A Short Monsoon Diary
Comprehension Check (after June 27)
Q1. Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Ans. Because the mist has covered the hills, making it impossible to see far, though he can still hear Bijju’s voice.
Q2. What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Ans. The hills are hidden from view, and the birds stop singing, creating an eerie silence.
Comprehension Check (after March 23)
Q1. When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?
Ans. In Mussoorie, the monsoon begins in late June and ends by the end of August or early September. I prepare for the monsoon by keeping an umbrella or raincoat handy, checking roofs for leaks, and storing dry food items.
Q2. Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?
Ans. Mussoorie.
Q3. For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Ans. It rains for eight or nine days without stopping. The author spends time pacing the room, looking out at umbrellas, and observing flowers blooming on the hillsides.
Q4. Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Ans. They take shelter in roofs, attics, and godowns because their burrows and holes are flooded.
Q5. What did the author receive in the mail?
Ans. A cheque.
Working with the Text
Q1. Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24–25, August 2, and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.
Ans. June: First monsoon mist, silence in the forest, arrival of rain, and appearance of cobra lilies.
August: Continuous rain and mist, lush growth of flowers like dahlias and orchids, and flooding of animal homes.
March: Winter rain, hailstorms, and the appearance of a rainbow after the storm.
Q2. Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?
Ans. Because she believed it was lucky and brought money.
Q3. What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?
Ans. Seeds of the cobra lily turning red, ferns starting to yellow, and reduced rainfall.
Q4. Complete the following sentences.
(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because the mist covers the hills.
(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as “A paradise that might have been.”
(iii) The leopard was successful in lifting a dog but had to flee when Bijju’s mother came screaming.
(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because of their bright colours.
(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when wild flowers like dahlias and orchids bloom.
(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because their holes and burrows get flooded.
Q5. ‘Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.’
(i) Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing’?
Ans. Because leaks appear suddenly and unexpectedly, as if they “spring” up.
(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?
Ans. He remains dry inside the house.
(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Ans. He can hear its sound and see it falling outside.
Q6. Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Ans. Flooding, damp clothes and rooms, difficulty in going out, power cuts, and an increase in leeches and insects.
Q7. What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?
Ans. The cobra lily appears at the start of the monsoon and its seeds turn red when the monsoon ends.
Working with Language
Q1. Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon. Add as many words as you can to this list.
downpour, floods, mist, cloudy, power cuts, cold, umbrella
Ans. drizzle, thunder, lightning, raincoat, puddle, humidity.
Q2. Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms. The first one is done for you.
(i) We (get out) of the school bus. The bell (ring) and everyone (rush) to class.
We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was
rushing to class.
(ii) The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
(iii) I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
(iv) She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
(v) We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games.
(vi) The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).
Answer:
(i) We got out of the school bus. The bell was ringing and everyone was rushing to class.
(ii) The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.
(iii) I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.
(iv) She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.
(v) We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.
(vi) The class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.
Q3(i). Match these words with their correct meanings.
drum, swish, tinkle, caw, drip
(a) to fall in small drops
(b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly
(c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound
(d) harsh sound made by birds
(e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)
Answer:
drum — (b) to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly
swish — (c) to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound
tinkle — (e) ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)
caw — (d) harsh sound made by birds
drip — (a) to fall in small drops
Q3(ii). Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.
(a) Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
(b) Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
(c) The pony swished its tail.
(d) The tinkle of breaking glass woke me up.
(e) The caw of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.
Q4. Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones
given below.
(i) I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it soon started raining heavily.
(ii) The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
(iii) The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
(iv) The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
(v) The boy was foolish enough to call out to his sister.
(vi) The man was kind enough to offer help.
(vii) The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
(viii) That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.
(ix) He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, fair enough.
