CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b)

CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b)

Objective
To verify the identity a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b) by paper cutting and pasting.

Prerequisite Knowledge

  1. Area of square = a2, where side of a square = a.
  2. Area of rectangle = l x b.

Materials Required
White sheets of paper, two glazed papers (pink and blue), a pair of scissors, geometry box, glues tick.

Procedure
Take any two distinct values of a and b (a > b) say a = 5 units, b = 3 units.

  1. Draw a pink square of side 5 units and name it as ABCD as shown in fig. (i).
    CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b) 1
  2. Draw a blue square of side 3 units and name it as EFGH as shown in fig. (ii).
    CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b) 2
  3. Cut these squares from glazed papers.
  4. Paste two squares on a white sheet of paper. Square EFGH is pasted over square ABCD as shown in fig. (iii).
    CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b) 3
  5. Join FC. Cut the pink portion along FC and dotted lines. We get two quadrilaterals as EFCB and GFCD.
  6. Now, place these two quadrilaterals on other white sheet of paper such that we get a rectangle. One piece of quadrilateral is reversed to other as shown in fig.(iv) and fig.(v).
    CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b) 4
    CBSE Class 9 Maths Lab Manual – Algebraic Identity (a2 – b2) = (a – b)(a + b) 5

Observation and Calculation
In fig. (i), area of square ABCD = a2 = (5)2 = 25 sq. units
fig. (ii), area of square EFGH = b2 = (3)2 = 9 sq. units
fig. (iii), area of quadrilateral EBCF + area of quadrilateral GFCD = area of ABCD – area of square EFGH
= (a2 – b2) sq. units
= 25 – 9
= 16 sq. units … (i)
fig. (v), area of rectangle EDGB = EB x ED
= (a – b)(a+b)
= (5 – 3)(5 + 3)
= 2 x 8
= 16 sq. units … (ii)
From (i) and (ii), we have a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b)

Result
The identity (a2 – b2) = (a + b) (a – b) is verified by paper cutting and pasting.

Learning Outcome
The identity (a2 – b2) = (a+b)(a – b) is verified geometrically and can be verified by taking any other values of a and b.

Activity Time
Verify a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b) by two different coloured papers, by taking different values of a and b.
e.g., a = 7, b = 3

Viva Voce

Question 1.
Is (a2 – b2) monomial?
Answer:
No, it is a binomial.

Question 2.
Write coefficient of x2 in 49 – 4x2.
Answer:
-4.

Question 3.
Write the factors of (x2 – \(\frac { 1 }{ { x }^{ 2 } }\))
Answer:
(x + \(\frac { 1 }{ x }\))(x – \(\frac { 1 }{ x }\))

Question 4.
Simplify: (3 – 2x)(3 + 2x).
Answer:
9 – 4x2.

Question 5.
Factorize: x2 – \(\frac { { y }^{ 2 } }{ 100 }\)
Answer:
(x – \(\frac { y }{ 10 }\))(x + \(\frac { y }{ 10 }\))

Question 6.
Find the value of 95 x 105.
Answer:
Using the identity a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b),
95 x 105 may be written as (100 – 5)(100 + 5) = 1002 – 52 = 10000 – 25 = 9975

Question 7.
Flow many zeroes are possible for x2 – 4?
Answer:
2 zeroes, (2, -2).

Question 8.
Is x2 – \(\frac { 1 }{ { x }^{ 2 } }\) a polynomial?
Answer:
No, as power of x in \(\frac { 1 }{ { x }^{ 2 } }\) is -2.

Question 9.
Write the coefficient of x2 in 5 – 2x2
Answer:
-2.

Question 10.
Write the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is x2 – 16.
Answer:
Dimensions are x – 4 and x + 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Write the factors of 25x2 -1:
(i) (5x – 1)(5x + 1)
(ii) (5x – 1)2
(iii) (25x – 1)(25x+ 1)
(iv) none of these

Question 2.
Find the factors of 49 – 81y2:
(i) (7 – 9y2)(7 + 9y2)
(ii) (7 + 9y) (7 – 9y)
(iii) (49 – y) (49 + y)
(iv) none of these

Question 3.
Write the zeroes of 36x2 – 25:
(i) \(\pm \frac { 5 }{ 6 }\)
(ii) \(\frac { 5 }{ 6 }\)
(iii) \(-\frac { 5 }{ 6 }\)
(iv) none of these

Question 4.
Write the zeroes of 49 – 64b2:
(i) \(\frac { 7 }{ 8 }\)
(ii) \(\pm \frac { 7 }{ 8 }\)
(iii) \(-\frac { 7 }{ 8 }\)
(iv) none of these

Question 5.
Evaluate 124 x 116, using the identity (a2 – b2) = (a + b) (a – b) :
(i) 14384
(ii) 14834
(iii) 14483
(iv) none of these

Question 6.
Find all the integral zeroes of polynomial p(x) =x2 – 4:
(i) 4
(ii) -2
(iii) 2, -2
(iv) none of these

Question 7.
Is (x – 2) a factor of 49x2 – 25:
(i) no
(ii) yes
(iii) can’t say
(iv) none of these

Question 8.
Find p(0) for p(x) = (x – 1)(x + 1):
(i) 1
(ii) 0
(iii) -1
(iv) none of these

Question 9.
Write the degree of the polynomial x2 – 81:
(i) 3
(ii) 4
(iii) 81
(iv) none of these

Question 10.
Write the factors of x2 – 64 :
(i) (x2 – 4)(x2 + 4)
(ii) (x2 +8)(x – 2√2)(x + 2√2)
(iii) (x2 + 8)(x2 + 8)
(iv) none of these

Answers

  1. (i)
  2. (ii)
  3. (i)
  4. (ii)
  5. (i)
  6. (iii)
  7. (i)
  8. (iii)
  9. (ii)
  10. (ii)

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Diary Entry for Class 6 CBSE Format, Topics, Examples, Samples

Diary Entry for Class 6 CBSE Format, Topics, Examples, SamplesDiary writing is the writing down of events, transactions and observations in a highly personalized manner. It is wrapped around creative thoughts and is basically the outpouring of what one feels or has experienced with regard to a particular stimulus. A diary can be written on a daily basis or at intervals, depending on the inclination of the writer.

Looking for an easy way to Learning of new elementary english grammar and composition for class 6 answers, Solutions. You have to learn basic English Grammar topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc… In this article, we will review the best English Grammer Topics and compare them against each other

Diary Entry for Class 6 CBSE Format, Topics, Examples, Samples Pdf

Purpose of Diary Entry:

  • Diary Entry is a personal record of experiences, observations, feelings, emotions, reactions, etc. written daily in a diary.
  • It is an effective way to develop an understanding about ourselves.
  • A diary entry is a way to connect with our own experiences.
  • It is a personal piece of writing which reflects a person’s thoughts about a person, an incident or a place.
  • It helps to deal with our feelings in private and lightens the burden of our heart.

Format:

  • Top left- Date, Day and Time.
  • Tense Most frequently used- Simple past, Present perfect and future.
  • First-person used.

Steps:

  • Begin the entry with general sentences describing the day or momentary feelings.
  • In the body, you may discuss an event, your feelings towards it. How it is likely to affect your future plans.
  • Conclude with final remark and future course of action.

Diary Entry for Class 6 CBSE Sample Example With Answer

10.15 p.m.

Thursday
March 23, 2017

Dear Diary
The school had organized a quiz. My team and I had decided to reach an hour early for practice. But my alarm cheated me! I had set it to 6 a.m. I wanted to reach school at 7.00, but imagine my horror when I saw the time — it was 8 a.m. I was horrified. I washed my face quickly, wore my uniform, and rushed.

At the gate, I saw my best friend. He pointed at my feet and started laughing boisterously. I was wearing different shoes in both feet! Looking at him, I could not control my laughter either. He offered that I take his shoes instead. I could not believe that he would do that for me. Becoming a laughing stock at the school is not fun, but he is a popular kid. He would probably make a trend out of this, I thought. So, I took his shoes and met my teammates who were just as nervous as me.

We began to practise, only to realize that we were not exactly prepared for the quiz. Nevertheless, our teacher encouraged us to give it our best shot, and enjoy the experience. The quiz was not a total disaster either. We did manage to reach the semi-finals. Our teacher took us all to a nearby restaurant, and we had a party to celebrate our achievement. It was a great day.

I reached home, where my parents were waiting to take me to the amusement park I had told them about in the morning. It turns out that good friends and family can make all the difference.

I know I can always count on them.
Sahil

Diary Entry for Class 6 CBSE Practice Example

Exercise 1
1. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings on your birthday.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples

Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 1A poster is used to convey a message or some information through words, graphics, pictures, etc. A poster is usually made large and attractive as it is displayed on the walls. It can be used for advertisement or promotion or sale of some items or it can be used to spread a message. It is used by artists, film makers, advertisement agencies, political parties, NGOs, government departments such as public relations, health and family welfare, education or environment protection agencies for public awareness.

Looking for an easy way to learn English Grammar? then you are in right place. Here we providing basic English Grammar topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc…

Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples

A poster is always prepared with a specific audience in mind and is a powerful visual means of communication.

A poster contains the following things:

  • The topic of event/theme.
  • Details associated with it like time, date, venue, etc.
  • Some catchy slogans Full sentences should be avoided.
  • Purpose or occasion.
  • The message, appeal, awareness, warning or invitation.
  • Name of the issuing authority.

A poster should always have an appropriate and catchy language. It should have creativity and originality. It should be clear and easy to understand. Various font sizes, catchy slogans, sketches, drawings and illustrations should be used to make it appealing.

Poster Writing Examples with Answers Class 12 CBSE

Question 1.
You were very upset about the reports on communal riots in various parts of the country. As a concerned social worker design a poster in not more than 50 words, highlighting the importance of communal harmony. You are Vinay/Vineeta. [AH India 2015]
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 2

Question 2.
You are a member of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)* Draft a poster in not more than 50 words to create awareness on the need to prevent cruelty to animals. You are Suhan/Suhasini Gagroo.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 3

Question 3.
You are a fitness trainer in a health club. Design a poster in about 50 words, emphasizing the importance of exercise ¡n maintaining niental and physical fltness. You are Prem/Priya Khurana.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 4

Question 4.
You are the secretary of the welfare association of your colony. An unfortunate incident of dowry death has occurred in your colony. Design a poster in not more than 50 words, highlighting the evils of the dowry system, to create awareness among the people.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 5

Question 5.
As an educationist you have noticed that the present generation is not interested in reading. Design a poster in not more than 50 words highlighting the importance of reading and the value of books.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 6

Question 6.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on the theme of ‘Each one.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 7

Question 7.
Draft a poster in about 50 words for a blood donation camp.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 8

Question 8.
Prepare a poster in about 50 words on the topic of Conservation of Energy.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 9

Question 9.
Draft a poster in about 50 words Ofl Water Conservation.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 10

Question 10.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on Say No to Plastic Bags.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 11

Question 11.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on the Importance of Yoga.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 12

Question 12.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on the Protection of Wildlife.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 13

Question 13.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on Careful Driving.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 14

Question 14.
Draft a poster in about 50 words on Vigilance (by Delhi Traftïc Police).
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 15

Question 15.
Draft a poster ¡n about 50 words on the Importance of Trees.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 12 Format, Examples 16

Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises

Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises

Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.

Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises PDF

A speech is an effective way of communicating a message to a large audience. It is one of the ways of spreading awareness regarding social issues or giving information regarding other important issues. As a form of writing, a speech is similar to an article except that it begins with a formal address to the audience, is more conversational in tone and concludes with a ‘Thank you’. A speech is written for a specific purpose like informing, persuading, convincing or entertaining an audience.

Components of a Speech Introduction

Introduction It begins with greeting the Chief Guest / Principal / teachers and other listeners. It may include a striking statement, short anecdote, a saying or anything else which will immediately make the audience interested. Then the topic of the speech will be announced along with the occasion, if required.

Elaboration of the topic It will include a sequence of ideas to build up to the summing up and conclusion. You may include examples, evidence or data to support the ideas. You can paint verbal pictures and dramatise or personalise the information.

Summing up Summarise the most important points in your speech but do not repeat them.

Conclusion. Depending on the purpose of your speech, conclude with a call for an action, an appeal, a warning, a request and an expression of thanks.

Points to be Kept in Mind

  • A speech should begin with a catchy introduction in the form of an anecdote, quotation, statistical data or a thought provoking question.
  • A speech must reflect the speaker’s clarity of thought, accuracy of facts and a balanced view through a comparison and contrast with other viewpoints.
  • A speech may also give reference to newspaper reports, posters, advertisements or other stimuli.
  • Restrict the main part of the speech to the word limit of 150-200 words.

Speech Writing Format for Class 11 CBSE

To enforce strict discipline in schools and colleges is a great problem nowadays. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the school morning assembly on the problem of discipline. You are Mohini/Mohit.
Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises 1

Speech Writing Class 11 Examples with Answers CBSE Pdf

Question 1.
In order to promote reading habits in the students, your school has organised a Library Week. You are Ranjan/Reena. You have to speak in the morning assembly and inform the students about the week-long programme. You have noted the following points:

  • days and dates
  • new arrivals displayed
  • exhibition of books by some publishers
  • famous authors, I poets to visit and interact with students
  • quizzes and competitions
  • more facilities in the library
  • new teenage magazines

Write your speech in 150-200 words.
Answer:

LIBRARY WEEK

Respected Principal,-Vice-Principal, teachers, and friends!
It gives me great pleasure to speak to you about the Library Week that our school has organised from 2nd to 9th September this year. This week is slightly different from the others. Here we have to shift the focus to mental attainment. The aim of celebrating this week is to inculcate reading habits among students. Reading, you know makes a man perfect. So new arrivals in the reference section such as the encyclopedia and dictionaries as well as general books will be displayed. National Book Trust and Oxford University Press are putting up an exhibition. We have invited Dr. Kailash Vajpayee to inaugurate the exhibition. He will autograph the books and interact with students. Other authors like Khushwant Singh and Ruskin Bond will also pay us a visit. During the week, a quiz competition will be organised. The Reading section will have more new magazines for teenagers’ interest.
I appeal to all of you to spend as much free time in the library as you can.
Thank you.

Question 2.
Media has a stronghold on society. Write a speech in 150-200 words, on how media influences public opinion, to be delivered in the school assembly.
Answer:
Respected Principal Sir,
honourable teachers and my dear friends, I, Mehak Prasad of class Xl-C, will enlighten you today on the fact that the media has a stronghold on society.

It influences public opinion significantly because people consider true whatever the media depicts, whether it is the electronic media like TV and Radio, social media like Facebook and Twitter, cyber media like the Internet and e-mail, or the print media like newspapers and magazines. However, in some cases, the actual situation is totally different from what is depicted in the media. Media dramatises the information to serve its own ends, and usually to gain popularity.

Everybody, yes everybody, are exposed to different forms of media. People are not always able to separate fact from opinion and believe or disbelieve what they see, hear, or read. This moulds their opinions and actions, thus enabling the media to have a stronghold on society.

Over reporting as well as under-reporting can lead to misinformed opinions. It is for the journalistic community to take initiative and seek to address the various concerns regarding the profession. The public also should be discerning enough to separate facts from opinions and form one’s viewpoint accordingly.

Thank you.

Speech Writing Exercises with Answers for Class 11 CBSE

Question 1.
Peer pressure is useful for the development of an individual. If there is no peer pressure at all then there would be no goal or aim to succeed. Write a speech on the topic -‘Is Peer Pressure Beneficial or Not?’to be delivered on account of the Children’s Day celebration in your school. (150-200 words)
Answer:
Respected Principal Sir, honourable teachers, and my dear friends, on the occasion of Children’s Day, I am going to present my views on the topic ‘Is peer pressure beneficial or not?’

Peer pressure is beneficial as long as we know our limits. It is all upto us to be so strong, so firm, so unshakable, and filled with conviction of not going on the wrong track.

Peer pressure is not always bad. Peers may teach you good habits and encourage you to follow them. Looking at what others do can help you bring a positive change in your way of thinking. Your peers, their choices, and ways of life give you a glimpse of the world outside the four walls of your house. What they think about things in life, how they perceive situations, how they react in different circumstances can actually expose you to the world around them. Being part of a larger group of peers exposes you to the diversity in human behaviour. This makes you reflect on your behaviour and know where you stand. Peer pressure can lead you to make the right choices in life.

Your peers can, thus, influence the shaping of your personality in a positive way. Moreover, it’s not pressuring every time, sometimes it’s an inspiration, which makes you change for good.

Thank you.

Question 2.
Racism is bad. Anyone and everyone can be exposed to racism. Write a speech in 150-200 words on the topic ‘Racism’ to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school.
Answer:
Respected Principal Sir, honourable teachers and my dear friends, good morning!

Why must I choose whom to befriend according to the colour of their skin? Is there anything written anywhere that makes one race above another? I am going to present my views on the topic ‘Racism’ today.

I am nobody to judge other people. In fact, we all are unique in our own way and we all should be judged on our individual and personal qualities.

We have lots of people who are filled with hatred-hatred pointed especially at the colour of the skin. But where does all this hatred come from? God has never conceived hate. Did he make us different just to see hatred and war? I don’t think so. Why can’t we carry out Martin Luther King’s dream about a world in peace and without any kind of racism?

Racism works against the principle of being equal and the right of all people to be treated fairly. Hating people because of their colour or other factors is wrong. We all have to stay together and thus, we need to make the effort to embrace and accept other cultures. This can start with the simple act of friendship. Let us start today.

Thank you.

Question 3.
The actions and behaviour of senior college and university students are a far cry from the normal, decent and civilised. It’s all the more reprehensible because even girls are subjected to indecency and vulgarity. Write a speech on the topic ‘Ragging’ in 150-200 words for your school’s morning assembly.
Answer:
Respected Principal Sir,
honourable teachers and my dear friends, good morning!

Ragging deserves severe condemnation and needs to be consigned to the dustbin of discarded ideas. Today I am going to present my views on the serious issue of ‘Ragging’.

The practice has now become a source of uncivilised behaviour, which brings to the fore animal instincts of the practising youth. It deserves to be curtailed, curbed and ultimately abolished. It calls for strict action and punishment. Any mildness in this regard amounts to giving it a further fillip.

The raggers may put forth unsustainable arguments that it is meant to bring the freshers into the mainstream of campus life, that it helps in rounding up the angularities of the freshers who are awkward and uninitiated in the ways of college and university life. The supporters of ragging also hold forth that this results in understanding and mutual liking, which blooms into friendship.

On the contrary, many ragging incidents result into attempted suicides. Youngsters are subjected to unwholesome and unhealthy practir 3. Such actions breed hostility and a strong desire to seek revenge. The ragged youngster nurses th„* numiiiation in mind and next year, will take it out on a newcomer. The practice, thus, continues.

Hence, it calls for condemnation and a total ban of this practise of ragging.

Thank you.

Question 4.
You have to speak in your school’s morning assembly on ‘The Ideal Indian’. Draft your speech based on the visual given below and your own ideas in 150-200 words. You are Shrishti/Sunil of class XI.
Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises
Answer:
Good morning, respected Principal Sir,

teachers and my dear friends. Today, I, Shrishti of class XI wili give my vision of The Ideal Indian’.

I have always dreamed of India to be a great country which will be a role model for other countries of the world. It will be a place where everybody is honest, trustworthy, caring and respectful so that the common man lives his life without any fear and has access to all the basic amenities required to lead a happy and * comfortable life.

Principles of basic education and employment will be followed here so that every citizen is both educated and employed. The Indian of my dreams will execute his responsibilities first and then only assert his rights. This will lead to a society where law and order will be maintained and people with good deeds will be appreciated, whereas the wrongdoers will be punished. This will inturn lead to an inspiring and empowering feeling in the minds of the citizens. Moral values, culture and heritage will be preserved here and passed on to future generations. That is the India I dream of. The ideal Indian will try to shun all malpractices and help the government in furthering the causes of national integration and maintenance of law and order.

Thank you.

Question 2.
You are Ashok, studying in class XI-B. You have been asked by your Principal to speak in the morning assembly on ‘The Importance of English’. Draft the speech in 150-200 words.
Answer:
Good morning, respected Principal Sir, teachers and my friends. Today, I, Ashok of class Xi-B, will highlight the importance of English in today’s scenario.

English is a universal language which is now needed to be known by everyone. Without English, one feels handicapped. If you travel to any part of the world, and even to some parts of India, knowledge of English sees you through. That is why most public schools in cities are teaching in the English medium. The primary reason is that parents want their children to be fluent in English.

To get a reasonable job, it is a must to be able to write, understand and speak English, as it is the language of communication. Due to this, most of the interviews for good jobs and even admission interviews for colleges are conducted in English.

Many people wish to study or work abroad. To know the local language may be difficult and learning it would take time, but if one knows English, it comes to one’s rescue. Even the best study materials for research work are available only in English, Computers which are widely used can usually be used only with knowledge of English.

Thus, English is a must in today’s scenario.

Question 6.
Advertisements exercise a lot of influence on the common man. They have invaded man’s life through media. You have to speak on ‘The Effects of Advertisements on Consumers’ in the morning assembly. Write your speech in 150-200 words. You are Sana/Suresh of class XI-B.
Answer:
Good morning, respected Principal Sir, teachers and my friends. Today, I, Suresh of class XI-B, will speak on The effects of advertisements on consumers’.

These days media is everywhere, be it TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, the internet and other media. These media channels solicit advertisements to pay for their costs. The media is so full of advertisements that after every few minutes or pages, what you find is another round of advertisements. These repeated advertisements create a psychological effect on the viewers or listeners so that the product gets imbibed into their subconscious mind.

It is this excessive advertising that the consumers should be careful of, otherwise they will land up buying a heavily advertised product which may not be good. Young consumers specially children and teenagers are carried away by varied choices and end up spending a lot of money on buying products which they may not use at all.

Consumers need to be careful and must enquire before buying any product by researching and taking other people’s opinions who have already used a particular product. They should also utilise the available resources on social media through friends and other means before committing to any buying decisions.

The better informed consumer will not be carried away by advertisement alone and will judge a product in a balanced manner before buying it.

Question 7.
You are the first speaker in the Inter-House Declamation contest being held in your school. The topic chosen for the contest is ‘Ban Child Labour’. Write your speech in 150-200 words. You are Ashwini/Anuradha.
Answer:
Good morning, respected Principal Sir, teachers and my friends. Today, I, Anuradha of Patel House, will speak on the given topic ‘Ban Child Labour’.

Child labour typically refers to employment of children below a certain age in organisations and industries with or without their legal permission. This problem is more acute in developing countries rather than developed countries primarily because of three reasons, namely low cost associated with child labour, the need of poor families to make their children work to get money and lack of will power for implementation of labour laws. Even within developing countries, it is the unorganised sector like shoe-making, safety matches, handmade clothes, bangles, carpet weaving etc that has a higher percentage of child labour.

The more disturbing part is the way children are treated during their employment. They are made to work long hours, not given proper food, deprived of basic sanitation and often exposed to hazardous chemicals during the course of their work. This results in lack of growth, injuries or at times, even death of children. It also deprives the children of tender care, right to basic education, love and time to play.

To stop child labour, the government must strictly implement labour laws and severely punish employers found guilty of illegal child labour. Then only we can promise a better future for the children of this country. The government must find ways to end poverty which is one of the root causes of child labour.

Thank you.

Question 8.
You are participating in an Inter-School Declamation contest and the topic chosen is ‘Keep Your Town Clean’. Basing your ideas on the picture given below, write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in this contest. You are Prateek/Pragati.
Speech Writing Class 11 Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises
Answer:
Good morning judges, honourable teachers and my friends. Today, I, Pragati of Sunshine Public School, will speak on the topic ‘Keep Your Town Glean’.

We all know that ‘a healthy mind lives in a healthy body’. To maintain this good health, we should live in a healthy environment and surroundings. The most important of these are the sanitary conditions. We should not throw our litter or waste material anywhere, but use the dustbins provided by the Municipal Corporation outside the home and waste bins inside our homes. Garbage should be properly disposed off otherwise it will spread all kinds of diseases.

We should also try to ensure that all drains are covered. Stray animals should not be allowed in the colonies so that they do not dirty the drains and other areas with their excreta. Slum dwellers should be made aware of the necessity of healthy surroundings. Also, the Municipal Corporation sanitation staff should be taken to task if they neglect their work.

Friends, it is our responsibility to keep our town clean. Each one should do his/her bit; then only will it pay off.

Thank you.

Question 9.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ is a well-known saying. You are Kavi/Kavita of class XI. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the school morning assembly on the benefits of rising early.
Answer:
Good Morning respected Principal Sir, teachers and my dear friends.

‘Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ is a famous quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, the famous American scientist. How right he was! So today, I, Kavita of class XI, will speak about the benefits of rising early.

According to research conducted recently, students who consistently wake up early each day actually scored better in tests and overall grade points than those who woke later on. Of course, this is not simply a result of waking up early, but when you wake up early, you’re more likely to take part in a fixed routine, and most importantly, you will eat a good breakfast. Late risers tend to skip breakfast to make up for the lost time, but this is a bad idea because your body needs those nutrients in the morning for energy and focusing on your tasks. Some of the most successful people in the world are early risers. It’s simple: if you wake up early, you get more time to get things done. There are less distractions in the early hours of the day and your brain is charged and ready to work hard. You are at your efficient best and will get things done quickly and efficiently. When a man is healthy and wealthy, he automatically grows wise. Early morning is the best time for the students and other intellectual workers to go about their work. They are fresh after the night’s rest and there is not much noise at this time to disturb them.

Thank you.

Question 10.
Shweta has to deliver a speech in the morning assembly on the topic: ‘The Generation Gap is destroying family life’. Write her speech in about 150-200 words.
Answer:

THE GENERATION GAP IS DESTROYING FAMILY LIFE

Respected Chairman, honourable judges, members of the staff, and my dear Mends!
I stand before you to speak my mind on “The Generation Gap is destroying family life’. There are many points to support this contention.
The generation gap has caused à chasm between the old and the young. There is a clash of ideas and ideals, tastes, ways of thinking, and lifestyle. The young hanker after luxury, comfort, and material happiness. They believe in full enjoyment and complete freedom. The elders insist on moral and spiritual values. They advocate renunciation and control of desires. The children think that their parents are slaves to customs.

The generation gap is evident in behaviour and manners of the two classes. The elders believe in strict obedience to a superior authority. They want that children must respect their elders and learn to be polite. The children pine for freedom. They resent all sorts of curbs. They demand freedom of expression. They want to have a say in family affairs. They insist that their views must be given proper consideration. This leads to bickerings, heart-burning, and tension in the family.

The elders insist on discipline and strict compliance of their orders. They advocate smiling acceptance of punishment meted out for breach of discipline. The young insist on unrestrained freedom and frankness. They advocate freedom of self-expression and are unwilling to tolerate any interference in their personal affairs—career, love-affair, or marriage. Thus there is a wide gap between the two generations. This difference in their way of thinking and behaviour is destroying family life.
Hence, I conclude that ‘The generation gap is destroying family life’.
Thank you.

Speech Writing Self Assessment Class 11 CBSE Pdf

1 Eating disorders are not a fad diet or an experiment to lose weight, but they are serious complex disorders that may take years to recover from. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in a seminar on } ‘Health and Fitness’ on the topic ‘Eating disorders’.

2 You have to speak on ‘How to Avoid Being Cyber Bullied?’ Prepare your speech to he delivered at the Inter-School Declamation contest being organised as a part of the annual cultural festival of your school. You are Darpan/Deepika. (150-200 words).

3 Write a speech to be given in the morning assembly of your school on the topic ‘Evil of Casteism in our country’ in 150-200 words.

4 You have been chosen for representing your school at the regional level Inter-School Debate Contest. Prepare a speech in 150-200 words for the same on the topic ‘Newspapers Ought to Contain More News and Fewer Advertisements’.

5 Parents play an important role in children’s education. Strangely enough, the same parents who complain of drawbacks in the education system during the early years of their children’s education, suddenly realise the importance of exams, results, percentage, coaching and competitions when their children come to class XI-XII. Write a speech on the topic ‘Role of Parents in Children’s Education’ in 150-200 words.

6 Despite rising taxes and increasing restrictions against tobacco use, there are still approximately 250
million smokers in India and the number is going up. Prepare a speech in 150-200 words on the topic ‘Quit Smoking not Life’ for a group of young smokers urging them to quit smoking. ”

7 The success of any business or consumer product in today’s world depends in part on the target market’s ability to distinguish one product from another. Branding helps consumers to ultimately identify a product from those of the competition. Write a speech for the morning assembly on the topic ‘Brand Names Cost More-But is the Quality Better?’ You are Suresh/Smita. (150-200 words)

8 Road accidents are a common sight. Further, people are often seen shouting at and threatening the people who have annoyed them in other ways. Even overtaking them quite legally can enrage them. Write a speech on the topic ‘Road Rage’ in 150-200 words.

9 Narcotics Control Bureau is organising a declamation contest in your school as part of its observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Write a speech in 150-200 words on the topic ‘Youth and Drug Abuse’.

10 On the occasion of National Consumer’s Day, you have to speak on the topic ‘Consumer Rights and their Protection’. Draft the speech in 150-200 words.

11 The Delhi Government has banned the use of polythene and plastic bags as they are non-biodegradable and harmful to every living being and the environment. But still people are using them for carrying things. Write a speech, to be delivered in the morning assembly, on the topic ‘Say No to Polythene Bags’ in 150 – 200 words.

12 India is a country of festivals. There is a series of festivals which are celebrated throughout the year. They reflect our culture and bring us closer. Based on the visuals given below, write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in your school’s morning assembly on this topic. You are Kiran, class XI-A.

13 Games play an important role in our lives. They are not only a means of entertainment but also keep us physically fit. Some like indoor games and other outdoor. Write a speech in 150-200 words for your school’s morning assembly on the topic ‘The Importance of games in our Life’.

14 The Internet has become essential in our lives today. Some browse for many hours at a stretch every day. However, we know that excess of anything is bad. So by doing this, they not only waste their time but spoil their health also. Write a speech to be delivered in an Inter-Class Declamation Contest in 150-200 words on the topic ‘The Harms of Excessive Internet Browsing’.

15 High buildings, the Metro train, shopping malls, big parks, wide roads, etc attract people to live in metro cities. However, traffic jams, pollution, crime, and insecurity disappoint them. Basing your ideas on the picture given below, write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the morning assembly on the topic ‘Disadvantages of Living in a Big City’.

Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples

Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 1Posters are an amalgam of notices, advertisements, and invitations. They may be in the form of large hoardings to be put up on walls, or the size of handbills to be displayed on the noticeboards, etc. Hence, they have to be captivating, attractive and persuasive so as to influence a large number of people. Generally, they are designed to create social awareness about current issues or to even extend public invitations and write notices.

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Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples PDF

A poster is a very useful means to create awareness about current social problems or needs and issues or to even extend public invitations and write notices. Essentially a very brief communication with a powerful visual and a powerful message, a poster is always prepared with a particular target audience in mind. It very clearly mentions the theme or the topic, the schedule of an event and the occasion for it. The poster should be clear in communicating the intended message in an easily readable manner. It has to be captivating, attractive and persuasive so as to influence a large number of people.

Posters Writing Publicising and Highlighting

Posters can be used for publicising and highlighting the following

  • Cultural show/ exhibition/ seminar/ workshop/ fair/ fete etc.
  • Educational institutions and students’ activities.
  • Promoting sales of a product or service.
  • Influencing public opinion.
  • Advancing a social cause and so on.

Types of Posters Pdf
There are two types of posters

A. For Awareness Of A Social Problem

  • Details associated with the theme
  • Effct of the problem
  • Solution to the problem
  • Any additional useful information

Points to be Kept in Mind

  • A poster is designed to be put up at a public place, so it should be designed in such a way that it catches the attention of the passers by.
  • A poster should have bigger/ bold/ capital letters because it is read by the public from a distance.
  • A poster should not have any extra or irrelevant matter.
  • A poster can be made more catchy by using phrases, slogans and attractive language.

Format of a Poster Writing CBSE

You are the Director of National Agriculture Organisation, Jaipur. You have to make the people all over Rajasthan state aware of the necessity of conserving water and also how to do it. Design a suitable poster to be inserted in the newspapers as well as being put up at prominent places in the towns of Rajasthan.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 2

Poster Writing Questions Answers for Class 11 CBSE Pdf

Question 1.
You are the Director of Disaster Management Authority. You want to make the people aware about earthquakes. Draft a poster for the same.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 3

Question 2.
You are the Marketing Manager of Starbucks Coffee Products Company. To promote the sales of ‘Starbucks Coffee’, you have to design a poster detailing the vast variety of Starbucks coffee available in restaurants all over India. Design a suitable poster.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 4

Poster Writing Topics for Class 11 with Answers

Question 1.
You are the Director of Health Services, Mizoram. You have to educate the public about the necessity of oral polio vaccine for small children. Design a simple and catchy poster to be put up at prominent locations in the whole state.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 5

Question 2.
You are the Principal of an English medium primary school. Design a catchy poster to instil discipline in the children which can be put up in the classrooms.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 6

Question 3.
Incidents of Road- rage are increasing day by day. Draft a poster on behalf of Delhi Traffic Police on Road Safety tips.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 7

Question 4.
You are a professional poster designer who has been asked to design a poster for recruitment of soldiers in the Indian Army, to be put up at prominent places in a district where a recruitment camp is to be held. Draft a poster giving details of the recruitment camp.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 8

Question 5.
You are Director General of Health Services. You want to invite people to come forward for eye donation. Draft a poster for the same.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 9

Question 6.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment needs a poster for its ‘Prevention of Drug Abuse’ campaign on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse (26th June every year). Draft a poster to raise public awareness against drug abuse.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 10

Question 7.
Draft an attractive poster for ‘Save Trees, Save Earth’ Campaign.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 11

Question 8.
Design a poster against the ill-effects of plastics on the environment. Suggest alternative solutions as well.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 12

Question 9.
Draft a poster to be issued by the Delhi Police cautioning people not to touch any unclaimed object.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 13

Question 10.
You are the Sports Instructor at Sadbhavna Primary School. You are arranging the Annual Sports Day of the school. Design an attractive poster to inform the parents of the students about it.
Answer:
Poster Writing Class 11 Format, Examples 14

Poster Writing Self Assessment Class 11 CBSE Pdf

(Here we have covered all types of posters.)

Question 1.
Repeated floods in various flood-prone areas in India have resulted in unprecedented damage and destruction to both life and property. Educating people on the precautions to be taken is the need of the hour. Prepare a poster for creating this awareness.

Question 2.
Design a poster to highlight the evils of the dowry system.

Question 3.
Design an attractive poster for a ‘Dog Show’ that your Kennel Club is going to organise.

Question 4.
MTV Roadies is going to conduct auditions for its new season. Create an attractive poster announcing the auditions.

Question 5.
Prepare a thought-provoking poster on the topic ‘Stop Child Abuse’. Use catchy slogans and visuals.

Question 6.
The police of your city needs a poster to raise public awareness on the increase in the number of cases of violence against women. Draft the poster for them.

Question 7.
You are making an effort to spread the message of Communal Harmony. Design an attractive poster to be displayed in the school campus.

Question 8.
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, is organising a science exhibition in your school. Make an attractive poster announcing the event and inviting the general public to visit it.

Question 9.
Design a poster emphasising the ill effects of binging on junk food.

Question 10.
Design a poster urging people to adopt the three Rs — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Question 11.
You are Gaurav, the Secretary of the Science Club of Avinash Public School, Rewari. Your school is organising an Exhibition on the cultural variety of India. Draft a poster to bring awareness among the school students about the importance of culture.

Question 12.
You are the Mayor of your town. The Municipal Corporation of your town has decided to conduct a ‘Tree Plantation Programme’ to make your city, a ‘Green City’. Design a poster to invite participation from the public for this noble cause.

Question 13.
You are the Publicity Manager of ABC TV Channel. Your channel is organising a ‘Talent Hunt Show’ of college students to be telecast on your channel. Design a suitable poster giving necessary details.

Question 14.
Prepare a poster on behalf of the local police advising the public to be wary of pickpockets in buses and bag snatchers on the roads. Suggest the precautions to be taken.

Question 15.
Prepare a poster for announcing the Annual Drama Festival of your school, asking for participation of groups of students interested. Invent the necessary details.

Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples

Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples

A letter is a form of written communication. Letters are of two types: formal and informal. Formal letters include business letters, letter of complaints, letter to government officials, etc. Informal letters include letters to friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc.

Letters can be either formal or informal. While informal letters are written to friends, family and relatives, formal letters could be official letters, business letters, job applications or letters to editor.

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Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples Pdf

Letter–writing is a form of written communication. Letters are of two types: formal and informal. Formal letters include business letters, letter of complaints, letter to government officials, etc., Informal letters include letters to friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc.

Formal/Official Letters

Formal or official letters are written to:

  • Editors of newspapers
  • Heads of different Depts; Directors
  • Principals/Managers

Subject Matter:

  • Complaints
  • Reactions/Response to certain events/Speeches/Placing order for new items

Language: Formal, assertive
Format:

  • Self Address (Sender’s address)
  • Receiver’s Address
  • Date
  • Salutation (Sir/Madam)
  • Subject: Reg……….
  • Content
    • Refer to previous communication or source of news or information
    • Status (position/issue)
    • Analysis and reasons
    • Suggestion/Action required

Closing:

  • Thanks
  • Yours sincerely/truly
  • Signature
  • Full rank/name, if any

Inquiry Letter Writing Tips
Some useful language expressions

  • We are interested in … and would like you to…
  • Would you please tell me…/ send me the information…
  • I shall be obliged if you could give me the following information…
  • Be polite and formal
  • Introduce yourself and mention your requirements
  • Ask for detailed information about the product (price, discount, terms and conditions)

Complaint Letter Writing Format
Some useful language expressions

  • We regret to remind you that…
  • I am writing to complain about…
  • We are sorry to inform you that
  • Be polite and formal
  • Introduce yourself and describe clearly what your complaint is
  • Remember that the newspaper is only a medium to address the issue
  • Do not ask the editor to resolve the issue

Letter To Editor Topics
Some useful language expressions

  • Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I wish to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities…
  • In my opinion…
  • This is a very shocking/ disturbing use of…
  • Describe your opinion clearly
  • Say what you would like the receiver to do to redress the complaint (replacement/ refund of money/ free service)
  • Mention your next course of action, if the complaint remains unattended.

Letter Writing Exercises With Answers Pdf for Class 10

Question 1.
You are Ashish/Astha, a resident of #254, Vigyan Vihar, Amla, Madhya Pradesh. You are worried to see your younger brother’s frequent habit of using Internet as a homework tool. Taking ideas from the input given below and your own, write a letter to the Editor of a popular newspaper, expressing your opinion on the advantages, disadvantages of the dependence of youth and the computers in the present times. (100–120 words)

  • In the techno world–24 hr access to the Internet–no doubt school children using Net as homework tool.
  • has many advantages–quick way to find information update—more free time for other activities—provides a variety of sources.
  • more drawbacks than advantages–students’ reading, writing and thinking skills seem to be disappearing—just copy information—some websites may contain inaccurate information no interest in listening to teacher in school–concept of hard work disappearing in present generation–balanced, sensible use of Net required.

Answer:
Write your letter in the following layout:
Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples 1

Question 2.
You are Rachna/Raghu, 15 Mall Road, Agra. You happen to see the following news item in a newspaper. Write a letter in about 100–120 words to the editor of the newspaper about your views on the matter.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has passed an order that it is the responsibility of every citizen to look after their aged parents. If they fail, they will have no right of inheritance.

Answer:
Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples 2Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples 2

Question 3.
You are Rizwan Ali, resident of 456, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily, drawing the attention of the concerned authorities to the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.
Answer:

456, Rajouri Garden
New Delhi
15th May, 2017
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sub: Deteriorating law and order situation in the city.Sir,
Through this letter I wish to bring to the kind attention of the concerned authorities, my concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.Incidents of theft, kidnapping, molestation, rape and murder are on the rise these days. Both, A person walking on the street (irrespective of the age or gender) or a person at home are unsafe. Everyone is susceptible to fall prey to the evil intentions of the antisocial elements in the society.There is no peace and disquiet has become a norm. Terrorists are seen wandering fearlessly in broad daylight.None of these criminals have been arrested so far. If arrested many of them go scot–free, those not arrested, are seen roaming freely on roads. It is time that laws are applied more effectively to curb the menace. I request the concerned authorities to look into this matter and take necessary actions to enable the residents to live in peace.Thanking youYours sincerely
Rizwan Ali

Question 4.
Tourism being one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries globally, affects the economic, socio-cultural, environmental and educational resources of nations. Improving tourism industry in India would thus lead to national development in many spheres. As Ankit/ Ankita, write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India expressing your views on the same. You may take ideas from the unit– Travel and Tourism besides your own ideas. (about 100–120 words )
Answer:

12
Mall Road,
Shimla–504321
July 28, 2016
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi–110006
Subject: Improving tourism industry in IndiaSir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the development of tourism industry in our country. India is a land of beautiful landscapes, rivers and places of religious, historical and cultural importance. We have innumerable tourist destinations which if used to their full potential can bring about a lot of development in the country. Tourism being one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries globally, affects the economic, socio-cultural, environmental and educational resources of nations.Improving tourism industry in India would thus contribute to the development of the nation in many spheres. It will have many positive effects on our economy. It will help in the growth and development of various industries directly linked with the tourism industry such as those pertaining to transportation, accommodation, wildlife, arts and entertainment. It also helps in the creation of new jobs.A lot of revenue will also be generated through foreign exchange on payments received for goods and services provided. The development of tourism also enhances the living conditions of the local people. It would therefore be appropriate for all concerned, to work towards perfect all aspects of this fastest-growing industry.Thank youYours sincerely
Ankit

Question 5.
Our metropolitan cities witness a large number of accidents every day. What do you think is the reason? What can be done to bring down the rate of accidents? Write a letter in 100–120 words to the Editor of a national daily expressing your concerns and offering solutions to this problem. You are Arun/Aruna, 112 Model Town, Delhi.
Answer:

112 Model Town,
Delhi.
July 10, 2016
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi–110006
Subject: Rising number of road accidentsRespected Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the increase in the number of road accidents in the metropolitan cities. The loss of life due to these accidents is also increasing. Why is this so?. The thrill for speed among the impatient youth or the underage drivers could be a cause. Blaming the youth solely for these accidents is not justified. There are many who do not follow traffic rules. The reason could be, to reach the destination in a hurry, stress leading to loss of concentration, distractions like mobile phone, road rage, the result is the same–accidents.Drunken driving is yet another cause of accidents. Everyone wants to live in luxury. With companies offering vehicles affordable EMI and costs, the dream of owning a vehicle is becoming a reality for many. However all this leads to an increase in number of vehicles on the road, thereby leading to more accidents.We need to take stringent measures to avoid these accidents. More policemen should be deployed to act as deterrents. There should be stricter punishment for even a small violation of rules. Another way would be to inculcate traffic rules and discipline at school itself.While issuing licence there should be comprehensive classes for traffic rules. In cases of underage drivers, parents should be held responsible and penalized. Another solution would be to car pool. This would not only reduce traffic but also reduce the pollution in the environment. If these measures are implemented, we will be able to save a lot of lives.Thank youYours sincerely
Arun

Question 6.
The influence of friends can have both positive and negative impact on the students. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily in 100–120 words discussing how we can make it more positive and productive. You are Arun/Aruna 24, Mall Road, Chennai.
Answer:

24, Mall Road
Chennai
April 3, 2016
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi–110006Subject: Influence of friendsSir,
Through the columns of your newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the readers towards the increasing influence of friends on the life of youngsters these days. We hear a lot of youngsters referring to “Peer pressure”that affecting friendship these days. Friendship is a valuable relationship that helps the youth evolves. It establishes a strong bond between two human beings. Good friendship develops healthy completion among peers. Nowadays when stress has become a part of life, good friends help to reduce each others stress levels. A good friend will also be there whenever one is in trouble.Contrarily, the influence of a bad friend can be disastrous. One can develop vices like drinking, drugs, smoking, stealing, betting, etc. to be one among his peers, part of the crowd. The youth needs to understand that time, intelligence, money and relationship should be used in a productive way. One can learn a lot from friends. As a group, friends can take up projects and do social work. In a friendship, friends need to be encouraging and supportive of each other. On each other, have a positive influence.Thank youYours sincerely
Arun

Question 7.
Many complaints about unfair means being used in exams have been reported. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily newspaper in 100–200 words giving reasons . for this trend and suggest measures to combat this. You are Arun/Aruna 12 Fort Road Kochi.
Answer:

12, Fort Road
Kochi
September 20, 2015
The Editor
The Hindustan
Times New
Delhi 110006Subject: Use of unfair meansSir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the alarming rise in the use of unfair means by students while appearing for exams.Students get chits, and use latest gadgets to copy. There are some who use the old method copying from the peers. Many are caught by the exam squads and suspended. Some even lose a year. But still the practice continues.What is it that is forcing students to fall prey to this dangerous practice? The primary reason is the high expectations of parents and teachers. Then there is peer pressures. The competition to be at the top. There are some who copy due to lack of preparation. Sometimes, fear of failure and poor vigilance also make students use unfair means during exams.The need of the hour is to take immediate measures to help the students. The teachers and parents need to play an active role in sensitizing students about the importance of learning. They should instill life skills and values of integrity and honesty. Vigilant should be excellent quality. We need to manoeuvre our children on to the right path.Yours sincerely
Arun

Question 8.
You are Mr. Malik, the coordinator of the ABC Public School. Write a letter to place a bulk order for school uniform to M/S Sinha Garments.
Answer:

12 Pandeer Road,
New Delhi
6th February, 20xx
M/s Sinha Garments
New DelhiSubject: Order for school uniform setsDearSir,
This letter is with reference to the meeting that took place at your factory. We wish to purchase uniform material for our students from you. Our requirement is as follows:
Size Quantity
Small 80
Medium 75
Large 45
A total of 200 pieces.

Please note that the entire payment will be made only after the delivery. Kindly make the delivery on or before 2nd April 20xx. I request you to offer us a discount on the order and send us the official bill along with the product.

Please review the order and if you have any recommendations, or need any clarification, please contact the undersigned. We hope for a long–term association with you.

Yours Sincerely
Karan Malik
Mob. No. 9811x XXXXX

Question 9.
You are Somita Roy, the librarian of ABC Puhlic School, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Unique Book Co., New Delhi, complaining about the poor quality of books supplied to your library.
Answer:

ABC Public School
New Delhi
8th July, 2017
The Unique Book Co.
New Delhi
Subject: Supply of poor quality of booksDear Sir,
We regret to inform you that the quality of books supplied by you to our library is quite deplorable and poor. ABC Public School has been your old and regular customer. We placed an order for the purchase of about five hundred books for the school library. The books supplied are poor in quality, not the latest editions and most of them are not the ones we had ordered. Please note that errors made in the supply given below and expedite the matter at the earliest.
  1. (a) Thirty copies of Modern Mathematics (10th Standard) 2015 Edition Supplied.
    (b) Thirty copies of English Grammar (10th Standard) 2015 Edition Supplied. Whereas 2017 Editions of the above-mentioned books are available in the market.
  2. We ordered for thirty copies of ‘History of India’ by S.K. Rao but received 10 copies of ‘History of India’ by S.P. Singh.
  3. Twenty copies of Science books are really in a bad shape and cannot be accepted as such. Please effect the changes on or before 1st of August, 2017.

Yours faithfully
Somita Roy
Librarian

Question 10.
You are John/Jennifer, the incharge of tour and excursion club of Grand Public School, Agra. During the summer break, you are planning to organise a tour to a place of historical importance. Write a letter to the India Travel and Tour Agency, Agra, enquiring about the charges, facilities and all the other necessary details.
Answer:

Grand Public School,
Agra
6th April, 20xx
The Manager,
India Travel and Tour Agency,
Agra
Subject: Enquiry about the charges and facilitiesSir,
Grand Public School, Agra is organising a tour to a place of historical importance during the summer break. We are planning a tour in the first week of May. It would be a tour for three days. We are a group of twenty–five students, four teachers and two peons. Kindly furnish the following details regarding the tour and oblige.
  • Information regarding the package tours provided by your agency.
  • Arrangement for accommodation of the students, the teachers and the peons.
  • Number of rooms and their total charges.
  • Arrangements of breakfast, lunch and dinner and the charges per head.
  • Arrangement of luxury buses and the charges for each bus.
  • Any other information or relevant details regarding the tour.

Yours faithfully
John/Jennifer
(Educator)
Tour Incharge

Question 11.
Accidents in big cities is a common phenomenon. Unfortunately, hardly anyone comes to the rescue of road victims because of fear of harassment by the police. Now that the Supreme Court has issued guidelines that people who take road victims to a hospital will not be questioned or detained, there is no reason why bystanders/passersby should hesitate to help road victims and thus discharge their duty as responsible citizens. Write a letter in 100–120 words to the editor of a national daily requesting him to make people aware of Supreme Court guidelines and urge them to help people in distress. You are Shom/ Shobha, 24, Raj Nagar, Kanpur.
Answer:

24, Raj Nagar
Kanpur Uttar Pradesh
12th March, 2018
The Editor
Times of India
Kanpur
Subject: Supreme court directive.Sir,
As a conscientious citizen of this great country, I consider it is my duty to make a humble request to your esteemed newspaper, towards effecting a very noble social cause. Road accidents are on the rise. Research says that we lose 17 lives every hour. Most often this is due to the non-availability of instant medical help. People hesitate to help a victim, because of the complications they get entangled in with the police.Through the columns of your paper, kindly spread awareness among the public about the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, regarding the security of those who come forward to help. This may encourage people to be more responsible.Please help me in my endeavor.Yours faithfully
(signature)
Shobha sen

Question 12.
Accidents in big cities is a common phenomenon. Unfortunately, hardly anyone comes to the rescue of road victims because of fear of harassment by the police. Now that the Supreme Court has issued guidelines that people who take road victims to a hospital will not be questioned or detained, there is no reason why bystanders/passersby should hesitate to help road victims and thus discharge their duty as responsible citizens. Write a letter in 100–120 words to the editor of a national daily requesting him to make people aware of Supreme Court guidelines and urge them to help people in distress. You are Shom / Shobha, 24, Raj Nagar, Kanpur.
Answer:

12 Station Road Delhi
12th March, 2018
The Editor
The New Indian Express
New Delhi
Subject: Problems faced by outstation students in DelhiSir,
I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the problems students from other states face when they join universities in Delhi.One of the major problems is that of finding an affordable accommodation. Institutions are not equipped to accommodate all the students. The rent charged by local landlords is exorbitant, rules and regulations they put forward are unreasonable, convenience that they provide is minimal, and security is not their responsibility. Students belonging to specific cultures are denied accommodation.May I suggest the following measures to solve the problems:
  • government set a slab and pull up errant landlords
  • Make it mandatory for educational institutions to cater to students requiring accommodation, along with meeting their food and medical needs.

Through the columns of your esteemed daily I request you to bring our problems out in the public domain and help bring about a respite to the students who are miles away from their families.

Yours faithfully
Signature
Raman Lyer

Question 13.
Shantikunj is a thickly populated locality inhabited mainly by the working-class people. Unfortunately, there is no Mother Dairy milk booth in the locality. Write a letter in 100–200 words to the editor of a local daily drawing the attention of the authorities to the problem faced by the people, requesting them to open a milk booth. You are Ram/Roma, 4, Shantikunj, Delhi.
Answer:

4 Shantikunj Delhi
16 March, 2018
The Editor
The New Indian Express Delhi
Subject: Request for a Mother Dairy Milk BoothSir,
Shantikunj is a very thickly populated locality consisting of people belonging to the working class, i.e. the 4th–grade category of workers. Both men and women step out to fend for the upkeep of their families. Milk is considered to be one among the staple food varieties by our community. As the old concept of fresh milk being delivered at the doorstep has become a thing of the past, we face a lot of difficulty in securing milk to’give our children.Mother Dairy, which is considered to be the main milk provider in Delhi, does not have a booth in our area. Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I seek support in drawing the attention of the concerned authorities to set up a milk booth in our locality at the earliest.Thanking youYours faithfully
(signature)
Roma Mittal

Letter Writing Exercises for Class 10 CBSE

1. Software engineers from India have the reputation of being among the best in the world. Most of them migrate to other countries while their own country needs them the most. This is a matter of serious concern. Taking clues from the following visual and verbal input, write a letter to the editor of a famous newspaper expressing concern over the issue of brain drain in about 100–120 words.
Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples 4

  • Human capital flight, more commonly referred to as “brain drain”—the large–scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge.
  • The reasons—(in source countries: lack of opportunities, political instability, economic depression, health risks; in host countries: rich opportunities, political stability and freedom, developed economy, better living conditions).
  • In terms of individual reasons–family influence (overseas relatives, and personal preference: preference for exploring, ambition for an improved career).
  • Loss to nation—the draining of skilled individuals—wheel of developing nations–great loss to these developing nations.

2. The visuals given here make it quite clear that the number of female children has drastically declined as indicated by “too many puppy–dogs’ –tails. The matter of concern is that their number is steadily shrinking. Taking inputs from your Unit–2, ‘Education’ and the visuals, given below, write a letter to the Editor of a national daily expressing your worry on the skewing sex ratio in the nation, in about 100–120 words.
Letter Writing for Class 10 CBSE Format, Topics, Samples 5

3. Vishal came across the following newspaper clipping about a cholera and typhoid epidemic. Write a letter to the Editor of a local magazine emphasising the need to create awareness of the spread, prevention and treatment of such diseases. Taking ideas from the hints given below, and using your own ideas, write the letter in 100–120 words.

New Delhi: Twenty people died and several have been hospitalised in the Dhari village of UP due to the spread of cholera and diarrhoea. Doctors are of the opinion that lack of hygiene is the main reason for the outbreak of such an epidemic.

4. You are concerned about the increased incidents of road accidents involving school children. The main reason is the reckless driving habits of children. You decide to express your views in the form of a letter to the Editor of ‘The Hindu’ discussing this problem. Also suggest measures to combat the problem. Write the letter in not more than 120 words. You may use the following clues:

Owning vehicles at a young age – fashion statement–reckless driving to compete with friends – clash of egos – unable to understand that speed thrills but kills – don’t adhere to the traffic rules – don’t wear helmets – don’t listen to parents – must enforce use of public transport – parents to monitor – schools to make strict rules.

5. While reading a magazine you came across the following article:

There is a growing lack of sensitivity and respect for our fellow creatures. There is talk about the food web and the energy cycles and ecological balance and how removal of any element disrupts the whole system, and how this can affect human beings too. What this approach lacks is the essential interaction with Nature and with other human beings. Indeed, in many environmental activities the opposite takes place.

You are an educationist and feel that Environmental Education imparted in schools, needs reorientation. The stress should not be on preserving Nature for human use, but for protecting animals and plants for their own sake. Based on the information given above and using your own ideas, write a letter to the Editor of a national daily in about 100–120 words on the subject and give it a suitable title.

6. The condition of the public park in your locality is miserable and it is also misused by some mischievous people. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper with the help of the points given below in 100–120 words. You are Ritu/Ravi, A–15 Kailash Colony, New Delhi.

poorly managed parks – heaps of garbage lying everywhere
boundary wall broken – grass is scrounge
very dirty, animals resting there – drunkards sit inside
sometimes robbed lonely passerby – people are scared to go there

7. The number of tourists going to the hill stations is increasing. This has led to the commercialization and its ill effects are more and more hotels, garbage, effect on the life of the locals etc. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your concern over the situation. (100–120 words).

8. You are Rohit Verma of Class X in Vikas Sr Sec. School, Anand Vihar, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper expressing your views on the importance of English (100–120 words).

9. You are Rakhi/Ashok. You have seen the following news item in a newspaper. Video games, internet, cell phones and other high–tech gears are the accessories of growing up in a digital world. But parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend with these and worry that it might be distracting and hint them their academic and social development.

Write a letter to the Editor of ‘The Pioneer’in 100–120 words expressing your views.

10. You are Mr Satish Kaushik, the Sports Instructor in ABC Convent, New Delhi. The Principal of the school asked you to place an order for buying cricket kits, volleyball nets, footballs, badminton and other necessary sports accessories. Write a letter to place an order with Star Sports, New Delhi.

11. The Nobel Laureates, namely Rabindranath Tagore, C.V. Raman, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen have done our country proud. However, greatness is not confined to a country or a political territory. Such people work selflessly for humanity and inspire us also to follow their path. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper in 100–120 words. Take ideas from the input given below on the importance of being an ideal human being and an ideal citizen.

  • We should learn from the action of Nobel Laureate.
  • Not follow the path of corruption and unlawful means
  • Not being selfish
  • Be kind, generous, humble
  • Sharing with the people who do not have
  • We should work towards becoming a better global society

12. Corruption has got into the nerve of the whole world and as a result, the corruption endemic commands a réprehensive global presence. Some of the social workers are reacting encouraging them and making the people aware of this evil practice and to raise their voice against corruption. As a concerned citizen, write a letter to the editor of a national daily highlighting the problem and suggesting ways and means to curb the menace about 100–120 words. You can take ideas from the input given below.

Corruption – wider phenomenon – omnipresent – growth hindered – brings havoc to the society – more dangerous than AIDS – creates income inequalities – economic offence – bribe – law thwarting – more damaging–should be uprooted – more vigilance required – urgent need to curb the monster.

13. You are Peter residing at D–25, Vivek Vihar, Lucknow. Write a letter to the General Manager of Lucknow Transport Undertaking to report about the poor, irregular local bus service and with a request to find a solution.

14. Accidents are caused almost everyday by stray bulls in the city. Write a letter to Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Commissioner complaining about danger posed by this in about 100–120 words. You are Amrit Raj living at 21, Shivaji Enclave, Andheri, Mumbai.

15. Write a letter to the editor of ‘The Times of India’ expressing your concerns about the deteriorating food habits and increasing health issues of teenagers. You are Raman/Reema of Plot 26, Indirapuram, Bengaluru.

16. You are Amit/Amrita. You are surprised to see the poor infrastructural and educational conditions in government schools. Write a letter to the Editor of a leading newspaper, to urge the authorities to focus their attention on these school and to take necessary steps for their improvement. You may take help from the hints given below:

  • Poor infrastructure
  • no toilet
  • leaking roofs
  • lack of efficient teachers
  • lack of basic teaching aids
  • no benches and furniture
  • lack of teachers

17. You are Sameer/Sanjana. Write a letter to the editor of a local daily on ‘the acute shortage of water in the summer months’ in about 100–120 words.

You may take help from following hints:

  • Water table falling rapidly
  • Scarce rainwater
  • Unbridled urbanisation
  • Burgeoning population
  • Pollution–groundwater unfit to drink.

18. You are Chandan. You are unhappy to see that many vendors and shopkeepers keep the eatables uncovered. Dust and flies settle on these items. Ignorant people eat them and suffer from serious diseases like food poisonings, typhoid, jaundice, etc. Write a letter to the Editor of a leading newspaper to express your anxiety and suggest remedies in this regard. You could take help from the points given below.

  • The present condition of the vendors
  • Eatables are uncovered people should be aware
  • Health Dept. sleeps over the problem
  • Quick action is required

19. You are Manav. You are distraught with the rising number of crimes against women. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily expressing your concern on the issue. Also suggest measures to quell this menace.

20. Elections are round the corner. Various parties are offering freebies. This practice continues till a day before the elections. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily expressing your disgust at the cheap topics being adopted by political parties to lure the poor towards them just for the sake of securing their votes. You are Ahmed/Ambika.

21. You are Kaizim/Kumud of 148, Raja Nagar, Delhi. You are awaiting your class 12th results. Meanwhile, you would like to do a short–term course on etiquette development. Write a letter to The Director, Personal Care, Hyderabad, enquiring about the course details. (100–120 words)

22. You are Suresh/Sarika Jain of H.No. 20, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur. Two months ago you bought a desert cooler from M/s Cool Home Coolers, Jaipur. Now you discover that it is not working properly. Write a letter to The Manager (Customer Care) complaining about the malfunctioning of the unit and asking them to repair or if needed to replace it against the warranty that goes with it.

23. You are Satish/Sonali, the student prefect in charge of the school library. You have been asked by your Principal to write a letter to place an order for children’s storybooks (10 – 13 years). Write a letter to M.S.Book Depot, Ramnagar, Bikaner placing an order for the books. Invent the necessary details (100–120 words).

24. You are interested in taking a membership at The British Council library in Delhi. Write a letter to The Head Librarian asking for the details and the required procedure. You are Ahmed/Amina.

25. You are Upendra/Rashika staying at 3, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur. Last year you bought a telephone answering system with Çeltel from the ‘Electronic World of Chandigarh. Though it records the caller’s message, it does not save it. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about the problem. Also request him to replace it, if needed, against the warranty that goes with it.

Article Writing Topics for Class 12 CBSE Format, Examples

Article Writing Topics for Class 12 CBSE Format, ExamplesArticles are written to give information in a wide range of contexts for magazines or newspapers. They are a relatively long and sustained piece of writing. They give information on a variety of themes such as describing an event, person, someone’s life and actions, places, and experiences. They can also be an expression of the writer’s opinions on topics of social interest or arguments for or against a topic and they often offer suggestions.

Looking for an easy way to learn English Grammar? then you are in right place. Here we providing basic English Grammar topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc… In this page, we are providing Article Writing Class 12.

Article Writing Topics for Class 12 CBSE Format, Examples Pdf

An article is a piece of writing about a particular subject for a newspaper or magazine. In fact, it is like a direct conversation with the reader. The first thing required in an article is an interesting title to catch the attention of the reader. It should be engaging enough to make the reader go from beginning to end. Make sure that the ideas are well organized. Spend some time in collecting the ideas and organizing them in a proper sequence. An article should end with the summing – up of the points made and drawing a conclusion from that.
Article Writing Topics for Class 12 CBSE Format, Examples

Article Writing Topics for Class 12 With Answers CBSE

Question 1.
Hard work and punctuality are essential for a happy and successful life. They help in meeting the desired targets of our life. You are Kavya/Kanha. Write an article in 150 – 200 words highlighting the importance of hard work and punctuality in a student’s life.
Answer:

Hard work and punctuality in a student’s life
by Kavya

Hard work and punctuality are indispensable in a student’s life to reach the top. Students should develop this habit from the beginning of their life. If they becorrie punctual and hard-working, they can achieve success and happiness in life. So, punctuality and hard work are the requesites in a students life to meet his desired target in life.

Let us take a few examples. If a student comes late to his class, he misses the lesson, and the teacher becomes annoyed with him. Unpunctuality is considered a symbol of rudeness or uncivilized manner. Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo because his marshal was too late to come to his chiefs side. Nelson once said that he owed his success in life due to punctuality.

Hence, hard work and punctuality lead a student to the path of success. So, every student is expected to work hard and do their assigned home work punctuality. Teachers will love him and success will come to him. Indeed, he will be blessed with punctuality.

Question 2.
The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. As a teenager you want India to achieve certain goals in the next ten years. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘India After Ten Years’. You are Prabhu/Prabha. Use the following clues:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Communication
  • Infrastructure
  • Inflation
  • Employment

Answer:

Indian After Ten Years
by Prabhu

What is India today and what will it be after ten years is a question that is constantly engaging the youth of today who are the leaders of tomorrow.

India today is faced with manifold problems such as spread of education, health hazards, communication problems, infrastructure, inflation and unemployment. Though in the next ten years, the situation will not change much, the youth today have better education, better connection with home and abroad, better internet connectivity and wider social networking. It is hoped that in the next ten years, India will add about three times to its present GDP. Life expectancy will cross 70 for both the genders. There will be more traffic and more problems, more pollution. It is also hoped that people living below poverty line will be near zero before the year 2025. Human Development Index will be less than 50 against 127 today. Every youth will have a quality training with globally competitive employable vocation skill.

Question 3.
Our performance in Rio Olympics has told us that we do not pay enough attention to athletics and outdoor games. It is time we revised our attitude. Sports should be an important part of school’s daily routine. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Importance of Outdoor Games’. You are Sreeja/Thomas.
Answer:

Importance of Outdoor Gaines
by SreSja

Outdoor games play an important role in the life of children and adults. These are the sporting . events which involve a lot of physical activity and, since they are played outside, it makes one physically fit too as the whole body gets exercised.

Unfortunately, not much attention is paid to sports either by parents or school authorities. It’s high time we changed our outlook in this regard. It is the need of the hour and should become an integral part of a school’s daily routine. Outdoor sports event help us, especially students in many ways. Students learn the sportsmanship, develop a co – operative attitude and at the same time pick up the competitive spirit. Since it involves obeying rules and following the captain, children learn to form heterogeneous groups and get disciplined.

As the outdoor games are played in groups, there is no room for one’s personal gains or passion. It is the team that comes first and the team spirit that takes the topmost priority. Children, who develop a passion for outdoor sports, then go on to make a mark not only at school level but at regional, national and international level too provided they are given right coaching, guidance and facilities.

Question 4.
Every teenager has a dream to achieve something in life. What they are going to become tomorrow depends on what our youth dream today. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on AVhat I want to be in life’. You are Simranjit/Smita.
Answer:

What I Want to Be in Life
by Simranjit

Every youth has a dream to achieve something in life and I am no different! The idea of dreaming is to do something that has a purpose and adds value to one’s life. I have dreamt of a life where I am happy doing what I am doing as I firmly believe that happiness is the root of all desires. But one can’t be happy doing anything, one has to strive for a goal in life. Happiness requires struggle. One has to take risks and face challenges. Therein lies the effort which people don’t want to do.

My dream has been to go to the US for further studies and take up a job. After being financially sound, I would like to come back to my motherland and give back to the society which has made me what I am today. I could be asked why go to the US if I am so passionate about my country but going to the foreign shores too is part of my dream. I would like to be in a profession where I can serve people of my country.

Question 5.
To have a fair complexion is an obsession in our society. Demand for fair brides in matrimonial columns and sale of fairness creams are evidence enough. Write an article in 150 – 200 words giving your views on ‘Beautiful mind, better than a fair complexion.’ You are Natwar/Nimmi.

  • Use the following clues:
  • the West, people like to be tanned
  • fair complexion, only skin deep
  • beautiful mind
  • attitude to life
  • behaviour in society, etc.

Answer:

Beautiful mind, better than a fair complexion
by Natwar

If we look at the tantalizing matrimonial columns in the leading dailies, we observe great demand for fair brides and ads for sale of fairness creams. It implies, to have a fair complexion is an obsession in our society.

However, our major premise is beautiful mind is better than a fair complexion. First, we will see how our people, especially women folks, are influenced by the west. They tend to follow western culture and enrich facial beauty. But, virtually, this facial make – up is only skin – deep and represents only external beauty of a person. It is absolutely temporary. It only gives us sensual pleasure. A fair complexioned person may or may not possess a beautiful mind.

It all depends on his/her thoughts, deeds and behaviour that reveal what his/her persona is. Beauty of mind is internal and eternal and leads to a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a beautiful soul. These qualities change one’s attitude to life and add to make for a social behaviour. Those who possess these qualities and do beautiful deeds, such as Helen Keller, Vivekananda, B.T. Washington. Beauty lies not in the face, but in the heart. A beautiful mind is better than a fair complexion.

Question 6.
Teenagers are full of energy as well as ideas. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on “How to Channelise the Energy of the Teenagers”. You are Tejinder/Simran. You may use the following clues:

Teenagers curious – full of questions – question elders – sometimes even wrongly – generation gap – may go astray – effect on society – how to channelise – productive hobbies – social work – sports – part-time jobs, etc.

Answer:

How to Channelise the Energy of the Teenagers
by Simran

Teenagers are always curious to know the unknown and to see the unseen. So, engaging children in positive activities like sports, theatre and art is the hour of need. Channelising children’s energy to a positive goal is the primary motive of such initiatives. The teenagers pose a lot of r questions to the elders, sometimes even wrongly. Truly, they possess inquisitive minds.

However, these are different ways to channelise the energy of the teenagers. They can take up productive hobbies like social work take up part – time jobs or engage in sports activities, cleaning local parks, teaching underprivileged children. Sports camp can teach them team building and ‘ develop their organisational and leadership skills. Reading books can also inspire the teenagers in positive ways and make them understand human values.

Generation gap many a time, leads the youth to go astray. It is a must to channelise the energy of the teenagers in the right direction, so that they can utilise their energy in good and productive works in life.

Question 7.
Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the country during the monsoon season laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness. The poor had to bear the brunt of the problem while no one was ever held accountable. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on the common man’s woes during the monsoons and the need for accountability of the officials concerned. You are Sumit/Smita Verma.
Answer:
\

Common Man’s Woes during Monsoons
by Smita Verma

There have been floods in many metropolitan cities during the monsoon season this year. There was chaos everywhere; roads were heavily damaged as they had been badly made. There were many potholes at almost all the roads in the cities. Fallen trees further added to the mess on the roads. Several hundred people were afflicted with malaria, dengue, chikungunya, typhoid and viral fever. The poor people were the worst affected as they had become homeless due to j washing away of their kutcha houses.

These floods had laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness to face disasters. The poor had to bear the brunt ; of the problem while none of the civic authorities were held accountable. It is high time the civic authorities took some concrete measures to’fight the menace caused by floods. Hospitals should be geared up to meet all challenges and should be adequately stocked with medicines. Civic authorities should ensure timely collection of garbage and clear all blocked drains on a i war – footing. Only then can there be some semblance of normalcy.

Question 8.
Sindhu, Sakshi, Saina and Deepa, all daughters of India have put those to shame who do not love a girl child. If they are given education, encouragement and proper training, the daughters can bring name, fame and support to the family. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Save and ‘ Love a Girl Child’. You are Raman/Geeta.
Answer:

Save and Love a Girl Child
by Geeta

It is well said that if they are given good education, encouragement and proper training, the daughters can bring name, fame and support to the family. But the irony of it all is that the girl child is fighting a great battle for survival. The very existence of the girl child is under threat.

Without recognising the feminine aspect of divinity, one cannot claim to know Ggd. To recognise the feminine, it is necessary to restore wholeness, completeness and universality, ‘Save and Love a Girl Chid’. But, alas!

Girl child, the God’s most divine creation, is a victim of gender discrimination in our country. Such is the irony of fate that ‘the hand that rocks the cradle, the procreator and mother of tomorrow, is today the one of the gravest concerns facing humanity.

Today, the girl child is facing several challenges such as child marriage, child labour, slavery, right to education, molestation, etc. These problems can lesson if the daughter is given equal opportunity, proper education and encouragement to improve her quality of life. It is necessary to create general awareness and change the mindset of the people towards the girl child. The hour of need is to let daughters of India unite and put those to shame to those who do not love a girl child.

Question 9.
India is a land of diversity. One way in which it makes us feel proud of it is the number of festivals we enjoy. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Festivals of India’. You are Karuna/Karan.
Answer:

Festivals of India
by Karuna

India is a country of cultural and traditional festivals. It has many festivals and religions. These are celebrated all across the country with a lot of fervour, great passion and joy and have become important part of our lives. There are mainly three types of festivals celebrated in India – national, religious apd seasonal. Each has its own significance and meaning and gives immense happiness to different sections of people at different times of the year.

The patriotic fervour abounds around the time of the three national festivals. The Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti are celebrated as our three national festivals. During the religious and seasonal festivals, apart from the fact that all are celebrated with great aplomb, a lot of brotherhood is generated among all, family and friends get together, people from different religions wish and participate thereby ushering a feeling of camaraderie and togetherness.

The other important festivals are Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Eid, Durga Puja, Mahavir Jayanti, Janmashtami, Buddhpurnima, etc. to just name a few. All festivals celebrated in India promote national integration and bring harmony and peace in our society.

Question 10.
Rising pollution, fast and competitive lifestyle, lack of nutritious food, etc. have caused health woes for a large section of our population. Providing health care used to be a charitable and ethical activity. Today it has become commercialized, a money spinning business. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘How to provide proper health care to the common man’. You are Karan/ Karuna.
Answer:

How to Provide Proper Health Care to the Common Man
by Karan

It is true that health care which used to be an ethical and charitable activity earlier has now become commercialized. It is a boon for the rich but a curse for the poor. India is a developing country where most people are below the poverty line and depend on government hospitals for treatment. Private hospitals are costly as they are equipped with the latest machines and technology, whereas the government hospitals having the best doctors lack basic facilities such as sanitation, drinking water and beds.

What ails the health care system is the large population, overcrowding in hospitals and lack of facilities, whereas for the private sector it’s a money – spinning business. But how will the common man get the benefits of good health care system? This is an uphill task, but not impossible. Every problem comes with a solution provided there is a will to find thp solution.

To start with, the government can tie up with private hospitals on conditions suitable tq both. Stricter laws to be enforced for the private medical sector and stringent punishment for the offenders, So, to create health awareness among the common people is very important. In fact, the need of the hour is also to open more government hospitals and provide health care in schools too. The focus should be the welfare of common people as all have a right to good and healthy living.

Question 11.
Education has always been a noble profession. Our ancestors received their learning at gurukuls and ashrams. Even in the near past pathshalas (schools) were associated with places of worship, Today, education is fast becoming commercialised. Parents have to shell out a lot of money on coaching classes, tuition fees etc. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘The State of Education, Today’. You are Karan/Karuna.
Answer:

The State of Education, Today
by Karan

Education that was driven by devotion and thought is no more a noble profession today. It has become commercialized which should be a matter of concern for one and all. Gone are the days when the educational institutes were like places of worship; there were gurukuls and ashrams where our ancestors received their learning. Look at our education system today where things are not going as they should have been. Today private schools and coaching centres are prospering, have become a great source of generating profits, money spinning businesses and the sad part is that parents too feel compelled owing to today’s highly competitive world to spend any amount of money on their children to get to these institutes.

Private schools which are mushrooming in every part of the country are charging exorbitant fee; parents, who can afford, are sending their children as they want to live their dreams through them unmindful of the pressures they are creating. There is the ‘capitation fee’ being charged by higher educational institutes which is nothing but a price for selling education. There is a strong need to change the basics of education system in order to revive the real importance of it.

Question 12.
According to 2011 census, literacy rate of hundred per cent or around has been achieved by only a couple of states in India. Illiteracy is found mostly among the old and the deprived sections of society. What can the youth do to spread literacy in society? Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Role of students in eradicating illiteracy’. You are Karuna/Karan.
Answer:

Role of Students in Eradicating Illiteracy
by Karuna

Students can play a crucial role in removing illiteracy which continues to exist at an appalling scale in our country. India has 29 states, and only a couple of them have achieved hundred per cent literacy. India has been a free nation for nearly seventy years now. Illiteracy gives birth to many issues such as poverty, unemployment, child labour, female foeticide, and population boom. It is mostly found in old people and the deprived sections of society who have little access to this basic right.

Although several concerted efforts have also been made on the part of the government to deal with illiteracy, a lot still remains to be done. And that is where the role of our educated youth comes in. They can share their experiences with illiterate people, give interesting talks on the importance of literacy, stage street plays to remove their superstitions and hollow beliefs, organize short baithaks to teach how to read and write. They can also join hands with educational institutions, National Literacy Mission, NGOs and others to help the country achieve hundred per cent literacy rate which is not an insurmountable task given the fact that our youth form a sizable chunk of the country’s population and is its backbone.

Question 13.
In spite of 24 – hour news on TV, the morning newspaper has not lost its relevancejn the daily life of the common man. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Print media and TV news’. You are Karuna/Karan.
Answer:

Print Media and TV News
by Karuna

The familiar sound of a newspaper dropped on one’s doormat every morning is linked in thousands of minds with the inviting feeling of crackling open the fresh pages of newsprint while taking the first few sips of one’s favourite morning brew. But with the television just a click away and lives getting busy, particularly with the morning rush hour hurdle, this familiar scene is receding like a fading rainbow, according to popular accounts. Yet the facts are different. According to the 59th Annual Media.

Report by the government there was an increase of 5.8% in print media belying the diminishing appeal of newspapers, emphasizing the leap ahead taken by the regional language readership. Even in metro cities, the general consensus of opinion states that television is for viewing serials in one’s leisure but the nose for news can only be satisfied after one has glanced at a newspaper.

A television news flash is like immediate gratification for the here and now moment. When one wants to go into the depth of a subject or even refers to something which has been reported earlier, the newspaper continues to be the ideal choice for readers.

Question 14.
Charity begins at home. If we want a clean India (Swachch Bharat) we have to begin with ourselves, make individual efforts not to make our surroundings dirty. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘Role of individuals in society to keep our environment clean’. You are Karan/Karuna.
Answer:

Role of Individuals in Keeping Our Environment Clean
by Karan

The desire to have a clean India throb in every heart but not everyone knows the golden key to unlock this burning desire within us. Perhaps the best option is to not to look over one’s shoulder for change but to be the change oneself. In other words, by adopting certain measures of cleanliness one can set an example and see the result of our initiative gathering moss along the way. As disposal of household litter is a daily problem, determining not to litter the streets and putting our garbage where it can be collected easily, will ensure that litter does not get scattered around.

Instead of dumping all our throwaways into one package, it is best to organize garbage at home for recycling, before disposal. To keep trees healthy and tended in the neighbourhood, encourage your neighbours to plant trees. Alternately they can adopt a tree and keep it well maintained and clean off wild growth around itg roots. Conserving water and not keeping taps on unnecessarily are norms to follow. Also, keeping the car in the garage and cycling to fetch the day’s necessities from the market will keep the neighbourhood environment clean.

Question 15.
India is a large country having a very rich cultural tradition. It has the potential to provide great geographical and cultural diversity. Even then we have not been able to attract tourists to the extent that even the small countries have been able to do. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on how to promote tourism in the country. You are Mohan/Mohini.
Answer:

Growth Of Tourism Industry In India
by Mohan

The name of our country is known to the world. From the heights of the Himalayas in the north to the vastness of Indian Ocean in the south, from the desert of the west to the hills of the east, India has the potential to be a tourist’s attraction. India has its own unique culture, be it the dances of Rajasthan or the coast of the south, be it the beauty of Kashmir valley or the sunbath beaches of Goa.

The tourist industry today is seeing a new thrust in its promotion. However, internal factors like lack of security, patriarchal mindset and violence in the society are some problems which hinder the growth of tourism industry. The international view of Delhi is the ‘rape capital of India’ and I the instances of ‘terror acts’ and ‘instability in Kashmir Valley’ are reasons for lack of tourists in our country. But the failure of the system is also one of the factors impeding the promotion of the rich cultural and geographical diversity of India. The government, first of all, needs to provide internal security to the tourists and improve the international image of India. It should ‘ also allow new reforms to take care of natural and monumental heritage of our country.

The tourism ministry needs to create projects which provide rich experiences to the tourists and not just the sightseeing spots. More investment is needed for building the infrastructure such as roads and access points.

The most important factor that the government needs to work on is an aggressive tourism marketing strategy. There is no doubt that a promising tourism industry also helps in improving the economy of the country. We need to capitalize on India as a destination where the Royal Bengal Tiger, common labourer, a few millionaires, religious dichotomies, exotic culinary treasures and some of the most expensive spas of the world co – exist.

Question 16.
Write an article in 150 – 200 words on how we can make India a carefree and enjoyable place for women when they can go wherever they like to without any fear of being stared at, molested or discriminated against. You are Navtej/Navita.
Answer:

India – A Safe Place For Women
by Navtej

Each time our eyes hit the newspaper, the headlines provoke outrage with the narrative of gang [ rapes, violence, molestations and harassment of women. The women who comprise nearly half of our population, are still subject to violence and discrimination. Women continue to live in fear and under domination of men in India.

When we talk of freedom and independence of the country from the outside forces we are proud of what we have achieved today but women who were equal contributors to the freedom struggle continue to remain shackled by chains of patriasphal mindset. Women are often denied their freedom of choice. Nobody asks a girl what her dreams are or what role she aspires to play in . life. Rather her status is confined to the conventional roles that the society has assigned her.

To make this country a free and enjoyable place for women, we first need to empower the police and government in order to provide a safe environment to women so that they can travel wherever and whenever they want. We also need to improve our law and order situation and get serious about investigation, prosecution and trials. More investment needs to be made in promoting equality and improving ways for the women to take a stand for themselves.

The quality of freedom is not merely the implementation of rules and laws. Freedom emerges from liberty. It is only when the mindset of people changes and women are treated as equal to men that they will get a carefree and enjoyable atmosphere to be in. Men need to change their attitude towards women and only then we can create a truly safe and free country for one and all.

Question 17.
Emotionally as well as intellectually, a woman is as good as a man if not better. Yet we don’t allow her the same status as a man enjoys in society. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on “Status of Women in Society”. You are Navtej/Navita.
Answer:

Status of Women in Society
by Navtej

Women today are beset by paradoxes. On the one hand, they are portrayed as goddesses and, on the other, they are denied basic rights. For years, women have chosen broken dreams and broken bones over broken marriages. Despite various laws about domestic violence, female foeticide, rape and sexual harassment, girls and women, across the country, still continue to suffer.

The need of the hour is that we draw our attention to the centrality of the role women have played in the development of our civilization. Can we sustain a future without giving them their dues? It is true that in the present times, their social status is that of a marginalized community but this does not take away the fact that there can be no society without women. In fact, demographic, sociological and historical studies clearly indicate that for a just society there needs to be equality in sex – ratio at. birth and at workplace.

The parity in terms of employment, education, political and social status would not just boost economic productivity and guarantee a balanced and morally just society but also salvage the. right to equality. A woman’s responsibility cannot be restricted to her role as a homemaker and mother. The paradigm shift lies in changing our perception and acknowledging and accepting their immense contribution to shaping a society and the world at large.

The winds of change are blowing everywhere. Perhaps we will choose to be guided by the examples of Indira Gandhi, Indira Nooyi, Chanda Kochar, Bachendri Pal, Mary Kom or even the concerted efforts of women organizations like Sri Mahila Grah Udyog Lijjat Papad and Sewa. Women constitute almost half of the electorate and 35% parliamentarians with the increasing demand of reserving 50% of seats in the Parliament for them.

No doubt change can be seen. Be it the struggle of Malala Yousufzai or the verdict of the Nirbhaya case. But the real change will come when young girls of today raise their voice and come forward to make a place for themselves in all walks of life. Only then will we see an equal world where men and women walk shoulder ‘to shoulder with each other.

Question 18.
Children tend to become tense and nervous befor& the board exams. This affects their health and performance in the examination. Good counselling is, therefore, needed to help them overcome exam fear. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on the ‘Need for Counselling Before Board Exams.’ You are Gobind/Gobindi.
Answer:

Need for Counselling Before Board Exams
by Gobind

Every year with board exams approaching, schools and colleges work hard to prepare their students. While educational institutions compete hard to ensure good results, they also make sure their students don’t face stress. The stress that the Board exams have started creating is a recent phenomenon, which is primarily due to the highly competitive world we are heading into. Students often make securing high marks in boards an issue of life and death. This is also because the cut – off of many colleges is so high that many children miss their chance of studying in it and, therefore, are under pressure from parents, families and friends.

All these pressures affect the mental health of children as they become nervous before the exams, so much so they become even mentally blank and forget as they appear for a paper. Therefore, counselling before the board exams is very essential for better performance and health of the children. These counselling sessions give children some mental support and strength to use their energy in a positive manner. Most schools are now taking to these counselling sessions for better results. These counselling sessions are not only for students but also for parents. A counsellor in these sessions does not only talk and try to de – stress the child but also guides him to adopt a better lifestyle. Only counselling before board exams can help children deal with stress and not lose this important phase of life.

Question 19.
A newspaper report on a recent terrorist attack in your locality shattered you. You decided to write an article in a local daily on terrorist attacks and the need to maintain harmony and peace in society. Write the article in 150 – 200 words. You are Madhav/Meena.
Answer:

Towards A Harmonious Society
by Madhav Mathur

Acts of terrorism are on the rise across the world. The recent act of terror in my locality shattered me completely and forced me to question humanity in our society. The radical people who conduct these acts have the sole purpose of creating fear among the people.

The tragedy of our times is that we live in a world where every day we hear about terror attacks. From the United States, to France, to Baghdad, to India, every country is facing a threat from terrorism. The act of terror in Peshawar which killed school children, to Mumbai where innocent children were targeted are all a reflection of growing violence and hatred. Our society seems to have forgotten that the basis of human civilization is peace and brotherhood.

These terror acts become a success not only when they take innocent lives but also when we lose hope in harmony and become violent like them to take revenge. The only manner in which we can show terrorists that their attempts have failed is by showing them that our society is still defined by peace and harmony.

We need to rise beyond categorizing terrorism on the basis of religious groups because it is an act against the entire humanity. Therefore, the only way to defeat it is to strengthen the values of humanity.

If this is a war that humanity is fighting against terrorism, then we need to inculcate values of togetherness and unity. We need to create a society which is defined not by our differences but by our common hope.

Question 20.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I regard the English language as an open window for peeping into Western thought and science.” Write an article in 150 – 200 words on: ‘The Usefulness of English Language in India.’ You are Navin/Naina. [Foreign 2014
Answer:

Usefulness of English Language in India
by Navin Upadyaya

As the world today has become a global village and people are interacting with each other across national/regional boundaries, the one language which connects the world is English.

The use of English language in India is not new. Even during the freedom struggle, when India was divided into various regions, the one language which helped bind the people of India was English. Gandhi regarded Hindi as the language of India and also accepted that English is an open window to peep up in the western thoughts and sciences.

Gandhi’s word appears true today. As English is a medium of education in schools and colleges across India, it has given people an opportunity to look at the Western world. Many scientific developments happened due to knowledge of English in India. India has the largest English speaking population in the world. The youth of today, as part of the globalised world, are making the best use of it in their career choices. English indeed is a language which borrows from all languages without losing its own identity, a principle that can be aptly applied to life as well.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

In this article we are providing Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Extra Questions and Answers PDF Class 10 English First Flight CBSE, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

Extract Based Questions [3 Marks each]

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1.
 10th May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days 1 had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. [CBSE2015]
(a) Who were coming and for what before the inauguration?
(b) What happened on the inauguration?
(c) Find out the word that means the same ‘commencement’ from the passage.
(d) Find the word from the passage which means ‘an open space surround by sloping land’.

Answer:
(a) Dignitaries and world leaders were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration.
(b) On the inauguration the first ever democracy, a non-racial government was installed as a victory of good or evil.
(c) The word is ‘inauguration’.
(d) The word is ‘ampitheater’.

Question 2.
On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first Deputy President. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well-being of the republic and its people.
(a) Who accompanied Nelson Mandela on the inauguration?
(b) Who took the oath before Mandela? For what?
(c) Find out the word from the passage that has the same meaning as ‘maintain’.
(d) ……. means a small platform that a person stands on when giving a speech etc.
Answer:
(a) Zenani, the daughter of Nelson Mandela accompanied him on the inauguration.
(b) Mr Deklerk and Mr Thabo Mbeki took oath before Nelson Mandela as the second and first deputy president respectively.
(c) The word is ‘uphold’.
(d) The word is ‘podium’.

Question 3.
We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.
We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is after all a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
(a) What does ‘we’ refer in the first line of the passage?
(b) What did the people of South Africa achieve at last?
(c) The word ‘bondage’ means …… in the passage.
(d) Give a synonym of ’emancipation’.

Answer:
(a) ‘We’ refers to the people of South Africa in the first line of the jpassage.
(b) The people of South Africa achieved their political emancipation at last.
(c) The word bondage means slavery in the passage.
(d) ‘Freedom/liberation’ is a synonym of emancipation.

Question 4.
A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings.
It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new
government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before, the highest generals of South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke Trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.
(a) What did the highest generals do in the event?
(b) What did the smoke trail of Impala symbolise?
(c) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as adorned.
(d) is a line or pattern in the shape of ‘V’ signifying victory.
Answer:
(a) The highest generals of defence and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty to him.
(b) The smoke trail of Impala symbolised the new national flag of South Africa.
(c) The word is ‘bedecked’.
(d) Chevron.

Question 5.
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the 20th century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned people’s of South Africa patched up their differences and created a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the 20th centuryrand my own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned for ever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin. That day had come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people, people whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid.
(a) What happened after Anglo-Boer war?
(b) On what basis the structure of new government created?
(c) Pick the word in the passage which has the same meaning as ‘submerged’.
(d) What is the meaning of the phrase ‘to patch up the differences’?

Answer:
(a) After Anglo-Boer war, the white people of South Africa erected a system of racial discrimination against the black people of their own land.
(b) New government was created as the recognition of the rights and freedoms of all peoples regardless of the colour of their skin.
(c) The word is ‘overwhelmed’.
(d) The meaning is ‘to settle some dispute’.

Question 6.
The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended, effect, ‘ and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time-men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Perhaps it reguires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.
(a) What did the policy of apartheid create?
(b) According to Mandela, what is the greatest wealth?
(c) Find out the word in the passage which means ‘large-heartedness.’
(d) Pick out the word from the passage which means to treat somebody/something cruelly and unfairly.

Answer:
(a) The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in the country and its people.
(b) According to Mandela the people of his nation are the greatest wealth, not the gems or minerals.
(c) The word is ‘generosity’.
(d) The word is ‘to oppress’.

Question 7.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, – perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”
(a) How does Mandela define the brave?
(b) Which was the grimmest time for Mandela?
(c) Find a word similar in meaning to ‘victory’.
(d) Explain Man’s goodness is flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
Answer:
(a) Mandela defines the brave as the one who has the courage to conquer fear.
(b) When Mandela and his comrades were pushed to their limit behind the bars, it was the grimmest time for him.
(c) The word is ‘triumph’.
(d) It means goodness flows through the human heart constantly: under compulsion, the shadow of selfishness may stop it for a while but it can never be altogether removed.

Question 8.
In life, every man has twin obligations- obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.           [CBSE 2014 ]
(a) What are the obligations that every man has in life?
(b) Why was it impossible for a coloured man to discharge his obligations?
(c) Find the word in the passage which has same meaning as ‘duty’.
(d) A word synonymous with intentions’ is ……… in the passage.
Answer:
(a) Every man has two obligations one is to his family and second to his community and country.
(b) In South Africa if a coloured man tried to fulfil his obligations, he was punished and isolated.
(c) The word is.‘obligation’.
(d) Inclinations.

Question 9.
“I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God. It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a. young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family—the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.”
(a) In what ways was Mandela free?
(b) What kind of freedom did Mandela yearn for as a man?
(c) Give the meaning of the word ‘illusion’?
(d) What do you mean by ‘transitory’.

Answer:
(a) Mandela was free to run in the fields, free to swim in the stream, free to roast mealies and ride the backs of slow moving bulls.
(b) Mandela yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving his potential of earning his life, of marrying and having a family.
(c) Something which appears to be real but isn’t actually so.
(d) Transitory means ‘momentary or impermanent’

Question 10.
“But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free.
I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people.
It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect that animated my life, that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home, that forced a life-loving man to live like a monk. I am no more virtuous or self-sacrificing than the next man, but I found that I could not even enjoy the poof and limited freedoms I was allowed when I knew my people were not free. Freedom is indivisible; the chains on anyone of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.”
(a) Why did Mandela join the African National Congress?
(b) Why did Mandela say that freedom was indivisible?
(c) Find out the word in the passage with the same meaning ‘worthy’.
(d) Which word of English can replace the word ‘animated’ given is the passage without altering its sense.
Answer:
(a) Mandela joined the african national congress because he wanted to fight for the freedom of his people.
(b) Mandela knew that freedom is indivisible because the chains on anyone of his people were chains on all of them.
(c) the word is ‘virtuous’.
(d) the word is compelled/forced.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
What promise does Mandela make in the beginning of opening of his oath-taking speech?
Answer:
Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests as he calls it an occasion of joy and victory for Justice. He promises that the country shall not again experience the oppression of one by another.

Question 2.
What freedom meant to Mandela in childhood? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela was quite limited he considered it to be free to run in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast mealies and ride the board backs of slow moving bulls.

Question 3.
Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphiteatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?
Answer:
It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make the day memorable. So, it took place in, the amphiteatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.

Question 4.
What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in his swearing- in ceremony?
Answer:
Mandela emphasised to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations in his swearing-in ceremony.

Question 5.
What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed?     [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
Mandela always thought that both oppressor and oppressed are deprived of their humanity. Oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while oppressed has no confidence in humanity so both of them need to be liberated.

Question 6.
What do you understand by Apartheid’?
Answer:
‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.

Question 7.
Describe the effect of the policy of apartheid on the people of South Africa.
Answer:
The policy of apartheid could not be considered fortunate for the people of South Africa. It created distance and a deep wound in the country and the people. Many great men like Oliver Tambo, Walttr Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, etc were produced due to the brutality and oppression. They were men of great character

Question 8.
How is courage related to the brave man according to the author of the lesson?
Answer:
The author believes that courage is not the absence of fear, but it is the triumph over it. The brave man is not the one who does not feel fear of any kind but he is the one who has the courage to conquer it.

Question 9.
Could everyone fulfil the obligations personal or social in South Africa?
Answer:
No, everyone was not free to fulfil their obligations because of colour of the skin. If a persoti tried to fulfil their obligations, they were punished and isolated for being a rebellion.

Question 10.
What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
Mandela realised that his brothers and sisters were not free in their own country due to their colour. The freedom of everyone in his society was curtailed. He joined the African National Congress and fought for the freedom.

Question 11.
Why was Nelson Mandela changed into a bold man?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was changed into a bold man due to his . desire of the freedom for his country and his countrymen. He wanted to live a life with dignity as he could not enjoy the limited freedom.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people were subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to discharge their obligations to their own families, community and their country. White people had no compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.

Question 2.
Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and sacrificed their likes for the country’s political independence?
Answer:
Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of thousands of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He thought himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of his country, which would take centuries to heal.
He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They really suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.

Question 3.
What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity?
Answer:
Mandela is right in saying that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity. Both of them are actually the victim of hatred. Everyone is obliged to discharge their duties whether personal or social but without freedom a man cannot do so. The person who snatches this freedom of a man is really an oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. He has lack of humanity. But this is the same with a person who is oppressed by other.

Question 4.
Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also describe his feelings for them?
Answer:
In the chapter the author has talked about two obligation for every man. The first obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and children. The second is towards his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfil these obligations.
But being a black coloured person in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his obligations and got punished if he tried to do that.
Being a child the author never thought of such obligations but after he did so, he fought for the people and the country to be free and enjoy their freedom of performing their duties personal and social.

Question 5.
Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is important for the growth of civilisation and humanism as described in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom’. [CBSE2014]

Answer:
Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom is natural to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and not allowed to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else. For instance the value of freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the bars most of his life. Think about a bird or animal which is caged as they have the habit of living with full freedom but in the cage they are not free and their conditions are very pitiable. Similarly, life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of civilisation as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in the atmosphere of freedom.

For More Resources

The Last Lesson Important Questions Class 12 English

The Last Lesson Important Questions CBSE Class 12 English

In this page, you can find The Last Lesson Extra Questions and Answers Class 12 English Flamingo

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. What tempted Franz to stay away from school? (Delhi 2014; Medtffot)
Answer. Franz feared a scolding at school as he had not prepared hte lesson on participles, on which his French teacher M Hamel was to question the class that day. Besides* the warm and bright weather, the chirping of birds and the watching the drill of Prussian soldiers also tempted Franz to stay away from school.

Question.2. What was unusual about M Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had put on his ceremonial clothes on his last day in the school. He was wearing a beautiful green coat, a frilled shirt, and a little black embroidered silk cap. This was a special ceremonial attire which he usually wore on days of inspection and prize distribution.

Question.3. Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz? (Compartment 2014)
or
“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” What were the words that shocked
and surprised the narrator? : (Delhi 2013)
Answer. M Hamel told his students that it was their last French lesson, as an order had come from Berlin that henceforth only German was to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This announcement seemed to be a thunderclap to Franz. He was left in surprise and shock to learn that a new master was going to arrive the next day and they would learn German instead of their mother tongue.

Question.4. Who were sitting on the back benches during M Hamel’s last lesson? Why? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why had the villagers come to school on the day of the last lesson? (Foreign 2008)
or
Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom? (Allindia 2014)
Answer. Some of the elderly people from the village were sitting on .the back benches during M Hamel’s last lesson. The villagers had come there to attend his last lesson as it was their way of paying respect to the master, who had given forty years of faithful service to the school.

Question.5. Why does M Hamel reproach himself for his students, unsatisfactory progress in
Studies? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had been rather irregular as a teacher. He took leave whenever he wanted to. Besides, he had often sent the students to water his plants, and whenever he wanted to go fishing, he just gave them a holiday. So, he reproaches himself for his students’ unsatisfactory progress in studies.

Question.6. What shows M Hamel’s love for the French language? (Foreign 2014)
or
What did M Hamel tell them about the French language? What did he ask them to
do and why? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. In his last lesson, M Hamel told the students that the French language was the most beautiful language in the world—the clearest and the most logical. He asked them to guard it amongst themselves and never forget it, because when a people were enslaved, as long as they held fast to their language, it was as if they had the key to their prison.

Question.7. What words did M Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing the last class?
What did they mean? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. Before dismissing the last class, M Hamel turned to the blackboard, and wrote the phrase, ‘Vive La France!’ as large as he could. These words meant ‘Long live France’, and spoke of M Hamel’s great love for his country and his deep sense of patriotism.

Question.8. What made M Hamel cry towards the end of his last lesson? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had taught French at the school for the last forty years. He was emotionally attached to the school and everything in and about it. He was really heartbroken to leave it all. Besides, his own predicament reminded him that his country would soon lose its independence. All this made him cry towards the end of his last lesson.

Question.9. How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last French lesson? (Delhi 2013)
or
What announcement did M Hamel make? What was the impact of this on Franz?
(All India 2011)
or
‘‘This is your last French lesson.” How did Franz react to this declaration of M Hamel? (Delhi 2010)
or
What changes came over little Franz after he heard M Hamel’s announcement?
(All India 2010)
or
What did the French teacher tell his students in his last French lesson? What impact did it have on them? (All India 2009)
Answer. The French teacher M Hamel announced that he would be teaching his last French lesson that day because the orders had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. On hearing this, all the students as well as Franz felt very sorry that they would not be learning their mother tongue in future. Franz regretted not having learnt his lessons. Earlier his books seemed a nuisance to him, but at that moment they became very dear to him.

Question.10.What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it cause in the school?
(AU India 2013)
or
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school? (Delhi 2012)
or
What was the mood in the classroom when M Hamel gave his last French lesson?
(Delhi 2009)
Answer. The order from Berlin stated that only German will be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order effected many changes, as an unusual silence prevailed in the school, compared to the hustle and bustle earlier. M Hamel became soft in speaking to the students, while the people realised the importance of their language. The villagers even attended the school to show respect to M Hamel.

Question.11. How did M Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town?
(All India 2012)
Answer. At the end of his ‘Last Lesson’,. M Hamel stood up to say farewell to his students and the people of the town. He tried to speak, but overwhelming emotion choked his voice. He then wrote as large as he could on the blackboard ‘Vive La France’; then he dismissed the class with a gesture with his hand.

Question.12. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school that day? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. Franz was expected to be prepared with participles that day. His teacher M Hamel, was to question him on the topic. Franz had not learnt his lessons and feared to be scolded by him.

Question.13. What had been put up on the bulletin-board? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. Since the last two years the bulletin-board had news of lost battles, the draft and the orders of the commanding officer. On that day a notice had been put up stating that orders from Berlin were to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.

Question.14. Who did M Hamel blame for the neqlect of leaminq on the part of boys like Franz?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. M Hamel blamed himself for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz. He himself was not quite regular and took leave whenever he needed it, which reflected on the behaviour and studies of the students. He also blamed their parents for not taking mterest in their education.

Question.15. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What does
this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen? (All India 2011)
Answer. This shows that the Frenchmen were full of hatred and desperation against the Germans. Besides, they feared German atrocities. They thought that they would be forced to read German and no one will be spared.

Question.16. Mention two thingsLabout M Hamel that surprised Franz on his last day at school.
(Foreign 2009)
Answer. M Hamel didn’t scold Franz for being late; instead he told him very kindly to go to his place. Also, that day he was dressed in his best clothes; he was in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and little black silk cap with embroidery, which he wore only on inspection or prize days.

Question.17. How was the scene in the school in the morning of the last lesson different from that
on other days? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. Usually, there used to be great hustle and bustle when the school began. The din of opening and closing of the desks, lessons being repeated in unison and the rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table, could be heard out in the street. But that day, it was all very quiet and still as on a Sunday morning.

Long Answer Type Question (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. What changes did the narrator find in the school when the order from Berlin came?
(Ail India 2008)
Answer. The order from Berlin prohibited teaching of French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Instead, German was to be taught in the schools. Franz was late for school that day. He noticed that the hustle and bustle was missing. There was no opening and closing of desks, no repetition of lessons or rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table could be heard. It was all very quiet and still.
Franz was further surprised because, instead of meeting an angry teacher, he was welcomed by a kind and polite teacher, who was dressed in his best clothes, a beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and an embroidered silk cap, which he wore only on inspection and prize days. The back benches were occupied by the village people who never came to school, as they were more concerned about their livelihood. He was further astounded to know that , M Hamel was going to teach his last lesson that day.

Important Questions for Class 12 English

Unseen Passage for Class 10 Discursive CBSE With Answers

Unseen Passage for Class 10 Discursive CBSE With AnswersDiscursive Writing Definition
Discursive Writing: expresses opinions. It can be argumentative, i.e. may give reasons, explanations, or explore cause and effect relationship. Passages of this kind are analytical. Sometimes the author presents his views with great depth of reasoning or force of argument with the intention of convincing the reader to his point of view. Such texts have great persuasive power.

Unseen Passage for Class 10 Discursive CBSE With Answers Pdf

Looking for an easy way to learn English Grammar? then you are in right place. Here we providing basic English Grammar topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc…

Discursive Passage for Class 10 With Answers Pdf

1. Read the passage carefully.

1. Every time a child takes a soft drink, he’s laying the ground work for a dangerous bone disease. No, fizzy and sugary drinks don’t cause osteoporosis. But, because they are often a substitute for a glass of milk, kids are not getting the calcium and vitamin D they need to build a strong skeleton. Many of them also lead a sedentary lifestyle, so they aren’t getting the bone building benefits for vigorous exercise either. These children tend to suffer from brittle bones and tend to suffer from fractures later on in life. They could be at a risk of being diagnosed with osteoporosis at an early age.

2. The Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research, a body of osteoporosis experts is trying to spread awareness about this bone crippling disease. Osteoporosis starts in childhood but has consequences later in life. The condition causes bones to become riddled with holes, like the framework of a house that’s been attacked by termites. That can lead to broken bones, which in turn can cause deformity, chronic pain or disability.

Osteoporosis can be fatal: up to 25 per cent of older people who suffer a broken hip die within a year. Osteoporosis isn’t just your grandmother’s health threat. Although it strikes over 50 million women in India, it also menaces over 12 million men. Osteoporosis causes loss of height, pain in joints and back, fractures and a fear of fractures, and can be very depressing. So it is important that we adopt preventive measures, to save millions of people.

3. There is a new medical understanding of the best ways to protect ourselves and our children. “Simple lifestyle changes and nutrition will help save your bones,” says Dr. Mittal. To get us moving in the right direction, he says, “It’s never too late to adopt bone-friendly habits—exercise, get enough sunlight, and have adequate calcium.

Answer the following questions carefully.

(i) Why are fizzy and sugary drinks blamed for osteoporosis?
(ii) How do bones get weak?
(iii) Then does osteoporosis become apparent? Why is it called fatal?
(iv) How does osteoporosis affect us?
(y) Which society is spreading awareness about this bone crippling disease?
(vi) What are the bone-friendly habits?
(vii) Find the word in the passage which means ‘deadly’.
(viii) Pickup the word from the passage which could be a synonym for ‘continuing’.
Answer:
(i) These drinks are often a substitute for a glass of milk which leads to osteoporosis.
(ii) Insufficient intake of milk leads to calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Lack of exercise and sedentary life style also contribute and make our bones weak.
(iii) It becomes apparent in old age. It is called fatal because up to 25% of older people who suffer a broken hip die within a year.
(iv) It causes loss of height, pain in joints and back, fractures and fear of fractures, and can be very depressing.
(V) The Indian society for Bone and Mineral Research is spreading awareness about this bone crippling disease.
(vi) Bone friendly habits are-exercise, get enough sunlight and have adequate calcium. (vii) Fatal-means ‘deadly’.
(viii) Chronic.

2. Read the passage carefully.

Child marriages are rampant in North India. The curse continues to blight the lives of people even as the country stands at the threshold of the 21st century. Children bound by marriage are victims of blind customs and superstitions prevalent in rural areas and in certain urban concentrations as well among the weaker socio-economic groups. Nothing seems to stop this anti-social practice despite the Child Marriage Act passed as early as in 1929, which makes child marriage, a grave offence.

Why do marriages take place at all and what could be done to wean the people away from the practice? The evil thrives because of illiteracy and other related causes—the most important of which is the anxiety of parents to marry off their daughters as early as possible. In many states where illiteracy is high, like in Rajasthan, the practice of child marriage is in vogue. ‘Akhha Teej’ is D-day for parents of minor girls, for on that day, they seek their salvation from the anxiety of girls growing up in their midst.

A child marriage is less likely to take place if the parents are literate or at least the father is. He is then aware of the legal minimum age and health hazards his daughter will face by an early marriage. If the mother, otherwise literate, has been exposed to the importance of family planning, she is also less likely to solemnize her daughter’s wedding at an age below the legal minimum.

Among the other factors causing parents to give away young daughters in marriage is the need felt by families having more than one daughter, to keep wedding expenses down. By marrying two daughters at the same time parents save on expenses. Parental anxiety about grown up (14 years and above) daughters going astray, forces the less educated to give away their female children in marriage.

The existing law was amended in 1978 raising the minimum age of marriage for girls from 15 to 18 years and for boys from 18 to 21 years. The committee on the status of women, in its report in 1974, had recommended that all offences under the child marriage restrained Act should be made cognizable and special officers be appointed to enforce the law. The Government however did not pay heed to it while raising the minimum age of marriage. At the same time, there is no foolproof system of registering births and thus, there is no legally enforceable method for establishing the age of a male or female.

The committee also recommended that a girl should be entided to repudiate a child marriage on attaining maturity even if such marriage was consummated. But this remained only a hope which was never implemented by law or in its true spirit. It has never been appreciated that what is needed is social action, especially by social activists and organisations so that the provisions of the legislation are rigorously practised.

The crux of the problem is that the girl child in traditional rural areas is caught in a situation, which is pre-determined and pre-destined. Her role is circumscribed around

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What are the reasons for child marriages in India?
(ii) How can the provisions of the legislation be rigorously practised?
(iii) 1That are the recommendations of the committee on the status of women?
(iv) Why is it often difficult to establish the age of male or female legally?
(y) Which act makes child marriage a grave offence?
(vi) Which is the 1)-day for parents of minor girls in Rajasthan?
(vii) Find the word in the passage which means most vital part of an issue.
(viii) Find the word in the passage which means ‘worry’.
Answer:
(i) Blind customs and superstitions prevalent in certain communities, along with illiteracy and anxiety of parents to marry off their daughters are the reasons for child marriages in India.
(ii) The provisions of the legislation can be rigorously practised if social activists and organisations stood up and took some actions.
(ii) The committee had recommended that all offences under the child marriage restrained Act should be made cognisable and special officers be appointed to enforce law. A girl should be entitled to repudiate a child marriage on attaining maturity even if such marriage was consummated.
(iv) It is often difficult to establish the age of male or female legally as there is no fool proof system of registering birth and thus, there is no legally enforceable method for establishing it.
(v) The Child Marriage Act of 1929 makes child marriage a grave offence.
(vi) ‘Akhha Teej’ is the D-day for parents of minor girls in Rajasthan.
(vii) Crux.
(vii) Anxiety.

3. Read the passage carefully.

An Allergy Alert at the Start of Summer

Like all bad news and the common cold, allergies can pop up when you least expect them. I suddenly developed an allergy to crocin (paracetamol) some years ago after having it all my life to treat everything from headaches to fever and toothache. A seafood-loving friend found himself unable to breathe after having Thai food for dinner. After undergoing a battery of expensive tests, he was told the chest tightness was not caused by a heart attack but by an allergy to shellfish, something he ate once a week and had never reacted to before.

A stuffed or drippy nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy throat, rash, sinus, ear pain, difficulty in breathing, stomach cramps and itchy, red or watery eyes are some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Pollen, dust, polluted outdoor air and indoor pollutants such as dust mites, animal dander, cigarette smoke and mould are among the common environmental pollutants, while other triggers include medicines, paint and chemicals in cleaners and cosmetics such as hair colour and skin creams. Among foods, eight allergens account for almost 90% of food allergies: milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

Most of us wrongly believe that people with allergies are either born with the condition or develop identifiable symptoms in early childhood. You couldn’t be more wrong. An allergy can occur at any time in your life and experts say its prevalence among adults is rising. While most people who develop allergies as adults have experienced some allergic reaction—either to the same or an unrelated trigger before—a few have no history of sensitivity.

In an acute immune reaction, the allergy trigger may be one, but the symptom is usually caused by a combination of factors. Stress, a sterile environment that prevents the body from developing robust natural immunity and lifestyle-induced changes in the body’s hormonal balance are thought to be some triggers. This is borne out by clinical evidence that shows that women are more likely to develop allergies at puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause, all of which point to hormonal causes.

Of course, avoiding the allergy trigger and taking an anti-allergy medication as soon as you can, after exposure to an allergen is the best possible protection. Since pollen levels generally peak in the morning, people with airway sensitivity and asthma should postpone outdoor exercises to later in the day or stick to exercising indoors as deeper and more rapid breathing induced by aerobic exercise causes more pollen and dust being inhaled, which can wreck your airways and lungs. Since air pollutants tend to cling to clothes and hair, changing your clothes when you come home or washing your hair before going to bed lowers exposure.

Allergies in adults can be treated using some anti-allergic medicines. For those who do not respond to the standard treatment, there’s always the option of a series of allergy shots to help the immune system to build up a tolerance to the allergy. In most cases, though, identifying and avoiding the allergen is enough to stay free of trouble.

Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:

(i) What are the common symptoms of an allergic reaction?
(ii) What are among the common environmental pollutants?
(iii) What is an acute immune reaction?
(iv) How can you prevent/treat yourself from getting allergies?
(v) When can an allergy occur?
(vi) When are women more likely to develop allergies?
(vii) Give the opposite of expensive’, (para 1)
(viii) What does the world ‘prevalence’ in para 3 mean?
Answer:
(i) Some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction are: a stuffed or dripping nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy throat, rash sinus, ear pain; difficulty in breathing, stomach cramps and itchy, red or water eyes.
(ii) Common environmental pollutants are: pollen, dust, polluted outdoor air and indoor pollutants such as dust mites, animal dander, cigarette smoke and mould.
(iii) An acute immune reaction is caused by a combination of factors, though the allergy trigger may be one. For example: stress, lifestyle-induced changes, hormonal changes, etc. are thought to be some triggers.
(iv) Avoiding the allergy trigger and taking an anti-allergy medicine as soon as there is exposure to an allergen is the best possible protection. (V) An allergy can occur at any time in our life.
(vi) Women are more likely to develop allergies at puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause.
(vii) ‘Cheap’ is the opposite of expensive.
(viii) It means occurrence’.

4. Read the passage carefully.

Discipline for democracy, development and decency in public life needs no reiteration nor does it require any expert to espouse its cause for personal posse and social solidarity. Discipline should be the order in public life. It is the crying need of the hour. Discipline stands for training, especially of the mind and character, to develop obedience and self-control, in the face of temptation or provocation.

Discipline in public life ensures peace and harmony, which in turn offers the required impetus to the forces of progress and prosperity. No country, big or small, can afford to play duck and drakes with the deity called discipline. All talk of equity or social justices becomes a cry in the wilderness or a pompous promise if the ‘powers that be’ fail to comprehend and carry out the dictates of discipline in all situations. With discipline, all plans, policies and programs are bound to bear fruit. Whenever people in public life or in private enterprise dilute the demands of discipline, most aspirations and achievements go astray, leading to failure and frustration at various levels. Discipline for countries like India which are standing at the threshold of economic breakthrough and a stupendous store of opportunities,‘it’s the most immediate and urgent pre-requisite. Discipline for the rulers and the ruled, is an essential ingredient if we mean business in fields and factories.

The recent outbreak of ‘plague’ and the wrong signals that this ‘limited epidemic sent across the world, was not an act of God as some would like us to believe but the regretful result of unpardonable negligence on the part of civic authorities. The woeful way the routine calls of duty and discipline by paid public servants were given a go-bye, is a matter of shame for one and all. The heaps of garbage in towns, cities and metros that were allowed to rot and their removal left to rag-pickers, speak volumes of the callous attitude towards discipline and devotion to duty. It is high time that we sit up and do serious heart-searching.

The ease with which opposition sponsored ‘Bandhs’ are organised in our country is another area of concern. With discipline in public life under a cloud, the entire socio¬economic momentum is brought to a grinding halt. When such is the sadistic approach towards discipline, there is nothing that can come to our rescue if some bigger calamity overtakes us in future. The remedy of so many ills that afflict us today lies not in tall talk but in the restoration of discipline in public life. Discipline is the only route that can take us to our rightful place among the comity of nations.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What is the advantage of discipline in public life?
(ii) What happens when discipline is diluted in public or private life?
(iii) Why is discipline important for India?
(iv) Why is the entire socio-economic momentum brought to a grinding halt?
(v) How will all plans, policies and programs bear fruit?
(vi) What was the wrong signal about limited epidemic sent across the world?
(vii) Find the word in the passage which means ‘desire to achieve things’.
(viii) Which word in the passage means ‘surprisingly impressive’ or ‘large’?
Answer:
(i) Discipline in public life ensures peace and harmony, which in turn offer impetus to the forces of progress and prosperity.
(ii) When discipline is diluted in public or private life, most aspirations and achievements go astray, leading to failure and frustration at various levels.
(iii) Discipline is an immediate and urgent pre-requisite for India as it is standing at the threshold of economic breakthrough and a stupendous store of opportunities.
(iv) Lack of discipline in public life has brought the entire socio-economic momentum to a griding halt.
(V) All plans, policies and programs will bear fruit only if discipline becomes the way of life.
(vi) The limited epidemic was caused by negligence on the part of civic authorities.
(vii) Aspiration
(viii) Stupendous.

5. Read the passage carefully.

Chirp for the Sparrow, Tweet for the Sparrow

1. They were once everywhere. Chirping and flapping their wings at the window sills, on top of cupboards and on the branches of trees. Where have all the little sparrows gone? This is the most frequently asked question about sparrows these days.

2. The association between humans and the house sparrow dates back to several centuries and no other bird has been associated with humans on a daily basis like the house sparrow. It is a bird that evokes fond memories of childhood and adds freshness to households through its presence. Many bird watchers and ornithologists recall with fondness how the house sparrows gave flight to their passion for observing birds. The nests of sparrow dotted almost every house in the neighbourhood as well as public places like bus stands and railway stations, where they live in colonies and survived on food grains and tiny worms.

3. Unfortunately, the house sparrow has now become a disappearing species. Like all other plants and animals which were once abundant and are now facing an uncertain future, their numbers are also declining across their natural range. A study conducted by the Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam highlighted that the population of sparrows fell by over 60 percent even in the rural areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh. A survey conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology showed that the house sparrow population in Britain has declined by about 58 percent since 1970.

4. Certainly, there is no single reason for the decline of the house sparrow. Scientists and experts say that severe changes in the urban ecosystem in recent times have had tremendous impact on the population of house sparrows whose numbers are declining constantly. Mobile tower radiation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers are aggravating the problem and have been identified as potent sparrow killers.

5. There have been many theories put forward for the almost worldwide decline of the house sparrow. It is said that sparrow chicks, which require insect food for their survival in their early days, have not been getting adequate supply from their parents. This has triggered large scale deaths of chicks leading to gradual decline of their population.

6. Urban landscape too, has been dramatically altered over the years. Old houses, with courtyards in front and backyards, have made way for concrete multistories, with little greenery. No longer are sparrows able to find the tiny nooks, crannies and holes where they used to build their nests.

7. Typically, sparrows were never an issue of concern for us with their diminutive presence in our household. Perhaps, it is this diminutive presence because of which even their gradual disappearance has gone unnoticed. Mohammed Dilavar is rightly called the “sparrow man of India” as he has been successful in drawing the attention of the world towards the declining number of house sparrows.

8. House sparrows are important bio-indicators that their decline is a grim reminder of the degradation of urban environment and the danger from it to the humans in the long run.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) “The association between humans and the house sparrow dates back to several
(v) What did the study conducted by the Andhra University, Vishakapatnam highlight?
(vi) Who conducted a survey in Britain?
(vii) What do you understand by ‘aggravating’ in para 4? (viii) Give the opposite of‘gradual’ in para 7.
Answer:
(i) The house sparrow evokes fond memories of childhood and adds freshness to households through its presence.
(ii) Severe changes in the urban ecosystem in recent times have had tremendous impact on the population of house sparrows. Mobile tower radiation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers are increasing the problem. Inadequate ‘insect food’ for the sparrow chicks is further causing a decline in the number of house sparrows.
(iii) Modern houses lack greenery, there are no courtyards as well. This proves as a major hindrance since the sparrows are unable to find the tiny nooks and crannies where they could build their nests.
(iv) Mohammed Dilavar has been successful in drawing the attention of the world towards the declining number of house sparrows. Therefore, he is called ‘the sparrow man of India’. House sparrows are important bio-indicators. Their decline is a grim reminder of the degradation of urban environment and the danger from it to the humans in the long run.
(v) It highlighted that population of sparrow fell by over 60 per cent in rural areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
(vi) The British Trust for Ornithology conducted a survey in Britain.
(vii) It means exasperating.
(viii) Sudden.

6. Read the passage carefully.

Many of the serious health concerns in modern America can be linked to poor diet. People who regularly consume foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats not only increase their chances of obesity, but also increase their risks of developing heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and several types of cancer. Although some people who regularly consume unhealthy foods do so knowingly, there is also a significant portion of the population that remains under educated about proper nutrition. What is more, individuals who live in food deserts-areas in low-income neighbourhoods that lack easy access to healthy, affordable food-may not even have the opportunity to obtain nutritious food.

Food deserts are located in high-poverty areas, such as sparsely populated rural areas or densely populated, low-income urban centers. Food deserts most often develop when major supermarket chains either relocate out of these areas or simply refrain from building stores there in the first place. Major food retailer chains tend to limit their store locations to wealthier urban or suburban neighbourhoods. This means that those who live in high- poverty areas often also; live miles away from the fresh meats, dairy products, and produce available at supermarkets. Residents of these areas who do not have cars are thus forced to travel long distances on public transportation to do their grocery shopping, or else they are limited to the food available at local convenience stores and gas stations. These types of food retailers often only sell packaged, processed foods that offer little nutritional value.

Furthermore, less food restaurants are disproportionately concentrated in low-income areas; recent estimates suggest that those living in the poorest areas of a city experience 2.5 times more exposure to fast food restaurants than the wealthiest inhabitants of the city. Because individuals who live in food deserts tend to get their meals from fast food restaurants or convenience stores, they often suffer from a variety of health issues. Research has found that individuals who live in low-income neighbourhoods are much more likely to develop problems with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension than those who live in more affluent neighbourhoods.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) Why is ‘poor diet’ a serious health concern in modern America?
(ii) How are food deserts and major food retailer chains related?
(iii) What difficulties do people who live in high-poverty areas face?
(iv) Why do people living in low income areas suffer greatly from a variety of health issues?
(v) Where are food deserts located?
(vi) What are ‘low-income neighbourhoood’ more likely to develop?
(vii) Find a word in the passage which means the same as ‘utility’
(viii) Write the antonym for ‘disproportionately’. (Para 3)
Answer:
(i) It is a serious health concern because it leads to obesity, increases risks of developing heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and several types of cancer.
(ii) Food deserts often develop when major supermarket chains either relocate out of these areas or simply refrain from building stores.
(iii)Residents of high-poverty areas who do not have cars are forced to travel long distances on public transportations to do their grocery shopping or else limit themselves to the food available at local convenience stores and gas stations.
(iv) The people living in low income areas suffer greatly from a variety of health issues because they tend to get their meals from fast food restaurants or convenience stores.
(V) Food deserts are located in high-poverty areas.
(vi) They are more likely to develop obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
(vii) Convenience.
(vii) Equally.

7. Read the passage carefully.

Not too long ago, a group of teachers made a study of the students and learning problems. A curious fact came out of this study. The teachers discovered that the students who did poorly in subjects such as Maths or Art could still do very well in other subjects. But the students who did poorly in reading, almost did poorly in all their other courses.

For a while the teachers who made the study were puzzled by this, but they soon had an answer to this puzzle. The teachers looked at the subjects that the students were failing in and discovered that even subjects like Maths and Science were based on reading.

Of course, there were also other skills involved such as learning to add and subtract in Maths class. Most of the-explanations of how to do things had to be read by the students. Much of the home-work assignments required students to read long sets of directions and tests and, problems in class often involved story problems, problems that were explained in words and had to be read and understood before they could be solved. Your success or failure in these classes will depend on your ability to read the required material.

Finally, if you go to college, almost all your study time will be spent in reading. You need more and more information and most of these information come from the printed material you have to read. Even if you could get tapes or movies containing all the information, you need to know that they would not be of much help until and unless you know how to read. Magazines and books may all be on microfilm in the next few years, but they will still have to be read. The same is true of most of what you have to learn in school. Your school is probably not going to throw all printed material out of the window very soon.

Success in school courses still depends on an ability to read and those students, who cannot read or at least read well enough to master material, are in trouble. You are moving into a world where everyday more and more technical reading is required. Instructions for using applications are becoming more complex. There are written instructions to follow, for food preparations, traffic signs, travel directions and safety information, all requiring the ability to read. People in modern society read hundreds and even thousands of words everyday.

Also your ability to get and keep a job is directly related to your ability to read. Even the simplest jobs require some reading ability, and many people advance to more important and better paying jobs by getting additional knowledge and skills through reading. The more specialised the job, the greater the need to read confidently, quickly and efficiently. Doctors read professional journals so that they can use the latest medical knowledge in treating patients while pharmacists have to read the prescriptions the doctors write. Lawyers spend their days reading briefs.

The number of semiskilled and professional occupations that require high reading ability is increasing rapidly. Today a person who cannot read is almost unemployable.

Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What did the study of a group of teachers reveal?
(ii) How are instructions for using applications becoming more complex?
(iii) How is reading ability helping various professionals in their fields?
(iv) What is the most essential pre-requisite to keep a job? What is a man considered without the skill of reading?
(v) What does your success or failure in classes depend on?
(vi) What changes can be seen in the instructions for using applications’?
(vii) Find the word from the passage which means ‘strange’.
(viii) Write the antonyms of ‘simple’.
Answer:
(i) The students who did poorly in reading almost always did poorly in all other subjects.
(ii) There are written instructions to follow, for food preparations, traffic signs, travel directions and safety information, all requiring the ability to read.
(iii) Doctors read professional journals to be abreast with latest medical knowledge in treating patients, pharmacists read doctor’s prescriptions and lawyers read briefs.
(iv) Most essential pre-requisite to keep a job is one’s ability to read. A person who cannot read is almost unemployable.
(V) It depends on our ability to read the required materials.
(vi) They are becoming complex.
(vii) Peculiar.
(viii) Complex

8. Read the passage carefully.
Our opportunities are great but let me warn you when power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days. We should develop competency and ability which would help us utilize the opportunities which are now open to us. From tomorrow morning-from midnight today-we cannot throw the blame on the Britishers. We have to assume the responsibility ourselves for what we do.

A free India will be judged by the way in which it will serve the interests of the common man in the matters of food, clothing, shelter and social activities. Unless we root out corruption in high places and root out every trace of nepotism, love of power, profiteering and black marketing which have spoiled the good name of this country in recent times, we will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency in administration as well as in the production and distribution of the necessary goods of life.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru referred to the great contribution which this country will make to the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind. The chakra, the Ashoka wheel, which is there in the flag embodies for us a great idea, Ashoka, the greatest of our emperors. Look at the words of H.G. Wells about him ‘Highnesses, Magnificences, Excellences, Serenities, Majesties. Among them all, he shines alone a star, Ashoka the greatest of all monarchs.’ He cut into rock his message for the healing of discords. If there are differences, the way in which you can solve them is by promoting concord. Concord is the only way by which we can get rid of differences. There is no other method which is open to us.

We are lucky in having for our leader, one who is a world citizen, who is essentially a -humanist, who possesses a buoyant optimism and robust good sense in spite of the perversity of things and the hostility of human affairs. We see the way in which his Department interfered actively and in a timely manner in the Indonesian dispute. It shows that if India gains freedom, that freedom will be used not merely for the well-being of India but for Vishva Kalyana, world peace, the welfare of mankind.

Extract from a speech by
-Dr. Radhakrishnan

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What has Dr. Radhakrishnan warned us against?
(ii) How will a free India be judged?
(iii) What did Pandit Nehru visualise about India?
(iv) How can we raise the standards of efficiency at various levels?
(v) What does the chakra embody for us?
(vi) How can we get rid of our differences?
(vii) Which word in the passage means ‘favourism’ shown on the basis of family relationship? (para 1)
(viii) Find the word opposite in meaning to collection (para 1).
Answer:
(i) Dr. Radhakrishnan has warned that though our opportunities are great, but when power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days.
(ii) A free India will be judged by the way in which it will serve the interests of the common man in the matters of food, clothing shelter and social activities.
(iii) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had visualised that this country will make great contribution in promoting world peace and the welfare of mankind.
(iv) Unless we root out corruption in high places and traces of nepotism, love of power, profiteering and black marketing We will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency at various levels.
(v) It embodies great ideas as Ashoka, the greatest of our emperors.
(vi) We can get rid of our differences by promoting concord.
(vii) Nepotism
(viii) Distribution.

9. Read the following passage carefully.

Are We Happier Than Our Forefathers?

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 we. They cared for each other. The siblings grew up with their cousins. The bond of love which they share cannot be easily found in the nuclear family of the day. The family provided an emotional cushioning effect against tension and stress.

5. However, in the nuclear family, we are detached from the feelings towards our kith and kin. At times even the cousins do not recognise one another, when they happen to be self-centred. Disputes in the family may lead to divisions. This may finally destroy the family psyche.

6. The joint family system provided a proper environment for the child to grow up. The value of respect, tolerance, responsibility, integrity, etc. were internalised in the child. In the long run, they became better human beings, compared to those in the present generation. Our forefathers felt happiest if their children became ‘honest’ human beings.

7. But today we are happy only if we attain our coveted material ends. We are ready to resort to any means to attain that end. Our philosophy of life has turned out totally Machiavellian.

8. Our forefathers had a vision to make India the best. To attain their ambitions, they were ready to make all sorts of personal sacrifices. Their happiness lay in that of the millions of Indian brothers and sisters.

9. On the other hand, today people are ready to migrate to the west, to enjoy a comfortable life. They run away from the evils of the Indian society without trying to remedy them. Often they become successful in foreign lands. But in the process, they become alienated from their motherland. The nostalgic feeling of their childhood and the relationship they left lingered on, which cannot make them happy. Distance from their ailing parents is a worrying factor and keeps them perturbed. It is not easy for them to return, as their children will not be able to adjust to the Indian environment and the way of life.

10. Thus, his is a crisis and a frame of mind worse than his forefathers.

11. In our generation, tradition and modernity have intermingled to form our special system. We are happier than our forefathers in being able to lessen the evils of rigid caste system, untouchability, child marriage, etc. But we have failed to totally eradicate them. The electoral politics had made use of caste system, through the issuance of party tickets on the basis of caste, community, religion, etc.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What is the big difference between our forefathers and us?
(ii) What do you mean by ‘happiness’?
(iii) Why are people ready to migrate to the west?
(iv) How does the joint family system make a child a good human being?
(v) What is the meaning of happy?
(vi) What concept was our forefather’s life based upon?
(vii) Find the word in the passage which means ‘Ancestor’.
(viii) Which word in the passage means ‘Thinking happily about the past’?
Answer:
(i) Our forefathers took pride in scholarship, a spirit of sacrifice and solicitude for the welfare of others, whereas we are self-centred and live only for ourselves.
(ii) Happiness cannot be got from any amount of external wealth. It lies within the mind of the individual.
(iii) People are ready to migrate to the west to enjoy a comfortable life. They run away from the evils of the Indian society without trying to remedy them.
(iv) Joint family nourishes a child to become a good human being by providing values of respect, tolerance, responsibility, integrity, etc.
(V) It means lucky, fortunate, content, glad.
(vi) It was based on the concept of ‘simple living and high thinking’.
(vii) Forefather
(vii) Nostalgic.

10. Read the following passage carefully.

Caged And Safe Or Wild And Free?

The funding crisis at many zoos has reopened the debate over the value of zoos and whether they should be allowed to exist at all.

People who are in favour of zoos argue that they perform an essential role in conserving rare animal species. Conservationists estimate that today at least 1,000 species of animals are threatened. Over the past 20 years zoos have developed programmes designed to help preserve endangered species. This involves breeding animals in captivity in “captive breeding programmes”—and then reintroducing them into their natural habitats to replenish the number living in the wild.

Woburn Abbey, for example, saved a species called Pere David’s deer. The species went largely unrecorded in China from 1920, but a few of the animals were brought to Europe by a French missionary (Father David). Recently Woburn Abbey and other zoos began returning breeding couples of Pere David’s deer to the wild in China.

Zoos cooperate with each other in order to ensure the success of their breeding programmes. Animals are passed from one zoo to another in order to prevent inbreeding—breeding from closely related animals. If animals that are closely related to one another mate, there ‘ is a danger that they will produce deformed offspring.

Supporters of zoos argtie that they have an important role in educating children, millions of whom visit zoos every year. Television-viewing is no substitute for encountering real animals, they argue. Zoos also carry out important research, for example on the best conditions for rare species to reproduce.

If zoos were forced to close, it would be disastrous for world conservation, zoo supporters say. And most animals in captivity would have to be killed. “It does not take much imagination to realise that the closure of all zoos would mean the deliberate destruction of wildlife on a scale never before witnessed,” the National Federation of Zoos says.

Opponents of zoos accept that some species have been saved from extinction by “captive breeding programmes”, but they argue that this offers no solution to the worldwide conservation crisis.

The number of animals protected by Zoos is tiny compared with the overall problem. It cost millions to save the Arabian oryx from dying out; but could that amount be found for every species that is endangered? The value of zoo-breeding programmes is also questioned as some species, such as the African elephant, do not reproduce well in captivity.

Captive animals are often kept in poor and inhumane conditions, opponents say. In the worst zoos, animals are still displayed for the entertainment of the public. Where animals are placed in impoverished and unsuitable surroundings, they often behave in abnormal and neurotic ways. It is common for polar bears constantly to pace up and down or twist their heads and circle over and over again. This behaviour is now recognised by scientists as a sign of stress and frustration. .

When children visit zoos where animals are acting in neurotic and abnormal ways, they are not being educated. Instead, opponents say, they are being given information inaccurate.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What are the advantages of zoos?
(ii) What are the disadvantages of zoos?
(iii) How would closing of zoos be disastrous?
(iv) What is ‘captive breeding programme’? What is the advantage of this programme?
(vi) Which programme involves breeding animals in captivity.?
(vii) What do you mean by the word ‘threatened’?
(viii) Find a word in the passage which means ‘to fill up again’.
Answer:
(i) Breeding of endangered species is done, children are educated about wildlife in Zoos.
(ii) Running conservation programme is very costly, captive animals are kept in very poor-condition.
(iii) It would be disastrous for world conservation. It would cause deliberate destruction of wildlife on a large scale.
(iv) Captive breeding programme involves breeding animals in captivity and then reintroducing them into their natural in the wild. It helps to preserve endangered species.
(V) According to conservationists, at least 1,000 species of animals are threatened.
(vi) The programme is captive breeding programmes’.
(vii) It means endangered.
(viii) Replenish.

11. Read the following passage carefully:

1. It is rare to find someone with a good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and bad forms of communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits — in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction, is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.

2. Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career develops, you will realise that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain. Poorly constructed e-mails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should immediately apologies, else it may haunt you for life.

3. Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds are working faster than our speech, we are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing it will get it any faster. On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, think before you speak. “When I get ready to speak to people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one- third thinking what I want to say.” Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realise that not all jokes are funny and observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend. Remember you are not a comedian who must offend as many people as

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) Why is it necessary to have good communication skills?
(ii) How can communication skills be developed?
(iii) What according to the writer should be avoided while communicating?
(iv) Why should you be careful when you tend to be humorous?
(v) How can we get far ahead of our colleagues?
(vi) What subconscious habit should you develop?
(vii) Find a word which means ‘evaluate’. (para I)
(viii) Which word means ‘trait’? (para 1).
Answer:
(i) Based on your communication skills, people will judge, evaluate, promote or block you. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you have good communication skills.
(ii) Good communication skills can be developed by the following means:
(a) by observing good communicators.
(b) by adopting good communicator’s styles and traits.
(c) by developing the habit of listening to ourselves.
(d) by learning from every interaction.
(iii) We should avoid grammatical errors while communicating, avoid communicating while in an emotional state and avoid speaking too fast.
(iv) We should be careful when we tend to be humorous because all jokes are not funny. Jokes should not be offensive and we should avoid offending people.
(V) We can get far ahead of our colleagues by combining good technical and communication skills.
(vi) The subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause should be developed.
(vii) Estimate
(viii) Quality.

12. Read the following passage carefully.

1. Education is no longer restricted to bookish knowledge and the four walls of colleges and universities. Apart from the activities in the classrooms, laboratories and libraries, a student has an opportunity to find out and express his hidden potential in the form of various extra-curricular activities. Youth festivals are the best platform for such activities.

2. It is essential for the all-round development of a student that he should participate in one or the other activity. There are many extra-curricular activities. Some of them are declamation, debate, histrionics, mimicry, painting, music, dance, singing, poetical recitation, etc.

3. Mere classroom studies make it boring and monotonous and students need some outlet for their energies. They need opportunities for entertainment also. Youth festivals are the spice of academic life. When students prepare for various items, they have a sense of achievement, a sense of doing something useful. Preparing the stage for the show, receiving the guest artists from other institutions and looking after them, inculcate in them a sense of responsibility, co-operation and tolerance.

4. As the competitions of these youth festivals are organised among students of almost the same age, they get rid of stage phobia. They no longer feel shy of the audience and the stage. They learn to face the audience. Thus, they cultivate self-confidence.

5. Youth festivals are the best means to search the talent among the youth. These budding artists will become the singers, actors and orators of tomorrow. Youth festivals prove to be the stepping stones for the future real life. Absence of youth festivals makes a student’s life insipid and boring. As such, students take to subversive activities. If they remain busy in preparing for competition in youth festivals, their time is used in a productive and fruitful way.

Read the following questions and write the answer in your answer sheet.

(i) How does a student find the expression of his potential? Which is the best platform for such activities?
(ii) What do extra-curricular activities include?
(iii) How does the participation in youth festivals help a student?
(iv) How does absence of youth festivals affect students?
(v) What are youth festivals?
(vi) How does youth festivals help students of same age group?
(vii) Find a word in the passage which means ‘dull’ on ‘boring’.
(viii) Which word in the passage means ‘A person who is skilled in making formal speeches?
Answer:
(i) A student finds the expression of his potential through extra-curricular activities.
(ii) Youth festivals are the best platform for such activities. It includes debates, declamation, histrionics, mimicry, painting, music, dance, singing, poetical recitation, etc.
(iii) It enables the students to do something useful and inculcate a sense of achievement, sense of responsibility, co operation and tolerance. (iv) The budding artists become the singers, actors and orators of tomorrow, youth festivals prove to be the stepping stones for the future real life.
(V) Youth festivals are the spice of academic life.
(vi) Students get rid of stage phobia, learn to face audience and cultivate self-confidence. (vii) Monotonous.
(vii) Orator.

13. Read the following passage carefully.

Ask any parent anywhere on the planet and they will tell you that there is nothing sinister, nothing as singularly depressing as Arpita’s copy.

Now this is not just a copy where a tidy conscientious child writes in copious details about everything, taking care to label things in boxes and uses eighteen different coloured pencils while describing ‘My favourite holiday’. This is actually a sinister plot hatched to make your parenting skills look bad by rival parents with way too much time, patience and colouring ability on their side. The child is merely an instrument; it is the parents who are graded.

The whole school evaluation process grades parents with a bewilderingly complex classification that involves stars, smileys, good, very good, keep it up. Are two smileys better than a ‘good’ and a ‘keep it up’? And what about Arpita? What has she got?

Today the child is seen as an entity that is moldable and the role of the parent is to build a person out of a child. This puts tremendous responsibility on parents who believe that their actions determine their child’s future and hence every small step becomes a BIG PROJECT where a minor mistake would make your child a dribbling sociopath tomorrow.

Hence the persistent belief that enough is not being done for the child inspite of the unfortunate truth that more than enough is being done to him. Children need to perform in order to make parents feel good about themselves. In that sense, not much has changed; children still become instruments for the realisation of some parental goals. If earlier getting Into Science was enough to make parents proud, now almost nothing is good enough. Ninety per cent is too little and one extra-curricular activity too basic. And yes, there is always an Arpita lurking somewhere with her wretched copy.

Answer the following questions:

(i) What is the limitation of the whole school evaluation process?
(ii) What is the aspect of parenting that has not changed over the years?
(iii) Why is Arpita’s copy depressing?
(iv) What is the plight of children like Arpita?
(y) What do rival parents have?
(vi) What does every small step become?
(vii) What does the word ‘sinister’ in para 1 mean?
(viii) What is the noun form of ‘realise’?
Answer:
(i) The whole school evaluation process grades parents with a bewildering by complex classification that involves starts, smileys, good, very good, keep it up. Among these grades one stands better than the other.
(ii) Inspite of all her efforts Arpita’s parents are not satisfied.
(iii) They are pressurized to do well.
(iv) Parents are dissatisfied with what is done for their children. They want their children to perform, in this sense children are still instruments for the realisation of some parental goals.
(V) They have time, patience and colouring ability on their side.
(vi) Every small step becomes a BIG PROJECT.
(vii) Evil.
(viii) Realization.

14. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Maybe you’re bored of bananas, apples and grapes and need a fresh produce pick? A nutrient-rich serving of kiwifruit may be just what you need. A serving of kiwifruit (2 kiwis) has twice the vitamin C of an orange, as much potassium as a banana and the fiber of a bowl of whole grain cereal-all for less than 100 calories!

2. The fuzzy fruit is sky-high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are essential for promoting heart health, regulating digestion, and lowering cholesterol levels—that’s a winning trifecta. Kiwi fruit has also been considered a “nutritional all-star,” as Rutgers University researchers found that kiwifruit has the best nutrient density of 21 commonly consumed fruits.

3. Along with vitamin C, kiwi fruit are rich in many bioactive compounds that have antioxidant capacity to help to protect against free radicals, harmful by-products produced in the body. If you want clean energy, think of kiwifruit because they’re rich in magnesium, a nutrient essential to convert food into energy.

4. A kiwi fruit also doubles as a peeper-keeper by supplying your eyes with protective lutein, a carotenoid that’s concentrated in eye tissues and helps protect against harmful free radicals. Kiwifruit is also packed with blood pressure-lowering potassium. In fact, a 100-gram serving of kiwifruit—that’s about one large kiwi—provides 15% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of potassium.

5. Kiwi fruit has been growing in New Zealand for over 100 years. Once the fruit gained in popularity, other countries started to grow them including Italy, France, Chile, Japan, South Korea and Spain. At first, kiwis were referred to as ‘Yang Tao’ or ‘Chinese Gooseberry,’ but the name was ultimately changed to kiwifruit so that everyone would know where the fruit came from.

6. A ripe kiwi fruit will be plump and smooth-skinned, and free of wrinkles, bruise, and punctures. If you find that your kiwi is a little too firm after buying it, simply let it ripen at room temperature for three to five days. The firmer the fruit, the more tart it will taste. To speed up the ripening process, you can also place kiwis in a paper bag with an apple or banana. If you want to store the fruit longer, you should keep in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Answer the following questions:
(a) What does a serving of kiwi offer?
(b) Why has kiwi been considered a “nutritional all-star”?
(c) How is kiwi fruit helpful for the eyes?
(d) How can you make a kiwi fruit ripen?
(e) What is the fuzzy fruit sky-high in?
(f) What is a winning trifecta?
(g) What does the word ‘compound’ mean?
(h) Find the word in the passage which means ‘discoloured’.
Answer:
(a) A serving of kiwi offers twice the vitamin C of an orange, as much potassium as a banana and the fiber of a bowl of whole grain cereal-all for less than 100 calories!
(b) Rutgers University researchers found that kiwi fruit has the best nutrient density of 21 commonly consumed fruits. Therefore, it was called ‘nutritional all-star.’
(c) Kiwi fruit supplies our eyes with protective lutein, a carotenoid that’s concentrated in eye tissues and helps protect against harmful free radicals.
(d) Kiwi fruit can be ripened by keeping it at room temperature for three to five days.
(e) The fuzzy fruit is sky-high in both soluble and insoluble fibre.
(f) Kiwi promotes heart health, regulates digestion and lowers cholesterol levels.
(g) The word ‘compound’ means mixture.
(h) ‘Bruises’.

15. Read the following passage carefully:

Why does a person become overconfident? The reason lies in over assessment of his capabilities. Sometimes people over assess their competence and jump into situations that are beyond their control.

Napoleon Bonaparte who became Emperor of France would say that the word ‘impossible’ was common only amongst fools. The overconfident Napoleon invaded Russia in the winter of 1812. This proved to be a big disaster.

Overconfidence generally leads people into misadventures, endangering their chances in life. It is wisely said that any achievement is a result of two factors-one’s personal planning and support from the external world. People, take into account only their planning, generally ignoring external factors. They become unable to foresee future developments Hence, the great risk of failure.

Then there is the question: How can one manage overconfidence? The formula is very simple. Before taking a decision discuss the matter with other informed people with an objective mind and when it is proved that you are about to go off the path, accept reality and say without delay, “I was wrong.”

Overconfidence is a flaw characterizing people who lack the virtue of modesty. Modesty makes you a realist; you become a person who is cut down to size. People of this kind become very cautious; before taking an action they assess the whole situation. They adopt a realistic approach.
Overconfident people live within their own thoughts. They know themselves but they are unaware of others. Living inside their own cell they are unable to make use of the experiences of others. This kind of habit is highly damaging to all concerned.

There is a saying that the young man sees the rule and the old man sees the exception, with a slight change, I would like to say that the overconfident person sees the rule and the confident person sees the exception. Overconfident people are always at risk. It is said that taking risk is good but it must be well calculated otherwise it becomes very dangerous.

Answer the following questions:
(a) Why does a person become overconfident?
(b) What does overconfidence generally lead people into?
(c) How can one manage overconfidence?
(d) What kind of person does ‘modesty’ make you?
(e) What would Napoleon Bonaparte say?
(f) What proved to be a big disaster for Napolean?
(g) Find the word in the passage which means ‘impartial’.
(h) What does the word ‘Endangering’ mean?
Answer:
(a) A person becomes overconfident because of over assessment of his capabilities and competence; jumps into situations that are beyond his control.
(b) Overconfidence generally leads people into misadventures. It endangers their chances in life and puts them at great risk of failure.
(c) One can manage overconfidence by discussing the matter with other informed people with an objective mind and accepting reality, when proved wrong.
(d) Modesty makes a person a realist. A person is cut down to size. Such people become very cautious before taking any action.
(e) Napoleon Bonaparte would say that the word ‘impossible’ was common only amongst fool
(f) Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in winter of 1812 proved to be a big disaster.
(g) Objective
(h) It means threatening.

16. Read the following passage carefully:

One would imagine that at the very sight of the panther, deer, antelopes, and its other preys would just run for their lives. Nothing of the sort. They all stand their ground and make such a loud noise that the panther is left with no other choice except to leave quietly. I have seen a tiny chital baby standing in the middle of an opening in the forest, stamping its feet on the ground and shooing away a tiger. With the white of its erect tail showing, it kept up its shrill call until the tiger made itself scarce. No tiger in its senses would attempt to catch such an impertinent brat, just as you would not dream of catching an offending crow cawing away in your verandah.

While the panther sticks to cover and hugs the edge of the forest, the game animals, on the other hand, like to assemble right out in open vast grazing grounds. Open spaces which the panther carefully avoids, are what the game animals deliberately seek.

It is difficult to describe the pandemonium kicked up by various animals when they spot or suspect a panther around. The chital strikes a shrill note, the kakar emits a deafening bark and the sambar rings a bell. The peacock on its perch, the jungle fowl on the ground, and the monkey on treetops, all join in the chorus of condemnation of the panther. They curse the panther in their own inimitable language. The resulting confusion of sounds is so irritating to the sharp ears of the panther that it is left with no other option except to go away.

The panther has thus to deal with its ever alert and watchful associates who show no mercy and expect none. It is h fight between finesse and flight, between clever attack and skilful defence.

Contrary to the common belief, the panther never springs upon its prey. It stalks as close to its victim as it can manage, and then makes the final dash by rushing at it at a lightning speed.

Answer the following questions:

(a) What strategy do animals like deer, antelopes, etc adopt to drive away the panther?
(b) How do the panther and the game animals (deer, antelopes, etc) react to open
(c) What effect does the loud noise made by birds and animals have on the panther?
(d) How does the panther kill its prey?
(e) Find the meaning – shrill (Para 1)
(f) Find the meaning – deliberately (Para 2)
(g) Find the meaning – condemnation (Para 3)
(h) Find the meaning – associates (Para 4)
Answer:
(a) All of them stand their ground and together they make a loud noise to force the panther to go away.
(b) The panther sticks to cover and hugs the edge of the forest avoiding open spaces. Contrarily, the game animals deliberately seek open grazing grounds to assemble.
(c) The sharp shrill sounds made by birds and animals cause irritation in the sharp ears of the panther. Therefore, the only option before it is to go away from there.
(d) The panther stalks as close to its victim as possible and then makes a final dash by rushing at it with a lightning speed.
(e) High
(f) Intentionally
(g) Disapproval
(h) Rivals

Unseen Passage for Class 7 CBSE With Answers

Unseen Passage for Class 7 CBSE With AnswersLooking for an easy way to Learning of new elementary english grammar and composition for class 7 answers, Solutions. You have to learn basic English Grammar topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc… In this article, we will review the best English Grammer Topics and compare them against each other.

Unseen Passage for Class 7 CBSE With Answers Pdf

What is Reading Comprehension?
Reading comprehension is the ability to understand what you are reading. The Answer:s that you provide to the questions asked to show how well you have understood the given passage.

Unseen Passage for Class 7 :

Unseen Passage Pdf – 1

Dolly, the donkey, had a kind master. The master taught Dolly to help him carry heavy things. However, Dolly was too playful, to listen to her master. Instead of doing her work, the young donkey would go for a walk in the jungle.

One day, Dolly wandered into the jungle. She met some squirrels and asked them to play with her. “Sorry, we have to look after our brothers and sisters,” they said. Dolly walked on and saw a tiger. She quickly hid in a cave. When the tiger left, Dolly came out of the cave.

It was getting late and the sky was dark. “Help!” Dolly screamed suddenly. A snake was trying to bite her. She ran home to her master as fast as her legs could carry her. Her master was waiting for her at the door.

Question 1.
Dolly’s master taught her to ___________.
(a) be playful
(b) walk in the jungle
(c) carry heavy things
Answer:
(b) walk in the jungle

Question 2.
Why didn’t the squirrels want to play with Dolly? They had to ___________.
(a) look for the tiger
(b) play with the snake
(c) look after their brothers and sisters
Answer:
(c) look after their brothers and sisters

Question 3.
What did Dolly do when she saw the tiger? She ___________.
(a) hid in cave
(b) screamed for help
(c) ran as fast as she could
Answer:
(a) hid in cave

Question 4.
Why did Dolly run home?
(a) The tiger was chasing her.
(b) The snake was trying to bite her.
(c) The master was waiting for her..
Answer:
(b) The snake was trying to bite her.

Question 5.
Which sentence is true?
(a) After the tiger left, Dolly met a snake.
(b) Dolly killed a snake and went home.
(c) The squirrels helped Dolly to carry heavy things.
Answer:
(a) After the tiger left, Dolly met a snake.

Unseen Passage Pdf – 2

Mirrors have been used since ages. It is said that Archimedes used huge mirrors to focus the heat of the sun’s rays on the enemy ships to burn them.

The same principle is used in solar cookers where mirrors are used to reflect and focus the sun’s rays on to cooking containers. Astronomers use huge concave mirrors to focus starlight.

The mirrors used in telescopes are polished by giving a thin coat of silver or aluminum to the glass. With the telescopes, astronomers can see the heavenly bodies but even without the telescopes one can see the moon.

A full moon shining overhead is a beautiful sight, but it is also a puzzle because if the sun and the moon both give the same sunlight, then why is the moonlight more pleasant?

The reason is that the moon reflects very little sunlight, in fact, only seven percent of the light is receives.

The earth reflects about half of the radiation that it receives from the sun. Imagine how bright the earth will look from the moon?

One can even read a book on the moon in the earth light. However, you do not have to travel all the way to the moon to realise how strong the earthlight is.

Observe the crescent moon soon after the new moon. The bright crescent is illuminated by the sun.

The rest of the moon is illuminated by earthlight in other words, the light reflected by the earth is falling on the moon which is being reflected back to us and is strong enough to show the moon faintly as the crescent increases in size.

Fresh snow is the best reflector of sunlight in nature, the bright light reflected by it can dazzle and harm the eyes of mountaineers, therefore, they use dark glasses.

Choose the correct option.
a. Archimedes used mirrors to focus the heat of the sun’s rays:
(i) to bake some pots
(ii) to create a warm environment
(iii) to burn enemy ships
(iv) to boil water

b. Mirrors used in telescopes are polished by giving the glass a thin coat of:
(i) gold
(ii) silver and gold
(iii) silver or aluminium
(iv) tin and white paint

c. The principle of focusing the sun’s rays is used in:
(i) solar cookers
(ii) radio
(iii) public address system
(iv) computers

d. The bright light reflected by fresh snow can:
(i) harm your body
(ii) dazzle and harm your eyes
(iii) harm and dazzle your heart
(iv) dazzle and harm your liver

e. How much of the radiation received from the sun does the earth reflect?
(i) about half
(ii) about one – fourth
(iii) all of it
(iv) about three – fourth

Unseen Passage Pdf – 3

A powerful earthquake, registering 7.2 on the Richter scale, hit the western part of Japan on 7th January, 1995 at 0546 hours (Japan time). Its epicenter was about twenty kilometers beneath Awaji Island, some thirty kilometers from Kobe. It was Japan’s worst earthquake since a very powerful one struck eastern Japan in 1923. The 1995 earthquake had inflicted the greatest loss of life and damage to buildings, roads, bridges and railways in Kobe and the coastal cities nearest to Awaji Island. Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, also suffered significant damage, bringing the death toll to just over five hundred.

Japan is an earthquake-prone country but the area around Kobe had not been known to be a danger zone. It is therefore surprising that an earthquake of this magnitude should hit the area. There are quite a number of seismographs and sensors that detect earth tremors throughout Japan. These instruments are supposed to help earthquake researchers pre dict earthquakes. On an early warning, people could be evacuated to safer places.

It was disappointing that in the case of the Kobe earthquake, no early warning had been given. Unexpectedly, many of the newer roads and buildings were badly damaged. These roads and buildings had been engineered and constructed to withstand earthquakes. Fortunately, the Kobe nuclear power plant managed to escape damage. If radioactivity had leaked as a result of the damage to the plant, it would have triggered off severe and long-lasting damage on health and the environment.

The Kobe earthquake inflicted such massive damage that reconstruction would be long and arduous. The early–warning system too has been receiving the extra attention it needs, especially so because a big one is expected to strike the Tokyo region in the next twenty to thirty years, according to earthquake researchers.

Question 1.
When the Kobe earthquake struck, most of the people in the region were probably –
(a) Still in bed
(b) Going to work
(c) Returning from work
(d) Having their lunch breaks
Answer:
(a) Still in bed

Question 2.
The Kobe earthquake caused much damage and loss of life because it
(a) Had struck coastal areas
(b) Had struck suburban areas
(c) Had hit Japan’s second largest city
(d) Was Japan’s worst earthquake since 1923
Answer:
(a) Had struck coastal areas

Question 3.
Which one of the following statements is true?
(a) Osaka was the hardest-hit city.
(b) The Kobe earthquake was expected.
(c) Radioactivity leaked from the Kobe nuclear plant.
(d) The Japanese were not prepared for the Kobe earthquake
Answer:
(d) The Japanese were not prepared for the Kobe earthquake

Question 4.
The newer Kobe roads and buildings were not expected to suffer much damage because they were
(a) In coastal areas
(b) Modern structures
(c) Supposed to be earthquake-proof
(d) Far away from the earthquake’s epicenter
Answer:
(c) Supposed to be earthquake-proof

Question 5.
The earthquake researchers in Japan have since been working to improve the early–warning system because
(a) Sensors were effective in detecting tremors
(b) There is a fear of leakage at the Kobe nuclear plant
(c) The neighbouring countries have been pressuring them to do so.
(d) A major earthquake is expected to strike in the next two or three decades.
Answer:
(d) A major earthquake is expected to strike in the next two or three decades.

Unseen Passage Pdf – 4

Read the following passage carefully.

Nepal, a small, mountainous country tucked between India and China, may seem completely foreign to many Americans. Cows walk down busy streets unharmed, 24 different languages are spoken, and people eat two meals of rice and lentils every day. Nepali holidays, many of which are related to the Hindu religion, can seem especially bizarre to AmericAnswer: unfamiliar with the culture. However, if we look beyond how others celebrate to consider the things they are celebrating, we find surprising similarities to our own culture.

The biggest holiday in Nepal is Dashain, a ten – day festival for the Hindu goddess Durga that takes place in September or October. According to Hindu beliefs, Durga defeated the evil demons of the world. To thank the goddess, people visit temples in her honour and sacrifice goats or sheep as offerings. Throughout the year, most Nepalis do not eat much meat because it is expensive, but Dashain is a time to enjoy meat every day. Children fly colourful, homemade kites during Dashain. People also construct enormous bamboo swings on street corners and in parks. Every evening people gather at these swings and take turns swinging. Nepalis say that by swinging, people can relieve the earth of their weight, if only for a few minutes out of the year. Dashain is a time for people to eat good food, relax, and enjoy themselves!

Aside from eating and enjoying themselves, during Dashain people also receive blessings from their elders. Schools and offices shut down so people can travel to be with their families. Reuniting with family reminds people of the importance of kindness, respect, and forgiveness. People also clean and decorate their homes for Dashain. And, like many holidays in the United States, it is a time for shopping. Children and adults alike get new clothes for the occasion.

People express appreciation for all that they have, while looking forward to good fortune and peace in the year to come. During American holidays, people may not sacrifice goats or soar on bamboo swings, but we do often travel to be with family members and take time off work or school to relax. No matter how we celebrate, many people around the world spend their holidays honouring family, reflecting on their blessings, and hoping for good fortune in the future.

Based on your reading and understanding of the passage given above, choose the right answer from the options.

1. According to the passage, Hindus believe that the goddess Durga
a. sacrifices goats and sheep
b. defeated the evil demons of the world
c. visits temples
d. enjoys meat every day

2. Which of the following sentences from the passage best indicate why the author thinks Nepal would seem very foreign to many Americans?
a. “Cows walk down busy streets unharmed, 24 different languages are spoken, and people eat two meals of rice and lentils every day.”
b. “Every evening people gather at these swings and take turns swinging.”
c. “People also clean and decorate their homes for Dashain.”
d. “During American holidays, people may not sacrifice goats or soar on bamboo swings, but we do often travel to be with family members and take time off work or school to relax.”

3. As used in paragraph 1, bizarre most nearly means.
a. unbelievable
b. unknown
c. awkward
d. strange

4. The colourful kites and bamboo swings are both used as Examples: of
a. ways people relax and enjoy themselves during Dashain
b. things people honour and reflect on during Dashain
c. offerings to the goddess Durga
d. ways people reunite with family during Dashain

5. The author suggests that although people in different cultures celebrate holidays differently, one similarity is that many people
a. ask for blessings from their elders during holidays
b. agree that holidays reveal a lot about a culture
c. believe that holidays must be celebrated
d. think of holidays as a time to spend with their families

Unseen Passage Pdf – 5

Mr. Duquette is an elderly French–Canadian man who likes to be prepared at all times. For the past two years, he has been walking around the world, pulling a coffin behind him. The aluminum coffin is slightly bigger than a typical Chinese coffin. It is fitted with three wheels and rolls easily. Mr. Duquette ties it to his body and travels everywhere with it. He calls it the ‘Festive Coffin’ and it is practically his home.

There is a heater, a small refrigerator and even a small kitchen in the coffin! The Festive Coffin’ doubles up as his bed at night. Most people think that he is mad but he is only doing it because he loves travelling. “I expect this to be my last trip because I am so old now. I’m taking my coffin along in case I die,” he explains.

Mr. Duquette parks the ‘Festive Coffin’in cemeteries at night because he likes the peace and quiet there. Once, in America, some robbers came to rob the graves. They saw the strange coffin and wanted to take a closer look at it. Just then, Mr. Duquette opened the lid and got up. He must have scared the robbers out of their wits!

Question 1.
What has Mr. Duquette been doing the last few years? He has been ________.
(a) designing coffins
(b) living in America
(c) turning coffins into homes
(d) travelling around the world
Answer:
(d) travelling around the world

Question 2.
Which of the following is true of his coffin?
(a) The inside of it is empty.
(b) It has to be pulled around.
(c) It can move around by itself.
(d) It is smaller than a Chinese coffin.
Answer:
(b) It has to be pulled around.

Question 3.
In what way can we say that Mr. Duquette’s coffin is useful?
(a) Hr can use it to attract attention from passers–by.
(b) It contains the basic necessities and serves as a bed.
(c) It transports Mr. Duquette to the places he wants to visit.
(d) He can entertain children by letting them play in the coffin.
Answer:
(b) It contains the basic necessities and serves as a bed.

Question 4.
The robbers in the cemetery most probably thought that Mr. Duquette was ________.
(a) going to beat them
(b) going to chase them
(c) rising from the dead
(d) rising from the earth
Answer:
(c) rising from the dead

Question 5.
Mr. Duquette’s behavior can be described as ________.
(a) evil
(b) heroic
(c) different
(d) mundane
Answer:
(c) different