Solution of Chapter 10. Kathmandu (NCERT - Beehive Book)

On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of, but did not take, to Delhi.

Find out the possible routes (by rail, road or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/ Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases:

Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases:

The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this' refer to?

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases:

What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases:

Name five kinds of flutes.

Answer each question in a short paragraph:

What difference does the author note between the flute-seller and the other hawkers?

Answer each question in a short paragraph:

What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

Answer each question in a short paragraph:

The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of:

(i) The atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest's attention are elbowed aside...)

(ii) The things he sees

(iii) The sounds he hears.

Answer the following questions in not more than 100 - 150 words each:

Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath Temple.

Answer the following questions in not more than 100 - 150 words each:

How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?

Answer the following questions in not more than 100 - 150 words each:

"To hear any flute is to be drawn to the commonalty of all mankind." Why does the author say this?

Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicized phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.

1. A communal war broke out when the princess was abducted by the neighbouring prince.

2. The cockpit broke off from the plane during the plane crash.

3. The car broke down on the way and we were left stranded in the jungle.

4. The dacoit broke away from the police as they took him to court.

5. The brothers broke up after the death of the father.

6. The thief broke into our house when we were away.

Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes in the spellings of the words.

Example: proclaim – proclamation

Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.

(i) Mass literacy was possible only after the -------------- of the printing machine.

(ii) Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks-----------.

(iii) I could not resist the------- to open the letter.

(iv) Hardwork and -------- are the main keys to success.

(v) The children were almost fainting with --------- after being made to stand in the sun.

Use capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas and inverted commas wherever necessary in the following paragraph:

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 upto 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.

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. The heart is a pump that ------ (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action ------- (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart ------- (contract). This ------ (force) the blood out into the arteries, which ------------ (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.

2. The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it ------- (dig) a pit and --------- (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule ------- (dry) and ------- (harden), but when rain ------ (come), the mud ------ (dissolve) and the lungfish ---------- (swim) away.

3. Mahesh: We have to organize a class party for our teacher. --------- (Do) anyone play an instrument?

Vipul: Rohit ------- (play) the flute.

Mahesh: ------------ (Do) he also act?

Vipul: No. He ---------- (compose) music.

Mahesh: That’s wonderful!

The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu.

Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later.

Record in point form:

- What you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple

- What you see happening inside the temple

-What you do when inside the temple.

- What you see outside the temple

-What your impressions are about the place.

Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details.

January 2003 - rise before dawn - take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 am from Delhi- meet a newly married couple on train - talk about Himachal Pradesh - get off the train - enter the once-grand city, Agra - twisted alleys - traffic dense-rickshaws, cars, people - vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets - go to the Taj Mahal - constructed entirely of white marble - magical quality - colour changes with varying of light and shadow - marble with gemstones inside - reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond - school-children, tourists - tourist guides following people.

“A slumber did my spirit seal,” says the poet. That is, a deep sleep ‘closed off’ his soul (or Mind). How does the poet react to his loved one’s death? Does he feel bitter grief? Or does he feel a great peace?

The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which lines of the poem say this?

How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her as a person living in a very happy state (a ‘heaven’)? Or does he see her now as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer?

Discuss in class the shrines you have visited or know about. Speak about one of them.

Imagine you are giving an eyewitness account or a running commentary of one of the following:

(i) a game of foot-ball, cricket or hockey, or some sports event

(ii) 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:

- He passes the ball but Ben gets in the way...

- These brave soldiers guard our frontiers. They display their skills here...