CBSE Class 12 English Descriptive Passage Worksheet Set A

The Art of Living

1. The art of living is learnt easily by those who are positive and optimistic. From humble and simple people to great leaders in history, science or literature, we can learn a lot about the art of living, by having a peep into their lives. The daily routine of these great men not only reveal their different, may be unique life styles but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here are some; read, enjoy and follow their footsteps.

2. A private workplace always helps. Jane Austen asked that a certain squeaky hinge should never be oiled so that she always had a warning whenever someone was approaching the room where she wrote. William Faulkner, lacking a lock on his study door, detached the doorknob and brought it into the room with him. Mark Twain’s family knew better than to breach his study door — they would blow a horn to draw him out. Graham Green went even further, renting a secret office; only his wife knew the address and the telephone number. After all, everyone of us needs a workplace where we can work on our creation uninterruptedly. Equally we need our private space too!

3. A daily walk has always been a source of inspiration. For many artists, a regular stroll was essentially a creative inspiration. Charles Dickens famously took three hours walks every afternoon, and what he observed on them fed directly into his writing. Tchaikovsky made do with a two-hour jaunt but wouldn’t return a moment early; convinced that doing so would make him ill. Ludwig van Beethoven took lengthy strolls after lunch, carrying a pencil and paper with him in case inspiration struck. Nineteenth century composer Erik Satie did the same on his long hikes from Paris to the working-class suburb where he lived, stopping under the street lamps to jot down ideas that came on his journey; it’s rumoured that when those lamps were turned off during the war years, his music declined too. Many great people had limited social life too. One of Simone de Beauvior’s close friends put it this way. “There were no receptions, parties. It was an uncluttered kind of life, a simplicity deliberately constructed so that she could do her work.” To Pablo the idea of Sunday was an “at home day”.

4. The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so unattainable. The very idea that you can organise your time as you like is out of reach for most of us, so I’ll close with a toast to all those who worked with difficulties. Like Francine Prose, who began writing when the school bus picked up her children and stopped when it brought them back; or T.S. Eliot, who found it much easier to write once he had a day job in a bank than he had as a starving poet and even F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose early books were written in a strict schedule as a young military officer. Those days were not as interesting as the nights in Paris that came later, but they were much more productive — and no doubt easier on his liver.

5. Being forced to follow someone else’s route may irritate, but it makes it easier to stay on the path. Whenever we break that trail ourselves or take an easy path of least resistance, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep walking.

Question. 1. The passage is about ....................
(a) how to practise walking
(b) walking everyday
(c) the life of a genius
(d) what we can learn from the routines of geniuses
Answer. (d) what we can learn from the routine of great man

Question. 2. The writers in the past ....................
(a) followed a perfect daily routine
(b) enjoyed the difficulties of life
(c) can teach us a lot
(d) wrote a lot in books
Answer. (a) followed a perfect daily routine

Question. 3. In their daily routines ....................
(a) they had unique life styles
(b) they read books and enjoyed them
(c) they did not get any privacy
(d) they did not mind visitors
Answer. (a) they had unique life styles

Question. 4. Some artists resorted to walking as it was ....................
(a) an exercise
(b) a creative inspiration
(c) essential for improving their health
(d) helpful in interaction with others
Answer. (b) a creative inspiration

Question. 5. Walking was the source of inspiration for ....................
(a) Mark Twain
(b) Erik Satie
(c) Charles Dickens
(d) Pablo
Answer. (c) Charles Dickens

Question. 6. Which word in para 1 is similar in meaning to glimpse?
(a) Reveal
(b) Peep
(c) Learn
(d) Read
Answer. (b) peep

Question. 7. What did Jane Austen like?
Answer.  Jane Austen liked a squeaky hinge.

Question. 8. Why do you think Graham Green hired a secret office?
Answer.  Graham Green hired a secret office so that nobody would disturb him and he could work on his creation uninterrupted.

Question. 9. What was the rumour about Erik Satie’s productivity?
Answer.  It was the rumour that Eric Satie’s music declined when the street lamps under which he worked were turned off.

Question. 10. How did Simone de Beauviore manage sufficient time for her work?
Answer.  Simon de Beauviore had limited social interaction and hence she had sufficient time to do her work.

Question. 11. In what way did T.S. Eliot’s day job in the bank help him to write?
Answer.  T.S. Eliot’s day job in the bank became a main source of income so he didn’t have any tension of getting his livelihood and concentrated on writing.

Question. 12. Find the word in para 4 which is the synonym of ‘suffering hunger’.
Answer.  Starving

Read the passage given below:

1. Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He, along with his kingdom, became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.

2. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a longstanding tradition sustained by several generations.

3. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature. They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely, thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people.

4. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of the brave, but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer. Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijaya Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar. 5. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewarthe land of the brave, started waning. Rana tried to save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for sometime.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:

Question. 1. Maharana Pratap became immortal because ....................
(a) he ruled Mewar for 25 years
(b) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar
(c) of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism
(d) both (b) and (c)
Answer.  1. (d) both (b) and (c)

Question. 2. Difficulties in the way of Mewar were ....................
(a) lack of cooperation of the nobility
(b) ancient traditions of the kingdom
(c) its smaller area and less population
(d) the poverty of the subjects
Answer.  2. (c) its smaller area and less population

Question. 3. During thorny occasions ....................
(a) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered
(b) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high
(c) the people of Mewar showed gallantry
(d) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief
Answer.  3. (c) the people of Mewar showed gallantry

Question. 4. Mewar was lucky because ....................
(a) all of its rulers were competent
(b) most of its people were competent
(c) most of its rulers were competent
(d) only a few of its people were incompetent
Answer.  4. (c) most of its rulers were competent

Question. 5. The prosperous life of the people of Mewar is expressed through ....................
(a) their admirable physique
(b) their loving nature
(c) their art and literature
(d) both (b) and (c)
Answer.  5. (d) both (b) and (c)

Question. 6. Which of the following words is INCORRECT with reference to the meaning of ‘pinnacle’ (para 2)?
(a) Peak
(b) Top
(c) Famous
(d) Apex
Answer.  6. (c) Famous

Question. 7. What was Rana Kumbha’s contribution to the glory of Mewar?
Answer.  7. Rana Kumbha gave a new stature to the kingdom of Mewar. Literature and art flourished during his reign. He himself had penchant for writing. His works are read with reverence even today.

Question. 8. What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?
Answer.  8. The people of Mewar may be peaceful and prosperous. It is reflected in their art, literature and loving nature. The pleasant nature of people compensate for lack of their admirable physique.

Question. 9. How could art and literature flourish in Mewar?
Answer.  9. The environment of Mewar was conducive to the creation of high quality work of art and literature. It flourished amidst aggression and bloodshed.

Question. 10. How did the rulers show that they cared for their subjects?
Answer.  10. Besides the forts and palaces in Mewar, the surprising pieces of architecture are seen in the public utility buildings also. These structures are testimony to the fact that the rulers cared for their subjects.

Question. 11. What does the construction of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify?
Answer.  11. The construction of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signifies the proximity/ close relationship between the king and the subjects of Mewar.

Question. 12. Find the word in para 4 which is similar in meaning to ‘evidence’.
Answer.  12. Testimony

Read the passage given below:

1. Too many parents these days can’t say no. As a result, they find themselves raising ‘children’ who respond greedily to the advertisements aimed right at them. Even getting what they want doesn’t satisfy some kids; they only want more. Now, a growing number of psychologists, educators and parents think it’s time to stop the madness and start teaching kids about what’s really important : values like hard work, contentment, honesty and compassion. The struggle to set limits has never been tougher—and the stakes have never been higher. One recent study of adults who were overindulged as children, paints a discouraging picture of their future : when given too much too soon, they grow up to be adults who have difficulty coping with life’s disappointments. They also have distorted sense of entitlement that gets in the way of success in the work place and in relationships.

2. Psychologists say that parents who overindulge their kids, set them up to be more vulnerable to future anxiety and depression. Today’s parents themselves raised on values of thrift and self-sacrifice, grew up in a culture where ‘no’ was a household word. Today’s kids want much more, partly because there is so much more to want. The oldest members of this generation were born in the late 1980s, just as PCs and video games were making their assault on the family room. They think of MP3 players and flat screen TV as essential utilities, and they have developed strategies to get them. One survey of teenagers found that when they crave for something new, most expect to ask nine times before their parents give in. By every measure, parents are shelling out record amounts. In the heat of this buying blitz, even parents who desperately need to say no find themselves reaching for their credit cards.

3. Today’s parents aren’t equipped to deal with the problem. Many of them, raised in the 1960s and 70s, swore they’d act differently from their parents and have closer relationships with their own children. Many even wear the same designer clothes as their kids and listen to the same music. And they work more hours; at the end of a long week, it’s tempting to buy peace with ‘yes’ and not mar precious family time with conflict. Anxiety about the future is another factor. How do well intentioned parents say no to all the sports gear and arts and language lessons they believe will help their kids thrive in an increasingly competitive world? Experts agree: too much love won’t spoil a child. Too few limits will.

4. What parents need to find is a balance between the advantages of an affluent society and the critical life lessons that come from waiting, saving and working hard to achieve goals. That search for balance has to start early. Children need limits on their behaviour because they feel better and more secure when they live within a secured structure. Older children learn self-control by watching how others, especially parents act. Learning how to overcome challenges is essential to becoming a successful adult. Few parents ask kids to do chores. They think their kids are already overburdened by social and academic pressures. Every individual can be of service to others, and life has meaning beyond one’s own immediate happiness. That means parents eager to teach values have to take a long, hard look at their own.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:

Question. 1. What do the psychologists, educators and parents want to teach the children?
(a) To teach them about treachery.
(b) To teach them about indiscipline.
(c) To teach them about the values of life like hard work, contentment, honesty and compassion.
(d) None of theseo the psychologists, educators and parents want to teach the children?

Answer.  1. (c) To teach them about the values of life like hard work, contentment, honesty and compassion

Question. 2. What is essential to become a successful adult?
(a) learn not to overcome challenges.
(b) learn how to overcome challenges.
(c) nothing is essential.
(d) none of these.
Answer.  2. (b) Learn how to overcome challenges

Question. 3. Why do children need limits on their behaviour when they live within a secured structure?
(a) They feel more secure.
(b) They feel insecure.
(c) They feel bored.
(d) None of these.
Answer.  3. (a) They feel more secure

Question. 4. What is the drawback of giving children too much too soon?
(a) They fail to cope with life’s disappointments when they grow up
(b) They do not study seriously
(c) They become quarrelsome when they grow up
d) None of these
Answer.  4. (a) They fail to cope with life’s disappointments when they grow up

Question. 5. Today’s parents have learnt much from ....................
Answer.  5. thrift and self-sacrifice

Question. 6. In para 2, which word is the antonym of ‘resilient’?
(a) Overindulge
(b) Vulnerable
(c) Anxiety
(d) Essential
Answer.  6. (b) vulnerable

Question. 7. What values do parents and teachers want children to learn?
Answer.  7. Parents and teachers want children to learn the values of life like honesty, hard work and contentment.

Question. 8. What are the results of giving the children too much too soon?
Answer.  8. When children are given too much too soon, they grow up to be adults who have difficulty in coping with the disappointments of life. Such children may develop distorted sense of entitlement that comes in the way of success in the work place and relationships.

Question. 9. Why do today’s children want more?
Answer.  9. Today’s children want much more because they are born in the late 1980 when PCs and Video games were making assault on their room. Moreover, they desired to get MP3 players Flat, and Screen TV.

Question. 10. What is the balance which the parents need to have in today’s world?
Answer.  10. Parents need to find a balance between the advantages of an affluent society and the critical lessons of life that come from waiting, saving and working hard to achieve goals in today’s world.

Question. 11. What is the necessity to set limits for children?
Answer.  11. Children need limits on their behaviours because they feel better and more secure when they live within a secured structure.

Question. 12. Find the word in para 4 which is the synonym of ‘prosperous’.
Answer.  12. Affluent

Read the passage given below:

1. Did you know that world-wide monitoring has shown that the ozone in the stratosphere has declined, over the past two decades, with losses of around 10 per cent in winter and spring and around five per cent in summer and autumn in locations as diverse as Europe, Australia and North America? Are you aware that a United Nations report stated that the annual dose of harmful ultraviolet radiation striking the northern hemisphere rose by five per cent during the last decade? Or that scientists estimate that for each one per cent decline in ozone levels, human beings will suffer as much as a two to three per cent increase in the incidences of certain cancers of the skin?

2. Do any of these facts make any sense? Why should a declining ozone layer assume so much importance? Here’s why. Ozone does a wonderful job of absorbing those damaging ultraviolet rays, so harmful to man. Indeed, without this gaseous shield, harmful radiation would have undisputed access to the earth. Every year, millions of tonnes of pollutant gases are sent into the earth’s atmosphere. Some remain at low levels but some accumulate in the upper atmosphere, drastically, altering — the way the sun’s heat energy and rays pass to and from the earth.

3. Each year since the late 1970s, the stratospheric ozone above Antarctica has disappeared during September creating what is popularly known as the ozone hole. What is frightening is the fact that this Antarctic hole measures about 9 million miles — nearly the size of North America! The hole over Antarctica lasts only for two months but during this time it lets in lethal doses of ultraviolet radiation. After its stay here, the hole passes over the world’s more populated parts including Australia and New Zealand, where the ultraviolet radiation which it lets in has the potential to cause various types of skin cancer, injure the eyes, harm the immune system and upset the balance of an entire ecosystem.

4. Research on ozone and the atmosphere led to a global ban on synthetic gases of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) production. More than 150 countries signed what is known as the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement which called for a phased reduction in the release of CFCs. Modifications of the treaty called for a complete ban on CFCs which began in January 1996. However, even with this ban in effect, chlorine from the CFCs will continue to accumulate in the atmosphere for about a decade. All of us know that carbon dioxide, water vapour and certain other gases in the atmosphere act in trapping/absorbing the sun’s heat, which is then reflected back to the ground. This phenomenon which keeps the earth warm is known as the greenhouse effect. Without it, the rising heat would escape directly into space and we would live in much colder conditions.

5. However, human activity has begun to alter the composition of the atmosphere. The burning of fuels such as oils in motor vehicles and coal and wood in factories and homes has led to the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These are increasing the greenhouse effect leading to global warming. Scientists fear that these greenhouse gases may trap so much heat that the earth could warm up by more than 4 degrees Celsius over the next 50 years. In a moving article about the Gulf War entitled The War That Wounded the World, William Thomas wrote, “California’s Lawrence Livermore laboratory had tracked smoke from the Middle East oil fires three times around the planet at altitudes exceeding 10,000 metres. Astronauts would later make headlines describing a haze-shrouded globe. As nuclear and biological arms proliferate, we must find a better way to resolve future conflicts. This wounded planet cannot absorb more lessons.”
— Nalini Menon

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:

Question. 1. Ozone ....................
(a) releases CO2
(b) absorbs ultraviolet rays
(c) produces oxygen
(d) none of these
Answer.  1. (b) absorbs ultraviolet rays

Question. 2. The greenhouse gases ....................
(a) may trap much heat
(b) are not detrimental
(c) lead to global warming
(d) both (a) and (c)
Answer.  2. (d) both (a) and (c)

Question. 3. Human interference has changed ....................
(a) the composition of atmosphere
(b) the shape of ozone layer
(c) the process of greenhouse
(d) none of these
Answer.  3. (a) the composition of atmosphere

Question. 4. The Montreal Protocol called for a complete ban on carbon dioxide. (True/False)
Answer.  4. False

Question. 5. Any transformation in the composition of atmosphere is directly linked to ....................
Answer.  5. human activity

Question. 6. Which word in para 5 is antonym of ‘dwindle’?
(a) Increasing
(b) Entitle
(c) Trap
(d) Proliferate
Answer.  6. (d) Proliferate

Question. 7. What has the worldwide monitoring of ozone revealed?
Answer.  7. It has revealed that ozone has declined in the stratosphere. The losses range from around ten per cent in winter and spring and around five per cent during summer and autumn. The affected areas are as widespread as Europe, Australia and North America.

Question. 8. Why has the declining ozone layer assumed so much importance?
Answer.  8. Ozone absorbs damaging ultraviolet rays and checks the flow of harmful radiation to the earth. The accumulation of pollutant gases in the upper atmosphere alters the passage of sun’s heat energy and rays to and from the earth.

Question. 9. What do you learn about the ozone hole?
Answer.  9. The stratospheric ozone above Antarctica disappears during September. The hole which lasts for two months only measures about 9 million miles—nearly the size of North America.

Question. 10. How does the ozone hole prove harmful?
Answer.  10. The ozone hole lets in the ultraviolet radiation which causes skin cancer, eye-injury, harm to immune system and upsets the balance of entire eco-system.

Question. 11. How does the greenhouse effect affect human beings?
Answer.  11. The greenhouse effect warms up the earth. It affects human beings by increasing the earth’s temperature.

Question. 12. Find the word in para 3 which is the synonym of ‘hidden power or qualities’.
Answer.  12. Potential

Read the passage given below:

1. Call it a blessing or a curse of Mother Nature, we have to breathe in over 10,000 litres of air in a day (more than four million litres in a year) to remain alive. By making it essential for life, God has wished that we try to keep the air we breathe clean. Everyone can see the food that is not clean and perhaps refrain from eating it, but one cannot stop breathing even if one can feel the air to be polluted. Several harmful and noxious substances can contaminate the air we breathe. Generally, much is said and written about outdoor air pollution, most of which is due to vehicular and industrial exhausts.

2. Given the fact that most of us spend over 90% of our time indoors, it is most important to recognise that the air we breathe in at home or in offices can be polluted. It can be a cause of ill-health. Air pollutants that are generally present in very low concentrations can assume significance in closed ill-ventilated places. The indoor air pollution can lead to allergic reactions and cause irritation to the skin, the eyes and the nose. But as is logical to assume, the brunt of insult by pollutants is borne by the lungs. It can lead to the development of fresh breathing problems, especially in those who have allergic tendencies, or it can worsen the existing respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis.

3. There can be several sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke is one of the most important air pollutants in closed places. “Passive smoking” or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) pollution can lead to all the harmful effects of tobacco smoking seen in the smokers in their non-smoking companions. ETS as a health hazard has been unequivocally proven and is also getting social recognition now. One can occasionally see signs displaying the all-important message: “Your smoking is injurious to my health” in offices and homes. The children of smoking parents are among the worst affected persons.
The exposure of young children to ETS leads to increased respiratory problems and hospital admissions as compared to non-exposed children. Several studies, including those done at the PGI, have shown an increased risk of lung cancer among women exposed to passive smoking. ETS also worsens the existing lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis. It may be responsible for the development of asthma in children. The next most important source of indoor air pollution is the allergens. House dust mites (HDM) are very small insects not visible to the naked eye and are the commonest source of allergy in the house. They are ubiquitous and thrive in a warm and moist atmosphere. They breed very fast and are very difficult to eradicate. Modern houses present ample breeding spaces for them in the form of carpets, curtains, mattresses, pillows, etc.

4. Exposure to HDM can be prevented by the frequent washing of linen and by encasing the mattresses and pillows in a non-permeable cover. Pets form an important part of life for some of us. But they can add plenty of allergens to our indoor atmosphere. Cats are notorious for doing this. Fine particles from feline fur can remain stuck to the upholstery and carpets for a long time even after the removal of the animal and lead to the worsening of asthma and skin allergies. Fortunately, owing to religious and social customs cats are not very popular pets in India. Dogs, however, are quite popular and can be as troublesome. Pets should be kept out of the bedrooms and washed frequently. To remove the fur particles one has to use vacuum cleaners as the ordinary broom and mop are not effective.

5. Moulds, fungi and several other micro organisms thrive in damp conditions and can lead to allergies as well as infections. Humidifiers in the air-conditioning plants provide an ideal environment for certain types of bacteria and have led to major outbreaks of pneumonia. It is important to clean regularly the coolers, air-conditioners and damp areas of the house such as cupboards, lofts, etc to minimise this risk. Toxic gases can also pollute the indoor environment. Biomass fuels (wood, cowdung, dried plants) and coal, if burned inside, can lead to severe contamination by carbon monoxide (CO). The poor quality of stoves and other cooking or heating appliances that cause incomplete combustion of LPG can also lead to the emission of CO or nitrogen dioxide. Formaldehyde (a gas) can be released from adhesives that are used for fixing carpets, upholstery and also in making plywood and particle board.

6. The gases are very toxic in high concentrations as may be encountered during industrial accidents, but even in very minimal amounts, as may be prevalent in homes and offices, they can cause irritation to the skin or the eyes, rashes, headache, dizziness and nausea. Improving the ventilation is an important preventive measure, besides trying to eliminate the source that may not be always feasible. Other indoor pollutants are toxic chemicals like cleansing agents, pesticides, paints, solvents and inferior-quality personal-care products, especially aerosols. Very old crumbling pipes, boilers, insulation or false roofing can also be important sources. Asbestos is a hazardous product that can cause cancer in humans. It is important to realise that the air we breathe at home may not be clean always and we must try to eliminate the source of pollution. We should give due consideration to ventilation.
— Dr. Dheeraj Gupta

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:

Question. 1. The Almighty wants that human beings ....................
(a) should try to breathe clean air
(b) should not pay attention to pollutants
(c) must ignore ETS
(d) should become passive smokers
Answer.  1. (a) should try to breathe clean air

Question. 2. The toxic gases cause ....................
(a) rashes
(b) headache
(c) dizziness
(d) all the above
Answer.  2. (d) all the above

Question. 3. Air conditioning plants have become the cause of ....................
(a) allergies
(b) pneumonia
(c) heart attack
(d) infection
Answer.  3. (b) pneumonia

Question. 4. Asbestos is a hazardous product because it can ....................
(a) cause cancer in humans
(b) cause respiratory problems
(c) prove fatal to the children
(d) none of these
Answer.  4. (a) cause cancer in humans

Question. 5. Human beings are the victims of indoor air pollution because a major part of our life is spent ....................
Answer.  5. inside our homes.

Question. 6. Which word is correct with reference to the meaning of ‘unequivocally’ as used in para 3?
(a) Ambiguously
(b) Candidly
(c) Clearly
(d) Explicitly
Answer.  6. (a) Ambiguously

Question. 7. What is essential for our life? How?
Answer.  7. Air is essential for our life. We have to breathe in over 10,000 litres of air in a day to keep ourselves alive.

Question. 8. Why should we pay attention to the quality of air we breathe indoor?
Answer.  8. Most of us spend ninety per cent of our time indoors—in homes or offices. The air we breathe indoors may also be polluted and can cause breathing problems. So, we should pay attention to the quality of air we breathe indoors.

Question. 9. What are the main sources of indoor air pollution?
Answer.  9. The main sources of indoor air pollution are:
(a) tobacco smoke
(e) house dust mites
(b) animal dusts
(f) cooking and heating
(c) air conditioners
(g) toxic chemicals
(d) moulds or fungi
(h) asbestos

Question. 10. What do you understand by ETS? How is it harmful? Give two instances.
Answer.  10. ETS stands for Environmental Tobacco Smoke or “passive smoking”. It causes all the harms of tobacco smoking to non-smokers, for example, the children of smoking parents suffer from respiratory problems. There is an increased risk of lung cancer among women exposed to passive smoking.

Question. 11. How can the risk of allergies be minimised?
Answer.  11. We must first identify the allergies and then prevent exposure to them. Use of vacuum cleaners, exposure to sun, washing linen in warm water and cleaning coolers, air conditioners, etc are some of the important steps to minimise allergies.

Question. 12. Which word in para 6 means ‘sore feeling’?
Answer.  12. irritation