Glimpses of India
Reading Comprehension
Text I
Q.1. Infer the meaning of the following expressions
(a) Nowrosji would cajole Parsi visitors off the train.
It means Nowrosji would gently persuade or flatter the visitors to get off the train and visit his home.
(b) Jer Bai would occasionally object to unknown visitors, she was always overruled.
It implies that although Jer Bai sometimes disapproved of hosting strangers, her objections were ignored or rejected by Nowrosji, who insisted on having his way.
(c) ...outside catering was unheard of.
This means that ordering food from restaurants or professional caterers was not a practice that existed or was accepted; all food was prepared at home by the family.
(d) I gained a healthy respect for my dainty grandmother.
The narrator developed a deep admiration for her grandmother's physical strength and capability, despite her delicate and small appearance, after realizing how difficult it was to cook traditional dishes like malido.
Q.2. Answer the following questions.
(a) “Aavoji, aavo, aavo! Welcome to Delhi! Let me show you my beautiful city.” Who said this and why?
Nowrosji Kapadia said this. He did so because his favourite pastime was greeting Parsi visitors arriving on the Frontier Mail and he was eager to show them hospitality and the beauty of Delhi.
(b) Why were Jer Bai’s arguments always overruled?
Her arguments were overruled because Nowrosji was extremely enthusiastic and determined to host fellow Parsis, using these opportunities to encourage them to settle in Delhi.
(c) Why do you think outside catering was unheard of?
Outside catering was unheard of because the women of the community took great pride in preparing extensive traditional feasts themselves, and it was a community tradition to manage food within the family during gatherings.
(d) According to the writer what “kind of life has almost gone forever”?
The kind of life involving close-knit community gatherings where food was cooked communally at home, and where the poorer members were supported without distinction or knowledge of who paid for what.
(e) What has made the writer more respectful to her grandmother?
The writer became more respectful after trying to make malido (a Parsi sweet) and realizing the immense physical strength and effort required to stir the pot, a task her "dainty" grandmother performed regularly.
(f) What was special about the tea time in the writer’s home?
Tea time was a formal and elaborate affair where the grandmother and the writer would dress up specially for the occasion, and a variety of traditional Parsi snacks like biscuits, cakes, and fritters were served.
Q.3. Tick the correct answer. What is “an exhausting exercise”?
(a) Preparing for the festival. ( )
(b) Travelling from Mumbai to Peshawar. ( )
(c) Writing about Parsis in old Delhi. ( )
(d) Cooking malido, the Parsi style halwa. ( )
(d) Cooking malido, the Parsi style halwa. (✓)
Q.4. Make a list of Parsi delicacies as mentioned in the passage. A few are given above. You can add more to the list.
1. Dar ni pori (Pastry with sweetened lentils)
2. Malido (Halwa)
3. Sev (Sweet vermicelli)
4. Ravo (Semolina pudding)
5. Mithu dahi (Sweetened curd)
6. Bafella eeda (Hard-boiled eggs)
7. Kheemo kaleji (Mutton mince with liver)
8. Smori dal chawal (White rice with yellow dal)
9. Macchi no patio (Tangy fish curry)
10. Batasa (Biscuits)
11. Nan-khatai (Biscuits)
12. Khari (Flaky biscuits)
13. Patrel (Steamed arbi leaves)
14. Kumas (Rich Parsi cake)
15. Bhakra (Sweet fried doughnuts)
Text II
(Araku Valley)
Q.1. Infer the meaning of the following:
(a) traverses an unusual trajectory
It means that the development of Araku Valley followed a unique and unconventional path, combining tribal empowerment with modern tourism and high-quality coffee production.
(b) The drive to far-flung coffee estates
This refers to the journey required to reach the coffee plantations which are located in distant, remote, and widely spread-out areas of the valley.
(c) densely forested hills
Hills that are covered thickly with heavy vegetation and trees.
(d) village clusters
Groups of small villages located close to one another in specific areas of the valley.
Q.2. Find words from the text which mean the following:
(a) in a place that is hidden (paragraph one)
tucked
(b) distant or remote (paragraph two)
far-flung
(c) to improve the quality or flavour of something (paragraph four)
enriched (referring to soil) or savouring (enjoying the flavor). (Note: In the context of the text, "enriched" fits the improvement of soil quality, while standard operating procedures ensure superior aroma).
(d) a smell specially a pleasant one (paragraph four)
aroma
Q.3. Answer the following questions.
(a) What is unique about the Araku valley as stated in paragraph one?
Araku Valley is unique because it is located 1,200m above sea level, tucked in the north-eastern corner of Andhra Pradesh, and hosts the Araku Balloon Festival, offering "sightseeing like nothing else."
(b) Where is Araku valley?
It is located in the north-eastern corner of Andhra Pradesh, sharing a border with Odisha.
(c) Underline and write below the sentences, words, and expressions which indicate that Araku coffee has moved ahead of being the only means of livelihood.
- "The journey of Araku Coffee from a livelihood initiative... to a globally appreciated product"
- "Entrepreneurs with a stake in the business"
- "Brand that works with 517 villages"
(d) State a historical fact about the coffee in the valley?
Coffee was introduced to the hill tracts of Araku Valley in 1898 by a British civil servant named N.S. Brodie.
(e) There are specific terms being used in the passage for the cultivation of coffee for example, terrace farms, biodynamic farming, etc. Find more such terms and their meanings.
1. Symbiotic ecosystem: An environment where different organisms (plants/soil) live together for mutual benefit.
2. Composting: The process of using decayed organic material as fertilizer.
3. Canopies/Shade trees: Trees planted to provide shelter from the sun for the coffee plants.
4. Terroirs: The complete natural environment in which a particular coffee is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.
5. Sapling: A young tree.
Q.4. The expression “sapling to savouring” in paragraph four means: (Tick the right answer)
(a) Coffee plants are taken care of from the stage of plantation till its beans are ready for an enjoyable cup of coffee. ( )
(b) Coffee saplings are very delicate hence a lot of care is being taken of them. ( )
(c) The growth of coffee plants is dependent on shady trees. ( )
(d) Coffee plant can give a cup of enjoyable coffee. ( )
(a) Coffee plants are taken care of from the stage of plantation till its beans are ready for an enjoyable cup of coffee. (✓)
Vocabulary
1. Match the sounds in Column A with the appropriate words from Column B.
(a) shuffling — of feet
(b) striking — of a match
(c) puffing — of an engine
(d) clanking — of chains
(e) sighing — of the wind
(f) rustling — of leaves
(g) banging — of the door
(h) gurgling — of water
(i) howling — of hyenas
Grammar
1. Now fill in the blanks of the sentences with past participle from one of the following words. (infect, take, quote, use, watch, frighten, propose)
(a) People demonstrated against the proposed changes.
(b) The loud cheer went up from the students watching. (Note: "Watching" is a present participle, but fits the context best as an adjective describing the students in the act. If a past participle is strictly required by the book, "frightened" is the only option left but does not fit the context of a cheer).
(c) After the editor read the article, she checked all the examples quoted.
(d) Rub the antiseptic cream in the infected area.
(e) My wallet was among the things taken.
(f) Cyclone Fani was a frightening experience. (Note: "Frightening" is the correct adjective here. "Frightened" would imply the cyclone itself was scared).
2. Rewrite in the past tense the following excerpt from the ‘Glimpses of India’.
Birds, bees, and butterflies are there to give you company...
Birds, bees, and butterflies were there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender loris kept a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I did, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brought you into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge led to the sixty-four acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, was a bonus. The monks, in red, ochre, and yellow robes were amongst the many surprises that waited to be discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg.
Editing
1. Some words have been wrongly spelt in the paragraph given below. Correct the words and read the paragraph aloud.
The Valley of Flowers
The journey to the Valley of Flowers begins about 16 km away from Joshimath, at Govindghat (1,770 m) on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway (heightway). The Valley of Flowers is covered with a rich variety (varity) of magnificent (magnifiscent) plants.
Over the past few years, thousands (thousand) of visitors have ‘discovered’ this idyll amidst the mountains (mountain). However, they leave (live) like marks only by way of empty cans, waste-paper and cigarette (cigarete) butts.
Trekking (Trakking) in the area has resulted in the trampling of these delicate (delikate) plants by humans and ponies. As a result, the government of India was compelled (compeled) to ban all mountaineering (mountainering), trekking, expeditions and livestock grazing (grasing) in the area, with effect from February 20, 1983. This is to prevent (privent) further damage to one of our nation’s unique repositories of natural beauty.
Listening
Now summarise the paragraph using your notes.
In the narrator's childhood in Goa, the village baker was a central figure—a friend and guide who visited twice daily. The children were awakened by the jingle of his bamboo staff and ran to meet him, not for the bread loaves meant for the elders, but for the special bread-bangles. The baker would enter musically, bang his staff, and deliver loaves to the servants while rebuking the curious kids. The children, however, would climb benches to peep into the basket, longing for the fragrance of the bread, often eating without even brushing their teeth, reasoning that hot tea was sufficient to clean their mouths.
Writing
1. Infer the meaning of the following expressions in the passage on Parsi community.
length and breadth: Across the entire area; everywhere.
chugged into: Moved slowly into the station with the sound of an engine.
vouch for: To confirm or guarantee the truth/quality of something based on experience.
long gone: Deceased or departed a long time ago.
out came the treats: The special food items were brought out to be served.