Alphonse Daudet was a The last lesson is set in the days of the Franco-

French novelist and Prussian War in which France was defeated by

short story writer. Prussia led by Bismarck. In the story, the French
districts of Alsace and Lorraine have passed into
Prussian hands.

5. M.Hamel teaches his final

1. Prussia took over lesson with devotion, blaming
Alsace and Lorraine, so teachers, kids, and parents for
they had to teach only neglecting their language.
German in schools.
6. He praises French as a clear,
beautiful, and logical language.
2. French teachers, like
M. Hamel, were not
7. M.Hamel advises the class to
needed anymore, and he value their mother tongue,
had to leave. saying it's crucial for cultural
identity.
3. Franz, a student of M.
Hamel, realizes he's 8. Franz questions if even
having his last French animals are affected, like
lesson today. pigeons singing in German.

4. Franz regrets not 9. M. Hamel ends his lesson by

taking French lessons writing "Viva La France" on the
seriously before. blackboard, expressing love for
France.

Alphonse Daudet
1. French teacher 1. Careless
talks about the
2. Strict 2. Conscious of his duties
importance of
freedom and the
3. Selfish at times 3. Admirer of nature
4. Honest and Sensitive man 4. Observant
preciousness of
5. Proud of being French 5. Sensitive and innocent
one's own language 6. Thinker.
6. Passionate about the French

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Pigeons - During his last French class, Franz hears the pigeons cooing and wonders if the
Prussians would make them sing in German too. His thought reveals the Frenchmen's fear of
complete domination by the Germans whereby they would try enslaving even their minds.
 Anees Jung is an Indian female author, Anees Jung raises voice against
journalist and columnist who writes for child labor by educating poor
major newspapers in India and abroad. children. She works in support of
She was born in Rourkela. enforcing strict laws against this.

1. The story is about Mukesh, part of a family of

bangle makers.
1. Rag pickers from Dhaka moved to
Seemapuri due to storms destroying
2. Around 20,000 children, including Mukesh,
their green fields.
work in this business, unaware that it’s against the
law.
2. Saheb, a rag picker, searches for
valuable items in garbage, considering
3. They live in poor and miserable conditions,
it as their 'gold' and daily bread.
risking their eyesight due to the dust from bangle
polishing.
3. Garbage means survival to their
parents but brings wonder to the
4. Mukesh’s grandmother accepts this fate,
children
attributing his grandfather’s blindness to destiny.
.
4. Saheb shares his excitement about
finding a ten rupee note in the 5. The children fear mistreatment, beatings, and
garbage. jail, they’re unable to organize themselves into
cooperatives.
5. Despite dreams and desires, these
children lack the means to achieve 6. The absence of a leader among them keeps
them. them stuck in the cycle of exploitation by
sahukaars, lawkeepers, bureaucrats, and
6. They lack basic things like shoes but politicians.
justify staying barefoot as a tradition
to find happiness. 7. Mukesh stands out as he dreams of becoming a
motor mechanic and wishes to learn at a garage.
7. The children are trapped in poverty
and burdened by caste-related 8. Despite their difficult circumstances, Mukesh
challenges. finds contentment in dreaming about cars
speeding through the streets.

1. The story 'Lost Spring' 1. Lives in slum

1. Bangle maker
addresses the pitiable 2. Came from dhaka 2. Follows different path
condition of the poor 3. Roams barefooted 3. Courageous
children who are unable 4. Rag picker 4. Dream - motor mechanic
to enjoy their childhood 5. Determined
5. Poor and illiterate 6. Thinker.
due to their poor socio
economic condition 6. Cheerful & optimistic
that prevails in the
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place they dwell in.

2. These children live a life that is far distant and different from the life of a normal child who
receives education and is not forced into labour in his early life. The story gives the call to end child
exploitation and let these children enjoy the days of spring that would bring joy under their feet.
 Douglas was scared of water, but he worked
William Douglas (1898 –1980) really hard and became brave to overcome it. He
Born in USA, Douglas was a learned that many fears aren't real and can
leading advocate of individual make up dangers. Douglas proved that if you
have determination, you can find a way, just
rights. He was a judge at the like the saying, "Where there is a will, there is a
Supreme court of USA.

6. Learning to Overcome:
1. Starting Point:
- Attempts to eliminate fear without
- The author shares a journey of
success until deciding to learn swimming
overcoming a fear of water, starting
at age ten or eleven. properly with an instructor's step-by-step
process.
2. Early Fear Origins:
- Past incident at age three or 7. Instructor's Approach:
four in California beach, knocked - Three months of practice, including
down by waves, creating a fear of swimming with a rope, breathing underwater,
water. and kicking water with legs.

3. Confident Attempt: 8. Gradual Progress:

- Decides to learn swimming at - Official approval from the instructor,
Y.M.C.A pool, feeling it's safer than yet author doubts his abilities, swims two
the Yakima river where drownings miles across Lake Wentworth facing little
were common. fear.

4. Bullying Incident: 9. Final Confrontation:

- Bullied by an older boy at the - Swims in Warm Lake without trouble,
pool, thrown in, struggles to breathe, discovers joy in being free of the fear of
plans escape but faces slow ascent, water.
suffocation, and unconsciousness.
10. Important Revelation:
5. Traumatic Aftermath: - Describes the experience as something
- Saved, but weakened and
only those who've faced severe fear and
emotionally shaken, experiences
conquered it can understand, quoting
paralyzing fear in other water bodies.
Roosevelt on fearing the fear of death.

1. Douglas had a strong fear of water from a bad experience at five.

2. The fear affected his confidence, making him shy and reserved.
3. He was scared of being teased by classmates due to his fear.
4. His fear prevented him from enjoying activities like swimming in lakes.
5. Douglas decided to overcome his fear and took swimming classes.
6. With dedication and motivation, he practiced until he mastered swimming.
7. Eventually, he conquered his fear, realizing it existed only in his mind.
8. Overcoming the fear led to a better and more fulfilling life for Douglas.

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 We can change the world through kindness
The writer of ‘The Rattrap’ is and compassion; in addition, it teaches us
Selma Lagerlöf. She is a that materialistic things never bring inner
Swedish writer. joy, only love and respect does.

1. The story is set in Swedish mines 6. Uncomfortable with the

where a rattrap seller struggles to invitation, the seller refuses, but
make a living by selling rattraps the ironmaster's daughter
made from materials he gathers
persuades him to stay until
through begging or stealing.
Christmas eve.
2. The seller views the world
pessimistically, comparing it to a 7. The ironmaster discovers the
rattrap where desires for beautiful mistake but decides not to involve
things act as baits, luring people the sheriff due to Christmas eve.
into a trap. The daughter wants the seller to
stay.
3. One day, seeking shelter, he
meets a kind cottage owner who
8. The rattrap seller spends
welcomes him warmly, sharing his
life story and earnings of thirty
Christmas with the ironmaster's
kronor. family, and the daughter gifts him
a coat. He leaves a rattrap and the
4. The seller, tempted, steals the stolen money with a note.
money but feels impressed with his
deed as he continues his journey 9. The note explains that the stolen
and enters a forest. money is a Christmas present
from a rat freed by their
5. Lost and tired, he finds shelter
kindness. The rattrap seller
at an iron mill, where the owner
mistakes him for an old friend disappears after returning the
and invites him to his house for money.
Christmas.

1. Oldest daughter of Ironmaster 1. Vagabond sells rattraps.

2. Not at all pretty but seemed modest Supplements income with
3. Kind-hearted
begging or stealing.
4. Compassionate
2. Steals from a crofter.
5. Smart enough to understand rightly from
Mistaken for old military
the peddler's eyes that he might have escaped
from jail or stolen something. acquaintance by
6. Good host Ironmaster.
7. Great human being. 3. Redemption and attitude
change.

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 Fear of loss or separation from the
Kamala Das is a sensitive writer who old aging mother. It talks about the
captures the complexities of human anguish of the daughter over her
relationships in her poems. mother's advancing age and the fear
of permanent separation from her.

1. Ageing is a natural process 7. Outside, poet sees vibrant

beyond human control. signs of life - young trees,
children playing.
2. We have warm relationships
with older people like our 8. At airport, mother's face
parents. looks pale, resembling late
winter's moon.
3. It's painful to see parents
grow old and need care. 9. Poet feels sadness and
helplessness at leaving her
4. Kamala Das' poem "My mother.
Mother at Sixty-six" explores
mother-daughter relationship. 10. Despite sadness, poet tries
to smile to hide her pain.
5. Poet describes ride to
airport with her old mother. 11. Poem ends with acceptance
of life's realities and the
6. Mother appears old and inevitability of ageing and
tired, lacking youthful energy.

1. SIMILE
3. PERSONIFICATION :
• Her face is ashen like that of a corpse.
• Trees sprinting
• wan, pale as a winter's moon

2. REPETITION
• Thought away..... Thought away.
• Smile and smile and smile
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 Retrospection and
Pablo Neruda poems are full of easily understood Introspection are the
images that enhance the beauty of the poem. He two important themes
also won the Nobel Prize in the year 1971 of the poem.

1. Poem starts with poet urging 8. Examples of humanity's

silence for self-introspection. destructive activities: killing
whales, ignoring health for
2. Offers to count till twelve for monetary gain, wars.
everyone's peace.
9. Poet believes silence will
3. Symbolism: Language unites, inspire compassion and
brotherhood.
arms symbolize work.
10. Warns against complete
4. Poet wants us to stop
inactivity, desires end to cruelty
speaking and moving
and violence.
temporarily.
11. Encourages appreciation of
5. After-effects visualized as nature and its cycles.
serene and thought-provoking.
12. Life and death are part of
6. Predicts 'sudden strangeness' nature's continuous cycle.
but positive outcomes.
13. Poem ends with call for
7. Silence helps reflect on self silent introspection and move
and humanity's actions. towards a humane future.

1. Alliteration:
2. Anaphora: Two consecutive lines
‘we will’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated starting with the word ‘Let’s’
we would’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated, let’s not speak in any language,
‘sudden strangeness’ – ‘s’ sound is let’s stop for one second,
repeated,
‘his hurt hands’ – ‘h’ sound is repeated 3. Assonance: use of vowel ‘o’ (victory
‘wars with’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated, with no survivors, would put on clean
‘clean clothes’ – ‘c’ sound is repeated clothes and walk about with their
we were, so single – minded brothers)

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 1. Beautiful objects bring eternal joy, treasured in our minds.

2. Beauty brings joy even amidst disease, suffering, and

John Keats was a British poet. disappointment.
Although he was trained to be
surgeon Keats decided to devote 3. Objects of beauty leave lasting impressions, continue to
himself wholly to poetry. bring joy when absent.

4. Joy from beauty never fades, increases when remembered.

7. Beauty can be found

1. "A Thing of Beauty" is about
everywhere, even in
appreciating beauty in everything.
ordinary things like the
2. Beauty brings joy and becomes sun and trees.
more attractive as we enjoy it.
8. Poet gives examples of
3. Close observation reveals beauty in flowers, rills, and
stunning features of beautiful
stories.
things.

4. Memories of beautiful things 9. Beauty is an endless and

are etched into our minds. immortal source of joy.

5. Beautiful things provide lasting 10. Memories of beautiful

happiness and peace.
experiences never fade.
6. Humans are closely connected
to nature, which uplifts our mood. 11 Beauty is a blessing
from God, symbolized by
7. Beauty helps us forget worries references to heaven.
and troubles.

1. Alliteration: 4. Metaphor:
Sleep-Sweet Band Bind, Noble nature, Immortal drinks ( beautiful objects of nature
some shape are forever like a neverending portion of a
drink)
2. Anaphora:
Use of same word in two consecutive lines (of 5. Imagery:
noble natures- Of all the unhealthy) Bushes full of musk roses (sprinkling of fair
musk rose blooms), books describing valor of
3. Antithesis: fighters (grandeur-..mighty dead), god
opposite words placed together (old and providing us with best things (pouring from
young) the heaven’s brink)

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 Written by an American author,
Walter Braden “Jack” Finney. Famous
for his pieces on science fiction
and thriller stories.
The third level symbolises
a desire of human beings
to return to stability in
1. "The Third Level" explores life, far away from
how stress affects the violence, worry and
protagonist, Charley. anxiety.

2. Charley, 31, works at an

office and narrates the story.
6. Unable to find the third
level again, he returns to
3. He imagines a third level at
stamp collecting hobby.
Grand Central Station as an
escape from his troubles.
7. Charley discovers evidence
of the third level's existence
4. In 1894, he tries to buy
through a letter from his
tickets but is accused of using
friend Sam.
fake money.
8. Sam may have settled
5. Charley withdraws money,
there comfortably.
plans to settle in 1894 with his
wife, Louisa.

1. Stamp collector, longs for 1. Practical and rational.

peace in a violent society. 2. She helps her husband
2. Desires an idyllic escape. stay grounded by
3. Optimistic and a dreamer, sees reminding him of his
positive aspects in situations. responsibilities.
4. Fascinated by time travel, he 3. loving and
believes the Third Level is a understanding towards her
gateway to the past. anxious husband.
4. Kind and encouraging.

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 1. Story explores the effects of
Written by Indian writer Kalki
arrogance.
Krishnamurthy, is a satirical story
on pride and power.
2. Illustrates how arrogance can
lead to neglect of important
responsibilities.

1. The story's protagonist is the 7. Devotes himself to hunting tigers,

Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. even risking his throne.

2. The story revolves around how 8. Kills 70 tigers in 10 years, but

faces extinction of tigers.
he earns the name 'Tiger King'.
9. Marries a princess from a state with
3. Astrologers predict his future a tiger population to continue hunting.
when he's just 10 days old.
10. Develops anxiety over not
4. Predict that he'll be killed by completing his count of 100 tigers.
a tiger due to being born in the
hour of the bull. 11. Orders to increase land tax,
leading to a drastic move by the
dewan.
5. Maharaja decides to kill 100
tigers to defy the prediction. 12. Dewan tricks the king into
thinking he killed the 100th tiger.
6. Challenges astrologers by
announcing he'll kill the 100th 13. King celebrates but gets infected
tiger. by a wooden tiger toy and dies.

1. Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung

Bahadur, known as the Tiger King.
2. Astrologers predict his death by a tiger due to being born
in the hour of the Bull.
3. Crown Prince raised in an English environment
4. Vows to kill 100 tigers
5. Brave and determined, but lacks worldly wisdom.

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 1. Environmental issues: Problems in
nature due to human activities.

According to Tishani Doshi, 2. Complications: Challenges like

visiting Antarctica is necessary if pollution, deforestation, and climate
one wants to comprehend the change.
past, present, and future of the
planet. 3. Youth involvement: Ways young
people can help conserve the
environment.

1. Trip to Antarctica with "Students 9. Simple ecosystem, low biodiversity.

on Ice" program.
10. Importance: Small environmental
2. Understand climate change's changes have big results.
threat.
11. Ozone layer depletion: Affects sea
3. Boarded Russian ship "Akademik animals, birds, and global carbon
Shokalskiy". cycle.

4. Journey: From Chennai, crossed 12. Fossil fuel burning: Increases

nine time zones, six checkpoints, global temperature, melts icebergs.
three bodies of water.
13. Geoff Green's view: High school
5. Travel: Over 100 hours in car, students can save Earth, unlike retired
airplane, and ship. celebrities.

6. Antarctica: 90% of Earth's ice. 14. Impact example: Phytoplankton

7. Concern: Will West Antarctica Ice affected by ozone layer depletion.
sheet melt entirely?
15. Conclusion: Beauty of Antarctica
8. Antarctica's significance: Study must be preserved.
past, present, and future Earth.

1. Young, beautiful, adventurous, energetic, and cheerful.

2. Outgoing personality: Helps her connect with people.

3. Excited about traveling to Antarctica. Enthusiastic about

exploring its distinct ecosystem and species.

4. Concerned about climate change. Resilient and determined:

Pushes through challenges to fully experience the trip.

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