Solution of English Grade IX || Unit 12 || Madam and Her Madam by Langston Hughes || Reading II

Reading II

Madam and Her Madam

A. Match the following words/phrases.

a. mean- iv. unkind

b. get through- vi. to manage to do or complete something

c. dinner- vii. the main meal of the day

d. break down- iii. cease to function; collapse

e. pack-horse- ii. a horse that is used to carry heavy loads

f. Madam- v. a formal and polite way of speaking to a woman

g. dogged- i. not giving up easily

B. Answer the following questions.

a. Was the Madam really not mean? Why does the speaker say 'she wasn't mean'?

The speaker says "she wasn't mean" because she is trying to be sarcastic. The speaker is clearly overworked and exhausted from her job, and she feels that the Madam is not taking her feelings into account.

b. Make a list of work that the maid had to do.

- Cleaning a twelve-room house

- Preparing breakfast, dinner, and supper

- Taking care of the children

- Washing, ironing, scrubbing clothes

- Walking the dog

c. What made her nearly break down?

The excessive workload, including the chores of cleaning the large house, taking care of the children, and managing various household tasks, made the maid nearly break down.

d. How did the Madam respond to the maid's question?

When the maid asked if the Madam was trying to make a pack-horse out of her, the Madam responded by saying that she loved her. However, this response did not address the maid’s concerns about her workload and expectations.

Grammar II

Fill in the blanks with a, an or the where necessary. If no article is necessary put a cross (X).

a. A: Where did you have……lunch?

B: We went to ……restaurant.

X, a

b. A: Did you have …….nice holiday?

B: Yes, it was …….best holiday I've ever had.

a, the

c. A: Where's …..nearest grocery shop?

B: There is one at …..end of this street.

the, the

d. A: Do you often listen to……. radio?

B: No. In fact, I haven't got ……radio.

the, a

e. A: Would you like to travel in ……..space?

B: Yes, I'd love to go to ………Moon.

X, the

f. A: Do you go to …….cinema very often?

B: No. But I do watch a lot of films on …….television.

the, X

g. A: You had …….. nice time yesterday, didn't you?

B: Yes, we went for a walk by …….. Narayani River.

a, the

h. A: Can you tell me where ……… head teacher's room is?

B: It's on …….. second floor.

the, the

i. A: What did you have for ……..breakfast this morning?

B: Nothing. I never eat …….breakfast.

X, X

Writing II

Write a short biography of Nepali National Poet, Madav Prasad Ghimire, based on the outline given below. Madav Prasad Ghimire

Madav Prasad Ghimire was born on 23 September, 1919, in Pustun, Lamjung. He was brought up by his father and grandfather after his mother’s death. He learned the Panchanga, went to Duradanda, Lamjung, and later to Kathmandu to study Sanskrit. He studied in Banaras, India, too.

His writing career began in Lamjung as a writer for Bhashanubad Parishad, and later as an editor for The Gorkhapatra. Some of his well known works include Gauri (epic), Malati Mangale, Manjari, Indrakumari, Rastra Nirmata, Kinnar-Kinnari (lyrical anthology), Charu Charcha (essay collection), Aafno Bansuri Aafnai Geet, Himal Pari Himal Wari, Aswathama, Rajheswari and Shakuntala (epic).

Some of his awards and honors are Distinguished Academy Medal, Shree Prasiddha Praval Gorkha Dakshinabahu, Bhanubhakta Award, Tribhuwan Pragya Puraskar, Padmashree Sadhana Samman Puraskar, and Sajha Award.

He has six daughters and two sons from two marriages. He died on 18 August 2020 at the age of 100, Lainchaur, Kathmandu. His dead body was cremated with state honours.