NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English
Hornbill
Chapter 5 – Silk Road
(Nick Middleton)
Long Question Answers
Question 1:
Describe the writer's experience in
Hor.
Answer:
Accompanied by Daniel and Tsetan,
the writer reached the highest point at an altitude of 5,515 meters, marked by
a cairn of rocks adorned with silk scarves and prayer flags. Following
tradition, they circled the cairn clockwise before descending and stopping at
Hor.
Hor proved to be a rather bleak and
desolate place with accumulated garbage over the years. Situated on the shore
of Mansarovar lake, a revered location in Tibet, the high altitude and low
atmospheric pressure posed challenges for the author. That night, he struggled
to lie down due to a severely blocked nostril and chest heaviness. Fearful that
sleeping might result in not waking up again, he spent the night awake.
Strangely, upon getting up, he felt relieved and went on to seek medical
treatment for his cold the next day. After a day of treatment, he finally slept
soundly.
Question 2:
Why did the author undertake such a
difficult journey?
Answer:
The author embarked on this
challenging journey to undertake the pilgrimage known as "kora," a
tradition observed by devout believers. The pilgrimage involves circling a
cairn of rocks at an altitude of 5,515 meters in a clockwise direction. While
the exact purpose of this pilgrimage is not explicitly stated in the extract,
it holds significant cultural and religious importance for the local people.
The author sought to experience the
significance of this pilgrimage firsthand, taking the risk of traversing the
challenging terrain in a vehicle. The journey proved hazardous, with steep
slopes and rocks at high altitudes. The adverse effects of high atmospheric
pressure took a toll on the author's health, causing sinus issues and chest
heaviness.
Question 3:
Describe the author's meeting with
Norbu.
Answer:
Left alone in the Darchen guesthouse
with Daniel and Tsetan absent, the author felt disheartened by the bleak
atmosphere of the place. The off-season for pilgrimage resulted in a lack of
activity and tourists, contributing to an unhurried and relaxed state in the
town. Displeased with the guesthouse's uninviting ambiance, the author
positioned himself near a broken window to read his novel in the dim light.
At that moment, Norbu entered and
sought permission to sit opposite the author at the rickety table. During their
interaction, Norbu inquired if the author was English. After the author
explained his purpose for being in Darchen, Norbu's eyes filled with joy.
Norbu, a Tibetan working at a Chinese Institute of Social Science, had been
writing academic papers on kora for years. Their meeting evolved into a
meaningful companionship, as both were academics undertaking kora more for
academic reasons than religious ones.
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