Chapter 20: Reading with understanding: (Losar and Bihu)

NIOS Class 12 English Chapter 20 Question Answer

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.1

Complete the following statements by ticking the correct option from the given choices

1. Losar festival is celebrated to mark

a) the snowfall in the winter months

b) the season for crossing the high passes

c) the beginning of the Tibetan New Year

d) the arrival of tourists in Ladakh

Ans: c) the beginning of the Tibetan New Year

2. The word cham refers to

a) a monastery

b) a type of dance

c) an elaborate costume

d) a mask worn in a dance

Ans: b) a type of dance

3. Which of the following does NOT happen before the start of the Losar celebrations?

a) people cleaning and decorating their homes

b) people getting ready for performing in monasteries

c) people keeping thorny bushes outside their doors

d) people trying to spot the first moon of the tear

Ans: d) people trying to spot the first moon of the tear

4. The metho ceremony involves

a) visiting monasteries with offerings

b) decorating homes with images of the Ibex deer

c) holding processions and grand feasts

d) parading streets with flaming torches

Ans: d) parading streets with flaming torches

5. Tourists who come to visit Ladakh find the Losar festival very appealing as they can

a) experience the rituals and cultural performances

b) go on a pilgrimage to sacred sites like Mount Kailash

c) enjoy visiting gompas and monasteries of Ladakh

d) wear the colourful and unique costumes of Ladakh

Ans: a) experience the rituals and cultural performances

6. Which word in Paragraph 1 means extremely fresh and clean as if new or in a very good condition?

a) mesmerising

b) pristine

c) vibrant

d) captivating

Ans: b) pristine

7. Which word in Paragraph 4 means the opposite of defeat?

a) triumph

b) integral

c) elaborate

d) evil

Ans: a) triumph

8. Which word can replace the word spectacle in Paragraph 5 without changing the meaning in any way?

a) vision

b) wonder

c) performance

d) sight

Ans: d) sight

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.2

1. Based on your understanding of the passage given above, answer the following questions.

i. How is Bihu different from most other festivals celebrated in India?

Ans: While most festivals are specific to race, community, and religion, the Bihu festival is celebrated by all the ethnic (cultural) and religious communities across the state.

ii. How did the celebration of Bihu originate?

Ans: Bihu originated many centuries ago when people performed fire sacrifices to improve their harvest.

iii. What is the meaning of Bihu?

Ans: The word Bihu has two distinct meanings. The first meaning comes from the Sanskrit word bishu, which means “to ask blessings and prosperity from the Gods” during the harvesting season. The second meaning, as per belief, is by breaking the word Bihu into two, bi meaning “ask” and hu meaning “give”.

iv. When is BohaagBihu celebrated? What is its significance?

Ans: The Bohag Bihu is celebrated in Baisakh (mid-April). It marks the onset of spring and brings in the Assamese New Year.

v. How is the Kati Bihu celebrated?

Ans: On Kati Bihu, an earthen lamp is lit near the Tulsi plant, which is called ‘Tulsi Bheti’.Lamps are lit in the paddy fields, and prayers are offered to the Goddess for the well-being of the family and for a good harvest.

vi. When is Magh Bihu celebrated? What is the significance of Magh Bihu?

Ans: Magh Bihu is celebrated in Magh or the middle of January. Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvest season.

vii. What is a bhelaghar? What is it used for?

Ans: Bhelaghar is a hut-like structure built by the cowherds. They pass the night warming themselves by a fire.

viii. What do animal fights signify as part of Bihu festival?

Ans: Animal fights are traditionally a symbol of good luck.

2. Tick the correct option

i. Which of the following words from Paragraph 1 means a style of cooking shared by a group of people.

a) Apparel

b) Cuisine

c) feast

d) ethnic

Ans: b) cuisine

ii. Which of the following words from Paragraph 3 means eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something?

a) soul

b) tremendous

c) zeal

d) calendar

Ans: c) zeal

iii. Which of the following words from Paragraph 6 is the opposite of modern?

a) harvest

b) traditional

c) native

d) basically

Ans: b) traditional

iv. What is the feast consumed around a bonfire with family and friends on the night before Magh Bihu called?

a) bhoh

b) Maah Khorai

c) Jalpaan

d) Uruka

Ans: d) Uruka

3. Complete the following passages with words/ phrases based on the information contained in the passage.

Bihu is basically a celebration of the (i) _________. Each of the (ii) _______________ Bihu celebrations marks an important phase in the (iii)__________ calendar of Assam. Bihu has two very different meanings. The first meaning is to ask for (iv)___________ from God and the second meaning is by breaking the word Bihu into two, bi meaning (v) ___________ and hu meaning (vi) _________. The first meaning is however a modified version of the term (vii) __________. The most fascinating feature of the festival is the dance form, Bihu, which is traditionally done on the beats of (viii)_______________ taal, (ix)_______________toka, (x)___________xuluni and (xi)___________ People also sing their traditional songs around this (xii)_________. Bihu dance has become extremely popular in various regions of the globe. It was a memorable occasion for the state in (xiii) ___________when trained Bihu dancers represented Bihu dance at the (xiv) _________.

Ans: i. change of the seasons, ii. Three, iii. Farming, iv. Prosperity, v. ask, vi. Give, vii. Bishu, viii. Drum, ix. Pepa, x. Baahni, xi. Gogona, xii. Bonfire, xiii. 201, xiv. London Olympics.

Additional Study Materials

• NIOS Class 12 English Sample Paper
• Chapter 15: Reading with Understanding (Thimmakka & Biomedical Waste)
• Chapter 16: Reading with understanding (Stress before Examination)
• Chapter 17: Kabir and Thiruvalluvar
• Chapter 18: Reading with understanding (Nation Builders of India)
• Chapter 19: Reading with Understanding (International Fight Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking)