CBSE Class 10 English First Flight NCERT Solutions: Glimpses of India

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'Glimpses of India,' from CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight) delves into the rich cultural heritage of Goa, focusing on the significance of bread and the traditional bakers. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to questions about the nostalgic memories of elders, the enduring popularity of bread-making, the baker's attire, and the communal role of bread in Goan society. Through these solutions, students will explore the historical context of Portuguese influence, the daily life of bakers, and the symbolic meaning of their plump appearance. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the chapter, understand the cultural context, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	First Flight
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	7. Glimpses of India

Chapter summary

Chapter 7, 'Glimpses of India,' in CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight) focuses on the cultural landscape of Goa, particularly its unique bread-making traditions. The NCERT Solutions cover oral comprehension checks and textual questions related to the nostalgic recollections of Portuguese times, the baker's role, their distinctive attire, and the communal importance of bread for various occasions. The solutions explain the historical context and the enduring legacy of this culinary practice in Goan society.

Learning outcomes

Understand the cultural significance of bread in Goa.
Identify the role and attire of traditional Goan bakers (pader).
Recall the historical context of Portuguese influence on Goan traditions.
Explain the meaning of a 'jackfruit-like appearance' in relation to bakers.
Analyze the importance of bread for various social events in Goa.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Goan bread culture
Traditional bakers (pader)
Portuguese influence in Goa
Baker's attire
Daily life of bakers
Symbolism of baker's physique
Bread for celebrations
Nostalgia for old times

Important topics

The role of the baker in Goan society
Historical context of Portuguese bread
Significance of bread for occasions
The baker's traditional attire
Meaning of 'jackfruit-like appearance'

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check 1

1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

Solution: The elders in Goa feel a sense of longing and fond remembrance for the bygone Portuguese era. They specifically recall the presence of the Portuguese people and their distinctive, famous loaves of bread, which were a significant part of daily life and culture during that period.

Oral Comprehension Check 2

2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Solution: Yes, bread-making continues to be a relevant and practiced tradition in Goa. Evidence for this includes the continued existence of the old, time-tested furnaces, which are still functional and sometimes even burning. Furthermore, the presence of traditional moulders, bread mixers, and bakers in Goan society indicates that the craft is very much alive.

Oral Comprehension Check 3

1. What is the baker called?

Solution: In Goa, the traditional baker is referred to by a specific name: pader.

Oral Comprehension Check 4

4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?

Solution: The baker had a very structured daily routine, visiting the villages twice each day. He would first come in the morning with his large basket full of freshly baked goods for sale. He would return later in the day after his basket was empty. The children were particularly excited to see him not just for the regular loaves of bread, but more so because they eagerly awaited the special, sweet bread-bangles that he sometimes offered, which were a delightful treat.

Oral Comprehension Check 5

1. Match the following. What is a must

as marriage gifts?
for a party or a feast?
for a daughter's engagement?
for Christmas?

bread

Solution: The provided text implies that bread was considered essential for various significant occasions in Goan culture:

As marriage gifts: Bread was likely a customary or symbolic offering.
For a party or a feast: Bread would have been a staple food item.
For a daughter's engagement: It signifies a celebratory and important family event where bread would be present.
For Christmas: Bread is a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in many cultures, including Goa.

Oral Comprehension Check 6

2. What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) when the author was young?

Solution: The attire of the bakers varied depending on the time period:

(i) In the Portuguese days: Bakers wore a distinctive, peculiar dress called the kabai. This garment was a single piece, resembling a long frock, and it extended down to their knees.
(ii) When the author was young: During the author's childhood, the bakers were seen wearing a more common outfit consisting of a shirt and trousers. These trousers were not full-length but were shorter, ending somewhere between the knee and the ankle, and longer than typical half-pants.

Oral Comprehension Check 7

3. Who invites the comment – "he is dressed like a pader"? Why?

Solution: The comment "he is dressed like a pader" is made about anyone who wears a particular style of half-pants. Specifically, it refers to someone whose half-pants reach just below the knees. This comparison is drawn because the traditional bakers, known as pader, were known to wear such knee-length shorts as part of their uniform.

Oral Comprehension Check 8

4. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?

Solution: The monthly accounts related to the baker's business were not kept in formal ledgers. Instead, they were recorded in a rather informal manner, typically inscribed on one of the walls of their premises, using a pencil.

Oral Comprehension Check 9

5. What does a 'jackfruit-like appearance' mean?

Solution: A 'jackfruit-like appearance' refers to a person having a plump, well-rounded, and healthy physique. This description was associated with the bakers because their profession was evidently prosperous. The text suggests that bakers, along with their families and servants, were always well-fed and never experienced starvation, leading them to maintain a happy, prosperous, and consequently, a plump or 'jackfruit-like' build.

Oral Comprehension Check 10

1. Which of these statements are correct?

The pader was an important person in the village in old times.

Solution: The statement "The pader was an important person in the village in old times" is correct. The text implies the baker's importance through various details, such as their twice-daily visits, the children's eagerness to see them, the communal role of bread in celebrations, and the general prosperity associated with the profession, all of which point to the baker being a significant figure in the village community.

Common mistakes

Confusing the baker's attire in different time periods.
Misinterpreting the reasons why children were eager to meet the baker.
Not fully understanding the symbolic meaning of the baker's physique.

Revision tips

Focus on the historical context of Portuguese rule and its impact on Goan culture.
Pay close attention to the descriptions of the baker's daily routine and attire.
Understand the symbolic meanings associated with bread and the baker's appearance.
Review the specific occasions where bread plays a vital role in Goan celebrations.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What were the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

Q2. What is the traditional Goan term for a baker?

Q3. Why did children eagerly wait for the baker?

Q4. What peculiar dress did bakers wear during Portuguese days?

Q5. What does a 'jackfruit-like appearance' signify for a baker?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the 'Glimpses of India' chapter?

The main theme revolves around the cultural heritage of Goa, specifically focusing on its unique bread-making traditions and the significant role of bakers in society.

Who is a 'pader' in the context of the chapter?

A 'pader' is the traditional Goan term for a baker, who played an essential role in the community by providing bread.

Why are the elders in Goa nostalgic about the Portuguese days?

They are nostalgic about the Portuguese days because of the presence of Portuguese culture and their famous loaves of bread, which are no longer as common.

What does the chapter suggest about the profitability of baking in Goa?

The chapter suggests that baking was a very profitable profession, as indicated by the bakers' plump, 'jackfruit-like appearance,' implying they and their families never starved.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the chapter's content, cultural nuances, and historical context, which is crucial for exam preparation.

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