JAC Board Class 10th English Solutions First Flight Chapter 7(i) A Baker From Goa
JAC Class 10th English A Baker From Goa Textbook Questions and Answers
Oral Comprehension Check (Page – 86)
Question 1.
What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer:
The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days, and their famous loaves of bread.
Question 2.
Is bread – making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer:
Bread – making is still popular in Goa. The author says that the mixers, moulders, and those who bake the loaves are still present in Goa. The age – old, time – tested furnaces still exist. The ‘thud’ and ‘jingle’ of the traditional baker’s bamboo, marking his arrival in the morning, could still be heard in some places.
Question 3.
What is the baker called?
Answer:
The baker is known as pader in Goa.
Question 4.
When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer:
The baker would come twice a day. Once when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The children ran to meet him not because of their love of the loaves which were bought by the maid – servant of the house. They actually longed for the bread-bangles, which they chose carefully. Sometimes, it was a sweet bread of special make.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page – 87)
Question 1.
Match the following. What is a must
| (i) as marriage gifts? | cakes and bolinhas |
| (ii) for a party or a feast? | sweet bread called bol |
| (iii) for a daughter s engagement? – bread | bread |
| (iv) for Christmas? | sandwiches |
Answer:
| (i) as marriage gifts? | sweet bread called bol |
| (ii) for a party or a feast? | bread |
| (iii) for a daughter s engagement? – bread | sandwiches |
| (iv) for Christmas? | cakes and bolinhas |
Question 2.
What did the bakers wear:
1. in the Portuguese days?
2. when the author was young?
Answer:
- In the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a peculiar dress known as kabai. It was a singlepiece long frock reaching down to the knees.
- When the author was young, he saw the bakers wearing a shirt and trousers, which were shorter than full – length ones and longer than half pants.
Question 3.
Who invites the comment – “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer:
Anyone who wears a half – pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that “he is dressed like a pader”. This was so because the bakers were known as pader and they wore such half pants.
Question 4.
Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer:
The monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on the walls in pencil.
Question 5.
What does a ‘jackfruit – like physical appearance’ mean?
Answer:
A ‘jackfruit – like physical appearance’ means a plump physique. Such a physique was linked to the bakers because they never starved. Baking was a profitable profession
Thinking about the Text
Question 1.
Which of these statements are correct?
1. The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
2. Paders still exist in Goan villages.
3. The paders went away with the Portuguese.
4. The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.
5. Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.
6. Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
7. Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Answer:
- Correct,
- Correct,
- Incorrect,
- Incorrect,
- Correct,
- Correct,
- Incorrect
Question 2.
Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer:
Bread is an important part of Goan life, because on all the auspicious occasions, bol and sweet bread are used. For a party, bread is a must, while for Christmas, cakes and bolinhas are a must. Sandwiches must be prepared by the lady of the house on her daughter’s engagement. The author says that everybody loves the fragrance of loaves.
Question 3.
Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?
1. The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
2. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
3. I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves, (nostalgic, hopeful, naughty)
4. The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny)
5. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals, (sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact)
6. The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous, (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad)
Answer:
- nostalgic
- hopeful
- nostalgic
- funny
- matter – of – fact
- matter – of – fact
Writing
Question 1.
In this extract, the author talks about traditional bread-baking during his childhood days. Complete the following table with the help of the clues on the left. Then write a paragraph about the author’s childhood days.
| Clues | Author’s childhood days |
| the way bread was baked | – |
| the way the pader sold bread | – |
| what the pader wore | – |
| when the pader was paid | – |
| how the pader looked | – |
Answer:
| Clues | Author’s childhood days |
| the way bread was baked | in the furnace |
| the way the pader sold bread | wandering in the streets having the basket on the head |
| what the pader wore | shirt and trousers |
| when the pader was paid | at the end of the month |
| how the pader looked | happy and prosperous |
Author’s Childhood Days
When the author was young, the bakers of Goa loved to make and sell the loaves of bread. They baked them in the furnaces. A baker came daily to the author’s house twice a day. He came there with the jingling of sound. The author and the other children longed for bread – bangles. The children peeped through the basket climbing on railing and benches. On the auspicious occasions like marriage, bols were prepared. The bakers used a unique dress called kabai. They collected their amounts at the end of the month. It was in reality, a profitable profession.
Question 2.
Compare the piece from the text (on the left below) with the other piece on Goan bakers (on the right). What makes the two texts so different? Are the facts the same? Do both writers give you a picture of the baker?
Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished hut the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age- old. lime – tested furnaces still exist. The lire in the furnaces has not vet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places.
Maybe the lather is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. After (ioa’s liberation, people used to say nostalgically that the Portuguese bread vanished with the paders. But the paders hav e managed to surv iv e because they have perfected the art of door – to – door delivery serv ice. The paders pick up the knowledge of bread-making from traditions in the family. The leavened, oven-baked bread is a gilt ol’ihe Portuguese to India. [Adapted from Nandakumar Kamat’s The unsung Lives of Goan Paders’]
Answer:
The topics of both texts are the same but their description varies. The first text gives more extensive history of baking. It is well-knitted. The second text gives short description about the bakers of Goa and their contribution. This text also tells about their profession in detail. Both the writers give a picture of the baker. In the first text, source has not been mentioned, but in the second text, it is mentioned.
Question 3.
Now find a travel brochure about a place you have visited. Look at the description in the brochure. Then write your own account, adding details from your own experience, to give the reader a picture of the place, rather than an impersonal, factual description.
Answer:
I visited the Taj Mahal, Agra, recently. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is well connected by road to Delhi. From Delhi it is 210km. Hotel Sidhartha – Western Gate, Taj Mahal 600800. Several restaurants in Agra serve awesome Mughal, Indian and Chinese cuisines. Angoori Petha is famous in this city. Handicraft items, Chilean embroidery, Pietra Dura are also famous.
Group Discussion
Question 1.
In groups, collect information on how bakeries bake bread now and how the process has changed over time.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 2.
There are a number of craft-based professions which are dying out. Pick one of the crafts below. Make a group presentation to the class about the skills required, and the possible reasons for the decline of the craft. Can you think of ways to revive these crafts?
(i) Pottery
(ii) Batik work
(iii) Dhurri (rug) weaving
(iv) Embroidery
(v) Carpentry
(vi) Bamboo weaving
(vii) Making jute products
(viii) Handloom
Answer:
Do it yourself.
JAC Class 10th English A Baker From Goa Important Questions and Answers
I. Short Answer Type Questions (20 – 30 words & 2 marks each)
Question 1.
Elucidate the statement ‘Baking was, indeed, a profitable profession’.
Answer:
In old days, baking used to be a profitable profession. The baker and his family lived happily and prosperously. Their plump physique was a testimony to it.
Question 2.
What shows the existence of Portuguese impact still in Goa?
Answer:
Goa was once occupied by the Portuguese. They were very skilled in baking bread loaves. Though they left Goa long ago, their traditional work of baking is still pervasive. The age- old, time-tested furnaces are still used.
Question 3.
What do the narrator and the people of his time still have among them?
Answer:
The narrator and the people of his time still have the mixture, the moulders and those who bake the loaves among them.
Question 4.
How did the baker attract the children?
Answer:
The baker attracted the children not by his jingle or by the loaves of bread he sold but by the bread bangles or the special sweet bread he sold.
Question 5.
Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer:
The baker maintained his monthly accounts on the walls. He usually collected his bills at the end of the month.
Question 6.
What did the children do after coming of the baker?
Answer:
After coming of the baker, the children got excited. After hearing the jhang-jhang sound of the baker, they ran towards them. They peeped into the basket climbing on the railings and benches.
Question 7.
What was the importance of a baker among the villagers?
Answer:
The baker has great importance among the villagers. The baker made sweet bread. It was known as bol. It was very popular among the villagers.
II. Short Answer Type Questions (40 – 50 words & 3 marks each)
Question 1.
How was the baker a friend, companion and guide to the children?
Answer:
The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo used to wake the children up during his morning round. They all would run to meet and greet him. The narrator said that it was not because of the bread loaves but for the bread bangles which would sometimes be sweet bread with special make that they longed for.
Question 2.
Why did the children not care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths properly?
Answer:
The children would wake up on listening the jingling thud of the pader in the morning. Then
they used to run to meet and greet him. In the process, they did not even care to brush their teeth or wash their mouths. To support this act, the narrator made the point that a tiger never brushed his teeth and a cup of hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely.
Question 3.
Baking was considered essential in a traditional Goan village. What reasons does the writer give to support his point?
Answer:
In Goa, no festival is complete without bakery products. It is used in marriages, engagements and other ceremonies. Traditional sweet bread, known as ‘boV is to be given with marriage gifts. At Christmas ‘bolinhcts’ and cakes are a must.
Question 4.
Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker. Explain.
Answer:
Bread – making is a prosperous business in Goa. The physique of the baker, i.e., his plump and round body are testimony to that. Therefore, anyone who is fat and plump just like a jackfruit is easily compared to a baker.
Question 5.
Comment on the significance of a bread baker in a traditional Goan village.
Answer:
Bread is a permanent item of a Goan meal and the baker is an important member of the Goan community. Sweet bread ‘bol’ is a special delicacy. It is served at festivals. Cakes and bolinhas are special items served at Christmas. A baker’s furnace is therefore indispensable in a traditional Goan village.
Question 6.
What was the peculiar dress of the bakers during the Portuguese days?
Answer:
During the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a peculiar dress called the ‘kabai’. It was a frock in a single piece, reaching upto the knees. During his childhood, the author had seen the bakers wearing shirts with trousers that were longer than half pants, but shorter than a full length one
III. Long Answer Type Questions (100 – 120 words & 5 marks each)
Question 1.
Describe the childhood memories of the author’s time in Goa and his fondness for loaves of bread and cakes.
Answer:
The author tells us that bread has been an indispensable part of the life of the Goan people since the time of the Portuguese. It is a part not only of everyday life but also of festive occasions and events. For each occasion there was a special kind of bread. The baker has a leading role in the society. It is so important in the life of the Goans that they got up with the jingling sound of his bamboo. He also tells us that in the author’s childhood, the baker wore a shirt and trousers. The author seems to be very observant. He says that in those days, the baker was very prosperous and never starved. He also knew that they maintained monthly bills on the walls. Such strong observation powers would definitely be beneficial for children as they would become aware of citizens of their neighbourhood.
Question 2.
Should we learn from the history that has passed on to us from generations?
Answer:
History is the mirror through which we can remember our past. It actually provides a path that our ancestors have laid for us. The various battles and wars, that were fought and won, show us the strength and valour our people had. The traditions and customs make us a better human being. ‘A Baker from Goa’ is a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in the society. The paders pick up the knowledge of bread baking from traditions in the family. The leavened, oven-baked bread is a gift of the Portuguese to India. These traditions have strengthened our present.
Question 3.
After reading the story ‘A Baker from Goa’, do you think our traditions, heritage, values and practices are the roots that nourish us? Why/Why not?
Answer:
‘A Baker from Goa’ highlights the importance of the traditional practice of making loaves of bread for every occasion and festival of the Goan people. This tradition continues even today. This shows how our traditional practices can keep us to our past and heritage. Traditional values shape our personality and also provide us emotional support. They enable us to face difficult situations and make us mentally strong. Traditional practices also have an impact on our behavioral pattern towards the other people in society.
Question 4.
During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once when he set out in the morning on his round and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bomboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. On the basis of the given passage write how was the baker a friend, companion and a guide to the narrator?
Answer:
Through this passage the author wants to highlight the importance of baker in his childhood days. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo heralds his arrival in the morning. The baker came at least twice a day, in the morning they came for selling and then they returned after emptying his huge basket. They ran all around to meet and greet the people. The narrator said that it was not because of the bread loaves but for the bread bangles which would sometimes be sweet bread with special make that they longed for.
Bakers were mainly the friends of children especially the narrator. The narrator enjoyed his childhood days with the bakers. The activities of the village started with their arrival. They sold bread from door – to – door. The children woke up hearing the jingling thud of the bamboo of bakers. All these things signalled their arrival in the village. They were just not only the friend and companion of the narrator but also guide too. They showed them the path to glory.
Reference To Context
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who is the author of the given extract?
(i) Lokesh Abrol
(ii) Arup Kumar Dutta
(iii) Lucio Rodrigues
(iv) Katherine Mansfield
Answer:
(iii) Lucio Rodrigues
(b) What are the elders nostalgic about?
(i) Their style of living
(ii) Old Portuguese days and their loaves of bread
(iii) Their dress sense
(iv) Their way of talking
Answer:
(ii) Old Portuguese days and their loaves of bread
(c) The eaters of loaves might have …………………. but the makers are still there.
(i) vanished
(ii) appeared
(iii) come
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(i) vanished
(d) Which things are still amongst us?
(i) The mixers
(ii) The moulders
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘longing for the past.’
(i) memory
(ii) nostalgic
(iii) remembrance
(iv) forgetfulness
Answer:
(ii) nostalgic
Question 2.
During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who used to be the author’s friend, companion and guide during his childhood in Goa?
(i) The baker
(ii) The shopkeeper
(iii) The teacher
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) The baker
(b) What woke the children up from their sleep?
(i) The jingling thud of bamboo
(ii) The ringing of bell
(iii) The chirping of birds
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) The jingling thud of bamboo
(c) The baker used to come …………………… twice a day.
(i) at least
(ii) frequently
(iii) at interval
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(i) at least
(d) When did the backer set out on his selling round?
(i) Evening
(ii) Morning
(iii) Night
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) Morning
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘vacant.’
(i) full
(ii) load
(iii) empty
(iv) worthwhile
Answer:
(iii) empty
Question 3.
The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound?
(i) The children
(ii) The elders of the village
(iii) The baker
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(iii) The baker
(b) How did the baker greet the lady of the house?
(i) Saying ‘Good morning’
(ii) Saying ‘How are you’
(iii) Saying ‘Good bye’
(iv) Both (ii) and (iii)
Answer:
(i) Saying ‘Good morning’
(c) Pushing aside the kids, the loaves were delivered to the ……………………
(i) house owner
(ii) women of the hosue
(iii) servant
(iv) old men
Answer:
(iii) servant
(d) For whom were the loaves and the bangles made?
(i) Loaves for children and bangles for the ladies
(ii) Loaves for the elders and bangles for the children
(iii) Loaves for the ladies only
(iv) Both (i) and (iii)
Answer:
(ii) Loaves for the elders and bangles for the children
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘scold’.
(i) praise
(ii) acquaint
(iii) repent
(iv) rebuke
Answer:
(iv) rebuke
Question 4.
The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit – like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
Choose the correct option:
(a) When did the baker usually collect his bills?
(i) In the starting of the month
(ii) In the mid of the month
(iii) At the end of the month
(iv) At the end of the year
Answer:
(iii) At the end of the month
(b) Where were monthly accounts recorded?
(i) On some wall in pencil
(ii) On plain paper
(iii) In notebooks
(iv) In diaries
Answer:
(ii) On plain paper
(c) ……………………… was indeed a profitable profession in the old days?
(i) Cooking
(ii) Serving
(iii) Writing
(iv) Baking
Answer:
(iv) Baking
(d) Who always looked happy and prosperous?
(i) The baker
(ii) The baker, his family and servants
(iii) The relatives of the baker
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(ii) The baker, his family and servants
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘evidence’.
(i) disproof
(ii) contradiction
(iii) contravention
(iv) testimony
Answer:
(iv) testimony
A Baker From Goa Summary
A Baker From Goa About the Author
- Lucio Rodrigues (1916 – 73) was one of the literary geniuses of Goa.
- He was an authority on Goan folklores and wrote a number of articles on the same.
- He wrote in both English and Konkani languages.
- The element of humour is prevalent in his writing. His writing had been more effective.
- His essays and translation were published under the title ‘Soil and Soul ’ and ‘Konkani Folktales
A Baker From Goa Gist of the Lesson
In the lesson ‘A Baker from Goa the author has presented a pen – portrait of the bakers of Goa. He reminisces about his childhood days in Goa when a baker used to visit their houses. The Portuguese who live in Goa are famous for preparing the loaves of bread. This business is still in practice in Goa. Those who carry on this business are known as ‘Pader’. The children ran either to meet or to look into his basket climbing on railing and benches. The loaves were purchased by the manservant of the house. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known as ‘bob. Bol is used even in marriages. It wras used on all auspicious occasions. The bakers’ furnace in the village was the most essential thing. The lady of the house prepared sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. In those days, the bread sellers wore a particular dress known as ‘Kabai’. It was a single piece long frock up to the knees. The dress code made them distinct and different personalities. In the old days, baking was a profitable profession. The bakers took care of their families in a proper way.
A Baker From Goa Summary
portrait of Goan village: The story ‘A Baker from Goa’ is a pen-portrait of a traditional village baker of Goa. They still hold an important place in the society. The elders still remember about the good old Portuguese days and the loaves of bread of Goa. The time – tested furnaces still exist. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo heralds his arrival in the morning. This sound can still be heard in some places. The son still carries on the family profession in the absence of their father. These bakers are known as pader in Goa.
1. Childhood days of the author: During the childhood of the author, the baker was considered to be his friend, companion and guide. He used to come to his house at least twice a day. The jing-jing thud of the bamboo of baker woke up all the people in the morning. The children ran to meet and greet him.
2. Entry of the baker: The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of the bamboo. The baker used to greet the lady of the house saying ‘Good Morning’. Children were pushed aside and the loaves were delivered to the servant. The children started eating loaves of bread with tea without caring for their toothbrush.
3. Important occasions: Without bol, (the sweet bread) marriage gifts were meaningless. On each occasion, bread was considered to be important. On the occasion of the engagement of daughter, the lady of the house prepared sandwiches. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas and other festivals.
4. Dress of the baker: The baker used to wear a peculiar dress. It was known as the kabai. It was a single – piece long frock upto the knees. The bakers wore a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full – length and longer than half pants. Even now the people who wear half pants below the knees are called pader.
5. Profitable profession and happy life: Baking was a profitable profession. Monthly accounts were maintained on the wall with a pencil. They led a happy and contented life. Their prosperity and happy life can be seen from their plump physique.
A Baker From Goa Lesson at a Glance
- ‘A Baker from Goa’’ is a pen – portrait of a traditional Goan village baker.
- They still hold an important place in the society.
- The elders of Goa are nostalgic about those good old Portuguese days, and the loaves of bread.
- The eaters of Goa might have vanished but the bakers still persist.
- The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo heralds his arrival in the morning.
- After the death of father, the son carries on the family profession.
- These bakers are known as pader in Goa.
- The baker of Goa would greet the lady of the house with ‘Good morning’.
- Loaves are for the elders and the bangles are for the children.
- Without bol, (the sweet bread) marriage gifts are meaningless.
- Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.
- The baker of those days had a peculiar dress known as the Kabai, a single-piece long frock down to the knees.
- Baking was really a lucrative profession in the old days.
A Baker From Goa Character Sketch
The Baker of Goa: The baker of Goa occupies an important place in Goan’s life. They wore a peculiar dress during the Portuguese days known as ‘Kabai.’ Early morning, the baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound. In due course of time, the baker started wearing a shirt and trousers. Their family led a happy and prosperous life in the old days. They were financially sound. The sweet bread, i.e., bols are still used on the occasion of marriages, Christmas festival etc.
A Baker From Goa Word – Meanings
| Word | Meaning | Word | Meaning |
| pen – portrait | an informal description of a person | reminiscing | recollecting past events |
| nostalgically | longing for the past | vanished | disappeared |
| furnace | an enclosed structure in which material can be heated | extinguished | destroyed |
| thud | a low dull sound | jingle | a kind of sound |
| heralding | announcing, indicating | greet | sign of welcome |
| vertical | upright | fragrance | a pleasant smell |
| parapet | wall, railing | rebuke | scold |
| profitable | beneficial | prosperous | flourishing |
| Plump physique | full rounded shape | testimony | evidence |
| bolinhas | a kind of sweet | baker | who bakes bread |
| companion | friend | moulders | wasters |
| open testimony | public statement about character or quality | meaningless | which has no meaning |