10 ENGLISH NOTES

by Nishad Mathew Choondanal

PROFILE OF -----NAME

Name was born on full date at place in country. He/ She was born to Mr. Father and Mrs. Mother. His spouse is Name/ Her husband is Name. He is popularly known as 1,2,3 and 4. His pen name is name. He studied in School/University. His notable works are 1,2,3 and 4. He was awarded with 1,2, and 3. He passed away on date.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ---------(NAME)

Name was born on full date at place in country. He completed his education from 1,2,3 and 4. He/ She was born to Mr. Father and Mrs. Mother. His spouse is Name/ Her husband is Name. He/ She had --- children. They are -------and --------. His major works are 1,2,3 and 4. He was awarded with 1,2, and 3. He passed away on date.

SPEECH

A warm good morning to all

Honourable Chief guest, Dignitaries on the stage and my dear friends.

Today is an important day for us. On this important occasion I would like to share a few words about subject. We all know that................. It is very important. It is the

need of the hour.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Let me conclude my words. Thank you and have a nice day.

DIARY WRITING

15-6-2025, Monday, 10.30 pm

Today is the most memorable/sad day in my life.

I.............................................................. Oh! How could I express it.

May God bless me like today/ may God find a way.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Who is your inspiration to this field?

2. Can you share your childhood experience?

3. What is the most memorable incident in your life?

4. How do you face challenges in life?

5. What is your message to new generation?

FRAME QUESTIONS FROM THE PASSAGE

1. From which lesson the passage is taken?

2. What is the concept this passage trying to convey?

3. Who is the speaker conveying the main idea in this passage?

4. Is a significant event depicted in the script?

5. Does the author provide enough details about the speaker?

FRIENDLY LETTER

Gandhi Nagar

Pulpally

25 June 2020

Dear friend (mention Name)

I. Introductory paragraph

How are you hope you are doing well. How is your family. How is your studies going. How is the climate there.

II. Body of the letter

Explain the question in the second paragraph

III. Concluding Paragraph

Convey my regards to all your family members. I hope to see you soon.

With lots of love Sd/

Name

NEWSPAPER REPORT

Headline

Staff Reporter Date

Place:

According to the official sources… It is reported that… It is estimated that….. In the words of one of the witness, “…………………………………………” “..... ”, the CM’s

office said in a statement after the meeting. “It is very shocking and

unfortunate..................... ” The ministry instructed the district administrations to…

NOTICE

ENGLISH CLUB

ABC SCHOOL

WAYANAD

(PROGRAMME NAME)

Dear friends,
It has been decided to conduct a Name of the programme on Monday, 24 thAugust 2026 from 10.00 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the school auditorium. Mr. Mohanlal film actor will inaugurate the Film Festival.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

S/d

Rahul (Secretary English club) Perikkalloor

20/8/20

PROGRAMME SHEDULE

Prayer – School Choir

Welcome Speech – Mr. Renil (President English Club)

Presidential Address - Mr. Remil (Principal ABC School)

Inauguration – Mr. Mohanlal (Film actor)

Vote Of Thanks - Mr. Rahul (Secretary English Club) National Anthem

FORMAL LETTER

FROM

NAME ADDRESS

11/01/2025

NAME ADDRESS

Respected Sir SUB:

I am name staying in place district

…………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

……

I shall be greatly thankful ……………………………………………………………..

SIGNATURE NAME

NARRATION

When I was ………………… I.............................. Oh! How could I express that

…......................... It was my first experience.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………. I won’t forget this in my life. ……

………………………………….. I shared this with my friends.................................... I

think I won’t experience this kind of incident in my life again. Thank God

…………………...

CONVERSATION

Name : Hi how are you?

Name : Hi I am fine what about you? Name : What happened to you?

Name : ……………………………… Name : Oh! How could I express it?

Name : Are you worried about that?

Name : Yes I am

Name : I think you were there, weren’t you? Name : Yes , Ok see you soon bye

Name : Ok bye

EVENT INVITATION

ABCD SCHOOL PULPALLY, WAYANAD

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

DECEMBER 3, 2025

Dear Sir,

We are delighted to invite you to be the Chief Guest at our special program (programme name). The event, organized by the English Club, aims to promote awareness about the ……………………………………………….

Event Details: -

Date : December 3, 2025

Time : 10:00 AM

Venue : School Auditorium

We would be honored to have you join us and make the occasion even more meaningful.

Thank you for considering our invitation.

Best regards,

Convener, English Club

ABCD School Pulpally

November 25, 2025

EMAIL

From: renu@gmail.com

To: name@gmail.com

Bcc

Respected Sir/ Dear Friend

Yours Faithfully / With Lots of Love

Name

CHARACTER SKETCH OF PELAYO

Ø Pelayo is one of the central characters in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.

Ø Pelayo is a simple, hardworking man who lives with his wife, Elisenda, in a small seaside village.

Ø When he finds a very old man with huge wings lying in the mud, his first reaction is fear and confusion, so he locks the stranger in a chicken coop.

Ø As the villagers become curious about the winged man, Pelayo and his wife turn the situation into a business opportunity.

Ø This shows how they quickly become selfish and exploit someone who is helpless.

Ø Throughout the story, Pelayo never shows true kindness or concern for the old man.

Ø He represents how ordinary people can let fear and the chance to profit stop them from being compassionate.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF THE OLD MAN

• The old man with enormous wings is the central mysterious figure in Gabriel García Márquez's short story

• He is dressed like a ragpicker. Only a few faded hairs remain on his bald skull, and he has very few teeth in his mouth.

• Throughout the story, the old man rarely reacts to the cruelty and curiosity of the villagers.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF ELISENDA

• Elisenda is a central character in 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez.

• She is the wife of Pelayo and is portrayed as a practical, materialistic, and somewhat indifferent woman.

• Elisenda uses the winged old man for money, but she's annoyed by his presence.

• When he leaves, she feels relieved, not grateful.

• Her actions show she's more concerned with her own comfort than with helping or understanding others.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF HAUCHECOME

Ø Hauchecome is the protagonist of the story “A Piece of String”

Ø He is an old and poor peasant from the village of Goderville who lives a simple and humble life.

Ø His thrifty nature makes him value everything, even a piece of string.

Ø That is why when he sees a piece of string lying in the street, he picks up and puts it in his pocket.

Ø But this simple action proves too costly for him.

Ø He is Proud and values his honour.

Ø When accused of theft, he shocked and hurt.

Ø . Anxious about his reputation, he shares his real story, but no one believes him.

Ø The false accusation haunts him, weakening him mentally and physically.

Ø Eventually, he becomes bedridden, dying painfully while still claiming his innocence.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF TERESA

Ø Teresa, also known as Beloved Boles, is a complex character in "Beloved Boles"by Maxim Gorky.

Ø She is described as tall, strong, with dark brown hair, thick eyebrows, a large rough face and a deep voice that frightened the narrator.

Ø Initially, the narrator disliked Teresa due to her rough appearance

Ø She is poor and feels isolated.

Ø To adjust with isolation and poverty, she invents an imaginary lover, Boles, to whom she writes and from whom she receives letters.

Ø Even though she cannot read or write, she respects education and feels thankful to the student who helps her.

Ø She even shows her gratitude by quietly mending his torn clothes.

Ø This simple act reveals her tenderness and goodness of heart.

Ø Teresa’s story teaches us a timeless truth — people should not be judged by appearance.

FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRYMEN…”

- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Ø Friends, Romans, Countrymen the speech is written by William Shakespeare.

Ø Themes of Marc Antony's Speech is Betrayal and Loyalty and Ambition and Justice

Ø Types of the Poetical Speech is Funeral Speech and Blank verse

Ø The speech is Taken from Shakespeare's Play Julius Caesar

Ø The Speech delivered by Mark Antony after the murder of Julius Caesar

Ø Antony says he is there to attend the funeral, not to praise Caesar.

Ø He points out that people usually remember only the bad things someone did after they die, while their good deeds are forgotten.

Ø Brutus, an Honourable man, accused Caesar of being too ambitious, which was a serious mistake that Caesar has paid for with his life.

Ø Caesar brought many prisoners back to Rome, and their ransom money helped fill the public treasury.

Ø When poor people have cried, Caesar has cried with them.

Ø During Lupercal festival, Caesar was offered the crown three times, but refused each time.

Ø Mark Antony expresses his grief for Caesar, saying that the people have lost their sense and become cruel.

Ø POETIC DEVICES

Ø Irony – Brutus is an honourable man

Ø Rhetorical questions - Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? / Was this ambition?

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

Another Day in Paradise the song is written by Philip Collins.

THEME OF THE POEM

Social Apathy

TYPE OF THE POEM

Lyric Poem

POEM TELLS ABOUT

The plight of the homeless and society’s indifference towards them.

STANZA 1

A homeless woman asks a man for help, But the man ignores her, pretending he didn't hear.

This shows that some people don't want to help others in need.

The poem highlights the contrast between the rich and the poor.

It is a wake-up call to change

STANZA 2

The woman's face shows that she is in great pain.

She has blisters in her feet but she’s trying to keep going.

Sadly, she is all alone with no one helping her.

It highlights the importance of moral responsibility and the need for action.

STANZA 3

The woman has suffered a lot and her hardship and pain is visible on her face.

She has been rejected and pushed away from many places because the people think that she didn't fit there.

The phrase "moved on" hides the reality of being unwanted and forced to keep moving.

POETIC DEVICES

1. Refrain

“Oh, think twice…”

2. Imagery

“Blisters on the soles of her feet” - Evokes sympathy through visual pain

3. Anaphora

“She calls out…”

4. Metaphor

“You and me in paradise” - Contrasts comfort with suffering

THE WILD SWANS AT COOLE

The Wild Swans at Coole the poem written by William Butler Yeats

THE THEME OF THE POEM

Time and Aging

Nature vs. Humanity

TYPE OF THE POEM

Lyrical Poem

POEM TELLS ABOUT

The passage of time and the contrast between the lasting beauty of nature and the frailty of human life, as symbolized by the swans he observes at Coole Park.

STANZA 1

The poet describes the scene of Coole Park in autumn.

The trees are colourful, the paths are dry, and the calm water reflects the twilight sky.

On the water, the poet sees fifty-nine swans resting together.

The autumn season reflects poet’s own fading life

Stanza 2

➢ Yeats recalls that it has been nineteen years since he first counted these swans.

➢ Back then, as soon as he saw them, they suddenly rose into the sky, flying in wide circles with noisy wings.

➢ This memory shows their energy and freedom.

➢ This highlights how much his life has changed and aged over that period.

STANZA 3

The poet says he has always admired these beautiful creatures, but now he feels sorrow.

Time has changed him since the first time he heard their wings at twilight.

In those days, he was younger and happier.

In short, the poet is saddened because the swans remain eternally vigorous, while he has grown old and his heart has been burdened by the passage of time.

STANZA 4

The swans, however, remain unchanged.

They are still full of life.

Moving in pairs, they swim in the cold water or fly in the air.

They do not grow old and are always carry passion, love and spirit of adventure.

STANZA 5

The poet reflects that the swans now float peacefully on the water, looking mysterious and beautiful.

He wonders where they will go next to build nests.

He fears that one day he will wake up to find that the swans have flown away, bringing joy to other people elsewhere

POETIC DEVICES

1. IMAGERY

"trees are in their autumn beauty",

"October twilight",

"nine-and-fifty swans".

2. SYMBOLISM

The swans symbolize - youth, love, passion, and eternity

3.ALLITERATION

, "bell-beat of their wings"

“brimming water among the stones".

4 .PERSONIFICATION

Unwearied still, lover by lover

Their hearts have not grown old

5. METAPHOR

The "belbeat of their wings“

RHYME SCHEME

a b c b d d

MIRROR BY SYLVIA PLATH

Mirror the poem is written by Sylvia Plath

Theme of the Poem

self-perception, aging, and the quest for truth.

Type of the poem

Free Verse

Mirror is a deep reflection of time, appearance, and the inevitable process of aging.

STANZA 1

Ø The mirror describes itself as silver and reflecting everything without preconception or emotions.

Ø It shows our true appearance, like God's eyes.

Ø It looks at the wall opposite it and the wall is like the part of it’s heart.

Ø But when someone stands in front or it's dark, the wall's reflection is gone, again and again.

STANZA 2

Ø The mirror compares itself to a lake and a woman looks in it to check her looks.

Ø The mirror says the moon and candles that praise her beauty are lying, as they don't show her true self.

Ø The mirror is honest so she hates it, crying and getting angry at her own reflection.

Ø The mirror is important to her because she checks herself in it every day.

Ø She is not young and pretty anymore.

Ø The mirror thinks that her old face will be ugly and hard like a fish.

Ø The poem is highly relevant today, where people are increasingly obsessed with appearance, beauty, and youth.

POETIC Devices in the poem

Personification – Mirror– ‘I am silver’, ‘Whatever I see I swallow’, ‘I am not cruel’, ‘The eye of a little god’, ‘I have looked at it’, ‘I think’, ‘I see her back’, ‘in me an old woman Rises toward her’.

The candles and moon– ‘those liars, the candles or the moon’.

Simile – ‘an old woman Rises toward her day after day like a terrible fish’.

Alliteration – ‘Most of the time meditate’, ‘I see I swallow’, ‘

Repetition – ‘over and over’

Metaphor – ‘The eye of a little god’, ‘Now I am a lake’

Imagery: “pink wall with speckles,” “tears,” and “darkness”

Symbolism: Candles and the moon symbolise illusion and false comfort

IN THE ATTIC

Władysław Szpilman, a Polish‑Jewish pianist, hides in a Warsaw attic during the Nazi occupation. While concealed, he’s discovered by a German officer who, instead of arresting him, asks him to play the piano. Szpilman performs Chopin’s Nocturne, and the officer, moved by the music, decides to help him—bringing food, finding a safer loft, and regularly delivering supplies. Over several weeks, this unexpected alliance keeps Szpilman alive until the officer’s unit leaves Warsaw. The story highlights survival, the humanity that can surface even in wartime, and the power of music as a lifeline.

BREAKING BARRIERS, I WILL FLY

Srikanth Bolla was born blind in a small village in India. Throughout his life, many people doubted him because of his disability, but he never gave up. With the help of his supportive family, he worked hard to prove that determination is stronger than blindness. Srikanth faced many challenges, including being told he couldn't study science in school. Instead of quitting, he fought a legal battle, won, and went on to get excellent grades. His hard work led him to become the first international blind student at the prestigious MIT in the United States. After finishing his studies, Srikanth chose to return to India instead of taking a high-paying job in America. He wanted to help others like him, so he started Bollant Industries. This company creates eco-friendly products and specifically hires people with disabilities. Srikanth’s life teaches us that success comes from courage and confidence.

A PHOENIX RISES

"A Phoenix Rises" by Twinkle Khanna. It is based on the real life of Arunachalam Muruganantham. Bablu was an average student who loved to fix things. After his father died, he had to leave school to work in a workshop as a welder to help his mother. He later got married to a woman named Gowri. One day, Bablu saw his wife using a dirty, old rag during her period. He was shocked and worried about her health. He went to buy sanitary pads but found that they were very expensive. Bablu decided to make cheap pads himself. However, this was a "taboo" topic. He tried many times but failed at first. He even tested the pads on himself! His wife felt ashamed and left him. His mother also left him because of the social shame. Bablu was left all alone, but he did not stop.

WAR

The story takes place on a train in Italy during World War I. A group of passengers are traveling together. All of them are parents whose sons have gone to fight in the war. One mother is crying and very sad because her only son is being sent to war. She feels that her pain is worse than anyone else's. The other parents try to comfort her. They also have sons in warfront, and some have even lost their children already. A "stout" man speaks up. He has already lost his son in the war. Children belong to the country, not to the parents. He speaks very bravely, and for a moment, everyone believes he is strong. The sad mother asks him a simple question: “Then… is your son really dead?” This question makes the man realize the truth. He stops acting brave and starts crying uncontrollably. The story shows that a parent’s love is stronger than any words or duty.

TRILLS AND THRILLS: BIRDWATCHING IN INDIA

Birdwatching is a hobby where people watch and study birds in nature. India has many different types of beautiful birds, making it a great place for this hobby. Dr. Salim Ali, the famous "Birdman of India," Even though birdwatching seems peaceful, it can be very scary and dangerous. Salim Ali shares two stories where he almost lost his life:

· The Wild Elephant: In 1946, while looking for a small bird called the Grass Warbler in a South Indian jungle, Salim Ali and his friend saw a huge male elephant (a tusker) running toward them. Luckily, the elephant turned away at the last second and did not see them.

· The Narrow Escape: In 1945, in the Himalayan mountains, Salim Ali was watching a tiny bird called the Yellow-naped Yuhina. He was so focused on the bird that he stepped back and almost fell off a massive cliff. Only two inches saved him from falling!

Salim Ali says that birdwatching is a way to escape from the stress of daily life.

PREFERENCE NATIONALE

The story is about a young woman from Senegal (Africa) who moves to France. She is well-educated and has a degree, but she faces many problems because of the color of her skin. The title means "National Preference." This was a law in France that gave first priority to French citizens for jobs.

 At the Bakery: She first tries to get a job at a bakery. The owner is rude to her. He says he only wants someone who speaks the local dialect and tells her to "go work in her own country."

 The Tutoring Job: She then applies to be a tutor for a young girl. The mother of the girl meets her at a café. As soon as the mother sees that the narrator is Black, she rejects her. She says she wanted a "European-type person" to teach her daughter.

The woman feels very sad and humiliated.

REVIEW OF SHAKUNTALAM

Shakuntalam, written by the legendary Kalidasa.

Setting:

The story unfolds in the hermitage of Sage Kanva, nestled in the beautiful forest of Malini.

Characters: -

• Shakuntala-the protagonist, the foster daughter of sage Kanva

• King Dushyanta- the ruler who falls in love with Shakuntala-

• Anasuya and Priyamvada- Shakuntala's friends

Sequence of Events:

The story begins with King Dushyanta, who is out hunting and stumbles upon Shakuntala's hermitage.

Shakuntala and the jasmine vine.

The bee attack

I like the play very much because it presents nature so beautifully.

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Prepared by Nishad Mathew Choondanal

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