An A-Z of Inspiring Thoughts

Comprehension Practice

Read the passage given below and answer the question a, b, c, and that follow:

La Nina is an atmospheric phenomenon when the equatorial waters of eastern Pacific Ocean turn unusually cold. It is the opposite of El Nino when the eastern waters are warmer than usual. Both events create the greatest global impact in winter time. La Nina — The Little Girl —has enormous adverse effect globally since showing itself in mid-2010. La Nina and its equally unruly relative, El Nino, occur when the waters of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean along the equator become uncommonly cold or warm. These changes in the Pacific bring forth changes in atmospheric pressure, winds, temperature, and rainfall that have a worldwide influence. These conjugated with changes in the ocean and atmospheres are jointly called the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). For India, an El Nino is of grave concern as it negatively affects the south-west monsoon. La Nina, on the contrary, is frequently advantageous for the monsoon, particularly in the second half. The La Nina that happened in the Pacific in 2010 possibly assisted last year’s south-west monsoon in its last half advantageously. Yet, it also brought in the flood in Australia, which turned out to be one of worst natural disasters with large regions of the north-east under water and also caused similar mayhem in south-eastern Brazil and actively caused the heavy rains and accompanying deluging in Sri Lanka. The impact of ESNO is obviously aggravated by global warming The Indian Ocean is warming quickly. We can already observe the glimpses of the sinister influence of a La Lina of the rising warming along with the increase in temperature of the western Pacific.
In all probability the increased ocean temperature might have influenced the weather associated issues in the past few months. In spite of the beneficial aspects of the La Nina that evolved in mid-2010 to the south-west monsoon, the high temperature of the tropical Indian Ocean may have impeded a more evenhanded distribution of rainfall in some of the northern Indian states. The warming up of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific almost certainly supplied the additional moisture and energy for the inordinately heavy rains that Australia and Sri Lanka went through. That might be the cause for the excess of rain India the north-east monsoon which, as is commonly witnessed, checked by a La Nina. From this it possible conclude that the climatical changes brought ushered by agents like ESNO will be aggravated by the global warming rendering severe weather phenomena such as droughts and floods more regular.

a. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: [3]
1. Assisted
2. Influenced
3. aggravated
b. Answer briefly in your own words the following questions:
1. What is a La Lina? [2]
2. Who is its relative? How do they occur? [2]
3. What was the impact of La Lina that happened in the Pacific in 2010? [2]
4. What does ESNO stand for? Explain the phenomenon. [2]
5. What is La Lina of great concern to India? [2]
6. How has El Nino influenced the monsoon in different parts of India? [2]
c. Write in not more than 60 words the effect of La Lina on the weather conditions. [8]

d. Give a suitable title to your summary and justify the choice of the title. [2] 

The Last Leaf- O'Henry

Here's a short film based on the lesson 'The Last Leaf'. Hope you will enjoy it.

The Tyger - William Blake

It has been some time since the Class Eights have read The Tyger. All the more reason to go back to it and read it up once more - only if to see whether it still reads as clear as it once did.

Sharing with you all a documentary on William Blake and some analyses which I came across, of the poem, complete with a reading, even a performance! Listen to them, watch them and do get back to me about what you understood and enjoyed and what you didn't.

Happy viewing!

Picture Composition

Try this picture to practice for the picture composition question in your language paper. It was part of the 2001 English Language paper.

Phrasal Verbs

What are phrasal verbs?

Simply put, they are short two word phrases which include a verb. What's significant about these phrases are that the verb takes on a completely new meaning once latched on to a preposition or an adverb.

For example - the verb 'break ' would mean one thing while the phrasal verb 'break down' would mean something totally different. The same is true for phrasal verbs like 'wear out' something or 'take after' someone.

Here are some links that you could use as a resource for phrasal verbs.


 https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/phrasal-verbs-list.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/148_phrasalverbs/ 

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/phrasal-verb-videos 

http://www.icseenglishhelp.org/2008/11/prasal-verbs.html

This link below needs you to register before you can see their video which is quite explanatory.

http://www.learnnext.com/ICSE-Class-VIII-English-Grammar/Lesson-Phrasal-Verbs---Types.htm 

Hope this helps!

ICSE, ISC Tips and Tricks for Studying: Study better with these simple methods.

ICSE, ISC Tips and Tricks for Studying: Study better with these simple methods.: Study better with these simple methods. Sometimes students feel saturated with the overload of information that is absorbe...

Gearing up for the Boards!

Dear Students,
Here is a link to a site that should prove helpful to those of you in Class X. Do go through it carefully and get back to the respective teachers with your comments on the same.

Celebrate World Handwashing Day

Today is World Handwashing Day. 

Find below a video to explain the six steps to effective handwashing and another that talks about why washing hands is important for us.

The Supreme Court

Dear Children,

We have studied about the single integrated judiciary system  as part of our Civics class.
In this audio-visual aid that I found, there are a few questions which will help you to revise the content taught about the single integrated judiciary system of India and the Supreme Court. These are structured questions with answer clues. Take note of the content and let me know if it has helped you to revise.

Happy learning!
Nibedita Ma'am

Equation of a Straight Line Simplified

Dear Children,

Find here a link to an interesting page on how the equation of a straight line and its different forms can be understood simply.

Do share with me how easy you found it after exploring this.

Tanvi Ma'am

Rise of Nazism and Fascism

Dear Students,

Sharing with you a video on the rise of Nazism as an introduction to our next lesson- the Second World War.

Do share with me your inputs on the video you just watched.

Nibedita Ma'am

Examination Time - Time to Get Yourself Tested!

Well, much has been said about keeping sane and stress- free during exam time and most of it is true. Only, all of it is easier said than done.

 

Keeping calm is more about having an attitude to do so than just a statement badge.

 So - whatever the situation - an examination or a speech or performance - if you have it in you to be calm in the face of it you will.

And for now-

By taking control of their study schedule, students can significantly reduce their exam stress. Controlling their thought process and inner dialogue, taking a moment to breathe and getting enough sleep are the keys to a stress-free exam period. - See more at: http://www.myblueprint.ca/5-tips-to-beat-exam-stress/#sthash.Wjq8FPwF.dpuf

taking control of their study schedule, students can significantly reduce their exam stress. Controlling their thought process and inner dialogue, taking a moment to breathe and getting enough sleep are the keys to a stress-free exam period. - See more at: http://www.myblueprint.ca/5-tips-to-beat-exam-stress/#sthash.Wjq8FPwF.dpuf

  Take control of your study schedule

  Control your thought process and inner dialogue

  Get enough sleep

  Take a moment to breathe

   Be realistic

   Get some exercise

Before you know it, you'll be in great shape to go! Just remember- this exam is only a way to know how much you've learnt and how well.

All the best!

taking control of their study schedule, students can significantly reduce their exam stress. Controlling their thought process and inner dialogue, taking a moment to breathe and getting enough sleep are the keys to a stress-free exam period. - See more at: http://www.myblueprint.ca/5-tips-to-beat-exam-stress/#sthash.Wjq8FPwF.dpuf

taking control of their study schedule, students can significantly reduce their exam stress. Controlling their thought process and inner dialogue, taking a moment to breathe and getting enough sleep are the keys to a stress-free exam period. - See more at: http://www.myblueprint.ca/5-tips-to-beat-exam-stress/#sthash.Wjq8FPwF.dpuf

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken                      

Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

A thought provoking bunch of critical essays of the poem for those who are interested-

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/frost/road.htm

Here's a Powerpoint Presentation for you courtesy tes.co.uk

Do share with me your doubts and queries about the poem. Think - how is this poem relevant to our everyday life? Would love to see your enactments/presentations in class.

Annapurna Ma'am

 

 

Merchant of Venice - Act III Exploring Shylock Through his Speech

Dear Children,
We have been reading some of the most powerful speeches in the play right now. It would make sense to try and explore the layers of emotion underlying those lines in Act III. Watch these amazing portrayals and let me know what you think of them.