Read the following passage carefully :
Generally, a safari is associated with an expedition for hunting or viewing the wild animals. Little did I know about a desert safari till I visited Dubai, a city with modern architecture and fabulous shopping plazas.
While browsing through the various brochures on tourist information, I came across this item on a desert safari. Something entirely different from the usual sight-seeing programmes. Immediately I was attracted towards it as it would be a worthwhile and noble experience travelling through the desert. Though I was familiar with the sand dunes and camel rides of Rajasthan, I was keen to know what this desert safari would be like. So I enlisted myself in one.
After a drive of about 20 kms on the metalled roads of the city, we entered the desert. At once we felt the change. The vans started wobbling, steering through the sand and cutting round-abouts to push through. Gradually, the sand mounds seemed to be rising. We went up and suddenly dipped to negotiate our course for the next rise and fall. It reminded me of a roller-coaster drive. Outside the glass window, lay a vast expanse of sand.
All we saw throughout were scattered patches of shrubs which broke the monotony of the sand covering all around. It was amazing how they survived in such intense heat. Another noticeable feature was the pattern of ripples over the sand dunes common to all desert lands.
After traversing for about 60 kms we approached the mountain terrain. The change of scene was a welcome relief.
These rocky mountains, devoid of vegetation, in the proximity of the desert and the hardy shrubs in the desert itself, proclaimed in a mute way how they stood there, defying the vagaries of nature.
We reached our destination in a narrow gorge between the rocky mountains. Staggered streams of water could be seen here and there which, perhaps, was the stranded rainwater. Some trees could also be spotted as mere jottings on the rocky landscape.
We then geared up for our return journey. Horror lurked in our minds that we would have to repeat our arduous desert ride. But the driver said that we would circumvent the desert and touch only a small portion of it. This came as a blessing for us. We sat at ease in our seats and proceeded.
Complete the following sentences :
(a) The monotony of sand covered area was broken by ……….
(b) Another noticeable feature that interested the author was ………. over the sand dunes.
(c) The author describes his drive through the desert as …………
