Factual Passage Class 12 For 2023

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1 Factual Passages
PASSAGE-1
Read the passage given below:

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 dance-
form 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. —Swarn Khandpur
11

On the basis of your understanding of the above 10. What is the role of the singer who accompanies

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions the Kathak dancer.
given below: 11. How did the rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur

1. What is the Natya Shastra? contribute to enliven the Kathakali?

(a) Scientific study of a classical dance 12. Which word in para 5 means the same as

(b) Science of dances ‘attractive’?

(c) A book written by a sage Answers

(d) A book which deals with a drama

1. (b) Science of dances

2. Choose the appropriate meaning of the term

2. (d) Dance complying with the tenets of Natya

‘Indian classical dance’.

Shastra
(a) places where children are taught
3. (c) When kings and rich patronised it

(b) training centres for artists

4. True 5. footwork

(c) groups of artists having a similar style.

6. (b) delicacy

(d) Dance complying with the tenets of Natya

7. In ancient times the story-tellers used gesture

Shastra

and movements while performing this form of
3. When did Bharata Natyam start shedding its
dance. They generally narrated the great epics

purely sacred character?
thorough their actions.
(a) when Devadasis stopped dancing
8. ‘Kathakali’ means ‘story telling’ through dance

(b) when danced as a solo performance

performance where artists wear elaborate

(c) when kings and rich patronised it
costumes and mask like make-up. It combines

(d) when they used Carnatic music
music, dance, poetry, drama and mime. Vocal

4. In Kathakali all dancers are males. (True/False)
singers, chenda, metal gong, a pair of cymbals

5. In Kathak, the accent is on…..
and another drums create music and rhythm.

6. In para 1, which word is similar in meaning to
9. ‘Lai Haroba’ and ‘Ras Leela’ both are dance forms

‘softness’?

where ‘Lai Haroba’ is the oldest dance-drama and
(a) classical (b) delicacy
‘Ras Leela’ is the story telling of legendary love

(c) interpretative (d) pure
of Radha Krishna.

7. How did the story tellers perform Kathak in
10. The singer not only sings, but also reproduces

ancient times?

the drum syllables.
8. How is ‘Kathakali’ dance performance different
11. The rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur helped

from other dance form?

9. What is the difference between ‘Lai Haroba and financially for reviving the Kathakali.
12. Picturesque.

Ras Leela’ ?

PASSAGE-2
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
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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 6. What does ‘induce’ mean?

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (a) Reduce (b) Cause

given below: (c) Aggressive (d) Intake

1. How does tamasik food influence the person? 7. Why are fruits combined with food not advised?

(a) Generates stress 8. How should water be consumed with food?

(b) Makes a person energetic 9. What is the important aspect of relationship

(c) Generates large amount of energy between food and stress?

(d) Makes a person bold 10. What could be the negative impact of missing

meals on workaholics?

2. A mistaken belief of people is that .....................
11. Why should we not talk with our family members

relieves stress.

or friends while eating together?
3. Why does the writer say that we eat almost
12. Which word in para 4 means ‘persons often busy

three to four times the quantity of food than we

in their work’?
actually need?
(a) Digestive system takes too much time. Answers

(b) Excessive intake of food takes a lot of body’s 1. (a) Generates stress

2. smoking and drinking even in moderation

energy to digest it.

(c) Food sustains the body. 3. (b) Excessive intake of food takes a lot of body’s

energy to digest it

(d) It makes the person healthy.
4. (c) Over indulgence and excessive craving for a

4. What generates rajasik and Tamasik tendencies?

particular taste

(a) Over indulgence of fried food 5. (c) How the food is taken

(b) Too much use of spicy food 6. (b) Cause

(c) Over indulgence and excessive craving for a 7. To digest every food item, different kinds of

particular taste digestive secretions are produced by stomach.
(d) Excess of everything So mixing up food and fruits creates problems
for the digestive system.

5. Where does the root cause of stress generated by
8. A little bit of water taken with food is allowed.

food lie in?

However, having water one hour before or after
(a) How much we eat meal helps in digestion.

(b) What we eat 9. Stress is induced if food is taken in a hurry or in

(c) How the food is taken a state of anger. Serving of food with affection

(d) Irregular food habits plays a significant role in the reduction of stress.

Fa tual Passag s 13
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10. For workaholics, missing meals may cause because it disturbs us enjoying the real taste of

stomach ulcers. the food.
11. While eating we should not talk with one another 12. Workaholics
PASSAGE-3
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 4. We can’t eliminate problems because we are

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions afraid of final exit. (True/False)

given below: 5. The best way to tackle a problem is .........................

1. Most people procrastinate because: (a) to defer it for sometime

(a) they are not creative (b) to seek help of a friend

(b) they adopt a wrong attitude (c) to think of an easy solution

(c) they are too lazy to do anything (d) to begin at once

(d) they wait for better opportunity 6. Which option shows the correct use of the word

2. Our future is determined by our attitude ‘provided’ as used in para 4?

towards ......................... . (a) We have provided our best service to our

3. Our effectiveness gets reduced by .......................... customers.

(a) problems faced by others (b) You will certainly score good marks in the

(b) depressing time is painful exam provided you study diligently.

(c) stress (c) We have been provided with some extra

(d) problems disheartening us facilities.

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(d) Public are provided with all possible supports 7. Fear of failure makes us believe that we

by the govt. should have all kinds of preconditions. So we
7. How can we justify that fear of failure is an procrastinate, rationalise and make excuses.

attitude problem? 8. Problems cause stress and stress reduces our

8. How can efficiency and effectiveness be increased? effectiveness. So once we solve our problems,

9. What are factors that cause our problems? we would be able to increase our efficiency and
effectiveness.

10. What steps should be taken to avoid stress?
9. Our problems are there because we are alive and

11. What does the term ‘starve the problems and feed

kicking. We are greedy and full of ego.

the opportunities’ mean?
10. There are three steps to be taken to avoid stress
12. What is the negative impact of fear of error?

are: thinking, constantly asking yourself, and

Answers: doing it.
1. (b) they adopt a wrong attitude 11. The term ‘starve the problems and feed the

2. past failures or success. opportunities, means for every problem, there

3. (c) stress are innumerable solutions which point towards

4. False opportunities.

5. (d) to begin at once 12. Fear of error discourages us to bring any great

6. (b) You will certainly score good marks in the change in our career.

exam provided you study diligently.
PASSAGE-4
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 micro-
organisms, 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
Fa tual Passag s 15
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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 6. The word ‘toxic’ in para 3 means .........................

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (a) blood poisoning

given below: (b) study of poisons

1. One should have nutritious balanced diet because (c) harmful bacteria in plants/animals

......................... . (d) poisonous

(a) it has food items for various tastes 7. Which organ regulates the temperature of our

(b) it keeps one healthy body? Where is it located?

(c) it is recommended by a dietician 8. What is the role of gastric juice in human body?

(d) it has all essential items 9. What is ‘a gift of nature’ for human beings

2. The defence mechanism of human body is according to the passage?

important as ................ . 10. What is known as ‘reflex phenomenon’?

(a) it protects us from diseases 11. Fever is not always harmful to our health. (False/

(b) it checks deterioration of body True)

(c) it saves us from depression 12. Why are some of our diseases cured on their own?

(d) it builds up the wear and tear Answers:

3. In order to check the micro-organisms penetration 1. (b) it keeps one healthy

in the human body ................... .

2. (a) it protects us from diseases.

(a) we must cover the whole body

3. (d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered

(b) we must rub insect repelling oil

4. (b) it is acidic in nature

(c) we must use antiseptic solutions 5. (c) seeking proper immunisation

(d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered 6. (d) poisonous

4. Gastric juice secreted by our intestinal tract kills 7. Hypothalamus regulates the temperature of our

all extraneous organisms as ......................... . body and is located in the brain.
(a) it flows very fast 8. Gastric juice is acidic in nature. It kills all

(b) it is acidic in nature extraneous organisms.
9. The special power of the body to fight against

(c) it prevents their multiplication

various diseases is called ‘a gift of nature for

(d) it is a natural stimulant
human beings.

5. We can increase our defensive mechanism by
10. A few automatic activities of our body like

......................... .

sneezing, coughing and vomiting which protect
(a) developing friendly bacteria
the body against many infections is known as

(b) checking infection through reflex reflex phenomenon.

phenomenon 11. True
(c) seeking proper immunisation

12. Some of our diseases are cured on their own

(d) suppressing fever in initial stages

because nature has provided us with defensive

mechanism to fight against these diseases.
PASSAGE-5
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.
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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 (c) it forces us to be achievers

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (d) it brings depression and disappointment
given below:

5. Sound self-esteem ensures success as
1. Setting of unrealistic goals generally leads our

......................... .

mental status to:
(a) one reacts emotionally to problems
1. frustration 2. elation

(b) one becomes moody and insecure

3. disappointment

(c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative

4. tension 5. satisfaction

faculties

6. cool-mindedness

(a) 2, 5, & 6 (b) 1, 3 & 4 (d) one makes instant improvements

(c) 1, 3 & 5 (d) 3, 4 & 6 6. The word ‘potential’ in para 5 means

2. The unrealistic goals are set by people ............. . ......................... .

(a) to preserve their honour (a) possible (b) ability of a person

(b) because they lack tolerance (c) a liquid with magic powers

(c) who have high self-esteem (d) hidden power

(d) who do not like themselves 7. What is the importance of good self-esteem?

3. Good self-esteem is stressed upon because 8. What remarkability is latent in high self-esteem?

......................... .

9. Where does the solution of a great many problems
(a) it is essential for solving many problems

lie?

(b) it builds up self-confidence
10. How are ideas and behaviours crystallized by

(c) it increases one’s reputation

society?

(d) it helps one to respect others
11. Why do we feel disappointed in spite of achieving

4. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as

our goals?

......................... .
(a) it makes us worthless in our own eyes 12. What does the expression ‘vulnerable to the

opinion of others’ mean in para 3?

(b) it helps us to believe in our worth

Fa tual Passag s 17
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Answers: personal, national or global lies in improving our
1. (b) 1, 3 & 4 feelings about ourselves both as individuals and
members of society.

2. (d) who do not like themselves.
10. Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our

3. (a) it is essential for solving many problems

parents, caregivers and authority figures. They

4. (b) it helps us to believe in our worth
play an important role in our early upbringing

5. (c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative
and crystallizing ideas about oneself and the

faculties
6. (d) hidden power world.
11. When our goals are too tough and strenuous, we

7. Good self-esteem is important for solving many
feel disappointed even after achieving them.

problems.
8. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as it helps 12. The given expression means that we will soon

condone the opinion of others without thinking

us believe in our own worth.
9. The solution to a great many problems, whether of the pros and cons.

PASSAGE 6
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 high-
level 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

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On the basis of your understanding of the above 6. .... will be subjected to regular...” Which option

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions shows the meaning of ‘subjected’ the same as it
given below: is used in para 4?
1. Human beings are the greatest threats to oceans (a) The payment is ready to be given subject to

because ................. . your approval.

(a) they conduct hazardous nuclear (b) The Roman Empire subjected most of the

Europe to its rule.

experiments
(c) The prisoners have been subjected to cruel

(b) they explore the oceans for its hidden

and degrading treatment.

treasures
(d) All nuclear installations are subject to
(c) their lust for sea-food makes them plunge

international safeguard.

into the waves
7. What does the nuclear power have for humanity?

(d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear

8. Name the two categories of nuclear waste.

waste

9. Which is the most favourite dumping ground for
2. The nuclear waste produced by the nuclear power

nuclear nations?

plants is dreaded as ......................... . 10. What does 1972 London Convention state for

(a) it is a health booster disposal of high level waste at sea?

(b) it remains hazardous for thousands of 11. Why can United Nations Conference on the Law

years of the Sea (UNCLOS) not prevent any country

(c) it is biodegradable from dumping nuclear wastes into the oceans?

(d) it is a major source of electric energy 12. Which word in para 5 is similar in meaning to

‘dealing with’?

3. Nuclear nations practised dumping high

level nuclear waste into the ocean because Answers:
.......................... 1. (d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear

(a) it was the easiest option waste.
2. (b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years

(b) it was the safest way

3. (d) it was the most cost effective solution

(c) it involved the least risk

4. (a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear

(d) it was the most cost effective solution wastes at the sea

4. The London Dumping convention is important 5. (c) the definition of “dumping” does not include

because ............... . sub-seabed
(a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear 6. (c) The prisoners have been subjected to cruel

and degrading treatment.

wastes at the sea
7. Nuclear power produces radioactive wastes

(b) it outlawed the disposal of all man-made

which remain hazardous for thousands of years.

structures at the sea Thus, it is dangerous for marine and human life.
(c) it prohibited the disposal of wastes of man- 8. For the purpose of disposal, nuclear wastes are

made arms and ammunition of two categories: Low Level Waste (LLW) and

(d) it defined the limits of national jurisdiction High Level Waste (HLM).
9. The Atlantic Ocean is the most favourite dumping

of sea

ground for nuclear nations like the Great Britain,
5. The status of sub-seabed disposal has been Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland and

ambiguous because ........................ . Sweden.
(a) nuclear waste has been dumped at the depth 10. The convention outlawed the disposal of high

of 200 to 1000 feet level wastes at sea. It required the nations

(b) the UN law of the sea makes it open to be disposing of low-level radioactive wastes in ocean
basins at depths greater than 12,000 feet.

used by all
11. UNCLOS has no rights to prevent any country
(c) the definition of “dumping” does not include

from dumping nuclear waste into the oceans

sub-seabed because no nations have territorial rights over

(d) the sub-seabed area is under the territorial them

jurisdiction of the nearest country 12. undertaking

Fa tual Passag s 19
c
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PASSAGE 7
1. Chancellor Amartya Sen on Oct. 15, 2014 came calling to Nalanda University and interacted with its students,

exactly 44 days after the revival of the ancient seat of learning. Sen spent over one-and-a-half hours in the
evening with the 13 first-batch students of the international university at Rajgir International Convention
Centre, around 15 km from the ruins of the ancient institution and 110 km southeast of Patna. He interacted
with each one of them and inspired them to aspire for academic excellence. He also thanked the students for
joining the university.
2. The classes of Nalanda University started on September 1. It sets sail with two schools — School of Ecology
and Environment Studies and School of Historical Studies. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj officially
inaugurated the varsity on September 19. But Sen could not make it on either occasion because of his prior
engagements at Harvard University. A source said Sen made up his mind to meet the Nalanda University
students today after his plan of visiting University of Geneva was finalised. The students were thrilled after
their maiden interaction with Sen a day after French economist Jean Tirole won the 2014 Nobel Prize for
economics. Their chancellor was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998. Coming out of the session, Daniel, a student
of School of Ecology and Environment Studies, said: “Sir (Sen) asked me where do I hail from and what are
my expectations from the university.”
3. Daniel, who has a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Mysore University, told Sen: “After

completing the master in Ecology and Environment Studies from Nalanda University, I want to join United
Nations.” The Chancellor also spoke to every faculty member of the university in the presence of the varsity’s
Vice-Chancellor, Gopa Sabharwal, dean (academics) Anjana Sharma, administrative head Sridhar V.K. and
other officials. He congratulated them too for joining the university. Coming out of the convention centre,
Sabharwal said, “The session was very informative and the Nobel laureate discussed the importance of the
revival of Nalanda University and how the revival of an ancient university can become a milestone for a state
like Bihar.”
4. The Nalanda University Chancellor came to Rajgir from Patna, where he landed yesterday. The then Chief

Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi met him in a city hotel. After the interaction, Nitish posted on his Facebook,
“Enlightened by a stimulating discussion with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda
University Gopa Sabharwal and Dean Anjana Sharma. Nalanda University will forever transform the way
our future generations view the glorious foundations of knowledge and culture that once existed in Bihar.”
Nitish in his tenure took keen interest in the university, the idea of which was first floated by then President
APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006. Sen played a pivotal role in carrying it forward.
5. At present, the varsity has five students in School of Historical Studies and eight in School of Ecology and

Environment Studies. There are four faculty members in School of Ecology and Environment Studies and six
in School of Historical Studies. [Source: The Telegraph]

On the basis of your understanding of the above 5. The Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University is

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions .................... .
given below: (a) Amartya Sen (b) Anjana Sharma

1. How long did Chancellor interact with students (c) Gopa Sabharwal (d) Jean Tirole

of Nalanda University? 6. Which of the following is ODD one out with

(a) One hour (b) One and a half hour reference to the meaning of ‘stimulating’ as used in
para 4?

(c) Two (d) Two and a half hour
(a) Exciting (b) Sparkling

2. Rajgir is situated in the .................... of Patna.

(c) Encouraging (d) Persuading

(a) East (b) North

7. Where did Amartya Sen interact with the

(c) North west (d) South east

students of Nalanda University? Why did he not

3. How many students were in the first batch of the
attend the inauguration of the University?

International University of Nalanda?
8. Which are the schools started at Nalanda
(a) 13 (b) 14

University now?

(c) 15 (d) 11 9. Who is Daniel? What is his goal?

4. 2014 Nobel Prize for Economics has been

10. What did Nitish Kumar post on his Facebook

awarded to .................... .

about the University?
(a) Gopa Sabharwal (b) Nitish Kumar 11. How many faculty members are there in each of

(c) Jean Tirole (d) Amartya Sen the two schools?

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12. What does the expression, “It sets sail with two degree from Nalanda University he would join

schools” mean here? the United Nations.
Answers 10. Nitish Kumar after the interaction, posted on his

Facebook that he was enlightened by stimulating
1. (b) One and half hour 2. (d) South east
discussion with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and

3. (a) 13 4. (b) Jean Tirole
others. He also posted that Nalanda University

5. (c) Gopa Sabharwal 6. (d) Persuading
will forever always transform the way our future

7. Amartya Sen interacted with the students at
generations view the glorious foundations of

Rajgir International Convention Centre. He could
knowledge and culture that once existed in
not attend the inauguration of the University due
Bihar.
to his prior engagements at Harvard University.
11. There are four faculty members in School of
8. Nalanda University has been presently started

Ecology and Environment Studies and Six in

with two schools — 1. School of Ecology &
Environment Studies and 2. School of Historical School of Historical Studies.
Studies. 12. The expression “It sets sails with two schools”

9. Daniel is a student of School of Ecology and means that the study in Nalanda University
started with two schools.

Environment Studies. After doing his master’s
PASSAGE 8
1. Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us to survive in the

outside world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an individual’s development restricted to merely
academics? In India, from an early age, we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of
academics only; the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always considered
a hoax. This has hindered students’ development. But, the truth is that education represents a considerably
broader field than we know of it. Our teaching, from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades
and job offers, rather than being creative and unique.
2. In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for a whole new type.

The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People have now come to understand
that education is a 360 degree activity that should focus on students’ overall development, rather than
restricting him/her to the classroom.
3. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement classroom

curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today. These activities help in the growth of the
child, in more than one way. Participating in such activities helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and
individually. Intellectual development of a student is developed in the classroom, but for the aesthetic
development such as team- building, character-building, and physical growth, students must step out into
the outside world. For instance, if a student is a part of school football team, he/she will learn teamwork
and coordination, in a practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.
4. Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a need for practical exposure so that the students can

experience the actual working of an industry. For example, taking a student to a manufacturing firm
will give him/ her the real insight and better learning of the industry. Catering to this change, most
professional colleges including B- schools, have started providing practical exposure to students through
regular guest lectures, industrial visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals, and so on. With industry
visits, students are able to better identify their prospective areas of work in the overall organizational
function. Moreover, they help enhance interpersonal skills and communication techniques. In addition,
guest lectures are equally important for all round development of students. It is a great way for students
to gain maximum exposure, as guest speakers talk about their real- life experiences and not what is there
in the text books.
5. Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different events wherein they get

to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom teaching provides the foundation, and co-curricular
or extra- curricular activities provide practical exposure and opportunities to implement what students
learn in the classroom. This helps in developing the overall personality of the students, inculcating various
soft-skills in them, which otherwise are difficult to teach. Clearly, life beyond academics creates creative
and empowered professionals.

Fa tual Passag s 21
c
e


On the basis of your understanding of the above (c) professional fields

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (d) industrial visits

given below: 7. From earlier times what has not been the focus

1. Students’ development is hindered by of education?

(a) limiting education to academic boundaries. 8. Where should students go for aesthetic

(b) getting out to the field. development?

(c) being creative and unique. 9. What kind of co-curricular activities have become

(d) gaining practical knowledge. points of focus today?

2. The shift in the education system means 10. What will give children a better insight into

(a) to restrict to classroom activities. industry?

(b) to focus on academic development. 11. Why are soft skills difficult to teach in the

(c) to ignore 360 degree activity. classroom?

(d) to focus on overall development. 12. Find the word in para 3 which means the same

as ‘cooperative effort’.

3. Co- Curricular activities that take place outside

the classroom do not help in Answers:
(a) teamwork and co-ordination. 1. (a) limiting education to academic boundaries.

(b) mental and social growth. 2. (d) to focus on overall development.

(c) academics
3. (c) academics

(d) character building. 4. (b) their real life experiences.

4. Guest speakers talk about 5. (d) the foundation.

(a) all round development. 6. (b) creativity.

7. From earlier times, being creative and unique

(b) their real life experiences.

has been the focus of education.

(c) what is in text books.
8. Students must step out into the outside world.

(d) gaining exposure.

9. Co-curricular activities that take place outside

5. Classroom teaching provides

the classroom but reinforce or supplement

(a) practical exposure classroom curriculum have become points of focus

(b) opportunities to implement what is learnt in today.

classroom 10. Visiting industries will give children a better

(c) chance to learn soft skills insight into industries.

(d) the foundation 11. Soft skills are developed only through practical

6. Life beyond academics facilitates exposure and opportunities to implement what

(a) organizational functions children have learnt.

(b) creativity 12. Coordination

PASSAGE 9
1. All of Earth’s oceans share one thing in common: plastic pollution. Discarded plastic bags, cups, and bottles

make their way into the sea. Today, it seems that no part of the ocean is safe from plastic trash. In recent
years, oceanographers have searched in vain for a pristine marine environment. They have found plastic
everywhere they have looked. “It is a common global problem, we can’t point to a single habitat or location
with no plastic. Plastic harms wildlife and introduces dangerous chemicals into marine ecosystems —
communities of organisms interacting with their surroundings”. Once plastic enters the environment, it
lasts a long time. Scientists are working to prevent plastic pollution from entering the sea. When people
litter, or when trash is not properly disposed of, things like plastic bags, bottles, straws, foam beverage
cups, etc. get carried to the sea by winds and waterways. About 80 percent of ocean plastic originates on
land. The rest comes from marine industries such as shipping and fishing.
2. In 2015, engineer Jenna Jambeck at the University of Georgia and other researchers calculated that at least

8 million tons of plastic trash is swept into the ocean from coasts every year. That’s the equivalent of a full
22 English Cor -X
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garbage truck of plastic being dumped into the sea every minute. If current trends in plastic production
and disposal continue, that figure will double by 2025. A report published by the World Economic Forum
last year predicts that by 2050, ocean plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea. In today’s world, plastic
is everywhere. It’s found in shoes, clothing, household items, electronics, and more. There are different
types of plastics, but one thing they all have in common is that they’re made of polymers – large molecules
made up of repeating units. Their chemical structure gives them a lot of advantages : they’re cheap and
easy to manufacture, lightweight, water-resistant, durable, and can be moulded into nearly any shape.
3. Unfortunately, some of the properties that make plastics great for consumer goods also make them a

problem pollutant. Plastic’s durability comes in part from the fact that unlike paper or wood, it doesn’t
biodegrade, or break down naturally. Instead it just fragments, or breaks into tiny pieces over time. These
tiny pieces, known as microplastic, can potentially stick around for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of
years. Another problem with plastics is the other chemicals they contain, like dyes and flame retardants.
When plastic isn’t disposed of properly, these additives end up in the environment. Plastic also tends to
absorb harmful chemicals from its surroundings. “It’s like a sponge for persistent organic pollutants.”
These longlasting, toxic substances include pesticides and industrial chemicals. If plastic absorbs the
chemicals, and marine organisms eat the plastic, they may be exposed to higher concentrations of these
contaminants.
4. One of the biggest impacts of plastic pollution is its effect on sea life. Seals, sea turtles, and even whales

can become entangled in plastic netting. They can starve to death if the plastic restricts their ability to
move or eat. Or the plastic can cut into the animals’ skin, causing wounds that develop severe infections.
Sea turtles eat plastic bags and soda-can rings, which resemble jellyfish, their favourite food. Seabirds eat
bottle caps or chunks of foam cups. Plastic pieces may make an animal feel full, so it doesn’t eat enough
real food to get the nutrients it needs. Plastic can also block an animal’s digestive system, making it
unable to eat. Plastic and its associated pollutants can even make it into our own food supply. Scientists
recently examined fish and shell-fish bought at markets in California and Indonesia. They found plastic
in the guts of more than a quarter of samples purchased at both locations. In organisms that people eat
whole, such as sardines and oysters, that means we’re eating plastic too. In larger fish, chemicals from
plastic may seep into their muscles and other tissues that people consume.
5. One way to keep the ocean cleaner and healthier is through cleanup efforts. A lot of plastic waste caught

in ocean currents eventually washes up on beaches. Removing it can prevent it from blowing out to sea
again. Beach clean-up is ocean clean-up. Cleanup efforts can’t reach every corner of the ocean or track
down every bit of microplastic. That means it’s critical to cut down on the amount of plastic that reaches
the sea in the first place. Scientists are working toward new materials that are safer for the environment.
For example, Jambeck and her colleagues are currently testing a new polymer that breaks down more
easily in seawater. “Individual actions make a big difference,” says Jambeck. Disposing of plastic properly
for recycling or trash collection is a key step. “And simple things like reusable water bottles, mugs, and
bags really cut down on waste,” she says. Skipping straws or using paper ones helps too. Ocean pollution
can seem overwhelming, but it’s something everyone can help address. This is a problem we can really
do something about.
On the basis of your understanding of the above 3. Plastic is not biodegradable because it is made

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions up of:
given below: (a) low atomic particles

1. Percentage of ocean plastic that originates from (b) tiny particles (c) strong big particles

land is: (d) large molecule polymers

(a) 20% (b) 50% 4. Sea turtles eat:

(c) 80% (d) 25% (a) plastic bottles

2. In which year did Jenna Jambeck and other (b) plastic bags and soda-can rings

researchers calculate that at least 8 million (c) bottle caps (d) chunks of foam cups
tonnes of plastic trash is swept into ocean every

5. Scientists bought fish and shell-fish for
year?

examination at markets in:
(a) 2018 (b) 2015 (a) China and Russia

(c) 2005 (d) 2010

(b) Pakistan and Afghanistan

Fa tual Passag s 23
c
e


(c) California and Indonesia 3. (d) large molecule polymers

(d) Australia and Brazil 4. (b) plastic bags and soda-can rings

6. One way to keep the ocean cleaner and heathier 5. (c) California and Indonesia

is through__________ 6. cleanup efforts.

7. Which articles made of plastic generally cause 7. Discarded plastic bags, soda-can rings and bottle

pollution in the sea? caps cause pollution in the sea.
8. How does plastic in oceans harm marine 8. Plastic in oceans introduces dangerous chemicals

in the marine ecosystems.

ecosystems?
9. How is microplastic formed? 9. Microplastic is formed by the natural breaking

down of plastic into fragments over time.

10. Why is plastic compared to a sponge?
10. Plastic has capacity to absorb harmful chemicals

11. What is the biggest impact of plastic pollution on

from surroundings like the sponge. This it

sea life?
has become the persistent source of organic
12. Find a word in a para 1 which means the same
pollutants.

‘unspoiled’.
11. Testing a new polymer that breaks down easily

Answers: in sea water, is the biggest impact of plastic
1. (c) 80% 2. (b) 2015 pollution on sea life.

12. Pristine

PASSAGE 10
1. The sage of science, Einstein, was sitting in a depressive and pensive mood one evening. His eyes were

brimming with tears. The pain was evident on his face. He peeped out of the window of his room. The
sun had set a few minutes back. The sky was filled with a reddish glow. At this sunset, he felt that it was
humanity that had sunk into devilish darkness and the reddish glow in the sky was the blood of humanity
spilling all over the sky from earth. With tired steps, he walked back to his chair and settled down. It was
the 9th of August 1945. Three days back, he had felt the same agony as if someone had torn him apart.
He was deeply hurt and depressed when he heard on the radio that America had dropped an atom bomb
on the Japanese city, Hiroshima. Today, within three days another bomb was dropped on another city,
Nagasaki and lakhs of people had been killed.
2. He had heard that the blast released so much energy that it had paled all past destructions in comparison

and death had played out a pitiable dance of destruction. The flames that broke out of the bomb were
burning, melting and exploding buildings. Scared of the heat of the bomb, people had jumped into lakes
and rivers, but the water was boiling and the people too were burnt and killed. The animals in the water
were already boiled to death. Animals, trees, herbs and fragrant flowering plants were all turned into
ashes. The atomic energy destruction had just not stopped there. It had entered the atmosphere there
and had spread radiation that would affect people for generations to come and would also bring about
destructive irreversible biological changes in animals and plants.
3. As the news of the atomic attack reached Einstein, and he became aware of the glaring horror of the abuse

of atomic energy, his distress and restlessness knew no bounds. He could not control himself and picked
up his violin to turn his mind on to other things. While playing the violin, he tried to dissolve his distress
in its sad notes, but couldn’t. He was burning on the embers of destruction; his heart was filled with an
ocean of agony and tears just continued streaming uncontrollably out of his eyes. Night had fallen. His
daughter came up and asked him to eat something as he had not taken anything for the last four days.
His voice was restrained and he said, ‘‘I don’t feel like eating.’’
4. He could not sleep that night. Lying down, he was thinking how he had drawn the attention of the then

American President Roosevelt towards the destructive powers of an atomic bomb. He had thought that this
would be used to scare Hitler and put an end to the barbarism that Hitler was up to. However, Roosevelt
kept him in the dark and made false promises. Eventually, he had abused Einstein’s equation of E=mc2
that resulted in the destructive experiments. His actions had made science and scientists as murderers.
Einstein kept on thinking for a long time. Eventually, he slipped into sleep. When he woke up at dawn,
there was a new dawn in him too. The atomic threat had transformed his heart.
24 English Cor -X
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5. The next day, he decided to disassociate himself from the scientific policy of the government and all

governmental institutions. He decided to open educational institutions for children, adolescents and
youth — institutions where along with science, spirituality will be compulsorily taught. To inaugurate
this institution, he had invited two great philosophers, Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer. Ten other
great scientists who had won Nobel Prizes in different fields were also invited. They all saw a different
Einstein, not a great scientist but a sage in him. The institution was opened by garlanding a photo of
Mahatma Gandhi. While garlanding the Mahatma, he became emotional and said with a lump in his
throat, ‘‘I bow down to the great man who fought for the independence of his country through non-violence.
He could do so because he was a truthful man and true spiritualist.’’
6. Those who teach science should be taught spirituality too. Without harmony between science and

spirituality, the destruction would continue unabated. A few years after this institution was built, a
Japanese delegation came to meet him. Einstein broke down in the meeting and said, ‘‘You can give me
any punishment and I will accept it. Anyway, I have decided to lead my life in penitence.’’ The Japanese
were moved by his sincerity and forgot their grief.

On the basis of your understanding of the above 7. What did Einstein do to overcome his distress

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions after getting the news of the atomic attack?
given below: 8. Which event in 1945, according to Einstein,

1. Besides two great philosophers how many other turned science and scientists into murderers?

scientists were invited by Einstein to inaugurate 9. What did Einstein do to show his displeasure

the institution where spirituality would be over the atomic attack?
compulsorily taught? 10. Whose photo was garlanded at the inauguration

(a) Five (b) Ten of Einstein’s institute for children, adolescents

(c) Eight (d) Fifteen and youth?

2. Which musical instrument did Einstein play 11. Name the philosophers that Einstein invited to

inaugurate the new institution.

when he was in grief?
(a) Harmonium (b) Guitar 12. Find the word in para 6 which means the same

as ‘agreement’.

(c) Violin (d) Flute

3. Einstein came to know that America had dropped Answers:

an atom bomb on the Japanese city, Hiroshima 1. (b) Ten 2. (c) Violin

through 3. (c) Radio 4. (d) Roosevelt

(a) television. (b) newspaper. 5. (a) “You can give me any punishment and I will

(c) radio. accept it”

(d) a telephonic message. 6. (d) America had secretly developed an atomic

4. Which American President was told about the bomb.

destructive power of an atomic bomb? 7. He played the violin to turn his mind to other

(a) Kennedy (b) Bill Clinton things. He also tried to reduce his distress in sad
notes. Moreover, he did not eat for four days.

(c) Lincoln (d) Roosevelt
8. Dropping of atom bomb on Hiroshima in 1945

5. Einstein said to the Japanese delegation,

turned science and scientists into murderers.

(a) ‘‘You can give me any punishment and I will
9. He disassociated himself from the scientific

accept it.’’

policy of the government and all governmental
(b) ‘‘I am not at fault.’’
institutions. He decided to open educational

(c) ‘‘What could I do ?’’ institutions for children, adolescents and

(d) ‘‘The President didn’t agree to my advice.’’ youth where science and spirituality would be

6. Einstein was disturbed because: compulsorily taught

(a) the world was came to know about atomic 10. The photo of Mahatma Gandhi was garlanded at

bombs. the inauguration of Einstein’s institute.
(b) America would not develop atomic bombs. 11. Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer were

(c) Atomic power would support Hitler. invited by Einstein to inaugurate the new

(d) America had secretly developed an atomic institution.

bomb. 12. Harmony

Factual Passages 25


PASSAGE 11
1. Avni and Sundari may have made the headlines. Many others make just the footnotes. Over the past two months,

India has witnessed dramatic instances of human-wildlife conflict, with villagers in Maharashtra and Odisha
demanding removal of tigers they suspect to be “man-eaters”. While the controversial killing of six-year-old
tigress Avni in Maharashtra on Friday by the son of a government-appointed private shooter, and the relocation
of 30-month-old tigress Sundari to Nandankanan zoo in Odisha last month grabbed media attention, conflict
for space occurs every day between wildlife and people living in and around forests.
2. According to data sourced from 23 states that record wildlife-human conflict, by the Union environment

ministry, more than 1,608 humans were killed in conflict cases involving tigers, leopards, bears and elephants
between 2013 and 2017. These do not include all conflict issues, such as crop raids by animals, not included
in schedule 1 of the wildlife protection act, such as monkeys, wild boars and nilgai. There is no data on the
number of animals killed by humans in human-wildlife conflict cases. Increasing habitat loss and fragmentation
of corridors animals have used for centuries have certainly caused a spurt in cases, making it vital to develop
forest fringes to give animals space to survive, experts say. In the area of Gwal Pahari on the Gurugram-
Faridabad Road, for example, the district town and country planning department has issued change of land
use permissions to at least four builders for large-scale real estate projects in the last two years.
3. Land is a precious commodity and, in a country where there are many human-human conflicts over it, animals

are bound to be second priority. “The main driver for the conflict is loss of habitat. Elephants, for example, move
from 600 to 700 sq km in a year and in some extreme cases, male elephants have been known to move up to
2,800 sq km in a year. “But with only 5% of India’s geographical area being in the protected area category, these
animals don’t have the space they require,” said M. Ananda Kumar of the Nature Conservation Foundation who
focuses on wildlife conflict in the Valaparai region of Tamil Nadu. This isn’t a situation particular to Tamil Nadu
or Karnataka. The encroachment of elephant corridors in Jharkhand and Odisha has meant the pachyderms
stray into agricultural land, resulting in conflict with humans.
4. Nor is this an issue only in the case of elephants. In Gurugram, it is about leopards. “There are two major

highways, National Highway 8 and the Gurgaon-Faridbad Road, which cut through leopard habitat and hinder
their ability to move around in search of food and water,” said Chetan Agarwal, a city-based environment
analyst. In 2017, the Wildlife Institute of India recorded 31 leopards across five districts in Haryana including
Gurugram. In 2018, a drone mapping survey by the forest department reported the presence of 35 leopards in
Gurugram itself. “This boom creates a huge conflict of space for the leopards, which are apex predators and
require room to move around,” said Pia Sethi of the Centre for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at The
Energy Research Institute (TERI). “It is only natural for them to stray outside the corridor, which is already
quite narrow and becoming narrower as a result of human activity”.
5. Experts say India is unprepared to deal with cases of conflict because of a complete lack of engagement with

affected communities. “There is more focus on reactive measures rather than proactive ones such as community
engagement. This means we will be absolutely unprepared to deal with conflict in the next 10 years,” said
Vidya Athreya, a Pune-based wildlife biologist, who specialises in studying leopards. “The government needs
to gather knowledge by talking with the affected people and involve stakeholders, like revenue department.
Community support is needed to avoid an Avni kind of situation”.
6. Since reporting such conflicts is the domain of states, the Centre doesn’t know the magnitude of the conflict.

“In India, conflict reporting, assessment and associated compensation is administered at local levels, with
compensation often not provided for losses inside protected areas,” according to a recent paper published in
Biological Conservation journal on compensation payments and policies aimed at human wildlife conflicts.
The study found large variations in the amount of compensation paid to villagers under various categories.
The existing variations in policies, payment procedures, amounts, across Indian states may lead to differential
outcomes for wildlife tolerance and persistence across the country,” the study said.
7. “Understanding the nature of the issue is a decisive first step towards any kind of solution. For example, in

Hassan (Karnataka) where we work, people want transportation for their children to go to school because they
fear encountering elephants on the way,” said Kumar of NCF. However, Sethi warned that wildlife could only
be managed to a certain extent. “While it’s true that the situation in the last two years has not been violent, the
activities which bring us closer to leopards are continuing unabated,” she said. Another reason for increasing
incidents of man-animal conflict in the state, Agarwal pointed out, is the Haryana government’s reluctance
to recognise its own forests. “There are no reserve forests in the state, and deemed forests are only protected
in some cases, if they are part of Aravalli plantation land or notified under the Punjab Land Preservation
26 English Cor -X
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Act,” he said. More importantly, many parts of the Aravalli range are set to be excluded from the Natural
Conservation Zone, delineated by the National Capital Region Planning Board.
[Adapted from ‘The Hindustan Times’ — Conflict on rise as animal space shrinks]

On the basis of your understanding of the above 6. The loss of habitat is the chief cause of:

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (a) human-human conflict

given below: (b) man-animal conflict

1. In this passage Avni and Sundari are .................... (c) extension of forest areas

(a) tigers (b) elephants (d) abundance of water

(c) villagers (d) reporters 7. What is the role of forests in generating human-

2. Which of the following statements is not true? wildlife conflicts?

(a) Data on humans killed by animals is 8. How does growing human population endanger

available.

wildlife?
(b) There is abundant data on animals killed by 9. How can community participation contribute

humans.

towards resolving the problems between humans
(c) Data on humans killed by animals is and wildlife?

available with government sources. 10. How does payment of compensation for human-

(d) Data about different sources of human- wildlife conflict impact attitudes of people

wildlife conflict is not available. towards wildlife?
3. Which of the following statements is true? 11. Which kinds of organisations are working at the

(a) All people believe that wild animals are forefront to reduce human wildlife conflict?

dangerous and should be killed. 12. Find the word in para 2 which means the same

(b) Killing of wild animals by humans has been as ‘a rapid increase’.

generating controversy these days. Answers:
(c) Enough provisions exist to keep wild animals 1. (d) reporters

away from humans.

2. (b) There is abundant data on animals killed by

(d) Humans kill wild animals only in self- humans.

defence. 3. (c) Enough provisions exist to keep wild animals

4. Which of the following are valid reasons for away from humans.
4. (d) All of the above.

human wildlife conflict?

(a) Shrinking forests. 5. (c) an essential part of the solution to the problem

6. (b) man-animal conflict

(b) Crop raids by wild animals.

7. The forests have been the habitat for animals for

(c) Increase in human populations.

centuries.

(d) All of the above. 8. The animals need a territory to stray which is

5. Community participation in resolving human narrowed by selfish humans.

wildlife issues is .................... 9. Community participation can contribute in

(a) an expensive solution to the problem resolving the issue before they become reactive.

(b) not a part of the solution to the problem 10. The coexistence of human and animal has been

initiated by monetary compensation.

(c) an essential part of the solution to the
11. Experts, policy makers and community at large

problem

are working to reduce wildlife conflicts.
(d) a solution that everyone is interested in 12. Spurt

present times

PASSAGE 12
1. No student of a foreign language needs to be told that grammar is complex. By changing word sequences

and by adding a range of auxiliary verbs and suffixes, we are able to communicate tiny variations in
meaning. We can turn a statement into a question, state whether an action has taken place or is soon
to take place, and perform many other word tricks to convey subtle differences in meaning. Nor is this
complexity inherent in the English language. All languages, even those of so-called ‘primitive’ tribes have
clever grammatical components. The Cherokee pronoun system, for example, can distinguish between
‘you and I’, ‘several other people and I’ and ‘you, another person and I’. In English, all these meanings are
Factual Passages 27


summed up in the one, crude pronoun ‘we’. Grammar is universal and plays a part in every language, no
matter how widespread it is. So the question which has baffled many linguists is — who created grammar?
2. At first, it would appear that this question is impossible to answer. To find out how grammar is created,

someone needs to be present at the time of a language’s creation, documenting its emergence. Many
historical linguists are able to trace modern complex languages back to earlier languages, but in order to
answer the question of how complex languages are actually formed, the researcher needs to observe how
languages started from scratch. Amazingly, however, this is possible.
3. Some of the most recent languages evolved due to the Atlantic slave trade. At that time, slaves from a

number of different ethnicities were forced to work together under colonizer’s rule. Since they had no
opportunity to learn each others languages, they developed a make-shift language called a pidgin. Pidgins
are strings of words copied from the language of the landowner. They have little in the way of grammar,
and in many cases it is difficult for a listener to deduce when an event happened, and who did what to
whom. Speakers need to use circumlocution in order to make their meaning understood. Interestingly,
however, all it takes for a pidgin to become a complex language is for a group of children to be exposed
to it at the time when they learn their mother tongue. Slave children did not simply copy the strings of
words uttered by their elders, they adapted their words to create a new expressive language. Complex
grammar systems which emerged from pidgins are termed creoles, and they are invented by children.
4. Further evidence of this can be seen in studying sign languages for the deaf. Sign languages are not simply

a series of gestures; they utilise the same grammatical machinery that is found in spoken languages.
Moreover, there are many different languages used worldwide. The creation of one such language was
documented quite recently in Nicaragua. Previously, all deaf people were isolated from each other, but
in 1979 a new government introduced schools for the deaf. Although children were taught speech and
lip reading in the classroom, in the playgrounds they began to invent their own sign system, using the
gestures that they used at home. It was basically a pidgin. Each child used the signs differently, and
there was no consistent grammar. However, children who joined the school later, when this inventive
sign system was already around, developed a quite different sign language. Although it was based on the
signs of the older children, the younger children’s language was more fluid and compact, and it utilised
a large range of grammatical devices to clarify meaning. What is more, all the children used the signs in
the same way. A new creole was born.
5. Some linguists believe that many of the world’s most established languages were creoles at first. The

English past tense –ed ending may have evolved from the verb ‘do’. ‘It ended’ may once have been ‘It end-
did’. Therefore it would appear that even the most widespread languages were partly created by children.
Children appear to have innate grammatical machinery in their brains, which springs to life when they
are first trying to make sense of the world around them. Their minds can serve to create logical, complex
structures, even when there is no grammar present for them to copy.
On the basis of your understanding of the above (c) It was difficult to understand, even among

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions slaves
given below: (d) It was created by the land-owners.

1. In paragraph 1, why does the writer include 3. All the following sentences about Nicaraguan

information about the Cherokee language? sign language are true EXCEPT:
(a) To show how simple, traditional cultures can (a) the language has been created since 1979.

have complicated grammar structures (b) the language is based on speech and lip

(b) To show how English grammar differs from reading

Cherokee grammar (c) the language incorporates signs which

(c) To prove that complex grammar structures children used at home

were invented by the Cherokees (d) the language was perfected by younger

(d) To demonstrate how difficult it is to learn the children

Cherokee language 4. Which idea is presented in the final paragraph?

2. What can be inferred about the slaves’ pidgin (a) English was probably once a creole

language? (b) The English past tense system is inaccurate

(a) It contained complex grammar (c) Linguists have proven that English was

(b) It was based on many different languages created by children

28 English Cor -X
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(d) Children say English past tenses different 3. (b) the language is based on speech and lip

manner reading.
5. The roots of modern languages can be traced in 4. (a) English was probably once a creole.

modern grammar (True/False) 5. False 6. their own

6. To create a new language slave children chose 7. All languages have clever grammatical

...................... words components. Grammar is universal, and plays
7. What is common to all languages? a part in every language.
8. Someone is required to be present at the time

8. How can we find out who created grammar?

of the creation of language. He needs to observe

9. According to the passage what can be attributed
how languages started from scratch.

as a consequence of the Atlantic slave trade?
9. As a consequence of the Atlantic slave trade,
10. What is pidgin?

some of the most recent languages evolved a

11. What are creoles?
make-shift language called pidgin.

12. Find the word in para 3 which means the same 10. Pidgin is a string of words. They are copied from

as ‘simple and temporary’.

the language of the landowner. It is also called a
Answers: make-shift language.
1. (a) To show how simple, traditional cultures can 11. Creoles are complex grammar systems. They

emerged from pidgins. It is said that they were

have complicated grammar structures.
2. (c) It was difficult to understand, even among invented by children.
12. Make-shift

slaves.

PASSAGE 13
Read the passage given below.
1. That large animals require luxuriant vegetation has been a general assumption which has passed from

one work to another, but I do not hesitate to say that it is completely false, and that it has vitiated the
reasoning of geologists on some points of great interest in the ancient history of the world. The prejudice
has probably been derived from India, and the Indian islands, where troops of elements, noble forest,
and impenetrable jungles, are associated together in every one’s mind. If, however, we refer to any work
of travels through the southern parts of Africa, we shall find allusions in almost every page either to
the desert character of the country, or to the numbers of large animals inhabiting it. The same thing is
rendered evident by the many engravings which have been published of various parts of the interior.
2. Dr. Andrew Smith, who has lately succeeded in passing the Tropic of Capricorn, informs me that, taking

into consideration the whole of the southern part of Africa, there can be no doubt of its being a sterile
country. On the southern coasts there are some fine forests, but with these exceptions, the traveler
may pass for days together through open plains, covered by a poor and scanty vegetation. Now, if we
look to the animals inhabitants these wide plains, we shall find their numbers extraordinarily great,
and their bulk immense.
3. It may be supposed that although the species are numbers, the individuals of each kind are few. By the

kindness of Dr. Smith, I am enabled to show that the case is very different. He informs me, that in last
24 hours in one day’s march with the bullock-wagons, he saw, without wandering to any great distance
on either side, between one hundred and fifty rhinoceroses, the same day he saw several herds of giraffes,
amounting together to nearly a hundred.
4. At the distance of a little more than one hour’s march from their place of encampment on the previous

night, his party actually killed at one spot eight hippopotamuses, and saw many more. In this same river
there were likewise crocodiles. Of course it was a case quite extraordinary, to see so many great animals
crowded together, but it evidently proves that they must exist in great numbers. Dr. Smith describes the
country he passes through that day, as ‘being thinly covered with grass, and bushes about four feet high,
and still more thinly with mimosa-trees.’
5. Besides these large animals, anyone the least acquainted with the natural history of the Cape has read

of the herbs of antelopes, which can be compared only with the flocks of migratory birds. The numbers
indeed of the lion, panther, and hyena, and the multitude of birds of prey, plainly speak of the abundance
Fa tual Passag s 29
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of the smaller quadrupeds: one evening seven lions were counted at the same time prowling round Dr.
Smith’s encampment. As this able naturalist remarked to me, the carnage each day in Southern Africa
must indeed be terrific! I confess it is truly surprising how such a number of animals can find support in
a country producing so little food.
6. The larger quadrupeds no doubt roam over wide tracts in search of it; and their food chiefly consists of

underwood, which probably contains much nutrient in a small bulk. Dr. Smith also informs me that the
vegetation has a rapid growth; no sooner is a part consumed than its place is supplied by a fresh stock.
There can be no doubt, however, that our ideas respecting the apparent amount of food necessary for the
support of large quadrupeds are much exaggerated. The belief that where large quadrupeds exist, the
vegetation must necessarily be luxuriant, is the more remarkable, because the converse is far from true.
7. Mr. Burchell observed to me that when entering Brazil, nothing struck him more forcibly than the

splendour of the South American vegetation contrasted with that of South Africa, together with the
absence of all large quadrupeds. In his Travels, he has suggested that the comparison of the respective
weights (if there were sufficient data) of an equal number of the largest herbivorous quadrupeds of each
country would be extremely curious. If we take on the one side, the elements hippopotamus, giraffe, bos
caffer, elan, five species of rhinoceros; and on the American side, two tapirs, the guanaco, three deer, the
vicuna, peccari, capybara and then place these two groups alongside each other, it is no easy to conceive
ranks more disproportionate in size.
8. After the above facts, we are compelled to conclude, against anterior probability that among the mammalia

there exists no close relation between the bulk of the species, and the quantity of the vegetation, in the
countries which they inhabit. Adapted from: Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin (1890)

On the basis of your understanding of the above (c) prove a hypothesis

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions (d) illustrate a well-known phenomenon

given below: 5. The author is surprised at ....................

1. The author is primarily concerned with ............... (a) the findings of Dr. Smith

(a) discussing the relationship between the size (b) a large variety of animals

of mammals and the nature of vegetation in

(c) the rapid growth of vegetation
their habitats

(d) the scanty growth of grass and bushes
(b) contrasting ecological conditions in India and

6. Which of these is not true about luxuriant

Africa

vegetation:
(c) proving that large animals do not require (a) supports larger quadrupeds

much food

(b) rich in nutrient
(d) describing the size of animals in various

(c) no replacement of consumed parts

parts of the world

(d) a rapid growth
2. According to the author, the ‘prejudice’ (Para 1)

7. What prejudice has vitiated the reasoning of

has led to ....................

geologists?
(a) errors in the reasoning of biologists
8. Why does Dr. Smith refer to Africa as a sterile

(b) false ideas about animals in Africa

country?

(c) incorrect assumptions on the part of geologists
9. What is the ‘carnage’ referred to by Dr. Smith?

(d) doubt in the mind of the author

10. W hat does Darwin’s remark, ‘if there were

3. The flocks of migratory birds (Para 5) are

sufficient data’, indicate?

mentioned to ....................
11. What does the author conclude from Dr. Smith
(a) describe an aspect of the fauna of South

and Burchell’s observations?

Africa
12. Find the word in para 1 which mean the same as
(b) illustrate a possible source of food for large

‘dense’.

carnivores
(c) contrast with the habits of the antelope Answers:

(d) suggest the size of antelope herds 1. (a) discussing the relationship between the size

4. Darwin quotes Burchell’s observations in order of mammals and the nature of vegetation in their

to .................... habitats
(a) counter a popular misconception 2. (c) incorrect assumptions on the part of geologists

(b) describe a region of great splendour 3. (d) suggest the size of antelope herds

30 English Cor -X
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4. (a) counter a popular misconception 9. The predators kill a good number of prey animals.

5. (b) a large variety of animals Dr. Smith has called this incident a ‘carnage’.

6. (c) no replacement of consumed parts 10. Darvin’s remark, ‘if there were sufficient data’

7. In the opinion of geologists the large animals means that the comparison of the weight of

require luxuriant vegetation. This prejudice has herbivores is a matter of concern for all.
vitiated their reasoning. 11. The author concludes that in the country the bulk
8. The traveller may pass through the open plains of

of species and vegetation has no close relation.

Africa for days. They are covered with a thin and The country has scanty vegetation.
scanty vegetation. Therefore, Dr. Smith refers 12. Impenetrable
Africa as a sterile barren country.

PASSAGE-14
Read the passage given below.
1. Delhi skies were just clear enough last Sunday to let sky-watchers have a ringside view of a close encounter

in space: a half-a-mile-wide asteroid buzzing the earth at a distance a little farther than the moon. It was
a rare opportunity to watch a close-up of one of these visitors from the asteroid belt between the orbits
of Mars and Jupiter who often drop in without notice and cause the world’s pulse to quicken. A two-mile
wide tumbling rock from space suddenly became the cynosure of all telescopes last month as astronomers
proclaimed it the most earth-threatening object’ ever detected. Preliminary calculations even suggested
it might hit the earth in 2019. That it proved to be a false alarm is another matter. What’s important is
that such celestial brushes may form part of a countdown to Armageddon.
2. For every asteroid spotted, several whiz by unnoticed, with some actually passing closer to us than

the moon. The number of these Near Earth Objects, or NEOs, far exceeds the known list—a catalogue
that needs to be completed before it’s too late. Space agencies have projects to push potential earth-
grazers off course. But there’s yet to be a comprehensive global space watch programme. Most NEOs slip
through unnoticed because of limitations to telescope time, technology and funding. So, it’s important for
governments not to grudge asteroid hunters the resources they badly need to keep a close watch. A global
asteroid monitoring system of sorts already exists in the form of an assorted group of government and
private agencies, along with amateur and professional asteroid researchers. But it has no mechanism to
assess the risk factors of NEOs or to determine what, and how much, information should be passed on to
the public. As a result, the discoveries of more NEOs do not necessarily lead to a corresponding increase
in public awareness of the threat they pose. Newspapers, television and movies aren’t of much help either,
and a confused public is often left wondering what’s fact and what’s fiction.
3. In fact, a kind of ‘cry-wolf syndrome’ sets in after every sighting, lowering the threat perception in the

public mind. If or, more likely, when—there’s an asteroid strike, events like Hiroshima and September
11 would pale in comparison. In the cosmic shooting gallery, bruisers larger than a mile across probably
have a chance of walloping the earth every 100,000 to 300,000 years, while those 330 feet or larger could
score a hit every 1,000 to 2,000 years. The biggies cause the most concern. If a hunk of stone and metal,
the size of a 20-storey building hits the earth and sets off a million megaton blast, it’d be like a million
city-busting bombs going off simultaneously. Deaths could be counted in millions and most of the flora
and fauna would vanish.
4. Didn’t the dinosaurs once think the planet would forever be one big Jurassic Park? The poor beasts
never had a space programme and became a smorgasbord for a nasty asteroid. The moral then is to have
a space watch programme which includes professional and amateur atronomers maintaining a nightly
vigil around the globe. A powerful telescope could be placed outside the earth’s orbit to monitor the
blind spot created by the sun and rule out unexpected impacts. In the northern hemisphere, scores of
professional astronomers constantly scan the dark skies for tiny points of light and their tell-tale tracks.
But the southern hemisphere is yet to have such sky sentinels whose computers could crunch foot-long
numbers to find out if the ultimate destination of any of these shadow mountains in space is Planet Earth.
— Prakash Chandra

Fa tual Passag s 31
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On the basis of your understanding of the 9. Why is the author worried about the devastation

above passage, answer ANY TEN of the caused by the big asteroid?
questions given below: 10. How will the space programme benefit human

1. The warning given by the astronomers ................. beings?

(a) proved to be a false alarm 11. Why, do you think, the author mentions

(b) was right dinosaurs?

(c) did not frighten the people 12. Find the a word in para 1 which means the same

(d) proved to be true as ‘centre of attraction’.

2. What nature of media in expressed in the Answers:

passage? 1. (a) proved to be a false alarm
(a) Uselessness

2. (b) Misleading the masses.

(b) Misleading the masses

3. (a) Biggies

(c) Enlightening the masses 4. (b) professional astronomers

(d) Being insensitive 5. (a) the asteroid

3. What causes the most concern? 6. (b) 1,000 to 2,000 years

(a) Biggies (b) Human beings 7. The astronomers had hoped that the asteroid

(c) Scientists (d) None of the above might hit the earth in 2019. They had also

4. The northern hemisphere has successfully declared that it was the most earth-threatening
object. Previously no such objects were detected.

received the attention of ....................
(a) geographers
8. The global asteroid monitoring system suffers

from a serious demerit. It has no mechanism

(b) professional astronomers
to assess the risk factors. So the sufficient

(c) scientists (d) none of these
information in this matter is difficult.

5. The orbits of Mars and Jupiter are known for 9. The devastation caused by the big asteroid may

....................

be beyond our imagination. It is like a million
(a) the asteroid (b) buzzing sounds megaton blast a million city-busting bombs going

(c) the moon (d) the sun off together. Death may be counted in millions

6. A bruiser with 330 feet or larger can hit the earth and most of the flora and fauna would be wiped

every: out.
(a) 10,000 to 30,000 years 10. The space watch programme will provides a

(b) 1,000 to 2,000 years mighty vigil around the globe. With the help of

(c) 5,000 to 6,000 years powerful telescopes, one can monitor the blind
spot made by the sun and avoid any unexpected

(d) None
impacts of the asteroids.

7. What preliminary calculations were made about
11. The dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid

the asteroid?

strike.
8. What are demerits of the global asteroid
12. Cynosure

monitoring system?

PASSAGES FOR SELF-EVALUATION
PASSAGE-1

1. Animals that use visual signals usually communicate during the day and rely upon the light from the sun

to illuminate their displays, but fireflies are among the species that can communicate at night because
they emit their own light. They are remarkably efficient at emitting light, unlike most natural and man-
made light sources, which also generate heat. The males fly around, producing a pattern of light flashes
which are characteristic of the species to which they belong. The females have a different flash pattern
with which they reply and this enables the males to home in on them in the dark to mate.
2. There are, however, some fascinating complexities in the situation. The females of the predatory

fireflies called photuris versicolon, sit in and wait until they detect the flashes of the male of another
species and then mimic the flash pattern of the appropriate female, for example, they give a single flash
32 English Cor -X
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corresponding to the photinus males’ signal described above. The unfortunate male flies in to mate and
end up being eaten.
3. Various species of fireflies occur in India, Southeast Asia, South America and the warmer parts of

Europe and the USA, where they are sometimes known as lightning bugs. They are actually beetles
that flash light from their abdominal organs. In all species, the light is produced by a chemical known
as luciferin, stored behind areas of transparent cuticle backed by dense tissue that probably acts as a
reflector. The ‘fire’ of the fireflies is a misnomer, for the light they produce is cold and, in terms of energy,
remarkably efficient. The glow emerging from so tiny animal, though scarcely dazzling, is sufficient to
read a printed page.
4. As far as the insects are concerned, their main reason for glowing in the dark is to advertise their readiness

to mate. The males perform aerobatics, making light patterns that are answered by the females, each
species producing its own characteristic recognition signals. Like naval night signals, these are remarkably
precise. A male emits pulses of light that, after an exact interval, are answered by a female of the same
species. Only if the timing and response are correct, will a male fly over to visit a female. Glow-worms
emit an intense green light if they are disturbed, suggesting that their glow is intended to frighten off
predators. If so, it is not always successful—it is not unusual to see frogs lit from within by a meal of
glow-worms. [Source: Nutan Shukla —The Sunday Tribune]

On the basis of your understanding of the above 5. The special thing about the ‘fire’ of the fireflies

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions is that it is ........ .
given below: (a) hot and bright (b) intense and focused

1. Fireflies are night communicators because they (c) cold and dull

emit their own light at night. This phenomenon (d) cold but efficient in terms of energy

of butterflies can be categorised as: 6. The word ‘fascinating’ in para 2 means ........... .

(a) common (b) amazing (a) extremely bright (b) spell bound

(c) ridiculous (d) annoying

(c) interesting/attractive

2. How are the light flashes of male and female

(d) attraction/interest

fireflies?

7. How do the females of some species make the
(a) Similar (b) Bright in air

males of other species their prey?

(c) Different (d) Blue on earth 8. Give two other names of the winged insects that

3. ‘Lightning bugs’ are actually

glow at night.

(a) animals (b) beetals 9. In which countries are species of fireflies found??

(c) a misnomer (d) glow worms 10. How do the glow-worms (male and female) send

4. The fireflies emit light from their .................... . signals of alarm?

(a) abdominal organs 11. What is the main reason for the glowing of the

(b) reproductory organs fireflies in the dark?

(c) sensory organs 12. What does the expression ‘home in on them’ in

(d) digestive organs para 1 mean?

PASSAGE-2
1. ‘‘Militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have scored “substantial gains” in Iraq despite a

continuous U.S. led air campaign”, a senior U.S. official said. The group has made substantial gains in
Iraq, and it will take time to build up local forces that could defeat them in Syria and Iraq, John Allen,
a retired four-star U.S. General, told reporters, according to AFP. Although the Iraqi government and
Kurdish forces succeeded in halting or pushing back ISIS in some key areas including around the Mosul
dam, the militant group had “tactical momentum” in other areas, Allen said. He acknowledged the United
States and its allies were most concerned with the situation in Iraq, where the U.S. army had to call in
Apache helicopters last week to prevent ISIS from seizing at Baghdad’s international airport.
2. In an interview on ABC’s “this week” on Sunday, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey

said, “They were within 20 or 25 kilometers of Baghdad airport and had they overrun the Iraqi unit, it
Fa tual Passag s 33
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was a straight shot to the airport. So, we’re not going to allow that to happen; we need that airport.” Allen
said “the emergency in Iraq right now is foremost in our thinking,” admitting that it was too early to say
which side has the upper hand. “I’d be careful about assigning a winner — winner or a loser,” said Allen,
the former Commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Speaking after a tour of the Middle East in which
Allen spoke to coalition partners and Iraqi leaders, the presidential envoy emphasised that military power
alone would not be enough to defeat ISIS — a point often made by the White House.
3. Allen said, “the key and the main takeaway from this trip was that we all agree that while the military

side is important to the outcome, it is not sufficient of itself.” At the moment the plan was “to take those
steps that are necessary, with the forces that we have available and the air power that we have at our
fingertips” to buy time to train and arm Iraqi security forces. The goal was to give Iraq’s new Prime Minister
Haidar al-Abadi “the opportunity to build a stable government that is inclusive.” Speaking about the air
campaign around the Syrian city of Kobane, which ISIS militants have been battling to take, Allen said
it was “for humanitarian purposes” only to relieve defenders of the town and give them time to organise.
“We are striking the targets around Kobane for humanitarian purposes. I’d be very reluctant to attempt
to assign ... a term like ‘a strategic target,’ or ‘a strategic outcome,” Allen said.
4. ‘Clearly ... given the circumstances associated with the defense of that town, there was a need for

additional fire support to go in to try to relieve the defenders and to buy some white space, ultimately, for
the reorganisation on the ground,’ he added. “We have picked up the tempo and the intensity of the air
strikes in order to provide that white space.” The Pentagon said that those airstrikes have killed “several
hundred” ISIS fighters in and around Kobane, but that ISIS could still seize the besieged strategic Syrian
town. “We believe that we have killed several hundred ISIS fighters in and around Kobane,” Pentagon
spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding that the majority of the city’s population has fled as jihadists
continued to pour into the region in an attempt to take the town.

[Source: Al Arabiya News, 15th October, 2014]

On the basis of your understanding of the above 5. Allen here narrates his experience of his tour to

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions ......................... .
given below: (a) Iraq (b) Syria
1. ISIS is a group/organisation of .................... .

(c) Middle East (d) USA

(a) military force of Iraq

6. The word in para 4 which means ‘taking into

(b) peace-keeping force of Syria

account’ is;

(c) militant group
(a) associated (b) besieged

(d) army of US

2. For US, dealing with ISIS has become a/an (c) continued (d) given

.................... task. 7. What is the problem discussed in the passage?

(a) mundane (b) arduous 8. Where has the ISIS gained?

(c) thankless (d) manual 9. What was the goal of the Iraqi Prime Minister?

3. The new Prime Minister of Iraq is ..................... 10. Why had the majority of the city’s population fled

(a) Gen Martin Dempsey away?

(b) Haidar al-Abadi (c) John Kirby 11. Why had the US army to call the Apache

(d) none of these

helicopters?

4. They are within______ kms of Baghdad airport.
12. Find the word in para 3 which is the synonym of

(a) 50 or 100 kms (b) 50 or 75 km

‘distractor’.

(c) 20 or 25 kms (d) 200 or 300 kms

PASSAGE-3
1. Today the kitchen has changed. It has shelves and drawers lining the top and the expand wall with every

utensil and spoon behind their closed doors, complete with a cooking range, Oven-Toaster-Grinder (OTG),
microwave and in place of the noisy exhaust a sleek looking chimney, which, if you please, also takes care
of the noise and not just the fumes. The more enterprising ones go in for glass fronted doors so that their
34 English Cor -X
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lovely crockery is visible. And the little more adventurous go in for bright coloured tiles and woodwork to
make the kitchen bright and cheery, somewhere to escape the Black Dog. Only when the cooking is taking
place things will be strewn around, once that is over the kitchen is back to looking sparkling clean. As if
nothing happened, no smoking gun.
2. Oh! to have a kitchen like that—from where the Lady of House could proudly “govern” the house. Earlier,
she spent ages inside cutting, chopping, grinding, kneading and cooking. So much so that it was not an
exaggeration when it was said that a woman spent more time in the kitchen than in any other room from
breakfast to lunch to evening snacks to finally dinner. Not to mention the in-between snacks she barely
had time for anything, or anyplace, else. It was like a dungeon, holding her in chains.
3. But seriously, life in a kitchen has become much simpler or so it seems for at least a majority of women,

specially the working women. It is a great help not to have to manually cut and chop at the end of a
long working day. Also increasingly with the advent of these ‘helping hands’ women are trying out more
and more exotic dishes—the dal, roti, chawal, sabzi meals, etc. have become past. Now even the most
complicated of recipes has become the thing to try out. The fact that the ingredients that go into the
making of these delicacies are easily available also helps. And given the fact that today’s children are
well aware of the western cuisine, it does not come as a surprise when they ask the mother to cook the
same for them: lasagne, risotto, quiche, mousse or truffle.
4. The new fangled gadgets that are available today are a boon for a housewife living in a joint family which

has five growing up children of all age groups, and where on holidays food becomes the main priority. It
is truly the instant age—instant noodles, now instant fried rice and even an instant snack maker. All
you have to do is put the raw material into the container, switch it on and in two minutes flat the snack
is ready. But it’s really the food processor that gets the maximum votes.
[Source: Seema Kumar —HT Magazine]

On the basis of your understanding of the above (b) children ask their mothers to cook western

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions cuisine
given below: (c) they feel tired of eating instant noodles or

1. Today’s kitchen has changed because instant rice

..................... (d) their friends and ‘helping hands’ are at their

(a) it has everything on display beck and call

(b) it has every utensil behind closed doors 5. The most popular kitchen gadget among ladies

(c) it resembles a workshop is .................... .

(d) the gas cylinder is very visible under the (a) the electric toaster

stove (b) the instant chappati maker

2. The sleek looking hi-tech electric chimney is an (c) the food processor

asset as .................... . (d) the microwave oven

(a) it provides fresh air 6. Why do the working women prefer western

(b) it drives away the fumes noisily dishes?

(c) it takes care of fumes quietly 7. What purposes are served by the Hi-Tech

(d) it drives the sweat of the housewife electrical chimney?

3. “Oh! to have a kitchen like that .....” The writer 8. Compare the life in kitchen in the old times with

has used the interjection ‘Oh! to express: that of the modern age.
(a) disgust (b) surprise 9. Why do working women find it simple to try out

(c) strong desire (d) enthusiasm the most complicated of recipes?

4. Working women find it simple to try out the most 10. What is the meaning of OTG?

complicated of recipes as ............. . 11. Why is today called an instant age?

(a) gadgets and ingredients for delicacies are 12. Find the word in para 4 which means the same as

easily available ‘old fashioned/out of date’.

Fa tual Passag s 35
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PASSAGE-4
1. Today, India looks like it is on course to join the league of developed nations. It is beginning to establish a

reputation not just as the technology nerve centre and back-office to the world, but also as its production
centre. India’s secularism and democracy serve as a role model to other developing countries. There is
great pride in an Indian that easily integrates with a global economy, yet maintains a unique cultural
identity. But what is breathtaking is India’s youth. Despite being an ancient civilization that traces itself
to the very dawn of human habitation, India is among the youngest countries in the world. More than
half the country is under 25 years of age and more than a third is under 15 years of age.
2. Brought up in the shadow of the rise of India’s service industry boom, this group feels it can be at least

as good if not better than anyone else in the world. This confidence is demonstrating a great propensity
to consume, throwing away ageing ideas of asceticism and thrift. Even those who do not have enough to
consume today feel that they have the capability and opportunity to do so. The economic activity created
by this combination of a growing labour pool and rising consumption demand is enough to propel India
to double digit economic growth for decades. One just has to look at the impact that the baby boomers in
the US had over decades of economic activity, as measured by equity and housing prices. This opportunity
also represents the greatest threat to India’s future. If the youth of India are not properly educated and if
there are not enough jobs created, India will have forever lost its opportunity. There are danger signs in
abundance.
3. Fifty-three per cent of students in primary schools drop out, one-third of children in Class V cannot

read, three quarters of schools do not have a functioning toilet, female literacy is only 45 per cent and
80 million children in the age group of 6-14 do not even attend school. India’s IT and BPO industries are
engines of job creation, but they still account for only 0.2 per cent of India’s employment. The country has
no choice but to dramatically industrialize and inflate its domestic economy. According to a forecast by
the Boston Consulting Group, more than half of India’s unemployed within the next decade could be its
educated youth. India is stuck in a quagmire of labour laws that hinder employment growth, particularly
in the manufacturing sector. Inflexible labour laws inhibit entrepreneurship so it is quite ironic that laws
ostensibly designed to protect labour actually discourage employment.
4. Employment creation needs an abundant supply of capital. India is stuck in a quagmire of labour laws

that hinder employment growth. Controls on foreign investment have resulted in China getting five
times the foreign direct investment, or an advantage of $200 billion over the past five years. The growing
interest in India by global private equity firms augurs well as they represent pools of patient and smart
capital, but they too face many bureaucratic hurdles. When it comes to domestic capital availability,
budget deficits adding up to 10 per cent of the national GDP impede capital availability for investment
and infrastructure.
5. Raising infrastructure spending, coupled with rapid privatization, may not only create employment but also

address the growing gaps in infrastructure. China has eight times the highway miles and has increased
roads significantly in the past few years while India has only inched along. Freight costs at Indian ports
are almost double the worldwide average, just to give two examples. In the meantime, we as citizens of
the world and descendants of India have to make a difference .We have to ensure that India and its youth
attain that potential both through our business pursuits and the support of educational charities, on-the-
ground proponents of participative democracy as well as other deserving organizations and initiatives. I
believe that hope can triumph and that this can be India’s century — not one that will happen as surely
as the sun will rise each day, but one that many willing hands will need to create together.
On the basis of your understanding of the above (b) Reputation of being the nerve centre and

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions back-office to the world, and its production
given below: centre
1. What makes the author think India is on the (c) India’s modern civilisation

verge of joining the select band of developed (d) More than a third of our population is 15

nations? years of age
(a) Socialism and democracy serve as a role 2. Despite the fact that India is one of the oldest

model civilizations why does the author say it is young?
36 English Cor -X
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(a)
Because it’s still developing 6. “Raising infrastructure spending, coupled

(b)
Because it’s under-developed with rapid privatisation, may not only create

(c)
Because of its young population employment but also address to the growing gaps

(d)
Because it has recently achieved its in infrastructure.” The writer has written this

independence sentence with
3. The service industry boom has led to .................... (a) confidence (b) uncertainty

4. What will propel India to double digit economic (c) certainly (d) overconfidence

growth for decades? 7. What is a prerequisite of employment creation?

(a) growing labour pool and rising consumption 8. What hinders employment growth?

demand. 9. How can we ensure that India and its youth will

(b) growth in the savings. attain their full potential?

(c) growing environmental concern. 10. How can we address to the growing gaps in

(d) domestic capital availability. infrastructure?
11. What did the Boston consultation group forecast?

5. The word, ‘integrates’ in para-1 is the same as:

12. Find the word in para 3 which is antonym of

(a) helpful (b) alliance

‘insignificantly’.

(c) merges (d) powerful

PASSAGE-5
1. For friends, he is Jammy: sweet, with a tinge of tanginess; for teammates he is Mr. Dependable, the knight

who is always there in the darkest hour; for admirers and bowlers alike, he is “The Wall: upright and
unbreakable.” But if you really want to unravel the mystique behind the man called Rahul Dravid, you
need to go back to that fabled tale from the Mahabharata. “What do you see,” asked Guru Dronacharya,
after hanging a wooden bird from the branch of a tree. Only one youngster declared: the eye of the bird,
the target decreed by the Guru. He was Arjuna; he would go on to become one of the greatest archers, if
not the most accomplished warrior in mythology.
2. Dravid’s rise to legendary proportions also rode on similar traits: unflinching focus and unyielding

dedication for his skill. Like the Pandava, he too had been marked out for greatness at an early stage;
but he traversed the horizons and reached that destination by tangoing with perfection, all along the
way. Being intelligent, charming and good-looking, he could easily have succumbed to any of the vices,
or all the temptations; but he rarely looked beyond the eye, he never really saw the bird. He could shut
himself from the world, or simply shut the world to find solace in a book, in his hotel room.
3. Sunil Gavaskar’s preparation, famously, started about 30 minutes before he went out to bat; for Dravid,

though, the exercise would begin almost 30 days earlier. Like an earnest student preparing for a big exam,
he would study the itinerary carefully; he would dig into the background of the pitches and analyse the
bowlers he was going to face. If it was South Africa or Australia, he would work on his hook and pull
shots, with wet tennis balls; if it was England, he would hone his forward defensive leaves, making sure
his head was over the ball or was ready to weave in or out of its line. It didn’t end there though: once he
landed, he would find time to grasp the history of the city, just to feel its air and catch its spirit.
4. It has a liberating effect on Dravid. On the eve of the match too, he has a different routine: with a bat

in hand, often without it too, he would spend close to 30 minutes by the pitch. It’s almost like he was
trying to unravel its mysteries, befriending the devils within; he would meditate and he would indulge
in positive visualisation, thinking of all his previous big knocks here. He, then, would close his eyes and
play and replay all his strokes. By the end of it, he seems healed; you can almost sense that he is in zone
of his own. There were, of course, times when his elaborate preparation didn’t yield the desired result;
but until the just-concluded Australian tour, it had mostly been to unplayable deliveries, death balls that
would materialise from nowhere just for him.
5. At that point, probably, Dravid knew it was time to go: six times bowled out of eight would have broken

even Arjuna. It’s ironic that just a few months earlier, in England, he was batting on a different place.
While the rest were collapsing, he was virtually unbeatable; the pitches were difficult, the bowlers fast
and aggressive, but nobody could get past him. For all his numbers (13,288 runs, 36 tons, 210 catches in
Fa tual Passag s 37
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One-dayers), the ride has not always been easy though; he was shunted up and down the order before
he commandeered the most pivotal slot: Number 3. In One-dayers, too, he had to make peace with the
big gloves merely to keep himself afloat. Yet, he had the courage to walk away from the one thing every
player aspires for: India’s captaincy.
6. It wasn’t just that the hype was breaching his sanctum, the private space that he so dearly cherished; it

was the pressures and politics from within which were leaving him a shattered person. He’d rather lose
the coveted prize than lose his faith in people, in friends. So, in a way, he didn’t give up the captaincy; he
renounced it. His goal was never to be India’s top captain; he simply wanted to be one of its best batsmen.
And he realised quickly enough that this was blurring his target that he couldn’t shoot well enough; in
no time, he was only seeing the bird’s eye again. Yes, it took him almost three years to reach the pinnacle
of his batsmanship, at the same place where the journey had begun 16 years ago: England. Maybe, just
maybe, he should have said goodbye there only.
On the basis of your understanding of the above (c) He was unable to tolerate pressure and

passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions politics within.
given below: (d) He wanted to lose the coveted prize.

1. Arjuna was .................... . 5. The word, ‘solace’ in para-2 is the same as:

(a) the greatest disciple of Dronacharya. (a) hardships (b) comfort

(b) one of the mightiest disciples of Dronacharya. (c) attraction (d) examination

(c) one of the most popular disciples of Dronacharya. 6. Who is Dravid compared to:

(d) one of the most accomplished archers of his (a) the wall (b) Arjun

times. (c) Sunil Gavaskar (d) Guru

2. Dravid’s elaborate preparations .................... . 7. What is Dravid called by his admirers and fans?

(a) rarely yielded the desired results. 8. What could have made Dravid prone to vices?

(b) sometimes yielded the desired results. 9. What was Dravid’s routine on the eve of a match?

(c) sometimes didn’t yield the desired results. 10. What makes the writer compare Dravid with

(d) always yielded the desired results. Arjuna?

3. Dravid’s goal was to become India’s ..................... 11. What was Dravid’s goal?

4. Why did Dravid renounced captaincy? 12. Find the word in para 6 which means the same

(a) Because of the hype. as ‘peak’.

(b) He was a shattered person. qqq

38 English Cor -X
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