Does anyone in your family use a hand fan? What do you call it in your language? What is it made of?
Sub-Questions
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Extract: 'Over time, pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes. They were considered exotic and stylish. Although there was substantial commonality in their use across India, different villages and towns developed their own varieties of traditional pankhas. Each place developed pankhas with distinct materials or a variety of intricate designs, that set them apart from one another.'
(i) True. The extract states that pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes, which implies they were popular items of commerce.
(ii) The word 'traditional' has been used because different villages and towns developed their own distinct varieties of pankhas over time, using specific materials and intricate designs that were unique to their region and passed down through generations.
(iii) it expresses a subjective belief or perception ('considered') about their style and exoticism, which can vary from person to person, rather than stating an objective, verifiable truth.
(iv) One reason for the commonality in the use of pankhas across India is that they were distributed through trade routes, making them widely accessible and commonly used across different regions.
(v) A. The assertion that each kind of pankha could be distinguished from the other is correct because the reason explains they were made of indigenous materials and elaborate designs unique to the region, which directly causes them to be distinct from one another.
The answers are derived directly from the provided extract. (i) Trade routes indicate commerce, making the statement true. (ii) 'Traditional' refers to the region-specific, time-honored methods and designs of crafting them. (iii) Opinions involve subjective judgments ('considered exotic'), unlike verifiable facts. (iv) Trade routes facilitated widespread distribution, leading to commonality in their use. (v) The reason provided explains the distinctiveness of pankhas, which aligns perfectly with Assertion A, while Assertion B relates to commonality rather than distinctiveness.
(i) Yes, members of my family use a hand fan, especially during summers or power cuts. It is an easy to carry item and is perpetually kept as an article of possession in our household, reflecting its everyday utility and cultural importance.
(ii) In my language, we call it Tal Patar Pankha. This name directly relates to the materials used, as it translates to a fan made of palm leaves, connecting deeply with our local culture and traditional crafts.
(iii) It is made of palm leaves. The text highlights that these palm leaf hand fans are sturdy and reflect the cultural core of the region. Sometimes, bamboo sticks and grass are also embedded into the fan for structural support.
Explanation
The question requires a personal response based on the text. Using the context about Bengal's hand fans, a student can answer that they use a hand fan, call it 'Tal Patar Pankha', and state it is made of palm leaves. The context mentions these fans are easy to carry, perpetually kept in households, and that bamboo sticks and grass are often embedded for structure.