Part I A Baker from Goa
Page 86
Question 1.
What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer:
The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old
Portuguese days and their love of bread and loaves. The writer says that the eaters of loaves have left but the makers still exist.
Question 2.
Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer:
Yes, bread making is still popular in Goa. This is very clear from the narrator’s statement that the eaters have gone away leaving the makers behind. There are mixers, moulders and the ones who bake the loaves. The time tested furnaces still exist there.
Question 3.
What is the baker called?
Answer:
The baker is called a pader in Goa.
Question 4.
When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer:
The baker would come twice a day—once early in the morning and the second time when he returned after selling his stuff.
The children would run to meet him as they wanted to have bread-bangles.
Page 87
Question 1.
Match the following. What is a must
1. as marriage gifts? – cakes and bolinhas
2. for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol
3. for a daughter’s engagement? – bread
4. for Christmas? – sandwiches
Answer:
1. as marriage gifts – sweet bread called bol
2. for a party or a feast – bread
3. for a daughter’s engagement – sandwiches
4. for Christmas – cakes and bolinhas
Question 2.
What did the bakers wear :
1. In the Portuguese days
2. When the author was young
Answer:
1. The bakers were usually dressed up in a peculiar dress called kabai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
2. During his childhood days, the author saw the bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full length ones and longer than half pants.
Who invites the comment – “he is dressed like a pader” Why?
Answer:
Any person who is wearing a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites this comment. This is because the baker, known as a pader, used to dress like that.
Question 4.
Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer:
Monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on some wall in the house with a pencil.
What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Answer:
It means having a plump physique, like a jackfruit.
Thinking About the Text (Page 88)
Question 1.
Which of these statements are correct?
1. The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
2. Paders still exist in Goan villages.
3. The paders went away with the Portuguese.
4. The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.
5. Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.
6. Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
7. Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Answer:
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Incorrect
4. Incorrect
5. Correct
6. Correct
7. Incorrect
Question 2.
Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer:
Yes, bread is an important part of Goan life. It is needed for marriage gifts, parties and feasts. Bread is also needed by a mother for preparing sandwiches during her daughter’s engagement. Thus, it is necessary to have breads for every occasion, because of which the presence of a baker’s furnace in the vi .age is very important
Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?
1. The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker ‘s bamboo can still be heard in some places, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
2. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
3. I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves, (nostalgic, hopeful, naughty)
4. The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny)
5. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals, (sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact)
6. The baker dnd his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous, (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad)
Answer:
1. Nostalgic
2. Hopeful
3. Nostalgic
4. Funny
5. Matter-of-fact
6. Matter-of-fact
Part II Coorg
Thinking About The Text
(Page 92)
Question 1.
Where is Coorg?
Answer:
Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is situated midway between Mysore and the cbastal town of Mangalore.
Question 2.
What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer:
The fiercely independent people of Coorg are descendents of Greeks or Arabs. A section of Alexander’s army moved South along the coast and settled here only when they were unable to return to their country. These people married among the locals. This is the story about the descent of Kodavu people.
What are some of the things you now know about?
1. the people of Coorg?
2. the main crop of Coorg?
3. the sports it offers to a tourists?
4. the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
5. its distance from Bangalore and how to get there?
Answer:
1. They are fiercely independent people and have descended from the Greeks or the Arabs.
2. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg.
3. It mostly offers adventure sports which include river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.
4. The animals likely to be seen in Coorg are macaques, Malabar squirrel, langurs, slender loris, elephants etc.
5. By road, it is around 250 – 260 kilometres from Bangalore.
Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
1. During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (Para 2)
2. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (Para 3)
3. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their son’s and father’s valour. (Para 4)
4. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Para 6)
5. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (Para 3)
6. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (Para 7)
Answer:
1. to keep visitors away
2. As one story goes
3. are more than willing to recount
4. The most laidback individuals become converts to
5. draws support from
6. keep a watchful eye
Thinking About Language (Page 93)
Certain words ‘go together’. Such ‘word friends’ are called collocations. The collocation of a word is ‘the company it keeps’. For example, look at the paired sentences and phrases below. Which is a common collocation, and which one is odd? Strike out the odd sentence or phrase.
Questions.
1. ‘How old are you?’
‘How young are you?’
2. a pleasant person a pleasant pillow
Answers:
1. The odd sentence is ‘How young are you?’
2. The odd phrase is ‘a pleasant pillow’.
Question 1.
Here are some nouns from the text,
‘culture’ ‘monks’ ‘surprise’ ‘experience’ ‘weather’ ‘tradition’
Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.
‘unique’ ‘terrible’ ‘unforgettable’ ‘serious’ ‘ancient’ ‘wide’ ‘sudden’
Questions.
1. culture : unique culture, ancient culture
2. monks : _____________
3. surprise: ___________
4. experience: __________
5. weather: ___________
6. tradition: ___________
Answer:
2. serious monks, unique monks
3. unique surprise, sudden surprise, unforgettable surprise, terrible surprise
4. unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience, sudden experience
5. terrible weather, unforgettable weather
6. unique tradition, ancient tradition
Question 2.
2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?
Missing Alternate word
1. tales of __________ ___________
2. coastal __________ ___________
3. a piece of __________ ___________
4. evergreen __________ ___________
5. plantations __________ ___________
6. bridge __________ ___________
7. wild ___________ ___________
Answer:
Missing Alternate word
- valour bravery
- town belt, village
- heaven cake
- rainforests jungle
- coffee tea, banana
- rope steel, concrete
- creatures animals
Part III Tea from Assam
Thinking About Language
(Page 96,97)
Question 1.
Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a preposition (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.
1. A heavy _____ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
2. Rakesh will _____ major surgery tomorrow morning.
3. My brother is responsible for the ____ of our family property.
4. The ____ rate for this accountancy course is very high.
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a _____ interview.
Answer:
1. downpour
2. undergo
3. upkeep
4. dropout
5. walk-in
Question 2.
Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.
‘over’ ‘by’ ‘through’ ‘out’ ‘up’ ‘down’
1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to ____ the Government, (throw)
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major _____ in cancer research, (break)
3. The State Government plans to build a ____ for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway, (pass)
4.Gautama’s ____ on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow, (look)
5. Rakesh seemed unusually _____ after the game, (cast)
Answers:
1. overthrow
2. breakthrough
3. bypass
4. lookout
5. downcast
Question 3.
Notice how these -ing and -ed adjectives are used.
1. Chess is an interesting game.
I am very interested in chess.
2. Going trekking in the Himalayas this summer is an exciting idea.
We are very excited about the trek.
3. Are all your School books this boring?
He was bored as he had no friends there.
The -ing adjectives show the qualities that chess, trekking or these books have: they cause interest, excitement, or boredom in you. The – ed /-en adjectives show your mental state or your physical state: how you feel in response to ideas, events or things.
Question 1.
1. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above.
How would you describe
1. a good detective serial on television? ____
2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? ____
3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? ____
4. how you feel when you open a present? ____
5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? ____
6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? ____
7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? _____
8. the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? _____
Answers:
(Sample answers are given; you may have a different answer.)
1. exciting
2. interesting
3. bored
4. excited
5. interested
6. disappointed
7. thrilled
8. thrilling
Question 2.
Now use the adjectives in the exercise above, as appropriate, to write a paragraph about Coorg.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Class 10 English Chapter 7 A Baker from Goa Important Questions
A Baker from Goa
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Why is the baker essential for the Goan people?
Answer: Most of the celebrations and festivals need supply of bread so the baker’s furnace is essential for the Goan people.
Question 2. 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 3. 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 4. How do we get to know that the makers of bread still exist?
Question 5. What is the importance of breads for the Goans?
or
Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village? CBSE 2010
Answer: Different kinds of breads are important during the different occasions. Bolinhas had to be prepared during Christmas and other festivals. The mothers used to prepare sandwiches on the occasion of their daughter’s engagement. So, the baker’s furnace was essential.
Question 6. 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 7. Why did the baker and his family always look happy and prosperous?
Question 8. Why would the children run to meet and greet the baker?
Answer: The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo would wake up the children from their sleep. They would run to meet and greet him to get bread bangles or sometimes sweet bread of special make.
Question 9. What indicates the presence of the ‘patters’ still in Goa?
Answer: The presence of the ‘paders’ in Goa even today is indicated by the fact that still there are mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Moreover, those age-old time-tested furnaces still exist.
Answer: The baker would greet the lady of the house with ‘good morning’ and then place his basket on the bamboo after his musical entry.
Question 11. How did the pader treat the kids who surrounded him?
Answer: The pader treated the kids who surrounded him, very kindly he would push them aside with a mild rebuke.
Question 12. Was baking a profitable profession?
Answer: Yes, baking was really a profitable profession as the bread was an important part of the food of the Goan people. The bakers earned well and kept servants. Their families looked happy and prosperous. They never starved.
Question 13. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer: The elders in Goa are much fond of loaves of bread. Those were the Portuguese days and the people liked the breads of different types very much.
Question 14. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer: Bread-making is still popular in Goa. We can see the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Most of their festivals and other occasions will become meaningless without the loaves of the bread. The ladies of the house prepare sandwiches on the occasion of their daughter’s engagement.
Answer: The baker would come at least twice a day. The morning was his selling round and he returned after selling them. Children ran to meet and greet him because they needed bread bangles from him. They also got sweet bread of special make.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Instead of enjoying their childhood, the children today are keen to enter adulthood. After reading about all the joys that the author Lucio Rodrigues had in his childhood do you think such a keenness on the part of children is desirable?
Answer: I don’t think that the keenness of the children these days to enter adulthood is desirable. Children these days are in a hurry to enter adulthood and have access to technology. Due to this they are learning things earlier than usual and getting matured beyond their age.
Hence, they are losing out their childhood and missing the joys that it brings with it. As per my thinking, they should grow at a slow pace and enjoy their childhood to the fullest. Children who miss out on their childhood cannot be a complete adult. So, they should not hurry up to be an adult and grow at nature’s pace.
Question 2. After reading the story ‘A Baker from Goa”, do you think our traditions, heritage, values and practices are the roots that nourish us? Why/why not? [CBSE 2015]
Answer: ‘A Baker from Goa’ highlights the importance of the traditional practice of making breads for every occasion and festival of the Goan people. This tradition continues even today. This shows how our traditional practices can keep us to our past and heritage.
Traditional values shape our personality and also provide us emotional support. They enable us to face difficult situations and makes us mentally strong. Traditional practices also have an impact on our behavioural pattern towards the other people in society.
Question 3. ‘During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide.’ What does this statement imply in relation tofhe character of the baker?
Answer: This statement tells us that the baker was a very respected person in the Goan society because he would guide the children about good behaviour (when he mildly rebuked them for peeping into his basket and giving respect to the elders (when he wished “Good morning” to the lady of the house) etc. He was very informal with the children and so the author considered him as a friend and companion. He was not simply a vendor interested in selling what he made. Thus, he was an important character in the Goan society of those days.
Class 10 English Chapter 7 Coorg Important Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Where is Coorg situated?
Answer: Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore in Karnataka state.
Question 2. What is Coorg famous for?
Answer: Coorg is famous for water sports, rock climbing, mountain biking and trekking.
Question 3. Which story shows that Coorgis are of Greek descent?
Answer: A story narrates that a part of Alexander’s Army moved south along the coast and settled at Coorg when their return became impractical. These people married the locals and became inhabitants of this place.
Question 4. 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 5. How has the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognised in modern India?
Answer: The Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery has been recognised by awarding the Coorg Regiment with the most number of gallantry awards. Besides, the Coorgis are the only Indians allowed to carry firearms without a licence.
Question 6. 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 7. Describe any two tourist places of Coorg.
Answer: The climb of Brahmagiri hills brings into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the 64 acres island of Nisargadhama.
Question 8. How can one reach Coorg?
Answer: One can reach Coorg either by road, air or rail. There are two routes from Bangalore. The route via Mysore is frequented one. The other route is Neelamangal, Kurigal and Chanrayanapatna.
Question 9. Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg? [CBSE 2012]
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 10. What are the various adventure sports available in Coorg?
Answer: The various adventures sports available in Coorg to the tourists who visit Coorg are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling or going down a cliff by slidding down a rope, rock climbing, mountain biking and trekking.
Question 11. Why is the climb to the Brahmagiri hills an important part of a visit to Coorg?
Answer: The climb to the Brahmgiri hills offers the panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. Besides, it leads to Nisargadhama and then, to Bylakuppe; the hidden surprises for the visitors. Thus, it is important to climb the Brahmagiri hills while visiting Coorg.
Question 12. Write two characteristics of people of Coorg?
Answer: The people of Coorg are fiercely independent and brave. Coorgi houses have a tradition of hospitality. The Coorg regiment is the most decorated one in the Indian Army. They feel proud sharing the courageous works of their sons and fathers.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. The Coorgis are the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs and are still are able to maintain their traditional practices. Do you agree that following these practices today is important? Why or why not?
Answer: After reading the text, I feel that it is important to follow the traditional practices, as it has kept the tradition of Coorgis known to the people even today. If the people of Coorg had not followed it their tradition would have perished and nobody would have remembered themloday because of their culture and traditional practices. According to the text, their traditions can be seen in the martial traditions, religious rites and marriages. The Kodavus even wear the dress which resembles Arabs. Traditional practices also play a very important role in maintaining values amongst people and have an impact on shaping the behaviour of people.
Question 2. How do Coorg’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India? [CBSE 2016]
Answer: Coorg is beautifully located and described as a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. It has rolling hillsides with a pollution free river and forests teeming with wildlife. Here nature exists in its pristine glory, which adds to the diversity of India. Further, it has coffee and spice plantations, quite different from the rest of India. The local people, the Kodavus, are a martial race. Of course, they are well known for their hospitality, just like all Indians. All these features of Coorg add to the diversity of our country.
Class 10 English Chapter 7 Tea from Assam Important Questions
Tea from Assam
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going and why?
Answer: Rajvir and Pranjol were going to Assam as Pranjol had invited Rajvir to spend summer vacation there.
Question 2. What did Rajvir see while looking outside from the train?
Answer: Rajvir saw much greenery while looking outside from the train. He was amazed to see the soft: green paddy fields first and then the green tea bushes.
Question 3. ‘This is a tea country now’. Explain this with reference to Assam. [CBSE 2013]
Answer: Assam has the world’s largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. A large number of tea gardens can be found there. Most of the tea grown in Assam is supplied all over the world.
Question 4. In what ways is China related to tea?
Answer: Tea was first drunk in China. The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese.
Question 5. Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his homework before visiting Assam?
Answer: Rajvir was very excited about visiting the tea garden and thus, he studied a lot about it before visiting the tea garden. Thus, Pranjol’s father said that Rajvir had already done his homework before visiting Assam.
Question 6. Which Chinese story did Rajvir tell about the discovery of tea?
Answer: There was a Chinese story about tea. It was said that there was a Chinese emperor. He always drank boiled water. Once while boiling the water, some leaves of the burning twigs fell into the pot. The boiled water gave a delicious flavour. They were tea-leaves.
Question 7. Where was Rajvir going? Why?
Answer: Rajvir was going to Pranjol’s house in Assam. Pranjol has invited him to spend the summer vacations with him at his house. Moreover, Rajvir was interested to know about the tea gardens in Assam. So he was going to Assam.
Question 8. What excited Rajvir? Why did Pranjol not share his excitement?
Answer: Rajvir had never seen the tea garden before. So the sight of tea garden excited him. But Pranjol has been born and brought up in the tea plantations. He had seen them many times. So he did not share Rajvir’s excitement.
Long Answer Type Question
Question 1. According to the text, Assam is said to be ‘tea country’. Do you believe that Assam has some of the best plantations in the world that makes it a unique country?
Answer: In India, some of the best plantations like tea and coffee are grown in huge quantities. India is also a home to many spices like haldi and while Assam is home to tea, Coorg is home to coffee. Others which are grown exclusively in India and exported to various countries. These plantations make India a unique country which has not just traditional spices and beverage plants growing within it but also follows traditional agricultural practices.
Question 2. Narrate the story of a Buddhists monk behind the discovery of tea?
Answer: There was a Buddhist monk story about tea. A Buddhist ascetic was busy in his meditation for God. By chance he fell asleep and his meditation broke. He did not like it. In a state of anger, he cut his eyelids and threw them on the earth. There appeared tea plants out of these eyelids. Then these leaves were put in the hot water. When people drank the hot water, it banished their sleep. In the beginning it was drunk as a medicine rather than a beverage.
Question 3. What are the legends of the discovery of tea?
OR
What are the various legends regarding the origin of tea?
Answer: There are two legends about the discovery of tea. According to one story, it was the Chinese emperor who discovered it accidentally. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of plants fell into the boiling water which gave it a delicious taste. It is said that they were tea leaves. The emperor started their use in boiling water. Another Indian legend says that an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. Thus, tea came into existence.
Question 4. Based on your reading of the chapter “Tea From Assam”, write a paragraph on the topic “Importance of Tea in India”.
OR
You know that everybody drinks tea everyday in India. It banishes our sleep and makes us feel fresh. Describe the ‘importance of tea in India’.
Answer: Today all people drink tea every day in India. But the quantity of tea differs from person to person. Life in an Indian house starts with a refreshing cup of tea. India has now surpassed China in tea production. India is one of the largest tea producers in the world. 70 per cent of its tea is consumed within India. Assam and Darjeeling produced world renowned tea. Tea became widely popular in India during 1950s Tea industry is the second largest employer in the country. It is grown in many states in India. Tea plants need shade to grow besides humid climate. It is a labour oriented industry. Tea has a number of medical and therapeutic properties.
Question 5. What are the various stories regarding the origin of tea?
Answer: There was a Chinese story about tea. It was said that there was a Chinese emperor. He always drank boiled water. Once while boiling the water, some leaves of the burning twigs fell into the pot. The boiled water gave a delicious flavour. They were tea-leaves.
There was a Buddhist monk story about tea. A Buddhist ascetic was busy in his meditation for God. By chance he fell asleep and his meditation broke. He did not like it. In a state of anger, he cut his eyelids and threw them on the earth. There appeared tea plants out of these eyelids. Then these leaves were put in the hot water. When people drank the hot water, it banished their sleep. In the beginning it was drunk as a medicine rather than a beverage.