Toasted English: Answers Summary and Meanings Class 7

In the essay ‘Toasted English’, RK Narayan conveys the essential difference between American and British English in a witty manner with vivid examples. Find here answers to book exercises, summary and meanings.

Summary

In the essay ‘Toasted English’, RK Narayan conveys the essential difference between American and British English in a witty manner with vivid examples. The author remarkably argues that like Indians, Americans too drove the British out of their country but allowed English to stay back. The Americans made the usage of English easier by giving up passive voice. For example, instead of, ‘Trespassing Prohibited’ they use, ‘Newly planted, don‘t walk‘on the notice-board. This process of modifying the English language is called ‘toasting’ by RK Narayan. Americans have fashioned certain basic key words which may be used anywhere, words which have widespread and multiuse. For example, ‘OK‘, ‘Yeah‘, are more frequently used words. Further he discusses ‘the bazaar status’ of English. English is used in a sophisticated way in London. The conductor of a bus will never say: ticket! ticket! on a London bus but merely go near the passenger and say ‘Thank you’ on getting the fare and dispensing the ticket also. Finally, he completes by adopting English to suit our purposes. He opines that developing ‘a Bharat brand of English’ is what is required or is the need of the hour. However, he evidently remarks that he is not supporting ‘mongrelisation’ i.e. mixing of the language. The author declares that Indian English should have its own identity ‘its Swadeshi Stamp’ should be there and it should not be limited to the halls of learning, justice or administration but rather come to the dusty street, market-place and under the banyan tree. The author urges that Indians should improve their own English which would be more exclusive and diverse than the present English.

Textbook Solutions

Comprehension

A. Mark these sentences as true (T) or false (F).

1. Toasted English is the name of a muffin in America. ……………………
2. The English language was toasted in America. ……………………
3. The Americans write formal and long notices. ……………………
4. A check room is where you play chess. ……………………
5. The author suggests that Indians should speak British English. ……………………
6. The author does not want Indians to break the rules of
   grammar when they speak their own version of English. ……………………

Answers:

T   2. T   3. F   4. F   5. F   6. T

B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. In a similar situation our authorities are likely to plant a twenty-line inscription on the landscape to say ‘Under Municipal Act so and so this area has been reserved…
   a. Which ‘similar situation’ is the writer talking about in these lines?
   b. What does this inscription reflect about the writer of the inscription?
   c. Where would you expect to see such an inscription?
   d. How would the instruction given in the inscription be written in a different country?
2. Though the tone is one of consultation, you have really no choice in the matter. The thing to do is not to answer the question but say, ‘Thanks’…
   a. What does the writer mean by ‘the tone is one of consultation’?
   b. What is said in a tone of consultation?
   c. Who uses that tone?
   d. Why does the person use that tone?
3. As I’ve said in my essay on ‘English in India’ so far English has had a comparatively confined existence in our country—chiefly in the halls of learning, justice or administration.
   a. What does the writer mean by ‘a confined existence in our country’?
   b. What has English been confined to in our country?
   c. Where would the author like to take English in our country?
   d. What name does he give to that kind of English?

Answers:

1. a. By ‘similar situation’ the author wants to draw a parallel between America and his own country. In both the countries, there is a sea of change in putting notices.
   b. Answers may vary. It reflects the love for long, elaborate instructions.
   c. In India.
   d. Short, clear, crisp and concise.
2. a. It means as if the secretary wants you to wait.
   b. It is said that the person seeking appointment has no option but to wait.
   c. The secretary.
   d. He uses that tone in a polite way to ask the other person to wait for his turn.
3. a. He means limited to specific areas and institutions.
   b. It has been confined to justice or administration.
   c. The author would like to take English to the dusty street, market-place and under the banyan tree.
   d. He calls it Bharat Brand of English.

D. Answer these questions.

1. What happened to English in America?
2. Give an example of the lack of use of the passive voice in American English.
3. Why does a motorist need to spend a very short time reading a notice in America?
4. Explain the line: but it is one of the minor mysteries that make travel through that country so engrossing.
5. What is strange about Mark Steven’s room?
6. How is the word ‘fabulous’ used in America? How is it used in England?
7. What are the various meanings of the word ‘check’ in America?
8. What would the Bharat brand of English be like?
9. What shows you that America uses an informal version of English? Support your answer with details from the text.
10. Comment on the title ‘Toasted English’.
11. What does the writer’s suggestions about developing a Bharat brand of English show you about his attitude towards languages?
12. Cite examples of humour in this essay.
13. Do you think we can learn something from the example of bus conductors from London?

Answers:

1. It underwent a process of toasting. The American English retained the language but adapted it according to the American soil. They did away with much of the formalism.
2. Example is where our boards would say ‘Trespassing prohibited’ , their signboards (Americans) would say ‘Newly Planted, Don’t Walk’ or ‘Absolutely No Parking’.
3. A motorist needs to spend a very short time reading a notice because the message in the notice is very short, crisp and brief.
4. The author is intrigued by the nuances of the American English. He is surprised by the fact that a sign board reads ‘Mark Stevens Keep Out’. If that person was so busy why did he put the sign board of his name at all.
5. The strange part was that he did not want any interruptions, yet he announced his name on the sign board.
6. According to the author the word ‘fabulous’ is used differently. And without any thought about its usage. He gives example of a woman from Wisconsin who used fabulous for her cats which was different from the regular usage of the word ‘fabulous’. She meant they were eccentric. According to the American usage the word ‘fabulous’ could mean anything from a sincere compliment to an insinuation.
7. The various meaning of the word ‘check’ in America means: I’ll check means I’ll find out, investigate, examine, scrutinize, verify or probe; ‘Your check’ means your ticket, token ; ‘Check room’ is where you leave your possession; ‘Check girl’ is one who takes care of your coat, umbrella; ‘Check in’ and ‘Check out’ refer to one’s arrival and departure in a hotel. Apart from this there are scores of other incidental uses for this word.
8. The Bharat Brand of English would be to take English beyond the halls of learning, justice and administration. It would be to take it further to the dusty street, market-place and under the banyan tree.
9. Signs like “Go” or “Wait” at pedestrian crossings, and the use of simple and direct language on notices, show that America uses a more informal and straightforward version of English.
10. He starts with how a simple English Muffin in America is called a ‘toasted English’. The author takes it further from the restaurant towards the usage of English Language. How the language has been appropriated to flourish in the American soil. He gives ample examples to prove this point. Hence the title is justified.
11. The writer seems open to the idea of languages evolving and adapting to the cultural context. The suggestion of a Bharat brand of English reflects an attitude of embracing linguistic diversity.
12. The humor comes from the author’s observations about language use, like the “Mark Stevens—Keep Out” sign and the idea of calculating the number of passengers by the number of “Thanks” heard on a bus.
13. Yes, we can learn about politeness and indirect communication. Even though the bus conductors ask if you would like to wait, the expected response is not a direct answer but a simple “Thanks.” It shows a cultural way of being thoughtful of others.

Some more questions:

1. How can you say that American English lacks the use of passive voice?
2. What left the author wondering?
3. How is the word’check’ used in America?
4. What does ‘Can I help you?’ mean in America?

Answers:

1. American English certainly have preference for active voice in certain situations, particularly for clarity and directness. Here are some examples from the passage itself that demonstrate active voice:

• “their signboards…merely say ‘Newly Planted, Don’t Walk'” (active voice)
• “Absolutely No Parking’ leaves no room for speculation” (active voice)
• “traffic signs at pedestrian crossings never mince words; they just say ‘Go’; or ‘Wait'” (active voice)

2. The author was left wondering why Mark Stevens, the television personality, would announce his name on the door if he didn’t want to be disturbed by visitors.

3. The author describes “check” as a widely used word that can cover various meanings depending on the context. Some examples are given here:

• “I’ll check on that information.” refers to Investigate or verify.
• “Your check” can mean your ticket or receipt needed for something.
• “Check room” refers to a cloakroom where you leave your coat or bags.
• “Check girl” is an older term for someone who looks after your things in a check room.
• “Checking in” and “checking out” refer to registering at a hotel upon arrival and leaving upon departure.

4. In America, the question “Can I help you?” can have a few different meanings, depending on the context. The author suggests it can mean “Have you any business here, if so state it” or “Evidently, you have wandered off into a wrong place, go away.” (paragraph 5) It’s not always a genuine offer of help.

Vocabulary

A. Match each of these British English words with their ‘toasted’ American forms in the columns.

Answers:

1. b    2. a    3. d    4. c    5. f    6. e

B. Write (A) against words in American English and (B) against words in British English.

Answers:

1. B 2. A 3. A 4. B 5. B 6. B 7 A. 8. A

C. Now, using these words, make sentences of your own

Answers: Do yourself. Here we are examples of sentences with meanings.

1. I need to ring my friend. (Make a phone call to my friend.)
2. Let’s play with a deck of cards. (Use a set of playing cards for a game.)
3. We bought sweets at the candy store. (Purchased candies at the store specializing in sweets.)
4. Don’t forget your wallet. (Remember to bring your small bag for money and cards.)
5. I bought a fresh aubergine. (I purchased a recently harvested eggplant.)
6. Grab a torch for the camping trip. (Take a portable light source for our outdoor excursion.)
7. I got a good grade on the test. (Received a high score or mark on the examination.)
8. The mailman delivered a package today. (The postal worker brought a parcel to our house.)

Grammar

A. Underline the noun clauses in these sentences.

1. What he said did not make sense to me.
2. The teacher said that her student deserved to pass.
3. He said that his sister was smart.
4. It is interesting to notice how dogs follow their masters.
5. The judge declared that the accused was not guilty.
6. It is strange that you arrived so late.
7. I want to know where you live.
8. It is a known fact that dogs are loyal animals.

Answers:

1. What he said did not make sense to me.
2. The Teacher said that her student deserved to pass.
3. He said that his sister was smart.
4. It is interesting to notice how dogs follow their masters.
5. The judge declared that the accused was not guilty.
6. It is strange that you arrived so late.
7. I want to know where you live.
8. It is a known fact that dogs are loyal animals.

B. Complete these sentences by adding suitable noun clauses.

1. I cannot see ………………………………………………..
2. They asked ………………………………………………..
3. I think ………………………………………………..
4. He told me ………………………………………………..
5. ………………………………………………. hurts me.
6. You can bake ………………………………………………..
7. Can you guess ………………………………………………..
8. I am sure ………………………………………………..

Answers: Do yourself.

Here are examples of sentences completed with suitable noun clauses:

1. I cannot see what is happening outside.
2. They asked whether you would be available for the meeting.
3. I think that the decision was the right one.
4. He told me where the nearest grocery store is.
5. What you say hurts me.
6. You can bake whatever kind of cake you like.
7. Can you guess why she seems so upset?
8. I am sure that we will succeed if we work together.

C. Rewrite these sentences using relative clauses.

1. I bought the green dress. You saw it yesterday.
2. He kept talking about his new house. None of us had seen it.
3. I spoke to an old lady. She was very amusing.
4. I saw a new film. It was about elephants.
5. India imports many cars. They are made in Korea.
6. The two boys arrived quickly. They had taken the first flight.
7. The women shouted in a loud voice. They were selling oranges.
8. My friend is a doctor. She lives in Mumbai.

Answers:

1. I bought the green dress that you saw yesterday.
2. He kept talking about his new house which none of us had seen.
3. I spoke to an old lady who was very amusing.
4. I saw a new film which was about elephants.
5. India imports many cars that are made in Korea.
6. The two boys arrived quickly who had taken their first flight.
7. The women who shouted in a loud voice were selling oranges.
8. My friend is a doctor who lives in Mumbai.

D. Fill in these blanks with appropriate adjective clauses.

1. This is the car ………………………….
2. These are the girls ………………………….
3. I saw the cat ………………………….
4. She is the teacher ………………………….
5. We broke the glass ………………………….
6. The lady ………………………… is my aunt
7. Students ………………………… must leave at once
8. Could you please give me the books ………………………….

Answers: Do yourself.

Here are examples of the sentences with appropriate adjective clauses:

1. This is the car that I want to buy.
2. These are the girls whom I met at the party.
3. I saw the cat that was sitting on the fence.
4. She is the teacher who teaches mathematics.
5. We broke the glass that was on the table.
6. The lady who is wearing a blue dress is my aunt.
7. Students who misbehave must leave at once.
8. Could you please give me the books that are on the top shelf?