KHATHMANDU || 9TH CLASS || GLOSSARY, ANTONYMS, SYNONYMS, COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 KHATHMANDU Glossary: 1.     Pashupathinath: A sacred Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. 2.     Febrile: Characterized by feverish excitement or agitation. 3.     Devotees: Worshipers or followers of a particular religious belief. 4.     Saffron-clad: Dressed in saffron-colored robes, commonly associated...

 KHATHMANDU

Glossary:

1.     Pashupathinath: A sacred Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.

2.     Febrile: Characterized by feverish excitement or agitation.

3.     Devotees: Worshipers or followers of a particular religious belief.

4.     Saffron-clad: Dressed in saffron-colored robes, commonly associated with Hindu monks.

5.     Shivalinga: A representation of the Hindu god Shiva, often in the form of a cylindrical stone.

6.     Kaliyug: In Hinduism, the last and most corrupt of the four ages, characterized by evil and immorality.

7.     Boudhanath stupa: A large Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu, Nepal.

8.     Immigrants: People who have moved to a different country or region for permanent residence.

9.     Felt bags: Bags made from felt, a type of fabric made by compressing fibers together.

10.  Mercenary: Focused on making money or financial gain.

11.  Postcards: Small cards with pictures on one side and space for writing a message on the other, often sent by mail.

12.  Patna: The capital and largest city of the Indian state of Bihar.

13.  Benaras: Also known as Varanasi, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated on the banks of the Ganges River.

14.  Yamuna: A major river in northern India, a tributary of the Ganges River.

15.  Allahabad: Also known as Prayagraj, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

16.  Bansuris: Bamboo flutes, commonly used in Indian classical music.

17.  Reed neh: A type of reed flute.

18.  Shakuhachi: A traditional Japanese bamboo flute.

19.  Hindustani classical music: A traditional music style of North India.

20.  South America: The southern part of the Americas, comprising countries in Central and South America.

21.  Chinese flutes: Traditional flutes from China.

22.  Commonality: The state of sharing common features or characteristics.

Antonyms:

1.     Arrival - Departure

2.     Stillness - Commotion

3.     Quietness - Noisy

4.     Offhanded - Deliberate

5.     Universal - Particular

6.     Stop - Continue

7.     Notice - Ignore

8.     Exhausted - Energetic

9.     Surprises - Expects

Synonyms:

1.     Centre - Core

2.     Sleep - Slumber

3.     Visit - Tour

4.     Worshippers - Devotees

5.     Haven - Sanctuary

6.     Mercenary - Commercial

7.     Nauseating - Sickening

8.     Departure - Exit

9.     Meditatively - Contemplatively

10.  Moved – Touched

Comprehension Questions and Answers:

 1: What are the two temples the author visits in Kathmandu?

Ans: The two temples the author visits in Kathmandu are Pashupathinath (sacred to Hindus) and Boudhanath stupa (a Buddhist shrine).

 2: Describe the atmosphere at Pashupathinath temple.

Ans: At Pashupathinath, there is an atmosphere of "febrile confusion" with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs roaming through the grounds.

 3: Why do some people get elbowed aside at the temple?

Ans: Some people get elbowed aside at the temple because others are pushing their way to the front, trying to get the priest's attention.

 4: Who appears at the main gate of Pashupathinath, and how do people react?

Ans: A princess of the Nepalese royal house appears at the main gate of Pashupathinath, and everyone bows and makes way for her.

 5: What happens between the two monkeys at the temple?

Ans: A fight breaks out between two monkeys, and one chases the other around the temples and down to the holy Bagmati river.

 6: What is the significance of the shrine on the river bank at Pashupathinath?

Ans: The shrine half protruding from the river bank is believed to hold a goddess inside, and when it emerges fully, it is believed that the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

 7: How does the atmosphere at Boudhanath stupa differ from Pashupathinath?

Ans: The atmosphere at Boudhanath stupa is in contrast to Pashupathinath, with a sense of stillness. There are no crowds, and it is a haven of quietness in the busy streets around.

 8: What kind of shops can be found around Boudhanath stupa?

Ans: Around Boudhanath stupa, there are small shops owned by Tibetan immigrants where one can buy felt bags, Tibetan prints, silver jewelry, and other items.

9. Describe the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu.

Ans: Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, and religious, with busy streets, small shrines, fruit sellers, flute sellers, postcard hawkers, and shops selling various goods.

 10: How does the flute music affect the author, and what does it symbolize to him?

Ans: The flute music affects the author deeply, evoking a sense of universality and commonality among all mankind. It symbolizes the significance of living breath and the connection between human emotions and music.

FATHER RETURNING HOME || 9TH CLASS || GLOSSARY, ANTONYMS, SYNONYMS, COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 FATHER RETURNING HOME Summary: The poem "Father Returning Home" portrays the image of an aging father coming back home after a long day. He is depicted as a weary figure, traveling on the late evening train, surrounded by other commuters. The suburban landscape passes by unnoticed as his eyes seem distant and dimmed by age. The father's appearance reflects his hard day's work and the challenges...

 FATHER RETURNING HOME

Summary: The poem "Father Returning Home" portrays the image of an aging father coming back home after a long day. He is depicted as a weary figure, traveling on the late evening train, surrounded by other commuters. The suburban landscape passes by unnoticed as his eyes seem distant and dimmed by age.

The father's appearance reflects his hard day's work and the challenges he faces. His clothes are soaked and muddy, his bag filled with books is falling apart. Despite his weariness, he hurries homeward, crossing the railway line and entering the lane.

Back at home, the scene continues with the father drinking weak tea and eating a stale chapati while engrossed in reading a book. In a contemplative moment, he goes to the toilet, perhaps seeking solace from the world's complexities. The imagery of cold water running over his hands and clinging droplets on his greying hairs adds a touch of vulnerability to his character.

The poem hints at a strained relationship between the father and his sullen children. They have often refused to share jokes and secrets with him, suggesting a lack of emotional connection. Nevertheless, the father carries on, finding solace in listening to the static on the radio as he dreams of his ancestors and grandchildren. The final lines evoke a sense of longing for a connection to the past, represented by thoughts of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.

Overall, the poem conveys a poignant portrayal of an aging father's journey through life and his search for meaning and connection amidst the complexities of the world.

Glossary:

1.     Commuters: People who travel regularly between work and home, usually by public transportation.

2.     Suburbs: Residential areas on the outskirts of a city or town.

3.     Soggy: Wet and soaked.

4.     Raincoat: A waterproof coat worn to protect from rain.

5.     Stained: Marked or discoloured.

6.     Chappals: Sandals or slippers worn in some parts of South Asia.

7.     Humid: Having a high level of moisture or dampness in the air.

8.     Monsoon: A seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rain, common in South Asia.

9.     Platform: A raised area at a train station where passengers board and alight trains.

10.  Contemplate: To think deeply or reflect upon something.

11.  Estrangement: A feeling of being disconnected or alienated from others.

12.  Droplets: Small drops of liquid.

13.  Greying: Turning gray, referring to hair color.

14.  Sullen: Gloomy or sulky in mood or demeanor.

15.  Static: Unchanging or lacking movement.

16.  Ancestors: People from whom one is descended, usually in previous generations.

17.  Nomads: People who travel from place to place without having a fixed home.

18.  Subcontinent: A large landmass that is smaller than a continent, often referring to the Indian subcontinent.

 

Antonyms:

1.     Commuters - Stay-at-home, non-travelers

2.     Suburbs - City center, urban

3.     Soggy - Dry, crisp

4.     Raincoat - Dry clothes, unprotected

5.     Stained - Clean, unblemished

6.     Chappals - Closed shoes, boots

7.     Humid - Dry, arid

8.     Monsoon - Dry season

9.     Platform - Underground, lower level

10.  Contemplate - Ignore, disregard

11.  Estrangement - Connection, closeness

12.  Droplets - Stream, flow

13.  Greying - Darkening, coloring

14.  Sullen - Cheerful, happy

15.  Static - Dynamic, changing

16.  Ancestors - Descendants, offspring

17.  Nomads - Settlers, residents

18.  Subcontinent - Continent, main continent

 

Synonyms:

1.     Train - Locomotive, railway

2.     Standing - Stationary, still

3.     Silent - Quiet, hushed

4.     Suburbs - Outskirts, outskirts

5.     Unseeing - Unobservant, unaware

6.     Soggy - Drenched, soaked

7.     Raincoat - Waterproof, slicker

8.     Stained - Soiled, tainted

9.     Mud - Muck, dirt

10.  Dimmed - Faded, reduced

11.  Homeward - Returning, back home

12.  Humid - Muggy, damp

13.  Monsoon - Rainstorm, deluge

14.  Platform - Platform, station

15.  Crosses - Passes, traverses

16.  Lane - Alley, pathway

17.  Chappals - Sandals, flip-flops

18.  Sticky - Adhesive, tacky

19.  Trembles - Shakes, quivers

20.  Sink - Basin, washbasin

21.  Cold - Chilly, freezing

22.  Sullen - Gloomy, morose

23.  Refused - Denied, rejected

24.  Secrets - Confidential, classified

25.  Radio - Wireless, receiver

26.  Dreaming - Fantasizing, daydreaming

27.  Ancestors - Forebears, predecessors

28.  Grandchildren - Grandkids, descendants

29.  Nomads - Wanderers, itinerants

30.  Subcontinent - Continent, landmass

 

Comprehension Questions and Answers:

1.     What is the poem "Father Returning Home" about?

Ans: The poem "Father Returning Home" is about a father's journey back home on the late evening train and his daily routine once he reaches home.

2.     How does the poet describe the appearance of the father when he returns home?

Ans: The poet describes the father as standing among silent commuters on the late evening train. He is wearing a soggy shirt and pants, and his black raincoat is stained with mud. His bag, stuffed with books, is falling apart. His eyes are dimmed by age, and he appears lost in his thoughts as he heads homeward through the humid monsoon night.

3.     What season is it when the father returns home, and how does it affect the surroundings?

Ans: The season is the monsoon, which is characterized by heavy rainfall and humidity. The surroundings are described as yellow light suburbs sliding past, and the father's chappals are sticky with mud due to the rain.

4.     Describe the father's actions after he gets off the train and reaches home.

Ans: After getting off the train, the father hurries across the length of the grey platform, crosses the railway line, and enters the lane. Despite his chappals being sticky with mud, he hurries onward.

5.     How do the children treat the father, and how does he spend his time at home?

Ans: The father's sullen children often refuse to share jokes and secrets with him. He spends his time at home drinking weak tea, eating a stale chapati, and reading a book. Later, he contemplates man's estrangement from a man-made world in the toilet. He listens to the static on the radio and dreams about his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.