NCERT SOLUTIONS FOR CLASS 10 - ENGLISH NOTES - GLIMPSES OF INDIA- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CBSE

 

GLIMPSES OF INDIA

 

I. A BAKER FROM GOA

LUCIO RODRIGUES

 

ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK

 

1)  What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans: The writer regularly discovers his elders pondering 'those good old days' and informing them about the renowned breads that date back to when Portuguese governed over Goa. They contemplate over the past and reveal to them that however the Portuguese have left Goa yet the bakers actually exist, if not the first ones, their heritage is being proceeded by their children. 

 

2)  Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Ans:  Yes, bread-making is still popular in the city of Goa. It is apparent from the existence of time tested furnaces, mixers and moulders. The tradition of bakers is being continued by their children. You will discover a bakery in each Goan village as bread is a significant piece of the Goan culture.

 

3)  What is the baker called?
Ans: The baker is called as ‘Pader’ in the city of Goa.

 

4)  When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
Ans: The baker would come twice a day. The children ran to meet him when the jingle thud of his bamboo woke them up from sleep and they ran to meet and greet him so that they would take the special bread bangles which they chose carefully.

 

ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK

1) Match the following. What is a must

As marriage gifts?                            - cakes and bolinhas

For a party or a feast?                      - sweet bread called bol

For a daughter’s engagement?        - bread

For Christmas?                                - sandwiches

 

Ans: i) As marriage gifts                     – Sweet bread called bol

ii) For a party or a feast                      – Bread

iii) For daughter’s engagement           – Sandwiches

iv) For Christmas                               – Cakes and bolinhas

 

2)  What did the bakers wear:

i) In the Portuguese days?

Ans: (i) In the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a unique knee-length frock dress typically known as ‘kabai’.

 

ii) When the author was young?

Ans: (ii) In the narrator’s childhood days, he had seen them wearing shirts and shorter than usual pants.

 

3)  Who invites the comment “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Ans:  During the writer's childhood days, the bakers had a particular dress. They wore shirts and shorter than common pants. Hence, if somebody is seen wearing pants of this much length, they invite the comment – "he is dressed like a pader".

 

4)  Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Ans:  The monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on some wall with a pencil.

 

5)  What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Ans: Bakers had plump physique because baking was a profitable profession. His family and servants never starved and were prosperous. ‘Jackfruit-like appearance’ means a well-built or plump physique, similar to a jackfruit.

 

THINKING OF THE TEXT

1)  Which of these statements are correct?

i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times.

Ans: True

 

ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages.

Ans: True

 

iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese.

Ans: False (they still exist in Goan villages.)

 

iv) The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.

Ans: False (they wear shirts and trousers that are shorter than the usual ones and longer than the half-pants.)

 

v) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.

Ans: False (they are still an integral part of Goan culture.)

 

vi) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.

Ans: True

 

vii) Paders and their families starve in the present times.

Ans: False (it is still a very profitable business and their families are happy and prosperous.)

 

2)  Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Ans: Yes, bread is an important part of Goan life culture. It is clear from its essence at every important occasion. From sweet breads at marriages with sandwiches at engagement and cakes and Bolinhas at Christmas just as different events, makes the presence of a baker in each village, extremely essential. 

 

3) Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?

i) The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad) – nostalgic

 

ii) Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad) – nostalgic

 

iii) I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. (nostalgic, hopeful, naughty) – nostalgic

 

iv) The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny) – funny

 

v) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. (sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact) – matter –of- fact

 

vi) The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous. (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad) – matter –of- fact

 

 

II. COORG

LOKESH ABROL

 

1) Where is Coorg?
Ans: Coorg / Kodagu is located somewhere midway between Mysore and coastal city of Mangalore.

 

2)  What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Ans: It is said that the Kodavus are of one or the other Greek or Arabic descent. As per one story, a part of Alexander's military couldn't get back to its country thus, settled there. As the traditional dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is like the dress of the Arabs and Kurds, the Kuffia, it is said that presumably the Kodavus are descendants of the Arabs.

 

3) What are some of the things you now know about

i) The people of Coorg?

Ans:  People of Coorg are known to be descendents of the Greeks or the Arabs. This is a direct result of their dressing style. They are free and brutal. They are the boldest soldiers in the Indian Army. Simultaneously, they are inviting and are known for their hospitality. They have married among their local people and their way of life is totally different based on what is found in mainstream Hindus.

ii) The main crop of Coorg?

Ans:  Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. During the monsson season, when the climate is pleasant and the breeze is blowing, it conveys with it the solid fragrance of coffee. Coffee estates with colonial bungalows are bountiful and even provide home stays to guests to experience the Coorgi lifestyle. 

 

iii) The sports it offers to tourists?

Ans:  A variety of high-energy adventure activities are offered to tourists like waterway boating (rafting), paddling (canoeing), rappelling, rock climbing and mountain trekking. Trekking is also one of the famous activities.

 

iv) The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

Ans: Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river Kaveri. Birds like Kingfisher and different animals like squirrels, langurs, butterflies, honey bees go with you around here while wild elephants can be seen bathing in the rivers. In case you are on a trek, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slim loris can be spotted on the trees.

 

v) Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

Ans: Coorg is a good ways off of 260 kms from Bangalore. The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are flights to Mangalore from Mumbai, and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The nearest rail-heads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. There are two routes to Coorg from Bangalore. Both are almost a similar distance (around 250-260 km). The route via Mysore is the most visited one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna. 

 

4)  Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2) – keep many visitors away

 

ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3) – as one story goes

 

iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4) – are more than willing to recount

 

iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6) – the most laidback individuals become converts to

 

v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3) – draws support from

 

vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7) – keep a watchful eye

 

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

COLLOCATIONS

 

Certain words ‘go together’. Such ‘word friends’ are called collocations. The collocation of a word is ‘the company it keeps’.

 

For example, look at the paired sentences and phrases below. Which is a common collocation, and which one is odd? Strike out the odd sentence or phrase.

 

(a)      • ‘How old are you?’               (b)    • a pleasant person

• ‘How young are you?’                              • a pleasant pillow

 

1) Here are some nouns from the text.

(Culture, monks, surprise, experience, weather, tradition)

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.

(Unique, terrible, unforgettable, serious, ancient, wide, sudden)

 

i) Culture: unique culture, ancient culture

ii) Monks:  ancient monks

iii) Surprise: Unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise

iv) Experience: Unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience, sudden experience

iv) Weather: terrible weather, sudden weather

v) Tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition

 

2) Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

i) Tales of valour

ii) Coastal town

iii) A piece of heaven

iv) Evergreen rainforests

v) Coffee plantations

vi) Rope bridge

vii) Wild animals

 

 

 

III. TEA FROM ASSAM

ARUP KUMAR DATTA

 

THINKING OF LANGUAGE

I. 1) Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

 

i) A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.

iii) My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.

iv) The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.

v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

 

2) Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

(Over, by, through, out, up, down)

 

i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government. (throw)

ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. (break)

iii) The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)

iv) Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)

v) Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast)

 

II. Notice how these -ing and -ed adjectives are used.

(a) Chess is an interesting game.        

I am very interested in chess.

 

(b) Going trekking in the Himalayas this summer is an exciting idea.

We are very excited about the trek.

 

(c) Are all your school books this boring?

He was bored as he had no friends there.

 

The -ing adjectives show the qualities that chess, trekking, or these books have: they cause interest, excitement, or boredom in you. The —ed/—en adjectives show your mental state, or your physical state: how you feel in response to ideas, events or things. 

 

Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above. How would you describe

i) A good detective serial on television?

ii) A debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?

iii) How you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain?

iv) How you feel when you open a present?

v) How you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?

vi) The look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?

vii) How you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?

viii)  The story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?

 

ANSWERS

i) A good detective serial on television? Interesting

ii) A debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? Exciting

iii) How you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? Bored

iv) How you feel when you open a present? Excited

v) How you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? Interested

vi) The look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? Tired

vii) How you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? Thrilled

viii)  The story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? Boring