Class-9 English Chapter-10 Kathmandu

EVENTS CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL

15/02/2021        CLASS-9          SLOT-2
English
Chapter-10
Kathmandu
_______________________________________

I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.

Question 1.Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

Answer:Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa.

 Question 2.The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?

Answer:Com-on-the-cob and marzipan.

 Question 3.What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?

Answer:The flutes tied on the top of the flute seller’s pole.

Question 4.Name five kinds of flutes.

Answer:The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri, the breathy flutes of South America, the high pitched Chinese flutes.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.

Question 1.What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?

Answer:The author finds a difference in selling the articles. The flute seller does not shout out his wares. He makes a sale in a curiously offhanded way as if this was incidental to his enterprise.

Question 2.What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

Answer:People believe that when a small shrine emerges fully on Bagwati river, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kalyug will end on earth.

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

Question 1.Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.

Answer:At Pashupatinath there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front. At the Baudhnath stupa, the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu, there is a sense of stillness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road. Small shops stand on its outer edge. Most of the shops are owned by Tibetan immigrants. There are no crowds and this is a haven of quietness in the busy streets around.

Question 2.How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?

Answer:The author says that Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, religious, with small shrines to flower-adorned deities along the narrowest and busiest streets. There are fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate or copper utensils and Nepalese antiques. Film songs blare out from the radios, car horns sound, bicycle bells ring, stray cows low, vendors shout out their wares. The author buys a com-on- the-cob roasted in a charcoal brazier on the pavement. He also buys coca cola and orange drink.

 Question 3.“To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?

Answer:The author says this because he is aware of the fact that music appeals to senses. It gives pleasure to every listener. The flute seller does not sell only one kind of flute. He has various types of flutes that represent different customs and culture. The flute seller is a wise sales person. He does not shout out his wares. He plays melodious tunes which fascinate others. Mankind does not have multiple appearances and shapes. It is universal and cosmopolitan. Music soothes everyone’s heart irrespective of their caste, colour and creed. So the author says that to hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.

 

Thinking about language

Question 1.Match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.

A                                             B

(i) break out                             (d) to start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease)

(ii) break off                            (a) to come apart due to force

(iii) break down                       (f) stop working

(iv) break away (from someone)         (b) end a relationship

(v) break up                             (e) to escape from someone’s grip

(vi) break into                          (c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing

Question 2.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

Question 3.Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.

1.      Mass literacy was possible only after the of the invention printing machine.

2.      Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks imagination

3.      I could not resist the temptation to open the letter.

4.      Hardwork and dedication are the main keys to success.

5.      The children were almost fainting with exhaustion  after being made to stand in the sun.