Class 10 Englsh Chapter - Glimpses of India

 

 Class 10 English

Class 10 English syllabus. Class 10 English NCERT Book, Class 10 English NCERT Solutions,

First Flight

Chapter 1 - A letter to God

Chapter 2 -  Long Walk to Freedom

Chapter 3 -  Two Stories About Flying 

Chapter 4 -  From the Diary of Anne Frank

Chapter 5 - Glimpses of India

✨ Glimpses of India

The chapter is divided into three parts, each giving us a picture of India’s diversity through its culture, food, and traditions.

Part I: A Baker from Goa (By Lucio Rodrigues)

1. The author describes the Portuguese influence in Goa, especially the tradition of baking.
2. Bakers, called pader, were an important part of village life.
3. Children loved to see the baker and get bread bangles or sweet bread (bol).
4. Bread was essential in every household—used for marriage feasts, Christmas, and other occasions.
5. The baker’s dress, called kabai, was a unique frock-like outfit.
6. His arrival was announced by the jingle of his bamboo staff.
7. The story highlights the importance of traditional bakers and how their presence continues in Goan culture.
   
   

   

   Glimpses of India

Part II: Coorg (By Lokesh Abrol)

1. Coorg, also called Kodagu, is a small district in Karnataka between Mysore and Mangalore.
2. It is famous for its evergreen forests, coffee plantations, spices, and hospitality.
3. The people of Coorg are known for their courage. They are thought to be of Greek or Arab descent, as their traditions resemble both.
4. They are also great soldiers and have given the Indian Army famous regiments like the Coorg Regiment.
5. Coorg is also called the “Scotland of India” because of its beauty.
6. The River Kaveri flows through the region, and the hills are rich in flora and fauna.
7. It is a popular tourist spot for trekking, rafting, and bird-watching.

Part III: Tea from Assam (By Arup Kumar Datta)

1. The story is a travel account of Pranjol and Rajvir, two friends traveling to Assam by train.
2. Rajvir is very curious and shares many facts about tea:
   
   • Tea was first drunk in China (as far back as 2700 BC).
   • It reached Europe in the 16th century, where it was considered medicine.
   • India is the largest producer of tea in the world.
3. As they travel, Rajvir sees beautiful tea gardens of Assam stretching like a green carpet.
4. Assam is known for its lush plantations and high-quality tea.
5. The story mixes history, legends, and the beauty of Assam’s tea gardens.

✅ Overall Theme

“Glimpses of India” celebrates India’s rich cultural diversity—from Goan bakeries to Coorg’s hills and warriors, and Assam’s tea gardens. It shows India’s heritage, natural beauty, and traditions.

📘 Exercises with Answers

🌿 Part I: A Baker from Goa

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 86)

Q1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
👉 The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days, the loaves of bread, and the presence of traditional bakers.

Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
👉 Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The author mentions that the eaters of loaves have vanished, but the makers (the bakers) are still there.

Q3. What is the baker called?
👉 The baker is called a pader in Goa.

Q4. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
👉 The baker came twice every day: once in the morning on his selling round, and again after he had finished selling bread. Children ran to meet him because they loved the bread bangles and special sweet bread (bol) he brought.

Oral Comprehension Check (pp. 66)

1) Match—“What is a must”
(i) marriage gifts → sweet bread called bol
(ii) party/feast → bread
(iii) daughter’s engagement → sandwiches
(iv) Christmas → cakes and bolinhas

2) Dress: (i) Portuguese days → kabai (long frock); (ii) author’s youth → shirt with knee-length trousers.
3) Anyone in half-pants just below the knees—because that resembles the pader’s outfit.
4) On the wall in pencil (monthly accounts).
5) “Jackfruit-like appearance” = plump/well-fed.

Thinking about the Text (pp. 66–67)

1) Correct statements: (i), (ii), (v) are True; (iii), (iv), (vi), (vii) are False.
2) Yes. Bread is vital: bol for marriages, sandwiches for engagements, cakes & bolinhas for festivals; hence a baker’s furnace is “absolutely essential.” NCERT
3) Tone—tick the right option:
(i) nostalgic (ii) hopeful (iii) nostalgic (iv) funny (v) matter-of-fact (vi) matter-of-fact

I. Table + short paragraph (p. 67)

1. How bread was baked: in age-old, time-tested furnaces.
2. How the pader sold: door-to-door, bamboo staff going jhang-jhang, basket on head, greeting the lady of the house.
3. What he wore: earlier kabai; later shirt with knee-length trousers.
4. When paid: end of the month; accounts pencilled on a wall.
5. How he looked: plump and prosperous.

Sample paragraph (model):

“In my childhood the village paders baked bread in time-worn furnaces whose fire never seemed to die. Every morning they came jingling their bamboo staffs, baskets balanced on their heads, greeting the ladies before handing over loaves, bangles and bol. In the old days they wore the long kabai; later, shirts with knee-length trousers. They were paid monthly, their dues chalked on a wall. Plump and cheerful, they were the pride of our village.”

II. Compare two passages (p. 68) — model points

1. Left piece: first-person, nostalgic, sensory details (sounds/smells) paint a vivid picture.
2. Right piece: informational/expository, mentions door-to-door delivery and Portuguese origin of leavened bread.
3. Facts align, but tone & purpose differ; both still evoke the baker effectively. 
   
   

🌄 Part II: Coorg

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 92)

Q1. Where is Coorg?
👉 Coorg (Kodagu) is the smallest district of Karnataka, situated between Mysore and Mangalore.

Q2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
👉 The people of Coorg are thought to be of either Greek or Arab descent. This is suggested by their distinct appearance, traditions, and martial traditions.

Q3. What are some of the things you now know about the people of Coorg?
👉 The people of Coorg are brave, hospitable, and love traditions. They are known for their martial spirit and have given famous regiments to the Indian Army, like the Coorg Regiment. They are also known for their coffee plantations and warm nature.

Q4. Mention the name of the river and a few animals you are likely to see in Coorg.
👉 The river Kaveri flows through Coorg. Animals like elephants, langurs, macaques, Malabar squirrels, and wild dogs are found here.

Q5. Name some of the sports adventure activities in Coorg.
👉 Some adventure activities in Coorg are rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.

From the text—find the phrases (p. 72)

(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily… → “it pours enough to keep many visitors away.”
(ii) Alexander’s army moved south… → “a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here.”
(iii) Always ready to tell stories… → “more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour.”
(iv) Laidback people get smitten by adventure… → “The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure.”
(v) Arab-origin theory is supported by the coat… → “The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt (kuppia).”
(vi) Macaques/Malabar squirrels observe you… → “…keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.”

Collocations (p. 72)

1. Strike out the odd one:
   (a) ‘How young are you?’ (odd) → keep How old are you?
   (b) a pleasant pillow (odd) → keep a pleasant person
2.  Match nouns ↔ adjectives (examples):
   culture: unique / ancient | monks: ancient / serious | surprise: sudden / terrible |
   experience: unforgettable / unique | weather: terrible | tradition: ancient / unique
3. Complete phrases from the text:
   (i) tales of valour (ii) coastal town (iii) a piece of heaven
   (iv) evergreen rainforests (v) coffee plantations (vi) rope bridge (vii) wild elephants.
   
   

🍵 Part III: Tea from Assam

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 96)

Q1. What are the legends about the discovery of tea?
👉 Two legends exist:

1. A Chinese emperor discovered tea when some tea leaves accidentally fell into his boiling water.
2. An Indian legend says that Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, cut off his eyelids to avoid sleep, and from them tea plants grew.

Q2. What are the places where tea first grew?
👉 Tea first grew in China. From there it spread to Europe in the 16th century.

Q3. Which tea is considered the best?
👉 Assam and Darjeeling tea are considered the best in the world.

Q4. Describe the Chinese legend about tea.
👉 According to the Chinese legend, some tea leaves fell into the emperor’s boiling water, giving rise to tea as a drink.

Q5. What do you know about tea plantations in Assam?
👉 Assam is famous for its vast tea plantations, which look like green carpets spread across the hills. It is one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world.

Thinking about Language (pp. 75–76)

I. Word-building

1) Fill in with upkeep/downpour/undergo/dropout/walk-in
(i) A heavy downpour has been forecast…
(ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery…
(iii) …responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
(iv) The dropout rate…
(v) …to attend a walk-in interview.

2) Verb + particle (over, by, through, out, up, down)
(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government.
(ii) …on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research.
(iii) …plans to build a bypass for Bhubaneswar…
(iv) Gautama’s outlook on life changed…
(v) Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.

II. –ing / –ed adjectives

1) Possible answers
(i) an exciting/interesting detective serial
(ii) a stimulating/exciting debate
(iii) bored when stuck indoors
(iv) excited/thrilled on opening a present
(v) delighted/absorbed watching a favourite programme
(vi) mother’s look: annoyed/irritated
(vii) tracking a tiger: thrilled/terrified
(viii) a recent story/film: gripping/boring (as appropriate)

2) Short paragraph about Coorg (model):
“Coorg is an enthralling escape that leaves first-timers spellbound. The rolling, mist-draped hills are inviting, and even the most laidback visitor grows excited by rafting and trekking. After a day of exhausting trails, the aroma of coffee is soothing, and the warm hospitality makes you feel welcomed and refreshed.”

Speaking/Writing tasks about tea (pp. 76–77) — model help

1. Role-play (points you can use): 
   origins/legends, health benefits (antioxidants), India’s major tea regions (Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiris), plucking/processing basics (CTC vs. orthodox), consumption habits, responsible sourcing.
2. Sample advertisement copy (concise):
   “Dhekiabari Gold — Wake to the spirit of Assam. Hand-plucked second-flush leaves, brisk and aromatic. Brew in 95°C water for 3–4 minutes. Bold flavour. Bright liquor. Better mornings. #SipAssam”
   
   

 📝 Thinking about the Text (Page 96–97)

Q1. Where did the Portuguese first come?
👉 The Portuguese first came to Goa.

Q2. What was the importance of the baker in the village?
👉 The baker was essential to the village life in Goa. Bread was needed for every occasion—marriages, feasts, festivals, and daily meals. Children also eagerly waited for the baker for his bread bangles and sweet bread.

Q3. What is Coorg known as?
👉 Coorg is known as the Scotland of India because of its beautiful hills, coffee plantations, and evergreen forests.

Q4. What is the main crop of Coorg?
👉 The main crop of Coorg is coffee.

Q5. What is Assam famous for?
👉 Assam is famous for its lush tea plantations and high-quality tea.

Q6. Why is Coorg called the Scotland of India?
👉 Coorg is called the Scotland of India because of its scenic beauty, rolling hills, misty landscape, and coffee plantations.

📚 Thinking about Language

Q1. Find words from the text that mean the following:

1. To look nostalgically at the past → Reminisce
2. A person who sells bread → Pader
3. A frock-like dress → Kabai
4. A large cup → Bowl
5. Military tradition of Coorg people → Martial
   
   

📑 Worksheet – Glimpses of India

Part I – A Baker from Goa

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. The baker in Goa was known as:
   a) Potter
   b) Pader
   c) Padre
   d) Paderi

2. What did children love the most from the baker’s basket?
   a) Loaves of bread
   b) Bread bangles
   c) Cakes
   d) Pies

3. The baker’s dress was called:
   a) Frock
   b) Kabai
   c) Sherwani
   d) Kurta

B. Extract-Based Question

"The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the Kabai, a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees."

Questions:

1. Who is being described here?

2. What does this extract tell you about Goan culture?

3. How important was the baker in village life?

C. Short Answer Questions

1. Why was bread so important in Goan culture?

2. How did children show their excitement on seeing the baker?

3. Describe the baker’s daily routine.

D. Long Answer Question

1. “The baker played a vital role in the social life of Goa.” Discuss with reference to the lesson.
   
   

Part II – Coorg

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Coorg is also known as:
   a) Switzerland of India
   b) Kashmir of India
   c) Scotland of India
   d) England of India

2. Which river originates from Coorg?
   a) Ganga
   b) Kaveri
   c) Krishna
   d) Godavari

3. The Coorg people are believed to be descendants of:
   a) Persians and Arabs
   b) Greeks and Arabs
   c) Chinese and Japanese
   d) Romans and Greeks

B. Extract-Based Question

"It is the smallest district of Karnataka, situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore."

Questions:

1. Which place is described here?

2. What is Coorg famous for?

3. How does Coorg attract tourists?

C. Short Answer Questions

1. Describe the physical features of Coorg.

2. What are some adventure sports one can enjoy in Coorg?

3. Mention two qualities of Coorgi people.

D. Long Answer Question

1. “Coorg is not only a land of natural beauty but also of brave people.” Explain.
   
   

Part III – Tea from Assam

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who were Rajvir and Pranjol?
   a) Tea sellers
   b) College students
   c) Soldiers
   d) Teachers

2. Tea was first drunk in:
   a) India
   b) England
   c) China
   d) Japan

3. Which of these is NOT true?
   a) Assam produces tea
   b) Tea was discovered accidentally
   c) Tea is an Indian word
   d) Tea is popular worldwide

B. Extract-Based Question

"Tea was first drunk in China, as far back as 2700 B.C."

Questions:

1. Who discovered tea according to the Chinese legend?

2. What other legend about tea is mentioned in the lesson?

3. How did tea spread to Europe?

C. Short Answer Questions

1. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

2. Describe the view of tea gardens in Assam.

3. Why was Rajvir excited during the train journey?

D. Long Answer Question

1. “Tea is not just a drink, it is part of our culture and daily life.” Discuss with reference to the lesson.

Vocabulary & Language Activity

1. Find meanings from the text:
   

   • Nostalgia
   • Ancestry
   • Plantation
   • Martial
   • Hospitable

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct words:
   a) The baker’s ______ was an important part of village life.
   b) Coorg is famous for its ______ plantations.
   c) Tea was first grown in ______.

Creative Writing

1. Imagine you are a tourist in Coorg. Write a diary entry describing your experience of its scenic beauty, people, and coffee plantations.

2. Write a short paragraph: “If I were a child in Goa during the Portuguese days…”