Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousand unrelated data in order. These machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to prevent traffic accidents. They work accurately and at high speed. They save research workers’ years of hard work. This whole process by which machines can be used to work for us has been called ‘automation’. In future automation may enable human beings to enjoy more leisure than they do today. The coming of automation is bound to have important social consequences. Some years ago, an expert on automation, Sir Leon Bagrit pointed out that it was a mistake to believe that these machines could think. There is no possibility that human beings will be controlled by machines. Though computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and improving on their performances, they need detailed instructions from human beings to be able to operate. They can never lead independent lives or rule the world by taking decisions of their own. Sir Leon said that in future, computers would be developed which would be small enough to be carried in one’s pocket. Ordinary people would then be able to use them to obtain valuable information. Computers could be plugged into a wireless network and can be used like radios. For instance, people, going on holiday, could be informed about weather conditions. Car drivers can be given an alternative route, when there is a traffic jam. It will also be possible to make tiny translating machines. This will enable people, who do not share a common language, to talk to each other without any difficulty or to read foreign publications. It is impossible to assess the importance of a machine of this sort, for many international misunderstandings are caused simply due to our failure to understand each other. Computers will also be used in ordinary public hospitals. By providing a machine with a patient’s systems, a doctor will be able to diagnose the nature of his illness. Similarly, machines could be used to keep a check on a patient’s health record and bring it up to date. Doctors will, therefore, have immediate access to great many facts which will help them in their work. Bookkeepers and accountants too could be relieved of dull clerical work. For the tedious task of compiling and checking lists of figures could be done entirely by machines. Computers are the most efficient servant man has ever had and there is no limit to the way they can be used to improve our lives. 1. What are the capabilities of computers in learning and research? 2. What was Sir Leon Bagrit’s view about computers controlling humans? 3. How may ordinary people benefit from computers in the future? 4. How can computers help in hospitals and in reducing misunderstandings? Or Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as: (a) Complex (i) hard (ii) confusing (iii) complicated (iv) mixed (b) To put into proper order (i) arrange (ii) mix (iii) jumble (iv) lose

1. Computers are capable of performing very complex tasks in all fields of learning. They can solve the hardest mathematical problems and organize large amounts of unrelated data quickly and accurately, saving researchers a lot of time. 2. Sir Leon Bagrit believed computers cannot think or take independent decisions. He said they always require human instructions and will never rule or control humans. 3. Ordinary people may use portable computers in the future to access valuable information. They may get weather updates, traffic guidance, and even use translation features for communication. 4. Computers will assist in hospitals by helping doctors diagnose illnesses and update patient records. They will also reduce misunderstandings between people of different languages using translation tools. Or (a) (iii) complicated (b) (i) arrange

Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all …

Delhi tried very hard but it wasn’t enough. In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard. The Supreme Court ban on sales had made procuring them difficult, but many people, including school children, had resolved to buck tradition for clean air. And till 7 pm on Diwali, most neighbourhoods were quiet. Around that time the first sound of firecrackers going off was heard, and gradually it rose to a crescendo. But it was nowhere near the blitzkrieg of the past, not even half of that. And well before midnight, it was all over.
The bad news broke at dawn. It was a visibly smoggy morning. Air pollution levels had peaked to “severe” on Diwali night and remained dangerously high till Friday afternoon as reflected in the real-time monitoring data of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
The CPCB, however, pointed out a silver lining. It said the air quality index (AQI) this year was better than the ones on Diwali in the past two years in spite of hostile meteorological conditions. On Diwali last year (October 30, 2016), the average AQI for the city was in the “severe” category at 426 while the year before that (November 11, 2015), it had been in the “very poor” category at 327. This time, it was marginally lower at 326.
There are so many factors impacting air quality — from the speed and direction of the wind to burning of crop stubble in neighbouring states — that it is difficult to definitively identify the main culprit. What, however, has to be acknowledged is that at least a majority of people have the will to stick to what may appear to be unpalatable decisions for better quality of life.
The data, however, is making informed observers worry—particularly the massive peaks in PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) levels on Thursday night after 10 pm. Delhi peaked to 656 micrograms per cubic metres around midnight.
However, the data also shows that in spite of unfavourable meteorological conditions, the air quality on Diwali this year was better than last year. It had not been so good in the two days preceding Diwali due to intrusion of humid air from the south-east coupled with prevailing calm wind conditions. The average mixing height (the height to which smoke or air will rise, mix and disperse) recorded on October 18 and 19 were 547 metres and 481 metres, respectively, according to CPCB. It should be at least 1000 metres for proper dispersal.
1. How did people in Delhi initially respond to the Supreme Court’s ban on firecrackers?
2. What did the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) say about the air quality index (AQI) this Diwali compared to the previous two years?
3. Why is it difficult to identify the main reason behind Delhi’s poor air quality?
4. What do the PM2.5 and PM10 data on Diwali night suggest about the pollution levels?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Crescendo
(i) silence (ii) noise decreasing (iii) peak of noise (iv) gradual end
(b) Hostile
(i) favourable (ii) helpful (iii) difficult (iv) smooth

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In six months, road users in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, have learned to cringe at using the car horn unnecessarily. “I feel embarrassed now when I occasionally blow the horn,” said Rajaram Dangal, a hotel manager. “I feel like people are staring at me from all around.” Clearly, the traffic police’s slogan of “Let’s be civilised, let’s not use the horn” is working.Making Dangal give up his instinctive action at the wheel has not been easy. Like in most old South Asian cities, horns seem a matter of life and death in Kathmandu, with its narrow, congested, pot holed roads. Pedestrians—and animals—cross the roads at will. There are no traffic lights and road dividers. And yet today, you only hear a few stray beeps on the street. Even these sound tentative and have none of the aggressive, let-me-through tone that you find in, say, Delhi.
The induction of a no-nonsense officer to head the traffic police, a ban on horns, strict vigilance, a fine of ` 500 (` 315 in Indian currency) and threat of public ignominy have brought a degree of silence on the noisy streets. Noise pollution had reached unhealthy highs in the Nepalese capital.
After clamping down on honking, 15,500 people have been hauled up. Sarbendra Khanal, traffic police chief, said this was achieved despite the cops having no mechanical device to pinpoint the horn sound.
And yet, the quietude of sorts is holding out.” “It’s early days still, but I feel mindsets are changing,” Khanal was optimistic. The government’s intent to change the street ambience was enunciated in no less than Khanal’s selection to head the traffic police soon after the announcement of the ban. What did DIG Khanal bring to the table? He has little traffic experience. Rather, the officer has a reputation as an “encounter specialist”, having crushed 109 criminal outfits in the Terai.
It isn’t difficult to extrapolate Khanal’s renown as a tough cop to the willingness of the people to fall in line. Roads are dense with motorcycles since car prices are prohibitive there.
Reining in these weaving, wailing two wheelers was the biggest challenge for Khanal and his team. However, it isn’t all baton and threats. There is a continuing awareness drive, which to date has included 9,400 roadside gatherings, 1,230 sessions with bus and truck drivers and 1,680 visits to schools and colleges. The results are there to see or rather hear.
The success has proved that tough measures can be implemented.
1.What changes have been observed in the behavior of road users in Kathmandu after the horn ban?
2. What measures were taken by the traffic police in Kathmandu to control honking?
3. What qualities did DIG Sarbendra Khanal bring to the traffic police department?
4. How did the authorities combine strictness with awareness to make the horn ban successful?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Congested
(i) clean $\quad$ (ii) overcrowded$\quad$ (iii) quiet$\quad$ (iv) expanded
(b) Ignominy
(i) shame$\quad$ (ii) reward$\quad$ (iii) victory$\quad$ (iv) silence

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Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh president of India, was a great scientist, teacher and writer. He had written many books like ‘Ignited Minds,’ ‘India 2020,’ ‘Mission India’ and ‘Wings of Fire’. He was a source of inspiration for the young and old alike. Here is an extract from ‘Wings of Fire’ which depicts his early life in his own words.
My parents, Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma were widely regarded as an ideal couple. My mother’s lineage was the more distinguished, one of her forebears having been bestowed the title of ‘BAHUDUR’ by the British. I normally ate with my mother, sitting on the floor of the kitchen. She would place a banana leaf before me, on which she had ladled rice and aromatic sambhar, a variety of sharp home-made pickles and a dollop of fresh coconut chutney.
The famous Shiva temple, which made Rameshwaram so sacred to pilgrims was about a tenminute walk from our house. Our locality was predominantly Muslim, but there were quite a few Hindu families too, living amicably with their Muslim neighbours. There was a very old mosque in our locality where my father would take me for evening prayers. I had not the faintest idea of the meaning of the Arabic prayers chanted, but I was totally convinced that they reached God. When my father came out of the mosque after the prayers, people of different religions would be sitting outside, waiting for him. Many of them offered bowls of water to my father who would dip his fingers in them and say a prayer. This water was then carried home for invalids. I also remember people visiting our home to offer thanks after being cured. My father always smiled and asked them to thank Allah, the benevolent and merciful.
The high priest of Rameswaram Temple, Pakshi Lakshmana, was a very ‘close friend of my father. One of the most vivid memories of my childhood is of the two men, each in his traditional attire, discussing spiritual matters.
When I was old enough to ask questions I asked my father about the relevance of prayer. “When you pray” he said “you transcend your body and become a part of the cosmos which knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed”.
1. How does Dr. Kalam describe his parents and his early family meals?
2. What does the passage tell us about communal harmony in Kalam’s locality?
3. What role did Dr. Kalam’s father play in the spiritual lives of the people?
4. What was Kalam’s father's view on the relevance of prayer?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Distinguished
(i) unknown $\quad$(ii) respected$\quad$(iii) ancient$\quad$(iv) poor
(b) Sacred
(i) holy$\quad$(ii) crowded$\quad$(iii) beautiful$\quad$(iv) quiet

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A conversation skill in one which many of us now seem to lack. However one can easily learn this 'dying art and have constructive and enjoyable conversation with others A monologue, in either disetion is not conversation. One needs to achive a balance between talking and listening.
This is where social media makes life difficult. We're used to broadcasting our views,and then responding others comment.That can feel like of a conversation but.when you are face to face, it's not polite to broadcasting your views Although must people can hold a conversation only a few are smooth and charismation when they talk. Smiling and being nice will take you a long way in conversational terms.Everyone preters having a conversation with someone friendly and pleasant.
Conversation is also a way to explore whether you with to know someone better and build a relationship with them.It can therefore be useful to understand how to use conversation to create and buildemotional connections.It's very rare to meet a person who comfortable talking about their emotions and how certain things make them feel, with strangers. Yet this way of talking is a real virtue. Don't just present facts as you're not a newspaper. Express your feelings about those facts instead keep in mind that it is at the emotional level that people connect best. That means being prepared to be open about what interests you, what makes you into 'you' as a person, is effective in inspiring the other person to share too.
If's very rare to mect a person who is comfortable talking about theit emotions and how certain things make them feel, with strangers. Yet this way of talking is a real virtue. Don't just present facts as you're not a newspaper Express your feelings about prepared to be open about what interests you, what makes you into 'you' as a person, is effective in inspiring the other person to share too.
If you are interested in others, and in the world you, you will be interesting to talk too. That in turn, will make conversations flow and create a rapport because you will genuinely want to know about the other person and be able to contribute to the conversation from your own interest in the world. On the other hand, if you take no interest in anything except yourself, you will be quite dull and people will not be keen to have any conversation with you.
Anybody can talk about the nws or press basic opinions. But good talkers can frequently tell you things you didn't know and that you' If find fascination. This is why it's good to have knowledge in fields such as psychology or sociology, and bring such knowledge out at the right moinents in a conversation. Constantly develop you vocabulary and practice communicating as accurately as possible. It will help you develop a way with words and allow you to express yourself more easily.
1. What are the basic needs of good conversation?
2. What should be avoided in good conversation?
3. How can conversation be made effectivs?
4. What role does vocabulary play in honing one's conversation skills?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) lack
(i) be without$\quad$(ii) miss$\quad$(iii) devoid$\quad$(iv) empty
(b) charismatic
(i) pleasing$\quad$(ii) cute$\quad$(iii) glossy$\quad$(iv) magnetically attractive

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Although pollution of land, sea and air has been well documented, the latest and the least recognised version is the swelling tide of noise which is engulfing urban as well as rural areas. This has long-term implications on the ecology, health and productivity of a fast developing country like India.
Unlike other pollutants, noise lacks visibility, seldom registering on the consciousness, except as a trifling irritant to be dismissed at will and therefore less likely to be perceived as a threat. Available data indicate that noise does pose a threat to health and is known to have caused a number of complications. Declining productivity among workers in certain industries has been directly correlated with noise levels, particularly those under constant exposure to the menace.
The first ever survey of the impact of noise on health, conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences, has established that noise not only impairs the physical and psychological functioning of the human organism, but also causes nausea, vomiting, pain, hypertension and a lot of other complications, including cardio-vascular complaints.
A study by Post Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, in Chennai, confirms such conclusions. In 50 per cent of industries it was found that workmen exposed to higher intensities of noise in occupational capacities, were often irritated, short-tempered and impatient and more likely to resort to agitation and disrupt production. This was true of units in heavy industrial pockets in and around the four metropolitan centres.
Recreational noise, another ugly facet, is becoming more widespread in cities and towns. Loudspeakers are turned at full volume during marriages, festivals, jagrans, musical programmes, particularly at night, without the least consideration for others. Even at 50 dB, sound can awaken a person from deep slumber. As experiments have shown, loudspeakers with output from 60 to 80 dB cause the pupils of a slumbering person to dilate, with increasing intake of oxygen, resulting in palpitation. The effect is more pronounced in narrow lanes. TV sets are played at full volume at prime time, invariably disturbing neighbours. Noise making seems to have become the latest status symbol, be it an election campaign or slogan shouting or advertising ownership of a TV set.
1.Why is noise pollution considered a lesser-recognised threat despite its seriousness?
2.What health issues are caused by constant exposure to noise according to the AIIMS study?
3. What did the Chennai study reveal about industrial workers exposed to noise?
4.How has recreational noise become a growing problem in urban areas?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Swelling
(i) decreasing$\quad$(ii) reducing$\quad$(iii) growing$\quad$(iv) silent
(b) Impairs
(i) damages$\quad$(ii) improves$\quad$(iii) increases$\quad$(iv) creates

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In the days gone by, heroes emerged when wars broke out and messiahs appeared when decadence overtook societies. Through the centuries, adversities have inspired people to rise to the occasion and display special skills which have earned them the label of a leader.
The driving force behind a leader’s actions and behaviour is his instinct. It guides silently, telling him what to do, which way to go and how to develop skills that can enable him to overcome any challenge that life proposes. Abraham Lincoln failed in almost all his endeavours through his life. And yet his instinct urged him to keep trying, finally culminating in earning him the highest seat of political leadership in America.
So what is instinct? Is it genetic, or is it cultivated? Instinct is what drives a newborn into sensing that he is hungry or cold, making him cry for help.
It can be best described as a compass of objective observation, although born with it, we tend to lose touch with our instinct as we grow older.
If everybody is born with this sense, why is it that some people become leaders and others don’t? Firstly, external circumstances greatly dictate our evolution. All people who are deprived of opportunities to develop their latent abilities, fail to grow into leaders.
The second reason relates to internal attitude. There are many people who, despite being blessed with all the right opportunities, still fail. This is because they are insensitive to their own instincts, ignoring all the signals that can enable them to act appropriately. Listening is a critical skill that needs to be evolved over time. While our earlier experiences enable us to list and put evaluated choices, it is eventually our instinct that helps us in determining which one to go for. At such times, people who are tuned in to their instincts, are more likely to make the right decisions than those who are not. Instinct is like a psychometer. When a leader gives his team an emotionally charged speech in the attempt to motivate them into action, he can invariably tell even before he has completed it, whether or not he has succeeded. In fact, right through the process of speaking, he is constantly modulating his behaviour.
Leadership is a quest for doing the right things, a quest that is initiated not for fulfilling one’s own selfish needs but for the greater good of all concerned.
1. According to the passage, how have adversities played a role in the emergence of leaders?
2. What role does instinct play in shaping a leader, as explained in the passage?
3. What are the two main reasons why not everyone becomes a leader, even if born with instinct?
4. How does the passage describe the relationship between instinct and decision-making?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Adversities
(i) opportunities$\quad$(ii) difficulties$\quad$(iii) blessings$\quad$(iv) advantages
(b) Culminating
(i) decreasing$\quad$(ii) beginning$\quad$(iii) ending in$\quad$(iv) stopping

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In my most frustrated moments of navigating chaotic Delhi traffic, I close my eyes in the back seat and imagine what it would be like if some day just a thought would transport me from one place to another.
At times, sitting relaxed on my terrace, I look at the green tree tops that I see every day and wonder if some day, just with the power of my thoughts I would be able to create the image of the most vivid blue ocean and a sandy beach in front of me? Then having had enough of that, could my thoughts switch the scene to that of snowy mountain peaks?
Just thinking of these seemingly impossible things gives me a sense of well-being, because I do believe that if you can think it, you can will it and achieve it. If it occurs as a thought, it is possible to fructify as reality. After all, everything big started with a thought. Looking at birds flying freely in the sky, humans must have thought of the possibility of flying centuries before the invention of aeroplanes. The tallest skyscraper, the longest bridge across the ocean, the fastest train, the internet, cellphones—all are the end result of one thought.
As technology advances and we become more confident in our abilities to transform thoughts to reality, the gap between the ideas and implementation keeps shrinking. Today one of the biggest thrills of living is watching impossible-seeming thoughts turn to reality within one’s lifetime!
If with the power of his ‘big thought’ Donald Trump becomes the President of the USA, what then is impossible? As he says in his book, ‘Think Like a Billionaire’, “I like thinking big. To me it is very simple. If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”
True. None of the big achievements or discoveries in life happened by thinking small. To achieve big stuff, you have to think big. Most people avoid thinking big because of laziness, fear of extra work and the instinct to stay unnoticed — and hence out of trouble. A large part of the workforce just wants to do their designated work and get done with it.
And then there are those who let their own small success become the enemy of possible bigger success, later. Sitting back to celebrate a small achievement, they underestimate their own potential. Whoever said that aspirations or possibilities have any limitations? The most pleasurable moments can be spent imagining what seems the impossible — Come on, let your imagination run wild! Believe in yourself and your thoughts. Some of the tips Donald Trumps shares to mould yourself to think big are, “Walk softly but carry a big attitude, conquer your doubts and ditch them; be proud of your big ego, and get into the habit of speaking your mind.”
The power of thought is a form of energy that is impervious to time, space or present reality. It is important to hone and direct your thoughts towards bigger and better, impossible-to-imagine things. What you believe about yourself and what you believe about possibilities is crucial to not just what you become, but also critical to the world as we all experience it — now and in the future.
Dreams and thoughts must rule free without any limitations. Thoughts have to reach beyond and encompass the impossible, the unthinkable, the weird, the unheard-of and the shocking. Think beyond the realms of possibility and then aim to get there. Once there, think much beyond that possibility too. And then get going once again.
1. What is the author's belief about the connection between thoughts and reality?
2. Why do most people avoid thinking big, according to the passage?
3. What happens when one gets satisfied with small achievements?
4. What kind of thoughts does the author encourage readers to have?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) To bear or carry something successfully
(i) face$\quad$(ii) conquer$\quad$(iii) handle$\quad$(iv) ditch
(b) Not affected by time or space
(i) real$\quad$(ii) temporary$\quad$(iii) impervious$\quad$(iv) constant

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Delhi has grown into a city that shuns children. It is now an urban sprawl, its development model skewed in favour of motorised traffic and commercial capitalization. This has snatched play fields from kids. With vehicles both stationary and on the move occupying every inch of space available, the roads and even lanes and bylanes are out of bounds for the little ones unlike in American and European cities, there are few public spaces where one can hang out. No wonder, our children spend a lot of time indoors, glued to the TV, PC or mobile screens. ‘It’s time,’ urban planning experts say, ‘to reconsider Delhi’s growth with the welfare of its children in mind.’
Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph expressed his anguish at the shrinking playing space for children in Delhi. The condition of the parks in the city, he said in the letter, was a “serious violation of human rights of children” as it was “their right in their tender times to have a decent environment to play and frolic around.”
Kuldeep Singh, an architect and urban planner, who worked with DDA during 1956–57 to bring out Delhi’s first master plan, explained how initially children’s needs were the town planner’s priority. “Space standards were set very rationally, and in every neighbourhood, a huge open space was reserved for children which we called ‘tot-lots’. “This was the place where we thought children would get a space to play and mingle with each other and we kept it away from roads,” recalled Singh. However, due to administrative reasons, the idea of ‘tot-lots’ had to be dropped and regrettably, was never entertained again.
“Over the years, circumstances have changed and people are reluctant to let their children go out without some kind of security, as a result of which the children are now suffering.” says Mr. Singh. Before it’s too late, Mr. Singh hopes the few open spaces for kids are restored and protected from vehicles looking for parking lots. Another urban planning expert says the first rectification Delhi’s development model needs to carry out is to ensure mobility of children.
“Two thousand pedestrians die on Delhi’s roads every year of which several are children. There may not be a dearth of green spaces in Delhi, the city has a unique advantage on that front but kids have no safe means to reach their places independently,” says Manjit Rastogi, founder of architecture firm Morphogenesis. “It is catastrophic to learn about child mortality on Delhi’s roads, but, on the other hand, you have the tragedy of kids being confined to their homes,” points out Mr. Rastogi. “From a city of cars, Delhi needs to become a city of pedestrians where children can enjoy and identify themselves with their surroundings,” he adds.
Developing public spaces with colourful street furniture, swings, art instalations, etc., could draw in kids and bring them out of their homes. DDA officials say their focus is on balanced development of the city, which takes into account children’s recreational needs. “DDA is working on new policies like Transit Oriented Development which have sufficient provisions for taking care of pedestrians and movement of children and women safely. Their policies will guide the future development of the city,” said Neemo Dhar, spokesperson, DDA.
1. Why is Delhi considered a city that shuns children?
2. What concern did Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph express regarding children?
3. What was the original plan for children’s play areas in Delhi according to architect Kuldeep Singh?
4. What suggestions have been made to improve mobility and safety for children in Delhi?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Sprawl
(i) crowd$\quad$(ii) expansion$\quad$(iii) greenery$\quad$(iv) destruction
(b) Frolic
(i) cry$\quad$(ii) play happily$\quad$(iii) sleep$\quad$(iv) hide

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A piano teacher described an interesting encounter she had had with a young lady who came to inquire about music lessons. The young lady asked her, “How long will this course take? My father tells me that it is in fashion now to be able to play musical instruments and that I should learn one quickly. I want something that will be quick, fast and easy like, like...” When the amused teacher explained that it would take a lifetime of meticulous practice to learn music, her face fell and, needless to say, she never came back.
The single most important factor that distinguishes those of us who succeed in any venture and those of us who don’t, is this ‘instant coffee’ attitude. Most of us want results quickly. We want to reach the top immediately and get worked up when things go wrong. Perseverance and patience are forgotten words. We get upset, frustrated and angry when a skill or activity requires us to put in a lot of effort and time. We get dejected and want to give it up.
But such thinking serves no good. For, it doesn’t solve the problem. Life is tough for those with the ‘instant coffee’ attitude.
Success, real success, and happiness come to those who have a ‘bread-making’ attitude. Those who are willing to knead the dough, wait for hours for it to rise, only to punch it down and knead some more, wait for another couple of hours for it to rise again, then bake it before it is ready to be eaten. Nothing is instantaneous. For every endeavour—whether in the area of career, academics, music, sports, relationships, physical fitness, or even in spirituality—it is a long arduous journey.
Only if we are willing to put in the time, painstaking effort and have faith, can we get results. If we don’t accept this difficult-but-true fact of life, our lives will be far from being happy and fulfilling. For we may not make that extra effort which can change the course of life dramatically, for the good.
The major problems with these ‘instant coffee’ solutions are that they are invariably shortlived. If we stubbornly refuse to give up this search for quick solutions, all we do is end up on the wrong track.
1. What was the attitude of the young lady who approached the piano teacher for music lessons?
2. What does the term ‘instant coffee attitude’ refer to in the passage?
3. What is meant by the ‘bread-making’ attitude and how does it contrast with the ‘instant coffee’ mindset?
4. What does the author suggest is the key to success and a fulfilling life?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Meticulous
(i) patient$\quad$(ii) careless$\quad$(iii) thorough$\quad$(iv) slow
(b) Perseverance
(i) laziness$\quad$(ii) determination$\quad$(iii) irritation$\quad$(iv) forgetfulness

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Life on our planet earth began with the sea; it is the birth place of life on the earth. The earth is the only planet of our solar system so far known which contains plenty of water and this water has made our earth colourful, pulsating with life of a vast variety.
At present sea occupies about 70 per cent of the earth’s surface. In the southern hemisphere it occupies more area than that in the northern. About 97% of the total water on the surface of the earth is found in the seas and the remaining three per cent, which is generally fresh, in lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.
Sea has given food and shelter to countless creatures. It is a potential source of protein. In 1900 the world was only 150 crore, now it is more than 560 crore and is increasing at a very fast rate. As a result, there is a terrible hunger in many parts of the world. In Africa, Asia and South America, millions of people do not get enough to eat. Many die of malnutrition. Sea, if used scientifically and judiciously, can meet most of our demands.
Plankton or algae mostly constitutes the plant life. Like plant plankton there are also animal plankton; the smallest living creature in the sea. These animal plankton feed on plant plankton and small fish. Thus, there is an unbroken chain of life in the sea.
Arctic and Antarctic seas abound in plankton and algae and so in fish also. Blue whales, the largest living creatures of the world, are also found here in great number.
Some countries have developed sea farming to a great extent. The Japanese and the Hawaiians relish eating sea plants but it is not so in other countries though some use them to feed their cattle or as manure in their fields. The fact is that sea plants contain rich nutrients not found in other vegetarian food. It is good that even in our country some scientists have developed some recipes for curries, jams, etc. to be made from algae.
But we must remember one thing that sea is not to be exploited immediately. For example, man in his greed has hunted whales and some other sea creatures so recklessly that some of their species have either become extinct or are on the verge of extinction. Now, nations of the world have realised their folly and have taken some joint decisions. For example, one such decision is that the size of the holes in fishing nets should be big enough to let baby fish escape through. Otherwise, killing of large quantities of very young fish would have an adverse effect on the fish population. In the same way another decision is for the protection of the blue whales.
1. Why is the sea considered the birthplace of life on Earth?
2. How much of the Earth’s surface is occupied by the sea and how is water distributed?
3. Why is the sea considered a potential solution to the world’s hunger problem?
4. What steps have been taken to protect sea life from overexploitation?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Pulsating
(i) inactive$\quad$(ii) lifeless$\quad$(iii) throbbing with life$\quad$(iv) fixed
(b) Malnutrition
(i) healthy diet$\quad$(ii) lack of proper nutrition$\quad$(iii) overeating$\quad$(iv) digestion

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