Thinking about The Text
Activity
Question 1.
On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of but did not take, to Delhi.
Answer:
Route is shown by a dotted line:
Kathmandu to Patna by bus & train
Patna to Allahabad by boat/Ganges
Allahabad to Delhi by boat/Yamuna
Question 2.
Find out the possible routes (by rail, road, or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.
Answer:
For self-attempt. Students may refer to an atlas to find air and road routes. Some possible routes are:
By Road:
- Kathmandu—Viratnagar—Patna
- Kathmandu—Nepalganj—Gorakhpur
By Rail:
- Patna—Delhi
- Gorakhpur—Delhi
- Patna—Kolkata
- Gorakhpur—Varanasi—Kolkata
- Patna—Mumbai
- Gorakhpur—Allahabad—Mumbai
- Patna—Khadarpur—Chennai
- Gorakhpur—Allahabad—Nagpur—Chennai
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
Question 1.
Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Answer:
Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa.
Question 2.
The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?
Answer:
Corn-on-the-cob and marzipan.
Question 3.
What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Answer:
The flutes tied on the top of the flute seller’s pole.
Question 4.
Name five kinds of flutes.
Answer:
- Reed neh
- Recorder
- Japanese shakuhachi
- Deep bansuri
- High-pitched Chinese flutes
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
Question 1.
What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
Answer:
The author notes that the flute seller is different from other hawkers because he does not shout out his wares. Instead, he makes sales in a curiously offhanded way, treating the transaction as incidental to his primary activity of playing the flute.
Question 2.
What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Answer:
At Pashupatinath, it is believed that when a small shrine emerges fully on the Bagmati River, the goddess inside will escape, signaling the end of the evil period of Kaliyug on earth.
Question 3.
The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of:
- The atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath.
- The things he sees.
- The sounds he hears.
Answer:
- Atmosphere: A fight breaks out between two monkeys, one of which chases the other around the temple and down to the river.
- Things He Sees: He observes a princess of the Nepalese royal house, monkeys, felt bags, Tibetan prints, silver jewelry, flute sellers, and hawkers.
- Sounds He Hears: Film songs from radios, car horns, bicycle bells, stray cows lowing, and vendors shouting out their wares.
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100-150 words each.
Question 1.
Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
Answer:
At Pashupatinath, there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ with crowds of priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, and pigeons all mingling together. Worshippers jostle for the attention of priests, leading to a chaotic environment. In contrast, the Baudhnath stupa offers a sense of tranquility. Its immense white dome is surrounded by a road lined with small shops mostly owned by Tibetan immigrants. The atmosphere here is calm and serene, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle that characterizes Pashupatinath.
Question 2.
How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
Answer:
Kathmandu’s busiest streets are vividly described as mercenary and religious, dotted with small shrines to flower-adorned deities. The streets are bustling with fruit sellers, flute sellers, and hawkers selling postcards, Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolate, copper utensils, and Nepalese antiques. The sounds of film music, car horns, bicycle bells, and vendors calling out their wares fill the air. The author mentions enjoying roasted corn-on-the-cob from a street vendor and drinking Coca-Cola, capturing the vibrant and lively essence of Kathmandu.
Question 3.
“To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
Answer:
The author states this because music, particularly from flutes, has a universal appeal that transcends cultural and social boundaries. The various types of flutes represent diverse customs and cultures, and the melodies played by the flute seller resonate with everyone, fostering a sense of shared experience among listeners. Music is a common language that soothes hearts, irrespective of caste, color, or creed, emphasizing our collective humanity.
Thinking about Language
Question 1.
Match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.
Answers:
| A | B |
|---|---|
| (i) break out | (d) to start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease) |
| (ii) break off | (a) to come apart due to force |
| (iii) break down | (f) stop working |
| (iv) break away (from someone) | (e) to escape from someone’s grip |
| (v) break up | (b) end a relationship |
| (vi) break into | (c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing |
II.
Question 1.
Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs.
Answers:
- proclaim → proclamation
- decide → decision
- locate → location
- create → creation
- inform → information
Question 2.
Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
Answers:
- Mass literacy was possible only after the invention of the printing machine.
- Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks imagination.
- I could not resist the temptation to open the letter.
- Hard work and dedication are the main keys to success.
- The children were almost fainting with exhaustion after being made to stand in the sun.
III. Punctuation
Question 1.
Use capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas, and inverted commas where necessary in the following paragraph.
Answer:
An arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day. He asked the tiger, “Who is stronger than you?” “You, O lion,” replied the tiger. “Who is more fierce than a leopard?” asked the lion. “You, sir,” replied the leopard. He marched up to an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant picked him up in his trunk, swung him in the air, and threw him down. “Look,” said the lion, “there is no need to get mad just because you don’t know the answer.”
IV. Simple Present Tense
Question 1.
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Answers:
(i) The heart is a pump that sends the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place when the left ventricle of the heart contracts. This forces the blood out into the arteries, which expand to receive the oncoming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought, it digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries and hardens, but when rain comes, the mud dissolves and the lungfish swims away.
(iii) Mahesh: We have to organize a class party for our teacher. Does anyone play an instrument?
Vipul: Rohit plays the flute.
Mahesh: Does he also act?
Vipul: No, he only composes music.
Mahesh: That’s wonderful!
Speaking
Question 1.
Discuss in class the shrines you have visited or know about. Speak about one of them.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 2.
Imagine you are giving an eyewitness account or a running commentary of one of the following:
- a game of football, cricket, or hockey, or some sports event
- a parade (e.g. Republic Day) or some other national event
Speak a few sentences narrating what you
see and hear. Use the simple present and the present continuous tenses. For example:
Answer:
For self-attempt.
Writing
Question 1.
Diary entry for a travelogue
Answer:
28th August, 20XX
Dear Diary,
Today I feel pleasure in noting down my experience of visiting Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu with Vikram Seth. The visit was indeed exciting for me, despite the tumult at the temple. I saw crowds of priests, hawkers, devotees, and tourists. We offered a few flowers to God. Inside, a large number of worshippers tried to get the priest’s attention, elbowing each other aside to push forward.
Outside the temple, I observed a group of saffron-clad Westerners struggling for permission to enter. The policeman did not allow them inside because they were not Hindus.
There is no doubt that the place is worth visiting, providing a sense of aesthetic satisfaction.
Mayank
Question 2.
Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra.
Answer:
A Visit to Agra
It was January 2003. I woke up before dawn and took the Shatabdi Express at 6:15 a.m. from Delhi bound for Agra. On the train, I met a newly married couple from Himachal Pradesh. We chatted and shared our travel stories. Upon arrival, I entered the once-grand city of Agra, filled with dense traffic, rickshaws, cars, and people. Vendors sold religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices, and sweets.
My main destination was the Taj Mahal, a marvel of white marble that has a magical quality. Its color changes with the light and shadow, showcasing beautiful gemstones embedded in the marble. I admired the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond, surrounded by school children and tourists, with guides leading their groups through the historical site.
This revised version includes corrections and additional details to enhance clarity and completeness, following NCERT guidelines. If you have further questions or need additional help, feel free to ask!
Clear Your Doubts with CBSEJanta.com 🔍
Visit CBSEJanta.com to access detailed solutions for every chapter in your Class 6 English textbook! 📚 These solutions not only help you answer questions but also enhance your overall understanding of stories and grammar concepts. 💡
Download Our App for Easy Access 📱
Want to study on the go? 🚀 Download our app for instant access to Class 6 English NCERT solutions, practice questions, and much more! Whether at home or traveling, you can easily prepare for your exams and boost your English skills with CBSEJanta.com. 🌍
Always Thinks for Students ❤️
“Excel in Class 11th history with CBSEJanta.com! 🌟 Get FREE NCERT solutions for Honeysuckle and A Pact with the Sun. Visit CBSEJanta.com now or download our app for instant access to solutions and extra practice!” 📲