Here is a new blog post in Class 7th English. “The Story of Cricket” is Chapter 10 taken from the newly introduced textbook Melody English for students of Class 7th of JKBOSE and Honeycomb English for NCERT students. Ramachandra Guha an Indian historian, environmentalist, writer and public intellectual wrote it. This post concerns The Story of Cricket Summary and Question Answers. In my previous post, you read about Garden Snake Poem 9 Summary and Question Answers with you. So, let’s not waste any more time and get started with today’s post.
The Story of Cricket Summary and Question Answers
Introduction
This lesson taught us that cricket started in England during the 17th century in rural areas. The first rules for cricket were made in 1744. Over time, the game and its rules have changed. However, the bat and ball are still made by hand. The Parsis were the first to bring cricket to India. The way people watch cricket has changed a lot because of TV and technology.
The Story of Cricket Word Meaning
| Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning | Urdu Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integral | Necessary in order to make something complete | अनिवार्य | لازمی |
| Recognisable | Known | पहचानने योग्य | قابل شناخت |
| Peculiarities | Distinct features a version form | विशेषता | خصوصیات |
| Characteristics | Qualities | विशेषताएँ | خصوصیات |
| Dimensions | Size in terms of length and width | लंबाई-चौड़ाई | طول و عرض |
| Codified | Classified the laws | संहिताबद्ध | سند یافتہ |
| Options | Choices | विकल्प | اختیارات |
| Pace | Speed | गति | رفتار |
| Curved | Bent | मुड़ा हुआ | خمیدہ |
| Material | Matter | सामग्री | مواد |
| Equipment | Things | उपकरण | سامان |
| Fundamentally | Basically | मौलिक रूप से | بنیادی طور پر |
| Slightly | A little | कुछ न कुछ | تھوڑا سا |
| Protective | Saviour | रक्षात्मक | حفاظتی |
| Technological | Pertaining to technology | प्रौद्योगिकीय | تکنیکی |
| Vulcanised | Changed rubber (with sulphur) | बदला हुआ रबर | تبدیل شدہ ربڑ |
| Zoroastrians | Followers of Parsi religion | पारसी धर्म के अनुयायी | پارسی مذہب کے پیروکار |
| Westernise | Tending towards the west | पश्चिमीकरण | مغربی بنانا |
| Funded | Gave financial aid | आर्थिक सहायता दी | مالی امداد دی |
| Sponsored | Supported | प्रायोजित | سپانسر شدہ |
| Elite | Of high class | समाज का उत्कृष्ट भाग | سماج کا بہترین حصہ |
| Compatriots | Fellow countrymen | हमवतन | ہم وطنوں |
| Rivalry | Enmity | प्रतिद्वंद्विता | دشمنی |
| Dominated | Ruled | शासन करना | غلبہ |
| Outstanding | Prominent | असाधारण | شاندار |
| Popular | Famous | प्रसिद्ध | مقبول |
| Contemporaries | Belonging to same period or time | समकालीन | ہم عصر |
| Independent | Free | स्वतंत्र | آزاد |
| Sovereign | Supreme and exempt from external control | सार्वभौम | خودمختار |
| Imitating | Copying | नक़ल करना | نقل کرنا |
| Beaming | Shining | चकमदार | چکدار |
| Global | Worldwide | वैश्विक | عالمی |
| Viewership | Watching by spectators | दर्शकों की संख्या | ناظرین |
| Triumph | Victory | विजयोल्लास | فتح |
| Remarkable | Outstanding | अद्भुत | قابل ذکر |
The Story of Cricket Summary in English
Part 1
Cricket, originating in England 500 years ago, has transformed over time. By the seventeenth century, it developed a unique identity. Initially, cricket bats resembled hockey sticks, offering batsmen a chance to connect with the ball. Notably, cricket distinguishes itself with five-day matches, contrasting with shorter sports events like football or baseball. The standard cricket pitch is 22 yards long, irrespective of field size or shape, setting it apart from other team sports.
In 1744, the Laws of Cricket were established, introducing two umpires and specifying dimensions for stumps, bails, and ball weight. The world’s first cricket club emerged in Hambledon during the 1760s, followed by the formation of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1787. Significant changes occurred after 1770, including the switch from curved to straight bats and standardized bat dimensions. By 1780, matches were fixed at four days, leading to the creation of the first six-seam cricket ball.
Cricket equipment, mainly handmade and national, includes leather, twine, and cork for balls, while bat handles are crafted from cane and blades from willow. Technological advancements have impacted protective gear like pads, gloves, and helmets. The sport’s rich history reveals a continual evolution, shaping the cricket we know today.
Part 2
The Parsis, who were traders in Bombay and influenced by Western culture through their interactions with the British, introduced cricket to India. In 1848, they established the first Oriental Cricket Club in Bombay. The Parsi cricketers were passionate about the sport and even built their own gymkhana for playing cricket.
In 1889, the Parsi team achieved a significant victory by defeating the Bombay Gymkhana. Players who represent the country in cricket hold a special place in the hearts of fans. CK Naidu, an exceptional batsman, is remembered as India’s first Test captain. It’s important to note that before India gained independence, Test cricket matches began in 1877 and involved various parts of the British Empire. The Parsis’ contribution to Indian cricket and CK Naidu’s leadership in the early days of Test cricket remain notable chapters in the sport’s history.
Part 3
Cricket has become more popular not only in cities but also in smaller towns and villages. Thanks to satellite TV and multinational TV companies, people all over the world can watch cricket. In India, especially, there are a lot of cricket fans, leading to some new rules and policies.
The game has seen many changes over the years. More people are now playing cricket as a profession, and one-day matches have become very popular. Changes in how the game is managed, advancements in technology, and the way businesses are involved have all played a role in shaping cricket today. The sport has grown and reached a wider audience, making it a global phenomenon.
Intext Questions
Comprehension Check Page No. 143
9.1. Cricket is originally a/an
(i) Indian game.
(ii) British game.
(iii) International game.
Mark the right answer.
Ans. (ii) British game.
- “There is a historical reason behind both these oddities.” In the preceding two paragraphs, find two words/phrases that mean the same as ‘oddities’.
Ans. The words are: ‘peculiarities’ and ‘characteristic’ which mean the same as ‘oddities’.
- How is a cricket bat different from a hockey stick?
Ans. The cricket bat is straight and thicker in shape while the hockey stick is designed to be curved at the bottom.
Comprehension Check Page No. 146
1. Write True or False against each of the following sentences.
(i) India joined the world of Test cricket before independence.
(ii) The colonisers did nothing to encourage the Parsis in playing cricket.
(iii) Palwankar Baloo was India’s first Test Captain.
(iv) Australia played its first Test against England as a sovereign nation.
Ans. (i) True; (ii) True; (iii) False; (iv) False
Comprehension Check Page No. 148
- A ‘professional cricket player is one who makes a living by playing cricket. Find the opposite of ‘professional’ in the last paragraph.
Ans. In the last paragraph, the opposite of professional is ‘Amateur’.
- In “the triumph of the one-day game”, ‘triumph’ means the one-day game’s
(i) superiority to Test cricket.
(ii) inferiority to Test cricket.
(iii) achievement and success over Test cricket.
(iv) popularity among viewers.
Mark the right answer.
Ans. (iv) popularity among viewers.
- “…. the men for whom the world is a stage”.
(i) It refers to the famous cricket fields in the world.
(ii) It means that there are many cricket-playing countries in the world.
(iii) It implies that cricketers are like actors and every cricket ground is like a stage on which the drama of cricket is enacted the world over.
Mark the right answer.
Ans. It implies that cricketers are like actors and every cricket ground is like a stage on which the drama of cricket is enacted the world over.
The Story of Cricket Question Answers
Working with the text Page No. 148
1. Name some stick-and-ball games that you have witnessed or heard of.
Ans. These are Hockey, Polo, Golf and Billiards.
2. The Parsis were the first Indian community to take to cricket. Why?
Ans. Parsis were the first Indian community to take to cricket because of their interest in trade. They had close contact with the Britishers. So, they were the first to be westernised and attracted towards cricket.
3. The rivalry between the Parsis and the Bombay Gymkhana had a happy ending for the former. What does ‘a happy ending’ refer to?
Ans. ‘Happy ending’ refers to the defeat of Bombay Gymkhana by the Parsi Club. Parsi Club won the Test Match held in 1889.
4. Do you think cricket owes its present popularity to television? Justify your answer.
Ans. Yes, there is no doubt that cricket owes its popularity to television. It has made a great contribution towards popularising cricket. Television coverage increased the audience of the game in the small towns and villages. It also helped people watch their heroes while playing national and international cricket and children from these places got the chance to learn the game.
5. Why has cricket a large viewership in India, not in China or Russia?
Ans. Cricket has a large viewership in India, but not in countries like China or Russia. I think mostly the countries who remained under British colonial rule, play cricket. India is one of the oldest cricket-playing nations. It is the largest populated country which adds to its large viewership.
6. What do you understand by the game’s (cricket) equipment?
Ans. Cricket equipment refers to the accessories used to play the game like a bat, ball made of leather, twine and cork, stumps and bells. The equipment like bat and ball are even today hand- made.
7. How is Test Cricket a unique game in many ways?
Ans. Test cricket is a unique game in many ways. It can be played in five days and still end in a draw. No other game can take more than a day. Secondly, the dimensions of the cricket ground are not specified. It can vary from a circular to an oval shape.
8. How is cricket different from other team games?
Ans. Cricket is the only game which can be played for five days. A football match is generally over in an hour and a half. Even baseball completes nine innings in about a half day. In cricket, the length of the pitch is mentioned as 22 yards however, the shape of the ground could be oval or circular. Moreover, unlike other team games, the dimensions of the cricket ground are not specified.
9. How have advances in technology affected the game of cricket?
Ans. Because of advancements in technology, the first major change in took place the equipment industry. Cricket has become safer with technology. The invention of vulcanised rubber led to the introduction of pads and gloves. Light helmets usually worn now are also because of modern technology.
Secondly, satellite television technology made the game very popular. It could now be watched in every city, town and village. We can watch both national and international cricket matches on our televisions.
10. Explain how cricket changed with changing times and yet remained unchanged in some ways.
Ans. A lot of changes have occurred in the game of cricket. Now amateur players have been replaced by paid professionals. One day international has become more popular. Technology has also brought great change. But still, the roots remain true to the origin in rural England. Cricket’s most important tools are still made of natural, pre-industrial materials. The bat is made with leather, twine and cork. Even today, both bat and ball are handmade, not industrially manufactured. However, the protective equipments have been influenced by change and advancement in technology.
Working with Language Page No. 149
- Word search:
- Twelve words associated with cricket are hidden in this grid.
- Six can be found horizontally and the remaining six vertically.
- Two words have been found for you.
Clues to the hidden words are given below.
Horizontal: six deliveries, four runs, attacked while out of arena, no result, stumps, fielder to the off-side of the wicketkeeper.
Vertical: stumps flying, back to the pavilion, a lofty one, mid-air mishap, not even one out of six, goes with bat.
Ans.
Ans. Horizontally: Over, Boundary, Stumped, Draw, Wicket, Slip. Vertically Bowled, Out, Six, Caught, Maiden, Ball.
- Add-ly to the italicised word in each sentence. Rewrite the sentence using the new word. See the examples first.
- He runs between wickets as if his legs were stiff. He runs between wickets stiffly.
- Why did the batsman swing the bat in such a violent manner?
- Why did the batsman swing the bat so violently?
(i) It is obvious that the work has not been done in a proper way.
(ii) He made the statement in a firm manner.
(iii) The job can be completed within a week in an easy way.
(iv) You did not play in a serious manner, or else you would have won the match.
(v) She recited the poem in a cheerful manner.
Ans. (i) It is obvious that the work has not been done properly.
(ii) He made the statement firmly.
(iii) The job can be completed within a week easily.
(iv) You did not play seriously, or else you would have won the match.
(v) She recited the poem cheerfully.
- Use the following phrases appropriately in place of the italicised words in the sentences given below.
|
as a matter of fact, we had better, see to it, by accident, as well |
(i) Actually, I didn’t intend to come to your place. I reached here without planning.
(ii) Sunil, there’s a letter for you in today’s post. There’s one for me also.
(iii) Everybody thought I had composed the poem. The truth is my younger sister did it.
(iv) The doctor told the patient to make sure that he took his pills on time.
(v) It will be better for us to plan our trip before setting out.
Ans. (i) Actually, I didn’t intend to come to your place. I reached here by accident.
(ii) Sunil, there’s a letter for you in today’s post. There’s one for me as well.
(iii) Everybody thought I had composed the poem. As a matter of fact my younger sister did it.
(iv) The doctor told the patient to see to it that he took his pills on time.
(v) We had better plan our trip before setting out.
Speaking and Writing Page No. 151
- Complete each of the following words using gh, ff or f. Then say each word clearly after your teacher.
(i) e………ort (ii) …….act (iii) con…..ess
(iv) lau…..ing (v) enou…… (vi) hal..
(vii) scru…….. (viii) rou…….. (ix) sti…..ly
(x) di……..erence (xi) sa……ety (xii) …….lush
Ans. (i) effort (ii) fact (iii) confess
(iv) laughing (v) enough (vi) half
(vii) scruff (viii) rough (ix) stiffly
(x) difference (xi) safety (xii) flush
- Write two paragraphs describing a bus ride to watch a cricket match in a village. Use the following points. Add some of your own.
- two-hour journey by bus
- an old and crowded bus
- friendly passengers
- visit to a village fair where the match is to be played
- the match between two village teams
- makeshift stumps, rough pitch and a rubber ball
- the match was enjoyable, but the trip was tiring
Ans.
Cricket Match in a Village
I went to a famous fair about 40 kilometres away from my village. We took a bus that was old and crowded, but the people on the bus were friendly and let me have a seat. After a two-hour ride, we reached the village where a cricket match was happening between two teams. The villagers were excited, wearing colourful clothes, and setting up makeshift stumps on a rough pitch. They were playing with a rubber ball, but the players were full of energy and enthusiasm. The team from the village we visited won the match, making it an interesting game. However, the trip was quite tiring.
That’s it about The Story of Cricket Summary and Question Answers. Hope it has helped. Do share your views about this post in the comment section below.
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