These are the answers to the textbook activities of the chapter “The Alchemy of Nature” (Class 10 English, Maharashtra State Board). They were written with AI help and checked against the textbook.
The Alchemy of Nature – Textbook Questions and Answers | Class 10 English
Written board papers, 40 marks and 2 hours each: Science & Technology Part 1 and 2, Algebra, Geometry and more.
Sections
| Warming Up | 3 questions | |
| Questions in the Margin | 5 questions | |
| English Workshop | 25 questions |
Chapters covered
Instructions
Solve on paper with a timer, then check against the solutions.
Warming Up
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Rearrange the good qualities in each set so that the first letter of each word makes a meaningful word. Join the sets and get the message.
Set 1: Understanding / Adaptable / Tolerant / Neat / Encouraging / Resourceful
Set 2: Selfless / Inspiring
Set 3: Youthful / Modest
Set 4: Affectionate / Compassionate / Empathetic / Earnest / Honest / Reliable / Trustworthy -
Various aspects of Nature have special features (e.g. Birds: appearance, shape, colour, size, food habits, habitat, sound). Write such special features of each of the following: Land, Water, Trees, Animals, Insects.
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Make a list of living creatures in the alphabetical order (A to Z).
Questions in the Margin
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Guess the meaning of: splendour
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What role does nature play in our lives?
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How does the Hibiscus flower make the most of its short life span?
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Who is stronger – water or rocks? Justify your response.
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What teaches us that hard times do not last forever? How?
English Workshop
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What things in nature teach us the following?
(a) Nothing is impossible to achieve -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(b) Problems are not permanent -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(c) Be humble and adjust -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(d) Make the best use of time and opportunity -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(e) Be persistent -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(f) Many hands make work light -
What things in nature teach us the following?
(g) Delicate structures are not a sign of weakness -
Read the question from the lesson. What does it imply?
(a) Are you listening? -
Read the question from the lesson. What does it imply?
(b) What if we too lived our lives, however short, to its fullest? -
Read the question from the lesson. What does it imply?
(c) What if we too are consistent, organised, focused...? -
Complete the flow-chart that highlights the life of a ‘hibiscus’ flower.
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Fill in the web: What does Nature do for human beings? (one is done: motivates)
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The writer explains the contrasting features of ‘water’ and ‘rock’. Write all the features of both water and rock in the table.
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The writer has very positively described the different things in nature. Write the special feature of each and the value learnt. Add on to the list (Rainbow, Caterpillar, ...).
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Think and answer in your own words.
(a) How should you deal with difficulties and problems? -
Think and answer in your own words.
(b) ‘An oyster turns a grain of sand into a pearl.’ What can we learn from this example? -
Think and answer in your own words.
(c) How does nature succeed in its ‘Alchemy’? What can it turn a small person into? -
Think and answer in your own words.
(d) Which two aspects of nature teach us to accept change and adjust according to the situation? -
Think and answer in your own words.
(e) Why does the writer begin by quoting the lines from William Blake’s poem (Auguries of Innocence)? -
Pick out from the lesson 10 examples each of Concrete Nouns (e.g. sand) and Abstract Nouns (e.g. infinity).
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Underline the verbs in the sentences below and say whether they are Transitive or Intransitive.
(1) One can witness and experience the beauty of Heaven. (2) It leaves me in complete awe. (3) Nature soothes and nurtures. (4) It withers completely. (5) The flower comes to life only for a day. (6) A rainbow colours the entire sky. (7) It smiles and dances. -
Compose about 8 to 10 sets of imaginary dialogues between a bird, a tree and its fruit regarding the effects of environmental changes.
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‘Impossible’ itself says ‘I M possible’. Do you agree? Justify your answer by citing something that you have experienced or heard from someone.
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You have an environment protection week celebration in your school and have invited an environmentalist. Your friend interviews him/her about how to save the environment. Frame suitable interview questions.
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Write a News Report on the ‘Environment Day’ celebrated in your school.