Unit 1 –The Portrait of a Lady is a

Unit –The Portrait of a Lady is a biographical sketch describing the bond between a grandson and his grandmother, filling the mind with reminiscences of the past. Children identify their personal relationship with their own grandparents and learn humane qualities of kindness, respecting the old and showing concern to their relations. The poem Once upon a Time, speaks of falsity concealed behind smiles, absence of genuine appreciation concealed by a facade of hypocrisy and the longing of an adult for the innocence of childhood. The Supplementary lesson After Twenty Years by O.Henry delineates the duty- consciousness of a true policeman, who is torn between love for his friend and his professional loyalty. Unit - The Queen of Boxing is an excerpt from the autobiography of Mary Kom M.C., a highly talented and courageous Boxing Champion who had overcome many challenges in her life. Her life story is a source of inspiration and encouragement. The poem, Confessions of a Born Spectator by Ogden Nash speaks of the spectator’s attitude to sports/ sportsmen and the need to develop confidence to face and overcome challenges. The Supplementary lesson A Shot in the Dark by Saki is an interesting story which points out that sometimes truth is misinterpreted and people who think they are acting wisely are not always right. The feelings and actions of fellow human beings have to be trusted and given due respect. Unit – The Accidental Tourist is an amusing account by Bill Bryson, who always messes up things bringing about great embarrassment to himself and his family whenever he tours and travels by flight. The poem The Hollow Crown, which is an excerpt from Richard II by William Shakespeare, speaks of the vanity of life and how Death is the ultimate conqueror, rendering everything powerless and meek when one succumbs to defeat. The second play The Never, Never Nest reflects the greed of youngsters to own more and more luxurious articles on loans, paying huge instalments and spending their entire lifetime repaying the loans incurred. Unit - Tight Corners by E.V. Lucas, portrays the need for wisdom