Coorg- from Glimpses of India Extract-based MCQs Class 10 English given here would help students in assessing their understanding and preparation of the lesson “Coorg”.
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream…
Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality… The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.”
1. Who does the phrase ‘these people’ refer to in this extract?
- A. Arabs
- B. Greeks
- C. Coorgis
- D. Kurds
2. Why did ‘these people’ settle in Coorg?
- A. They mingled with the locals.
- B. They rebelled against the main army.
- C. Their return to the main army became impossible.
- D. They decided to travel further south.
3. Why does the author talk about ‘these people’?
- A. To list out the Coorgis’ achievements
- B. To trace the Coorgis’ ancestry
- C. To criticise the Coorgis’ traditions
- D. To appreciate the Coorgis’ hospitality
4. What is the antonym for the word ‘mainstream’
- A. Widespread
- B. Prevalent
- C. Peripheral
- D. Dominant
5. Which of these is not true based on the extract?
- A. Coorgi homes are welcoming of guests.
- B. Coorgis have a history of military excellence.
- C. Coorgis are a cowardly community of people.
- D. Coorgis enjoy special privileges.
Answers:
- B. Greeks – According to legend, a part of Alexander’s army, that is the Greeks, settled in Coorg in the ancient times and married amongst the locals.
- C. Their return to the main army became impossible. – A part of the Greek army settled in Coorg because their return to the main army became impossible due to the harsh terrain.
- B. To trace the Coorgis’ ancestry – ‘These people’ refers to the Greeks. The author talks about them to support his belief that the Coorgis may have descended from the Greeks.
- C. Peripheral – ‘Mainstream’ means prevalent or common, while ‘peripheral’ means outside of the mainstream. Here, the author states that Coorgi traditions lie outside of, or ‘peripheral’, to prevalent Hindu traditions.
- C. Coorgis are a cowardly community of people. – The extract demonstrates the courageous nature and possible martial ancestry of the Coorgis. It also highlights some of their military accomplishments.
II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts…
Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants.”
1. Which word or phrase from the extract means the same as ‘avoid’?
- A. Catch
- B. Watchful
- C. Step aside
- D. Abound in
2. Which title best suits this extract?
- A. Horrors of the Rainforest
- B. Vanishing Wildlife
- C. Curse of the Kaveri
- D. Flourishing Fauna of Coorg
3. What does the extract tell us about the author?
- A. He has no interest in wildlife.
- B. He considers wildlife unnecessary.
- C. He appreciates wildlife.
- D. He wants to tame wildlife.
4. Which word describes the behaviour of squirrels and langurs in the context of this extract?
- A. Playful
- B. Scary
- C. Aggressive
- D. Alert
5. What is the author likely to suggest based on this passage?
- A. Coorg is fast losing its flora and fauna.
- B. Coorg is too dangerous and wild for visitors.
- C. Coorg is only fit to be inhabited by animals.
- D. Coorg is a great destination for animal lovers.
Answers:
- C. Step aside – ‘To avoid’ means to keep away from. Here, the author says that he ‘steps aside’ for or keeps away from ‘wild elephants’ for safety reasons.
- D. Flourishing Fauna of Coorg – The extract provides a detailed description of the diversity of wildlife that flourishes in the hills and rainforests of Coorg.
- C. He appreciates wildlife. – The lively description of wildlife and animal behaviour that the author provides indicates that he deeply appreciates these creatures.
- A. Playful – ‘Playful’ means fun-loving or mischievous. The squirrels and langurs mischievously dropped fruit into the river as they enjoyed the effect it created in the water.
- D. Coorg is a great destination for animal lovers. – The rich wildlife of Coorg makes it an appealing destination for wildlife-loving tourists.
III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures…
Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit… Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river… Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.”
1. What is the author referring to as a ‘piece of heaven’?
- A. The district of Coorg
- B. The traditions of Coorg
- C. The army of Coorg
- D. The men of Coorg
2. Why does the author say that this land is ‘inhabited by a proud race of martial men’? Select the two correct answers.
- A. Because of the Coorgis’ tradition of great hospitality
- B. Because of Coorg’s different attractions
- C. Because of the Coorgis’ possible Greek ancestry
- D. Because Coorgis are known for their valour
3. What is the city known for?
- A. Mangroves, tigers, and spices
- B. Beaches, peacocks and tea
- C. Forests, spices, and coffee
- D. Oakwood, snow leopards, and spices
4. Which of these words is a synonym of ‘inhabited’?
- A. Abandoned
- B. Destroyed
- C. Created
- D. Populated
5. What can we conclude from the given extract?
- A. Coorg is unwelcoming of visitors.
- B. Coorg is remote and not easily accessible.
- C. Coorg is rich in wildlife and natural beauty.
- D. Coorg is too dangerous to live in.
Answers:
- A. The district of Coorg – The author refers to Coorg, which is the ‘smallest district’ of Karnataka as a ‘piece of heaven’.
- C and D – ‘Martial’ means warlike. The author calls Coorgis ‘a proud race of martial men’ because of their possible ancestry from the warlike Greeks who invaded India in ancient times. The author mentions that Coorgis proudly recount ‘numerous tales of valour’ or bravery related to their family.
- C. Forests, spices, and coffee – Coorg is famous for its ‘evergreen forests’, ‘spices’, and ‘coffee plantations’.
- D. Populated – The word ‘inhabit’ means to occupy or populate a place. The extract reveals that Coorg is ‘inhabited’ or populated by a ‘proud race’ of people and creatures.
- C. Coorg is rich in wildlife and natural beauty. – The extract mentions the various animal species that thrive in Coorg. Similarly, the phrases ‘kingdom of heaven’ and ‘land of rolling hills’ emphasise Coorg’s natural beauty.
