AHSEC (ASSEB) Class 11 English Hornbill – Chapter 13 Solutions –My Impressions of Assam | Assam Eduverse
Chapter Overview:
Assam Eduverse presents the summary and solutions of Class 11 English (AHSEC/ASSEB) – Hornbill, Chapter 13: My Impressions of Assam by Verrier Elwin. This chapter from the Class 11 Hornbill textbook is an insightful reflection on the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and traditions of Assam, making it important for exam preparation with both summary and textbook question solutions.
In My Impressions of Assam, the noted anthropologist Verrier Elwin expresses his admiration for the landscapes, people, and culture of Assam. He praises the courtesy and warmth of the Assamese people, their folk art, music, and handicrafts, and emphasizes the importance of valuing such cultural treasures. He also draws attention to the wildlife sanctuaries of Assam, comparing them with those in Africa, and urges for stronger conservation efforts to protect the state’s rich biodiversity.
At the same time, Elwin warns against the dangers of Westernization and false modern progress that may erode Assam’s cultural identity. He encourages the people to safeguard their unique traditions and heritage, ensuring that modernization does not come at the cost of their roots and identity. Chapter 13: My Impressions of Assam inspires Class 11 students (AHSEC/ASSEB) to respect their culture, appreciate their environment, and prepare effectively with both summary and solutions for the Hornbill textbook.
AHSEC (ASSEB) Class 11 English Hornbill – Chapter 13: My Impressions of Assam Solutions & Question Answers
📖 Summary of My Impressions of Assam
Chapter 13 – Class 11 Hornbill
This talk by Verrier Elwin, a noted anthropologist, expresses his deep admiration for the land, people, and culture of Assam. He praises the state’s natural beauty, its wildlife sanctuaries, and its rich folk art, music, and handicrafts. Elwin highlights the warmth and courtesy of the Assamese people, describing them as kind, friendly, and respectful.
He draws a comparison between the wildlife of Assam and that of Africa, noting the unique charm of Assam’s forests and animals. At the same time, he stresses the need for stronger conservation efforts to protect these treasures from human neglect and exploitation.
Elwin also reflects on the importance of preserving the state’s cultural identity. He warns against the dangers of blindly imitating the West or pursuing a false sense of modern progress that may erode Assam’s traditions. Instead, he urges the people to cherish and preserve their unique heritage while moving forward with balanced growth.
Conclusion: Chapter 13 highlights the importance of cultural preservation, natural beauty, and responsible development, making it a valuable reflection on the essence of Assam.
— From the book Hornbill
Understanding the text
Q1. What does Verrier Elwin say about the tradition of courtesy and hospitality?
Answer: Verrier Elwin states that the tradition of courtesy and hospitality in the world today is “unhappily a rare thing”. He feels that the modern world, dominated by rivalry, competition, and hurry, has lost this virtue. He was deeply impressed and “intoxicated” by the grace, charm, and kindness of the ordinary Assamese people and the hill folk, which he found to be a beautiful and cherished tradition.
Q2. What difference does Verrier Elwin draw between the Game Sanctuaries in Assam and East Africa?
Answer: Verrier Elwin notes that in the game sanctuaries he visited in East Africa, the animals were so tame that they did not fear human beings. In contrast, at Kaziranga in Assam, the animals flee in terror at the sight of man, which he attributes to poaching.
Q3. What appeal does the author make to the scholars of Assam concerning the wealth of Assamese folk songs and poems, and why does he make it?
Answer: He appeals to the scholars of Assam to urgently record and publish the folk songs and poems of the countryside because this priceless cultural heritage is disappearing as the younger generation loses interest.
Q4. What comment does he make about wood carving, its vigour and beauty, and how is his suggestion to keep the wood carving alive?
Answer: He says that the wood carving of tribes like the Konyaks and Angamis shows extraordinary vigour and beauty. He suggests that it should be taught and encouraged in educational centres so that it can survive.
Q5. What are the ‘two great treasures’ of Assam according to Verrier Elwin and what is his suggestion about the treasures?
Answer: The two treasures are the people and their cultural heritage, and the natural heritage of Assam. He suggests that the people should realise their value and protect them.
Talking about the text
Q1. Discuss the following statements in groups of four.
(i) The new generation seems to prefer jazz music from Hollywood and cowboy films to the traditional folk music of the countryside.
Answer: This shows a cultural shift where the younger generation is more attracted to Western music and films. This leads to a decline in interest in their own traditional folk music.
(ii) The schoolboy prefers a pencil to a chisel in the hands of the handsome.
Answer: This means the younger generation prefers modern education and jobs symbolised by the pencil instead of traditional crafts symbolised by the chisel.
(iii) Elwin says of the hill people: “Their life is simple and their minds are noble.”
Answer:
Elwin means that the hill people live simple lives and possess noble qualities such as grace, kindness, and courtesy.
Thinking about language
Q1. An interesting aspect of Verrier Elwin’s use of language is seen in his fondness for describing beauty and grace, charm, courtesy and nobility in the form of qualities, notice these expressions.
- extraordinary grace
- simple, uncalculating kindness
- tradition of courtesy and hospitality
- a rare thing
Answer: The author uses expressive combinations like “extraordinary grace” and “uncalculating kindness” to show the depth of the Assamese people’s virtues. These expressions make abstract qualities feel more real and powerful.
Q2. Locate the following sentences and rewrite them in simpler English.
(i) I was intoxicated, but the grace, charm and kindness of the ordinary people and the hill folk of Assam, and their tradition of courtesy and hospitality.
Answer: I was very delighted by the grace, charm, kindness, and courtesy of the ordinary people and hill folk of Assam.
(ii) I felt, I knew that in a quarter of a century, but I had known the country very little: yet, in Assam, within a couple of hours I saw a dozen rhinos.
Answer: I felt I had known the rest of India very little even after twenty-five years, but in Assam I saw a dozen rhinos within a couple of hours.
(iii) It is equally important to bring all the tribes of Assam, whether big or small, to realise their deep, religious duty to safeguard the animals living in the Game Sanctuaries.
Answer: It is important that all tribes of Assam understand their duty to protect the animals in the Game Sanctuaries.
Q3. These expressions bring the author closer to us. We feel as if he is talking to us directly.
Answer:
The use of first-person narration, emotional words, and conversational tone makes the author sound as if he is speaking directly to the reader.
Working with words
I. Given below are four different senses of the word ‘art’. Match the meanings to the phrases in the text.
Answer:
| Meaning | Phrase in Text |
|---|---|
| 1. a skill or faculty | 2. natural gift for the art of decoration |
| 2. a method of doing something | 1. to learn to make the necessary art of living |
| 3. a thing made beautiful or true | 4. Art, of course, is a big word |
| 4. fine skill in the making or doing of anything | 3. Art and poetry are also losing their old hold |
Q2. Explain the meaning of ‘intoxicated’ from the context.
Answer: Here “intoxicated” means overwhelmed or deeply delighted, not physically drunk. Elwin was captivated by the grace and kindness of the people.
Q3. Less formal equivalents
Answer:
| Word/Phrase (Formal) | Less Formal Equivalent (from text) |
|---|---|
| extraordinary grace | natural gift |
| a new generation | school-boys |
| Game Sanctuaries | Kaziranga |
| disappearing | losing their old hold |
Things to do
Answer: (These activities are to be completed by students; no written answer required.)
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