Review of Documentary Film - The Elephant Whisperers

 The Elephant Whisperers is a 2022 Indian documentary film directed by Kartiki Gonsalves. The documentary is about the bond that develops between a couple and an orphaned baby elephant, Raghu, who was entrusted to their care. The film is produced by Mumbai based production house Sikhya Entertainment, led by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain.The film had its world premiere on 9 November 2022 at Doc NYC Film Festival, a film festival for documentaries in the United States.It was released by Netflix globally on 8 December 2022 for streaming. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards.

       The Elephant Whisperers is a heartwarming documentary that follows the lives of an indigenous couple, Bomman and Bellie, who dedicate themselves to caring for orphaned baby elephants in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in South India. The central story revolves around their bond with a young elephant named Raghu, who was found abandoned and in need of nurturing. As the film progresses, it showcases their emotional connection with the animal and how they integrate love, patience, and traditional knowledge to raise him like their own child.

             The documentary is beautifully shot, with breathtaking visuals of South India's lush forests and intimate close-ups that capture the emotional depth of human-animal relationships. The cinematography is immersive and respectful, avoiding sensationalism while highlighting natural beauty. The background music is gentle and soulful, complementing the serene and emotional tone of the film. The natural sounds of the forest are also used effectively to create an authentic atmosphere.         

       The film conveys a powerful message about coexistence, compassion, and the deep bonds that can form between humans and animals. It also highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. Ultimately, The Elephant Whisperers reminds us of our responsibility to protect wildlife and live in harmony with nature.

Email Writing

 

 Email means Electronic Mail. It is an effective method of exchanging messages with the help of electronic devices. It is a free tool. There is no further expenses that you need to spend ,Once you're online. Documents, images, links etc. can be attached easily . It saves time and energy.

 

 

 Example: 

     Write a congratulatory email to your best friend on getting grand success in the Board Exams.

 

Gmail

search

Inbox Drafts Sent Spam Bin Settings Help and feedback

From : priyapatil123@mail.com To : shitalsandim44@gmail.com   Cc    :     - Bcc    :     - Subject : Congratulation on your grand success Dear Shital,   I just heard the amazing news about your result in the HSC board exam. Scoring a remarkable 92% is an outstanding achievement. Your hard work ,determination and countless hours of study have truly paid off. It's fantastic to see those efforts bear fruit so splendidly. I do not doubt that this success is just the beginning of many more to come in your academic journey. Your achievement is an inspiration to all of us, showing what can be accomplished with perseverance and focus. I look forward to celebrating your success together soon. Let’s catch up and talk about your experiences and plans. Once again, congratulations on this incredible milestone. Best Regards,  Shital sandim    Send  Attachments

 

Std XII English Textbook

           Std XII English Textbook ( Click here 👇)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L414S-P-cNDGmX03yfUsK5YlJt3LqV0P/view?usp=drivesdk

Test 1 ( History of Novel )

 Q. 5. (A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions.

🔸 Pick out the odd element from each line.

(a) Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, Daniel Defoe, Anthony Burgess.

(b) Mystery, Style, Conflict, Character.

(c) The turn of the screw, Aphra Behn, Rajmohan's Wife, Jane Eyre.

(d) Drama, Novel, Psychology, Poetry.

🔸 Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences: 

(a) The novel as a literary genre has a history of about ---------- years.

[two thousand five hundred, two thousand, five hundred]

(b) The new literature written in the 18th century was characterised by-------------------

[mystery, fantasy, spirit of realism]

(c) In ------------ novel, the surface meaning is different from the symbolic meaning.

[Allegorical, Dystopian, Gothic]

(d) ---------------has coined the phrase: Stream of Consciousness'.

[Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, William James]           

🔸 Match the following items from column-A with those from column-B.

   Column ‘A’                             Column‘B’

(a) Murasaki Sikibu       (i) The Pilgrim’s Progress

(b) Jonathan Swift          (ii) Gulliver’s Travels

(c) John Bunyan               (iii) Raja Mohan’s Wife

d) Bankim Chandra         (iv) Tale of  Genji                  Chattopadhyay                             

🔸 Pick the odd word out. 

(a) Amit Ghosh, Vikram Seth, Henry Fielding, Amita Desai. 

(b) plot, novella, setting, theme 

(c) place, time, climate, epistolary 

(d) horror, mystery, picaresque, thriller                  

🔸 Rewrite the given sentences by choosing the correct alternative given in the brackets:

(i) The word 'novella', originated from the.... word 'novelle', a type of prose fiction. 

(French; Italian; American; Mexican)

(ii) The psychological novel presents the....... Of the protagonist. 

(personal life; professional life; social life; internal life)

(iii) The word 'utopia' possesses the .......

(best qualities; worst qualities; ideal qualities; unequal qualities)

(iv) In the eighteenth century middle class could get time for reading and discussing the novels because of........ 

(ideas of life; the spread of superstitions; the spread of machines; ample free time)

🔸 Choose the correct alternatives and complete the given statements: 

(a) Novels with the elements of horror, blood-shed and mystery are called _______ novels. 

(Realistic, Gothic, Psychological) 

(b) The German word ‘bildungsroman’ indicates _______. (Letter, New, Growth) 

(c) There are _______ essential elements of ‘Novel’ or ‘Novella’. (six, eight, eleven) 

(d) Struggle between the opposite forces in the story is called _______. (plot, conflict, setting)

🔸 Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences.

(a) The central idea in the novel is ----------- [plot / theme / story]

(b) The main character in the novel is referred to as -------------------- [antagonist / clown / protagonist]

(c) The struggle between the opposite forces in the story is called -------------- .[setting / character / conflict]

(d) Language and techniques used in the novel is known as -----------------------[manner / style / texture]

🔸State whether the following sentences are True or False

1. Novel is recognized as the most dominant literary genre in modern times.

2. A Novel is relatively a short narrative.

3. ‘Tale of Genji’ is described as the world's first novel.

4. Middle class people had a little interest in romances and tragedies.

🔸Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the sentence.

i. The Eighteenth century gifted mankind with….

a) Drama and poetry

b) Novel and drama

c) Poetry and novel

d) Novel and periodical essays

ii. Novel soon became dominant literary genre as it ….

a) Helped people to live a more purposeful life.

b) Caught the intellectual, sentimental and realistic spirit.

c) grew gradually and gained popularity.

d) All of these.

iii. Indian writers in English Novel initially wrote about the theme of …..

a) Domestic violence.

b) Nationalistic and Social virtues.

c) Scientific theories.

d) Psychological insights.

iv. Gothic novel contains …….

a) Terror and supernatural.

b) Mystery and thriller.

c) Horror and haunted buildings.

d) All of these.

🔸Pick out the odd element from each line.

a) Theme, Plot, Conflict, Novella

b) Manohar Malgaonkar, Mulkraj Anand, Raja Rao, George Orwell

c) The Heart of Darkness, Robinson Crusoe, Frankenstein, Rajmohan's Wife

d) Utopian, Terror, Haunted buildings, Supernatural

 🔸State whether the following statements are True or False

1. Detective friction is a subgenre of crime fiction.  

 2. ' Tale of Genji ' is written by Miguel de cervantes.

3. The main character is referred as the 'protagonist '.

4. ' Picaresque Novel' is based on the life of the author. 

Interview Questions

   

   Framing interview questions 

 🔸 What is an interview?

 It's a formal conversation between two are more than two persons ( interviewer and interviewee )

 Points to Remember-

🔸 Proper introduction

🔸 Relevant to the context

🔸 Discourse markers & cohesive devices 

🔸 Accurate and appropriate language

🔸 Social norms 

🔸 Maintaining logical sequence in interaction

🔸 Appropriate closing

🔸 Ten to twelve exchanges 

 You may begin the interview with the following sentences - ( Introduction )

( Good morning and welcome sir/madam. It gives me great pleasure to meet you and talk to you. I would like to ask you some questions to know about your successful journey. Please allow me….)

🔸 Most common interview questions applied for all interviews…..

 🔸Who encouraged you to choose this field?

 🔸Who are your idols?

 🔸What difficulties did you face as a.. ( field )?

 🔸How do you look at your profession?

 🔸How do you feel after achieving such great success?

🔸 To whom would you dedicate your success?  

🔸 How do you maintain the balance between your professional and personal life?

 🔸What are your future plans? 

 🔸How do you stay motivated during pressurised situations? 

 🔸What message would you like to give to the young generation? 

 Conclusion- 

 Thank you sir for your precious time. Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. They are encouraging and inspiring to all of us. All the best for your future plans.

Example -👇

Your college has decided to celebrate ‘World Environment Day’. Mr. Kiran Purandare has been invited as the ‘Chief Guest’ for the event. Imagine you are the Secretary of the ‘Nature Club’ of your college and you have to conduct an interview with Mr. Kiran Purandare. Frame 8/10 questions for the same. ( Textbook page no.64)

Name of the interviewee - Mr. Kiran Purandare

 Area of success -  Wildlife Activist 

 Date/ Venue/ Time - GKJC, Ratnagiri, 10.00 am

 Duration of interview-  1.00 hr

 Questions should be based on :

 🔸Early interest 

🔸 Experience

🔸 Goals / mission 

 🔸Difficulties / obstacles

 🔸Idols /Inspiration

 🔸Memorable moments

 🔸Family support

🔸 Message

       Good morning sir, very happy and excited to welcome you as a chief guest on the occasion of the world environment day. I am Suhas Patil, secretary of ' Nature Club' of V.S.Gangan Arts, Com.& Late T.P.Kelkar Science Jr.College. I would like to ask a few questions.

1.Why did you decide to become a wildlife activist? 

 2. You spent 400 days inside Nagzira and nearby forest areas. Will you share your experience with us? 

 3.You are the founder of Nisarg Vedh  organisation. What is the mission and work of this organisation? 

4. What difficulties did you face in the forest? 

5. What kind of steps should be taken to save wildlife birds and animals? 

 6.You have written an award winning book 'Sakha Nagzira '. Who inspired you to write a book? 

 7.You spent  most of your time in the company of nature. What did you learn from nature? 

 8.What is the role of your family in your achievement? 

9. What is your message for students of our college? 

     Thank you sir for sharing your thoughts, ideas and experiences with us and all the best for your future plans.

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                  Marking scheme

🔸 Appropriate framing questions - 02 marks

🔸 Language and style - 01 mark  

🔸 Overall impression- 01 mark 

An Astrologer's Day - R. K. Narayan

 About the author -

R. K. Narayan (1906 to 2001) Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami was one of the best known novelists among Indian English writers. He is the author of fourteen novels, five volumes of short stories, and a number of travelogues, and has a collection of non-fiction to his credit. He also wrote his memoir ‘My Days’ (1975). Narayan created the imaginary town of Malgudi, where realistic characters in a typically Indian setting lived amid unpredictable events. His stories are grounded in compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy of ordinary life. His stories are characterized by a simple style and subtle humour.Narayan was introduced to American readers in 1952 by the Michigan State University Press.These include, ‘Swami and Friends’, ‘The Bachelor of Arts’ (1937), ‘The Dark Room’ (1938), ‘An Astrologer’s Day and Other stories’(1947), ‘Mr Sampath ‘(1949), ‘The Financial Expert’ (1954), ‘Waiting for the Mahatma’ (1955), ‘The Guide’ (1958), and many other books.His novel, ‘The Guide’, won him The Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961, the most coveted literary honour in India. His writing is distinguished by humour and unoffending irony, a unique Indianness and a simplicity which is utterly charming and authentic. Narayan typically portrays the peculiarities of human relationships and the ironies of Indian daily life. His style is graceful, marked by genial humour, elegance and simplicity.

Summary -

"The Astrologer's Day" is a short story which deals with a day in the life of an ordinary but fake astrologer. The setting of the story is a town, Malgudi which is located in South India, near to Madras. It is not a story of contemporary times but pre - independence times.The story opens at midday. This is the time when  an astrologer opens his business. The writer describes how he begins his business. He removes all his professional equipments like cowrie shells, charts, Palmyra writing etc. He is also dressed typically like an astrologer to attract customers. His forehead is bright with sacred ash and vermilion. His eyes are assumed to have a prophetic light by his customers. He wears a saffron turban. Thus an astrologer presented himself so perfectly that he was consequently a point of attraction for all the people. The writer describes the path along the Town Hall Park where the astrologer sits to lure his prospective customers. He carried on his business under a tamarind tree on the Town Hall road. The path was the right place to carry on his business as it was amply crowded with different trades and traders like medicine sellers, hardware and junk,magicians, cloth - sellers etc. Next to him,a fried groundnut vendor whose gas light enabled him to carry on his business even after sunset.The astrologer was a shrewd person who hardly had any knowledge of astrology. He just made a guess work when people approached him. He had to work hard to earn his wages. He had left  his village since he didn't want to continue the traditional occupation of his forefathers i.e. farming. He never had any plans to return to his village.He was a mastermind at analyzing human mind and psychology.His strong perception made him diagnose the exact problem of his customers. His customers would finally leave satisfied. He closed his shop for the day when his neighbor, groundnut vendor blew out his light. On the day under description in the story, the groundnut vendor left and the astrologer was packing up his wares when he located a man standing before him. He perceived him to be his prospective customer. When the astrologer invited him, he posed a challenge before him and his astrological science. They have a deal between them. The man gave him an anna and asked the astrologer to answer his questions and if he doesn't answer satisfactorily he will have to return the anna with interest. At the same time if the astrologer is able to answer the questions satisfactorily he would give him eight annas. But if the astrologer fails, he would pay double amount i.e.,sixteen annas to the man. Thus the deal was finalized between them.The astrologer prayed to the heaven. Then suddenly the astrologer denied the challenge and requested the man to let him go. The man said that he will not let him give in. He holds him in his grip thereby making the astrologer shiver. Finally, the astrologer realized that he is trapped and has no chance of moving out. The man turned out to be a criminal by profession. The astrologer shivered and unwillingly accepted the challenge.He started telling about some woman but the man was not satisfied and stopped him. He had a single question that whether he would get what he was searching for. The man promised the astrologer that if he is satisfied with his answers, he would pay him a rupee. The astrologer prayed a few incantations before replying. The astrologer began with his prophecies by saying to the man that you were left for dead in the past and a knife has passed once on your chest. The man was excited at this information since he had really faced it. After he got wounded,he was thrown into a well nearby to die. A passerby saw him and rescued him and that is how he was saved from dying. The man was waiting to revenge the culprit who had attacked him and was in search of the culprit who had tried to kill him. The only thing which the man wanted to know from the astrologer if he could find his killer.The astrologer instantly replied that the culprit had died four months ago in a far - off town. The man was disappointed to hear this.The astrologer identified the name of the man before him as Guru Nayak. He told the man that his village was a two days' journey to north and warned him to go back home and never to travel south again . He asked him to return to his hometown immediately as his life was in danger if he left his hometown again. The man replied that he left home just to search the culprit who had tried to kill him and was interested in knowing if he had died in the worst way. The astrologer satisfied him by informing that the culprit was crushed under a lorry.The man left after giving the astrologer a handful of coins. The astrologer too winded up his belongings and went home.The astrologer's wife was waiting for him worriedly since he was unusually late that day. The astrologer flung the coins at his wife to count . They were twelve and a half annas in all. She was extremely happy to encounter that big amount. She planned to buy jaggery and coconut for their child, who was demanding for sweets from a long time . However, the astrologer looked worried and was not happy like his wife. He was angry at Guru Nayak as he had cheated him. He promised to give a rupee and actually gave only twelve and a half annas . After dinner, he shared the secret of his life with his wife. He said that a great burden of his life was gone that day. He always felt that he had killed Guru Nayak. So the astrologer had run away from his native village due to the fear of being accused as a murderer. He settled in Malgudi and married and decided that he would never return back to his native village. Actually the man who tried to kill Guru Nayak was the astrologer himself. So he was able to make accurate predictions about him though he hardly knew astrology. The astrologer confessed to his wife that in his youth he was into bad company with Guru Nayak. He drank, gambled and quarrelled badly one day and had a fight and had almost killed Guru Nayak. This is how life with its unpredictable twists and turns had created an astrologer out of a vagabond.

XII ENGLISH ACTIVITY SHEET FORMAT

      Activity Sheet Format ( 80 marks )

Subject - English (01)

Class - XII

SECTION -I ( Prose )   ( 16 marks )

Q1A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below :              (12 marks ) 

(Seen extract from section no.1 consisting of 275- 300 words )

A1) Global Understanding                   02

A2) Complex factual                              02

A3) Inference /Interpretation/ Analysis  02

A4) Personal Response                       02

A5) Language study                              02

A6) Vocabulary                                       02

B) Language study (Non -textual grammar)                                                                   (04 marks )

B1. Do as directed / Transformation of sentences                                                                   03

B2. Spot the error                                  01

Q2A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below :              (18 marks ) 

(Unseen extract consisting of 275- 300 words )

A1) Global Understanding                02

A2) Complex factual                           02

A3) Inference /Interpretation/ Analysis 02

A4) Personal Response                       02

A5) Language study                              02

A6) Vocabulary                                       02

B) Summary Writing                            03

( Write the summary of the above extract with a suitable title with the help of the given points / hints ) 

C) Mind mapping                                    03

 Develop a mind mapping frame /design using your ideas/ thoughts /concepts to illustrate /develop on the given topic.)

                  SECTION -II POETRY 

   ( POETRY AND APPRECIATION )  ( 14marks )

Q3A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below :              (10 marks ) 

(Seen extract from a poem of about 10- 15 lines )

A1) Global Understanding                02

A2) Inference /Interpretation/ Analysis 02

A3) Personal Response                       02

A4) Poetic device                                   02

A5) Creativity ( Compose 2-3 lines ) 02

B) APPRECIATION                         04Marks 

( Seen extract of 10-15 lines from another poem not asked in Q3.A)

                         SECTION III

                ( WRITING SKILLS ) 

Q4 complete the activities as per the instructions given below :                (16marks ) 

 A) Drafting virtual message /Statement of purpose /Group discussion                                (04) 

 B) Email /Report writing/  Interview               (04)

 C) Speech / compering / Expansion of ideas                                                                  (04)

D) Review / Blog /Appeal          (04)

                        SECTION -IV

       ( LITERARY GENERE - NOVEL ) 

                                                              ( 16marks ) 

Q5 A) complete the activities as per the instructions given below :               (04)

1. Activities on History of English Novel       (02)

2. Activities on History of English Novel       (02)

( Activities to be framed on MCQ/ Match the columns/ Chronological order/ Fill in the blanks/ True False/ Elements of Novel OR any other novel activity)

B) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below :

( Questions to be based on elements such as plo/t structure /Theme /Setting Language/ Character )

1. Describe/ Explain /Compare /Contrast/ Name /Discuss         02

2.  Illustrate /Interpret /Narrate/Justify / Find /Identify  02

( Please note: activities in Q5B should be framed on text book content 4.2 )

C) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below :

( Questions to be based on elements such as plo/t structure /Theme /Setting Language/ Character )

1. Describe/ Explain /Compare /Contrast/ Name /Discuss         02

2.  Illustrate /Interpret /Narrate/Justify / Find /Identify  02

( Please note: activities in Q5C should be framed on text book content 4.3 )

D) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below :

( Questions to be based on elements such as plo/t structure /Theme /Setting Language/ Character )

1. Describe/ Explain /Compare /Contrast/ Name /Discuss         02

2. Illustrate /Interpret /Narrate/Justify / Find /Identify        02

( Please note: activities in Q5D should be framed on text book content 4.4 )

NOTE

 🔸 Que.1 to Que. 4 are purely Activity based questions.

 🔸 Grammar activities should be functional / in Activity format.

 🔸 Grammar Activities should not be in a plain instruction based type. 

 🔸 In Mind mapping, various varieties should be accepted.

 🔸 There should not be a repetition of Activities throughout the Activity sheet.

 🔸 Varieties in Novel Activities are expected

 Que. 5 B,C,D are memory based. Similar Activities should not be repeated throughout the Section.