Assignment: Discovering Tut: The Saga | English Class 11 PDF Download

Comprehension Questions:

Read the passage and answer the following questions:

Passage: "An angry wind stirred up ghostly dust devils as King Tut was taken from his resting place in the ancient Egyptian cemetery known as the Valley of the Kings. Dark-bellied clouds had scudded across the desert sky all day and now were veiling the stars in casket grey. It was 6 p.m. on 5 January 2005. The world’s most famous mummy glided head first into a CT scanner brought here to probe the lingering medical mysteries of this little understood young ruler who died more than 3,300 years ago."

Questions:

Q1: What was unusual about the weather when King Tut was removed from his tomb?

(a) It was sunny and clear

(b) There were dark clouds and dust devils

(c) The temperature was very high

(d) It was raining heavily

Answer: (b) There were dark clouds and dust devils. The weather was unsettled, with an angry wind stirring up dust devils, and dark-bellied clouds in the sky.

Q2: What is the significance of King Tut undergoing a CT scan?

(a) It was to uncover the mystery of his burial site

(b) It was to explore the medical mysteries of his death

(c) It was to make him look younger

(d) It was to preserve his mummy

Answer: (b) It was to explore the medical mysteries of his death. The CT scan was conducted to understand more about how he died and his health.

Q3: Why were the tourists visiting King Tut’s tomb?

(a) To attend a ceremony

(b) To view his body for the first time

(c) To pay their respects and view the murals

(d) To participate in an archaeological dig

Answer: (c) To pay their respects and view the murals. Tourists visited to see the murals and the mummy, and to learn about King Tut's history.

Q4: What did Howard Carter do to Tut’s mummy that caused controversy?

(a) He left it untouched

(b) He removed Tut’s head and joints

(c) He moved it to a new tomb

(d) He carefully preserved the body

Answer: (b) He removed Tut’s head and joints. Carter had to sever the mummy's head and joints to remove it from its solid gold coffin.

Q5: What technology was used to examine King Tut’s mummy in 2005?

(a) MRI

(b) Ultrasound

(c) CT scan

(d) X-ray

Answer: (c) CT scan. The CT scan provided a detailed examination of the mummy’s remains to uncover more about his life and death.

Short Answer Questions:

Q1: Why has King Tut’s body been subjected to repeated scrutiny?

Solution: King Tut’s body has been repeatedly examined due to the mysteries surrounding his death and the significant historical value of his tomb, which was discovered in 1922.

Q2: Why was Howard Carter’s investigation of King Tut’s tomb resented?

Solution: Carter’s investigation was resented because he had to cut and sever the mummy to remove it from the solid gold coffin, which damaged the body, despite the necessity of doing so.

Q3: Why did Carter have to chisel away the solidified resins from King Tut’s body?

Solution: The ritual resins had hardened, sealing the mummy to the coffin. Carter had no choice but to chisel away these resins to remove the body.

Q4: What items were included in King Tut’s tomb as part of his burial treasures?

Solution: King Tut’s tomb contained gilded treasures such as precious collars, inlaid necklaces, rings, amulets, sandals, and a ceremonial apron, all made of pure gold, meant to accompany him in the afterlife.

Q5: What was the result of the CT scan conducted on King Tut in 2005?

Solution: The CT scan revealed detailed images of Tut’s body, including missing ribs and chest bones, offering new insights into his health and the cause of his death.

Character Sketch:

Q1: Write a character sketch of King Tut. Describe his role as a pharaoh, his mysterious death, and how modern technology has contributed to uncovering his story.

Solution:
King Tutankhamun, often referred to as King Tut, was the last ruler of Egypt’s 18th dynasty. Despite his short reign of about nine years, his legacy has become one of the most significant in ancient Egyptian history due to the discovery of his nearly intact tomb in 1922. Known for restoring traditional Egyptian beliefs after his father Akhenaten’s controversial rule, King Tut died at a young age under mysterious circumstances. His death has sparked debates about murder, illness, and injury. The CT scan of his mummy in 2005 offered new insights into his physical condition, revealing missing bones and providing clues to the cause of his death. King Tut’s image is now that of an enigmatic ruler, whose life and untimely death continue to fascinate scholars and the public alike.

Writing Topic:

Q1: Write an essay on the importance of using modern technology to understand ancient history. Discuss how tools like CT scans have helped uncover the mysteries of historical figures like King Tut.

Solution:
Modern technology has revolutionized the way we study ancient history, allowing us to unlock secrets that were once buried under layers of time. Tools such as CT scans, X-rays, and MRI scans have enabled scientists and archaeologists to examine ancient mummies and artifacts in unprecedented detail. For example, King Tutankhamun’s mummy was subjected to a CT scan in 2005, which revealed crucial information about his health, injuries, and the possible cause of his death. These advances in medical imaging provide a non-invasive method to explore the past, preserving the integrity of the artifacts while offering new insights into ancient civilizations. Without modern technology, many of these mysteries would remain unsolved, and our understanding of history would be incomplete. By using these tools, we can gain a more accurate and detailed picture of ancient cultures, their practices, and their leaders.

Guess the Word:

Q1: Guess the word from the passage that means:

(a) A formal process of analyzing a body after death to determine cause:
Answer: Autopsy

This term refers to a medical examination conducted to determine the cause of death, often used in cases of mysterious or unexplained deaths.

(b) The collection of items or treasures buried with someone, especially a ruler:
Answer: Funerary treasures

This term refers to the goods and items placed in a tomb or burial site, often meant to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

(c) A detailed medical scan that creates images of internal structures:
Answer: CT scan

CT (computed tomography) scans are used to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body to examine its internal structures.

(d) A quick movement, often in a frantic or anxious manner:
Answer: Scudded

"Scudded" refers to the swift movement of clouds or objects across the sky, as described in the text.

(e) The act of avoiding or bypassing something, often in a clever or indirect manner:
Answer: Circumvented

To "circumvent" means to find a way around an obstacle or problem, as in bypassing guards to avoid detection.