NCERT Solutions for Class 11

English
Hornbill Chapter 3- Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
● Forensic reconstruction
Ans: Forensic reconstruction refers to the process of scanning a mummy or any
object of archaeological importance and creating a 3-dimensional model of it.
King Tut’s body was carefully taken out of its resting place in the tomb and
scanned to dig deeper into the secrets of the death of this young king. Modern
science and technology are used nowadays to get a better idea of the past.
● Scudded across
Ans: Scudded across refers to a quick motion or movement of something. The
text describes the movement of the dark-bellied clouds across the desert sky
when King Tut was taken away from his resting place in the Valley of Kings.
● Casket grey
Ans: Casket grey refers to the dark-colored clouds, compared with a coffin.
When King Tut was taken out from the cemetery, it appeared as if the dark-
bellied clouds had hidden the stars like jewels in a casket.
● Resurrection
Ans: Resurrection refers to coming back to life after death. King Tut was buried
with a lot of wealth. The sunning artefacts in gold caused a sensation at the time
of its discovery and guaranteed a resurrection due to their eternal brilliance.
● Funerary treasures
Ans: Funerary treasures refer to the abundant wealth that King Tut was buried
with. It is one of the richest royal collections ever found. There are stunning
artefacts along with daily needs goods such as board games, razors, linen
undergarments, wine, etc. The wealth buried with King Tut was enormous and
it gave the illusion of treasure being discovered.
● Circumvented
Ans: Circumvented means to find an alternative or way to overcome a problem.
In the text, it meant that the thieves would find a way to trick the guards and rip
apart the mummy to steal away the wealth King Tut was buried with. Carter
eventually had to separate the king from his wealth piece by piece and arranged
him in a sandbox to conceal the damage and proceed for the scan.
● Computed tomography
Ans: Computed tomography is an imaging test used to create internal and
detailed images of internal organs. Hundreds of X-rays in cross-section are put

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together and give a three-dimensional virtual image of the body scanned. CT
scan was used to scan the body of King Tut to know more about his history and
death.
● Eerie detail
Ans: Eerie detail means strange, frightening, and uncanny details. After the
mummy was scanned, head to toe, 1,700 digital X-rays of Tut were created.
When the images of King Tut’s head scan were placed together, the resulting
image had eerie details that caused a shiver down the spine to the viewers.

2. Give reasons for the following.

(i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny.
Ans: King Tut was the last powerful king that ruled over Egypt. He ascended
the throne and became the Pharaoh of Egypt at the age of eight. He died in his
teens and the reason for his death was less known to the archaeologists and
historians. Upon discovering King Tut's body in the Valley of Kings, the
researchers tried everything to know more about him and even separated his
body from the coffin and removed the jewels that he adorned to get a better look
at his physical state which eventually would provide some clues for his death.
This led to King Tut’s body being subjected to repeated scrutiny.

(ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was resented.

Ans: Howard Carter's investigation of King Tut’s body was followed by some
irrational decisions which resulted in the mummy being damaged. The British
archaeologist discovered Tut's tomb in 1922. However, his investigation was
resented because the ritual resins had hardened and cemented Tut to the bottom
of his solid gold coffin. He tried using the sun to separate the mummy, but it was
in vain and eventually he separated the mummy using physical force which
damaged it.

(iii) Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s
remains.
Ans: Carter, a British archaeologist found Tut’s tomb in 1922 after years of futile
searching. After investigating the treasures, he moved on to the three coffins that
laid there. The ritual's resins had hardened and cemented Tut to the bottom of
his gold coffin. No amount of legality could remove it and eventually it had to
be chiseled away from the coffin. Carter's men removed the mummy’s head and
severed every joint. They then reassembled it in a wooden box and concealed
the damage.

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(iv) Tut’s body was buried along with gilded treasures.
Ans: When Carter discovered Tut’s tomb in 1922 they were awestruck by its
lavish beauty. It still remains the richest royal collection ever associated with a
pharaoh’s legend. Other than gold artefacts, he was also buried with daily
utilities such as bronze razors, board games, wine, linen undergarments, etc. It
was believed that the king might need all his wealth and the essentials in his
afterlife.

(v) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun.
Ans: Tutankhaten took the throne at an incredibly youthful age after a
mysterious ruler named Smenkhkare briefly took over the throne. He soon
changed his name to Tutankhamun or ‘living image of Amun’ and restored the
old day and way of life. King Amennotep destroyed the images of Amun and
closed its temples which led to unrest among the masses.

3. (i) List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as “wacky”.
Ans: Ray Johnson described Akhenaten as “wacky.” He promoted the worship
of Aten, the sun disk. He also moved the religious capital from the old city of
Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten, known as Amarna. He further angered the
civilization by attacking their major God, Amun, smashing his images and
closing his temples.
(ii) What were the results of the CT scan?
Ans: The C.T. scan machine scanned Tut's mummy from head to toe. It created
1,700 digital X-ray images in cross-section and Tut’s head was scanned in 0.62-
millimeter slices and produced images in eerie detail. The body was entirely
recorded using the scan and helped specialists in radiology, forensics, and
anatomy probe the secrets that the mummy carried with itself.

(iii) List the advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis.
Ans: With time there have been several improvements in the field of forensic
science and the medical field. Improved equipment like C.T. scans, MRI, and
autopsy can provide us details that earlier equipment like X-ray machines were
unable to provide us. With scans as deep as 0.62 millimetres the images produced
have eerie details that helped the researchers and specialists dig deeper,
scientifically, to find the reasons for his death.

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(iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be
scanned — in death, as in life ...”
Ans: Scanning is an advanced medical technology that is not accessible to many.
King Tut was the first mummy to be scanned using the advanced and expensive
medical tool to get great details of his body. The CT scan machine was donated
by the National Geographic Society and Siemens, its manufacturer.

4. Scientific intervention is necessary to unearth buried mysteries.

Ans: History has great relevance in our lives. It is something about which very
less is known. Using scientific technology helps us get a deeper knowledge, with
finer details about the past. Using scientific tools properly provides us with
precise information that we could not get using physical methods. Scientific
technology provides precision to the details we get from the research and aids it
further. King Tut’s scans were detailed and helped archaeologists and historians
know better about his past and reasons of death.

5. Advanced technology gives us conclusive evidence of past events.

Ans: Advanced technology provides us finer details of the archaeological site.
Techniques like carbon dating help us to know how old an aggravation is. Use
of equipment like C.T. scan provided even the minute details of the mummy of
Tut which would not have been possible with a physical examination.
Technology helps greatly if proper equipment is used and helps us to form a
better understanding of the past and unveil the secrets that the past has.

6. Traditions, rituals, and funerary practices must be respected.

Ans: Each civilization and culture has its own rituals and practices. Some
practises might be weird or different for some. But each ritual and practice must
be respected. These practices are done so that the dead lie in peace and are
undisturbed. The sentiments that people have associated with these practices
must be respected and not criticized or made fun of. It makes us more tolerant of
other cultures and we also learn to be more accepting of things around us.

7. Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our knowledge of the

world we live in.
Ans: Past not only provides us details of the great legends who lived during those
times but also about other trivial things like diseases, literature, habits, etc. of the
people who lived during that time. Having a deep knowledge of history provides
us more insight into our civilization and lets us know about what existed before
us. It also helps us learn from the mistakes committed in the past.

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8. What do you think are the reasons for the extinction of languages?
Ans: Languages evolve with time and as civilization progresses. Latin was a
language of the masses during the beginning of civilization, and it eventually
progressed to English. Latin is now a dead language and is not used. Lack of
flexibility and the language being difficult to use and learn are also major
contributors for a language being dead.

9. Do you think it is important to preserve languages?

Ans: Language carries the history of civilization. The ancient transcripts are also
written in the language that was used then. When a language is not used further,
the data written in that language is not accessible anymore. It is important to
preserve the language as it keeps us in touch with one's traditions, heritage, and
the events that happened in the past. When a language is lost all the history
written in that language is lost.

10. In what ways do you think we could help prevent the extinction of
languages and dialects?
Ans: Preventing the extinction of languages is an important step we can take
towards the conservation of our history. By teaching the next generation about
the language and dialects and encouraging its usage is an effective way to
prevent the extinction of the language. Preserving the connection to one's
heritage and respecting it are two other behavioral ways that can help us conserve
the language.

11. Given below are some interesting combinations of words. Explain why
they have been used together.
(i) ghostly dust devils
Ans: The phrase tells us more about the winds that were blowing. It provides the
characteristics of ghosts and devils and helps imagine the readers the scary
nature of the wind.
(ii) desert sky
Ans: Each vegetation has a characteristic sky color based on the nature of
particles in the air. The phrase tells us that the author wants the reader to imagine
a typical desert sky and atmosphere.

(iii) stunning artefacts

Ans: There are various forms of artefacts that are discovered while excavation.
The artefacts discovered in Tut's tomb were stunning and of magnificent
brilliance.

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(iv) funerary treasures
Ans: Egyptians believed in the concept of afterlife and hence laid importance
in burying the dead with wealth and the daily necessities like a razor, linen
undergarments, flowers, and wine. The wealth buried along with King Tut was
so enormous that it almost appeared like treasure.

(v) scientific detachment

Ans: Scientific detachment means having an indifference towards the scientific
measure and techniques that can be used to further explore the aggravations
discovered.

(vi) dark-bellied clouds

Ans: Clouds containing enough water to shower are often dark. The clouds
casted in the sky were dark and announced rain.

(vii) casket grey

Ans: Casket is a box or case used to store a body. When Tut was taken out of
his resting place the dark-bellied clouds made the surroundings appear as if it
was a casket.

(viii) eternal brilliance

Ans: Eternal brilliance talks about the shine and the amount of wealth that King
Tut got buried with. It was in enormous quantities and gave off an eternal
brilliance which is timeless and still has that awe.

(ix) ritual resins

Ans: There were various crematory activities that were done while burying King
Tut. The resins and flowers that King Tut was buried within spring eventually
melted because of the heat and the body got cemented to the coffin.

(x) virtual body

Ans: The C.T. scan provided various virtual images of the scanned body. The
researchers almost got virtual data and an image of his whole body with great
precision.

12. Here are some commonly used medical terms. Find out their meanings.
Ans: Various medical terms like CT scan, MRI, Autopsy, Tomography, and
angiography are used in the text.
● CT scan: or Computed Tomography scan provides an X-ray image of a

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 body taken from various angles. It creates slices of blood vessels and soft
tissues inside our bodies. It provides extremely detailed images and has
helped in medical diagnosis.
● MRI: MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses strong magnetic fields
and gradients to generate images of the organs in the body. It helps to
distinguish between distinct types of tissues in the body and creates a
detailed image of the inside of the body.
● Tomography: It is an old scanning tool. In this X-ray technique shadows
of superimposed structures are blurred out by a moving X-ray tube. Linear
and nonlinear are two basic types of tomography used.
● Autopsy: It is the dissection and examination of a dead body. It helps to
know the reason for death. The organs and samples of tissues are collected
to know the cause.
● Post mortem: Dissection of the body to know the reason of death is called
post mortem.
● Biopsy: The removal of the tissues for diagnostic purposes is termed as
biopsy.
● Dialysis: It is the process of filtering toxins from the blood via kidneys.
In case both the kidneys of the patient stop working he is put on a dialysis
machine to aid the process of filtration.
● ECG: ECG or electrocardiogram is a test that is used to check the heart's
rhythm and electrical activity. Electrodes are attached to the chest, arms,
and legs for the diagnosis. It detects the electrical signals produced in the
body when the heartbeats.
● Angiography: It is the examination of the blood vessels via injecting a
radiographically detectable substance into the body and scanning using x
rays.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English
Hornbill- Chapter 4: Landscape of the Soul

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
i. Anecdote
Ans: It refers to a brief description of a specific event which is of an exceptional
or exciting kind.
ii. Illusionistic likeness
Ans: It indicates an attribute of the method of using a graphical representation
that can trick the eyes. The reference is to an illusion created by the semblance of
something.
iii. Delicate realism
Ans: It suggests the fragile nature of art which gives a realistic vision of the
subject.
iv. Conceptual space
Ans: It indicates the relations with the abstract rather than the exact description
of the subject in a matter of art. This shows a dimension that cannot be a
calculated measure of the subject.
v. Figurative painting
Ans: It refers to the symbolic illustration which is observed only through the
imagination of the artist.

Understanding the Text

1. (i) Contrast the Chinese view of art with the European view with examples.
Ans. The contrasting character of the Chinese view of art with the European view
is given below.
Chinese view of art European view of art

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 From the Chinese point of view, art has European paintings try to depict the
a close and deep relation with the mind physical appearance and focus on
as well as the spirit. The Chinese reality.
paintings are deeply connected to the
spirituality of mind and soul and try to
represent it.
Example: The Chinese paintings of Wu Example: European paintings of
Daozi are not amazing but they also have Quinten Metsys represent the exact
a spiritual inner approach. form of the subject that does not
hold any underlying meaning.

(ii) Explain the concept of Shanshui.

Ans. In Chinese, Shanshui means “mountain-water”. It depicts the style of
Chinese painting that is related to natural landscapes. However, they have an
underlying deep meaning as mountain and water together form the landscape with
mountain representing warmth and dryness that lies vertically while water on the
other hand is cool, moist and lies horizontally.

2. (i) What do you understand by the terms ‘outsider art’ and ‘art brut’ or
‘raw art’?
Ans. The words 'Outsiders art' refers to art created by someone without any
professional training to be an artist. 'Art brut' or 'raw art' (term used by Jean
Dubuffet who was a painter) are the works of art in their raw state that are
considered to be unconventional and hold certain cultural as well as artistic
values.
(ii) Who was the “untutored genius who created a paradise” and what is the
nature of his contribution to art?
Ans. The person mentioned as ‘untutored genius who created a paradise’ is Nek
Chand Saini. He is an octogenarian creator-director credited with the world-
famous rock garden at Chandigarh. His art was considered to be an ‘outsider art’
in which he utilized stones and recycled materials to depict his expression in the
form of painting. Though he had no formal training about art, he successfully
created a masterpiece and hence, received the title “untutored genius”.

Talking about the Text

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1. “The Emperor may rule over the territory he has conquered, but only the
artist knows the way within.”
Ans. This phrase has tried to depict the strength of an artist and his capacity to
create a deep connection with his artwork which is sacred and pious enough for
anybody to prevent from entering into it and interfering. The Tang Emperor
Xuanzong may be capable enough to rule over the territory which was under his
jurisdiction but he can never understand an artist and his passion for his artwork.
Every artist is unique in his way and can establish a divine relationship with his
art that is impossible for a non-artist to understand.

2. “The landscape is an inner one, a spiritual and conceptual space.”

Ans. The landscape here is referred to as the Shanshui, the Chinese painting
which symbolizes mountain water. The artist in this form tries to juxtapose two
different entities ie. mountain (Yang) and Yin (water) together. Symbolically, the
mountain stands vertically, which refers to its connection to heaven as it can serve
to be the staircase to heaven whereas the horizontal water represents the earth.
Therefore, Shanshui may symbolize the divine connection between the earth and
heaven which is also a spiritual one. The artist not only focuses on the outer
beautification of the painting but also tries to signify the inner and conceptual
meaning related to mountain and water.

Thinking about the Language

1. Find out the correlates of Yin and Yang in other cultures.
Ans. In Christianity, it holds a different meaning as compared to the Chinese
tradition. It symbolizes the unending struggle occurring between heaven and hell.
On the other hand, in Hinduism, according to Vedanta philosophy, Yin and Yang
symbolise Akshara (invisible soul) and Kshara (visible body).

2. What is the language spoken in Flanders?

Ans: In Flanders, the most spoken language is French.

Working with Words

1. The following common words are used in more than one sense.
panel, studio, brush, essence, material

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Examine the following sets of sentences to find out what the words, ‘panel’
and ‘essence’ mean in different contexts.

Panel
i. The masks from Bawa village in Mali look like long panels of decorated
wood.
Ans. Boards of decorated wood.
ii. Judge H. Hobart Grooms told the jury panel he had heard the reports.
Ans. A group of common people selected to listen to the evidence and provide a
verdict on a court hearing.
iii. The panel is laying the groundwork for an international treaty.
Ans. Group of experts.
iv. The glass panels of the window were broken.
Ans. Window panes.
v. Through the many round tables, workshops and panel discussions, a
consensus was reached.
Ans. Group discussions.
vi. The sink in the hinged panel above the bunk drains into the head.
Ans. A flat board fixed with a hinge.

Essence
i. Their repetitive structure must have taught the people around the great
composer the essence of music.
Ans. The most remarkable characteristic of something, that gives it its identity.
ii. Part of the answer is in the proposition, but the essence is in the meaning.
Ans. The main part.
iii. The implications of these schools of thought are of practical essence for
the teacher.
Ans. Practical importance.
iv. They had added vanilla essence to the pudding.

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Ans. A liquid taken from vanilla that contains its smell and taste is very strong in
form.

2. Now find five sentences each for the rest of the words to show the different
senses in which each of them is used.
Ans: The sentences are given below.
• Studio:
1. Anand has been working for the Midsummer Studios as a sound engineer.
2. The photographer asked the customer to visit his studio for his photos.
3. Jaya is learning Kathak at a famous dance studio in Delhi.
4. The programme will be broadcast directly from Shockwave studios.
5. Rajesh bought a studio apartment in Bengaluru.

• Brush:
1. For healthy teeth, brushing teeth twice a day is necessary.
2. Hearing compliments from her teacher, Manju blushed bright red.
3. Due to reckless driving, Harish brushed with death yesterday.
4. Experts use camel hair brushes for painting on the canvases.
5. The graphite brushes help to connect the coil inside the electric motor to
the electric supply.

• Material:
1. Nowadays humans mostly want material pleasure.
2. The raw materials for textile industrial use had become costly in recent
years.
3. Raja’s weekend trip to Goa never materialised due to state wise lockdown.
4. The selectors decided MS Dhoni is one-day material, hence they selected
him.
5. Shakespeare used comedy and tragedy as important materials in his plays.

Landscape Of The Soul Noticing Form

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A classical Chinese landscape is not meant to reproduce an actual view, as
would a Western figurative painting.
Whereas the European painter wants you to borrow his eyes and look at a
particular landscape exactly as he saw it, from a specific angle, the Chinese
painter does not choose a single viewpoint.
The above two examples are ways in which contrast may be expressed.
Combine the following sets of ideas to show the contrast between them.
1. (i) European art tries to achieve a perfect, illusionistic likeness.
(ii) Asian art tries to capture the essence of inner life and spirit.
Ans: While European art strives for perfection and illusionistic similarity, Asian
art aims to convey the essence of inner life and spirit.

2. (i) The Emperor commissions a painting and appreciates its outer

appearance.
(ii) The artist reveals to him the true meaning of his work.
Ans: Though the Emperor orders a painting and admires its beauty, it is the artist
who explains the true meaning of his work to him.

3. (i) The Emperor may rule over the territory he has conquered.
(ii) The artist knows the way within.
Ans: Though the Emperor governs over the lands he has conquered, the artist is
the one who knows how to get in.

Things to do
1. Find out about as many Indian schools of painting as you can. Write a
short note on the distinctive features of each school.
Ans: Few Indian school of paintings are:
• Rajasthani painting
• Bengal school of painting
• Mughal school of painting
• Mysore school of painting
Important features of these schools of art are given below.
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 • Rajasthani school painting: This style was also a mix of local painting
styles of Rajputana and Mughal painting styles. This school of art
developed under the patronage of the kings of Mewar.
• Bengal school of art: This style developed during the twentieth century
under British colonial influence. The art was primarily influenced by
European painting style which later met the eastern techniques.
• Mughal School of art: This style came to life during the rule of Akbar.
The painting style was influenced by the Safavid school of Persian
painting, which later mixed with the Indian local style to generate the
Mughal school of painting. The subjects were mostly nature and sometimes
portrayal of rulers or common humans in various settings.
• Mysore school of painting: This style developed under the patronage of
the royal family of Mysore. The main subjects of these paintings were
human portrayal and Hindu mythological stories. This art was influenced
by European painting techniques.

2. Find out about experiments in recycling that help in environmental

conservation.
Ans: The experiments in recycling that help in environmental conservation are:
• Various packaging materials containing aluminium are used to make
wrapping papers for gifts.
• Special fibres are produced from plastic bottles which are used to make
durable and rainproof apparel.
• The depleted uranium from the nuclear reactors is used to make armor
piercing shells.
• Cardboards prepared from recycled materials are used to make durable
furniture in Japan.
• Recycled wood is used to make usable furniture and construction of homes.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English - Hornbill
Chapter 5 – The Ailing Planet the Green Movement’s Role

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.

Ans: i) a holistic and ecological view: It refers to a point of view that advocates for
the preservation of the planet and an appreciation of the value of the planet's
resources and environment for future generations.
ii) inter alia: as well as others

iii) sustainable development: A balanced development that serves current demands

while also considering the needs of future generations.

iv) decimated: to dramatically reduce the number of people

v) languish: Many species are overlooked or undetected.

vi) catastrophic depletion: a detrimental and devastating reduction in the number

of something

vii) ignominious darkness: Nobody knows or is informed about them, therefore

they are shamed or dishonored.

viii) transcending concern: a concern that transcends generations and borders It

concerns not just the present but also the future; it concerns not only individuals but
also the earth.

2. Locate the lines in the text that support the title. 'The Ailing Planet'.

Ans: The lines that support the chapter's title are listed below.
“The earth‟s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health.”

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“Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts,
impoverished landscapes, and ailing environment?

…the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is „critical‟ in many of the eighty-
eight countries investigated”.

“When this happens, fisheries collapse, forests disappear, grasslands are converted
into barren wastelands and croplands deteriorate. It has been well said that forests
precede mankind; deserts follow. Several species of life face extinction as a result
of their destruction. The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our
demise, it is our passport for the future.”

3. What does the notice 'The world's most dangerous animal' at a cage in the
zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?

Ans: “The world's most dangerous animal,” reads a sign outside a cage in the zoo in
Lusaka, Zambia. There is no animal within the cage, only a mirror in which one may
view one's reflection. It's a satirical way of pointing out how humans are to blame
for the extinction of so many species, resulting in resource depletion and
environmental degradation. Man is to blame for this, and his survival is in jeopardy.

4. How are the earth's principal biological systems being depleted?

Ans: The earth's biological systems are divided into four categories.
Fisheries, woods, grasslands, and croplands are examples of these systems. These
four systems provide practically all of the raw materials for the industry, in addition
to supplying our food. However, the productivity of these systems is being limited
as a result of the "unsustainable" increase in human demand. Excessive demand
causes these resources to deteriorate and be depleted. Overfishing is prevalent in a
place where protein is consumed on a big scale, resulting in the collapse of fisheries
in that area. Grasslands have devolved into deserts, and food production is declining.

For the sake of obtaining firewood, enormous areas of forest are destroyed. Several
species have been extinct as a result of the depletion of tropical forests.

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5. Why does the author aver that the growth of the world population is one of
the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?

Ans: Overpopulation is one of the most powerful causes of poverty and

unemployment in a country.

It disrupts the earth's major biological processes, resulting in environmental

deterioration. The author emphasizes the problem of overpopulation by highlighting
the mentality of the impoverished, who believe that having more children implies
having more labor to make money. They are oblivious to the fact that more children
equal more jobless individuals. He claims that development is the best contraceptive,
citing the spread of education, improved health, and increased affluence as
examples. People become more conscious as a result of increased education, which
leads to a decrease in the "fertility rate." The author adds a note that underlines the
never-ending cycle of population and poverty, stating, "The decision is basically
between population control and poverty perpetuation."

6. Laws are never respected not enforced in India.

Ans: India, the world's largest democracy, is chastised for its lax attitude toward the
rule of law. In our country, laws are made but never followed or enforced. The Indian
Constitution, for example, states that casteism, untouchability, and bonded labor will
be eradicated; nonetheless, these ills continue to exist openly today. According to
the author, Article 48A of the Indian Constitution states that "the State shall endeavor
to maintain and promote the environment, as well as to safeguard the country's
forests and animals." However, little is being done to support this. Over the previous
four decades, we've seen a near-"catastrophic depletion" of forests. Forests are losing
at a rate of 3.7 million acres per year throughout the decades. In actuality, areas that
are officially labeled as forest land are devoid of trees. The true pace of forest loss
is eight times higher than the government data indicate.

7. “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts,

impoverished landscapes, and an ailing environment?”

Ans: The first Brandt Report, as we discover in the book, posed the above-
mentioned question about the planet's worsening health. Earth is like to a "patient in
poor health." Excessive demand for resources has resulted in the depletion of forests,

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grasslands, fisheries, and croplands. Overpopulation has put a serious burden on our
planet's health. We must quickly recognize that it is completely our responsibility to
save our world in this "Era of Responsibility." We must recognize that the earth
belongs to future generations just as much as it does to us. Rather than making it our
own, we should do everything we can to protect it for the generations from whom
we have "borrowed" it.

8. “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it
from our children”.

Ans: People's attitudes toward the world have shifted over the decades. Human
perspective has transformed into a "worldview that is holistic and ecological." The
Earth is a living being with finite resources. These resources won't last indefinitely.
The earth has metabolic requirements that must be addressed. The term "sustainable
development" refers to the necessity to meet the demands of the current generation
without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. Our current difficulties are not
always deadly, but they do serve as a "passport to the future." This is the "Era of
Responsibility," which requires us to act responsibly. We must recognize that the
earth belongs to future generations just as much as it does to us

9. The problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.

Ans: Poverty and unemployment are challenges that arise as a result of

overpopulation. Unless the main cause, population, is addressed, the vicious spiral
of population and poverty will persist. It stifles a country's progress. As a result,
natural resources are depleted at a far faster rate. The consumption of fossil fuels,
the depletion of natural resources, the clearing of forests, the heat created, and the
resulting global warming are all consequences of the world's rapidly rising
population. The current global population is expected to be 5.7 billion people, with
one million people added every four days. If the population continues to grow at this
rate, the development will be impossible. Many problems can be solved by
controlling the population.

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10. The phrase 'inter alias meaning 'among other things is one of the many
Latin expressions commonly used in English. Find out what these Latin phrases
mean.

i. Prima face

Ans: "Prima facie" implies "at first glance, before the further examination."

ii. ad hoc

Ans: ad hoc implies "For the precise purpose, case, or scenario at hand and for no
other,"

iii. in camera

Ans: The phrase "in camera" means "in secret, in private."

iv. ad infinitum

Ans: ad infinitum is a Latin phrase that means "to infinity, without end."

v. mutate multanis

Ans: mutatis mutandis means "just changing those items that need to be altered," or
"only making the essential changes." The term "caveat" refers to a "warning or
caution."

vi. tabula rasa

Ans: Tabula rasa refers to the opportunity to begin anew, "without any prior
experience or information."

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11. Locate the following words in the text and study their connotation.

i). gripped the imagination of

Ans : have a strong impact on the imagination

ii). dawned upon

Ans: realization of the thing for the first time

iii). ushered in

Ans: started a new idea

iv). passed into current coin

Ans: have been put into practice). passport of the future

Ans: something that makes something possible or allows someone to achieve

something growth authorization

12. The words „grip‟, „dawn‟. „usher‟, „coin‟, „passport‟ have a literal as
well as a figurative meaning. Write pairs of sentences using each word in the
literal as well as figurative sense.

Ans: 1) Grip
a) During the rock-climbing session, she was fantastic.

She has a strong grip.

b) The 'India Against Corruption' movement has gripped the hearts and minds of
Indians.

2) dawn
a) The day dawned with a clear sky.

b) The thought suddenly dawned on him.

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3) usher
a) They were ushered to their seats by the waiter.

b) The Green Movement ushered in the start of a new era of environmental

awareness.

4) Coin
a) I have 10 Rs. 5 coins.

b) A well-known philosopher coined the term.

5) Passport

a) He recently received his passport to see you.

b) He forgot his passport in his haste to go.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English - Hornbill
Chapter 6 – The Browning Version

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
(i) Remove

Ans: a section of a school

(ii) slackers

pupils that are unmotivated and lazy

(iii) muck

Ineffective
(iv) kept in

grounded, detained, and required to work outside of school hours

(v) got carried away

Due to overwhelming emotions, you may become overly excited or lose control of
your sentiments.
(vi) cut

Elude
(vii) sadist

a person who enjoys inflicting misery on other people

(viii) shriveled up

having no emotions

2. Comment on the attitude shown by Taplow towards Crocker-Harris.

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 1

Ans: Taplow's teacher is Crocker-Harris. Mr. Crocker Harris, according to Taplow
and me, is a stern disciplinarian. He is a dedicated and hardworking instructor who
calls Taplow even on the last day of school to make up for a missed class. No student
has ever had the bravery to ‘cut' Mr. Crocker Harris' class in his whole academic
career. He's neither partial nor biassed, and he'll give Taplow what he deserves. He
attempts to keep a comfortable space between himself and his students. He remains
shriveled up and never responds to the sensations expressed by his students. He is a
man of integrity who adheres to the school's rules. Despite his harsh behavior, his
students like him. Even Frank, one of his coworkers, admires him for the impact he
has on the pupils. He is severe, but not as cruel as he appears to be.

3. Does Frank seem to encourage Taplow's comments on Crocker-Harris?

Ans: Yes, Frank backed up Taplow's remark about Shrivelled. “Crocker-Harris is a

person who was shriveled up inside like a nut and he seems to loathe people to like
him,” Taplow told Frank about Crocker-Harris. Frank used a series of questions to
persuade Taplow to talk more about Crocker-Harris.

4. What do you gather about Crocker-Harris from the play?

Ans: Mr. Harris is a teacher who will not deviate from the norms and regulations to
appease the kids' feelings. He is unaffected by emotions and believes in a fair
assessment of his students. He is not a sadist, but he is meticulous in his work. Even
on his last day at school, when he is preoccupied with his concerns, he remembers
his responsibilities to the pupils.

Talking about the Text.

Discuss with your partners.

1. Talking about teachers among friends.

Ans: The majority of kids make comments on their teachers. Students are intelligent
individuals who are great observers. Teachers serve as role models for pupils, and

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they are judged not only on their topic knowledge, but also on their teaching
methods, communication skills, interaction with students, and overall personality
and behavior. Teachers should not be upset by the nicknames bestowed upon them
by their adoring students. Teachers may mistakenly believe that the boys are
illiterate, although this is incorrect. Students' favorite hobby is talking about
professors with their buddies. They extol their qualities while condemning their
flaws.

2. The manner you adopt when you talk about a teacher to other teachers.

Ans: When discussing a teacher with other teachers, we should be respectful and
courteous. We should add ‘Mr', ‘Miss,' or ‘Mrs' before the teacher's name and use
his or her entire name as a matter of courtesy. A teacher should never be referred to
by the nickname that has been given to him or her. To put it another way, we should
take a more formal approach. Our comments should never be disparaging or
impolite. It is impolite to put our instructors down, especially if it is done in front of
other teachers. Our actions, as well as our words, are used to judge us.

3. Reading plays is more interesting than studying science.

Ans: Reading plays is undeniably more engaging than studying science since it
stimulates our imagination and offers us insights into human life and behavior. Its
clear language aids in the development of our linguistic abilities. It is a source of
enjoyment and entertainment. Reading science has its own set of advantages. It
enlightens us and instills in us a modern mindset. Experiments that we conduct in
the lab are also valuable in our daily lives. Science allows us to grow in the future.

6. A sadist is a person who gets pleasure out of giving pain to others. Given
below are some dictionary definitions of certain kinds of persons. Find out the
words that fit these descriptions.

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i. A person who considers it very important that things should be correct or
genuine e.g. in the use of language or the arts: P...

Ans: Perfectionist

ii. A person who believes that war and violence are wrong and will not fight in
a war: P...

Ans: Pacifist

iii. A person who believes that nothing exists: N...

Ans: Nihilist

iv. A person who is always hopeful and expects the best in all things: O...

Ans: Optimist

v. A person who follows generally accepted norms of behavior: C...

Ans: Conventionalist

vi. A person who believes that material possessions are all that matter in life:
M...

Ans: Materialist

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 4

 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English - Hornbill
Chapter 7 – The Adventure

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.

Blow-by-blow account

De facto
Morale booster
Astute
Relegated to
Doctored accounts

Political acumen

Gave vent to
Ans:
Blow-by-blow account means a detailed account. In the text, this expression is
used when Prof. Gangadharpant tries to understand the consequence of the Battle
of Panipat by reading the book on this topic.

De facto refers to the existence of something, whether with lawful authority or

not. In the text, Peshwas are referred to as the de facto rulers because the Mughal
regime in Delhi was kept alive by them.
Morale booster indicates anything that increases confidence or morale. In the text
this expression occurs when it is told that the Battle of Panipat was won by the
Marathas due to which their morale increased and gave them the confidence to
exert their supremacy all over the country.

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 Astute means practical hard-headed intelligence. This word is used in the text to
show the intelligence of Peshwas for recognizing the importance of technological
age arising in Europe.

'Relegated to' refers to when someone is assigned to a lower position or rank. In

the text, it is shown that after the Battle of Panipat, Dadasaheb who was a Maratha
chieftain, was assigned to a lower position.

Doctored accounts means manipulating the accounts. The expression in the text
is used to convey that the Bakhars were providing the manipulated accounts of
history and not the original historical facts.

Political acumen means political shrewdness with sharp insight. In the text, it is
used to show how Madhavrao and Vishwasrao spread their influence all over the
country with their shrewdness.

Give vent to means to express one’s ideas or feelings. In the text, Professor
Gaitonde expresses his ideas on the Battle of Panipat in the public lecture.

Understanding the Text

Tick the statements that are true.

(i) The story is an account of real events.

(ii) The story hinges on a particular historical event.
(iii) Rajendra Deshpande was a historian.

(iv) The places mentioned in the story are all imaginary.

(v) The story tries to relate history to science.

Ans:
(i) False
(ii) True

(iii) False
(iv) False

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 (v) True

Briefly explain the following statements from the text.

1. “You neither travelled to the past nor the future. You were in the present
experiencing a different world.”
Ans: Rajendra says this to Professor Gaitonde. He makes a transition from one world
to the other and then back again. He is able to experience different worlds, although
one at a time, through transition. He does not travel to the past or even to the future.
He is in the present but experiences a different world.

2. “You have passed through a fantastic experience: or more correctly, a

catastrophic experience.”
Ans: Rajendra makes this statement to Professor Gaitonde in the text. Gangadhar
has gone through a weird experience. He experiences living in two worlds – the one
where he lives now and the other where he spent two days.

3. Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew with what
he was witnessing around him.
Ans: Gangadhar compares two Indias that he saw. He knew about an India which
saw the fall of the Peshwas and was under the British slavery. Then he talks about
India which he saw in two days. It was completely different. It was not a slave of the
British. It was independent and had self-respect. He was comparing both these
countries – the one he already knew and the one he was seeing around him. Both
these countries had very different histories.

4. “The lack of determinism in quantum theory!”

Ans: Professor Gaitonde thinks about going to a big library in Bombay and looking
through some history books to find out what has led to the present state of affairs.
He has a long conversation with Rajendra Deshpande, on his return to Pune. He
hopes to get some help from Rajendra to comprehend what happened.

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5. “You need some interaction to cause a transition.”
Ans: The British Raj controlled this Bombay. An Anglo Indian wearing a uniform
checked the permits. The tiny Union Jack was painted on each of the blue carriages
of GBMR. The Victoria terminus was very neat and clean. The staff mostly had
Anglo Indians and Parsee and a few British officers.

Talking with the text

Discuss the following statements in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group
taking opposite points of view.
1. A single event may change the course of the history of a nation.

Ans:
For-
A single event may change the course of the history of a nation. For example, The
Battle of Panipat is considered to be the turning point in the history of India. The
Marathas lost it to the forces of Ahmed Shah Abdali. The history of India changed
after this event. The foreign forces took over the country eventually. In the text, it is
shown that in the beginning Professor Gaitonde was preparing to give a speech on
how history would have turned out if the Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat.
This tells us how important an event could be in the history of a country.

Against-
The statement that “A single event may change the course of the history of a nation”
is based on perspective only. It is a relative truth. We cannot just claim that any one
course of events is a reality because there could be alternative outcomes of a single
event in history. Since there could be alternative outcomes, it is not fruitful to debate
over a single course. In the text, a different version of the Battle of Panipat has been
revealed to Professor Gaitonde in which the Marathas won it. After that, the
Marathas expand their influence all over the country and India never succumbs to
the foreign forces. So it is not tenable to argue that a single course of events may
change the course of history. There could be alternative outcomes following the
event as well.

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2. Reality is what is directly experienced through the senses.
Ans:

For –
For us, our different senses – a sense of touch, taste, sight, smell and hear, provide
the base or facts about the world we are surrounded by. Every experience comes
through these senses and serves as a source of knowledge to us. Only what is
experienced by the senses is considered reality. Anything which is not revealed to
the senses is unreal and does not exist.

Against –
Reality is not always experienced by the senses. There are so many things that our
senses cannot feel. Like atoms and molecules, but they are real and they do exist.
Because we cannot sense them, we cannot accurately understand the behavior of
these entities. In the text, Rajendra moots this point by telling about the discoveries
made by the scientists about the behavior of the atoms. A prediction can be made
regarding the position of a bullet fired in a particular direction but the direction of
an electron fired from a source cannot be predicted. This shows that there could be
alternative realities existing as well and it is not just restricted to what is revealed to
the senses.

3. The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar.

Ans:

For –
In the text, we can see that the perspectives of History, Science and Philosophy
converge towards the same point of focus. In history, the course of past events are
understood by the methods of observation, analysis, and rationalism. The methods
involved in science are – observation, experimentation, and analysis. The most
fundamental principle in science is Rationalism. Philosophy follows a methodology
based on thorough criticism.

Philosophy includes examining everything like methodology and assumptions of

science and other disciplines like history. In the text, we can see History, Philosophy
and Science converging as Professor Gaitonde experiences a completely different

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consequence of the Battle of Panipat where the Marathas come out as victorious,
which is completely contradictory to the version given in History textbooks where
the Marathas lose. Prof. Gaitonde failed to understand the rationality of all this.
Later, Rajendra interceded and tried to explain this with the help of the catastrophic
theory. This theory is used by scientists to understand the behavior of atoms. Here,
we can see Science and History are converging. Philosophy follows the same
viewpoint where reality is not absolute but relative. This shows that the methods of
inquiry employed in History, Science, and Philosophy are rather similar.

Against –
In the text, when Rajendra tries to explain Gaitonde's experience by using the
Catastrophic theory, it convinces Gaitonde. However, it does not impress us enough.
The phenomenon of the physical world could be explained using the Catastrophic
theory but History is about the behavioral world, showing the behaviors of the people
and society. Thus the method of inquiry varies individually. Philosophy has a
speculative method of inquiry that even questions rationalism. The methods of
Science and History do not converge with that of philosophy. They are not similar.
This text “The Adventure” is basically trying to show the convergence of Science,
History, and Philosophy. However, in reality, all of these disciplines employ
different methods of inquiry according to the matter of the subject.

4. Why do you think Prof. Gaitonde decides never to preside over meetings
again?
Ans: Prof. Gaitonde experiences a completely different consequence of the Battle
of Panipat where the Marathas emerge victorious and then they extend their
influence all over the country. His mind witnesses a different version of a historical
event. However, he also experiences an event that does not conform to the
conventions. The event is actually a lecture session on the outcome of the Battle of
Panipat. Prof. Gaitonde observes that the President’s chair was vacant which was
contrary to the conventions and he rushed to occupy the chair. He then starts to
explain why there is a need for a President in a lecture session like this one. The
public gets mad and starts throwing things at him. He has a horrible experience and
thus decides not to preside over meetings again.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English - Hornbill
Chapter 8 - Silk Road

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.

Ducking back

Swathe

Careered down

Manoeuvres

Cairn of rocks

Salt flats

Billowed

Ans:

Ducking back – going inside quickly and coming back out

Swathe – to wrap or cover, contextual meaning: a land covered with snow

Careered down - descending down the slope

Manoeuvres - military exercises involving large troops of soldiers, ships etc.

Cairn of rocks - pile of stones that create a mark for a special place like the top of a
mountain or where someone is buried
Salt flats – houses having thatched roof covered with snow

Billowed – filled with air and swelled

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 1

Understanding the Text
Give reasons for the following statements.

1. The article has been titled ‘Silk Road.’

Ans: This article’s name is based on the historic silk road or route, the network
which connected the Afro Eurasian landmass. Many trades were established by it –
Chinese silk, spices, teas and porcelain; the Roman Empire’s gold, silver, fine
glassware, carpets, jewels and wine; Indian textiles, pepper and precious stones. The
road largely traded silk with China and was therefore named Silk road. In the
chapter, the author was exploring the Himalayan belt in Tibet and travelled to Mount
Kailash. The chapter is named Silk Road as the author explored this region.

2. Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts.

Ans: Tibetan mastiffs were popular as hunting dogs in imperial courts of China. In
ancient times they were brought as a tribute from Tibet and they were brought along
the Silk Road. They were used as watch dogs because they were huge and black.
They are fast like bullets and explode very quickly. Their breed is fearless and
furious.

3. The author’s experience at Hor was in stark contrast to earlier accounts of

the place.
Ans: Hor was a gloomy and pathetic place. There was very little vegetation and there
was dust and rocks dispersed everywhere. Although the place was situated on the
shore of Lake Mansarovar, it still seemed unfortunate and miserable. The author was
really astonished to see the contrast between his experience with that of the
previously read accounts.

Ekai Kawaguchi, a Japanese monk arrived there in 1990 and he got so moved by the
holiness of the Lake that tears came into his eyes. A similar effect was felt by Sven
Hedin, a swede when he visited the hallowed waters. However when the author
reached the Hor, he had to get two punctures mended first. He felt relaxed only when
he was served tea at the only café in town, by a Chinese youth . The café was made
with badly painted concrete and it had three broken windows. However, one of the
windows had a good view of the Lake and it helped to compensate a little.

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 2

4. The author was disappointed with Darchen.
Ans: The author was disappointed with Darchen because he was having health
problems due to high altitudes. He got a bad cold and was unable to sleep at night.
There were no pilgrims coming to the place as the author was one the firsts to arrive.
The place was worn down and it was dusty. There were heaps of rubble and refuse.

5. The author thought that his positive thinking strategy worked well after all.
Ans: The author was not happy with Darchen. He was in bad health after reaching
there. The author also felt lonely without any pilgrims around. Just then, he met a
Tibetan, Norbu, who also wanted to visit Kailash. They both made a good team as
they both were academicians and had escaped the library. The author began to think
positively and he felt new hope and enthusiasm.

6. The purpose of the author’s journey to Mount Kailash.

Ans: Nick Middleton is a Professor at Oxford and an adventurer as well. He reaches
Mount Kailash by following the most difficult terrain via the Silk Road. He visited
the sacred place to complete the Kora.

7. The author’s physical condition in Darchen.

Ans: The author did not feel well when he reached Darchen. He got a very bad cold
and his sinuses got blocked due to the cold wind at Hor. He was not even able to
sleep well that night. The very next day, he was taken to the Darchen Medical
College by Tsetan. There, the doctor gave him medicines which provided him relief.

8. The author’s meeting with Norbu.

Ans: After Tsetan left for Lhasa, the author felt lonely without him. The author was
one of the firsts in the season to reach Darchen, so there weren’t any pilgrims there.
It was then that he met Norbu. He was also an academician and a Tibetan. He was
also visiting Kailash and they both decided to go together.

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 3

9. Tsetan’s support to the author during the journey.
Ans: Tsetan was an efficient driver and drove the car very carefully. He spoke to the
author during the journey and gave him information about the places that they were
visiting. He also took care of the author when he got to know that he was not well.
He took him to the Darchen Medical College and got him medicine. He was a good
Buddhist.

10.“As a Buddhist, he told me, he knew that it didn’t really matter if I passed
away, but he thought it would be bad for business.”
Ans: Tsetan was a Buddhist and so he used to believe that death was not the end of
life. He believed that Kailash was a sacred place and it’s better for him as it would
lead him to heaven. But if the author died there, his business would be affected badly
as his credibility would be at risk for looking after the tourists and he might not get
any customers later on.

Talking about Text

Discuss in groups of four.

1. The sensitive behaviour of hill-folk.

Ans: The behaviour of hill-folk is innocent and unsophisticated. They are very
religious people and fear God. They are very kind and hospitable. They take good
care of the visitors.

2. The reason why people willingly undergo the travails of difficult journeys.
Ans: The author undertook this journey because of educational purposes as he was
an academician. He went on the journey to have a learning experience. People also
undertake such journeys because of the kind of adventure they provide. The areas
that the author visited are some of the toughest terrains in the world. People also visit
these places due to religious reasons and as a part of pilgrimage.

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3. The accounts if exotic places in legends and reality.
Ans: Exotic places hold many accounts in legends and reality. Places like Mount
Kailash and Mansarovar have an important place in the legends. These places are
being written about in many articles as well.

Thinking about Language

1. Notice the kind of English Tsetan uses while talking to the author. How do
you think he picked it up?
Ans: Although Tsetan's mother tongue was not English, he tried to speak it in a well
organised manner to attract more and more customers. Daniel was a translator who
helped Tsetan and the author to understand each other. However we should
remember that more than words, the language of the heart is what matters the most.
Gestures along with good understanding are pretty enough to understand someone.

2. What do the following utterances indicate?

(i) “I told her, through Daniel…”

(ii) “It’s a cold,” he said finally through Tsetan.

Ans:
(i) She was not able to understand English but Daniel translated what he said into
the Tibetan language for her.

(ii) Tsetan translated into English what the doctor said in Tibetan, for the author.

3. Guess the meaning of the following words.

Kora, drokba, kyang

In which language are these words found?
Ans:

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Kora – circumambulate, walking all the way round
Droka – shepherd

Kyang – a wild Tibetan ass

These words are from the Tibetan language.

Working with words

1. The narrative has many phrases to describe the scenic beauty of the
mountainside like:

A flawless half-moon floated in a perfect blue sky.

Scan the text to locate other such picturesque phrases.

Ans:
(i) After ducking back into her tent, she emerged carrying one of the hang sleeved
sheepskin coats that…

(ii) It involved crossing several fairly high mountain passes.

(iii) Extended banks of cloud like French loaves glowed as the Sun emerged to splash
the distant mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush.
And etc.

2 Explain the use of the adjectives in the following phrases.

i. Shaggy monsters

ii. Brackish lakes

iii. Rickety table

iv. Hairpin bend

v. Rudimentary general stores

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Ans:
i. Shaggy monsters – hairy, bushy

ii. Brackish lakes – salty

iii. Rickety table – shaky, unsteady

iv. Hairpin bend - a very sharp bend

v. Rudimentary general stores – elementary, basic

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 11
English - Hornbill
Chapter 2- We’re Not Afraid to Die…If We Can All Be Together

1. Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
● Honing our seafaring skills
Ans: Honing our seafaring skills means enhancing the art of travelling by sea.
Mary, his wife, and the author practised sailing for about 16 years in British
waters, dreaming to take their dream world voyage one day.

● Ominous silence
Ans: Ominous silence means a threatening and worrying silence especially
before something bad happens. There was silence around 6 p.m. in the sea before
the disaster hit them.

● Mayday calls
Ans: Mayday calls are emergency procedures used via radio communications to
convey distress. After they were struck in the sea many Mayday calls were sent
out, but they received reply for none.

● Pinpricks in the vast ocean

Ans: Pinpricks in the vast ocean refers to trying to find something extremely
insignificant compared to the vastness in which you are searching for it.
Everyone was trying to figure out two small islands in the vast ocean. They were
somewhere in 150,000 kilometers of ocean looking for a 65-kilometre-wide
island.

● A tousled head
Ans: A tousled head means untidy or unkept hair. Author’s son had his hair
tangled up and it appeared as a mess on his head.

2. List the steps taken by the captain

(i) to protect the ship when rough weather began.
Ans: The first indication of the impending disaster was received around 6p.m.
when an ominous silence took over the sea. The sky grew darker, and the wind
dropped and a wave almost vertically hit them. The narrator stretched some
canvas to cover the gaping holes. He slowed down the ship, dropped the storm
jib, and lashed the mooring rope across the stern. He further instructed everyone

Class XI English www.vedantu.com 1

to wear life jackets. They proceeded with every safety measure that could be
done to protect them from the havoc of nature.

(ii) to check the flooding of the water in the ship.

Ans: After the wave hit, Larry and Herb were pumping like madmen. The
narrator immediately found the hammer and nails and stretched the canvas across
the holes to control the water. When the pumps stopped working, he operated
the one under the chartroom, connected it to an out-pipe, which thankfully
worked.

3. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Ans: On 4 January after 36 hours of pumping the water level was under control.
They still could not set any sail on the main mast since it was weak and would
pull the main mast. They had a small meal of corned beef and cracker biscuits,
their first meal in almost two days. Their happiness was short lived and by
January 5 the situation was again desperate. He further tried to protect everything
he had been motivated by what his kids said and used an improvised sea anchor
of heavy nylon rope and two 22 litre plastic barrels of paraffin.

4. Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three
sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.
Ans: The three sections of the narration are as following:
a. Around the world voyage dreams
The narration opens with the narrator announcing his voyage along with his
family members in July 1976. He also happily tells the readers about his dream
to duplicate the world voyage and how he and his wife have been honing their
seafaring skills for the past 16 years.

b. The wave hits

The happy sailing journey soon changes to a disaster after an almost vertical
wave hits them and shakes the deck. Many waves subsequently hit the ship and
wrecked it. They were swallowed by the waves and were trying every possible
way to keep the ship together and avoid it from sinking. They tried to pump the
water out and used canvas, electric pumps, jibs and other equipment available
on the ship to make the best out of the situation.

c. Landed on the island

Eventually after days of trying and failing everyone lost hope and were waiting
for their death. It was the hope and motivation that the kids had in their eyes that
encouraged the author to take a 185 degrees steer course which landed them on
Ile Amsterdam and they all were saved.

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5. What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the
children when faced with danger?
Ans: As a human being grows, he loses faith and the mystical spark he as a kid
had. They become more practical and lead to conclusions just seeing the practical
surroundings around them. The kids on the other hand try to find magic and
happiness in everything they have. The kids and the adults behaved in opposite
ways when they encountered the dire situation.
The adults lost all the hope they could muster and sensed that their end was near.
The children on the other hand were optimistic. Sue made a card despite being
gravely injured and her head swollen and bleeding. She made caricatures of
Mary and the narrator.
Even the little boy of six, Jon told his dad that he was not afraid to die if they all
could be together. The optimism of the kids even inspired the elder to not give
up and he asked Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees which finally landed them
on the island. The kids' optimistic outlook even while looking into eyes with
death motivated everyone and eventually saved everyone.

6. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst
stress”?
Ans: Optimism helps us to view even the direst situations through a positive
lens. It helps us overcome all the difficulties that life throws at us. Optimism
helps especially when we are stuck in troubled waters and helps us get out of it,
more courageous and stronger. It raises our spirits and keeps us working hard
consistently. The family, despite being struck in storm and in a wrecked ship did
not lose hope and tried their best to survive. Mary steered the ship through the
storm during the critical hours whereas Larry and Herbie maintained their calm
and remained optimistic even under the stressful situation. His seven-year
daughter tried to make the best out of the situation they were in and did not
trouble them with her head injury which took about six minor operations to heal.
The positive outlook of the kids motivated the narrator. His final decision to steer
the ship a course of 185 degrees saved them. The family stayed together and
survived the storm by reaching Ile Amsterdam by the evening.

7. What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are

face-to-face with death?
Ans: All experiences in our life teaches us something that helps us further and
changes our perspective. Some unfortunate and hazardous experiences teach us
courage, perseverance, and tolerance towards everything life throws at us. These
situations can be extremely uncomfortable for us in the beginning but once we
come out of it, life feels better and fulfilling. It also makes us optimistic about
the sun that we will see after the dark moment passes by. At that moment death

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does not become something we must fear but something we have enough
courage to fight with. It brings everyone fighting against the odds closer.

8. Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite

of the risk involved?
Ans: Adventure sports are thrilling and give you a change from the usual
schedule we all are in. They are physically demanding but the rush of adrenaline
is exciting and refreshing. Adventure sports are not for everyone but are worth
trying for everyone. Activities like rock climbing, rope challenges, paragliding
etc. Adventure sports are most frequently taken by individuals. The people who
involve themselves in such activities are aware of the risk involved but their
desire to be in the lap of nature and experience its beauty pushes them to such
expeditions.

9. We have come across words like `gale’ and `storm’ in the account. Here
are two more words for `storm’: typhoon, cyclone. How many words does
your language have for `storm‟?
Ans: In Hindi, storms are called ‘aandhi’ and ‘toofan.’ There are varied words
for different intensities of the wind, and they also vary with the local language
spoken. For example, a storm is called candamaruta in Kannada.

10. Here are the terms of different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship,
steamer, schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.
Ans: ‘Naav’, ‘Nauka,’ ‘Jahaaz’ and ‘Kishti’ are some of the various words used
in Hindi for the word ‘boat.’

11. ‘Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language

this word is derived from? Check the dictionary.
Ans: A Catamaran has two parallel hulls and is a geometrically stabilised
watercraft. It is used for fishing and day sailing. The word ‘Catamaran’ is derived
from the Tamil word ‘Kattumaram.’

12. Have you heard any boatmen's songs? What kind of emotions do these
songs usually express?
Ans: Yes, there are various songs that celebrate the sea journey and the life of
boatmen. Their songs express the sailors' love for the sea and the vast expanse
of beauty that the ocean is. It also has nostalgic emotions as they miss their
families and close ones who are not with them.

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13. The following words used in the text as ship terminology is also
commonly used in another sense. In what contexts would you use the other
meaning?
Ans:
● Knot: Knot means a fastening made using a string interlacing. Example:
I still find it difficult to knot my shoelaces. It also means to make
something tangled. Example: leaving my hair open while travelling left it
terribly knotted.
● Stern: Stern means serious or unfriendly. Example: The new boss wore a
stern expression on his face throughout the meeting.
● Boom: Boom means a reverberating sound. Example: The boom caused
due to the blast terrified everyone. It also means to make a resonating,
deep sound. Example: the sports teacher boomed at the students for
creating indiscipline during break.
● Hatch: Hatch refers to a door in a spacecraft, submarine, or aircraft.
Example: the flight could not take off because of some issue with the
hatch. It also means to brood and produce a young animal. Example:
About five eggs hatched this morning.
● Anchor: Anchor is a heavy object attached through a cable to moor the
ship. Example: the ship anchored at the Bombay port last night. It also
means to coordinate a television or radio show. Example: She anchored
her first news show yesterday.

14. The following three compound words end in-ship. What does each of
them mean?
Ans:
● Airship : Airship is a self-propelled, lighter than air aircraft device. It is
also called a dirigible balloon. It works by gaining lift from a gas that is
less dense than air around it. There are currently only 25 operating
airships.
● Flagship: Flagship is used by a commanding officer. It is the lead ship
among a fleet of vessels and is the largest, fastest, and heavily armed.
● Lightship: Lightship refers to a ship that is anchored at a specific location
which flashes a very bright light guiding the ships to avoid dangerous
areas.

15. The following are the meanings listed in the dictionary against the
phrase `take on‟. In which meaning is it used in the third paragraph of the
account:

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take on sth: to begin to have a particular quality or appearance; to assume
sth
take sb on: to employ sb; to engage sb
to accept sb as one's opponent in a game, contest, or conflict
Take sb/sth on: to decide to do sth; to allow sth/sb to enter
e.g., a bus, plane, or ship; to take sth/sb on board
Ans: In the third paragraph, in lines: “… we took on two crewmen to help us
tackle … roughest seas…,” the phrase “took on” means to hire or engage
someone in a task alongside you. Example: She took on the duties of the assistant
diligently.

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