Unit 10

Walking on
a Frozen River A.

Warm Up
People often use the words hiking and trekking interchangeably. However, there are certain
differences between them.
1. Work with your partner and find out two ways in which hiking is different from trekking.
2. Then think of two positives and two negatives about hiking and trekking.

In this travel article, the speaker describes his experience of the Chadar Trek along with
a group of travellers from Bangladesh. The Chadar Trek, also known as the Zanskar
Gorge Trek, is a winter trail that takes place in the Zanskar region of Ladakh during
the harsh winter months ofJanuary and February. The trail is popular with adventure
tourists and trekkersfrom around the world.

t was a cold January night in Delhi. As I boarded the first flight to Leh, the night

I was about to end. When we entered the airspace of Ladakh at the break of
dawn, I witnessed an alpenglow! The pinkish hue paved the path for the morning
sunshine, making the snow-capped mountains glitter like gold. I thought,'Finally,
its happening! My dream of walking on a river is about to become a reality!'

documentary on
It all started about four years ago after watching a
Zanskar—a region that lies in the middle of the Trans-Himalaya1'.

airspace: the air or sky above documentary: a film or television programme that gives
a region that is considered to facts and information about a subject (place, cuisine,
belong to that region personality or an event)
alpenglow: a natural phenomenon ’Trans-Himalaya: The Trans-Himalaya, or the Gangdise-
when mountain summits are Nyenchen Tanglha range, is a 1,600-kilometre-long mountain
illuminated (or have a reddish range in India, Nepal and China, extending in a west-east
glow; during sunrise or sunset direction parallel to the main Himalayan range.

21CCritkalThinking,Collaboration,Communication; IL EVS (Warm Up); Digital (QR. code) ,

 The documentary showcased the serene beauty of some
1. What do you think
of the unexplored terrain of the area. It also showed the the speaker found most
difficulties faced by the inhabitants when the snow blocks appealing about Zanskar
from the documentary?
the high mountain passes that connect the region with the
outside world. In addition to that, it presented how the Zanskaris have mastered
the art of finding their way through the harsh landscape. The documentary was so
inspiring that I began dreaming about this beautiful trek.

In the Zanskar Valley, the Zanskar River,

a fierce emerald green-turquoise river runs
through towering mountains and meanders
through deep gorges to join the Indus River
in Ladakh. During winter, the sub-zero
temperature freezes the river and forms
a thick slab of ice over it. Locals call it
chadar or blanket. For ages, they have
mastered the art of travelling through this perilous cbadar to reach the city to sell
yak cheese and fur and come back with essentials like salt.
2. How have the people
Even small children risk this long and dangerous journey living in the Zanskar
from different villages of the Zanskar Valley to go to region adapted to its A
extreme climate?
school in other places in Ladakh.

I was in Leh, the biggest town in Ladakh, to

trek this historical trail. The trek is across
an ancient route that was a part of the Silk
Road21. That gives you the opportunity to
visit and stay in remote Ladakhi hamlets,
interact with the locals and experience a
way of life that has remained unchanged for
hundreds of years. You also ger to see that
Ladakh's architecture, art and culture are

serene: calm and peaceful i perilous: extremely dangerous

terrain: an area of land which has i hamlets: small villages
I I- !_• /-L
a particular natural quality ! ~ Silk Road: An ancient trade route hnku-.g I■
meanders: flows along a winding path with rhe West. A parr of rhe Silk Road \ '
sub-zero temperature: temperature I rhe form of a paved highway connec tmg : ’ .x < : ..
below zero degrees rhe Uygur Autonomous Region of X. c .aug k
deeply influenced by Tibet. The ancient Buddhist monasteries especially reflect this
unique heritage.

We were in Leh for four days. On the fifth day, we left for 3. The point where
our destination—a small village called Tilat Sumdo on the two rivers join to form
a single channelise
banks of the Zanskar River. After a three-hour drive along
the Kargil highway, we reached Nimo. This is where the
Zanskar River meets the Indus. After half an hour’s drive from there, we reached
our destination.

I set my feet on the frozen Zanskar River for the first time after descending 200 feet
from the road. I could hear the angry roars of the river as it quaked under my feet.
It was thrilling as well as frightening. As soon as I started walking on the ice,
I knew it would not be easy. The heat of the sun had melted the outer layer of ice
making it slippery. I had 4. How will you
to waddle like a penguin walk on thin ice?

to reach the other side of Show in class.

the river.

By the time we reached our first campsite

after an hours trek, I had thankfully figured
out a way of walking on the thin ice.
We pitched our tent on the river bank as
a long winter night descended on the great
void surrounded by towering mountains.

The next morning we went out after breakfast of pancakes and Kargils famous
salty tea3’. Our destination was Shingra Kongma, more than 10 kilometres away.
After walking for a few hours, the river suddenly became narrow, causing the ice
slabs to break and get carried away by the strong current. We had to move forward
through the steep hills sometimes.

Sometimes, we had to crawl over narrow and thin ice channels that had
accumulated on the sides of the mountain. The hollow sound while walking on the

campsite: a place where people camp or stay ’• Kargil’s famous salty tea: Po Cha or Payo
in tents Cha is a salty butter tea from Ladakh made with
great void: large empty region black tea leaves, yak butter, salt, and water.

IL G< XEQ 3;. Ml Bodily-Kiniesthetic (EQ4)

 newly deposited surface was frightening. With every step, it felt like the ice would
break and I would fall into the freezing river!

My Thoughts
> If I were a part of this group in the
picture, this is what I would enjoy the
most about the experience:

> This is what I would not enjoy ar all:

Our next destination was Tibb, for

which we had to cover 12 kilometres.
After walking for a while, we entered
the kingdom of frozen waterfalls. This
bit of the trail was the most beautiful.
It was as if a sorcerer had frozen
everything by magic!

5. Look at all the After that, we came to the narrowest part of the river the
photographs used
width of the river here was only 8 feet. After crossing this place,
in this text. Which
view, according to we reached Tibb and camped inside a huge cave about 20 feet
you, is the most from the river bank. The final destination of our trail was
magical and why?
Nerak, an ancient village on the banks of the Zanskar, around
12 kilometres from Tibb. The trek was fairly easy as the ice cover on the river was
quite thick.

On our way, we witnessed the frozen Nerak waterfall—one of the largest waterfalls
on the trail. A wooden bridge was suspended across the river. Ahead was a wide valley
covered with white snow, lined with juniper trees. The view was breathtaking. There
are two or three stone houses on the bank of the river where trekkers usually star
for the night. Since the main village of Nerak 6. Write two other words that ~ ean: - ~
is almost 2000 feet above the river bank, we same as breathtaking.
decided to take shelter in one of the stone houses. L

sorcerer: a person with supernatural powers

Once we reached Ladakh, we experienced the coldest night of the trip. The
temperature was minus 25 degrees! I waited eagerly for the sun to rise as I couldn't
bear the extreme cold. The next morning, the sun rose and dispelled the cold spell
like magic. Since it was our reserve day, we went to see the village, which was
primarily a cluster of stone houses. At the entrance of the village, we saw a huge
prayer wheel (Dharma Chakra) covered with a canopy. We could hear its music
from a distance.

We reached the village and found the villagers engaged in a 7. Participating

festival. Everyone in the village had gathered in the open balcony in local festivals
is a great way of
of a two-storied stone house. Some of them were playing Ladakhi
observing the culture
songs with drums and flutes. The young men and women in of a region. What are
the village were dancing in rhythm to those tunes. The villagers the other ways in
which tourists can
greeted us warmly. In no time, we became part of their group— get to know about the
singing and dancing to the melodious tunes. We were fortunate culture of a placethat
to observe Zanskar culture at such close quarters. they are visiting?

Walking across Zanskar has been a spiritual experience for me. I wish we could stay
here for a few more days but we had to return the next day, following the same route.

The speaker, along with his group of travellers, was able to complete the entire trek in
seven days.

Saleh in Arshady

reserve day: an additional day (here, canopy: a cover fixed over something for shelter
not many activities were planned for or decoration
this day)
spiritual: having to do with the spirit (soul) and not
duster: a bunch the body

Think Pair Share

Imagine that you have been given
Salehin Arshady is an avid mountaineer, explorer
a chance to go on a trek.
and writer from Bangladesh. He has traversed many
> Which place in India would you unknown territories, climbed several peaks, and
like to go? explored various trekking routes in the Himalayas-
> What are the things that you both in India and Nepal. He is the founder member
will carry for the trek? of a popular mountaineering club in Bangladesh.

> Who do you want to take along He frequently shares his travel experiences
with you and why? through articles and journals.

Share with your partner.

21C Critical 1 hinking, Communication, Collaboration (TPS); IL Local Knowledge (EQ7)

 6 Reading
A. Number these events in the order in which they take place.
a. The speaker and his group spent the first four days in Leh.
b. The next morning they set out for Shingra Kongma, more than
10 kilometres away.
c. The group reached the final destination, Nerak, an ancient village
on the banks of the Zanskar.
d. On the fifth day, they left for a small village called Tilat Sumdo.
e’ The group experienced the coldest night of the trip at minus 25 degrees
in Ladakh.
£ The group ultimately set their feet on the frozen Zanskar River after
descending 200 feet from the road.
g. The group took shelter in a stone house as the main village of Nerak
is almost 2000 feet above the river bank.
h. After entering the kingdom of frozen waterfalls, the group came
to the narrowest part of the river—where the width was only 8 feet.

B. Answer these questions.

1. What do you get to know about the Zanskar River from the text?
What is the link between the Zanskar River and the word chadar?
2. That gives you the opportunity to visit and stay in remote Ladakhi hamlets...
a. What gave the speaker and his group the opportunity to experience
the place?
b. What are some of the other things that the speaker and his group
experienced here?
3. It was thrilling as well as frightening.
a. What, according to the speaker, was thrilling but also frightening.
b. Why was the experience frightening? Did the speaker face a similar

situation later on?

4. I waited eagerly for the sun to rise...
a. Why did the speaker wait eagerly for the sun to rise?
b. How did the speaker and his group spend the day once rhe sun r.

.. ........ ■* —*»'
IllAi . <••• - A
 5. According to you, which part of the trek was the most challenging for the
speaker and his group? Say why.
6. Completing the Chadar Trek was a dream come true for the speaker. But
why do you think he describes it as a spiritual experience?

C. Think and answer.

1. Which of these factors do you think makes this travel article an informative
yet interesting read? Give reasons for your answer.
a. The amount of detail that is provided for each destination.
b. Each experience that has been described is personally moving.
c. The quick pace of the article and the simple language that has been used.
d. The way that the article links the frightening and the satisfying experiences
2. The Chadar Trek is considered one of the most difficult treks in India, yet
every year the number of people going on this trek continues to increase.
What do you think could be the reason for this?
3. Look at this picture of another 4
trek. Work with your partner and
point out the similarities and the
dissimilarities between this trek and ■HE
the Chadar Trek from what you 1 -
have just read. '

6 Qrammar *
B■ ■■■ ■ aaoo a o o o o a o o a o a o •

j Sentences can be divided into three kinds based on their structure.

J Read this sentence.
• > It was a cold January night in Delhi.
;■ This is a simple sentence. It has only one main clause (a main clause has a subject and a verb
I and is a complete sentence by itself).
• Read this sentence.

• > I wish we could stay here for a few more days but we had to return the next day.
main clause main clause
e
« This is a compound sentence. It has two or more main clauses, joined by a coordinating
• conjunction.
•
*
•• • * •••• ••“••••• aaeaaaaaa a • aea [Link]-aa.a a aaa a aa a aa;aaaaa a*

21C Critical Flunking (Reading B6,1 &A); Collaboration, Visual Literacy (T&A 3); PISA type (T&A 1

e
 ; Now, read these sentences,
j 1. Since the village is 2000 feet above the river bank, we took shelter in a stone house,
subordinate clause main clause
• 2. It showed the difficulties faced by the locals when snow blocks the mountain passes.
! main clause subordinate clause
J These two sentences are complex sentences. They have a main clause and one or more
J dependent clauses, joined by a subordinating conjunction or even a relative pronoun, like
! in sentence 2.
> Here are a few more examples of simple, compound and complex sentences—

' simple sentences compound sentences complex sentences

J > The travellers were > They are coming by train, > I misplaced the camera
trekking. so they should be here which I bought last month.
J > The flight is leaving by evening. > Although he is very bright,
on time. > We looked everywhere he makes silly mistakes
1
but we couldn't find her. sometimes.
________
A. Form compound sentences using and, but, or, so, for or yet.

1. Simi likes coffee. Her mother likes tea.

Simi likes coffee but her mother likes tea.
2. Rajan woke up early. He did not reach school on time.
3. Amit was honest. The teacher praised him.
4. I was up all night yesterday. I have a headache.
5. Tia went to the crafts fair. She did not go to the restaurant.
6. You can go by bus. You can take the metro.
7. We heard the fire alarm. We rushed to the playground.

B. Change these sentences to complex sentences.

1. We thought Ramit to be innocent. We thought that Ramii .
2. The team hopes to win the basketball match.
3. Kripa worked hard to pass the examination.
4. He tried his best, but he didn't succeed.
5. You have to hurry or you will miss your train.
6. The performer went up on stage and the audience scarce
7. Sushmita is working nomstop co complece che project. 9
6 Vocabulary
-•••••••■•■■■•■•a ■ B • ■ B B. B B_ B • B B B B BBOOBBBBOBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBB ■ IB ■ ■ g |
Read this sentence.
> I waddled like a penguin to reach the other side of the river.
The word waddle suggests a slow way of walking with short steps and in a swaying motion.
It is a movement word.
■ wwwwmm jtw M-wwa ■ ■ ■ bjb ■ • •■ooooooooooooooooooooooa.a b b.b bob

Write the highlighted movement words in the correct box.

1. The iguana plodded back to its resting place, near the water.
2. The travellers trudged through the dense forest for hours.
3. The children bolted the moment they saw the principal.

4. Michael dashed to get the autograph of his favourite singer.

5. Grandfather sauntered through the park with his friends.
6. Father rushed to shut the windows when the storm struck.

fast slow

__________________________ -_______

Enact all the movement words given above. Your partner will have to guess the correct
movement word. Take turns to do this activity.

6 Listening gg
Listen to an account about the benefits of travelling. As you listen,
complete the sentences. You can listen to the account again if required.
The tourism industry grew rapidly in the latter half of the twentieth century and
has steadily emerged as the 1 industry. It employs close
to 200 million people around the globe. In India, the tourism and hospitality sector
is one of the largest employers.

21C G: :.’n. Collaboration; MI Bodily-Kinaesthetic; Ganic-based Learning (VA)

 Tourism—the travel-based, recreation—provides people 2-
and a break from the monotony of daily life. It brings peoples of different nations
together, allowing them to come into close contact 3‘
customs and other aspects of life. It reveals the scenic beauty and past heritage
of a country to people 4-

The knowledge and experience gained in the process can lead to 5‘

and can even foster world peace. Apart from generating
employment, tourism also adds to 6’ . Developing
countries, in particular, can reap great benefits out of tourism to boost
national income.

' Pronunciation (<||

■■• •• o a o a o □. c a o o o 00000000000 000 • o_a 0.0.0 0.0.0 0 o o.o o 0.0 [Link]^0 O-O-O o o o a o o 00 0000
*

J In sentences, many common words can be spoken in two different ways—these are called
• strong forms and weak forms of words.
° Listen to these sentences.
| 1. I want that. 2. I hope that she is fine.
• In sentence 1, the strong form of that is used. In sentence 2, the weak form is used.
»-»J> ».o o □ a o □ o.o o o a o 0.0 • ■ a a a a a a a aaja a.a aaaaaaaaa aaa aa a aaa_a^ a aa
* a aa a a a a a a a

A. Listen and repeat these sentences. The strong forms are highlighted.
1. Yes, she can.
2. What are you waiting for?
3. It is not just any gemstone, it is the gemstone.
4. I saw him, not you.

B. Now listen and repeat these sentences. The weak forms

are highlighted.
1. I don't like him. L 7
2. I can tell you a good joke.
3. I am waiting for Manisha to arrive. mHxg
4. Any news of him?

Note: Notice how the strong forms in exercise A are weak forms in exercise b.

Il [Link]-i J • >■ ■ •
6 Spelling
Look at these words.
> r. .seller (Br) > traveler (Amr)
There are several words that have different spelling in British English (Br)
and American English (Amer). Here are a few more examples of such words—

Br apologise theatre odour paediatric dialogue

Amer apologize theater odor pediatric dialog

Write the British spellings of these words.

1. tire................. 2. offense................... 3. center.....
4. check................. 5. recognize............... 6. endeavor
7. maneuver................. 8. monolog................ 9. program..

^Writing
Imagine that you are planning a trek to the Valley of Flowers National
Park, Uttarakhand. Write an email to your cousin telling them all about
the trek and asking them to join you. Here are some points that you can
use in your email­
trip in July — valley located in Chamoli — Rishikesh to Joshimath by car — trek to start
from Govindghat — four-day trek from Govindghat to the valley — accommodation at
Ghangaria — valley is home to variety of flowers, endangered animals like snow leopard,
musk deer, red fox and blue sheep and birds like Himalayan monal pheasant — Pushpawati
River is a major attraction along with other spectacular views — temperature expected to be
low with heavy rains — back to Govindghat following the same route

My Notes
> I must include paragraphs in my email and in order to
distinguish it from a letter, I should

> Since this is (a formal / an informal) email meant for therefore

rhe language can be
 $ Take Off
Work in small groups and choose any one of these.
Imagine yourselves to be tour guides of any of these places—
> Leh, Ladakh > Mumbai, Maharashtra > Diezephe, Nagaland
Take your class on a virtual tour of the place through a presentation. Make sure that you include
places of historical, literary or natural importance to emphasise the special appeal of the place.
Be creative in your way of presenting. Add some dos and don'ts of travelling to these places.
2. Create your continent! Take a world map and draw your own new continent. It could be of any
shape and size, but try to fit it into the world map. Once you are done, write these details about your
continent—
> the name of the continent (the name can also be in your home language)
> the number of countries in the continent and the hemisphere it is in
> the number of mountain ranges and rivers
> the biome it belongs to—aquatic, grassland, forest, desert or tundra
3. Travelling introduces us to the thrill of taking up new challenges and learning valuable things ever}'
day. Work with your partner and discuss how travelling—
> makes us more tolerant. > boosts self-awareness.
Add two more points and take turns to explain your views in class.

LEARNING JOURNAL

1. read a range of texts about travel experiences including travelogues

2. develop sensitivity towards diverse environments
3. revise coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
4. identify and form simple, compound and complex sentences
5. understand and use phrasal verbs using with
6. categorise movement words as fast or slow
7. listen for dictation of phrases

8. convert a play into a story narrated in the first person

, 9. write an email by including relevant details

21C Communicarion. Collaboration, Creativity (1.2.3); 11 India Know .‘V-

EVS (1,2), Art. (2); Constitutional Values-tolerance. diversity. Plurali>n'1 ’ '
 Springboard
These pictures show some
extreme natural environments
with very limited resources.
Human beings have managed
to find ways of living in
such harsh and unliveable
conditions for years.
Work in pairs
and discuss—
> the difficulties posed
by these natural
environments.
> the measures human
beings have had to take to
survive in such gruelling
or difficult natural
environments.

My Thoughts
I think (animals / humans) are better in adapting to harsher
environments because
 0 You Know?; AP: Appreciating the I’ocni;

Holistic Lesson Objectives

Reading grammar
> reading a variety of texts about survival skills > identifying the difference between the active
and instincts and the passive voice (Unit 11)
appreciating the importance of knowledge learning to convert direct speech to reported speech
about nature and environment and reported speech to direct speech (Unit 11)
developing respect for and deriving > revising subject-verb agreement and learning
inspiration from these stories of courage, to use them with collective nouns and indefinite
sacrifice and love pronouns (Unit 12)

Vocabulary Listening
> understanding binomial expressions and > listening to an article on extremophiles (Unit 12)
using them in sentences (Unit 11) > listening for information and deducing from
> understanding and using phrasal verbs the information shared
with up (Unit 12)
Writing
Speaking writing a descriptive essay showing sensitivity
>
role-playing conversations to ask for towards the environment (Unit 11)
and provide directions to places (Unit 11) > writing a report for a newspaper with a clear
using appropriate expressions to communicate / sense of topic and purpose (Unit 12)
effectively > arranging ideas and information with coherence

B. Integration
Cross-curricular: EVS: Warm Up (Units 11 and 12); EQs 2 and 3 (Unit 12); Take Off; Geography:
Writing (Units 11 and 12); RA (Unit 11); Project; Art: Take Off
21 Century Skills/Visual Literacy: Warm Up; T&A (Units 11 and 12; Poem 6); TPS; GF (Lmrs 11
and 12); VA; Writing (Unit 12); AP (Poem 6)
PISA type: T&A (Units 11 and 12)
Values/Life Skills/SEL: Warm Up; My Thoughts; TPS (Unit 11); T&A (Unit 12); Take Off
SDGs: Springboard; Warm Up; Writing (Unit 12); T&A (Unit 11)
^dia^Kriowledge/Local Knowledge: Text (Unit 11); Warm Up; RA; TPS (Unit 11); Writing (I n

Digital: QR code (Units 11 and 12; Poem 6); RA (Unit 11), Lk-nino and Pronunciation (Unit 1
Game-based Learning: GF (Units 11 and 12); VA (Unit 12) ' 8*
Multilingualism: My Thoughts (Unit 11); EQ6 (Unit 12); zru- 12); Take Off
Multiple Intelligences: Warm Up; Speaking; RA (Unit 11 j; q 3( ~

C. Assessment
Assessment For Learning: Springboard; Warm Up (Units i , ,'
> Assessment As Learning: GF (Unit 11 and Unit 12); VA (n 12; P<*n1 , p
Speaking (Unit 11); My Notes; Project (Unit 12); Learning12b U01"' '
Poeme? W L“pin«I EQ 3 (Unit 11); EQ 4; PrnnunjSmJ
Poem 6); Writing (Units 11 anJ 12) X kRiOn (UM't

R — answer: GF: Gunin