Read the following paragraph and write the antonyms of the underlined words.
1. “You think you know better than the newspaper?” Father said crossly. “A man may have the strength (a) of an elephant and yet be a coward (b). “Another may be a mere skeleton; but if he has real (c) courage (d), he can do anything.
2. He hoped (a) at first that Father was only joking. He tried to change the topic by saying, “Father, our captain says we shall have some elders (b) also in our cricket club. He has asked me to tell you. “We’ll see about that later (c),” Father cut in (d). “Hereafter you must sleep alone.”
3. “From the first of next month, I’ll sleep alone,” Swami said very humbly (a), trying to please (b) Father.“No, you must do it right from today,” Father said sternly (c). “Sleeping beside Granny or Mother like a baby is disgraceful (d). You are now in the Fifth Standard and I don’t like the way you are being brought up.”
4. “Get up (a), Swami,” said Father for the third time and Swami got up. Father rolled up his bed, took it under his arm and said, “Come with me.” Swami looked at Granny, hesitated (b) for a moment, and then followed (c) his father into the office room. “Let me sleep in the hall, Father,” Swami pleaded. “Your office room is very dusty (d) and there may be scorpions behind your law books.”
5. Swami was pained and angry (a). He did not like (b) the cruelty (c) his father was showing. He cursed (d) the newspaper that had printed the tiger’s story.
6. The night advanced (a) and the silence (b) in the house deepened. Swami’s heart began to beat faster, (c) He remembered (d) all the stories of devils and ghosts he had heard. He was almost faint with fear.
7. A tiger was chasing him. Swami tried hard (a) to escape (b) but his feet would not move. He tried to open his eyes but his eyelids would not open (c). He groaned in despair (d).
8. At last (a), using utmost effort he opened (b) his eyes. He put his hand out to feel his granny’s presence (c), as was his habit. But he only touched the wooden leg of the bench! At once his lonely state came back to him. He shook in fear and closed his eyes. He heard a little rustling noise (d) in the room.
9. The next day was a day of congratulations (a) for Swami. His classmates looked at him with respect (b). His teacher patted his back for his courage and bravery. The headmaster said that he was a true (c) scout. Swami had bitten into the knee of a notorious (d) house-breaker and the police were grateful to him.
