Parents often use SCERT Class 10 English Solutions Unit 4 Chapter 2 Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Questions and Answers Activities Notes Pdf to assist their kids with homework.
Class 10 English Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Question Answer Notes Kerala Syllabus
Std 10 English Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Question Answer
10th Class English Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Question Answer – Textual Questions And Answers
a. What is special about ornithology?
പക്ഷിശാസ്ത്രത്തിന്റെ പ്രത്യേകത എന്താണ്?
Answer:
Ornithology as a hobby or profession is full of adventures, rewards and disappointments. It is one of the most peaceful of pursuits and it has excitement and thrills.
ഒരു ഹോബി അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട ഒരു കാര്യം എന്ന നിലയിൽ പക്ഷിശാസ്ത്രം സാഹ സികത, പ്രതിഫലം, നിരാശ എന്നിവയാൽ നിറ ഞ്ഞതാണ്. ഇത് ഏറ്റവും സമാധാനപരമായ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്നാണ്, ഇതിന് ആവേ ശവും സന്തോഷവുമുണ്ട്.
b. Is there any difference between what we read in books about birds and their real life? Explain.
പക്ഷികളെക്കുറിച്ച് പുസ്തകങ്ങളിൽ വായി ക്കുന്നതും അവയുടെ യഥാർത്ഥ ജീവിതവും തമ്മിൽ എന്തെങ്കിലും വ്യത്യാസമുണ്ടോ? വിശദീകരിക്കുക.
Answer:
There are differences between what we read in books about birds and their real life. Salim Ali had grown up only on the traditional accounts of the nesting habits of birds. But while sitting hidden in a canvas hide, high up on a stepladder, a few yards away from the nests, he noticed some happenings which showed that in real life birds behaved differently and not as seen in the textbooks.
പക്ഷികളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള പുസ്തകങ്ങളിൽ വായി ക്കുന്നതും അവയുടെ യഥാർത്ഥ ജീവിതവും തമ്മിൽ വ്യത്യാസങ്ങളുണ്ട്. പക്ഷികളുടെ കൂടു കെട്ടൽ ശീലങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള പരമ്പരാഗത വിവരണങ്ങൾ വായിച്ചാണ് സലിം അലി വളർന്നത്. എന്നാൽ കൂടുകളിൽ നിന്ന് ഏതാനും യാർഡുകൾ അകലെ. ഒരു സ്റ്റെപ് ഏണിയിൽ ഉയരത്തിൽ ഒരു ക്യാൻവാസ് മറവിൽ ഒളിച്ചിരുന്ന് പക്ഷികളെ നിരീക്ഷിക്കു മ്പോൾ യഥാർത്ഥ ജീവിതത്തിൽ പക്ഷികൾ പാഠപുസ്തകങ്ങളിൽ കാണുന്നതുപോലെയല്ല. വ്യത്യസ്തമായിട്ടാണ് പെരുമാറുന്നതെന്നു കാണിക്കുന്ന ചില അസാധാരണ സംഭവങ്ങൾ അദ്ദേഹം ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു.
c. On what occasions can elephants be dangerous? Why?
ഏതൊക്കെ സന്ദർഭങ്ങളിൽ ആനകൾ അപ കടകാരികളാകാം? എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?
Answer:
Elephants can be dangerous if they are rogues or females with small calves.
It is a tusker, a male elephant, that leads the herd. He is often a rogue and he wants to show off his power. A female elephant becomes dangerous if she is with a calf as she wants to make sure that her calf is safe.
തെമ്മാടികളായ കൊമ്പനാനകളും ചെറിയ കുട്ടികളുള്ള പെൺ ആനകളും ആണെങ്കിൽ അവ അപകടകാരികളാകാം. കൂട്ടത്തെ നയിക്കു ന്നത് ഒരു ആൺ ആനയാണ്. അവൻ പല പ്പോഴും ഒരു തെമ്മാടിയാണ്. തന്റെ ശക്തി പ്രക ടിപ്പിക്കാൻ അവൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു. തന്റെ കുട്ടി സുരക്ഷിതമാണെന്ന് ഉറപ്പാക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കു ന്നതിനാൽ ഒരു പെൺ ആന തന്റെ കുട്ടിയോ ടൊപ്പം ആണെങ്കിൽ അപകടകാരിയാകുന്നു.
d. What was the impact of the construction of the Parambikulam dam?
പറമ്പിക്കുളം അണക്കെട്ടിന്റെ നിർമ്മാണ ത്തിന്റെ അനന്തരഫലങ്ങൾ എന്തായിരുന്നു
Answer:
The construction of the Parambikulam dam meant the dismantling of the romantic. Cochin Forest tramway. The huge dam and reservoir submerged Parambikulam and all the beautiful places around it.
പറമ്പിക്കുളം അണക്കെട്ടിന്റെ നിർമ്മാണം കാരണം കൊച്ചി ഫോറസ്റ്റ് ട്രാംവേ പൊളിച്ചു മാറ്റേണ്ടി വന്നു. വലിയ അണക്കെട്ടും ജലസം ഭരണിയും പറമ്പിക്കുളത്തെയും ചുറ്റുമുള്ള എല്ലാ മനോഹരമായ സ്ഥലങ്ങളെയും വെള്ള ത്തിൽ മുക്കി.
e. What was the sight the forest guard pointed to?
ഫോറസ്റ്റ് ഗാർഡ് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിച്ച് കാഴ്ച എന്തായിരുന്നു?
Answer:
The sight the forest guard pointed to was a tusker coming down the same path from the opposite direction.
ഫോറസ്റ്റ് ഗാർഡ് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിച്ച് കാഴ്ച എതിർദിശയിൽ നിന്ന് അതേ വഴിയിലൂടെ വരുന്ന ഒരു കൊമ്പനാനയായിരുന്നു.
f. How did Salim Ali react when he saw the tusker?
കൊമ്പനാനയെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ സലിം അലി എങ്ങനെ പ്രതികരിച്ചു
Answer:
When he saw the tusker, Salim turned to flee as fast as he could, motioning to Omar who was a bit behind him to do the same.
ആനയെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ സലിം അലി കഴിയുന്നത വേഗത്തിൽ ഓടിപ്പോകാനായി തിരിഞ്ഞു. തന്റെ പിന്നിലാ യി രുന്ന ഒമറിനോട് അങ്ങനെ ചെയ്യാൻ ഞാൻ ആംഗ്യം കാണിച്ചു.
g. Do animals always attack when they encounter human beings? Explain.
മനുഷ്യരെ നേരിടുമ്പോൾ മൃഗങ്ങൾ എപ്പോഴും ആക്രമിക്കുമോ? വിശദീകരിക്കുക.
Answer:
Animals do not always attack when they encounter human beings. They attack only if they feel threatened or if, in the case of animals like lions and tigers, they are hungry.
മനുഷ്യരെ നേരിടുമ്പോൾ മൃഗങ്ങൾ എപ്പോഴും ആക്രമിക്കാറില്ല. ഭീഷണി തോന്നിയാലോ സിംഹങ്ങൾ, കടുവകൾ തുടങ്ങിയ മൃഗങ്ങളുടെ കാര്യത്തിൽ ആണെങ്കിൽ വിശന്നാലോ മാത്രമേ അവ മനുഷ്യരെ ആക്രമിക്കൂ.
h. What made Salim Ali’s hair stand on end?
സലിം അലിയുടെ രോമങ്ങൾ എണീറ്റ് നിൽക്കാൻ കാരണമെന്താണ്?
Answer:
Salim Ali was standing on the edge of a mountain to watch a yellow-naped Yuhina. For a better view, he took a step back. He heard a pebble rolling down. When he looked back he realised that if he had gone backwards for 2 inches more he would have fallen into the abyss. This thought made his hair stand on end.
മഞ്ഞ നിറത്തിലുള്ള തലമുടിയുള്ള യൂഹിനയെ കാണാൻ സലിം അലി ഒരു മലയുടെ അരികിൽ നിൽക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. മികച്ച കാഴ്ചയ്ക്കായി, അയാൾ ഒരു പടി പിന്നോട്ട് മാറി. ഒരു കല്ല് താഴേക്ക് ഉരുളുന്നത് അയാൾ കേട്ടു. തിരിഞ്ഞു നോക്കിയപ്പോൾ, 2 ഇഞ്ച് കൂടി പിന്നോട്ട് പോയി രുന്നെങ്കിൽ താൻ അഗാധത്തിലേക്ക് വീഴുമാ യിരുന്നെന്ന് അയാൾക്ക് മനസ്സിലായി. ഈ ചിന്ത അയാളെ ഭയപ്പെടുത്തി, അയാളുടെ രോമ ങ്ങൾ എണീറ്റ് നിൽക്കാൻ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചു.
10th Std English Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Question Answer Notes – Let’s rewind
Question 1.
Why does the author say that the birds Go had not read the textbooks?
Answer:
The author says that the birds had not read the textbooks because what is found in the textbooks about the nesting habits of birds differs from their actual nesting habits. Birds don’t make their nests as prescribed in the textbooks.
Question 2.
You know what happened when Salim Ali and Omar went bird-watching in Parambikulam. Why do people engage in such adventurous but challenging activities?
Answer:
People engage in such adventurous but challenging activities because of the joy and satisfaction they get when they do things they want to do. Man by nature is curious. All human progress is the result of the adventurous and challenging activities undertaken by curious and brave people.
Question 3.
The sight of the Yellow-naped Yuhina enthralled Salim Ali that he forgot his surroundings. Narrate the incident.
Answer:
The incident took place when Salim Ali was on the Himalayan trail from Almora to the Lipu Lekh Pass on his way to Lake Manasarover and Mount Kailas in 1945. He was at a particularly narrow part of the trail with a thousand feet of vertical scarp one side and the roaring Kali River some 300 feet vertically down the other side. He then saw this Yellow-naped Yuhina. To have a closer look he took a step back. He heard a pebble tumbling down. When he looked back he realised that if he had gone back two inches further he would have fallen into an abyss. He was lucky!
10th English Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Question Answer – Let’s recall and recreate:
Question 1.
The forest guard cautions Salim Ali and Omar of the possible dangers of exploring Parambikulam and also the etiquette to be followed while trekking in a forest. Write down the instructions that he might have given them.
Answer:
a) Always stay with me. Never wander off the marked trail, as it’s easy to get into some other troubles.
b) If you need a rest or feel unwell, inform me immediately.
c) As there is lot of grass around even on the trail, beware of snakes.
d) Smoking is strictly prohibited outside of designated areas. Forest fires spread quickly and are devastating.
e) Observe from a distance. Enjoy the wildlife, but never approach, feed, or touch any animal.
f) Do not collect any plants, flowers, rocks, or historical artefacts. Everything in the forest belongs here. You can only take pictures.
g) If you need to use the restroom, tell me. I will tell you where to go.
h) There are dangerous plants and insects. So don’t try to touch them.
i) The terrain is uneven. There may be small stones on the way. So walk with caution.
j) Make sure you have enough water to drink.
Question 2.
A memorial lecture is conducted to honour Induchoodan, the birdman of Kerala. A noted birdwatcher is invited to deliver the lecture. Draft the speech that he is likely to deliver. You may give instances from “Trills and Thrills”.
Answer:
Honoured guests, fellow nature enthusiasts, ladies and gentlemen,
It’s a great privilege for me to stand here today and deliver this memorial lecture in honour of a man who didn’t just observe birds, but taught an entire generation how to truly listen to them. Induchoodan’s real name was K. K. Neelakantan. He was born at Mongombu, a village in Alleppy district, in 1923. Although he was a professor of English literature, he chose to write his most important works in his mother tongue, Malayalam. This choice was profoundly significant. It was through his brilliant, accessible, and deeply personal writing that the world of birds was opened up to the Malayalees.
His greatest book was “Keralathile Pakshikal”. In that he describes 261 species of birds. He brought them to life with his vivid language and his own illustrations. He transformed bird-watching into a movement of the masses. He didn’t just teach us the names of birds; he taught us their habits, their songs, their joys, and their struggles.
Induchoodan understood that conservation could only succeed if people cared, and people could only care if they understood. His works, like Pakshikalum Manushyarum and Pullu Thottu Poonara Vare, blended rigorous scientific observation with the charm of a captivating narrative, winning him numerous awards and many admirers. “Pullu Thottu Poonara Vare” is an idiom which means from something small to something great.
He showed us that a true ornithologist isn’t just someone who collects data, but someone who connects with nature on a spiritual level. Beyond birds, Induchoodan was a fierce and uncompromising environmental crusader. He co-founded the Kerala Natural History Society (KNHS), providing a platform for like-minded individuals to pool their knowledge and actively engage in conservation. His death in 1992 at the age of 69 was great loss to not only the state, but the nation and humanity at large. He is remembered by posterity as the “Birdman of Kerala” just like Salim Ali is known as the “Birdman of India”.
Kerala will never forget Induchoodan!
Thank you!
Question 3.
(a) Read the observation diary of an ornithologist given on p. 136. Now, write down the features of a birdwatcher’s diary in the box given there.
Study the sample diary given below.
Answer:
b) You visit Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and spot the Broad-tailed Grass Warbler. Write a Birdwatcher’s diary.
Answer:
Birdwatcher’s Diary Entry
Date and time: Saturday, 25th September 2025
Location: Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala
Weather: Overcast morning, becoming sunny, slightly humid. Approx 22°C. Time: 08:30 09:00 AM
The morning started like any other at Parambikulam. The air was thick with the calls from different kinds of birds. I was focusing on a patch of tall, dense grassland adjacent to a small, marshy depression-the classic, slightly wet, high-altitude habitat that holds the promise of the elusive Broad- tailed grass-warblers.
For a long time, nothing seemed to happen. I was almost getting disappointed and I was planning to move away. But then I heard a distinct, slightly harsh ‘chirrup-chirrup’ call, unlike anything else I’d heard that morning. It was low.
I froze, lifting my binoculars to the spot. The bird was absolutely skulking. I waited for five minutes, and then, a small, dark bird came out in a short, clumsy, parachuting display flight. It was, so quick, but the marks were unmistakable. It was the Broad-tailed Grass Warbler!
The most striking feature was its heavy, fanned, and broad tail-dark brown, appearing almost black underneath, giving it a ‘rear-heavy’ appearance as it fluttered briefly against the sky. Soon it dropped back into the cover of the dense grass.
I managed to keep my lens fixed on the spot where it landed. It slipped through the grass with an almost unbelievable agility, looking on the ground for insects. I caught a final, excellent look as it perched for a split second on a dead grass stem, revealing the pale, buffy breast and the very small head.
This is a ‘Vulnerable’ species. Seeing it is a memory that I will cherish for long. It gave me great satisfaction.
Question 4.
You have learnt to create a web page in Class IX. Now, develop the content of a web page on the tourist attractions of your area highlighting the variety of birds there. You may also give details of migratory birds.
Welcome to My Village Thrikkakara – A Bird Watcher’s Paradise!
Answer:
Escape the city’s hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of my village. Here, nature thrives, offering a peaceful retreat for every visitor. While our village is known for its cultural heritage and scenic beauty, its true highlight is the incredible variety of birds that call this place their home. When talking of cultural heritage I must mention “Thrikkarappan”, very much seen during Onam celebrations.
Thrikkakara is a unique habitat for birds with its perfect mix of lush bushes, small hills, extensive farmlands, and a lake. This diverse landscape attracts a wide range of bird species, from vibrant migratory birds to rare resident ones. You don’t need to be an expert bird watcher to enjoy the spectacle just a pair of binoculars and keen eyes will do!
Near the lake you can spot a variety of water – birds like Kingfishers, Herons, and Egrets, especially in the morning. In the winter, you might even see some migratory species that travel thousands of miles to visit this place.
In the bush areas you will see the Cuckoos and can hear their melodious songs. In the farmlands you can see peacocks strutting proudly, sparrows flitting among the crops, and kites soaring high in the sky.
Enjoy Local Cuisine: No visit is complete to my village without tasting our delicious local food. Enjoy traditional dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You’ll find a range of flavours that will leave you wanting more!
Plan Your Trip: Our village is perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The best time to visit for bird-watching is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and migratory birds are plenty.
Thrikkakara is between Ernakulam and Aluva. You can easily reach the place by road. The nearest railway station is Edapally.
Come and experience the charm of our village a peaceful haven where nature and culture beautifully intertwine. We eagerly wait for you!
Question 5.
Read the information on Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary given on p. 137. Identify other bird sanctuaries in Kerala. Study the variety of birds that live there and the details of migratory birds too. Prepare a write-up on the bird wealth of the state and the need to preserve it.
Answer:
| Sanctuary | Habitat to | Migratory birds |
| Kumarakom | Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Moorhen, Egret, Heron, Darter, Cormorant, Kites, Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Parrots, Skylarks | Siberian Crane, Teal, Pintail Duck, Marsh Harriers, Flycatchers, Gulls, Booted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Black-tailed Godwit |
| Mangalavanam | Little cormorant, Brahminy kite, Black-crowned Night Heron, White- breasted Water hen, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret | Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper |
| Kadalundi | Kingfishers, Brahminy Kites, Malabar Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Darters, Egrets, Cormorants, | Terns, Gulls, Sandpipers, Plovers, Whimbrels, Redshanks, Greenshanks, Curlews, Blacktailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Crab Plovers, Openbill Storks |
| Pathiramanal | Darter, Indian Shag, Heron, Different Kinds of Egrets, Cormorants, Stork-billed kingfisher, Watercock, Different Bitterns, Pheasant-tailed and Bonze-tailed Jacanas | Pintail Duck, Common Teal, Gulls, Whistling Ducks, Cotton Pygmy-Goose |
Kerala is blessed with a variety of birds. Thus we have a bird wealth, supported by its diverse landscapes, including the Western Ghats, extensive backwaters, and lush coastal wetlands. Kerala is Home to over 500 species of birds and it is significant habitat for both resident and migratory populations. This bird diversity includes numerous endemic species of the Western Ghats – such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, and White-bellied Treepie – making it vital for global biodiversity conservation. However, this natural treasure faces growing threats primarily from habitat destruction due to rapid urbanization, conversion of wetlands for development, and the expansion of agriculture, as well as the impact of invasive species. Therefore, urgent conservation efforts are necessary to protect key habitats like the bird sanctuaries and sacred groves, control environmental pollutants, mitigate climate change effects, and promote citizen-science initiatives like the Kerala Bird Atlas to safeguard our bird wealth for ecological balance and future generations.
Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Activities – Let’s read and reflect:
The serenity of nature evokes tender feelings in most of us. The poem on p. 138 by W.B. Yeats is on his experience at Coole Park.
വായിച്ച് ആസ്വദിക്കാം
പ്രകൃതിയുടെ ശാന്തത നമ്മളിൽ മിക്കവരിലും ആർദ്രമായ വികാരങ്ങൾ ഉണർത്തുന്നു. W. B. സെയ്റ്റ്സിന്റെ 138-ാം പേജിലെ കവിത കൂൾ പാർക്കിലെ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ അനുഭവത്തെക്കുറിച്ചാണ്.
Trills and Thrills: Birdwatching in India Extra Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Is the field study of birds entirely without hazards in South India?
Answer:
No, it is not. Especially in South India there are hazards in the field study of birds especially from wild elephants.
Question 2.
In Parambikulam, Salim Ali saw a man in the midst of a large group of Kadar Adivasis. Who was he and how was he dressed?
Answer:
He was the Austrian anthropologist Baron Omar Rolf. He was barefooted, topless and wore crumpled khaki shorts.
Question 3.
Salim Ali recalls one particularly hair-raising incident when he was trying to have a good look at the yellow-naped Yuhina. Where and when did the incident happen?
Answer:
The incident happened along the Himalayan trail from Almora to the Lipu Lekh Pass when Salim Ali was on his way to Lake Manasarover and Mount Kailas. It was in 1945.
Question 4.
Was the yellow-naped Yuhina Ali saw a big bird?
Answer:
No, it wasn’t. It was a tiny bird.
Question 5.
How long has Salim Ali watched birds according to the story?
Answer:
According to the story, Salim Ali has watched birds for more than half a century.
Question 6.
Why does Salim Ali watch birds?
Answer:
Salim Ali watches birds chiefly for the pleasure and the elation they afford.