Chapter 7 “A Baker from Goa,” “Coorg,” “Tea from Assam” and the poem “The Trees.”
I. A Baker from Goa
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 2)
1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
The elders in Goa are nostalgic about “those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread”.
2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Yes, it is still popular. We know this because the author states that “the makers are still there”, “the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves” still exist, and the “age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist”.
3. What is the baker called?
The baker is called a pader in Goa.
4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
The baker used to come “at least twice a day”. The children ran to meet him not for the loaves, but because they “longed for those bread-bangles which we chose carefully”.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 3)
1. Match the following. What is a must…
* (i) as marriage gifts? — sweet bread called bol
* (ii) for a party or a feast? — bread
* (iii) for a daughter’s engagement? — sandwiches
* (iv) for Christmas? — cakes and bolinhas
2. What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) when the author was young?
* (i) in the Portuguese days: They wore a “peculiar dress known as the kabai,” which was “a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees”.
* (ii) when the author was young: They wore “a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants”.
3. Who invites the comment “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
“Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader”. This is because the bakers in the author’s youth wore trousers of this specific length.
4. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
The monthly accounts were “recorded on some wall in pencil”.
5. What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
It means having a “plump physique” (a pleasantly fat body). The text states that “any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker”.
Thinking about the Text (Page 4)
1. Which of these statements are correct?
* (i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
Correct.
* (ii) Paders still exist in Goan villages.
Correct.
* (iii) The paders went away with the Portuguese.
Incorrect. The text states “Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there”.
* (iv) The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.
Incorrect. The author notes that in his childhood, they wore a shirt and trousers.
* (v) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.
Correct.
* (vi) Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
Incorrect. The text says “Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days,” implying it may not be as profitable now.
* (vii) Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Incorrect. The text states the baker and his family “never starved” and “always looked happy and prosperous”.
2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Yes, bread is still very important. We know this because it is essential for major life events and festivals. The text mentions:
* “Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol”.
* A party “loses its charm without bread”.
* “The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement”.
* “Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals”.
3. Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?
* (i) The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places.
Answer: nostalgic
* (ii) Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession.
Answer: hopeful
* (iii) I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves.
Answer: nostalgic
* (iv) The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all.
Answer: funny
* (v) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.
Answer: matter-of-fact
* (vi) The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous.
Answer: matter-of-fact
Writing (Page 4-5)
I. Complete the following table…
* the way bread was baked: In “age-old, time-tested furnaces”.
* the way the pader sold bread: He carried a “huge basket” on his head, banging a “specially made bamboo staff” on the ground to announce his arrival.
* what the pader wore: In the author’s childhood, they wore “a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants”.
* when the pader was paid: “at the end of the month”.
* how the pader looked: They “always looked happy and prosperous” and had a “plump physique” or “jackfruit-like physical appearance”.
II. Compare the piece from the text… with the other piece on Goan bakers…
* What makes the two texts so different?
The first text (from the chapter) is a personal, nostalgic pen-portrait (“I can still recall…”), focusing on the author’s childhood memories and the sensory details (sound, smell) of the baker. The second text (on the right) is a more factual, historical description that explains why the paders survived (door-to-door delivery) and the origin of the bread (a “gift of the Portuguese”).
* Are the facts the same?
Yes, the basic facts are the same: the Portuguese influence, the vanishing of the Portuguese but the survival of the paders, and the continuation of the family profession.
* Do both writers give you a picture of the baker?
Yes, but in different ways. The first text gives a personal, vivid picture (the “jhang, jhang” sound, the “mild rebuke”). The second text gives a historical and economic picture (their “art of door-to-door delivery service”).
II. Coorg
Thinking about the Text (Page 8-9)
1. Where is Coorg?
Coorg (or Kodagu) is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is located “Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore”.
2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
There are two main theories about their descent:
* Greek Origin: One story says “a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical”.
* Arabic Origin: This theory “draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus,” known as kuppia, which “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?
They are a “proud race of martial men, beautiful women”, “fiercely independent”, and have a strong “tradition of hospitality”. They are also the “only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence”.
* (ii) the main crop of Coorg?
The main crops are coffee and spices. The air “breathes of invigorating coffee”.
* (iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
It offers high-energy adventure sports like “river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking,” as well as “numerous walking trails” for trekkers.
* (iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
You are likely to see Mahaseer (a large freshwater fish), kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, slender loris, and wild elephants.
* (v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
The distance from Bangalore is “around 250-260 km”. You can get there by air (nearest airports are Mangalore, 135 km, and Bangalore, 260 km), rail (nearest stations are Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan), or road (two routes from Bangalore).
4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning.
* (i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg.
Answer: “it pours enough to keep many visitors away”
* (ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there.
Answer: “As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here”
* (iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour.
Answer: “more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour”
* (iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg.
Answer: “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.
Answer: “The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus”
* (vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy.
Answer: “Macaques, Malabar squirrels… keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy”
Thinking about Language (Page 9-10)
Collocations
* (a) Strike out: ‘How young are you?’
* (b) Strike out: a pleasant pillow
1. …which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives…
* (i) culture: unique culture, ancient culture
* (ii) monks: ancient monks
* (iii) surprise: unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise, sudden surprise
* (iv) experience: unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience, serious experience
* (v) weather: terrible weather
* (vi) tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition
2. Complete the following phrases from the text.
* (i) tales of valour (Another word: adventure)
* (ii) coastal town (Another word: area)
* (iii) a piece of heaven (Another word: land)
* (iv) evergreen rainforests (Another word: trees)
* (v) coffee plantations (Another word: tea plantations)
* (vi) rope bridge (Another word: stone bridge)
* (vii) wild creatures (Another word: elephants)
III. Tea from Assam
Thinking about Language (Page 12-13)
I. 1. Use these words appropriately in the sentences below.
* (i) A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
* (ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
* (iii) My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
* (iv) The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
* (v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.
I. 2. Now fill in the blanks… by combining the verb… with one of the words from the box…
* (i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government.
* (ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research.
* (iii) The State Government plans to build a flyover (or overpass) to speed up traffic on the main highway.
* (iv) Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow.
* (v) Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.
II. 1. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions.
* (i) a good detective serial on television? Interesting / Exciting
* (ii) a debate on… ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? Interesting / Exciting
* (iii) how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? Bored
* (iv) how you feel when you open a present? Excited / Interested
* (v) how you feel when you watch your favourite programme…? Excited / Interested
* (vi) the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? Bored / Tired (implied from context)
* (vii) how you feel when tracking a tiger…? Excited / Frightened (implied from context)
* (viii) the story you have recently read…? Interesting / Boring
II. 2. Now use the adjectives… to write a paragraph about Coorg.
(This is a writing prompt. A sample answer based on the adjectives would be:)
Coorg is an exciting place to visit. It is famous for its interesting martial traditions. While you might feel bored during the monsoons, the main tourist season offers many exciting activities like river rafting. We were very excited to see the wild elephants. A visit to the Tibetan settlement is also an interesting experience.
The Trees
Thinking about the Poem (Page 16)
1. (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.
* “no bird could sit”
* “no insect hide”
* “no sun bury its feet in shadow”
(ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “… sun bury its feet in shadow…”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet’?
* Picture: It creates a picture of bright sunlight being blocked by the leaves of tall trees, casting shadows on the forest floor beneath.
* Sun’s ‘feet’: This refers to the sun’s rays hitting the ground. In a forest, these rays are “buried” in the shadow created by the tree canopy.
2. (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves, and their twigs do?
* Where are the trees? They are “inside” the house, in the “veranda floor”.
* What their roots do: They “work to disengage themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor”.
* What their leaves do: They “strain toward the glass”.
* What their twigs do: They are “stiff with exertion”.
(ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
The poet compares the “long-cramped boughs” to “newly discharged patients / half-dazed, moving / to the clinic doors”.
3. (i) How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?
* (a) At the beginning: “the whole moon shines / in a sky still open”.
* (b) At the end: “The moon is broken like a mirror, / its pieces flash now in the crown / of the tallest oak”.
* What causes this change? The trees moving out. The “tallest oak” has moved under the moon, and its branches are breaking the moon’s light or reflection into pieces.
(ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
“The glass is breaking” as the trees “stumble forward”.
(iii) Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters?
The poem itself suggests a possible answer: “we are often silent about important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us”. She may also be so absorbed in this powerful, natural event that human communication seems unimportant.
4. Now that you have read the poem in detail, we can begin to ask what the poem might mean…
* (i) Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature?
Yes, it does. The poem suggests that nature (the trees) has been “imprisoned” and confined by humans (“inside”, “under the roof”). The trees’ struggle (“strain”, “exertion”, “glass is breaking”) to “move out” represents nature’s need to “break out” and reclaim its rightful place in the “empty” forest.
* (ii) …Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a metaphor for human beings… What new meanings emerge…?
If the trees are a metaphor for human beings (perhaps women, as Rich was a feminist poet), the poem takes on a new meaning. It could represent humans who have been “long-cramped” and confined by domestic life (“inside”, “under the roof”) finally “disengaging” themselves and breaking free from their confinement (“The glass is breaking”) to reclaim their freedom “into the night”.
5. You may read the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’… Compare and contrast it with the poem you have just read.
(This question requires comparison with an external text. Based on the prompt):
A comparison would show a strong contrast. ‘On Killing a Tree’ describes the immense strength and deep-rootedness of a tree, focusing on the difficulty and violence man must inflict to destroy it. In contrast, ‘The Trees’ portrays the trees as active and powerful agents themselves, possessing the will and strength to “disengage” and “break out” of man-made confinement.
Homophones (Page 17)
* refuse (noun, /’refju:s/, meaning rubbish) and refuse (verb, /rɪ’fju:z/, to decline).
* dove (noun, /dʌv/, a bird) and dove (verb, /doʊv/, past tense of dive).
* invalid (noun, /’ɪnvəlɪd/, a person made weak by illness) and invalid (adjective, /ɪn’vælɪd/, not legally or officially acceptable).
*