulation of the senses and of the body.

b.       What sorts of roads did the writer prefer to walk on when she was very young?

·         When she was very young, the writer preferred walking on roads that were unpaved and uneven, like the paths around her mamaghar (her maternal uncle's house).

c.       How did walking give the author and her classmates a sense of freedom?

·         After they had stayed back for some after-school activities and the bus had left them, the author and her classmates would often walk. They would have a sense of adulthood if they stayed after school. They would feel more emancipated by walking home since they would be masters of their own time.

d.       In what ways were the roads in Kathmandu different from the ones in Sydney?

·     There were a few ways that the roadways in Kathmandu were different from those in Sydney. In contrast to the chaotic streets of Kathmandu, Australian streets were quieter and better structured.

e.       How did walking help the author in the new country?

·      The author walked around the new land on foot, learning about it. She discovered many sorts of boutiques, restaurants, and other establishments while strolling around the streets. More importantly, it assisted her in readjusting her circumstances and finding her way about the area where she would spend the following several years of her life.

f.        What were the treasures of Petersham, where the writer lived with her family?

·       The treasure in Petersham was a small, unattended park just down the road, and around the next corner was another park with a huge rock at one end. It was a pleasant and cozy location to hide from the harsh and noisy highway—a buffer zone suburb—even if it did not have much to offer in the way of access or glamour.

g.       What things became her permanent friends with whom she could share her feelings?

·        The earth and the sky, the trees, and the water became her permanent friends with whom she could share her feelings.

h.       Why did she feel that she had travelled to ‘a desert, to emptiness’ as she went to the United States?

        ·     As she went to the United States, she felt as though she had traveled to ‘a desert, to emptiness’, because there was nowhere for her to go for a walk.

i.      Why did the author eventually feel that the strange city was known to her?

·       Eventually, the author felt that the unknown city was familiar to her since no matter where she went, the air that touched her and the light that flooded into her eyes each morning were the same everywhere, and the sounds of birds, insects, or machinery were the same as well.

j.      How did walking make her feel at home with different places she visited?

·       Walking made her feel at home in the different places she visited, as if she were walking the streets of her beloved hometown. She was filled with gratitude for all the streets that had shaped her feet, her body, and her being.

Critical Thinking

a. Do you believe that walking helps us understand ourselves? Give reasons in support of your opinion. 

Writing

Highlighting the advantages of walking, Henry David Thoreau says, “An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Write an essay on the advantages of morning walk.

                                                             Advantages of Morning Walk

The term "health" describes a state of wellbeing free from sickness and unwanted stress. Apart from eating a healthy and balanced diet, individuals play sports including badminton, volleyball, cricket, hockey, etc. to be healthy. But a morning walk is the simplest and least expensive way to maintain excellent health and is suitable for all ages as it requires no training or money.

A morning walk is a simple workout technique that possesses various health benefits. The morning atmosphere is filled with pure air and peace, which helps us relax our mind as well as our body. Morning silence with birds chirping soothes the mind. Therefore, a morning walk helps you feel better the whole day. Walking early in the morning generates a good mood. It reduces stress and anxiety; hence, a morning walk helps you start the day in a good mood. The refreshing morning environment increases the energy level in our body. It also helps to improve our concentration as well as our creative skills.

It is helpful in fighting various diseases like diabetes, depression, heart attacks, digestion, etc. When we go for a morning walk, it helps to regulate the flow of glucose in the blood properly. Regular walking helps burn calories and reduces the risk of diabetes. According to the doctors, it is also helpful for people already suffering from diabetes. It helps maintain the hormones responsible for glucose absorption in the body. In addition, it helps reduce stress and anxiety, which are elements of a bad mood. It keeps our minds healthy and active. Endorphins, a happy mood hormone, are secreted at the time of walking. Hence, it directly reduces the chances of depression. Significantly, it also directly reduces the risk of heart-related issues because it helps us reduce unnecessary fat while maintaining proper blood circulation. According to one study, regular walking can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 19%. Walking allows for joint movement, which is essential. Another main advantage of morning walks is weight loss. Walking helps to burn calories and maintain a good figure. Walking in the morning also helps with digestion.

In conclusion, a morning walk, every day, keeps the doctor away. It is the cheapest and the best recipe for maintaining good health. 

Grammar

Passive voice

    A.    Study the following sentences.

Sheela gave Milan a bar of chocolate.

Milan was given a bar of chocolate by Sheela.

A bar of chocolate was given to Milan by Sheela.

    B.    Change the following sentences into passive voice.

a.     I want someone to love me.

      I want to be loved.

b.     Someone broke into our house while we were on holiday.

      Our house was broken into while we were on holiday.

c.     I don’t like people staring at me.

      I don’t like being stared at.

d.     Is it true that someone stole your car?

      Is it true that your car was stolen?

e.     The cat enjoys someone tickling him.

      The cat enjoys being tickled.

f.      Would Swostika open the window?

      Would the window be opened by Swostika?

g.     Did they confess the crime?

      Was the crime confessed by them?

h.     He thinks that someone is teaching Jennie.

      It is thought that someone is teaching Jennie.

      He thinks that Jennie is being taught.

i.      Sabina hates people laughing at her.

      Sabina hates being laughed at.

    C.    Complete the following sentences as in the example.

            Example:

            People believe that the one billion defaulters are staying in the UAE.

The one billion defaulters are believed to be staying in the UAE.

a.     English people think that the number thirteen is unlucky. The number thirteen is thought to be unlucky by English people.

b.     What are you wearing for the wedding? Actually, I am having a suit made. They will give it tomorrow.

c.     The carpet in our drawing room is very dirty. It needs to be cleaned.

d.     There are rumours that the factory at the corner is manufacturing bombs. The factory at the corner is rumoured to be manufacturing bombs.

e.   Some people believe that Silajit from Jumla cures all indigestion problems. Silajit from Jumla is believed to cure all digestion problems.

f.    People claim that Changu Narayan temple is the oldest temple in Nepal. Changu Narayan temple is claimed to be the oldest temple in Nepal.

g.     A: Your car is making a terrible noise.

            B: Thank you. I am not a mechanic, and I will get it repaired soon.

h.   The police suspect that the criminal left the country. The criminal is suspected to have left the country.

A: Where are you going?

            B: I am going to the stationery to get my document photocopied.

j.      People allege that the corrupt leader has embezzled millions of rupees. The leader is alleged to have embezzled millions of rupees.