Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
How old was Rakesh when he bought the cherries in the Mussoorie bazaar?
Answer
Six years old.
Question
From which region did the cherries Rakesh bought originate?
Answer
The Kashmir Valley.
Question
Which two environmental factors stunted the growth of plants in the Himalayan foothills where Rakesh lived?
Answer
Stony soil and dry cold winds.
Question
What types of forests were found on the more sheltered slopes near Mussoorie?
Answer
Oak and deodar forests.
Question
With whom did Rakesh live on the outskirts of Mussoorie?
Answer
His grandfather.
Question
How far away from Mussoorie did Rakesh's parents live?
Answer
Fifty miles.
Question
In what type of fields did Rakesh's parents grow their crops?
Answer
Narrow terraced fields on the lower mountain slopes.
Question
List the three main crops grown by Rakesh's parents.
Answer
Maize, rice, and barley.
Question
Why did Rakesh's parents send him to stay with his grandfather?
Answer
To attend school, as there were no schools in their village.
Question
How much did Rakesh pay for the bunch of cherries?
Answer
Fifty paise.
Question
How many cherries were left by the time Rakesh reached the cottage?
Answer
Three cherries.
Question
What did Rakesh do with the last cherry seed before planting it?
Answer
He rolled it on his tongue until all the tang had gone.
Question
According to Grandfather, what is required for a seed to be considered 'lucky'?
Answer
It must be put to some use.
Question
Why did Grandfather tell Rakesh not to plant the cherry seed in the flowerbed?
Answer
He had already sown mustard in that bed.
Question
Where did Grandfather suggest Rakesh plant the cherry seed?
Answer
In a shady corner where it would not be disturbed.
Question
What method did Rakesh use to plant the seed in the soft soil?
Answer
He pressed it into the soil with his thumb.
Question
What was Rakesh doing when he forgot all about the cherry seed?
Answer
Playing cricket with his friends.
Question
What sound did the cold winter wind make in the deodar trees?
Answer
Whoo-whoo-whoo.
Question
What did Rakesh and Grandfather sit over during winter evenings?
Answer
A charcoal fire.
Question
Why did Rakesh read the newspaper to his grandfather?
Answer
Grandfather's eyesight was weak.
Question
According to the story, which migratory birds signified the arrival of spring?
Answer
Wild ducks.
Question
To which location do the wild ducks fly when they head north in spring?
Answer
Siberia.
Question
What was the V-shaped formation Rakesh saw in the sky one spring morning?
Answer
Wild ducks streaming northward.
Question
What did Rakesh initially think the small rooted cherry plant was?
Answer
A small twig.
Question
What term does Rakesh use to address his grandfather?
Answer
Dada.
Question
How high was the cherry tree when Rakesh first discovered it had grown?
Answer
About four inches high.
Question
What was Grandfather's advice regarding watering the new cherry tree?
Answer
Water it now and then, but do not drown it.
Question
How did Rakesh protect the young tree after watering it for the first time?
Answer
He circled it with pebbles.
Question
What happened to the cherry tree's leaves after a goat entered the garden?
Answer
The goat ate all the leaves.
Question
Term: Stunted
Answer
Definition: Prevented from growing to the usual size.
Question
Term: Outskirts
Answer
Definition: The areas that form the edge of a town or city.
Question
Term: Haunches
Answer
Definition: A position where one sits on their feet with legs bent.
Question
Term: Peered down
Answer
Definition: Looked carefully or with difficulty at something below.
Question
Term: Plodded
Answer
Definition: Walked slowly with heavy steps.
Question
Term: Scythe
Answer
Definition: A tool with a long, sharp, curved blade and a long handle.
Question
What tool did a woman use that accidentally cut the cherry tree in half?
Answer
A scythe.
Question
Grandfather told Rakesh that cherry trees were _____ after the goat and scythe incidents.
Answer
Tough.
Question
The soil in the Himalayan foothills where Rakesh lived was described as _____.
Answer
Stony.
Question
What was the primary reason Rakesh's parents wanted him to live in Mussoorie?
Answer
They were keen that he should go to school.
Question
How long did it take Rakesh to walk home from the bazaar?
Answer
About half-an-hour.
Question
What was Rakesh's reaction immediately after he found the rooted cherry tree?
Answer
He ran to fetch Grandfather.
Question
In the spring, Rakesh woke up early to perform which two chores?
Answer
Chop wood and light a fire.
Question
What did Rakesh do to the cherry tree when the rains arrived early?
Answer
Nothing specific is noted, but the tree grew quickly during this time.
Question
Where was the cottage located in relation to the town of Mussoorie?
Answer
Outside the town, just where the forest began.
Question
The cherries from Kashmir were described as having which two flavours?
Answer
A little sweet and a little sour.
Question
Rakesh gave the cherry tree a _____ of water instead of a full bucket.
Answer
Sprinkling.
Question
Why did Grandfather say 'Nothing is lucky if you put it away'?
Answer
To encourage Rakesh to use the cherry seed productively by planting it.
Question
Which specific tree mentioned in the text is known for the sound 'whoo-whoo-whoo' in the wind?
Answer
The deodar tree.
Question
What was Rakesh's opinion of reading the newspaper compared to Grandfather's stories?
Answer
He found the newspaper very dull.
Question
The area where Rakesh planted the seed had soil that was 'soft and _____' because it gave way easily.
Answer
Yielding.