Sunday, February 11, 2024

A RACE AGAINST TIME

A RACE AGAINST TIME

FULL STEAM AHEAD (AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS)

Jules Verne

Word Meaning

1.         Precisely - exactly, accurately

2.         Vigorous - strong, active

3.         Considerably - to an extent or degree

4.         Peninsula - land surrounded by water all three sides

5.         Whirled - rotated rapidly

6.         Tranquil - calm, peaceful

7.         Hull - main body or frame of a ship

8.         Coast - land near a sea or ocean

9.         Ceased - stopped, discontinued

10.       Anxiety – uneasy feeling, worry, or fear

11.       Slacken - become less active, slow down

12.       Interrupt – stop, hinder

13.       Indifference - lack of interest or sympathy

14.       Eccentric – strange and not following a common pattern

15.       Persistent – consistent

16.       Pitch - the degree of high and low voice

17.       Enthusiastic – eager, interested

18.       Absorbing - fully engaging

19.       Scenes – spot, place where fiction occurs

20.       Consoled - comforted

21.       Whim - a sudden desire or change of mind

22.       Amiable - friendly, pleasant

23.       Minarets - tall towers

24.       Curiosity - desire to know

25.       Pretended – false, fake

26.       Conceal - to keep from sight; to hide

27.       Errand - a short trip taken to perform a specific task

28.       Dismantled – separated piece by piece

29.       Immense - extremely large or great

30.       Obliged - willing to do a favor

31.       Delay – postpone, late

32.       Inhabitants – dwellers in a particular place

33.       Distinctly – clearly

34.       Concluded - ended; finished

35.       Campaign - series of activities

 

A.2 Work in pairs.

a. Time passed quickly on the Mongolia. Why was that so?

The time passed quite quickly on Mongolia. Most of the travelling time on Mongolia was consumed by mouth-watering breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. That was spread on the cabin tables. The passengers also spent much of their time singing, dancing and playing games.

b. But, even if he was indeed worried, he did not show any such signs. Why did Fogg not show any such signs? What does this tell you about him?

The red sea was often very rough especially when the winds blew from the African and Asian coasts. Naturally, the passengers on boat were worried. However, Phileas Fogg even though worried and anxious, did not show any outward signs. He did not want to interrupt his journey. He was known to be uncaring and indifferent. He was not interested in the sight of the historic towns and villages, neither was he afraid of the dangers of the Arabic Gulf.

 

A.3 From the text.

a. Why did the singing and dancing cease suddenly?

The singing and dancing ceased suddenly as the seas had become very rough and the Mongolia, with her long hull, rolled fearfully. This happened when the wind came from the African or Asian coast.

b. Do you agree with Monsieur Fix that India is very curious place? Why/Why not?

Yes, I agree with Monsieur Fix that India is very curious place. The story is set in the late 19th century. At that point, there were many beliefs and thing that did not match with those of people from the Western world. India was a country where religion, such as Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism existed together; therefore, one got to see temples, mosques, minarets and even pagodas. This was very different from the place where Monsieur Fix come from.

c. What does Fix mean by perhaps a diplomatic mission?

A diplomatic mission is a representative office of a national government located in another nation's territory. Fix thinks most likely Mr. Passepartout was on a secret mission on behalf of French Government. Hence, he uses this term.

 

A.10 Answer the following questions

a. The Mongolia was an efficient ship. Cite evidence from the text to support of argue against the statement.

The statement that Mongolia was an efficient ship was correct. Although the sea was turbulent at times, it ploughed straight on, not deterred by wind or wave. Her efficiency and speed was seen as it was able to arrive the destination Bombay on the 20th, that was two days before due time.

b. ”Do you know, Mr. Passepartout, that this pretended tour in eighty days may conceal some secret errand – perhaps a diplomatic mission?” What do you think Monsieur Fix is referring to using the words a diplomatic mission?

Monsieur Fix, when referring to the diplomatic mission, meant that maybe Phileas Fogg was on a secret mission which he had hidden from Passepartout.

c. “I see that it is by no means useless to travel, if a man wants to something new.” Do you agree with this statement? Why/Why not?

I agree with the above statement. Travelling is a learning process as there is no harm to gain knowledge about new places.

Learning and experience become part of oneself when gained by travelling. It is a good way to learn and make oneself aware of different cultures.

d. How did Philias Fogg Pass his time when he was aboard the Mongolia?

Phileas Fogg passed his time in Mongolia quite nicely. He enjoyed all his four hearty meals every day, in spite of the rolling and hurling of the steamer. He played whist the whole day with some of his co-passengers.

 

A.11 Answer the following questions in details.

b. Write an account describing a journey on board the Mongolia from Suez to Aden.

I boarded Mongolia from Suez to Bombay via Aden on the 8th of October. On the 13th of October, Mongolia sailed passed Mocha. It was surrounded by ruined walls, with date trees growing around them and dismantled fort. I could see vast coffee fields in the mountains. On the 13th night, it passed through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. On the 14th evening, Mongolia reached Aden before time. On the same night I went ashore and observed the mixed population of Aden. On 18th October, it continued its voyage on the Indian Ocean. At this point the sea was calm and the sails were helping the engine as the wind was blowing from the north-west. Dancing and singing resumed on the deck. Finally, on the 20th of October, I saw the Indian coast. A range of hills lay against the sky in the horizon. The rows of palm trees that decorated Bombay became visible. At half-past four, Mongolia hauled up at the quays of Bombay.

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