NCERT Solutions for Chapter 10 Kathmandu Class 9 English Beehive
Chapter Name | Kathmandu NCERT Solutions |
Class | CBSE Class 9 |
Textbook Name | Beehive |
Related Readings |
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Thinking about the Text
Activity
Question 1: On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of, but did not take, to Delhi.
Answer
The route the author had thought of, but did not take is:
From Kathmandu, traveling by bus and train to Patna (Bihar), sailing up the Ganges to Allahabad, and then reaching Delhi by train.
Note – Students are requested to mark out the route on the map on their own.
Question 2: Find out the possible routes (by rail, road or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/ Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.
Answer
The root that author decided to take but could not is given as:
Kathmandu → Patna→ Varanasi → Allahabad → Agra → Delhi
Other possible routes are:
Kathmandu → Birgunj → Raxual Junction → Nizamuddin Railway Station (Delhi)
Kathmandu → Kasauli (Nepal) → Sonauli → Gorakhpur → Delhi
Kathmandu → Birgunj → Raxual Junction → Chennai Central Railway Station.
Consult a geography book to find other routes.
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases:
Question 1: Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Answer
The author visited the Pashupatinath Temple and the Baudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu.
Question 2: The writer says, "All this I wash down with Coca Cola." What does 'all this' refer to?
Answer
'All this' refers to a bar of marzipan and corn-on-the-cob, roasted in a charcoal brazier and rubbed with salt, chilli powder, and lemon, along with a reader's digest and love story comics.
Question 3: What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Answer
Vikram Seth compares porcupine quills with the pole of the flute seller with fifty or sixty bansuris protruding in all directions.
Question 4: Name five kinds of flutes.
Answer
The five kinds of flutes mentioned in text include the following:
1. The Reed neh
2. The Japanese shakuhachi
3. The Deep Bansuri of Hindustani Classical Music
4. The clear or breathy flutes of South America
5. The high-pitched flutes of China
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph:
Question 1: What difference does the author note between the flute-seller and the other hawkers?
Answer
The author observes other vendors shouting to attract customers, while the flute seller often plays his flute slowly and meditatively. He also sold occasionally. This is the difference between the flute seller and the other hawkers is noted by the author.
Question 2: What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Answer
There was a half protrudes small shrine on the riverbank of the Holy Bagmati in Pashupatinath temple. It is believed that when that shrine emerged fully, the goddess inside would escape and the evil period of Kaliyug on earth would end.
Question 3: The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of:
(i) The atmosphere of 'febrile confusion' outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest's attention are elbowed aside...)
(ii) The things he sees
(iii) The sounds he hears.
Answer
(i) The author captures powerful images of the atmosphere of 'febrile confusion' outside the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Aside from the example already given, the author observed Westerners struggling to enter via the main gate because only Hindus were permitted inside. He also observed fight between two monkeys. He also saw people bowing down and making way for the Royal Nepalese Princess to enter the temple.
(ii) The author found many things to observe in and around the Boudhath Stupa in Kathmandu. One of the most fascinating things he observed was the stillness that contrasted with the febrile confusion outside the Pashupatinath temple and its immense white dome surrounded by a road. He also saw small shops selling felt bags, Tibetan prints, and silver jewellery on the edge of the building. In the narrow and busy streets, he saw fruit sellers, flute sellers, postcard sellers, sellers of Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolates, copper utensils and Nepalese antiques.
(iii) The author heard film songs blaring from the radios, car horns, bicycle bells ringing, and vendors shouting out their wares. He also heard the soft music of a flute seller near the hotel.
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100-150 words each:
Question 1: Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath Temple.
Answer
Baudhnath Shrine and Pashupatinath Temple have markedly different atmospheres.
The author observed an atmosphere of febrile confusion around the Pashupatinath Temple. There were large crowds of worshippers elbowing each other or pushing one another to get the priest's attention. There were policemen at the entry gate monitoring saffron-clad Westerners and other visitors because only Hindus were allowed in the temple. Furthermore, At the banks of the Holy Bagmati, a corpse was being cremated, washerwomen were at their works, and children were bathing as offerings were dropped into the river.
On the other hand, the atmosphere at Baudhnath Shrine was peaceful and tranquil. The author felt a sense of stillness. Despite of being surrounded by narrow, busy streets with small shops Buadhnath shrine has quietness. The author considered the building to be a haven of calm surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Question 2: How does the author describe Kathmandu's busiest streets?
Answer
The author describes Kathmandu streets with small shrines and flower-adorned deities in vivid detail. The author also describes the narrow, busy streets of Kathmandu, including fruit sellers, flute sellers, postcard hawkers, shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolates, and shops selling copper utensils and Nepalese antiques.
The author describes the film songs playing on the radios, the car horns, bicycle bells, stray cows roaming the streets, and the vendors shouting out their wares.
However, the author seems most fascinated by the flute seller with a large number of bansuris protruding from his pole. The soothing sound of the flute is much clearer from the city's hustling and bustling.
Question 3: "To hear any flute is to be drawn to the commonalty of all mankind." Why does the author say this?
Answer
The author wants to tell the reader that the flute is a musical instrument widely used by the masses. It is one of the most universal and distinctive sounds. It can be said so because the author mentions that every culture has its own flute. Japanese call it Shakuhachi, Hindustani classical music calls it Bansuri, South American flutes call it the breathy flute, and Chinese flutes call it a high-pitched flute. While each flute has its own specific fingering, compass and its associations, the author believes the soothing music of any flute draws one towards the universality of all humans. Thus, despite social identities across the globe, the author conveys a message that all human beings are the same.
Thinking about Language
I. Question 1: Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicized phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.
1. A communal war broke out when the princess was abducted by the neighbouring prince.
2. The cockpit broke off from the plane during the plane crash.
3. The car broke down on the way and we were left stranded in the jungle.
4. The dacoit broke away from the police as they took him to court.
5. The brothers broke up after the death of the father.
6. The thief broke into our house when we were away.
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Column A |
Column B |
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(i) break out |
(a) to come apart due to force |
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(ii) break off |
(b) end a relationship |
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(iii) break down |
(c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing |
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(iv) break away (from |
(d) of start suddenly, (usually a fight, someone) a war or a disease) |
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(v) break up |
(e) to escape from someone’s grip |
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(vi) break into |
(f) stop working |
Answer
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Column A |
Column B |
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(i) break out |
(d) of start suddenly, (usually a fight, someone, a war or a disease) Eg. – The second world war broke out in September, 1939. |
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(ii) break off |
(a) to come apart due to force Eg. – The sensor break off due to the pressure it was subjected to. |
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(iii) break down |
(f) stop working Eg. – Our bus abruptly broke down in the middle of the road. |
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(iv) break away (from |
(e) to escape from someone’s grip Eg. – The thief broke away from the police jeep. |
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(v) break up |
(b) end a relationship Eg. – The marriage broke up because they were separated for a long period of time. |
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(vi) break into |
(c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing Eg. – The terrorists broke into the hospital. |
II. Question 1: A Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes in the spellings of the words.
Example: proclaim – proclamation
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cremate act exhaust invent tempt immigrate direct meditate imagine dislocate associate dedicate |
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ |
Answer
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cremate act exhaust invent tempt immigrate direct meditate imagine dislocate associate dedicate |
cremation action exhaustion invention temptation immigration direction meditation imagination dislocation association dedication |
Question 2: Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
(i) Mass literacy was possible only after the _____ of the printing machine.
(ii) Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks-‒‒‒‒‒‒‒.
(iii) I could not resist the ______ to open the letter.
(iv) Hardwork and ______ are the main keys to success.
(v) The children were almost fainting with _______ after being made to stand in the sun.
Answer
(i) Mass literacy was possible only after the invention of the printing machine.
(ii) Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks direction.
(iii) I could not resist the temptation to open the letter.
(iv) Hardwork and dedication are the main keys to success.
(v) The children were almost fainting with exhaustion after being made to stand in the sun.
III. Punctuation
Question 1: Use capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas and inverted commas wherever necessary in the following paragraph:
an arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day he asked the tiger who is stronger than you you O lion replied the tiger who is more fierce than a leopard asked the lion you sir replied the leopard he marched upto an elephant and asked the same question the elephant picked him up in his trunk swung him in the air and threw him down look said the lion there is no need to get mad just because you don't know the answer.
Answer
An arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle. One day, he asked the tiger, "Who is stronger than you?" "You, O lion!" replied the tiger. "Who is more fierce than a leopard?" asked the lion. "You sir," replied the leopard. He marched up to an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant picked him up in his trunk, swung him in the air, and threw him down. "Look," said the lion, "there is no need to get mad just because you don't know the answer."
IV. Simple Present Tense
Study these sentences from the lesson.
- A fight breaks out between two monkeys.
- Film songs blare out from the radios.
- I wash it down with Coca-Cola.
The italicised verbs are in the simple present tense. The writer is here describing what he saw and heard but he uses the present tense instead of the past tense. A narration or a story can be made more dramatic or immediate by using the present tense in this way.
Now look at the following sentences.
- A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the riverbank.
- Small shops stand on the outer edge of the Stupa.
We use the simple present tense to speak about what is usually or generally true. The sentences above describe facts. We also use the simple present tense in sentences depicting ‘universal truths’. For example:
- The sun rises in the east.
- The earth revolves round the sun.
We can also refer to habitual actions using the simple present tense.
- He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.
- We often get fine drizzles in winter.
In these sentences words like everyday, often, seldom, never, every month, generally, usually, etc. may be used.
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(i) The heart is a pump that _____ (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action ______ (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart ______ (contract). This ______ (force) the blood out into the arteries, which _______ (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it ______ (dig) a pit and ________(enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule ______ (dry) and ______(harden), but when rain _______ (come), the mud _______ (dissolve) and the lungfish _______(swim) away.
(iii) Mahesh: We have to organize a class party for our teacher. _______ (Do) anyone play an instrument?
Vipul: Rohit ______ (play) the flute.
Mahesh: _______ (Do) he also act?
Vipul: No. He ________(compose) music.
Mahesh: That's wonderful!
Answer
(i) The heart is a pump that sends the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place when the left ventricle of the heart contracts. This forces the blood out into the arteries, which expands to receive the oncoming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought, it digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries and hardens, but when rain comes, the mud dissolves and the lungfish swims away.
(iii) Mahesh: We have to organize a class party for our teacher. Does anyone play an instrument?
Vipul: Rohit plays the flute.
Mahesh: Does he also act?
Vipul: No. He composes music.
Mahesh: That's wonderful!
Speaking
Question 1: Discuss in class the shrines you have visited or know about. Speak about one of them.
Answer
Maa Ganga ji Temple stands on the Pauri of Mahadev in Haridwar. People of all castes take a dip in the holy water. This place attracts a large crowd on a daily basis in the evenings when people also make their offerings to the Holy Ganges. People also distribute alms to the poor and the needy. Everyone celebrates and enjoys the atmosphere with great enthusiasm.
NOTE - The above given answers are just an example. Students can share their experiences and write more regarding the same.
Question 2: Imagine you are giving an eyewitness account or a running commentary of one of the following:
(i) a game of foot-ball, cricket or hockey, or some sports event
(ii) a parade (e.g., Republic Day) or some other national event
Speak a few sentences narrating what you see and hear. Use the simple present and the present continuous tenses. For example:
- He passes the ball but Ben gets in the way...
- These brave soldiers guard our frontiers. They display their skills here...
Answer
Do it yourself.
Writing
Diary entry for a travelogue
Question 1: The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu.
Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later.
Record in point form:
- What you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple
- What you see happening inside the temple
- What you do when inside the temple.
- What you see outside the temple
- What your impressions are about the place.
Answer
2 March 2017
Today I feel much elated after witnessing the spectacular Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu. It is truly a wondrous piece of art. Since only the Hindus had an access to the visit the shrine, it was totally a chaotic situation outside. Inside the temple, I could see thousands and thousands of worshippers trying to elbow and push each other in their way to reach the front and attract the attention of the priest. The shrine was surrounded by priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, monkeys, cows, pigeons and dogs roaming about here and there. I feel that this beautiful shrine should be made open for all.
NOTE- This is only a small example. A diary entry is a piece of writing where in the writer includes informal details and a much deeper experience of his or her surroundings. Students can accordingly add more details to this.
Question 2: Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details.
January 2003 rise before dawn - take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 am from Delhi- meet a newly married couple on train - talk about Himachal Pradesh - get off the train - enter the once-grand city, Agra - twisted alleys - traffic dense-rickshaws, cars, people - vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets - go to the Taj Mahal - constructed entirely of white marble - magical quality - colour changes with varying of light and shadow - marble with gemstones inside - reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond - school-children, tourists - tourist guides following people.
Answer
5 January 2017
I rose before dawn and proceeded to the New Delhi Railway Station to catch the Shatabdi Express at 6:15 a.m. It was a quite comfortable journey during which I also came across a newly married couple. We had a constructive conversation about the beauty of Himachal Pradesh and shared our both positive and negative experiences. After reaching Agra, I came across the busy roads which were traffic dense and all I could see around me included rickshaws, cars, various vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets. Then finally that moment arrived when I reached the Taj Mahal. This monument constructed entirely of the magical white marble is truly a wonder in itself. I also observed something wonderful about this monument i.e. the colour of its marble changed according to the light and shadow. I also observed the marble which was beautifully decorated with gemstones along with the serene reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond which grabbed much attraction of the spectators including tourists, tourist guides and school children.