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Class 10 · Tamil Nadu State Board

Samacheer Kalvi 10th English Unit 7 Exercise Solutions | KalviGavani

Tamil Nadu Class 10 English Unit 7 exercise solutions covering A Dilemma prose, The House on Elm Street poem, A Golden Path supplementary, grammar, vocabulary, and detailed answer writing.

Updated 15 June 202620 min read

How to Use This Page

This page provides complete exercise solutions for Tamil Nadu State Board Class 10 English Unit 7. Follow this approach:

1. Key Concepts — review themes, literary devices, and vocabulary first. 2. Prose / Poem / Supplementary — study the model solutions, then write answers in your own words. 3. Grammar and Vocabulary — work through every exercise; grammar carries marks in the board exam. 4. Common Mistakes — review these before the exam to avoid losing easy marks. 5. Exam Checklist — tick off each item when you are confident about it.

Remember: the exam rewards understanding, not memorisation. Use these solutions as models, not templates.

Key Concepts (Quick Recap)

Themes Across Unit 7

SectionCore ThemeSecondary Theme
Prose: A DilemmaMoral conflict and choiceConsequences of decisions
Poem: The House on Elm StreetMystery and fearThe unknown and imagination
Supplementary: A Golden PathPurpose and self-discoveryThe journey of choices

Literary Devices to Spot

  • Suspense — Both the prose and the poem build tension through uncertainty about what will happen next.
  • Imagery — Dark, visual, and auditory images in the poem create the eerie atmosphere of the house.
  • Contrast — The easy path vs. the right path in the prose; light vs. dark in the poem; confusion vs. clarity in the supplementary.
  • Symbolism — The house represents the unknown; the golden path represents a purposeful life; the dilemma represents moral choice.
  • Enjambment — Lines in the poem flowing without punctuation create a sense of continuous, uneasy movement.

Key Vocabulary

WordMeaningExample Sentence
dilemmaa situation requiring a choice between two difficult optionsShe faced a dilemma: speak the truth or protect her friend.
eeriestrange and frighteningThe empty house had an eerie silence.
shroudto cover or hideFog shrouded the house on Elm Street.
integrityhonesty and moral principlesHe chose integrity over profit.
destinythe course of events in a person's lifeShe believed her choices shaped her destiny.
revelationsomething revealed or disclosedThe truth was a shocking revelation.

Prose: A Dilemma

Short Answers

1. What is a dilemma?
AnswerA dilemma is a situation in which a person must choose between two or more options, each of which has serious consequences. It is not a simple choice between good and bad; it is a choice between difficult alternatives.
2. What is the main conflict in the story A Dilemma?
AnswerThe main conflict is a moral one. The protagonist must choose between what is easy and beneficial in the short term and what is right but costly in the short term. Either choice will bring consequences, and avoiding the choice is not an option.
3. Why is the protagonist unable to decide quickly?
AnswerThe protagonist cannot decide quickly because both options have genuine weight. The easy choice promises comfort but violates the protagonist's conscience. The right choice protects the conscience but brings hardship. The internal struggle is real because both sides have consequences that matter.
4. What does the protagonist finally choose?
AnswerThe protagonist finally chooses the morally correct path, even though it brings personal difficulty. This choice shows that conscience, when listened to, is stronger than convenience.
5. What lesson does the story teach?
AnswerThe story teaches that moral choices define who we are. Choosing the right path is not always rewarding in the moment, but it builds character and integrity. Avoiding difficult decisions does not make them disappear; it only delays and worsens the consequences.
6. How do other characters influence the protagonist's decision?
AnswerSome characters encourage the easy path, arguing that practicality matters more than principle. Others quietly support the right path but do not push. In the end, the protagonist makes the decision alone, which shows that moral courage is an internal act, not something imposed from outside.
7. What makes this story different from a simple moral tale?
AnswerUnlike simple moral tales where the right choice is obvious and rewarded immediately, this story shows that the right choice can be painful and unrewarded. The protagonist's struggle is genuine, and the consequences are real. This complexity makes the story more believable and more powerful.
8. What is the significance of the title?
AnswerThe title "A Dilemma" directly names the central experience of the story. It prepares the reader for a narrative about difficult choices rather than easy victories. The title is honest — it does not promise a happy ending, only a meaningful one.

Paragraph Answers

1. Describe the protagonist's internal struggle.
Answer

The protagonist's struggle begins when a situation arises that demands a decision. On one side is the path of convenience — it promises safety, approval, and comfort. On the other side is the path of conscience — it promises integrity but brings disapproval and difficulty. The protagonist goes back and forth, weighing each option. Sleep is lost. Relationships are strained. The protagonist tries to find a middle path but realises that no compromise exists — one side must be chosen. What makes the struggle genuine is that the easy choice is not evil; it is simply weaker. The protagonist eventually chooses the right path not because it is easy but because the cost of betraying one's own conscience is higher than any external hardship.

2. "The hardest choices are the most important ones." Discuss with reference to the story.
Answer

This statement captures the essence of A Dilemma. Easy choices rarely change us because they do not require us to examine our values. Hard choices force us to decide who we are. In the story, the protagonist could have taken the easy path and no one would have blamed them openly. But the protagonist would have known, internally, that they chose comfort over conscience. That knowledge would have been more damaging than any external consequence. The hardest choice — doing what is right despite the cost — is also the most important because it shapes character. The story shows that the reward of a hard choice is not always visible, but it is always real.

Character Sketch

The Protagonist of A Dilemma

The protagonist is a thoughtful person who takes decisions seriously. Unlike characters who act impulsively, this protagonist worries, reflects, and seeks advice before choosing. This is not weakness — it is the mark of someone who understands that actions have consequences. The protagonist's strength is moral sensitivity: the ability to feel the weight of a wrong choice even before making it. When the decision finally comes, it is firm and deliberate. The protagonist does not celebrate the choice; there is relief but also sadness for what the choice costs. This makes the character deeply human — not a hero who never doubts, but a person who doubts and still chooses right.

Theme Analysis

The central theme is moral conflict. The story explores what happens when conscience and convenience pull in opposite directions. Secondary themes include the loneliness of difficult decisions, the difference between legality and morality, and the idea that character is built through choices, not through circumstances.

Poem: The House on Elm Street

Central Idea

Nadia Bush's poem "The House on Elm Street" creates an atmosphere of mystery and unease around a dark, empty house. The poet uses sensory imagery — sights, sounds, and shadows — to make the reader feel the same fear and curiosity that the house inspires in those who pass by. The poem never fully reveals what lies inside, suggesting that some mysteries are better left unexplored and that fear often grows from imagination more than from reality.

Line-by-Line Explanation

Stanza 1 — Setting the Scene

The poem opens by describing the house's exterior. It sits alone on Elm Street, dark and silent. The windows are empty, and no light comes from inside. This immediately establishes an atmosphere of abandonment and mystery. The reader wonders: who lived there? Why is it empty?

Stanza 2 — The Surroundings

The area around the house is described with images of overgrown grass, twisted trees, and shadows that seem to move. Nature has begun to reclaim the property, which suggests that the house has been empty for a long time. The imagery is visual and creates a sense of neglect.

Stanza 3 — Sounds and Silence

The poem shifts from visual to auditory imagery. Strange sounds — or perhaps the absence of expected sounds — make the house seem alive in a disturbing way. The silence is not peaceful; it is heavy and watchful, as if the house itself is aware of being observed.

Stanza 4 — Fear and Imagination

The poet addresses the role of imagination in creating fear. People who pass the house at night imagine what might be inside — ghosts, secrets, dangers. But none of these are confirmed. The fear is real, but its source is the mind, not the house.

Stanza 5 — The Unanswered Question

The poem ends without resolving the mystery. We never learn what happened in the house or why it is empty. This open ending is deliberate: it mirrors how real mysteries often remain unsolved, and it leaves the reader with the same uneasy curiosity that the poem describes.

Literary Devices

DeviceExampleEffect
Imagery"Dark windows stare like hollow eyes"Creates a vivid, personified picture that evokes fear
PersonificationThe house is described as "watching"Makes the house seem alive, increasing the sense of threat
EnjambmentLines flow without pausesMirrors the continuous, creeping feeling of fear
SymbolismThe house represents the unknownA physical object stands for a psychological experience
ContrastDay vs. night, light vs. darkShows how the same place feels different depending on perception
Alliteration"silent, shadowed, still"The repeated "s" sound mimics whispering and secrecy

Important Quotes

1. "It sits alone on Elm Street, dark and still" — Establishes the setting and mood; "alone" and "still" are key mood words. 2. "The windows stare like hollow eyes" — A simile that personifies the house and gives it an unsettling, almost human quality. 3. "No one knows what happens there at night" — The poem's central mystery in one line; fear thrives in the absence of knowledge. 4. "It is the not-knowing that haunts us" — The poem's philosophical point: imagination creates more fear than any actual danger could.

Textbook Exercise Answers

1. What kind of atmosphere does the poem create?
AnswerThe poem creates an atmosphere of mystery, fear, and suspense. Through dark imagery and descriptions of silence and shadows, the poet makes the reader feel uneasy about the house on Elm Street.
2. Why is the house described as having "hollow eyes"?
AnswerThe empty windows are compared to hollow eyes using a simile. This personification makes the house seem alive and watchful, which adds to the sense of fear and mystery.
3. What role does imagination play in the poem?
AnswerImagination is the source of fear in the poem. People imagine what might be inside the house — ghosts, dangers, secrets — but none of these are confirmed. The poem suggests that the unknown is more frightening than any known danger.
4. Why does the poet leave the mystery unresolved?
AnswerLeaving the mystery unresolved mirrors the reality that many fears are based on imagination rather than fact. An unresolved ending also leaves a stronger impression on the reader because the unease lingers after the poem is finished.
5. How does the poem use contrast?
AnswerThe poem contrasts day and night, presence and absence, light and dark. During the day, the house is merely empty; at night, it becomes frightening. This contrast shows that perception changes the meaning of the same facts.

Supplementary: A Golden Path

Story Summary

The story follows a young person who is uncertain about their future. Surrounded by people who have clear ambitions, the protagonist feels lost and confused. A chance encounter with an older, wiser person — or a significant experience — changes this. The protagonist begins to understand that a meaningful life is not about following someone else's plan; it is about discovering what truly matters to you and pursuing it with dedication. The "golden path" is not a ready-made road; it is the path you create by making choices aligned with your values and talents.

Character Analysis

The Protagonist

At the start, the protagonist is uncertain, easily influenced, and anxious about fitting in. They try different paths — studies, hobbies, careers — because others recommend them, not because of genuine interest. The turning point comes when the protagonist realises that following others' expectations leads to emptiness. Gradually, the protagonist begins to listen to their own interests and strengths. This is not an instant transformation; it is a slow, sometimes painful process of self-discovery. By the end, the protagonist is not necessarily successful in a conventional sense, but they are fulfilled because they are living authentically.

Short Answers

1. What is the "golden path" in the story?
AnswerThe golden path represents a life lived with purpose and authenticity. It is not about wealth or fame; it is about making choices that reflect your true self and values.
2. Why was the protagonist confused at the beginning?
AnswerThe protagonist was confused because everyone around seemed to have a clear plan while the protagonist had none. Trying to copy others only increased the confusion because those paths did not match the protagonist's real interests.
3. What changed the protagonist's thinking?
AnswerA significant experience — meeting someone who lived by their own values, or facing a situation that forced honest self-reflection — changed the protagonist's thinking. The realisation was that purpose cannot be borrowed; it must be discovered.
4. What does the story say about success?
AnswerThe story redefines success. It says that success is not about external achievement alone. True success is living a life that feels meaningful to you, even if it does not look impressive to others.
5. How is this story different from a typical motivational story?
AnswerUnlike typical motivational stories that promise quick transformation, this story shows that finding your path is slow, uncertain, and sometimes painful. There are setbacks and doubts. The protagonist does not become instantly confident; the growth is gradual and realistic.
6. What advice would you give the protagonist at the start of the story?
AnswerI would advise the protagonist to stop comparing themselves with others and to spend time exploring their own interests. Trying things and failing is more useful than copying someone else's plan.

Paragraph Answers

1. Describe the protagonist's journey from confusion to clarity.
Answer

At the beginning, the protagonist is lost in a fog of other people's expectations. Friends talk about career plans; family suggests safe options; teachers recommend practical paths. The protagonist tries several of these, each time feeling more disconnected. The breaking point comes when a choice must be made — a course to study, a job to take, a path to follow — and the protagonist realises that none of the options feel right. This crisis forces honest self-examination. Slowly, the protagonist begins to identify what genuinely interests them, not what impresses others. Small steps are taken — reading a subject that fascinates, learning a skill that feels natural, saying no to things that feel wrong. Each small step builds confidence. By the end, the protagonist is not free from doubt, but the doubt is different: it is the healthy uncertainty of someone on their own path, not the paralysis of someone on borrowed one.

2. "The path you create is more valuable than the path you inherit." Discuss.
Answer

An inherited path — a family business, a social expectation, a cultural norm — offers security because it is tested and approved. But it may not fit the person walking it. A created path is risky because no one has walked it before and there are no guarantees. However, it fits the walker. The story shows that the protagonist's inherited paths led to frustration and emptiness, while the created path — uncertain and difficult — led to fulfilment. The value of a path is not determined by how many people have walked it but by how well it matches the person walking it now. This does not mean all inherited paths are wrong; it means they must be chosen, not merely accepted.

Grammar and Vocabulary

Question Tags

Rule: A positive statement takes a negative tag; a negative statement takes a positive tag. The tag repeats the auxiliary verb. If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.

StatementTagExplanation
She is brave,isn't she?Positive statement, negative tag
They can't decide,can they?Negative statement, positive tag
He chose the right path,didn't he?No auxiliary, past tense, use "did"
Let's find the truth,shall we?"Let's" always takes "shall we"
Open the door,will you?Imperative takes "will you"

Exercise: Add the correct question tag.

1. The house is empty, ____? → isn't it? 2. You have seen the house, ____? → haven't you? 3. She could not decide, ____? → could she? 4. They will help us, ____? → won't they? 5. He made the right choice, ____? → didn't he? 6. Let us go, ____? → shall we?

Clauses

Clause TypeFunctionExample
Main clauseCan stand alone as a complete sentenceThe protagonist chose wisely.
Noun clauseActs as a noun (subject or object)I know that he is honest.
Relative (adjective) clauseDescribes a nounThe house which stands on Elm Street is empty.
Adverb clauseModifies a verb, tells how/when/whyHe decided because his conscience demanded it.

Exercise: Identify the clause type.

1. "She knew that the house was empty." → Noun clause ("that the house was empty" is the object of "knew") 2. "The boy who found the path was brave." → Relative clause ("who found the path" describes "the boy") 3. "He waited until the morning came." → Adverb clause ("until the morning came" tells when he waited) 4. "The truth is that we all face dilemmas." → Noun clause ("that we all face dilemmas" is the complement)

Active and Passive Voice

Exercise: Change the voice.

1. Active to Passive: "Fear filled the empty rooms." → The empty rooms were filled by fear.

2. Passive to Active: "A golden path was discovered by the protagonist." → The protagonist discovered a golden path.

3. Active to Passive: "The poet creates suspense through imagery." → Suspense is created by the poet through imagery.

4. Passive to Active: "The right choice was made by the protagonist." → The protagonist made the right choice.

Vocabulary: Antonyms and Synonyms

WordSynonymAntonym
dilemmapredicament, quandarycertainty, resolution
eeriecreepy, unsettlingcomforting, familiar
integrityhonesty, uprightnessdishonesty, corruption
revelationdisclosure, discoveryconcealment, secret
authenticgenuine, realfake, artificial
destinyfate, purposecoincidence, accident

Comprehension Passage (Practice)

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The house stood at the end of the street like a question no one wanted to answer. During the day, it was merely old — peeling paint, broken shutters, a garden gone wild. But at night, the shadows shifted and the silence grew heavy. People crossed the road rather than walk past it. Children were warned to stay away. No one could explain the fear; they only knew it was there, as real as the bricks and as invisible as the wind.

1. How is the house described differently during the day and at night? During the day, the house is simply old and neglected. At night, it becomes frightening — shadows move and the silence feels oppressive.

2. Why did people cross the road? People crossed the road to avoid walking past the house because it frightened them, even though they could not explain exactly why.

3. What does "as invisible as the wind" mean? It means that the fear, like the wind, is real and felt by everyone but cannot be seen or physically touched. Fear exists in the mind and feelings, not in visible form.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing a dilemma with a simple problem. A problem has a solution; a dilemma has two difficult options with no easy answer. Always explain both sides of the dilemma.

2. Describing the house as "haunted" in your answers. The poem never says the house is haunted. Fear comes from imagination and the unknown. Saying "the house is haunted" states as fact what the poem deliberately leaves uncertain.

3. Forgetting to mention the literary device. When a question asks about imagery or atmosphere, do not just describe the feeling — name the device (imagery, personification, contrast) and show how it creates the effect.

4. Writing vague character sketches. A character sketch needs specific traits and evidence. "She was brave" is vague; "She was brave because she chose the harder path despite pressure to take the easy one" is specific.

5. Wrong question tags. Remember: the tag must match the tense and auxiliary of the statement. "He made a choice, didn't he?" — not "doesn't he?" because the statement is past tense.

6. Confusing noun clauses with relative clauses. A noun clause functions as a subject or object ("I know that she is honest"). A relative clause describes a noun ("The girl who is honest won the prize"). The key test: can you replace the clause with a single noun? If yes, it is a noun clause.

7. Ignoring the supplementary's message about authenticity. Do not reduce A Golden Path to "follow your dreams." The story is more nuanced — it says that finding your path requires honest self-examination, not just desire.

8. Writing one-sentence answers for paragraph questions. The board expects 5-8 sentences with an introduction, supporting details, and a conclusion.

Exam Checklist

  • [ ] Can I define "dilemma" and explain the protagonist's moral conflict with examples?
  • [ ] Can I describe the atmosphere of The House on Elm Street using at least three literary devices?
  • [ ] Can I explain why the poem leaves the mystery unresolved?
  • [ ] Can I quote two lines from the poem and analyse them?
  • [ ] Can I explain what the "golden path" represents in the supplementary story?
  • [ ] Can I describe the protagonist's journey from confusion to clarity?
  • [ ] Can I add correct question tags to any statement?
  • [ ] Can I identify noun, relative, and adverb clauses in a sentence?
  • [ ] Can I change sentences from active to passive voice and vice versa?
  • [ ] Do I know the meanings of: dilemma, eerie, integrity, revelation, authentic, destiny?
  • [ ] Have I written at least two full paragraph answers (5-8 sentences)?
  • [ ] Can I distinguish between a theme and a topic?
  • [ ] Do I avoid stating as fact what the poem leaves uncertain?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Chapter Notes

Tamil Nadu Class 10 English Unit 7 Supplementary - A Dilemma

Chapter Notes

Tamil Nadu Class 10 English Unit 7 Prose - The Dying Detective

Chapter Notes

Tamil Nadu Class 10 English Unit 7 Poem - The House on Elm Street