An unusual Holiday

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Northern Lights

  • Amazing Experience: The girl describes her most exciting and frightening holiday during a cruise around Greenland.
  • Northern Lights: She was fascinated by the Northern Lights and her parents booked a cruise called "The Arctic Ride: A Tour of Greenland's Northern Lights."
  • Different Dream Vacation: Unlike many kids who dream of Disneyland, she wanted to see breath taking scenery and wildlife like arctic foxes and whales.
  • Travel to Greenland: The family flew from London to Reykjavik, Iceland, and stayed in a fancy hotel with a stunning view of the harbour.
  • First Impressions: The Northern Lights were spectacular, and she was very excited about the upcoming flight to Greenland.
  • Cruise Experience: The cruise ship’s accommodation wasn’t very comfortable, but she enjoyed the sights, sailing through narrow waters bordered by tall mountains and icebergs.
  • Island Adventure: On the fourth day, the family was hiking on Ella Island with a guide and a park ranger. The ranger had a rifle for safety, which surprised her.
  • Polar Bear Encounter: A polar bear suddenly appeared, looking thin, bony, and very angry. It threatened the group, making the girl very frightened.
  • Ranger’s Action: The ranger instructed everyone to stay behind him and used a tranquilliser gun to calm the bear. The bear eventually lay still, and the guide took the group back to the ship.
  • Social Media Debate: After returning to England, there was a debate online about whether it was right to tranquilise the bear, given that polar bears are endangered and were searching for food due to melting ice.

    • New Words

    Steep cliff:  a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice.


    Cruise:  large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. 


    Harbour: a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo.

    Hike:  a long walk especially for pleasure or exercise.


    Frozen: to become hard, and often turn to ice


    Petrified: so frightened that one is unable to move


    Iceberg: a large floating mass of ice

    Tranquillizer: a medicinal drug taken to reduce tension or anxiety.

    Question and Answers

    1. Where did the narrator go on her holiday? Which activities did she plan to do during the trip?

    The narrator went on a family holiday cruise around Greenland. 
    She planned to enjoy breath-taking scenery, hiking in the wilderness, and wildlife sightings, hoping to see an arctic fox or a whale.

    2. How did the ranger deal with the polar bear?

    The ranger dealt with the polar bear by instructing everyone to move behind him and then aiming his rifle at the bear. 

    When the bear charged at the group, the ranger shot it with a tranquilliser gun, which made the bear fall asleep.

    3. At the start of the article, the narrator describes her experience as both 'amazing' and 'terrifying.' Describe the events that prompted the narrator to describe her holiday in these words.

    The narrator described her experience as 'amazing' because of the stunning sights she witnessed, such as the Northern Lights and the breath-taking scenery during the cruise. It was 'terrifying' because of the encounter with the polar bear on Ella Island, which was a frightening and dangerous situation.

    Critical Thinking

    1. How might the outcome have been different if the ranger had not been there or if he had made a different decision?

    If the ranger had not been there, the group might have been in grave danger, as there would have been no one to protect them from the charging bear. If the ranger had made a different decision, such as using a lethal shot, it could have led to the death of the bear, which would have been tragic, especially since polar bears are an endangered species. Alternatively, if the ranger had not acted at all, someone in the group could have been seriously injured or killed.

    2. With the melting of ice causing polar bears to search for food in unfamiliar areas, what responsibility do you think humans have in protecting endangered species and their habitats? Discuss with your partner.

    Humans have a significant responsibility to protect endangered species and their habitats. This can involve taking steps to mitigate climate change, which is a major cause of habitat loss for polar bears. Additionally, humans can support conservation efforts, create protected areas, and enforce laws that prevent poaching and habitat destruction. Public awareness and education about the impact of human activities on wildlife are also crucial in fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging collective action to protect the environment.

    WORD FORMS

    While changing the form of a word, the beginning of the word often remains the same, and only the ending of the word changes. 

    Changing words between their noun, verb, and adjective forms often involves understanding the root of the word and applying common suffixes or prefixes.

    Arrange the following words into noun verb and adjective.

    Achieve, Electricity, Beauty, Innovative, Editorial, Inform, Enjoyment, Motivation, Trainer, Creative, Stable

    Answer

    In the process of word form change, 

    • Nouns often end with: -ment, -ion, -ness, ity, -er, -or, -ist, -ian
    • Adjectves often end with: -able, -ible, -ive, -al, -ic, -ed, -ing
    • Verbs often end with: -ise, -ate, -en
    Has/Have been to and Has/Have gone to
    Have been to or have gone to are the present perfect forms that are commonly used to refer to movement to another place. 
    Even though both are used in different contexts and convey slightly different meanings.

    "Have been to"
    Meaning:

    Indicates that someone visited a place and has now returned.
    Emphasizes the experience of visiting the place.

    It is used to discuss past experiences and visits.
    It is often followed by details about the experience.
    Examples:
    I have been to Mumbai twice. (I visited and came back.)

    She has been to the new library. (She went there before and is not there now.)

    I have been to Paris several times.
    She has been to the new restaurant downtown. She says the food is excellent.
    "Have gone to"
    Meaning:
    Indicates that someone has left for a place and is still there or has not yet returned.
    Emphasizes the current location or ongoing action of being there.

    It is used to indicate that someone is currently at a place or in transit to a place.
    Often used when the person is not present at the time of speaking.

    Examples:
    He has gone to the market. (He is there now.)

    They have gone to school. (They have not returned yet.)

    John has gone to the store. He should be back soon.
    They have gone to the beach for the weekend.



    Formal Letter Writing

    Formal writing is a clear, respectful, and well-organized way of communication used in academic, professional, and official settings.  It is used to share information, make requests, ask for permission, give suggestions, and express ideas in a polite and accurate manner."

    Structure of Formal Writing:

    Sender's Address:

    Include your full name, address, city, state, zip code, email address, and phone number at the top left corner of the page.
    Date:

    Write the date on the right-hand side, below your address.
    Receiver's Address:
    Include the recipient's full name, title (if applicable), company name (if applicable), address, city, state, and zip code aligned to the left-hand side below the date.

    Subject

    A clear and concise subject matter has to be included.

    Salutation:

    Begin with a formal salutation such as "Dear [Recipient's Name], Respected..." followed by a comma.
    Introduction:

    Start with an opening that introduces the purpose of your writing and grabs the reader's attention.
    Provide background information to set the context of your message.
    Clearly state the main point or purpose of your communication in a thesis statement.
    Body Paragraphs:

    Organize your content into paragraphs, each focusing on a single main idea related to your thesis statement.
    Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
    Support your topic sentences with evidence, examples, and explanations.

    Conclusion:

    Summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.
    Emphasize the significance or implications of your arguments.
    End with a strong concluding statement that reinforces your subject. 
    Signing Off:

    Thank the recipient for their attention and consideration.
    Use a formal closing such as "Sincerely," followed by your full name.

    Introduction Starters

    • I am writing to draw your attention to…

    • I would like to request…

    • This letter is to inform you about…

    • I wish to bring to your kind notice…

    • I am a student/resident of… and I would like to highlight…

    Conclusion Starters

    • I hope you will take the necessary action at the earliest.

    • Thank you for your time and attention.

    • I look forward to your kind cooperation.

    • Kindly treat this matter with urgency.

    Signing Off
    Yours sincerely,

    Yours faithfully,

    Sincerely,

    With regards,


    Model

    Write a formal letter to the Environmental Department advocating for the importance of environmental conservation and the implementation of recycling initiatives.

    Aleen Rai
    123 Green Street
    Cityville, New Delhi
    Email: john.smith@example.com
    Phone: 9456-789012

    15 July, 2024

    Dr. Emily Brown
    Environmental Department
    456 Nature Avenue
    Jorbagh, New Delhi

    Subject: Importance of Environmental Conservation

    Dear Dr. Brown,

    I am writing to express my concern about the growing environmental issues we face and to highlight the urgent need for promoting conservation and recycling practices. As responsible citizens, we must act now to protect the natural resources that support life on Earth.

    Recycling helps in many ways. It keeps waste out of landfills and saves natural resources like trees, metals, and water. When we recycle things like paper, plastic, and metal, we use less new material and help the Earth stay healthy.

    Also, if we encourage recycling at schools, homes, and offices, people will learn to be more responsible. It can help everyone understand that even small steps can protect our planet for the future.

    Thank you for your time and attention. I hope we can work together to protect our environment and make our city a cleaner, greener place.

    Yours Sincerely,
    Aleen Rai

    Write a formal letter to the principal of your school to take necessary steps for the Library Renovation. 

    Amit Kumar

    15 Shanti Nagar

    Jaipur, Rajasthan

     

    13 July, 2025

     

    Mrs. Priya Sharma

    Principal

    Bright Future School

    25 Learning Road

    Jaipur, Rajasthan

     Subject: Library Renovation

    Dear Madam,

    I am writing to request the renovation of our school library to create a more inviting and resourceful environment for students. A well-designed library can greatly support our learning and encourage reading habits.

    At present, the library lacks proper seating, lighting, and updated books. Many students find it hard to focus or find the materials they need. With better furniture, brighter lighting, and a wider variety of books and resources, the library can become a place students enjoy visiting.

    A modern library would not only promote a love for reading but also provide a quiet and welcoming space for study and group work. It would be a great benefit to the entire school community.

    Your kind support in this matter would truly benefit the students and improve our academic environment.

    Yours faithfully,

    Amit Kumar

    Write a formal letter to the Mayor of your city requesting the repair of a damaged road. Explain why this is important and how it would benefit the community.

    Anjali Patel

    45 Nehru Street

    Sector 5

    Ahmedabad, Gujarat


    July 22, 2024

    Mr. Ravi Desai

    Mayor

    Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad

    12 Civic Center

    Ahmedabad, Gujarat


    Subject: Request for Repair of Nehru Street Road

    Dear Mr. Desai,

    I am writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for repair of the road on Nehru Street in Sector 5, Ahmedabad. The road has been in poor condition for several months, and the situation is worsening with each passing day.

    The numerous potholes and cracks on this road make it very difficult and dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians to navigate. This has led to several accidents and injuries. Furthermore, the damaged road is causing significant wear and tear to vehicles, leading to additional maintenance costs for the residents.

    Repairing the road will greatly improve safety and convenience for the community. It will also enhance the overall appearance of the neighbourhood and promote smoother traffic flow. We kindly request that the Municipal Corporation prioritize this repair work to ensure the well-being of the residents.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We hope for a prompt and positive response.

    Sincerely,

    Anjali Patel

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