Unit- 4 (Expressing Condolence and Sympathy)- IX

Study Note

Unit- 4

Expressing Condolence and Sympathy

1. Enrich Your Vocabulary

From the message of condolence and the sympathy letter, find the words which are similar in meaning to these words.

a.    liked by many (a) - popular

b.    death (a) – demise

c.    before time (a)- premature / untimely

d.    people working together (a) lasting forever (a)- colleagues

e.    very deep/serious(b)- profound

f.     that can’t be measured (b)- immeasurable

g.    resist/endure (b)- withstand 

2. Read and Match.

Match the expressions with their suitable continuations.

a.    Bir Bahadur- was a teacher in a school.

b.    Sarita- is Bir Bahadur’s wife.

c.    Bir Bahadur’s death- was untimely.

d.    The students- extend condolence to the family.

e.    Hamid- writes a letter to Bir Bahadur’s wife.

3. True or False

Read the message of condolence and sympathy once again, and decide whether the following sentences are true or false.

a.    Bir Bahadur passed away in his old age. False

b.    The message of condolence is for his friends and family. True

c.    Hamid didn’t attend the funeral because he didn’t like it. False

d.    Bir Bahadur’s colleagues liked him very much. True

e.    Hamid is perhaps one of his colleagues. True

f.     The loss of life is reparable or regained. False

4. Read and Answer.

Read the texts again and answer these questions.

a.    What was the name of the school where Bir Bahadur worked?

Ans- The name of the school where Bir Bahadur worked was Patan Secondary School, Lalitpur.

b.    What was the cause of his death?

Ans- The cause of his death was brain haemorrhage.

c.    According to the texts, what was Bir Bahadur like?

Ans- He was helpful as well as popular among the students and his colleagues.

d.    How are the texts in the first and the second box different?

Ans- The first text- Message of Condolence

The second text- Letter of Sympathy

e.    Who is the message of condolence for and who will receive the letter?

Ans- The message of condolence is for Bir Bahadur’s friends and family and his wife will receive the letter.

Read the play again and put the following word in the right groups.

Words related to the earthquake – tremors, shocks, aftershocks, Richter scale

Words showing people’s reaction- praying, yelling, shocked, dumbfounded, tensed, screaming,

Words related to helping the needy- rescue, donations, relief, resettlement, ambulance

2. Read and Answer.

a.    How would you describe Pratik? Sketch his character in some sentences.

Ans- Pratik is an18 year old boy and responsible son. He tries to get updates on the damage caused by the earthquake and informs his family members and neighbors.

b.    What two things does Paru seem to have learnt?

Ans-1.  If people were aware to go in the safe places at the time of earthquake, human causalities would not be so high.  2. We should always have an emergency bag ready.

c.    According to Dharmendar, what are the major reasons behind the heavy loss of life and property?

Ans- Poor quality of land and illegally erected houses are the major reasons behind the heavy loss of life and property.

d.    What does Gayatri think of the earthquake? Why does she think that way?

Ans- Gayatri thinks that the cause of the earthquake is sin of sinful people in this world. She thinks so because she is traditional / conservative.

e.    If you were one of the youths there, how would you help the people?

Ans – I would help the people by:

1.    Taking victims to the hospital.

2.    Informing skilled rescue team.

3.    Suggesting people to go to safe places like park or open fields.  

4.    Pitching tents.

5.    Encouraging people to be strong.

Grammar

Complete these sentences in such a way that they convey the same meaning as in the completed sentences.

a.    Chirikaji told Dhauli to sing and she sang.

Chirikaji made Dhauli sing.

b.    Mom tells me to work hard and I do that.

Mom has me work hard.

c.    The engineer ordered the workmen to work fast.

The engineer got to work fast.

d.    Who will ask her to dance?

Who will get her to dance?

e.    She told someone to iron her skirt.

She got someone to iron her skirt.

Writing

Think and Act.

a.    Imagine that one of your class friends slipped down, had a fracture in the leg and is admitted in the hospital. Write a sympathy letter to him/her. Include why you couldn’t see him/her. (Click here for answer.)

b.   Imagine that one of the well- wishers of your school has died. He was killed in the earthquake. Write a condolence message to be published in the local newspaper on behalf of your school. Include the points given below.  (Click here for answer.)

Name and age position in the school or elsewhere his / her special qualities how he/she was killed / your wishes for the departed soul your school name

c.    One of your friends has been absent for some days. He/she has been lying sick. Imagine that you have had a telephone conversation with him/her. Write down the two- way conversation.

Rohan: Hello! Rohan speaking.

Raj: Hi, Rohan! How are you? Is everything Ok? Why have you been absent for some days?

Rohan: I have been lying sick since Saturday.

Raj: What happened?

Rohan: I have been suffering from dysentery.

Raj: Have you been taken to hospital?

Rohan: Yes. The doctor has prescribed some medicines after the diagnosis and suggested to take a rest.

Raj: I am sorry for that. I know how you must have been feeling now. I express my sincere sympathy to you.

Raj: Thank you. I may be able to go to school from day after tomorrow.

Rohan: I pray for your soonest recovery. I will see you day after tomorrow.