Text Book Exercise 1
Q. After reading the text, select the best option for the following statements.
Their final destination was:
- (a) Jamshoro
- (b) Sehwan
- (c) Gorakh Hills
- (d) Hyderabad
Starting their journey from Karachi, they reached the Gorakh Hills:
- (a) in four hours
- (b) in less than four hours
- (c) before sunset
- (d) after sunset
The trip lasted for:
- (a) one day
- (b) two days
- (c) three days
- (d) four days
Text Book Exercise 2
Q. Work in pairs. First, look at the words in Box A. Then, read paragraphs 1-5, underline the words given in Column A in the text. Then find their meanings in Column B and write the answers in Column C. Do the same with Box B, paragraphs 6-10.
Box A: Paragraphs 1-5
| S No | Column A (Word) | Column B (Meaning) | Column C (Answer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | summit | a) deeply respected | g |
| 2 | resort | b) a substance which when burnt gives out a sweet smell | i |
Box A: Paragraphs 1-5
| S No | Column A (Word) | Column B (Meaning) | Column C (Answer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | awesome | c) extremely large | f |
| 4 | glimpses | d) having a pleasant smell | h |
| 5 | detour | e) pay respect publicly | k |
| 6 | colossal | f) highly impressive | c |
| 7 | revered | g) highest point of something | a |
| 8 | incredible | h) a brief view | i |
| 9 | pay homage | i) almost impossible to believe | e |
| 10 | aromatic | j) a place that people go to for holidays | d |
| 11 | incense | k) take around about route | b |
Box B: Paragraphs 6-10
| S No | Column A (Word) | Column B (Meaning) | Column C (Answer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | rugged | l) slowly | u |
| 13 | vantage | m) holding one’s attention completely | q |
| 14 | canopy | n) breathtaking | s |
| 15 | standstill | o) coming downwards | w |
| 16 | gradually | p) a place providing a good view | i |
| 17 | descending | q) showing attention to detail | p |
| 18 | spellbinding | r) a covering over something | m |
| 19 | tranquilized | s) a thing kept as a reminder of something or someone | v |
| 20 | meticulous | t) have a calming or sedative effect | r |
| 21 | awe-inspiring | u) rough natural | n |
| 22 | souvenirs | v) having no movement | t |
Text Book Exercise 3
Q. Below is a brief summary of the places mentioned along the route. Read the text and fill in the blanks with the names of these places. After completing the exercise compare your answers with your partner.
The journey began from Karachi. After crossing the toll plaza got on the Motorway. First crossed Nooriabad and then Jamshoro. Could see some glimpses of the river Indus on the right. According to the GPS Hyderabad was across the river. Went to a hotel on Kotri Barrage. After that got on the Indus Highway, which was on the right bank of the river Indus. The next stop was Sehwan. Had lunch on the bus that comprised spicy fish caught from the Manchar Lake. Finally reached the Gorakh Hills.
On the way back, took the Dadu-Moro bridge route. Stopped at Hala to buy souvenirs. Glimpsed Matiari in the distance. Passed close by Bhit Shah. Finally, crossed Hyderabad, got on the Motorway and reached Karachi.
Text Book Exercise 4
Q. The statements given below very briefly describe the main points of each paragraph. Work with a partner and find out the paragraphs that have the following key points. Write the paragraph number in the space provided.
| Key Points | Paragraph Number |
|---|---|
| (a) Travel to the top | 6 |
| (b) Stopover for breakfast | 3 |
| (c) Activities at night | 7 |
| (d) Birthday trip to the Gorakh Hills | 1 |
| (e) Morning scenes and event | 8 |
| (f) Shrine description | 4 |
| (g) Good memories | 10 |
| (h) Start of the journey | 2 |
| (i) Places on the trip back home | 9 |
| (j) Lunch on the bus | 5 |
Text Book Exercise 5
Q. Read the text again and circle the right option. After completing the exercise, compare your answers with your partner.
The Gorakh Hills are the highest place in:
- (a) Pakistan
- (b) Baluchistan
- (c) Sehwan
- (d) Sindh
The guide explained the route and gave ____________ to everyone.
- (a) lunch
- (b) breakfast
- (c) flyers
- (d) directions
Asif used his mobile phone to look for:
- (a) the route
- (b) information
- (c) instructions
- (d) new places
The text states that many people visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalander to seek:
- (a) fulfillment of wishes
- (b) material benefits
- (c) blessings
- (d) healing
For lunch they had:
- (a) fish and chips
- (b) sugarcane juice and rolls
- (c) fish and sugarcane juice
- (d) sandwiches and sugarcane juice
At night they could hear the sounds of ____________.
- (a) dogs barking
- (b) wolves howling
- (c) water flowing
- (d) many animals
There was more greenery on ____________ of the river.
- (a) the right side
- (b) the left side
- (c) the bank
- (d) both side
According to Ibn-e-Batuta, makes once a good storyteller:
- (a) reading
- (b) listening to good stories
- (c) not speaking
- (d) travelling
Text Book Exercise 6
Q. Work in pairs and write three sentences about the following. After completing, exchange your work with another pair and read each other’s work.
Gorakh Hills Station
- (i) Gorakh Hills Station is situated at an elevation of 5,690 ft. from the sea level.
- (ii) It is the highest summit and a holiday resort in Sindh.
- (iii) It has beautiful natural beauty.
Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
- (i) It is situated in Sehwan.
- (ii) People from all walks of life come to the saint’s shrine to pay homage.
- (iii) It is commonly believed that a visit to this shrine can provide healing for all types of illnesses.
After dinner activities
- (i) Under a canopy of stars, the bonfire was lit.
- (ii) They had fun indulging in activities such as Baetbazi, Chinese whisper, sharing funny stories, and all sorts of childish games that we could think of.
- (iii) The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackling of the wood, the bright star above, and the warmth of friends gathered around the fire made time come to a standstill.
Spell-binding experiences
- (i) The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackling of the wood, the bright stars above, and the warmth of friends gathered around the fire made time come to a standstill.
- (ii) A sunrise was one that one would witness in a painting or a movie; and the clouds were gradually descending all around.
- (iii) It was spellbinding to see floating clouds, which one could touch, to smell the fragrances of different herbs, which tranquilized senses, and to hear the distant bleating of sheep grazing around.
Birthday Breakfast
- (i) Carrying a huge cake with candles on it, the author’s parents and friends sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.
- (ii) Things had been planned to the last detail; a beautiful rug had been spread out for the cake-cutting ceremony.
- (iii) The cake-cutting was followed by halwa puri for all.
Text Book Exercise 7
Q. Answer the following questions.
Which two great saints are mentioned in the text?
- Ans: Two highly revered Sufi saints, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, are mentioned in the text.
Why did Asif’s parents decide to take him to the Gorakh Hills for his birthday?
- Ans: Asif’s parents decided to take him to the Gorakh Hills for his birthday because they knew his love for travel.
Why is Gorakh Hills a good place for a holiday?
- Ans: Gorakh Hills is a good place for holiday because Gorakh Hills is cold because of the height. Its views are beautiful and wonderful.
What was served for lunch and where was it served?
- Ans: On leaving Sehwan, lunch was served. The lunch comprised spicy fish caught from the Manchar Lake with sugarcane juice.
Why did they have to leave the bus and take the jeep to reach the top?
- Ans: They had to leave the bus and took the jeep because now there would be a steep, uphill drive to reach the summit.
Why did Asif and his family have to sleep in a tent?
- Ans: Unfortunately, all rooms were occupied, and they had to rent tents for their night stay.
What did Asif appreciate deeply about his parents?
- Ans: His parents cut the cake for his birthday and arranged breakfast for all. Things had been planned to the last detail; a beautiful rug had been spread out for the cake-cutting ceremony. He was deeply touched by his parents’ love and meticulous arrangements.
How was the return route different from the up journey route?
- Ans: In the up journey route, they took Motorway and crossed Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Kotri Barrage. Then they took the Indus Highway to Sehwan and they travelled from Sehwan to Gorakh Hills.
