NCERT Textbook: Avoiding Repetition | English Grammar (Communicative) Interact In English Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


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163
AVOIDING REPETITION
When we speak or write, we very often want to make some connection with 
other things that we are saying or writing. This results in some amount of 
repetition. When do you think such repetition is annoying and when it is not? 
In this unit you will learn how to avoid unnecessary repetition.
1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.
2. "I want to scale Mt. Everest, I want to do scuba diving and I want to fly an 
aeroplane. Actually, I want to do a lot of things before I die."
3. New Delhi has many big, big malls.
4. In this article first I have tried to discuss the various causes of air-
pollution. Then I have tried to discuss the various effects of air-pollution 
and finally I have tried to discuss various ways to reduce the amount of 
air-pollution.
5. “I've failed."
“You've failed? I can't believe this!"
6. The incident took place today at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
7. Could you repeat that again, please?
8. I am very, very sorry.
9. I have planned a plan.
10. When I heard that she was staying at the Hotel Park View, I decided to go to 
the Hotel Park View to meet her there.
A. Notice the element of repetition in the following sentences and decide 
whether it is acceptable or not. Give reasons in support of your opinion. 
Page 2


9
163
AVOIDING REPETITION
When we speak or write, we very often want to make some connection with 
other things that we are saying or writing. This results in some amount of 
repetition. When do you think such repetition is annoying and when it is not? 
In this unit you will learn how to avoid unnecessary repetition.
1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.
2. "I want to scale Mt. Everest, I want to do scuba diving and I want to fly an 
aeroplane. Actually, I want to do a lot of things before I die."
3. New Delhi has many big, big malls.
4. In this article first I have tried to discuss the various causes of air-
pollution. Then I have tried to discuss the various effects of air-pollution 
and finally I have tried to discuss various ways to reduce the amount of 
air-pollution.
5. “I've failed."
“You've failed? I can't believe this!"
6. The incident took place today at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
7. Could you repeat that again, please?
8. I am very, very sorry.
9. I have planned a plan.
10. When I heard that she was staying at the Hotel Park View, I decided to go to 
the Hotel Park View to meet her there.
A. Notice the element of repetition in the following sentences and decide 
whether it is acceptable or not. Give reasons in support of your opinion. 
CBSE
164
B. Read the following passages that describe a Herbal Doctor Mr Ved Prakash 
Goel.
a. How many words have been used in each paragraph?
A
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day Mr Ved Prakash Goel met 
two patients suffering from respiratory 
diseases. They had difficulty in 
breathing. Mr Ved Prakash Goel 
prescribed to these patients his latest 
herbal medicine for respiratory 
diseases. At first the patients refused 
to take the medicine prescribed by Mr 
Ved Prakash Goel but when Mr Ved 
Prakash Goel assured the patients of 
respiratory diseases that his herbal 
medicine was purely herbal, the 
patients of respiratory diseases agreed 
to try that medicine. That medicine 
must have been very effective, for the 
patients of the respiratory diseases 
were cured of their diseases and 
thanked Mr Ved Prakash Goel for his 
wonderful herbal medicine.
B
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day he met two patients suffering 
from some breathing problem and 
prescribed to them his latest invention. 
At first they refused to take the 
medicine but on being assured by him 
that it was purely herbal and safe, they 
agreed to try it. Indeed, the 
prescription must have been very 
effective, for the patients were cured in 
a matter of days. They thanked the 
herbal doctor for the wonderful cure.
A. _____________
B. _____________
b. Circle the words or phrases in paragraph B that replace words or phrases in 
Page 3


9
163
AVOIDING REPETITION
When we speak or write, we very often want to make some connection with 
other things that we are saying or writing. This results in some amount of 
repetition. When do you think such repetition is annoying and when it is not? 
In this unit you will learn how to avoid unnecessary repetition.
1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.
2. "I want to scale Mt. Everest, I want to do scuba diving and I want to fly an 
aeroplane. Actually, I want to do a lot of things before I die."
3. New Delhi has many big, big malls.
4. In this article first I have tried to discuss the various causes of air-
pollution. Then I have tried to discuss the various effects of air-pollution 
and finally I have tried to discuss various ways to reduce the amount of 
air-pollution.
5. “I've failed."
“You've failed? I can't believe this!"
6. The incident took place today at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
7. Could you repeat that again, please?
8. I am very, very sorry.
9. I have planned a plan.
10. When I heard that she was staying at the Hotel Park View, I decided to go to 
the Hotel Park View to meet her there.
A. Notice the element of repetition in the following sentences and decide 
whether it is acceptable or not. Give reasons in support of your opinion. 
CBSE
164
B. Read the following passages that describe a Herbal Doctor Mr Ved Prakash 
Goel.
a. How many words have been used in each paragraph?
A
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day Mr Ved Prakash Goel met 
two patients suffering from respiratory 
diseases. They had difficulty in 
breathing. Mr Ved Prakash Goel 
prescribed to these patients his latest 
herbal medicine for respiratory 
diseases. At first the patients refused 
to take the medicine prescribed by Mr 
Ved Prakash Goel but when Mr Ved 
Prakash Goel assured the patients of 
respiratory diseases that his herbal 
medicine was purely herbal, the 
patients of respiratory diseases agreed 
to try that medicine. That medicine 
must have been very effective, for the 
patients of the respiratory diseases 
were cured of their diseases and 
thanked Mr Ved Prakash Goel for his 
wonderful herbal medicine.
B
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day he met two patients suffering 
from some breathing problem and 
prescribed to them his latest invention. 
At first they refused to take the 
medicine but on being assured by him 
that it was purely herbal and safe, they 
agreed to try it. Indeed, the 
prescription must have been very 
effective, for the patients were cured in 
a matter of days. They thanked the 
herbal doctor for the wonderful cure.
A. _____________
B. _____________
b. Circle the words or phrases in paragraph B that replace words or phrases in 
CBSE
165
paragraph A. Then join the corresponding circles with a line as shown in the 
example. 
c. Which of the two paragraphs makes better reading? Why? (Discuss in pairs 
and write your answer below)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
It was yet another escapade of Gopi and Gargi into the forest. The two were 
playing in the courtyard of the ruined castle when they heard strange sounds, 
as if someone was ringing tiny bells in a temple. But there was none in the 
vicinity. They knew it. Then who was making those sounds? Nothing of that 
sort had happened during any of their earlier visits. Was the castle haunted? 
Were there any ghosts in it? Suddenly, this thought had a vice like grip on their 
minds. Naturally enough, both were terrified but neither wanted to admit it. 
Presently the sounds became louder and louder and the duo would have fled 
had Gargi's sharp eyes not caught a glimpse of a herd of goats grazing behind 
the thickets nearby. 'So, those are the ghosts!' said Gargi and both burst into 
laughter. They rushed to the spot to have a closer look and found that there 
were thirteen goats in all and each had a tiny brass bell dangling from its neck. 
Four goats were black and the rest were brown.
 
Passage 1 
Moina and Debi are students of class IX. Moina and Debi are great friends 
although Moina and Debi don't study at the same school. Moina has never 
C. Read the passage below. Underline the words that have been used to avoid 
repetition. Mark the words that have not been replaced or deleted with '?'.
D. Read Passage 1 below and then fill in the blanks in Passage 2 with one 
word each. You may choose  words from the ones you underlined in the 
exercise C. Which makes a better reading-Passage 1 or Passage 2? Why?
Page 4


9
163
AVOIDING REPETITION
When we speak or write, we very often want to make some connection with 
other things that we are saying or writing. This results in some amount of 
repetition. When do you think such repetition is annoying and when it is not? 
In this unit you will learn how to avoid unnecessary repetition.
1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.
2. "I want to scale Mt. Everest, I want to do scuba diving and I want to fly an 
aeroplane. Actually, I want to do a lot of things before I die."
3. New Delhi has many big, big malls.
4. In this article first I have tried to discuss the various causes of air-
pollution. Then I have tried to discuss the various effects of air-pollution 
and finally I have tried to discuss various ways to reduce the amount of 
air-pollution.
5. “I've failed."
“You've failed? I can't believe this!"
6. The incident took place today at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
7. Could you repeat that again, please?
8. I am very, very sorry.
9. I have planned a plan.
10. When I heard that she was staying at the Hotel Park View, I decided to go to 
the Hotel Park View to meet her there.
A. Notice the element of repetition in the following sentences and decide 
whether it is acceptable or not. Give reasons in support of your opinion. 
CBSE
164
B. Read the following passages that describe a Herbal Doctor Mr Ved Prakash 
Goel.
a. How many words have been used in each paragraph?
A
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day Mr Ved Prakash Goel met 
two patients suffering from respiratory 
diseases. They had difficulty in 
breathing. Mr Ved Prakash Goel 
prescribed to these patients his latest 
herbal medicine for respiratory 
diseases. At first the patients refused 
to take the medicine prescribed by Mr 
Ved Prakash Goel but when Mr Ved 
Prakash Goel assured the patients of 
respiratory diseases that his herbal 
medicine was purely herbal, the 
patients of respiratory diseases agreed 
to try that medicine. That medicine 
must have been very effective, for the 
patients of the respiratory diseases 
were cured of their diseases and 
thanked Mr Ved Prakash Goel for his 
wonderful herbal medicine.
B
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day he met two patients suffering 
from some breathing problem and 
prescribed to them his latest invention. 
At first they refused to take the 
medicine but on being assured by him 
that it was purely herbal and safe, they 
agreed to try it. Indeed, the 
prescription must have been very 
effective, for the patients were cured in 
a matter of days. They thanked the 
herbal doctor for the wonderful cure.
A. _____________
B. _____________
b. Circle the words or phrases in paragraph B that replace words or phrases in 
CBSE
165
paragraph A. Then join the corresponding circles with a line as shown in the 
example. 
c. Which of the two paragraphs makes better reading? Why? (Discuss in pairs 
and write your answer below)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
It was yet another escapade of Gopi and Gargi into the forest. The two were 
playing in the courtyard of the ruined castle when they heard strange sounds, 
as if someone was ringing tiny bells in a temple. But there was none in the 
vicinity. They knew it. Then who was making those sounds? Nothing of that 
sort had happened during any of their earlier visits. Was the castle haunted? 
Were there any ghosts in it? Suddenly, this thought had a vice like grip on their 
minds. Naturally enough, both were terrified but neither wanted to admit it. 
Presently the sounds became louder and louder and the duo would have fled 
had Gargi's sharp eyes not caught a glimpse of a herd of goats grazing behind 
the thickets nearby. 'So, those are the ghosts!' said Gargi and both burst into 
laughter. They rushed to the spot to have a closer look and found that there 
were thirteen goats in all and each had a tiny brass bell dangling from its neck. 
Four goats were black and the rest were brown.
 
Passage 1 
Moina and Debi are students of class IX. Moina and Debi are great friends 
although Moina and Debi don't study at the same school. Moina has never 
C. Read the passage below. Underline the words that have been used to avoid 
repetition. Mark the words that have not been replaced or deleted with '?'.
D. Read Passage 1 below and then fill in the blanks in Passage 2 with one 
word each. You may choose  words from the ones you underlined in the 
exercise C. Which makes a better reading-Passage 1 or Passage 2? Why?
CBSE
166
played cricket and Debi has never played cricket too but Moina and Debi are 
crazy about cricket. So far Moina and Debi have together watched ten 
international matches played by their country, India. Four of these matches 
were played in different foreign countries and six of these matches were played 
in their country, India.  Surprisingly, India has lost no match where Moina and 
Debi were present in the stands. Moina claims that she is more passionate 
about the game of cricket than Debi. Debi says she is more passionate about 
the game than Moina.
Passage 2
Moina and Debi are students of class IX. ………… are great friends although 
they don't study at the same school. ……………..has ever played any cricket but 
…. are crazy about….. especially one day matches. So far the….have watched 
10 matches together, all involving India. Surprisingly, India has lost….of them. 
Four of these matches were played in different foreign countries and the…..in 
India. … girl claims that she is more passionate about the game than the other. 
Ratna and Rajshree are two sisters. Ratna teaches English in a college and her 
sister Rajshree works in a bank. Rajashree is younger than Ratna. Ratna and 
Rajshree wear their hair long. Ratna likes eating ice-cream while Rajshree likes 
eating pastries. Ratna is not interested in sports. Rajashree is also not 
interested in sports. Rajshree is married to Utlam. Utlam is an engineer. Ratna 
is married to Sujit. Sujit is a businessman. Ratna has a daughter and a son. 
Rajshree has a daughter and a son too.
Rewrite the passage above such that there is no unnecessary repetition in 
it.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
E.
Page 5


9
163
AVOIDING REPETITION
When we speak or write, we very often want to make some connection with 
other things that we are saying or writing. This results in some amount of 
repetition. When do you think such repetition is annoying and when it is not? 
In this unit you will learn how to avoid unnecessary repetition.
1. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.
2. "I want to scale Mt. Everest, I want to do scuba diving and I want to fly an 
aeroplane. Actually, I want to do a lot of things before I die."
3. New Delhi has many big, big malls.
4. In this article first I have tried to discuss the various causes of air-
pollution. Then I have tried to discuss the various effects of air-pollution 
and finally I have tried to discuss various ways to reduce the amount of 
air-pollution.
5. “I've failed."
“You've failed? I can't believe this!"
6. The incident took place today at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
7. Could you repeat that again, please?
8. I am very, very sorry.
9. I have planned a plan.
10. When I heard that she was staying at the Hotel Park View, I decided to go to 
the Hotel Park View to meet her there.
A. Notice the element of repetition in the following sentences and decide 
whether it is acceptable or not. Give reasons in support of your opinion. 
CBSE
164
B. Read the following passages that describe a Herbal Doctor Mr Ved Prakash 
Goel.
a. How many words have been used in each paragraph?
A
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day Mr Ved Prakash Goel met 
two patients suffering from respiratory 
diseases. They had difficulty in 
breathing. Mr Ved Prakash Goel 
prescribed to these patients his latest 
herbal medicine for respiratory 
diseases. At first the patients refused 
to take the medicine prescribed by Mr 
Ved Prakash Goel but when Mr Ved 
Prakash Goel assured the patients of 
respiratory diseases that his herbal 
medicine was purely herbal, the 
patients of respiratory diseases agreed 
to try that medicine. That medicine 
must have been very effective, for the 
patients of the respiratory diseases 
were cured of their diseases and 
thanked Mr Ved Prakash Goel for his 
wonderful herbal medicine.
B
Mr Ved Prakash Goel is a self-taught 
practitioner of herbal medicine. The 
other day he met two patients suffering 
from some breathing problem and 
prescribed to them his latest invention. 
At first they refused to take the 
medicine but on being assured by him 
that it was purely herbal and safe, they 
agreed to try it. Indeed, the 
prescription must have been very 
effective, for the patients were cured in 
a matter of days. They thanked the 
herbal doctor for the wonderful cure.
A. _____________
B. _____________
b. Circle the words or phrases in paragraph B that replace words or phrases in 
CBSE
165
paragraph A. Then join the corresponding circles with a line as shown in the 
example. 
c. Which of the two paragraphs makes better reading? Why? (Discuss in pairs 
and write your answer below)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
It was yet another escapade of Gopi and Gargi into the forest. The two were 
playing in the courtyard of the ruined castle when they heard strange sounds, 
as if someone was ringing tiny bells in a temple. But there was none in the 
vicinity. They knew it. Then who was making those sounds? Nothing of that 
sort had happened during any of their earlier visits. Was the castle haunted? 
Were there any ghosts in it? Suddenly, this thought had a vice like grip on their 
minds. Naturally enough, both were terrified but neither wanted to admit it. 
Presently the sounds became louder and louder and the duo would have fled 
had Gargi's sharp eyes not caught a glimpse of a herd of goats grazing behind 
the thickets nearby. 'So, those are the ghosts!' said Gargi and both burst into 
laughter. They rushed to the spot to have a closer look and found that there 
were thirteen goats in all and each had a tiny brass bell dangling from its neck. 
Four goats were black and the rest were brown.
 
Passage 1 
Moina and Debi are students of class IX. Moina and Debi are great friends 
although Moina and Debi don't study at the same school. Moina has never 
C. Read the passage below. Underline the words that have been used to avoid 
repetition. Mark the words that have not been replaced or deleted with '?'.
D. Read Passage 1 below and then fill in the blanks in Passage 2 with one 
word each. You may choose  words from the ones you underlined in the 
exercise C. Which makes a better reading-Passage 1 or Passage 2? Why?
CBSE
166
played cricket and Debi has never played cricket too but Moina and Debi are 
crazy about cricket. So far Moina and Debi have together watched ten 
international matches played by their country, India. Four of these matches 
were played in different foreign countries and six of these matches were played 
in their country, India.  Surprisingly, India has lost no match where Moina and 
Debi were present in the stands. Moina claims that she is more passionate 
about the game of cricket than Debi. Debi says she is more passionate about 
the game than Moina.
Passage 2
Moina and Debi are students of class IX. ………… are great friends although 
they don't study at the same school. ……………..has ever played any cricket but 
…. are crazy about….. especially one day matches. So far the….have watched 
10 matches together, all involving India. Surprisingly, India has lost….of them. 
Four of these matches were played in different foreign countries and the…..in 
India. … girl claims that she is more passionate about the game than the other. 
Ratna and Rajshree are two sisters. Ratna teaches English in a college and her 
sister Rajshree works in a bank. Rajashree is younger than Ratna. Ratna and 
Rajshree wear their hair long. Ratna likes eating ice-cream while Rajshree likes 
eating pastries. Ratna is not interested in sports. Rajashree is also not 
interested in sports. Rajshree is married to Utlam. Utlam is an engineer. Ratna 
is married to Sujit. Sujit is a businessman. Ratna has a daughter and a son. 
Rajshree has a daughter and a son too.
Rewrite the passage above such that there is no unnecessary repetition in 
it.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
E.
CBSE
167
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Chores! Chores! Chores! Chores are boring! Scrubbing toilets, cleaning sinks, and 
washing bathtubs take up a lot of my time and are not fun at all. 
Toilets! When you're scrubbing toilets, make sure they are not stinky. I've 
scrubbed one before and I was lucky it didn't stink.   I think toilets are one of the 
hardest things to scrub in the bathroom because it is hard to get up around the 
rim. 
Sinks are one of the easiest things to clean in the bathroom because they have no 
rims and they are small. I have cleaned one before and it was pretty easy. 
Bathtubs, ever washed one? They are big, they are deep, and it is hard to get up 
around the sides. The bathtub is the hardest, I think, to wash in the bathroom. 
All chores are boring, especially making my bed. Cleaning my room is OK because 
I have to organize, and I like organizing. Dusting is the worst: dust, set down, pick 
up, dust, set down. 
There are so many things to dust, and it's no fun.
Chores aren't the worst but they're definitely not the best!
Source: Teaching that Makes Sense
(http://www.ttms.org/writing_quality/writing_quality.htm)
F. What do you think of repetition in the following passage? Do you think all 
of it is bad? Can you improve the passage by removing instances of 
unnecessary repetition?
Chores!