Glimpses of India – important questions for Boards 2027

CBSE Class 10 English

1. SA · 2 marks

   How did Nowrosji Kapadia help Parsi visitors arriving in Delhi, and what did he often invite them to do?

   Answer

   At Old Delhi railway station, Nowrosji welcomed Parsi visitors arriving on the Frontier Mail from Mumbai. He persuaded them to come home for a meal and often invited them to stay overnight or for a few days.

2. LA · 5 marks

   Describe Araku Valley’s location and the experience offered by its annual Balloon Festival. Include the festival dates and the main features of the surrounding landscape.

   Answer

   Araku Valley lies at about 1,200m above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Andhra Pradesh, sharing a border with Odisha. Its annual Araku Balloon Festival offers visitors a distinctive way to experience the region’s landscape. 1. The festival is held between 18-20 January every year, giving guests and participants an unusual sightseeing experience from hot-air balloons. 2. The drive to the far-flung coffee estates passes through the five northern mandals of Anantha giri, Dumbriguda, Hukumpeta, Munchingi Puttu and Araku Valley. 3. The view is impressive from both the ground and above, with densely forested hills, sweeping valleys and terrace farms surrounding occasional village clusters. The valley’s varied landscape makes the festival experience especially memorable.

3. VVLA · 12 marks

   After listening to the passage, write a detailed account of how often the baker visited homes in Goa and how the sound of his bamboo staff announced his arrival to the children. Include the details that help explain why the sound was memorable to them.

   Answer

   During the narrator’s childhood in Goa, the baker was a familiar presence in the neighbourhood. He visited homes at least twice a day. His first visit came when he set out on his morning selling round. He returned later, after emptying his huge basket. The children therefore had two opportunities each day to hear him and meet him. His visits were part of the ordinary rhythm of their childhood, rather than occasional events. The baker’s arrival was announced by the sound of his bamboo staff. The narrator remembers its “jingling thud” waking the children from sleep. The sound was distinctive enough to reach them before they saw the baker. As soon as they heard it, they ran to meet and greet him. The passage also describes the baker’s musical entry through the “jhang, jhang” sound of his specially made bamboo staff. He struck the bamboo against the ground as he walked, producing the lively sound associated with his arrival. The bamboo staff served a practical purpose as well as announcing the baker’s presence. One hand supported the basket on his head, while the other banged the bamboo on the ground. When he reached a house, he greeted the lady with “Good morning” and placed the basket on a vertical bamboo. The children were pushed aside with a mild rebuke while the loaves were delivered to the household servant. Even then, they did not give up their effort to see what was in the basket. They climbed a bench or the parapet and peeped inside. The sound stayed in the children’s memories because it signalled the arrival of someone they eagerly awaited. Their excitement was not mainly about the household loaves: the loaves were bought by the maid-servants, Paskine or Bastine. The children looked forward to bread-bangles and sometimes sweet bread of a special kind. The baker’s call, his bamboo’s rhythmic noise and the sight of his basket were connected with those treats. The passage also recalls the typical fragrance of the loaves and the children’s eagerness to reach the basket. They were so keen to enjoy the bread that they did not even care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths properly. The daily visits, the memorable sound and the children’s anticipation made the baker’s arrival an important childhood experience.

4. SA · 2 marks

   What was notable about the way food was provided at Parsi festive gatherings, and how long did this tradition continue in northern cities?

   Answer

   At festive gatherings, the women prepared all the food themselves, as outside catering was unheard of. The tradition continued in Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad well into the ‘70s.

5. LA · 5 marks

   Describe how Nowrosji Kapadia welcomed Parsi visitors arriving by the Frontier Mail. Include the train’s route and what he often invited the visitors to do.

   Answer

   Nowrosji Kapadia warmly welcomed Parsi visitors arriving in Delhi by the Frontier Mail. 1. The Frontier Mail travelled from Mumbai to Peshawar and arrived at the Old Delhi railway station. Nowrosji made a regular walk to the station to greet it. 2. As the train chugged into Delhi, he called out, “Aavoji, aavo, aavo! Welcome to Delhi! Let me show you my beautiful city.” His booming voice could be heard across the platform. 3. Nowrosji eagerly persuaded Parsi visitors to get off the train and go home with him. He welcomed them with a meal and often invited them to stay overnight or for a few days. 4. During their stay, he told his guests about the advantages of shifting to Delhi, helping to establish the Parsi community there. His warm hospitality made visitors feel welcome and encouraged some to settle in Delhi.

6. VVLA · 12 marks

   Describe what the children eagerly looked forward to receiving from the baker and how their treats differed from the loaves bought by the household servants. Use details from the passage to explain the children’s excitement.

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7. SA · 2 marks

   How far in advance did festive food preparation begin, and what made preparing malido especially tiring?

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8. LA · 5 marks

   Match each sound expression with the appropriate word: (a) chains (b) feet (c) a door (d) water (e) leaves. Choose from: banging, clanking, gurgling, rustling, shuffling. Write each matched pair clearly.

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9. VVLA · 12 marks

   Using details from the passage, describe how the baker carried and supported his basket and made his musical entry. Explain what the children noticed about the loaves and the treats intended for them.

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10. SA · 2 marks

    Name the breakfast dishes described in the passage, including the alternatives and the savoury dishes served after them.

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