Evolution of communication — Important Questions

Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh

Step 1: The chapter mentions that archaeologists have found cave paintings from prehistoric sites. Step 2: One famous Indian site mentioned in the chapter is Bhimbetka, located in Madhya Pradesh. Step 3: These paintings depict the lives and times of ancient people and are considered an early form of language. Step 4: Serra da Capivara is a site in northeast Brazil, not in India — it is a common trap in this question. Step 5: Hampi and Ajanta Caves are famous historical sites but are not mentioned in the context of prehistoric cave paintings in this chapter.

Persians

Step 1: The chapter clearly states that Persians were the FIRST ones to train and use pigeons for communicating. Step 2: Romans also used pigeons, but they came after the Persians — Romans used them to help their military over 2000 years ago. Step 3: The Mughals in India also used pigeons for communicating, but they were not the first. Step 4: Egyptians are mentioned in the context of papyrus (writing material), not pigeon communication. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Persians, as they pioneered pigeon-based communication.

Ancient Egypt; woven from papyrus plants

Step 1: The 'Do You Know?' section in the chapter tells us that the word 'paper' comes from an ancient Egyptian writing material. Step 2: This material was called 'papyrus'. Step 3: Papyrus was woven from papyrus plants that grew along the River Nile in Egypt. Step 4: This ancient material was used for writing long before modern paper was invented. Step 5: The other options describe writing materials from other civilisations, but the word 'paper' specifically traces back to Egyptian papyrus. So, Ancient Egypt and papyrus plants is the correct answer.

Over 100,000 pigeons

Step 1: The chapter provides a specific fact about the use of pigeons during World War I. Step 2: It states that the use of pigeons for delivering messages was popular even in the 20th century. Step 3: The chapter specifically mentions that over 100,000 pigeons were used in World War I as messengers. Step 4: This large number shows how important and reliable pigeons were as a means of communication even during a major war in the 1900s. Step 5: The other numbers (10,000; 50,000; 200,000) are all incorrect as per the textbook information.