Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. Although the eaters of loaves might have vanished, the makers are still there. The mixers, moulders, and bakers of loaves continue their craft, and the age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist with their fires not yet extinguished.
We know this because the thud and jingle of the traditional baker's bamboo can still be heard in some places. Furthermore, the sons carry on the family profession even after their fathers. The paders have managed to survive by perfecting the art of door-to-door delivery and passing down bread-making knowledge through family traditions.
Explanation
The question tests the student's understanding of the present status of the traditional baking profession in Goa as depicted in the chapter 'A Baker from Goa'. The answer must clearly state that the profession survives and then provide specific textual evidence, such as the continued existence of furnaces, the sound of the baker's bamboo, and the passing down of the family profession to sons.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Directly answer the first part of the question by confirming that bread-making is still popular in Goa.
Step 2: Provide evidence from the text for the second part, mentioning the continued existence of mixers, moulders, bakers, and time-tested furnaces.
Step 3: Add further evidence, such as the sound of the baker's bamboo, sons carrying on the family profession, and the paders' survival through door-to-door delivery.