UP Board Solutions Class 11 English Chapter 7 On an African River

UP Board Class 11th English Prose Chapter 7 Questions And Answers

कक्षा 11 अंग्रेजी पाठ 7 के प्रश्न उत्तर

These Solutions are part of UP Board Solutions for Class 11 English. Here we have given UP Board Solutions for Class 11 English Prose Chapter 7 On an African River.

Lesson At A Glance

This essay is an experience of the author's personal life when he was sailing with his family and a fellow explorer named Oswell in the April of 1851 to a hill station. The wildlife in South Africa is in plenty and the author has experienced it very closely. The river Chobe, discovered by the author, flows in South Africa and is a natural habitat of dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles. Except some ill-natured ones, the hippos are less furious than crocodiles until they are disturbed. Crocodiles of the river are so much daring that they carry off calves and seize even cows. The essay also hints at the superstitions of people in some tribes when they are bitter or water splashed over them by the reptile's tail.

पाठ का हिन्दी अनुवाद

1. On The 11th - One Of Them.

11 नवम्बर, 1853 को मैं चोब (Chobe) नदी पर, जो जाम्बेजी (Zambezi) में बहती है, एक नाव में सवार हुआ । प्रधान यह देखने के लिए कि विदाई के समय सभी ठीक-ठाक है, नदी पर आए। उन्होंने मुझे अपनी डोंगी (एक लम्बी सँकरी नाव) भी उधार दे दी थी और चूंकि यह उन नावों से चौड़ी थी जिन्हें मैं पहले प्रयोग किया करता था। इसलिए मैं आराम से इसमें इधर-उधर मुड़ सकता था।

चोब नदी में दरियाई घोड़े (hippos) बड़ी संख्या में घूमते-फिरते हैं। इनमें से कुछ बड़ी आयु के वे नर होते हैं जिन्हें पशुओं के झुण्ड में से भगा दिया जाता है और वे स्वभाव से चिड़चिड़े हो जाते हैं और इतने जिद्दी स्वभाव के हो जाते हैं कि वे प्रत्येक उस नाव पर आक्रमण करते हैं जो उनके पास से गुजरती है। पशुओं का झुण्ड कभी खतरनाक नहीं होता केवल उस समय को छोड़कर जब कोई नाव इनके झुण्ड के बीच से उस समय गुजरे जब यह सभी पशु सोए हुए हों। उस समय इनमें से कुछ भय के कारण नाव पर वार कर सकते हैं। इससे बचने के लिए यात्री को सलाह दी जाती है कि वे दिन के समय नाव को किनारे के पास और रात को नदी के बीचो-बीच चलाएँ।

नियमानुसार दरियाई घोड़े जब किसी मनुष्य को देखते हैं तब भाग जाते हैं। अकेले नर पशु उस हाथी के समान बहुत खतरनाक होते हैं जिसे झुण्ड से निकाल दिया गया हो। इस समय हमने एक ऐसी नाव को देखा जिसे इन पशुओं में से किसी एक ने पिछले पैर के एक धक्के से टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिया था।

2. I Was Told - Does At Other Times.

मेरे साथियों ने मुझे बताया कि यदि हमारी नाव पर आक्रमण किया जाए तब यह उचित होगा कि हम नदी की तली में डुबकी लगा लें और कुछ सेकण्ड तक वही रुके रहें। ऐसा मालूम होता है कि हिप्पो किसी नाव को तोड़ने के बाद सदा सतह पर मनुष्यों की तलाश करता है और यदि उसे कोई नहीं दिखाई देता तब वह जल्दी ही वहाँ से आगे चला जाता है। इन कुँआरों (bachelors) में से एक, जैसा कि झुण्ड में से निकाले हुए दरियाई घोड़ों को बहुधा कहा जाता है, वास्तव में अपनी माँद से निकला और अपना सिर नीचे की ओर रखकर, काफी तेज गति से हमारे उन साथियों के पीछे दौड़ा जो वहाँ से गुजर रहे थे।

कोई भी व्यक्ति एक झुण्ड में पशुओं की संख्या नहीं बता सकता क्योंकि वे लगभग सदा पानी के नीचे छिपे रहते हैं। किन्तु क्योंकि प्रत्येक चंद मिनटों के बाद साँस लेने के लिए उन्हें ऊपर आना पड़ता है तब वह झुण्ड बड़ा दिखाई पड़ता है।

बच्चे जब बहुत छोटे होते हैं तब वे अपनी माँ की गर्दन का सहारा लेते हैं और बड़े सिर के ऊपर उठा हुआ एक छोटा सिर जल्दी से सतह पर दिखाई पड़ता है। यह जानते हुए कि उसका बच्चा पानी के अंदर अधिक देर तक प्रतीक्षा नहीं कर सकता, बच्चे की माँ, जब तक वह बच्चे की देखभाल करती है, अन्य अवसरों की अपेक्षा अधिक बार सतह पर आती है।

3. The Number Of Crocodiles - Out Of The Tribe.

मगरमच्छों की संख्या बहुत अधिक होती है और इस नदी में वे अन्य नदियों की अपेक्षा अधिक क्रूर होते हैं। बहुत से बच्चे खतरे के होते हुए भी जब वे पानी के लिए नीचे जाते हैं और जब कि वहाँ उन्हें थोड़ी देर खेलना चाहिए किन्तु प्रतिवर्ष वे बहुत से मगरमच्छों के द्वारा ले जाए जाते हैं। बहुत-से बछड़े भी खोए जाते हैं। और ऐसा तो बहुत कम होता है कि अनेक गायें तैरें और कोई भी न पकड़ी जाए। देशवासियों के द्वारा यह कहा जाता है कि मगरमच्छ अपनी पूंछ से अपने शिकार पर वार करता है और फिर वह उसे घसीटकर डंबो देता है। जब मगरमच्छ अपने शिकार की तलाश में पानी में लेटा हुआ होता है तब उसका शरीर दिखाई नहीं देता।

मैं भय से काँपे बिना नहीं रह सका जब मैंने अपने एक बेचारे साथी को किसी के द्वारा पकड़ा हुआ तथा नीचे ले जाता हुआ देखा और अपने अन्य साथियों को इन नदियों के आर-पार तैरते हुए देखा। फिर भी उस बेचारे साथी ने अपनी बुद्धि से काम लिया जैसा कि खतरे में होने पर सभी देशवासी करते हैं। उसके पास एक छोटा चौकोर खुरदरी भाला था। जब उसे तली तक घसीट लिया गया तब उसने कंधे के पीछे से मगरमच्छ पर एक आघात किया। दर्द के कारण पीछे मुड़कर उस जन्तु ने उसे छोड़ दिया और वह बाहर आ गया और उसकी जंघा परे उस रेंगने वाले जन्तु के दाँतों के गहरे निशान थे।

यहाँ जनता के मन में उन व्यक्तियों के प्रति कोई दुर्भावना नहीं होती जो ऐसे साहसी कार्य करते हैं। किन्तु कुछ जातियों या वर्ग में यदि किसी व्यक्ति को इस प्रकार दाँतों से काट लिया जाता है या उस रेंगने वाले जन्तु की पूँछ से उसके ऊपर पानी भी छिड़क दिया जाता है, तब उसे जाति या वर्ग से निष्कासित कर दिया जाता

4. One Night, We - Out Of Confinement.

एक रात्रि को हम किसी एक स्थान पर सोए जहाँ से मगरमच्छ के दो बच्चे तभी बाहर आए थे। जब हम नदी के पास आए तब हमने अनेक छोटे मगरमच्छों को देखा जो रेतीले किनारों पर अपने बड़े मगरमच्छों की संगति में धूप सेक रहे थे। अतः यह उनका वह समय मालूम पड़ता है जब वे अपने घोंसलों से बाहर आते हैं। इन निर्जन घोंसलों में से एक घोंसले में हमने आग लगाई। यह घोंसले सारी जगह में टूटे हुए खोल के साथ फैले हुए थे।

एक स्थान पर हमने एक घोंसले में से साठ अण्डे निकाले । ये अण्डे लगभग क़लहंस नामक पक्षी के अण्डों के आकार के थे और सफेद खोल को दबाने पर वह थोड़ा-सा झुक जाता था। पानी से घोंसले की दूरी लगभग दस फुट थी और वहाँ ऐसे चिह्न थे जिससे पता लगता था कि पूर्व के वर्षों में इस स्थान को घोंसले बनाने के स्थान के रूप में प्रयोग किया गया था।

पानी से घोंसले तक एक चौड़ा रास्ता जाता था। मेरे साथियों के द्वारा यह कहा जाता था कि मादा अण्डे देने के बाद उन्हें ढक देती थी और छोड़ देती थी। फिर वह अपने बच्चों को जेल (अर्थात् घोंसला) से मुक्त कराने के लिए लौटती थी।

5. Fish Is The Chief - Never Forgotten.

मगरमच्छ का मुख्य भोजन छोटी और बड़ी दोनों प्रकार की मछलियाँ हैं और इन्हें पकड़ने में चौड़ी चमड़े की परत से ढकी हुई उनकी पूँछ अधिक सहायता करती है। कभी-कभी कोई मगरमच्छ दूसरे किनारे से किसी व्यक्ति को पानी में देखकर नदी के पास आश्चर्यजनक रफ्तार से दौड़ता है। इस रफ्तार का पता उन छोटी ऊँची लहरों से लगता था जो रफ्तार के कारण पानी की सतह पर बनती थी। वास्तव में यह लहर मगरमच्छ के तली में तेज गति से चलने के कारण बनती है।

अपने शिकार को पकड़ने के लिए वे मुश्किल से ही पानी को छोड़ते हैं, किन्तु वे बहुधा नदी का आनन्द लेने के लिए दिन में बाहर आते हैं। एक बार एक छोटे जन्तु ने जो लगभग तीन फुट लम्बा था, मेरे पैर पर पानी का छींटा मारा और मुझे दूसरी दिशा में तेजी से दौड़ा दिया। किन्तु ऐसा असाधारण होता है, क्योंकि मैंने ऐसा मामला कभी नहीं सुना। मगरमच्छ जब भोजन की तलाश में लगे होते हैं तब वे प्रकाश से दूर रहते हैं। वे मछली का शिकार मुख्यतः रात में करते हैं और जब खाते हैं तब जोर का चबाने जैसा शोर करते हैं जो यदि एक बार सुन लिया जाए तब कभी भी भूला नहीं जा सकता।

Understanding The Text

Explanations

Explain one of the following passages with reference to the context :

Question 1. Among these are - canoe in terror. Or The herd is never - stream by night.
Answer: Reference: These lines have been taken from the lesson ‘On an African Rives' written by David Livingston. Context: In this lesson the writer describes his personal experiences of wildlife in South Africa. He sailed to a hill station with his family and a fellow explorer named Oswell in April, 1851. Explanation: In these lines the writer tells us that hippos generally live together in a herd and herd is never dangerous to man. But if a canoe passes through their midst, when they are sleeping they become dangerous and may attack the canoe. So, the travellers are advised that they should always direct the boat near the bank during day time and in the middle of the river in the night. Generally hippos run away to see a man. But if a hippo is turned out of its herd it becomes violent like an elephant. The writer saw a boat which was broken into pieces by any one of the hippos by striking its hind foot against it again and again.
In simple words: This passage explains how hippos, usually harmless, can become dangerous if disturbed while sleeping, especially isolated males. It advises travelers to navigate carefully on the river to avoid attacks.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a passage, ensure you accurately identify the key animals or events described and connect them to the broader theme of the chapter.

Question 2. One cannot tell - to be large.
Answer: Context: Hippos are generally not dangerous. But if a male elderly hippo is turned out of its herd, it becomes irritating. Sometimes we may pass through the herd of hippos when they are sleeping, in such a condition they may attack upon us. Explanation: It cannot be said exactly how many hippos are there in a herd. They are always hidden under the water and come up after every few minutes when they want to breathe. So by counting their heads only, their number can be told. If the heads are seen coming up for a long time, it means that there are large number of animals in that herd. Then they can be counted by their heads.
In simple words: It's hard to count hippos in a herd because they stay underwater. Their numbers can be estimated by how frequently their heads surface for air.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on clarity and conciseness in your explanations, making sure to extract the core information about animal behavior and observation methods.

Question 3. The young, when very - does at other times.
Answer: Context: The hippos are always hidden under the water and they come up after every few minutes when they want to breathe. So by counting their heads only, their number can be told. Explanation: In this passage the writer tells us about the young and its mother and how she looks after her young. The young animal, when very little, stands on the neck of his mother. Soon the small head above the large comes on the surface of water and .. both the little and the mother breathe. The mother comes more often to the surface when she knows that her calf cannot wait so long under the water. She does it again and again after short intervals till her young one is under her care.
In simple words: Young hippos ride on their mother's neck and both surface together to breathe. The mother frequently surfaces to ensure her calf, which cannot hold its breath long, is safe.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail the specific parental care and behavioral adaptations described for the animals, as these often highlight key survival strategies.

Question 4. The number - be seen.
Answer: Context: The wildlife in South Africa is in plenty and the author has experienced it very closely. The river Chobe, discovered by the author, flows in South Africa and is a natural habitat of dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles. Except some ill-natured ones, the hippos are less furious than crocodiles until they are disturbed. Explanation: In this passage the writer comes to the second type of animals which are found in this river. These are crocodiles. The number of crocodiles in this river is far greater and they are more dangerous than hippos. Many children when they go down for water are carried off by the crocodiles. The crocodiles of the river are so much daring that they carry off calves and seize even cows. The crocodiles attack their prey with their tail, then they pulp him in and drown him. When the crocodiles are watching for prey, they cannot be seen because at that time they lie in the water.
In simple words: Crocodiles are numerous and dangerous in the Chobe River, preying on children, calves, and cows. They attack by using their tails and drowning victims, remaining hidden underwater while hunting.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the comparative danger levels of different animals mentioned (e.g., crocodiles vs. hippos) and the specific methods of their hunting behavior.

Question 5. Fish is the chief - at the bottom.
Answer: Context: The river Chobe, discovered by the author, flows in South Africa and is a natural habitat of dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles. Except some ill natured ones, the hippos are less furious than crocodiles until they are disturbed. Crocodiles of the river are so much daring that they carry off calves and seize even Cows. Explanation: In these lines the writer tells us about the food of crocodiles and how they attack a man. The chief food of crocodile is fish-either large or small. The crocodiles have broad scaly tails and with the help of their tails they catch fish. When a crocodile sees a man on the other bank of the river, he runs atonce at a very high speed at the bottom of the river. So his body is not seen on the surface of water. But his speedy motion inside the water makes small waves on the surface and this is the indication that a crocodile is coming at a high speed inside the water.
In simple words: Crocodiles primarily eat fish, using their strong tails to catch them. When they spot a person, they move rapidly underwater, creating ripples that indicate their hidden approach.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the distinct predatory behaviors and physical attributes of the animals (like crocodile tails) and how these aid their survival or hunting.

Question 6. They seldom - never forgotten.
Answer: Context: The river Chobe, discovered by the author, flows in South Africa and is a natural habitat of dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles. Except some ill-natured ones, the hippos are less furious-than crocodiles until they are disturbed. Crocodiles of the river are so much daring that they carry off calves and seize even cows. The main food of crocodiles is fish. Explanation: In these lines the writer tells us some interesting facts about crocodiles. The crocodiles do not leave water for catching their prey. Their main prey is fish. When they are in search of food, they remain away from light. Mainly they do fishing at night. But when they eat the prey, they make a loud chewing noise. It is so loud and typical that it can not be forgotten if once heard. The crocodiles often come out in the day to enjoy a pleasure of river. The writer describes one very rare but interesting experience. A small crocodile, about three feet long, once made a splash of water at his feet and the writer at once rushed in another direction. But such case was never heard before.
In simple words: Crocodiles primarily hunt fish at night, staying hidden and making a distinct chewing noise. While usually nocturnal hunters, one rare instance involved a small crocodile splashing the author during the day.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between general behaviors and rare occurrences when describing animal habits, highlighting any unique observations made by the author.

Short Answer Type Questions

Answer the following questions in not more than 30 words :

Question 1. What do you know about Chobe? (आप चोब के विषय में क्या जानते हैं ?)
Answer: Chobe is a river flowing into the Zambezi.Big animals like hippos and crocodiles live in this river. (चोब एक नदी है जो जाम्बेजी में बहती है। बड़े-बड़े जानवर जैसे दरियाई घोड़े और मगरमच्छ इसमें रहते हैं।)
In simple words: Chobe is a river that feeds into the Zambezi and is home to large, dangerous animals like hippos and crocodiles.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a location, provide its geographical context and key inhabitants for a complete answer.

Question 2. Who sailed in Chobe and who accompanied him? (चोब नदी में किसने यात्रा की और उसके साथ कौन था ?)
Answer: The writer of this lesson David Livingston sailed in Chobe with his family. Another explorer Oswell accompanied him. (इस पाठ के लेखक डेविड लिविंग्स्टन ने अपने परिवार के साथ चोब नदी की यात्रा की। एक दूसरी अन्वेषक ओसवैल भी उनके साथ था ।)
In simple words: David Livingston, the author, sailed on the Chobe River accompanied by his family and fellow explorer Oswell.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always identify the main character and any significant companions mentioned in the text for such questions.

Question 3. What type of creatures live in river Chobe? (चोब नदी में किस प्रकार के जीव-जन्तु रहते हैं ?)
Answer: In Chobe dangerous creatures like hippos and crocodiles live. (चोब नदी में दरियाई घोड़े तथा मगरमच्छ जैसे खतरनाक जीव-जन्तु रहते हैं।)
In simple words: The Chobe River is inhabited by dangerous creatures, primarily hippos and crocodiles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the most prominent and impactful species when listing inhabitants of a natural habitat.

Question 4. who lent his canoe and to whom? (अपनी डोंगी किसने और किसको उधार दी ?)
Answer: The Chief of David Livingston lent his canoe to David Livingston. (डेविड लिविंग्स्टन के चीफ ने अपनी डोंगी डेविड लिविंग्स्टन को उधार दी ।)
In simple words: David Livingston was lent a canoe by the local Chief to aid his journey.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific individuals involved in transactions or key interactions within the narrative.

Question 5. When is a herd of hippos dangerous and why ? (दरियाई घोड़ों का झुण्ड कब खतरनाक होता है और क्यों ?)
Answer: A herd of hippos is dangerous when a canoe passes into the midst of it when all are asleep. They become dangerous because they are disturbed in their sleep. (दरियाई घोड़ों का झुण्ड उस समय खतरनाक होता है जब कोई उस समय उनके बीच से गुजरे, जब ये सभी सोए हुए हों। ये इसलिए खतरनाक हो जाते हैं क्योंकि इनकी नींद खराब होती है ।)
In simple words: Hippos become dangerous when their herd is disturbed, especially if a canoe passes through them while they are sleeping.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific conditions under which typically docile animals become aggressive, along with the underlying reason for their change in behavior.

Question 6. what advice is given to the traveller to avoid the attack? (आक्रमण से बचने के लिए यात्री को क्या सलाह दी जाती है ?)
Answer: To avoid the attack the traveller is advised to steer always near the bank in day time and in the middle of the stream in the night. (यात्री को सलाह दी जाती है कि आक्रमण से बचने के लिए हमेशा दिन के समय नाव को किनारे के पास चलाएँ और रात्रि में नदी के बीच में ।)
In simple words: Travelers are advised to stay near the bank during the day and in the middle of the river at night to avoid animal attacks.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note any practical advice or safety precautions mentioned in the text, as these often reflect important aspects of the environment described.

Question 7. What does a hippo do after breaking a canoe? (डोंगी को तोड़ने के बाद दरियाई घोड़ा क्या करता है ?)
Answer: After breaking a canoe, a hippo looks on the surface for the people and if he sees none, he soon runs away. (डोंगी को तोड़ने के बाद दरियाई घोड़ा कुछ देर सतह पर लोगों को देखता है और जब कोई नहीं दिखाई देता, तब वह शीघ्र ही भाग जाता है ।)
In simple words: After destroying a canoe, a hippo scans the water for people, but if it finds no one, it quickly flees.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the sequence of events and the specific actions of animals following an encounter, highlighting their immediate reactions.

Question 8. when is the herd supposed to be large ? (झुण्ड को बड़ा कब माना जाता है ?)
Answer: The animals come up to breathe every few minutes. If the heads keep coming up all the time, the herd is supposed to be large. (पशुओं को हर कुछ मिनट बाद साँस लेने के लिए ऊपर आना पड़ता है। यदि सिर सारे समय ऊपर आते रहें तब यह माना जाता है कि झुण्ड बड़ा है ।)
In simple words: A hippo herd is considered large if their heads are constantly seen surfacing to breathe, indicating many animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learn how observations (like surfacing heads) are used to deduce characteristics (like herd size) in natural environments.

Question 9. How do the crocodiles do their hunting or catch their prey? (मगरमच्छ अपना शिकार कैसे करते हैं ?)
Answer: A crocodile attacks its victim with its tail, then he pulls its victim in and drowns him. (एक मगरमच्छ अपने शिकार पर अपनी पूँछ से आक्रमण करता है, फिर यह अपने शिकार को पानी में खींच लेता है और उसे डुबो देता है।)
In simple words: Crocodiles hunt by attacking their prey with their tail, then dragging them into the water to drown them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the unique and aggressive hunting techniques of the predators described, as these are often central to their characterization.

Question 10. Describe the incident which made the author fearful. (उस घटना का वर्णन कीजिए जिसने लेखक को भयभीत कर दिया ।)
Answer: One day author's men were swimming across these streams. Suddenly he saw one of his men caught by something and taken below. This incident made the author fearful. (एक दिन लेखक के आदमी नदी में तैर रहे थे। अचानक उसने देखा कि किसी ने उसके एक आदमी को पकड़ लिया और उसे पानी में नीचे ले गया। इस घटना ने लेखक को भयभीत कर दिया ।)
In simple words: The author became fearful after witnessing one of his men being suddenly seized by an unseen creature while swimming and dragged underwater.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight specific events that evoke strong emotions like fear, explaining *what* happened and *why* it affected the protagonist.

Question 11. How did the fellow escape from the crocodile? (वह व्यक्ति मगरमच्छ से कैसे बचा ?)
Answer: That fellow kept his wits about him and gave the crocodile a stab behind the shoulder with his pointed spear. Starting back in pain, the crocodile left him. (उस व्यक्ति ने अपने होश-हवास ठीक रखे और कंधे के पीछे से मगरमच्छ पर अपने भाले से जोर का वार किया। दर्द से पीछे मुड़कर मगर ने उस व्यक्ति को छोड़ दिया ।)
In simple words: The man escaped the crocodile by keeping calm and stabbing it behind the shoulder with his spear, causing the crocodile to recoil in pain and release him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the clever actions and tools used by characters to overcome dangerous situations, emphasizing resourcefulness.

Question 12. Describe the different behaviour in some tribes towards the man who is attacked by a reptile. (कुछ जातियों में उस व्यक्ति के साथ होने वाले व्यवहार का वर्णन कीजिए जिस पर पानी के पशु के द्वारा आक्रमण किया गया हो ।)
Answer: In some tribes if a man is bitten, or if he has even had water splashed over him by the reptile's tail, he is driven out of the tribe. (कुछ जातियों में यदि किसी व्यक्ति को काट लिया जाए या उसके ऊपर पानी के जीव की पूँछ से पानी भी छिड़क दिया जाए, तब उस व्यक्ति को जाति से निकाल दिया जाता है ।)
In simple words: Some tribes ostracize individuals attacked or even splashed by a reptile, expelling them from the community.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to cultural practices or superstitions described, especially those related to interactions with dangerous wildlife.

Question 13. How does the mother crocodile behave after laying the eggs ? (अण्डे देने के बाद मादा मगरमच्छ कैसा व्यवहार करती है ?)
Answer: After laying the eggs, the mother crocodile covers them up and leaves them. She returns afterward to help the young come out of confinement. (अण्डे देने के बाद मादा मगरमच्छ उन्हें ढक देती है और छोड़ देती है। बाद में वह अण्डों में से निकलने में बच्चों की सहायता के लिए आती है ।)
In simple words: After laying eggs, a mother crocodile covers them and leaves, returning later to help her young hatch and emerge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the reproductive behaviors and maternal instincts of the animals, detailing the sequence of actions involved in their breeding cycle.

Question 14. What is the chief food of crocodiles? How do they catch it ? (मगरमच्छ का मुख्य भोजन क्या है? वे इसे कैसे पकड़ते हैं ?)
Answer: The chief food of crocodiles is fish. The crocodiles have broad scaly tails. They take help of their tales in catching the fish. (मगरमच्छ को मुख्य भोजन मछली है। मगरमच्छ की चौड़ी परतदार पूँछ होती है। मछली को पकड़ने में वह अपनी पूँछ की सहायता लेता है ।)
In simple words: Crocodiles mainly eat fish, which they catch efficiently using their broad, scaly tails.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the primary diet of an animal and explain the specific physical adaptations or methods it uses for hunting that food.

Question 15. What is remarkable about crocodile's speed when it sees a man in the water? (मगरमच्छ की रफ्तार के विषय में क्या उल्लेखनीय बात है जब वह किसी व्यक्ति को पानी में देखता है ?)
Answer: When a crocodile sees a man in water, it rushes across the stream with a wonderful speed. Its speed is judged by the high ripple it makes on the surface. (जब कोई मगरमच्छ किसी व्यक्ति को पानी में देखता है, तब यह आश्चर्यजनक रफ्तार से दौड़ता है। इसकी रफ्तार का अनुमान उन छोटी-छोटी लहरों से लगाया जाता है जो इसके पानी में दौड़ने से सतह पर बनती हैं।)
In simple words: Crocodiles display remarkable speed underwater when pursuing a human, indicated by the significant ripples they create on the water's surface.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing an animal's attributes, highlight unique aspects like speed and how these characteristics are observed or inferred.

Question 16. why does the author call the attack on him by a small crocodile 'unusual' ? (लेखक अपने ऊपर छोटे मगरमच्छ द्वारा किए हुए आक्रमण को असाधारण क्यों बताता है ?)
Answer: Once a small crocodile, about three feet long, made a dash at the author's feet and caused him to rush quickly in another direction. The author calls it unusual because he had never heard of a similar case. (एक बार एक छोटे मगरमच्छ ने जो लगभग तीन फुट लम्बा था, लेखक के पैर पर धक्का मारा, जिससे लेखक दूसरी दिशा में भागा। लेखक इसे एक असाधारण घटना कहता है, क्योंकि उसने ऐसी घटना पहले कभी नहीं सुनी थी ।)
In simple words: The author considered the attack by a small crocodile unusual because he had never encountered or heard of such an incident before.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note why certain events are labeled "unusual" or "rare" by the author, linking it to their personal experience or general knowledge within the narrative.

Vocabulary

Choose the most appropriate word or phrase that best completes the sentence :

Question 1. As a rule, hippos flee when they see a -
(a) hunter
(b) tiger
(c) man
(d) soldier
Answer: (c) man
In simple words: Hippos typically run away when they encounter a human.

🎯 Exam Tip: For vocabulary questions involving animal behavior, consider their common reactions or typical interactions with humans based on the text.

Question 2. Lair means -
(a) a person who tells a lie
(b) a person who is sleeping
(c) a resting place of animals
(d) a resting place of men
Answer: (c) a resting place of animals
In simple words: A lair refers to the secluded place where a wild animal rests or lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the precise definition of vocabulary words, especially those related to nature or animal habitats, as they often have specific meanings.

Question 3. Hippos require to come up every few - to breathe.
(a) minutes
(b) seconds
(c) hours
(d) moments.
Answer: (a) minutes
In simple words: Hippos need to surface for air every few minutes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to quantitative details like timeframes when describing animal physiology or habits, as they indicate precise observations.

Question 4. The young, when very little, take their stand on the neck of the -
(a) father
(b) companion
(c) mother
(d) fellow
Answer: (c) mother
In simple words: Very young hippos ride on their mother's neck for safety and support.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing social structures or parental care in animals, identify the specific family member responsible for nurturing the young.

Question 5. The number of crocodiles is very great and in this river they are more - than in some others.
(a) helpful
(b) meek
(C) savage
(d) humble
Answer: (C) savage
In simple words: Crocodiles in this river are exceptionally numerous and fierce compared to other rivers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Select the adjective that best describes the intensity or nature of the animal in the given context, often reflecting their dangerous qualities.

Question 6. The crocodile is said by the natives to strike the victim with its -
(a) leg
(b) tail
(c) head
(d) mouth
Answer: (b) tail
In simple words: Locals say that crocodiles use their powerful tails to strike their prey.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific body parts animals use for attack or defense, as these details are crucial for understanding their predatory behavior.

Question 7. Here, the people have - towards persons who have met with such an adventure.
(a) no ill feelings
(b) ill feelings
(c) good feelings
(d) no good feelings
Answer: (a) no ill feelings
In simple words: The local people bear no resentment or negative emotions towards those who have survived such dangerous encounters.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the prevailing societal attitudes or emotional responses described in the text, especially regarding unusual or traumatic events.

Question 8. The ripple, of course, is caused by the - rapid motion at the bottom.
(a) man's
(b) herd's
(c) hippo's
(d) crocodile's
Answer: (d) crocodile's
In simple words: The ripples on the water's surface are created by the swift underwater movement of a crocodile.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link observed natural phenomena (like ripples) to their specific animal cause, demonstrating an understanding of the environment's dynamics.