Talking about the Past (II): Interrupted Continuous Actions
Chapter: Reunion of the Family
Vocabulary in use
Read the story, and write next to the correct meanings given below.
a. looking at sometning/somebody for a long time = stared
b. shouted = yelled
c. disappeared = vanished
d. died = passed away
e. attention = heed
f. held each other tightly = squeezed
g. afraid = scared
Prepare a list of words from the story that are unfamiliar to you. Look up their meanings in the dictionary, and use them in meaningful sentences of your own.
- Perplexed - Confused and uncertain about something.
Example: Sophia was perplexed when she saw her mom packing so many bags. - Homework - Schoolwork that is assigned to be done at home.
Example: Jasmine's teacher told her to go home and finish her homework before the weekend. - Stressed - Feeling anxious, worried, or overwhelmed by a situation.
Example: The event coordinator was stressed out as the date of the big wedding approached. - Caressing - Gently stroking or patting someone or something in a loving or affectionate way.
Example: The mother cat carefully caressed her newborn kittens with her tongue, grooming and bonding with them in the early days of their lives. - Housekeeper - A person who is paid to clean and take care of a house.
Example:The couple hired a housekeeper to clean and maintain their large mansion. - Berate - Scold or criticize someone severely.
Example: If her boss found out about the mistake, Maria knew she would be berated in front of the whole office. - Quick-tempered - Easily becoming angry or annoyed.
Example: Jason's grandfather was known for having a quick temper, especially when it came to politics. - Schedule - A plan of activities or appointments.
Example: As a busy college student, Rachel had to carefully plan her schedule to balance classes, work, and extracurricular activities.
Reading comprehension
Read the story again, and answer these questions.
a. Who was leaving the house?
Pabitra, Dinesh's grandma, was leaving the house.
b. How many members were there in Jayaram’s family and who were they?
There were four members in Jayaram's family: Jayaram, Junakiri, Dinesh, and Pabitra.
c. When did Dinesh’s parents realise that their son was not happy at all?
Dinesh's parents realized that their son was not happy when he asked them why his grandma had left and when she would return.
d. Do you have a housekeeper like Naani at your home? If yes, how do you behave towards her?
No, I do not have a housekeeper like Naani at my home.
e. Why did Pabitra leave the house?
Pabitra left the house due to issues within the family, including a lack of attention and communication from Dinesh's parents.
f. Why were Naani, Jayaram and Junakiri’s eyes ¿ lled with the tears of happiness?
Naani, Jayaram, and Junakiri's eyes were filled with the tears of happiness because Dinesh was able to unite the family by addressing the issues and bringing them closer together.
g. How was Dinesh able to unite his family?
Dinesh was able to bring his family together by expressing how much he wanted to be with his grandmother.
h. What message did you get from this story?
The message of the story could be the importance of communication and attention in maintaining a happy and close-knit family. It is also important to try to resolve any issues that may arise within the family in order to prevent misunderstandings and conflict.
Read the story, and put the following sentences in the correct order.
g. Dinesh asked his grandma where she was going.
c. Pabitra continued packing her things.
e. Junakiri took a half day leave from her office to welcome her mother-in-law at home.
a. There was a tablet on the table in his room.
f. As he talked about Kanchhu, she hurried to come home back.
b. Jayaram congratulated his son for being the second in the class.
d. She would quickly change the topic and start talking about something else.
Write a paragraph about your grandmother. If you have not met her, ask your parents what she was like, and write about her.
My grandmother was an incredible woman who always put others before herself. She had a kind and generous heart, and was loved by everyone who knew her. Growing up, I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her, and she always had a warm and welcoming smile on her face. She was an avid reader and enjoyed spending hours lost in a good book. She was also an amazing cook and would often spend hours in the kitchen preparing delicious meals for our family. I have many fond memories of my grandmother, and I am grateful for all the love and guidance she gave me throughout my life.
Grammar
Read the following story, and supply the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Yesterday Bikash drove his car when he saw a calf sitting in the middle of the street. The calf watched the car. He stopped his car and got out of it. As he got out, the calf ran away. He went back to his car. When he got into the car, the calf appeared and sat down on the road. He started the engine but the calf did not move. He jumped out of the car and shouted at the calf. The calf chased him instead of moving away from him. Bikash found green maize and threw it at the calf. The calf was happy and started to munch it. While the calf ate the maize, he drove his car away.
Complete the sentences with the past simple or past continuous form of the verbs in the brackets.
a. A: What was that terrible noise last a. A: What was that terrible noise last night?
B: Sorry, it was my brother. He was practising for a singing competition.
b. A: How was the game?
B: Terrible! We lost by 6-0.
c. Do you like my cell phone? My friend gave it to me for my birthday.
d. My son was sleeping when I left for work this morning.
e. A: What happened to you? Did you hurt yourself?
B: Yes! When I was playing football.
Writing
Write a biography of Swar Samrat, Narayan Gopal Guruacharya using the following hints:
Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal Guruacharya was a popular Nepalese singer, born on October 4, 1939, to Asha Gopal Guruacharya and Ram Devi Guruacharya. He was married to Pemala Lama. Gopal Guruacharya had a successful career as a singer, with over 500 popular songs in various genres such as films, operas, dramas, and more. Some of his most well-known songs include "Euta manchey ko mayaley kati," "Yo samjhiney man cha," and "Kehi mitho baata gara." Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades, including the Best Singer award from Radio Nepal in 1967, the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Fourth award in 1976, the Indra Rajya Laxmi Award in 1983, the Chhinalata Award in 1987, and the Trishakti Patta in 1990. Gopal Guruacharya passed away on December 5, 1990, in Kathmandu.
Who is your role model? Collect information about him or her. Write a biography based on the information that you collected.
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and physicist who is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. He was born in Croatia in 1856 and moved to the United States in 1884 to work for the Edison Machine Works. However, he eventually fell out with his employer and struck out on his own, establishing his own laboratory in New York City.
Throughout his career, Tesla made numerous groundbreaking discoveries and inventions in the field of electricity and electromagnetism. He is credited with the development of the Tesla coil, a high-voltage transformer used in radio technology, and he also worked extensively on wireless communication and the transmission of electrical power without wires. In addition to his work on AC current, he also made important contributions to the fields of robotics, remote control, and x-ray technology.
Despite his many accomplishments, Tesla struggled financially and was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Thomas Edison. However, he remained highly respected in scientific circles and his work continues to be recognized and celebrated today. Tesla died in New York City in 1943, at the age of 86.
Fun corner
Answer the riddles.
a. If you look at the mirror on my face, you won’t find thirteen any place. Who am I? → Clock
b. What room can no one enter? → Mushroom
c. What is it that’s always coming but never arrives? → Tomorrow
d. What kind of tree can you carry in a hand? → Palm tree
e. Feed me and I live, yet give me a drink and I die. Who am I? → Fire