Karnataka Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 8 A Village Cricket Match

Karnataka Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 8 A Village Cricket Match

A Village Cricket Match Questions and Answers, Notes, Summary

Comprehension Questions:

I. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Name the two teams.
Answer:
The two teams were in the Scottish and the English teams.

Question 2.
Name the fielders in the field mentioned in paragraph 1.
Answer:
The fielders mentioned are Mr Shakespeare Pollock, Mr Southcott and Mr Hodge.

Question 3.
What behaviour of Livingstone, Pollock and Southcott show that they are tense?
Answer:
Livingstone was balancing himself on his toes. Pollock hopped about almost on to of the batsman and breathed excitedly. Southcott was chewing steadily bn some piece of grass.

Question 4.
What is the humorous reference to the Major in the first paragraph?
Answer:
The humorous reference to the major is that he had already downed a quart an a half of drinks.

Question 5.
Why didn’t Sexton and the postman take a run when it was possible?
Answer:
The sexton was old, therefore was of cautious nature and the postman was a government official who did not take any risks. Therefore they both did not take a run when it was possible.

Question 6.
How does the writer take a dig at the government officials?
Answer:
The writer mocks at the government officials that they never do any work citing the reason of not wanting to take any risks.

Question 7.
The ball struck powerfully by the Sexton went straight and hit Boone’s stomach.
a. What comparison does the writer make?
Answer:
The writer compares the ball striking powerfully and hitting Boone’s stomach as a thunderbolt striking him in the midriff like a red-hot cannonball upon a Spanish galleon.

b. What is humorous about the comparison?
Answer:
Comparing a red cricket ball to a red-hot cannonball is very humorous.

Question 8.
Why was Boone angry after catching the ball?
Answer:
Boone was angry even after catching the ball because it had hit his midriff very hard causing great pain.

Question 9.
a. What is the chief invention of Sir Isaac Newton referred to here?
Answer:
The chief invention of Sir Isaac Newton referred to here is the Theory of Gravity.

b. What does the ball in the sky” battling against the chief invention” mean here?
Answer:
It means that according to the theory of gravity, the ball had to crash down immediately, but it defied gravity and remained suspended in the air for quite sometime before falling down.

Question 10.
Who ran like “a pair of high-stepping hackneys”?
Answer:
The blacksmith and the baker ran like a pair of high-stepping hackneys.

Question 11.
a. Why were the three batsmen running for a run?
Answer:
The ball hit by the blacksmith went high up in the air and fell back quite slowly. Therefore the batsman the blacksmith, the baker who was his substitute runner and Joe began running for getting a run.

b. How were they running?
Answer:
All the three had their heads turned towards the balling ball, and did not notice the batsman running from the other end they also did not see where they were going. Therefore they crashed into one another and fell down.

Question 12.
What fatal mistake did Hodge make?
Answer:
Initially, Hodge ordered Livingstone to catch the falling ball. Then he remembered Livingstone’s two missed catches and so reversed his decision and roared to Bobby to catch it that was the fatal mistake committed by him because Livingstone had not heard the second order of Hodge and continued running and all crashed together.

Question 13.
How did Mr Pollock finally catch the ball?
Answer:
The ball landed on the head of the professor and it leapt up into the air a foot or so, hit Boone’s head and trickled slowly down the wicket keeper’s broad back. When it was only a foot from the ground Mr Pollock sprang with a loud roar and grabbed it off the seat of the wicket keeper’s trousers.

Question 14.
The writer says that Mr Hodge disagreed with Napoleon’s dictum.
a. What was Napoleon’s dictum
Answer:
Napoleon laid a dictum that it was impossible to have too many men upon a battlefield but used to do everything in his power to call up every available man for a battle.

b. How did Mr Hodge disagree with the dictum?
Answer:
When Mr Hodge saw his fielders getting ready to catch the descending ball, he disagreed with the dictum that it was bad to have too many men in the field.

Question 15.
Who won the match?
Answer:
Neither of the teams won the match. It ended in a tie.

II. Close Study:

Read the following extracts carefully. Discuss in pairs and then answer the questions given below them.

Question 1.
The thunderbolt struck him in the midriff like a red- hot cannon-ball upon a Spanish galleon and the sound of drumstick upon an insufficiently stretched drum.
a. What does thunderbolt refer to?
Answer:
The thunderbolt refers to the cricket ball.

b. Who did it strike?
Answer:
It struck Boone.

c. In the simile, what are the two things compared?
Answer:
The cricket ball is compared to a red-hot cannon-ball.

d. How is the comparison humorous?
Answer:
A small harmless cricket ball being compared to a dangerous and destructive cannot ball is humorous.

e. What are the sounds referred to?
Answer:
The sounds referred to are the sound of thunderbolt and the sound of a drumstick hitting a drum.

f. Bring out the humour in this comparison
Answer:
The sound made when a stick hits the drum is very loud. Comparing that to the sound made by the ball hitting Boone’s stomach is very humorous.

III. Paragraph Writing:

Discuss in pairs/groups of four each the answers to the following questions. Individually, note down the important points for each question and then develop the points into one-paragraph answers.

Question 1.
The approach of the Sexton, the postman, the blacksmith and the baker to the game is typical of their profession. Elaborate.
Answer:
A Sexton is an officer of a church, the Postman a governmental official, the Blacksmith a person makes and repairs things made out of iron by hand and the Baker is someone who makes food by using an oven or another concentrated heat source. These are local people, old and who are cautious and do not take risks.

The writer even pinpoints to a government official who he says don’t take risks. These men behave typical to their profession and do not take risky runs or bowl aggressively; they slowed the match with mis-hits and cautious runs. It was a period of a lull where very little action took place.

Question 2.
How does the ‘uncertainty and disorganization among the ranks of the invaders’ add to the humour?
Answer:
There was no understanding among the fielders. There was a lot of uncertainty and disorganization. When the ball hit by the blacksmith, which had soared high up in the air, began it’s decent, all the fielders began running to get under it to catch it.

They kept looking only at the ball and not at the other fielders running, not one of them appeared to be aware that anyone else existed. All ran together, crashed against each other and fell down.

This confusion was compounded by the contradictory instructions given by Hodge. The fact that all of the players running from their positions to catch one ball add to the humour.

Question 3.
Write a short note on the status quo episode.
Answer:
Mr Hodge, the captain of the English team tried to manage the cricket team. He, on the whole, was unhappy with how the players were placed and how the game was being played with orders given by different people. There were uncertainty and disorganization amongst the fielders. There were too many men on the field and none of them was aware of what the other was doing. Even Captain Hodge nearly caused confusion, instead of telling Southcott to catch the ball he instructed Livingstone to do so. But in the last minute, he remembered Livingstone’s earlier drops and hastily shouted at Southcott to catch the ball. This way Captain Hodge put right the state of affairs.

Question 4.
This extract contains many humorous situations.
a. Pick out any three situations and write them down.
b. Narrate any one of them in detail to your partner.
c. Write it in a paragraph.
Answer:
(a) Twelve members in a team was a riot on the ground. Almost all the players didn’t know what the other was doing. They were either too cautious or were extremely confused as to what was going on in the field. They constantly bumped into each other and many players were hurt in the process.
(b) The umpire was tipsy and made calls that added to the confusion.
(c) The field was not flat, and the players were constantly surprised by the direction the ball took.
(d) Towards the end, all three batsmen ran towards the same wicket, the bowlers ran to catch the ball. All the players crashed into each other, a fitting end, to this hilarious cricket match.

5. The characters are humorously pictured. What is humorous about the following characters in the extract? Discuss it in groups of 4 or 5 each and then write a paragraph on each of them.
a. Boone
b. The Blacksmith.
c. Mr Harcourt
Answer:
(a) Boone: Mighty Boone is standing right behind the youth in the jumper when the sexton hits the ‘ ball towards the youth. The youth springs out of the ball’s way, and the ball strikes Boone in the midriff like a red-hot cannot-ball upon a Spanish galleon, and with the sound of a drumstick upon an insufficiently stretched drum. Boone clapped his hands to his outraged stomach and found that the ball was in the way. He looked at it for a moment in astonishment and then threw it down angrily and started to massage the injured spot while the field rang with applause at the brilliance of the catch.

(b) The Blacksmith: The blacksmith came onto the ground leaning heavily upon the shoulder of the baker, who was going to fun for him, and limping as if in great pain. He took guard, and looked around, savagely. He was clearly still in a great rage. The first ball he received he lashed at wildly and hit straight up into the air to an enormous height. Looking at it, he forgot his sprained ankle and started running to the other end. The baker, who was to run on his behalf, also ran along with him, and both of them finally dashed against Joe coming from the other end.

(c) Mr Harcourt: Mr Harcourt was the fielder from Mr Pollock s team. When the blacksmith hit the ball high, he tried to catch it. But he had obviously lost sight of the ball altoge her if indeed, he had ever seen it for he was running around and around Boone and giggling foolishly.

IV. Vocabulary:

Fill in the blanks with the antonyms of the words underlined. (You need to pick the word from the lesson).

1. We live on the _______ sphere: heavenly bodies are on the celestial sphere.
2. The Traian team was very hopeful of winning but their defeat left them _______
3. The young have vitality out the old have to cope with their _______
4. The heroic mood was lost after the ______ battle.
5. Don’t be reckless: be _______
6. Joshua remains ________ even in highly perturbable situation?.
7. Don’t be crooked: be open and _______
8. Peter, a highly indisciplined chap, could never be a part of the highly ________ residential school.

Answers:

1. terrestrial
2. hopeless
3. lethargy
4. unheroic
5. imperturbable
6. straight
7. disciplined.

V. Language Activities:

A. Arrange the following conversation in separate lines and punctuate them:
What is your name ram Sharma is Vinod Sharma your cousin yes I know him very well we used to go out together you must be made yes that is my name my cousin has often told me about you.
Answer:
“What is your Name?”
“Ram Sharma”.
“Is Vinod Sharma your cousin?”
“Yes”.
“I know him very well. We used to go out together.” *
“You must be Madan.”
“Yes, that is my name.”
“My cousin has often told me about you.”

B. Rewrite the following passage in Direct Speech:
Mr Lai asked when the play Twelfth Night’ would begin. The clerk replied that it would be in half an hour. Mr   Lai confessed that he had never seen the play before and he was looking forward to.it. The clerk said that he was sure Mr Lai would enjoy it for its lyrical quality.
Answer:
Mr Lai asked “When will the play”
Twelfth night begin?”
The clerk said, “It will be in half an hour.”
Mr Lai said, “I have never seen the play before and I am looking forward to it.”
The clerk said, “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it for its lyrical quality.”

C. Dictionary Work:
Look up for the meanings of the following words and make sentences of your own:

1. ecstasy
2. possessed
3. somersaults
4. outrage
5. set out
6. scowl at
7. trip over
8. grab at
9. dictum
10. in vain

Answer:

1. ecstasy: Intense pleasure.
   All of us were overcome with ecstasy while listening to the performance of Hariharan.
2. Possessed: controlled, having/
   owning: The man possessed the biggest diamond in the world.
3. Somersaults: going head over heels; The acrobat somersaulted all the way across the stage.
4. Outrage: resentful anger:
   There was an outrage in the village due to the honour killing of a girl.
5. Set out: go out;
   Many young people set out to change the world.
6. Scowl at: frown at
   The child scowled at the stranger.
7. Trip over: stumble and fall
   He tripped over the stone and fell down.
8. Grab at: to seize
   The suspect broke free and grabbed at the policeman’s gun.
9. dictum: an authoritative statement. The Board of Management made a
   dictum that no one would come late than 9 am to the office.
10. In vain: without success
    We waited in vain for heavy showers throughout the monsoon season.

VI. Grammar Revisited: (Synthesis of Sentences)

I. Simple to Simple:
A Combine each set of the following simple sentences into one simple sentence by using at least one participle. The first one is done for you. Your teacher will help you with the rest.

Question 1.

1. He first selected a site.
2. Then he levelled it.
3. Then he dug the earth for a foundation.
4. Finally, he began to build a house. _

Answer:
Having selected a site, levelled it and dug the earth for foundation, he finally began to build a house.

Question 2.

1. Policemen and firemen combed the smoking rubble.
2. They found guns.
3. They found spent cartridges.
4. They found a charred corpse.

Answer:
While combing the smoking rubble, the policemen and firemen found guns, spent cartridges and a charred corpse. ,

Question 3.

1. Strip mining completely alters the topography.
2. It destroys all original vegetation.
3. It also destroys most of the animal, life.
4. It leaves barren rubble behind.

Answer:
Strip mining completely alters the topography by destroying all original vegetation, most of the animal life leaving barren rubble behind.

Question 4.

1. Shells boomed.
2. The shells were artillery.
3. The booming was in the distance.
4. The shells shook the ground.
5. The shelling was slight.

Answer:
The sightly booming shells of the artilleries in the distance shook the ground.

Question 5.

1. One of the soldiers was playing the harmonica.
2. Its sounds were a counterpoint to the boom.
3. The boom was in the distance.
4. The counterpoint was strangely cheerful.
5. The boom was ugly.
6. The boom was menacing.

Answer:
The strangely cheerful sounds, of one of the soldiers playing the harmonica, was a counterpoint to the ugly, menacing boom in the distance.

B. Combine each set of the following simple sentences into one simple sentence by using at least one absolute phrase. The first one is done for you. Your teacher will help you with the rest.

Question 1.

1. The evening grew more menacing.
2. The breeze became gustier.
3. Whitecaps gave the lake a frothy, sinister appearance.

Answer:
The evening grew more menacing, the breeze becoming gustier, whitecaps giving the lake a frothy, sinister appearance.

Question 2.

1. The prisoner was questioned.
2. No witnesses came forward.
3. The judge dismissed the case.

Answer:
After questioning the prisoner, the judge dismissed the case in the absence of any witnesses.

Question 3.

1. The morning had been cool.
2. It had been comfortable.
3. The afternoon was growing sultry.

Answer:
Despite the morning being cool and comfortable, the afternoon was growing sultry.

Question 4.

1. The fish didn’t take the lines.
2. They periodically teased the boys.
3. They nibbled the bait.
4. They jumped.
5. The jumping was within arm’s reach of the boys.
6. The boys were on the bank.

Answer:
The fish periodically teased the boys on the bank by not taking the lines, by nibbling the bait and by jumping within arm’s reach of the boys.

Question 5.

1. The boys tried changing bait.
2. They tried changing rods.
3. They tried changing places.
4. Nothing worked.

Answer:
Despite trying to change bait, rods and places, nothing worked for the boys.

C. Combine each set of the following simple sentences into one simple sentence by using at least one. appositive. The first one is done for you. Your teacher will help you with the rest.

Question 1.

1. Milton was a blind poet.
2. He wrote “Paradise Lost”.
3. It is one of the finest epics in the English language.

Answer:
Milton, a blind poet, wrote “Paradise Lost”, one of the finest epics in the English language.

Question 2.

1. They were slim.
2. They were tanned.
3. They were Levi-clad.
4. They rode motorcycles while swigging their colas.
5. They rode surfboards while swigging their colas.
6. They were the Pepsi generation.
7. They were the flower children of the sixties.

Answer:
The Pepsi generation, the flower children of the sixties, slim, tanned, Levi-clad, rode motorcycles and surfboards while swigging their colas.

Question 3.

1. Pepsi generation changed the lifestyle of America.
2. The change was profound.
3. The Pepsi generation was the product of the baby boom.
4. The baby boom was post-war.

Answer:
The Pepsi generation, the product of the post-war baby boom, profoundly Changed the lifestyle of America.

Question 4.

1. The Pepsi generation was affluent.
2. They were numerous.
3. Manufacturers catered to their whims.
4. Advertisers pandered to their fancies.

Answer:
The Pepsi generation affluent and numerous were catered and pandered to their whims and fancies by the manufactures and the advertisers.

Question 5.

1. Joshua is young.
2. Joshua is a soccer enthusiast.
3. Joshua adores Leo Messi.
4. Leo Messi is the world’s greatest player.
5. Messi .plays for Barcelona.

Answer:
Joshua, a young soccer enthusiast adores Leo Messi, the World’s greatest player playing for Barcelona.

D. Combine each set of the following simple sentences into one simple sentence by using at least one prepositional phrase/infinitive phrase. The first one is done for you. Your teacher will help you with the rest.

Question 1.

1. Julius Caesar entered the forum.
2. Julius Caesar was as majestic as usual.
3. The conspirators closed in behind him.
4. They were determined to assassinate him.

Answer:
The conspirators were determined to assassinate Caesar closed in behind him on his entering the Forum with his usual majesty.

1. Your son doesn’t have enough diligence.
2. Therefore he has lost his place as a topper.
3. He does not even figure in the top ten list.

Answer:
Without enough diligence, your son has lost his place as a topper, to even figure in the top ten list.

Question 2.

1. It is very easy in our films.
2. You can tell the heroes from the villains.
3. The heroes always do only good.
4. The villains always do only bad.

Answer:
It is very easy in our films to tell heroes always doing only good from the villains always doing only bad.

Question 3.

1. Most do agree with this.
2. The clothes you wear identify your social status.
3. The clothes you wear to identify your authority.
4. The clothes you wear to identify your sophistication.

Answer:
The identification of your social status, authority and sophistication through clothes is agreed by most.

Question 4.

1. You may want to move up the corporate ladder.
2. Then be prepared for this.
3. Dress properly in suits.
4. The suits are dark.
5. The suits are pin-striped.

Answer:
In case of your wanting to move up the Corporate ladder, be prepared to dress properly in dark, pin-striped suits.

Question 5.

1. Her husband died.
2. She heard the news.
3. She was shocked.
4. She fainted.

Answer:
She fainted out of shock upon hearing the news of her husband’s death.

E. Combine each set of the following simple sentences into one simple sentence by using at least one Adverbial phrase. The first one is done for you. Your teacher will help you with the rest.

Question 1.

1. Vishwanathan An and is one of the best Chess players in the world,
2. There is no doubt about it.

Answer:
Vishwanathan Anand is, undoubtedly, one of the best Chess players in the world.

Question 2.

1. He forgot to bring the keys.
2. That was unfortunate.
3. The keys were of the main gate and the main door.

Answer:
He, unfortunately, forgot to bring the keys of the main gate arid the main door.

Question 3.

1. The sunset.
2. The boys had not reached home.
3. The boys were naughty.

Answer:
The naughty boys had not reached home despite the sun having set.

Question 4.

1. The villains attacked our hero.
2. The blows were cruel.
3. The villains had masked their faces.
4. There was no reason for their attack.

Answer:
The villains with masked faces attacked our hero unreasonably with cruel blows.

Question 5.

1. He has succeeded.
2. He has worked hard.
3. His success has been beyond our expectations.

Answer:
His hard work has resulted in his success beyond our expectations.

A Village Cricket Match Summary in English

This is a ball-by-ball account of a cricket match played in Fordenden, an English village, between English and Scottish players. None of the players is professionally trained. Many rules of the game are changed in order to accommodate the players.

There is a lot of excitement on the ground, with fielders crowding around the batsman, and the batsman themselves very tense. The strong sexton hits a ball which is caught, unwittingly, by the mighty Mr Boone in the process of protecting his stomach.

Then it is the turn of the lame blacksmith to hit the ball, and he hits it very high. Though he had a runner, the baker, appointed to run on his behalf, he forgets his limp and starts running, with the baker too beside him.

The opposite batsman too starts running, and all the three, eyes fixed on the ball, collide and fall down. Two fielders, both of them commanded to catch the ball, run together, and collide with another fielder, and fall down.

A fourth one picks up the ball. The batsmen, in their turn, get up and all the three start running towards the same wicket, realizing their mistake, turn back, again together, towards the other wicket, by which time it is very late, and the match is a tie.

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