NCERT Class 10 English – First Flight – Chapter 5: Glimpses of India – Part 1: A Baker from Goa
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer: They remember the old Portuguese days and famous loaves of bread.
Explanation: Elders recall a time when bread-making was common and bread was an important part of daily life.
Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer: Yes, traditional bakers still exist and work today.
Explanation: The furnaces are still used, and the sound of the baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places.
Q3. What is the baker called?
Answer: He is called a pader.
Explanation: In Goa, bakers are known by the Portuguese term “pader”.
Q4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer: He came once in the morning and once later in the day; children ran to get bread-bangles.
Explanation: Kids loved the special bread shapes and sweets he carried, not just the loaves for the adults.
Q5. Match the following. What is a must
(i) as marriage gifts? – cakes and bolinhas
(ii) for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol
(iii) for a daughter’s engagement? – bread
(iv) for Christmas? – sandwiches
Explanation: These food items are linked to specific Goan events and festivals.
Q6. What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) when the author was young?
Answer: (i) A long single-piece frock called kabai. (ii) Shirt and trousers longer than half pants but shorter than full-length.
Explanation: Baker’s clothing style changed with time but remained unique.
Q7. Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer: Anyone wearing half pants reaching just below the knees.
Explanation: This style looks similar to the bakers’ trousers in the old days.
Q8. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer: On a wall in pencil.
Explanation: This was the simple method bakers used to track bills.
Q9. What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Answer: It means having a plump and round body.
Explanation: Bakers were well-fed and healthy, so people compared them to a jackfruit.
Thinking About the Text
Q1. Which of these statements are correct?
(i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times. – Correct
(ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages. – Correct
(iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese. – Incorrect
(iv) The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock. – Incorrect
(v) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days. – Correct
(vi) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business. – Not fully true
(vii) Paders and their families starve in the present times. – Incorrect
Explanation: Only the points matching Goan reality are marked correct.
Q2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer: Yes, it is needed for all special occasions and festivals.
Explanation: Marriage gifts, parties, Christmas, and engagements all require bread items.
Q3. Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?
(i) The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places. – nostalgic
(ii) Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. – hopeful
(iii) I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. – nostalgic
(iv) The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. – funny
(v) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. – matter-of-fact
(vi) The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous. – matter-of-fact
Explanation: The answers reflect the feeling behind each statement in the story.
NCERT Class 10 English – First Flight – Chapter 5: Glimpses of India – Part 2: Coorg
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Thinking About the Text
Q1. Where is Coorg?
Answer: It is the smallest district of Karnataka, located between Mysore and Mangalore.
Explanation: Coorg lies in southern India, famous for coffee, spices, and rainforests.
Q2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer: They are believed to be of Greek or Arabic origin.
Explanation: One story says some of Alexander’s army stayed there; another links them to Arabs because of their traditional dress.
Q3. What are some of the things you now know about (i) the people of Coorg? (ii) the main crop of Coorg? (iii) the sports it offers to tourists? (iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg? (v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Answer: (i) Brave, hospitable, army service tradition. (ii) Coffee is the main crop. (iii) River rafting, rock climbing, trekking, canoeing. (iv) Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, slender loris, elephants. (v) About 250–260 km from Bangalore, reachable by road via Mysore or Neelamangal route.
Explanation: Coorg has a unique culture, rich nature, adventure sports, and is accessible from Karnataka’s capital.
Q4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. – it pours enough to keep many visitors away
(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. – as one story goes
(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. – they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour
(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. – the most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure
(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. – the theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt
(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. – keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy
Explanation: These phrases are directly from the text and match the given sentences in meaning.
NCERT Class 10 English – First Flight – Chapter 5: Glimpses of India – Part 3: Tea from Assam
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.
(i) A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii) My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
(iv) The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.
Explanation: Each compound word fits naturally into its sentence based on meaning.
Q2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.
over by through out up down
(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government. (throw)
(ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. (break)
(iii) The State Government plans to build a bypass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
(iv) Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
(v) Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast)
Explanation: Verb + particle combinations form new words with specific meanings.
Q3. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above.
(i) a good detective serial on television? – interesting
(ii) a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? – exciting
(iii) how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? – bored
(iv) how you feel when you open a present? – excited
(v) how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? – delighted
(vi) the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? – impatient
(vii) how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? – thrilled
(viii) the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? – fascinating
Explanation: -ing adjectives describe things, -ed adjectives describe feelings.
Q4. Now use the adjectives in the exercise above, as appropriate, to write a paragraph about Coorg.
Answer: Coorg is an interesting place with exciting adventure sports. A trek here can make anyone thrilled, and the fascinating views keep visitors delighted. Even a bored person will feel excited after exploring its beauty.
Explanation: The paragraph uses the adjectives in meaningful sentences about Coorg.
NCERT Class 10 English – First Flight – Chapter 5: Glimpses of India – Part 4: The Trees
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.
Answer: The sitting of a bird on a tree, hiding of insects, and sun burying its feet in shadow.
Explanation: These things are possible only when there are trees in the forest.
Q1. (ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “… sun bury its feet in shadow…”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet’?
Answer: It creates an image of sunlight being partly hidden by tree leaves. The ‘feet’ means the rays of the sun.
Explanation: The poet uses personification to show how trees create shade from the sun’s rays.
Q2. (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves, and their twigs do?
Answer: The trees are inside the poet’s house. Roots work to free themselves, leaves strain toward the glass, and twigs move outside.
Explanation: The poet imagines the trees wanting to return to their natural place in the forest.
Q2. (ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
Answer: Long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof.
Explanation: This shows the struggle of trees to get free from the confined space.
Q3. (i) How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?
Answer: (a) The moon is shining in the open sky. (b) At the end, the moon is broken into pieces. The change is caused by trees moving out and blocking the view.
Explanation: The moving trees affect how the moon appears through the window.
Q3. (ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
Answer: The house becomes empty and quiet.
Explanation: Without trees, the house loses the natural sounds and movement they brought.
Q3. (iii) Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters?
Answer: The poet keeps it private and does not want to share it.
Explanation: It could be a personal or symbolic event for her, not meant for others.
Q4. Can you think of other meanings the poem might have?
Answer: It could also mean human desire for freedom or nature’s need to return to its place.
Explanation: The movement of trees can symbolise liberation or restoration.
Q5. Compare and contrast this poem with “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel.
Answer: “The Trees” is about trees escaping to nature, while “On Killing a Tree” is about cutting them down and destroying them.
Explanation: One celebrates life and freedom of trees, the other shows their destruction and suffering.
NCERT Class 10 English – First Flight – Chapter 5: Glimpses of India – Part 5: Additional Exercises & Mixed Questions
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. The table below lists some of the people, places, and specialities of Coorg. Complete the table with information from the text.
Answer:
People – Kodavus: Known for bravery and hospitality.
Place – Coorg: Smallest district of Karnataka.
Speciality – Coffee plantations and adventure sports.
Animals – Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, elephants.
River – Kaveri: Originates from Coorg.
Explanation: Information is taken directly from the text about Coorg’s culture, geography, and wildlife.
Q2. Complete the following phrases from the text.
Answer:
(i) keep a watchful eye
(ii) draws support from
(iii) more than willing to recount
(iv) become converts to
(v) as one story goes
Explanation: These phrases are exactly as they appear in the story “Coorg”.
Q3. Write a short paragraph on what you know about Assam as described in the lesson.
Answer: Assam is known for its tea plantations, scenic beauty, and the Brahmaputra River. Tea gardens stretch over hills, and tea is sent all over the world.
Explanation: This is based on the “Tea from Assam” section of the lesson.
Q4. What is the main theme of “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich?
Answer: The poem is about trees moving back to nature and the idea of freedom.
Explanation: It shows nature’s wish to be free and return to its original environment.
Q5. Match the following items from all three prose pieces of the chapter:
(i) A Baker from Goa – pader, bread-bangles, kabai
(ii) Coorg – coffee, Kodavus, River Kaveri
(iii) Tea from Assam – tea gardens, Brahmaputra, legends about tea
Explanation: This match highlights the key features from each part of the chapter.