Passage 1
2. With time, a sapling grows into a full-grown tree; something so tiny and delicate develops into a strong tree capable of supporting others. No matter how tall it grows, how much it may flourish, or how many animals and birds it may support, its roots are firmly buried from where it once rose. That’s a lesson – to keep ourselves grounded, respect and embrace our roots, and give something back to those humble beginnings that nurtured us into who we are.
3. Then there is the message of peaceful coexistence. ‘I am because we are.’ Nature provides every creature a chance to exist. However, the existence of one creature or being depends on the existence of the other. The tiger eats the antelope; without the antelope, the tiger wouldn’t survive. Likewise, without tigers, the overabundance of antelopes would cause them to starve to death.
4. I wonder if you have noticed that when birds or squirrels see a predator, they give out an alarm call to their fellow creatures, of the lurking danger. They put themselves in danger to save the lives of others. Many animals, like the salmon, usually die after they spawn, but this doesn’t stop them. One life extinguished for the betterment of others is a small price to pay.
5. The snow melts in the warmth of spring to give birth to fresh green leaves. In autumn these leaves age into shades of gold only to be buried in the cold grave of winter. Change is inevitable; the sooner we embrace this, the better it is for us. We must also understand that even in pain there is growth. If you cut a hole in the tree, it will grow around it. No matter what may come in its way, a river will continue to flow. Similarly, no matter what grief may break your heart, nature teaches us that life goes on.
6. Keep in mind life isn’t about making lists and trying to be one step ahead of others. Life is to live. Take a break from being a workaholic, smell the roses, do whatever makes you feel happy and most of all spend some time with nature to pick up invaluable lessons.
Questions and Answers
(a). What is the author's attitude towards the lessons taught by nature?
(a) Cynical
(b) Respectful
(c) Dismissive
(d) Uncertain
Answer: (b) Respectful
Explanation: The author calls nature 'our mother, our first teacher' and values her 'invaluable lessons'.
(b). What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (5)? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
The snow melts in the warmth of spring to give birth to fresh green leaves. In autumn these leaves age into shades of gold only to be buried in the cold grave of winter.
Answer: The tone is reflective and philosophical. Through the cycle of the seasons, from birth in spring to the 'cold grave of winter', the writer calmly reflects on the inevitability of change and prepares the reader to accept it.
Explanation: The lines lead directly to 'Change is inevitable', showing a thoughtful, accepting tone.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author’s use of imagery in the line ‘The snow melts in the warmth of spring to give birth to fresh green leaves. In autumn these leaves age into shades of gold only to be buried in the cold grave of winter’ greatly affects the readers because ______
Answer: it vividly shows the cycle of life through the seasons and helps them see that change is natural and inevitable.
Explanation: The images of birth, ageing and burial mirror life itself (paragraph 5).
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) pain and evolve
(b) joys and sorrows
(c) survive and death
(d) inevitable and evitable
(e) fear and fun
Answer: (b) joys and sorrows; (d) inevitable and evitable
Explanation: Joy is the opposite of sorrow, and 'evitable' (avoidable) is the opposite of 'inevitable'; the other pairs are not true opposites.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author asks the readers to take some time off from their busy schedule and spend time with nature because ______
Answer: life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, and nature can teach us invaluable lessons.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 says 'Life is to live' and urges time with nature to pick up lessons.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how spending time in nature is analogous to taking a therapy session.
Answer: Like a therapy session, time in nature calms the mind and helps us heal. It teaches us balance, resilience and acceptance of change, shows that even pain leads to growth and that life goes on, leaving us refreshed, composed and better able to face our problems.
Explanation: Paragraphs 1 and 5 describe nature teaching composure and helping us move past grief.
(g). What is the message conveyed by the author from the following lines?
If you cut a hole in the tree, it will grow around it. No matter what may come in its way, a river will continue to flow.
(a) Resilience and adaptability in the face of obstacles
(b) The inevitability of transformation in death
(c) The importance of environmental conservation
(d) The fragility of nature and the need for protection
Answer: (a) Resilience and adaptability in the face of obstacles
Explanation: The tree and the river carry on around obstacles, showing resilience and adaptability.
(h). State whether the passage displays an example of expository / inspirational / persuasive type of writing.
Answer: The passage is an example of inspirational writing. It draws life lessons from nature, such as staying grounded, coexisting, sacrificing for others and accepting change, to uplift readers and motivate them to live fully and spend time with nature.
Explanation: The passage aims to uplift and motivate rather than simply inform or argue.
Passage 2
2. Most of us have seen her only in photographs or sketches, therefore the impact of actually holding her is magnified a million times over. One discovers that the dancing girl has no feet. She is small, a little over 10 cm tall — the length of a human palm — but she surprises us with the power of great art — the ability to communicate across centuries.
3. A series of bangles — of shell or ivory or thin metal — clothe her left upper arm all the way down to her fingers. A necklace with three pendants bunched together and a few bangles above the elbow and wrist on the right hand display an almost modern art.
4. She speaks of the undaunted, ever hopeful human spirit. She reminds us that it is important to visit museums in our country to experience the impact that a work of art leaves on our senses, to find among all the riches one particular vision of beauty that speaks to us alone.
Questions and Answers
(a). The Dancing Girl belongs to
(a) Mohenjo-daro.
(b) Greek culture.
(c) Homo sapiens.
(d) Tibet.
Answer: (a) Mohenjo-daro.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 names her “The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro”.
(b). In the museum she is kept among
(a) dancing figures.
(b) bronze statues.
(c) terracotta animals.
(d) books.
Answer: (c) terracotta animals.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says you must be alert to her existence “amid terracotta animals”.
(c). Which information is not given in the passage?
(a) The girl is caged behind glass.
(b) She is a rare artefact.
(c) School books communicate the wealth of our heritage.
(d) She cannot be rediscovered as she is bronze.
Answer: (d) She cannot be rediscovered as she is bronze.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says you must be alert “to rediscover this bronze image”, so the claim that she cannot be rediscovered is not in the passage.
(d). ‘Great Art’ has power because
(a) it appeals to us despite a passage of time.
(b) it is small and can be understood.
(c) it is seen in pictures and sketches.
(d) it is magnified a million times.
Answer: (a) it appeals to us despite a passage of time.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 defines the power of great art as “the ability to communicate across centuries”.
(e). The jewellery she wears
(a) consists of bangles of shell or ivory or thin metal only.
(b) is a necklace with two pendants.
(c) Both (i) and (ii) are correct.
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii) is correct.
Answer: (d) Neither (i) nor (ii) is correct.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 mentions both bangles and a necklace with three pendants, so neither “bangles only” nor “two pendants” is correct.
(f). She reminds us
(a) of the never-say-die attitude of humans.
(b) why museums in our country are exciting.
(c) why she will make us come into money.
(d) of dancing figures.
Answer: (b) why museums in our country are exciting.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says “She reminds us that it is important to visit museums in our country” to experience the impact of art.
(g). The synonym of the word “among” in paragraph 1 is ______.
Answer: amid
Explanation: Paragraph 1 uses “amid terracotta animals”, which means among them.
(h). The size of the dancing girl is equal to the length of the human palm. (True/False)
Answer: True
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says she is a little over 10 cm tall, “the length of a human palm”.
Passage 3
2. By the time order is restored and a decision is arrived at, tempers have risen, feelings injured and there is at least one person grumbling.
3. Twenty years ago, you would step out of home, the decision of meal and venue already made with no arguments or opposition and everybody looked forward to the meal with equal enthusiasm. The decision was made by the head of the family and the others fell in line. Today every member of the family has a say in every decision which also promotes a sense of togetherness and bonding.
4. We empower our kids to take their own decisions from a very early age. We ask them the cuisine they prefer, the movie they want to see, the holiday they wish to go on and the subjects they wish to study.
5. It’s a closely connected world out there where children consult and guide each other. A parent’s well-meaning advice can sound like nothing more than unnecessary preaching. How then do we reach our children through all the conflicting views and make the voice of reason be heard? Children today question choices and prefer to go with the flow.
6. What then is the best path to take? I would say the most important thing one can do is to listen. Listen to your children and their silences. Ensure that you keep some time aside for them, insist that they share their stories with you. Step into their world. It is not as complicated as it sounds; just a daily half an hour of quality time would do the trick.
Questions and Answers
(a). Write one advantage and one disadvantage of allowing every family member to be a part of the decision-making process.
Answer: Advantage: when everyone in the family has a say in every decision, it promotes a sense of togetherness and bonding. Disadvantage: tempers rise, feelings are injured and there is at least one person grumbling.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 gives the advantage (togetherness and bonding) and paragraph 2 the disadvantage (tempers, injured feelings, grumbling).
(b). In today’s world, what are parents asking their kids?
Answer: Parents empower their kids to take their own decisions from a very early age. They ask them the cuisine they prefer, the movie they want to see, the holiday they wish to go on and the subjects they wish to study.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 lists what parents ask their children.
(c). Which two pieces of advice does the writer give to the parents?
Answer: Parents should listen to their children and their silences and insist that they share their stories, stepping into their world. They should also keep aside at least half an hour of quality time daily for them.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 contains the writer’s advice to listen and to give daily quality time.
(d). The passage supports the parents. How far do you agree with the author’s views? Support your view with a reason.
Answer: Yes, I agree. The passage shows how parents can develop a friendly relationship with their kids and bridge the generation gap by listening to them. Since parents think only of the betterment of their children, one step should be taken by the kids and one by the parents.
Explanation: Paragraphs 5 and 6 explain the problem parents face and how listening helps them reach their children.
(e). The synonym of ‘hurt’ as given in paragraph 2 is ______.
Answer: injured
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says “feelings injured”, i.e. feelings hurt.
(f). The word which means the same as ‘a style or method of cooking’ in paragraph 4 is
(a) cuisine
(b) gourmet
(c) gastric
(d) science
Answer: (a) cuisine
Explanation: Paragraph 4 asks children “the cuisine they prefer”; cuisine is a style of cooking.
(g). The antonym of ‘agreeable’ as given in paragraph 5 is ______.
Answer: conflicting
Explanation: Paragraph 5 speaks of “all the conflicting views”; conflicting is the opposite of agreeable.
(h). The antonym of ‘simple’ as given in paragraph 6 is
(a) difficult
(b) complicated
(c) easy
(d) tricky
Answer: (b) complicated
Explanation: Paragraph 6 says “It is not as complicated as it sounds”; complicated is the opposite of simple.
Passage 4
2. Born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt in 1884 to wealthy, but troubled parents who both died while she was young, Roosevelt was cared for by her grandmother and sent to school in England. In 1905, she married her distant cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She and her husband had six children. Although they were wealthy, her life was not easy and she suffered several personal tragedies. Her second son died when he was a baby. In 1921, her strong athletic husband was stricken with polio, which left him physically disabled for life.
3. Eleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman who had great intelligence and tremendous strength of character. She never let things get her down. She nursed her husband back to good health and encouraged him to remain in politics. She then helped him to become Governor of New York, and in 1933, President of the United States.
4. While her husband was President, she took a great interest in all the affairs of the country. She became her husband’s legs and eyes; she visited prisons and hospitals; she went down into mines, up scaffoldings and into factories. Roosevelt was tireless and daring. During the depression she travelled all over the country bringing goodwill, reassurance and help to people without food and jobs. During World War II she visited American soldiers in camps all over the world. The United States had never known a First Lady like her.
5. Roosevelt also kept in touch with the American people through a daily newspaper column called ‘My Day’. She broadcast on the radio and delivered lectures, all first for a First Lady.
Questions and Answers
(a). How was Eleanor Roosevelt’s personality in contrast to what she became?
Answer: As a child she was a quiet, parentless girl, but she grew up to become the First Lady of the United States, an author, a lecturer and a woman much admired and loved by people throughout the world.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 contrasts the quiet, parentless girl with the admired woman she became.
(b). Apart from being the First Lady, what else did she have to her credit?
Answer: She was also an author and a lecturer, and a woman much admired and loved by people throughout the world.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says she became “an author and lecturer”.
(c). What challenges did she face in her personal life but remained unfazed?
Answer: Her parents died while she was young, her second son died as a baby and her strong, athletic husband was stricken with polio. But she remained unfazed and never let things get her down.
Explanation: Paragraphs 2 and 3 list her personal tragedies and her strength of character.
(d). Eleanor was a strong woman who helped her husband become the President of America. How?
Answer: She nursed her husband back to good health and encouraged him to remain in politics. She helped him become Governor of New York and, in 1933, President of the United States.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 describes how she nursed and encouraged him.
(e). What does the statement ‘she became her husband’s legs and eyes’ mean?
Answer: Since her husband was physically disabled, she went out on his behalf, visiting prisons and hospitals, going down into mines, up scaffoldings and into factories, and reported what she saw.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 explains the phrase through the places she visited for him.
(f). What was her special contribution during the depression?
Answer: During the depression she travelled all over the country bringing goodwill, reassurance and help to people without food and jobs.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 states her work during the depression.
(g). How did she motivate soldiers during World War II?
Answer: She visited American soldiers in camps all over the world.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says she visited soldiers in camps all over the world.
(h). What did she do for the first time as a First Lady?
Answer: She kept in touch with the American people through a daily newspaper column called ‘My Day’, broadcast on the radio and delivered lectures, all firsts for a First Lady.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 lists the things that were “all first for a First Lady”.
(i). What side of her personality is reflected in this passage?
Answer: She comes across as a helpful, caring, intelligent, tireless and daring woman of great strength of character.
Explanation: Paragraphs 3 and 4 describe her intelligence, strength of character and tireless, daring nature.