CBSE Class 10 English Glimpses of India Worksheet

GIST
The lesson begins with how narrator’s elders often recall the time when Goa was under the rule of the Portuguese. They talk how the importance of bakers is still maintained in their villages even after the Portuguese have left. They are known as ‘Paders’ in Goa. The mixers, moulders and their time-tested furnaces continue to serve the people of Goa with their famous bread loaves. It is possible that the original ones may not exist, but their profession is being continued by their sons. The thud of their bamboo stick can still be heard in some parts of the village. The same jingling thud would wake the narrator and his friends during their childhood days who would go running to him without brushing or washing their mouth properly. It was the maid-servant of the house who collected the loaves while children sorted out the bread bangles for themselves. Bakery products have importance in the culture and traditions of Goa. Bol or sweet bread is a part of marriage gifts, cakes and Bolinhas or coconut cookies are eaten at every festival and the lady of the house prepares sandwiches at her daughter’s engagement. Earlier bakers wore a unique frock of knee-length known as ‘kabai’ but during the narrator’s childhood days, they wore a shirt and trousers of length slightly shorter than the usual ones.
They generally collected their bills at the end of every month. Bakery has continued to be a profitable profession, managing to keep their families joyous and prosperous.

 Main Points of the Story
- The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread
- Those eaters of bread have now gone but is makers still exist.
- During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend, companion
- and guide.
- The baker came twice a day – once in the morning and again while returning home
- After finishing his sailing.
- The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo woke up the sleeping children.
- The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.
- The children would peep into the baker’s basket for the bread bangles.
- The children would eat bread with hot tea.
- The marriages were incomplete without the popular bol bread.
- Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.
- The makers wore a particular knee length frock known as kabai.
- Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plump physique testifying to this.
- The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month

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

1. 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. Those age-old, timetested 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. May be the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession.

Question. What has not yet been extinguished in furnaces?
(i) Smoke
(ii) Fire
(iii) Coal
(iv) Wood
Answer.(ii) Fire

Question. Who still carries out the family profession?
(i) Cousins
(ii) Son
(iii) Brother
(iv) Father
Answer.(ii) Son

Question. Who brought the idea of loaves of bread in Goa?
(i) Spanish
(ii) Italian
(iii) Portuguese
(iv) French
Answer.(iii) Portuguese

Question. Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘remembering’.
(i) nostalgically
(ii) traditional
(iii) jingle
(iv) reminiscing
Answer.(iv) reminiscing

2. 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 olden days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was a testimony for this. Even today, any person with jackfruit—like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.

Question. How was the financial status of bakers’ family?
(i) good
(ii) bad
(iii) very good
(iv) worst
Answer.(i) good

Question. Bread is a _________ item of a Goan meal.
(i) permanent
(ii) temporary
(iii) essential
(iv) substitute
Answer.(i) permanent

Question. How is the physical appearance of baker compared to ?
(i) Bols
(ii) Jackfruit
(iii) Cakes
(iv) Sweet bread
Answer.(ii) Jackfruit

Question. Choose a word from the passage which means ‘not able to get sufficient food’.
(i) profitable
(ii) jackfruit
(iii) starved
(iv) physical
Answer.(iii) starved

3. 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 bols are a must for Christmas as well as for other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

Question. What does the lady of the house prepare on the occasion of her daughters’ engagement?
(i) Bread Rolls
(ii) Bread Pakodas
(iii) Sandwiches
(iv) Bread Dessert
Answer.(iii) Sandwiches

Question. What is the sweet bread known as?
(i) Bol
(ii) Sweet buns
(iii) Corozon
(iv) Doughnut
Answer.(i) Bol

Question. The presence of the bakers’ ____________ in the village is absolutely essential.
(i) bakery
(ii) furnace
(iii) mixers
(iv) moulders
Answer.(ii) furnace

Question. What is must for Christmas ?
(i) Cakes and Pastries
(ii) Cakes and Cookies
(iii) Cakes and Chocolates
(iv) Cakes and Bols
Answer.(iv) Cakes and Bols

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.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.

Question. Why is a baker necessary in a village?
Answer.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.

Question. What is must to be prepared on a daughter’s engagement by a lady?
Answer. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Question. What are compulsorily prepared during Christmas in Goa?
Answer.During Christmas cakes and bolinhas are compulsorily prepared in Goa.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means ‘celebration meal’.
Answer. ‘Feast’ from the extract means ‘celebration meal’.

2.We kid 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.

Question. Why were the children pushed aside?
Answer.The kids were pushed aside so that the breads can be delivered to the servants.

Question. What was there in the basket?
Answer.There were some loaves for the elders and some bangles for the children.

Question. Who are ‘we’ in the extract?
Answer. ‘We’ in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends.

Question. Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as ‘an expression of disapproval/a scolding’?
Answer.The word ‘rebuke’ from the extract means ‘an expression of disapproval/a scolding’.

4. 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.

Question. Why did the baker and his family never starve?
Answer.The baker and his family never starved because baking was a profitable profession.

Question. How can a baker be identified in Goa?
Answer.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.

Question. Where did the baker record his accounts?
Answer.The baker recorded his accounts on some wall in pencil.

Question. Which work in the extract is a synonym of ‘build’?
Answer. ‘Physique’ from the extract is the synonym of ‘build’.

Short Answer Questions :

Question. 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. 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.

Question. 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. 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. What is the importance of breads for the Goans?
OR
Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village?
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.

Long Answer Questions :

Question. 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?
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 behavioral pattern towards the other people in society.

Question. 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. ‘During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide.’ What does this statement imply in relation to the 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: GLIMPSES OF INDIA – COORG

Introduction
The lesson gives us a beautiful insight of the smallest district of Karnataka and its people. The place has an amazing weather throughout the year with enough rain during the monsoon season. The people of Coorg are known to be one of the bravest. Coffee is the main crop grown in this region. A variety of animals can be found here while the place is surrounded by beautiful Brahmagiri hills,islands and Tibetan settlements.

GIST
The writer describes the hill station of Coorg located in the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka. It is located midway between Bangalore and Mangalore. The suitable time to visit Coors is from September to March. The place is famous for coffee plantations and spices. There are abundant rainforests which cover 30 percent of the area. The Corgi men are brave warriors who are permitted to keep firearms without a license due to their trustworthiness. The women of Coorg are pretty. Coorg is also known as Kodavu and the Kodavus, though are Hindus by religion but their customs differ from those of mainstream Hindus. They marry within their community. Kodavus are said to be of Greek or Arabic descent. Some soldiers of Alexander’s army settled there. Also, as the ethnic dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia, it is said that maybe their ancestors were Arabs or Kurds. The river Kaveri originates from Coorg. The fish named Mahaseer is found in the river. Many animals and birds like kingfisher, langur, squirrels and elephants can be spotted along the river.
Tourists relax in the serene atmosphere and also enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing,rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing and trekking. While trekking on the nature trails, animals like Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be spotted on the trees. The major tourist attractions are Brahmagiri hills, Nisargdham Island and Bylakuppe Tibetan settlements. Coorg gives visitors a feel of India’s diverse cultures.

Main Points of the Story
- Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.
- It is called the land of rolling hills.
- Coorg is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
- It is the smallest district of Karnataka.
- Coorg is the home of evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations.
- September to March is the most pleasant season for the tourists.
- During this period, weather is perfect and the air breathes of coffee.
- The people of Coorg are fiercely independent people.
- They are possible of Greek or Arabic origin.
- It is said that a part of Alexander’s army settled there and married amongst the locals.
- Their long black coat with an embroidered waist-belt Kuppia resembles the kuffia worn by the
Arabs.
- Coorgi homes are known for their hospitality.
- The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army.
- The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi.
- The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.
- High energy adventures with river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking are quite popular in Coorg.
- Birds, bees, butterflies, Malabar squirrels and langurs find shelter in the rainforests of Coorg.
- The top of the Brahamagiri hills gives you a panoramic view of the misty valley of Coorg.India’s largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is famous for its Buddhist monks and temple.

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

1. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty percent 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. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners. 

Question. The season of joy ends till which month in Coorg ?
(i) November
(ii) March
(iii) January
(iv) December
Answer.(ii) March

Question. The season of joy commences from which month in Coorg ?
(i) February
(ii) March
(iii) September
(iv) October
Answer.(iii) September

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘starts’ ?
(i) commences
(ii) showers
(iii) invigorating
(iv) prime
Answer.(i) commences

Question. The air breathes of invigorating ___________.
(i) Cardamoms
(ii) Tea
(iii) Coffee
(iv) Spices
Answer.(iii) Coffee

2. Coorg 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.

Question. Coorg regiment is decorated with many awards and __________ it has got.
(i) gifts
(ii) medals
(iii) certificates
(iv) trophies
Answer. (iv) trophies

Question. Who are permitted to carry fire arms without a license ?
(i) Sikhs
(ii) Gorkhas
(iii) Marathas
(iv) Kodavus
Answer.(iv) Kodavus

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘large military group’?
(i) recount
(ii) valour
(iii) regiment
(iv) firearms
Answer.(iii) Regiment

Question. What is the tradition of a Coorg home?
(i) Love
(ii) Hospitality
(iii) Respect
(iv) Truthfulness
Answer.(ii) Hospitality

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.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.

Question. Which story is famous about the people of Coorg?
Answer.It is said that the people of coorg were the descendants of Alexander’s army who settled here when return became impractical.

Question. Where can we find the culture of Coorg most apparently?
Answer.The Coorg people’s culture is most apparent in their martial traditions, religious rites and marriages.

Question. Which descent do the people of coorg belong to?
Answer.The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic descent.

Question. Which word in the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’?
Answer.‘Rites’ from the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’.

2.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.

Question. Where is Coorg situated?
Answer.Coorg is situated between the midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

Question. What is Coorg known for?
Answer.Coorg is known for its evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

Question. Which kind of animals are we likely to see at Coorg?
Answer.We are likely to see wild animals in Coorg.

Question. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘having to do with war’?
Answer.‘Martial’ from the extract means ‘having to do with war’.

3.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.

Question. What do elephants enjoy by their mahouts?
Answer.Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed by their mahouts. 

Question. Why do the squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river?
Answer.The squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river because they enjoy the splash and ripple effect created by the fruit hitting the water.

Question. Which river flows from the hills of Coorg?
Answer.The river Kaveri flows from the hills of Coorg.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means same as ‘wave’.
Answer.‘Ripple’ from the extract means ‘wave’.

4.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 license.

Question. Who is free to have a firearm without a license in India?
Answer.Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Question. What is the special favour granted only to them even now?
Answer.Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Question. What kind of stories are the Coorg people always ready to tell?
Answer.The Coorg people are always ready to tell the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers.

Question. Find a word in the extract which means the same as ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.
Answer.‘Valour’ from the extract means ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.

Extract Based MCQs

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sites 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 rain forests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rain forests cover thirty per cent 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. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.

Question. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good measure. The given line suggests that
(a) showers make the perfect weather more perfect
(b) showers are good for Coorg’s weather
(c) showers help in making Coorg’s weather pleasant
(d) None of the above
Answer. (a)

Question. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following.
Pagaents : Beauty : Army : ..............
(a) Martial
(b) Estates
(c) Colonial
(d) Prime
Answer. (a)

Question. The author says that from September to March,some showers thrown in for a good measure.
This indicates that
1. The weather is pleasant
2. Rainfall adds to the beauty
3. Expect some rainfall during that time
4. Rainfall is scarce
5. One can visit during the time
(a) (1) and (5)
(b) (1), (2), 3 and (5)
(c) (2) and (3)
(d) (2), (4) and (5)
Answer. (b) 

Question. Coorg or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to ………… .
(a) evergreen rain forests and spices
(b) evergreen rain forests, spices and coffee plantations
(c) spices and coffee plantations
(d) evergreen rain forests and coffee plantations
Answer. (B) 

Question. The air breather of invigorating coffee means that
(a) there is coffee everywhere in Coorg
(b) there are many coffee plantations in Coorg
(c) the air smells of strong coffee
(d) All of the above
Answer. (c) 

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

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. The theory of Arab Origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, known as Kuppia, it resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Question. Which things show that Kodavus culture is distinct from Hindu mainstream in the above extract?
(a) Martial traditions
(b) Marriage
(c) Religious rites
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Question. What is so similar between Kodavus and Arabs?
(a) A traditional dress with embroidery
(b) A modern dress with stonework
(c) A long black coat with an embroidered waist-belt resembling the Kuffia
(d) A short coat with a simple waist-belt resembling the Kuffia
Answer. (c) 

Question. From the given options, identify the author’s tone in the extract.
(a) Informative
(b) Nostalgic
(c) Reminiscent
(d) Joyful
Answer. (a)

Question. ‘These people’ in the above extract refers to
(a) Greeks
(b) Alexander’s army men
(c) Arabs
(d) Kodavus
Answer. (b) 

Question. ……… means ‘related to war’.
(a) Mainstream
(b) Apparent
(c) Martial
(d) Kurds
Answer. (c) 

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. According the lesson, Coorg is almost equidistant from …………… .
(a) Mangalore and Mysore
(b) Karnataka and Mangalore
(c) Bengaluru and Mysore
(d) Chennai and Karnataka
Answer. (a)

Question. The season of joy commences from September and continues till March. The given line suggests that
(a) September to March is the best time to visit Coorg
(b) September to March are the months of rainfall
(c) Coorg becomes even more beautiful between September and March
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer. (d)

Question. What was the embroidered waist-belt worn by Kodavus known as?
(a) Kuffia
(b) Kuppia
(c) Kurd
(d) Waist-belt
Answer. (b) 

Question. The first chief of the Indian Army is from ……… .
(a) Coorg
(b) Goa
(c) Mysore
(d) Punjab
Answer. (a)

Question. Who are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license?
(a) Kodavus
(b) Kurds
(c) Arabs
(d) Greeks
Answer. (a)

Question. The climb to the ………… hills brings one into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg.
(a) Brahmagiri
(b) Himalayan
(c) Nilgiri
(d) Parvati
Answer. (a) 

Question. Which of the following destinations are mentioned in the lesson ‘Coorg’?
1. Mangalore   2. Mysore
3. Karnataka   4. Nisargadhama
5. Bylakuppe   6. Brahmagiri hills
(a) 1, 3, 4 and 6
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 2 3 and 5
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Question. Which nationalities or ethnic groups have been mentioned in the chapter ‘Coorg’?
1. Arabs     2. Kurds
3. Greeks   4. Coorgis
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Short Answer Questions :

Question.Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg?
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.

Question.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 license.

Question.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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.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 64acre island of Nisargadhama.

Question.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. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills?
Answer. Coorg is called the land of rolling hills because it is situated on the gentle sloping hills that are covered with lush green rainforests. The hills on which it is located seem to be rolling down to a beautiful panoramic view which make it look like a piece of heaven on Earth.

Question. Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg? 
Answer. Coorg receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon which we can say extends from April and ends in August. The weather of Coorg is pleasant for the tourists during the months from September to March. At this time, the smell of coffee is spread all around.

Question. Coorgis belong to a valorous and hospitable race.
Comment on this statement with reference to the text.
Answer. Coorgis are said to belong to a valorous and hospitable race as their homes have tradition of hospitality. There are innumerable tales of courage related to the people belonging to Coorg. In fact, 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.

Question. How is the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognised in modern India? CBSE 2019
Answer. The Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery has been recognised in India by awarding the Coorg Regiment with the most number of gallantry awards. Besides, the Coorgis are the only Indians allowed to carry guns without a licence. The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was also a Coorgi.

Question. Do adventure sports like river rafting and rock climbing require a person to possess just physical strength? Why/Why not? 
Answer. No, adventure sports like river rafting and rock climbing does not require a person to possess just physical strength. It also requires alertness and mental toughness. As these sports are done in natural surroundings, one must be alert and cautious while performing them. A person needs to have excellent judgement and should have a quick response system to perform them effectively and safely.

Question. Why does the author in ‘Coorg’ say that the visitors’ search for the heart and soul of India would be found in Coorg?
Answer. The author in ‘Coorg’ says that the visitors’ searching for the heart and soul of India would find it in Coorg because of its natural grandeur and different appearance of nature. Not only is the land of Coorg full of different species of flora and fauna but it also is a home to martial men and attractive women.

Long Answer Questions :

Question.How do Coorg’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India?
Ans: Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty percent 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. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.
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.

Question.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?
Ans: 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 them today 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. The Coorgis are the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs and are still 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. The reason is that 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. Nobody, would have remembered them today without their culture and traditional practices.
According to the text, their traditions can be seen in the martial forms, religious rites and marriages. The Kodavus even wear the dress which resembles the dress of Arabs. Traditional practices also play a very important role in maintaining values amongst people. They have an impact on shaping the behaviour of people. These practices bind us together in our social life. Just like the Kodavus who are bound to their ancestors even today, we are also bound to our ancestors because of the traditional values we have inherited from them.

Question. How do Coorg’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India? 
Answer. Coorg, the smallest district of Karnataka is among the most beautiful regions of India. It’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India. Coorg is called a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. It has beautiful rolling hillsides that is filled with evergreen rainforests, spice and coffee plantations. It also includes a river, Kaveri along with many species of birds, insects, and animals. Nature here exists in its original glory.
Further, Coorg’s culture is distinct from the Hindu traditions. Its martial traditions, rituals and rites show a mixture of Arabic and Greek culture owing to Greek and Arabic descendance. In addition, the land is a home to many courageous men as well as religious Buddhist monks. Also there are many other tourist destinations that add to its glory. All these features of Coorg together add to the diversity of the country.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

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.

Question. Which river flows from the hills of Coorg?
Answer. The river Kaveri flows from the hills of Coorg.

Question. Why do the squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river?
Answer.The squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river because they enjoy the splash and ripple effect created by the fruit hitting the water.

Question. Find theword in the extractwhichmeans same as ‘wave’.
Answer.Ripple from the extract means ‘wave’.

Question. What do elephants enjoy by their mathouts?
Answer.Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed by their mahouts.

Question. Which fish is found in abundance in Kaveri waters?
Answer.Mahaseer - a large freshwater fish is found in abundance in Kaveri waters.

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure with river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock-climbing and mountain-biking. Numerous walking trails in this region are a favourite with trekkers. 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.

Question. How does Coorg change the most-laidback individuals?
Answer. The most-laidback individuals get changed into high-energy adventurists when they visit Coorg.

Question. Which high-energy adventure sports can be done in Coorg?
Answer. River rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock-climbing and mountain-biking can be done in Coorg.

Question. Which animals can be found in Coorg?
Answer. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender laris can be found in Coorg.

Question. Which word in the extract is opposite to ‘relaxed’?
Answer. ‘High-energy’ is opposite to ‘relaxed’.

Question. What are favourites with trekkers?
Answer. Numerous walking trails in Coorg are a favourite with trekkers.

PART III: GLIMPSES OF INDIA – Tea from Assam

Introduction
This is a very short description of Assam, a North-Eastern State of India. This state is famous for its tea plantations. In this extract Pranjol, a youngster from Assam is Rajvir’s classmate at a school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam and Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation.

GIST
In ‘Tea from Assam’ Arup Kumar Datta describes how popular tea has become as a beverage in the world. Over 80 crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. It shows the increasing popularity of tea. The lesson gives a graphic description of the sea of tea bushes stretching as far as eyes can go in Assam. The plucking of the newly sprouted leaves by groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs are vividly described in the lesson.
Pranjol belonged to Assam. He was studying in a school in Delhi. Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Both of them travelled to Assam on a train. When the train stopped on the way at a station, a vendor called, ‘chai-garam garam-chai’. They took tea and started sipping it. Rajvir told Pranjol that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
Pranjol started reading his detective book again. But Rajvir looked out of the window of the moving train. There was beautiful scenery outside. Soon the soft green paddy fields were left behind and there were tea bushes everywhere. Rajvir was fascinated by the magnificent view of tea gardens. There were shade trees also. He was very excited. Pranjol didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement because he had been born and brought up on a plantation. He told Rajvir that Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world. Rajvir said that no one really knows who discovered tea. He told Pranjol that there are many legends attached to tea, to the discovery of tea. According to one story, 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. According to another Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist monk, felt sleep during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

Rajvir told Pranjol that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. Words like ‘chai’ and ‘chini are Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century. At first, it was used more as a medicine than as a beverage. Both Rajvir and Pranjol reached Mariani junction. Pranjol’s parents received them on the platform they took them in a car to Dhekiabari, the tea estate managed by Pranjol’s father. There were acres and acres of tea bushes. Women with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking the new tea leaves, they had come there in the sprouting season. Rajvir said that this season lasts from May to July. The best tea is produced during this season. Pranjol’s father told Rajvir that he knew  many things about tea Plantations. Rajvir wanted to learn more about tea there.

Main Points of the Story
- Tea is really a very popular beverage in India.
- You can bear the vendor shouting “chai-garam-garam chai” at every railway station.
- More than eighty crores of cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
- It was green, green everywhere and Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before.
- The landscape changed and tea bushes took the place of green paddy fields.
- A sea of tea-bushes stretched as far as the eyes could go.
- Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world.
- No one really knows who discovered tea. One Chinese legend says that a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the boiling water.
- The leaves gave it a delicious flavour. They were tea leaves.
- Words like Thai’ and thine are from the Chinese language.
- According to an Indian legend, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation.
- Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids.
- Rajvir saw acre upon acre of tea bushes and nearly all of them were neatly pruned to the same height.
- Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking newly sprouted leaves.
- A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of leaves.
- Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if it was the second-flush or sprouting period.
- The sprouting periods lasts from May to July and this period yields the best tea.

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

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 too.
‘Do you know that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world’ ? Rajvir asked.

Question. Who ordered two cups of tea?
(i) Mr. Barua
(ii) Rajvir
(iii) Stranger
(iv) Pranjol
Answer.(iv) Pranjol

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘drank slowly’ ?
(i) pitched
(ii) sipped
(iii) steaming
(iv) compartment
Answer.(ii) sipped

Question. Who was speaking in a high pitched voice ?
(i) Rajvir
(ii) Tea vendor
(iii) Pranjol
(iv) Mr. Barua
Answer.(ii) Tea vendor

Question. Rajvir told Pranjol that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk ___________ all over the world.
(i) every week
(ii) every year
(iii) every day
(iv) every month
Answer.(iii) every day

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 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 Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.

Question. Tea was used in Europe as :
(i) drink
(ii) energizer
(iii) soft drink
(iv) medicine
Answer.(iv) medicine

Question. Which word in the passage means ‘drove away’?
(i) legend
(ii) banished
(iii) ancient
(iv) ascetic
Answer.(ii) banished

Question. Who cut off his eyelids to avoid being sleepy during the meditations ?
(i) The Priest
(ii) The Buddhist ascetic
(iii) The Monk
(iv) The Sage
Answer.(ii) The Buddhist ascetic

Question. How many tea plants grew out of the eyelids ?
(i) five
(ii) six
(iii) eight
(iv) ten
Answer.(iv) ten

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 when I’m here.’ 

Question. When is tea yielded ?
(i) January to March
(ii) March to May
(iii) April to June
(iv) May to July
Answer.(iv) May to July

Question. In which tea estate city, had Rajvir visited ?
(i) Darjeeling
(ii) Assam
(iii) Kerala
(iv) Karnataka
Answer.(ii) Assam

Question. Who had done his homework before coming ?
(i) Rajvir
(ii) Pranjol
(iii) Mr. Barua
(iv) The Staff
Answer.(i) Rajvir

Question. Which word in the passage means ‘agreed’ ?
(i) flush
(ii) admitted
(iii) sprouting
(iv) slowed
Answer.(ii) admitted

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.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.”

Question. How is medicine different from a beverage?
Answer.Medicine is used for treating diseases whereas beverage is used for general drinking purpose.

Question. Who was Bodhidharma?
Answer.Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.

Question. When and where was tea first drunk?
Answer.Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means the same as ‘a drink’.
Answer.‘Beverage’ from the extract means ‘a drink’.

2.“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.”

Question. Who was selling the tea and where was he?
Answer.A tea vendor was selling tea and he was outside the window of the train compartment.

Question. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir when this conversation took place?
Answer.Pranjol and Rajvir were in a train when this conversation took place.

Question. How many cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world?
Answer.Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.

Question. Find the word in the extract which is an expression of astonishment.
Answer.‘Whew!’ is an expression of astonishment from the extract.

3.“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.

Question. Where was Rajiv busy when train pulled out of the station?
Answer. Rajiv was busy in looking at the beautiful scenery outside the train when train pulled out of the station.

Question. Rajvir was a great fan of reading detective stories. Why didn’t he like to read at that? moment?
Answer.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.

Question. How do we know that tea is very popular?
Answer.We know that tea is very popular because eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.

Question. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘well-liked’?
Answer.‘Popular’ from the extract means ‘well-liked’.
 

4. 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.”

Question. What is the sprouting period of tea?
Answer.The sprouting period or the second-flush of tea lasts from May to July.

Question. How did Rajvir want to spend his stay there?
Answer.Rajvir wanted to spend his time discovering the beauty of Assam. He wanted to learn more about the tea plantations of Assam.

Question. Which word in the extract means ‘agreed’?
Answer. ‘Admitted’ from the extract means ‘agreed’.

Question. Why did Mr. Barua feel surprised?
Answer.Mr Barua was surprised to know that Rajvir already knew a lot about the tea gardens of Assam.

Short Answer Questions :

Question. 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.

Question. ‘This is a tea country now’. Explain this with reference to Assam.
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.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. In what ways is China related to tea?
Answer.Tea was first drunk in China. The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese.

Question. 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.

Long Answer Questions :

Question. What are the legends related to the discovery of tea?
Answer. There are many popular legends about the discovery of tea. Two of them are as follows:
A Chinese emperor was used to drinking boiled water. One day a twig from the fire fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave a delicious flavour to the drink. It is said that those were tea leaves.
An Indian legend goes like this. Once there was a Buddhist ascetic who used to feel sleepy during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. When the leaves from these plants were put in hot water and drunk they banished sleep.

Question. 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.