Page 121 - English_Spark_8

‘‘Sir, if I may suggest, could you shut down the factory a day before and on the day

of the match,’’ asked Ashok hesitantly.
After a few minutes of consideration, Mr Pradhan agreed.

‘‘After all ‘Sawan’ too has a stake,’’ he said.
The players were thrilled. For their daily practice they used an open field further

away from the colony.
The day of the finals arrived-a perfect cool winter day. As the factory was closed, the

spectator-stands were packed to capacity. The trophy on one side of the ground was
glittering in the sun.

The two teams came on to the field in their whitest of white uniforms. The Nawab’s,
oozing confidence, the Raja’s nervous but optimistic. Mr Pradhan tossed the coin and

the Nawab’s went to bat.
The match was exciting, fought evenly by both teams. The successful partnership

between Raju and Ashok got the home team the Trophy. As they ran back to the
pavilion, they looked up. They could see an unpolluted, clear and beautiful blue sky.

—Prabha Chandrasekhar

post-mortem — a discussion or analysis of an event after it has happened; uneasy — feeling
uncomfortable or worried; optometrist — a person who examines eyes and prescribes glasses;
polyclinic — a clinic that offers a wide range of medical services; fluster — to make somebody feel
nervous and confused; hesitantly — in a tentative or unsure manner.

ASSESS YOURSELF
ASSESS YOURSELF

Let's Read and Reflect Comprehension

A. Tick (3) the correct option.

1. Where did the boys go to practice for their cricket match?

(a) The school field (b) The local park

(c) The Sawan ground
2. What was the main cause of discomfort during the practice?

(a) The cold breeze

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