Kerala SCERT Class 9 English Chapter 8 Listen to the Mountain Question Answer Solution here. Kerala Board Class 9 Students can find Here 8th Chapter Listen to the Mountain Notes provide by our Teacher. Important Question Answer from Chapter 8 Listen to the Mountain.
- Board- Kerala Board.
- Class – 9.
- Subject – English Part 1
- Chapter – 8.
- Chapter Name – Listen to the Mountain.
- Topic – Question Answer Solution.
Kerala SCERT Class 9 English Listen to the Mountain Question Answer
Read and respond
1.) What does the grandmother say about her past?
Ans.The grandmother said many things about her past like she was born at the turn of century when there were no motor cars, no aeroplanes, no television, no movies, and much less noise. She also got married, gave birth to her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has always lived in the slopes of Dharmagiri between the river, trees, flowers, birds and animals who were all her friends.
2.) Why is Narayan shocked when he hears about Sagar’s project?
Ans.Narayan was shocked when he heard about Sagar’s project which was building of a five-star fabulous, multi-storeyed hotel withthree hundred rooms, shopping complex, swimming pool, health clubetc. He was surprised also to know that a five hundred rooms hotel was being built in a small village with only five hundred people living in it. Narayan was also worried about the people living in the village.
3.) What are the arrangements made by Dixit for the new construction?
Ans. The hotel was built by Mr. Dixit who was an influential millionaire industrialist from Delhi and he made arrangements like procuring permission from the government to build the hotel, lorries, trucks with cement, bricks steel, marble and other things were also arranged to start the work of construction. Sagar’s firm secured the deal for constructing the hotel.
4.) “You mean you will have slums here.” Why does Narayan make such a comment?
Ans. When Narayan heard that Sagar was planning to make temporary dwellings for them at the foot of the hill for the labourers, he got angry and commented this.
5.) What picture of Dixit does Sagar give?
Ans. Sagar informed that Dixit was an influential millionaire industrialist from Delhi.He was the owner of two dozen cinema houses, five luxury hotels, three drug companies and the biggest biscuit factory in India. He also owned five big mansions in different parts of the world.
6.) What is Kannan’s argument in favour of building a hotel in Dharmagiri?
Ans. Kannan’s argument in favour of building a hotel in Dharmagiri was that the hotel will bring in tourists which means money for him and more business and prosperity.
7.) “That is all the more reason why a hotel cannot be built there.” What does “all the more reason” refer to?
Ans. “All the more reasons” makes reference to the news regarding Dharmagiri that was conveyed by Shastri. Shastri informed that his grandfather has told him that when the temple was built three hundred years ago it was found that the earth could not hold any structure which is taller than thirty feet and it would be dangerous for a deep foundation.
8.) Comment on the expression “big people with small hearts.”
Ans.This line was spoken by the grandmother. She believed that all the rich and new generation people were self-centred and egocentric. She ridicules them to be money minded by saying this line.
9.) How does the grandmother remind her grandson about his duties?
Ans.The grandmother reminded her grandson who was the headmaster that the construction of the hotel was going to affect the children of the village more than anyone else. The children were the future of the village and that the tomorrow’s world was their world. The grandmother told her grandson that he should inform the children about the event and not put any wrong ideas in their head but let them decide on their own.
Let’s revisit and reflect
1.) Does the opening scene of the play arouse curiosity in the audience? Substantiate your answer analysing the mode of presentation.
Ans. The opening scene of the play arouse curiosity in the audience. The emotional account of the grandmother of her past in the village of Dharmagiri, her mention of the village,river, trees, flowers, birds and animals puts forth in front of the audiences a picturesque landscape and a beautiful nature which appealed to the minds of the audiences.
2.) “Why will I come to a sleepy little dump like this, if not for business?” Comment on the attitude of the building contractor.
Ans. The attitude of the building contractor is very rude and snobbish. It shows that he is very money -minded and does not consider beauty of nature as an important asset. The lives of the villagers were not important for him also.
3.) Pick out the sentences showing the concern of Ramanna and Shastri about Dharmagiri. Is their concern reasonable?
Ans.Ramanna- ‘Why do we need a five-star hotel in this village?’
Shastri – ‘A multi-storeyed hotel can never come up on Dharmagiri.’
Yes, their concernsare very reasonable because the money-minded businessman and his associates were planning to ruin the beauty and serenity of their village by constructing the hotel which could also become hazardous for the mountain and its surrounding earth. The hotel might prove to be an ecological danger also.
4.) “Do you village bumpkins know more than the engineers and architects from the big cities?” Sagar asked. What is the tone of the question? What could be the intention behind these words?
Ans.The tone of Sagar was rude and insulting. He was trivializing the knowledge of the villagers and being proud of modern technology. He mainly aimed to quieten any form of protest that was erupting from the villagers.
5.) Grandmother and the young villagers represent two generations. What difference do you find in their attitudes towards ecological issues? Pick out the expressions that justify your answer.
Ans.Grandmother- ‘I was born at the turn of the century when there were no motor cars, no aeroplanes, no television, no movies, and much less noise…’ Grandmother belonged to an older generation when there were no motor cars, no aeroplanes, no television, no movies, and much less noise and the village was a serene place with all sights and sounds of nature, the river, trees, flowers, birds and animals were all herfriends. She had lots of hardships in her life but she was happy and peaceful. The grandmother and people in her generation lived in harmony with the nature.
Kannan: If someone wants to build a grand hotel, I don’t see any harm. It will bring in tourists. Tourists mean money; and who does not need money?’ The young villagers were more interested in a comfortable life with money and luxury. Young people like Kannan had more expectations from life and value the worldly items more than nature and her serenity. Kannan, in the drama, expressed that he did not have any problem with the building of the hotel as it would bring more tourists which meant more money. He was oblivious to the damage and devastation that the hotel construction would cause to the village, mountain and its natural surroundings
Activity 1
Kannan says, “Tourists mean money; and who does not need money?” Do you agree with Kannan? Discuss in groups and analyse the recent trends in tourism and its impact on our culture and economy. Prepare a write-up.
Ans. I agree with Kannan to some extent that infrastructural developments are required in every region as these developments increase work and help in economic development of the people but we always have to keep in mind the importance of nature and the need to safeguard it for our own sake.
WRITE UP
Tourism and its impact on our culture and economy:
With the advancements of technology there have been immense development in the infrastructures like roads, airways and waterways. People from different areas and cultures are getting associated with each other and new avenues are growing for economic development in all parts of the world. Travel and Tourism is one such example.
Tourism from a long period of time has been a flourishing and fast-growing industry. It provides a huge economic boom to the country; it not only creates various jobs but also helps in the development of the area and its economy. The money generated from this industry enables the government to develop different infrastructure of the place, thereby enhancing the living conditions of the people. Tourism is considered a viable and promising industry and it possess many positive effects on a country’s economy.
Tourism is linked many different aspects like transport, wildlife, entertainment, arts etc and all these areas experience development when tourism is developed. New jobs are created and the country benefits through inflow of foreign exchanges, investments and incomes through different services. Tourism also promotes amalgamation of various cultures, people from varied culture and tradition come together and an interchange of food habits, music, dance etc take place.
Tourism is no doubt, a booming business but it has its own negative effects. The environment is affected mostly as huge construction of infrastructure takes place like roadways, buildings etc which hugely destroys the natural environment. Pollution also takes place on large scale. Enormous footfalls resulting in accumulation of plastic materials and non -bio degradable wastes on river-beds, rivers, meadows cause pollution. Both the flora and fauna become endangered as a result of excessive usage of land and other resources. Enormous usage of powers is used for providing best electronic infrastructure which also exhaust the natural resources. Moreover, physical and personal threat are also a result of increased tourism in any region, the area loses its original entity. Thus, Tourism is an essential requirement for the local and national development but a judicious check must be always ensured for maintaining balance both for nature and humans of the region.
Activity 2
Grandmother and Dixit share different views about development. Do you think grandmother’s view is outdated or that Dixit’s view is progressive? Conduct a debate on the topic, “Development can be a threat to Nature.”
Ans. DEBATE ON “Development can be a threat to Nature.”
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOROF DEVELOPMENT-
Roads are of immense necessity; they connect distant areas with the rest of the country and brings required facilities in the hands of the people. Transport, communication is essential for progress of people. Hospitals, schools, industries etc all thrive on the availability of the roads, transport facilities and communication patterns. Infrastructures like dams, industries etc are essential for the advancement of the human kind Development means progress, it provides employment and better living conditions. All educational, health care infrastructure, scientific progresses economy etc rely on the developmental activities of the country. A country and its people are prosperous only when there is development.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST OF DEVELOPMENT-
Any development which is done without giving required importance and thought is detrimental to the natural environment and the species. Road constructions, dams, industries when done without thinking about the nature harms all the species including human beings. Roads constructed across the forests causes deforestation and endangers the wild species, causes flooding etc. Dams are constructed for electricity but these also cause obstruction in the free flow of water causing drought and floods. Oils and industrial wastes cause harm to the marine lives. Polluted smoke from the industries causes air pollution. Global warming is a result of thoughtless developments across the world. Developments are pre-requisite requirement for any nation but priority must be given to the necessity of balancing the nature and its species. Any imbalance caused is dangerous for not only the species of animals but also for humans.
Activity 3
“Finally, the mountain spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. Nature always speaks if we care to listen.” How did Nature speak? Prepare a conversation between you and Nature. Role-play it in your class
Ans. ROLE PLAY:
Nature:Hello child, what is your name?
I: Hello Nature, my name is Ashish.
Nature: You are cutting my beautiful trees levelling the ground for ages without giving a thought.
I: I need to build my house and wood for furniture.
Nature: Do you know that you are creating great harm for me and you all?
I: No, I do not think so. What harm will come? Everything is ok. I am getting everything I need.
Nature: Can’t you see around? It has become so hot, rivers are drying up, floods, soil erosion, pollution, so many diseases. All due to unthoughtful activities of humans for decades. Why do you not look for other substitutes for your needs?
I: All substitutes are costly and not easily available for everyone.
Nature: Plastics are polluting me, killing my animals. You are burning them, throwing them everywhere causing pollution.
I: I am not worried about pollution; we cannot survive without the modern facilities.
Nature: Ok son then be ready for dangers, when you will not have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink then all of you humans will perish. I will take revenge and teach you humans the ill effects of your wrong doings.
Activity 4
You might have noticed land levelling in your locality. Are you aware of the environmental hazards it may cause? Collect details from various sources and prepare an e-mail to be sent to the Minister for Environment, complaining about the issue.
Ministerforenvironment@ rediffmail.com
From Asok Mitra Grand Road, Dehradun Uttarakhand. To The Minister of Environment Sub: Levelling of the ground near Mall Road. Respected Sir, I am expressing serious concern regarding the continuous levelling of ground that is taking place in our area which is being done for last six months. I know that the certain portion of land is required for constructing a hospital which is a necessity but trees are being cut down without any thought and planning and the whole area has become barren. The top soil is eroding and there are many cases of landslides in the area recently. The degradation of the soil is causing problems for the cultivation of crops as the soil is not able to hold any saplings. The concerned people are taking any measures for maintain the quality of soil, no trees are planted also. We are also very scared that our houses and shops may also be in danger of collapsing. We all residents are worried about our city and future. I sincerely hope the matter will be dealt with seriousness and steps will be taken to stop the unnecessary levelling. Thanking you. Yours faithfully Asok Mitra. |