Polo – The King of Games | Prose 5 | English 8th | Tulip Series (Shafqat Habib)

Prose – Tulip Series | jandkncert |

Polo – The King of Games | Prose 5 | English 8th | Tulip Series 
(Shafqat Habib)

WORKING WITH TEXT

Q1. Why polo is called the game of kings?

Ans. Polo is called the game of kings because it was patronized by kings and was played with great joy by princes and warriors to test their courage, endurance, and power.

Q2. Where did polo originate?

Ans. Polo originated in central Asia and then eventually spread as for as Japan, China, Tibet and India.

Q3. What was the status of polo during the Mughal reign?

Ans. During the reign of Mughals, polo was the National sport of India until the end of sixteenth century. In this period polo was patronized by the kings and nobles and was widely played in the provinces of the Empire and in the courts of the Rajput Kings.

Q4. In whose reign did polo come to Ladakh and how?

Ans. According to the legends, polo came to Ladakh during the reign of Jamyang Namgyal, who married the princess of Baltistan, Gyal Khatun, in the 16^th century.

Q5. How is polo played in Ladakh?

Ans. In Ladakh polo is played with great joy. It is more than a game and a part of cultural heritage. The game draws huge crowds with people donning their traditional colorful costumes. It is played as a test of human endurance skill and horse strength to play continuously.

Q6. How is polo in Ladakh different from the international format?

Ans. It is different here from the current international format in player count as well as duration. There are two teams with six players each. The game lasts for one hour with 20 minutes of break. It is played with, musical accompaniment. It is an integral part of the annual Ladakh festival.

LANGUAGE WORK

Sum up the dialogue in a brief paragraph:

Ans. Polo is called the king of games because, in its early history, it was played by kings only. It originated in Central Asia. It is like hockey on horseback. In this game, two teams with six players each try to score against each other. The players are on horseback and strike the ball with the mallet. The game is divided into halves and the team scoring nine goals wins. It is a dangerous game because the place of the game besides the horses and the mallets make it exciting and dangerous.

GRAMMER WORK

Use the correct prepositions out of the given options:

1. The boy jumped across the fence quickly. (Over / across)

2. The players quarreled among themselves on the playfield. (Among/between)

3. My colleagues stood by me in my hour of grief. (With/by)

4. A dog fell into a ditch. (In / into)

5. We go to bed at 11pm. (At / in)

6. She is leaving for Delhi on 6 March. (To/for)

7. The thieves are behind the bars now. (Behind / before)

8. Urba and Saba are taking meals in plates. (In / from)

9. I cannot part from this book. (With/from)

10. He ran across the field to search the rabbit. (In/across)

Complete the following paragraph by filling in the correct prepositions:

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. They needed 232 runs to win and were hopeful for victory because they thought the score would be chased down with ease. Their top three batsmen fell at a mere 54 runs which brought the middle order in pressure. The next two batsmen scored 71 runs on 122 balls but they soon lost wickets at important moments. They were forced to lose the match by 30 runs with 6 balls remaining. Australia’s McKay finished with 5 wickets for 28 runs. Their victory against Sri Lanka has put them on the top of the rankings.

 

Let’s Talk

Question: Nowadays, football is being played besides cricket in our state. Form groups in the class discuss a thrilling football match you have witnessed.

Answer:

A Thrilling Football Match We Witnessed

Last Sunday, many of us from the class witnessed a thrilling football match at the district sports ground. It was the final match of the inter-school football tournament between Green Valley School and Rising Star Academy.

From the very beginning, both teams played with great energy and skill. The first half ended with a score of 1-1, keeping everyone excited and on edge. During the second half, Green Valley scored another goal, but Rising Star Academy made an unexpected comeback in the last ten minutes.

The most thrilling moment was when Rising Star’s captain scored a final winning goal just a minute before the whistle. The crowd cheered loudly, and we could feel the excitement in the air.

We discussed afterward how football is becoming popular in our state, and how such matches are encouraging more students to play and enjoy the sport alongside cricket.

Let’s Write

Question: Write an essay (200 to 250 words) on your favourite game.

Answer:

My Favourite Game – Football

Among many outdoor games, football is my favourite. It is a game that requires speed, skill, teamwork, and quick thinking. Football is played between two teams of eleven players each, with the main aim of scoring goals by kicking the ball into the opponent’s goalpost.

I enjoy football because it keeps both the body and mind active. I often play football with my friends in the evening. Our school also organizes football matches, and I always look forward to participating. The excitement of running on the field, passing the ball, and trying to score a goal makes it a thrilling experience.

Football teaches important values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Players need to work together and follow the rules strictly. No single player can win the game alone; every team member plays a role in victory.

Besides playing, I also enjoy watching famous football matches on television. I admire players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for their incredible skills and dedication to the game.

In conclusion, football is not just my favourite game but also a source of joy, exercise, and learning. It keeps me fit, sharp, and teaches me to work with others, making it an important part of my life.