Silk Road Extract Questions | English Class 11

Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 1

Reading Set

Extract 1

Passage

A flawless half-moon floated in a perfect blue sky on the morning we said our goodbyes. Extended banks of cloud like long French loaves glowed pink as the sun emerged to splash the distant mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush. Now that we were leaving Ravu, Lhamo said she wanted to give me a farewell present.

The author compares the extended banks of clouds to ______.

long French loaves

The setting of this extract is the morning the author departed from ______.

Ravu

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 2

Reading Set

Extract 2

Passage

Tsetan sized me up as we clambered into his car. 'Ah, yes,' he declared, 'drokba, sir.' We took a short cut to get off the Changtang. Tsetan knew a route that would take us south-west, almost directly towards Mount Kailash. It involved crossing several fairly high mountain passes, he said.

Tsetan refers to the author as a ______ because of his sheepskin coat.

drokba

The shortcut Tsetan took was meant to take them off the ______.

Changtang

Why did Tsetan call the author a 'drokba'?

Tsetan called the author a 'drokba,' which means a nomad or shepherd, because Nick was wearing the long-sleeved sheepskin coat given by Lhamo. This traditional attire made the author look like the local herdsmen who roam the high-altitude plains of Tibet.

What was the main risk involved in taking the shortcut Tsetan suggested?

The main risk was the high mountain passes they had to cross. Tsetan warned that while the route was more direct, it would be problematic if there was snow. This highlights how the journey's success was entirely dependent on the unpredictable weather conditions.

What does this extract reveal about Tsetan's role in the journey?

The extract shows that Tsetan is an experienced and confident guide. He knows the geography well enough to suggest shortcuts and is aware of the potential dangers of the terrain. His expertise is crucial for navigating the challenging path toward Mount Kailash.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 3

Reading Set

Extract 3

Passage

By the time we finally left Hor again, after another afternoon unblocking pipes, it was dark. We drove back to the main road and continued our journey west. Tsetan was used to driving at night and he didn’t seem to mind the dark. But for me, it was a different story. My head was throbbing and I felt incredibly sick.

The author felt sick and his head was ______ as they continued west.

throbbing

Before leaving Hor, they spent the afternoon ______.

unblocking pipes

Contrast the author's state of mind with Tsetan's during the night drive.

Tsetan is comfortable and unfazed by driving in the dark, showing his resilience as a professional driver. In contrast, the author is in physical and mental distress, suffering from the symptoms of altitude sickness, which makes the night journey feel oppressive.

What does the 'unblocking pipes' incident tell us about the journey?

This detail illustrates the mundane and often frustrating problems encountered during travel. It shows that the journey wasn't just about spiritual moments but also involved dealing with mechanical issues and delays in a dusty, unpleasant environment like the town of Hor.

How does the physical environment of Hor affect the author?

The environment of Hor adds to the author's misery. The combination of the town's filth, the delay caused by the car issues, and the cold night air contributes to his declining health and his overall feeling of sickness and exhaustion during this phase.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 4

Reading Set

Extract 4

Passage

He suggested we hire some yaks to carry our luggage, which I interpreted as a good sign, and he had no intention of prostrating himself all round the mountain. 'Not possible,' he cried, collapsing across the table in hysterical laughter. It wasn’t his style, and anyway his tummy was too big.

Norbu suggested hiring ______ to carry their luggage.

yaks

Norbu found the idea of ______ himself around the mountain hilarious.

prostrating

Why did the author interpret Norbu’s suggestion as a 'good sign'?

The suggestion to hire yaks meant that the arduous journey would become more manageable. It also showed that Norbu was practical and intended to follow through with the kora, providing the author with a much-needed partner and a realistic plan.

What does Norbu's laughter reveal about his character?

Norbu’s laughter reveals his cheerful, lighthearted, and realistic nature. He doesn't take himself too seriously and is honest about his physical limitations. This makes him a perfect, less-intimidating companion for the author, who was previously feeling overwhelmed by the pilgrimage.

How does this encounter change the author's perspective on the kora?

The encounter shifts the author's perspective from one of lonely struggle to one of collaborative effort. Norbu’s presence and his practical, humorous approach to the trek help the author overcome his disappointment with Darchen and regain his optimism for completing the kora.

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Chapter sections

Chapter silk-road: Silk Road | Extract Questions

Extract 1

The author compares the extended banks of clouds to ______.

The setting of this extract is the morning the author departed from ______.

How does the author describe the appearance of the mountains at sunrise?

What is the significance of Lhamo giving the author a farewell present?

What mood is established at the beginning of the journey in this extract?

Extract 2

Tsetan refers to the author as a ______ because of his sheepskin coat.

The shortcut Tsetan took was meant to take them off the ______.

Why did Tsetan call the author a 'drokba'?

What was the main risk involved in taking the shortcut Tsetan suggested?

What does this extract reveal about Tsetan's role in the journey?

Extract 3

The author felt sick and his head was ______ as they continued west.

Before leaving Hor, they spent the afternoon ______.

Contrast the author's state of mind with Tsetan's during the night drive.

What does the 'unblocking pipes' incident tell us about the journey?

How does the physical environment of Hor affect the author?

Extract 4

Norbu suggested hiring ______ to carry their luggage.

Norbu found the idea of ______ himself around the mountain hilarious.

Why did the author interpret Norbu’s suggestion as a 'good sign'?

What does Norbu's laughter reveal about his character?

How does this encounter change the author's perspective on the kora?