THE WISE CALIPH

1.1 WISE CALIPH

• Caliph’s Character: Wise, just, and concerned for his people.
• Dispute: Two men (rich and poor) fighting over a horse.
• Rich Man’s Claim: Offered a ride to the beggar, who then falsely claimed the horse.
• Beggar’s Claim: Said the horse was his, and the rich man tried to steal it.
• Test: The horse’s reaction revealed the true owner.
• Outcome: Caliph ruled in favor of the rich man; beggar apologized and was forgiven.
• Moral: Justice prevailed, and kindness was rewarded.

Summary

Caliph Haroon-ur-Rashid was a beloved and just ruler who cared deeply for his people. At night, he disguised himself as a common man to walk the streets of Baghdad and learn about their problems firsthand. One day, while holding court, the Qazi brought two men—a well-dressed, wealthy man and a poor beggar—before the Caliph. They were arguing over the ownership of a beautiful white horse.

The rich man told his story: While riding to the city, he saw the beggar limping and offered him a ride. When they reached the city gate, the beggar refused to get off the horse and claimed it was his.

The beggar then gave his version: He said the horse was his and that he had spent all his money on it, leaving him in rags. He claimed the rich man had asked to borrow the horse, and after riding together, the rich man tried to take it by force, saying no one would believe a beggar owned such a fine horse.

The Caliph, known for his wisdom, devised a simple test. He asked both men to touch the horse. The horse winced at the beggar’s touch but neighed happily when the rich man touched it. The Caliph declared the horse belonged to the rich man and scolded the beggar for lying.

The beggar, caught in his lie, apologized, and the kind-hearted rich man forgave him, even giving him gold coins. Everyone admired the rich man’s generosity, and the Caliph’s fair judgment once again proved his wisdom.

WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS

1. Beggar – A poor person who asks for money or food.
2. Limping – Walking with difficulty because of a hurt leg or foot.
3. Reins – Straps used to control a horse.
4. Dismount – To get down from a horse or bicycle.
5. Puzzled – Confused or not understanding something.
6. Claimed – Said something was true (even if it might not be).
7. Caliph – A Muslim ruler or leader.
8. Dispute – An argument or disagreement.
9. Swears – Promises that something is true.
10. Wince – To move suddenly because something is unpleasant or painful.
11. Snorted – A loud breath sound made by a horse.
12. Neighed – The sound a horse makes (“whinny”).
13. Wicked – Very bad or mean.
14. Forgive – To stop being angry at someone for a mistake.
15. Ungrateful – Not thankful for help or kindness.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

a) How many main characters are there in the story?
There are three main characters: the Caliph (the wise ruler), the rich man, and the beggar.

b) Who are they?

1. Caliph Haroon-ur-Rashid – A kind and fair ruler who solves problems.
2. The rich man – A good person who helped the beggar but was falsely accused.
3. The beggar – A poor man who lied about owning the horse.

c) Who got the horse?
The rich man got the horse because the horse was happy when he touched it, proving it was his.

d) Was the person who wrongly claimed the horse punished?
No, the beggar was not punished. The Caliph forgave him when he apologized, and the rich man even gave him gold coins.

UNIT 1.1 READING COMPREHENSION

1.1 EXERCISE 2 — WORDS AND MEANINGS

1. Disguise– means change appearance
2. Claims– means states something as true
3. Welfare– means general well-being
4. Mingle– means mix with people
5. Rags– means old, torn clothes
6. Dispute– means disagreement about something
7. Resolve– means find a solution
8. Certain– means know for sure
9. Concerned– means worried about
10. Motioned– means signalled
11. Dismount– means get off something
12. Puzzled– means unable to understand
13. Winced– means showed dislike
14. Neighed– means sound made by a horse
15. Pronounced– means officially said

1.1 EXERCISE 3 — CORRECTION OF SENTENCES

1. Incorrect: The case was first brought to the Caliph by the two men.
   Correct: The case was first brought to the Caliph by the Qazi.
2. Incorrect: The Qazi said that the case was easy so he could not solve it.
   Correct: The Qazi said that the case was difficult, so he could not solve it.
3. Incorrect: The Caliph asked the beggar to speak first.
   Correct: The Caliph asked the rich man to speak first.
4. Incorrect: The Caliph wanted the rich man to touch the horse first.
   Correct: The Caliph wanted the beggar to touch the horse first.
5. Incorrect: The horse belonged to the beggar.
   Correct: The horse belonged to the rich man.
6. Incorrect: The Caliph decided to be strict.
   Correct: The Caliph decided to be merciful and forgave the beggar.
7. Incorrect: The rich man hit the beggar.
   Correct: The rich man forgave the beggar and even gave him gold coins.

1.1 EXERCISE 4

Here is the completed table with the correct speakers for each dialogue, based on the story:

1.1 EXERICISE 5

1. “With your knowledge and wisdom, you will be able to resolve the case in a just manner.“
   (Spoken by the Qazi to the Caliph)
2. “He not only refused to get down, but instead claimed that the horse belonged to him.“
   (Rich man describing the beggar’s actions)
3. “Have pity on me and save me from the cruelty of this rich man.“
   (Beggar pleading to the Caliph)
4. “Whatever money I had, I spent on this horse.“
   (Beggar explaining why he is poor)
5. “I beg you to save me from this robber and give me back my horse.“
   (Beggar’s false request to the Caliph)
6. “Tell these men to place their hands on the horse, one by one.“
   (Caliph’s order to test the horse’s reaction)
7. “You are a liar and a wicked man.“
   (Caliph scolding the beggar)
8. “Instead of thanking you for giving me a lift, I lied.“
   (Beggar admitting his guilt after being caught)

1.1 EXERCISE 6

b) The Qazi went to the Caliph because he could not resolve the dispute between the two men and needed the Caliph’s wisdom.

c) The rich man said that he gave the beggar a lift because he felt sorry for him as the beggar was lame.

d) The beggar refused to get off the horse because he falsely claimed that the horse belonged to him and wanted to steal it.

e) The beggar said that he gave the rich man a lift because he pretended the rich man had begged to ride his horse to reach the city quickly.

f) The horse winced when the beggar touched it because it did not recognize him as its owner.

g) The horse snorted and neighed when the rich man touched it because it recognized and was happy to see its real owner.

h) Everyone liked the rich man because he forgave the beggar and even gave him gold coins, showing kindness and generosity.

1.1 EXERCISE 7

1. What was Caliph Haroon-ur-Rashid known and respected for?
   He was known for being wise, fair, and caring about people’s problems. At night, he would disguise himself and walk around Baghdad to understand people’s difficulties.
2. How did the two men brought before the Caliph look like?
   One man was well-dressed and looked rich, while the other was in torn clothes (rags) and looked like a beggar.
3. What was the dispute between the rich man and the beggar?
   Both men were fighting over a beautiful white horse. Each one claimed the horse belonged to him.
4. How did the Caliph decide who was the owner of the horse?
   He asked both men to touch the horse. The horse winced (moved away) when the beggar touched it but neighed happily when the rich man touched it. This showed the horse knew its real owner.
5. On what condition did the Caliph decide to forgive the beggar?
   The Caliph said he would forgive the beggar if he apologized to the rich man. The beggar did apologize.
6. After getting the horse, how did the rich man behave?
   The rich man was very kind. He not only forgave the beggar but also gave him gold coins to help him. Everyone admired his generosity.

1.1 EXERCISE 8

Five Things a Head of State SHOULD Do:

1. Help poor people (like the Caliph cared for his people’s problems).
2. Be fair and wise (solve problems justly, like the Caliph did with the horse dispute).
3. Listen to people (walk among them to understand their difficulties, as the Caliph did at night).
4. Forgive mistakes (like the Caliph forgave the beggar when he apologized).
5. Reward kindness (praise good actions, like the rich man who helped the beggar).

Five Things a Head of State SHOULD NOT Do:

1. Ignore people’s problems (unlike the Caliph, who always helped).
2. Favor rich over poor (be fair to everyone, like the Caliph was).
3. Punish without listening (the Caliph tested the truth before deciding).
4. Lie or cheat (unlike the beggar, who lied about the horse).
5. Be cruel (the Caliph showed mercy instead of harsh punishment).

UNIT 1.2

1.2 EXERCISE 1 : EXPRESS AGREEMENT DISAGREEMENT

Amina: It is a good idea to take medicines at home rather than go to the doctor.
Hina: Yes, I agree with you. The doctors charge you a lot of money. (Agrees with Amina)
Mariam: I don’t think it is always a good idea to treat yourself. (Disagrees)

Amina: Many illnesses can be managed at home without wasting time and money. (Continues her stance)
Hina: f) Yes, that makes sense. (Agrees again)
Mariam: h) This doesn’t make sense to me. Many diseases, if not treated properly and on time, can lead to bigger problems and more expenses. (Strong disagreement)

Amina: c) Some people say that most illnesses go away after a while. (Supports home treatment)
Hina: a) I believe that the medicines that my parents and grandparents give me are better than those given by doctors. (Agrees with tradition)
Mariam: g) I think we should see a doctor if we have any health problems for more than two or three days. (Counter-argument)

Amina: (No further points left)
Hina: d) This doesn’t make sense to me, but I’ll go with your idea. (Reluctant agreement)
Mariam: e) I don’t agree. I think that the medicines that the doctors give us lead to other problems. (Disagrees sharply)

Final Note:

• Amina consistently supports home treatment.
• Hina mostly agrees but shows hesitation once.
• Mariam firmly disagrees, advocating for professional care.

UNIT 1.3

1.3 EXERCISE 1 : Capitalization Corrections

a) The mausoleum of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhital is in Sindh.
b) Samcer and Ali went to Quetta last July.
c) The river Indus flows from Gilgit Baltistan to the Arabian Sea.
d) The Liaquat National Hospital is on the Stadium Road in Karachi.
e) “Are Zahra and Samina coming today?” asked Mrs. Afzal.
f) The highest peak, Mount Everest, is in the Himalayan ranges, in Nepal.
g) We are planning to go to Islamabad in March to see the Faisal Mosque.
h) He said, “My uncle’s name is Asif Shaikh, and he lives in London.”

1.3 EXERCISE 2 : Punctuation Corrections

1. The helping group needs clothes, food, water, blankets, and shoes for the flood victims.
2. Hurrah! Pakistan has won the World Cup. We must meet, celebrate, enjoy, and have fun!
3. Nevertheless, some people are talking, some are resting, some are reading, and some are having fun.
4. “Have you finished your homework?” his mother asked.
5. Alas! The old man is dead. He suffered a lot.
6. The teacher said, “Where is your bag?” “I don’t know,” said Sabah. “I just kept it here.”

1.3 EXERCISE 3 : Apostrophes & Quotation Marks

a) “This book isn’t mine,” said Abdul Karim. “I don’t know who put it here.”
b) “Can we go to the seaside, father?” the children asked. “It’s such a lovely day.”
c) The girl’s father said, “I’ll take you to school today. It’s still early, and we’ll reach in time.”
d) Mother said, “Who’ll help me clean the house?” “I can’t,” said Laila. “I’ve got to write an essay.”
e) “I’ve seen this movie before. What is its name?” said Fakhir. “I don’t know,” replied Asad.
f) “Sabiha,” said Rana, “aren’t we going to Hyderabad today?” “No,” said Sabiha, “I’m not feeling well.”
g) “This is Najma’s house,” said Nabila. “I’ve been here before. However, the gate’s colour has been changed.”
h) “Hurry up, let’s go, children,” said grandfather. “Put on your shoes. We’re already late. I don’t want to miss the bus.”

1.3 Exercise 4: Punctuation and Capitalization

One day, Rashid said to his friends, “You know what I read in the newspaper? That yellow house near our school is haunted!”

“Ghosts?” said Sajid. “I don’t believe in ghosts.”

Sara, however, said, “I believe in ghosts, and I’m sure that all of you believe in ghosts. Really, if you don’t believe in them, I challenge you to spend the night in that house!”

“What? You must be joking,” said Javed.

“No, I’m not,” said Sara. “I’m serious. Prove it to me that you don’t believe in ghosts by staying there tonight, or else I’ll tell everyone that you’re cowards!”

“All right,” said Rashid. “I’ll do it. Who’ll come with me? I can depend on you, Asad, can’t I? Will you come, Javed? Can I rely on you coming with me?”

Ghufran, Tahir, Asad, and Javed all agreed to go. They decided to meet at eight o’clock. Javed said, “We’ve got to complete my homework before I go. Please wait for me if I’m late. I don’t want to go alone.”

“Surprise, surprise!” said Rashid when they met outside the house at 8 o’clock. “Look who’s here!”

“There’s no one else here,” said Javed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean Shahid. Didn’t you just see him go in?”

“I didn’t see anyone,” Tahir, Ghufran, Javed, and Asad replied together.

“Do you think we should go in?” said Javed.

1.3 EXERCISE 5

Here’s the completed table with prefixes and suffixes added correctly:

Prefixes Table (dis-, im-, un-, pre-, mis-, ab-, non-, in-, ir-, il-)

Suffixes Table (-ish, -al, -ful, -en, -ness, -ment, -able, -hood, -ive, -ion)

1.3 EXERCISE 6

1. My father was feeling uneasy due to severe pain. (prefix: un-)
2. His seat on the train was very uncomfortable. (prefix: un- + suffix: -able)
3. Mr. Moeen is very irregular and is often absent from his office. (prefix: ir-)
4. His childish behaviour bothered everyone. (suffix: -ish)
5. There is a lot of pollution in our country. (suffix: -ion)
6. We must show kindness to everyone, especially the old and the weak. (suffix: -ness)
7. All survived in the horrible accident, but unfortunately the driver was killed. (prefix: un- + suffix: -ly)
8. Reflection of the sunlight in the mirror disturbed me when I was driving. (suffix: -ion)
9. Rejection from the national hockey team was unbearable for me. (suffix: -ion; prefix: un- + suffix: -able)
10. The information given by the team member was unofficial. (suffix: -ion; prefix: un- + suffix: -ial)

1.3 EXERCISE 7

Here’s the completed table with prefixes, suffixes, and example sentences for each root word:

UNIT 1.4

1.4 EXERCISE 1

Updated Cluster:

• History
• Climate
• Economy
• Culture
• Agriculture
• Heritage
• Tourism

1.4 Exercise 2: Paragraph Writing

Topic: Culture of Sindh

Paragraph:
The culture of Sindh is rich and diverse. One of its key aspects is traditional music, with instruments like the ektara and dholak being widely used. Folk dances such as Jhoomar and Ho Jamalo reflect the joyous spirit of the people. Another highlight is Sindhi cuisine, which includes dishes like Sai Bhaji and Sindhi Biryani, known for their unique flavors. Handicrafts like Ajrak (block-printed cloth) and Sindhi Topi (embroidered cap) are symbols of cultural pride. These elements together showcase the vibrant heritage of Sindh.

1.4 Exercise 3: Clustering Key Areas

Pollution:

• Air pollution (e.g., smog, vehicle emissions)
• Water pollution (e.g., industrial waste, plastic)
• Noise pollution (e.g., traffic, construction)
• Soil pollution (e.g., pesticides, landfills)

Natural Disasters:

• Earthquakes (e.g., tectonic plate movements)
• Floods (e.g., monsoon rains, river overflow)
• Droughts (e.g., water scarcity, crop failure)
• Cyclones (e.g., coastal storms)

Sports:

• Cricket (e.g., national tournaments)
• Hockey (e.g., traditional popularity)
• Football (e.g., emerging interest)
• Kabaddi (e.g., rural games)

1.4 Exercise 4: Individual Paragraphs

Example 1 (Pollution – Air Pollution):
Air pollution is a serious problem in urban areas. Vehicles and factories release harmful gases like carbon monoxide, which affect human health. Smog causes breathing problems and reduces visibility. Planting trees and using public transport can help reduce this issue. Everyone must work together to combat air pollution.

Example 2 (Natural Disasters – Floods):
Floods are common during monsoon season in Sindh. Heavy rains and river overflow destroy homes and crops. People lose their livelihoods and face food shortages. Building dams and early warning systems can minimize damage. Proper planning is essential to handle floods.

Example 3 (Sports – Cricket):
Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. People of all ages enjoy watching and playing it. Stars like Babar Azam inspire young players. International matches bring the nation together. Cricket unites people and promotes teamwork.

1.5 EXERCISE 1

This exercise helps students think critically about problems and solutions. Let me know if you’d like refinements! 😊

Here’s the completed table with common student problems and three Wh-questions (Why, Where, When) for each:

1.5 Exercise 2: Student Problems & Wh-Questions

1.6 Continuation of the Story

After Rashid pointed out that Shahid had supposedly entered the haunted house, the boys stood frozen outside, staring at the dark, creaking door.

1. Did the boys decide to go in?
   Yes, after a tense silence, Rashid took a deep breath and said, “Let’s go in. We can’t back out now.”
2. Did everyone agree to go in?
   No, Javed hesitated and said, “This doesn’t feel right. What if Shahid isn’t really inside?” But the others—Rashid, Asad, Ghufran, and Tahir—insisted on going in.
3. How many of them finally went in?
   Four of them entered (Rashid, Asad, Ghufran, and Tahir), while Javed stayed outside, too afraid to go in.
4. What happened when they went in?
   Inside, the house was cold and eerily silent. The floorboards creaked with every step. Suddenly, they heard faint whispers and saw a shadow move in the corner. Tahir screamed, “Did you see that?!”
5. How long did they stay in?
   They stayed for only 10 minutes before panic took over.
6. Did anyone leave soon after they went in?
   Yes, Ghufran ran out almost immediately after hearing strange noises, leaving only three inside.
7. Who was scared the most?
   Tahir was the most scared—he screamed at every sound and clung to Rashid.
8. Who was scared the least?
   Rashid pretended to be brave, though even he felt uneasy.
9. What happened when they finally got out?
   When they rushed outside, they found Javed pale-faced, saying, “I saw someone looking out the window!” The boys sprinted away, never looking back.
10. What did they tell everyone about their experience?
    The next day, they exaggerated the story, claiming they saw a real ghost. Sara laughed and said, “I knew you’d chicken out!” But deep down, none of them ever went near that house again.