CBSE Class 12 English Factual Passage Worksheet Set A

Indian Classical Dances

1. What is a classical dance? A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra or the Science of dance, is called an Indian classical dance. The two broad aspects of classical dancing are the tandava and the lasya. Power and force are typical of the tandava; grace and delicacy, of the lasya. Tandava is associated with Shiva, and lasya with Parvati. Dance which is pure movement is called nritta, and dance which is interpretative in nature is called nritya. A dancer in the classical tradition has to have years of training before he or she can begin to perform on the stage.

2. What are the main schools of classical dancing? The four main schools of classical dancing in India are: Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak. Bharat Natyam is the oldest and most popular danceform of India. Earlier, it was known by various names. Some called it Bharatam, some Natyam some Desi Attam and some Sadir. The districts of Tanjore and Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu were the focal points in the development of Bharata Natyam. It was performed as a solo dance by devadasis (temple dancers) on all auspicious occasions. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it and it started shedding its purely sacred character.

3. The dancer is directed by the natuvanar, who is a musician and, invariably, a teacher. Another musician plays the cymbals. The music for Bharata Natyam is the Carnatic School of music. The mridangam (a drum), played on both sides with the hands, provides the rhythm. The home of Kathakali is Kerala. Kathakali literally means ‘story-play’. It combines music, dance, poetry, drama and mime. Its present form has evolved out of older forms such as Ramanattam and Krishnanattam.

4. Kathakali dance-dramas last from dusk to dawn. The artistes use elaborate costumes; mask like make-up and towering head-dresses. The dancers are all males. Female roles are usually played by boys. There is no stage - a few mats are spread on the ground for the audience to sit on. The only ‘stage-lighting’ is a brass lamp fed with coconut oil. Two singers provide the vocal music. The chenda, a large drum, which is beaten on one side with two slender curved sticks, is an integral part of the Kathakali performance. A metal gong, a pair of cymbals and another drum complete the orchestra. Besides providing the beat, they are also the means by which all the sound-effects are created.

5. Manipur, in the north-east is the home of Manipuri. It has evolved out of the folk dances of the land, which are religious in nature. Lai Haroba is the oldest dance-drama of Manipur and is based on folk-lore and mythology. But Ras Leela is the most popular one. It tells of the legendary love of Radha and Krishna. In the Manipuri style of dancing, the accent is on grace and softness. The women’s costumes are extremely picturesque. Besides the singers, the khol, the manjira and the flute also accompany the dancers. Kathak, however, was revived under the patronage of the rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur, and this gave rise to two styles known as the Lucknow gharana and the Jaipur gharana. Gharana means ‘house’ or ‘school’. In Kathak, the accent is on footwork. A dancer wears anklets with several rows of bells and skillfully regulates their sound, sometimes sounding just one bell out of the many on his or her feet. The singer who accompanies the Kathak dancer not only sings, but reproduces the drum syllables also. The sarangi, a string instrument, provides the music at a Kathak performance.

Question. 1. What is the Natya Shastra?
(a) Scientific study of a classical dance
(b) Science of dances
(c) A book written by a sage
(d) A book which deals with a drama
Answer.  (b) Science of dances

Question. 2. Choose the appropriate meaning of the term ‘Indian classical dance’.
(a) places where children are taught
(b) training centres for artists
(c) groups of artists having a similar style.
(d) Dance complying with the tenets of Natya Shastra
Answer.  (d) Dance complying with the tenets of Natya Shastra

Question. 3. When did Bharata Natyam start shedding its purely sacred character?
(a) when Devadasis stopped dancing
(b) when danced as a solo performance
(c) when kings and rich patronised it
(d) when they used Carnatic music
Answer.  (c) When kings and rich patronised it

Question. 4. In Kathakali all dancers are males. (True/False)
Answer.  True

Question. 5. In Kathak, the accent is on…..
Answer.  footwork

Question. 6. In para 1, which word is similar in meaning to ‘softness’? (a) classical (b) delicacy (c) interpretative (d) pure
Answer.  (b) delicacy

Question. 7. How did the story tellers perform Kathak in ancient times?
Answer.  In ancient times the story-tellers used gesture and movements while performing this form of dance. They generally narrated the great epics thorough their actions.

Question. 8. How is ‘Kathakali’ dance performance different from other dance form?
Answer.  ‘Kathakali’ means ‘story telling’ through dance performance where artists wear elaborate costumes and mask like make-up. It combines music, dance, poetry, drama and mime. Vocal singers, chenda, metal gong, a pair of cymbals and another drums create music and rhythm.

Question. 9. What is the difference between ‘Lai Haroba and Ras Leela’ ?
Answer.  ‘Lai Haroba’ and ‘Ras Leela’ both are dance forms where ‘Lai Haroba’ is the oldest dance-drama and ‘Ras Leela’ is the story telling of legendary love of Radha Krishna.

Question. 10. What is the role of the singer who accompanies the Kathak dancer.
Answer.  The singer not only sings, but also reproduces the drum syllables.

Question. 11. How did the rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur contribute to enliven the Kathakali?
Answer.  The rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur helped financially for reviving the Kathakali.

Question. 12. Which word in para 5 means the same as ‘attractive’?
Answer.  Picturesque.

Food And Stress

1. We are what we eat. The type of food we eat has both immediate and long-term effect on us, at all the three levels - the body, the mind and the spirit. Food which is tamasik (i.e. stale or leftover) in nature is bound to generate stress as it tends to upset the normal functioning of the human body. Fresheners should be avoided. Taking piping hot tea or milk or steaming hot food, whenever available, must be preferred. Excessive use of condiments also disturbs one’s usually calm attitude. Further, it is a mistaken belief that smoking or drinking, even in moderation, relieves stress. Simple meals with one or two food items, rather than too many lavish dishes, are advisable. Thus, vegetarian diet is preferable. Although it is customary to serve fruits with food, it is not the right thing to do. This is because different kinds of digestive secretions are produced by the stomach for variant foods. Mixing up too many varieties of food items at one meal creates problems for the digestive system. In fact, anyone type of fruit, preferably taken in the morning, is better.

2. On an average, we eat almost three to four times the quantity of food than we actually need. A lot of body’s energy is used up for digesting the excess food. It is said that after a particular level of food intake, the food actually eats one up. It is always good to eat a little less than your ‘full-stomach’ capacity. Besides, never eat food unless you are really hungry. Having dinner at 8 or 9 pm after a heavy snack at 5 or 6 pm in the evening is asking for trouble. In fact, skipping an odd meal is always good if the stomach is upset. There are varying views on the benefits of fasting, but we will not discuss them here. However, giving a break to one’s stomach, at least once a week, by having only fruit or milk, etc. may be worth trying.

3. While a little bit of water taken with meals is all right, drinking 30 to 60 ml much water with food is not advisable. Water, taken an hour or so before or after meals, is good for digestion. One’s diet must be balanced with all the required nutrients for a healthy living. Also remember, excess of everything is bad. Related to the problem of stress, excessive intake of salt is definitely bad. Too much of sugar, fried food and chillies are not good either. Over indulgence and excessive craving for a particular taste / type of food generates rajasik (aggressive) or at worst, tamasik (dull) tendencies. An even more important aspect of the relationship between food and stress lies not so much in what or how much we eat but how the food is taken. For example, food eaten in great hurry or in a state of anger or any other negative state of mind is bound to induce stress. How the food is served is also very important. Not only the presentation, cutlery, crockery, etc. play a role, the love and affection with which the food is served is also significant.

4. Finding faults with food while it is being eaten is the worst habit. It is better not to eat the food you do not like, rather than finding fault with it. It is good to have regular food habits. Workaholics who’ do not find time to eat food at proper mealtimes invite stomach ulcers. One must try to enjoy one’s food, and therefore, eating at the so-called lunch / dinner meetings is highly inadvisable. Every morsel of food should be enjoyed with a totally peaceful state of mind. Food and discussions should not be mixed. There are accepted ways to ‘charge’ the food we eat. Prayer is perhaps ‘the best method for energizing the food and it will do some definite additional good at no extra cost.
—Lt. Gen. M. M. Walia

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

Question. 1. How does tamasik food influence the person?
(a) Generates stress
(b) Makes a person energetic
(c) Generates large amount of energy
(d) Makes a person bold
Answer.  (a) Generates stress

Question. 2. A mistaken belief of people is that ..................... relieves stress.
Answer.  smoking and drinking even in moderation

Question. 3. Why does the writer say that we eat almost three to four times the quantity of food than we actually need?
(a) Digestive system takes too much time.
(b) Excessive intake of food takes a lot of body’s energy to digest it.
(c) Food sustains the body.
(d) It makes the person healthy.
Answer.  (b) Excessive intake of food takes a lot of body’s energy to digest it

Question. 4. What generates rajasik and Tamasik tendencies?
(a) Over indulgence of fried food
(b) Too much use of spicy food
(c) Over indulgence and excessive craving for a particular taste
(d) Excess of everything
Answer.  (c) Over indulgence and excessive craving for a particular taste

Question. 5. Where does the root cause of stress generated by food lie in?
(a) How much we eat
(b) What we eat
(c) How the food is taken
(d) Irregular food habits
Answer.  (c) How the food is taken

Question. 6. What does ‘induce’ mean?
(a) Reduce
b) Cause
(c) Aggressive
(d) Intake
Answer.  (b) Cause

Question. 7. Why are fruits combined with food not advised?
Answer.  To digest every food item, different kinds of digestive secretions are produced by stomach. So mixing up food and fruits creates problems for the digestive system.

Question. 8. How should water be consumed with food?
Answer.  A little bit of water taken with food is allowed. However, having water one hour before or after meal helps in digestion.

Question. 9. What is the important aspect of relationship between food and stress?
Answer.  Stress is induced if food is taken in a hurry or in a state of anger. Serving of food with affection plays a significant role in the reduction of stress.

Question. 10. What could be the negative impact of missing meals on workaholics?
Answer.  For workaholics, missing meals may cause stomach ulcers.

Question. 11. Why should we not talk with our family members or friends while eating together?
Answer.  While eating we should not talk with one another because it disturbs us enjoying the real taste of the food.

Question. 12. Which word in para 4 means ‘persons often busy in their work’?
Answer.  Workaholics

Read the passage given below:
Attitude Problems

1. Fear of failure is an attitude problem. All of us postpone things. We procrastinate. We rationalize. We make excuses. We foolishly believe that to be creative and to have a positive attitude and to simply do things, we have to have all kinds of preconditions. You can find several excuses for waiting to be more creative. But scratch the surface of these smooth and logical rationalisations, and if you’re honest, you’ll see the face of a little demon, the fear of failure, hiding there. Zig Ziglar reminds us that this is nothing but an attitude problem: “The future can be depressing or magnificent—it is not correlated to the present or the past, past failures or successes. It is only our attitude towards these failures or successes which determines our future.” You can change yourself by changing your attitude without fear of error.

2. Problems cause stress and stress reduces our effectiveness. So it is very logical that once we solve our problems, we should be able to increase our efficiency and effectiveness. Incidentally, we can’t eliminate problems unless we opt for the final exit—the very thought of this itself is stressful! What causes our problems? Well, roughly speaking one third of our problems are there because we are alive and kicking; another one-third of our problems are created by ourselves; and the remaining one-third of our problems exist because of greed and ego.

3. When too many problems are causing you enormous stress and strain, do the following:
(i) Think...there must be a better way to solve these problems. It helps to remember the crow and jug story! Recall similar stories and incidents.
(ii) Ask, ask, ask...from yourself and from others, how to do things in better ways. May be certain things should not be done at all or should be clubbed with other activities! Don’t forget that even stupid questions will get your intelligent and common sense answers.
(iii) Do it now! Start doing it. Don’t forget that the first step towards solving a problem is to begin. The first step is the most difficult one, but taking it will kill procrastination—a disease or a problem in itself. Do not forget to priorities your problems first. Those which are “C” category jobs should be delegated to others, but do not forget to check and recheck till these get done.

4. There is always a silver lining in any gloomy situation, provided you starve the problems and feed the opportunities. For every problem, there could be several solutions, and solutions point towards opportunities. Apply the MISER concept to solve problems. MISER...where M stands for Merge, I for Improve, S for Simplify, E for Eliminate and R for Reduce. MISER is an excellent conceptual sieve that helps in reducing many problems to a very few ones.
—Pramod and Vijay Batra

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

Question. 1. Most people procrastinate because:
(a) they are not creative
(b) they adopt a wrong attitude
(c) they are too lazy to do anything
(d) they wait for better opportunity
Answer.  (b) they adopt a wrong attitude

Question. 2. Our future is determined by our attitude towards ......................... .
Answer.  past failures or success.

Question. 3. Our effectiveness gets reduced by ..........................
(a) problems faced by others
(b) depressing time is painful
(c) stress
(d) problems disheartening us
Answer.  (c) stress

Question. 4. We can’t eliminate problems because we are afraid of final exit. (True/False)
Answer.  False

Question. 5. The best way to tackle a problem is .........................
(a) to defer it for sometime
(b) to seek help of a friend
(c) to think of an easy solution
(d) to begin at once
Answer.  (d) to begin at once

Question. 6. Which option shows the correct use of the word ‘provided’ as used in para 4?
(a) We have provided our best service to our customers.
(b) You will certainly score good marks in the exam provided you study diligently.
(c) We have been provided with some extra facilities.
Answer.  (b) You will certainly score good marks in the exam provided you study diligently.

Question. 7. How can we justify that fear of failure is an attitude problem?
Answer.  Fear of failure makes us believe that we should have all kinds of preconditions. So we procrastinate, rationalise and make excuses.

Question. 8. How can efficiency and effectiveness be increased?
Answer.  Problems cause stress and stress reduces our effectiveness. So once we solve our problems, we would be able to increase our efficiency and effectiveness.

Question. 9. What are factors that cause our problems?
Answer.  Our problems are there because we are alive and kicking. We are greedy and full of ego.

Question. 10. What steps should be taken to avoid stress?
Answer.  There are three steps to be taken to avoid stress are: thinking, constantly asking yourself, and doing it.

Question. 11. What does the term ‘starve the problems and feed the opportunities’ mean?
Answer.  The term ‘starve the problems and feed the opportunities, means for every problem, there are innumerable solutions which point towards opportunities.

Question. 12. What is the negative impact of fear of error?
Answer.  Fear of error discourages us to bring any great change in our career.

Read the passage given below: The Way Human Body Defends

1. The defence mechanism of human body is a gift of nature provided to human beings. The power of our body to fight against various disease-producing agents is known as defensive mechanism. This defensive mechanism depends upon various factors which can be categorised mainly into two types—common factors and special factors. Amongst the common factors, the most important is the health of human beings. We all know if we are having a good health, our body automatically remains protected against the diseases. For keeping good health one should have nutritious balanced diet. A balanced diet is that which contains carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins in proportionate amount.

2. The skin of our body saves us against many micro-organisms producing diseases, provided that it is intact. In case there are cuts or abrasions on it, the micro-organisms penetrate the body through those cuts and abrasions and can cause diseases. Therefore, a cut or an abrasion should never be left open. In case there is no bandage, etc. available, it may be covered by a clean cloth. Some bacteria are residing on and inside the human body. They are our friends and are useful for us. They do not cause any disease and by their presence they do not allow disease-causing organisms to settle on those places. For example, the microorganisms, present in human saliva secrete a chemical which does not allow diphtheria causing bacteria to grow inside the oral cavity.

3. The human body secretes a variety of fluids, which are killers for disease causing micro-organisms. For example, gastric juice (acidic in nature) secreted by our intestinal tract kills all organisms which enter our body through food. There are a few automatic activities of our body known as “reflex phenomenon” which protect the body against many infections. This reflex phenomenon includes sneezing, coughing and vomiting. Fever is one of the most important constituents of the defensive mechanism of our body. The organ which regulates the temperature of our body is known as hypothalamus and it is situated in the brain. When micro-organisms after entering the body release toxic products and these reach the brain through blood, the hypothalamus starts increasing the temperature of body and the person gets fever. This fever is very useful for the human body because by the increase of temperature the micro-organisms which are the root cause of the problem get killed.

4. We are living in an environment which is full of bacteria. Many of these bacteria can produce serious diseases, but all of us do not suffer from such diseases. It is due to a special power present in our body to fight these diseases. A part of this special power of our body is known as innate immunity. This is inherited by us. The other part of this special power is called acquired immunity. This we gain during our lifetime. In a nutshell, we can say since nature has provided us with defensive mechanism to fight against so many diseases, let us maintain it and rather increase it by the way of immunisation.

—Rakesh Singh [The Tribune]

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

Question. 1. One should have nutritious balanced diet because ......................... .
(a) it has food items for various tastes
(b) it keeps one healthy
(c) it is recommended by a dietician
(d) it has all essential items
Answer.  (b) it keeps one healthy

Question. 2. The defence mechanism of human body is important as ................ .
(a) it protects us from diseases
(b) it checks deterioration of body
(c) it saves us from depression
(d) it builds up the wear and tear
Answer.  (a) it protects us from diseases.

Question. 3. In order to check the micro-organisms penetration in the human body ....................
(a) we must cover the whole body
(b) we must rub insect repelling oil
(c) we must use antiseptic solutions
(d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered
Answer.  (d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered

Question. 4. Gastric juice secreted by our intestinal tract kills all extraneous organisms as ......................... .
(a) it flows very fast
(b) it is acidic in nature
(c) it prevents their multiplication
(d) it is a natural stimulant
Answer.  (b) it is acidic in nature

Question. 5. We can increase our defensive mechanism by ......................... .
(a) developing friendly bacteria
(b) checking infection through reflex phenomenon
(c) seeking proper immunisation
(d) suppressing fever in initial stages
Answer.  (c) seeking proper immunisation

Question. 6. The word ‘toxic’ in para 3 means .........................
(a) blood poisoning
(b) study of poisons
(c) harmful bacteria in plants/animals
(d) poisonous
Answer.  (d) poisonous

Question. 7. Which organ regulates the temperature of our body? Where is it located?
Answer.  Hypothalamus regulates the temperature of our body and is located in the brain.

Question. 8. What is the role of gastric juice in human body?
Answer.  Gastric juice is acidic in nature. It kills all extraneous organisms.

Question. 9. What is ‘a gift of nature’ for human beings according to the passage?
Answer.  The special power of the body to fight against various diseases is called ‘a gift of nature for human beings.

Question. 10. What is known as ‘reflex phenomenon’?
Answer.  A few automatic activities of our body like sneezing, coughing and vomiting which protect the body against many infections is known as reflex phenomenon.

Question. 11. Fever is not always harmful to our health. (False/ True)
Answer.  True

Question. 12. Why are some of our diseases cured on their own?
Answer.  Some of our diseases are cured on their own because nature has provided us with defensive mechanism to fight against these diseases.

Read the passage given below:
Self-Esteem

1. Today, when we pick up a daily newspaper, we invariably find an increasing incidence of vandalism, fraud, theft, robbery, rape, child abuse, battered spouses, murders, hate crimes, genocide (now termed as “ethnic cleansing”) along with a multitude of other senseless violent acts that have become disturbingly common. These are not the actions of people who like themselves. The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global, lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society. When the significance of good self-esteem is well understood and it achieves the prominence it deserves, a transformation will begin, for as the people will learn they are deserving of self-respect, their respect for others will automatically increase.

2. Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures who played an important part in our early upbringing and were responsible for crystallizing our ideas about ourselves and the world. While everyone has self-esteem, only a small percentage of us have high self-esteem. High self-esteem denotes that we accept ourselves unconditionally exactly as we are, we appreciate our value as a human being. When, on the other hand, we have low self-esteem, we believe that we have little intrinsic worth.

3. We believe our personal value is in direct proportion to the value of our accomplishments. If we cannot accomplish certain results, we tend to feel low about ourselves. Some of us try too hard and become workaholics and over-achievers. With few genuine feelings of self-worth, we try to create some and prove that we are somebody by our successes and achievements. Because our desire for perfection is so great that we tend to set unrealistic goals and place unreasonable demands on ourselves. Failing, rather than encouraging us to have more realistic aspirations, only leads to a mere punishing round of self-blame and a resolve to drive ourselves harder next time. If we do finally achieve our goals we are disappointed; despite everything we have done, we still feel empty inside.

4. Vulnerable to the opinions of others, we desperately try to gain their recognition and approval sometimes through risky and dangerous behaviour. Thus we are at the mercy of our emotions, instead of controlling them, we permit them to control us. Since we allow circumstances to influence our feelings, we are inclined to be moody. The insecurity we feel as a result of devaluing ourselves makes us react with jealousy, envy and possessiveness. Fear makes us greedy and acquisitive, and feelings of self-hate alternate with those of futility, unhappiness and depression.

5. Sound self-esteem is the basis for ALL self improvement. As human beings, our potential is limitless, our abilities inexhaustible, and the possibilities for creative and constructive changes are endless. But, we won’t experience satisfactory progress towards our goals or make any lasting improvements unless we believe we deserve the good we want. Conditions in our lives will improve permanently only when we believe we are entitled to something better. So improving our self-esteem inwardly is the vital ingredient for improving our lives.
—Dr Aparna Chattopadhyay [‘Enhance’ H.T.]

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

Question. 1. Setting of unrealistic goals generally leads our mental status to: 1. frustration 2. elation 3. disappointment 4. tension 5. satisfaction 6. cool-mindedness
(a) 2, 5, & 6
(b) 1, 3 & 4
(c) 1, 3 & 5
(d) 3, 4 & 6
Answer.  (b) 1, 3 & 4

Question. 2. The unrealistic goals are set by people ............. .
(a) to preserve their honour
(b) because they lack tolerance
(c) who have high self-esteem
(d) who do not like themselves
Answer.  (d) who do not like themselves.

Question. 3. Good self-esteem is stressed upon because ......................... .
(a) it is essential for solving many problems
(b) it builds up self-confidence
(c) it increases one’s reputation
(d) it helps one to respect others
Answer.  (a) it is essential for solving many problems

Question. 4. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as ......................... .
(a) it makes us worthless in our own eyes
(b) it helps us to believe in our worth
(c) it forces us to be achievers
(d) it brings depression and disappointment
Answer.  (b) it helps us to believe in our worth

Question. 5. Sound self-esteem ensures success as ......................... .
(a) one reacts emotionally to problems
(b) one becomes moody and insecure
(c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties
(d) one makes instant improvements
Answer.  (c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties

Question. 6. The word ‘potential’ in para 5 means ......................... .
(a) possible
(b) ability of a person
(c) a liquid with magic powers
(d) hidden power
Answer.  (d) hidden power

Question. 7. What is the importance of good self-esteem?
Answer.  Good self-esteem is important for solving many problems.

Question. 8. What remarkability is latent in high self-esteem?
Answer.  High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as it helps us believe in our own worth.

Question. 9. Where does the solution of a great many problems lie?
Answer.  The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society.

Question. 10. How are ideas and behaviours crystallized by society?
Answer.  Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures. They play an important role in our early upbringing and crystallizing ideas about oneself and the world.

Question. 11. Why do we feel disappointed in spite of achieving our goals?
Answer.  When our goals are too tough and strenuous, we feel disappointed even after achieving them.

Question. 12. What does the expression ‘vulnerable to the opinion of others’ mean in para 3?
Answer.  The given expression means that we will soon condone the opinion of others without thinking of the pros and cons.

Read the passage given below:

1. Just a century ago it would have been hard to imagine that human beings could significantly pollute the oceans. Human beings constitute the greatest threat to the oceans since the development of the nuclear industry. Nuclear power has become a major source of the world’s electric energy. But nuclear power plants also produce a great amount of nuclear waste which remains hazardous for thousands of years.

2. For the purpose of disposal, nuclear wastes are of two categories: Low Level Waste (LLW), which includes several substances used in connection with nuclear reactors and High Level Waste (HLW) which consists primarily of spent fuel from nuclear reactors and weapons. Currently, there is no permanent method of disposal for HLW. All the HLW that has been produced so far is being stored near the reactor sites in swimming pools or in dry casks. These storage pools are not designed to store the waste for an indefinite period of time. As high level nuclear waste presents a tremendous storage problem, dumping it into the ocean is considered as the most cost-effective solution.

3. Even though dumping of highly radioactive wastes at sea was banned worldwide for more than three decades, it still continues. Russia has been dumping highly radioactive materials in the Arctic Sea. Until the London Dumping Convention in 1983, the Atlantic Ocean was a favourite dumping ground for nuclear nations like Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland and Sweden. The dumping of nuclear wastes not only goes against international practice, but is also a violation of international treaties. Dumping of the wastes is regulated by the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the 1972 London Convention). The Convention outlawed the disposal of highlevel wastes at sea. It required the nations disposing of low-level radioactive wastes to do so in ocean basins at depths greater than 12,000 feet. But the depths at which the actual dumping took place was within the range of 200 to 1,000 feet, which is a clear violation of the convention.

4. Although the dumping of any radioactive waste at sea has been prohibited by law since 1994, the status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous. If a resolution is made to extend the definition of “dumping” to include “any deliberate disposal or storage of wastes or other matter in the sea-bed and the subsoil thereof ” and accepted by the convention, sub-seabed disposal will be prohibited, and the decision may not be appealed for twenty five years. If it is so, then sub-seabed disposal will be subjected to regulation and subsequent banning by the London Dumping Convention. Article III, section 1(a) of the convention defines dumping as “any deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea.”

5. On the contrary, United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reveals that the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil is beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The seabed area is beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any nation and is open to use by all in accordance with commonly acceptable rules. Even though UNCLOS may not directly prohibit sub-seabed disposal, there are other provisions such as “to protect and preserve the marine environment” which will put a legal binding on the member states while undertaking the disposal. Clifton Curtis, a political adviser to Greenpeace International, who has fought against sub-seabed disposal method since 1978 favours land-based disposal as a better option.
—Vikas Gora, CEE-NFS

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

Question. 1. Human beings are the greatest threats to oceans because ................. .
(a) they conduct hazardous nuclear experiments
(b) they explore the oceans for its hidden treasures
(c) their lust for sea-food makes them plunge into the waves
(d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste
Answer.  (d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste.

Question. 2. The nuclear waste produced by the nuclear power plants is dreaded as ..........................
(a) it is a health booster
(b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years
(c) it is biodegradable
(d) it is a major source of electric energy
Answer.  (b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years

Question. 3. Nuclear nations practised dumping high level nuclear waste into the ocean because ..........................
(a) it was the easiest option
(b) it was the safest way
(c) it involved the least risk
(d) it was the most cost effective solution
Answer.  (d) it was the most cost effective solution

Question. 4. The London Dumping convention is important because ............... .
(a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear wastes at the sea
(b) it outlawed the disposal of all man-made structures at the sea
(c) it prohibited the disposal of wastes of man-made arms and ammunition
(d) it defined the limits of national jurisdiction of sea
Answer.  (a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear wastes at the sea

Question. 5. The status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous because ........................ .
(a) nuclear waste has been dumped at the depth of 200 to 1000 feet
(b) the UN law of the sea makes it open to be used by all
(c) the definition of “dumping” does not include sub-seabed
(d) the sub-seabed area is under the territorial jurisdiction of the nearest country
Answer.  (c) the definition of “dumping” does not include sub-seabed

Question. 6. .... will be subjected to regular...” Which option shows the meaning of ‘subjected’ the same as it is used in para 4? (a) The payment is ready to be given subject to your approval. (b) The Roman Empire subjected most of the Europe to its rule. (c) The prisoners have been subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. (d) All nuclear installations are subject to international safeguard.
Answer.  (c) The prisoners have been subjected to cruel and degrading treatment.

Question. 7. What does the nuclear power have for humanity?
Answer.  Nuclear power produces radioactive wastes which remain hazardous for thousands of years. Thus, it is dangerous for marine and human life.

Question. 8. Name the two categories of nuclear waste.
Answer.  For the purpose of disposal, nuclear wastes are of two categories: Low Level Waste (LLW) and High Level Waste (HLM).

Question. 9. Which is the most favourite dumping ground for nuclear nations?
Answer.  The Atlantic Ocean is the most favourite dumping ground for nuclear nations like the Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland and Sweden.

Question. 10. What does 1972 London Convention state for disposal of high level waste at sea?
Answer.  The convention outlawed the disposal of high level wastes at sea. It required the nations disposing of low-level radioactive wastes in ocean basins at depths greater than 12,000 feet.

Question. 11. Why can United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) not prevent any country from dumping nuclear wastes into the oceans?
Answer.  UNCLOS has no rights to prevent any country from dumping nuclear waste into the oceans because no nations have territorial rights over them

Question. 12. Which word in para 5 is similar in meaning to ‘dealing with’?
Answer.  undertaking