Passage 1
(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 house sparrows 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. The nests of sparrows dotted almost every house in the neighbourhood as well as public places like bus stands and railway stations, where they lived in colonies and survived on food grains and tiny worms.
(3) A study conducted by the Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, highlighted the fact that the population of sparrows had fallen by over 60 per cent even in the rural areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh. A survey conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology showed that the house sparrow’s population in Britain has declined by about 58 per cent since 1970.
(4) Certainly, there is no single reason for the decline of the house sparrows. Mobile tower radiation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers are aggravating the problem and have been identified as potent sparrow killers.
(5) 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 death of chicks, leading to a gradual decline in their population.
(6) Urban landscape too, has been dramatically altered over the years. 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 Dilawar 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 an important bioindicator and their decline is a grim reminder of the degradation of the urban environment and the danger from it to the humans in the long run.
Questions and Answers
(a). What is the most frequently asked question about sparrows these days?
(a) Where have all the sparrows gone?
(b) What do sparrows eat?
(c) Where do sparrows live?
(d) Why are sparrows everywhere?
Answer: (a) Where have all the sparrows gone?
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says ‘Where have all the little sparrows gone?’ is the most frequently asked question about them.
(b). A survey conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology showed that:
(a) house sparrows evoke fond memories of childhood
(b) there is no single reason for the decline of the house sparrows
(c) chemical fertilizers are aggravating the problem and have been identified as potent sparrow killers
(d) house sparrows’ population in Britain has declined by about 58 per cent since 1970
Answer: (d) house sparrows’ population in Britain has declined by about 58 per cent since 1970
Explanation: Paragraph 3 reports the British Trust for Ornithology survey finding a fall of about 58 per cent in Britain since 1970.
(c). What has triggered leading to a gradual decline in their population?
(a) Chicks not getting adequate supply from their parents
(b) Mobile tower radiation
(c) Degradation of the urban environment
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Chicks not getting adequate supply from their parents
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says chicks not getting adequate insect food from their parents triggered large-scale deaths and a gradual decline.
(d). Which of the following definition explains the term ‘bioindicator’?
(a) The species which have beaks and wings, and are sensitive to pollution.
(b) The species which reveal the health of the natural ecosystem.
(c) The species which reveal the presence of toxic pollutants in the environment.
(d) The species which are on the verge of extinction.
Answer: (b) The species which reveal the health of the natural ecosystem.
Explanation: In paragraph 8 the sparrow’s decline reflects the state of the environment, which is what a bioindicator reveals: the health of the ecosystem.
(e). ‘Their decline is a grim reminder of the degradation of the urban environment’. Substitute the underlined word with the most appropriate option from the following.
(a) Gloomy
(b) Mild
(c) Fruitful
(d) Ultimate
Answer: (a) Gloomy
Explanation: ‘Grim’ in paragraph 8 means serious and depressing, i.e. gloomy.
Passage 2
(1) 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 a significant portion of the population that remains under-educated about proper nutrition. Individuals who live in food deserts in low-income neighbourhoods that lack easy access to healthy, affordable food may not even have the opportunity to obtain nutritious food.
(2) Food deserts are located in high-poverty areas, such as sparsely populated rural areas or densely populated, low-income urban centres. 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 access to fresh meat and dairy products available at supermarkets. Residents of these areas who do not have cars have no other option but to travel long distances on public transportation to do their grocery shopping or remain 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.
(3) Furthermore, fast 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. As 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.
Questions and Answers
(a). People who regularly consume food high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats increase their risks of developing:
(a) heart disease
(b) hypertension
(c) diabetes
(d) all of these
Answer: (d) all of these
Explanation: Paragraph 1 names heart disease, hypertension and diabetes (and cancer) among the risks, so all apply.
(b). There is a significant portion of the population that remains under-educated about:
(a) proper nutrition
(b) health risks
(c) types of cancer
(d) healthy, affordable food
Answer: (a) proper nutrition
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says a significant portion of the population remains under-educated about proper nutrition.
(c). Who may not even have the opportunity to obtain nutritious food?
(a) People living in modern America
(b) People who live in low-income neighbourhoods
(c) Children
(d) Aged people
Answer: (b) People who live in low-income neighbourhoods
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says people living in food deserts in low-income neighbourhoods may not even have the opportunity.
(d). Based on your reading of the passage, choose the incorrect statement from the following.
(a) Many of the serious health concerns in modern America can be linked to poor education.
(b) Major food retailer chains tend to limit their store locations to wealthier urban or suburban neighbourhoods.
(c) Fast food restaurants are disproportionately concentrated in low-income areas.
(d) Food deserts are located in high-poverty areas.
Answer: (a) Many of the serious health concerns in modern America can be linked to poor education.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 links the health concerns to poor diet, not poor education.
(e). Choose the option that correctly states the two meanings of ‘refrain’, as used in the passage.
1. Stop oneself from doing something
2. Always indulging in something
3. Deliberately not doing something
4. Saying foolish words to hurt
5. Being reasonable all the time
(a) (2) and (5)
(b) (1) and (4)
(c) (3) and (5)
(d) (1) and (3)
Answer: (d) (1) and (3)
Explanation: In paragraph 2 chains ‘refrain from building stores’, i.e. they stop themselves from, or deliberately avoid, doing so.
Passage 3
(1) Not too long ago, a group of teachers conducted a study on students and their learning problems. A curious fact came to light from the study. The teachers discovered that the students who did poorly in subjects such as math and art could still do very well in other subjects. But the students who were poor at reading, performed badly in all subjects.
(2) No doubt there are other skills involved, such as learning to add and subtract in math, but most of the explanations about how to do things have to be read by the students. Much of the assignments require students to read long sets of directions and questions. These often involve story problems that are explained in words and have to be read and understood before they can be solved.
(3) So, your success or failure in class depends on your ability to read and understand the study-related material. In college, almost all your study time will be spent in reading. You need more and more information and most of this information comes in the printed form. Success in various courses vastly depends on the ability to read, and students who cannot read, or at least read well enough to master the material, are in trouble.
(4) We are fast moving into a world where every day more and more technical reading is required. Instructions for using applications are becoming more complex. There are written instructions related to food preparation, traffic signs, travel, and safety and security, all requiring the ability to read. People in modern society read hundreds of words every day.
(5) The ability to procure and retain a job is directly related to your ability to read. The number of semi-skilled and professional occupations that require high reading ability is increasing rapidly. Today, a person who cannot read is almost unemployable. Even the simplest jobs require some amount of reading ability, and many people advance to more important and better paying jobs by getting additional knowledge, skills, and qualifications, through reading. The more specialised the job, the greater the need to read confidently, quickly, and efficiently.
Questions and Answers
(a). The students who are poor in ______, performed badly in all subjects.
(a) math
(b) art
(c) reading
(d) science
Answer: (c) reading
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says students who were poor at reading performed badly in all subjects.
(b). Much of the assignments require students to:
(a) read long sets of directions and questions
(b) learn to add and subtract in math
(c) perform badly in all subjects
(d) do very well in other subjects
Answer: (a) read long sets of directions and questions
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says much of the assignments require students to read long sets of directions and questions.
(c). What is directly related to your ability to read?
(a) To read confidently and efficiently
(b) To procure and retain a job
(c) To ensure safety and security
(d) To get additional knowledge and skills
Answer: (b) To procure and retain a job
Explanation: Paragraph 5 opens: the ability to procure and retain a job is directly related to your ability to read.
(d). Based on your reading of the passage, choose the incorrect statement from the following.
(a) We are fast moving into a world where every day more and more technical reading is required.
(b) Much of the assignments require students to read long sets of directions and questions.
(c) People in modern society write hundreds of words every day.
(d) The more specialised the job, the greater the need to read confidently, quickly and efficiently.
Answer: (c) People in modern society write hundreds of words every day.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says people read, not write, hundreds of words every day.
(e). ‘Instructions for using applications are becoming more complex’. Substitute the underlined word with the most appropriate option from the following.
(a) System
(b) Combined
(c) Complicated
(d) Simple
Answer: (c) Complicated
Explanation: ‘Complex’ in paragraph 4 means complicated or difficult to follow.
Passage 4
(1) 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 utilise 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.
(2) 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 Ashoka, ‘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.
(3) We are lucky in having 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
Questions and Answers
(a). A free India will be judged by the way in which it will:
(a) utilise the opportunities which are open
(b) blame the Britishers
(c) serve the interests of the common man
(d) raise the standard of efficiency in administration
Answer: (c) serve the interests of the common man
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says a free India will be judged by how it serves the interests of the common man.
(b). How can we raise the standards of efficiency in administration as well as in the production and distribution of the necessary goods of life?
(a) By rooting out corruption in high places
(b) By encouraging love of power
(c) By eradicating every trace of nepotism and black marketing
(d) Both (i) and (iii)
Answer: (d) Both (i) and (iii)
Explanation: Paragraph 1 makes rooting out both corruption and nepotism, black marketing etc. the condition for raising efficiency.
(c). Based on your reading of the passage, choose the incorrect statement from the following.
(a) Concord is the only way by which we can get rid of differences.
(b) A free India will be judged by the way we will root out corruption in high places.
(c) If India gains freedom, the freedom will be used for the welfare of mankind.
(d) Profiteering and black marketing have spoiled the good name of this country in recent times.
Answer: (b) A free India will be judged by the way we will root out corruption in high places.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says India will be judged by how it serves the common man, not by how it roots out corruption.
(d). Which of the following explains the phrase ‘root out’?
(a) To find and remove
(b) To mock and laugh
(c) To fight and win
(d) To promote and contribute
Answer: (a) To find and remove
Explanation: ‘Root out’ in paragraph 1 means to find something bad and remove it completely.
(e). ‘We are lucky in having 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’. Substitute the underlined word with the most appropriate option from the following.
(a) Cheerful
(b) Dull
(c) Cunning
(d) Moody
Answer: (a) Cheerful
Explanation: ‘Buoyant’ in paragraph 3 means lively and cheerful.