Glimpses of India

Glimpses of India 

(I)A Baker from India

Extract Based Questions (4 marks each)

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 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. (1×4=4)
(a) What are the elders nostalgic about ?
(b) How can you say that bread-making is still popular in Goa ?
(c) What are ‘the mixers, the moulders’ used for ?
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘cook’ ?
Answer:
(a) The elders are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread.
(b) Bread-making is still popular in Goa because the bread makers are still there and so are their mixers, moulders and furnaces.
(c) The mixers are used to prepare the dough for the bread and moulders are used to give different shapes to the bread.
(d) Bake.

Question 2.
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, time- tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. May be the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. (1×4=4)
(a) Why do the elders think about their past ?
(b) Mention two different tasks done by the bakers.
(c) Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘remembering’.
(d) How is the family profession still carried ?
Answer:
(a) They miss the good old days.
(b) The baker mix the dough, mould it and bake the loaves.
(c) ‘reminiscing’.
(d) The son carries the family profession.

Question 3.
He would greet the lady of the house with ‘Good Morning’ and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. 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 bangles for the children. (1×4=4)
(a) Why does the baker rebuke the kids ?
(b) What does the narrator still remember ?
(c) The word ‘rebuke’ means
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘sweet smell.’
OR
(a) Why would the children peep into the basket ?
(b) Why did he push aside the children ?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘to take a quick look’ ?
(d) What is the greeting word in the passage ?
Answer:
(a) He rebukes the kids to push them aside to make space and deliver the bread to the servants.
(b) He still remembers the typical fragrance of the loaves.
(c) ‘to scold gently’.
(d) Fragrance
OR

(a) The children, allured by the aroma of loaves of fresh bread, used to climb on parapets or on a bench to peep into the baker’s basket. The bangles of sweet bread were a great fascination for them.
(b) The baker’s entry with the jingling thud of his bamboo was an occasion of great excitement for the children. He would push them aside with a mild rebuke, just to get them out of the way.
(c) ‘Peep’ means to take a quick look.
(d) Good morning.

Question 4.
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. (1×4 = 4)
(a) What makes marriage gifts meaningless ?
(b) What does the lady of the house prepare on the occasion of hef daughter’s engagement ?
(c) Which word from the extract means the same as ‘necessary’ ?
(d) What is must for Christmas ?
Answer:
(a) Breads are a very important part of the culture of the people in Goa. A marriage gift would have no meaning if a sweet bread known as the ‘bol’ is not given.
(b) The lady of the house, prepares sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
(c) ‘Essential’.
(d) Cakes and bols.

Question 5.
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. (1×4 = 4)
(a) Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded ?
(b) Why did the baker and his family never starve ?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘Proof’ ?
(d) How was the baker’s life ?
Answer:
(a) The baker maintained his monthly accounts on a wall, with a pencil.
(b) Bread, being a commodity of daily use was sold well and thus baking was a profitable profession that brought prosperity to the baker.
(c) The word ‘testimony’ in the last line means ‘proof’.
(d) Happy and prosperous.

Question 6.
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. (1×4=4)
(a) How can you say baking was a profitable profession ?
(b) What can you say about the financial status of the baker’s family ?
(c) Choose a word from the passage which means ‘not able to get sufficient food’.
(d) How is the physical appearance of baker compared ?
Answer:
(a) We can say that bread-making was a profitable business because bread is a permanent item of a Goan meal. Hence, the baker and his family never starved.
(b) The financial status of the baker and his family was good because they always looked happy and prosperous.
(c) ‘Starved means ‘Not able to get sufficient food’.
(d) The physical apperance of the baker is compared to a ‘Jackfruit’.

Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words & 2 marks each)

Question 1.
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 2.
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. When the author was young, they wore a shirt and a trouser that was longer than a half pant and shorter than a full pant.

Question 3.
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.

Question 4.
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.

Question 5.
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 was fat and plump just like a jackfruit was easily compared to a baker.

Question 6.
Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded ? 
Answer:
The baker maintained his monthly accounts on some wall. He usually collected his bills at the end of the month.

Question 7.
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 8.
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.

Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words & 8 marks each)

Question 1.
What was the peculiar dress of the bakers during the Portuguese days ?
Answer:
During the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a peculiar dress called the ‘kabai’, that was a frock in a single piece, reaching upto the knees. But during his childhood, the author had seen the bakers wearing shirts with trousers that were longer than half pants, but shorter than a full length one.

Question 2.
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:
Value Points:

• leading role of baker in society.
• use of different breads and cakes in function and festivals.
• baker greeted by children, not washing mouth, eating bread bangles.
• musical entry.
• prosperous family of baker.
• dress of baker/pader.

Detailed 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 citizens of their neighbourhood.

Value Based Questions

Question 1.
How can a baker be recognized? 
Answer:
Value Points :
Due to thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo with which he enters -by their particular dress Kabai -single piece long frock reaching down to the knees. 
Detailed Answer:
A baker can be recognized due to thud and jingle of his traditional bamboo with which he enters. He can also be recognized by their particular dress Kabai- the single piece long frock, reaching down to the knees.

Question 2.
In the light of the lesson ‘A Baker From Goa’, discuss the culture of Goa. Discuss the impact of culture on the life of individuals.
Answer:
The lesson reflects the strong Portuguese effect on the Goan culture, testifying the fact that the ideologies of the political powers have a strong influence on the lives of common people and also their lifestyles. For instance bread as a steady food item is a tradition borrowed from the Portuguese, in contrast to chapati or rice as an essential part of a balanced diet in India.
‘Culture’ of a place is developed as an outcome of the traditions followed by the people, the conventions they adhere to, the religion they follow, their ethic and morals and the philosophy of life that guides them. The author is nostalgic about his childhood days and has strong cultural ties with Goa.

Question 3.
Should we learn from the history that has passed on to us from generations ?
Answer:
History is the mirror through which we can relive our past. It actually provides a path that our ancestors have laid for us. The various battles and wars, that were fought and won, shows us the strength and valour our people had. The traditions and customs make us a better human being.
‘A Baker from Goa’ is a pen portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in the society. The paders pick up the knowledge of bread baking from traditions in the family. The leavened, oven- baked bread is a gift of the Portuguese to India. These traditions have strengthened our present.

(II) Coorg

Extract Based Questions (4 marks each)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (1×4 = 4)
Question 1.
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 percent of this district. (1×4 = 4)
(a) Where is Coorg situated ?
(b) What type of people inhabit this land of rolling hills ?
(c) What covers thirty percent area of the district of Kodagu ?
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘brave men’ ?
Answer:
(a) Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.
(b) These rolling hills are inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
(c) Thirty percent of the district of Kodagu is covered with evergreen rain forests.
(d) Martial men

Question 2.
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. (1×4 = 4)
(a) Why is the monsoon season not the best time to visit Coorg ?
(b) What is the best period for the visitors ?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘starts’ ?
(d) Which plantation is ‘Popular’ ?
Answer:
(a) About thirty percent of the land area in Coorg district is covered with evergreen rain forests. There are heavy downpours during the monsoon season which prevents visitors from visiting Coorg during this time.
(b) The best season for visiting Coorg begins at the end of the monsoons in September and continues till March.
(c) The word ‘commences’ means ‘starts’.
(d) Coffee plantation.

Question 3.
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. (1×4 = 4)
(a) Write one special quality of the people of Coorg.
(b) Indicate their possible descent.
(c) Find a word from the passage that means the same as ‘relating to war’.
(d) From where do the the people of Coorg descent ?
Answer:
(a) They are fiercely independent people.
(b) Their possible descent might be Greek or Arabic.
(c) ‘martial’.
(d) Greek or Arabic.

Question 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 licence.
(a) What kind of stories are the Coorg people always ready to tell ?
(b) Who was the first Chief of the Indian Army ?
(c) What is the special favour granted only to them even now ?
(d) Who are permitted to carry fire arms without a license ?
OR
(a) How is the Coorg Regiment decorated ?
(b) Who was the first Coorg to become the Chief of the Indian Army ?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘large military group’ ?
(d) What kind of tales are more popular ?
OR
(a) Name the regiment that has received maximum number of awards for bravery.
(b) Name the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a license.
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘bravery’ ?
(d) What is the tradition of Coorg homes ? (1×4 = 4)
Answer:
(a) Coorgi people are always ready to tell tales of valour, bravery and courage related to their sons and fathers.
(b) General Cariappa was the first Chief of the Indian Army.
(c) The special favour granted to them is they can carry firearms without License.
(d) Kodavus.
OR
(a) Coorgi Regiment is decorated with many awards and trophies it has got.
(b) General Cariappa.
(c) ‘regiment’.
(d) Tales of valour are more popular.
OR
(a) The Coorg regiment has received the maximum number of awards for bravery.
(b) The Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
(c) Valour.
(d) Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality.

Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words & 2 marks each)

Question 1.
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 if it were drifted from the kingdom of God.

Question 2.
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.

Question 3.
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.

Question 4.
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 and resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and Kurds.

Question 5.
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 6.
The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognized in modem 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 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 7.
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 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 8.
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 9.
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 10.
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 11.
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.

Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words & 8 marks each)

Question 1.
‘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.

(III) Tea from Assam
Extract Based Questions (4 marks each)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
‘Chai garam… garam chai’ a vendor called out in a high pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked, ‘Chai, sa’ab’ ?
‘Give us two cups,’ Pranjol said.
They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking too.
‘Do you know that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world’ ? Rajvir asked. (1×4 = 4)
(a) Who was speaking in a high pitched voice and for what ?
(b) What was ordered by Pranjol ?
(c) What information did Rajvir give ?
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘chinked’ ?
Answer:
(a) A tea vendor was speaking in a high pitched voice to attract customers from the train to buy hot tea.
(b) Pranjol ordered for two cups of tea.
(c) Rajvir told Pranjol that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world.
(d) Sipped.

Question 2.
It was a magnificent view. 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 ordely rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys. ‘Hey, a tea garden !’, Rajvir cried excitedly. (1×4 = 4)
(a) What have the tea plantations been compared to ?
(b) What are the doll like figures referred to here ?
(c) Why was Rajvir excited ?
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘splendid’.
Answer:
(a) Tea plantations have been compared to a sea of tea bushes.
(b) The doll like figures referred to here are the tea pluckers.
(c) Rajvir was excited because he had spotted tea garden.
(d) ‘Magnificient’.

Question 3.
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.’ (1×4 = 4)
(a) Why did the Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids ?
(b) How was tea used in Europe ?
(c) Which word in the passage means ‘drove away’ ?
(d) How many tea plants grew out of the eyelids ?
Answer:
(a) The Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids to avoid being sleepy during his meditations.
(b) When tea was introduced in Europe, in the sixteenth century, it was drunk more as a medicine and less as a beverage.
(c) ‘banished’ means ‘drove away’.
(d) Ten tea plants

Question 4.
‘Tea was first drunk in China’, Rajveer 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 a beverage.’
(a) Where was tea first drunk ?
(b) Which language are the words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ derived from ?
(c) When did tea come to Europe ?
(d) Who is the narrator in the passage ?
Answer:
(a) Tea was first drunk in China in about 2700 BC.
(b) The words tea, chai and chini are derived from Chinese language.
(c) Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as a medicine than a beverage.
(d) Rajvir

Question 5.
Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. (1×4 = 4)
‘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) How did Rajvir want to spend his stay there ?
(c) Which word in the passage means agreed ?
(d) Which time of the year tea is yieded ?

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) Rajvir hoped to learn more about tea during his stay.
(c) ‘admitted’ means agreed.
(d) Tea is yielded from May to July.

Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words & 2 marks each)

Question 1.
Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea gardens ? 
OR
What made Rajvir amazed in the way ? 
Answer:
Rajvir found the view outside the train splendid and eye catching with so much of greenery. It was his first visit to Assam and he was fascinated by the sprawling tea gardens, spreading like a green sea of neatly pruned bushes and found it more interesting to watch, than reading his book on detectives.

Question 2.
How does Rajvir describe the view from the train ? 
Answer:
Rajvir describes 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 3.
What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea State ?
Answer:
Pranjol’s father agreed to Rajvir’s information about it being the second-flush or sprouting period.

Question 4.
What legends are associated with the origin of tea? 
Answer:
Chinese legend is that 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 on the earth. Ten tea plants which grew out of the eyelids, when boiled in water and drunk it banished his sleep.

Question 5.
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 6.
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 7.
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 8.
Describe the magnificent views of tea estate with reference to the lesson 
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.

Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words & 8 marks each)

Question 1.
Rajvir seemed to have a lot of information about tea. What all does he tell ? What character trait about him is revealed ? Is it essential for children ?
Answer:
Rajvir had been invited to spend his vacations with his classmate Pranjol whose father was the manager of a tea estate in Assam. He was quite excited about the trip and had gathered considerable amount of information about where tea originated and how it became such a popular beverage. He informs that about 50 crore cups of tea are consumed daily and that the name tea itself has originated from Chinese. He narrates two popular legends about the origin of tea.
Rajvir exhibits an important value trait, that is the pre-requisite to gain knowledge-curiosity and eagerness to know. Moreover, he is not a passive learner but is proactive in collecting prior information to any real experience. He likes to do his homework thoroughly before going to a place. This is something very appreciable and children should develop this habit of finding out about the place they are going to visit. These are extremely desirable traits for all learners.

Question 2.
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 sleepiness 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.

Value Based Questions

Question 1.
What scenery did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train ? [Value Based Question]
Answer:
Value Points:

• It was green and magnificent view Rajvir ever saw.
• There was a sea of tea bushes, densely wooded hills.
• Doll-like figures with bamboo baskets were moving everywhere.
• An ugly building with tall chimneys also.

Detailed Answer:
Rajvir could see green and magnificent view while sitting in the train. He could also see densely wooded hills accompanied by a sea of tea bushes. He could also view doll like figures with bamboo baskets moving every where. He even saw an ugly building with tall chimneys.

Question 2.
What details do you gather about tea from the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’ ? [Value Based Question]
Answer:
Tea was first drunk in China. Even the words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ are from Chinese. It goes back to 2700 B.C. In the 16th century tea came to Europe. There are unlimited tea fields in Assam. Unlike the other farms labourers, who might never carry the harvest on their backs, the tea pluckers, i.e., the groups of women were there hanging bamboo baskets on their backs. They pluck the newly grown fresh tea leaves from the plants and store them in their baskets. They also wear plastic apron.