According to Mark Twain, the typewriter
a. printed faster than he wrote.
b. was good for the planet since it saved paper.
c. did not create a mess or leave blots.
d. was good for his back since he could relax and work at it.

A manual typewriter was noisy. The electric typewriter was no less noisy because
a. It made similar noises too.
b. Its keys were set close to each other.
c. Its keys also made noise.
d. People did not use it properly.

The main reason which led to improvements in typewriters was the
a. need for speed and automation.
b. desire to reduce paper wastage.
c. demand for more user-friendly and comfortable keyboards.
d. global movement of converting the physical into the digital.

Despite many technological advances, what has not changed is the
a. placement of the letters on the keyboard.
b. need for electricity which continues even now.
c. Ideal environment for writing.
d. putting of thoughts into words for another to read.

In what way is the typewriter the ancestor of the personal computer?

Why did Mark Twain think that the typewriter had several virtues?

How has the typewriter become a popular gadget today?

Do you think that the QWERTY system of placement of letters is relevant today? Why?

The text tells us that the typewriter is the ancestor of the personal computer. Which other modern gadgets can be traced to earlier machines and centuries?

Just as earlier machines are ancestors of present technological devices, present-day machines will one day result in new, more sophisticated gadgets. For instance, today, a mobile phone comes combined with a camera and a voice recorder. Can you think of some modern machines, gadgets or technologies which could be improved upon? They could be made faster, sleeker, easier and more efficient.

Write the two words from which each of these words/nouns has been formed.
1. Motorcade          motor car + cavalcade         
2. Telecast                ______________________        
3. Fantabulous       ______________________        
4. Brunch             _________________
5. Motel               _________________
6. Infotainment _________________

Rewrite this passage by adding suitable punctuation marks.
Close your eyes and open the book read the story you find on the page or find the beginning this would perhaps be the easiest way to read narayana’s hitopadesa you could read one or this would perhaps be the easiest way to read narayana’s hitopadesa you could read one or two stories at a time or even an entire section in one go most of the stories take you back to the storytellers of your childhood making you wonder who told me a version of this story where have I heard it before the combination of prose and verse could take time to get used to remember our oral tradition and the advantage rhyme has in committing anything to memory.

Insert the verbs in brackets in the correct places using to where needed.

1. The letters were placed in this odd way in the QWERTYY keyboard frequently struck keys from colliding. (prevent)

2. Charu would like a secretary. (become)

3. Jimmy ought his mother. (help)

4. Would you prefer with a pen? (write)

5. You must every word before you send the email. (check)

6. Vishal must learn the computer well. (use)

Talk to a partner. Ask and answer these questions. Then use infinitives to write five sentences about your partner.
1.    What would you like to do tomorrow?
2.    What would you like to change about  yourself?
3.    What do you plan to do after school?
4.    What do you wish to become when you grow up?
5.    What is your New Year resolution?