Reading Section English - Reading Section

Rabindranath Thakur was born in Calcutta on May 07, 1861. His father Devendranath Thakur was a well known social and religious leader.
In school, Rabindranath found the teaching too elementary. It did not take his teacher long to recognise his high intelligence. He was given ‘Macbeth’ to translate and to everyone`s surprise Rabindranath made a very good translation into Bengali. However his limitless curiosity to know more and newer things could not be satisfied in school. It was therefore, decided to withdraw him from there. For four years, from the age of thirteen to seventeen, he studied a wide variety of subjects at home. About the same time he was drawn to nature and arts.
From 1881 onwards his talent as a writer expressed itself in the form of countless compositions in poetry, drama, music, fiction, philosophy and painting. He wrote nearly 50 plays, 100 books of verse and 40 volumes of fiction and philosophical writings.
In 1901, he founded a school at Shantiniketan near Bolpur in Bengal.In1922 it was changed into an international university called Vishvabharti.
The work which brought him universal recognition was a collection of poems named ‘Gitanjali’. This won him Nobel Prize in literature in 1913 and made him internationally famous.
Rabindranath was a great nationalist and patriot. He felt so bitter about the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy in 1919 that as protest, he gave up knighthood which the British had awarded him earlier.
Questions- ;
(i) When and where was Rabindranath Thakur born?
(ii) Why was Rabindranath withdrawn from school?
(iii) How did he express himself as a writer?
(iv) Which book of him won him Nobel Prize in literature?
(v) Write down the name of university founded by him.
(vi) Why did Rabindranath give up the title of knighthood?
Find out the word from the passage which means
(vii) A person who loves his country
(viii) Easy, Not complicated
(ix) A piece of poetry

Food wastage is a sensitive issue and the bitter truth is that we do not have any law that can prevent it. The wastage of food is more prominent during weddings, festivals and other family events. On the other hand, many people in our country are witnessing hunger and starvation. Actually, food wastage is the culmination of insensitivity.
Not only the government, but also the social organisations are concerned with food wastage. Around 1.3 billion tonnes of food, which is prepared every year world-wide is wasted.
Another report states that with increasing prosperity in India, people are becoming insensitive to food. The tendency to throw away, food is increasing along with the ability to spend. Even today, more than 40% of food is thrown in garbage bins kept near marriage vanues in the country. According to a report by World Food Organisation, every seventh person in the world sleeps hungry. If this waste can be stopped, many people can be fed.
Several countries in the world have enacted legislations to encourage donation of food and grocery products. France has become the first country in the world to ban the wastage of fruits, vegetables and other foods by supermarkets.
In the name of serving more and more dishes on weddings, wastage has become a tradition, and this is an undesirable act. People are spending money on weddings lavishly, resulting in greater increase in social spending on poor families. This tradition should be stopped. Even in homes, housewives should take care of this and be alert to cook food items only as per the requirement of family members.
Religions leaders and voluntary organisations should also take initiative in this direction. Children should have the feeling from the beginning that they take as much food in the plate as they need. The contribution of religion, philosophy, thought and tradition can also create a new environment in this process of change.
In Indian culture, food has been given the status of a God, but in the race of modernity, we have become so blind that leaving food uneaten in the plate is considered as fashion. The government should also consider limiting the number of guests invited at weddings as well as the number of dishes served.
Questions
(a) How can the children contribute in stopping wastage of food ?
(b) Which country in the world has made a law to ban wastage of edibles ?
(c) What does the Marriage Ceremony Act, 2006 impose a ban on ?
(d) Approximitely, how much of food is thrown in garbage bins during a wedding dinner in our country ?
(e) What should housewives do to minimise the wastage of food ?
(f) Which undesirable act is mentioned in the passage ?
Write the words from the passage which mean -
(g) condition of being rich and having a good life.
(h) act of giving money to help a person or an organisation.
(i) spending a lot of money unnecessarily.

Coronavirual disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered corona virus. It spreads from animals to humans. It has become a pandemic within a short period. Most of the world's population has come under its influence. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets-generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales or spits out. These droplets are too heavy to hang on in the air and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.
We can be infected by breathing in the virus if we are within a close proximity of someone who is corona positive or by touching a contaminated surface and then our eyes, nose or mouth. As the virus weakens our immunity power, many other complications are likely to develop in the human body. Some of these may prove fatal and cause death.
People of all ages who experience fever, cough, associated with difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain; loss of speech or movement, tiredness, are doubted as corona positive cases.
We should stay safe by taking simple preventions such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, regularly cleaning our hands, coughing into a tissue, keeping rooms well-ventilated and avoiding crowds and close contacts.
Till now, there is no proper cure identified for COVID-19. Scientists and doctors are trying their hands at a number of experiments and treatment plans to control the spread of the disease. COVID-19 vaccines have been worked on and are now available in our country. An intensive vaccine drive has begun strategically under different phases.
In the last ten months, we had succeded in lowering down the number of corona positive cases in India, as the vaccination drive was implemented rapidly and simultaneously. But unfortunately, the second wave of corana is appearing in India and abroad, which may prove to be even more harmful.
It is the result of carelessness shown by the people. They started taking the disease less seriously. People were coming out unmasked, attending meetings, weddings, etc. Schools were also started at many places.
Questions
(a) What is the probable cause of spread of second wave of corona disease ?
(b) What are the preventive measures to remain unaffected from corona ?
(c) After how many weeks, the second dose of vaccination can be administered to the people?
(d) What are the different symptoms of corona positive cases ?
(e) How does COVID-19 spread among human beings ?
(f) What may happen when immunity power weakens in our body ?
Find the words from the passage which mean --
(g) disease spread by touching one another.
(h) resulting in death.
(i) something that covers most of our face to protect.

Selfie is the latest trend in teenagers and hundreds of people are risking their lives to take a selfie which will fetch them more likes' on the social media. Famous social networking platforms encourage users to take selfies. Selfie trend is used in politics and government campaigns too. The Prime Minister of India started a 'Selfie with Daughter' campaign in the country, which was very successful. Even the astronants take selfies in space and it is becoming a staple diet for marketing strategies.
When people take a selfie and post it on the social media, they get “likes' and 'shares'. It makes them feel good about themselves. People who generally don't express themselves can show their emotions through it. All in all, it can boost the confidence of such people for some time.
Though selfies, in themselves are harmless, peoples' behaviour around them add negative connotations to them. There are hundreds of reported deaths because of selfies. People go to dangerous places such as railway lines, cliffs, building tops, dam sites, etc. to take a selfie which will give them more “likes”. Sometimes, an accident happens in such places, causing the death of the person taking a selfie. However, peer pressure makes teenagers and youth take risky actions.
Is a selfie good or bad? It depends on us, how crazy we are for a selfie, how much importance we are giving to it. There is nothing bad in taking selfies, but one should not allow this addiction to take control over our senses.
Questions
(a) Which habit shouldn't be allowed to take control over our senses?
(b) How can people, who generally can't express themselves, show their emotions?
(c) Can taking selfies sometimes prove to be harmful?
(d) Why do teenagers generally take selfies and send them?
(e) Name the campaign which our Prime Minister started, as mentioned in the passage.
(f) Why do astronants take selfies in space?
Write words from the passage which mean :
(g) friends of the same age, interest and job.
(h) liking something very much.
(i) a strong desire to do something again and again.

For many years now, the governments have been promising the eradication of child labour in hazardous industries in India. But the truth is that despite all the rhetoric, no government so far has succeeded in eradicating this evil, nor has been able to ensure compulsory primary education for every Indian child.
Between 60 and 100 million children are still at work instead of going to school, and around 10 million are working in hazardous industries. India has the biggest child population of 380 million in the world, plus the largest . number of children who are forced to earn a living.
We have many laws that ban child labour in hazardous industries. According to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the employment of children below the age of 14 years, in hazardous occupations, has been strictly banned. But each State has different rules regarding the minimum age of child employment. This makes implementation of these laws difficult.
Also, there is no ban on child labour in non-hazardous occupations. The Act applies to the organised or factory sector and not the unorganised sector where most children find employment as cleaners, servants, porters, waiters, etc., among other forms of unskilled work. Thus, child labour continues because the implementation of the existing laws is lax.
There is a lobby which argues that there is nothing wrong with children working as long as the environment for work is conducive to learning new skills, but studies have shown that the children are made to do boring, repetitive and tedious jobs and are not taught new skills as they grow older. In these hell-holes, like the sweet shops of the old times, there is no hope. Children working in hazardous industries are prone to debilitating diseases, which can cripple them for life.
By sitting in cramped, damp and unhygienic spaces, their limbs become deformed for life. Inside matchstick, fireworks and glass industries, they are victims of bronchial diseases and T.B. Their mental and physical development is permanently impaired due to long hours of work. Once trapped, they cannot get out of this vicious circle of poverty. They remain uneducated and powerless. Finally, in the latter years, they too are compelled to send their own children to work. Child labour perpetuates its own nightmare.
If at all the governments were serious about granting children their rights, an intensive effort ought to have been made to implement the directive of the Supreme Court which recommends punitive action against employers of child labour. Only compulsory primary education can eliminate this child labour. If 380 million children are given a better life and elementary education, India's human capital would be greatly enhanced. But that needs, 'a second vision', as said by the former President, Sh. Abdul Kalam.
Questions
(a) Which country has the biggest child population in the world ?
(b) Why does the child labour continue in our country, though we have Child Labour Acts that ban it ?
(c) How working in hazardous industries is dangerous for children ?
(d) What does the Supreme Court recommend to eradicate child labour in India ?
(e) What was our former President Sh. Abdul Kalam's opinion regarding 380 million ..children ?
(f) Is there nothing wrong with children working ? How ?
Find out the words from the passage which mean :
(g) an official order that prevents and action to be done.
(h) to completely get rid of some social problem.
(i) something dangerous to people's health or safety.

Selfie is the latest trend in teenagers and hundreds of people are risking their lives to take a selfie which will fetch them more ‘Likes’ on social media. Famous social networking platforms encourage users to take selfies. Selfie trend is used in political and government campaigns too.
When people take selfie and post it on social media, they get “likes” and “shares”. It makes them feel good about themselves. People who generally don’t express themselves can show their emotions through it.
Though selfies in themselves are harmless, people's behaviour around them add negative connotations to them. There are hundreds of reported deaths because of selfies. People go to dangerous places such as railways lines, cliffs, building tops, dam sites etc. to take a selfie. Sometimes an accident happens in such places, causing the death of person taking a selfie. However, peer pressure makes teenagers and youth take risky actions.
Is a selfie good or bad? It depends on us, how crazy we are for a selfie, how much importance we are giving to it. There is nothing bad in taking selfies but one should not allow this addiction to take control over our senses.
Questions:-
(i) What is the latest trend on social media?
(ii) How can people, who generally can`t express themselves, show their emotions?
(iii) Can taking selfies sometimes prove to be harmful?
(iv) Which habit shouldn`t be allowed to take control over our senses?
(v) Write the word from the passage which means :
'Friends of same age, interest and job
(vi) Write the Opposite word of “Discourage” from the passage.

During our growing up years, we as children were taught - both at home and school – to worship the photos and idols of the gods of our respective religions. When we grew a little older, we were to read holy books like the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran; we were told that there are a lot of life lessons to be learnt from these holy books.
We were then introduced to stories from our mythologies which taught us about ethics and morality - what is good and what is bad. I also learnt to be respectful towards my parents who made my life comfortable with their hard work and love and care, and my teachers who guided me to become a good student and a responsible citizen.
Much later in life, I realised that though we learn much from our respective holy books, there is a lot to learn from our surroundings. This realisation dawned upon me when I learnt to enquire. Everything around us the sun, the moon, the stars, rain, rivers, stones, rocks, birds, plants and animals - teach us many valuable life lessons.
No wonder that besides the scriptures in many cultures, nature is also worshipped. The message that we get is to save our environment and maintain ecological balance. People are taught to live in harmony with nature and recognise that there is God in all aspects of nature.
Questions:
(i)What were children taught during their growing up years regarding religious practices and holy books?
(ii)What lessons were children taught from mythologies during their upbringing?
(iii)What values did the author learn to appreciate later in life, and from whom?
(iv)What realization dawned upon the author much later in life, and what did they learn from their surroundings?
(v)Why is nature worshipped in many cultures, according to the author?
(vi)What message does the author suggest we get from nature, and how does it relate to God?

I rested for a moment at the door of Anand Bhawan, on Market Road, where coffee-drinkers and tiffin-eaters sat still at their tables, uttering low moans on seeing me. I wanted to assure them, "Don't mind me, you hugging the cash box — you are a coward, afraid even to breathe.
Go on, count the cash, if that is your pleasure. I just want to watch, that's all. If my tail trails down to the street, if I am blocking your threshold, it is because, I'm told, I'm eleven feet tip to tail. I can't help it. I'm not out to kill -- I'm too full. I found a green pasture full of food on my way. I won't attack until I feel hungry again. Tigers attack only when they feel hungry unlike human beings who slaughter one another without purpose or hunger."
To the great delight of children, schools were being hurriedly closed. Children of all ages and sizes were running helter-skelter, screaming joyously, "No school, no school. Tiger, tiger!" They were shouting and laughing and even enjoying being scared. They seemed to welcome me. I felt like joining them. So I bounded away from the restaurant door. I walked along with them, at which they cried, "The tiger is coming to eat us; let us get back to school !"
I followed them through their school gate while they ran up and shut themselves in the school hall securely. I climbed up the steps of the school, saw an open door at the far end of a veranda, and walked in. It happened to be the headmaster's room. I noticed a very dignified man jumping on the table and heaving himself up into an attic. I walked in and flung myself on the cool floor, having a special liking for cool stone floors.
Questions:
(i)What is the tiger's perspective on the people in Anand Bhawan, as mentioned in the passage?
(ii)Why are children delighted, and what is their reaction to the tiger's presence, as described in the passage?
(iii)What is the tiger's reason for not attacking, as mentioned in the passage?
(iv)How do the children react when the tiger walks along with them, and what do they say?
(v)What does the tiger do when it enters the school compound, and where does it go?
(vi)How does the tiger describe its size and demeanor, and what is its intention in Anand Bhawan?

Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again was the last thing you wanted to do? If your answer is yes, then you are "not a robot." Unlike robots, we human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow and stretch despite our circumstances and our limitations. Flourishing and trying to make our dreams come true is great when life is going our way. But what happens when it's not What happens when you fail despite all of your
hard work ? Do you stay down and accept the defeat or do you get up again and again until you are satisfied ? If you have a tendency to persevere and keep going then you have what experts call, grit.
Falling down or failing is one of the most.agonising and embarrassing human experiences. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities that have been described as the keys to personal success and betterment in society ?
The other six are : curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is a model for grit for trying 1,000 plus times to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this with the lights on in your room, you know well he succeeded. When asked why he kept going despite his hundreds of failures, he merely stated that what he had been, not failures. There were hundreds of ways not to create a light bulb. This statement not only revealed his grit but also his optimism for looking the bright side.
Questions:
(i)What is highlighted as a distinct characteristic of humans in comparison to robots?
(ii)According to the passage, what quality distinguishes individuals who persevere and keep going despite failures?
(iii)What is described as one of the most agonizing and embarrassing human experiences in the passage?
(iv)What are the seven qualities mentioned in the passage as keys to personal success and betterment in society?
(v)Who is cited as a model for grit in the passage, and what example is given to illustrate this quality?
(vi)According to Thomas Edison, what perspective did he have on his failures in the process of inventing the light bulb?

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. Thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar, their flag once again flew high in the sky.
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 Mharana 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.
Questions:
(i)How long did Maharana Pratap rule over Mewar, and what qualities made him an immortal personality?
(ii)What was the significance of Mewar as a Rajput Kingdom before Maharana Pratap's reign?
(iii)What is highlighted as a recurring theme in the history of Mewar, as mentioned in the passage?
(iv)Who are mentioned as some of the notable rulers of Mewar before Maharana Pratap, and what contributions did they make?
(v)How long had the glorious tradition of the Mewar kingdom continued before Maharana Pratap, and who is mentioned as having given a new stature to the kingdom two generations before him?
(vi)According to the passage, what qualities contributed to the immortal glory of Maharana Pratap and Mewar?