ENGLISH STD VII

NEW OXFORD MODERN ENGLISH

CHAPTER 1 LIGHT IN THE NIGHT- Claire Horsburgh
TASK I
Dear Students
I am providing a scanned copy of the lesson for you to read as it is not available
online. Do read it and be familiar with the story. I shall be taking up the lesson
in the next class. Those who have bought the book, New Oxford Modern English
by David, Nicholas and Claire Horsburgh, can read it on page 16 chapter 1.

PRE- READING ACTIVITY

Lamplighters In London: An Important Job In The early 1700’s

Bеfоrе the invention of gаѕ lamps, сitу streets were dark and dangerous рlасеѕ. London
for example was known for being unѕаfе аftеr dark аѕ piсkросkеtѕ and robbers rоаmеd
the dark streets waiting for an opportunity to steal money and other personal
belongings.
Many people feared to walk the dark streets and go out late in the evening. One
solution was to hire “link boys” to walk in frоnt of thеm with a ѕtiсk and a burning rag
diрреd in tar to light thе way. The trouble was that far too often these link boys were
criminals themselves and led their ерlоуеrѕ into dark аllеуѕ to be robbed.
In thе еаrlу 19th century gаѕ lаmрѕ were intrоduсеd to thе streets of London. The first
“parish” lamps were fueled by oil, usually stinking fish oils, with a wick. London was lit
by hundreds of these oil lamps but it took the
inventions of the Industrial Revolution to bring
about the gas lights that would light the streets of
London.
Suddenly, with so many oil lamps in London
there was a need for lamplighters. The
lamplighters were seen as trusted men and they
were very proud of their job that often passed
from father to son.
The early lamplighters carried their ladders, wick
and trimmers.
Setting out just before dusk, with a cheery
whistle or song to let the public know that they
were in the vicinity, they undertook their
essential role.
 ENGLISH STD VII
LIGHT IN THE NIGHT

TASK II
Guidelines- Write the word meanings in tabular form in your notebook.

WORD MEANING
1. Socialize Mingle, mix
2. Injure Hurt
3.. Criminals lawbreakers
5. Employ To engage in return for money
6. Enforce Implement, impose
7. Reassure To comfort
8. Installation Fitting, connection
9. Rapidly Quickly
10 Admirable Worthy of admiration
11 Illumination lighting
12 Agility Swift and quick
13 Guardians caretaker
14 Crest Symbol
15 Dribbling trickling
16 Bonnet Sun hat
17 Invention discovery
18 Dominate Rule, to take over

WORKING WITH WORDS

Q1. Supply suitable adjectives and adverbs for the given nouns. All the nouns
occur in the lesson. Make the table in your notebooks.

S.N0. NOUN ADJECTIVE ADVERB

1 Lamp Eg.Bright
2 Street
3 Ladder
4 Light
5 Work
 ENGLISH STD VII
LIGHT IN THE NIGHT

TASK III
Guidelines- Read the lesson once again, Chapter 1 of your literature reader.
Answer the questions with reference to context. Write the question followed by
the answer in your notebooks

Q1. ‘ The lamplighters quickly became an important and valued part of society’

1. Who were the lamplighters?

2. What were the lamplighter required to do?
3. Why did they become a ‘valued part of society’?
4. Mention the qualities a lamplighter possessed.

2. State the work/task of the following. Do it in the notebook.

Link Boys Lamplighters

_____________________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________________

_____________________ ______________________
 ENGLISH STD VII
LIGHT IN THE NIGHT

TASK IV
1. Complete the crossword by using the clues. All the words appear in the story. Make the
crossword and write the clues in the notebook.

Across
1. Name of a major capital city
4. making repairs
6. make something look more attractive
8. something which gives light
10. connected to the families of kings and queens

Down
2. to steal or take unlawfully
3. a piece of string in the center of a candle/lamp
5. someone worthy of being admired or respected
7. one who has committed a crime
9. the capital of France
2

33

44 55 77

66

88 99

1010
 4. Make the table in your notebooks and complete it by filling in the
advantages of gas lamps installed in the city of London in 1805.

Advantages of gas lamps

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

ENGLISH STD VII

LIGHT IN THE NIGHT

TASK V
CREATIVE ACTIVITY

Create a timeline of a typical day in your life during these difficult

times the nation is faced with. You can divide your day broadly into
four time zones, morning, afternoon, evening and night and indicate
how you engage yourself in fruitful activities and cope with changes
around. You can illustrate/ paste pictures/ post your stories with
emojis, use colored paper, borders, colored pens etc. to make your
work attractive ( Double page activity in your notebook)