Answer the following questions

A. Choose the correct answer.

1. The story is set during the World War I.

a. World War I

b. World War II

c. Kargil War

d. Indo-China War

2. The story is about the celebration of Christmas festival.

a. Deepavali

b. Pongal

 c. Ramzan

d. Christmas

3. Tom called the incidents happened there as a fairy tale.

a. fairy tale

b. poetry

 c. tragedy

d. comedy

4. The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches.

a. houses

b. trench

 c. tanks

 d. cars

5. One of the German soldiers worked as a porter at Victoria Station.

a. tea-seller

b. ticket-checker

c. porter

d. shop keeper

B. Identify the character, speaker or both of the following lines.

1. Our first complete silence in months! Answer - Character : Tom

2. Come and see! See what the Germans are doing! Answer - Character : Tom’s friend John

3. Hold your fire. Answer - Character : Captain of British troop

4. You no shoot, we no shoot. Answer - Character : A German officer

5. My God, why cannot we have peace and all go home? Answer - Character : An old German soldier

C. Answer the following questions in about 100 – 120 words.

1. Narrate the Christmas celebration as happened in the war field.

PARAGRAPH FOR TOPPERS:

Title : The Christmas Truce

Author : Aaron Shepard

Character : British and German Soldiers

Period : During world war I (1914)

Theme : War and peace

The German and British troops celebrated Christmas together during a temporary cessation of world war I. It is called Christmas Truce. On a clear morning 100 years ago, thousands of British soldiers laid down their rifles, stepped out their trenches and spent Christmas mingling with their German enemies along the western front. The next morning in some places, German soldiers emerged from their trenches calling out "Merry Christmas" in English. Allied soldier came out wearily to greet them. In others, Germans held up signs reading "You no shoot, we no shoot". Over the course of the day, troops exchanged gifts of food, buttons and hats. The Christmas truce also allowed both sides to finally bury their dead comrades whose bodies had lain for weeks on "no man's land," the ground between opposing trenches. The British and German army soccer teams played a friendly match. The incident speaks to the fact that at its heart it symbolizes a very human desire for peace, no matter how fleeting. Still the truce has been remembered as a testament to the power of hope and humanity in a truly dark hour of history.

“Never wage a war but peace”.

PARAGRAPH FOR AVERAGE STUDENTS:

The British and Germans celebrated Christmas during a temporary cessation of World War I. On the Christmas Eve, the Germans invited the British to come out to celebrate Christmas. The Germans placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern, like beacons of goodwill. They sang, "Silent Night, Holy Night." It was lovelier and more meaningful. The British soldiers applauded Germans!. Then the British soldiers sang "The first Nowell, the angel did say …." Britain and Germany were harmonizing across 'No man's Land.' They exchanged gifts - tea with coffee, corn meat for sausage. The narrator traded a jack knife for a leather equipment belt to keep as a fine souvenir. "Why cannot we have peace and all go home?" was a far cry of every soldier.

“Peace begins with a smile” - Mother Teresa.

“Never wage a war but peace”.

PARAGRAPH FOR LATE BLOOMERS:

• The Christmas Truce occurred during World War I.

• It means cease-fire of a war at Christmas.

• Tom, a British soldier wrote this letter to his sister, Janet.

• He narrated how the British and German soldiers celebrated Christmas together.

• They sang Christmas carols' near their trenches.

• They gathered around the bonfire. They gave gifts to each other.

• They celebrated Christmas like friends forgetting their enmity.

• It shows that Christmas is meant for spreading the mission of love.

• Why cannot we have peace and all go home is the cry of every soldier.