Being Safe (Prose)

Being Safe

Warm-up

• Is it safe to cross the road?
• How can we be safe on the road?

Section I – Reading

Prasanth lives with his parents in Tiruchirappalli. In the summer, he always visits his grandparents in Nagathi, a river island in Thanjavur District. The river water bifurcates into two and merges again, forming this village. So the village is evergreen with mighty trees and beautiful landscapes.

He spends every vacation here, hanging out with his grandfather and friends. His grandfather, a retired central-government employee, has travelled widely across India. His knowledge always amuses Prasanth.

Prasanth has just arrived; the news reaches his friends and they come to take him out to play. Grandfather is concerned and gives safety instructions.

Dialogue – Road Safety

Sundar: Good afternoon, Grandpa. Where is Prasanth?
Grandpa: Good afternoon, children.
Ravi: Can we take him out to play in the fields, Grandpa?
Grandpa: Of course, but be very careful while walking on and crossing the road.
Peter: Yes, Grandpa. Our teacher has taught us the rules of road safety. We follow them strictly.
Grandpa: Good. When you walk on the road, which side should you walk on?
Jaffer: Grandpa, we should walk on our right-hand side, against the traffic, so we can see vehicles coming.
Grandpa: Good. I’m sure you know how to cross?
Mani: Yes, Grandpa. We should first look right, left, then right again before crossing.
Gandhi: We’ll also walk in a line, one behind the other, not in groups.
Grandpa: Excellent. And never use a cell phone while walking on the road. Road-safety rules are for our safety—follow them strictly.

Glossary

• bifurcates – divides into two parts
• amuses – makes someone laugh or smile
• vacation – holiday
• merges – joins together

A. True or False

1. Prasanth had gone to bring coffee for his friends. [ ]
2. Grandpa was angry seeing Prasanth’s friends. [ ]
3. Prasanth’s friends came by walk. [ ]
4. The teacher had taught the children about road safety. [ ]

Section II – Reading

(Role-play the conversation.)

Prasanth: Hi, friends!
Murthy: Hi! We’ve come to play under the shade of this big Neem tree.
Grandpa: That’s wise. You must be careful—the sun is scorching.
Mani: My mother told me not to roam in the hot sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Grandpa: True. But you also need physical activity, so play in shady places.
Sam: Can we put on sunscreen before going out?
Grandpa: Yes. Apply it 15–20 minutes before to avoid sunburn.
Prasanth: Grandpa, I’m feeling exhausted.
Grandpa: It may be the heat. When the body can’t cool fast enough, you may get sunstroke.
Prasanth: How will I know?
Grandpa: Tell an adult if you feel hot, have a headache, feel giddy, or nauseated.
Jaffer: I like outdoor games more than indoor ones.
Grandpa: That’s nice. Outdoor games make you street-smart.

Glossary

• scorching – extremely hot
• sunscreen – lotion that protects skin from the sun
• exhausted – very tired
• sunstroke – heat-stroke from too much sun
• giddy – feeling of falling / dizzy
• nauseated – sick to the stomach
• street-smart – experienced in dealing with dangers

A. Fill in the blanks

1. They had come to play under the shade of big ______.
2. We should put on ______ to avoid sunburn.
3. ______ is a more serious health-related illness.
4. Mani’s mother instructed him not to roam in sunlight between __ and ____.
5. Street-smart means ____.

Section III – Reading

(Role-play)

Ravi: Could you tell us safety measures to practise at home, Grandpa?
Grandpa: Sure. Put things back after use. Never play with knives, scissors, etc.
(Phone rings.)
Ravi: I think you’re getting a call. Here’s your mobile.
Grandpa: Thank you, Ravi. Looks like my old friend Raghu.
Prasanth: Wow! A nice phone.
Ravi: It’s the latest model; Grandpa bought it last week in Chennai.
Prasanth: I heard it works like a super-computer.
Ravi: Yes, it helps with my projects too.
Grandpa: Mobiles are useful, but use them with adult supervision.
Prasanth: Tell us about internet safety, Grandpa.
Grandpa: Stay cyber-safe: don’t post personal information, photos, vacation plans on social media.
Grandpa: Keep fertilizers, antifreeze, medicines, makeup sets—all poisonous items—away from children.
Grandpa: Any ideas on using medicines safely?
Ravi: Store them out of sight and reach of children.
Grandpa: Good. Keep them in a locked cabinet.
Jaffer: Pills and syrups should stay in original containers; leftover pills must be disposed of.
Grandpa: Absolutely!
Grandpa: Hazardous automotive and gardening products must be secured and locked.
Devi: Every household should have a first-aid kit with emergency instructions inside.
Grandpa: Wonderful ideas, kids!
Children: Thank you, Grandpa. We’ll follow your advice and protect ourselves.
Grandpa: It’s getting late. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Take care, children!

Glossary

• fertilizer – substance increasing soil fertility
• antifreeze – liquid that lowers water’s freezing point
• hazardous – risky; dangerous
• emergency – dangerous situation needing quick action

Read & Understand

A. Choose the best answer

1. Children should not play with _ and _.
   a) knives, scissors b) bat, ball c) play-station, computers

2. Grandpa got a call from ___.
   a) his son b) wife c) his old friend

3. Medicine should be kept in ____.
   a) fridge b) kitchen table c) locked cabinet

4. ____ automotive and gardening products should be secured.
   a) gardening products b) hazardous c) medicine

5. Every household should have a _.
   a) first-aid kit b) an injection c) an ambulance

B. Choose the correct synonym for the italic word

1. Dixie was feeling very exhausted.
   a) joy b) wounded c) tired d) rejoiced

2. The neem tree was a big antique in his garden.
   a) modern b) ancient c) updated d) outdated

3. Some automotives are hazardous.
   a) dangerous b) safe c) not dangerous d) friendly

4. In case of emergency you should go to the hospital.
   a) good fortune b) peace c) crisis d) benefit

C. Choose the correct antonym for the italic word

1. Karan visited his ancestral village.
   a) modern b) ancient c) traditional d) old

2. We should use our mobile safely.
   a) unsafely b) cautiously c) harmless d) careful

3. Medicine should be stored.
   a) consumed b) gathered c) reserved d) saved

4. The neem tree provides shelter to many birds.
   a) gives b) withholds c) offers d) bestows

5. It is a latest mobile.
   a) updated b) outdated c) new d) modern

D. Answer in one or two sentences

1. What is being STREET SMART?
2. Why should mobile phones be used with adults’ supervision?
3. What, according to Grandpa, is the most serious illness?
4. What should every household have?

E. Answer in about 100 words

1. How can you make yourself cyber-safe?
2. What are the safety measures to be followed for sunstroke?
3. Write about road-safety rules.

Vocabulary

Homonyms

Words with same spelling & sound but different meanings.

S.No	Homonym	Meaning	Example
1	address	location	This is her address.
	address	to speak to	She addressed the meeting.
2	band	musical group	The band played old songs.
	band	ring	She ties her hair with a band.
3	bat	mammal	I’m afraid of bats.
	bat	implement	I love my cricket bat.
4	right	correct	He is right.
	right	direction	Take a right turn.

a. Write a sentence of your own for each homonym.

1. bright – very smart / filled with light
2. express – fast / convey
3. kind – type / caring
4. well – healthy / water resource

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
call on somebody	visit somebody	We called on you last night.
call back	return a phone call	Could you call back later?
get rid of	eliminate	Get rid of that old shirt.
keep on	continue	Keep on trying.
kick off	begin	The match kicked off at 3.
look after	take care of	I look after my grandma.

a. Write the meaning for:

1. look into
2. give up
3. put off
4. get on
5. take off

b. Use these phrasal verbs in sentences of your own:

1. put up with
2. keep on
3. look after
4. take over
5. go through

Listening

(Teacher will read; answers on page 229)

1. Target audience: __
2. Speaker invited because: __
3. Road users show considerateness by: __
4. “…speed by all means” is: __
5. Speaker is probably: __
6. “Common sense should prevail” means: __

Speaking – Expressing Likes & Dislikes

Likes	Dislikes
I like…	I don’t like…
I love…	I dislike…
I enjoy…	I hate…
I’m keen on…	I loathe…
I live for…	I don’t really care for…
I’m fond of…	I’m not a huge fan of…
I’m crazy about…	I can’t bear…

Activities: cooking, cycling, skating, singing, playing, studying, drawing, eating

Writing

Arrange the pictures and write the story (≈100 words).
Use: thirsty, village, pitcher, disappointment, pebbles, water level

Grammar – Tenses

Tenses show time of action.

Types

• Simple Present – habits, facts
• Present Continuous – now / fixed future
• Present Perfect – past with present result
• Present Perfect Continuous – duration up to now
• Simple Past – finished past
• Past Continuous – ongoing past
• Past Perfect – earlier of two past actions
• Past Perfect Continuous – duration before another past
• Future Simple – prediction / instant decision
• Going-to Future – planned future
• Future Continuous – action in progress at future time
• Future Perfect – completed before future point
• Future Perfect Continuous – emphasis on duration

Form tables given (Present / Past / Future – Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous)

B. Fill blanks with correct verb forms

1. When the burglars broke in, everyone ___ (be) sleeping.
2. The milk ____ (spill) over as she watched the crowd.
3. If Karthik ___ (not + make) mistakes, he will be rewarded.
4. They were watching TV when they ___ (hear) a bang.
5. The bus ___ (leave) before we arrived.
6. Arya _ (play) the same song for three days.
7. Manju _ (call) after she reached home.
8. The show _ (complete) 1000 episodes by next month.
9. Don’t worry, we _ (reach) the airport in time.
10. Prasanna has _ (fall) sick after roadside snacks.

C. Tick correct option

1. The climate ___ mild most of the time.
2. He ___ a hotel in Ooty.
3. You will certainly ___ rewards.
4. Do you ___ the day we moved the piano?
5. The rain completely ___ our day.
6. Akbar ___ king at fifteen.
7. The criminal ___ before police arrived.
8. They ___ all arrangements before guests came.
9. Sabithra ___ her job by tomorrow evening.
10. Harshini ___ her mother with rangoli for an hour.

Conditional Sentences with ‘If’

Type	If-clause	Main clause
I	Simple Present	will + infinitive
II	Simple Past	would + infinitive
III	Past Perfect	would + have + past participle

1. Complete conditionals (Type I, II or III)

1. If I had time, I ____ shopping.
2. If you ____ English, you will get along.
3. If they had gone for a walk, they ____ the lights off.
4. If she ____ with us, we will go to the zoo.
5. I would have told you if I ____ him.

2. Choose best answer

1. I will come if I ___ time.
2. If he is late, we ___ without him.
3. If you ___ me, I would tell you.
4. Will it be all right if I ___ a friend tonight?
5. If you ___ to learn music, you must practice.

3. Match

1. If they worked hard – …
2. If I invite Shalini – …
3. If I had enough money – …

4. Fill blanks with correct verb forms

1. If you ___ out tonight, I ___ the match on TV.
2. If he ___ harder, he ___ his goals.
3. If we ___ to the radio, we ___ the news.

Language Check – Common Errors

Incorrect	Correct	Rule
Work hard lest you will fail.	Work hard lest you should fail.	lest → should
I know to cook.	I know how to cook.	use how/what/when after know
…a man like he.	…a man like him.	pronoun in objective case after like/unlike

Practice Practice Exercises

a) Learn traffic rules by heart.

b) Follow the actions of other motorists.

c) Think wisely before making any decisions.

d) When in doubt, pull over to the side of the road and seek help.

On a hot day, a thirsty crow

1. When the burglars broke into the house, everyone (be) sleeping.

2. The milk (spill) over as she went to see the crowd passing by with loud slogans.

3. If Karthik (not + make) any mistake, he will be rewarded.

4. They were watching TV when they (hear) a loud bang at the door.

5. The bus (leave) the stop before we could catch it.

6. Arya (play) the same song for last three days. It has become boring now.

7. Manju (call) after she reach home.

8. The show (complete) it’s one thousand episodes by next month.

9. Don’t worry, we will be (reach) the airport in time.

10. Prasanna has (fall) sick after eating some snacks at the road side shop.

1. The climate of the city mild and pleasant most of the time.

a) is remaining

b) remains

c) was remaining

d) is remained

2. He a hotel in Ooty, a beautiful city in Tamilnadu.

a) booking

b) was booking

c) booked

d) had booked

3. You will certainly rewards for what you are doing.

a) get

b) had got

c) was getting

d) be getting

4. Do you the day we moved the piano upstairs?

a) remember

b) remembered

c) are remembering

d) had remembered

5. The rain completely our day.

a) spoilt

b) is spoiling

c) is spoilt

d) was spoilt

6. Akbar the king at the age of fifteen after the sudden death of his father.

a) was becoming

b) had become

c) became

d) become

7. The criminal the place before the police could reach.

a) was escaping

b) had escaped

c) is escaping

d) will escape

8. They all the arrangements before the guest's arrival.

a) will have made

b) will be made

c) had been making

d) were making

9. Sabithra her job by tomorrow evening.

a) will be completing

b) will complete

c) will have completed

d) will have been completing

10. Harshini her mother in making rangoli in the yard for last one hour.

a) is helping

b) has helped

c) has been helping

d) helps

1. If I had time, I (go) shopping with you.

2. If you (speak) English, you will get along with them perfectly.

3. If they had gone for a walk, they (turn) the lights off.

4. If she (come) with us, we will go to the zoo.

5. I would have told you, if I (see) him.

1. I will come if I time.

a. have

b. had

c. will have

2. If he is late, we without him.

a. would start

b. would have started

c. will start

3. If you me, I would tell you.

a. will ask

b. asked

c. had asked

4. Will it be all right if I a friend tonight?

a. had brought

b. bring

c. brought

5. If you to learn a musical instrument, you have to practice.

a. wants

b. wanted

c. want

1. If they worked hard - she will come to our party.

2. If I invite Shalini - I would have bought these shoes.

3. If I had got enough money - they would win.

1. If you out with your friends tonight, I the football match on TV.

a. go, would watch

b. go, will watch

c. go, have watched

2. If he harder, he his goals.

a. tries, would reach

b. tried, will reach

c. tried, would reach

3. If we to the radio, we the news.

a. listen, would know

b. had listen, will know

c. listen, will know

1. Prasanth had gone to bring coffee for his friends [ ]

2. Grandpa was so angry seeing Prasanth’s friends [ ]

3. Prasanth’s friend came by walk. [ ]

4. Teacher had taught the children about road safety. [ ]

1. They had come to play under the shade of big .

2. We should put on to avoid sun burn.

3. is a more serious health related illness.

4. Mani’s mother had instructed him not to roam in the sun light between and .

5. Street smart means .

1. Children should not play with and

a) Knives, scissors

b) bat, ball

c) play station , computers

2. Grandpa got a call from .

a) his son

b) wife

c) his old friend

3. Medicine should be kept in

a) fridge

b) kitchen table

c) locked cabinet

4. automotive and gardening products should be secured.

a) gardening products

b) hazardous

c) medicine

5. Every household should have

a) first aid

b) an injection

C) an ambulance

a) joy

b) wounded

c) tired

d) rejoiced

a) modern

b) ancient

c) updated

d) out dated

a) dangerous

b) safe

c) not dangerous

d) friendly.

a) good fortune

b) peace

c) crisis

d) benefit

c) traditional

d) old

a) unsafely

b) cautiously

c) harmless

d) careful

a) consumed

b) gathered

c) reserved

d) saved

a) gives

b) withholds

c) offers

d) bestows

a) updated

b) outdated

c) new

d) modern

1. What is being STREET SMART?

2. Which should be used with adults' supervision?

3. What according to grandpa is the most serious illness?

4. What should every house hold have?

1. How can you make yourself cyber safe?

2. What are the safety measures to be followed for sunstroke?

3. Write about road safety rules.

1. a. bright - very smart or intelligent

b. bright filled with light

2. a. express - something done fast

b. express - convey

3. a. kind - type

b. kind - caring

4. a. well - in good health

b. well - water resource

1. look into

2. give up

3. put off

4. get on

5. take off

1. put up with

2. keep on

3. look after

4. take over

5. go through

a) teachers

b) the public

c) primary school students

d) secondary school students

a) It was "Road Safety Week".

b) He is an expert in this field.

c) He had received many accident reports.

d) There had been many accidents near the school.

a) hogging the road

b) cautiously

c) neglecting traffic rules and road ethics

d) flashing their headlights at oncoming cars

a) rude

b) hopeful

c) fatherly

d) sarcastic

a) police officer

b) career guidance teacher

c) member of the Red Crescent Society

d) spokesman for the Road Transport Department