English X - Chapter No.25 - Questions-Answers and Text Book Exercise

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THE CUSTOMS OF VARIOUS REGIONS OF PAKISTAN
Questions-Answers and Text Book Exercise

A. Comprehension

Q.1: What sort of people are the Pathans?
Ans. Pathans of the north are sturdy and brave. Through the ages they have fought the invaders coming from the north. They are enthusiastic warriors and extremities of weather and climate have made them physically very strong. The power of a tribe depends upon the number of its menfolk. Sheep are bred in large herds on the green slopes of the northern region. The Pathans are very hospitable by nature. Their generosity to their guests is well known. They will protect a visitor or a person whom they have given refuge, even at the cost of their own lives. Marriages are arranged by parents.

Q.2: What food do they like? OR What do the Pathans eat?
Ans. The favourite food of the Pathan is meat. Roast mutton and spicy chapli kababs are popular dishes. They are frequently prepared at special Kabab shops.

Q.3: How does a tribesman announce the birth of a son?
Ans. As the power of a tribe depends upon the number of its menfolk. So the tribesman or the proud father announces the birth of a son by rifle-shots.

Q.4: Why does he announce it?
Ans. The power of a tribe depends upon the number of its menfolk. The birth of a son is, therefore, regarded as a great blessing for the family. That's why the proud father announces the birth of a son by rifle-shots.

Q.5: Why is the Punjab called the seat of learning? 
Ans. The Punjab is called the seat of learning because centuries ago, many educational, institutions flourished in this region. The University of Taxila flourished nearly two thousand and five hundred years ago. Even today a large number of schools, colleges and universities are flourishing in the Punjab.

Q.6: Which is the university that existed in Pakistan about two thousand and five hundred years ago?
Ans. The University of Taxila flourished nearly two thousand and five hundred years ago in province Punjab in Pakistan.

Q.7: Where do the Punjabi farmers sit in the evening? What do they do their?
Ans. The Punjabi farmers sit in Chopal in the evening. They discuss their daily problems, seek advice, and settle some of their disputes. Usually they sit talking happily, just for the pleasure of being together. Sometimes younger people sing 'Mahya' or the ever popular 'Heer!'

Q.8: What is the result of extreme weather on the lives of Balochis? Why Balochis lead simple nomadic life?
Ans. Baluchistan has vast barren lands and dry mountains. Extreme weather makes life quite difficult for the Balochis. Although large and small towns have developed there but many people still live a nomadic life. In winter, they come down from the mountains and in summer go back to their homes in the hills.

Q.9: Describe a Balochi wedding? In a Balochi wedding who feasts the guests of both the bride and the groom?
Ans. The Balochi wedding ceremonies are performed amidst songs and laughter with men and women dancing to the lively beat of drums, which is considered to be the main heritage of the wedding. The groom feasts his own and the bride's guests. The food is brought along with the Baraat.

Q.10: How old is the civilization of valley of Mehran and what do you know about it? Which University was existed at that time.
Ans. The civilization of the Valley of Mehran, (Sindh) is one of the oldest in the world. The ancient city of Moen-jo-daro dates back to 2500 B.C. and its ruins speak of the highly developed and very advanced society that existed there about 5,000 years ago. The University of Taxila existed at that time.

Q.11: Who are the famous saints of Sindh?
Ans. Lal Shahbaz Qalander and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai are the famous saints of Sindh. These mystic poets and saints preached the message of Allah in a very convincing way. Their poetry is an important aspect of our culture.

Q.12: What are the famous crafts of Sindh?
Ans. Most of the crafts of Sindh emerged from the embroidery is admired all over Pakistan as well as in foreign countries. These handicrafts include dresses of both men and women are colorfully embroidered in silk thread, beads and mirror. Mirror work is also done on purses and cushions.

Q.13: How are marriage ceremonies held in Punjab?
Ans. The close relatives of the bride and groom come to stay many days before the wedding and ceremonies continue even after the wedding. The whole village participates in the function. Girls amuse themselves by dancing the Luddi in the house, and the men express their joy by dancing the Bhangra.

Q.14: What are the famous musical instruments of Sindh?
Ans. The 'Ek-Tara' is a popular one stringed instrument used in Sindh from ancient times. The 'Alghoza’ is another instrument typical of this region. The folk music of Sindh is very sweet and melodious.

Q.15: What are the famous crafts of Punjab?
Ans: The inlaid furniture of Chiniot, the sports goods of Sialkot, the cutlery of Wazirabad, the pottery of Gujrat and Bahawalpur, and the embroidery of Multan are famous all over the country.

Q.16: What do you know about various region of Pakistan?
Ans. Pakistan is full of beautiful natural scenery. In the north are the snow-wrapped mountains with their silvery waterfalls and cool lakes. The central part consists of the fertile green plains of the Punjab and Sindh. Then there are the rocky regions of Balochistan and the beautiful shores of the Arabian sea. These geographical variations are reflected in the customs of the people of various regions of our country.

Q.17: What are the various customs of the valley of Mehran?
Ans. Most of the customs in Sindh are of a religious nature. The urs of mystic poets and saints is held. Many folk¬songs are sung to their memory. The folk-music of Sindh is very sweet and melodious.

B. Write down the meanings of the following words and used them in your own sentences:

Words / Meaning

S.No.	Words	Meanings
1.	Announce	Declare
2.	Fertile	Rich soil, High yielding soil
3.	Festivities	Celebration
4.	Mutton	The meat of goat and sheep
5.	Nomadic	Wanderer
6.	Participate	Take part
7.	Refuge	Shelter
8.	Regions	Area
9	Rifle	A long barrel gun
10.	Sturdy	Strong
11.	Slopes	Incline
12.	Silvery	Like silver in colour or appearance; Shiny and grey- white.
13.	Weapon	Instruments (of attack)

Sentences

S.No.	Words	Sentences
1.	Announce	The Federal government has officially announced four days public holidays on account of Eid-ul-Fitr.
2.	Fertile	Plants grow well in fertile soil.
3.	Festivities	The festivities started with a huge fireworks display.
4.	Mutton	We had roast mutton for dinner.
5.	Nomadic	Mostly the tribal people live a nomadic life .
6.	Participate	He had participated in quiz competition and won first prize.
7.	Refuge	Our school has collected charity for the refuge camp of earthquake victims
8.	Regions	Pakistan is divided into many regions on the basis of climatic conditions.
9	Rifle	He pulled out his rifle and fired three shots on lion.
10.	Sturdy	We need several sturdy men to pull this car.
11.	Slopes	There was snow on the higher slopes of the mountain.
12.	Silvery	I saw a small beautiful silvery fish in aquarium.
13.	Weapon	Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to conquer the world.

C. Frame ten sentences from the table using after, at, into, out, for, in column 3:

1	2	3	4
We	Look	after	the man.
They		at	the window.
The Pathans		into	their guests well.
The Balochis		out	water in the mountain.
The village elders		for	the disputes among the villagers.

Sentences:

1. We looked out for the man
2. We looked at the window.
3. They were looking at the window.
4. They looked into the disputes among the villagers.
5. The Pathans look out for the water in the mountain.
6. The Pathans look after their guests well.
7. The Balochis  were looking for the man
8. The Balochis  look after theirs guests well.
9. The village elders looked  into the disputes among the villagers.
10.  The village elders were looking for water in the mountain

D. Fill in the blanks in the sentences given below from the following words:

festivals, favourite, barren, bred, protect, sturdy, brave, blessing devotional, ancient, popular.
1. The birth of a son is therefore, regarded as a great blessing for the family.
2. The Pathans of the north are sturdy and brave.
3. People from all over the country participate in the “Urs” and sing devotional songs.
4. They will protect a visitor at the cost of their own lives.
5. The favourite food of the people is meat.
6. Roast mutton and Chapli Kababs are popular dishes.
7. Most festivals in Sindh, as in Punjab are of religious nature.
8. Sheep are bred in large herds on the green slopes of the northern regions.
9. The rock area is mostly barren.
10. The ancient city of Moen-jo-Daro dates back to 2500 BC.

E. Composition

Q.1: How are the marriages arranged and wedding ceremonies performed among Pathans and the Balochis?
Ans. In Pathans, marriages are arranged by parents. While The Balochi wedding ceremonies are performed amidst songs and laughter with men and women dancing to the lively beat of drums. The groom feasts his own and the bride's guests. The food is brought along with the Baraat.

Q.2: Why is the Punjab called “Heart of Pakistan”?
Ans. The Punjab, the land of five-rivers, has been called the "Heart of Pakistan" by the Quaid-i-Azam because it has always been a center of culture and a seat of learning. The habits, dialects and dress vary from place to place. With nearly every district, some particular craft is associated. The Punjabis are religious by nature. Most of their festivals and fairs are connected with Urs at the shrines of famous saints.

Q.3: What is an Urs and how it is celebrated?
Ans. Urs is the death or birth anniversary of mystic poets which is celebrated in a religious manner at their shrines. People from all over the country gather at these shrines, sing devotional songs called Qawalis and participate in the festivities of the fair.

Q.4: How do the Balochi  keep warm in a room in cold weather? OR What is sandly and where it is used?
Ans. Sandly is sort of local coal stove which is used in extreme cold weather. Sandly is placed with a little burning coal in the middle of the room which provide heat to the people. It is kept under a table and a large quilt or a blanket is spread over the table. All the members of the family get under the quilt or the blanket to keep themselves warm.

F. Non-textual Exercises:

1. Sometimes/often:
   Examples:
   1. Sometimes, younger people sing 'Mahya'.
   2. The fisherman sometimes works individually.
   3. He is often late for class.
   
   Exercise: Cut out what is incorrect from the brackets.
   1. It doesn't (often/sometimes) rain in dry countries.
   2. (Often/Sometimes) he is sick though he is normally healthy.
   3. His old rickety car gives him trouble quite (often/sometimes).
   4. He is very attentive but falls asleep in class (sometimes/often),
2. Farther from than, farther than:
   Examples:
   1. Mu!tan is farther from Karachi than Hyderabad.
   2. .He can walk farther than his younger brother can.
   
   Exercise: Cut out the wrong expression from the brackets.
   1. Lahore is (farther from / farther than) Karachi than Multan.
   2. You cannot go (farther from / farther than) 160 kilometres on this road.
3.  What ......... like?
   Example:
   What is the weather like in Murree?
   
   Exercise: Delete the word which is not suitable in the sentences that follow.
   1. What is the (temperature, thermometer) like in winter.
   2. What are the (cost / prices) like before Eid.

G. Idioms:

1. To see eye to eye with someone: to have the same opinion or to agree with.
Examples: I don't see eye to eye with my friends specially when they ask me to stop further studies and join some service.
Exercise: Management seldom has the same opinion as labour. (Substitute the idiom).
Management seldom see eye to eye with Labour.

2. To turn a deaf ear to: to pay no attention.
Example: Never listen to rumors. Turn a deaf ear to them.
Exercise: The employee kept pleading his case but the manager refused to pay any attention to it (substitute the idiom).
The employee kept pleading his case but the manager refused to turned a deaf ear to it.

3. A black sheep: a bad character in an otherwise good group.
Example: All others are respectable, but he's the black sheep in the family.
Exercise: Our school has produced very good citizens but there are a few persons of bad repute too. (substitute the idiom).
Our school has produced very good citizens but there are black sheep too.

4. To take to task: to call to account, to blame, to rebuke.
Example: The boy was taken to task for coming late.
Exercise: Those who are corrupt will have to give an account of their doings. (Substitute the idiom).
Those who are corrupt will have to be taken to task of their doings.

5. Far and wide: over a large area.
Example: We searched far and wide but couldn't find the lost child.
Exercise: This tour will take you over a large area of the country. (substitute the idiom).
This tour will take you over far and wide of the country.

6. At large: at liberty, or free.
Example: The people were afraid because the murderer was at large.
Exercise: The politician is popular with all classes of people. (substitute the idiom).
The politician is popular at large.