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1.	“On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author. Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house, of who his friends were, and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.)
Answer» No, they were not only aware of their differences but also they naturally shared friendships and experiences. Kalam’s mother and grandmother would tell the children of his family bedtime stories about the events from the Ramayana and from the life of the prophet. During the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, his family used to arrange boats with a special platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site, situated in the middle of the pond called Rama Tirtha which was near his house.

2.	“On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author. The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?
Answer» The people who were very aware of the differences among them, were the young teacher who joined the Rameshwaram elementary school and came to teach Kalam’s class, the fifth standard, and his science teacher’s conservative wife who refused to serve Kalam in her ritually pull kitchen. Those who tried to bridge these differences were Kalam’s science teacher Sivasubramania Iyer who invited, served and dined with him to break social barriers so that people could mingle easily, and Lakshmana Sastry who conveyed the strong sense of conviction to the new young teacher to reform him.

3.	“On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author. Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)?
Answer» He mentions two social groups of Rameshwaram – orthodox Brahmins and Muslims. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable. For example, by the way they dressed, Kalam wore a cap which marked him as a Muslim. Ramanadha Sastry wore a seared thread which marked him a Hindu.

4.	“On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author. Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?
Answer» The first incident to show that how differences can be created is that when the new young teacher found a Muslim student sitting beside a Hindu student, he asked Kalam to sit in the last raw. His friend Ramanadha Sastry was heartbroken. They informed their respective parents Lakshmana Sastry summoned the teacher and conveyed the strong sense of conviction which ultimately reformed him. The other incident shows that how differences can be resolved. The author’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, though an orthodox Brahmin with a very conservative tried to bridge these differences. People can change their attitudes by observing no difference in the way of Hindu’s and a Muslim’s eating of meals, drinking of water and cleaning of the floor.

5.	Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?
Answer» Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram for further studies. He wanted to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram.

6.	Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor (seriously injure and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. ontractor’s skull (fracture). The entire team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush) to hospital. He (accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.
Answer» Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor got seriously injured and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn. Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull had fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to hospital. He was accompanied by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood was donated by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets are routinely used against bowlers.

7.	What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?
Answer» He says that he inherited honesty and self discipline from his father. He further says that he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.

8.	How does the author describe: (i) his father, (ii) his mother, (iii) himsel
Answer» (i) Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen was not a wealthy or educated person. However, he was an honest and generous man, who possessed great innate wisdom. He was self- disciplined and avoided all inessential luxuries. (ii) Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. She believed in goodness and profound kindness, and fed many people everyday. (iii) The author describes himself as a short boy with undistinguished looks, who had a secure childhood. He is an honest and self-disciplined person, who believes in goodness and deep kindness.

9.	What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer» Dinamani is the name of a local newspaper. It is so because Kalam traced the stories of the war in the head lives in Dinamani.

10.	What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words?
Answer» Abdul Kalam’s father’s words bear great meanings. First, he inspired his son to go ahead above giving the example of the seagull. Secondly, he explained Kalam’s mother to give his son opportunities to get higher education and to make progress. I think he spoke those words to encourage Abdul Kalam and to control the emotional attachment of his wife for Kalam.

11.	Find the sentences in the text where these words occur: erupt surge trace undistinguished casualty Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?
Answer» The following are the meanings of the word trace: (i) Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something (ii) Make a mark or lines on a surface (iii) To go back over again (iv) Pursue or chase relentlessly (v) Find or discover through investigation (vi) Make one’s course or travel along a path, travel or pass over, around, or along (vii) Read with difficulty The closest meaning of the word ‘trace’ in the text is ‘to find or discover through investigation’.

12.	Find the sentences in the text where these words occur: erupt surge trace undistinguished casualty Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions. What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?
Answer» A few things that can erupt are anger, volcano, tooth, rash, riots, unrest, etc. Erupt has several meanings. Their explanation, with examples, is given as follows: (i) Start unexpectedly Example: Riots erupted in the city. (ii) Start to burn or burst into flames Example: The spark soon erupted into flames. (iii) Become active and spew forth lava and rocks Example: The molten lava erupted out of the active volcano. (iv) Forceful and violent release of something pent up Example: The difference in their views soon erupted in a fight. (v) Sudden appearance on the skin Example: On the day of the party, a pimple erupted on her face. (vi) Break out Example: Eruption of the wisdom tooth gives a lot of pain. Things that can surge are pride, anxiety, waves, boats, army, etc. The several meanings it has can be explained with the following examples: (i) Sudden forceful flow Example: The boy drowned in the surging waves. (ii) Rise and move forward The army surged towards their enemy. (iii) Heave upward under the influence of a natural force Example: The boat surged in the high tide. (iv) See one’s performance improve Example: Hard work helped to surge Sandra’s scores. (v) A sudden or abrupt strong increase Example: The surge in the stock market left people in a shock. (vi) Rise rapidly Example: As time passed, her tension surged.

13.	Find the sentences in the text where these words occur: erupt surge trace undistinguished casualty Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions. Can you find undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look for the word distinguished and say what undistinguished mean.)
Answer» No, the word undistinguished does not exist in the dictionary. However, its meaning can be derived from the meaning of the word ‘distinguished’, which denotes the ‘special or eminent appearance or behaviour of a person’. Thus, undistinguished symbolises ‘ordinary appearance or behaviour of a person’.

14.	Rewrite the sentences below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.
Answer» Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.