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Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus
Chapter- 7 English Language and Literature- First Flight (Latest 2018-19)
A Baker from Goa Extra Questions and Answers
By– Lucia Rodrigues
About the Author – Lucia Rodrigues – A Baker From Goa
Lucio Rodrigues (1916-73) was a great Konkani essayist. He wrote several articles in English and Konkani to various periodicals and magazines. He served as the visiting professor of Folklore at many universities and also as a professor of English in Mumbai and Goa. His essays were posthumously published under the title ‘Of Soil and Soul’ and Konkani Folk Tales’. Subtle humour and informal narration are the essential features of his writings.
Introduction of the lesson- Part I. A Baker From Goa
This is a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in the society. What changes take place in the life of the baker with the passage of time a glimpse is presented in this extract.
(गोआ के एक परम्परागत गाँव के बेकर,जिसका वहाँ के समाज में अभी भी एक महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है,का इस पाठ में पैन-चित्रण किया गया है I समय के बीतने के साथ –साथ उस बेकर के जीवन के क्या परिवर्तन आते है ं, इसकी एक झलक इस पाठ में दी गई है I
Plot/ Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson/ Literary Analysis of Part I. A Baker From Goa/ Main Idea
The writer presents a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in its society. Elders still think fondly of the famous Portuguese loaves of bread. The family tradition is still carried on even today by the new generation of bakers or pads in Goa. Even today, marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread or the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without Goan bread.
Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- Part I. A Baker From Goa
[PAGE 85] : Traditional = conventional (परम्परागत; baker = one who bakes bread (पावरोटी आदि बनाने वाला); reminiscing = remembering (याद करना); nostalgically = fondly (स्नेह से ); loaves = pieces of bread (पावरोटी); vanished = disappeared (गायब हो गया); moulders = those who mould (फफूंद बनाने वाले); exist= being still there (मौजूद होना); furnaces = ovens (भट्टियाँ); extinguished = put out (बुझा देना); thud and jingle = falling sound along with musical sound (गिरने की संगीतमय आवाज़ के साथ ) l
[PAGE 86] : Heralding = announcing (घोषणा करना); carries on = continues (जारी रखना ); profession = occupation (व्यवसाय); pader = a kind of baker (एक प्रकार का बेकर); longed = wished (इच्छा की); staff = a long stick (लम्बी छड़ी); supported = helped (सहारा देना); banged = beat with (ठक-ठक करना); greet = welcome (स्वागत करना); vertical = straight (सीधी); mild = light (हल्का); rebuke = chide (डाँटना); parapet = wall on the edge of root (मुंडेर); peep = see (देखना; fragrance = smell (सुगन्ध) I
[PAGE 87] : Feast = grand party (प्रीतिभोज,दावत); absolutely = completely (पूरी तरह); peculiar = strange (विचित्र); starved = die of hunger (भूख से मरना); prosperous = well to do (खुशहाल); plump = having a soft round body (गोल मटोल); testimony = statement (कथन,सबूत); jackfruit = a kind of vegetable (कटहल) I
Summary in English- Part I. A Baker From Goa
In this extract, the author remembers his old days in Goa when the village baker occupied an important place in life. Although, with the passage of time, people do not eat so much bread, yet the village bakers are still there. The Portuguese were famous for preparing the loaves of bread. They left Goa long ago. But the traditional work of the bakers can still be seen in Goa. The furnaces in which the bread was baked still exist there. The sound of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard. Someone in the baker’s family still carries on the business and the tradition. These bakers are known as Pader in Goa even today.
The author recalls that a baker used to visit the village twice a day. He used to be the author’s friend and guide. He used to carry a bamboo stick. The sound of this stick used to wake up the authors and others from sleep. The servants from the different houses bought loaves. But the author ran to the baker for buying bread-bangles.
The baker’s bamboo stick was a special one. He made the sound ‘jhang, jhang‘ by banging his bamboo on the ground. With one hand the baker supported the basket of bread on his head and with the other, he struck the ground with the bamboo. Whenever someone came to him buy bread, he placed the basket on the bamboo. The author and the others looked into his basket. In those times, it was a fashion to eat bread with hot tea. The author was so fond of bread that he would not even brush his teeth before eating it.
The village baker was especially important for all occasions. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known as ‘Bol’. Marriage gifts were meaningless without these sweetbreads. Sandwiches, cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread. Thus the presence of a baker’s furnace was very essential in each village. On all occasions, the villagers needed one or another type of cake which could be baked in the furnace.
The baker or the bread-seller wore a special, peculiar dress. It was known as the ‘kabai’. It was a single-piece long frock. It reached down to his knees. During the narrator’s childhood, Bakers wore trousers which were shorter than full-length and longer than half pants. Even today if someone wears a half pant, he is said to be dressed like a paper.
The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. In the household. the baker’s monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was a profitable business in those days. ‘The bakers used to be well off. Their families never starved. Their plump bodies showed that they were
Short Summary A Baker From Goa (2) :
1.Elders Nostalgic About Portuguese Bread: Elders in Goa still think fondly about those good old Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread. The eaters of loaves might have died but the makers are still there. The fire in the furnaces that make these bread has not yet been extinguished. At least, the thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo still herald his arrival in the morning.
2. Baker’s Arrival: The narrator recalls his childhood in Goa. The baker used to be their friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. The children ran to meet the baker the moment they heard the jingling thud of his bamboo. He would greet the lady of the house. The elders enjoyed the typical fragrance of those loaves and the kids, the music of the bamboo.
3. Baker’s Importance on Christmas and Other Festivals: Marriage gifts in Goa are meaningless with the sweet bread or the bol. Any party or feast is incomplete without bread. The baker is very important for the village. On the occasion of her daughter’s engage segment, the lady of the house must prepare sandwiches. Cakes and `bolinhas’ are a must for Christmas and other festivals.
4, Baker’s Dress: In good old days, the baker or bread seller had a peculiar dress. It was called the labia. It was a single piece frock reaching down to the knees. Even today anyone who wears a shirt and trousers shorter than full-lengths then he is said to is dressed like a paper.
5. Baking, a Profitable Profession: Baking was really a profitable profession in those days. The bakers and their families were quite prosperous and happy. Their plumpy bodies were an open testimony to their prosperity.
Main Points of the Story – A Baker From Goa
- Elders often think fondly of good Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread.
- The age-old furnaces still bake those bread.
- The thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo announcing his arrival can still be heard in some places.
- Even today, these bakers are known as Pader in Goa.
- The children ran to meet and greet him.
- They longed for bread-bangles and sweet bread of special make.
- Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread known as the ‘bor.
- The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
- Cakes and `bolinhas’ are a must for Christmas and other festivals.
- The presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
- The bakers in the old days used to wear a dress known as the kabai.
- Baking was quite a profitable profession in the old days.
- The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous.
Summary in Hindi – Part I. A Baker From Goa- Full Text
इस अंश में लेखक गोआ में अपने पुराने दिनों को याद करता है जब गाँव का बेकर (पावरोटी आदि बनाने वाला ) जीवन में एक महत्वपूर्ण स्थान रखता था I यधपि, समय के बीतने के साथ लोग अब इतनी अधिक पावरोटी नहीं खाते, मगर गाँव में बेकर अब भी है I पुर्तगाली लोग पावरोटी बनाने के लिए प्रसिद्ध थे I वे गोआ को बहुत पहले ही छोड़ गए I मगर गोआ में बेकर के परम्परागत काम को अब भी देखा जा सकता है I वे भट्टियाँ जिसमें पावरोटी बनाई जाती थी अब भी वहाँ विधमान है I परम्परागत बेकरों की बाँस की छड़ी की आवाज को अभी भी सुना जा सकता है I बेकर के परिवार में से कोई-न-कोई अभी भी उस व्यवसाय और परम्परा को आगे बढ़ाए हुए है I गोआ में इन बेकरों को आज भी पेदर कहा जाता है I
लेखक याद करता है कि एक बेकर गाँव में रोज दो बार आता था I वह लेखक का मित्र एवं पथ-प्रदर्शन होता था I उसने बाँस की एक छड़ी उठाई होती थी I इस छड़ी की आवाज से लेखक और अन्य लोग नींद से जाग जाते थे I अलग-अलग घरों के नौकर पावरोटी खरीदते थे I मगर लेखक पावगजरों को खरीदने के लिए बेकर के पास भाग जाया करता था I
बेकर की बाँस की छड़ी विशेष होती थी I उस बाँस को जमीन पर पटकर वह ‘झैंग- झैंग’ की आवाज पैदा करता था I बेकर एक हाथ में अपने सिर पर पावरोटी की टोकरी को सहारा देता था और दूसरे से वह बाँस को जमीन पर पटकता था I जब भी कोई उसके पास पावरोटी खरीदने के लिए आता था तो वह टोकरी को बाँस पर रखता था Iलेखक और अन्य लोग उसकी टोकरी में देखते थे I उन दिनों में गरम चाय के साथ पावरोटी खाने का रिवाज था I लेखक पावरोटी का इतना शौकीन था की वह इसे खाने से पहले अपने दाँत भी साफ नहीं करता था I
गाँव का बेकर प्रत्येक अवसर पर विशेष तौर पर महत्वपूर्ण होता था I गाँव वाले उस मीठी पावरोटी, जिसे ‘बोल’ कहा जाता था, के विशेष शौकीन थे I इन मीठी पावरोटियों के बिना शादी के उपहारों का कोई अर्थ नहीं था I क्रिसमस एवं अन्य त्योहारों पर सेंडविच, केक और बोलिनाह बहुत जरूरी होते थे I ये पावरोटी से बनाए जाते थे I इस प्रकार बेकर की भट्टी में बनाया जाता था I
बेकर या पावरोटी बेचने वाला एक विशेष प्रकार की पोशाक पहनता था I इसे ‘कबाई’ कहा जाता था I यह एक ही टुकड़े की लम्बी फ्रॉक होता था, यह उसके घुटनों तक जाता था I लेखक के बचपन के दिनों में बेकर ऐसी पैन्टें पहनते थे जो पूरी लम्बी पैन्ट से छोटी होती थी और आधी लंबाई की पैन्ट से लम्बी होती थी I आज भी अगर कोई आधी लंबाई की पैन्ट पहनता है तो कहा जाता है कि उसने पेडर जैसे कपड़े पहने है I बेकर अपना बिल आमतोर पर महीने की अन्त में लेता था I घर में बेकर के महीने भर के हिसाब को किसी दीवार पर पेन्सिल से लिखा जाता था I उन दिनों में पावरोटी बनाना फायदे का कारोबार था I बेकर लोग समृद्ध होते थे I उनके परिवार कभी भी भूखे नहीं रहते थे I उनके मोटे शरीर इस बात को दर्शाते थे कि वे प्रसन्न है I
IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION – A Baker From Goa
Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow :
PASSAGE 1
Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.
Word-meanings: Reminiscing = remembering (याद करना); vanished = disappeared गायब हो गया); moulders = those who mould (फफूंद बनाने वाले); extinguished = put out (बुझा देना); furnaces = ovens (भट्टियाँ)
Questions :
(a) What do the elders remember nostalgically?
(b) Whom do the residents of Goa still have among them?
(c) What are the time tested things which still exist there?
(d) How are the bakers known as in Goa?
(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘put out’.
Answers :
(a) They remember nostalgically the old Portuguese days and the loaves of bread.
(b) They still have the mixers, the moulders and bakers of bread.
(c) The furnaces of the bakers are the time-tested things which still exist there.
(d) The bakers are known as pader.
(e) ‘extinguished’.
PASSAGE 2
During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. Why was it so? Was it for the love of the loaf? Not at all. The loaves were bought by some Paskine or Bastin, the maid-servant of the house! What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.
Word-meanings: Greet = welcome (स्वागत करना): longed for = wished for (इच्छा करना )
Questions :
(a) What was the baker’s place in Goa in the author’s childhood days?
(b) What happened after the author woke up on hearing the baker’s jingling sound?
(c) Who bought the loaves?
(d) What did the narrator long for?
(e) Find a phrase front the passage which means ‘wished for’.
Answers :
(a) In those days the baker was the friend, companion and guide.
(b) He ran to meet and greet hint.
(c) The maid-servant of the house bought the loaves of bread.
(d) The author longed for ‘bread-bangles’.
(e) ‘longed for’.
PASSAGE 3
The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other hanged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children. Then we did not even care to brush our teeth or wash our mouths properly. And why should we? Who would take the trouble of plucking the mango-leaf for the toothbrush ‘? And why was it necessary at all? The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all!
[H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-C)
Word-meanings: Supported = helped (सहारा देना); banged = beat with (ठक-ठक करना ); greet = welcome (स्वागत करना); fragrance = smell (सुगन्ध) I
Questions :
(a) How did the baker make his musical entry?
(b) What can the author still recall?
(c) What did the author and the other kids do to look into the baker’s basket?
(d) What was thought as a nice mouth-wash to clean up everything?
(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘chide’.
Answers :
(a) The baker made his musical entry with the ‘jhang, jhang‘ sound of his bamboo staff.
(b) The author can still recall the typical fragrance of the loaves.
(c) They would climb a bench or the parapet to look into the baker’s basket.
(d) ‘Hot tea’ was considered a nice mouth-wash.
(e) ‘rebuke’.
PASSAGE 4
Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just. as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and Bolinas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
Word-meanings : Feast = grand party (दावत); charm = attraction (आकर्षक); absolutely = completely (पूरी तरह); essential = necessary (आवश्यक) l
Questions :
(a) Name the chapter and the writer.
(b) What makes marriage gifts meaningless?
(c) When does a party or a feast lose its charm?
(d) What has the lady of the house to do on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement?
(e) What is a must for Christmas?
Answers :
(a) Chapter: A Baker From Goa.
Writer: Lucio Rodrigues.
(b) Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol.
(c) A party or a feast loses its charm without bread.
(d) She must prepare sandwiches on such an occasion.
(e) Cakes or bolinhas are a must for Christmas.
PASSAGE 5
The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily a baker.
Word-meanings: Recorded = written (लिखे जाते थे); starved =die of hunger (भूख से मरना); prosperous – well to do (खुशहाल); plump = having a soft round body (गोल-मटोल)
Questions :
(a) When did the baker usually collect his bills?
(b) How were the monthly accounts recorded?
(c) How can you say that the baker and his family never starved?
(d) What kind of a person is easily compared to a baker?
(e) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘proof or example.’
Answers :
(a) The baker usually collected his hills at the end of the month.
(b) The monthly accounts were recorded on some wall in pencil.
(c) The baker and his family had a plump physique.
(d) Any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
(e) Testimony.
PASSAGES FOR PRACTICE (UNSOLVED)
PASSAGE 6
The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the labia. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood, we saw bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader !
The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
Word-meanings: Peculiar = strange (विचित्र); starved = die of hunger (भूख से मरना); prosperous = well to do (खुशहाल)
Questions :
(a) Describe the dress worn by the bread-sellers of old days.
(b) When is a person said to be dressed like a pader ?
(c) When did baker collect his bills?
(d) How does the narrator estimate that the baker used to be rich?
(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘strange’.
Passage-7: (Pages 85 & 86)
Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished, but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, time tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive, but the son still carries on the family profession. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.
Word-Meaning: Reminiscing—thinking of the past, Nostalgically—thinking fondly of the past, Portuguese days—(here) days when Portuguese ruled over Goa, Loaves of bread—pieces of bread, Vanished—disappeared, ended Moulders—those who mould, Bake—roast cook on fire Age-old—since ages, Furnaces—hearths, Exist—present, Extinguished—put off, Thud—the sound of something falling on the ground, Jingle—sound of bells, Traditional—conventional, Bamboo—a rod of bamboo Heralding—announcing the coming of, Arrival—coming, Carries on—carries forward, Profession—job,
Questions:
(a) What do our elders often reminisce?
(b) How are the age-old furnaces time tested?
(c) What does the thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo herald?
(d) What are bakers called in Goa?
Answers:
(a) Our elders fondly remember the Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread.
(b) The age-old furnaces still exist in Goa.
(c) The thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo herald the arrival of the baker.
(d) The bakers are even today known as paders in Goa.
Passage-8: (Page 86)
During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. Why was it so? Was it for the love of the loaf? Not at all. The loaves were bought by some Paskine or Bastine, the maid-servant of the house! What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was a sweet bread of special make.
Word-Meaning: Guide—showing the way Set out—started, Emptying—making empty, Huge basket—big basket, Greet—welcome, Maid-servant—maid doing the household work, Longed for—waited anxiously, Bread-bangles-round bunches of bread like bangles, Special make—special design
Questions:
(a) What did the children think about the baker?
(b) What made people wake up from sleep?
(c)Who used to buy loaves in the house?
(d) What did the children long for?
Answers:
(a) The children thought the baker as their friend, companion and guide.
(b) The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo woke up the people from their sleep.
(c) The maid-servant of the house used to buy loaves from the baker.
(d) The children longed for bread-bangles.
passage-9: (Page 87)
Marriage gifts are meaningless without sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. 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. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
Word-Meaning: Meaningless—useless, Bol—sweet bread, Feast—festivity, party Charm—beauty, Engagement—ceremony before marriage, Thus—in this way, Presence—existence, Absolutely—completely, Essential—necessary,
Questions:
(a) What is the importance of the bol?
(b) What usual dish is prepared on the daughter’s engagement?
(c) What are the essentials for Christmas?
(d) What is the position of the baker’s furnace in the village?
Answers:
(a) Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread or the bol.
(b) The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
(c) Cakes and `bolinhas’ are a must for Christmas.
(d) The presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
Passage-10: (Page 87)
The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood, we saw bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!
Word-Meaning: Peculiar—special, Single-piece—with no joint, Comment—remark, Pader—baker,
Questions:
(a) What was the traditional dress of the baker?
(b) What was that dress like?
(c) Who is a pader?
(d) When did the author usually see the baker?
Answers:
(a) The peculiar dress of the baker was known as the kabai.
(b) It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
(c) A pader is a person who bakes bread.
(d) He usually saw the baker in the morning.
Passage-11: (Page 87)
The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded AI some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
Word-Meaning: Recorded—noted down Profitable—that gives profit, Starved- died of hunger, Prosperous—well-off, Plump—fleshy, rather fat and round, Treral Physique – body, Open—(here) clear, Testimony—test, proof, Jackfruit like—like a jackfruit, Physical—bodily Appearance—looks,
Questions:
(a) Why was the end of the month remarkable for the baker?
(b) How was baking as a profession in the old days?
(c) What sort of life did the baker and his family live?
(d) What is the physical appearance of the baker compared with?
Answers:
(a) The bakers collected his bills at the end of the month.
(b) Baking was quite a profitable profession in the old days.
(c) The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous.
(d) His physical appearance is compared with a man with jack fruit.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION – A Baker From Goa
1.Where were bakers especially found in India?
(A) Goa (B) Karnatka
(C) Assam (D) all of the above
Ans. (A) Goa
2. Who ruled over Goa?
(A) British (B) Portuguese
(C) French (D) Dutch
Ans. (B) Portuguese
3. In the olden days baker in Goa was known as :
(A) baker (B) pader
(C) kabai (D) bolinhas
Ans. (B) pade
4. What did the children like to buy ?
(A) bread (B) bangle-bread
(C) bol (D) cake
Ans. (B) bangle-bread
5. Which name is used for the sweet bread?
(A) bol (B) kabai
(C) pedar (D) cake
Ans. (A) bol
6. The bakers used to wear
(A) kabai (B) bol
(C) pedar (D) all of the above
Ans. (A) kahai
7. When were the bills collected?
(A) daily (B) weekly
(C) fortnightly (D) at the end of the month
Ans. (D) at the end of the month
8. What type of people are bakers?
(A) poor (B) prosperous
(C) both (A) and (B) (D) starving
Ans. (B) prosperous
9. Now are bakers in their physique?
(A) weak (C) plump
(B) sick looking (D) all of the above
Ans. (C) plump
10. The elders in Goa are nostalgic about :
(A) the Portuguese people. (B) the good old Portuguese days
(C) their famous loaves of bread (D) all of the above
Ans. (D) all of the above
11. The baker used to come daily.
(A) only once (B) twice
(C) thrice (D) four times
Ans. (B) twice
12. Who is the author of the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa’?
(A) Lucio Rodrigues (B) Lokesh Abrol
(C) Arup Kumar Datta (D) Gavin Maxwell
Ans. (A) Lucio Rodrigues
Extract Based / comprehension test Questions and Answers of Part I. A Baker From Goa
Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again when he returned after emptying his huge basket’.
(a) Who is ‘he’ and where is he from?
(b) Name the items he sold from his huge basket.
(c) When did he come during the day?
(d) Where did he empty his huge basket?
Ans. (a) ‘He’ is the ‘baker’. He is from ‘Goa’.
(b) Bread loaves, cakes, bread–bangles, sweet bread, etc.
(c) He came twice—once in the morning on his selling round and again after the sale was over.
(d) He emptied his huge basket in the houses of his customers.
2. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
(a) Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
(b) Why did the baker and his family never starve?
(c) Why did the baker and his family always look happy and prosperous?
(d) What are bakers compared within today’s time?
Or
(a) When did the baker collect his bills?
(b) How can you say baking was a profitable profession?
(c) Who is being described in the above passage?
(d) What kind of business was baking considered?
Ans. (a) On some wall in pencil.
(b) Because baking was a profitable profession.
(c) Because they never starved as baking was a profitable business.
(d) A person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance.
Or
(a) At the end of the month.
(b) Because the baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous.
(c) The baker.
(d) Baking was a profitable business in the old days.
3. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. 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. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.
(a) Why is the baker’s furnace essential for the Goan people?
(b) On which occasions are the cakes and bolinhas necessary?
(c) When are marriage gifts rendered meaningless?
(d) What are a must for Christmas and other festivals?
Or
(a) What does the lady of the house prepare on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement?
(b) What makes the marriage gifts meaningful?
(c) Name a necessary eatable that is a must to be served during engagement parties?
(d) Explain the phrase ‘loses its charm’?
Ans. (a) To prepare cakes, bolinhas, sandwiches on special occasions, rendering them necessary.
(b) On Christmas as well as other festivals and feasts.
(c) Marriage gifts are rendered meaningless without the sweet bread known as a hotel.
(d) Cakes and bolinhas.
Or
(a) Sandwiches.
(b) The presence of sweet bread known as but
(c) Sandwiches.
(d) Of not much value.
4. Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good Old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. That age-old time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive, but the son still carries on the family profession.
(a) What do the elders think fondly about their past?
(b) Who recollects nostalgically about Old Portuguese days?
(c) What are the elders nostalgic about?
(d) How can you say that bread making is still popular in Goa?
Ans. (a) The elders remember very fondly the good old Portuguese days and their loaves of bread.
(b) Elderly Goans.
(c) The good old Portuguese days and the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread.
(d) The bakers are still there, as are the furnaces, and the tradition of baking.
5.The baker made his musical entry on the scene with ‘bang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff one hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground.
(a) How did the bakers announce their entry?
(b) How were both of his hands occupied?
(c) How did the baker make his entry musical?
(d) How did he balance the basket on his head?
Ans. (a) By banging their bamboo staff on the ground.
(b) One hand supported the basket and the other banged the bamboo staff on the ground.
(c) He made ‘jhang-jhang’ musical sound with his bamboo staff.
(d) He balanced the basket on his head by sporting it with his one hand.
6. The presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential. The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the habai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood, we saw bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!
(a) Why is a baker essential in the Goan village?
(b) How is a traditional baker recognised?
(c) What is a person called if he wears half pant that reaches just below his knees?
(d) What does the passage tell us about?
Ans. (a) People need bread for daily use and it is also essential for all festive seasons.
(b) The one who wore a single piece long frock reaching below the knees or one who wore pants longer than half pants, but shorter than full pants was instantly recognised as a traditional baker.
(c) He is called a pader or baker.
(d) The passage tells us about the dress of modern bakers.
7.We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children. Then we did not even care to brush our teeth or wash our mouths properly. And why should we? And why was it necessary at all? The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all!
(a) How did the children manage to see what was there in the baker’s basket?
(b) What did the children like most to eat?
(c) Why would the children peep into the basket?
(d) Why did he push aside the children?
Ans. (a) The children would climb a bench or the parapet to look into the baker’s basket.
(b) The children like bread-bangles the most.
(c) To check for their choice of bread.
(d) He did so because they used to peep into his basket and did not let him deliver the bread.
Main Characters of the Story- Part I. A Baker From Goa
Character Sketch
The Baker of Goa: The baker or the pader used to be an essential part of the Goan’s life. The baker or bread seller had a peculiar dress during the Portuguese days. It was known as the Kabai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down the knees. With the passage of time, he started wearing a shirt and trousers which were just longer than the short pants. The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous in the good old days. His sweet bread or the boys are still the part of feasts, marriages and Christmas in Goa.
Extra Very Short Answer Type Important Questions –A Baker From Goa
Q.1. What do the elders of Goa remember nostalgically? ‘ [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-A)]
Ans. They remember nostalgically the old Portuguese days and the loaves of bread.
Q.2. What are the time tested things which still exist in Goa?
Ans. The furnaces of the bakers of Goa are time tested things which still exist there.
Q.3. When did the baker come daily?
Ans. He came daily twice. Once in the morning when he set out for his selling and the other time after selling the bread.
Q.4. What was the baker’s place in Goa is the author’s childhood days?
Ans. In those days the baker was the friend, companion and guide.
Q.5. How is the entry of the baker described?
Ans. The entry of the baker is described as musical.
Q.6. What did the author and the other children do to look into the baker’s basket?
Ans. They would climb a bench or the parapet to look into the baker’s basket.
Q.7. What is the name of the dress worn by the baker in olden days?
Ans. It was known with the name of kabai.
Q.8. What is the baker called in Goa?
Ans. baker is called ‘pader‘ in Goa.
Q.9. What is the financial status of a baker of Goa?
Ans. A baker of Goa is mostly in a sound financial position.
Q.10. What is a kabai?
Ans. A kabai is a type of frock made out of a single piece of cloth.
Short Answer Type Important Questions – A Baker From Goa
1. What did the baker mean to the narrator during his childhood? How many times did he pay a visit?
Ans. The baker or pader was an important person in the author’s life. He was treated like a friend. He used to come twice a day, once in the morning to sell the bread and then while returning after emptying his basket. The author used to run to meet him in order to take the bread-bangles. He chatted and gossiped with him.
2.What were the bakers called? Describe their peculiar dress.
Ans. The bakers were known as pader. These bakers wore a peculiar dress known as the ‘kabai’. It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
3. What was Kabai ? Give a brief description.
Or
What did the bakers wear — (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) When the author was young?
Ans. Kabai wan a particular dress — a single piece long frock reaching down the knees which the bakers used to wear in old days. Later it was replaced by a shirt and trousers which were longer than the shorts and shorter than the full length.
4. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans. In Goa, the elders are nostalgic about the good Old Portuguese days as well as the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread.
5. How can you say, ‘bread-baking is still popular in Goa’?
Ans. Bread making is still very popular in Goa. Still, we can see the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Most of their festivals and other occasions are meaningless without the loaves of bread.
6. “Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.” Explain.
Ans. Bakers had a plump physique which meant they were happy and prosperous and hence, even today, any person with a jackfruit like physical appearance is compared to a baker.
7.`Baking was, indeed, a profitable profession’. Justify the statement with reference to the extract ‘A Baker from Goa’.
Or
Explain with examples that baking used to be a profitable profession.
Ans. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this.
8. How did the baker attract the children?
Or
How does the writer know about the arrival of the baker? Why are they anxiously waiting for him?
Or
What role did the baker play in the childhood of the narrator?
Ans. The children would know about his arrival from the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his bamboo stick. They would run to meet and greet him. They tried to surround the basket but were pushed aside until the bread was delivered to the maid. Then they were allowed to choose their bread-bangles.
9. How did the baker make his entry?
Ans. The baker made his musical entry with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house and then place the basket on the bamboos.
10. How were the baker’s accounts maintained?
Ans. The monthly records/accounts of the baker were maintained on some wall in pencil.
11. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Ans. Bread is still an important part of Goan life. Marriage gifts are meaningless and a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Sandwiches are important for a daughter’s engagement. That is what that explains the fact that the bread makers are still there.
12. What marks of the Portuguese way of life can still be seen in Goa?
Ans. Goa was once occupied by the Portuguese. They were famous for preparing the loaves of bread. They left Goa long ago. But the traditional work of the bakers can still be seen in Goa. The furnaces in which the bread was baked still exist there.
13. What does the author recall about the visit of the baker to his village?
Ans. The author recalls that a baker used to visit the village twice a day. He used to be the author’s friend and guide. He used to carry a bamboo stick. The sound of this stick used to wake up the author and others from sleep
14. How was the village baker very important for special occasions in the village?
Ans. The village baker was especially important for festive occasions. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known as ‘bol’. Marriage gifts were meaningless without these sweetbreads. Sandwiches, cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread.
15. Describe the bread-sellers dress.
Ans. The baker or the bread-seller wore a special, peculiar dress. It was known as the ‘kabai . It was a single-piece long frock. It reached down to his knees. During narrator’s childhood, Bakers wore trousers which were shorter than full-length and longer than half pants.
16. When did the baker collect his bills? What showed that the bakers were prosperous?
Ans. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. In the household, the baker’s monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was a profitable business in those days. Their families never starved. Their plump bodies showed that they were prosperous.
17. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to the baker?
Ans. The baker would come twice a day. Once in the morning when he set out on his selling round, and then again after emptying his basket. In the morning the children ran to him to have bread-bangles.
18. How did the baker make his entry in the morning?
Ans. In the morning the baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang–jhang‘ sound of his specially made staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other hanged the bamboo on the ground.
19. What are the childhood memories described by the author in this extract?
Ans. The author passed his childhood days in Goa. In this extract, he remembers his old days in Goa when the village baker occupied an important place in life. Although, with the passage of time, people do not eat so much bread, yet the sillage bakers are still there.
Q20. What do the elders reminisce about and why?
Ans. The elders reminisce nostalgically about the good old Portuguese days and the Portuguese loaves of bread. The loaves of bread were an integral part of Goan’s life. Marriages were meaningless without sweet bread. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on her daughter’s engagement. Christmas and other festivals must have cakes and bolinhas. They still remember the jingling thud of the baker in the morning.
Q22. How can you say that the makers of the famous Goan loaves are still there?
Ans. Many of those eaters of loaves might have died but their makers still exist. The mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves are still there in Goa. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished and the thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo can still be heard in the morning in some places. These bakers, known as paders, exist in Goa even today. The family profession is still carried on.
Q22. How did the baker make his musical entry on the scene in the morning?
Ans. The baker made his musical entry in the morning. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke up the people in the morning. He used to come at least twice a day. The children ran to meet and greet him. For children, it was not just for the love of the loaf but for the love of the jingling music.
Q23. Why was the baker, the friend, companion and guide of the children?
Ans. For children, the very sight of the baker was quite exciting. He was their friend, companion and guide. The jingling thud of his bamboo put them in rapture. They ran to meet and greet him. It was not so much for the love of the loaf What they longed for were the bread-bangles. Sometimes they liked the sweet bread of special make.
Q24. What importance did the baker’s furnace have in the village in Goa?
Ans. The loaves of bread had become an important and integral part of the lives of the people in Goa. Marriages were meaningless without the sweet bread or the bol. No party or feast was possible without bread. The lady of the house would prepare sandwiches on the engagement ceremony of her daughter. Cakes and sweet breads were a must for Christmas and other festivals. The presence of the baker’s furnace was absolutely essential in the village.
Q25. Describe the changes in the dress of the baker or the pader with the passage of the time.
Ans. In good old days during the Portuguese rule, the baker or bread seller had a peculiar dress. It was known as `Icabar. It was a single piece long frock reaching down to the knees. These days a pader wears a shirt and trousers which are shorter than full lengths ones and longer than half pants.
Q26. What was the attitude of the baker towards
(i)the lady of the house
(ii) the children
(iii) the maidservant?
Ans. (i) First of all, the baker would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo before her.
(ii)He would push aside the children with a mild rebuke.
(iii)The loaves were delivered to the maid-servant.
Q27. How did the children behave when they have pushed aside with a mild rebuke by the pader?
Ans. The baker would push aside the children with a mild rebuke. But the kids would not give up. They would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket. They longed for the bread-bangles. Actually, the jingling thud of the baker or the pader fascinated them.
Q28. Why would the children didn’t even care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths properly?
Ans. The jingling thud of the pader and his musical entry in the morning would wake up the children from their sleep.
They would run to greet and meet him. They didn’t even care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths. The tiger never brushed their teeth. There was no need of doing any such thing. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all.
Q29. When did the baker collect his bills and how did he record his monthly accounts?
Ans. The pader usually collected his bills from his customers at the end of the month. He didn’t have a notebook to record his monthly accounts. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil.
Q30. How would you prove that baking was a profitable profession in the old days in Goa?
Ans. Baking was quite a profitable profession in Goa in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. Even his servants could meet both the ends easily. He and his family always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony of their happiness and prosperity.
Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each – A Baker From Goa
1. Why was it absolutely essential to have a “baker’s furnace” in a Goan village?
Ans. The Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread had made a permanent impact on Goan soil. The eaters of those loaves might have vanished but the makers of the loaves — the bakers still have an important place in the society. The Goan village still has the mixers, moulders and those who bake the loaves. There are also the age-old time-tested furnaces which exist till date. The bakers are still important in the village. 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. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is still essential.
2. Give a pen-portrait of a baker in Goa.
Ans. A baker had an important place in the village life of Goa. Marriage gifts were meaningless without bol or sweet bread, cakes and bolinhas at Christmas and other festivals. In old days the bakers used to wear a peculiar dress — kabai – a single piece long frock reaching down the knees. Later they started wearing a shirt and trousers which were longer than the shorts and shorter than the full-length pants. They used to be prosperous. They, their family and servants never starved. Their plump physique was a testimony of their prosperity and good income. The baker used to be a good friend, companion and guide for the author. He would come twice a day and then, the children of the house would crowd around his basket to choose the bread-bangles. Even today, baking and bakers are famous in Goa. They still use the traditional furnaces to bake bread and cakes. These bakers are known as paders in Goa.
3. Describe the childhood memories of the author’s life in Goa and his fondness for bread and cakes.
Ans. The author’s childhood memories are full of fun. He remembers them and gets nostalgic. The pader or baker was an important person in the Goan village as well as in the author’s life. He used to mix, mould and bake the loaves of bread in age-old, tested furnaces. He used to come twice a day, once in the morning to sell the bread and then while returning after emptying his basket. He made his musical entry with the `jhang, jhang’ sound of his bamboo staff. The author with other children used to run to meet him in order to take the bread-bangles or sometimes the sweet bread of special make. He chatted and gossipped with him.
4. How is the effect of the traditional bread bakers can still be seen in Goa of today? [H.B.SE.March,2017(Set-B)]
Ans. The author remembers his old days in Goa when the village baker occupied an important place in life. Bread eating was very common in those days. Apart from eating bread daily, bread held an important place at the time of Christmas, marriages and other functions. Although, with the passage of time, people do not eat so much bread today, yet the village bakers are still there. The Portuguese were famous for earns the loaves of bread. They left Goa long ago. But the traditional work of the bakers can still be seen in Goa. The furnaces in which the bread was baked still exist there. The sound of the traditional bakers’ bamboo can still be heard. These bakers are known as Pader in Goa even today.
5. What was the importance of the baker in the village? What kind of dress did be wear?
Ans. The village baker was especially important for all occasions. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known as ‘Bor. Marriage gifts were meaningless without these sweetbreads. Sandwiches, cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread. Thus the presence of a baker’s furnace was very essential in each village. The baker or the bread-seller wore a special, peculiar dress. It was known as the ‘kabai‘. It was a single-piece long frock. It reached -down to his knees. During narrator’s childhood bakers wore trousers which were shorter than full-length and longer than half pants. Even today if someone wears a half pant, he is said to be dressed like a pader.
6. Give a pen-portrait of a Goan Village baker.
Ans. A Goan village baker used to sell all kinds of bread loaves. He used to come in the morning with a basket of bread loaves on his head. He made a musical entry on the scene with the jhang–jhang‘ of his bamboo stick. He used to wear a peculiar dress known as the ‘kabai‘. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker always looked happy and prosperous. He had a plump physique.
Q7. What do our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about in Goa? Did the old profession of making the famous loaves of bread end with the Portuguese?
Ans. Our elders in Goa are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about the good old Portuguese days. They are often heard saying nostalgically about their famous loaves of bread. Many eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still alive. The profession of baking loaves of bread has not died with ending of the Portuguese rule. Goa still has the mixers, the moulders and the bakers of those loaves. The furnaces still bake those unique loaves of bread. Even today one can hear the thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo in the morning. Marriages, feasts, Christmas and other festivals are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol. The baker’s presence in even Goan village is absolutely essential. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in good old days. However, the tradition hasn’t died completely yet.
Q8. Describe the author’s experience during his childhood in Goa? Why was the baker or the pader the guide of children in Goa?
Ans. The author remembers fondly his childhood days in Goa. He recalls how the baker used to be the friend, companion and guide of the children. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo woke them from their sleep. It heralded the arrival of the baker or the pader in the morning. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, he used to set out in the morning on his selling round. Then he returned after emptying his huge basket. The children ran to meet and greet him. It was not for the love of the loaf. They longed for the bread-bangles. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make. The children especially liked the musical entry on the scene with the `jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff. He would greet the lady of the house with good morning but put the children with a mild rebuke. The children would not give up. They would climb a bench and peep into the basket. The author still recalls the fragrance of those loaves. The children would become crazy at the sight of the pader. They would forget even to brush their teeth.
Q9. Baking was a profitable profession in the old days in Goa. Prove it by giving examples from the text.
Ans. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days in Goa. The people of Goa were used to the refreshing fragrance of the loaves of bread. On all occasions .and ceremonies, they needed them. Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread or the bol. No party was complete if bread was not served in it. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the engagement ceremony of her daughter. Christmas and other festivals must have bolinhas during their celebrations. The presence of the baker’s furnace Was absolutely necessary for every, GNP village. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to their happiness and prosperity.
Q10. Give a pen-portrait of the baker or the pader highlighting the changes that came in his fortune and dress with the passage of the time.
Ans. The baker or the pader used to be an essential part of the Goans’ life. The baker or bread seller had a peculiar dress during the Portuguese days. It was known as the kabai. It was a single piece long frock reaching down the knees. With the passage of time, he started wearing a shirt and trousers which were just longer than the short pants. The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous in the good old days. Their plumpy physique was an open testimony of their happiness and prosperity. However, as the time changed, the bakers continued their profession but with their reduced fortune and importance. The thud and jingle of the traditional bamboo of the baker are still heard in the streets of Goa even now. Sweet bread or the boys are still the part of feasts, marriages and Christmas in Goa. However, the old charm and craze have become rather dim in recent days.
