RBSE Class 12 English Unseen Passages for Comprehension Factual
RBSE Class 12 English Unseen Passages for Comprehension Factual
Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 12 Unseen Passages for Comprehension Factual
Unseen Passages Comprehension Factual
Introduction of Comprehension and Vocubulary
प्रत्येक अपठित गद्यांश में 6 प्रश्न लघु उत्तरीय तथा 3 प्रश्न Vocabulary पर आधारित होंगे। प्रत्येक प्रश्न 1-1 अंक का होगा। विद्यार्थी की स्थानीय तथा वैश्विक समझ की जाँच के लिए लघु उत्तरीय प्रश्न तथा शब्दार्थ के ज्ञान की जाँच के लिये Vocabulary के प्रश्न दिए गये हैं। आपके उत्तर संक्षिप्त, पूर्ण तथा सटीक होने के साथ-साथ प्रश्नों के अनुरूप हों जिससे आप अधिक से अधिक अंक प्राप्त कर सकें।
निम्नलिखित महत्वपूर्ण बातों पर विशेष ध्यान दें –
Some useful hints to attempt an Unseen Passage: (अपठित गद्यांश को हल करने के लिये कुछ निर्देश)
- Passage में प्रस्तुत विचार को समझने के लिए Passage को ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़ें।
- दिये गये Passage में यदि आप कठिन शब्दों के अर्थ को ठीक प्रकार से नहीं समझ पाते हैं तो जहाँ कठिन शब्द प्रयुक्त हुआ है, उससे पहले और आगे वाले वाक्यों को एक बार फिर ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़े और उस शब्द का सामान्य अर्थ समझने का प्रयत्न करें।
- अपने उत्तर में ठीक उसी बात का उल्लेख करें जो प्रश्न में पूछी गयी हो। साथ ही उत्तरों को संक्षिप्त (Short) रखें।
- उत्तर देते समय ध्यान रखें कि Passage में दिये गये वाक्यों को ठीक वैसा ही लिखने के स्थान पर अपनी स्वयं की भाषा में उत्तर लिखें। जिस प्रकार प्रश्न पूछा गया है उसी प्रकार उत्तर को लिखने की शुरुआत करनी चाहिए।
- Vocabulary (शब्दावली) पर आधारित प्रश्नों के उत्तर देने के लिए पहले प्रश्न में दिया गया शब्द (word) या शब्दों (words) को पढ़े फिर उससे/उनसे सम्बन्धित शब्द को Unseen passage में खोजें और उसका अर्थ समझने का प्रयास करें, फिर उसका उत्तर दें।
- अब सभी उत्तरों को एक बार पुनः पढ़े और यदि आवश्यक हो तो त्रुटियों को सुधारें। व्याकरण (Grammar) पर ध्यान दें। Spellings और Punctuation भी सही होने चाहिए।
- गद्यांश की विषय-वस्तु क्या है, इसे जानने के लिए गद्यांश को 2-3 बार पढ़ें।
- अपठित गद्यांश के प्रश्नों में निम्नलिखित Question words हो सकते हैं – Who = कौन / किसने; What=क्या / कौन-सा; Where = कहाँ; How = कैसे, किस साधन से; Which=कौन-सा; Whose= किसका / किसके; Whom = किसको; How Much = कितना; For Howlong= कब से; Why= क्यों; When = कब आदि।
- प्रश्नों के उत्तर देते समय Tense व Person का विशेष ध्यान रखें। उदाहरण के लिए – Present Indefinite Tense में do, does के प्रयोग तथा Past Indefinite Tense में did का प्रयोग कब और कैसे करते हैं, ध्यानपूर्वक अध्ययन कर लें।
- ‘Why’ से आरम्भ होने वाले प्रश्नों के उत्तरों में because के अलावा to + infinitive को प्रयोग भी कर सकते हैं।
He worked hard to pass the exam.
Or
He worked hard because he wanted to pass the exam. - When-clause वाले वाक्यों में when-clause को शुरू में ही लिखें –
Question: What was Sita doing when you entered the room?
Answer: When I entered the room Sita was sleeping. - जिन प्रश्नों के बीच में ‘there’ (introductory subject) आता है तो ऐसे वाक्यों के उत्तर देते समय ‘there’ आरम्भ में ही लिखें –
Question: How many windows are there in this room?
Answer: There are four windows in this room.
पाठ्यक्रम के अनुसार आपकी परीक्षा में Factual, Discursive, Literary में से किसी भी प्रकार का Unseen Passage दिया जा सकता है जिसके उत्तर आपको देने हैं।
(i) Factual Passages:
ये Passages समाचार पत्र-पत्रिकाओं एवं ऐतिहासिक व सामाजिक तथ्य पर आधारित पुस्तकों से |. चुने जाते हैं। ये topic (प्रकरण), process (प्रक्रिया), action (कार्यवाही), accident (दुर्घटना) आदि से संबंधित विषयवस्तु को संग्रहित करते हैं।
Unseen Passages For Practice
Passage 1.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Medicines have become an element of surprise and a cause of concern. This is because they have begun to aggravåte diseases instead of curing them. No one has a solution. The doctors are perplexed and the patients are annoyed. The outcome of intensive research and in-depth studies has startled everyone.
These findings show that unnecessary use of medicines has created a trend in which people not only take medicines for every small ailment but also advise others to do so. This habit is now a fashion, a passion and a mark of being educated and aware. Sometimes, it is even considered a status symbol. People think that they should take strong drugs, irrespective of whether the disease in minor or major. Nowadays, a shelf of medicines is found in every house.
This practice is not merely confined to general medicines but has now spread even to antibiotics. The literal meaning of the word antibiotics is – against life’. In fact, due to their misuse, they have really begun acting against our life. Experts say that unnecessary consumption of antibiotics is increasing the longevity of the microbes on the one hand, while adversely affecting the patient’s health on the other. This is because due to the overuse of these medicines the resistance of microorganisms is increasing, while the immunity of the individuals is decreasing.
The medical experts have now begun to accept openly that neither the doctors refrain from prescribing the antibiotics for even simple ailments, nor the patients observe restraint in consuming them. It is a matter of concern that these medicines are used excessively without understanding their side-effects. Recently, the World Health Organization has also issued an advisory to the Southeast Asian countries, including India. It has warned that if the unrestricted use of antibiotics continues, the coming times may witness a substantial rise in the number of deaths occurring due to microbial resistance.
Antibiotics either destroy the disease-causing bacteria completely or prohibit their growth. However, their prolonged use gives rise to a mutation in the bacteria, which makes them resistant towards these drugs. Consequently, they stop, having any effect on them. This situation is termed by medical experts as ‘microbial resistance’.
Various researches and studies carried out in this context also lead to the conclusion that medicines are becoming poisonous.
The chief cause of this situation is the unrestrained use of antibiotics. Studies have revealed that sometimes strong antibiotics are taken even for treating simple problems.
(Difficult words: element = तत्व। concern = चिंता। aggravate = बढाना। curing = उपचार करना। perplexed = हैरानी से। annoyed = चिढ़ना। outcome = परिणाम। intensive = गहन। trend = प्रवृत्ति। ailments = बीमारियाँ। passion = जुनून। mark = चिन्ह। considered = माना जाता है। status symbol = प्रतिष्ठा का चिह्न। irrespective = का ध्यान दिये बिना। minor = छोटी। major = बड़ी। shelf = ताक। confined= सीमित। literal = आक्षरिक। consumption = उपयोग। longevity = दीर्घ आयु। microbes = जीवाणु। adversely = विपरीत तरीके से। overuse = अत्यधिक उपयोग। resistance = प्रतिरोध। immunity = प्रतिरक्षा। individuals = व्यक्ति। decreasing = घट रही है। refrain = रोकना । excessively = अत्यधिक मात्रा में। recently = हाल ही में। prohibit = रोकना। prolong = लम्बा करनी। witness = साक्षी। substantial = भारी, कमी। mutation = बदलाव। consequently = परिणामस्वरूप। context = संदर्भ। conclusion = निष्कर्ष। revealed = प्रकट होना।)
Question 1.
Why have medicines become an element of surprise?
Answer:
Medicines have become an element of surprise because they have begun to aggravate diseases instead of curing them.
Question 2.
What is the literary meaning of the word antibiotics?
Answer:
The literary meaning of the word antibiotics is ‘against life’.
Question 3.
What is the adverse effect of the overuse of antibiotics?
Answer:
Decrease the immunity of the body against diseases.
Question 4.
What do antibiotics do with the disease-causing bacteria?
Answer:
Antibiotics either destroy the disease-causing bacteria completely or prohibit their growth.
Question 5.
What is warned by WHO?
Answer:
It is warned by WHO that if the unrestricted use of antibiotics continues, the coming time may witness a substantial rise in the number of deaths occurring due to‘microbial resistance.’
Question 6.
What can be found on a shelf of every house?
Answer:
Medicines can be found on a shelf of every house.
Find out a word from the passage which means:
Question 7.
Considerable
Answer:
Substantial
Question 8.
Resistance
Answer:
Immunity
Question 9.
Disallow
Answer:
Prohibit
Passage 2.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The culture of Rajasthan is very different and unique. The unique mixture of diverse topography, history and curious lifestyle is what gives Rajasthani culture its rich heritage. The rich culture in Rajasthan is visible in each and every aspect of the state. The colourful dresses, the heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions, the diverse and joyous festivals and fairs, all are symbols of the rich and unique culture of Rajasthan.
The dull and harsh living condition of people in Rajasthan is made a bit colourful and lively by the multitude of fairs and festivals that are celebrated there. The only way people here enjoy the simple pleasures of life is by celebrating each and every occasion and event on a grand scale.
Any festival, big or small, is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy. Rajasthan comes alive in a riot of colours and activities during fairs and important festivals. Monsoons are also the time to indulge in festivity and grand feasts, as rains are an occasion to celebrate in Rajasthan.
The most common language spoken in Rajasthan is Hindi. The people of Rajasthan speak in Rajasthani and Marwari. Hindi is the official language of the state. The people over here are very religious and follow all rituals and traditions piously. Hinduism is the dominant religion here followed by Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity.
The architecture of the state is also a very evident aspect of the culture of Rajasthan. The magnificent mansions speak volumes about the royal historical grandeur of the place. The forts and palaces are living testimonies of the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan is famous for its exquisite embroidery. The most unique thing about this embroidery is that it is totally done by hands and no machines are involved. The designs like block printing, Zari, Bagaru, Tie and Die, Sanganri are famous all over the world and are also exported to many countries abroad.
The place is also famous for its Kundan and gold jewellery, brass work, etc. Another famous product of Rajasthan is the famous Rajasthani Bandhni Saris. Come to Rajasthan and experience the royal cultural heritage of this beautiful state. Rajasthan is a place that is dominated by hot and dry weather almost throughout the year.
However, there is no such ideal time to visit Rajasthan. The variation between the day and night is pretty high. This means that though days are hot, the nights can get pretty cold. Each and every weather and season in Rajasthan is enjoyable and has its own charm.
(Difficult words: culture= संस्कृति। unique= अनोखी या अतुलनीय। topography= स्थानिक भूगोल (स्थान वर्णन)। attires = परिधान। palatial = महलनुमा। dominant = प्रभुत्व करने वाला। mansion = भवन या महल। harsh = कठोर। multitude = बहुत सारे। riot = एक ही वस्तु के विभन्न स्वरूपों का संग्रह। enthusiasm = उत्साह। Irituals= धार्मिक कृत्य। grandeur= भव्यता| testimonies= प्रमाण, सबूत। heritage = विरासत। exquisite = अत्यन्त सुन्दर। embroidery = कढ़ाई।)
Question 1.
What are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan?
Answer:
Colourful attires, heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions, joyous festivals and fairs, etc. are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan.
Question 2.
Describe the living conditions of Rajasthani people.
Answer:
The living conditions of Rajasthani people are dull and harsh.
Question 3.
What makes the life of Rajasthani people colourful?
Answer:
A large number of joyous fairs and festivals make the life of Rajasthani people colourful.
Question 4.
Why do the people of Rajasthan follow all rituals and traditions piously?
Answer:
Since the people of Rajasthan are very religious, they follow all rituals and traditions piously.
Question 5.
Why is Rajasthani embroidery famous?
Answer:
Rajasthani embroidery is famous for its handwork, no machines are involved in it.
Question 6.
How is the weather of Rajasthan?
Answer:
The weather of Rajasthan is hot and dry throughout the year.
Choose from the passage the words that mean…
Question 7.
An extremely large number of people.
Answer:
Multitude
Question 8.
That can be seen easily.
Answer:
Visible
Question 9.
Great eagerness for something.
Answer:
Enthusiasm
Passage 3.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for human beings. It is required for the synthesis of intercellular cement “collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body together. As an oxidant, it acts like a cop in the body, apprehending the rowdy molecules called free radicals that are naturally formed during various chemical reactions in the body and have the potential to damage. Vitamin C is also required for dentine formation in the teeth and it also aids in the absorption of iron from the body.
Rats have the capacity to synthesise vitamin C with their body whereas human beings are required to provide it through diet. The richest source of vitamin C is amla. The other sources are lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomato. While cooking above 70-degree centigrade vitamin C gets destroyed!
Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of this vitamin. Due to its deficiency, gums are swollen or bleeding, bones are weak and readily fractured, delayed wound healing and poor teeth formation in children result. A balanced diet with vitamin C is the requirement to avoid scurvy. For pregnant or lactating mothers vitamin C is the remedy.
Each adult is required to consume 75 mg per day; an infant 30 mg per day; a pregnant woman 100 mg per day; a lactating mother 150 mg per day. Doctors use vitamin C for the treatment of infections, healing of ulcers, burns and trauma, quick healing of fractures, etc.
However, taking vitamin C tablets on a long-term basis is not without side-effects, like the reformation of oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to the outer. a layer of teeth and rebound scurvy if tablets are stopped abruptly. Amla with honey is a supertonic, particularly when treated with solar rays since honey is an ingredient that provides instant energy without consuming insulin for its absorption in the body.
A newly born child in India is first provided with honey to purify his/her internal system since it acts as antibiotic and also without side – effects. Most of us are not aware that during World War II a lot of food material was sent to the British army fighting for and on behalf of the British Government in different parts of the world.
In this food material, Amla was one of the main ingredients to protect fighting forces from the scurvy disease since during day-time they had to live in bunkers and during night-time, they had to fight. Therefore, they were generally deprived of sunlight which is a major source of vitamins for the human body. Therefore, vitamin C in the form of amla is the best for human health.
(Difficult words: essential = आवश्यक। ingredient = वस्तु या तत्व। cement = दो वस्तुओं को जोड़ने वाला लसदार पदार्थ। collagen = शरीर में अंगों को जोड़ने वाला मुख्य तत्व। cop = पुलिस अधिकारी। deficiency = अभाव या कमी। gums = मसूड़े। swollen = सूज जाना। stressed = तनावग्रस्त। abruptly = अचानक से। particularly = विशेष रूप से। instant = तुरन्त या अतिशीघ्र। side effects = दुष्परिणाम। deprived of sunlight = धूप से वंचित। lactating = दुग्धपान करने वाली महिलाऍं। apprehending = पकड़ना, प्रभावहीन करना। rowdy = उपद्रवी। molecules = अणुओं। absorption = सोखना।)
Question 1.
Why is vitamin C important for us?
Answer:
Vitamin C is important because it is required for the synthesis of intercellular cement “collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body together.
Question 2.
What are the sources of vitamin C?
Answer:
Amla, lemon, orange, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomato, etc. are the sources of vitamin C.
Question 3.
What is the cause of the disease scurvy?
Answer:
The disease scurvy is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C.
Question 4.
How can the disease scurvy be prevented?
Answer:
The disease scurvy can be prevented by taking a balanced diet enriched with vitamin C.
Question 5.
What are the side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on long term basis?
Answer:
The side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on a long term basis are – the reformation of oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm, etc.
Question 6.
Why was Amla one of the main food ingredients for army people during world war II?
Answer:
Amla was one of the main ingredients to save fighting forces from scurvy disease during World War II.
Choose from the passage the words that mean…
Question 7.
A situation when there is not enough of the people or things that are needed
Answer:
Deficiency
Question 8.
Suddenly.
Answer:
Abruptly
Question 9.
A woman producing milk from the breasts to feed a baby.
Answer:
Lactating
Passage 4.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
In India, March 8th has been Women’s Day for several decades. It received a major boost during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later, Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, who made it a practice to invite a large number of women of substance’ to a celebratory get-together in Delhi.
As more and more Indian women become aware of their equal status and right to education and opportunity, March 8th acquires a greater and wider significance. Today, as 21st-century Indian women celebrate their awesome achievements, they continue to spell out their dream for the future of the country. March 8th becomes a symbolic day for recognizing their vision and contribution to the building of India.
In the last few years, Women’s Day celebrations have encouraged them to come together in innumerable seminars, networking gatherings and even sponsored parties. It is a time when powerful men from all walks of life pay rich tributes to Indian women. An example is a priceless remark made by Amitabh Bachchan.
He said, “It is clear that the 21st century belongs to women. They have earned every bit of the power and glory they are enjoying and men should applaud their achievements wholeheartedly.” Indian women have discovered three magical mantras of life in the last decade! These are; One: Beauty and glamour are their birthrights. Two: Women are no longer the worst enemies of women. In fact, they can network, mentor one another and reach unprecedented heights of achievement. Three: Energy is a stretchable concept.
Based on these three discoveries, women have upgraded their goals and literally covered every field of endeavour with glory and pride. They have shown beyond doubt, that as the world opens new windows of options and opportunities at the speed of light, they are smart, beautiful and savvy enough to rise to the occasion and turn the tide of fortune in their favour.
The success of India’s beautiful women has also created a huge revolution in the fashion, fitness and beauty industries. Fashion designers of the eighties, who limited their designs to various looks in the basic Salwar Kameez, have acquired a splendid plumage of innovation in the last ten years.
Many women designers like Ritu Kumar, Ritu Beri, Monisha Jaisingh, Anna Singh, Neeta Lulla and others gave Indian fashion-wear a brand new definition. Today, Indian designers not only sell their collections each season in India, but they also export their styles to many countries in the UK, US, Europe and Australia and hold shows in the fashion weeks held in many of the world’s fashion capitals like Milan and Paris.
(Difficult words: boost = वृद्धि। celebratory = समारोह या उत्सव से संबंधित। significance = किसी बात का महत्व। awesome = अतिविस्मयजनक। contribution = योगदान। innumerable = असंख्य। sponsor = प्रायोजक। tribute= श्रद्धांजलि। glamour = लुभावनापन| unprecedented = अभूतपूर्व। energy is a stretchable concept = जानना शक्ति को बढ़ाना चाहें आप बढ़ा सकते हैं। endeavours = कठोर परिश्रम करना। savvy = जितना, समझना। splendid = बहुत शानदार। plumage = पक्षियों के पर। innovation= नवपरिवर्तन।)
Question 1.
What is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian women?
Answer:
“Energy is a stretchable concept.” It is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian women.
Question 2.
Name the fashion capitals of the world.
Answer:
Milan and Paris are the places known as the fashion capitals of the world.
Question 3.
When do we celebrate Women’s Day in India?
Answer:
Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March every year.
Question 4.
What is responsible for the revolution in fashion in India?
Answer:
Splendid plumage of innovation and exotica is responsible for the revolution in the fashion in India.
Question 5.
When did the Women’s Day celebration receive a major boost?
Answer:
During the tenure of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi, Women’s Day celebration received a major boost.
Question 6.
What kind of fashion was prevalent during the eighties?
Answer:
Salwar Kameez was prevalent during the eighties.
Find out a word from the passage the which means:
Question 7.
Sell goods to another country.
Answer:
Export
Question 8.
Having practical knowledge of something.
Answer:
Savvy
Question 9.
The social position of somebody in relation to others.
Answer:
Status
Passage 5.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Rajasthan is India’s largest state, located on its north-western border with Pakistan. It is surrounded by the states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. Rajasthan is bisected by the Aravalli hills, dividing it into two distinct landscapes.
On the west is Rajasthan’s unique feature, the Thar Desert, an area of sand, scrub and thorn. The other is the region to the east of the Aravallis, which is more rain-fed and hospitable. The culture of Rajasthan is defined by the Rajputana kingdoms that ruled it for centuries; the word Rajput meaning sons of royalty. The Thar Desert region saw the Desert Kingdoms of Marwar; modern Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner. The east saw the kingdoms of Mewar; modern Chittor and Udaipur, Amber; modern Amber and Jaipur and Hadoti: modern Bundi, Kota and Jhalawar among many others.
As a result, Rajasthan has a larger concentration of forts, palaces, and royal riches than any other place in India. This is the reason why tourism is a primary pillar of the economy; apart from agriculture and cattle rearing. Several palaces or abandoned fortresses have been converted to Heritage Hotels to attract visitors and provide an income for the erstwhile princes.
The capital Jaipur, with its many imposing buildings made of rosy sandstone, is called Pink City.
The City Palace Complex and the Hawa Mahal are examples of Rajasthani-Mughal architecture. The old parts of town offer shopping such as jewellery, hand-dyed clothes, precious stones and craftwork. Jaipur has an international airport.
Udaipur has many lakes, lakeside palaces, and the largest palace complex (City Palace) in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer Fort is made of yellow sandstone and thus it’s called the Golden Fort. Jaisalmer also gives access to pristine sand dunes of Sam and Khuri, with camel safaris and nomadic music.
The Amber Fort (near Jaipur, 16th century); the Chittor Fort; Junagarh Fort (at Bikaner); Mehrangarh Fort, (at Jodhpur, 15th century) are among the main fortress attractions. The Shekhawati region in the north-east offers painted Havelis belonging to old business families. Ranthambore and Sariska National Parks are for tiger reserves while Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur) is a bird-rich wetland, where over 375 species of migratory birds visit every year. Mt Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan.
Home to over 500 temples of all sizes, Pushkar is revered for its spiritual significance. Brahma Temple is the main attraction here. Pushkar is the only place in the world where Lord Brahma is worshipped. The hilltop temple has a red spire with a symbol of his or swan at the entrance. The one hour trek uphill offers good views of the lake.
(Difficult words: bisected = दो भागों में बाँटा गया। scrub = झाड़-झंखाड़ वाला इलाका। royalty = राजशुल्क| sandstone = बलुआ पत्थर। reserve = शरण स्थली। hospitable = निवास योग्य। concentration = संकेन्द्रण। pillar = स्तम्भ। rearing = पालना। abandoned = त्यागा हुआ। erstwhile = पहले के, भूतपूर्व। pristine = शुद्ध, साफ – सुथरी। sand dunes = बालु के टीले। safari = वन्य प्रदेश में भ्रमण। nomadic = खानाबदोश। spire = शिखर। fortress = कोई किला जिस पर हमला करना कठिन हो।)
Question 1.
What is the main attraction of Pushkar?
Answer:
The Brahma Temple is the main attraction of Pushkar.
Question 2.
Where are the painted havelis found?
Answer:
The painted havelis are found in Shekhawati region.
Question 3.
How many species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year?
Answer:
Over 375 species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year.
Question 4.
What does Udaipur offer?
Answer:
Udaipur offers many lakes, lakeside palaces and city palace (largest palace complex).
Question 5.
What does the word ‘Rajput’ mean?
Answer:
The word ‘Rajput’ means son of royalty.
Question 6.
Name the states which surround Rajasthan.
Answer:
The states which surround Rajasthan are Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
Choose from the passage the words that mean…
Question 7.
To leave somebody/something permanently.
Answer:
Abandon
Question 8.
A tall pointed tower on the top of the church.
Answer:
Spire
Question 9.
Easily seen or clear.
Answer:
Distinct
Passage 6.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Body fat, blood pressure and fasting insulin levels (a marker of diabetes risk) all increased within a decade of moving to a city, and for decades blood pressure and insulin continued to rise above the levels of their rural counterparts. The findings raise public health concerns as the global population progressively becomes more urban.
According to the United Nations, the growth change in India’s urban population is 1.1 per cent every year, while the change in the proportion of people in rural areas is declining by 0.37 per cent. The proportion of Indians who live in cities is still much smaller than in the United States. Just 30 per cent of Indians live in urban areas, while 82 per cent of Americans live in urban areas.
That number is expected to rise as the proportion of people who live in rural areas in the United States declined by 1.6 per cent each year. The researchers, led by Dr Sanjay Kinra of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, compared rural Indians to their siblings who moved to one of four cities in India: Lucknow, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Siblings who lived in a city the longest had the highest average blood pressures.
For instance, men who lived in a city for more than 30 years had an average systolic blood pressure – the top number in a reading – of 126. Men who lived in a city 10-20 years had an average of 124, and those who staved in rural areas had an average of 123. Systolic blood pressure above 140 is considered high.
The change in body fat was most evident in the first 10 years after moving to a city, and then it levelled off. Men who stayed in rural areas had 21 per cent body fat on average, while those who moved within the past ten years had 24 per cent, on average. The recommended body fat percentage from the National Institutes of Health is 13 to 17 per cent.
The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, did not pinpoint the cause of these differences between the siblings who moved and those who stayed behind. Nor did it tease out whether the increased levels of body fat, blood pressure and insulin resulted in more disease.
Though other studies of rural-to-urban migration within developing countries have also found negative health effects related to moving to cities, city dwellers in the United States tend to be healthier than those who live in rural areas and even in the suburbs.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Americans who live in rural areas are more likely to have fair or poor health, develop chronic diseases, and die from heart disease. One study of suburbanites across several countries found that people who lived in cities were more likely to be active and to walk places.
People in cities also tend to be closer to doctors and hospitals. The authors write that the changes among the Indian city-dwellers might be explained by rapid weight gain once people move to a city, spurred by a less healthy diet and a less active lifestyle.
(Difficult words: fasting = उपवास। counterpart = प्रतिरूप। decline = कमी होना। sibling = भाई-बहन। suburbs = उपनगरों। chronic = स्थायी (दीर्घकालिक)। dwellers = रहने वाले। spurred = प्रेरित करना।)
Question 1.
What is the percentage of people living in urban areas in India?
Answer:
About 30 per cent of Indians live in urban areas.
Question 2.
Who had the highest blood pressure?
Answer:
Siblings who lived in a city the longest had the highest blood pressure.
Question 3.
How much systolic blood pressure is considered high?
Answer:
Systolic blood pressure above 140 is considered high.
Question 4.
What is the recommended body fat percentage?
Answer:
The recommended body fat percentage is 13 to 17.
Question 5.
Why do the Indian city-dwellers gain weight?
Answer:
The Indian city-dwellers gain weight due to a less healthy diet and a less active lifestyle.
Question 6.
What does the agency for Healthcare Research and Quality say about the health of rural Americans?
Answer:
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Americans who live in rural areas are more likely to have fair or poor health, develop chronic diseases and die from heart disease.
Choose from the passage the words that mean…
Question 7.
To become weaker.
Answer:
decline
Question 8.
Something that encourages you to do something.
Answer:
spur
Question 9.
A person or thing that has a similar position.
Answer:
counterpart
Passage 7.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Across the world, the stride of migration from rural to urban areas is increasing. By 2050, about 70 per cent of the population will be living in cities, and India is no exception. It will need about 500 new cities to accommodate the influx. Interestingly, urbanisation in India has for the longest time been viewed as a by-product of failed regional planning.
Thought it is inevitable, and will only change when the benefits of urbanisation overtake the costs involved, it is an opportunity for achieving faster growth. With increasing urbanisation and the load on rural land, the government has now realised the need for cities that can cope with the challenges of urban living and also be magnets for investment. The announcement of ‘100 smart cities’ falls in line with this vision.
A ‘smart city’ is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications and market viability. It is a city where information technology is the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to residents.
There are many technological platforms involved, including but not limited to automated sensor networks and data centres. Though this may sound futuristic, it is now likely to become a reality as the ‘smart cities’ movement unfolds in India.
In a smart city, economic development and activity are sustainable and rationally incremental by virtue of being based on success-oriented market drivers such as supply and demand. They benefit everybody, including citizens, businesses, the government and the environment.
The underway or proposed smart cities include Kochi in Kerala, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Aurangabad in Maharashtra, Manesar in Delhi NCR, Khushkhera in Rajasthan, Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Ponneri in Tamil Nadu and Tumkur in Karnataka. Many of these cities will include special investment regions or special economic zones with modified regulations and tax structures to make it attractive for foreign investment.
This is essential because much of the funding for these projects will have to come from private developers and from abroad.
The concept is not without challenges, especially in India. For instance, the success of such a city depends on residents, enterpreneurs and visitors becoming actively involved in energy saving and implementation of new technologies.
There are many ways to make residential, commercial and public spaces sustainable byways of technology, but a high percentage of the total energy use is still in the hands of end users and their behaviour. Also, there is the time factor such cities can potentially take anything between 20 and 30 years to build.
(Difficult words: stride = छलाँग। migration = प्रवास। urban = शहरी। exception = अपवाद। accommodate = रहने के लिये जगह देना। influx = भीड़। regional = क्षेत्रिय। inevitable = अपरिहार्य। overtake = आगे निकलना। opportunity = अवसर। cope with = निपटना। magnets = आकर्षक वस्तु। vision = दृष्टिकोण। overall = सम्पूर्ण। sustainable = कायम रहने वाला। real estate = अचल सम्पत्ति। viability = व्यावहारिकता। automated = स्वचालित। futuristic = अत्याधुनिक। unfold = खोलना, आरंभ करना।)
rationally = समझदारीपूर्ण। virtue = गुण। oriented = अभिविन्यसित। abroad = विदेश। for instance = उदाहरण के तौर पर। entrepreneurs = उद्यमी। implementation = क्रियान्विती। residential = आवासीय। potentially = संभावित रूप से।)
Question 1.
Who will provide fund for the developments of Indian cities?
Answer:
Private developers and foreigners will provide fund for the development of Indian cities.
Question 2.
On what does the success of Indian cities depend?
Answer:
The success of Indian cities depends on residents, entrepreneurs and visitors becoming actively involved in energy saving and implementation of new technologies.
Question 3.
Which increasing trend has necessitated the development of ‘Smart Cities’.
Answer:
Increasing urbanization and the burden on rural land has necessitated the development of Smart Cities.
Question 4.
Whom does the economic development benefit?
Answer:
The economic development benefits everybody, including citizens, businesses, the government and the environment.
Question 5.
What is a “Smart City”?
Answer:
A smart city is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate communications and market viability.
Question 6.
How much time will the development of these (Smart Cities) take?
Answer:
The development of Smart Cities will take 20 to 30 years.
Find out a word from the passage which means:
Question 7.
Open
Answer:
unfold
Question 8.
Movement From One Locality To Another.
Answer:
migration
Question 9.
A Possibility of Becoming Actual.
Answer:
potentially
Passage 8.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Smoking is the major cause of mortality with bronchogenic carcinoma of the lung and is one of the factors causing death due to malignancies of the larynx, oral cavity, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, uterine cervix and coronary heart diseases.
Nicotine is the major substance present in the smoke that causes physical dependence. The additives do produce damage to the body for example, ammonia can result in a 100-fold increase in the ability of nicotine to enter into the smoke.
Levulinic acid, added to cigarettes to mask the harsh taste of nicotine, can increase the binding of nicotine to brain receptors, which increases the ‘kick’ of nicotine.
Smoke from the burning end of a cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals and 40 carcinogens. It has long been known that tobacco smoke is carcinogenic or cancer-causing. The lungs of smokers collect an annual deposit of 1 to 1/2 pounds of the gooey black material. The invisible gas phase of cigarette smoke contains nitrogen, oxygen and toxic gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acrolein, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides.
These gases are poisonous and in many cases interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. Like many carcinogenic compounds, they can act as tumour promoters or tumour initiators by acting directly on the genetic make-up of cells of the body leading to the development of cancer.
During smoking, within the first: 8-10 seconds, nicotine is absorbed through the lungs and quickly ‘moved’ into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the brain. Nicotine can also enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes that line the mouth (if tobacco is chewed) or nose (if snuff is used) and even through the skin.
Our brain is made up of billions of nerve cells. They communicate with each other by chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Nicotine is one of the most powerful nerve poisons and binds stereo-selectively to nicotinic receptors located in the brain, autonomic ganglia, the medulla, neuro-muscular junctions.
Located throughout the brain, they play a critical role in cognitive processes and memory. In high concentrations, nicotine is more deadly. In fact, one drop of purified nicotine on the tongue will kill a person. It has been used as a pesticide for centuries.
Recent research studies suggest that acute nicotine administration would result in increased dopamine release from the brain, producing perceptions of pleasure and happiness, increased energy and motivation, increased alertness, increased feeling of vigour during the early phase of smoking.
New research shows that the relationship between smoking and memory loss is the strongest in people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes each day. Smoking may speed up age-related memory loss and the details are not yet clear. One of the causes of memory decline in relation to the brain function could be nerve cell death.
(Difficult words: major = मुख्य। mortality = मृत्यु संख्या। bronchogenic = श्वास नली सम्बंधी। carcinoma = एक प्रकार का कैंसर। lung = फेफड़े। malignancies = हानिकारता। larynx = कंठ। oral cavity = मुख। oesophagus = भोजन मालिका। pancreas = अग्न्याशय। uterine cervix = neck like opening of the uterus, गर्भाशय का संकरा द्वार। harsh = कर्कश। receptor = ग्राही। g00ey = चिपचिपा। toxic = जहरीली। tumour = अबूर्द। promoter = बढ़ाने वाले। absorbed = अवशोषित किया जाना। circulated = संचारित करना। mucous = श्लेष्मा। membrane = झिल्ली। cognitive = ज्ञान सम्बंधी। acute = घातक। administration = दवा देना। decline = कमी।
Question 1.
How fatal is nicotine?
Answer:
One drop of purified nicotine on the tongue will kill a person.
Question 2.
How is the smoke of cigarette harmful?
Answer:
The smoke of a cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals and 40 carcinogens.
Question 3.
What is the major substance present in the smoke?
Answer:
Nicotine is the major substance present in the smoke.
Question 4.
What does the new research show?
Answer:
The new research shows that the relationship between smoking and memory loss is the strongest in people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes each day.
Question 5.
What can be the cause of memory decline?
Answer:
The death of the nerve cell can be the cause of memory decline.
Question 6.
Name the toxic gases present in the smoke of a cigarette.
Answer:
The toxic gases present in the smoke of cigarette are carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acrolein, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen and sulphur oxides.
Find out a word from the passage which means:
Question 7.
Very Serious
Answer:
Acute
Question 8.
Substances Added To Improve Or Preserve Something.
Answer:
Promoter
Question 9.
Soft And Sticky.
Answer:
Gooey
Passage 9.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism.
Mewar had been the leading Rajput Kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down.
Their flag once again flew high in the sky. Thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the region of Bappa Rawal. In fact, only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga lifted the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame.
His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. The Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today.
The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high-quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a long-standing tradition sustained by several generations. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time; otherwise, such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature.
They compensate for the lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of Mewar but also in public utility buildings.
Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall in their grandeur are a testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of litterateurs and artists did not suffer.
Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is a glorious example of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work. It is pointless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha.
The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar – the land of the brave, started waning. The letter, the Ranas tried to save the day with their later acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for some time.
(Difficult words: accomplished = पूरा किया। grandeur = वैभव। reign = शासन। glory = गौरव। surpass = के परे होना। immortal = अमर। personality = व्यक्तित्व। synonym = पर्याय। valour = साहस। sacrifice = बलिदान। patriotism = देशभक्ति। occupied = धारण किया। throne = राजगद्दी। nobles = सामंत। subjects = प्रजो। established = स्थापित किया। tradition = परम्परा। kingdom = साम्राज्य। augmented = संवर्धित। magnificence = भव्यता। despite = के बावजूद। hurdle = बाधा। thorny = कष्टमय। sliding = सरकता हुआ। reflected = प्रतिबिम्बित होना। compensate = कमी पूर्ति करना। lack = कमी। firm = मजबूत। ambience = माहौल। astonishing = चकित कर देने वाली। testimony = प्रमाण। aggression = आक्रमण। bloodshed = रक्तपात। flourished = फला-फूला। creative = रचनात्मक। pursuit = व्यवसाय। liberal = उदार। indulge = लिप्त होना। reveal = प्रकट करना। proximity = नजदीकी। crucial = महत्वपूर्ण। acme = पराकाष्ठा, nemesis = acumen =
Question 1.
How was the life of the people of Mewar?
Answer:
The life of the people of Mewar was peaceful and prosperous.
Question 2.
How long did Maharana Pratap rule?
Answer:
Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years.
Question 3.
How can it be said that the destiny of Mewar was good?
Answer:
It can be said that the destiny of Mewar was good because most of its rulers were competent and patriotic.
Question 4.
What is pointless to debate?
Answer:
It is pointless to debate whether the Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha.
Question 5.
How did Rana Kumbha give a new stature to the kingdom of Mewar?
Answer:
Rana Kumbha gave new stature to the kingdom of Mewar through victories and development work.
Question 6.
Where can exquisite workmanship be seen in Mewar?
Answer:
Exquisite workmanship can be seen in the forts, palaces and public utility buildings in Mewar.
Find out a word from the passage which means:
Question 7.
Very old
Answer:
Ancient
Question 8.
The ability to understand and decide quickly.
Answer:
Acumen
Question 9.
In Spite of
Answer:
Despite
Passage 10. (S.S. Exam 2014)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
All round development of man is the true aim of education. It should train not only the head but also the hands and the heart. But our present system of education has miserably failed to achieve this aim. It suffers from many grave defects. The present system of education was founded by the British for their own convenience. Lord Macaulay was the father and founder of this system.
He wanted it to produce clerks to help the British in running their administration. Today the Britishers have gone but the same old system of education still continues. We are free but we are still slavishly following the system evolved by the British. This system of education has many defects. It must be changed and overhauled. The greatest defect in our present system of education is that it is too theoretical. An educated man has only bookish knowledge. He knows nothing about practical things. He finds that his education has not made him fit to do any useful work for his society.
The present system of education does not teach us the dignity of labour. A student is not taught or trained to do things with his hands. Manual or physical labour finds no place in education. Educated young men are fit only to be clerks in offices. They look down upon manual labour. They consider it below their dignity to work with their hands in fields or factories. Vocational education is the need of the hour. We need more and more technicians, engineers and doctors.
But the number of vocational institutions – Engineering and Medical colleges, Polytechnics and I.T.I’s – is limited. A large number of young men and women, who can do well as technicians, are deprived of technical or vocational knowledge. The present system of education gives too much importance to English. At many places, it is the medium of instruction. English may be an international language.
It may have rich treasures of science and literature. But it can never be our national language. Education must be imparted in the mother tongue. This will save much talent of the country from going waste. A number of commissions have been set up since the dawn of independence to plan afresh the country’s system of education. After much thought, the 10 + 2 + 3 system was introduced.
It was designed to divert the students to different fields and vocations according to their talent and the needs of society. But different states have taken to it only half-heartedly. As the things stand today, the 10+2 +3 system has become a riddle. No one knows what exactly it is. Meanwhile, our education system is as rotten and muddy as it used to be.
Students find it purposeless. Therefore, they feel restive and go on strikes. They take no interest in their studies because they know that after finishing their education, they will only join the army of the unemployed. There is an urgent need that the present system should be overhauled and made purposeful.
(Difficult words: train = प्रशिक्षित करना। grave = गंभीर। convenience = सुविधा। administration = प्रशासन। slavishly = गुलामों की भाँति। evolve = विकसित करना। theoretical = सैद्धान्तिक। dignity = गरिमा। vocational = व्यावसायिक। deprived = वंचित। instruction = शिक्षा, अनुदेश। impart = प्रदान करना। commission = आयोग। dawn of independence = स्वतंत्रता प्राप्ति के समय। half-heartedly = अनमने भाव से। riddle = पहेली। rotten and muddy = (यहाँ) उद्देश्यहीन। restive= बेचैन। overhauled = काया पलटे।)
Question 1.
What is the true aim of education?
Answer:
All round development of man is the true aim of education.
Question 2.
Who were the father and founder of the present system of education?
Answer:
Lord Macaulay was the father and founder of the present system of education.
Question 3.
What is the greatest defect in our present system of education?
Answer:
Our present education system is too theoretical. This is the greatest defect in it.
Question 4.
What type of education is the need of the hour?
Answer:
Vocational education is the need of the hour.
Question 5.
Why was the 10+ 2 + 3 system introduced?
Answer:
The system 10+2 +3 was introduced to divert the students to different fields and vocations according to their talent and the needs of the society.
Question 6.
Why do the students take no interest in their studies?
Answer:
Students do not take interest in their studies because they think that the present education system is purposeless.
Find out the words from the passage which mean:
Question 7.
Provided
Answer:
Imparted
Question 8.
Useless
Answer:
Purposeless
Question 9.
Without a means to earn a good livelihood.
Answer:
Unemployed.
Passage 11. (S.S. Exam 2016)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
There are several indicators of a developed nation. It is economically, agriculturally and technologically advanced. There is all round prosperity. The benefits of prosperity reach the common people. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy basic comforts and good health. They are able to educate and feed their children well.
Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, disease and inequalities are reduced to a minimum. Quality goods are produced in abundance and exports keep on rising. The nation is able to protect its sovereignty as it is self-reliant in defence and has a standing in the international forum.
India, even after more than sixty-five years since independence is branded as a developing country. Achieving a developed status means the major transformation of our national economy to make it one of the largest economies of the world, where people live well and above the poverty line.
The transformation can be materialised within the next 15 to 20 years as India has the necessary potential. Our natural resources are richer as compared to those of many other countries. We have abundant supplies of all the ores and minerals. We have rich biodiversity, abundant sunshine, varied agro-climatic conditions and plenty of rainfall all over India. The country either already has the necessary technologies or can develop them easily.
Our people and our farmers not only have a great learning capability but most of them also have an entrepreneurial and competitive spirit. Avenues to channelise this spirit constructively and productively are required. We need the will to take action and commit ourselves to be one of the world leaders. We must resolve to work hard with a long term vision. Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest possible time. It can provide us with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food and processing, industries and agriculture.
It is the key to achieving quality product in an increasingly competitive market and to continually upgrading human skills. It is the only vital input for ensuring health security and better living conditions for people. It can enable us to double cereals by 2020 and to make arrangements for their storage, transportation, distribution and marketing.
It can make us leaders in machine tool industries. Through Software engineering we can enter the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Therefore, the major role in India’s development is to be played by the vast pool of our talented scientists, researchers and technologists.
They should shed pessimism and think big because they are the only ones who understand the forces of technological modernisation. They should take it as a challenge to make India a developed country. They must spearhead the movement by talking about what can be done and encouraging people that difficulties can be overcome. They must extend all possible help to industries, business managers, administrators and others.
(Difficult words: all round = चहुंमुखी। prosperity = सम्पन्नता। reasonable = विवेकपूर्ण। life span = जीवन का समय। indicators = सूचक। self reliant = आत्मनिर्भर। is branded = का ठप्पा लगा है। materialize = वास्तविक होना। potential = क्षमताएं। ores = अयस्क, कच्ची धातु। entrepreneurial = उद्यमकर्ता से संबंधित। avenues = उपाय। channelise = दिशा देना। resolve = कोई निर्णय लेना। infrastructure = बुनियादी ढांचा। bio-diversity = जैव विविधता। varied = विविध। Vital input = आवश्यक निवेश। cereals = अन् । shed = त्यागना। pessimism = निराशा। pool = समूह। spearhead = नेतृत्व करना। ensuring = निश्चित करना।)
Question 1.
Mention the basic fields in which a developed country is advanced.
Answer:
A developed country is economically, agriculturally and technologically advanced.
Question 2.
What kind of life to the people in a developed country live?
Answer:
There the people live in prosperity. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy basic comforts and good health.
Question 3.
What is required for achieving the developed status for India?
Answer:
A major transformation of our national economy to make it one of the largest economies of the world is required for achieving the developed status for India.
Question 4.
“Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest time”. How?
Answer:
It can provide us with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food and processing, industries and agriculture.
Question 5.
Who can play a major role in India’s development?
Answer:
The vast pool of our talented scientists, researchers and technologists can play a major role in India’s development.
Question 6.
How can India enter computer-aided design and manufacturing?
Answer:
Through software engineering, India can enter computer-aided design and manufacturing.
Choose from the passage the words that mean:
Question 7.
A machine for producing electricity.
Answer:
Generator
Question 8.
A large quantity more than enough.
Answer:
Abundance
Question 9.
The state of having good fortune, wealth, money, etc.
Answer:
Developed
Passage 12. (S.S. Exam 2017)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
The elephant is the largest of all living animals and the strongest. It is a strange – looking animal, with its thick legs, huge sides and back, large hanging ears, a small tail, little eyes, long white tusks and above all, its long nose, called trunk. The trunk is the elephant’s unique feature, and it puts it to various uses.
It draws up water by its trunk, and can squirt it all over its body like a shower bath; and with it, it picks leaves from the trees and puts them into its mouth. In fact, its trunk serves the elephant as a long arm and hand. Elephants look very clumsy and heavy, and yet they can move very quickly when they like. Elephants are found in India and Africa.
The African elephant differs in some points from the Indian counterpart, being larger, with longer tusks and bigger ears. In fact, the two are considered to be different species. In both countries, they live in herds in the jungles and are naturally shy animals who keep away from humans. Elephants with their great size and strength, are a fine advertisement for vegetarianism, for they live entirely on leaves of trees, grass, roots and bulbs.
The elephant is a very intelligent animal, and its intelligence combined with its great strength, makes it when tamed, a very useful servant to man, and it has been trained to serve in various ways. Elephants can carry heavy loads and they are used to draw heavy wagons and big guns that would require many horses. They are very skilful too in carrying timber. The trained elephant will kneel down, lift a heavy log of wood with its tusks, carry it to the place where it is wanted, and lay it exactly in position.
In olden days elephants were used in battles, and all Indian Rajas had their regiments of trained fighting elephants. And they still have their place in state processions, when they are painted in bright colours and covered with silk and velvet clothes.
(Difficult words: trunk = सूंड़। unique = अनोखी। draws = खींचता है। squirt = छिड़कना। clumsy= भद्दा। species = प्रजातिया। herds = a group of animals living and moving together, कुछ जानवरों का समूह। tamed = पाले जाते हैं। wagons = मालगाड़ी का खुला डिब्बा, वैगन। skilful = कुशल। timber = wood that is going to be used for construction purposes, इमारती लकड़ी। regiments = सैन्य टुकड़ी। processions = line of people, vehicles moving forward in a ceremonial way, जुलूस, शोभायात्रा।)
Question 1.
How does an elephant look like?
Answer:
An elephant looks like a strange animal.
Question 2.
What is unique about an elephant?
Answer:
The trunk is unique in an elephant.
Question 3.
What are the various uses of the elephant’s trunk?
Answer:
Elephant’s trunk can draw water, squirt water all over its body like a shower bath.
Question 4.
How are elephants of Africa different from these of India?
Answer:
African elephants are larger with longer tusks and bigger ears than their Indian counterparts.
Question 5.
What do elephants eat?
Answer:
An elephant eats leaves of trees, grass, roots and bulbs.
Question 6.
How is an elephant useful to us?
Answer:
An elephant can carry heavy loads and it can draw heavy wagons and big guns.
Question 7.
What was the use of elephants in olden days?
Answer:
In olden days elephants were used in battles.
Find out the words from the passage which mean:
Question 8.
A line of people, vehicles, etc. moving forward in a ceremonial way.
Answer:
Processions
Question 9.
A group of animals living and moving together.
Answer:
Herd
Passage 13. (S. S. Exam 2018)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
One summer day in 1955, on a beach near the village of Opononi, New Zealand, 13-year-old Jill Baker waded into the water to join a friend, one of the strangest playmates the world has ever known. A torpedo-like body streaked towards her and swam between her legs, spilling her into the surf.
She put her arms around the huge creature, got on its back and took a ride. Later Jill tossed a beach ball to her playmate. Rising from the water, huge mouth spread in a grin, the creature batted it back with its nose. As the game progressed, people gathered on the beach staring in amazement. Jill Baker’s playmate was a purpose.
The ancients, who called the porpoise a dolphin, knew him as friendly. “He is the only creature who loves a man for his own sakė”, wrote Plutarch. “Some land animals avoid man altogether, and the same ones such as dogs and horses are tame because he feeds them. To the dolphin alone, nature has given what the best philosophers seek; friendship for no advantage”. Pliny the Elder wrote of a wild porpoise that took a boy for a ride at Hippo, a Roman settlement in Africa: Roman coins of 74 B.C. show such a scene. Everything about the porpoise could be written in superlatives.
Not a fish but an air-breathing mammal, he swims incredibly fast, kills sharks, communicates with his own kind, herds fish. He may have the world’s best sonar equipment. One scientist believes that his brain is so similar to a human being’s that he might even be taught to talk.
(Difficult words: beach = समुद्र या झील का किनारा। playmate = बालसखा, बचपन का मित्र। surf = समुद्री झाग या फेन। grin = दाँत दिखाते हुए मुस्कुराना (v); मूर्खतापूर्ण मुस्कान (N)। amazement = अत्यधिक आ२चर्य या विस्मय। porpoise = डाल्फ़िन जैसा समुद्री जन्तु ;सूँस। The ancients = (पाचीन काल के) सभ्य राष्ट्र का व्यक्ति। incredibly = अविश्वसनीय रूप से ; अत्यधिक। sonar = चमगादड़ों तथा समुद्री जन्तुओं में प्रतिध्वनि ग्रहण करने की व्यवस्था (तंत्र)।)
Question 1.
“Jill Baker waded into the water to join a friend……………….” Who was Jill Baker’s friend?
Answer:
A porpoise was Jill Baker’s friend.
Question 2.
What has nature given to the porpoise alone?
Answer:
Nature has given one thing to the porpoise alone, that is ‘friendship for no advantage’.
Question 3.
How did the huge creature react when Jill tossed a beach ball to the creature?
Answer:
The huge creature batted the beach ball back with its nose.
Question 4.
What did Jill Baker do when a torpedo-like body swam between her legs?
Answer:
Jill Baker put her arms around the huge creature, got on its back and took a ride.
Question 5.
What type of scene is shown in Roman coins?
Answer:
In Roman coins, a wild porpoise is shown taking a boy ride at Hippo, a Roman settlement in Africa.
Question 6.
Why did people gather on the beach?
Answer:
People gathered on the beach to see the game played by the porpoise. They stared at it in amazement.
Find out the words from the passage which mean:
Question 7.
Hit.
Answer:
Batted
Question 8.
Colony
Answer:
Settlement
Question 9.
Any of the class of animals which feed their young with milk from the breast.
Answer:
Mammal.
The Complete Educational Website