The Emerald Islands NCERT Solutions | Communicative English for Class 10 PDF Download

Textual Exercises

C1. Read the passage about the awesome Andaman and Nicobar Islands

1. Floating in splendid isolation, east of the Indian mainland is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is stretched over an area of more than 700 Kms. from north to south with 36 inhabited islands. Once a hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flowers and birds. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline are fringed with coconut-palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offers excellent scope for water sports. The rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream-view of the rare gifts of nature. 
   The clean and wide roads, free of filth as well as unpolluted fresh air attract nature-lovers, who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc., are the real attractions. A visit to these islands is a memorable lifetime experience. Mythologicaly, the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. Since prehistoric times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes.
   
2. The Andamans reminds us of those freedom fighters who on 10th May 1857 gave the clarion call to rise against the British rule. This was our First War of Independence, what the British in their history books refer to as the Sepoy Mutiny. To totally stamp out the uprising, the British sent thousands to the gallows and even hung them up from trees. The revolutionaries, who survived, were exiled for life to the Andamans so that their connection with their families and their country would be severed and their countrymen would forget them forever. The Cellular Jail was inalienably linked to the long and glorious struggle of our revolutionary freedom movement fought on the mainland and it had deep political significance. Leading figures from revolutionary upsurges on the mainland were invariably banished to languish and suffer in the Andamans. Now in the evening an enthralling Sound and Light Show at Cellular Jail brings alive the struggle of the young prisoners.
3. The tribes of the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, and Sentinatese, all of Negrito origin, while the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens, both of Mongoloid stock. The first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the First War of Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Moplas, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and ceylon as well as exservicemen.
   
4. In these islands people of all faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc., and of all languages like Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and interregional marriages are common. This amazing racial and cultural mix is correctly described as Mini-India. 
5. 29 km from Port Blair, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor covers an area of 281.5 sq km and is made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands. It is one of the best in the world offering views of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling. Gandhi Park at Port Blair offers amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trails around the lake, historic ruins of a Japanese Temple, garden and bunker. 14 km from Port Blair, Sippighat Farm is a government farm sprawling over an area of 80 acres, where research and development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper are conducted. 
6. 25 km from Port Blair is Chidiya Tapu, the southern most tip of South Andaman with lush green mangroves, multitude of birds, sylvan sands and Munda pahar beaches. One can get excellent views of isolated islands, submerged corals and enchanting sunset from the forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock. 36 km from Port Blair, Collinpur has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow waters suitable for swimming, sunbathing and watching sunset. A 20 km ferry ride away from Port Blair is Madhuban , a superb trekking area, north east of South Andaman, with outlandish endemic birds, animals, butterflies and elephants engaged in lumbering. 55 kms. from Port Blair, Mt Harriet is an ideal place for a bird's eye view of the outer islands and the sea. It was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj. 365 m high, it is the highest peak in the South Andamans. 110 kms. by road from Port Blair to Baratang are the amazing Mud Volcano and Lime stone caves. The travel involves crossing of creeksand dense forest.
   
7. The Nicobars abound in coconut palm, casuarina and pandanus trees. The fauna of Great and Little Nicobar islands consist of Giant Robber Crab, long-tailed Monkeys, Nicobarese Pigeons and Megapode, a rare bird found in Great Nicobar. The Indira Point (formerly known as Pygmallion Point), the southernmost tip of India is Great Nicobar Island. Car Nicobar, the headquarters of Nicobar District, is covered with clusters of coconut palms and enchanting beaches. Nicobari huts are unique and are built on stilts and have entrance through the floor with a wooden ladder. Katchal, a tiny island in the Nicobar group was honored with the first sunrise of the new millennium on 1st January 2000 and has beautiful beaches at East bay, Jhula and West bay. 
8. A fortnight long Island Tourism Festival organized by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration annually in December to January exhibits developmental aspects of these islands. It features cultural programs and performances by artistes of national and international fame from all over India including the native tribals. Water sports competitions such as Nicobari Hodi Race, Canoe Race and Scuba Diving are organized and the festival focuses on eco-friendly tourist destination. Block Mela held annually at Diglipur in January or February highlights the development of the rural areas and typical rural life of these islands. Science Centre in Port Blair displays the genesis of the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago through interactive exhibits and explains the science of oceans, the flora and fauna of the islands.
   

C2. Articles are often divided into parts to help the reader. Given below are the subheadings of the eight paragraphs given in a jumbled order. Match the paragraphs with the subheadings. 
1. Southern paradise. 
2. Life of harmony. 
3. Showcasing the culture and spirit of A&N 
4. Links with freedom struggle.
5. Sea sports, farms and temples. 
6. Indigenous population and settlers. 
7. Flora and fauna. 
8. Get to know the Emerald Islands
Ans:
1. → Paragraph 6
2. → Paragraph 4
3. → Paragraph 8
4. → Paragraph 2
5. → Paragraph 5
6. → Paragraph 3
7. → Paragraph 7
8. → Paragraph 1

C3. When people are not very familiar with a language, they will sometimes explain words by paraphrasing them. Match the words in the box to the paraphrases below. Check in the dictionary if you are not sure.

1. It’s a tropical tree, found near water, whose twisted roots grow partly above ground.
2. It refers to the shape of an area of land, including its hills, valleys etc.
3. It is an area of sea in which there are many small islands.
4. It is a group of similar things that are close together.
5. It is to describe the course of a river, coast line or path that turns a lot.
6. This is to exist in an unpleasant or unwanted situation.
7. They are all the animals that live wild in a particular area.
8. It is an activity that involves swimming underwater using a breathing device.
9. A type of prison, which is often in a place far away from other people.
10. This is a person or living thing that has existed in a country or continent since the earliest time known to people.

Ans:

1. → 4 mangrove
2. → topography
3. → archipelago
4. → cluster
5. → meandering
6. → languish
7. → fauna
8. → snorkeling
9. → penal
10. → aboriginal

C4.On the basis of your reading of the passage complete the "Mindmap" given below:
Floating Splendour

Ans:

C5. Dr. Varun is a tourist on a visit to the awesome Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Maiguru is his tour guide. Dr. Varun wishes to know about the history and social life of the Islands and the best places to visit during his trip. Based on the “Mindmap” you have prepared, write and act out a short dialogue between them. You can choose a partner for this activity.
Ans: 
Dr. Varun : Please tell me something about the history and social life of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Maiguru : Andaman Islands have been a settlement of aboriginal tribes. These tribes are of Negrito origin. The tribes of Nicobar are of Mongoloid stock. Mythologically, the name Andaman comes from Hanuman. Later on there have been settlements from mainland of India. The social life is very peaceful here. People of all faith such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs etc, live here in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and inter-regional marriages are common. Because of such a way of life, one can see a Mini-India here living in peace and communal harmony.
Dr. Varun : That’s wonderful. Now tell me something about the places I should visit.
Maiguru : Andaman and Nicobar islands are full of scenic beauty. However, I tell you about some most important places of tourist interest. First you must visit the Cellular Jail. This is the place where the freedom-fighters of India were sent to languish. Every evening, there is a Sound and Light show which brings alive the struggle of those revolutionaries. Then you must visit MGMN Park at Wandoor. This large park is made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands. Here you have a wonderful view of marine life through glass bottom boats, Scuba diving and snorkeling. The park offers amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trails and historic ruins of a Japanese Temple.
Other places, almost equally interesting are Chidiya Tapu, Collinpur, Madhuban and Mt. Harriet.

C6.Overawed by the beauty of the Islands, Dr. Varun writes an e-mail to his sister Ishita who promptly responds. Draft this exchange of e-mails between them.
Ans:
Dear Ishita
In this e-mail I am describing about the great and unique Andaman Islands. These islands are rightly called Emerald Islands. They are full of flowers and birds unknown in the mainland. The coastline is made of coconut trees. Underwater marine life and corals are the rare gifts of these islands.
Moreover, the Andamans have a historical link too. The British made a special jail here known as Cellular Jail for those who fought for the freedom of the country. Prisoners were sent here to languish in it. Chidiya Tapu, Collinpur, Madhuban and Mount Harriet are Southern Paradise. Collinpur has a beautiful sandy beach. Madhuban is a superb trekking area. If one is interested in seeing the marine life one can snorkel, ride in glass bottom boats and do Scuba diving. Mount Harriet is an ideal place for a bird’s eye-view of the outer islands and the sea.

I am eagerly awaiting your reply. I am confident that you will visit this beautiful place soon.
Varun

C7. Imagine that Class X of your school is planning a trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 25th Dec to 01st Jan. Based on your reading of the text and your imagination complete the following itinerary :
25th Dec : fly from the nearest airport. to Port Blair
2th Dec : (morning) : ………………
(afternoon) : ………………
(evening) : Sound and Light Show at Cellular Jail

27th Dec : (morning) : take bus to National Park at Wandoor
(afternoon) : ………………
(evening) : enjoy local cuisine at hotel

28th Dec : (morning) : visit the Chidiya Tapu to observe the magnificent birds
(afternoon) : ………………
(evening)

29th Dec : (morning) ………………
(afternoon) : free to explore local market
(evening) : ………………

30th Dec : (morning) ………………
(afternoon): Island Tourism Festival
(evening) : ………………

31st Dec : (morning) : relaxed Breakfast at hotel
(afternoon) : ………………
(evening) : cultural evening at hotel to celebrate New Year Eve

1st Jan : (morning) : by bus to Katchal for
(afternoon) : transfer to Airport to reach home destination
Ans:
25th Dec : fly from the nearest airport to Port Blair

26th Dcc : (morning) : Check in Hotel
(afternoon): Visit Sippighat Farm
(evening:) : Sound and Light Show at Cellular Jail

27th Dec : (morning) : take bus to National Park at Wandoor
(afternoon) : Science Centre
(evening): enjoy local cuisine at hotel

28th Dec : (morning) : visit the Chidiya Tapu to observe the magnificent birds
(afternoon): Gandhi Park at Port Blair
(evening): Visit Science Centre

29th Dec : (morning): Visit to Mad huban by ferry and you can do trekking
(afternoon) : free to explore local market
(evening): Visit to Baratang

30th Dec : (morning): Visit to Mt Harriet
(afternoon): Island Tourism Festival
(evening): Free Explore Town

31st Dec : (morning) : relaxed Breakfast at hotel
(afternoon): Visit Collinpur, watch sunset
(evening): cultural evening at hotel to celebrate New Year Eve

1 st Jan : (morning) : by bus to Katchal for forest drive
(afternoon) : transfer to Airport to reach home destination

C8. Read the tourist brochure brought out by the Rajasthan Travels Guide, describing Jaipur and the surrounding area.
Ans: no questions asked

C9. Prepare a similar brochure for the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Besides using the information from the passage given in this section (C. 1), you will have to gather more information about the history, mode of travel, accommodation etc. Work ingroups of 4-5 to prepare the brochure. Please keep in mind the following attributes of a brochure :

• Introduction
• Local Attractions
• General Information
• Sightseeing
• How to Reach
• Cuisine
• Accommodation
• Shopping
• Intercity Travel
• Appropriate closing sentence

Ans:
Introduction
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks. It is stretched over an area of 700 kms from north to south. It has 36 inhabited islands. These islands are covered with dense forests. There is also an endless variety of flowers and birds. The topography is hilly. The beaches are fringed with beautiful coconut palms. The sea around is suitable for water sports. Nature lovers come here searching absolute peace in the lap of nature.

General Information
Andamans and Nicobars are very much isolated from the mainland India. Hence they have retained much of their pristine beauty. They have still not been much polluted by the tourists and other things. Here you find Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs living in complete peace and harmony.

How to Reach

• The best way to reach these islands is to take a flight to Port Blair.
• Port Blair can be reached from Kolkata. Delhi and Chennai by air.

By Boat
One can travel over sea to Port Blair from Kolkata. Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. In total, there are usually 4 to 6 sailings a month between Port Blair and the Indian mainland—once every two weeks to/from Kolkata (56 hours) and weekly (in high season) to/from Chennai (60 hours) on four vessels. These are operated by SCI. The service from Chennai goes via Cape Nicobar once a month, taking an extra two days. But only residents may disembark on it. There is usually a service once a month from Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Accommodation

• Accommodation is no problem at these islands. There is a 5-star hotel with 45 rooms accommodating 90 beds at Marine hill, Port Blair. There are two 3-star and one 1-star hotel also. There are many other premium hotels which are not starred.
• Apart from these luxury hotels, there are budget hotels, lodges, resorts besides Government and Municipal Council accommodation. Every tourist can choose according to his own choice. Just to have an idea, the accommodation is available from Rs. 15/- for a double bedroom (Municipal Dharamshala, Aberdeen bazar to Rs. 3299/- in the 5-star hotel at Marine hill, Port Blair.

Intercity Travels
Inter island boat services : Directorate of Shipping Services operates inter island passenger-cum-cargo for ferries from Phoenix Bay Jetty/Chatham Jetty, Port Blair to :

• Bamboo Flat (for Mount Harriet), Havelock Island, Neil Island, Rangat, Mayabunder and
• Diglipur
• Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Chowra, Nancowry, Katchal and Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar).

Information on shipping schedule and tariff can be obtained from : the Direct Services, Port Blair Tel: 32528/34299/31794.
For the latest on the sailing programmes of ferry vessels, read Daily Teleg Herald news papers or tune into the local news bulletin of All India Radio, AM and 7.10 PM.

Buses : State Transport Service and private operators run regular city and suburban bus service from Central Bus Stand, Near Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair.

Local Attractions
Cellular Jail : It has its connection from the First War of Indian Independence in 1857. Many of the defeated heroes were lodged in the jail. There is a Light and Show every evening which brings alive the memory of those days when prisoners were into it. Other tourist places are:

• Baratang
• Barren Island
• Havelock Island.

Sightseeing : There is much fauna and flora and other scenic beauty on these islands. The beaches and the sea around are of great attraction because of their natural beauty.
Barren Island : There are some islands which are not permanently habitated. Besides, there is a barren island where nothing grows. This is a great attraction for the tourists.
Havelock Island : This is of great tourist interest.

Cuisine
Sea food is the speciality of these islands. The unpolluted water of Andaman Sea abounds with varieties of fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns etc. Seafood is easily available and deliciously cooked. North Indian, South Indian, vegetarian, continental, Chinese dishes are also available.
Shopping : Most of the shopping is done in Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair. For every tourist, a visit to these islands will be highly refreshing.

C10. Listen carefully to Harsh Misra’s vacation plans and fill in the blanks with exact information :

Harsh Misra's Vacation Plan

• Travel from ______ To ______ 
• Stopover at ______ 
• Visit during ______ season______
• Will visit ______ 
• It is located ______ away from the town.
• Being the ______peak, it offers ______  view of the town.
• Coffee House serves the original ______ picked from the plantations.
• Next halt ______ 
• Temple trail would include visits to the ______ and ______

Ans:

• Travel from Allahabad To Shimla.
• Stopover at  Delhi.
• Visit during Spring  season.
• Will visit Jakhu Hill.
• It is located 2 km away from the town.
• Being the highest peak, it offers  panoramic view of the town.
• Coffee House serves the original flavours of the coffee picked from the plantations.
• Next halt at state Museum.
• Temple trail would include visits to the  Kamna Devi Temple, Tara Devi Temple, Kali Bari Temple and Christ Church.

C11. Punctuate the passage given below using capital letters wherever necessary. 
on a spring evening some years ago while living in mumbai i decided to take in a musical where i heard lakshya kumar sing for the first time i was enthralled i believed i had discovered the next kishore kumar yet disappointed by the sparse audience i decided to write an article to help promote him struggling to contain my excitement the next day i phoned the theatre where he was performing and unabashedly acted like a professional writer may I speak with lakshya kumar please just one moment replied the person at the other end hello this is lakshya kumar answered a deep voice at the other end who is speaking my trembling hands dropped the receiver and I seemed to have lost my voice I heard the phone being disconnected at the other end what an end to my grand plans.
Ans: On a spring evening, some years ago, while living in Mumbai, I decided to take in a musical where I heard Lakshya Kumar sing for the first time. I was enthralled. I believed I had discovered the next Kishore Kumar. Yet, disappointed by the sparse audience, I decided to write an article to help promote him. Struggling to contain my excitement, the next day, I phoned the theatre where he was performing and unabashedly acted like a professional writer. “May I speak with Lakshya Kumar, please !” “Just one moment”, replied the person at the other end. “Hello, this is Lakshya Kumar”, answered a deep voice at the other end. “Who is speaking ?” My trembling hands dropped the receiver and I seemed to have lost my voice. I heard the phone being disconnected at the other end. What an end to my grand plans !