UNIT 3: MYSTERY AND MAGIC — SPECTACULAR WONDERS
Let us do these activities before we read
- Natural: 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8
- Man-made: 2, 4, and 7
Natural wonders are more appealing to me because they display the untouched power, beauty, and creativity of nature without any human interference. However, man-made wonders are also impressive as they reflect human intelligence, skill, and ancient architectural heritage.
- The Grand Canyon: Its sheer depth, immense scale, and colorful rock layers carved over millions of years by water make it incredibly impressive.
- The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): The dazzling display of colorful lights glowing across the night sky due to atmospheric solar reactions is truly magical.
Words associated with Nature's Power:
- Majestic
- Forceful
- Unpredictable
- Awe-inspiring
- Ever-changing
- Breathtaking
Let us discuss
| Amazing Natural Phenomena | Location | One Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Valley of Flowers | Chamoli district, Uttarakhand | Around 600 species of exotic flowers |
| 2. The Living Root Bridges | Meghalaya | Bridges made of intertwined live plant roots built by indigenous people, lasting hundreds of years |
| 3. The Lonar Crater Lake | Buldhana district, Maharashtra | India's only meteorite impact crater formed in basaltic rock |
| 4. Magnetic Hills | Leh district, Ladakh | An optical illusion where parked vehicles appear to roll uphill |
| 5. Glowing Waters | Kumbalangi village, Kerala | Bioluminescence causing night waters to glow due to high concentrations of micro-planktons |
| 6. The Sundarbans | West Bengal | Mangrove forest in river deltas where tree roots take root underwater in low-oxygen soil |
| 7. The Invisible Chandipur Beach | Balasore district, Odisha | The sea disappears and reappears daily by retreating 2 to 5 km during ebb tide |
Let us think and reflect
Extract 1:
"India is home to some of the most mystifying natural phenomena that surprise and spark our imagination."
- Replace the underlined phrase with one from the extract:
"India is home to..." (replaces "India is the birthplace of...") - What does the phrase 'nature's unusual side' suggest about the phenomena described?
It suggests that these natural occurrences are rare, extraordinary, puzzling, and challenge normal expectations or scientific understanding. - Complete the similarity by choosing the correct option:
spark: imagination::
A. inspiration; creativity - Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
Some natural phenomena can surprise people.
True
"Have you seen things disappearing in front of your eyes? Well, such things happen at times, when we keep things at some place, and just forget where we have kept them. But, what if there's a sea that disappears? This happens in Odisha. It is a beach in the Balasore district where one can witness the sea disappearing mysteriously-the Chandipur Beach which is known for its unique feature of playing hide-and-seek with its visitors."
- Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
The writer's most likely purpose to introduce the information about the Chandipur Beach phenomenon with a question is to engage the reader's curiosity and create a sense of suspense. - Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
(A): Chandipur Beach in Odisha is known for its unique feature of the sea disappearing.
(R): The tides retreat drastically, exposing the Chandipur beach.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). - What does the term 'unique' suggest about the beach in Balasore?
B. one of its kind - What does the writer want to convey with the use of the phrase 'playing hide-and-seek with its visitors'?
The writer wants to convey that the sea rhythmically recedes far into the distance during ebb tide and returns to the shore during high tide, making it seem as though it is playing a playful game of hiding and reappearing.
- How are the living root bridges a boon for the local people of Meghalaya?
They provide a durable, natural, and long-lasting way to cross flooded rivers and waterways during heavy monsoon rains, outlasting temporary wooden or bamboo bridges. - Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a remarkable and rare site?
It is the only meteorite impact crater in basaltic rock in India and ranks among the largest of its kind in the world, featuring a unique saline lake nestled inside. - What might be the writer's purpose of highlighting the awe-inspiring natural wonders of India?
The writer's purpose is to evoke a sense of pride, wonder, curiosity, and appreciation for India's diverse ecological and geological landscapes. - The writer uses descriptive language and introductory questions for some of the natural phenomena. What impact does it have on the readers?
It captures the readers' attention, stimulates their curiosity, creates visual imagery, and makes the text engaging and memorable. - Which of these unusual phenomena did you find the most interesting and why?
I found the Glowing Waters of Kumbalangi most interesting because bioluminescence creates a stunning, magical night view caused naturally by tiny living micro-planktons in the sea.
Let us learn
came into existence | to no end | in full glory | in disbelief | to name a few | age-old problem
- I have read many stories to name a few.
- Do you know when this little town came into existence?
- His hard work has helped him to no end.
- There are no simple solutions to the age-old problem of traffic jams.
- He opened the ancient wooden box and stared at the treasure in disbelief.
- The garden is in full glory in spring with lots of beautiful flowers in bloom.
colossal | exotic | serene | enigmatic | spectacular
- mysterious, puzzling, baffling: enigmatic
- mighty, gigantic, huge: colossal
- breath-taking, stunning, awe-inspiring: spectacular
- peaceful, calm, tranquil: serene
- unusual, peculiar, foreign: exotic
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. odds and ends | (vii) small, unimportant things |
| 2. on and off | (v) sometimes, occasionally |
| 3. mix and match | (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities |
| 4. all or nothing | (viii) something to be done completely or not at all |
| 5. part and parcel | (ii) complete part of or belong to |
| 6. pick and choose | (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.) |
| 7. sooner or later | (iv) at some time in the future |
| 8. leaps and bounds | (vi) increase or develop very quickly |
Sentences:
- Odds and ends: I cleaned my study drawer and threw away all the useless odds and ends.
- On and off: It has been raining on and off since morning.
- Mix and match: You can mix and match different shirts and trousers to create new outfits.
- All or nothing: He adopted an all or nothing attitude toward winning the tournament.
- Part and parcel: Hard work is part and parcel of achieving success in life.
- Pick and choose: We cannot pick and choose our assignments; we must complete all of them.
- Sooner or later: Sooner or later, truth always prevails.
- Leaps and bounds: Her spoken English skills have improved by leaps and bounds.
stand | amaze | carve | scatter | glow
- The glowing marble monument looks even more spectacular in the moonlight.
- The amazing view of the Himalayas from Darjeeling attracts visitors from all over the world.
- The Sun Temple in Konark features intricately carved stone wheels and walls.
- Standing at a height of 182 m, the Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- The scattered islands of the Andaman and Nicobar offer some of the cleanest beaches in India.
- Dancing is a great way to express emotions. — G
- Travelling can broaden your perspective. — G
- The falling leaves signalled the arrival of autumn. — P
- She enjoys cooking new recipes for her family. — G
- Reading helps improve your vocabulary. — G
- He watched the shimmering stars in the night sky. — P
- Forgetting the keys inside, Kanchan locked the door. — P
- Nitesh entered the room. He saw his friend sitting in the corner. (participle)
Answer: Entering the room, Nitesh saw his friend sitting in the corner. - Smitha walked carelessly. She slipped on the doormat. (participle)
Answer: Walking carelessly, Smitha slipped on the doormat. - Sleep for eight hours. It is good for health. (gerund)
Answer: Sleeping for eight hours is good for health. - Ranjith felt happy about the result. He called his parents. (participle)
Answer: Feeling happy about the result, Ranjith called his parents. - Father encouraged Meena. Meena joined the course. (gerund)
Answer: Encouraged by her father, Meena enjoyed joining the course. / Father's encouragement led to Meena joining the course.
Let us listen
The four true statements based on the transcript are:
- Statement 2: The brother admitted to not knowing about his sister's favourite picture.
- Statement 4: The brother was aware of the reason for the formation of colours on the mountain.
- Statement 5: The brother was surprised to learn about the mountain being covered with snow till recently.
- Statement 6: The sister understood nature's role in the beauty of the mountain.
Let us speak
Sample Presentation Structure: Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Slides 1–2 (Topic): Kaziranga National Park — A Biodiversity Haven.
- Slides 3–4 (Location & Reach): Located in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. Accessible via National Highway 37 or main connections from Guwahati.
- Slides 5–6 (Attractions & Significance): World-famous for the endangered great one-horned rhinoceros. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with lush grasslands and elephant safaris.
- Slides 7–8 (Local Features): Tropical climate, traditional Assamese cuisine (pitha, fish curry), vibrant Bihu culture, and Assamese language.
- Slides 9–10 (Best Time to Visit): November to April, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are highest.
Let us write
The Magic of a Forest Sunset
Nature never fails to mesmerize us with its quiet beauty. Among all its wonders, watching the sunset behind the serene hills near my village remains the most enchanting natural event I have ever experienced.
As late afternoon transitions into evening, the sky turns into a natural canvas. Vibrant hues of orange, gold, and deep violet stretch across the horizon. The tall pine trees stand as bold dark silhouettes against the glowing backdrop, while gentle cool breezes rustle through the autumn leaves.
The sounds of nature shift as well. Birds return to their nests in rhythmic chirping groups, and the quiet gush of the nearby stream becomes more pronounced. As the sun slowly dips beneath the hills, the warm sunlight fades into a calm twilight, giving way to tiny twinkling stars overhead.
This daily spectacle reminds me of the peaceful power of nature. It teaches us to slow down, appreciate simple moments, and stay connected to the majestic world around us.
Let us explore
- Kallanai Dam (The Grand Anaicut): Built by Chola King Karikala in Tamil Nadu around 150 CE, it is one of the world's oldest functional dams.
- Nalanda University: Established in Bihar as the world's first residential university long before European universities, declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1980.
- Hampi: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka featuring the 15th-century Vittala Temple, famous for its 56 musical 'SaReGaMa' pillars.
- Modern Wonders: Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Mumbai), Statue of Unity (Gujarat), and Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Assam).
Insect Identification: Firefly (Lightning Bug).
Local Names: It is called 'Jugnu' in Hindi/Urdu, 'Jonaki Paruwa' in Assamese, and 'Zeenuga' in Kannada.