ENGLISH LEARNING

READ FOR FUN    AN OFFICER AND A LADY  - PRAVEEN SWAMI  It was perhaps typical of Kiran Bedi's career that on the day of the announcement of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service for her, she was also ticked off by the Supreme Court. This was during contempt of court proceedings with regard to the Tihar Jail authorities' failure to ensure adequate medical attention for a detainee under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), Richard Semre.  Bedi's career, from its outset, has been characterised by controversy and by her ability to compel attention. Born in prominent Amritsar family, Bedi first attracted attention as a tennis player, winning the Asian women's title in 1972, "Tennis was very important to me," she says, "because to become a champion, I had to learn to fight and to fight fair. I've had to fight hard many times since, but I've always fought fair." That year she met her husband-to-be, Brij Bedi, ...

THE NIGHT AT THE HOTEL - SIEGFRIED LENZ The night receptionist regretfully shrugged his shoulders. 'It's all we have available ,' he said. 'And at this late hour you won't find a single anywhere. It's up to you , of course, if you want to try other hotels. Let me tell you, though, even this free bed in a double room will no doubt be gone should you decide to come back for it later.' 'Very well,' Schwamm said, 'I'll take it. Only. I'm sure you'll understand, I should like to know with whom I am sharing the room. Not that I'm afraid, I have no reason to be. Is my partner - as I suppose one might almost call a person with whom one is to spend a night-already in the room?' 'Yes. He's probably asleep.'    Schwamm  filled out the registration forms and handed them back to the receptionist: then he mounted the stars. As he came within sight of the room number,   Schwamm instinctively slowed down, held his breath in the ho...

 A very good morning to everyone present out here. Respected Principal Sir, Vice- Principal Sir, all the teachers, non-teaching staffs, brothers and sisters and my dear friends.  Today I'm standing in front of you all to deliver a short speech on the topic, 'Trees'. Trees are not just plants; they are vital for life on Earth. They give us oxygen to breathe, clean the air, and provide food and shelter for animals. Trees also help in stopping floods, preventing soil erosion, and keeping our environment healthy. But, unfortunately, we are cutting down trees faster than we can replace them. This is causing problems like climate change, loss of animals, and bad weather patterns.  So, what can we do? We can start by planting more trees, using less paper, recycling, and taking care of the trees we already have. Remember every little step matters. Let’s all do our part to save trees and protect the planet because our future depends on it! Thank you.

  THE TRIAL SCENE FROM THE MERCHANT OF VENICE THE CHARACTERS: Antonio : a merchant of Venice Shylock : a money lender Bassanio : Antonio's friend Portia : Bassanio's wife Balthazar : Portia in disguise as a judge Gratiano : Bassanio's friend Nerissa : Portia's maid Duke : The Chief Justice of the Court The story so far: Antonio, a merchant of Venice, borrowed money from his enemy Shylock to help his friend  Bassanio get married to Portia, a beautiful and intelligent lady. For this he signed an unusual kind of bond. This bond was that if Antonio could not return the mone??y on time, Shylock could cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's chest. Antonio was unable to pay back the money on time, so now he is facing a trial. Now read what happens in the trial scene. THE TRIAL SCENE DUKE: But Shylock, Bassanio has brought twice the money. BASSANIO: No, my Lord, not just twice. I have brought three times the money; and I am prepared to pay him four times or five times as much a...

  THE MARATHON OF HOPE Terry Fox was born in 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. When he was ten years old the family moved to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. There, Terry grew up with his brothers, Fred and Darrell and his sister, Judith. They were a close, loving family. Terry thought of himself as an average guy. Yes, he was average in every way but one. Terry loved a challenge. Once he started something, he simply would not give up until he had seen it through.   Terry set himself many challenges as he was growing up. Basketball was one of them. Terry was small for his age, but he was determined to make it to the school team. One day Terry and his friend, Doug Alward, were having a chat after school. Terry suddenly jumped up. ‘Come on, Doug,’ he said. ‘Enough of this sitting around. Let’s go practice some basketball shots before dinner.’ ‘By the way,’ Doug asked as they played, ‘What did the coach say when you went for the tryouts today?’ ‘Ah, nothing much,...

THE TROJAN HORSE According to a legend of Greece, Helen was the most beautiful woman that ever lived. She was the daughter of the Greek God Zeus born to a woman called Leda. It is said that in Greece there was no prince or ruler who did not want to marry her. She finally chose to marry Menelaus, King of Sparta. However, one day Paris, a prince from the far away city of Troy, came to visit the King and when he saw Helen he fell in love with her. Paris carried Helen away with him to Troy and Menelaus distracted with grief, begged the warriors of Greece to join him in trying to get her back. His brother Agamemnon, King of the splendid city of Mycenae joined him along with many others such as Achilles, the mightiest fighter of all, the bold Diomedes, the strong but slow witted Ajax and the clever Ulysses who was always ready with cunning plots when force of arms failed. There was the old experienced warrior Nester, too, who was looked upon for his experience and advice. The Greeks se...