The Adventure NCERT Solution

Understanding the Text

I. Tick the statements that are true.
1. The story is an account of real events.
2. The story hinges on a particular historical event.
3. Rajendra Deshpande was a historian.
4. The places mentioned in the story are all imaginary.
5. The story tries to relate history to science.
Ans:
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
II. Briefly explain the following statements from the text.
1. “You neither traveled to the past nor the future. You were in the present experiencing a different world.”
Ans: This statement was said by Rajendra to Professor Gaitonde. As he made a transition from one world to
another, he had a real-life experience for two days in an alternative reality. It was one at a time experience for him.
He neither travelled to the past nor the future. He was in the present all the time.
2. “You have passed through a fantastic experience: or more correctly, a catastrophic experience.”
Ans: This statement was said by Rajendra to Professor Gaitonde. When he was hit by the truck, he was thinking
about Catastrophe theory and its role in the war. He was unconscious in the hospital for the next two days but he
was in an alternate world having a real-life experience of many things which were not true in the real world where he
actually lives. He noticed that the scenario was different and facts about history were different. So, he had passed a
catastrophic experience.
3. Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew what he was witnessing around him.
Ans: Gangadharpant Gaitonde had witnessed different facts of history which were the decline of Marathas and
British rule. But here in a different world, the reality was different. Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat and there
was no slavery under the white man. India was free and here people had self-respect. When he compared two
different facts of the same country, he liked this different version of India more.
4. “The lack of determinism in quantum theory!”
Ans: The lack of determinism means the inability of the scientist to know where the electron would move. Quantum
theory means in physics, it can be measured how the energy is produced and in what direction electrons may move.
This happened when Professor saw two different sets of history in the case of the Battle of Panipat. In one reality,
Marathas had won the war and in other, they had lost the battle. The same happened in the case of the Battle of
Waterloo.
5. “You need some interaction to cause a transition.”
Ans: Professor Gaitonde before the collision with the truck was thinking about catastrophe theory and its role in the
war. He was wondering what might happen if the result was different in the Battle of Panipat. When he hit the truck,
the neurons in his brain made the transition. This was explained by Rajendra to the professor when he failed to
understand why only he made the transition.
Talking about the Text
1. Discuss the following statements in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group taking opposite points of
view.
(i) A single event may change the course of the history of a nation.
Ans:
For: A single event may change the course of the history of a nation. In the case of the Battle of Panipat, when
Marathas won the war. The course of history changed and it led to a different shape of India. British rule ended and
India soon became a democratic nation. People no longer were slaves under the white man. India was self-
dependent and had self-respect.
Against: It is a matter of perspective that a single event may change the course of the history of a nation. As
explained by Rajendra in the chapter, it is a catastrophic phenomenon that the Battle of Panipat had two courses of
history in different worlds. Similarly, there may be different worlds having a different history of the same nation.
(ii) Reality is what is directly experienced through the senses.
Ans: For: As Gangadharpant experienced a different reality in the different world for two days, he even brought
back a torn-off page of Bakhar book. He was experiencing different realities one at a time. It happened due to the
lack of determinism in quantum theory and catastrophic theory. We sense our reality with our taste buds, hearing,
seeing, smelling and a sense of touch.
Against: Reality is not entitled to the senses. Electrons can move to any direction at any point in time. They don’t
have a definite path to travel. When we can predict the direction of the fired bullet, we cannot predict the same thing
about electrons.
(iii) The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar.
Ans:
For: The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar. In the chapter, history, philosophy, and
science converge and Professor Gaitonde experienced a different set of events and reality in two different worlds. In
one world, the Battle of Panipat was won by Marathas and in other, it was won by the Mughals. Later, Rajendra
explained to him the catastrophe theory and lack of determinism. This explained to us how history and science
converged. Similarly, in Philosophy, truth is relative.
Against: It is inaccurate to say that the methods of inquiry of history, science, and philosophy are similar. In the
chapter, Rajendra tried to explain the events with a catastrophic theory which surely convinced Professor but not us.
Philosophy is speculative, while science is about the exact fact which is tested. History is based on a set of events
and how they shaped the existing reality. The chapter is a science fiction where the writer tries to show the
convergence of the three different subjects but in reality, it employs different methodologies.
2. (i) The story is called ‘The Adventure’. Compare it with the adventure described in ‘We’re Not Afraid to
Die…’
Ans: ‘We’re Not Afraid to Die…’ is a story about a family who went on a seafaring trip with their two children and two
crewmen. The challenge was to keep them alive and reach the shore safely when the Storm hit the sea and affected
their boat. Their experience was real and painful. On the other hand, Professor Gaitonde’s experience was
imaginative. After his collision, he travelled the world through his mind when he was unconscious for two days.
(ii) Why do you think Professor Gaitonde decided never to preside over meetings again?
Ans: When in a different world, the professor noticed the empty presidential chair on the stage in the ongoing
lecture. He tried to sit on it as it should not remain empty. He was asked to move away by the speaker. Later when
he started talking on the mic, the audience was not ready to listen to him. They threw many objects at him and
asked him to move aside. They physically lifted him from the stage.
Such experiences prompted Professor to never preside over meetings again.
Thinking about Language
1. In which language do you think Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib talked to each other? Which language
did Gangadharpant use to talk to the English receptionist?
Ans: Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib talked to each other in the Hindi language. On the other hand,
Gangadharpant talked to the English receptionist in the English language.
2. In which language do you think Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was written?
Ans: It was written in the Marathi language.
3. There is mention of three communities in the story: the Marathas, the Mughals, the Anglo-Indians. Which
language do you think they used within their communities and while speaking to the other group?
Ans: The Muslims used to speak Urdu, the Marathas used to speak the Marathi and Anglo-Indians used to speak in
English within their communities.
4. Do you think that the ruled always adopt the language of the ruler?
Ans: Yes, the ruled always adopted the language of the ruler.
Working with Words
I. Tick the item that is closest in meaning to the following phrases.
1. to take issue with
(i) to accept
(ii) to discuss
(iii) to disagree
(iv) to add
Ans. (iii) to disagree
2. to give vent to
(i) to express
(ii) to emphasise
(iii) suppress
(iv) dismiss
Ans. (i) to express
3. to stand on one’s feet
(i) to be physically strong
(ii) to be independent
(iii) to stand erect
(iv) to be successful
Ans. (ii) to be independent
4. to be wound up
(i) to become active
(ii) to stop operating
(iii) to be transformed
(iv) to be destroyed
Ans. (ii) To stop operating
5. to meet one’s match
(i) to meet a partner who has similar tastes
(ii) to meet an opponent
(iii) to meet someone who is equally able as oneself
(iv) to meet defeat
Ans. (iii) To meet someone who is equally able as oneself
II. Distinguish between the following pairs of sentences.
1. (i) He was visibly moved.
(ii) He was visually impaired.
2. (i) Green and black stripes were used alternately.
(ii) Green stripes could be used or alternatively black ones.
3. (i) The team played the two matches successfully.
(ii) The team played two matches successively.
4. (i) The librarian spoke respectfully to the learned scholar.
(ii) You will find the historian and the scientist in the archaeology and natural science sections of the museum
respectively.
Ans:
1. (i) clearly
(ii) defective eyesight
2. (i) one after the other
(ii) in place of
3. (i) with success
(ii) one after the other
4. (i) dignity
(ii) same order
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Class 11 English The Adventure Question Answers Lesson 5 –

Extract Based Questions
Extract-based questions are of the multiple-choice variety, and students must select the correct option for each
question by carefully reading the passage.

A. Meanwhile, the racing fund of Professor Gaitonde had arrived at a plan of action in Bombay* Indeed, as a
historian he’felt he should have thought of it sooner. He would go to a big library and brow-fee through history
books. That was the surest way of finding out how the present state of affairs was reached.
He also planned eventually to return to Pune and have a long talk with Rajendra Deshpande, who would surely help
him understand what had happened. That is, assuming that in this world there existed someone called Rajendra
Deshpande ! The train stopped beyond the long tunnel. It was a small station called Sarhad. An Anglo-Indian in
uniform went through the train checking permits.
Q1. Who was Professor Gaitonde and where did he hail from?
Ans- The historian Professor Gaitonde was a native of Pune.
Q2. What was his destination and what was his purpose of visit?
Ans-. He was travelling to Bombay. He desired to visit the large library and examine the history sections in order to
learn how the current situation came to be.
Q3. What did he feel about his duty as a historian?
Ans- Professor Gaitonde felt it was his responsibility as a historian to have considered long ago how to determine
the cause of the changed state of affairs.
Q4. Could you guess the period when the story might have been written?
Ans- According to the paragraph, “An Anglo-Indian” entered the carriage to look at the permits. He was obviously a
government official. It could only happen when Britain was in power.
Q5. Give the synonyms of the following :
(a) ultimately/in due course
(b) underpass
Ans-. (a) eventually
(b) tunnels

B. He thanked the girl politely and came out. It was characteristic of him jot to worry about where he would stay. His
main concern was to make his way to the library of the Asiatic Society to solve the riddle of history. Grabbing a
quick lunch at a restaurant, he made his way to the Town Hall. Yes, to his relief, the Town Hall was there, and it did
house the library. He entered the reading room and asked for a list of history books including his own.
His five volumes duly arrived on his table. He started from the beginning. Volume one took the history up to the
period of Ashoka, volume two up to Samudragupta, volume three up to Mohammad Ghori and volume four up to the
death of Aurangzeb. Up to this period history was as he knew it. The change evidently had occurred in the last
volume.Reading volume five from both ends inwards, Gangadharpant finally converged on the precise moment
where history had taken a different turn.
Q1. Who is ‘he’ here? Do you know who is the ‘girl’ he thanked?
Ans- ‘He’ here is Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde. Yes. The ‘girl’ he thanked is the English receptionist at
Forbes Building.
Q2. What was his main concern?
Ans- His major focus was getting to the Asiatic Society library so he could figure out the historical riddle.
Q3. Which characteristic of the subject being talked about here, is mentioned here?
What does it show?
Ans- Professor Gaitonde is the subject being talked about here. He’s never given his housing much thought. It was
his personality. It demonstrates that he cared more about his value than his own bodily comforts.
Q4. Did he find what he wanted to do?
Ans- Yes, he did find what he was seeking. He had travelled there to unravel a historical puzzle. He discovered the
hint or point that solved the riddle while reading the fifth volume of the history book.
Q5. Give synonyms of:
(a) worry
(b) intersect/merge/coincide
Ans- (a) worry – concern
(b) intersect/merge/coincide – converged

C. Their victory in the battle was not only a great morale booster to the Marathas hut it also established their
supremacy in northern India. The East India Company, which had been watching these developments from the
sidelines, got the message and temporarily shelved its expansionist programme. For the Peshwas the immediate
result was an increase in the influence of Bhausaheb and Vishwasrao who eventually succeeded his father in 1780
AD. The trouble-maker, Dadasaheb, was relegated to the background and he eventually retired from state politics.
To its dismay, the East India Company met its match in the new Maratha ruler, Vishwasrao. He and his brother,
Madhavrao, combined political acumen with valour and systematically expanded their influence all over India. The
Company was reduced to pockets of influence near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, just like its European rivals, the
Portu guese and the French.
Q1. What was the effect of the battle? What was its result?
Ans- The Marathas’ win in the battle gave them more confidence. As a result, they established their dominance in
Northern India.
Q2. How did this change in situation affect the British /East India Company?
Ans-. As Maratha dominance was established in Northern India, the East India Company was forced to temporarily
postpone its imperialism plan. It remained confined to certain areas in nearby Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.
Q3. What impact did it have on Dadasaheb?
Ans- The Marathas viewed Dadasaheb as a troublemaker. As a result, he was sent to the shadows and eventually
left state politics.
Q4. How did Vishwasrao act as a ruler?
Ans- Vishwasrao and his brother Madhavrao very methodically increased their power throughout India. The East
India Company was only able to exert influence in the areas close to Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay.
Q5. Give one word for the following-
(a) given less important place/rank
(b) ability to understand and judge things quickly and clearly.
Ans- (a) relegated
(b) acumen
D. He found a guest house to stay in and had a frugal meal. He then set out for a stroll towards the Azad Maidan. In
the maidan he found a throng moving towards a pandal. So, a lecture was to take place. Force of habit took
Professor Gaitonde towards the pandal. The lecture was in progress, although people kept coming and going. But
Professor Gaitonde was not looking at the audience.
He was staring at the platform as if mesmerised. There was a table and a chair but the latter was unoccupied. The
presidential chair unoccupied! The sight stirred him to the depths. Like a piece of iron attracted to a magnet, he
swiftly moved towards the chair. The speaker stopped in mid-sentence, too shocked to continue. But the audience
soon found voice.
“Vacate the chair !”
“This lecture series has no chairperson…”
“Away from the platform, mister !”
“The chair is symbolic, don’t you know ?”
What nonsense! Whoever heard of a public lecture without a presiding dignitary ? Professor Gaitonde went to the
mike and gave vent to his views. “Ladies and gentlemen, an unchaired lecture is like Shakespeare’s Hamlet without
the Prince of Denmark. Let me tell you.”
Q1. Where did he go for a stroll? What did he find there?
Ans- He took a stroll towards the Azad Maidan. He discovered a crowd approaching on a pandal.
Q2. How did he feel after going there?
Ans-. He was mesmerised as he observed the platform. The presidential chair was vacant when he arrived. He was
incredibly impressed by that. Like an iron rod being drawn to a magnet, he felt drawn to the chair.
Q3. What was the general reaction at his arrIval?
Ans-. Gangadharpant was approaching the presidential chair, and the speaker was too frightened to continue. Mid-
sentence, he paused. When this happened, the audience responded angrily and demanded that Professor Gaitonde
leave the chair. They didn’t seem interested in paying attention to the chairperson.
Q4. How did he try to explain- himself or his position?
Ans-. Professor Gaitonde had expertise speaking in front of large crowds. Seeing that the chairperson’s seat was
vacant, he moved to the microphone. A lecture without a chair, according to him, is similar to Shakespeare’s
“Hamlet” without the Prince of Denmark.
Q5. Give the meaning of:
(a) Spellbound
(b) congregation
Ans- (a) mesmerised
(b) throng