SEBA Class 9 English Lesson - 10: Kathmandu Question and Answer

Kathmandu

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

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

Ans: Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa.

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

Ans: A bar of marzipan and a roasted corn-on-the-cob rubbed with salt, chilli powder and lemon; and also a couple of love story comics and a Reader’s Digest.

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

Ans: The fifty or sixty bansuris protruding in all directions, from a certain flute seller’s pole.

4. Name five kinds of flutes.

Ans: The reed neh, the Japanese shakuhachi, the Indian deep bansuri, the clear flutes of South America and high-pitched Chinese flutes.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.

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

Ans: A striking difference that the author notes between the flute seller and the other hawkers is that while most of them were busy shouting out their wares at the top of their voice, the flute seller made no such attempt. Instead he just stood there nonchalantly and occasionally selecting a flute from his collection, played a tune on it. That too was in a more offhanded way than trying to showcase his product and make a sale. And curiously enough, even when he managed to make a sale, he displayed no emotion and was content at going back to playing his flute and occasionally talking to the fruit seller.

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

Ans: There is a common belief regarding a small shrine that half protrudes from a stone platform on the river bank of river Bagmati near Pashupatinath. It is said that when the half submerged shrine fully emerges from below the water’s depth, the goddess inside will escape, signaling the end of the evil period of Kaliyug on Earth.

3. 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…)

Ans: (a) priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds all at the same time.

(b) presence of an excess number of worshippers results in some of them elbowing the others out of their way in a vain attempt to get the priest’s attention.

(c) a fight that breaks out between two monkeys, resulting in screeching and screaming, and one of them jumping on a shivalinga after being chased by the other.

(ii) the things he sees:

(a) a corpse being cremated on the banks of the river Bagmati.

(b) confusion reigning supreme at the Pashupatinath temple.

(iii) the sounds he hears:

(a) a flute seller evoking melodious tones on his wares.

(b) noise of the traffic.

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

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

Ans: The atmosphere at Pashupatinath temple was one of utter chaos. Hawkers shouting out their wares, devotees jostling to catch the priest’s attention, westerners arguing to be allowed in, stray dogs, cows and monkeys all added to the noisy confusion. Even around the temple near the banks of the river Bagmati, the ambience was similar, corpses were being cremated, washerwomen were washing clothes, children were bathing and old offerings were being dumped into the river. In great contrast at the Buddhist Baudhnath shrine reigned an air of serene, peaceful and calming ambience. The shops stood on its outer edge, and there were no crowds. It appeared like an island of quietness in the midst of the noisy streets around.

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

Ans: The author describes Kathmandu’s busiest streets as teeming with life. The busiest streets are also the narrowest where fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers all jostled trying to sell their own wares. There were small shrines dedicated to flower adorned deities and shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolates, all in the same street. Film songs blared out. from radios, car horns honked, bicycles rang their bells and cows bellowed, and in the midst of this all, hawkers shouted out their wares.

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

Ans: The author believes the flute to be such a basic instrument of music, that it is found in most cultures of the world. It is thus most universal and yet it is particular since each culture has its own variety of flute, which is played in a unique manner everywhere to produce music specific to that culture. Yet hearing a flute draws one into the commonality of all mankind, because it is a music which is closest to human speech-it too is produced by man’s breath, and as in speaking, one has to pause to breathe, before one can go on.

Thinking about Language

Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicised phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in Column A with their meanings in Cloumn 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.

A	B
(i) break out	(a) to come apart due to force
(ii) break off	(b) end a relationship
(iii) break down	(c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing
(iv) break away (from someone)	(d) of start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease)
(v) break up	(e) to escape from someone’s grip
(vi) break into	(f) stop working

Ans:

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)	(e) to escape from someone’s grip.
(v) break up	(b) end a relationship.
(vi) break into	(c) break and enter illegally, unlawful trespassing.

II. 1. 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

cremate ______ act ______ exhaust _______

invent ______tempt ______immigrate _______

direct _____meditate ______imagine _______

dislocate _____ associate _____ dedicate ______

Ans:

cremate ― cremation	act ― action
exhaust ― exhaustion	invent ― invention
tempt ― temptation	immigrate ― immigration
direct ― direction	meditate ― meditation
imagine ― imagination	dislocate ― dislocation
associate ― association	dedicate ― dedication

2. 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.

Ans: (i) Mass literacy was possible only after the invention of the printing machine.

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

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

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

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

III. Punctuation

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.

Ans: 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.”

IV. Simple Present Tense

Study these sentences from the lesson.

A fight breaks out between two monkeys.

Film songs blare out from the radios.

I wash it down with Coca-cola.

The italicised verbs are in the simple present tense. The writer is here describing what he saw and heard but he uses the present tense instead of the past tense. A narration or a story can be made more dramatic or immediate by using the present tense in this way.

Now look at the following sentences.

A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the riverbank.

Small shops stand on the outer edge of the Stupa.We use the simple present tense to speak about what is usually or generally true. The sentences above describe facts. We also use the simple present tense in sentences depicting ‘universal trughs’. For example:

The sun rises in the east.

The earth revolves round the sun.

We can also refer to habitual actions using the simple present tense.

He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.

We often get fine drizzles in winter.

In these sentences words like everyday, often, seldom, never, every month, generally, usually, etc. may be used.

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

(i) 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.

(ii) 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.

(iii) MAHESH: We have to organise 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!

Ans: (i) The heart is a pump that sends (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart contracts (contract). This forces (force) the blood out into the.. arteries, which expands (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.

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

(iii) MAHESH: We have to organise a class party for our teacher. Does (Do) anyone play an instrument?

VIPUL : Rohit plays (play) the flute.

MAHESH : Does (Do) he also act?

VIPUL : No, he composes (compose) music.

MAHESH : That’s wonderful!

Speaking

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

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

(i) a game of football, 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…

Suggested Answer

1. We stay in the land of the famed Kamakhya temple and I have visited it a number of times. The Kamakhya temple is located atop the Nilachal hills, which is a stone’s thrown from the city of Guwahati. Regular bus service is available to and from the city to the temple.

Last year during our winter vacations, my father suggested that we visit the temple during a weekend. We got up early in the morning and went to the temple in our family car. The roads were winding and full of greenery. I even saw a troop of monkeys crossing the road. As we kept climbing up, the air got thinner and the cold increased. Soon we reached the top and while my father parked the car we went in. It was very systematic with people purchasing offerings and standing in queue. We too stood in a line awaiting our turn. There was a lot of crowd and many tourists too thronged the place. Me and my sister had a good time watching the people and the occasional monkeys and goats that roamed around. Soon it was our turn and within a few minutes we paid our homage to Goddess Kamakhya and exited the main temple.

It was a very refreshing and spiritual experience for me and I would like to visit that beautiful place at the next opportunity I get.

2. (i) a game of cricket :

The bowler runs in from the pavilion end and bowls a superb delivery. The ball spins away from the batsman just when he is thinking of lofting it to the boundaries. Player X at slip catches the ball. And now all of them are appealing to the umpire. Was it a nick or a clean miss? The leg umpire signals to the third umpire. The players have already started celebrating, they seem to be quite confident that they have got him.

(ii) A parade :

Now, entering from the right, the brave soldiers of the Gorkha regiment. These brave soldiers guard the frontiers. Brave men dressed in their smart uniforms, just looking at them, instills a sense of pride in you. And you know we can trust them to guard our country always and keep the civilians safe. Arms raised in a salute, they march past proudly, displaying their gleaming rifles.

Writing

Diary entry for a travelogue

I. 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 see outside the temple

what your impressions are about the place.

II. 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 a.m. 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 artifact’s, plactic 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.

Suggested Answer

I. A. What we saw when we reached Pashupatinath temple.

(i) A sign proclaiming “Entrance for the Hindus only.”

B. What we saw inside the temple.

(i) Confusion.

(ii) priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists.

(iii) cows, monkeys, pigeons, dogs.

(iv) people trying for priest’s attention.

(v) people jostling to go to the front.

(vi) Nepalese princess.

(vii) Saffron-clad westerners, arguing, policemen.

(viii) two fighting monkeys, shwalinga, run out.

C. What we did inside the temple.

(i) offered flowers.

D. What we saw outside the temple.

(i) Holy river Bagmati.

(ii) cremation of corpse.

(iii) washerwomen working.

(iv) children bathing.

(v) old offerings from basket-balcony-into river.

(vi) small semi-submerged shrine-stone platform.

An atmosphere of chaotic activity has prevailed over a pure and divine place. Cleanliness, hygiene, discipline are missing by miles. Even the river Bagmati which is considered holy, is being indiscriminately polluted. However this choas is the essence of temples everywhere and guess without it the atmosphere would be very unfamiliar.

II. January 2003-I rose before dawn today and took the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 a.m from Delhi. It was a pleasant journey. I met a newly married couple on the train and we talked at length about Himachal Pradesh. After two quick hours, the train reached Agra station and I got off the train. After much haggling over the price, I finally booked an auto rickshaw and entered the once grand city of Agra. It was a maze of twisted alleys and dense traffic. Rickshaws, cars and people, all seemed to be on the road at the same time and trying to get to the same place. There were also vendors selling a wide variety of artifact’s, starting from plastic toys, sweets and even spices. At length we reached our destination, the Taj Mahal. I left the auto rickshaw at the gates but not before he coaxed me to give him some extra money above the agreed fare.

The Taj is a construction marvel, built entirely of white marble. The white marble combined with the sun’s light reflecting off it gives the Taj a magical quality or surreal aura. It is said the colour of the Taj changes with variations in the light and shadow on it. The white marble also houses many precious gemstones in it, which have been used to create intricate patterns on the walls of the Taj. The image of the Taj reflecting off the waters of the pond inside its courtyard is another work of art. I was not the only one mesmerized by the beauty and splendor of the Taj for many school children and tourists also were visiting these wonder. It was fun to see the tourist guides persistently following the foreign tourists in an effort to get hired by them.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Answer the following questions :

1. Why were the Westerners quarrelling with the policeman ?

Ans: The Pashupatinath temple had a rule that allowed only Hindus to enter the temple premises. The Westerners too wanted to enter the temple but the policeman was not sure if they were Hindus and so stopped them. And when they kept insisting, a struggle ensued.

2. What are the things the author ate and drank ?

Ans: The author indulged himself by buying a bar of marzipan, a roasted corn-on-the-cob sprinkled with salt and chilli powder, an orange drink which he claimed was nauseating and a Coca Cola.

3. How does the author describe the Baudnath Stupa ?

Ans: The author describes Baudhnath Stupa as a symbol of stillness. Its white dome was ringed by a road, and on its outer edge were small shops owned by Tibetan immigrants that sold bags, silver jewellery and Tibetan print. There were no crowds and according to the author, the Stupa seemed to be a haven of quietness among the busy streets around.

4. Which were the two routes the author considered taking back home ?

Ans: The author considered taking two routes home. One a direct flight to his hometown Delhi. And the second and more adventurous one involved him going to Patna by bus or train, then sailing up the Ganges past Benaras to Allahabad, then up the Yamuna past Agra to Delhi.

5. Which route did the author finally chose and why ?

Ans: The author finally decided to board a direct flight to Delhi because he was too exhausted and homesick by then.

Reference to the context

1. “At the Baudhnath Stupa….there is, in contrast, a sense of stillness.”

(a) What is the Baudhnath Stupa ? Where is it located ?

Ans: The Baudhnath Stupa is a famed Buddhist Stupa located in the city of Kathmandu.

(b) What is the Baudhnath Stupa being contrasted with by the author ?

Ans: The author contrasts the Baudhnath Stupa and its stillness to the Pashupatinath Temple and the chaos that ruled there.

2. “I have never noticed such details.”.

(a) What is the poet referring to in this line?

Ans: The poet is referring to details like a bit of familiar music played on a flute which has captured his attention on Kathmundu’s streets.

(b) When has he not noticed “such details” ?

Ans: The author says that he has not noticed such minor details on his earlier trips abroad, even though then too he had been away from home for a long time.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The author visited Kathmandu

(a) alone.

(b) a few saffron clad Westerners.

(d) Hindu pilgrims.

Ans: (c) with Mr. Shah’s son and nephew

2. Shakuhachi is a type of

(a) Japanese flute.

(b) classical Chinese music.

(d) type of food found in Nepal.

Ans: (a) Japanese flute

3. Only Hindus are allowed to enter

(a) Baudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu.

(b) shrines on Bagmati.

(d) Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu.

Ans: (d) Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu

4. The flute player played the flute

(a) in a loud, blaring manner

(b) slowly, meditatively, without excessive.

(d) out of tune.

Ans: (b) slowly, meditatively, without excessive display.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE (Additional Exercises)

1. Identify the parts of speech of the following pair words.

(i) Acclaim

Acclamation

(ii) Accomplish

Accomplishment

(iii) Ceremony

Ceremonial

(iv) Finance

Financial

(vii) Suspense

Suspension

(v) Patriot

Patriotism

(vi) Style

Stylistic

(viii) Theatre

Theatrical

Ans: (i) Acclaim ― Noun, verb

Acclamation – Noun

(ii) Accomplish ― verb

Accomplishment ― Noun

(iii) Ceremony ― Noun

Ceremonial ― Noun, adjective

(iv) Finance ― Noun/verb

Financial ― Adjective

(v) Patriot ― Noun

Patriotism ― Noun

(vi) Style ― Noun, verb

Stylistic ― Adjective

(vii) Suspense ― Noun

Suspension ― Noun

(viii) Theatre ― Noun

Theatrical ― Adjective, noun

2. Complete the following paragraph by using correct form of the verb in brackets.

In plant cells vacuoles ____ (is) full of cell sap and ____ (provide) turgidity and rigidity to the cell. Many substances of importance in the life of the plant cell ____ (is) _____ (store) in vacuoles. These. _____

(include) amino acids, sugars, various

organic acids and some proteins. In single-celled organisms, the food vacuole _____ (contain) the food items that the organism ___ has ____ (consume). Besides, the specialised vacuole also _____ (play) important roles in (expel) excess water and some wastes from the cell.

Ans: In plant cells vacuoles are full of cell sap and provide turgidity and rigidity to the cell. Many substances of importance in the life of the plant cell are stored in vacuoles. These include amino acids, sugars, various organic acids and some proteins. In single-celled organisms, the food vacuole contains the food items that the organism has consumed. Besides, the specialised vacuole also plays important roles in expelling excess water and some wastes from the cell.

3. Diary Entry –

A diary or journal can be written to note down your daily activities. There are many benefits of this besides maintaining a record to read years down, when you will enjoy recollecting your thoughts and actions of days when you were younger. A daily journal helps you to check how much time you are using or wasting, and how you are moving towards your goal. It helps you be organized, makes you disciplined, helps to relieve stress, and it improves your writing skills.

A diary entry for your day-to-day life can include your routine such as ― Got up at 6.30 ― Had special breakfast of idli made by mom went to school – English teacher was absent so our sports sir came to class and told us some stories. He is so funny. It was fun ― Got home at 2 ― slept after lunch ― sat down to study when Sunil and aunt Shweta dropped in – they stayed till dinner, Sunil and I played monopoly ― he lost as usual – had to stay up to do homework in between yawns ― finally slept at 11.

Your entry can also only mention something special or remarkable that happens. It needn’t be a time record. A diary is something you write for yourself. It helps you to clear your thoughts and notice your own feelings. It is a way to connect with yourself and very liberating.

Writing a journal for a vacation is also very fulfilling. This holidays do write a journal of all that you do whether at home or on a vacation.

SEBA Class 9 English Lesson - 10: Kathmandu Question and Answer