In paragraph 1, what does the phrase 'has a surprisingly long and diverse history' mean ?
In paragraph 1, what does the phrase 'has a surprisingly long and diverse history' mean ?
Official answer
The phrase means the pancake has existed for a very long time — traced back nearly 30,000 years through archaeological evidence — and has taken many different, varied forms across cultures and eras, a history that is unexpectedly rich for what seems like a simple, everyday food.
Marking scheme
- 1.1 mark: for correctly explaining that the phrase means the pancake has an old/ancient origin (about 30,000 years) AND has many varied forms across different cultures; award full marks for any accurate paraphrase covering both ideas.
Hint
Break the phrase into its two components — 'long' (time-depth) and 'diverse' (variety) — and explain both using the paragraph's own evidence.
Quick oral answer
It means the pancake is very old — dating back about 30,000 years — and has taken many different forms across various cultures, which is unexpected for such a simple dish.
Common mistakes
- 1.Explaining only 'long' (old) and omitting 'diverse' (varied across cultures), losing half the mark.
- 2.Simply repeating the phrase back without paraphrasing or explaining it in the student's own words.
- 3.Confusing 'diverse' with 'delicious' or unrelated qualities not supported by the passage.
Analysis and explanation
Tests paraphrasing a phrase using the passage's own supporting details rather than repeating the wording.
Concept
- 'Surprisingly long and diverse history' packs three ideas: unexpectedness, time-depth and variety.
Key points
- 'Long': dates back nearly 30,000 years (Para 1).
- 'Diverse': many cultural forms across Paras 2-5 (Greek/Roman, French, Russian, Ethiopian, Japanese, American, Indian regional versions).
- 'Surprisingly': this depth/variety is unexpected for what looks like a simple everyday food.
Common mistakes (परीक्षा में सावधानी)
- Giving only half the meaning (only 'old' or only 'varied') — this earns partial credit at best; a complete 1-mark answer needs both elements.
Interesting facts
The 30,000-year figure mentioned in the passage is based on archaeological evidence of cooking on hot stones and primitive griddles, long before agriculture or writing existed.
The word 'diverse' in the phrase foreshadows the passage's later structure, which surveys pancake variants across at least ten countries and regions.
Question details
Q2 of 72 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 10
- Subject
- English (Language & Literature)
- Year
- 2026
- Section
- Section A
- Marks
- 1
- Type
- Very Short Answer
- Chapter
- Reading Skills (Unseen Passage Comprehension)
- Topic
- Vocabulary/Phrase-meaning in context
- Bloom's level
- understand
- Syllabus topic
- Section A: Reading Skills — Understanding the meaning of words/phrases in context (Paragraph 1)
- Author
- CBSE
- Reviewed by
- Padhantu Academic Team
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Frequently asked questions
Is it enough to say 'the pancake is very old'?
No, that captures only 'long'; a full-mark answer must also mention that the pancake has taken diverse/varied forms across cultures, to capture 'diverse'.
Do I need to quote the exact number '30,000 years'?
It strengthens the answer and shows precise reading, but the core requirement is explaining both 'long' (ancient) and 'diverse' (varied) in your own words.