1. Answer the following questions
(a) What does the old man ask the poet?
The old man asks the poet to tell him what his land is like.
(b) Why does the old man ask the question to the poet?
He asks the question because he is blind and cannot see his native land.
(c) How does the poet address the old man? What does that form of address mean?
The poet addresses the old man as “Koka”. It means grandfather or an elderly man.
(d) Why does the poet ask the old man to breathe deep?
The poet asks him to breathe deep so that he can feel the warm air of his native land.
(e) With what does the poet compare the cool breeze on the old man's face?
The poet compares it with the peaceful breath of the native land.
(f) With what does the poet compare the contented gurgling of the little baby?
The poet compares it with the soil of the native land.
(g) What does the chorus of the cuckoo and the sparrows do?
The chorus of the cuckoo and sparrows shapes the native land.
(h) What are the things that create the soul of the poet's beloved country?
The distant roll of the bihu dhol, the pepa and gogona, the aroma of pitha and laroo, and the evening prayers in the namghor, masjid and church create the soul of the poet’s beloved country.
2. Match the stanzas with the summaries
(a) My native land makes me feel as safe and secure as a baby carried on a mother's back. — Stanza 4
(b) The spirit of my native land can be understood in terms of unity in diversity. — Stanza 6
(c) The lonely, blind old man in the street asked me to describe our native land. — Stanza 1
(d) Our native land is rich in nature and birds and animals. — Stanza 5
(e) The touch of our native land is as peaceful as the cool breeze after rain. — Stanza 3
4. Match the words with their meanings
thunder - the loud explosive sound that follows lightning in the clouds
morn - morning
contented - satisfied
gurgling - the happy sound made by babies
chorus - singing or speaking at the same time
aroma - pleasant smell
sturdy - strong and firm
8 (a) (i) Fill in the blanks
The Jonbeel Mela is a three day community fair held by the Tiwa community in Dayang Belguri at Jonbeel in Morigaon district over the weekend of the Magh Bihu. It is a fair in Morigaon, Assam organised by the Tiwa community. The American tourist Jim Gordon was delighted to know about Assam. He had heard of Kaziranga and the rhinoceros. He wanted to visit the river island Majuli. He was in time to celebrate Magh Bihu.
8 (a) (ii) Answer the questions
(a) What was the name of the American tourist?
The name of the American tourist was Jim Gordon.
(b) Where did the author meet him?
The author met him at the Park Hotel in Kolkata.
(c) What was the name of the author's travel agency?
The name of the travel agency was Garuda Travels.
(d) Which places in Assam was the tourist keen to visit?
He was keen to visit Kaziranga and Majuli.
(e) In which month was the tourist in Kolkata?
The tourist was in Kolkata in January.
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