Question

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

The river has a soul. It knows, stretching past the town, from the first drop of rain to dry earth and mist on the mountaintops, the river knows the immortality of water. A shrine of happy pictures marks the days of childhood. Small towns grow with anxiety for the future. The dead are placed pointing west. When the soul rises it will walk into the golden east, into the house of the sun. In the cool bamboo, restored in sunlight, life matters, like this. In small towns by the river we all want to walk with the gods.

A1. Complete the tree diagram about the lifestyle of tribal people:     [2]

A2. Give reasons.     [2]

The dead are placed pointing west because

1. ............
2. ............

A3. Express your views on the importance of forests in about 2/3 lines.     [2]

A4. Find out and explain the figure of speech used in the following lines:     [2]

When the soul rises
It will walk into the golden east
into the house of the sun

A5. Compose 2/4 lines or a stanza on ‘Childhood memories.’     [2]

Answer 1

A1.

A2. The dead are placed pointing west because:

1. The soul will travel to the east.
2. Life is restored in sunlight in cool bamboo.

A3. According to the poet, the river, which represents the cycle of water and life, has a soul and is conscious of its journey from rain to earth and mountains. Childhood memories are treasured like a shrine of joyful photos. Human concerns show up in small towns' anxiety about the future. The soul rises and moves into the golden east, representing hope and fresh starts, while the dead are positioned facing west.

A4. 

Figure of speech: Personification

Explanation: 

The soul is given the human actions like rising and walking.

A5.

Childhood Memories

Childhood memories, a sacred stream,
Flow gently through each faded dream.
A shrine of joy, where laughter stays,
Glowing softly through life’s busy days.