CBSE Class 10 English Discursive Passage Set 15

Passage 1

1. Cheraw is the most colourful Mizo dance. Bamboos are used in this dance. Hence the dancer moves by stepping alternatively in and out from between and across a pair of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground by people sitting face to face at either side. They tap the bamboos open and close in rhythmic beats. Two bases support the bamboos, placed horizontally one at each end. The bamboos, when clapped, produce a sharp sound, which forms the rhythm of the dance. It indicates the timing of the dance as well. The dancers step in and out to the beats of the bamboos with ease and grace. The patterns and stepping of the dance have many variations. Sometimes the steps are made in imitation of the movements of birds, sometimes the swaying of trees and so on.

2. Little is known about the origin of Cheraw. It may be possible that the forefathers of the Mizos brought it with them when they left home in far east Asia. Cheraw is performed on any occasion these days. But, so goes the legend, it used to be performed in earlier times only to ensure a safe passage for a dead child to paradise. Cheraw is, therefore, a dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great care, precision and elegance.

Questions and Answers

(a). According to the passage, Cheraw is
(a) a form of art
(b) a festival of lights
(c) a form of dance
(d) a Mizo animal
Answer: (c) a form of dance
Explanation: Paragraph 1 calls Cheraw “the most colourful Mizo dance”.

 

(b). Cheraw is performed
(a) to show respect to the state
(b) for sanctification and redemption
(c) to please the goddess of dance
(d) to earn money
Answer: (b) for sanctification and redemption
Explanation: Paragraph 2 calls it “a dance of sanctification and redemption”.

 

(c). The dancers in Cheraw dance move to
(a) the beats of bamboos
(b) the beats of drums
(c) the clapping of the singers
(d) the sound of a whistle
Answer: (a) the beats of bamboos
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the dancers step in and out to the beats of the bamboos.

 

(d). Which statement is correct?
(a) Four bases support the bamboos.
(b) Cheraw is a solo dance.
(c) Cheraw is a dull stepping pattern.
(d) The sound of bamboos forms the rhythm of the dance.
Answer: (d) The sound of bamboos forms the rhythm of the dance.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the sharp sound of the clapped bamboos forms the rhythm of the dance.

 

(e). The word ‘redemption’ in the passage means
(a) performed with great care
(b) solution
(c) deliverance from evil ways
(d) compensation
Answer: (c) deliverance from evil ways
Explanation: Redemption means being saved or delivered from evil, fitting a dance meant for a dead child’s safe passage to paradise.

 

Passage 2

1. Himalayan valley is the geographical guard of Indian territory against any foreign invasion keeping enemy at bay from western to eastern subcontinent of Asian sphere. The valley abounds with the classified variety of different glaciers, wildlife, peaks and thick vegetation liable to support the homo sapiens.

2. Pindari glacier is a range of four glaciers, namely Sunderdunga, Namik, Pindari and Kafni. To go to Pindari glacier it is a 54 km. trek and the walking part is normally covered in four days. In this trek, we cross many mountains and forests and see a lot of wildlife. We were eight members in the team. The whole trip took us ten days in the mountains. Throughout the way, our guide and my father explained to us the various features of the Himalayas we were passing through. We had to face bad weather for two days. There was a steep climb at some places and as we climbed up we were affected by high altitude sickness and lack of oxygen and we felt very tired.

3. Pindari glacier is surrounded on all sides by snow-covered peaks such as Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Nanda Khat, Bailiuri and many more. This glacier is a frozen river of ice and settled in such a way that it looks like a huge staircase. There I saw all physical features such as gorges, moraines, hanging valleys, etc.

Questions and Answers

(a). Pindari glacier is
(a) a glacier range of four mountains namely Sunderdunga, Namik, Pindari and Kafni.
(b) a mountain peak surrounded by Sunderdunga, Namik and Kafni.
(c) a forest in the Himalayan region.
(d) a range of four glaciers namely Sunderdunga, Namik, Pindari and Kafni.
Answer: (d) a range of four glaciers namely Sunderdunga, Namik, Pindari and Kafni.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says “Pindari glacier is a range of four glaciers”.

 

(b). A trip to Pindari glacier
(a) is very informative.
(b) helps in understanding the natural geography.
(c) is an adventurous experience as one has to face bad weather and difficult treks.
(d) is all of the above.
Answer: (d) is all of the above.
Explanation: Paragraphs 2 and 3 show the trek was informative, geographical and adventurous.

 

(c). ______ made the members suffer while trekking to their destination.
(a) Steep climb and lack of oxygen
(b) High altitude sickness, lack of oxygen and steep climb
(c) Lack of oxygen and tiredness
(d) Lack of oxygen and snow-covered peaks
Answer: (b) High altitude sickness, lack of oxygen and steep climb
Explanation: Paragraph 2 mentions the steep climb, high altitude sickness and lack of oxygen.

 

(d). The temperature in the area is
(a) normal
(b) below zero degree
(c) very high
(d) warm
Answer: (b) below zero degree
Explanation: Paragraph 3 describes snow-covered peaks and a frozen river of ice, so it is below zero.

 

(e). The word in the passage which means the same as ‘characteristics’ is
(a) features
(b) altitude
(c) treks
(d) gorges
Answer: (a) features
Explanation: Paragraphs 2 and 3 speak of the “features” of the Himalayas.

 

Passage 3

1. The tree is worshipped as the earth mother in tribal India. It provides food, air, occupation, materials for housing, fodder for animals and fuel. Without the trees there is neither soil nor water. There is nothing to prevent the soil from being washed away; there is nothing to prevent the water from evaporating. In the great tribal tracts of India which are home to the Bhils, the Santhals, the Nagas, the Bishnois, whenever a child is born a tree is planted in the child’s name. It forges a relationship between child and tree closer than the one between child and family. Naturally so because that tree is specially the child’s own. The trees are all slow growing. By the time the child reaches adolescence, his tree has just come into fruit. It starts its life as provider to the tribal and the tribal’s life as guardian of the tree.

2. Nearly three hundred years ago, men and women of the Bishnoi tribe died in an attempt to stop the felling of trees. The Bishnoi faith prohibits the cutting of green trees. It demands absolute protection of the ‘Khejri,’ the shade and fodder tree of the area. As a result, their lands are still fertile, while all around them fields have been reclaimed by the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

Questions and Answers

(a). The tribals worship trees because trees provide them with ______.
(a) food and occupation
(b) materials for housing
(c) fodder and fuel
(d) all of the above
Answer: (d) all of the above
Explanation: Paragraph 1 lists food, air, occupation, housing materials, fodder and fuel.

 

(b). The common practice adopted by the tribals at the time of a child’s birth is ______.
(a) to plant a tree in the child’s name
(b) to name the child after a tree
(c) to perform the rites under a tree
(d) to arrange a feast in a forest
Answer: (a) to plant a tree in the child’s name
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says “whenever a child is born a tree is planted in the child’s name”.

 

(c). The advantage of the custom is that a mutual bond develops between ______ when the child becomes an adult.
(a) the land and the tree
(b) the adolescent and the tree
(c) the soil and the water
(d) all of the above
Answer: (b) the adolescent and the tree
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the tree becomes provider to the tribal and the tribal its guardian.

 

(d). The land of the Bishnois hasn’t become a desert because ______.
(a) trees cannot grow in a desert
(b) the Bishnois have planted trees on their land
(c) they died in an attempt to stop the cutting down of trees
(d) all of the above
Answer: (b) the Bishnois have planted trees on their land
Explanation: Paragraph 2 shows the Bishnois protect the trees on their land, which is why it is still fertile.

 

(e). The word in the passage which means the same as ‘areas/regions’ is ______.
(a) desert
(b) fodder
(c) soil
(d) tracts
Answer: (d) tracts
Explanation: Paragraph 1 speaks of “the great tribal tracts of India”.

 

Passage 4

1. In the year 1507 AD, the Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of the island of Mauritius discovered a strange looking bird. It was large and stubby, and could not fly. It had a hooked black beak, short yellow legs, grey-blue plumage, and a tuft of pale coloured feathers for its tail. Since this bird had never seen humans before, it was very friendly and trusting. In fact, the sailors mistook its gentle nature for stupidity, and called it ‘Dodo,’ which meant simpleton in Portuguese.

2. The dodo was an easy source of fresh meat for the Portuguese - and later, the Dutch who came to the island in 1598 - because it could be easily captured due to its friendliness. Dodos were killed in large numbers by the new inhabitants of the island. Those that survived men had to face new enemies like dogs and pigs that were introduced by these inhabitants. The dodo had no natural enemies on the island, but these new animals, together with man, hastened its extinction. By the year 1681, the last dodo had died, and today, the term ‘as dead as dodo,’ means something that has disappeared entirely from the face of the Earth.

Questions and Answers

(a). In 1507 AD the Portuguese sailors discovered a bird which was ______.
(a) strange looking
(b) large and stubby
(c) could not fly
(d) all of the above
Answer: (d) all of the above
Explanation: Paragraph 1 describes the bird as strange looking, large and stubby, and unable to fly.

 

(b). They mistook the bird for being foolish because it was ______.
(a) unable to fly
(b) friendly and trusting
(c) had never seen humans before
(d) was an easy source of fresh meat
Answer: (b) friendly and trusting
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the sailors mistook its gentle, friendly and trusting nature for stupidity.

 

(c). The new enemies referred to in the passage are ______.
(a) dogs and pigs
(b) the Dutch
(c) the Portuguese
(d) all of the above
Answer: (a) dogs and pigs
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says the survivors faced new enemies like dogs and pigs.

 

(d). Dodos were wiped out from the face of the earth by ______.
(a) their natural enemies
(b) the sailors
(c) both men and the new animals
(d) all of the above
Answer: (c) both men and the new animals
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says the dodo had no natural enemies; the new animals together with man hastened its extinction.

 

(e). The word in the passage which means the same as ‘destruction’ is ______.
(a) strange
(b) tuft
(c) extinction
(d) plumage
Answer: (c) extinction
Explanation: Paragraph 2 speaks of the dodo’s “extinction”, its complete destruction.

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