Chapter 11 of 12
Chapter 11: A Journey to the Magical Mountains
Adventure Narrative in the Himalayas: Family Bonds, Mountain Ecology & Environmental Stewardship | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Young girl Minam and her grandfather, a retired Sherpa who loves the Himalayan peaks.
- Preparing for a mountain trek: Packing essentials (rotis, achaar, water bottles, woolen caps).
- Experiencing the changing altitude, crisp alpine air, crystal-clear glacial streams, and prayer flags.
- First encounter with snow: Joy of building a snowman and touching powdery snowflakes.
- The sacred pledge: Respecting fragile mountain ecosystems and leaving zero plastic litter behind.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
Who was Minam, and what special invitation did her grandfather give her one sunny morning?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Who Minam Was: Minam was an adventurous young girl who lived in a scenic village nestled at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas with her grandfather, who was once an experienced mountain Sherpa.
Grandfather's Invitation: One bright sunny morning, her grandfather noticed how strong and healthy she had grown and said: 'Minam, your legs are strong now. Today, I will take you on a magical journey high up into the heart of the mountains.'
Grandfather's Invitation: One bright sunny morning, her grandfather noticed how strong and healthy she had grown and said: 'Minam, your legs are strong now. Today, I will take you on a magical journey high up into the heart of the mountains.'
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies Minam and grandfather's Sherpa background
1.5 M
Explains morning invitation to climb the Himalayas
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
What supplies did Minam pack in her rucksack, and where did they pause for their afternoon lunch?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rucksack Supplies: Minam thoughtfully packed freshly baked rotis wrapped in cloth, spicy homemade lemon pickle (achaar), two stainless steel water bottles, and crisp mountain apples.
Lunch Spot: They paused beside a bubbling, ice-cold mountain stream bordered by smooth river pebbles. Minam dipped her tired feet into the cool water and joyfully watched silver fish dart across the riverbed while eating her lunch.
Lunch Spot: They paused beside a bubbling, ice-cold mountain stream bordered by smooth river pebbles. Minam dipped her tired feet into the cool water and joyfully watched silver fish dart across the riverbed while eating her lunch.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Lists rotis, achaar, water bottles, and apples
1.5 M
Describes riverside lunch spot with cool glacial water
1.5 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
How did Minam react when she touched snow for the very first time in her life? What did she build with her grandfather?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
When Minam reached the snowline, she gasped in pure wonder. She scooped up a handful of powdery snow, delighted by its cool, soft texture, and laughed aloud with excitement.
Together with her grandfather, she rolled large snowballs and built a friendly little snowman, using pine twigs for its arms and small black river stones for its eyes and smiling mouth.
Together with her grandfather, she rolled large snowballs and built a friendly little snowman, using pine twigs for its arms and small black river stones for its eyes and smiling mouth.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Describes wonder and sensory excitement of touching snow
1.5 M
Details building a snowman using twigs and river pebbles
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Comprehension
What solemn promise did Minam make to her grandfather and the mountains before descending?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Before descending to their valley home, Minam looked up at the towering, snow-capped Himalayan peaks and placed her hand over her heart. She solemnly promised her grandfather that she would forever respect, love, and protect nature, and ensure that no traveler ever litters or harms the pristine beauty of the mountains.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Mentions pledge of environmental respect and protection
1.5 M
Highlights preserving mountain purity and zero littering
1.5 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 11 ('A Journey to the Magical Mountains'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q6
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q7
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q8
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q9
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q10
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q11
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q12
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q13
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'A Journey to the Magical Mountains' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q14
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Eco-Tourism & Clean Himalayan Trails
Every summer, thousands of tourists leave discarded plastic bottles, chip bags, and aluminum cans along high-altitude trekking trails in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, endangering grazing mountain goats (Ibex) and contaminating melting glaciers.
Analytical Task: How does Minam's mountain promise oppose the habits of careless tourists? State two practical rules every eco-trekker must follow.
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Contrast with Minam's Pledge: While careless tourists treat sacred peaks as dumping grounds, Minam internalized her grandfather's golden Sherpa ethos: nature must be revered and left untouched for future generations.
Two Eco-Trekker Rules:
1. Leave No Trace: Carry back 100% of non-biodegradable waste in personal trash bags to plains municipal recycling centers.
2. Use Reusable Canteens: Refill durable stainless steel water bottles from verified boiled/filtered spring points instead of buying single-use commercial plastic bottles.
Two Eco-Trekker Rules:
1. Leave No Trace: Carry back 100% of non-biodegradable waste in personal trash bags to plains municipal recycling centers.
2. Use Reusable Canteens: Refill durable stainless steel water bottles from verified boiled/filtered spring points instead of buying single-use commercial plastic bottles.
Rubric: 1 Mark for contrasting Minam's reverence with irresponsible tourism; 1 Mark for two actionable waste-mitigation trekking rules.