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Chapter: 6 Into the Wild· Prose

Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (12 marks)Shaaz Jung is a wildlife photographer, cinematographer, big cat tracker, man-animal conflict resolution seeker and lodge owner - all rolled into one. When he’s away from the jungles…

Q.1 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (12 marks)

Shaaz Jung is a wildlife photographer, cinematographer, big cat tracker, man-animal conflict resolution seeker and lodge owner - all rolled into one. When he’s away from the jungles of Nagarhole, officially called The Rajiv Gandhi National Park, he’s leading photography safaris in Africa or showcasing his work at Art Galleries in capital cities and speaking to those interested in conserving the planet’s riches.

Shaaz recalls with great clarity the incident that ultimately leads to his answering the call of the felines over a career dedicated to finance. “It was somewhere around sunset. We were at a junction. The deer were calling,” he says, “we went around a blind turn,” he continues, “and up ahead on the path was this old leopard. You could tell he was past his prime. The jungle had taken a toll on him. He only had three canines. His eyes were sagging. Close to this leopard was another very young, good looking male who was soon to come into his prime. It was clear that there was going to be a fight. Unfortunately, the sun was setting, and we had to leave. But the next morning, I went back to the spot. Sitting on a high rock was that young leopard. Blood was dripping from a gash across his face. He sat there like he was, ‘king of the jungle.’ I knew right then that he had taken over, that it was the beginning of a new journey for him. And for me.”

Photographs of that leopard, the victor, Scarface, as Shaaz named him, not only made Shaaz famous among India’s wildlife community, but also led to Shaaz’s enviable reputation as a chronicler of the wild. “Through my journey of photographing Scarface, I have discovered other leopards, his mates and discovered his nemeses-tigers. I also discovered the current protagonist of my work-Saya-while tracking Scarface. This is the world’s first black panther, the behaviour of which is being documented so intimately on camera, by tracking its movements. So far all the research on the animal has been done through camera traps.” Through many months of toil, Shaaz has managed to collect precious footage, including that of the animal mating, to piece together the incredible landscape of a black panther’s life.

A1. Read and rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are True or False : (2)
(a) Jungles of Nagarhole is called the Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
(b) Nearly at sunset, Shaaz was at a Junction.
(c) Shaaz had collected precious footage very easily.
(d) By tracking black panther’s movements, its behaviour is documented.

A2. Complete the following web-diagram mentioning any four of Shaaz Jung’s professional achievements : (2) [Web : the centre box reads “Shaaz Jung’s professional achievements”; four blank boxes at the four corners.]

A3. Give reasons : (2)
The writer says, “It was like looking at the past and the present” because ___________

A4. ‘Wildlife photography is a thrilling hobby.’ Write your views to justify the statement. (2)

A5. Do as directed : (2)

(1) You could tell he was past his prime. (Choose the correct option where ‘be able to’ is used from the options given below and rewrite)
(a) You are able to tell he was past his prime.
(b) You will be able to tell he was past his prime.
(c) You weren’t able to tell he was past his prime.
(d) You were able to tell he was past his prime.

(2) The Jungle had taken a toll on him. (Choose the correct Passive voice from the given options and rewrite.)
(a) A toll on him had been taken by the jungle.
(b) A toll on him had taken by the jungle.
(c) A toll on him has been taken by the jungle.
(d) A toll on him was being taken by the jungle.

A6. Find out the synonyms of the following from the extract : (2)
(i) closely
(ii) exhibiting
(iii) long deep cut
(iv) drooping lags

1 answer

Best answer

Answer: A1 — (a) True, (b) True, (c) False, (d) True; A5 — (1) (d), (2) (a); A6 — closely = intimately, exhibiting = showcasing, long deep cut = gash, drooping = sagging. Full answers to A1–A6 are given below.

A1.
(a) Jungles of Nagarhole is called the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. — True
(b) Nearly at sunset, Shaaz was at a Junction. — True
(c) Shaaz had collected precious footage very easily. — False (It took him many months of toil.)
(d) By tracking black panther’s movements, its behaviour is documented. — True

A2. Shaaz Jung’s professional achievements :

  • He is a wildlife photographer and cinematographer.
  • He is a big cat tracker and a man-animal conflict resolution seeker.
  • He leads photography safaris in Africa.
  • He showcases his work at art galleries in capital cities.

(Any four; ‘lodge owner’ and ‘a famous chronicler of the wild’ are also acceptable.)

A3. The writer says, “It was like looking at the past and the present” because the old leopard, who was past his prime, with only three canines and sagging eyes, stood for the past, while the young, good-looking male who was soon to come into his prime stood for the present (and the future) of the jungle. Seeing the two together, Shaaz felt he was watching the old ruler give way to the new one.

A4. I fully agree that wildlife photography is a thrilling hobby. The photographer has to wait silently for hours in the forest, never knowing when a tiger or a leopard will appear, and that moment of suspense is very exciting. Capturing a rare action, such as a hunt or a fight, in a single click gives great joy. It also brings us close to nature and helps in the conservation of wild animals.

A5. (1) (d) You were able to tell he was past his prime. (‘could’ in the past = ‘was/were able to’.)
(2) (a) A toll on him had been taken by the jungle. (Past perfect active ‘had taken’ becomes ‘had been taken’ in the passive.)

A6. (i) closely — intimately
(ii) exhibiting — showcasing
(iii) long deep cut — gash
(iv) drooping lags (lids) — sagging

Doubtly AI · 29 Oct 2026 AI-verified · Nov 2026 Report
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