Page 56 - English Reader - 7

Later in the year, the semul flowers will give way to large woody seedpods. When the hot winds blow

in April, these pods will explode like anti-aircraft shells and a white cloud of silk cotton (kapoc used in
life-belts), each section carrying a seed, will drift away in the wind to regenerate nature’s garden. All
seeds that are not carried from one place to another by birds or animals are provided with buoyant
material or with parchment sails or propellers, to enable the winds of heaven to carry them from
place to place.
There are, of course, exceptions, one of which is the gotail which bears a fruit like a small green
apple and which no bird or animal eats. This tree grows on the banks of rivers and the water does
for its seeds what birds and animals and the wind do for other seeds. Another is the coconut which is

provided with a husk that enables it to float and be carried by the ocean waves from shore to shore.
— An extract from Jungle Lore by Jim Corbett

Word Meanings
1. salt–lick : naturally occurring salt deposits
2. saplings : young trees
3. adheres : sticks

4. adulterating : mixing things to reduce quality
5. rheumatism : a disease of muscles and joints

6. reprimanding : expressing disapproval
7. laxative : causes bowels to empty
8. buoyant : afloat
9. parchment : paper

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A. Tick (3) the correct option.

1. The plants with light green leaves are __________.

(a) runi trees (b) shisham saplings (c) tea plants (d) mango trees

2. The powder that is used for dyeing wool comes from __________.

(a) red berries (b) blue berries (c) green leaves (d) thorny leaves

3. The feathery-leaved trees are called __________.

(a) runi trees (b) shisham trees (c) khair trees (d) bushes

4. The __________ tree bears flowers that are loved by many birds and animals.

(a) Kamala (b) Semul (c) Kanchan (d) Apple

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