Question

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

The call of the seas has always found an echo in me. Not being rich enough to roam in a private yacht, I have taken the poor man's way out. I swim across them. I have always been fascinated by the Indian ocean, whether at Mumbai, at Puri or at Gopalpur. I have swam in all these places and have felt the thrill. But the idea of swimming the Palk Strait did not occur to me until after I swam in the English channel. Steeped in the history and tradition of this nation, practically unconquered. teaming with hair-raising hazards, the sea between India and Sri Lanka had all the elements of challenge, danger and difficulty that tempted me. By the way, for preparation, I continued a strict and rigorous course of training which began in 1960. I also had to collect a comprehensive range of facts and information about this sea. Neither of these was easy. Despite all the information I had gathered, I soon found that very little was known about the Palk Strait, especially about the tides and currents. Everything about the English channel is known-there is the Channel Swimming Association, there are trained pilots there are wants to be hired, accurate weather forecasts, dependable tide tables and every other form of assistance was readily available. All that one needed was money. Here in the Palk Strait one has to find out firstly from where information could be obtained and then decide how much of it could be incorrect or misleading!

A1. Rewrite the following as per their sequence in the extract:    (2)

1. I also had to collect a comprehensive range of facts and information about this sea.
2. I have swam in all these places and have felt the thrill.
3. All that one needed was money.
4. Despite all the information I had gathered, I soon found that very little was known about the Palk Strait.

A2. Explain:    (2)

What does the writer man by saving, "Steeped in the history and tradition of this nation, practically unconquered, teeming with hair-raising hazards, the sea between India and Sri Lanka had all the elements of challenge, danger and difficulty that tempted me"?

A3. Give reason:   (2)

The narrator had an intense desire to swim in the Palk Strait. Explain the reasons for it.

A4. Personal Response:    (2)

Do you like to have an adventurous life? Express your opinion.

A5. Grammar:

Do as directed:   (2)

1. Very little was known about the Palk Strait. (Rewrite as a negative sentence)
2. I had to collect a comprehensive range of facts. (Rewrite the sentence beginning with 'A comprehensive ........)

A6. Vocabulary:   (2)

Give the synonyms of the following words:

1. rigorous - ______
2. thrill - ______

Answer 1

A1.

(b) I have swam in all these places and have felt the thrill.

(a) I also had to collect a comprehensive range of facts and information about this sea.

(d) Despite all the information I had gathered, I soon found that very little was known about the Palk Strait.

(c) All that one needed was money.

A2. 

The author is implying that despite Palk Strait's extensive history and intimate ties to historical events, there are dangers associated with its waters, including hazardous weather patterns and unpredictable sea currents. The author was drawn to the task of swimming across the Palk Strait by the threat of inaccurate forecasts and unreliable tidal conditions.

A3. The Palk Strait was steeped in tradition and was considered unconquered as it is full of many dangers. It was a tremendous challenge to swim there so the narrator had an intense desire to swim in the Palk strait.

A4. Definitely, I'd like to have an eventful life. I adore going on hikes and treks with my pals. I enjoy wandering around in quest of a chance to go on a trek. Trekking is a fantastic way to experience the freedom of being in nature.

A5. 

1. Not much was known about the Palk Strait.
2. A comprehensive range of facts had to be collected by me.

A6. 

1. rigorous - monticulus
2. thrill - exciting