Lesson – 1 The Tunnel – Ruskin Bond
Before the Text (Pg. 139–140)
Q1. What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of?
Ans. (Personal response – Example:) Trekking in the mountains because it combines nature and adventure.
Q2. How would you like to spend your weekends?
Ans. (Example:) (i) Trying new activities, (ii) Learning something new.
Q3. Which places would you prefer to explore?
Ans. (Example:) (i) Dense forests and clear streams.
Q4. Which activity would you prefer to do?
Ans. (Example:) (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle.
Q5. What do you think about teamwork?
Ans. (Example:) (ii) I enjoy working with others.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 144, 148)
Q1. Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases.
Ans. “Snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon” and “some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams.”
Q2. Suraj knew the train was close by because…
Ans. He heard a sound like distant thunder coming from the tunnel.
Q3. What did Suraj see inside the tunnel?
Ans. Smoke, darkness, a bat, and a lizard scuttling between the lines.
Q4. What does Sunder Singh convey about the tunnel?
Ans. He says he has lent it to the Government.
Q5. Complete the flow chart (watchman’s system).
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Walks the length of the tunnel
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(i) If all clear → returns to hut
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(ii) Hangs his lamp at the door
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(iii) Goes to take a nap
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(iv) If danger found → walks back up the line
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(v) Waves his lamp to warn the locomotive driver
Q1. Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because…
Ans. He heard a rhythmic sawing sound that leopards make.
Q2. Why was Suraj unable to do any shouting in the tunnel?
Ans. (i) He was afraid of the leopard.
Q3. What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?
Ans. The combined shouting of Sunder Singh and Suraj.
Q4. How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?
Ans. He saw the lamp hanging outside even though he couldn’t see the watchman.
Q5. Why did Suraj’s father take him along to Delhi?
Ans. So that Suraj could learn something about his father’s business.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 149–150)
Extract 1
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Statement: Suraj looked back at the tunnel to check if the train was coming. – False.
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Suraj did not stop in the tunnel because – A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel.
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Meaning of “Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again.” – It means the jungle regains its silence and control until the next train comes.
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Suraj’s character trait – Curiosity/adventure-loving nature.
Extract 2
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Watchman’s concern – The leopard might be run over by the train.
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Why leopard would not attack – Because it knew him well.
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True sentences: B, C, D, E.
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Sunder Singh decides to take his axe → He was cautious.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. What does Sunder Singh mean by lending his tunnel to the Government?
Ans. He feels a personal connection with the tunnel as its caretaker, but officially it belongs to the Government.
Q2. Why does he say forest is safer than the town?
Ans. Because he was almost run over by a bus in town. This shows his comfort and belonging to the jungle.
Q3. How has he become part of the jungle life?
Ans. He knows its animals, is unafraid of them, and lives in harmony with nature.
Q4. What draws Suraj and Sunder Singh together?
Ans. Their shared love for adventure, nature, and the thrilling experience of the tunnel.
Q5. Why is Sunder Singh called a “firefly”?
Ans. Because his lamp lights up the darkness for trains and travelers like a firefly.
Q6. Do you think Suraj is adventure-loving? Give reasons.
Ans. Yes. He goes to the jungle alone, explores the tunnel, and bravely accompanies Sunder Singh to face the leopard.
Lesson 2: Travel – Edna St. Vincent Millay
Before the Text (Pg. 154)
Q1. Why do people travel?
Ans. To explore new places, enjoy nature, meet new people, and learn different cultures.
Q2. Do you like traveling? Why?
Ans. Yes, because it gives adventure, relaxation, and new experiences.
Q3. How do you prefer to travel?
Ans. (Personal – Example:) By train because it is comfortable and allows me to see landscapes.
Q4. Would you rather travel alone or with friends/family? Why?
Ans. (Example:) With family, because we can share experiences and have fun together.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 156–157)
Q1. What is the main desire expressed in the poem?
Ans. The poet wants to leave everyday routine and go on a journey with the passing train.
Q2. What kind of life is the poet tired of?
Ans. A monotonous life full of duties, responsibilities, and repetition.
Q3. What does the poet want instead?
Ans. She wants freedom, adventure, and to see distant places by traveling.
Q4. What does the train symbolize in the poem?
Ans. It symbolizes escape, adventure, and the possibility of new experiences.
Q5. Why does the poet say “My heart is warm with friends I make”?
Ans. Because traveling allows meeting new people and forming friendships.
Q6. Pick three images of movement in the poem.
Ans. “The longing for the sea’s far reaches,” “The curving sky,” “The ringing of the train.”
Q7. Why does the poet repeat the word “away”?
Ans. To stress her strong desire to escape routine life and go far away.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 158–159)
Extract 1
Q1. What is the meaning of “I hear the wind a-blowing”?
Ans. It means the poet imagines the sound of the wind calling her to adventure.
Q2. Why does the poet want to leave?
Ans. Because she feels restless and wants a break from routine life.
Q3. Pick the phrase showing the world is wide and inviting.
Ans. “The curving sky.”
Q4. The tone of the poet here is…
Ans. Longing and restless.
Extract 2
Q1. Why does the poet say “my heart is warm”?
Ans. Because she feels joy at the thought of traveling and meeting new people.
Q2. What are the poet’s feelings in this extract?
Ans. Hopeful and excited about the possibilities of travel.
Q3. Which line shows she is ready to start at once?
Ans. “I am tired of my room and the crowded street.”
Q4. Tone of this extract is…
Ans. Excited and hopeful.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans. The human desire for travel, adventure, and freedom from monotony.
Q2. How does the poet express her restlessness?
Ans. By repeating “away,” describing wind, ringing train, and curving sky.
Q3. What does travel mean for the poet?
Ans. It means escape, joy, freedom, and meeting new people.
Q4. Why is this poem suitable for “Travel and Adventure”?
Ans. Because it celebrates the thrill of leaving routine life to explore the world.
Poetic Devices
Q1. Identify examples of alliteration.
Ans. “wind a-blowing,” “sea’s far reaches.”
Q2. Identify imagery in the poem.
Ans. Visual imagery: “curving sky,” “crowded street.”
Auditory imagery: “wind a-blowing,” “ringing of the train.”
Q3. Rhyme scheme of the poem?
Ans. Irregular rhyme; mainly free verse.
Summary of the Poem
In Travel, Edna St. Vincent Millay expresses a deep desire to leave her ordinary life and travel far away with the passing train. She hears the call of the wind and the ringing train, which symbolize freedom and adventure. She longs for wide skies, the sea, and new friendships. The poem highlights restlessness, curiosity, and the human longing to explore beyond routine life.
Lesson 3: Conquering the Summit – Arunima Sinha’s Story
Before the Text (Pg. 161–162)
Q1. What do you feel when you hear about Mount Everest?
Ans. A sense of awe, challenge, and admiration for climbers who conquer it.
Q2. Name some qualities needed to climb a mountain.
Ans. Courage, determination, physical strength, mental toughness, and teamwork.
Q3. Do you think climbing Everest is easy? Why/Why not?
Ans. No, because it requires intense training, survival skills, and the ability to face extreme weather.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 165–166)
Q1. What happened to Arunima in 2011?
Ans. She was pushed out of a moving train by robbers and lost her left leg.
Q2. How did she react to her disability?
Ans. She decided not to give up, trained hard, and chose to climb Mount Everest.
Q3. Who trained her for mountaineering?
Ans. Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Everest.
Q4. What challenges did she face during her climb?
Ans. Harsh weather, fatigue, lack of oxygen, injury pain, and danger of avalanches.
Q5. What was her greatest achievement?
Ans. She became the first woman amputee in the world to climb Mount Everest (2013).
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 167–168)
Extract 1
Q1. Why was the incident shocking?
Ans. Because losing a leg suddenly changed her life completely.
Q2. How did Arunima turn tragedy into opportunity?
Ans. By setting a bigger goal—to climb Everest—and working towards it.
Q3. Which phrase shows her positive mindset?
Ans. “I will turn my weakness into my strength.”
Extract 2
Q1. Why did Arunima dedicate her climb to differently-abled people?
Ans. To inspire them to believe that nothing is impossible.
Q2. What made her journey inspiring?
Ans. Her courage, hard work, and determination despite being an amputee.
Q3. What values can we learn from her?
Ans. Perseverance, courage, resilience, and the power of positive thinking.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. How did Arunima’s disability change her life’s path?
Ans. It gave her a new mission to prove that even with disability one can achieve the impossible.
Q2. What role did Bachendri Pal play in her journey?
Ans. She trained Arunima in mountaineering and motivated her to pursue Everest.
Q3. Why is Arunima a role model?
Ans. Because she showed that with determination, one can overcome any challenge.
Q4. What message does her story give us?
Ans. That obstacles can become opportunities, and hard work leads to success.
Activities (Pg. 169–170)
Q1. What government schemes support differently-abled people?
Ans. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, ADIP Scheme (Assistive Devices), Scholarships for differently-abled students, Skill Development schemes.
Q2. Imagine you are Arunima writing in your diary after the climb. Write a short entry.
Sample Diary Entry:
“Today, standing at the top of Mount Everest, I feel tears of joy. The pain of losing my leg has turned into strength. I dedicate this climb to all differently-abled people. Nothing is impossible if we believe in ourselves. This moment is proof that determination conquers all.”
Summary of the Lesson
Conquering the Summit is the inspiring story of Arunima Sinha, who lost her leg in a train accident in 2011 but chose not to give up. Instead, she trained in mountaineering under Bachendri Pal and, in 2013, became the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest. Her courage, determination, and positive mindset made her an icon of resilience. She dedicated her achievement to differently-abled people, proving that no obstacle is too great when one has the will to succeed.
Unit 4 – Final Summary
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The Tunnel (Ruskin Bond): Adventure of Suraj and watchman Sunder Singh, facing fear in the jungle and tunnel.
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Travel (Edna St. Vincent Millay): A lyrical poem about the desire to escape routine and explore new places.
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Conquering the Summit (Arunima Sinha): Real-life story of courage and determination, proving “disability is not inability.”