Lost Spring
Think as you read (Page 17)
1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he from?
Saheb is looking for money or valuable items (like a coin) in the garbage. He lives in Seemapuri, a place near Delhi. He came from Bangladesh because storms destroyed his home and fields.
2. Why do the children not wear footwear?
The author gives two reasons. Some people say it is a tradition to walk barefoot. But the real reason is extreme poverty. They simply do not have enough money to buy shoes.
3. Is Saheb happy at the tea-stall?
No, Saheb is not happy. He has lost his freedom. Earlier, he was his own master. Now, he has to work for someone else and carry a heavy steel canister instead of his light plastic bag.
Think as you read (Page 20)
1. What makes Firozabad famous?
Firozabad is famous for its glass bangles. It is the center of India’s glass industry, and almost every family there makes bangles.
2. What are the dangers of working in the bangle industry?
It is very dangerous because:
Workers sit in dark, hot rooms without fresh air.
The high heat of the furnaces hurts their health.
The dust from polishing glass makes many workers go blind.
3. How is Mukesh’s dream different from his family?
Mukesh’s family thinks that making bangles is their destiny. They just accept their poverty. But Mukesh is brave; he wants to be a motor mechanic and drive a car. He wants to break the old tradition.
Understanding the Text (Longer Answers)
1. Why do people move from villages to cities?
People move because they cannot survive in villages. Sometimes floods or storms destroy their crops. They go to the city to find jobs, earn money, and find a better way to live.
2. Are promises to poor children usually kept?
No, promises to poor children are rarely kept. For example, the author promised to start a school but didn't mean it. For rich people, it is a small comment, but for a poor child like Saheb, it is a big hope that never comes true.
3. Why do the workers stay poor in Firozabad?
They are trapped in a "vicious circle" (a trap). This trap is made by:
Moneylenders who take their money.
Middlemen who cheat them.
Police and Politicians who do not help them.
Because of this, they stay poor from one generation to the next.
Words to Remember for Extra Marks
Barefoot: Without shoes.
Hazardous: Dangerous.
Vicious Circle: A bad situation that keeps repeating.
Destiny: Fate or "Karma."
Dingy: Dark and dirty.
.
Lost Spring: Talking about the text
1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?
Mukesh can realize his dream because he has strong willpower and a clear goal. Unlike his family, who accept bangle-making as their fate, Mukesh is determined to be a motor mechanic. To achieve this:
He is ready to walk a long distance to a garage to learn the work.
He is prepared to work hard and break the old traditions of his family.
His passion to "be his own master" will help him overcome the obstacles of poverty and social pressure.
2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Working in the bangle industry is very dangerous for health. The main hazards are:
High Temperatures: Workers sit near hot glass furnaces which is very taxing for the body.
Lack of Air and Light: They work in "dingy cells" or dark rooms without proper ventilation.
Loss of Eyesight: The dust from polishing glass bangles is very harmful. Most workers go blind before they even become adults.
Lung Diseases: Inhaling chemical fumes and dust leads to serious breathing problems.
3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Child labour should be eliminated because it takes away a child’s innocence and education. It forces children into a life of poverty and ill health.
How to eliminate it:
Strict Laws: The government must strictly follow laws that ban child labour in dangerous industries.
Free Education: Poor children should get free books, uniforms, and meals so their parents send them to school instead of work.
Public Awareness: We must teach parents that education is more important for a child’s future than a small daily wage.
Financial Help: The government should provide small stipends to very poor families to help them survive without the child's income.
Simple Phrases for Your Exam
To get good marks, try to use these short phrases in your writing:
"Stolen Childhood": To describe how work ruins a child's life.
"Vicious Circle": To describe the trap of poverty.
"Indomitable Will": To describe Mukesh’s strong spirit.
"Dingy cells": To describe the dark rooms in Firozabad.
No comments:
Post a Comment