Chapter what-a-tank: What a Tank! | Short Questions

In the arid Thar region of Rajasthan, people traditionally use underground structures called 'Tankas' to manage their water needs. These tanks are built beneath the surface to keep the collected water cool and to minimize evaporation in the desert heat. A Tanka is designed to be large enough to store a significant amount of rainwater, often providing a household with enough water to last for six to seven months. This method is crucial for surviving long dry spells in the desert.

The overhead water tanks in rural Punjab are unique because they are built in creative and artistic shapes instead of standard designs. You can find tanks shaped like giant flowers, footballs, roosters, aeroplanes, or even statues. These designs are carefully planned by the owners to reflect their personal identities, professions, or hobbies. Made from cement, steel rods, and concrete, these tanks serve as both functional water storage units and culturally rich landmarks that represent the heritage of the northwestern state.

In Punjab, the design of a water tank often signals the owner's profession or lifestyle. If a house owner is a farmer, they might choose a tank shaped like a tractor or a bullock cart. This choice reflects their pride in farming and their deep connection to agriculture, which is their primary livelihood. It tells the community that the person living there values their work and their traditions. Thus, the tank becomes a symbol of the owner's professional identity and heritage.

Building the uniquely shaped water tanks in Punjab involves a specific engineering process. First, a frame is constructed using strong steel rods to outline the chosen shape, such as a bird or a vehicle. Then, a mixture of cement and concrete is applied over this frame to create the solid structure. Once the concrete has hardened into the final shape, the tank is installed on the roof. This combination of steel and concrete ensures that the tanks are durable and can hold hundreds of litres.

On the day the water ran out, Suma realized how much she relied on it for her morning routine. She couldn't perform basic tasks like brushing her teeth, washing her face, or taking a bath. In the kitchen, the lack of water meant her family couldn't cook food or clean the dirty dishes. Even her school was affected, as the toilets had to be closed and drinking water was scarce. These difficulties helped Suma understand that water is an essential resource for everyday life.

As explained in the 'Let us Learn' section, contractions are short forms of words created by combining two words and leaving out some letters. An apostrophe (') is used to take the place of the missing letters. For example, 'do not' becomes 'don't' and 'would not' becomes 'wouldn't'. Using contractions helps in making language more natural and conversational. The chapter teaches students to identify and write these forms to improve their understanding of how words are shortened in daily English usage.

An exclamatory sentence is used to express strong emotions like amazement, wonder, or joy. According to the text, these sentences can be identified by the use of specific exclamatory words such as 'Wow', 'Hurrah', or 'Oh'. Most importantly, they always end with an exclamation mark (!). These markers help the reader understand that the speaker is conveying a deep feeling. Examples from the text include phrases like 'That’s so creative!' which shows wonder at the unique tank designs.