Passage 1
2. This resulted in enhanced mobility for both men and women, allowing them to explore the countryside freely and travel between towns. Bicycles symbolised freedom, particularly for women, granting them self-reliant transportation and the ability to participate in recreational activities, like bicycle racing. The rise of bicycles also brought a shift in fashion, with more functional and relaxed clothing tailored specifically for cycling.
3. Bicyclists also became a political force. They played a significant role in the development of road maps, guiding riders along the best routes. They campaigned for better infrastructure to enhance their riding experiences.
4. Today, advances in technology, wearables, and complex data analysis have transformed sports science, particularly in endurance sports, like cycling. Cyclists can now gather vast amounts of data simply by using mobile apps to track their activities. This data not only encompasses exercise details, like its volume or intensity, but also external factors like the impact of weather on the physiological response of the athlete. Furthermore, technology has made it very easy to monitor performance-influencing data outside of training, such as heart rate or sleep quality, through various wearables and cost-effective mobile apps.
5. However, just because we are able to monitor so much information does not mean that it is useful for improving the sports performance of our athletes. In this sense, we believe that we must be critical while adopting any new technologies or trends in training. The first thing we should know is whether there is scientific support for the use of that new gadget or wearable. For example, core temperature is of great importance in the mechanisms that produce fatigue and exhaustion in endurance sports. A few years ago, a device came on the market that estimated this measurement in a non-invasive way and we saw many top cyclists and runners wearing it. However, a study later showed it is an invalid device for measuring one's temperature.
6. Innovation in cycling has evolved from the invention of safety bicycles to technological advancements in sports science. Maximising the potential benefits of these developments requires critical thinking to enhance the training and performance of modern cyclists.
(CBSE Practice Set-1, 2023)
Questions and Answers
(a). What is the passage mainly about?
(a) How did the advancement of sports science impact the fashion industry?
(b) What were the primary societal changes brought about by the rise of bicycles?
(c) How did the invention of the safety bicycle contribute to the development of wearable technology?
(d) In what ways did early versions of bicycles differ from the safety bicycle in the late nineteenth century?
Answer: (b) What were the primary societal changes brought about by the rise of bicycles?
Explanation: Most of the passage describes how bicycles changed mobility, women's freedom, fashion and politics, and later training.
(b). In which sentence does the author express uncertainty about the use of new technologies in training?
(a) "...advances in technology have transformed sports science." (paragraph 4)
(b) "This data not only encompasses exercise details but also external factors like weather." (paragraph 4)
(c) "...just because we can monitor so much information does not mean it is useful." (paragraph 5)
(d) "Maximizing the potential benefits of these developments requires critical thinking." (paragraph 6)
Answer: (c) "...just because we can monitor so much information does not mean it is useful." (paragraph 5)
Explanation: Paragraph 5 questions whether the large amount of monitored data is actually useful.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately by providing two distinct reasons in the blank below.
It can be said that the world of cycling has seen massive changes because ______
Answer: it moved from early bicycles to the lightweight safety bicycle, and it has seen technological advancements, like wearables and data analysis, in sports science.
Explanation: Paragraphs 1, 4 and 6 describe these two big changes.
(d). Which of these is opposite to ‘invalid’ as used in paragraph 5?
(a) ethical
(b) accurate
(c) authentic
(d) trustworthy
Answer: (b) accurate
Explanation: The device was invalid because it did not measure temperature correctly, so the opposite is accurate.
(e). Using information solely from the passage, provide two distinct reasons to complete the sentence appropriately.
Bicycles can be seen as a symbol of empowerment because ______
Answer: they gave women the freedom to travel freely and easily between places, and they enabled them to participate in recreational activities like bicycle racing.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says bicycles granted women self-reliant transport and a chance to race.
(f). Imagine you are a sports scientist tasked with developing a new technological tool to aid cyclists in their training. Provide a brief description, within 40 words, of its specific features and why you chose to include them.
Answer: The tool would offer customised training recommendations and plans, integrated GPS for improved navigation, analysis and feedback capabilities, and social features for connecting with fellow cyclists. This comprehensive approach would enhance cyclists' performance by providing tailored training opportunities and fostering a supportive community.
Explanation: Any scientifically supported, useful feature is acceptable, in line with paragraph 5's call to be critical.
(g). Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (1) and (2).
(1) Cyclists were able to improve the accuracy of maps.
(2) Cyclists became influential and campaigned for better infrastructure.
(a) (2) is a contradiction of (1)
(b) (2) is independent of (1)
(c) (2) is an example of (1)
(d) (2) is the cause of (1)
Answer: (d) (2) is the cause of (1)
Explanation: Paragraph 3 presents cyclists' rise as a political force as what enabled their role in shaping road maps.
(h). Below are statements from cyclists. Identify two statements that could be said by a cyclist in the late nineteenth century:
(1) "I like having a personal coach on my wrist. It just told me how many calories I have burned so far!"
(2) "It's quite a struggle riding up these steep hills on my heavy steel-framed bicycle."
(3) "I feel so liberated whenever I hop on my bicycle. I didn't have freedom like this before!"
(4) "Ugh, there is so much traffic ahead. And I feel so pressured to meet my performance targets every time I hop on a bike."
Answer: (2) and (3)
Explanation: Steel frames and a new sense of freedom belong to the nineteenth century; wearables and performance targets are modern.
Passage 2
2. Conversely, some pieces resonate with the reader's soul, stirring feelings of warmth, happiness, and connection to the world. Often, these compositions centre on themes that are universally understood, such as love, nature, or faith. Being able to actually understand what the poet is trying to say can feel like a little victory and is a welcome relief after grappling with more perplexing poetry.
3. Then there are poems that are emotionally charged; the ones that make the reader curl up in a ball and cry or jump up and down with joy. One is left in awe of the poet's ability to convey emotion through words. Let’s not forget the downright weird poems. These are the ones that defy categorisation and leave the reader to their own devices in attempting to interpret meaning. The author's use of figurative language and unconventional imagery can create a sense of bewilderment that is either intriguing or off-putting. Regardless, the reader can appreciate the uniqueness of the work.
4. Despite the wide range of emotions and reactions that come with studying poetry, it can be a rewarding pursuit. Not only does reading poetry allow one to appreciate the artistic beauty of the written word but it also enables one to develop crucial critical thinking and analytical skills. The process of unlocking a poem's meaning can feel like cracking a code or solving a puzzle but the sense of accomplishment derived from mastering a challenging piece can be deeply gratifying. Finally, impressing an English teacher with a well-analysed poem can be a source of pride and validation.
5. Overall, studying poetry is like a box of mixed chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. But whether it's complex, emotional, simple, or just downright weird, there's always something to be gained from the experience. So, let's applaud all the poets out there, for making us laugh, cry, scratch our heads, and occasionally feel like a genius.
(CBSE SQP 2023)
Questions and Answers
(a). Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude towards studying poetry?
(a) Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavour.
(b) Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
(c) Recognises the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
(d) Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate.
Answer: (c) Recognises the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
Explanation: The author admits poetry can be confusing (paragraph 1) but calls it a rewarding pursuit (paragraph 4).
(b). What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
If solving a riddle is what was intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal.
Answer: The tone of the writer in the given lines is sarcastic. Through the lines, the writer means to say that some poems are so confusing and difficult to understand, as if the goal is to keep the meaning totally obscure. He says that solving a Sudoku puzzle would be better than such puzzling poems.
Explanation: Suggesting Sudoku instead and wondering if obscurity was the goal mocks confusing poems.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author's use of vivid imagery in paragraph (3), such as "curl up in a ball and cry" and "jump up and down with joy", greatly affects the reader because ______
Answer: it beautifully conveys the intensity of the emotions that such poems stir in the reader.
Explanation: These physical images let the reader feel how strongly emotionally charged poems move people.
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) intriguing and off-putting
(b) deciphering and interpreting
(c) appreciate and applaud
(d) simple and challenging
(e) emotions and feelings
Answer: (a) intriguing and off-putting; (d) simple and challenging
Explanation: Intriguing attracts while off-putting repels, and simple is the opposite of challenging; the other pairs are near synonyms.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
We can say that the author's tone becomes more neutral and objective when discussing weird poems, compared to other types of poetry, because ______
Answer: the author acknowledges that the uniqueness of weird poems can be appreciated by readers, regardless of whether they find them intriguing or off-putting.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 presents both reactions without taking a side.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can be like exploring a new city.
Answer: Studying poetry is indeed like exploring a new city. Just as one meets different neighbourhoods, people and challenges in a new city, a reader of poetry meets different themes and styles and must decipher complex meanings in each poem, sometimes getting lost and sometimes discovering delightful surprises.
Explanation: The passage describes poems as simple, emotional, complex or weird, much like the varied parts of an unfamiliar city.
(g). What is the message conveyed by Hina's experience, in the following case?
Hina spends hours trying to analyse a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of accomplishment and pride, once she understands.
(a) Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
(b) Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
(c) The study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
(d) The efforts of studying poetry are inversely proportional to the rewards gained.
Answer: (b) Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says mastering a challenging poem after effort is deeply gratifying.
(h). State whether the following lines display an example of a simple / complex / emotionally charged / downright weird poem.
The sun rises in the east,
A new day begins, a fresh start.
Birds chirp, nature wakes up,
A peaceful feeling in my heart.
Answer: Simple
Explanation: The lines use plain language and a universal theme (nature), which the passage associates with simpler poems.
Passage 3
2. Despite their importance for the gut microbiome, the health benefits of these ‘biotics’, which are present in certain foods or result from their metabolism, extend beyond the digestive tract. A growing body of scientific evidence has linked prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics with improvements in metabolic diseases — including obesity and cholesterol abnormalities — depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality, among many other conditions.
3. Besides promoting general gut health, consuming food rich in probiotics can improve irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic-related diarrhoea, prevent traveller’s diarrhoea, produce vitamins and increase nutrient absorption, and decrease the risk of common infections. In fact, when consumed regularly, probiotics have been found to reduce the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (like the common cold).
4. Many different types of beneficial bacteria are considered probiotics. The most common ones include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, of which there are dozens of strains. “You have to match what it is you’re concerned about with the probiotic you should use,” says Gregor Reid.
5. Some foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, fermented soybeans and kombucha naturally contain probiotics. But here’s where things get complicated: not all fermented foods or yogurts contain probiotics, Reid says. As a consumer, a good starting point is to look for the phrase “contains live and active cultures” on the label; it’s even better if specific strains of bacteria are listed, because then you’ll know you’re getting the right stuff.
6. Simply put, prebiotics are sources of food for those beneficial microbes — the probiotics. They are typically a form of carbohydrate or fibre that we don’t have the enzymes to digest. As a result, they move through the digestive tract to the intestine, where beneficial bacteria (probiotics) can feast on them.
7. When you consume foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics, the microbes in your gut consume the undigestible prebiotic fibre and produce bioactive compounds called postbiotics. They are ultimately the endgame that we want — they affect how our gut operates and keep the good bacteria there and the bad bacteria out.
(CBSE 2024)
Questions and Answers
(a). Which of the following statements best describes the author’s attitude towards probiotics?
(a) Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics are variations of the same thing, with just a difference of a prefix.
(b) All fermented foods or yogurts naturally contain probiotics.
(c) All three biotics are equally important to support microscopic organisms that live in the gut microbiome.
(d) Only probiotics are important as they can improve irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic-related diarrhoea.
Answer: (c) All three biotics are equally important to support microscopic organisms that live in the gut microbiome.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says all three biotics are critical for supporting the gut microbiome and work together.
(b). According to the writer, health benefits of all the ‘biotics’ extend beyond the digestive tract. Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
Answer: A growing body of scientific evidence has linked prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics with improvements in metabolic diseases, including obesity and cholesterol abnormalities, depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality, among many other conditions.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 lists benefits for conditions outside the gut.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
To get the right probiotic and to match it with your body’s requirements, it is important to see the label for ______
Answer: the phrase “contains live and active cultures” and, better still, the specific strains of bacteria listed.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 gives this advice to consumers.
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) increase and decrease
(b) probiotic and postbiotic
(c) beneficial and harmful
(d) feast and fermented
(e) consuming and digestive
Answer: (a) increase and decrease; (c) beneficial and harmful
Explanation: Both pairs appear in the passage with opposite meanings; probiotic and postbiotic are related terms, not opposites.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author wants to stress the fact that there is not just one type of beneficial bacteria considered as probiotic; in fact, some probiotics have ______
Answer: dozens of strains.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have dozens of strains.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words, the importance of prebiotics for the human gut and how they are related to probiotics.
Answer: Prebiotics are fibres we cannot digest, so they reach the intestine where probiotics feed on them. When we eat foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics, the gut microbes consume the prebiotic fibre and produce postbiotics, which keep the good bacteria in the gut and the bad bacteria out.
Explanation: Paragraphs 6 and 7 explain that prebiotics are food for probiotics and lead to useful postbiotics.
(g). As a consumer, if you want to pick a probiotic product, what is the most important thing to keep in mind? Pick the best answer.
(a) Any fermented product that contains probiotics.
(b) Checking the label for specific strains of bacteria.
(c) All products under the “probiotics” section in a grocery store are safe to pick.
(d) Checking the label which clearly says “probiotics” is sufficient.
Answer: (b) Checking the label for specific strains of bacteria.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says it is even better if specific strains are listed, as then you know you are getting the right stuff.
(h). “Despite their importance for the gut microbiome, the health benefits of these ‘biotics’, which are present in certain foods or result from their metabolism, extend beyond the digestive tract.”
As per this statement from the passage, how relevant are the ‘biotics’ for humans? Pick the best answer.
(a) Their relevance has been proven by scientific evidence.
(b) Not very relevant as more study is needed.
(c) Their relevance cannot be generalised for everyone.
(d) Only probiotics are relevant for humans.
Answer: (a) Their relevance has been proven by scientific evidence.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 cites a growing body of scientific evidence for their benefits.
Passage 4
2. Without any perceived risk, there can’t be a feeling that any significant challenge has been surmounted. Fair, but we have to bear in mind that mountaineering is not a sport that can be embraced without preparation. The enthusiasts must develop in themselves the spirit of adventure, willingness to undertake hardships and risks, extraordinary powers of perseverance, endurance, and keenness of purpose before climbing a mountain. They should also know how to handle the mountaineering equipment. Then comes the penance of the rigorous training. This could very well be the lifeline up there. It helps inculcate and hone survival instincts that allow the climber to negotiate perilous situations. There are numerous institutes in India and abroad that offer such training.
3. Mountain climbers are unanimous in agreeing that the unpredictable weather is what they fear the most. There may be sunshine one moment and a snowstorm the other. At higher altitudes, snow is a regular feature and being decisive about setting up camps or proceeding further is crucial. The icy sheets after ice storms make walking treacherous, while the powdery snow makes a mountaineer sink deep into the snow. Up there, where the intention is to embrace Nature’s wonder, one realises that it cannot be done without facing its formidable glory. A true mountaineer may challenge the mountain, yet is always respectful to the powerful forces of nature.
4. Summiting mountains carries its own health risks such as oxygen and altitude sickness problems, frostbite, swelling of hands and feet, fluid collection in the brain or lungs and exhaustion. Yet, the gratification mountaineers feel from mastering something that is so frightening urges them to undertake these endeavours. We may think that mountaineers are fearless, but experts say, “Not at all. It’s fear that keeps them so intrigued with such arduous journeys.” Impulse and brazenness can be deadly foes. In the words of the Indian mountaineer, Bachendri Pal, “The biggest risk ... is not to take the risk at all. Remember that.”
Questions and Answers
(a). How does the speaker view the challenge of mountain climbing?
(a) As an insurmountable obstacle.
(b) As a thrilling test of bravery.
(c) As a mundane and unexciting activity.
(d) As a dangerous pursuit best avoided.
Answer: (b) As a thrilling test of bravery.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the more incredible the mountain, the greater the thrill, a challenge to human bravery.
(b). What is the writer's tone in the given lines from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
But you also have to climb down, which is when most accidents happen – people are tired, it gets dark, it’s harder.
Answer: The tone is cautionary and realistic. After describing the thrill of reaching the top, the writer warns that the descent is the most dangerous part, as climbers are tired and it gets dark, reminding readers that the sport carries real risks.
Explanation: The word 'But' turns from the joy of the summit to a sober warning about accidents.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author's depiction of the weather changing from "sunshine one moment" to "a snowstorm the other" serves to underscore the ______
Answer: unpredictability of mountain weather, which climbers fear the most.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 says climbers unanimously fear the unpredictable weather.
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) adventure and risk
(b) deciphering and interpreting
(c) appreciate and applaud
(d) simple and challenging
(e) sunshine and snowstorm
Answer: (d) simple and challenging; (e) sunshine and snowstorm
Explanation: Simple is the opposite of challenging, and paragraph 3 contrasts sunshine with a snowstorm; the other pairs are related or similar words.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The tone becomes more serious when discussing the risks and dangers associated with climbing mountains because ______
Answer: these risks, such as altitude sickness, frostbite, fluid in the brain or lungs and treacherous weather, can cost climbers their lives.
Explanation: Paragraphs 3 and 4 list life-threatening hazards.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how climbing mountains is like playing with a sword.
Answer: Like a sword, mountain climbing is thrilling and gives a sense of mastery, but it is double-edged. Without training, skill and respect for its power, one careless move can cause serious injury or death, just as impulse and brazenness can be deadly foes on a mountain.
Explanation: The passage balances the thrill of climbing with its dangers and the need for rigorous training (paragraphs 2 and 4).
(g). What is the message conveyed by the author through the mention of the following quote?
“The biggest risk ... is not to take the risk at all. Remember that.”
(a) Embrace challenges and take calculated risks for personal growth and fulfilment.
(b) Avoid risky situations altogether to ensure safety and security.
(c) Always prioritise caution and avoid unnecessary risks in life.
(d) Ignore potential risks and focus solely on achieving goals regardless of consequences.
Answer: (a) Embrace challenges and take calculated risks for personal growth and fulfilment.
Explanation: The passage values preparation and respect for nature, but ends by urging readers not to avoid challenges altogether.
(h). State whether the passage displays an example of persuasive / informative / argumentative writing.
Answer: The passage is an example of informative writing. It describes the thrill of mountaineering, the preparation and training it needs, the dangers of weather and the health risks, giving the reader facts about the sport rather than arguing a case.
Explanation: Most of the passage explains what mountaineering involves and what risks it carries.