Understanding the text

I. Give reasons for the following statements.

1. The article has been titled ‘Silk Road.’
Answer: The title is fitting because the author’s journey follows a modern route that is a part of the ancient Silk Road trade network. It’s a nod to the historical and cultural significance of the path he is traveling.

2. Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts.
Answer: The dogs were popular because they are incredibly fearless and ferocious. They were brought as a tribute from Tibet and were used as hunting dogs, prized for their strength and loyalty.

3. The author’s experience at Hor was in stark contrast to earlier accounts of the place.
Answer: Earlier accounts by travellers like the Japanese monk Ekai Kawaguchi described the lake at Hor as so sacred that it moved them to tears. The author, however, found Hor to be a “grim, miserable place” full of dust, rocks, and rubbish, a harsh reality compared to the mythical descriptions.

4. The author was disappointed with Darchen.
Answer: He was disappointed because the town was still dusty and derelict, but more importantly, he found that there were no other pilgrims to join him. He had hoped to do the pilgrimage with a group, and he felt stranded and alone.

5. The author thought that his positive thinking strategy worked well after all.
Answer: He had been trying to stay positive despite all the challenges, and his luck seemed to change when he met Norbu. Norbu was also an academic, wanted to do the kora, and was looking for a partner, which was exactly what the author needed.

II. Briefly comment on

1. The purpose of the author’s journey to Mount Kailash.
Answer: The purpose was to complete the kora, the sacred pilgrimage around Mount Kailash, which is a significant rite for Buddhists and Hindus.

2. The author’s physical condition in Darchen.
Answer: He was in bad physical condition. He had a severe cold, and due to the altitude, he couldn’t breathe properly when he tried to lie down. He felt a strange heaviness in his chest and had to stay awake all night out of fear.

3. The author’s meeting with Norbu.
Answer: His meeting with Norbu was a huge relief! He was feeling very lonely and isolated, and Norbu, a fellow academic who spoke English and also wanted to do the kora, was the perfect companion. Their shared sense of humor and academic background instantly bonded them.

4. Tsetan’s support to the author during the journey.
Answer: Tsetan was an excellent guide. He was knowledgeable about the route, handled the difficult terrain, and was supportive and reassuring to the author. He was a perfect companion who was always there to help, like when the author’s car was stuck in the snow.

5. “As a Buddhist, he told me, he knew that it didn’t really matter if I passed away, but he thought it would be bad for business.”
Answer: This is a funny but also very insightful comment. As a Buddhist, Tsetan believes in reincarnation, so from a spiritual perspective, the author’s death would just be a transition. However, from a practical, worldly perspective, it would be terrible for his business as a guide. It shows a wonderful blend of spiritual belief and grounded reality.

Talking about the text

1. The sensitive behaviour of hill-folk.
Answer: The people the author encountered, like Lhamo giving him a coat and Tsetan’s kind support, showed how hospitable and caring the hill-folk are. They live in a harsh environment, but they are compassionate and helpful to travellers.

2. The reasons why people willingly undergo the travails of difficult journeys.
Answer: People take on difficult journeys for many reasons. For some, it’s a spiritual pilgrimage like the kora, a test of faith and endurance. For others, it’s about adventure, pushing their physical and mental limits, and experiencing the world in a profound way.

3. The accounts of exotic places in legends and the reality.
Answer: The author’s experience shows that the reality of a place can be very different from its legendary status. A place that is described as sacred and beautiful in ancient texts might be a grim, dusty town in reality. It shows that legends can often romanticize the truth.

Thinking about language

1. Notice the kind of English Tsetan uses while talking to the author. How do you think he picked it up?
Answer: Tsetan uses a kind of broken, simplified English. He likely picked it up from interacting with tourists and travellers, as he is a guide. He knows enough to communicate and be helpful, but not enough to be perfectly fluent.

2. What do the following utterances indicate?

(i) “I told her, through Daniel …”
Answer: This indicates that the author and Lhamo couldn’t communicate directly because they didn’t share a common language. Daniel was a translator, a bridge between them.

(ii) “It’s a cold,” he said finally through Tsetan.
Answer: This shows that the Tibetan doctor and the author couldn’t understand each other. Tsetan acted as the translator, allowing the doctor to diagnose the author’s condition.

3. Guess the meaning of the following words.

Kora – A pilgrimage or ritual walk, often around a sacred site like a mountain.
Drokba – Nomads or herders.
Kyang – Wild ass.

These words are from the Tibetan language.

Working with words

1. The narrative has many phrases to describe the scenic beauty of the mountainside like:
“A flawless half-moon floated in a perfect blue sky.”
Scan the text to locate other such picturesque phrases.

Answer:

• “Extended banks of cloud like long French loaves glowed pink”
• “The sun emerged to splash the distant mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush.”
• “A far-off pall of dust.”
• “The wind had stopped. The winter air lay cold and still, like death itself.”
• “A huge, snow-capped mountain, Gurla Mandhata, with just a wisp of cloud suspended over its summit.”

2. Explain the use of the adjectives in the following phrases.

(i) shaggy monsters – The mastiffs are described as “shaggy” to emphasize their thick fur, and “monsters” to highlight their frightening size and ferocious nature.

(ii) brackish lakes – “Brackish” is used to describe the lakes with a mixture of fresh and saltwater, which is a key characteristic of the plateau’s landscape.

(iii) rickety table – “Rickety” is used to show that the table was unstable and poorly made, conveying the unappealing condition of the cafe.

(iv) hairpin bend – “Hairpin” is used to describe a sharp, U-shaped bend in the road, which is a common feature on mountain passes.

(v) rudimentary general stores – “Rudimentary” shows that the stores were basic and simple, with only essential provisions, reflecting the remote and isolated nature of the town.

Noticing form

1. The account has only a few passive voice sentences. Locate them. In what way does the use of active voice contribute to the style of the narrative.
Answer: The use of the active voice gives the narrative a fast-paced, direct, and dynamic feel. It puts the focus on the author’s actions and experiences, making the reader feel more directly involved in the adventure. It creates a sense of immediacy and excitement.

2. Notice this construction: Tsetan was eager to have them fixed.
Write five sentences with a similar structure.

Answer:

• She was happy to have the car washed.
• He was desperate to have the roof repaired.
• We are planning to have our photos developed.
• I am going to have my hair cut this weekend.
• The team was excited to have the new jerseys made.