Class 10 English Unit 2 : Battle of Oranges

Unit 2 : Festivals and Celebrations

Reading - I Battle of Oranges

A. Match the words with their meaning.

a. mush - iii. a soft thick mass of mixture

b. jerk - v. to make something move with a sudden short sharp movement

c. concussion - vi. a temporary loss of consciousness

d. hurl - i. to throw something violently in a particular direction

e. pulp - vii. the soft part inside the fruits and vegetables

f. clutch - ii. to hold something tightly

g. sip - iv. to drink something, taking a very small amount each time

B. Write 'True' for true statements and 'False' for false ones.

a. The tourists are informed to wear a red hat through public notices. - True

b. Aranceri seems dressed in Doctor Whoesque costumes.- True

c. When a cart approaches, aranceri run away from the square. - false

d. The narrator feels bored during the festival period. - false

e. The volunteers encourage the visitors to join the battle. - false

f. The narrator accepts Massi's offer. - false

C. Answer the following questions.

a. What does the red hat symbolize?

Answer: The red hat, called "berretto frigio," is a symbol of freedom and is worn during the carnival in Ivrea. It represents historical significance from Roman times and the Middle Ages.

b. How does the narrator feel when she wipes her face?

Answer: The narrator feels shocked and scared when she wipes her face and sees blood. She's worried that she might need stitches or have a concussion.

c. What does the square look like after an hour-battle of the oranges?

Answer: After an hour of the orange-throwing battle, the square is covered in a mixture of orange pulp and horse manure. It smells sharp, sweet-and-sour, and it's a messy and chaotic scene.

d. How do aranceri members chase the cart?

Answer: The aranceri members, who are the orange-throwers on foot, chase the cart carrying opponents on horse-drawn carriages. They charge at the cart, bombarding it with oranges, and continue chasing it around the square.

e. Does Silvia enjoy this carnival? Why?

Answer: Yes, Silvia enjoys the carnival. She finds it good for her psychological health as it allows her to let out all the frustrations built up during the year. After the carnival, she feels refreshed.

f. Why does Massi say, "Forget the nets"?

Answer: Massi encourages people to forget about staying behind protective nets to be truly part of the carnival experience. He believes that to fully enjoy the rush of the battle, one needs to be in the middle of the action and that a minor injury like a black eye is a small price to pay for the excitement.

D. You might know about some unique festivals like "Battle of the Oranges". Collect some information about any one of such festivals.

La Tomatina is a tomato-throwing festival held in the town of Bunol, Spain. It occurs every last Wednesday of August annually. It is considered the world's largest food fight!

The festival began in 1945 when a spontaneous tomato fight broke out among youth in the town plaza. Since then it has grown into a major tourist attraction, drawing over 30,000 participants from around the world every year.

At around 11 am on the day of La Tomatina, a truck loaded with tomatoes enters the town plaza where participants are waiting. As soon as the truck stops, a countdown begins and participants rush to grab as many tomatoes as they can. For the next 1-2 hours, a massive tomato-throwing frenzy ensues! People throw tomatoes at each other, town structures, even climbing onto rooftops to launch tomatoes from above. The entire town plaza is turned into a slippery sea of red pulp.

After the tomato fight ends, fire trucks arrive and spray down the plaza, washing away the tomato remains. The festival concludes with traditional dancing and music.

To participate, one must purchase a official ticket which includes provision of protective eyewear, a T-shirt and access to public showers afterwards. Many attendees wear swimsuits, gloves and goggles for protection during the event.

So in summary, La Tomatina is a unique festival that allows participants to let loose, get messy and indulge in carefree tomato-throwing madness for a brief time, after which order is restored! It's certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience of good fun and huge food wastage.

Grammar - I

A. Change the following sentences into indirect speech. The beginning of each sentence is given.

a. "Are you working tonight?"

Agaman asked Timothy if he was working tonight.

b. "Is thsi the road to the station?"

A stranger wanted to know from me if that was the road to the station.

c. "Did you do your homework?"

My friend inquired her if she had done her homework.

d. "Have you been to Paris?"

The tourist was asked if he had been to Paris.

e. "How long have you been working in this company?"

Usha inquired Anuj how long he had been working in that company.

f. "What flavour ice cream did you have at the pary?"

My mother asked me what flavor ice cream I had at the party.

g. "Have you studied reported speech before?"

The teacher wanted to know if they had studied reported speech before.

h. " Where will you stay tonight?"

I asked him where he would stay that night.

i. "How many players were shown yellow card by the referee?"

Sumangal asked his friend how many players had been shown yellow cards by the referee.

i. "What magic did the medicine have on the patient?"

Sarita wanted to know from Sommaya what magic the medicine had on the patient.

B. Change the following remarks into reported speech.

a. Kritika asked me, "why did you go out last night?"

Kritika asked me why I had gone out the previous night.

b. "Who was that beautiful woman, Usha?" said Sunita.

Sunita asked Usha who that beautiful woman had been.

c. "How is your mother?" said Gaurab to Yang Dolma.

Gaurab asked Yang Dolma how her mother was.

d. My friend wanted to know, "What are you going to do at the weekend?"

My friend asked me what I was going to do at the weekend.

e. "Where will you live after graduation?" said my teacher.

My teacher asked me where I would live after graduation.

f. Anusha said to Melisha,"What were you doing when I saw you?"

Anusha asked Melisha what she had been doing when she had seen her.

g. I said to the piligrim, "How was the journey?"

I asked the pilgrim how the journey had been.

h. "How often do you go to cinema?" said Krishana.

Krishna asked how often I went to the cinema.

i. "Do you live in Patan?" said the Principal.

The Principal asked if I lived in Patan.

j. Niraj said to Luniva,"Did Phadindra arrive on time?"

Niraj asked Luniva if Phadindra had arrived on time.

Writing I

Write an essay describing a festival which is celebrated in your community. Include its brief history, people involved, major activities, religious or social importance, duration, and drawbacks, if any.

Dashain: A Festival of Harmony and Unity

Dashain is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in my community with great enthusiasm and joy. It usually falls in September or October and lasts for 15 days. This festival holds a special place in our hearts as it brings families and friends together in a spirit of love and harmony.

Dashain has its roots in ancient mythology and is dedicated to the goddess Durga, symbolizing victory over evil. According to Hindu legends, the goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura during this time, signifying the triumph of good over evil.

During Dashain, people of all ages participate in various activities and rituals. One of the major activities is the worship of goddess Durga and the offering of animal sacrifices, mainly goats and buffaloes, as a symbolic gesture of devotion.

Families come together to prepare delicious feasts, share gifts, and exchange blessings. Elders bless the younger members of the family, and this reinforces the bond between generations.

The festival also includes kite-flying, playing traditional games, and singing and dancing. People wear new clothes and visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and best wishes.

Dashain holds both religious and social significance. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal of faith. The festival fosters a sense of unity and cultural heritage among the community members.

However, there are some drawbacks associated with Dashain, particularly concerning the use of animal sacrifices. While it has deep religious significance for some, there is growing awareness about animal welfare and ethical considerations. Some people choose to celebrate Dashain without sacrificing animals to promote a more compassionate and humane approach.

Overall, Dashain is a vibrant and cherished festival in our community, bringing happiness, blessings, and cultural richness to our lives. It is a time when we come together as a community to celebrate our traditions and values. As an 8th-grade student, I look forward to Dashain every year and cherish the memories created during this special time with my family and friends.