CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill NCERT Solutions: Silk Road

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 8, 'Silk Road', NCERT Solutions, offers a comprehensive exploration of this ancient trade route and its historical significance. The chapter details the author's personal pilgrimage across the Tibetan plateau towards Mount Kailash, providing a vivid account of the journey. It contrasts the raw, often harsh realities of places like Hor and Darchen with romanticized perceptions, highlighting the author's encounters with local culture and the formidable challenges of the terrain. The solutions aim to deepen students' understanding of the text's historical and geographical context, key events, and descriptive passages, aiding in effective revision and examination preparation.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectEnglish Hornbill
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 8

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill, Chapter 8, 'Silk Road', focuses on understanding the text and its underlying themes. It examines the historical importance of the Silk Road trade routes and contrasts the author's personal travel experiences in Tibet, particularly around Lake Manasarovar and Darchen, with historical descriptions. The solutions clarify details about Tibetan mastiffs and the author's challenging journey, aiding comprehension of the narrative and its descriptive elements.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical significance of the Silk Road.
  • Analyze the author's personal experiences and observations during the journey.
  • Compare and contrast different accounts of places mentioned in the text.
  • Identify the descriptive elements used to portray the Tibetan landscape and culture.
  • Explain the challenges faced by the author during the travel.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Silk Road trade network
  • Author's journey to Mount Kailash
  • Experiences in Tibet
  • Description of Hor and Lake Manasarovar
  • Tibetan mastiffs
  • Challenges of travel in high altitudes
  • Personal health issues during travel
  • Comparison of historical and modern accounts
  • Understanding descriptive language in literature

Important topics

  • Author's personal journey and experiences
  • Historical context of the Silk Road
  • Contrast between romanticized and actual accounts
  • Descriptive elements of the landscape and culture
  • Challenges faced during the journey

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1(1)

The article has been titled 'Silk Road.'
Solution: The title 'Silk Road' refers to the historic network of trade routes that connected the Afro-Eurasian landmass. This network was crucial for the exchange of goods such as Chinese silk, spices, and porcelain, Indian textiles and precious stones, and Roman gold and silver. The route gained its name primarily due to the significant trade in silk originating from China. In this chapter, the author undertakes a journey to Mount Kailash, traversing the Himalayan region in Tibet. As the author explores this significant geographical and historical area, the chapter is aptly titled 'Silk Road' to reflect this context.

Question 1(2)

Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China's imperial courts.
Solution: Tibetan mastiffs are described as large dogs with imposing heads and a fierce gaze that fixates on strangers. Upon sensing an approach, they react instantly, moving with incredible speed, often likened to a bullet from a gun. They are typically adorned with bright red collars, which accentuates their intimidating dark black appearance. These dogs bark ferociously, displaying their powerful jaws. They exhibit no fear towards any creature and will immediately pursue any approaching stranger, continuing the chase for at least a hundred meters. Given these formidable characteristics—their fearlessness, speed, and intimidating presence—it is understandable why these ferocious Tibetan mastiffs became popular in China's imperial courts, valued for their capabilities as guard dogs and hunting companions.

Question 1(3)

The author's experience at Hor was in stark contrast to earlier accounts of the place.
Solution: The author's experience at Hor presented a stark contrast to previous descriptions. Hor is depicted as a grim and miserable location, characterized by an abundance of dust and rocks, with very little vegetation. The place appeared unfortunate and desolate, despite its setting on the shores of the sacred Lake Manasarovar. The author was astonished to find such a difference between his own experience and the accounts he had read. For instance, a Japanese monk named Ekai Kawaguchi, who visited in 1990, was so profoundly affected by the sanctity of the lake that he wept. Similarly, Sven Hedin, a Swede not known for sentimentality, had a similar emotional response to the hallowed waters. In contrast, upon reaching Hor, the author first had to deal with two flat tires on his vehicle. The only respite was the tea served at the town's sole café, a structure made of poorly painted concrete with three broken windows. However, the beautiful view of the lake visible through one of these windows offered some compensation for the otherwise bleak surroundings.

Question 1(4)

The author was disappointed with Darchen.
Solution: Upon arriving in Darchen after dark, the author and Tsetan checked into a guest house, which unfortunately led to another uncomfortable night. The author was significantly inconvenienced by a blocked nostril, which made breathing difficult. Despite attempting to adapt to breathing through only one nostril, he found it insufficient for adequate oxygen intake. Feeling exhausted, he resorted to breathing through his mouth. This led to chest discomfort and a sinus attack, causing him to sit up throughout the night. The following day, after visiting the local medical college, the author felt somewhat relieved. The medicines prescribed by the doctor proved helpful, and he was able to enjoy a sound sleep that night, indicating that his initial difficulties were temporary and treatable.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the historical Silk Road with the author's modern journey.
  • Overlooking the contrast between romanticized accounts and the author's reality.
  • Misinterpreting the descriptions of places and people.
  • Failing to connect the title 'Silk Road' to the author's travel narrative.

Revision tips

  • Read the chapter thoroughly to understand the narrative flow.
  • Focus on the author's personal experiences and how they are described.
  • Pay attention to the comparisons made between past and present accounts of places.
  • Note down key descriptions of the landscape, culture, and animals.
  • Use these solutions to clarify any doubts about the text's content.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason for naming the article 'Silk Road'?

Q2. What characteristic of Tibetan mastiffs made them popular in China's imperial courts?

Q3. How did the author's experience at Hor differ from that of Ekai Kawaguchi?

Q4. What health issue did the author experience in Darchen?

Q5. What was the author's initial impression of Hor?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the 'Silk Road' chapter in Class 11 English Hornbill?

The main theme revolves around the author's personal journey through the Tibetan plateau, exploring the historical significance of the Silk Road and contrasting romanticized historical accounts with the stark realities of the places visited.

Why is the chapter titled 'Silk Road' if it focuses on the author's personal travel?

The chapter is titled 'Silk Road' because the author's journey takes place in a region historically connected by the ancient Silk Road network, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange across Afro-Eurasia.

How do the NCERT Solutions for 'Silk Road' help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand the text, its historical context, the author's experiences, and the descriptive elements used, aiding in exam preparation.

What kind of challenges did the author face during the journey described in the chapter?

The author faced several challenges, including a blocked nostril leading to breathing difficulties and a sinus attack, as well as dealing with the harsh, desolate conditions of places like Hor and Darchen.

What is the significance of the description of Tibetan mastiffs?

The description highlights their ferocious appearance and hunting instincts, explaining their historical popularity in China's imperial courts as hunting dogs and adding a vivid detail to the narrative of the region.

Important links

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