CBSE Class 12 English Unseen Passage Assignment Set 05

Passage 

1 Humility treads the fine line between arrogance and self-deprecation. Humility, modesty and down-to-earth are synonyms derived from the Latin, ‘humus’, translatable as ‘grounded or from the earth’. So, what makes someone humble? Are the humble meek or psychologically weak?
2 In today’s stressful world, greatly concerned with the pursuit of happiness, a bit of humility can deliver great reserves of inner strength.
3 Gandhiji felt that humility is an essential virtue that must exist in a person for other virtues to emerge. To Swami Vivekananda, humility did not mean crawling on all fours and calling oneself a sinner. Instead, it meant recognising and feeling oneness with everyone and everything else in the universe, without inferiority or superiority or any other bias.
4 Although humility is deeply revered in most spiritual traditions, in interpersonal narrative or management lingua, it hasn’t found much salience. Amongst qualities of leaders, humility finds hardly any mention although most of the world’s great leaders are themselves lessons in the art of it. Fortunately, a great deal of management and psychological research today is devoted to the role of humility in character building and leadership.
5 As workplaces tend to be aggressive arenas and breeding grounds for misogyny and other abuse, humble co-workers are valued. They put their interlocutors at ease, and it takes fear and trepidation out of social intercourse. From the interpersonal perspective, being humble facilitates trust and builds relationships. The humble may be more talented, gifted or skilled than anyone else and above all better learners and problem solvers. In fact, studies show that humility is more important as a predictive performance indicator than IQ. With humbleness comes a self-acceptance from grounding one’s worth in one’s intrinsic value as human beings rather than other trappings of power and wealth.
6 Is it possible to develop humility? We must first embrace our humanness and have an accurate understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. Expressing gratitude can induce humility in us, and humble people have a greater capacity for conveying gratitude.
7 Holding nature in high esteem and recognising it as an overwhelming and awe-inspiring force reminds us of our own insignificance in the cosmic scale. Being curious and open to learning fosters humility. Emulating great people and imbibing from them what we lack in our own understanding can build our own reserves of humility. After all, as Socrates said, wisdom is, above all, knowing what we don’t know.

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option. According to the author, understanding and respecting nature will make one realise that ........
(a) nature is supreme
(b) nature is immortal
(c) we are just a drop in the ocean
(d) man’s life depends on nature
Answer: (c) we are just a drop in the ocean

Question. Mention the author’s opinion about the ambience of the present day workplace.
Answer: The author's opinion regarding the ambience of the present day workplace is that of hostility and prejudice.

Question. List the two things that humility facilitates from an interpersonal perspective.
Answer: Two things that humility facilitates, from an interpersonal perspective, are trust and building relationships.

Question. Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘despised’ from the words used in the passage.
(a) Depreciation
(b) Lingua
(c) Revered
(d) Induced
Answer: (c) ‘Revered’ means admired while ‘despised’ means hated and detested.

Question. The author would agree with the following being ways to develop humility EXCEPT
(a) Knowing one’s strength and weakness
(b) To be aggressive and arrogant
(c) To have low self-esteem
(d) To possess the quality of being human
Answer: (c) To have low self-esteem

Question. What lacuna does the writer find in the structure of management lessons?
(a) Humility is not featured in the leadership qualities,
(b) No stress is laid on giving respect to nature,
(c) Learning is not prescribed as one of the key traits,
(d) Achieving happiness is ignored.
Answer: (a) Humility is not featured in the leadership qualities.

Question. Why does the author suggest to employ people who are humble?
Answer: The author suggests employing humble people because they facilitate creating conducive and congenial ambience.

Question. By describing power and money as ‘trappings’, the author tries to convey that ........
Answer: power and money hinder one’s ability to remain grateful

Question. Gandhiji’s view on humility is that
(a) humility is the fountainhead of other positive traits
(b) humility gives inner strength to one
(c) humility is synonymous with surrender
(d) humility is ‘being spiritual’
Answer: (a) humility is the fountainhead of other positive traits

Passage 

1 “Who doesn’t know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes time.” said my father. So, I challenged myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed “How to cook rice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didn’t have access to a rice cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. First, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust and starch. I thought I won't be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the mark.
2 The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I have heard that professionals don’t need to measure everything; they just know what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen, I decided to experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice to be firm when bitten, just like pasta. I don’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just for a bit before disintegrating.
3 After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a good stir. To my surprise, some of the rice had got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell coming from it. I quickly turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitchen?” shouted Mother, while coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.
4 Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It wasn’t bad at all. The rice had the desired consistency. Sure, a little more salt would’ve been better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly rewarding and memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a regular basis at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally.

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. Father’s question to the author, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to ........
(a) criticise the author’s lack of abilities
(b) make the process sound simple
(c) encourage the author to take up cooking
(d) showcase his own expertise in cooking rice
Answer: (b) make the process sound simple

Question. State the author’s reaction and thoughts while eating rice.
Answer: The author thought that the rice was surprisingly not bad and he/she wasn't a bad cook. He/She thought of the experience as fairly rewarding and memorable and that it taught him/her a new sense of respect for those who cook.

Question. Mention the steps taken by the author to prepare the rice to be cooked.
Answer: The steps taken by the author to prepare the rice to be cooked are:

• Take the rice in a utensil
• Wash the rice using water
• Swirl the water in and around the rice
• Drain the water
• Repeat the process three times

Question. Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘dexterous’.
(a) Uncomfortable
(b) Clumsy
(c) Unclear
(d) Clueless
Answer: (b) Clumsy

Question. The writer would agree that the following happened when he/she checked on the rice EXCEPT
(a) Turning the stove off.
(b) Being taken aback at the condition of rice,
(c) Forgetting to scrape the stuck rice,
(d) Smelling the delicious aroma of cooked rice.
Answer: (d) Smelling the delicious aroma of cooked rice.

Question. Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking ‘perfect rice’?
(a) 50% water, 50% rice
(b) 70% water, 30% rice
(c) 25% water, 75% rice
(d) 45% water, 55% rice
Answer: (a) 50% water, 50% rice

Question. What does the author say the professionals don’t need to do while cooking?
Answer: The author says that the professionals don’t need to measure everything and thus just know the right amount of everything while cooking.

Question. Complete the sentence appropriately. According to the passage, the fact that the author risked experimentation, on his/her maiden attempt in the kitchen, shows ........
Answer: that he/she was experimental

Question. Select the option that mentions what can be said about the author’s creation,
(a) It was almost perfect to taste,
(b) It was way off from what he/she wanted,
(c) It was overly seasoned,
(d) It was quite distasteful.
Answer: (a) It was almost perfect to taste.

Passage 

1 Once an organ donor’s family gives its consent and the organs are matched to a recipient, medical professionals are faced with the onerous challenge of transporting organs while ensuring that the harvested organ reaches its destination in the shortest possible time. This is done in order to preserve the harvested organs and involves the police, especially the traffic police department.
2 The traditional method of transporting organs by road is referred to as a ‘green corridor’. This process entails police escorting an ambulance, so as to move around traffic-usually a specific traffic lane is chosen and all signals on the route stay green to ensure it to reach its destination in the shortest possible time. A ‘green corridor’ is a route cleared and cordoned off by the traffic police to ensure the smooth and steady transportation of harvested organs, on most occasions, to those awaiting a life-saving transplant.
Organs tend to have a very short preservation time, such as the heart, which has to be harvested and transplanted within four hours or the lungs, which can be preserved for only six hours once they are harvested.
3 The first green corridor in India was created by the Chennai Traffic Police in September, 2008 when they accomplished their task of enabling an ambulance to reach its destination within 11 minutes during peak hour traffic. That organ saved a nine-year-old girl whose life depended on it.
4 Similarly, such green corridors have been created by the Traffic Police of various cities such as Pune, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, etc. Personnel are stationed at selected points to divert, control and clear the traffic giving way to the ambulance. Apart from this, a motorcade of police vehicles accompanies the ambulance ensuring that it does not face any problems. Delhi Traffic Police provided a green corridor from IGI Airport to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Vasant Kunj for transportation of a liver. The distance of 14 kms was covered in 11 minutes.
5 Experts point out the lack of a robust system to transport organs to super-speciality hospitals in least possible time. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the country’s apex organ donation agency, is now framing a proposal to airlift cadaver organs and will send a report to the Union Health Ministry. “Cadaver organs have a short life and so transplant should be done within a few golden hours.” Director (NOTTO) expressed. “Therefore, we are preparing a proposal for airlifting organs at any given moment.”
6 Most States do not have enough well-trained experts to retrieve or perform transplant procedures. Also, there is an acute shortage of advanced healthcare facilities to carry out a transplant. So, it is referred to other big centres in Metropolitan cities. Organs retrieved from Aurangabad, Indore, Surat, Pune are sent to Mumbai as these cities do not have super-speciality healthcare centres, informed officials.
7 “In India, about fifty thousand to one lakh patients are suffering from acute heart failure and need heart transplant at any point of time. In a private set up, a heart transplant costs Rs. 15-20 lakhs, which is followed up by post-operative medication of about Rs. 30,000 per month lifelong.”

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option. The first green corridor in India was created in ........
(a) New Delhi
(b) Chennai
(c) Mumbai
(d) Pune
Answer: (b) Chennai

Question. Write your opinion of the Chennai police with regard to the transportation of a harvested heart.
Answer: The dedication that the Chennai police showed in ensuring that the harvested organ reaches the hospital in time despite heavy traffic has earned them a lot of respect. It shows their devotion towards serving the people.

Question. Mention the organisation which is framing a proposal to airlift cadaver organs.
Answer: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation

Question. Select the option that mentions what the author means by ‘a few golden hours’.
(a) A period of 3-5 hours within which an organ should be transplanted
(b) A period of 4-6 hours within which an organ should be transplanted
(c) A period of 4-6 minutes within which an organ should be transplanted
(d) A period of 3-5 minutes within which an organ should be transplanted
Answer: (b) By the phrase ‘a few golden hours’, the author is referring to the time period of 4 to 6 hours within which an organ should be transplanted.

Question. The ‘onerous task’ that the author is talking about in Para 1 is
(a) finding organ donors
(b) finding doctors capable of performing transplants
(c) to carry the harvested organ in the shortest possible time
(d) to arrange the requisite facilities for the transplant
Answer: (c) To carry the harvested organ in shortest possible time

Question. Most states refer organ transplant cases to big hospitals because
(a) they don’t have well-trained experts
(b) the patients don’t trust local doctors
(c) the state hospitals are very crowded
(d) they don’t have a pool of harvested organs
Answer: (a) they don’t have well-trained experts

Question. Why is smooth transportation of the retrieved organ necessary?
Answer: Smooth transportation of the retrieved organ is necessary because these organs have a very short preservation time. Any sort of delay in transportation will make these organs useless.

Question. Complete the given sentence appropriately. In a private hospital, the cost of a heart transplant is ........
Answer: Rs. 15-20 lakhs

Question. Green corridor route is cleared off by the traffic police to ........
Answer: ensure the smooth and steady transportation of harvested organs

Question. Most of the people do not go for heart transplant as
(a) it is very risky
(b) it is very painful
(c) it may cause death of the recipient
(d) the cost is prohibitive
Answer: (d) the cost is prohibitive

Passage

1 All of Earth’s oceans share one thing in common: plastic pollution. Discarded plastic bags, cups and bottles make their way into sea. Today, it seems that no part of the ocean is safe from plastic trash. In recent years, oceanographers have searched in vain for a pristine marine environment. They have found plastic everywhere they have looked, “It is a common global problem, we cannot point to a single habitat or location with no plastic.”
2 Plastic harms wildlife and introduces dangerous chemicals into marine ecosystems- communities of organisms interacting with their surroundings. Once plastic enters the environment, it lasts a long time. Scientists are working to prevent plastic pollution from entering sea.
3 When people litter or when trash is not properly disposed of, things like plastic bags, bottles, straws, foam, beverage cups get carried to the sea by winds and waterways. About 80 percent of ocean plastic originates on land. The rest comes from marine industries such as shipping and fishing.
4 In 2015, Engineer Jenna Jambeck at the University of Georgia and other researchers calculated that at least 8 million tonnes of plastic trash is swept into the ocean from coasts every year. That’s the equivalent of a full garbage truck of plastic being dumped into the sea every minute. If current trends in plastic production and disposal continue, that figure will double by 2025. A report published by the World Economic Forum last year predicts that by 2050 ocean plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea.
5 In today’s world, plastic is everywhere. It is found in shoes, clothing, household items, electronics and more. There are different types of plastics but one thing they all have in common is that they are made of polymers-large molecules made up of repeating units. Their chemical structure gives them a lot of advantages : they are cheap and easy to manufacture, lightweight, water-resistant, durable and can be moulded into nearly any shape.
6 Unfortunately, some of the properties that make plastics great for consumer goods also make them a problem pollutant. The durability of plastic comes in part from the fact that unlike paper or wood, it is not biodegradable and does not break down naturally. Instead, it just fragments or breaks into tiny pieces over time. These tiny pieces, known as microplastic, can potentially stick around for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years.
7 Another problem with plastics is the other chemicals they contain, like dyes and flame retardants. When plastic is not disposed of properly, these additives end up in the environment. Plastic also tends to absorb harmful chemicals from its surroundings. “It is like a sponge for persistent organic pollutants.” These long-lasting, toxic substances include pesticides and industrial chemicals. If plastic absorbs the chemicals, and marine organisms eat the plastic, they may be exposed to higher concentrations of these contaminants.
8 One of the biggest impacts of plastic pollution is its effect on sea life. Seals, sea turtles, and even whales can become entangled in plastic netting. They can starve to death if the plastic restricts their ability to move or eat; or the plastic can cut into the animals’ skin causing wounds that develop severe infections.
9 Sea turtles eat plastic bags and soda-can rings, which resemble jellyfish, their favourite food. Seabirds eat bottle caps or chunks of foam cups. Plastic pieces may make an animal feel full, so it does not eat enough real food to get the nutrients it needs. Plastic can also block an animal’s digestive system, making it unable to eat.
10 Plastic and its associated pollutants can even make it into our own food supply. Scientists recently examined fish and shell-fish bought at markets in California and Indonesia. They found plastic in the guts of more than a quarter of samples purchased at both locations. In organisms that people eat whole, such as sardines and oysters, that means we are eating plastic too. In larger fish, chemicals from plastic may seep into their muscles and other tissues that people consume.

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. Plastic is not biodegradable because it is made up of ........
(a) low atomic particles
(b) tiny particles
(c) strong big particles
(d) large molecule polymers
Answer: (d) large molecule polymers

Question. Comment on how scientists are trying to reduce plastic pollutants.
Answer: Scientists are trying to reduce plastic pollutants by working toward new materials that are safer for the environment. For instance, they are currently testing a new polymer that breaks down more easily in seawater.

Question. List a few articles made of plastic that generally cause pollution in the sea.
Answer: Discarded plastic bags, straws, foam, beverage cups and bottles cause pollution in the sea.

Question. Select the option that conveys the meaning of ‘unspoiled’ from words used in the passage.
(a) Litter
(b) Durable
(c) Pristine
(d) Persistent
Answer: (c) Pristine

Question. Scientists bought fish and shell-fish for examination at markets in
(a) China and Russia
(b) Pakistan and Afghanistan
(c) California and Indonesia
(d) Australia and Brazil
Answer: (c) California and Indonesia

Question. What does plastic tend to do, just like a sponge,
(a) Reject harmful chemicals
(b) Absorb harmful chemicals
(c) Emit harmful rays
(d) Absorb harmful rays
Answer: (b) absorb harmful chemicals

Question. How is microplastic formed?
Answer: Microplastic, which are tiny pieces of plastic, is formed because plastic does not break down naturally, but fragments into tiny pieces over time.

Question. Complete the given sentence appropriately. Plastic in ocean harms marine ecosystem by ........
Answer: introducing dangerous chemicals into it

Question. The biggest impact of plastic pollution on sea life is ........
Answer: that seals, sea turtles and even whales can become entangled in plastic netting. They can starve to death if the plastic restricts their ability to move or eat; the plastic can cut into the animals’ skin, causing wounds that develop severe infections.

Question. Which of the following is eaten by sea turtles?
(a) Plastic bottles
(b) Plastic bags and soda-can rings
(c) Bottle caps
(d) Chunks of foam cups
Answer: (b) Plastic bags and soda-can rings

Passage 

1 India has never subscribed to the doctrine of militarism and war in her history. Here, war has never been treated as ideal. It was only tolerated as unavoidable and inevitable, and all attempts were made to check it and bring it under control. In spite of the frequency of wars in ancient India, in spite of highly developed military organisation, techniques of war and imperialism, and in spite of the open justification of war as national policy, the heart of India loved Pacifism as an ideal capable of realisation. India’s symbolic role was that of a peacemaker and it sincerely pinned its faith on the principle of ‘Live and Let Live’. At least philosophically, India’s intelligence supported the cause of peace not only in national affairs but also in international affairs. All the great seers of the yore visualised the unity of life, permeating all beings, animate or inanimate, which ruled out killing and suicidal wars.
2 This doctrine of philosophical pacifism practised by ancient Aryans is, no doubt, a question of controversial nature. Certainly, the great Indian teachers and savants stuck to this doctrine tenaciously and in their personal life, they translated it into practice and preached it to masses and even to princes of military classes.
3 Another culture of those times, the existence of which has been proved by the excavations of Mohen-jo-Daro, also enunciated the doctrine of pacificism and friendship to all. Strangely enough, the Indus Valley civilisation has revealed no fortification and very few weapons.
4 Ahimsa or the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action assumed a gigantic importance in the Buddhist and Jain period. By a constant practice of this virtue, man becomes unassailable by even wild beasts, who forgot their ferocity the moment they entered the circumference of his magnetic influence. The monks and nuns of these churches were apostles of peace, who reached every nook and comer of the world and delivered the message of love to war-weary humanity. The greatest votary was the royal monk Ashoka, who in reality, was responsible for transforming Ahimsa as an act of personal virtue to Ahimsa as an act of national virtue.
5 Many a historian recounting the causes of the downfall of the Mauryas, hold the pacific policy of Ashoka, which had eschewed the aggressive militarism of his predecessors, responsible for an early decay of the military strength of the state and its consequent disintegration, leading to the rise of Sungas, Kanvas and Andhras. But, in reality, the fault lies with the weak successors of Ashoka, who could not wield the weapon of non-violence with a skill and efficiency which required the strength of a spiritual giant like Ashoka. They failed due to their subjective weakness: Pacifism itself was no cause of their failure.
6 Besides the foregoing philosophical and religious school of thought, even many political authorities gave their unqualified support to the cause of pacifisms. They recognised the right of rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies, but as collaborators in the building of a civilisation operation. Thus, for centuries, in the pre-Mauryan India, scores of small independent republics existed and flourished without coming in clash with each other.
7 With regard to Kautilya, the much maligned militarist and the so called Machiavelli of India, He thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war.
8 The Mahabharata observes in the connection, “A wise man should be content with what can be obtained by the expedients'of conciliation, gift and dissention.” It denounces the warring world of men by comparing it to a dog kennel. “First, there comes the wagging of tails, then turning of one round to other, then the show of teeth, then the roaring and then comes the commencement of the fights. It is the same with men; there is no difference whatever.” Yajnavalkya adds: “War is the last expedient to be used when all others have failed.” Likewise, Sri Krishna, whose Bhagawad-Gita has been styled by some as ‘a song of the battle’, should not be considered out-and-out a militarist. When ail the three expedients were exhausted, then alone the fourth was resorted to.
9 All possible avenues of peace such as negotiation, conciliation through conference, meditation and so on, were explored before war was resorted to. This proves that the heart of ancient India was sound and it longed for peace, although war also was not treated as an anathema, which was to be avoided as far as possible.

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. Aryans preached and practised this to the masses
(a) non-violence
(b) freedom of speech and action
(c) philosophical pacifisms
(d) practice of military organisation
Answer: (c) philosophical pacifisms

Question. Describe India’s preparedness for war in spite of people’s belief in Pacifism.
Answer: In spite of its belief in Pacifism, India had a highly developed military organisation and Indians were well versed in the techniques of war and imperialism. In fact, India openly justified war as a national policy.

Question. List the options that were explored by Sri Krishna before resorting to war.
Answer: The options explored by Sri Krishna before resorting to war were negotiation, conciliation through conference and meditation.

Question. Select the option that conveys the meaning ‘reinforcement’.
(a) Enunciated
(b) Fortification
(c) Commencement
(d) None of these
Answer: (b) Fortification

Question. Mahabharata compares the warring world with
(a) wise men
(b) dog kennel
(c) song of the battle
(d) militarist
Answer: (b) dog kennel

Question. Unearthing Mohen-jo-Daro reinforced which aspect of Pacifism?
(a) There was no fortification and very few weapons
(b) They delivered the message of love
(c) They were apostles of peace
(d) That the object of diplomacy is to avoid war
Answer: (a) There was no fortification and very few weapons