My Australian Sojourn (Anwesha Sarkar)

About the passage

A.  Read to understand

      1.   Write the phrases from the help box against the sub-topics to add details of information about Australia.

      2.   Complete this table with phrases from the passage that describe the unique features of these places visited by the author in Sydney.

      3.   Answer these questions.

        a.   Why did the author and her parents have to go to Australia?

      Ans. Author and her parents have to go to Australia because author’s father had a nine month work assignment in Brisbane.

  b.   What do you learn from the passage about koalas?

      Ans. Koalas are bear-like marsupials that feed on the leaves of eucalyptus trees. They eat mostly at night and sleep during the day.

        c.   On which two points does the author clearly show how India is different from Australia?

      Ans. The two points are:

          i.             Educational system in Australia is different from India.

       ii.            Food in Australia is different from what Indians eat.

B.  Read to infer

1. What did the author and her family make sure to do during holidays and weekends? Why do you think it was necessary in their circumstances?

Ans. During holidays and weekends, they made it a point to explore the beauty and the variety of Australia. Yes, it was necessary in their circumstances because their trip to Australia was for 9 months only.

2. Why does the author say, ’The Australians, too, have a national holiday on the 26^th of January’? What is the significance of this day in the Australian calendar?

Ans. The author said that the Australians, too, have a national holiday on the 26th of January because we Indian, too, have a national holiday on the 26th of January on account of Republic Day.

Australians celebrate Australia Day to commemorate the establishment of the first British settlement at Port Jackson in 1788.

        3.   Why do you think the author and her family opted for the city tour in a bus?

    Ans. The author and her family opted for the city tour in a bus because these buses      have guides who narrate the history of the places the buses pass through.

         4.   The author states that the Australians ‘love water sports’. Where else in the passage is this characteristic hinted at?

Ans. This characteristic is hinted at in the second last paragraph of the passage.

‘Most of the houses we happened to visit in Brisbane had a barbecue and a swimming pool’.

C.  Discuss

      1.   What are the advantages of studying with children belonging to other states and countries? Discuss with your classmates. (Answer may vary)

       Ans. Advantages of studying with children belonging to other states and countries

1.   Make friends from around the world

2.   Become truly independent

3.   Change the way we think

4.   Develop our language skills

5.   Study and learn differently

6.   Make lifelong friends

7.   Gain greater knowledge of different cultures

      2.   The passage describes the beauty and variety of Australia. Work in pairs and draw up a list of some of the things that reflect the beauty and variety of India. Compare notes in class. (Answer may vary)

      Ans. Some of the things that reflect the beauty and variety of India are:

1.   Magnetic Hill - Located near Leh in Ladakh , also known as the “Gravity Hill”, this place pulls vehicles in an upward direction, creating an optical illusion.

2.   Lonar Crater Lake - Located in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, is surrounded by magnificent temples and scenic beauty. This attractive lake is both saline and alkaline at the same time, attracting scientists from far and wide.

3.   Dudhsagar Falls - Located in Sanguem Taluka (Goa-Karnataka border). As their name itself suggests, the drops appear like streams of milk flowing down the mountain.

4.   Valley Of Flowers - Nestled in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, famous for its exotic flowers and endangered fauna, the valley of flowers is richly diverse and splendidly beautiful.

5.   The Taj Mahal - The Taj Mahal, a beautiful white marble Monument located in the city of Agra on the banks of the holy river Yamuna in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

6.   The Palace of Mysore - The Palace of Mysore is the most famous historical monument, located in the city of Mysore in Karnataka.

And many more