Coorg
Thinking about the Text
1. Where is Coorg?
Answer: Coorg, or Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore, nestled among rolling hills.
2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer: There are two main theories regarding the descent of the Kodavu people:
The Greek Descent: One story suggests that a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast. When returning became impractical, they settled in Coorg and married amongst the locals. Their martial traditions, marriage rituals, and religious rites are distinct from the Hindu mainstream.
The Arab Descent: Another theory draws support from the traditional dress worn by the Kodavus—a long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt known as kuppia. This strongly resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
3. What are some of the things you now know about:
(i) the people of Coorg?
Ans: They are fiercely independent, hospitable, and courageous people of Greek or Arabic descent. They are known for their tales of valour, and the Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. Notably, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
(ii) the main crop of Coorg?
Ans: The main crop of Coorg is coffee. During the peak season, the air breathes of invigorating coffee, and extensive coffee estates dominate the landscape.
(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
Ans: Coorg offers high-energy adventure sports including river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.
(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
Ans: There we can spot Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, slender loris, wild elephants, kingfishers, and a large freshwater fish called Mahaseer.
(v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Ans: The distance from Bangalore to Coorg is around 250–260 km.
By Air: The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore.
By Rail: The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan.
By Road: There are two routes from Bangalore; the most frequented one goes via Mysore, and the alternative route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, and Chanrayanapatna.
4. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning:
(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)
Ans: it pours enough to keep many visitors away.
(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3)
Ans: As one story goes…
(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4)
Ans: are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers.
(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)
Ans: The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure…
(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)
Ans: draws support from…
(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7)
Ans: keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.
Additional Questions:
Q1. Why is September to March considered the “season of joy” in Coorg?
Answer: This period features perfect weather. The heavy monsoon downpours subside, giving way to refreshing periodic showers. The air is filled with the invigorating aroma of coffee, making it ideal for sightseeing and adventure sports.
Q2. Mention the significance of the ‘Coorg Regiment’ in the Indian Army.
Answer: The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army, earning numerous awards for bravery. Highlighting this martial legacy, the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi.
Q3. What is Nisargadhama, and how can one reach it?
Answer: Nisargadhama is a beautiful sixty-four-acre island in Coorg. It features a misty landscape and can be reached by walking across an adventurous rope bridge.
Q4. “Coorg is home to a unique mix of nature and spirituality.” Explain with reference to the text.
Answer: Apart from its rich rainforests and wildlife, Coorg hosts India’s largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe. The presence of Buddhist monks in red, ochre, and yellow robes adds a deep spiritual dimension to the natural beauty of the region.
Q5. The people of Coorg have a rich tradition of courage and hospitality. Elaborate on the character traits of the Kodavus based on your reading of the text.
Answer: The text paints a vivid picture of the Kodavu people as fiercely independent, proud, and brave. They belong to a martial race, a characteristic reflected in their distinct marriage rituals and traditions which differ from mainstream Hinduism. Their courage is institutionalized in the Indian Army through the highly decorated Coorg Regiment. Their bravery is further recognized by the unique legal privilege allowing them to carry firearms without a license.
Beyond their martial prowess, Coorgis are deeply hospitable. Their homes maintain a warm tradition of hospitality, and families proudly recount numerous tales of valour concerning their fathers and sons. This balance of fierce bravery and warm hospitality makes their culture exceptionally unique.
Tea From Assam
Additional questions:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Q1. What is the name of the tea estate managed by Pranjol’s father?
A) Mariani Junction
B) Dhekiabari Tea Estate
C) Bylakuppe Estate
D) Upper Assam Plantation
Answer: B) Dhekiabari Tea Estate
Q2. According to Rajvir, approximately how many cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?
A) Over eighty crore
B) Over eight crore
C) Over eighteen crore
D) Over eighty billion
Answer: A) Over eighty crore
Q3. Why did the Chinese emperor initially start boiling his water before drinking it?
A) To extract the flavor of tea leaves
B) As a ritual practice for meditation
C) He always did it as a matter of habit
D) To make medicine out of it
Answer: C) He always did it as a matter of habit
Q4. What kind of book was Pranjol reading during the train journey?
A) A history textbook about Assam
B) A travel guide for tea gardens
C) A detective book
D) A science fiction novel
Answer: C) A detective book
Q5. Which state/region has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world?
A) Karnataka
B) Assam
C) West Bengal
D) Kerala
Answer: B) Assam
Q6. What did the tea plants look like against the backdrop of the densely wooded hills?
A) A sea of tea bushes stretching as far as the eye could see
B) Isolated patches interspersed with paddy fields
C) Tall trees dominating the entire landscape
D) Wild, unpruned hedges growing unevenly
Answer: A) A sea of tea bushes stretching as far as the eye could see
Q7. According to the Indian legend, why did Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids?
A) Because they were infected
B) Because he felt sleepy during meditations
C) To prove his loyalty to the emperor
D) As a punishment for a mistake
Answer: B) Because he felt sleepy during meditations
Q8. The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are derived from which language?
A) Hindi
B) Arabic
C) Chinese
D) Latin
Answer: C) Chinese
Q9. What were the doll-like figures moving between the rows of bushes?
A) Children playing in the gardens
B) Tea-pluckers with baskets on their backs
C) Scarecrows set up to protect the crops
D) Mechanical robots harvesting leaves
Answer: B) Tea-pluckers with baskets on their backs
Q10. Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his homework before coming?
A) Because Rajvir had completed his school holiday assignments
B) Because Rajvir correctly identified the second-flush period and its duration
C) Because Rajvir knew how to harvest tea leaves manually
D) Because Rajvir brought a detailed map of Dhekiabari
Answer: B) Because Rajvir correctly identified the second-flush period and its duration
Questions-Answers:
Q1. Where and when was tea first drunk?
Answer: Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C.
Q2. Which common Indian words have their origins in the Chinese language?
Answer: The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ come from the Chinese language.
Q3. How did Europeans view tea when it first arrived in the sixteenth century?
Answer: When tea came to Europe, it was consumed more as a medicine rather than a regular refreshing drink.
Q4. Find a word in the extract which means the same as ‘a drink other than water’.
Answer: The word is ‘beverage’.
Q5. Contrast the reactions of Pranjol and Rajvir as the train pulled out of the station.
Answer: Pranjol had been raised on a tea estate, so the view wasn’t new to him; he immediately buried his nose back in his detective book. Rajvir, however, was seeing such vast greenery for the first time. He preferred to look out the window to enjoy the magnificent view of the tea bushes.
Q6. What is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea?
Answer: The Indian legend says an ancient Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids, and when their leaves were put in hot water and drunk, they banished sleep.
Q7. Describe the Chinese legend about tea.
Answer: According to the legend, there was a Chinese emperor who always boiled his drinking water before consuming it. One day, while he was boiling the water, a few leaves from the twigs burning under the pot accidentally fell into the water. The leaves infused with the water, giving it a delicious and refreshing flavor. It is said that those magic leaves were actually tea leaves, and that is how the beverage was discovered.
Q8. What did Rajvir notice about the tea-pluckers at Dhekiabari Tea Estate?
Answer: Rajvir saw groups of tea-pluckers wearing plastic aprons with large bamboo baskets on their backs. They were moving amidst the neatly pruned rows of bushes, busily plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
Thinking about Language:
I. 1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).
Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.
(i) A heavy ______ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
Answer: A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will _______ major surgery tomorrow morning.
Answer: Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii) My brother is responsible for the _________ of our family property.
Answer: My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
(iv) The ________ rate for this accountancy course is very high.
Answer: The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a ______ interview.
Answer: She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.
2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.
over by through out up down
(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to _________ the Government. (throw)
Answer: The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government.
(ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major _________ in cancer research. (break)
Answer: Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research.
(iii) The State Government plans to build a ________ for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
Answer: The State Government plans to build a by pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway.
(iv) Gautama’s ________ on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
Answer: Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow.
(v) Rakesh seemed unusually _______ after the game. (cast)
Answer: Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.