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. How were the hills near Nathu's village different?
2. 2.

   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?
3. 3.

   "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?
4. 4.

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

5. 5.

   1. Match these things to the ideas they represent.

   A	B
   1. truck	i. if we destroy nature, we will end up destroying ourselves
   2. destruction of the hillside	ii. we must turn to nature if we are to save ourselves
   3. oak tree and nettles	iii. our greed will be the cause of our own destruction

   2. Through the text, how does the author show that he is concerned about the destruction of natural resources? What message does he intend to convey?