Unit-7 - Praising Nature - Reading Comprehension - My Travel Diary: Journey To The Gorakh Hill Station - Question / Answers And Text Book Exercise Unit 7.1

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Unit-7 - Praising Nature
Reading Comprehension
My Travel Diary: Journey To The Gorakh Hill Station
English For Class X (2022 and Onward

Question / Answers

Q.1: Why did Asif's parents decide to take him to the Gorakh Hills for his birthday?
Ans: Asif's parents decided to take him to the Gorakh Hills for his birthday because they knew his love for travel.

OR

Asif's Parents decided to take him to the Gorakh Hills Station because they wanted to celebrate his birthday party . That's why they broke the news before two days of his birthday.

Q.2: What do you know about Gorakh Hills?
Ans: Gorakh Hills Station is situated at an elevation of 5,690 ft. from the sea level and is the highest summit and a holiday resort in Sindh.

Q.3: How did they travel to Gorakh Hills?
Ans: They travelled to Gorakh Hills in an air-conditioned bus with a group of 14 tourists.

Q.4: Where did they have breakfast?
Ans: They had their breakfast at Almanzar Hotel on Kotri Barrage.

Q.5: Write few words about Kotri Barrage.
Ans: The barrage was a colossal bridge-like structure, constructed over the mighty Indus River.

Q.6: Whose shrine is in Sehwan?
Ans: In Sehwan, there is a shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a highly revered Sufi saint.

Q.7: How far is Gorakh Hills from Sehwan?
Ans: The Gorakh Hills are a good four hours' drive from Sehwan.

Q.8: What was served for lunch and where was it served?
Ans: On leaving Sehwan, lunch was served. The lunch comprised spicy fish caught from the Manchar Lake with sugarcane juice.

OR

On leaving Sehwan Sharif , they were served lunch , in nicely packed lunch boxes, on the bus. The lunch consisted of spicy fish caught from the Manchar Lake which is situated close to Shewan Sharif.

Q.9: Where is Manchar Lake located?
Ans: Manchar Lake is situated close to Sehwan.

Q.10: Why did they have to leave the bus and take the jeep to reach the top?
Ans: They had to leave the bus and took the jeep because there would be steep, uphill drive to reach the summit.

OR

At the foot of the Gorak Hills , they were transferred to a jeep for a steep , uphill drive to reach the summit, that's why they had to leave the bus and take the jeep to reach the top.

Q.11: Why did Asif and his family have to sleep in a tent?
Ans: Unfortunately, all rooms were occupied, and they had to rent tents for their nightstay.

OR

When they reached the Gorakh Hills Station, they could not get any hotel there because all rooms were occupied and they had to rent tents for their night stay to sleep.

Q.12: How did the author enjoy his night of stay there?
Ans: Under a canopy of stars, they lit the bonfire. They played Baetbazi, Chinese whisper, sharing funny stories, and all sorts of childish games that they could think of.

Q.13: What did Asif appreciate deeply about his parents?
Ans: Her parents cut the cake for her birthday and arranged breakfast for all. Things had been planned to the last detail; a beautiful rug had been spread out for the cake cutting ceremony. He was deeply touched by his parents' love and meticulous arrangements.

OR

Asif was still admiring the beauty on Hill Station when he heard people singing "Happy Birthday" behind him, turning around, he saw his parents and friends carrying a huge cake with candles on it. He was touched by his parents ' love and meticulous arrangements.

Q.14: How was the return route different from up journey route?
Ans: In up journey route, they took Motorway and crossed Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Kotri Barrage. Then they took the Indus Highway to Sehwan and they travelled from Sehwan to Gorakh Hills.
In return route journey, they travelled from Dadu-Moro Bridge and crossed Hala, Matiari, and Bhit Shah. Finally, they crossed through the city of Hyderabad and reached the Motorway which they had travelled the day before from Karachi.

OR

When they were returning back , they took a different route and travelled from the "Dadu Moro Bridge" because the guide announced that, from there they would cross the Indus river to go to the other bank to continue their journey.

Q.15: Which two saints are mentioned in the text?
Ans: Two highly revered Sufi saints, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, are mentio in the text.

OR

The great saints mentioned in the text are Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai , whose shrine is at Bhit Shah in Hala Haveli and other is Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar , whose shrine is in Shewan Sharif.

Q.16: Why is Gorakh Hills a good place for holiday?
Ans: Gorakh Hills is a good place for holiday because Gorakh Hills is cold because of the height. Its views are beautiful and wonderful.

OR

Gorakh Hills Station is one of the most exciting holiday resorts of Pakistan , which is situated at an elevation of 5690 feet from the sea level and is the highest summit and holiday resort of Sindh , which is four hour away from Sehwan Sharif.

Q.17: What did Ibn Battuta say about the journey?
Ans: Ibn-e-Batuta said that travel leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller.

Q.18: How was their visit to Schwan Sharif?
Their visit to Sehwan Sharif was an incredible experience, as people from all walks of life come to the shrine of Saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, to pay homage. It is commonly believed that a visit to this shrine can provide healing for all types of illness. The spirited atmosphere, the aromatic fragrance of incense and red roses and the colorful spreads took them to another world.

Q.19: What did this journey give to Asif?
This journey gifted him with new friends, abundant excitement and fun. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime experience. How true was Ibn-e-Batuta when he said, " Travel leaves you speechless and then turns you into storyteller".

Pre-reading

1. How many of you have been travelled?
Ans: Yes, I have travelled.

OR

No, I don't. But I will travel.

2. Where you have been?
Ans: I have travelled to different cities or hill stations (or where ever you have travelled mention name of that place) in my country. Or Yes, I travelled abroad.

3. Read this quotation and state what you understand by it: " The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." ~ Saint Augustine.
Ans: I understand with this quotation that if we travel differnt places around the world and explore new things and gain knowledge.

By Mrs. Ayesha Arif
(Jauhar Progressive School)

TEXT BOOK EXERCISE
UNIT 7.1
READING COMPREHENSION

EXERCISE 1

After reading the text, select the best option for the following statements.
1. Their final destination was:
a) Jamshoro
b ) Schwan
c) Gorakh Hills
d ) Hyderabad

2. Starting their journey from Karachi , they reached the Gorakh Hills:
a) in four hours
b ) in less than four hours
c ) before sunset
d ) after sunset

3. The trip lasted for:
a ) one day
b ) two days
c ) three days
d ) four days

EXERCISE 2

Work in pairs. First look at the word in Box A. Then, read the paragraphs 1-5. underline the words given in column A in the text. Then, find their meanings in Column B and write the answer in Column C. Do the same with Box B and write the answers in Column C. Do the same with Box B, paragraphs 6-10.

BOX A: Paragraphs 1-5
S.NO.	Column A Words	Column B Meanings	Column C Answer
1.	Summit	a) deeply respected	g
2.	Resort	b) a substance which when burnt gives out a sweet smell	j
3.	Awesome	c) extremely large	f
4.	Glimpses	d) having a pleasant smell	h
5.	Detour	e) pay respect publicly	k
6.	Colossal	f) highly impressive	c
7.	Revered	g) highest point of something	a
8.	Incredible	h) a brief view	i
9.	Pay homage	i) almost impossible to believe	e
10.	Aromatic	j) a place that people go to for holidays	d
11.	Incense	k) take a roundabout route	b
BOX B: Paragraphs 6-10
S.NO.	Column A Words	Column B Meanings	Column C Answer
12.	Rugged	1) slowly	u
13.	Vantage	m) holding one's attention completely	q
14.	Canopy	n) breath taking	s
15.	Stand still	p) coming downwards	w
16.	Gradually	q) a place providing a good view	l
17.	Descending	r) showing attention to detail	p
18.	Spell binding	s) a covering over something	m
19.	Tranquilized	t) a thing kept as a reminder of something / someone	v
20.	Meticulous	u) rough , natural	r
21.	Awe-inspiring	v) have a calming or sedative effect	n
22.	Souvenirs	w) having no movement	t

EXERCISE 3

Below is a brief summary of places mentioned along the route. Read the text and fill in the blanks with the names of these places. After completing the exercise, compare your answers with your partner.
The journey began from Karachi. After crossing the toll plaza got on the Motorway. First crossed Nooriabad and then Jamshoro. Could see some glimpses of the river Indus on the right. According to the GPS Hyderabad was across the river. Went to a hotel on Kotri Barrage. After that got on the Indus Highway, which was on the right bank of river Indus. The next stop was Sehwan. Had lunch on the bus that comprised spicy fish caught from the Manchar lake. Finally reached the Gorakh Hills.
On the way back, took the Dadu-Moro bridge route. Stopped at the Hala to buy souvenirs. Glimpsed Matiari in the distance. Passed close by Bhit Shah. Finally, crossed Hyderabad, got on the Motorway and reached Karachi.

EXERCISE 4

The statements given below very briefly describe the main points of each paragraph. Find out the paragraphs that have the following key points. Write the paragraph number in the space provided.
a. Travel to the top 6
b. Stopover for breakfast 3
c. Activities at night 7
d. Birthday trip to the Gorakh Hills 1
e. Morning scenes and event 8
f. Shrine description 4
g. Good memories 10
h. Start of the journey 2
i. Places on the trip back home 9
j. lunch on the bus 5

EXERCISE 5

Read the text again and circle the right option. After completing the exercise, compare your answers with your partner.
1. The Gorakh Hills are the highest place in:
a) Pakistan
b) Baluchistan
c) Schwan
d) Sindh

2. The guide explained the route and gave ___ to everyone.
a) lunch
b) breakfast
c) flyers
d) directions

3. Asif used his mobile phone to look for:
a) the route
b) information
c) instructions
d) new places

4. The text states that many people visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar to seek:
a) fulfillment
b) material benefits
c) blessings
d) healing

5. For lunch they had:
a) fish and chips
b) sugar cane juice and rolls
c) fish and sugarcane juice
d) sandwiches and sugar cane juice

6. At night they could hear the sounds of:
a) dogs barking
b) wolves howling
c) water flowing
d) many animals

7. There were more greenery on ____ of the river.
a) the right side
b) the left side
c) the bank
d) both sides

8. According to Ibn e Batuta, ___ makes one a good story teller.
a) reading
b) Listening
c) not speaking
d) travelling

EXERCISE 6

Work in pairs and write three sentences about the following. After completing, exchange your work with another pair and read each other's work:
1. Gorakh Hills Station:

1. It is the largest summit of Sindh
2. Its height is 5,690 ft Or 
   Gorakh Hills is situated at an elevation of 5,690 ft from the sea level.
3. It is a very beautiful resort of Sindh

2. Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar:

1. Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is in Sehwan
2. It provides healing to the visitors OR
   It is commonly believed that a visit to this shrine can provide healing  for all types of illnesses.
3. People from all walks of life come to pay homage on his shrine

3. After dinner activities:

1. All sat under open sky and lit bonfire OR
   Under a canopy of stars, the bonfire was lit.
2. All children shared stories
3. Bait Bazi and Chinese whisper were two other activities.
4. Had great fun indulging in activities  such as, Baetbazi, Chineses whisper, sharing funny stories, and all sort of childish games that we could think of. 
   (Note: Either write (ii) & (iii) point OR (iv) )
5. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the cracking of the wood, the bright stars above, and the warmth of friends gathered around the fire made time come to standstill.

4. Spell–binding experiences:

1. On the station, the travellers could easily touch the floating clouds
2. The smell of fragrance of herbs tranquilized Asif’s senses
3. The bleating of sheep was also impressive

OR

1. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the cracking of the wood, the bright stars above, and the warmth of friends gathered around the fire made time come to standstill.
2. A sunrise is one of that one would witness in a painting or a movie, and the clouds were descending all around.
3. It was spell-binding to see floating clouds, which one could touch, to smell the  fragrances of different herbs, which tranquilized senses, and to hear the distant bleating of sheep grazing around.

5. Birthday breakfast:

1. Birthday breakfast was started with huge cake
2. All the participants were served cake
3. Later the Halwa Puri was served as birthday breakfast

OR

1. Carrying a huge cake with candles on it, author's parents and friends sung 'Happy Birthday' to him.
2. Things had been planned for birthday party, a beautiful rug was spread for cake cutting ceremony.
   
3. The cake cutting was followed by halwa puri for all.

EXERCISE 7

Answer the following questions.
1. Which two great saints are mentioned in the text?
Ans: See "Q.15" in Question & Answers section above.

2. Why did Asif's parents decide to take him to the Gorakh Hills for his birthday?
Ans: See "Q.1" in Question & Answers section above.

3. Why is Gorakh Hills a good place for a holiday?
Ans: See "Q.16" in Question & Answers section above.

4. What was served for lunch and where was it served?
Ans: See "Q.8" in Question & Answers section above.

5. Why did they have to leave the bus and take the jeep to reach the top?
Ans: See "Q.10" in Question & Answers section above.

6. Why did Asif and his family have to sleep in a tent?
Ans: See "Q.11" in Question & Answers section above.

7. What did Asif appreciate deeply about his parents?
Ans: See "Q.13" in Question & Answers section above.

8. How was the return route differtm the up journey route?
Ans: See "Q.14" in Question & Answers section above.

EXERCISE 8

Work in groups of three and describe a place that you would like to go for a holiday and why do you want to go there? While discussing, jot down the main points and decide who is going to say what, as all three of you will have to come and share your choice with the class. You can use any of the clustering, points collecting, or mind mapping technique to gather your points.
Ans: