Question:- I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.

1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

Answer:- Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa.

2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?

Answer:- Com-on-the-cob and marzipan.

3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?

Answer:- Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine with the flutes tied on the top of the flute seller’s pole.

4. Name five kinds of flutes.

Answer:- The following are the five kinds of flutes:-

1. The reed neh
2. The high-pitched Chinese flutes
3. The deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music
4. The Japanese shakuhachi
5. The clear or breathy flutes of South America

Question:- II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.

1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?

Answer:- The difference that the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers is that he flute seller was calm and quiet. Unlike other hawkers, he did not scream to sell his wares.

2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

Answer:-  The belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug is that when a small shrine emerges fully on Bagwati river, the goddess within will escape, and the Kalyug’s evil period on Earth will come to an end.

3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of

(i) the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside…)

Answer:- (i) The atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath: Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. A fight breaks out between two monkeys. One chases the other, who jumps onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples and down to the river. A group of saffron-clad Westerners tries to gain entry to the temple,  but they were not allowed to entered as the gate says that only Hindus are allowed in the temple .

 (ii) the things he sees

Answer:- He sees felt bags, Tibetan prints and silver jewellery. He also sees flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling western cosmetics, etc.

 (iii) the sounds he hears

Answer:- He hears car horns, bicycle bells, film songs from the radios, stray cows low and vendors shout out their wares. He also listens to the various flutes played by the flute seller.

Question:- III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each.

1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.

Answer:- There is a sense of ‘febrile confusion’ in Pashupatinath. The surroundings are filled with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs. Because there are so many worshippers, those attempting to receive the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by those rushing to the front. Whearas t here is a sense of calm around Kathmandu’s Buddhist shrine, the Baudhnath stupa. A road encircles its massive white dome. On the outskirts, there are a few small shops. Tibetan immigrants own the majority of the shops. There are no crowds, and this is a haven of peace in the midst of the busy streets.

2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?

Answer:- According to the author Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, religious, with small shrines to flower-adorned deities along the busiest and narrowest streets. There are fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate or copper utensils and Nepalese antiques. Many film songs blare out from the radios, cars horns sound, bicycle bells ring, stray cows low, vendors shout out their wares. The author purchases a corn-on-the-cob that has been roasted on the sidewalk in a charcoal brazier. He also buys orange juice and Coca-Cola.

3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?

Answer:- “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.”

The poet says  A flute is both the most universal and the most specific of sounds. It can be found in any culture. He claims that the flute is linked to our shared traits. The driving force, like every human being, is live breath. It, too, must take a breather before continuing.