1.2 A Synopsis - The Swiss Family Robinson [Latest edition] Balbharati solutions for English Kumarbharati 9th Standard Maharashtra State Board

Chapter 1.2: A Synopsis-The Swiss Family Robinson

Do you know any stories about people who were lost in uninhabited places and were later rescued? Name them.

SOLUTION

Yes. In 1971, the Robertson family boarded their yacht Lucette at Falmouth harbour, Cornwall to sail around the world. Eighteen months into the trip, they were 200 miles from the Galapagos Islands when catastrophe struck. Their boat was hit by a pod of killer whales and destroyed within minutes.

The fa.qlily scrambled aboard a leaky raft and when that finally deflated seventeen days later, they made for their dinghy, the Ednamair. There was only enough water for ten days, and the only food onboard consisted of a bag of onions, a tin of biscuits, ten oranges, six lemons, and half a pound of glucose sweets. When that ran out, the family drank turtle blood to survive.

The matriarch of the family, Lyn Robinson, was a nurse and devised a gruesome technique to keep them hydrated with rainwater collected in the boat.

On July 23, 1972, the family was finally picked up after a Japanese crew spotted their distress flare.

Think of one of your favourite interesting stories and fill in/ draw an outline-chart like the one shown below.

• Many times, the climax is near the end. A few stories end with a climax to achieve a greater effect.

SOLUTION

The Real Castaways (Title}

Change / Problem / Challenge

The famous explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 28 men left England aboard the ship Endurance on August 8, 1914, to fulfill his dream of crossing the South Polar continent from sea to sea.

Scene 1

During the expedition, the ship got trapped in ice. Shackleton and his men found themselves marooned in Antarctica for five months.

Scene 2

They lived on top of floating ice, fed on seals, and kept warm by playing hockey and dog-sled racing.

In April 1916, Shackleton and 5 of his men set off in three small lifeboats they had recovered to find help on Elephant Island.

Scene 3

The six men spent sixteen days crossing 1,300 Km of the ocean. The six men landed on an uninhabited part of the island.

Climax

Their last hope was to cross 26 miles of treacherous mountains and glaciers until they finally reached a whaling station where they found help.

The problem resolved/Normalcy restored/ End

Shackleton returned to rescue the men on Elephant Island and amazingly, apart from some missing toes from frostbites, not one member of the 28 man crew was lost.

Find the meaning of ‘anticlimax’.

SOLUTION

Anticlimax means a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events.

Divide the class into groups of 4-6. Each group selects for itself, one of the difficult situations listed below. Each group imagines itself to be in that situation.

(a) marooned on an island

A group of passengers is marooned on an island in the middle of the ocean.

(b) lost in a forest

A group of pilgrims walking through a thick jungle have lost their way.

(c) stranded on the highway

A team of players from an office has got down at the wrong place on a highway at night. It is a lonely spot.

1. Describe their surroundings in 4-5 sentences.

2. Write the reactions of the companions using exclamations.

3. Using your imagination, write what is the only ray of hope for them.

4. Two members of the group are going out to try to get help. They can take any five things with them. Write what they choose, and why they choose it.

SOLUTION

marooned on an island

A group of passengers is marooned on an island in the middle of the ocean.

1. There is no hint of human life apart from them. They see the vast ocean laid in front of them and a huge mountain behind them. The island itself appears to be rather big for they find themselves on a long and near-endless stretch of beach comprising of pearl-white sands. They are standing on the edge of what appears to be a thick and wide island jungle.

2. "What awful weather!"
   "Alas, I'm lost in the wild!"
   "Oh God, save me! I don't know what to do in this situation."

3. They get unexpected help due to their luck.

4. -Water - They might have to walk quite a distance and may feel thirsty.
   - Build a fire - rescuers will understand someone needs help.
   - Stick and cloth - Create a rescue signal
   - First aid - In case of injury
   - Long and solid sticks - Create shelter to rest
   - Basic spear - To defend from predators

Two separate words combine together to make a new word with a different meaning. They form Compound Words. Using a dictionary, find the meaning of the following compound word.

armloads

SOLUTION

armloads - a load that can be carried with one's arms.

footprints

SOLUTION

footprints - the impression left by afoot.

driftwood

SOLUTION

driftwood - pieces of wood that are floating.

fireplace

SOLUTION

fireplace - a place for a domestic fire to keep warm.

crosscurrents

SOLUTION

crosscurrents - water currents in a river or sea that flow across one another.

spyglass

SOLUTION

spyglass - a small telescope to watch distant objects.

hold

SOLUTION

hold

1. Noun- She has a strong hold over her children.

2. Verb - Let me hold the bag for you.

value

SOLUTION

value

1. Noun - He has old-fashioned values.

2. Verb - I value these old photographs.

knot

SOLUTION

knot

1. Noun - His stomach was in knots.

2. Verb - Knot the shoelaces.

travel

SOLUTION

travel

1. Noun - He enjoyed selling but hated the travel.

2. Verb - We travel quite often to distant places.

return

SOLUTION

return

1. Noun - On his return, we threw a party.

2. Verb - One should always return a compliment.

reach

SOLUTION

reach

1. Noun - He was beyond the reach of wild animals.

2. Verb - If we reach early, it is better.

Knock

SOLUTION

knock

1. Noun - The knock on the door was loud.

2. Verb - Knock on the door, to get in.

attack

SOLUTION

attack

1. Noun - Attacks on women are increasing.

2. Verb - We could not attack them in the day time.

mark

SOLUTION

mark

1. Noun - His arrows hit the mark.

2. Verb - The skin disease marked his face permanently.

Given in a mixed order below are some good human attributes of the family. Pick out from the box and write it against the line that reflects it.

The father told Fritz, the gourds would make excellent bowls and spoons and they cut them into various utensils ______________________.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

After some days, Elizabeth informed that she wanted the family to move to a safer place.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

Thinking ahead of winter, the father decided to create a place safe from the elements.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

Father taught the boys geometry and how to use triangles to measure big objects.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

He believed, his daughter was still alive, after three years.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds 

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

Ten years had passed and the young boys grew to be young men and their parents were proud of them.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

Fritz felt that someone needed his help and he was determined to find the sender.

OPTIONS

• courage and daring

• perseverance and positive attitude

• foresight

• family bonds

• humanity and sensitivity

• resourcefulness

• knowledge and its application

• cautiousness

Write in your own words, how the Robinson family made each of their homes.

SOLUTION

First Home - Their first home was a tent which they built up by softening the floor with armloads of grass. They cut them and spread it to serve as their beds.

Second Home - Their second home was a treehouse which they built by using long and extended branches. These branches were used as platforms. They also created a ladder out of bamboos.

Third Home - Their third home was a cave house which they created by making an opening on the smooth face of the rock. They cut windows in the rock for ventilation and sunlight.

Fourth Home - Since one of the huts they had made was destroyed by an elephant herd, they decided to build a stronger house using four strong trees as a base, rather than building a house on stilts which the elephants could knock down easily. The four trees were of equal size, approximately twelve feet apart. This was a much safer home for them.

Expand the following ideas in a paragraph or two:- Where there is a will, there is away.

SOLUTION

A pupil may think that to secure a first-class at an examination is beyond his reach; an engineer may feel that the harnessing of the tidal sea-wave to run the machine is impracticable; a medical researcher may be of the opinion that a particular disease is incurable. But if each one of these makes a firm resolve to achieve his goal and applies himself to it wholeheartedly, it is almost certain that success will crown his resolute efforts. History often bears out the truth of this assertion. There was a time when flying in the air orbiting the earth, traveling in space, and sending speech over the air were all regarded as flights of fancy. But today we see that these seemingly impossible things have become possible. The airplane the spaceship, the radio, the television are now realities.

How have these impossibilities been achieved? The answer is clear and simple. By man's supreme willpower, determination, and dedication. The great doer is never a pessimist or a defeatist. He is a staunch optimist confident of ultimate success. Nothing can stop him, daunt him, and can deflect him from his avowed purpose. He knows fully well that where there is a will, there is away. He has the will to win, so he finds out ways and marches through to ultimate victory. A man of will explores the earth's impassable deserts and impenetrable forests, scales Mount Everest, sails to the North Pole and the South Pole; plumbs the depths of oceans, conquers space; and one by one conquers the forces of nature and dreadful diseases. Nothing is impossible for him; his inventive genius is the crown of creation.

Let us cultivate a strong will, a keen desire, and the determination to achieve our ideals, for where there is a will, there is away. If there's no way we will make one. Victory is bound to be ours.

Expand the following ideas in a paragraph or two:- Courage and resourcefulness are the keys to overcome problems.

SOLUTION

Life is full of unexpected problems, obstacles, and setbacks. To successfully overcome many of these difficulties, you must have cou..rage and resourcefulness. Sometimes things don't go as planned. Don't be afraid to take a step back, collect your thoughts, and change your plan of attack. Hence courage plays an essential role in solving our problems. Often breaking a big goal into multiple smaller ones can come in handy.

Resourcefulness is the ability to deal promptly and effectively with difficulties if you are courageous enough. In an emergency, keeping calm, quickly assessing the situation, and taking the right action makes you resourceful. It often involves devising a creative, ingenious, or unique solution. A resourceful person thinks his way through, over, or around the obstacles or difficulties that block his path. If one method doesn't work, he tries another.

A resourceful person is fully alert and aware of his environment and thinking about what is occurring around him. He will accomplish what needs to be done - by a strategy, skill, or a new approach. He is alert to other possibilities and realizes that usually, several solutions exist. The 'thrill of victory' will begin to regularly replace the 'agony of defeat' that consumes so many people who do not know that they must apply calm, careful reasoning to problems in order to defeat them. Overcoming challenges is how we grow.

Never forget: 'To tackle trials and tribulations, be courageous and practice resourcefulness!'

Choose any novel/book that you enjoyed. Prepare a synopsis of the novel. It should include the major events and the links between them as described in the novel. You may prepare a chapter-wise outline first and then put the outlines together to write a brief synopsis.

SOLUTION

In Andalusia, Spanish shepherd Santiago dreams of a long-buried treasure in Egypt. An old man claiming to be Melchizedek, King of Salem, tells Santiago that he must follow the omens guiding him to the treasure. He gives Santiago two stones to consult if he ever needs help interpreting the omens.

Against his father's wishes, Santiago sells his flock and uses the money to travel to Africa. Soon after arriving in Tangier, Santiago is swindled out of his money and left homeless. He offers to work at a crystal shop in exchange for food and shelter. After working for a while, Santiago decides to continue his quest.

On the way to the pyramids, he meets an Englishman in search of an alchemist living at the Al-Fayoum oasis. At the oasis, Santiago receives an omen of an impending attack. After Santiago defends the oasis, the alchemist agrees to take him to the treasure.

At last, Santiago reaches the pyramids. A group of men happens upon him and beats him savagely when they find no treasure. One of the men tells Santiago about a dream he had about a ruined church in Spain. Santiago realizes the treasure has been buried there all along. He returns home to find the treasure buried in the church where he used to sleep with his flock.

Read about the novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’ by Daniel Defoe and ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ by Jonathan Swift.

SOLUTION

Do it Yourself.

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Balbharati Solutions for English Kumarbharati 9th Standard Maharashtra State Board

 • Chapter 1.1: Life

 • Chapter 1.2: A Synopsis-The Swiss Family Robinson

 • Chapter 1.3: Have you ever seen...?

 • Chapter 1.4: Have you thought of the verb ‘have’

 • Chapter 1.5: The Necklace

 • Chapter 2.1: Invictus

 • Chapter 2.2: A True Story of Sea Turtles

 • Chapter 2.3: Somebody’s Mother

 • Chapter 2.4: The Fall of Troy

 • Chapter 2.5: Autumn

 • Chapter 2.6: The Past in the Present

 • Chapter 3.1: Silver

 • Chapter 3.2: Reading Works of Art

 • Chapter 3.3: The Road Not Taken

 • Chapter 3.4: How the First Letter was Written

 • Chapter 4.1: Please Listen!

 • Chapter 4.2: The Storyteller

 • Chapter 4.3: Intellectual Rubbish

 • Chapter 4.4: My Financial Career

 • Chapter 4.5: Tansen

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