Chapter 8. A Short Monsoon Diary

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Working with the text

Q1. Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24-25, August 2 and March23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.

Ans: In june it was early monsoon therefore the rain was ;less temperature was warm and humild not much cold at high altitude. There was mist everywhere.

In august it rained continuously for eight or nine days without stopping. There was no storm, no thunder, just the steady swish o a topical downpour. In March, it was of winters. The black clouds covered the hills and it hailed marbles for hal an hour and then the sky was clear and a rainbow appeared.

Q2. Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?

Ans: It is an old belief that shrews bring money and are lucky. Thus, the grandmother asked the children not to kill the animals.

Q3. What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are a boutto end?

Ans: The appearance of late monsoon flowers-(on the hillside) such as wild balsam, dahlias, begonias and ground orchids. The seeds of cobra lily turns red. These signify that monsoon is about to end.

Q4. Complete the following sentences.

(i) Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because __________________.

(ii) The writer describes the hill station and valley as __________________.

(iii) The leopard was successful in __________________ but had to flee when ______________________.

(iv) The minivets are easily noticed because __________________.

(v) It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when __________________.

(vi) During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roof sand attics because __________________________.

Ans: (i) there was mist everywhere.

(ii) “ A paradise that might have came screaming imprecations”.

(iii) Lifting a dog ; Biju’s mother came screaming imprecations.

(iv) ground orchids, mauve lady’s sleeper and the while butterfly rear their head together.

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:- The roof  of the house was corrugated tin and had bands like a wave. So the holes were uneven and thus the writer has use the words springing.

(ii) How is the writer untouched by the rain?

Ans:- The writer was not getting completely vet by the rain as he was in the house. Thus he was untouched by the rain.

(iii) How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?

Ans;- IT was raining heavily and there was water everywhere the roof was leaking and thus the water coming inside the house. Although he was not getting wet but still in touch of rain. 

Q6. Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together?

Ans:- We can sit an enjoy the rain watch T.V and we have hot tea or coffee with pagoras.

Q7. What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?

Ans:- At the beginning of the monsoon ,it is the cobra lilies that rear first and at the end of the season the seeds of the flower starts turning red which signifies that monsoons is coming to an end. 

Chapter 8. A Short Monsoon Diary

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Comprehension Check

Q1. Why is the author not able to see Bijju?

Ans: There is mist on the hillsides. Writer can hear bijju calling his sister but cannot see him.

Q2. What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?

Ans: The mist covers the hills with silences and it also conceals the hills with darkness.

Comprehension Check

Q1. When  does  the  monsoon  season  begin  and  when  does  it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?

Ans: Monsoon begins in the end of June and ends in the end of August. We buy umbrellas, raincoats and rain foot wears to face the monsoons.

Q2. Which  hill-station  does  the  author  describe  in  this  diary entry?

Ans: Author has described Mussorrie.

Q3. For  how  many  days  does  it  rain  without  stopping?  What does the author do on these days?

Ans: For eight or nine days, it rained without stopping. The author had now where to go but to sit in the room and look out of the windows at a few bobbing umbrellas.

Q4. Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?

Ans: The snakes and rodents took shelters in the houses, roofs, attics and godowns because all the burrow and holes were filled with rainwater.

Q5. What did the author receive in the mail?

Ans: The author received a cheque in the mall.