Class 10 English Unit 9: Reading II: Flowers in Russian Culture

 

Reading II: Flowers in Russian Culture

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHSRejXljR8&t=870s 

Vocabulary

1.           staple /ˈsteɪpl/ noun - basic item

2.           aroma /əˈrəʊmə/ noun - pleasant smell

3.           color palette /ˈkʌlə ˈpælɪt/ noun - range of colors

4.           heartwarming /ˈhɑːtwɔːmɪŋ/ adjective - emotionally uplifting

5.           immensely /ɪˈmɛnsli/ adverb - extremely

6.           offend /əˈfɛnd/ verb - insult

7.           carnations /kɑːˈneɪʃənz/ noun - a type of flower

8.           cardboard /ˈkɑːdbɔːd/ noun - stiff paper

9.           omens /ˈəʊmənz/ noun - signs of future

10.       fleeting /ˈfliːtɪŋ/ adjective - short-lived

11.       consequently /ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/ adverb - as a result

12.       procreation /ˌprəʊkrɪˈeɪʃən/ noun - reproduction

13.       dishonestly /dɪsˈɒnɪstli/ adverb - deceitfully

14.       inevitably /ɪnˈɛvɪtəbli/ adverb - unavoidably

15.       encapsulate /ɪnˈkæpsjʊleɪt/ verb - summarize

16.       aromatherapy /əˌrəʊməˈθɛrəpi/ noun - treatment using scents

17.       fatal /ˈfeɪtl/ adjective - deadly

18.       repellent /rɪˈpɛlənt/ noun - a substance that repels

19.       deter /dɪˈtɜː/ verb - discourage

20.       self-murmured /sɛlf-ˈmɜːməd/ adjective - quietly spoken to oneself

21.       dainty /ˈdeɪnti/ adjective - delicate

22.       monologue /ˈmɒnəlɒɡ/ noun - long speech

23.       elegant /ˈɛlɪɡənt/ adjective - graceful

24.       attendees /əˌtɛnˈdiːz/ noun - people present

25.       foreshadow /fɔːˈʃædəʊ/ verb – predict

 

A.         Find out the single words for the following meanings.

a.      a strong, usually pleasant smell – aroma

b.     different colors of paint, especially as used by an artist – palette

c.      to a great degree - immensely

d.     lasting only a short time – fleeting

e.      the act or process of producing children or baby animals – procreation

f.       enclose (something) in or as if in a capsule – encapsulate

g.     a type of treatment that involves messaging the body with special fragment oils – aromatherapy

h.     causing to be kept away – repellent

i.       to be a sign of something that will happen in the future – foreshadow 

 

B.          Words like gift-giving, heartwarming, cardboard, etc. are compound words. Make a list of such compound words from the text.

Aromatherapy, lesser-known, fortune-telling, self-murmured, newly-wed

C.               C. Complete the following sentences below with correct information from the text.

a.      People do not care which flowers they are receiving as long as the flowers are beautiful and they give a pleasant aroma.

b.     Flowers are gifted worldwide to express love and affection.

c.      Following the strict flower …etiquette… while gifting flowers in Russia saves you from offending people.

d.     Red carnations symbolize …the revolution of February 1917...produced by the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party of Bolsheviks.

e.      Russian people believe that the white carnation …symbolizes bad omen.. so we should not gift to performers.

f.       Russian people do not gift red puppy flowers to their …loved ones.. because they think if they do so their love becomes weak.

g.     When Russians want break-up from their loved ones, they gift…a bunch of yellow flowers..

h.     Chamomiles have…a vast range of medicinal…values so they can be used for the treatment of fatal diseases.

i.       We should not gift a white lily bouquet at a Russian wedding as it symbolizes…death.

D.         Answer these questions.

a.      Mention any two reasons for which people gift flowers to others.

The two reasons for which gift flowers to others are:

·         Flowers are a staple item in gift-giving world.

·         They are a thoughtful gesture of good will.

b.     How do people feel when they are gifted flowers?

People feel very happy, loved and appreciated if they receive flowers.

c.      What determines the selection of flowers for gifting in Russia?

Flower etiquette determines the selection of flowers for gifting in Russia.

d.     Which event in Russian history is reflected by the red carnation?

The red carnation reflects the 1917 October Revolution of Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party of Bolsheviks.

e.      Does a Russian like to keep a white carnation under his/her pillow? Why?

No, he/she does not prefer to do it because it symbolizes the death.

f.       What's the reason for connecting the red puppy with fragile love?

The way of giving red puppy to their sweethearts weakens their love.

g.     What makes the Russian people eat red puppy seeds at their wedding?

Happiness and fertility makes the Russian people eat red puppy seeds at their wedding.

h.     Do you prefer to grow chamomile in your garden? Why?

Yes, I do because it is a medicinal flower.

i.       What color is chamomile?

Its color is white with yellow in center.

j.       Write the name of two flowers used for fortune telling.

Chamomile and lily are two flowers that are used for fortune telling.

k.     Which flower is mostly used in Russian weddings?

White lily is the mostly used in Russian weddings.

E.        Do know other flowers that are commonly used for gifting? Write the name of those flowers and the occasions on which they are gifted.

Roses, lotus, lilies, tulips, daisies, orchids etc. 

 

***

Click for next Lesson: https://limbuchandrabahadur.blogspot.com/2025/07/class-10-english-unit-9-grammar-ii.html