NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Reading Skills Chapter 6
NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Unit Reading Skills Chapter 6 Silk Road – complete answers & explanations
This blog provides clear and helpful NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter Silk Road from the Hornbill book. This chapter takes students through a fascinating journey across challenging terrains, highlighting cultural exchanges, spiritual experiences, and personal struggles faced by the author. It helps students understand travel writing, descriptive language, and deeper themes like resilience and self-discovery. These solutions are designed to support students in understanding the chapter better and answering questions accurately in exams. Parents can also use this as a reliable guide to help their children learn effectively. Download the worksheet and practice alongside solutions for better clarity. Book a free trial now to get expert guidance.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The chapter explores the author’s
journey along the Silk Road and his experiences in Tibet.
2. It highlights cultural exchanges and historical importance of the Silk Road.
3. Students learn about spiritual journeys and their deeper meaning in life.
4. The chapter focuses on descriptive writing and imagery used in travel narratives.
5. It introduces new vocabulary related to geography, culture, and travel.
6. Students understand character interactions and human relationships in unfamiliar environments.
7. The chapter explains the physical and emotional challenges faced during difficult journeys.
8. It helps improve reading comprehension and analytical thinking skills.
9. The importance of observation and detailed narration is emphasized.
10. Students also learn how language reflects cultural differences and communication gaps.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. First, read the chapter carefully
to understand the storyline and key ideas.
2. Attempt all the worksheet questions on your own before checking the answers.
3. Use these solutions to verify your responses and identify mistakes.
4. Focus on how answers are structured to match NCERT expectations.
5. Revise important points and explanations for better retention.
6. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing answers together.
7. Practice writing answers in your own words after understanding them.
8. Follow the exact sequence of questions to stay aligned with the worksheet.
9. Use these solutions regularly during revision to strengthen preparation.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Always read the question carefully before answering.
2. Focus on key points from the chapter to write precise answers.
3. Avoid writing unnecessary details that are not relevant to the question.
4. Use proper sentence structure and clear language in answers.
5. Revise important terms and concepts from the chapter.
6. Practice descriptive answers to improve writing skills.
7. Pay attention to vocabulary and its correct usage.
8. For activities or discussions, focus on understanding the idea clearly.
9. Manage time effectively during exams to complete all questions.
10. Regular practice will help build confidence and accuracy.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
Understanding the text
I. Give reasons for the following statements.
1. The title "Silk Road" reflects the journey the author takes, following the historical trade routes of the Silk Road, which connected distant civilizations and played a significant role in the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.
2. Tibetan mastiffs were valued for their strength and courage, making them suitable for guarding purposes, especially in the imperial courts where they were used as hunting dogs, highly revered and brought to China along the Silk Road as tribute.
3. While previous travelers were moved by the sanctity and beauty of Lake Manasarovar, the author's experience in Hor was disappointing, marked by dust, refuse, and an unpleasant environment, unlike the reverential experiences of others.
4. The author felt let down by Darchen as the town appeared dusty and derelict. Despite being a key stop for pilgrims, it lacked the expected vibrancy of the pilgrimage season, making it a less than ideal place.
5. Initially struggling with feelings of isolation and difficulty, the author found some relief in meeting Norbu, who, despite his own challenges, offered companionship and a potential partner for the journey, reflecting the positive impact of the author’s optimism.
II. Briefly comment on
1. The author’s journey to Mount Kailash was driven by a spiritual quest to complete the kora, a sacred pilgrimage, and to immerse himself in the traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism.
2. In Darchen, the author faced health issues, including difficulty breathing due to altitude sickness. His physical condition was worsened by sleepless nights and the harsh environment, causing him concern for his ability to continue the pilgrimage.
3. The author’s meeting with Norbu, a fellow Tibetan who worked in Beijing, provided a sense of relief. Despite not being a devout Buddhist, Norbu’s enthusiasm for the pilgrimage and shared sense of humor made him a suitable companion for the journey.
4. Tsetan was supportive throughout the journey, offering assistance during difficult situations, such as negotiating rough terrains, ensuring the author's comfort, and even seeking medical help when the author’s health declined.
5. This statement humorously reflects Tsetan’s Buddhist perspective on life and death, where he believed that death was inevitable, but from a practical viewpoint, it would be undesirable for his business to lose a customer, emphasizing his pragmatic outlook.
Talking about the text
Discuss in groups of four
1. The hill-folk in the narrative are depicted as being hospitable and respectful, displaying a unique sensitivity in their interactions, such as the way they provide shelter, show concern for the author’s well-being, and even engage with him without any expectation of return.
2. People undergo difficult journeys due to spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons. For many, like the author, these journeys represent a deeper connection to religion, tradition, or self-discovery, and they are willing to endure physical hardships to fulfill these goals.
3. The Silk Road is often romanticized in legends, presenting an image of a mystical and serene journey. However, the reality is much harsher, as seen in the author's experience of dust, cold, and difficult terrain, contrasting sharply with the idealized versions in tales and folklore.
Thinking about language
1. Tsetan's English is simple and functional, likely learned through practical interaction with tourists along his route. His English reflects the necessity of communication rather than formal study, which is why it is more conversational and direct.
2. (i) “I told her, through Daniel …”
This suggests that the author is using a mediator (Daniel) to communicate with Lhamo, indicating a language barrier or cultural distance.
(ii) “It’s a cold,” he said finally through Tsetan.
This reflects the use of an intermediary in communication, where Tsetan acts as the translator between the author and the Tibetan doctor, highlighting a cultural and linguistic gap.
3. kora: A pilgrimage circuit around a sacred site, particularly Mount Kailash.
drokba: A Tibetan term for nomadic herders.
kyang: A wild ass, typically found in Tibet, mentioned when referring to the herd seen during the journey.
These words are found in Tibetan.
Working with words
1. "A flawless half-moon floated in a perfect blue sky."
Other picturesque phrases from the text include:
"Extended banks of cloud like long French loaves glowing pink."
"The sun emerged to splash the distant mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush."
2. (i) shaggy monsters: The adjective "shaggy" emphasizes the rough, untamed appearance of the Tibetan mastiffs, highlighting their wild and formidable look.
(ii) brackish lakes: "Brackish" refers to water that is a mix of fresh and saltwater, typically indicating the harsh and desolate nature of the environment.
(iii) rickety table: "Rickety" suggests that the table is unstable or fragile, emphasizing the worn-out conditions of the surroundings.
(iv) hairpin bend: "Hairpin" refers to a sharp, tight turn in the road, underscoring the difficulty of the terrain.
(v) rudimentary general stores: "Rudimentary" implies that the stores are basic, lacking in amenities, and serve only essential needs.
Noticing form
1. The use of active voice throughout the narrative makes the writing direct and engaging. It immerses the reader in the author’s journey, giving a sense of immediacy and action. The few instances of passive voice serve to highlight certain actions or states where the subject is less important than the action itself.
2. Tsetan was eager to help me navigate the rough terrain.
She was eager to complete the pilgrimage with me.
I was eager to witness the sunrise from the mountain top.
They were eager to share their local knowledge with us.
He was eager to show us the sacred sights of Tibet.
Things to do
Explanation:
Research the Tethys Ocean and its impact on geological formations as described in the text, further exploring how the collision of tectonic plates created the Himalayas and affected the region’s landscape.
Think it out
1. The poem expresses a universal experience of parental struggle, particularly the emotional distance and miscommunication between a father and his child. Although the speaker’s personal feelings are highlighted, the themes of generational gaps, misunderstandings, and the longing for reconciliation resonate with many parents and children, making it a common and relatable experience.
2. The father's helplessness is expressed through his inability to connect with or understand his child, despite living together for many years. Phrases like "We speak like strangers" and "Yet have I killed the seed I spent" reflect his frustration and sorrow. He is trying to rebuild a relationship but feels powerless in his efforts, as his attempts at communication fall short, and he can’t share the things his son loves. His helplessness is also evident in the line "I cannot understand myself," which suggests confusion and an inability to bridge the gap.
3. Several phrases in the poem highlight the emotional distance between father and son:
"We speak like strangers, there’s no sign of understanding in the air."
"This child is built to my design / Yet what he loves I cannot share."
"Silence surrounds us."
"I would have him prodigal, returning to / His father’s house, the home he knew."
"He speaks: I cannot understand / Myself, why anger grows from grief."
These lines emphasize emotional alienation, a lack of communication, and the father's feeling of disconnect from his son.
4. Yes, the poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme is primarily ABAB in most stanzas, with alternating rhymes that reflect the poem's formal structure and the father’s attempt at order amidst the emotional turmoil. However, in some sections, particularly where the speaker expresses deeper emotional distress, the rhyme scheme becomes less rigid, adding to the sense of dissonance in their relationship.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students prepare effectively for exams by providing clear and accurate answers. They improve understanding of concepts, guide students on the correct way to write answers, and build confidence. Regular practice with these solutions ensures better performance and stronger subject knowledge.
Help your child master Class 11 English concepts with expert guidance and structured practice.