Unseen Passage Solved Question for Class 10 

CBSE
1. Read the passage given below:

1. It is an indisputable fact that the world has gone too far with the innovation of new
technologies such as mobile phones, the Internet and so on, due to which people are
able to tour the cosmos virtually sitting at one place using their smart devices or other
technological gadgets. Though mobile internet access is oftentimes hurried and short, it
can still provide common internet features like alerts, weather data, emails, search
engines, instant messages, and games and music downloading.

2. Due to the easy access of smart phones, communication has been very effective and
instant. People are able to convey their message all around the globe to their loved ones
without spending hefty sums of money. Adults are always fond of such gadgets and they
always welcome and adopt such new technology readily. Further, young people have
been able to broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the
Internet. For instance, they use smart phones to look up any new word they come
across. As we know that most of the universities have online teaching provision and
smart phones assist the students to complete their assignments on time.

3. The mobile phone has been a lifesaver for a lot of people in case of an emergency.
Likewise, use of smart phones can be of vital importance in preventing crimes in the
society by providing information to the security forces in time.

4. Nonetheless, for the young the use of mobile phone can be like an addiction and they
can misuse it. Young people are also prone to getting involved in undesirable activities
on the Internet. This might have adverse effect on their academic performance.
Therefore, young people should always be monitored and made aware of its bad
outcomes.

5. Also a major contributor to its popularity is the availability of prepaid or pay–as–you–

go services from a phone shop or an online store. This allows subscribers to load text or
airtime credits to their handsets by the use of their credit cards, debit cards or by buying
a prepaid card from the network they subscribe to. This plan also doesn’t commit a
particular customer to a contract. If prepaid card is not that appealing to you, then you
can opt to subscribe using the pay–by–month plan.

1.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How are smart phones helpful in communication?

(b) What are the benefits of mobile phones for the young generation?
(c) How can mobile phones be considered “lifesavers’?

(d) Mention any two demerits of mobile phones.

Answer:

(a) Communication has become very effective and instant due to smart phones. People
are able to convey their messages all around the globe to their loved ones without
spending hefty sums of money.

(b) Mobile phones have been beneficial to the younger generation as they have been
able to broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the Internet.
They use smart phones to look up any new word they come across.

(c) Mobile phones can be considered life savers as they are of great use during an
emergency. They help prevent crimes in the society by providing timely information to
the police and security forces.

(d) Two demerits of mobile phones:

(i) Due to mobile phones young people can get involved in undesirable activities on the
Internet.

(ii) They get addicted and their academic performance suffers.

1.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 1, the synonym of ‘innovation’ is .. .

(i) production

(ii) sincerity

(iii) invention

(iv) prevention

Answer:

(iii) invention

(b) In para 4, the antonym of ‘favourable’ is .. .

(i) positive

(ii) prone

(iii) outcomes

(iv) adverse

Answer:

(iv) adverse

(c) Grown–ups should not monitor the use of new technology by the young people.
(True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) Mobile internet can provide access to .. .

Answer:

emails

2. Read the passage given below:

1. During our growing up years we as children were taught–both at home and school–to
worship the photos and idols of the gods of our respective religions. When we grow a
little older, we were I holy books like The Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran; we were told
that there are a lot of life lessons to be learnt from these holy books. We were then
introduced to stories from ou mythologies which taught us about ethics and morality–
what is good and what is bad. I also learnt to be respectful towards my parents who
made my life comfortable with their hard work, love and care, and my teachers who
guided me to become a good student and a responsible citizen. Much later in life, I
realised that though we learn much from our respective holy books, there is a lot to
learn from our surroundings. This realisation dawned upon me when I learnt to enquire
and explore. Everything around us–the sun, the moon, the stars, rain, rivers, stones,
rocks, birds, plants and animals–teach us many valuable life lessons.

3. No wonder that besides the scriptures in many cultures nature is also worshipped.
The message that we get is to save our environment and maintain ecological balance.
People are taught to live in harmony with nature and recognise that there is God in all
aspects of nature.
4. Nature is a great teacher. A river never stops flowing. If it finds an obstacle in its way
in the form of a heavy rock, the river water fights to remove it from its path or finds an
alternative path to move ahead. This teaches us to be progressive in life, and keep the
lighting spirit alive.

5. Snakes are worshipped as they eat insects in the field that can hurt our crops, thus
protecting the grains for us. In fact, whatever we worship is our helper and makes our
lives easy for us. There are many such examples in nature, but we are not ready to
learn a lesson. Overcome with greed, we are destroying nature. As a result we face
natural disasters like drought, flood and landslides. We don’t know that nature is angry
with us.

6. However, it is never too late to learn. If we learn to respect nature the quality of our
life will improve.

2.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What are we taught in our childhood and growing up years?

(b) Why should we respect our parents and teacher

(c) What message do we get when we worship nature?

(d) How does a river face an obstacle that comes in its way?

Answer:

(a) We are taught in our childhood to worship the photos and idols. We are taught in our
growing up years to read holy books like the Bhagwat Gita, Bible and Quran. We were
taught that there are a lot of life lessons to be learnt from these holy books.

(b) We should respect our parents because they have made our life comfortable with
their hard work, love and care. We should respect our teachers because they have
guided us in becoming a good student and a responsible citizen.

(c) When we worship nature the message we get is to save our environment and
maintain ecological balance.

(d) When an obstacle comes in its way, the water in the river fights to remove it from its
path. The river water can also find an alternative path to move ahead.

2.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:
(a) In para 5, the synonym of ‘catastrophe’ is .. .

(i) overcome

(ii) greed

(iii) disaster

(iv) drought

Answer:

(iii) disaster

(b) In para 3, the antonym of ‘discordance’ is .. .

(i) scriptures

(ii) harmony

(iii) recognise

(iv) discomfort

Answer:

(ii) harmony

(c) When we worship nature, the message we get is to save our environment and
maintain ecological balance. (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) The stories from our mythologies taught us about ..

Answer:

ethics and morality

3. Read the following passage carefully:

1. What is intelligence? And how can one be intelligent all the time? One has to
understand the basic fact that intelligence and intellect are at two opposite poles. A
person who is an intellectual would have all the knowledge of the world but won’t know
how to give it shape. Knowledge burdens the individual if he does not have the
intelligence to express it.

2. Intelligence is an integral part of the individual which finds fulfilment in expression.

An intellectual who is burdened by excessive knowledge can never flow with intelligence.
Intelligence demands that an individual be sensitive of his acts, thoughts and emotions.
It also demands that the individual be inquisitive about the working of life and of one’s
own mind.

3. Intelligence implies that the individual be supple and flow along with life’s source, so
as to be one with the sublime realities of love, bliss and peace. Intelligence is the basic
knowledge of life which is transformed into knowing.

4. The transformation process between knowledge and knowing requires the individual
to be inquisitive, sensitive and observant. To do all this, the individual has to be in the
present. This being in the present brings the individual back to harmony. Only
meditation helps the individual to be in the present moment. He can then observe his
own thoughts and actions.

5. Once he is able to observe his own thoughts and actions, he can see his repressions,
motivations and prejudices. This sets into motion the wheel of intelligence, which dispels
ignorance behind thoughts, actions and emotions.

6. Intelligence strengthens the integration and harmony of the individual. Strength to

act intelligently according to the situation helps in obliterating thought processes which
perpetuate fear, remorse and conflict within.

7. This conscious understanding of one’s fear, remorse and conflict opens the doors of
intelligence so that we can first understand and then transcend them. Otherwise, we
remain in a state of ignorance. The art of understanding is what suffuses us with
wisdom.

8. And the art of understanding oneself provides strength. The art of being wise and
strong is intelligence. Without this basic intelligence, an individual is tapped within
himself manifesting inner conflicts, hatred and ignorance in the external world.

9. Meditation also helps a person understand what others are trapped in. Once they
handle the situation, the doors of intelligence and compassion are further opened.
Without basic understanding about oneself, compassion can never flower. Without
compassion, all intelligence is ignorance.
10. Meditation, therefore, provides the necessary strength to surrender to oneself and
be with oneself. And this being with oneself without remorse, guilt or fear makes one
intelligent and capable of acting rightly.

3.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) Bring out the difference between intellect and intelligence.

(b) Mention any two traits of intelligent people.

(c) How does being intelligent help an individual?

(d) How can intelligence become ignorance?

Answer:

(a) Intellect is the knowledge one possesses. An intellectual has the entire knowledge of
the world but the ability to apply this knowledge is intelligence. Intellectuals therefore,
may not be intelligent.

(b) Intelligent people are sensitive to their acts, thoughts, emotions and surroundings.
They not only understand their own emotions but are sensitive to others’ feelings as
well.

(c) Being intelligent helps an individual to strengthen himself. He is in harmony with

himself and with the world around. It helps the individual act according to the situation
and removes fear.

(d) Intelligence becomes ignorance when an individual is not able to handle situations.
Intelligence becomes ignorance also when one lacks compassion and understanding of
oneself.

3.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 1, the antonym of ‘relief’ is .

(i) express

(ii) intellect

(iii) heaviness
(iv) burden

Answer:

(iv) burden

(b) In para 7, the synonym of ‘infuse’ is .

(i) intelligence

(ii) ignorance

(iii) suffuses

(iv) transcends

Answer:

(iii) suffuses

(c) Intellect is the basic knowledge of life which is transformed into knowing.
(True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) When an individual is unable to handle situations, intelligence becomes .

Answer:

ignorance

4. Read the following passage carefully :

1. Frankness may be among the most overrated of virtues! And here’s why. Because
unrestricted and unfiltered frankness is a recipe for breaking relationships, even the
closest ones. Such frankness is understandable, acceptable and even ‘cute’ only in
children under the age of five.

2. Thinking before one speaks and using restraint are hallmarks of growing maturity and
preparation for life. Learning to put a filter between thought and spoken word (and,
even more importantly, written word) is an important life skill. Think is a popular
acronym for Trúe, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind. This would do wonderfully well
as a filter in our minds.

3. It is good to speak what’s true, but only along with the other attributes in the
acronym, particularly the last one, kindness. In the righteous glow of speaking what we
see as the truth, we often forget to be kind. We blurt out ‘truths’ even when it is totally
unhelpful and unnecessary to do so, let alone inspiring! Too often, such truth–telling is
destructive rather than noble. Only those who do not care about the consequences can
afford the luxury of ‘speaking their minds’ whenever and wherever they please. When
relationships are at stake, it is essential to choose the time, place and words
appropriately when imparting unpleasant truths. And even then, only when absolutely
necessary and with the utmost kindness.

4. Speaking without forethought can be even more dangerous in other circumstances,

for example, when someone has entrusted us with a secret. A sign of maturity is the
ability to keep a secret. Very young children are incapable of understanding the concept
of a secret. To them, every piece of information is interesting, new and meant to be
shared. As we grow older, we all learn how to keep a secret, but too often we keep only
our own secrets and not those that others confide in us. We may blurt out something a
friend told us in confidence, perhaps carelessly but often to appear important in other
people’s estimation. It gives us a sense of power to know something that our friends
don’t, and it requires conscious effort to keep the information to ourselves.

5. But this is the real test of an important life skill: self–restraint. Revealing a friend’s
secret is to betrayal of the friendship. Indeed, the consequences may well spread way
beyond the friendship alone. It may lead to gossip spreading like a forest fire, destroying
peace of mind and even lives.

6. Words have power to hurt or heal. They are not mere tools for tweeting and
messaging. Before the tongue speaks, before the fingers fly over the keyboard, it is
important to pause and apply the THINK acronym filter. Is this True, Helpful, Inspiring,
Necessary and Kind?

7. Of course it is important to communicate. But it is far more important to be

considerate and compassionate. Speaking well is a skill: speaking kindly is a life skill.

4.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How much of frankness is acceptable?

(b) What does the term ‘put a filter’ mean in this context?

(c) According to the writer what is the best way to reveal the truth”?
(d) Why is it important to keep secrets?

Answer:

(a) One should be frank to the extent that it does not affect relationships. Complete
frankness looks good only in small children. As we grow old we should be smart and
filter information.

(b) In this context ‘to put a filter’ means before speaking, a sensible person will filter
whatever he wishes to say. He will think through his thoughts before uttering a word.

(c) The writer says that one must ensure that the place, time and the words are chosen
with care. In addition to this, one must use very kind words to convey the truth.

(d) It is very important to keep secrets. We mayblurtout something a friend toldus in

confidence, in a careless manner but often to appear important in other people’s
estimation. So, it requires conscious effort to keep the information to ourselves.

4.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The term “acronym’ used in para 2 denotes a/an . .

(i) bitter truth

(ii) acrobat

(ii) abbreviation of the title/phrase

(iv) phrase

Answer:

(ii) acrobat

(b) The antonym of ‘cruelty’, used in para 3 is

(i) kindness

(ii) utter suddenly

(iii) speak softly

(iv) wipe out

Answer:

(i) kindness

(c) The writer says that it is not necessary to use very kind words to convey the truth.
(True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) Words are not mere tools for tweeting and messaging, but they also have power to

Answer:

hurt or heal

5. Read the following passage carefully:

1. What is Discipline? Is it absolute freedom to do what a person wants? Is freedom

regardless of consequences? Does it mean corrective action after a problem occurs or a
wrong is done? Is it imposition? Is it abuse? Does it take away freedom?

2. The answer is none of the above. Discipline does not mean that a person takes a belt
and beats up kids. That is madness. Discipline is loving firmness. It is direction. It is
prevention before a problem arises. It is harnessing and channelising energy for great
performance. Discipline is not something you do to but you do for those you care about.

3. Discipline is an act of love. Sometimes you have to be unkind to be kind: Not all
medicine is sweet, not all surgery is painless, but we have to take it. We need to learn
from nature. We are all familiar with that big animal, the–giraffe. A mama giraffe gives
birth to a baby giraffe, standing. All of a sudden, the baby falls on a hard surface from
the cushion of mama’s womb, and sits on the ground. The first thing mama does is to
get behind the baby and give him a hard kick. The baby gets up, but his legs are weak
and Wobbly and the baby falls down. Mama goes behind again and gives him one more
kick. The baby gets up but sits down again. Mama keeps kicking till the baby gets on its
feet and starts moving. Why? Because mama knows that the only chance of survival for
the baby in the jungle is to get on its feet. Otherwise it will be eaten up by wildcats and
become dead meat.

4. Children brought up in a loving, disciplined environment end up respecting their

parents more and become law–abiding citizens. The reverse is just as true. Good
parents are not afraid of momentary dislikes by children to enforce the subject. Allowing
a child to eat a box of chocolate could lead to sickness. At the same time, the discipline
of eating one or two pieces a day can be an enjoyable experience for a longer time. Our
instinct makes us do whatever we want regardless of the consequences. Freedom is not
procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but controlling the desire.

5.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What according to the writer is not discipline?

(b) How can we prevent a problem from Surfacing?

(c) Why do you think a mama giraffe kicks her baby immediately after birth?

(d) What is the role played by parents in creating law–abiding citizens?

Answer:

(a) Discipline is not giving absolute freedom. It is also not hitting or abusing a child.
Discipline is not force either.

(b) We can prevent a problem from surfacing by taking steps before the problem occurs.
We need to anticipate and take precautionary steps rather than correcting it after the
problem occurs.

(c) A mama giraffe knows the harsh ways of the world. It knows that if the baby does
not stand up then the wild animals of the forest will eat it up. So it does this in the
interest of the child.

(d) Good parents instil good habits and discipline in their children without worrying for
their momentary dislikes. The children brought up this way become respectful and law–
abiding citizens.

5.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 1, the word ‘corrective’ means .. .

(i) improve

(ii) remedial

(iii) medicinal
(iv) therapeutic

Answer:

(ii) remedial

(b) In para 4, the opposite of ‘incapacity is .. .

(i) enforce

(ii) procured

(iii) instinct

(iv) controlling

Answer:

(ii) procured

(c) Discipline means not only absolute freedom but also a corrective action after a
problem occurs. (True/False)

(d) Discipline brings true freedom by .. .

Answer:

controlling the desires.

6. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Overpowering prey is a challenge for limbless creatures. Some species inject venom
like Russell’s viper. Some others opt for an alternative non–chemical method – rat
snakes, for instance, grab and push their prey against the ground, while pythons use
their brawn to squeeze their quarry to death. But snakes can’t be neatly divided into
venomous and non–venomo

2. Even species listed as non–venomous aren’t completely devoid of venom. The

common sand boa, for instance, produces secretions particularly toxic to birds. So the
species doesn’t hedge its bets – it constricts its prey and injects venom for good
measure.
3. Do vipers need venom potent enough to kill hundreds of rats with just one drop? After
all, they eat only one or two at a time.

4. While predators try their darndest to kill most efficiently, their prey use any trick to
avoid becoming a meal, such as developing immunity to venom. For instance,
Californian ground squirrels are resistant to Northern Pacific rattlesnake venom.

5. Competition with prey is not the only thing driving snakes to evolve more and more
toxic venom. Snakes also struggle to avoid becoming prey themselves.

6. Some snake predators have partial immunity to venom. Famously, mongooses are
highly resistant to cobra venom, and with their speed and agility, kill snakes with
impunity. It would be the death of cobras as a species if they didn’t evolve more toxic
venom to immobilise mongooses.

7. Venom has another important role. It’s an extreme meat tenderiser; specific enzymes
disintegrate the innards of prey. Normally, a reptile depends on the sun’s warm rays to
aid digestion. Venomous snakes have an advantage: enzymes in venom digest the meal
from the inside before it rots in their guts.

8. But I wonder if we, cannot use venom in our favour. In remote parts of India, local
hospitality often involves leather–tough meat. I chew and chew until my jaws ache. If I
spit it out or refuse, our hosts would be offended. Eventually, I swallow like a python
stuffing a deer down its throat and hope I don’t choke. If only I had venom.

6.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) Russel viper and Rat snake have different methods to attack its prey. Explain.

(b) How does sand boa kill its prey?

(c) There is a constant tussel between the predators of the prey. Why?

(d) Snakes have to guard themselves against their predators as well. How do they do
this?

Answer:

(a) Russels viper is a venomous snake. It injects venom into its prey, whereas rat
snakes use an alternative non–chemical method–push and grab their prey against the
ground immobilising it.
(b) The sand boa first captures its prey and then injects venom. Though it belongs to
the non venomous category but it does secrete some venom which is enough to kill the
prey.

(c) This is but natural because the predator has to kill and the prey has to protect itself.
The ground squirrels in California are resistant to the venom of rattle snake. They
develop immunity from the venom. The predator has to then think of other ways.

(d) Snakes use their venom not only to kill their prey but also to prevent their predators
from reaching them. Some of their predators, for example, mongooses are resistant to
the venom. Therefore the snakes have to constantly evolve more toxic venom.

6.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The synonym of another’, in para 1 is .

(i) squeeze

(ii) alternative

(iii) similar

(iv) quarry

Answer:

(ii) alternative

(b) The opposite word of ‘full in para 2 is .

(i) complete

(ii) measure

(iii) completely

(iv) devoid

Answer:

(iv) devoid
(c) Snakes use their venom not only to kill their prey but also to prevent their predators
from reaching them. (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) Mongooses, who are highly resistant to cobra venom, kill snakes .

Answer:

with their speed, agility and impunity

7. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Science and technology not only dominate the psyche of humanity but also the whole
biosphere. How does science influence civilisation and how is it related to human
happiness?

2. The original, cosmic evolution of the biosphere was one that promoted, supported,
nourished, sustained and enhanced life. Life went on adding to the evolution with newer
species and ecosystems, even more beautiful and vibrant than the ones before. Our
biosphere accommodated a pleasant weather cycle and climate system to support these
newer species, keeping everything in dynamic equilibrium.

3. Now the biosphere is overburdened and ailing. Some of our ecosystems have already
collapsed, while others are at death’s door. Ever increasing pollution coupled with over–
exploitation of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions is driving several
species towards extinction. This phenomenon that has occurred by itself, and neither
has it been caused by, human beings alone. But it definitely has been spurred by so–
called advances in technology.

4. In this millennium, we no longer live in a, biosphere – we are inhabitants of a

technosphere. A technosphere is an impaired biosphere that has no affinity with values
of life nor with sustainability and evolution of life. Although technology has empowered
civilisation, it has also reduced it to being a mere tool of science and technology. And
when the whole civilisation turns technocratic, science and technology are bound to
dominate, causing life to shrink. The intensifying climate crisis is but a symptom of the
biosphere’s illness and life’s gradual collapse.

5. We’ve reached a point where we are intolerant of anything remotely “unscientific” in

our contemporary world. Scientists look for alternatives, but even these solutions are
sought in the same domain that has caused these problems. In short, we are stewing in
a soup of our own making.
6. So, what would be meaningful for the welfare of humans? Naturally, something that
would enhance life, serve to integrate ecosystems and cleanse our environment.
Enhancement of lit includes betterment of human life and vice versa. If life shrinks, we
cannot blossom.

7. Science and technology by themselves are neutral; it is the way we use them that has
either a positive or negative impact on our lives and environment. And when we use
science in a manner that increases unsustainability and unhappiness in our lives, how
can we rely blindly on science for our happiness?

7.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How did the biosphere evolve over a period of time?

(b) How has this equilibrium got disturbed now?

(c) What is the difference between biosphere and technosphere?

(d) Man needs to use ‘science and technology’ in a sensible manner. Explain.

Answer:

(a) Originally when cosmic evolution happened, biosphere supported and promoted the
growth of species. As life continued more and more species evolved. Our biosphere also
evolved and created the right weather and climate to support the new species.

(b) Today many of the ecosystems have collapsed, many species have disappeared from
the face of the earth. This has happened due to increasing pollution, deforestation and
over exploitation of natural resources.

(c) Biosphere is nature’s creation with plants, animals and the climat and animals live in
harmony with the climate around. A technosphere is a biosphere that has been
destroyed by the advancement of technology.

(d) By itself science and technology is neither good nor bad. It is how we use them. If
we use it to increase instability, then we are creating unhappiness around us. Also the
environment around us gets polluted.

7.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 3, the synonym of ‘disappeared is . .

(i) disintegrated
(ii) settle

(iii) ailing

(iv) collapsed

Answer:

(iv) collapsed

(b) In para 5, the antonym of ‘nearly’ is . .

(i) sought

(ii) remotely

(iii) stewing

(iv) domain

Answer:

(ii) remotely

(c) A biosphere that has been destroyed by the advancement of technology is called an
ecosystem. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) Today many of the ecosystems have collapsed due to increasing . .

Answer:

pollution and over exploitation of natural resources.

8. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Music is perhaps one of the most popular and widely practised forms of Fine Arts,
transcending all kinds of cultural and linguistic barriers. Any form of fine art is difficult to
master and almost impossible to perfect and music is no exception.
2. Nature, it is learnt, has blessed almost two thirds of the human race with musical
ability of some sort. Music has the power to bring out the deepest emotions. It can make
one cry or bring a smile on one’s face. In fact it is a magic medicine and many seek
refuge in it when they are depressed or stressed. It is this intimacy that makes us listen
to music or even hum or sing sometimes. This singing, or realistically speaking,
expressing one’s emotion musically, sometimes takes a serious. turn. This desire to
showcase musical expression in public domain then transforms into serious business
profession. And from here the musical journey begins.

3. This desire to sing before an audience is innocent and beautiful and indeed it is
perfectly alright to have such a genuine desire. But it is also important to understand
that singing is an intricate art – a highly refined one at that, which requires systematic,
prolonged and rigorous training, even to pass muster. This is an aspect we forget in our
keen desire to reach the stage and perform. It is almost like preparing a formal meal for
some specially invited guests, without even having learnt and experienced the basic
aspects of cooking. This is why we have more noise and less music in the present.

4. These days almost everyone sings and it does not stop here. Most of us want to
become professional singers. Result, a complete disregard for and ignorance of the
training part, as the need is never felt to go through one and the urge to get to the
stage and perform overpowers the slight inclination to learn, if any. If at all, somewhere
along the way one feels the need to gain some knowledge and training, it leads to
hurried shortcuts and half–hearted attempts, best described as “Crash Courses.”

5. It is observed that those who have attained the so called partial success, suddenly
feel that they lack the required knowledge and are not learned enough. But it is too late
by then. It should be understood here that the stage or a performance brings in a
different mindset within the artist. It is always recommended and rightly so, that while
on stage, cover the mistakes and weaknesses if any, and get along. But the contrary is
true when it comes to acquiring knowledge and during the learning process. While under
training, the student is expected to make mistakes but then rectify those mistakes under
the supervision and guidance of the teacher. Therefore it is good to make mistakes and
then be corrected during the process of learning as this subsequently makes one
flawless and educated. This is a different mindset. And these two mindsets discussed
above, (those of a performer and that of a student) cannot co–exist.

8.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How can we say that music is magic?

(b) How do people get transformed from humming tunes to becoming professional
musicians?

(c) The desire to sing in public overpowers singing capability Elaborate.

(d) Why cannot the mindset of a performer and a student co–exist?

Answer:

(a) Music can lift the spirits of sad people and it can make people laugh and cry as well.
It has the power to bring out the deepest emotions. In fact, it is a magical medium and
many seek refuge in it when they are depressed or stressed.

(b) From humming music, in the case of some people it takes a serious turn and they
develop the desire to perform in public and make it their profession, and from here the
musical journey begins.

(c) In their urge to sing in public people fail to understand that it requires hours of
practice and training to gain expertise in this fine art. And they end up becoming mere
performers not good singers.

(d) The mindset of a performer and a student cannot co–exist because a performer is
told to make amends if a mistake happens while presenting on the stage whereas a
student is told that it is o.k. to make mistakes as they help us to learn better.

8.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The synonym of ‘exceeding’ in para 1 is . .

(i) limiting

(ii) transcending

(iii) crossing

(iv) believing

Answer:

(ii) transcending

(b) In para 4, the antonym of ‘aversion’ is . .

(i) disregard

(ii) urge

(iii) inclination
(iv) training

Answer:

(iii) inclination

(c) Music has neither the power to bring out the deepest emotions nor can make people
laugh and cry. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) The writer says that music is perhaps one of the widely practised forms of Fine Arts,
going beyond all kinds of . .

Answer:

cultural and linguistic barriers

9. Read the following passage carefully:

1. In 1924, two brothers inherited their father’s craft and opened Dassler Brothers’
Shoes Factory in the town. Very soon, by virtue of learning from their father’s
outstanding shoe making craft over years, a different style sole was invented by them.
They nailed some pegs into soles so as to keep from slip. Despite of being odd, they did
more than most when people wore slippery shoes. With this kind of shoes being popular
in the town, some of the residents from surrounding towns began to come to order
these shoes.

2. For the bigger market, the little brother Adolf came up with a marketing idea that let
customers try for free. This kind of commercial sales had never been heard at that
moment. After a month, with the experience of trying, the customers all flooded into the
factory: Some of them bought the shoes at once and some continued to order. Since
that, Dassler Brothers’ Shoes Factory won the big market.

3. At that time, the German people were very fond of soccer, even though sports were
not popular at all. Their mania to soccer was matchless in the world or even could be
described as demonic. Consequently, a good pair of soccer shoes became almost all the
German people’s dreams. Dassler brothers had a keen business sense even when they
were only children, and they began to study again in the factory and design football
shoes at once. The very simple design may seem outdated today, but at the time they
were totally new and advanced design.
4. Several years later, the brothers built a bigger shoes factory and began to sell to the
whole Germany. The new factory was named as Adidas Factory which was the
predecessor of today’s famous Adidas. In the third and fourth decade of the 20th
century, the brothers’ shoes became well known in larger areas and they kept enlarging
their business. Especially, the track and field star Jesse Owens wore the spiked shoes
made by Dassler brothers and got four championships in the 1936 Berlin Olympic
Games. This set the whole sporting world on fire and Dassler brothers’ name was known
by more and more people.

9.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How did the brothers improve upon their father’s design?

(b) Adolf came up with an innovative idea. What was it?

(c) How were the brothers different from other businessmen?

(d) How did the Adidas factory come into existence?

Answer:

(a) The brothers invented a new sole. They nailed some pegs to it. This was done to
prevent the shoe from slipping. So they became popular and people from other towns
came to buy them.

(b) Adolf for the first time came up with a marketing idea of letting people try shoes for
free and then deciding whether they want to buy it. This kind of commercial sale had
never been heard at that time.

(c) The brothers had a keen sense of business and understood that people in Germany
love the game of football. They studied the design and then came up with their own
shoes for football players.

(d) As their popularity grew tie brothers built a bigger factory and entire Germany was
buying shoes from them. Slowly their shoes became very popular and they expanded
their business. Most of the track and field event participants including Jesse Owens wore
Adidas shoes for the Berlin Olympics.

9.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The antonym of ‘reducing’ in para 4 is .. .

(i) increasing
(ii) sharing

(iii) spreading

(iv) enlarging

Answer:

(iv) enlarging

(b) The synonym of ‘obsolete’ in para 3 is .. .

(i) outdated

(ii) simple

(iii) demonic

(iv) matchless

Answer:

(i) outdated

(c) This was Adolf’s father who came up with a marketing idea of letting people try
shoes for free. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) The brothers soon understood that people in Germany were .. .

Answer:

very fond of soccer.

10. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Crash dieting may help you lose weight, in the short term, but, ultimately it can
hinder weight loss in the long term, as most of the weight that you have lost with crash
dieting will bounce back, meaning you will gain all the weight that you have lost and
more. Crash dieting not only removes fat but also leans muscle and tissue. Contrary to
the belief of many who start this diet, this form of dieting is neither healthy nor
successful in achieving long term weight loss as it induces the slowing down of the
body’s basal metabolic rate – the body seeks to conserve every calorie and so weight
loss becomes increasingly difficult. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories your
body needs on a daily basis, to maintain its regular activities. This means your body will
need fewer calories than it did previously, making weight gain more likely once you stop
dieting.

2. Most crash diets involve eating low–calorie foods for several weeks or eating the
same food or food groups for several weeks. Even if you’re only trying the diet for a
week or two, eating such a strict diet of the same foods can cause nutritional
deficiencies. Eliminating one or more food groups will not provide you with adequate,
long–term nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies such as this can have multiple immediate
side effects such as haggard look, dark under eyes, dull skin, sloppy posture and less
stamina.

3. This is also why exercise is recommended in any weight–loss plan to build muscle and
maintain your metabolic rate. Again common mistakes that are observed with exercise
are joining the gym only till the New Year, so that you can lose weight and once the
party is over, the party for not exercising continues. On the other hand, we have some
who make New Year resolutions and with the gym memberships which are so tempting
during the New Year, take up annual memberships, which is not bad, What is bad is to
break the resolution. It is good to take up an exercise programme during the new year
and to make a resolution about exercise, provided you do not break your resolution, and
continue exercising year long. What is important is consistency.

4. It’s strongly recommended not to go on a Crash Diet, even if you are motivated to
lose weight to fit into clothes a couple of sizes smaller. What is good is to make a
conscious effort to lead a healthy lifestyle. This in the long run will help you achieve
normal weight and help you be energetic and cheerful. Safe weight loss is considered to
be no more than half a kilogram to one kilogram per week. No single food can be
considered good or bad. A single meal does not make or break a healthy diet, as all
foods can fit into a good diet when consumed in moderation.

10.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What harm does crash dieting do? Mention any two.

(b) There is a basic flaw in diet plans What is it?

(c) Why is exercise important?

(d) What is the writer’s view on gym membership?

Answer:

(a) Firstly, crash dieting weakens muscle and tissue along with removing fat. The weight
that you have lost with crash dieting will bounce back. Secondly, it induces the slowing
of basal metabolic rate. The body seeks to conserve every calorie and so weight loss
becomes increasingly difficult.

(b) All the diet plans recommend same food or food groups. This can cause nutritional
deficiency in the longer run. Eliminating one or more food groups will not provide you
with adequate, long–term nutrition.

(c) Exercise is recommended in any weight–loss plan as it increases metabolic rate and
helps in building muscle mass. It should be made a habit of one’s lifestyle. Make a
resolution to continue exercising year long. Consistency is very important.

(d) According to the writer people get tempted before New Year and take memberships
to lose weight and then do not bother to continue with them. Secondly there are people
who take membership because gyms announce a discount during New Year. Both these
category people are not interested in the exercise or fitness.

10.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 2, the synonym of ‘sufficient is .

(i) adequate

(ii) high

(iii) less

(iv) equal

Answer:

(i) adequate

(b) In para 3, the antonym of ‘opposed’ is .

(i) observed

(ii) tempting

(iii) resolution
(iv) recommended

Answer:

(iv) recommended

(c) According to the passage, one should make a conscious efforts to lead a healthy
lifestyle instead of going on a crash diet. (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) The amount of calories, our body needs on a daily basis to maintain its regular
activities is called .

Answer:

basal metabolic rate

11. Read the following passage carefully:

1. A youngster quit Facebook in December after spending over three years on the social
networking site. With that one act, he bid a silent adieu to more than 300 contacts that
he had added to his account during the period. Like almost everyone from his “friends’
circle,” the 20–year–old was a regular on the service; visiting it everyday to post photos
and status updates. But last week, a new feature on Facebook called Timeline forced
him to reconsider the pros and cons of being on the networking site.

2. ‘Everyone has some skeletons in their closet and I am just not comfortable with
Facebook digging up and displaying all the facets of my life on a bulletin board,’ says
this youngster who joined the network in July 2007 while he was in Class 11.

3. Facebook, you see, had compressed the time he spent on the site and arranged it in
chronological order. And while he initially liked the new, neatly organised scrapbook–like
feature, he wasn’t happy to reveal posts from the past, those that, until recently, were
hidden under layers and layers of recent updates. Just clicking on a date on the timeline
could transport his friends back in time and enable them to view every embarrassing
comment, link or photo he had posted on his profile.

4. “I think it’s a recipe for disaster,” he says. “In 2007, I had some wall posts, which
seemed appropriate at the time, but now after a lapse of four years, I have moved on
and don’t want them to be openly displayed for all to see.”
5. And he is not alone. Many users, worried about how Facebook activity could possibly
affect their offline lives, are choosing to commit ‘Facebook suicide’. While some have
privacy concerns, others feel that the site that was meant to bring them closer to their
friends actually does the opposite – it reduces their friendship to something superficial.

6. “Poking and liking are not enough to keep a friendship going,” says a business
analyst. Having quit Facebook three years ago, she prefers meeting her ‘real’ friends
face–to–face, instead of reading their trite posts online.

7. “On Facebook, people hype everyday issues including what they ate and where they
went on a daily basis,” says this analyst who continues to use Twitter.

8. Similarly, an engineering student, quit Facebook last December four years after
joining it. One fine day, he exported all the data from his account into a little zip file and
hit the delete button.

9. “I realised that when it came to my friends who really mattered, I could actually keep
in touch with them over the phone or by meeting them in real life,” he wrote on his blog.

11.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What feature of Timeline takes away a person’s privacy?

(b) What was the youngster’s initial reaction to Timeline?

(c) Why did the youngster change his mind later?

(d) What does term ‘Facebook suicide’ mean?

Answer:

(a) By clicking on a date on the Timeline one can see the posts, the embarrassing
comments and thoughts, photos and links that a person has put on his profile in the
past. This takes away his privacy.

(b) Initially the youngster found it to be well–organized as it had scrap–book like

features. But only later he realized that it stores all the past information which can be
seen by your friends if they go on to Timeline.

(c) The youngster changed his mind later because he realized that an information or
poster put in the past may have been relevant then but today it may not be. People
move on in life and sometimes they do not want their past to haunt them, they do not
want their friends to see that and comment.
(d) Many people have started feeling that their Facebook activity could affect their real
life. So they are getting out of Facebook. This is called ‘Facebook suicide’.

11.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The meaning of the word ‘share’ in para 3 is .

(i) liked

(ii) timeline

(iii) hidden

(iv) reveal

Answer:

(iv) reveal

(b) The opposite meaning of the word “retained in para 8 is .

(i) exported

(ii) delete

(iii) account

(iv) quit

Answer:

(i) exported

(c) Timeline is a new feature on Facebook that forced the youngster to reconsider the
advantages and disadvantages of being on Facebook. (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) Many people are getting out of facebook as they feel that their facebook activity
Answer:

could affect their real life

12. Read the following passage carefully:

1. I came to California during spring; that alone was stressful. Then I discovered that
academics here were much harder than back home. Add to this that I didn’t know
anyone and had trouble making friends. I was getting more anxious by the day, and I
didn’t know what to do. However, as time went by my shyness changed to excitement,
and that excitement generated an adventurous spirit in me. I wanted to go out and
explore Berkeley, and I was building up the courage to talk to more people.

2. I stayed in the dorms when I first arrived. Although most people on the floor had
already formed their cliques, I’m still grateful to have lived there. I met people who
introduced me to many clubs, classes, and activities that I might otherwise have missed
out on.

3. Still, all the changes and challenges were really getting to me. I used to overeat when
I was anxious, which didn’t benefit my body at all–my stomach would hurt, and then I’d
be even more stressed that I didn’t feel well! “Talking” to someone wasn’t an idea that
occurred to me until much later, when I learned that expressing my feelings might be a
healthier (and less stomach–ache–inducing) way to relieve stress.

4. One of my first friends happened to be in the Health Worker Program (HWP). She was
so amazing! I felt like I finally found someone to talk to, someone who would listen to
me. Eventually, by the end of my first semester at California, things started to look up. I
made more friends, I adjusted to the academics at Berkeley, and I learned how to live in
a city completely different from my hometown. I don’t think I would have managed,
though, if it had not been for my friend’s empathetic nature and peer counselling
training. My experience with her led me to become a health worker as well. When one
thinks of health, many images come to mind; the flu, a cough, medicine. With my major
being Linguistics (read: a social science!), I was very apprehensive about applying to
such a program. I quickly discovered, however, that being a health worker wasn’t about
playing doctor–it’s about learning life skills (which I continue to use in my daily life, on
and off campus) and becoming an advocate of health for your peers.

12.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What were the causes of stress for the writer?

(b) What recourse did the writer take to as time went by?

(c) What is the essential job of a health worker?

(d) How did meeting with the health worker help the writer?

Answer:

(a) The writer was new to California. He was away from his hometown and also the
classroom learning was very different from what it was back in his hometown. That
caused lots of stress and he had nobody to talk to about it.

(b) Initially he was a shy person but with time he developed interest in the things
around him and slowly started talking to people, made friends and this helped him to
beat the stress.

(c) Health workers are people whom you can go to, talk to and discuss your issues.
Essentially they are life–skill trainers. They care for the health of their peers.

(d) Meeting the health worker gave more confidence to the writer, helped him adapt to
the new surroundings and he decided to become a health worker himself so that he
could help his peers with their problems.

12.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 4, the synonym of ‘surprising’ is .

(i) eventually

(ii) amazing

(iii) empathetic

(iv) apprehensive

Answer:

(ii) amazing

(b) In para 1, the antonym of ‘relax’ is .

(i) excitement

(ii) courage

(iii) anxious
(iv) adventourous

Answer:

(ii) courage

(c) The writer was not a shy person, so soon he developed interest in the things around
him and made friends easily. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) Health workers who care for the health of their peers are basically

Answer:

life skill trainer

13. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Every form of human activity upsets or changes the wildlife complex of the area
unceasingly and unavoidably. Man has destroyed many forms of wildlife for no
reasonable purpose. Small sections of the community, for their own narrow, selfish
ends, have destroyed many things of general interest. Expediency has often led man to
make grave blunders in land use, habitat destruction, and the extermination of many
forms of wildlife.

2. In his everyday life, man’s attitude is determined in the main by purely practical
considerations; ethical or moral considerations come afterwards. Looked at in this way,
the disappearance from Britain of such animals as the wolf and wild boar can be more
easily understood. In our intensively cultivated and over–populated country there was
no room for such large mammals, the one a predator of big livestock and the other a
pest to agriculture. Thus, man’s first attitude to animals is the result of their effect on
his own survival, or what he considers to be their effect on his survival.

3. Then there is his concern with sport. The animals he sets aside for this purpose are
given special protection and war is waged unceasingly on any other creatures that may
be a danger to them. This creates many problems and man has made serious errors in
his destruction of predators. Until recent years all hawks and falcons were destroyed as
“vermin” by game preservers. This meant the destruction of kestrels, which are useful to
the farmer: it meant the destruction of owls, which are useful to the farmer; so here you
had sport acting against the interests of food production. agedy of all this is that all the
killing of predators did not in any way improve man’s sport. It has been clearly shown
by modern research that eagles, hawks, falcons and predatory mammals have not the
slightest effect on the numbers of game birds anywhere.

4. Broadly speaking, man wages war against the creatures which he considers harmful,
even when his warfare makes little or no difference to the numbers of his enemies. And
he encourages those creatures which are useful, even though their attacks on pests
make little difference to the numbers of those pests. It would be true to say, therefore,
that our attitude to song–birds, to most birds of prey and to many of our predatory
animals, arises from the fact that they have either been proved useful or of no
consequence. Either way, from this, we have developed the idea of conservation which
means preserving what we have left of our heritage of wildlife and even finding room for
rarities which may do a little damage on the side.

13.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What has been man’s attitude towards wildlife?

(b) How is the justification given for the killing of wolves and wild boar in Britain?

(c) Why has man been killing predators?

(d) In the last paragraph the writer talks about contradictory opinions. Explain.

Answer:

Answer:

(a) Man is selfish and self–centred. He has no morals and ethics. For him it is practical
aspects first and then other things. He can kill any animal, over–cultivate crops, cut
forests and all this for his survival.

(b) Britain, being intensely cultivated and over–populated, destroyed its wolf and wild
boar population because of man’s preoccupation with preserving only those animals that
had practical implications therefore, the wolf, a predator of livestock and the boar, a
pest to agriculture, were destroyed.

(c) Man has been killing predators because he thinks that they are a danger to the birds
useful in sports. But killing these animals has had no effect on the number of game
birds. In nature it is a cycle. If man disturbs this cycle everything gets disturbed.

(d) Man kills those animals which he thinks are harmful and protects those which he
thinks are worth preserving. But in all this he forgets that it is his idea of conservation
and not nature’s.
13.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 1, the synonym of ‘opportunism’ is .

(i) interest

(ii) expediency

(iii) extermination

(iv) blunders

Answer:

(ii) expediency

(b) In para 4, the antonym of ‘endangering’ is .

(i) heritage

(ii) preserving

(iii) consequences

(iv) predatory

Answer:

(ii) preserving

(c) Conservation is an idea to preserve our heritage of wildlife from the damaging effect
of human activity. (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) Killing of predators by the man, who are a danger to the birds useful in sports has
had no effect .

Answer:
on the number of game birds

14. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Once upon a time, there lived a poor farmer with his wife and son in a small village.
He toiled a lot in his field but the fruits of his labour were meagre. One day, exhausted
by the heat, he laid down under the shadow of a tree to take a nap. All of a sudden, he
saw a giant cobra crawling out of an ant–hill.

2. The farmer thought to himself, “Sure, this snake must be a deity guarding my field.
So far I have not noticed it and that is why all my farming is in vain. Let me pay my
respects to it now and worship it hereafter.” He then made up his mind, brought some
milk in a bowl and placed it before the ant–hill. He said aloud,“ O! Lord! Guardian of my
field! I did not know that you dwell here. Please forgive me for not paying respects to
you.” He left the milk bowl there and went back to his house. The next morning, he was
surprised to see a gold coin in the bowl.

3. Since then, the farmer placed a bowl of milk every day and got back a gold coin the
next morning. Soon the farmer became rich and happy. This continued for sometime.
One day, the farmer had. to go to a nearby city for a few days and so he directed his
son to place the milk bowl near the ant–hill every day. The son kept the milk bowl and
left, only to find a gold coin next day. He then thought to himself, “This ant–hill must be
full of gold coins; I’ll kill the serpent and take all of them”.

4. The next day, while placing the bowl of milk, the farmer’s son struck the snake with a
club. But the serpent escaped and bit him with his sharp fangs instead. He was dead at
once. When the farmer returned, he learnt about his son’s fate and grieved. The next
morning, he took the bowl of milk and went to the ant–hill.

5. The snake came out and said, “Your greed made you overlook even the loss of your
son. Your son struck me in ignorance and I had bitten him to death. I cannot forget the
blow on my head and you cannot forget the loss of your son. Hereafter, the friendship
between us is not possible.” So saying, the snake gave a costly coin and disappeared.
The farmer returned home cursing the foolishness of his son.

14.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) Why did the farmer think of the snake as a deity?

(b) Was it right on the part of the farmer to presume that the snake was guarding the
field?

(c) Did the farmer’s son get all the gold coins? Why?
(d) Why did the farmer give milk to the snake even after his son’s death? How did the
snake react to the farmer?

Answer:

(a) The farmer had been toiling hard but had not received the fruits of his labour. The
day he saw the giant cobra he thought that it must be a deity and since he had not
offered his respects to the creature, he had not been able to flourish in life.

(b) In my opinion the farmer should not have presumed this way. That was probably the
place where the cobra anyway lived. These are the places where creatures such as
snake live. It was a mere co–incidence that the snake came out at that time. People
have lot of superstitions and beliefs that have no basis and this is one such thing.

(c) No, the farmer’s son instead of feeding milk to the snake tried to kill it but it
managed to escape and bit him with its sharp fangs instead. He was dead at once.

(d) This goes to show that the farmer was a greedy person. Even his son’s death did not
deter him from going for the gold coin. On seeing him the snake came out and told him
that their friendship was not possible, gave a gold coin and disappeared.

14.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 2, the antonym of ‘neglecting’ is .. .

(i) guarding

(ii) deity

(iii) farming

(iv) paying

Answer:

(i) guarding

(b) In para 1, the synonym of ‘abundant is .. .

(i) toiled

(ii) exhausted
(iii) meagre

(iv) deficient

Answer:

(iii) meagre

(c) Farmer’s son also placed a bowl of milk for snake and got back a gold coin the next
morning (True/False)

Answer:

True

(d) The farmer was a greedy person because even his son’s death did not deter him

Answer:

from giving milk to the snake for the gold coin.

15. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Work is something that we do, all through life. More important than the work we do,
is our attitude to it. From the moment we are born, till we die, work is being done all the
time, whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not. Even sitting idle or lying in
bed is an activity, a work. Breathing, digesting, sleeping, waking up, blinking, keeping
up our muscles tone, the slow process of formation of new cells and destruction of old
ones, all these activities are work that goes on, with or without our consent. It is only in
death that work truly ceases. Many people feel that they would like to retire at the age
of 60 and do ‘nothing’. But as long as we are alive, it is impossible to do ‘nothing’.

2. Having agreed that work is unavoidable, we need to look at how we do the work.
Whether it is a child who is playing, a mother who is feeding her child, a house help who
is sweeping the floor, or a physician who is saving lives – what is important in all these
activities is our attitude. Are you doing your work with a happy, creative, cheerful
outlook, or are you constantly complaining and wishing for ‘something else to do?
Because if you are miserable doing the work allotted to you, rest assured that you’ll
remain miserable in whatever work you do.

3. Since work and activity is unavoidable, why not do it with pleasure, with interest, with
involvement, with joy? What is in our hands, is how to react to the work that we do.
When you are, standing in the queue to pay your child’s fees, or waiting at a
government office to renew your licence or passport, you have only two choices: either
spend the time relaxing and making friends with others standing in line, or spend the
time irritated, angry and frustrated.

4. What is worship? It is offering something to God. Here, we are offering our work to
God. We normally work only for our own benefit, for our own profits. When we are ready
to give up this benefit, this profit, and accept anything and everything that comes our
way as a blessing from God, then, our work becomes worship.

15.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What is more important work or attitude and why?

(b) What are the various things happening inside our body which we are not aware of?

(c) What kind of attitude should we possess towards our work?

(d) What are the choices we have when there is some urgent work that we have to
complete?

Answer:

(a) Attitude is more important than work because of attitude we can do any work with a
happy, creative, cheerful outlook. So, it is our attitude that makes the work a happy or a
miserable experience.

(b) There are various things which we are not aware of. Even lying in bed is an activity.
Blinking, sleeping, waking up, formation of new cells are all work that keep going on in
our body without our knowledge.

(c) We should adopt a pleasurable attitude towards our work. This will make us feel
involved in the work and make it a relaxing pre–occupation instead of feeling irritated,
angry and frustrated by it.

(d) The choices that we have when performing an urgent piece of work is to accept
everything that comes our way as a blessing from God and then the work becomes a
form of worship.

15.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) The synonym of ‘advantage’ in para 4 is . .

(i) after
(ii) profit

(iii) benefit

(iv) blessings

Answer:

(iii) benefit

(b) The antonym of ‘cheerful in para 2 is . .

(i) happy

(ii) miserable

(iii) complaining

(iv) unavoidable

Answer:

(ii) miserable

(c) Work becomes worship when we worry about its fruits and profits, and do it with our
personal interest. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) Attitude is more important than work because it is our attitude that makes the work

Answer:

happy or miserable experience

16. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Henry Ford was convinced that belief in self, whether positive or negative, always
showed results. So if you believe you are capable, it’s true for you. Likewise, if you
believe you’re incapable, that’s true for you as well.
2. Ford spoke from experience. For his humble beginnings as an apprentice machinist,
when he had nothing with him except his passion for mechanics, to successfully
founding the Ford Motor Company, his life was a fine example of belief in self. When
Ford was working on designing a gasoline–powered car, his friend, the great Thomas
Edison was not convinced about it. But Ford believed in his idea and carried on until he
succeeded. A century later, cars still run on gasoline.

3. It is easy to see how positive beliefs work for us: when we believe we can achieve a
goal, we work diligently and do what it takes until it sees the light of day – like Ford did.

4. There are those who look for reasons why things won’t go their way. And there are
others who are only concerned about how they’ll make it work, and they do. This is
because self–doubt and self–belief are products of the same mind.

5. Before 1970, experts believed that a man could not lift more than 500 pounds. Then
along came Russian Olympian Vasily Alexeev, who decided to break the 500 pounds
barrier. Initially, he could not lift more than 499 pounds. Then one day. his trainers put
501.5 pounds on his par without his knowledge, which he lifted thinking it was 499.
Within a week of Vasily’s record–breaking lift, Serge Redding of Belgium and Ken Patera
of USA also lifted more than 500 pounds.

6. So what was preventing these great weight lifters from crossing the 500–pound mark
before 1970? It was their self–limiting belief. Once a new belief replaced the old one,
there was no doubt left in their minds about their ability. William Shakespeare said: “Our
doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

7. Shakespeare uses the word ‘traitors’ to describe our doubts. He knew that despite
being created by our own mind, our doubts cripple us, immobilise us and prevent us
from reaching our potential. And just as a positive belief works in our favour, doubt – a
negative belief – works against us. When you don’t have faith in your abilities, you have
little motivation to–accomplish your goals. Consequently, you end up putting little, if
any, effort towards making them a reality – and your goals never materialise.

16.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) How do our beliefs affect us?

(b) What was that unique character trait that made Ford a successful businessman?

(c) What was happening to the weight lifter?

(d) ‘Our doubts are traitors”. Explain these words of Shakespeare.

Answer:
(a) Our beliefs affect us in both positive and negative ways and show results
accordingly. If we think of ourselves as capable performer, we will be capable. If we
consider ourselves incapable, our work will reflect likewise.

(b) The unique character trait that made Ford a successful businessman was his belief in
himself. Even when others tried to convince him otherwise, as did Edison about gasoline
powered engines, Ford remained unwavering in his self–belief and has been proved
right.

(c) The weight lifter was convinced about his disability to lift above 500 pound. When
unknowingly he lifted 501.5 pounds it was proved that a mental block was holding back
his ability to cross the 500 pound mark in weight lifting.

(d) Shakespeare was absolutely right to say that ‘our doubts are traitors’ in his play
‘Measure for Measure’. Here ‘traitors’ imply doubts. It is a negative belief in us. If we do
not have faith in our abilities, we can never reach our goal.

16.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

(a) In para 3, the synonym of ‘earnestly’ is .

(i) dilignetly

(ii) achieve

(iii) positive

(iv) crazily

Answer:

(i) dilignetly

(b) In para 7, the antonym of ‘strengthen’ is .

(i) traitors

(ii) cripple

(iii) accomplish

(iv) potential
Answer:

(ii) cripple

(c) Here ‘traitors’ imply doubts that are positive blief in us and enhance our working to
our full potential. (True/False)

(d) ‘Self doubt’ in this context means .

Answer:

not having faith in oneself

17. Read the following passage carefully:

1. The river flows on. but sluggishly. Its surface is calm and smooth. It turns a bend at a
clump of bamboo, gently passes a grove of coconut, and now drifts along with scarcely a
murmur. It is wide, too. The engineers had needed unspeakable amounts of concrete
and rupees to build a. bridge across and when that went into disrepair with age and
neglect, they had needed even more to build another.

2. A white flock of river terns appears. The terns energetically flap their pointed wings
but mill around in an effort to go slow with the flow. They swoop and pick off the surface
of the river small silvery fish, floating strangely immobile on their side. It is easy work,
for the fish are already dead. Dozens of dead fish follow, sprinkled and sparkling on the
river, killed by poison or by the shock of a dynamite blast upriver. Some feed the terns,
others drift here and there and below the culverts and into the nearby fields.

3. The waters had travelled far to get here. Blown by winds from across the ocean,
meeting the great escarpment of the Western Ghats, rising as vapours and clouds, and
bringing wafting mists and torrential rains, they had drenched the slopes of the
mountains a hundred miles away. Not all the rain had travelled to the ocean, though
much had arisen from the forest itself, ascending of roots and stems and transpiring
through billions of leaves and leaflets. The forests pump hundreds of thousands of litres
of water into the air, and the air returns some of it, falling as rain condensing as dew.

4. Some water flows overland, much sinks in, sponged by the leaf litter and soil. Below
the surface, the water travels through pipes and aquifers far and wide, recharging
ground waters, emerging as springs, and draining into streams feeding the wide river.

5. The clear waters from the forest join other waters; waters that gather the dust and
carry the soil from the road–scars and the mine–wounds on the hill slopes. Waters
deadened by passage through dams and reservoirs, through stagnant pools and ponds
with hyacinth and algae. Waters carrying earth from furrowed and exposed soils under
alien plantations of acacia and eucalyptus and from forests whose litter–blankets are
harvested to enrich the nearby fields with nutriment. Waters course in with the wastes
of villages, towns, and cities, the effluents of factories and the oil and fuel spilled from
lorries washed on the banks.

6. The river passes a rice mill. The mill faces away from the river, with a neat garden in
front and a mound of waste dumped at the back, on the banks.

7. The story of the river seems so familiar. The river gives us water for irrigation,
drinking, washing, bathing, navigation, and power. It provides us fish and fertile plains,
reeds and recreation. But, does the river really give to us all this or do we just take it?
And what do we give back, if anything?

17.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following
questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What is the course that a river takes?

(b) What are terns? What do they pick from the river that is strange?

(c) The river is a combination of different waters. What are these?

(d) The writer says at the end ‘whether the river gives us or we take it. What is the
difference between the two?

Answer:

(a) River flows on its own slowly, bends here and there, passes across trees and groves
and then widens on to the plains.

(b) Terns are water birds which come in flocks to the river. Their food is the fish. They
swoop over the river and catch the fish. The strange thing in this case is that these
fishes are dead.

(c) There is the water that comes from the mountain clear and pure, goes into the
forests, around trees and then there is the rain water. To this gets added water that
comes as effluent from factories, waste from villages and towns and then this becomes
impure.

(d) When somebody gives something to us we will take it with respect, gratitude and
reverence. But ‘Man’ believes in taking, we take water as we need it for everything but
never show respect to it.

17.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:
(a) In para 5, the synonym of ‘motionless’ is .. .

(i) dirtily

(ii) moving

(iii) stagnant

(iv) muddy

Answer:

(iii) stagnant

(b) In para 5, the antonym of ‘deplete’ is .. .

(i) carry

(ii) spilled

(iii) gather

(iv) enrich

Answer:

(iv) enrich

(c) The strange thing in case of the water birds, terns is that they catch only those fish
which are alive. (True/False)

Answer:

False

(d) The river not only gives us water for irrigation, drinking, bathing, power, etc. but
also provides us .. .

Answer:

fish and fertile plains, reeds and recreation