CBSE Class 10 English HOTs Glimpses of India

Glimpses of India

A Baker from Goa—by Lucio Rodrigues

Summary

This is a pen portrait of a baker of Goa. Lucio Rodrigues tells of the Portuguese influence to bread-making and how the tradition is still continuing. The baker is an important person in town as bread and its varieties are a must for different occasions. The baker would come to the narrator’s house twice a day and all the children would vie for a sight of the breads in his basket. The typical dress that a baker wears and that he is called a pader are some of the interesting things the narrator tells us through this pen picture.

Extract Based Questions

I. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. Why was it so? Was it for the love of the loaf? Not at all. The loaves were bought by some Paskine or Bastine, the maid-servant of the house! What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.(Glimpses of India)

Question. What according to the narrator was the reaction of the children on hearing the baker’s bamboo thud?
1. They avoid the loud noise and would turn around and sleep.
2. They would wake up from their sleep.
3. They would jump out of bed quickly.
4. They would run to meet and greet him.
5. They would go to buy loaves.
Choose the correct option from the following:
(a) (1) and (5)
(b) (2), (3) and (4)
(c) (2) and (3)
(d) (3) (4)and (5)

Answer : B

Question. Select the option which displays an example of ‘’jingling’
(a) The hawker pushed through the crowd in the market.
(b) The little boy ran across the road to fetch the ball.
(c) The ice-cream vendor began ringing a small bell attached to his cart on the beach.
(d) The two old women were strolling in the park

Answer : C

Question. From the options given below, identify the attitude of the children in the extract:
(a) Frightened
(b) Restless
(c) Excited
(d) Hesitant

Answer : C

Question. ' Not at all’ in the above extract means…
Choose one from the following to answer:
(a) Of course
(b) In every respect
(c) By no means
(d) Absolutely

Answer : C

Question. Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1) Paskine or Bastine were male servants of the house.
(2) The narrator ate only the sweet bread bangles.
(a) (1) is true and (2) is false.
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1).
(c) (1) furthers the meaning of (2).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.

Answer : D

II. 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.
(Glimpses of India)

Question. Why were the children reproached when the baker arrived?
1. So that the children could not smell the fragrance.
2. So that the loaves would be delivered to the servant.
3. So that the loaves would be delivered to the elders.
4. So that the bangles could be given to the servant.
5. So that the elders get the loaves and the children the bangles.
Choose the correct option from the following:
(a) (1) and (5)
(b) (1), (3) and (4)
(c) Only 2
(d) (2) and (5)

Answer : C

Question. Select the option which displays an example of ‘would not give up’.
(a) Jack trekked along despite injuries and reached the mountain top
(b) I had a lot of losses and can’t bear to lose anymore
(c) People saw the smoke coming from the shop and ran helterskelter.
(d) Raj jumped in to the pool and swam back safely.

Answer : A

Question. Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1) We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket.
(2) The children would yield to the rebuking.
(a) (1) is true and (2) is false.
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1).
(c) (1) furthers the meaning of (2).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.

Answer : A

Question. From the options given below, identify the attitude of the children in the extract:
(a) Scared
(b) Restless
(c) Determined
(d) Hesitant

Answer : C

Question. What do you understand from the statement when the narrator says the following?
I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves.
Choose one from the following to answer:
(a) The narrator is hungry when he sees the loaves.
(b) The narrator remembers the fragrance of the loaves.
(c) The narrator is unsure of the fragrance of the loaves.
(d) The narrator has the memory of the baker.

Answer : B

III. "Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters might have vanished but the makers are still there. 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 these furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of traditional baker's bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. "

(i) The narrator says that the furnaces were 'time-tested' because
(a) they had been thoroughly tested each time, before being used.
(b) they had proved the test of time and were working well.
(c) they had been tested by modern day experts.
(d) they had the power to withstand inexperienced usage.

Answer : B

(ii) Those eaters might have vanished but the makers are still there. Pick the option that expresses the tone of the narrator.
(1) elated (2) morose
(3) nostalgic (4) hopeful
(5) sarcastic (6) critical
(7) celebratory
(a) (1) and (7)
(b) (2) and (6)
(c) (3) and (4)
(d) (4) and (5)

Answer : C

(iii) Pick the idiom that brings out the same meaning of 'reminiscing' as used in the passage
(a) train of thought.
(b) commit something to memory.
(c) a trip down memory lane.
(d) jog somebody's memory.

Answer : C

(iv) Why do you think the baker came in with 'a thud and a jingle'?
(a) He wanted to make everyone alert and active with his presence.
(b) He wanted to wake up everyone from their slumber and ask them to visit the bakery.
(c) He was used to make a loud noise as most people responded to just that.
(d) He wanted to make people aware that he had come around to sell his goodies.

Answer : D

(v) The 'fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished' implies that
(a) The furnaces are still being used to bake the loaves of bread.
(b) The fire is in the process of being reviewed as a replaceable method for heating furnaces.
(c) The furnaces are very strong and cannot be shifted for use in other areas.
(d) The fire in the furnaces takes a long time to cease burning, once lighted.

Answer : A

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Our elders think ___________ about those good old Portuguese days.
(a) favourably
(b) fondly
(c) scornfully
(d) casually

Answer : B

Question. In the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa’, what does ‘reminiscing nostalgically’ indicate?
(a) Thinking about the present.
(b) Thinking about the carnival.
(c) Thinking fondly about the past.
(d) Thinking about the improvement.

Answer : C

Question. What was the famous topic of the elders of Goa according to the narrator?
(a) Portuguese and their rule.
(b) Portuguese and their loaf of bread.
(c) Portuguese and their forts.
(d) Portuguese and their loaves of bread.

Answer : D

Question. According to the author the elders think fondly of the Portuguese because of:
(a) their famous movie stars
(b) their famous sports
(c) their famous loaves of bread
(d) their famous buildings

Answer : C

Question. Which option correctly replaces the underlined word in the line ‘Might have vanished’ from the lesson A Baker from Goa?
(a) Unlikely to have
(b) Sure
(c) Confident
(d) Perhaps

Answer : D

Question. With reference to the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa’, relate the given words loaves: baker: furnace___________
(a) bread
(b) mixer
(c) fire
(d) pader

Answer : C

Question. Identify the apt option that does not describe the making of loaves.
(a) moulders
(b) mixers
(c) furnace
(d) eaters

Answer : D

Question. What does the narrator of the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’ aptly imply by ‘age-old’ in the line ‘Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist’.
(a) Worn out
(b) Ancient
(c) Year old
(d) Exhausted

Answer : B

Question. Which among the following poetic device is used in the line--- ‘The thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo’?
(a) Simile
(b) Repetition
(c) Onomatopoeia
(d) Personification

Answer : C

Question. What did the author actually mean by the line –‘ the fire in the furnace still exists?’
(a) People still buy loaves of bread from the friendly village baker.
(b) The elders gather together to reminiscence nostalgically about Goa.
(c) The author’s fond memory of the fragrance of bread loaves.
(d) The Old Portuguese traditions of Goa are not wholly extinct.

Answer : D

Question. What was the real purpose of the specially made bamboo staff carried by the baker?
(a) Bang the ground to announce his arrival.
(b) Place the basket of loaves on the bamboo staff.
(c) The staff denoted a mark of identity.
(d) It was used to scare away dogs.

Answer : A

Question. The narrator says that ‘the fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished’ because…
(a) The eaters of loaves have vanished.
(b) The bakers still exist.
(c) The baking tradition doesn’t exist.
(d) the loaves are no more needed.

Answer : B

Question. The purpose of the thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, might be to _____.
(a) wake the people up.
(b) announce his arrival.
(c) frighten the children.
(d) play with the children.

Answer : B

Question. What are the bakers known as in Goa?
(a) Pader
(b) Pekar
(c) Portugese
(d) Baker

Answer : A

Question. The word ‘heralding’ aptly means:
(a) Declaring
(b) Pronouncing
(c) Announcing
(d) Yelling

Answer : C

Question. ‘During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide’. This meant that he was a good_______________.
(a) mentor
(b) foe
(c) attendant
(d) captor

Answer : A

Question. How many times did the baker come every day?
(a) Once
(b) Thrice
(c) Twice
(d) Varies daily

Answer : B

Question. Which amongst the following figure of speech does, ’musical entry‘ denote?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Simile.
(c) Hyperbole
(d) Transferred Epithet

Answer : D

Question. The baker would say ‘Good morning’ to the lady of the house. What would that mean?
(a) A mockery
(b) A greeting
(c) A joke
(d) A remark

Answer : B

Question. The baker would place his basket on the ______ bamboo.
(a) Horizontal
(b) Parallel
(c) Vertical
(d) Perpendicular

Answer : C

Question. We kids would be pushed aside with __________
(a) A gentle push
(b) A hard stare
(c) A mild rebuke
(d) A warning

Answer : C

Question. We kids would be pushed aside because:
(a) They were in the way
(b) They were teasing
(c) They were stealing
(d) They were naughty

Answer : A

Question. ‘But we would not give up’. ‘We’ refers to_____.
(a) The elders
(b) The children
(c) The bakers
(d) The maid-servants

Answer : B

Question. What does ‘would not give up’ imply?
(a) The children were meek.
(b) The children were strong.
(c) The children were determined.
(d) The children were docile.

Answer : C

Question. Why the children in ‘A Baker from Goa’, did not care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths properly?
(a) The children wanted to take the bangles
(b) The children were afraid they would not get the bangles
(c) The children were enchanted by the fragrance of the bangles.
(d) The children were eager to meet the baker and get the bangles.

Answer : D

Question. In the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa’, relate the words. children: tiger: mango-leaf: ___________
(a) bangle bread
(b) toothbrush
(c) bol
(d) Loaves

Answer : B

Question. Why does the author not feel the need to brush his teeth?
(a) He was like a tiger
(b) It was troublesome
(c) He was carefree
(d) He was only going to take the bangles

Answer : B

Question. Which among the following can be said to be most disliked by the author as a child?
(a) Children were rebuked by the baker for approaching his basket.
(b) The twigs and the leaves were used for the purpose of brushing the teeth.
(c) A general requirement of brushing teeth.
(d) The virtual disappearance of the concept of the village baker.

Answer : C

Question. What type of trait did the children attribute to in the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’?
(a) Child like
(b) Carefree
(c) Wild
(d) Caged

Answer : B

Question. The early morning entry of the Baker would usher in________
Fill in the appropriate phrase from the options given below.
(a) cackle of activities
(b) bubble of activities
(c) noisy chuckling of kids
(d) babble of activities

Answer : B

Question. According to the author, marriage gifts are meaningless without_______.
(a) baker
(b) bolinhas
(c) bread
(d) bol

Answer : D

Question. What can the symbolism of baker’s furnace be associated to in a Goan village?
(a) All social occasions demanded the presence of baker’s products.
(b) The village women loved the loaves made by the baker.
(c) The children woke up early.
(d) There was a government regulation, which demanded that all villages should have a bakery.

Answer : A

Question. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement as a.
(a) Compulsion
(d) Tradition
(c) Business
(d) Profession

Answer : B

Question. Other than cake what is a must for Christmas?
(a) Bol
(b) Kabai
(c) Bangles
(d) Bolinhas

Answer : D

Question. Which option correctly replaces the underlined word in the give line from A Baker from Goa? ‘Absolutely essential’.
(a) Necessary
(b) Extremely important
(c) Wanted
(d) Must have

Answer : B

Question. The bakers of the good old Portuguese days had a peculiar dress known as__________
(a) Bolinhas
(b) Pader
(c) Kabai
(d) Bol

Answer : C

Question. The baker’s dress was a single-piece long frock. What does the author imply by the underlined word?
(a) A suit
(b) A one piece
(c) A gown
(d) Unscathed

Answer : B

Question. When did the baker usually collect his bills?
(a) End of the week
(b) Every fortnight
(c) End of the month
(d) Beginning of the month

Answer : C

Question. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
(a) In a copy, with a pencil
(b) On a wall, with a pencil
(c) On a board, with a pencil
(d) On a tree trunk, with a pencil

Answer : B

Question. In the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa’, relate the words fruitless: productive: loss: _______.
(a) useless
(b) soaring
(c) profit
(d) vain

Answer : C

Question. How was the baking profession in the monetary sense in the good old days?
(a) Roaring
(b) Profitable
(c) Loss
(d) Fruitless

Answer : B

Question. The profession of the baker was so profitable that his family and his servants were:
(a) Greedy and prosperous
(b) Starving and prosperous
(c) Happy and prosperous
(d) Sad and prosperous

Answer : C

Question. What was the main reason for the baker and his family to be prosperous?
(a) The family never starved.
(b) There was round the year demand for bread loaves.
(c) The baker and his servants usually sported a healthy plum body reflecting prosperity.
(d) All of the above.

Answer : B

Question. What was the testimony of the baker in the good old days?
(a) Lean physique
(b) Plump physique
(c) Muscular physique
(d) Thin physique

Answer : B

Question. Even today any person with a ___________physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
(a) Muskmelon like
(b) Watermelon like
(c) Jackfruit like
(d) Banana like

Answer : C

Question. What does the word bangles imply in the phrase ‘bangles for the children’ from the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’?
(a) An ornament
(b) A wrist band
(c) A sweet bread
(d) A toast

Answer : C

Question. Under which category can the lesson ‘A Baker From Goa’ be listed?
(a) Historical
(b) Factual
(c) Descriptive
(d) Nostalgic

Answer : D

Text Book Questions

Question. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer : The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread.

Question. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer : Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. When the narrator says that the sons have carried on the tradition, it means that Goa still has bread makers. Also, we hear of the famous bread making industry in Goa.

Question. What is the baker called?
Answer : The baker is called ‘pader’.

Question. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer : During the narrator’s childhood, the baker would come everyday. The children ran to meet him to look into his basket for the bread bangles.

Question. Match the following. What is a must:
(i) as marriage gifts?                             (a) cakes and bolinhas
(ii) for a party or a feast?                      (b) sweet bread called bol
(iii) for a daughter’s engagement?       (c) bread
(iv) for Christmas?                                 (d) sandwiches
Answer : (i) -b, (ii) -c, (iii) -d, (iv) -a

Question. What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii)  when the author was young?
Answer : (i) During the Portuguese days the bakers wore a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
(ii) When the author was young, he had seen the bakers wearing shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.

Question. Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer : Anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knee invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!

Question. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer : The monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on some wall in pencil.

Question. What does a ‘jack fruit - like appearance’ mean?
Answer : Jack fruit-like appearance means a plump physique, someone who is not thin but round like a jack fruit.

Thinking about the Text

Which of these statements are correct?

(i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
Answer : True

(ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages.
Answer : True

(iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese.
Answer : False

(iv) The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.
Answer : False

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

(vi) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
Answer : True

(vii) Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Answer : False

Question. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer : Bread is an important and integral part of Goan life because some or the other form of bread is a must during various ceremonies and occasions in Goa.

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)
Answer : nostalgic

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

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

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

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

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

Reference to Context Questions

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

Question. Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves.
(a) How can you say that bread-making is still popular in Goa ?
(b) Is bread an important part of Goan life ? How do you know this ?
Answer : (a) Bread-making is still popular in Goa because the bread makers are still there and so are their mixers, moulders and furnaces.
(b)Yes, bread is an important part of Goan life even today. This we can definitely say because bread is a part of important occasions like Christmas, festivals, weddings and engagements.
These occasions are incomplete without a special preparation for each event, made from bread.

Question. 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 when I’m here.’
(a) Why did Mr. Barua feel surprised ?
(b) What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea State ?
Answer : (a) Mr. Barua was surprised that Rajvir knew so much about tea plantations, despite the fact that it was his first visit to Assam. He appreciated the fact that Rajvir had collected a considerable amount of information before coming.
(b) Pranjol’s father agreed to Rajvir’s information about it being the second-flush or sprouting period.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Baking was considered essential in a traditional Goan village. What reasons does the writer give to support his point ?
Answer : No festival in Goa is complete without bakery products—be it marriages, engagements or any other ceremony.
Traditional sweet bread, known as ‘bol’ is to be given with marriage gifts. At Christmas ‘bolinhas’ and cakes are a must. Any party or feast without bread is considered incomplete.

Question. What do the elders in Goa still love to remember ?
                                                 OR
What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about ?
Answer : The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and the Portuguese loaves of bread. The Portuguese were very famous for their bread.

Question. Comment on the significance of a bread baker in a traditional Goan village ?
Answer : Bread is a permanent item of a Goan meal and the baker is an important member of the Goan community. Besides, sweet bread ‘bol’ is a special delicacy, served at festivals and cakes and bolinhas are a special charm at Christmas. A baker’s furnace is therefore indispensable in a traditional Goan village.

Question. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker. Explain. 
Answer : Bread-making is a prosperous business in Goa. The physique of the baker, i.e., his plump and round body are testimony to that. Therefore, anyone who is fat and plump just like a jackfruit is compared to a baker.

Question. How did the baker attract the children ?
Answer : The baker attracted the children not by his jingle or by the loaves of bread he sold but attracted the children by the bread bangles or the special sweet bread he sold, especially made for children.

Question. Is bread an important part of Goan life ? How do you know this ?
Answer : Yes, bread is an important part of Goan life even today. This we can definitely say because bread is not only a part of their daily life but also of important occasions like Christmas, festivals, weddings and engagements.
These occasions are incomplete without a special preparation for each event, made from bread.

Question. What did the bakers wear when the author was young ?
Answer : The bakers in the Portuguese days wore a peculiar dress called the ‘Kabai’. It was a long single piece of frock reaching down to the knees. During the years when the author was young, they wore a shirt and a trouser that used to be longer than a half pant and shorter than a full pant.

Question. How did the baker become synonymous with celebrations and occasional in Goa?
Answer : The village baker was very important for festive occasions. Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread known as ‘bol’. Sandwiches, cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread.

Question. Inspired by the diversity in the chapter, 'Glimpses of India', you wrote an article for your school magazine on the topic, 'Diversity-the Uniqueness of India'.
Write a paragraph, sharing two key opinions from the article.
Answer : Diversity makes India unique. India, is unique country in every possible way and its colourful. Festivals and dressing is one of them. Every culture, religion and custom has its own unique colour, which shows the diversity in one. In India, different people have different culture, speak different languages customs, caste, history, religions, which make India unique.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Describe the childhood memories of the author’s time in Goa and his fondness for breads and cakes ?
                                                                                      OR
The author shares a lot of information about the bakers in his home town when he was young. He appears to be a very observant child. Should children have such keen observation powers?
Answer : The author tells us that bread is an indispensable part of the life of the Goan people since the time of the Portuguese. Bread is a part of not only everyday life but also of festive occasions and events. For each occasion there was a special kind of bread. He also tells us that the baker had leading role in the society was so important in the life of the Goans that they got up with the jingling sound of his bamboo. He also tells us that the baker wore either a Kabai, i.e., a long frock or a shirt and a half pant like trousers.
The author seems to be very observant because not only does he know all this but also knows the profit-making in it as he says that in those days, the baker was very prosperous and never starved. He also knew that they maintained monthly bills on the walls. Such strong observation powers would definitely be beneficial for children as they would become aware of the citizens of their neighbourhood

Question. The narrator shares, "Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days."
(a) What do you feel has changed now? Why?
(b) State any one way, you feel, the paders can regain their lost glory.
Answer : (a) The baker or the pader used to be an essential part of the Goans’ life. With the passage of time, the bakers continued their profession but with their reduced fortune and importance. The profession of baking leaves of bread has not died with ending of the Portuguese rule. Goa still has the misers, the moulders and the baker of those leaves of bread. The furnaces still bake those unique loaves. Marriages, feasts, Christmas and other festivals are still meaningless without the sweet bread called ‘bol’. However, the tradition hasn’t died completely yet.
(b) The paders can regain their lost glory by consistent hard work. They need to be as traditional as they were earlier. As the family tradition is still carried on even today by the new generation of bakers. Soon they will regain their lost glory.

Question. In the chapter, 'A Baker from Goa' the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond memories. Compare the childhood of Nelson Mandela with that of the narrator.
Answer : Both the narrator and Nelson Mandela have peasant memories of their childhood. Although born into a family of importance, Mandela was the first to gain a formal education. The concept of freedom was limited only to run in field, swim in the local stream and ride on the slow moving bulls. He says that his was a ‘transitory freedom’ which he enjoyed at the most.
On the contrary, during the narrator's childhood in Goa, the Baker used to be his friend, campanion and guide.
He used come at least twice a day. The author and his friends used to climb a bench or the perpet and peep into the basket somehow. The author can still recall the typical fragrance of the leaves. Then he and his friends didn’t even care to brush their teeth. Thus, the narrator had carefree and enjoyable childhood which was full of childish activities whereas Nelson Mandela's childhood was actually his training to become a good leader.]

Important Questions Glimpses of India - (Coorg) Class 10 English

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why are the people of Coorg known as descendants of the Arabs ? 
Answer : The people of Coorg are also known as the descendants of the Arab people because of the long black coat worn by them with an embroidered waist band. This is called kuppia in Coorg which resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and Kurds.

Question. Where is Coorg situated ? What type of place is it ?
Answer : Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is a very beautiful place and appears as a piece of heaven as if it is drifted from the kingdom of God.

Question. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognized in modern India ? 
Answer : The people of Coorg are known for their high energy, courageous and adventurous sports like canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking, trekking, etc. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army. The first Chief of Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi, Even now Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Question. What legacy have the colonial powers left to the district of Coorg ?
Answer : Colonial presence in Coorg region is evident from the legacy of bungalows and coffee plantations that the region has inherited from them. It is believed that Coorgis are descendant of the Greek or Arab and the culture of these regions is strongly evident in the martial traditions and their marriage and religious ceremonies.

Question. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s Greek descent ?
Answer : According to one story, the Kodavu people are of Greek descent because a part of Alexander’s army moved south and finally settled there when returning became impractical. These people married amongst the locals.

Question. Throw some light on the vast bio-diversity of Coorg.
Answer : The evergreen forests of Coorg enclose vast treasures of flora and fauna. It is a home to squirrels, langurs, kingfishers, elephants, slender loris bees and butterflies. Its river Kaveri abounds in Mahaseer—a large fresh water fish. The spice and coffee plantations, further add to its vast biodiversity.

Question. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills ?
Answer : Coorg is called the land of rolling hills because the city is situated on the gentle sloping hills. The entire area is covered with these hills. Brahmagiri hills has a panoramic view.

Question. Why has Coorg been referred to as ‘a piece of heaven drifted from the kingdom of God’ ?
Answer : Coorg is often referred to as a small piece of heaven because of its natural beauty—of its evergreen forest, rolling hills, coffee plantations and spice trees. The freshness of the natural surroundings is further enhanced by the aroma of coffee.

Question. What do you know about ‘‘Bylakuppe’’ as mentioned in the lesson, ‘Coorg’ ?
Answer : Bylakuppe is India’s largest Tibetan settlement of Buddhist monks. They can be seen here dressed in red ochre and yellow robes.

Question. Which season is the best to visit Coorg ?
Answer : The season of joy that commences from September and continues till March is the best to visit Coorg as some showers make the weather perfect and the air becomes fragrant with the aroma of coffee.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. ‘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 .

Question. What do the people of Coorg teach us ?
Answer : Coorg people are famous for their hospitality, love, respect and fellow feeling which is the need of the present hour. The adventurous sports like river-rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking are great motivators. The Coorg Regiment is famous for receiving maximum number of awards for its bravery. The first Chief of Indian Army, General Cariappa was a Coorgi. The Coorgis are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Important Questions Glimpses of India - (Tea from Assam) Class 10 English

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How did Rajvir describe the view from the train ?
Answer : 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.

Question. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea Estate ?
Answer : 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.

Question. What is the Chinese legend regarding tea ?
Answer : 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.

Question. Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea gardens ?
                                 OR
What made Rajvir amazed on the way ?
Answer : 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.

Question. How are the tea-pluckers different from the other farm labourers ?
Answer : Tea pluckers are different from the other farm labourers as the tea pluckers are hired labourers whereas the farm labourers can be hired or can be the owners of the land. Tea pluckers just pluck leaves whereas farm labourers go through the whole process, i.e., from sowing to harvesting.

Question. What legends are associated with the origin of tea ?
Answer : 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.

Question. How did Rajvir describe, the tea garden at Dhekiabari ?
Answer : 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.

Question. Describe the magnificent views of tea estate with reference to the lesson ‘‘Tea from Assam’’.
Answer : 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.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. What information did Rajvir share with Pranjol and his father ?
Answer : Rajvir had a lot of information about tea. He told Pranjol that though there are many legends about it, no one actually knows about the origin of it. One Chinese legend says that it was accidentally discovered by a Chinese Emperor. Another legend, which is Indian, says that it was discovered by Bodhidharma. The legend says that he cut off his eyelids as he felt himself sleepy during meditation and tea plants grew out of them to banish sleep when they were drunk. He also knew that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. and it reached Europe in the sixteenth century as a medicine. He also informed Pranjol that the words ‘tea’, ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are Chinese. He even had knowledge about the sprouting season on the second-flush which is the best in the world.

Question. What details do you gather about tea from the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’ ?
Answer : Tea was first drunk in China. It goes back to 2700 BC. There were many legends about it. One Chinese legend says that it was accidentally discovered by a chinese emperor, while boiling water. Tea leaves fell in the teapot and tasted best. Another legend is of Indian Buddhist ascetic, who cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy while meditation. Ten tree plants grew out of eyelids. These leaves banished sleep. In the 16th century tea came to Europe and was drunk as medicine. There are unlimited tea plantations in Assam. Tea is very popular in the entire world, over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world. Knowledge about the second-flush or sprouting period, yielding period of tea. Difference between tea pluckers and ordinary farmers etc.

Question. Rajvir seemed to have a lot of information about tea. What all does he tell ? What character trait of his 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 relevant information i.e. where tea originated and how it became such a popular beverage. He informed that about 80 crore cups of tea are consumed daily and that the name ‘tea’ itself has been originated from Chinese language.
He narrated 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.

Question. What scenery did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train and in the tea estate ?
Answer : Value Points :
l It was green and magnificent view Rajvir ever saw.
l There was a sea of tea bushes, densely wooded hills.
l Doll-like figures with bamboo baskets were moving everywhere.
l An ugly building with tall chimneys also.