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Short & Long Answer Question - Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues | English Class 11 PDF Download

English Class 11 chapter "Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues" explores the life and death of Tutankhamun, the last pharaoh of his dynasty, who died in his teenage years after ruling for nine years. His death remains a mystery to this day, and the chapter examines possible explanations such as the curse, the location of his tomb, and his entire life story. Let's have a look at some Short & Long Answer Questions of the chapter.

Short & Long Answer Question - Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues | English Class 11

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Who was Howard Carter? What was his discovery?   
Ans. Howard Carter was a British archaeologist famous for discovering King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. This tomb had been undisturbed for over 3,300 years after the young king's death. King Tut, the last ruler of a powerful dynasty in Egypt, died at the age of 19. The details of his death remain a mystery, with some theories suggesting it may have involved murder.

Q2. Why did King Tut’s mummy have to undergo a CT scan?
Ans. King Tut's mummy underwent a CT scan to investigate the medical mysteries surrounding his life and death. This examination aimed to uncover details about the circumstances of his death and his age at that time.

Q3. Which questions still linger about Tut?
Ans. The two main questions that remain about King Tut are how he died and his age at the time of death. Despite being the last of his family's line and the end of a dynasty, the specifics of his passing and the events that followed are still unclear.

Q4. What do Tut’s fancy tomb items tell us about ancient Egyptian society, and how is this different from today’s views on death?
Ans. Tut’s gold items, like rings and collars, show only rich pharaohs got fancy burials, pointing to big gaps between rich and poor. Today, we focus more on equal memorials or remembering people by their deeds, not wealth.


Q5. In 1968, what was a startling fact revealed by a professor of anatomy about King Tut?
Ans. In 1968, a professor of anatomy X-rayed King Tut's mummy and discovered a startling fact: both his breastbone and front ribs were missing beneath the resin layers on his chest. This remarkable discovery astonished everyone.

Q6. What did the tourists do at that time?
Ans.  Tourists from around the world queued up as usual all afternoon in the narrowed rock-cut tomb. They lined up to pay their homage to King Tut. Visitors watched the murals on the walls of the burial chamber, while some read from their guidebooks. Others stood silently, peering at Tut’s gilded face.

Q7. Who pointed out that the mummy was in a bad condition? Who was held responsible for it?
Ans. Zahi Hawass, the Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, closely examined the mummy and stated that it was in a very poor condition. He attributed this deterioration to the actions of Howard Carter in the 1920s. Notably, it was in 1922 that Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Q8. How does CT scanning mix science and history for Tut’s mummy, and does it support or challenge the pharaoh’s curse idea?
Ans. CT scanning studies Tut’s mummy without breaking it, giving clear pictures of his bones. It challenges the curse idea—misfortune for disturbing tombs—when a scanner glitch was jokingly blamed on it. But it respects old beliefs by not harming the mummy, mixing science with history.


Q9. Why did the artefacts cause a sensation at the time of discovery?
Ans. The discovery of the artefacts caused a significant sensation due to their remarkable features. Firstly, they were crafted from pure gold, a material of immense value. Additionally, their eternal shine has remained unchanged since their discovery, captivating all who viewed them. This brilliance is believed to symbolise a promise of revival from the grave, further enhancing their importance and allure.

Q10. Was King Tut’s demise a big event, even by royal standards?
Ans.  King Tut’s death was a significant event, even by royal standards. He was the last ruler of his family line, marking the end of a dynasty that had ruled Egypt for centuries. His funeral symbolised the decline of this dynasty. The event was particularly notable because he died unexpectedly at a young age, and the details surrounding his passing and its aftermath remain unclear.

Q11. Why is Tut’s death still a mystery despite high-tech tools, and what does this say about science and history?
Ans. Even with CT scans showing Tut’s bones, we don’t know if he was murdered or died another way because old clues are missing. This shows science can’t solve everything in history, leaving some mysteries that keep us curious.


Q12. What problem did Carter face when he reached the mummy of King Tut? How did he find a way out?  
Ans.  When Carter and his men were working at the tomb of King Tut, they discovered that the ritual resins had hardened. These resins had effectively cemented the mummy in place, making it impossible to remove it intact. To address this issue, the solidified material needed to be removed using chisels. Carter's team proceeded to cut the mummy free. They carefully removed Tut's head and severed every major joint. The dismembered parts were then placed in a box on a layer of sand. Carter justified his actions by asserting that the mummy should not fall into the hands of thieves seeking gold.

Q13. List some adornments on Tut’s body. Why had the adornments been buried along with the body?
Ans. The mummy of Tut was decorated with precious collars, inlaid necklaces, rings, bracelets, amulets, and a ceremonial apron. There were sandals, sheaths for fingers and toes, and the inner golden coffin and mask. All of them were made of pure gold. According to the beliefs, it was thought that they could take their riches with them to the great beyond.

Short & Long Answer Question - Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues | English Class 11


Q14. How did Carter defend his action of cutting the mummy free?
Ans. Carter defended his decision to cut the mummy free by stating that had he not taken this action, thieves would have evaded the guards and dismembered the mummy to extract its wealth, which included numerous gold ornaments.

Q15. How can a CT scan prove more effective than X-rays?
Ans. CT scan can prove more effective than X-rays because it produces hundreds of X-ray images in cross-sections. These images are then combined, similar to slices of bread, to create a three-dimensional virtual representation of the body.

Q16. How was Tut’s body carried to the CT scanner?
Ans. On the night of the scan, workmen carried Tut from the tomb in his box. Like pallbearers, they climbed a ramp and a flight of stairs into the swirling sand outside. Then they rose on a hydraulic lift into the trailer that held the scanner.

Q17. How was King Tut’s mummy scanned by the CT scanner?
Ans.  To unravel the mystery surrounding the death of King Tut, a portable CT scanner was transported in a trailer to the sandy area near his tomb. His body was carefully moved from the tomb in a box to this location.

The CT scanner conducted a thorough examination of the mummy, scanning it from head to toe. This process generated 1,700 digital X-ray images in cross-section, allowing for an intricate analysis of the body. The entire mummy was scanned in slices measuring just 0.62 millimetres thick.


Q18. What snag did the million-dollar scanner develop? How was it set right?
Ans. The million-dollar scanner had developed a snag because of sand in a cooling fan.  To resolve the issue, substitute fans were employed, which effectively allowed the procedure to continue.

Q19. Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned – in death, as in life…”
Ans. The statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned – in death, as in life…” signifies that the mummy of King Tutankhamun was among the first ever to undergo a CT scan. This scanning aimed to uncover the mysteries surrounding his reign and the circumstances of his death.

Furthermore, it provided insights into the cause of his death, which remains a topic of intrigue given that it occurred just nine years after he ascended to the throne.          


Q20. List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as Wacky.
Ans. Ray Johnson described Akhenaten as “wacky” due to his unconventional and impulsive actions as a ruler. Some notable deeds include:
  • Attacking Amun, a major deity in ancient Egypt.
  • Breaking the statues of Amun and closing his temples.
  • Shifting the religious capital from the traditional city of Thebes to the newly established city of Akhetaten.

These actions contributed to the perception of Akhenaten as a radical leader who deviated from established norms.


Q21. What did the CT scan of Tut’s mummy reveal?
Ans. CT scanning provided surprising and fascinating images of Tutankhamun's body. The scan revealed a grey head on the computer screen, while the neck bones were clearly visible. Additional images depicted various parts of Tut's body, including a hand, several views of the rib cage, and the skull.

Q22. “Curse of the Pharaoh”, joked a guard nervously. What is the curse, and why did the guard say so?
Ans. The curse of the Pharaoh refers to the death or misfortune that befalls those who disturb a Pharaoh's tomb. This belief is widely considered to be true among many. In this instance, during the scanning of a mummy, the fans of the CT scan machine became clogged with sand and ceased to function. The guard, noticing the malfunction, jokingly remarked that it was the curse of the Pharaoh. Fortunately, another pair of white plastic fans was procured, which worked effectively.


Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Who was King Tut? Why was his mummy taken out for a CT scan?
Ans. King Tut, or Tutankhamun, was the last pharaoh of his dynasty, ruling Egypt from around 1332 B.C. He became king at a very young age and changed his name to Tutankhamun, meaning 'living image of Amun.' His reign lasted approximately nine years, during which he sought to restore traditional religious practices. King Tut died unexpectedly in 1322 B.C., marking a pivotal moment in Egyptian history as he was the final ruler of his lineage. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings, a site known for its royal tombs, where he was interred with a vast array of treasures. These included precious neckbands, engraved necklaces, bracelets, rings, amulets, ceremonial aprons, sandals, and an iconic inner coffin and mask made of pure gold. In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb, which had been untouched for over 3,300 years. In 2005, for the first time, King Tut's mummy was removed from the tomb to undergo a C.T. scan. This examination aimed to reveal medical insights into the life and death of this enigmatic young ruler. The C.T. scan provided detailed images of Tut's body, allowing specialists to investigate the mysteries surrounding his demise. This advanced imaging technique created over 1,700 digital X-ray images, offering a clearer understanding of his physical condition and potentially answering lingering questions about how he died and his age at death.

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Q2. What problems did Howard Carter face with regard to Tut’s mummy? How did he solve them?
Ans. Howard Carter, a British archaeologist, discovered King Tut’s tomb after years of searching in 1922. He found fabulous treasure in the tomb, even though it had been ransacked earlier. The treasure consisted of a golden coffin, gold ornaments and even petty things of everyday need. Carter found three nested coffins. In the first, he found the garlands of leaves and flowers. But when he reached the mummy, he ran into trouble. The resins spread below Tut’s body had hardened. The coffin was of solid gold. Neither human force nor the scorching sun could loosen the body. So Carter used a chisel and hammer to remove the resins. He had little choice. Tut’s mummy also had to be removed part by part. Having taken out the gold coffin, the body parts were reassembled, put in a wooden box and placed in the tomb again.

Q3. Sum up the main events of the lesson ‘Discovering Tut …’
Ans.   King Tutankhamun, often referred to as King Tut, was just a teenager when he died, marking the end of a powerful dynasty. His reign lasted only nine years, and the circumstances surrounding his unexpected death remain a mystery. The tomb of King Tut was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Inside, he uncovered an astonishing array of treasures, including a gold coffin and various everyday items, all made of pure gold. The ancient Egyptian kings, or pharaohs, believed they would need these items in the afterlife, which is why they were buried alongside their mummies, preserved with chemical pastes. Tutankhamun's early death sparked much curiosity about its cause. In 1968, his mummy was X-rayed, and later, in 2005, it underwent a CT scan. Despite these efforts, the exact details of his death and the events that followed remain unclear. The discovery of his tomb revealed not only his lavish burial goods but also raised questions about his life and death. King Tut was the last heir of a significant royal lineage, and his funeral marked the decline of his dynasty. His father or grandfather, Amenhotep III, ruled for nearly four decades during Egypt's golden age, while his successor, Amenhotep IV, initiated a unique period in Egyptian history. Despite his fame, Tutankhamun is just one of many mummies in Egypt. The Egyptian Mummy Project, which began in 2003, has recorded nearly 600 mummies and continues to explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Today, advances in technology, such as CT scanning, allow researchers to examine mummies in greater detail than ever before, providing insights into their lives and deaths.

Q4. In 1922, Tut’s tomb was discovered. Much of the treasure buried in the tomb had already been plundered. The materialistic attitude of man does not allow even the dead to sleep in peace. Will there be any end to this attitude?
Ans. For a handful of gold, a man can go to any extent. Tut’s mummy was buried with a wealth of gold and other valuable items, based on the belief that he would need them in the afterlife. This practice stemmed from deep-rooted faith. Upon the discovery of Tut's tomb in 1922, it was evident that much of the treasure had already been looted. The thieves, motivated by an overwhelming desire for material wealth, ignored the sacred beliefs and rituals associated with the dead. Their actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for ethics and morals, as their sole aim was to acquire riches by any means necessary. This materialistic attitude shows no signs of diminishing. Even if divine intervention were to occur, urging humanity to abandon materialism and reminding them that all paths lead to death, such a message would likely fall on deaf ears. Instead, this attitude appears to be intensifying over time.

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FAQs on Short & Long Answer Question - Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues - English Class 11

1. What is the significance of Tutankhamun's tomb in the context of ancient Egyptian history?
Ans. Tutankhamun's tomb is highly significant as it provides invaluable insights into the burial customs, art, and daily life of ancient Egyptians. Discovered largely intact in 1922 by Howard Carter, it contained numerous artifacts that illuminate the wealth and religious practices of the time, making it one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history.
2. What were the main artifacts found in Tutankhamun's tomb?
Ans. The tomb of Tutankhamun contained a wealth of artifacts, including a golden sarcophagus, a solid gold mask, chariots, weapons, furniture, and various ceremonial items. These artifacts reflect the opulence of the young pharaoh's reign and the importance of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian culture.
3. How did Tutankhamun's reign influence ancient Egypt?
Ans. Tutankhamun's reign, though brief, is often seen as a restoration period following the religious upheaval caused by his predecessor, Akhenaten. By reinstating traditional polytheistic beliefs and practices, Tutankhamun helped stabilize the political and religious landscape of ancient Egypt, which had been disrupted during Akhenaten's rule.
4. What theories exist regarding the cause of Tutankhamun's early death?
Ans. Various theories have been proposed regarding the cause of Tutankhamun's early death at age 19, including accidental injuries, malaria, genetic disorders, and possible murder. Recent studies suggest that he may have suffered from multiple health issues, including a broken leg and malaria, which contributed to his untimely demise.
5. How has the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb impacted modern archaeology?
Ans. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb has had a profound impact on modern archaeology by sparking global interest in Egyptology and leading to advancements in archaeological techniques. It emphasized the importance of preservation and documentation of artifacts, influencing how future excavations are conducted and how cultural heritage is approached.
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