Page 132 - English Expedition Class 6

Comprehension

A. Recall if the following facts have been mentioned in the text after reading the chapter once.
Put a tick if mentioned, else a cross against the statements.

1. Marco Polo was invited by Sonder Bandi Davar to visit the pearl fi shery areas.

2. Marco Polo sailed in the westerly direction from Seilan, as Sri Lanka was known
back then.

3. The pearl divers would throw a bait and wait for the oysters to catch it.

4. The fi sh-charmers were helpers who provided for the daily comforts of the divers.

5. A tenth part of the season’s haul went to the king, according to Marco Polo.

6. A complete settlement was set up for the people involved in pearl fi shing before the
actual fi shing commenced.

7. The pearl divers smeared themselves with mud before diving to hide themselves from
the great fi shes.

8. Every oyster the divers found had a pearl of a particular category.

B. Answer the following questions.

1. About how many years apart are the visits of Marco Polo and Cesare Federici to the pearl
fi sheries in Maabar?
2. What is the average depth of water of the sea where pearls are found, according to
Marco Polo?
3. State two major diff erences between the pearl-fi shing accounts of Polo and Federici.
4. According to Polo, how does the presence of ‘great fi sh’ both help and hinder the pearl-fi shing
business?

5. Federici says that the oysters are opened only after the fi shing season is over. Why is it so?

C. Refl ect and answer.

1. Although the accounts of Polo and Federici are similar in many aspects, they are slightly
diff erent as well. Whose account of pearl fi shing do you fi nd more believable? Why?

2. Pearl fi shers in both Polo’s and Federici’s time were obligated to give a part of their haul to the
rulers of the region. Which ruler was fairer to the fi shers? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Why do you think the divers would smear themselves with oil before diving?
4. Do you think pearl fi shing, as practised in those days, was a profi table occupation? Why/Why
not?

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