Students can Download English Lesson 7 Colours of Silence Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes Pdf, Activity, KSEEB Solutions for Class 10 English helps you to revise the complete Karnataka State Board Syllabus and to clear all their doubts, score well in final exams.
Karnataka State Syllabus Class 10 English Prose Chapter 7 Colours of Silence
Colours of Silence Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
Surender, a friend of Satish, came to visit him. Satish hadn’t gone to school. Why?
Answer:
Satish hadn’t gone to school as he was not well.
Question 2.
Identify the sentence – a question – that suggests Satish’s weakness. (Para 5)
Answer:
But why are you speaking so softly?
Question 3.
Why was Satish confined to bed? What was the worst thing for him? Why was it so? (Para 12)
Answer:
Satish was seriously ill, he felt that some huge weight was pressing upon his head making everything seem for away and silent. He felt helpless and upset and confined to bed. He couldn’t hear, so the si¬lence was the worst thing for him.
Question 4.
The school he was attending informed Satish’s father about something. Can you say what it was?
Answer:
The school informed Satish’s father that it could not keep Satish.
Question 5.
Satish didn’t want to go to a new school. What was the reason?
Answer:
Satish didn’t want to go to a new school because he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to talk to the other children because of his deafness and everyone would make fun of his deafness.
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
After a lot of persuasions, Satish agreed to go to a new school. Do you think he was accepted at the new school?
Answer:
No, the new school also rejected Satish for the reason that he couldn’t hear properly.
Question 2.
What made Avtar Narain angry? (Paras 15 and 16)
Answer:
The headmaster suggests to Avtar Narain that they should join his son to the school for deaf and dumb children. Hearing this Avtar Narain became angry.
Question 3.
The word ‘expedition in para 18 means a) journey b) visit c) mountaineering. (Choose the right answer.)
Answer:
(a) visit.
Question 4.
How did Satish’s brother Inder try to help him?
Answer:
Satish’s brother Inder sat with him for hours and taught him words and pronunciation. He, along with his father, tried to teach him things.
Question 5.
Guess the meaning of these words from the context:
snatches (Para 15)
brooded (Para 20)
shattered (Para 18)
confined (Para 21).
Answer:
Snatches – bits
Shattered – broken, defeated
Brooded – contemplated, reflected, thought sadly/seriously
Confined – restricted.
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
What did Satish see at the far corner of the garden? Why did it attract him? (Para 22)
OR
Satish saw a bird through the window. How did the bird appear to him?
OR
Describe the bird that attracted Satish.
Answer:
Satish saw a bird with a longish tail and a black crest at the far corner of the garden. It attracted him because it was unlike any other bird he had ever seen before. The most interesting thing was its restless energy which was reflected in its darting eyes and its body ready for flight any moment.
Question 2.
Both the parents were his well-wishers. But, each cared for him in a different way. How? (Paras 24-25)
Answer:
Sathish’s father and mother thought differently. According to Satish’s father, he should learn something by reading and able to earn his livelihood in the future. Instead of that if he spends his time in painting, how should he lead his future by mere an artist. But mother soft-hearted didn’t have this type of far vision, she simply thought that why should they restrict for his happiness. Both the parents were well-wishers, they thought differently.
Question 3.
Which action of Satish changed his father’s attitude? (Para 29)
Answer:
Satish’s continued interest in drawing and painting changed the attitude of his father. Once while Satish was mixing the paints, his father watched him intently. Satish continued with his action even though he knew that his father, who disapproved of him drawing, was watching him. This must have made his father realise that Satish was deeply involved with this pastime of his.
Question 4.
What was Satish unable to believe? (Para 30)
Answer:
Satish was unable to believe that his father, even after seeing him paint, was not angry with him.
Question 5.
How did Satish express his gratitude to his father? (Para 33)
Answer:
Satish expressed his love and gratitude to his father by hugging him which he did not usually do.
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
Name any three fields in which Satish Gujral has made his name. (Para 35)
Answer:
In addition to being a famous painter, Satish Gujral made a name as writer, sculptor and architect.
Question 2.
How can you say that Satish became popular all over the world? (Para 36)
Answer:
Exhibitions of Satish’s works have been held all over the world and have been displayed in prestigious museums like the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Hiroshima Collection in Washington and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
Question 3.
If you are asked to give another title to this story, what title would you suggest? Justify your choice.
Answer:
‘The Song of the Bird’ or ‘The Avian Inspiration’. I have taken this as the title because the turning point in Satish’s life comes only after he glimpses the unusual bird and gets inspired by it to draw. Both he and his father can get over his handicap, accept the reality and focus on something that gives Satish pleasure, only after the visit of the avian friend.
Think about the text:
Question 1.
How did Satish meet with an accident? Do you think the accident occurred due to his carelessness?
Answer:
While on a holiday in Kashmir, Satish went hiking with his father and brother. While crossing a rickety bridge over some rapids, the boys stood and looked down at the swirling waters. Just then Satish’s foot slipped. He lost his balance and fell into the rapids. His screams were lost in the rushing sound of the water. When he regained consciousness, his legs were in a plaster cast and his head badly hurt. He was bruised and aching all over.
This was an unfortunate incident. However, we cannot conclude that it was the carelessness of Satish that caused the accident because first of all Satish didn’t do anything rash or impertinent. Secondly, Satish was a small boy of seven when he met with the accident and we can’t expect small boys to take care of themselves. Thirdly, it’s very clear that it was a freak accident because nothing happened to Satish’s brother who was standing next to him. It’s clear that it was the misfortune of Satish and not his carelessness.
Question 2.
The writer describes the effect of the accident in paragraph 12. One such effect is given here. Write the others in the space provided.
e.g.
- He wanted to scream but he couldn’t.
Answer:
- He wanted to scream but he couldn’t.
- It felt as if some huge weight was pressing upon his head making everything seem far away and silent.
- He felt helpless and upset at being confined to bed.
- Everything seemed like scenes from some pantomime show.
Question 3.
Some words are given below. Choose the words that reflect the feelings of Satish after Surender left – angry, miserable, disappointed, lovely, sad, surprised, elated, shocked, helpless.
Answer:
e.g. miserable.
Disappointed, sad, helpless.
Question 4.
Father, mother, and brother all tried to help Satish in their own way. Some of their actions are given below. Against each of these actions mention whose role was major in it by writing ‘F’ (father), ‘AT (mother) or ‘B’ (brother) in brackets. One example is given.
Giving Satish company
Caring for his future
Teaching him pronunciation (B)
Caring more for his present state.
Meeting institutional heads.
Finding an art school for him.
Answer:
Giving Satish company (B)
Caring for his future (F)
Teaching him pronunciation (B)
Caring more for his present state (M)
Meeting institutional heads (F)
Finding an art school for him (F).
Question 5.
a) Describe the bird (Para 22) in your own words.
Answer:
The bird was an unusual bird with a somewhat long tail and a black crest. It was a beautiful bird with extraordinary energy which Was conveyed by its eyes that moved from one object to another quickly. Not only its eyes, but also its body, always ready to fly, conveyed its restless energy.
b) Now write a small paragraph on any bird/animal that you have watched.
Answer:
A snake has beauty and majesty. Its golden colour with quaint scales makes it a strangely attractive creature. When it is not disturbed, it remains calm and looks around as though it is the ruler of the world. But the minute it is disturbed, it-tries to recede into a hole in a hasty, undignified manner.
Question 6.
Do you think the school you are studying in should admit students with hearing disabilities? Give reasons.
Answer:
- Yes, otherwise the education of such students will get thwarted as they may not like the idea of going to a special school.
- As of now, there aren’t enough schools of high standard to offer education to students with such disabilities.
- It is good even for other students because they can be trained to care for such disabled students.
- There are instances when such disabled students have done far better than other children.
- The government too encourages schools to allot seats for handicapped students.
Question 7.
Read the text again. Note down the important events in them. Show them in the flow chart.
Answer:
– Surender, a friend of Satish, visits Satish and learns about his illness which has been troubling Satish ever since he had met with an accident.
↓
– Satish’s school puts him out and he doesn’t get a seat in any other school because of his hearing impairment.
↓
– Satish’s father Avtar Narain and brother Inder give him company at home and teach him things and Satish becomes an avid reader.
↓
– Another bout of fever strikes Satish and Satish remains depressed until he spots a strangely attractive bird and gets inspired to draw its picture.
↓
– Though his mother feels that Satish should do what gives him joy, his father disapproves of the hobby criticizing it as a waste of time and a field in which one cannot earn money.
↓
– Satish continues to draw despite his father’s disapproval and the father also understands his passion and encourages him to join a drawing school.
↓
– Satish turns out to be an internationally acclaimed artist.
Enrich your vocabulary:
Task 1: Fill in the blanks with appropriate words selecting from the words given in brackets.
Ganesh was fond of riding a bicycle. One day he rode it so fast that he lost control, and hit against an electric pole. His left leg got fractured and there were scratches all over the body. He was badly _____1______ His mother, who was near, ran up to him. Fortunately, he was not hurt much. She tried to console him with ______2______ words. Some boys who were near ______3______ him. The teacher who happened to pass by told them it was ______4______ that they should laugh, instead of helping the hoy. Ganesh was all right, but his hopes of taking part in the Kabaddi tournament that day were ______5______
(bruised, teased, soothing, concern, unbecoming, shattered, sulked)
Answer:
- bruised
- soothing
- teased
- unbecoming
- shattered.
Task 2: You can form the opposites of words by adding un ______ in ______, dis ______, mis ______
A list of words is given below. Write words adding prefixes. (Refer the dictionary for the right answer.) – Important, well, advantageous, understand, approve, decent.
e.g.: Indecent
Answer:
Unimportant – Unwell – Disadvantageous
Misunderstand – Disapprove – Indecent.
Task 3: Complete the following using appropriate words from the text. You will find from the clue which paragraph of the text has that word.
(Note that you have to change the form of the word in some cases.)
e.g.: Manoj, a poor boy, works hard in an auto garage. But what he earns is a ______, not enough even for a meal a day. (P 26) – Answer: pittance.
a) Look at that old man. He can ______ hear. (P 5)
b) My friend met with an accident yesterday. He was admitted to the hospital with many ______ (P 8)
c) I saw a person near the bus stop yesterday. A bus was about to hit him. I screamed, but he couldn’t hear. He had lost the power of hearing. He was ______ (P14)
d) The survivors in an earthquake had lost everything. They felt ______ (P 18)
Answer:
a) barely
b) bruises
c) deaf
d) shattered.
Read and respond:
Task 1: Read the passage given below and answer the questions at the end.
The first baby bomb was dropped on the densely populated industrial town of Hiroshima in Japan on August 6th 1945. The city of Hiroshima was flattened. At least 78,000 people and possibly many thousands more, were killed or fatally injured. As great a number were injured and all their dwellings were damaged or destroyed. The city’s military garrison was wiped out. Only a handful of doctors remained alive, and most hospitals and medical supplies were destroyed. Citizens of neighbouring towns described the burned, living and dead as no longer recognizably human, with their flesh raw and blackened, their hair gone and the features on their faces melted. It was the most shocking sight man had ever witnessed.
Questions:
- The passage is about a _____________ (fill in the blank)
- Where did the incident take place?
- How do you say that the bomb blast resulted in a great disaster?
- What had happened to the military garrison?
- The survivors couldn’t be given medical help. Why do you think so?
- What tells you that the condition of the bomb-affected people was horrible?
- What is your feeling as you read the last few lines of the passage?
Answers:
- baby bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
- In the town of Hiroshima.
- About 78,000 people were killed and many more thousands were injured.
- The military garrison was totally wiped out.
- Only a handful of doctors remained alive, and most hospitals and medical supplies were destroyed.
- Citizens of neighbouring towns described the burned, living and dead, as no longer recognizably human, with their flesh raw and blackened, their hair gone and the features on their faces melted.
- The feelings are of shock and compassion. Shock because it’s unimaginable that human beings could treat other human beings with such cruelty, and compassion for the dead and the injured who were punished for no fault of theirs.
Learn grammar through communication:
Task 1: We use various verb forms when we refer to future events depending on our plan or intention. Verbs are given in brackets. Use the right verb form and write down the sentences. One example is given. The following is the schedule of the Chief Minister of Karnataka:
The Chief Minister of Karnataka _________ (be+leave) for Delhi this evening by a special plane. He _________ (arrive) in Delhi at 8 p.m. He _________(be+go+meet) the M.Ps of Karnataka soon after his arrival. He _________ (will+discuss) some important issues with the Prime Minister, tomorrow morning. He _________ (be+meet) the party high command by tomorrow evening. He _________ (be+come back) to Bengaluru by the evening flight.
e.g.: The Chief Minister of Karnataka is leaving for Delhi this evening by a special plane.
Answer:
- is leaving
- will arrive
- will meet
- will discuss
- will meet
- will come back
Task 2: Say your sister’s wedding will take place next month. The course of activities of the wedding is given below. Use the right form of the verbs given in brackets.
My sister’s marriage (be+arrange) to take place on 21st of May. We _________(be+go+to get) the invitation printed by the second week of this month. My parents _________ (will+visit) the relatives by 5th of May. All of us _________ (will+be+go) to Bengaluru next week to buy some clothes and jewellery.
Answer:
- is arranged
- are going to get
- will visit
- will be going.
Task 3: Complete the dialogue using the right form of the verbs given in brackets.
- Ganesh: Hi Gopal, when will be your annual day celebrations?
- Gopal: We _________(have it) on 3rd of January.
- Ganesh: Who is the chief guest?
- Gopal: The local MLA _________ (be) the chief guest.
- Ganesh: Perhaps you _________ (be) busy with the cultural activities, aren’t you?
- Gopal: Yes, I _________(be)
- Ganesh: _________ (be) it a daytime function?
- Gopal: You’re right. It _________ (be) a daytime function.
(Note how the different forms of‘ be’ are used.)
Answer:
will have it or will be having it
is
are
am.
Is
is
Make reference – Newspaper:
Task 1: Imagine you are the editor of a newspaper. Now read the following captions carefully. In which page/s will you insert the following captions?
Answer:
II PU results best in a decade – Breaking news of the day
State to Have 3,400 More Teachers – State news
FM Rainbow – TV and leisure
Task 2: Read the following paragraph from a newspaper. Give a caption for the paragraph. Where would you like to fix/paste this in the newspaper?
Answer:
Caution: Khurshid’s Ultimatum to US
This can be included under ‘National news’.
Colours of Silence Additional Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions in a word or a sentence each:
Question 1.
Why hadn’t Satish gone to school?
Answer:
Satish hadn’t gone to school as he was not keeping well.
Question 2.
What was wrong with Satish?
Answer:
He used to get terrible headaches and then feel as if everything was going dark and silent.
Question 3.
Why did Satish feel miserable?
Answer:
Satish felt miserable because he wasn’t well and couldn’t attend school.
Question 4.
How old was Satish?
Answer:
Eight years old.
Question 5.
Who was Satish’s father?
Answer:
Avtar Narain.
Question 6.
Where had Satish gone on a holiday?
Answer:
To Kashmir.
Question 7.
Who was Satish’s brother?
Answer:
Inder.
Question 8.
How did Satish get hurt?
Answer:
As Satish was crossing a rickety bridge over some rapids, his foot slipped and he fell into the rapids injuring his legs and head badly.
Question 9.
Why did Satish’s father have to look for a new school?
Answer:
The school in which Satish was studying informed his father that Satish had to look for a new school as he had hearing impairment.
Question 10.
Why didn’t Satish want to go to school?
Answer:
Satish didn’t want to go to a school where he couldn’t talk to the other children, where everyone would make fun of his deafness.
Question 11.
Why couldn’t Satish’s father find a new school for Satish?
Answer:
Whichever school Satish’s father approached, refused to admit Satish as he had hearing impairment.
Question 12.
Why was Satish’s father angry with the headmaster of the school?
Answer:
Satish’s father was angry with the headmaster because he suggested that Satish be put in the school for deaf and dumb children.
Question 13.
Why did Satish avoid going out to play in the neighbourhood?
Answer:
Satish avoided going out to play in the neighbourhood, unable to bear the taunts and teasing of the children.
Question 14.
Why did Avtar Narain suggest that Satish should read a lot?
Answer:
Satish was losing his hearing and no school was admitting him; so his father suggested that Satish should read a lot to learn things.
Question 15.
Who opened out a whole world for Satish? How?
Answer:
Satish’s father opened out a whole world for Satish by giving him an armful of books.
Question 16.
How did books open out a whole world for Satish?
Answer:
The books described to him things which he had not seen or heard.
Question 17.
Mention some of the books that Satish read.
Answer:
‘The Life of Garibaldi’ translated into Urdu by Lala Lajpat Rai, works of Munshi Premchand, Sarat Chandra and others.
Question 18.
What, according to Avtar Narain, was an idle pastime?
Answer:
According to Avtar Narain, drawing was an idle pastime.
Question 19.
What was a source of entertainment for Satish, according to his mother?
Answer:
According to his mother, drawing was a source of entertainment for Satish.
Question 20.
What, according to Avtar Narain, was no career for a bright boy?
Answer:
Being an artist was no career for a bright boy.
Question 21.
Who had lost his hearing?
Answer:
Satish.
Question 22.
What were the doctors trying to help Satish recover?
Answer:
His hearing.
Question 23.
What uncharacteristic thing did Satish do?
Answer:
Satish hugged his father tightly, his heart full of love for his stern father.
Question 24.
Why did Satish hug his father?
Answer:
Satish was touched at his father’s gesture of buying paper scrolls, paint brushes and a variety of paints, after being so unappreciative of his talent earlier.
Question 25.
What was Satish’s chosen field?
Answer:
Drawing and painting.
Question 26.
Where have exhibitions of Satish Gujral’s paintings been held?
Answer:
Exhibitions of Satish Gujral’s works have been displayed in prestigious museums like the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Hiroshima Collection, Washington, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
Question 27.
What awards has Satish Gujral won?
Answer:
Satish Gujral has won the Order of the Crown for the best architectural design of the 20th century as also the Padma Vibhushan.
Question 28.
Why was Satish Gujral awarded the Order of the Crown?
Answer:
Satish Gujral was awarded the Order of the Crown for the best architectural design of the 20th century for his design of the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi.
Question 29.
What is the message that we get from the lesson ‘Colours of Silence’?
Answer:
The message we get from the lesson is that physical disability is no barrier to success.
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
Question 1.
What made Surender uneasy when he visited Satish?
Answer:
Satish asked Surender why he was speaking softly when Surender wasn’t really speaking softly. So Surender was troubled and he wondered whether Satish had lost his hearing power.
Question 2.
What was the realisation of Satish on reading the serious books written by great writers?
OR
How did books open out a whole world for Satish?
Answer:
Satish came to know a world of suffering and anguish through these books. He wondered and brooded over the suffering in the world. In comparison, he felt his own suffering was much better. So, in a way, these books made Satish accept his suffering.
Question 3.
Books opened out a whole world for Satish. How? What was the effect of the books on Satish?
OR
What effect did the books he read have on Satish?
Answer:
Satish’s father opened out a whole world for him by giving him an armful of books. He became a voracious reader. The books were all serious works meant for adults. They made him feel depressed and left a deep impression upon his sensitive mind. He came to know of another world through them, a world of suffering and anguish. He began to brood about why there was so much suffering in the world while his own world looked comfortable in comparison.
Question 4.
How did Satish meet with an accident?
Answer:
On a holiday in Kashmir, Satish went hiking with his father and brother. While crossing a rickety bridge over some rapids, his foot slipped and he fell into the rapids.
Question 5.
Why was Satish’s father against drawing?
Answer:
Satish’s father felt that artists do not make much money. He wanted a bright future for his son. He thought that it is possible only by studying hard. He considered drawing a waste of time.
Question 6.
Why was Satish’s father against drawing?
OR
Why did Satish’s father consider drawing ‘an idle pastime’?
OR
In the beginning, Avtar Narain did not like his son’s love for painting. Why?
Answer:
Satish’s father was of the opinion that one couldn’t earn well if one became an artist. He didn’t think of painting as the vocation which a bright boy could take up. According to him, spending time on drawing was unproductive. He called it an idle pastime. He also thought that if Satish took to reading, it would help him when his hearing improved and he got back to school.
Question 7.
How did the beautiful bird inspire Satish?
Answer:
First of all, the bird was unusual. It was unlike any other bird that Satish had seen. Moreover, it had some restless energy which made it dart from one place to another, all the time ready for flight. It inspired Satish to draw and paint.
Answer the following questions in 5-6 / 8-10 sentences each:
Question 1.
How did a holiday turn out to be a horror day for Satish?
Answer:
When Satish had gone to Kashmir with his father and brother on holiday, they went hiking. When they were crossing a rickety bridge, Satish lost his balance and fell into the rapids. When he regained his consciousness, he realised that his leg had a fracture. But the real nightmare started after that because his legs remained weak and needed several operations and he started having bouts of headache and started losing his hearing power.
Question 2.
Sketch the character of Avtar Narain.
Answer:
Avtar Narain is a loving and caring father. He remains optimistic despite the gradually deteriorating state of his son. He wants to ensure a secure future for his son and hence insists on his reading habit. He disapproves of Satish drawing because he thinks it’s not of any use, but changes his stand on understanding the passion of Satish. This shows that he is not rigid, though stern. Even when everything seems to be hopeless, he does his best for his son without losing hope. All this he does without showing how upset he is. Thus we see that Avtar Narain is a concerned father.
Question 3.
“Satish Gujral became a great artist”. Support this statement mentioning a few of his achievements.
Answer:
Satish Gujral is among the foremost artists of India. He is one of the few artists who is accomplished in several art forms like painting, sculpture and architecture. Exhibitions of his works have been held all over the world and displayed in prestigious museums like the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Hiroshima Collection, Washington, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He has also published four books of his works in the various arts. He was awarded the Order of the Crown for the best architectural design of the 20th century for his design of the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi. He has also been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.
Question 4.
Physical disability is no barrier to success. Justify this statement with reference to the life of Satish Gujral.
OR
In spite of his disability, Satish was able to succeed in his life. Justify.
Answer:
Satish met with an accident as a boy of seven when he had gone hiking with his father and brother. Even after repeated operations of the leg, Satish does not turn out to be normal because of the side-effects of the drugs and suffers severe bouts of headache and hearing impairment. Even his school sends him home and no other school accepts him. His father tries to make up for Satish’s absence from school by making him read at home.
This opens out a whole world to Satish. It is at this juncture that while looking out of the window, Satish sees an unusual bird, full of energy, and impulsively draws its picture. He gets hooked on to this pastime but doesn’t get his father’s encouragement for this. However, on realizing how keen Satish is on drawing, the father relents, buys all the stuff needed for this art and promises to find out the best school of arts for Satish to go to. This proves to be the right decision because the boy eventually turns out to be the award¬winning, renowned artist of India – Padma Vibhushan Satish Gujral. Thus, the life of Satish is ample proof that physical disability is no barrier to success.
Question 5.
How can you say that Satish Gujral became popular all over the world?
Answer:
Satish Gujral is among the foremost artists of India. Exhibitions of his works have been held all over the world. His paintings are displayed in prestigious museums like the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Hiroshima Collection, Washington and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. In addition, he has won the Order of the Crown for the best architectural design of the 20th century and the Padma Vibhushan. All these details show his popularity not only in India but also all over the world.
Question 6.
Satish met with an accident when he went hiking. How did this incident change his life?
OR
How was the accident a turning point in Satish’s life? Discuss briefly and justify your answer.
OR
Satish met with an accident which changed his destiny. Explain.
Answer:
Satish met with an accident at the age of eight, which led to hearing impairment. Due to frequent absence and hearing problem, the school he was attending informed his father that they could not keep Satish. Other schools refused admission. His father wanted to make sure that he did not lag behind in studies and provided him with books to study. Satish developed interest in painting. In the beginning, his father discouraged him but on realising how keen Satish was on drawing, he relented and bought all the stuff needed for this art. In addition to being a famous painter, Satish Gujral made a name as writer, sculptor and architect.
Question 7.
Narrate the circumstances that compelled Satish to stay at home.
OR
Explain the incident that forced Satish to stay back at home. How did it affect his formal education?
OR
Narrate the incidents that deprived Satish of regular schooling.
Answer:
When Satish had gone to Kashmir with his father and brother on holiday, they went hiking. When they were crossing a rickety bridge, Satish lost his balance and fell into the rapids. When he regained his consciousness, he realised that his leg had a fracture. But the real nightmare began when he started having bouts of headache and started losing his hearing power. Due to frequent absence and hearing problem, the school he was attending informed his father that they could not keep Satish. Other schools too refused admission. Hence Satish was compelled to stay at home.
Question 8.
How did the bird inspire Satish to become an artist?
Answer:
Whenever Satish was confined to bed due to fever, all he could do was sit and stare out of the window or read. One day, when he was looking gloomily into the far corner of the garden, he saw a bird that was unlike any he had ever seen before. It had a longish tail and a black crest. But the most interesting thing about the bird was its restless energy. Its eyes kept darting here and there, its whole body ready for flight at any moment. He stared at the beautiful bird for a long time.
When it flew away after a glance in his direction, Satish jumped down from his bed and took out his notebook and pencil. He sketched the bird from memory with a few deft strokes. He liked the picture and set it against the stack of books on his bedside table. The bird had inspired him to discover a new pastime which he could indulge in, sitting on his bed. He began filling pages and pages with doodles. In course of time, he became one of the foremost artists of India.
Read the following extracts and answer the questions given below them:
Question 1.
“This is a school for normal boys. Why don’t you take your son to the school for deaf and dumb children?”
a) Who does ‘your son’ refer to?
b) What couldn’t he be admitted to the school for normal boys?
c) Why did the speaker ask the son to be taken to a deaf and dumb school?
Answer:
a) “Your son’ refers to Satish Gujral.
b) Satish had met with an accident and had gradually lost his hearing power.
c) Whichever school his father approached, refused to admit Satish because of the hearing impairment. Hence the headmaster of one of the schools suggested that he be admitted to a deaf and dumb school.
Question 2.
It was as if a whole world opened out for him.
a) Who opened out a whole world?
b) For whom was the world opened out and how?
c) How did it open out a whole world for him?
Answer:
a) Avtar Narain, Satish’s father, opened out a whole world.
b) He opened out a whole world for Satish by giving him an armful of books.
c) Through the books Satish came to know of another world, a world of suffering and anguish. They left a deep impression upon his sensitive mind.
Question 3.
“You want to do this very badly, don’t you?”
a) Who is ‘you’?
b) What does he want to do badly?
c) Which action of Satish changed his father’s attitude towards what he wanted to do?
Answer:
a) The ‘you’ is Satish.
b) He wants to draw and paint.
c) Satish’s continued interest in drawing and painting changed the attitude of his father. Once while Satish was mixing the paints, his father watched him intently. Satish continued with his action even though he knew that his father, who disapproved of him drawing, was watching him. This must have made his father realize that Satish was deeply involved with drawing and painting.
Question 4.
His life of achievement is ample proof that physical disability is no barrier to success.
a) Whose physical disability is being referred to?
b) What was the physical disability?
c) What achievement of his is ample proof?
Answer:
a) Satish’s physical disability.
b) The hearing impairment that Satish suffered from.
c) Satish has shown that disability is not a barrier to success. He is among the foremost artists of India. He is one of the few artists who is accomplished in several art forms like painting, sculpture and architecture. He is also a writer and has authored four books.
Question 5.
“We will have to look for a new school”, his father said.
a) Why did Satish’s father have to look for a new school?
b) Satish was unhappy about this. What was the reason?
Answer:
a) Due to his frequent absence and his hearing problem, the school Satish was attending informed his father that they could not keep him. So, Satish’s father had to look for a new school.
b) Satish did not want to go to a school where he couldn’t talk to other children and where they would make fun of his deafness.
Question 6.
“You can learn a great deal of things just by reading”.
a) Why do you think Satish’s father encouraged him to read?
b) How did reading influence Satish?
Answer:
a) To get on in life, Satish’s father wanted Satish to read.
b) As Satish began to read, it was as if a whole world opened out to him. He realized that there were others who had suffered more than him.
Question 7.
“This is an idle pastime. You would do better to read and get some knowledge”.
a) What is an idle pastime, according to the speaker?
b) What did speaker want the listener to do?
c) Why does Satish’s father give more importance to reading?
Answer:
a) The speaker considers drawing an idle pastime.
b) The speaker wanted the listener to read books and gain knowledge.
c) Satish’s father thinks that by reading, Satish can get on in life. One can learn a great deal of things by reading.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Satish had gone to holiday with his family to
A) Himachal
B) Manali
C) Kashmir
D) Ladakh
Answer:
C) Kashmir
Question 2.
While crossing a bridge Satish had fallen into
A) the valley
B) the river
C) the rapids
D) the snow
Answer:
C) the rapids
Question 3.
The school that Satish went to, couldn’t keep him because of.,
A) his absence and his health
B) his absence and hearing problem
C) his hearing problem and his health
D) his hearing problem and his legs
Answer:
C) his hearing problem and his health
Question 4.
The other schools did not admit Satish because
A) he was poor
B) his legs were injured
C) he was dumb
D) he was deaf
Answer:
D) he was deaf
Question 5.
Satish’s father gave him
A) a lot of time
B) a lot of advice
C) a lot of books
D) a lot of love
Answer:
C) a lot of books
Question 6.
‘The Life of Garibaldi’ was translated into Urdu by
A) Lala Lajpat Rai
B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C) Munshi Premchand
D) Sarat Chandra
Answer:
A) Lala Lajpat Rai
Question 7.
Satish was inspired to draw after looking at
A) children at play
B) a bird
C) an animal
D) a peacock
Answer:
B) a bird
Question 8.
Satish had discovered another pastime which was
A) calligraphy
B) reading
C) drawing
D) writing
Answer:
C) drawing
Question 9.
Satish was awarded the
A) Nobel prize
B) Order of the Crown
C) Order of the British Empire
D) Arjuna Award
Answer:
B) Order of the Crown
Question 10.
Satish was awarded Order of the Crown for designing the
A) Belgian embassy
B) American embassy
C) Indian embassy
D) Iranian embassy
Answer:
A) Belgian embassy
Question 11.
Satish Gujral has been awarded the
A) Padma Bhushan
B) Padma Vibhushan
C) Bharat Ratna
D) Param Vir Chakra
Answer:
B) Padma Vibhushan
Question 12.
A pantomime is
A) the theatrical medium of mime
B) a type of musical comedy stage production
C) a pageant on wheels
D) a historical play
Answer:
B) a type of musical comedy stage production
Question 13.
Though the doctors were unable to diagnose the problem of Satish, they concluded that his illness was
A) caused by the medicines given to treat his legs.
B) the outcome of his father’s stern treatment.
C) caused by his depression of being sent away from school
D) the result of his brother Inder’s attempts to teach him.
Answer:
A) caused by the medicines given to treat his legs.
Question 14.
Calligraphy refers to the art of
A) drawing
B) painting
C) handwriting
D) sketching
Answer:
C) handwriting
Question 15.
“Why don’t you take your son to the school meant for deaf and dumb children”. Who said this?
A) A friend of Satish’s father
B) The Head Master of the School
C) Satish’s friends
D) Satish’s neighbours
Answer:
B) The Head Master of the School
Question 16.
Satish did not want to go to a new school because
A) he loved his old school
B) the new school was far off
C) the children would make fun of his deafness
D) his friend Surender would not be there.
Answer:
C) the children would make fun of his deafness
Question 17.
Surender had to repeat the question three times to Satish because
A) Satish was not interested in what Surender was telling
B) Satish could not hear properly
C) Satish could not understand what Surender was telling.
D) Surender was speaking in a low voice.
Answer:
B) Satish could not hear properly
Question 18.
“It was as if a whole world opened for Satish”. This happened when he
A) opened his window
B) started reading books
C) fell from a bridge
D) went to a new school.
Answer:
B) started reading books
Question 19.
Satish avoided going out to play because
A) children in the neighbourhood teased and taunted him
B) he was very weak to play
C) he did not have anyone to play with
D) the doctor had advised him not to play.
Answer:
A) children in the neighbourhood teased and taunted him
Question 20.
The bird’s eyes kept moving here and there. Its body was ready for flight, This shows that the bird
A) was afraid of falling
B) was full of energy
C) liked Satish
D) wanted to be painted.
Answer:
B) was full of energy
Question 21.
Satish’s father felt that artists
A) do not make much money
B) cannot read and write
C) are lazy and waste time
D) make too much money.
Answer:
A) do not make much money
Question 22.
After the unsuccessful expedition to the schools, Satish became very moody. The word ‘expedition’ in the above sentence means
A) journey
B) visit
C) trip
D) tour.
Answer:
B) visit
Question 23.
Satish expressed his gratitude to his father by
A) thanking him
B) hugging him tightly
C) giving him a gift
D) shaking hands with him.
Answer:
B) hugging him tightly
Colours of Silence Summary in English
‘Colours of Silence’ is an imaginative title presenting to us the life of a hearing impaired boy, who took to drawing and painting in his world of silence, and turned out to be one of the most renowned artists of India. The piece captures the story of Satish Gujral, who overcame the depressing situation of turning deaf after an accident as a boy of seven when he had gone hiking with his father Avtar Narain and brother Inder.
Even after repeated operations of the leg, Satish does not turn out to be normal because of the side-effects of the drugs and suffers from severe bouts of headache and hearing impairment. Even his school sends him home and no other school accepts him. His father is not willing to send him to the school for the deaf and dumb and is optimistic that Satish will one day regain his hearing power and become normal. Narain tries to make up for Satish’s absence from school by making him read at home.
Satish’s brother Inder too spends a lot of time with Satish, reading to him and teaching him the pronunciation of words. It is at this juncture that while looking out of a window, Satish sees an unusual bird, full of energy, and impulsively draws its picture. He gets hooked on to this pastime, but doesn’t get his father’s encouragement for this, as his father is of the opinion that drawing cannot ensure financial success in life. However, on realising how keen Satish is on drawing, the father relents, buys all the stuff needed for this art and also promises to find Out the best school of arts for Satish to go to. This proves to be the right decision because the boy eventually turns out to be the award-winning, renowned artist of India – Padma Vibhushan Satish Gujral!
Colours of Silence Summary in Kannada
Glossary:
- rickety bridge: weak bridge
- bruised: injured
- rapids: a dangerous part of a river which flows very fast because it is steep and sometimes narrow
- swirling: twisting circular movement
- bouts of fever: an attack or period of illness
- glistened: shone
- snatches: parts
- persuasion: act of convincing
- bluntly: unfeelingly
- shattered: helpless
- taunts: remarks intended to hurt somebody’s feelings
- expedition: (here) tour
- leafed through the books: read carefully
- Garibaldi and Lala Lajpat Rai: freedom fighters
- Munshi Premchand: a great novelist
- sensitive mind: tender, responsive mind
- voracious: restless (reader)
- crest: top
- darting: moving
- deft strokes: skillful strokes of an artist
- gloomily: with nothing bright or cheerful, dismally
- stack of books: pile of books
- doodles: to draw pictures or patterns while thinking about something else or when you are bored
- pastime: something that one enjoys doing during leisure time
- indulge in: involve in
- soothing: comforting
- calligraphy: the art of producing beautiful handwriting
- sulked: looked angry and refused to speak
- make a living: earn
- pittance: low, insufficient payment or allowance
- solace: comfort
- intently: with interest
- tremor: shaking
- uncharacteristic: not typical
- accomplish: achieve
- Order of the Crown: honour awarded by the highest authority
- Padma Vibhushan: an award given for outstanding performance in different fields of activity
- sculpture: art of making figures in stone, wood, metal etc.