Answers to NCERT Questions

ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

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

2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans: Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The author has described about the existence of time-old furnaces and their still burning fire. The Goan society is having moulders, bread mixers and bakers.

3. What is the baker called?

Ans: The baker is known as pader.

4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?

Ans: The baker came twice every 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 children ran to meet him not because of their love for the loaf, which was bought by the maid-servant of the house; they actually longed for the bread bangles, which they chose very carefully. Sometimes, it was a sweet bread of special make.

5. Match the following. What is a must

i. as marriage gift? – cakes and bolinhas

ii. for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol

iii. for a daughter’s engagement? – bread

iv. for Christmas? – sandwiches Ans:

i. as marriage gifts? – sweet bread called bol

ii. for a party or a feast? – bread

iii. for a daughter’s engagement? – sandwiches

iv. for Christmas? – cakes and bolihas

6. What did the bakers wear:

i. in the Portuguese days?

ii. when the author was young?

Ans:

i. In the Portuguese days, the bakers had a peculiar dress known as Kabai. It was a single-piece long frock, reaching down to the knees.

ii. When the author was young, he saw the bakers wearing shirt and trousers, which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half-pants.

7. Who invites the comment – “He is dressed like a pader”? Why?

Ans: Anyone who wears the half-pants that reach just below the knees invites the comment that “he is dressed just like a pader. This is so because bakers were known as paders and they wore such half-pants.

8. Where were the monthly accounts of the bakers recorded?

Ans: The monthly records of the bakers were recorded on some wall with pencil.

9. What does ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?

Ans: A ‘jackfruit–like appearance’ means a plump physique. Such a physique was linked to the bakers because they never starved. Baking was a profitable profession. The baker, his family, and his servants always looked happy and prosperous, and had a ‘jackfruit –like appearance’.

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

1. Which of these statements are correct?

i. The pader was an important person in the village in old times.

ii. Paders still exist in Goan villages. iii. The paders went away with the Portuguese. iv. The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.

v. Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.

vi. Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business. vii. Paders and their families starve in the present times.

Ans:

i. Correct ii. Correct

iii. Incorrect. The paders still exist in Goan villages. iv. Incorrect. The paders wear shirts, and trousers that are shorter than full length ones and longer than half-pants.

v. Incorrect. Bread and cakes are still an integral part of Goan life.

vi. Correct. vii. Incorrect. Baking is still a profitable business in Goa.

2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?

Ans: Bread is an important part of Goan life. Marriage gifts are meaningless without sweet bread bol. For a party, bread is a must, while for Christmas, cakes and bolinhas are a must. Sandwiches must be prepared by the lady of the house on her daughter’s engagement. The author says everybody loves the fragrance of loaves. The elders were given loaves and the children were given bread bangles, which were longed for. Also, the fact that bakery is a profitable profession shows that the love for bread is enormous in Goa.

3. Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?

i. The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)

ii. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession.

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

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

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

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

i. Nostalgic ii. Nostalgic iii. Nostalgic

iv. Funny

v. Matter-of-fact vi. Matter-of-fact

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

1. Where is Coorg?

Ans: Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka, located midway between Mysore and Mangalore.

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Ans: It is believed that Kodavu people are of Arabic origin. It is said that some of Alexander’s army moved to south and settled there. Their costume, martial practices and marriage rituals also point to the fact that they are from Arabic origin.

3. What are some of the things you now know about

i. the people of Coorg? ii. the main crop of Coorg? iii. the sports it offers to tourists? iv. the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

v. its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

Ans:

i. The people of Coorg are fiercely independent. They are of Greek or Arabic descent. They have a tradition of hospitality. They enjoy recounting numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license. The author has described the people of Coorg as a proud race of martial men and beautiful women.

ii. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg.

iii. The sports that Coorg offers to tourists are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.

iv. The animals that one is likely to see in Coorg are birds, bees, butterflies, macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, loris, and wild elephants.

v. The distance between Bangalore and Coorg is 260 km. There are two routes to Coorg from Bangalore and both are of the same distance. The most frequented route is the one via Mysore. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, and Chanrayanapatna.

4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

i. During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)

ii. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3)

iii. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4)

iv. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the highenergy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)

v. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)

vi. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7) Ans:

i. keep many visitors away

ii. as one story goes

iii. are more than willing to recount

iv. the most layback individuals become converts to

draws support from vi. keep a watchful eye

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built from a verb ( keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).

Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

i. A heavy _____________ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

ii. Rakesh will _____________ major surgery tomorrow morning.

iii. My brother is responsible for the _____________ of our family property.

iv. The _____________ rate of this accountancy course is very high.

v. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a _____________ interview.

Ans:

i. A heavy downpourhas been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

ii. Rakesh will undergomajor surgery tomorrow morning.

iii. My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.

iv. The dropoutrate of this accountancy course is very high.

v. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in the brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

over

through

out

down

i. The army attempted unsuccessfully to _____________ the government. (throw)

ii. Scientists are on the brink of a major _____________ in cancer research. (break)

iii. The State Government plans to build a _____________ for Bhubaneshwar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)

iv. Gautama’s _____________ on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)

v. Rakesh seemed unusually _____________ after the game. (cast) Ans:

i. The army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrowthe government.

ii. Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. iii. The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneshwar to speed up traffic on the main highway.

iv. Gautama’s outlookon life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow.

v. Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.

3. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjective to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above.

How would you describe.

i. a good detective serial on television? _____________

ii. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?

_____________ iii. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? _____________

iv. how do you feel when you open a present? _____________

v. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?

____________ vi. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? _____________

vii. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? _____________

viii. the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? _____________ Ans:

i. a good detective serial on television? interesting

ii. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? exciting

iii. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? bored

iv. how do you feel when you open a present? excited

v. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? interested vi. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? tired

vii. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? thrilled

viii. the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? boring

Additional Questions

Short Answer Questions (30-40 words: 2 Marks each)

1. What did the baker do first once he reached a house?

Ans: The baker first greeted the lady of the house by saying “Good Morning”. He then placed the basket on the vertical bamboo and deliver the loaves to the servants.

2. How did the baker make his entry?

Ans: The baker used to enter with the jingling sound of his specially-made bamboo stick. His one hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground.

3. How do we get to know that the makers of bread still exist?

Ans: 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.

4. What is the importance of breads for the Goans? OR

Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village?

Ans: 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.

5. Describe the dress of the bakers.

Ans: The bakers had a peculiar dress earlier known as the kabai. It was a one piece, long frock reaching down to the knees.

6. Coorgis are hospitable by nature. Explain.

Ans: Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and entertain their guests by relating stories of bravery of their sons and fathers.

7. Why are the people of Coorg known as descendants of the Arabs?

Ans: The theory of the people of Coorg as descendants of the Arabs 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.

8. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills?

Ans: Coorg is called the land of rolling hills because it has a lot of hills and is itself a hill station. The hills seem to roll down in a panoramic view.

9. Describe the natural beauty of Coorg.

Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore in the Karnataka state. It is a beautiful region of ‘rolling hills’ and lush green rainforests. It is famous for coffee, spices and wildlife.

10. Describe the wildlife of Coorg.

Ans: A large freshwater fish abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch.

Squirrels and langurs drop partially-eaten fruit and enjoy the splash and ripple effect. Elephants enjoy bathing in the river.

11. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognised in modern India?

Ans: Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and entertain their guests by relating stories of bravery of their sons and fathers. Coorg soldiers are brave. Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated ones in the Indian army. Coorgis are the only people who are permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

12. What idea of Coorg do you form? What opportunities does Coorg offer to a tourist?

Coorg is a tourist’s paradise. Discuss with reference to the extract from ‘Glimpses of India’.

Ans: Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka, situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is a beautiful region of ‘rolling hills’ and lush green rainforests. It is famous for coffee, spices, and rainforests. It is also famous for hospitality, valour, wildlife and adventure sports.

13. Why did Rajvir visit Assam?

Ans: Rajvir had been invited by his classmate Pranjol, who was from Assam, to visit his home during the summer vacation.

14. How does Rajvir describe the tea-garden at Dhekiabari?

Ans: On both sides of the gravel-road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting period. Women wearing plastic aprons were plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets.

15. Describe the magnificent views of the tea estate with reference to the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’.

Ans: The tea bushes were spread like a sea against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. Amidst the orderly rows of tea, bushes were doll-like figures plucking tea leaves.

16. Describe the scenery that Rajvir saw as soon as the train pulled out of the station.

Ans: When the train moved ahead, there were huge fields full of green plantations. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery. He called it a ‘magnificent view’. The bushes were spread like a sea against the backdrop of densely wooded hills.

17. How are tea pluckers different from other farm labourers?

Ans: The tea pluckers are different from other farm labourers. The women plucking tea leaves in the tea gardens look like dolls. They wear plastic aprons and carry baskets at their backs to put tea leaves in them.

18. How can you say that tea was first drunk in China?

Ans: There is an ancient legend about the discovery of tea. A Chinese emperor had the habit of 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 water. It is said that those were the tea leaves and that was the first tea. It is thus, thought that tea was first drunk in China.

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

Ans: He was the manager of a tea garden in upper Assam. He showed Pranjol and Rajvir the acres of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of women pluckers with bamboo baskets were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

20. What was the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Ans: An Indian legend goes like this. Once, there was a Buddhist, ascetic Bodhidharma who used to feel sleepy during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. When the leaves of these plants were put in hot water and drunk, they banished sleep.

21. What made Rajvir amazed on the way?

Ans: Rajvir was amazed to see the huge fields full of green plantations. There were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees at the back of the gardens, in the forest, on the rolling hills, looked beautiful.

22. Which tea is considered the best tea? Why?

Ans: Assam tea is considered to be the best tea as it has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. The weather and environmental conditions are perfect here to grow tea plants.

23. Who were Pranjol and Rajvir? Where were they going?

Ans: Pranjol and Rajvir were friends. Pranjol belonged to Assam. He was studying in a school in Delhi. Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a teagarden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Both of them travelled to Assam on a train.

24. Where was tea first drunk? When did tea come to Europe?

Ans: It is believed 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.

Long Answer Questions (100-150 words: 8 Marks each)

1. Instead of enjoying their childhood, the children today are keen to enter adulthood. After reading about all the joys that the author Lucio Rodrigues had in his childhood, do you think such a keenness on the part of children is desirable?

Ans: 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.

2. After reading the story ‘A Baker from Goa’, do you think our traditions, heritage, values and practices are the roots that nourish us? Why/Why not?

Ans: ‘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 make us mentally strong. Traditional practices also have an impact on our behavioural pattern towards the other people in society.

3. ‘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?

Ans: 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.

4. Where is Coorg situated? What is it famous for?

Ans: Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is also known as Kodagu. Coorg lies between the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place. The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of God. Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests and spices. Thirty per cent of its area is covered with the evergreen rainforests. The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The air is full of coffee flavour.

5. What does the writer say about the people of Coorg?

Ans: The writer says that the people of Coorg are independent and brave. They are of Greek or Arabic descent. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army did not return and was settled here. They married among the locals. This culture can be seen in the martial traditions, marriage and religious customs. According to another theory, Coorg people were originated from the Arabs. It is evident from the long, black coat worn by the people. It is like the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. Coorgi homes have the tradition of hospitality. They are brave people. Their tales of bravery are famous. 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. Even today, the Kodavus are the only people in India who are allowed to carry firearms without a licence.

6. What does the writer say about the natural beauty of Coorg?

Ans: Coorg is situated in Karnataka midway between Mysore and the coastal town of

Mangalore. It looks like a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This is a land of rolling hills. It is a home of evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen forests cover thirty per cent of Coorg district. The river Kaveri flows through Coorg. Big elephants are also found here. Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give the visitor’s company. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings (the visitors) a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. It is said that the people searching for the heart and soul of India visit Coorg.

7. What landscape did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train?

Ans: Rajvir was fascinated by the scenic beauty of the place. There were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees at the back of the gardens in the forest on the rolling hills looked beautiful. The women plucking tea leaves looked like dolls. On the way, he saw people drinking tea. He also saw an ugly building with smoke coming out of its chimneys. Rajvir was received by Mrs and Mr Barua and was taken towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel-road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting period. Women were wearing plastic aprons and plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets on their backs.

8. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going? What did Rajvir see when he looked out of the train on the way?

Ans: 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, ‘chaigaram 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.

9. What did Rajvir tell Pranjol about the discovery of tea?

Ans: Rajvir said that no one really knows who discovered tea. He told Pranjol that there were many legends attached 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 of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water. As a result, the boiled water got a delicious flavour. It is said that 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 drank, banished sleep. It is believed that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. Words like ‘chaff’ 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.