EXTRACT 1– TEA FROM ASSAM
Read the extract of Tea from Asssam and answer the following questions:
It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes.
It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys.
SET I
(i) Contradict the view that the landscape described in the extract is monotonous and unvaried.
Answer: The landscape is not monotonous or unvaried. It includes green paddy fields, vast tea plantations, densely wooded hills, tall shade-trees, moving plantation workers, and a factory with tall chimneys. These different features make the landscape varied and interesting.
(ii) Which of the following statements best explains the description of the tea gardens as “a sea of tea bushes”?
(a) It highlights the uniformity and vastness of the tea plantations.
(b) It suggests that tea bushes create a wavy pattern like the sea waves do.
Answer: (a) It highlights the uniformity and vastness of the tea plantations.
Explanation: The tea bushes stretch as far as the eye can see. The word “sea” creates an image of a vast, seemingly endless area filled with tea bushes. It also suggests the orderly arrangement of the plantation.
(iii) How does the description of the “ugly building with smoke billowing” create a contrast within the extract?
Answer: The description creates a contrast between the beauty of the green landscape and the unpleasant appearance of the industrial building. The green fields, tea bushes, and wooded hills represent natural beauty, while the ugly building and its smoke represent industrial activity.
(iv) What emotion is Rajvir most likely experiencing while observing the tea gardens?
Answer: Rajvir is most likely experiencing wonder, admiration, and amazement.
(v) The following words and expressions occur in the extract.
- Green paddy fields
- Sea of tea bushes
- Densely wooded hills
- Doll-like figures
- Ugly building with smoke billowing
Select the option that correctly categorises (1)–(5) into “Natural Landscape” and “Human Activity”.
(a) Natural Landscape – 1, 4, 5; Human Activity – 2, 3
(b) Natural Landscape – 2, 3; Human Activity – 1, 4, 5
(c) Natural Landscape – 1, 2, 3; Human Activity – 4, 5
(d) Natural Landscape – 1, 5; Human Activity – 2, 3, 4
Answer: (c) Natural Landscape – 1, 2, 3; Human Activity – 4, 5.
Explanation: Green paddy fields, tea bushes, and densely wooded hills form the natural landscape. The doll-like figures refer to plantation workers, while the building with smoke billowing represents human-made industrial activity.
Set II
(i) What effect does the metaphor “a sea of tea bushes” have on the reader’s understanding of the landscape?
Answer: The metaphor helps the reader imagine a vast and seemingly endless stretch of tea bushes. It emphasises the enormous size of the tea gardens and creates a vivid visual image.
(ii) What is the tone the author is UNLIKELY to have used in the line, “a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see”?
(a) Nostalgic
(b) Descriptive
(c) Awe-struck
(d) Sarcastic
Answer: (d) Sarcastic.
Explanation: The author describes the tea gardens with wonder and admiration. The line creates a vivid picture of the vast landscape. It is descriptive and may convey an awe-struck feeling, but it does not express sarcasm or mockery.
(iii) The “doll-like figures” referred to in this extract most likely are:
(a) Farm machines
(b) Plantation workers
(c) Tea bushes
(d) Wooded hills
Answer: (b) Plantation workers.
Explanation: The extract states that the doll-like figures moved busily among the orderly rows of tea bushes. These figures are most likely workers engaged in plantation activities. They appear tiny because of the vastness of the tea gardens.
(iv) “An ugly building” referred to here is most probably a/an:
(a) Tea factory
(b) Office of a tea estate
(c) Railway station
(d) Ancient house
Answer: (a) Tea factory.
Explanation: The building has tall chimneys from which smoke is billowing. These details suggest an industrial structure used for processing tea. Therefore, the building is most likely a tea factory.
(v) Select the option that correctly completes the following sentence.
The extract presents Assam as a region where nature and industry __________.
(a) exist in isolation
(b) coexist side by side
Answer: (b) coexist side by side.
Explanation: The extract describes green paddy fields, tea bushes, and wooded hills alongside a factory with tall chimneys. These details show that natural beauty and industrial activity are present in the same region.
EXTRACT 2
Read the extract of Tea from Asssam and answer the following questions:
“Hey, a tea garden!” Rajvir cried excitedly.
Pranjol, who had been born and brought up on a plantation, didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement.
“Oh, this is tea country now,” he said. “Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world. You will see enough gardens to last you a lifetime!”
“I have been reading as much as I could about tea,” Rajvir said. “No one really knows who discovered tea but there are many legends.”
SET I
(i) Contradict the view that Rajvir and Pranjol respond to the tea gardens with the same level of excitement.
Answer: Rajvir and Pranjol respond differently to the tea gardens. Rajvir is excited and amazed at the sight of a tea garden, whereas Pranjol remains calm and uninterested in the same way because he has grown up on a plantation and is familiar with tea gardens.
(ii) Which of the following statements best explains Pranjol’s lack of excitement at seeing the tea gardens?
(a) He is uninterested in natural scenery.
(b) He has grown up among tea plantations and finds them familiar.
Answer: (b) He has grown up among tea plantations and finds them familiar.
Explanation: Pranjol was born and brought up on a plantation. Therefore, tea gardens are a normal part of his surroundings. Unlike Rajvir, he does not find them unusual or surprising.
(iii) Select the option that correctly completes the following sentence.
Rajvir’s mention of legends about tea shows that he views tea not only as a crop but also as a subject of __________.
(a) scientific certainty
(b) historical curiosity
Answer: (b) historical curiosity.
Explanation: Rajvir has been reading about tea and is interested in the stories about its discovery. His reference to legends shows his curiosity about the history and origins of tea, rather than only its cultivation.
(iv) What can be inferred about Rajvir’s personality from his reaction and comments in the extract?
Answer: Rajvir appears curious, enthusiastic, observant, and eager to learn. He appreciates the tea gardens and has already read about tea before visiting Assam. His interest in legends also shows that he enjoys exploring the history and background of things.
SET II
(i) What effect does the line, “Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world” have on the tone of the paragraph?
(a) It creates a tone of pride and significance.
(b) It conveys a tone of indifference and detachment.
(c) It adds a tone of criticism and scepticism.
(d) It reflects a tone of humour and sarcasm.
Answer: (a) It creates a tone of pride and significance.
Explanation: The statement highlights Assam’s importance in tea production. It emphasises the region’s remarkable concentration of tea plantations and gives the paragraph a tone of significance and regional pride.
(ii) What is the effect of the phrase “enough gardens to last you a lifetime” in Pranjol’s dialogue?
Answer: The phrase emphasises the enormous number and vastness of tea gardens in Assam. It is an exaggeration used to suggest that Rajvir will see so many tea gardens that he could spend his entire life exploring them.
(iii) Select the option that correctly completes the following.
Rajvir’s statement about reading legends related to tea shows that he __________.
(a) values knowledge and is keen to learn beyond what he sees
(b) prefers stories and myths over real experiences
Answer: (a) values knowledge and is keen to learn beyond what he sees.
Explanation: Rajvir has read about tea before visiting Assam. He is interested in both the actual cultivation of tea and the legends surrounding its discovery. This shows that he values knowledge and likes to explore subjects in depth.
(iv) What is the tone Rajvir is UNLIKELY to have used in the line “I have been reading as much as I could about tea”?
Options: (a) Enthusiastic (b) Curious (c) Indifferent (d) Eager
Answer: (c) Indifferent
Explanation: Rajvir has made an effort to read about tea before visiting Assam. His interest in tea and its legends shows curiosity, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn. An indifferent tone would suggest a lack of interest, which contradicts his behaviour.
(v) How does there are many legends reflect the cultural and historical richness of tea?
Answer: The phrase “there are many legends” reflects the cultural and historical richness of tea because it has been associated with different stories, traditions, and beliefs over time. These legends show that tea is not merely a beverage but also an important part of human history and culture.
(vi) Cite one example of exaggeration in the extract.
Answer: “You will see enough gardens to last you a lifetime!”
Explanation: This is an example of hyperbole, a figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration for emphasis. Pranjol does not mean that Rajvir will literally spend his entire lifetime seeing tea gardens. He wants to emphasise the enormous number of tea plantations in Assam.
(vii) Why is it fair to say that Rajvir possesses the necessary attributes of a good researcher? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Rajvir is curious, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. He reads extensively about tea before visiting Assam. He also explores the legends surrounding its discovery. His preparation, inquisitive nature, and interest in gathering information reflect the qualities of a good researcher.