Chapter- 3.1 The Plate of Gold
1. What did mothers often say to their restless sons during holidays?
Answer: Mothers often told their restless sons to go and fly a kite to keep themselves busy.
2. Why did the mother suggest kite-flying to her son?
Answer: The mother suggested kite-flying so that the boy could stay busy and enjoy his holidays.
3. What did the little boy do when his mother suggested flying a kite?
Answer: The little boy happily picked up his kite and ran out into the field to fly it.
4. How were the kites made in the past?
Answer: In the past, kites were made of kite paper and thin wooden frames.
5. What materials were used to make traditional kites?
Answer: Traditional kites were made using kite paper and light wooden sticks.
6. How have modern kites changed compared to the old ones?
Answer: Modern kites are made with advanced materials such as fibreglass and some are even motorised.
7. What does the phrase “come a long way” mean in the passage?
Answer: It means that kite-flying has progressed and developed greatly over time.
8. Where can kite-flyers be found today?
Answer: Today kite-flyers can be found in different parts of the world.
9. What do kite-flyers wait for before flying their kites?
Answer: Kite-flyers wait for the right winds before flying their kites.
10. What does the passage say about the history of kite-flying?
Answer: The passage says that kite-flying has a very long history.
11. What kinds of stories talk about humans wanting to fly?
Answer: Greek, Indian, and other mythological stories tell about humans wanting to fly.
12. What probably led to the invention of kites?
Answer: Human imagination and the desire to fly probably led to the invention of kites.
13. What are box-kites?
Answer: Box-kites are a special type of kite that were designed more than a hundred years ago.
14. How did box-kites influence modern inventions?
Answer: Box-kites inspired inventors to create power-driven aeroplanes.
15. Has the tradition of kite-flying changed in India?
Answer: No, the tradition of kite-flying in India has largely remained the same.
16. During which seasons or festivals do people fly kites in India?
Answer: People fly kites during the coming of spring (Basant) and the festival of Makar Sankranti.
17. Who participates in kite-flying during festivals?
Answer: People of all ages participate in kite-flying during these festivals.
18. Where do people fly kites in towns and cities?
Answer: In towns and cities, people fly kites from terraces and rooftops.
19. Why are terraces and rooftops used for kite-flying?
Answer: They are used because open spaces are difficult to find in towns and cities.
20. Which Indian state celebrates kite-flying in a special way?
Answer: The state of Gujarat celebrates kite-flying in a special way.
21. On which festival is kite-flying celebrated in Gujarat?
Answer: Kite-flying is celebrated during Makar Sankranti in Gujarat.
22. On which dates is Makar Sankranti usually celebrated?
Answer: Makar Sankranti is usually celebrated on January 13 or 14.
23. What do people do during the kite-flying festival in Gujarat?
Answer: People meet outdoors and try to cut each other’s kites while flying their own.
24. What festival coincides with the kite festival in Gujarat?
Answer: The kite festival coincides with Uttarayan.
25. What does Uttarayan mark according to tradition?
Answer: Uttarayan marks the time when the sun begins its journey toward the northern hemisphere.
26. How do people in Gujarat celebrate Uttarayan?
Answer: People celebrate it with great enthusiasm by flying kites and enjoying outdoor gatherings.
27. What happens to businesses during the kite festival in Gujarat?
Answer: Most businesses come to a halt for a couple of days.
28. What season does the festival celebrate the end of?
Answer: The festival celebrates the end of winter.
29. When does kite-flying begin on the festival day?
Answer: Kite-flying begins at dawn.
30. How long does kite-flying continue on the festival day?
Answer: Kite-flying continues throughout the day without a pause.
