READING & WRITING

READING

Unseen Passages
Passages

Reading –Unseen passages for comprehension and note-making Marks : 15

Two unseen passages (about 700-900 words in all)
The passages will include two of the following-
l Factual passage, e.g. instructions, descriptions, reports.
l Discursive passage involving opinion, e.g. argumentative, persuasive or
interpretative text.
l Literary passage, e.g. extract from fiction, drama, poetry, essay or biography.
The details are as under-

Unseen Testing Areas No. of Marks Total

Passages Words
1. Comprehension 1. Short answer type 400-500 6
questions to test local,
global and inferential
comprehension.
2. Vocabulary-such as 3 9
word formation and
inferring meaning
2. Note-making 1. Note-making in an 300-400 4
appropriate format
2. Abstraction 2 6

(A) UNSEEN PASSAGES TYPE-I

[To Test Comprehension and Vocabulary]
(Word Limit 400-500 Words)
There will be six Short Answer Type questions and three vocabulary based questions on an
unseen passage.
Each question will carry one mark. Short answer type questions will be to test the student's
local, global and inferential comprehension ability while vocabulary based questions will
examine the student's word power.
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Your answers must be brief, complete and to the point. Such answers will get good marks.
You must keep in your mind the following important points while solving unseen passages.
Some useful hints to attempt an Unseen Passage :
1. Read the passage carefully to understand the theme of the passage.
2. If you find some words in passage whose meaning is not clear to you then try to
understand their expected meaning by reading the sentences before and after them.
3. Keep your answers brief and write only those points in your answer which are asked
in related question.
4. Begin your answer in the same way as it is asked. Write your answer in your own
expressions and do not follow the sentence of passage because these questions are to
test your language expressing abilities as well.
5. To answer the vocabulary based questions, first read the sentences or words given in
questions, try to understand their sense or meaning clearly and search the word from
the passage having required meaning.
6. Now read your all answers once more and correct the mistakes if any. The spellings,
punctuation and grammar of your answers must be correct.
7. To understand the central idea of the passage read it two or three times carefully.
8. Be careful regarding 'tense' and 'person'. Answer the question in the same tense in
which it has been asked.
9. The answer to the question containing when clause must begin with 'when' clause e.g.:
Q. — What was Sita doing when you entered the room ?
A. — When I entered the room Sita was sleeping. The question containing 'when' clause
must begin with 'when' clause.
10. The answer to the question containing introductory subject 'There' in the middle must
begin with 'There'. E.g. :
Q. — How many windows are there in this room ?
A. — There are four windows in this room.
According to the syllabus, the unseen passage asked in your examination may be factual,
discursive or literary.
Factual Passages— These are taken from newspapers, magazines, historical or sociological
books and these are based on issues, processes, actions or accidents.
Discursive Passages — These are argumentative, persuasive or interpretative in nature.
Literary Passages — Such passages are taken from novels, plays, essays or biographies.

Unseen Passages for P

Passages ractice
Practice
1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (Discursive)
We often come across situations and incidents, which appear quite contradictory to the
known laws of Nature, creating doubts about the impartiality of divine justice. For instance, an
 Unseen Passages 3

honest, duty-conscious, morally elevated person is often seen caught in adversities in one form
or the other, or is suddenly struck with a great misfortune in life as though he/she were being
punished by God for a great sin. On the other hand, we find persons engaged in worst types
of corrupt practices living in peace and prosperity. An idler wins a jackpot or inherits a fortune
from unexpected quarters, whereas a hard working intelligent person is found suffering endlessly
for want of basic necessities. One person achieves great success with little effort, whereas
another does not succeed in spite of his best efforts. Such phenomena are popularly ascribed
to the role of fate.
Unprecedented natural calamities like famine, epidemics, tornadoes and floods, damage by
lightning and earthquakes and untimely death are also commonly attributed to the will of God
and called predestined. Such unexpected happenings as financial loss, accidents, sudden mental/
physical disability and physical separation from a dear one are also attributed to fate.
Such unexpected adversities are rare, but they do occur in life. At times, they leave such deep
imprints on the psyche, that it is not possible to ignore them. Those who are not familiar with
the mysteries of divine justice become very much perplexed by such experiences and form
prejudiced opinions, which, in some form or the other, hinder their mental and spiritual progress.
Many become resentful towards God, blame and abuse Him for favouritism and injustice. A few
even become atheists, considering the futility of worshipping God who does not respond to
prayer in distress, despite their prolonged adherence to religiosity. Then there is a class of
devotees who serve the saints and worship deities in expectation of some material gains.
However, if they are visited with some failure, unfavourable circumstances, or mishap
coincidentally, their adoration changes to contempt of disbelief.
There are quite a few believers in this world who correlate people, places and things with
good and bad luck. Such superstitions have caused extreme miseries to innocent persons. The
root cause for such irrational behaviour is the belief that whatever come to pass is predestined
by God and the beings created by Him have absolutely no role in shaping their own destiny.
Quite a few persons in this world forsake their responsibility in the mistaken belief that the gain
and loss being predestined, there is no necessity of personal effort.

Difficult Words : impartiality = absence of partiality; elevated = on a higher place; adversities

Words
= difficulties; phenomena = events; ascribe = to say something was written by or belonged
to somebody; unprecedented = never happened or existed before; tornadoes = storms;
attributed = believed that something was caused or done by somebody; will = wish; imprint
= to leave impression; psyche = the mind; perplexed = confused; hinder = to make it more
difficult for somebody to do; resentful = feeling angry; atheists = one who does not believe
in God;

Questions
(a) What is a mistaken belief ? 1
(b) When do we doubt about the impartiality of divine justice ? 1
(c) Give an example of phenomena ascribed to the role of fate. 1
(d) How is an intelligent person sometimes seen living ? 1
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(e) Name a few natural calamities ? 1

(f ) In which category is financial loss put ? 1
Find out words from the passage which mean : 3
(g) to say something was written by or belonged to somebody.
(h) to make it more difficult for somebody to do.
(i) confused.

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Every moment of life is precious. Time is the essence of life. It is the wealth given to us by
Nature. Everyday all of us get 24 hours; nothing less, nothing more. Now, it is up to us how we
use it. People who know how to make the best use of every moment easily open the doors of
success in their lives and those who misuse time get failures one after the other. There is a saying
that, ‘‘Spent time and spent words cannot come back.’’ Everybody is tied by the limits of time;
even God respects the boundaries of time.
Work wins appreciation only when it gets completed in a requisite time frame. Beyond the
time allotted, work loses all its utility however good may have been its quality. Just as falling
of rains after the crops have dried up have no use; likewise, when the time is past the deadline,
the work loses its importance and value. When iron is hot it can be cast into whichever shape
we want. Once it gets cold nothing can be made out of it, however, much we may beat the same.
In the same way, a person who has learnt to wisely use his time and has understood how to
cast himself according to the need of the time has actually learnt the true mantra of life.
Shakespeare wrote in one of his plays, ‘‘I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.’’ It is
true that a person who wastes even a little bit of time loses wonderful opportunities that he
could have otherwise availed of by utilizing that time. All the great leaders have one thing in
common. They wisely utilize every moment of their time. When other people are busy in wasting
time in laziness, great men are busy in making plans for the future. There is no person in history
who wasted his time and still managed to achieve greatness.
Therefore, there is great need to manage time wisely. ‘‘Careful Time Management’’ refers to
careful planning of time and sincere execution of this plan. This is the only mantra to attain
success in any endeavour. A simple change in outlook and some modification in one’s daily
routine can result in a big jump forward towards greater achievements.

Difficult Words : precious = costly; essence = the basic quality of something; requisite =
Words
required; utility = usefulness; likewise = in the same way; deadline = last date; execution =
management; attain = get; endeavour = effort; modification = improvement.

Questions
(a) What is the essence of life? 1
(b) What kind of work loses its utility ? 1
(c) What is needed for careful time management ? 1
(d) What kind of people open the doors of success of their life ? 1
(e) When does the work lose its importance and value ? 1
 Unseen Passages 5
(f ) Who has learnt the true mantra of life ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means :
(g) limitations 1
(h) required 1
(i) get 1

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
Medicines have become an element of surprise and a cause of concern. This is because they
have begun to aggravate diseases instead of curing them. No one has a solution. The doctors
are perplexed and the patients are annoyed. The outcome of intensive reasearch and in-depth
studies has startled everyone. These findings show that unnecessary use of medicines has
created a trend in which people not only take medicines for every small ailments, but also
advise others to do so. This habit is now a fashion, a passion and a mark of being educated and
aware. Sometimes, it is even considered a status symbol. People think that they should take
strong drugs, irrespective of whether the disease is minor or major. Nowadays, a shelf of
medicines is found in every house.
This practice is not merely confined to general medicines, but has now spread even to
antibiotics. The literal meaning of the word antibiotics is – ‘against life’. In fact, due to their
misuse, they have really begun acting against our life. Experts say that unnecessary consumption
of antibiotics is increasing the longevity of the microbes on the one hand, while adversely
affecting the patient’s health on the other. This is because due to the overuse of these medicines
the resistance of micro organisms is increasing, while the immunity of the individuals is
decreasing. The medical experts have now begun to accept openly that neither the doctors
refrain from prescribing the anitbiotics for even simple aliments, nor the patients observe
restraint in consuming them.
It is a matter of concern that these medicines are used excessively without understanding
their side-effects. Recently, the World Health Organization has also issued in advisory to the
Southeast Asian countries, including India. It has warned that if the unrestricted use of antibiotics
continues, the coming times may witness a substantial rise in the number of deaths occurring
due to ‘microbial resistance.’
Antibiotics either destroy the disease-causing bacteria completely or prohibit their growth.
However, their prolonged use gives rise to mutation in the bacteria, which makes them resistant
towards these drugs. Consequently, they stop, having any effect on them. This situation is termed
by medical experts as ‘microbial resistance'. Various researches and studies carried out in this
context also lead to the conclusion that medicines are becoming poisonous.
The chief cause of this situation is the unrestrained use of antibiotics. Studies have revealed
that sometimes strong antibiotics are taken even for treating simple problems.

Difficult Words : concern = worry; aggravate = increase; curing = treating; perplexed =

Words
confused; annoyed = angry; outcome = result; trend = nature; ailments = illness; irrespective
= without caring for anything; confined = limited; consumption = use; longevity = long life;
resistance = immunity; immunity = resistance; refrain = to check; excessively = in a large
amount; prohibit = disallow; substantial = considerable; mutation = change; consequently =
as a result; revealed = proved.
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Questions
(a) Why have medicines become an element of surprise ? 1
(b) What is the literary meaning of the word antibiotics ? 1
(c) What is the adverse effect of overuse of antibiotics ? 1
(d) What do antibiotics do with the disease causing bacteria ? 1
(e) What is warned by WHO ? 1
(f ) What can be found in a shelf of every house ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means :
(g) considerable 1
(h) resistance 1
(i) disallow 1

4. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
Married life has a significant place in our Indian culture. It is the life of a householder that
nurtures and enhances the society. The nation gets its future generation owing to this. Hence
it is very important that married life is sweet and pleasant. However, it is seen that there is more
of bitterness and tension in the relationship owing to incessant quarrels and differences of
opinion. Husband and wife get disconnected from each other. The children become orphaned
emotionally and the family disintegrates. There are small tips and habits which, when incorporated
in daily life, can restore the sweetness of family life and may even lead to a blissful life of
togetherness.
Each and every person leading a married life has his own individual life. One’s habits,
interests, way of life and perspective towards life can be temporarily changed, but cannot be
modified permanently. This is the main reason for married life to be smooth for some time and
unrest crawling in after prolonged periods. This is the very reason why each of them should
allocate sufficient time to each other so that they not only understand each other, but also do
a thorough self-introspection and lead a life of their own choice.
Being honest in marriage is very important. This is the foundation for faith in the relationship.
Honesty in talking, honesty in discharging one's responsibilities, honesty in fulfilling promises
and honesty in all interactions is the key to strengthening the relationship and enhancing the
personality of both husband and wife. For the couple to understand each other well, it is
important that they are able to leave their fears and speak out their minds to each other. They
should discuss freely; and even when they are upset with one another, it should be sorted out
as soon as possible. There may be differences of opinion, but this should never lead to disruption
of harmony in mind.
There is one habit that is noticed largely in people. They seem to have many complaints
against all things in the world. This is primarily because of a facet in their personality which
makes them focus on the negative aspects of others rather than looking at the positive ones. If
we are prone to this habit, then we should ensure that this is kept under check so that our
personality is not perceived as dissatisfied and irritable.
 Unseen Passages 7

Difficult Words : significant = important; enhance = increase; bitterness = not sweetness;

Words
incessant = continuous; disintegrates = breaks into pieces; incorporated = made a part of
something; restore = get again; perspective = attitude; crawling = creeping; allocate = give out;
introspection = self-observation; interactions = communication; enhancing = making better;
sorted out = to get solved; disruption = obstacle; harmony = good relations; facet = one part
of something; prone = likely to suffer; perceived = noticed or realized; irritable = becoming
angry easily.

Questions
(a) Why is married life important ? 1
(b) What is called a kind of bad habit ? 1
(c) What is the key to strengthening the relationship ? 1
(d) What can be temporarily changed ? 1
(e) What is important for society ? 1
(f) What should never lead to disruption of harmony in mind ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means :
(g) communications 1
(h) give out 1
(i) making better 1

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : (Persuasive)
There are no rules to tell us how we ought to behave or ought not to behave in all matters.
But in some matters, there are rules that all have to obey. Take, for example the rules of the road.
The purpose of these rules is to make the road safe for everybody. The roads in our cities and
towns are getting more and more busy with traffic these days. All kinds of vehicles, (some slow,
some fast), fill the roads during the greater part of the day. If people disobey traffic rules,
accidents will happen sooner or later. There are rules for pedestrians as well as for vehicles, and
every user of the road ought to know the rules.
Here is an important rule for pedestrians. They ought to keep to the footpath and leave the
middle of the road for vehicles. Where there is no footpath, pedestrians must keep close to the
edge of the road. If they do not obey this rule, they will cause danger to themselves as well as
to others. A driver may turn his vehicle suddenly to avoid a pedestrian and, in doing so, may
knock down someone else. He may even lose control of his vehicle and drive over the footpath
and knock down several people.
All vehicles should keep to the left and leave the right half of the road free for those coming
from the opposite direction.This is the traffic rule in all parts of India. In some countries in the
west, however, vehicles have to keep to the right and not to the left. It does not matter whether
it is right or left but, everyone should obey the rule. Cyclists should always keep to the edge
of the road and not get in the way of other vehicles or pedestrians. We often see two or more
cyclists riding together side by side right in the middle of the road. Traffic rules do not allow
this. Where the road is busy, this will interfere with the flow of traffic and cause accidents. The
rule about overtaking is an equally important rule. One vehicle should overtake another vehicle
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only on the right, because otherwise it may get in the way of the vehicle which is trying to keep
to the left.
There are rules about right of way where roads cross each other. There is usually a roundabout
at these places.The vehicle coming from the right has right of way over the one coming from
the left. If every driver follows this rule, traffic at roundabouts will flow quite smoothly and
accidents can be avoided.
Drivers of vehicles should never fail to give the right signals, because otherwise there is
great danger of accidents happening. There are signals for turning right or left, for slowing down
and for stopping, and for letting another vehicle overtake yours. Cyclists are often careless about
giving signals, thinking that these are important only for motorists. But all road users, cyclists
as well as motorists, ought to have the right signals so that others on the road may be warned.
Pedestrians too should have a knowledge of these signals so that they may be able to tell which
way the vehicles on the road are going to pass. Above all, everyone using the public road ought
to obey the policeman on traffic duty. This is the most important rule of all.

Difficult Words : pedestrians = a person walking in the street; edge = side; knock down
Words
= strike; accident = an unpleasant event that happens unexpectedly and causes death or
injury; roundabouts = crossings.

Questions
(a) Which rules have we to obey ? 1
(b) What is the traffic rule for vehicles in India ? 1
(c) Where should a cyclist ride on the road ? 1
(d) What will happen if the drivers of vehicles do not give proper signals ? 1
(e) What is the purpose of traffic rules ? 1
(f ) What is the traffic rule for pedestrians ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean............... 3
(g) a person walking in the street (h) strike
(i) an unpleasant event that happens unexpectedly and causes death or injury.

6. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
The culture of Rajasthan is very different and unique. The unique mixture of diverse
topography, history and curious life-style is what gives Rajasthani culture its rich heritage. The
rich culture in Rajasthan is visible in each and every aspect of the state. The colourful dresses,
the heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions and havelis, the diverse and joyous festivals and fairs,
all are symbols of the rich and unique culture of Rajasthan.
The dull and harsh living condition of people in Rajasthan is made a bit colourful and lively
by the multitude of fairs and festivals that are celebrated there. The only way people here enjoy
the simple pleasures of life, is by celebrating each and every occasion and event on a grand
scale. Any festival, big or small, is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy. Rajasthan comes
alive during fairs and important festivals. Monsoons are also the time to indulge in festivity and
grand feasts, as rains are an occasion to celebrate in Rajasthan.
 Unseen Passages 9
The most commonly language spoken in Rajasthan is Hindi. The people of Rajasthan speak
in Rajasthani and Marwari. Hindi is the official language of the state. The people over here are
very religious and follow all rituals and traditions piously. Hinduism is the dominant religion
here followed by Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity. The architecture of the state is also
a very evident aspect of the culture of Rajasthan. The magnificent mansions and havelis speak
volumes about the royal historical grandeur of the place. The forts and palaces are living
testimonies of the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan is famous for its exquisite embroidery. The most unique thing about this
embroidery is that it is totally done by hands and no machines are involved. The designs like
block printing, Zari, Bagaru, Tie and Die, Sanganri are famous all over the world and are also
exported to many countries abroad. The place is also famous for its Kundan and gold jewellery,
brass work, etc. Another famous product of Rajasthan is the famous Rajasthani Bandhni Saris.
Come to Rajasthan and experience the royal cultural heritage of this beautiful state.
Rajasthan is a place that is dominated by hot and dry weather almost throughout the year.
However, there is no such ideal time to visit Rajasthan. The variation between the day and night
is pretty high. This means that though days are hot, the nights can get pretty cold. Each and every
weather and season in Rajasthan is enjoyable and has its own charm.

Difficult Words : culture = the customs, ideas, beliefs of a particular society; unique =
Words
being the only one of its type; topography = the physical characteristics of an area; attires =
dress; palatial = like a palace; mansion = building; harsh = strict; multitude = extremely large
number of people; enthusiasm = greal eagerness for something, zeal; rituals = religious
customs; grandeur = grandness; testimonies = evidences; heritage = traditions, qualities and
culture of a country; exquisite = very beautiful.

Questions
(a) What are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan ? 1
(b) Describe the living conditions of Rajasthani people. 1
(c) What makes the life of Rajasthani people colourful ? 1
(d) Why do the people of Rajasthan follow all rituals and traditions piously? 1
(e) Why is Rajasthani embroidery famous ? 1
(f) How is the weather of Rajasthan ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean............... 3
(g) extremely large number of people (h) traditions, qualities and culture of a country
(i) being the only one of its type.

7. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for human beings. It is required for the synthesis of
intercellular cement “collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body
together. As an oxidant, it acts like a cop in the body, apprehending the rowdy molecules called
free radicals that are naturally formed during various chemical reactions in the body and have
the potential to damage. Vitamin C is also required for dentine formation in the teeth and it also
aids in the absorption of iron from the body.
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Rats have the capacity to synthesise vitamin C with their body whereas human beings are
required to provide it through diet. The richest source of vitamin C is amla . The other sources
are lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomato. While
cooking above 70 degree centrigrade vitamin C gets destroyed.
Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of this vitamin. Due to its deficiency, gums are
swollen or bleeding, bones are weak and readily fractured, delayed wound healing and poor
teeth formation in children result. A balanced diet with vitamin C is the requirement to avoid
scurvy. For pregnant or lactating mothers vitamin C is the remedy.
Each adult is required to consume 75 mg per day; an infant 30 mg per day; a pregnant
woman 100 mg per day; a lactating mother 150 mg per day. Doctors use vitamin C for the
treatment of infections, healing of ulcers, burns and trauma, quick healing of fractures, etc.
However, taking vitamin C tablets on a long-term basis is not without side-effects, like the
reformation of oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to the outer
layer of teeth and rebound scurvy if tablets are stopped abruptly.
Amla with honey is a supertonic, particularly when treated with solar rays since honey is
an ingredient that provides instant energy without consuming insulin for its absorption in the
body. A newly born child in India is first provided with honey to purify his/her internal system
since it acts as antibiotic and also without side-effects.
Most of us are not aware that during World War II a lot of food material was sent to the British
army fighting for and on behalf of the British Government in different parts of the world. In this
food material amla was one of the main ingredients to protect fighting forces from scurvy
disease since during day-time they had to live in bunkers and during night-time they had to
fight. Therefore, they were generally deprived of sunlight which is a major source of vitamins
for human body.
Therefore, vitamin C in the form of amla is the best for human health.

Difficult W ords : ingredient = one of items of food; collagen = the main substance
Words
(protein) found in the parts of an animal's body that connect the organs; cop = police officer;
deficiency = a situation when there is not enough of the people or things that are needed;
abruptly = suddenly; instant = very soon; lactating = (women) producing milk from the body
to feed babies.

Questions
(a) Why is vitamin C important for us ? 1
(b) What are the sources of vitamin C ? 1
(c) What is the cause of the disease scurvy ? 1
(d) How can the disease scurvy be prevented ? 1
(e) What are the side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on long term basis ? 1
(f ) Why was Amla one of the main food ingredients for army people during world
war II ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean............... 3
 Unseen Passages 11
(g) a situation when there is not enough of the people or things that are needed
(h) suddenly (i) a woman producing milk from the breasts to feed a baby.

8. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
Most people find their lives purposeless, wasted and worthless. That is why with an ordinary
illness or some slightly unfavourable situation, the individual prays for an end to his life. In the
opinion of one psychologist, every person thinks of committing suicide more than once in his
life. It is a different thing that he does not develop enough courage to end his life. Even then
some impulsive individuals commit suicide because of petty reasons like failing in examination,
losing a job, quarrels in the family or defeat in a court of law. The number of people committing
suicide because of such reasons is on the increase.
Why do people commit suicide ? Psychologists give various answers to this question. Some
people say that a man gets such a disappointing atmosphere everywhere around him that he
does not find any solution except this. According to some psychiatrists, people with violent
tendencies who are unable to express them, destroy themselves by these tendencies.
Some persons find themselves so much lonely and helpless that they find no benefit in
living and they think, 'Why not to commit suicide ? After all what is there in life ?' Some persons
think of committing suicide during emotional excitement and prepare a plan for suicide during
such a condition.
The main reason for suicide is said to be depression due to physical illness or failure in
examination, love or competition. A tendency of revenge is also said to be behind suicides.
According to this opinon some people commit suicide because of a burden of feeling guilty,
since they are unable to find a solution to get rid of guilty feelings. Many others commit suicide
because they are fed up of old age, rejection by spouse, unemployment, court cases, etc.
The reason for suicide is the experience of worthlessness of this life. It is also true that each
person-not just once but many times- thinks of his life as worthless and many times a burden.
To free himself from this burden, the person thinks of self destruction. The question arises, 'Is
life so much worthless that on account of disappointment in small matters, one should think
of ending it ?' If a self analysis is made seriously, it will be found that every person finds many
times that his life is worthless and burdensome.
Whatever the reason, but the worthlessness of life is felt with such intensity that by ending
it, no difference is felt. Life is like a river, which keeps on flowing from its source to its merger
into the sea.

Difficult Words : impulsive = likely to act suddenly and without thinking; disappointing
Words
= making you feel sad because something was not as good as you hoped; suicide = act of
killing oneself; depression = a feeling of unhappiness; guilty = culprit; fed up = to become
bored or unhappy; spouse = husband and wife; worthlessness = uselessness.

Questions
(a) With what is life compared ? 1
(b) When do people with violent tendency commit suicide ? 1
 12
(c) When do some impulsive individuals commit suicide ? 1
(d) How do most people find their lives ? 1
(e) What is the main reason responsible for depression ? 1
(f ) What is the opinion of one psychologist about committing suicide ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) likely to act suddenly and without thinking
(h) husband or wife
(i) act of killing oneself

9. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Marriage is an important institution of human society. In the remote past of human history
man was living and behaving like an animal. Then he was hardly even aware of his relationship
to his parents, brothers and sisters. In the biological kingdom, this primitive man was even
subordinate in status to the animals, Neither did he have the strength of an elephant nor the
sharp teeth and claws of the carnivore. He did not even have the hard protective hide of the
rhinoceros and could not protect himself by any other extraordinary physical capability.
Nevertheless, he did possess the unique human instinct of cooperation and organization, with
the help of which, he could dominate over the animals besides protecting and proliferating his
own species. But in spite of this natural trait, in absence of permanent arragements for housing,
food and clothes, the primitive man was living in small groups, in large caves and on trees.
Since in those days the institution of family had not come into existence, the relation between
man and woman was different from what it is today, in modern times.
There is little doubt that tradition of marriage has made a significant contribution in
organization and development of human society and with the help of this institution man has
been able to make significant achievements by joining much larger families and thereby
enlarging fields of activities. Giving due importance to this human necessity, the Indian
philosophers declared the ceremony of marriage as a great religious rite, decreeing that the
bond between husband and wife be considered ever-lasting, pious in all activities of life. The
couple were to participate with absolute cooperation, so that their resultant contribution became
many times than even their combined individual input.
This institution of family further enlarged to constitute ethnic groups, which later became
the foundation stones for the various nations of the world. The tradition of marriage was
adopted by people all over the world with ceremonial modifications according to local
requirements and local atmosphere of the region. Nevertheless, the basic framework of the
process continued to be the same in that the suitablity of the would be husband for maiden
was first ascertained by the father of the girl and on his approval, the couple was declared as
man and wife after participating in some religious ceremony. While handing over the
responsibilities for looking after bride (Kanya Dan), the groom was also gifted with articles of
domestic requirements like eatables, clothes and kitchenware.
Nowhere in the scriptures there is reference to the so-called tradition of pre-fixing a dowry
prior to matrimony, entertaining large number of guests from the groom's party or celebrating
the event with pompous dance, music and feasts for days.
 Unseen Passages 13

Difficult Words : primitive = old; carnivore = animal that eats meat; hide = skin;
Words
extraordinary = not ordinary; dominate = to be more powerful than the other; instinct = the
natural force that causes a person to behave in a particular way; trait = feature of personality;
proliferating = to increase quickly in number; pious = pure; absolute = complete; scripture
= religious books; pompous = splendid; ethnic = connected with a particular race.

Questions
(a) How did humans live in the remote past ? 1
(b) What contributed in developing of human society ? 1
(c) What is not mentioned in the scriptures ? 1
(d) Where did the primitive man live ? 1
(e) How could man dominate over animals ? 1
(f) What is Kanya Dan ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) complete (h) animal that eats meat (i) religious books

10. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Today’s woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the
importance of her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world
of work. Women are rational in approach, careful in handling situations and want to do things
as best as possible. The Fourth World Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995
had emphasised that no enduring solution of society’s most threatening social, economic and
political problems could be found without the participation and empowerment of women. The
1995 World Summit for Social Development had also emphasised the pivotal role of women in
eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.
The Constitution of India has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities – political
social, educational and of employment—with men. Because of oppressive traditions,
superstitions, exploitation and corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the
rights and opportunities, bestowed on them. One of the major reasons for this state of affairs
is the lack of literacy and awareness among women. Education is the main instrument through
which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and accelerate the process of economic and
political change in the status of women.
The role of women in a society is very important. Women’s education is the key to a better
life in the future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good
economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. The
report says that the economic and social returns on investment in education of the girls
considerably affect the human development index of the nation. Society would progress only
if the status of women is respected and the presence of an educated woman in the family would
ensure education of the family itself. Education and empowerment of women are closely related.
Women’s education has not received due care and attention from the planners and policy
makers. The National Commission for Women has rightly pointed out that even after so many
 14

years of independence, women continue to be treated as the single largest group of backward
citizens of India. The role of women in overall development has not been fully understood nor
has it been given its full weight in the struggle to eliminate poverty, hunger, injustice and
inequality at the national level. Even when we are living in the 21st century, our society still
discriminates against women in matters of their rights and privileges and prevents them from
participating in the process of national and societal progress. Various committees and
commissions have been constituted before and after the independence to evaluate the progress
in women’s education and to suggest ways and means to enhance the status of women.

Difficult Words : dignity = the quality of being serious and formal; domain = field (of
Words
work); rational = logical; emphasise = stress; endure = to bear pain silently; empowerment
= the act of given power; pivotal = basic; social fabric = social structure; oppressive =
controlling by force; bestow = to give something; prevail = exist at a particular time; accelerate
= to make something go faster; threshold = on the starting point of some event; discriminate
= to treat someone wore than others; eradicate = bring to a complete end.

Questions
(a) Mention some of the qualities of a modern woman. 1
(b) Who has conferred equal rights and opportunities on women ? 1
(c) Where and when was the Fourth World Conference of Women held ? 1
(d) Which is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing
inequality for women? 1
(e) Mention the recent World Bank study, according to the passage. 1
(f ) Why have various committees and commissions been constituted before and after
the independence ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) controlling by force
(h) to make something go faster
(i) bring to a complete end

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
In India, March 8th has been Women’s Day for several decades. It received a major boost
during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later, Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, who
made it a practice to invite a large number of ‘women of substance' to a celebratory get-together
in Delhi. As more and more Indian women become aware of their equal status and right to
education and opportunity, March 8th acquires a greater and wider significance. Today, as 21st
century Indian women celebrate their awesome achievements, they continue to spell out their
dream for the future of the country. March 8th becomes a symbolic day for recognizing their
vision and contribution to the building of India. In the last few years, Women’s Day celebrations
have encouraged them to come together in innumerable seminars, and networking gatherings.
It is a time when powerful men from all walks of life pay rich tributes to Indian women. An
example is a priceless remark made by Amitabh Bachchan. He said, “It is clear that the 21st
century belongs to women. They have earned every bit of the power and glory they are enjoying
and men should applaud their achievements wholeheartedly.”
 Unseen Passages 15
Indian women have discovered three magical mantras of life in the last decade! These are;
One : Beauty and glamour are their birthright. Two : Women are no longer the worst enemies
of women. In fact, they can network, mentor one another and reach unprecedented heights of
achievement. Three : Energy is a stretchable concept.
Based on these three discoveries, women have upgraded their goals and literally covered
every field of endeavour with glory and pride. They have shown beyond doubt, that as the world
opens new windows of options and opportunities at the speed of light, they are smart, beautiful
and savvy enough to rise to the occasion and turn the tide of fortune in their favour. The success
of India’s beautiful women has also created a huge revolution in the fashion, fitness and beauty
industries. Fashion designers of the eighties, who limited their designs to various looks in the
basic Salwar Kameez, have acquired a splendid great innovation in the last ten years. Many
women designers like Ritu Kumar, Ritu Beri, Monisha Jaisingh, Anna Singh, Neeta Lulla and
others gave Indian fashion-wear a brand new definition. Today, Indian designers not only sell
their collections each season in India, but they also export their styles to many countries in the
UK, US, Europe and Australia and hold shows in the fashion weeks held in many of the world’s
fashion capitals like Milan and Paris.

Difficult Words : boost = increase; status = the social position of somebody in relation
Words
to others; awesome = excellent; innumerable = so many; tribute = something that you say
to show that you admire somebody; glamour = act of attraction; unprecedented = happened
never before; energy is a stretchable concept = you can enhance your energy and power as
much as you like; endeavour = hard worked action; savvy = having practical know ledge of
something; export = sell goods to another countries; innovation = creating new things and
ideas.

Questions
(a) What is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian women? 1
(b) Name the fashion capitals of the world. 1
(c) When do we celebrate Women’s Day in India? 1
(d) What is responsible for the revolution in the fashion in India? 1
(e) When did the Women’s Day celebration receive a major boost? 1
(f) What kind of fashion was prevalent during eighties? 1
Find out a word from the passage the which means : 3
(g) sell goods to another country.
(h) having practical knowledge of something.
(i) the social position of somebody in relation to others.

12. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
Rajasthan is India’s largest state, located on its north-western border with Pakistan. It is
surrounded by the states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and the Punjab.
Rajasthan is bisected by the Aravalli hills, dividing it into two distinct landscapes. On the west
is Rajasthan’s unique feature, the Thar Desert, an area of sand, scrub and thorn. The other is the
region to the east of the Aravallis, which is more rain-fed and hospitable.
 16

The culture of Rajasthan is defined by the Rajputana kingdoms that ruled it for centuries;
the word Rajput meaning sons of royalty. The Thar Desert region saw the Desert Kingdoms of
Marwar; modern Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner. The east saw the kingdoms of Mewar; modern
Chittor and Udaipur, Amber; modern Amber and Jaipur and Hadoti : modern Bundi, Kota and
Jhalawar among many others. As a result, Rajasthan has a larger concentration of forts, palaces,
and royal riches than any other place in India. This is the reason why tourism is a primary pillar
of the economy; apart from agriculture and cattle rearing. Several palaces or abandoned fortresses
have been converted to Heritage Hotels to attract visitors and provide an income for the
erstwhile princes.
The capital Jaipur, with its many imposing buildings made of rosy sandstone, is called Pink
City. The City Palace Complex and the Hawa Mahal are examples of Rajasthani-Mughal
architecture. The old parts of town offer shopping such as jewellery, hand-dyed clothes, precious
stones and craftwork. Jaipur has an international airport.
Udaipur has many lakes, lakeside palaces, and the largest palace complex (City Palace) in
Rajasthan. Jaisalmer Fort is made of yellow sandstone and thus it’s called the Golden Fort.
Jaisalmer also gives access to pristine sand dunes of Sam and Khuri, with camel safaris and
nomadic music. The Amber Fort (near Jaipur, 16th century); the Chittor Fort; Junagarh Fort (at
Bikaner); Mehrangarh Fort, (at Jodhpur, 15th century) are among the main fortress attractions.
The Shekhawati region in the north-east offers painted havelis belonging to old business
families. Ranthambore and Sariska National Parks are for tiger reserves while Keoladeo Ghana
National Park (Bharatpur) is a bird-rich wetland, where over 375 species of migratory birds visit
every year. Mt Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan.
Home to over 500 temples of all sizes, Puskhar is revered for its spiritual significance.
Brahma Temple is the main attraction here. Pushkar being the only place in the world where
Lord Brahma is worshipped. The hilltop temple has a red spire with a symbol of hans or swan
at the entrance. The one hour trek uphill offers good views of the lake.

Difficult Words : bisected = was divided in two parts; scrub = area full of bushes; royalty
Words
= members of the royal family; reserve = shelter; hospitable = a place fit for living;
concentration = collection; pillar = (here) main source; rearing = looking after; abandoned =
left; erstwhile = former/of old times; pristine = extremely fresh and clean; sand dunes = dunes
of sand; safari = a trip in the forest area; nomadic = members of a tribe who move with their
animals from place to place; spire = a tall pointed tower on the top of the temple; abandoned
= left permanently, (here) rejected for always; fortress = a castle or other large strong building
that it is not easy to attack.

Questions
(a) What is the main attraction of Pushkar ? 1
(b) Where are the painted havelis found ? 1
(c) How many species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year ? 1
(d) What does Udaipur offer ? 1
(e) What does the word 'Rajput' mean ? 1
(f ) Name the states which surround Rajasthan. 1
 Unseen Passages 17
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) to leave somebody/something permanently.
(h) a tall pointed tower on the top of the church.
(i) easily seen or clear.

13. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : (Literary)
Gandhiji was a first-class nurse to the sick. Where he picked up nursing was a mystery. He
certainly did not pass through a nursing school. As in many other things, when nursing became
necessary to him in life, he learned it by the hard way of experience. In the Ashram at Sabarmati,
all sick persons came directly under his eye and care. Doctors were, of course, consulted; but
the care of the sick, Gandhiji arranged in person. It was a joke, especially among the people in
the Ashram that if you wanted to see Gandhiji every day and talk to him and hear him crack
jokes, you had only to be ill and get into bed ! For Gandhiji visited the sick every day, spent
a few minutes at every bed-side, himself saw to things carefully and never failed to crack a joke
or two with the patient. There was no day, too busy for Gandhiji to attend sick persons.
There was once a young lad who went down with dysentery. He had done his best to
accustom himself to Ashram food, but failed. He had a great liking for coffee. But in the Ashram
there was no coffee for him nor was coffee allowed. In good time, he got rid of his dysentery
and was now recovering. Gandhiji visited him for a few minutes every day during his usual
rounds. Those few minutes were like a tonic to the poor lad.
He pined for a cup of good coffee. One day he was lying on his back dreaming of it when
he heard the welcome sound of the wooden sandals of Gandhiji. A minute later Gandhiji
entered with his never-failing smile and cheering word.
He looked at the lad and said, "Now you are decidedly better. You must have recovered your
appetite. What would you like to eat ? Ah ! some good uppama or dosai ?"
Gandhiji evidently knew all about the lad's partiality for these two good old South Indian
dishes. Gandhiji was laughing. The youngster had a sudden brain-wave.
"Could I have a cup of coffee, please," he blurted out.
Gandhiji answered with a peal of laughter, "Oh, you old sinner, that is what you want !" And
then seeing the look on the lad's face, he added, "You certainly shall have your cup of coffee.
Yes, light coffee will soothe your stomach. And what will you have with the coffee ? I don't think
we can make uppama or dosai, but warm toast would go well with coffee. I shall send you a
tray."
Gandhiji's cottage was at the other end of the Ashram. Gandhiji himself prepared the coffee
because his wife was taking rest. It was an untimely hour. He did not want to give unnecessary
trouble to anyone. Coffee was light but excellent. The young lad was troubled when he thought
that he had given trouble to Gandhiji to prepare coffee and toast for him.

Difficult Words : picked up = learnt; mystery = something that is difficult to understand

Words
or to explain; crack jokes = to make jokes; accustom = being used to; pined for = had a great
desire; evidently = clearly; partiality = liking; soothe = to make peaceful; brain wave = high
thoughts, some new plan; blurted out = said something without thinking; a peal of laughter
= loud laughter;
 18
Questions
(a) What was a mystery ? 1
(b) What was the joke about Gandhiji ? 1
(c) What was served with coffee ? 1
(d) Why was the young lad troubled ? 1
(e) Where was Gandhiji's cottage in the Ashram? 1
(f )Why did Gandhiji himself prepare coffee? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) something that is difficult to understand or to explain
(h) being used to
(i) learnt

14. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
Whose woods these are I think, I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farm house near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Questions
(a) Where does the owner of the woods live ? 1
(b) Who wishes to stop and where ? 1
(c) What type of evening was that of the year ? 1
(d) Why does the horse think that the rider has made some mistake ? 1
(e) What other sounds did the poet hear in woods ? 1
(f ) Why did the horse shake its harness bells ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) covered with ice
(h) the leatherwork by which a horse is controlled
(i) beautiful
 Unseen Passages 19
15. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (Literary)
Prince Siddhartha, the son of king Suddhodan, lived a very happy life in the pleasure-palace.
He was married to a beautiful princess, Yashodhara. There was music, dancing and pleasure all
around him. He knew nothing of want, pain, disease, old age or death.
One day a veena was put on the window sill. The wind touched the strings and it produced
a music. The prince heard that the Devas were playing on the veena. He heard them giving a
message. The voices of the wind told the prince that he was born to save mankind. The world
was waiting for him. He should leave worldly love to save humanity from miseries of life. He
felt a great desire to see the vast world outside the pleasure-palace.
When the king came to know of the prince's desire, he ordered that the whole city should
be decorated beautifully. The prince should not see any ugly and painful sight. No blind, sick,
old person or a leper should come out. So the city of Kapilvastu was decorated in a very fine
way. It looked quite clean and attractive – 'a capital of some enchanted land'. The people
welcomed the prince joyfully. The prince also felt happy to see people's joy.
Then the prince saw an old man. He was wearing dirty and torn clothes. He was very lean
and thin. He looked very tired and weak. He had no teeth. The prince asked his charioteer,
Channa, who that man was. Channa told him that he was an old man. The prince asked if old
age would come to all. Channa told him that it would. This made the prince very sad. He ordered
Channa to return to the palace. He did not take food. The entire night he was sleepless,
uncomforted.
That night the king saw a very fearful dream. He dreamed seven signs of fear. He was much
disturbed. He lost all peace of mind. He called dream-readers to explain the meaning of the
seven visions but none of them could explain the meaning. At last an old hermit came to the
palace. He said that the seven fears were seven joys. The prince would shine like the sun. He
would leave the world and give a new message of hope and love for the suffering humanity.
The king became very sad. For the prince's second trip, he doubled the number of guards
at all the doors of the palace. He tried his best to divert the mind of the prince but his efforts
were of no use. The Prince desired to see the city once more. The king gave permission for it.
The next day, the prince dressed like a merchant and Channa in the dress of his clerk went out
to see the city once more. The prince saw all kinds of people and all the common things.
The prince saw a sick man. He was painfully crying for help. He asked Channa why the man
was crying. Channa told him that he (the sick man) was suffering from a fatal disease. The
disease would destroy all his powers. Then he would die. Channa further told the prince that
all grow old, fall sick and die.
Then the prince saw a dead body being carried towards the river bank. He saw a group of
people. They were crying, 'Ram, Ram satya hai'. The sight of the dead man and his cremation
moved the prince deeply. Channa told him that no man is immortal. All must die.
The prince was greatly troubled in mind. He said that he would try to remove suffering from
the world. He then asked Channa to return home as he had seen enough.

Difficult Words : sill = threshold; strings = wires; miseries = sufferings; enchanted =

Words
influenced as by charms; lean and thin = weak; charioteer = one who drives a chariot;
cremation = the act of burning the body of a dead person; immortal = living or lasting for
ever.
 20
Questions
(a) How was the old man looking ?
(b) What did the prince decide finally ?
(c) Why did the king order to decorate the whole city beautifully ?
(d) What did the prince not know initially ?
(e) What did the old hermit say ?
(f ) What did the voices of wind tell the prince ?
Find out a word from the passage which means :
(g) influenced as by charms.
(h) the act of burning a dead body
(i) living and lasting for ever

16. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Make in India campaign was launched in New Delhi by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on 25th of September in 2014. It is an initiative to make a call to the top business investors all
across the world (national or international) to invest in India. It is a big opportunity to all the
investors to set up their business (manufacturing, textiles, automobiles, production, retail,
chemicals, IT, ports, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, tourism, wellness, railways, leather, etc.) in any
field in the country. This attractive plan has very attractive proposals for the foreign companies
to set up manufacturing powerhouses in India.
Make in India campaign launched by the Indian government focuses on building the
effective physical infrastructure as well as improving the market of digital network in the country
to make it a global hub for business (ranging from satellites to submarines, cars to softwares,
pharmaceuticals to ports, paper to power, etc). They symbol (derived from national emblem of
India) of this initiative is a giant lion having many wheels (indicates peaceful progress and way
to a vibrant future). A giant walking lion with many wheels indicates courage, strength, tenacity
and wisdom. The page of Make in India on the Facebook has crossed more than 120K likes and
its twitter followers are more than 13K within few months of the launching date.
This national program is designed to transform the country into a global business hub as
it contains attractive proposals for top local and foreign companies. This campaign focuses on
creating a number of valuable and honoured jobs as well as skill enhancement in almost 25
sectors for improving the status of youths of the country. The sectors involved are automobiles,
chemicals, IT & BPM, aviation, pharmaceuticals, construction, electrical machinery, food
processing, defense manufacturing, space, textiles, garments, ports, leather, media and
entertainment, wellness, mining, tourism and hospitality, railways, authomobile components,
renewable energy, mining, bio-technology, roads and highways, electronics systems and thermal
power.
The successful implementation of this plan will help in the creation of 100 smart cities
project and affordable housing in India. The main objective is to ensure solid growth and
valuable employment creation in the country with the help of top investors. It will benefit both
parties, the investors and our country. The government of India has created a dedicated help
team and an online portal (makeinindia.com) for the easy and effective communication of
investors. A dedicated cell is committed to answer all the queries from business entities anytime.
 Unseen Passages 21

Difficult Words : campaign = abhiyan; launched = started; set up = to establish; hub =

Words
a centre; submarines = a type of ship that can travel under the water as well as on the surface;
derived = taken; giant = huge; tenacity = firmness; aviation = the designing, building and
flying of aircraft; affordable = tolerable; objective = aim; ensure = to make sure; cell = branch;
committed = dedicated; entities = companies.

Questions
(a) What is the symbol of Make in India campaign ? 1
(b) What does the symbol of Make in India indicate ? 1
(c) What will the successful implementation of Make in India help to achieve ? 1
(d) Who and when was Make in India compaign launched ? 1
(e) What is the main objective of Make in India campaign ? 1
(f) What has the Government of India created for the easy and effective communication
of investors ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) The designing, building and flying of aircraft
(h) huge
(i) a centre of activity

17. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a Clean India drive and Mission launched as a national campaign
by the Indian government in order to cover the 4041 statutory towns aiming maintained
cleanliness of streets, roads and infrastructure of the country. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra
Modi has officially launched this mission on 2nd of October (the birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi) in 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi (Bapu's Samadhi). While launching the event Prime
Minister himself had cleaned the road. It is the biggest cleanliness drive ever in India when
approximately 3 million government employees including students from schools and colleges
took part in the cleanliness activities.
On the day of launch of the event the PM himself nominated the names of nine people to
participate in the cleanliness drive in their own areas : Salman Khan, Anil Ambani, Kamal
Haasan, Kapil Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Baba Ramdeo, Sachin Tendulkar and Shashi Tharoor.
Schools and colleges have participated in the event by organizing many cleanliness activities
according to their own themes. Students of India participated in this event. PM had also requested
all those nine nominees to call another nine people separately to participate in this cleanliness
drive as well as continue the chain of calling nine people by each and every participating
member of the mission until the message reaches to the every Indian in every corner of the
country to make it a national mission.
This mission aimed to join each and every Indian from all walks of life in the same way
that a tree grows and spreads its branches. Swachh Bharat Mission aims to construct individual
sanitary latrines for household purposes for the people living under poverty line, convert dry
latrines. into low-cost sanitary latrines, provide facility of hand pumps, safe and secure bathing,
set up sanitary marts, construct drains, dispose off solid and liquid wastes, enhance health and
 22
education awareness, provide household and environmental sanitation facilities and many
more.
Earlier, many awareness programmes (such as Total Sanitation Campaign, Nirmal Bharat
Abhiyan, etc.) about the environmental sanitation and personal cleanliness were launched by
the Indian government. However these could not be so effective to make India a clean India.
The main objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are removing the trend of open defecation,
changing insanitary toilets into flush toilets, removal of manual scavenging, proper disposal of
solid and liquid waste, bringing behavioural changes among people, enhancing awareness
about sanitation, facilitating the participation of private sectors twoards cleanliness facilities.
In order to continue and make this campaign successful, Finance Ministry of India has
started a programme named Swachh Bharat Cess. According to this, everyone has to pay 0.5%
more service tax on all the services in India (50 paise per 100 rupees) which will go towards
funding of this cleanliness campaign.

Difficult Words : drive = mission; launched = was started; statutory = legal; approximately
Words
= almost; participate =to take part; set up = to establise; disposal = the act of getting rid of
something or throwing something not useful away; objectives = aim; defecation = act of
getting rid of waste from the body, going to the toilet; scavenging = remove garbage;
participation = taking part.

Questions
(a) What is the rate of Swachh Bharat Cess ? 1
(b) What is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ? 1
(c) Why has the PM himself nominated the names of nine people ? 1
(d) How many persons took part in the cleanliness drive ? 1
(e) What did the PM do when he launched the campaign ? 1
(f ) Where and when was the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) taking part
(h) establish
(i) the act of getting rid of something

18. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Digital India is a programme that has been launched by the Prime Minister of India,
Narendra Modi. He has planned to use information technology, computers, tele-communication
facilities, internet, network connectivity, digitalization techniques to modernize the services
offered to citizens. Digital India also aims to provide internet connectivity to all citizens.
Digital India will provide digital vaults (safes) for people to store their certificates online.
Each person will have one unique private key, that will allow people access to their own
documents. Applications will be made and processed online. The possibility of fake certificates
will reduce and authenticity would improve.
Digital training on these technologies will be provided for achieving literacy in citizens.
Mobile phones will be used as the personal identity for various transactions. People in rural or
 Unseen Passages 23
urban areas will have access to all digital services and the Internet of things (IoT) on their
mobiles or other gadgets.
Digital India will have more transparency in the processes and governance. It will eliminate
a lot of cheating. The documents will also remain safe. This program will increase employment
related to these technologies. A lot of activities will become automated, with quality of service
improving. This program also will make Indians go to a higher level of literacy and technical
skills.
This program is chaired and supervised by the minister for communications and information
technology at the centre. Its aim is to provide Wifi services to 2.5 lakh schools, Broadband
internet connectivity to 2.5 lakh villages, and universal mobile phone connectivity. Through this
program by 2020 we want to achieve net zero imports, ie., exports will be equal to imports.
Then 400,00 public access points for net will be provided and more than a crore persons
are to be trained in internet technologies, telecom, information technologies. There is to be a
huge cloud of computers and servers to hold data related to the public. Broadband connectivity
will be provided with a vast network of optical fibre cables. All government offices would have
attendance recorded and maintained online, using Bio-metric identification.
There is a lot of importance given to making of digital gadgets and smart phones within
India. Various technological giants in hardware and software in telecom and computers, have
agreed to step in and cooperate in making Digital India a grand success. These include the top
Indian and multinational organizations.
Digital India has 5 years of expected completion period. It goes hand in hand with smart
cities and various government services. An internet website has been opened for this purpose.
People can contribute, discuss over there to furnish their valuable suggestions and requirements
so that the final shape of Digital India is the best.

Difficult Words : reduce = make something less; access = a way of entering a place;
Words
gadgets = a device that is very useful for a particular job; transparency = act of seeing through;
eliminated = removed something that was not wanted; chaired = presided; provide = to make
available; import = commodities bought from a foreign country; export = commodities sent
to foreign country; hand in hand = together; contribute = to give something.

Questions
(a) How long will it take to complete Digital India ? 1
(b) How will digitalization help government offices ? 1
(c) By whom and when was digital India programme launched ? 1
(d) Why was a Digital week celebrated ? 1
(e) How will be the data of the public held ? 1
(f) What will be used as the personal identity for various transactions ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) a device that is very useful for a particular job.
(h) removed something that was not wanted.
(i) commodities bought from a foreign country.
 24
19. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
You want to be healthy. You know you need to exercise more. But if you are not ready to
grunt through an hour of kick-boxing, don't despair. There is a growing agreement among
exercise researchers that the intense physical activities offered by most health clubs are not the
only–or even the preferable–path to better health. Indeed, the best thing for most of us may be
to just walk.
Yes, walk. At a reasonable vigorous clip (five to six kmph) for half an hour or so, may be
five or six times a week. You may not feel the benefits all at once, but the evidence suggests that
over the long term, a regular walking routine can do a world of preventive good.
Walking, in fact, may be the perfect exercise. For starters, it's one of the safest things you
can do with your body. It's much easier on the knees than running and doesn't trigger untoward
side effects. Dr (Miss) Johna Manson, chief of preventive medicine at a leading Harvard woman's
hospital says, "If everyone were to walk briskly 30 minutes a day, we could cut the incidence
of many chronic diseases by 30 to 40 per cent." She further says, ''Regular physical activity is
probably as close to a magic bullet as we will come in modern medicine."
And for those of us who don't have half-hour chunks of time, the news gets even better.
Several recent studies suggest that walking briskly three or four times a day for 10 minutes at
a time may provide many of the same benefits as walking continuously for 30 minutes.
Here's how to make the most of your walking routine. First, get into gear. Walker's shoes
need to have enough room at the front for the feet to spread. Then, ease on down that road.
Avoid muscle aches by starting slowly and incorporating gentle stretches into both your warm-
up and cool down. You must plot your course. Some people walk at a specific time each day.
Others shoe horn walking into their routines by parking the car a few minutes from the store
or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Record your efforts, including how long and how far you
walked. Jotting down improvements keeps you motivated and challenges you to do better.
Since walking affects you in so many ways at once, it's difficult to determine precisely why
it's good for you. But much of the evidence gathered so far is compelling.
Brisk walking is good for the heart—which makes a lot of sense. The heart is a muscle after
all, and anything that makes the blood flow faster through a muscle helps keep it in shape. But
regular walking also lowers blood pressure, which decreases the stress on the arteries. It can
boost the amount of HDL cholesterol (the good one) in our blood. It even seems to make the
blood less "sticky", and therefore less likely to produce unwanted clots. This all adds up to as
much as a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of suffering a heart attack.

Difficult Words : grunt = to express a word of dissatisfaction; vigorous = active; evidence

Words
= proof; trigger = start; untoward = against; briskly = fastly; chronic = old; chunk = a large
quantity; jotting down = while writing down; motivated = inspired; precisely = accurately;
so far = up to now; compelling = enforcing; boost = increase.

Questions
(a) What advice is offered to be healthy ? 1
(b) What precautions must be taken in undertaking a walking routine ? 1
(c) How is brisk walking useful for heart ? 1
 Unseen Passages 25
(d) What does Dr (Miss) Johna Manson say about walking ? 1
(e) What kind of walking is advised for those who don't have enough time for normal
walking ? 1
(f) What do exercise researchers say about health clubs ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) proof
(h) active
(i) increase

20. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Today there is a lot of talk about the environment. All nations are coming to an agreement
to save planet earth. We pollute the earth, we pollute the water; we also pollute the subtle
environment through our negative feelings and emotions. We have become a victim of our greed
and needs. We are not in control of our mind. We hear a lot about other things in life but we
spend very little time to hear about ourselves. How to handle our mind ? How to be in the
present moment ? How to be happy and grateful ? This we have not learnt. This is the most
unfortunate thing. Then what is the solution ? This is where we are reminded of a very
fundamental principle that governs our environment, our mind, our emotions and our life in
general.
Our body has the capactiy to sustain much longer the vibration of bliss and peace than it
does negative emotions because positivity is in the centre of our existence. As with the structure
of atom, protons and neutrons are in the centre of the atom and electrons constitute only the
periphery; the same is with our lives; the centre core of our existence is bliss, positivity and joy
but it is surrounded by a cloud of negative ions. Through the help of the breath we can easily
get over our negative emotions in a short period of time. Through meditation and certain
breathing techniques, we can clear this negative cloud.
This life has so much to offer to you. You can see this once you take some time off,
rejuvenating the soul. Your soul is hungry for a smile from you. If you could give this, you feel
energised the whole year and nothing whatsoever can take the smile from you.
Everyone wants to be successful in life. But without knowing what is success, you want to
be successful. What is the sign of success ? Just having a lot of money, is that success ? Why do
you think money means success ? Because money gives you freedom so that you can do
whatever you want. You may have a big bank balance, but, you have stomachaches, ulcers, you
may have to go for bypass surgery; cant' eat this, can't do this, can't do that. We expend half our
health to gain wealth and then spend half our wealth to gain back the lost health. Is this
success ? Infact, it is very bad mathematics.
Look at the those who claim to be successful— are they successful ? No, they are miserable.
Then, what is the sign of success ? It is confidence, compassion, generosity and a smile that none
can snatch away, being really happy and being able to be more free. These are the signs of a
successful person.
Take some time off to look a little deeper into yourself and calm the mind down. Thus
erasing all the impressions that we are carrying in our minds and experience the presence of
the divine that is the very core of our existence.
 26

Difficult Words : handle = tackle; grateful = thankful; fundamental = basic; sustain =

Words
bear; periphery = the outer area; core = centre; rejuvenating = making more vital; energised
= to encourage; compassion = strong feeling of empathy; generosity = the quality of being
generous; erasing = removing something completely.

Questions
(a) What is the most unfortunate thing ? 1
(b) How can we get rid of our negative emotions ? 1
(c) What is 'Bad Mathematics', according to the passage ? 1
(d) What are the main signs of a successful person ? 1
(e) What is said about the environment ? 1
(f ) How are we not in control of our mind ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) the outer area
(h) bear
(i) making more vital

21. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : Factual)
Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much
grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning
him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym for valour,
sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput Kingdom even before Maharana
Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects,
had established such traditions in the kingdom as augmented their magnificence despite the
hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a
few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again
flew high in the sky. Thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.
The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were
competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years
since its establishment, right from the region of Bappa Rawal. In fact only 60 years before
Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga lifted the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went
beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a
new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature
and art also progressed extraordinarily. The Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his
works are read with reverence even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the
creation of high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome
of a long-standing tradition sustained by several generations.
The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long
span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been
possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature. They compensate
for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar
remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people.
 Unseen Passages 27
One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of
Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall
in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of the brave but
also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and
creative works of litterateurs and artists did not suffer. Imagine, how glorious the period must
have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is a glorioas example of our great ancient architecture
even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how
liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms
to come and carry out construction work. It is pointless to indulge in the debate whether the
Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are
standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial
in raising the kingdom to the height of glory. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar — the
land of the brave, started waning. Later, the Ranas tried to save the day with their later acumen
which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for some time.

Difficult Words : accomplished = completed; glory = the act of being famous; valour =
Words
courage; occupied = sat on the throne; nobles = people belonging to the highest social class;
tradition = custom; augmented = increased the value; magnificence = grandness; despite =in
spile of; thorny = painful; sliding = creeping; firm = strong; ambience = atmosphere; astonishing
= surprising; testimony = proof; aggression = attack; flourished = became prosperous; liberal
= generous; reveal = express; proximity = nearness; crucial = important; waning = becoming
gradually weaker; acumen = the ability to understand and decide quickly.

Questions
(a) How was the life of the people of Mewar ? 1
(b) How long did Maharana Pratap rule ? 1
(c) How can it be said that the destiny of Mewar was good ? 1
(d) What is pointless to debate ? 1
(e) How did Rana Kumbha give a new stature to the kingdom of Mewar ? 1
(f) Where can exquisite workmanship be seen in Mewar ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) painful
(h) becoming gradually weaker
(i) in spite of

22. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
The role of friends plays in our lives has become significantly greater than at any other time
in our history. Today many of us live and work at great distances from where we were born or
we grew up and are separated from our original families. The pain we feel when we are away
from our families can be significant.
The happiness of the individual relies on friendships which form a necessary human
connection. It is perfectly normal to need and want friends and depression is more prevalent
 28
among those who lack friends. Such people lack the intimacy and richness, friends can bring
into their lives. Frequently, friends reflect similar values to us. Yet these values are often different
from the ones we grew up with; they are the values we created for ourselves in our adult lives.
Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances
one has, the greater are one's communication skills. Some call these, people skills.
Like watering a plant, we nourish our friendships (and all our relationships) by nurturing
them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships, if they are to continue. These
relationships can be delightfully non-judgemental, supportive, understanding and fun.
Sometimes friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in any other
relationship. This may be because the pressure of playing a 'role' (daughter, partner or child)
is removed. With a friend you are able to be yourself and free to change. Of course you are free
to do this in all other relationships as well, but in friendships you get to have lots of rehearsals
and discussion about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional experience where
you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the fear
of hurting a family member. How do friendships grow ? The answer is simple. By revealing
yourself; being attentive; remembering what is most important to your friend and asking them
about it; putting yourself in their position; showing sympathy; seeing the world through the eyes
of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All this means learning to accept a
person from a completely different family to your own or perhaps someone from completely
different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and
acceptance for our own differences.
Friendships are made by being considerate which needs communication skills, e.g. active
listening skills, questioning skills, negotiation skills, reflection skills, emotional skills, and editing
yourself.
Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself because a friend can reflect
back to you how you come across in the world. They also allow you to practise skills in dealing
with 'personal boundaries' by looking after yourself as well as your friend. They help you
develop resilience in relation to the wider social world beyond your family.

Difficult Words : significantly = very important or large enough to be noticed; relies =

Words
depends; depression = sad feelings of gloom; intimacy = closeness; fundamental = basic;
acquaintances = known; delightfully = happily; rehearsal = a form of practice; revealing =
expressing; tolerance = act of bearing; considerate = thoughtful.

Questions
(a) How do friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself ? 1
(b) What is necessary if we want to continue friendships ? 1
(c) In what does the happiness of the individual rely ? 1
(d) What is fundamental in all friendships ? 1
(e) How is friendship better than any others relationship ? 1
(f ) What kind of pressure is removed in friendship ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) large enough to be noticed
 Unseen Passages 29
(h) sad feelings of gloom
(i) depends

23. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
Rabindranath Tagore's stature, the stature of our country is in the eyes of the world. A
versatile genius, a literary artist, an educator, a composer, a singer, an actor, Tagore had all the
gifts of Nature and fortunes in his favours. Born in a renowned Hindu family, Tagore pleaded
not only for concord with the past but also for freedom from the past. All healthy growth needs
continuity and change. We are not free unless our minds are liberated from dead forms, tyrannical
restrictions and crippling social habits. Tagore condemned many of our reprehensible social
practices. He believed that the essence of life lies in perpetual renewal and rededication to self
development. Tagore did not live in an ivory tower. He led a procession in 1905 through the
streets of Calcutta singing his song, "Are you so mighty as to cut as under the bond forged by
Providence ?" Millions of voices have sung the National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana,' calling upon
us to nourish the unity of our country and be devoted to it. He was not only a playwright but
a novelist and a story teller, a nationalist and an internationalist. As if these activities were not
enough, he turned towards painting in his later years. He rejected traditional canons and
experimented with new forms and color compositions. We honour him not only for this many
sided genius but also for his guidance and work in this troubled world. Tagore's mission was
one of reconciliation between East and West in a spirit of understanding and mutual
enlightenment. For India, unity is truth and division is evil. The poet's name is symbolic of the
light of the day. The sun which dispels the mist of darkness and the clouds of suspicion restores
health to the human system.
Though his work was rooted in Indian soil, his mind ranged across the world and hence
had a universal appeal. Tagore's writings have been translated into many languages, but even
the best translations do not bring out the music and melody or the force of the original. As
Tagore was born at a difficult stage when India was in a revolutionary mood, he participated
in the movement revolting against social, political and religious institutions. He was perpetually
convinced of the validity and vitality of the fundamental ideals set forth by the seers and saints
of India. Tagore's philosophy was one of wholeness and unity. For Tagore–God, Man and Nature
are bound together in a single unity. He was not a dreamer or a visionary. He kept constant vigil
over the world. He was a great sentinel as Gandhi called him. The moral health of a nation
depended on the inspiration the people derived from their poets and artists. Asceticism for
Tagore meant self control and not abstention from worldly activities. Very early in his life when
he was seventeen, he had the need to control his emotions. He was not an unworldly siant. He
had a tough earthly quality. The ideals of social life, economic pursuits, and the enjoyment of
beauty should be cultivated equally. Water surrounds the lotus flower but does not wet its petals.
Even so, human beings should work in this world without being affected by it. For Tagore, as
for Gandhi, the measure of man's greatness lies in a happy blend of contemplation and action.
For Tagore, as for Gandhi, the measure of man's greatness is not his material passions but the
truth in him which is universal. His voice was the conscience of our age. He bequeathed to the
country and the world a life that had no littleness about it.
 30

Difficult Words : stature = the status or prestige; versatile = having many skills and
Words
knowledge of many fields; crippling = making unable to move; reprehensible = hateful;
canons = theory; enlightenment = awareness; seers = Rishies of ancient India; contemplation
= thinking deeply;

Questions
(a) Who was Rabindranath Tagore ? 1
(b) What was Tagore's plea ? 1
(c) Tagore was a versatile genius. How ? 1
(d) What is the message given in the National Anthem composed by Tagore ? 1
(e) How should human beings work in this world ? 1
(f ) What was Tagore's mission in life ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) able to do many different things
(h) never ceasing
(i) energy or enthusiasm

24. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
Air pollution is an issue which concerns us all alike. One can willingly choose or reject a
food, a drink or a life comfort, but unfortunately there is little choice for the air we breathe. All,
what is there in the air is inhaled by one and all living in those surroundings.
Air pollutant is defined as a substance which is present in an amount exceeding the normal
concentrations. It could either be gaseous or a particulate substance. The important and harmful
polluting gases are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
The common particulate pollutants are the dusts of various inorganic or organic origins. Although
we often talk of the air pollution caused by industrial and vehicluar exhausts, the indoor
pollution may prove to be as or a more important cause of health problems. Recognition of air
pollution is relatively recent. It is not uncommon to experience a feeling of 'suffocation' in a
closed environment. It is often ascribed to the lack of oxygen. Fortunately, however, the
composition of air is remarkably constant all over the world. There is about 79 per cent nitrogen
and 21 per cent oxygen in the air – the other gases forming a very small fraction. It is true that
carbon dioxide exhaled out of lungs may accumulate in a closed and over-crowded place. But
such an increase is usually small and temporary unless the room is really air-tight. Exposure
to poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide may occur in a closed room, heated by burning
coal inside. This may also prove to be fatal.
What is more common in a poorly ventilated home is a vague constellation of symptoms
described as the sick-building syndrome. It is characterized by a general feeling of uneasiness,
head-ache, dizziness and irritation of mucous membranes. It may also be accompanied by
nausea, itching, aches, pains and depression. Sick building syndrome is getting more common
in big cities with small houses, which are generally overfurnished. Some of the important
pollutants whose indoor concentrations exceed those of the outdoors include gases such as
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and organic substances like spores,
formaldelydes, hydrocarbon aerosols and allergens. The sources are attributed to a variety of
 Unseen Passages 31
construction materials, insulations, furnishings, adhesives, cosmetics, house dust, fungi and
other indoor products.
Smoking of tobacco in the closed environment is an important source of indoor pollution.
It may not be high quantitatively, but significantly hazardous for health. It is because of the fact
that there are over 3000 chemical constituents in tobacco smoke, which have been identified.
These are harmful for human health.
Obviously, the spectrum of pollution is very wide and our options are limited. Indoor
pollution may be handled relatively easily by an individual. Moreover, the good work must start
from one's own house.

Difficult Words : concern = matter of worry; inhale = to breathe the air in; suffocation
Words
= feeling difficulty in breathing; accumulate = to gather at one place; syndrome = symptoms
of a disease; hazardous = dangerous; constituent = component.

Questions
(a) What is a major source of indoor pollution ? 1
(b) What is an issue of deep concern ? 1
(c) What are the most harmful polluting gases ? 1
(d) What are the symptoms of sick building syndrome ? 1
(e) What are the sources of indoor pollution ? 1
(f) What is the composition of air ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means the following : 3
(g) not clear
(h) feeling of worry
(i) lasting for a short time

25. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
I have lived in Rishikesh for 15 years and have seen the shift in the mindset of India's
younger generation. While they are patriotic, prepared to join any movement, march waving
political flags, join Facebook groups, they are not, in most cases, convinced by India's culture
in fact, they ask questions that evidence their dissatisfaction with and disinterest in what we call
culture, values and sanskaras. "Why can't we date before marriage ? Why do we live in a joint
family ? I believe in God but not in temples or puja. Why can my parents not understand me?"
They are turning from vegetarians to non-vegetarians from teetotallers to drinkers, from obedient
to rebellious young adults are an alarming note. And all the same, parents say : "What's wrong
with our children ? They are going astray."
My education in psychology from Stanford University; enabled me to analysis. I came to
India at the age of 25, having grown up in Los Angeles, in the heart of Amercian upper class
"modern" culture and was so filled with delight by the grace, the truth the divinity and the depth
of traditional Indian culture that despite protests from people back home–I stayed.
India's culture, values, ethics and traditions form the foundation of a successful, meaningful
and fulfilling life. If you ask a person in Los Angeles, stepping out of her Mercedes, "How are
you ?" Chances are you will get in reply a lsit of complaints— "My back is hurting, the housekeeper
 32
(maid) didn't show up; the store ran out of my favourite cereal; too much traffic on the road.....,"
Put the same question to an elderly, Indian, and the chances are your question will be answered
with "Sub Bhagwan ki kripa hai." This is the fruit of culture : deep satisfaction despite ups and
downs of daily life. Apparently, God's kripa seems to have showered abundantly more upon the
woman. Yet, she needs a pill to go to sleep, a pill to wake up, a pill to make it through the day.
India's values have kept India strong and united despite thousands of years of invasions.
They have kept their minds and hearts independent even when their country was colonised and
oppressed.
However, today what is needed is a new vocabulary. The youth of today are being raised
differently from those in previous generations. Information is at their finger-tips. Modern science
and technology have rendered the inexplicable and impossible a decade ago, child's play today.
We cannot expect them to accept something "because" I said so" or "because God made it that
way."
Most middle-aged Indians today would never have dared disobey or question their parents.
Therefore, their children's continuous chant of "why ?" seems insolent and disrespectful. Today's
youth have been raised to wonder; to question, to investigate, to discover.
Give them scientific, rational, pragmatic reasons to be vegetarian. Explain that the meat
industry is the single largest contributor to world hunger as well as environmental destruction.
India is the richest country in the world in its depth of culture, values, ethics and tradition. The
values and ethics of centuries ago are just as valid and applicable today as then. We only have
to explain them differently.

Difficult Words : patriotic = having deep love for his/her country; evidence = proof;
Words
teetotaller = one who never drinks alcohol; pill = tablet; invasion = to attack; inexplicable =
which cannot be explained; rational = reasonable; pragmatic = practical and sensible.

Questions
(a) What forms the foundation of successful life ? 1
(b) What will an elderly Indian reply when he is asked how he is ? 1
(c) What is needed today ? 1
(d) How has the mindset of India's young generation changed ? 1
(e) How are the children going astray ? 1
(f ) How can we make our children vegetarian ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) a person who does not drink alcohol
(h) that which seems to be real
(i) attacks

26. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Literary)
The test of a great book is whether we want to read it only once or more than once. A really
great book is one which we want to read the second time even more than we wanted to read
it the first time; and every additional time that we read it we find new meanings and new
beauties in it. A book that a person of education and good taste does not care to read more than
once is very probably not worth much. But we cannot consider the judgement of a single
 Unseen Passages 33
individual infallible. The opinion that makes a book great must be the opinion of many. For
even the greatest critics are apt to have certain dullness. Carlyle, for example, could not endure
Browning; Byron could not endure some of the greatest of English poets. A man must be many-
sided to utter a trustworthy estimate of many books. We may doubt the judgement of the single
critic at times. But there is no doubt possible in regard to the judgement of generations. Even
if we cannot at once perceive anything good in a book which has been admired and praised
for hundreds of years, we may be sure that by trying, by studying it carefully, we shall at least
be able to feel the reason of this admiration and praise. The best of all libraries for a poor man
would be a library entirely composed of such great works only, books which have passed the
test of time. This then would be the most important guide for us in the choice of readings. We
should read only the books we want to read more than once, nor should we buy any others,
unless we have some special reason for so investing money. The second fact demanding
attention is the general character of the value that lies hidden within all such great books. They
never become old; their youth is immortal. A great book is not apt to be comprehended by a
young person at the first reading except in a superficial way. Only the surface, the narrative, is
absorbed and enjoyed. No young man can possibly see at first reading the qualities of a great
book. Remember that it has taken humanity in many cases hundreds of years to find out all that
there is in such a book. But according to a man's experience of life, the text will unfold new
meanings to him. The book that delighted us at eighteen, if it be a good book, will delight us
much more at twenty-five and it will prove like a new book to us at thirty years of age. At forty
we shall re-read it, wondering why we never saw how beautiful it was before. At fifty or sixty
years of age the same facts will repeat themselves. A great book grows exactly in proportion to
the growth of the reader's mind. (S. S. Exam 2012)

Difficult Words : infallible = always successful; dullness = narrow mindedness; trustworthy

Words
= faithful; superficial = not deep; wondering = thinking with surprise.

Questions
(a) What is the quality of a great book ? 1
(b) In which case is a judgement about a book beyond doubt ? 1
(c) What kind of understanding of a great book is a young person likely to have
at the first reading of that book ? 1
(d) Whose work did Carlyle find difficult to appreciate ? 1
(e) What would a poor man's library contain ? 1
(f ) What does a person of forty feel when he re-reads some good books ? 1
Find from the passage the words which mean:
(g) not capable of making mistakes. 1
(h) to suffer something unpleasant or difficult in a patient way. 1
(i) the ability to make sensible decision. 1

27. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (Discursive)
Every man that is born in this world has a desire to live well. The life has various aims for
various people. To some, life is an empty dream without a motive. They eat and drink and
continue to exist for the sake of living. They have no ideal, no mission for which to struggle and
fight. Their ideal is to eat well, to make merry and enjoy the material things of life. Their
 34
activities aim at amassing wealth by hook or by crook and using that wealth for the sake of
luxury and comfort and pleasures.
Life is, however, not so easy at present. Even to make money for the sake of comforts and
luxuries you have to work hard and perform social duties before the society can allow one to
earn a lot of money and amass wealth. Modern states work under certain principles of social
behaviour and do not allow people to go about making money without caring to perform certain
duties which are useful to society. A businessman or an industrialist must pay his labourers well
so that the labourer does his duty honestly and diligently and enable the entrepreneur to make
profits from the goods produced. The only easy way of making money is cheating or stealing
which have consequences of their own. Law has prescribed imprisonment for the robbers,
thieves and the cheats.
Life is complicated in these times. It needs be well planned if you want to achieve something
worthwhile. Whether your mission or ideal is materialistic or spiritual you should have a clear
plan. To make life worth living you must work hard towards the object of your mission. A life
without mission is a life lost. A life without planning is a life wasted. Discipline, mission and
hard work are important virtues of a successful man. If you are a patriot and desire to be a
politician to earn name and fame in the service of society, you must plan exactly what you want.
If you want to serve the people and to represent their cause in elected assemblies, you must
win over the support of the voters by giving them honest account of services. You must fight for
their interest, show great achievements before you can enjoy the popularity of the masses. It
is not simply slogan mongering that matters in politics now-a-days. A successful public man has
to be an able administrator who can resolve practical issues with the authorities and win
practical benefits for the people. (S. S. Exam 2013)

Difficult Words : motive = purpose; amassing = collecting in huge amount; diligent = hard
Words
working; hook or crook = to get success by utilizing any means; entrepreneur = industrious;
materialistic = one who gives more importance to physical things than religious matters or
moral concepts; spritual = preferring religious matters and God; prescribe = to select or
decide.

Questions
(a) What is the desire of every man in this world ? 1
(b) What is the ideal of the majority of people ? 1
(c) What is the easy way to earn money ? 1
(d) What is needed to achieve something worthwhile ? 1
(e) Write the important virtues of a successful man. 1
(f ) How can a man reach up to assemblies ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) useful enough.
(h) purpose of doing something.
(i) phrase expressing a political or advertising message.
 Unseen Passages 35
28. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
All round development of man is the true aim of education. It should train not only the head,
but also the hands and the heart. But our present system of education has miserably failed to
achieve this aim. It suffers from many grave defects. The present system of education was
founded by the British for their own convenience. Lord Macaulay was the father and founder
of this system. He wanted it to produce clerks to help the British in running their administration.
Today the Britishers have gone but the same old system of education still countinues. We are
free but we are still slavishly following the system evolved by the British. This system of
education has many defects. It must be changed and overhauled.
The greatest defect in our present system of education is that it is too theoretical. An
educated man has only bookish knowledge. He knows nothing about practical things. He finds
that his education has not made him fit to do any useful work for his society. The present system
of education does not teach us the dignity of labour. A student is not taught or trained to do
things with his hands. Manual or physical labour finds no place in education. Educated young
men are fit only to be clerks in offices. They look down upon manual labour. They consider it
below their dignity to work with their hands in fields or factories.
Vocational education is the need of the hour. We need more and more technicians, engineers
and doctors. But the number of vocational institutions — Engineering and Medical colleges,
Polytechnics and I.T.I's — is limited. A large number of young men and women, who can do
well as technicians, are deprived of technical or vocational knowledge.
The present system of education gives too much importance to English. At many places, it
is the medium of instruction. English may be an international language. It may have rich
treasures of science and literature. But it can never be our national language. Education must
be imparted in the mother tongue. This will save much talent of the country from going waste.
A number of commissions have been set up since the dawn of independence to plan afresh
the country's system of education. After much thought, the 10 + 2 + 3 system was introduced.
It was designed to divert the students to different fields and vocations according to their talent
and the needs of the society. But different states have taken to it only half-heartedly. As the things
stand today, the 10 + 2 + 3 system has become a riddle. No one knows what exactly it is.
Meanwhile, our education system is as rotten and muddy as it used to be. Students find it
purposeless. Therefore, they feel restive and go on strikes. They take no interest in their studies
because they know that after finishing their education, they will only join the army of the
unemployed. There is an urgent need that the present system should be overhauled and made
purposeful. (S.S. Exam 2014)

Difficult Words : grave = serious; evolve = to develop; vocational = professional; riddle

Words
= a mysterious event; rotten and muddy = aimless.

Questions
(a) What is the true aim of education ? 1
(b) Who was the father and founder of the present system of education ? 1
(c) What is the greatest defect in our present system of education ? 1
(d) What type of education is the need of the hour ? 1
 36
(e) Why was the 10 + 2 + 3 system introduced ? 1
(f ) Why do the students take no interest in their studies ? 1
Find out the words from the passage which mean— 3
(g) provided
(h) useless
(i) without a means to earn good livelihood

29. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Discursive)
The end of sumptuary laws did not mean that everyone in European societies could now
dress in the same way. The French Revolution had raised the question of equality and ended
aristocratic privileges, as well as the laws that maintained those privileges. However, differences
between social strata remained. Clearly, the poor could not dress like rich, nor eat the same food.
But laws no longer barred people’s right to dress in the way they wished. Differences in earning,
rather than sumptuary laws, now defined what the rich and the poor could wear. And different
classes developed their own culture of dress. The notion of what was beautiful or ugly, proper
or improper, decent or vulgar, differed.
Styles of clothings also emphasised differences between men and women. Women in
Victorian England were groomed from childhood to be docile and dutiful, submissive and
obedient. The ideal woman was the one who could bear pain and suffering. While men were
expected to be serious, strong, independent and aggresive, women were seen as frivolous,
delicate, passive and docile. Norms of clothing reflected these ideals. From childhood, girls
were tightly laced up and dressed in stays. The effort was to restrict the growth of their bodies,
contain them within small moulds. When slightly older, girls had to wear tight fitting corset.
Tightly laced, small-waisted women were admired as attractive, elegant and graceful. Clothing
thus played a part in creating the image of frail, submissive Victorian women.
Many women believed in the ideals of womanhood. The ideals were in the air they breathed,
the literature they read, the education they had received at school and at home. From childhood
they grew up to believe that having a small waist was a womanly duty. Suffering pain was
essential for a woman. To be seen as attractive, to be womanly, they had to wear the corset. The
torture and pain this inflicted on the body was to be accepted as normal.
But not everyone accepted these values. Over the nineteenth century, ideas changed. By the
1830s, women in England began agitating for democratic rights. As the suffrage movement
developed, many began campaigning for dress reform. Women’s magazines described how tight
dresses and corsets caused deformities and illness among young girls. Such clothing restricted
body growth and hampered blood circulation. Muscles remained underdeveloped and the
spines got bent. Doctors reported that many women were regularly complaining of acute
weakness, felt languid, and fainted frequently. Corsets then became necessary to hold up the
weakned spine. (S.S. Exam 2015)

Difficult Words : sumptuary = very impressive; aristocratic = belonging to royal family;

Words
privileges = special rights; strata = levels; docile = peaceful; aggressive = offensive; frivolous
= fool; inflicted = imposed forcefully; deformity = abnormality; hamper = to hinder or obstruct.
 Unseen Passages 37

Questions
(a) What was the main issue raised by the French Revolution ? 1
(b) How were the women groomed in Victorian England ? 1
(c) What defined the apparel of the rich and the poor ? 1
(d) Besides wearing, what else did the styles of clothing emphasize ? 1
(e) What qualities made one masculine ? 1
(f) What qualities made one feminine ? 1
Find out a word from the passage which means : 3
(g) A person / animal that is quiet and easily controlled.
(h) A person / animal that has a quality of anger and determination.
(i) A special right or advantage.

30. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
There are several indicators of a developed nation. It is economically, agriculturally and
technologically advanced. There is all round prosperity. The benefits of prosperity reach the
common people. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy the basic comforts and good
health. They are able to educate and feed their children well. Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance,
disease and inequalities are reduced to a minimum. Quality goods are produced in abundance
and exports keep on rising. The nation is able to protect its sovereignty as it is self-reliant in
defence and has a standing in the international forum.
India, even after more than sixty-five years since independence is branded as a developing
country. Achieving a developed status means the major transformation of our national economy
to make it one of the largest economies of the world, where people live well and above the
poverty line. The transformation can be materialised within the next 15 to 20 years as India has
the necessary potential. Our natural resources are richer as compared to those of many other
countries. We have abundant supplies of all the ores and minerals. We have rich bio-diversity,
abundant sunshine, varied agro-climatic conditions and plenty of rainfall all over India. The
country either already has the necessary technologies or can develop them easily. Our people
and our farmers not only have a great learning capability but most of them also have an
entrepreneurial and competitive spirit. Avenues to channelise this spirit constructively and
productively are required. We need the will to take action and commit ourselves to be one of
the world leaders. We must resolve to work hard with a long term vision.
Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest possible time. It can provide us
with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food and processing, industries
and agriculture. It is the key to achieving quality product in an increasingly competitive market
and to continually upgrading human skills. It is the only vital input for ensuring health security
and better living conditions for people. It can enable us to double cereals by 2020 and to make
arrangements for their storage, transportation, distribution and marketing. It can make us leaders
in machine tool industries. Through Software engineering we can enter computer-aided design
and computer-aided manufacturing.
Therefore, the major role in India's development is to be played by the vast pool of our
talented scientists, researchers and technologists. They should shed pessimism and think big
 38
because they are the only ones who understand the forces of technological modernisation. They
should take it as a challenge to make India a developed country. They must spearhead the
movement by talking about what can be done and encouraging people that difficulties can be
overcome. They must extend all possible help to industries, business managers, administrators
and others. (S. S. Exam 2016)

Difficult Words : reasonable = rational; pontential = power, efficiency; entrepreneurial =

Words
related to industry; channelise = to direct and systematise; resolve = to take decision;
bio-diversity = different kinds of living organisms; pessimism = hopelessness; spearhead =
lead.

Questions
(a) Mention the basic fields in which a developed country is advanced. 1
(b) What kind of life do the people in a developed country live ? 1
(c) What is required for achieving the developed status for India ? 1
(d) "Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest time". How ? 1
(e) Who can play a major role in India's development ? 1
(f ) How can India enter computer-aided design and manufacturing ? 1
Choose from the passage the words that mean : 3
(g) A machine for producing electricity.
(h) A large quantity more than enough.
(i) The state of having good fortune, wealth, money, etc.
31. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (Factual)
The elephant is the largest of all living animals and the strongest. It is a strange-looking
animal, with its thick legs, huge sides and back, large hanging ears, small tail, little eyes, long
white tusks and above all, its long nose, called trunk. The trunk is the elephant's unique feature,
and it puts it to various uses. It draws up water by its trunk, and can squirt it all over its body
like a shower bath; and with it, it picks leaves from the trees and puts them into its mouth. In
fact its trunk serves the elephant as a long arm and hand. Elephants look very clumsy and heavy,
and yet they can move very quickly when they like. Elephants are found in India and in Africa.
The African elephant differs in some points from the Indian counterpart, being larger, with
longer tusks and bigger ears. In fact the two are considered to be different species. In both
countries, they live in herds in the jungles, and are naturally shy animals who keep away from
humans. Elephants with their great size and strength, are fine advertisement for vegetarianism,
for they live entirely on leaves of trees, grass, roots and bulbs.
The elephant is a very intelligent animal, and its intelligence combined with its great
strength, makes it when tamed, a very useful servant to man, and it has been trained to serve
in various ways.
Elephants can carry heavy loads and they are used to draw heavy wagons and big guns that
would require many horses. They are very skilful too in carrying timber. The trained elephant
will kneel down, lift a heavy log of wood with its tusks, carry it to the place where it is wanted,
and lay it exactly in position. In olden days elephants were used in battles, and all Indian Rajas
 Unseen Passages 39
had their regiments of trained fighting elephants. And they still have their place in state
processions, when they are painted with bright colours and covered with silk and velvet clothes.
(S. S. Exam 2017)

Difficult Words : squirt = to pour or spray; clumsy = bad or odd looking; herds = a group
Words
of animals living and moving together; wagons = compartment of goods carring train; timber
= wood that is going to be used for construction purposes; processions = line of people,
vehicles moving forward in a ceremonial way.

Questions
(a) How does an elephant look like ? 1
(b) What is unique about an elephant ? 1
(c) What are the various uses of elephant's trunk ? 1
(d) How are elephants of Africa different from these of India ? 1
(e) What do elephants eat ? 1
(f) How is an elephant useful to us ? 1
(g) What was the use of elephants in olden days ? 1
Find out word from the passage which means :
(h) A line of people, vehicles, etc. moving forward in a ceremonial way. 1
(i) A group of animals living and moving together. 1
32. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
One summer day in 1955, on a beach near the village of Opononi, New Zealand, 13 year
old Jill Baker waded into the water to join a friend, one of the strangest playmates the world
has ever known. A torpedo-like body streaked towards her and swam between her legs, spilling
her into the surf. She put her arms around the huge creature, got on its back and took a ride.
Later Jill tossed a beach ball to her playmate. Rising from the water, huge mouth spread in a
grin, the creature batted it back with its nose. As the game progressed, people gathered on the
beach staring in amazement. Jill Baker's playmate was a porpoise.
The ancients, who called the porpoise a dolphin, knew him as friendly. "He is the only
creature who loves man for his own sake", wrote Plutarch. "Some land animals avoid man
altogether, and the tame ones such as dogs and horses are tame because he feeds them. To the
dolphin alone, nature has given what the best philosophers seek; friendship for no advantage".
Pliny the Elder wrote of a wild porpoise that took a boy for a ride at Hippo, a Roman settlement
in Africa: Roman coins of 74 B.C. show such a scene.
Everything about the porpoise could be written in superlatives. Not a fish but an
air-breathing mammal, he swims incredibly fast, kills sharks, communicates with his own kind,
herds fish. He may have the world's best sonar equipment. One scientist believes that his brain
is so similar to a human being's that he might even be taught to talk. (S. S. Exam 2018)

Difficult Words : beach = an area of sand or small stones beside the sea or a lake.
Words
Tourists generally take sun bath there; grain = to smile widely or a wide smile; amazement
= a feeling of great susprise; ancient = belonging to a period of history that is thousand of
years in the past; advantage = benefits; incredibly = extremely.
 40
Questions
1. "Jill Baker waded into the water to join a friend...................." Who was Jill Baker's
friend ? 1
2. What has nature given to the porpoise alone ? 1
3. How did the huge creature react when Jill tossed a beach ball to the creature ? 1
4. What did Jill Baker do when a torpedo-like body swam between her legs ? 1
5. What type of a scene is shown in Roman coins ? 1
6. Why did people gather on the beach ? 1
Find out words from the passage which mean :
7. hit. 1
8. colony 1
9. any of the class of animals which feed their young with milk from the breast. 1

Answers
Passage 1
(a) That gain and loss being predestined, there is no necessity of personal effort, is a
mistaken belief.
(b) We doubt about the impartiality of divine justice, when we come across a situation and
incidents which appear quite contradictory to the known laws of nature.
(c) Winning a jackpot by an idler is an example of phenomena ascribed to the role of fate.
(d) An intelligent person is sometimes seen suffering endlessly for want of basic necessities.
(e) Famine, epidemics, tornadoes, floods, lightning and earthquakes are a few natural
calamities.
(f ) Financial loss is put in the category of fate.
(g) ascribe (h) hinder (i) perplexed
Passage 2
(a) Time is the essence of life.
(b) The work which is completed beyond the time allotted loses its utility.
(c) Careful planning of time and sincere execution of this plan is needed for careful time
management.
(d) The people who know how to make the best use of every moment open the doors of
success.
(e) When the time passes the deadline, the work loses its importance and value.
(f ) A person who has learnt to use wisely his time and has understood how to cast himself
according to the need of the time has learnt the true mantra of life.
(g) boundaries (h) requisite (i) attain
 Unseen Passages 41
Passage 3
(a) Medicines have become an element of surprise because they have begun to aggravate
diseases instead of curing them.
(b) The literary meaning of the word antibiotics is ‘against life’.
(c) The decrease the immunity of the body against diseases.
(d) Antibiotics either destroy the disease causing bacteria completely or prohibit their
growth.
(e) It is warned by WHO that if the unrestricted use of antibiotics continues, the coming time
may witness a substantial rise in the number of deaths occurring due to ‘microbial
resistance.’
(f) Medicines can be found in a shelf of every house.
(g) substantial (h) immunity (i) prohibit
Passage 4
(a) Married life is important for the nation gets its future generation owing to it.
(b) To have a host of complaint against all things in the world is called a kind of bad habit.
(c) Honesty in everything is the key to strengthening the relationship.
(d) One’s habits, interests, way of life and perspective towards life can be temporarily
changed.
(e) Happy married life is important for society.
(f) Difference of opinion should never lead to disruption of harmony in mind.
(g) interactions (h) allocate (i) enhancing
Passage 5
(a) We have to obey the rules of the road.
(b) In India, all vehicles should keep to the left and leave the right half of the road free
for those coming from the opposite direction.
(c) A cyclist should ride on the left edge of the road.
(d) If the drivers of vehicles do not give proper signals, there is great danger of accidents
happening.
(e) The purpose of the traffic rules is to make the road safe for everybody.
(f) Pedestrians ought to keep to the footpath or close to the edge of the road.
(g) pedestrian (h) knock down (i) accident
Passage 6
(a) Colourful attires, heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions and havelis, joyous festivals
and fairs, etc. are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan.
(b) The living conditions of Rajasthani people are dull and harsh.
(c) Large number of joyous fairs and festivals make the life of Rajasthani people
colourful.
 42

(d) Since the people of Rajasthan are very religious, they follow all rituals and traditions
piously.
(e) Rajasthani embroidery is famous for its handwork, no machines are involved in it.
(f ) The weather of Rajasthan is hot and dry throughout the year.
(g) multitude (h) heritage (i) unique
Passage 7
(a) Vitamin C is important because it is required for the synthesis of intercellular cement
“collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body together.
(b) Amla, lemon, orange, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomoto, etc., are
the sources of vitamin C.
(c) The disease scurvy is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C.
(d) The disease scurvy can be prevented by taking a balanced diet enriched with
vitamin C.
(e) The side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on long term basis are — reformation of
oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm, etc.
(f ) Amla was one of the main ingredients to save fighting forces from scurvy disease
during World War II.
(g) deficiency (h) abruptly (i) lactating
Passage 8
(a) Life is compared with a river which keeps on flowing from its source to its merger into
the sea.
(b) People with violent tendency commit suicide when they are unable to express them.
(c) Some impulsive individuals commit suicide when they fail in examination, lose a job,
quarrel in the family or are defeated in a court of law.
(d) Most people find their lives purposeless, wasted and worthless.
(e) The main reaton of depression is physical illness or failure in examination, love or
competition.
(f ) According to him every person thinks of committing suicide more than once in his life.
(g) impulsive (h) spouse (i) suicide
Passage 9
(a) Humans lived like animals in the remote past.
(b) Marriage contributed in developing of human society.
(c) The so-called tradition of pre-fixing a dowry prior to matrimony, entertaining large
number of guests from the groom's party or celebrating the event with pompous dance,
music and feasts for days are not mentioned in the scriptures.
(d) The primitive man lived in large caves and on trees.
 Unseen Passages 43

(e) Man could dominate over animals because he posessed the unique human instinct of
co-operation and organization.
(f) Handing over the responsiblities for looking after the bride is called Kanya Dan.
(g) absolute (h) carnivore (i) scripture
Passage 10
(a) There are two main qualities of a modern woman —
(i) She is alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions.
(ii) She is rational in approach and careful in handling situations.
(b) The Constitution of India has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities.
(c) It was held in Beijing in the month of September 1995.
(d) Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing
inequality for woman.
(e) A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics
and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls.
(f) Various committees and commissions have been constituted before and after the
independence to evaluate the progress in women's education.
(g) oppressive (h) accelerate (i) eradicate
Passage 11
(a) "Energy is a stretchable concept." It is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian
women.
(b) Milan and Paris are the places known as fashion capitals of the world.
(c) Women's Day is celebrated on 8th March every year.
(d) Splendid plumage of innovation and exotica is responsible for the revolution in the
fashion in India.
(e) During the tenure of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi, Women's Day
celebration received a major boost.
(f) Salwar Kameez was prevalent during the eighties.
(g) export (h) savvy (i) status
Passage 12
(a) The Brahma Temple is the main attraction of Pushkar.
(b) The painted havelis are found in Shekhawati region.
(c) Over 375 species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year.
(d) Udaipur offers many lakes, lakeside palaces and city palace (largest palace complex).
(e) The word 'Rajput' means son of royalty.
 44

(f ) The states which surround Rajasthan are Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana
and Punjab.
(g) abandoned (h) spire (i) fortress
Passage 13
(a) Gandhiji's expertise as a nurse was a mystery.
(b) It was that if somebody wanted to see Gandhiji, he should just be ill and get into bed.
(c) Toast was served with coffee.
(d) The young lad was troubled by the thought that he had given trouble to Gandhiji to
prepare coffee and toast for him.
(e) Gandhiji's cottage was at the end of the Ashram.
(f ) Gandhiji himself prepared coffee because it was an untimely hour and he did not want
to give unnecessary trouble to his wife.
(g) mystery (h) accustomed (i) picked up
Passage 14
(a) He lives in a village quite close to the place where the poet is with his horse.
(b) The poet (the rider of the horse) wishes to stop near the woods.
(c) It was the darkest evening of the year.
(d) The horse thinks so because his rider stops at night at a place where there is no
farmhouse to stay in.
(e) The other sound the poet hears in the woods was the sweep of wind and of downy flake.
(f ) The horse did so as if to ask if there was something wrong.
(g) frozen (h) harness (i) lovely.
Passage 15
(a) The old man was wearing dirty and torn clothes. He was very lean and thin. He looked
very tired and weak. He had no teeth.
(b) The prince decided that he would try to remove suffering from the body.
(c) The king ordered to decorate the whole city beautifully because the prince felt a great
desire to see the vast would outside the pleasure-palace.
(d) The prince initially knew nothing of want, pain, disease, old age or death.
(e) The old hermit said that the seven fears were seven joys and the prince would shine
like the sun and leave the world and give a new message of hope and love for the
suffering humanity.
(f ) the voices of wind told the prince that he was born to save mankind.
(g) enchanted (h) cremation (i) immortal
Passage 16
(a) A giant lion having many wheels is the symbol of Make in India campaign.
 Unseen Passages 45

(b) The symbol of Make in India campaign indicates courage, strength, tenacity and wisdom.
(c) It will help in the creation of 100 smart cities and affordable housing in India.
(d) The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Make in India campaign on 25th of
September in 2014.
(e) The main objective of Make in India campaign is to unsure solid growth and valuable
employment creation in the country with the help of top investors.
(f) The Government of India has created a dedicated help team and an online portal for
the easy and effective communication of investors.
(g) aviation (h) giant (i) hub
Passage 17
(a) The rate of Swachh Bharat Cess is 0.5%.
(b) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a clean India drive.
(c) The PM himself has nominated the names of nine people to participate in the cleanliness
drive in their own areas.
(d) Approximately 3 million government employees including students from schools and
colleges took part in the cleanliness drive.
(e) When the PM launched the campaign, he himself cleaned the road.
(f) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on 2nd
October in 2014.
(g) participating (h) set up (i) disposal
Passage 18
(a) It will take five years to complete Digital India.
(b) Digitalization will help government offices in recording attendance and maintaining
order, by using bio-metric identification.
(c) Digital India programme was launched by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra
Modi on July 1st, 2015.
(d) A Digital week was celebrated to finalize the requirements and features of Digital India.
(e) The data of the public will be held by a huge cloud of computers and servers.
(f) Mobile phones will be used as personal identity.
(g) gadget (h) eliminated (i) import.
Passage 19
(a) Walking is advised to be healthy.
(b) Walker's shoes need to have enough room at front for the feet to spread.
(c) Brisk walking makes the muscles of heart strong and helps one to keep in shape.
(d) Dr (Miss) Johna Manson says that if some one walks for 30 minutes a day, chances of
chronic diseases become less by 30 to 40 percent.
 46
(e) Brisk walking is advised for those who don't have enough time for normal walking.
(f ) Exercise researchers say that intense exercise offered by health clubs is not good for
health.
(g) evidence (h) vigorous (i) boost
Passage 20
(a) The most unfortunate thing is that we have not learnt how to handle our mind, to be
in the present moment and to be happy and grateful.
(b) Through meditation and certain breathing techniques, we can get rid of our negative
emotions.
(c) Bad Mathematics is to spend half our health to gain wealth and spend half our wealth
to gain back the lost health.
(d) Confidence, compassion, generosity and a smile that none can snatch away, to be really
happy and to be able to be more free are the signs of a successful person.
(e) It is said about the environment that we pollute the earth, the water and also the subtle
environment through our negative feelings and emotions.
(f ) We are not in control of our mind, for we hear a lot about other things in life but we
spend very little time to hear about overselves.
(g) periphery (h) sustain (i) rejuvenating
Passage 21
(a) The life of the people of Mewar was peaceful and prosperous.
(b) Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years.
(c) It can be said that the destiny of Mewar was good because most of its rulers were
competent and patroitic.
(d) It is poinless to debate whether the Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti
Stambha.
(e) Rana Kumbha gave a new stature to the kingdom of Mewar through victories and
development work.
(f ) Exquisite workmanship can be seen in the forts, palaces and public utility buildings in
Mewar.
(g) thorny (h) waning (i) despite
Passage 22
(a) Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself because a friend can reflect
back to you how you come across the world.
(b) If we want to continue friendships, they need the same attention as other relationship.
(c) The happiness of the individual relies on friendship.
(d) Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships.
 Unseen Passages 47

(e) Friendship can bring out the positive side that cannot be brought out by any other
relation- ship.
(f) The pressure of playing a role of relatives is removed in friendship.
(g) significant (h) depression (i) relies
Passage 23
(a) Rabindranath Tagore was a versatile genius, a literary artist, an educator, a composer,
singer and an actor.
(b) Tagore's plea was freedom from the past and accord with the past.
(c) Tagore was a versatile genious because he was not only a playwright but a novelist and
a story teller, a nationalist and an internationalist.
(d) The message is to nourish the unity of our country and be devoted to it.
(e) Human beings should work in this world without being affected by it.
(f) versatile (g) perpetual (i) vitality
Passage 24
(a) Smoking of tobacco is a major source of indoor pollution.
(b) Air pollution is an issue of deep concern.
(c) The most harmful polluting gases are carbon monoxide, carbon-dioxide, ozone and
oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
(d) The symptoms of sick building syndrome are a generat feeling of malaise, headache,
dizziness and irritation in mucous memberanes.
(e) A variety of construction materials, insulators, furnishings, adhesives, cosmetics, dust,
fungi and other indoor products are the sources of indoor pollution.
(f) The composition of air is about 79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and small fraction of others
gases.
(g) vague (b) concern (i) temporary
Passage 25
(a) India's culture, values, ethics and tradition form the foundation of successful life.
(b) He will reply "Sub Bhagwan ki kripa hai".
(c) Today a new vocabulary is needed.
(d) India's young generation is not convinced by Indian culture.
(e) The children are going astray by becoming non-vegetarian, drinkers and rebellious.
(f) We can make our children vegetarian by giving them scientific, rational and pragmatic
reasons to be vegetarian.
(g) teetotaller (h) apparently (i) invasions
Passage 26
(a) The quality of a great book is that we want to read it again and again.
(b) There is no doubt possible in regard to the judgement of generations.
 48

(c) A great book is not apt to be comprehended by a young person at the first reading except
in a superficial way.
(d) Carlyle found difficult to appreciate the work of Browning.
(e) A poor man's library would contain the books which have passed the test of time.
(f ) When a person of forty re-reads some good books, he feels wondering why he never
saw how beautiful they were before.
(g) infallible (h) endure (i) comprehend
Passage 27
(a) Every man in this world desires to live well.
(b) It is to eat well, to make merry and enjoy the material things of life.
(c) The easy way to earn money is by theft, robbery and cheating.
(d) Good planning is required to achieve something worthwhile.
(e) Discipline, dedication and hard work are the virtues of a successful man.
(f ) A man can reach up to assemblies by winning over the support of the voters.
(g) worthwhile (h) aim (i) slogan.
Passage 28
(a) All round development of man is the true aim of education.
(b) Lord Macaulay was the father and founder of the present system of education.
(c) Our present education system is too theoretical. This is the greatest defect in it.
(d) Vocational education is the need of the hour.
(e) The system 10 + 2 + 3 was introduced to divert the students to different fields and
vocations according to their talent and the needs of the society.
(f ) Students do not take interest in their studies because they think that present education
system is purposeless.
(g) imparted (h) purposeless (i) unemployed.
Passage 29
(a) The French Revolution raised the main issue of equality.
(b) They were groomed from childhood to be docile and dutiful, submissive and obedient.
(c) Differences in earning defined the apparel of the rich and the poor.
(d) Styles of clothing emphasised differences between men and women.
(e) Qualities of being serious, strong, independent and aggressive made one masculine.
(f ) Qualities of being frivolous, delicate, passive and doscile made one feminine.
(g) docile (h) aggressive (i) privilege
Passage 30
(a) A developed country is economically, agriculturally and technologically advanced.
(b) There the people live in prosperity. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy the
basic comforts and good health.
 Unseen Passages 49

(c) Major transformation of our national economy to make it one of the largest economies
of the world is required for achieving the developed status for India.
(d) It can provide us with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food
and processing, industries and agriculture.
(e) Vast pool of our talented scientists, researchers and technologists can play a major role
in India's development.
(f) Through software engineering, India can enter computer-aided design and
manufacturing.
(g) generator (h) abundance (i) developed
Passage 31
(a) An elephant looks like a strange animal.
(b) The trunk is unique in an elephant.
(c) Elephant's trunk can draw water, squirt water all over its body like a shower bath.
(d) African elephants are larger with longer tusks and bigger ears than their Indian
counter-parts.
(e) An elephant eats leaves of trees, grass, roots and bulbs.
(f) An elephant can carry heavy loads and it can draw heavy wagons and big guns.
(g) In olden days elephants were used in battles.
(h) processions (i) herd
Passage 32
1. A porpoise was Jill Baker's friend.
2. Nature has given one thing to the porpoise alone, that is 'friendship for no advantage'.
3. The huge creature batted the beach ball back with its nose.
4. Jill Baker put her arms around the huge creature, got on its back and took a ride.
5. In Roman coins a wild porpoise is shown taking a boy ride at Hippo, a Roman
settlement in Africa.
6. People gathered on the beach to see the game played by the porpoise. They stared at
it in amazement.
7. batted
8. settlement
9. mammal.
GG
 50

(B) UNSEEN PASSAGES TYPE-II

[Note-Making and Abstraction (Summary)]

(Word Limit 300-400 Words)
I. Note-making :
Note-making is a useful and an important skill. Sometimes our study material is quite
lengthy and it is very difficult to revise and memorize it. Hence we should know the art of
summarising the detailed study matter.
In your examination, the second type of unseen passage is given for summarising and note-
making. While solving this type of passage, you must keep the following points in mind.
Some important points for Note making :
1. (i) Notes must be brief.
(ii) Main points must be underlined.
(iii)Notes must be witten in 'note-form'.
(iv) In 'note-form' most of the points are written in 'phrases'.
2. The informations must be logically divided and sub-divided into main sections, sub-
sections and sub-sub-sections and these can be symbolized. As :
Main section : 1, 2, 3, etc. or I, II, III.
Sub-section : (i), (ii), (iii) etc.
Sub-sub-section : (a), (b), (c) etc.
3. Another easy method of division is decimal system. E.g. :
Main section : 1, 2, 3, etc.
Sub-section : 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc.
Sub-sub-section : 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.2.1, 1.2.2 etc.
4. Abbreviations and symbols must be used in an easier way so they could express their
sense easily.
5. Articles, prepositions and conjunctions must either not be used or if required then to
the least extent.
6. Notes must be written in such a way as they could express their sense easily.
Symbols used in note-making of unseen passages
< = less than
> = greater than
= = is equal to
= therefore, so
= for, since, because
cc = copy
& = and
 Unseen Passages 51

+ = addition
– = substraction
÷ = division
× = multiplication
/ = slash
. = point
These above symbols are generally used.
II. Summary or Abstraction :
Summary or abstraction means to reproduce the given passage in least possible words.
Summary must contain almost all the important points or informations of the passage so
that the reader can understand the complete message of the passage. Following are the
important things for writing a good summary.
1. Read the unseen passage thoroughly and underline the important points.
2. Find out the main sentence of each paragraph.
3. Make short notes of all important informations.
4. Write the summary in your own words.
5. Write the summary in indirect form.
6. The summary must be one third (1/3) of its passage.
7. Change the complex, compound and other difficult sentences into simple sentences.
8. One word substitutions can be used.
III. Abbreviations :
Abbreviations should be so selected or used as not to create confusion. They should be easily
understood.
Abbreviations can be written in following manner :
(i) Using only capital letters. E.g. :
PIN = Postal Index Number
IAF = Indian Air Force
NDA = National Defence Academy
CDS = Combined Defence Services
VRS = Voluntary Retirement Scheme
(ii) Abbreviations can be formed by taking beginning and end letters of the words. E.g.:
retd = retired ft = feet or foot
govt = Government
(iii) Some abbreviations are formed from the beginning letters of the words. E.g. :
hon. = honourable kg. = kilogram
 52

Unseen Passages for P

Passages ractice
Practice
1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Despite all the research everyone of us catches cold and most of us catch it frequently. Our
failure to control one of the commonest of all ailments sometimes seems ridiculous. Medical
science regularly practises transplant surgery and has rid whole countries of such fatal diseases
as Typhus and the Plague. But the problem of common cold is unusually difficult and much has
yet to be done to solve it.
It is known that a cold is caused by one of a number of viral infections that affect the lining
of the nose and other passages leading to the lungs but the confusing variety of viruses makes
study and remedy very difficult. It was shown in 1960 that many typical colds in adults are
caused by one or the other of a family of viruses known as rhinoviruses, yet there still remain
many colds for which no virus has as yet been isolated. There is also the difficulty that because
they are so much smaller than the bacteria which cause many other infections, viruses cannot
be seen with ordinary microscopes. Nor can they be cultivated easily in the bacteriologist's
laboratory, since they only grow within the living cells of animals or plants. An important recent
step forward, however, is the development of the technique of tissue culture, in which bits of
animal tissue are enabled to go on living and to multiply independently of the body. This has
greatly aided virus research and has led to the discovery of a large number of viruses. Their
existence had previously been not only unknown but even unsuspected.
The fact that we can catch cold repeatedly creates another difficulty. Usually a virus strikes
only once and leaves the victim immune to further attacks. Still we do not gain immunity from
colds. Why ? It may possibly be due to the fact that while other viruses get into the blood stream
where anti-bodies can oppose them, the viruses causing cold attack cells only on the surface.
Or it may be that immunity from one of the many different viruses does not guarantee protection
from all the others. It seems, therefore, that we are likely to have to suffer colds for some time
yet.

Difficult Words : ridiculous = very silly or unreasonable; transplant = to replace an old

Words
and abnormal thing or organ by a new one; infection = spreading disease causing agents
within the body; immunity = the power of living system (body) to fight against diseases;
anti-bodies = blood cells that fight against disease causing agents.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using heading
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Fasting is said to bring a host of benefits, provided it's done under medical supervision.
Doctors explain how to go about it. Food is to the body what fuel is to a motor vehicle. It
provides energy, helps repair and rejuvenation and confers many other benefits. A lot of research
 Unseen Passages 53
has been done and is being done on fasting. When one fasts, the digestive organs get rest and
all body mechanisms are cleansed. While fasting, the natural process of toxin excertion continues,
while influx of new toxins is reduced. The energy usually used for digestion is redirected to
immune function and cell growth. Fasting helps you heal with greater speed, cleanses your liver,
kidneys and colon, purifies your blood, helps you lose excess weight and water, flushes out
toxins, clears the eyes and tongue and cleanses the breath.
Another research says fasting, even occasionally, helps in detoxification. Through fasting we
restrict digestive activity and so energy is utilised to cleanse different systems. Fasting improves
metabolism, sharpens the senses, calms the mind, helps lose weight, improves general immunity,
improves concentration and mental clarity. Fasting, if understood and done under supervision,
has tremendous benefits and impacts one at various planes; mental, emotional, physical and
spiritual. Specifically it serves as an aid to effective detoxification, helps in repair and rejuvenation,
offers rest to the gastro-intestinal system and promotes mobilisation of excess fat.
The crucial point to note is the difference between fasting and starvation. Research suggests
there are major health benefits to calorie restriction. Among other things it slows down the
ageing process. According to the US National Academy of Sciences, other benefits include stress
resistance, increased insulin sensitivity and increased lifespan.
Glucose is the body's primary fuel source and is essential for the brain's functioning. When
denied glucose for more than 4-8 hours, the body converts glycogen stored in the liver into a
usuable form of fuel and supplements it with small amounts of protein. This will last for up to
12 hours before the body turns to glycogen stored in muscles. If glucose is still denied at this
point, the body continues to use fat for as long as it is available. If the fast is not broken,
starvation occurs, as the body begins to use protein for fuel. Death can occur if fasting is pursued
to the point of complete starvation.

Difficult Words : rejuvenation = becoming healthy and strong again; colon = large intestine;
Words
toxin = poisonous chemicals that cause diseases in our bodies; detoxification = neutralizing
the poisonous chemicals that have entered in our bodies; metabolism = combination of
digestion, assimilation and excretion (anabolism + catabolism).

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it by using headings
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Research has shown that the human mind can process words at the rate of about 500 per
minute, whereas a speaker speaks at the rate of about 150 words a minute. The difference
between the two at 350 is quite large.
So speaker must make every effort to retain the attention of the audiance and the listener
should also be careful not to let his mind wander. Good communication calls for good listening
skills. A good speaker must necessarily be a good listener.
 54

Listening starts with hearing but goes beyond. Hearing, in other words is necessary but is
not a sufficient condition for listening. Listening involves hearing with attention. Listening is a
process that calls for concentration. While, listening, one should also be observant. In other
words, listening has to do with the ears, as well as with the eyes and the mind. Listening is to
be adept at the total process that involves hearing with attention, being observant and making
interpretations. Good communication is essentially an interactive process. It calls for participation
and involvement. It is quite often a dialogue rather than a monologue. It is necessary to be
interested and also show or make it abundantly clear that one is interested in knowing what the
other person has to say.
Good listening is an art that can be cultivated. It relates to skills that can be developed. A
good listener knows the art of getting much more than what the speaker is trying to convey. He
knows how to prompt, persuade, but not to cut off or interupt what the other person has to say.
At times the speaker may or may not be coherent, articulate and well organised in his thoughts
and expressions. He may have it in his mind and yet he may fail to marshal the right words while
communicating his thought. Nevertheless, a good listener puts him at ease, helps him articulate
and facilitates him to get across the message that he wants to convey. For listening to be
effective, it is also necessary that barriers to listening are removed. Such barriers can be both
physical and psychological. Physical barriers generally relate to hindrances to proper hearing
whereas psychological barriers are more fundamental and relate to the interpretation and
evaluation of the speaker and he message.

Difficult Words : interpretation = explanation; cultivated = developed; prompt = motivate

Words
someone to do something; articulate = to express the thoughts.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using heading
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)
4. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall experiencing some of
the most carefree times of my life. But I can also remember, even more vividly, moments of
being deeply frightened. As a child, I was truly terrified of the dark and getting lost. These fears
were very real and caused me some extremely uncomfortable moments.
May be it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar room at night that
scared me so much. there was never total darkness, but a street light or passing car lights made
clothes hung over a chair take on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye,
I saw curtains move when there was no breeze. A tiny creak in the floor would sound a hundred
times louder than in the daylight and my imagination would take over, creating burglars and
monsters. Darkness always made me feel helpless. My heart would pound and I would lie very
still so that 'the enemy' wouldn't discover me.
Another childhood fear of mine was that I would get lost, especially on the way home from
school. Every morning, I got on the school bus right near my home—that was no problem. After
 Unseen Passages 55
school, though, when all the buses were lined up along the curve, I was terrified that I would
get on the wrong one and be taken to some unfamiliar neighbourhood. I would scan the bus
for the faces of my friends, make sure that the bus driver was the same one that had been there
in the morning, and even then ask the others over and over again to be sure I was in the right
bus. On school or family trips to an amusement park or a museum, I wouldn't let the leaders
out of my sight. And of course, I was never very adventurous when it came to taking walks or
hikes because I would go only where I was sure I would never get lost.
Perhaps, one of the worst fears I had as a child was that of not being liked or accepted by
others. First of all, I was quite shy. Secondly, I worried constantly about my looks, thinking
people wouldn't like me because I was too fat or wore braces. I tried to wear the right clothes
and had intense arguments with my mother over the importance of wearing flats instead of
saddled shoes to school. Being popular was very important to me then and the fear of not being
liked was a powerful one.
One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is being able to recognize and
overcome our fears. I have learnt that darkness does not have to take on a life of its own, that
others can help me when I am lost and that friendliness and sincerity will encourage people
to like me. Understanding the things that scared us as children helps us to cope with our lives
as adults.

Difficult Words : vividly = clearly; evolving = originating, developing.

Words
Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
The outcasts were not allowed to mount the platform surrounding the well, because if they
were ever to draw water from it, the Hindus of the three upper castes would consider the water
polluted. Nor were they allowed access to the nearby brook as their use of it would contaminate
the stream. They had no well of their own because it cost a lot of money to dig a well in a hilly
town. Perforce they had to collect at the foot of the upper-caste Hindu well and depend on the
bounty of some of their superiors to pour water into their pitchers. More often than not there
was no upper-caste Hindu present. Most of them were rich enough to get the water-carriers to
supply them with plenty of fresh water every morning for their baths and kitchens, and only
those came to the well who were either fond of an open-air bath or too poor to pay for the water-
carrier's services. So the outcasts had to wait for a chance to bring some upper-caste Hindu to
the well, for luck to decide that he was kind, for fate to ordain that he had time to get their
pitchers filled with water. They crowded round the well, congested the space below its high brick
platform, morning, noon and night, joining their hands in servile humility to every passerby;
cursing their fate, and bemoaning their lot, if they were refused the help they wanted; praying,
beseeching and blessing, if some generous soul condescended to listen to them, or to help them.
 56
When Sohini reached the well there were already about ten other outcasts waiting. But there
was no one to give them water. She had come as fast as she could to the well, full of fear and
anxiety that she would have to wait her turn since she could see from a distance that there was
already a crowd. She didn't feel disappointed so much as depressed to realise that she would
be the eleventh to receive water. She had sensed the feeling in her brother's soul. He was tired.
He was thirsty. She had felt like a mother as she issued from her home to fetch water, a mother
going out to fetch food and drink for her loved ones at home. Now as she sat in a row with her
fellow-sufferers, her heart sank. There was no sign of anyone passing that way who could be
a possible benefactor. But she was patient. She had in her an inbred fortitude, obvious in her
curious reserve, in her docile and peaceful bearing.

Difficult Words : contaminate = to make foods and drinks poisonous; bemoaning = to feel
Words
sorry for what have done; condescended = to show pity or kindness; benefactor = one who
helps others.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

6. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
It is surprising that sometimes we don't listen to what people say to us. We hear them, but
we don't listen to them. I was curious to know how hearing is different from listening. I had
thought both were synonyms, but gradually, I realised there is a big difference between the two
words.
Hearing is a physical phenomenon. Whenever somebody speaks, the sound waves generated
reach you, and you definitely hear whatever is said to you. However, even if you hear something,
it doesn't always mean that you actually understand whatever is being said. Paying attention
to whatever you hear means you are really listening. Consciously using your mind to understand
whatever is being said is listening.
Diving deeper, I found that listening is not only hearing with attention, but is much more
than that. Listening is hearing with full attention, and applying our mind. Most of the time, we
listen to someone, but our minds are full of needless chatter and there doesn't seem to be
enough space to accommodate what is being spoken.
We come with a lot of prejudices and preconceived notions about the speaker or the subject
on which he is talking. We pretend to listen to the speaker, but deep inside, we sit in judgement
and are dying to pronounce right or wrong, true or false, yes or no. Sometimes, we even come
prepared with a negative mindset of proving the speaker wrong. Even if the speaker says nothing
harmful, we are ready to pounce on him with our own version of things.
What we should ideally do is listen first with full awareness. Once we have done that, we
can decide whether we want to make a judgement or not. Once we do that, communication will
be perfect and our interpersonal relationship will become so much better. Listening well doesn't
 Unseen Passages 57
mean one has to say the right thing at the right moment. In fact, sometimes if words are left
unspoken, there is a feeling of tension and negativity. Therefore, it is better to speak out your
mind, but do so with awareness after listening to the speaker with total concentration.
Let's look at this in another way. When you really listen, you imbibe not only what is being
spoken, but you also understand what is not spoken as well. Most of the time we don't really
listen even to people who really matter to us. That's how misunderstandings grow among
families, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters.

Difficult Words : phenomenon = event; prejudices = an unreasonable dislike of a person,

Words
caste or group; awareness = knowledge about general things; imbibe = to assimilate or
absorb something.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

7. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Although stupidity is commonly defined as a lack of normal intelligence', stupid behaviour
is not the behaviour of a person lacking in intelligence but the behaviour of a person not
showing good judgement or sense. In fact, stupidity comes from the Latin word that means
'senseless'. Therefore, stupidity can be defined as the behaviour of a person of normal intelligence
who acts in a particular situation as if he or she isn't very bright. Stupidity exists at three levels
of seriousness.
First is the simple, relatively harmless level. Behaviour at this level is often amusing. It is
humorous when someone places the food from a fast food restaurant on the roof of the car
while unlocking the door and then drives away with the food still on the roof. We call this
absent-mindedness. The person's good sense or intelligence was temporarily absent. At this
level, other than causing inconvenience or embarrassment, no one is hurt by the stupid behaviour.
The next type—serious stupidity – is more dangerous. Practical jokes such as putting sugar
in the salt shakers are at this level. The intention is humorous, but there is a chance of harm.
Irresponsible advice given to others is also serious stupidity. An example is the person who
plays psychiatrist on the basis of an introductory psychology course or doing a TV program on
psychiatry. The intention may be to help, but if the victim really needs psychiatric help, an
amateur will only worsen the situation.
Even worse is the third kind of stupidity. Kind people, who would never injure another living
being, stupidly throw away a box of six-week-old kittens along a country road. Lacking the heart
to kill the poor things, they sentence them to almost certain death from wild animals, infections,
exposure or the wheels of a passing vehicle. Yet they are able to tell themselves that 'they will
find nice homes' or 'animals can get along in the wild'. Another example of this kind of stupidity
is the successful local businessman who tries to have as many office affairs as he can get away
with. He risks the loss of his business and his home. He fails to see that what he is doing is
 58
wrong. His is the true moral stupidity of a person not willing to think about the results of his
actions or to take responsibility for them. The common defence of a person guilty of stupidity
is — 'But I didn't think....'. This, however, is not a proper excuse, especially when serious or
harmful stupidity is involved.

Difficult Words : inconvenience = uneasiness; embarrassment = confusion; psychiatrist

Words
= a doctor who treats mentally disturbed persons; involved = be a partner in some event or
action.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings
and sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

8. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is present in our body. It's an important component
of our cell walls and other tissues, but it is thought to be harmful if in excess. It can lead to
blockages caused by plaque formation in the heart's arteries causing heart disease and heart
attacks. Such blockages can also happen in arteries, in the legs or in the brain. Cholesterol is
produced in the liver, and the amount produced is influenced by our genes. The food we
consume, too, has effect on cholesterol levels. Fatty foods, especially those high in saturated fats,
and foods high in simple sugars such as cold drinks increase cholesterol levels. Lack of physical
activity and exercise also leads to elevated levels.
We can reduce cholesterol levels by following a heart-healthy lifestyle, which includes
regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily and a diet high in fruits and vegetables and
low in saturated sugar. Statins are the group of drugs most recommended for those with high
cholesterol. Red yeast rice has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol. Include garlic
and flaxseed in your daily diet. Olive oil, Canola oil or other oils rich in monounsaturated fatty
acids can be used for cooking in order to reduce cholesterol through food.
The ill effects of high cholesterol take time to show, and you may not realise it until it's a
bit too late. Cholesterol, by itself is important because it insulates nerve cells and membranes.
Being a fatty substance, it does not dissolve in the blood and is packaged into protein. There
are the 'good' HDL cholesterol and 'bad' LDL cholesterol. Bad cholesterol can stick to the
smooth lining of the blood vessels, where it is absorbed, while HDL mops up excess bad
cholesterol and removes it from blood vessels. Even moderate physical activity can help increase
HDL cholesterol.
Exercise five days a week, whether you are overweight or underweight. Aerobic exercises like
walking, cycling, swimming, slow jogging, dancing, etc. for 45 minutes, three times a week and
anaerobic exercises like weight training, and sprinting, for another three days will help increase
good and reduce bad cholesterol. In order to maximize your cardiovascular fitness, aerobic
exercises should raise your heart rate to a certain level. This level is called your target heart zone.
Keep your heart rate elevated for at least 20 minutes. Always warm up, stretch, and cool down-
relax-before and after any workout to avoid injuries. All these contribute to a healthier and fitter
life.
 Unseen Passages 59

Difficult Words : tissue = group of cells performing a function; insulates = to make

Words
something safe by covering it; membranes = very thin covers around biological organs; mop
up = to clean.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

9. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Salt, a miraculous gift of nature, is one of the most useful and amazing minerals on earth
derived from the sea and rocks. Do you know that it is the only rock that humans can eat ?
Salt has seasoned our history, language and food, besides making nutritious foods more
palatable. It is used in all bakery products, prepared foods, sauces, soups, spices, cereals, dairy
foods, meats, poultry. It is also an extraordinarily effective food preservative, retarding the
growth of spoilage by micro-organisms and making food storage possible long without
refrigeration.
How much salt is necessary for human consumption ? Medical experts agree that everyone
should practise some reasonable ‘moderation’ in salt consumption. For the average person, a
moderate amount might run from 4 to 10 gm a day, or roughly half to one and one-third
tablespoons. The equivalent of one to two gm of this salt allowance would come from the
natural sodium in food. The rest would be added in processing, preparation or at the table.
Common salt, a chloride of sodium, is chemically represented by the symbol NaCl. The
human body has a continual need for salt. Sodium chloride or the common salt is 39 per cent
sodium and 61 per cent chloride. Forming a solution in the body, these two components
separate into sodium and chloride ions, each with a different task. Chloride maintains the
balance of water between the living cell and its environment, plays a part in digestion, and pairs
with sodium to maintain the blood's acid-base balance, critical for life. Sodium assists in
regulating the volume of blood and blood pressure. It facilitates the transmission of nerve
impulses and is necessary for heart and muscle contractions. Although the popular conception
is that salt is a flavour enhancer, a recent American study suggests that it functions as a flavour
filter on food, selectively enhancing and suppressing various tastes. Other studies show that the
use of salt suppresses the bitter taste of dark green vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela).
Salt's functions in the body are already elucidated. Deficiency signs include lethargy, dizziness
cramps and palpitation. In women excessive-salt intake promotes fluid retardation and can
cause breast pain. But what the good salt can do, in the right dose, is unequalled. Snorers should
try spraying their nose with salt water to make it easier to breathe.

Difficult Words : miraculous = surprising and beyond expectations; extraordinary =

Words
exceptionally efficient and intelligent, aboe the general standards; elucidated = explained;
deficiency = lack of nutrients in body.
 60
Questions
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

10. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The medicinal, insecticidal and religious significance of Neem tree is enshrined in mythology.
The reference is that when 'amrit', the heavenly nectar, was being taken to gods, a few drops
fell on it. Since then the tree has assumed such an exalted position in our life.
The Ayurvedic texts show the efficacy of the tree in almost all sorts of human diseases. The
renowned Hindu physician and authority “Susruta” (100 AD) has dealt extensively with it.
The bark is a tonic, an astringent, an antipyretic, a cure for nausea. It is an effective cure for
skin diseases and ulcers. The leaf is a known antiseptic. It is extensively used in treating
pimples, small pox, jaundice, ulcers, tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, leprosy, rheumatism
and worms.
Neem oil contains a compound 'nimbridin' which is a powerful remedy for various skin
ailments and pyorrhea. It is also a hair tonic. Its essence is used in toothpastes and beauty aids.
The stems serve as tooth brushes, toothpastes and toothpicks.
The sweet-smelling flower extract is a food stimulant and an effective cure for indigestion.
Its (Neem tree) gum is effective in curing chronic skin infections and leprosy.
The insecticidal value of neem is rather phenomenal. A few leaves put into the granary
protect it from insects. A layer of neem leaves between the folds keeps silks and woollens moth-
free. Neem is an air purifier and protects people from malaria and cholera.
As a standard remedy for burns neem leaves are soaked in oil and smeared over burnt tissues.
Take crushed leaves in the form of pills grinding it with jaggery, dried in the shade, and consume
twice or thrice daily till the burns begin to heal. Boil neem leaves and make a concentration to
treat fungal infections. First cool it and then make a paste with a ripe banana to apply over the
infection for half an hour. The boiled neem water can be used for treatment of skin inflammations.
To restore facial beauty, use an emulsion made of lime juice and coconut milk and add rose
petals or jasmine, mix a paste made of neem leaves and turmeric rhizome in the emulsion and
apply over the affected spots.

Difficult Words : enshrined = written in books due to its importance; antipyretic = medicine
Words
that lowers body temperature; efficacy = effectiveness; jaundice = a kind of liver disease in
which blood and body become pale.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)
 Unseen Passages 61
11. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
The categorisation of cinema into art cinema and commercial cinema was largely an offshoot
of the emergence of the new movement in the seventies.
It is said by art-film directors in their defence that it is the inclusion of spicy elements that
explains the success of commercial films. Their films, on the other hand, do not make use of
sure-success formulae. They, however, pride themselves on their greater concern for social
issues compared to the mainstream film-makers. Nevertheless, the low success of art–films
makes one doubt their efficacy as vehicles of mass communication.
Ever since its inception, cinema has served as both a source of entertainment and of
education for the masses. It is the entertainment value of cinema that makes it an effective tool
for creating social awareness among the masses.
There is no doubt regarding off beat cinema's commitment to social reform, but it is
generally observed that art films are marked by a slowness of pace. The story is presented in
what is seen popularly a boring and monotonous manner, often causing the audience to yawn
through the length of the film.
In direct contrast, a commercial film proceeds at a brisk pace. Moreover, it is marked by an
interesting presentation of the story, which is often interspersed with elements like song, dance,
comedy and action. All this makes it more receptive to the public.
The difference between art-cinema and commercial cinema, perhaps, lies in the fact that
while art-cinema administers the bitter pill to the public as it is, the commercial cinema
administers the same bitter pill after coating it with a sweetener, thus making it more palatable.
No wonder that while commercial films attract huge crowds to the cinema halls, the art-films
are screened to sparse audiences. It is the lack of the element of entertainment in art-cinema
more than anything else, that accounts for its low popularity among the masses. Is not the
primary purpose of cinema to entertain ?
In a predominantly illiterate society like India, cinema is - for the bulk of its population -
a source of relief after a hard day's work. The offbeat films, instead of relieving, further tax the
mind of the viewer by bringing him face to face with the stark and unadulterated reality. Hence,
with all its social relevance, the offbeat cinema manages to reach only a limited audience
comprising mainly the educated and the intellectual sections of society.

Difficult Words : emergence = coming out, origin; unadulterated = pure; palatable =

Words
interesting; sparse = not dense; offbeat = non-traditional.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

12. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
There are two problems which cause great worry to our educationists—the problem of
religious and moral instruction in a land of many faiths and the problem arising out of a large
variety of languages.
 62
Taking up the education of children we see that they should be trained to love one another,
to be kind and helpful to all, to be tender to the lower animals and to observe and think right.
The task of teaching them how to read and write and to count and calculate is important, but
it should not make us lose sight of the primary aim of moulding personality in the right way.
For this, it is necessary to call into aid, culture, tradition and religion. But in our country we
have, in the same school, to look after boys and girls born in different faiths and belonging to
families that live in diverse ways of life and follow different forms of worship associated with
different denominations of religion. It will not do to tread the easy path of evading difficulties
by attending solely to physical culture and intellectual education. We have to evolve a suitable
technique and method for serving the spiritual needs of school children professing different
faiths. We should thereby promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, a fuller understanding and
helpful co-operation among the different communities in our society. Again we must remain one
people and we have therefore, to give basic training in our schools to speak and understand
more languages than one and to appreciate and respect the different religions prevailing in
India. It is not right for us in India to be dissuaded from this by considerations as to numbing
the young mind. What is necessary must be done. And it is not in fact, too great a burden.
Any attempt to do away with or steamroll the differences through governmental coercion
and indirect pressure would be as futile as it would be unwise. Any imposition of a single way
of life and form of worship on all children or neglect of a section of the pupils in this respect
or barren secularisation will lead to conflict between school and home life which is harmful.

Difficult Words : tender = soft; prevailing = common, in use; futile = useless; imposition
Words
= forcefully implementation.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

13. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Real praise, the sincere compliment is probably the most useful social tool of all. It's the
valued gold coin for conversation. Yet today, it is in danger of losing its brightness. For it is
greatly misused and not properly exchanged.
What is a true compliment ? It's one that benefits both giver and receiver. Once a painter
and his young assistant were painting our house. The older man was wearing shiny new shoes.
As the man started painting skilfully, my father-in-law said to the boy, “Son, when you can show
up on the job to paint a house, wearing new shoes, you will be the master of your trade.” The
painter smiled and did the best job. We all like to have our sense of personal worth built up
or pointed out. And when one expert adds to another's sense of dignity and speaks favourably
of his skill, he is offering a compliment of the highest and rarest kind.
A compliment differs from flattery in that it is objective and is given without thought of gain.
Flattery is often merely lip service or excessive praise given for motive other than expressed.
 Unseen Passages 63
The greatest efforts of the human race have always resulted from the love of praise. This
should be inspired in childhood. The wise parent makes it a point to compliment a child who
deserves it. A woman I know has a 12-year-old son who considers washing dishes for his mother
a great honour. One night, while washing a large dish, it slipped and crashed on the floor. Then
his mother said, “You know, Robert, of all the times you have washed the dishes for me, this
is the first time you dropped one”. Anxiety left the boy's face and he smiled. As one psychologist
advises, “Praise virtue and you will find few vices to critcise”.
There is an art in this giving of compliments. Thus, the good compliment is always to the
point and its timing is important. Don't wait too long to tell a person what a good talk he gave
or how well he cut your grass. But don't do it immediately when he is expecting it either. Wait.
Then when he thinks you may have forgotten, pass the praise.

Difficult Words : skilfully = perfectly and technically; crashed = broke up into pieces;
Words
psychologist = one who knows the mental attitude of human; deserves = be able to do or
get something.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

14. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
Egotism is the most common fault of mankind. Product of the perfectly natural desire to
display oneself, egotism, which is an exaggerated form of self-display, can take such a variety
of shapes that it is not always easy to discern. Beyond any shadow of doubt, however, it is a
personal defect that ought to be constantly hunted down and scotched, for it impairs the
personality, and frustrates all efforts at self-improvement.
This is the easily recognizable form of egotism that is evidenced in the person who continually
talks of his own affairs. You must all have met the kind of man who is never happy except when
recounting his exploits and experiences in life; and whatever subject he may begin discussing
you feel quite sure that he will sooner or later arrive at himself. Although such a blatant kind
of egotism is apparent to the onlooker, it may not be so easy for the egotist himself to recognize
his fault. But if he can put on his guard—and it behoves each one of us to examine carefully
whether we are entirely immune from this canker—there is always hope of a cure. On the other
hand, there is a type, not uncommon, which evidences its egotism by affecting a humility that
is certainly not felt, and intentionally avoiding the use of the pronoun “I” in speech and in
writing. Such affectation is an infallible sign of egotism, and it is all the more reprehensible
because it is deliberately assumed by the person.
Next we come to the individual who holds strong opinions and insists on forcing these
opinions on to others. He constantly lays down the law, he knows and he jolly well insists that
you shall accept his viewpoints. Here again, there is not a great difficulty in recognizing the
egotistical aspect of this conduct, although it is not so easy to remove such a defect, for a person
 64
of this kind is generally possessed of a fiery temper—but again, it can be done, and recognition
of the defect is the first step towards its cure.

Difficult Words : egotism = tendency to speak own virtues; frustrates = discourages;

Words
hunted down = caught; reprehensible = not appreciable, not good; worthy to be criticized;
scotched = ended, stopped.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

15. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Cycling survives as a popular pastime because it yields pleasure and benefits. First of all,
cycling provides exercise, the need of which is felt by most of the people. The development of
machinery tends to deprive us of adequate opportunities of expanding energy while earning a
livelihood. Other opportunities should be created through the medium of sport. Of cycling,
many people hastily say that it is “hard work”, but a fit and practised rider does not agree with
this verdict. The art of easy cycling must be cultivated, as will be shown later, but once it has
been acquired, a long day's run should not unduly tire any rider endowed with a normal
measure of health. Nobody has better described the exercise of cycling than the late Twells Brex,
who said enthusiastically, speaking from experience: “You move along by your own glad effort.”
Many of us wish to use our legs and our lungs, as well as our eyes. An active and healthy person
ought not to be contented to travel always as a mere passenger—“like an image pushed from
behind”, as Stevenson says, that is not life, those who would turn all active cyclists into sedentary
motor-drivers, or into idle passengers, would serve the nation better if they restricted their
attentions to the aged and infirm.
It is often said that the cyclist cannot travel as fast or as far as the motorist. Admitting this,
the cyclist may be permitted to ask if it is always desirable that travel should involve modern
motoring speeds (or accidents). It is enjoyment of a traveller in search of pleasure to be
measured merely in miles, or, what is worse in miles-per-hour, or what is worse still, in miles-
per-gallon ? Surely the cyclist, pedalling calmly along at a modest twelve miles an hour is able
to assimilate scenery more easily, more completely, and with more enjoyment, than the hurrying
occupant of a car ! Cyclists believe that their method of travel is a sensible and convenient
compromise between walking and driving.

Difficult Words : pastime = entertainment; sedentary = stationary, motionless; assimilate

Words
= to digest; unduly = unnecessarily.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)
 Unseen Passages 65

16. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
Before we can develop a really effective programme to prevent auto accidents, we will have
to learn far more than we now know about why such accidents happen. The National Safety
Council, while pointing out that most accidents result from a combination of causes, and that
“few accidents are investigated carefully enough to determine exactly what their underlying
causes were,” estimates that in about 80% of accidents, the most important single factor is the
driver himself. Bad weather, poor road conditions, and defects in cars do cause some accidents.
But such circumstances appear to be of minor significance compared with the mental and
physical condition of the driver. And recent research indicates that the driver's physical condition
is of less importance than his personality and his emotional state. Many, if not most, accidents
are the result of wayward impulses and motivations of faulty judgements and attitudes, of
poorly controlled aggressiveness and competitiveness. Nearly two-thirds of the drivers involved
in fatal accidents were speeding, driving while under the influence of alcohol, disregarding stop
lights or signs, or otherwise violating the law, according to the Safety Council. The pertinent
question is why people drive so fast, drive after drinking, take risks in passing or in general,
commit dangerous, careless, illegal, impulsive, or unfriendly acts when they get behind the
wheel ?
A small beginning has been made towards finding answers to this question. Several studies
comprehensively described by Dr Ross McFarland and his associates have probed the personality
and emotional characteristics of so called accident-prone drivers and discovered such traits as
emotional instability, impulsiveness, suggestibility, excitability, lack of proper sense of social
responsibility, aggressiveness, and intolerance of authority. Although, fault may be found with
the quality of this research in terms of controls and other safeguards, it may prove provocative
enough to lead to sounder efforts. “A man drives as he lives,” says Dr Tillman and Hobbs in an
article in the American Journal of Psychiatry. “If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance,
foresight, consideration for others, he will drive in the same way. If his personal life is devoid
of these desirable characteristics, his driving will be characterized by aggressiveness and over
a long period of time, he will have a higher accident rate than his more stable companions.”

Difficult Words : comprehensively = completely; provocative = exciting; circumstances =

Words
unfavourable situations.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)
17. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
To date happiness has defied definition. Most people tend to equate happiness with fun,
good living, plenty of money. If happiness were synonymous with all this, rich people with all
their luxuries and countless parties, would be perpetually happy. But in actual fact, they are,
frequently, acutely unhappy, despite their riches and ability to indulge in fun activities at will.
Fun is what we experience during an act; happiness is that intangible something we experience
 66
after an act. We may have fun watching a movie, going shopping, meeting friends —these are
all fun activities that afford us fleeting moments of relaxation and enjoyment. Happiness, on the
other hand, is a much stronger, deeper and more abiding emotion.
If we perceive happiness as the ultimate goal, we must also devise a way to reach that goal.
The way to happiness is not a smooth, broad highway along which we can cruise at a comfortable
speed. It is a path through rocky and rugged terrain and the going can become very tough at
times. At these times we have to roll up our sleeves and with pitchfork and shovel make our
way onwards. This pursuit of happiness lasts a lifetime. Great happiness is earned only by great
effort and effort not in spurts but diligent, constant effort.
In this connection we are confronted with another fallacy, that fun and pleasure mean
happiness and thus pain, its corollary, must be synonymous with unhappiness. But in fact, the
truth is quite different. Things that bring us happiness, more often than not, involve some
amount of pain. It is because of misconception that people avoid the very endeavour that is the
source of true happiness. Difficult endeavours—such as the raising of children, establishing
deeper relationships with loved ones, trying to do something worthwhile in life —hold the
promise of a world of happiness.
Happiness is not a permanent vocation. Another prevalent belief is that if one were rich
enough not to have to work, one would be blissfully happy. But a job is more than just a pay
cheque. Almost, all religions teach us that work is worship. Work holds the key to happiness as
doing something which increases confidence and self-worth. It brings on a feeling of satisfaction,
of doing something, of contributing. Job satisfaction comes less from how much one earns than
from the challenge of the job.

Difficult Words : defied = put the challenge; acutely = extremly; intangible = unclear;
Words
endeavour = effort.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

18. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
There are seven schools of Yoga, differing from one another, and yet having a common
objective. The system expounded by Patanjali in his 'Yoga Sutras' is that of Raja Yoga and
includes much of the teaching of the other six. 'Hatha Yoga' consists largely of a system of bodily
exercises calculated to stimulate the mental and spiritual faculties. 'Mantra Yoga' is a ritualistic
course of meditation on certain mystical syllables. 'Bhakti Yoga' emphasises devotion. The
remaining schools do not command much importance. It may be worthwhile examining if the
yoga method and the modern technique of Mental Hygiene have any common features. Yoga
in the words of Patanjali ''is attained by studying the fluctuations of the mind".
The student of yoga is necessarily one who is dissatisfied with his own adaptation to life
and to the external world, for no other reason would induce a man to engage in such an exacting
 Unseen Passages 67
course. His search is not avowedly a search for God, but rather a striving for self-knowledge and
internal mental balance. Patanjali says that if the student is of such a temperament that the idea
of God appeals to him, that is to be encouraged, for the approach to equilibrium through
devotion to God is thereby made the more rapid. If, on the other hand, the student is unable
to accept the hypothesis of God, there are other paths of approach. Yoga, in other words,
encourages but does not insist upon the devotional approach. Even though Mental Hygiene is
intimately associated with Ethics and Religion, this study must confine itself to the psychological
aspects of the subject. (S. S. Exam 2012)

Difficult Words : expounded = described; ritualistic = religious processes; fluctuation =

Words
ups and downs; temperament = nature; intimately = closely.

Questions
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings
and sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

19. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Modern life is sophisticated and complex. Simple living and high thinking is a thing of the
past. Complex living and low thinking has replaced this motto. Most of the people are artificial
and sophisticated.
They have one thing in their heart and another on their lips. Majority of the people in the
cities are deceitful. Face is no more the index of mind. Only expert psychologists can study the
character of a man from the outlook of a person. The world is full of cheats and robbers. Many
a man with simple looks may be a crook in reality. It is a world of make believe and show
business. Acting and mannerism are the rule of the day. The new generation is clear and smart.
It is beyond recognition. Very few people are dependable in respect of their character and
integrity.
In this world of complexity and artificiality, manners are all important. You cannot move in
society unless you know about good manners and possess them. Even if you may not have good
meals, you have to maintain certain minimum standards of dress and make-up. Manners have
become a part and parcel of life. Without proper manners you are not welcome anywhere.
However honest may be your intention and however innocent your behaviour, unless you can
put up tactful show of manners, you will not earn respect of your fellow beings.
For good manners you must maintain a good personality. A clean dress, a clean body, a
certain patience in giving ears to the other party are necessary qualifications of a person
professing to know manners. These qualifications are important for success in any walk of life.
Their importance is all pervading in modern times. Simplicity, innocence, honesty and similar
traits of this kind have lost their values. These traits make a simpleton of any intelligent person
in modern society. (S. S. Exam 2013)

Difficult Words : deceitful = deshonest; mannerism = way of behaving with others;

Words
simpleton = not intelligent and difficult to be convinced.
 68
Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings
and subheadings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

20. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Religion as I saw it, practised, and accepted even by thinking minds, whether it was Hinduism
or Islam or Buddhism or Christianity, did not attract me. It seemed to be closely associated with
superstitious practices and dogmatic beliefs and behind it lay a method of approach to life's
problems which was certainly not that of science. There was an element of magic about it, an
uncritical credulousness, a reliance on the supernatural.
Yet it was obvious that religion had supplied some deeply felt inner need of human nature
and that the vast majority of people all over the world could not do without some form of
religious belief. It had produced many fine types of men and women, as well as bigoted, narrow-
minded, cruel tyrants. It had given a set of values to human life, and though some of these
values had no application today, or were even harmful, others were still the foundation of
morality and ethics.
In the wider sense of the word, religion dealt with the uncharted regions of human experience;
uncharted that is, by the scientific positive knowledge of the day. In a sense it might be
considered an extension of the known and charted region, though the methods of science and
religion were utterly unlike each other, and to a large extent they had to deal with different kinds
of media. It was obvious that there was a vast unknown region all around us, and science, with
its magnificent achievements, knew little enough about it, though it was making tentative
approaches in the direction. Probably also the normal methods of science, its dealings with the
visible world and the process of life, were not wholly adapted to the physical, the artistic, the
spiritual, and other elements of the invisible world. Life does not consist entirely of what we see
and hear and feel, the visible world which is undergoing change in time and space.
(Sr. Sec. Supplementary 2013)

Difficult Words : superstitious = one who has blind faith; tyrant = an all powerful and
Words
cruel king of a country; tentative = experimental; spiritual = having faith in religious concepts
and God.

Questions
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings and
sub-heading. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

21. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Success comes to those who work with concentration and have thoroughness in action.
Anyone who achieves success in the management of any great affair of life is entitled to honour.
May he be an artist who paints a picture, an author who writes a book, a housewife who
 Unseen Passages 69
manages the household affairs or a soldier who wins the battle — the credit goes to his ardent
spirit which is responsible for getting the job done thoroughly without getting discouraged by
the failures. Nothing great and durable was ever achieved without perseverance. It is only by
practice, patience, labour, thoroughness and an eye for perfection that man reaches the minutest
details of the problem, overcomes them and attains his goal. There is not even a single statesman
who has not been a man of industry. Louis XIV rightly said, "It is by toil that kings govern".
Washington, an indefatigable man of business trained himself in the habits of application, study
and methodical work and successfully brought them to bear in the affairs of the government.
Wellington, the head of his army in Spain directed the precise manner in which the soldiers were
to cook their breakfast while on duty. He specified the exact speed at which bullocks were to
be driven. If every detail in action is carefully arranged and well executed, then efficiency is
secured.
Booker T. Washington, a great American leader and educator, gained admission to the
Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Virginia. The head teacher got impressed by his
quality of thoroughness in work. When asked to clean the adjoining room, he swept the room
three times and dusted every bit of furniture four times. This superb quality of thoroughness
in work impressed the head teacher and Washington got admission in the school of his dreams.
So, it should be borne in mind that behind every dream and success lies a long trail of
passionate efforts which the world may never come to know. But if anyone thinks that great
success can be achieved without thoroughness, then it is better if thoroughness becomes our
second nature and with the boon bestowed upon us, we can reap the harvest of our toil for the
rest of our lives. (S. S. Exam 2014)

Difficult Words : ardent = energetic; indefatigable = one who does not get tired; precise
Words
= clear and correct.

Questions
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

22. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The idea that women’s rights are human fights has presently gained momentum globally
and has secured recognition internationally now. However this idea is not new to India. Swami
Vivekananda observed that a civilization could be judged by the way it treats its women. If a
truly democratic and equitable society is to be created then women from all segments including
the less privileged must be given voice in decisions that affect their lives and that of their family.
Hence the fact of need for protection of women’s rights has been present in the Indian social
and political system.
Several steps have been taken by the Government for protection of rights of the women. To
give recognition to the women, it has been made compulsory to include mother’s name along
with that of the father in the various application forms required to be filled for an Indian child
 70
while seeking admission in a school. Several changes have been made in the personal laws to
protect the women’s rights and remove inherent inequalities.
The Government of India has taken several measures to help and support the women
specially of the weaker sections of society. Those include the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh and the
Mahila Samakhya programmes. The formation of Self Help Groups of women is another important
step in giving voice to the women. Financial independence has not only given boost to the
confidence of women, it has freed their families from the clutches of the village money lenders.
The field of literacy is one where women have played an important role, be it at the stage
of atmosphere building or teaching of the illiterates, specially in the state of Rajasthan. As far
as literacy is concerned, the women have played an important role. They have been appreciated
by the Government also, and every year when the Akshar Mitra (Friends of Letters) awards are
given, quite a number of women get awards too.
Ours is developing country and media has a prominent role in shaping or remoulding the
attitudes of its populace. By giving space to success stories of women, the media can effectively
contribute to the glorious world of women and her existence. (S.S. Exam 2015)

Difficult Words : recognition = social credit; privileged = having special rights; clutches
Words
= tight hold of something; remoulding = reforming and restructuring something.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
subheadings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

23. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Work is essential for man. It is a blessing. It is one of the precious privileges he has. It is
the source of all other rights. It brings him the good things of life and promotes his well-being.
Work is an integral part of life. Without it life is deprived of its substance and character.
Work gives us happiness. It banishes vice and poverty from life. Work, according to Carlyle,
is the grand cure of all the maladies that beset mankind. It is the key to all progress. Work is
life, idleness is death.
The prosperity of any nation depends on the work of the people there. If they remain like
lotus-eaters, no nation can progress or achieve anything remarkable. The prosperity achieved
by nations like Japan and Israel bears out this. No pains, no gains.
All kind of work deserve our respect. But there are a number of people who consider some
kinds of work ignoble and inferior. The work of farmers is much more important than that of
teachers. The reason is that if the farmers do not work, we shall not get any food-stuff. If street-
cleaners do not work, life in cities and town will prove difficult. "It does not disgrace a gentleman"
says Ruskin," to become an errand boy or a day labourer, but it disgraces him much to become
a knave and a thief".
For Carlyle, work is worship. According to him, there is perennial nobleness and even
sacredness in work. To work is to pray. The worker is the saviour of society, the redeemer of the
 Unseen Passages 71
race, Tagore says God is the tiller of the hard ground and the path-maker. "He is with them in
sun and in shower and his garment is covered with dust." The best form of worship, according
to Gurudev, is to work and serve others.
It is necessary for our young men and women to recognize the dignity of labour. Most of
them prefer white collar jobs to manual work. Manual work according to Gandhiji, gives an
opportunity to all who wish to take part in the government and the well-being of the state. We
should look up to the worker who earns his livelihood by the sweat of his brow.
(S.S. Exam 2016)

Difficult Words : banishes = gets rid of someone or something; ignoble = bad; saviour
Words
= one who saves or rescues, from dangers; white collar job = office work.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 Marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 Marks)

24. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Happy is the man who acquires the habit of reading when he is young. He has secured a
life long source of pleasure, instruction and inspiration. So long as he has his beloved books,
he need never feel lonely. He always has a pleasant occupation of leisure moments, so that he
need never feel bored. He is the possessor of wealth more precious than gold. Ruskin calls
books. "King's Treasures" — treasuries filled, not with gold and silver and precious stones, but
with riches much more valuable than these – knowledge, noble thoughts and high ideals. Poor
indeed is the man who does not read, and empty is his life.
The blessings which the reading habit confers on its possessor are many provided we
choose the right kind of books. Reading gives the highest kind of pleasure. Some books we read
simply for pleasure and amusement – for example good novels. And novels and books of
imagination must have their place in everybody's reading. When we are tired, or the brain is
weary with serious study, it is healthy recreation to lose ourselves in some absorbing story
written by a master hand.
Books are the most faithful of friends. Our friends may change, or die; but our books are
always patiently waiting to talk to us. They are never cross, peevish or unwilling to converse,
as our friends sometimes are. No wonder a reader becomes a ''book lover".(S. S. Exam 2017)

Difficult Words : leisure = time of no work; confer = to give; weary = tired; peevish =
Words
irritated.

Questions :
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and
sub-headings. (4 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)
 72
Read the passage given below and answer the questions :
This problem of the art of living is one which for two thousand years has interested and
perplexed the world's philosophers .............. . Most people would agree that, apart from the
eternal verities, the art of living consists in the achievement of happiness and in the
avoidance of unhappiness.
Happiness has little to do with enjoyment or even pleasure; it is something for more
reputable than self-indulgence. Happiness can only be found in the free and successful expression
of one's own personality. I shall now examine that phrase and therefore repeat it. Happiness,
or the art of living, consists in the free and successful expression of one's own personality, what
do I mean by that ? I mean something for more than selfishness of self-seeking. People who
are selfish or self-centred or conceited have not begun to learn the art of living; they have not
mastered even the ABC of the art. Of all the miserable people in the world there are none so
miserable as those who think only of themselves and whose every motive is self-seeking motive.
You see, every man or woman born into this world is given certain personal virtues and
cursed with certain personal defects. If he or she seeks to express his or her own personality,
which I hold to be the art of living, he must strive always to express his virtues and to suppress
his defects. He must not express the worst in himself; he must express the best in himself. He
will never be happy if he falls into the dreary round of selfishness. (S. S. Exam 2018)
(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
sub headings. (2 marks)
(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. (2 marks)

Difficult Words : has interested = has made the philosophers wanting to know or hear
Words
more about; perplexed = confused; eternal = existing; consist in (Phrasal verb) = to have
something as its main point; achievement = something that you have done successfully;
pleasure = the feeling of being happy; self-indulgence = something allowing yourself to have
or do things you enjoy; self-seeking = interested only in your own needs without considering
the needs of other people; conceited = having too much pride; ABC = simple facts about
something; miserable = very unhappy; virtues = behaviours which show high moral standards;
strive = try very hard; suppress = to stop yourself from expressing your feelings; dreary =
boring.

Answers
EXERCISE 1
(i) Notes :
1. Status of various ailments
1.1. Common cold — no cure to control
1.2. Cure available
1.2.1 Typhus
1.2.2 Plague
 Unseen Passages 73
2. Reasons for no control
2.1. Viral infection — affects lining
2.2. Caused by the family of viruses — Rhinoviruses
2.3. For certain colds — no viruses have yet been isolated
3. Viruses — problem in identifying
3.1. Smaller than bacteria — can't be seen by ordinary microscope
3.2. Can't be cultivated in laboratory
3.3. Grows only in living cells of
3.3.1. Animals
3.3.2. Plants
4. Tissue culture — a recent step further
4.1. Bits of animal tissue are made to go on living
4.2. They multiply independently off from the body
4.3. Led to discovery of large number of viruses
4.4 Previously unknown and unsuspected
5. No immunity from common cold
5.1. Viruses causing cold attacks
5.1.1. Surface
5.1.2. Not blood stream
5.2. Cannot be opposed by anti-bodies
5.3 Immunity from one virus does not guarantee protection from others
5.4 We have to suffer cold for some more time
(ii) Summary
It is ridiculous that we have the cure of fatal diseases like typhus and plague but medical
science doesn't have the cure for common cold that is so prevelant and it seems that we are
likely to suffer it for some time more. The reason is that it is caused by the family of viruses
known as rhinoviruses. They are confusing, very small and cannot be seen with ordinary
microscopes. The development of the technique of tissue culture has discovered a number of
viruses. But catching cold once doesn't create immunity because they attack on surface not the
blood stream.
Title - Common Cold — Uncommon Problem
EXERCISE 2
(i) Notes :
1. Importance of food to the body
1.1. Provides energy
1.2 Helps in
1.2.1. Repair
1.2.2. Rejuvenation
1.3. Confers many other benefits
 74

2. Fasting benefit — under medical supervision - according to one research

2.1. Gives rest to digestive organs
2.2. Cleanses body mechanisms
2.3. Reduces influx of toxins
2.4. Redirects body energy to
2.4.1. Immune system
2.4.2. Cell growth
2.5. Helps heal with greater speed
2.6. Cleanses
2.6.1. Liver
2.6.2. Kidney
2.6.3. Colon
2.6.4. Breath
2.7. Purifies blood
2.8. Helps lose extra weight
2.9. Clears
2.9.1. Eyes
2.9.2. Tongue
2.10. Offers rest to gastro-intestinal systems
3. Another research on benefits of fasting
3.1. Helps in detoxification
3.2. Improves
3.2.1. Metabolism
3.2.2. General immunity
3.2.3. Concentration
3.2.4. Mental clarity
3.3. Sharpens senses
3.4. Calms mind
4. Difference between fasting and starvation
4.1. Slow down the ageing process
4.2. Glucose essential for the brain's functioning
4.3. If denied for more than 4-8 hours, body converts glycogen in liver
4.4. After 12 hours glycogen stored in muscles is used
4.5. If further denied body fat is used
4.6. If fast not broken, body uses protein for fuel
4.7. Complete starvation can cause death
(ii) Summary
Fasting has various benefits, if it is done under medical supervision. According to research,
it detoxifies the body, cleanses different systems, improves metabolism and general immunity
 Unseen Passages 75

and provides benefits at the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual planes. It is wrong to
mistake fasting for starvation. If starvation continues, the body consumes glucose from the liver,
muscles and the protein content of the body and ultimately death can occur.
Title - Fast – Don't Starve
EXERCISE 3
(i) Notes :
1. Research about listening and hearing
1.1. Human mind processes 500 words per minute
1.2. Speaker speaks 150 words per minute
1.3. Large difference – 350 words per minute
2. Essential to be a good speaker and listener
2.1. Speaker should be able to retain attention of audience
2.2. Listener should not let his mind wander
2.3. A good speaker must be a good listener also
3. Skills for listener
3.1. Starts with hearing – though not a sufficient condition
3.2. Hear with attention
3.2.1. be observant
3.2.2. Use ears, eyes and mind
3.2.3. Calls for participation and involvement
3.3. It is dialogue not a monologue
4. Good listening – an art
4.1. Cultivated
4.2. Skill to be developed
4.3. A good listener knows
4.3.1. How to get much more than what speaker wants to convey
4.3.2. be prompt
4.3.3. Persuade without interruption
4.4. A good listener helps the speaker
4.4.1. Puts him at ease
4.4.2. Helps him articulate
4.4.3. Facilitates him to get across the message he wants to convey
5. Barriers to listening – must be removed
5.1. Psychological
5.2. Physical
(ii) Summary
There is a vast difference between the words the human mind can speak and process. So
the speaker must be able to retain the attention of the speaker and be a good listener. Listening
 76
depends on attention and concentration. To be observant and use ears, eyes and mind. Good
listening needs participation and involvement. It involves dialogue more than monologue. It is
an art to be cultivated. A good listener should prompt and persuade instead of interrupting. He
puts speaker at ease, helps to articulate and get across the message he wants to deliver. Physical
and psychological barriers need to be removed for effective listening.
Title - How to Develop the Art of Good Listening and Speaking
EXERCISE 4
(i) Notes :
1. My childhood
1.1. Generally happy
1.2. Carefree times
1.3. Terrified of
1.3.1. Dark
1.3.2. Getting lost
1.4. Fears caused very uncomfortable moments
2. My room at night – scared me
2.1. Things looked and sounded strange
2.2. Never total darkness
2.3. Street light or a passing car light made shape of unknown beast
2.4. Curtains moved without breeze
2.5. A tiny creak sounded louder
2.6. Darkness made me feel helpless
3. Another childhood fear
3.1. I would get lost especially on my way home from school
3.2. Terrified – would take wrong school bus
3.3. To be sure I would
3.3.1. Scan bus for familiar faces
3.3.2. Make sure for the same driver
3.3.3. Ask others for the right bus
3.4. On hikes, walks or trips – would not let leaders out of my sight
4. Worst childhood fear
4.1. Not being liked or accepted by others for I was
4.1.1. Quiet shy
4.1.2. Worried about my looks – too fat or wore braces
4.2. Being popular very important for me
5. Process of evolving from childhood to adult
5.1. Recognize and overcome our fears
5.2. Learnt darkness does not take on its own life
 Unseen Passages 77

5.3. People will like me if I am

5.3.1. Friendly
5.3.2. Sincere
(ii) Summary
My childhood was generally happy but full of fears of many kinds. I became scared in my
familiar room at night in the dark. It made me feel helpless. I had also fear of getting lost
especially on my way from school to home. The worst fear was that I was not being liked or
accepted by others. But in the process of evolving from a child to an adult I was able to recognize
and overcome my fears. I understood that the things that scared us in our childhood would
enable us to cope with our lives as adults.
Title - My Childhood Fears
EXERCISE 5
(i) Notes :
1. Position of outcast for water
1.1. Not allowed to mount the platform of the well
1.2. Their drawing water considered polluting the source
1.3. Not allowed to access the nearby brook – it would contaminate the stream
2. Problem of the outcast
2.1. Had no well of their own – cost a lot of money in a hilly area
2.2. Had to collect water at the foot of the Hindu well
2.3. Had to depend on the bounty of the superiors to pour water into their pitcher
2.4. They had to wait for the upper caste Hindus at the well
3. Position of the upper caste Hindus
3.1. Rich enough to get water carriers
3.2. Some came to the well
3.2.1. For open air bath
3.2.2. Not able to pay for the water carriers
4. If somebody refuse the outcasts had to
4.1. Pray
4.2. Beseech
4.3. Bless
4.4. So that some generous soul condescended to listen to them or to help them
5. When Sohini reached the well
5.1. About ten outcasts already waited there
5.2. No one there to give them water
5.3. Full of fear and anxiety
5.4. Not disappointed ~ she would be 11th to receive water
5.5. Tired
 78

6. Her mental condition at that time

6.1. Sensed the feeling in her brother's soul
6.2. Felt like a mother to her brother for he was
6.2.1. Tired
6.2.2. Thirsty
6.3. Patient – though there was nobody to fill the pitcher at the well
6.4. Her heart sank – when she waited
(ii) Summary
The outcasts were allowed to draw water neither from the well nor from the brook since they
would contaminate the source. They could not dig a well of their own due to lack of money. So
they had to depend on the mercy of the upper caste Hindus for pouring water into their pitchers.
But very few Hindus came to the well so they had to wait. Sohini came to the well to get water
for her brother. There were already ten persons waiting before her. So she sat there to wait
patiently with her fellow sufferers.
Title - Outcastes and their Sufferings
EXERCISE 6
(i) Notes :
1. Difference between listening and hearing
Hearing Listening
1.1. Physical phenomenon Mental phenomenon
1.2. Only generated sound waves reaches Mind is also used and attention is paid
to us
1.3. Not understanding what is said Actually understanding what is said
2. What cannot be called listening ?
2.1. While listening mind is full of needless chatter
2.2. Not enough space to accommodate what is being spoken
2.3. Prejudices and preconceived notions about
2.3.1. Speaker
2.3.2. Subject
2.4. Pretending to listen but we are ready to
2.4.1. Give our judgement
2.4.2. Dying to prove something wrong
2.5. Ready to project our own version of things even if no harmful thing has been said
3. What should one do ?
3.1. Listen with full awareness then make judgement – communication will be perfect
3.2. Interpersonal relationship becomes much better
 Unseen Passages 79
4. Listening well means
4.1. Say right things at the right moment
4.2. Unspoken words create feeling of tension and negativity
4.3. Speak out your mind after listening with total concentration
4.4. Listening well enables us to imbibe
4.4.1. Spoken words
4.4.2. Unspoken thoughts/ideas
4.5. Misunderstanding can be dispelled by listening properly
(ii) Summary
There is big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is a physical phenomenon
while hearing with attention and applying mind is listening. If we are prejudiced against the
speaker, we will sit in judgement and be ready to pounce on him. We must first listen with full
awareness and then decide whether we want to make a judgement. It is better to speak out our
mind but after listening to the speaker with total concentration. To avoid creating misunderstanding
we must listen to the people who matter to us.
Title - Hearing Versus Listening
EXERCISE 7
(i) Notes :
1. Definition of stupidity
1.1. Common definition
1.1.1. Lacking normal intelligence
1.1.2. Not using good judgement or sense
1.2. According to the author
1.2.1. Not acting brightly
1.2.2. Has three levels of seriousness
2. First level
2.1. Harmless
2.2. Often amusing
2.3. Absent-minded
2.4. No one hurt
3. Second level
3.1. Serious – more dangerous
3.2. Practical jokes
3.3. Intention humorous but risk of harm
3.4. Giving irresponsible advice – though intention to help
4. Third level
4.1. The worst
 80

4.2. Moral stupidity – not able to think about the results of one's action
4.3. Unwilling to take responsibility
(ii) Summary
Stupid person is not the man who lacks intelligence but one who does not use good
judgement or sense. The word 'stupidity' is derived from the Latin word meaning senseless and
defined as the behaviour of a person with normal intelligence who acts foolishly in a particular
situation. Seriousness divides stupidity into three levels. The first is simple, harmless and often
amusing. The second is serious, more dangerous and includes practical jokes. The third, the
worst, is moral stupidity. It occurs when a person is not willing to take any responsibility for
his actions.
Title - Stupidity
EXERCISE 8
(i) Notes :
1. Cholesterol
1.1. A waxy substance present in the body
1.2. Important component of our cell walls and other tissues
1.3. Harmful in excess
2. Harmful impacts
2.1. Blockages by plaque formation
2.1.1. In heart's arteries
2.1.2. In legs
2.1.3. In brain
2.2. Heart diseases
2.3. Heart attacks
3. Cholesterol amount controlled
3.1. Produced in liver
3.2. Food we consume – fatty food
3.3. Influenced by genes
3.4. Physical activity and exercise
4. How to control
4.1. Heart healthy lifestyle
4.1.1. Regular physical activity – at least 30 minutes a day
4.1.2. Diet high in fruits and vegetable and low in saturated sugar
4.2. Statins
4.2.1. Red yeast rice
4.2.2. Garlic and flaxseed
4.2.3 Oil rich in monounsaturated fatty acids
 Unseen Passages 81
5. Types of cholesterol
5.1. LDL–Bad– sticks to the smooth lining of the blood vessels
5.2. HDL –Good– mops up excess bad cholesterol and removes from blood
vessels
6. For healthier and fitter lifestyle
6.1. Exercise five days a week
6.2. Aerobic exercises for 45 minutes three times a week – raise heart rate
6.2.1. Walking
6.2.2. Cycling
6.2.3. Swimming
6.2.4. Slow jogging
6.2.5. Dancing
6.3. Unaerobic exercises three days a week
6.3.1. Weight training
6.3.2. Sprinting
(ii) Summary
Cholesterol, a waxy substance present in our body, is an important component of cell walls
and other tissues. It can be harmful when it is in excess. Its level is affected by our genes, food
and life style. It can be controlled by leading heart-healthy life, doing regular exercise and
having a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and monounsaturated oil. There are the 'good' HDL
cholesterol and 'bad' LDL cholesterol. To ensure an increase in HDL level and to lead a healthier
life and fitter life, one must do aerobic and unaerobic exercises at least five days a week.
Title - Cholesterol and Health
EXERCISE 9
(i) Notes :
1. Salt - Useful & Amazing Mineral :
(i) derived from sea & rocks (only edible rock)
(ii) used in various foods
(a) bakery product (b) prepared food/dairy foods
(c) sauces, soups, spices, cereals, etc. (d) meat/poultry.
(iii) extraordinary food preservative
(a) retards growth of spoilage (b) food storage possible
2 Quantity required for a person :
(i) moderate consumption
(a) average person - 4-10 gm (1/2 - 1/3 tablespoons) per day
(b) 1-2 gm natural sodium in food
3. Chemistry of salt :
(i) symbol : NaCl (39% sodium 61% chloride)
 82

4. Functions of sodium & chloride :

(i) Chloride —
(a) balance of water (b) digestion
(ii) Chloride with sodium – maintains blood's acid base balance
(iii) Sodium - regulates BP
5. Popular conception :
(i) flavour enhancer (ii) suppresses bitter taste of dark green vegetables.
6. Deficiency signs :
(i) lethargy (ii) dizziness (iii) cramps (iv) palpitation
7. Excess of salt signs in women :
(i) promote fluid retardation (ii) breast pain
8. Humorous use - salt water spray on nose effective for snorers
(ii) Summary
Salt is an amazing gift of nature. It is obtained from sea and rocks (edible rocks). It makes
our food nutritious and delicious. It is used in various food items like sauces, soups, spices,
cereals, dairy products, meat/poultry and other food items. It works as natural preservative. A
person should consume 4 to 10 gm (½ to 11/3 tablespoon)of salt a day. Right quantity of salt
is necessary for maintaining water balance, digestion, blood pressure, etc. Its deficiency causes
lethargy, dizziness, palpitation, etc. In women, excessive salt can promote fluid retardation and
cause breast pain. Its spray is useful for snorers by making breathing easier.
Title - ‘Salt : A Miraculous Gift of Nature'
EXERCISE 10
(i) Notes :
1. Importance of Neem
(i) medicine (ii) insecticide (iii) religion – amrit
2. Bark — tonic as & for
(i) antipyretic (ii) nausea (iii) ulcer
3. The leaf—
(i) antiseptic for
(a) tumours (b) pimples (c) small pox
(d) jaundice (e) ulcer (f ) T.B. of the lymphatic glands
(ii) remedy for burns
(a) neem leaves soaked in oil (b) eat pills of crushed leaves with jaggery
(iii) for fungal infection — apply paste of concentrated boiled leaves and ripe banana
(iv) skin inflammation & dermatitis — use boiled neem water
(v) restores facial beauty - emulsion of lime, coconut milk, rose petals, neem
leaves
 Unseen Passages 83
4. Neem oil contains 'nimbridin' – useful in/as
(i) skin ailments (ii) pyorrhea
(iii) hair tonic (iv) toothpaste & beauty aids
5. Stem
(i) toothbrush (ii) toothpaste (iii) toothpick
6. Flower extract
(i) stimulant (ii) tonic for indigestion
7. Gum
(i) chronic skin infection (ii) leprosy
8. Insecticidal value :
(i) protects granary (ii) keeps silks & woollens moth free (iii) air purifier
(iv) protects from — (a) malaria (b) cholera
(ii) Summary
Neem is really a wonderful tree. It is significant because of its medicinal, insecticidal and
religious value. Every part of the neem tree is very useful. Its bark is a tonic. Its leaves are used
in treating pimples, small pox, jaundice, leprosy, etc. Neem oil is a very effective remedy for skin
ailments. Its gum is useful for chronic skin infections. Neem leaves keep silks and woollens
moth-free. It (neem) is a remedy for burns. It is a natural air purifier. Its use also restores facial
beauty.
Title - ‘Neem — The Nectar’
EXERCISE 11
(i) Notes :
1. Types of cinema
(i) art cinema (ii) commercial cinema
2. Success of commercial films
(i) spicy elements (ii) song (iii) dance
3. Art films
(i) low success (ii) concern for social issues
4. Purpose of cinema
(i) entertainment (ii) education (iii) social awareness
5. Difference between art cinema and commercial cinema
Art Cinema Commercial Cinema
(i) Story-boring, lack of entertainment, (i) Story-attractive, spicy element.
lengthy, social issue, reality. (ii) Song, dance, comedy, action, etc.
(ii) No song, dance, comedy, action, etc. are used
(iii) Attracts limited audience (iii) Attracts-huge crowds — Illiterates
(a) educated (b) intellectuals for relief after hard work
(iv) Bitter pill (iv) Bitter pill with sweet coating
 84
(ii) Summary
Cinema can be put into two categories, i.e., commercial cinema, and art cinema. Commercial
films are more popular among masses. These films present spicy elements, i.e., songs, dance,
and comedy, etc. They provide perfect entertainment to the masses. On the other hand, art
cinema is not so popular among masses. It has limited audience because they don't present
spicy elements. These films are mainly based on social issues and reality, hence not easy to
understand for ordinary audience.
Title - Cinema : Art versus Commercial
EXERCISE 12
(i) Notes :
1. Problems before our educationists:
(i) religious and moral instructions because we have children
(a) born in different faiths (b) living in diverse ways of life
(c) following different religions (d) following different forms of worship
(e) speaking a large variety of languages
2. The children should be taught to
(i) love one another (ii) be kind and helpful to all
(iii) be tender to animals (iv) observe and think right
3. Primary aim
(i) personality development in right way
(ii) develop suitable techniques and methods for
(a) serving spiritual need(b) promoting atmosphere of mutual respect
(c) being helpful (d) speaking and understanding more than one language
(e) respecting and appreciating different religions
4. Wrong and unwise to
(i) use any kind of pressure to accept (ii) impose a single way of life and form
of worship
(ii) Summary
In a land of many faiths there are two big problems before our educationists. One is the
problem of religious and moral instruction and the other problem arises out of a large variety
of languages. We should teach our children to love one another, to be kind and helpful and to
be tender to animals. They should not only be provided formal education but also mould their
personality in the right way. We should promote mutual respect, fuller understanding, and
cooperation among different communities. We should train our children to speak and understand
more languages and to appreciate and respect other religions . Imposition will be futile. No
single way of life or worship should be promoted.
Title - Human Values and Education.
 Unseen Passages 85
EXERCISE 13
(i) Notes :
1. The most useful social tools :
(i) real praise (ii) sincere compliment
2. Gold coin of our conversation in danger :
(i) losing its brightness (ii) greatly misused (iii) not properly exchanged
3. True compliment benefits :
(i) giver (ii) receiver
4. Speaking favourably of others' skills is :
(i) offering compliment (a) highest kind (b) rarest kind
5. Compliment differs from flattery :
(i) in objective (ii) given without thought of gain
6. flattery is :
(i) lip service (ii) excessive praise (iii) for motives
7. The greatest effort of the human race :
(i) love of praise (a) should be inspired in childhood
8. Psychological advice :
(i) praise virtue (ii) find few vices to criticise
9. Art of giving compliment :
(i) to the point (ii) timely (iii) don't wait too long to tell
(ii) Summary
Real praise or a sincere compliment is the most useful social tool. It is our way of conversation
that makes our compliment effective but now it is losing its impact because it is greatly misused.
True compliment is beneficial for both the giver and the receiver. Speaking favourably of others'
skills or appreciating others is offering a compliment of the highest and rarest kind. A true
compliment is not flattery. It is objective and without expecting any return, while flattery is
excessive praise offered for selfish motives. Good compliment is always to the point and offered
timely.
Title - ‘Compliment : The Most Useful Social Tool.’
EXERCISE 14
(i) Notes :
1. Egotism – The commonest fault of mankind :
(i) exaggerated form of self-display (ii) seen in various forms
(iii) personal defect (iv) impairs personality
(v) frustrates all efforts at self-improvement
2. Egotism—easily recognizable :
(i) egotist talks of himself only
(ii) recounts only his exploits and experiences in life
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3. Egotist can recognize his own fault :
(i) requires careful examination (ii) curable (iii) it is deliberately assumed
4. Individual who holds strong opinion :
(i) forces his opinion on others (ii) lays down the law
5. Egotistical aspect :
(i) not easy to remove (ii) first step to cure – recognition of the defect
(ii) Summary
Egotism is the commonest fault of mankind. It is a personal defect that impairs the
personality of an egotist. An egotist always talks of his own affairs. He never finds fault with
himself. It is willingly adopted by a person. Affectation of humility can be another form of
egotism. Imposition of his strong opinion is the sign of an egotist. Though egotists don't find
fault with themselves, still there is not a great difficulty in recognizing the egotistic aspects of
their conduct. It is not easy to remove such a defect but it can be done.
Title - ‘Egotism—Most Common Fault of Mankind’
EXERCISE 15
(i) Notes :
1. Cycling—a popular pastime– yields:
(i) pleasure to move alongwith glad effort
(ii) most essential for health – (a) provides energy for a long day's work
2. A healthy person should not become
(i) sedentary driver (ii) idle passenger
(iii) should keep in mind – (a) age (b) infirmity
3. Cyclist v/s Motorist :
Cyclist Motorist
(i) can't travel fast travels fast and may meet with accident
(ii) can enjoy by pedalling calmly sits inactive
(iii) can enjoy scenery hurries, no enjoyment

4. Cyclists believe cycling.

(i) better than walking & driving
(ii) convenient than walking & driving
(ii) Summary
Cycling is a popular pastime. It provides pleasure and benefits. It is a kind of exercise that
keeps us fit. Cycling is an art. It is a kind of sport. Pleasure of riding a bicycle cannot be
measured in terms of speed. Undoubtedly, a cyclist can't travel as fast as a motorist. But a cyclist
enjoys more than a motorist. Many people say that it is hard work but a fit and practised rider
doesn't agree with them. Cyclists believe that their method of travel is a sensible and convenient
compromise between walking and driving.
Title - Cycling—A Good Pastime
 Unseen Passages 87

EXERCISE 16
(i) Notes :
1. Causes of Accidents :
(i) driver - main cause – 80%
(ii) minor causes
(a) bad weather (b) poor road condition (c) defects in cars
2 Condition of drivers :
(i) mental (ii) physical
(iii) their personality (iv) emotional
3. Characteristics of accident prone drivers :
(i) emotional instability (ii) impulsiveness (iii) faulty judgement
(iv) attitude (v) aggressiveness (vi) competitiveness
(vii) excitability (viii) lacking sense of social responsibility
(ix) intolerance
4. Causes of fatal accidents :
(i) fast speed (ii) effect of alcohol (iii) violation of road rules
5. Personal factors which affect driving :
(i) Drivers’ attitude in personal life if he —
(a) cautious (b) tolerant
(c) has foresight (d) has consideration for others
6. lack of desirable qualities : more accidents
(ii) Summary
The major cause of 80% accidents is the driver himself. Other causes are - bad weather, poor
condition of roads, defects in cars, etc. Drivers’ mental and physical condition is responsible for
their reckless driving. Their personality and emotional state is more responsible for accidents.
These accidents occur because of driver's impulsiveness, faulty judgement, aggressiveness,
effect of alcohol, breach of the rules of roads, lack of proper sense of social responsibility, etc.
If the driver's personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for
others, he will drive in the same way.
Title - ‘Causes of Accidents ’
EXERCISE 17
(i) Notes :
1. Definition of happiness
(i) not synonym of fun.
(ii) is intangible – we experience happiness after successful act
(iii) stronger, deeper, more abiding emotion
(iv) an ultimate goal
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2. Fun :
(i) we experience during an act
(a) by watching movie, going shopping, meeting friends
(b) relaxation & enjoyment
3. Way to happiness :
(i) not smooth & comfortable (ii) very tough—rocky and rugged area
(iii) lasts a lifetime (iv) needs diligent and constant efforts
4. Falacies regarding happiness :
(i) true happiness
(a) not synonymous with pleasure (b) lies in raising children
(c) loving people (d) doing worthwhile things
5. Facts about Happiness :
(i) happiness isn't permanent
(ii) work is worship
(a) key to happiness (b) increases confidence & self worth
(c) self satisfaction
(ii) Summary or Abstraction
Happiness defies definition. People equate happiness with fun, money, and living luxurious
life. In fact, happiness is not the synonym of fun. People despite living a very luxurious life, are
not often happy. Watching movie, going shopping, and meeting friends may be a part of fun but
not necessarily happiness. Fun activities give us fleeting moments of relaxation and enjoyment
while happiness is a much stronger, deeper, and abiding emotion. True happiness comes out
of work and by doing some worthwhile things in life. Work gives us satisfaction and self-
confidence which ultimately gives us happiness. Way to happiness is rocky and very tough.
Hence, work is the key to happiness.
Title - ‘Work : Key to Happiness’
EXERCISE 18
(i) Notes :
1. Important schools of yoga – expounded by Patanjali
(i) Raja Yoga–teaching of other six
(ii) Hatha Yoga–body exercises to stimulate the mental and spiritual faculties
(iii) devotion
(iv) Bhakti Yoga ritualistic course of meditation
2. Objective of different yogas:
(i) common objective (ii) self-knowledge (iii) internal & mental balance
3. Yoga is attained:
by studying the fluctuations of mind.
 Unseen Passages 89

4. Student of yoga:
(i) strives for self-knowledge & internal mental balance.
5. Yoga encourages: devotional approach
(ii) Summary or Abstraction
There are seven schools of yoga. Some of the important schools of yoga are- Raja yoga,
Hatha yoga, Mantra yoga, Bhakti yoga, etc. The object of all the yogas is common–that is to gain
self-knowledge and internal mental balance. Yoga is attained by studying the fluctuations of the
mind. Yoga encourages devotional approach and stimulates mental and spiritual faculties.
Title - Yoga and Its Importance
EXERCISE 19
(i) Notes :
1. Modern life :
(a) complex living (b) low thinking
(c) artificial characters (d) difference in thought and on lips.
2. Majority of people :
(a) deceitful (b) cheats and robbers
3. Needs of modern society :
(a) good manners (b) good meals
(c) standards of dress (d) tactful show of manners
4. Requirments for good personality :
(a) proper manners (b) clean dress and body
(c) good conversation.
5. Lost values :
(a) simplicity (b) innocence
(c) honesty (d) high thinking
(e) intelligent to simpleton
(ii) Summary
In modern life, complex living and low thinking has taken place of simple living and high
thinking. Now people have difference in thoughts and on lips. The majority of people are cheats
and robbers. In modern life people have faith in artificiality, pomp and show. Now the concept
of being acceptable is good personality, good manners, clean dress and good power of
conversation. But high virtues have lost their value these days.
Title- Modern Life : Complex Living and Low Thinking.
EXERCISE 20
(i) Notes :
1. Religion seemed to be associated with
(a) superstitious practices (b) dogmatic beliefs
(c) an scientific approach
 90
2. An element of magic
(a) an uncritical credulousness (b) a reliance on supernatural
3. Religion had produced
(a) many fine types of men and women (b) bigoted
(c) narrow-minded (d) cruel tyrants
(e) a set of values to human life
4. Religion dealt with :
(a) uncharted regions of human experience
(i) considered an extension of the known and charted region
(b) Methods of science and religion utterly unlike one another
5. Normal methods of science not wholly adapted to :
(a) physical (b) artistic (c) spiritual
(d) other elements of the invisible world
(ii) Summary
No religion could attract me due to superstitious practices and dogmatic beliefs. Religion
continued in practice because of an uncritical credulousness, a reliance on the supernatural. It
was obvious that the vast majority of people could not do without religion.
Religion had not only produced many fine types of men and women but also given a set
of values to human life. On the other hand, it had produced bigoted, narrow-minded and cruel
tyrants. Religion also dealt with the uncharted regions of human experience. The methods of
science and religion were totally unlike each other. Science was making tentative approaches to
vast unknown regions all around us. The normal methods of science were not wholly adapted
to the physical, the artistic, the spiritual and other elements of the invisible world.
Title - Religion and Science
EXERCISE 21
(i) Notes :
1. Success comes to those who :
(a) work with concentration
(b) have thoroughness in action
2. Nothing great and durable achieved without
(a) practice (b) patience (c) labour (d) thoroughness
3. Washington trained himself in the habits of :
(a) application (b) study (c) methodical work
4. Wellington directed the soldiers to secure efficiency
(a) to cook their breakfast – while on duty
(b) specified exact speed – at which bullock to be driven
5. Every dream and success lies in :
(a) long trail of passionate efforts – world may never come to know
 Unseen Passages 91

(ii) Summary
Those who work with concentration and have thoroughness in action get success, whether
they are painters, authors, housewives or any other professionals. It is the ardent spirit that
makes the work done thoroughly. Without perseverance not a single leader has yet succeeded.
Many great people like Washington, Brooker T. Washington, Wellington gained success in their
life by toiling hard and engaging themselves in passionate efforts.
Brooker T. Washington impressed his head teacher by the quality of thoroughness in work
whereas Wellington directed the soldiers to cook their breakfast while on duty. So, at last, it is
wrong to think to achieve success without thoroughness in action and concentration in work.
Title - Success-Mantra
EXERCISE 22
(i) Notes :
1. Women's rights fight :
(a) not new for India (b) gained momentum globally
(c) secured international recognition (d) present in the Indian political system
2. Steps taken to protect and remove inequalities :
(a) Included mother's name with that of father
(b) made several changes in personal laws.
3. Measures to help and support :
(a) formed Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (b) started Mahila Samakhya programme
(c) Formed self help groups
4. Results :
(a) financial independence (b) freedom from the clutches of money lenders
5. Support by women in literacy programme :
(a) build atmosphere (b) teach illiterates
(c) appreciated by government (d) get Akshar Mitra awards
6. Role of media in the compaign :
(a) shape and remould the attitudes of populace
(b) highlight the success stories of women.
(ii) Summary
Women’s right is to give voice to them. It is not new to India but it has secured recognition
internationally now. Several steps have been taken for their rights such as including mother's
name with the child and making several changes in the personal laws. Various groups of women
are formed for their financial help. They have made them independent. Women have helped in
literacy programme in Rajasthan. Media can also help a lot in the fight of women's right.
Title - Women's Rights – Human Fights
 92
EXERCISE 23
(i) Notes :
1. Work is a
(i) blessing
(ii) precious privilege
(iii) source of rights
(iv) promoter of well being
2. Profits of doing work
(i) give us happiness
(ii) remover vice and poverty
(iii) grand cure of maladies
3. Whose work is inferior
(i) No work is inferior
(ii) The work of farmers, street cleaners is not inferior. It is superior to the work of so
many people.
4. Opinion about work
(i) Ruskin : It does not disgrace a gentleman to become an errand boy or a day
labourer.
(ii) Carlyle : Work is worship. Work is to pray. The worker is the saviour of society.
Work is the key to all progress.
(iii) Tagore : To work and serve others is the best form of worship.
(iv) Gandhiji : Manual labour gives opportunity to all.
5. Without work
(i) No nation can progress (ii) achieve anything remarkable.
6. Disgraceful is
To become a knave and a thief.
7. Examples of hard work
Countries like Japan and Israel have achieved great progress only due to hard work of
their people.
8. No pains, no gains.
(ii) Summary
Work is essential. It is a blessing. Without work life is useless. Work is the key to all progress.
Due to hard work countries like Japan and Israel are progressing. All kinds of work deserves
our respect. No work is inferior. Work is workship according to Carlyle. The best worship is to
work, according to Gurudev. Gandhiji gave importance to manual labour.
Title - Importance of Work
 Unseen Passages 93
EXERCISE 24
(i) Notes :
1. Habit of reading books - a source of
(i) Pleasure
(ii) Instruction
(iii) Inspiration
2. A reader always
(i) Happy
(ii) Never feels lonely
(iii) Never feels bored
3. The person who does not read is
(i) Poor
(ii) Empty
4. Blessing through right kind of books are
(i) Pleasure
(ii) Amusement
(a) Books
(b) Novels
(iii) Healthy recreation
5. Books - faithful friends
(i) Never
(a) Change
(b) Cross
(c) Die
(d) Peevish
(e) Unwilling to converse
(ii) Patiently wait
6. Ruskin Bond thinks books
(i) King's Treasure filled
(a) not with gold
(b) not with precious stones
(c) are filled with
(c.1) knowledge
(c.2) noble thoughts
(c.3) high ideas
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(ii) Summary
Books are faithful friends for they provide pleasure, instruction and inspiration. The person
who has developed the habit of reading good book is always happy, never bored. He has the
treasure of knowledge, high ideals. Books never change or die like a friend. They are never cross,
peevish or unwilling to converse. But they wait for us. The life of the man is empty who does
not read. He is poor indeed.
Title - Books – Faithful Friends
EXERCISE 25
(i) Notes :
1. The art of living consists
(i) the achievement of happiness
(ii) the avoidance of unhappiness
2. Happiness
(i) is not self-indulgence
(ii) is not selfishness
3. Happiness can only be found
in the free and successful expression of one's personality
4. Every man or woman
(i) has certain personal virtues
(ii) is cursed with certain personal defects.
5. Thus art of living is
(i) to express virtues
(ii) to suppress defects
(ii) Summary
The world's philosophers have always strived to know the art of living and they at last define
it as the achievement of happiness. Happiness is the free and successful expression of one's
own personality. It has nothing to do with selfishness or self-centredness. A man having
the art of living always expresses his virtues and suppresses his defects with having a desire
of selfishness.
Title - The Art of Living
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