The Sermon at Benares by Betty Renshaw: Questions & Answers

Lesson 10: The Sermon at Benares for Class X

Type 1: Very Short Qs./Ans.

Q1. When was Siddhart Gautama born?  

Ans. He was born in 563 B.C.

Q2. Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?  

Ans. At Benares

Q3. After how many days of meditation did Buddha get enlightenment?

Ans. After seven days’ meditation

Q4. How many years did Buddha spend in search of enlightenment?  Ans. Seven years

Q5.What did Buddha ask Gotmi to bring?  

Ans.  He asked Gotmi to bring a handful of mustard seed from a house where death had never taken place.

Q6. What did Gotmi realise in the end?  Ans. She realised that death is inevitable (sure to happen).

Q7. Which sights changed Buddha’s life? 

Ans. These sights are of: a sick man, an old man, funeral procession and a begging monk

Q8. At what age did Siddhartha get married?   

Ans At the age of 16

Q9. What was Gautam Buddha’s real name? 

Ans. Siddhartha Gautama

Q10. Who was Kisa Gotami?  

Ans.  A young woman whose only son had died

Q11. What is the meaning of ‘Buddha’?  

Ans. the Enlightenment

Q12. Which family did Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha) belong to?  Ans.  Royal

Q13. At what age was Gautma sent to get schooling?  

Ans. At the age of twelve

Type II: short answer-type Qs (30-35 words each)

Q1. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans. Kisa Gotmi’s only son died. She was in deep grief. So she went from one house to the other to get some medicine to bring back her son’s life. Almost all refused because there was no such medicine.

Q2. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks to Gautam Buddha. What does she ask for, the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans. The Buddha advised her to bring mustard seeds from the house in which no death had ever taken place. The woman went to every house. But she could not get such mustard seeds because no one had such seeds.

Q3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?

Ans. She was tired and hopeless. At last, she understood the bitter truth of life that death comes to all on this earth. It is inevitable. Gautama Buddha wanted her to understand that.

Q4. Why do you think Kissa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?

Ans. Gautama Buddha did not tell her that he was unable to bring her son back to life. He wanted to change her mind. So he told her to bring mustard seeds from the house of which no person had ever died. She failed to do so. Then she understood that death was unavoidable in life.

Q5. How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with Kisa Gotmi that she is being ‘selfish’ in her grief?

Ans. If a person always thinks about his own benefit and does not bother about others may be called a selfish person. We cannot call Kisa Gotmi selfish. She wanted to bring her son back to life. She did not know that death comes to all on this earth.

Some other questions:

Q1. Who was Gautama Buddha?

Ans. Gautam Buddha was a prince. His real name was siddhartha Gautam. He was kept away from knowing anything about human sufferings. But one day he comes to know this. Then, one day he left his palace and all the comforts of life. He went from one place to the other in search of the ultimate truth behind all human sufferings. At last he got this knowledge.

Q2.  What does Gautam Buddha ask Kisa Gotmi to do?

Ans. Gautam Buddha asked Kisa Gotmi to bring mustard seeds from the house of which no person had ever died. He wanted her to learn the hard fact that death comes to all on the earth.

Q3. What did Kisa Gotmai realise about death?

Ans. Gautama Buddha wanted to change Kisa Gotmi’s mind. So he told her to bring mustard seeds from the house of which no person had ever died. She failed to do so. Then she understood that death was unavoidable in life.

Long Answer-Type Qs.

Q1. Who was Gautama Buddha? What made him renounce his royal life and become a monk?

Ans. Gautama Buddha was a prince. His original name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was sent for schooling to understand the Hindu religious books at the age of twelve. He studied them till he was sixteen. He was married at the age of 16. After that, he had a son. He was kept away from watching human sufferings. But, at the age of 25, he happened to see them. He saw a sick man, then an old man. After that, he saw a funeral procession and a monk, begging for alms. All these sights moved his heart. He left the palace and went into the world in search of truth behind human sufferings. Thus he became a monk.

Q2. Describe how Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment as given in the lesson ‘The Sermon at Benares’.

Ans. Gautama Buddha was a prince. His original name was Siddhartha Gautama. He had every comfort of life.

He was kept away from watching human sufferings. But, at the age of 25, he happened to see them. He saw a sick man, then an old man. After that, he saw a funeral procession and a monk, begging for alms. All these sights moved his heart. He left the palace and went into the world in search of truth behind human sufferings. Thus he became a monk. First he wandered here and there. But at last, he sat under a Bodhi tree. He took a vow not to leave until the place until he got enlightenment. After seven days, he got enlightenment. He was known as ‘Buddha’ after that.

Q3. How did Gautama Buddha make Kisa Gotmi realise that death is inevitable?

Ans. Kisa Gotmi’s only son died. She was in deep grief. So she went from one neighbour to the other to get some medicine to bring back her son’s life. Almost all refused to bring back her son’s life. At last, a person advised her to take her son to the Buddha. So she went to him and requested to revive the life of her son. The Buddha advised her to bring mustard seeds from the house in which no death had ever taken place. The woman went to every house. But she could not get such mustard seeds. She was tired and hopeless. At last, she understood the bitter truth of life that death comes to all on this earth. It is inevitable.

Madam Rides the Bus by Vallikkannan: Questions & Answers

                              Madam Rides the Bus  by Vallikkannan

A. Very Short Questions/Answers

Q1. Who is the writer of the lesson ‘Madam Rides the Bus’?

Ans. Vallikkannan is the author/writer of this lesson.

Q2. What is the age of Valli? 
Ans. Valli is an eight year old girl.

Q3. What is Valli’s pastime?

Ans. Her pastime is to stand outside her house and watch all that happens out.

Q4. Did Valli had playmates of her own age? 
Ans. No, Valli had no playmates of her own age.

Q5. What is the most fascinating experience for Valli?

Ans. Watching the bus was the most fascinating experience for Valli.

Q6. Between which destinations did the bus run? Or What was the route of the bus?

Ans. The bus travelled between her village and the nearest town.

Q7. What was Valli’s tiny wish? 
Ans. Valli’s tiny wish was to ride on that bus.

Q8. What was the distance between Valli’s village and the nearest town?

Ans. The town was six miles away from Vally’s village.

Q9 What time did one trip of the bus take?

Ans. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes.

Q10. What was one side fare of the bus?

Ans. The fare for one side journey was thirty paise.

Q11. How much money did Valli save? 

Ans. She saved sixty paise.

Q12. What was the conductor’s nature? 

Ans. The conductor was a jolly good person.

Q13. What did Valli bring from the town? 

Ans. Valli bought nothing from the town.

Q14. What did Valli usually buy? 

Ans.Valli usually bought peppermint, toys, balloons, etc.

Q15. What did Valli not like to be called by the bus conductor?

Ans. She did not like to be called a child and a madam.

Q16. What activity of the old woman did Valli not like?

Ans. Valli did not like the old woman’s chewing betel nut.

Q17. What desire of hers had Valli stifled? 

Ans. She had stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round.

Q18.What is the full name of Valli? 

Ans. Valliammai

B.  Short Questions/Answers ( 30-35 words)

Q1.What was Valli’s favourite pastime?

Ans. Standing the front door of her house and watching the usual activities happening in the street. She would also enjoy watching children playing there. She would also enjoy watching the bus coming and going through the street.

 Q2.What details did Valli pick up about the bus journey? How did she get this detail?

Ans. She came to know that the one side journey of the bus to the town took forty-five minutes. The town was six miles away from her village. The one side fare of the bus was thirty paise. She got this detail by making questions to the people.

Q3. What plans did Valli make for her journey?

Ans. First she saved bus fare for her to and fro journey. She got detail about the suitable time for her journey. She would sit in the bus at one in the afternoon and come back home at 2:45 p.m.

Q4.Why does the conductor call Valli ‘Madam’?

Ans. The conductor calls Valli ‘madam’ just out of fun. It was because she did not want to be treated like a child. She did not want any type of help from the conductor.  She had a lot of self confidence in her.

Q5. Why did Valli stand up on her seat?

Ans.  Valli wanted to enjoy the outside scenes. But she was unable to see out properly. It was because the lower part of the window was covered with a canvas blind. So she had to stand up to look outside the bus.

Q6.What did the elderly woman say to Valli and what was Valii’s reaction to it?

Ans. The elderly woman asked Valli several questions. She told Valli that it was not proper for a child to travel alone in a bus. She asked her some questions. That made Valli feel irritated. She told the woman that she should not bother about her.

Q7. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

Ans. The sight of a young cow made Valli laugh. It was running towards the bus. The driver reduced the speed. He also blew horn again and again. But the young cow came in front of the bus. It amused Valli most.

Q8. How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Ans. She saved money for her first journey by resisting (opposing) her desires to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, etc. She had aslo stifled (suppressed) her strong desire to ride the merry-go-round at the village fair.

Q9.Why didn’t Valli get off the bus at the bus stand on reaching the town?

Ans. Valli did not get off the bus on reaching the town. First she had no extra money to go the market to buy anything. Second, it may be that she did not want to miss that bus.

Q10.Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does it tell you about her?

Ans. Valli did not want to go to the stall and have a drink because she had no extra money with her. It tells us about her control over her emotions. She did not accept cold drink from the conductor. It shows her self respect.

Q11.Why did Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?

Ans. Valli refused to see out of the window because her excitement  had gone. She had seen the young cow dead. Sometime ago, it was running in front of the bus. All this made her sad.

Q12. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find out the words and phrases in the story that tell you this?

Ans. Valli’s deepest desire was to travel in the bus that ran between her village and a town. She would daily stand at the gate of her house daily to watch the bus come and go with a strong desire.

Q13. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus and how did she save up the fare?

Ans. She made a plan to save sixty paise for fare of the both sides. She also planned to ride in 1 O’clock bus. She would reach the town at 1:45. She would be back at home around 2:45. She saved that money by sacrificing her desires.

C.Long Answer-Type Qs. (100-120 words)

Q1. How did Valli plan to ride a bus?

Ans. Valli was eight years old. A bus used to pass every hour through that street. It travelled between her village and the nearest town. Slowly, Valli had a strong desire to travel in the bus. She always listened to people who travelled in that bus. She picked up detail of the journey. It was of just six miles. She needed thirty paise for one side fare of the journey. She made a plan to save sixty paise for fare of the both sides. She also planned to ride in 1 O’clock bus. She would reach the town at 1:45. She would be back at home around 2:45. When she planned everything, she rode the bus one day.

Q2. Describe the character of Valli (Valliammai)

Ans. Valli was an eight year old girl. She was curious about knowing things around her. Her pastime is to stand outside her house and watch things. A bus used to pass through her street every hour. It created in her a strong desire to ride in that bus. She was intelligent also. So she collected every detail about the bus journey. She sacrificed her other desires for the sake of her desire to ride the bus. She collected sixty paise for the bus fare. One day, she boarded the bus. She was very bold and confident. She talked to the bus conductor fearlessly. She was very sensitive to other living beings also. She enjoyed natural scenes outside the bus. She entertained other passengers and the conductor by her innocent and funny talks.

Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell: Questions and Answers

Lesson 8. Mijbil the Otter for Class X

Q1. Describe Gavin Maxwell’s experience with the otter in the aircraft.

Ans. Gavin Maxwell wanted to take the otter, Mijbil, to London. But the aircraft authorities suggested to Maxwell to put Mijbil into a box. It should not be more than 18 inches. The air hostess advised the author to keep the box on his knees. But the otter was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared somewhere under the seats. There was a hue and cry in the aircraft. A woman cried, “A rat, a rat!” The writer tried to catch it. But his face was covered with curry. He had to return to his seat. But still, his eyes were searching for the otter. After sometime, Mijbil sat on the author’s knees. It began to nuzzle his face and neck. Thus it was taken to London.

 Q2. When did the author decide to have a pet otter instead of a pet dog? How did he get one? How did he carry him to England?

Ans. The author’s pet dog had died It was then the author had decided to keep an otter as a pet. His friend told him to go to Iraq to get an otter. . By chance in 1956, he had to go to Southern part of Iraq. Then the author went to Basra to get his mail. After getting his mail on the fifth day, the author went in his room to read the mail. There he saw two Arabs sitting on the floor. They had an otter in a sack. Actually those two Arabs were sent by the author’s friend. In this way he got an otter. The author booked a seat in a flight going to Paris. Luckily he got a seat in the front row. Mijbil was packed into a box. From Paris, he reached London along with the otter.

Short Answer-type Qs.

Q1. What experiment did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

Ans. The experiment was about keeping an otter as a pet.  He thought that Camusfearna was surrounded by water. Otters love to play in water. So the writer thought to bring an otter and keep it as a pet in place of a dog.

Q2. Why did Maxwell go to Basra? How long did he wait there and why?

Ans. Maxwell went to Basra to get his mail and answer it from there. He had to wait for five days in Basra to get his mail. It was because of a religious holiday and some problem in the telephone lines.

Q3.What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after it?

Ans. Mijbil was very happy in the bathroom. It started playing in the bathtub. It was jumping and rolling in water. It spent half an hour enjoying in the water of the bathtub. After two days, it escaped from the bedroom and entered the bathroom to play in water.

Q4. How was Mijbil to be transported to England?

Ans. The British Airlines did not allow Maxwell to take Mijbil in the flight. Then he booked his seat another flight going to Paris. From there he reached London. But he had to pack Mij into a box of eighteen inches.

Q5. What game had Mij invented?

Ans. Mijbil invented a game on the damaged suitcase. Its one side was up making a slope. Mijbil put the ball at the higher end of the slope. It rolled down to the full length of the suitcase. It repeated it and discovered that it would be its pet game.

Q6.What happened when the box was opened? Or What did the Otter (Mij) do to the box?

Ans. When the author opened the box, there was a shocking scene. Mijbil was covered with blood. He had torn the lining of the box to shreds. In that process he got injured.

Q7. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter? Or why is Mij’s species known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

Ans. Since Maxwell made this species of Mijbil, the otter, known to the whole world, it was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’.

Q8.What group of animals do otters belong to?

Ans. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines. Other animals of this species are: badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others

Q10. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?

Ans. They made several guesses about Mizbil. Some called it a baby seal or a squirrel. Other called it a walrus, a hippo, a bear cub, a beaver or even a leopard that had changed its spots. All that  made the writer amiused.

Q11. What did the author give to the airhostess?

Ans. The author gave a packet of fish to the airhostess. It was the food for mijbil to eat during the flight.

Q12. What were Mijbils favourite toys for his pastime? How did he play with them?

Ans. Marbles were his favourite toys for his pastime. He would lie flat. Then he took two or more marbles and moved them up and down on his flat belly with his paws.

Q13. What toys did Maxwell purchase from Mijbil’s native place?

Ans. Ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell were Mijbil’s toys that Maxwell purchased his native marshes.

Q14. What are compulsive habits? What are Mijbil’s compulsive habits according to the author?

Ans. The habits which force one to do some activities again and again are called ‘compulsive habits’. Like children, Mijbil also did such activities. It would jump on to the boundary wall of a primary school and then run on it. It was in front of the writer’s flat in London.

Glimpses of India

7 Glimpses of India:  Part I: A Baker from Goa: Multiple Choice Qs.

Q1.Who is the writer of A Baker from Goa?      Ans. Lucia Rodrigues Q2. What were the Portuguese famous for?      Ans. For baking loaves of bread Q2. Name the dress worn by the bakers in Portugues days.    Ans. Kabai Q3.What does a jack-fruit reger to in the lesson?      Ans. Shape of a fat and plum human body. Q4. What name was given to the bakers in those days?   Ans. Pader Q5.What is the financial stat5us of a baker in Goa?      Ans. sound/very good Q6.What is a kabai?      Ans. A dress worn by bakers in the past Q7. How many visits a baker used to pay in the author’s street?    Ans. Two (Twice a day) Q8. In which state of India did the Portuguese rule?      Ans. Goa Q9. What were the bols?      Ans. Sweet bread Q10. What eatable item was essential in marriage gifts?   Ans. Sweet bread Q11. What are the elders in Goa still nostalgic about?   Ans. The days when the Portuguese ruled over Goa Q12. Is bread still popular in Goa?   Ans. Yes.

Part II : Coorg 1.      Coorg is the smallest district of Karnatka 2.      Coorg is famous for: rain forests, coffee and spices 3.      Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town Magalore. 4.      We find in Coorg all: martial men, beautiful women and wild animals. 5.      The people living in Coorg are the descendent of the Greek or the Arab. 6.      The river Kaveri gets its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. 7.      A large freshwater fish is called Mahaseer. 8.      The first Chief of the Army, General Cariappa was a Coorgi. 9.      Coorgis are known for their hospitality and tales of valour. 10.  Coorg is about 250-260 km from Bagalore. 11.  Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated regiments. 12.  The rope bridge leads you to the island of nisargdhama. 13.  Madikeri is the only gateway to Coorg

Part III: Tea from Assam

Material for Multiple Choice Qs

1.      Rajvir and Pranjol were fond of reading detective stories.

2.      Pranjol’s father was a manager at a Tea Garden.

3.      Tea was taken as a medicine in Europe.

4.      Tea came in Europe in the sixteenth century.

5.      Pranjol belonged to Assam state.

6.      A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it.

7.      Rajvir was going with Pranjol to visit his home.

8.      Tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B. C.

9.      May to July is the best season for tea.

10.  Assam state of India has the largest area for the production of tea.

11.  Over 80 crores cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.

12.  Budhidhama, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids to avoid sleep.

Lesson 7: Glimpses of India: (i) A Baker from Goa (ii) Coorg (iii) Tea from Assam

Short Answer-type Qs                            

                                                              (I)  A Baker from Goa

Q1.What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

 Ans. The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the old days and the loaves of bread prepared by the bakes. Those were the days when the Portugues ruled over Goa.

Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans. Yes, we can say that bread-making is still popular in Goa. The furnaces are still present. The thud and jingle sound of the bamboo can be heard in the morning. The new generations of the bakers continue their old business.

Q3. What is the baker called?

Ans. The baker is called a pader in Goa.

Q4. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?

Ans. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, in the morning on his selling round. Then again, while returning after emptying his huge basket.

Q5. How did the baker make his presence in the morning?

Ans. The baker would make his presence in the morning by hitting the bamboo staff on the earth. It would create a ‘jhang-jhang’ sound.

Q6. Who invites the comment-‘he is dresses like a pader? Why?

Ans. Anyone who wears the dress like that of a pader can invite that comment. In old days, a pader (a baker) used to wear a strange dress called kabai. So anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees is called a pader.

Q6. What marks of the Portuguese way of life can still be seen in Goa?

Ans. We can still see mixers and the moulders of the bakers. Even  age-old furnaces are still there. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places.

Q7. How is the village baker very important for special occasions?

Ans. No festival or marriage was complete without the baker’s role. Cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Q8. How was the economic condition of the bakers?

Ans. The economic condition of the bakers was very good. It was a profitable business for them. Their family never starved. Thei healthy bodies were the proof of that.

Q9.What is the Kabai? Who wore it?

Ans. Kabai was a peculiar(strange) dress worn by a baker in olden days. It was a singlepiece long frock reaching down to the knees.

Q10. When did the baker collect his bills? How were the accounts recorded?

Ans. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil.

Long answer-type Qs

Q1./5 Note on the life of Baker in Goa (any Question about Bakers)

Ans. In this lesson, the writer tells us about the bakers in Goa. The Portuguese ruled over Goa in those days. The elders talk about the popular ‘loaves of bread’ made by the bakers in those days. The eaters of them may have gone, but the furnaces and moulders are still present. The thud and jingle of their bamboo stick made their entry musical. They used to come twice a day to sell the loaves of bread. Children would run at once out of their houses for ‘bread bangles’. A baker is called a Pader in Goa. They also made sweet bread ‘bol’. The bakers wore the traditional dress, called Kabai. The job of making and selling bread was profitable for them. The bakers usually collected their bills at the end of the month.

                                                                      (B) Coorg

Q1. Where I s Coorg situated? What is it famous for?

Ans. Coorg, or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It  is situated between Mysore and Mangalore

Q2. Which crops grow in Coorg in plenty?

Ans. The crops of coffee and spices grow in Coorg in plenty. The main crop of Coorg is coffee.

Q4. What is the Greek theory about the descent of the Kondavu people?

Ans. It is said that the people of Coorg are of Greek or Arabic origin. A part of Alexander’s army settled there. They married among the local people. Their martial traditions, marriage and religious customs are different from those of the Hindu people.

Q5. What is the Arab theory about the descent of the Kodavu people?

Ans. They wear a long black coat with an embroidered waist belt worn by the Kodavas. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Q6. What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to visit Coorg?

Ans. Coorg is famous for evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. The best season to visit Coorg begins from September and continues up to March.

Q7. Write a note on the people of Coorg. Or What does the writer say about the people of Coorg?

Ans It is said that the people of Coorg are the descendents of the Arabs or the Greek. They are brave and warrior-type people. They are famous for their hospitality also. They still follow their old traditions.

Q8. What does the writer say about the bravery of the people of Coorg?

Ans The people of Coorg are very brave. They follow the same old traditions. The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army. General Cariappa, the Chief of the Indian army, was also a Coorg.

Q2./6 Describe Coorg.

Ans. Coorg is situated between Mysore and Magalore. Coffee and spices grow in plenty there. Evergreen forests are also found there. In fact, Coorg is a heaven on earth. Martial men, women, and wild creature live there. It is said that a part of Alexander’s army settled there. They married the local women and made their families. It is also said that they have their Arab ancestors. They are well known for their hospitality and bravery. General Carriappa, the first Chief of Indian army was also a Coorg. Tourists Visit this place for its beauty. They do river rafting, rock climbing and mountain biking. Wild life is in plenty there. One can see kingfishers, squirrels, langures, etc. Mahaseer, a large fresh water fish is also found here. One can see the Tibetian monks at Bylakuppe.

                                                                             (c)  Tea from Assam

Q1.Who were Pranjol and Rajvir? Where were they going?

Ans. Pranjol is a young boy from Assam. He is Rajvir’s classmate at Delhi. Both of them were going to Assam. Pranjol’s father had invited Rajvir to visit Assam during his summer holidays.

Q2. Which state did Pranjol belong to? What was Pranjol’s father?

Ans. Pranjol belonged to Assam. His father was a manager of a tea garden in Upper assam.

Q3. Where was tea first drunk? When did it first come to Europe?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China around the year 2700 B. C. The words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ are from China. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century. It was used more as medicine than as beverage (drink).

Q4. Which story of a Chinese emperor is associated with the discovery of tea?

Ans. A chinese emperor used to boil water before drinking it. Once a few leaves of a twig (small branch of a plant or a tree) fell into the boiling water. It tasted delicious. It is said those were tea leaves.

Q5. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Ans. It is said that a Buddhist ascetic (someone who has left living in comforts and physical pleasures) felt sleepy during his meditation. In anger, he cut off his eyelids. Tea plant grew out of the eyelids. Those were tea plants.

Q6. What is the best season for the production of tea?

Ans. The season from May to July is the best season for tea production. This is the season when tea leaves sprout and grow in plenty.

Long Answer-type Qs

Q.3./7 Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going? What did Rajvir see when he looked out of the train on the way?

Ans. Rajvir was going to Assam by train at his friend Pranjol’s invitation. Pranjol lived there and Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was a manager of a tea garden in Assam. They were sitting near a window in the compartment. Pranjol was busy reading a detective book. Rajvir was watching outside. He had never seen such greenery before. First he watched paddy crops and then tea bushes came. He was surprised to watch them trimmed in a beautiful order. After that, he saw an ugly building. Smoke was coming out of its tall chimney. After some time their destination came. They came out of the train and reached Dekhiaberi Tea Estate. Pranjol’s father was a manager there.

Q4./8 What stories are spread about the origin of tea? Write your answer on the basis of your study of the lesson ‘Tea From Assam’.

Ans. Pranjol narrates two legends to Rajvir about tea. First is about a Chinese emperor. He used to boil water for drinking. Once a few leaves of tea fell into the pot in which water was boiling. When the emperor drank water from the pot, he felt a delicious flavour. After that, tea leaves were used for making tea. Another legend comes from India. It has something unreasonable about it. A Buddhist monk was troubled by sleep during his meditation time. He cut off the eyelids from his eyes in anger and irritation. But tea plants grew at the place of the eyelids. The leaves were used to make tea. In a way, tea removes sleep from human eyes.

The Trees by Adrienne Rich

Poem 8: The Trees by Adrienne Rich: Short Answer-type Qs (30-35 words)

Summary of Trees

In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. The society is not complete without the active role of women. Women have equal rights as are enjoyed by men. They should not be kept as prisoners in the four walls of the houses. If it is done by men, they would break the walls of their prisons.

Q1. Which kinds of trees are described in this poem? Why are they not useful for birds or insects?

Ans. The poet describes the trees which are planted in the houses. They are not big in size because they are planted for decoration. They are not useful for the birds and insects. They cannot sit and hide in them.

Q2. How does the poetess describe the night? What is she doing?

Ans. The night is fresh and cloudless. The moon is full and it is shining brightly. The poetess is sitting inside her room. The doors of the room are open in the veranda. She is writing long letters.

Q3. What message does the poetess convey through the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans. In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. Both are important. Women should not be confined (imprisoned) in the four walls of the houses.

Q4. Do you think Adrienne Rich’s poem ‘The trees’ is about decorative trees?

Ans. The poem is not merely about decorative trees. Trees inside the house are decorative, but they are symbols of women. Men keep women imprisoned in their houses like decorative trees.

Q5. Where are the trees in the poem ‘The Trees’? Where are they going? What does it signify?

Ans. Trees are inside the house in the poem. They are going to the forest. At symbolical level, trees are women. Forest is the symbol of society. Only men are allowed to move about in society. But now, women seem to break the prison of their houses to move freely in society.

Q6.What does the poetess mean by the line “the trees are moving out into the forests”?

Ans. The line means that women are breaking the prison of the houses in which they are kept as prisoners by men.

Q7. What is the theme of the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans. In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. The society is not complete without the active role of women. Women have equal rights as are enjoyed by men. They should not be kept as prisoners in the four walls of the houses. If it is done by men, they would break the walls of their prisons.