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NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 6: Silk Road Solutions: Silk Road is a travel story written by Nick Middleton. It is part of the Class 11 English Hornbill book. In this chapter, the author shares his journey through the mountains of Tibet to reach Mount Kailash. He talks about the people he met, the challenges he faced, and the beauty of the place. This chapter also shows how difficult journeys can teach us patience and strength.
To help students understand these vital ideas, we have provided clear and well-structured solutions to all the textbook exercises. The answers are written in easy language to support better understanding and exam preparation.
Table of Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Hornbill
Exercises:
Understanding the Text
I. Give reasons for the following statements:
- The article has been titled ‘Silk Road.’
- Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts.
- The author’s experience at Hor was in stark contrast to earlier accounts of the place.
- The author was disappointed with Darchen.
- The author thought that his positive thinking strategy worked well after all.
II. Briefly comment on:
- The purpose of the author’s journey to Mount Kailash.
- The author’s physical condition in Darchen.
- The author’s meeting with Norbu.
- Tsetan’s support to the author during the journey.
- “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.”
Solutions:
I. Give reasons for the following statements:
- The article has been titled ‘Silk Road’ because it captures the author’s journey through the ancient trade route connecting China and the West. The journey mirrors the historical path, rich in culture, religion, and human connection.
- Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts due to their impressive size, loyalty, and fierce nature. They symbolised strength and were considered ideal guards, especially for nobility.
- The author’s experience at Hor was dull and unremarkable, unlike earlier travellers who described it as a beautiful and peaceful place. He found Hor grimy, dusty, and uninspiring, which was a letdown.
- The author was disappointed with Darchen because he expected it to be a vibrant town full of pilgrims. Instead, he found it mostly empty, under construction, and lacking the spiritual energy he had anticipated.
- The author thought his positive thinking strategy worked well after all because despite his illness and weak physical condition, he eventually met Norbu—a fellow scholar interested in the kora—making the journey meaningful.
II. Briefly comment on:
- The author travelled to Mount Kailash for both spiritual and academic reasons. As a scholar of ancient Asian culture and belief systems, he wanted to experience the holy kora and deepen his understanding of Tibetan traditions.
- In Darchen, the author’s physical condition was poor. He suffered from cold, breathlessness, and exhaustion due to the high altitude, and had to rest at the guesthouse with medical help from a nurse.
- The author’s meeting with Norbu was significant as it gave him hope. Norbu, like the author, was there for academic purposes, and their shared interest in the kora helped build a bond that made the journey worthwhile.
- Tsetan, the driver, played a crucial role in ensuring the author’s safety. He drove carefully, offered medical help, found accommodation, and gave practical advice, showing dedication beyond professional duty.
- The statement reflects a mix of spiritual belief and practical concern. Tsetan believed in Buddhist philosophy where life and death are transient, but he also understood that a tourist dying on the journey would affect his job and reputation.
Talking about the Text
Discuss in groups of four:
- The sensitive behaviour of hill-folk.
- The reasons why people willingly undergo the travails of difficult journeys.
- The accounts of exotic places in legends and reality.
Solutions:
- Hill-folk are usually warm-hearted, humble, and caring. In the story, characters like Tsetan and the hospital staff showed genuine concern for the author’s health. Their helpful attitude reflects the natural hospitality of people in remote regions.
- People take difficult journeys to test themselves, find spiritual peace, or explore unique cultures. Despite the hardships, the inner satisfaction and transformation gained through such experiences attract travellers like the author.
- Legends often describe places as magical, but real experiences may differ. For example, the author found Hor unimpressive despite its fame in earlier travelogues. This contrast shows the gap between romanticised accounts and harsh realities.
Thinking about Language
- Notice the kind of English Tsetan uses while talking to the author. How do you think he picked it up?
- What do the following utterances indicate?
(i) “I told her, through Daniel …”
(ii) “It’s a cold,” he said finally through Tsetan. - Guess the meaning of the following words:
- kora
- drokba
- Kyang
- kora
In which language are these words found?
Solutions:
- Tsetan’s English was basic but functional. He likely learned it by interacting with tourists, through observation, or from minimal formal education. His speech reflects practical, on-the-job learning rather than textbook knowledge.
- (i) “I told her, through Daniel …” – Daniel acted as an interpreter between the author and the woman, showing the need for translation.
(ii) “It’s a cold,” he said finally through Tsetan – This indicates that the speaker did not know English, so he conveyed his message through Tsetan, who translated it to the author. - Meaning of the following words are:
- kora – A pilgrimage or ritual walk around a sacred place.
- drokba – Nomadic shepherds living in the highlands.
- kyang – Wild Tibetan ass, native to the region.
- kora – A pilgrimage or ritual walk around a sacred place.
These words come from the Tibetan language.
Working with Words
- 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. - Explain the use of the adjectives in the following phrases:
(i) shaggy monsters
(ii) brackish lakes
(iii) rickety table
(iv) hairpin bend
(v) rudimentary general stores
Solutions:
- More picturesque phrases from the text:
- “The trail hugged its way around stony outcrops.”
- “The Himalayan brown was replaced by white.”
- “A huge canyon opened up.”
- “The river was wide and mostly clogged with ice.”
These descriptions enhance the visual beauty and immersive quality of the landscape.
- “The trail hugged its way around stony outcrops.”
- Adjective usage:
(i) shaggy monsters – Describes the large, hairy Tibetan mastiffs with a wild look.
(ii) brackish lakes – Refers to salty, undrinkable water bodies common in high-altitude deserts.
(iii) rickety table – An old, unstable table, showing the poor conditions in remote guesthouses.
(iv) hairpin bend – Sharp road curves, especially on mountain roads, indicating the driving challenges.
(v) rudimentary general stores – Very basic shops with limited supplies, common in remote villages.
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