CBSE Class 10 English Glimpses of India Worksheet Set A

GIST
The lesson begins with how narrator’s elders often recall the time when Goa was under the rule of the Portuguese. They talk how the importance of bakers is still maintained in their villages even after the Portuguese have left. They are known as ‘Paders’ in Goa. The mixers, moulders and their time-tested furnaces continue to serve the people of Goa with their famous bread loaves. It is possible that the original ones may not exist, but their profession is being continued by their sons. The thud of their bamboo stick can still be heard in some parts of the village. The same jingling thud would wake the narrator and his friends during their childhood days who would go running to him without brushing or washing their mouth properly. It was the maid-servant of the house who collected the loaves while children sorted out the bread bangles for themselves. Bakery products have importance in the culture and traditions of Goa. Bol or sweet bread is a part of marriage gifts, cakes and Bolinhas or coconut cookies are eaten at every festival and the lady of the house prepares sandwiches at her daughter’s engagement. Earlier bakers wore a unique frock of knee-length known as ‘kabai’ but during the narrator’s childhood days, they wore a shirt and trousers of length slightly shorter than the usual ones.
They generally collected their bills at the end of every month. Bakery has continued to be a profitable profession, managing to keep their families joyous and prosperous.

 Main Points of the Story
- The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread
- Those eaters of bread have now gone but is makers still exist.
- During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend, companion
- and guide.
- The baker came twice a day – once in the morning and again while returning home
- After finishing his sailing.
- The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo woke up the sleeping children.
- The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.
- The children would peep into the baker’s basket for the bread bangles.
- The children would eat bread with hot tea.
- The marriages were incomplete without the popular bol bread.
- Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.
- The makers wore a particular knee length frock known as kabai.
- Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plump physique testifying to this.
- The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow :

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. Those age-old, timetested 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.

Question. What has not yet been extinguished in furnaces?
(i) Smoke
(ii) Fire
(iii) Coal
(iv) Wood
Answer.(ii) Fire

Question. Who still carries out the family profession?
(i) Cousins
(ii) Son
(iii) Brother
(iv) Father
Answer.(ii) Son

Question. Who brought the idea of loaves of bread in Goa?
(i) Spanish
(ii) Italian
(iii) Portuguese
(iv) French
Answer.(iii) Portuguese

Question. Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘remembering’.
(i) nostalgically
(ii) traditional
(iii) jingle
(iv) reminiscing
Answer.(iv) reminiscing

2. 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.

Question. How was the financial status of bakers’ family?
(i) good
(ii) bad
(iii) very good
(iv) worst
Answer.(i) good

Question. Bread is a _________ item of a Goan meal.
(i) permanent
(ii) temporary
(iii) essential
(iv) substitute
Answer.(i) permanent

Question. How is the physical appearance of baker compared to ?
(i) Bols
(ii) Jackfruit
(iii) Cakes
(iv) Sweet bread
Answer.(ii) Jackfruit

Question. Choose a word from the passage which means ‘not able to get sufficient food’.
(i) profitable
(ii) jackfruit
(iii) starved
(iv) physical
Answer.(iii) starved

3. 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.

Question. What does the lady of the house prepare on the occasion of her daughters’ engagement?
(i) Bread Rolls
(ii) Bread Pakodas
(iii) Sandwiches
(iv) Bread Dessert
Answer.(iii) Sandwiches

Question. What is the sweet bread known as?
(i) Bol
(ii) Sweet buns
(iii) Corozon
(iv) Doughnut
Answer.(i) Bol

Question. The presence of the bakers’ ____________ in the village is absolutely essential.
(i) bakery
(ii) furnace
(iii) mixers
(iv) moulders
Answer.(ii) furnace

Question. What is must for Christmas ?
(i) Cakes and Pastries
(ii) Cakes and Cookies
(iii) Cakes and Chocolates
(iv) Cakes and Bols
Answer.(iv) Cakes and Bols

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.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 bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

Question. Why is a baker necessary in a village?
Answer.A baker is necessary in a village because different kinds of breads are required by the villagers for daily consumption as well as for special occasions.

Question. What is must to be prepared on a daughter’s engagement by a lady?
Answer. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Question. What are compulsorily prepared during Christmas in Goa?
Answer.During Christmas cakes and bolinhas are compulsorily prepared in Goa.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means ‘celebration meal’.
Answer. ‘Feast’ from the extract means ‘celebration meal’.

2.We kid 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 the bangles for the children.

Question. Why were the children pushed aside?
Answer.The kids were pushed aside so that the breads can be delivered to the servants.

Question. What was there in the basket?
Answer.There were some loaves for the elders and some bangles for the children.

Question. Who are ‘we’ in the extract?
Answer. ‘We’ in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends.

Question. Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as ‘an expression of disapproval/a scolding’?
Answer.The word ‘rebuke’ from the extract means ‘an expression of disapproval/a scolding’.

4. 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. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.

Question. Why did the baker and his family never starve?
Answer.The baker and his family never starved because baking was a profitable profession.

Question. How can a baker be identified in Goa?
Answer.Any person with a Jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily identified to a baker as their pump physique is an open testimony of their happiness and prosperity.

Question. Where did the baker record his accounts?
Answer.The baker recorded his accounts on some wall in pencil.

Question. Which work in the extract is a synonym of ‘build’?
Answer. ‘Physique’ from the extract is the synonym of ‘build’.

Short Answer Questions :

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

Question. 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. What is the importance of breads for the Goans?
OR
Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village?
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.

Long Answer Questions :

Question. 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?
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 behavioral pattern towards the other people in society.

Question. 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. ‘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?
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.

PART II: GLIMPSES OF INDIA – COORG

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
The writer describes the hill station of Coorg located in the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka. It is located midway between Bangalore and Mangalore. The suitable time to visit Coors is from September to March. The place is famous for coffee plantations and spices. There are abundant rainforests which cover 30 percent of the area. The Corgi men are brave warriors who are permitted to keep firearms without a license due to their trustworthiness. The women of Coorg are pretty. Coorg is also known as Kodavu and the Kodavus, though are Hindus by religion but their customs differ from those of mainstream Hindus. They marry within their community. Kodavus are said to be of Greek or Arabic descent. Some soldiers of Alexander’s army settled there. Also, as the ethnic dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia, it is said that maybe their ancestors were Arabs or Kurds. The river Kaveri originates from Coorg. The fish named Mahaseer is found in the river. Many animals and birds like kingfisher, langur, squirrels and elephants can be spotted along the river.
Tourists relax in the serene atmosphere and also enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing,rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing and trekking. While trekking on the nature trails, animals like Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be spotted on the trees. The major tourist attractions are Brahmagiri hills, Nisargdham Island and Bylakuppe Tibetan settlements. Coorg gives visitors a feel of India’s diverse cultures.

Main Points of the Story
- Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.
- It is called the land of rolling hills.
- Coorg is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
- It is the smallest district of Karnataka.
- Coorg is the home of evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations.
- September to March is the most pleasant season for the tourists.
- During this period, weather is perfect and the air breathes of coffee.
- The people of Coorg are fiercely independent people.
- They are possible of Greek or Arabic origin.
- It is said that a part of Alexander’s army settled there and married amongst the locals.
- Their long black coat with an embroidered waist-belt Kuppia resembles the kuffia worn by the
Arabs.
- Coorgi homes are known for their hospitality.
- 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.
- The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.
- High energy adventures with river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking are quite popular in Coorg.
- Birds, bees, butterflies, Malabar squirrels and langurs find shelter in the rainforests of Coorg.
- The top of the Brahamagiri hills gives you a panoramic view of the misty valley of Coorg.India’s largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is famous for its Buddhist monks and temple.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

1. 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. 

Question. The season of joy ends till which month in Coorg ?
(i) November
(ii) March
(iii) January
(iv) December
Answer.(ii) March

Question. The season of joy commences from which month in Coorg ?
(i) February
(ii) March
(iii) September
(iv) October
Answer.(iii) September

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘starts’ ?
(i) commences
(ii) showers
(iii) invigorating
(iv) prime
Answer.(i) commences

Question. The air breathes of invigorating ___________.
(i) Cardamoms
(ii) Tea
(iii) Coffee
(iv) Spices
Answer.(iii) Coffee

2. Coorg 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.

Question. Coorg regiment is decorated with many awards and __________ it has got.
(i) gifts
(ii) medals
(iii) certificates
(iv) trophies
Answer. (iv) trophies

Question. Who are permitted to carry fire arms without a license ?
(i) Sikhs
(ii) Gorkhas
(iii) Marathas
(iv) Kodavus
Answer.(iv) Kodavus

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘large military group’?
(i) recount
(ii) valour
(iii) regiment
(iv) firearms
Answer.(iii) Regiment

Question. What is the tradition of a Coorg home?
(i) Love
(ii) Hospitality
(iii) Respect
(iv) Truthfulness
Answer.(ii) Hospitality

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.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.

Question. Which story is famous about the people of Coorg?
Answer.It is said that the people of coorg were the descendants of Alexander’s army who settled here when return became impractical.

Question. Where can we find the culture of Coorg most apparently?
Answer.The Coorg people’s culture is most apparent in their martial traditions, religious rites and marriages.

Question. Which descent do the people of coorg belong to?
Answer.The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic descent.

Question. Which word in the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’?
Answer.‘Rites’ from the extract means ‘an act that is part of a religious ceremony’.

2.Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits 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 rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

Question. Where is Coorg situated?
Answer.Coorg is situated between the midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

Question. What is Coorg known for?
Answer.Coorg is known for its evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

Question. Which kind of animals are we likely to see at Coorg?
Answer.We are likely to see wild animals in Coorg.

Question. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘having to do with war’?
Answer.‘Martial’ from the extract means ‘having to do with war’.

3.The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of ^enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water.
Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.

Question. What do elephants enjoy by their mahouts?
Answer.Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed by their mahouts. 

Question. Why do the squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river?
Answer.The squirrels drop partially eaten fruit in the river because they enjoy the splash and ripple effect created by the fruit hitting the water.

Question. Which river flows from the hills of Coorg?
Answer.The river Kaveri flows from the hills of Coorg.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means same as ‘wave’.
Answer.‘Ripple’ from the extract means ‘wave’.

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 license.

Question. Who is free to have a firearm without a license in India?
Answer.Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Question. What is the special favour granted only to them even now?
Answer.Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Question. What kind of stories are the Coorg people always ready to tell?
Answer.The Coorg people are always ready to tell the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers.

Question. Find a word in the extract which means the same as ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.
Answer.‘Valour’ from the extract means ‘courage and bravery, usually in war.