NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India

Glimpses of India Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

Part I A Baker from Goa

Extract Based Questions [3 Marks each]

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow
Question 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 for the elders and the bangles for the children. [CBSE2014 ]
(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 of disapproval/a scolding’?
(d) What was there in the basket?
Answer:
(a) ‘We’ in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends.
(b) The kids were pushed aside so that the breads can be delivered to the servants.
(c) The word ‘rebuke’ from the extract means ‘an expression of disapproval/a scolding’.
(d) There were some loaves for the elders and some bangles for the children.

Question 2.
Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
(a) What are compulsorily prepared during Christmas in Goa?
(b) Why is a baker necessary in a village?
(c) Find the word in the extract which means ‘celebration meal’.
(d) What is must to be prepared on a daughter’s engagement by a lady?
Answer:
(a) During Christmas cakes and bolinhas are compulsorily prepared in Goa.
(b) A baker is necessary in a village because different kinds of breads are required by the villagers for daily consumption as well as for special occasions.
(c) ‘feast’ from the extract means ‘celebration meal’.
(d) The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Question 3.
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.          [CBSE 2016]
(a) Where did the baker record his accounts?
(b) Why did the baker and his family never starve?
(c) Which work in the extract is a synonym of ‘build’?
(d) How can a baker be identified in Goa?
Answer:
(a) The baker recorded his accounts on some wall in pencil.
(b) The baker and his family never starved because baking was a profitable profession.
(c) ‘physique’ from the extract is the synonym of ‘build’.
(d) Any person with a Jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily identified to a baker as their pump physique is an open testimony of their happiness and prosperity.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
What did the baker do first once he reached a house?
Answer:
The baker would first greet the lady of the house by saying “Good Morning”. He would then place the basket on the vertical bamboo and deliver the loaves to the servant.

Question 2.
How did the baker make his entry?
Answer:
The baker used to enter with the Jingling sound of his specially made bamboo staff. His one hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground.

Question 3.
How do we get to know that the makers of bread still exist?
Answer:
The narrator states that the eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. He further says that those age old, time tested furnaces still exist and the fire in the furnaces had not yet been extinguished.

Question 4.
What is the importance of breads for the Goans?
or
Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village? CBSE 2010
Answer:
Different kinds of breads are important during the different occasions. Bolinhas had to be prepared during Christmas and other festivals. The mothers used to prepare sandwiches on the occasion of their daughter’s engagement. So, the baker’s furnace was essential.

Question 5.
Describe the dress of the bakers.
Answer:
The bakers had a peculiar dress earlier known as the kabai. It was a one piece long frock reaching down to the knees.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
Instead of enjoying their childhood, the children today are keen to enter adulthood. After reading about all the joys that the author Lucio Rodrigues had in his childhood do you think such a keenness on the part of children is desirable?
Answer:
I don’t think that the keenness of the children these days to enter adulthood is desirable. Children these days are in a hurry to enter adulthood and have access to technology. Due to this they are learning things earlier than usual and getting matured beyond their age.
Hence, they are losing out their childhood and missing the joys that it brings with it. As per my thinking, they should grow at a slow pace and enjoy their childhood to the fullest. Children who miss out on their childhood cannot be a complete adult. So, they should not hurry up to be an adult and grow at nature’s pace.

Question 2.
After reading the story ‘A Baker from Goa”, do you think our traditions, heritage, values and practices are the roots that nourish us? Why/why not?     [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
‘A Baker from Goa’ highlights the importance of the traditional practice of making breads for every occasion and festival of the Goan people. This tradition continues even today. This shows how our traditional practices can keep us to our past and heritage.
Traditional values shape our personality and also provide us emotional support. They enable us to face difficult situations and makes us mentally strong. Traditional practices also have an impact on our behavioural pattern towards the other people in society.

Question 3.
‘During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide.’ What does this statement imply in relation tofhe character of the baker?
Answer:
This statement tells us that 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 (when he wished “Good morning” to the lady of the house) etc. He was very informal with the children and so the author
considered him as a friend and companion. He was not simply a vendor interested in selling what he made. Thus, he was an important character in the Goan society of those days.

Part II Coorg

Extract Based Questions [3 Marks each]

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow
Question 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 Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.  [CBSE 2011]
(a) Which kind of animals are we likely to see at Coorg ?
(b) What is Coorg known for?
(c) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘having to do with war’?
(d) Where is Coorg situated?

Answer:
(a) We are likely to see wild animals in Coorg.
(b) Coorg is known for its evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.
(c) ‘martial’ from the extract means ‘having to do with war’.
(d) Coorg is situated between the midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

Question 2.
The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved South along the coast and settled here when return became impractical. 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.
(a) Which descent do the people of coorg belong to?
(b) Where can we find the culture of Coorg most apparently?
(c) Which word in the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’?
(d) Which story is famous about the people of Coorg?
Answer:
(a) The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic descent.
(b) The Coorg people’s culture is most apparent in their martial traditions, religious rites and marriages.
(c) ‘Rites’ from the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’.
(d) It is said that the people of coorg were the descendants of Alexander’s army who settled here when return became impractical.

Question 3.
Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. 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.   [CBSE 2013]
(a) What kind of stories are the Coorg people always ready to tell?
(b) What is the special favour granted only to them even now?
(c) Find a word in the extract which means the same as ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.
(d) Who is free to have a firearm without a licence in India?
Answer:
(a) The Coorg people are always ready to tell the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers.
(b) Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
(c) ‘Valour’ from the extract means ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.
(d) Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

Question 4.
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.
(a) Which river flows from the hills of Coorg?
(b) Why do the squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river?
(c) Find the word in the extract which means same as ‘wave’.
(d) What do elephants enjoy by their mahouts?
Answer:
(a) The river Kav?ri flows from the hills of Coorg.
(b) The squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river because they enjoy the splash and ripple effect created by the fruit hitting the water.
(c) ‘Ripple’ from the extract means ‘wave’.
(d) Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed by thier mahouts.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
From whom have the inhabitants of Coorg descended, as per the legend?
Answer:
As per the legend, a part of Alexander’s army,
when retreating from India, went South and settled in Coorg when they found that they could not return home. Then they married among the locals and their descendants are the Kodavus. (the people of Coorg).

Question 2.
How has the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognised in modern India?
Answer:
The Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery has been recognised by awarding the Coorg Regiment with the most number of gallantry awards. Besides, the Coorgis are the only Indians allowed to carry firearms without a licence.

Question 3.
Describe the wildlife of Coorg.
Answer:
The wildlife of Coorg consists of animals like macaques, langurs, squirrels, loris and elephants. The birds spotted in Coorg are kingfishers.

Question 4.
Describe any two tourist places of Coorg.
Answer:
The climb of Brahmagiri hills brings into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the 64 acre island of Nisargadhama.

Question 5.
Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg? CBSE2012
Answer:
The weather of Coorg is pleasant during the months from September to March. During that time, the weather is perfect with some showers thrown in for good measure. During the monsoon, it receives heavy rainfall.

Long Answer (Volue Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
The Coorgis are the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs and are still are able to maintain their traditional practices. Do you agree that following these practices today is important? Why or why not?
Answer:
After reading the text, I feel that it is important to follow the traditional practices, as it has kept the tradition of Coorgis known to the people even today. If the people of Coorg had not followed it their tradition would have perished and nobody would have remembered themloday because of their culture and traditional practices. According to the text, their traditions can be seen in the martial traditions, religious rites and marriages. The Kodavus even wear the dress which resembles Arabs. Traditional practices also play a very important role in maintaining values amongst people and have an impact on shaping the behaviour of people.

Question 2.
How do Coorg’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India? CBSE 2016
Answer:
Coorg is beautifully located and described as a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. It has rolling hillsides with a pollution free river and forests teeming with wildlife. Here nature exists in its pristine glory, which adds to the diversity of India. Further, it has coffee and spice plantations, quite different from the rest of India. The local people, the Kodavus, are a martial race. Of course, they are well known for their hospitality, just like all Indians. All these features of Coorg add to the diversity of our country.

Part III Tea From Assam

Extract Based Questions [3 Marks each]

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow
Question 1.
“Chai-garam… garam-chai,” a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked,”Chai, sa’ab?” “Give us two cups,” Pranjol said. They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too.
“Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?” Rajvir said. “Whew!” exclaimed Pranjol. “Tea really is very popular.”
(a) How many cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world?
(b) Where were Pranjol and Rajvir when this conversation took place?
(c) Find the word in the extract which is an expression of astonishment.
(d) Who was selling the tea and where was he?
Answer:
(a) Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.
(b) Pranjol and Rajvir were in a train when this conversation took place.
(c) ‘Whew!’ is an expression of astonishment from the extract.
(d) A tea vendor was selling tea and he was outside the window of the train compartment.

Question 2.
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 BC! In fact words such as tea, ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.”    [CBSE2014]
(a) Who was Bodhidharma?
(b) How is medicine different from a beverage?
(c) Find the word in the extract which means the same as ‘ a drink’.
(d) When and where was tea first drunk?
Answer:
(a) Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.
(b) Medicine is used for treating diseases whereas beverage is used for general drinking purpose.
(c) ‘beverage’ from the extract means ‘a drink’.
(d) Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC.

Question 3.
Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. “This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr Barua?” Rajvir asked. “It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea”. “You seem to have done your homework before coming”, Pranjol’s father said in surprise. „ “Yes, Mr Barua”, Rajvir admitted. “But I hope to learn much more while I’m here.”
(a) Why did Mr Barua feel surprised ?
(b) How did Rajvir want to spend his stay there ?
(c) Which word in the extract means ‘agreed’?
(d) What is the sprouting period of tea?
Answer:
(a) Mr Barua was surprised to know that Rajvir already knew a lot about the tea gardens of Assam.
(b) Rajvir wanted to spend his time discovering the beauty of Assam. He wanted to learn more about the tea plantations of Assam.
(c) ‘admitted’ from the extract means ‘agreed’.
(d) The sprouting period or the second-flush of tea lasts from May to July.

Question 4.
“Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?” Rajvir said. “Whew!” exclaimed Pranjol. “Tea really is very popular.”
The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery.
(a) How do we know that tea is very popular?
(b) Rajvir was a great fan of reading detective stories. Why didn’t he like to read at that moment?
(c) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘well-liked’?
(d) Where was Rajiv busy when train pulled out of the station?
Answer:
(a) We know that tea is very popular because eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
(b) Rajvir didn’t like to read a detective story at that moment because he was more interested in looking at the beautiful scenery which passed by as the train moved.
(c) ‘Popular’ from the extract means ‘well-liked’.
(d) Rajiv was busy in looking at the beautiful scenery outside the train when train pulled out of the station.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going and why?
Answer:
Rajvir and Pranjol were going to Assam as Pranjol had invited Rajvir to spend summer vacation there.

Question 2.
What did Rajvir see while looking outside from the train?
Answer:
Rajvir saw much greenery while looking outside from the train. He was amazed to see the soft: green paddy fields first and then the green tea bushes.

Question 3.
‘This is a tea country now’. Explain this with reference to Assam.    [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
Assam has the world’s largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. A large number of tea gardens can be found there. Most of the tea grown in Assam is supplied all over the world.

Question 4.
In what ways is China related to tea?
Answer:
Tea was first drunk in China. The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese.

Question 5.
Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his homework before visiting Assam?
Answer:
Rajvir was very excited about visiting the tea garden and thus, he studied a lot about it before visiting the tea garden. Thus, Pranjol’s father said that Rajvir had already done his homework before visiting Assam.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Question [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
According to the text, Assam is said to be ‘tea country’. Do you believe that Assam has some of the best plantations in the world that makes it a unique country?
Answer:
In India, some of the best plantations like tea and coffee are grown in huge quantities. India is also a home to many spices like haldi and while Assam is home to tea, Coorg is home to coffee. Others which are grown exclusively in India and exported to various countries. These plantations make India a unique country which has not just traditional spices and beverage plants growing within it but also follows traditional agricultural practices.