A Synopsis-The Swiss Family Robinson
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. Two separate words combine together to make a new word with a different meaning. They form Compound Words. Using a dictionary, find the meanings of the following compound words.
- armloads: A large amount that can be carried in the arms.
- driftwood: Wood floating on water or washed ashore by the sea.
- cross-currents: Opposing currents of water flowing across each other.
- footprints: Marks left by feet on the ground.
- fireplace: A structure in a room for holding a fire to heat the space.
- spyglass: A small telescope used to see distant objects.
2. The following words can be used as nouns as well as verbs. Make two sentences of your own, using them as a noun in one and a verb in another.
(a) hold:
- Noun: She has a strong hold over her children.
- Verb: Let me hold the bag for you.
(b) value:
- Noun: The value of honesty is taught in school.
- Verb: We should value our friends and family.
(c) knot:
- Noun: The knot in the rope was very tight.
- Verb: He tried to knot the string around the box.
(d) travel:
- Noun: Travel can be an exciting adventure.
- Verb: They love to travel during holidays.
(e) return:
- Noun: The return of the book to the library was late.
- Verb: I will return home by evening.
(f) reach:
- Noun: The reach of the river is very wide.
- Verb: She stretched to reach the top shelf.
(g) knock:
- Noun: A loud knock on the door woke me up.
- Verb: Please knock before entering the room.
(h) attack:
- Noun: The attack by the wild animal was sudden.
- Verb: The dog might attack if it feels scared.
(i) mark:
- Noun: He got a good mark in the test.
- Verb: Please mark your name on the paper.
3. Given in a mixed order below are some good human attributes of the family. Pick out each from the box and write it against each line that reflects it.
(Attributes: (1) courage and daring, (2) perseverance and positive attitude, (3) foresight, (4) family bonds, (5) humanity and sensitivity, (6) resourcefulness, (7) knowledge and its application, (8) cautiousness)
(a) “The father told Fritz, the gourds would make excellent bowls and spoons and they cut them into various utensils.”
- (6) resourcefulness – Using gourds creatively shows clever use of available resources.
(b) “After some days, Elizabeth informed that she wanted the family to move to a safer place.”
- (8) cautiousness – Wanting a safer place shows care and caution for the family’s safety.
(c) “Thinking ahead of winter, father decided to create a place safe from the elements.”
- (3) foresight – Planning for winter shows the ability to think ahead.
(d) “Father taught the boys geometry and how to use triangles to measure big objects.”
- (7) knowledge and its application – Teaching and using geometry shows practical knowledge.
(e) “… he believed, his daughter was still alive, after three years.”
- (5) humanity and sensitivity – The captain’s belief in his daughter’s survival shows hope and care.
(f) “Ten years had passed and the young boys grew to be young men and their parents were proud of them.”
- (4) family bonds – The pride and togetherness reflect strong family ties.
(g) “Fritz felt that someone needed his help and he was determined to find the sender.”
- (1) courage and daring – Fritz’s determination to help shows bravery and boldness.
4. Write in your own words, how the Robinson family made each of their homes.
1. First home: The family landed on the island and set up a tent using materials from the ship. They softened the floor with grass to make it comfortable for sleeping.
2. Second home: They built a tree house for safety from jackals. They chose a large tree with strong branches, made a ladder with rope and bamboo, and used driftwood to carry materials.
3. Third home: They carved a cave out of rock for a winter home. They used axes and chisels to make four rooms, cut windows for air and light, and added a fireplace.
4. Fourth home: After elephants destroyed their hut, they built a home using four strong trees as a base. This kept it safe from animals, and they planned it carefully to protect their land.
5. Expand the following ideas in a paragraph or two:
(1) Where there is a will, there is a way: This means that if you are determined to do something, you will find a way to succeed, no matter the obstacles. For example, the Robinson family faced a storm and an unknown island but didn’t give up. They used their strong will to build homes, find food, and survive for ten years. Similarly, in life, if we really want to achieve something-like passing an exam-we can work hard and overcome difficulties to make it happen. A strong will pushes us to keep trying until we find a solution.
(2) Courage and resourcefulness are the keys to overcome problems: Courage helps us face challenges bravely, while resourcefulness lets us use what we have cleverly to solve problems. In the story, the family showed courage by leaving the ship and resourcefulness by making a boat from tubs and using gourds for bowls. In my life, when I lost my notebook before a test, I had the courage to ask for help and used my friend’s notes smartly to study. Together, these qualities help us tackle any tough situation with confidence and creativity.
6. Individual Project:
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. (This is an instruction for a project. Students should pick a book they’ve read, outline its chapters, and write a short summary based on that.)
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