Question 1 - Chapter 5 - Silk Road - Hornbill - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 11

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

We took a short cut to get off the Changtang. Tsetan knew a route that would take us south-west, almost directly towards Mount Kailash. It involved crossing several fairly high mountain passes, he said. “But no problem, sir”, he assured us, “if there is no snow.” What was the likelihood of that I asked. “Not knowing, sir, until we get there.”

(Silk Road)

Question (i)

Complete the sentence appropriately.

The narrator and Tsetan were travelling by ___________.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The narrator and Tsetan were travelling by jeep.

 Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🚙

•    To answer this question, we need to use our knowledge of the story and the context of the extract.
•    The story tells us that the narrator is a writer who is on a journey to Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain in Tibet. He is accompanied by Tsetan, a Tibetan driver and guide, and Norbu, a Buddhist monk. They are travelling by jeep, which is a four-wheel drive vehicle that can handle rough terrain and weather conditions.
•    The context of the extract tells us that they are taking a short cut to get off the Changtang, which is a high-altitude plateau in Tibet. They are heading south-west towards Mount Kailash. They have to cross several fairly high mountain passes, which may or may not have snow on them.
•    Therefore, we can infer that the narrator and Tsetan were travelling by jeep, which is the most suitable vehicle for their journey.

Question(ii)

In the given extract, what emotion was Tsetan feeling when he said "But no problem, sir"?

Answer:

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Answer as written by the student:

Tsetan was feeling confidence when he said "But no problem, sir".

 Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 😎

•    To answer this question, we need to use our knowledge of vocabulary and emotions.
•    Vocabulary tells us that confidence is a feeling or belief that one can do something well or succeed at something. It can be expressed by words or phrases such as "no problem", "sure", "easy", etc.
•    Emotions are feelings or states of mind that affect one's mood or behaviour. They can be expressed by words or phrases such as "happy", "sad", "angry", etc.
•    The context of the extract tells us that Tsetan knew a route that would take them south-west towards Mount Kailash. He said that it involved crossing several fairly high mountain passes, but he assured them that it was "no problem" if there was no snow. This shows that he was confident about his driving skills and his knowledge of the terrain. He was not worried or afraid of the possible challenges or dangers that they might face on their way.
•   Therefore, we can infer that Tsetan was feeling confidence when he said "But no problem, sir".

Question (iii)

Which word or phrase can replace "short cut" without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

A word or phrase that can replace "short cut" without changing the meaning of the sentence is "quicker way".

 Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🛣️

•    To answer this question, we need to use our knowledge of synonyms and word choice.
•    Synonyms are words that have similar meanings to other words. For example, big and large are synonyms. We can use synonyms to replace words in a sentence without changing its meaning.
•    Word choice is the selection of words that best suit the purpose or tone of a sentence. For example, we can choose formal or informal words depending on the situation or audience.
•    The context of the extract tells us that they took a short cut to get off the Changtang. This means that they took a faster or more direct route than the usual or normal one. They did this to save time or distance on their journey.
•   Therefore, we can infer that a word or phrase that can replace "short cut" without changing the meaning of the sentence is "quicker way". This word or phrase has a similar meaning to "short cut" and suits the purpose and tone of the sentence.

Question (iv)

How is the line, "Not knowing, sir, until we get there", an example of foreshadowing?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The line, "Not knowing, sir, until we get there" , is an example of foreshadowing because it gives a hint or clue about what will happen later in the story.

 Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🔮

•  To answer this question, we need to understand what foreshadowing is and how it is used in the story.
•    Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. It can be used to build anticipation or tension in the plot. It can also be used to create irony or surprise in the outcome.
•   The line, "Not knowing, sir, until we get there", is an example of foreshadowing because it gives a hint or clue about what will happen later in the story. It is said by Tsetan in response to the narrator's question about the likelihood of snow on the mountain passes. It implies that there is uncertainty or unpredictability about the weather and the road conditions. It also implies that there is a possibility of danger or difficulty on their way. It makes the readers wonder what will happen when they get there and how it will affect their journey.
•   Therefore, we can infer that the line, "Not knowing, sir, until we get there", is an example of foreshadowing because it gives a hint or clue about what will happen later in the story.

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