Std 10 English · Unit Four

4.5 The Old Man and The Sea: Book Review

Complete textbook exercise solutions based on the text "The Old Man and The Sea: Book Review" — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati).

Reference Note: The solutions provided below are based directly on the textbook chapter "The Old Man and The Sea: Book Review", as provided in the reference file Std-10_Eng-186-190[1].pdf.

English Workshop

1Read the passage and name the following.

(a) Young and devoted apprentice: Manolin.
(b) The place where Hemingway had experience of fishing: Cuban waters.
(c) That which Hemingway was injured by, during First World War: Shrapnel.
(d) Language of the novel: Simple and pithy.
(e) In his first reading, the review writer was left: Unimpressed.

2Correct the following sentences using facts from the review.

(a) Manolin's parents insisted on his working with the same old fisherman.
Manolin's parents forced him to start working with another fisherman.
(b) This novel is pure fiction.
Hemingway's novel is based on real events and draws heavily on his own life.
(c) Hemingway's style of writing does not unfold the hidden meaning.
Hemingway's simplicity is deceptive and a reader can read his work again and again and find new layers of meaning every time.
(d) The relationship between the old man and Manolin is coarse.
The quiet devotion of the empathetic Manolin and the relationship between the two are heart-warming.

3Compare the points that you would use for a book review with those of the review of a play and write in your notebook.

Book Review	Play Review
Storyline and Plot summary	Storyline and Plot summary
Writing style and language	Dialogue delivery and script
Character development	Acting and actor performances
Social / Historical context	Stage directions, lighting, and sets
The reviewer's personal thoughts	The reviewer's overall impact and audience reaction

4Complete the following sentences using the expressions.

(1) In my opinion, every hard working person achieves success in life.
(2) I strongly feel that determination and endurance are the keys to overcoming any obstacle.
(3) I wish I could write stories with as much depth as Ernest Hemingway.
(4) As far as I know you, you never give up easily when faced with a challenge.
(5) I think reading classic literature helps us understand history much better.

5Find all the words from the text that are related to the word 'brave' or 'courage'.

Strength
Struggle
Determination
Endurance
Triumph
Formidable
Noble

6Fill the incidents of struggle of Hemingway in table A and those of the old man in table B.

Table A: Ernest Hemingway	Table B: Old man
He worked for the Red Cross during the First World War.	He had a run of terrible bad luck and was unable to catch any fish for eighty-four days.
He was injured by shrapnel when he was in Italy.	He struggled with a strong marlin pulling his boat.
He constantly faced the need to struggle against defeat or death in life.	He fought a noble but desperate battle against sharks.
	He was left extremely exhausted and very near death at the end.

7Match the phrases in 'A' and their meanings in 'B'. After matching their meanings, make sentences of your own.

'A' Phrases	'B' Meanings
1. run of terrible bad luck	d. a period of time when bad things happen
2. draws heavily on	e. makes use of
3. struck a chord	a. hit on a topic (evoked a strong emotional reaction)
4. in spite of	b. without being affected by a particular factor
5. holding on	c. endure in difficult circumstances

Sentences:

run of terrible bad luck: After losing his job and his wallet in the same week, he felt he was having a run of terrible bad luck.
draws heavily on: The author's new historical novel draws heavily on ancient folklore.
struck a chord: The speaker's inspiring story about overcoming poverty struck a chord with the young students.
in spite of: She managed to pass the difficult exam in spite of being ill for a month.
holding on: The brave mountaineer was holding on to the rope tightly during the heavy snowstorm.

8(A) Rewrite as directed, without change of meaning, in your notebook.

(1) Hemingway's novel is based on real events. (Convert the underlined adjective to an Adjectival Clause)
Hemingway's novel is based on events which are real.
(2) He hooks a marlin but the marlin is too strong for him. (Rewrite beginning with 'Although')
Although he hooks a marlin, it is too strong for him.
(3) The reader can read his work again and again and find new layers of meaning. (Begin the sentence with 'On reading')
On reading his work again and again, the reader can find new layers of meaning.
(4) As the novel progresses, the old man and the marlin are inseparably linked. (Rewrite using 'progress' as a Noun)
With the progress of the novel, the old man and the marlin are inseparably linked.
(5) Being strong, the marlin starts pulling the boat. (Rewrite inserting 'and' as a Co-ordinator)
The marlin is strong and it starts pulling the boat.
(6) When I first read this novel, I was unimpressed. (Rewrite using 'but' as a Co-ordinator)
I first read this novel, but I was unimpressed.

8(B) Write the 'root-word' after dropping the prefix or suffix or both.

(1) unable	able	(2) heavily	heavy
(3) determination	determine	(4) endurance	endure
(5) unimpressed	impress	(6) relationship	relate
(7) inseparably	separate	(8) empathetic	empathy
(9) beautiful	beauty	(10) simplicity	simple

9Write a book review on any book of your choice with the help of the given points (Story line, Social/Historical content, Writing style, My thought).

Book Review: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Story line: The Jungle Book follows the adventures of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the dense forests of India. Protected by Bagheera the panther and mentored by Baloo the bear, Mowgli learns the strict "Law of the Jungle." The core narrative centers around his ongoing conflict with the fearsome, man-eating tiger, Shere Khan, and Mowgli's eventual journey to discover his true identity among humans.

Social/Historical context: Published in 1894, the book is heavily influenced by Kipling's childhood spent in British India. The "Law of the Jungle" reflects the strict social codes, discipline, and imperialism of the Victorian era, portraying a natural world that operates on rigid rules of respect, duty, and survival.

Writing style: Kipling's writing is highly descriptive, engaging, and rich with personification. He gives distinct voices and personalities to animals, making the jungle feel alive and relatable. His language is poetic yet accessible, often using songs and rhythmic verses to start or end the chapters.

My thought: I found the book immensely captivating. The vivid imagery immediately transports the reader to the heart of the Indian jungle. The bond between Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheera is heart-warming and teaches great lessons about friendship, loyalty, and bravery. It is a timeless classic that appeals to readers of all ages.

10You know the essential points required for a book review. Now form pairs and find essential points required for a play review and film review.

Book Review	Play Review	Film Review
Story line / Plot summary	Story line / Plot summary	Story line / Plot summary
Writing style and language	Script and dialogue delivery	Screenplay and dialogues
Character development	Acting / Actor performances	Acting / Star cast performances
Social / Historical context	Stage setting, lighting, and costumes	Cinematography, special effects, and music/BGM
My thought (Personal opinion)	My thought (Overall impact on live audience)	My thought (Overall entertainment value)

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