Notes On Tea From Assam

"Tea From Assam" by Arup Kumar Datta

Tea Garden Of Assam

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Q.1) Who is Pranjol?

Ans:- Pranjol is a youngster from Assam who reads in a school in Delhi.

Q.2) Who is Rajvir?

Ans:- Rajvir is a classmate of Pranjol.

Q.3) How many cups of tea are drunk throughout the world everyday?

Ans:- Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk throughout the world everyday.

Q.4) What genre of literature did Pranjol like to read?

Ans:- Pranjol liked to read detective stories.

Q.5) Write about the legends concerning the discovery of tea.

                              or
Q.5) Narrate briefly Rajib's remarks on the discovery of tea and the legends that surround it.

Ans:- There are two legends concerning the discovery of tea as
      The first legend tells that a Chinese emperor had always got water boiled before drinking. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves.
         There is another legend. According to the legend once in ancient India there was an ascetic named Bodhidharma, who cut off his eye lids because he fell sleepy during meditations. Then tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put into hot water and drunk banished sleep.

Q.6) When tea went to Europe?

Ans:- Tea went to Europe in the sixteenth century.

Q.7) What is Pranjol's father?

Ans:- Pranjol's father is the manager of a tea-estate called Dhekiabari Tea Estate in Upper Assam.

Q.8) ‘You seem to have done your homework before coming.'- who said this?

Ans:- Mr. Barua said this to Rajvir.

Q.9) Where and when tea was first drunk?

Ans:- Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B. C.

Q.10) Give a description of Dhekiabari tea-garden as seen by Pranjol and Rajvir when they were driven through it.
                              or
Q.10) Give a description of the magnificent view of tea garden seen by Rajib from the railway train?

Ans:- When Pranjol and Rajvir were driven through Dhekiabari Tea-garden they crossed a cattle bridge and entered the Tea-Estate. There they saw acre upon acre of tea bushes on both sides of the gravel road. All the tea bushes were neatly pruned to the same height. They saw the groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs. The groups were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

Other Questions & Answers

Q.1. Describe the scenery outside the train. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going by train?

Ans:- There were green, green forests everywhere. Rajvir had never seen such greenery before. He was going to Assam with his friend. Soon the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. Both of them were going to Assam. Pranjol’s father Mr. Barua was the manager of a tea garden in Upper Assam.

Q.2. What did they see on both side of the gravel-road?

Ans:- While travelling they saw tea bushes. On both sides they saw acres of tea bushes. They were all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers had bamboo-baskets on their back. 

Q.3. Why was Pranjol’s father was surprised?

Ans:- Pranjol’s father was surprised when Rajvir showed how much he knew about tea by saying that it was the second flush or sprouting period and that it lasted from May to July and yielded the best tea.

Q.4.  At which station did the boys stop and who received them?

Ans:- The boy got down at Mariani junction.

Q.5. What are the two Legends about Tea?

Ans:-   Chinese legend :-
A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of branches burning under the pot fell into the water. It gave a delicious flavour. These were tea leaves.

        Indian legend:-                
Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. These leaves when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

Notes On Coorge

Coorge by Lokesh Abrol

Traditional Coorgi Dress

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Q.1. Where is Coorg?

Ans:- Coorg is situated in the midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is the paradise on this earth. It must have been drifted from the kingdom of God. Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka.

Q.2. What is the story about Kodavus people descent?

Ans:- There are many stories about Kodavu people’s descent. One of the stories tells that a part of Alexander’s army while moving south along the coast could not return . They settled there and did marital relations with the local people. One can note the difference between their traditions and other Hindus . Thus these are Greek or Arabic descents.

          The theory of Arab origin supports that the kodagus wear  long black coat with an embroidered  waist belt known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs  and Kurds.

Q.3. What are  some of the things you know about  :

      A. The people of Coorg

Ans:- They are hospitable and friendly . They will tell the tales of bravery of their sons and fathers.

      B. The main crop of Coorg

Ans:- Coffee.

     C.  What sports it offers to a tourist

Ans:- These are river rafting , canoeing, rappelling , rock climbing , mountain biking and the walking trails.

     D. What animals you are likely to see in Coorg

Ans:- These are elephants , langurs and macaques.

     E. Its distance from Bangalore and how to get there

Ans:- Distance-250-260 K.m. The route via Mysore is  often frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.

Additional Question & Answers

Q.1. Who is the author of the article “Coorg”?

Ans:- Lokesh Abrol is the author of the article “Coorg”.

Q.2. What is referred to  as ‘ a piece  of heaven’?

Ans:- The place referred to as ‘a piece of heaven’ is Coorg.

Q.3. Where is Coorg situated and by whom it is inhabited?

Ans:- Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. Coorg is inhabitat by proud race of marital men, women and wild creatures.

Q.4. What is the other name of Coorg?

Ans:- The other name of the Coorg is Kodavu.

Q.5. Why do many tourists not visit it during monsoons?

Ans:- During monsoons , there is heavy rainfall. That is why many tourists do not visit this place during monsoons.

Q.6. Why are people drawn to it?

Ans:- People are drawn to it because of its natural beauty, fine weather and refreshing air.

Q.7. What is famous about the Coorgi homes and the Kodavus?

Ans:- The Coorgi homes are famous about their hospitality. And Kodavus can move with firearms without a license. Kodavus were fiercely independent.

Q.8. What supports the Greek theory about the origin of the Coorgi people?

Ans:- The  martial traditions ,the marriage and religious rites of the Coorgis correspond with those of the Greeks.

Q.9. What supports the Arab theory about the origin of the Coorgi people?

Ans:- The Coorgis wear a long , black coat known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Q10. Who was General Cariappa?

Ans:- He was a Coorgi and the first chief of the Indian Army.

Q.11. What is unique about the Kodavus in India?

Ans:- They are the only people in India permitted to carry fire arms without a licence.

Q.12. Where does the river Kaveri get its water from?

Ans:- It gets its water from the hills and forests of  Coorg.

Q.13. What kind of fish is found in the river Kaveri?

Ans:- Mahaseer—a large fresh water fish—is found in the Kaveri.

Q.14. What view is seen from the Brahmagiri hills?

Ans:- It gives the entire misty view of Coorg.

Q.15. How can we reach the Nisargadhama island? How big is it?

Ans:- We can reach there after crossing a rope bridge. The island is 64 acre in area.

Q.16. How do we feel at the Tibetan settlement Bylakuppe?

Ans:- We feel as if we have discovered here the heart and soul of India.

Q17. What do you know about the set up of Coorg?

Ans:- Coorg is situated at  midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. This land of rolling hills  is inhabited by the army man, beautiful women and wild creatures.

Q.18. Why did a part of Alexander’s army settle in Coorg?

Ans:- They found it impractical to return and ,therefore, settled in Coorg.

Q.19. Write down Alexander’s story about Coorg descent?

Ans:- According to one story, Coorgs are the Greek or Arabics descent. It is said that a part of Alexander’s army  moved along the south coast. When their return became impossibl, they settled there and married the locals.

Q.20. What is the story of Coorg for Arab origin?

Ans:- People think that Coorgi people are of Arab origin. Kodagus wear long black coat with an embroidered waist belt known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia and the same is worn by Arabs and the Kurds.

Q.21. How can you say that  Coorg have speciality for army?

Ans:- Coorgi people are famous for their martial race. One can hear numerous tales of their valour about their sons and fathers. General Cariappa , the first chief of the Indian army was a Coorgi.  They are allowed to carry firearms without a licence. Coorgi regiment is famous for its bravery.

Q.22. How do the wild animals, birds and beasts enjoy the clear water of Kaveri?

Ans:- In the fresh water of Kaveri one can see the fish and other animals enjoying. Squirrels and langurs threw half eaten fruits to enjoy the splash of water. The elephants enjoy bathing and the fish dive for their catch.

Q.23. How do we know that Kodavus are a  race of warriors?

Ans:- The  Coorg families take  pride in narrating the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg  regiment is one of the most decorated with bravery medals. The first chief of the Indian army , General Cariappa was a Coorgi.

Q.24) How can one reach Coorg?

Ans:- One can reach Coorg either by road, rail or air. There are two road routes from Bangalore. Both are about 250 -260 k.m. The route via Mysore is frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kurigal and Chanraynapatna.

Q.25) What is favourite with the trekkers?

Ans:- The trekkers can enjoy invigorating breaths of coffee. They favour to enjoy water sports like rafting,canoeing ,rapelling and mountain biking. In the forests one can have the company of squirrels and langurs.

Q.26) Why do most of the visitors keep away from Coorg during the monsoons ?When do they resume their journey ?Give reasons.

Ans:- Most of the visitors keep away from Coorg during the monsoons because it pours very heavily during the monsoons. They resume their journey from September till March. When the weather is perfect  with little showers.

Q.27)  What are the sports that Coorg offers to tourists?

Ans:- The sports offered by the Coorgs to her tourists are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountian biking.

Q.28) Of whose descent are the fiercely independent people of Coorg?

Ans:-The fiercely independent people of Coorg are of Greek descent.

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Notes on"From The Diary Of Anne Frank"

"From The Diary Of  Anne Frank" by Anne Frank

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Q1) Why did Anne keep a diary?

Ans:-  Anne had many ideas and views that she wanted to share. But she had no true friends. So she decided to keep a diary and tell all her secrets to it.

Q2) Explain "teachers are the most unpredictable creatures".

Ans:-  When the result was about to be declared, Anne was thinking that there are so many dummies in the class that about a quarter of the class should be kept back.
            But she believed that no one can predict result as it depended on the moods of the teacher and teachers are the most unpredictable creatures.

Q3) How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her first essay?

Ans:-  Anne tried to justify that talking is a student's trait.

                She tried to control many times. But she failed because she had inherited this trait from her mother. She could do nothing about the inherited trait as her mother was more talkative than her.

Q4) What was the last essay for Anne and write its result?

Ans:-  Anne was tired of writing on the same topic again and again. She wanted to write the last essay differently to convey her message to the teacher.
               Anne was too worried. Her friend Sanne came to her help to write it in verse. Thus she wrote it like a poem. The teacher was impressed.

Q5) Write the character-sketch of Anne.

Ans:-  Anne was a Jewish girl born in German. She was a decent and intelligent girl. She had an intense love for her grandmother and her teacher.

           But she was lonely. She did not have any friend to share her secrets. She kept a diary to write her views. Later her diary writing became very popular. It turns out to be one of the most widely read books in the world.

          She wrote her daily activities and findings in the diary. She was in the good book of the teacher. But they had complaints about her talkative nature. Mr. keesing, her maths teacher, punished her for her talkative
nature by assigning essays.

         He pacified him with her witty logics.

Q6) "Paper has more patience than people" Elucidate.

Ans:-  Anne had many members in her house and many classmates in the school, but she did not have a true friend with whom she could share all her feelings.
         She was not sure if her friends have enough time and patience to listen to her in detail. She could talk only about everyday things to her friends. She could not disclose her secrets to them.

        She wanted a real friend whom she could tell all kinds of things She
decided to keep a diary.

        She named it as Kitty. She started to write all her observations and views in it.
        The paper would never complain and would never question her any
thought. Hence She called "paper has more patience than people".

Q.7)  What makes writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank?

Ans:- First she had never written anything like this before and secondly she thought that nobody is going to read or would be interested in her diary.

Q.8) Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life?

Ans:- Anne provides a brief sketch of her life since no one would understand a word of her musings if she were to jump right in.

Q.9) Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people?

Ans:- She could confide in her close friend but she didn't have one, the friends she had there were to have more fun and good times rather than the ones on whom she could confide. She also believes that a paper to have more patience than people, so she decided to write and confide in a diary.

Q.10) What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother?

Ans:- Her statement, that no one could understand her intensity of love for her grandma tells that she loved her grandmother. Moreover, the touching gesture of lighting up one candle for grandmother during Anne’s birthday is also a poignant reminder of the love for grandma.

Q.11) Why was Mr Keesing annoyed with Anne? What did he ask her to do?

Ans:-  Mr. Keesing was annoyed with Anne because she talked very much in the class. He assigned her extra homework, asking her to write an essay on the subject, ‘A Chatterbox’.

Q.12) Do you think Mr Keesing was a strict teacher?

Ans:-  Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher. However, he was not rigidly strict. He expected discipline and silence in his class while he was teaching, which is acceptable.He punished Anne by asking her to write an essay on ‘A Chatterbox’. When Anne wrote a convincing essay on it, he received it with a good laugh. However, when Anne continued with her talking, he punished her again by asking her to write another essay; this time the topic was ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’. Even after this when she kept talking, he asked her to write on the topic ‘Quack Quack Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox”. He was trying to play a joke on her. However, she came up with a brilliant poem, and he read this poem in the class, acknowledging its content. Therefore, in regard of these events, Mr. Keesing cannot be entirely labelled as a strict teacher. He was fun-loving too.

Q.13) What made Mr Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?

Ans:-  Anne was able to justify her talkative nature every time she was punished by Mr. Keesing. On three occasions, as punishment, he gave her topics to write essays on. However, on each occasion he was impressed by the manner in which she presented her arguments. Finally, Mr. Keesing accepted the fact that Anne would always be that way. Hence, she was allowed to talk in class.

Q.14) Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl?

Ans:-  No, Anne was not right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl.

Q.15) There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s dairy different?

Ans:-  Anne’s diary was originally written in Dutch. Her diary is different from the others in many aspects. She had named her diary ‘Kitty’. She thought of it as her only true friend whom she could confide in. She treated it as another person who was listening to her daily accounts. She wrote all her stories in it. She started by writing ‘Dearest kitty’ and ended the account by writing, ‘Yours, Anne’. Her diary was a lot more personal than other diaries.

Q.16) Why does Anne need to give a brief sketch about her family? Does she treat ‘Kitty’ as an insider or an outsider?

Ans:-  Anne Frank claims that paper has more patience than people. She usually sits depressed and all alone .She claims of having no real friend .This lends the reader the perception that there isn’t any body to take care of Anne Frank. To clear the clouds of doubt , Anne Frank gives the sketch of her adorable father, compassionate mother, kind grandmother, and loving sister.

          She treated Kitty as an insider because she called it her best friend and was ready to confide in it.

 Q.17)  How does Anne feel about her father, her grandmother, Mrs Kuperus and Mr Keesing? What do these tell you about her?

Ans:-  Anne felt that her father was the most adorable father she had ever seen.

           Anne remembered her grandmother even after her death. She wrote in her diary that no one knew how often she thought of her grandmother and still loved her.

           In the sixth form at the Montessori nursery school, her teacher was Mrs Kuperus, who was also the headmistress. At the end of the year, they were both in tears as they said a heartbreaking farewell.

         Mr Keesing was her Maths teacher. He was annoyed with her because she talked too much. However, Anne was able to justify her talkative nature every time she was punished by Mr. Keesing. On each occasion he was impressed by the manner in which she presented her arguments.

        All these incidents show how lovable and smart Anne was. Everybody was attached to her, and even Mr Keesing could not help but laugh at her essays and acknowledge her smart mind.

Q.18) What does Anne write in her first essay?

Ans:-  In her first essay, titled ‘A Chatterbox’, Anne wanted to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking. She began thinking about the subject. She wrote three pages and was satisfied. She argued that talking was a student’s trait and that she would do her best to keep it under control. She further wrote that she would never be able to cure herself of the habit since her mother talked as much as she did. There was not much that one could do about inherited traits. Mr Keesing too had a good laugh reading her arguments.

Q.19) Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr Keesing unpredictable? How?

Ans:-  Anne felt that a quarter of her class was dumb, and should be kept back and not promoted to the next class. However, she also felt that teachers were the most unpredictable creatures on earth. Mr Keesing could be termed as unpredictable. The way Anne always talked while the class was going on, any teacher would lose his temper. However, after several warnings, all Mr Keesing did was to assign her extra homework. She had to write an essay on 'A Chatterbox'. In this way, he tried to play a joke on her. Each time that he asked her to write such essays, she wrote very well. She kept countering his jokes. One could not have predicted that he would take all the jokes in the right spirit. Finally, when she wrote an entire essay in verse he accepted her talkative nature and actually allowed her to talk in class. He did not even assign her any more extra homework. That is why it can be said that Mr Keesing was unpredictable.

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Notes On Two Stories 2

TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING

"Black Aeroplane"  by Frederick Forsyth

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Q.1) “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

Ans:- The risk was to fly through the black storm clouds. The narrator took the risk because he wanted to reach Paris to celebrate Christmas with his family.

Q.2) Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

Ans:-  As he flew into the storm, everything went black. It was impossible to see anything outside the plane. It jumped and twisted in the air. When he looked at his compass, he saw that it was turning round and round. It was dead. Along with it, the other instruments, including the radio, were also dead. Suddenly, he saw another aeroplane. Its pilot waved at him, asking him to follow. He was glad to find a helper. He was using his last fuel tank and there was only enough fuel to fly five or ten minutes. Then, the other pilot started to go down and he followed. He suddenly came out of the clouds and saw the runway, on which he then landed his plane safely.

Q.3) Describe the atmosphere when narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England.

Ans:- When the narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England, the moon was coming up in the east, behind him, and stars were shining in the clear sky above him. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside.

Q.4) What are the questions remained unanswered for the narrator?

Ans:- The questions remained unanswered for the narrator are:

        A. Who helped him to arrive there safely without a compass or a radio, and without any more fuel in his tanks? 

        B. Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane, flying in the storm, without lights?

Q.5) Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

Ans:- After landing, the narrator was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota because he had a horrific and scary experience flying that plane. He was happy that he had landed the plane safely. That is why he was not sorry to walk away. Instead, he wanted to know where he was and who the other pilot was.

Q.6) What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

Ans:- The narrator had asked the woman in the control centre about the identity of the other pilot. She looked at him strangely as there was no other plane in the storm. She told him that no other plane was flying that night. His was the only plane she could see on the radar.

Q.7) Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.

Ans:- Probably, it was the narrator’s own self that helped him through the storm. There was no other plane in the storm as the woman at the control centre could see only his plane on the radar. Also, no other plane was flying that night. In his fear, he might have been hallucinating. He was a good pilot, and it might have been his own self that came to his help.

Q.8) Do you agree that the story ‘The Black Aeroplane’ is a mystery? Justify.

Ans:- A pilot was flying in his Old Dakota plane. It was very clear sky and the flight was easy. He was dreaming of holiday with his family. Suddenly he saw black storm clouds in the sky. He had limited fuel so he could neither fly over the clouds nor go back to Paris. He flew straight into the storm clouds. Everything was black there. Instruments of the aeroplane stopped working. Suddenly he could see another black aeroplane. The pilot of the aeroplane guided him through the black clouds. He came out of the clouds and could see the light of the runway. The pilot of the Dakota wanted to thank the pilot of the black aeroplane and went to the control room. But nobody had seen that black aeroplane. It was really a mystery.

Notes on The Two Stories 1

          Two Stories about Flying

      Part 1          His First Flight by Liam O' Flaherty

                                 (Important Questions & Their Answers)



REFERENCE  I

                “The young seagull was alone on his ledge.”

Q.1) Why was the seagull standing alone on his ledge?

Ans:-  The seagull’s two brothers and sister had flown away the day before. Thus, the seagull was alone on his ledge.

Q.2) Why was he unable to fly?

Ans:- The seagull had been afraid to fly with his brothers and sister. Somehow when he had taken a little run forward, to the brink of the ledge, and attempted to flap his wings, he became afraid and did not have the courage to leave the safety of the ledge. The great expanse of the sea stretched down beneath which seemed a long way down, miles down. He felt certain that his wings would never support him so he bent his head and ran away, back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night.

Q.3) Why had his father and mother scolded and threatened to let him starve on his ledge?

Ans:- Even when each of his brothers and his little sister – whose wings were far shorter than his own – ran to the brink, flapped their wings and flew away, he failed to muster up the courage to take that plunge. So his father and mother had come around calling to him shrilly, scolding him, threatening to let him starve on his ledge unless he flew away. But for the life of him, he could not move.

REFERENCE  I I

 “That was twenty- four hours ago. Since then nobody had come near him.”

Q.1) What had happened on the previous day?

Ans:- The day before, all day long, the seagull had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sisters, perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. All morning the whole family had walked about, on the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff, taunting him with his cowardice.

Q.2) What did he find on the far end of his ledge? What did he do next?

Ans:- The seagull had found a dried piece of mackerel’s tail at the far end of his ledge.
As the mackerel’s tail was the last scrap of food, he searched every inch of the ledge digging among the rough straw nest where he and his brothers and sister had been hatched.

Q.3)How did he try to reach his parents?

Ans:-  The seagull had been trotting back and forth from one end of the ledge to the other for the last two hours, his long grey legs stepping daintily, trying to find some means of reaching his parents without having to fly. But on each side of him, the ledge ended in a sheer fall, with the sea beneath. Between him and his parents, there was a deep, wide chasm. There was no ledge on which to walk and above him, he could see nothing.


REFERENCE  I I I

 “ONLY HIS MOTHER WAS LOOKING AT HIM.”

Q.1) What was his family doing, when he stepped slowly out to the edge of the ledge?


Ans:-  The seagull’s two brothers and his sister were lying on the plateau dozing with their heads sunk into their necks. His father was preening the feathers on his white back. His mother was standing on a little high hump on the plateau. Now and again she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her feet, and then scraped each side of her beak on the rock.

Q.2) Did his mother notice him move to and fro on the ledge?

Ans:-  Yes, his mother was looking at him and noticed him move to and fro.

Q.3) Why did the sight of food madden him?


Ans:-  The seagull had not eaten since the previous nightfall and now he saw his mother tearing at a piece of fish that lay at her feet and then scraped each side of her beak on the rock. The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scraping his beak now and again to whet it!

Q.4) Why did he keep calling out to his mother?


Ans:-  The seagull kept calling out to his mother as he wanted her to bring some food to him.


REFERENCE  IV

“He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer and then, maddened by
 hunger, he dived at the fish.”

Q.1)  Why did the seagull utter a joyful scream?

Ans:-  The seagull uttered a joyful scream when he saw that his mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying across to him with it.

Q.2) What did the mother do when she was just opposite him?

Ans:-  When she was just opposite him, alongside the ledge, she halted, her legs hanging limp, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.

Q.3) How did he react to this action of his mother?


Ans:-  Seeing the piece of fish he was maddened by hunger and dived at the fish. With a loud scream, he fell outwards and downwards into space. His mother had soared upwards. As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings. Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. But it only lasted a moment. The next moment, he felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his breast feathers, then under his stomach and against his wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air. He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually downwards and outwards.

Q.4) What effect did the gradual soaring have on his fear?


Ans:-  The seagull was no longer afraid. He just felt a bit dizzy. Then, he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards. He uttered a joyous scream and flapped them again. He soared higher.

Q.5) How did his parents reward him?

Ans:-  As he soared higher, he raised his breast and banked against the wind. His mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. Then his father flew over him screaming.

Q.6) Did his brothers and sister notice him flying?


Ans:-  As he was soaring in the sky, he saw his two brothers and his sister flying around him, banking soaring and diving, in appreciation of his first attempt at flying and encourage him to fly further.


REFERENCE  V

“Then he completely forgot that he had not always been able to fly…..”

Q.1) How did the seagull feel as he neared the sea now?

Ans:-  The seagull completely forgot that he had not always been able to fly, and began to dive and soar, shrieking shrilly. He was near the sea now, flying straight over it, facing straight out ever the ocean. He saw a vast, green sea beneath him, with little ridges moving over it.

Q.2) What did he still have to learn?


Ans:-  The seagull had to learn to get used to landing smoothly on water without sinking.

Q.3) What made him ‘scream with fright’?

Ans:- The seagull screamed with fright when he dropped his legs to stand on the green sea and his legs sank into it.

Q.4) Finally how did the young seagull learn to float?

Ans:-  As he was exhausted by the strange exercise, his feet sank into the green sea, and then his belly touched it and then he sank no further. He was floating on it.

TEXTUALQUESTIONS&ANSWERS

Q.1) you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?

 Ans:- The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was its first flight. It is a well known fact that doing something for the first time is challenging. Therefore, all young birds must be afraid to make their first flights. Similarly, a human baby would also find it a challenge to take its first step.

Q.2) “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?

Ans:- The young seagull was very hungry. It was this hunger that ultimately compelled it to fly. Its hunger only intensified when it saw its mother tearing at a piece of fish that lay at her feet. It cried to her, begging her to get some food. When its mother came towards it with food in her beak, it screamed with joy and anticipation. However, she stopped midway. It wondered why she did not come nearer. Not being able to resist or control its hunger any longer, it dived at the food in its mother’s beak. At that moment, his hunger overpowered his fear of the great expanse of sea beneath the cliff. Finally, this plunge was followed by the natural reaction of its body, i.e., to fly.

Q.3) “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly. “Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?

Ans:- The young seagull was afraid to fly. Even when it saw its brothers and sisters flying, and its parents helping and teaching them, it could not gather enough courage to make that first flight. That is why its father and mother were calling to it shrilly and scolding it. They threatened to let it starve on its ledge if it did not fly. They did so because they wanted it to leave its fear behind and learn to fly.