Words and Expressions Class 9 Solutions Unit 7

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Words and Expressions Class 9 Solutions Unit 7

Question 1.
See the picture. Read the following points and discuss these in pairs.
Words and Expressions Class 9 Solutions Unit 7 IMG 1
(a) What has gone wrong with the packing, in the given picture?
(b) Do you think the bag was packed hurriedly?
(c) Do your friends pack their school bags neatly?
(d) Some people seem dis-organised, but they know where their things are. Are you such a person?
Answer:
Hints :
(a) The picture looks cluttered. The contents have not been arranged neatly. A lot of materials have been pushed inside the bag beyond its holiding capacity.
(b) There is a strong possibility that the bag was packed in a hurry as the items seem out of place.
(c) Some of my friends are very meticulous and are quite particular about keeping things in order. Naturally, they don’t miss packing their bags neatly.
(d) No, I don’t think, I am such a person. I am very disciplined and like to keep my things arranged in a systematic manner.

Class 9 English Literature Reader NCERT Solutions

Reading Comprehension:

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow.

Text – I

Organising your school bag:
Have you wasted time on some days rummaging through your school bag for your pen, finally discovering it in the side pocket? Have you ever searched for your homework paper only to find it squashed at the bottom of your school bag? Have you searched for your English textbook in school only to realise later that you have forgotten it at home?

If you have answered “Yes’ to these questions, you !.. really need to organise your school bag. You should remember to first get a suitable school bag. An overly heavy school bag can cause spinal, neck and shoulder pain. The books, tiffin box, water bottle, etc., must be placed so as to evenly distribute weight in the bag.

So, on a weekend, remove all the contents from the bag. Make sure all the side and inner pockets are emptied too. Throw away rubbish such as used tissues, dirty wrappers, rough notes that you no longer need, etc. Wash the school bag and dry it in the sun. If it is not washable, wipe it well with a wet cloth dipped in a little soap water. Wipe it again to remove the soapy feeling, and then put it outside to ; dry. Start the week with a neat and clean bag.

Utilise pockets and divisions in your school bag ‘ to keep items separate. For example, keep your books in the main section, your pencil case and related items in another section and your lunch box in another. Place items such as your money, ID card, house key, etc., in the inner pockets (preferably with a zip) of the bag. You can pin the keys inside the bag pocket, so that they are easy to find. Then make it a habit to always keep these items in their respective sections of your bag, so that you know where to reach instinctively, even without looking inside the bag.

Being organised will help you study better. When your books are organised according to the timetable, you won’t be searching for them or lagging behind while your classmates get ahead with their work. Also, try not to have random papers stuffed at the bottom of the bag. This makes it impossible to find what you need. The clutter not only takes up space, but disturbs your train of thought. Last but not the least, do a ; monthly check-up on your school bag, removing junk and reorganising items.

Question 1.
The author asks a question, “Have you wasted time on some days?” What is he/she referring to here?
Answer:
Here, he/she is referring to the student.

Question 2.
Why is it important to have an appropriate school bag?
Answer:
An appropriate school bag is important because an overly heavy school bag can cause spinal, neck and shoulder pain.

Question 3.
Why should your school bag be systematically arranged and clean? How will you do it?
Answer:
The school bag should be systematically arranged and cleaned as it will help to reach the desired article conveniently. On a weekend, remove all the contents, empty the side and inner pockets. Then, wipe it and arrange it systematically.

Question 4.
“Being organised will help you study better.” Do you agree? Why/why not?
Answer:
“Being organised will help you study better” because when your books are organised according to the timetable, you won’t be searching for them. Otherwise, it becomes impossible to find what you need.

Question 5.
Find words in the passage that mean the opposite of the words given below. Write the words in the space provided.
(a) inappropriate
(b) slightly
(c) forget
(d) concealed
(e) disarranged
Answer:
(a) suitable
(b) overly
(c) realise
(d) discovered
(e) organised.

Question 6.
Read the following groups of words. All but one are synonyms. Circle the odd one out.
(a) rummaging – groping, fumbling, driving, searching
(b) squashed – unpacked, compacted, compressed, squeezed
(c) organise – classify, simplify, systematise, arrange
(d) rubbish – waste, junk, nonsense, polished
Answer:
(a) driving
(b) unpacked
(c) simplify
(d) polished.

Text – II

No Crocodiles:
A man once went on a trip to the west coast of Africa. It was very hot weather. He put his bags into his room at the hotel and rein down to the sea to have a swim. But when he looked into the water, it seemed to him that something was moving there, and he was frightened. There was nobody near, except a boy, and the man called him. “Are there any crocodiles here?” he asked. “No, Sir, no crocodiles,” the boy answered.

The man took off his clothes, jumped into the water and swam for a few minutes. But though the water was warm and the weather was nice, he was still a little frightened. “That boy said there were no crocodiles, but it’s possible he doesn’t know,” he thought, and he decided to swim back. When he came out of the water, the boy was still there, and the man asked him “Why are you so sure that there are no crocodiles here?”

‘Yes, I’m sure,” the boy answered. “Crocodiles are cowards. They never come here, because they are afraid of the sharks!”
(Source: An extract from ‘No Crocodile’, by H. Weiser and A. Klinentenko, in English 8,1978, P. 63)

Question 1.
Tick the correct order of the words to make a complete sentence.
The man/a boy/on the shore/saw/standing
A B C D E
(a) ABCDE
(b) EDCBA
(c) ADBEC
(d) AEBCD
Write the correct sentence here.
Answer:
(c) The man saw a boy standing on the shore.

Question 2.
Why was the man afraid of getting into water?
Answer:
The man was afraid of getting into water as he feared that something was moving in the water.

Question 3.
How did the boy initially reassure the man about the crocodile?
Answer:
Initially the boy reassured the man by saying that there were no crocodiles in the water.

Question 4.
When the man asked him again, the boy said that crocodiles are cowards, because they are afraid of _________.
(a) warm water
(b) sharks
(c) dirty water
(d) the man
Answer:
(b) sharks

Question 5.
Do you think the situation in the text is humorous? Why do you think so?
Answer:
Yes, the situation is humorous as the boy was trying to scare the man by telling him that there were sharks in the water.

Question 6.
A person who goes on a long journey is called a _________.
(a) native
(b) settler
(c) traveller
(d) passenger
Answer:
(c) traveller

Question 7.
Write the opposite of the word ‘coward’
(a) weakling
(b) hero
(c) defeatist
(d) crybaby
Answer:
(b) hero

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
See the following table. Words in the first column occur in the lesson ‘Packing’ from Beehive. In pairs, look up the meaning of the words in each row in a dictionary. Write in your notebook how they differ in meaning from one another.

boots edge chair
shoes border arm-chair
slippers boundary reclining
clogs demarcation wheel-chair
moccasins cut-off point ergonomic chair
flip-flops brink rocking chair

Answer:
(1) Boots – Footwear covering the foot and ankle.
Shoes – A covering for the foot, typically made of leather not reaching above the ankle.
Slippers – A comfortable slip-on shoe that is worn indoors.
Clogs – A shoe with a thick wooden sole.
Moccasins – A soft leather slipper or shoe, one without a heal.
Flip-flops – A light sandal, typically of plastic or rubber with a thong between the big and second toe.

2. Edge – The outside limit of an object, area or surface.
Border – A line separating two countries, areas.
Boundary – A line which marks the limits of an area, a dividing line.
Demarcation – The action of fixing the boundary or limits of something.
Cut-off point – A point or level which is a designated limit of something.
Brink – The extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body or water.

3. Chair – A separate seat for one person, typically with a back and 4 legs.
Armchair – A large, comfortable chair with side supports for a person’s arms.
Reclining chair – A large chair that lean or lie back in a relaxed position with the back supported.
Wheel-chair – A chair fitted with wheels for use as a means of transport by a person who is unable to walk.
Ergonomic chair – A chair relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.
Rocking chair – A chair mounted on rockers or springs, which can rock back and forth.

4. Hamper – A basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid.
Box – A container with a flat base and sides and having a lid.
Crate – A slatted wooden case used for transporting goods.
Bag – A flexible container with an opening at the top.
Basket – A container used to hold or carry things, made from interwoven strips of cane or wire.
Carton – A small, light box in which drinks or foodstuff’s are packaged.

Question 2.
Read the beautiful description by Karishma Kripalani given below. Then work in pairs, underline the adjectives and list them. You can use these while writing the travelogue or planning a trip to a place of your choice.
Varkala
Imagine looking down on the vast expanse of the sea with its mighty waves cresting and crushing the sand, then claiming it with the soft hush of their froth and foam from the effort. A soft breeze blows in, the sun shimmers in the distant waters, the dolphins glisten as they leap up now and then. It is a kilometre long walk on these rugged rocks that hurtle down to the beach. You see sunbathers, happy families, lifeguards – the usual buzz of a vacation. But up here you are a silent witness as g stone rattles off into the wind.

This is Varkala, one of the many beaches along Kerala’s 600 km shoreline, but perhaps the best there is Kannur has the cliffs but no sand, the Cherayi beach has a coconut grove but no cliff, Kovalam has too many tourists but neither the cliffs nor the estuaries. Varkala, just 41 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, has everything never- ending cliffs, white sand, bubbling mineral springs, quaint coves, swaying palms, glimpses of history, wonders of geography and spiritual richness and rejuvenation therapies.

Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where one can find cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea. They are known among geologists as the Varkala Formation. There are numerous water spouts and geysers on the cliff faces, making this place a natural spa. (An excerpt from ‘Kerala’s Best Kept Secret’ by Karishma Kripalani, The Dialogue, February 2018)
Answer:
List the adjectives here:
Mighty; soft; distant; kilometre long; rugged; happy; many white; bubbling; quaint; swaying; spiritual, rejuvenation; silent; numerous; natural; vast; usual; coconut; never ending; mineral; quaint.

Note : Student is supposed underline on his own seeing the box.

Grammar:

Question 1.
In the given space, write the activities that you want/ like/wish/prefer to do or you don’t want/like/wish/ prefer to do.
(а) On Sundays, I like to _______________
(б) On Sundays, I don’t _______________
(c) In the evenings, I _______________
(d) In the evenings, I don’t _______________
(e) In the playground I _______________
if) In the playground, I don’t _______________
(g) When I go to the fair, I _______________
(h) In the fair, I don’t _______________
Answer:
(a) watch latest Bollywood movies.
(b) like to study.
(c) go out with my friends.
(d) workout much.
(e) play cricket.
(f) sleep.
(g) always go on all rides.
(h) buy food from open stalls.

Question 2.
In the chapter ‘Packing* of your textbook, Beehive, you have read about ‘simple commands’, ‘directions to reach your home’, ‘use of dos, and don’ts’, and ‘instructions for making something, for example tea/coffee’, etc.
Read the following sentences. Against each sentence write simple command/direction/dos/ don’ts/ instruction in the space provided.
(a) Sit here and help your brother in learning Mathematics.
(b ) Ride a bicycle and go near the river. You will see your friend swimming in the river.
(c) Get up and go, you cannot waste time sleeping.
(d) Do not wake anyone up suddenly while he/ she is sleeping.
(e) In summer, keep a large bowl of water outside for birds and animals to drink water from.
Answer:
(a) “Do your calculations carefully.”
(b) Don’t go too deep in the river.
(c) Leave the bed.
(d) Wake someone up gently.
(e) Don’t use dirty bowl for the purpose.

Editing:

Question 1.
Read the passage given below. There are language errors, for example, the use of tenses. Correct these and rewrite the passage in the space provided.
Gwalior: The Jewel of Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior is a curious mixture of old and new, this sprawling city in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh. It offered a feast of historic sights, museums, parks, shops, cultural programmes and cuisines.

The northern most city, Gwalior is established in the 8th century A.D. and named after Saint Gwalipa. The city was dominated by its hill-top fort, a symbol of Rajput valour and chivalry. The 15th century palace of Raja Mansingh is located in the citadel. The fort also housed Teli-ka-Mandir, an ancient temple.

Gajri Mahal at the foot of the fort had one of the first museums of sculpture in the country. Gawalior was also the distinction of being a centre of Indian classical music. Miya Tansen, one of the nine jewels of the Court of Emperor Akbar the Great, is bury at Gwalior. Every year in December a great music festival is holding here to commemorate this great singer. (Source: Steps to English, Workbook for Class X, NCERT, 2003, P. 25 [An extract from ‘Insight Guide India’, Discovery Channel])
Answer:
Gwalior is a curious mixture of the old and new. This sprawling city is in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh. It offers a feast of historic sights, museums, parks, shops, cultural programmes and cuisines.

The northern most city, Gwalior was established in the 8th century A.D. and named after Saint Gwalipa. The city is dominated by its hill-top fort, a symbol of Rajput valour and chivalry. The 15th century palace of Raja Mansingh is located in the citadel. The fort also houses Teli-ka-Mandir, an ancient temple.

Gajri Mahal at the foot of the fort has one of the first museums of sculpture in the country. Gawalior has also the distinction of being the centre of Indian classical music. Miya Tansen, one of the nine jewels of the Court of Emperor Akbar the Great, was buried in Gwalior. Every year in December a great music festival is held here to commemorate this great singer.

Question 2.
Rearrange each set of words to make sentences. Use appropriate punctuation marks.
(a) the orphan child, the court, guardian of, appointed him
(b) friends, time, enemies, the worst, makes
(c) of the club, elected, secretary, him, they
(d) approaching, the, saw, we, storm
Answer:
(a) The court appointed him guardian of the orphan child.
(b) Time makes friends, the worst enemies.
(c) They elected him secretary of the club.
(d) We saw the approaching storm.

Listening:

Question 1.
An interesting account of Gangtok is given here. Your teacher/any of your friends will dictate the passage to you. Listen to him/her with attention and try to take down the passage. After the exercise is over, compare what you have taken down with the original script.
Gangtok
Located in the eastern Himalayas at an altitude of approximately 5,500 feet, Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is cosmopolitan without being overwhelming. The city is a kaleidoscope of beautiful sights – spellbinding mountainscapes, magnificent monasteries, beautiful temples, sprawling parks, quaint cafes and more.

Gangtok is home to the Enchey Monastery, one of the most recognised gompas of Buddhism. A legendary Lama known as Drubthob Karpo, believed to have possessed the power to fly, is credited with its foundation. The literal meaning of Enchey Monastery is “the solitary temple”. It is also said that the monk built a small hermitage at the site of the monastery, after he came here flying from Maenam Hill in south Sikkim. It is constructed in the shape of a pagoda and its interiors are adorned with colourful traditional Tibetan paintings.

Besides many magnificent monasteries and stupas, Gangtok also houses two beautiful temples – Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok. At approximately 6,500 feet above sea level, Ganesh Tok is a small but well-maintained temple of Lord Ganesha. A 4 km drive along serpentine roads takes you to Hanuman Tok, at an altitude of about 7,200 feet. Here, you will find an unimpeded view of the majestic Kanchenj unga.

Evenings in the city are best enjoyed on MG Road, a small paved stretch with a plethora of shopping, lodging and dining options. Always bustling and busy, with cafes, bars and people chattering away in varied languages, the road is beautifully decorated with lamp posts, park benches and colourful flowers giving it an endearing and quaint feel.
(An excerpt from ‘A Sikkimese Dialogue’, written by Sugato Tripathy, Shubh Yatra, Feb. 2018, Vol. 6, Issue 1)
Answer:
Gangtok:
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim which is located in the eastern Himalayas at an altitude of about 5,500 feet. The city has representatives of many different countries and cultures. This is full of bteautiful sights-spellbinding mountainscapes, magnificent monasteries, beautiful temples, sprawling parks, quaint cafes, etc. This is home to the Enchey Monastery that is one of the most recognised gompas of Buddhism. A legendary lama, Drubthob Karpo, founded it. He is believed to have possessed the power to fly.

This monastry is constructed in the shape of Pagoda and has colourful traditional Tibetan paintings. It has two beautiful temples – Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok. Hanuman Tok is located at an altitude of about 7,200 feet from where an unimpeded view of the majestic Kanchanj unga can easily be seen. Evenings in the city are best enjoyed on MG Road with shopping, lodging and dining options. The road is beautifully decorated with lamp posts and colourful flowers. People chatter all around in varied languages.

Question 2.
Listen to a news item in English. It may be read out by your teacher or you can record one in your mobile phone*. The news may be from television or radio. Play the recorded news in the class. Listen to it and make notes. Then discuss the main points of the news.
Lake on Mars:
“According to the report in US journal science, “a massive underground lake has been detected on planet Mars, raising the possibility that more water and may be even life – exists there. It’s one of the most significant discoveries concerning the Red Planet. The lake-20 km wide-is located 15 km below the icy Martian surface.

These investigations were recorded by Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS), designed to find subsurface water by sending radar pulses that penetrate the surface and ice caps. MARSIS measures how the radio waves propagate and reflect back to the spacecraft. These reflections provide scientists with information about what lies beneath the surface. From May 2012 until December 2015, a team of resear hers led by Roberto Orosei of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Bologna, Italy, surveyed a region called Planum Australe, located in the southern ice cap Mars. Atotal of 29 sets of radar samplings showed a very sharp change in its associated radar signal, allowing scientists to map the outlines of the lake.

Being able to access water sources could also help humans survive on a future crewed mission to Earth’s neighboring planet, with NASA aiming to send explorers in the 2030. “This is a stunning result that suggests water on Mars is not a temporary trickle like previous discoveries but a persistent body of water that provides the conditions for life for extended periods of time,” said Alan Duffy, an associate professor at Swinburne University in Australia, who was not involved in the study. “Water is there. We have no more doubt, “says Enrico Flamini, Mission Manger. The Italian Space Agency’s Mars Express.”
Answer:
The main points:
→ The US journal ‘Science’ reveals that the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) has recorded a massive underground lake on planet Mars.
→ The lake is 20 km wide.
→ This is located 1.5 km. below the icy Martian surface.
→ A team of researchers led by Roberto Orosei of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Bologna, Italy, surveyed a region called Planum Australe, located in the southern ice cap of Mars.
→ This has raised the possibility of more water and even life exists there.
→ It may help humans survive on a future crewed mission to the Earth’s neighbouring planet.
→ This shows a persistent body of water that provides the conditions for life for extended periods of time.
→ This is one of the most significant discoveries regarding the Red Planet.

The Railway Station:
There’s a lady who sells us tickets,
There’s a man who carries our bags.
There’s a boy who checks the tracks,
There’s a man who waves the flags.

There’s a girl who sits at a desk,
She makes the announcements.
There are people building an overbridge
Who five in nearby tents.

There’s a stall that sells tea,
Newspapers and things.
There are different lights for signals,
And a bell that rings.

There’s a board above the platforms
Which gives us information
There’s a clock, and a few benches
At the railway station.
(Source: Laminated sheet in Raindrops, English Language Kit, NCERT, 2018)

Speaking:

Question 1.
Read the poem ‘The Railway Station’ in groups of four, in pairs or by yourself.

Question 2.
In pairs, talk about the characters in the poem.
Answer:
The characters :

  • A lady selling tickets.
  • A girl making announcements.
  • A man carrying bags.
  • A boy checking the tracks.

Question 3.
Share your experience of travelling by train or a bus.
Answer:
My experience of travelling by a train:
Last year I visited my native place, Kolkata with my mother by train. It was my first visit by train. Our train was on schedule. When it came into the platform, the passengers rushed to get into the train. With a little difficulty, we could find our seats. Once the train started, I discovered many other children going to their home town to spend summer vacations. I started chit-chatting and playing with them.

Since the train was passing through different states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, I saw the scenic beauty of rural India. I saw many paddy fields, grazing cows, huts made up of bamboos, rivers and streams. I also saw the longest platform of the Asia, Kharagpur. I relished dishes of the different states. After 29 hours long journey, we reached Kolkata. Though it was a long journey, it was a memorable experience for me.

Question 4.
Write down what you have liked and disliked in places like railway station .and bus stop. For example, young children selling newspapers, polishing boots, facilities like seating arrangement at the platform, drinking water, cleanliness, display boards, etc.
Answer:

What you liked What you didn’t like
1. The modem class railways.

2. Men helping you with your languages.

3. The chart-board displaying the timings of trains.

4. Cleanliness at the platform and proper seating arrangements.

 1. Young children selling newspapers, polishing boots.

2. Rush, people making over bridge running here and there.

Writing:

Imagine you are preparing to go on a two- week holiday to a city you have not been to before. Find out from the Internet the weather conditions there for the duration of your stay, and the places of interest. Decide the things you would need for the trip.

Question 1.
Now, write a short text .using these points:
(а) Where you want to go and why
(b) Weather conditions
(c) Clothes and footwear you would need
(d) Places to visit
(e) Food: local delicacies you would like to try
(f) Things you would pack for the trip: for everyday use; for sightseeing; things for special occasions, etc.
Answer:
This summer I am planning to visit Goa, the famous tourist spot. I have never been there. The weather is moderate, neither cold nor hot. I need to carry my swimming costume, shorts, T-shirts and slippers to enjoy the perfect beach view. I shall visit the famous St. church and all beautiful beaches. Goa is also famous for its sea food and cashews. I would love to taste few of them. Nothing much is required to visit Goa, just carry your clothes, goggles flip-flops and you are ready to enjoy. The floral printed shirts are quite popular in Goa. I would buy one for the special evening dance party.

Project:

Travelogue:
Travelling can be a wonderful and insightful experience. In the 21st century, we can plan ahead, book train and air tickets in advance, and make stay arrangements months before the actual travel dates. But have you wondered’how travellers, merchants and explorers managed to cover great distances, spanning c across countries in the past, without the facilities that we take so much for granted today?

Question 1.
Find out about the 12th century legendary traveller Marco Polo, who, at the age of seventeen, travelled from Italy to China! You may:
(а) create a map, marking the various places that he visited, with a timeline;
(b) focus on one country that he visited, and talk about one important event in his life there;
(c) examine the various dangers that befell travellers in those days, and compare these with present-day travel;
(d) collect pictures of the different animals that he saw and described later to an unbelieving audience back home;
(e) write about his further travels that he undertook as an emissary of the Emperor of China.
Answer:
Travelling has tremendous educative, informative and social value. It widens people’s mental horizon, improves health, adds thrill and relaxation to life. It dispels boredom and helps promoting national integration. One of the principal values of travelling is that it breaks the monotony of life and work. That is why, educational tour has become an integral part of modern education. It also boosts our national economy and the development of tourism industry.

Marco Polo:
Marco Polo (1254 – January 8, 1324) was a legendary Venetian : traveller, explorer and merchant. He travelled extensively with his family and journeyed from Europe to Asia from 1271 to 1295. He remained in China for almost 17 of those years. China already had the technology of woodblock printing. Marco Polo brought this knowledge back with him. Soon the technology spread to many parts of Europe.
Words and Expressions Class 9 Solutions Unit 7 IMG 2
Marco Polo was born in 1254 in the Venetian Republic – The city of Venice. Italy was at the centre of the Venetian Republic. When he was 17 years old, he went to China with his ; father, Niccolo, and his uncle, Maffeo. Pope Gregory-X sent them to visit Kulbai Khan, the emperor of China.
(a) Marco Polo’s journey took place on land. Hardships, of course, came his way. In what is now known as Afghanistan, Marco was forced to retreat to the mountains in order to cure his illness. Although crossing the Gobi desert took a year from end to end, at the narrowest point, it took a month to cross it. It was full of mountains and sands and valleys. There was nothing at all to eat. Finally, after four years of travel, the Polos reached China and Kublai Khan.

The routes of Marco Polo’s to and fro journey were as follows:

  • Venice to China : Venice (1271), Acre (1272), Ormuz-Beijing (1275), Pagan
  • Return journey : Pagan-Beijing (1292), Ormuz (1294), Constantinople (1295), Venice (1295)

The Route of Marco Polo’s Journey:
(b) The emperor of China, Kublai Khan liked Marco Polo. He enjoyed Marco Polo’s stories about many lands. The emperor was staying at his summer palace known as Shangdu or Xanadu. It was a grand marble architectural wonder that dazzled young Marco. Moreover, he praised Khan’s extensive communication system in his account, which served as the foundation for his rule. Marco described in detail how the empire’s information of highway efficiently and economically covered millions of square miles. Marco’s immersion into the Chinese culture resulted in him mastering four languages.

Kublai Khan gave Marco Polo a job. He sent Polo on diplomatic missions. He also made him governor of Yantgzhou, an important trading city. Niccolo and Maffeo were also granted important positions in the leader’s court.

(c) Today, travelling has become very easy and comfortable. But in those days, people had to travel without the facilities that we take so much for granted today. They travelled through high mountains, long deserts, rivers and forests. They suffered fatal illness caused by mosquito-bite, snake-bite, etc.

(d) Marco Polo saw and faced different types of animals such as moths, jackals, vail cats, zebu, oxen, Persian lions, snow cats and camels along the way.

(e) The emperor of China was very much impressed with Marco Polo. He thought highly of the young man’s abilities as a merchant. Kublai Khan eventually employed Marco as a special envoy. He sent him to different areas of Asia that were never before explored by Europeans including Burma, India and Tibet. Marco had a stamped metal packet from the Emperor himself. This served as his official credentials from the powerful leader.

Marco returned to Venice in 1995. He amassed not only great knowledge about the Mongol empire but incredible wonder also from his travels. In 1298, he went to jail during a war between Venice and Genoa. He dictated his stories about China to a fellow prisoner and writer, named Rustichello who wrote the book, The Travels of Marco Polo. The book made Marco a celebrity. It provided the Western World the first clear picture of the-East’s geography and ethnic customs.

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