Available Answers

1. 1.

   The hills were bare and dry. Much of the forest had long since disappeared; just a few scraggy old oaks still grew on the steep hillside.

   1. Why were the hills 'bare and dry'?
   2. Where were Pritam and Nathu going?
   3. Were the hills near Nathu's village in the same condition?
2. 2.

   Do you think Pritam Singh and Nathu share a deep relationship? What makes you think so ?

3. 3.

   Suddenly, the hillside blossomed outwards, followed by a sharp crack of explosives. Earth and rock hurtled down the hillside.

   1. What do the lines refer to?
   2. How did Nathu feel as he watched this sight?
   3. Did Pritam react differently to the sight?
4. 4.

   "I don't know. It's just that kind of day, I suppose."

   1. Who said these words and to whom?
   2. What was the speaker talking about?
   3. In what way did his feeling turn out to be true?
5. 5.

   How does the author shows his concern for disappearing natural resources in the text ? What massage does he intend to convey ?