Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. With eager anticipation we awaited the next stage. A tailor was called in to measure us, five boys and one girl, Mary Lila Rao, for the sports kits. I was filled with happiness, just like a child who had been given a bag full of candy. After all, I would be fulfilling my dream to wear a blazer with INDIA written on it!! 2. A week later, we left for Australia. The night before we left I could not sleep. My small suitcase had been packed with my kit and bedding and I waited for the sun to rise. Excited by the prospect of what lay ahead, we boarded the train to Bombay, the first lap of our long journey across the seas to far-off Australia. When we reached Bombay’s Churchgate station, we were taken by bus to the Astoria Hotel. It was the first time that I had seen such a grand place, and I could barely believe my eyes. What was I, a simple Village boy doing in such a different world? While we were at the Astoria, Commander Rekhi, our manager, showed us how to knot a tie and gave us lessons on table manners. 3. When we reached Santa Cruz, the entire atmosphere at the terminal seemed unreal- its bright light, the strange sounds, the rush of people. Except for Mary Lila Rao, none of us had flown before. I was scared and confused. I had no bedding and no food. Where would I sleep? What would I eat? How would the plane take off with so many people, their luggage and other cargo? Would it crash under so much weight? I followed my companions towards the huge monster that awaited us, and blindly climbed up the ramp into the cabin. I was asked to fasten my seatbelt, but naturally I did not know what to do and was fumbling with the strape when the air-hostess kindly helped me. 4. When the plane started to taxi along the runway, I closed my eyes and prayed to my God. I had butterflies in my stomach as the plane ascended. And then we were airborne. When I looked out of the window I saw smoke pouring out of the engine, and raised an alarm, thinking that the plane was on fire. The air-hostess calmed me down, patiently explaining that it was only the fuel burning. I felt very foolish and laughed with relief. (Adapted from the Autobiography of Milkha Singh) 1.1 Attempt any eight of the following question on the basis of the passage you have read. (i) Why couldn’t Milkha Singh sleep a night before they left? (ii) How many people had flown earlier? (iii) What made the atmosphere of Santa Cruz seem unreal? (iv) Give any two reasons responsible for Milkha’s worry or confusion? (v) According to him what was a huge monster? (vi) Why was he fascinated by the hotel? (vii) Why did the air-hostess need to help him? (viii) Why did he pray to his God?
Answers
Answer:
(i) Milkha Singh couldn’t sleep a night before they left because this was the first time he was traveling his all the way to Australia by airplane. He was utmost excitement, happy and curious about his journey. There were various questions that were revolving in his mind about his journey. So, all this made him awake throughout the night.
(ii) Only one person had flown earlier. Mary Lila Rao had traveled before and except her, all was traveling for the first time.
(iii) There were bright lights throughout the streets of Santa Cruz, it was engulfed with the strange sounds and the never-ending rush of the people made the atmosphere of Santa Cruz seem unreal.
(iv) The two reasons that were responsible for Milkha’s worry or confusion:
• He was not having any bedding and also he was traveling without food.
• He was scared about how the plane will take off with so many people and their luggage.
(v) According to Milkha, the huge monster was the plane which was ready to take off. He was about to climb in the plane and enter into the cabin.
(vi) Milkha was fascinated by the hotel because he was a very simple boy from the village. He has never been to such a luxurious hotel. The managers of the hotel showed hospitality to him and taught him how to tie a knot and also helped him learn table manners. Thus, such treatment made him fascinated.
(vii) The air – hostess need to help him because Milkha was traveling for the first time in an airplane. He was looking out continuously and when he noticed smoke outside he raised an alarm thinking that the plane is on fire. So the air – hostess calms him down and informed him that the plane is not on fire. It is the smoke of the fuel that was burning.
(viii)He was praying to his God because he was scared of the take-off. Butterflies were running in his stomach when the plane was on the runway.
Below are given the answers of the questions.
Explanation:
Question statement:
What made the atmosphere of Santa Cruz seem unreal?
When Mary Lila Rao reach Santa Cruz the atmosphere was unreal because of strange bright lights at the terminal, strange sounds were coming out and the people were rushing and crashing into each other.
Why did the air-hostess need to help him?
Because he was so scared and though he in a state of danger so he tried to fasten his seat belt in hurry but could do so. Looking at his condition the air-hostess helped him to fasten his seat belt.