UNDERSTANDING
THE TEXT PAGE
28
1. Give reasons for the following.
(i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to
repeated scrutiny.
Answer:
The treasures buried with King Tutankhamun's mummy have made it famous all over
the world. There is also speculation about the manner in which he died and his
age at the time. As a result, King Tut's body has been examined numerous times.
(ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was
resented.
Answer:
Howard Carter's investigation was criticised because he used unethical and
unscientific methods. He was more concerned with the treasure than with the
cultural and historical aspects.
(iii) Carter had to chisel away the
solidified resins to raise the king’s remains.
Answer:
The ritual resins had hardened, Carter discovered. Tut's body was cemented to
the bottom of his solid gold coffin as a result. The resins could not be moved
with sufficient force. Even the scorching sun couldn't get the resins to
loosen. As a result, he had the resins chiselled away in order to raise the
king's remains.
(iv) Tut’s body was buried along with
gilded treasures.
Answer:
Ancient Egyptians believed in the resurrection of the dead. Their kings were
very wealthy. As a result, Tut's body was buried with gilded relics. Their
inexhaustible brilliance was supposed to ensure their resurrection. Things that
were used on a daily basis were also buried with the king.
(v) The boy king changed his name from
Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun.
Answer:
Tutankhamun is an Egyptian name that means "living image of Amun." In
ancient Egypt, he was a powerful god. The images of Amun were smashed and his
temples were closed by King Amenhotep IV, who took the name Akhonaten. Tut was
in charge of restoring the old ways. To express his faith in Amun, he changed
his name.
2. (i) List the deeds that led Ray
Johnson to describe Akhenaten as ‘wacky’.
Answer:
The name Akhenaten means "servant of the Aten," which refers to the
sun disc. He relocated the religious capital from Thebes' old city to
Akhetaten, which is now known as Amarna. He smashed the images of Amun, a
powerful god, and shut down his temples. Ray Jonson referred to Akhenaten as
"Wacky" as a result of his actions.
(ii) What were the results of the CT
scan?
Answer:
The C.T. scan revealed some promising results. A total of 1700 cross-sectional
digital X-ray images were created. On the screen, a grey head appeared. The
neck vertebrae were visible. Hand, ribcage, and skull images were all equally
bright. There was nothing seriously wrong with Tut's body, according to these.
(iii) List the advances in technology
that have improved forensic analysis.
Answer:
Technology advancements have aided in the improvement of forensic analysis. To
determine the causes of crime, a variety of scientific tests can be used.
X-ray, ultrasound, C.T. scan, post mortem, autopsy, and biopsy are among them.
All of these aid in diagnosis and provide precise data.
(iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned— in death, as in life…”
Answer: In 1968, an anatomy professor X-rayed King Tut's mummy for the first time. CT scans were first used on January 5, 2005, to create virtual reality and life-like images. One of the first mummies to be scanned was King Tut. Tut thus moved regally ahead of his countrymen in both life and death.
THINKING ABOUT
LANGUAGE PAGE
29
1. Read the following piece of information from The
Encyclopedia of Language by David
Crystal.
“Egyptian is now extinct: its history
dates from before the 3rd millennium BC, preserved in many hieroglyphic
inscriptions and papyrus manuscripts. Around the second century A.D., it
developed into a language known as Coptic. Coptic may still have been used as
late as the early 19th century and is still used as a religious language by
Monophysite Christians in Egypt.”
Answer:
2. What do you think are the reasons for
the extinction of languages?
Answer:
A
language becomes extinct when its use is restricted to certain classes or
categories of people. Secondly, the harshness of rules and lack of flexibility
in usage also contribute to the extinction of languages.
3. Do you think it is important to
preserve languages?
Answer:
I
think it is important to preserve languages. Various languages are the vehicles
of thought and medium of interaction between the users of that language and the
outside world. A language has intimate connection with the lives, culture and
civilization of the people and reflects their thinking.
4. In what ways do you think we could
help prevent the extinction of languages and dialects?
Answer:
Certain
steps must be taken to help prevent the extinction of languages and dialects.
The most important is to encourage its use. A language thrives as long as it is
used by masses. Measures should be taken to propagate the languages and
dialects used in certain areas. The help of interpreters may be provided for
interaction between native users of language/dialect and non-users. Certain
incentives in the form of stipends, scholarships, preferences in jobs etc. may
also prove handy in attracting the youth towards languages and dialects which
are on the verge of extinction. State patronage can also help in the
preservation of languages.
WORKING WITH
WORDS PAGE
29
1. Given below are some interesting
combinations of words. Explain why they have been used together:
Answer: In each combination of words, one word is an adjective and it modifies as well as reinforces the meaning of the noun following/preceding it. Let us try to understand the meaning of each combination of words:
• ghostly
dust devils: ghost-like wicked evil spirits formed by dust.
• dark-bellied
clouds: bulging/swelling clouds
• desert
sky: the sky over the desert
• casket
gray: the grey sky hiding the stars in it
• stunning
artefacts: extremely attractive man-made objects if
• eternal
brilliance: everlasting shine
• funerary
treasures: treasures stored following rituals of funeral
• ritual
resins: resins applied according to religious rites
• scientific
detachment: aloofness of a scientist
• virtual
body: body made to appear to exist by computer software.
2. Here are some commonly used medical
terms. Find out their meanings:
Answer:
• CT
scan: a medical-test in which a machine produces a three dimensional picture of
the inside of a person’s body on a computer screen after taking X-rays.
• MRI:
an abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging—a technique for producing images
of body organs by measuring the properties of atomic nuclei in a strong
magnetic field.
• Tomography:
a technique for displaying a cross section through a human body (or other solid
object) using X-rays or ultrasound.
• Autopsy:
an examination of a dead body to discover the cause of death or the extent of
disease.
• Dialysis:
a technique of clinical purification of blood, as a substitute for the normal
functions of the kidney.
• ECG:
abbreviation for electrocardiogram or electrocardiograph; preparing a graph
showing the measurement and recording the activity in the heart using
electrodes placed on the skin.
• Post
mortem: medical examination of the body of a dead person in order to find out
how he died.
• Angiography:
radiography of blood or lymph vessels, carried out after introduction of a
substance that is opaque to X-ray.
• Biopsy:
an examination of tissue taken from the body to discover the presence, cause,
or extent of a disease.
3. Notice these expressions in the text. Guess the meaning from the context.
Answer:
• forensic
reconstruction: activity of building again something damaged or to help
scientific test to solve a crime
• scudded
across: moved quickly across something
• casket
gray: a small gray box or grey sky
• resurrection:
a new beginning for something which is old
• funerary
treasures: collection of valuable things used at a funeral
• circumvented:
found a way of avoiding a difficulty or a rule
• eerie
detail: strange and frightening little bits of facts.
THINGS TO DO PAGE
29
1. The constellation Orion is associated
with the legend of Osiris, the god of the afterlife.
Find out the astronomic descriptions and
legends associated with the following.
(i) Ursa Major
(Saptarishi Mandala)
(ii) Polaris
(Dhruva tara)
(iii) Pegasus
(Winged horse) (iv) Sirius (Dog star)
(iv) Gemini
(Mithuna)
Answer:
(i)
Ursa Major (Saptarishi mandala): This bright constellation can
be observed all year long as it never sinks below the horizon. It is also known
as ‘Greater Bear’ as it represents the back and tail of the bear. According to
Sanskrit mythology this group of seven sages (sapta rishi) also moves around
the constant star ‘Dhruva Tara’ known as Polaris.
(ii)
Polaris (Dhruva tara): This star remains constant and
always points to the North. The direction of Ursa Major keeps changing with the
passage of the night, but Polaris remains unchanged. It is associated with the
legend of Dhruva, the six year old boy who was blessed by Lord Vishnu with a
permanent and constant abode in the universe.
(iii)
Pegasus (Winged horse): This is associated with Greek
mythology as the winged horse, sprung from Medusa’s blood. It carries lightning
bolts for Zeus. Pegasus’ constellation may be seen when stars are out.
(iv)
Sirius (Dog star): This is associated with the legend of
Orion. It is called ‘Dog Star’ as it represents Orion’s large hunting dog. The
first glimpse of Sirius in dawn announced the rising of the Nile in ancient
Egypt.
(v)
Gemini (Mithuna): A combination of two Nakshatras—Aardhara
and Punarvasu and having contradictory qualities.
2. Some of the leaves and flowers
mentioned in the passage for adorning the dead are willow, olive, celery,
lotus, cornflower. Which of these are common in our country?
Answer:
Willow, olive, lotus
and cornflower
are common in our country.
3. Name some leaves and flowers that are
used as adornments in our country.
Answer: Roses, Lotus, myrtles, marigolds, champa and chameli flowers and the leaves of mango, peepal, banana and basil are used as adornments in our country.
Poem: The Laburnum Top by Ted Hughes
FIND OUT PAGE
32
1. What laburnum is called in your
language?
Answer:
2. Which local bird is like the
goldfinch.
Answer: In India, birds such as the Asian Koel, Bulbul, House Sparrow, Himalayan Cuckoo, Swallow, and others sing melodiously like the goldfinch.
THINK IT OUT PAGE
32
1. What do you notice about the beginning
and the ending of the poem?
Answer:
The poem begins with a description of the laburnum's silence and stillness. The
poem ends with a return to the laburnum's silence and emptiness.
2. To what is the bird’s movement
compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
Answer:
The movement of the bird is compared to that of a lizard. The sleek, alert, and
abrupt movement with which the bird enters its nest serves as the basis for the
comparison. This bird's movement is similar to that of a lizard.
3. Why is the image of the engine evoked
by the poet?
Answer:
Because as soon as the goldfinch enters its nest on the laburnum top, the
entire tree comes alive with the chirruping of the bird's young, their
twittering, and the tremor of their wings, the poet conjures up an image of an
engine. The chittering family of goldfinches brings the entire tree to life,
much like an engine brings a seemingly dead machine to life.
4. What do you like most about the poem?
Answer:
This is an open-ended question. Here's an example of a possible response: The
poem's depiction and imagery appeal to me. The poet paints a simple but
beautiful picture of a treetop that goes from being silent to being alive, then
drifts back into silence. The image of a machine being brought to life by an
engine also appeals to me.
5. What does the phrase “her barred face
identity mask” mean?
Answer: The phrase refers to the bird's face, which is covered in various colours of fur and resembles a mask, and serves as the bird's identity.
2. 'We're Not Afraid to Die…if We Can All Be Together' Question Answer | |
5. The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement ' s Role Question Answer | |
9. Note-making Question Answer | 10. Summarising Question Answer |
11. Sub-titling Question Answer | 12. Essay-writing Question Answer |
13. Letter-writing Question Answer | 14. Creative Writing Question Answer |
Comments
Post a Comment
Need English Assistance, Have Doubts or Any Suggestions? Do let us know.