III. Tea from Assam

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Thinking about Language

I.1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).
Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult
a dictionary.

(i) A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii) My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
(iv) The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to throw over the Government. (throw)
(ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major break-through in cancer research. (break)
(iii) The State Government plans to build a pass-over for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
(iv) Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
(v) Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast)

II. 1. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above.

(i) a good detective serial on television? → interesting, thrilling
(ii) a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? → exciting, stimulating
(iii) how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? → bored, frustrated
(iv) how you feel when you open a present? → excited, thrilled, surprised
(v) how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? → interested, absorbed
(vi) the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? → worried, concerned
(vii) how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? → thrilled, captivated
(viii) the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? → fascinating, moving, captivating

2. Now use the adjectives in the exercise above, as appropriate, to write a paragraph about Coorg.

Answer:
The journey to Coorg was an exciting idea. It was a beautiful place with many fascinating things to see. The trekking trails were thrilling, and the panoramic views of the hills were captivating. Watching the wild animals was an unforgettable experience. The weather was perfect for a trip, and I was so interested in the local culture that I was never bored.

Speaking and Writing

1. Read the following passage about tea.
India and tea are so intertwined together that life without the brew is unimaginable. Tea entered our life only in the mid-nineteenth century when the British started plantations in Assam and Darjeeling! In the beginning though, Indians shunned the drink as they thought it was a poison that led to umpteen diseases. Ironically, tea colonised Britain where it became a part of their social diary and also led to the establishment of numerous tea houses. Today, scientific research across the world has attempted to establish the beneficial qualities of tea — a fact the Japanese and the Chinese knew anyway from ancient times, attributing to it numerous medicinal
properties.
[Source: ‘History: Tea Anytime’ by Ranjit Biswas from
Literary Review, The Hindu, 1 October 2006]
Collect information about tea, e.g. its evolution as a drink, its beneficial
qualities. You can consult an encyclopedia or visit Internet websites. Then
form groups of five and play the following roles: Imagine a meeting of a tea
planter, a sales agent, a tea lover (consumer), a physician and a tea-shop
owner. Each person in the group has to put forward his/her views about
tea. You may use the following words and phrases.
• I feel …
• I disagree with you …
• I would like you to know …
• It is my feeling …
• May I know why you …
• It is important to know …
• I think that tea …
• I agree with …
• I suggest …
• I am afraid …

*2. You are the sales executive of a famous tea company and you have been asked to draft an advertisement for the product. Draft the advertisement using the information you collected for the role play. You can draw pictures or add photographs and make your advertisement colourful.

Answer:

[Image: A beautiful shot of a person smiling and holding a steaming cup of tea in a lush green tea garden]

🌿 Discover a World of Flavour with [Your Tea Brand] 🌿

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[Your Tea Brand] is more than just a beverage; it’s an experience. Our tea is sourced from the finest gardens, where every leaf is hand-picked to ensure the highest quality and taste. The invigorating aroma and rich flavour will transport you to a state of calm and clarity.

Scientists have long known about the beneficial qualities of tea, and now you can enjoy them in every single cup. It’s a healthy, delicious brew that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

☕ Choose [Your Tea Brand] – because your day deserves a perfect start.