Unit 17 Countries and Town Exercise: Class 10 English Guide
This unit explores life in urban and rural settings through two enlightening pieces of literature. Let's examine the exercises for both chapters. Lets have a glance on this unit's summary, question answer, exercise solution, grammar and reading I and II.
Reading I "London vs Paris" compares and contrasts two iconic European cities - their histories, architectures, cultures and personalities providing insights into urban diversity. Questions test reading comprehension while grammar focuses on subject-verb agreement. For creative writing, students describe their dream city or town.
Reading II is the poem "The Country Mouse & The City Mouse" featuring mice characters, playfully contrasts rural simplicities with urban amenities through timeless animal characters, ending with acceptance of different lifestyles. Exercises include identifying poetic devices, answering inference questions and a grammar activity on verbs. Students then pen their own mouse fable or poem.
Analyzing the tale and poem aids developing analytical thinking. Comparing metropolitan areas and rural vs urban lifestyles enhances general awareness. Grammatical revisions on agreement and verbs hone language skills. The writing tasks encourage original storytelling.
For complete notes of Class 10 English Book, go to this link - Class 10 English Guide & Notes.
Class 10 English Unit 17 Countries and Town Exercise
Unit-17 Countries & Towns
London vs Paris
D. Answer these questions.
a. What are the famous rivers in London and Paris?
Answer: The famous river in London is the River Thames, and in Paris, it is the River Seine.
b. Why do football fans prefer London to Paris?
Answer: Football fans may prefer London over Paris because London has a higher number of top-tier football clubs and a more extensive football culture.
c. Which of the two cities was visited by more tourists in 2018?
Answer: As per the 2018 report by MasterCard mentioned in the text, London ranked second in terms of global tourist arrivals, following Bangkok. Paris secured the third position on the list.
d. What time of the year is suitable to visit London?
Answer: The suitable time to visit London is during the spring (March to May) or the summer (June to August) when the weather is relatively mild, and there are various outdoor activities and events.
e. Which of the two cities is cheaper to travel?
Answer: The affordability of travel depends on various factors, such as accommodation, transportation, and dining choices. Generally, Paris is considered slightly more expensive than London.
f. Where do you think it is easier to catch a cab: In London or Paris? Why?
Answer: It is generally easier to catch a cab in London due to the larger number of licensed taxis and the availability of black cabs throughout the city. However, both London and Paris have well-established taxi services.
G. Which of the two cities would you like to visit? Give reasons.
I would prefer visiting Paris over London for the following reasons:
• Cultural vibrancy: Paris is considered the cultural capital of the world due to its many museums, historic sites, art galleries and UNESCO heritage sites. The city oozes culture and history.
• Food: The French capital has a far more diverse and globally renowned culinary scene with its wide variety of cuisine, fine dining restaurants and cafes. Parisian food is more appealing to me.
• Style: Paris is known for its style, fashion and flair. The city greatly influences global design trends. I would enjoy the stylish vibe of Paris.
• Atmosphere: The more laid-back atmosphere, café culture and charm of Paris appeals to me more than London's busyness and hustle. I prefer the ambiance of the French capital.
In short, Paris' rich culture and heritage, superior cuisine, stylish flair, more relaxed atmosphere and overall appeal make it my preferred city over London for a tourist visit. The all-round experience of Paris intrigues me far more.
Writing I
Write a couple of paragraphs comparing our capital city, Kathmandu with any other city in Nepal.
Kathmandu is Nepal's capital city and is often compared to other cities in the nation. Pokhara, situated in western Nepal, is one such city that is often compared to Kathmandu. While both cities have distinct charms, there are also significant contrasts between them.
Kathmandu is a vibrant city with a diverse cultural history. Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located here, including Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath. The city is also noted for its colorful street life, with tiny lanes and bazaars crowded with stores offering everything from traditional handicrafts to cutting-edge technology. The city has a rich history and is a melting pot of many cultures and customs, making it an intriguing diverse destination.
Pokhara, on the other hand, is a more relaxed city noted for its magnificent natural beauty. The settlement is situated on the banks of Phewa Lake, surrounded by the magnificent Annapurna mountain range. It's a famous spot for adventure sports including hiking, paragliding, and white water rafting. There are also various temples and monasteries worth seeing in the city.
While both Kathmandu and Pokhara have their own distinct charms, they provide tourists with completely different experiences. Kathmandu is a busy metropolis rich in history and culture, but Pokhara is a more peaceful city surrounded by natural beauty and offering a variety of adventure activities. Finally, the decision between the two cities will be determined by the sort of experience that tourists want.
Reading II
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Poem Summary
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse poem. It is a classic fable written by Aesop. The poem tells the story of two mice, one who lives in the country and another who lives in the city.
The City Mouse invites the Country Mouse to visit him in the city where he lives a luxurious life. The Country Mouse visits and is amazed by all the wonderful food and comforts in the city home. However, during the feast, the house suddenly shakes as human beings enter, frightening the Country Mouse who quickly flees back to his simple but safe country home.
The moral of the poem is that what appears luxurious and desirable from the outside may actually hide dangers and discomfort. Simple pleasures and a safe environment are often preferable to an ostentatious lifestyle. Contentment comes from within, rather than from material comforts.
The poem highlights the contrast between country and city life - the simple but safe comforts of the country versus the exciting but perilous pleasures of the city. It ultimately recommends moderation and contentment with what one has rather than pursuing lavishness at the cost of peace of mind.
In short, the poem uses the mice's experiences to convey the message that what is sufficient to provide for one's needs is better than an extravagant life full of risks and anxiety. Simplicity, safety and contentment should be valued over luxury and superficial pleasures.
C. Answer these questions.
a. How did the country mouse live?
Answer: The country mouse lived a simple but safe life in the countryside, with a snug home and enough food to eat.
b. Why did the town mouse go to the country?
Answer: The town mouse went to the country to invite the country mouse to visit him in the city.
c. Was the country mouse happy to get an invitation to visit the town? Why?
Answer: Yes, the country mouse was delighted by the invitation. She had never seen luxuries like the ones in the city.
d. What happened while the mice were having dinner?
Answer: While the mice were enjoying the grand feast, humans entered the house, shaking it and frightening the country mouse.
e. What did the country mouse request her friend for?
Answer: The country mouse requested her friend, the town mouse, to let her go back to her peaceful home in the countryside. She realized simple pleasures were better than luxuries that came with dangers.
D. Do you live in a town or a country? What are the advantages and disadvantages of living there?
I am living in a town currently. There are both pros and cons of living in city.
Pros of Living in a City:
• More job opportunities.
• Better access to amenities like shops, hospitals, schools.
• Greater social and cultural opportunities.
Cons of Living in a City:
• Higher cost of living.
• More traffic and pollution.
• Less personal space and privacy.
In short, cities offer more resources and opportunities but at the cost of a more crowded and expensive lifestyle.
Writing Il
The villages of Nepal that are untouched by modernity are the treasure of true natural beauty. They still hold their simplicity and rural appeal. There are several such hidden charms in the country. Lamidada Village is one of them. Describe the villages using the following information.
located in the Khotang district
gateway to the sacred temple of Halesi Mahadev enriched with gorgeous landscape, agricultural land, traditional houses, mountain views, humble villagers, dense forest, and many more thick settlements of the Rai people
walking the stone-paved path uphill, you will come across some villagers carrying woods from the forest and children grazing domestic animals
weather: the morning can be slightly chilly, the daytime is warm
Answer
Lamidada village, located in the Khotang district of eastern Nepal, is an untouched rural charm. It acts as the gateway to the Halesi Mahadev temple, nestled among gorgeous natural landscapes of agricultural fields, dense forests, and majestic mountain views.
Walking the stone-paved path uphill into the village, you encounter a place untouched by modernity. Simple traditional stone and mud houses dot the hillside, with villages going about their daily routine. Some carry firewood from the surrounding forest on their backs, while children tend to cows and goats grazing outside homes.
The village is enriched by the presence of the ethnic Rai people, who make up the thick settlements here and proudly maintain their traditional culture. Their humble, gentle way of life continues undisturbed among the natural splendor of Lamidada.
The mornings in the village can be slightly chilly, but the daytime warmth arises from both the sunny atmosphere and the simple hospitality of the villagers. The peace and rural appeal of Lamidada makes it a treasured slice of traditional Nepali village life.