It is a story that relates to the time when there was Portuguese rule in Goa. The story is of a baker living in a Goan village. During those times people ate loaves of bread. These were made in big furnaces. The bakers known as paders would come to deliver the bread making a jingling sound with the bamboo staff. Although, nowadays we may not see these loaves but may sometimes see the furnaces and some bakers carrying on the traditional business of their forefathers. The author remembers the coming of the baker twice a day during his childhood days. He was the author’s friend and guide. The servants in the author’s house would buy loaves of bread which they ate with tea. During those days, bread was an important part of any occasion especially the sweet bread, Bol etc. Also, the baker had a peculiar dress, Kabai. It was a single-piece frock that would reach up to knees. Baking was a profitable business at that time.
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS-
I. A Baker from Goa
Question 1: What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer: The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their love for the famous bread loaves. The writer also mentions that although the eaters of loaves have vanished, the bread makers still do exist. They ponder over the past and tell them that though the Portuguese have left Goa but the bakers still exist, if not the original ones, their legacy is being continued by their sons.
Question 2: Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer: Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. It is evident from the fact that the bread makers still exist, though the eaters have gone away. The presence of the mixers, moulders, the ones who bake the loaves and the time-tested furnaces are a proof of their existence. The legacy of bakers is being continued by their sons. You will find a bakery in every Goan village as bread is an important part of the Goan culture.
Question 3: What is the baker called?
Answer: A baker is popularly known as a pader in Goa.
Question 4: When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer: The baker would come twice every day during the narrator’s childhood days. Once in the morning to deliver the loaves of bread and secondly, in the evening on his return after emptying his huge basket by selling all his bread.
The children would run to meet him as they loved to eat loaves and longed to have bread-bangles which they chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.
Question 5: Match the following. What is a must-
(i) as marriage gifts? – cakes and bolinhas
(ii) for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol
(iii) for a daughter’s engagement? – bread
(iv) for Christmas? – sandwiches
Answer:
(i) as marriage gifts? – sweet bread called bol
(ii) for a party or a feast? – bread
(iii) for a daughter’s engagement? – sandwiches
(iv) for Christmas? – cakes and bolinhas
Question 6: What did the bakers wear:
(i) in the Portuguese days?
(ii) when the author was young?
Answer:
(i) In the Portuguese days, the bakers were usually dressed up in a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
(ii) During the author’s childhood days, he saw the bakers wearing a shirt and trousers that were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.
Question 7: Who invites the comment - “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer: During the narrator’s childhood days, the bakers had a peculiar dress. Any person who wears a half-pant that reaches just below the knees invites this comment- “he is dressed like a pader”. This is because the bakers, who are popularly known as paders in Goa, used to dress in a similar fashion.
Question 8: Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer: The bakers usually collected their bills at the end of the month and their monthly accounts were recorded on some wall in the house with a pencil.
Question 9: What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Answer: A ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ means a plump physique. A baker used to have such a physique since it was believed that he and his family never starved. Baking was a lucrative profession and the baker, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous with their physical appearance.
Question 10: Which of these statements are correct?
(i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
(ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages.
(iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese.
(iv) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.
(v) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
(vi) Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Answer:
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Incorrect.
4. Correct
5. Correct
6. Incorrect. Baking happens to be a profitable business in Goa.
Question 11: Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer: Yes, bread is an important part of Goan life. It is often used for marriage gifts and feasts. Bread is also used by mothers for preparing sandwiches during their daughters’ engagement. The author mentions that the fragrance of fresh loaves is loved by everyone in Goa. The elders are served loaves and the youngsters long for bread-bangles. Therefore, it is necessary to have bread for all occasions in every household. Baking is therefore considered a profitable business in Goa as people have loved tasty bread since the Portuguese days.
Question 12: 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)
(ii) Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
(iii) I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. (nostalgic, hopeful, naughty)
(iv) The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny)
(v) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. (sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact)
(vi) The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous. (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad)
Answer:
(i) nostalgic
(ii) hopeful
(iii) nostalgic
(iv) funny
(v) matter-of-fact
(vi) matter-of-fact
I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves of the elders and the bangles for the children.
(a) Who are ‘we’ in the extract?
(b) Why were the children pushed aside?
(c) Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as “an expression disapproval/a scolding”?
(d) What was there in the basket? Ans.
(a) ‘We’ in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends.
(b) The children were pushed aside, so that the bread can be delivered to the servants.
(c) The word is ‘rebuke’
(d) There were loaves for the elders and some bread bangles for the children.
II. SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS-
Q1. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
A. Bread is an important part of the Goan culture and it is evident from its presence at every important occasion. From sweet breads at marriages to sandwiches at engagement parties and cakes and Bolinhas at Christmas as well as other occasions, makes the presence of a baker in every village, very essential.
Q2. How would the baker let everybody know about his presence in the village?
Ans. The baker had been the guide, friend, and companion of the narrator. He would come to the village daily two times; at first in the morning and then again after selling all his stuffs. In the morning, the children of the village used to wake up by the jingling sound of the baker’s bamboo.
Q3. How is making bread a family tradition?
Ans. The marriage gifts, the parties, or the feasts are meaningless without the sweet bread which is known as the ‘bol’. The mothers prepare sandwiches a necessary item for her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are also quite essential items for Christmas. In this way, bread is a family tradition and thus the presence of a baker’s house in the village is quite essential.
Q5. Who were Paskine or Bastine? What was their role in a family and with bread?
Ans. Paskine or Bastine were the maid-servants of the house. When the baker would arrive, one of them would buy those loaves of bread.
Q6. What was a baker’s musical entry? How would it attract the younger ones and all?
Ans: The baker used to arrive on the spot with the ‘jhang-jhang’ sound that was being made his bamboo. The sound would wake the children up and they would run to him in excitement. The children were highly interested in those bread -bangles.
Q7. Tell us about the bamboo and the basket of the bakers.
Ans: The baker arrived on the scene by making the jingling thud which would make the children wake up from sleep. He held the basket on his head and supported it by one of his hands and would use the other hand for banging the bamboo on the ground.
Q8. How would the author and other children be very interested in the baker’s basket? How would they try to look at that?
Ans. The author and the other children were highly interested in the baker’s basket. When the loaves of bread were delivered to the servant, the children were made aside with light rebukes. But they didn’t stop. Then they used to stand up on a bench and would look on to the basket. This shows their interest in the baker’s basket. They used to climb a bench or parapet in order to look at that.
Q9. What would the author share about brushing teeth?
Ans: The author didn’t care to brush his teeth or wash his mouth properly. According to him, it was a troublesome matter to pluck the mango -leaf for the toothbrush. And it was not at all necessary as the tigers never brush their teeth. Moreover, he thought that hot tea was enough clean after eating the bread.
Q10. How marriages and engagements are incomplete without different types of breads?
Ans: The narrator said that marriage gifts have no value without the sweet bread which is known as the ‘bol’. Party or a feast too is meaningless without bread. The mothers prepare sandwiches, as it is a necessary item for her daughter’s engagement. By this way, these are so important.
Q11. What is Kabai? What kind of dresses are being discussed here of the bakers?
Ans. The bakers used to wear a peculiar dress named Kabai which was a single -piece long frock reaching down to the knees. It was actually a type of long frock of a singlepiece that reaches down to the knees.
Q12. How could a baker keep his record of the bills?
Ans: The bakers kept the records of the bills of every months and collect ted them at the end. The records were made on wall with the help of pencil.
Q13. How would a baker be rich, prosperous and healthy in a village?
Ans: A baker’s profession was indeed a profitable one in the old days. The baker and his family lead happy and prosperous life. They had a plump physique as an open testimony of it.
Q14. How would a baker play an indispensable role in a village?
Ans. In the story “Glimpses of India” written by Lucio Rodrigues, the baker plays an indispensable role in the village. Breads are quite important for the villagers. Breads are important for any occasions. Marriage gifts have no value without the ‘bol’, that is actually a type of sweet bread. Party or a feast is meaningless too without bread. The mothers prepare sandwiches for their daughter’s engagement as it is an important item for the occasion. Cakes and bolhinas are quite essential items for Christmas.
III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1. “Life without bread in a village of Goa is almost impossible.” -Discuss.
Ans. In the story “Glimpses of Past” by Lucio Rodrigues shows that life without bread in a village of Goa is almost impossible. People cannot imagine their lives without it. The children waited eagerly for bakers every day. At times, they get so much excited that they do not even care to brush their teeth. Any occasion or festival cannot be imagined without breads. Marriage gifts are meaningless without sweetbreads. The lady of the family prepared sandwiches for her daughter’s engagement as it is very important. Cakes and bolhinas are quite essential items for Christmas. A baker’s profession was indeed a profitable one. The baker and his family lead a prosperous life. Their physique was plump that shows that they lead a prosperous life. Party or a feast too is meaningless without bread.
Q2.Give a pen-portrait of the baker or the pader highlighting the changes that came in his fortune and dress with the passage of the time.
Ans. The baker or the pader used to be an essential part of the Goan life. The baker or bread seller had a peculiar dress during the Portuguese days. It was known as the kabai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down the knees. With the passage of time, he started wearing a shirt and trousers which were just longer than the short pants. The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous in the good old days. Their plump physique was an open testimony of their happiness and prosperity. However, as the time changed, the bakers continued their profession but with their reduced fortune and importance. The thud and jingle of the traditional bamboo of the baker are still heard in the streets of Goa even now. Sweet bread or the boys are still the part of feasts, marriages and Christmas in Goa. However, the old charm and craze have become rather dim in recent days.
Q3. How would a baker be a common friend, guide and a man to be expected twice every day with his usual business?
Ans. The bakers used to visit the village two times a day. Early in the morning, the baker would arrive for selling his stuffs. The children would wake up by the jingling thud. The children would wait eagerly for him and when the baker would arrive they used to run up to him. Again after everything was sold, he would return to the village. The baker was a very respected person in the Goan society because he would guide the children about good behaviour (when he mildly rebuked them for peeping into his basket and giving respect to the elders). He was very informal with the children. The children of Goa considered the baker as a friend and companion. In the author's childhood days in Goa, the baker held a significant place in the community. He was not only known for his delicious bread but also for his friendly nature. The baker was a companion who listened to people's problems and provided guidance. The author remembers him fondly as a friend and guide.
IV. EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
A.“The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.”
1. Which word from the passage means the same as ‘proof’
A) Trouble
B) Testimony
C) Physique
D) Fragrance
2. Identify the tone of the extract.
A) Ignorant
B) Wise
C) Impatient
D) Informative
3. Which title best suits this extract?
A) The Stingy Baker
B) The Charming Baker
C) The Jealous Baker
D) The Prosperous Baker
4. What can we conclude based on the extract?
A) The baker was indifferent towards his servants.
B) The baker took good care of his servants.
C) The baker provided shelter to his servants.
D) The baker didn’t pay his servants well.
5. Which sentence is not true in the context of the extract?
A) The baker collected his earnings at the end of the month.
B) The baker’s account was recorded on a wall.
C) The baker’s family was well-fed.
D) The baker’s business was thriving.
Answers:
1. B) Testimony
2. D) Informative
3. D) The Prosperous Baker
4. B) The baker took good care of his servants.
5. A) The baker collected his earnings at the end of the month.
B. “Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still here. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession.”
1. Who does the author refer to as ‘those eaters of loaves’?
A) The Spanish
B) The Dutch
C) The English
D) The Portuguese
2. What is the author’s tone in these lines?
A) Dissatisfied
B) Nostalgic
C) Anxious
D) Regretful
3. What does the author mean by the line, ‘the fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished’?
A) The baker’s role in the Goan community is not important.
B) The baker’s role in the Goan community has changed.
C) The baker’s role in the Goan community has become irrelevant.
D) The baker’s role in the Goan community is still essential.
4. Which of these words is a synonym of ‘heralding’?
A) Announcing
B) Hearing
C) Hiding
D) Showing
5. Which sentence is true in the context of this extract?
A) The profession of baking is not well-respected.
B) The profession of baking is unprofitable.
C) The profession of baking is losing its appeal.
D) The profession of baking is passed down from generation to generation.
Answers:
1. D) The Portuguese
2. B) Nostalgic
3. D) The baker’s role in the Goan community is still essential.
4. A) Announcing
5. D) The profession of baking is passed down from generation to generation.
SUMMARY
It is an extract describing Coorg or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka. The author describes Coorg as a heavenly place that lies between Mangalore and Mysore. It is certainly God’s abode as it has evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations. From September to March, the weather is good here and thus many tourists come to visit the place. The air here has the aroma of coffee in it. There’s a famous story about the Greek or Arabic descent of the Coorgi people that a part of Alexander’s army had to settle here as it was not possible for them to return, and married the locals. We may find people of Coorg wear Kuppia, a long black coat similar to the Kuffia that Arabs wear, it is said that maybe their ancestors were Arabs or Kurds. People of Coorg are also very brave. The Coorg Regiment of Indian Army is one of the most significant regiments. Also, our first army chief, General Cariappa hails from Coorg. The Coorgi men are brave warriors who are permitted to keep firearms without a license due to their trustworthiness. The forests and hills of Coorg provide a major source of water to the River Cauvery. Also, Mahaseer, the largest freshwater fish is found in these waters. From the top of the Brahmagiri hills, we can see the complete view of Coorg. Also, Buddhists monks live in Bylakuppe in the Island of Nisargadhama near Coorg. Coorg gives visitors a feel of India’s diverse cultures.
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS:
Question 1: Where is Coorg?
Answer: Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka that is located midway between Mysore and Mangalore.
Question 2: What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer: The fiercely independent people of Coorg are believed to be the descendants of people of Greek or Arabic origin. As the story goes, a section of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there when they could not return to their country. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. This is the beautiful story about the Kodavu people’s descent.
Question 3: What are some of the things you now know about
(i) the people of Coorg?
(ii) the main crop of Coorg?
(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
(v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Answer:
(i) The Coorgi or Kodagu people are fiercely independent people comprising martial men and beautiful women who are believed to have descended from the Greeks or the Arabs. They have a strong tradition of hospitality and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of bravery that are related to the men of this region. As a matter of fact, the Kodavus are the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
(ii) Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. The air smells of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners of the town.
(iii) Coorg offers a variety of high-energy adventure sports that include river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking and trekking.
(iv) The animals that you are likely to see in Coorg include Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, slender lorises, wild elephants, etc. You can also see birds, bees and butterflies giving you company around the corner.
(v) By road, Coorg is around 250 – 260 kilometres from Bangalore and there are two routes to reach there. One route is via Mysore, which is the most frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal and Chanrayanapatna.
I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures. Coorg or Kodargu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover 30% of this district. During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect with some showers thrown in for good measure.
(a) Where is Coorg situated?
(b) What does the author say about the people of Coorg?
(c) Which crops grow in Coorg in plenty?
(d) What is the best time of the year to visit Coorg
Ans.
(a) Coorg is situated between coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. (b) The author says that Coorg is inhabited by a proud race of martial men and beautiful women.
(c) Spices and coffee grow in plenty in Coorg.
(d)The best period to visit Coorg is between September and March.
II. SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS:
Q1. Describe Coorg in brief, as presented in the opening paragraph.
Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore and is described as a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. It is also described as a land of rolling hills, martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
Q2. Where is Coorg situated? What is so significant about it as a place deserving to be visited?
Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore in the state of Karnataka. It is a land of rolling hills, martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures. There are evergreen rainforests and sprawling coffee estates. It is also an ideal place for adventure sports. So, it deserves to be visited.
Q3. Describe the Coorgi people and their descent.
Ans: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent, brave and decorative. According to one theory, they are of Greek descent. It is said that they are the successors of a part of Alexander’s army who came to Southern India and settled there when return became impractical. According to another theory, they are of Arab descent. There is resemblance between Kuppia that the Coorgi people wear and Kuffia that the Arabs and Kurds wear.
Q4. What is Kuppia and Kuffia?
Ans: Kuppia is the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, i.e., Coorgi people. Kuffia is traditionally worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Q5. Explain in brief about the Coorgi people’s valour and bravery.
Ans: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent and brave. They are always willing to recount the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. They are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
Q6. How is the wildlife of Coorg?
Ans: Coorg has a bountiful and varied wildlife. It has fish like the Mahaseer, birds like kingfisher and animals like Malabar squirrel, langur, macaque, slender loris and elephant. Besides, bees and butterflies are also to be seen there.
Q7. What are the high energy adventures that are available in Coorg?
Ans: The high energy adventures that are available in Coorg are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Q8. Describe the animals that can be seen and are available in Coorg.
Ans: In Coorg, squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.
Q9. Describe the Tibetan settlement in Coorg.
Ans: In the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama in Coorg, there is a Tibetan settlement near Bylakuppe. The monks can be seen in red, ochre and yellow robes.
III. LONG TYPE QUESTIONS:
Q1. Why does the author call Coorg a piece of heaven’ that must have drifted from the kingdom of God?
Ans. Coorg is among the most beautiful regions of India. The author rightly calls it „a piece of heaven‟ that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This land of rolling hills it is also the home of beautiful rain-forests. The rainforests cover more than thirty per cent of Coorg. The evergreen rain forests have a rich flora and fauna. The very air of Coorg breathes of fresh coffee. The beautiful sprawling coffee estates are dotted with colonial bungalows. The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. Kingfishers dive for Mahaseer, a large freshwater fish in these waters. Squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit into the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the Kaveri by their mahouts. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills gives you a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. The sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama is a little paradise for tourists. So are the temples and Buddhist monks wearing red, ochre and yellow robes? All of them represent the heart and soul of India. Q2. ‘Coorg’ seems to share a lot of historical perspectives. Is knowing such kind of historical knowledge important for us ? Answer: In the lesson ‘Coorg’, the author tells us that the Coorgi people are descendants of either the Greeks or the Arabs. He says that they could have Greek origin because there was a legend that a part of Alexander’s army had moved to south and settled here. According to another legend, they had Arab origin because of the dresses they wore. The author also tells us that the first General of the Indian Army, General Cariappa was a Coorg. It is important for us to know about the deep rooted cultural background of our country and heritage so that we become aware of the fact that our culture has always welcomed people from other cultures and absorbed them into its own. This spreads the message of being tolerant which is very important in today’s world when the world is torn with war because of these ethnic reasons.
IV. EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS:
I.“These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream.
Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality… The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.”
1. Who does the phrase ‘these people’ refer to in this extract?
A. Arabs
B. Greeks
C. Coorgis
D. Kurds
2. Why did ‘these people’ settle in Coorg?
A. They mingled with the locals.
B. They rebelled against the main army.
C. Their return to the main army became impossible.
D. They decided to travel further south.
3. Why does the author talk about ‘these people’?
A. To list out the Coorgis’ achievements
B. To trace the Coorgis’ ancestry
C. To criticise the Coorgis’ traditions
D. To appreciate the Coorgis’ hospitality
4. What is the antonym for the word ‘mainstream’
A. Widespread
B. Prevalent
C. Peripheral
D. Dominant
5. Which of these is not true based on the extract?
A. Coorgi homes are welcoming of guests.
B. Coorgis have a history of military excellence.
C. Coorgis are a cowardly community of people.
D. Coorgis enjoy special privileges.
Answers:
1. B. Greeks –
2. C. Their return to the main army became impossible.
3. B. To trace the Coorgis’ ancestry
4. C. Peripheral
5. C. Coorgis are a cowardly community of people.
II. “The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts…
Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants.”
1. Which word or phrase from the extract means the same as ‘avoid’?
A. Catch
B. Watchful
C. Step aside
D. Abound in
2. Which title best suits this extract?
A. Horrors of the Rainforest
B. Vanishing Wildlife
C. Curse of the Kaveri
D. Flourishing Fauna of Coorg
3. What does the extract tell us about the author?
A. He has no interest in wildlife.
B. He considers wildlife unnecessary.
C. He appreciates wildlife.
D. He wants to tame wildlife.
4. Which word describes the behaviour of squirrels and langurs in the context of this extract?
A. Playful
B. Scary
C. Aggressive
D. Alert
5. What is the author likely to suggest based on this passage?
A. Coorg is fast losing its flora and fauna.
B. Coorg is too dangerous and wild for visitors.
C. Coorg is only fit to be inhabited by animals.
D. Coorg is a great destination for animal lovers.
Answers:
1. C. Step aside
2. D. Flourishing Fauna of Coorg
3. C. He appreciates wildlife.
4. A. Playful
5. D. Coorg is a great destination for animal lovers.
SUMMARY
The last story begins with two friends, Rajvir and Pranjol travelling to Assam. On their way, they buy the tea from a vendor. While sipping the tea, Rajvir tells Pranjol that people drink over 800,000,000 cups of tea throughout the world in a day. While Rajvir is looking at the beautiful and serene scenery, Pranjol is busy reading detective book. There were tea-bushes all over as far as one could see. They also saw a building in a tea garden.
Assam has the largest tea plantations and no one knows who discovered the tea for the first time. But, there are many legends associated with it. According to a Chinese legend, a few branches of tea fell accidentally in the boiled hot water. The Emperor liked the delicious flavour. This is how it came into being. According to an Indian legend, the Buddhist Monk, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids to avoid sleep during meditation. About ten tea plants grew out of these and thus, they banish sleep when put in hot water and drink it. Both of them got down at Mariani Junction and went to Dhekiabari Tea Estate. There they saw women plucking tea leaves Pranjol’s parents had come to receive them and take them to their tea garden. On their way, they passed a cattle bridge and gave way to a truck filled with tea leaves which drew their attention to the fact that it was the second sprouting season. Rajvir, indeed did a lot of study before coming which impressed Pranjol’s father and he intended to learn a lot more.
I. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-puckers with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
(a) How are the women tea-puckers different from the other workers on the farms?
(b) What did they find on both sides of the road?
(c) How did the tea bushes appear?
(d)What were the groups of women doing?
Ans.3.
(a) They had bamboo baskets on their backs and wore plastic aprons.
(b) On both the sides of the gravel road were acre upon acre of tea bushes.
(c) The tea bushes were all neatly pruned to the same height.
(d) They were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
II. SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS-
Tea from Assam
Q1. Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea gardens? OR What made Rajvir amazed on the way?
Ans. Rajvir found the view outside the train splendid and eye catching with a lot of greenery. It was his first visit to Assam and he was fascinated by the sprawling tea gardens, spreading like the green sea of neatly pruned bushes and found it more interesting to watch, than reading his book on detectives.
Q2. How did Rajvir describe the view from the train?
Ans. Rajvir described the magnificent view of the landscape from the train window. It was a sea of tea bushes, fleeting against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. At odd intervals, there were tall shade-tree and one could see women tea-pluckers picking tea leaves, who appeared to be doll like figures.
Q3. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea Estate?
Ans. Pranjol’s father agreed to Rajvir’s information about it being the second-flush or sprouting period and it lasted from May to July and yields the best tea.
Q4. What legends are associated with the origin of tea?
Ans. According to Chinese legend, once a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water and gave a delicious flavour: According to the Indian legend, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation and threw them on the earth. Ten tea plants grew out of those eyelids. When he boiled them in water and drunk that water, it banished his sleep.
Q5. What is the Chinese legend regarding tea?
Ans. The Chinese legend about tea is that there was a Chinese emperor who had the habit of boiling water before drinking it. Once, a few twigs of the leaves burning under the pot fell into the water and gave it a delicious flavour. Those leaves were tea leaves.
Q6. How did Rajvir describe, the tea garden at Dhekiabari?
Ans. Rajvir’s visit to Dhekiabari, where Pranjol’s father worked as a manager, was a novel experience and he found it extremely fascinating. As they proceeded along the gravel road, with neatly pruned sea of tea bushes spreading over acres of land, he saw groups of tea-workers, wearing plastic aprons and baskets of bamboo sticks on their back, picking newly sprouted tea leaves.
Q7. Describe the magnificent views of tea estate with reference to the lesson ‘‘Tea from Assam’’.
Ans. The view around the tree estate was magnificent. There was greenery all round. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures of tea-pluckers.
Q8. Which story of a Chinese emperor is associated with the discovery of tea?
Ans. According to one legend, a Chinese emperor discovered tea by chance. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves off the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water. As a result, the boiled water got a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves.
Q9. How has tea become a popular beverage?
Ans. Tea is decidedly a very popular beverage in the world. More than eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. At every platform in India, you can hear vendors crying “Chai-garam”. The people can’t resist buying the steaming hot cups of tea.
Q10. How and where are tea leaves collected in Assam?
Ans. Assam has the largest number of tea estates in India. Acre upon acre of tea bushes is stretching as far as the eyes can go. All the bushes are pruned to the same height. Groups of tea pluckers carry bamboo basket on their back to collect tea-leaves. They wear plastic aprons. They pluck the newly-sprouted tea leaves from, the bushes. Then the leaves are dried and processed in factories.
III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
Q1. What are different legends related to tea?
Ans. Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C. In fact, words like ‘Chai’ and ‘Chinni’ came from Chinese. According to one Chinese legend, there was a Chinese emperor. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day, some leaves from the twigs burning under the pot fell into the boiling water. The leaves gave a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tea leaves. We have an Indian legend too about the discovery of tea leaves. Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic. It is said that he cut off his eyelids because he fell sleepy during meditations. It is said that ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. In Europe, tea came as late as the sixteenth century. It was drunk more like medicine than a beverage.
Q2. Rajvir seemed to have a lot of information about tea. What all does he tell?
Ans. What character trait about him is revealed? Is it essential for children ? Answer: Rajvir had been invited to spend his vacations with his classmate Pranjol whose father was the manager of a tea estate in Assam. He was quite excited about the trip and had gathered considerable amount of information about where tea originated and how it became such a popular beverage. He informs that about 50 crore cups of tea are consumed daily and that the name tea itself has originated from Chinese. He narrates two popular legends about the origin of tea. Rajvir exhibits an important value trait, that is the pre-requisite to gain knowledge-curiosity and eagerness to know. Moreover, he is not a passive learner but is proactive in collecting prior information to any real experience. He likes to do his homework thoroughly before going to a place. This is something very appreciable and children should develop this habit of finding out about the place they are going to visit. These are extremely desirable traits for all learners.
IV. EXTRACT BASED QUESTION:
(a) “Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol. “We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.” “Tea was first drunk in China,’’ Rajvir added, ‘‘as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact, words such as tea, chai and chini are from the Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as a beverage.”
i The main idea of this extract is
a) Tea as a popular beverage in Europe and how it spread.
b) Origin of tea in India and why it became popular in Europe.
c) Importance of India in popularising tea and influencing Europe.
d) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.
ii Why do you think Pranjol ‘scoffed’?
a) He was upset with the legend Rajvir shared.
b) He was mocking Rajvir for his deep knowledge.
c) He was amused and tickled at what Rajvir shared.
d) He was impressed with what Rajvir had shared.
iii Pick the option that includes the tea label information that corresponds to the given sentence.
“The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.”
a) Option 1
b) Option 2
c) Option 3
d) Option 4
iv Based on the inference from the extract, which of these is NOT TRUE about tea drinking in sixteenth-century Europe? Dr. Smith is a doctor of sixteenth-century Europe.
a) Dr. Smith encouraged drinking green tea whenever available, to reduce chances of tooth loss.
b) Dr. Smith prescribed regular tea drinking to all his patients with weak hearts.
c) Dr. Smith always served tea as a refreshment when he has guests, as they all enjoyed this beverage.
d) Dr. Smith usually recommended black tea to reduce inflammation in the body.
v Based on this extract, how do you think Rajvir felt while narrating?
a) i) excited ii) agitated
b) i) hysterical ii) nervous
c) i) nervous ii) agitated
d) i) enthusiastic ii) Passionate
Answers
d) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.
c) He was amused and tickled at what Rajvir shared.
c) Option 3
c) Dr Smith always serves tea as a refreshment when he has guests, as they all enjoy this beverage.
d) i) enthusiastic ii) Passionate
