Unit 2
Reprint 2025-26
Music has always played a significant role in human culture and personal well-being. In this lesson, we will explore the impact of music on our lives, learn about famous musicians who overcame challenges, and discover how music can be therapeutic and healing.
We will also analyze the beautiful poem "The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth, which celebrates the power of music in nature and its lasting impression on our minds.
Take this quiz to check your knowledge of music and musicians.
1. What kind of music is Ravi Shankar famous for?
2. Which country was Justin Beiber born in?
3. How many strings does a guitar have?
4. What is a group of three musicians called?
5. What is the next note after sa-re-ga-ma?
6. What is the next note after do-re-mi?
Choose a word or expression that completes each of the following sentences:
Music helps to us from the sense of pain.
Music releases , the natural painkillers in our brain.
The common occurrences of and boredom decrease when we listen to music.
Music is a therapy for everyone — plants, birds, animals and human beings — to flourish and .
Music creates positive energy and happiness. Every cell in the body becomes energetic with increased .
Look at the grid below and find the names of the musical instruments. They can be found in different directions: up-down, down-up, left-right, right-left and diagonally.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate comparative adjectives:
He was not audible. His voice was not loud. Can you request him to be a bit (loud)?
There are many peaks in the Himalayas. Everest is (high) peak in India.
With 9 degree Celsius it was colder yesterday, and with 4 degree Celsius it is (cold) today.
Our police is the (reliable) in the country.
Some words have been omitted in the paragraph given below. Write the appropriate words and rewrite the paragraph.
The following words were written/the tomb of/Anglican Bishop of Westminster Abbey:
When I was young/free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed/changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered/world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided/change only my country.
But it too seemed immovable. As I grew/my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled/changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn't.
And now as I lay/ my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first, then/ an example I could have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able/better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
A passage on the healing aspect of music is given below. Listen to the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
According to you, which FOUR of the following statements are true?
Two students need to come to the front of the class for a role play. One plays the role of Thyagaraja, a famous singer, and the other the role of the interviewer, Rohit, a Radio Jockey (RJ).
The interview is about the singer's initiatives in helping people through music.
RJ Rohit: Do you think music has any effect on people's lives?
Thyagaraja: Yes, I believe music surely has a positive effect on people's lives. It helps when you are stressed, or depressed about something. Apart from these, music is a good way of relaxing and feeling good about life.
RJ Rohit: What, according to you, could be the influence of music on young children?
Thyagaraja: Now-a-days, young children get distracted easily. Music helps them in concentrating on what they are doing.
RJ Rohit: How does music help patients?
Thyagaraja: Listening to music relaxes patients. The process of healing becomes faster when they are in a relaxed state of mind.
RJ Rohit: Thank you very much. You are doing a great job for the humankind.
Listening to music has become a part of our lives for many reasons. We listen to different types of music today.
Discuss in pairs the following question:
Write your views in about 50 – 60 words.
Sit in groups of four. Each of you find information on the folk music of your state and of one of the neighbouring states. You may seek information from the community, library, Internet and other sources. Now, ask questions to each other in the group to complete the table below.
| Names of the folk music | |
|---|---|
| States where they are performed | |
| Any instrument/s used (you may illustrate the instruments) | |
| Performers |
Prepare a report in your group and present it to the class. Then, share your suggestions in the class to popularise the folk music in your community.
Common Spelling Errors
Adjectives ending in ING
Used to describe something that causes an emotion: