CBSE Class 12 English Unseen Passage Invitation Worksheet

Reading

Passage- 
We sit in the last row, bumped about but free of stares. The bus rolls out of the dull crossroads of the city, and we are soon in open countryside, with fields of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, their heads all facing us. Where there is no water, the land reverts to desert. While still on level ground, we see in the distance the tall range of the Mount Bogda, abrupt like a shining prism laid horizontally on the desert surface. It is over 5,000 metres high, and the peaks are under permanent snow, in powerful contrast to the flat desert all around. Heaven Lake lies part of the way up this range, about 2,000 metres above sea level, at the foot of one of the higher snowpeaks.
As the bus climbs, the sky, brilliant before, grows overcast. I have brought nothing warm to wear: it is all down at the hotel in Urumqi. Rain begins to fall. The man behind me is eating overpoweringly smelly goat’s cheese. The bus window leaks inhospitably but reveals a beautiful view. We have passed quickly from desert through arable land to pasture, and the ground is now green with grass, the slopes dark with pine. A few cattle drink at a clear stream flowing past moss-covered stones; it is a Constable landscape. The stream changes into a white torrent, and as we climb higher I wish more and more that I had brought with me something warmer than the pair of shorts that have served me so well in the desert. The stream (which, we are told, rises in Heaven Lake) disappears, and we continue our slow ascent. About noon, we arrive at Heaven Lake and look for a place t o stay at the foot, which is the resort area. We get a room in a small cottage, and I am happy to note that there are thick quilts on the beds.
Standing outside the cottage we survey our surroundings. Heaven Lake is long, sardine shaped and fed by snowmelt from a stream at its head. The lake is an intense blue, surrounded on all sides by green mountain walls, dotted with distant sheep. At the head of the lake, beyond the delta of the inflowing stream, is a massive snow-capped peak which dominates the vista; it is part of a series of peaks that culminate, a little out of view, in Mount Bogda itself.
For those who live in the resort, there is a small mess hall by the shore. We eat here sometimes, and sometimes buy food from the vendors outside, who sell kabab and naan until the last buses leave. The Kababs, cooked on skewers over charcoal braziers, are particularly good; highly spiced and well done. Horse’s milk is available too from the local Kazakh herdsmen, but I decline this. I am so affected by the cold that Mr. Cao, the relaxed young man who runs the mess, lends me a spare pair of trousers, several sizes too large but more than comfortable. Once I am warm again, I feel a pre-dinner spurt of energy dinner will be long in coming and I ask him whether the lake is good for swimming in. “Swimming?” Mr. Cao says. “You aren’t thinking of swimming, are you?” “I thought I might,” I confess. “What’s the water like?”
He doesn’t answer me immediately, turning instead to examine some receipts with exaggerated interest. Mr. Cao, with great offhandedness, addresses the air. “People are often drowned here,” he says. After a pause, he continues. “When was the last one?” This question is directed at the cook, who is preparing a tray of mantou (squat white steamed bread rolls), and who now appears, wiping his doughy hand across his forehead. “Was it the Beijing athlete?” asks Mr. Cao.

Answer the following questions:

Question. What is one benefit of sitting in the last row of the bus?
(i) the narrator enjoyed the bumps.
(ii) no one stared at him
(iii) he could see the sunflowers.
(iv) he avoided the dullness of the city.

Answer : (ii)

Question. Where was the narrator travelling to?
(i) Mount Bogda
(ii) Heaven Lake
(iii) a 2,000 m high snow peak
(iv) Urumqi

Answer : (ii)

Question. Why did the narrator felt relieved on reaching the destination?
(i) he had got away from the desert
(ii) a difficult journey had come to an end
(iii) he could watch the snow peak
(iv) there were thick quilts on the beds

Answer : (iv)

Question. With whom is the Mount Bogda compared?
(i) The Mount Bogda is compared with a horizontal desert surface
(ii) The Mount Bogda is compared with a shining prism
(iii) The Mount Bogda is compared with a Constable landscape
(iv) The Mount Bogda is compared with the overcast sky

Answer : (ii)

Question. Which two things in the bus made the narrator feel uncomfortable?
a) the man behind him was eating overpoweringly smelly goat’s cheese
b) the bus window leaked inhospitably
c) The bus was congested
d) Both a & b

Answer : D

Question. What made the scene look like a Constable landscape?
a) The pasture green with grass
b) the slopes dark with pine
c) the sight of a few cattle drinking at a clear stream flowing past moss-covered stones
d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. What did he regret as the bus climbed higher?
a) He had not taken the front seat
b) He had not brought something warmer
c) He had not brought a short
d) None of the above

Answer : B

Question. Why did the narrator like to buy food from outside?
a) He did not have food with him
b) The food inside was not healthy
c) The Kababs were cooked on skewer over charcoal braziers, was rather good, highly spiced and well done.
d) None of the above

Answer : C

Question. Why did Mr. Cao not like the narrator to swim in the lake?
a) Many people have been drowned in it
b) The water was very cold
c) The water was very deep
d) He was getting late.

Answer : A

Passage
Thackeray reached Kittur along with a small British army force and a few of his officers. He thought that the very presence of the British on the outskirts of Kittur would terrorise the rulers and people of Kittur, and that they would lay down their arms. He was quite confident that he would be able to crush the revolt in no time. He ordered that tents be erected on the eastern side for the fighting forces, and a little away on the western slopes tents be put up for the family members of the officers who had accompanied them. During the afternoon and evening of 20th October, the British soldiers were busy making arrangements for these camps.
On the 21st morning, Thackeray sent his political assistants to Kittur fort to obtain a written assurance from all the important officers of Kittur rendering them answerable for the security of the treasury of Kittur. They, accordingly, met Sardar Gurusiddappa and other officers of Kittur and asked them to comply with the orders of Thackeray. They did not know that the people were in a defiant mood. The commanders of Kittur dismissed the agent’s orders as no documents could be signed without sanction from Rani Chennamma.
Thackeray was enraged and sent for the commander of the Horse Artillery, which was about 100 strong, and ordered him to rush his artillery into the fort and capture the commanders of the Desai’s army. When the Horse Artillery stormed into the fort, Sardar Gurusiddappa, who had kept his men on full alert, promptly commanded his men to repel and chase them away. The Kittur forces made a bold front and overpowered the British soldiers
In the meanwhile, the Desai’s guards had shut the gates of the fort and the British Horse Artillerymen, being completely overrun and routed, had to get out through the escape window. Rani’s soldiers chased them out of the fort, killing a few of them until they retreated to their camps on the outskirts.
A few of the British had found refuge in some private residences, while some were hiding in their tents. The Kittur soldiers captured about forty persons and brought them to the palace. These included twelve children and a few women from the British officers’ camp. When they were brought in the presence of the Rani, she ordered the soldiers to be imprisoned. For the women and children she had only gentleness and admonished her soldiers for taking them into custody. At her orders, these women and children were taken inside the palace and given food and shelter. Rani came down from her throne, patted the children lovingly and told them that no harm would come to them.
She, then, sent word through a messenger to Thackeray that the British women and children were safe and could be taken back any time. Seeing this noble gesture of the Rani, he was moved. He wanted to meet this gracious lady and talk to her. He even thought of trying to persuade her to enter into an agreement with the British to stop all hostilities in lieu of an inam (prize) of eleven villages. His offer was dismissed with a gesture of contempt. She had no wish to meet Thackeray. That night she called Sardar Gurusiddappa and other le ading Sardars, and after discussing all the issues came to the conclusion that there was no point in meeting Thackeray who had come with an army to threaten Kittur into submission to British sovereignty.

Answer the following questions:

Question. Who was Thackeray?
a) British tourist
b) army officer
c) advisor to the Rani of Kittur
d) treasury officer

Answer : B

Question. Why did the British women and children came to Kittur?
a) To settle there
b) enjoy life in tents
c) stay in the palace
d) give company to officers

Answer : D

Question. Why did Thackeray come to Kittur?
a) Had come with an army to threaten the rulers and people of Kittur to crush the revolt
b) Had come to help Indian rulers
c) Had come with an army contingent for helping the local people
d) None of the above

Answer : A

Question. Why did the Kittur officials refuse to give the desired assurance to Thackeray?
a) The Kittur officials were in a defiant mood.
b) They declared that no document could be signed without sanction from Rani.
c) Both a & b
d) They do not want any kind of help from the British.

Answer : C

Question. What happened to the Horse Artillery?
a) It has not come to Kittur at all.
b) It was helped by Kittur officials.
c) It was repelled and chased away by Sardar Gurusiddappa’s men.
d) It was destroyed by the Kittur officials.

Answer : C

Question. How do we know that the Rani was a noble queen?
a) She ordered only the soldiers to be imprisoned.
b) She ordered to give food and shelter
c) She patted the children and no harm would come to them
d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. Why did the Rani refuse to meet Thackeray?
a) As she does not want any negotiation with the British
b) As he had threaten Kittur into submission to British sovereignty
c) As she wanted to lead her own state
d) None of the above

Answer : B

Passage 
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 routines of these great men not only reveal their di fferent, maybe unique lifestyle but also help us learn certain habits and practices they followed. Here are some; read, enjoy and follow in their footsteps as it suits you.
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. Willliam 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, every one of us needs a workplace where we can work on our creation uninterruptedly. Equally, we need our private space too!
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 hour 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 streetlamps 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 a limited social life too. One of Simone de Beauvoir’s close friends puts i t 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”.
The routines of these thinkers are difficult. Perhaps it is because they are so unattainable. The very idea that you can organize 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 his 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.
Being forced to follow someone else’s routine 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.

Answer the following questions:

Question. What is being described in the passage?
a) how to practice walking
b) walking everyday
c) the life of a genius
d) what we can learn from the routines of geniuses

Answer : D

Question. What did the writers do 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

Question. What did the writers have in their daily routines?
a) They did not get any privacy.
b) They read books and enjoyed them
c) They had unique lifestyle.
d) They did not mind visitors

Answer : C

Question. How did some artists resort to walking?
a) an exercise
b) a creative inspiration
c) essential for improving their health
d helpful in interaction with others

Answer : B

Question. What did Jane Austen like?
a) She liked a private workplace.
b) She liked a world tour alone.
c) She liked to live an isolated life.
d) She liked to have a private life without an external affair.Answer : 

Answer : A

Question. Why do you think Graham Green hired a secret office?
a) He needed a secret office where he can hide his official documents.
b) He needed it as he was working as a secret agent.
c) As he needed a workplace where he could work on his creation uninterruptedly.
d) He needed a workplace where he could work together with his companions.

Answer : C

Question. What was the rumour about Erik Satie’s productivity?
a) It was rumoured that when he sleeps he snorts in a musical tone.
b) It was rumoured that when those street lights were turned off during the war years, his music too declined.
c) He dreamt of music concerts only.
d) None of the above.

Answer : B

Question. How did her limited social life affect Simone de Beauvoir?
a) She led a pathetic life.
b) She got depressed in her after life.
c) She became wiser than earlier.
d) She led an uncultured social life.

Answer : D

Question. In what way did T.S. Eliot’s day job help him to write?
a) He found that it is very easy to write in a distressed condition.
b) He found that it is much easier to write once he had a day job.
c) He found that it is easy to write in a leisure time.
d) He found that it is difficult to concentrate after a busy day work.

Answer : B

Passage 
Ammon means “fragrant spice plant” in Arabic and Hebraic and in Italian, canella means “little tube”. These are a few of the many terms given to the popular spice known as cinnamon. Dating back as far as 2800 B.C., Chinese writings describe cinnamon as an important part of the culture, so much so that over the years this spice was traded right up there with silver. Nowadays we find it in sweetened cereals, baked goods and sprinkled on various foods such as yoghurt. Yet, many do not consider its wealth of healing capabilities including the potential as a weight loss remedy.
Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree grown and harvested mostly in Sri Lanka but also found in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and Burma. After a cinnamon tree grows for about six to eight years it is cut down leaving a stump to allow it to grow again making it a very sustainable practice. It is then stripped from the bark, dried and packaged as sticks for export.
Several studies have been published regarding the weight loss properties of cinnamon whi ch include its unique ability to be used for type 2 diabetes which is a disease often resulting from obesity. When eaten, the spice seems to slow down glucose absorption within the intestines while stimulating insulin production. This normalizes blood glucose levels which in turn can indirectly decrease weight gain.
“The results of study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3 or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and su ggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases”.
A study from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, called “Effect of ground cinnamon on after-meal blood glucose level in normal-weight and obese adults” found that cinnamon may be effective in moderating post-meal glucose level in normal weight and obese adults.
Columbia University nutritionist Tara Ostrowe comments to Reader’s Digest on the benefits of this spice: “Cinnamon really is the new skinny food ……………………………. Scientists already credit cinnamon with helping lower blood sugar concentration and improving insulin sensitivity. When less sugar is stored as fat, this translates into more help for your body when it comes to weight loss”.
Talk to your doctor about adding cinnamon daily into your healthy diet and exercise program. Add it to your tea, oatmeal, fruit, toast or anything else you can think of, as a small amount will go a long way and potentially assist in your weight loss mission.

Answer the following questions:

Question. Cinnamon is called _______ in Hebraic.
a) little tube
b) canella
c) Ammon
d) a fragrant spice plant

Answer : B

Question. In ‘Yet, many do not consider its wealth of healing capabilities ‘ The writer refers to the word ‘wealth’to:
a) the payment in silver
b) the cost of cinnamon
c) health of people
d) the healing power of cinnamon

Answer : D

Question. Which country produces most of the cinnamon in the world?
a) Sri Lanka
b) India
c) Pakistan
d) Indonesia

Answer : A

Question. Name the substance from which cinnamon is derived?
a) From the outer bark of the Cinnamon tree.
b) From the fruit of the Cinnamon tree.
c) From the inner bark of the Cinnamon tree
d) From the root of the Cinnamon tree.

Answer : C

Question. How is it used today?
a) It is sprinkled on various foods such as yoghurt
b) It is used as a chewing condiment
c) It is used as fragrant agent
d) No one uses it now a days.

Answer : A

Question. In what way does cinnamon help people suffering from type2 diabetes?
a) It seems to slow down the glucose absorption within the intestines
b) It stimulates insulin production
c) It normalizes blood glucose levels that indirectly decreases weight gain
d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. How is cinnamon helpful in weight loss?
a) It burns fat.
b) It reduces appetite.
c) By helping in lowering blood sugar concentration and improving insulin sensitivity
d) None of the above

Answer : C

Passage 
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.
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 region 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.
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.
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. 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 sometimes.

Answer the following questions:
Question. How did Maharana Pratap became immortal?
(i) he ruled Mewar for 25 years.
(ii) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar.
(iii) of his valour, sacrifice & patriotism.
(iv) both (ii) and (iii).

Answer : (iv)

Question. What were the difficulties there in ways of Mewar?
(i) lack of cooperation of the nobility.
(ii) ancient traditions of the kingdom.
(iii) its small area and small population.
(iv) the poverty of the subjects.

Answer : (iii)

Question. What were the indications of Mewar during thorny occasions?
(i) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered.
(ii) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high.
(iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(iv) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief.

Answer : (i)

Question. How can you say that Mewar was lucky?
(i) all of its rulers were competent,
(ii) most of its people were competent.
(iii) most of its rulers were competent.
(iv) only a few of its people were incompetent.

Answer : (ii)

Question. Who is the earliest king of Mewar mentioned in the passage?
(i) Rana Kumbha
(ii) Rana Sanga
(iii) Bappa Rawal
(iv) Maharan Partap Singh

Answer : (iii)

Question. What was Rana Kumbha’s contribution to the glory of Mewar?
(i) Rana Kumbha gave new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work.
(ii) During his reign, literature and art progressed extraordinarily.
(iii) He united many Riyasats in his kingdom
(iv) Both a and b

Answer : (iv)

Question. What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?
(i) They are cheerful
(ii) They are liberal
(iii) They are loving and pleasant
(iv) All of the above

Answer : (iv)

Question. Find the words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following:
(i) Surprising
a) Astonishing
b) Horrifying
c) Terrifying
d) Moving

Answer : A

Question. Evidence
a) Clear
b) Testimony
c) Difficult
d) Heroic

Answer : B

Passage
To ensure its perpetuity, the ground is well held by the panther both in space and in time. It enjoys a much wider distribution over the globe than its bigger cousins, and procreates sufficiently profusely to ensure its continuity for all time to come.
There seems to be no particular breeding season of the pant her, although it’s sawing and caterwauling is more frequently heard during winter and summer. The gestation period is about ninety to hundred days (Whipsawed, ninety-two days). The litter normally consists of four cubs, rarely five. Of these, generally two survive and not more than one reaches maturity. I have never come across more than two cubs at the heels of the mother. Likewise, graziers in the forest have generally found only two cubs hidden away among rocks, hollows of trees, and other impossible places.
Panther cubs are generally in evidence in March. They are born blind. This is a provision of Nature against their drifting away from the place of safety in which they are lodged by their mother, and exposing themselves to the danger of their being devoured by hyenas, jackals, and other predators. They generally open their eyes in about three to four weeks.
The mother alone rears its cubs in seclusion. It keeps them out of the reach of the impulsive and impatient male. As a matter of fact the mother separates from the male soon after mating and forgets all about their tumultuous union. The story that the male often looks in to find out how the mother is progressing with her cubs has no foundation except in what we wish it should do at least.
The mother carries its cubs about by holding them by the scruff of their neck in its mouth. It trains them to stalk and teaches them how to deliver the bite of death to the prey. The cubs learn to treat all and sundry with suspicion at their mother’s heels. Instinctively the cubs seek seclusion, keep to cover and protect their flanks by walking along the edge of the forest.
I have never had an opportunity to watch mother panther train its cubs. But in Pilibhit forests, I once saw a tigress giving some lessons to its little ones. I was sitting over its kill at Mala. As the sun set, the tigress materialized in the twilight behind my machan. For about an hour, it scanned and surveyed the entire area looking and listening with the gravest concern. It even went to the road where my elephant was awaiting my signal. The mahout spotted it from a distance and drove the elephant away.
When darkness descended upon the scene and all was well and safe, the tigress called its cubs by emitting a low halogen. The cubs, two in number and bigger than a full-grown cat, soon responded. They came trotting up to their mother and hurried straight to the kill in indecent haste. The mother spat at them so furiously that they doubled back to its heels immediately. Thereafter, the mother and its cubs sat undercover about 50 feet (15 m) away from the kill to watch, wait, look, and listen. After about half an hour’s patient and fidget less vigil the mother seemed to say ‘paid for’. At this signal, the cubs cautiously advanced, covering their flanks, towards the kill.

Answer the following questions:
Question. To protect its cubs the mother panther hides them:
(i) among rocks
(ii) in the branches of the trees
(iii) behind the tree trunks
(iv) at its heels

Answer : (i)

Question. The male panther.
(i) is protective of its cubs
(ii) trains its cubs
(iii) watches the progress of the mother
(iv) is impulsive and impatient

Answer : (iv)

Question. How many cubs does the mother panther rarely deliver?
i) 4
ii) 3
iii) 5
iv) 2

Answer : (iii)

Question. What may happen if the panther cubs are not born blind?
i) They may be killed by another animal
ii) They may drift away from the place of safety
iii) They may lost in the jungle
iv) None of the above

Answer : (ii)

Question. Why did the mahout drive his elephant away?
i) He did not want to disturb the tigress
ii) He did not change his way
iii) He will lift the baby cub
iv) He will raise alarm for the others.

Answer : (i)

Question.  Why did the tigress spit at its cubs?
i) Because the mother was furious
ii) to discipline and train them
iii) Not to haste to the kill
iv) All of the above

Answer : (iv)

Question. From the narrator’s observation, what do we learn about the nature of the tigress?
i) the tigress was extremely concerned about the safety and wellbeing of her cubs
ii) She is not interested at all
iii) She is proactive
iv) She is dangerous for her own babies.

Answer : (i)

Question. Why does the panther not face the risk of extinction?
i) They are many in numbers
ii) They are already extinct
iii) it enjoys a much wider distribution over the globe
iv) None of the above

Answer : (iii)

Question. Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following:
(i) moving aimlessly
a) Progress
b) Drifting
c) Running
d) Swift

Answer : B

Question. came down / fell
a) Ascending
b) Rapid
c) Descended
d) indecent

Answer : C 

Passage
Can you imagine a college without walls, professors or classrooms? Educator Bunker Roy can. More than 40 years ago, Roy, now 69, founded the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan. His school admits rural women, often grandmothers and teaches them the basics of solar engineering and freshwater technology. His efforts have yielded enormous benefits. When the women return to their homes, they are trained enough to provide their communities, some of the world’s most lonely places, with electricity and clean water. They also gain something important: a newfound self-confidence. The Barefoot model has already been used to empower women throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Last year, former President, Bill Clinton presented Roy with a Clinton Global Citizen Award, which honours leaders who are solving the world’s problems in effective ways.
If you go all over the world, to very remote villages, you will often find only very old people and very young people. The men have already left. So two ideas were put into practice in order to make the Barefoot Model work. First it was declared that men are un-trainable, restless, always ready to move, ambitious, and they all want a certificate to show for their efforts. And the moment you give one of them a certificate, he leaves the village looking for a job in the city. That is how, the simple, practical solution of training grandmothers came up. They are sympathetic, tolerant, willing to learn, and patient. All the qualities you need are there. And the second idea was not to give out certificates. Because the moment a certificate is given, a woman, like a man, will see it as a passport for leaving rural areas and going to urban areas to find a job.
Barefoot College follows the lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi: Students eat, sleep, and work on the floor. They can work for 20 years or they can go home the next day. As of today, 604 women solar engineers from 1083 villages in 63 countries have been trained. The engineers have given solar power to 45,000 houses. These were done by women who had never left their homes before. They hate the idea of leaving their families and getting on a plane. When they reach India, sometimes after 19 hours of travel, they are faced with strange food, strange people, and a strange language. All the training is done in sign language. Yet in six months, they will know more about solar engineering than most university graduates. Some women face problems at home for attending college. Most of the husbands do not like their wives going to these colleges and tell them not to come back if they do so. But, on her return when she is able to help provide her village with solar electricity, her husband wants her to get back home. The respect she now has is enormous and she considers herself no less than solar engineers. Bunker Roy dreams of providing the world’s 47 least developed countries with Barefoot College trained grandmothers and solar electrify more than 1,00,000 houses.

Answer the following questions:
Question. Why did the promoter of Barefoot Model decide to train grandmothers?
(i) Men do not want to be trained.
(ii) Grandmothers were patient, willing to learn and tolerant.
(iii) Men are lazy, want to make money.
(iv) Men and women are not skilled.

Answer : (ii)

Question. Why the attitude of the husbands to their wives on their return from training is different?
(i) of the respect they gain from the villagers
(ii) they were away for a long time
(iii) they will again be looked after
(iv) they will not go back

Answer : (i)

Question. How is Barefoot College different from other colleges?
i) It is without walls, professors or classrooms
ii) It has its strictest discipline
iii) It has high concrete walls and allows only city born and brought ups
iv) None of the above.

Answer : (i)

Question. What did the women gain from the college apart from technology?
i) Self confidence
ii) Trained enough to provide their community electricity and clean water.
iii) Both a & b
iv) Not sure

Answer : (iii)

Question. Why were certificates not given out after training?
i) He remains a learner always
ii) He may see it as a passport to leave rural areas.
iii) Lest he should not get a job
iv) Lest he remain in the college.

Answer : (ii)

Question. What did the women consider themselves after completion of the training?
i) A professionally trained master
ii) A professionally trained educator
iii) No less than a solar engineer
iv) A power plant engineer

Answer : (iii)

Question. What is the narrator’s dream about solar electrification?
i) To make a solar world
ii) To build a solar energy power plant in his college
iii) To provide the world’s 47 least developed countries with Barefoot college -trained grandmothers and solar electrify more than 1,00,000 houses.
iv) Both a & b

Answer : (iii)

Q1.Read the following passage carefully.

The queries were answered by the parents halting and with obvious anguish. What struck me as the worst part of the situation was that the girl would be often gravely looking on, her eyes aghast with horror and self-pity, aware that she was the topic of discussion. She did not go to school, as there was none there to cater for her needs. They had tried to teach her at home; but without success. She could only hear faintly, without feeling much, when one shouted close to her ears; and she could speak nothing except utter animal –like cries of happiness and sorrow ; or say crudely such words as ma-ma or unc-ll. All her other communications were confined to gestures with her hands, which brought a fleeting sensation of torture to her whole being when one failed to follow what she was saying.

a. Write the summary of the given passage.

b. The parents answered her queries........

a) With pleasure b) with obvious anguish

c. The girl had no pastime except........

a) Running around the house b)playing with her toys

d. She could hear faintly when one...........

a) Shouted close to her ears b) used loudspeaker Writing

Q2. The Principal of DPS, Jammu wants to invite the Mayor of the city to Flag off the Go Green Campaign. Draft a formal invitation.

Q3. Draft a poster on water conservation issued by Jammu Municipal Corporation.

Q4.You are Kartik/ Kartika of Jammu. Of late, incidents of chain-snatching are increasing in the city. Write a letter to the Editor of the New Indian Express drawing the attention of the concerned authorities. Also give suggestions.