Topic outline

  • The English Channel (Class 7) – Ranikhet’s Gift (By Rudrani Ghosh)

    • Ranikhet’s Gift - Questions Page

      Ranikhet’s Gift (By Rudrani Ghosh)

      About the passage

      A.  Read to understand

      Answer the following questions.

      1. Match the words and phrases to show a cause-and-effect relationship between them.

      A

      B

      a) wind

      the mountains vanish from view c

      b) hail

      the snowy range is lit up by a fiery orange glow d

      c) haze

      the dark sky is lit up by the stars e

      d) sunset

      the lawn takes on a whitish appearance b

      e) nightfall

      the trees move back and forth a

       

      2. Write T for statements that are true and F for those that are false.

         a) The writer went for a walk in the evening. T

         b) The rain had made the atmosphere really cold. T

         c) The writer’s house is located at the top of a small hill. T

         d) The writer drank coffee in the candlelight to save power. F

       

      3. Answer the following questions.

         a) Why were there no puddles or muddy patches despite the heavy rainfall?

         Ans. The soil, being rocky and sandy, either dried or the water made its way downhill. So, there were no puddles or muddy patches despite the heavy rainfall.

       

         b) What led to the ‘drastic change’ that the writer talks about?

            i) The breaking up of the haze.

            ii) The last rays of the setting sun.

            iii) The return of birds and butterflies.

       

         c) Which sight left the writer ‘transfixed in awe’?

         Ans. When the writer looked up, he stood transfixed in awe, looking at the  star-spangled dark dome above.

       

      B.  Read to infer

      1. The writer builds many contrasts through the passage. Mention three such contrasts presented in the passage. These hints will help you.

      ·  What happened during the rain? What happened once it stopped?

      During the rain, the water was gushing and gurgling down the slope, the trees were swaying, the leaves were dancing and wind was roaring. When the rain stopped, there was neither a puddle nor a muddy patch. The sky had cleared; the whole mountain range was in view. The reflection of setting sun on the snow seemed to set the whole range ablaze.

      ·   What did the haze do to the surroundings? What happened when it failed?

      Due to haze, the distant mountains and the winding pathway at the foot of the hillock was not visible. When the haze disappeared, the whole mountain range was in view.

      ·   What happened to the surroundings at night? What did the writer see in the sky?

      It was the darkest of dark nights, errie, pitch black but the sky was bright with a million brightly lit stars.  

       

      2.   Personification is the literary technique of describing objects in such a way that they seem human. Tick the lines that contain the use of this technique.

               a)   leaves dancing in mirth  Yes

               b)   a million brightly lit stars No

               c)   night gradually let down her curtains Yes

               d)   winding pathway at the foot of our hillock No

               e)   Lady Cloud caressing our face, neck, and hands Yes

       

      3. For what does the writer express gratitude at the end of the passage?

      Ans. Writer expresses gratitude at the end of the passage for the scenic beauty of Ranikhet.

       

      C.  Discuss

      1.   Talk to the class about any one time you were outdoors and were

      a)   inspired by nature.      b) frightened by nature.

      (Individual Answer)

       

      2.   Imagine you are at any one of these locations at dusk-

             a)   The seashore   b) the countryside   c) a forest

      Now, write a description of the sights, sounds, and odours you encounter at the place. Share your imagined description with the class.

      (Individual Answer)