The Tsunami

Easy (15)

1. What is a tsunami?
   • A small wave caused by wind
   • A very large and powerful wave caused by earthquakes under the sea (correct)
   • A type of storm in the ocean
   • A calm sea current

   Why: A tsunami is a powerful wave triggered by undersea earthquakes.

2. On what date did the tsunami mentioned in the chapter strike?
   • 26 January 2004
   • 26 December 2004 (correct)
   • 26 November 2005
   • 26 October 2004

   Why: The tsunami occurred on 26 December 2004.

3. Where was Ignesious working when the tsunami hit?
   • A hotel in Port Blair
   • A cooperative society in Katchall (correct)
   • A petrol pump in Nancowry
   • A school in Thailand

   Why: Ignesious was the manager of a cooperative society in Katchall.

4. What did Ignesious do with his television set when the earthquake tremors began?
   • He tried to watch the news.
   • He put it down on the ground. (correct)
   • He ran out with it.
   • He ignored it.

   Why: Ignesious put his television on the ground to prevent it from breaking.

5. How old was Almas Javed when the tsunami hit?
   • Seven years old
   • Thirteen years old
   • Ten years old (correct)
   • Five years old

   Why: Almas Javed was ten years old during the tsunami.

6. Where was Tilly Smith celebrating Christmas?
   • Andaman and Nicobar Islands
   • Phuket beach in Thailand (correct)
   • Cuddalore coast in India
   • Hawaiian islands

   Why: Tilly Smith was in Thailand for Christmas.

7. What subject had Tilly Smith learned about tsunamis in?
   • History
   • Science
   • Geography (correct)
   • English

   Why: Tilly's knowledge came from a geography lesson.

8. Which of these is NOT mentioned as a cause of tsunamis in Tilly's geography lesson?
   • Earthquakes
   • Volcanoes
   • Landslides
   • Strong winds (correct)

   Why: Strong winds are not listed as a cause of tsunamis in the text.

9. Ignesious lost his wife, two children, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law in the tsunami. (True/False)

   Why: Ignesious lost several family members, including his wife and two children, as stated in the text.

10. Meghna was saved by a relief helicopter. (True/False)

    Why: Meghna was brought to shore by a wave, not a helicopter.

11. Almas's father realised that a tsunami was going to hit the island. (True/False)

    Why: Almas's father recognized the receding water as a tsunami warning.

12. The earth’s shakes during an earthquake are called _________.

    Why: Earth tremors refer to the earth's shakes during an earthquake.

13. When the sea water moves back from where it was, it is said to _________.

    Why: To recede means to move back from a previous position.

14. Identify the island where Ignesious worked.
    • A. North Andaman
    • B. Car Nicobar
    • C. Katchall (correct)
    • D. Great Nicobar

    Why: Ignesious was the manager of a cooperative society in Katchall.

15. Which island is home to Port Blair, where Almas Javed was brought after the tsunami?
    • A. Little Andaman
    • B. Middle Andaman
    • C. South Andaman (near Port Blair) (correct)
    • D. Nancowry

    Why: Port Blair is located in South Andaman.

Medium (15)

1. Why did Tilly Smith's parents decide not to allow her to be interviewed on television and made into a heroine?
   • They wanted her to focus on her studies.
   • They wanted to protect her from the trauma and media attention. (correct)
   • They believed her actions were not heroic enough.
   • They were angry with her for screaming on the beach.

   Why: Tilly's parents likely wanted to shield her from further distress and public scrutiny.

2. What was the primary reason Sanjeev, the policeman, lost his life?
   • He couldn't swim.
   • He went back to rescue the guesthouse cook's wife. (correct)
   • He was trying to save his own family.
   • He was swept away while trying to reach higher ground.

   Why: Sanjeev died attempting to rescue another person.

3. What specific warning signs did Tilly Smith observe that indicated a tsunami was approaching?
   • The sea was calm and clear, but the birds flew away.
   • The water was swelling, foaming, bubbling, and forming whirlpools. (correct)
   • The sky turned dark and there was heavy rainfall.
   • The beach suddenly became very crowded with people.

   Why: Tilly noticed the sea swelling, foaming, bubbling, and forming whirlpools.

4. Why did many people believe animals possess a 'sixth sense' regarding natural disasters?
   • Animals are naturally more fearful than humans.
   • Very few animals were reported dead compared to humans in the tsunami. (correct)
   • Animals can communicate with humans about impending danger.
   • Animals always run away from the sea.

   Why: The low animal casualty count after the tsunami led to the 'sixth sense' belief.

5. Match the character with their experience during the tsunami.

   Why: Each character's experience is unique and tragic, as detailed in the chapter.

6. Match the animal behavior with the location during the tsunami.

   Why: Animals exhibited unusual behaviors, fleeing to safety before the tsunami hit.

7. Match the person with their role or relation.

   Why: These individuals are key figures in the tsunami stories.

8. Match the location with the event or character associated with it.

   Why: These locations are central to the narratives of the tsunami.

9. The word for a group of many islands and the surrounding sea is _________.

   Why: An archipelago is a cluster of islands.

10. What term describes being greatly shocked and distressed?

    Why: To be traumatised means to be deeply shocked and distressed.

11. What is the term for shelter or protection from danger?

    Why: Refuge means seeking shelter or protection.

12. Arrange the events of Almas Javed's experience in chronological order.

    Why: The sequence follows Almas's harrowing experience from the initial warning to her rescue.

13. Arrange the events leading to Tilly Smith's warning in chronological order.

    Why: Tilly's prior knowledge and keen observation led to her timely warning.

14. Identify the part of the map that represents the Andaman Sea.
    • A. West of the Andaman Islands
    • B. East of the Andaman Islands (correct)
    • C. South of the Nicobar Islands
    • D. North of the Andaman Islands

    Why: The Andaman Sea is located to the east of the Andaman Islands.

15. Based on the map, which group of islands is located further south?
    • A. Andaman Islands
    • B. Nicobar Islands (correct)
    • C. Both are at the same latitude
    • D. The map does not provide this information

    Why: The Nicobar Islands are situated to the south of the Andaman Islands.

Hard (10)

1. Assertion (A): Tilly Smith's parents did not allow her to be interviewed on television and made into a heroine. Reason (R): They wanted to protect her from the traumatic experience and excessive media attention.

   Why: The parents' decision was a protective measure for Tilly's well-being.

2. Assertion (A): Ignesious immediately worried about a tsunami when he felt the earthquake. Reason (R): He put his television set on the ground to prevent it from falling and breaking.

   Why: Ignesious's initial action was to secure his belongings, not to anticipate a tsunami.

3. Assertion (A): Animals possess a 'sixth sense' that allows them to predict natural disasters. Reason (R): Experts believe animals' acute hearing helps them sense earth's vibrations before humans.

   Why: While both statements are presented in the text, acute hearing is one theory, not a definitive explanation for a 'sixth sense'.

4. A group of tourists is on a beach when they observe the sea rapidly receding, exposing the seabed. Based on Tilly Smith's experience, what should they immediately do?
   • Go closer to the exposed seabed to collect shells.
   • Wait for official warnings before taking any action.
   • Immediately run to the highest ground available, away from the beach. (correct)
   • Inform the hotel staff and then return to their rooms.

   Why: A rapidly receding sea is a critical warning sign of an approaching tsunami; immediate evacuation to high ground is vital.

5. Imagine you are a relief worker arriving at a tsunami-affected area. You find a young child, similar to Almas Javed, who is silent and withdrawn, refusing to talk about what happened. What is the most appropriate initial approach?
   • Force the child to recount their experience immediately to help them process it.
   • Provide comfort, ensure their basic needs are met, and allow them space without pressure to talk. (correct)
   • Assume the child is fine and focus on other survivors who are more vocal.
   • Give them a toy and leave them alone until they decide to speak.

   Why: Traumatized individuals, especially children, need comfort and space, not pressure to speak immediately.

6. A coastal village has been devastated by a tsunami. Local authorities are trying to understand why a large number of domestic animals (cattle, goats, dogs) in one particular area survived, while human casualties were high. Which of the following explanations, based on the chapter, is most plausible?
   • Animals are inherently stronger and can withstand tsunami waves better than humans.
   • The animals were likely kept in specially designed tsunami-proof shelters.
   • Animals possess acute senses, allowing them to detect subtle environmental changes and flee to safety before humans. (correct)
   • The tsunami waves in that specific area were weaker, sparing both humans and animals.

   Why: The chapter suggests animals' acute senses enable them to detect and react to impending disasters earlier than humans.

7. Observe the map of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If a tsunami were to originate from the Indian Ocean to the west, which island would likely be impacted first and most directly among the Nicobar group?
   • A. Car Nicobar
   • B. Katchall (correct)
   • C. Great Nicobar
   • D. Little Nicobar

   Why: Katchall is one of the westernmost islands in the Nicobar group, facing the Indian Ocean.

8. Which of the following islands on the map is geographically located to the north of the Andaman Islands?
   • A. Little Andaman
   • B. Car Nicobar
   • C. None of the labeled islands are to the north of the Andaman Islands. (correct)
   • D. North Andaman

   Why: The map shows the Andaman Islands as the northernmost group, with no labeled islands further north.

9. Which two of the following statements accurately describe the experiences of Meghna and Almas Javed?
   • Both girls lost their entire immediate families in the tsunami. (correct)
   • Both were rescued by relief helicopters after being spotted in the sea.
   • Both survived by clinging to floating debris in the water. (correct)
   • Both were found walking on the seashore in a daze immediately after the waves subsided.

   Why: Meghna and Almas both lost their families and survived by holding onto floating objects.

10. Which two of the following are valid reasons why Tilly Smith's geography teacher would have felt proud upon hearing about her actions?
    • Tilly demonstrated excellent recall and application of classroom learning in a real-life crisis. (correct)
    • Tilly's actions brought international fame and recognition to her school.
    • Tilly proved that theoretical knowledge can have practical, life-saving value. (correct)
    • Tilly was the only student who remembered the lesson on tsunamis.

    Why: Tilly's teacher would be proud that her lesson was remembered and applied to save lives.