NCERT Solutions Class 10 English Chapter 7 Glimpses of India

 

The elders in Goa were 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?
Answer
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 still having moulders, bread mixers and bakers.

3. What is the baker called?
Answer
The bakers are known as pader .

4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer
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 of the loaf, which was bought by the maid-servant of the house. They actually longed for the bread-bangles, which they chose carefully. Sometimes, it was a sweet bread of special make.

Oral Comprehension Check

1.Match the following. What is a must
 

(i)	as marriage gifts?	-	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

Answer

(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 bolinhas

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

3. Who invites the comment − “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer
Anyone who wears a half-pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that “he is dressed like a pader”. This was so because the bakers were known as pader and they wore such half pants.

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

5. What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Answer
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’.

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.
Answer
(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 very profitable business in Goa.

(i) tales of morality

(ii)coastal food

(iii)a piece of cake

(iv)evergreen hero

(v)crop plantations

(vi)sturdy bridge

(vii)wild beasts

 

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

(ii)Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.

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

(iv)The dropout rate for 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 brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.
 

(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 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 see? Boring

 

 

PART-1: A BAKER FROM GOA

Introduction:-
A Baker from Goa‘revolves around the relevance of a baker in the Goan culture which dates back to the time when Portuguese ruled over the city of Goa. The Portuguese may have left but the bread- makers continue to have an inevitable stature. In this story, the author recalls his childhood days and their excitement on seeing the baker. They were enthusiastic to the point that they would run to him as soon as they woke up without even brushing their teeth.

GIST:
A baker from Goa is a historical story related to the time when the Portuguese ruled Goa. The story concentrates on the relevance of a baker in the Goa village. The author talked about how the importance of bakers is still upheld even though the Portuguese have left the country. The bakers refer to paders who make a jingle sound with the bamboo when they come to sell loaves of bread in the streets. The same jingling sound would wake the author and his friends during their early days. They were supposed to run towards him without even washing their mouths. It was the maid-servant of the house who bought loaves of bread, which children ate.
The narrator recalls that bread was a crucial part of any occasion in Goa, especially the sweet bread named Bol. Baker from Goa's story shows that this sweet bread was a part of marriages, and the lady prepares sandwiches on the engagement of her daughter in earlier years. Cakes, sandwiches, and several other items were made with the loaves of bread during that time. Additionally, bakers wore ‘Kabai’, an exceptional frock of knee-length. Since that time, the bakery has continued to be a money-making profession.

THEMES Importance of Tradition.
• In the story, Rodrigues explores some traditions that have been part of the Goan culture for a long time.
• For example, he mentions that marriage gifts are still considered meaningless without the sweet bread bol.
• Similarly, like years ago, it is still a mother’s duty to make sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
• Rodrigues also says that the profession of baking is generational, meaning; it is passed on from parent to offspring.
• In this way, Rodrigues showcases how age-old traditions are still upheld in the Goan community.

Main Points of the Story – A Baker from Goa
1. Elders often think fondly of good Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread.
2. The age-old furnaces still bake those bread.
3. The thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo announcing his arrival can still be heard in some places.
4. Even today, these bakers are known as Pader in Goa.
5. The children ran to meet and greet him.
6. They longed for bread-bangles and sweet bread of special make.
7. Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread known as the ‘bol.
8. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
9. Cakes and `bolinhas’ are a must for Christmas and other festivals.
10. The presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
11. The bakers in the old days used to wear a dress known as the kabai.
12. Baking was quite a profitable profession in the old days.
13. The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous.

 

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:-
Coorg is a story written by Lokesh Abrol. He described Coorg as the smallest district of Karnataka. The author said Coorg or Kodagu is a beautiful place that is located midway between Mangalore and Mysore. The heavenly city has evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations and many tourists throng to this destination during September to March every year. The air of this region is filled with coffee scent. The people of this region are very independent and have some Greek or Arabic connection since the time a part of Alexander’s army had settled here permanently. They settled here and married the local people and the tradition continues to exist. The people of Coorg wear Kuppia which is a long black coat that is quite similar to the ones worn by Arabs.
Besides, the Coorgi people are very brave. One of the most significant regiments in the Indian Army is the Coorg Regiment. Notably, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army was General Cariappa who hailed from this beautiful place. The hilly regions and forests of Coorg are a major source of water to the Cauvery river. Visitors who are interested in high-adventure sports can have fun and frolic time in this place and also explore the different types of animals particularly found in this region.

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

 

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: -
Tea from Assam is a story written by Arup Kumar Datta. This is the last story of the prose, Glimpses of India. The story began with two friends, Rajvir and Pranjol who were travelling to Assam. On their way, they bought fresh tea from a roadside vendor and discussed the special tea of this region. As they sipped the hot steaming tea, Rajvir told Pranjol that over eighty crore cups of tea are being consumed every day throughout the world. Rajvir thoroughly enjoyed the scenic beauty of Assam consisting of tea plantations and bushes, while Pranjol was engrossed in a detective book.
Rajvir further explained to Pranjol about Assam as a place that is famous for having the largest tea plantations. However, no one knows the origin of tea in the region. According to a Chinese legend, a few leaves of tea accidentally fell in a pot of boiling hot water. The Emperor enjoyed the delicious flavour of the liquid and that’s how tea came into being. Further, Rajvir mentioned how an Indian legend, Bodhidharma who was a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he fell asleep during meditation. In no time, ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids and when these leaves were put in hot water, it helped in banishing sleep. Soon, both of them arrived at Mariani Junction, picked up their luggage and made their way towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On their way, they saw batches of tea-pluckers who draped plastic aprons with bamboo baskets hung on their backs as they plucked the newly sprouted leaves. Pranjol’s father had come to receive both of them. Pranjol’s father was amazed at Rajvir’s knowledge about tea plantations when he heard the young boy mention the second-flush or sprouting period of tea that yields the best tea. Rajvir further said that he was keen to learn more about the place from Pranjol’s father.
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 orderly 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.

Main Points of Tea from Assam
1. Tea is really a very popular beverage in India.
2. You can bear the vendor shouting “chai-garam-garam chai” at every railway station.
3. More than eighty crores of cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
4. It was green, green everywhere and Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before.
5. The landscape changed and tea bushes took the place of green paddy fields.
6. A sea of tea-bushes stretched as far as the eyes could go.
7. Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world.
8. No one really knows who discovered tea. 9. One Chinese legend says that a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the boiling water.
10. The leaves gave it a delicious flavour. They were tea leaves.
11. Words like Thai’ and thine are from the Chinese language.
12. According to an Indian legend, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation.
13. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids.
14. Rajvir saw acre upon acre of tea bushes and nearly all of them were neatly pruned to the same height.
15. Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking newly sprouted leaves.
16. A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of leaves.
17. Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if it was the second-flush or sprouting period.
18. The sprouting periods lasts from May to July and this period yields the best tea.