Page 38 - English Grammar - IX-X

11. Symptoms of an allergic response include a stuffy or runny nose, frequent
sneezing, itchy throat, rash, sinus, ear ache, difficulty in breathing, stomach
cramps, and itchy, red, or watery eyes.
12. The misconception is that persons with allergies are either born with them
or acquire symptoms in childhood. That is not true.

Practice Questions

I. Read the following passage carefully.

THE LURE OF
THE LURE OF THE MOUNTAINS THE MOUNTAINS
(1) I was born in the small but beautiful mountain village of Nakuri near Uttarkashi in
Garhwal, with the gurgling, playful Bhagirathi river flowing nearby. My parents were
hardworking and extremely self-contained couple. Even though our family was poor,
barely managing the essentials, my father taught us how to live and maintain dignity
and self-respect—the most treasured family value till today. At the same time, my
parents also practised the creed, “Kindness is the essence of all religion.” They were
large-hearted, inviting village folk passing by to have tea at our home, and gave grain to
the sadhus and pandits who came to the house. This characteristic has been ingrained
in me so deeply that I am able to reach out to others and make a difference in their
lives—whether it is in my home, in society or at the workplace.

(2) I was the third child in the family—girl, boy, girl, girl and boy in that order—and
quite a rebel. I developed a tendency to ask questions and was not satisfied with
the customary way of life for a girl-child. When I found my elder brother, Bachchan,
encouraging our youngest brother, Raju, to take up mountaineering I thought, why
not me? I found that my brothers were always getting preferential treatment and all
opportunities and options were open to them. This made me even more determined
to not only do what the boys were doing, but to do it better.
(3) Whatever one’s beliefs, there is always a moment to reflect and view the earth below
and the heavens above while hitting the top of a mountain and catching one’s breath.
Petrarch, an Italian poet, climbed Mont Ventoux (1,912 metres) in Provence, France,
for fun in 1336, and his accomplishment, as revealed in his writings, encapsulated
the spirit of adventure that most climbers follow when hitting a peak.

(4) They considered themselves to be born mountaineers as they had to go up and down
mountain slopes for their daily livelihood and even for routine work. On the other

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