1. What kind of music is Ravi Shankar famous for?

(b) Classical

2. Which country was Justin Beiber born in?
(c) Canada 

3. How many strings does a guitar have? 

(a) 6 

4. What is a group of three musicians called? 

(a) a trio 

5. What is the next note after sa-re-ga-ma? 

(c) pa 

6. What is the next note after do-re-mi? 

(b) fa 

Complete the following statements by selecting the most appropriate options given below.

1. ________________ helps in relaxation of our body and mind.

 (a) Pop music (b) Soothing music (c) Jazz music (d) Rock music

2. The natural painkillers released in our brain are ________________. 

(a) Insulin (b) Endorphins (c) Endocrine (d) Glycerin 

3. Music is helpful in improving the _____________ of students.

 (a) concentration (b) emotion (c) relaxation (d) anxiety

4. Which word from the passage means the same as ‘to renew’? _______________________________ (a) rejuvenate (b) enhance (c) release (d) relieve

5. List the benefits of music mentioned in the passage.

(a) Although he composed a lot of music, Beethoven never learned to play music himself.(F).

(b) His deafness was not a sudden loss of hearing. (T)

(c) He composed most of his music early in his life, before he became deaf (F)

(d) His musical skills were compared to Haydn. (F)

(e) Beethoven cut down the legs of his piano to hear the notes of the keys from the floor. (T)

2. How could Beethoven compose music despite his loss of hearing?

3. What realisation made Beethoven continue his passion for music with more determination?

4. Which word in the following is similar in meaning to ‘skillful’ (para 1)?

The poet finds a young Highland girl who (a)reaps alone and sings to herself. The poet asks us to listen carefully, because the whole (b) valley is filled with the overflowing sound of her singing. He asks us to either (c)stop there and listen to her sad song, or gently pass by so as not to disturb her. He goes on to say that no nightingale ever sang a more (d)welcome song to bands of tired (e)travellers in the Arabian Desert. The poet asserts that the beauty of the girl’s singing exceeds that of the cuckoo’s in the (f)spring times. Her singing is also the only thing which (g) breaks the silence of the valley. The poet tries to (h) make out/comprehend what the girl is singing about. He is unable to get the words of the song clearly. He thinks that perhaps she is singing about old sorrows or (i)battles fought long ago, or more routine concerns of life or even some (j) natural sorrows/pains or loss which she has endured and may endure again. At the end, he quietly walks away with a feeling that he may never be able to find out the (k) theme of her never-ending song. Nevertheless, he asserts that her singing has captured his imagination so much that he will (l) bear the music in his heart long after it is heard no more.

Relieves-to free from anxiety, fear, pain, etc

Endorphins-substances produced by the brain that have painkilling and tranquillising effects on the body

Exhaustion - tiredness

Rejuvenate-to restore to a former state; make fresh or new again

Vitality-power to live or grow

Prodigy-a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability

Persistent-constantly repeated

Virtuoso-a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability

Deterioration -to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc. 

Sawed-to cut or divide

Obstacle-something that obstructs or hinders progress

Behold-look, see

Yon-that

Lass-girl

Melancholy-causing sadness

vale-valley

strain-melody

weary-tired

plaintive-expressing sorrow

mounted-climbed

(b) Zakir Hussain plays the Tabla

 (c) Hariprasad Chaurasia plays the Bansuri

(d) V. Doraiswamy Iyenger plays the Veena

(e) Bismillah Khan plays the Shehnai

(f) Amjad Ali Khan plays the Sarod

(a) He was not audible. His voice was not loud. Can you request him to be a bit louder (loud)? 

(b) There are many peaks in the Himalayas. Everest is the highest (high) peak in India. 

(c) With 9 degree Celsius it was colder yesterday, and with 4 degree Celsius it is the coldest (cold) today. 

(d) Our police is the more reliable (reliable) in the country.

(e) My sister is more serious (serious) than me. 

(f) Your dance performance is not good. It can be Better  (good) with practice.

 (g) Living in the countryside is More Peaceful (peaceful) than living in a town.

 (h) My father is More important than any other (important) person in my life.

(a) With so many vehicles, the roads of Delhi have become most crowded (crowded) ones in India.

 (b) Yesterday was the coldest (cold) day of the month.

 (c) The book is interesting. It is the most interesting (interesting) book I have ever read. 

(d) This hotel is cheaper. But that one is the cheapest (cheap) in the town. 

(e) The oldest (old) member of my family is my grandfather. 

(f) Lata Mangeshkar has the most melodious (melodious) voice in the country

2. ‘Let’s go to the Old Age Home in the evening.’ ‘That’s fine.’ She arranged A visit to the Old Age Home in the evening. 

3. ‘What would you like to eat?’, asked Shivani’s mother. ‘I don’t have an appetite’, replied Shivani. Shivani refused To eat anything

4. ‘Post the letter. Don’t forget.’ Don’t forget To the letter 

5. ‘Can you participate in the music concert?’ ‘It’s fine with me.’ She agreed to participate in the music concert.

The following words were written an the tomb of on Anglican Bishop of Westminster Abbey: When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settle for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn’t. And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first, then by an example I could have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

According to you, which FOUR of the following statements are true?

1. Listening to music has become a part of our lives for many reasons. We listen to different types of music today. Discuss in pairs the following question: • Is the traditional music of a country more important than its contemporary music? Write your views in about 50–60 words

2. The traits of a musician are given in the box overleaf. Use these and write a short biography in about 100–150 words. You may collect more information from the Internet, books in the library and other sources.