Tea From Assam Extra Questions

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Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10^th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 7 English Language and Literature- First Flight (Latest 2018-19)

Tea From Assam Extra Questions

By- Arup Kumar Datta

Arup Kumar Datta– A Short Biography – Part III. Tea from Assam

Amp Kumar Datta was born in 1946 at Jorhat in Assam. He was educated at cAanacar and at Delhi University. He served as a professor in English for many; ars at JB College, Jorhat. His published works ‘The Adventure Stories’ (1978), Brahmaputra (2001) have been translated into many foreign languages.

Introduction of the lesson- Part III. Tea from Assam

This is a very short description of Assam, a North-Eastern State of India. This state is famous for its tea plantations. In this extract Pranjol, a youngster from Assam is Rajvir’s classmate at a school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam and Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation.

(यह भारत के उत्तर-पूर्वी राज्य आसाम का एक संक्षिप्त विवरण है I यह राज्य अपने चाय बागानों के लिए प्रसिद्ध है I इस अंश में प्रांजल, आसाम का एक छोटा लड़का दिल्ली के एक स्कूल में राजवीर का सह्पाठी है I प्रांजल के पिता ऊपरी आसाम में एक चाय बागान के प्रबंधक है और प्रांजल राजवीर को ग्रीष्मावकाश में अपने घर पर आमंत्रित करता है I )

Plot/ Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson/ Literary Analysis of Part III. Tea from Assam/ Main Idea

220px Plucking tea in a tea garden of Assam edumantra.net

In ‘Tea from Assam’ Arup Kumar Datta describes how popular tea has become as a beverage in the world. Over 80 crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. It shows the increasing popularity of tea. The lesson gives a graphic description of the sea of tea bushes stretching as far as eyes can go in Assam. The plucking of the newly sprouted leaves by groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs are vividly described in the lesson.

Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- Part III. Tea from Assam

[PAGE 94] : Vendor = seller (फेरी वाला,विक्रेता); high-pitched = sharp sound (तीखी आवाज़); sipped =drink with lips (चुस्की लेना); steaming = emitting steam (धुआँ) whew = word of exclamation (विस्मय का शब्द); pulled out = came out (बाहर आना); detective = suspenseful (जासूसी); ardent = strong (तीव्र); keener = very much (बहुत अधिक); magnificent = beautiful (सुन्दर); backdrop = background (पृष्ठभूमि); densely wooded = thick forest (घना जंगल); stretched = spread (फैला हुआ) dwarfing = making others look small (छोटा करते हुए) sturdy = strong (मजबूत) I

[PAGE 95] : Billowing out = coming out (बाहर आना); excitedly = with excitement (उत्तेजना से); concentration = with a large number (बड़ी संख्या में); legends = myths (किवदंतियाँ); twigs = branches (टहनियाँ); delicious = tasty (स्वादिष्ट); flavour = smell (सुगंध); scoffed = laughed (हँसे); ascetic = monk (भिक्षु); eyelids = the layers covering the eyes (पलकें); meditations = deep thoughts (साधना/चिन्तन); banished = removed (दूर करना); beverage = a drink (पेय); clattered = made a clattering sound (खड़खड़ की आवाज़ करना); veered = moved (हिला ); pruned = cut (काटना); aprons = outer dress (एप्रन); sprouted = grown (उगना) I

[PAGE 96] : Second-flush = second season (दूसरा मौसम); lasts = remains (रहना); yields = gives out (प्रदान करना) I

Summary in English- Part III. Tea from Assam

Pranjol belonged to Assam. He was studying in a school in Delhi. Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Both of them travelled to Assam on a train. When the train stopped on the way at a station, a vendor called, ‘chai-garam garam-chai’. They took tea and started sipping it. Rajvir told Pranjol that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.

Pranjol started reading his detective book again. But Rajvir looked out of the window of the moving train. There was beautiful scenery outside. Soon the soft green paddy fields were left behind and there were tea bushes everywhere. Rajvir was fascinated by the magnificent view of tea gardens. There were shade trees also. He was very excited. Pranjol didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement because he had been born and brought up on a plantation. He told Rajvir that Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world.

Rajvir said that no one really knows who discovered tea. He told Pranjol that there are many legends attached to tea, to the discovery of tea. According to one story, a Chinese emperor discovered tea by chance. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves off the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water. As a result, the boiled water got a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves. According to another Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist monk, felt sleep during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

Rajvir told Pranjol that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. Words like ‘chai’ and ‘chini are Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century. At first, it was used more as a medicine than as a beverage. Both Rajvir and Pranjol reached Mariani junction. Pranjol’s parents received them on the platform they took them in a car to Dhekiabari, the tea estate managed by Pranjol’s father. On both sides of the tee, they were acres and acres of tea bushes. Women with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking the new tea leaves, They had come there in the sprouting season. Rajvir said that this season lasts from May 10 July. The best tea is produced during this season. Pranjol’s father told Rajvir that he knew many things about tea Phauations. He said that he would learn more about tea there.

Short Summary (2) Part III. Tea from Assam

1.Tea Very Popular: Tea is very popular in India. At every platform of railway stations, you can hear vendors saying; “Chai-Chaff garam-Chai”. You can find everyone in the compartment sipping the steam hot tea. Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.

2. Tea Plantations: It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. The green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. Small tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see. Amid the tall sturdy shady trees, there were rows of tea bushes. Pranjol was born and brought up on the plantation. So he was not excited. Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.

3. Origin of Tea: No one really knows who discovered tea One Chinese emperor had always boiled water before drinking it. A few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell Into the water. It gave it a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves. According to an Indian legend Bodhi dharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of tea banished sleep. Tea was first drunk in China about 2700 B.C. The words like ‘Char and ‘Chini’ are from the Chinese language. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century. It was drunk more like medicine than a beverage.

4. New Sprouted Leaves: Acre upon acre of tea bushes were spread over the slopes. They were all pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking the newly sprouted leaves. A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of leaves. Rajvir asked if it was the second-flush or sprouting period. It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea.

Main Points of the Story Part III. Tea from Assam

Tea is really a very popular beverage in India.
You can bear the vendor shouting “chai-garam-garam chai” at every railway station.
More than eighty crores of cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
It was green, green everywhere and Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before.
The landscape changed and tea bushes took the place of green paddy fields.
A sea of tea-bushes stretched as far as the eyes could go.
Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world.
No one really knows who discovered tea.
One Chinese legend says that a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the boiling water.
The leaves gave it a delicious flavour. They were tea leaves.
Words like Thai’ and thine are from the Chinese language.
According to an Indian legend, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation.
Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids.
Rajvir saw acre upon acre of tea bushes and nearly all of them were neatly pruned to the same height.
Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking newly sprouted leaves.
A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of leaves.
Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if it was the second-flush or sprouting period.
The sprouting periods lasts from May to July and this period yields the best tea.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS Part III. Tea from Assam

1. Which state did Pranjol belong to?

(A) Assam (B) Goa

Ans. (A) Assam

2. Pranjol and Rajvir were students in a school in :

(A) Dhekiabari (B) Marian

Ans. (C) Delhi

3. Pranjol and Rajvir go to Assam by :

(A) air (B) train

Ans. (B) train

4. Assam is famous for the production of :

(A) tea (B) coffee

Ans. (A) tea

5. Tea was first drunk in____________.

(A) China (B) Europe

Ans. (A) China

6. What was Pranjol’s father?

(A) a bank manager (B) a school manager

Ans. (C) a tea-garden manager

7. Tea came to Europe in______________ century.

(A) fifteenth (B) sixteenth

Ans. (B) sixteenth

8. Tea was first drunk in China in :

(A) 2000 B.C (B) 2300 B.C

Ans. (C) 2700 B.C

9. How many cups of tea are drunk across the world daily?

(A) eighty thousand (B) eighty lakh

Ans. (C) eighty crore

10. Tea was mainly drunk in Europe as____________.

(A) medicine (B) sleep banishing drink

Ans. (A) medicine

DETAILED SUMMARY in Hindi – Part III. Tea from Assam

प्रांजल आसाम का रहने वाला था l वह देहली के एक स्कूल में पढ़ता था I प्रांजल का पिता ऊपरी आसाम में चाय के एक बाग का प्रबंधक था l प्रांजल ने राजवीर को गर्मी की छुट्टियों में अपने घर आने के लिए आमंत्रित किया l दोनोँ ने एक रेलगाड़ी से आसाम के लिए यात्रा की I रास्ते में जब एक स्टेशन पर गाड़ी रुकी तो एक चाय वाले ने कहा, “चाय गरम, गरम चाय” l उन्होंने चाय ली और उसे पीना आरंभ कर दिया l राजवीर ने प्रांजल को कहा कि सारे संसार में प्रतिदिन अस्सी करोड़ कप से अधिक चाय पी जाती है l

प्रांजल ने अपनी जासूसी पुस्तक फिर से पढ़नी आरंभ कर दी l मगर राजवीर चलती हुई गाड़ी से बाहर देखने लगा l बाहर का द्दश्य सुन्दर था l शीघ्र ही धान के नर्म हरे खेत पीछे रह गए और चारों तरफ चाय की झाड़ियाँ थी l राजवीर चाय के बागो के शानदार नजारे से आकर्षित हो गया l वहाँ पर छायादार वृक्ष भी थे l वह बहुत उत्तेजित हो गया l प्रांजल ने राजवीर की उतेजना में कोई भाग नहीं लिया क्योकि उसका पालन-पोषण चाय के बागानों में ही हुआ था l उसने राजवीर को बताया कि आसाम में संसार के सबसे ज्यादा चाय के बागान हैं l

राजवीर ने कहा कि इस बात का किसी का पूरा ज्ञान नहीं है कि चाय की खोज किसने की l उसने प्रांजल को बताया कि चाय की खोज के साथ बहुत-सी किवदंतियाँ जुड़ी हुई है l एक कहानी के अनुसार एक चीनी सम्राट ने संयोग से इसकी की खोज कर दी l वह पानी सदा उबालकर पिया करता था l एक दिन बर्तन के नीचे जलती हुई टहनियों के कुछ पत्ते पानी में गिर गए l परिणमस्वरूप, पानी में स्वादिष्ट सुगंध आ गई l यह कहा जाता है कि वे चाय के पत्ते थे l एक अन्य भारतीय कहानी के अनुसार, बोधिधर्म, नाम के एक प्रचीन बौद्ध भिक्ष को, साधना के दौरान नींद आया करती थी l इसलिए उसने अपनी पलकों को काटकर फेंक दिया l उसकी पलकों से चाय के दस पौधे पैदा हुए l इन पौधों के पत्ते को गर्म पानी में डालकर पीने से नींद गायब हो जाती थी l

राजवीर ने प्रांजल को बताया कि सबसे पहले चाय को 2700 ईसा पूर्व चीन में पिया गया l ‘चाय और चीनी’ जैसे शब्द चीन के है l चाय यूरोप में सोलहवीं शताब्दी में आई l शुरु में इसे पेय पदार्थ से अधिक एक दवाई के रूप में पिया जाता था l राजवीर और प्रांजल दोनों मैरीयानी स्टेशन पहुँचे l प्रांजल के माता-पिता ने उनका प्लेटफार्म पर स्वागत किया l वे उन्हें कार में धेकियाबरी ले गए, जोकि चाय का बाग था जहाँ प्रांजल के पिता प्रबंधक थे l सड़क के दोनों ओर कई-कई एकड़ो तक चाय की झाड़ियाँ थी l अपनी पीठ पर पर बाँस की टोकरियाँ रखे हुए औरतें चाय के ताज़े पत्ते को तोड़ रही थी l वे वहाँ पर नई पत्तियाँ उगने के मौसम में आए थे l राजवीर ने कहा कि मौसम मई से जुलाई तक चलता है l इस मौसम के दौरान सर्वोतम चाय उगती है l प्रांजल के पिता ने राजवीर से कहा कि वह चाय के बारे में बहुत कुछ जानता है l उसने कहा कि वह वहाँ पर चाय के बारे में और बहुत कुछ सीखेगा l

IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION Part III. Tea from Assam

PASSAGE 1

The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery.

It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes.

It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys.

Word-meanings: Pulled out = came out (बाहर आना) ; detective = suspenseful (जासूसी); dwarfing = making others look small (छोटा करते हुए) I

Questions :

(a) What was Rajvir looking at?

(b) What Kind of scenery was it?

(c) What was there as far as the eye could see?

(d) What was there in the distance?

(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘spread’

Answers :

(a) Rajvir was looking at the beautiful scenery outside.

(b) The scenery was very beautiful. There was greenery everywhere.

(d) In the distance, there was an ugly building with smoke coming out of its chimney.

(e) ‘stretched’.

PASSAGE 2

” I have been reading as much as I could about tea.- Rajvir said. “No one really knows who discovered tea but there are many legends.”

“What legends?”

“Well, there’s the one about the Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves off the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. it is said they were tea-leaves.”

Tell me another !” scoffed Pranjol.”We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. [H.B.S.E. March. 2017(Set -C)]

Word-meanings: legends = myths (किवदंतियाँ); twigs = branches (टहनियाँ); delicious = tasty (स्वादिष्ट) I
Questions

(a) What kind of water did the Chinese emperor drink?

(b) What happened when a few leaves of the twigs fell into the water kept for boiling?

(c) What did Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids?

(d) What banished sleep?

(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘tasty’.

Answers :

(a) He drank boiled water.

(b) The water got a delicious flavour.

(d) The tea leaves when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

(e) ‘delicious’.

PASSAGE 3

We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

“Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far as 2700 B.C.! In fact words such as tea, chai and chin; are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than a beverage.”

Word-meanings: Meditation = deep thought (चिन्तन); ascetic = monk (भिक्षु) ; banished = put off (दूर हटाना); beverage = a drink (पेय पदार्थ) I

Questions :

(a) Who was Bodhidharma?

(b) Why did he cut off his eyelids?

(c) What grew out of the eyelids?

(d) Where was tea drunk first?

(e) When did tea come to Europe?

Answers :

(a) Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.

(b) He cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation.

(d) Tea was drunk first in China.

(e) Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century.

PASSAGE FOR PRACTICE (UNSOLVED)

PASSAGE 4

“Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added. “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact words such as tea, ‘char and ‘chini‘ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than a beverage.”

The train clattered into Mariani junction. The boys collected their luggage and pushed their way to the crowded platform.

Pranjol’s parents were waiting for them.

Soon they were driving towards Dhekiabari, the tea-garden managed by Pranjol’s father.

An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle-bridge and entered Dhektalsan Tea Estate

On both sides of the gravel-nod were acre upon acre of tea-hushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

Word-meanings: Clattered = made a clattering sound (खड़खड़ की आवाज़ करना): veered = moved (हिला) l

Questions :

(a) Where was tea first drunk?

(b) When did tea come to Europe?

(c) Which tea-garden was managed by Pranjol’s father?

(d) What were the women doing?

(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘hot drink’.

Passage-5: (Pages 94 & 95)

It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys.

Word-Meaning: Magnificent—grand, Backdrop—background Densely—thick, Wooded—full of forests, Stretched—spread out Dwarfing—dominating, Sturdy—strong, Amidst —among Orderly—in an order, Rows—lines, Billowing- puffing out, Chimney—a pipe that emits smoke,

Questions:

(a) How does tea bushes present a magnificent view?

(b) How are the tiny tea plants covered by tall and shady trees?

(c)What is the order of the tea bushes?

(d) What sort of building appeared in the corner?

Answers:

(a) A sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see, against the backdrop of densely wooded hills.

(b) Tall, sturdy shady-trees dwarfed the tiny tea plants.

(d) An ugly building with smoke coming out of its tall chimneys was visible in the distance.

passage-6: (Page 95)

“We have an Indian legend too.” Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.” “Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact, words such as tea, `chai’ and china’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than a a beverage.”

Word-Meaning: Ancient—very old, Ascetic—monk, Meditations—during inner concentration, Banished—finished, got rid of, Beverage—drink,

Questions:

(a) Who was Bodhidharma?

(b) What legend of tea is related to him?

(d) To which language words like ‘char and ‘chin? belong?

Answers:

(a) Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.

(b) Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids.

(d) The words ‘char and `chain’ are from the Chinese language.

Passage-7: (Page 95)

On both sides of the gravel-road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

Word-Meaning: Gravel-road—road made of gravel stones, Pruned—cut off, Tea-pluckers—those who pluck tea-leaves, Aprons—overcoats, sticiteuie Sprouted—putting forth new leaves

Questions:

(a) What was on both the sides of the gravel-road?

(b) How was the pruning of the bushes done?

(d) What sort of tea leaves are generally plucked?

Answers:

(a) Acre upon acre of tea bushes was growing on both sides of the gravel road.

(b) The tea bushes were pruned exactly to the same height.

(d) The newly sprouted leaves are generally plucked.

Extract Based / comprehension test Questions and Answers of Part III. Tea from Assam

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys. “Hey, a tea garden!” Rajvir cried excitedly.

(a) Why is the building called ugly?

(b) Why does the author call the tea plants ‘a sea of tea bushes’?

(d) What are the doll-like figures referred to here?

Ans. (a) This is because smoke was billowing out of tall chimneys of the building.

(b) The tea bushes were stretched as far as the eye could see just like a sea.

(d) Tea-pluckers.

2.Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass.

“This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr Barua ?” Rajvir asked. “It lasts from May to July, and yields the best tea.”

“You seem to have done your homework before coining.” Pranjol’s father said in surprise.

“Yes, Mr Barua,” Rajvir admitted. “But I hope to learn much more while I’m here.”

(a) Why did Mr Barua feel surprised?

(b) How did Rajvir want to spend his stay there?

(d) Why did Mr Baruna slow down his car?

Ans. (a) He was surprised to know that Rajvir knows a lot about tea plants

(b) He wanted to learn much more about tea plants.

(d) He wanted to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves to pass.

3.An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel-road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves. Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves to pass. “This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr Barua”? Rajvir asked, “It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea”.

(a) How are the women pluckers different from the other workers on the farms?

(b) When should the tea leaves be plucked to have the best tea?

(d) What were the groups of women doing?

Ans. (a) They had bamboo baskets on their backs and wore plastic aprons.

(b) From May to July.

(d) They were plucking the newly sprouted tea leaves and putting them into baskets on their backs.

4.”Chai garam…. garam chai” a vendor called out in a high pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked, Thai, sa’ab” ? “Give us two cups,” Pranjol said. They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking too. “Do you know that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world ?” Rajvir asked.

(a) Who was speaking in a high pitched voice and for what?

(b) What was ordered by Pranjol?

(d) Where were the two boys going?

Ans. (a) A tea vendor for selling tea.

(b) He ordered two cups of tea.

(d) These two boys were going to Assam.

5.”Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact words such as tea, chai and chini are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than a beverage”. The train clattered their luggage and pushed their way to the crowded platform. Pranjol’s parents were waiting for them.

(a) In which country was tea drunk first?

(b) From which language were the words, ‘char and ‘chin? adopted in Hindi?

(d) Which words are from Chinese?

Ans. (a) China.

(b) Chinese language.

(d) ‘Tea’, `chai’ and ‘chini‘.

6.The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. It was a magnificent blue. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys.

(a) Where did Pranjol bury his nose?

(b) Describe the ‘magnificent view’.

(d) What were doll-like figures amidst the rows of tea bushes doing?

Ans. (a) In the detective book.

(b) There was greenery all around and the place was filled with soft paddy fields.

(d) They were plucking tea leaves.

Main Characters of the Story- Part III. Tea from Assam

Rajvir: He was a youngster and classmate of Pranjol in Delhi. He was excited to visit Tea estate in Assam. He was invited there by Pranjol to spend summer vacation. He was an ardent fan of detective stories. He enjoyed seeing the magnificent view of tea-bushes in Assam. His knowledge about tea and its history was profound. He had done a lot of reading about tea. He even surprised Pranjol’s father with his in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Pranjol: He had been born and brought up on a tea plantation. He studied with Rajvir in Delhi. His father was the manager of a tea-garden in upper Assam. He invited Rajvir to visit his home and the Dhekiabari Tea Estate during summer vacation. He was an ardent fan of detective stories.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS Part III. Tea from Assam

Q.1. Which state did Pranjol belong to? [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-B)]

Ans. Pranjol belonged to Assam a North-Eastern State of India.

Q.2. What was Pranjors father?

Ans. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea garden in upper Assam.

Q.3. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going?

Ans. They were going to Assam to visit Pranjol’s home on summer vacation.

Q.4. What could Rajvir see as far as his eyes could see?

Ans. There was tea hushes as far as his eyes could see.

Q.5. According to Rajvir how many cups of tea are drunk daily throughout the world?

Ans. According to Rajvir, over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk daily throughout the world.

Q.6. When was tea drunk first in China?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China 2700 B.C.

Q.7. Where was Pranjol’s father Tea Estate situated?

Ans. It was situated at Dheloabari.

Q.8. When was tea first drunk?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China.

Q.9. Why did Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids?

Ans. He cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations.

Q.10. When did tea come to Europe?

Ans. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century.

Q.11. Who cut oil his eyelids?

Ans. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids.

Short Answer Type Important Questions – Part III. Tea from Assam

1. Why did Rajvir visit Assam?

Ans. Rajvir had been invited by his classmate Pranjol, who was from Assam, to visit his home during the summer vacation.

2. How does Rajvir describe the tea-garden at Dhekiabari?

Ans. On both sides of the gravel road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting period. Women wearing plastic aprons were plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets.

3. Describe the magnificent views of the tea estate with reference to the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’.

Draw a pen picture of tea gardens in Assam.

Ans. The tea bushes were spread like a sea against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. Amidst the orderly rows of tea, bushes were doll-like figures plucking tea leaves.

4. Describe the scenery that Rajvir saw as soon as the train pulled out of the station.

Ans. When the train moved ahead, there were huge fields full of green plantations. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery. He called it a ‘magnificent view’. The bushes were spread like a sea against the backdrop of densely wooded hills.

5. How are tea pluckers different from other farm labourers?

Ans. The tea pluckers are different from other farm labourers. The women plucking tea leaves in the tea gardens look like dolls. They wear plastic aprons and carry baskets at their backs to put tea leaves in them.

6. How can you say that tea was first drunk in China?

Ans. There is an ancient legend about the discovery of tea. A Chinese emperor had the habit of drinking boiled water. One day a twig from the fire fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave a delicious flavour to the water. It is said that those were tea leaves and that was the first tea. It is thus thought that tea was first taken in China.

7. How long does the second flush or sprouting period last?

Ans. There are two flushes or sprouting periods. The second sprouting period lasts from May to July.

8. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea Estate?

Ans. He was the manager of a tea garden in upper Assam. He showed Pranjol and Rajvir the acres of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of women pluckers with bamboo baskets were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

9. What happened to the Chinese emperor in “Tea from Assam” who always boiled water before drinking it?

What is the Chinese legend regarding tea?

What is the Chinese story about the discovery of tea?

What is the history of tea in China?

Ans. A Chinese emperor had the habit of drinking boiled water. One day a twig fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave a delicious flavour to the water. It is said that those were tea leaves.

10. What was the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Write down the Buddhist legend about tea.

Ans. An Indian legend goes like this. Once there was a Buddhist, ascetic 13odhidharma who used to feel sleepy during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. When the leaves of these plants were put in hot water and drunk, they banished sleep.

11. What did Rajvir see when he entered the Tea Estate?

What made Rajvir amazed on the way?

Ans. Rajvir was amazed to see huge fields full of green plantations. There were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees at the back of the gardens, in the forest on the rolling hills, looked beautiful.

12. Which tea is considered the best tea? Why?

Ans. Assam tea is considered to be the best tea as it has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. The weather and environmental conditions are perfect here to grow tea plants.

13. Who were Pranjol and Rajvir? Where were they going?

Ans. Pranjol and Rajvir were friends. Pranjol belonged to Assam. He was studying in a school in Delhi. Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Both of them travelled to Assam on a train.

14. What did Rajvir and Pranjol do after the train pulled out of the station?

Ans. When the train pulled out of the station. Pranjol became busy in reading a detective book. Rajvir was looking out of the train. It was green, green everywhere. He had never seen so much greenery before.

15. Which story of a Chinese emperor is associated with the discovery of tea?

Ans. According to one legend, a Chinese emperor discovered tea by chance. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves off the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water. As a result, the boiled water got a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves.

16. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Ans. According to an Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist monk, felt sleep during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

17. Where was tea first drunk? When did tea come to Europe?

Ans. It is believed that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. Words like ‘chai and ‘chini‘ are Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century. At first, it was used more as a medicine than as a beverage.

18. What is the best season for tea Production?

Ans. Rajvir and Pranjol reached Assam in the sprouting season. This season lasts from May to July. The best tea is produced during this season.

Q19. How has tea become a popular beverage?

Ans. Tea is decidedly a very popular beverage in the world. More than eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. At every platform in India, you can hear vendors crying “Chai-garam”. The people can’t resist buying the steaming hot cups of tea.

Q20. Why was Rajvir so much excitement?

Ans. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. He was looking at the beautiful scenery. The soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see. The orderly rows of bushes were pruned to the same height. Rajvir was really excited to see the magnificent view.

Q21. Why didn’t Pranjol share Rajvir’s excitement?

Ans. Pranjol had been born and brought up on a tea plantation. He was familiar with tea gardens. On the other hand, Rajvir had never visited any tea plantation ever before. A sea of bushes stretching as far as the eyes could see fascinated him. The magnificent view, orderly rows of tea bushes really excited him. But Pranjol was used to such sights.

Q22. Describe the Chinese legend regarding the discovery of tea leaves.

Ans. There is a Chinese legend regarding the discovery of tea leaves. One Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the burning twigs under the pot fell into the water. The result was wonderful. The water gave a delicious flavour. Those leaves that gave the water a delicious flavour were tea leaves.

Q23. What is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea?

Ans. We have an Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he fell sleepy during meditations. It is said that ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of those plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

Q24. Where and when did the drinking of tea start and how did it come to Europe?

Ans. The drinking of tea first started in China. Tea was drunk in China as far as 2700 B.C. Words like tea, `char and ‘chin? are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the 16th century. In Europe, tea was dnini as medicine than a beverage in the early period.

Q25. What did Rajvir see in the Dhekiaban tea estate managed by Pranjol’s father?

Ans. The tea estate at Dhekiabari was managed by Pranjol’s father. Rajvir saw acre upon acre of tea bushes on both sides of the gravel road. They were all pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, wearing plastic aprons were plucking the newly sprouted leaves. It was the second sprouting period.

Q26. Where was Rajvir and why?

Ans. Rajvir and Pranjol were two youngsters. Actually, they were classmates at school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is the manager of a tea garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol was born and brought up on the tea estate. He invited Rajvir to visit his home and the Dhekiabari Tea Estate during the summer vacation.

Q27. Why did Pranjol’s father say in surprise that Rajvir had done his homework before coming there?

Ans. A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves at the Dhekiabari Tea Estate. Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if that was the second flush or sprouting period. Rajvir told that the second sprouting period lasts from May to July and yields the best tea. Such detailed information about tea leaves surprised Pranjol’s father. He told Rajvir that he seemed to have done his homework before coming here.

Q28. How and where are tea leaves collected in Assam?

Ans. Assam has the largest number of tea estates in India. Acre upon acre of tea bushes is stretching as far as the eyes can go. All the bushes are pruned to the same height. Groups of tea pluckers carry bamboo basket on their back to collect tea-leaves. They wear plastic aprons. They pluck the newly-sprouted tea leaves from, the bushes. Then the leaves are dried and processed in factories.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each Part III. Tea from Assam

1. What are the legends related to the discovery of tea?

Ans. There are many popular legends about the discovery of tea. Two of them are as follows —

A Chinese emperor was used to drinking boiled water. One day a twig from the fire fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave a delicious flavour to the drink. It is said that those were tea leaves. An Indian legend goes like this. Once there was a Buddhist ascetic who used to feel sleepy during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. When the leaves from these plants were put in hot water and drunk they banished sleep.

2. What details do you gather about tea from the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’?

What information do you gather about the history of tea after reading the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China. Even the words `chai’ and ‘chini are from Chinese. It goes back to 2700 B.C. In the 16th century, tea came to Europe and was drunk more as a medicine than as a beverage. Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. There are large groups of women with bamboo baskets on their backs. They pluck the newly sprouted tea leaves from the plants and store them in the baskets.

3.What landscape did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train?

Ans. Rajvir was fascinated by the scenic beauty of the place. There were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees at the back of the gardens in the forest on the rolling hills looked beautiful. The women plucking tea leaves looked like dolls. On the way, he saw people drinking tea. He also saw an ugly building with smoke coming out of its chimneys. Rajvir was received by Mrs and Mr Barua and was taken towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting period. Women were wearing plastic aprons and plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets on their backs.

4. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going? What did Rajvir see when he looked out of the train on the way?

Ans. Pranjol belonged to Assam. He was studying in a school in Delhi. Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam. Pranjol invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. Both of them travelled to Assam on a train. When the train stopped on the way at a station, a vendor called, ‘chai-garam garam-chaff, they took tea and started sipping it. Rajvir told Pranjol that Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. Pranjol started reading his detective book again. But Rajvir looked out of the window of the moving train. There was beautiful scenery outside. Soon the soft green paddy fields were left behind and there were tea bushes everywhere. Rajvir was fascinated by the magnificent view of tea gardens.

5. What did Rajvir tell Pranjol about the discovery of tea?

Ans. Rajvir said that no one really knows who discovered tea. He told Pranjol that there were many legends attached to the discovery of tea. According to one story, a Chinese emperor discovered tea by chance. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves off the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water. As a result, the boiled water got a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves. According to another Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist monk, felt sleep during meditations. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. It is believed that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. Words like ‘chaff’ and `chini‘ are Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century. At first, it was used more as a medicine than as a beverage.

Q6. What did Rajvir see during his train journey.’ by was he more excited than his friend Pranjol?

Ans. Rajvir, a classmate of Pranjol, is visiting Dhekiaban Tea Estate in Assam, for the first time. Actually, he is enjoying the train journey to Assam with his friend Pranjol whose father manages Dhekiabari Tea Estate. The beautiful scenery fascinates Rajvir. It is green, green everywhere. He sees so much greenery for the first time in his life. Now the landscape changes. The paddy fields give way to tea bushes. A sea of tea bushes is stretching as far as eyes can go. The orderly rows of bushes are pruned to the same height. Groups of tea pluckers are carrying bamboo baskets on their backs. They are plucking the newly sprouted leaves. The magnificent view fascinates Rajvir. However, Pranjol is not so much excited. These views are not new to him. He was born and brought up on a tea plantation.

Q7. What are different legends related to tea leaves?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C. In fact, words like Thai’ and ‘Chilli’ came from Chinese. According to one Chinese legend, there was a Chinese emperor. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day, some leaves from the twigs burning under the pot fell into the boiling water. The leaves gave a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tea leaves. We have an Indian legend too about the discovery of tea leaves. Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic. It is said that he cut off his eyelids because he fell sleepy during meditations. It is said that ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. In Europe, tea came as late as the sixteenth century. It was drunk more like medicine than a beverage.

Q8. It seems that Rajvir had done a lot of homework regarding tea and its history. Do you support Pranjol’s father’s statement that he gave about Rajvir’s knowledge in this regard?

Ans. It is true that Rajvir had never visited a tea estate ever before in his life. His visit to Dhekiabari Tea Estate was at the invitation of his classmate Pranjol whose father managed the estate. But Rajvir seemed to have done a lot of homework and reading about tea and tea plantations before coming to Assam. He told Pranjol that tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. More than eighty crores of cups of tea is drunk every day throughout the world. When he saw an ugly building with smoke billowing out of its tall buildings, he at once cried “Hey, a tea garden!”. Actually, he had been reading as much about tea as he could. He narrated different legends regarding the discovery of tea leaves. It was Rajvir who narrated the legends describing how tea leaves were discovered in India and China. Rajvir impressed and surprised Pranjol’s father about his deep knowledge of tea-leaves. When he saw a tractor pulling a trailer load of tea leaves he recognised that it was the second-flush or sprouting period. He also knew that it continues from May and to July and yields the best tea.

Q9. Pranjol was born and brought up on a tea estate in Assam but he was Rajvir who knew much about tea leaves and the legends associated with tea. Base your answer on their visit to Dhekiabari Tea Estate in Assam.

Ans. It is true that Pranjol was born and brought up on a tea plantation. His father managed Dhekiabari Tea Estate in Assam. However, his friend Rajvir’s knowledge about tea and its history was more profound than him. The reason was simple. Rajvir had done a lot of reading about tea and its history. He even surprised Pranjol’s father with his in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Rajvir’s visit to Dhekiabari was an opportunity for him to connect his reading and knowledge to the real existing tea plantation. He was fascinated by the magnificent sea of tea bushes stretching as far as his eyes could go. He saw with his own eyes the groups of tea pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, plucking the newly-sprouted leaves. His studies helped him to recognise that the trailer-load of tea leaves were the second-flush or the sprouting period that gave the best tea.

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)

Tea From Assam Extra Questions

By- Arup Kumar Datta

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10^th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus