पाठ 34: Reading: Unseen Passages (अपठित गद्यांश)

SECTION A : READING

UNSEEN PASSAGES

Unseen Passage के questions के answers लिखते समय ध्यान देने योग्य सामान्य बिन्दु—

1. सबसे पहले passage को ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़कर समझना है।

2. इसके पश्चात् questions को ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़कर समझना है।

3. फिर, passage को पुनः ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़ने के साथ-साथ प्रश्नों के उत्तरों को भी underline करते जाना है।

4. Passage में या questions में कुछ कठिन शब्द आ सकते हैं, जिनका अर्थ आपको नहीं आता हो तो घबरायें नहीं। कठिन शब्द जिस वाक्य/प्रश्न में आ रहा है, उस पूरे वाक्य/प्रश्न का अनुमानित भाव क्या निकल रहा है, इस आधार पर उस कठिन शब्द का अर्थ समझने का प्रयास करें।

5. Question जिस tense में है, answer भी उस ही tense में देना है।

6. उत्तर to the point होना चाहिए व Correct English में होना चाहिए।

7. Passage में पूछे गये questions निम्न question words से आरंभ हो सकते हैं, जिनके अर्थ व आशय निम्न प्रकार हैं—

उत्तर देते समय ध्यान रखने योग्य विशेष बिन्दु :

(i) यदि प्रश्न में does सहायक क्रिया आई है और उत्तर साधारण वाक्य (affirmative sentence) में देना है तो verb की first form के साथ नियमानुसार s या es का use करें। does हटा दें; जैसे—

Where does she go everyday?

She goes to her office everyday.

(ii) यदि प्रश्न में does सहायक क्रिया है और उत्तर नकारात्मक वाक्य (negative sentence) में देना है तो केवल verb की first form का ही प्रयोग करें तथा s या es न लगायें। does न हटायें; जैसे—

Why does she not come regularly?

V-I

She does not come regularly because she remains ill.

V-I

(iii) यदि प्रश्न में do सहायक क्रिया आई है व प्रश्न का उत्तर affirmative sentence (साधारण वाक्य) में देना है तो do को हटा दें व verb की first form का ही प्रयोग करें तथा 's' या 'es' न लगायें; जैसे—

When do they leave for school?

V-I

They leave for school at 6.30 a.m.

V-I

(iv) यदि प्रश्न में do सहायक क्रिया Interrogative-Negative वाक्य में आई है व उत्तर Negative वाक्य में देना है तो do को subject के बाद लिखना है व वाक्य में verb की first form का प्रयोग करना है। 's' या 'es' न लगायें; जैसे—

Why do they not come here daily?

V-I

They do not come here daily because of business.

V-I

(v) यदि प्रश्न में did सहायक क्रिया आई है व उत्तर affirmative sentence में देना है तो did को हटा दें व verb की second form का प्रयोग करें; जैसे—

How did she go there?

V-I

She went there by plane.

V-II

(vi) यदि प्रश्न में did सहायक क्रिया Interrogative-Negative Sentence में आई है व उत्तर negative sentence में देना है तो did व verb की first form का प्रयोग करें; जैसे—

Why did she not go there?

V-I

She did not go there because she was busy.

V-I

(vii) Why से आरंभ होने वाले प्रश्नों के उत्तर में सामान्यतः because लगाकर उपवाक्य लिखा जाता है किन्तु कुछ उत्तर में का प्रयोग भी हो सकता है; जैसे —

did she make a haste?

She made a haste there in time.

(viii) यदि प्रश्न में ‘there’ मध्य भाग (middle position) में आता है तो उत्तर सामान्यतः there से ही आरंभ होते हैं; जैसे—

How many students are in your school?

are 800 students in my school.

(ix) यदि प्रश्न में when clause हो तो उत्तर देते समय when clause को पहले लिखें ताकि sense में सटीकता रहे; जैसे—

What was he doing

, he was studying English.

Factual Unseen Passages : 150 Words

Passage 1

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

[Sec. Board Exam., 2026]

Of all the emotions which surged through me as I stood on the summit of Everest, looking over miles of panorama below us, the dominant one I think was humility. The physical in me seemed to say, "Thank God, it's all over!" However instead of being jubilant, there was a tinge of sadness. Was it because I had already done the 'ultimate' in climbing and there would be nothing higher to climb and all roads hereafter would lead down?

By climbing the summit of Everest you are overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankful. It is a joy which lasts a lifetime. The experience changes you completely. The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again. As I look back at life after climbing Everest I cannot help remarking about the other summit—the summit of the mind—no less formidable and no easier to climb.

(i) Standing on Everest, the writer was—

(ii) The emotion that gripped him was—

(iii) The joy that the writer feels by climbing the summit of Everest lasts—

(iv) According to the Writer, what is 'ultimate' in climbing?

(v) Which other summit is no less formidable and no easier to climb?

(vi) What changes you completely?

(vii) Find a word from the passage that means. "The highest point of a mountain."

(viii) Find the word from the passage that means the opposite of 'Jubilant'.

Passage 2

[Board Model Paper, 2025-26]

The Green Revolution was a period of agricultural transformation in India that began in the 1960s. It introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds, modern irrigation techniques, and chemical fertilizers to increase food production. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of India's Green Revolution, played a crucial role in this transformation. The movement primarily focused on wheat and rice cultivation in states like Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. As a result, India became self-sufficient in food grain production by the 1970s, ending its dependence on food imports. Wheat production increased from 11 million tonnes in 1960 to 73 million tonnes by 2006. However, the Green Revolution had some negative effects including depletion of ground water, soil degradation, and increased regional inequality. Small and marginal farmers in rain-fed areas did not benefit equally. Despite its limitations, the Green Revolution saved millions from starvation and remains a significant milestone in India's agricultural history.

(i) Who is known as the father of India's Green Revolution?

(ii) Which crops were primarily focused on during the Green Revolution?

(iii) When did India become self-sufficient in food grain production?

(iv) What was one of the negative effects of the Green Revolution?

(v) Which states were the main beneficiaries of the Green Revolution?

(vi) By 2006, what was India's wheat production?

(vii) Find a word from the passage that means the same as : "conversion" or "change".

(viii) Find a word from the passage that means the opposite of : "dependence".

Passage 3

[Sec. Board Exam., 2025 (Modi.)]

A little distance from the Tarnaka crossroads, you come across a quiet house called 'Needa' (refuge). Attached to it is a small school where in the afternoons, you will come across many little girls who are domestic servants, learning to read.

This is no non-formal education centre. Education is a very serious business here. The girls get to write their public exams, some of them join residential schools (after clearing the entrance exams) and some others go for higher studies.

Innovative teaching methods help these first generation learners. Field trips, discussion on current events are common features in this school.

Anand Bharti is not just about education, many people have commented that the children here are transformed into confident individuals and that the values imbibed here stay with them wherever they go.

The woman who runs the school and who has a house in 'Needa' is Janaki Iyer, a 70-year old lady.

(i) Anand Bharti is located in a house called—

(ii) Who studied in a small school?

(iii) A first generation learner is a person—

(iv) What are common features of the school?

(v) The children in the school are transformed into—

(vi) Who set up Anand Bharti school?

(vii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'Creative'.

(viii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'Nervous'.

Passage 4

[Board Model Paper, 2024-25 (Modi.)]

The Rig Veda is India's most ancient text. As we know that it is several thousand years old. It gives the northwest region of the Subcontinent the name 'Sapta Sindhava', that is 'the Land of the seven rivers'. The word 'Sindhava' comes from 'Sindhu', which refers to the Indus River. Moving on in time, we see names for other parts of India appear in the literature. The Mahabharata is one of India's most famous texts. It lists many regions such as Kashmir, Kurukshetra, Vanga, Kutch, Kerala.

The Mahabharata uses the terms "Bharatavarsha" and Jambudvipa. Bharatavarsha means the country of the Bharatas and Jambudvipa means the "Island of the fruit of the Jamun tree".

(i) India's most ancient text is :

(ii) The word sindhava comes from :

(iii) The Indus river refers to :

(iv) The part which is not listed in the Mahabharata :

(v) What does the word, ‘Sapta Sindhava’ mean?

(vi) How old is the Rig Veda?

(vii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'Well known'.

(viii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'Modern'.

Passage 5

[Sec. Board Exam., 2024 (Modi.)]

Dr. A.P.J. Kalam has three goals that he would like India to achieve. All the three goals are related to each other. Freedom and Independence will have real meaning if we develop economically. Economic development will help us to be strong and will make other countries respect us. But we the people of India are responsible for the development of our country and for making it one of the leading nations of the world. Each one of us needs to do whatever is necessary to make Dr. Kalam's Vision come true. It is time to stop complaining about the problems in our country and to start doing something about them. We have learnt to evaluate and reflect on our contributions towards the development of India.

(i) Three goals for India are :

(ii) Who has three goals to be achieved for India?

(iii) What will help Indians to get respect of other countries?

(iv) Who is responsible for the development of India ?

(v) What will help us to be strong?

(vi) What will get real meaning if we develop economically?

(vii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'Power of Sight'.

(viii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘Hinder’.

Passage 6

[Board Model Paper, 2023-24 (Modi.)]

Once Hem and Haw would take their friends by to see their pile of Cheese station C, and point to it with pride, saying, “Pretty, nice Cheese, huh?” Sometime they shared it with their friends and sometime they didn't.

"We deserve this Cheese" Hem said. "We certainly had to work long and hard enough to find it." He picked up a nice piece and ate it.

Afterward, Hem fell asleep, as he often did. Every night the Little people would waddle home, full of Cheese, and every morning they would return for more.

This went on for some time.

(i) Who were friends?

(ii) Where was the pile of cheese?

(iii) Who said, "We deserve this cheese"?

(iv) Who ate a piece of Cheese?

(v) Who did they share the cheese with?

(vi) Who fell asleep?

(vii) Choose similar word of the following from the passage : "Qualify".

(viii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : "Enemy".

Passage 7

[Sec. Board Exam., 2023 (Modi.)]

The people of Gujarat were mostly farmers. They reared cattle but remained poor. Despite their hard work, they always remained in want. The poor plight of these farmers moved the heart of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was determined to bring prosperity into their lives. So, he decided to organise them into a co-operative force and provide them with a steady source of income. This task was assigned to Mr. Tribhuvandas Patel. He united the disorganised farmers and started a co-operative dairy unit. This system of co-operative effort eliminated the middlemen who harassed and exploited the ignorant farmers.

(i) Who was determined to bring prosperity into Gujarat farmers' lives?

(ii) What was started by Tribhuvandas Patel?

(iii) Who is Iron man of India?

(iv) Who harassed and exploited the ignorant farmers?

(v) What was the primary occupation of the people of Gujarat?

(vi) Why did the farmers of Gujarat remain poor despite their hard work?

(vii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'Removed'.

(viii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'Solitary'.

Passage 8

[Board Model Paper, 2022-23 (Modi.)]

These days, it is not unusual to see people listening to music or using their electric gadgets while crossing busy roads or travelling on public transports, regardless of the risks involved. I have often wondered why they take such risks, is it because they want to exude a sense of independence or is it that they want to tell the world to stop bothering them? Or is it that they just want to show how cool they are? Whether it is a workman or an executive, earphones have become an inseparable part of our lives, sometimes even leading to tragicomic situations.

(i) What is not unusual to see these days? (Question Bank)

(a) Listening to music

(b) Using electronic gadgets

(c) Both

(a) &

(b)

(d) None

(ii) People are regardless of risk involved—

(a) On busy roads

(b) Travelling on public transport

(c) Both

(a) &

(b)

(d) None

(iii) In author's view, why do they take such risk?

(iv) What have become inseparable part of our lives?

(v) What is the writer curious about regarding people's behaviour?

(vi) What is one possible consequence of using gadgets while traveling?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : "hot".

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : "surprised".

Passage 9

[Sec. Board Exam., 2022 (Modi.)]

"It is my (Chanakya) duty to look after the Empire and the people, but I have no right to use what belongs to the people. I have built this small house and make copies of books to earn my livelihood. I spend twelve hours with the public. I listen to their difficulties

and try to help them. I want that nobody should be unhappy in the Maurya Empire. Our people should be disciplined and there should be complete freedom of thought and worship." Chanakya said.

The Bhikshu said "As long as there is a man like you, there can be no sufferings in the empire. But I have heard that some people in the village were looted by robbers and the guards were not able to do anything."

The Bhikshu left but Chanakya was worried, the villagers were in trouble.

(i) Which empire is mentioned in the passage?

(ii) How many hours were spent by Chanakya with the public?

(iii) The duty of Chanakya was to look after—

(b) and

(c)

(iv) Who looted the people in the village?

(v) What was Chanakya's view on using public property?

(vi) How did Chanakya earn his livelihood?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : "Stubborn".

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : "Sorrow".

Passage 10

[Board Model Paper, 2021-22 (Modi.)]

Every individual wants peace of mind. But it is hard to find a person who can say that he has attained such a state of mental equilibrium as will allow him to live a life of tranquility. Peace of mind is a distant dream for all of us. What is the reason for this? The reason is that people hanker after ideal peace, that is pure peace—a peace that is free from all kinds of non-peace items.

But this kind of absolute peace is not in nature's store house. Let us take the analogy of rose. A rose is a very beautiful flower, but every stem has its thorns. Indeed, thorns are an integral part of the rose plant. A poet has rightly said that thorns serve as security guards for the flower. There must be non-peace items along with peaceful items. A peaceful mind is a very precious aspect of human nature and it too needs safety to maintain it's sublime quality.

(i) What is a distant dream for all of us?

(ii) The security guards for the flowers are—

(iii) Which situations does Nature always lead people into?

(iv) What is a precious aspect of human nature?

(v) Why is peace of mind difficult to attain?

(vi) What is the role of "non-peace items" according to the passage?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : "ugly".

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : "security".

Passage 11

Pandit Ravi Shankar, the brilliant sitarist, has done a signal service to the country by carrying the banner of Indian music across the world. He has done more than any other musician to arouse the interest of the westerners in Indian music, thus earning himself, the title, 'India's musical ambassador'.

Born in Varanasi in 1920, Ravi Shankar began as a ballet dancer with his elder brother Uday Shankar's troupe. But he left the troupe to learn the sitar under Ustad Allauddin Khan of Maihar. He underwent rigorous training practising for nearly eighteen hours a day to gain command over the instrument.

Ravi Shankar toured Europe and America in the 1960's, where he gave several sitar recitals. He has composed tunes for light music, choral singing and orchestra. The popular tune of 'Saare Jahan Se Achchha', was composed by him in 1945. He composed music for films like Meera, Godaan and Anuradha.

(i) Whom is this passage about?

(ii) Where was he born?

(iii) Which of following title did he earn?

(iv) Pandit Ravi Shankar learnt the sitar from—

(v) Which famous patriotic song's tune was composed by Ravi Shankar in 1945?

(vi) Which of the following films did Ravi Shankar compose music for?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : "dull".

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : "indication".

--- | ---

Passage 12

The Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy, gave up a life of wealth and comfort in order to help the poor. He taught that all types of violence were wicked and that all people ought to live together in love and to cooperate with one another. Gandhi was very much interested in his writings and teachings. Indeed the two great men must have been alike in many of their ideas.

In one of his stories Tolstoy describes a certain village in Russia where a peasant named Ivan lived. Everyone thought that he must be a very happy man, for he was comfortably off and lacked nothing that he needed. He had three sons, all of them were able to work.

The eldest was married and the second was going to be married and the youngest was able too look after the horses. His wife was an extremely capable woman and his daughter-in-law was steady and hard working.

(i) Whom is this passage about?

(ii) Who was Ivan?

(iii) Who was interested in his writings and teachings?

(iv) What were Tolstoy's teachings?

(v) What was the responsibility of Ivan's youngest son?

(vi) How is Ivan's daughter-in-law described?

(ii) Who was Edison's best teacher?

(iii) What did Thomas Alva Edison invent?

(iv) What did he love to do?

(v) At what age did Edison become a newspaper boy?

(vi) Where did Edison set up his small laboratory?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'serious'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'innovative'.

Passage 14

Some people are fond of chewing betels with tobacco. They spit and spit frequently all around showing no respect for public property. They forget that they have paid for journey and not for spoiling the train/bus. They throw all rubbish and leftovers wherever they so desire. Our public transport, our roads and streets, our public places and buildings are seen littered with all sorts of stinking refuse that tells upon our health and vigour.

In spite of the statutory warning, "Smoking is injurious to health" we do not notice any slump in the sale of cigarettes or bidis. The pity, is the smokers in their own enjoyment do not think of the people around them. Sometimes the surroundings become unfit for breathing. Passive smoking causes more harm.

(i) Who spoil the train/bus?

(ii) For whom is the statutory warning written?

(iii) What are the public places and facilities littered with?

(iv) Which kind of smoking causes more harm?

(v) What continues without decline despite the warning?

(vi) What is the impact of littering on public places?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'remember'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'constitutional'.

(v) How do some people treat roads?

(vi) What happens to such ‘gallant’ drivers in times of need?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘ancient’.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘disaster’.

Passage 16

Mary was blind at birth. Doctors during those years had been unable to do anything to correct the situation and although her parents lived in anguish, not being able to see was normal for her. After years of training to live in a dark world, Mary got a job and moved into her own flat. Several years later the doctors she occasionally visited for check-ups told her that a new technique had been found. This technique could restore her sight. One would think that Mary would have jumped at the possibility to see, but actually she was not at all happy about this situation. She had never seen anything before. She had established a life for herself in a world without sight and the thought of changing this lifestyle was frightening. She was more frightened of seeing than of not. (Question Bank)

(i) One who cannot see is called :

(ii) Being able to see was :

(iii) According to the passage, Mary's inability to see was :

(iv) Mary got a job after :

(v) How did Mary's parents feel about her blindness?

(vi) What had Mary learned over the years?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'abnormal'

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'pain'.

Passage 17

The easiest way to give vent to our protest is to stage a Dharna or call for a Bandh or a Rail Roko demonstration. The agitators make the most out of such shows. These devices, besides causing inconvenience, may sometimes cause irreparable damage to individuals, cause immense loss to the nation. Imagine someone is seriously sick, another has an inescapable appointment, and still another has no provisions at home. Who bothers for others' legitimate needs? One remains wonder-struck to see that sometimes such Bandhs are sponsored even by responsible people. Occasionally these demonstrations become violent causing further loss to the national property and human life.

(i) The easiest way of protest is—

(ii) Who makes the most out of such shows?

(iii) What do these devices cause?

(iv) When does one remain wonder-struck?

(v) How do some Bandhs turn violent?

(vi) What is the unintended outcome of such protests?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'Frequently'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'admissible'.

Passage 18

You must have heard the name of Red Cross. The Red Cross Society is an international organization. Its aim is very noble. It helps the mankind suffering from disasters like earthquake, flood and famine. It helps the sick and the wounded during wars. It helps without any consideration of nationality, creed or colour. Sir Henri Dunant founded the Red Cross Society in 1863 in Switzerland. In 1920 the Indian Red Cross Society was formed. To inculcate the spirit of Red Cross in students, Junior Red Cross was started. Students under 16 can be enrolled in Junior Red Cross (J.R.C.). The motto of J.R.C. is 'I serve'. Its main objectives are Health, Service and Friendship. The teacher in charge of J.R.C. is called the Counsellor. The students as members of Junior Red Cross work under the guidance of their counsellor in the service of human beings who need care and support.

(Question Bank)

(i) Red Cross Society is an—

(ii) Who founded the Red Cross Society?

(iii) When was Red Cross Society founded?

(iv) The teacher in charge of J.R.C. is known as :

(v) What does the Red Cross Society do?

(vi) Who can join J.R.C.?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'oppose'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'counsel'.

Passage 19

Coal tar is black and sticky. For a long time, people thought of it as a nuisance. This oily, smelling substance blocked up the pipes, so gas makers and coke makers washed it out and tried to get rid of it. Some of it was sold for roofing but most of it was wasted. But this evil smelling nuisance has been found to be one of the most useful of raw materials in the world. From it the chemist is able to make almost anything he wishes—from medicines to explosives, from dyes to disinfectants. Not all these things are made from coal tar itself. Only about a dozen simple products come from it. But from these the chemist is able to make thousands of new substances. Some of the most important things made from coal tar are dyes.

(i) What is black and sticky?

(ii) Who thought of it as a nuisance?

(iii) Why did gas makers and coke makers try to get rid of coal tar?

(iv) What is the most important things made from coal tar?

(v) What was coal tar mainly used for before its real value was known?

(vi) What is the smell of coal tar like?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘delight’.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘material’.

Passage 20

Perhaps no animal on earth has enjoyed the kind of publicity received by the Giant Panda. Unknown to the Western World till as late as 1869, the Panda has been familiar to the Chinese for over 4000 years. At one time the animal inhabited vast areas of South China but today it finds itself restricted to small areas of some parts of China. For many years the Panda was believed to belong to the bear family. In fact, its closest living relative is not a bear but the golden panda.

The Giant Panda adapts well to low temperatures, so it does not hibernate in winter. It climbs trees with amazing agility and feeds on large quantities of bamboo shoots that grow abundantly in dense forests. Occasionally its diet may also include fish, small mammals and birds.

(i) The animal that has received widest publicity is—

(ii) Panda has been familiar to the Chinese for over—

(iii) Panda was believed to belong to—

(iv) What is the special feature of Giant Panda?

(v) When was the Giant Panda first known to the Western World?

(vi) Where did the Panda originally live?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘miniature’.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘sleep’.

Passage 21

The Earth is occasionally hit by craggy remnants of creation known as asteroids. About 150 are known to cross the earth's path. These lie in a loose belt between the Mars and Jupiter like so much rubble left over from creation. The first asteroid was too faint to be seen by the naked eye. It was discovered by an Italian monk named Guiseppi Piazzi,

working at an observatory in Palermo, Sicily. The largest found so far is about 8 km wide.

Slamping into the Earth at roughly a second, a large asteroid could explode with the force of a million hydrogen bombs, lifting enough rock and dust to block most sunlight. Cold and darkness could last for months, destroying agriculture and probably a good part of modern civilization, leading to the deaths of a billion or more people from starvation.

(i) By what is the Earth occasionally hit?

(ii) The first asteroid was discovered by an—

(iii) The largest asteroid found so far is about—

(iv) What could happen if a large asteroid exploded?

(v) How many asteroids are known to cross the Earth's path?

(vi) Where do most asteroids lie?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘unlikely’.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘choke’.

Passage 22

Swami Vivekananda's inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the twentieth century. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into at the parliament of religions in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colorful personality and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.

Born in Calcutta and educated at a Christian college, his early education familiarized him with the Western Philosophy that he later used to interpret Hinduism. Vivekananda’s original name was Narendranath Datta. He received his new name and the title Swami (master) after accepting the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Vivekananda believed in the oneness of all creation in God. He devoted his life to working for social reform.

[Question Bank (Modi.)]

(i) Swami Vivekananda had—

(ii) Where was the parliament of religions held?

(iii) Which religion did Swamiji represent in America?

(iv) Which of the following qualities did Vivekananda had?

(v) What was Swami Vivekananda's original name?

(vi) What did Vivekananda dedicate his life to?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'ineptness'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'ardent'.

Passage 23

Of all the trees of Southern Asia, the banyan tree is unique, not only for the manner of its growth but for the area of shade it provides from the burning sun. Its close relationship with man has evolved over the years to make the banyans a most popular meeting place, a focal point of worship and a source of practical materials for commerce.

Known as the 'strangler fig', because of its unusual manner of growth, the banyan is an epiphye or air plant that has its birth in the branches of a host tree and lives on airborne moisture and nutrients. Banyan seeds are deposited by birds, bats or monkeys in the rich soil collected in the crevices of the host tree branches.

(i) Which tree is being discussed here?

(ii) What makes it unique?

(iii) Why is banyan tree known as 'strangler fig'?

(iv) Banyan seeds are deposited by—

(v) What role does a banyan tree play in human society?

(vi) What kind of plant is the banyan in its early stages?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'ordinary'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'liked'.

Passage 24

What are volcanoes? In appearance it looks like a cone-shaped mountain. But the top of the cone is rather flat and hollow. This is the crater, which is as it were, the mouth of the volcano. The volcano is formed by matter rock coming up from below the earth's crust; by molten rock we mean rock which is so hot that it runs like liquid. This rock is called lava.

Imagine a sort of pipe coming up from deep down in the earth's surface passing through the rocks of the earth's crust and coming up to the crater. The lava forces its way up this pipe and overflows to form the sides of the volcano. The volcanic mountain is therefore found in the areas where the earth's surface is for some reason weak and cannot resist the pressure of the molten lava.

(i) What is the state of molten rock?

(ii) The mouth of the volcano is called the—

(iii) What is the meaning of molten rock?

(iv) What does the appearance of volcanoes look like?

(v) Where are volcanoes usually found?

(vi) What happens when lava overflows from a volcano?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'bumpy'.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : 'hole'.

Passage 25

One of the greatest mysteries of bird's life is travelling. Every year during autumn and early winter birds travel from northern regions of Asia, Europe and America to the southern warmer lands. They make the return journey again during spring and early summer. They are very punctual unless they are delayed by bad weather. They face many dangers and hardships while travelling long distances through the air over hills, forests, plains and large stretches of water. Sometimes sudden storms arise and drive them far out of course. Often they are blown right out to sea and are drowned in the wild waves. At night bright lights attract and confuse the birds. They cannot fly at their fastest.

The migration speed is usually from 48 to 64 km an hour and rarely exceeds 80.

(Question Bank)

(i) What is one of the greatest mysteries of a bird's life?

(ii) They are very punctual unless they are delayed by—

(iii) At night what confuses the birds?

(iv) When do they make return journey?

(v) When do birds migrate to warmer lands?

(vi) Where do birds migrate from?

(vii) Choose the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘clearness’.

(viii) Choose the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘difficulty’.

Passage 26

Florence Nightingale was the first woman who was awarded ‘The order of merit’ for her pioneering work in nursing profession. She was born on May 12, 1820 in a rich family in Florence, Italy. It was unthinkable for a woman of a respectable family to go out for a job in those days. She offered herself to provide healing touch to the wounded soldiers in the Crimean war. She served them so well and with great love that she became a legend in the nursing profession. We remember her as an embodiment of love, sacrifice and dedication for mankind. At the over-crowded Scutori Hospital, she was often found serving the wounded soldiers even in the midst of night by holding a lamp in her hand.

(Question Bank)

(i) Florence Nightingale was a—

(ii) ‘The order of merit’ is an—

(iii) Where was Nightingale born?

(iv) In which profession did she become a legend?

Tourism has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing industries, contributing significantly to the national economy while simultaneously influencing the country's cultural fabric. This sector presents both tremendous opportunities and considerable challenges that require thoughtful consideration. India's rich cultural heritage, historical monuments, diverse landscapes, and spiritual traditions attract millions of domestic and international tourists annually. Tourism generates employment for guides, hotel workers, artisans, and transporters, particularly benefitting local communities near tourist destinations. Foreign tourists bring valuable foreign exchange, strengthening India's economy. The industry also promotes cultural exchange, helping preserve traditional arts, crafts, and festivals. States like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa have prospered through tourism, developing better infrastructure and facilities.

However, uncontrolled tourism has serious drawbacks. Popular sites like the Taj Mahal and hill stations face environmental degradation due to overcrowding and pollution. The commercialization of culture sometimes leads to the loss of authentic traditions as performances become mere entertainment for tourists. Local communities may experience rising costs of living as prices inflate in tourist areas. Additionally, some historical sites suffer damage from irresponsible tourist behaviour. The gap between tourist-focused development and local needs can create resentment among residents. Sustainable tourism is the solution that balances economic benefits with cultural and environmental preservation. This includes limiting visitor numbers at sensitive sites, promoting responsible tourist behaviour, ensuring local communities benefit fairly from tourism revenue, and investing in heritage conservation. Eco-tourism and rural tourism initiatives can distribute benefits more widely while maintaining cultural authenticity and environmental integrity.

(i) How does tourism benefit local communities?

(ii) Name two Indian states that have prospered through tourism.

(iii) What environmental problem is faced by popular tourist places like the Taj Mahal?

(iv) How can commercialization of culture affect traditional practices?

(v) What economic problem do local residents face in tourist areas?

(vi) What is sustainable tourism according to the passage?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage: "damage" or "decline".

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage: "destruction".

Passage 29

[Sec. Board Exam., 2025 (Modi.)]

The magic of Bapuji's message has stolen the hearts of India's millions. Men and women and even little children, come out of their little shells and become India's soldiers of freedom. In India today we are making history, and you and I are fortunate to see this happening before our eyes and to take some part ourselves in this great drama.

If we are to be India's soldiers we have to respect India's honour, and that honour is a sacred trust..... It is no easy matter to decide what is right and what is not. One little test, I shall ask you to apply whenever you are in doubt................

Never do anything in secret or anything that you would wish to hide. For the desire to hide anything means that you are afraid, and fear is a bad thing and unworthy of you. Be brave and all the rest follows ......

You know that in our great Freedom Movement, under Bapuji's leadership, there is no room for secrecy or hiding. We have nothing to hide. We are not afraid of what we do or what we say. We work in the sun and work in the light and do nothing secretly ....... and if you do so, my dear you will grow up a child of the light, unafraid and serene and unruffled, whatever may happen.

May you grow up into a brave soldier in India's service.

(i) Whose message stole the hearts of Indians?

(ii) Who became India's soldiers of freedom?

(iii) What has to be respected if we are India's soldiers?

(iv) Why should anything not be hidden?

(v) What can not be done under Bapuji's leadership?

(vi) How will you grow up if you are unafraid?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage: 'Lucky'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage: 'Worthy'.

Passage 30

[Board Model Paper, 2024-25 (Modi.)]

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, now in Pakistan, were the first two cities of this Civilisation to be discovered; their indentification goes back to 1924, a century ago. Several sites followed in the Indus plains known as 'Indus Valley Civilisation'.

Later on Dholavira in Gujarat, Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Ganweriwala in Pakistan and Lothal in Gujarat were discovered. It is interesting to note that the Sarasvati basin includes not only two major cities – Rakhigarhi and Ganweriwala but also several smaller ones Farmana, Banawali, Bhirrana in Haryana and Kalibangan in Rajasthan.

The larger Harappan cities were built according to precise plans. They had wide streets which were often oriented to the cardinal directions. Most cities seen to have been surrounded by massive wall and had two distinct parts— 'the upper town'; where the local elite lived and the "lower town" where common people lived.

Some large buildings seen to have been used for collective purpose – for instance, warehouses where goods were stored. Individual houses of various sizes lined the streets and smaller lanes. The construction was the same for small and big houses. All buildings were made of bricks.

The famous 'Great Bath' in Mohenjo-daro, a small but elaborate tank which measred about metres and had waterproofing materials applied on top of carefully laid-out bricks. The tank was surrounded by small rooms, one of which contained a well; there was a drain in one corner of the tank to empty it from time to time and refill it with fresh water.

(i) Where are Harappa and Mohenjo-daro?

(ii) When were the Harappa and Mohenjo-daro civilisations discovered?

(iii) Where did the common people live?

(iv) What was the use of a drain system?

(v) What was the purpose of the large buildings?

(vi) Mention the names of the cities which belong from Haryana and Rajasthan.

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : "Huge".

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : "Ordinary".

Passage 31 [Sec. Board Exam., 2024 (Modi.)]

I walked along the street of Delhi. I wondered what the history of my country meant to me. Here was a land where man had achieved greatness on every plane—Astronomy, Algebra, Architecture, even Poetry, Music and Art. Yet in this very city, where seven empires had come and gone, where Akbar and Ashoka ruled, I could not get a job and a boy like Shovan Lal had not been able to finish his schooling.

By 11 o'clock, I had walked eight miles. When I met Shovan Lal, Connaught Circus was nearly deserted.

'Hullo”, Shovan Lal said, greeting me in Hindi.

"Hullo" I replied as a few men around him moved aside to let me come to him.

"These are my friends", Shovan Lal added waving his hand over the group.

"What do they have to say about my working with them here in Connaught Circus?"

"Well", Shovan Lal replied, pulling a face.

Just then one of the younger men started speaking very fast in a strange dialect I could not easily follow. This was taken up by an older man and in a few minutes four others joined in. When they stopped talking, Shovan Lal, who had been quiet all this time, translated for me.

(i) Where was the writer walking?

(ii) In which fields had the man on the earth got achievements?

(iii) Where did the writer meet Shovan Lal?

(iv) Who said "Hullo" to the writer?

(v) Whose friends are described in the passage?

(vi) Who translated for the writer?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'Wishing'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'Stopped'.

Passage 32

[Board Model Paper, 2023-24 (Modi.)]

There was a young student-archer who reached such proficiency in his art that he could shoot an arrow into a tree and then cleave that arrow into two with the next shot. He began to boast that he was a greater archer than his Guru.

One day his guru, about seventy years old, asked the youth to accompany him on a trip across the hills. The journey was uneventful until they came to a deep Chasm.

A single log spanned the chasm. The guru walked down to the centre of the log, unshouldered his bow and taking an arrow shot it into a tree on the other side. His next shot cleaved the first arrow into two "Now it's your turn" he said, The youth stepped on

the log slowly and carefully. But his heart was in his mouth. He knew that if he lost his footing, he would plunge to his death. His hands trembled as he strung an arrow into his bow, he could not focus on the target. When he shot the arrow, it missed the tree altogether. Whimpering, he turned around. "Help me" he shouted to his guru. "I'll fall!" The old man walked up to him, took his hand and led him to safety, neither of them said a word. On the return journey the boy had realized that to be a master of his art, it was not enough to know how to control the bow, he had to learn how to control his mind too.

(i) How old was the guru?

(ii) What spanned the chasm?

(iii) What was the quality of young archer?

(iv) When was the young archer afraid?

(v) Who helped the young archer and how?

(vi) When did the young archer shout?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : “Gulf”.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : “Depart”.

Passage 33

[Sec. Board Exam., 2023 (Modi.)]

At the age of six, Bismillah Khan moved to Varanasi (earlier known as Banaras), where his maternal uncle, Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu' was the official 'Shehnai' player at the famous Vishwanath Temple. Ali Baksh noticed that Bismillah was a keen music learner, so he took him under his tutelage. Thus, Bismillah Khan started learning to play the 'Shehnai' from his uncle. Ali Baksh played 'Shehnai' at the Vishwanath Temple and practised in one of the temple rooms at Balaji Ghat. Bismillah Khan's routine was to follow his uncle the whole day to both the temples, and practise for hours together—without any play time, school and sometimes even regular meals.

Bismillah Khan religiously practised the 'Shehnai' and attained perfection in a very short time. The flowing waters of the River Ganga inspired him to improvise and invent 'ragas' that were earlier considered to be beyond the range of 'Shehnai'. He often played the 'Shehani' at the Vishwanath Temple on the banks of the River Ganga. He was also a devotee of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom and arts.

Ustad Bismillah Khan was perhaps single-handedly responsible for making the 'Shehnai' a famous and popular musical instrument and bringing it into the mainstream Indian classical music. His concert at the All India Music Conference (1937) in Calcutta brought 'Shehnai' into the limelight, and was hugely appreciated by music lovers.

(i) At what age did Bismillah Khan move to Varanasi?

(ii) What was the earlier name of Varanasi?

(iii) Who was official Shehnai player at the famous Vishwanath Temple?

(iv) What was Bismillah Khan's routine?

(v) Name the thing, which inspired Bismillah Khan to improvise and invent 'ragas'.

(vi) What do you know about Saraswati on the basis of the passage?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘Guardianship’.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘dull’.

Passage 34

[Board Model Paper, 2022-23 (Modi.)]

Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved, whatever he may do.

--- | ---

It is improbable that he will ever again in his life be given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child—things that have lost their interest for older people because they are too well-known. A child finds pleasures in playing in the rain, or in the snow. His first visit to the seaside is a marvellous adventure. But a child has his pains : he is not so free to do as he wishes as he thinks older people are : he is continually being told not to do things, or being punished for what he has done wrong. His life is therefore not perfectly happy.

When the young man starts to earn his own living, he becomes free-from the discipline of school and parents; but at the same time he is forced to accept responsibilities. He can no longer expect others to pay for his food, his clothes, and his room, but has to work if he wants to live comfortably. If he spends most of his time playing about in the way that he used to as a child, he will go hungry. And if he breaks the laws of society as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison. If, however, he works hard, keeps out of troubles and has good health, he can have the great happiness of seeing himself make steady progress in his job and of building up for himself his own position in society.

Old age has always been thought of as the worst age to be, but it is not necessary for the old to be unhappy. With old age should come wisdom and the ability to help others with advice wisely. (Question Bank)

(i) What will be a marvellous adventure for a child?

(ii) When does a young man becomes free from the discipline of school and parents?

(iii) Which ability comes with old age?

(iv) What happens if a child has good parents?

(v) What pain does a child have?

(vi) What will happen when a youth breaks the laws of society?

(vii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'absurdity'.

(viii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'awesome'.

Passage 35 (Sec. Board Exam., 2022)

I (author) was born into a middle-class Tamil family in the island town of Rameshwaram in the erstwhile Madras State. My father, Jainulabdeen, had neither much formal education nor much wealth; despite these disadvantages, he possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. He had an ideal helpmate in my mother, Ashiamma. I do not recall the exact number of people she fed everyday, but I am quite certain that far more outsiders ate with us than the members of our own family put together.

I was one of many children—a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. We lived in our ancestral house, which was built in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was a fairly large pucca house, made of limestone and brick, on the Mosque street in Rameshwaram. My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries. However, all necessities were provided for, in terms of food, medicine or clothes. In fact, I would say mine was a very secure childhood, both materially and emotionally.

(i) What was the birthplace of the writer?

(ii) Who was an ideal helpmate of the writer's father?

(iii) What was the name of writer's mother?

(iv) Where did the author and his family live?

(v) What did author's father use to avoid?

(vi) What type of childhood did the author have?

(vii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'meanness'.

(viii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'simple-hearted'.

Passage 36

[Board Model Paper, 2021-22 (Modi.)]

The conquest of happiness has meant different facts to different generations. Our forefathers took pride in scholarship, a spirit of sacrifice and solicitude for the welfare of others. Gone are those days. Today we live only for ourselves. We are jealous of the advancement of our neighbours. We end up tense and unhappy.

The term 'happy' has a variety of meanings. It stands for the lucky, fortunate, content, glad or apt. Happiness lies within the mind of the individual. No amount of external wealth may be helpful in making him happy.

Our forefathers had life styles, very much different from those we have today. Their life was based mainly on the concept of 'Simple living and high thinking'. People were satisfied with whatever they obtained after working hard. Excessive material wealth did not mean much for them they derived mental satisfaction and enrichment which they aimed at.

The structural framework of our forefathers' families was different from those of ours. They lived in a cohesive joint family structure where they were happier than us. They cared for each other. The siblings grew up with their cousins. The bond of love which they shared cannot be easily found in the nuclear family of the day. The family provided an emotional cushioning effect against tension and stress.

(i) In what did our forefathers take pride?

(ii) What are we jealous of?

(iii) On what concept have our forefathers lived their lives?

(iv) What did family provide?

(v) What kind of family did our forefathers use to live in?

(vi) What cannot be easily found in the nuclear family?

(vii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'luckless'.

(viii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'uncontrolled'.

(vi) What cannot be easily found in the nuclear family?

(vii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'luckless'.

(viii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'uncontrolled'.

Passage 37

It has become common knowledge that yoga is good for you. Currently yoga is being used as a therapy for cancer, infertility, lung disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, insomnia, high blood pressure, and joint pain. Yet there is very little awareness and understanding on exactly how yoga heals, even in the yoga and medical communities. The key is to understand the relationships between stress, yoga and disease.

Medical research estimates that as much as 90 percent of illness and disease is stress related. A few of the many diseases and conditions that have been linked to an overactive stress response include : cardio-vascular disease, depression, anxiety, some types of diabetes mellitus, etc.

What we feel as stress, is the product of the sympathetic nervous system or the "fight or flight" response : an almost instantaneous surge in heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing and metabolism, combined with a tensing of muscles. Internally, the "fight or flight" response shuts down digestion and elimination and reduces blood flow to the internal organs. Short term, this stress reaction is a good thing. The "fight or flight" response prepares us to respond to any environmental threat by fighting against it or fleeing from it. But long term continuous exposure to stress is harmful, placing excess wear and tear on the body's system and severely limiting the body's natural maintenance and healing abilities.

Chronic stress can lead to continuously high levels of cortisol. This hormone at normal levels helps to maintain an active, healthy body (including regulation of metabolism and blood pressure).

(i) What is stress?

(ii) What does chronic stress lead to?

(iii) For which disease is yoga being used as a therapy?

(iv) How is long term stress harmful?

(v) How is normal level of cortisol hormone useful?

(vi) How is short term stress a good thing?

(vii) Write the similar word of 'sleep disorder' from the passage.

(viii) Write the opposite word of 'fertility' from the passage.

Passage 38

But science not only provides knowledge about nature : it also provides means for controlling nature. So besides general ideas, science also affects practical affairs and everyday life. Perhaps the most obvious example concerns transport. Up to the end of the eighteenth century, transport on land differed very little from what it had been in Roman times. A Roman officer in second-century, Britain could get from London to York just about as quickly and comfortably as an eighteenth-century gentleman. Owing to the compass and to improved design of ships, sea transport had improved a little, but not much. Then came the invention of the steam-engine, and its improvement, which was dependent on the general scientific knowledge of the time. Steamships, and railways with steam engines, completely changed the business of travel and of the transport of goods. The internal combustion engine, again based on the scientific study of heat and how it is generated by gas explosions, made possible first the motor-car and the diesel engine and then the aeroplane. Now people are talking of the possibility of flying at five hundred miles an hour or more by means of rocket propulsion in the thin higher layers of the atmosphere. It is interesting to note down the highest speeds possible for land, sea and air travel every ten years from 1820 to the present day.

Similarly with communication. Not only did the steam engine, and then the aeroplane, speed up the sending of letters and newspapers, but the discoveries about electricity made possible first the telegraph, then the telephone, then wireless, and today television is just about to become practical.

(i) What does science affect?

(ii) Which two areas of knowledge are talked about here?

(iii) Which inventions have led to the improvement in transportation?

(iv) What made motor car, diesel engine and aeroplane possible?

(v) Which inventions have led to the improvement in communication?

(vi) What have the discoveries about electricity made possible?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'innovation'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'external'.

Passage 39

Forests are considered the 'green gold' of a country. The very survival of humans and other living beings is dependent on trees and plants which are a major source of oxygen—the vital gas for our respiration. They also act as a 'sink' for the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans and animals and spewed from the chimneys and by the automobiles.

Forests play a vital role in sustaining our life and the nation's economy. They provide oxygen without which life is not possible on earth. They maintain a healthy gaseous balance in the atmosphere. They are great moderators of climate. Plants increase the humidity of water vapour from their exposed surfaces by way of transpiration.

As one may be aware, forests extensively control soil erosion and landslides. Forests

in the hilly areas keep the soil of riverbanks intact with their extensive root system. They also maintain the stability of the mountain slopes. The aerial parts of the plants intercept rain, decreasing its erosive power. Ground flora and the thick layer of litter and humus in the forests act as sponge and help to retain the water received in the form of rain or through the melting of snow; this prevents floods in the plains. By decreasing the velocity of water coming down the hills, forests help in greater absorption of water by the soil in the plains and thus preventing droughts. As the soil retains its moisture, it is released slowly, giving rise to perennial streams and rivulets.

The material advantage offered by forests needs no mention. Through centuries forests have provided us fuel, fodder and timber wood; our several industries are based on certain resources which are found in the woods. (Question Bank)

(i) What are considered the 'green gold' of a country?

(ii) Which gas is vital for our respiration?

(iii) How do the trees maintain a healthy gaseous balance in the atmosphere?

(iv) How do forests control soil erosion?

(v) How do forests prevent droughts?

(vi) Mention two material advantages offered by forests.

(vii) Write the similar word of 'continuing to live' from the passage.

(viii) Write the opposite word of 'inhaled' from the passage.

Passage 40

Happiness is not a house that can be built by man's hands, but a song that you hear as you pass the hedge rising suddenly and simply into the night and dying down again. Happiness is optional. It is an inner feeling of contentment and joy. Every man should give a little thought to the duty of being happy. People generally under-rate and neglect this significant duty. 'Nothing too much' is a good maxim of a Greek philosopher. We should control our desires. We should not be a slave to our desires. We should learn to stop while we still wish to continue. We should call off our desires before they are satisfied. 'Nothing too much' should be our guiding principle when we control our desires. Happiness is inside, not outside. It is not in the objects. Everyday a person should think and realise that he is a soul and he is alone. For this sake, he should spare some time and realise that nothing belongs to him for ever. He should smile and try to internalise the effect of his smile. He should try to retain the pleasing effect in the inner recesses of his heart and in the ideas of his mind. Health is also related to happiness. Walking, light physical exercises and light food free from harmful components are as useful for health as hobbies and company of good friends. Company of nature and company of good books create a basis of happy living. Happiness rooted in activity with devotion is an inner feeling of satisfaction or contentment for those who are not enslaved by desires. We are happy only when we exist in relation to the social environment with a positive attitude.

(i) Which significant duty is generally neglected by people?

(ii) What should a person do to realise that he is a soul and he is alone?

(iii) What according to the author, is happiness?

(iv) Which maxim did a Greek philosopher follow?

(v) What should a person think and realise everyday?

(vi) What things create a basis of happy living?

(vii) Write the similar word of 'satisfaction' from the passage.

(viii) Write the opposite word of 'negative' from the passage.

Passage 41

To return, therefore, to where I began, if your horizon goes as far as Srinagar in the North and Cape Camorin in the South, Karachi in the West and Dibrugarh in the East—

as, indeed, it should—there is for you nothing for it but to learn Hindi, English, I have shown to you, cannot be our lingua franca. I have no prejudice against English. The knowledge of English is necessary for a few scholars, it is necessary for international contacts and for the knowledge of the sciences pursued in the West. But I am pained when an attempt is made to give English a place it cannot take. That attempt, I have no doubt, is bound to fail. Everything looks proper in its own place. There is a scare of which I should like to disabuse your minds. Is Hindi to be taught at the expense of Kannada? On the contrary, I claim that the more we propagate Hindi, the more shall we stimulate a study of vernaculars and even improve their power and potency. I say this from my experience of different provinces.

The first and the greatest social service we can render is to revert to our vernaculars, to restore Hindi to its natural place as the national language, and begin carrying on all our provincial proceedings in our respective vernaculars and national proceedings in Hindi. We ought not to rest till our schools and colleges give us instruction through the vernaculars. It ought not to be necessary, even for the sake of our English friends, to have to speak in English. Every English civil and military officer has to know Hindi. Most English merchants learn it because they need it for their business. The day must soon come when our legislatures will debate national affairs in the vernaculars or Hindi, as the case may be.

(i) Which language can't be our Lingua Franca?

(ii) Which language does the author really favour as the national language?

(iii) What, according to the author, is bound to fail?

(iv) When is the author pained?

(v) What does the author claim?

(vi) What does the author hope from the legislators?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'preconception'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of 'abuse' from the passage.

Passage 42

From the beginning, children should be allowed to develop in their own natural happy way within the control of parental love, guidance and care and without too much pressure. A change of some conventional parental attitudes may help to prevent many cases of drug dependence and other adolescent problems.

We should also understand our parental responsibilities to the world environment. Remember that the living space of this world is limited and we must leave enough space for our future generations to live happily. To achieve that aim, we must practise family planning and limit the birth rate by having only one or two children per couple. Between each birth there should be a gap of three or four years so that each child is not deprived of the right to sufficient parental love and care. Family planning really means family welfare, as it helps to keep women healthy enough to contribute to a happy home environment. A happy healthy mother is a key to the welfare of the whole family.

The mind is most important in the maintenance of positive health. To develop a healthy mind it is important to learn to relax properly and to develop ways to deal with day to day stress. Many diseases such as high blood pressure and some heart problems are thought to be related to stress, so by using relaxation techniques you may avoid many health problems.

However, even when we enjoy good health, diseases may occur. According to international statistics, each person is at risk of becoming sick or injured about twice a year on average. It is important to deal with any sickness or injury in a realistic and intelligent way without panic. [Question Bank (Modi.)]

(i) Who is the key to the welfare of the whole family?

(ii) What is most important in the maintenance of positive health?

(iii) How should we allow the children to develop?

(iv) What can help to prevent adolescent problems?

(v) How can we develop a healthy mind?

(vi) How should sickness and injury be dealt with?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'traditional'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'ending'.

Passage 43

There is a danger of the world getting liberty drunk in these days like the old lady with the basket. We should think, 'what does the rule of the road mean?' It means in order that the liberties of all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed. When the policeman steps into the middle of the road and puts out his hand, he is the symbol of liberty. You may not think so. If he pulls up your motor cycle at the wrong side, you will feel injured. You may feel that your liberty has been outraged. Why does this fellow interfere with your free use of the public road? If you have rationality, you'll reflect and praise his act. If he didn't interfere with you, he would interfere with no one. The result would be chaos. You have submitted to a curtailment of private liberty in order that you may enjoy a social order which makes your liberty a reality.

Liberty is not a personal affair only, but a social contract. It is an accommodation of interests. In matters which do not touch anybody else's liberty. I may be as free as I like. If I choose to go down in a dressing gown, with long hair and bare feet, who shall object? You have liberty to laugh at me, but I have liberty to be indifferent to you. And if I have a fancy for dyeing my hair or wearing a tall hat, a frock and sandals or going to bed late or getting up early, I shall follow my fancy and ask no man's permission. I shall not inquire of you whether I may take fruit juice with my dinner. I may like fruit juice with my dinner. You will not ask me whether you may follow this religion or that, whether you may marry the dark lady or the fair lady.

(i) When is the policeman a symbol of liberty?

(ii) Why have we submitted to a curtailment of private liberty?

(iii) When do we feel injured?

(iv) What does the rule of the road mean?

(v) Mention two ways of personal liberty.

(vi) What is liberty?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'confusion'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'weep'.

Passage 44

Very few persons know how to read. Considerable experience with literature is needed before taste and discrimination can possibly be acquired; and, without these, it is almost impossible to learn how to read. I say, almost impossible; since there are some rare men who, through a kind of inherited literary instinct are able to read very well even before reaching the age of twenty-five years. But these are great exceptions, and I am speaking of the average; for to read the characters of the letters of the text does not mean reading in the true sense. You will often find yourselves reading words or characters automatically, even pronouncing them quite correctly, while your minds are occupied with a totally different subject. This mechanism of reading becomes altogether automatic at an early period of life, and can be performed irrespective of attention. Neither can I call it reading to extract the narrative portion of a text from the rest simply for one's personal amusement, or in other words, to read a book "for the story". Yet most of the reading that is done in the world is done in exactly this way. Thousands and thousands of books are bought every year, every month, I might even say every day, by people who do not

read at all. They only think that they read. They buy books just to amuse themselves, "to kill time" as they call it; in one hour or two their eyes have passed over all the pages, and there is left in their minds a vague idea or two about what they have been looking at; and this they really believe is reading. Nothing is more common than to be asked, "Have you read such a book?" or to hear somebody say, "I have read such and such a book."

[Question Bank (Modi.)]

(i) Who, according to author, knows how to read?

(ii) Which readers is the author speaking about?

(iii) What is needed before taste and discrimination can possibly be acquired?

(iv) What is the mechanism of reading at an early period of life?

(v) How is most of the reading done?

(vi) How are some rare men able to read very well even before reaching the age of 25 years?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘entertainment’.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘after’.

Passage 45

According to Swami Vivekananda every improvement in India requires first of all an upheaval in religion. In his travels, he found that for the uplift of nation it was necessary to energize the masses which could be achieved only by religion, rejuvenated and revitalized by infusing Vedantic ideas. "In religion," he said, "lies the vitality of India and so long as the Hindu race do not forget the great inheritance of their forefathers, there is no power on earth to destroy them." He wanted a religion which would "give us faith in ourselves, a national self-respect and the power to feed and educate the poor and relieve the misery around us." According to him the problems of India are more complicated, more momentous than the problems in any other country. Swamiji's plan for the elevation of the masses was to give them secular education and to prepare them to work for a better standard of life. But in his view this secular education was to be imparted through religion, for it was only through religion that even ideas of social and political advancement take root in India. "Keep the motto before you," he said, "elevation of the masses without injuring religion." Religion was getting confined to don't touchism, the kitchen and the cooking pot, and Swami Vivekananda wanted to reinstate, pristine Upanishadic religion. "His beautiful summing up of what religion means deserves thoughtful consideration." "Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling Nature, external and internal. Do this either by work or worship, or psychic control or philosophy—by one or more or all of these and be free."

(i) What, according to Vivekananda, does every improvement in India require?

(ii) Which type of religion did Vivekananda want?

(iii) What should the Hindu race not forget to stay safe?

(iv) What did Vivekananda say about the problems of India?

(v) What was Swami's plan for the elevation of the masses?

(vi) What, according to Swami, is religion?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : ‘betterment’.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : ‘remember’.

Passage 46

Shivaji, the great, was a very wise and brave king. When Aurangzeb imprisoned him at Agra, he thought of a clever plan, and escaped from there in 1666. At this, the whole of Maharastra was filled with great joy. Aurangzeb, on the other hand, got furious, and broke all the treaties made by him with Shivaji and began to trouble the small Maratha Kingdom

in many ways. Shivaji did not watch all this quietly. He at once decided to take suitable steps to face the new danger. He consulted his brave and trusted generals, like Pratap Rao Gurjar and Niraji Raoji, organised his own forces and began to wrest fort after fort from the hands of Aurangzeb. The Maratha soldiers were determined even to die for Shivaji. This bravery and determination helped them recover the forts under the Mughal possession one after another. Such was the state of affairs in January, 1670.

Though Shivaji's forces captured many forts in the Deccan, he did not feel very happy till he took back the great and important fort of Kondana. His mother Jijabai was also equally anxious that her son should get back the strategic fort soon. She said to him, "Shivaji, I love the fort of Kondana because of its importance, and unless that is taken back from the Mughals my heart will never be at rest. I am pleased to see the brave deeds of you Mavalas and faithful generals who have so far driven out the Mughals from many a fort. I shall be happier if they can recapture Kondana too as soon as possible."

Shivaji felt immensely happy at this; for he too had the same keen urge. He said, "Dear Mother, your wish will be carried out and that too without delay. I will not enjoy a hearty meal or sound sleep till we recapture Kondana." [Question Bank (Modi.)]

(i) Who imprisoned Shivaji at Agra?

(ii) Who were Shivaji's trusted generals?

(iii) How did Shivaji come out of the prison of Aurangzeb?

(iv) What did Shivaji do to get back his forts?

(v) What helped the Maratha recover the forts?

(vi) What pledge did Shivaji make to recapture Kondana?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'recover'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'coward'.

Passage 47

Whilst I was in the midst of my creative work there came to me an inner message asking me to come out of my seclusion and seek life in the heart of crowd. I knew not what I could do. I had a love for children, so that I called them round me, in order to rescue them from the dismal dungeons of the educational department, and find for them that atmosphere of sympathy and freedom which they needed most. I chose a beautiful and secluded spot where, in collaboration with Mother Nature, it was possible to bring up these boys in a spirit of wisdom and love.

While I was still busy doing service to children I do not know what possessed me all of a sudden. From some far away sky came to me a call of pilgrimage reminding me that we are all born pilgrims—pilgrims of the green earth. A voice questioned me : 'Have you been to the sacred shrine where Divinity reveals itself in the thoughts and dreams and deeds of Man?' I thought possibly it was in Europe where I must seek it and know the full meaning of my birth as a human being in this world. And so for the second time I came to this continent.

But, meanwhile I had grown up and learnt much of the history of man. I had sighed with the great poet Wordsworth, who became sad when he saw what man had done to man. We too have suffered at the hands of man—not tigers and snakes, not elemental forces of nature, but human beings. Men are ever the greatest enemy of Man. I had felt and known it; all the same, there was a hope, deep in my heart, that I should find some place, some temple, where the immortal spirit of man dwelt hidden like the sun behind clouds.

(i) Which place for children's study was chosen by the speaker?

(ii) Who reminded the speaker about the pilgrimage?

(iii) From what did the speaker want to rescue children?

(iv) What was the inner message?

--- | ---

(v) Of what had the speaker learnt much?

(vi) Why had the speaker and Wordsworth sighed?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'isolation'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'mortal'.

Passage 48

That night, I (author) was sleeping in the passage room. When I woke up in the morning I found my elder brother's blanket on me, added to mine. Early at dawn he had left for the fields without a blanket on his shoulders. If he had been asked why, he would have surely said in his usual manner, that he did not feel the cold. Now I have a comfortable income. Yet it had never occurred to me to think of buying any warm cloth for my elder brother. He is still satisfied and happy with that old tattered blanket that he had covered me with once. The same blanket was there before me, with all the other things.

I shivered with the cold, and my own ingratitude. The process of division was finally over. Whatever the second brother demanded, my elder brother agreed to it with a smile. My second brother proposed to buy the share of land that was given to me and offered eighteen thousand rupees as the price.

In the evening, my elder brother took me along with him to show me the paddy fields that were to be mine. I quietly followed him. We moved from boundary to boundary. Everywhere, I could feel the imprints of his feet, his palm and his fingers. On the bosom of the paddy fields sparkled the pearls of my elder brother's sweat. He was showing me the fields, as a father would introduce a stranger to family members.

In the morning, I was to leave for Bhubaneswar. I had no courage to meet my elder brother. Before leaving for the bus-stop, I had handed over the same slip of paper to my elder sister-in-law, which had the details about my share. Writing on the blank side of that slip, I had asked her to deliver it to my elder brother and stealthily slipped out of our house.

(i) Where was the author sleeping?

(ii) What did the author find when he wake up?

(iii) What did the never occur to the author?

(iv) What did the second brother want from the speaker?

(v) What made the speaker emotional?

(vi) What type of relationship does the speaker have with his elder brother?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'ragged'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'hot'.

Passage 49

The young village boys, great pals of Anna, were very keen to meet him. Within no time, they reached his house. Warm hugs were exchanged. Anna narrated his terrible dream to them and realized that only pooja-paath will not solve this grave water problem.

They discussed the importance of trees in conserving water. In the forests, water seeps gently into the ground as vegetation breaks the fall. This ground water in turn, feeds wells, lakes and rivers. Protecting forests means protecting water 'catchments'. They resolved that they would motivate everyone to plant and take care of at least one tree and prevent the indiscriminate cutting of trees.

Mahesh, a vibrant boy, with glowing eyes said, "I know that over the years, rising population, growing industrialisation and expanding agriculture have pushed up the demand for water."

He further said that people should develop a habit of saving water in their day-to-day lives because, "every drop matters."

Ramuda, a bright chap with calm, meditative face made his presence felt and said, "In urban areas, the construction of houses, footpaths and roads has left little exposed

earth for water to soak in. In parts of the rural areas of India, floodwater quickly flows to the rivers, which then dry up soon after the rains stop. If this water can be held back, it can seep into the ground and recharge the groundwater supply."

Mahesh looked at Anna with questioning eyes, "Bhaiya, I have heard of rainwater harvesting. What is it?"

"Rainwater harvesting essentially means collecting rainwater on the roofs of the buildings and storing it underground for later use. Not only does this recharging stop ground water depletion, it also raises the declining water level and can help increase water supply."

(i) What are important in conserving water?

(ii) What did the village friends decide to do?

(iii) How can you say that Anna and his pals have scientific temper?

(iv) How do forests help in maintaining ground water level?

(v) Why was the demand for water pushed up?

(vi) How is rainwater collected?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'friends'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'destruction'.

Passage 50

We want purity—pure food, pure water, pure air. We long for pure surroundings. We yearn for pure heart and pure love. We prefer pure environment and pure society. We are fond of purity because purity promotes health. Impurities are injurious to health. Purity provides peace of mind. Impurities impair the mind. Both for bodily health and mental health, we need purity. We do require environmental purity for overall health.

Purity of body is physical health. Purity of speech is unsullied truth. Purity of heart is unselfish love. Purity of thought is righteous reason. Purity of mind is wholesome peace. Purity of action is sincere and unselfish service. Purity of society is harmonious unity. Purity of environment is soul-elevating serenity.

In the Mahabharata, there is an interesting episode to illustrate the nature of purity. The Pandavas and Kauravas were Drona's disciples. They were once summoned by the preceptor Drona for a test. The eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira was asked to bring one bad person from the society. The eldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana, was asked to fetch one good person from the same society in Hastinapura. After a thorough search, both the cousins returned empty-handed. The pure minded Yudhishthira found everyone to be pious and pure. The impure mind of Duryodhana found everyone to be evil and impure. As is the mind, so is the vision.

Purity of mind makes our vision, words and deeds pure. It has also the power to purify people. Evil has no place in the presence of purity. Nor can it face purity, as darkness cannot face the sun. It only gets changed into purity.

(i) Why are we fond of purity?

(ii) What does purity of body give?

(iii) What do we long for?

(iv) What is the purity of speech and heart?

(v) What is the purity of thought, mind and action?

(vi) How is the saying 'as is the mind, so is the vision' true on Duryodhana?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'righteous'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'absence'.

Passage 51

India is a great country with rich heritage where since Vedic times doing one's duty has been preached and practised. In the Bhagwat Geeta, Lord Krishna stresses the

performance of duty in the Karma Yoga. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in his commentary on the Geeta explains : "It is our duty to act but not to expect reward thereof. Expectation of fruit causes bondage. Action should therefore be performed without seeking the fruit, but it should not be forsaken. The former leads to salvation and the latter to sin, i.e., action must be performed as a duty without attachment."

This philosophy of the Karma Yoga was pursued further when Niti Shastras were written. In Kautilya's Arthshastra, non-performance of duties was made punishable under law. Kautilya championed the cause of civilized society and specifically laid stress on the concept of neighbourhood. For instance, one of the duties for which he made laws was : "No one shall interfere in the affairs of a neighbour without due cause. However, everyone has the duty to run to the help of a neighbour in distress."

Our country achieved freedom after a long period of slavery. Therefore, the framers of our Constitution thought it proper to grant certain fundamental rights to the citizens of India so that they might experience a sense of freedom. Some of the main rights given to the people are : the right to equality, to freedom, to life and individual freedom, to religious freedom, to cultural and educational freedom.

It is human nature to desire rights first and then to think of duties. That is to say, every individual wants only rights, not the fulfillment of his/her duties.

[Question Bank (Modi.)]

(i) Who has preached about duties without expectations in the Bhagwad Geeta?

(ii) Who has written Arthshastra?

(iii) How, according to Kautilya, should one behave with his neighbour?

(iv) Write down the fundamental rights mentioned here.

(v) Which human tendency of our citizens does the author criticise?

(vi) How, according to Tilak, should we perform our duty?

(vii) Write the similar word of the following from the passage : 'example'.

(viii) Write the opposite word of the following from the passage : 'former'.

ANSWERS

Answers to Passage : 1

(i) (c) Jubilant and sad

(ii) (b) Humility

(iii) (d) a lifetime

(iv) (c) Climbing Everest

(v) (d) The summit of the mind

(vi) (b) Experience

(vii) (c) Summit

(viii) (a) Sadness

Answers to Passage : 2

(i) (c) Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

(ii) (b) Wheat and rice

(iii) (a) 1970s

(iv) (c) Depletion of groundwater

(v) (b) Punjab, Haryana

(vi) (a) 73 million tonnes

(vii) (b) Transformation

(viii) (a) Self-sufficient

Answers to Passage : 3

(i) (b) Needa

(ii) (a) Little girls

(iii) (b) Who is the first in the family to go to school

(iv) (d) All of the above

(v) (a) Confident individuals

(vi) (c) Janaki Iyer

(vii) (d) Innovative

(viii) (a) Confident

Answers to Passage : 4

(i) (c) The Rig Veda

(ii) (b) Sindhu

(iii) (c) Sindhu

(iv) (d) Bihar

(v) (c) The land of seven rivers

(vi) (a) Several thousand years old

(vii) (d) Famous

(viii) (b) Ancient

Answers to Passage : 5

(i) (d) All

(ii) (c) Dr. A.P.J. Kalam

(iii) (b) Economic Development

(iv) (b) Indians

(v) (c) Economic development

(vi) (c) Both (a) and (b)

(vii) (b) Vision

(viii) (a) Contribute

Answers to Passage : 6

(i) (c) Hem and Haw

(ii) (d) Cheese station C

(iii) (b) Hem

(iv) (b) Hem

(v) (b) Their friends

(vi) (a) Hem

(vii) (d) Deserve

(viii) (d) Friend

Answers to Passage : 7

(i) (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

(ii) (a) Co-operative dairy unit

(iii) (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

(iv) (a) Middlemen

(v) (b) Farming

(vi) (c) They were exploited by middlemen

(vii) (b) eliminated

(viii) (c) united

Answers to Passage : 8

(i) (c) Both (a) & (b)

(ii) (c) Both (a) & (b)

(iii) (a) To tell the world to stop bothering them.

(iv) (b) Earphones

(v) (b) Why they take risks while using gadgets in public

(vi) (b) Tragic-comic situations

(vii) (c) cool

(viii) (a) wondered

Answers to Passage : 9

(i) (a) Maurya Empire

(ii) (b) twelve

(iii) (d) both (b) and (c)

(iv) (c) Robbers

(v) (b) He thought it belonged to the people, not him

(vi) (c) By making copies of books

(vii) (c) disciplined

(viii) (a) suffering

Answers to Passage : 10

(i) (a) Peace of mind

(ii) (c) thorns

(iii) (a) challenging

(iv) (b) A peaceful mind

(v) (b) Because people seek absolute peace

(vi) (b) They protect peace

(vii) (c) beautiful

(viii) (a) safety

Answers to Passage : 11

(i) (c) About Pandit Ravi Shankar

(ii) (b) In Varanasi

(iii) (c) India's musical ambassador

(iv) (c) Ustad Allauddin Khan

(v) (c) Saare Jahan Se Achchha

(vi) (c) Meera

(vii) (a) brilliant

(viii) (c) signal

Answers to Passage : 12

(i) (b) Leo Tolstoy

(ii) (d) A peasant

(iii) (c) Gandhi

(iv) (d) All of the above

(v) (b) Looking after the horses

(vi) (c) Steady and hard working

(vii) (b) wicked

(viii) (a) comfortably

Answers to Passage : 13

(i) (c) A scientist

(ii) (d) His mother

(iii) (a) Electric Light

(iv) (c) He loved to do experiments and ask funny questions.

(v) (c) Twelve

(vi) (c) In a railway wagon

(vii) (b) funny

(viii) (d) invented

Answers to Passage : 14

(i) (a) passengers

(ii) (a) for smokers

(iii) (d) All sorts of stinking refuse

(iv) (b) Passive smoking

(v) (b) The sale of cigarettes and bidis

(vi) (c) It causes bad smell and affects health

(vii) (c) forget

(viii) (d) statutory

Answers to Passage : 15

(i) (b) The modern youth

(ii) (c) danger to life

(iii) (d) Violation of traffic norms and driving rashly.

(iv) (c) Dreaded and unsafe traffic movement

(v) (b) As if they were meant only for them

(vi) (b) They prove to be the worst cowards

(vii) (a) modern

(viii) (b) calamity

Answers to Passage : 16

(i) (d) blind

(ii) (a) Something Mary was not happy with

(iii) (c) Present from her birth

(iv) (b) Years of training to live in a dark world.

(v) (b) They lived in anguish

(vi) (a) To live in a dark world

(vii) (b) Normal

(viii) (d) Anguish

Answers to Passage : 17

(i) (d) All of these

(ii) (a) the agitators

(iii) (d) All of these

(iv) (a) To see that Bandhs are sponsored by responsible people.

(v) (a) By damaging property and lives

(vi) (b) Destruction

(vii) (b) occasionally

(viii) (b) legitimate

Answers to Passage : 18

(i) (c) International Organization

(ii) (c) Sir Henri Dunant

(iii) (b) 1863

(iv) (c) Counsellor

(v) (a) Helps in disasters

(vi) (b) Kids below 16

(vii) (b) Support

(viii) (c) Guidance

Answers to Passage : 19

(i) (b) Coal tar

(ii) (c) People

(iii) (a) Because this smelling substance blocked up the pipes.

(iv) (d) Dyes

(v) (a) Roofing

(vi) (c) Oily and strong

(vii) (b) nuisance

(viii) (c) substance

Answers to Passage : 20

(i) (a) Giant Panda

(ii) (c) 4000 years

(iii) (c) the bear family

(iv) (d) It adapts well to low temperatures

(v) (a) 1869

(vi) (b) South China

(vii) (b) giant

(viii) (c) hibernate

Answers to Passage : 21

(i) (c) asteroids

(ii) (b) Italian

(iii) (a) 8 km wide

(iv) (d) All of the above

(v) (c) 150

(vi) (b) Between Mars and Jupiter

(vii) (c) probably

(viii) (d) block

Answers to Passage : 22

(i) (b) an inspiring personality

(ii) (c) in Chicago

(iii) (b) Hinduism

(iv) (d) All of the above

(v) (b) Narendranath Datta

(vi) (c) Social reform

(vii) (c) insight

(viii) (b) fervid

Answers to Passage : 23

(i) (d) banyan

(ii) (d) its area of shade

(iii) (b) Because of its unusual manner of growth.

(iv) (d) All of these

(v) (c) It is a place for meetings and worships

(vi) (b) An epiphyte

(vii) (a) unique

(viii) (b) popular

Answers to Passage : 24

(i) (b) liquid

(ii) (a) crater

(iii) (b) rock which is hot and runs like liquid

(iv) (a) cone-shaped mountain

(v) (b) In areas where the earth's surface is weak

(vi) (a) It forms the sides of the volcano

(vii) (c) flat

(viii) (b) hollow

Answers to Passage : 25

(i) (b) travelling

(ii) (d) bad weather

(iii) (c) bright lights

(iv) (d) during spring and early summer

(v) (b) Winter

(vi) (c) Northern regions

(vii) (a) mysteries

(viii) (c) hardship

Answers to Passage : 26

(i) (b) nurse

(ii) (a) award

(iii) (b) Italy

(iv) (a) Nursing

(v) (c) Crimean war

(vi) (b) A lamp

(vii) (c) awarded

(viii) (b) legend

Answers to Passage : 27

(i) It is believed that life on earth began in water.

(ii) Sources of fresh water include rivers, fresh water lakes, and underground shallow aquifers.

(iii) The rising demands for water are difficult to be met in agriculture, the domestic sector, and industry.

(iv) For centuries, we have been dumping wastes into streams and rivers.

(v) Cherrapunji is noted as one of the world's wettest places, and it is currently facing a serious shortage of drinking water.

(vi) The fresh water that lies frozen in Antarctica and Greenland is unavailable to humanity.

(vii) "Shortage"

(viii) "Wettest"

636 &

Answers to Passage : 28

(i) Tourism generates employment for guides, hotel workers, artisans, and transporters in local communities.

(ii) Rajasthan and Kerala.

(iii) Popular tourist places face environmental degradation due to overcrowding and pollution.

(iv) Commercialization leads to loss of authentic traditions as cultural performances become mere entertainment for tourists rather than genuine cultural expressions.

(v) Local residents experience rising costs of living as prices inflate in tourist areas.

(vi) Sustainable tourism balances economic benefits with cultural and environmental preservation through measures like limiting visitors, promoting responsible behaviour, ensuring fair community benefits, and investing in conservation.

(vii) 'degradation'        (viii) 'preservation'

Answers to Passage : 29

(i) Bapuji's (Mahatma Gandhi's) message stole the hearts of Indians.

(ii) Men, women and little children became India's soldiers of freedom.

(iii) India's honour has to be respected if we are India's soldiers.

(iv) Anything should not be hidden because hiding anything means that we are afraid and fear is a bad thing.

(v) Nothing can be hidden or kept secret under Bapuji's leadership.

(vi) If we are unafraid, we will grow up a child of the light, unafraid and serene and unruffled.

(vii) "Fortunate"        (viii) "Unworthy"

Answers to Passage : 30

(i) Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are now in Pakistan.

(ii) The Harappa and Mohenjo-daro civilisations were discovered in 1924.

(iii) The common people lived in the "lower town".

(iv) A drain system was used to empty the tank from time to time and refill it with fresh water.

(v) The large buildings were used for collective purposes–for example, warehouses where goods were stored.

(vi) The cities which belong from Haryana are–Farmana, Banawali, Bhirrana, and from Rajasthan–Kalibangan.

(vii) "Massive"        (viii) "Elite"

Answers to Passage : 31

(i) The writer was walking along the street of Delhi.

(ii) The man on the earth had got achievements in the fields of Astronomy, Algebra, Architecture, Poetry, Music and Art.

(iii) The writer met Shovan Lal at Connaught Circus.

(iv) Shovan Lal said "Hullo" to the writer.

(v) Shovan Lal's friends are described in the passage.

(vi) Shovan Lal translated for the writer.

(vii) 'Greeting'        (viii) 'Started'

Answers to Passage : 32

(i) The guru was about seventy years old.

(ii) A single log spanned the chasm.

(iii) He could shoot an arrow into a tree and cleave that arrow into two with the next shot.

(iv) He was afraid when he stepped on the log.

(v) The guru helped the young archer. He walked up to the young archer, took his hand and led him to safety.

(vi) The young archer shouted when he missed his aim and was about to fall.

(vii) Chasm

(viii) Come

Answers to Passage : 33

(i) At the age of six Bismillah Khan moved to Varanasi.

(ii) Banaras was the earlier name of Varanasi.

(iii) Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu' was official Shehnai player at the famous Vishwanath temple.

(iv) Bismillah Khan's routine was to follow his uncle and practise for hours together without any playtime, school and sometimes even regular meals.

(v) Flowing water of the river Ganga.

(vi) Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of wisdom and arts.

(vii) tutelage

(viii) keen

Answers to Passage : 34

(i) Child's first visit to the seaside will be a marvellous adventure for a child.

(ii) When he starts to earn his own living.

(iii) Ability to help others with wise advice comes with old age.

(iv) He is fed, looked after and loved.

(v) A child is not free to do as per his wishes, he is continually being told not to do things, he is punished for his wrong actions.

(vi) He will have to go to prison.

(vii) wisdom

(viii) marvellous

Answers to Passage : 35

(i) The island town of Rameshwaram in the erstwhile Madras state.

(ii) The writer's mother

(iii) Ashiamma

(iv) The author and his family lived in their ancestral house.

(v) He used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries.

(vi) The author had a very secured childhood both materially and emotionally.

(vii) generosity

(viii) austere

Answers to Passage : 36

(i) Our forefathers took pride in scholarship, a spirit of sacrifice and solicitude for the welfare of others.

(ii) We are jealous of the advancement of our neighbours.

(iii) On the concept of 'Simple living and high thinking'.

(iv) The family provided an emotional cushioning effect against tension and stress.

(v) They used to live in a cohesive joint family structure.

(vi) The bond of love which our forefather shared cannot be easily found in the nuclear family.

(vii) fortunate

(viii) excessive

Answers to Passage : 37

(i) Stress is the product of the sympathetic nervous system or the 'fight or flight' response.

(ii) Chronic stress leads to continuously high levels of cortisol.

(iii) Yoga is being used as a therapy, for cancer, infertility, lung disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, high blood pressure and joint pain.

(iv) Long term stress causes excess wear and tear on the body's system and severely limits the body's natural maintenance and healing abilities.

(v) Normal level of cortisol helps to maintain an active and healthy body including regulation of metabolism and blood pressure.

(vi) Short term stress is a good thing because it prepares us to respond to any environmental threat by fighting against it or fleeing from it.

(vii) insomnia

(viii) infertility

Answers to Passage : 38

(i) Science affects practical affairs, general ideas and everyday life.

(ii) Transport and communication.

(iii) Inventions of compass, steam engine, internal combustion engine, rocket propulsion etc. have led to the improvement in transportation.

(iv) The internal combustion engine made motorcar, diesel engine and aeroplane possible.

(v) Inventions of telegraphs, telephone, wireless, television etc. have led to the improvement in communication.

(vi) The discoveries about electricity have made possible telegraphs, telephone, wireless, television etc.

(vii) invention

(viii) internal

Answers to Passage : 39

(i) Forests are considered the 'green gold' of a country.

(ii) Oxygen gas is vital for our respiration.

(iii) Trees inhale carbon dioxide and exhale life giving oxygen. Thus they maintain a healthy gaseous balance.

(iv) Forests in hilly areas keep the soil of riverbanks intact with their extensive root system. They also maintain the stability of mountain slopes.

(v) Forests prevent droughts by helping in great absorption of water by the soil in the plains.

(vi) Two material advantages offered by forests are that they provide fuel, fodder and timber for us and raw material for industries.

(vii) surviving

(viii) exhaled

Answers to Passage : 40

(i) The duty of being happy is generally neglected by people.

(ii) A person should spare some time to realise that nothing belongs to him forever.

(iii) According to the author happiness is an inner feeling of contentment and joy.

(iv) A Greek philosopher followed the maxim 'nothing too much'.

(v) Everyday a person should think and realise that he is a soul and he is alone.

(vi) Company of nature and good books creates a basis of happy living.

(vii) contentment

(viii) positive

Answers to Passage : 41

(i) English language can't be our Lingua Franca.

(ii) Hindi language.

(iii) The attempt made to give English a place, it can not take, is bound to fail.

(iv) The author is pained when an attempt is made to give English a place it can't take.

(v) The author claims that the more we propagate Hindi, the more shall we stimulate a study of vernaculars and even improve their power and potency.

(vi) From the legislators, the author hopes to debate in the vernaculars or Hindi as the case may be.

(vii) prejudice

(viii) disabuse

Answers to Passage : 42

(i) A happy healthy mother is a key to the welfare of the whole family.

(ii) The mind is most important in the maintenance of positive health.

(iii) We should allow the children to develop in their own natural happy way within the control of parental love, guidance and care and without too much pressure.

(iv) A change of some conventional parental attitudes can help to prevent adolescent problems.

(v) We can develop a healthy mind by learning to relax properly and developing ways to deal with day to day stress.

(vi) Sickness and injury should be dealt with in a realistic and intelligent way without panic.

(vii) conventional

(viii) beginning

Answers to Passage : 43

(i) When a policeman steps into the middle of the road and puts out his hand.

(ii) To enjoy a social order which makes our liberty a reality.

(iii) When a policeman pulls up our motorcycle at the wrong side.

(iv) The rule of the road means to maintain liberties of all and curtail everybody's liberty.

(v) I may take fruit juice with dinner. I may choose to go down in dressing gown. These are the two ways of personal liberty.

(vi) Liberty is an accommodation of interests; it's a social contract.

(vii) chaos

(viii) laugh

Answers to Passage : 44

(i) Very few persons according to author know how to read.

(ii) The author is speaking about average readers.

(iii) Considerable experience with literature is needed for that.

(iv) At an early period of life the mechanism of reading is this that we shall find ourselves reading words while our attention is occupied with a totally different subject.

(v) Most of the reading is done to read a book 'for the story' just to get a vague idea.

(vi) Through a kind of literary instinct, they are able to read very well even before reaching the age of 25 years.

(vii) amusement

(viii) before

Answers to Passage : 45

(i) Every improvement in India requires an upheaval in religion.

(ii) Vivekananda wanted Upanishadic religion.

(iii) The Hindu race should not forget the great inheritance of their forefathers.

(iv) The problems in India are more complicated and more momentous than the problems in any other country.

(v) Swamiji's plan was to give them secular education and prepare them for a better standard of life.

(vi) According to Swamiji, religion is to manifest the divine element of a person by work or worship or psychic control or philosophy.

(vii) improvement

(viii) forget

Answers to Passage : 46

(i) Aurangzeb imprisoned Shivaji at Agra.

(ii) Pratap Rao Gurjar and Niraji Raoji were his trusted generals.

(iii) He thought of a clever plan and escaped from the jail.

(iv) Shivaji organised his own forces and began to wrest fort after fort.

(v) The bravery and determination helped them recover the forts under the Mughal possession.

(vi) He pledged not to enjoy hearty meal and sound sleep till he recaptured the fort of Kondana.

(vii) recapture

(viii) brave

Answers to Passage : 47

(i) The speaker chose a beautiful, secluded and natural place for children's study.

(ii) A call of pilgrimage from some far away sky reminded the speaker about pilgrimage.

(iii) The speaker wanted to rescue children from the dismal dungeons of the educational department.

(iv) The inner message was to come out of the seclusion and seek life in the heart of crowd.

(v) The speaker had learnt much of the history of man.

(vi) They had sighed because men had suffered at the hands of men.

(vii) seclusion | (viii) immortal

Answers to Passage : 48

(i) The author was sleeping in the passage room.

(ii) The author found his elder brother's blanket added to his blanket.

(iii) It never occurred to the author to buy some warm cloth for his elder brother.

(iv) The second brother wanted to buy his share of land from the speaker.

(v) The tattered blanket and his share of paddy fields made him emotional.

(vi) With his elder brother, the speaker has 'father-son' relationship.

(vii) tattered | (viii) cold

Answers to Passage : 49

(i) Trees are important in conserving water.

(ii) Village friends decided that they would motivate everyone to plant and take care of at least one tree and prevent indiscriminate cutting of trees.

(iii) They discuss the importance of trees in conserving water and realised that only pooja-path is not enough.

(iv) Forests seep rainwater. The seeped water feeds wells, lakes and rivers.

(v) It was pushed up because of rising population, growing industrialization and expanding agriculture.

(vi) Rainwater is collected in the underground wells through the drain pipes connected with roof having the rainwater.

(vii) pals | (viii) construction

Answers to Passage : 50

(i) We are fond of purity because it promotes health.

(ii) Purity of body gives physical health.

(iii) We long for pure surroundings.

(iv) The purity of speech is unsullied truth. The purity of heart is unselfish love.

(v) The purity of thought is righteous reason. The purity of mind is wholesome peace and the purity of action is sincere and unselfish service.

(vi) It is so because Duryodhana was bad by mind so he didn't find a single good person in his kingdom.

(vii) pious | (viii) presence

Answers to Passage : 51

(i) Lord Krishna.

(ii) Kautilya has written Arthshastra.

(iii) According to Kautilya we should help our neighbour in distress and we shouldn't interfere in his/her affairs without due cause.

(iv) The right to equality, to freedom, to life and individual freedom, to religious freedom, to cultural and educational freedom are fundamental rights.

(v) Every citizen desires rights first and duties later. The author criticises it.

(vi) According to Tilak we should perform our duty without seeking the fruit.

(vii) instance | (viii) latter