Navigating through the CBSE Class 10 English curriculum requires a rich appreciation of India’s cultural mosaic, regional traditions, and literary descriptions. Chapter 5 of First Flight, “Glimpses of India”, is a unique tripartite travelogue that takes students across three distinct geographic and cultural landscapes of the country: the nostalgic Portuguese-influenced coastal settlements of Goa in A Baker from Goa by Lucio Rodrigues; the emerald evergreen rainforests and martial heritage of Kodagu in Coorg by Lokesh Abrol; and the sprawling tea estates of the northeast in Tea from Assam by Arup Kumar Dutta. To help students master every dimension of this multifaceted unit, this comprehensive solutions guide offers textbook-accurate, highly structured, and pedagogically sound answers designed to align with the latest CBSE evaluation standards.
Every question presented across all three parts of the official NCERT textbook—including oral comprehension checks, analytical thinking questions, cultural comparisons, vocabulary classifications, and descriptive writing tasks—has been solved with exhaustive detail. Key scoring terms, traditional vocabulary (such as kabai, bol, kuppia, and Bodhidharma), and geographical facts have been highlighted to provide students with the exact textual evidence required by board examiners. By reviewing these structured solutions, students will learn how to articulate comparative answers, adhere to board word limits, and secure top marks in their examinations.
NCERT Class 10 English Glimpses of India Solutions
The three distinct narratives in “Glimpses of India” celebrate the living heritage of different communities. In Part I, Lucio Rodrigues reflects on his childhood memories in Goa, highlighting the indispensable social and economic role played by traditional village bakers, known locally as paders. In Part II, Dr. Lokesh Abrol paints a vivid pen-picture of Coorg, describing its fiercely independent martial race, coffee plantations, rich wildlife, and adventure sports. In Part III, Arup Kumar Dutta captures the scenic beauty and fascinating legends surrounding the origin of tea through a train journey undertaken by two school friends, Rajvir and Pranjol.
Together, these three chapters test a student’s ability to extract factual information, appreciate local folklore, and analyze descriptive prose. Below are the complete and detailed solutions organized section by section and part by part.
Part I: A Baker from Goa – Oral Comprehension Check (Page No. 86)
Question 1 What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about? (Page No. 86) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: The elders in Goa are deeply nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their famous, traditional loaves of bread. Although the Portuguese rulers left Goa long ago, the traditional art of bread-making continues to thrive through their successors. The mixers, moulders, and the time-tested age-old furnaces that baked the iconic loaves are still an active part of Goan culture.
Question 2 Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know? (Page No. 86)
Answer: Yes, bread-making remains immensely popular in Goa. We know this from several textual details provided by the author:
- The age-old furnaces still exist and actively bake bread across Goan villages.
- The traditional thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo staff can still be heard in the morning in many places.
- Although the original Portuguese bakers may have passed away, their sons continue the family profession, keeping the tradition of the pader alive.
Question 3 What is the baker called? (Page No. 86)
Answer: In Goa, the traditional village baker is known as a pader.
Question 4 When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him? (Page No. 86) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: The baker would visit twice a day: first in the morning when he set out on his selling round with a loaded basket, and again in the evening after emptying his basket.
The children ran to meet him not out of a desire for the regular bread loaves (which were bought by the household servants), but for the sweet bread bangles (bread-bangles or bolinhas) specially prepared for them. The musical jingle of his bamboo staff would wake them up, and they would rush out without even brushing their teeth to choose their favorite sweet bread.
Part I: A Baker from Goa – Oral Comprehension Check (Page No. 87)
Question 1 Match the following. What is a must: (Page No. 87)
(i) as marriage gifts? — cakes and bolinhas (ii) for a party or a feast? — sweet bread called bol (iii) for a daughter’s engagement? — bread (iv) for Christmas? — sandwiches
Answer: Based on Goan social and culinary traditions described in the text, the correct matches are:
- (i) As marriage gifts: Sweet bread called bol.
- (ii) For a party or a feast: Bread (loaves).
- (iii) For a daughter’s engagement: Sandwiches (prepared by the mother).
- (iv) For Christmas: Cakes and bolinhas.
Question 2 What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) when the author was young? (Page No. 87) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: The attire of the Goan bakers evolved over time as follows:
- (i) In the Portuguese days: The bakers wore a distinctive, peculiar single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees, known as the kabai.
- (ii) When the author was young: The bakers wore a shirt and a pair of trousers that were shorter than full-length pants but longer than half-pants (three-quarter pants).
Question 3 Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why? (Page No. 87)
Answer: Anyone who wears half-pants or trousers that reach just below the knees invites the comment that “he is dressed like a pader.” This is because this specific length of clothing historically matched the everyday working attire of the traditional Goan baker.
Question 4 Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded? (Page No. 87)
Answer: The monthly accounts of the baker were not maintained on paper; instead, they were recorded on some wall in pencil, and the bills were collected by the baker at the end of the month.
Question 5 What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean? (Page No. 87)
Answer: A ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ refers to a plump, round, and portly physical physique. In the context of the chapter, it symbolizes prosperity and good nourishment, signifying that baking was a highly profitable profession and that the baker and his family never starved.
Part I: A Baker from Goa – Thinking about the Text (Page No. 88)
Question 1 Which of these statements are correct? (Page No. 88)
(i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times. (ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages. (iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese. (iv) The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock. (v) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan festivals in old days. (vi) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business. (vii) Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Answer:
- (i) Correct (The baker was an essential part of village social life).
- (ii) Correct (Their furnaces and descendants still operate in Goa).
- (iii) Incorrect (The Portuguese left, but the bakers remained).
- (iv) Incorrect (They shifted from the kabai to knee-length trousers).
- (v) Correct (Breads, bol, and bolinhas were mandatory for festivals).
- (vi) Correct (Baking continues to be a lucrative profession).
- (vii) Incorrect (Bakers maintain a prosperous, well-fed lifestyle).
Question 2 Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this? (Page No. 88) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: Yes, bread is an indispensable part of Goan cultural and social life. We know this because no celebration, ritual, or festival in Goa is complete without specific bakery items:
- Weddings: Marriage gifts are considered completely meaningless without the sweet bread known as bol.
- Social Feasts: A host cannot host a party or feast without serving fresh loaves of bread.
- Engagements: A mother must prepare sandwiches for guests on her daughter’s engagement.
- Christmas and Festivals: Cakes and bolinhas are mandatory confectionery items for Christmas and other religious occasions.
Part II: Coorg – Thinking about the Text (Page No. 92)
Question 1 Where is Coorg? (Page No. 92)
Answer: Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is situated midway between the coastal town of Mangalore and the city of Mysore, described as a piece of heaven drifted from the kingdom of God, known for its rolling hills, evergreen rainforests, and spice plantations.
Question 2 What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent? (Page No. 92) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: There are two distinct theories regarding the descent of the fiercely independent Kodavu (Coorgi) people:
- 1. Greek Descent: According to one story, a part of Alexander the Great’s army moved south along the coast. When their return became impractical, they settled permanently in Coorg, married amongst the locals, and integrated their martial traditions into the community.
- 2. Arabic Descent: The theory of Arab origin is supported by the traditional dress worn by the Kodavus, known as the kuppia. It is a long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt, which closely resembles the kuffia traditionally worn by Arabs and Kurds.
Question 3 What are some of the things you now know about: (Page No. 92) (i) The people of Coorg (ii) The main crop of Coorg (iii) The sports it offers to tourists (iv) The animals you are likely to see in Coorg (v) Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there
Answer:
- (i) The People of Coorg: They are fiercely independent, brave, and hospitable people of Greek or Arabic descent. They have a proud martial tradition; the Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and General Cariappa, the first Chief of the Indian Army, was a Coorgi. They are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
- (ii) The Main Crop: Coffee is the primary crop of Coorg. Spices like pepper and cardamom are also grown in abundance, filling the air with coffee aroma.
- (iii) Adventure Sports: Coorg offers high-energy adventure sports, including river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and numerous trekking trails.
- (iv) Wildlife & Animals: The region is home to Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, slender loris, wild elephants, kingfishers, and Mahaseer (a large freshwater fish found in the Kaveri river).
- (v) Distance & Route from Bangalore: Coorg is about 250 to 260 km from Bangalore. The most popular route is via Mysore, accessible by road or rail via Mysore/Hassan/Mangalore, followed by a scenic drive.
Part III: Tea from Assam – Oral Comprehension Check & Thinking about the Text (Page No. 95-96)
Question 1 Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea garden? Why didn’t Pranjol share his excitement? (Page No. 95) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: Rajvir was thrilled because he had never seen a tea plantation before. The vast expanse of lush green tea bushes stretching as far as the eye could see was a magnificent and novel experience for him.
In contrast, Pranjol was born and brought up on a tea estate in Assam, where his father managed a plantation. Having lived amidst tea gardens all his life, the scenery was familiar and routine to him, so he did not share Rajvir’s childlike wonder.
Question 2 What legends are associated with the discovery of tea? (Page No. 96) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer: The chapter recounts two famous legends regarding the origin of tea:
- 1. The Chinese Legend: A Chinese Emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves from the burning twigs under the pot fell into the boiling water, giving it a delicious flavor. These were found to be tea leaves.
- 2. The Indian Legend: An ancient Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. When the leaves of these plants were boiled in water and consumed, they banished sleep.
Question 3 What is the second-flush or sprouting period mentioned by Rajvir? (Page No. 96)
Answer: The second-flush or sprouting period lasts from May to July. According to Rajvir, this seasonal period produces the best and highest quality tea of the entire year. Mr. Barua (Pranjol’s father) was thoroughly impressed that Rajvir had done his homework and researched this before visiting Assam.
Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises Explained
Exercise 1: Vocabulary in Context (Page No. 96-97) Identify the correct terms associated with the regional landscapes from the text.
Answer:
- Pader: The traditional village baker in Goa.
- Kabai: A long, one-piece frock worn by Portuguese bakers.
- Bolinhas: Traditional Goan coconut cookies prepared for Christmas.
- Kuppia: The traditional long black coat with an embroidered belt worn by the Kodavus.
- Kuffia: The traditional dress worn by Arabs and Kurds, linked to the origin of Kodavus.
- Chai & Chini: Words derived from Chinese, highlighting the historical roots of tea in China.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Class 10 English Chapter 5
Question 1: What role did the baker play in a Goan child’s daily life? Answer: The baker was a friend, companion, and guide to children. They woke up to the musical jingle of his bamboo staff and ran to greet him to collect sweet bread bangles (bolinhas).
Question 2: Why are the people of Coorg permitted to carry firearms without a license? Answer: The Kodavus are historically known for their bravery, loyalty, and martial heritage. Recognizing their disciplined tradition, the Indian government granted them the special privilege of carrying firearms without a license.
Question 3: Who was the first Chief of the Indian Army, and where was he from? Answer: General Cariappa was the first Chief of the Indian Army, and he hailed from Coorg (Kodagu).
Question 4: What is the historical origin of the words ‘tea’, ‘chai’, and ‘chini’? Answer: Tea was first drunk in China as early as 2700 BC. The words chai and chini entered the English and Hindi languages directly from Chinese roots.
Question 5: How are the landscapes of Goa, Coorg, and Assam contrasted in this chapter? Answer: Goa is portrayed as a coastal cultural hub with Portuguese bakery traditions; Coorg is depicted as a misty, mountainous paradise rich in rainforests and coffee; and Assam is described as a vast, undulating green terrain covered in tea gardens.
Mastering the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 5, “Glimpses of India”, enables students to tackle descriptive, character-based, and analytical questions across all three sub-chapters. Pay close attention to regional terminology, cultural traditions, and folklore to ensure maximum marks in your CBSE Board Examinations.