Day 1: The Axe Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble NOTES
The Axe
Class: VII | Subject: Blossoms VIII
English Version
"Velan, an old gardener, was perfectly contented with his life, caring for the beautiful garden of a big house. But one night, his master died... The house soon got the reputation of being haunted, and people started avoiding it."
"Years passed... One of the old master’s sons had come to sell the house to a company... Velan was heartbroken. He silently pleaded with the tree-cutters to stop..."
বাংলা অনুবাদ
"ভেলান, একজন বৃদ্ধ মালী, একটি বড় বাড়ির সুন্দর বাগানটির যত্ন নিয়ে তার জীবনে পুরোপুরি সন্তুষ্ট ছিল। কিন্তু এক রাতে, তার মনিব মারা যান... শীঘ্রই বাড়িটি ভূতুড়ে বলে পরিচিতি লাভ করে এবং লোকেরা এটি এড়িয়ে চলতে শুরু করে।"
"বছর কেটে গেল... পুরনো মনিবের এক ছেলে একটি কোম্পানির কাছে বাড়িটি বিক্রি করতে এসেছিল... ভেলানের হৃদয় ভেঙে গেল। সে নীরবে গাছ কাটারীদের কাছে অনুরোধ করল..."
The Tragic End
As Velan walked away, he heard the cruel sound of the axe. He looked back and saw his beloved margosa tree crashing down. With a low moan, Velan closed his eyes forever.
1 True or False
2 Cause & Effect
Comprehension Check
Q: Who was Velan?
A: Velan was an old gardener who cared for the garden of a big house.
Q: Did the company that bought the house need a garden?
A: No, they told Velan they were not going to have a garden and all trees had to be cut down.
Activity 7: Adverbs
Example (a):
Binota studied harder than me.
Example (b):
Rupa sang more sweetly than her sister.
Activity 9: Subject-Verb Agreement
Example (a):
The news is shocking.
Example (b):
The children play cricket in the park.
Lesson: The Axe
Class: VII | Subject: Blossoms | Comprehensive Study Material
Short Answer Questions (20)
1. Who was Velan?
Ans: Velan was an old gardener who looked after the beautiful garden of a big house.
2. Why did the master's sons leave the house?
Ans: They were not interested in the house or the garden and they quarrelled among themselves.
3. What was the reputation of the house after the tenants left?
Ans: The house gained the reputation of being haunted.
4. Who became the "unofficial master" of the house?
Ans: Velan became the unofficial master as he was left with the keys.
5. Why did a car arrive at the gate one day?
Ans: One of the old master’s sons came to sell the house to a company.
6. What did the company intend to do with the trees?
Ans: The company decided that all the trees had to be cut down.
7. Which specific tree is mentioned as Velan's beloved?
Ans: The margosa tree.
8. What was Velan's reaction to the news of cutting trees?
Ans: Velan was heartbroken and silently pleaded with the cutters to wait.
9. What sound did Velan hear as he walked away?
Ans: He heard the cruel sound of the axe.
10. How did Velan's life end?
Ans: He closed his eyes forever with a low moan after seeing his margosa tree fall.
11. State True or False: Velan was perfectly happy in his garden.
Ans: True.
12. Did the tenants care for the garden?
Ans: No, the tenants had no regard for the garden.
13. Fill in the blank: The news ___ (is/are) shocking.
Ans: is.
14. Fill in the blank: The children ___ (plays/play) cricket.
Ans: play.
15. Choose the correct adverb: Binota studied ___ (harder/more harder) than me.
Ans: harder.
16. Choose the correct adverb: Rupa sang ___ (most sweetly/more sweetly) than her sister.
Ans: more sweetly.
17. What caused the gates to open?
Ans: Velan cleared the vegetation which blocked the entrance.
18. Why did Velan hobble up with the keys?
Ans: Because a car sounded its horn at the gate.
19. What did Velan do before leaving the garden for the last time?
Ans: He gathered his belongings and pleaded with the cutters to stop for a while.
20. What happened when Velan heard the sound of the axe?
Ans: He stumbled and fell.
Long Answer Questions (20)
1. Describe Velan’s relationship with the garden and the house.
Solution: Velan was an old gardener who was deeply attached to the garden. He was "perfectly contented" with his life while caring for the plants. After his master died and the sons left, Velan remained the sole caretaker. He became the "unofficial master" of the house, holding the keys and protecting the space for years, even when others abandoned it or thought it was haunted.
2. How did the house change after the death of the master?
Solution: Following the master's death, his sons showed no interest in the property and left after quarrelling. The house was rented to various tenants who neglected the garden. Eventually, the house stood empty, gained a reputation for being haunted, and was avoided by people, leaving only Velan to look after it.
3. Explain the significance of the car arriving at the gate.
Solution: The arrival of the car signaled the end of Velan's peaceful era. It brought one of the old master's sons who had decided to sell the house to a company. This event led to the decision to destroy the garden, which was the most important part of Velan's life, marking the beginning of the story's tragic conclusion.
4. Why did the company decide to cut down the trees?
Solution: The company that bought the house had no use for a garden. Their primary interest was the land or the house itself for commercial purposes. They explicitly told Velan that they were "not going to have a garden," which necessitated the removal of all the trees Velan had nurtured.
5. Describe the emotional state of Velan when he heard about the trees.
Solution: Velan was "heartbroken." The garden was not just a job to him but his entire world. He felt a deep sense of loss and desperation, which is evident from his silent pleading with the tree-cutters to delay their work until he could at least gather his belongings and leave the site.
6. Analyze the ending of the story. What does Velan's death symbolize?
Solution: Velan’s death is deeply symbolic of the inseparable bond between him and nature. As his beloved margosa tree crashed down, his own life force seemed to vanish. His death represents the destruction of old traditions and the personal, caring touch of a gardener by the "cruel" and impersonal forces of modern commercialization.
7. What role did the "margosa tree" play in the story?
Solution: The margosa tree was the centerpiece of Velan's garden and his most "beloved" tree. Its destruction was the final blow to Velan. The sight of it "crashing down" was the last thing he saw before he died, making the tree a symbol of his life's work and his ultimate heartbreak.
8. Discuss the "Cause and Effect" relationship regarding the gate.
Solution: The cause was the car sounding its horn, which prompted Velan to hobble up with the keys. However, the entrance was blocked by overgrown vegetation. The effect of Velan clearing this vegetation was that the gates could finally be opened, allowing the new owners to enter and eventually decide the garden's fate.
9. How does the author describe the sound of the axe? Why?
Solution: The author describes it as the "cruel sound of the axe." It is called "cruel" because it represents the heartless destruction of living things that Velan loved. To Velan, it wasn't just wood being cut; it was the sound of his friends (the trees) being murdered.
10. Compare the attitude of the master’s sons with that of Velan.
Solution: The master’s sons were materialistic and indifferent; they only cared about the house as a financial asset to be sold. In contrast, Velan had a spiritual and emotional connection to the land. While the sons saw the garden as a burden or a commodity, Velan saw it as his life’s purpose.
11. Explain the grammar rule for "The news is shocking" based on the text.
Solution: This is a rule of Subject-Verb Agreement. Although the word "news" ends in 's' and looks plural, it is an uncountable noun that is always treated as singular. Therefore, it takes the singular verb "is" rather than "are."
12. Explain the use of comparative adverbs "harder" and "more sweetly".
Solution: Adverbs are compared to show degree. Short adverbs like "hard" usually take the suffix "-er" (harder). Longer adverbs, or those ending in "-ly" like "sweetly," usually use "more" (more sweetly) to form the comparative degree. "More harder" is grammatically incorrect as it uses double comparatives.
13. Why did the house become "haunted" in the eyes of the public?
Solution: After the master died and the sons left, the house saw a series of short-term tenants who didn't care for it. Eventually, it became empty and neglected. In many cultures, a large, old, empty, and overgrown house quickly gains a reputation for being haunted because of its desolate appearance and lack of human activity.
14. What does the phrase "unofficial master of the house" imply about Velan?
Solution: It implies that while Velan did not legally own the house, he was the only one who truly belonged there. He held the keys, maintained the grounds, and lived there with a sense of responsibility and belonging that the actual owners (the sons) lacked.
15. Describe the scene of Velan leaving the house.
Solution: It was a tragic scene. Velan gathered his few belongings while the tree-cutters waited. As he walked away, the sound of the axe began. The physical and emotional shock was so great that he stumbled and fell. His friends tried to help him, but his spirit was already broken by the sight of his falling margosa tree.
16. How does the story highlight the theme of "Man vs. Progress"?
Solution: The story pits Velan (representing man’s harmonious bond with nature) against the company (representing industrial progress and commercialization). Progress is shown as "cruel" and indifferent, as it destroys years of natural growth and a man's life's work for the sake of a new building project.
17. What can we infer about Velan’s character from his "silent pleading"?
Solution: We can infer that Velan was a humble, gentle, and non-confrontational person. He didn't shout or fight the company; instead, he "silently pleaded." This shows his deep respect for others and his quiet dignity, even in the face of extreme personal tragedy.
18. Why is the title "The Axe" appropriate for this story?
Solution: The title is appropriate because the axe is the instrument of destruction that ends both the garden and Velan’s life. It represents the sharp, cold reality of change that cuts through Velan's peaceful existence. The sound of the axe is the final "cruel" note of the story.
19. Discuss the Subject-Verb agreement in "The children play cricket".
Solution: In English grammar, a plural subject requires a plural verb. "Children" is the plural form of "child." Therefore, the verb must be "play" (plural form) instead of "plays" (singular form used with he/she/it).
20. What is the Bengali translation of Velan's final reaction?
Solution: According to the text: "একটি ক্ষীণ আর্তনাদের সাথে, ভেলান চিরতরে চোখ বন্ধ করল।" (With a low moan, Velan closed his eyes forever.) This indicates that the pain of seeing his garden destroyed was too much for his old heart to bear.
CLASS 5 BUTTERFLY
Lesson 4: Memory in Marble
Day 2: The Axe Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble ACTIVITIES
WBBSE Interactive Test Bank
Class: VII | Subject: English (Blossoms)
Lesson: The Axe (Based on Source Material)
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Lesson: The Axe
Class: VII | Subject: Blossoms VIII | Full Marks: 50
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Note: Descriptive questions must be checked by your teacher.
Word Meanings
Lesson: The Axe
মালী → Gardener
সন্তুষ্ট → Contented
যত্ন নেওয়া → Care (Care, Cared, Cared)
মনিব → Master
মারা যাওয়া → Die (Die, Died, Died)
আগ্রহী → Interested
ঝগড়া করা → Quarrel (Quarrel, Quarrelled, Quarrelled)
ভাড়া দেওয়া → Rent (Rent, Rented, Rented)
শ্রদ্ধা বা যত্ন → Regard
ভূতুড়ে → Haunted
এড়িয়ে চলা → Avoid (Avoid, Avoided, Avoided)
পৌঁছানো → Arrive (Arrive, Arrived, Arrived)
বিক্রি করা → Sell (Sell, Sold, Sold)
মর্মাহত → Heartbroken
অনুরোধ করা → Plead (Plead, Pleaded, Pleaded)
সংগ্রহ করা → Gather (Gather, Gathered, Gathered)
নিষ্ঠুর → Cruel
কুঠার → Axe
হোঁচট খাওয়া → Stumble (Stumble, Stumbled, Stumbled)
আর্তনাদ → Moan
Day 3: The Axe Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble MOCK TEST
Lesson: The Axe
Class: VII | Subject: Blossoms VIII
Velan, an old gardener, was perfectly contented with his life, caring for the beautiful garden of a big house. But one night, his master died. The master’s sons were not interested in the house or the garden. They quarrelled and left. The house was rented to several tenants who had no regard for the garden, but none of them stayed for long. The house soon got the reputation of being haunted, and people started avoiding it.
ভেলান, একজন বৃদ্ধ মালী, একটি বড় বাড়ির সুন্দর বাগানটির যত্ন নিয়ে তার জীবনে পুরোপুরি সন্তুষ্ট ছিল। কিন্তু এক রাতে, তার মনিব মারা যান। মনিবের ছেলেরা বাড়ি বা বাগান নিয়ে আগ্রহী ছিল না। তারা ঝগড়া করে চলে গেল। বাড়িটি বেশ কয়েকজন ভাড়াটিয়াকে দেওয়া হয়েছিল যাদের বাগানের প্রতি কোনো যত্ন ছিল না, কিন্তু তাদের কেউই বেশিদিন থাকেনি। শীঘ্রই বাড়িটি ভূতুড়ে বলে পরিচিতি লাভ করে এবং লোকেরা এটি এড়িয়ে চলতে শুরু করে।
Velan was left with the keys and became the unofficial master of the house. Years passed. One day, a car arrived. One of the old master’s sons had come to sell the house to a company. They told Velan that they were not going to have a garden and that all the trees had to be cut down. Velan was heartbroken. He silently pleaded with the tree-cutters to stop while he gathered his belongings.
ভেলানকে চাবি দিয়ে দেওয়া হয় এবং সে বাড়ির অঘোষিত মনিব হয়ে ওঠে। বছর কেটে গেল। একদিন একটি গাড়ি এসে পৌঁছাল। পুরনো মনিবের এক ছেলে একটি কোম্পানির কাছে বাড়িটি বিক্রি করতে এসেছিল। তারা ভেলানকে বলল যে তারা কোনো বাগান রাখবে না এবং সমস্ত গাছ কেটে ফেলতে হবে। ভেলানের হৃদয় ভেঙে গেল। সে নীরবে গাছ কাটারীদের কাছে অনুরোধ করল যেন তারা তার জিনিসপত্র গুছিয়ে না নেওয়া পর্যন্ত অপেক্ষা করে।
As he walked away, he heard the cruel sound of the axe. He stumbled and fell. His friends ran to help him. He looked back and saw his beloved margosa tree crashing down. With a low moan, Velan closed his eyes forever.
সে যখন হেঁটে যাচ্ছিল, তখন সে কুঠারের নিষ্ঠুর শব্দ শুনতে পেল। সে হোঁচট খেয়ে পড়ে গেল। তার বন্ধুরা তাকে সাহায্য করতে ছুটে এল। সে পিছনে ফিরে তাকিয়ে দেখল তার প্রিয় মারগোসা গাছটি ভেঙে পড়ছে। একটি ক্ষীণ আর্তনাদের সাথে, ভেলান চিরতরে চোখ বন্ধ করল।
Textual Activities
Activity 1: True or False
- (a) Velan was perfectly happy.
- (b) The people in the big house were not at peace with life.
Activity 2 & 3: Comprehension
(a) Who was Velan?
ভেলান কে ছিলেন?
(b) Did the tenants have any regard for the garden?
ভাড়াটিয়াদের কি বাগানের প্রতি কোনো যত্ন ছিল?
| Cause (কারণ) | Effect (ফল) |
|---|---|
| A car sounded its horn at the gate. | Velan hobbled up with the keys. |
| Velan cleared the vegetation which blocked the entrance. | The gates opened. |
Activity 7: Adverbs
(a) Binota studied harder than me.
(b) Rupa sang more sweetly than her sister.
Activity 9: Subject-Verb Agreement
(a) The news is shocking.
(b) The children play cricket in the park.
Day 4: The Axe Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble ONLINE EXAM
Lesson: The Axe
Activity Solutions & Comprehension
Activity 1: True or False
(a) Velan was perfectly happy.
Answer: True
Supporting Statement: "Velan, an old gardener, was perfectly contented with his life..."
(b) The people in the big house were not at peace with life.
Answer: True
Supporting Statement: "The master’s sons were not interested in the house or the garden. They quarrelled and left."
Activity 2 & 3: Comprehension
(a) Who was Velan?
Answer: Velan was an old gardener who lived a contented life caring for the beautiful garden of a big house.
(b) Did the tenants have any regard for the garden?
Answer: No, the tenants who rented the house had no regard for the garden.
Activity 4: Cause and Effect
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| A car sounded its horn at the gate. | Velan hobbled up with the keys. |
| Velan cleared the vegetation which blocked the entrance. | The gates opened. |
Activity 5 & 6: Comprehension
(a) What did someone from the car order Velan to do?
Answer: Someone from the car informed Velan that the house had been sold to a company and ordered that all the trees in the garden must be cut down.
(b) Did the company that bought the house need a garden?
Answer: No, the company did not need a garden; they intended to cut down all the trees.
Activity 7: Adverbs
(a) Binota studied ___ (harder / more harder) than me.
Answer: harder
(b) Rupa sang ___ (most sweetly / more sweetly) than her sister.
Answer: more sweetly
Activity 9: Subject-Verb Agreement
(a) The news ___ (is / are) shocking.
Answer: is
(b) The children ___ (plays / play) cricket in the park.
Answer: play
Day 5: The Axe Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble Activities Revision + Mistake Analysis Active Recall / Teaching Leave a Reply
Revision: The Axe
Class: VII | Subject: Blossoms | Lesson Analysis
Common Conceptual Mistakes & Pitfalls
| Common Mistake | Correct Understanding |
|---|---|
| Thinking Velan was the owner of the house after the master died. | Velan was only the "unofficial master." The house actually belonged to the master's sons, who eventually sold it to a company. |
| Believing the house was actually haunted by ghosts. | The house "got the reputation" of being haunted because it was neglected, the garden was overgrown, and tenants didn't stay long. It wasn't necessarily haunted. |
| Using double comparatives like "more harder" or "more sweeter". | Adverbs like 'hard' become 'harder'. 'Sweetly' becomes 'more sweetly'. Never use 'more' with an '-er' ending (e.g., Use "harder" than me). |
| Treating "News" as a plural noun (e.g., The news are...). | "News" is an uncountable noun that takes a singular verb. Correct: "The news is shocking." |
| Assuming the company wanted to keep the garden. | The company specifically told Velan they were not going to have a garden and ordered all trees to be cut down. |
Power Revision Summary
Plot & Characters
- Velan: A devoted old gardener whose life revolved around his master's garden.
- The Shift: After the master's death, his sons abandoned the house due to quarrels.
- The Decline: Tenants neglected the garden; the house became isolated and avoided.
- The End: The property was sold to a company that valued construction over nature.
- Symbolism: The "Margosa Tree" represents Velan's heart and his connection to the land.
Grammar Essentials
- Adverbs (Comparison):
• Hard → Harder (Comparative)
• Sweetly → More sweetly (Comparative) - Subject-Verb Agreement:
• News: Always singular (The news is...)
• Children: Always plural (The children play...) - Cause & Effect:
• Cause: Car horn → Effect: Velan brings keys.
• Cause: Clearing vegetation → Effect: Gates open.
Active Recall Toolkit
Lesson: The Axe | Blossoms VIII (Class VII Context)
1. Blind Questions (Memory Test)
01. Who was Velan and what was his job?
02. Why did the master's sons leave the house after his death?
03. How did the tenants treat the garden?
04. Why did the house gain the reputation of being haunted?
05. Who became the "unofficial master" of the house for many years?
06. Why did a car arrive at the gate after many years?
07. What did the company intend to do with the garden and trees?
08. What was Velan's reaction to the news of cutting the trees?
09. What did Velan plead with the tree-cutters to do?
10. Which specific tree did Velan see crashing down at the end?
11. What happened to Velan as he walked away from the house?
12. (Grammar) Which is correct: "Binota studied harder" or "more harder"?
13. (Grammar) Complete: "Rupa sang ___ (most/more) sweetly than her sister."
14. (Grammar) Choose the verb: "The news ___ (is/are) shocking."
15. (Grammar) Choose the verb: "The children ___ (plays/play) cricket."
2. The Feynman Method (Explain to a 5-Year-Old)
"Imagine a very old grandpa named Velan who lived in a big garden. He loved his trees like they were his best friends. One day, the owners of the house decided to cut all the trees down to build something new. This made Velan’s heart very, very sad. When he heard the 'chop-chop' sound of the axe hitting his favorite tree, he couldn't bear it anymore. He closed his eyes and went to sleep forever because he couldn't live without his green friends. It teaches us that nature is a part of our soul."
3. Spaced Repetition Schedule
📅 Day 1: Story Recall
- • Sequence of events (Master's death → Tenants → Company).
- • Character sketch of Velan.
- • Meaning of "Margosa tree" and "Haunted".
📅 Day 3: Grammar & Logic
- • Adverbs: Comparative vs Superlative forms.
- • Subject-Verb Agreement (News/Is, Children/Play).
- • Cause and Effect: Why did the gates open?
📅 Day 7: Deep Analysis
- • Theme: Man vs. Progress (Industrialization).
- • Symbolism: The sound of the axe.
- • Final Scene: Why did Velan "close his eyes forever"?