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II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.1. What differen... - Beehive

Question

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of
(i) the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside...)
(ii) the things he sees
(iii) the sounds he hears

Answer

1. Difference between the flute seller and other hawkers:
The author observes that unlike other hawkers who shout loudly to attract customers, the flute seller plays his flutes meditatively and slowly. He does not cry out his wares. Occasionally, he makes a sale in a quiet, offhand way, but his primary focus remains on the music he creates, which stands out as calm and peaceful amidst the surrounding noise.

2. Belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug:
At the bank of the Bagmati river, there is a small shrine that half protrudes from a stone platform. The popular belief is that when the shrine emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape. At that moment, the evil period of Kaliyug will finally come to an end on earth.

3. Examples of imagery and pictures:

(i) The atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’:

  1. A chaotic mix of priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs roaming the temple grounds.

  2. A group of Westerners struggling to convince the guard to let them in, as only Hindus are allowed.

  3. Two monkeys fighting, with one chasing the other onto a shivalinga and then running screaming around the temples.

(ii) Things he sees:

  1. Small shops selling saffron-colored flower garlands, incense, and copper utensils.

  2. A corpse being cremated on the banks of the Bagmati river while washerwomen work nearby.

  3. The vast white dome of the Baudhnath stupa with its quiet atmosphere and Tibetan shops on the outer edge.

(iii) Sounds he hears:

  1. Film songs blaring out from the radios in the marketplace.

  2. The constant honking of car horns and the ringing of bicycle bells.

  3. The loud cries of vendors selling their goods and the hauntingly beautiful music of the flute seller.

Related Questions

IV. Simple Present Tense

Study these sentences from the lesson.
• A fight breaks out between two monkeys.
• Film songs blare out from the radios.
• I wash it down with Coca-Cola.

The italicised verbs are in the simple present tense. The writer is here describing what he saw and heard but he uses the present tense instead of the past tense. A narration or a story can be made more dramatic or immediate by using the present tense in this way.

Now look at the following sentences.
• A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the riverbank.
• Small shops stand on the outer edge of the Stupa.

We use the simple present tense to speak about what is usually or generally true. The sentences above describe facts. We also use the simple present tense in sentences depicting ‘universal truths’. For example:
• The sun rises in the east.
• The earth revolves round the sun.

We can also refer to habitual actions using the simple present tense.
• He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.
• We often get fine drizzles in winter.

In these sentences words like everyday, often, seldom, never, every month, generally, usually, etc. may be used.

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(i) The heart is a pump that _________ (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action _________ (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart _________(contract). This _________ (force) the blood out into the arteries, which _________ (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.

(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it _________(dig) a pit and _________(enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule _________(dry) and _________(harden), but when rain _________(come), the mud _________(dissolve) and the lungfish _________(swim) away.

(iii) MAHESH : We have to organise a class party for our teacher. _________  (Do) anyone play an instrument

VIPUL : Rohit ______ (play) the flute.
MAHESH :  ________ (Do) he also act?
VIPUL : No, he _______ (compose) music.
MAHESH : That’s wonderful!

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Chapter Info

Subject: Beehive
Class: class 9
Chapter 8: Kathmandu
Medium: English Medium