CBSE Class 10 English Glimpses of India Worksheet Set E

Glimpses of India

The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood we saw bakers wearing shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!

Question. Choose the answer that lists the correct option about the recording of the baker’s monthly accounts.
(a) option 1
(b) option 2
(c) option 3
(d) option 4
Answer: (c)

Question. When the writer says, ‘Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days.’, he means that
(a) baking isn’t as popular in Goa currently
(b) bakers have chosen to adopt other professions
(c) baking, as a job, isn’t as gainful as it used to be
(d) bakers’ goods were of a better quality in earlier times
Answer: (c)

Question. The statement that is TRUE about payment collection, according to the passage is:
(a) the baker received payment on a daily basis
(b) the baker was paid for his services at the end of the month
(c) the baker insisted that customers pay before the month-end
(d) the baker chose to receive payment any day of the month
Answer: (b)

Question. The kabai was a ‘peculiar’ outfit as it was
(a) a tight-fitting apparel
(b) too colourful
(c) made of unsuitable materials
(d) a dress-like attire
Answer: (d)

Question. The extract uses the phrase, ‘invites (the) comments’. Which of the following expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘invites’ ?
(a) option 1 (trouble)
(b) option 2 (prayers)
(c) option 3 (guests)
(d) option 4 (applications)
Answer: (b)

Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. ‘This is the second flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr. Barua?’ Rajvir asked, ‘It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea.’ ‘You seem to have done your homework before coming,’ Pranjol’s father said in surprise. ‘Yes, Mr. Barua,’ Rajvir admitted. ‘But I hope to learn much more when I’m here.’

Question. Why did Mr. Barua feel surprised?
(a) because Rajvir knew so much about tea plantations.
(b) because Rajvir knew nothing.
(c) because Rajvir was from Assam
(d) None of these
Answer: (a)

Question. What is the best period to yield tea?
(a) May to October
(b) July to August
(c) May to July
(d) June to November
Answer: (c)

Question. What do you mean by ‘second flush’
(a) tea harvest from May to June
(b) tea harvest from May to December
(c) tea harvest from May to August
(d) none of these
Answer: (a)

Question. ____________ means sprouting.
(a) germinating
(b) stopping
(c) damaging
(d) none of these
Answer: (a)

Question. The antonym of ‘surprise’ is _______________.
(a) amaze
(b) awe
(c) shock
(d) calm
Answer: (d)

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.

Question. Who has brought this basket? What is special about this activity?
Answer: The baker (pader) has brought this basket full of fresh loaves of bread. This is a daily activity and he makes two rounds each day. The activity is special because these paders are carrying on the old Portuguese tradition.

Question. The children would be pushed aside but they still manage to peep into the basket. What were they so eager to see?
Answer: The children were always eager for the bangle bread loaves that the baker would carry along with him. Sweet to taste, the bread always took the children’s fancy.

He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.

Question. Why was anyone with a jackfruit-like physical appearance compared to a baker?
Answer: The bakers were rich people who had ample of bread to eat and enjoy. Thus, they often looked well-fed and happy. In fact, the bakers never bothered with daily money, they always maintained monthly accounts.

Question. The bakers were prosperous people and their families always looked happy. The line seems a remnant from childhood observations. Comment.
Answer: The bakers were prosperous because they always had consumers. The bread loaves are famous and a staple for people in Goa. The sentence seems like an observation from childhood because he uses terms like “they always looked well-fed and happy”.

Question. 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 are the theories of the descent of the Coorgis?
(b) How has their ancestry affected their lifestyle?
Answer: (a) The theory of the descent of the Coorgis mentions Greek and Arabic heritage. It is believed that Alexander armies may have settled in Coorg and married the local women. Another theory speaks of Coorgis being of Arabic descent.
(b) The ancestry of the Coorgis is reflected in their religious rites and marriage rituals which are distinct from the Hindu traditions.

Question. “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 a beverage.”
(a) Which two people are talking in the passage? Where are they right now?
(b) What is the Indian legend about “tea” that these people are talking about?
Answer: (a) Pranjol and Rajvir are talking about tea. These two friends are on a train which is going to Assam, where they will stay at Pranjol’s father’s tea estate.
(b) The Indian legend is of a Buddist monk, Bodhidharma, who cut off his eyelids to be able to meditate longer and not fall asleep. Legend has it that 10 tea plants grew from his eyelids. If one brews the leaves of this plant, they would not banish sleep for a long time.

Short Answers Type Questions (30-40 words)

Question. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?
Answer: There was a Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma. He often fell asleep during meditation. To stop this, he cut off his eyelids. It is said that ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of this plant were put in hot water and drunk to banish sleep.

Question. How did the baker make his presence known in the morning?
Answer: The baker came in the morning with the ‘jhang jhang’ sound of his bamboo staff. He carried his basket on his head supported with one hand and in the other hand he had the bamboo staff which was banged on the ground. This sound marked his presence in the mornings.

Question. What is the Arab theory about the descent of the Kodavu people?
Answer: The Coorgis wear a coat called kuppia. It has an embroidered belt. This kuppia resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs. Thus, it is believed that the Kodavu people are descendants of the Arabs.

Question. What excited Rajvir? Why did Pranjol not share his excitement?
Answer: The beautiful scenery and wide range of green tea gardens excited Rajvir. Pranjol did not share his excitement since he was born and brought up in Assam, a place familiar to him.

Question. What do we learn about the financial condition of the bakers of Goa?
Answer: The bakers of Goa led a prosperous life. As bakers never starved, baking was a profitable profession in the old days. The families and servants of these bakers always looked happy and prosperous. Their plum physique is an open testimony to their prosperity.

Question. What do the elders in Goa still love to remember?
Answer: The elders in Goa still love to remember the good old Portuguese days. They remember the loaves of bread as well as the makers of bread; the people who mixed the flour to make bread, the molders who molded the flour. They still remember the furnaces and the sounds of the baker’s bamboo.

Question. What legends are associated with the origin of tea?
Answer: There are a few legends associated with tea. The Chinese legend describes how a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot, fell into the boiling water and lend it some flavour. While the Indian legend describes how Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids during meditation because he felt sleepy. He threw these eyelids on the earth. Out of those eyelids grew ten tea plants, which when boiled with water and drunk, banished sleep.

Question. Baking was considered essential in a traditional Goan village. What reasons does the writer give to support his point?
Answer: Baking was considered important and essential in a Goan village, since the time of the Portuguese. Bread is an essential item for everyday and for every occasion. Marriage gifts were considered meaningless without sweet bread and festivals and celebrations were incomplete without cakes.

Question. How are the tea pluckers different from the other farm labourers?
Answer: Tea pluckers are mostly women and hired labourers, while farm labourers are mostly males and they can be hired or can be the farm owners themselves. Tea pluckers mainly pluck the tea leaves whereas farm labourers go through the entire process of farming, right from ploughing to sowing and then to reaping.

Question. When did the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer: The baker used to come twice a day, the sound of bamboo starwood attract and weight the kids up the kids would then run to him for bread bangles. The kids used to be very excited on his arrival.

Question. How can a baker be recognised?
Answer: The baker of the bread seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the Kabai. It was a single long piece frock dress which reached down to his knees. His plump physique and his peculiar dress made him easily recognisable.

Question. What are the elders reminiscing about the good old Portuguese days? What still exists of those times?
Answer: The elders are reminiscing about good old Portuguese days. They are also recollecting about the famous loaves of bread. But in the present times, the eaters of loaves have vanished. But the makers are still there in one form or the other. The furnaces still exist. The traditional bakers still come with the thud and jingle of their bamboo.

Question. How did the baker make his musical entry?
Answer: The baker made his musical entry with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound. It was made by a bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head. The other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house and would place his basket on the vertical bamboo, to sell the bread.

Question. What is bol? What different things were made by the ladies of the house for different occasions?
Answer: Bol is the sweet bread. It is a marriage gift and an integral part of a party. Any party loses its charm without it. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches for the daughter’s engagement. Cakes and Bol in has are a must for Christmas and other festivals. These are traditional dishes.

Question. Describe Coorg or Kodagu geographically.
Answer: Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It has evergreen rain forests. These are very suitable for growing spices and coffee plantations. There is coffee flavour in its air. A lot of coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand here. They are tucked under tree canopies in main corners.

Question. Describe the animals that can be seen here in Coorg.
Answer: The place is just ideal for different kinds of animals. They reside in these forests. Birds, bees and butterflies. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be seen any time. They keep a watchful eye over every person from the tree canopy. In addition, there are wild elephants also.

Question. What ‘magnificent view’ did Rajvir see outside while going in the train?
Answer: There were tea bushes here and there. Against the densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes spread over a vast area. Over the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees. There were orderly tea bushes. In the distance was an ugly building. It looked odd among the tea bushes. Smoke was coming out of tall chimneys.

Question. What did Mr. Barua, Pranjol’s father, tell about tea bushes?
Answer: Mr. Barua received both Rajvir and Pranjol at the cottage. He told Rajvir and Pranjol that it was the second-flush or sprouting period. It lasted from May to July. It gave out the best tea, said Rajvir, He told that he had done his homework before coming. He had a good knowledge about tea.

Question. What is the origin of the people of Coorg?
Answer: According to one story, the people of Coorg are the descent of Greek. The army of Alexander settled here and expanded their families by marrying the locals. According to other belief, the people of Coorg are the descent of the Arabs as their dress resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs.

Question. What is the story regarding the Greek origin of the people of Coorg?
Answer: According to one story, 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 expanded their family. Hence, it is believed that the people of Coorg are possibly of Greek descent.

Question. Why was Pranjol not excited on seeing the tea garden?
Answer: Pranjol was born and brought up in Assam. He had been watching the tea gardens since his childhood. There was nothing new for him. So he was not excited on seeing the tea gardens.

Question. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?
Answer: According to the Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt very sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put into hot water and drunk banished sleep.

Long Answers Type Questions (100-150 words)

Question. Write a paragraph on Coorg.
Answer: Coorg is the smallest district in Karnataka, situated about 250 kms near Bangaluru. It is situated between Mysore and Mangalore. There are hills all around the town which appears like a piece of heaven broken down from the Kingdom of God. It is the land of the brave martial clan of the Kodavus. There are coffee plantations in the area. The Coorgis are very hospitable people. They are a brave community with the first Army Chief of our country being a Coorgi. The flora and fauna of the area is unique and one can easily encounter elephants, Malabar squirrels, langurs, loris, etc. The best time to visit Coorg is from September to March when the rains have stopped. Coorg is also a haven for adventure sport enthusiasts.

Question. Read the extracts given below and comment on the scenic beauty described in both the extracts. It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees- (Glimpses of India- Tea from Assam)
Answer: In the second extract, another magnificent view has been described which is about tea bushes situated in the backdrop rich and dense hills. The tiny tea plants were dwarfed by sturdy trees which offered a beautiful view, absolutely priceless and rare. The tea bushes stretched as far as one could see.

Question. How did the baker, known as pader, announce his arrival?
Answer: The baker in the author’s childhood days used to come twice a day. In the morning, he came to sell the loaves of bread and in evening, he returned after emptying his huge basket. He would come again with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his special bamboo stick. One hand supported the basket on his head while the other banged the bamboo on the ground. The baker would greet everyone with ‘Good morning.’ He would place the basket on the vertical bamboo. The author and other children would peep into the basket. They loved bread-bangles. Sometimes, it was a sweet bread of special make.

Question. What does the author say about the people of Coorg called Kodavus?
Answer: The author calls the people of Coorg as martial men and beautiful women. These people are of Greek or Arabic descent. As per a legend, a part of Alexsander’s army moved south. It settled here as return became impossible. These people married amongst the locals. Their culture is seen in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites. These are different from the Hindu mainstream. Secondly, the Kodavus wear a long black coat with an embroidered waist-belt. This is known as kuppia. It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. They are thus, the only poeple in India to do so.

Question. Describe the journey of Rajvir and Pranjol to the tea estate in Assam.
Answer: Rajvir and Pranjol were classmates in Delhi. Pranjol was from Assam and Rajvir from Delhi. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. They went there by train. When they reached Assam, they saw greenery everywhere outside. They could see the tiny tea plants as far as their eyes could see. They were dropped at Mariani junction and then were taken to Pranjol’s father’s Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both the sides of the road were tea-bushes. Women were plucking the newly grown leaves in bamboo baskets.

Question. One is known by one’s roots. The people of Coorg are also recognised for their values and traits in spite of being thousands of miles away from their places of origin i.e., Greece and Arabia. Describe their values and traits.
Answer: Coorgis are well known for the courage bravery and hospitality. They are very warm people who entertain and look after the guests like their own family member. They’re always willing to account numerous interesting indigenous tales of valour in the company of the guests to make them feel like home. Even if they are thousands of miles away from their places of origin, they are recognised for the values. Coorgi people have a tradition of hospitality.

Archive Questions

Question. What do we learn about the financial condition of the bakers of Goa?
Answer: The bakers of Goa led a prosperous life. As bakers never starved, baking was a profitable profession in the old days. The families and servants of these bakers always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique is an open testimony to their prosperity.

Question. What do the elders in Goa still love to remember?
Answer: The elders in Goa still love to remember the good old Portuguese days. They remember the loaves of bread as well as the makers of bread; the people who mixed the flour to make bread, the molders who molded the flour. They still remember the furnaces and the sounds of the baker’s bamboo.

Question. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognised in modern India?
Answer: The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

Question. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : 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 servant always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit—like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
(a) Where did the baker record his accounts?
(b) Why did the baker and his, family never starve?
(c) Which word in the extract is a synonym of ‘rich’?
(d) How can a baker be identified in Goa?
Answer: (a) Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil.
(b) Baking was a profitable profession and they always had enough to eat.
(c) Prosperous.
(d) Any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is compared to a baker.